JPH02238422A - Laser image producing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily correct the color slurring of an image by providing an adjusting member which is operated by an operation means in an optical path and finely adjusting the advancing method of a laser light beam. CONSTITUTION:The respective laser light beams L1-L3 emitted from plural laser light sources 1-3 are superposed to be one beam by passing through an optical system so as to obtain one point of converging spot with which an image received plane 14 is scanned and exposed and the image is formed. By moving vertical adjusting members 24 and 26 and horizontal adjusting members 25 and 27 provided in the optical path by the operation means through a movement mechanism, the advancing direction of the laser light is properly changed and finely adjusted, then the respective laser light beams L1-L3 are adjusted to be superposed. Thus, the respective light beams L1-L3 are easily adjusted to be superposed and the color slurring of the image is avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a laser imaging device. That is, the present invention relates to a laser image forming apparatus such as a color laser printer that forms an image by scanning exposure with laser light.

"Prior Art" In such a laser imaging device, each laser beam emitted from a plurality of laser light sources is superimposed by an optical system to form a convergent spot, and the image receiving surface is scanned and exposed. Image creation is performed.

By superimposing each laser beam into a single beam without deviation and forming a convergence spot at one point, an image without color shift can be obtained. Therefore, the optical systems such as the laser light source, collimator lens, reflection prism, and synthetic gikroic prism must be positioned with high precision at their respective predetermined mounting positions at all times. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, the following problem has been pointed out in such a laser imaging device.

First, the adjustment of superimposing the laser beams in this way, that is, the adjustment of positioning the optical systems at their respective predetermined mounting positions, requires high precision and is not easy.

Secondly, especially after the fact, if external conditions such as temperature changes and vibrations change even slightly, the predetermined mounting position changes, and the above-mentioned adjusted state is often not maintained. In other words, due to these, the traveling direction of each laser beam deviates from the state at the time of the previous adjustment, the superposition of the laser beams deviates greatly, and the relative position 1 of each convergence spot corresponding to each laser beam on the image receiving surface changes. This caused a problem in that color shifts occurred in the images that were formed. In addition, Special Publication No. 5B-15767, Special Publication No. 58-2040
No. 5, JP-A-60-4-2-3, JP-A-60-24
Each publication of No. 3627 discloses a technique of providing a prism or the like in the optical path of a laser beam. However, all of these methods change the beam diameter of the laser beam, that is, the cross-sectional size and shape of the beam, and do not change the traveling direction of the laser beam, which is the problem in this application. This point was pointed out in the conventional example.

In view of these circumstances, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional example described above, and includes an adjustment member movable by an operating means in the optical path to adjust the traveling direction of the laser light. The purpose of this paper is to propose a laser imaging device that can easily correct color shift in images by fine adjustment and has a simple configuration. "Means for Solving the Problem" The technical means of the present invention to achieve this objective are as follows. In this laser imaging device, each laser beam emitted from a plurality of laser light sources is superimposed by an optical system to form a convergent spot, and the image receiving surface is scanned and exposed. It also has the following adjusting members and operating means.

The adjusting member has translucency and is movably provided in the optical path of the laser beam, and can change the traveling direction of the laser beam passing therethrough in accordance with the amount of movement thereof. One operating means moves the adjusting member via a moving mechanism. "Function" Since the laser imaging device according to the present invention includes such means, it functions as follows.

Each laser beam emitted from a plurality of laser light sources passes through an optical system and is superimposed into a single beam, forming a single convergent spot that scans and exposes the image receiving surface to form an image. By moving the adjusting member provided in the optical path through the moving mechanism using the operating means, the traveling direction of the laser beam is appropriately changed and finely adjusted, and the superposition of each laser beam is adjusted. ．． First, the superposition adjustment of each laser beam can be performed extremely easily in this way.

Second, especially after the fact, if the mounting position of the laser light source or other optical system changes due to external conditions such as temperature changes or vibrations, and the initial adjustment state is no longer maintained, the following will occur. That is, if the superposition of each laser beam is shifted due to these, and the relative position of each corresponding convergence spot on the image receiving surface changes, the above correction can be easily made and color shift in the image can be avoided. "Example" The present invention will be described in detail below based on the example shown in the drawings.

