Abstract:
In a scanning optical system provided with a plurality of scanning optical devices, each scanning optical device including a light source to emit a light beam, a collimator lens into which the light beam emitted from the light source enters, a deflector to deflect the light beam passing through the collimator lens in a main scanning direction, an image forming lens to focus the light beam coming from the deflector onto a scanned surface, and a base plate on which the light source, the collimator lens, the deflector and the image forming lens are fixed, the plurality of scanning optical devices are piled up in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in such a manner that each base plate is substantially parallel to other base plates; and the scanning optical system is further provide with a plurality of link members to connect two neighboring base plates independently of other base plates.

Description:
This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/406,244 filed Sep. 24, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,512,533. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a scanning optical device comprising at least a light source, a collimator lens into which a light beam emitted from said light source enters, a deflector which deflects the light beam having passed said collimator lens to the direction of main scanning, and an image forming lens which focuses the light beam having passed said deflector on the surface to be scanned and to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of the above-mentioned scanning optical devices arranged in the direction of sub-scanning. 
     Generally speaking, in an image forming apparatus capable of forming a multi-color image, a cylinder-shaped, or belt-shaped image bearing member is used. In forming a multi-color image by using this image bearing member, charging, exposure and development are carried out for each of colors with the image bearing member rotated (moved), and the multiple color toner images are superposed one after another on the image bearing member and transferred onto a sheet of transfer paper by a one-time transfer operation. 
     Incidentally, in order to accomplish a high-speed printing, it is required not a structure such that exposure processing (writing by light) for one color is carried out in every rotation of the image bearing member but a structure such that the exposures for all of four colors Y, M, C, and K are carried out in every rotation of the image bearing member. In this case, not only a plurality of the developing units but also a plurality of the scanning optical devices corresponding to the respective colors should be provided in order that the multiple exposures and developments should be done at different positions on the image bearing member. 
     For example, in the case where a color image is formed using the four colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), the scanning optical devices and the developing units for the respective colors Y, M, C, and K are arranged in the direction of sub-scanning, and each of the scanning optical devices is let to form the latent electrostatic image of the color corresponding to it in such a manner as to form the toner images precisely superposed on one another, and the latent electrostatic images are developed. 
     In this case, to remark one pixel of the latent images formed by the respective scanning optical devices, if the position of this pixel is deviated for a certain color, synthesis of the color can not be done at this pixel portion, producing a color deviation and lowering resolution, and image quality is deteriorated. In order to prevent the occurrence of this color deviation and the lowering of resolution, it is required that not only the characteristics of the respective scanning optical devices are made to be the same so as to be able to write the same scan line, but also the respective optical devices are fixed in a precise positional relationship so as to make the scan lines for the respective colors coincide with one another. 
     To consider the characteristics of the scanning optical device as an individual one, it is desirable for obtaining a good image that the scan lines on the surface to be scanned are straight and, at the same time, the arrangement of the pixels forming any one of the scan lines has a uniform interval between any adjacent pixels. However, actually, the positioning of optical parts etc can not be precisely performed, therefore, there have been problems that scan lines on the surface to be scanned are curved and that the arrangement of the pixels forming a scan line has an uneven interval between pixels. 
     Further, in the case where a multi-color image is formed, there has been a problem that the characteristics of the respective scanning optical devices can not be made equal, neither the respective scanning optical devices can be fixed in a precise positional relationship, resulting in deterioration of image quality. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of this invention concerning a scanning optical device to actualize a scanning optical device capable of adjusting the scanning beam easily. 
     Further, it is an object of this invention concerning an image forming apparatus to actualize an image forming apparatus capable of getting rid of the deterioration of image quality owing to the scanning optical device. 
     The above object can be attained by the following structures. 
     A scanning optical system, comprises: 
     a plurality of scanning optical devices, each scanning optical device including 
     a light source to emit a light beam, 
     a collimator lens into which the light beam emitted from the light source enters, 
     a deflector to deflect the light beam passing through the collimator lens in a main scanning direction, 
     an image forming lens to focus the light beam coming from the deflector onto a scanned surface, and 
     a base plate on which the light source, the collimator lens, the deflector and the image forming lens are fixed, wherein the plurality of scanning optical devices are piled up in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in such a manner that each base plate is substantially parallel to other base plates; and 
     a plurality of link members to connect two neighboring base plates independently of other base plates. 
     A scanning optical system, comprises: 
     a plurality of scanning optical devices, each scanning optical device including 
     a light source to emit a light beam, 
     a collimator lens into which the light beam emitted from the light source enters, 
     a deflector to deflect the light beam passing through the collimator lens in a main scanning direction, 
     an image forming lens to focus the light beam coming from the deflector onto a scanned surface, 
     a contact member to come in contact with a first side surface of the image forming lens at three contact points on both end portions and a middle portion of the first side surface in terms of the main scanning direction; 
     a pressing member to come in pressure contact with a second side surface of the image forming lens so as to press the image forming lens toward the contact member and 
     a base plate on which the light source, the collimator lens, the deflector, the image forming lens, the contact member and the pressing member are fixed, wherein the plurality of scanning optical devices are piled up in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in such a manner that each base plate is substantially parallel to other base plates; and 
     a plurality of link members to connect two neighboring base plates independently of other base plates. 
