JPS59200209A - High-density optical scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a high-resolution scanning line by arranging two rows of linearly arranged optical scanning element arrays in parallel with a scanning line forming region so that individual optical scanning element arrays face the scanning line forming region alternately. CONSTITUTION:Plural optical scanning element arrays A1-An and B1-Bn such as light emitting element arrays, photodetector arrays, or the like are arranged at intervals of a prescribed length into lines to provide rows 1 and 2 of optical scanning element arrays, and they are arranged in parallel so that optical scanning element arrays in rows 1 and 2 face a desired scanning line forming region I alternately. Lens arrays 3 and 4 are interposed between rows 1 and 2 of optical scanning element arrays and the scanning line forming region I, and their positions are so set that unmagnification erect actual images of optical scanning element arrays A1-An and B1-Bn are projected to regions I1-In, which correspond to optical scanning element arrays A1-An and B1-Bn, of the scanning line forming region I to form a continuous linear scanning line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the construction of a high-density optical scanning device comprising a plurality of optical scanning element arrays used in document reading devices or printout devices in electrophotographic printers, document filing devices, and the like.

Optical scanning element arrays, which are constructed by integrating a large number of optical scanning elements such as light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements, are used in large numbers as writing heads or information reading heads for printers and printers. Much known.

For example, an integrated array of light-emitting diodes that emit light in response to an electrical signal is known as an LED array, and an array made of a magnetic or electro-optic effect substance that can change the polarization state in response to an electrical signal. Elements configured in a pixel shape, integrated and arrayed are arranged between two polarizing plates arranged in a crossed nicol state, and the polarization effect of the pixel-shaped material is controlled by an electrical signal to transmit light. Various gate arrays with controlled shutoff are also known.

For example, an optical gate array called LISA has a structure in which thin film magnetic garnet is integrated into pixels, and the plane of polarization is rotated under the action of heat and a magnetic field. It is well known as. In addition, optical gates and rays that utilize the electro-optic effect of lead-lanthanum-zircon-titanate ceramics or liquid crystals are also known.

On the other hand, as an information reading head, a charge transfer type reading element called a silicon photodiode array or COD is well known.

The above-mentioned well-known optical scanning element array has pixels Q,
The configuration is such that they are arranged and integrated at a fine pitch of around 1 ms. In order to further increase the recording or reading density, it is necessary to arrange the elements even more densely.
As the density of the element array increases, the elements themselves need to be made smaller, and minute defects greatly affect performance. This has been an obstacle to realizing an optical scanning device having a high-density element arrangement, partly because it is not easy to manufacture. For example, in the case of an LED array, assuming that the size of defects included in the crystal is the same, the smaller the area of each element, the greater the influence of the defects appears.

In addition, the smaller the element surface is, the higher the arrangement density of the elements, the greater the influence of dirt and scratches during the manufacturing process on performance. Even if it is not a non-defective product, variations in sensitivity and light emission amount between elements within the same optical scanning element array become large, and it is extremely difficult to manufacture an optical scanning element array with uniform performance at a high yield.

Furthermore, in devices such as LED arrays in which an element array is formed on a single-crystal substrate, there are restrictions on the size of the substrate, and even long arrays can only be about 1 inch in size. Therefore, as a method to obtain a scanning width of 210 to 216 questions, which is practically required for an optical scanning device, a large number of element arrays are used, and the images of these element arrays are optically connected to the scanning plane in a straight line. A method is known in which the image is projected to form one continuous scanning line of a desired length.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a well-known optical scanning device that employs this method, in which A is a cross-sectional view and FIG. B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. and arrow a
, a' is a developed plan view when stretched in the force direction 1800 and viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow.

1 and 2, 1 and 2 are LED array columns. Each of the LED array rows 1 and 2 has a configuration in which a plurality of LED arrays A□ to An, B, to Bn are arranged linearly at predetermined intervals. Note that 5A-0 to 5A-n 1SB-1 to 5B-n indicate support substrates for the LED arrays A, ~An, B, and ~Bn.

