Monochrome Optical Scanning Base for Thermal Expansion Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Converting a two-color optical scanning device for monochrome use results in issues with thermal expansion and optical characteristics due to differences in material and shape between the scanning lenses, leading to inconsistent light incidence angles and suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

Using a base portion for the scanning lens made of the same material and shape as the scanning lens, and employing a non-standard lens as the base to match thermal expansion, with an identification mark to prevent misassembly, ensuring consistent optical characteristics and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a two-color optical scanning device is converted for monochrome use by placing the black-color scanning lens on a spacer, then the device can be adapted for monochrome operation, but thermal expansion differences and shape mismatches cause inconsistent light incidence angles and suboptimal optical performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability for monochrome operationVSAvoidoptical performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base is designed with the same shape and made of the same or similar material as the optical element (scanning lens). This homogeneity ensures that both components expand at the same rate when heated, maintaining consistent relative positions and light incidence angles, thereby resolving the optical performance inconsistency caused by thermal expansion differences between the black-color scanning lens and the spacer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The base is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the mounting structure for the optical element and as a thermal expansion match component. By making the base from the same or similar material with the same shape as the optical element, the base universally handles both structural support and thermal compensation, eliminating the need for separate spacer components and ensuring consistent optical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If different materials and shapes are used for the base and optical element, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but thermal expansion mismatches lead to inconsistent light incidence angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidlight incidence angle consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The base is designed with the same shape and made of the same or similar material as the optical element. This homogeneity ensures that both components expand at the same rate when heated, maintaining consistent relative positions and light incidence angles, thereby resolving the optical performance inconsistency caused by thermal expansion differences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Reliability

If standard lenses are used exclusively, then optical performance is maintained, but costs increase and recyclability between monochrome and color devices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidcost and resource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Non-standard lenses that would otherwise be discarded are recovered and reused as bases for standard optical elements. This recovery process reduces waste and manufacturing costs while the reused bases maintain consistent optical performance because they are made from the same or similar material with the same shape as the optical elements they support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

Maintains desired optical performance and reduces costs by reusing non-standard lenses as bases, enhancing recyclability and resource efficiency between monochrome and color devices.

Implementation Method 1

the base is made of the same material or the same kind of material as the optical element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS20250321511A1Monochrome optical scanning device and monochrome image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A monochrome optical scanning device includes a light source to emit light; a deflector to deflect the light emitted from the light source; an optical element to direct the light deflected by the deflector onto a photoconductor; a base mounting the optical element on the base; and a housing. The base has the same shape as the optical element, and the base is made of the same material or the same kind of material as the optical element. The housing is detachably attached to a monochrome image forming apparatus, the housing accommodating the light source, the deflector, the optical element, and the base.