Rotational Polygon Mirror Shielding Member Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical scanning devices for color image forming apparatuses require larger shielding members due to increased rotating angles and movable areas to shield and open multiple laser flux paths, leading to increased device size.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanning device incorporates a rotational polygon mirror and a shielding member with a rotating shaft positioned between the first and second optical paths, allowing the shielding member to minimize its size and rotating angle, with the shielding member's axis crossing the optical axis of the first lens, enabling efficient shielding and opening of multiple laser flux paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional shielding member configuration is applied to shield multiple laser luminous fluxes in a color image forming apparatus, then the shielding function is achieved, but the rotating angle and movable area of the shielding member increase, resulting in an increased device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the rotation shaft of the shielding member from a conventional location to a position between the first and second optical paths. The rotation shaft axis is arranged to cross the optical axis of the first lens, creating a new spatial dimension for rotation. This dimensional change allows the shielding member to effectively block multiple laser luminous fluxes (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) with a reduced rotating angle and smaller movable area, thereby achieving miniaturization of the optical scanning device while maintaining reliable shielding functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If the shielding member is miniaturized by reducing its size and movable area, then the device achieves compactness, but the ability to shield and open multiple optical paths may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By strategically positioning the rotation shaft between the first and second optical paths and orienting its axis to cross the optical axis of the first lens, the patent enables a compact shielding member to control multiple optical paths effectively. This spatial configuration allows the miniaturized shielding member to rotate through a smaller angle while still intercepting all four laser luminous fluxes (yellow, magenta, cyan, black), thus maintaining full optical path control capability despite the reduced size.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it shields yellow, magenta, cyan, and black laser luminous fluxes with a single rotation movement. The strategic positioning of the rotation shaft allows one shielding member to control multiple optical paths that would traditionally require separate shielding mechanisms, achieving multi-functionality with a minimized component.
3Volume of moving object
If the rotation shaft is positioned between the first and second optical paths with its axis crossing the optical axis of the first lens, then the shielding member achieves minimal size and rotating angle, but the mechanical precision and stability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the rotation shaft between the first and second optical paths with its axis crossing the optical axis of the first lens, creating an optimized spatial arrangement. This dimensional configuration minimizes the shielding member size and rotating angle while maintaining mechanical precision. The strategic positioning ensures that the shielding member can accurately intercept all four laser luminous fluxes during rotation, preserving the stability and precision required for color image formation despite the compact design.
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 miniaturization of the optical scanning device by reducing the shielding member's size and movable area, resulting in a more compact device without compromising mechanical precision or increasing thermal deformation.
Implementation Method 1
a rotational polygon mirror configured to reflect and deflect the first luminous flux and the second luminous flux, the rotational polygon mirror reflecting the second luminous flux in a direction opposite to a direction of reflecting the first luminous flux
Implementation Method 2
a first lens through which the first luminous flux deflected by the rotational polygon mirror passes; a second lens through which the second luminous flux deflected by the rotational polygon mirror passes
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning device includes first and second light sources, a rotational polygon mirror reflecting first and second luminous fluxes, and first and second lenses. The polygon mirror reflects the second luminous flux in an opposite direction to the first luminous flux and the second lens is disposed on a side opposite to the first lens as a boundary of the polygon mirror. A shielding member including a shielding wall shielding first and second optical paths from the first and second light sources toward the polygon mirror, respectively. The shielding member is rotatable about a rotating shaft and moves between a shielding position and a retracted position. As viewed in a rotational axis direction of the polygon mirror, the rotating shaft is positioned between the first and second optical paths and an axis of the rotating shaft extends in a direction crossing to an optical axis of the first lens.