US 5,477,259 A · Multiple beam scanning apparatus, light source unit, and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a light source unit for emitting multiple beams, which can be reduced in size. The light source unit (10) is formed by a base block (5) and ten stays (3). Ten locating pins (6) are provided on each side of the base block (5) at a second space (d) in a direction Y' and a third space (l) in a direction X'. Eight holes (7) are provided in each stay (3) at a first space (D), while holes (8) for locating pins (6) are provided on both ends thereof. A semiconductor laser is arranged in each hole (7). Each of the locating pins (6) is inserted into one individual one of the pin holes (8) and the ten stays (3) are then fixed to the base block (5) by through bolts (17). Thus, eight times ten semiconductor lasers are arranged on a two-dimensional plane of X'-Y' coordinates.

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Drawings

Claims23

Dependent claims

A multiple beam scanning apparatus comprising:

(a) a recording medium;
(b) means for generating m by n (m, n:) recording information signals, where m and n are each integers of at least 2;
(c) means for emitting m by n optical beams being independently modulated in response to said recording information signals respectively, said m by n optical beams being so arranged in a plane perpendicular to the travelling direction thereof that there are m optical beam groups, each including n optical beams spaced at intervals of a first space and arranged in a second direction that is perpendicular to a first direction said groups being arranged at regular intervals in said first direction and shifted at intervals of a second space with respect to said second direction, said first space corresponding to m time said second space;
(d) means for reducing a beam-to-beam pitch of said m by n optical beams being received from said means (c) and focusing reduced said m by n optical beams on said recording medium, said beam-to-beam pitch corresponding to a center distance between adjacent ones of said m by n optical beams;
and
(e) means for scanning said m by n optical beams, being imaged on said recording medium, in said first direction.

3 more elements

A light source unit employed for recording information on the basis of optical beams being modulated in response to recording information signals, said light source unit comprising:

(a) a base;
and
(b) m (an:
integer of at least 2) line units each having n (an:
integer of at least 2) light emitting devices being arranged in a first direction at intervals of a first space, said first direction being parallel to the longitudinal direction of said line units, said m line units being arranged in parallel on said base at intervals of a third space in a second direction, being perpendicular to said first direction, and are successively shifted by intervals of a second space in said first direction, said first space being function of said second space.

2 more elements

A method of manufacturing a light source unit employed for recording information on the basis of optical beams being modulated in response to recording information signals, said method comprising:

a step (a) of preparing m line units each including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, being held between said first and second portions, said first and second portions having first and second mounting portions respectively;
a step (b) of mounting n light emitting devices on said third portion along a first direction at intervals of a first space in an aligned manner successively from a reference position;
a step (c) of preparing a base having first and second end portions each having m (m:
integer of at least 2) first and second support portions being successively arranged at intervals of a second space in said first direction and a third space in a second direction, being perpendicular to said first direction, said second space corresponding to a value obtained by dividing said first space by said m, said third space being decided as a function of said second space;
and
a step (d) of engaging said first and second mounting portions of each said line unit with corresponding said first and second support portions, thereby fixing each said line unit to said base.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,668 words

Summary1,254 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to the structure of a light source unit which is employed in a multiple beam scanning recorder.

#2. Description of the Background Art

Brief description of the drawings12 figures

#FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic structure of a light source unit according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a beam arrangement in exposure;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a light source unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Detailed description3,203 words

#A. Basic Structure of Light Source Unit (Arrangement of Light Emitting Devices)

#FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic structure of a light source unit in a multiple beam scanning recorder according to the present invention. This figure shows positions of an arrangement of m by n beams which are emitted from m by n light emitting devices, such as semiconductor lasers or light emitting diodes, forming the light source unit as viewed from a beam travelling direction, i.e., positions of the arrangement of the m by n light emitting devices, where m and n represent integers of at least 2.

#The m by n light emitting devices are arranged in positions on a two-dimensional plane, which is formed by X-Y coordinates along a main scanning direction X and a subscanning direction Y, in an arrangement similar to an m by n matrix.

Facts

Application

08/096,958Filed 26 Jul 1993

Priority

JP 4-22340329 Jul 1992

Granted

19 Dec 1995

Term ended

26 Jul 2013

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification16 codes

H04N 1/0426
Details of the method used: using different sized scanning elements, e.g. reproducing different sized dots
B41J 2/45
Using arrays of radiation sources: using light-emitting diode [LED] or laser arrays
G02B 26/10
For controlling the direction of light: scanning systems
H04N 1/0402
Scanning arrangements , i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing…:…

Multiple beam scanning apparatus, light source unit, and method of manufacturing the same

Life of this patent

Multiple beam scanning apparatus, light source unit, and method of manufacturing the same

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims23

Description4,668 words

Drawings

Classification16 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,668 words