First, the configuration and the like will be explained in the following order: the optical system of the laser imaging device, its light source block, adjustment member, details of its functions, moving mechanism, and operating means.

The optical system of the laser imaging device is as follows.

FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory diagram showing an optical system of a color laser printer, which is an example of a laser image forming apparatus.

1.2.3 is a semiconductor laser which is a laser light source, and from this semiconductor laser l, 2.3, laser beams t and 2.3 are respectively emitted.
t, t, z, t, z are fired. That is, from these three semiconductor lasers 1, 2.3, cyan. magenta,
Laser light L with different wavelengths corresponding to the three primary colors of yellow,
,L. , L3 are emitted according to respective given pixel signals. These laser beams L+, 'L,z, and L3 are emitted as radial beams from the semiconductor lasers 1 and 2.3, but then they are collimated by passing through collimator lenses 4.5.6, and are parallel to each other. The light becomes a laser beam. Thereafter, the laser beam L on the left side of the figure is reflected by the reflecting prism 7, enters the synthetic gichroic prism 8, and is superimposed with the laser beam L2 on the center of the figure. Then, these laser beams L, , L2 enter the synthesis dichroic prism 9 and are superimposed on the laser beam L3 on the right side of the figure. In this way, three laser beams L. ,L2,L. are combined into a single superimposed beam of laser light L, which is input to the deflector 10. The deflector IO is composed of, for example, a rotating polygonal mirror, and the laser beam L is deflected and scanned by the deflector 10, and is then converged to be incident on the fθ lens 1l.

The laser beam L then passes through the folding mirror 12 and the window glass 13, reaches the image receiving surface of the photosensitive paper 14, forms a minute convergent spot, and scans and exposes the spot. That is, the laser beam L scans the image on the photosensitive paper l4 in its width direction, that is, in the main scanning direction.

At the same time, since the photosensitive paper 14 is conveyed by the rotating drum l5 and the pair of conveyance rollers 16, the image is scanned in the conveyance direction, that is, the sub-scanning direction. In this way, the optical paper 14 is scanned and exposed two-dimensionally by the laser beam, and an image is written as a latent image, which is then developed.

In addition, 17 in the figure is a light receiving sensor, and this light receiving sensor 17
Based on the detection signal, a timing pulse for positioning the start of image scanning, that is, for drawing the image, is obtained. 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes a mirror, and the laser beam L is directed toward the light receiving sensor 17 by reflection from the mirror 18.

The optical system of the laser imaging device is like this.

Next, the light source block will be described.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the light source block 19, in which (1) the semiconductor laser 1 (2.3) is shown in the predetermined mounting position, and (2) the semiconductor laser 1 (2.3) is shown in a state shifted from the predetermined mounting position. ing.

The illustrated light source block 19 emits laser beams L, (L., L3
) is emitted as a radial beam by a semiconductor laser 1 (2
．． 3), a light source holding member 20 that holds this semiconductor laser 1 (2.3), and a light source holding member 20 that collimates the laser light L, (L., L,) incident as a radial light beam into a parallel light beam. Collimator lens 4 (5.6)
and a lens holding member 2l into which this collimator lens 4 (5.6) is incorporated.

The light source holding member 20 is movably mounted on a pedestal 22 formed at one end of a lens holding member 21, and the lens holding member 21 is mounted and fixed on a frame (not shown) of the main body of the apparatus. Note that by moving the light source holding member 2l on the pedestal 22 of the lens holding member 2l, the semiconductor laser l (2, 3) and the collimator lens 4 (5.6)
The distance to the camera is finely adjusted and the focus is adjusted.

