JP2003066305A - Image exposure device - Google Patents

Image exposure device

Info

Publication number
JP2003066305A
JP2003066305A JP2001260988A JP2001260988A JP2003066305A JP 2003066305 A JP2003066305 A JP 2003066305A JP 2001260988 A JP2001260988 A JP 2001260988A JP 2001260988 A JP2001260988 A JP 2001260988A JP 2003066305 A JP2003066305 A JP 2003066305A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
light source
lens
exposure
image
thermal expansion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP2001260988A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Hajime Nozawa
肇 野澤
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Konica Minolta Inc
Original Assignee
Konica Minolta Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Konica Minolta Inc filed Critical Konica Minolta Inc
Priority to JP2001260988A priority Critical patent/JP2003066305A/en
Publication of JP2003066305A publication Critical patent/JP2003066305A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
  • Lens Barrels (AREA)
  • Projection-Type Copiers In General (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image exposure device which is capable of suppressing the misalignment of a focal position by the temperature within the image exposure device by simple constitution and forming a high quality image. SOLUTION: This image exposure device is an image exposure device for forming an image on the exposure surface of a recording material 4 by photoexposure and has an exposure light source 1, 2 which is disposed movably along the optical axis direction of the exposure light source 1 and is used to project and irradiate the exposure surface of the recording material 4 with the light from the exposure light source 1 and focus compensating means 10 which is formed by combining members varying in the coefficient of thermal expansion. The image exposure device described above is characterized in that the position of the lens 2 is moved by the focus compensating means 10 when the temperature change occurs in the device.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【0001】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は画像露光装置に関
し、詳しくは、装置内の温度によるピントずれを抑制
し、良質な画像形成を可能とした画像露光装置に関す
る。
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image exposure apparatus, and more particularly, to an image exposure apparatus that suppresses focus shift due to temperature inside the apparatus and enables high-quality image formation.

【0002】[0002]

【従来の技術】露光光源からの光をレンズを介して記録
材料の露光面上に投影照射することにより記録材料に露
光画像を形成する画像露光装置においては、画像の記録
密度を向上させ、高品質の画像形成が行えるようにする
ため、露光時においては、記録材料の露光面上に投影照
射される露光光源からの光のピント位置を厳密に調整
し、記録材料の露光面と露光光源の光軸方向の位置を高
精度に維持することが望まれる。
2. Description of the Related Art In an image exposure apparatus for forming an exposure image on a recording material by projecting and irradiating light from an exposure light source through a lens onto the exposed surface of the recording material, the image recording density is improved and At the time of exposure, the focus position of the light from the exposure light source projected and irradiated onto the exposure surface of the recording material is strictly adjusted in order to form a high-quality image, and the exposure surface of the recording material and the exposure light source are adjusted. It is desired to maintain the position in the optical axis direction with high accuracy.

【0003】[0003]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】画像露光装置内におい
て、露光光源やレンズ等の光学系は、通常アルミ等の金
属材からなる取付台に取り付けられている。このため、
この取付台が画像露光装置内部に発生する熱によって膨
張を起こし、その結果、レンズ位置が変化することによ
り、レンズと記録材料の露光面との間の距離がずれ、記
録材料の露光面上に投影照射している露光光源からの光
のピント位置にずれを生じさせる問題がある。
In the image exposure apparatus, an optical system such as an exposure light source and a lens is usually attached to a mount made of a metal material such as aluminum. For this reason,
This mount expands due to the heat generated inside the image exposure device, and as a result, the lens position changes, the distance between the lens and the exposed surface of the recording material shifts, and There is a problem that the focus position of the light from the exposure light source that is projecting and irradiating is displaced.

【0004】また、レンズを支持している支持部材等の
熱膨張によってもレンズ位置がずれ、その結果ピント位
置にずれを生じさせる問題がある。
There is also a problem that the lens position is displaced due to thermal expansion of a supporting member or the like supporting the lens, and as a result, the focus position is displaced.

【0005】そこで、本発明の課題は、画像露光装置内
部の温度によるピント位置のずれを簡易な構成により抑
制することができ、良質な画像形成を可能とする画像露
光装置を提供することにある。
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image exposure apparatus which can suppress the shift of the focus position due to the temperature inside the image exposure apparatus with a simple structure and can form a high quality image. .

