JPH0375720A - Optical unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To adjust the position of the beam in the optimum position for correcting a surface inclination by turning a hosing by means of a turning part which is disposed on one side of the housing and supports the housing turnably around an axis parallel with a main scanning direction and adjusting the height by an adjusting part. CONSTITUTION:The turning part 26 supports the housing 16 turnably around the axis parallel with the main scanning direction by engaging with the prescribed member of an image recorder body 12. An optical unit 10 turns the housing 16 by the turning part 16 in such a manner and sets the height of the housing 16 by the adjusting part 28. The height of the housing 16 is adjusted by inserting a spacer 44 for height adjustment between the adjusting part 28 and the image recording body 12, by which the image recording position 40 and the optimum position for correcting the surface inclination are maintained in nearly the same position. The scanning position of the beam and the optimum position for correcting the surface inclination are brought to nearly the same position by the simple adjustment of involving the mere turning of the housing in this way. The execution of the good image recording is thus possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an optical unit used in an image recording device or the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to an optical unit that can obtain a good surface tilt correction effect using a surface tilt correction optical system.

<Prior Art> A light beam scanning device that two-dimensionally scans a scanned object transported in a sub-scanning direction with a light beam deflected in a main-scanning direction is commonly used in image recording devices and the like.

Such a light beam scanning device deflects and reflects a light beam such as a laser beam emitted from a light source such as a semiconductor laser or a gas laser in the main scanning direction using a light deflector such as a polygon deflector. This deflected light beam is used to transport recording materials such as photosensitive materials in the case of image recording devices, and manuscripts such as photographs and printed materials in the case of image reading devices, which are conveyed in the sub-scanning direction in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction. An object to be scanned is scanned two-dimensionally to record or read an image.

Here, the optical deflector that is normally applied by the optical beam scanning device company has errors in the finishing of the reflective surface and errors in the mounting of the drive shaft. A surface tilt correction optical system such as a cylindrical mirror or cylindrical lens for correcting the irradiation position shift in the scanning and conveying direction, that is, the surface tilt is arranged.

When such a light beam scanning device is used as an image recording device or an image reading device, it often includes a light source, various main optical deflectors for adjusting the light beam optical path, a surface tilt correction optical system, etc. Various optical components are configured as an optical unit disposed at predetermined positions within the housing, and are disposed at predetermined positions in the main body of the image recording device or the image reading device.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, there are usually some manufacturing errors in various optical components applied to such an optical unit. Therefore, even if the optical unit is assembled as designed,
The optical path of the light beam, the optical path length, the image recording (reading) magnification, etc. are not as designed, and after these optical components are placed in the predetermined positions in the housing to form a unit, the installation of the optical components is determined by the position, It is necessary to adjust the recording magnification, the optical path of the light beam, etc. by adjusting the angle, etc.

However, when such adjustment is performed, the desired surface tilt correction effect may not be obtained depending on the surface tilt correction optical system.

Cylindrical Mirror When a surface tilt correction optical system consisting of a cylindrical lens or the like is placed at a predetermined position within the optical unit, the correction effect of such surface tilt correction optical system is the same at any position in the optical path of the light beam. Rather, in the optical path of the light beam, there exists a location (hereinafter referred to as the optimum position for surface tilt correction) where the correction effect obtained by the surface tilt correction optical system is highest. Therefore, such an optical unit is usually designed so that the optimum position for correcting the surface tilt coincides with the irradiation position of the light beam on the object to be scanned.

However, when adjustments are made to correct manufacturing errors in optical components as described above, the optimal position for surface tilt correction moves from the light beam irradiation position on the object to be scanned in the direction in which the light beam travels. The desired surface tilt correction effect cannot be obtained.

Regarding this method of adjusting the position of the light beam,
Japanese Patent No. 1-132853 discloses an image forming apparatus in which an optical unit and an image forming apparatus main body frame are configured to be relatively movable, thereby making it possible to adjust the position of a desired light beam. However, since this device adjusts the position of the light beam by relatively moving the optical unit and the main body frame in a plane direction, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the light beam travels, manufacturing and assembly errors may cause the light beam to move in the sub-scanning direction. Although adjustment is possible when the beam irradiation position is moved, it is not possible to adjust the optimum position for correcting surface tilt in the light beam traveling direction, making it impossible to obtain a suitable surface tilt correction effect.

