JP2719061B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for exposing a plurality of light beams incident on an optical deflector at different angles and forming an image on the same scanning line on a photosensitive material. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus which can be made smaller and can also reduce the angle of each light beam when entering an optical deflector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called raster scan color image recording apparatus for exposing a scanned object relatively moving in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction with a plurality of light beams deflected in the main scanning direction. Has been put to practical use.

[0003] An image recording apparatus using a raster scan is as follows.
For example, three types of light beams corresponding to the respective colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) emitted from a light source such as a semiconductor laser (LD) are converted into an optical deflector such as a polygon mirror. And is one-dimensionally deflected in the main scanning direction. The light beam deflected in the main scanning direction is f
It is adjusted by a θ lens so that an image is formed at a predetermined position with a predetermined beam diameter, and is incident on a predetermined position on a photosensitive material.

Here, the photosensitive material relatively moves in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Therefore, the light beam deflected in the main scanning direction scans the photosensitive material two-dimensionally as a result, and thereby the entire surface of the photosensitive material can be scanned by the light beam to record an image.

In such an image recording apparatus, each light beam emitted from each light source is multiplexed by a dichroic mirror or the like, and is incident on the optical deflector as one light beam, and the light is deflected in the main scanning direction. An optical system based on a multiplexing system that deflects light to a certain direction is known. However, this multiplexing type image recording apparatus requires an optical member such as a dichroic mirror in order to multiplex each light beam, so that the apparatus becomes expensive, Errors tend to occur in the optical system due to deterioration of the multiplexing optical system, changes in the operating temperature, and the like.

On the other hand, as an optical system having an inexpensive and simple configuration and capable of obtaining stability characteristics over time and the like, light beams emitted from respective light sources are incident on optical deflectors at different angles from each other, and the 2. Description of the Related Art A non-multiplexing type optical system (hereinafter, referred to as an off-angle incidence optical system) that makes an image incident on another position on a main scanning line of a material and forms an image is known.

[0007]

In an image recording apparatus to which a different-angle incident optical system is applied, for example, C, M are arranged by arranging each light source at a different angle in the main scanning direction.
Each light beam corresponding to the color development of Y and Y is made incident on substantially the same point on the reflection surface of the optical deflector at a different angle. Each light beam deflected in the main scanning direction by the optical deflector forms an image at a different position on the main scanning line of the photosensitive material, and sequentially scans the main scanning line at predetermined time intervals to scan the photosensitive material. Expose.

However, in the image recording apparatus using the eccentric incidence optical system, the light beam emitted from each light source enters the optical deflector through a straight optical path, so that a light beam optical path of a predetermined length from the light source to the optical deflector. However, there is a problem that the device becomes large in order to ensure the above. Further, if the angle θ formed by the light beams incident on the optical deflector is increased, the size of the device can be reduced. However, if the angle θ is increased, the angle of each light beam incident on the optical member is reduced. There is a problem in that it greatly differs, and it becomes difficult to design an optical member such as an fθ lens, and it becomes difficult to record a high-quality image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is an image recording apparatus using an eccentric incident optical system, which is compact and has a structure in which light beams incident on an optical deflector are mutually separated. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can also reduce the angle θ formed.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a light beam emitted from a plurality of light sources is incident on an optical deflector at different angles from each other, and the light beam is projected on a photosensitive material. An image recording apparatus that forms an image at different positions on the same scanning line, sequentially scans on the same scanning line, and records an image on the photosensitive material, wherein the light beam travels from the light source to the optical deflector in the optical path. An image is characterized in that a mirror for turning back the optical path, which reflects all the light beams in a predetermined direction, is arranged, and the mirror is supported between the incident positions of the respective light beams incident on the mirror. A recording device is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are made incident on an optical deflector at different angles to form images at different positions on the same scanning line on a photosensitive material. An image recording apparatus that sequentially scans the same scanning line and records an image on the photosensitive material, wherein the optical path reflects all light beams in a predetermined direction in the light beam optical path from the light source to the optical deflector. An image recording apparatus, wherein a mirror for folding is arranged , and a light beam optical path is configured so that a light beam before being incident on the mirror and a light beam deflected by the light deflector intersect. provide.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a plurality of light sources.
Light deflectors that emit light beams from different angles
To a different position on the same scanning line on the photosensitive material.
And sequentially scans on the same scanning line,
An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a material, wherein the light source
All light beams in the light beam path from the light beam to the light deflector.
A mirror for turning back an optical path that reflects light in a predetermined direction, and the light source
At least in the optical path of the light beam from
Cylindrical Len consisting of two separate lenses
And a light beam before entering the mirror,
The light beam deflected by the light deflector intersects
An image characterized by forming a light beam optical path as described above
A recording device is provided.

