JP4898767B2 - Scanning optical device and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanning optical apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the same, and in particular, in order to achieve high speed and high recording density, image formation is performed using a multi-semiconductor laser having a plurality of light emitting portions as light source means. For example, the present invention relates to an apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a digital copying machine.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part in the main scanning direction of a conventional multi-beam optical scanning optical system using a plurality of light sources each having two light emitting units.

  In the figure, two light beams emitted from the multi-semiconductor laser 91AB having two light emitting points are made substantially parallel light by the collimator lens 92 and converge in the sub-scanning direction by the cylindrical lens 94 having refractive power only in the sub-scanning direction. Further, the light beam is shaped by the aperture stop 93 and imaged in the form of a focal line extending in the main scanning direction in the vicinity of the deflection surface 95a of the polygon mirror 95 which is an optical deflector.

  These two light beams are reflected and deflected by a polygon mirror 95 rotating at a constant angular velocity in the direction 95b, and have a fθ characteristic, and a photosensitive drum surface 97 which is a surface to be scanned by a scanning lens 96 constituted by lenses 96a and 96b. The light is condensed in a spot shape on the top and scanned at a constant speed in the direction of arrow 97b.

  In the same figure, the light beam emitted from the other multi-semiconductor laser 91CD is bent to the deflection surface by the optical path synthesis prism 98, and condensed and scanned on the surface to be scanned by the deflector 95 in the same manner. .

  Here, the optical axes of the multi-semiconductor lasers 91AB and 91CD are arranged with a predetermined opening angle in the main scanning direction, and are set so that the light beams at the entrance stop 93 substantially coincide.

  In the multi-beam scanning optical apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, if a plurality of light emitting portions A and B are arranged vertically in the sub-scanning direction, a plurality of scanning lines in the sub-scanning direction on the photosensitive drum surface are formed. Since the interval is much larger than the recording density, usually, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of light-emitting points A and B are inclined with respect to the direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction, and the inclination angle θ By adjusting this, the interval between the plurality of scanning lines in the sub-scanning direction on the photosensitive drum surface is accurately adjusted according to the recording density.

  Further, here, since scanning lines composed of light beams emitted from the light emitting portions C and D are added, the spots from these four light emitting points are alternately arranged on a straight line on the photosensitive drum surface 97 as shown in FIG. They are arranged in a line.

  By arranging them alternately, the amount of separation of the light beams in the main scanning direction on the polygon mirror deflecting surface 95a is reduced, so that the deviation of the imaging position of the light beams from a plurality of light sources in the main scanning direction can be suppressed to a small amount. Yes.

  This is because the beam occupying width in the main scanning direction when not arranged alternately is three times that of two beams, but by arranging the beams alternately, it can be suppressed to 1.5 times that of two beams. by.

  The reason why the imaging position deviation in the main scanning direction occurs is described in detail in columns 8 to 12 of Patent Document 1.

  By the way, when the scanning optical device is arranged inside the image forming apparatus, if the light beam incident on the surface of the photosensitive drum returns to the multi-semiconductor laser as the light source due to regular reflection of the surface of the photosensitive drum, the laser oscillation becomes unstable. May end up. Alternatively, the specularly reflected light may reach the photosensitive drum surface again due to the surface reflection of the optical components inside the scanner and cause a ghost. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It is considered that the incident light beam is obliquely incident with an angle α shifted from the normal line of the photosensitive drum surface so that the reflected light from the photosensitive drum surface does not return to the optical system or the light source again.

  However, when such a configuration in which the light is obliquely incident on the photosensitive drum is employed, there is a problem in that the imaging positions in the main scanning direction of the plurality of scanning lines on the surface of the photosensitive drum are different as shown in FIG. .

In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of canceling the imaging position shift of a plurality of light beams generated by making a plurality of light beams incident on a scanning lens into a convergent light beam or a divergent light beam. Has been.
JP 2001-228422 A JP 2001-59945 A

  According to the proposed method, the positional deviation in the main scanning direction between a plurality of beams can be corrected almost completely.

  However, an actual product is accompanied by an error in processing parts and an arrangement error in assembling, and it takes time for adjustment work to adjust to an appropriate position.

