JP2002303812A - Apparatus for attaching optical device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an apparatus for attaching an optical device, by which the focusing of a collimator lens is facilitated and a position fixation after focusing can be ensured equally to an adhesive fixation. SOLUTION: A lens barrel 26 is held by a holder 14, so that it is made movable in the optical axis direction of the collimator lens 16. Thus, the focusing of the collimator lens 16 is performed. A leaf spring 24 is attached at an optical box, and when it is locked by a first protrusion 20, it is made in a position adjusting state in which the lens barrel 26 is pressed by first pressing force and the lens barrel 26 is pressed by small pressing force. Also, when the leaf spring 24 is pushed in, and a spring part material is locked by a second protrusion 22, it is made in a fixed state in which the lens barrel 26 is pressed by second pressing force, so that the lens barrel 26 is pressed by large pressing force. Thus, the leaf spring 24 is fixed by only pushing in and locking at the second protrusion 22 without necessitating a special tool, so that adjusting and fixing work is easily and surely performed as compared with a preceding technique.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for mounting an optical element for converting a laser beam emitted according to an image signal into parallel light to form an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 15, an optical scanning device 80 used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a digital copying machine has a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser 82 as a light source. Is collimated by a collimator lens 84, is further linearly condensed on a reflecting surface of a rotary polygon mirror 88 by a cylindrical lens 86, and the reflected light is formed into an image forming lens 90 and a return mirror 9.
Then, an image is formed on a photosensitive drum (not shown) through the step 2.

A laser beam imaged on the photosensitive drum forms an electrostatic latent image by main scanning by rotation of the rotary polygon mirror 88 and sub-scanning by rotation of the photosensitive drum. A part of the reflected light from the rotary polygon mirror 88 is guided to a scan start signal detector 96 by a detection mirror 94 and transmitted to the semiconductor laser 82 as a scan start signal. The semiconductor laser 82 receives this and starts write modulation. These optical components are housed in an optical box 98 and closed by a lid (not shown).

In the optical scanning device 80 constituted by such an optical system, in order to make the divergent light of the semiconductor laser 82 complete collimated by the collimator lens 84 at the time of assembling, the collimator lens 84 must be moved along the optical axis of the divergent light. It is necessary to move the camera in the direction to focus with high precision.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 16, the mounting device 108 for the collimator lens 84 is
An L-shaped holder 102 that holds the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 100 housing the lens 4 and can guide the lens barrel 100 along the optical axis, and an elastic member 104 that presses the collimator lens 84 against the holder 102
(Fixed with screws 106).

According to the above technique, the collimator lens 84
When assembling, the elastic member 1 fixed with the screw 106
04 in a state where it is flipped up against its elasticity.
02, the lens barrel 100 is set.
Is returned to the original shape.

The collimator lens 84 is focused by holding down the lens barrel 100 with the elastic member 104 or by using a tool to jump up the elastic member 104 to move the collimator lens 84 along the holder 102. Done by

The focus adjustment of the collimator lens 84 is delicate, and it is required that the collimator lens 84 can be easily moved and can be provisionally positioned. After the focus adjustment, it is necessary to stably fix the position.

However, if the pressing force of the elastic member 104 is weak, focus adjustment is easy but stability is difficult. Also, the collimator lens 84 cannot be fixed in a stable state only by the pressing force of the elastic member 104. .

For this reason, it is also a method to integrate the lens barrel 100 with the holder 102 with an adhesive after the focus adjustment. However, the adhesive swells and shrinks due to changes in temperature and humidity, and the relative position between the collimator lens 84 and the holder 102 changes, which may cause defocus.

On the other hand, if the pressing force of the elastic member 104 is strong, it is necessary to use a tool for flipping the elastic member 104, making adjustment difficult, and in some cases, the collimator lens 84 may be deformed at the time of adjustment.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a low cost component, easy assembly and removal of a collimator lens, easy focus adjustment of the collimator lens, and an adhesive for fixing the position after the adjustment. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical element mounting device having the same effect as fixing.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a lens barrel containing a collimator lens is held by a holder, and is movable in the optical axis direction of the collimator lens. Thereby, the focus of the collimator lens is adjusted. Also, a spring member is mounted on the optical box, and the position of contact with the lens barrel and the mounting form are changed depending on the mounting form, and the force for pressing the lens barrel toward the holder is changed.

For this reason, when adjusting the focus of the collimator lens, a spring member in which the pressing force by the spring member is reduced is mounted, and when the collimator lens is fixed, the spring member is pressed in such a manner that the pressing force is increased. As a mounting mode, the collimator lens after the focus adjustment is securely fixed.