     A scanning optical device, comprises: 
     a light source to emit a light beam; 
     a collimator lens into which the light beam emitted from the light source enters; 
     a deflector to deflect the light beam passing through the collimator lens in a main scanning direction; 
     an image forming lens to focus the light beam coming from the deflector onto a scanned surface; 
     a contact member to come in contact with a first side surface of the image forming lens at three contact points on both end portions and a middle portion of the first side surface in terms of the main scanning direction; and 
     a pressing member to come in pressure contact with a second side surface of the image forming lens so as to press the image forming lens toward the contact member. 
     Further, the above object can be attained by the following preferable structures. 
     This invention concerning a scanning optical device is the one comprising at least a light source, a collimator lens into which a light beam emitted from said light source enters, a deflector which deflects the light beam having passed said collimator lens to the direction of main scanning, and an image forming lens which focuses the light beam having passed said deflector on the surface to be scanned, said scanning optical device further comprising contact members capable of being in contact with said image forming lens at three points, that is, the both end portions of said image forming lens in the direction of main scanning and an intermediate point between the both end points respectively at the time of adjusting the position of said image forming lens, and an urging means for urging said image forming lens toward said contact members. 
     In this invention, a mechanism for adjusting and determining the position of the image forming lens is provided. The image forming lens is positioned in the vicinity of the surface to be scanned, and is easy to have a bend owing to its long size. In spite of this, according to this invention for adjusting the position to fix this image forming lens, the scanning beam is corrected easily and with a good efficiency. In addition to it, because the image forming lens is in contact with the contact members at the three points, namely, the both end portions in the main scanning direction and an intermediate portion between the both end portions at the time of adjusting the position of the image forming lens, it is possible to let the image forming lens take any position by displacing the points of contact. 
     In this case, if the points of contact of the image forming lens at its both end portions in the main scanning direction with the contact members are made to be positioned on a straight line which is approximately parallel to the main scanning direction, and the point of contact at the intermediate portion is placed at a position deviated from a position on the above-mentioned straight line in the direction perpendicular to the surface to be scanned, the adjustment of position of the image forming lens can be performed by moving at least one of the contact members placed at the above-mentioned three points of contact in the direction of sub-scanning. 
     It is desirable that the image forming lens is fixed to the base in order to prevent the deviation of the position of the image forming lens, after the adjustment and determination of the position of the image forming lens. By carrying out this fixing at a position in the neighborhood of the point of contact at the intermediate portion of the image forming lens, the image forming lens is fixed only at the intermediate portion, which makes it possible for the image forming lens to expand and contract freely in accordance with the variation of temperature and humidity of the surrounding; thus the image forming lens is never bent unnaturally and it can be avoided the unfavorable influence that a complex bending etc are produced in the scan lines. 
     This invention concerning an image forming apparatus is the one having a plurality of scanning optical devices arranged in the direction of sub-scanning, each of said scanning optical devices comprising at least a light source, a collimator lens into which a light beam emitted from said light source enters, a deflector which deflects the light beam having passed said collimator lens to the direction of main scanning, and an image forming lens which focuses the light beam having passed said deflector on the surface to be scanned, wherein any pair of the neighboring scanning optical devices are linked to each other, and the linking between these scanning optical devices is made by fixing a link member to each of the scanning optical devices in a manner capable of taking off, the position of one of the neighboring scanning optical devices being determined in the state of being freely movable (hereinafter referred to as ‘state of floating off’) against the other, and after that, fixing said linking members of the neighboring scanning optical devices to one another. 
     According to this invention, the positions of a plurality of scanning optical devices arranged in the direction of sub-scanning are adjusted and determined in the state of floating off against the others, and the linking members are mutually linked after determining the positions. Owing to this, by once precisely adjusting and determining the positions of the respective scanning optical devices, the positional relationship among the scanning optical devices will never be varied after that, and the deterioration of image quality owing to the scanning optical device can be prevented. 
     Further, because the linking members are fixed to the respective scanning optical devices in a manner capable of being taken off, in the case where the determination of the positions is proved to be not satisfactory after the linking of the neighboring scanning optical devices, it is possible that these link members are taken off from the scanning optical devices, with the state of mutual linking of the link members let to remain as it is, and then a new link members are attached to the scanning optical devices, and the positions are determined again, and the new link members are fixed to one another. Owing to this, it has become possible to utilize again the scanning optical devices. 
