JP2911318B2 - 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 mainly using light beam scanning, and more particularly to continuous tone using a plurality of light beams having different narrow band wavelengths according to the spectral sensitivities of three primary colors of a photosensitive material. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus capable of recording a high-quality color image without adverse effects such as dust and dust.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A light beam modulated in accordance with image information to be recorded is deflected in a main scanning direction to two-dimensionally move a photosensitive material relatively moving in a sub scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. 2. Description of the Related Art An image recording apparatus based on so-called raster scanning for recording an image on a photosensitive material by scanning exposure is known.

[0003] An image recording apparatus using a raster scan is as follows.
For example, in a direct-modulation image recording apparatus using a semiconductor laser as a light source, a narrow-band wavelength light beam corresponding to the spectral sensitivity of a photosensitive material modulated according to image information emitted from the semiconductor laser is emitted by a collimator lens. The light is shaped into parallel light, passes through a cylindrical mirror constituting a surface tilt correction optical system, and is incident on an optical deflector such as a polygon mirror. Note that a light amount adjusting member such as an ND filter is provided between the semiconductor laser and the polygon mirror as needed. The light beam deflected in the main scanning direction by the optical deflector is adjusted by the fθ lens so as to form an image at a predetermined position with a predetermined beam diameter, and forms a surface tilt correction optical system together with the above-described cylindrical lens. The light is reflected by a mirror in a predetermined direction and is incident on a predetermined scanning position of the photosensitive material.

Since the photosensitive material is conveyed in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction by conveying means such as two pairs of nip rollers, an exposure drum and a nip roller, the light beam deflected in the main scanning direction. As a result, the photosensitive material is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed, and an image is recorded.

In such an image recording apparatus, in order to perform high-quality image recording without color unevenness or density unevenness,
It is indispensable to record an image with a stable light beam without output fluctuation or wavelength fluctuation, and therefore, it is necessary to keep the temperature of the light beam light source within a predetermined temperature range. Further, when the temperature of the light beam light source becomes higher than the guaranteed range, the light source and various optical members themselves are damaged, and image recording cannot be performed.

Here, in such an image recording apparatus, the various optical members as described above are arranged at predetermined positions in a housing constituting an optical surface plate, and the housing is covered with a lid. The optical system is composed of
A large number of heat sources, such as a light source for a light beam and a drive source for an optical deflector, are provided. A large number of heat sources, such as light sources and substrates for driving optical deflectors, are also provided outside the optical system. Therefore, the image recording apparatus is usually provided with a cooling fan for cooling the optical system, particularly for cooling the light beam light source and the like. In addition, there is an image recording apparatus in which a light source is provided with a heating means such as a power transistor for the case where the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature.

In particular, a continuous-tone color image recording apparatus using a plurality of light beams having different narrow-band wavelengths corresponding to the spectral sensitivities of the three primary colors of a photosensitive material has a plurality of light sources serving as heat sources and each light source. Are arranged close to each other, so that only a small heat sink for cooling the light source can be used, and a powerful cooling fan needs to be used in order to surely cool the light beam light source and the like. Further, even in an image recording apparatus provided with a heat source such as a heat developing apparatus for photosensitive materials, cooling inside the optical system is very important.

[0008]

Here, in the image recording apparatus, air in the optical system flows by the cooling air from the cooling fan, and dust and the like in the optical system fly and adhere to the optical member. In addition, there is a problem that the image quality is deteriorated such as white spots or streaks on the recorded image. Particularly, in a continuous-tone color image recording apparatus, a powerful cooling fan is used.

As described above, in an image recording apparatus using light beam scanning, a light beam deflected in the main scanning direction is used.
The photosensitive material conveyed in the sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed. Here, mirrors and lenses inside the optical system, especially fθ arranged downstream of the optical deflector,
If dirt or dust adheres to the optical beam optical path of a lens, a cylindrical mirror, or an optical member such as a cover glass provided in a slit for emitting a light beam from a housing (optical surface plate), the dust and The light beam is blocked by dust or the like. For this reason, one point in the main scanning direction of the photosensitive material corresponding to a portion to which dust or the like has adhered is not exposed, and the image quality of a recorded image is deteriorated, such as generation of white stripes in the sub-scanning direction.

