JP2014103320A - Light source driving circuit, optical scanner, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light source driving circuit capable of reducing light emission delay time in light output and improving response characteristics, an optical scanner, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A light source driving circuit includes: a driving current generating unit that generates a driving current including a predetermined current acquiring a predetermined light intensity from a light source, and first and second overshoot currents added in synchronization with the predetermined current; and a control unit that sets, to the driving current generating unit, a value of the first overshoot current to a fixed value, and a value of the second overshoot current to a value calculated according to the light intensity output from the light source.

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source driving circuit, an optical scanning device, and an image for generating a driving current including a predetermined current for obtaining a predetermined amount of light from a light source and first and second overshoot currents added in synchronization with the predetermined current. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus used in conventional product printing or the like, a predetermined light output is obtained from a light source such as an LD (Laser Diode) and the photosensitive member is exposed to express the image density.

  Conventionally, it is known that a light emission delay time depending on the response characteristics of the light source occurs until a predetermined light output is obtained from the light source. In addition, conventionally, for example, it is known that a light emission delay time depending on a parasitic capacitance of a circuit or the like on which a light source is mounted occurs after a drive current is supplied to the light source until a light output is detected.

  For this reason, in the conventional image forming apparatus, for example, when the light output time is set to a short time of, for example, several ns or less, the light output may be less than a predetermined light amount, and the image density may be reduced to cause unevenness in the image. .

  Therefore, in the past, a device has been devised to solve this problem. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a charge / discharge circuit is provided and an overshoot current is generated by discharge at the rise of an output of an LD (Laser Diode) to shorten the light emission delay time depending on the response characteristics of the light source. Yes. Patent Document 2 describes that a threshold current is superimposed at an initial stage when LD lighting is started, and the light emission amount is controlled.

  However, the overshoot current described in Patent Document 1 is mainly generated to shorten the delay time depending on the response characteristic of the light source, and it is difficult to improve the light emission delay time depending on the parasitic capacitance. In Patent Document 2, the threshold current of the light source is superimposed at the beginning of the LD lighting, but the threshold current of the light source is insufficient for charging the parasitic capacitance, and the light emission delay time depending on the parasitic capacitance is sufficient. It is difficult to shorten it. In particular, in a circuit having a large parasitic capacitance or a light source having a large differential resistance, it is more difficult to reduce the delay time depending on the parasitic capacitance.

  The present invention has been made to solve this problem in view of the above circumstances, and is a light source driving circuit, an optical scanning device, and an image that can shorten the light emission delay time and improve the response characteristics. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following configuration.

  The present invention is a light source driving circuit for driving a light source, and includes a predetermined current for obtaining a predetermined amount of light from the light source, and first and second overshoot currents that are added in synchronization with the predetermined current. A drive current generation unit that generates the first overshoot current value for the drive current generation unit and a light amount that is output from the light source as the second overshoot current value. And a control unit that sets the value calculated according to.

  According to the present invention, the light emission delay time of the light output can be shortened and the response characteristics can be improved.

It is a figure explaining the light emission delay time of a light source. It is a figure explaining the parasitic capacitance of a light source. It is a figure explaining the drive current supplied to a light source from a light source drive circuit. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the light source drive circuit of 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function structure of CPU, and the value stored in memory. It is a figure explaining the production | generation of the 1st and 2nd overshoot production | generation signal. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the Iov2 value setting part of 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining 2nd overshoot electric current Iov2. It is a figure which shows the example of a drive current waveform when the light quantity of a light source changes, and an optical output waveform. It is a figure which shows the example of a drive current waveform at the time of changing 2nd overshoot period Tov2, and an optical output waveform. It is a figure which shows the example of a function structure of the evaluation apparatus connected to a light source drive circuit. It is a flowchart explaining the setting of the value of 1st overshoot period Tov1 and 1st overshoot current Iov1 by an evaluation apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the Tov1 value setting part in an evaluation apparatus. It is a figure explaining 1st overshoot period Tov1. It is a figure which shows the electric current-light output characteristic of LD. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the Iov1 value setting part in an evaluation apparatus. It is a 1st figure explaining the effect of a first embodiment. It is a 2nd figure explaining the effect of 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the light source drive circuit of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the drive current waveform of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the light source drive circuit of 3rd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function structure of CPU of 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the drive current waveform of 3rd embodiment.

  The present invention provides a first overshoot current which is a fixed value corresponding to a light emission delay time (hereinafter referred to as a parasitic delay time) depending on a parasitic capacitance of a substrate or the like on which a light source is mounted, and light emission depending on a response characteristic of the light source. A drive current including a second overshoot current controlled according to the delay time is generated. In the present invention, by supplying this drive current to the light source, the parasitic delay time and the response delay time are shortened, and the response characteristic of the light output is improved.

  The outline of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the light emission delay time of the light source. FIG. 1 shows the waveform of the drive current supplied to the light source and the waveform of the light output of the light source supplied with the drive current. In FIG. 1, the output of the light source is indicated by the amount of light.

  The light emission delay time t shown in FIG. 1 indicates the time from when the supply of the drive current to the light source is started until the light source outputs the predetermined light amount Po. The predetermined light amount Po is a preset target light amount. The light emission delay time t is the sum of the parasitic delay time ta and the response delay time tb. The parasitic delay time ta is a charging time for the parasitic capacitance generated in parallel with the light source existing in the wiring connecting the light source and the circuit, the wiring in the package of the light source, or the like. Details of the parasitic delay time ta will be described later. The parasitic delay time ta tends to increase in accordance with the increase in the charge amount and the charge time as the parasitic capacitance increases.

  The response delay time tb is a response time from when the predetermined current Iop is supplied to the light source to when the light source starts to emit light until the predetermined light amount Po is output. The predetermined current Iop is a current whose value is set in advance to obtain the predetermined light amount Po. The response delay time tb is due to the characteristics of the light source, and is influenced by, for example, differential resistance. The response delay time tb tends to increase as the differential resistance increases, because the current to the light source hardly flows.

  The light emission delay time t until the drive current is supplied to the light source actually includes a wiring delay time on the circuit board other than the parasitic delay time ta and the response delay time tb. The wiring delay time is ignored, and the light emission delay time t is the sum of the parasitic delay time ta and the response delay time tb. Further, in the description of the present specification, the falling edges of the drive current waveform and the optical output waveform are shown as being aligned.