As shown in the figure, each LED array row 1'', 2 is arranged to face the desired scanning line formation area, and the LED arrays A--, B--Bn of each LED array row 1, 2 are arranged in a straight line. A relationship in which the images are projected alternately and sequentially onto the scanning line forming area 1 (this is arranged parallel to the completion of the scanning line forming area.
By inserting separate lens arrays, for example, fiber lens arrays 8 and 4, between the scanning line forming area and each LED array column 1.2, each LED array column is LED array A-An.

The equal-magnification array images 1□ to 1n of B-to-Bn are projected and formed in a continuous straight line without gaps.

According to the conventional example described above, there is an advantage that a scanning line of a desired length can be formed using a short-sized optical scanning element array, but the scanning line is formed by each LED array A□ to An, B,
~Bn, the problem of increasing the density of the optical scanning element array is not solved.

Further, the arrangement density of the scanning elements itself has an optimum value depending on the purpose of use of the optical scanning device, and an optical scanning element array having the same high-density arrangement cannot be advantageously used for all purposes. Therefore, conventionally, there were problems such as having to separately manufacture optical scanning element arrays with different arrangement densities for each purpose.
In order to improve productivity, it is expected that an optical scanning device will emerge in which optical scanning element arrays of the same standard can be used in common depending on the purpose. On the other hand, on the other hand, by using two sets of light emitting element array rows in which a plurality of light emitting element arrays are consecutively arranged in a straight line,
Similar to the conventional example of Sagi, the light emitting element array image of each light emitting element array row is projected as continuous reduced images in a straight line alternately by the imaging element array, and using the light emitting element array with a coarse element arrangement density, the pixel A method for obtaining projected scanning lines with a high arrangement density is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-67957. However, in a projection optical system using an imaging element array, although it is easy to project a same-magnification image, it is impossible to project a variable-magnification image for reasons described later. There is a drawback that it cannot be realized as a device with the same effect as the above, and the latter problem,
That is, the problem of using optical scanning arrays of the same standard in common for optical scanning devices having different purposes is not solved.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems in conventional optical scanning devices as described above by using an optical scanning element array having a predetermined element density with relatively low element arrangement density.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-density optical scanning device that can form scanning lines having a desired high pixel density.

The high-density optical scanning device of the present invention has two optical scanning device array rows each formed by linearly arranging a plurality of optical scanning device arrays at a predetermined interval. The optical scanning arrays of the two optical scanning element array columns are arranged parallel to the scanning line forming area so that the optical scanning arrays of the two optical scanning element array columns are In an optical scanning device that is optically coupled to a scanning line forming area to form one continuous scanning line, on at least one of the optical scanning element array row side and the scanning line forming area side of the lens array, Each optical scanning element □: corresponds to the individual optical scanning element array of the child array column □ A lens is arranged respectively, and the conjugate virtual image plane of the optical scanning element array surface and/or projection image plane by the lens is a lens array so as to coincide with the object plane and/or image plane, respectively, satisfying the same-magnification erect real image projection condition of the array;
By arranging lenses, optical scanning element arrays, and scanning line forming area surfaces, each optical scanning element array row can be individually
The present invention is characterized in that the scanning area by each optical scanning element array is reduced so that one continuous scanning line with high pixel density is obtained in the scanning line forming area.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.・Second
Figures A and B are made using the same method as the conventional example in Figure 1.
1 is a cross-sectional view and a developed plan view showing an example of the configuration of the device of the present invention, in which the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

