US4800401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light scanning device for scanning with a lasler beam and an image forming apparatus for forming an image with a laser beam
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1986-04-11
•
Granted: 1989-01-24
•
Expires: 2006-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A light scanning device has a light deflecting member such as a polygon mirror rotated to thereby scan with a light, a bearing member for rotatably supporting the light deflecting member, a supporting member for holding the bearing member, and a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with the supporting member. The light deflecting member is accurately held relative to the base member by the highly accurately provided supporting member. The light scanning device is characterized by the integral molding for improving the accuracy of an optical system member which has heretofore been made discretely and thereafter coupled to the base member, and is preferably characterized by the integral molding of a supporting portion (a positioning and containing portion) for supporting a plurality of optical system members relative to the base member.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideki Sato
- 👤 Teruo Komatsu
- 👤 Yoshinori Sugiura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:36
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/12; G02B26/121; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/47; B41J2/471; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/04; H04N1/113; H04N1/1135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 86
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A light scanning device having: light scanning means for scanning with a light beam; said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the light beam and deflecting the light beam, and bearing means for rotatable supporting said light deflecting member; a supporting member for holding at least a part of said bearing means; and a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said supporting member; said base member having a first containing portion for containing and positioning therein a light output unit which puts out the light beam, and a second containing portion for containing and positioning therein an imaging lens for imaging the light beam deflected by said light deflecting member, the positional relation among said first containing portion, said second containing portion and said supporting member being determined by integral one-piece construction formation, the optical path accuracy of said light beam being improved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A light scanning device having: light scanning means for scanning with a light beam; said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the light beam and deflecting the light beam, and bearing means for rotatable supporting said light deflecting member; a supporting member for holding at least a part of said bearing means; and a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said supporting member; said base member having a first containing portion for containing and positioning therein a light output unit which puts out the light beam, and a second containing portion for containing and positioning therein an imaging lens for imaging the light beam deflected by said light deflecting member, the positional relation among said first containing portion, said second containing portion and said supporting member being determined by integral one-piece construction formation, the optical path accuracy of said light beam being improved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, wherein said base member exposes a part of said light scanning means to the other surface opposite to the supporting side surface of said light scanning means and holds the same, and said exposed part is protected by the bottommost portion provided on said other surface of said base member and protruding to the opposite side to said supporting side surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, wherein said bearing member is mounted with respect to said supporting member after the molding of said supporting member, and said base member has a cylindrical protrusion protruding to the opposite side to said supporting member on the other surface corresponding to said supporting member and opposite to the supporting side surface of said light scanning means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, wherein said bearing means has a bearing directly supporting said light deflecting member and a metal bush supporting said bearing, and said supporting member supports said metal bush.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A light scanning device according to claim 4, wherein said metal bush is mounted with respect to said supporting member after the molding of said supporting member, and said base member has a cylindrical protrusion protruding to the opposite side to said supporting member on the other surface corresponding to said supporting member and opposite to the supporting side surface of said light scanning means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A light scanning device according to claim 4, wherein said metal bush and said supporting member are molded at the same time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A light scanning device according to claim 4, wherein said metal bush is grounded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A light scanning device according to claim 7, wherein an electrode for grounding said metal bush is formed simultaneously with said supporting member and is within said supporting member and further is exposed from said base member and said supporting member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member and said base member are of the same material which is a resin mixed with carbon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, further having a cover member for covering the upper side of said base member and wherein said base member and said cover member together form a housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A light scanning device according to claim 10, wherein said base member is close to the side edge of a lens and is formed integrally with a protrusion provided on said second containing portion which prevents entry of dust.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A light scanning device according to claim 10, wherein a protrusion which is close to the upper surface of a lens and prevents entry of dust is formed integrally with said cover member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light scanning device according to claim 12, wherein said protrusion formed integrally with said cover member has at least its end inclined.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A light scanning device according to claim 13, wherein said protrusion formed integrally with said cover member has its end tapered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion between said supporting member and said base member is subjected to a reinforcing treatment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A light scanning device according to claim 15, wherein the connecting portion between said supporting member and said base member is reinforced by being made thicker than the surroundings thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member is formed integrally with said base member so that the center of rotation of said light deflecting member is positioned on the opposite side to the laser output unit with respect to the optical center of said imaging lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, wherein said second containing portion has a supporting portion for supporting the imaging lens and an area lower in height than said supporting portion, and an adhesive layer is provided between said area and said imaging lens, whereby said imaging lens is held.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A light scanning device according to claim 1, wherein said light scanning means effects the scanning with a plurality of laser beams.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