【0006】[0006]

【課題を解決するための手段】請求項1記載の発明は、
光露光で記録材料の露光面上に画像形成する画像露光装
置において、露光光源と、前記露光光源の光軸方向に沿
って移動可能に設けられ、該露光光源からの光を前記記
録材料の露光面に投影照射するためのレンズと、熱膨張
率の異なる部材を組み合わせてなるピント補償手段とを
有し、装置内部に温度変化が生じた際に、前記ピント補
償手段により前記レンズの位置を移動させることを特徴
とする画像露光装置である。
The invention according to claim 1 is
In an image exposure apparatus for forming an image on the exposed surface of a recording material by light exposure, the exposure light source is provided so as to be movable along the optical axis direction of the exposure light source, and the light from the exposure light source is exposed to the recording material. It has a lens for projecting and irradiating a surface and a focus compensating means formed by combining members having different thermal expansion coefficients, and moves the position of the lens by the focus compensating means when a temperature change occurs inside the apparatus. The image exposure apparatus is characterized in that

【0007】請求項2記載の発明は、光露光で記録材料
の露光面上に画像形成する画像露光装置において、露光
光源と前記露光光源からの光を前記露光面に投影照射す
るためのレンズとを露光光源の光軸方向に沿って一体に
移動可能に設けると共に、熱膨張率の異なる部材を組み
合わせてなるピント補償手段を有し、装置内部に温度変
化が生じた際に、前記ピント補償手段により前記レンズ
及び露光光源の位置を移動させることを特徴とする画像
露光装置である。
According to a second aspect of the invention, in an image exposure apparatus for forming an image on the exposed surface of a recording material by light exposure, an exposure light source and a lens for projecting and irradiating the light from the exposure light source onto the exposed surface. Is provided so as to be movable integrally along the optical axis direction of the exposure light source, and has a focus compensating means formed by combining members having different coefficient of thermal expansion. When the temperature change occurs inside the apparatus, the focus compensating means is provided. The image exposure apparatus is characterized in that the positions of the lens and the exposure light source are moved by.

【0008】[0008]

【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明の実施の形態につい
て図面に基づいて説明する。
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

【0009】図1は、本発明に係る画像露光装置の概略
構成を示している。図中、1は露光光源、2はレンズ、
3は保持部材、4は保持部材3の表面に保持された記録
材料である。
FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of an image exposure apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an exposure light source, 2 is a lens,
Reference numeral 3 is a holding member, and 4 is a recording material held on the surface of the holding member 3.

【0010】露光光源1は、半導体レーザやLED(発
光ダイオード)からなり、装置架台5に設けられた取付
台6に固定されている。なお、露光光源1は便宜上1つ
の光源として図示しているが、露光光源1の数は複数で
もよい。
The exposure light source 1 is composed of a semiconductor laser and an LED (light emitting diode), and is fixed to a mounting base 6 provided on the apparatus base 5. Although the exposure light source 1 is illustrated as one light source for the sake of convenience, the number of the exposure light sources 1 may be plural.

【0011】レンズ2は、露光光源1から図示左方向に
照射される光の光軸上に配置されており、露光光源1か
らの光を保持部材3の表面に保持された記録材料4の露
光面に投影照射する。このレンズ2は1枚からなるもの
でもよいし、複数のレンズを光軸を揃えて所定間隔をお
いて鏡胴内に収容してなるレンズ群からなるものであっ
てもよい。
The lens 2 is arranged on the optical axis of the light emitted from the exposure light source 1 to the left in the figure, and exposes the light from the exposure light source 1 to the recording material 4 held on the surface of the holding member 3. Project and illuminate the surface. The lens 2 may be composed of a single lens, or may be composed of a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are housed in a lens barrel with their optical axes aligned at a predetermined interval.

【0012】レンズ2は、装置架台5上においてステー
ジ7上に固定されている。このステージ7は、装置架台
5上に光軸方向に沿う図示左右方向に延びるガイドレー
ル8にスライド移動可能に取付けられており、従って、
レンズ2はステージ7によりガイドレール8に沿って図
示左右方向に移動可能とされている。なお、ステージ7
には、装置架台5との間に引っ張りばね9が掛け渡され
ており、ステージ7を図示右方向に付勢している。
The lens 2 is fixed on a stage 7 on a device stand 5. The stage 7 is slidably mounted on a guide rail 8 extending in the left-right direction in the drawing along the optical axis direction on the device stand 5, and accordingly,
The lens 2 is movable by a stage 7 in the left-right direction in the figure along a guide rail 8. In addition, stage 7
A tension spring 9 is stretched between the device and the device base 5, and urges the stage 7 rightward in the drawing.

