Optical Beam Scanning Apparatus Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical beam scanning apparatuses with individual imaging lenses for each color component in the post-deflection optical system face challenges in reducing the size of the apparatus due to the arrangement of reflection mirrors that fold beams emitted from a shared fθ lens, leading to increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a pre-deflection optical system that forms luminous fluxes into line images in the main scanning direction, using a light deflecting device and a post-deflection optical system with specific reflection mirrors to redirect beams, allowing for compact design by optimizing the placement of optical elements and reflection mirrors to reduce the overall size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual imaging lenses are provided for each color component in the post-deflection optical system, then optical accuracy is improved, but the size of the apparatus increases due to the arrangement of reflection mirrors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the optical path by changing the spatial arrangement of reflection mirrors from a sequential upstream arrangement to a folded path arrangement. Specifically, the first reflection mirror folds the optical path of the downstream beam, and the second reflection mirror folds the optical path of the upstream beam, allowing mirrors to be positioned in different spatial dimensions rather than strictly in sequence along the optical axis. This dimensional reorganization reduces the overall apparatus size while maintaining individual imaging lenses for each color component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where reflection mirrors are positioned within the optical paths of other beams. The first reflection mirror is placed in the optical path of the downstream beam, and the second reflection mirror is placed in the optical path of the upstream beam, creating a nested structure where optical paths are interwoven. This nesting allows multiple optical functions to be performed within a compact volume, reducing the apparatus size while preserving optical accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reflection mirrors are arranged on the upstream side to fold beams from a shared fθ lens, then beam separation is achieved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement logic by positioning the first reflection mirror to fold the downstream beam and the second reflection mirror to fold the upstream beam, rather than arranging mirrors sequentially from upstream to downstream. This inversion of the arrangement order simplifies the overall device structure by allowing optical paths to be folded more efficiently in three-dimensional space, reducing both device complexity and size while maintaining beam separation capability.
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 enables a reduction in the size of the optical beam scanning apparatus by 5.8 mm, improving optical accuracy and reducing scanning line curvature, while maintaining effective beam separation and focusing for color components.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-deflection optical system that forms luminous fluxes into line images in the main scanning direction
Implementation Method 2
a light deflecting device and a post-deflection optical system with specific reflection mirrors to redirect beams
Implementation Method 3
a post-deflection optical system with specific reflection mirrors to redirect beams, allowing for compact design by optimizing the placement of optical elements
Data Source
AI summary
An optical beam scanning apparatus according to the present invention includes a pre-deflection optical system, a post-deflection optical system at least including one or plural first optical elements, plural second optical elements, a first reflection mirror which is provided in optical path between the first optical element and one of the second optical elements and reflects, on a most upstream side of the optical paths, a luminous flux on a most downstream side or a most upstream side in the sub-scanning direction among the plural luminous fluxes, and a second reflection mirror which is provided in optical path between the first optical element and another second optical element and reflects, on an optical path second from a most downstream side of the optical paths, the luminous flux on the most downstream side or the most upstream side in the sub-scanning direction among the plural luminous fluxes.