Light Scanning Optics for Compact Jitter-Suppressed Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light scanning apparatuses face a trade-off between size reduction and image quality degradation due to surface eccentricity jitter, making it difficult to achieve both simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A light scanning apparatus with a specific configuration of optical systems, including a coupling lens and imaging lens, that sets conditions for the scanning angle, image height, and focal distance to reduce jitter while maintaining size reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a convergent light flux is used to shorten the optical path, then the apparatus size is reduced, but surface eccentricity jitter occurs on the scanned surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the convergence angle of the incident light flux and the focal distance of the imaging optical system. By optimizing these parameters within specific ranges, the patent achieves both compact size and suppression of surface eccentricity jitter, resolving the trade-off between size reduction and jitter suppression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary anti-action by designing the optical system to preemptively counteract the effects of surface eccentricity. The incident optical system is configured to guide a convergent light flux with controlled convergence angle, and the imaging optical system is designed with specific focal distance, so that even when surface eccentricity occurs, its harmful effects are minimized before they can significantly degrade image quality
2Volume of moving object
If the degree of convergence of light flux is increased for size reduction, then image quality deteriorates due to surface eccentricity jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by establishing specific ranges for the convergence angle of the incident light flux and the focal distance of the imaging optical system. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves a balance where the light flux is sufficiently convergent to shorten the optical path while maintaining image quality and suppressing surface eccentricity jitter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by considering the relationship between the convergence angle and focal distance as interconnected parameters that must be jointly optimized. The system dynamically balances these parameters to achieve both compact size and high image quality, rather than treating them as independent fixed values
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
The apparatus effectively suppresses jitter and maintains image quality by optimizing the scanning speed and refractive power of the optical systems, achieving a satisfactory size reduction without compromising image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a deflecting unit configured to deflect a light flux from a light source to scan a scanned surface
Implementation Method 2
an incident optical system configured to guide the light flux from the light source to the deflecting unit
Implementation Method 3
an imaging optical system configured to guide the light flux deflected by the deflecting unit to the scanned surface
Data Source
AI summary
A light scanning apparatus satisfies the following conditions: 0.60≤(dYmax−/dθ)/(dY0/dθ)≤0.98; and 0.50<Sk/ft<1.00, where, when a deflecting unit rotates at a constant angular velocity, θ represents a scanning angle between a principal ray of a light flux immediately after deflected by the deflecting unit and an optical axis of an imaging optical system, Y0 represents an on-axis image height, Ymax− represents a first outermost off-axis image height on a side opposite to a light source with respect to the optical axis of the imaging optical system in a main scanning cross section, ft represents a focal distance of the imaging optical system in the main scanning cross section, and Sk represents a distance between a rear-side principal plane of the imaging optical system and a scanned surface on an optical path of a principal ray of the light flux that travels to the on-axis image height.