Further, even when dust or dust adheres to the light beam optical path of the optical member corresponding to the light beam before being deflected, the light amount of the light beam is reduced. It causes deterioration.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, the optical system of the image recording apparatus is assembled in an environment such as a clean room where dust and dust cannot enter, and the optical system is completely sealed, that is, an optical surface plate. It is necessary to completely seal the housing and the lid so that air does not enter from the outside. However, the temperature inside the image recording apparatus greatly changes, and the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature during storage / transportation and use may be close to 100 ° C. depending on the environment and use conditions. Therefore, if the optical system is completely sealed, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the optical system will change greatly due to the internal temperature change, and the mounting position and angle etc. of the optical member that has been adjusted with high accuracy will be out of order, There is a possibility that the optical member is adversely affected.

Therefore, it is necessary to form an air inlet in the optical system (housing and / or lid) of the image recording apparatus. Dust and dust enter the optical system, and adhere to the cylindrical mirror, cover glass, fθ lens, and the like.
Color unevenness and density unevenness occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, in which dust or dust existing in an optical system is located downstream of an optical member, particularly an optical deflector, in the light beam traveling direction. Preventing it from adhering to the deployed optical members,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of recording a high-quality image free from streaks and color unevenness.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a photosensitive device which deflects a light beam in a main scanning direction and relatively moves in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. An image recording apparatus for two-dimensionally scanning a material,
An optical member constituting the optical system of the light beam is loaded at a predetermined position, and a slit-shaped opening for emitting the light beam is formed on the bottom surface, and a housing-shaped optical surface plate that is open at the top, An exit window for closing an opening, and a cover of the optical surface plate, wherein the cover is formed with a convex portion projecting below the upper surface of the optical surface plate without interrupting an optical path of the light beam. An image recording apparatus is provided.

The image recording apparatus according to the present invention may further include an air inlet formed in the optical surface plate and / or the lid, and the air inlet may be a light beam that has been scanned with a light beam. Preferably, it is formed at a position away from the optical path.

Further, the image recording apparatus of the present invention preferably further comprises a cleaning means for cleaning an outer surface of the emission window.

Further, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that an adhesive member is disposed at least in a part near the exit window.

The image recording apparatus according to the present invention, further comprising a cooling fan for cooling the light source of the light beam,
It is preferable that a rectifying plate for guiding cooling air from the cooling fan to the light source of the light beam is formed integrally with the lid and / or the housing of the image recording apparatus.

[0019]

The image recording apparatus of the present invention is a so-called raster scan image recording apparatus for two-dimensionally scanning and exposing a photosensitive material with a light beam deflected in the main scanning direction. The lid for closing the upper surface of the formed housing-shaped optical surface plate has at least one projection projecting below the upper surface of the optical surface plate without blocking the optical path of the light beam.

As described above, in an image recording apparatus using light beam scanning, when foreign matter such as dust or dust adheres to optical members such as a cylindrical mirror and an fθ lens, white streaks are formed on a recorded image and color unevenness occurs. And image quality degradation such as density unevenness. In particular, a gradation image recording device using a silver halide photographic photosensitive material or the like, and even a color image recording device using a plurality of light beams in such a gradation image recording device, has an adverse effect of dust or the like on the recorded image. Is big. Therefore, the optical system of the image recording apparatus is very disliked by dust and dirt, the assembly is performed in a clean room, and the inside of the optical system is closed with only a small air inlet and almost closed. However, even with this configuration, it was difficult to completely prevent the adverse effects of dust, dust, and the like.

On the other hand, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the lid for closing the optical surface plate is provided with a convex portion projecting below the upper surface of the optical surface plate, so that the amount of air in the optical system is reduced. By reducing the amount of dust, dust and the like in the air are reduced. In other words, in the present invention, unnecessary spaces are eliminated by forming a projecting portion that protrudes into the optical system without blocking the light beam, and preferably, places other than the light beam optical path make unnecessary space as much as possible. By eliminating the air present in this part, the amount of air present in the optical system is reduced by reducing the amount of air itself present in the optical system, and the recorded image due to dust, dust, etc. Reduce adverse effects on

Preferably, the air inlet is formed at an optical member downstream of the optical deflector, that is, at a position separated from the optical path of the light beam after scanning the light beam. As described above, when foreign matter such as dust or dust is present in the light beam optical path before scanning the light beam, color unevenness and density unevenness occur. However, this is not very noticeable, and in some cases, the recorded image may not be printed. Will be fully usable. However, if these foreign substances are present in the optical path of the light beam after the light beam scanning, the image quality will be significantly degraded, for example, white stripes will be formed on the recorded image. Here, by forming the air inlet at a position away from the light beam optical path after the light beam scanning, it is possible to more suitably prevent foreign matter from adhering to the optical member after the light beam scanning, which has a large adverse effect on a recorded image. be able to.