Now, as shown in Figure 2 (1), the light source block 19
In the light source holding member 20 and the lens holding member 21,
By attaching it to the predetermined position with high precision, the semiconductor laser 1 (2.3) and collimator lens 4 (5.6
) are also positioned and adjusted with high precision at the predetermined mounting position and are accurately opposed to each other. In other words, the laser optical axis of the laser beam LI (Lx, Li) and the lens optical axis 23 of the collimator lens 4 (5.6) shown by the imaginary line in the figure are lost, and the collimator lens 4 (5, 6) Laser light L1 (Lz
, L3) are guided to the lens optical axis 23 and emitted accurately, for example, in the horizontal direction in the figure. As a result, each laser beam LI
+Lz and Lz optical axes are accurately positioned.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 (2) shows a state in which the semiconductor laser 1 (2.3) in the light source block 19 is slightly shifted downward from the predetermined mounting position. That is, for example, the temperature change after the above-mentioned adjustment. Due to vibration or the like, the position of the light source holding member 20 relative to the lens holding member 2l changes from the initial predetermined position, and as a result, the semiconductor laser 1 (2.3) moves slightly from the predetermined mounting position relative to the collimator lens 4 (5.6). They have shifted downward and are no longer facing each other accurately. In this case, the laser optical axis of the laser beam L, (L., L,) and the lens optical axis 23 of the collimator lens 4 (5.6) are misaligned, and the laser beam is incident on the collimator lens 4 (5.6). The laser beam L+ (Lz .L3) is emitted obliquely upward as shown in the figure, for example. Therefore, if left as is, the superposition of the laser beams LI, Lx, and L will be shifted as will be described later.

The light source block 19 looks like this. Next, we will discuss the adjustment members. FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory diagram of an optical system showing an embodiment of a laser imaging device according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows the light source block l9 and the adjustment member, (1) is a front view, (2)
The figure is a plan view. In Fig. 21, the same members as those explained in Fig. 7 above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. The adjustment member has a translucent property and allows laser light L.
The laser beam L+ (Lx
．． L3)'s direction of travel can be changed. To explain these in detail, a pair of vertical adjustment members 24 and lateral adjustment members 25 are disposed in the optical path of the laser beam between the collimator lens 4 of the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection prism 7. Also, in the optical path of the laser beam L3 between the collimator lens 6 of the semiconductor laser 3 and the composite dichroic prism 9, a pair of ? An adjustment member 26 and a lateral adjustment member 27 are provided. This pair of vertical adjustment members 24, 26 and horizontal adjustment members 25, 27 are both made of glass plates having a substantially wedge-shaped cross section. That is, each opposing first surface 24.
, 25. ．． 26, , 27. and second side 24t
．． 25g. 26■, 27! is a flat, substantially quadrangular frustum-shaped glass plate, each of which has an acute apex angle on its imaginary extended surface, and whose other opposing surfaces are parallel in the illustrated example.

And the vertical adjustment members 24, 26 have their first surfaces 24, 2
6. and the second surfaces 24■, 26■ are arranged so that the above-mentioned apex angle is directed upward as shown in the figure. Lateral adjustment member 25.
27 has its first surface 25,,27, and second surface 251.2.
The apex angle formed by 1 and 1 is arranged sideways as shown in the figure. The vertical adjustment members 24, 26 have horizontal axes 24, . 26 (see Figure 3 (1)), it is rotatable along a vertical plane. Lateral adjustment member 25.
27 is the vertical axis 25z. 2'? 3 ((2) in Figure 3)
It is possible to rotate along the horizontal plane around the center (see figure). Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the laser beams L+ and L3 pass through the vertical adjustment members 24.26 and the lateral adjustment members 25.27 with their apex angles facing directly above and directly to the side, respectively, For example, the direction of travel is set to continue straight without any change. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, from the state of FIG. 1, the vertical adjustment member 24.26 and the horizontal adjustment member 25.2'? When rotated, the laser beam L.
,L. By passing through these, the traveling direction is changed according to the rotation angle.

That is, the vertical adjustment members 24.26 can be rotated up and down along a vertical plane, so that the first surfaces 241.26. incident on the second surface 24g
．． The traveling direction of the laser beams L+ and Lx emitted from and passing through 26g can be changed and adjusted up and down. Further, the horizontal adjustment members 25 and 27 are rotatable left and right along the horizontal plane, so that the first
Surface 25l,? 71 and enters the second surface 25■. Laser beams L, , L. are emitted from and pass through 27■. The direction of travel can be changed and adjusted to the left or right.

The adjustment member is like this.

Next, we will discuss the details of its functions.

FIG. 4 shows laser beams L, , L. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the light beam passes through an adjustment member and is bent.