[0013] In the third aspect of the present invention,
By the light beam and the light deflector before being incident on the mirror
The intersection with the deflected light beam is at least two
It is preferably performed between separated lens groups.

[0014]

The image recording apparatus of the present invention has a plurality of light sources, and the light beams emitted from the respective light sources enter the optical deflector at different angles to deflect the light beams in the main scanning direction. A so-called non-uniform incidence optical system (non-aligned) that scans and exposes a photosensitive material moving in the sub-scanning direction by scanning and scanning the main scanning line sequentially at predetermined time intervals at another position on the main scanning line to form an image. an optical system) the image recording apparatus according to the wave type, arranged mirror for optical path folding to allowed to reflect all-optical beam in the optical path of the light beam from the light beam source to the light deflector in a predetermined direction (folding mirror) I do.

In a color image recording apparatus to which a plurality of light beams are applied, an optical system which combines light beams and scans a photosensitive material, which solves the drawbacks of the so-called multiplex method, is inexpensive and has excellent stability over time, etc. There is known a non-multiplexing type odd angle incident optical system. However, in the oblique incidence optical system, the light beam emitted from each light source is incident on the optical deflector through a substantially linear optical path, so that the distance between the light source and the optical deflector is long, and there is no space between them. And the entire device becomes large. Further, if the angle θ formed by each light beam incident on the optical deflector is increased, the apparatus can be miniaturized. However, since the angle of incidence on an optical member such as an fθ lens differs greatly for each light beam, The design of the optical member becomes difficult and expensive, and
There is a problem that the image quality is also likely to deteriorate.

On the other hand, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, a folding mirror for reflecting all the light beams in a predetermined direction almost simultaneously in the light beam optical path from the light source to the optical deflector is arranged. By using a configuration in which the optical path of the light beam is folded back to the deflector, a small image recording device can be realized even when the angle θ formed by each light beam incident on the optical deflector is small. In the first aspect, further, by applying a mirror supported between the incident positions of the respective light beams incident on the folding mirror as the folding mirror, the folding mirror can be reduced in size and the cost can be reduced. realizing the system, in the second and third aspects of, before entering the return mirror and the light beam, the optical path of the light beam as the light beam deflected by the light deflector intersects By forming, it is obtained by realizing a more optics can be downsized.

On the other hand, in an image recording apparatus using an oblique incidence optical system, each light beam is deflected in the main scanning direction by an optical deflector. However, when a polygon mirror, galvanometer mirror, or the like is used as the optical deflector, If necessary, a tilt correction optical system for correcting tilt of the optical deflector is arranged in the light beam optical path. The surface tilt correction optical system is generally provided with a cylindrical lens provided corresponding to each light beam on the upstream side of the optical deflector in the light beam optical path and a total light beam provided on the downstream side of the optical deflector. Although constituted by corresponding cylindrical mirrors and / or cylindrical lenses, in the third embodiment of the present invention ,
In addition to the optical path, a cylindrical lens provided on the upstream side of the optical deflector is provided with a cylindrical lens constituted by a group of lenses separated into at least two lenses, for example, a cylindrical concave lens provided on the light source side, and a cylindrical concave lens provided on the downstream side. And a cylindrical convex lens arranged.