In addition, a slit-shaped opening for emitting a light beam deflected in the main scanning direction to the outside of the optical system is formed on the bottom surface of the housing as an optical surface plate constituting the optical system. An emission window (cover glass) is provided in this opening to prevent foreign substances from entering the inside from here, but the outer surface of the cover glass is exposed to the outside air, and dust, dust, etc. Foreign matter easily adheres. Therefore, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, preferably, a cleaning means for cleaning the outer surface of the cover glass, for example, a cover glass cleaning means provided with a cover glass cleaning pad or the like at the tip of the rod is provided. It is configured so that even when foreign matter adheres to the outer surface, it can be quickly and easily cleaned.

Preferably, an adhesive member such as a double-sided tape is provided in the vicinity of the cover glass so that foreign matter such as dust or dust entering the apparatus can be captured before adhering to the optical member. Further, such an adhesive member is more preferably provided in a partition or the like provided between an optical system such as a housing of an image recording apparatus and a sub-scanning / transporting device for photosensitive material.

Further, as described above, the image recording apparatus is provided with an optical system, in particular, a cooling fan for cooling a light beam light source, and in particular, a continuous floor for scanning and exposing a silver halide photographic material with a plurality of light beams. In a color image recording apparatus, it is necessary to provide a powerful cooling fan to increase the cooling effect. Here, in order to improve the cooling efficiency in the conventional image recording apparatus, a duct made of resin molding or the like is provided to efficiently blow the light beam light source, but the duct is separately formed. The device cost is increased because the device is deployed.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, preferably, a rectifying plate for guiding the wind generated by the cooling fan to the light source of the light beam is formed integrally with the housing of the image recording apparatus or on the upper surface of the lid. By having such a rectifying plate, the cost can be reduced as compared with a conventional apparatus in which a separate duct is formed, and the image recording apparatus can be made inexpensive. In addition, by efficiently guiding the wind from the cooling fan to the light source by the rectifying plate, a sufficient cooling effect of the light source can be realized even with weak wind, and the optical member after the light beam scanning is provided. Since it is possible to suppress the wind from getting into the optical member, it is possible to prevent foreign substances such as dust and dust from adhering to the optical member.

[0027]

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. The image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention shown in FIG.
(Cyan), Y (Yellow), M (Magenta) Light Beam L having Narrow Band Wavelength and Light Output for Coloring
C, LM, and LY are deflected in the main scanning direction (arrow a direction in the figure), and the photosensitive material A conveyed in the sub scanning direction (arrow b direction in the figure) is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed to record an image. Basically, a housing-shaped optical base plate 50 having an optical member such as a polygon mirror 12 disposed at a predetermined position inside and having an open top, and a lid body for closing the upper surface of the optical base plate 50 5
An optical unit 54 comprising the optical unit 2 and an optical unit 5
4, a cooling fan 56 for mainly cooling the light source of the light beam, an optical unit 54 and a cooling fan 56,
Further, a substrate for driving the optical unit 54 (not shown).
And the like in a predetermined position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the inside of the optical base 50, that is, the inside of the optical system. Image recording apparatus 10 in illustrated example
The three types of light beams LC, LM, and LY are incident on substantially the same point on the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 12 at slightly different angles, are deflected in the main scanning direction, and This is an image recording apparatus using a different-angle incident optical system (non-multiplexing type optical system) that forms an image at different positions on a scanning line and sequentially scans the same main scanning line at a time interval.

In the image recording apparatus 10, the optical path of the light beam L from the 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 path of the light beam is formed by arranging each optical member such as a light source, a folding mirror 24, and a polygon mirror 12, and the size of the image recording apparatus is greatly reduced.

[0030] The optical plate 50 as a light beam source you emits light of a predetermined narrow wavelength, three semiconductor lasers (hereinafter referred to as LD) having 14C, 14Y, and 14M, each LD is The optical platen is held by heat sinks 60C, 60M, and 60Y fixed to predetermined positions on the outer wall of the optical platen 50, respectively, and is passed through through holes (not shown for simplicity of the drawing) formed in the optical platen 50. It is injected inside 50. For example, the LD 14C for emitting the C dye on the photosensitive material A emits a light beam LC having a wavelength of 750 nm, and the LD 14C for emitting the Y dye of the photosensitive material A emits light.
Reference numeral 14Y denotes an LD that emits a light beam LY having a wavelength of 810 nm, and an LD 14M for developing the M dye of the photosensitive material A.
Is used for emitting a light beam LM having a wavelength of 670 nm. These LD14 (14C, 14M, 14Y)
Is controlled by an electric control system (not shown).