  In particular, if the position where the light beam emitted from the scanning optical device forms an image is not coincident with the photosensitive drum surface, that is, if there is an arrangement error in the optical axis direction, the above effect is not exhibited, and the spot diameter increases. A difference in image forming points in the main scanning direction of a plurality of beams occurs, resulting in deterioration of image quality.

  In the present invention, in view of these problems, in particular, in a multi-beam scanning optical apparatus that uses a plurality of light sources having a plurality of light emitting points, the main lines between the scanning lines can be obtained even in a state with an arrangement error between the scanning optical apparatus and the drum. An object of the present invention is to provide a high-performance scanning optical device that reduces the influence of an image forming position shift in the scanning direction.

  Furthermore, the present invention has an object of reducing costs by reducing work items for position adjustment and reducing work time.

To achieve the above object, the scanning optical apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of light sources, each having a plurality of light emitting points, each of the main scanning cross section of the plurality of light beams emitted from said plurality of light sources a first optical system for directing is converted into a convergent light beam on the deflecting surface of the polygon mirror at the inner, the polygon mirror of the deflecting surface by the deflected plurality of each of the light beam is separated in the sub-scanning direction each other and the surface to be scanned on And a second optical system that forms an image as a spot on the scanning optical device,
In the sub-scan section, a plurality of light beams incident on the surface to be scanned are incident so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal line of the surface to be scanned, and
The imaging positions in the main scanning direction of the spots of the plurality of spots on the surface to be scanned sequentially arranged in the sub-scanning direction are sequentially arranged in the same direction in the main scanning direction , and
Arranged so that spots from different light sources among the plurality of light sources do not line up between spots emitted from the same light source among the plurality of light sources in the sub-scanning direction; and
Each of the plurality of light beams incident on the surface to be scanned in the sub-scanning cross section is incident on the surface to be scanned at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal line of the surface to be scanned. Generating oblique incidence jitter in a first direction parallel to the main scanning direction between a plurality of spots to be imaged; and
By allowing a plurality of convergent light beams deflected by the deflection surface of the polygon mirror to enter the second optical system, the light beams are relatively parallel to the main scanning direction between the plurality of spots imaged on the surface to be scanned. And generating a convergence jitter in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and
The interval occupied by all the spots of the plurality of spots in the main scanning direction is a straight line that passes through the spots emitted from the same light source among the plurality of light sources and spans the interval in the sub-scanning direction occupied by all the spots. Shorter than the interval in the main scanning direction , and
The interval L in the main scanning direction between the innermost two spots emitted from different light sources among the plurality of spots is W> L ≧ ω.
W: Interval in the main scanning direction between spots emitted from the same light source among the plurality of light sources
ω: a spot diameter in the main scanning direction of the spot is satisfied.

  As described above, the interval between all the spots in the main scanning direction on the surface to be scanned is the linear interval in the main scanning direction that is set so as to pass the sub-scanning interval that passes through the spots of the same light source. By setting a shorter value, it is possible to maintain good image quality performance without setting strict tolerances or taking a lot of adjustment time in order to limit the placement error between the scanning optical device and the photosensitive drum or the focus deviation of the scanning lens. It becomes easy.

  Furthermore, as described above, the effects of the present invention can be easily adjusted and the yield is improved, and the adjustment time is reduced, which can contribute to cost reduction.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part in the sub-scanning direction showing the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 104 denotes an image forming apparatus.

  Code data Dc is input to the image forming apparatus 104 from an external device 117 such as a personal computer.

  The code data Dc is converted into image data (dot data) Di by a printer controller 111 in the apparatus. The image data Di is input to the optical scanning unit 100 having the configuration shown in the first to third embodiments.

  The light scanning unit 100 emits a light beam 103 modulated according to the image data Di, and the light beam 103 scans the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 101 in the main scanning direction.

  The photosensitive drum 101 serving as an electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) is rotated clockwise by a motor 115.

  With this rotation, the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 101 moves in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction with respect to the light beam 103.

  Above the photosensitive drum 101, a charging roller 102 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 is provided so as to contact the surface.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 101 charged by the charging roller 102 is irradiated with the light beam 103 scanned by the optical scanning unit 100.