     Another invention concerning an image forming apparatus is the one having a plurality of scanning optical devices arranged in the direction of sub-scanning, each of said scanning optical devices comprising at least a light source, a collimator lens into which a light beam emitted from said light source enters, a deflector which deflects the light beam having passed said collimator lens to the direction of main scanning, and an image forming lens which focuses the light beam having passed said deflector on the surface to be scanned, wherein each of said scanning optical devices comprises contact members capable of being in contact with said image forming lens at three points, that is, the both end portions of said image forming lens in the direction of main scanning and an intermediate point between the both end points respectively at the time of adjusting the position of said image forming lens, and an urging means for urging said image forming lens toward said contact member, and further, any pair of the neighboring scanning optical device are linked to each other, and the linking between these scanning optical device is made by fixing a link member to each of the scanning optical devices in a manner capable of taking off, the position of one of the neighboring scanning optical devices being determined in the state of floating off against the other, and after that, fixing said linking members of the neighboring scanning optical devices to one another. 
     According to this invention, in each of the scanning optical devices, the scanning beam can be corrected easily and with a good efficiency. Further, because the linking members are mutually linked after determining the positions, the positional relationship among the scanning optical devices is never varied, and the deterioration of image quality owing to the scanning optical device can be prevented. Furthermore, reutilization of the scanning optical device has become possible. 
     If an adhesive of the UV-hardening type is used for the above-described fixing of the scanning optical devices to one another, the determination of the positions is carried out with the adhesive injected into every clearance between the linking members, and the fixing can be done by applying an ultraviolet ray immediately after the determining of the positions, which makes the linking operation easy. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is the plan showing an example of the embodiment of this invention concerning a scanning optical device; 
     FIG. 2 is the front view showing the example of the embodiment of this invention concerning a scanning optical device; 
     FIG. 3 is the bottom view showing the example of the embodiment of this invention concerning a scanning optical device; 
     FIG. 4 is the enlarged plan showing a part of the base; 
     FIG. 5 is the front view of the second cylindrical lens; 
     FIG. 6 is the plan of the second cylindrical lens; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line A—A in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure for urging the second cylindrical lens; 
     FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the structure of the scanning optical device in the linked state; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of fitting a link member; and 
     FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the structure of the scanning optical devices in the linked state. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are drawings for illustrating an example of the embodiment of this invention concerning a scanning optical device; FIG. 1 is the plan, FIG. 2 is the front view, and FIG. 3 is the bottom view. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the laser light source  2  emitting a laser beam in the horizontal direction, the collimator lens  3 , and the first cylindrical lens  3 ′ are attached to the standing wall portion  11 , and on the bottom plate portion  12  of the base  1 , there is provided the polygonal mirror  4  as a deflector for deflecting the laser beam having been emitted from the laser light source  2  and having passed the collimator lens  3  in the direction of main scanning in such a manner as to be capable of rotating around a vertical axis. Further, on the bottom plate portion  12  of the base  1 , there are attached the fθ lens  5  into which the laser beam reflected by the polygonal mirror  4  enters, and the second cylindrical lens  6  as an image forming lens for focusing the laser beam having passed the fθ lens  5  on the surface to be scanned. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, at the mounting portion of the fθ lens  5  on the bottom plate portion  12  of the base  1 , there are provided the projections  13  and  14  which are in contact with the lower surface of the both end portions of the fθ lens  5 , the projection  15  which is in contact with the lower surface of the intermediate portion of the fθ lens  5 , the projections  16  and  17  which are in contact with the side surface of the both end portions of the fθ lens  5 , and the projection  18  for adhesive bonding which faces the lower surface of the intermediate portion of the fθ lens  5 . The fθ lens  5  is bonded by an adhesive to the projection  18  for adhesive bonding after it is set in the state of contact with the above-mentioned projections  13  to  17 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the second cylindrical lens  6  has the rim portion  61  at its upper portion and the rim  62  at its lower portion, and the portion between them is the effective lens portion  63 . At the lower surface of the both end portions of the rim portion  62 , the supporting portions  65  and  66  are formed respectively, and also at the lower surface of the intermediate portion of the rim portion  62 , the supporting portion  67  is formed. Further, the engaging projection  68  is formed on the supporting portion  67 . 
     As shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 4, at the mounting portion of the second cylindrical lens  6  on the bottom plate portion  12  of the base  1 , there are provided the projections  19  and  20  which are capable of being in contact with the lower surface of the supporting portions  65  and  66  of the second cylindrical lens  6 , the projections  22  and  23  which are capable of being in contact with the side surface of the both end portions of the second cylindrical lens  6 , and the projections for adhesive bonding  24  and  25  which face the lower surface of the supporting portion  67  of the second cylindrical lens  6 . 
     Further, at the positions in the neighborhood of the projections  19  to  21  facing the supporting portions  65  to  67  respectively, the screw holes  26  to  28  are bored. Further, in the neighborhood of the projections  22  and  23 , the supporting rods  29  and  30  are fitted as projected. 
     For mounting the second cylindrical lens  6  to the bottom plate portion  12  of the base  1 , first, the second cylindrical lens  6  is placed on the projections  19  to  21  with the supporting portions  65  to  67  positioned at the bottom. At this time, the side surfaces of the both end portions of the cylindrical lens  6  are supported by the projections  22  and  23 , and the engaging projection  68  of the second cylindrical lens  6  is fitted into the slot  24   a  (refer to FIG. 4) of the projection for adhesive bonding  24  on the bottom plate portion  12 . By this fit, the second cylindrical lens  6  is regulated with regard to the movement in the main scanning direction. 
