Scanning Optical Device fθ Lens Assembly with Inclined Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of fθ lenses in scanning optical devices is complicated and prone to inaccuracies due to the need for manual handling, which can lead to contamination, scratches, and assembly defects, especially when only one end of the lens is gripped, making it difficult to stabilize the non-gripped end during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The scanning optical device incorporates an optical box with positioning portions and an inclined surface that guides the lens into place, allowing for stable assembly by gripping one end and using the lens's weight to align the other end, reducing the risk of contamination and improving assembly accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the worker grips only one end of the fθ lens to improve productivity, then two fθ lenses can be assembled at the same time, but the position and posture of the non-gripped end becomes unstable and assembly accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning fixture as an intermediary tool between the worker and the fθ lens. The fixture includes positioning portions that contact specific locations on the lens barrel, and an inclined surface that guides the lens into proper position. This mediator stabilizes the non-gripped end of the lens during assembly, enabling both hands-free operation and improved accuracy while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning fixture is designed to utilize the lens's own weight and geometry to achieve proper positioning. The inclined surface allows the lens to slide into place under gravity, and the positioning portions automatically align with features on the lens barrel, reducing the need for manual manipulation and force application.
2Manufacturing precision
If the worker grips both end portions of the fθ lens to stabilize position and posture, then assembly accuracy improves, but the worker's hands are occupied and only one lens can be assembled at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning fixture serves as a mediator that replaces the need for the worker to grip both ends of the lens. The fixture's positioning portions and inclined surface provide the necessary stabilization and guidance, freeing the worker's hands to handle multiple lenses simultaneously while maintaining assembly accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the worker to manually control both ends of the lens (excessive manual action), the fixture provides partial stabilization through its positioning portions and inclined surface, allowing the assembly process to proceed with minimal manual intervention and enabling parallel assembly of multiple lenses.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fθ lens is slid to the contact portion in a state where the non-gripped end contacts the bottom surface, then assembly stability improves, but the lens is caught in the projecting contact portion and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning fixture is designed with positioning portions and an inclined surface that prepare the lens for assembly before it reaches the contact portion. The inclined surface guides the lens into the correct orientation and position in advance, so that when the lens reaches the contact portion, it is already properly aligned and can be easily secured without being caught or requiring excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning fixture acts as an intermediary that mediates between the lens and the contact portion. It provides a gradual transition through the inclined surface, allowing the lens to be guided into position without sudden engagement with the projecting contact portion, thereby improving both stability and ease of assembly.
4Reliability
If the fθ lens is manually assembled to prevent contamination of the lens effective area, then lens quality is protected, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning fixture serves as a mediator that enables rapid assembly while protecting the lens effective area from contamination. The fixture's structure allows the worker to handle only the lens barrel (not the effective area), and the automated positioning and securing process minimizes manual contact with the lens surface, maintaining quality while improving speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual manipulation with a simpler mechanical system consisting of the positioning fixture with its positioning portions and inclined surface. This mechanical system automatically guides and secures the lens, reducing the need for careful manual handling while protecting the lens effective area from contamination and enabling faster assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning optical device includes a polygon mirror to deflect and scan a luminous flux emitted from a light source, an imaging lens and an optical box. The imaging lens is long in a scanning direction of the polygon mirror. The optical box is provided with the polygon mirror and the imaging lens. The optical box includes two positioning portions to position one end and the other end of the imaging lens in the scanning direction. In a position adjacent to one positioning portion of the two positioning portions in the scanning direction and on a side of the other positioning portion, an inclined surface is provided. The inclined surface extends in a direction from the one positioning portion toward the other positioning portion and inclines so as to lower in height as it goes to the other positioning portion from the one positioning portion.