  As described above, the light beam 103 is modulated based on the image data Di, and by irradiating the light beam 103, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

  The electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image by a developing unit 107 disposed so as to contact the photosensitive drum 101 further downstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 101 than the irradiation position of the light beam 103.

  The toner image developed by the developing unit 107 is transferred onto a sheet 112 as a transfer material by a transfer roller 108 disposed below the photosensitive drum 101 so as to face the photosensitive drum 101.

  The paper 112 is stored in the paper cassette 109 in front of the photosensitive drum 101 (on the right side in FIG. 6), but can be fed manually. A paper feed roller 110 is provided at the end of the paper cassette 109, and feeds the paper 112 in the paper cassette 109 into the transport path.

  As described above, the sheet 112 on which the unfixed toner image has been transferred is further conveyed to a fixing device behind the photosensitive drum 101 (left side in FIG. 6).

  The fixing device includes a fixing roller 113 having a fixing heater (not shown) therein, and a pressure roller 114 disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing roller 113, and the sheet conveyed from the transfer unit. The unfixed toner image on the paper 112 is fixed by heating 112 while applying pressure at the pressure contact portion between the fixing roller 113 and the pressure roller 114.

  Further, a paper discharge roller 116 is disposed behind the fixing roller 113, and the fixed paper 112 is discharged out of the image forming apparatus.

  Although not shown in FIG. 6, the print controller 111 not only converts the explanation data, but also controls each part in the image forming apparatus including the motor 115 and a polygon motor in the optical scanning unit described later. Do.

  Next, an embodiment of the scanning optical device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 shows the main scanning sectional direction of the scanning optical apparatus according to the present invention. The light source is composed of semiconductor lasers each having two light emitting points of 1AB and 1CD, and each semiconductor laser is supplied with an image signal driven by a predetermined clock by a light emission control unit (not shown) to control light emission.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a collimating lens for each light source as the first optical system. Here, a light beam emitted from each light source is incident on a scanning lens 6 described later as a slightly convergent light.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a common cylindrical lens having power only in the sub-scanning direction, which also constitutes the first optical system, and its focal point is in the vicinity of the deflection surface 5a of the polygon mirror 5 which is a deflector controlled at a constant rotational speed. It is set to tie.

  The light beams from the two light sources 1AB and 1CD are combined in the optical path by the combining prism 8 which is an optical path conversion means, and both the light beams are directed toward the deflecting surface so that the principal rays of all the light beams are matched at the aperture 3. It is configured.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a scanning lens made of an optical resin composed of two optical elements 6a and 6b as a second optical system, and the light beam rotated and deflected by the polygon mirror 5 is moved at a constant speed in the direction 7b with respect to the surface to be scanned 7. F.

  The scanned surface 7 is an image carrier made of a photosensitive drum, and rotates at a constant speed with respect to a direction perpendicular to the main scanning to sequentially form images in the sub-scanning direction.

  The operation of the scanning optical device will be described below.

  The light source 1AB and the light source 1CD having two light emitting points are adjusted by rotating the semiconductor laser around the optical axis, respectively, so as to form an image at a predetermined scanning interval in the sub-scanning direction on the surface to be scanned 7, After being emitted as weakly convergent light by the collimator lens 2, the light flux from each light source is incident on the cylindrical lens 4 with a slight opening angle in the main scanning direction by the combining prism.

  The opening angle in the main scanning direction can be set by rotating a pair of at least one light source and a collimating lens together in the main scanning direction.

  The synthesizing prism, which is the synthesizing means, is configured by bonding the right-angle prisms subjected to the half mirror process, but the synthesizing means is not limited to this, and the polarization directions of the light sources 1AB and 1CD are different from each other at right angles. If they are arranged and a polarizing prism is used instead of a half mirror, they can be combined in the same manner, and if necessary, they may be combined with a wave plate.

  In addition, the apex angle is not a right angle, but the apex angle is set so that the interval in the main scanning direction is a predetermined amount on the scanning surface of the spot, or the focal line is formed by being separated in the sub scanning direction on the deflection surface 5a. It is also possible to set the apex angle in the sub-scanning direction, and it may be set as necessary, such as using a flat half mirror instead of the prism.