     Next, as shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 8, the base portions of the leaf springs  31  and  32  as urging means are fixed to the supporting rods  29  and  30  respectively by the screws  33  and  34 , and the upper surfaces of the both end portions of the rim portion  61  of the cylindrical lens  6  is pressed downward by the free end portions of the leaf springs  31  and  32  (that is, the half-sphere-shaped projections  31   a  and  32   a  provided as projected downward in FIG.  8 ). This state of pressing is a temporary fixed state by an elastic force, and if a force is exerted to the second cylindrical lens  6 , it can be removed. 
     In this example of the embodiment, for the purpose of performing the adjustment of the position of the second cylindrical lens  6 , the screws for adjustment  36  to  38  as members for contact are forced to be inserted into the screw holes  26  to  28  from the bottom side. The front ends of these screws for adjustment  36  to  38  are capable of being in contact with the supporting portions  65  to  67  of the second cylindrical lens  6  at least at the time of adjusting the position of the second cylindrical lens  6 , and if the front ends of the screws for adjustment  36  to  38  are projected upward farther than the projections  19  to  21 , they become in contact with the supporting portions  65  to  67  of the second cylindrical lens  6 . Because the second cylindrical lens  6  is always pressed by the half-sphere-shaped projections  31   a  and  32   a  of the leaf springs  31  and  32  toward the screws for adjustment  36  to  38 , it is moved as engaged with the screws for adjustment  36  to  38 . 
     In this example of the embodiment, the points of contact of the second cylindrical lens  6  against the screws for adjustment  36  and  37  at the both end portions in the main scanning direction are positioned on a straight line which is approximately parallel to the main scanning direction, and the point of contact at the intermediate portion against the screw for adjustment  38  is deviated from a position on the above-mentioned straight line in the direction perpendicular to the surface to be scanned. 
     Accordingly, by rotating the screws for adjustment  36  to  38  separately to adjust the amount of projection, it is possible not only the parallel movement of the second cylindrical lens  6  in the upward and downward direction (the direction of sub-scanning), but also its tilting movement in the upward and downward direction (rotation around an axis parallel to the direction of main scanning) or its tilting movement in the left and right direction (rotation around an axis perpendicular to the surface to be scanned); thus, the second cylindrical lens  6  can take any desirable position. After this adjustment and determination of the position for the second cylindrical lens  6 , the rim portion  62  is bonded to the projections for adhesive bonding  24  and  25  by using an adhesive of the UV-setting type or the like. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, in the front wall portion  40  of the base  1 , which is positioned in front of the second cylindrical lens  6  and faces the surface to be scanned, it is bored the slit  41  for letting the laser beam having passed the second cylindrical lens  6  emerge, and the frame  42  is formed in such a manner as to surround this slit  41 . Further, in this frame  42 , the transparent cover  43  is bonded in such a manner as to close the slit  41 . 
     In the neighborhood of one end portion of the second cylindrical lens  6 , the mirror  7  is disposed in order that the laser beam having entered on it from the polygonal mirror  4  through the fθ lens  5  may be reflected toward the photo-sensor  8  which is attached to the standing wall portion  11 . This photo-sensor  8  is provided for detecting that the laser beam reaches the predetermined beam position, and its output is used for the synchronization of main scanning. 
     The scanning by the laser beam in this example of the embodiment is quite the same as in the apparatus of the prior art. That is, the laser beam having been emitted from the laser light source  2  to the horizontal direction is made to be a parallel pencil of light by the collimator lens  3 , and after being regulated by a slit, which is not shown in the drawings, it enters onto the polygonal mirror  4 ; then, the reflected laser beam by the polygonal mirror  4  passes the fθ lens  5 , and enters into the second cylindrical lens  6 . Further, the laser beam having passed the second cylindrical lens  6  reaches the surface to be scanned through the slit  41 . 
     In the above, because the polygonal mirror  4  is rotating, the beam spot on the surface to be scanned moves to the direction of main scanning, and an exposure process in accordance with the modulation in the laser light source  2  is carried out. Further, because the surface to be scanned is moving in the direction of sub-scanning, the surface to be scanned is exposed to the laser beam two-dimensionally. The exposure start timing on every scanning line is determined on the basis of the photo-sensor  8 . 
     In this example of the embodiment, a mechanism for adjusting and determining the position of the second cylindrical lens  6  is provided. The reason for it is that the second cylindrical lens  6  is positioned close to the surface to be scanned, and is easy to produce bending because it is a long-sized lens. According to this example of the embodiment wherein the mounting position of the second cylindrical lens  6  is adjusted, the scanning beam is corrected easily and in a good efficiency. In addition to it, because the second cylindrical lens  6  is in contact with the contact members  37  to  39  at three points, that is, the both end portions in the main scanning direction and the intermediate portion between these both end points respectively at the time of adjusting and determining the position of the second cylindrical lens  6 , it is possible to let the second cylindrical lens  6  take any position by displacing the contact points. 