In addition, as existing technology, the position and mounting angle of the cylindrical roller is adjusted to adjust the optical path length and irradiation position of the light beam, and to adjust the irradiation position of the light beam on the object to be scanned and correct the surface tilt. An adjustment method is known in which the desired surface tilt correction effect is obtained by substantially matching the optimal position. According to this method, it is possible to obtain a desired surface tilt correction effect by moving the optimal position for surface tilt correction in the light beam traveling direction.

However, with this method, the position and angle of the cylindrical mirror, which is an optical component, must be changed.
In addition to being difficult to adjust, it is also time-consuming as it requires modification of the optical components inside the housing. In addition, since the optical components are adjusted again after adjusting the optical path of the light beam, image recording magnification, etc., there is a risk that other errors such as misalignment of the optical axis of the light beam may occur again. A new method is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and to suitably adjust the irradiation position of a light beam on a scanned object using a simple adjustment method without modifying the optical components in the housing. To provide an optical unit that can match the optimum position for surface tilt correction and also has high earthquake resistance.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a housing;
An optical unit that includes a light source, a light deflector, and a surface tilt correction optical system housed in the housing, and is provided on one side of the housing and performs main scanning of a light beam deflected by the light deflector. The housing is characterized by having a rotating part that rotates the housing about an axis parallel to the direction, and an adjusting part that is provided on the other side of the housing and can adjust the rotation of the housing by the rotating part. provides an optical unit that

Further, it is preferable that the adjustment section adjusts rotation of the housing using a spacer for height adjustment.

Further, it is preferable that the adjustment section adjusts rotation of the housing using a height adjustment screw disposed on the adjustment section.

Further, it is preferable that the adjustment of the rotation of the housing by the adjustment section is performed by vertically moving a portion of the upper surface of the applied image recording device or image reading device that corresponds to the adjustment section.

Moreover, it is preferable that the rotating part is arranged on the bottom surface of the housing on the side where the light source is arranged.

<Action of the Invention> The optical unit of the present invention has the above-described predetermined configuration.

Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the optical path of the light beam and discrepancies in recording (reading) magnification due to errors in various optical components. Even when the housing is moved to the main scanning direction, the housing is rotated by the rotating part that rotates the housing on an axis parallel to the main scanning direction, and the adjusting part adjusts the position of the housing, that is, the height of the housing relative to the main body of the image recording (reading) device. By adjusting the height, the optimum position for correcting the surface inclination can be moved in the light beam traveling direction, and the above-mentioned light beam irradiation position and the optimum position for correcting the surface inclination can be made substantially the same.

Therefore, adjustment of the optimal position for surface tilt correction, which was conventionally done by adjusting the placement position and angle of optical components such as cylindrical mirrors, is now possible by rotating the housing and setting the height using an adjustment section. This can be done with a simple adjustment, and it is possible to perform good image recording (reading) in a state where the surface tilt is always suitably corrected by the surface tilt correction optical system.

In addition, as mentioned above, there is no need to adjust optical components when adjusting the optimal position for surface tilt correction, so the previously adjusted image recording magnification and the light beam optical path within the optical unit will not go awry again. Since there is no need to open the housing for adjustment, there is no need to worry about dirt, dust, etc. entering the housing, and images can be recorded in good condition (
reading) is possible.

<Embodiments> Hereinafter, the optical unit according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the optical unit of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view thereof.

The illustrated optical unit 10 is applied by being placed at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the image recording apparatus main body 12 indicated by a dotted line in the figure, and deflects a light beam 14 in the main scanning direction indicated by an arrow a. Then, the photosensitive material A, which is sub-scanned and conveyed within the image recording device 12 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction (in the direction indicated by the arrow), is exposed two-dimensionally to record a color image.

Such an optical unit 10 basically includes light sources 18R018G and 18B at predetermined positions within the housing 16.
1 polygon mirror 20, and a surface tilt correction optical system consisting of a cylindrical lens 22 and a cylindrical mirror 24 for correcting the surface tilt of the polygon mirror 20.

In addition, near both corners of the lower surface of the housing 16 (the surface facing the image recording apparatus main body 12) on the side where the light sources 18R, 18G, and 18B are arranged, the housing 16 is marked with an arrow C.
A rotating part 26 for rotating in the direction and 26 of the rotating part
An adjustment section 28 for adjusting the rotation of the housing 16 is disposed on the opposite side of the housing 16 (see FIG. 3).

On the left side of the housing 16 in the figure, there is a light source 18R for spring haze light for exposing the photosensitive material A to develop a cyan color.
A green exposure light source 18G for producing magenta, and a pre-exposure light source 18B for producing yellow are arranged.