Each light beam emitted from the LD 14 is collimated by a collimator lens 16 (1).
6C, 16M, and 16Y), and each is shaped into parallel light.

Each of the parallel 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. In the illustrated image recording apparatus 10, the cylindrical lenses are two lenses provided corresponding to each light beam, that is, a cylindrical concave lens 20 (20C, 20M, 20Y) provided on the upstream side in the light beam traveling direction. It is configured in combination with the cylindrical convex lens 22 (22C, 22M, 22Y). The convex lens is provided with an aperture for defining the beam size of each light beam L. In the cylindrical lens having the above configuration, the lens power can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the cylindrical concave lens (hereinafter, referred to as a concave lens) 20 and the cylindrical convex lens (hereinafter, referred to as a convex lens) 22.

In the vicinity of the concave lens 20 between the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 22, the photosensitive material A of each light beam L
The ND filter 26 (2
6C, 26M). The ND filter 26C corresponding to the light beam LC is provided with a folding mirror 24 described later.
Located downstream of

The respective light beams L having passed through the concave lens 20, the ND filter 26, and the convex lens 22 are then incident on different positions of the folding mirror 24, are reflected in a predetermined direction, and are reflected at slightly different angles from each other. Incident on substantially the same point on the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 12, which is a deflector,
The light is reflected, deflected in the main scanning direction, and enters the fθ lens 36.

The fθ lens 36 is used to correctly form an image of each light beam L at any position on the main scanning line, and a plurality of lenses 36a, 36b (assembled lens) and 36c are combined. It consists of. The light beam L that has passed through the fθ lens 36 is then reflected in a predetermined direction by the long cylindrical mirror 18. The cylindrical mirror 18 includes the above-described cylindrical lens (the concave lens 20 and the convex lens 2).
In addition to 2), a surface tilt correction optical system is formed. Each light beam L is reflected upward and is incident on a long falling mirror 38.

The light beam L is reflected downward by the falling mirror 38, travels downstream of the fθ lens 36 across the light beam L, and passes through a slit-like opening 62 formed at the bottom of the optical platen 50. The light exits from the optical surface plate 50 and enters the photosensitive material A. The opening 6 at the bottom of the optical platen 50
A cover glass 64 for closing the opening 62 is provided in the formation portion 2.

Here, the photosensitive material A is sub-scanned by a pair of nip rollers arranged with the scanning line SL of the light beam L interposed therebetween, and a nip roller pressed by the exposure drum with the exposure drum and the scanning line SL interposed therebetween. Since the light beam L is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow b) by the conveyance means, the light beam L deflected in the main scanning direction (direction of arrow a) consequently scans and exposes the photosensitive material A two-dimensionally. Perform image recording.

As described above, the upper surface of the optical surface plate 50 is closed by the lid 52. FIG.
Is shown in a schematic perspective view. The image recording apparatus 10 according to the present invention is configured such that the optical platen 5 is provided on the lid 52 except for the optical path of the light beam L.
0, a protruding portion projecting below the upper surface is formed,
In the lid 52 in the illustrated example, a convex portion 68 corresponding to the space 66 beside the concave lens 20C, a convex portion 71 corresponding to the space 70 beside the polygon mirror 12 inside the optical surface plate 50 (optical unit 54), A convex portion 76 corresponding to the space 74 on the back surface of the cylindrical mirror 18 is formed.

In the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, such a projection 68 is provided on the lid 52 for closing the optical platen 50.
By reducing the amount of air in the optical unit 54, foreign matter such as dust and dust in the optical unit 54 is reduced, and the foreign matter adheres to the cylindrical lens 18 and the cover glass 64 to form a light beam. An adverse effect on a recorded image due to foreign matter, such as formation of white stripes caused by blocking L, is reduced.

