JP5973962B2 - Lens fixing structure, optical scanning device, image forming apparatus, and lens fixing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens fixing structure, an optical scanning device, an image forming apparatus, and a lens fixing method.

  In general, an optical scanning device is mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser printer. The optical scanning device, for example, causes light emitted from a light source such as a semiconductor laser to enter a deflecting unit such as a polygon mirror through a collimator lens or a cylindrical lens, and the light deflected by the deflecting unit is used as an imaging lens ( An image is formed by an fθ lens) and an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum is exposed and scanned.

  Here, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which an adhesive is interposed between a lens and a lens fixing surface as a lens fixing structure such as the collimator lens or the cylindrical lens. This adhesive is composed of a photo-curing adhesive and is cured by being irradiated with, for example, ultraviolet rays. Then, when the adhesive is cured, the lens is fixed to the lens fixing surface.

JP 2012-53259 A

  However, in the lens fixing structure using the photo-curing type adhesive as shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the adhesive shrinks and deforms when cured, the lens is pulled toward the lens fixing surface side by the tensile force from the adhesive. It will be. For this reason, there exists a problem that the position of a lens will change before hardening of an adhesive agent and after hardening. As a result, there is a problem in that sufficient lens positioning accuracy cannot be ensured.

  Further, since the adhesive generates curing reaction heat with curing, the temperature of the lens may increase due to the reaction heat, and the lens may be thermally deformed. This thermal deformation is eliminated when the curing reaction of the adhesive is completed and the temperature of the lens is lowered. For example, when the performance test of the optical scanning device after assembly is completed in a factory or the like, the temperature of the lens is sufficiently high. If it is not lowered, the optical performance of the lens cannot be accurately grasped. As a result, there is a problem that the optical performance of the lens after the performance test varies. In particular, when the lens is made of a resin material, the problem becomes more prominent because the amount of thermal deformation (linear expansion coefficient) of the lens is larger than when the lens is made of a glass material.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to suppress variations in optical performance caused by thermal deformation of the lens while improving the positioning accuracy of the lens.

The fixing structure according to the present invention is a fixing structure in which a lens having a cylindrical side surface is fixed to a lens fixing surface provided on a fixed member with an adhesive. A plurality of holes are formed in the lens fixing surface, and a shaft member is inserted into each of the plurality of holes so as to have a protruding portion protruding from the lens fixing surface. The peripheral surface is disposed in a state where the peripheral surface is in contact with the protruding end portion of each shaft member, and the adhesive and the lens and the lens fixing surface cover the entire protruding portion of each shaft member. the lens is configured to adhere to the lens fixing surface by contact with both the peripheral surface and the lens fixing surface of the lens as well as interposed between, each hole penetrating the fixation member The depth of each hole is set to be shorter than the axial length of the shaft member inserted into each hole, and each shaft member is connected to the lens fixing surface of the fixed member. From the other side It is inserted into the respective holes so as to further have protruding portions out.

  According to this configuration, when the adhesive is contracted and deformed at the time of curing, a tensile force directed outward in the radial direction from the adhesive acts on the entire peripheral surface of the protruding portion of each shaft member. As a result, each shaft member is firmly fixed to the fixed member via the adhesive. On the other hand, a tensile force from the adhesive toward the lens fixing surface acts on the lens as the adhesive contracts. As a result, the lens is pressed against the projecting end of each shaft member. Since each shaft member is firmly fixed to the member to be fixed via the adhesive as described above, the shaft member can restrict the lens from moving toward the lens fixing surface. Thus, as a result of each shaft member functioning as a lens positioning member, the positioning accuracy of the lens can be improved.

Moreover, the shaft member also protrudes from the surface of the fixed member opposite to the lens fixing surface. This protruding portion is exposed to the outside without being covered with an adhesive like the protruding portion on the lens fixing surface side. Therefore, the curing reaction heat of the adhesive transmitted to the protruding portion of the shaft member on the lens fixing surface side can be radiated from the protruding portion on the opposite side of the lens member to the lens fixing surface side. Therefore, thermal deformation of the lens due to the curing reaction heat of the adhesive can be reliably suppressed.

