JP2011033972A - Optical scanner and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical scanner in which break of a rotary deflector and dropping of a rotary shaft from a bearing during transportation are prevented, and contact with a pressing member of the deflector during driving the rotary deflector is prevented; and to provide an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The pressing member 130 of the deflector made of an elastic material is inserted into an internal space of a guide member 101, the lower face of the pressing member 130 of deflector is made to abut on the rotary shaft 152 of the rotary deflector 50, and a deflector cover 105 is mounted on a housing cover 107. When the optical scanner is used, the deflector cover 105 is removed from the housing cover 107 and the pressing member 130 of deflector is removed from the guide member 101. Then the deflector cover 105 is mounted again on the housing cover 107, and the optical scanner 4 from which the pressing member 130 of deflector is removed is built in the body of the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser beam printer, an optical scanning device used in a writing system such as a digital copying machine and a laser FAX, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the optical scanning device.

  A printing process in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, a digital copying machine, or a laser FAX forms a latent image on an image carrier by an optical scanning device, visualizes the latent image as a toner image by a developing unit, and converts the toner image into a toner image. It is transferred and fixed on a recording material such as transfer paper, and discharged out of the apparatus. The optical scanning device is configured to expose and scan a photosensitive member, which is a latent image carrier, by deflecting a light beam from a light source by a rotary deflector of a polygon scanner. The polygon scanner has a rotating deflector composed of a polygon motor, a polygon mirror, and a rotating shaft of the polygon motor.

  The optical scanning device in such an image forming apparatus needs to be continuously irradiated with a high-precision and high-quality light beam on the surface of the photoconductor, and is often replaceable in the event of a failure for some reason. When the replacement optical scanning device is packed and transported, it is assumed that the packaging is smaller than the image forming apparatus itself and is handled roughly.

  Since the rotating shaft of the polygon motor rotates at a high speed, the rotating shaft is rotatably supported using an oil dynamic pressure type bearing or an air dynamic pressure type bearing in order to suppress frictional heat of the bearing. When an oil dynamic pressure type bearing or an air dynamic pressure type bearing is used, the rotating shaft is supported via a fluid. Therefore, the rotating shaft is easy to move in the axial direction with respect to the bearing. Therefore, when the optical scanning device is roughly handled and the optical scanning device receives an impact, the rotation shaft moves in the axial direction, the polygon mirror hits the cover member facing the rotation deflector, and the polygon mirror is damaged. There was a case. Further, when the optical scanning device is turned upside down, the rotating shaft may fall off the bearing. In particular, when an oil dynamic pressure type bearing is used as the bearing, the oil in the bearing may leak out if the rotary shaft moves in a direction that is several millimeters away from the bearing.

  Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe an optical scanning device in which a deflector regulating member that regulates the displacement of the rotary deflector in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotary deflector is provided on the cover member facing the rotary deflector. Yes. In Patent Document 1, a portion of the cover member that faces the rotation deflector is formed so that a distance from the upper surface of the rotation deflector is small, and a deflector regulating member made of a cushioning material such as sponge or rubber is formed on the portion. The provided configuration is described. Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a deflector regulating member made of a ceramic material is provided on the rotation center line of the rotary deflector with a gap of about 1 [mm] from the upper surface of the rotary deflector. In Patent Document 3, even if the rotary deflector is lifted by high-speed rotation during normal operation, the upper surface of the rotary deflector and the deflector are prevented from coming into contact with the upper surface of the rotary deflector and the deflector regulating member. A configuration in which a gap between the regulating member and the restriction member is set is described.

  However, in each of the optical scanning devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the deflector regulating member is fixed to the cover member that faces the rotary deflector, and the optical scanning device is mounted on the image forming apparatus. When using the deflector, the deflector regulating member is close to the rotary deflector. Since the rotating deflector rotates at a high speed, the rotating shaft may float to the cover member side during operation. Therefore, when using the optical scanning device, if the deflector restricting member is close to the rotating deflector, the rotating deflector may come into contact with the deflector restricting member. If the rotating deflector comes into contact with the deflector restricting member, the inside of the optical scanning device becomes hot due to heat generated by friction, or the deflector restricting member is worn, and the wear powder is applied to the mirror of the rotating deflector. There was a risk of adhesion. In the optical scanning device described in Patent Document 2, a ceramic material that does not easily wear the deflector regulating member is used to suppress the generation of wear powder. However, since the rotary deflector comes into contact with the deflector regulating member during high-speed rotation, heat generation due to frictional heat and wear powder are generated.

  Further, in the optical scanning device described in Patent Document 2, a hemispherical depression is provided at a position corresponding to the rotation center line of the rotation deflector of the cover member that covers the rotation deflector. The deflector regulating member is attached. As a result, even if the rotating deflector rotates at a high speed and the rotating deflector floats to the cover member side and the rotating deflector comes into contact with the deflector restricting member, the deflector restricting member is Will abut. As a result, heat generation due to frictional heat and generation of wear powder can be satisfactorily suppressed. However, when the hemispherical hollow portion of the cover member is displaced from the rotation center line of the rotating deflector due to a manufacturing error or an assembly error, when the rotating deflector rotates at a high speed and floats to the cover member side, The deflector restricting member comes into contact with the rotary deflector at a position shifted from the center of rotation of the upper surface of the rotary deflector. As a result, the rotation balance of the rotating deflector is lost, and rotation unevenness occurs.

