JP3302226B2 - Method and apparatus for manufacturing rotary polygon mirror - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a rotary polygon mirror used in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer and a laser facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A rotary polygon mirror used in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a laser facsimile is generally manufactured by cutting or polishing an outer peripheral surface of a metal work to make a mirror surface. In recent years, a system has been developed which automates the mirror surface machining process of such a metal rotary polygon mirror, improves the productivity of the rotary polygon mirror, and promotes the cost reduction of the image forming apparatus.

In order to automate the mirror-polishing process of a rotary polygon mirror, a work supply device for continuously supplying a workpiece to a processing machine that mirror-processes the reflection surface of the rotary polygon mirror is required. as shown in 4, it is placed by positioning a plurality of workpieces W _0, using a palette 101 for conveying to a predetermined standby position in the vicinity of the working machine or the like collectively these.

[0004] pallet 101 intended for mounting in a state of arranging a plurality of workpiece W ₀ in a matrix a plurality of rows, each work W
_The reflecting surface S ₀ to be mirror-finished is positioned on the pallet 101 so as to face a predetermined direction. For this purpose, a plurality of center pins 102 are provided on the pallet 101, and a pair of positioning pins 103 protrude on both sides of each center pin 102. As shown in FIG. The center hole C ₀ provided at the center of W ₀ is engaged, and each positioning pin 103 is engaged with a tool hole T ₀ formed on both sides thereof.

As described above, if each work W ₀ on the pallet 101 is positioned so that its reflection surface S ₀ is oriented in the same direction, the work W ₀ on the pallet 101 is supplied to a processing machine by a hand (not shown). Work W ₀
The reflection surface S ₀ of the is positioned with respect to the automatic processing machine cutter of labor to perform again the positioning of the workpiece W ₀ on the work table can be omitted. Therefore, the work cycle time of the work can be greatly reduced, and the productivity of the rotating polygon mirror can be improved.

[0006]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, a pallet in which each work is positioned by a center pin and a positioning pin is placed on a transport conveyor and transported to a processing machine or a predetermined standby position. Therefore, if the arrangement of the center pins and the positioning pins on the pallet varies from one pallet to another, the work may be incorrectly positioned and may not be properly positioned with respect to the processing machine. Further, it is difficult to arrange the center pins and the positioning pins on each pallet at an accurate pitch, which increases the manufacturing cost of the pallets. In addition, a tool hole for engaging the positioning pin with each work is required, and the process of machining the work holes increases the work cost of the work, and in addition, when cleaning the rotating polygon mirror after the work. There have been inconveniences such as dust remaining in the tool hole, and the cleaning liquid remaining on the inner surface of the tool hole.

As described above, if the arrangement of the center pins and the positioning pins for each pallet varies, or if the pitch of the center pins on each pallet is not uniform, the positioning of the work with respect to the processing machine becomes inaccurate. As a result, the surface accuracy of the mirror surface (reflection surface) of the rotary polygon mirror is reduced, so that a high-quality rotary polygon mirror cannot be manufactured, and the tool holes and the like of the work are contaminated by the cleaning liquid or dust. Otherwise, when the rotary polygon mirror is assembled into the image forming apparatus, optical components such as a mirror surface of the rotary polygon mirror and an imaging lens near the rotary polygon mirror are contaminated, and the optical characteristics of the image forming apparatus are deteriorated.

Further, it is difficult to make a configuration in which the arrangement of the center pins and the positioning pins on each pallet can be arbitrarily changed, and it is necessary to prepare pallets individually for works having different dimensions and shapes. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and promotes automation and cost reduction of mirror polishing of a rotary polygon mirror, and greatly improves the processing accuracy of the mirror polishing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for a rotating polygon mirror that can be manufactured.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for manufacturing a rotary polygon mirror according to the present invention comprises transferring a rotary polygon mirror supplied by a rotary polygon mirror supply means to a positioning table, and rotating the polygon mirror on a predetermined axis. The method further comprises a step of carrying out rotation positioning so that the reflection surface thereof faces a predetermined direction, and then carrying the rotation polygon mirror into a processing machine for mirror-finishing the reflection surface.

In the apparatus for manufacturing a rotary polygon mirror according to the present invention, the reflecting surface of the rotary table which is conveyed from the rotary polygon mirror supplying means to the positioning table is oriented around a predetermined axis in a predetermined direction. And a processing machine for mirror-finishing the reflection surface of the rotary polygon mirror.

A positioning means for rotating the rotary polygon mirror about a predetermined axis; and detecting when the reflection surface of the rotary polygon mirror is oriented in a predetermined direction about the predetermined axis. It is preferable to have a detecting means.

Preferably, the detecting means has a photoelectric sensor.

Preferably, the positioning means has a confirmation means for confirming the size and shape of the rotary polygon mirror.

