Optical Scanning Device Asymmetric Flare Beam Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical scanning devices for tandem color image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing flare beams, which cause noise, abnormal sounds, and temperature increases due to the close placement of flare beam shielding members near high-speed optical deflectors, leading to degraded image quality and instability.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanning device incorporates a deflector with multiple deflection surfaces and edges, along with a flare beam shielding member having edges out of alignment or inclined to prevent simultaneous passage, reducing the rapid compression and expansion of air and minimizing the shielding member's proximity to the deflector, thereby reducing noise and temperature issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a flare beam shielding member is disposed close to the optical deflector to shield flare beams, then image quality is improved, but noise and abnormal sounds increase due to rapid air compression and expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member is designed with asymmetric edge alignment where the first edge and second edge are offset from each other in the rotation direction. This asymmetric configuration prevents simultaneous passage of the deflector edge with both shielding edges, reducing rapid air compression and expansion that causes noise and abnormal sounds while maintaining effective flare beam shielding for high image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member incorporates localized edge features where specific edges are positioned at different locations in the rotation direction. This local differentiation allows the shielding member to maintain close proximity to the optical deflector for effective flare beam blocking while creating zones of reduced aerodynamic interaction that minimize noise generation
2Manufacturing precision
If the shielding member is placed close to the optical deflector, then flare beam shielding is effective, but temperature increases due to air friction
Solution Approach 1:
The offset alignment of first and second edges in the rotation direction creates asymmetric aerodynamic zones that reduce overall air friction. This asymmetric configuration allows the shielding member to remain close to the optical deflector for effective flare beam shielding while minimizing the area of intense air compression and expansion, thereby reducing temperature increase from air friction
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member creates localized aerodynamic zones with different characteristics - areas of reduced air friction where edges are offset, and areas of effective shielding. This local differentiation maintains temperature control while preserving flare beam shielding effectiveness
3Device complexity
If a single optical deflector is used commonly by multiple light sources, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but flare beams cause stripe smudges and ghost images
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member acts as an intermediary element positioned between the optical deflector and the image holding member. It selectively blocks flare beams that would cause stripe smudges and ghost images while allowing the single optical deflector to continue serving multiple light sources, thus maintaining device simplicity while improving image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member extracts and removes the harmful flare beam component from the optical path without requiring multiple deflectors. By selectively blocking only the flare beams that cause image defects, the system maintains the cost-effective single deflector configuration while eliminating the harmful effects of flare beams
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 shields flare beams, reduces noise and abnormal sounds, maintains deflection stability, and enhances image quality by minimizing air resistance and temperature rises, while allowing for a more compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a deflector (62) that deflects light beams (L1 to L4) emitted from light source units (52 to 55)
Implementation Method 2
a flare beam shielding member (100) that shields flare beams (L1 to L4)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning device includes a deflector that deflects light fluxes emitted from light sources and rotates in a first direction, optical systems that direct deflected light fluxes onto subject surfaces, and a member that prevents a flare beam reflected by one of the optical systems from entering another one of the optical systems. The deflector includes first edges in the first direction and the member includes second edges arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second edges are out of alignment with each other in the first direction so that a first edge does not pass all of the second edges simultaneously.