  On the other hand, the optical scanning device described in Patent Document 3 is arranged between the rotary deflector and the deflector regulating member so that the upper surface of the rotary deflector and the deflector regulating member do not come into contact with each other even if the rotary deflector floats during normal operation. Therefore, the gap between the rotary deflector and the deflector restricting member is large. For this reason, when the packed single optical scanning device receives an impact, the rotating shaft moves greatly. As a result, when an oil dynamic pressure type bearing is used, the oil in the bearing may leak out. In addition, when the optical scanning device receives an impact, the rotary deflector may violently collide with the deflector regulating member, and the rotary deflector may be damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to suppress the movement of the rotating deflector's rotating shaft during transportation of the apparatus and prevent the rotating deflector from being damaged and the rotating shaft from falling off the bearing. And providing an optical scanning device and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing contact with the deflector pressing member when the rotary deflector is driven.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a light source that emits a light beam, a rotary deflector that is rotatably supported by a bearing, and that deflects and scans the light beam from the light source. In the optical scanning device having an optical element for guiding the light beam onto the photosensitive member, the rotary deflector is pressed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotation shaft of the rotary deflector comes out of the bearing during transportation of the optical scanning device. The deflector pressing member is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical scanning device according to the first aspect, wherein the optical scanning device is disposed above the rotary deflector, and extends from the cylindrical portion and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion toward the center of the deflector rotation axis. A guide member that protrudes and extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary deflector and is provided with a plurality of guide portions for guiding the deflector press member to the rotary deflector, the deflector press member being an elastic member As the deflector pressing member is guided to the rotary deflector side by the plurality of guide portions, the contact portion with the guide portion of the deflector pressing member is compressed toward the rotation center of the rotary deflector. Each of the above-described guide portions is configured to be squeezed.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device of the second aspect, the shortest distances from the rotation center of the rotary deflector to the respective guide portions are equal to each other on the same height plane from the rotary deflector. Each of the above-described guide portions is configured so as to be.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical scanning device according to the third aspect, wherein an inscribed circle drawn from the rotary deflector along the tip of the plurality of guide portions at the same height plane is the rotational rotation. Each guide portion is configured so as to increase as it moves away from the deflector in the direction of the rotation axis.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the plurality of guide portions are each inclined or twisted in the rotation direction of the rotary deflector. To do.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to any of the second to fifth aspects, the plurality of guide portions are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction of the rotary deflector. When the number of mirror surfaces is N and the number of the guide portions is M, the number of mirror surfaces of the rotary deflector and the guide portions are such that (M / N) and (N / M) are other than integers. The number is provided.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical scanning device according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, further comprising a housing that houses the light source, the rotary deflector, and the optical element, and covers the inside of the housing. The cover is arranged above the guide member, and includes a deflector cover that covers at least the rotating deflector and the guide member, and a housing cover that covers at least the optical element. .
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device of the seventh aspect, a surface of the deflector pressing member facing the deflector cover is brought into contact with the deflector cover. .
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the casing cover and the guide member are integrally formed.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the guide member is attached to the deflector cover.
The invention according to claim 11 is an image forming apparatus comprising the optical scanning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

According to the present invention, when the optical scanning device is transported, the deflector pressing member that presses the rotating deflector in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotating shaft of the rotating deflector comes out of the bearing can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Such effects can be obtained. That is, when transporting the optical scanning device, the deflector pressing member is attached to the apparatus main body, and the rotating deflector is pressed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotating shaft of the rotating deflector comes out of the bearing. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the rotation deflector from moving in the direction of the rotation axis even when the optical scanning device receives an impact during transportation of the optical scanning device. Thereby, when the optical scanning device receives an impact, the rotating deflector can be prevented from coming into contact with other members and being damaged. Further, when the optical scanning device is turned upside down, it is possible to prevent the rotary shaft of the rotary deflector from falling off the bearing. Furthermore, when an oil dynamic pressure type bearing is used, oil leakage can be suppressed.
Further, when the optical scanning device is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the deflector pressing member is removed from the apparatus main body. As a result, when the rotary deflector rotates at a high speed, there is no deflector holding member in the vicinity of the rotary deflector. Therefore, even if the rotary deflector rotates at a high speed and the rotary deflector rises, the rotary deflector does not hold the deflector. There is no contact with the member. Therefore, there is no problem that frictional heat is generated between the deflector pressing member and the rotating deflector, and the friction powder of the deflector pressing member adheres to the mirror of the rotating deflector. Further, the optical deflector can be satisfactorily scanned without causing the rotation deflector to come into contact with the deflector pressing member and causing uneven rotation of the rotary deflector.

1 is a side view schematically showing an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an optical scanning device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing a configuration of the optical scanning device. The schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of a rotation deflector. The principal part disassembled perspective view of an optical scanning device. The perspective view of a guide member. The top view of a guide member. Sectional drawing of the periphery of a guide member in the state from which the deflector pressing member was removed. Sectional drawing of the periphery of a guide member in the state which attached the deflector pressing member. The perspective view of the guide member of the modification 1. FIG. The top view of the guide member of the modification 1. FIG. Sectional drawing of the guide member of the modification 1 in the state which removed the deflector pressing member. Sectional drawing of the guide member of the modification 1 when attaching a deflector pressing member.

An example of a color image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a full-color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of four drum-shaped photoconductors 10Y, 10C, 10M, and 10K as latent image carriers are arranged in tandem. It is configured as a part of the image devices 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K. These image forming devices 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K sequentially correspond to the respective colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, and create images of these colors.

  In the type of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, there is an intermediate transfer belt 14 as a surface moving member that is supported by three support rollers 15a, 15b, 15c and rotates, and a tension line below the intermediate transfer belt 14 is provided. The image forming devices 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K are arranged at intervals from the upstream side in the order of movement of the intermediate transfer belt 14 indicated by arrows.

  When forming full-color images, toner images of respective colors are formed on the photoreceptors 10Y, 10C, 10M, and 10K provided in the image forming devices 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K, as described later. Next, the toner images of different colors are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 14 as the intermediate transfer belt 14 is moved by the function of the primary transfer roller 16 as a transfer unit disposed opposite to the respective photoreceptors with the intermediate transfer belt 14 therebetween. The images are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 14. Specifically, the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 14 in contact with the primary transfer roller 16 is called a transfer position, and transfer is performed at this transfer position.

