Patent ID: 7782352
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical scanning device that uses light spots to scan surfaces of image bearing members with light sources, a deflector, and imaging elements, the optical scanning device comprising: a housing in which the light sources, the deflector, and the imaging elements are set, and wherein the housing includes at least two sidewalls opposed to each other, a bottom surface that extends substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls, and ribs that are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface and formed to extend from the two sidewalls, respectively, and wherein the ribs are formed with discontinuous sections, and wherein the ribs include notched portions for passing respective light beams; and a reinforcing member which is separate from the ribs and bridges across the discontinuous sections, and wherein the reinforcing member is fixed to the ribs by fastening or bonding; and wherein the optical scanning device is arranged such that the light sources and the imaging elements cause the light beams to be incident on the deflector from different directions, and such that the deflector deflects the light beams to form the light spots that scan the surfaces of the image bearing members; and wherein each one of the ribs is provided with a boss at each of the four corners of the continuous section of the ribs, and wherein the reinforcing member is fixed to the ribs at the boss at each of the four corners.