Optical Scanning Device Rotation Fulcrum Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses with optical scanning devices face complexity in adjusting the beam scanning trajectory to align with the main scanning direction, requiring intricate adjustments at multiple points within the scanning area.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a first and second rotation fulcrum unit positioned outside the scanning area in an orthogonal direction, allowing the optical scanning device to rotate around a virtual axial line connecting these fulcrums, simplifying the adjustment of the beam scanning trajectory to align with the main scanning direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the virtual rotation axial line passes through the center part of the scanning area, then the optical scanning device can be compactly arranged, but the beam scanning trajectory becomes inclined to both sides requiring complicated adjustment operations at three points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearrangement compactnessVSAvoidadjustment operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rotation fulcrum from the scanning area center and relocates it to an external position. By placing the rotation fulcrum outside the scanning area, the beam scanning trajectory no longer needs to be adjusted at multiple points within the scanning area, thereby simplifying the adjustment operation while maintaining compact arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a rotation fulcrum as an intermediary element positioned outside the scanning area. This fulcrum acts as a mediator that enables the optical scanning device to rotate around an axial line that does not pass through the scanning area center, thus decoupling the rotation mechanism from the scanning trajectory complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the beam scanning trajectory is adjusted to be along the main scanning direction with three points confirmation, then scanning accuracy is improved, but the adjustment operation becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning trajectory accuracyVSAvoidadjustment operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for three-point adjustment within the scanning area by extracting the rotation fulcrum from the scanning area. This allows the beam scanning trajectory to be aligned with the main scanning direction through a simpler adjustment process, reducing both complexity and time while maintaining scanning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adjusting the beam trajectory from within the scanning area center outward, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the rotation fulcrum outside the scanning area and allowing the trajectory to naturally align with the main scanning direction, thereby simplifying the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10694064B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 SHARP KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus including an optical scanning device that scans an object to be scanned with a beam in a main scanning direction includes a first rotation fulcrum unit and a second rotation fulcrum unit that are respectively provided in the optical scanning device on one side and on the other side in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The first rotation fulcrum unit is provided outside a scanning area of the beam in the main scanning direction. The optical scanning device is provided rotatably around a virtual rotation axial line connecting the first rotation fulcrum unit and the second rotation fulcrum unit.