  The adhesive is preferably a photocurable resin that is cured by receiving light irradiation.

According to this configuration, the adhesive can be easily cured simply by irradiating the adhesive with light (for example, ultraviolet rays). Here, since the photocurable resin has particularly large shrinkage deformation and reaction heat at the time of curing, the present invention is particularly useful for such a configuration .

  The lens is preferably made of resin.

  According to this configuration, the molding accuracy of the lens can be improved as compared with the case where the lens is made of glass. Here, since the resin lens has a higher linear expansion coefficient than the glass lens, thermal deformation due to the curing reaction heat of the adhesive is likely to occur. The present invention is particularly useful for such a configuration in which the lens is easily thermally deformed.

  The shaft member is preferably made of metal.

  According to this configuration, the heat conductivity of the shaft member can be increased as much as possible, and the curing reaction heat of the adhesive can be quickly transmitted to the shaft member. As a result, thermal deformation of the lens can be suppressed as much as possible.

  It is preferable that three or more holes are formed, and three or more shaft members are provided corresponding to the number of the holes.

  According to this configuration, the lens lens positioning accuracy can be improved as much as possible by providing three or more shaft members that function as positioning members.

  An optical scanning device according to the present invention includes a light source, a collimator lens that converts the light from the light source into parallel light and emits the light, deflection means that deflects the light emitted from the collimator lens, and deflection by the deflection means. An imaging unit that forms an image on the surface to be scanned, and a housing that houses the collimator lens, the deflection unit, and the imaging unit, and the collimator lens has a lens fixing structure. Is fixed to the casing.

  According to this configuration, the positioning accuracy of the collimator lens used in the optical scanning device can be improved. As a result, variation in the optical path and the light diameter of the light emitted from the collimator lens can be suppressed. Therefore, the optical performance of the optical scanning device can be improved.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the optical scanning device.

  According to this configuration, the image quality of the image formed by the image forming apparatus can be improved.

The lens fixing method according to the present invention is a fixing method in which a lens having a cylindrical peripheral side surface is fixed to a lens fixing surface provided on a fixed member with an adhesive. A plurality of holes are formed in the lens fixing surface, and a preparation step of preparing a plurality of shaft members corresponding to the number of the holes, and the shaft members project from the lens fixing surface. Insertion and holding step of inserting into each of the plurality of holes so as to have a protruding portion and holding it in a semi-fixed state, and bonding so as to cover the entire protruding portion of each shaft member on the lens fixing surface of the fixed member a coating step of applying the agent, moving the lens, set to a position where its peripheral side surface is preset by pressing on the lens fixing surface in this Sessu that state to the end of the protruding side of each shaft member a pressing step of the adhesive agent applied in the coating step, see containing a curing step, the curing after the pressing step, the holes formed by the above preparation step, penetrating the fixation member It is a through hole, and the depth of each hole is It is set shorter than the axial length of the shaft member inserted into each hole. In the insertion step, each shaft member protrudes from the surface of the fixed member opposite to the lens fixing surface. In this step, the shaft members are inserted into the holes and held in a semi-fixed state so as to further have a protruding portion.

  According to this fixing method, in the preparation step, a plurality of holes are formed in the lens fixing surface, and a plurality of shaft members corresponding to the number of the holes are prepared. In the insertion holding step, each shaft member is inserted into each of the plurality of holes so as to have a protruding portion protruding from the lens fixing surface, and is held in a semi-fixed state. Here, the semi-fixed state is a state in which the shaft member does not move even if a load less than a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction to each shaft member, but the shaft member moves in the axial direction when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied. Say. In the application step, an adhesive is applied to the lens fixing surface of the fixed member so as to cover the protruding portion of each shaft member, and in the pressing step, the lens abuts on the protruding side end portion of each shaft member. In this state, the lens is pressed toward the lens fixing surface and moved to a preset setting position. Here, since each shaft member is held in a semi-fixed state with respect to each hole, the shaft member moves in the axial direction along with the movement of the lens, so that the protruding amount of each shaft member can correspond to the surface shape of the lens. . Then, after the pressing step is completed, the adhesive on the lens fixing surface is cured in the curing step.

