Post-objective type optical scanner

Abstract: A post objective type optical scanner having a light source for emitting a light beam having a first width in the scanning direction and a second width in the sub-scanning direction, a single lens (22) having an incident surface and an emergent surface and including a scanning optical system having a first light source side principal point, and a sub-scanning optical system having a second light source side principal point, for converting a light beam emitted from the light source (21) having a scanningwise width and a subscanningwise width, the scanning optical system converting the first width of the light beam into the scanningwise width of the scanning beam while the sub-scanning optical system converting the second width of the light beam into the subscanningwise width of said scanning beam. The distance of the first light source side principal point from the light source is greater than the distance of the second light source side principal point from the light source. The incident surface of the single lens is toric, having an aberration correction surface for the sub-scanning optical system, while the emergent surface is toric or cylindrical, having an aberration correction surface for the sub-scanning optical system.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical scanning system and, more particularly, to a post-objective type optical scanner in which a laser beam converted into a pencil of rays is deflected by a polygonal mirror. Still more particularly, the present invention is concerned with a post-objective type optical scanner which utilizes an anamorphic single lens. Description of the Related Art Post-objective type optical scanners employ a laser beam source which emits a pencil of rays and a polygonal mirror which deflects the pencil of rays. Because of compact construction and low costs of production, this type of optical scanners have been studied, developed and put to commercial production in recent years. In general, an optical scanner has a main scanning optical system which conducts scanning in the direction of the major axis of an elliptical cross-section of a beam from a laser diode, and a sub-scanning optical system which performs scanning in the direction of the minor axis of the elliptical cross-section. In a post-objective type optical scanner of the present invention, the focal distance of the main scanning optical system is more than 10 times as large as that of the sub-scanning optical system. Therefore, in order to equalize the dimensions of the beam spot on the image surface both in the directions of main scan and sub-scan, it is necessary that the aperture stop disposed on the incident side of the polygonal mirror has a rectangular or an elliptical form which is 10 : 1 or greater in terms of the ratio between the width as measured in the direction of main scan and the width as measured in the direction of sub-scan. For this reason, a mere collimation of a semiconductor laser beam does not provide a required level of rate of utilization of light. A solution to this problem is to use prisms. Fig. 5 illustrates an optical scanner which uses prisms. This optical scanner has a semiconductor laser 41, a collimator lens 42, prisms 43, 44, an aperture stop 45, a convergent lens 46, a cylindrical lens 47, a mirror 48, a polygonal mirror 49 having cylindrical surfaces, a compensating lens 50, and a photosensitive drum 51. As will be seen from Figs. 6a and 6b, the laser beam from the semiconductor laser 41, which is disposed such that the direction of greatest divergence angle of beam coincides with the direction of main scan, is changed into a collimated beam having an elliptical intensity distribution of about 3 : 1 in terms of the ratio between the size in the direction of main scan and the size in the direction of sub-scan. The beam is then transmitted through prisms 43, 44 which are arranged to contract the beam spot size only in the direction of sub-scan, so that the beam is changed into collimated beam having an elliptical form of intensity distribution of about 10 : 1 in terms of the ratio between major and minor-axes. The beam then impinges upon the cylindrical lens 47 through the aperture stop 45 and the convergent lens 46. A lens which plays the double role of a collimator lens and prisms, intended for use in optical disk systems, has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 61-254915. The use of prisms, however, is disadvantageous in that the cost is raised and the size of the system inevitably is large due to intricacy of arrangement of optical components. The lens shown in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 61-254915 also has drawbacks in that it exhibits relatively large residual spherical aberration because its surfaces are toric surfaces which are represented simply by radii of curvature, and in that this lens does not offer any advantage when applied to a post-objective type optical scanner since it is a lens intended for changing a beam having a flattened cross-section into a circular cross-section. The use of an anamorphic lens in an optical scanner is also disclosed in EP-A-0 286 368. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the object of the present invention as defined in claim 1 is to provide a post-objective type optical scanner employing an integral anamorphic single lens which can play the roles of the collimator lens, a pair of prisms and the cylindrical lens of the optical system explained before in connection with Fig. 5, that is which can eliminate the necessity of these several components. The anamorphic single lens of the present invention is constructed to have different magnitudes of refractive power in main and sub-scanning directions, respectively, so as to change a beam from a beam source having different angles of beam divergence in the main and sub-scanning directions into a collimated beam, a convergent beam or a divergent beam. Representing the distance between the beam source and the incident-side principal position of the main scanning optical system by S, and the distance between the beam source and the incident-side principal point of the sub-scanning optical system by S', the above-mentioned single lens is determined to meet the condition of S > S'. In view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first surface, i.e., the incident surface of this single lens is a toric surface which is concaved in the direction of the main scan and convexed in the direction of the sub-scan and which has terms of development of quartic and higher orders contributing to aberration correction only in the direction of the sub-scan. The second surface, i.e., the emergent surface, of this single lens is a toric surface convexed in the direction of the main scan, or a cylindrical surface, having terms of development of quartic and higher orders contributing to aberration correction only in the direction of the main scan. The radii of curvatures of the incident and emergent lens surfaces in each scanning direction, as well as the higher-order developed terms, are determined in accordance with factors such as the rate of utilization of light required for the whole optical system, imaging positions in both scanning directions and an optical performance to be attained. Thus, the radii of curvatures of the lens surfaces in each scanning direction are determined to meet requirements for the rate of utilization of light and the imaging position in each scanning direction, while satisfying the above-mentioned condition of S > S'. As the emergent side of this single lens, a light beam is wide-spread or diverged in the direction of main scan and contracted or converged in the direction of sub-scan, thereby obtaining an intensity distribution of an elliptical form which has a major axis in the direction of the main scan, thus improving the rate of utilization of light. At the same time, the beam can be focused correctly at a required imaging position through the whole optical system. In the single lens used in the present invention, as stated before, the first surface as the incident surface of this single lens is a toric surface which is concaved in the direction of the main scan and convexed in the direction of the sub-scan and which has terms of development of quartic or higher orders contributing to aberration correction only in the direction of the sub-scan, whereas, the second surface, i.e., the emergent surface, is a toric surface convexed in the direction of the main scan, or a cylindrical surface, having terms of development of quartic or higher orders contributing to aberration correction only in the direction of the main scan. With these features, this single lens can cope with demands for optical performance to be attained by the whole optical system. Furthermore, by using the anamorphic single lens having the above-described features, it is possible to realize an inexpensive and compact optical scanner. Therefore, a post-objective type optical scanner, employing such anamorphic single lens, when employed in an image forming apparatus, reduces the size and cost of such image forming apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of anamorphic single lens used in an embodiment of a post-objective type optical scanner in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2a is a top plan view of an optical system employing the anamorphic single lens shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 2b is a side elevational view of the optical system shown in Fig. 2a; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the post-objective type optical scanner of the present invention; Fig. 4 is an illustration of an image forming apparatus incorporating the optical scanner of the present invention; Fig. 5 is an illustration of a conventional optical scanner; Fig. 6a is a top plan view of the conventional optical scanner shown in Fig. 5; and Fig. 6b is a side elevational view of the optical scanner shown in Fig. 6b. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows an anamorphic single lens suitable for use in a post-objective type optical scanner of the present invention. The single lens 1 has a first surface 2 adjacent to a light source, i.e., an incident surface, and a second surface 3 adjacent to an image plane, i.e., an emergent surface. This single lens is designed and formed so as to have a main-scanning optical function and a different sub-scanning optical function. In the main scanning direction, the lens has specific radii of curvatures of lens surfaces as shown in Fig. 2a, and the incident beam converges in the manner shown in the same Figure. In the sub-scanning direction, the lens has specific radii of curvatures of lens surfaces as shown in Fig. 2b and the incident beam converges in the manner shown in the same Figure. The optical arrangement shown in Figs. 2a and 2b has, in addition to the anamorphic single lens 1, a semiconductor laser 4 and an elliptical aperture stop 12. Numeral 5 denotes a laser emitting point as the object point, 6 denotes the position of the incident-side principal point of the lens in the main scanning direction, 7 denotes the position of the imaging-side principal point of the lens in the main scanning direction, 8 denotes the position of the incident-side principal point of the lens in the sub-scanning direction, and 9 denotes the position of the imaging-side principal point of the lens in the sub-scanning direction. Numerals 10 and 11 respectively indicate the focal positions of the lens in the main and sub-scanning directions. The first surface 2 of the anamorphic lens 1 is curved at a radius R 1H in the direction of the main scan and at a radius R 1V in the direction of the sub-scan. This surface is a toric surface which has developed terms of quartic and higher orders which contribute to correction of aberration only in the sub-scanning direction. The second surface 3 of the anamorphic lens 1 is curved at a radius R 2H in the direction of the main scan and at a radius R 2V in the direction of the sub-scan. This surface is a toric surface which has developed terms of quartic and