     Further, after adjusting and determining the position of the second cylindrical lens  6 , it is fixed to the base  1  in order to prevent the positional deviation of the second cylindrical lens  6 ; this fixing is done, in this example of the embodiment, in the neighborhood of the contact point at the intermediate portion of the second cylindrical lens  6 . Owing to this, the second cylindrical lens  6  is fixed only at the intermediate portion, it can freely expand and contract in accordance with the surrounding temperature and humidity, it is never bent unnaturally, and it can be avoided the unfavorable influence that a complex bending etc are produced in the scan lines. 
     It will be explained in more detail the operation of adjusting and determining the position of the second cylindrical lens  6  in the above-described example of the embodiment. In addition, here, the explanation will be given on the condition that there is no tilt angle error for each of the reflecting surfaces of the polygonal mirror  4 . 
     The operation of adjusting and determining the position is carried out for the scanning optical devices in the state wherein the second cylindrical lens  6  is temporarily fixed. At this time, for the scan line detecting portion of the fixture for adjustment, it is used the one wherein three sensors are arranged on an ideal scan line which is assumed to be on the surface to be scanned. This sensor is the one capable of detecting to what degree an actual beam is deviated from the above-mentioned ideal scan line, and any method of detection can be used. 
     It can be known what kind of a curve an actual scan line is tracing from the output of the three sensors when a laser beam actually scans the surface. Therefore, in order that the curve as a whole may become closer to the ideal scan line, the amount of screwing for the screws for adjustment  37  to  39  is adjusted. The rotating operation of the screws for adjustment at this time is performed, for example, as follows: 
     (1) Parallel movement in the upward and downward direction (the direction of sub-scanning) 
     All the screws for adjustment  37  to  39  are rotated in the same direction. 
     (2) Tilting movement in the upward and downward direction (Rotation around an axis parallel to the main scanning direction) 
     The screws for adjustment  37  and  38  are rotated in the same direction, or the screw for adjustment  39  is rotated. 
     (3) Tilting movement in the left and right direction (Rotation around an axis perpendicular to the surface to be scanned) 
     The screw for adjustment  37  or  38  is rotated. 
     (4) Correction (for example, correction for bending) 
     This is possible in the case where the second cylindrical lens  6  is capable of bending like a plastic lens; the screws for adjustment  37  to  39  are independently rotated. 
     In addition, this invention concerning a scanning optical device is not limited to the above-mentioned example of the embodiment. For example, it is possible for the scanning optical device to have a structure as follows: 
     (A) The contact member is not limited to a screw for adjustment, and the number of the contact members is not limited to three. If the number of the contact members is increased, generally speaking, the range of adjustment such as correction is broadened, and also the precision of adjustment is improved. 
     (B) It is not required that all of the contact members are capable of moving in the upward and downward direction. For example, in a structure wherein the screws for adjustment  36  and  37  in the above-mentioned example of the embodiment is not capable of moving, the projections  19  and  20  are used as the contact members at this portion and the screws for adjustment  36  and  37  are not provided. 
     (C) The urging means is not limited to a leaf spring, and the number is not limited to two. In a structure wherein an elastic member such as a rubber is pressed, it is possible that the whole upper surface of the second cylindrical lens  6  is pressed by the elastic member. 
     (D) If it is desired that play for the screws for adjustment  37  to  39  in the axial direction against the base  1  is eliminated, it may be appropriate to make a structure such that a coil spring or the like is disposed between the head portion of the screws  37  to  39  and the base  1 , in order that the screws for adjustment  37  to  39  may be always urged to the downward direction. 
     (E) The fixing of the optical parts such as the second cylindrical lens  6  is not limited to adhesive bonding. 
     (F) Although the correction for the scan lines is done by only the second cylindrical lens  6  in the above-mentioned example of the embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism for adjusting and determining the position in both of the second cylindrical lens  6  and the fθ lens  5  respectively. 
     (G) It is also possible to carry out the adjustment and determination of the position of the second cylindrical lens  6  automatically. In this case, as a matter of course, the signal from the sensor on the surface to be scanned is fed back to the control portion, and the amount of screwing of the screws for adjustment  37  to  39  is adjusted by the control portion in order that actual scan lines may become closer to the ideal scan line. 
     THE SECOND EXAMPLE OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the structure of an example of the embodiment of this invention concerning an image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus in this example of the embodiment, formation of a color image using toners of four colors Y, M, C, and K with four scanning optical devices arranged in the direction of sub-scanning. 
     In FIG. 9, the belt-shaped image bearing member  100  is driven in the clockwise direction (direction of the arrow marks), being entrained around the rollers  101  to  109 . In the neighborhood of the image bearing member  100 , there are arranged the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  in the direction of sub-scanning in such a manner as to face toward the image bearing member  100 . Each of the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  has the same structure as has been shown in the above-described first example of the embodiment, that is, the structure comprising at least a light source, a collimator lens into which a light beam having been emitted from said light source enters, a deflector which deflects the light beam having passed said collimator lens to the direction of main scanning, and an image forming lens which focuses the light beam having passed said deflector on the surface to be scanned of the image bearing member. 