First, the laser beam LI. L3 is attached to the longitudinal adjustment member 24.26 and the lateral adjustment mechanism 25.27 on their first side 24.26. ,2
5. , 26. , 27. is incident on the boundary surface. 28
The first page is 24+. 25. , 26. ．． 27. A is the normal line of the laser beam, L is the incident angle with the normal line 28, and B is the refraction angle that the laser beams L+ and Lz make with the normal line 28.

Laser light L. , L, is the first surface 24 due to this refraction angle B.
t. 25,,26. , 27, and is refracted at 1! Proceeding through the adjustment member 24.26 and the lateral adjustment member 25.27, their second side 24! ．． 25. ．． 26 ■. It is refracted again using 27■ as the boundary surface.

29 is the second page 24■. 25 ■. 26. ,27■? C is the laser beam L,,L. is the incident angle with respect to the normal line 29, and D is the refraction angle that the laser beams Lt and Lx make with the normal line 29. Due to this refraction angle D, the laser beams L+, L3 are directed to the second surface 24. 25 ■. 26 ■. 27■, vertical adjustment member 24.26 and horizontal adjustment member 25.27
ejected from.

30 is the first surface 24, , 25, , 26 . ，
27. The laser beam L. , L3, which are virtual lines extending parallel to each other.

The laser beams Ll and L3 emitted therefrom are transmitted to the vertical adjustment member 2.
4.26 and the lateral adjustment member 25.27, its traveling direction is changed by the change angle E formed with the virtual line 30. Now, here, such a laser beam L. ,L,
The change angle E of [i adjustment member 24.26 and lateral adjustment member 25.27 with respect to the horizontal axis 24. ．． 2L and the rotation angle around the vertical axes 25, 273. That is, for example, if the state where the rotation angle of each member is 0 is set to the state where the incident angle A is 0 and the change angle E is 0, then the relationship between the rotation angle (incident angle A) and the change angle E is as shown in the following table. The relationship holds true.

? In this table, the refractive index of the vertical adjustment member 24.26 and the horizontal adjustment member 25.27 is 1.5, and the refractive index of air is l.
It was calculated as Now, by rotating the vertical adjustment member 24.26 and the lateral adjustment member 25.27 at a predetermined rotation angle in this manner, the laser beams Ll and L3 are adjusted to the angle of incidence A. The angle of refraction B, the angle of incidence C, and the angle of refraction D change, and the change angle E corresponds to the rotation angle.
The direction of travel is changed at . Note that F in FIG. 4 is the apex angle, and this apex angle F is the vertical adjustment member 24.26 and the horizontal adjustment member 25.27, respectively, on the first surface 24.26. ．． 25. ,2
6. ．． 27. and second page 24■, 25z. 26 ■. 27■
It refers to the angle formed by the imaginary extended surfaces of and.

The details of the function of the adjustment member are as follows.

Next, the moving mechanism will be described.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotation mechanism, (1) is for the adjustment member 24.26, (2) is for the lateral adjustment member 25.
The one for 27 is shown.

First, FIG. 5(1) shows a rotation mechanism 31 as an example of a moving mechanism, and such a horizontal rotation mechanism 31 is provided for each vertical adjustment member 24, 26. That is, the vertical adjustment member 2
4.26 is attached and held on one side of a disc-shaped member 32 for mounting. This disc-shaped member 32 is
It has a predetermined wall thickness and is rotatably attached vertically to the frame (not shown) of the device body. Disc-shaped member 32
A pulley 33 is pressed against the circumferential surface of the motor 34, and the pulley 33 is connected to a motor 34. Since the rotation mechanism 31 is configured as described above, the motor 34 can be controlled by the operating means described later.
By driving the pulley 33. by an appropriate amount. Via the disk-shaped member 32, the vertical adjustment members 24, 26 are rotated at the appropriate rotation angle.

Also, FIG. 5 (2) shows a rotating mechanism 35, which is an example of a moving mechanism, and such a rotating mechanism 35 is used to move the horizontal adjustment member 2.
It is provided every 5.27 days. That is, the lateral adjustment member 25
, 2T are attached and held on one surface of a disc-shaped member 36 for mounting. The disc-shaped member 36 has a predetermined thickness and is attached to a base 37 fixed to the frame of the device body.
In contrast, it is rotatably mounted laterally by a shaft 38. A pulley 39 is pressed against the circumferential surface of the disc-shaped member 36, and the pulley 39 is connected to a motor 40. Since the horizontal rotating machine 35 is configured as described above, the pulley 39. Via the disc-shaped member 36, the lateral adjustment members 25, 27 are rotated at a suitable rotation angle.