Further, since no adhesive is required, there is no danger of defocusing or the like due to swelling or shrinking of the adhesive.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the spring member is engaged with the first projection, a position adjustment mode is provided in which the lens barrel is pressed with the first pressing force, and the lens barrel is pressed with a small pressing force. Press. When the spring member is pushed in and the spring portion material is locked on the second projection, the lens barrel is pressed by the second pressing force, and the lens barrel is pressed by a large pressing force.

[0017] Therefore, no special tool is required, and the spring member can be fixed simply by pushing the spring member into engagement with the second projection, so that the adjustment and fixing operation can be performed more easily and reliably as compared with the prior art.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the spring member is locked by the second projection, the saw claw bites into the lens barrel, so that the collimator lens after focus adjustment is securely fixed by the spring member. Can be.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a flat portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel that houses the collimator lens. The lens barrel is held by a holder and is movable in and around the optical axis of the collimator lens.

A spring member is mounted on the optical box so as to abut on the lens barrel. Depending on the rotation position of the lens barrel, the spring member comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface or a flat portion to exert a force for pressing the lens barrel. Change.

For this reason, when adjusting the focus of the collimator lens, the spring member comes into contact with the flat portion of the lens barrel to reduce the pressing force, and when fixing the collimator lens, the lens barrel is fixed. Is rotated so that the spring member comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel so that the pressing force is increased.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the portion of the outer peripheral surface that comes into contact with the spring member is textured, the contact surface can be securely fixed without slipping.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of long grooves are formed on the contact surface of the spring member that comes into contact with the lens barrel, the lens barrel can be securely fixed without slipping on the contact surface. .

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical element mounting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical element mounting device 10 includes an L-shaped holder 14 integrally formed with the bottom plate 12 of the optical box of the optical scanning device. Holder 1
4 has a bottom wall 14A and a side wall 14B
Are extended in parallel with the optical axis.

An opening 18 is formed in the bottom plate 12 at an end in the width direction of the bottom wall 14A, and a first projection 20 projects from an inner wall of the opening 18 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. ,
A pair of second protrusions 22 is provided below the first protrusion 20 at a position where the first protrusion 20 is interposed.

At the corners of the first projection 20 and the second projection 22, guiding surfaces 20A and 22A are formed, respectively, and guide the leading end of the pushing portion 30 of the leaf spring 24, which will be described later.
The opening 30 </ b> A formed in the push-in portion 30 is
4, the first protrusion 20 and the second protrusion
The configuration is such that the projection 22 is locked.

Further, a stop wall 32 is formed on the bottom plate 12 for receiving an end surface of the substrate 28 of the leaf spring 24.

On the other hand, a lens barrel 26 held movably (in the optical axis direction of the collimator lens 16) by the holder 14
The collimator lens 16 is housed and the outer peripheral surface is
B and a base 26A that slides in surface contact with the bottom wall 14A. At the top of the cylindrical portion 26B, a knob rib 26C that is gripped with a finger when adjusting is formed.

A leaf spring 24 for pressing the lens barrel 26 against the holder 14 is disposed on the side opposite to the side wall 14B. The leaf spring 24 includes a substrate 28 placed on the bottom plate 12 of the optical box, a standing plate 34 that rises at a right angle from the substrate 28, and a pressing portion 36 that projects obliquely upward from the standing plate 34. I have.

The center of the standing plate 34 is cut,
A push-in portion 30 that is bent at a right angle to the substrate 28 is formed. An opening 30 </ b> A is formed in the pushing portion 30, and the opening 30 </ b> A is sequentially locked by the first projection 20 and the second projection 22 as the leaf spring 24 is pushed toward the holder 14.

A trapezoidal claw 28A protrudes from the rear corner of the substrate 28. The trapezoidal claw 28A is configured to sandwich both ends of the stop wall 32 from both sides. 32.

Further, from both ends of the standing plate 34, the arm 3
Reference numeral 8 extends in the horizontal direction, and a saw claw 38 </ b> A facing downward is formed at the tip of the arm 38. This saw claw 38A
Is designed to cut into a base 26A of a lens barrel 26 formed of a resin material.

At the tip of the holding portion 36, a corner portion 36A is formed by being bent upward, and as shown in FIG. In this configuration, the corner portion 36A comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 26 to apply a pressing force by a spring.

Next, a method of adjusting the focus of the collimator lens and fixing the same will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, a lens barrel 26 containing the collimator lens 16 is set in the holder 14. At this time, the optical axis of the collimator lens 16 is at the center of the light source, the cylindrical portion 26B of the lens barrel 26 is in line contact with the side wall 14B of the holder 14, and the base 26A is
A is in surface contact.

The trapezoidal claw 2 of the substrate 28 of the leaf spring 24
8A, the pushing portion 3
The opening 30 </ b> A of the zero is locked to the first projection 20. At this time, the corner 36 </ b> A of the holding part 36 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 26 </ b> B of the lens barrel 26, and presses the lens barrel 26 toward the holder 14. The leaf spring 24 tends to move rightward due to the elastic force of the leaf spring 24, but the leaf spring 24 is fixed by the first protrusion 20 and the stop wall 32.

