JPH07168109A - Light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deviation of an optical axis and to eliminate need for fixing a collimator lens and a semiconductor laser on an adjustment device when they are fixed after a distance between them is adjusted. CONSTITUTION:A collimator lens barrel 34 is inserted in the fit hole 36 of a holder 30 made extending over a coupling part 33 from a fit part 32 and temporality fixed. A deformation part 38 is formed so as to be extended from the coupling part 33 side along in the axial direction of the fit part 32 in cantilever. Then, the projecting part 38A of the deformation part 38 is made to project from the outside diameter of the lens barrel 34. When the lens barrel 34 is inserted, the deformation part is elastically deformed. By the reaction thereof, the lens barrel 34 is pressed to the side faced to the deformation part 38 through the optical axis B. Therefore, even when the lens barrel 34 is slid according as the distance is adjusted, the positional deviation is not caused with respect to the optical axis B.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanning optical device of a laser beam printer for recording an image by scanning a recording medium with a laser beam modulated by an image signal, and an optical disk using a light source such as a semiconductor laser. The present invention relates to a light source device used for a pickup unit or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a scanning optical device such as a laser beam printer, a beam emitted from a light source device is accurately collimated in order to improve the quality of recorded information (that is, It is necessary to have an exact parallel ray bundle), and the beam must be directed in an accurate direction.

If not collimated correctly,
A spot having a required diameter cannot be obtained on the photoconductor, resulting in deterioration of resolution. Further, if the direction of the beam is deviated, scanning is not performed at a required position on the photoconductor, which also causes deterioration of resolution.

FIG. 9 shows a conventional light source device, which has a hole 154 in which a female screw is formed at the center of a holder 130, and a male screw formed outside the collimator lens barrel 134 is screwed. Thus, the holder 130 holds the collimator lens barrel 134. And this holder 13
By the double nut action of the nut 150 screwed to the female screw of 0 and the male screw of the collimating lens barrel 134,
The collimator lens barrel 134 is fixed to the holder 130.

On the other hand, the base plate 140 to which the semiconductor laser 122 is fixed can be adjusted in position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis B of the collimator lens 124, whereby the semiconductor laser with respect to the optical axis B of the collimator lens 124 is adjusted. The position of the laser chip in 122 is set to a required positional relationship, and the laser beam emission direction from the collimator lens 124 is adjusted to be the required direction. Therefore, after adjusting the position between the optical axis B of the collimator lens 124 and the semiconductor laser 122, the base plate 140 is fixed to the holder 130 with the fixing screw 144.

Further, the distance between the collimator lens 124 and the semiconductor laser 122 is adjusted by the collimator lens barrel 1.
This is done by rotating 34 and is fixed by the nut 150 when the adjustment is completed.

However, when the nut 150 is tightened, the distance between the male screw formed on the outer side of the collimating lens barrel 134 and the female screw of the holding body 130 causes a slight change in the distance, which results in accurate collimated light. Was difficult to obtain. Further, not only the optical axis is deviated between the semiconductor laser 122 and the collimator lens 124 due to the radial rattling between the female screw and the male screw, but also the collimator lens barrel 134 itself is rotated for adjustment. Therefore, there is also a drawback that the optical axis is deviated due to the eccentricity between the male screw of the collimator lens barrel 134 and the collimator lens 124.

In order to solve these drawbacks, applications such as Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-151207 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-26014 are known.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show the actual development of Sho 59-1512.
An example according to No. 07 is shown. While the conventional example shown in FIG. 9 adjusts the distance between the collimator lens 124 and the semiconductor laser 122 by rotating the collimator lens barrel 134, the one shown in FIGS.
When adjusting the distance between the collimator lens 124 and the semiconductor laser 122, the collimator lens barrel 134 is attached to the holder 1.
By sliding within the fitting hole 136 of 30, the deviation of the optical axis due to the rattling in the radial direction and the eccentricity of the collimating lens barrel 134 and the collimating lens 124 is prevented.

Further, by fixing with the adhesive A injected from the adhesive injection port 130A, the conventional nut 15
It is intended to prevent a change in the distance between the collimator lens 124 and the semiconductor laser 122 due to the tightening of 0 to obtain accurate collimated light.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show the actual development of Sho 60-260.
Two examples according to No. 14 are shown respectively. Actual Kaisho 5
The difference from No. 9-151207 is that the elastic body 152 is interposed between the holder 130 and the collimator lens barrel 134, and the adhesive A is injected from the adhesive injection port 130A while applying a force along the optical axis direction. By injecting and fixing, the distance between the collimator lens 124 and the semiconductor laser 122 is reduced.

[0012]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In both cases of No. 51207 and No. 60-26014, in order to slide the collimating lens barrel 134 in the fitting hole 136 of the holding body 130, the fitting hole 136 and the collimating lens barrel 134 are separated from each other. A gap between them is needed.
Therefore, when the collimator lens barrel 134 is slid, this gap is biased, and there is a problem that the optical axis is displaced.

Further, the collimating lens barrel 134 is
Although the adhesive A is poured and fixed in this gap, it is difficult to make the adhesive A flow evenly. Also, the adhesive A
Since contraction occurs in the process of solidifying, the collimator lens barrel 134 is biased to the fitting hole 136 by being pulled by the adhesive A that has entered the gap, and the optical axis is displaced.

On the other hand, if the gap between the fitting hole 136 and the collimating lens barrel 134 is reduced, the amount of deviation of the optical axis is also reduced. Not only that, but the distance adjustment becomes difficult.

Further, for adjusting the distance of the light source device, a dedicated expensive adjusting device is required, but the collimating lens 124 is used.
When the distance between the semiconductor laser 122 and the semiconductor laser 122 is adjusted,
Until the adhesive A hardens, it is necessary to wait while it is mounted on the adjusting device, which causes a problem that assembly efficiency is deteriorated.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, the optical axis does not shift when fixing the distance between the collimator lens and the semiconductor laser after adjusting the distance, and it is not necessary to fix them on the adjusting device. It is to provide a light source device.

[0017]

A light source device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a light source for generating a light beam, a lens barrel for supporting a lens through which the light beam from the light source passes, and the lens barrel in the optical axis direction. A holding body having a fitting portion to be fitted along and for fixing the lens barrel by adhesion, and an elastic member provided in the fitting portion of the holding body and elastic in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. And a deformable deformable portion.

According to a second aspect of the light source device, a light source for generating a light flux, a lens barrel for supporting a lens through which the light flux from the light source passes, and a fitting for fitting the lens barrel along the optical axis direction. A holding body having a joint portion for fixing the lens barrel by adhesion, and a deformable portion provided on the lens barrel and elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. .

In the light source device according to a third aspect, an adhesive injection port for injecting an adhesive is provided at a position facing the deformed portion via the optical axis.

[0020]

The operation of the light source device according to the first aspect will be described below.

A holder having a fitting portion for fitting the lens barrel along the optical axis fixes the lens barrel by bonding. Further, the light flux generated by the light source passes through the lens supported by the lens barrel.

On the other hand, when the distance between the light source and the lens is adjusted, the deforming portion provided in the fitting portion of the holding body elastically deforms in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction while reacting the lens barrel. Press with. Therefore, the lens barrel is constantly pressed by the deforming portion in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and comes into contact with the fitting portion facing the deforming portion via the optical axis without any gap.

Therefore, even if the lens barrel is slid in the fitting portion as the distance between the light source and the lens is adjusted, the position shift with respect to the optical axis does not occur.

Further, since the lens barrel is fixed in the fitting portion by the frictional force generated by the force from the deforming portion, it does not move unless an extreme vibration or shock is applied. Therefore, even if the light source device is removed from the adjusting device after the adjustment, the lens barrel does not move easily. Therefore, it is not necessary to bond and fix the adjusted lens barrel on the adjusting device.

The operation of the light source device according to claim 2 will be described below. Although it has substantially the same structure as in claim 1 and operates in the same manner as in claim 1, since the deformable portion is provided in the lens barrel, the deformable portion is elastically deformed in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The lens barrel is then pressed by the reaction force against the holder.

