Actuator, optical scanner and image forming apparatus

An optical scanner, comprising:

• a first vibrating system having a frame-like driving member and a pair of first axis members holding the driving member so that the driving member is rotatable about an X axis;
• a second vibrating system having a movable plate wherein a light reflecting portion is formed provided inside the frame of the driving member and a pair of second axis members holding the movable plate on the driving members so that the movable plate is rotatable about a Y axis orthogonal to the X axis;
• a driving unit including a permanent magnet of longitudinal shape provided on the driving member, a coil provided to oppose the permanent magnet and a voltage applying unit applying voltage to the coil;
• and
• a spacer sandwiched between the driving member and the permanent magnet so as to form space between the permanent magnet and the movable plate,
• the permanent magnet being provided such that the longitudinal line of the permanent magnet inclines, in a plan view of the movable plate, with respect to the X axis and the Y axis, and
• the voltage applying unit applying voltage to the coil so that the movable plate rotates both of about the X axis and about the Y axis so as to perform a two-dimensional scanning of light reflected at the light reflecting portion.

An image forming apparatus comprising an optical scanner including:

• a first vibrating system having a frame-like driving member and a pair of first axis members holding the driving member so that the driving member is rotatable about an X axis;
• a second vibrating system having a movable plate wherein a light reflecting portion is formed provided inside the frame of the driving member and a pair of second axis members holding the movable plate on the driving members so that the movable plate is rotatable about a Y axis orthogonal to the X axis;
• a driving unit including a permanent magnet of longitudinal shape provided on the driving member, a coil provided to oppose the permanent magnet and a voltage applying unit applying voltage to the coil;
• and
• a spacer sandwiched between the driving member and the permanent magnet so as to form space preventing intervention by the movable plate,
• the permanent magnet being provided such that the longitudinal line of the permanent magnet inclines, in a plan view of the movable plate, with respect to the X axis and the Y axis, and
• the voltage applying unit applying voltage to the coil so that the movable plate rotates both of about the X axis and about the Y axis so as to perform a two-dimensional scanning of light reflected at the light reflecting portion.