Optical Box Wall Isolates Motor Heat from Sensor Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
The light scanning apparatus faces variations in optical path due to thermal deformation caused by the heat generated from the motor rotating the rotary polygon mirror, which affects the light intensity control and increases the cost of optical sensors with large light receiving areas.
Innovation Solution
A light scanning apparatus design that includes a wall in the optical box to separate the region of the rotary polygon mirror and motor from the optical sensor and lens, preventing direct heated air flow and maintaining a stable optical path, and using a beam splitter to control light intensity with a second lens guiding the light to the optical sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the motor rotates the rotary polygon mirror to enable light beam scanning, then the light scanning function is achieved, but thermal deformation occurs causing optical path variation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical box is divided into separate regions: a first region housing the motor and rotary polygon mirror, and a second region housing the optical sensor and lens. This spatial segmentation isolates the heat-generating components from the optically sensitive components, preventing thermal deformation from affecting the optical path while maintaining light scanning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A beam splitter is introduced as an intermediary component that separates the light beam into two paths: one toward the photosensitive member and another toward the optical sensor. This allows independent optimization of each optical path, enabling the sensor region to be shielded from thermal effects while the scanning region operates at high speed.
2Measurement precision
If the optical sensor is positioned to receive the split light beam, then light intensity detection is enabled, but the sensor is exposed to heated air flow causing optical characteristic variation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical box is divided into separate regions: a first region housing the motor and rotary polygon mirror, and a second region housing the optical sensor and lens. This spatial segmentation isolates the heat-generating components from the optically sensitive components, preventing thermal deformation from affecting the optical path while maintaining light scanning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor and lens are extracted from the heat-affected zone by placing them in a separate second region that is physically isolated from the motor and rotary polygon mirror. This extraction removes the sensor from exposure to heated air flow, maintaining its optical characteristics and detection precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a wall is added to separate the motor region from the optical sensor region, then thermal impact is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical box is divided into separate regions: a first region housing the motor and rotary polygon mirror, and a second region housing the optical sensor and lens. This spatial segmentation isolates the heat-generating components from the optically sensitive components, preventing thermal deformation from affecting the optical path while maintaining light scanning functionality.
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 suppresses variations in the optical path and allows for effective light intensity control without increasing the cost of optical sensors, ensuring stable image formation and reduced thermal impact on the optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a light scanning apparatus has been proposed, which splits a part of the light beam emitted toward the photosensitive member with a beam splitter
Implementation Method 2
The light scanning apparatus converts a light beam from a light source such as a semiconductor laser into a substantially collimated light beam, and then deflects the collimated light beam with a rotary polygon mirror
Implementation Method 3
a motor that rotates the rotary polygon mirror acts as a heat source... this heated air flow is directly blown to the optical sensor and a lens which is disposed between the beam splitter and the optical sensor. This may cause a variation in optical characteristics (such as refractive index) of the lens or a variation of an installation position of the lens due to thermal deformation
Implementation Method 4
a second lens disposed on a line segment which connects the beam splitter and the optical sensor... the second lens being configured to guide the entered second light beam to the optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A light scanning apparatus, including: a light source configured to emit a light beam; a beam splitter configured to split the light beam into a first and a second light beams; a rotary polygon mirror configured to deflect the first light beam to scan a photosensitive member; a motor configured to rotate the rotary polygon mirror; a first lens configured to guide the first light beam to the photosensitive member; an optical sensor configured to receive the second light beam; a second lens configured to condense the second light beam on the optical sensor; and an optical box has a wall standing from a bottom surface between a region in which the rotary polygon mirror and the motor are disposed and a region in which the second lens is disposed, and a height of the wall from the bottom surface is higher than a height of the rotary polygon mirror.