Light emitting element array chip, light emitting element head, and image forming apparatus

A light emitting element head comprising:

• a first light emitting element row including light emitting elements that are arranged in a row in a main scanning direction;
• a second light emitting element row including light emitting elements that are arranged in a row in the main scanning direction and are provided between the light emitting elements forming the first light emitting element row such that the light emitting elements are arranged in a zigzag;
• a first light emission signal line that extends toward the main scanning direction and that transmits a light emission signal for allowing the light emitting elements forming the first light emitting element row to emit light;
• a second light emission signal line that extends toward the main scanning direction and that transmits a light emission signal for allowing the light emitting elements forming the second light emitting element row to emit light;
• and
• an optical element that focuses an optical output emitted from the light emitting elements forming the first light emitting element row and the light emitting elements forming the second light emitting element row and exposes a photoconductor such that an electrostatic latent image is formed,
• wherein the first light emission signal line is arranged in one side of the first light emitting element row and is not provided in the other side of the first light emitting element row, and the second light emission signal line is arranged in the other side of the first light emitting element row,
• wherein the second light emission signal line is provided between the first light emitting element row and the second light emitting element row and is provided in regions between the light emitting elements forming the first light emitting element row and between the light emitting elements forming the second light emitting element row,
• wherein the second light emission signal line is arranged so as to surround the light emitting elements forming the second light emitting element row.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image;
• a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto a recording medium;
• and
• a fixing unit that fixes the toner image to the recording medium,
• wherein the toner image forming unit includes:
• a first light emitting element row including light emitting elements that are arranged in a row in a main scanning direction;
• a second light emitting element row including light emitting elements that are arranged in a row in the main scanning direction and are provided between the light emitting elements forming the first light emitting element row such that the light emitting elements are arranged in a zigzag;
• a first light emission signal line that extends toward the main scanning direction and that transmits a light emission signal for allowing the light emitting elements forming the first light emitting element row to emit light;
• a second light emission signal line that extends toward the main scanning direction and that transmits a light emission signal for allowing the light emitting elements forming the second light emitting element row to emit light;
• and
• an optical element that focuses an optical output emitted from the light emitting elements forming the first light emitting element row and the light emitting elements forming the second light emitting element row and exposes a photoconductor such that an electrostatic latent image is formed, and
• the first light emission signal line of the toner image forming unit is arranged in one side of the first light emitting element row and is not provided in the other side of the first light emitting element row, and the second light emission signal line is arranged in the other side of the first light emitting element row,
• wherein the second light emission signal line is provided between the first light emitting element row and the second light emitting element row and is provided in regions between the light emitting elements forming the first light emitting element row and between the light emitting elements forming the second light emitting element row,
• wherein the second light emission signal line is arranged so as to surround the light emitting elements forming the second light emitting element row.