Yoshi 3OR is arranged on the optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source 18R, and dichroic Yoko 30G and 30B are arranged on the optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source 18G and the light beam emitted from the light source 18B. The light beams emitted from each light source are combined into a single light beam 14 with their optical axes overlapping.

The light beams 14 whose optical axes are overlapped are then reflected in a predetermined direction by a mirror 32, pass through a cylindrical lens 22 constituting a surface tilt correction optical system, and enter a polygon lens 20.

The light beam 14 reflected and deflected in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow a by the polygon mirror 20 is reflected and deflected by the fθ lens 34.
The beam is adjusted to form an image in a predetermined beam spot shape on the photosensitive material A, and is reflected diagonally upward by the elongated main lens 36, and together with the cylindrical lens 22, forms a surface tilt correction optical system. The light is incident on the cylindrical mirror 24.

The light beam 14 is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 24 and directed downward, passes through the opening 38, and reaches an image recording position 40 on the photosensitive material A that is sub-scanned and conveyed in the direction of the arrow within the image recording apparatus main body 12. The photosensitive material A is scanned and exposed two-dimensionally to record an image.

In the illustrated optical unit 10, a surface tilt correction optical system for correcting the surface tilt of the polygon lens 20 is composed of a cylindrical lens 22 and a cylindrical mirror 24.

Here, such a surface tilt correction optical system is installed in the housing 16.
The height of the correction effect obtained by this surface tilt correction optical system differs depending on the optical path of the light beam 14 when it is placed at a predetermined position in the optical path, for example, the position shown in the example shown in the figure. There is a point (hereinafter referred to as the optimum position for surface tilt correction) where the highest surface tilt correction effect can be obtained by the surface tilt correction optical system. Therefore, in such an optical unit 10, the irradiation position of the light beam 14 on the photosensitive material A, that is, the image recording position 4 is usually
0 and the optimum position for this surface tilt correction.

Here, each of the above-mentioned optical components arranged in the housing 16 usually has manufacturing errors in various points such as finishing accuracy and focal length, so after assembling the optical unit 10,
It is necessary to adjust the image magnification, the optical path of the light beam 14, and the alignment of the optical axes of the light beams emitted from each light source.

However, by adjusting each optical component disposed in the optical unit 10, the optimum position for the above-mentioned surface tilt correction moves in the traveling direction of the light beam 14, that is, in the light beam traveling direction, by a maximum of ±3 cm. , image recording position 40
The position will be different from the optimal position for correcting the side tilt.
Therefore, it is not possible to suitably correct the tilt of the polygon mirror, and the recorded image has pitch irregularities due to the tilt, resulting in an image with noticeable density irregularities.

In contrast, in the illustrated optical unit 10 according to the present invention, by rotating the housing 16 in the direction of arrow C, the optimal position for surface tilt correction is moved in the light beam traveling direction, and the image recording position 40 and the troublesome position are moved. The optimum position for misalignment correction can be adjusted to approximately the same point, and the lower surface of the housing 16 includes a rotating part 26 that rotatably supports the housing 16 about an axis parallel to the main scanning direction, and a housing An adjustment unit 28 is arranged to determine the rotational position of 16.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the optical unit 10 when viewed from below.

The rotating parts 26 are arranged near both corners on the side where each light source is arranged, and have a V-block shape in the illustrated optical unit 10. Such a rotating portion 26 supports the housing 1o so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow C by engaging with the support shaft 42 of the image recording apparatus main body 12 (see FIG. 1).

In the present invention C, if the rotating part 26 engages with a predetermined member of the image recording (reading) device main body 12 and supports the housing 16 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the main scanning direction, The shape is not limited to the illustrated example, and various shapes can be applied, such as a shape in which the surface that engages with the support shaft 42 is curved, and it may be determined as appropriate depending on the image recording apparatus main body 12. Further, the support member on the side of the image recording device main body 12 is V
When the housing 16 has a block shape, the rotating portion may have a semicircular shape to rotatably support the housing 16, for example.

Furthermore, a rotating means such as a hinge that allows the housing 16 to rotate about an axis parallel to the main scanning direction may be used.

The arrangement position of the housing 16 is not limited to the illustrated example, but may be any position that can support the housing 16 rotatably about an axis parallel to the main scanning direction. may be located in the housing 16, the image recording device main body 12, or any other location.

