Optical Element Holding Device for Scanning Line Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately correcting scanning line bending and tilt due to temperature changes and material warping, leading to color misalignment and image quality deterioration, especially in tandem systems where multiple scanning units are used.
Innovation Solution
An optical-element holding device employing elastic members and support members to press and adjust optical elements, allowing for precise control of deflection and tilt through a mechanism with multiple pairs of elastic and support components, enabling correction of complex bending shapes and maintaining image quality across temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plastic material is used for optical element to achieve mass productivity, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but shape accuracy deteriorates due to temperature distribution in die and non-uniform cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-bending the plastic optical element to a predetermined curved shape during the molding process, before the element is installed in the scanning optical system. This pre-compensation for warping allows the element to maintain proper scanning characteristics despite inherent plastic material defects and temperature variations during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the shape parameter of the optical element by intentionally creating a curved surface instead of a flat one. The element is designed with a specific curvature radius that compensates for expected warping, transforming the manufacturing defect into a functional feature that maintains scanning line accuracy.
2Speed
If long optical element is used in scanning optical system, then scanning performance is improved, but scanning position deviation increases due to bending in sub-scanning direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-bending the long optical element to a predetermined curved shape during manufacturing. This pre-compensation ensures that when the element is installed and used in the scanning system, the bending does not cause scanning position deviation, thereby maintaining both scanning performance and position accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by intentionally creating a curved shape that opposes the natural bending tendency of the element. The predetermined curvature is designed to counteract the warping that would otherwise occur, preventing scanning line tilt and bending before they can affect image quality.
3Productivity
If multiple scanning units are arranged in tandem, then image formation speed is improved, but color misalignment occurs due to temperature deviation among housings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting and pre-bending each optical element in the tandem scanning units during manufacturing. This ensures that each unit is individually calibrated to compensate for temperature variations, allowing multiple units to operate at different temperatures while maintaining color alignment accuracy.
4Stability of the object's composition
If optical element is held with rigid support, then structural stability is improved, but scanning line bending and tilt cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using elastic members instead of rigid supports to hold the optical element. The elastic members provide flexible support that allows the element to be pressed and bent into a predetermined curved shape, enabling both structural stability and shape adjustment capability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical property parameter by using elastic rather than rigid support structures. This allows the optical element to be dynamically adjusted and pressed into the desired curved configuration while maintaining stable operation during use.
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 solution effectively corrects scanning line variations, maintaining image quality and reducing color misalignment by accurately adjusting the shape of optical elements, even under temperature changes, thereby enhancing the productivity and reliability of image forming processes.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that presses an optical element with an elastic force in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical element and orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the optical element
Data Source
AI summary
An optical-element holding device includes an elastic member that presses an optical element with an elastic force in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical element and orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the optical element, and a support member that forms a pair with the elastic member and supports the optical element against a pressing force of the elastic member. At least three pairs of the elastic member and the support member are provided.