In this curing step, when the adhesive shrinks and deforms, a tensile force directed radially outward from the adhesive acts on the entire peripheral surface of the protruding portion of each shaft member. As a result, each shaft member is firmly fixed to the fixed member via the adhesive. Therefore, as a result of each shaft member functioning as a lens positioning member, the positioning accuracy of the lens can be improved. Moreover, since the curing reaction heat of the adhesive can be radiated to the outside through the shaft member, thermal deformation of the lens can be suppressed .

Further , according to the fixing method, in the curing step, the curing reaction heat of the adhesive transmitted to the protruding portion of the shaft member on the lens fixing surface side is transferred from the protruding portion on the side opposite to the lens fixing surface side of the shaft member to the outside. Heat can be dissipated quickly. Therefore, thermal deformation of the lens due to the curing reaction heat of the adhesive can be reliably suppressed.

The shaft member is made of a metal member, and the curing step cures the adhesive while cooling the protruding portion of each shaft member protruding from the surface of the fixed member opposite to the lens fixing surface. Is preferred.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the variation in the optical performance resulting from the thermal deformation of a lens can be suppressed, aiming at the improvement of the positioning accuracy of a lens.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a laser printer as an image forming apparatus provided with an optical scanning device including a lens fixing structure in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of the optical scanning device according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the fixing structure of the collimator lens in the present embodiment, viewed from the axial direction of the lens. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the horizontal plate portion of the housing to which the collimator lens is fixed. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the pin semi-fixed state. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fixing method of the collimator lens. FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory views for explaining a load state acting on each pin and the collimator lens when the adhesive is cured (during the curing process), where FIG. 7A is a plan view, and FIG. It is the figure seen from the axial center direction of the collimator lens. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a pin in another embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment. Figure 10 is a 3 corresponds diagram showing a reference embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.
<Embodiment>

  FIG. 1 shows a laser printer 1 as an image forming apparatus including an optical scanning device 30 including a lens fixing structure in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2, a manual paper feed unit 6, a cassette paper feed unit 7, an image forming unit 8, a fixing unit 9, and a paper discharge unit 10. It has. Thus, the laser printer 1 is configured to form an image on a sheet based on image data transmitted from a terminal (not shown) while conveying the sheet along the conveyance path L in the printer body 2. ing.

  The manual paper feed unit 6 includes a manual feed tray 4 that can be opened and closed on one side of the printer body 2, and a manual feed roller 5 that is rotatably provided inside the printer body 2. ing.

  The cassette paper feeding unit 7 is provided at the bottom of the printer main body 2. The cassette paper feeding unit 7 separates the paper fed one by one, a paper feeding cassette 11 that stores a plurality of papers stacked on each other, a pick roller 12 that takes out the paper in the paper feeding cassette 11 one by one, and A feed roller 13 and a retard roller 14 that are fed to the transport path L.

  The image forming unit 8 is provided above the cassette paper feeding unit 7 in the printer main body 2. The image forming unit 8 includes a photosensitive drum 16 which is an image carrier rotatably provided in the printer main body 2, a charger 17 disposed around the photosensitive drum 16, a developing unit 18, a transfer roller 19, and a transfer roller 19. A cleaning unit 20, an optical scanning device 30 disposed above the photosensitive drum 16, and a toner hopper 21 are provided. Thus, the image forming unit 8 forms an image on the sheet supplied from the manual sheet feeding unit 6 or the cassette sheet feeding unit 7.

