JP2010266489A - Adjusting device of optical scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an adjusting device of an optical scanner efficiently adjusting the optical scanner. <P>SOLUTION: The adjusting device of an optical scanner includes: a first measurement part 1210 measuring the irradiation position of a laser beam emitted from a light source and imaged by an optical element; an optical element with an attitude adjusted based on the measurement result by the first measurement part 1210 so that an imaging position of the laser beam becomes a target position; a first adhesion part 1110 sticking the light source and an optical box 3000 housing the optical element together by means of an adhesive; and a slide plate 4200, which carries the first measurement part 1210 and the first adhesion part 1110, moves the first measurement part 1210 to a processing position matching a second laser beam when processing of the first measurement part 1210 to the first laser beam is finished, and moves the first adhesion part 1110 to a processing position matching the optical element forming the first laser beam. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an adjustment device for an optical scanning device.

  Optical scanning devices are installed in various devices including image recording devices such as laser beam printers, copying machines, and facsimiles. For example, in an image recording apparatus that forms images of a plurality of colors, in order to perform high-definition image recording, it is necessary to accurately write image data on the image carrier for each color.

  A scanning optical system adjusting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is arranged in front of a first imaging unit that images a light beam at the position of a deflector and a first imaging unit by dimming the light beam. A dimming / reflecting means for inputting to the scanning surface and reflecting toward the scanning surface; a second imaging means for imaging the light beam on the scanning surface; and the first and second imaging means. Analyzing the data of the obtained image, it has a calculation means for calculating the position of the deflector, the irradiation position of the light beam on the surface to be scanned, and the diameter.

JP 2008-158318 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an adjusting device for an optical scanning device that can efficiently adjust the optical scanning device.

  The adjustment apparatus for an optical scanning device according to claim 1 is based on a first measurement unit that measures an irradiation position of a laser beam emitted from a light source and imaged by an optical element, and a measurement result of the first measurement unit. An optical element whose posture is adjusted so that the irradiation position of the laser beam becomes a target position, and an optical box that houses the light source and the optical element with an adhesive; When one measuring means and the first adhering means are mounted and the processing of the first measuring means for the first laser beam light is completed, the first measuring means is placed at a processing position corresponding to the second laser beam light. And a slide mechanism for moving the first bonding means to a processing position corresponding to an optical element that forms an image of the first laser beam.

  The optical scanning device adjustment device according to claim 2 is the optical scanning device adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of laser beam lights imaged by a plurality of optical elements housed in the optical box. The optical box and the optical box whose posture is adjusted so that the irradiation position of the laser beam light becomes a target position after the processing for the laser beam light to be measured last by the first measuring means is completed. It further has the 2nd adhesion | attachment means adhere | attached with an adhesive agent.

  The adjustment apparatus for an optical scanning device according to claim 3 is the adjustment device for an optical scanning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first bonding means is a laser beam emitted from a light source and imaged by an optical element. A second measuring means for measuring the irradiation position of the light, the laser beam light imaged by the optical element bonded to the optical box, wherein the irradiation position of the two laser beam lights whose irradiation positions are adjacent to each other; Measurement is performed using the first measuring means and the second measuring means.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the optical scanning device can be adjusted efficiently.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further reduce the labor required for adjusting the optical scanning device.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further reduce the labor required for adjusting the optical scanning device.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the adjustment apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical element arrange | positioned in an optical box. It is a figure which shows typically the adjustment apparatus and optical scanning apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of the adjustment apparatus of Example 1. FIG. (A) shows how the first color optical element is bonded and the second color laser beam light is measured, and (B) shows the second color optical element bonding and the third color laser beam light. It is a figure which shows a mode that it is measuring. It is a figure which shows the structure of the adjustment apparatus of Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of the adjustment apparatus of Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the adjustment apparatus and optical scanning apparatus of Example 2. FIG. (A) shows a state in which the adhesion of the optical element of the third color and the measurement of the laser beam light of the fourth color are performed, and (B) shows the inspection of the irradiation position of the laser beam light of the first and second colors, 4C shows a state in which the optical elements of the fourth color are bonded, and FIG. 5C shows a state in which the irradiation positions of the laser beams of the first and second colors are inspected.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The optical scanning device adjustment apparatus 1000 </ b> A according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a first bonding unit 1110, a first measurement unit 1210, a main control unit 1400, a display device 1500, and a scanning device control unit 1600. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the adjusting device 1000 </ b> A includes a slide mechanism including a base 4100 and a slide plate 4200 that slides on the base 4000 (see FIG. 3 for details).

