Reflecting Mirror Adjustment in Scanning Optical Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing scanning optical devices face difficulties in adjusting the angle of the reflecting mirror during assembly, leading to increased complexity and sensitivity to tolerances, which results in potential upsizing and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The scanning optical device is designed with a frame that allows the reflecting mirror to be adjusted from a side opposite to the light beam exit, featuring a seating surface with a protrusion for support and a photo-curable resin for fixation, and strategically positioned second scan lenses to reduce sensitivity to tolerances and facilitate downsizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the reflecting mirror is adjusted from the open side of the frame during assembly, then the adjustment process becomes complex and sensitive to tolerances, but this is the conventional assembly approach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional adjustment approach by enabling adjustment of the reflecting mirror from the closed side of the frame rather than from the open side. This is achieved by providing adjustment holes through the frame walls that allow access to the mirror's adjustment mechanism from the closed side, thereby simplifying the assembly process and reducing sensitivity to tolerances while maintaining the ability to perform precise angular adjustments
2Volume of moving object
If the second scan lenses are positioned close to the polygon mirror, then the device can be downsized, but sensitivity to assembly tolerances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing offset adjustment mechanisms specifically for the second scan lenses that are independent of the polygon mirror's rotation axis. This allows the second scan lenses to be positioned closer to the polygon mirror for downsizing while the offset adjustment mechanism compensates for any misalignment caused by assembly tolerances, thereby maintaining optical precision despite the reduced distance
3Ease of operation
If the reflecting mirror angle is adjusted from the open side, then the light beam can exit freely, but the adjustment becomes difficult during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment function by providing separate adjustment holes through the frame walls that allow independent access to the reflecting mirror's adjustment mechanism. This segmentation enables the mirror to be adjusted from the closed side during assembly without interfering with the light beam's exit path through the open side, thereby improving both ease of operation and assembly efficiency simultaneously
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 the reflecting mirror's angle, reduces sensitivity to assembly tolerances, and helps in downsizing the device while maintaining accuracy and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a photo-curable resin for fixation
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning optical device includes a light source, a polygon mirror, a motor, a scanning optical system, a frame, and a seating surface. The scanning optical system comprises a first scan lens, a second scan lens, and a reflecting mirror. The reflecting mirror is arranged to reflect a light beam toward the second scan lens. The reflecting mirror is supported on the seating surface. The seating surface allows adjustment of an angle of the reflecting mirror. The reflecting mirror reflects the light beam in a direction from the base wall toward the open side. A part of the reflecting mirror that overlaps the seating surface as viewed in a direction of thickness of the reflecting mirror is exposed to an outside of the frame and accessible from a side of the frame opposite to an open side of the frame.