JPH1184149A - Optical fiber array device, imaging head device and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve positional accuracy by providing the device with parallel parts in tight contact with optical fiber arrays along these arrays and regulating parts for positioning the respective optical fiber arrays in the projection direction of the prescribed angle with the array direction by regulating the movement in the arraying direction of the optical fiber arrays in such a manner that the specified spacings between the optical axes of the respective optical fiber arrays are attained. SOLUTION: An optical fiber supporting member 17 is obtd. by forming fiber fixing grooves by electric discharge machining to a material 19, such as SUS 303. These fiber fixing grooves are precisely worked in such a manner that the bases thereof constitute the parallel parts 15a, 15b and the flanks thereof constitute the regulating parts 16a to 16d. Next, the optical fiber array 11b and a dummy fiber 14a are brought into tight contact with the parallel part 15a and are so arrayed that the left end of the optical fibers comes into tight contact with the regulating part 16a and the right end of the dummy fiber 14a comes into tight contact with the regulating part 16b. After the optical fiber array 11a is piled thereon, a retaining member 13a is pushed in. Similarly the optical fiber array 11c and the dummy fiber 14b are arranged and the optical fiber array 11d is arranged thereon and thereafter, the retaining member 13b is pushed in and is integrated by adhering.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber array device, and more preferably to a method of using a laser beam controlled digitally to make an imaging medium such as an imaging film or an imaging plate soluble in unevenness or a solvent corresponding to imaging data. The present invention relates to an optical fiber array device used in an imaging apparatus that causes a change in physical characteristics such as a change in the optical fiber array. The present invention also relates to an imaging head device and an imaging device using such an optical fiber array device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows an example of an imaging apparatus using a laser light source such as an optical fiber emitting end. The imaging device 9 includes a medium supporting drum 91 for winding an imaging medium 98 around an outer surface, a laser light source and a laser light emitted from the laser light source, as described in JP-A-6-186750. An imaging head device 92 including an optical system for performing the operation, a laser light source control unit 96, and a cable 95 for connecting the imaging head device 92 and the laser light source control unit 96 are provided.
Further, the imaging head device 92 is installed on a linear stage 94 that realizes parallel movement with respect to the axial direction of the medium supporting drum 91. As this linear stage, a linear motor drive stage directly driven by a linear motor or a ball screw type stage using a ball screw type linear guide is generally used. The distance between the imaging head device 92 and the imaging medium 98 is adjusted so that the laser light is focused on the surface of the imaging medium. Further, the output of the laser light source is adjusted so as to be an output sufficient to cause a change in physical characteristics such as physical unevenness or a change in solubility in a solvent between the irradiated portion and the non-irradiated portion of the imaging medium 98. I have. When performing imaging, the imaging medium 9 is used.
8 is rotated in the direction of arrow R in the figure using a motor 93 such as a DC servomotor, and the imaging head device 92 mounted on the stage 94 is rotated in a direction parallel to the axis of the medium supporting drum. By switching the laser light source so as to correspond to the imaging data while moving in the direction of arrow S in the figure, physical irregularities corresponding to the two-dimensional imaging data or physical changes such as a change in solubility in a solvent corresponding to the two-dimensional imaging data are performed. Causes a change in properties. Generally, the direction R of the line imaged by the rotation of the medium support drum 91 is defined as the main scanning direction, and the direction S of the line imaged by the parallel movement of the imaging head device 92 is defined as the sub-scanning direction.

[0003] The performance of this imaging apparatus is improved by using an optical fiber array type laser light source constituted by a plurality of laser light sources which can be driven independently. The term "improving the performance of the imaging apparatus" as used herein means improving the imaging speed and the resolution, and there is a trade-off between the imaging speed and the resolution. The resolution here indicates how many dots can be formed per unit length.
(Dots per inch) is used. For example, 2540dpi
Corresponds to 100dots / mm. As an example, suppose that i laser light sources are used to simultaneously image i consecutive lines in the main scanning direction using an imaging head having i laser light sources. At this time, the dot interval d _p for achieving the predetermined resolution r is 1 / r. Then, while the medium support drum 91 makes one rotation, the imaging head device 94 moves by a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance is i times the dot interval d _p on the imaging medium.
Thereafter, the next i lines are imaged, and a series of these operations is repeated to complete the imaging of the entire imaging region. By using i laser light sources,
The time required for imaging is 1 / i when the resolution is the same.
Is shortened to To increase the resolution by j times, the dot interval must be d _p / j and the moving distance of the imaging head device must be d _p i / j, and the time required for imaging is j / i times.

Next, the configuration of an optical fiber array type laser light source will be described. FIG. 11 shows an external view of a laser device that outputs an optical fiber. This laser device 6 has at least one
Laser diode chip having two light-emitting ends, conductive member for realizing electrical contact between the electrode of the diode chip and the outside, heat conducting member for releasing heat from the diode chip to the outside, and laser light from the laser diode And an optical fiber 62 for guiding a laser beam to the outside. Then, laser light is emitted from the emission end 63 of the optical fiber. FIG. 12 shows a cross section of the output end of the optical fiber. The emission end 63 includes a core portion 64 and a clad portion 65, and laser light is output from the core portion 64. An optical fiber array device is obtained by arranging and fixing the emission ends 63 of the optical fibers of an optical fiber output laser device in an array. When the optical fiber array device is used as the laser light source, the minimum value of the interval between the laser light sources is limited by the outer dimensions of the clad portion 65. In the case of an optical fiber array type laser light source, it is often impossible to arrange the emission ends close to each other without a gap. 13 are often arranged at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the sub-scanning direction S as shown in FIG. The optical fiber array device 7 includes 71a to 71h
And the tilt angle θ is an angle defined by the following equation.

[0005] (Equation _{1) cosθ = d s / a} s where, a _s is the spacing of the optical fiber emission end, the light source faces dot interval d _s is formed in order to obtain a predetermined resolution in the sub-scanning direction S This is a value obtained by converting the center interval of the dots to be converted into the size at the exit end face of the optical fiber, and is obtained by dividing the dot interval d _p on the medium surface by the magnification of the optical system. For example, when the resolution is 2540 dpi, d _p = 10 μm and the magnification of the optical system is 1 /
In the case of 3, d _s = 30 μm.

Next, an example of a method of manufacturing the optical fiber array device described above is shown in FIG. FIG. 8A shows that the optical fiber supporting member 12 is provided with V grooves corresponding to the number of optical fibers, the optical fibers are arranged in the V grooves,
After pressing the optical fiber from above, the gap is filled with an adhesive and cured to bond and integrate. FIG. 8B shows an optical fiber support member 12 in which optical fiber fixing grooves having a width corresponding to the number of optical fibers are provided, and the optical fibers are arranged in the fixing grooves. After that, the gap is filled with an adhesive and cured to bond and integrate.

In such an optical fiber array device, the sub-scanning means is devised and the image data is rearranged so that the optical fiber array device does not tilt at a predetermined angle as shown in FIG. As shown in (a), it is also possible to use them arranged in a direction parallel to the sub-scanning direction. At this time, the sub-scanning means is devised by, for example, setting the number of the output ends of the optical fiber to n, the dot interval required to obtain a desired resolution d _p , and the interval between the output ends projected on the imaging medium to a. when the _p, a _p = adjust the magnification 1 / h of the optical system so as to be in the relationship of hd _p, the sub-scan feed of (h-1) times d _p feed and one {na _p -(H-1)
d _p }. In order to realize such an irregular feed, it is desirable to use a linear motor drive stage. Also, the data rearrangement means that when performing the above-described sub-scan feed, lines that are not continuous in the sub-scan direction are imaged at the same time. I have. The method of manufacturing the optical fiber array device in this case is the same as the method described above.
The angle may be changed when the optical fiber array device is incorporated into the imaging head device.