The four superimposed transfer toner images are collectively transferred to the recording material as the final recording medium at the nip portion between the support roller 15a and the secondary transfer roller 9, and after passing between the fixing pair rollers of the fixing device 6, the conveyance roller After that, the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 19 from a pair of paper discharge rollers. Thus, a full color image is obtained on the recording material.
The intermediate transfer belt 14 is configured such that the photoconductor 10K is always in contact with the primary transfer roller 16 in order to adapt to the black image one-color formation mode, and the function of a movable tension roller is used for the other photoconductors. Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 14 is brought into contact with and separated from. A cleaning device 17 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 14 is provided in the roller 15b portion.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming devices 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K differ only in the color of the toner to be handled, and the mechanical configuration and the image forming process are the same. Therefore, the constituent members other than the photoreceptor are the same. A configuration and an image forming process will be described with respect to an arbitrary image forming device, for example, the image forming device 7Y.

  Around the photoconductor 10Y of the image forming device 7Y, in the order of the clockwise rotation in the drawing, a charging roller 11 as a charging unit for charging the photoconductor 10Y, an irradiation position of the writing light L, and development as a developing unit. A device 12, a primary transfer roller 16, a cleaning device 13, and the like are arranged.

The writing light L is emitted from the optical scanning device 4 serving as an optical scanning means, and is internally equipped with a semiconductor laser as a light source, a coupling lens, an fθ lens, a toroidal lens, a mirror, a rotating polygon mirror, and the like. The writing light L for each color is emitted toward each photoconductor, and the writing light L is irradiated to the writing position on the photoconductor 10Y to form an electrostatic latent image. Details will be described later.
For example, the developing device 12 of the image forming device 7Y contains a yellow developer, and the latent image is visualized with a yellow image. The other image forming apparatuses also store the developer of each color, and visualize the latent image with the color of the stored developer.

At the time of image formation, the photoconductor 10Y rotates and is uniformly charged by the charging roller 11, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation of the writing light L including yellow image information at the writing position. The latent image is visualized with yellow toner while passing through the developing device.
The yellow toner image on the photoreceptor 10 </ b> Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 14 by the primary transfer roller 16. This yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 14 is sequentially superimposed and transferred with a cyan toner image by the image forming device 7C, a magenta toner image by the image forming device 7M, and a black toner image by the image forming device 7B. Thereby, a full-color toner image is formed.

  The recording material is sent out from the paper feeding unit 5 and the registration roller at the same timing so that the overlapped toner image reaches the secondary transfer roller 9 at the same timing as the secondary transfer roller 9 reaches, and as described above. Then, batch transfer is performed at the nip portion between the support roller 15 a and the secondary transfer roller 9.

On the other hand, after the residual toner is removed by the cleaning device 13 after the transfer, the photoreceptor is neutralized by a neutralizing lamp and is prepared for the next image formation. Similarly, residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 14 by the cleaning device 17.
In the image forming apparatus of this example, the toner images on the respective photosensitive members are temporarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 14 and transferred onto the sheet-like medium at once. Instead, a recording paper conveying belt as a surface moving member is provided, and the recording material is carried by the recording paper conveying belt, and in this process, a color toner image is sequentially transferred from each photoconductor onto the recording material. Thus, a color image forming apparatus that synthesizes a full color image is also known. The present invention is applicable to any of these types of image forming apparatuses.

Next, the optical scanning device 4 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the optical scanning device 4.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the optical scanning device 4 as viewed from above.
The optical scanning device 4 shown in the figure is a tandem type writing optical system and adopts a scanning lens system, but can be applied to either a scanning lens system or a scanning mirror system.
The optical scanning device 4 includes optical elements such as a polygon scanner 50, various reflection mirrors, and various lenses. The polygon scanner 50 is provided in the approximate center of the optical scanning device 4 and is disposed in a sealed space surrounded by a soundproof glass 51, a soundproof wall 52 (see FIG. 4), and an upper wall 42.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the polygon scanner 50.
As shown in the figure, the polygon scanner 50 includes an upper polygon mirror 49a, a lower polygon mirror 49b, a polygon motor 150, and the like, which are rotary polygon mirrors. The polygon mirrors 49a and 49b are formed on the side surface of a cylindrical mirror rotor 151 made of aluminum. The mirror rotor 151 is fixed to the rotating shaft 152. In the present embodiment, the rotation deflector 150a is constituted by the mirror rotor 151, the rotation shaft 152, the polygon mirrors 49a and 49b, and the like. A rotor magnet 153 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mirror rotor 151. Inside the mirror rotor 151, a stator 154 is provided in which a coil 154a is wound around a core member 154b. The stator 154 is disposed at a position facing the rotor magnet 153, and is rotatably fixed to the rotating shaft 152 via a bearing 158. The bearing 158 includes a cylindrical bearing holder 158a, a seal washer 158c, a fluid 158b such as lubricating oil enclosed in the bearing holder 158a by the seal washer 158c, and the like. A thrust bearing 158d is provided at the bottom of the bearing holder 158a. A rotating shaft 152 is inserted into the bearing holder 158a, and the rotating shaft 152 is placed on a thrust bearing 158d. A bearing holder 158 a of a bearing 158 of the polygon motor 150 is fixed to a circuit board 160 provided with a connector 161. A harness connected to a power supply unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body is attached to the connector 161, and power is supplied to the polygon motor 150 via the connector 161.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an M optical system and a K optical system are disposed on the right side of the polygon scanner 50 in the drawing. On the left side of the polygon scanner 50 in the drawing, an optical system for Y and an optical system for C are arranged. The Y optical system is configured to have a point-symmetric relationship with the K optical system about the rotation axis 152 of the polygon scanner 50. The C optical system is configured to have a point-symmetric relationship with the M optical system about the rotation axis 152 of the polygon scanner 50.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, light source units 41K, 41M, 41C, and 41Y, which are light beam emitting means for emitting light beams Lk, Lm, Lc, and Ly corresponding to the respective photoreceptors 10K, 10M, 10C, and 10Y, are provided. I have. The light source unit 41 includes at least a semiconductor laser as a light source.