In Figures A and B, ■ and 2 are similar to those in Figure 1,
Each optical scanning element array row has a plurality of optical scanning element arrays A0 to An and B□ to Bn, such as a plurality of light emitting element arrays or light receiving element arrays, arranged in a straight line at predetermined intervals. Desired scanning line forming area 1
On the other hand, the optical scanning element arrays of each optical scanning element array row 1 and 2 are arranged in parallel so as to alternately face each other. A respective lens array 8.4 is inserted between each of the optical scanning element array rows 1.2 and the completed scanning line forming area, as in the prior art. The lens arrays 3 and 4 are microlens arrays that project a royal real image composed of a gradient index rod lens called a SELFOC lens (trade name) or a multistage arrangement of small-diameter spherical lenses. This is a well-known lens constructed by collecting a large number of small diameter lenses. The microlens array 3.4 then displays a same-magnification erect real image of the optical scanning element arrays A□ to AntB1 to Bn in each optical scanning element array row 1.2, and displays the same magnification erect real images of the optical scanning element arrays A□ to AntB1 to Bn in each optical scanning element array row 1.2.゛Each area work corresponding to Ray A□ ~ import, B0 ~ Bn, ~ work. and are positioned so as to form a continuous linear scan line.

On the side of the optical scanning element array rows 1 and 2 of the microlens arrays 3 and 4, there are individual optical scanning element arrays A0 to A0.
The concave lenses DA-1 to DA-n l DB-1 to DB-n are inserted in positions close to the microlens arrays 3 and 4 in correspondence with An, B, and Bn, respectively. Also, on the completion side of the scanning line forming area of the microlens arrays 3 and 4, each of the concave lenses DA-0 to DA-0l approaching the microlens arrays 3 and 4 is also provided.
Convex lens 0A is placed at the position corresponding to DB-1 to DB-□.
-1~CA-n'' B-1~CB, , n is inserted.It should be noted that these concave lenses DA-,~
DA, , n, DB-0 to DB-n and convex lens CA
-□~0A-nl CB-1~CB-n are preferably arranged so that their optical axes coincide with the centers of the corresponding optical scanning element arrays A0~An and B~Bn, respectively. Further, the microlens array 3° 4 is provided at a position shifted toward the completed scanning line forming area from the intermediate position between the completed scanning line forming area and the optical scanning element array row 1.2,
As shown in FIG. so that one straight scanning line is formed.
The positional relationship between each optical scanning element array row 1, 2, each microlens array 3, 4, and the scanning line forming area I/plane, and the optical scanning element array A0 to An of each optical scanning element array 1°2, B□ to An interval of Bn is set.

To explain each of the optical scanning element arrays A□ to An and B□ to Bn constituting the optical scanning element array rows 1 and 2 in more detail, each optical scanning element array A□ to A
nr Bt to Bn, for example, use ceramic substrates as support substrates 5A-0 to sA-, 15E-1 to 5B-71,
Each optical scanning element is formed on this supporting substrate, and has a configuration including electrodes, lead wires, etc. for applying scanning signals, recording signals, readout signals, etc., and in some cases, scans individual optical scanning elements. A semiconductor circuit for driving is integrally mounted on the support substrate. Each of the optical scanning element array rows 1 and 2 is formed by holding an optical scanning element array section having the above-described configuration using any suitable holding means such that the optical scanning element arrays are lined up in a straight line at a predetermined interval. .

In this practical example, by configuring as described above, a book scanning line is formed in each optical scanning element array row 1.2, and an optical scanning element array with a coarse element arrangement density is used. This is to obtain high-quality scanning lines. In such a configuration, the reduction magnification is changed and the optical scanning element arrays A□ to An in each optical scanning element array row 1.2 are changed according to the reduction magnification.
.

By changing the intervals between B1 and Bn, it is possible to easily form a scanning line having a desired pixel density according to the purpose of use without changing the element arrangement density of each of the optical scanning element arrays. It has characteristics.

Prior to explaining the principle of forming a reduced image using the configuration of this embodiment, problems in obtaining a reduced erect real image using a known imaging lens array will be explained.

181fflA is an explanatory diagram of a known general usage state of the microlens array L. La+"b+Lc is also called a Ronde lens or a fiber lens in which the refractive index changes from the same side toward the center. It is a microlens optical system consisting of multiple cylindrical lenses or small-diameter spherical lenses arranged in multiple stages. Below, including the columnar lens, it is simply "
lens).