[0015]

[Function] A rotary polygon mirror supplied on a pallet or the like is transported to a positioning table, and is rotated and positioned around a predetermined axis such that the reflection surface of the rotary polygon mirror faces a predetermined direction. The rotary polygon mirror is held and carried into the processing table of the processing machine. Since the rotational position of the rotary polygon mirror on the processing table is determined in advance as described above, the reflection surface can be automatically positioned with respect to the processing surface such as a cutter of the processing machine. Therefore, the reflecting surface of the rotary polygon mirror can be machined into a mirror surface with high surface accuracy without tilting the reflecting surface of the rotary polygon mirror with respect to the working surface of the cutter or the like.

Compared with the case where positioning pins for individually positioning the rotary polygon mirror are provided on each pallet or the like,
Since it is only necessary to provide positioning means in the middle of the transport path for transporting the rotary polygon mirror to the processing machine, the manufacturing cost of the rotary polygon mirror can be greatly reduced.

In addition, since the reflection surface of the rotary polygon mirror is directly detected on the positioning table and is positioned in advance, the reflection surface can be extremely accurately positioned with respect to a processing surface such as a cutter. Thereby, the surface accuracy of the mirror surface of the rotary polygon mirror can be greatly improved.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an apparatus for manufacturing a rotary polygon mirror according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view thereof, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing only a work positioning apparatus as positioning means. . As shown in FIG. 1A, the apparatus includes a conveyor 20 as a rotary polygon mirror supply unit for transporting a pallet 10 having work holding grooves 11 arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. A take-out hand 40 for taking out the workpieces W1 as mirrors _one by one and transporting them to the work positioning device 30;
Remove the workpiece W ₁ above, work base 51 of machine 50
The work W ₁ taken out of the pallet 10 on the conveyor 20 by the take-out hand 40 is rotated and positioned by the work positioning device 30 so that the reflection surface S ₁ thereof faces a predetermined direction, In this state, it is sucked by the transfer hand 60 and carried into the processing table 51 of the processing machine 50.

The work W ₁ on the processing table 51 has a reflection surface S
₁ is preliminarily rotationally positioned so as to face a predetermined direction with respect to the cutter 52, and therefore, is cut with extremely high surface accuracy without being inclined with respect to the processing surface of the cutter 52, and is processed into a high-precision mirror surface. Is done. In this way, a rotating polygon mirror having six mirror surfaces around the central axis is manufactured.

The work positioning device 30 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
And a workpiece processing surface detector 33 which is a detecting means comprising a light source 33a and a photoelectric sensor 33b opposed to each other with the light source 33a interposed therebetween.
Similarly, there are first and second work confirmation devices 34 and 35 including light sources 34a and 35a and photoelectric sensors 34b and 35b opposed thereto.

The light sources 33a and 34b of the work surface detector 33 and the first work confirmation device 34 are held by a common holding member 36a.
b, 34b are the holding members 3 facing the holding member 36a.
6b.

The workpiece processing surface detector 33 includes the positioning table 3
The reflection surface S ₁ of the work W ₁ mounted on the first rotation shaft 32
However, only when the light beam becomes parallel to the light beam generated from the light source 33a of the workpiece processing surface detector 33 toward the photoelectric sensor 33b, the light beam enters the photoelectric sensor 33b and its output is turned on. configured, also, the light source 34a and the photoelectric sensor 34b of the first workpiece confirmation device 34, as long as the workpiece W ₁ is an appropriate size when the output of the workpiece machining surface detector 33 is oN, no output It is configured as follows.

The light source 35a and the photoelectric sensor 35b of the second work confirmation device 35 face each other in a direction perpendicular to the light beam of the work processing surface detector 33 and the first work confirmation device 34. configured such that the output of the processing surface detector 33 is a work W ₁ when it is turned on does not output as long as the proper shape.

[0025] That is, first a confirming means, second work confirmation device 34 and 35, or the workpiece W ₁ on the positioning base 31 has different dimensions even rotary polygon mirror of the same hexagonal prism, or If the output is turned on when it is not a hexagonal prism but a quadrangular prism, the output is turned on and this is detected.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the cutter 52 of the processing machine 50 from being damaged and the work from being wasted when a work having a different size or shape is erroneously supplied onto the pallet 10 on the upstream side of the conveyor 20.

FIG. 2 shows a rotary shaft 3 of the work positioning device 30.
Serve to explain the mechanism for rotating the 2, the rotary shaft 32 is rotatably supported by a fixed bearing 31a in the positioning stand 31, the reference plane 32a for positioning the workpiece W ₁ horizontally in the upper end and the workpiece W has a shaft portion 32b which engages the _first center hole C _1, the lower end of the rotary shaft 32 is transmission gear 3
The transmission gear 35 transmits the rotation of the drive gear 36 a integral with the motor shaft of the motor 36, which is a rotating means, to the rotation shaft 32.