  The parasitic capacitance will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the parasitic capacitance of the light source.

  In the present embodiment, the light source is, for example, an LD (Laser Diode). The LD shown in FIG. 2 outputs a predetermined light amount Po when a predetermined current Iop is supplied. C shown in FIG. 2 is a parasitic capacitance. The parasitic capacitance C includes, for example, a parasitic capacitance generated in a wiring connecting the LD and a circuit such as an LD driver when the LD is mounted on a circuit board or the like together with a circuit such as an LD driver. The parasitic capacitance C includes a parasitic capacitance such as a package when a circuit such as an LD or an LD driver is packaged.

  When the predetermined current Iop is supplied to the LD, a part of the predetermined current Iop is supplied to the parasitic capacitance C to charge the parasitic capacitance C. While the parasitic capacitance C is charged with the predetermined current Iop, a current (Iop-Ic) that is a part of the predetermined current Iop is supplied to the LD. When the charging of the parasitic capacitance C is completed, a predetermined current Iop is supplied to the LD. That is, the charging time of the parasitic capacitance C by the current Ic is a time during which the optical output cannot be obtained because only a part of the predetermined current Iop (Iop-Ic) is supplied to the LD. The time during which this light output cannot be obtained is the parasitic delay time.

  Next, the drive current supplied to the light source from the light source drive circuit of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the drive current supplied from the light source drive circuit to the light source. FIG. 3 shows a drive current waveform supplied from the light source drive circuit to the light source.

  The driving current Ik supplied to the light source includes a predetermined current Iop for obtaining a predetermined light amount Po from the light source, a first overshoot current Iov1 superimposed on the predetermined current Iop in synchronization with the rising of the predetermined current Iop, and a second current Iop. Overshoot current Iov2. The predetermined current Iop includes a switching current Ih and a bias current Ib.

  The first overshoot current Iov1 is a current set based on the parasitic delay time ta. The parasitic delay time ta can be obtained in advance from a circuit board on which a light source is mounted. Therefore, the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 and the application period (hereinafter referred to as the first overshoot period Tov1) can be fixed values set in accordance with the parasitic delay time ta determined in advance. In the present invention, the first overshoot period Tov1 is shorter than the parasitic delay time ta, that is, the first overshoot period Tov1 is from when the predetermined current Iop is supplied to the light source until the light source starts to emit light. The period was shorter than this period. Details of the method of setting the values of the first overshoot period Tov1 and the first overshoot current Iov1 will be described later.

  The second overshoot current Ivo2 is a current whose value is set based on the response delay time tb. The response delay time tb varies depending on the response characteristics of the light source. For example, when the light source has deteriorated, the response characteristics change. In addition, the response characteristics may be different due to variations in manufacturing for each light source. Therefore, the value of the second overshoot current Iov2 is a fluctuation value adjusted according to the response characteristic of the light source. The application period of the second overshoot current Ivo2 (hereinafter, the second overshoot period Tov2) is a fixed value.

  In the present invention, the drive current Ik as shown in FIG. 3 is generated and supplied to the light source, thereby reducing the parasitic delay time ta by the first overshoot current Iov and delaying the response by the second overshoot current Iov2. Time tb can be shortened. Further, since the first overshoot current Iov1 is set to a fixed value and only the second overshoot current Iov2 is adjusted, the control for shortening the light emission delay time t is facilitated, and the light source can be turned on in a short time. Response characteristics can be improved.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an optical scanning device 20, a photoconductor 30, a writing control unit 40, and a clock generation circuit 50.

  The optical scanning device 20 of the present embodiment includes a polygon mirror 21, a scanning lens 22, a light source driving circuit 100, an LD (Laser Diode) as a light emitting element (light source), and a PD (photo detector) as a light receiving element. In this embodiment, the light source is an LD, but the present invention is not limited to this. The light source may be a semiconductor laser array (LDA), a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser), or the like.

  Laser light emitted from the LD is scanned by a rotating polygon mirror 21 and irradiated onto a photoconductor 30 that is a scanned medium via a scanning lens 22. The irradiated laser beam becomes a light spot on the photoconductor 30, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 30. The polygon mirror 21 irradiates the PD with laser light every time one line of scanning is completed. When the PD is irradiated with laser light, the PD converts it into an electrical signal, and inputs this electrical signal to the phase synchronization circuit 41 included in the write control unit 40. When an electric signal is input, the phase synchronization circuit 41 generates a pixel clock for the next one line. The phase synchronization circuit 41 receives a high frequency clock signal from the clock generation circuit 50, thereby achieving phase synchronization of the pixel clock.

  The writing control unit 40 supplies the reference pulse signal to the light source driving circuit 100 according to the generated pixel clock. The writing control unit 40 supplies a target light amount setting signal to the light source driving circuit 100 to drive the LD. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image of image data is formed on the photoreceptor 30.

  The light source driving circuit 100 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the light source driving circuit according to the first embodiment.

  The light source driving circuit 100 of the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory 120, a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) 130, an LPF (Low-pass Filter) 140, an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 150, and an LD driver. 200 and resistor R1. The resistor R1 may not be included in the light source driving circuit 100. In this case, the resistor R1 is provided outside the light source driving circuit 100.

  The light source driving circuit 100 according to the present embodiment is connected to the LD and the PD, and controls the driving of the LD based on an electric signal output from the PD in accordance with the light amount of the LD.

  The CPU 110 controls various operations of the light source driving circuit 100. The memory 120 stores various values used for the operation of the light source driving circuit 100. Details of functions of the CPU 110 and values stored in the memory 120 will be described later.

  The DAC 130 converts a signal output from the CPU 110 into an analog value. The LPF 140 passes a signal in a predetermined band among the electric signals output from the PD. The ADC 150 converts the electrical signal output from the LPF 140 into a digital value.

  The LD driver 200 generates a drive current to be supplied to the LD based on the reference pulse signal and the target light amount setting signal, and controls the light emission timing of the LD. The LD driver 200 of the present embodiment overshoots the LD drive current.