higher orders which contribute to correction of aberration only in the main scanning direction. The geometries of these toric surfaces, in terms of amounts of sag from the apices of the toric surfaces, are represented by the following developed equations (1) and (2) based on X-Y-Z coordinate system as shown in Figs. 2a and 2b. Similarly, geometries of the second surface is expressed by the equations (3) and (4). In the higher-order developed equation for aberration correction in the main scanning direction, K H represents a conic coefficient, and A H , B H , C H and D H represent coefficients of higher orders. In the higher-order developed equation for aberration correction in the sub-scanning direction, K V represents a conic coefficient, and A V , B V , C V and D V represent coefficients of higher orders. Referring to Figs. 2a and 2b, the distance between the laser emission point 5 and the position 6 of the incident-side principal point of the lens in the main scanning direction is represented by S, and the distance between the laser emission point 5 and the position 8 of the incident-side principal point of the lens in the main scanning direction is represented by S'. The central lens thickness is expressed by TH. The distance between the laser emission point 5 and the first surface is expressed by ff. The distance between the focal position 10 of the lens in the main scanning direction and the second surface is represented by bf H , and the distance between the focal position 11 of the lens in the sub-scanning direction and the second surface is represented by bf V . Practical numerical values of these factors are shown in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. The design wavelength is 788 nm, while the vitreous material is SF 8. R 1H -2.7029 R 1V 2.2453 TH 8 R 2H -4.3146 R 2V 25.0385 ff 3.77 K H -3.97930E-01 K V -7.34099E-01 A H 2.18881E-05 A V -1.78496E-02 B H 7.03154E-07 B V -7.66638E-04 C H -1.89559E-08 C V 1.67513E-02 D H 1.34658E-09 D V -1.75090E-02 S 11.82 S' 3.36 bf H 137.2659 bf V 70 R 1H -3.2096 R 1V 2.2351 TH 9 R 2H -4.7433 R 2V 54.8385 ff 3.6 K H -4.04325E-01 K V -2.47634E+00 A H 1.48856E-05 A V -1.23479E-04 B H 3.57869E-07 B V -2.88800E-03 C H -1.01931E-08 C V 3.19496E-03 D H 4.03148E-10 D V 1.15544E-01 S 11.88 S' 3.39 bf H 137.2659 bf V 70 R 1H -3.3324 R 1V 2.1351 TH 10 R 2H -5.0391 R 2V -57.8469 ff 3.2 K H -4.07125E-01 K V -2.68763E+00 A H 1.28650E-05 A V -8.50962E-04 B H 3.99698E-07 B V -5.21152E-03 C H -1.68494E-08 C V 7.76519E-03 D H 5.20370E-10 D V 3.25931E-01 S 11.80 S' 3.43 bf H 137.2659 bf V 70 R 1H -2.5949 R 1V 1.8181 TH 11 R 2H -5.1168 R 2V -13.1981 ff 2.39 K H -4.07660E-01 K V -3.19308E+00 A H 1.30857E-05 A V -3.38390E-03 B H 3.54225E-07 B V -2.01399E-02 C H -1.45443E-08 C V 1.83038E-02 D H 4.74867E-10 D V 4.37069E+00 S 11.36 S' 3.52 bf H 137.2659 bf V 70 The effect of the anamorphic lens having these features will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Referring to Fig. 2, a semiconductor laser 4 is disposed such that the greater divergence angle coincides with the direction of the main scan. The divergence angle of beam in the main scanning direction is expressed by a (deg), while the divergence angle of beam in the sub-scanning direction is represented by b (deg). Thus, the condition of a > b is met. In such a case, the laser beam which is going to impinge upon the lens has an elliptical intensity distribution which is expressed by tan (a/2) : tan (b/2) in terms of the ratio between the size in the main scanning direction and the size in the sub-scanning direction. The beam from the semiconductor laser 4, when passing through the first surface of the lens which is concaved in the main scanning direction, is diverged in the main scanning direction and is converged by the second surface of the lens which is convexed in the sub-scanning direction, so as to be focused on the focal position 10 demanded by the whole scanning system. The beam which is converged in the sub-scanning direction by the first surface of the lens as it passes through the first surface which is convexed in the sub-scanning direction and is further converged by the second surface of the lens so as to be focused at the focal position 11 demanded by the whole optical system. The intensity distribution of the beam immediately after emerging from the lens is expressed by the ratio md : sd, where md corresponds to the size in the main scanning direction and sd corresponds to the size in the sub-scanning direction. As stated above, the sizes md and sd are respectively represented as follows: md = tan (a/2) × S sd = tan (b/2) × S' Assuming that the aforementioned beam sizes a and b are respectively given by a = 30 and b = 10, the values md and sd are respectively calculated as md=-3.17 and sd=0.29. When the condition S > S' is met, it is possible to obtain an elliptical intensity distribution pattern which is further elongated in the main scanning direction to a major-to-minor axis ratio at about 11 : 1. Consequently, loss of light which is caused when the beam passes through the elliptical aperture stop 12 is considerably reduced, so that a rate of utilization of light which is demanded by the whole scanning optical system can be obtained. This advantageous effect is obtainable also with other examples shown in Tables 2 to 4. The spherical aberration in the main scanning direction has been corrected by the second surface of the lens, while the spherical aberration in the sub-scanning direction has been corrected by the first surface of the lens. The operation of the optical scanner of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is an illustration of an optical scanner employing the anamorphic single lens described hereinbefore. Referring to this figure, the light beam from a semiconductor laser 21 is made to pass through the anamorphic single lens which is in this case denoted by 22, so as to be changed into a beam having an elliptical intensity distribution pattern, while being converged in the main scanning direction. The beam then passes through an elliptical aperture