The take-out hand 40 causes the conveyor 20
Positioning of the workpiece W ₁ taken out of the pallet 10 above is performed as follows. Of the work W ₁ center hole C ₁
Insert the shaft portion 32b of the rotary shaft 32 of the workpiece positioning device 30 on the reference plane 32a of the rotary shaft 32 of the lower surface of the workpiece W ₁
Abut. The motor 36 is driven while the work processing surface detector 33 and the light sources 33a to 35a of the first and second work confirmation devices 34 and 35 emit light, and the rotating shaft 32 is moved to the work W.
Rotate with ₁ to stop rotation of the workpiece W ₁ when the output of the photoelectric sensor 33b of the workpiece machining surface detector 33 is turned on. First and second work confirmation devices 34 and 35
Photoelectric sensor 34b of, upon 35b was confirmed not to output carries the workpiece W ₁ to the work table 51 of the machine 50 by the hand-over hand 60.

[0028] That is, the workpiece positioning device 30, the center position of the workpiece W ₁ is fixed by engaging the center hole C ₁ of the work W ₁ to the shaft portion 32b of the rotary shaft 32, rotating the lower surface of the workpiece W ₁ The work surface S ₁ of the work W ₁ is positioned so as to be vertical by being in contact with the reference surface 32 a of the shaft 32, and then the work surface S ₁ is directed by the work work surface detector 33 in a predetermined direction. it is intended to rotate positioning the workpiece W _1. By carrying this way the workpiece W ₁ positioned in advance on the work table 51 of the machine 50, there is no possibility of reflecting surfaces S ₁ of the workpiece W ₁ is positioned inclined with respect to the cutter 52. Therefore, the reflection surface S
₁ can be mirror-finished with extremely high surface accuracy.

The pallet 10 for transporting the workpiece W ₁ on the conveyor 20, as shown in FIG. 3, each work W ₁
Holding groove 11 capable of holding the head without rattling
It just needs to be equipped. Since it is not necessary to use an expensive pallet having a center pin, a positioning pin, and the like for positioning the work as in the conventional example, the processing cost of the rotary polygon mirror can be significantly reduced.

Further, since it is not necessary to provide a tool hole or the like for engaging the positioning pin on the work, the work cost of manufacturing the work can be reduced, and dust enters the tool hole or the like of the processed work, so that the product can be manufactured. There is no trouble such as pollution.

When performing the mirror surface processing of the rotating polygon mirror,
Even if there is a slight error in the inclination angle of each mirror surface, the optical characteristics of the image forming apparatus may be greatly impaired. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly control the relative position with respect to a cutter for cutting the reflecting surface. In the present embodiment, since each work is directly detected by the work positioning device while the work is being loaded into the processing machine, the reflection surface of the work is detected. Much higher precision positioning can be performed.

Further, by confirming the size and shape of the work by the first and second work confirming devices, it is possible to avoid trouble when a work having a different size or shape is supplied by mistake, and to use a rotating polygon mirror. Productivity can be greatly improved. Further, by adjusting the positions of the work surface detector and the work confirmation devices on the positioning table, there is an advantage that works having different sizes and shapes can be easily handled.

It should be noted that a known laser detector or the like may be used instead of using the photoelectric sensor for the work surface detector or the work confirmation device.

[0034]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

The automation of mirror processing of the rotary polygon mirror and the reduction in cost are promoted, and the positioning of the rotary polygon mirror on the processing table of the processing machine is performed with higher precision, which can greatly contribute to the improvement of the precision of the mirror processing. As a result, an inexpensive and high-quality rotating polygon mirror can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a rotary polygon mirror manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment, wherein FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view thereof, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing only a work positioning apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a section of the work positioning device of FIG. 1;

3A and 3B show the pallet of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view.

4A and 4B show a pallet according to a conventional example, and FIG.
Is a plan view, and (b) is an elevation view.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a work according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pallet 20 Conveyor 30 Work positioning device 31 Positioning table 32 Rotation axis 33 Work processing surface detector 34, 35 Work confirmation device 40 Picking hand 50 Processing machine

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 26/10

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rotary polygonal mirror supplied by a rotary polygonal mirror supply means is transported to a positioning table, and the rotary polygonal mirror is rotationally positioned so that its reflection surface is oriented around a predetermined axis in a predetermined direction. A method for manufacturing a rotating polygon mirror, comprising a step of carrying the reflecting surface of a mirror into a processing machine for mirror-finishing the mirror. 2. A positioning table, and positioning means for rotating and positioning the rotary polygon mirror conveyed from the rotary polygon mirror supply means to the positioning table so that its reflection surface faces a predetermined direction around a predetermined axis. An apparatus for manufacturing a rotating polygonal mirror having a processing machine for mirror-finishing the reflection surface of the rotating polygonal mirror. 3. A positioning means comprising: rotating means for rotating a rotary polygon mirror around a predetermined axis; and rotating the polygon mirror when a reflection surface of the rotary polygon mirror faces a predetermined direction about the predetermined axis. 3. The apparatus for manufacturing a rotating polygon mirror according to claim 2, further comprising a detecting means for detecting. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detecting means has a photoelectric sensor. 5. The rotary polygon mirror manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the positioning means has a check means for checking the size and shape of the rotary polygon mirror.