     In the above, the scanning optical device  111  is one for forming a latent image for Y (yellow) by using a laser beam, the scanning optical device  112  is one for forming a latent image for M (magenta) by using a laser beam, the scanning optical device  113  is one for forming a latent image for C (cyan) by using a laser beam, and the scanning optical device  113  is one for forming a latent image for K (black) by using a laser beam. 
     Each of the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  is linked to the neighboring devices after determining the position. This linking is done by using a link member. To describe it concretely, as shown in FIG. 10, the link member  200  is fixed to the both side portions of the respective scanning optical devices  111  to  114  by using the plural screws  201  in a manner capable of being taken off, and after that, as shown in FIG. 11, the position of the one of the neighboring scanning optical devices is determined in the state of floating off against the other, and then the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the respective link members of the neighboring scanning optical devices are bonded to each other by using an adhesive of the UV-setting type or the like. 
     In this example of the embodiment, it is used the structure wherein the scanning optical devices  113  to  111  is successively stacked on the scanning optical device  114  one after another. In addition, although the link member  200  and the screws  201  is not necessary in the first example of the embodiment, they are shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 for the purpose of making it easy to understand the structure of linking of the scanning optical devices in the second example of the embodiment. 
     In FIG. 9 again, at the respective front stages of the scanning optical devices  111 ,  112 ,  113 , and  114 , the charging portions  121 ,  122 ,  123 , and  124 , which give the image bearing member  100  electrostatic charges for Y, M, C, and K respectively, are provided; at the respective rear stages of the scanning optical devices  111 ,  112 ,  113 , and  114 , there are provided the developing units  131 ,  132 ,  133 , and  134 , which develop the latent images formed by the respective scanning optical devices  111 ,  112 ,  113 , and  114  by using the developers for Y, M, C, and K respectively. 
     The transfer paper  142  in the paper feeding portion  141  is conveyed out by the paper feeding roller  143 , and is fed to the transfer portion  151  by the transport roller pair  144  and the timing roller  145 . This transfer portion  151  is composed of the transfer electrode  152  which transfers the toner image on the image bearing member  100  to the transfer paper  142  by corona discharging, and the pick off electrode  153  which picks off the transfer paper  142  from the image bearing member  100  by alternate current discharging. 
     The fixing portion  161  is composed of the heat roller  162  and the pressing roller  163 , and fuses the toner image to stick to the transfer paper. The transfer paper  142  after this fixing process is ejected onto a receiving tray by the transport portion  171  at the rear stage of the fixing portion  161 . Further, the residual toner particles remaining on the image bearing member  100  after transfer are scraped off in the cleaning portion  191 , and are received in the collecting box  192 . 
     In this example of the embodiment, the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  and the developing units  131  to  134 , which are assigned to the colors Y, M, C, and K respectively, are arranged for every color in the direction of sub-scanning; the scanning optical devices for the respective colors ill to  114  are let to form the latent electrostatic images for the respective colors in a manner such that all the color toner images should be mutually superposed precisely, and the developing units  131  to  134  are let to develop the latent images respectively. That is, after forming the toner image of Y by using the scanning optical device  111  and the developing unit  131 , the toner image of M is formed on the toner image of Y superposed by using the scanning optical device  112  and the developing unit  132 , and the toner image of C is formed on them by using the scanning optical device  113  and the developing unit  133 , and lastly the toner image of K is formed superposed on them by using the scanning optical device  114  and the developing unit  134 ; these steps complete the formation of color toner image, which is transferred to the transfer paper  142  at the transfer portion  151 . 
     In the case where independent scanning optical devices are used for the respective colors as described in the above, it is necessary that each of the scanning optical devices forms a latent image in a manner such that it is precisely superposed on the others. In other words, it is necessary to let the respective scanning optical devices  111  to  114  trace scan lines of the same characteristic (the first condition), and also it is necessary to determine the positions of the respective scanning optical devices  111  to  114  in order that the scan lines traced by the respective scanning optical devices are superposed on one another (the second condition). 
     In this example of the embodiment, as for the scanning optical devices  111  to  114 , the scanning optical device shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 (the first example of the embodiment) is employed; therefore, it is easy to adjust each of the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  in order that they may trace scan lines having the same characteristic, and the first condition can be satisfied. Especially, if the optical parts for the second cylindrical lens etc designed to be of the same shape and material and obtained from the same manufacturing lot are used, the characteristics of the optical parts as the individual ones are made to be the same; thus, because the only thing to do further is merely to adjust and determine the positions of the optical parts, it is easier to let each of the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  trace scan lines of the same characteristic. 
