Abstract:
An apparatus for supporting an optical component that stably and precisely mounts the optical component for reflecting or permeating a beam emitted from a light source on a frame, and a laser scanner and an image forming device having the same, respectively. The laser scanner includes a light source, a reflective mirror to reflect a beam emitted from the light source, a supporting surface to support the reflective mirror in a predetermined orientation, and at least one horizontal reference surface and at least one vertical reference surface disposed in the supporting surface to provide reference surfaces for measuring a reflective point of the reflective mirror.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-60812, filed on Jun. 30, 2006, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a laser scanner. More particularly, the present invention relates to an optical component supporting apparatus that more precisely and stably mounts an optical component for reflecting or permeating a beam emitted from a light source, and a laser scanner and an image forming device having the same, respectively. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, an image forming device, such as a laser printer, a copier, a scanner, and a multi-function machine, includes a laser scanner. The laser scanner defectively scans a beam emitted from a light source in a predetermined direction by a polygonal mirror, which is rotated at a high speed, and images the scanned beam onto a photoconductor via an optical system. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically exemplifying an example of the laser scanner. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the laser scanner  100  includes a light source unit  110 , a cylindrical lens  120 , a polygonal mirror  130 , a driving motor  140  to drive the polygonal mirror, an imaging lens  150 , a reflective mirror  160 , and an optical frame  101  to support the optical components  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  150 , and  160 . 
     A beam emitted from the light source unit  110  is concentrated on reflective surfaces of the polygonal mirror  130  through the cylindrical lens  120 , defectively reflected in a uniform velocity through the polygonal mirror  130 , and then imaged on a photoconductive medium (not shown) via the imaging lens  150  and the reflective mirror  160 . 
     To precisely reflect or permeate the beam, it requires that among the optical components described above, optical components, such as the reflective mirror  160  or the lenses  150  and  120 , which are installed at predetermined angles to reflect or permeate the beam, should be assembled and fixed in a precise angle and with a precise orientation. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view exemplifying the reflective mirror  160  installed in the optical frame  101 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reflective mirror  160  is secured at surfaces  160   a  and  160   b  thereof and mounted on a supporting apparatus  200 , which is provided in the optical frame  101 . 
     The supporting apparatus  200  includes a first supporting unit  210  to support a reflective surface  160   a  of the reflective mirror  160 , and a second supporting unit  220  to support a lower surface  160   b  of the reflective mirror  160 . 
     The first and the second supporting units  210  and  220  are provided with first and second supporting surfaces  211  and  221  to support the reflective surface  160   a  and the lower surface  160   b  of the reflective mirror  160 , respectively. 
     Also, the first and the second supporting surfaces  211  and  221  are configured, so that supporting projections  211   a  and  221   a  are extended in longitudinal directions of the supporting surfaces  211  and  221 , respectively, thereby precisely supporting the reflective surface  160   a  and the lower surface  160   b  of the reflective mirror  160 . 
     Particularly in the supporting projections  211   a  and  221   a,  dimensions, such as an inclined angle, a vertical length and a horizontal length, should be very precisely formed. When the dimensions of the supporting projections  211   a  and  221   a  are not precisely formed, the installed orientation or angle of the reflective mirror  160  may be deviated from the design tolerance, thereby deteriorating the reliability of products. 
     Accordingly, the conventional supporting apparatus as shown in  FIG. 2  requires a high-priced measuring device for measuring inclined angles of the supporting projections  211   a  and  221   a  and/or the supporting surfaces  211  and  221 , so that such measuring work is difficult and troublesome. Also, the conventional supporting apparatus cannot accurately confirm a position to or through which the beam transmitted from the light source is reflected or permeated. As a result, when the reflected or permeated position is not specified, the laser scanner cannot show a desired performance. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for an improved support apparatus for accurately positioning and orienting an optical component. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting an optical component, which can install the optical component for reflecting or permeating a beam emitted from a light source in a more accurate position and with a more accurate orientation. 
     Another aspect of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting an optical component, which facilitates a dimension measurement of supporting units on which an optical component may be stably supported and installed. 
     Another aspect of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to provide a laser scanner and an image forming device including an apparatus for supporting an optical component having characteristics as described above, respectively. 
     According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for supporting an optical component includes a supporting surface to support the optical component in a certain orientation, and at least one horizontal reference surface and at least one vertical reference surface disposed in the supporting surface. 
