Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has a mirror which reflects an optical scanning beam toward a photoreceptor, so as to expose the photoreceptor. A rotating member makes contact with the mirror, at an end portion of the mirror, to support the mirror, and rotates, to perform swing adjustment of the mirror. A stopper engages with the rotating member, at a position except a position on a straight line passing through a rotating shaft line of the rotating member and a contact position of the rotating member and the mirror, seen from a rotating shaft direction of the rotating member, to fix a rotation position of the rotating member.

Abstract: A scanning optical device includes a deflector deflecting a light beam emitted from a light source, and a pair of optical component groups arranged on both sides of the deflector in a sub-scanning direction and focusing the light beams deflected by the deflector to form images on a surface of an image carrier. Each of the optical component groups has a lens focusing the light beam deflected by the deflector in the sub-scanning direction, and a mirror reflecting the light beam passed through the lens toward the surface of the image carrier. One lens of one optical component group and the other lens of the other optical component group are supported so as to deform in the opposite directions each other in the sub-scanning direction when they are thermally deformed.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a deflecting device for scanning and deflecting a light beam, a first optical member onto which reflected light from the deflecting device is incident, a wall disposed between the first optical member and the deflecting device, a mirror that reflects the light beam having passed through the first optical member, a second optical member disposed above the deflecting device to guide and form an image of reflected light from the mirror on a surface to be scanned, a supporting member supporting the second optical member and having at least one bent portion, and a housing. The bent portion of the supporting member is disposed above the deflecting device in a position nearer to the deflecting device than the wall face in a direction perpendicular to the deflecting face of the deflecting device so that a flow of air produced by the deflecting device is branched.

Abstract: A light scanning unit and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same. The light scanning unit uses a reduced number of optical components by forming an optical unit disposed between a light source and an optical deflector by using only a single lens and ensures optical and mechanical properties by having an appropriate main/sub scanning magnification ratio.

Abstract: A curve correction mechanism for correcting a direction and degree of curvature of a reflecting mirror that reflects a light beam includes an adjuster to contact and move a pressing member between a first position, where a first pressing portion of the pressing member presses against an outboard portion of the reflecting mirror provided outboard from a support that supports the reflecting mirror in a longitudinal direction of the reflecting mirror while a second pressing portion of the pressing member is isolated from the reflecting mirror, and a second position, where the second pressing portion of the pressing member presses against an inboard portion of the reflecting mirror provided inboard from the support while the first pressing portion of the pressing member is isolated from the reflecting mirror.

Abstract: A temperature of a scanning optical system is different from a temperature of a light source when an optical scanning device is in operation, and when the both temperatures are assumed to be equal, a diffractive surface of a diffractive optical element is set according to a magnitude relationship between both temperatures when the optical scanning device is in operation such that a deviation amount of an in-focus position of the light flux by the diffractive optical element becomes larger or smaller than a deviation amount for canceling a deviation amount of an in-focus position of the light flux by the scanning optical system.

Abstract: A curvature correction device used in an optical scanning unit includes a holder and a pushing unit. The optical scanning unit includes a light beam emitter to emit a light beam, a deflection unit to deflect the light beam in a main scanning direction, and a reflection mirror to reflect the light beam. In at least one embodiment, the curvature correction device includes a holder and a pushing unit. The holder holds the reflection mirror in a state in which the reflection mirror is forcibly bent in a first direction. The pushing unit pushes the reflection mirror held by the holder to bend the reflection mirror in a second direction opposite the first direction. The curvature correction device corrects the curvature of the main scanning line by adjusting an amount at which the pushing unit pushes the reflection mirror. The holder has a stiffness larger than the reflection mirror.

Abstract: A curve correction mechanism for correcting a direction and degree of curvature of a reflecting mirror that reflects a light beam includes an adjuster to contact and move a pressing member between a first position, where a first pressing portion of the pressing member presses against an outboard portion of the reflecting mirror provided outboard from a support that supports the reflecting mirror in a longitudinal direction of the reflecting mirror while a second pressing portion of the pressing member is isolated from the reflecting mirror, and a second position, where the second pressing portion of the pressing member presses against an inboard portion of the reflecting mirror provided inboard from the support while the first pressing portion of the pressing member is isolated from the reflecting mirror.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a deflecting device for scanning and deflecting a light beam, a first optical member onto which reflected light from the deflecting device is incident, a wall disposed between the first optical member and the deflecting device, a mirror that reflects the light beam having passed through the first optical member, a second optical member disposed above the deflecting device to guide and form an image of reflected light from the mirror on a surface to be scanned, a supporting member supporting the second optical member and having at least one bent portion, and a housing. The bent portion of the supporting member is disposed above the deflecting device in a position nearer to the deflecting device than the wall face in a direction perpendicular to the deflecting face of the deflecting device so that a flow of air produced by the deflecting device is branched.

Abstract: A MEMS oscillating laser scanning unit (LSU) composed of a MEMS Control Module, a Pre-scan Module and a Post-scan Module is disclosed. The MEMS Control Module consists of a laser source and a MEMS oscillating mirror. The laser source and the MEMS oscillating mirror both are aligned with the same side, opposite to target surface so that laser beam emits from the side of the target surface, reverses by a reflection mirror of the Pre-scan Module and then moves along a plane formed by a central axis as well as an oscillatory rotary axis of the MEMS oscillating mirror, enters center of the MEMS oscillatory mirror. Thus, scanning spots on the target surface are all symmetrical to the central axis. Thus effective area of the MEMS oscillating mirror is reduced and further reduce the cost as well as improve scanning efficiency. Moreover, design of the f? Lens is simpler and the volume of the LSU is reduced.

Abstract: An optical scanner provided with at least one optical path through which an optical beam emitted from a light source is directed onto a surface of an object for forming an image thereon includes a deflector configured to deflect the optical beam and a curvature adjustment unit. The curvature adjustment unit includes a reflecting mirror configured to reflect the optical beam in a predetermined direction, a holder unit configured to hold the reflecting mirror and including at least one supporter that engages the reflecting mirror, a pressure unit configured to flexibly deform the reflecting mirror in a normal direction relative to a reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror, and a fixing member fixed to at least a portion of the reflecting mirror, configured to fix a position of the holder unit relative to the reflecting mirror in a main scanning direction by contacting at least a portion of the holder unit including the supporter.