Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus includes a deflection element configured to deflect a laser beam emitted from a light source for scanning, a mirror member configured to directly reflect the laser beam deflected by the deflection element toward a surface to be scanned, and an optical box configured to house the deflection element and the mirror member. The optical box includes a bottom plate portion and a sidewall portion that encloses the bottom plate portion. The scanning optical apparatus further includes a plate-shaped connection portion configured to connect an opening surface of the optical box that faces the bottom plate portion from one side to the other side of the sidewall portion. The connection portion is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the mirror member in a direction orthogonal to the bottom plate portion.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source configured to emit a light beam, a rotational polygonal mirror configured to deflect and scan the light beam emitted from the light source, a drive unit configured to drive the rotational polygonal mirror to rotate, an optical member configured to guide the light beam with the scanning rotational polygonal mirror to a member to be scanned, a storage member configured to accommodate the rotational polygonal mirror and the optical member therewithin, and a wall configured to partition a space inside the storage member into a first space in which the rotational polygonal mirror is installed and a second space in which the optical member is installed, wherein the wall has an opening through which air can pass, and the opening is configured to pass the light beam reflected by the scanning rotational polygonal mirror, and the wall has a vent which is different from the opening and configured to send at least a part of the air that has passed through the opening,

Abstract: In an optical scanning apparatus, when air flow from a deflecting device is suppressed by a shielding member such as a transparent member, an image of a light beam is not formed at a predetermined position. In view of this, a first wall portion having a wall surface shaped concentrically with a center axis of a deflecting device is provided on an optical path directed from a laser light source toward the deflecting device. By providing at least the first wall portion having laser beam passing portions as openings passing through the wall surface of the first wall portion and providing a second wall portion connected to the first wall portion to define a closed surface except for the laser beam passing portions, warm air flow directed from the deflecting device to the laser light source is blocked.

Abstract: In an optical scanning apparatus, when air flow from a deflecting device is suppressed by a shielding member such as a transparent member, an image of a light beam is not formed at a predetermined position. In view of this, a first wall portion having a wall surface shaped concentrically with a center axis of a deflecting device is provided on an optical path directed from a laser light source toward the deflecting device. By providing at least the first wall portion having laser beam passing portions as openings passing through the wall surface of the first wall portion and providing a second wall portion connected to the first wall portion to define a closed surface except for the laser beam passing portions, warm air flow directed from the deflecting device to the laser light source is blocked.

Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus capable of forming a high contrast electrostatic latent image. A polygon mirror scans a light flux emitted from a light source in a main scanning direction. An electrostatic latent image in an irradiation position irradiated by the scanned light flux is formed onto a photosensitive drum. An electro-optic crystal structure disposed in a light path between the light source and the polygon mirror deflects a course of the light flux emitted from the light source to the main scanning direction by applying a voltage. A controller maintains the irradiation position on the photosensitive drum irradiated by the light flux, by controlling a voltage to be applied to the electro-optic crystal structure according to the scanning information during the time period in which an electrostatic latent image corresponding to one dot is formed on the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source configured to emit a light beam, a rotational polygonal mirror configured to deflect and scan the light beam emitted from the light source, a drive unit configured to drive the rotational polygonal mirror to rotate, an optical member configured to guide the light beam with the scanning rotational polygonal mirror to a member to be scanned, a storage member configured to accommodate the rotational polygonal mirror and the optical member therewithin, and a wall configured to partition a space inside the storage member into a first space in which the rotational polygonal mirror is installed and a second space in which the optical member is installed, wherein the wall has an opening through which air can pass, and the opening is configured to pass the light beam reflected by the scanning rotational polygonal mirror, and the wall has a vent which is different from the opening and configured to send at least a part of the air that has passed through the opening,

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus includes two deflectors that are driven by motors to deflect laser beams. One of the deflectors is provided while inclined by about 10° from an attaching reference plane in an optical box, and the other deflector is provided in parallel with the attaching reference plane. An image forming apparatus provided with the image forming apparatus includes four photosensitive drums corresponding to Y, M, C, and K colors. In the image forming apparatus, the photosensitive drums corresponding to Y, M, C, and K colors are alternately irradiated with laser beam fluxes from the deflectors. Accordingly, the two photosensitive drums corresponding to the K and M colors are irradiated with one of the deflectors, and the two photosensitive drums corresponding to the C and Y colors are irradiated with the other deflector.

Abstract: In an optical scanning apparatus, when air flow from a deflecting device is suppressed by a shielding member such as a transparent member, an image of a light beam is not formed at a predetermined position. In view of this, a first wall portion having a wall surface shaped concentrically with a center axis of a deflecting device is provided on an optical path directed from a laser light source toward the deflecting device. By providing at least the first wall portion having laser beam passing portions as openings passing through the wall surface of the first wall portion and providing a second wall portion connected to the first wall portion to define a closed surface except for the laser beam passing portions, warm air flow directed from the deflecting device to the laser light source is blocked.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus includes a deflection element configured to deflect a laser beam emitted from a light source for scanning, a mirror member configured to directly reflect the laser beam deflected by the deflection element toward a surface to be scanned, and an optical box configured to house the deflection element and the mirror member. The optical box includes a bottom plate portion and a sidewall portion that encloses the bottom plate portion. The scanning optical apparatus further includes a plate-shaped connection portion configured to connect an opening surface of the optical box that faces the bottom plate portion from one side to the other side of the sidewall portion. The connection portion is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the mirror member in a direction orthogonal to the bottom plate portion.

Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus capable of forming a high contrast electrostatic latent image. A polygon mirror scans a light flux emitted from a light source in a main scanning direction. An electrostatic latent image in an irradiation position irradiated by the scanned light flux is formed onto a photosensitive drum. An electro-optic crystal structure disposed in a light path between the light source and the polygon mirror deflects a course of the light flux emitted from the light source to the main scanning direction by applying a voltage. A controller maintains the irradiation position on the photosensitive drum irradiated by the light flux, by controlling a voltage to be applied to the electro-optic crystal structure according to the scanning information during the time period in which an electrostatic latent image corresponding to one dot is formed on the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus includes two deflectors that are driven by motors to deflect laser beams. One of the deflectors is provided while inclined by about 10° from an attaching reference plane in an optical box, and the other deflector is provided in parallel with the attaching reference plane. An image forming apparatus provided with the image forming apparatus includes four photosensitive drums corresponding to Y, M, C, and K colors. In the image forming apparatus, the photosensitive drums corresponding to Y, M, C, and K colors are alternately irradiated with laser beam fluxes from the deflectors. Accordingly, the two photosensitive drums corresponding to the K and M colors are irradiated with one of the deflectors, and the two photosensitive drums corresponding to the C and Y colors are irradiated with the other deflector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: first to fourth image forming portions which form single-color images having basic colors; a fifth image forming portion which forms a single-color image having accessory color different from the basic colors; a belt member where toner images formed by the image forming portions are superimposed; a driving roller rotates the belt member; and a driven roller rotated by means of the rotation of the belt member, and in this apparatus, at least the first to third image forming portions are arranged in a position on an upper stream side and on a lower stream side with respect to the driven roller in a moving direction of the belt member, and at least the fifth image forming portion is arranged in a position on an upper stream side and on a lower stream side with respect to the driving roller in the direction.