     An edge part, a chamfered part, or a rounded part may be disposed at a place in which the horizontal reference surface and the vertical reference surface intersect. 
     The optical component may be a reflective mirror, and the horizontal reference surface and the vertical reference surface may be reference surfaces for measuring a reflective point of the reflective mirror. 
     According to one aspect of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for supporting an optical component includes a body, a supporting surface disposed in the body and inclined at an angle to the body, and a first horizontal reference surface and a first vertical reference surface disposed in the supporting surface. 
     The body may further include a second horizontal reference surface and a second vertical reference surface for measuring an inclined angle of the supporting surface. An edge part may be disposed at a place in which the first horizontal reference surface and the first vertical reference surface intersect. 
     According to one aspect of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for supporting an optical component includes a first supporting unit to support a first surface of the optical component, and a second supporting unit to support a second surface of the optical component. At least one of the first and the second supporting units includes a body, a supporting surface inclined at an angle in the body, and a first horizontal reference surface and a first vertical reference surface disposed in the supporting surface. 
     The body may further include a second horizontal reference surface and a second vertical reference surface for measuring an inclined angle of the supporting surface. An edge part may be disposed at a place in which the first horizontal reference surface and the first vertical reference surface intersect. 
     According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a laser scanner includes a light source, an optical component to reflect or permeate a beam emitted from the light source, and a supporting unit to stably support the optical component. The supporting unit includes a body, a supporting surface disposed in the body and inclined at an angle to the body, and a first horizontal reference surface and a first vertical reference surface disposed in the supporting surface. 
     The body may further include a second horizontal reference surface and a second vertical reference surface for measuring an inclined angle of the supporting surface. An edge part may be disposed at a place in which the first horizontal reference surface and the first vertical reference surface intersect. 
     According to another aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an image forming device includes a laser scanner to defectively scan a beam for forming a latent image on a photoconductive medium. The laser scanner includes a light source, an optical component to reflect or permeate the beam emitted from the light source, a supporting surface to support the optical component in a certain orientation, and at least one horizontal reference surface and at least one vertical reference surface disposed in the supporting surface. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view exemplifying a general laser scanner; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view exemplifying a conventional optical component supporting apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view exemplifying an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view exemplifying an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view exemplifying an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view in cross section taken along the line VI-VI of  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevational view in cross section exemplifying an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view in cross section exemplifying an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments are described below in order to explain certain aspects of the present invention by referring to the figures. 
       FIG. 3  shows an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the optical component supporting apparatus  400  in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a main supporting unit  410  that stably supports an optical component  300 . 
     The optical component  300  referred to in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be one of various components, such as a reflective mirror  160 , an imaging lens  150 , a cylindrical lens  120  and the like, which reflect or permeate a light beam emitted from a light source unit  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The optical component  300  is made up of a polyhedron having a plurality of surfaces  301  and  302 , which are supported by the optical component supporting apparatus  400  in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The main supporting unit  410  includes a body  411 , a supporting surface  412  inclinedly provided in the body  411 , and more than one first vertical reference surface  413  and more than one first horizontal reference surface  415  provided in the supporting surface  412 . 
     The body  411  may be formed integrally with or detachably from an optical frame  101  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The supporting surface  412  disposed in the body  411  may be formed at various angles according to installing orientations of the optical component  300 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 through 8 , so that it stably supports the optical component  300 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 8 , the supporting surface  412  supports a first surface  301  of the optical component  300 . 
     The first vertical reference surface  413  and the first horizontal reference surface  415  are formed in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction to the supporting surface  412 , respectively. An edge part  414  is formed at a place in which the first vertical reference surface  413  and the first horizontal reference surface  415  intersect. 
     The edge part  414  may be set as a reference point to or through which the beam emitted from the light source unit  110  is reflected or permeated. 
     A subsidiary horizontal surface  413   c  is disposed on a lower end of the first vertical reference surface  413 , and a subsidiary vertical surface  415   c  is disposed on an upper or left end of the first horizontal reference surface  415 . 