In image recording by the different-angle incident optical system, each light beam is incident on substantially the same point of the polygon mirror at a different angle without being combined. In addition, if the angle formed by each light beam is increased, it becomes difficult to design other optical members. Therefore, this angle is limited to about 5 °. Therefore, in a conventional image recording apparatus using an integral cylindrical lens, the cylindrical lens may enter the optical path of another light beam depending on the focal length (that is, the arrangement position).

However, according to the above configuration, by adjusting the interval between the cylindrical concave lens and the cylindrical convex lens, it is possible to adjust the focal length, the power, and the focal length of the cylindrical lens composed of both lenses. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily adjust the position of the cylindrical lens to prevent the cylindrical lens from entering an optical path other than the corresponding light beam, thereby greatly improving the degree of freedom in designing the optical system. Further, even in an image recording apparatus using a large number of light beams, a cylindrical lens having an optimum focal length and lens power can be configured with at least two lenses corresponding to each light beam. High-quality image recording that is inexpensive and that has been properly corrected can be performed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to make an image recording apparatus using an eccentric incidence optical system inexpensive, compact, and have a high degree of freedom in design, and to record high-quality images. .

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a diagram conceptually showing a plane of an example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a diagram conceptually showing a side thereof. Image recording device 1 shown in FIG.
0 deflects light beams LC, LM, and LY having wavelengths and light outputs for developing C (cyan), Y (yellow), and M (magenta) in the main scanning direction (the direction of arrow a in the figure). The photosensitive material A conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow b in the figure) is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed to perform image recording. The light is incident on substantially the same point on the reflecting surface at a slightly different angle, is deflected in the main scanning direction, forms an image at a different position on the same main scanning line on the photosensitive material A, and is spaced apart in time by the same It is composed of an eccentric incidence optical system (non-multiplexing type optical system) that sequentially scans the scanning lines, a transport unit that transports the photosensitive material A in the sub-scanning direction, and a control unit (not shown) of the azimuthal incidence optical system.

In such an image recording apparatus 10, a turning mirror 24 for turning the optical path is disposed between the light beam light source and the polygon mirror 12, and three light beams L (LC, L
M, LY) are reflected (turned) by the turning mirror 24 in a predetermined direction and enter the polygon mirror 12. Further, the image recording apparatus 10 of the illustrated example (second embodiment of the present invention)
In the third mode), the optical path of the light beam L from the light beam light source to the turning mirror 24 and the optical path of the light beam L deflected in the main scanning direction by the polygon mirror 12 intersect on the same plane. The optical members such as a light beam light source, a turning mirror 24, and a polygon mirror 12 are arranged to form an optical path of a light beam.

The image recording apparatus 10 has a light beam light source for emitting light of a predetermined narrow band wavelength as a light beam light source.
Three semiconductor lasers (hereinafter, referred to as LDs) 14C and 14
Y, and 14M. For example, C on photosensitive material A
The LD 14C for coloring the dye emits a light beam LC having a wavelength of 750 nm. The LD 14Y for coloring the Y dye of the photosensitive material A emits a light beam LY having a wavelength of 810 nm. An LD 14M that emits a beam LM having a wavelength of 670 nm is used as the LD 14M for coloring a dye. These LD14 (1
4C, 14M, and 14Y) are controlled by an electric control system (not shown).

As described above, the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention
Is based on the eccentric incidence optical system, so that each light beam L
C, LM, and LY enter the substantially same point on the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 22 at an angle θ slightly different from each other. Therefore, each of the LDs 14C, 14Y, and 14M emits a light beam L emitted from the LD 14C, 14Y, and 14M at a predetermined angle.
And form images at different angles on the same main scanning line on the photosensitive material A, and are arranged at slightly different angles so as to sequentially scan the same main scanning line with a time interval.

Each light beam emitted from the LD 14 is collimated by a collimator lens 16 (1).
6C, 16M, 16Y). The collimator lens 16 shapes each of the light beams L emitted from the LD 14 into parallel light.