【0013】この実施形態に係る画像露光装置において
は、レンズ2は、ある温度(基準温度)において記録材
料4の露光面上に適正なピント位置で画像形成が行われ
るように予め初期設定位置に調整されている。このとき
のピント調整は、実際に画像を露光してみて調整する方
法や共焦点法により反射光の径が最小となるように調整
する方法等が挙げられる。
In the image exposure apparatus according to this embodiment, the lens 2 is preliminarily set to an initial position so that an image is formed on the exposed surface of the recording material 4 at an appropriate focus position at a certain temperature (reference temperature). Has been adjusted. Examples of the focus adjustment at this time include a method in which an image is actually exposed and adjusted, and a method in which a diameter of reflected light is minimized by a confocal method.

【0014】図中、10はピント補償手段である。ピン
ト補償手段10は、熱膨張率の異なる部材を組み合わせ
てなり、装置内部に発生する熱により温度変化が生じ、
それによりレンズ2の位置が上記初期設定位置から変化
した際に、ピント補償手段10を構成している部材の熱
膨張率の相違を利用して、レンズ2の位置を初期設定位
置に戻すように機能する。
In the figure, 10 is a focus compensating means. The focus compensating means 10 is formed by combining members having different coefficients of thermal expansion, and the heat generated inside the device causes a temperature change,
Thereby, when the position of the lens 2 changes from the initial setting position, the position of the lens 2 is returned to the initial setting position by utilizing the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the members constituting the focus compensating means 10. Function.

【0015】更に詳しくは、ピント補償手段10は、低
熱膨張材と高熱膨張材とを用い、それらに作用する熱に
よってそれぞれ熱膨張を生ずる際に、低熱膨張材と高熱
膨張材のそれぞれの伸び方向を互いに反対方向に作用さ
せるように組み合わせて、レンズ2又はレンズ2を固定
しているステージ7等に固定することにより、それら低
熱膨張材と高熱膨張材の伸び量の差分をもって、位置ず
れしたレンズ2の位置を初期設定位置に戻すように機能
する。
More specifically, the focus compensating means 10 uses a low thermal expansion material and a high thermal expansion material, and when the thermal expansions are caused by the heat acting on them, the expansion directions of the low thermal expansion material and the high thermal expansion material respectively. Are combined so that they act in mutually opposite directions, and are fixed to the lens 2 or the stage 7 or the like to which the lens 2 is fixed, so that the misaligned lens has a difference in the amount of expansion between the low thermal expansion material and the high thermal expansion material. It functions to return the position 2 to the default position.

【0016】低熱膨張材と高熱膨張材としては、熱膨張
率が相対的に低い部材と高い部材を用いればよく、例え
ば、低熱膨張材としてガラス、セラミック、鉄等を用
い、高熱膨張材として、これらよりも熱膨張率の高いア
ルミを用いることができる。
As the low thermal expansion material and the high thermal expansion material, a material having a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion and a material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion may be used. For example, glass, ceramic, iron or the like may be used as the low thermal expansion material, and a material having a high thermal expansion coefficient may be used. Aluminum having a higher thermal expansion coefficient than these can be used.

【0017】この実施形態に係るピント補償手段10
は、図1に示すように、低熱膨張材からなる第1部材1
0aと、該第1部材10aの上面に当接するように設け
られた高熱膨張材からなる第2部材10bとによって構
成されている。
Focus compensating means 10 according to this embodiment
Is a first member 1 made of a low thermal expansion material, as shown in FIG.
0a and a second member 10b made of a high thermal expansion material provided so as to contact the upper surface of the first member 10a.

【0018】各部材は長手方向が露光光源1の光軸方向
に沿って延びており、第1部材10aは、光軸方向にお
けるレンズ2側(図示左側)の端部において固定部x1
によってステージ7上に部分的に固定されている。この
ため、第1部材10aは、この固定部x1を支点として
図示右方向に熱膨張による伸びが作用する。
The longitudinal direction of each member extends along the optical axis direction of the exposure light source 1, and the first member 10a has a fixed portion x1 at the end on the lens 2 side (left side in the drawing) in the optical axis direction.
Is partially fixed on the stage 7. Therefore, the first member 10a is expanded by thermal expansion in the right direction in the drawing with the fixed portion x1 as a fulcrum.

【0019】また、第2部材10bは、上記第1部材1
0aに対して、光軸方向における露光光源1側(図示右
側)の端部において第1部材10aと固定部x2におい
て部分的に固定されている。このため、第2部材10b
は、この固定部x2を支点として図示左方向に熱膨張に
よる伸びが作用する。
The second member 10b corresponds to the first member 1 described above.
0a is partially fixed by the first member 10a and the fixing portion x2 at the end portion on the exposure light source 1 side (right side in the drawing) in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the second member 10b
Is subjected to thermal expansion in the leftward direction in the figure with this fixed portion x2 as a fulcrum.

【0020】第2部材10bには、その光軸方向におけ
るレンズ2側(図示左側)の端部が上方に立ち上げられ
て立ち上げ部10b’が形成されており、ステージ7と
装置架台5との間に掛け渡された引っ張りばね9によっ
てステージ7が図示右方向に付勢されていることによ
り、この立ち上げ部10b’が、装置架台5上に固定さ
れたストッパ11の先端11aと常時当接状態にある。
レンズ2は、この状態で前述した初期設定位置に調整さ
れている。
An end of the second member 10b on the lens 2 side (the left side in the figure) in the optical axis direction is raised upward to form a rising portion 10b ', and the stage 7 and the apparatus mount 5 are connected to each other. Since the stage 7 is biased in the right direction in the figure by the tension spring 9 that is stretched between the two, the rising portion 10b 'is always in contact with the tip 11a of the stopper 11 fixed on the apparatus base 5. In contact.
The lens 2 is adjusted to the above-mentioned initial setting position in this state.

【0021】なお、本実施形態においては、装置架台
5、取付台6、ステージ7、ストッパ11も上記同様の
低熱膨張材により形成されている。
In the present embodiment, the apparatus mount 5, the mounting base 6, the stage 7, and the stopper 11 are also made of the same low thermal expansion material as described above.

【0022】また、このピント補償手段10及びストッ
パ11は、露光光源1からの光がレンズ2へ至る光軸上
からは外れた位置に配置されている。
Further, the focus compensating means 10 and the stopper 11 are arranged at positions deviated from the optical axis where the light from the exposure light source 1 reaches the lens 2.

【0023】かかるピント補償手段10の機能について
図2を用いて説明する。図2(A)はレンズ2が初期設
定位置にあり、ピントが適正な状態にあるときのピント
補償手段10を示している。
The function of the focus compensating means 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows the focus compensating means 10 when the lens 2 is in the initial setting position and the focus is in a proper state.

【0024】ここで、装置内部に発生した熱により温度
変化が生じ、装置架台5やステージ7、取付台6等に熱
膨張が起こると、レンズ2の位置が初期設定位置から変
化し、上記熱膨張によって図示左方向へずれることによ
り、記録材料4の露光面とレンズ2との間の距離が、レ
ンズ2が初期設定位置にあるときの距離に対してずれが
生じ、記録材料4の露光面上に投影照射している露光光
源1からの光のピント位置にずれを生じる。
Here, when the temperature generated by the heat generated inside the device causes a thermal expansion in the device mount 5, the stage 7, the mount 6, etc., the position of the lens 2 changes from the initial setting position, and the heat By the displacement to the left in the drawing due to the expansion, the distance between the exposed surface of the recording material 4 and the lens 2 is displaced from the distance when the lens 2 is at the initial setting position, and the exposed surface of the recording material 4 is displaced. A deviation occurs in the focus position of the light from the exposure light source 1 which is projected and irradiated on the upper side.

