Optical Scanning Device Reinforcing Wall Vibration Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical scanning devices face challenges in maintaining stable laser beam deflection due to vibrating deflectors and reduced clearance between components, leading to unstable exposure of photoconductive surfaces and decreased image quality, especially when downsizing these devices.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanning device incorporates a supporting wall with reinforcing structures and through-holes to stabilize the deflector and enhance the attachment accuracy of the scanning lens, using reflecting mirror supporting portions and a reinforcing wall to connect these elements, allowing for precise alignment and reduced vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the deflector operates faster to achieve higher printing speed, then productivity is improved, but the supporting wall vibrates more causing instability in laser beam deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting wall is divided into multiple sections with reinforcing walls strategically positioned to segment and isolate vibration zones. The reinforcing walls connect different supporting walls, creating a segmented structure that reduces overall vibration while maintaining operational speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcing walls are extended in the optical axis direction (perpendicular to the main supporting wall plane) to create a three-dimensional reinforcement structure. This dimensional extension provides additional stiffness without interfering with the lateral scanning motion of the deflector.
2Volume of moving object
If the optical scanning device is downsized to reduce apparatus size, then volume is reduced, but the clearance between scanning lens and housing side wall becomes smaller making even light irradiation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing side wall is designed with a through-hole that allows light to pass from the lateral direction (perpendicular to the lens mounting surface). This dimensional change in light delivery path enables effective curing of light curing resin even when the clearance between lens and housing is minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide or through-hole structure acts as an intermediary to deliver curing light from the housing exterior through the side wall to the light curing resin. This mediator enables effective irradiation without requiring large clearance spaces.
3Manufacturing precision
If the light curing resin is not evenly irradiated with light, then manufacturing precision deteriorates as the scanning lens may be fixed to face an undesired direction
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole in the housing side wall serves as an intermediary structure that channels light to uniformly irradiate the light curing resin from the side. This mediator ensures even curing and prevents misalignment of the scanning lens.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is locally modified with a through-hole specifically at the position where light curing resin is applied. This localized structural change provides targeted light irradiation exactly where needed, ensuring uniform curing without affecting other parts of the device.
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 vibrations of the supporting wall and enhances the accuracy of laser beam deflection, ensuring stable exposure of photoconductive surfaces and improved image quality even at higher printing speeds and in downsized devices.
Implementation Method 1
the light curing resin has to be exposed to light. However, in the optical scanning device having a small clearance between the scanning lens and the side wall of the housing, it is difficult to evenly irradiate the light curing resin with light. When not evenly irradiated with light, the light curing resin does not evenly contract during a curing process.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning device is provided, which includes a casing including a supporting wall supporting a deflector, a first reflecting mirror supporting portion and a second reflecting mirror supporting portion that are opposed to each other across the deflector and extend from the supporting wall and a reinforcing wall configured to extend from the supporting wall, between the deflector and first and second light source units, so as to connect the first reflecting mirror supporting portion with the second reflecting mirror supporting portion, the reinforcing wall including a first through-hole configured such that a first laser beam emitted by the first light source unit toward the deflector and the second laser beam emitted by the second light source unit toward the deflector pass therethrough.