Optical Scanner Holding Member Thermal Deformation Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical scanners with resin casings experience thermal deformation due to heat from motors and electrical components, leading to leaning of optical elements and errors in image light exposure positions, which deteriorate image reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanner employs a holding member with a specific thermal deformation design where one edge portion leans in the opposite direction to the casing's thermal deformation, securing optical elements to maintain the optical axis alignment even at elevated temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If a resin casing is used to reduce weight and cost, then weight and cost are reduced, but thermal deformation occurs at elevated temperatures causing optical element leaning
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is designed with a specific shape that changes its thermal expansion parameters. By incorporating a bent portion with specific curvature and dimensions, the holding member exhibits different thermal deformation characteristics compared to a straight structure. This parameter change allows the holding member to compensate for casing thermal expansion and maintain optical element alignment stability despite temperature increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes thermal expansion effects by designing the holding member with a bent portion that has specific dimensional characteristics. The bent portion's geometry is calculated to produce thermal expansion that opposes the casing's thermal deformation. When the casing expands due to heat, the holding member's bent structure expands in a compensating manner, maintaining the optical element's positional relationships.
2Productivity
If the casing temperature rises due to heat from motors and electrical components, then the image forming process can be completed, but optical element leaning occurs causing exposure position errors
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is pre-designed with a bent portion that anticipates and prepares for thermal deformation. The bent structure is configured to automatically counteract the expected thermal expansion of the casing before it causes optical misalignment. This preliminary anti-action prevents exposure position errors from occurring in the first place during high-temperature operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful thermal expansion of the resin casing into a beneficial effect. Instead of allowing the thermal deformation to cause optical misalignment, the holding member's bent portion is designed to expand in a compensating manner. The thermal energy that would normally cause harm is transformed into a useful compensating force that maintains optical alignment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If optical elements are securely held in the casing, then structural stability is maintained, but thermal deformation causes leaning of optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member's geometric parameters are specifically optimized to change its mechanical properties under thermal conditions. The bent portion's curvature radius, length, and position are calculated to provide optimal compensation. This parameter optimization ensures that the holding member maintains both secure structural attachment and optical alignment reliability across temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member combines different functional characteristics in a single component. It integrates the structural support function (securely holding the optical element) with the thermal compensation function (counteracting thermal deformation). This composite approach allows the holding member to simultaneously provide structural stability and maintain optical alignment reliability under thermal conditions.
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 design significantly reduces errors in image light exposure positions, improving image reproducibility by minimizing optical axis deviations, with measured improvements up to 100 μm and maintaining alignment within acceptable limits.
Implementation Method 1
The holding member has a shape that causes a thermal deformation in which a leaning direction of the other edge portion is opposite to a leaning direction of the one edge portion due to a thermal deformation of the inside surface of the casing when a temperature of the casing rises.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanner contains in a casing made of thermoplastic material a light source that emits an image light based on image data, and at least one optical element that is disposed in an optical path for the image light. The optical element is held through a holding member by the casing. The holding member is uprightly held at one edge portion thereof on an inside surface of the casing, and secures the optical element at the other edge portion thereof. The holding member has a shape that causes a thermal deformation in which a leaning direction of the other edge portion is opposite to a leaning direction of the one edge portion due to a thermal deformation of the inside surface of the casing when a temperature of the casing rises.