However, in an imaging head device using an optical fiber array type laser light source in which all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line as described above,
As the number of optical fiber exit ends increases, it is necessary to increase the good image area of the optical system used to cover the optical fiber exit ends at both ends in order to converge all of them on the imaging medium. Therefore, there is a problem that the optical system becomes expensive and the size becomes large. Furthermore, when the laser light source is installed at the same time as being inclined with respect to the sub-scanning direction S, the timing of imaging dots at the same position in the main scanning direction at the optical fiber emission ends at both ends is greatly shifted. In order to align the positions of the dots formed by such an imaging head device in the main scanning direction, it is necessary to count the shift amount in an electric circuit, so that the number of optical fiber emitting ends arranged in a row increases. Accordingly, there is a problem that an electric circuit for controlling the timing of imaging becomes complicated or expensive.

In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to arrange the output ends of the optical fibers in a plurality of rows (optical fiber double rows). FIG. 7 shows an example of a method of arranging the output ends of the optical fibers. FIG. 7A shows a two-row arrangement of bales (barrels), FIG.
(B) is a vertically stacked three-row array. Bales (casing) 2
The row arrangement means that the second optical fiber row is arranged on the first optical fiber row in which the output ends of the optical fibers are arranged in a row at a predetermined pitch from each other, and the pitch of the output ends is the same as that of the first optical fiber row. And the displacement in the arrangement direction between the first optical fiber row and the second fiber row is 0.5 at a predetermined pitch.
In this case, the shape of the fiber is substantially cylindrical, and the other convex part enters the concave part of the concave and convex part of one of the optical fiber rows, so that the optical fiber rows are in the closest contact. In addition, the vertical stacking means that the fiber rows do not shift. In these arrangements, the method of manufacturing the optical fiber array is basically the same as the method described above. In the case of the two-row arrangement (bale stacking) shown in FIG. 9A, the optical fiber supporting member 12 is provided with optical fiber fixing grooves having a width corresponding to the number of optical fibers one greater than the number of optical fibers. The first-stage optical fiber row and dummy fiber 1 in the groove
4 and a second stage of optical fiber array is arranged thereon,
After the optical fiber is pressed from above by the pressing member 13, the gap is filled with an adhesive and cured to bond and integrate. In the case of the vertically stacked three-row arrangement shown in FIG. 9B, an optical fiber fixing groove having a width corresponding to the number of optical fibers is provided in the optical fiber support member 12, and the first stage optical fiber is provided in the fixing groove. A row is arranged, and a second-stage optical fiber row with a spacer 18 interposed therebetween, and further a spacer 1
An optical fiber array of the third stage is arranged with 8 interposed therebetween, and finally, the optical fiber is pressed from above by the pressing member 13, and then the gap is filled with an adhesive and cured to bond and integrate. Here, the dummy fiber 14 in the case of bale stacking (barrel stacking) and the spacer 18 in the case of vertical stacking are used for stabilizing the fiber position.

[0010]

However, the conventional multi-tiered arrangement of optical fibers has the following problems. First, in the bale stacking (barrel stacking) arrangement shown in FIG. 7A, the sub-scanning direction position of the optical axis of the second (upper) optical fiber is the optical axis of the first (lower) optical fiber. Although the resolution is doubled as compared with the horizontal arrangement of one row, the cladding diameter is close to the core diameter in order to perform imaging without gaps in the imaging range of the imaging medium. It is necessary to rearrange the imaging data after reducing the size of the sub-scanning method or devising the sub-scanning method as described above. Further, when the third stage is stacked in a bale stack (barrel stack), the position of the optical axis of the optical fiber in the sub-scanning direction coincides with the first stage, so that the effect of the multi-stage stacking is lost. On the other hand, in the vertical stacking arrangement shown in FIG. 7B, it is necessary to use the optical fiber array at a predetermined angle so that the projection interval is constant in the sub-scanning direction of the optical axis of the optical fiber array. The amount of displacement of the optical fiber array in the sub-scanning direction is determined only by this tilt angle, and it is difficult to produce an optical fiber array with excellent positional accuracy because the displacement of each stage cannot be individually defined and adjusted. It is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stack optical fiber array device having excellent positional accuracy, an imaging head device using such an optical fiber array device, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device for performing imaging by the imaging head device.

[0012]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a plurality of optical fiber rows in which emission ends of optical fibers are arranged in a row at a predetermined pitch from each other,
An optical fiber array device comprising: an optical fiber support member that supports the optical fiber row; a parallel portion closely contacting the optical fiber row along the optical fiber row; and a parallel portion in the arrangement direction of the optical fiber row. By restricting the movement, the positioning is performed such that the distance between the optical axes of the optical fibers at the ends of the respective optical fiber rows in the projection direction that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the arrangement direction is substantially constant. An optical fiber array device having a restriction part is provided.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber array device having the optical fiber supporting member provided with two or more parallel portions and a regulating portion at at least one end of the parallel portions.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber supporting member is constituted by at least one optical fiber arranging member and a supporting member of the arranging member, and at least one of the parallel portions and the regulating portion are provided. Is provided in the optical fiber array member.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, another optical fiber row which is in close contact with the optical fiber row which is in close contact with the parallel portion and whose output ends of the optical fibers are arranged in a row at the predetermined pitch is provided. There is provided an optical fiber array device further provided with at least one.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the arrangement of the optical fiber row close to the parallel portion and at least one of the other optical fiber rows is a bale (barrel) arrangement. An array device is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a first optical fiber row in which the emitting ends of the optical fibers are arranged in a row at the predetermined pitch, and a close contact with the first optical fiber row. The output ends of the optical fibers are arranged in a line at the predetermined pitch with respect to each other, and are arranged at positions shifted from the first optical fiber line by 0.5 times the predetermined pitch in the direction of the arrangement. An optical fiber array device provided with a plurality of optical fiber double rows comprising a second optical fiber row, wherein a parallel portion closely adjoining the first optical fiber row along the first optical fiber row and the light The distance between the optical axes of the optical fibers at the ends of the optical fiber rows in the projection direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the array direction is substantially constant by regulating the movement of the multiple fiber rows in the array direction. So that the value of An optical fiber array apparatus having an optical fiber supporting member and having a restriction site for determining for supporting said optical fiber double row are provided.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber array device comprising the optical fiber support member having two or more parallel portions and a regulating portion at at least one end of the parallel portions.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber supporting member is constituted by at least one optical fiber arranging member and a supporting member of the arranging member, and at least one of the parallel portions and the regulating portion are provided. Is provided in the optical fiber array member.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of optical fiber rows in which emission ends of optical fibers are arranged in a row at a predetermined pitch, and an optical fiber supporting member for supporting the optical fiber rows. An optical fiber array device comprising: a pair of parallel portions that are in close contact with both sides of the optical fiber row along the optical fiber row, and restricting movement of the optical fiber row in the arrangement direction. A regulating portion for positioning such that the distance between the optical axes of the optical fibers at the ends of the respective optical fiber rows in the projection direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the arrangement direction is substantially constant. A fiber array device is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a laser emitting end capable of supplying light to each of the optical fiber array device and the optical fibers in the optical fiber array device, and a laser emitted from the optical fiber array device. An imaging head device including an optical system for focusing light is provided.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus for performing imaging by the imaging head device.