An adjustment section 28 that determines the rotational position, that is, the height, of the housing 16 is arranged at the center in the main scanning direction on the other side of the rotation section 26 on the lower surface of the housing 16 .

The optical unit 10 of the present invention rotates the housing 16 using the rotating section 26 described above, and sets the height of the housing 16 using the adjusting section 28, thereby adjusting the optimal position for surface tilt correction in the light beam traveling direction. The image recording position 40 and the optimum position for surface tilt correction are made to be approximately the same position.

In the illustrated example, the adjustment section 28 and the image recording device main body 12
The height of the housing 16 is adjusted by inserting a height adjustment spacer 44 between the housing 16 and the image recording position 40 and the optimum position for correcting the surface inclination. Figure 1).

In the optical unit 10&: of the present invention, it is not necessary that the image recording position 40 and the optimal position for surface tilt correction are completely the same point, and the error in the light beam traveling direction between the two is set to ±0.
．． If adjusted to 21111D or less, polygon mirror 20
There is no problem with the image.

In this adjustment section 2B, the height adjustment amount is determined by measuring the optimal position for surface tilt correction of the surface tilt correction optical system applied using various measuring devices, and adjusting the image recording position 46 and surface tilt correction accordingly. The error in the light beam traveling direction from the optimum position is ±0
．． Adjustment amount, that is, spacer 4 so that it is 2a + m or less
4 should be determined.

In the present invention, the means for adjusting the position of the housing 16 in the adjustment section is not limited to the above-described method of arranging the spacer 44 on the adjustment section 28. For example, as shown in FIG. The height of the housing 16 may be adjusted by forming a threaded hole 48 in the housing 16 and screwing a C bolt 50 therethrough via a spring 52.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface member 54 of the image recording apparatus main body 12 that comes into contact with the adjustment section 28 of the housing 16 is configured to be movable up and down (in the direction of arrow d), so that the height of the housing 16 can be adjusted. It is also possible to adjust the
In the example shown in FIG. 5, a long hole is formed in the vertical direction in the side plate 56 on which the top member 54 is supported, and by fixing the top member 54 to this long hole with bolts and nuts 58, the top surface The member 54 is configured to be movable up and down.

Further, the arrangement position of the adjustment section 28 is not limited to the illustrated example, and it may be arranged at a position where the housing 16 can be rotated by the aforementioned rotation section 26 and its height can be adjusted.

In the illustrated example, the rotating part 26 and the adjusting part 28 are arranged on the same surface of the housing 16, but the present invention is not limited to this, and both are arranged on the same surface of the housing 16. Of course, it may be arranged on another surface.

Further, in the optical unit 10 of the present invention, in order to facilitate fine adjustment of the rotation of the housing 16, the rotation portion 26 is
It is preferable that the adjustment unit 28 be as far away as possible from the adjustment unit 28.
Further, in order to reduce the amount of rotation of the housing 16 when adjusting the optimum position for surface tilt correction, and to facilitate wi adjustment, it is preferable that the rotation portion 26 and the opening 38 be formed as far apart as possible.

In the optical unit 10 of the present invention, the housing 16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow C by the substantially fixed rotating part 26 and the adjusting part 28 that adjusts the height of the housing, and the image recording position is adjusted. The adjustment is made so that the optimum position for surface inclination correction is approximately the same as -.

That is, for example, in the illustrated example, there are two locations (rotating portion 26).
is held substantially fixed, and the height of the housing 16 is adjusted by moving up and down one position (adjusting unit 28), so that the image recording position and the optimum position for surface tilt correction are substantially the same.

Therefore, it is possible to make adjustments very easily - and since the rotating part 26 is substantially fixed and only the adjusting part 28 is moved, the optical unit 10 can be made to have excellent earthquake resistance. can.

Therefore, in the optical unit 10 of the present invention, the light source 1
It is preferable that the rotating portion 26 be located on the side surface where optical members susceptible to vibration, such as 8R, 18G, and 18B and the polygon mirror 20 are arranged.

Further, when the adjustment means shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is applied to the adjustment section 28, the optical unit 1
Since it is possible to adjust the height of the housing 16 using only 0, it is applicable to any image recording device main body 12, and the manufacturing cost of the optical unit 10 can also be reduced.

In the housing 16, fixing parts 60 for fixing the optical unit 10 to the image recording apparatus main body 12 are provided on both sides in the main scanning direction, and fixing parts 62 are provided on both sides of the housing 16 for fixing the optical unit 10 to the image recording apparatus main body 12.
8 is placed on the side surface where it is placed.