  The collimating lenses 52Y, 52M, 52C, 52K, the imaging lenses (cylinder lenses) 53K, 53M, 53C, 53Y and the reflection mirrors 45a, 45b are disposed on the optical path of the light beam from the light source unit 41 to the polygon scanner 50. ing. Further, scanning lenses (fθ lenses) 25a and 25b, first mirrors 46K, 46M, 46C, and 46Y, and second mirrors 47K, 47M, 47C, and 47Y, which are optical elements, are photoreceptors that are irradiated from the polygon scanner 50. It is arranged on up to 10 optical paths. In addition, although not shown, a long lens corresponding to each color may be disposed on the optical path from the polygon scanner 50 to the photosensitive member 10 that is the object to be irradiated.

  A tip beam detection unit 44MK as a beam detection sensor for detecting the tips of the K-color and M-color light beams Lm and Lk is provided at the lower right in FIG. Further, a rear end beam detection unit 48MK as a beam detection sensor for detecting the rear ends of the K and M color light beams Lm and Lk is provided at the upper right in the drawing. Further, a tip beam detection unit 44CY for C and Y is provided at a position (upper left in the drawing) that is point-symmetric with the tip beam detection unit 44MK for M and K around the rotation shaft 152 of the rotary deflector 50. Yes. Similarly, the rear end beam detecting unit 48CY for C and Y is located at a point symmetric with respect to the rear end beam detecting unit 48MK for M and K (lower left in the figure) about the rotation axis 152 of the rotary deflector 50. Is provided.

The light beam emitted from the K light source unit 41K passes through an aperture (not shown) to form a light beam Lk having a predetermined shape. The light beam Lk that has passed through this aperture enters the imaging lens 53K (cylinder lens) and corrects the surface tilt of the light beam. The light beam Lk that has passed through the imaging lens 53K is reflected by the reflection mirror 45a, passes through the soundproof glass 51, and is incident on the side surface of the lower polygon mirror 49b that is the main scanning line deflecting means. When the light beam Lk is incident on the side surface of the lower polygon mirror 49b, the light beam is deflected and scanned in the main scanning line direction. The light beam Lk deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 49b passes through the soundproof glass 51 again and is collected by the scanning lens 25a (fθ lens). Prior to scanning on the photoconductor 10K, the K-color light beam Lk collected by the scanning lens 25a is reflected by the folding mirror 44a, enters the tip beam detection unit 44MK, and detects the light beam Lk. When the tip beam detection unit 44MK detects the light beam Lk, a synchronization signal is output, and the output timing of the light source signal converted based on the image data is adjusted according to the synchronization signal.
The light beam Lk emitted based on the input image data passes through the imaging lens 53K and the like, is scanned by the lower polygon mirror 49b, and enters the scanning lens 25a as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the light beam Lk incident on the scanning lens 25a is applied to the photoconductor 10K through the first and second mirrors 46K and 47K and the dustproof glass 28K.

  Similarly to the K color, the light beam Lm emitted from the M light source unit 41M passes through the imaging lens 53M and is reflected by the reflection mirror 25a and scanned by the upper polygon mirror 49a. The M-color light beam Lm scanned by the upper polygon mirror 49a enters the scanning lens 25a, enters the tip beam detection unit 44MK prior to scanning onto the photosensitive member 10M, and outputs a synchronization signal. . The light beam Lm based on the image data emitted in synchronization passes through the imaging lens 53M, the upper polygon mirror 49a, the scanning lens 25a, the first mirror 46M, the second mirror 47M, and the dust-proof glass 28M. The photoconductor 10M is irradiated.

  The light beam Lc emitted from the C light source unit 41C passes through the imaging lens 53C and the like, is reflected by the reflecting mirror 45b, and is scanned by the upper polygon mirror 49a. The C-color light beam Lc scanned by the upper polygon mirror 49a enters the scanning lens 25b, enters the tip beam detection unit 44CY prior to scanning onto the photoreceptor 10C, and outputs a synchronization signal. . Then, the light beam Lc based on the image data emitted in synchronization passes through the imaging lens 53C, the upper polygon mirror 49a, the scanning lens 25b, the first mirror 46C, the second mirror 47C, and the dust-proof glass 28C. Irradiates the photoconductor 10C.

  The light beam Ly emitted from the Y light source unit 41Y passes through the imaging lens 53Y and the like, is reflected by the reflection mirror 25b, and is scanned by the lower polygon mirror 49b. The Y-color light beam Ly scanned by the lower polygon mirror 49b passes through the scanning lens 25b, and then enters the tip beam detection unit 44CY prior to scanning on the photosensitive member 10Y, and a synchronization signal is output. The light beam Lm based on the image data emitted in synchronization passes through the imaging lens 53Y, the lower polygon mirror 49b, the scanning lens 25b, the first and second reflecting mirrors 46Y and 47Y, and the dust-proof glass 28Y. Irradiates the photoconductor 10Y.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the optical scanning device 4.
The housing cover 107 that covers the opening above the housing 31 in which optical elements such as the rotary deflector 50, the light source units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and the mirror are housed is covered with dustproof glass 28Y, 28C, 28M, 28K is provided. In the center of the housing cover 107, a recess 106 is formed that is recessed toward the rotary deflector 50 and opened at the top. The bottom surface of the recessed portion 106 is an upper wall 42 that is in contact with the upper surface of the soundproof glass 51 and the upper surface of the soundproof wall 52 to form a sealed space. A hole is formed in a portion of the upper wall 42 facing the rotation deflector 50, and a guide member 101, which will be described in detail later, is provided above the hole.