In the above state, the pressing force of the leaf spring 24 is designed to be relatively small, so that the focus can be easily adjusted by moving the lens barrel 26 in the optical axis direction.

Next, when the focus adjustment is completed, as shown in FIG. 5, the leaf spring 24 is pushed in, and the distal end of the push-in portion 30 is moved along the invitation surface 22A so that the opening 30A is moved to the second projection 22. Lock.

As a result, the holding portion 36 of the leaf spring 24 comes into contact with the cylindrical portion 26B of the lens barrel 26, and the lens barrel 2
6 is increased toward the holder 14. Therefore, the collimator lens 16 after the focus adjustment is securely fixed.

Incidentally, the component force of the pressing force by the pressing portion 36 is as follows.
V, which is a contact portion between the cylindrical portion 26B and the side wall 14B,
The pressing force is directed to the center of the collimator lens 16 so as to be directed to H, which is the contact portion between A and the bottom wall 14A.

Further, when the leaf spring 24 is in a fixed state, the saw claw 38A bites into the surface of the base 26A of the lens barrel 26, so that the collimator lens 16 after the focus adjustment can be securely fixed by the spring member. it can.

As described above, in the optical element mounting apparatus of the first embodiment, the collimator lens can be fixed only by pushing the leaf spring 24 and locking it to the second projection 22 without requiring a special tool. The fixing operation can be performed more easily and reliably as compared with the prior art. Further, since no adhesive is required, there is no danger of defocusing due to swelling and shrinking of the adhesive.

Next, an optical element mounting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The optical element mounting device 48 of the second embodiment has a first
Although the basic structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the leaf spring 40 is provided with a saw portion 42 </ b> A that cuts into the cylindrical portion 26 </ b> B of the lens barrel 26. Is different from the leaf spring 24 of FIG.

More specifically, the standing plate 44 rising from the substrate 28 is formed in a trapezoidal shape. From the standing plate 44, a pressing portion 46 that protrudes obliquely upward is formed. The central part of the holding part 46 is cut out in a U-shape, and the uncut part is the arm part 42. At the tip of the arm portion 42, a saw portion 42A facing downward is formed. The upper end of the holding portion 46 is bent upward, and the corner 4
6A are formed.

Next, a method of adjusting the focus of the collimator lens and fixing the same will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the collimator lens 16
During the focus adjustment, the opening 30A of the pushing portion 30 is locked to the first projection 20 with the trapezoidal claw 28A of the substrate 28 of the leaf spring 40 supported by the stop wall 32.
At this time, the corner portion 46A of the holding portion 46 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 26B of the lens barrel 26, and presses the lens barrel 26 toward the holder 14.

In the above state, the pressing force of the leaf spring 48 is designed to be relatively small, so that the focus can be easily adjusted by moving the lens barrel 26 in the optical axis direction.

Next, when the focus adjustment is completed, as shown in FIG. 9, the leaf spring 48 is pushed in, and the opening 30A of the pushed-in portion is engaged with the second projection 22.

As a result, the holding portion 46 of the leaf spring 48 comes into contact with the cylindrical portion 26B of the lens barrel 26, and the lens barrel 2
6 is increased toward the holder 14. Further, the saw 42A of the arm 42 bites into the tube 26B of the lens barrel 26, thereby securely fixing the lens barrel 26.

Further, the pressing force of the pressing portion 46 is directed toward V, which is a contact portion between the cylindrical portion 26B and the side wall 14B, and H, which is a contact portion between the base portion 26A and the bottom wall 14A. Points toward the center of the collimator lens 16.

As described above, in the optical element mounting device 48 according to the second embodiment, since the cylindrical portion 26B of the lens barrel 26 is directly fixed by the saw portion 46, there is no possibility that a trouble such as defocus will occur.

Next, an optical element mounting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The optical element mounting device 50 according to the third embodiment includes a first
Although the form and the basic structure are the same, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, no saw portion is provided on the leaf spring 52, and the mounting posture is constant without changing the mounting form. Different in that. Further, a flat portion 56 is formed on the cylindrical portion 54B of the lens barrel 54.

More specifically, the first projection is not provided on the bottom plate 12, and the opening 30 of the pushing portion 30 of the leaf spring 52 is not provided.
A is directly locked on the second protrusion 22.

Further, from a rising plate 60 rising from the substrate 28 of the leaf spring 52, a pressing portion 58 projecting obliquely upward is formed. The upper end of the holding portion 58 is bent upward to form a corner 58A.

Further, a flat portion 56 having a predetermined width is formed on the cylindrical portion 54B of the lens barrel 54 from the knob rib 54A. The pressing force of 52 is reduced.

Next, focus adjustment and fixing of the collimator lens will be described.

As shown in FIG. 11, the collimator lens 1
At the time of the focus adjustment of No. 6, the corner 58A of the pressing portion 58 of the leaf spring 52 is in contact with the flat portion 56 of the lens barrel 54,
The lens barrel 54 is pressed against the holder 14 with a small force. In the above state, the lens barrel 5
4 can be easily moved in the optical axis direction to adjust the focus.

Next, when the focus adjustment is completed, as shown in FIG.
Rotate 4. Thereby, the holding portion 5 of the leaf spring 52 is
8 comes into contact with the cylindrical portion 54B of the lens barrel 54 to increase the pressing force for pressing the lens barrel 54 toward the holder 14.

As described above, in the optical element mounting device 50 of the third embodiment, the collimator lens after the focus adjustment can be reliably fixed only by rotating the lens barrel 54.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a textured surface S is formed on the cylindrical portion 54B of the lens barrel 54, which is in contact with the pressing portion 58 of the leaf spring 52, and the lens barrel 54 is finished with high friction. The sliding of the leaf spring 52 is eliminated.

Further, as shown in FIG.
By forming a plurality of hairlines L on the contact surface of the holding portion 58, slippage between the lens barrel 54 and the leaf spring 52 can be eliminated.

[0065]

According to the present invention, the components are inexpensive, the assembly and removal of the collimator lens are simple,
The focus adjustment of the collimator lens is easy, and the same effect as the fixing of the adhesive can be exerted on the position fixation after the adjustment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a lens barrel and a leaf spring of an optical element mounting device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a lens barrel and a leaf spring of the optical element mounting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a leaf spring of the optical element mounting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a lens barrel and a leaf spring of the optical element mounting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a lens barrel and a leaf spring of the optical element mounting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a lens barrel and a leaf spring of the optical element attachment device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a leaf spring of the optical element mounting device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a lens barrel and a leaf spring of the optical element mounting device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a lens barrel and a leaf spring of the optical element mounting device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a lens barrel and a leaf spring of the optical element attachment device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a lens barrel and a leaf spring of an optical element mounting device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a lens barrel and a leaf spring of the optical element mounting device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel is subjected to grain processing.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which a hairline is formed on a leaf spring.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a general optical scanning device.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a conventional collimator lens mounting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Holder 20 First protrusion 22 Second protrusion 24 Leaf spring (spring member) 26 Lens barrel 38A Saw claw 40 Leaf spring (spring member) 42A Saw claw 52 Leaf spring (spring member) 54 Lens barrel 56 Flat part S Surface Processing H Hairline (Long groove)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 1/113 H04N 1/04 104A F-term (reference) 2C362 AA43 AA45 AA48 BA84 BA90 DA03 2H044 AC01 AJ06 AJ07 2H045 CB01 CB22 DA02 5C051 AA02 CA07 DB02 DB22 DB24 DB30 DB35 DC04 DC07 DD01 FA01 5C072 AA03 BA02 HA02 HA13 HA20 XA01 XA05

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An optical element mounting apparatus for adjusting a focus of a collimator lens for collimating a laser beam emitted from a light source and mounting the collimator lens on an optical box, comprising: a lens barrel accommodating the collimator lens; A holder for movably holding the lens barrel in the optical axis direction of the collimator lens, mounted on the optical box so as to be in contact with the lens barrel, and facing the lens barrel toward the holder depending on the mounting mode. And a spring member for changing a pressing force. 2. A position adjustment mode in which the spring member is locked by a first projection protruding from the optical box and presses the lens barrel with a first pressing force. First
2. The optical element mounting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixed form in which the lens barrel is pressed by a second pressing force with a second protrusion below the protrusion. 3. 3. The optical element mounting device according to claim 2, wherein a saw claw that bites into the lens barrel is provided on the spring member when the spring member is locked on the second protrusion. . 4. An optical element mounting apparatus for adjusting a focus of a collimator lens for collimating a laser beam emitted from a light source and mounting the collimator lens on an optical box, wherein: a lens barrel accommodating the collimator lens; and an outer periphery of the lens barrel A holder provided on the optical box and provided in the optical box, for holding the lens barrel movably around and around the optical axis of the collimator lens; and A spring member mounted on the optical box, abutting against the outer peripheral surface or the flat portion depending on the rotational position of the lens barrel, and changing a force for pressing the lens barrel toward the holder. Element mounting device. 5. The optical element mounting device according to claim 4, wherein the lens barrel is formed of a resin material, and a portion of the outer peripheral surface that comes into contact with the spring member is textured. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein when the lens barrel is fixed, a plurality of long grooves are formed on a contact surface of the spring member that comes into contact with the lens barrel. 3. The optical element mounting device according to claim 1.