The movement mechanism is like this. Next, the operating means will be described.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating means and the like. The operating means are
The vertical adjustment member 24.26 and the lateral adjustment member 25.27 are rotated via the rotation mechanism 31.35. To explain these in detail, 4l is a vertical operation knob serving as an operation means, and such a contraction operation knob 4l is provided for each vertical adjustment member 24, 26. That is, the vertical operation knob 4l has a dial shape and is arranged on the operation panel on the front side of the main body of the apparatus.

This vertical operation knob 41 is for driving the motor 34 of the above-mentioned rotation mechanism 3l, and the motor 34 is driven forward or backward by an appropriate amount by its forward or reverse operation, and the vertical adjustment members 24, 26
is rotated at the appropriate rotation angle. 1! The laser beam L. ,L,
The amount of vertical movement of the convergence spot corresponding to is associated in advance. That is, by operating the vertical operation knob 41, the vertical adjustment members 24, 26 are rotated, and the laser beams Ll, L are rotated.
The vertical movement direction of 3 is adjusted and the corresponding convergence bont moves in the vertical direction, but such a vertical operation knob 4l
, and the amount of operation of the laser beams L,,L. The amount of vertical movement of the convergence spot corresponding to is associated in advance.

Further, reference numeral 42 denotes a lateral operation knob which is an operation means, and such a lateral operation knob 42 is provided for each of the lateral adjustment members 25 and 27. That is, the horizontal operation knob 42 has a dial shape, and the vertical operation knob 41 is provided on the operation panel on the front of the main body of the device.
are placed side by side.

This lateral operation knob 42 is for driving the motor 40 of the above-mentioned horizontal rotating machine 35, and by operating it in the forward or reverse direction, the motor 40 is driven forward or backward by an appropriate amount, and the lateral adjustment member 25.27
is rotated at an appropriate rotation angle.

The laser beam L. ,L. The amount of movement of the convergence spot in the left and right direction corresponding to is associated in advance. In other words, by operating the horizontal operation knob 42, the horizontal adjustment member 25.27 rotates, and the laser beams L+, Ls
The left and right traveling direction of the laser beam L+. is adjusted, and the corresponding convergence spot moves in the left and right direction. The amount of movement of the convergence spot in the left-right direction corresponding to L* is associated in advance.

Now, a total of four such vertical adjustment knobs 4l and horizontal adjustment knobs 42 are used, one for each of the laser beams L1 and L2. The operating method is as follows. The above is the explanation of the configuration, etc.

The operation etc. will be explained below.

In the laser imaging device, three semiconductor lasers 1, 2 .
The laser beams Lt, Lx, L3 emitted from the respective reflecting prisms 7. Synthetic Guicroic Prism 8.9 at 1
Can be superimposed on a book. and deflector 10. After passing through the fθ lens 11, it passes through the folding mirror 12 and the window glass l3, and reaches the image receiving surface of the photosensitive paper l4. Therefore, each laser beam L. ．． L. , L, are superimposed on one point and scan and expose the image receiving surface to form an image (see FIGS. 1 and 7).

Now, the superposition adjustment of each of the laser beams L+, L2, and L3, that is, the superposition adjustment of the corresponding convergent spots, together with the adjustment of the beam diameter, is generally first performed by positioning the optical system. That is, this overlay adjustment is performed by the semiconductor laser l. 2.3, collimator lens 4
．． This is done by accurately positioning the reflecting prisms 5, 6, the synthetic dichroic prisms 8 and 9, and other optical systems at their respective predetermined mounting positions.

By the way, in this laser imaging device, in the optical path of the laser beam L1 from the semiconductor laser 1, a vertical adjustment member 24 and a horizontal adjustment member 25 are provided between the collimator lens 4 and the reflection prism 7.
are provided in pairs.

