Oblique Incident Optical Scanner Mirror Count Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical scanning devices using oblique incident methods face issues with large bending of scanning lines and wave aberration, leading to color registration errors and degraded optical performance, especially at the periphery image height, which complicates the achievement of high-density optical scanning and high-quality color images.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanning device employs an oblique incident method where light beams are deflected at a deflecting reflection surface and then focused by a scanning optical system with a specific arrangement of reflection mirrors, ensuring an even or odd number of mirrors are used depending on the side of incidence, to correct bending and wave aberration, and uses a scanning lens with a special surface shape to maintain a flat generatrix in the sub-scanning direction, thereby stabilizing the beam spot diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single optical deflector is used for multiple scanning surfaces, then the number of optical deflectors is reduced and the apparatus is made compact, but the size of the optical deflector must be large in the sub-scanning direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the incident angle of light beams from the normal direction to an oblique angle in the sub-scanning direction. This dimensional change in the light path allows multiple light beams to be separated and directed to different scanning surfaces without requiring a large optical deflector size in the sub-scanning direction, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing the number of deflectors and maintaining compact dimensions.
2Length of moving object
If an oblique incident method is used to reduce optical deflector size, then the deflector size is reduced, but large bending of scanning lines and wave aberration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical path configurations to different light beams based on their incident sides. By using an even number of reflection mirrors for light beams incident from one side and an odd number for light beams incident from the other side, the system locally optimizes each light path to correct bending and wave aberration while maintaining the oblique incident configuration that reduces deflector size.
3Ease of operation
If light beams are arranged in a row in the sub-scanning direction, then they can be made incident to the optical deflector, but the optical deflector size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the oblique incident angle in the sub-scanning direction to separate multiple light beams spatially after reflection. Instead of arranging light beams in a row normal to the deflector surface, the oblique configuration allows beams to be dispersed angularly, enabling compact deflector design while maintaining the ability to direct beams to multiple scanning surfaces.
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 effectively corrects bending of scanning lines and wave aberration, reduces color registration errors, and maintains high optical performance across all image heights, enabling the production of high-quality color images while reducing the size and cost of the optical deflector.
Implementation Method 1
an optical deflector that deflects the light beams from the light source unit
Implementation Method 2
a scanning optical system that focuses the deflected light beams on different surfaces to be scanned, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
An even number of reflection mirrors reflecting a light beam in the sub-scanning direction are disposed on an optical path from a deflecting reflection surface of an optical deflector to a corresponding surface to be scanned, for a light beam that is incident on the deflecting reflection surface from one side of a line normal to the deflecting reflection surface in the sub-scanning direction. An odd number of reflection mirrors reflecting the light beam in the sub-scanning direction is disposed on the optical path, for a light beam that is incident on the deflecting reflection surface from the other side of the line normal to the deflecting reflection surface in the sub-scanning direction.