The operation of the light source device according to claim 3 will be described below. Since the adhesive injection port for injecting the adhesive is provided at a position facing the deformed portion according to claim 1 or 2 through the optical axis, the lens barrel is always in contact with the fitting portion. The adhesive is injected into the position, and when the adhesive cures and contracts, the optical axis of the lens barrel does not shift.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of a scanning optical device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the light source device 12 in the scanning optical device 10 includes a semiconductor laser 22 that generates a light beam and a collimator lens 24 that collimates the light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 22 while allowing the light beam to pass through the semiconductor laser 22.
It has and. On the optical axis of this semiconductor laser 22,
A rotary polygon mirror 14 that rotates in the direction of the arrow is arranged via a cylindrical lens 26, and the light deflected by the rotary polygon mirror 14 is positioned above the photoconductor 1
F-θ for condensing between the reflection mirror 20 and the reflection mirror 20.
A lens 16 is arranged.

Therefore, by driving the semiconductor laser 22 in accordance with the image information signal, the light source device 12 emits the laser beam L collimated by the collimator lens 24 in accordance with this image information. The laser beam L passes through the cylindrical lens 26,
A linear image is formed on the rotary polygon mirror 14 and is deflected by the rotary polygon mirror 14 rotating in the arrow direction. The deflected laser beam L is condensed by the f-θ lens 16, the optical path thereof is bent by the reflection mirror 20, and an image is formed on the photoconductor 18 serving as the surface to be scanned of the laser beam L.

At this time, the f-.theta.
The above scanning speed is corrected so as to be a constant speed, and the deviation of the scanning position on the photoconductor 18 caused by the variation in the inclination of the reflecting surface of the rotary polygon mirror 14 is also corrected (also referred to as surface tilt correction). As a result, a latent image corresponding to the above image information is formed on the photoconductor 18.

Around the photosensitive member 18, known charging,
Well-known image forming process equipment such as developing, transferring, and cleaning means are arranged.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light source device 12 of this embodiment. A holding body 30 that is bored from a cylindrical fitting portion 32 to a plate-shaped connecting portion 33.
The collimating lens barrel 34 is inserted into the fitting hole 36 of and is temporarily fixed. The inner diameter of the fitting hole 36 is larger than the outer diameter of the collimator lens barrel 34 that supports the collimator lens 24 inside. However, as shown in FIG.
A projecting portion 38A (shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3) formed at the tip of a deformable portion 38 formed to extend in a cantilever manner from the side of the connecting portion 33 along the axial direction of the fitting portion 32.
From the outer diameter of the collimating lens barrel 34,
It protrudes toward the center of. Therefore, when the collimator lens barrel 34 is inserted, the deformable portion 38 is moved to
On the upper side, the collimating lens barrel 34 is elastically deformed as indicated by the solid line, and by the reaction force thereof, the collimator lens barrel 34 is pressed and fixed to the side of the fitting portion 32 facing the deforming portion 38 via the optical axis B.

Further, the semiconductor laser 22 is fixed to a drive circuit board 40 for driving the semiconductor laser 22, and a pair of fixing screws 44 are respectively inserted in a pair of fixing holes 42 formed in the drive circuit board 40. The drive circuit board 40 is attached to the holding body 30 by screwing it through the holding body 30.
Is temporarily fixed. The light source device 12 thus temporarily fixed
Is fixed on the adjusting device (not shown) for adjusting the optical axis and the distance between the semiconductor laser 22 and the collimator lens 24 with the holding body 30 as a reference.

The inner diameter of the fixing hole 42 of the drive circuit board 40 is
The outer diameter of the fixing screw 44 is larger than the outer diameter of the fixing screw 44.
After the optical axis B and the semiconductor laser 22 are adjusted by moving them in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis B, the fixing screws 44 fix them.

Semiconductor laser 22 and collimating lens 24
The distance between and is adjusted by sliding the collimator lens barrel 34 along the optical axis B direction. Since the collimator lens barrel 34 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 36 of the holder 30 by the deforming portion 38, the collimator lens barrel 34 is slid along with the adjustment of the distance between the semiconductor laser 22 and the collimator lens 24. Even if it is moved, the position shift with respect to the optical axis B does not occur.