There are no particular restrictions on the position or shape of such a convex portion, and it may be appropriately determined according to the configuration of the optical unit 54 as long as it does not block the optical path of the light beam L. In order to preferably reduce foreign matter in the optical unit 54, it is preferable to form a convex portion so as to eliminate unnecessary space as much as possible in places other than the light beam optical path. Therefore, in addition to the rectangular parallelepiped as in the illustrated example, the shape of the convex portion may have a spherical surface shape, or a step-like shape in which a convex portion is further formed on the convex portion, and further, It may have a shape obtained by combining a plurality of rectangular parallelepipeds, polygonal columns, cylinders, and the like.

Further, the projection may be formed integrally with the lid, or may be separately formed and fixed at a predetermined position on the lid. Further, instead of being formed so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the lid as in the illustrated example, a convex portion may be formed on the bottom surface of the lid such that the top surface of the lid is depressed as in press molding.

In a preferred embodiment, a rectifying plate 72 is formed on the upper surface of the lid 52 of the image recording apparatus 10 in the illustrated example, in order to efficiently apply the cooling air from the cooling fan 56 to the heat radiating plate 60 of the LD 14. . The current plate 72 will be described later in detail.

In the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, an optical unit 54 is formed by closing the upper surface of the optical surface plate 50 with such a lid 52.
As for the internal temperature of the optical system, the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature may be close to 100 ° C. depending on the environment and use conditions. Therefore, if the optical unit 54 is completely sealed, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the optical system greatly changes due to the temperature change, which may adversely affect the mounting positions and angles of various optical members. is there.

For this reason, it is necessary to form an air inlet. However, in the optical unit 54 of the image recording apparatus 10 according to the present invention, as a preferred embodiment, an optical member downstream of the polygon mirror 12 which is an optical deflector, In other words, it is formed at a position separated from the optical path of the light beam after scanning (deflecting) the light beam L.
An air inlet 80 is formed in the wall of the optical surface plate 50 on the side of the second.

As described above, if foreign matter such as dust or dust is present in the optical path before scanning with the light beam L, color unevenness and density unevenness occur. However, the color unevenness is not extremely noticeable. It is relatively rare that a recorded image becomes unusable. On the other hand, if these foreign substances are present in the optical path of the light beam L after scanning the light beam L, severe image quality deterioration such as formation of white stripes on a recorded image occurs.

Here, the optical unit 54 is usually manufactured in a clean room so as to prevent foreign matter such as dust and dirt from entering the inside, so that foreign matter enters the optical unit 54 mainly through the air inlet 80. Becomes Therefore, by forming the air inlet 80 at a position separated from the optical path after scanning the light beam L, the air inlet 80 can be used for the fθ lens 36, the cylindrical lens 18, the falling mirror 38, the cover glass 64, etc. It is possible to more suitably prevent foreign matter from adhering to the optical member after light beam scanning that has a large adverse effect.

The formation position of the air inlet 80 is not limited to the side of the polygon mirror 12 in the illustrated example, and a position distant from the optical beam path after scanning may be appropriately selected according to the configuration of the optical unit 54. I just need. Also, the air inlet 80 is
By setting the polygon mirror 12 as a passage portion of a cable such as a cable for supplying power to the motor, the cable acts like a filter to prevent foreign substances of a certain size or more from entering the optical unit 54. can do.

In the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, such an optical unit 54 is provided at a predetermined position in the housing 58, and a light beam emitted from the optical unit 54 (optical surface plate 50) passes through. The outer surface of the cover glass 64 is in contact with the outside air, and impurities are easily attached to this portion, which causes image quality deterioration. Therefore, in the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, as a preferred embodiment, a cleaning unit for the cover glass 64 is provided.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the cleaning means 82, and FIG.

The cleaning means 82 is formed by fixing a holding member 88 to a holder 86 having a handle 84, and a pad 90 for cleaning the cover glass 64 is fixed to the tip of the holding member 88. Such cleaning means 82
As shown in FIG. 5, the pad 90 is loaded on a holding portion 94 formed on an exterior wall 92 of the apparatus so that the pad 90 abuts on the outer surface of the cover glass 64, and the image recording apparatus of the present invention is mounted. It is provided below the ten cover glasses 64.
Therefore, an opening 96 is formed in the holding member 88 so as not to block the optical path of the light beam L. Further, a flange 86a is formed on the holder 86 so that light from the outside does not enter the holding portion 94, and the holding portion 94 of the cleaning means 82 is formed.
In a state where the holding section 94 is fixed to the holding section 94, the holding section 94 is securely closed.

