Polygonal Mirror Shaft Inclination Adjustment via Elastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with shaft inclination of the polygonal mirror, leading to deviations in light beam spot shape and image quality due to production precision limitations and difficulties in firmly fixing the mirror during rotational vibration, which complicates the reduction of the apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanning apparatus with a drive motor shaft inclination adjustment mechanism using a rubber member between the board and the installation portion, allowing for adjustable inclination by deforming the rubber member, thereby minimizing the size of the apparatus while ensuring reliable fixation and vibration resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bearing is mounted on a drive board by swaging to fix the polygonal mirror, then the mirror can be firmly fixed, but variations in shaft inclination occur due to production precision limitations and board warping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the static rigid fixation (swaging) with a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The drive board is made adjustable relative to the optical box through multiple screw holes and adjustment screws, allowing the shaft inclination to be corrected after assembly. This transforms the system from a fixed-state to an adjustable-state, resolving the contradiction between firm fixation and precision alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the drive board by providing multiple screw holes at different positions and angles. By selecting different hole combinations and using adjustment screws, the inclination angle and position of the drive board can be modified to achieve the optimal shaft inclination, thereby compensating for manufacturing variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the drive board is made adjustable with multiple screw holes to correct shaft inclination, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the mounting function into distinct components: the optical box with pre-drilled screw holes, the drive board with corresponding holes, and adjustment screws. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific function (positioning, mounting, adjustment) while collectively achieving the overall goal of precise inclination correction without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting through the combination of multiple screw holes and adjustment screws. The system allows operators to independently adjust the drive board position by selecting appropriate hole combinations and tightening screws, eliminating the need for complex external adjustment mechanisms or specialized tools.
3Volume of moving object
If the apparatus size is reduced, then productivity and compactness are improved, but vibration resistance and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality enhancement by providing reinforcement ribs specifically at the mounting portions of the optical box where the drive board is attached. These localized reinforcements increase the rigidity and vibration resistance at critical areas without requiring a proportional increase in the overall apparatus size, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and vibration resistance.
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 solution enables precise adjustment of shaft inclination without increasing the apparatus size, maintaining high image quality by ensuring the light beam's optimal path and reducing vibration-induced deviations, thus improving the optical characteristics and image formation performance.
Implementation Method 1
a rubber member provided between the board and the installation portion, and an adjustment unit configured to position the board with respect to the installation portion and to adjust inclination of the board with respect to the installation portion by deforming the rubber member
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning apparatus includes a polygonal mirror configured to deflect a light beam emitted from a light source such that the laser beam scans a member to be scanned, a drive motor configured to rotate the polygonal mirror, aboard on which the polygonal mirror and the drive motor are mounted, an installation portion where the board is installed, a rubber member provided between the board and the installation portion, and an adjustment unit configured to position on the board with respect to the installation portion and to adjust inclination of the board with respect to the installation portion by deforming the rubber member.