JP2013039714A - Light source apparatus, light scanning apparatus, and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A light source device capable of reducing transmission loss is provided.
An optical scanning device includes two light source units, two light beam splitting members, an optical deflector, four scanning optical systems, a scanning control device, and the like. Each light source unit has a light source including a surface emitting laser array chip 100, and the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is bonded to a surface of the circuit board 102 on the + a side with an adhesive. The surface emitting laser array chip 100 is electrically connected to the circuit board 102 by bonding wires 103. An IC chip 106 having a drive circuit for individually driving a plurality of light emitting units of the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is mounted on the surface of the circuit board 102 on the −a side.
[Selection] Figure 21

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source device, an optical scanning device, and an image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a light source device having a plurality of light emitting units, an optical scanning device including the light source device, and an image forming apparatus including the optical scanning device. .

  In electrophotographic image recording, an image forming apparatus using a laser is widely used. In this case, the image forming apparatus includes an optical scanning device, and forms a latent image by rotating the drum while scanning laser light using a polygon scanner (for example, a polygon mirror) in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. Is common. In the field of electrophotography, an image forming apparatus is required to increase image density in order to improve image quality and to increase image output speed in order to improve operability. As one of the methods for achieving both high density and high speed, a so-called multi-beam method in which the drum surface is simultaneously scanned with a plurality of lights has been considered.

  For example, Patent Document 1 couples a light source unit in which a semiconductor laser is housed in a surface-mountable package having a plurality of external connection terminals, a substrate on which the light source unit is surface-mounted, and laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser. There is disclosed a light source device including a coupling lens.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a semiconductor laser device mounting structure for mounting a semiconductor laser device including a surface emitting semiconductor laser chip as a laser light source to a support structure on which an imaging optical system is mounted.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a light output control device that controls light output of a laser light source unit including a plurality of semiconductor lasers.

  In Patent Document 4, a laser beam emitted from a surface emitting laser, shaped by an aperture and collimated by a collimator lens is deflected by an optical deflector to scan and expose a surface to be scanned, and a part of the laser beam is beam separated. An optical scanning device that reflects light by means and detects the amount of light by a light receiving element is disclosed. In this optical scanning device, the surface emitting laser and the light receiving element are provided on the same circuit board.

  In Patent Document 5, a laser beam emitted from a surface emitting laser and collimated by a collimator lens is deflected by an optical deflector to scan and expose a surface to be scanned, and a part of the laser beam is reflected by a beam separating means. An optical scanning device that detects the amount of light with a light receiving element is disclosed.

  However, Patent Documents 1 to 5 have the disadvantage that the distance between the laser chip and the drive IC is long and the transmission loss is large.

  From a first viewpoint, the present invention is a light source device including a semiconductor laser chip having a plurality of light emitting portions, and a circuit board on which the semiconductor laser chip is surface-mounted without a package member.

  From a second aspect, the present invention is an optical scanning device that scans a surface to be scanned with light, the light source device of the present invention, an optical deflector that deflects light from the light source device, and the optical deflection. And a scanning optical system for condensing the light deflected by the instrument on the surface to be scanned.

  From a third aspect, the present invention includes at least one image carrier, and the optical scanning device of the present invention that scans the at least one image carrier with light modulated in accordance with image information. An image forming apparatus.

  According to the light source device of the present invention, transmission loss can be reduced.

  According to the optical scanning device of the present invention, power consumption can be reduced.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, power consumption can be reduced.

1 is a diagram for describing a schematic configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 1) for describing the optical scanning device in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a second diagram for explaining the optical scanning device in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a third diagram for explaining the optical scanning device in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining the optical scanning device in FIG. 1; It is a figure for demonstrating the surface emitting laser array chip | tip contained in a light source. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrangement | sequence of the several light emission part in a surface emitting laser array chip. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are diagrams for explaining the liquid crystal deflection element. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional relationship of the main optical elements in an optical scanning device. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical surface shape of a 1st scanning lens. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical surface shape of a 2nd scanning lens. FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are diagrams for explaining the shape of the second scanning lens, respectively. It is a figure for demonstrating the sheet-metal member holding a 2nd scanning lens. It is a figure for demonstrating the state by which the 2nd scanning lens is hold | maintained at the sheet-metal member. It is a figure for demonstrating a leaf | plate spring. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating holding | maintenance to the optical housing of the sheet-metal member with which the 2nd scanning lens was mounted | worn. It is a figure for demonstrating the stepping motor for adjusting the protrusion amount of an adjustment screw. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of a scanning control apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the state by which the surface emitting laser array chip | tip is adhere | attached on the circuit board. 22A and 22B are diagrams for explaining the positioning member. FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B are diagrams for explaining the support member. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between a supporting member and a positioning member. It is a figure for demonstrating the position adjustment of a coupling lens. It is a figure for demonstrating fixation of a supporting member. It is a figure for demonstrating the example using a cover glass. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification 1 of a light source unit. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating the inclination conditions of a coupling lens. It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating the inclination conditions of a coupling lens. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the coupling lens in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification 2 of a light source unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification 3 of a light source unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the photosensor in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a color printer 2000 according to an embodiment.

  The color printer 2000 is a tandem multi-color printer that forms a full-color image by superimposing four colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow), and includes an optical scanning device 2010, four photosensitive drums (2030a, 2030b, 2030c, 2030d), four cleaning units (2031a, 2031b, 2031c, 2031d), four charging devices (2032a, 2032b, 2032c, 2032d), four developing rollers (2033a, 2033b, 2033c, 2033d), 4 Toner cartridges (2034a, 2034b, 2034c, 2034d), transfer belt 2040, transfer roller 2042, fixing device 2050, paper feed roller 2054, registration roller pair 2056, paper discharge roller 2058, paper feed tray 2 60, the discharge tray 2070 includes a communication control unit 2080, and a printer controller 2090 for totally controlling the above elements.

  Here, in the XYZ three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, the direction along the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction) of each photosensitive drum is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the direction along the arrangement direction of the four photosensitive drums is defined as the X-axis direction. .

  The communication control device 2080 controls bidirectional communication with a host device (for example, a personal computer) via a network or the like.

  The printer control device 2090 includes a CPU, a ROM described in a program written in code readable by the CPU, various data used when executing the program, a RAM as a working memory, an analog data An AD conversion circuit for converting the signal into digital data. Then, the printer control device 2090 sends image information from the host device to the optical scanning device 2010.