The microlens array L includes these lenses La.

As shown in the figure, a large number of Lb and Lo are arranged in parallel and collectively arranged in a straight line. Assuming that the arrow P0 indicates a part of the optical scanning element array, an erect real image Q□ of equal magnification is formed by the lens La at the corresponding position in the scanning line forming area. Optical axis X on the light incident side of lens La
On the other hand, if the optical axis on the light output side is X', the tip of the arrow P0 is in contact with the optical axis The real image Q□ and the arrow P have the same size.

Similarly, the same-magnification erect real image due to lens Ll: ′Q′□
The rear end of the arrow P and its equal-sized erect real image Q'□ are in contact with the optical axes y and y', respectively, so
As a result, as shown in the figure, each of them has an equal 1x erect real image Q1
fQ,', overlap and are recognized as one image, and a real image of equal size corresponding to the arrow P0 is obtained.

In Figure 3B, in order to form an enlarged image using a 1 microlens array L, the optical scanning element array P0, which is indicated by an arrow with respect to the microlens array L in Figure A, is approached to the microlens array L. This figure shows the situation when this is set as P2. In this case, an enlarged erect real image Q2 indicated by an arrow P is formed with respect to the lens L. That is, in this case, since the tips of the arrows P,' are in contact with the optical axis X, the tips of the enlarged images Q,' are also in contact with the optical axis X'. Similarly, lens L.

The enlarged erect real image Q'2 of the arrow P is formed on the same plane as the enlarged erect real image Q2 caused by the lens La, but since the rear end of the arrow P2 is in contact with the optical axis y, its enlargement is The rear end of the royal real image Q' is also in contact with the optical axis y'. As a result, the lens La is removed. The enlarged royal real images Q2 and Q10 do not overlap as shown in the figure, and the enlarged erect real image indicated by the arrow P on the image plane is recognized as a multiple image or a blurred image, and a normal enlarged royal real image is obtained. The problem is that it cannot be done.

This is the same even when a reduced image is formed using a microlens array, and the problem can be easily solved by exchanging the positions of the optical scanning element array and the projection or light receiving area in Figure B. It turns out that it is impossible to obtain a normal reduced royal image of the element array.

On the other hand, the apparatus of the present invention, as in the configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. , individual optical scanning element arrays A□~An, B
□～Bn, each lens D～D
,D~D ohA-L A-n
B-I B-n and or CA, -1
~0A-n'' By inserting E-1 to CE-n, the above problem is solved and the object of the present invention is achieved.

Hereinafter, the effects of the configuration of the device of the present invention and the setting conditions of each component will be explained.

FIG. 4 shows that in the apparatus of the present invention, between each microlens array 3, 4 and the completion of the scanning line forming area, each optical scanning element array A□~An+B~Bn of each optical scanning element array row is connected to each other. Correspondingly, concave L/>zu DA-1~D
A-n l DB-1~''B-n (corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 described later), the n-th optical scanning element array in the optical scanning element array row l Am, a concave lens DA-1 disposed opposite to the optical scanning element array Am, a microlens array 3 consisting of L□ to L8 at corresponding positions, and the scanning that the optical scanning element array Am has. This figure shows the structural relationship between the four components of scanning line formation area completion on the surface.The position of the scanning line formation area completion □ with respect to the microlens array 3 is determined by the microlens array 3 projecting the same-size erect real image. The light flux from the optical scanning element array Am arranged on the 00 plane, which is kept in the same position as when
, m and enters the microlens array 3, so that the microlens array 8 becomes as if a reduced optical scanning element array A'm exists on the 02 plane. Since this 02 plane is arranged so as to coincide with the object plane that satisfies the same-magnification royal real image projection □1ij condition of the microlens array 3, this reduced virtual image optical scanning element array image':A
The same-size erect real image of No. 5 is projected onto the completed scanning line forming area □ surface. In other words, the same-magnification erect real image projected onto the completed scanning line forming area □ plane corresponds to the reduced erect real image of the optical scanning element array Am on the ○□ plane, and the image on the 02 plane is related to the concave lenses DA, , m. This is a virtual image of the optical scanning element array Am of the 00 plane, and both of them are in a conjugate relationship. In this way, in order to obtain a reduced royal image on the work surface, it is necessary to
It is necessary to match the object position that satisfies the same-magnification erect real image field projection condition of the microlens array 3, and a concave lens DA with an appropriate curvature is used so that the 02 plane is formed at this object position.
-□ is used, and the position of the concave lens DA-m and the optical scanning element array Am is determined by δ.

If the position f6'' and size of the virtual image plane 02 are given, and the principal plane of the concave lens DA-□ and the positions of the focal points F□ and F2 are given, then 0□ where the optical scanning element array Am should be installed is given.
The position and size of the surface can be easily determined.

The same figure shows a line diagram for calculating the position and size of 00 by drawing from the 02 plane, but this drawing was drawn according to the well-known laws of geometric optics, and such a drawing method is well-known. Therefore, the explanation will be omitted.

To obtain the virtual image A'm's 11 RO2 from the conditions given by the formula, it is sufficient to apply the lens formula a''b=f.In the above formula, a is the distance between ol and h0, b is the distance between 02 and h0, but it is a negative value because the virtual image A'□ at 02 is formed on the 0□ side of the concave lens DA-m.Furthermore, f is the focal length of the concave lens DA-0. The reduction magnification is given by the ratio of 0° to 0□, that is, I b/a I.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of main parts, setting conditions, and effects in another embodiment of the device of the present invention, and is an optical system in another embodiment of the device of the present invention shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. The configuration is shown using the same method as in Figure 4.

That is, this example shows a case in which the scanning line forming area of the lens array L consisting of microlenses L to L3 is completed, and a convex lens vending machine -□ is inserted on the side.

The optical scanning element array Am is arranged on a 00 plane that satisfies the same-magnification erect real image projection condition of the lens array L and coincides with the object plane. Therefore, if the convex lens CA-□ is not present, the same-magnification erect real image power of the optical scanning element array Am will be formed in the O3 direction, but as in this embodiment, on the exit side of the lens array L,
A convex lens 0 corresponds to the optical scanning element array Arn.
In the configuration in which A-II+ is inserted, its convex lens CA-m
Due to the action of 0.0 as shown by the solid line. A miniature statue on the surface of
will be formed. Regarding this system, real image engineering.

The virtual image of convex lens CA-m is 1°' and is a conjugate image.

Therefore, so that the virtual image angle in the 08 direction, ' coincides with the image concavity that satisfies the same magnification erect real image projection condition of the lens array L,
When setting the real image JO and the arrangement of the convex lens CA-m, the reduced image of the optical fixed element array Am is located at the image plane 0. It will be obtained. In addition,
The figure shows an example in which the position and size of the real image, that is, the optical scanning element array AInσ), is plotted according to the general laws of optics, given the position and size of the virtual image plane 08. It shows.

To find this using a formula, as in the previous case,
It can be found by i11-lower. Here, a is the distance from the principal plane h2 of the convex lens CA-0 to the real image 1□n, b is the distance from h2 to the virtual image, ' is the distance from I, and n' is the real image with respect to the convex lens 0A-111. From the side,
Its value will be a negative number. Further, f is the focal length of the convex lens CA-□. By finding the value of a from the above formula,
The position of the reduced royal real image 1] 11, that is, the optical scanning element array A formed by the optical scanning element array Am
The position and size of the scanning line forming area ■□ of the In receiver is determined.

The reduction projection magnification is the ratio of ■ to 1□′,
It is given by l a/b+.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the main part of the edited small image projection optical light in the embodiment of the present Komei apparatus explained in FIG. 2.

is shown using the same method as in FIGS. 4 and 5 above. Explanation of the configuration earlier.As I said, on the incident side of the lens array 3, that is, on the optical scanning concentrator array All1 side, there are 7 lenses and 4 lenses at positions facing the optical scanning condenser array Am. DA-m is
□ Also, on the exit side of the lens array 3, there is a concave lens DA.
-Convex lenses 0A-0 are arranged to correspond to squares. Therefore, the effect corresponds to the case where both of the functions described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 are used together.

Briefly explaining its operation, as explained with reference to FIG. 4, by the action of the concave lens DA-□, a virtual image Am' of the optical set element array Am located at the position of 0□ is formed on the 0 plane. Next, by the action of the lens array 3, the virtual image A of the 02 plane to be projected onto the 08 plane as the same-size erect real image, '
m' is the convex lens 0A-0 as explained in FIG.
It is reduced by the action of , and a reduced royal image is formed in 04 blood. In this case, when viewed from the lens array 8 side, the image Am' of the 08 plane is the optical fixed element array A
This is a virtual image created by the m concave lens CA-0, and is a ■ on the 08 plane. ' is the convex lens C of the real image □ formed on the 01 plane.
This is a virtual image created by A-□. Virtual image A on those 02 planes
m' and the virtual image Im/ on the 08 plane coincide with the object plane and the image plane that satisfy the same-magnification erect real image projection conditions of the lens array 8, so that the optical scanning element array Am arranged on the 00 plane The conditions for projecting a reduced image onto the O2 plane are satisfied.

In the reduction optical system configured in this way, the narrowing effect is divided and shared between the concave lens and the convex lens, so that the curvature of each lens can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of aberration generated by each yuzu due to zooming is small, and the reduction ratio of the projected image of the optical scanning probe array Am projected onto the scanning line forming area can be increased, so the embodiment shown in FIG. Even if optical fixed element arrays A□~An and B~Bn with fine reciprocating activity are used, an extremely high-performance optical scanning device can be realized.

FIG. 7 is an exploded plan view showing an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention constituted by the seasonal optical system explained in FIG. 4 using the same method as FIG. 2B. In this figure, the same parts as in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, only the optical fixed scanning element array rows 1 and 2 of each lens array 4 and 5 are provided on the side of each optical scanning element array row 1 and 2.
Individual optotaxis arrays A~An, B~Bn
Concave lenses DA-1 to DA- correspond to
n I DB-I NDB-n is placed close to the lens arrays 1 and 2, and the optical scanning element arrays A1 to 2 are scanned according to the principle explained in FIG.

B construction ~Each area construction for the completion of the scanning line formation area that Bn has, ~
■ Reducing ゎ and reducing each optical scanning element array row 1゜2 of optical scanning element arrays A□~An, B~Bn'JX
Seki area engineering □ ~ engineering. are arranged alternately in a continuous straight line so as to form scanning elements so as to fit 1 m 1 t 4 j L. That is, in the same figure, a-an and b0-bn are each optical scanning element array A0-Anl.
B, ~Bn concave lenses DA-1 to DA-n.

The virtual images from DB-1 to Dk3-n are shown respectively, and the projection conditions for the same-size erect real image are demonstrated by setting the virtual images a to ao lunz arrays 1 and 2, the projection or light reception area, and ~1 m to νJ. It is structured in the same way.

Further, the intervals between the optical scanning arrays A~An and B~Bn of each optical set element array row 1.2 are the same as the scanning line forming area completed by each of them. However, it is necessary to set it appropriately so that it becomes one continuous scanning line as shown in the figure.

According to the structure of this embodiment, the structure is simpler than that of FIG. 2, and the concave lenses DA-1 to DA-□.

Since the optical path length is extended by inserting DB-1 to DB-n, the NtN of these concave lenses is facilitated.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention using the same method as in FIG. 2B, in which each optical scanning element array row is
, 2, each optical character set element array A ~ An, B
,~Completion of each scanning line forming area formed by Bn,~reducing the size of the rice, and creating one 1lkl-shaped scanning line with a pixel density starting point of Qi in the fixed line forming area. It was designed so that it could be formed.