Further, since such a cleaning means 82 is provided so as to block the optical path of the light beam L, it is necessary to reliably hold the cleaning means 82 at a predetermined position of the apparatus. Therefore, the cleaning means 8
The second holder 86 is provided with a rib 96, and the holding portion 94 formed on the exterior wall 92 is provided with biasing portions 94a and 94b fitted to the rib 96, so that both are firmly fitted. By doing so, the cleaning means 82 is securely held at a predetermined position.

When the outer surface of the cover glass 64 is cleaned by the cleaning means 82, the operator moves the cleaning means 82 in the main scanning direction (the direction of arrow a) by holding the handle 84, and the pad 90 causes the cover glass 64 to be cleaned. Of the cover glass 64 to remove foreign matter such as dust and dirt.

The material of the pad 90 is not particularly limited, and any of known glass cleaning members such as various nonwoven fabrics and ultra-fine fiber nonwoven fabrics (for example, trade name or miracle cloth) can be used.

Although the cleaning means 82 in the illustrated example is one in which the operator manually cleans the cover glass 64, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pad 90 is automatically cleaned by various means. As the moving configuration, the cover glass 64 may be automatically cleaned periodically or when the image quality deteriorates. Also, the holding means of the cleaning means 82 is not limited to the above-described method using the ribs 96 and the urging portions 94a and 94b, but may be a method of forming concave and convex fitting to each other, or a method of using various jigs. It may be.

Further, in the image recording apparatus 10 of the illustrated example, as a preferred embodiment, an adhesive member such as a double-sided tape is provided in the vicinity of the cover glass 64 so that foreign substances such as dust and dust adhere to the cover glass 64. To the adhesive member.

FIG. 6 conceptually shows the vicinity of the cover glass 64 of the image recording apparatus 10 as viewed from the main scanning direction. As described above, in the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, the optical unit 54 is disposed at a predetermined position in the housing 58, and the light beam L that has passed through the cover glass 64 and emitted from the optical unit 54 is formed on the housing 58. The light exits from the image recording apparatus 10 through a slit-shaped opening 98 extending in the main scanning direction, and enters the photosensitive material A.

Here, since there is a slight gap between the lower surface of the housing 58 and the housing 58 and the optical unit 54 in the illustrated example, a double-sided tape 100 is attached near the opening 98 on the upper surface of the housing 58, respectively. It is attached. With such a configuration, foreign substances such as dust and dust existing near the cover glass 64 can be attached to the cover glass 64 before they come into contact with the cover glass 64 and adhere thereto. It can be kept clean.

Here, if the foreign matter adhered to the double-sided tape 100 is a long thread-like dust or the like and its end enters the optical path of the light beam L, the light beam is also blocked by the foreign matter, Image quality degradation such as white stripes occurs. For this reason, even when the double-sided tape 100 adheres a foreign matter of a large size, the position where the double-sided tape 100 is arranged is set so that the end of the foreign matter of the largest possible size does not enter the optical path of the light beam L. It is necessary to dispose it at a position slightly away from the opening 98 according to the size.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the double-sided tape 100 is provided on both sides of the housing 58. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the double-sided tape is provided on only one of the surfaces. It may be something. However, in order to better capture foreign matter, it is preferable to provide a double-sided tape on both sides of the housing 58 if possible. In the image recording device 10 of the present invention,
Not only the housing 58 but also the optical platen 50
An adhesive member such as a double-sided tape 100 may be provided in the vicinity of the cover glass 64 on the inner surface and / or the outer surface.

As described above, the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention
Is that such an optical system 54 is arranged at a predetermined position inside the housing 54, and the optical system 5
4, a cooling fan 56 for cooling the heat sink 60 is provided. Here, in the illustrated image recording apparatus, a rectifying plate 72 for efficiently guiding the cooling air from the cooling fan 56 to the heat radiating plate 60 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the lid 52 of the optical system 54. ing.

In the conventional image recording apparatus, a duct made of resin molding or the like is provided to improve the cooling efficiency so that the wind can efficiently hit the light source of the light beam. However, the duct is separately formed. The cost of the device is increased because the device is deployed. On the other hand, by forming a rectifying plate for guiding the wind generated by the cooling fan 56 to the LD 14 (radiator plate 60) on the upper surface of the lid 52 or the ceiling surface of the housing 58, the cost can be reduced. Can,
The image recording device can be made inexpensive. In addition, by improving the cooling efficiency of the heat sink 60, the cooling fan 56
And the adverse effect of the cooling wind on the inside of the optical system 54 due to the floating of dust or dust can be reduced.

