Patent ID: 8576467
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: B41J,G02B,G03G

Abstract:
1. An optical scanning apparatus comprising: first and second optical scanning units freely rotatable about first and second rotation shafts disposed in parallel with each other; four light sources, two provided for each of the first optical scanning unit and the second optical scanning unit; four primary mirrors, two provided opposite to each other with respect to each of the first optical scanning unit and the second optical scanning unit, configured to reflect beams of light emitted by the four light sources that are scanned by the first optical scanning unit and the second optical scanning unit; a first supporting plate configured to support a motor for driving and rotating the first optical scanning unit and a second supporting plate configured to support a motor for driving and rotating the second optical scanning unit, the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate being arranged in parallel with each other; and a substantially vertical connection wall configured to connect the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate with each other, wherein the first supporting plate is placed between a first optical path and a second optical path, the first optical path extending from the first optical scanning unit to one primary mirror that corresponds to the first optical scanning unit and the second optical path extending from the second optical scanning unit to one primary mirror that corresponds to the second optical scanning unit, a first opening through which the second optical path passes is formed in the connection wall, a second opening is formed at the first supporting plate, and the beam of light passing through the first opening and reflected by the one primary minor that corresponds to the second optical scanning unit passes through the second opening.