     On the other hand, in order to satisfy the second condition, in this example of the embodiment, for the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  of which the adjustment of the individual device has been completed and of which to the both side portions the link members  200  are fixed respectively by using the plural screws  201  for each in a manner capable of being taken off, the positions are determined with one of the neighboring scanning optical devices let to be in the state of floating off against the other, and the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the respective link members of the neighboring scanning optical devices are bonded to each other by using an adhesive of the UV-setting type or the like. 
     As for the fixture for adjustment, in this example, it is used a fixture that is equivalent to one made up of four fixtures stacked on one another with a predetermined spacing, each of them being used at the time of adjustment for the first example of the embodiment. That is, it is used a fixture wherein four parallel ideal scan lines corresponding to the colors Y, M, C, and K respectively are assumed to be on the surface to be scanned, and a plurality of sensors are disposed on each of the ideal scan lines. Each of the sensors can detect to what degree an actual beam is deviated from the above-mentioned ideal scan line. 
     The operation of adjustment is carried out as follows. First, a beam is generated in the scanning optical device  114 , and the position of this is determined in order that the actual scan line by this beam is superposed on the ideal scan line for the color K (the scanning optical device  114  is attached to the fixture for adjustment). 
     Next, the scanning optical device  113  is supported in the state of floating off against the scanning optical device  114 , and is let to generate a beam; the position is determined in order that the actual scan line of the beam may be superposed on the ideal scan line for the color C, and the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the respective link members  200  of the scanning optical devices  114  and  113  are bonded to each other by an adhesive of the UV-setting type. 
     Further, the scanning optical device  112  is supported in the state of floating off against the scanning optical device  113 , and is let to generate a beam; the position is determined in order that the actual scan line of the beam may be superposed on the ideal scan line for the color M, and the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the respective link members  200  of the scanning optical devices  113  and  112  are bonded to each other by an adhesive of the UV-setting type. 
     Lastly, the scanning optical device  111  is supported in the state of floating off against the scanning optical device  112 , and in the same way, the position is determined in order that the actual scan line of the beam may be superposed on the ideal scan line for the color Y, and the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the respective link members  200  of the scanning optical devices  112  and  111  are bonded to each other by an adhesive of the UV-setting type. 
     In this connection, as for the cause of the relative deviation of the positions between the neighboring scanning optical devices, the following will be cited: 
     (1) Deviation in the upward and downward direction with regard to the surface to be scanned (in the direction of sub-scanning) 
     The scan lines also deviate in the upward and downward direction. 
     (2) Deviation in the left and right direction with regard to the surface to be scanned (in the direction of main scanning) 
     The scan lines also deviate in the left and right direction. 
     (3) Deviation in the direction perpendicular to the surface to be scanned 
     The length of the scan line is increased or decreased (lateral magnification is varied). 
     (4) Tilt around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the surface to be scanned 
     The scan lines are tilted in the upward and downward direction. 
     (5) Rotation around an vertical axis parallel to the surface to be scanned 
     The pixel density (interval between the neighboring pixels) on the scan lines is made large at one end portion and is made small at the other end portion. 
     The detection of the above-described (1) to (5) can be done by disposing three sensors on the ideal scan line. For example, if three sensors which detect respectively the position of the beam spot at the starting point, at the ending point, and at the center of the beam to be traced actually by the scanning optical device, the deviations (1) to (4) can be easily detected from the position of the beam spot at the starting point and the ending point, and the deviation (5) can be detected by judging to which side the beam spot at the center shifts, the starting point or the ending point. 
     In this example of the embodiment, because the scanning optical device to be determined for its position is supported in a state of floating off against the neighboring scanning optical device with an arm of an assembling robot or the like for carrying out the adjustment, the scanning optical device can be shifted in any direction. Therefore, the above-described deviations of the position can be easily reduced on the basis of the outputs of the plural sensors. Further, it is determined how high the precision of the adjustment and determination of the position by to what degree the image quality is required for the image forming apparatus. 
     By an experiment of the inventors, it has been confirmed that if the deviation of the latent images for the colors Y, M, C, and K formed on the surface to be scanned is not larger than 200 μm, or desirably not larger than 120 μm, the image can be recognized as an image giving no feeling of disorder. 
     It is possible to carry out the above-described linking of the scanning optical devices in the state of being loaded in the image forming apparatus, however actually, it makes the operation far more simple to link the plural scanning optical devices beforehand and then load the image forming apparatus with the scanning optical devices in the linked state. 
     As is obvious from the foregoing explanation, in this example of the embodiment, the positions of the plural scanning optical devices  111  to  114  to be arranged in the direction of sub-scanning are adjusted and determined with the devices made to be in the state of floating, and the link members are mutually linked after the determination of the positions. Owing to this, by once precisely adjusting and determining the positions of the scanning optical devices  111  to  114 , the positional relationship among the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  will never be varied after that, and the deterioration of image quality owing to the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  can be prevented. 
