JP2010175582A - Optical scanning apparatus, adjusting method, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical scanning apparatus capable of adjusting the beam pitch with good accuracy without any increase in size and cost. <P>SOLUTION: A light source 2200a and a light source 2200b with a plurality of light emitting parts, respectively, are fixed to an outer wall 120a of an optical housing using a fixing member 125. The fixing member 125 is a plate member which is V-shaped when the direction corresponding to the main scanning is the vertical direction, and is screwed to the outer wall 120a at three points. When a screw 130 at -Z side of the light source 2200a is loosened, the angle of the light source 2200a can be adjusted, and when the screw 130 at +Z side of the light source 2200b is loosened, the angle of the light source 2200b can be adjusted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical scanning device, an adjustment method, and an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, an optical scanning device that scans a surface to be scanned with a light beam, an adjustment method that adjusts a beam pitch in the optical scanning device, and the light The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a scanning device.

  As an image forming apparatus that forms an image using the Carlson process, for example, the surface of a rotatable photosensitive drum is scanned with a light beam modulated according to image information, and a latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. There is known an image forming apparatus that forms an image by transferring and fixing a toner image obtained by forming and visualizing the latent image onto a sheet as a recording medium. In recent years, this type of image forming apparatus is often used for simple printing as an on-demand printing system, and the demand for higher image density and faster image output is increasing.

  Therefore, recently, a light source such as a multi-beam laser diode capable of emitting a plurality of laser beams, or a surface emitting laser array in which a plurality of light emitting portions arranged two-dimensionally are formed on one substrate. And an image forming apparatus capable of simultaneously scanning a plurality of scanning lines on a surface to be scanned with a plurality of laser beams emitted from the light source.

  In an optical scanning device used in this type of image forming apparatus, the light source is generally used in a state of being held by a holder (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).

  From a first viewpoint, the present invention is an optical scanning device that scans at least one surface to be scanned with a light beam in the main scanning direction, and includes a first light source and a second light source each having a plurality of light emitting units. A plurality of light sources including: an optical system that collects light beams from the plurality of light sources on the at least one scanned surface and moves a light spot on the at least one scanned surface in a main scanning direction; An optical housing in which the optical system is housed and the first light source and the second light source are mounted adjacent to each other in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction; the first light source and the second light source; And a fixing member for fixing the light source together to the optical housing.

  According to this, it becomes possible to accurately adjust the beam pitch of each light beam emitted from the plurality of light emitting portions of each light source without causing an increase in size and cost.

  From the second viewpoint, the present invention adjusts the beam pitch of each of the plurality of light beams emitted from the first light source and the second light source fixed to the optical housing by the fixing member in the optical scanning device of the present invention. An adjustment method for loosening a screw inserted in the first round hole of the fixing member; and rotating the first light source to emit a plurality of light beams emitted from the first light source. Adjusting the beam pitch; inserting a screw into the first round hole and screwing it into the corresponding screw hole of the optical housing; and screw inserted into the second round hole of the fixing member Loosening; adjusting the beam pitch of a plurality of light beams emitted from the second light source by rotating the second light source; inserting a screw into the second round hole; Thread into the corresponding screw hole in the housing Extent and; an adjustment method comprising.

  According to this, it becomes possible to adjust the beam pitch of a plurality of light beams emitted from each light source having a plurality of light emitting sections with high accuracy in a short time.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least one image carrier; and at least one optical scanning device according to the invention that scans the at least one image carrier with a light beam modulated according to image information; An image forming apparatus.

  According to this, since the optical scanning device of the present invention is provided, as a result, it is possible to form a high-quality image without causing an increase in size and cost.

1 is a diagram for describing a schematic configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating schematic structure of an optical scanning device. FIG. 3 is a second diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the optical scanning device; FIG. 3 is a third diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the optical scanning device; FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining a schematic configuration of the optical scanning device; It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of a light source. It is a figure for demonstrating the light emission part of a light source. It is a figure for demonstrating a core housing and a subhousing. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical element accommodated in a core housing. It is a figure for demonstrating the wall surface 120a of a core housing. It is a figure for demonstrating the wall surface 120b of a core housing. It is a figure for demonstrating attachment of the light source to the wall surface 120a. It is a figure for demonstrating attachment of the light source to the wall surface 120b. It is a figure for demonstrating a fixing member. It is a figure for demonstrating the fixing member fixed to the wall surface 120a. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the wall surface 120a, each light source, and a fixing member. It is a figure for demonstrating a socket. It is a figure for demonstrating the state with which the socket was mounted | worn with the light source 2200a. FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams for explaining the adjustment of the distance between the two light emitting units in the sub-scanning corresponding direction by rotating the socket. It is a figure for demonstrating the fixing member attached to the wall surface 120b. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the wall surface 120b, each light source, and a fixing member. It is a figure for demonstrating integration of a core housing and a subhousing.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a color printer 2000 according to an embodiment.

