The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 23, 1996
Filed:
Aug. 10, 1993
Tomokazu Akuta, Kawasaki, JP;
Yoji Houki, Kawasaki, JP;
Takashi Maekawa, Kawasaki, JP;
Akihiro Komuro, Kawasaki, JP;
Mamoru Hokari, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuhiro Ite, Inagi, JP;
Fujitsu Limited, Kawasaki, JP;
Abstract
The present invention relates to an optical scanning unit used for exposing a photosensitive drum of an image forming apparatus to light, and an image forming apparatus using this optical scanning unit. This optical scanning unit comprises a light source; an optical scanning mechanism for scanning with light from the light source; a start detecting mechanism for detecting scan light of the optical scanning mechanism at an end portion of a scanning range of the scan light to detect beginning of light scanning; and a frame which has a higher rigidity than that of a frame of an image forming apparatus and to which the light source, the optical scanning mechanism and the start detecting mechanism are attached. The image forming apparatus comprises an endless photosensitive body; charging unit for charging the photosensitive body; an optical scanning unit for exposing the photosensitive body to light, including a light source, an optical scanning mechanism having the same structure as the aforementioned optical scanning unit; a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body by light exposure by the optical scanning unit; and a transfer unit for transferring a toner image on the photosensitive body onto a sheet. Alteration of the optical path of the optical scanning unit by external force applied is made smaller by making the frame of the optical scanning unit more rigid than that of the image forming apparatus.