Patent ID: 6304360
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: B41J,G02B,H04N

Abstract:
An optical scanning device used in a multicolored image formation device that superposes a plurality of images formed on photoreceptors by a plurality of light beams to obtain one multicolored image, the optical scanning device comprising:a single deflector that contains a single polygon mirror and a single rotation drive unit for rotating the polygon mirror, and reflects and deflects the light beams incident on the polygon mirror in a main scanning direction;a plurality of light sources that emit the plurality of the light beams, respectively, on the polygon mirror from both sides of the polygon mirror in a direction transverse to a rotation axis thereof; andtwo pairs of f.theta. lenses that are disposed on the both sides of the polygon mirror in the direction transverse to the rotation axis thereof, and at least transmit the light beams reflected and deflected by the mirror to form spot images on the photoreceptors, whereinthe plurality of the light beams are made incident on and emitted from each of both sides of the polygon mirror in the direction transverse to the rotation axis thereof, and the plurality of the light beams incident on the polygon mirror have different incident angles in the sub-scanning direction on each of both sides.