  In the light source driving circuit 100 of this embodiment, the CPU 110 and the LD driver 200 control the driving current Ik. Specifically, the light source driving circuit 100 calculates the value of the second overshoot current Iov2 according to the light output of the LD. Then, the light source drive circuit 100 generates a drive current waveform in which the preset first overshoot current Iov1 and second overshoot current Iov2 are synchronized with the reference pulse signal.

  Hereinafter, the LD driver 200 of this embodiment will be described. The LD driver 200 of this embodiment includes a switching current source 210, a bias current source 220, a first overshoot current source 230, a second overshoot current source 240, and switches 211, 221 231 and 241.

  The switching current source 210, the bias current source 220, the first overshoot current source 230, and the second overshoot current source 240 generate the LD drive current Ik. The drive current Ik in the present embodiment is a current obtained by adding the current values output from the current sources.

  The switching current source 210 generates a predetermined switching current Ih based on the lighting control signal from the CPU 110. The switching current source 210 is connected to the LD via the switch 211. The switch 211 is composed of, for example, a transistor and is controlled to be turned on / off based on a lighting control signal supplied from the CPU 110. Further, the value of the switching current Ih is set by an instruction from the CPU 110.

  The bias current source 220 generates a predetermined bias current Ib based on a bias generation signal from the CPU 110. The bias current source 220 is connected to the LD via the switch 221. The switch 221 is configured by a transistor or the like, for example, and ON / OFF is controlled based on a bias generation signal supplied from the CPU 110. Further, the value of the bias current Ib is set by an instruction from the CPU 110.

  The first overshoot current source 230 generates a first overshoot current Ivo1 as a first drive auxiliary current that assists the switching current Ih at the rising edge of the lighting control signal. The first overshoot current source 230 is connected to the LD via the switch 231. The switch 231 is configured by a transistor, for example, and is controlled to be turned on / off based on a first overshoot generation signal supplied from the CPU 110. In the present embodiment, a period during which the first overshoot generation signal is on is the first overshoot period Tov1. Specifically, the switch 231 of the present embodiment is turned on during the first overshoot period Tov1 from the rise of the lighting control signal.

  The second overshoot current source 240 generates a second overshoot current Ivo2 as a second drive auxiliary current that assists the switching current Ih at the rising edge of the lighting control signal. The second overshoot current source 240 is connected to the LD via the switch 241. The switch 241 is configured by a transistor or the like, for example, and is controlled to be turned on / off based on a second overshoot generation signal supplied from the CPU 110. In the present embodiment, the period during which the second overshoot generation signal is on is the second overshoot period Tov2. Specifically, the switch 241 of the present embodiment is turned on during the second overshoot period Tov2 from the rise of the lighting control signal.

  The functions of the CPU 110 and the values stored in the memory 120 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the CPU and values stored in the memory.

  The CPU 110 of this embodiment includes a current control unit 111, a pulse generation unit 112, and an Iov binary value setting unit 113.

  The memory 120 includes a current value storage unit 121, a delay time storage unit 122, and a lighting pattern storage unit 123. The current value storage unit 121 stores setting values for various current sources included in the light source driving circuit 100. Specifically, in the current value storage unit 121, values of the switching current Ih, the bias current Ib, and the first overshoot current Iov1 are set.

  The delay time storage unit 122 stores a delay time for determining the first overshoot period Tov1 and the second overshoot period Tov2. The lighting pattern storage unit 123 stores an LD lighting pattern signal used when the second overshoot current Iov2 is calculated by the Iov2 value setting unit 113 described later.

  In the CPU 110, the current control unit 111 acquires set values of various current sources stored in the current value storage unit 122, and causes the various current sources to output currents corresponding to the set values via the DAC 130.

  The pulse generation unit 112 is a signal generation unit that generates a first overshoot generation signal and a second overshoot generation signal based on the delay time stored in the delay time storage unit 122 and the reference pulse signal. . Further, the pulse generation unit 112 may generate a bias generation signal and a lighting pattern signal. Note that the lighting pattern signal of this embodiment is a signal supplied to the switch 211 only when the Iov2 value setting unit 113 calculates the second overshoot current Iov2. When the image forming apparatus 10 is performing an image forming operation, the switch 211 is controlled to be turned on / off by a lighting control signal based on image data supplied from the writing control unit 40.

  The Iov2 value setting unit 113 calculates and sets the second overshoot current Iov2 based on the output of the PD. The Iov binary value calculation unit 113 of this embodiment includes a current value selection unit 114, an integrated light amount calculation unit 115, and a determination unit 116. Details of the processing of the Iov binary value setting unit 113 will be described later.

  Next, generation of the first and second overshoot generation signals by the pulse generation unit 112 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining generation of the first and second overshoot generation signals.

  The pulse generation unit 112 of the present embodiment acquires, for example, the delay time t1 that matches the first overshoot period Tov1 and the delay time t2 that matches the second overshoot period Tov2 from the delay time storage unit 122. . Then, the pulse generator 112 generates a pulse signal S1 obtained by delaying the reference pulse signal by the delay time t1, and a pulse signal S2 obtained by delaying the reference pulse signal by the delay time t2. For example, when the reference pulse signal is at a high level and the pulse signal S1 is at a low level, the pulse generation unit 112 generates a first overshoot generation signal that turns on (high level) the first overshoot period Tov1. . In addition, the pulse generation unit 112 generates a second overshoot generation signal in which the second overshoot period Tov2 is on (high level), for example, when the reference pulse signal is at a high level and the pulse signal S2 is at a low level. Generate.

  The pulse generation unit 112 of the present embodiment is assumed that the delay times t1 and t2 are stored in the memory 120. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The delay times t1 and t2 of this embodiment may be acquired by a method other than the above. For example, the pulse generator 112 of the present embodiment may generate the pulse signals S1 and S2 simply by using an inverter train or a buffer train. In the present embodiment, the reference pulse signal may be delayed by a low-pass filter including a resistor and a capacitor, and then the waveform-shaped signal may be used as the pulse signals S1 and S2. In either case, changing the delay amount can be easily performed by changing the number of stages and the filter constant.

  Next, the setting of the second overshoot current Iov2 by the Iov2 value setting unit 113 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the Iov binary value setting unit of the first embodiment.

  The Iov2 value setting unit 113 of the present embodiment sets the current value to the second overshoot current Iov2 when the integrated light quantity ratio of the output waveform of the PD when the LD is caused to emit light based on the lighting pattern signal is within a predetermined range. Set as the value of. The integrated light amount ratio is a value indicating the ratio of the integrated light amount of the output waveform of the PD to the integrated light amount for one cycle of the lighting pattern signal.

  First, the CPU 110 receives a setting instruction for the second overshoot current Iov2 (step S801). In this embodiment, after the supply of the drive current Ik from the light source drive circuit 100 to the LD is interrupted, a setting instruction is accepted when the supply of the drive current Ik to the LD is started again. This setting instruction may be notified to the CPU 110 from, for example, a main CPU (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, specifically, for example, when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated from the sleep mode, or when the door provided on the housing of the image forming apparatus 10 is opened and then closed, the setting instruction is given. Accept.

  Subsequently, the Iov2 value setting unit 113 reads the value of the predetermined current Iop from the current value storage unit 121 (step S802). Subsequently, the Iov binary value setting unit 113 reads the lighting pattern signal from the lighting pattern signal storage unit 123 (step S803). The lighting pattern signal of this embodiment is a signal generated in advance so that the LD for one pixel is turned on and the LD for one pixel is turned off.

  Subsequently, the Iov binary value setting unit 113 reads the delay time t1, that is, the first overshoot period Tov1 from the delay time storage unit 122 (step S804). Next, the Iov2 value setting unit 113 reads the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 from the current value storage unit 121 (step S805). Subsequently, the Iov2 value setting unit 113 reads the delay time t2, that is, the second overshoot period Tov2 from the delay time storage unit 122 (step S806).

  Subsequently, the Iov binary value setting unit 113 causes the current value selection unit 114 to output a current value selection signal for selecting a current value to the DAC 130 (step S807). The current value selection unit 114 selects the current values that can be output from the DAC 130 in order from the current value with the smallest value.

  When the DAC 130 receives the current value selection signal from the CPU 110, the DAC 130 converts the selected current value into an analog value and outputs the analog value to the second overshoot current source 240. The second overshoot current source 240 supplies the selected current value to the LD. At this time, the pulse generator 112 supplies the switch 241 with a second overshoot generation signal synchronized with the rising of the lighting pattern signal. The second overshoot generation signal turns on the switch 241 only during the second overshoot period Tov2 read in step S806.

  Subsequently, the Iov binary value setting unit 113 uses the integrated light amount calculation unit 115 to calculate the integrated light amount ratio of the PD output waveform (step S808). Subsequently, the Iov binary value setting unit 113 determines whether or not the calculated integrated light amount ratio is within a predetermined range by the determination unit 116 (step S809).

  In step S809, when the integrated light quantity ratio is within the predetermined range, the Iov2 value setting unit 113 sets the current value selected at this time as the value of the second overshoot current Iov2 (step S810). In step S809, when the integrated light amount ratio is within the predetermined range, the Iov2 value setting unit 113 returns to step S807 and selects the next largest current value.

  Hereinafter, the second overshoot current Iov2 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the second overshoot current Iov2.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the predetermined range is set to ± 5% with a center value of 50%, for example, in order to bring the output waveform of the PD closer to an ideal waveform without light emission delay. The predetermined range is a preset value and can be set arbitrarily.

  (1) in FIG. 9 shows an output waveform of the PD when the current value is not selected by the current value selection unit 114 and the drive current Ik becomes the predetermined current Iop synchronized with the lighting pattern signal. In this case, the integrated light quantity ratio of the output waveform of the PD in the period H corresponding to one cycle of the lighting pattern signal is less than 45%.

  (2) of FIG. 9 shows an output waveform of the PD when the current value selection unit 114 selects the smallest current value Iv ′. At this time, the drive current Ik is overshooted by the current value Iv ′ during the second overshoot period Tov2 from the rising edge. Also at this time, the integrated light quantity ratio of the output waveform of the PD in the period H for one cycle of the lighting pattern signal is less than 45%.

  Next, (3) of FIG. 9 shows an output waveform of the PD when the current value selection unit 114 selects a current value Iv larger than the current value Iv ′. At this time, the drive current Ik is overshooted by the current value Iv during the second overshoot period Tov2 from the rising edge. In this case, the integrated light amount ratio of the output waveform of the PD in the period H for one cycle of the lighting pattern signal is between 50% and 55%. Therefore, the Iov2 value setting unit 113 sets the current value Iv as the value of the second overshoot current Ion2.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 and the first overshoot period Tov1 are stored in advance in the memory 120, and the predetermined current Iop and the target predetermined light amount Po are determined. Use without change even if it fluctuates. The value of the second overshoot current Iov2 is adjusted and used every time the amount of light emitted from the light source changes. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first overshoot current Iov1 need only be set once, and only the second overshoot current Iov2 needs to be adjusted. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the adjustment time can be shortened and the circuit scale can be reduced.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drive current waveform and a light output waveform when the light amount of the light source changes. FIG. 10A shows a drive current waveform and a light output waveform when the light amount is low (Pa), and FIG. 10B shows a drive current waveform and a light output waveform when the light amount is high (Pb). The magnitude relationship between the value of the predetermined current Iopa in FIG. 10 (A) and the value of the predetermined current Iopb in FIG. 10 (B) is Iopa <Iopb. This is because the amount of light changes according to the value of the predetermined current Iop.

  Focusing on the second overshoot current Iov2 in FIG. 10, it can be seen that the amount of current fluctuates as the amount of light changes. The amount of current is obtained by multiplying the value of the second overshoot current Iov2 by the second overshoot period Tov2.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the value of the second overshoot current Iov2 increases as the amount of light increases. Therefore, the magnitude relationship between the value of the second overshoot current Iov2a in FIG. 10A and the value of the second overshoot current Iov2b in FIG. 10B is Iov2a <Iov2b. On the other hand, since the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 is determined mainly based on the entire system such as the light source package and the board wiring, the current value fluctuates even if the magnitudes of the predetermined current Iop and the predetermined light quantity Po are varied. Instead, the relationship is Iov1a = Iov1b. As described above, in the present embodiment, a stable light output waveform can be acquired with a simple setting in which only the value of the second overshoot current Iov2 is adjusted when the amount of light changes.