  The transport path L is provided with a pair of registration rollers 15 that supply the fed paper to the image forming unit 8 at a predetermined timing after temporarily waiting.

  The fixing unit 9 is disposed on the side of the image forming unit 8. The fixing unit 9 includes a fixing roller 22 and a pressure roller 23 that are pressed against each other and rotate. Thus, the fixing unit 9 is configured to fix the toner image transferred to the sheet by the image forming unit 8 on the sheet.

  The paper discharge unit 10 is provided above the fixing unit 9. The paper discharge unit 10 includes a paper discharge tray 3, a pair of paper discharge rollers 24 for conveying paper to the paper discharge tray 3, and a plurality of conveyance guide ribs 25 that guide the paper to the paper discharge roller pair 24. Yes. The paper discharge tray 3 is formed in a concave shape at the top of the printer body 2.

  When the laser printer 1 receives the image data, the photosensitive drum 16 is rotationally driven in the image forming unit 8, and the charger 17 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 16.

  Based on the image data, laser light is emitted from the optical scanning device 30 to the photosensitive drum 16. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 by irradiation with laser light. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 16 is developed by the developing unit 18 to become a visible image as a toner image.

  Thereafter, the sheet is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 by the transfer roller 19. As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 16 is transferred to the paper. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is heated and pressed by the fixing roller 23 and the pressure roller 24 in the fixing unit 9. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of the optical scanning device 30. FIG. The optical scanning device 30 deflects the light emitted from the light source 32 that emits the laser light for scanning, the collimator lens 33 that emits the laser light from the light source 32 by converting it into substantially parallel light, and the collimator lens 33. A polygon mirror 35 serving as a deflecting unit and an imaging lens 36 serving as an image forming unit configured to image the light deflected by the polygon mirror 35 on the surface to be scanned are provided. Between the collimator lens 33 and the polygon mirror 35, a cylindrical lens 34 as an auxiliary optical element is provided. The polygon mirror 35 and the lenses 33, 34, and 36 are fixed in the housing 40. The light source 32 is fixed to the side portion of the housing 40.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a fixing structure of the collimator lens 33. In this fixing structure, the collimator lens 33 is fixed to the horizontal plate portion 41 of the housing 40 by an adhesive 39. This lens fixing structure can be applied not only to the collimator lens 33 but also to, for example, the cylindrical lens 34 and the imaging lens 36.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the collimator lens 33 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the thickness in the axial direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3) is smaller than the lens diameter. Both side surfaces of the collimator lens 33 in the axial direction are curved surfaces 33a that are convex outward in the axial direction. The collimator lens 33 is disposed in contact with the upper end of each pin 43 (described later). The collimator lens 33 is composed only of a plastic lens using an optical resin. The plastic lens is preferable in that the molding accuracy by the mold is higher than that of the glass lens. The collimator lens 33 is not limited to a plastic lens, and may be a glass lens or a composite lens of a plastic lens and a glass lens.

  The casing 40 is integrally formed with a horizontal plate portion 41 to which the collimator lens 33 is fixed. In other words, the horizontal plate portion 41 constitutes a part of the housing 40. The collimator lens 33 is fixed to the upper surface 41a of the horizontal plate portion 41 with an adhesive. Thus, the upper surface 41a functions as a lens fixing surface.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal plate portion 41 is formed with four through holes 42 a to 42 d that penetrate in the thickness direction (vertical direction in the present embodiment). Of these, the two through-holes 42a and 42b are arranged at a distance from each other on a preset optical path as a laser light path from the light source 32 toward the polygon mirror 35 in plan view. The remaining two through-holes 42c and 42d are spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the set optical path in plan view. The axial centers of the through holes 42a to 42d extend in parallel to each other. The distance between the axes of the two through holes 42a and 42b is set smaller than the axial thickness of the collimator lens 33, and the distance between the axes of the two through holes 42c and 42d is set smaller than the diameter of the collimator lens 33. ing. The diameters of the through holes 42a to 42d are equal to each other. In the following description, the four through holes 42a to 42d are simply referred to as through holes 42 when it is not necessary to distinguish them.