In the present invention, the term "imaging medium" refers to a film or plate having a multilayer structure including a layer which shows a specific response to irradiation with a laser light source. Most of the cases are classified into either the photon mode or the heat mode depending on the difference in the reaction. In photon mode,
Physical properties such as solubility in a specific solvent of the layer, that is, the photosensitive layer, are changed by the light energy of the laser beam.
That is, for example, those that were soluble change to insoluble, or those that were insoluble change to soluble. Further, some of them may cause a change in characteristics such as light transmittance and affinity of the surface with a specific liquid. Then, after the imaging process, a development process using this specific solvent is performed to form an original film or a printing plate. On the other hand, in the case of the heat mode, the layer, that is, the heat-sensitive layer is removed by the heat energy of the laser beam,
Or it is easily removed. Alternatively, it is hardened by heat and hardly removed. If it is not completely removed only by irradiation with laser light, it is completely removed by a subsequent physical post-treatment. In this way, physical irregularities are generated on the surface of the imaging medium, and a printing plate is formed. In addition, the imaging medium is not limited to a printing plate or an original film, but may be, for example, a recording medium (for example, photographic paper) to be finally printed, or a photoconductor such as an electrophotographic printer. For example, an image may be formed once and then transferred to a final recording medium. Further, it may be a display element or the like. In addition,
As a printing plate, as described in JP-A-6-186750, a substrate, a heat-sensitive layer (or photosensitive layer) formed thereon, and a heat-sensitive layer formed on the heat-sensitive layer are formed. And a thermosensitive layer and a surface layer having different affinities for a printing liquid such as ink or an ink repellent liquid (fountain solution). In addition, a primer layer or the like may be provided between the heat-sensitive layer (photosensitive layer) and the substrate, and the difference in affinity between the primer layer and the surface layer may be given as described above. As the heat-sensitive layer for the heat mode,
A material obtained by dispersing carbon black in nitrocellulose or a metal film such as titanium is preferably used. As described above, the characteristics such as the shape, chemical affinity, and optical characteristics such as light transmittance between the portion of the imaging medium that has been irradiated with laser light and the portion that has not been irradiated are referred to herein as the physical characteristics of the imaging medium. That.

[0024]

FIG. 1 shows an example of an optical fiber array device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends. This optical fiber array device 1 is composed of four optical fiber rows (11a to 11d) in which ten optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line. In this arrangement, the optical fiber double row 11ab formed by the optical fiber rows 11a and 11b and the optical fiber double row 11cd formed by the optical fiber rows 11c and 11d are each configured to be arranged in two bales (barrels). Within each optical fiber row has 10 optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line at a distance of a _s, each optical fiber row array direction of the optical fiber emission ends included therein subscanning (The projection direction in the main scanning direction forms an angle of 90 ° with the arrangement direction). Also, with reference to the position of the optical fiber array 11a, the optical fiber array 11b
It is the main scanning direction 3 ^1/2 a _s / 2, in the sub-scanning direction a _s /
2, the optical fiber row 11c are in the main scanning direction 3 ^1/2 a _s / 2
+ B, a _s / 4 in the sub-scanning direction, and the optical fiber
Are arranged staggered 3 ^1/2 a _s + b in the main scanning direction, the sub-scanning direction by 3a _s / 4. b is 3 to 5 times that of a _s. In this embodiment, the number n of the output ends of the optical fibers in one optical fiber row is set to 10, but in practice, any number may be used as long as it is 2 or more. A preferred range is from 8 to 32. When the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends is used, it is possible to image the entire imaging area without tilting the optical fiber array device with respect to the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line or the case where the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in two rows, the quality required for the optical system is improved. 1 image area
Since it is possible to make the length of the optical fiber array narrow enough to include the length, the number of optical fiber output ends can be increased without increasing the cost of the optical system or increasing the size. Further, since the shift amount in the main scanning direction of the optical fiber emission ends can be reduced up to 3 ^1/2 a _s + b, many optical than without the electric circuit for controlling timing of imaging with this shift in complex or expensive A fiber exit end can be arranged. Also,
In this case, it is not always necessary to devise a sub-scanning method and to rearrange data. Moreover, in the bales stacking (casing) arrangement, it is easy to accurately set the positional deviation of one optical fiber row and the other optical fiber row in the arrangement direction to 0.5 times the optical fiber pitch.

Next, a method of manufacturing the optical fiber array device with high accuracy of the position of the optical fiber emitting end will be described. FIG.
The manufacturing process is shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a material 19 for forming a cylindrical optical fiber supporting member is used.
(As a machining method, electric discharge machining is preferable because it can perform precise machining. Therefore, a material that can be subjected to electric discharge machining is preferable. However, SUS303, SU
Stainless steel such as S304 is preferred. ) Is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG.
Fiber fixing grooves having a width capable of arranging (n + 1) optical fibers are formed in two vertical directions, and the optical fiber supporting member 17 is manufactured. When positioning the optical fiber, the bottom surface of the fiber fixing groove functions as parallel portions 15a and 15b and the side surfaces function as regulating portions 16a to 16d.
a and the parallel portion 15b are parallel to each other so that
a and the regulation part 16c, and the regulation part 16b and the regulation part 1
Optical fiber arrangement direction of displacement of 6d are precisely machined so as to 3a _s / 4. Next, as shown in FIG.
An optical fiber array 11b composed of a plurality of optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14a having a diameter equal to the optical fiber serving as a light source are closely attached to the parallel portion 15a, and the left end of the optical fiber located at the leftmost position in the drawing is dummy attached to the restriction portion 16a. Fiber 14
The arrangement is made such that the right end of “a” is in close contact with the restriction portion 16b.
Further, an optical fiber array 11b composed of n optical fibers
An optical fiber array 11a composed of n optical fibers is arranged on a dummy fiber 14a so as to be stacked in a bale (cask). Next, the pressing member 13a is pressed thereon, and is turned upside down as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the optical fiber arrays 11c and 1
The dummy fibers 14b and an optical fiber array 11d composed of n optical fibers are arranged on the dummy fibers 14b in the same manner as shown in FIG. 3C, and finally, as shown in FIG.
b is pushed in, and the gap is filled with an adhesive and cured to bond and integrate.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the optical fiber array device of the present invention. The arrangement of the optical fiber emitting end is shown in FIG.
Shown in This optical fiber array device 1 is composed of two optical fiber rows (11a, 11b) in which twenty optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line. Within each optical fiber row there are 20 optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line at a distance of a _s, each optical fiber row array direction of the optical fiber emission ends included therein subscanning It is arranged so as to have a predetermined angle θ with the direction S (the angle formed with respect to the array direction of the projection direction is (90 ° −θ)).
Is an angle defined by (Equation 1). Also, with reference to the position of the optical fiber array 11a, the optical fiber array 11
“b” is arranged so as to be shifted by 0 in the main scanning direction and by 20 _{ds in} the sub-scanning direction. In this embodiment, the number n of the output ends of the optical fibers in one optical fiber row is set to 20, but in practice, any number may be used as long as it is 2 or more. A preferred range is from 8 to 32. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, the good image area required for the optical system is one in comparison with the case where all the optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line.
Since it is possible to make the length of the optical fiber array narrow enough to include the length, the number of optical fiber output ends can be increased without increasing the cost of the optical system or increasing the size. In addition, since the shift amount of the optical fiber emitting end in the main scanning direction can be reduced to about half,
More optical fiber emitting ends can be arranged without complicating or increasing the cost of an electric circuit for controlling the timing of imaging caused by this shift.