  The photosensitive drum 2030a, the charging device 2032a, the developing roller 2033a, the toner cartridge 2034a, and the cleaning unit 2031a are used as a set and form an image forming station (hereinafter also referred to as “K station” for convenience) that forms a black image. Configure.

  The photosensitive drum 2030b, the charging device 2032b, the developing roller 2033b, the toner cartridge 2034b, and the cleaning unit 2031b are used as a set and form an image forming station (hereinafter also referred to as “C station” for convenience) that forms a cyan image. Configure.

  The photosensitive drum 2030c, the charging device 2032c, the developing roller 2033c, the toner cartridge 2034c, and the cleaning unit 2031c are used as a set, and form an image forming station (hereinafter also referred to as “M station” for convenience) that forms a magenta image. Configure.

  The photosensitive drum 2030d, the charging device 2032d, the developing roller 2033d, the toner cartridge 2034d, and the cleaning unit 2031d are used as a set, and form an image forming station (hereinafter also referred to as “Y station” for convenience) that forms a yellow image. Configure.

  Each photosensitive drum has a photosensitive layer formed on the surface thereof. That is, the surface of each photoconductive drum is a surface to be scanned. Each photosensitive drum is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the plane of FIG. 1 by a rotation mechanism (not shown).

  Each charging device uniformly charges the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum.

  The optical scanning device 2010 uses the multi-color image information (black image information, cyan image information, magenta image information, yellow image information) from the printer control device 2090 to charge the light flux modulated for each color to the corresponding charging. Irradiate each of the surfaces of the photosensitive drums. As a result, a latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of each photoconductive drum on the surface of each photoconductive drum. The latent image formed here moves in the direction of the corresponding developing roller as the photosensitive drum rotates. Details of the optical scanning device 2010 will be described later.

  As each developing roller rotates, the toner from the corresponding toner cartridge is thinly and uniformly applied to the surface thereof. Then, when the toner on the surface of each developing roller comes into contact with the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum, the toner moves only to a portion irradiated with light on the surface and adheres to the surface. In other words, each developing roller causes toner to adhere to the latent image formed on the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum so as to be visualized. Here, the toner-attached image (toner image) moves in the direction of the transfer belt 2040 as the photosensitive drum rotates.

  The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 2040 at a predetermined timing, and are superimposed to form a multicolor image.

  Recording paper is stored in the paper feed tray 2060. A paper feed roller 2054 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed tray 2060, and the paper feed roller 2054 takes out the recording paper one by one from the paper feed tray 2060 and conveys it to the registration roller pair 2056. The registration roller pair 2056 feeds the recording paper toward the gap between the transfer belt 2040 and the transfer roller 2042 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the color image on the transfer belt 2040 is transferred to the recording paper. Here, the recording paper on which the color image is transferred is sent to the fixing device 2050.

  In the fixing device 2050, heat and pressure are applied to the recording paper, thereby fixing the toner on the recording paper. Here, the recording paper on which the toner is fixed is sent to a paper discharge tray 2070 via a paper discharge roller 2058 and is sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray 2070.

  Each cleaning unit removes toner (residual toner) remaining on the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum. The surface of the photosensitive drum from which the residual toner has been removed returns to the position facing the corresponding charging device again.

  Next, the configuration of the optical scanning device 2010 will be described.

  2 to 5 as an example, the optical scanning device 2010 includes two light source units (2200A, 2200B), two aperture plates (2202A, 2202B), two light beam splitting members (2203A, 2203B), Four liquid crystal deflecting elements (2205a, 2205b, 2205c, 2205d), four cylindrical lenses (2204a, 2204b, 2204c, 2204d), polygon mirror 2104, four first scanning lenses (2105a, 2105b, 2105c, 2105d), 8 Two folding mirrors (2106a, 2106b, 2106c, 2106d, 2108a, 2108b, 2108c, 2108d), four second scanning lenses (2107a, 2107b, 2107c, 2107d), four synchronous mirrors (2110a, 2110) , 2110c, 2110d), 4 tips synchronization detection sensor (2111a, 2111b, 2111c, 2111d), and a scanning control device 3022 (FIGS. 5, not shown, and a like see Figure 20). These are attached to an optical housing (not shown).

  In the following, for convenience, the direction corresponding to the main scanning direction is abbreviated as “main scanning corresponding direction”, and the direction corresponding to the sub scanning direction is abbreviated as “sub scanning corresponding direction”.

  The light source unit 2200A and the light source unit 2200B are arranged at positions separated from each other in the X-axis direction.

  Each light source unit has a light source and a coupling lens.

  As shown in FIG. 6 as an example, each light source has a surface emitting laser array chip 100 in which 32 light emitting units are two-dimensionally arranged on the same substrate.

  The surface-emitting laser array chip 100 is formed by forming a plurality of semiconductor layers on an n-GaAs substrate by MOCVD and performing processes such as mesa formation by dry etching, selective oxidation, addition of a protective film, and electrode formation. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the 32 light emitting units are light emitting unit intervals (hereinafter referred to as “sub scanning light emitting unit intervals”) when all the light emitting units are orthogonally projected onto a virtual line extending in the sub-scanning corresponding direction. ) Are arranged at equal intervals d1. In this specification, the “light emitting portion interval” refers to the distance between the centers of two light emitting portions.

  Each light emitting unit is a surface emitting laser having an oscillation wavelength of 780 nm band.

  Each coupling lens is disposed on the optical path of the light beam emitted from the corresponding light source, and makes the light beam a substantially parallel light beam. The light flux that has passed through the coupling lens is the light flux emitted from each light source unit. Details of each light source unit will be described later.

  The aperture plate 2202A has an aperture and shapes the light beam emitted from the light source unit 2200A. The aperture plate 2202B has an aperture and shapes the light beam emitted from the light source unit 2200B.

  The light beam splitting member 2203A is disposed on the optical path of the light beam that has passed through the opening of the aperture plate 2202A, and splits the light beam into two light beams. The light beam dividing member 2203B is disposed on the optical path of the light beam that has passed through the opening of the aperture plate 2202B, and divides the light beam into two light beams.

  Each light beam splitting member includes a half mirror surface that transmits half of the incident light beam and reflects the remaining light beam, and a reflection mirror surface that is arranged in parallel to the half mirror surface on the optical path of the light beam reflected by the half mirror surface. Have. That is, each light beam dividing member divides the incident light beam into two light beams that are parallel to each other.