【0025】このときピント補償手段10も同様に熱に
よる影響を受けるが、ピント補償手段10は低熱膨張材
と高熱膨張材からなるため、装置内部の熱により、図2
(B)に示すように、固定部x1を支点とする低熱膨張
材からなる第1部材10aの伸び方向と、固定部x2を
支点とする高熱膨張材からなる第2部材10bの伸び方
向が互いに反対方向となる。しかし、低熱膨張材からな
る第1部材10aの伸び量よりも高熱膨張材からなる第
2部材10bの熱膨張による伸び量が大きいため、この
結果、両者の伸び量の差分によって、第2部材10bの
立ち上げ部10b’とストッパ11の先端11aとの間
に隙間Sが形成される。
At this time, the focus compensating means 10 is also affected by heat in the same manner. However, since the focus compensating means 10 is made of a low thermal expansion material and a high thermal expansion material, the heat inside the apparatus causes a change in temperature as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the extending direction of the first member 10a made of the low thermal expansion material having the fixed portion x1 as the fulcrum and the extending direction of the second member 10b made of the high thermal expansion material having the fixed portion x2 as the fulcrum are mutually opposite. The opposite direction. However, since the amount of expansion of the second member 10b made of the high thermal expansion material due to the thermal expansion is larger than the amount of expansion of the first member 10a made of the low thermal expansion material, as a result, the difference between the amounts of expansion of the second member 10b makes the second member 10b different. A gap S is formed between the rising portion 10b 'and the tip 11a of the stopper 11.

【0026】ここで、ステージ7は引っ張りばね9によ
り図示右方向に付勢されているため、図2(C)に示す
ように、ステージ7が引っ張りばね9の付勢力によっ
て、第2部材10bの立ち上げ部10b’とストッパ1
1の先端11aとの当接状態を維持するように図示右方
向に移動し、初期設定位置から位置ずれしたレンズ2を
初期設定位置に戻すように動作する。
Since the stage 7 is biased rightward in the figure by the tension spring 9, the stage 7 is moved by the biasing force of the tension spring 9 into the second member 10b as shown in FIG. 2C. Start-up part 10b 'and stopper 1
The lens 2 moves to the right in the figure so as to maintain the contact state with the tip 11a of the lens 1, and returns the lens 2 which is displaced from the initial setting position to the initial setting position.

【0027】従って、この場合、装置内部の熱による温
度上昇によってピント位置が図示左方向へずれてしまっ
ても、ピント補償手段10によって、上記の通りピント
位置のずれを抑制することが可能である。
Therefore, in this case, even if the focus position shifts to the left in the drawing due to a temperature rise due to heat inside the apparatus, the focus compensating means 10 can suppress the shift of the focus position as described above. .

【0028】ピント補償手段10によるピント位置の補
償は、低熱膨張材と高熱膨張材の膨張率差とその長さで
決まる。従って、温度及びそのときのピント位置のずれ
量と、低熱膨張材、高熱膨張材の熱膨張率及びそれらの
長さとから、温度によるピント補償量を予め設計し、レ
ンズ2の位置のずれ量と第2部材10bとストッパ11
との間に形成される隙間Sの量(即ち、引っ張りばね9
によって戻されるレンズ2の移動量)とがほぼ等しくな
るように調整しておくことが容易であり、ピント補償の
精度の高い画像露光装置を容易に構成することができ
る。
The compensation of the focus position by the focus compensating means 10 is determined by the difference in expansion coefficient between the low thermal expansion material and the high thermal expansion material and the length thereof. Therefore, the amount of focus compensation due to temperature is designed in advance from the temperature and the amount of shift of the focus position at that time, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the low thermal expansion material and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the high thermal expansion material, and their length, and the amount of displacement of the position of the lens 2 is calculated. Second member 10b and stopper 11
The amount of the gap S formed between the tension spring 9 and the
It is easy to make adjustments so that the amount of movement of the lens 2 returned by) becomes substantially equal, and it is possible to easily configure an image exposure apparatus with high focus compensation accuracy.

【0029】図3は、本発明の他の実施形態に係る画像
露光装置の概略構成を示している。図1と同一符号は同
一構成を示し、詳細な説明は省略する。
FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of an image exposure apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same components, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

【0030】この実施形態に係る画像露光装置では、レ
ンズ2を固定しているステージ7上に露光光源1も固定
し、該露光光源1とレンズ2とが一体にステージ7の移
動により光軸方向に沿って移動可能とされている。
In the image exposure apparatus according to this embodiment, the exposure light source 1 is also fixed on the stage 7 to which the lens 2 is fixed, and the exposure light source 1 and the lens 2 are integrally moved to move the stage 7 in the optical axis direction. It is possible to move along.

【0031】この実施形態に係る画像露光装置において
も、装置内部に発生した熱により熱膨張が起こると、レ
ンズ2の位置が初期設定位置から変化することにより、
記録材料4の露光面とレンズ2との間の距離にずれが生
じ、記録材料4の露光面上に投影照射している露光光源
1からの光のピント位置にずれを生じる。ピント補償手
段10は、上記の通り、このピントの位置ずれを補償
し、ピント位置のずれを抑制するように機能するが、ス
テージ7上にはレンズ2と共に露光光源1が共に固定さ
れているため、露光光源1とレンズ2間の距離はほぼ一
定である。
Also in the image exposure apparatus according to this embodiment, when thermal expansion occurs due to heat generated inside the apparatus, the position of the lens 2 changes from the initial setting position,
The distance between the exposure surface of the recording material 4 and the lens 2 is deviated, and the focus position of the light from the exposure light source 1 projected and irradiated on the exposure surface of the recording material 4 is deviated. As described above, the focus compensating means 10 functions to compensate for this focus position shift and suppress the focus position shift, but since the lens 2 and the exposure light source 1 are both fixed on the stage 7. The distance between the exposure light source 1 and the lens 2 is almost constant.

【0032】例えば、露光光源1が複数の光源からなる
複数ビームを照射するものであり、その複数ビームをレ
ンズ2で縮小して記録材料4の露光面上に投影すること
により露光を行うようにした光学系の場合、レンズ2と
露光光源1との間の距離が変わるとその縮小倍率も異な
ることとなり、複数ビーム間の距離も変わることにな
り、良質な画像形成が困難となる等、画像形成上好まし
くない。しかし、この実施形態に示すように、装置内部
に温度変化が生じた際に、ピント補償手段10によって
レンズ2と露光光源1とを一体に移動させるようにして
いるため、露光光源1が複数の光源からなる複数ビーム
を照射するものである場合でも、複数ビーム間の距離が
変わってしまうようなことがなく、ピント位置のずれを
抑制することができ、良質な画像形成が可能である。
For example, the exposure light source 1 irradiates a plurality of beams composed of a plurality of light sources, and the plurality of beams are reduced by the lens 2 and projected on the exposed surface of the recording material 4 to perform the exposure. In the case of the optical system described above, when the distance between the lens 2 and the exposure light source 1 changes, the reduction ratio also changes, and the distance between the plurality of beams also changes, making it difficult to form a high quality image. Not preferable for formation. However, as shown in this embodiment, since the lens 2 and the exposure light source 1 are integrally moved by the focus compensating means 10 when a temperature change occurs inside the apparatus, the exposure light source 1 has a plurality of elements. Even in the case of irradiating a plurality of beams including a light source, the distance between the plurality of beams does not change, the shift of the focus position can be suppressed, and high-quality image formation can be performed.

【0033】以上説明したピント補償手段10は、装置
内部の熱による温度上昇によってピント位置が記録材料
4側(図示左方向)へずれてしまう場合を補償するよう
に構成されているが、これに限定されず、装置内部の熱
による温度上昇によってピント位置が露光光源1側(図
示右方向)へずれてしまう場合、図1及び図3に示す例
では、引っ張りばね9の付勢方向を逆にし、ピント補償
手段10を図示する態様と左右対称となるように設けれ
ばよい。
The focus compensating means 10 described above is configured to compensate for the case where the focus position is displaced toward the recording material 4 side (left direction in the drawing) due to temperature rise due to heat inside the apparatus. Without being limited thereto, when the focus position deviates to the exposure light source 1 side (right direction in the drawing) due to temperature rise due to heat inside the apparatus, in the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the biasing direction of the tension spring 9 is reversed. The focus compensating means 10 may be provided so as to be bilaterally symmetrical with the illustrated mode.