The method of manufacturing this optical fiber array device with high accuracy of the position of the output end of the optical fiber is basically the same as the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 3, but the difference is that one line of light is provided in one fiber fixing groove. It is the installation of only the fiber rows and the positional relationship between the parallel part and the restriction part. The width of the fiber fixing groove is a width in which n optical fibers can be arranged. The distance between the parallel portions is a _s (nsinθcosθ-1), the deviation of the restriction site is precision machined so as to be a _s cos ² θ.

FIG. 14 shows another example of the optical fiber array device according to the present invention. FIG. 15 shows the arrangement of the output ends of the optical fibers. This optical fiber array device 1
It is composed of six optical fiber rows (11a to 11f) in which ten optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line. Within each optical fiber row has 10 optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line at a distance of a _s, each optical fiber row array direction of the optical fiber emission ends included therein subscanning It is arranged to be parallel to the direction. The optical fiber row 11b when the reference position of the optical fiber row 11a is the main scanning direction _{^{3 1/2 a s / 2, a}} s / 2 in the sub-scanning direction, the optical fiber row 11c are in the main scanning direction 3 ^1/2
a _s / 2 + b, a _s / 6 in the sub-scanning direction, and an optical fiber array 11
d is in the main scanning direction 3 ^1/2 a _s + b, the sub-scanning direction 2a _s
/ 3, the optical fiber row 11e, the main scanning direction in 3 ^1/2 a _s +
2b, a _s / 3 in the sub-scanning direction, the optical fiber row 11f is
In the main scanning direction _{^{3 3/2 a s / 2 + 2b}} , the sub-scanning direction 5a _s
/ 6 are shifted. b is about 1 to 5 times of a _s. In this embodiment, the number n of the output ends of the optical fibers in one optical fiber row is set to 10, but in practice, any number may be used as long as it is 2 or more. The preferred range is 8-32
Individual. When the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends is used, it is possible to image the entire imaging area without tilting the optical fiber array device with respect to the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line or the case where the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in two rows, the quality required for the optical system is improved. Since the image area can be reduced to the extent that the length of one optical fiber row is sufficiently included, more optical fiber emitting ends can be arranged without making the optical system expensive or increasing the size. be able to. Further, since the shift amount in the main scanning direction of the optical fiber emission ends can be reduced up to _{^{3 3/2 a s / 2 + 2b}} , more without an electric circuit for controlling timing of imaging with this shift in complex or expensive An optical fiber output end can be arranged. In this case, there is no need to devise a sub-scanning method and to rearrange data.

Next, a description will be given of a method of manufacturing the optical fiber array device with high accuracy of the position of the optical fiber emitting end. FIG.
6 shows a manufacturing process. First, a material 1 for forming a cylindrical optical fiber supporting member as shown in FIG.
9 is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), by wire electric discharge machining or the like, the bottom has a width in which (n + 1) optical fibers can be arranged, and the opening has a width equal to the width of the optical fiber arrangement members 17b and 17c. To form a two-step groove,
The support member 17a of the array member is manufactured. Further, the optical fibers are (n +) in the optical fiber array members 17b and 17c.
1) A fiber fixing groove having a width capable of real arrangement is formed. Arranging member support member 17a and optical fiber arranging members 17b and 1
7c are integrated as described later to function as an optical fiber support member, and the bottom surface of the groove of the support member 17a of the array member is a parallel portion 15a, and the bottom surface of the fiber fixing groove of the optical fiber array members 17b and 17c is a parallel portion 15b. And 15c,
The side surface of the groove of the support member 17a of the array member is the regulating portion 16a.
And 16b, since the side surfaces of the grooves of the optical fiber array members 17b and 17c function as regulating portions 16c to 16f,
The displacement in the optical fiber arrangement direction of the regulating portions 16a, 16c and 16e, and the regulating portions 16b and 16d and the regulating portion 16f becomes as _s / 6 pitch so that the parallel portions 15a to 15c are parallel. Precision processing. Next, as shown in FIG. 16C, an optical fiber array 11a composed of n optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14a having a diameter equal to the optical fiber serving as a light source are closely attached to the parallel portion 15a. The leftmost optical fiber is arranged such that the left end of the optical fiber is in close contact with the regulating portion 16a and the right end of the dummy fiber 14a is in close contact with the regulating portion 16b. further,
An optical fiber array 11b composed of n optical fibers is arranged on an optical fiber array 11a composed of n optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14a so as to be stacked in a bale. Next, as shown in FIG. 16 (d), the optical fiber arranging member 17b is pushed into the optical fiber arranging member 17b, and the optical fiber array 11c composed of n optical fibers and the optical fiber array 11c having a diameter equal to the optical fiber serving as the light source are inserted into the fiber fixing groove. Individual dummy fiber 14b
Is adhered to the parallel portion 15b, and the left end of the optical fiber located at the leftmost position in the figure is placed on the restriction portion 16c.
4b are arranged such that the right end thereof is in close contact with the restriction portion 16d. Further, an optical fiber array 1 composed of n optical fibers
An optical fiber array 11d composed of n optical fibers is arranged on a 1c and one dummy fiber 14b so as to be stacked in a bale (cask). Then, the optical fiber array member 17
an optical fiber array 11e composed of c and n optical fibers;
The dummy fiber 14c and the optical fiber array 11f composed of n optical fibers are arranged on the dummy fiber 14c in the same manner as shown in FIG. 16 (d), and finally the pressing member 13 is pushed in as shown in FIG. 16 (e). The gap is filled with an adhesive and cured to bond and integrate.

FIG. 17 shows another example of the optical fiber array device according to the present invention. FIG. 18 shows the arrangement of the output ends of the optical fibers. This optical fiber array device 1
It is composed of four optical fiber rows (11a to 11d) in which zero optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line. Optical fiber arrays 11a and 11b and 11c and 11
and spacers 18a and 18b having a predetermined thickness, respectively. Within each optical fiber row has 10 optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line at a distance of a _s, each optical fiber row array direction of the optical fiber emission ends included therein subscanning It is arranged to be parallel to the direction. Further, based on the position of the optical fiber array 11a, the optical fiber array 11b has c, c in the main scanning direction.
A _s / 2 in the sub-scanning direction, c + b in the main scanning direction, a _s / 4 in the sub-scanning direction, and optical fiber row 1
1d is a main scanning direction to 2c + b, the sub-scanning direction 3a _s /
They are staggered by four. b is 3 to 5 times that of a _s. c is the sum of the cladding diameter of the fiber and the thickness of the spacer. In this embodiment, the number n of the optical fiber emission ends in one optical fiber row is set to ten, but in practice, any number may be used as long as it is two or more. The preferred range is 8
~ 32. When the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends is used, it is possible to image the entire imaging area without tilting the optical fiber array device with respect to the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line or the case where the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in two rows, the quality required for the optical system is improved. Since the image area can be reduced to the extent that the length of one optical fiber row is sufficiently included, more optical fiber emitting ends can be arranged without making the optical system expensive or increasing the size. be able to. In addition, since the shift amount of the optical fiber emitting end in the main scanning direction can be reduced to 2c + b, more optical fiber emitting ends are arranged without making the electric circuit for controlling the timing of imaging accompanying this shift complicated or expensive. be able to. In this case, it is not always necessary to devise a sub-scanning method and to rearrange data.