  The liquid crystal deflecting element 2205a is disposed on the optical path of the −Z side light beam out of the two light beams from the light beam dividing member 2203A, and the liquid crystal deflecting element 2205b is the + Z side light beam among the two light beams from the light beam dividing member 2203A. It is arranged on the optical path.

  The liquid crystal deflecting element 2205c is arranged on the optical path of the + Z side light beam out of the two light beams from the light beam dividing member 2203B, and the liquid crystal deflecting element 2205d is the −Z side of the two light beams from the light beam dividing member 2203B. Are arranged on the optical path of the luminous flux.

  Each liquid crystal deflecting element can deflect incident light with respect to the Z-axis direction in accordance with an applied voltage. Each liquid crystal deflecting element has a configuration in which liquid crystal is sealed between two transparent glass plates. As shown in FIG. 8A, for example, electrodes are formed above and below the surface of one glass plate. Yes. When a potential difference is applied between the electrodes, as shown in FIG. 8B as an example, a potential gradient occurs in the Z-axis direction, and the orientation of the liquid crystal changes accordingly. As a result, the Z-axis direction A refractive index gradient occurs. Thereby, like the prism, the light emission axis can be slightly tilted with respect to the Z-axis direction. As the liquid crystal, nematic liquid crystal having dielectric anisotropy is used.

  The cylindrical lens 2204a is disposed on the optical path of the light beam via the liquid crystal deflecting element 2205a, and the cylindrical lens 2204b is disposed on the optical path of the light beam via the liquid crystal deflecting element 2205b.

  The cylindrical lens 2204c is disposed on the optical path of the light beam via the liquid crystal deflecting element 2205c, and the cylindrical lens 2204d is disposed on the optical path of the light beam via the liquid crystal deflecting element 2205d.

  Each cylindrical lens has an optical surface on one side that is flat and the other optical surface has a common curvature with respect to the Z-axis direction, and is arranged so that the optical path lengths to the deflection reflection position of the light beam in the polygon mirror 2104 are equal to each other. Has been.

  Each cylindrical lens has a strong power in the Z-axis direction, and forms a long line image in the vicinity of the deflection reflection surface of the polygon mirror 2104 in the main scanning corresponding direction.

  The polygon mirror 2104 has a four-stage mirror having a two-stage structure, and each mirror serves as a deflection reflection surface.

  The light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204a and the light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204d are deflected by the first-stage (lower) tetrahedral mirror, respectively, and the light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204b and the cylindrical light are deflected by the second-stage (upper) tetrahedral mirror. It arrange | positions so that the light beam from the lens 2204c may be deflected, respectively.

  Light beams from the cylindrical lens 2204 a and the cylindrical lens 2204 b are deflected to the −X side of the polygon mirror 2104, and light beams from the cylindrical lens 2204 c and the cylindrical lens 2204 d are deflected to the + X side of the polygon mirror 2104.

  Note that the first-stage tetrahedral mirror and the second-stage tetrahedral mirror are set so that the deflection reflection surface of the first-stage tetrahedral mirror and the deflection reflection surface of the second-stage tetrahedral mirror are not parallel. Has been. Here, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the first-stage tetrahedral mirror and the second-stage tetrahedral mirror are rotated by 45 ° (see FIG. 2) and the writing scan is performed at the first and second stages. It is done alternately. As a result, writing to two photosensitive drums can be performed with one light source.

  In addition, a groove is provided between the first-stage four-sided mirror and the second-stage four-sided mirror so that the windage loss is reduced. The dimension (thickness) in the Z-axis direction of each tetrahedral mirror is about 2 mm.

  The first scanning lens 2105 a and the first scanning lens 2105 b are disposed on the −X side of the polygon mirror 2104, and the first scanning lens 2105 c and the first scanning lens 2105 d are disposed on the + X side of the polygon mirror 2104.

  The first scanning lens 2105a and the first scanning lens 2105b are stacked in the Z-axis direction, the first scanning lens 2105a is opposed to the first-stage four-sided mirror, and the first scanning lens 2105b is the second-stage four-surface. Opposite the mirror. Note that the first scanning lens 2105a and the first scanning lens 2105b may be integrally formed.

  Further, the first scanning lens 2105c and the first scanning lens 2105d are stacked in the Z-axis direction, the first scanning lens 2105c is opposed to the second-stage four-sided mirror, and the first scanning lens 2105d is the first-stage four-surface. Opposite the mirror. The first scanning lens 2105c and the first scanning lens 2105d may be integrally formed.

  Therefore, the light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204a deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 is applied to the photosensitive drum 2030a via the first scanning lens 2105a, the folding mirror 2106a, the second scanning lens 2107a, and the folding mirror 2108a, and is photosensitive. A light spot is formed on the body drum 2030a.

  Further, the light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204b deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 is irradiated to the photosensitive drum 2030b through the first scanning lens 2105b, the folding mirror 2106b, the second scanning lens 2107b, and the folding mirror 2108b, and photosensitive. A light spot is formed on the body drum 2030b.

  Further, the light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204c deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 is irradiated to the photosensitive drum 2030c through the first scanning lens 2105c, the folding mirror 2106c, the second scanning lens 2107c, and the folding mirror 2108c. A light spot is formed on the body drum 2030c.

  The light beam from the cylindrical lens 2204d deflected by the polygon mirror 2104 is applied to the photosensitive drum 2030d through the first scanning lens 2105d, the folding mirror 2106d, the second scanning lens 2107d, and the folding mirror 2108d, and is photosensitive. A light spot is formed on the body drum 2030d.

  The light spot on each photosensitive drum moves in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum as the polygon mirror 2104 rotates. The moving direction of the light spot at this time is the “main scanning direction”, and the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum is the “sub scanning direction”.

  Incidentally, a scanning area in the main scanning direction in which image information is written on each photosensitive drum is called an “effective scanning area”, an “image forming area”, or an “effective image area”.

  Each folding mirror is arranged so that the optical path lengths from the polygon mirror 2104 to each photosensitive drum coincide with each other, and the incident position and the incident angle of the light flux on each photosensitive drum are equal to each other. .

  Further, the cylindrical lens and the corresponding second scanning lens constitute a surface tilt correction optical system in which the deflection point and the corresponding photosensitive drum surface are conjugated in the sub-scanning direction.