That is, as shown in the figure, each optical scanning element array row 1, 2
A convex lens OA is placed on the scanning line forming area 1 side of each lens array 8, 4 corresponding to each of the optical scanning element arrays A1 to An, B, and Bn arranged linearly at predetermined intervals. -□-”OA-□, CB-0, ~CB-□ are arranged.As explained in Fig. 5, each convex lens 0A-0~CA, , ,
n, CB, , . . . , . . . , . The curvature of each convex lens 0A-1 to cA-,, aB-0 to CB-n is determined so that the conjugate virtual image between the images in is formed approximately at an order 1α indicated by i□ to 1n, and The distance from the self 1μ and the lens arrays 3 and 4 to the projection area In is predetermined. In addition, each optical scanning element array A, ~An, corresponding to each of the virtual image planes 1□~in and its virtual image planes, ~1n,
B~Bn are arranged at positions that do not satisfy the conditions for projecting an orthogonal real image from the lens array 8.4, and each of the optical fixed element arrays A~Ao and B~Bn are The Hr constant determined by the reduction rate etc. is projected on each area at alternate positions shown in the figure from □ to Hr on the scanning line forming area to form one continuous scanning line. Vt is positioned on each optical scanning element array row 1, 2 at an interval of Vt.

The configuration of this embodiment has the advantage that even if the angular distribution characteristics of the light emitting or light receiving characteristics of the optically eroded layer array are degraded, no disadvantage is caused to the luminous flux transmission characteristics.

FIG. 9 shows the light flux transmission at the end of the optical scanning element array Am according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. It is an explanatory diagram of characteristics. e□+ 8. *
es... is the optical scanning element that constitutes the optical scanning element array AI]1, for example a light emitting diode chip, which has a large amount of luminous flux in the vertical direction as shown by the arrow, and as it deviates from the semi-rectangular direction, The luminous flux decreases rapidly.
+i Assume that the product has a special order. DA-m is the optical path 2 of the lens array L consisting of the number of microlenses L, L... This is a gate lens inserted in correspondence with the optical scanning system array ArI].In the source floor of the light emitted from the light-emitting diode chip e□ of AT"AN &lS, for example, the microlens shown in L Mainly, the light beam emitted by humans is a tilted light beam in a direction away from the vertical direction, as shown by the dotted line, and the amount of light is extremely small compared to the amount of light in the vertical direction.On the other hand, the concave lens DA-□ The light flux that enters the microlens L□ from the light emitting diode chip near e5, which is close to the C axis 0, also becomes a light flux in a direction close to the vertical direction, as shown by the dot, and therefore its divergence increases. The closer to the optical axis 0 of the concave lens DA-0, the more the light beam emitted perpendicularly from the light emitting diode chip is transmitted and a brighter image is obtained.

As it moves away from the sky, the transmission light spot decreases rapidly.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, there is no convex lens interposed between the optical fixed element array and the lens array, so that each optical scanning element constituting the optical scanning element array The vertical human exit light beam is transmitted by the lens array and becomes the chief ray for imaging.

Therefore, even if the device of the present invention is constructed by using an optical scanning element array formed by optical scanning elements having a small beam opening angle characteristic, a homogeneous scanning line with no decrease in light intensity at the ends of the optical scanning element array can be obtained. There are features that can be formed.

Although the details of the apparatus of the present invention have been explained above using several embodiments, it goes without saying that modified cedar may be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, if the concave lenses DA-1 to DA-n l DB-1 to DB-n or the convex lenses C to O, O-0 in each of the above embodiments, A-L A-n B-I B-n or both It is also possible to use a Fresnel lens as the lens to reduce the wall thickness and facilitate the arrangement.