In the illustrated image recording apparatus 10, the rectifying plate 72 formed on the upper surface of the lid 52 is formed so as to be almost as high as the ceiling surface of the housing 58. Therefore, the curved portion 72 a of the rectifying plate 72 and the surface of the housing 58 facing the heat radiating plate 60 constitute a duct for guiding the wind from the cooling fan 56 to the heat radiating plate 60. Cooling efficiency can be improved. Also, a straight portion 72b on the far side of the current plate 72.
Prevents the wind from the cooling fan 56 from returning, and a heat source such as the drive board of the LD 14 or the polygon mirror 12 is disposed between the optical system 54 and the side surface of the housing 58 in this portion. To efficiently cool the air. Further, in order to improve the cooling efficiency of the heat radiating plate 60 and the drive board, a portion (surface) of the optical system 54 which does not need to be cooled is required.
Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the optical system 54 is provided so as to be close to the side surface of the housing 58 so as to prevent wind from being caught in unnecessary portions.

The shape of the rectifying plate 72 is not limited to the illustrated example. The radiating plate 60 can be efficiently formed depending on the configuration of the optical system 54, the position of the radiating plate 60, the shape of the housing 58, the arrangement position of the cooling fan 56, and the like. What is necessary is just to determine the shape which can be cooled suitably. The current plate 72 is not limited to be formed integrally on the upper surface of the lid 52, but may be formed integrally with the ceiling surface of the housing 58.

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.

[0064]

As described above in detail, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, dust and dirt present in the optical system are located downstream of the optical member, especially the optical deflector, in the light beam traveling direction. It is possible to preferably prevent adhesion to an optical member provided in the image forming apparatus, and to stably record a high-quality image free from streaks, color unevenness, and density unevenness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the inside of an optical system of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an optical system lid of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a cover glass cleaning unit provided in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing a usage mode of the cleaning unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing the vicinity of a cover glass of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 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 (26C, 26M, 26Y) ND filter 36 fθ Lens 38 Falling mirror 50 Optical surface plate 52 Lid 54 Optical system 56 Cooling fan 58 Housing 60 (60C, 60M, 60Y) Heat sink 62, 96 Opening 64 Cover glass 66, 70, 74 Space 68, 71, 76 Convex part 72 Rectifier plate 80 Air inlet 82 Cleaning means 84 Handle 86 Holder 86a Flange 88 Holding member 90 Pad 92 Exterior wall 94 Holding portion 94a, 94b Urging portion 98 Rib 100 Double-sided tape L (LC, LM, LY) Light beam A Photosensitive Fee

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/44 G02B 26/10

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for deflecting a light beam in a main scanning direction and two-dimensionally scanning a photosensitive material relatively moving in a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction, An optical member constituting an optical system of a light beam is loaded at a predetermined position, and a slit-shaped opening for emitting a light beam is formed on a bottom surface, and a housing-shaped optical surface plate having an open upper portion; An exit window, and a cover of the optical surface plate, wherein the cover is formed with a convex portion projecting below the upper surface of the optical surface plate without interrupting an optical path of the light beam. An image recording apparatus, comprising: 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The light formed on the optical surface plate and / or the lid;
The optics caused by temperature change due to heat generation of a scientific member
Solve the change in air pressure inside the space surrounded by the surface plate and the lid
An image recording apparatus having an air inlet for extinguishing, the air inlet being formed at a position away from the optical path of the light beam after the light beam travels. 3. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, have a cleaning means for cleaning the outside of the exit window,
The cleaning means is a rod-shaped member, which is brought into contact with the outer surface of the injection window to clean the cleaning means.
The cleaning member to be swept is placed at one end and the light beam is passed
A holding portion having an opening, and a front end opposite to an end of the holding portion where the cleaning member is disposed.
The holder provided for cleaning the injection window is moved.
A handle which is provided between the handle and the holding portion, and is provided between the handle and the injection window.
A flange for blocking light other than the light beams, and a fixed member for fixing the holding portion at a predetermined position of the image recording apparatus.
The image recording apparatus characterized by comprising a constant section. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive member is provided in at least a part near the exit window. 5. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling fan for cooling a light source of said light beam, wherein cooling air from said cooling fan is transmitted to a light source of said light beam. An image recording device in which a guiding current plate is formed integrally with the lid and / or the housing of the image recording device.