  The first adhesive part 1110 has an adhesive application part 1111 and an ultraviolet irradiation part (hereinafter abbreviated as UV irradiation part) 1112. The first bonding unit 1110 is an optical element (specifically, a lens) included in the optical scanning device 2000, and applies an adhesive to the optical element whose posture (position and angle) is adjusted, and the optical element is placed in an optical box. Adhere to 3000 (see FIG. 2). The UV irradiation unit 1112 irradiates the adhesive applied by the adhesive application unit 1111 with ultraviolet rays to solidify the adhesive.

  The first measurement unit 1210 includes CCD cameras 1211, 1213, and 1215, image processing units 1212, 1214, and 1216, and a sub control unit 1217.

  The CCD cameras 1211, 1213, and 1215 are connected to the scanning device controller 1600. A signal instructing the photographing timing is output from the scanning device control unit 1600 to each of the CCD cameras 1211, 1213, and 1215.

  The CCD camera 1211 receives the laser beam light output from the optical scanning device 2000 at the start position for starting writing, out of the laser beam light for one line output from the optical scanning device 2000. The CCD camera 1211 outputs a CCD signal indicating the light receiving position of the received laser beam light to the image processing unit 1212. The image processing unit 1212 analyzes the CCD signal and outputs pixel position (center-of-gravity position) information that receives the most laser beam light in the CCD pixel of the CCD camera 1211.

  The CCD camera 1213 receives the laser beam light in the middle of one line of the laser beam light for one line output from the optical scanning device 2000. The CCD camera 1213 outputs a CCD signal indicating the light receiving position of the received laser beam light to the image processing unit 1214. The image processing unit 1214 analyzes the CCD signal and outputs pixel position (center-of-gravity position) information that receives the most laser beam light in the CCD pixels of the CCD camera 1213.

  The CCD camera 1215 receives laser beam light output from the optical scanning device 2000 at the end position where writing is completed, out of one line of laser beam light output from the optical scanning device 2000. The CCD camera 1215 outputs a CCD signal indicating the light receiving position of the received laser beam light to the image processing unit 1216. The image processing unit 1216 analyzes the CCD signal and outputs pixel position (center-of-gravity position) information where the laser beam is received most in the CCD pixel of the CCD camera 1215.

  The sub-control unit 1217 outputs the result of calculating the irradiation position of the laser beam light on the adjustment device 1000A to the main control unit 1400 based on the barycentric position information output from each of the image processing units 1212, 1214, and 1216. .

  The main control unit 1400 calculates a characteristic value necessary for adjustment and inspection from the position information on the adjustment device 1000A calculated by the sub control unit 1217, and displays the characteristic value on the display device 1500. The main control unit 1400 controls the operation timing of the first bonding unit 1110, the first measurement unit 1210, and the scanning device control unit 1600.

  The display device 1500 displays the target value and the current position of the laser beam light or the inspection result under the control of the main control unit 1400.

  The scanning device control unit 1600 outputs a driving signal for driving a polygon motor that rotates a polygon mirror included in the optical scanning device 2000 to the polygon motor according to the control of the main control unit 1400. Further, the scanning device control unit 1600 outputs a lighting signal for lighting the laser diode included in the optical scanning device 2000 to the laser diode according to the control of the main control unit 1400. Further, the scanning device control unit 1600 outputs a signal instructing photographing timing to each of the CCD cameras 1211, 1213, and 1215.

Next, the optical scanning device 2000 will be described with reference to FIG.
The optical scanning device 2000 is housed in an optical box 3000 as shown in FIG. The optical scanning device 2000 includes a light source 2001, a pre-deflection optical system 2002, a polygon mirror 2003 as a deflecting unit, and a scanning optical system 2100, and scans by emitting laser beams Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lk from a single light source 2001. In the optical system 2100, each laser beam is separated and image-scanned on four photoconductors 2200Y, 2200M, 2200C, and 2200K. The scanning optical system 2100 includes a concave lens 2101 and a convex lens 2102 common to four laser beam rows, and plane mirrors 2103Y, 2103M and 2103C, cylindrical mirrors 2104Y, 2104M and 2104C provided for each laser beam row, respectively. 2104K.