Also, in the optical path of the laser beam L from the semiconductor laser 3, between the collimator lens 6 and the synthetic dichroic prism 9,
A vertical adjustment member 26 and a horizontal adjustment member 27 are provided as a pair. Therefore, these vertical adjustment members 24.26 and lateral adjustment members 25.27 also adjust each laser beam L1. Lz
, L3, that is, the corresponding convergence spots are adjusted.

For example, after the above-mentioned optical system superposition adjustment, the laser beams L, , L. ,L. If the superposition of the images is shifted, that is, if a color shift occurs in the image formed on the photosensitive paper 14, the following will occur. That is, the vertical operation knob 41
By operating the horizontal operation knob 42 as necessary, the vertical adjustment member 24.2 is adjusted via the rotation mechanism 31.35.
6 and the lateral adjustment members 25, 27 are individually rotated at appropriate rotation angles. As a result, the laser beam L. The laser beam L2
Adjustments are made such that the convergent spot corresponding to the laser beam L1 is superimposed on the convergent spot corresponding to the laser beam L2. Similarly, adjustment is made to superimpose the laser light L, on the laser light L2, thereby superimposing the convergence spot corresponding to the laser light L, on the convergence spot corresponding to the laser light L2.

In this way, the vertical adjustment members 24, 26 and the lateral adjustment members 2
Overlay adjustment is performed using 5.27.

To explain this in more detail, for example, a so-called crosshatch image is used for such overlay adjustment. That is, the crosshatch image shows semiconductor lasers 1, 2, .
It consists of a lattice pattern in which lines of the three primary colors corresponding to the three primary colors of No. 3 are repeated in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and is used to observe the overlapping state on the image-receiving surface of the photosensitive paper 14. First, the semiconductor laser l,3, that is, the laser beam L
,,L. Whether the convergent spot corresponding to the semiconductor laser 2, that is, the laser beam L, is shifted from the convergent spot corresponding to the laser beam L, and the amount of the shift is read. As a result, if the deviation is in the vertical direction of the laser beam L, by operating the corresponding vertical operation knob 41 * rotate the adjustment member 24 to change the vertical direction of the laser beam L, as appropriate. Make fine adjustments. With that, the laser beam L, the immovable laser beam L! The vertical deviation with respect to the image is corrected. Also, the deviation is the laser beam L. If it is in the horizontal direction, the horizontal adjustment member 25 is rotated at an appropriate rotation angle by operating the corresponding horizontal operation knob 42 to appropriately change and finely adjust the horizontal direction of the laser beam L+. . As a result, the horizontal deviation of the laser beam L with respect to the stationary laser beam L2 is corrected.

Similarly, if the laser beam L is shifted vertically or horizontally with respect to the reference laser beam L2 for overlay adjustment, use the corresponding vertical operation knob 41 or horizontal operation knob 42 to
The vertical adjustment member 26 and the horizontal adjustment member 27 are rotated at appropriate rotation angles. As a result, the vertical or horizontal traveling direction of the laser beam L3 is finely adjusted, and the deviation thereof is corrected.

Overlay adjustment is performed in this way. So the next step is
．． Second. The third thing becomes.

First, each laser beam L. ,L,,L. The overlay adjustment is thus extremely easy.

Second, the semiconductor laser l, 2.3, collimator lenses 4, 5, 6, reflection prism 7. If the mounting positions of the composite dichroic prism 8.9 and other optical systems change, the situation will be as follows. In this case, each laser beam L. ，
L. ,L. The superimposition of the images is shifted, and the relative positions of the corresponding convergence spots on the image-receiving surface of the photosensitive paper l4 change, but this can be easily corrected as described above, and the color shift in the image is immediately avoided. .

Thirdly, this is achieved with a simple configuration. That is, the vertical adjustment members 24, 26 and the lateral adjustment members 25.
27, its rotation mechanism 31, 35, and vertical operation knob 41
This can be easily realized simply by adding the horizontal operation knob 42.

The above is an explanation of the operation, etc. First, in the illustrated embodiment, the vertical adjustment members 24, 26
Although the horizontal adjustment members 25, 27 are rotated by rotation mechanisms 31, 35, which are moving mechanisms, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other modes of movement are possible. For example, when the @i adjustment members 24.26 and the lateral adjustment members 25.27 are linearly moved by a linear movement mechanism, the laser beams L, , L. The direction of movement may be changed to make fine adjustments.

