Patent ID: 8154706
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method of adjusting a scanning optical device which includes a plurality of light source means, light beam converting means configured to convert a light focus state of a plurality of light beams emitted from said plurality of light source means, deflecting means having a plurality of deflecting surfaces configured to scanningly deflect light beams emergent from said light beam converting means and arranged such that light beams emitted from a plurality of light source means disposed spaced apart from each other in a main scan direction are incident on different deflecting surfaces of said deflecting means, and an imaging optical system configured to image light beams incident on different deflecting surfaces of said deflecting means upon different scan surfaces, respectively, wherein said light beam converting means is integrally formed by molding and is comprised of a plurality of optical elements each being configured to convert the light focus state of one associated light beam of the plurality of light beams emitted from said plurality of light source means, wherein denoting a spacing in the main-scan direction within a main-scan section of centers of light entrance surfaces of said plurality of optical elements constituting said light beam converting means by Cm, and a spacing in the main-scan direction of said plurality of light source means by Lm, a relation: is satisfied, and wherein in said method of adjusting, each of the plurality of light source means is fixed to a holding member while a position thereof in an optical axis direction and a position thereof in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, with respect to an associated one of the plurality of optical elements, are adjusted, and the plurality of light source means are fixed to one and the same holding member.