  As another method, a plurality of light sources and collimator lenses are combined as one set without using a combining means, and the optical axes are configured so as to form an opening angle with respect to each other in the main scanning direction so that they substantially coincide on the deflection surface. It is also possible to do.

  The luminous flux emitted from each light emitting point is formed as a long line image in the main scanning direction with a predetermined interval in the sub scanning direction in the vicinity of the deflection surface 5a of the polygon mirror 5 by the action of the cylindrical lens 4. Since the principal rays of the respective light beams are made to coincide with each other by the aperture 3 that restricts the light beam immediately before being incident on the light beam 5 and the positions in the main scanning direction incident on the deflecting surface 5a are substantially the same, The imaging position shift of each light beam in the main scanning direction due to the focus shift of the scanning lens 6 is suppressed (see JP-A-2001-228422).

  Then, the light beam deflected by the rotation of the polygon mirror 5 is sequentially directed to the scanning lens 6.

  The scanning lens 6 is composed of the two lenses 6a and 6b made of optical resin as described above, and makes use of the advantage that the surface shape can be set with a high degree of freedom by molding, so that the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction are used. Are formed in different shapes.

  In the main scanning direction, the optical elements 6a and 6b are both aspherical, and scan the light beam deflected by the polygon mirror 5 rotating at a constant speed onto the surface to be scanned 7 made of a photosensitive drum at a constant speed fθ. Has performance. The surface shape in the sub-scanning direction is such that the curvature varies along the main scanning direction, and appropriate aberration correction is performed so as to maintain good imaging performance up to the periphery of the field angle.

  Further, in the same sub-scanning direction, the deflecting surface 5a and the surface to be scanned 7 are set to have a conjugate relationship, and the light beam once condensed in the sub-scanning direction in the vicinity of the deflecting surface 5a is imaged again on the surface to be scanned. This constitutes a so-called surface tilt correction system.

  In the scanning optical apparatus of the present embodiment, a detection unit 9 for detecting the writing start timing is provided at one end of the surface to be scanned 7 in the main scanning direction.

  This is because a part of the scanning lines scanned in the main scanning direction is used to perform synchronization detection for controlling the actual image writing timing by the scanning lines.

  Note that it is not always necessary to detect all the spots for detection of the writing start timing. One beam out of two beams or one beam out of four beams is detected, and the delay time (delay) is set for the other beams. It will be possible to take appropriate measures such as controlling by applying

  As shown in FIG. 2, the scanned surface 7 made of a photosensitive drum is arranged with an angle α between the straight line connecting the center position of the photosensitive drum and a point on the drum surface irradiated with the light beam and the optical axis of the scanning optical device. This is arranged so that it is obliquely incident so that it does not return to the light source by following the original optical path even when return light from the photosensitive surface is generated as described above. .

  Here, an imaging position shift in the main scanning direction between scanning lines caused by oblique incidence on the photosensitive drum described above (hereinafter referred to as oblique incidence jitter), and a light beam incident on the scanning lens is convergent light. The relationship of the resulting jitter (hereinafter referred to as convergence jitter) will be described.

  The luminous fluxes A and B from the light source 1AB incident on the scanning lens as convergent light and the luminous fluxes C and D emitted from the light source 1CD are condensed on the photosensitive drum surface by the scanning lens.

  Here, the spots corresponding to the respective light emitting points are referred to as spots A, B, C, and D. The arrangement of the spots on the photosensitive drum at this time is as shown in FIG. It becomes an array.

  When the light beams emitted from the light sources 1AB and 1CD are imaged in spots on the photosensitive drum surface 7 at regular intervals as shown in FIG. 19 (a-1), BD detection is performed at each of the spots A to D. Thus, in the vicinity of the central portion of the photosensitive drum surface 7, each spot is linearly arranged in the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. 19 (a-2).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum surface 7 and the optical axis of the scanning optical device are arranged at an angle α in the sub-scanning direction. The oblique incidence jitter as shown in FIG. 19A-3 occurs at the end portion in the main scanning direction on the photosensitive drum surface 7.

  FIG. 19 (a-3) shows the oblique incidence jitter at the left end on the photosensitive drum surface 7. The oblique incidence jitter at the right end on the photosensitive drum surface 7 is the same as FIG. 19 (a-3). It can be easily understood that the arrangement is reversed.

Further, by making the light beam incident on the scanning lens 6 a convergent light beam, a convergence jitter as shown in FIG. 19A-4 occurs.
FIG. 19A-4 shows the entire region from the left end to the right end on the photosensitive drum surface 7.

  Then, by canceling the oblique incidence jitter shown in FIG. 19 (a-3) with the convergence jitter shown in FIG. 19 (a-4), as shown in FIG. 19 (a-5), as shown in FIG. Each spot is linearly arranged in the sub-scanning direction at the position, thereby realizing a scanning optical device free from jitter.

  Here, consider a case where the light beams emitted from the light sources 1AB and 1CD are arranged and imaged on the photosensitive drum surface 7 as shown in FIG.

  Also in this case, each spot A to D is subjected to BD detection, so that each spot is linearly arranged in the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. 19B-2 near the center of the photosensitive drum surface 7. It will be.

  Similarly to the above, since the photosensitive drum surface and the optical axis of the scanning optical device are arranged at an angle α in the sub-scanning direction, the main scanning direction end on the photosensitive drum surface is shown in FIG. The oblique incidence jitter as shown in FIG.

  What should be noted here is that the arrangement of the spots shown in FIGS. 19 (a-1) and 19 (b-1) is different, but FIGS. 19 (a-3) and 19 (b-3) are different. The oblique incidence jitter shown in FIG.

  This is because BD detection is performed at each of the spots A to D, regardless of the spot arrangement as shown in FIG. 19 (a-1) or the spot arrangement as shown in FIG. 19 (b-1). Alternatively, all the spots are forcibly arranged in the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIGS. 19A-2 and 19B-2 near the center of the photosensitive drum surface 7 by providing a delay time. This is because that.

  Next, considering the convergence jitter generated when the light beam incident on the scanning lens 6 is a convergent light beam, the convergence jitter is uniquely determined by the position where the light beams emitted from the light sources 1AB and 1CD are imaged on the photosensitive drum surface 7. Therefore, the convergence jitter as shown in FIG. 19 (b-4) occurs.

  For details of this reason, refer to JP 2001-059945 A.

  As a result, the oblique incidence jitter shown in FIG. 19 (b-3) cannot be completely canceled by the convergence jitter shown in FIG. 19 (b-4), and as a result, as shown in FIG. 19 (b-5). Jitter Pj will remain.

  FIG. 19B-5 shows the remaining jitter at the left end on the photosensitive drum surface 7.

  Needless to say, the remaining jitter at the right end is opposite to that shown in FIG. 19 (b-5).

  Further, consider a case where the light beams emitted from the light sources 1AB and 1CD are arranged and imaged on the photosensitive drum surface 7 as shown in FIG.

  Also in this case, for the same reason as described above, the oblique incidence jitter shown in FIG. 19 (c-3) cannot be completely canceled by the convergence jitter shown in FIG. 19 (c-4). As a result, FIG. Jitter Pj as shown in c-5) remains.

  FIG. 19 (c-5) shows the remaining jitter at the left end portion on the photosensitive drum surface 7, but the jitter in the direction opposite to that in FIG. 19 (b-5) remains.

  Needless to say, the remaining jitter at the right end is opposite to that shown in FIG. 19 (c-5).

  Although the description here is that the oblique incidence jitter is canceled by the convergence jitter generated by making the light beam incident on the scanning lens 6 into a convergent light beam, the degree of convergence of the light beam incident on the scanning lens 6 is negative. In this case, that is, when the divergent light beam is incident on the scanning lens 6, the oblique incidence jitter can be similarly canceled.

  Next, consider a case where there is an arrangement error between the scanning optical device and the photosensitive drum.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the oblique incidence jitter and the convergence jitter are in a canceling relationship, the imaging positions in the main scanning direction of the spots coincide with each other.

  Here, when the photosensitive drum surface is arranged in front of or behind the optical axis direction of the condensing position of the scanning lens, imaging in the main scanning direction of each spot can be seen by looking at the principal ray shown in the figure. The distance is made in the position.