A light scanning device according to claim 19, wherein said laser output unit is a laser array having a plurality of laser chips, and said light scanning means effects the scanning with a plurality of laser beams put out from said laser array.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A light scanning device according to claim 20, wherein said first containing portion holds said laser array in its inclined state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
170 words
A light scanning device having: light scanning means for scanning with a light beam; said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the light beam and deflecting the light beam, and bearing means for rotatably supporting said light deflecting member; a supporting member for holding at least a part of said bearing means; and a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said supporting member; said base member having one containing portion for containing and positioning therein a light output unit which puts out the light beam, and another containing portion for containing and positioning a cylindrical lens between said light scanning means and said light output unit, the positional relation among said supporting member, said first containing portion and said another containing portion being determined by integral one-piece construction formation, the optical path accuracy of said light beam being improved, said cylindrical lens being substantially capable of adjusting the light beam travelling from said light output unit toward said light scanning means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
170 words
A light scanning device having: light scanning means for scanning with a light beam; said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the light beam and deflecting the light beam, and bearing means for rotatably supporting said light deflecting member; a supporting member for holding at least a part of said bearing means; and a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said supporting member; said base member having one containing portion for containing and positioning therein a light output unit which puts out the light beam, and another containing portion for containing and positioning a cylindrical lens between said light scanning means and said light output unit, the positional relation among said supporting member, said first containing portion and said another containing portion being determined by integral one-piece construction formation, the optical path accuracy of said light beam being improved, said cylindrical lens being substantially capable of adjusting the light beam travelling from said light output unit toward said light scanning means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
A light scanning device according to claim 22, wherein said another containing portion has a supporting portion for supporting said base member and said cylindrical lens, and an area lower in height than said supporting portion, and an adhesive layer is provided between said are and said cylindrical lens.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A light scanning device according to claim 23, wherein said supporting portion for supporting said cylindrical lens is provided at either side of said area in which the adhesive layer is provided.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
A light scanning device according to claim 22, wherein said another containing portion has a wall portion formed integrally with said base member and parallel to the light beam, and said cylindrical lens is adjustable along said wall portion and is fixed after being adjusted.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
A light scanning device according to claim 23, wherein said another containing portion has a wall portion formed integrally with said base member and is parallel to the light beam, and said cylindrical lens is adjustable along said wall portion and is adhesively fixed after being adjusted.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
69 words
A light scanning device according to claim 22, wherein said base member exposes a part of said light scanning means to the other surface opposite to the supporting side surface of said light scanning means and holds the same, and said exposed part is protected by the bottommost portion provided on said other surface of said base member and protruding to the opposite side to said supporting side surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
A light scanning device according to claim 22, wherein said light output unit is a laser array having a plurality of laser chips, and said cylindrical lens substantially adjusts a plurality of laser beams put out from said laser array.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
A light scanning device according to claim 28, wherein said one containing portion holds said laser array in its inclined state.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
117 words
A light scanning device having: light scanning means for scanning with a laser beam; said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam and deflecting the laser beam, and bearing means for rotatably supporting said light deflecting member; a supporting member for holding at least a part of said bearing means; a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said supporting member; beam detecting means for detecting the position of the beam; reflecting means for directing the laser beam to said beam detecting means; and a supporting portion for rotatably supporting said reflecting means, said supporting portion being formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said base member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
117 words
A light scanning device having: light scanning means for scanning with a laser beam; said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam and deflecting the laser beam, and bearing means for rotatably supporting said light deflecting member; a supporting member for holding at least a part of said bearing means; a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said supporting member; beam detecting means for detecting the position of the beam; reflecting means for directing the laser beam to said beam detecting means; and a supporting portion for rotatably supporting said reflecting means, said supporting portion being formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said base member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
A light scanning device according to claim 30, wherein said supporting portion has a rotary shaft formed integrally with said base member, and said reflecting means has a mirror rotatable about said rotary shaft.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A light scanning device according to claim 30, wherein said base member has a containing portion formed integrally therewith for integrally supporting and positioning said beam detecting means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
A light scanning device according to any of claim 32, wherein said beam detecting means has a lens for converging the laser beam, and said base member has a containing portion formed integrally therewith for integrally supporting and positioning said lens.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
