Abstract: An optical scanning device, an image display device, a heads-up display, and a mobile object. The optical scanning device includes a light source configured to emit scanning light, a light quantity adjuster provided with a plurality of optical attenuators having different light transmittances, the light quantity adjuster configured to change a light-intensity of the scanning light by switching one of the plurality of optical attenuators placed on an optical path, by movement of the light quantity adjuster, to scan a to-be-scanned surface using the scanning light passed through the light quantity adjuster, and a home position sensor configured to detect that the light quantity adjuster is present at a predetermined position. The light source starts emitting the scanning light after one of the plurality of optical attenuators is placed on the optical path at a time of startup.

Abstract: An optical scanning device, an image display device, a heads-up display, and a mobile object. The optical scanning device includes a light source configured to emit scanning light, a light quantity adjuster provided with a plurality of optical attenuators having different light transmittances, the light quantity adjuster configured to change a light-intensity of the scanning light by switching one of the plurality of optical attenuators placed on an optical path, by movement of the light quantity adjuster, to scan a to-be-scanned surface using the scanning light passed through the light quantity adjuster, and a home position sensor configured to detect that the light quantity adjuster is present at a predetermined position. The light source starts emitting the scanning light after one of the plurality of optical attenuators is placed on the optical path at a time of startup.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source configured to emit a light beam; a rotary deflector configured to perform optical scanning by reflecting and deflecting the light beam emitted from the light source while rotating; an optical system forming member configured to form a path of the light beam; and a resonator having a resonance frequency corresponding to a sound generated by rotational drive of the rotary deflector. The rotary deflector is installed in a closed space. The resonator is installed so that the sound within the closed space is absorbed.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes an optical housing; an elongated optical element arranged in the optical housing and having a shape extending in a main-scanning direction; a retaining member provided at a side opposite to a surface of the optical housing on which the optical element is arranged to maintain an attachment attitude of the optical element in the optical housing; a curvature adjusting unit configured to adjust a curvature of the elongated optical element in a scanning line via the retaining member; a tilt adjusting unit configured to adjust a tilt of the optical element in the scanning line by making the optical element rotate on an optical axis via the retaining member; and a positioning unit configured to position the optical element in the optical axis direction, and provided in the optical housing and having such a shape that the optical element fits the positioning unit.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source configured to emit a light beam; a rotary deflector configured to perform optical scanning by reflecting and deflecting the light beam emitted from the light source while rotating; an optical system forming member configured to form a path of the light beam; and a resonator having a resonance frequency corresponding to a sound generated by rotational drive of the rotary deflector. The rotary deflector is installed in a closed space. The resonator is installed so that the sound within the closed space is absorbed.

Abstract: An optical scanning device that performs optical scanning across an object to be scanned with a light deflected, comprises: a deflection unit that causes a deflection mirror driven by a driving source to deflect the travel direction of light emitted from a light source and generates the light deflected; a resonator that includes a resonance space for reducing sound emitted from the deflection unit and a resonance passage communicating with the resonance space to direct sound from outside to inside the resonance space; a housing that accommodates the deflection unit and the resonator, and a partition wall that partitions a deflection unit accommodating space acting as a space for accommodating the deflection unit in the housing and a resonator accommodating space acting as a space for accommodating the resonator in the housing.

Abstract: An optical scanner, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a light source including a recessed portion provided on an outer circumference thereof, and a housing configured to support the light source. The housing includes a positioning unit configured to position the light source in a vertical optical axis of the light source, and a cutout provided on an inner circumference of the positioning unit. The light source is positioned to the positioning unit with the recessed portion being disposed at the cutout and then is fixed to the housing. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier configured to form an image on a surface thereof, and the above-described optical scanner.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source configured to emit a light beam; a rotary deflector configured to perform optical scanning by reflecting and deflecting the light beam emitted from the light source while rotating; an optical system forming member configured to form a path of the light beam; and a resonator having a resonance frequency corresponding to a sound generated by rotational drive of the rotary deflector. The rotary deflector is installed in a closed space. The resonator is installed so that the sound within the closed space is absorbed.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source for projecting a light beam against a target, a deflector for deflecting the light beam, a coupling lens, an optical element, a light source support member, and a housing. The coupling lens directs the light beam to the deflector. The optical element focuses the light beam deflected by the deflector into a desired shape. The light source support member supports the light source. The housing houses the light source supported by the light source support member, the deflector, and the optical elements. The housing includes at least two coupling lens mounts on which the coupling lens is fixed on an optical path between the light source and the target, and accommodates multiple light source support members. The coupling lens is fixed to the coupling lens mount using an adhesive agent after an optical axis of the light beam is aligned.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including positioning faces; a detachably attachable unit including receiving parts and contact parts; and a biasing member to press the receiving parts of the detachably attachable unit to the positioning faces disposed on the apparatus body. The biasing member is rotatably disposed to the apparatus body, contacts the contact parts disposed on the detachably attachable unit, presses the receiving parts against the positioning faces, and is elastically deformable in a direction separating from a rotary supporting point of the biasing member; and when the biasing member is rotated to a locked state from a release state, the biasing member is hooked to the contact parts, so that the receiving parts are pressed toward the positioning faces by the biasing member.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source configured to emit a light beam; a rotary deflector configured to perform optical scanning by reflecting and deflecting the light beam emitted from the light source while rotating; an optical system forming member configured to form a path of the light beam; and a resonator having a resonance frequency corresponding to a sound generated by rotational drive of the rotary deflector. The rotary deflector is installed in a closed space. The resonator is installed so that the sound within the closed space is absorbed.

Abstract: An optical scanning device that performs optical scanning across an object to be scanned with a light deflected, comprises: a deflection unit that causes a deflection mirror driven by a driving source to deflect the travel direction of light emitted from a light source and generates the light deflected; a resonator that includes a resonance space for reducing sound emitted from the deflection unit and a resonance passage communicating with the resonance space to direct sound from outside to inside the resonance space; a housing that accommodates the deflection unit and the resonator, and a partition wall that partitions a deflection unit accommodating space acting as a space for accommodating the deflection unit in the housing and a resonator accommodating space acting as a space for accommodating the resonator in the housing.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for optically scanning at least one scanning target surface, the optical scanning apparatus including: a light source; a light-flux dividing unit disposed on a main optical path of a main light flux emitted from the light source, and the light-flux dividing unit configured to spatially divide the main light flux; an optical deflector disposed on a divided optical path of the divided light flux, and the optical deflector configured to deflect the divided optical path; an optical path opening/closing switch unit disposed on the divided optical path between the light-flux dividing unit and the optical deflector, and the optical path opening/closing switch unit configured to interrupt or pass at least one of the divided optical path; and a controller configured to control operation of interrupting or passing the at least one of the divided optical path by the optical path opening/closing switch unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including positioning faces; a detachably attachable unit including receiving parts and contact parts; and a biasing member to press the receiving parts of the detachably attachable unit to the positioning faces disposed on the apparatus body. The biasing member is rotatably disposed to the apparatus body, contacts the contact parts disposed on the detachably attachable unit, presses the receiving parts against the positioning faces, and is elastically deformable in a direction separating from a rotary supporting point of the biasing member; and when the biasing member is rotated to a locked state from a release state, the biasing member is hooked to the contact parts, so that the receiving parts are pressed toward the positioning faces by the biasing member.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, an optical part, an enclosure, and a retainer. The light source projects light against a target. The optical part is disposed on a light path between the light source and the target. The enclosure houses the light source and the optical part. The retainer is fixed to the enclosure and includes a plurality of optical part mounts of identical shape and different sizes. The optical part is adhered to one of the plurality of optical part mounts.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a housing, a light source, a polygon mirror, an optical device, and a holder. The housing includes a mounting portion. The light source projects light. The polygon mirror is enclosed within the housing and rotates to deflect the light projected from the light source. The optical device is disposed substantially near the polygon mirror. The holder is disposed within the housing and attached to the housing at the mounting portion, and holds the optical device in place. A distance L1 between a center of rotation of the polygon mirror and the optical device is shorter than a distance L2 between the center of rotation of the polygon mirror and the mounting portion. An image forming apparatus includes the optical scanner.

Abstract: An optical scanner, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a light source including a recessed portion provided on an outer circumference thereof, and a housing configured to support the light source. The housing includes a positioning unit configured to position the light source in a vertical optical axis of the light source, and a cutout provided on an inner circumference of the positioning unit. The light source is positioned to the positioning unit with the recessed portion being disposed at the cutout and then is fixed to the housing. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier configured to form an image on a surface thereof, and the above-described optical scanner.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for optically scanning at least one scanning target surface, the optical scanning apparatus including: a light source; a light-flux dividing unit disposed on a main optical path of a main light flux emitted from the light source, and the light-flux dividing unit configured to spatially divide the main light flux; an optical deflector disposed on a divided optical path of the divided light flux, and the optical deflector configured to deflect the divided optical path; an optical path opening/closing switch unit disposed on the divided optical path between the light-flux dividing unit and the optical deflector, and the optical path opening/closing switch unit configured to interrupt or pass at least one of the divided optical path; and a controller configured to control operation of interrupting or passing the at least one of the divided optical path by the optical path opening/closing switch unit.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes an optical housing; an elongated optical element arranged in the optical housing and having a shape extending in a main-scanning direction; a retaining member provided at a side opposite to a surface of the optical housing on which the optical element is arranged to maintain an attachment attitude of the optical element in the optical housing; a curvature adjusting unit configured to adjust a curvature of the elongated optical element in a scanning line via the retaining member; a tilt adjusting unit configured to adjust a tilt of the optical element in the scanning line by making the optical element rotate on an optical axis via the retaining member; and a positioning unit configured to position the optical element in the optical axis direction, and provided in the optical housing and having such a shape that the optical element fits the positioning unit.

Abstract: An optical writer includes a light source, an optical part, a housing, and an elastically deformable retainer. The light source projects light against a target. The optical part is disposed on a light path between the light source and the target. The housing houses the light source and the optical part. The elastically deformable retainer is detachably fixed to the housing and includes a plurality of contact portions on an inner surface of the retainer to hold the optical part. The retainer elastically deforms to separate at least one of the contact portions from other contact portions to hold the optical part by the plurality of contact portions.