  The deviation amount δ of the image forming position in the main scanning direction is proportional to the deviation amount ΔM in the optical axis direction of the photosensitive drum surface, as can be readily understood.

  The same phenomenon also occurs when the main scanning focus of the scanning lens 6 is shifted.

  Considering the above-described cancellation residual of the oblique incidence jitter and the convergence jitter together with the jitter generated due to the arrangement error of the photosensitive drum and the focus shift of the scanning lens 6, the graph shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21 shows the amount of jitter at the left end or the right end on the photosensitive drum surface. The vertical axis represents the jitter amount due to each factor, and the horizontal axis represents the main scanning direction on the photosensitive drum surface. The direction and amount of the spot arrangement are shown, and the corresponding spot arrangement is described.

For each data in the graph, (1) is the absolute value of the cancellation residual between the oblique incidence jitter and the convergence jitter, and shows the change due to the difference in the spot arrangement in the main scanning direction.
(2) shows the absolute value of the amount of jitter generated by the amount of defocus per 1 mm in the optical axis direction when there is a photosensitive drum arrangement error or focus shift, and (3) shows the total value of (1) and (2). ing.

  As can be seen from the graph, the total jitter amount is smaller when arranged as shown in b-1 than when arranged as shown in c-1.

  In other words, in order to make it less susceptible to jitter caused by the placement error and focus deviation between the scanning optical device and the photosensitive drum, it is better to set the interval of each spot shorter than the entire interval that is evenly arranged in the main scanning direction. It can be seen that this is an advantageous condition for error.

  Next, the conditions of the spot arrangement for using the effects described above will be described.

  When performing multi-scanning with a scanning optical device using two light sources having two light emitting points, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, spots formed by light beams emitted from the two light sources are alternately arranged, and main scanning and sub-scanning respectively. When the main scanning interval between spots emitted from the same light source is W, the spot interval between different light sources is W / n (n is a light source having a plurality of light emitting points). Number).

  FIG. 15 is the case of c in FIG. 21 which is an arrangement advantageous for the above-described arrangement error and focus shift, and the spots C and D generated by the light beams emitted from the same light source are the light beams emitted from other light sources. In this example, the spots A and B are shifted in the direction closer to the main scanning direction so that the main scanning interval between A and C is p.

  The intervals between the spots at this time are p, Wp, and p from the left.

  The intensity distribution of each spot in the case as shown in this figure is as shown in FIG. 18, and when performing synchronous detection for each spot, it is necessary to take a minimum interval ω for separating the spots. In recent years, a technique has been adopted in which one of these spots is used for synchronization detection and the other spots are synchronized with an electrical delay, which is not an essential item.

  Therefore, it is considered to take a state where L = W, which is an advantageous condition for jitter.

As described above, the upper and lower limits are set for the interval between spots in the main scanning direction by considering the influence of jitter due to the placement error, and the spot in the main scanning direction of each spot along the sub-scanning direction on the surface to be scanned The imaging positions are arranged sequentially in the same direction in either the main scanning direction, and in the sub-scanning direction, the spots from other light sources are arranged between the spots emitted from the same light source. The distance L in the main scanning direction between the two innermost spots emitted from different light sources and arranged is W ≧ L> W / n. . . (1)
W: imaging interval in the main scanning direction of spots from the same light source n: the number of light sources having a plurality of light emitting points, and the main scanning direction interval occupied by all spots is the same in the main scanning direction in FIG. The interval is shorter than the interval.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 16, when L = ω (ω: spot diameter) is set beyond the above range, the total interval in the main scanning direction is 2W−ω, and the total interval in the main scanning direction is FIG. Since it is longer than 3/2 W at this time, and corresponds to the case of FIG.

  In the case of the form of FIG. 4, it may be considered in the same manner as the principle described in the nested form of FIGS. However, according to the principle, in order to reduce the distance between the spot A and the spot D in the main scanning direction, it is better to reduce the distance between the spot A and the spot D in the main scanning direction. become.

In addition, when the light sources are arranged on the surface to be scanned in the main scanning direction, the occupation range in the main scanning direction is set shorter than in the case where the light sources are equally arranged in the main scanning direction, and the jitter residual is set. In order to suppress, the interval L in the main scanning direction between the spots emitted from different light sources and adjacent to each other is set as W> L ≧ 0. . . (2)
Set as.

When synchronous detection is performed at each spot with the number of light sources n and the spot diameter ω, the conditional expression (1) is expressed as W− (n−1) ω ≧ L> W / n. . . (3)
Conditional expression (2) satisfies W> L ≧ ω. . . (4)
Can be set as

  Hereinafter, an example in which the spot arrangement according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 3 shows a composition in which light beams emitted from a semiconductor laser having two light emitting points are combined, and two spots are arranged alternately on the surface to be scanned in the main scanning direction, that is, in a so-called nested state. .

  The two light sources are tilted at the same angle around the optical axis to form the interval in the sub-scanning direction, and the light source and collimator lens are arranged in the sub-scanning direction so that the incident angle of the four light beams on the deflector deflecting surface differs in the sub-scanning direction It is set by inclining to a certain angle, or by making an angle difference in the emission angle in the sub-scanning direction by combining means such as a prism.

  In this case, the interval L between the spots where the spots from the two light sources are interchanged is shorter than the normal light emitting point interval W, and it is advantageous for the arrangement error by securing W−ω which is substantially the upper limit side of the conditional expression. State.

  The main scanning interval of each spot in this example is ω, W−ω, ω from the left.

  This arrangement has the same configuration as the state shown in FIG. 20 in which the deviation of the light source in the positive direction is shown, and is an advantageous arrangement in which jitter variation is least likely to occur in arrangement errors.

  Here, in consideration of performing synchronization detection for each spot, an interval in the main scanning direction is separated by ω to separate the positions in the main scanning direction. However, as described above, synchronization detection is performed with only one light beam. In the case of taking a technique such as performing it, L = W may be set.

(Embodiment 2)
In the next embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, two light sources having two light emitting points are used and four spots are arranged in order on the surface to be scanned for each light source.

  In this case, the amount of jitter generated is larger than that in the first embodiment, but the present invention is also effective for reducing the amount of jitter.

  This is because when the distance between the spot A and the spot B in the main scanning direction and the distance between the spot C and the spot D in the main scanning direction are the same length as the nesting form in FIG. Since the distance between A and the spot D in the main scanning direction becomes long, the amount of jitter generated becomes large.

  In the present embodiment, the distance L between the two central spots is set short to the spot diameter ω.

  In this way, the total width in the main scanning direction is 2W + ω, and the respective intervals are W, ω, W, which can be made smaller than the same width 3W when evenly arranged, and the above-described spread in the main scanning direction is suppressed. Can be an array.

(Embodiment 3)
In order to maintain a high resolution while advancing the speed, it is effective to configure with the setting of the number of three light sources or more than the above two light sources.

  Here, an example is shown in which three semiconductor lasers having two emission points are used in a nested state.

  As described above, the optical path synthesis by the three semiconductor lasers includes a method using a synthesis prism and a method of sequentially synthesizing using two mirrors, but is not limited to this. It is good also as a structure which combined the mirror.

  In the present embodiment, which has 6 beams in FIG. 5, the arrangement is such that it is narrowed from both ends of the main scanning of the spot arrangement.

  In other words, in the normal arrangement without nesting, the interval is 5 W, but when it is in the nesting state, it becomes 5/3 W, and this interval is reduced and the arrangement is made at an interval of W + 2ω.

  By doing so, even when the arrangement of the scanning system and the drum surface in the optical axis direction is deviated, it is possible to suppress the influence of jitter generated.

  In this case, the arrangement intervals are ω, ω, W−2ω, ω, ω.

(Embodiment 4)
As shown in FIG. 1, in the first to third embodiments, a hybrid light source arrangement is used in which monolithic semiconductor lasers 1 having two light emitting points arranged at different locations are combined, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  A monolithic light source arrangement composed of a single monolithic semiconductor laser in which at least three or more light emitting points are arranged on the same substrate may be employed. The monolithic semiconductor laser may be an edge-emitting type in which at least three or more emission points are arranged in a one-dimensional direction or a surface emission type in which at least three or more emission points are arranged in two dimensions.