  An optical system disposed on the optical path between the polygon mirror 2104 and each photosensitive drum is also called a scanning optical system. In this embodiment, the first scanning lens 2105a, the second scanning lens 2107a, and the folding mirrors (2106a, 2108a) constitute a scanning optical system for the K station. The first scanning lens 2105b, the second scanning lens 2107b, and the folding mirrors (2106b, 2108b) constitute a scanning optical system for the C station. The first scanning lens 2105c, the second scanning lens 2107c, and the folding mirrors (2106c, 2108c) constitute a scanning optical system for the M station. Further, the Y scanning optical system is composed of the first scanning lens 2105d, the second scanning lens 2107d, and the folding mirrors (2106d, 2108d).

  Since the rotation direction of the polygon mirror 2104 is the same between the photosensitive drum on the −X side of the polygon mirror 2104 and the photosensitive drum on the + X side of the polygon mirror 2104, the light spots move in opposite directions. With respect to the Y-axis direction, a latent image is formed so that the writing start position on one photosensitive drum coincides with the writing end position on the other photosensitive drum.

  FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship of main optical elements in the K station. FIG. 10 shows an example of specific values (unit: mm) of the symbols d1 to d11 in FIG. The other stations have the same positional relationship.

  Further, the direction of the light beam emitted from the cylindrical lens 2204a and the light beam reflected toward the position of the image height 0 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2030a (position p0 in FIG. 9) by the deflection reflection surface of the polygon mirror 2104. The angle formed with the traveling direction (θr in FIG. 9) is 60 degrees.

Each of the first scanning lenses and the second scanning lenses is made of resin. Each of these surfaces (incident side surface and exit side surface) is an aspherical surface expressed by the following equation (1) and the following equation (2). Here, X represents the coordinate in the X-axis direction, and Y represents the coordinate in the Y-axis direction. The center of the incident surface is Y = 0. C _m0 indicates the curvature in the main scanning corresponding direction at Y = 0, and is the reciprocal of the curvature radius R _m . a ₀₀ , a ₀₁ , a ₀₂ ,... are aspheric coefficients in the main scanning corresponding direction. Cs (Y) is the curvature in the sub-scanning corresponding direction with respect to Y, R _s0 is the radius of curvature on the optical axis in the sub-scanning corresponding direction, b ₀₀ , b ₀₁ , b ₀₂ ,. Spherical coefficient. The optical axis is an axis that passes through the center point in the sub-scanning corresponding direction when Y = 0.

FIG. 11 shows an example of values of R _m , R _s0, and each aspheric coefficient on each surface (incident side surface (first surface), exit side surface (second surface)) of each first scanning lens. ing.

FIG. 12 shows an example of values of R _m , R _s0, and each aspheric coefficient on each surface (incident side surface (third surface), exit side surface (fourth surface)) of each second scanning lens. ing. Each second scanning lens has a strong power in the sub-scanning corresponding direction.

  As an example, the shape of each second scanning lens is shown in FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. For convenience, the incident direction of the light beam in each second scanning lens is referred to as “R direction”, the main scanning corresponding direction is referred to as “M direction”, and the direction orthogonal to both the R direction and the M direction is referred to as “S direction”. When there is no need to distinguish between the second scanning lenses, they are collectively referred to as “second scanning lens 2107”.

In the second scanning lens 2107, a rib portion 306a is formed on the surface on the −S side, and a rib portion 306b is formed on the surface on the + S side. The rib 306a is formed with _three protrusions (307a ₁ , 307a ₂ , 307a ₃ ) protruding in the + R direction. The protrusion 307a ₂ is located at the center in the M direction, the protrusion 307a ₁ is located on the −M side of the protrusion 307a ₂ , and the protrusion 307a ₃ is located on the + M side of the protrusion 307a ₂ .

Three protrusions (307b ₁ , 307b ₂ , 307b ₃ ) protruding in the + R direction are formed on the rib part 306b. The protrusion 307b ₂ is located in the center in the M direction, the protrusion 307b ₁ is located on the −M side of the protrusion 307b ₂ , and the protrusion 307b ₃ is located on the + M side of the protrusion 307b ₂ .

The protrusion 307a ₁ is located on the −S side of the protrusion 307b ₁ , the protrusion 307a ₂ is located on the −S side of the protrusion 307b ₂ , and the protrusion 307a ₃ is on the −S side of the protrusion 307b _3. positioned.

  The second scanning lens 2107 is held by a sheet metal member.

  A sheet metal member 301 on which the second scanning lens 2107 is held is shown in FIG. 14 as an example. The sheet metal member 301 is a sheet member formed by sheet metal processing, and includes a bottom plate 301a having a direction parallel to the M direction as a longitudinal direction, and two side plates (301b, 301c) facing each other with the bottom plate 301a interposed therebetween. have.

The side plate 301b is formed with _three notches (311 ₁ , 311 ₂ , 311 ₃ ) to which the protrusions of the second scanning lens 2107 are attached.

  In the bottom plate 301a, standing bent portions 310 each having an opening 313 are formed in the vicinity of both end portions in the M direction. These standing bent portions 310 and the second scanning lens 2107 come into contact with each other.

  In addition, three screw holes 312 are formed in the bottom plate 301a so as to correspond to the notches of the side plate 301b. Each screw hole 312 is formed at each position corresponding to the substantially central position of the second scanning lens 2107 in the R direction when the second scanning lens 2107 is held.

  Further, with respect to the M direction, a protrusion 318 is formed at one end of the bottom plate 301a, and a notch 321 is formed at the other end.

  The side plate 301b has two slits 314 corresponding to the openings 313 of the bottom plate 301a.

  As shown in FIG. 15 as an example, the second scanning lens 2107 is held on the sheet metal member 301 by three first plate springs 302 and two second plate springs 303. In FIG. 15, each side plate is not shown for easy understanding.

  The second leaf spring 303 is a clip-like leaf spring, which exerts a pressure in the + S direction on the −S side end surface of the second scanning lens 2107, and −S direction on the + S side surface of the bottom plate 301 a of the sheet metal member 301. By applying this pressure, the second scanning lens 2107 and the sheet metal member 301 are sandwiched. The + S side plate portion of the second leaf spring 303 passes through the opening 313 from the outside and is inserted into the slit 314.