  In the present embodiment, the second overshoot period Tov2 is a fixed value that matches the delay time t2 stored in the memory. However, the second overshoot period Tov2 is changed by changing the value of the delay time t2. You may change Tov2.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drive current waveform and an optical output waveform when the second overshoot period Tov2 is changed. FIG. 11A shows a case where the second overshoot period Tov2 is short, and FIG. 11B shows a case where the second overshoot period Tov2 is long.

  Comparing the optical output waveforms of FIGS. 11A and 11B, the response delay time ta2 in FIG. 11A is shorter than the response delay time ta1 in FIG. 11B (ta1 <ta2), and FIG. ) Light output waveform has a shorter rise time and rises sharply. That is, in this embodiment, if the second overshoot period Tov2 is set to be long, the rise of the optical output waveform can be increased, and if it is set to be short, the decrease of the rise is reduced. As described above, in the present embodiment, the response delay time ta of the optical output waveform can be adjusted by the second overshoot period Tov2, and an arbitrary response delay time ta is set according to the use state, environment, and the like of the image forming apparatus 10. be able to.

  Next, setting of the values of the first overshoot period Tov1 and the first overshoot current Iov1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the values of the first overshoot period Tov1 and the first overshoot current Iov1 are fixed values set in advance.

  The values of the first overshoot period Tov1 and the first overshoot current Iov1 of the present embodiment are calculated and calculated by, for example, an evaluation device connected to the light source driving circuit 100 in the manufacturing process of the image forming apparatus 10. The value may be stored in the memory 120.

  Hereinafter, calculation of the values of the first overshoot period Tov1 and the first overshoot current Iov1 by the evaluation device connected to the light source driving circuit 100 will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the evaluation apparatus connected to the light source driving circuit. In the present embodiment, the evaluation apparatus 300 may be connected, for example, between the output side of the ADC 150 and the input side of the CPU 110.

  The evaluation device 300 is a computer having, for example, an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit. The evaluation apparatus 300 includes an instruction receiving unit 310, a Tov1 value setting unit 320, an Iov1 value setting unit 330, and a threshold storage unit 340.

  The instruction receiving unit 310 receives setting instructions for the first overshoot period Tov1 and the first overshoot current Iov1. In the present embodiment, for example, a setting instruction may be received when the evaluation apparatus 300 is connected to the light source driving circuit 100. For example, the evaluation device 300 may accept a setting instruction when an evaluator using the evaluation device 300 inputs a setting instruction.

  The Tov1 value setting unit 320 includes a pulse selection unit 321, an integrated light amount acquisition unit 322, and a Tov1 determination unit 323, and calculates and sets the first overshoot period Tov1.

  The Iov1 value setting unit 330 includes a current value selection unit 331, an integrated light amount acquisition unit 332, and an Iov1 determination unit 333, and calculates and sets the value of the first overshoot current Iov1.

  The threshold value storage unit 340 stores a Tov1 threshold value 341 used by the Tov1 value setting unit 320 and an Iov1 threshold value 342 used by the Iov1 value setting unit 330.

  The Tov1 threshold value 341 is a threshold value for determining whether or not light emission of the LD is detected. The Iov1 threshold value 342 is a threshold value for determining whether or not the light amount of the LD has become a predetermined light amount. Details of the processing of the Tov1 value setting unit 320 and the Iov1 value setting unit 330 will be described later.

  The setting of the values of the first overshoot period Tov1 and the first overshoot current Iov1 by the evaluation apparatus 300 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining setting of the values of the first overshoot period Tov1 and the first overshoot current Iov1 by the evaluation apparatus.

  When receiving the setting instruction from the instruction receiving unit 310 (step S131), the evaluation apparatus 300 first sets the first overshoot period Tov1 by the Tov1 value setting unit 320 (step S132). Subsequently, the evaluation apparatus 300 sets the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 by the Iov1 value setting unit 330 (step S133).

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the first overshoot period Tov1 is set first, and then the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 is set.

  Next, the setting of the first overshoot period Tov1 by the Tov1 value setting unit 320 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the Tov1 value setting unit in the evaluation apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the first overshoot period Tov1 is set to the time from when the supply of a current larger than the predetermined current Iop is started to the LD until the light emission of the LD is detected.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the first overshoot period Tov1 to a shorter period. If the first overshoot period Tov1 is shortened, the parasitic capacitance C can be charged in a short time, and the parasitic delay time can be shortened.

  In the present embodiment, a current larger than a predetermined current Iop supplied to the LD when setting the first overshoot period Tov1 is referred to as a Tov1 setting current Is. The Tov1 set current Is is stored, for example, in a storage device (not shown) included in the evaluation device 300. The Tov1 set current Is may be stored in the memory 120 of the light source driving circuit 100, for example.

  When the instruction receiving unit 310 receives a setting instruction in the evaluation apparatus 300 of the present embodiment, the Tov1 value setting unit 320 reads the Tov1 set current Is (step S141). Subsequently, the evaluation apparatus 300 causes the first overshoot current source 230 to output the Tov1 set current Is via the CPU 110 and the DAC 130 (step S142). At this time, the bias current Ib and the switching current Ih are off, and the current supplied to the LD is only the Tov1 set current Is output from the first overshoot current source 230.

  Subsequently, the Tov1 value setting unit 320 causes the pulse selection unit 321 to output a selection instruction signal for the pulse signal to the CPU 110 (step S143). At this time, the pulse selection unit 321 causes the CPU 110 to select in order from a pulse signal having a narrow pulse width in order to determine whether or not light emission of the LD is detected.

  When the CPU 110 selects a pulse signal, the pulse signal selected via the LD driver 200 is supplied to the switch 231 as the first overshoot generation signal. The switch 231 of the present embodiment is turned on during the period when the first overshoot generation signal is supplied. Therefore, when the switch 231 is turned on, the Tov1 set current Is is supplied to the LD.

  Subsequently, the integrated light amount acquisition unit 322 acquires the integrated light amount obtained by integrating the waveform of the electric signal output from the PD based on the light amount of the LD by the LPF 140 as a digital value via the ADC 150 (step S143).