  A metal pin 43 is inserted into each of the four through holes 42. Each pin 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape in this embodiment. The axial length of each pin 43 is longer than the depth of the through hole 42 (the axial length of the through hole 42). Each pin 43 is inserted (penetrated) into each through hole 42 so as to have an upper protruding portion 43a and a lower protruding portion 43b protruding from the upper surface 41a and the lower surface 41b of the horizontal plate portion 41, respectively (see FIG. 3).

  The pin 43 inserted through the two through holes 42a and 42b is in contact with the collimator lens 33 at the center of the upper end surface thereof, and the pin 43 inserted through the two through holes 42c and 42d is the periphery of the upper end surface thereof. In contact with the collimator lens 33.

  The diameter of each pin 43 is set so that the pin 43 is held in a semi-fixed state with respect to the through hole 42 when the pin 43 is inserted into the through hole 42. Specifically, the diameter of each pin 43 is preferably set to be the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of each through hole 42. Here, the semi-fixed state means that each pin 43 does not move even if a load less than a predetermined value is applied to each pin 43 in the axial direction, but each pin 43 moves in the axial direction when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied. This state is referred to (see FIG. 5).

  The adhesive 39 is made of a photocurable resin that is cured by being irradiated with light (for example, ultraviolet rays). The photocurable resin is merely an example of an adhesive that generates curing shrinkage and curing reaction heat, and other adhesives may be used. The adhesive 39 is interposed between the peripheral side surface of the lens 33 and the upper surface 41 a of the horizontal plate portion 41 so as to cover at least the peripheral side surface of the upper protruding portion 43 a of each pin 43. Thus, the collimator lens 33 is fixed via the adhesive 39 without contacting the upper surface 41a of the horizontal plate portion 41.

  Next, a fixing method for fixing the collimator lens 33 to the horizontal plate portion 41 with an adhesive 39 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As will be described later, this fixing method includes a preparation process, an insertion holding process, a coating process, a pressing process, and a curing process.

  In the preparation step, four through holes 42 are formed on the upper surface 41a of the horizontal plate portion 41, and a plurality (four) of pins 43 corresponding to the number of formed through holes 42 are prepared in advance ( (See FIG. 6 (a)).

  In the insertion holding step, the pins 43 are respectively inserted (inserted) into the through holes 42 of the horizontal plate portion 41 and held in a semi-fixed state (see FIG. 6B). Thus, each pin 43 has an upper projecting portion 43a and a lower projecting portion 43b projecting from the upper surface 41a and the lower surface 41b of the horizontal plate portion 41 by penetrating the through hole 42, respectively.

  In the application step, the adhesive 39 is applied to the upper surface 41a of the horizontal plate portion 41 so as to cover the entire upper protruding portion 43a of each pin 43 (see FIG. 6C). The adhesive 39 may be applied so as to cover at least the peripheral side surface of the upper protruding portion 43 a of each pin 43. However, if the amount of the adhesive 39 is too small, the adhesive 39 does not adhere to the peripheral side surface of the collimator lens 33 in the pressing step described later, which causes poor adhesion. Therefore, it is preferable to apply a sufficient amount of the adhesive 39 so as to avoid this adhesion failure.

  In the pressing step, first, the collimator lens 33 is gripped by a robot arm (not shown) and set to an initial position (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6D). In this initial position, the collimator lens 33 is positioned above each pin 43, and the axis of the collimator lens 33 extends horizontally so as to coincide with the set optical path in plan view. Then, after setting the collimator lens 33 to the initial position, the collimator lens 33 is moved downward by an elevating mechanism (not shown) and brought into contact with the upper end portion of each pin 43. Then, while maintaining this contact state, the collimator lens 33 is pressed downward (on the upper surface 41a side of the horizontal plate portion 41) with a load greater than or equal to a predetermined load by the lifting mechanism and moved to a preset set position (FIG. 6). (See solid line in (d)).

