Patent ID: 7649662
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus which scans a surface to be scanned with beam to form an image on the surface to be scanned, comprising: a scanning device including a scanning mirror swinging about a swinging center, an elastic supporting portion for supporting the scanning mirror; and a supporting base for supporting the elastic supporting portion; a housing for containing the scanning device therein, said housing supporting the scanning device; a light source; a first optical member for directing a beam emitted from the light source to the scanning mirror disposed in the housing, the first optical member having a condensing function, said first optical member being fixed to the housing; a second optical member for directing the beam reflected by the scanning mirror to the surface to be scanned which is disposed outside the housing, said second optical member being fixed to the housing; and a curved-surface mirror disposed between the scanning device and the second optical member, wherein the first optical member, the scanning mirror, the second optical member and the curved surface mirror are optical members different from one another, wherein the first optical member, the scanning mirror and the second optical member are supported by the housing, wherein a space containing the scanning device and the curved-surface mirror is sealed by the first optical member, the second optical member and the housing, wherein the image forming apparatus swings the scanning mirror, thereby forming an image on the surface to be scanned, wherein light beam having entered the housing from the first optical member enters the scanning mirror without transmitting through a transmission-type optical element, the light beam deflected by the scanning mirror enters the second optical member without transmitting through a transmission-type optical element.