Next, the processing procedure of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 schematically shows the adjustment device 1000A and the optical scanning device 2000 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the adjusting device 1000 </ b> A includes a base 4100 and a slide plate 4200 that slides on the base 4100. The adjustment device 1000A has a configuration in which the first adhesive portion 1110 and the first measurement unit 1210 mounted on the slide plate 4200 move in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 3 along with the movement of the slide plate 4200. Further, the main control unit 1400 and the display device 1500 are not mounted on the slide plate 4200. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the scanning device control unit 1600 is provided in the adjustment device 1000 </ b> A, but may be provided in another configuration. The optical scanning device 2000 is accommodated in the optical box 3000.

  A processing procedure of the adjustment apparatus 1000A shown in FIG. 4 will be described. In the adjustment apparatus 1000A, first, the first measurement unit 1210 measures the irradiation position of the laser beam of the first color. The first color is any one of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The main control unit 1400 controls the scanning device control unit 1600 to irradiate the optical scanning device 2000 with the first color laser beam. The laser beam of the first color is output from the emission port 2301 shown in FIG. The first measurement unit 1210 receives the first color laser beam light with the CCD cameras 1211, 1213, and 1215. The sub control unit 1217 calculates the irradiation position of the first color laser beam light on the adjustment device 1000 </ b> A based on the light receiving positions of the CCD cameras 1211, 1213, and 1215. The position calculated by the sub control unit 1217 is output to the main control unit 1400 and displayed on the display device 1500 under the control of the main control unit 1400. The user adjusts the posture (position and angle) of the optical element (for example, the concave lens 2101, the convex lens 2102, the flat mirror cylindrical mirror 2104, etc. shown in FIG. 2) while viewing the display on the display device 1500.

  When the adjustment of the first color is completed, the user slides so that the first measurement unit 1210 is positioned to receive the laser beam light of the second color, and the first bonding unit 1110 is positioned to receive the laser beam light of the first color. The plate 4200 is moved downward (see FIG. 5A)). Then, the adjustment apparatus 1000A receives the laser beam light of the second color with the CCD cameras 1211, 1213, and 1215 of the first measurement unit 1210, and calculates the irradiation position of the laser beam light on the adjustment apparatus 1000A. At the same time, the adjusting device 1000A applies an adhesive and irradiates the first color optical element whose posture is adjusted by the first adhesive portion 1110 to solidify the adhesive. Then, the adjusting device 1000A fixes the optical element to the optical box 3000.

  Thereafter, similarly, the adjustment apparatus 1000A moves the first measurement unit 1210 and the first bonding unit 1110 on the slide plate 4200 as shown in FIG. 5B, while N (N is 1 to 4). The irradiation position of the laser beam of the (natural number) color is measured by the first measuring unit 1210, and an adhesive is applied to the optical element for the N-1th color and ultraviolet irradiation is performed. When the adhesion of the last optical element for the fourth color to the optical box 3000 is completed, the adjustment apparatus 1000A measures the irradiation position of the laser beam light in order from the first color to the fourth color by the first measurement unit 1210, Perform an inspection. The inspection items include the irradiation start position of the laser beam light, the diameter of the laser beam light, the parallelism of the laser beam light for each color, and the like.

  As described above, the present embodiment can simultaneously perform the measurement of the irradiation position of the Nth color laser beam and the connection of the optical element for the N-1th color, thereby shortening the work time and improving the work efficiency. Can be made.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the adjusting device 1000B of the optical scanning device according to the second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the block of the same structure as Example 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a second measurement unit 1120 having the same configuration as the first measurement unit 1210 is provided in the first adhesive portion 1110. Further, a second adhesive portion 1310 having the same configuration as that of the first adhesive portion 1110 of the first embodiment is separately provided.

Next, the processing procedure of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure of the adjustment apparatus 1000B. FIG. 8 schematically shows the adjustment device 1000B and the optical scanning device 2000 shown in FIG. The adjustment apparatus 1000B includes a second measurement unit 1120 separately from the first measurement unit 1210 and the first adhesion unit 1110 mounted on the same slide plate 4200. Although not shown, the second measurement unit 1120 is also mounted on the slide plate and can move in the vertical direction.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the adjustment apparatus 1000B moves the first measurement unit 1210 and the first bonding unit 1110 on the slide plate 4200, and uses the first measurement unit 1210 to adjust the irradiation position of the Nth laser beam light. In addition to the measurement, an adhesive is applied to the optical element for the N-1th color and ultraviolet irradiation is performed. In this embodiment, when the fixing of the optical element for the N-1th color to the optical box 3000 is completed, the second measuring unit 1120 in the first bonding unit 1110 is caused to solidify the adhesive on the fixed optical element. Measure for deviations. The measurement result is displayed on the display device 1500 under the control of the main control unit 1400. The user adjusts the attitude of the Nth optical element based on the measurement result of the N−1th optical element displayed on the display device 1500.

  When the measurement of the irradiation position of the last laser beam for the fourth color and the fixing of the optical element for the third color to the optical box 3000 are completed (state (A) shown in FIG. 9), FIG. 9 (B) The slide plate 4200 is moved upward as shown in FIG. Then, the first measurement unit 1210 inspects the irradiation position of the second color laser beam light, and the second measurement unit 1120 in the first adhesive unit 1110 inspects the irradiation position of the first color laser beam light. . Since the adjustment apparatus 1000B of the present embodiment includes the second measurement unit 1120 in the first bonding unit 1110, the first measurement unit 1210 and the second measurement unit 1120 can emit laser beams for two colors. Inspection can be performed simultaneously. Further, while the first measuring unit 1210 and the second measuring unit 1120 are inspecting the laser beam light for two colors, the second bonding unit 1310 is moved upward, and the second bonding unit 1310 moves the fourth color. The optical element is fixed to the optical box 3000 (see FIG. 9B).

  When the fixing of the optical element of the fourth color to the optical box 3000 is finished, the second adhesive portion 1310 is moved downward and the first measuring portion 1210 and the first adhesive portion 1110 (first 2 measuring unit 1120) is also moved downward. Then, the adjustment apparatus 1000B uses the first measurement unit 1210 and the second measurement unit 1120 to inspect the irradiation positions of the laser beams of the third color and the fourth color.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the measurement of the irradiation position of the laser beam light and the fixing of the optical element related to the irradiation of the laser beam light are simultaneously performed, the two colors are simultaneously performed in the inspection. Can be improved.

  The embodiment described above is one of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1000A, 1000B Adjustment device 1110 First adhesive unit 1111 Adhesive application unit 1112 UV irradiation unit 1120 Second measurement unit 1210 First measurement unit 1211, 1213, 1215 CCD camera 1212, 1214, 1216 Image processing unit 1217 Sub-control unit 1310 First 2 Bonding portion 1400 Main control portion 1500 Display device 1600 Scanning device control portion

Claims (3)

First measuring means for measuring an irradiation position of a laser beam emitted from a light source and imaged by an optical element;
Based on the measurement result of the first measuring means, an optical element whose posture is adjusted so that the irradiation position of the laser beam becomes a target position and an optical box that houses the light source and the optical element are bonded with an adhesive. A first bonding means for bonding;
When the first measuring means and the first adhering means are mounted, and the processing of the first measuring means for the first laser beam light is completed, the first measuring means is processed corresponding to the second laser beam light. And a slide mechanism that moves the first bonding means to a processing position corresponding to an optical element that forms an image of the first laser beam light.   Of the plurality of laser beam lights imaged by the plurality of optical elements housed in the optical box, after the processing on the laser beam light last measured by the first measuring means is completed, the laser beam light The adjusting device for an optical scanning device according to claim 1, further comprising a second adhering unit that adheres the optical element whose posture is adjusted so that the irradiation position becomes a target position and the optical box with an adhesive. The first adhesion means includes second measurement means for measuring an irradiation position of a laser beam emitted from the light source and imaged by the optical element,
Laser beam light imaged by an optical element bonded to the optical box, and the irradiation positions of two laser beam lights whose irradiation positions are adjacent to each other are measured using the first measurement means and the second measurement means. The adjusting device for an optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device measures.

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