Optical Scanning Apparatus Dust Exclusion Cover Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The optical performance of a polygon mirror in an optical scanning apparatus is compromised when dust adheres to its surface, leading to a reduced reflectance rate.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanning apparatus design that includes a cover to prevent dust from adhering to the polygon mirror, featuring a frame with partition walls and cutouts that are covered by the cover, ensuring dust exclusion and easy lens mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the polygon mirror is exposed to the external environment, then ease of assembly and maintenance is improved, but dust adheres to the mirror surface reducing reflectance rate
Solution Approach 1:
A cover member is provided that can be easily attached to and detached from the polygon mirror assembly. This cover acts as a protective barrier that prevents dust from reaching the mirror surface while allowing easy access for assembly and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separable components including the cover member, polygon mirror assembly, and main body. This segmentation allows the cover to be independently attached and removed without affecting the entire system, facilitating easy maintenance while protecting the mirror when covered.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is made completely closed, then dust protection is improved, but ease of assembly and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is designed as a simple, flexible component that can be easily attached to and detached from the polygon mirror assembly. This cover acts as a protective barrier that prevents dust from reaching the mirror surface while allowing easy access for assembly and maintenance operations.
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 design effectively reduces dust accumulation on the polygon mirror, maintaining optical performance and simplifying the mounting process of scanning lenses.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling lens configured to convert light emitted from the semiconductor laser into a light beam
Implementation Method 2
a deflector configured to deflect the light beam passed through the coupling lens into a main scanning direction and including a polygon mirror
Implementation Method 3
a scanning optical system configured to focus the light beam deflected by the deflector on an image surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning apparatus includes a semiconductor laser, a coupling lens, a deflector including a polygon mirror which is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a first direction, a scanning optical system to form an image of a light beam deflected by the deflector on an image surface, a frame including a base board, and a cover covering the deflector. The frame includes a first wall extending in a direction from the base board toward the cover. The first wall includes an opening, through which the light beam deflected by the deflector toward the scanning optical system passes, and a first cutout located apart from the opening in a second direction parallel to the main scanning direction. The cover includes a second wall covering an entirety of the first cutout in a view along a third direction, which intersects orthogonally with the first direction and the second direction.