Multi-beam scanning device and image forming system and method using the same
US6198562A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/123
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multi-beam scanning device includes a plurality of light sources which emit multiple beams. A plurality of coupling lenses couple the multiple beams from the light sources. A converging lens device converts the coupled beams into converging beams, the converging beams being elongated in a direction corresponding to a main scanning direction and converging only in a direction corresponding to a sub-scanning direction, at least two of the converging beams forming a difference angle therebetween. A rotary deflector has a reflection surface rotated about a fixed rotation axis. The reflection surface deflects the converging beams while the reflection surface is rotated. A scanning lens device scans an image surface in the main scanning direction at a substantially uniform velocity by focusing each deflected beam into a beam spot on the image surface. The multi-beam scanning device is configured to satisfy desired conditions to allow the multi-beam scanning device to achieve excellent optical characteristics without using a polarization beam splitter. Further, an image forming system and method which uses such a multi-beam scanning device is provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.