The first leaf spring 302 is used to sandwich the rib portion 306 a of the second scanning lens 2107 and the sheet metal member 301. Here, the first plate spring 302, as shown in FIG. 16, a bottom plate portion 302 _1, + side plate portion 302 ₂ of the R side, a side plate portion 302 ₃ of the -R-side end of the side plate portion 302 ₃ It has an upper plate portion 302 ₄ for extending + R direction from the parts. Further, the side plate portion _3022, an opening is formed. Further, the bottom plate portion 302 _1, a circular opening 302 ₅ the adjustment screw 308 penetrates is formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 17 is an A-A sectional view of FIG. 15, is inserted projections of the ribs 306a to the opening of the side plate portion _3022, the ribs of the -R-side by the upper plate portion 302 ₄ A + S direction pressing is applied to 306a.

Furthermore, each screw hole 312 of the sheet metal member 301, adjusting screw 308 is mounted through the opening 302 ₅ of the first plate spring 302. The tip of the adjustment screw 308 on the −S side is in contact with the end surface on the + S side of the second scanning lens 2107. Therefore, the second scanning lens 2107 can be pressed in the −S direction by screwing the adjusting screw 308.

  In this case, since the pressing force by the adjusting screw 308 acting on the second scanning lens 2107 and the pressing force by the first leaf spring 302 act in opposite directions, the force acting on the second scanning lens 2107 can be finely adjusted. It becomes possible.

  For example, when the protruding amount of the adjusting screw 308 from the bottom plate 301a of the sheet metal member 301 is made smaller than the height of the upright bending portion 310, the second scanning lens 2107 can be warped so that its bus line is convex upward. On the contrary, when the protruding amount of the adjusting screw 308 is larger than the height of the upright bending portion 310, the second scanning lens 2107 can be warped so that the generatrix thereof protrudes downward. Therefore, by adjusting the protruding amount of the adjusting screw 308, the focal line of the second scanning lens 2107 is curved in the S direction, and the bending of the scanning line can be corrected. The direction of the adjustment axis in the adjustment of the second scanning lens 2107 by each adjustment screw 308 is parallel to the optical axis direction of the second scanning lens 2107. The adjustment screw 308 disposed between the center portion and the upright bending portion 310 can also correct M-type and W-type bends.

  The sheet metal member 301 to which the second scanning lens 2107 is attached is positioned by attaching a protrusion 318 formed at the end to a positioning guide (not shown) provided in the holding portion of the optical housing, and performs the -S direction. The leaf spring 326 attached to the holding portion of the optical housing is bridged so as to be biased to be held by the optical housing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18 as an example, the second scanning lens 2107 is provided with a stepping motor 315A for rotating the second scanning lens 2107 around an axis parallel to the R direction. Here, since the K station is used as a reference, the stepping motor 315A for rotating the second scanning lens 2107a may not be provided in the K station.

  The stepping motor 315A is configured to screw a feed screw formed at the tip of the shaft into a screw hole of the movable cylinder 316, and align the notch 321 formed at one end of the sheet metal member 301 with the concave portion of the movable cylinder 316. It can be displaced in the sub-scanning corresponding direction (here, the direction parallel to the S direction) by the rotation of 315A.

  In addition, a column 322 is provided on the −S side of the second scanning lens 2107. The support column 322 is placed on a support unit 320 provided in the holding unit of the optical housing, and is pressed against the support column 322 by a leaf spring (not shown). Thus, following the forward and reverse rotation of the stepping motor 315A, the second scanning lens 2107 can be rotated within the plane orthogonal to the optical axis with the contact point with the support part 320 as a fulcrum for tilt adjustment. Accordingly, the bus line of the second scanning lens 2107 is tilted, and as a result, the scanning line is tilted. In addition, it is good also as a structure which mounts the 2nd scanning lens 2107 directly on the support part provided in the optical housing, and does not provide the support | pillar 322, and hold | maintains with a leaf | plate spring etc.

  Further, here, as shown in FIG. 19, a stepping motor 315B for adjusting the protruding amount of each adjusting screw 308 is provided.

  Returning to FIG. 5, a part of the light flux before the start of writing that has passed through the scanning optical system of the K station is received by the tip synchronization detection sensor 2111a via the synchronization mirror 2110a.

  A part of the light beam before the start of writing that has passed through the scanning optical system of the C station is received by the tip synchronization detection sensor 2111b via the synchronization mirror 2110b.

  A part of the light beam before the start of writing that has passed through the scanning optical system of the M station is received by the tip synchronization detection sensor 2111c via the synchronization mirror 2110c.

  A part of the light flux before the start of writing that has passed through the scanning optical system of the Y station is received by the tip synchronization detection sensor 2111d via the synchronization mirror 2110d.

  Each tip synchronization detection sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of received light to the scanning control device 3022. The output signal of each tip synchronization detection sensor is also called “tip synchronization signal”.

  Each tip synchronization detection sensor is disposed at a position optically substantially equivalent to the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum. In this case, the beam diameter of the light beam traveling on the light receiving surface of the tip synchronization detection sensor can be reduced, and the detection accuracy is improved.

  Moreover, each front-end | tip synchronous detection sensor is set so that the normal line direction of a light-receiving surface may incline 3-5 degrees with respect to the incident direction of light. As a result, the light that is multiple-reflected between the lead frame and the cover glass in the tip synchronization detection sensor is guided outside the sensor. As a result, a decrease in detection accuracy can be suppressed. In this case, it is possible to suppress the light reflected from the surface of the tip synchronization detection sensor from returning to the light source. As a result, APC (Auto Power Control) can be performed with high accuracy.

  As shown in FIG. 20 as an example, the scanning control device 3022 includes a CPU 3210, flash memory 3211, RAM 3212, liquid crystal element drive circuit 3213, IF (interface) 3214, pixel clock generation circuit 3215, image processing circuit 3216, write control. A circuit 3219, a light source driving circuit 3221, a motor driving circuit 3222, and the like are included. Note that the arrows in FIG. 20 indicate the flow of typical signals and information, and do not represent the entire connection relationship of each block.

  The pixel clock generation circuit 3215 generates a pixel clock signal. The pixel clock signal can be phase-modulated with a resolution of 1/8 clock.

  The image processing circuit 3216 performs predetermined halftone processing or the like on the image data rasterized for each color by the CPU 3210, and then creates dot data for each light emitting unit of each light source.