  The color printer 2000 is a tandem multi-color printer that forms a full-color image by superimposing four colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow), and includes an optical scanning device 2010, four photosensitive drums (2030a, 2030b, 2030c, 2030d), 4 cleaning units (2031a, 2031b, 2031c, 2031d), 4 charging chargers (2032a, 2032b, 2032c, 2032d), 4 developing rollers (2033a, 2033b, 2033c, 2033d), 4 Toner cartridges (2034a, 2034b, 2034c, 2034d), transfer belt 2040, fixing roller 2050, paper feed roller 2054, registration roller pair 2056, paper discharge roller 2058, paper feed tray 2060, paper discharge Ray 2070, and includes a communication controller 2080, and a printer controller 2090 for totally controlling the above elements.

  In this specification, in the XYZ three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, the direction along the longitudinal direction of each photosensitive drum is described as the Y-axis direction, and the direction along the arrangement direction of the four photosensitive drums is described as the X-axis direction.

  The communication control device 2080 controls bidirectional communication with a host device (for example, a personal computer) via a network or the like.

  Each photosensitive drum has a photosensitive layer formed on the surface thereof. That is, the surface of each photoconductive drum is a surface to be scanned. Each photosensitive drum is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the plane of FIG. 1 by a rotation mechanism (not shown).

  The photosensitive drum 2030a, the charging charger 2032a, the developing roller 2033a, the toner cartridge 2034a, and the cleaning unit 2031a are used as a set, and form an image forming station (hereinafter also referred to as “K station” for convenience) that forms a black image. Constitute.

  The photosensitive drum 2030b, the charging charger 2032b, the developing roller 2033b, the toner cartridge 2034b, and the cleaning unit 2031b are used as a set and form an image forming station (hereinafter also referred to as “C station” for convenience) that forms a cyan image. Constitute.

  The photosensitive drum 2030c, the charger 2032c, the developing roller 2033c, the toner cartridge 2034c, and the cleaning unit 2031c are used as a set, and form an image forming station (hereinafter also referred to as “M station” for convenience) that forms a magenta image. Constitute.

  The photosensitive drum 2030d, the charging charger 2032d, the developing roller 2033d, the toner cartridge 2034d, and the cleaning unit 2031d are used as a set, and form an image forming station (hereinafter also referred to as “Y station” for convenience) that forms a yellow image. Constitute.

  Each charging charger uniformly charges the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum.

  Based on the multicolor image information (black image information, cyan image information, magenta image information, yellow image information) from the higher-level device, the optical scanning device 2010 charges the light flux modulated for each color correspondingly. Irradiate each surface of the photosensitive drum. As a result, on the surface of each photoconductive drum, the charge disappears only in the portion irradiated with light, and a latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of each photoconductive drum. The latent image formed here moves in the direction of the corresponding developing roller as the photosensitive drum rotates. The configuration of the optical scanning device 2010 will be described later.

  The toner cartridge 2034a stores black toner, and the toner is supplied to the developing roller 2033a. The toner cartridge 2034b stores cyan toner, and the toner is supplied to the developing roller 2033b. The toner cartridge 2034c stores magenta toner, and the toner is supplied to the developing roller 2033c. The toner cartridge 2034d stores yellow toner, and the toner is supplied to the developing roller 2033d.

  As each developing roller rotates, the toner from the corresponding toner cartridge is thinly and uniformly applied to the surface thereof. Then, when the toner on the surface of each developing roller comes into contact with the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum, the toner moves only to a portion irradiated with light on the surface and adheres to the surface. In other words, each developing roller causes toner to adhere to the latent image formed on the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum so as to be visualized. Here, the toner-attached image (hereinafter referred to as “toner image” for convenience) moves in the direction of the transfer belt 2040 as the photosensitive drum rotates.

  The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 2040 at a predetermined timing, and are superimposed to form a color image.

  Recording paper is stored in the paper feed tray 2060. A paper feed roller 2054 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed tray 2060, and the paper feed roller 2054 takes out recording sheets one by one from the paper feed tray 2060 and conveys them to a pair of registration rollers 2056. The registration roller pair 2056 sends the recording paper toward the transfer belt 2040 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the color image on the transfer belt 2040 is transferred to the recording paper. The recording sheet transferred here is sent to the fixing roller 2050.