Next, a description will be given of a method of manufacturing the optical fiber array device with high accuracy in the position of the optical fiber emitting end. FIG.
9 shows a manufacturing process. First, a material 1 for forming a cylindrical optical fiber supporting member as shown in FIG.
9 is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 19B, two-stage fiber fixing grooves having a width in which n optical fibers can be arranged and a width in which (n + 1) optical fibers can be arranged are formed in two vertical directions by wire electric discharge machining or the like. Thus, the optical fiber support member 17 is manufactured. When positioning the optical fiber, the bottom surface of the fiber fixing groove is such that the parallel portions 15a and 15b, the first side surfaces 16a, 16b, 16e and 16f and the second side surfaces 16c, 16d, 16g and 16h function as restriction portions. to reason, as parallel portion 15a parallel portion 15b are parallel, the optical fiber array direction of displacement of the regulating portion 16a restriction regions 16c and restriction regions 16b and the regulating portion 16d is a _s / 2, regulation and restriction regions 16a site 16e and restriction regions 16b and restriction regions 16f of the optical fiber array direction of displacement a _s / 4, regulation and restriction regions 16e sites 16
displacement of the optical fiber array direction of g and restriction regions 16f and restriction regions 16h is precisely machined such that a _s / 2,. Next, as shown in FIG. 19 (c), an optical fiber row 11b composed of n optical fibers is closely attached to the parallel portion 15a, and the left end of the optical fiber located at the leftmost position in the figure is located at the rightmost position to the regulating portion 16a. Are arranged so that the right end of the optical fiber located at the position (1) is in close contact with the regulating portion 16b. A spacer 18a is placed on an optical fiber array 11b composed of n optical fibers, and an optical fiber array 11a composed of n optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14a having a diameter equal to the optical fiber serving as a light source are further placed thereon. The dummy fiber 14a is arranged such that the left end of the optical fiber is located at the regulation portion 16c and the right end of the optical fiber located at the rightmost position in the drawing is in close contact with the regulation portion 16d. Next, the pressing member 13a is pressed thereon, and is turned upside down as shown in FIG. Thereafter, an optical fiber array 11c composed of n optical fibers, a spacer 18b, and n
An optical fiber array 11d composed of a plurality of optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14b are arranged in the same manner as shown in FIG. 19C, and finally, as shown in FIG.
, And the gap is filled with an adhesive and cured to bond and integrate.

FIG. 20 shows another example of the optical fiber array device according to the present invention. FIG. 21 shows the arrangement of the output ends of the optical fibers. This optical fiber array device 1 has 4
The optical fiber emitting ends are constituted by ten optical fiber rows (11a to 11j) arranged in a straight line. The projection in the sub-scanning direction is a _s /
4 arranged on a straight line with an interval and an angle so as to be 4.
The optical fiber output ends are arranged. Also, with reference to the position of the optical fiber array 11a, the optical fiber array 11b
A _s in the sub-scanning direction, the optical fiber row 11c is 2a _s in the sub-scanning direction, the optical fiber row 11d is 3a _s in the sub-scanning direction, -
..., the optical fiber row 11j are arranged shifted in the sub-scanning direction by 9a _s. In this embodiment, the number n of the optical fiber emission ends in one optical fiber row is four, but actually two to eight are practical, and the most preferable number is four. When the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends is used, it is possible to image the entire imaging area without tilting the optical fiber array device with respect to the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line or the case where the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in two rows, the quality required for the optical system is improved. Since the image area can be reduced to about twice the number of optical fiber rows having a clad diameter, more optical fiber emission ends can be arranged without increasing the cost of the optical system or increasing the size. . Also, the amount of deviation of the optical fiber emitting end in the main scanning direction is 3 mm of the cladding diameter of the fiber.
Since the size can be reduced to twice or less, more optical fiber output ends can be arranged without making the electric circuit for controlling the timing of imaging accompanying this shift complicated or expensive. In this case, it is not always necessary to devise a sub-scanning method and to rearrange data. Since the arrangement of the optical fiber emission ends can be made the most compact among the above embodiments, the required good image range of the lens can be minimized.

Next, FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the fiber supporting portion of the comb-like fiber supporting member 27 which enables the optical fiber array device to be manufactured with high accuracy of the position of the optical fiber emitting end. As shown in FIG. 22, comb-shaped grooves are formed by wire electric discharge machining or the like, the number of which is the same as the number of fiber rows, the width of which can accommodate one optical fiber and the depth corresponding to the number of fiber emitting ends in one fiber row. Have been. At the time of positioning the optical fiber, the bottom surface of the fiber fixing groove is fixed to the regulating portion 16.
a, 16b, 16c,..., 16j, the side surfaces function as parallel portions 15a, 15b, 15c,.
.. so that all of the 15t are parallel to each other
a, 16b, 16c,..., 16j have a displacement of 0 in the main scanning direction, and a distance as a _s between adjacent restriction portions in the sub-scanning direction.
The width of the groove is 1.012 to 1.0 of the optical fiber diameter.
Precisely processing to 20 times the range. The actual manufacturing method is as follows.
Zero fibers are arranged in close contact with each other, and
, And the gap is filled with an adhesive, cured, and bonded to be integrated. Since the comb-shaped fiber supporting member can be provided with a pair of parallel portions that are substantially in close contact with both sides of each optical fiber row, the position in the direction substantially perpendicular to the parallel portion of each optical fiber is also restricted. And positioning becomes extremely easy. In the present embodiment, the comb fiber supporting member 27 is formed integrally, but the same comb fiber supporting member can be formed by alternately stacking branch members having different lengths.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A specific embodiment of the optical fiber array device according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends. This optical fiber array device 1 is composed of four optical fiber rows (11a to 11d) in which ten optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line. Within each optical fiber row, there are ten optical fiber emitting ends arranged in a straight line at an interval of 125 μm, and in each optical fiber row, the arrangement direction of the optical fiber emitting ends contained therein is in the sub-scanning direction. It is arranged so that it may become parallel. Further, based on the position of the optical fiber row 11a, the optical fiber row 11b has a length of 108 μm in the main scanning direction.
m, 62.5 μm in the sub-scanning direction, the optical fiber row 11c is 608 μm in the main scanning direction, 31.25 μm in the sub-scanning direction, and the optical fiber row 11d is 716 μm in the main scanning direction, and 93.
They are arranged shifted by 75 μm. B in the figure is 500μ
m, which is four times the interval between the optical fiber emission ends, 125 μm. By using this optical fiber array device and an optical system with a magnification of 0.32, imaging at 2540 dpi is possible. Further, in this embodiment, the number of the optical fiber emitting ends in one optical fiber row is set to ten. However, in practice, any number may be used as long as it is two or more. A preferred range is from 8 to 32. When the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends is used, it is possible to image the entire imaging area without tilting the optical fiber array device with respect to the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line or the case where the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in two rows, the quality required for the optical system is improved. 1 image area
Since the length of the optical fiber row can be sufficiently included, that is, it can be reduced to about 1.4 mm, the number of optical fiber output ends can be increased without making the optical system expensive or increasing the size. Can be arranged. In addition, the deviation amount of the optical fiber emitting end in the main scanning direction is up to 71
Since it can be reduced to about 6 μm, that is, 6 times or less of the interval between the optical fiber exit ends, it is possible to arrange more optical fiber exit ends without complicating or increasing the cost of an electric circuit for controlling the timing of imaging accompanying this shift. it can. In this case, there is no need to devise a sub-scanning method and to rearrange data.

Next, a description will be given of a method of manufacturing the optical fiber array device with high accuracy of the position of the optical fiber emitting end. FIG.
The manufacturing process is shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a material 19 for forming a cylindrical optical fiber supporting member is used.
(Stainless steel is used as the material 19). Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, a width in which 11 optical fibers can be arranged, that is, 1375 μm, by electric discharge machining or the like.
The optical fiber supporting member 17 is manufactured by forming the m fiber fixing grooves in two vertical directions. When positioning the optical fiber, the bottom surface of the fiber fixing groove is parallel to the parallel portions 15a and 15a.
5b, since the side surfaces function as the restriction portions 16a to 16d, the restriction portion 16a, the restriction portion 16c, and the restriction portion 1 are arranged such that the parallel portion 15a and the parallel portion 15b are parallel to each other.
6b and the restriction portion 16d have a deviation of 9 in the optical fiber arrangement direction.
Precision processing to 3.75μm. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, an optical fiber array 11b composed of ten optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14a having a diameter equal to the optical fiber serving as a light source are closely attached to the parallel portion 15a. The leftmost optical fiber is arranged such that the left end of the optical fiber is in close contact with the regulating portion 16a and the right end of the dummy fiber 14a is in close contact with the regulating portion 16b. Further, an optical fiber array 11a including ten optical fibers is arranged on the optical fiber array 11b including ten optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14a so as to be stacked in a bale (barrel stack). Next, the pressing member 13a is pressed thereon, and is turned upside down as shown in FIG. Thereafter, an optical fiber array 11c composed of ten optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14b, and an optical fiber array 11d composed of ten optical fibers are arranged thereon in the same manner as shown in FIG. Finally, FIG.
As shown in (e), the pressing member 13b is pushed in, the adhesive is filled in the gap, cured, and bonded and integrated to complete the optical fiber array device.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of the output ends of the optical fibers. This optical fiber array device 1 is composed of two optical fiber rows (11a, 11b) in which twenty optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line. Within each optical fiber row, there are 20 optical fiber output ends arranged in a straight line at an interval of 125 μm, and in each optical fiber row, the arrangement direction of the optical fiber output ends contained therein is in the sub-scanning direction. And a predetermined angle θ. Is the angle defined by (Equation 1), and in this case, the interval a _s between the optical fiber emission ends.
Is 125 μm and the light source surface dot interval _ds is 31.25 μm, so that it is 75.5 °. With reference to the position of the optical fiber array 11a, the optical fiber arrays 11b are arranged so as to be shifted by 0 in the main scanning direction and by 625 μm in the sub-scanning direction. By using this optical fiber array device and an optical system with a magnification of 0.32, imaging at 2540 dpi is possible. Further, in this embodiment, the number of the optical fiber emitting ends in one optical fiber row is set to 20, but in practice, any number of optical fibers can be used as long as it is 2 or more. A preferred range is from 8 to 32. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, the good image area required for the optical system is longer than the length of one optical fiber row, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line. To the extent that is sufficiently contained, that is, about 2.9 mm
Since it is possible to make the optical fiber as narrow as possible, more optical fiber emitting ends can be arranged without making the optical system expensive or increasing the size. In addition, since the shift amount of the optical fiber emitting end in the main scanning direction can be reduced to about half, the optical fiber emitting end can be arranged more without complicating or increasing the cost of the electric circuit for controlling the imaging timing accompanying the shift. can do.

The method of fabricating this optical fiber array device with high accuracy in the position of the exit end of the optical fiber is basically the same as the fabrication process shown in the first embodiment, except that one fiber fixing groove is provided. This is the installation of only the optical fiber rows, and the positional relationship between the parallel parts and the restriction parts. The width of the fiber fixing groove is the width that can arrange 20 optical fibers, that is,
2500 μm. Precision processing is performed so that the distance between the parallel parts is 480 μm and the displacement of the restriction parts is 156 μm.

FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows the arrangement of the optical fiber emission ends of the fiber array device of this embodiment. This optical fiber array device 1
Is composed of six optical fiber rows (11a to 11f) in which ten optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line. In each optical fiber row, there are ten optical fiber emitting ends arranged in a straight line with a spacing of 120 μm, and in each optical fiber row, the arrangement direction of the optical fiber emitting ends included therein is in the sub-scanning direction. It is arranged so that it may become parallel. On the basis of the position of the optical fiber row 11a, the optical fiber row 11b is 104 μm in the main scanning direction, 60 μm in the sub-scanning direction, and the optical fiber row 11c is in the main scanning direction.
284 μm, 20 μm in the sub-scanning direction, 11 d optical fiber array
Is 388 μm in the main scanning direction, 80 μm in the sub-scanning direction, the optical fiber array 11 e is 568 μm in the main scanning direction, 40 μm in the sub-scanning direction, and the optical fiber array 11 f is 672 μm in the main scanning direction.
m, and are arranged shifted by 100 μm in the sub-scanning direction. In the drawing, b is 180 μm, which is 1.5 times the interval between the optical fiber emission ends 125 μm. By using this optical fiber array device and an optical system with a magnification of 0.5, imaging at 2540 dpi is possible. In this embodiment, the number n of the output ends of the optical fibers in one optical fiber row is set to 10, but in practice, any number may be used as long as it is 2 or more. A preferred range is from 8 to 32. In the case where the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends is used, the optical fiber array device is used as shown in FIG.
It is possible to image the entire imaging area without tilting with respect to the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line or the case where the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in two rows, the quality required for the optical system is improved. Since the image area can be made as small as the length of a single optical fiber row, ie, about 1.4 mm, more light can be transmitted without increasing the cost or size of the optics. A fiber exit end can be arranged. In addition, since the shift amount of the optical fiber emitting end in the main scanning direction can be reduced to about 672 μm, that is, 6 times or less of the optical fiber emitting end interval, an electric circuit for controlling the timing of imaging accompanying the shift becomes complicated or expensive. It is possible to arrange more outgoing ends of the optical fiber without performing. In this case, there is no need to devise a sub-scanning method and to rearrange data.

Next, a method of manufacturing the optical fiber array device with high accuracy in the position of the optical fiber emitting end will be described. FIG.
6 shows a manufacturing process. First, a material 1 for forming a cylindrical optical fiber supporting member as shown in FIG.
9 is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), by wire electric discharge machining or the like, the bottom has a width that can arrange 11 optical fibers, that is, 1320 μm, and the opening has a width equal to the width of the optical fiber arrangement members 17b and 17c, that is, 1720 μm. A two-step groove is formed so that the support member 17a of the array member is formed.
To produce Also, the optical fiber array members 17b and 17c
Is formed with a fiber fixing groove having a width capable of arranging 11 optical fibers. The support member 17a of the arrangement member and the optical fiber arrangement members 17b and 17c are integrated as described later to function as an optical fiber support member, and the bottom surface of the groove of the support member 17a of the arrangement member has the parallel portion 15a, the optical fiber arrangement member. The bottom surfaces of the fiber fixing grooves 17b and 17c are parallel portions 1
5b and 15c, the side surfaces of the grooves of the support member 17a of the arrangement member function as the restriction portions 16a and 16b, and the side surfaces of the grooves of the optical fiber arrangement members 17b and 17c function as the restriction portions 16c to 16f, so that the parallel portions 15a to 15c are parallel. Thus, precision processing is performed so that the displacement of the regulating portions 16a, 16c, and 16e, and the regulating portions 16b, 16d, and 16f in the optical fiber arrangement direction becomes a pitch of 20 μm. Next, as shown in FIG. 16C, an optical fiber array 11a composed of ten optical fibers
One dummy fiber 14a having the same diameter as the optical fiber serving as the light source is closely attached to the parallel portion 15a, and the left end of the optical fiber located at the leftmost position in the figure is in close contact with the regulation portion 16a, and the right end of the dummy fiber 14a is in close contact with the regulation portion 16b. Arrange so that Furthermore, an optical fiber array 11a including ten optical fibers and an optical fiber array 11b including ten optical fibers are arranged on a dummy fiber 14a so as to be stacked in a bale (barrel stack). Next, as shown in FIG. 16 (d), the optical fiber arranging member 17b is pushed on the optical fiber arranging member 17b, and the optical fiber array 11c composed of ten optical fibers and the diameter equal to that of the optical fiber serving as the light source are inserted into the fiber fixing groove. The individual dummy fiber 14b is brought into close contact with the parallel portion 15b, and the left end of the optical fiber located at the leftmost position in the figure is the control portion 16c, and the right end of the dummy fiber 14b is the control portion 1
6d. Further, an optical fiber array 11d including ten optical fibers is arranged on the optical fiber array 11c including ten optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14b so as to be stacked in a bale (barrel stack). Thereafter, an optical fiber array member 17c, an optical fiber array 11e composed of ten optical fibers, and one dummy fiber 14
c, an optical fiber array 11f composed of ten optical fibers is arranged thereon in the same manner as shown in FIG. 16D, and finally the pressing member 13 is pushed in as shown in FIG. Is filled in the gap, cured, and integrated by bonding to complete the optical fiber array device.

FIG. 17 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 shows the arrangement of the output ends of the optical fibers. This optical fiber array device 1 has four optical fiber rows (11a to 11a) in which ten optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line.
11d). Within each fiber optic row
There are 10 optical fiber output ends arranged in a straight line with an interval of 125 μm, and each optical fiber row is arranged so that the arrangement direction of the optical fiber output ends included therein is parallel to the sub-scanning direction. Have been. The optical fiber array 11
Based on the position of a, the optical fiber array 11b is 175 μm in the main scanning direction, 62.5 μm in the sub scanning direction, and the optical fiber array 11c is 675 μm in the main scanning direction and 31.25 μm in the sub scanning direction.
The optical fiber array 11d is arranged so as to be shifted by 850 μm in the main scanning direction and by 93.75 μm in the sub-scanning direction. B in the figure is 500 μm, and the interval between the fiber emission ends is 125 μm.
It is four times as large as c is the sum of the fiber cladding diameter of 125 μm and the spacer thickness of 50 μm, which is 175 μm. By using this optical fiber array device and an optical system with a magnification of 0.32, imaging at 2540 dpi is possible. In this embodiment, the number n of the output ends of the optical fibers in one optical fiber row is set to 10. However, any number may be used as long as the number is actually 2 or more. A preferred range is from 8 to 32.
In addition, when using the arrangement of the optical fiber emission ends,
It is possible to image the entire imaging area without tilting the optical fiber array device with respect to the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line or the case where the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in two rows, the quality required for the optical system is improved. To the extent that the image area is sufficient to include the length of one optical fiber row,
Since the width can be reduced to about 1.4 mm, more optical fiber emission ends can be arranged without making the optical system expensive or increasing the size. Also,
Since the shift amount of the optical fiber emitting end in the main scanning direction can be reduced to about 850 μm, that is, 8 times or less of the interval between the optical fiber emitting ends, an electric circuit for controlling the timing of imaging accompanying this shift becomes complicated or expensive. It is possible to arrange more optical fiber emission ends without the need. In this case, it is not always necessary to devise a sub-scanning method and to rearrange data.

Next, a method of manufacturing the optical fiber array device with high accuracy of the position of the optical fiber emitting end will be described. FIG.
9 shows a manufacturing process. First, a material 1 for forming a cylindrical optical fiber supporting member as shown in FIG.
9 is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 19B, two-stage fiber fixing grooves having a width capable of arranging ten optical fibers and a width capable of arranging eleven optical fibers are formed in two vertical directions by wire electric discharge machining or the like. , Optical fiber support member 17
To produce When positioning the optical fiber, the bottom surface of the fiber fixing groove is such that the parallel portions 15a and 15b, the first side surfaces 16a, 16b, 16e and 16f and the second side surfaces 16c, 16d, 16g and 16h function as restriction portions. Therefore, the displacement of the regulating portions 16a and 16c and the regulating portions 16b and 16d in the optical fiber arrangement direction is 62.5 μm, and the regulating portions 16a and 16e are parallel so that the parallel portions 15a and 15b are parallel to each other. In addition, the displacement of the regulating portions 16b and 16f in the optical fiber arrangement direction is 31.25 μm, and the regulating portions 16e and 16g are different.
Then, precision processing is performed so that the deviation between the restriction portion 16f and the restriction portion 16h in the optical fiber arrangement direction is 62.5 μm. Next, as shown in FIG. 19C, an optical fiber array 11b composed of n optical fibers is brought into close contact with the parallel portion 15a, and the left end of the optical fiber located at the leftmost position in the drawing is the restriction portion 1.
6a is the right end of the optical fiber positioned at the right
It is arranged so as to be in close contact with b. A spacer 18a is placed on the optical fiber row 11b composed of ten optical fibers,
Further, an optical fiber array 11a composed of ten optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14a having a diameter equal to the optical fiber serving as the light source are further placed on the optical fiber with the left end of the dummy fiber 14a located at the rightmost position in the restriction portion 16c in the figure. They are arranged such that the right end is in close contact with the restriction portion 16d. Next, the pressing member 13a is pressed thereon, and is turned upside down as shown in FIG. Thereafter, an optical fiber array 11c composed of ten optical fibers, a spacer 18b, and 1
An optical fiber array 11d composed of 0 optical fibers and one dummy fiber 14b are arranged in the same manner as shown in FIG. 19C, and finally, as shown in FIG.
b is pushed in, and the gap is filled with an adhesive and cured to bond and integrate.

FIG. 20 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 shows the arrangement of the output ends of the optical fibers. The optical fiber array device 1 has ten optical fiber rows (11a to 11a) in which four optical fiber emission ends are arranged in a straight line.
11j). In each optical fiber row, there are arranged four optical fiber emitting ends arranged linearly at an interval and an angle such that the projection in the sub-scanning direction becomes 50 μm. On the basis of the position of the optical fiber array 11a, the optical fiber array 11b is 200 μm in the sub-scanning direction, the optical fiber array 11c is 400 μm in the sub-scanning direction, the optical fiber array 11d is 600 μm in the sub-scanning direction,. The fiber rows 11j are arranged shifted by 1800 μm in the sub-scanning direction. By using this optical fiber array device and an optical system with a magnification of 0.20, imaging at 2540 dpi is possible. In this embodiment, the number n of the optical fiber output ends in one optical fiber row is four. However, practically two to eight optical fibers are practical, and the most preferable number is four. When the arrangement of the optical fiber emitting ends is used, it is possible to image the entire imaging area without tilting the optical fiber array device with respect to the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of such an arrangement, compared with the case where all the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in a straight line or the case where the optical fiber emitting ends are arranged in two rows, the quality required for the optical system is improved. Since the image area is about twice the number of optical fiber rows having a clad diameter, and in this embodiment, the clad diameter is 125 μm and the number of optical fiber rows is 10, it can be reduced to about 2.5 mm.
More optical fiber output ends can be arranged without making the optical system expensive or increasing the size. In addition, the shift amount of the optical fiber emitting end in the main scanning direction can be reduced to three times or less of the cladding diameter of the fiber, that is, to a value smaller than 375 μm. Therefore, an electric circuit for controlling the imaging timing accompanying this shift is complicated or expensive. It is possible to arrange more outgoing ends of the optical fiber without reducing the number of optical fibers. In this case, it is not always necessary to devise a sub-scanning method and to rearrange data.

Next, FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the fiber supporting portion of the comb-like fiber supporting member 27 which enables the optical fiber array device to be manufactured with high accuracy of the position of the optical fiber emitting end. As shown in FIG. 22, the width in which one optical fiber can be arranged by wire electric discharge machining or the like, that is, 127
A comb-shaped groove of μm and a depth corresponding to the number and the number of the fiber emission ends in one fiber row, that is, 500 μm, is formed in the number of the fiber rows. At the time of positioning the optical fiber, the bottom surface of the fiber fixing groove is fixed to the regulating portion 16.
a, 16b, 16c,..., 16j, the side surfaces function as parallel portions 15a, 15b, 15c,.
.., 15t are controlled in parallel so that all
6a, 16b, 16c,..., 16j have a displacement of 0 in the main scanning direction and a distance of 20 from the adjacent regulating portion in the sub-scanning direction.
0 μm and the width of the groove is 125 μm
1.012 to 1.020 times, that is, 126.5 to 127.5 μm. In an actual manufacturing method, forty fibers are arranged in close contact with the fiber supporting portion of the comb-shaped fiber supporting member 27, and the holding member 13 is pressed thereon.
It can be realized by filling the gap with an adhesive, curing the adhesive, and integrating the adhesive.

[0045]

According to the optical fiber array device of the present invention, a multi-stage optical fiber array device having excellent positional accuracy is provided by using an optical fiber support member having positioning portions such as a parallel portion and a regulating portion. It is possible to

According to the imaging apparatus using the optical fiber array apparatus of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus capable of arranging more optical fiber emission ends without increasing the size or the cost of the optical system. It is possible to provide.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an optical fiber emitting end of an embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of an embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an arrangement of an optical fiber emitting end of one embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an arrangement of optical fiber output ends of a conventional optical fiber array device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an arrangement of optical fiber output ends of an optical fiber array device according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a conventional optical fiber array device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a conventional optical fiber array device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a conventional optical imaging apparatus.

FIG. 11 is an external view of an optical fiber output laser diode of a conventional optical fiber array device.

FIG. 12 is an external view of an emission end of an optical fiber output laser of a conventional optical fiber array device.

FIG. 13 is a layout view showing an inclined mounting of an optical fiber emitting end of an optical fiber array device of the related art.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an arrangement of an optical fiber emitting end of one embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a manufacturing process of an embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an optical fiber emitting end of an embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of an embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an optical fiber emitting end of one embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of a fiber supporting portion of one embodiment of the optical fiber array device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber array apparatus 11 Optical fiber row 11a-11j Optical fiber row 12 Optical fiber support member 13 Press member 13a-13b Press member 14 Dummy fiber 14a-14c Dummy fiber 15a-15t Parallel part 16a-16j Regulation part 17 Optical fiber support Member 17a Supporting member for array member 17b to 17c Optical fiber array member 18 Spacer 18a to 18b Spacer 19 Material 27 Comb-like fiber support member 6 Laser device 61 Package 62 Optical fiber 63 Outgoing end of optical fiber 64 Core 65 Cladding 7 Arrays 71a to 71h Optical fiber emission end 9 Imaging device 91 Medium support drum 92 Imaging head 93 Motor 94 Stage 95 Cable 96 Laser light source control unit 98 Imaging medium

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Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber array device comprising: a plurality of optical fiber rows in which emission ends of optical fibers are arranged in a row at a predetermined pitch; and an optical fiber supporting member that supports the optical fiber rows. A parallel portion closely in contact with the optical fiber array along the optical fiber array, and the projection direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the array direction by regulating movement of the optical fiber array in the array direction. An optical fiber array device comprising: a regulating portion for positioning the optical axes of the optical fibers at the ends of each optical fiber row so that the distance between the optical axes thereof becomes substantially constant. 2. The optical fiber array device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber support member has two or more parallel portions and a regulating portion at at least one end of each of the parallel portions. 3. The optical fiber supporting member comprises at least one optical fiber arranging member and a supporting member of the arranging member, wherein at least one of the parallel portions and at least one of the regulating portions are the optical fiber arranging members. The optical fiber array device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber array device is provided on a member. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one other optical fiber row which is in close contact with said optical fiber row which is in close contact with said parallel portion, and whose output ends of said optical fibers are arranged in a row at said predetermined pitch. The optical fiber array device according to item 1. 5. The optical fiber array device according to claim 4, wherein the arrangement of the optical fiber row close to the parallel portion and at least one of the other optical fiber rows is a bale-stack (barrel-stack) array. 6. A first optical fiber array in which emission ends of optical fibers are arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch from each other, and an emission end of an optical fiber which is in close contact with said first optical fiber array and whose emission ends are mutually at the predetermined position. An optical fiber array comprising a second optical fiber array which is arranged in a line at a pitch and which is shifted from the first optical fiber array by 0.5 times the predetermined pitch in the direction of the array. An optical fiber array device provided with a plurality of rows, wherein a parallel portion closely contacting the first optical fiber row along the first optical fiber row and a movement of the multiple rows of optical fibers in the arrangement direction are regulated. A restricting portion for positioning such that the distance between the optical axes of the optical fibers at the ends of the respective optical fiber rows in the projection direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the arrangement direction is substantially constant. With An optical fiber array apparatus having an optical fiber supporting member for supporting said optical fiber double row. 7. The optical fiber array device according to claim 6, wherein the optical fiber supporting member has two or more parallel parts and a regulating part at least at one end of the parallel parts. 8. The optical fiber supporting member comprises at least one optical fiber arranging member and a supporting member of the arranging member, wherein at least one of the parallel portions and at least one of the regulating portions are the optical fiber arranging members. The optical fiber array device according to claim 6, which is provided on a member. 9. An optical fiber array device comprising: a plurality of optical fiber rows in which emission ends of optical fibers are arranged in a row at a predetermined pitch; and an optical fiber support member for supporting the optical fiber rows. A pair of parallel parts closely contacting each side of the optical fiber row along the optical fiber row, and a predetermined angle with respect to the array direction by regulating the movement of the optical fiber row in the array direction. An optical fiber array device comprising: a restricting portion for positioning the optical fibers at the ends of the respective optical fiber rows in the projection direction so that the distance between the optical axes of the optical fibers becomes substantially constant. 10. A laser emitting end capable of supplying light to each of the optical fiber array device according to claim 1 and each of optical fibers in said optical fiber array device, and light emitted from said optical fiber array device. An imaging head device comprising: an optical system that focuses laser light. 11. An imaging apparatus for performing imaging with the imaging head device according to claim 10.