  The write control circuit 3219 obtains the write start timing for each station based on the tip synchronization signal. Then, the dot data of each light emitting unit is superimposed on the pixel clock signal from the pixel clock generating circuit 3215 at the timing of starting writing, and independent modulation data is generated for each light emitting unit. Further, the write control circuit 3219 performs APC (Auto Power Control) at every predetermined timing.

  The light source driving circuit 3221 outputs a driving signal for each light emitting unit to each light source unit in accordance with each modulation data from the writing control circuit 3219.

  The motor drive circuit 3222 outputs a drive signal for a stepping motor 315A for rotating each second scanning lens and a stepping motor 315B for finely adjusting the shape of each second scanning lens based on an instruction from the CPU 3210. To do.

  The liquid crystal element driving circuit 3213 applies the applied voltage determined by the CPU 3210 to each liquid crystal deflecting element.

  An IF (interface) 3214 is a communication interface that controls bidirectional communication with the printer control apparatus 2090.

  The flash memory 3211 stores various programs described in codes readable by the CPU 3210 and various data necessary for executing the programs.

  The RAM 3212 is a working memory.

  The CPU 3210 operates according to a program stored in the flash memory 3211 and controls the entire optical scanning device 2010.

  For example, the CPU 3210 performs toner image misregistration detection processing at the timing of starting the apparatus or between jobs (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-276010 and 2005-238484). Note that when the number of prints for one job is large, in order to suppress a shift due to a temperature change during that time, a position shift detection process may be performed by interrupting in the middle.

  Then, based on the result of the positional deviation detection processing, the CPU 3210 obtains the scanning line bending deviation, the scanning line inclination deviation, and the sub-scanning registration deviation at the other three stations with reference to the K station.

  Then, the CPU 3210 generates a driving signal for correcting the inclination deviation of the scanning line for the corresponding stepping motor 315 </ b> A, and outputs the driving signal to the motor driving circuit 3222. Note that the relationship between the magnitude of the inclination deviation of the scanning line and the driving amount of the stepping motor 315A for correcting it is obtained in advance and stored in the flash memory 3211.

  Further, the CPU 3210 generates a drive signal for correcting the bending deviation of the scanning line with respect to the corresponding stepping motor 315 </ b> B, and outputs the drive signal to the motor drive circuit 3222. Note that the relationship between the magnitude of the scan line bending deviation and the driving amount of the stepping motor 315B for correcting the deviation is obtained in advance and stored in the flash memory 3211.

  Further, the CPU 3210 determines the voltage applied to the corresponding liquid crystal deflecting element so that the sub-scanning registration deviation is substantially zero. Note that the relationship between the magnitude of the sub-scanning registration deviation and the applied voltage is obtained in advance and stored in the flash memory 3211.

  Next, the light source unit 2200A and the light source unit 2200B will be described. The light source unit 2200A and the light source unit 2200B are light source units having the same configuration. Therefore, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the light source unit 2200A and the light source unit 2200B, they are collectively referred to as “light source unit 2200”.

  The light source of the light source unit 2200 includes the surface-emitting laser array chip 100, and the surface-emitting laser array chip 100 is provided on one side of the circuit board 102 without a package member as shown in FIG. It is bonded to the surface with an adhesive. Here, the traveling direction of the light beam emitted from each light emitting portion of the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is defined as “a direction”. Two directions orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to the a direction are defined as “b direction” and “c direction”.

  The surface emitting laser array chip 100 is electrically connected to the surface on the + a side of the circuit board 102 by bonding wires 103.

  An IC chip 106 including a drive circuit for individually driving a plurality of light emitting units of the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is mounted on the surface of the circuit board 102 on the −a side.

  The circuit board 102 is a circuit board formed by stacking a plurality of insulating layers made of resin containing glass fibers, and has sufficient rigidity. The surface emitting laser array chip 100 has a side length of about 2 to 3 mm. Even if the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is directly bonded to the circuit board 102, the circuit board 102 is deformed or the bonding wires 103 are It will not peel off.

  Note that the circuit board 102 may be made of metal. In this case, the rigidity of the circuit board 102 itself is further improved, and heat generated in the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and heat generated in the IC chip 106 can be easily radiated. In particular, when the circuit board 102 is formed of aluminum, the heat dissipation characteristics are improved, and further, the weight can be reduced when made of metal.

  A reference position for assembly is set on the circuit board 102, and a plurality of components including the surface emitting laser array chip 100 are assembled to the reference position. The reference position is also used as a reference position when the circuit board 102 is assembled to the optical housing. Thereby, the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and the optical housing are assembled based on a common reference position, and the accuracy of the assembly position can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B as an example, a cylindrical positioning member 110 that surrounds the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is attached to the surface of the circuit board 102 on the + a side.

  As an example, the coupling lens 2201 is temporarily attached to the end of the support member 120 on the + a side, as shown in FIGS. 23 (A) and 23 (B). The coupling lens 2201 also has a cover glass function.

  The inner diameter of the support member 120 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the positioning member 110, and the support member 120 can be fitted into the positioning member 110 as shown in FIG.

  Here, a method for adjusting the positional relationship between the coupling lens 2201 and the surface emitting laser array chip 100 in the a direction will be described.

(1) The support member 120 on which the coupling lens 2201 is supported is fitted into the positioning member 110.
(2) An image sensor is disposed at a predetermined position on the + a side of the coupling lens 2201.
(3) A predetermined light emitting part (for example, the light emitting part arranged on the outermost side in the two-dimensional array) of the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is turned on, and the light receiving position of the image sensor is obtained.
(4) The support member 120 is slid in the + a direction or the −a direction so that the light receiving position of the image sensor becomes a predetermined position (see FIG. 25).
(5) When the light receiving position of the image sensor reaches a predetermined position, the support member 120 is fixed to the positioning member 110 with an adhesive 130 (for example, an ultraviolet curing adhesive) as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the position adjustment of the coupling lens 2201 is also performed simultaneously in the b direction and the c direction. When the position adjustment of the coupling lens 2201 is completed in the three directions, the coupling lens 2201 is fixed to the support member 120 with an adhesive 130 (for example, an ultraviolet curable adhesive).

  The optical surface on the −a side of the coupling lens 2201 is a flat surface. In this case, even if the position of the coupling lens 2201 in the a direction changes, the traveling direction of the light emitted from the coupling lens 2201 can be parallel to the optical axis of the coupling lens 2201.

  The support member 120 separates the surface emitting laser array chip 100 from the coupling lens 2201 by the focal length of the coupling lens 2201. Therefore, a large space is formed around the surface-emitting laser array chip 100 as compared with the structure in which the cover glass is disposed immediately next to the surface-emitting laser array chip 100 (see FIG. 27).

  In this embodiment, since the heat generated by the surface emitting laser array chip 100 can be released to the space, the heat dissipation effect can be improved.

  Here, the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is sealed by a circuit board 102, a positioning member 110, a support member 120, and a coupling lens 2201. The surface emitting laser array chip 100 can be completely sealed by covering the joint with a thermosetting sealing member obtained by adding a silica filler or the like to an epoxy resin.

  As described above, according to the optical scanning device 2010 according to the present embodiment, the two light source units (2200A, 2200B), the two light beam splitting members (2203A, 2203B), the optical deflector 2104, the four scanning optical systems, And a scanning control device.

  Each light source unit has a light source including a surface-emitting laser array chip 100, and the surface-emitting laser array chip 100 is bonded to the surface on the + a side of the circuit board 102 with an adhesive without using a package member. The surface emitting laser array chip 100 is electrically connected to the circuit board 102 by bonding wires 103. An IC chip 106 having a drive circuit for individually driving a plurality of light emitting units of the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is mounted on the surface of the circuit board 102 on the −a side.

  In this case, the wiring length between the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and the IC chip 106 can be made shorter than before, and as a result, the transmission loss can be reduced.

  Each light source unit has a coupling lens 2201 that makes a light beam emitted from the surface emitting laser array chip 100 a substantially parallel light beam.

  A cylindrical positioning member 110 surrounding the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is fixed to the circuit board 102. The coupling lens 2201 is supported by a cylindrical support member 120 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the positioning member 110. The support member 120 can slide in the −a direction and the + direction using the positioning member 110 as a guide. The support member 120 is adjusted in position so that the distance between the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and the coupling lens 2201 is a desired distance, and is fixed to the positioning member 110. As a result, a desired light beam is emitted from the light source unit.

  The surface emitting laser array chip 100 is sealed by a circuit board 102, a positioning member 110, a support member 120, and a coupling lens 2201. In this case, the volume of the sealed space becomes larger than before, heat generated in the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is easily radiated, and the temperature rise of the surface emitting laser array chip 100 can be suppressed. . As a result, the light source unit can stably emit the light beam.

  Further, in this case, it is possible to suppress rust from being generated in the surface emitting laser array chip 100 due to moisture from the outside. As a result, the lifetime of the light source unit can be extended.

  The optical scanning device 2010 includes the light source unit 2200A and the light source unit 2200B. As a result, power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, since each light source unit has the surface emitting laser array chip 100, it is possible to simultaneously scan the photosensitive drum along a plurality of scanning lines. As a result, the pixel density of the latent image can be increased and the formation speed of the latent image can be increased.

  Since the color printer 2000 includes the optical scanning device 2010, the power consumption can be reduced as a result.

  In addition, by connecting the color printer 2000 to an electronic arithmetic device (such as a computer) or an image information communication system (such as a facsimile) via a network, output from a plurality of devices can be performed with a single image forming apparatus. An information processing system that can be processed can be formed. In addition, if multiple image forming devices are connected to the network, the status of each image forming device (the degree of job congestion, whether the power is on, whether it is broken, etc.) can be known from each output request. The image forming apparatus having the best state (most suitable for the user's request) can be selected and image formation can be performed.

  Modification 1 of the light source unit 2200 is shown in FIG. In the first modification, the coupling lens 2201 is attached to the support member 120 so that the optical axis is inclined with respect to the a direction. A light amount monitoring photo sensor 150 is mounted on the circuit board 102 at a position close to the surface emitting laser array chip 100.

  In this case, the configuration of the optical scanning device can be simplified, the number of parts can be reduced, and the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where a light amount monitor system is provided separately from the light source unit.

  Here, the surface on the incident side of the coupling lens 2201 is processed so as to reduce the transmittance.

  In the first modification, a part of the light beam emitted from the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is reflected by the incident-side surface of the coupling lens 2201 and travels toward the photosensor 150. The light beam emitted from the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is a divergent light beam and reaches the photosensor 150 while being diverged even after being reflected by the surface of the coupling lens 2201. An opening provided on the light receiving surface of the photosensor 150 serves as an aperture.

  Note that the size of the opening of the photosensor 150 is set to an appropriate size based on the relationship between the divergence angle at the light emitting portion in the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and the size of the opening at the opening member disposed in the subsequent stage. Has been.

  For example, the optical path length from the surface emitting laser array chip 100 to the photo sensor 150 is 8.3 mm, and the size of the opening in the opening member is 5.6 mm in the main scanning direction and 1.18 mm in the sub scanning direction. At this time, the opening of the photosensor 150 is a square having a side length of 0.7 mm. In addition, about the length of this one side, the error to +/- 0.2mm is accept | permitted.

  In the first modification, the light reflected by the surface of the coupling lens 2201 can be prevented from returning to the surface emitting laser array chip 100.

  By the way, when the relationship of the following expression (3) is satisfied, even if a light beam emitted from a certain light emitting part in the surface emitting laser array chip 100 is reflected by the surface of the coupling lens 2201, it enters the other light emitting part. There is nothing to do (see FIG. 29). That is, there is no light interference.

W <Δ = L × tan (2θ) (3)

  Here, W is the width of the light emitting portion in the surface emitting laser array chip 100, and Δ is the distance between the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and the photosensor 150. Further, θ is an inclination angle of the optical axis of the coupling lens 2201 with respect to the a direction, and L is an interval between the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and the coupling lens 2201. In practice, it is necessary to consider assembly errors and component processing errors. If Δ> 2W, interference due to return light can be prevented.

  The above equation (3) can be rewritten into the following equation (4) (see FIG. 30).

W <Δ ′ = L ′ × tan (2θ) (4)

  Here, Δ ′ is the position of the light emitting part at the end (−c side) opposite to the photosensor 150 in the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and the surface emitting laser array chip 100 side (on the light receiving surface of the photosensor 150). + C side). Note that Δ> Δ ′.

  L ′ is the distance between the position of the light emitting part at the end opposite to the photosensor 150 in the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and the incident side surface of the coupling lens 2201. Note that L> L ′.