  In the fixing roller 2050, heat and pressure are applied to the recording paper, whereby the toner is fixed on the recording paper. The recording paper fixed here is sent to a paper discharge tray 2070 via a paper discharge roller 2058 and is sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray 2070.

  Each cleaning unit removes toner (residual toner) remaining on the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum. The surface of the photosensitive drum from which the residual toner has been removed returns to the position facing the corresponding charging charger again.

  Next, the configuration of the optical scanning device 2010 will be described.

  2 to 5 as an example, the optical scanning device 2010 includes four light sources (2200a, 2200b, 2200c, 2200d), four coupling lenses (2201a, 2201b, 2201c, 2201d), four openings. Plate (2202a, 2202b, 2202c, 2202d), four cylindrical lenses (2204a, 2204b, 2204c, 2204d), polygon mirror 2104, four fθ lenses (2105a, 2105b, 2105c, 2105d), eight folding mirrors (2106a, 2106b, 2106c, 2106d, 2108a, 2108b, 2108c, 2108d), 4 toroidal lenses (2107a, 2107b, 2107c, 2107d), 4 light detection sensors (2205a, 2205) , 2205c, 2205d), 4 single light detection mirror (2207a, includes 2207b, 2207c, 2207d), and the like scanning control device (not shown). These are assembled at predetermined positions of the optical housing 2300 (not shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, see FIG. 5).

  In the following, for convenience, the direction corresponding to the main scanning direction is abbreviated as “main scanning corresponding direction”, and the direction corresponding to the sub scanning direction is abbreviated as “sub scanning corresponding direction”.

  Here, the light source 2200b and the light source 2200c are arranged at positions separated from each other in the X-axis direction. The light source 2200a is disposed on the −Z side of the light source 2200b. The light source 2200d is arranged on the −Z side of the light source 2200c.

  Hereinafter, for convenience, the direction along the optical axis of the coupling lens 2201a and the coupling lens 2201b is referred to as “w1 direction”, and the main scanning corresponding direction in the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b is referred to as “m1 direction”. Furthermore, a direction along the optical axis of the coupling lens 2201c and the coupling lens 2201d is referred to as “w2 direction”, and a main scanning corresponding direction in the light source 2200c and the light source 2200d is referred to as “m2 direction”. Note that the sub-scanning corresponding direction in the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b and the sub-scanning corresponding direction in the light source 2200c and the light source 2200d are both the same direction as the Z-axis direction.

  The coupling lens 2201a is disposed on the optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source 2200a, and makes the light beam a substantially parallel light beam.

  The coupling lens 2201b is disposed on the optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source 2200b, and makes the light beam a substantially parallel light beam.

  The coupling lens 2201c is disposed on the optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source 2200c, and makes the light beam a substantially parallel light beam.

  The coupling lens 2201d is disposed on the optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source 2200d, and makes the light beam a substantially parallel light beam.

  The aperture plate 2202a has an aperture and shapes the light beam that has passed through the coupling lens 2201a.

  The aperture plate 2202b has an aperture and shapes the light beam that has passed through the coupling lens 2201b.

  The aperture plate 2202c has an aperture and shapes the light beam that has passed through the coupling lens 2201c.

  The aperture plate 2202d has an aperture and shapes the light beam that has passed through the coupling lens 2201d.

  The cylindrical lens 2204 a forms an image of the light beam that has passed through the opening of the aperture plate 2202 a in the vicinity of the deflection reflection surface of the polygon mirror 2104 in the Z-axis direction.

  The cylindrical lens 2204b forms an image of the light beam that has passed through the opening of the aperture plate 2202b in the vicinity of the deflection reflection surface of the polygon mirror 2104 in the Z-axis direction.

  The cylindrical lens 2204 c forms an image of the light beam that has passed through the opening of the aperture plate 2202 c in the vicinity of the deflection reflection surface of the polygon mirror 2104 in the Z-axis direction.

  The cylindrical lens 2204d forms an image of the light flux that has passed through the opening of the aperture plate 2202d in the vicinity of the deflection reflection surface of the polygon mirror 2104 in the Z-axis direction.

  An optical system composed of two coupling lenses (2201a, 2201b), two aperture plates (2202a, 2202b), and two cylindrical lenses (2204a, 2204b) is unitized as a pre-deflector optical system 102A.

  Similarly, an optical system composed of two coupling lenses (2201c, 2201d), two aperture plates (2202c, 2202d) and two cylindrical lenses (2204c, 2204d) is unitized as a pre-deflector optical system 102B. ing.