Second, in the illustrated embodiment, the vertical adjustment member 24.26 and the horizontal adjustment member 25.27 are arranged so that the laser beam L1 and the laser beam L
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other arrangement positions are possible. For example, in addition to the optical path of the laser beam L1 and the laser beam L,
Furthermore, vertical adjustment members 24 and 26 are also provided in the optical path of the laser beam 1-z.
By providing the horizontal adjustment members 25 and 27, the traveling direction of each of the laser beams Lt, Lx, I, and 'I can be changed and finely adjusted, which has the advantage of facilitating superposition adjustment.

Thirdly, and further in the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment members include a pair of one
! Although it is composed of adjustment members 24, 26 and lateral adjustment members 25, 27, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, each adjustment member can be constructed as a single member.

Fourthly, in the illustrated embodiment, 1! The adjustment members 24.26 and the lateral adjustment members 25.27 rotate or otherwise move to adjust the laser beams L,,L. The traveling direction of the laser beams L and L3 is changed, but as a result, the beam diameters of the laser beams L and L3, that is, the cross-sectional size and shape of the light beams also change slightly. Therefore, it is conceivable to provide such a condensing lens for beam diameter correction in the optical path of the laser beams Ll and L3, next to the vertical adjustment member 24.26 and the lateral adjustment member 25.27.

And laser light LI. The laser beams L1, L2, L, and l are maintained at the same beam diameter by moving the condensing lens back and forth in response to the movement of each member for changing the traveling direction of the laser beams L2 and L3.

However, first of all, if such a condensing lens is provided,
The accuracy of fine adjustment of the traveling direction of the main laser beams L+ and Lz described above will be reduced.

Furthermore, in general, each laser beam L. ,L. , L3 are not always kept strictly constant. Furthermore, each laser beam L, , L. ,L. It is not necessary that the beam diameters of the two beams be exactly the same.

Based on the above three points, there are many advantages to constructing the system without a condensing lens as in the illustrated embodiment. "Effects of the Invention" As explained above, the laser imaging device according to the present invention has the following features:
By providing an adjustment member movable by an operating means in the optical path and finely adjusting the direction of travel of the laser beam, the following effects are achieved. That is, firstly, it becomes possible to adjust the superposition of each laser beam extremely easily using the operating means.

Second, even if the superimposition of the laser beams is shifted due to external conditions such as temperature changes and vibrations, and color shifts occur in images, it can be easily corrected and color shifts can be avoided immediately.

In this way, the problems that existed in this type of conventional example are eliminated, and the effects of the present invention are remarkable and great.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory diagram of an optical system showing an embodiment of a laser imaging device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the light source block, in which (1) the light source block is shown in a predetermined mounting position, and (2) the light source block is shown in a state shifted from the predetermined mounting position. Figure 3 shows the light source block and adjustment mechanism, (1)
The figure is a front view, and the figure (2) is a plan view. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the laser beam passes through the adjustment member and is refracted. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotation mechanism, and (1) shows the one for the fir adjustment member, and (2) shows the one for the lateral adjustment member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating means, etc. FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory diagram of the optical system of the laser imaging device. 1. 2. 3... Semiconductor laser (laser light source) 14... Photosensitive paper (image receiving surface) 24. 26...Vertical adjustment member (adjustment member) 25.27...Horizontal adjustment member (adjustment member) 31. ．． ．． Rotating mechanism (moving mechanism) 35... Rotating mechanism (moving mechanism) 4l... Fir operation knob (operating means) 42... Lateral operating knob (operating means) L, L+, Lz, L3... Laser Beam No. 2 Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Nobuo Koshimoto Figure 191 24 (26ω 25s (27s) Figure 2 4s (2 53 + 2 6s. 2 7J Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] A laser imaging device that scans and exposes an image-receiving surface by superimposing laser beams emitted from a plurality of laser light sources to form a convergent spot by an optical system, the apparatus comprising: an adjusting member that is movably provided in the optical path of the laser beam and that can change the traveling direction of the passing laser beam in accordance with the amount of movement thereof; and an operating means that moves the adjusting member via a moving mechanism; A laser imaging device comprising: