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US4512626A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rotating mirror scanner

Assignee: Toshiba Corp
•
Filing: 1983-06-15
•
Granted: 1985-04-23
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Expires: 2003-06-15
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Abstract

Abstract In a rotating mirror scanner, a polygonal mirror is fixed between a pair of journals of a spindle. A rotor is fixed on the spindle, and a rotor magnet constituting a magnetic thrust bearing is fixed to one end of the spindle. One bearing of a dynamic pressure type and a ring-shaped stator magnet which constitutes the magnetic thrust bearing are both fixed in a hollow housing having an opening. The spindle is inserted into the housing through the opening thereof so that the outer peripheral surface of the rotor magnet faces the inner peripheral surface of the stator magnet, and that one journal is fitted in the one bearing. Thus, the spindle is set in the housing. A cover having the other bearing is fitted in the opening of the housing so that the other journal is supported by the other bearing.

Inventors

  • 👤 Masashi Kamiya
  • 👤 Katsunobu Ueda
  • 👤 Mitsuo Sumiya
  • 👤 Tameyasu Tsukada

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 10:28
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/47; B41J2/471; F; F16; F16C; F16C17/00; F16C17/02; F16C17/028; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/106; F16C33/1075; F16C39/00; F16C39/06; F16C39/063; G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/12; G02B26/121; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/09; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; H; H02; H02K; H02K7/00; H02K7/08; H02K7/09; F16C2370/00; F16C2370/20; F16C2370/22; F16C3/00; F16C3/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 179 words
A rotating mirror scanner comprising: a spindle having a pair of journals; a rotor rotating with the spindle; a stator for rotating the rotor; a pair of bearings individually receiving the pair of journals; a polygonal mirror disposed between the pair of journals and fixed to the spindle; a housing fixedly fitted with one of the bearings and the stator and having at least one window facing the polygonal mirror so that a light reflected from the polygonal mirror passes through the window, the housing having an opening through which the rotor, the polygonal mirror, and the one bearing are inserted; a cover fitted with the other bearing and removably closing the opening; and means for floating the spindle, the means including at least one rotor magnet fixed on the spindle, and at least one stator magnet fixed to the housing so that the rotor magnet is inserted therein and having an inner surface facing the outer surface of the rotor magnet with a gap therebetween, the facing surfaces of the rotor and stator magnets being opposite in polarity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 179 words
A rotating mirror scanner comprising: a spindle having a pair of journals; a rotor rotating with the spindle; a stator for rotating the rotor; a pair of bearings individually receiving the pair of journals; a polygonal mirror disposed between the pair of journals and fixed to the spindle; a housing fixedly fitted with one of the bearings and the stator and having at least one window facing the polygonal mirror so that a light reflected from the polygonal mirror passes through the window, the housing having an opening through which the rotor, the polygonal mirror, and the one bearing are inserted; a cover fitted with the other bearing and removably closing the opening; and means for floating the spindle, the means including at least one rotor magnet fixed on the spindle, and at least one stator magnet fixed to the housing so that the rotor magnet is inserted therein and having an inner surface facing the outer surface of the rotor magnet with a gap therebetween, the facing surfaces of the rotor and stator magnets being opposite in polarity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 1, further comprising an fθ lens system attached to the housing so as to face the window of the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 1, wherein said rotor magnet of the means for floating the spindle has an inside diameter shorter than that of the one bearing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 39 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 1, wherein each said bearing is of a dynamic pressure type, and has a number of grooves formed on the inner surface thereof, the grooves extending along the axis of the spindle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 4, wherein each of said grooves has a semicircular cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 39 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 1, wherein each said journal is of a dynamic pressure type, and has a number of grooves formed on the outer surface thereof, the grooves extending along the axis of the spindle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 6, wherein each of said grooves has a substantially semicircular cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 6, wherein each of said grooves is defined by a pair of surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 8, wherein one of said pair of surfaces is formed in the radial direction of the spindle, and the other is formed at substantially right angles to the one surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 8, wherein each said surface is an arcuate surface having a predetermined radius of curvature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 6, wherein each of said grooves has a substantially V-shaped cross section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 6, wherein each of said grooves is defined by at least two stepped portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 18 words
The rotating mirror scanner according to claim 6, wherein each of said grooves has a rectangular cross section.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3874778A Cited
JPS536854A Cited
US4141620A Cited
JPS5635118A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-04-22 1988-10-22 1989-04-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-04-22 1992-10-22 1993-04-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-04-22 1996-10-22 1997-04-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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