  Subsequently, the Tov1 determination unit 323 refers to the Tov1 threshold value 341 stored in the threshold value storage unit 340 and determines whether or not the integrated light amount is equal to or greater than the Tov1 threshold value (step S144). In step S144, when the integrated light quantity is equal to or greater than the Tov1 threshold value, the Tov1 determination unit 3233 determines that light emission of the LD has been detected, and the pulse signal selected immediately before the pulse signal selected in step S142. Let the pulse width be the first overshoot period Tov1. Here, the Tov1 determination unit 323 stores the first overshoot period Tov1 in the memory 120 via the CPU 110 (step S145).

  When the integrated light quantity is less than the Tov1 threshold value in step S144, the Tov1 value setting unit 320 returns to step S142 and selects the next narrow pulse signal.

  Hereinafter, the first overshoot period Tov1 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the first overshoot period Tov1. FIG. 15 shows the output waveform of the PD when the Tov1 set current Is is supplied to the light source in synchronization with pulse signals having different pulse widths.

  (1) to (4) in FIG. 15 show the output waveforms of the PD when the pulse signals having a narrow pulse width are selected in order. The electrical signal output from the PD is converted into a voltage value by the resistor R1 and supplied to the LPF 140.

  (1) shown in FIG. 15 shows an output waveform of the PD when the pulse signal P10 first selected by the CPU 110 is supplied to the LD. The pulse signal P10 has the narrowest pulse width among pulse signals that can be selected by the CPU 110, and the pulse width is P1. At this time, the PD output does not appear and the integrated light quantity is zero. Therefore, it can be seen that the LD does not emit light.

  (2) shown in FIG. 15 shows an output waveform of the PD when the pulse signal P20 having the pulse width P2 is selected. At this time, the output of the PD slightly appears and the integrated light amount is S1.

  (3) shown in FIG. 15 shows the output waveform of the PD when the pulse signal P30 having the pulse width P3 is selected. At this time, the output of the PD slightly appears, and the integrated light quantity is S2.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the pulse width of the pulse signal is gradually increased in this way, and the light emission of the LD is detected when the integrated light amount of the output waveform of the PD becomes equal to or greater than the Tov1 threshold value.

  The Tov1 threshold is a ratio of the integrated light amount of the output waveform of the PD corresponding to the light emission of the LD by the pulse signal to the integrated light amount of the output waveform of the PD when the LD is outputting the predetermined light amount Po (hereinafter, the total integrated light amount). It is. In the present embodiment, the Tov threshold value may be set to about several percent of the total integrated light amount. In the present embodiment, for example, the Tov1 threshold is 5%. In this case, it is determined that the LD is emitting light when the integrated light amount of the output waveform of the PD becomes 5% or more of the total integrated light amount.

  In FIG. 15, for example, if the integrated light amount S1 is about 3% of the total integrated light amount and the integrated light amount S2 is about 10% of the total integrated light amount, the Tov1 value setting unit 320 sets the pulse width P2 to the first overshoot. Set to period Tov1.

  Here, the Tov1 set current Is supplied to the LD when setting the first overshoot period Tov1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the current-light output characteristics of the LD. In FIG. 16, a region S1 is a linear region in current-light output characteristics, and a region S2 is a non-linear region in current-light output characteristics.

  The value of the Tov1 set current Is of the present embodiment may be a value that is larger than the predetermined current Iop in the linear region S1 shown in FIG. The current Ith shown in FIG. 16 is a threshold current that is a threshold at which the LD starts light emission.

  In the present embodiment, the larger the Tov1 set current Is within the above range, the more preferable it is to detect the light emission of the LD in a short time and to set the first overshoot period Tov1 in a short time. Therefore, for example, in the present embodiment, the Tov1 set current Is may be the current Imax. Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, the value of the Tov1 set current Is may be determined so that the first overshoot period Tov1 is about 1 nanosecond.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when setting the first overshoot period Tov1, a current larger than the predetermined current Iop for obtaining the predetermined light amount Po set as the target light amount from the LD is supplied to the LD. LD light emission is detected over time. In the present embodiment, even when the value of the Tov1 set current Is is a value that exceeds the rated current of the LD, the Tov1 set current Is is supplied to the LD for a period that does not damage the LD.

  Next, the setting of the first overshoot current Iov1 by the Iov1 value setting unit 330 of the evaluation apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the Iov1 value setting unit in the evaluation apparatus.

  When the instruction receiving unit 310 receives a setting instruction in the evaluation apparatus 300 of the present embodiment (step S1701), the Iov1 value setting unit 330 reads the predetermined current Iop (step S1702). The Iov1 value setting unit 330 reads the lighting pattern signal from the memory 120 via the CPU 110 (step S1703). Subsequently, the Iov1 value setting unit 330 reads the first overshoot period Tov1 (step S1704).

  When the first overshoot period Tov1 is read, the Iov1 value setting unit 330 causes the current value selection unit 331 to output a current value selection signal for selecting a current value to the DAC 130 via the CPU 110 (step S1705). The current value selection unit 331 selects the current values that can be output from the DAC 130 in order from the current value with the smallest value.

  When the DAC 130 receives the current value selection signal via the CPU 110, the DAC 130 converts the selected current value into an analog value and outputs the analog value to the first overshoot current source 230. The first overshoot current source 230 supplies the selected current value to the LD. At this time, the pulse generation unit 112 supplies the first overshoot generation signal synchronized with the rising of the lighting pattern signal to the switch 231. The first overshoot generation signal turns on the switch 231 for the first overshoot period Tov1 read in step S1704.

  Subsequently, the Iov1 value setting unit 330 acquires the integrated light amount of the output waveform of the PD output from the ADC 150 by the integrated light amount acquisition unit 332 (step S1706). Subsequently, the Iov1 value setting unit 330 refers to the threshold storage unit 340 by the Iov1 determination unit 333, and determines whether or not the acquired integrated light amount is equal to or greater than the Iov1 threshold (step S1707).

  In step S1707, when the integrated light quantity is greater than or equal to the Iov1 threshold, the Iov1 value setting unit 330 sets the current value selected at this time as the value of the second overshoot current Iov2, and stores it in the memory 120 via the CPU 110 (step S1708). ). In step S1707, when the integrated light quantity is not equal to or greater than the Iov1 threshold value, the Iov1 value setting unit 330 returns to step S1705 and selects the next largest current value.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 and the first overshoot period Tov1 that are fixed values are set by the evaluation device 300 connected to the light source drive circuit 100, and the light source drive circuit 100 is set. Set to.

