Lens mirror array and image forming apparatus using the same

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an illuminating device configured to irradiate a document;
• a lens mirror array configured to guide light reflected by the document;
• an image sensor configured to receive the guided light to output an image signal;
• and
• an image forming unit configured to form an image based on the image signal output from the image sensor, wherein
• the lens mirror array further comprises a plurality of optical elements connected to each other and aligned along one direction, wherein each of the optical elements comprises
• a first lens surface on which light is incident;
• a first reflection surface on which the incident light is reflected within the optical element;
• a second reflection surface on which the reflected light is further reflected within the optical element;
• a second lens surface through which the light reflected by the second reflection surface is emitted outside the optical element;
• a protruding portion having a plurality of surfaces and connected to the first lens surface and the second reflection surface;
• and
• a prism structure provided on one of the surfaces of the protruding portion, that is inclined with respect to a direction of light incident on the protruding portion and connected to the second reflection surface.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a light source configured to emit light based on an image signal;
• a lens mirror array configured to guide light from the light source;
• a photoconductor irradiated with light based on the image signal which is guided by the lens mirror array to form an electrostatic latent image thereon;
• and
• a developing device configured to supply a developer to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor to develop the electrostatic latent image,
• wherein
• the lens mirror array further comprises
• a plurality of optical elements connected to each other and aligned along one direction, each of the optical elements comprising
• a first lens surface on which light is incident;
• a first reflection surface on which the incident light is reflected within the optical element;
• a second reflection surface on which the reflected light is further reflected within the optical element;
• a second lens surface through which the light reflected by the second reflection surface is emitted outside the optical element;
• a protruding portion having a plurality of surfaces and connected to the first lens surface and the second reflection surface;
• and
• a prism structure provided on one of the surfaces of the protruding portion, that is inclined with respect to a direction of light incident on the protruding portion and connected to the second reflection surface.