A light scanning device according to claim 33, wherein said beam detecting means has an optical fiber for inputting the laser beam passed through said lens, and said base member has a containing portion formed integrally therewith for integrally supporting and positioning said optical fiber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light scanning device according to claim 32, wherein said base member has a slit formed integrally therewith for controlling the laser beam entering said lens.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light scanning device according to claim 34, wherein said base member has a slit formed integrally therewith for controlling the laser beam entering said lens.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
68 words
A light scanning device according to claim 30, wherein said base member exposes a part of said scanning means to the other surface opposite to the supporting side surface of said light scanning means and holds the same, and said exposed part is protected by the bottommost portion provided on said other surface of said base member and protruding to the opposite side to said supporting side surface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
65 words
A light scanning device according to claim 30, wherein said bearing means is mounted with respect to said supporting member after the molding of said supporting member, and said base member has a cylindrical protrusion protruding to the opposite side to said supporting member on the other surface corresponding to said supporting member and opposite to the supporting side surface of said light scanning means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
A light scanning device according to claim 30, wherein said light scanning means scans with a plurality of beams, and said beam detecting means detects at least one of said plurality of beams.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
180 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image bearing member by the use of a light scanning device, having: a laser output unit putting out a laser beam modulated in conformity with image information to be recorded; light scanning means for scanning with the laser beam put out from said laser output unit; said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam and deflecting the laser beam, and bearing means for rotatably supporting said light deflecting member; an imaging member for imaging the laser beam scanned by said light scanning means; and a housing integrally formed as a one-piece construction containing therein at least said laser output unit, said light scanning means and said imaging member; said housing having a supporting member for supporting said bearing means, and a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said supporting member; the laser beam which has emerged from said housing scanning the image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed, thereby forming a recorded image thereon.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
180 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image bearing member by the use of a light scanning device, having: a laser output unit putting out a laser beam modulated in conformity with image information to be recorded; light scanning means for scanning with the laser beam put out from said laser output unit; said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam and deflecting the laser beam, and bearing means for rotatably supporting said light deflecting member; an imaging member for imaging the laser beam scanned by said light scanning means; and a housing integrally formed as a one-piece construction containing therein at least said laser output unit, said light scanning means and said imaging member; said housing having a supporting member for supporting said bearing means, and a base member formed integrally as a one-piece construction with said supporting member; the laser beam which has emerged from said housing scanning the image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed, thereby forming a recorded image thereon.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said light scanning means scans with a plurality of laser beams.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
41 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said laser output unit is a laser array having a plurality of laser chips, and said light scanning means scans with a plurality of laser beams put out from said laser array.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said laser array is disposed in its inclined state.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said bearing means has a bearing directly supporting said light deflecting member and a metal bush supporting said bearing, and said supporting member supports said metal bush.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
65 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said metal bush is mounted with respect to said supporting member after the molding of said supporting member, and said base member has a cylindrical protrusion protruding to the opposite side to said supporting member on the other surface corresponding to said supporting member and opposite to the supporting side surface of said light scanning means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the connecting portion between said base member and said supporting member is subjected to a reinforcing treatment.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the connecting portion between said base member and said supporting member is reinforced by being made thicker than the surroundings thereof.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
69 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said base member exposes a part of said light scanning means to the other surface opposite to the supporting side surface of said light scanning means and holds the same, and said exposed part is protected by the bottommost portion provided on said other surface of said base member and protruding to the opposite side to said supporting side surface.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said metal bush is grounded.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
43 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein a part of said light scanning means is exposed from said base member, and an air stream produced by a fan provided in said image forming apparatus passes the vicinity of said exposed part.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said base member has a positioning portion integrally formed therewith at the bottom thereof and corresponding to the optical center of an imaging lens.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive drum contained in said image forming apparatus.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein a containing portion for supporting and positioning at least one of said beam output unit and said imaging member therein is formed integrally with said base member.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 53, wherein a supporting portion for supporting a mirror for directing the laser beam to the imaqe bearing member is formed integrally with said base member.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said imaging member is at least one of a cylindrical lens, an imaging lens and a slit.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
90 words
A light scanning device comprising: a laser unit for emitting a laser beam; light scanning means for scanning with said laser beam emitted from said laser unit, said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam and deflecting the laser beam, and bearing means for rotatably bearing said light deflecting member; a supporting member for supporting said bearing means; and a positioning portion for positioning said laser unit; wherein said supporting member and said positioning portion are integrally molded in a one-piece construction.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