  After the housing cover 107 is attached to the opening above the housing 31 to which the polygon scanner 50 is attached, the rotary deflector 150a, which is an integral part of the mirror rotor 151 and the rotating shaft 152 of the polygon scanner 50, moves upward. Alternatively, a deflector pressing member 130 that suppresses dropping is attached to the guide member 101. Thereafter, the deflector cover 105 that covers the opening of the recess 106 is assembled. By attaching the deflector cover 105, the deflector pressing member 130 can be suppressed from moving upward by the deflector cover 105.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the guide member 101, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the guide member 101. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the guide member 101 with the deflector pressing member 130 removed, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the guide member 101 with the deflector pressing member 130 attached.
The guide member 101 has a cylindrical tubular portion 109 and rib-shaped guide portions 102 that protrude from the inner wall surface toward the center of the rotation axis at five equally spaced positions on the inner wall surface of the tubular portion 109 and extend in the rotation axis direction. Is provided. Each guide unit 102 is configured such that the shortest distances from the rotation center of the rotation deflector 150a to the tip of each guide unit 102 are equal to each other on the same height plane from the rotation deflector 150a. In addition, each guide portion 102 is formed such that the amount of protrusion from the inner wall surface decreases as the distance from the rotary deflector 150a increases. As a result, the inscribed circle drawn along the tip of each guide portion 102 on the same height plane from the rotating deflector 150a becomes larger as it moves away from the rotating deflector 150a in the rotation axis direction.

  Further, it is preferable that the center of the inscribed circle is the same as the rotation center of the rotary deflector 150a. Since the center of the inscribed circle and the rotation center of the rotating deflector 150a are the same, the rotating shaft 152 moves upward (in the direction of dropping from the bearing 158), and the rotating deflector 150a is deflected by the deflector holding member 130. When it hits, a bending moment is not easily applied to the deflector pressing member 130. As a result, when the rotary deflector 150a hits the deflector pressing member 130, the deflector pressing member 130 is prevented from being obliquely crushed, and a vertical downward reaction force is applied to the rotary deflector 150a. Can do. Thereby, it can suppress that the rotating shaft 152 inclines with the reaction force of the deflector pressing member 130. FIG.

  The diameter of the cylindrical portion 109 of the guide member 101 is preferably between the diameter of the inscribed circle inscribed in the polygonal polygon mirrors 49a and 49b and the diameter of the circumscribed circle inscribed. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 109 has a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be a shape such as a square cylindrical shape such that the shape when viewed from above is a polygon.

  Further, four ribs 108 are formed from the outer wall surface of the tubular portion 109, and are connected to the side surface of the recessed portion 106 of the housing cover 107. In the present embodiment, the guide member 101 is integrally formed with the housing cover 107. Compared to the case where the guide member 101 is molded separately from the housing cover 107 and the guide member 101 is assembled to the housing cover 107, the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the diameter of the cylindrical portion 109 may not be made constant in the direction of the rotation axis, but the diameter away from the rotation deflector 150a, that is, the upper diameter may be increased. By comprising in this way, the mold release property at the time of shaping | molding improves, and it is effective. In addition, the deflector pressing member 130 can be easily inserted from above.

  The deflector pressing member 130 is an elastic member such as a sponge and has a cylindrical shape. Here, the deflector pressing member 130 has a columnar shape, but there is no problem with a polygonal shape or a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the deflector pressing member 130 is larger than the diameter of the inscribed circle of the guide portion 102 so that the contact portion with the guide portion 102 is compressed toward the rotation center of the rotary deflector 150a. . When the vertical direction of the deflector pressing member 130 is longer than the vertical length of the cylindrical portion 109 of the guide member 101 and the lower surface of the deflector pressing member 130 is brought into contact with the rotating shaft 152, the deflector pressing member It is preferable that a part of the upper part of 130 is set to protrude upward from the housing cover 107. With this configuration, when the deflector cover 105 is fixed to the housing cover 107 with a screw or the like, the deflector pressing member 130 is compressed in the vertical direction by the deflector cover 105. As a result, the rotation deflector 150a is pressed downward by the deflector pressing member 130, and the rotation shaft 152 can be prevented from moving up and down during transport of the optical scanning device 4.

  After the housing cover 107 is attached to the opening above the housing 31 to which the polygon scanner 50 is attached, the deflector pressing member 130 is inserted into the internal space of the guide member 101. Then, the deflector pressing member 130 comes into contact with each guide portion 102, and the center of the deflector pressing member 130 and the rotation center of the rotary deflector 150a are aligned. If the deflector holding member 130 is further inserted into the rotary deflector 150a from this state, the diameter of the inscribed circle of the guide portion 102 becomes smaller as it approaches the rotary deflector 150a. The contact portion of the member 130 with the guide portion 102 is compressed toward the rotation center side of the rotary deflector 150a. As described above, the deflector pressing member 130 is compressed by the guide portion 102, so that a force to lift upward from the rotary deflector 150 a to the deflector pressing member 130 is generated during transportation of the optical scanning device 4. The rotating shaft 152 can be pressed by the deflector pressing member 130 without the deflector pressing member 130 moving upward.

  When the deflector pressing member 130 is inserted and the lower surface of the deflector pressing member 130 comes into contact with the rotary deflector 150a, the deflector cover 105 is attached to the housing cover 107. At this time, since a part of the upper part of the deflector pressing member 130 protrudes upward from the housing cover 107, the deflector pressing member 130 is deflected when the deflector cover 105 is attached to the housing cover 107. The container cover 105 is compressed in the vertical direction. As a result, the rotary deflector 150a is pressed downward by the deflector pressing member 130, and the rotary deflector 150a can be prevented from moving up and down during transport of the optical scanning device 4.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotating shaft 152 of the rotating deflector 150a is pressed downward by the deflector pressing member 130 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotating shaft 152 comes out of the bearing 158. Even if an impact is applied or the top-and-bottom is reversed during transportation, the rotation shaft 152 can be prevented from moving. As a result, it is possible to prevent problems such as breakage of the polygon mirrors 49a and 49b and dropping of the rotating shaft 152 from the bearing 158.

