Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrostatic latent image carrier, and an optical writing device including at least one light source, at least one aperture, at least one light shield, a light deflector, an image forming lens, and a housing. The aperture adjusts a light beam generated by the light source into a reference shape. The light shield shields an optical path formed between the light source and the aperture by the light beam. The light deflector deflects the light beam to scan in a main scanning direction. The image forming lens focuses the deflected light beam to scan on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. The housing contains the light source, the light deflector, and the image forming lens. The housing is integrally molded with the aperture and the light shield.

Abstract: An optical writing unit, e.g., that can be included in an image forming apparatus includes a housing within which are disposed additional components of the optical writing unit including the following, a plurality of optical elements, a polygon mirror configured to deflect a laser light beam, and a collecting member configured to collect dust in the housing.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, an optical element, a deflector, a casing, and a first cover. The deflector deflects the light beam emitted from the light source to scan a photoreceptor through the optical element. The casing includes an upper opening, walls including a transparent plate defining a deflector compartment to accommodate the deflector, and an optical element mounting portion to accommodate the light source and the optical element. The first cover covers the upper opening of the casing and includes a recessed portion recessed toward the bottom of the casing and including a first opening at the bottom thereof facing the deflector. The recessed portion and the walls are directly or indirectly connected to define a single continuous space isolating the deflector compartment from the optical element mounting portion. The recessed portion and the deflector compartment communicate via the first opening.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes at least one light source, an optical element, a deflective scanner, an optical housing, a pressing member, and a mounting member. The light source emits a light beam to an object. The optical element forms the light beam emitted from the light source into a desired shape. The deflective scanner deflects the light beam. The optical housing stores the optical element and the deflective scanner, and includes at least one positioning member. The positioning member positions the light source in an axial direction of the light source. The pressing member presses the light source toward the positioning member to sandwich the light source between the pressing member and the positioning member and mount the light source on the optical housing. The mounting member fastens the pressing member to the optical housing.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a deflector that deflects light fluxes emitted from light sources and rotates in a first direction, optical systems that direct deflected light fluxes onto subject surfaces, and a member that prevents a flare beam reflected by one of the optical systems from entering another one of the optical systems. The deflector includes first edges in the first direction and the member includes second edges arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second edges are out of alignment with each other in the first direction so that a first edge does not pass all of the second edges simultaneously.

Abstract: An optical writing device includes a polygon mirror configured to guide a light beam emitted from a light source. The polygon mirror is disposed in a case. The case includes a cover unit and a pressure unit configured to exert pressure on the cover unit. Pressure exerted by the pressure unit on the cover unit is greater than pressure exerted on another portion of the cover unit.

Abstract: An optical-scanning apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the optical-scanning apparatus includes a light deflector to deflect a beam from a light source; and an optical housing including a scanning-image optical system to focus the beam to scan a photo conductive photo receptor therewith as a light spot. The optical housing includes a collection member to collect particulate materials. The collection member includes a structure combining or overlapping plural sheet-shaped members, each including a highly-chargeable electrostatic absorption filter. Alternatively, the collection member includes an electrostatic absorption filter and a breathable sheet-shaped member covering almost all the surface of the electrostatic absorption filter.

Abstract: An optical-scanning apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the optical-scanning apparatus includes a light deflector to deflect a beam from a light source; and an optical housing including a scanning-image optical system to focus the beam to scan a photo conductive photo receptor therewith as a light spot. The optical housing includes a collection member to collect particulate materials. The collection member includes a structure combining or overlapping plural sheet-shaped members, each including a highly-chargeable electrostatic absorption filter. Alternatively, the collection member includes an electrostatic absorption filter and a breathable sheet-shaped member covering almost all the surface of the electrostatic absorption filter.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrostatic latent image carrier, and an optical writing device including at least one light source, at least one aperture, at least one light shield, a light deflector, an image forming lens, and a housing. The aperture adjusts a light beam generated by the light source into a reference shape. The light shield shields an optical path formed between the light source and the aperture by the light beam. The light deflector deflects the light beam to scan in a main scanning direction. The image forming lens focuses the deflected light beam to scan on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. The housing contains the light source, the light deflector, and the image forming lens. The housing is integrally molded with the aperture and the light shield.

Abstract: An optical writing unit, e.g., that can be included in an image forming apparatus includes a housing within which are disposed additional components of the optical writing unit including the following, a plurality of optical elements, a polygon mirror configured to deflect a laser light beam, and a collecting member configured to collect dust in the housing.

Abstract: An optical scanning unit of an image forming apparatus may include: an optical housing configured to include at least one optical part and to have a light-beam emitting aperture through which a light beam can emanate from the optical housing; a shutter configured to cover the light-beam emitting aperture; and a driving unit configured to drive the shutter to and fro, thus opening and closing the light-beam emitting aperture. Such a driving unit further can operate to coordinate at least one of the opening and the closing to occur after activation and before deactivation of a writing operation conducted by the optical scanning unit, respectively.

Abstract: An optical scanning unit may include a light source unit configured to emit a light beam, an optical housing configured to receive and support the light source unit, an optical device configured to deflect the light beam and to focus the light beam on a light receiving member, and a fixing member configured to fix the light source unit to the optical housing by applying pressure to the light source unit, wherein the pressure is applied in a direction, which is substantially perpendicular to an optical axis direction of the light source unit.

Abstract: An optical scanning device outputs a light beam from a light source through an emission window in an optical housing to scan a surface to be scanned. The optical scanning device includes a shutter member that closes or opens the emission window.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a deflector that deflects light fluxes emitted from light sources and rotates in a first direction, optical systems that direct deflected light fluxes onto subject surfaces, and a member that prevents a flare beam reflected by one of the optical systems from entering another one of the optical systems. The deflector includes first edges in the first direction and the member includes second edges arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second edges are out of alignment with each other in the first direction so that a first edge does not pass all of the second edges simultaneously.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a lens mounting device in an optical housing. The lens mounting device can prevent the lens mounted on a lens bonding member from being affected by fluctuations in an ambient temperature around the optical housing. The lens is fixed on the lens bonding member through an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has a thickness of 0.2 mm or above.

Abstract: An optical writing device includes a polygon mirror configured to guide a light beam emitted from a light source. The polygon mirror is disposed in a case. The case includes a cover unit and a pressure unit configured to exert pressure on the cover unit. Pressure exerted by the pressure unit on the cover unit is greater than pressure exerted on another portion of the cover unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for forming an image on a photoconductive image carrier in an image forming apparatus. The device comprises a light source for generating a light beam, an aperture for shaping the light beam generated by the light source, a deflector (polygon mirror) for deflecting the light beam shaped by the aperture, and an optical scanning imaging part for focusing the light beam deflected by the deflector onto the photoconductive image carrier as an optical spot and forming an image thereon. The deflector is provided with at least one blocking member (first blocking plate) for blocking flare beams that do not contribute to image formation. Further blocking members (auxiliary blocking plate and second blocking plate) may be provided to stationary parts of the device so as to block leaked light beams.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a lens mounting device in an optical housing. The lens mounting device can prevent the lens mounted on a lens bonding member from being affected by fluctuations in an ambient temperature around the optical housing. The lens is fixed on the lens bonding member through an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has a thickness of 0.2 mm or above.

Abstract: In an image formation apparatus, a light emitted from a light source is deflected towards a condensing lens, the condensing lens condenses the light and focuses the light on an image carrier. An optical housing houses the condensing lens. The condensing lens is fixed to a fixing member and the fixing member is fixed to the optical housing. The condensing lens may be fixed to the fixing member with adhesive. The fixing member may be fixed to the optical housing with adhesive, screws, or snap fastners.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for forming an image on a photoconductive image carrier in an image forming apparatus. The device comprises a light source for generating a light beam, an aperture for shaping the light beam generated by the light source, a deflector (polygon mirror) for deflecting the light beam shaped by the aperture, and an optical scanning imaging part for focusing the light beam deflected by the deflector onto the photoconductive image carrier as an optical spot and forming an image thereon. The deflector is provided with at least one blocking member (first blocking plate) for blocking flare beams that do not contribute to image formation. Further blocking members (auxiliary blocking plate and second blocking plate) may be provided to stationary parts of the device so as to block leaked light beams.