Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus using same

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a latent image carrier including a surface configured to bear a latent image thereon;
• a developing unit configured to develop the latent image with toner to form a toner image;
• a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium;
• an installation portion to which an optical scanning apparatus is detachably mounted;
• and
• the optical scanning apparatus detachable from the installation portion, configured to irradiate the surface of the latent image carrier with a scan light to form the latent image thereon, the optical scanning apparatus including:
• a light source unit configured to simultaneously emit a plurality of light beams;
• an optical element unit including an optical element, configured to focus the light beams deflected by the optical element onto a surface to be scanned, and hold the light source unit in a rotatively adjustable manner;
• and
• a rotation adjustment unit configured to adjust a position of the light source unit relative to the optical element unit in a rotation direction,
• wherein the rotation adjustment unit is disposed at a rear end of the optical scanning apparatus in a direction of insertion of the optical scanning apparatus in to the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a latent image carrier including a surface configured to bear a latent image thereon;
• a developing unit configured to develop the latent image with toner to form a toner image;
• a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium;
• an installation portion to which an optical scanning apparatus is detachably mounted;
• and
• the optical scanning apparatus detachable from the installation portion, configured to irradiate the surface of the latent image carrier with a scan light to form the latent image thereon, the optical scanning apparatus including
• a light source unit configured to simultaneously emit a plurality of light beams;
• an optical element unit including an optical element, configured to focus the light beams deflected by the optical element onto a surface to be scanned, and hold the light source unit in a rotatively adjustable manner;
• and
• a rotation adjustment unit configured to adjust a position of the light source unit relative to the optical element unit in a rotation direction,
• wherein the rotation adjustment unit is disposed at an adjustable position when the optical scanning apparatus is installed in the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a latent image carrier including a surface, configured to bear a latent image thereon;
• a developing unit to configured to develop the latent image with toner to form a toner image;
• a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium;
• an installation portion to which an optical scanning apparatus is detachably mounted;
• and
• the optical scanning apparatus detachable from the installation portion, configured to irradiate the surface of the latent image carrier with a scan light to form the latent image thereon, the optical scanning apparatus including:
• a light source unit configured to simultaneously emit a plurality of light beams;
• an optical element unit including an optical element, to focus light beams deflected by the optical element onto a surface to be scanned, and hold the light source unit in a rotatively adjustable manner;
• a rotation adjustment unit disposed at a rear end of the optical scanning apparatus in a direction of insertion of the optical scanning apparatus in the image forming apparatus, to adjust a position of the light source unit relative to the optical element unit in a rotation direction when activated by a tool or by hand;
• an installation portion to which an optical scanning apparatus is detachably mounted;
• a main structure including the installation portion, to hold the optical scanning apparatus;
• and
• an exterior unit to expose the installation portion during installation and removal of the optical scanning apparatus,
• wherein when the exterior unit is closed after the optical scanning apparatus is installed, the rotation adjustment portion is positioned between a side surface of the main structure, which faces the exterior unit, and the exterior unit.