  In the curing step, first, a light irradiator 51 for curing the adhesive 39 is disposed above the horizontal plate portion 41 and a cooling fan for cooling each pin 43 below the horizontal plate portion 41. 52 is arranged. Then, light (for example, ultraviolet rays) is irradiated from the light irradiator 51 toward the adhesive 39 while blowing cooling air from the cooling fan 52 toward the lower protruding portion 43 b of each pin 43. Then, the adhesive 39 is cured by light irradiation while cooling the lower protruding portion 43b of each pin 43.

  Thus, in the above embodiment, when the adhesive 39 contracts and deforms in the curing process, the tensile force directed radially outward from the adhesive 39 is applied to the entire circumferential surface of the upper protruding portion 43a of each pin 43. (See the arrow in FIG. 7A). As a result, each pin 43 is firmly fixed to the horizontal plate portion 41 via the adhesive 39. On the other hand, as the adhesive 39 contracts and deforms, a tensile force from the adhesive 39 toward the upper surface 41a of the horizontal plate portion 41 acts on the collimator lens 33 (see the arrow in FIG. 7B). As a result, the lens is pressed against the upper end of each pin 43. Here, since each pin 43 is firmly fixed to the horizontal plate portion 41 via the adhesive 39 as described above, the collimator lens 33 is moved toward the upper surface 41 a side of the horizontal plate portion 41. It can be regulated by the pin 43. Then, as a result of each pin 43 functioning as a positioning member for the collimator lens 33, the positioning accuracy of the collimator lens 33 can be improved. Further, the heat of curing reaction of the adhesive 39 generated in the curing process can be quickly radiated from the pins 43 to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the curing reaction heat of the adhesive 39 from being transmitted to the collimator lens 33, and to suppress thermal deformation of the lens 33.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, each pin 43 has a lower protruding portion 43 b protruding from the lower surface 41 b of the horizontal plate portion 41 in addition to the upper protruding portion 43 a protruding from the upper surface 41 a of the horizontal plate portion 41. . The lower protruding portion 43b is exposed to the outside without being covered with the adhesive 39 like the upper protruding portion 43a. Therefore, the curing reaction heat of the adhesive 39 transmitted to the upper protruding portion 43a of each pin 43 can be quickly radiated from the lower protruding portion 43b to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the collimator lens 33 from being thermally deformed by the curing reaction heat of the adhesive 39 generated in the curing step.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the adhesive agent 39 is hardened | cured, cooling the lower side protrusion part 43b of each pin 43 with the cooling fan 52 in a hardening process. Thereby, the heat dissipation from the lower side protrusion part 43b of each pin 43 can be improved as much as possible.

<< Other Embodiments >>

  In the above-described embodiment, each pin 43 is formed in a columnar shape, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a quadrangular prism as shown in FIG.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the number of the pins 43 is four, it is not restricted to this, For example, two or three may be sufficient and five or more may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the fixed member (horizontal plate portion 41) for fixing the collimator lens 33 has a flat plate shape, but is not limited to this, and may be a prismatic shape, for example. In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the surface (the upper surface 41a of the horizontal plate portion 41) for fixing the collimator lens 33 is a flat surface has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. It may be a concave curved surface.

  In the above-described embodiment, the hole 42 of the horizontal plate portion 41 is a through hole. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG.

For example in the reference embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the lower end portion of each pin 43 is positioned in the hole 42.

  In the above-described embodiment, the laser printer 1 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a scanner device, or a multi-function device are used. It is good also as an apparatus.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a lens fixing structure, an optical scanning device, an image forming apparatus, and a lens fixing method. In particular, a photocurable resin is used as an adhesive for fixing a lens. Useful when you want.