90 words
A light scanning device comprising: a laser unit for emitting a laser beam; light scanning means for scanning with said laser beam emitted from said laser unit, said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam and deflecting the laser beam, and bearing means for rotatably bearing said light deflecting member; a supporting member for supporting said bearing means; and a positioning portion for positioning said laser unit; wherein said supporting member and said positioning portion are integrally molded in a one-piece construction.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
42 words
A light scanning device according to claim 56, wherein said light scanning device is adapted to be mounted on a recording apparatus body having a photosensitive member and the position of said light scanning device is defined by said integrally molded body.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
A light scanning device according to claim 56, wherein said bearing means has two bearings and said integrally molded body supports said two bearings.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
36 words
A light scanning device according to claim 56, wherein said bearing means has a bearing directly supporting said light deflecting member and a metal bushing supporting said bearing and said supporting member supports said metal bushing.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
19 words
A light scanning device according to claim 59, wherein said metal bushing and said supporting member are integrally molded.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
A light scanning device according to claim 56, wherein said bearing means is electrically grounded.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
27 words
A light scanning device according to claim 56, wherein said supporting member and said positioning portion comprise an integrally molded body composed of a resin including carbon.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
91 words
A light scanning device comprising: light scanning means for scanning with a laser beam, said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam and deflecting the laser beam, and a bearing means for rotatably bearing said light deflecting member; a supporting member for supporting said bearing means; imaging means for imaging the laser beam deflected by said light deflecting member; and a positioning portion for positioning said imaging means, wherein said supporting member and said positioning portion are integrally molded in a one-piece construction.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
91 words
A light scanning device comprising: light scanning means for scanning with a laser beam, said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam and deflecting the laser beam, and a bearing means for rotatably bearing said light deflecting member; a supporting member for supporting said bearing means; imaging means for imaging the laser beam deflected by said light deflecting member; and a positioning portion for positioning said imaging means, wherein said supporting member and said positioning portion are integrally molded in a one-piece construction.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
42 words
A light scanning device according to claim 63, wherein said light scanning device is adapted to be mounted on a recording apparatus body having a photosensitive member and the position of said light scanning device is defined by said integrally molded body.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
A light scanning device according to claim 63, wherein said bearing means has two bearings and said integrally molded body supports said two bearings.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
36 words
A light scanning device according to claim 63, wherein said bearing means has a bearing directly supporting said light deflecting member and a metal bushing supporting said bearing and said supporting member supports said metal bushing.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
A light scanning device according to claim 66, wherein said metal bushing and said supporting member ar integrally molded.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
15 words
A light scanning device according to claim 63, wherein said bearing means is electrically grounded.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
27 words
A light scanning device according to claim 63, wherein said positioning portion and said supporting member comprise an integrally molded body composed of a resin including carbon.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
58 words
A light scanning device comprising: a housing having a laser unit for emitting a laser beam and light deflecting means for deflecting light by rotation to scan with the laser beam emitted from the laser unit; wherein at least a portion of said housing adjacent to said light deflecting means is treated so as to be electrically conductive.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
58 words
A light scanning device comprising: a housing having a laser unit for emitting a laser beam and light deflecting means for deflecting light by rotation to scan with the laser beam emitted from the laser unit; wherein at least a portion of said housing adjacent to said light deflecting means is treated so as to be electrically conductive.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
18 words
A light scanning device according to claim 70, wherein said treated portion of said housing is electrically grounded.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light scanning device according to claim 70, further comprising bearing means for rotatably supporting said light deflecting means, wherein said bearing means is electrically grounded.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
18 words
A light scanning device according to claim 72, wherein said bearing means has an electrically grounded, metal bushing.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light scanning device according to claim 70, wherein said housing further has a substrate for controlling the rotation of the light deflecting means inside thereof.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
47 words
A light scanning device comprising: light scanning means for scanning with a laser beam, said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam, and bearing means for rotatably bearing said light deflecting member; wherein said bearing means is electrically grounded.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
47 words
A light scanning device comprising: light scanning means for scanning with a laser beam, said light scanning means having a light deflecting member rotated to scan with the laser beam, and bearing means for rotatably bearing said light deflecting member; wherein said bearing means is electrically grounded.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
31 words
A light scanning device according to claim 75, further comprising a metal ring in a contact with a periphery of said bearing means through which said bearing means is electrically grounded.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light scanning device according to claim 75, wherein said bearing means has two bearings with which said metal ring is in contact.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
16 words
A light scanning device according to claim 75, wherein said bearing means is a ball bearing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-24 | 1992-07-25 | 1993-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-24 | 1996-07-25 | 1997-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-24 | 2000-07-25 | 2001-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |