Patent ID: 6628868
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: G02B,H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:a number of light emitting elements capable of emitting a light beam onto a photosensitive material based on given image information; a number of optical fibers extending between a light source and the light emitting elements for guiding irradiated light from the light source to the light emitting elements, each of the optical fibers having a light receiving end for receiving the irradiated light; inputting means for inputting a turn-ON instruction for the light source; a blower device for removing dust accumulated on the light receiving end by means of a gas stream having a directional component interesting the axis of the optical fiber; and a controller for executing a dust removing step for operating the blower device for a predetermined time period in response of said turn-ON instruction for the light source from said inputting means and then turning ON the light source while keeping the blower device in operation for cooling the optical fibers and for also executing a post-blowing/cooling step of operating the blower device for predetermined period after the light source is turned OFF in response to an OFF instruction for the light source.