Multi-beam optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
US7006120B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/473
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A multi-beam optical scanning apparatus includes a semiconductor laser array slanted relative to a sub-scanning direction and emitting a plurality of optical beams; a coupling lens converting a shape of each optical beam emitted from the semiconductor laser array; and an aperture with an opening having a size of Am×As, arranged after the coupling lens in a direction in which the optical beam progresses, where Am is a dimension of the opening in a main scanning direction and As is a dimension of the opening in the sub-scanning direction. When a length in the main scanning direction of a contour line defined by 1/e2 strength of a maximum strength of an optical beam at the position of the aperture is Lm, and a length in the sub-scanning direction of the contour line defined by 1/e2 strength of the maximum strength of the optical beam at the position of the aperture is Ls, the following conditional expressions are satisfied:Am<Lm, and (1)Ls/Lm×0.3<As/Am<Ls/Lm×1.7. (2)
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.