  In the present embodiment, the evaluation apparatus 300 is connected to the outside of the light source driving circuit 100, but is not limited to this. In the light source driving circuit 100 of the present embodiment, for example, the CPU 110 may have a function that the evaluation device 300 has. In this case, the light source driving circuit 100 can store the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 and the first overshoot period Tov1 in the memory 120 without using the evaluation apparatus 300.

  FIG. 18 is a first diagram for explaining the effect of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 18A shows a drive current waveform and an optical output waveform when only a predetermined current Iop is applied to the LD, and FIG. 18B applies a predetermined current Iop and a first overshoot current Iov1 to the LD. The drive current waveform and the optical output waveform are shown. FIG. 18C shows the drive current waveform and the optical output waveform of this embodiment.

  In FIG. 18A, the drive current waveform is a rectangular wave, whereas the optical output waveform has a slow rise. In FIG. 18A, a light emission delay time T1 from when the supply of the drive current to the light source is started until the light source outputs the predetermined light amount Po occurs.

  In FIG. 18B, since the first overshoot current Iov1 applied in synchronization with the predetermined current Iop charges the parasitic capacitance in advance, the light emission delay time T2 of the light output waveform is greater than the light emission delay time T1. It has been shortened. However, the rise of the optical output waveform has the same dullness as in FIG.

  In the drive current waveform of this embodiment shown in FIG. 18C, the first overshoot current Iov1 and the second overshoot current Iov2 are applied in synchronization with the predetermined current Iop. In this embodiment, the parasitic capacitance is charged by the first overshoot current Iov1, and the dull rise of the optical output waveform is improved by the second overshoot current Iov2. Therefore, in this embodiment, an optical output waveform close to a rectangular wave can be obtained. Further, it can be seen that the light emission delay time T3 is shorter than the light emission delay times T1 and T2.

  FIG. 19 is a second diagram for explaining the effect of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 19A is a diagram showing a driving current waveform including a conventional overshoot current and a corresponding optical output waveform. FIG. 19B is a diagram showing a drive current waveform and an optical output waveform of the present embodiment.

  Compared with the optical output waveform shown in FIG. 18A, the optical output waveform shown in FIG. 19A is found to reduce the rise dullness and shorten the response delay time tb. However, in the optical output waveform shown in FIG. 19A, a large parasitic delay time ta remains. For this reason, the pulse of the optical output waveform is narrowed, and the amount of light cannot be compensated.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19B, in this embodiment, the parasitic delay time ta can be shortened by charging the parasitic capacitance at high speed with the first overshoot current Iov1. In the present embodiment, the response delay time tb can also be shortened by the effect of the second overshoot current Iov2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the final light emission delay time t can be shortened, and the necessary light amount can be compensated.

  Conventionally, an LD having a large package, in particular, has various response characteristic fluctuation factors such as an increase in parasitic capacitance and an increase in resistance component depending on the wavelength band. For example, compared with an infrared semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 780 nm, a red optical semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 650 nm generally has a large differential resistance. Therefore, the response of the optical output is not always obtained at high speed, and the waveform becomes dull. There is a case. Even for infrared semiconductor lasers, VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) etc. have a differential resistance of several hundred Ω due to structural differences, which is very large compared to end-face lasers. Have resistance. Therefore, the time constant of CR is generated by the terminal capacitance of the VCSEL itself, the parasitic capacitance of the substrate on which the VCSEL is mounted, the terminal capacitance of the driver, and the differential resistance of the VCSEL. For this reason, even if the VCSEL itself has an element characteristic that can be modulated at high speed and a cutoff frequency Ft, if mounted on a substrate, the response of light output cannot be obtained at a desired high speed, and the light emission delay time increases. there were.

  In this embodiment, the light output waveform is corrected according to parasitic capacitance, differential resistance, etc., regardless of the light source, so that the light emission delay time can be shortened, and the light output waveform close to the current waveform of the predetermined current Iop is obtained. Can be obtained. That is, according to the present embodiment, the first overshoot current Iov1 and the second overshoot current that are optimum for each light source even if the light source has a plurality of light sources such as a VCSEL and has a large differential resistance. Iov2 can be set. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the light emission variation between the light sources, and for example, it is possible to suppress the image density variation and the color shift in the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the second overshoot current Iov2 is adjusted according to the magnitude and light amount of the predetermined current Iop, so that a desired light output waveform can be obtained even if the light amount of the light source is changed.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the light emission delay time of the light output can be shortened and the response characteristics can be improved.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the drive current Ik does not include the bias current Ib. Therefore, in the following description of the second embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment will be used in the description of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals as those used are assigned, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a light source driving circuit according to the second embodiment. The light source driving circuit 100A of the present embodiment includes an LD driver 200A. The LD driver 200 </ b> A includes a switching current source 210, a first overshoot current source 230, a second overshoot current source 240, and switches 211, 231, and 241. The LD driver 200 </ b> A of the present embodiment outputs current from three current sources based on the analog value supplied from the DAC 130, and generates a drive current Ik. Specifically, the LD driver 200A of the present embodiment generates the drive current Ik to which the first overshoot current Iov1 and the second overshoot current Iov2 are applied in synchronization with the rising of the switching current Ih. Supply to LD.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a drive current waveform according to the second embodiment.

  In the drive current Ik of this embodiment, since the bias current Ib is not used, the value of the switching current Ih is equal to the value of the predetermined current Iop.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the drive current Ik includes an undershoot current. Therefore, in the third embodiment of the present invention, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment are used in the description of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals as the reference numerals are assigned, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a light source driving circuit according to the third embodiment.

  The light source driving circuit 100B of the present embodiment includes an LD driver 200B. The light source drive circuit 100B of this embodiment includes a CPU 110A and an LD driver 200B. The LD driver 200B includes a switching current source 210, a bias current source 220, a first overshoot current source 230, a second overshoot current source 240, an undershoot current source 250, and switches 211, 221, 231, 241, and 251. Have. The connection between the undershoot current source 250 and the LD is controlled by turning on / off the switch 251. When the switch 251 is turned on, the undershoot current source 250 supplies the undershoot current Iud to the LD in synchronization with the falling of the switching current Ih.