Each of the collimated light beams then enters a correspondingly arranged cylindrical lens. The cylindrical lens, together with a cylindrical mirror 18 described later, constitutes a surface tilt correction optical system that corrects the surface tilt of the polygon mirror 12. Here, in the image recording device 10 (third aspect of the present invention), the cylindrical lens is a two lens disposed with the light beam deflected by the polygon mirror interposed therebetween, that is, with respect to the traveling direction of the light beam. In this configuration, a cylindrical concave lens (hereinafter, referred to as a concave lens) 20 disposed on the upstream side (hereinafter, simply referred to as upstream or downstream) and a cylindrical convex lens (hereinafter, referred to as convex lens) 22 on the downstream side are combined. Specifically, the concave lens 20C and the convex lens 22C correspond to the light beam LM and correspond to the light beam LM.
The concave lens 20M and the convex lens 22M correspond to the light beam LY, and the concave lens 20Y and the convex lens 2M correspond to the light beam LY.
The 2Ys are arranged to form corresponding cylindrical lenses.

The image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention is based on a non-multiplexing type, different-angle incidence optical system, and each light beam L is incident on the substantially same point of the polygon mirror 12 at a different angle. Further, the angle formed by each light beam L is limited to 5 ° in terms of the design of other optical members, and it is advantageous that the angle is small in terms of the design and image quality of the optical members. For this reason, in a conventional image recording apparatus to which an integrally formed cylindrical lens is applied, depending on the focal length of the cylindrical lens (position determined by the cylindrical lens), the cylindrical lens may enter a light beam optical path other than the corresponding light beam. In some cases, a so-called other light beam is kicked.

Moreover, the effect of the surface tilt correction by the cylindrical lens differs depending on the wavelength of the target light beam L and the optical path (such as the angle of incidence on the polygon mirror 12), and the optimum surface tilt correction effect can be obtained in a normal apparatus. For this purpose, it is necessary to use cylindrical lenses having different characteristics corresponding to the individual light beams L. Therefore, three types of expensive cylindrical lenses are required in the illustrated example, and four types are necessary in an optical system having a light beam corresponding to black color development. It is necessary to cover it with one kind of cylindrical lens in preparation for the decline).

However, when the cylindrical lens is constituted by a plurality of divided lenses such as the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22, the distance between the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22 is adjusted, and the focal point of the cylindrical lens constituted by the two is adjusted. Distance and lens power can be adjusted arbitrarily. Therefore, the positions and intervals of the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22 can be adjusted arbitrarily,
It is possible to prevent another light beam L from entering the optical path of the cylindrical lens, and it is possible to greatly improve the degree of freedom in designing the optical system. In addition, since the distance between the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22 can be adjusted to obtain an optimum lens power and a focal length according to each light beam L, an inexpensive configuration using only two types of lenses can be used. It is possible to perform high-quality image recording by performing optimal tilt correction in accordance with the light beam L.

The arrangement positions of the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22 are not limited to the positions shown in the drawing, and may be, for example, a downstream side of a later-described folding mirror 24, or one arranged with the folding mirror 24 interposed therebetween. What is necessary is just to determine suitably according to the arrangement | positioning of each optical member, the design of an image recording apparatus (different incidence optical system), etc. Further, each light beam LC, LM, LY
Needless to say, they may be arranged at different positions for each.

The cylindrical lens applied to the third aspect of the present invention is not limited to the combination of the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22 as shown in the illustrated example, and can be separated into at least two lenses such as a toric lens. Any of a variety of lens groups can be applied.

Each light beam L passing through the cylindrical lens (concave lens 20 and convex lens 22) is then
The light enters the folding mirror 24 at different positions, is reflected in a predetermined direction, and enters the polygon mirror 12. The image recording apparatus 10 (in the second and third embodiments, the optical paths intersect as described later) is provided with such a folding mirror 24.
Is arranged so that the optical path of the light beam L from the LD 14 to the polygon mirror 12, which was linear in the conventional oblique incidence optical system, is folded back, thereby making it possible to greatly reduce the size of the apparatus. is there. Further, all the light beams L (LC, L
M and LY) are reflected in a predetermined direction, which is different from the case where individual folding mirrors are arranged.
Adjustment of the arrangement position and angle of 4 is also easy.

