Patent ID: 7791636

Claim:
A scanning optical module comprising: a light source; a rotatable multifaceted mirror configured to scanningly deflect a scanning beam emitted from said light source, in a given direction; a driving device configured to drivingly rotate said rotatable multifaceted mirror through a shaft thereof; a plate-shaped member formed with a driving device-mounting portion mounting thereto said driving device in such a manner as to absorb heat generated in said shaft; an air blower configured to generate an airstream; and an airstream passage-defining member adapted to direct the airstream from said air blower, toward said driving device-mounting portion of said driving device on said plate-shaped member, wherein said airstream passage-defining member includes an airstream passage defined by a fin projectingly provided on said plate-shaped member, and said fin includes a guide portion configured to guide the airstream from said air blower, toward said driving device-mounting portion, and a catch portion formed in a downstream end of said guide portion, and configured to deflect the airstream from said guide portion.