stop 23 and, after being reflected by a mirror 24, is converged in the sub-scanning direction in a region near to one of the cylindrical reflection surfaces of the polygonal mirror 25. The polygonal mirror 25 rotates about its axis so as to deflect the light impinging thereon. The deflected light is then focused on the surface of a photosensitive drum through a compensating lens 26 thereby to scan the surface of the photosensitive drum 27 with a simultaneous correction of curvature of field in the main scanning direction. The compensating lens 26 is disposed in such a manner as to provide a conjugate opto-geometrical relation between the point of deflection and the scanned point on the photosensitive drum 27 in the sub-scanning direction, thereby effecting correction of any tilt of surface of the cylindrical polygonal mirror. At the same time, the refractive power of the compensating lens 26 in the sub-scanning direction is progressively decreased in the direction of main scan from the center towards the peripheral region of this lens, thereby to effect a correction of curvature of field in the sub-scanning direction. Correction of fϑ characteristic can be effected by converting electrical clock in the signal output into the scanning position. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a post-objective type optical scanner which is small in size, low in price and excellent in resolution, by virtue of the use of the above-described anamorphic single lens together with a compensating lens and a polygonal mirror having cylindrical surfaces. Fig. 4 shows an image forming apparatus which incorporates the post-objective type optical scanner embodying the present invention. Referring to this Figure, the image forming apparatus has the following components: a photosensitive drum 31 on which the states of charge are changeable upon irradiation with a light beam; a primary charger 32 which deposits electrostatic ions on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 so as to uniformly charge the drum surface; an optical scanner 33 which is of the same type as the described embodiment and adapted for writing information in the form of electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31; a developing unit 34 for developing the latent image by depositing charged toner; a transfer charger 35 for transferring the toner image from the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to a sheet of paper; a cleaner 36 for removing any residual toner from the drum surface; a fixing unit 37 for fixing the transferred toner image onto the paper; and a sheet feeder cassette 38. It will be seen that, by using the post-objective type optical scanner of the invention, it is possible to obtain a small-sized and inexpensive image forming apparatus.

Claims: A post-objective type optical scanner for scanning an area to be scanned in a scanning direction (Y) and a sub-scanning direction (X) which is orthogonal to the scanning direction, comprising: a light source (4; 21) for emitting a light beam having a first divergence angle in the scanning plane (YZ) containing said scanning direction (Y) and said light source, and a second divergence angle in the sub-scanning plane (XZ) containing said sub-scanning direction (X) and said light source, said first divergence angle being greater than said second divergence angle; an optical system (1; 22, 23, 24) for converting said light beam into a scanning beam having a first convergence angle in said scanning plane (YZ) and a second convergence angle in said sub-scanning plane (XZ); and a deflector (25) for scanning said area to be scanned with said scanning beam, characterized in that said optical system comprises a single lens (1; 22) having a light source side incident surface (2) and a deflector side emergent surface (3), said single lens having a first light source side principal point (6) in said scanning plane (YZ) and being arranged to converge said light beam from said light source in said scanning plane (YZ) so that said scanning beam has said first convergence angle, and having a second light source side principal point (8) in said sub-scanning plane (XZ) and being arranged to converge said light beam from said light source in said sub-scanning plane (XZ) so that said scanning beam has said second convergence angle, the distance (S) between said first light source side principal point and said light source being greater than the distance (S') between said second light source side principal point and said light source. A post-objective scanner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said incident light surface (2) is a first toric surface which is concave in said scanning plane (YZ) but convex in said sub-scanning plane (XZ), and said emergent surface (3) is a second toric surface which is convex in said scanning plane (YZ). A post-objective scanner as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first toric surface (2) has an aberration correcting surface in said sub-scanning plane; and said second toric surface (3) has an aberration correcting surface in said scanning plane. A post-objective scanner as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said aberration correcting surfaces is defined by a series expansion including a term having an order higher than a bi-quadratic order. A post-objective scanner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deflector (25) comprises a deflecting surface which is cylindrical or curved. A post-objective scanner as set forth in claim 1, wherein between said deflector and said area to be scanned is arranged a correction lens (26) having a sub-scanning focal distance which varies in the scanning direction from the center to each of opposite side ends of said correction lens. An image forming apparatus (31-38) characterized in that it includes the post-objective type optical scanner according to claim 1.

Inventors: YAMAMOTO YOSHIHARU, YOSHIKAWA MOTONOBU, YAMAMOTO, YOSHIHARU, YOSHIKAWA, MOTONOBU
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G02B3
IPC codes: G02B5, G02B3, G02B26