  The switch 251 is controlled to be turned on / off by an undershoot generation signal supplied from the CPU 110. Specifically, the switch 251 is turned on while the undershoot generation signal is at a high level (hereinafter referred to as an undershoot period Tud).

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the CPU according to the third embodiment. The CPU 110A according to the present embodiment includes an Iud value setting unit 117 in addition to the units included in the CPU 110 according to the first embodiment.

  The Iud value setting unit 117 of the present embodiment refers to the memory 120 and calculates the sum of the current amount of the first overshoot current Iov1 and the current amount of the second overshoot current Iov2. The amount of current is defined as current value × on time. Specifically, for example, the current amount of the first overshoot current Iov1 is the product of the value of the first overshoot current Iov1 and the first overshoot period Tov1. The amount of current of the second overshoot current Iov2 is the product of the value of the second overshoot current Iov2 and the second overshoot period Tov2.

  The Iud value setting unit 117 sets the value of the undershoot current Iud and the undershoot period Tud so that the sum of the two current amounts is equal to the current amount of the undershoot current Iud.

  The undershoot current Iud plays the role of correcting the dullness of the fall of the optical output waveform and discharging the parasitic capacitance charged by the first overshoot current Iov1 and the like. Therefore, the amount of undershoot current required for improving the optical output waveform is substantially equal to the amount of current of the second overshoot current Iov2, and the amount of undershoot current required for discharging the parasitic capacitance is the first overshoot. It becomes almost equal to the amount of current Iov1.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the response characteristic of the optical output waveform can be further improved by setting the current amount of the undershoot current Iud to be equal to the sum of the two current amounts.

  In this embodiment, since the undershoot current Iud is set using the first and second overshoot currents Iov1 and Iov2, no complicated calculation is required, and the undershoot current Iud can be set at high speed. In the present embodiment, the undershoot period Tud may be equal to the second overshoot period Tov2. In this case, the response at the rise and the response at the fall of the optical output waveform can be made substantially equal.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a drive current waveform according to the third embodiment.

  The drive current Ik of this embodiment is applied with the undershoot current Iud in synchronization with the falling of the predetermined current Iop of the first embodiment. The undershoot current Iud can reduce the dullness of the fall of the optical output waveform, and can discharge the charged parasitic capacitance at high speed.

  As mentioned above, although this invention has been demonstrated based on each embodiment, this invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the said embodiment. With respect to these points, the gist of the present invention can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Optical scanning device 100, 100A, 100B Light source drive circuit 110, 110A CPU
111 Current Control Unit 112 Pulse Generation Unit 113 Iov Binary Value Setting Unit 117 Iud Value Setting Unit 120 Memory 130 DAC
140 LPF
150 ADC
200, 200A, 200B LD driver 210 Switching current source 220 Bias current source 230 First overshoot current source 240 Second overshoot current source 250 Undershoot current source

Japanese Patent No. 4349470 Japanese Patent No. 3466599

Claims (9)

A light source driving circuit for driving a light source,
A drive current generator that generates a drive current including a predetermined current for obtaining a predetermined amount of light from the light source, and first and second overshoot currents that are added in synchronization with the predetermined current;
For the drive current generator, the first overshoot current value is set to a fixed value, and the second overshoot current value is set to a value calculated according to the amount of light output from the light source. A light source driving circuit. A first signal for adding a first overshoot period to the first overshoot current to the predetermined current;
A second signal for adding the second overshoot current to the predetermined current for a second overshoot period, and a signal generator for generating
The light source driving circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first overshoot period is a period shorter than a period from when the predetermined current rises until light emission of the light source is detected. A light receiving element that receives light emitted from the light source and outputs a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the received light amount;
An integrator for integrating the signal waveform output from the light receiving element;
A current value setting unit for setting a value of the second overshoot current;
A lighting pattern storage unit in which a lighting pattern signal for turning on the light source for a predetermined period and turning off the light source for a predetermined period is stored;
The current value setting unit includes:
A current value selection unit that selects a current value to be added to the predetermined current in order from a small value;
Determining means for determining whether an integrated value of the signal waveform of the light receiving element when a current obtained by adding the current value to the predetermined current is supplied to the light source is within a predetermined range set in advance; Have
The light source driving circuit according to claim 2, wherein when the integrated value falls within the predetermined range, the current value is set to a second overshoot current. The first overshoot period is
In the period from the start of supplying current to the light source that is larger than the predetermined current and equal to or less than the current corresponding to the maximum value of the light output in the current-light output characteristic of the light source until the light source emits light. 4. A light source driving circuit according to claim 2 or 3. The predetermined current is
5. The light source drive circuit according to claim 1, comprising a preset bias current and a switching current supplied to the light source based on a lighting control signal of the light source. The drive current includes an undershoot current that is subtracted from the predetermined current in synchronization with a fall of the predetermined current,
6. The light source drive circuit according to claim 2, wherein a current amount of the undershoot current is equal to a sum of a current amount of the first overshoot current and a current amount of the second overshoot current. 7. .   The light source driving circuit according to claim 6, wherein an undershoot period in which the undershoot current is subtracted from the predetermined current is equal to the second overshoot period. An optical scanning device including a light source, a reflecting mirror that reflects light emitted from the light source, and a light source driving circuit that drives the light source,
The light source driving circuit includes:
A drive current generator that generates a drive current including a predetermined current for obtaining a predetermined amount of light from the light source, and first and second overshoot currents that are added in synchronization with the predetermined current;
For the drive current generator, the first overshoot current value is set to a fixed value, and the second overshoot current value is set to a value calculated according to the amount of light output from the light source. An optical scanning device. An image forming apparatus comprising: a light source; a reflecting mirror that reflects light emitted from the light source; a photosensitive member that is scanned by reflected light reflected by the reflecting mirror; and a light source driving circuit that drives the light source. And
The light source driving circuit includes:
A drive current generator that generates a drive current including a predetermined current for obtaining a predetermined amount of light from the light source, and first and second overshoot currents that are added in synchronization with the predetermined current;
For the drive current generator, the first overshoot current value is set to a fixed value, and the second overshoot current value is set to a value calculated according to the amount of light output from the light source. An image forming apparatus.

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