The folding mirror 24 is not particularly limited as long as it can reflect all the light beams L in a predetermined direction with one mirror, and any of various mirrors can be applied. In the (first aspect of the present invention),
The folding mirror 24 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is applied.

As conceptually shown in FIG. 2, the folding mirror 24 is formed by holding a long mirror 26 by a holding member 28. Here, the folding mirror 2 in the illustrated example
In 4, the holding member 28 has a configuration for supporting the reflection surface side of the mirror 26 between the incident positions of the light beams L.
In other words, the holding portion 30 supporting the mirror 26 between the incident positions of the light beam LC and the light beam LM, and the holding portion 32 supporting the mirror 26 between the incident positions of the light beam LM and the light beam LY. The holding member 28 holds the mirror 26 because the side is supported and the back side is almost entirely supported by the holding portion 34.

The light beam reflecting mirror provided in the image recording apparatus is generally supported at both ends by holding members. For this reason, both ends of the mirror need portions to be supported by the holding member, and the mirror becomes long accordingly. In particular, in an image recording apparatus or the like, in order to realize a high-quality image, it is necessary to use a high-precision mirror that reflects the light beam, and the cost is increased by the length of the mirror. This is a major problem when mass-producing the image recording apparatus.

On the other hand, the turning mirror 24 in the illustrated example
Represents the reflecting surface side of the mirror 26 that reflects three (plural) light beams L incident on different positions in a predetermined direction.
Since the configuration is such that the light beam L is supported between the incident positions, the mirror 2 is not related to the reflection of the light beam for holding.
There is no need to unnecessarily enlarge (lengthen) both ends of 6,
The folding mirror 24 can be made inexpensive and small.

Each light beam L reflected in a predetermined direction by the folding mirror 24 is incident on substantially the same point on the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 12 which is an optical deflector at a slightly different angle, and is reflected and seed-scanned. Deflected in the direction. Here, in order to design an optical member such as the fθ lens 36 and to record a high quality image, it is preferable that the angle θ between the light beams L is smaller, and in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, Since it is not necessary to reduce the angle θ in order to reduce the size of the image recording apparatus, the angle θ is usually 5 ° or less, preferably 3.5 °.

The optical deflector applied to the present invention is not limited to the polygon mirror 12, and any known optical deflector such as a galvanometer mirror and a resonant scanner can be applied.

The fθ lens 36 is for correctly forming an image of each light beam L at any position on the main scanning line, and is constituted by combining a plurality of lenses. The fθ lens 36 has a wavelength of 67
The chromatic aberration is corrected so that the light of 0, 750, and 810 nm falls within an allowable range.

The light beam L passing through the fθ lens 36 is
Next, the light is reflected by the long cylindrical member 18 in a predetermined direction. The cylindrical mirror 18 is a cylindrical lens (concave lens 20 and convex lens 22) described above.
Together with this, a surface tilt correction optical system is formed, and each light beam L is reflected upward and made incident on a long falling mirror 38.

Here, the image recording apparatus 10 (second embodiment of the present invention)
And the third aspect) is that the turning mirror 24 is
The optical path of the light beam L up to
The optical paths of the light beams L deflected in the main scanning direction intersect (intersect on the same plane in the illustrated example).
In the illustrated example, the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22
Between, and, f [theta] lens 36 and the cylindrical mirror 1
8, the light beam L intersects. Therefore, the optical members provided in this optical system, in particular, the LDs 14C, 14Y, 14
M, concave lens 20 and convex lens 22 , folding mirror 24, and polygon mirror 12 are arranged inside image recording apparatus 10 so as to satisfy these, and in the illustrated example, are further deflected between fθ lens 36 and cylindrical mirror 18. Since the previous light beam L passes, the cylindrical mirror 18 is arranged in consideration of this, and the light beam L
Is formed.

As described above, in the image recording apparatus using the different-angle incident optical system, the turning mirror 24 is disposed in the optical path of the light beam L from the LD 14 to the polygon mirror 12;
By making the optical path of the light beam during this period not straight but folded, the size of the apparatus can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional apparatus.
By setting the optical path of the light beam L such that the light beam L from the LD 14 to the turning mirror 24 and the light beam L deflected by the polygon mirror 12 intersect, as shown in FIG. The space of the optical system can be used without waste, and a more miniaturized image recording apparatus can be realized.

In the illustrated image recording apparatus 10, a light beam optical path is formed so that the deflected light beam L passes through the fθ lens 36 and then intersects. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the light beam L may intersect between the polygon mirror 12 and the fθ lens 36. However, in a normal image recording apparatus, the polygon mirror 12 and the fθ lens 36 are relatively close to each other.
There is a possibility that the degree of freedom in designing the optical system, such as the optical path of the light beam from the mirror to the turning mirror 24, may be reduced.

The light beam L reflected upward by the cylindrical mirror 18 is reflected downward by the falling mirror 38 and travels downstream of the fθ lens 36.
And enters the photosensitive material A. Here, the photosensitive material A is transported in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of the arrow b) by the sub-scanning transporting means having a pair of nip rollers 40, 42 and the like arranged with the light beam L interposed therebetween. The light beam L deflected in the direction of arrow a) scans and exposes the photosensitive material A two-dimensionally as a result, and performs image recording.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the light beam L reflected downward by the falling mirror 38 passes between the cylindrical lens 18 and the fθ lens 36, and traverses the light beam to the photosensitive material A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light beam L reflected by the falling mirror 38 is transmitted between the polygon mirror 12 and the fθ lens 36 or the fθ lens 3.
In the case where 6 is a combination lens of a plurality of lenses, a configuration that passes between fθ lenses 36 may be employed. Further, another long reflecting mirror may be arranged on the downstream side of the cylindrical mirror 18 in the light beam optical path, and the light beam L may be incident on the falling mirror 38 via this.

FIG. 3 conceptually shows another example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 3, similar to FIG.
FIG. 2A is a diagram conceptually illustrating a plane of an example of an image recording apparatus, and FIG. Note that, in the image recording device 50 shown in FIG. 3, the optical members to be applied are the same as those of the image recording device 10 shown in FIG. 1 described above. Is omitted.

In the image recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the light beam L deflected in the main scanning direction is reflected upward by the cylindrical lens 18, and the light beam L lowered by the falling mirror 38 is converted to the fθ lens 36. 3 is incident on the photosensitive material A across the light beam L passing through the fθ lens 36. The image recording apparatus 50 shown in FIG. L enters the photosensitive material A without crossing another light beam L.

That is, the image recording apparatus 50 shown in FIG.
, The light beams L emitted from the LDs 14 are shaped into parallel light by the corresponding collimator lenses 16, and then the cylindrical lenses (the cylindrical concave lens 20 and the cylindrical convex lens 2).
After passing through 2), the light enters the folding mirror 22. The light beam L reflected so as to be folded by the folding mirror 22
Is incident on and reflected by the polygon mirror 12, is deflected in the main scanning direction, is adjusted in the image forming position by the fθ lens 36, and is incident on the cylindrical lens 18.

In the image recording apparatus 50, the distance between the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22 is the same as described above.
And the fθ lens 36 and the cylindrical lens 18
The optical paths of the light beam L from each LD 14 to the turning mirror 22 and the light beam L deflected in the main scanning direction by the polygon mirror 12 intersect.

The light beam L incident on the cylindrical mirror 18 is reflected almost right above and enters the falling mirror 38, is reflected downward, passes through the back side of the cylindrical mirror 18, and enters the photosensitive material A. . Therefore, the light beam L reflected downward by the falling mirror 38
Enters the photosensitive material A without crossing the light beam L passing through the fθ lens 36.

In the above configuration, the image recording device 50
Although the overall height of the (optical system) is increased, the light beam L reflected by the falling mirror 38 does not pass between various optical members, especially near the fθ lens 36, so that the design of the optical system is There is an advantage that the degree of freedom can be increased.