  By the way, in the first modification, the coupling lens 2201 is arranged to be inclined, but as an example, a coupling lens in which only the incident side surface is inclined may be used as shown in FIG. An effect equivalent to that described above can be obtained.

  A second modification of the light source unit 2200 is shown in FIG. In the second modification, the incident-side surface of the coupling lens 2201 is a concave surface, and the light flux toward the photosensor 150 is collected. Thereby, the amount of light received by the photosensor 150 can be increased as compared with the first modification.

  Since the photosensor 150 does not generate an output unless a certain amount of light is incident, it is necessary to ensure the amount of received light. Therefore, it is conceivable to increase the reflectance of the incident side surface of the coupling lens 2201. In this case, however, the amount of light reaching the photosensitive drum is reduced, and the amount of light on the photosensitive drum is insufficient. Therefore, in the second modification, the incident side surface of the coupling lens 2201 is a concave surface so as to be a so-called meniscus lens, thereby providing a condensing function and increasing the amount of light flux incident on the photosensor 150. Further, by forming a flat portion (flat pressing portion) at the edge portion of the coupling lens 2201, the position adjustment of the coupling lens 2201 can be performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

  Modification 3 of the light source unit 2200 is shown in FIG. In the third modification, a photosensor 150 is provided at the joint between the coupling lens 2201 and the support member 120. The photo sensor 150 is disposed in contact with the incident side surface of the coupling lens 2201.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the photosensor 150 has an opening at the center. That is, the photosensor 150 receives the peripheral portion of the divergent light beam emitted from the surface emitting laser array chip 100 and outputs a signal corresponding to the received light amount. The light beam that has passed through the opening of the photosensor 150 is directed to the polygon mirror 2104.

  In this case, conventionally discarded light can be used for light quantity detection, and loss of light directed to the photosensitive drum can be reduced.

  Note that the opening of the photosensor 150 may have the function of the opening of the opening member. In this case, the opening member becomes unnecessary.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where a two-dimensional array had 32 light emission parts, it is not limited to this.

  In the above embodiment, a semiconductor laser chip or a semiconductor laser array chip may be used in place of the surface emitting laser array chip 100.

  In the above-described embodiment, a synchronization mirror and a rear end synchronization detection sensor may be further provided for receiving a part of the light flux after completion of writing that has passed through the scanning optical system of each station.

  In this case, the CPU 3210 is required for the light beam to scan between the front end synchronization detection sensor and the rear end synchronization detection sensor from the output signal of the front end synchronization detection sensor and the output signal of the rear end synchronization detection sensor for each station. The reference frequency of the pixel clock signal can be reset so that the preset number of pulses fit within that time. Thereby, it is possible to stably maintain the full width magnification of the image recorded by each station on the transfer belt.

  In the above embodiment, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to the recording paper via the transfer belt. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the toner image is directly transferred to the recording paper. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, the color printer 2000 is described as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an optical plotter or a digital copying apparatus. Also, a monochrome (single color) printer may be used.

  Further, an image forming apparatus using a silver salt film as the image carrier may be used. In this case, a latent image is formed on the silver salt film by optical scanning, and this latent image can be visualized by a process equivalent to a developing process in a normal silver salt photographic process. Then, it can be transferred to a photographic paper as a transfer object by a process equivalent to a printing process in a normal silver salt photographic process. Such an image forming apparatus can be implemented as an optical plate making apparatus or an optical drawing apparatus that draws a CT scan image or the like.

  Further, an image forming apparatus using a color developing medium (positive photographic paper) that develops color by the heat energy of a beam spot as an image carrier may be used. In this case, a visible image can be directly formed on the image carrier by optical scanning.

  In short, if the image forming apparatus includes the optical scanning device 2010, the maintainability can be improved without degrading the image quality.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Surface emitting laser array chip, 102 ... Circuit board, 103 ... Bonding wire, 106 ... IC chip, 110 ... Positioning member, 120 ... Supporting member, 130 ... Adhesive, 150 ... Photosensor, 2000 ... Color printer (Image formation) Apparatus), 2010 ... optical scanning apparatus, 2030a to 2030d ... photosensitive drum (image carrier), 2080 ... communication control apparatus (communication apparatus), 2104 ... polygon mirror (optical deflector), 2105a to 2105d ... first scanning lens 2106a to 2106d ... folding mirror, 2107a to 2107d ... second scanning lens, 2108a to 2108d ... folding mirror, 2111a to 2111d ... tip synchronization detection sensor, 2200A, 2200B ... light source unit (light source device), 2201 ... coupling lens 2203A, 2 03B ... light beam splitting member, 2205a~2205d ... liquid crystal deflection element.

Japanese Patent No. 4132899 Japanese Patent No. 4363016 JP 2002-9389 A JP 2006-259098 A JP 2002-40350 A

Claims (10)

A semiconductor laser chip having a plurality of light emitting portions;
And a circuit board on which the semiconductor laser chip is surface-mounted without using a package member.   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor laser chip has a plurality of light emitting units arranged two-dimensionally. A cylindrical member surrounding the semiconductor laser chip, and a guide member having one end fixed to the circuit board;
A condensing optical element disposed on an optical path of a light beam from the semiconductor laser chip;
A support member that supports the condensing optical element and has a sliding surface that slides relative to the guide member in a direction parallel to an emission direction of a light beam of the semiconductor laser chip. The light source device according to claim 1. The support member is a cylindrical member,
The light source device according to claim 3, wherein the semiconductor laser chip is sealed from the outside by the circuit board, the guide member, the support member, and the condensing optical element.   5. The light source device according to claim 3, further comprising a light amount detector that is provided on the circuit board and receives a light beam reflected by the condensing optical element.   6. The light source device according to claim 5, wherein an optical surface on the semiconductor laser chip side of the condensing optical element is concave.   5. The light source device according to claim 3, further comprising a light amount detector that is provided near an outer periphery of the condensing optical element and receives a light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser chip.   The light source device according to claim 7, wherein the light amount detector has an opening that performs beam shaping of an incident light beam in front of the light receiving unit. An optical scanning device that scans a surface to be scanned with light,
The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An optical deflector for deflecting light from the light source device;
A scanning optical system that condenses the light deflected by the optical deflector onto the surface to be scanned. At least one image carrier;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the optical scanning device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one image carrier is scanned with light modulated according to image information.

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