Optical Scanning Device Synchronous Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanning devices for image forming apparatuses are complex and prone to accuracy errors due to the arrangement of light-beam separating elements and mirrors, which complicates synchronous detection and makes it difficult to reduce the device size.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanning device with a deflecting unit that obliquely incides light beams on its surface, allowing for synchronous detection with a simple configuration by ensuring the angle of incidence is less than or equal to the angle of deflection, thereby eliminating the need for separate light-beam separating elements and mirrors, and allowing for closer arrangement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light-beam separating elements and mirrors are used to guide light beams to the synchronous detection unit, then the optical scanning device can perform synchronous detection, but the device complexity increases and the apparatus size cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source, imaging lens, and synchronous detection unit into a single integrated optical system. The light source and synchronous detection unit are positioned on the same side of the imaging lens, allowing both imaging and synchronous detection functions to be performed without requiring separate light-beam separating elements and mirrors. This merging of components simplifies the optical system while maintaining synchronous detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If light-beam separating elements and mirrors are arranged to guide light beams, then synchronous detection can be performed, but the apparatus size is not sufficiently reduced due to space requirements for component arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging optical system and synchronous detection optical system into a single integrated structure. By positioning the light source and synchronous detection unit on the same side of the imaging lens and using the imaging lens for both imaging and synchronous detection, the patent eliminates the need for additional space-consuming components like light-beam separating elements and mirrors, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging lens serves dual functions: it acts as the imaging optical system for scanning the scanned surface and simultaneously serves as the optical system for synchronous detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated optical components for synchronous detection, reducing the apparatus size while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If separate light-beam guiding components are used, then light beams can be directed to the synchronous detection unit, but the device complexity increases and size reduction is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the synchronous detection function into the existing imaging optical path by positioning the light source and detection unit on the same side of the imaging lens. This merging eliminates the need for separate light-beam guiding components and their complex arrangement, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable synchronous detection through the shared optical path.
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 achieves high-accuracy synchronous detection and reduces the size of the device by eliminating the need for complex optical paths and separate light-beam guiding components, while maintaining precise alignment of incident and detection light beams.
Implementation Method 1
a deflecting unit 5 having a deflecting surface, and arranged to deflect a light beam and optically scan a scanned surface in a main-scanning direction
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving unit 8 arranged to receive a light beam deflected by the deflecting surface and generate a signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning device includes a deflecting unit having a deflecting surface, and arranged to deflect a light beam and optically scan a scanned surface in a main-scanning direction; an incident optical system arranged to cause the light beam to be obliquely incident on the deflecting surface in a sub-scanning section; and a light receiving unit arranged to receive a light beam deflected by the deflecting surface and generate a signal. A following condition is satisfied,|β|≦|α|,where α (deg) is an incident angle of the light beam from the incident optical system with respect to the deflecting surface in the sub-scanning section, and β (deg) is an angle defined by the light beam incident on the deflecting surface and the light beam deflected by the deflecting surface and directed toward the light receiving unit in a main-scanning section.