The above configuration, that is, the falling mirror 3
Even in a configuration in which the light beam L reflected by 8 does not cross another light beam, another long reflecting mirror is arranged downstream of the cylindrical mirror 18, and the light beam L May be applied. For example, the light beam L may fall from the outside of the polygon mirror and enter the photosensitive material A.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, various configurations other than the examples described above can be applied. For example, in the above example, the light beam incident on the cylindrical mirror was reflected upward and was incident on the falling mirror. However, the light beam reflected downward by the cylindrical mirror and passed through the fθ lens was used. A configuration in which the light travels below L and enters the falling mirror may be used. Alternatively, the light beam reflected by the cylindrical mirror may be directly incident on the photosensitive material without using the falling mirror or the like.

That is, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the size and shape of various optical members, and the shape and holding method and size of the holding members for the optical members are reduced in size and the degree of freedom of design is improved. It is sufficient to select and apply a light beam optical path which is most advantageous in terms of cost and the like.

Although the image recording apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various changes and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course it is good.

In the example described above, the light beam from the light beam light source to the turning mirror and the optical path of the light beam deflected in the main scanning direction by the polygon mirror intersect, and the cylindrical lens is Although constituted by a plurality of separated lens groups, for example , the first aspect of the present invention is not limited to the optical paths of the light beams intersecting, and the first and second aspects of the present invention. The embodiment is not limited to the one in which the cylindrical lens is constituted by a group of lenses separated into at least two lenses. Further, the second and third aspects of the present invention are not limited to the application of the mirrors supported between the light beam incident positions as the folding mirrors. Of course it is good.

[0058]

As described above in detail, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of light beams are incident on the optical deflector at different angles from each other. An optical recording system using an optical system can be compact and inexpensive, and can record high-quality images with a small angle between light beams incident on the optical deflector.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a plan view of an example of an image recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a front view of the same.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a folding mirror applied to the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a plane of another example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the front thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

10,50 Image recording device 12 Polygon mirror 14 (14C, 14Y, 14M) Semiconductor laser (L
D) 16 (16C, 16M, 16Y) Collimator lens 18 Cylindrical mirror 20 (20C, 20M, 20Y) Cylindrical concave lens 22 (22C, 22M, 22Y) Cylindrical convex lens 24 Folding mirror 26 Mirror 28 Holding member 30, 32, 34 Holding section 36 fθ lens 38 Falling mirror 40, 42 Nip roller L (LC, LM, LY) Light beam A Photosensitive material

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A light beam emitted from a plurality of light sources is incident on an optical deflector at different angles to form images at different positions on the same scanning line on a photosensitive material, and the same scanning line is sequentially scanned. An image recording apparatus that performs image recording on the photosensitive material, wherein a mirror for turning back an optical path that reflects all light beams in a predetermined direction is arranged in the light beam path from the light source to an optical deflector. An image recording apparatus, wherein the mirror is supported between incident positions of light beams incident on the mirror. 2. Light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are incident on an optical deflector at different angles from each other, form images at different positions on the same scanning line on a photosensitive material, and sequentially scan the same scanning line. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on the photosensitive material, wherein an optical path turning mirror that reflects an entire light beam in a predetermined direction in the light beam optical path from the light source to an optical deflector is provided.
Arrangement, and the light beam before entering the mirror, as the light beam deflected by said light deflector intersect, the image recording apparatus characterized by being configured the optical beam path. 3. Light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources are mutually transmitted.
Incident on the optical deflector at different angles
By imaging at different positions on the scanning line,
An image recording apparatus for sequentially scanning and recording an image on the photosensitive material
And all light in the optical path of the light beam from the light source to the optical deflector.
Optical path turning mirror that reflects a beam in a predetermined direction
In the optical path of the light beam from the light source to the mirror
Comprising a lens group separated into at least two lenses
Having a lenticular lens, and before entering the mirror.
A light beam and a light beam deflected by the light deflector
It is noted that the light beam optical path was configured so that
Image recording device. 4. A light beam before being incident on said mirror and said light polarization.
The intersection with the light beam deflected by the director
Claims: The method is performed between at least two separated lenses.
4. The image recording device according to 3.