Patent ID: 7446920

Claim:
An optical deflector, comprising: an oscillating system including a first oscillator movable element having a light deflecting element, a second oscillator movable element, a first torsion spring configured to couple said first and second oscillator movable elements with each other and to support said first oscillator movable element for torsional oscillation relative to said second oscillator movable element, a supporting member and a second torsion spring configured to couple said supporting member and said second oscillator movable element with each other and to support said second oscillator movable element for torsional oscillation about an axis the same as an oscillation axis of said first oscillator movable element, relative to said supporting member; a driving system configured to apply a driving force to said oscillating system; and a drive control system configured to supply a driving signal to said driving system; wherein said oscillating system further includes a distortion detecting element configured to detect mechanical deformation of at least one of said first and second torsion springs, and a heat generating element configured to heat said oscillating system, and wherein said oscillating system has at least two natural oscillation modes of different frequencies, about the oscillation axis.