Aperture Beam Splitter Integration for Laser Jitter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic methods face challenges in reducing main scanning jitter and achieving accurate light amount control due to the variability in laser beam spreading angles from VCSELs, which affects the alignment and intensity of laser beams on the photosensitive member.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a light source, an aperture to shape the laser beam, a beam splitter to split the beam into reflected and transmitted components, a deflection unit to direct the transmitted beam to the photosensitive member, and a control unit to adjust the light source based on the reflected beam's intensity, with the aperture positioned between the deflection unit and the lens, and the beam splitter abutting against the aperture, allowing for precise light control and reduced jitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a beam splitter is disposed between the VCSEL and rotary polygon mirror to split the laser beam for light amount detection, then light amount control can be performed, but the positional relationship between the beam splitter and aperture may change, affecting measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter and aperture are integrated into a single component structure, eliminating the need for separate positioning of these two elements. This merging ensures that the positional relationship between the beam splitter and aperture remains stable, as they are now part of the same component. The integrated design maintains the functional separation where the aperture shapes the laser beam and the beam splitter divides it for detection, while ensuring their spatial relationship is fixed by design rather than by separate mounting adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If the aperture is positioned to shape the laser beam before the beam splitter, then light amount control accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture and beam splitter are combined into a single integrated component, which eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms and adjustments for these two optical elements. This integration maintains the required functional sequence where the aperture shapes the beam before it reaches the beam splitter, while simplifying the overall device structure by reducing the number of independent components and their associated mounting requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple optical elements are positioned on the optical path to achieve precise beam shaping and splitting, then image formation quality improves, but the length of the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture and beam splitter are merged into a single integrated component that performs both functions in one location along the optical path. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting positions and spacing requirements for these two elements, thereby reducing the overall length of the optical system while maintaining the precise beam shaping and splitting functions that are essential for high-quality image formation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables accurate light amount control and reduces main scanning jitter, improving the overall image formation process by maintaining a consistent light ratio and precise beam alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter (8) that splits the laser beam into a first laser beam that is a reflected beam and a second laser beam that is a transmitted beam
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided that reduces main scanning jitter with a simple configuration and performs light amount control with high accuracy. The image forming apparatus includes: a laser emitting luminous flux; a main-scanning aperture portion shaping the luminous flux; a beam splitter splitting the luminous flux passed through the main-scanning aperture portion into a reflected beam and a transmitted beam; a rotary polygon mirror deflecting the transmitted beam so that the transmitted beam scans the surface of a photosensitive drum; and an optical box in which the laser, the main-scanning aperture portion, the beam splitter and the rotary polygon mirror are disposed. The main-scanning aperture portion is disposed so as not to block a deflected and transmitted beam. The beam splitter abuts against the main-scanning aperture portion so as not to block a deflected and transmitted beam deflected, and is positioned by abutting against the main-scanning aperture portion.