It is principal part sectional drawing of the main scanning direction in embodiment of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the subscanning direction in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 3 of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in the sub-scanning direction showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the main scanning direction of the conventional multi-beam scanning optical apparatus. It is a figure when light-emitting points are arranged perpendicularly in the sub-scanning direction. It is the figure which showed a mode when the light emission point was rotated and set to the surroundings of an optical axis. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the sub-scanning direction showing a state when obliquely incident on the photosensitive drum surface. It is a figure which shows that the imaging position of a main scanning direction differs between two beams by the oblique incidence to a photosensitive drum. It is a figure which shows the state by which 4 beams were arrange | positioned on the scanning surface ideally on the straight line. It is a figure of a spot arrangement | sequence when the linearity of 4 beams is impaired. It is a figure which shows the ideal spot arrangement | sequence state of 4 beams in an alternating arrangement. It is a figure which shows a spot arrangement | sequence when both of 4 beams in an alternate arrangement | sequence approached. It is a figure which shows the spot arrangement | sequence in the direction from which both of 4 beams in an alternate arrangement | sequence are separated. It is a figure which shows spot intensity distribution at the time of the spot arrangement | sequence shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows spot intensity distribution at the time of the spot arrangement | sequence shown in FIG. It is a figure showing the cancellation state of the oblique incidence jitter by the spot arrangement | sequence, and a convergence jitter. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an arrangement error of a photosensitive drum and an amount of focus shift of a scanning lens and an image formation position shift amount in a main scanning direction. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the influence on the jitter when there is a residual jitter difference at the time of each spot arrangement and an arrangement error of the photosensitive drum or a focus shift of the scanning lens.

Explanation of symbols

1AB, 1CD Light source 2 Collimate lens 3 Aperture 4 Cylindrical lens 5 Polygon mirror 6 fθ lens 7 Scanned surface

Claims (3)

A plurality of light sources each having a plurality of light emitting points, and a first optical system that converts each of the plurality of light beams emitted from the plurality of light sources into a convergent light beam in the main scanning section and guides it to the deflection surface of the polygon mirror When, in the scanning optical apparatus having a second optical system for forming a spot in the sub-scanning direction is separated and surface to be scanned from one another each of a plurality of light beams deflected by the deflecting surface of the polygon mirror,
In the sub-scan section, a plurality of light beams incident on the surface to be scanned are incident so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal line of the surface to be scanned, and
The imaging positions in the main scanning direction of the spots of the plurality of spots on the surface to be scanned sequentially arranged in the sub-scanning direction are sequentially arranged in the same direction in the main scanning direction , and
Arranged so that spots from different light sources among the plurality of light sources do not line up between spots emitted from the same light source among the plurality of light sources in the sub-scanning direction; and
Each of the plurality of light beams incident on the surface to be scanned in the sub-scanning cross section is incident on the surface to be scanned at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal line of the surface to be scanned. Generating oblique incidence jitter in a first direction parallel to the main scanning direction between a plurality of spots to be imaged; and
By allowing a plurality of convergent light beams deflected by the deflection surface of the polygon mirror to enter the second optical system, the light beams are relatively parallel to the main scanning direction between the plurality of spots imaged on the surface to be scanned. And generating a convergence jitter in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and
The interval occupied by all the spots of the plurality of spots in the main scanning direction is a straight line that passes through the spots emitted from the same light source among the plurality of light sources and spans the interval in the sub-scanning direction occupied by all the spots. Shorter than the interval in the main scanning direction , and
The interval L in the main scanning direction between the innermost two spots emitted from different light sources among the plurality of spots is W> L ≧ ω.
W: Interval in the main scanning direction between spots emitted from the same light source among the plurality of light sources
.omega .: a spot optical diameter satisfying the spot diameter in the main scanning direction of the spot .   2. The scanning optical device according to claim 1, the photosensitive member disposed on the surface to be scanned, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member by a light beam scanned by the scanning optical device is developed as a toner image. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device that transfers the developed toner image onto a transfer material; and a fixing device that fixes the transferred toner image onto the transfer material. 3. An image forming apparatus comprising: the scanning optical apparatus according to claim 1; and a printer controller that converts code data input from an external device into an image signal and inputs the image signal to the scanning optical apparatus.

Images