Scanning Optical Apparatus Single Mold Casing Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanning optical apparatuses face challenges in maintaining accurate positioning of multiple light source units, leading to reduced optical performance due to differences in mold designs for top and bottom supporting surfaces, which complicates the manufacturing process and can result in positional inaccuracies and temperature-related deformations.
Innovation Solution
The scanning optical apparatus employs a design where both the top and bottom light source units are supported by surfaces facing away from the bottom surface, with the second light source unit positioned further from the rotational axis than the first, and both units are held by cylindrical holders with symmetrically positioned slots, allowing for consistent and accurate alignment using a single mold for the casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If different molds are used for top and bottom light source supporting surfaces, then the supporting surfaces can be designed separately, but the manufacturing complexity increases and positioning accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning both light source units on the same side of the casing (above the bottom surface) rather than symmetrically on opposite sides. This asymmetric arrangement allows both supporting surfaces to face the same direction, enabling the use of a single mold for manufacturing while maintaining precise positioning accuracy for both light source units.
2Temperature
If light source units are positioned on opposite sides of a supporting wall, then spatial arrangement is achieved, but temperature uniformity and positioning consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the supporting environment for both light source units by positioning them on the same side of the casing rather than separating them across a supporting wall. This merging approach ensures both light source units experience uniform ambient temperature conditions and maintain consistent positional relationships, eliminating the thermal and positioning variations caused by wall separation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single mold is used for the casing, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to accommodate different supporting surface configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a single mold that can produce all supporting surfaces for both light source units. The casing is designed with multiple supporting surfaces (first and second supporting surfaces) that both face away from the bottom surface, allowing one mold to create all necessary supporting features without requiring separate molds for different configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning optical apparatus includes a first light source unit, a second light source unit, a rotary polygon mirror and a casing provided with a bottom surface on which said deflection unit is disposed. The second light source unit is disposed at a position away from the bottom surface more than the first light source unit with respect to a rotational axis direction of the rotary polygon mirror. The casing is provided with first and second supporting surfaces for supporting the first and second light source. Both the first and second supporting surfaces are faced in a direction away from the bottom surface.