Further, since the collimator lens barrel 34 is fixed in the fitting hole 36 by the frictional force generated by the force from the deforming portion 38, it does not move unless an extreme vibration or shock is applied. Therefore, even if the collimator lens barrel 34 is removed from the adjusting device after the adjustment, the collimating lens barrel 34 does not easily move. Therefore, as a result of eliminating the need for adhesively fixing the collimator lens barrel 34 on the adjusting device, the assembling efficiency can be improved without increasing the number of adjusting devices.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an adhesive injection port 30A for injecting the adhesive A is provided at the position of the fitting portion 32 which faces the deformable portion 38 via the optical axis B. Has been. Therefore, the adhesive A is always injected into the position where the collimator lens barrel 34 is in contact with the fitting hole 36, and the conventional collimator lens generated when the adhesive A hardens and contracts. The displacement of the lens barrel 34 does not occur. Therefore, the semiconductor laser 22 and the collimator lens 24
Even when the collimating lens 24 is fixed to the holding body 30 after the distance adjustment, the optical axis shift that has occurred can be removed.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which a plurality of deforming portions 38 are provided. With such a structure, the deviation of the optical axis can be prevented more reliably.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
The present embodiment will be described based on this figure. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fitting portion 3 is used in this embodiment.
2 is formed in a semicircular shape, and the collimator lens barrel 34 pushed by the deforming portion 38 is fixed to the semicircular fitting portion 32. Therefore, even if the fitting portion 32 is not necessarily cylindrical, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
The present embodiment will be described based on this figure. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the collimating lens barrel 34 is fitted on the outside of the fitting portion 32. Therefore, the deforming portion 38 is configured to elastically deform so as to approach the optical axis B. Therefore, a reaction force is generated in accordance with the elastic deformation of the deformable portion 38 as in the first embodiment, and the same operation and effect as those in the first embodiment are achieved.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
The present embodiment will be described based on this figure. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the collimating lens barrel 34 is fitted on the outside of the fitting portion 32. The deforming portion 38 is formed on the collimating lens barrel 34 side. Therefore, the deforming portion 38
A reaction force is generated as in the first embodiment due to the elastic deformation of
The same action and effect as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
The present embodiment will be described based on this figure. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the case of the present embodiment, the deforming portion 38 is formed on the collimating lens barrel 34 side, and the deforming portion 38 is elastically deformed so as to approach the optical axis B. Has been done. Therefore, a reaction force is generated in accordance with the elastic deformation of the deformable portion 38 as in the first embodiment, and the same operation and effect as those in the first embodiment are achieved.

[0047]

As described above, in the light source device of the present invention, by providing the holder or the collimating lens barrel with the deformable portion, the optical axis that occurs when the distance between the semiconductor laser and the collimating lens is adjusted. By removing the deviation, it is possible to easily adjust with a simpler structure than before.

Further, since the collimating lens barrel is temporarily fixed to the fitting portion of the holder by the deforming portion, it is not necessary to bond and fix the collimating lens barrel on the adjusting device, and the assembling efficiency is improved.

Further, since the adhesive injection port is provided at a position facing the deformable portion through the optical axis, the optical axis is displaced when the collimator lens is fixed after the distance between the semiconductor laser and the collimator lens is adjusted. Could also be removed.
Moreover, since the above effect can be obtained without requiring highly accurate dimensional tolerances for the inner and outer diameters of the fitting portion of the holding body and the collimating lens barrel, the cost of parts can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a scanning optical device in which a light source device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is adopted.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light source device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a light source device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a side sectional view and (b) is a front view.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a modification of the light source device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

5A and 5B are views showing a light source device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a side view and FIG. 5B is a front view.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a light source device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

7A and 7B are diagrams showing a light source device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7A is a side view, and FIG.
FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the arrow line 7B.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a light source device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a first conventional light source device.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second conventional light source device.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a fitting portion of a conventional second light source device.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a third conventional light source device.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing another example of a conventional third light source device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Scanning Optical Device 12 Light Source Device 22 Semiconductor Laser (Light Source) 24 Collimating Lens 30 Holder 30A Adhesive Injection Port 32 Fitting Part 34 Collimating Lens Barrel (Lens Barrel) 38 Deformation Part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A light source that generates a light flux, a lens barrel that supports a lens through which the light flux from the light source passes, and a fitting portion that fits the lens barrel along the optical axis direction, A light source device comprising: a holder for adhering and fixing the lens barrel; and a deformable portion provided in a fitting portion of the holder and elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. 2. A light source that generates a light flux, a lens barrel that supports a lens through which the light flux from the light source passes, and a fitting portion that fits the lens barrel along the optical axis direction. A light source device, comprising: a holder for adhering and fixing the lens barrel, and a deformable portion provided on the lens barrel and elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. 3. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive injection port for injecting an adhesive is provided at a position facing the deformed portion via the optical axis.