  When the optical scanning device 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the deflector cover 105 is removed from the housing cover 107 and the deflector pressing member 130 is removed from the guide member 101. Then, the deflector cover 105 is attached to the housing cover 107 again, and the optical scanning device 4 from which the deflector pressing member 130 is removed is assembled to the image forming apparatus main body. Therefore, when the optical scanning device 4 is used, the deflector pressing member 130 is not in the vicinity of the rotary deflector 150a. Therefore, even if the rotary deflector 150a rotates at a high speed and the rotary deflector 150a floats upward, it does not come into contact with the deflector pressing member 130. Thereby, frictional heat due to rubbing with the deflector pressing member 130 is not generated, and wear powder of the deflector pressing member 130 is not generated.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that a gap H1 between the lower end of the tubular portion 109 and the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a is 1 [mm] or more. Even if the gap H1 between the lower end of the cylindrical portion 109 and the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a is 1 mm or more, the rotary deflector 150 rotates at a high speed and the rotary deflector 150a is lifted upward. The tubular portion 109 does not come into contact with the rotary deflector 150a.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable to set the clearance gap between the lower end of the guide part 102 and the upper surface of the rotation deflector 150a to 3-5 [mm], Preferably it is 4-5 [mm]. This is because when the rotary deflector 150a rotates at a high speed, an air flow in the rotational direction is generated near the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a. When the lower end of the guide unit 102 is in the vicinity of the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a, the gap between the lower end of the guide unit 102 and the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a is narrower than other portions. When the airflow in the rotational direction passes through the gap, the flow velocity of the gas increases, and the gap between the lower end of the guide portion 102 and the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a becomes negative pressure. As a result, pressure fluctuations occur in the rotation direction, and rotation unevenness may occur in the rotation deflector 150a. Therefore, by providing a gap of 3 mm or more between the lower end of the guide portion 102 and the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a, negative pressure in the gap between the guide portion 102 and the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a can be suppressed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of rotation unevenness. Further, for the same reason as described above, it is preferable that the gap between the tubular portion 109 and the rotary deflector 150a be separated by 3 [mm] or more.

  Further, when the corners of the polygon mirrors 49a and 49b pass through the guide unit 102, the wind noise increases. When the number of the guide parts 102 and the number of surfaces of the polygon mirrors 49a and 49b are the same, the timing at which all corner parts of the polygon mirror pass through the guide part 102 is the same. As a result, wind noise may increase to a level that can be confirmed by the ear. Therefore, when the number of surfaces of the polygon mirrors 49a and 49b is N and the number of the guide portions 102 is M, the mirror surface of the polygon mirror is such that (M / N) and (N / M) are other than integers. The number and the number of guide portions 102 are set. As a result, the number of corners of the polygon mirrors 49a and 49b passing through the guide unit 102 at the same time can be reduced as compared with the case where the number of polygon mirror surfaces and the number of guide units are the same. Thereby, noise can be reduced compared with the case where the number of surfaces of a polygon mirror and the number of guide parts are made the same.

In this embodiment, the guide member 101 is provided on the housing cover 107, but the guide member 101 may be provided on the deflector cover 105. In this case, the deflector pressing member 130 is attached to the guide member 101 of the deflector cover 105, and the deflector cover 105 is attached to the housing cover 107, whereby the deflector pressing member 130 is brought into contact with the rotary deflector 150a. . When the optical scanning device 4 is used, when the deflector cover 105 is removed, the deflector pressing member 130 is integrally removed from the optical scanning device 4. Then, the deflector pressing member 130 is removed from the guide member 101 and the deflector cover 105 is attached to the housing cover 107 again.
When the deflector cover 105 is removed by providing the guide member 101 on the deflector cover 105, the polygon scanner 50 is exposed. Therefore, the polygon scanner 50 can be replaced simply by removing the deflector cover 105. As a result, the opening area of the casing 31 at the time of replacement can be reduced and dust and dust can be prevented from adhering to the optical elements in the casing as compared with the case where the polygon scanner 50 is replaced with the casing cover 107 removed. can do.

[Modification 1]
Next, Modification 1 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the guide member 101 of the first modification, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of the guide member 101 of the first modification. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the guide member 101 of the first modification with the deflector pressing member 130 removed, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the guide member 101 of the first modification when the deflector pressing member 130 is attached. It is.
As shown in the figure, in the first modification, the guide portion 102 is inclined in the rotation direction of the rotary deflector 150a.

  When the deflector pressing member 130 is inserted into the guide member 101 in the same manner as described above, as shown in FIG. 13, the deflector pressing member 130 is inserted into the guide member 101 of the sponge pressing member 130 so that the location is the guide portion. By the inclination of 102, the rotary deflector 150a is guided to the rotary deflector side while rotating in the rotation direction. Further, if it is instructed to screw the deflector pressing member 130 into the guide member 101 by an instruction sheet or the like, the operator will screw the deflector pressing member 130, and the deflector pressing member 130 smoothly. 130 can be inserted into the guide member 101. Eventually, when the lower surface of the deflector holding member 130 comes into contact with the rotating deflector 150a, the lower surface of the deflector holding member 130 is guided to the rotating deflector while rotating in the rotating direction of the rotating deflector 150a. The rotary deflector 150a rotates. As a result, by confirming the rotation of the rotating deflector 150a, it can be confirmed that the lower surface of the deflector pressing member 130 is in contact with the rotating deflector 150a. Thereby, an assembly failure such as assembly of the deflector pressing member 130 does not occur in a state where the lower surface of the deflector pressing member 130 is not in contact with the rotary deflector 150a. In addition, by setting the inclination of the guide portion 102 in the direction in which the rotation deflector 150a normally rotates, there is no problem even if the rotation deflector 150a does not rotate in the reverse direction.

  On the other hand, the deflector pressing member 130 is removed, the optical scanning device 4 is assembled into the image forming apparatus, and when the optical scanning device 4 is used, the guide portion 102 is inclined in the rotational direction of the rotary deflector 150a. The following effects can be obtained. When the rotating deflector 150a rotates, the polygon mirror 49 is polygonal, so that a force that pushes out air works together with a large resistance. A vortex-like air current flowing in a direction away from the vessel 150a is generated. Conversely, an air flow is generated from above the rotating deflector 150a toward the rotating deflector 150a. At the center of the tubular portion 109 (above the vicinity of the center of the rotating shaft 152), an air flow is generated linearly from above toward the rotary deflector 150a, and an inclined guide portion is formed around the inner wall surface of the tubular portion 109. An air flow toward the rotary deflector 150 a is generated while rotating in a spiral shape along the rotation direction of the rotary deflector 150 a along 102. As a result, in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion 109, an air flow along the rotation direction of the rotary deflector 150a hits the rotary deflector 150a. Rather than hitting the rotating deflector 150a, the resistance that the rotating deflector 150a receives from the airflow from above can be reduced. As a result, the steady current applied to the polygon motor can be reduced. In addition, since the steady current can be reduced, the temperature rise of the polygon scanner 50 can be reduced. Moreover, the fogging of the mirror surface can be suppressed.

As described above, the optical scanning device 4 of the present embodiment includes the laser diode LD that is a light source that emits a light beam, the mirror rotor 151 that rotatably supports the rotation shaft 152 on the bearing 158, and deflects and scans the light beam from the LD. A rotation deflector 150a including a rotation shaft 152, polygon mirrors 49a and 49b, and a plurality of optical elements that guide the deflected light beam onto the photosensitive member 10 are provided. When the optical scanning apparatus is transported, a deflector pressing member 130 that presses the rotating deflector 150a in a direction opposite to the direction in which the rotating shaft 152 of the rotating deflector 150a comes out of the bearing 158 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. As a result, when the optical scanning device is transported, the rotary deflector 150a can be pressed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotary shaft 152 comes out of the bearing 158. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rotation deflector 150a from moving in the direction of the rotation axis even when the optical scanning device 4 receives an impact during transportation of the optical scanning device. Further, when the optical scanning device 4 is turned upside down, the rotating shaft 152 of the rotating deflector 150a can be prevented from falling off the bearing 158.
Further, when the optical scanning device 4 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the deflector pressing member 130 is removed from the apparatus main body. Therefore, when the rotary deflector 150a rotates at a high speed, the deflector pressing member 130 is not in the vicinity of the rotary deflector 150a. Therefore, even if the rotary deflector 150a rotates at a high speed and the rotary deflector 150a rises, the rotary deflector 150a does not contact the deflector pressing member 130. Therefore, there is no problem that frictional heat is generated between the deflector pressing member 130 and the rotating deflector 150a, and friction powder of the deflector pressing member 130 is attached to the polygon mirror of the rotating deflector 150a. Furthermore, the rotational deflection of the rotary deflector 150a due to the rotary deflector 150a coming into contact with the deflector pressing member 130 does not occur, and optical scanning can be performed satisfactorily.

  Further, the optical scanning device 4 of the present embodiment is disposed above the rotary deflector 150a, protrudes from the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 109 and the cylindrical portion 109 toward the center of the deflector rotation axis, and the rotary deflector. The guide member 101 includes a plurality of guide portions 102 that extend in the direction of the rotation axis 150a and guide the deflector pressing member 130 to the rotation deflector 150a. Further, the deflector pressing member 130 is an elastic member, and as the deflector pressing member 130 is guided to the rotating deflector side by the plurality of guide portions 102, the contact portion of the deflector pressing member 130 with the guide portion 102 is changed. Each guide portion 102 is configured to be compressed toward the rotation center of the rotary deflector 150a. Thereby, the resistance force when the deflector pressing member 130 is moved upward is increased. As a result, even if the optical scanning device 4 receives an impact and the rotary deflector 150a tries to move upward, the deflector pressing member 130 is restrained from moving upward together with the rotary deflector 150a, and the rotary deflector 150a. Movement can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the same height plane from the rotary deflector 150a, the guide portions 102 are configured such that the shortest distances from the rotation center of the rotary deflector 150a to the respective guide portions 102 are equal to each other, thereby guiding the guide portions 102. The center of the deflector pressing member 130 held by the rotation center of the rotary deflector 150a can be matched. As a result, when a force is generated in the rotary deflector 150a that pushes it upward with respect to the deflector holding member 130, the elastic member is crushed straight and the reaction force applied to the rotary deflector 150a is deflected. It is possible to suppress the inclusion of components other than the rotation axis direction. Thereby, it can suppress that the rotating shaft 152 inclines with the reaction force of the rotation deflector 150a.

  In addition, each guide portion is arranged such that an inscribed circle drawn along the tips of the plurality of guide portions 102 on the same height plane from the rotary deflector 150a becomes larger as it moves away from the rotary deflector 150a in the rotation axis direction. By configuring 102, as the deflector pressing member 130 is guided to the rotating deflector 150a side by the plurality of guide portions 102, the contact portion of the deflector pressing member 130 with the guide portion 102 is rotated by the rotating deflector 150a. It can be compressed towards the center.

Further, as in the first modification, each of the plurality of guide portions 102 is inclined or twisted in the rotation direction of the rotary deflector 150a, so that the deflector pressing member 130 is rotated by the plurality of guide portions 102. When guiding to the deflector 150 a side, the deflector pressing member 130 is rotated by the guide portion 102. As a result, when the deflector holding member 130 comes into contact with the rotary deflector 150a, the rotary deflector 150a rotates. Therefore, when the deflector pressing member 130 is inserted into the apparatus main body, it is checked whether or not the rotating deflector 150a is rotated, thereby determining whether or not the deflector pressing member 130 is in contact with the rotating deflector 150a. Recognize. Thereby, the mounting | wearing defect which the deflector pressing member 130 is not contact | abutting with the rotation deflector 150a can be suppressed.
In addition, when the deflector pressing member 130 is removed and the optical scanning device 4 is used, the airflow generated above the rotating deflector 150a toward the rotating deflector 150a is guided by the guide unit 102 along the rotation direction of the rotating deflector 150a. The airflow can be as follows. As a result, an air flow along the rotation direction of the rotary deflector 150a hits the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a, and therefore, an air flow in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction from above (perpendicular to the upper surface of the rotary deflector). Rather than hitting the upper surface of the rotary deflector 150a, the resistance of the airflow received by the upper surface of the rotary deflector 50 can be reduced. As a result, the steady current applied to the polygon motor can be reduced, the temperature rise of the rotary deflector can be reduced, and the mirror surface can be prevented from fogging.

  The plurality of guide portions 102 are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction of the rotary deflector 150a. When the number of mirror surfaces of the rotary deflector 150a is N and the number of guide portions 102 is M, ( By providing the number of mirror surfaces of the rotating deflector 150a and the number of guide portions 102 so that (M / N) and (N / M) are other than integers, the number of mirror surfaces of the rotating deflector 150a and the guidance are provided. Compared with the case where the number of the parts 102 is the same, the number of the corners of the mirror that simultaneously pass through the portion facing the guide part 102 can be reduced. Thereby, it can suppress that the wind noise of a corner | angular part increases so that a user can hear.

  In addition, a housing 31 that houses the LD, the rotation deflector 150a, and the optical element is provided, and a cover that covers the inside of the housing 31 is disposed above the guide member 101, and at least the rotation deflector 50 and the guide member. 101 and a housing cover 107 covering at least the optical element. Thereby, the deflector pressing member 130 can be attached and detached simply by removing the deflector cover 105. As a result, the opening area can be reduced as compared with the case where the housing cover 107 is removed, so that the risk of dust and the like entering the housing can be reduced.

  Further, when the surface of the deflector pressing member 130 facing the deflector cover 105 is brought into contact with the deflector cover 105, a force is generated on the rotary deflector 150 so as to push the deflector pressing member 130 upward. In this case, the deflector cover member 105 can be restricted from moving upward by the deflector cover 105.

  In addition, the casing cover 107 and the guide member 101 are integrally molded, so that the casing cover 107 and the guide member 101 are separately molded and the guide member 101 is assembled to the casing cover 107. The number of man-hours can be reduced, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

  The guide member 101 may be attached to the deflector cover 105. With this configuration, by removing the deflector cover, the rotary deflector 150a is exposed, and the rotary deflector 150a can be replaced. This makes it possible to reduce the opening area of the housing at the time of replacement compared with the case where the housing deflector 107 is removed and the rotating deflector is replaced, and dust and dust are prevented from entering the housing. be able to.

1: Image forming device 4: Optical scanning device 31: Housings 41K, 41M, 41C, 41Y: Light source unit 49a: Upper polygon mirror 49b: Lower polygon mirror 50: Rotating deflector 101, 201: Guide members 102, 202: Guide Portion 105: Deflector cover 106: Recessed portion 107: Housing cover 108: Rib 109, 209: Tubular portion 130: Deflector pressing member 150: Polygon motor 151: Mirror rotor 152: Rotating shaft 158: Bearing 158 Bearing

JP 2008-170804 A JP-A-7-92417 JP-A-9-236772

Claims (11)

A light source that emits a light beam;
A rotary deflector that is rotatably supported by a bearing and deflects and scans a light beam from a light source;
In an optical scanning device comprising an optical element that guides a deflected light beam onto a photoreceptor,
An optical scanning characterized in that a deflector pressing member that presses the rotating deflector in a direction opposite to the direction in which the rotation shaft of the rotating deflector comes out of the bearing is detachably attached to the apparatus main body during transportation of the optical scanning apparatus. apparatus. The optical scanning device according to claim 1.
Disposed above the rotary deflector, protrudes from the cylindrical portion and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion toward the center of the deflector rotation axis, extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary deflector, and A guide member provided with a plurality of guide portions for guiding the member to the rotary deflector;
The deflector pressing member is an elastic member,
As the deflector holding member is guided to the rotary deflector side by the plurality of guide portions, the contact portion of the deflector holding member with the guide portion is compressed toward the rotation center of the rotary deflector. An optical scanning device characterized in that each of the guide portions is configured. The optical scanning device according to claim 2.
An optical scanning device characterized in that the guide portions are configured so that the shortest distances from the rotation center of the rotary deflector to the respective guide portions are equal to each other on the same height plane from the rotary deflector. The optical scanning device according to claim 3.
Each guide portion is configured such that an inscribed circle drawn along the tips of the plurality of guide portions on the same height plane from the rotary deflector becomes larger as it moves away from the rotary deflector in the rotation axis direction. An optical scanning device characterized by that. In the optical scanning device in any one of Claims 2 thru | or 4,
The plurality of guide portions each have an inclined or twisted shape in the rotation direction of the rotary deflector. The optical scanning device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The plurality of guide portions are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction of the rotary deflector,
When the number of mirror surfaces of the rotating deflector is N and the number of guide portions is M, the number of mirror surfaces of the rotating deflector is such that (M / N) and (N / M) are other than integers. And a number of the guide portions. The optical scanning device according to claim 2,
A housing for housing the light source, the rotary deflector, and the optical element;
The cover that covers the inside of the housing is configured by a deflector cover that is disposed above the guide member and covers at least the rotating deflector and the guide member, and a housing cover that covers at least the optical element. An optical scanning device. The optical scanning device according to claim 7.
An optical scanning device characterized in that a surface of the deflector holding member facing the deflector cover is brought into contact with the deflector cover. The optical scanning device according to claim 7 or 8,
An optical scanning device, wherein the housing cover and the guide member are integrally molded. The optical scanning device according to claim 7 or 8,
An optical scanning device characterized in that the guide member is attached to the deflector cover.   An image forming apparatus comprising the optical scanning device according to claim 1.

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