The fixing part 60 has a through hole Boa into which a bolt 64 is inserted, and the fixing part 62 &: has a through hole 62a into which a bolt 66 is inserted.A corresponding bolt is inserted through a spring 68, respectively. The optical unit 10 is fixed to the image recording apparatus main body 12 by screwing the bolt into a screw hole (not shown) of the image recording apparatus main body 12.

The optical unit of the present invention has been described in detail above, but it goes without saying that the present invention may be applied not only to the illustrated color image recording apparatus but also to a monochrome image recording apparatus.

In addition, such an image recording device may be a color or monochrome copying device, or may be a color or monochrome copying device, or may be a variety of image processing devices having an image reading unit, such as a computer, video, or an optical disk. It may be a color or monochrome printer that receives color or monochrome image information processed by the device and records a color or monochrome image.

Further, the recording material used may be not only a monochrome photosensitive material, but also a color photosensitive material, various types of photosensitive drums, and the like.

Therefore, the image recording device to which the present invention can be applied may be either color or monochrome, but for example, the image recording device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 63-241552 filed by the present applicant may be used. Initially, electrophotographic image recording devices, silver salt photographic image recording devices, thermal transfer image recording devices, inkjet image recording devices, laser printers,
Examples include laser copying devices, video printers, video copying devices, and image recording devices using various photosensitive materials, such as photosensitive pressure-sensitive photosensitive materials, photosensitive resin materials, and the like.

In addition, the optical unit of the present invention includes not only such an image recording device but also a condensing member such as a light guide, various photodetectors, CCD sensors, etc., and prints, prints, etc. instead of photosensitive material A. The present invention may be applied as an image reading device by conveying a document such as a photograph in a sub-scanning manner.

Although the optical unit according to the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. be.

<Effects of the Invention> As detailed above, according to the optical unit company of the present invention,
This housing is arranged on one side of the housing to adjust the position of the optical beam in the direction of travel of the optimal position for surface tilt correction, which was conventionally done by adjusting the placement position and angle of optical components such as cylindrical mirrors. This can be done by rotating the housing with a rotating part that rotatably supports the housing on an axis parallel to the main scanning direction, and adjusting its height with an adjustment part provided on the other side of the rotating part. can.

Therefore, by simply adjusting the housing by rotating the housing, it is possible to make the light beam scanning position and the optimal position for surface tilt correction approximately the same, and the surface tilt correction optical system can always properly correct the surface tilt. It is possible to perform good image recording (reading) in the corrected state.

In addition, as mentioned above, there is no need to adjust optical components when adjusting the optimal position for surface tilt correction, so the previously adjusted image recording magnification and the light beam optical path within the optical unit will not go awry again. Since there is no need to open the housing during adjustment, it is possible to record (read) images in a good condition without dust or the like entering the housing.

Furthermore, by having the above-mentioned predetermined configuration, the rotating part can be kept substantially fixed and only the side on which the adjusting part is arranged can move, making the optical unit highly earthquake resistant. The possibility of damage to the light source, main polygon, etc., and displacement of the mounting position is low.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of an example of an optical unit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the optical unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the optical unit shown in FIG. 1, viewed from below. FIG. 4 is a partial front sectional view showing another example of the adjusting means applied to the optical unit according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view showing another example of the adjustment means applied to the optical unit according to the present invention. Description of symbols 10... Optical unit, 12-- Image recording device main body, 14... Light beam, 16... Housing, 18R, 18G, 18B-... Light source, 20... Polygon mirror 22. ...Cylindrical lens, 24...Cylindrical mirror 26...Rotating part, 28.46-...Adjusting part, 30R, 32...Year 34...Fθ lens, 36...Long mirror 38... Opening, 40... Image recording position, 42-... Support shaft, 44... Spacer, FIG, 1 2 FIG, 2 n 48... Screw hole, 50.64.66-... Bolt, 52.68...Spring, 54...Top member, 56...Side plate, 58...Bolt/nut

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An optical unit including a housing, a light source, a light deflector, and a surface tilt correction optical system housed in the housing, the optical unit being provided on one side of the housing and deflected by the light deflector. a rotating part that rotates the housing about an axis parallel to the main scanning direction of the light beam; and an adjusting part that is provided on the other side of the housing and can adjust the rotation of the housing by the rotating part. An optical unit characterized by having: