Abstract: An optical scanning device (15) includes a reference light guide part (50); a sub-light guide part (40); a reference holding structure (53) which includes a reference reception part (55) configured so as to be in contact with the reference lens (52) deflected in a sub-scanning direction; a sub-holding structure (45) which includes a sub-reception part (45) configured so as to be in contact with the sub-lens (42) deflected in the sub-scanning direction, wherein a deflection direction of the reference lens (52) coincides with a deflection direction of the sub-lens (42), and when it is assumed that the reference lens (52) and the sub-lens (42) are not deflected, an absolute value of a smallest distance between the sub-reception part (45) and the sub-lens (42) is set to be equal to or larger than an absolute value of a smallest distance between the reference reception part (55) and the reference lens (52).

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a strap drive-train for use in a robotic arm to enable movement of a linkage assembly of the robotic arm is provided. The linkage assembly includes a plurality of links pivotally coupled in series together at a plurality of joints, respectively, for movement of the robotic arm about a pitch axis. The strap drive-train includes a first driver pulley rigidly coupled to a link of the plurality of links and a second driver pulley rigidly coupled to another link of the plurality of links. The electro-mechanical strap stack includes at least one of a ground strap and an electrical cable strap in a stacked configuration with a drive strap, wherein the electro-mechanical strap stack is connected between the first driver pulley and the second driver pulley through a middle link.

Abstract: An optical deflector including a rotary member supported by a bearing shaft and rotatively driven by a motor for deflecting a plurality of laser beams separated from each other in a rotational axis direction of the rotary member is disclosed. The optical deflector includes a polygon mirror having four sides arranged about the rotational axis direction. Each of the four sides is a continuous plane having a plurality of effective reflection areas separated from each other in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A polygon mirror assembly, a light scanning unit employing the polygon mirror assembly, and an image forming apparatus. The polygon mirror assembly includes a polygon mirror formed of a plastic material and having a plurality of reflection surfaces; and a motor unit to support and rotate the polygon mirror, where the polygon mirror is coupled to the motor unit by using an adhesive material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, exposing portions each forming a latent image on a photosensitive drum based on image data by driving of a polygon motor, developing portions each developing the latent image formed on each of the exposing portions using toner, and a partition member provided between each of the exposing portions and each of the developing portions. Projecting portions each including the polygon motor project from the partition member toward a side of the developing portion. Each of the projection portions is overlapped with at least a part of each of the developing portions on a vertical direction. The cooled air flows to the overlap portion in which the polygon motor of each of the exposing portions and each of the developing portions are overlapped.

Abstract: An optical scanning device 65 is adapted to bring a deflector mirror plane 651 into independent pivotal motions about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to each other. A mirror driver section including a first axis driver and a second axis driver is so controlled as to bring the deflector mirror plane 651 into pivotal motion about the first axis thereby deflecting a light beam L for scanning along a main scan direction. On the other hand, the deflector mirror plane 651 is pivotally moved about the second axis thereby to adjust the scanned beam L for its position on a photosensitive member 2 with respect to a subscan direction. Thus, even if the scanned beam is deviated from a reference scan position with respect to the subscan direction due to component tolerances or assembly errors, such a deviation can be corrected.

Abstract: An oscillator device includes an oscillation system, a driving member and a control device, wherein the oscillation system includes a first oscillation movable element, a second oscillation movable element and a support member, the first oscillation movable element being supported by a first elastic supporting element, for torsional oscillation relative to the second oscillation movable element and around an oscillation axis, the second oscillation movable element being supported by a second elastic supporting element, for torsional oscillation relative to the support member and around the oscillation axis, wherein the oscillation system has a first natural oscillation mode of a resonance frequency f1 and a second natural oscillation mode of a resonance frequency of f2 which is approximately N-fold of f1 where N is a natural number, and wherein the control device determines set driving frequencies Df1 and Df2 in accordance with a predetermined equation while satisfying a relation Df2=N×Df1 and drives the o

Abstract: An optical scanning device 65 is adapted to bring a deflector mirror plane 651 into independent pivotal motions about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to each other. A mirror driver section including a first axis driver and a second axis driver is so controlled as to bring the deflector mirror plane 651 into pivotal motion about the first axis thereby deflecting a light beam L for scanning along a main scan direction. On the other hand, the deflector mirror plane 651 is pivotally moved about the second axis thereby to adjust the scanned beam L for its position on a photosensitive member 2 with respect to a subscan direction. Thus, even if the scanned beam is deviated from a reference scan position with respect to the subscan direction due to component tolerances or assembly errors, such a deviation can be corrected.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus has a coil for forming a magnetic field; a fixing rotatable member for fixing an unfixed toner image carried on a recording material thereon by heat generated by eddy currents which is generated by the magnetic field; an electric power supply control for controlling electric power supply to the coil; and a rotating mechanism for rotating the fixing rotatable member. On the basis of a state of rotation of the fixing rotatable member a predetermined time after operation the rotating mechanism, the electric power supply to the coil thereafter is selectively carried out.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus has a coil for forming a magnetic field; a fixing rotatable member for fixing an unfixed toner image carried on a recording material thereon by heat generated by eddy currents which is generated by the magnetic field; an electric power supply control for controlling electric power supply to the coil; and a rotating mechanism for rotating the fixing rotatable member. On the basis of a state of rotation of the fixing rotatable member a predetermined time after operation the rotating mechanism, the electric power supply to the coil thereafter is selectively carried out.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus in which the number of beam detectors is decreased and which is low in cost and high in the accuracy of the registration position of an image of each color as well as high in quality.

Abstract: In a device for adjusting an optical system arranged in such that a scanning mirror is moved in a direction perpendicular to a main scanning line so as to reflect a line-shaped image light line by line, a first V-mirror is moved in synchronization with the scanning mirror and changes a direction of the line-shaped image light reflected from the scanning mirror toward a lens, a second V-mirror changes a direction of the line shaped image light coming from the lens toward a guide mirror, and a guide mirror projects the line-shaped image light onto a photoreceptor, the device includes a mechanism to change positions of at least two of the first V-mirror, the second V-mirror and the guide mirror so as to place the line-shaped image light at a predetermined position on the photoreceptor; and a mechanism to regulate a tilting angle of the guide mirror so as to make an incident angle of the line-shaped image light on the photoreceptor to a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus can obtain, using a simple optical detection system, original sheet information including size and displacement information of an original sheet before an image scanning operation starts. The image scanning apparatus comprises a single beam emitting unit for emitting a coherent first beam. A deflecting unit deflects the first beam so that the first beam traces a predetermined scan line on a plane including a surface of the original sheet. A second beam is generated by reflection of the first beam at the surface of the original, and the second beam is input to the sensing unit via the deflecting unit. The original sheet information is obtained in accordance with the detection of a sharp change in the intensity of the second beam received by the sensing unit with reference to the scanning position of the first beam.