  The polygon mirror 2104 has a four-stage mirror having a two-stage structure, and each mirror serves as a deflection reflection surface. The light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204a and the light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204d are deflected by the first-stage (lower) tetrahedral mirror, respectively, and the light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204b and the cylindrical light are deflected by the second-stage (upper) tetrahedral mirror. It arrange | positions so that the light beam from the lens 2204c may be deflected, respectively. Note that the first-stage tetrahedral mirror and the second-stage tetrahedral mirror rotate with a phase shift of 45 °, and writing scanning is alternately performed in the first and second stages.

  Here, the light beams from the cylindrical lens 2204 a and the cylindrical lens 2204 b are deflected to the −X side of the polygon mirror 2104, and the light beams from the cylindrical lens 2204 c and the cylindrical lens 2204 d are deflected to the + X side of the polygon mirror 2104.

  Each fθ lens has a non-arc surface shape having such a power that the light spot moves at a constant speed in the main scanning direction on the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum as the polygon mirror 2104 rotates.

  The fθ lens 2105a and the fθ lens 2105b are disposed on the −X side of the polygon mirror 2104, and the fθ lens 2105c and the fθ lens 2105d are disposed on the + X side of the polygon mirror 2104.

  The fθ lens 2105a and the fθ lens 2105b are stacked in the Z-axis direction, the fθ lens 2105a is opposed to the first-stage tetrahedral mirror, and the fθ lens 2105b is opposed to the second-stage tetrahedral mirror. Further, the fθ lens 2105c and the fθ lens 2105d are stacked in the Z-axis direction, the fθ lens 2105c is opposed to the second-stage tetrahedral mirror, and the fθ lens 2105d is opposed to the first-stage tetrahedral mirror.

  Therefore, the light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204a deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 2030a through the fθ lens 2105a, the folding mirror 2106a, the toroidal lens 2107a, and the folding mirror 2108a, thereby forming a light spot. The This light spot moves in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 2030a as the polygon mirror 2104 rotates. That is, the photosensitive drum 2030a is scanned. The moving direction of the light spot at this time is the “main scanning direction” on the photosensitive drum 2030a, and the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 2030a is the “sub-scanning direction” on the photosensitive drum 2030a.

  The light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204b deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 2030b through the fθ lens 2105b, the folding mirror 2106b, the toroidal lens 2107b, and the folding mirror 2108b, and a light spot is formed. The This light spot moves in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 2030b as the polygon mirror 2104 rotates. That is, the photosensitive drum 2030b is scanned. The moving direction of the light spot at this time is the “main scanning direction” on the photosensitive drum 2030b, and the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 2030b is the “sub-scanning direction” on the photosensitive drum 2030b.

  The light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204c deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 is irradiated to the photosensitive drum 2030c through the fθ lens 2105c, the folding mirror 2106c, the toroidal lens 2107c, and the folding mirror 2108c, and a light spot is formed. The This light spot moves in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 2030c as the polygon mirror 2104 rotates. That is, the photosensitive drum 2030c is scanned. The moving direction of the light spot at this time is the “main scanning direction” on the photosensitive drum 2030c, and the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 2030c is the “sub-scanning direction” on the photosensitive drum 2030c.

  The light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204d deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 2030d through the fθ lens 2105d, the folding mirror 2106d, the toroidal lens 2107d, and the folding mirror 2108d, and a light spot is formed. The This light spot moves in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 2030d as the polygon mirror 2104 rotates. That is, the photosensitive drum 2030d is scanned. The moving direction of the light spot at this time is the “main scanning direction” on the photosensitive drum 2030d, and the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 2030d is the “sub-scanning direction” on the photosensitive drum 2030d.

  Each folding mirror is arranged so that the optical path lengths from the polygon mirror 2104 to each photosensitive drum coincide with each other, and the incident position and the incident angle of the light flux on each photosensitive drum are equal to each other. ing.

  Further, the cylindrical lens and the corresponding toroidal lens form a surface tilt correction optical system in which the deflection point and the corresponding photosensitive drum surface are conjugated in the sub-scanning direction.

  An optical system disposed on the optical path between the polygon mirror 2104 and each photosensitive drum is also called a scanning optical system. In this embodiment, a scanning optical system of the K station is configured by the fθ lens 2105a, the toroidal lens 2107a, and the folding mirrors (2106a and 2108a). Further, the scanning optical system of the C station is composed of the fθ lens 2105b, the toroidal lens 2107b, and the folding mirrors (2106b, 2108b). The f-theta lens 2105c, the toroidal lens 2107c, and the folding mirrors (2106c, 2108c) constitute the M station scanning optical system. Further, a scanning optical system of the Y station is configured by the fθ lens 2105d, the toroidal lens 2107d, and the folding mirrors (2106d and 2108d).

  A part of the light beam before the start of writing out of the light beam deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 and passed through the scanning optical system of the K station enters the light detection sensor 2205a via the light detection mirror 2207a.

  The light detection sensor 2205b is deflected by the polygon mirror 2104, and a part of the light beam before starting writing out of the light beam via the scanning optical system of the C station enters through the light detection mirror 2207b.

  The light detection sensor 2205c is deflected by the polygon mirror 2104, and a part of the light beam before starting writing out of the light beam via the scanning optical system of the M station enters through the light detection mirror 2207c.

  A part of the light beam before the start of writing out of the light beam deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 and passed through the scanning optical system of the Y station enters the light detection sensor 2205d via the light detection mirror 2207d.

  Each of the light detection sensors outputs a signal (photoelectric conversion signal) corresponding to the amount of received light.

  The scanning control device detects the scanning start timing on the corresponding photosensitive drum based on the output signal of each light detection sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 6 as an example, the light source 2200a includes a cylindrical main body a1, a disk-shaped stem a2, and four lead terminals a3 extending from the stem a2 in the −w1 direction. Further, the stem a2 is formed with two V-shaped notches a4 facing each other.

  The light source 2200a includes two light emitting units (L1, L2) as shown in FIG. 7 as an example. That is, the light source 2200a is a multi-beam laser diode. These two light emitting portions (L1, L2) are on a straight line passing through the center of the light source 2200a in a plane orthogonal to the w1 direction, and are disposed at positions where the distances from the center are equal to each other.

  The other light sources (light source 2200b, light source 2200c, and light source 2200d) are also multi-beam laser diodes and have the same configuration as that of the light source 2200a.

  As shown in FIG. 8 as an example, the optical housing 2300 includes a core housing 120 and a sub-housing 110.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the core housing 120 includes a first portion having a rectangular shape in plan view in which a polygon mirror 2104 and four fθ lenses (2105a, 2105b, 2105c, and 2105d) are accommodated, and a pre-deflector optical system 102A. And a second portion in which the pre-deflector optical system 102B is accommodated. As an example, this container is made of aluminum die cast.

  Further, the wall surface on the + Y side of the container includes an outer wall 120a and an outer wall 120b inclined by about 30 degrees with respect to the XZ plane. A light source 2200a and a light source 2200b are attached to the outer wall 120a, and a light source 2200c and a light source 2200d are attached to the outer wall 120b.

  As shown in FIG. 10 as an example, the outer wall 120a is formed with a fitting portion 121A to which the light source 2200a is attached and a fitting portion 121B to which the light source 2200b is attached adjacent to each other in the Z-axis direction. Each fitting part is a circular stepped opening. Here, the fitting part 121B is formed on the + Z side of the fitting part 121A.

  Further, a screw hole 122a is formed on the −m1 side of the fitting portion 121B and on the + Z side, and a screw hole 122b is formed on the −m1 side of the fitting portion 121A and on the −Z side.

  Further, a screw hole 122c is formed at an equal distance from the two fitting portions (121A, 121B) and at a position on the + m1 side of each fitting portion.

  As shown in FIG. 11 as an example, the outer wall 120b is formed with a fitting portion 121C to which the light source 2200c is attached and a fitting portion 121D to which the light source 2200d is attached adjacent to each other in the Z-axis direction. Each fitting part is a circular stepped opening. Here, the fitting portion 121C is formed on the + Z side of the fitting portion 121D.

  A screw hole 122d is formed on the −m2 side of the fitting portion 121C and on the + Z side, and a screw hole 122e is formed on the −m2 side of the fitting portion 121D and on the −Z side.

  Furthermore, a screw hole 122f is formed at an equal distance from the two fitting portions (121C, 121D) and at a position on the + m2 side of each fitting portion.

  FIG. 12 shows a state in which the light source 2200a is attached to the fitting part 121A and the light source 2200b is attached to the fitting part 121B.

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the light source 2200c is attached to the fitting part 121C and the light source 2200d is attached to the fitting part 121D.

  In addition, each fitting part is formed with the fitting tolerance of a light source and the extent of sliding. At this time, the stem of each light source is in contact with the stepped portion of the fitting portion.

  The light source 2200a and the light source 2200b are fixed to the outer wall 120a via a fixing member 125. As an example, as shown in FIG. 14, the fixing member 125 is a plate member having elasticity in a shape in which a V-shape is rotated 90 degrees clockwise. That is, the plate member has a V shape when the main scanning corresponding direction is the vertical direction.

  In the following description, for convenience, in the fixing member 125, a rectangular portion that is inclined toward the −Z side with respect to the main scanning corresponding direction is inclined toward the first portion and the + Z side with respect to the main scanning corresponding direction. The rectangular part is referred to as a second part, and the pentagonal part corresponding to the V-shaped bottom part is referred to as a third part.

  In the first portion, a circular opening 125a is formed in the vicinity of the + m1 side end portion, and a round hole 126a is formed in the vicinity of the −m1 side end portion.

  In the second portion, a circular opening 125b is formed in the vicinity of the + m1 side end portion, and a round hole 126b is formed in the vicinity of the −m1 side end portion.

  The diameter of each opening is smaller than the diameter (outer diameter) of the stem in the light source.

  In the third portion, a round hole 126c is formed substantially at the center.

  Further, both the first portion and the second portion are inclined to the −w1 side with respect to the third portion. That is, both the first portion and the second portion are inclined in a direction away from the optical housing 2300.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the fixing member 125 is attached to the outer wall 120a by screwing the screw 130 inserted into the round hole 126a, the round hole 126b, and the round hole 126c into the outer wall 120a. Yes. At this time, in the light source 2200a, the stem is pressed against the outer wall 120a by the peripheral portion of the opening 125a. In the light source 2200b, the stem is pressed against the outer wall 120a by the peripheral portion of the opening 125b. Thereby, the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b are in a state where their postures are stably defined with respect to the core housing 120.

  Here, a method for adjusting the angles of the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b will be described. The adjustment here is performed by an operator in the adjustment process.

(1) Loosen the screw 130 inserted in the round hole 126a of the fixing member 125. As a result, the force pressing the light source 2200a against the outer wall 120a by the peripheral portion of the opening 125a is reduced.

(2) The socket 131 is attached to the light source 2200a.

  As shown in FIG. 17 as an example, the socket 131 is a resin-made columnar member, and has four through holes into which the four lead terminals of the light source are inserted, respectively. The inner surface of each through hole is covered with metal, and four wiring members connected to the inner surface of each through hole are formed from one surface of the socket 131. In addition, a projection that is in contact with the stem of the light source is provided at the center of the other surface of the socket 131. As shown in FIG. 18, the socket 131 is attached to the light source 2200a from the −w1 side.

(3) Power is supplied to the light source 2200a through the wiring member, and the two light emitting units of the light source 2200a are turned on.

(4) The interval (beam pitch) in the Z-axis direction of each light flux from the two light emitting units is measured using a measuring device such as a CCD camera or a position sensor, and the desired interval (beam pitch) is obtained. The socket 131 is rotated in a plane perpendicular to the w1 direction. At this time, the light source 2200a passes through the center thereof and rotates around an axis parallel to the w1 direction.

  For example, when the light source 2200a is rotated by an angle α from the state shown in FIG. 19A, as shown in FIG. 19B, the distance in the Z-axis direction of the two light emitting units (L1, L2) is It can be changed from d1 to d2. This shortens the beam pitch of the two light beams emitted from the light source 2200a.

(5) The screw 130 is inserted into the round hole 126a of the fixing member 125 and screwed into the screw hole 122b of the outer wall 120a. Thereby, the light source 2200a is fixed to the outer wall 120a.

(6) Remove the socket 131 from the light source 2200a.

(7) Loosen the screw 130 inserted in the round hole 126b of the fixing member 125. As a result, the force pressing the light source 2200b against the outer wall 120a by the peripheral portion of the opening 125b is reduced.

(8) The socket 131 is attached to the light source 2200b.

(9) Power is supplied to the light source 2200b via the wiring member, and the two light emitting units of the light source 2200b are turned on.

(10) The interval (beam pitch) in the Z-axis direction of each light beam from the two light emitting units is measured using a measuring device such as a CCD camera or a position sensor, so that the desired interval (beam pitch) is obtained. The socket 131 is rotated in a plane perpendicular to the w1 direction. At this time, the light source 2200b passes through the center thereof and rotates around an axis parallel to the w1 direction.

(11) Insert the screw 130 into the round hole 126b of the fixing member 125 and screw it into the screw hole 122a of the outer wall 120a. Thereby, the light source 2200b is fixed to the outer wall 120a.

(12) Remove the socket 131 from the light source 2200b.

  Thereby, the angle adjustment of the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b is completed, and the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b are fixed to the core housing 120 in a state where the angle is adjusted.

  The light source 2200c and the light source 2200d are fixed to the outer wall 120b via the fixing member 125, as in the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b, as shown in FIGS.

  The light source 2200c and the light source 2200d can be individually adjusted in angle using the socket 131, similarly to the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the sub-housing 110 includes a pair of side plates (111, 112) that face each other in the Y-axis direction, and five connecting members 113 that connect these side plates. Each side plate is disposed such that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the X-axis direction.