【0034】図4にピント補償手段の別の態様を示す。
この態様では、装置内部の熱による温度上昇によってピ
ント位置が露光光源1側(図示右方向)へずれてしまう
場合を想定している。図1と同一符号は同一構成を示
し、特に記載がない限り詳細な説明は省略する。
FIG. 4 shows another mode of the focus compensating means.
In this mode, it is assumed that the focus position deviates to the exposure light source 1 side (right direction in the drawing) due to temperature rise due to heat inside the apparatus. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same configurations, and detailed description thereof will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

【0035】ピント補償手段100は、装置架台5上面
に当接するように配設された高熱膨張材からなる第1部
材100aと、第1部材100aの上面に当接するよう
に配設された低熱膨張材からなる第2部材100bとを
有してなり、この第2部材100bの上面にレンズ2が
固定されている。なお、この装置架台5も第2部材10
0bと同じく低熱膨張材からなる。
The focus compensating means 100 comprises a first member 100a made of a high thermal expansion material arranged so as to abut on the upper surface of the apparatus frame 5, and a low thermal expansion material arranged so as to abut on the upper surface of the first member 100a. A second member 100b made of a material, and the lens 2 is fixed to the upper surface of the second member 100b. It should be noted that this device mount 5 is also the second member 10
Like 0b, it is made of a low thermal expansion material.

【0036】各部材は長手方向が露光光源1の光軸方向
に沿って延びており、その第1部材100aは、光軸方
向における露光光源1側(図示右側)の端部において固
定部x10によって装置架台5上に部分的に固定されて
いる。このため、第1部材100aは、この固定部x1
0を支点として図示左方向に熱膨張による伸びが作用す
る。
The longitudinal direction of each member extends along the optical axis direction of the exposure light source 1, and the first member 100a is fixed by the fixing portion x10 at the end on the exposure light source 1 side (right side in the drawing) in the optical axis direction. It is partially fixed on the device base 5. Therefore, the first member 100a has the fixed portion x1.
With 0 as a fulcrum, elongation due to thermal expansion acts to the left in the drawing.

【0037】また、第2部材100bは、上記第1部材
100aに対して、光軸方向における記録材料4側(図
示左側)の端部において第1部材100aと固定部x2
0において部分的に固定されている。このため、第2部
材100bは、この固定部x20を支点として図示右方
向に熱膨張による伸びが作用する。
The second member 100b is fixed to the first member 100a and the fixing portion x2 at the end portion on the recording material 4 side (left side in the drawing) in the optical axis direction with respect to the first member 100a.
It is partially fixed at 0. Therefore, the second member 100b is expanded by thermal expansion in the right direction in the drawing with the fixing portion x20 as a fulcrum.

【0038】ここで、装置内部に発生した熱によりピン
ト補償手段10が熱による影響を受けると、固定部x1
0を支点とする高熱膨張材からなる第1部材100aの
伸び方向と、固定部x20を支点とする低熱膨張材から
なる第2部材100bの伸び方向が互いに反対方向とな
るが、低熱膨張材からなる第2部材100bの伸び量よ
りも高熱膨張材からなる第1部材100aの熱膨張によ
る伸び量が大きいため、この結果、両者の伸び量の差分
だけ、第2部材100b上のレンズ2の位置が図示左方
向へ移動する。
When the focus compensating means 10 is affected by heat due to the heat generated inside the apparatus, the fixed portion x1
The extension direction of the first member 100a made of a high thermal expansion material having 0 as a fulcrum and the extension direction of the second member 100b made of a low thermal expansion material having a fixed part x20 as a fulcrum are opposite to each other. The expansion amount of the first member 100a made of the high thermal expansion material due to the thermal expansion is larger than the expansion amount of the second member 100b. Therefore, as a result, the position of the lens 2 on the second member 100b is increased by the difference between the expansion amounts of the first member 100a and the second member 100b. Moves to the left in the figure.

【0039】このピント補償手段100における温度に
よるピント補償量を、温度及びそのときのピント位置の
ずれ量と、低熱膨張材、高熱膨張材の熱膨張率及びそれ
らの長さとに基づいて予め調整しておくことで、温度変
化により初期設定位置から位置ずれしたレンズ2を初期
設定位置に精度良く戻すように動作させることが可能で
ある。
The focus compensation amount due to the temperature in the focus compensating means 100 is adjusted in advance based on the temperature and the shift amount of the focus position at that time, and the thermal expansion coefficients of the low thermal expansion material and the high thermal expansion material and their lengths. By doing so, it is possible to operate the lens 2 which is displaced from the initial setting position due to temperature change so as to accurately return to the initial setting position.