Note that the optical scanning element array in the apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a light emitting element array, but may also include a light receiving element array. A light-receiving element array may be used as the optical scanning element array in each embodiment described in j.

As explained in detail above, the inventive device is capable of producing an optical scanning line with a high density of elements by using an optical scanning element array with a relatively low density of elements, using a relatively simple configuration. A scanning line having a pixel density equivalent to that when using child array columns can be formed. In addition, since the plurality of optical scanning element arrays constituting each optical scanning element array row are arranged at appropriate intervals, continuous Hr without being affected by the support substrate that supports each optical scanning element array. Not only is it possible to form a fixed line with a length of 100 mm, but it is also easy to change the spacing of the optical scanning element array when a reduction magnification is provided. It is possible to use the scanning element array in common with many types of devices of the present invention that form scanning lines with a pixel density depending on the purpose of use, and the optical scanning element array has a relatively low production yield. When used effectively, there are effects such as monkeys. Further, since the image projection is performed under the same-size erect real image projection conditions of the lens array, a scanning line with high resolution can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

11th gl A and B are conventional optical scanning devices ftt
17) f1g example cross-sectional view and developed flat II view,
2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a developed plan view showing an example of the configuration of an embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an explanation of problems when obtaining a variable magnification erect real image using a microlens array. Figures 4 to 6 show the setting conditions of the variable magnification erect real image projection optical system in different embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention. The figure is a developed plan view showing a 414 configuration of an embodiment of the present invention apparatus using the magnification variable erect real image optical system illustrated in the figure. . 1.2...Optical scanning element array row 3.4...Lens array A~AnlB~Bn...Optical scanning element array Am
... m-th optical scanning element array CA-1 to CA-nt CB-1 to CB-n of optical scanning element array row 1
'...Convex lens, processing...Scanning line forming area processing, ~ processing...Scanning line forming area that each optical scanning element array has...Scanning line that each optical scanning element array has... formation area. Patent applicant: Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 2A Figure 3A B Figure 4, J Figure 5Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Two optical scanning element array rows formed by linearly arranging a plurality of optical scanning element arrays at predetermined intervals,
The optical scanning element arrays are arranged parallel to the scanning line forming area so as to alternate with each other, and each lens array inserted between each optical scanning element array row and the scanning line forming area performs the optical scanning of the two rows. optically coupling an optical scanning element array of an element array row to the scanning line forming area;
In an optical scanning device configured to form continuous scanning lines of a book, each optical scanning element of each optical scanning element array is provided on at least one of the optical scanning element array column side and the scanning line forming area side of the lens array. Lenses are respectively arranged in correspondence with the array, and the conjugate virtual image plane of the optical scanning element array surface and the projection image plane by the lenses is an object plane and /or By arranging the lens array, the lens, the optical scanning element array, and the scanning line forming area plane so as to coincide with the image plane, the scanning area by each optical scanning element array in each optical scanning element array row is reduced. A high-density optical scanning device characterized in that it is configured to obtain one continuous scanning line in the scanning line forming area. & A concave lens is arranged on the optical scanning element array row I side of the lens array, and a convex lens is arranged on the scanning line forming area side, and a conjugate virtual image plane of the optical scanning element array surface by the concave lens and a projected image by the convex lens are arranged. 2. The high-density optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein a conjugate virtual image surface of the surface is made to coincide with an object surface and an image surface of the lens array that satisfy a same-magnification royal real image projection condition, respectively. & Claim 1, characterized in that a concave lens is disposed on the optical scanning element array side of the lens array, and the object plane, which satisfies projection conditions by the concave lens, and the image plane respectively coincide with each other. The high-density optical scanning device described. A convex lens is disposed on the scanning line forming area side of the lens array, and the conjugate virtual image plane of the projection image plane by the convex lens and the optical scanning element array surface are set as an image plane that satisfies the same-magnification erect real image projection condition of the lens array. 2. The high-density optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the optical scanning device is made coincident with the object plane and the object plane.