Image-Forming Device Optical Scanning Unit Mirror Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tandem image-forming devices, the varying distances between image-carrying members and their nearest reflecting mirrors complicate the adjustment of mirrors in the optical scanning unit, making the process more complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The design features a main casing with cylindrical image-carrying members rotating about parallel axes, a single rotatable polygon mirror, and a set of mirrors and lenses that maintain equal distances from the mirrors to the image-carrying members, facilitating uniform adjustment and reducing the complexity of mirror alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the optical scanning unit is arranged parallel to the plane occupied by the image-carrying members to minimize the device, then the device size is reduced, but the distance between image-carrying members and reflecting mirrors becomes unequal, complicating mirror adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the optical system by arranging mirrors at specific angles (45 degrees) and positioning them at calculated distances from the polygon mirror. This parameter optimization ensures equal optical path lengths to all image-carrying members while maintaining a compact parallel arrangement, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and adjustment ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric mirror arrangements where mirrors for different image-carrying members are positioned at different locations but oriented at the same angle relative to the optical axis. This asymmetric yet symmetric-angular configuration allows compact positioning while maintaining equal optical path lengths, enabling simplified adjustment procedures
2Volume of moving object
If varying distances are used between image-carrying members and reflecting mirrors to accommodate compact positioning, then the device can be minimized, but the sensitivity for adjusting reflecting mirrors becomes different among image-carrying members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the distance parameter d between the polygon mirror and reflecting mirrors, and angles θ and φ of mirror orientations. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system achieves equal optical path lengths L for all image-carrying members despite their different positions, ensuring uniform adjustment sensitivity across all mirrors while maintaining compact dimensions
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 simplifies the adjustment of mirrors, ensures uniform optical paths, and allows for a more compact device by maintaining equal distances, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing the height dimension of the image-forming device.
Implementation Method 1
The single rotatable polygon mirror deflects the respective laser beams to scan the respective image-carrying members therewith
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of mirrors is provided one-to-one relationship to the plurality of image-carrying members to guide the respective laser beams along respective optical paths to the respective image-carrying members
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of lenses is provided one-to-one relationship to the plurality of image-carrying members and provided in the respective optical paths and between the respective mirrors and the respective image-carrying members
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming device has cylindrical image-carrying members, and an optical scanning unit. The cylindrical image-carrying members are in a main casing for rotating about respective rotational axes which are parallel to one another and juxtaposed in a single direction. The optical scanning unit is in the main casing and has laser generators, a rotatable polygon mirror, mirrors, and lenses. The laser generators have a one-to-one relationship to the image-carrying members to emit laser beams. The rotatable polygon mirror deflects the respective laser beams to scan the respective image-carrying members. The mirrors have a one-to-one relationship to the image-carrying members to guide the respective laser beams along respective optical paths to the respective image-carrying members. The lenses have a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of image-carrying members provided in the respective optical paths and between the respective mirrors and the respective image-carrying members.