【0040】[0040]

【発明の効果】本発明によれば、画像露光装置内部の温
度によるピント位置のずれを簡易な構成により抑制する
ことができ、良質な画像形成を可能とする画像露光装置
を提供することができる。
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image exposure apparatus which can suppress the shift of the focus position due to the temperature inside the image exposure apparatus with a simple structure and can form a high quality image. .

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図1】画像露光装置の一実施形態の概略を示す構成図FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of an image exposure apparatus.

【図2】(A)〜(C)はピント補償手段の動作を説明
する説明図
2A to 2C are explanatory views for explaining the operation of the focus compensating means.

【図3】画像露光装置の他の実施形態の概略を示す構成
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of another embodiment of the image exposure apparatus.

【図4】他のピント補償手段を備えた画像露光装置の概
略を示す構成図
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of an image exposure apparatus provided with another focus compensation means.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

1:露光光源 2:レンズ 3:保持部材 4:記録材料 5:装置架台 6:取付台 7:ステージ 8:ガイドレール 9:引っ張りばね 10、100:ピント補償手段 11:ストッパ 1: Exposure light source 2: Lens 3: Holding member 4: Recording material 5: Device stand 6: Mounting base 7: Stage 8: Guide rail 9: Extension spring 10, 100: Focus compensation means 11: Stopper

Claims (2)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】光露光で記録材料の露光面上に画像形成す
る画像露光装置において、露光光源と、前記露光光源の
光軸方向に沿って移動可能に設けられ、該露光光源から
の光を前記記録材料の露光面に投影照射するためのレン
ズと、熱膨張率の異なる部材を組み合わせてなるピント
補償手段とを有し、装置内部に温度変化が生じた際に、
前記ピント補償手段により前記レンズの位置を移動させ
ることを特徴とする画像露光装置。
1. An image exposure apparatus for forming an image on an exposed surface of a recording material by light exposure, the exposure light source and a movable light source provided along an optical axis direction of the exposure light source. A lens for projecting and irradiating the exposed surface of the recording material, and a focus compensating means formed by combining members having different thermal expansion coefficients, when a temperature change occurs inside the apparatus,
An image exposure apparatus, wherein the position of the lens is moved by the focus compensating means.
【請求項2】光露光で記録材料の露光面上に画像形成す
る画像露光装置において、露光光源と前記露光光源から
の光を前記露光面に投影照射するためのレンズとを露光
光源の光軸方向に沿って一体に移動可能に設けると共
に、熱膨張率の異なる部材を組み合わせてなるピント補
償手段を有し、装置内部に温度変化が生じた際に、前記
ピント補償手段により前記レンズ及び露光光源の位置を
移動させることを特徴とする画像露光装置。
2. An image exposure apparatus for forming an image on an exposed surface of a recording material by light exposure, comprising an exposure light source and a lens for projecting and irradiating light from the exposure light source onto the exposure surface. The lens and the exposure light source are provided so as to be integrally movable along the direction, and have a focus compensating means formed by combining members having different thermal expansion coefficients, and when the temperature change occurs inside the apparatus, the focus compensating means is used. An image exposure apparatus characterized by moving the position of.
JP2001260988A 2001-08-30 2001-08-30 Image exposure device Pending JP2003066305A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001260988A JP2003066305A (en) 2001-08-30 2001-08-30 Image exposure device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001260988A JP2003066305A (en) 2001-08-30 2001-08-30 Image exposure device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2003066305A true JP2003066305A (en) 2003-03-05

Family

ID=19088099

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2001260988A Pending JP2003066305A (en) 2001-08-30 2001-08-30 Image exposure device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2003066305A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9056510B2 (en) 2011-10-12 2015-06-16 Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Image forming apparatus
DE102016105476B4 (en) 2015-04-01 2024-01-25 Sensors Unlimited, Inc. LENS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PASSIVE ATHERMALIZATION

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9056510B2 (en) 2011-10-12 2015-06-16 Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Image forming apparatus
DE102016105476B4 (en) 2015-04-01 2024-01-25 Sensors Unlimited, Inc. LENS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PASSIVE ATHERMALIZATION

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