     Further, because the link members  200  are fixed to the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  in a manner capable of being taken off, in the case where the determination of the positions is proved to be not satisfactory after the linking of the neighboring scanning optical devices, it is possible that the link members  200  are taken off from the scanning optical devices  111  to  114 , with the state of mutual linking of the link members  200  let to remain as it is, and then, new link members  200  are attached to the scanning optical devices  111  to  114 , and the positions are determined again, and the new link members  200  are fixed to one another. Owing to this, it has become possible to utilize again the scanning optical devices  111  to  114 . 
     Furthermore, because an adhesive of the UV-setting type is used for fixing the link members  200  to one another, it is possible that the determination of the positions is carried out with a suitable amount of the adhesive injected between the link members, and the fixing is performed immediately after determining the positions by applying an ultra-violet ray; hence, the inking operation is made easy. 
     Besides, the above-described method of linking of the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  is one wherein the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  are successively linked one by one; however, it is possible to bond these devices at the same time after the positions of all the scanning optical devices  111  to  114  are determined. Further, in the above-described example of the embodiment, the link members  200  are fixed to one another by an adhesive of the UV-setting type; however, as a matter of course, it is possible to use other types of adhesive, and also it is possible to screw the link members or to weld them. Furthermore, because the deviation of the latent images for the colors Y, M, C, and K can be detected by utilizing the technology of what is called pattern recognition, it may be appropriate to detect the deviation of the positions by this method. 
     In some cases, keeping the superposition of the scan lines sure can be performed not only by the hardware-like method of adjusting and determining the positional relationship among the scanning optical devices  111  to  114 , but also by a software-like adjustment method to devise how to drive the scanning optical devices. However, because it increases the burden on the software, it is desirable to make adjustment by a hardware-like method as far as possible. 
     As has been explained in the foregoing, in this invention concerning a scanning optical device, it is provided a mechanism for adjusting and determining the position of the image forming lens comprising contact members capable of being in contact with the image forming lens respectively at the three points, that is, the both end portions of the image forming lens in the main scanning direction and an intermediate portion between these both end portions and an urging means for urging the image forming lens to the contact members. The image forming lens is positioned in the vicinity of the surface to be scanned, and is easy to be subjected to bending owing to its long size. In spite of this, according to this invention for adjusting the position of fixing this image forming lens, the scanning beam is corrected easily and with a good efficiency. In addition to it, because the image forming lens is in contact with the contact members at the three points, namely, the both end portions in the main scanning direction and an intermediate portion between the both end portions respectively at the time of adjusting the position of the image forming lens, it is possible to let the image forming lens take any position by displacing the points of contact. 
     In the above-described invention, the points of contact of the image forming lens at its both end portions in the main scanning direction with the contact member are positioned on a straight line which is approximately parallel to the main scanning direction, and the point of contact at the intermediate portion is placed at a position deviated from a position on the above-mentioned straight line in the direction perpendicular to the surface to be scanned. Owing to this, the adjustment of position of the image forming lens can be performed by moving at least one of the contact members placed at the above-mentioned three points of contact in the direction of sub-scanning. 
     It is desirable that the image forming lens is fixed to the base in order to prevent the deviation of the position of the image forming lens after the adjustment of the position of the image forming lens. In the above-described invention, this fixing is made at a position in the neighborhood of the point of contact at the intermediate portion of the image forming lens. Owing to this, the image forming lens is fixed only at the intermediate portion, which makes it possible for the image forming lens to expand and contract freely in accordance with the variation of temperature and humidity of the surrounding; thus the image forming lens is never bent unnaturally and it can be avoided the unfavorable influence that a complex bending etc are produced in the scan lines. 
     According to this invention concerning an image forming apparatus, the positions of a plurality of scanning optical devices arranged in the direction of sub-scanning are adjusted and determined in the state of floating off against the others, and the linking members are mutually linked after determining the positions. Owing to this, by once precisely adjusting and determining the positions of the scanning optical devices, the positional relationship among the scanning optical devices will never be varied after that, and the deterioration of image quality owing to the scanning optical devices can be prevented. 
     Further, because the linking members are fixed to the respective scanning optical devices in a manner capable of being taken off, in the case where the determination of the positions is proved to be not satisfactory after the linking of the neighboring scanning optical devices, it is possible that these link members are taken off from the scanning optical devices, with the state of mutual linking of the link members let to remain as it is, and then new link members are attached to the scanning optical devices, and the positions are determined again, and the new link members are fixed to one another. Owing to this, it has become possible to utilize again the scanning optical devices. 
     In this invention concerning an image forming apparatus, as a scanning optical device, the above-described one is used, and at the same time, the mutual linking of the neighboring optical devices is made in the same manner as described in the above-described invention. Owing to this, according to this invention, in the respective scanning optical devices, the scanning beam can be corrected easily and with a good efficiency. Further, because the linking members are mutually linked after determining the positions, the positional relationship among the scanning optical devices is never varied, and the deterioration of image quality owing to the scanning optical device can be prevented. Furthermore, reutilization of the scanning optical devices has become possible. 
     Because an adhesive of the UV-setting type is used for fixing the above-described link members to one another, fixing can be made immediately after determining the positions, and the linking operation is made easy.