30 Optical scanning device 31 Housing 32 Light source 33 Collimator lens (lens)
35 Polygon mirror (deflection means)
36 Imaging lens (imaging means)
39 Adhesive 41 Horizontal plate part of housing (fixed member)
41a Top surface of horizontal plate (lens fixing surface)
41b Bottom surface of horizontal plate (surface opposite to lens fixing surface)
42 Through hole (hole)
43 pin (shaft member)
43a Upper protrusion (protrusion)
43b Lower protrusion (protrusion)

Claims (9)

A fixing structure for fixing a lens whose peripheral side surface is a cylindrical surface to a lens fixing surface provided on a fixed member with an adhesive,
A plurality of holes are formed in the lens fixing surface,
Each of the plurality of holes is inserted such that a shaft member has a protruding portion protruding from the lens fixing surface,
The lens is disposed in a state in which a peripheral side surface thereof is in contact with an end portion on the protruding side of each shaft member,
The adhesive is interposed between the lens and the lens fixing surface so as to cover the entire protruding portion of each shaft member, and is in contact with both the peripheral side surface of the lens and the lens fixing surface. Configured to adhere the lens to the lens fixing surface;
Each said hole is a through-hole which penetrates the said to-be-fixed member,
The depth of each hole is set shorter than the axial length of the shaft member inserted into each hole,
The lens fixing structure, wherein each shaft member is inserted into each hole so as to further have a protruding portion protruding from a surface of the fixed member opposite to the lens fixing surface . The lens fixing structure according to claim 1,
The adhesive is a lens fixing structure, which is a photocurable resin that is cured by receiving light irradiation. The lens fixing structure according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The lens fixing structure is made of resin. In fixing structure of a lens according to any one of claims 1乃Itaru 3,
The lens fixing structure, wherein the shaft member is made of metal. In fixing structure of a lens according to any one of claims 1乃Itaru 4,
Three or more holes are formed,
A lens fixing structure in which three or more shaft members are provided corresponding to the number of the holes. A light source, a collimator lens that converts the light from the light source into parallel light, emits the light, deflection means for deflecting the light emitted from the collimator lens, and the light deflected by the deflection means on the surface to be scanned An image forming means for forming an image; and a housing for housing the collimator lens, the deflecting means, and the image forming means,
It said collimator lens, said claim 1乃lens optical scanning device is secured to the housing by a fixing structure according to any one of Itaru 5. An image forming apparatus comprising the optical scanning device according to claim 6 . A fixing method in which a lens having a cylindrical side surface is fixed to a lens fixing surface provided on a fixed member with an adhesive,
Preparing a plurality of holes in the lens fixing surface, and preparing a plurality of shaft members corresponding to the number of the holes; and
An insertion holding step in which each shaft member is inserted into each of the plurality of holes so as to have a protruding portion protruding from the lens fixing surface and held in a semi-fixed state;
An application step of applying an adhesive on the lens fixing surface of the fixed member so as to cover the entire protruding portion of each shaft member;
A pressing step of moving the lens, set to a position where its peripheral side surface is preset by pressing on the lens fixing surface in this Sessu that state to the end of the protruding side of each shaft member, said coating step A curing step of curing the adhesive applied in step after the pressing step;
Only including,
Each hole formed in the preparation step is a through hole penetrating the fixed member,
The depth of each hole is set shorter than the axial length of the shaft member inserted into each hole,
In the inserting step, the shaft members are semi-fixed by inserting the shaft members into the holes so that the shaft members further have a protruding portion protruding from a surface opposite to the lens fixing surface of the fixed member. A lens fixing method that keeps the lens in a state . The method for fixing a lens according to claim 8 , wherein
The shaft member is made of a metal member,
The method of fixing a lens, wherein the curing step is a step of curing the adhesive while cooling a protruding portion of each shaft member protruding from a surface opposite to the lens fixing surface of the fixed member.

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