Optical Scanning Lens Vertical Overlap Thermal Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical scanning devices face performance deterioration due to thermal deformation, leading to color shifts in images formed by photoconductive drums, and existing solutions either compromise imaging quality or increase component production costs by using distinct scanning lenses for different colors.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanning device employs two scanning lenses arranged to face each other across a polygon mirror, with each lens section configured to handle light beams at different incident open angles, allowing for vertical overlap and common component usage, thereby maintaining imaging performance and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two scanning lenses with different shapes are used to handle different incident open angles, then imaging performance deterioration is suppressed, but component production cost increases and common use of components cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single scanning lens that can handle multiple incident open angles through a specific optical structure. The lens includes a first lens section for a first incident open angle and a second lens section for a second incident open angle, allowing one lens to perform functions that would traditionally require two separate lenses, thereby reducing component production costs while maintaining imaging performance
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning lens is divided into multiple lens sections (first lens section and second lens section), each optimized for specific incident open angles. This segmentation allows the lens to handle different optical paths independently while being part of a unified component, resolving the contradiction between specialized performance and manufacturing simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If incident open angle is changed due to thermal deformation of optical housing, then device adapts to environmental variation, but reflection point on polygon mirror varies causing deterioration of imaging performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-designing the scanning lens with multiple lens sections that anticipate different incident open angles caused by thermal deformation. The optical housing is designed with thermal expansion compensation features that pre-counteract the expected deformation, maintaining the incident open angle within acceptable ranges and preventing reflection point variation on the polygon mirror
Solution Approach 2:
The optical housing incorporates dynamic compensation mechanisms that allow for thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining optical alignment. The housing structure includes flexible joints or compensation elements that dynamically adjust to environmental temperature changes, preventing the incident open angle from varying beyond acceptable limits
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 suppresses imaging performance deterioration and allows for common use of scanning lens components, enhancing the quality and cost-effectiveness of the optical scanning process.
Implementation Method 1
a polygon mirror arranged in a first area on the principal surface of the base part, including a mirror rotary shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the principal surface, a first deflection surface and a second deflection surface, first and second light beams being incident on the first deflection surface at the same timing, third and fourth light beams being incident on the second deflection surface at the same timing, and configured to scan the peripheral surfaces of the respective first and second photoconductive drums in a first main scanning direction by reflecting the first and second light beams in a first reflecting direction
Implementation Method 2
a first scanning lens arranged in a third area outside the first area in the first reflecting direction on the principal surface of the base part and extending along the first main scanning direction, and a second scanning lens arranged in a fourth area outside the first area in the second reflecting direction on the principal surface of the base part and extending along the second main scanning direction
Data Source
AI summary
In a first scanning lens, a first lens section and a second lens section are vertically overlapped in such a manner as to separate lens centers thereof by a first distance. In a second scanning lens, a third lens section and a fourth lens section are vertically overlapped in such a manner as to separate lens centers thereof by a second distance equal to the first distance. A vertical positional relationship of the first lens section with the second lens section is the same as a vertical positional relationship of the third lens section with the fourth lens section. Further, a separating direction of a lens center of the first lens section from that of the second lens section is opposite to a separating direction of a lens center of the third lens section from that of the fourth lens section.