     The optical component supporting apparatus  400  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention constructed as above is advantageous in that it may accurately confirm the reference point to or through which the beam is reflected or permeated through a simple measurement by the first vertical reference surface  413  and the first horizontal reference surface  415 , and may more easily measure an inclined angle of the supporting surface  412  and various dimensions of the body  411  and the like. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first vertical reference surface  413  and the first horizontal reference surface  415  are formed at a center in a width direction of the supporting surface  412 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The body  411  has a second vertical reference surface  417  and a second horizontal reference surface  419 . The second vertical reference surface  417  in an upper end thereof intersects an upper end of the supporting surface  412 . The second horizontal reference surface  419  in a right end thereof intersects a lower end of the supporting surface  412 . 
     With the second vertical reference surface  417  and the second horizontal reference surface  419 , the various dimensions, such as the inclined angle of the supporting surface  412 , may be more easily measured. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view exemplifying an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the optical component supporting apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the optical component supporting apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , except that a first vertical reference surface  413   a  and a first horizontal reference surface  415   a  are formed at a side end of a supporting surface  412 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view exemplifying an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the optical component supporting apparatus of the third exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the optical component supporting apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , except that a first vertical reference surface  413   b  and a first horizontal reference surface  415   b  are extended in an entire width of a supporting surface  412 . 
       FIG. 6  is an elevational view in cross section taken along line VI-VI of  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . 
       FIG. 7  is an elevational view in cross section exemplifying an optical component supporting apparatus in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the optical component supporting apparatus of the fourth exemplary embodiment, a chamfered part  416  is provided at a place in which the first vertical reference surface  413 ,  413   a,  or  413   b  and the first horizontal reference surface  415 ,  415   a,  or  415   b  intersect, so that it substantially prevents the edge part  414  from projecting beyond the supporting surface  412 . 
     The chamfered part  416  may substantially prevent the edge part  414  from projecting beyond the supporting surface  412  due to a dimensional instability of the first vertical reference surface  413 ,  413   a,  or  413   b  and the first horizontal reference surface  415 ,  415   a,  or  415   b,  such that the optical component  300  may not be stably supported. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , instead of the chamfered part  416 , a rounded part  416  may be provided at the place in which the first vertical reference surface  413 ,  413   a,  or  413   b  and the first horizontal reference surface  415 ,  415   a,  or  415   b  intersect. 
     Both the chamfered part  416  and the rounded part  416  described above may be set as a reference area to or through which the light beam emitted from the light source unit  110  is reflected or permeated. 
     The optical component supporting apparatus  400  in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may further include a subsidiary supporting unit  420 , which supports a second surface  302  of the optical component  300  together with the main supporting unit  410  supporting the first surface  301  of the optical component  300 . 
     The subsidiary supporting unit  420  includes a body  421 , a supporting surface  422 , a first vertical reference surface  423  and a first horizontal reference surface  425 , and a second vertical reference surface  427  and a second horizontal reference surface  429 . The supporting surface  422  is inclinedly provided in the body  421 . The first vertical reference surface  423  and the first horizontal reference surface  425  are provided in the supporting surface  422 . The second vertical reference surface  427  and the second horizontal reference surface  429  are provided in the body  421 , and facilitate measuring an inclined angle of the supporting surface  422 . Because constructions of the subsidiary supporting unit  420  are similar to those of the main supporting unit  410  of the exemplary embodiments described above, descriptions thereof will be omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
     A subsidiary horizontal surface  423   b  is disposed on a lower or left end of the first vertical reference surface  423 , and a subsidiary vertical surface  425   b  is disposed on an upper or right end of the first horizontal reference surface  425 . 
     An edge part  424  is formed at a place in which the first vertical reference surface  423  and the first horizontal reference surface  425  intersect, as shown in  FIG. 6 . A chamfered part  426  is provided at a place in which the first vertical reference surface  423  and the first horizontal reference surface  425  intersect, so that it substantially prevents the edge part  424  from projecting beyond the supporting surface  412 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, a rounded part  426  may be provided at the place in which the first vertical reference surface  423  and the first horizontal reference surface  425  intersect. 
     The optical component  300  supported by the optical component supporting apparatus  400  in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be securely fixed to the optical frame  101  by a fastening means or a pressing means, which is not shown. 
     As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the optical component supporting apparatus may install the optical component for reflecting or permeating the beam emitted from the light source in the accurate position and with the accurate orientation. Also, the optical component supporting apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention facilitates the dimensional measurement of the supporting units on which the optical component is stably supported and installed. 
     Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.