Patent ID: 7196848
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An exposure device for forming an image on a recording medium via scan-exposure, said device comprising: a light source for emitting light beams in a broad area at least in a sub-scanning direction for forming the image; a condensing optical system for condensing the light beams emitted from the light source onto the recording medium; and an array refracting element disposed between the light source and the recording medium so that a direction in which the light beams are divided is substantially parallel to a broad area direction of the light beams emitted from the light source, the array refracting element comprising at least two refracting members abutting each other and disposed in an array, wherein a light beam is incident on the array, and each of the at least two refracting members has a surface shape that divides a portion of the light beam incident on the refracting member into two separate light beams, thereby resulting in at least four light beams.