  Each side plate is manufactured, for example, by processing a metal plate into a sheet metal. Each side plate has a plurality of openings. In addition, a rectangular cutout is formed at the center of the side plate 112, and a bent portion 112a in which a part of the side plate 112 is bent horizontally is formed in the cutout.

  The connecting member 113 is a long member having a U-shaped cross section, and both end portions in the Y-axis direction are fixed to the side plates. Thereby, the side plate 111 and the side plate 112 are connected in a parallel state.

  The sub-housing 110 includes four toroidal lenses (2107a, 2107b, 2107c, 2107d), eight folding mirrors (2106a, 2106b, 2106c, 2106d, 2108a, 2108b, 2108c, 2108d), four light detection sensors (2205a, 2205b, 2205c, 2205d), four light detection mirrors (2207a, 2207b, 2207c, 2207d) and the like are held.

  The lower surface of the core housing 120 is supported by the bent portion 112a, and the −Y side surface of the core housing 120 is fixed to the side plate 111 with a bolt or the like. Thereby, the core housing 120 and the sub-housing 110 are integrated (refer FIG. 22).

  As is clear from the above description, in the optical scanning device 2010 according to the present embodiment, the optical system is configured by the pre-deflector optical system, the polygon mirror 2104, and the scanning optical system.

  Moreover, the adjustment method of this invention is implemented in the method of adjusting the angle of the light source 2200a and the light source 2200b mentioned above.

  As described above, according to the optical scanning device 2010 according to the present embodiment, the four light sources (2200a, 2200b, 2200c, 2200d) each having a plurality of light emitting units correspond to the respective light beams from the four light sources. An optical system that focuses light on the surface of the photosensitive drum and moves a light spot on the surface of the photosensitive drum in the main scanning direction, and an optical housing 2300 that houses the optical system and that has four light sources attached thereto. , And two fixing members 125 for holding two light sources and fixing the two light sources to the optical housing 2300.

  Conventionally, the fixing member that holds the light source holds one light source and is fixed to the optical housing with two screws. When adjusting the angle of the light source, the two screws are simultaneously loosened to rotate the light source, and after adjusting the angle, the two screws are tightened. In this case, there is a possibility that unintended (unnecessary) movement or rotation of the light source may occur when tightening the screw after adjusting the angle.

  However, in this embodiment, when adjusting the angle of the light source, only one screw is loosened and the light source is rotated to adjust the angle, and then only one screw is tightened. Therefore, the movement or rotation that is not the aim (unnecessary) of the light source generated during screw tightening can be made smaller than before.

  In the present embodiment, since the two light sources are arranged close to each other in the sub-scanning corresponding direction, the apparatus can be downsized.

  By the way, when the light source is fixed to the holder and the angle of the light source is adjusted by rotating the holder as in the prior art (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4), interference between the holders during rotation is caused. In order to prevent this, it has been difficult to arrange the two light sources close to each other in the sub-scanning corresponding direction.

  In the present embodiment, since one fixing member holds two light sources, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the fixing member 125 is attached to the optical housing 2300 with three screws, the man-hour at the time of manufacture can be reduced.

  Therefore, it is possible to adjust the beam pitch with high accuracy without causing an increase in size and cost. As a result, highly accurate optical scanning can be performed.

  Further, the fixing member 125 is a plate member having a shape obtained by rotating the V-shape 90 degrees clockwise, and has a round hole for screwing at an intermediate position between the two light sources in the sub-scanning corresponding direction. In this case, even if the two light sources are arranged close to each other in the sub-scanning corresponding direction, the angle adjustment of each light source can be performed individually.

  The fixing member 125 has an opening 125a between the round hole 126c and the round hole 126b, and has an opening 125b between the round hole 126c and the round hole 126a. The fixing member 125 has elasticity, and both the first portion and the second portion are inclined toward the −w1 side with respect to the third portion. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the angle of the light source 2200a only by loosening only the screw 130 inserted in the round hole 126b. In addition, the angle of the light source 2200b can be adjusted only by loosening only the screw 130 inserted in the round hole 126a. Thereby, workability | operativity can be improved.

  Each light source is fixed to the optical housing 2300 by a screw 130 located on one side in the main scanning direction and a screw 130 located on the other side, so that an external force acts on the optical housing 2300 after adjusting the angle. However, movement (unnecessary) or rotation that is not the aim of the light source can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the color printer 2000 according to the present embodiment includes the optical scanning device 2010, a high-quality image can be formed without causing an increase in size and cost.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where each light source had two light emission parts, it is not limited to this. In short, each light source may have a plurality of light emitting units.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the optical housing includes the core housing 120 and the sub-housing 110 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical housing includes an integral structure of the core housing and the sub-housing. Also good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of the color printer 2000 including a plurality of photosensitive drums has been described as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single photosensitive drum is scanned with a plurality of light beams to obtain a single color. The present invention can also be applied to a printer that forms an image.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the optical scanning device 2010 is used in a printer has been described. However, the present invention is also suitable for an image forming apparatus other than a printer, for example, a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine in which these are integrated. .

  As described above, the optical scanning device of the present invention is suitable for accurately adjusting the beam pitch without causing an increase in size and cost. The adjustment method of the present invention is suitable for adjusting the beam pitch with high accuracy in a short time. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is suitable for forming a high-quality image without causing an increase in size and cost.

  102A ... Pre-deflector optical system (part of optical system), 102B ... Pre-deflector optical system (part of optical system), 122a to 122f ... Screw hole, 125 ... Fixing member, 126a ... Round hole (first Round hole), 126b ... round hole (second round hole), 126c ... round hole (third round hole), 130 ... screw, 2000 ... color printer (image forming apparatus), 2010 ... optical scanning device, 2030a- 2030d ... photosensitive drum (image carrier), 2104 ... polygon mirror (part of optical system), 2105a to 2105d ... fθ lens (part of optical system), 2106a to 2106d ... folding mirror (part of optical system) 2107a to 2107d ... Toroidal lens (part of optical system), 2108a to 2108d ... Folding mirror (part of optical system), 2200a ... Light source (first light source), 2200b ... Light source (second) Source), 2200 c ... light source, 2200 d ... light source, 2300 ... optical housing.

Japanese Patent No. 3681555 Japanese Patent No. 3670858 JP 2007-28509 A JP 2001-228418 A

Claims (12)

An optical scanning device that scans at least one scanned surface in the main scanning direction with a light beam,
A plurality of light sources including a first light source and a second light source each having a plurality of light emitting portions;
An optical system that collects light beams from the plurality of light sources on the at least one scanned surface and moves a light spot on the at least one scanned surface in a main scanning direction;
An optical housing in which the optical system is housed and the first light source and the second light source are attached adjacent to each other in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction;
An optical scanning device comprising: a fixing member for fixing the first light source and the second light source together to the optical housing.   The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is fixed to the optical housing at three points. The optical housing has first to third fixing portions corresponding to three points to which the fixing member is fixed,
The mounting position of the first light source in the optical housing is located between the first fixing portion and the third fixing portion,
3. The optical scanning device according to claim 2, wherein an attachment position of the second light source in the optical housing is located between the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion.   4. The light according to claim 3, wherein the third fixing portion is located in the middle between the attachment position of the first light source and the attachment position of the second light source in the sub-scanning direction. Scanning device. A straight line connecting the first fixed portion and the third fixed portion is inclined to one side with respect to the main scanning direction,
5. The optical scanning device according to claim 3, wherein a straight line connecting the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion is inclined to the other side with respect to a main scanning direction. The first light source is fixed to the optical housing by fixing the fixing member at the first fixing portion and the third fixing portion,
The said 2nd light source is being fixed to the said optical housing by fixation of the said fixing member in the said 2nd fixing | fixed part and a said 3rd fixing | fixed part, The any one of Claims 3-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The optical scanning device according to Item. The fixing member has elasticity;
The portions corresponding to the first and second fixing portions of the fixing member are both inclined with respect to the portion corresponding to the third fixing portion in a direction away from the optical housing. The optical scanning device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.   The optical scanning device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the fixing member is a plate member having a V shape when the main scanning direction is an up-down direction. Each of the first to third fixing portions is formed with a screw hole,
The fixing member corresponds to the screw holes of the first to third fixing parts, and first to third round holes into which screws are inserted are formed.
The fixing member is fixed to the optical housing by screwing screws inserted into the first to third round holes into corresponding screw holes. The optical scanning device according to any one of the above. An adjustment method for adjusting beam pitches of a plurality of light beams respectively emitted from a first light source and a second light source fixed to an optical housing by a fixing member in the optical scanning device according to claim 9,
Loosening a screw inserted in the first round hole of the fixing member;
Rotating the first light source to adjust the beam pitch of a plurality of light beams emitted from the first light source;
Inserting a screw into the first round hole and screwing into a corresponding screw hole in the optical housing;
Loosening a screw inserted in the second round hole of the fixing member;
Rotating the second light source to adjust the beam pitch of a plurality of light beams emitted from the second light source;
Inserting a screw into the second round hole and screwing it into a corresponding screw hole in the optical housing. At least one image carrier;
An image forming apparatus comprising: at least one optical scanning device according to claim 1, which scans the at least one image carrier with a light beam modulated according to image information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image information is multicolor image information.

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