Bouncing oscillating scanning device for laser scanning apparatus
First Claim
1. A beam sweeping apparatus for use in a scanning device, said apparatus comprising a movable member arranged to be oscillated about an axis in an arc for sweeping a beam of light in a predetermined path, said arc having a pair of end points, a pair of stop members located adjacent said movable member to establish the limits of the excursion of said movable member and thereby define said end points of said arc, and reversible moving means comprising energizable means operative to be periodically energized by discrete pulses of electrical energy, one of said discrete pulses causing said movable member to move in one rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages one of said stop members, whereupon said one stop member prevents further excursion of said movable member in said one rotational direction, said movable member then moving in the opposite rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages the other of said stop members, whereupon said other of said stop members prevents further excursion of said movable member in said other rotational direction, said moving means then being energized by another of said discrete pulses of electrical energy to again move said movable member in said one rotational direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Beam sweeping apparatus for use in a scanning device. The apparatus comprises a mirror mounted on a pivot arm and arranged to be oscillated about an axis in an arc for sweeping a beam of light in a predetermined path. A pair of resilient are located adjacent the pivot arm to establish the limits of the excursion of the arm and mirror. A reversible electromagnetic motor is provided when energized for causing the pivot arm to move in alternate rotational directions until a portion of it engages a respective one of the bumpers, whereupon that bumper prevents further excursion of the arm in that direction and bounces the arm back in the opposite rotational direction. The energization of the electromagnetic motor is coordinated with the engagement of the bumpers by the pivot arm.
97 Citations
37 Claims
- 1. A beam sweeping apparatus for use in a scanning device, said apparatus comprising a movable member arranged to be oscillated about an axis in an arc for sweeping a beam of light in a predetermined path, said arc having a pair of end points, a pair of stop members located adjacent said movable member to establish the limits of the excursion of said movable member and thereby define said end points of said arc, and reversible moving means comprising energizable means operative to be periodically energized by discrete pulses of electrical energy, one of said discrete pulses causing said movable member to move in one rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages one of said stop members, whereupon said one stop member prevents further excursion of said movable member in said one rotational direction, said movable member then moving in the opposite rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages the other of said stop members, whereupon said other of said stop members prevents further excursion of said movable member in said other rotational direction, said moving means then being energized by another of said discrete pulses of electrical energy to again move said movable member in said one rotational direction.
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31. A beam sweeping apparatus for use in a scanning device, said apparatus comprising a movable member arranged to be oscillated about an axis in an arc for sweeping a beam of light in a predetermined path, said arc having a pair of end points, a pair of stop members located adjacent said movable member to establish the limits of the excursion of said movable member and thereby define said end points of said arc, each of said stop members being adjustably mounted with respect to said movable member to adjust the position of the end points of said arc, and reversible moving means operative when energized for causing said movable member to move in one rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages one of said stop members, whereupon said one stop member prevents further excursion of said movable member in said one rotational direction, said movable member then moving in the opposite rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages the other of said stop members, whereupon said other of said stop members prevents further excursion of said movable member in said other rotational direction, said moving means then being energized to again move said movable member in said one rotational direction.
- 32. A beam sweeping apparatus for use in a scanning device, said apparatus comprising a movable member arranged to be oscillated about an axis in an arc for sweeping a beam of light in a predetermined path, said arc having a pair of end points, a pair of stop members located adjacent said movable member to establish the limits of the excursion of said movable member and thereby define said end points of said arc, each of said stop members being adjustably mounted with respect to said movable member to adjust the position of the end points of said arc, and reversible moving means operative when energized for causing said movable member to move in one rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages one of said stop members, whereupon said one stop member prevents further excursion of said movable member in said one rotational direction, said movable member then moving in the opposite rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages the other of said stop members, whereupon said other of said stop members prevents further excursion of said movable member in said other rotational direction, said moving means then being energized to again move said movable member in said one rotational direction, said moving means being energized in coordination with said movable member engaging said other stop member, whereupon said movable member is moved in said one rotational direction.
- 34. A beam sweeping apparatus for use in a scanning device, said apparatus comprising a movable member arranged to be oscillated about an axis in an arc for sweeping a beam of light in a predetermined path, said arc having a pair of end points, a pair of stop members located adjacent said movable member to establish the limits of the excursion of said movable member and thereby define said end points of said arc, each of said stop members being adjustably mounted with respect to said movable member to adjust the position of the end points of said arc, and reversible moving means operative when energized for causing said movable member to move in one rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages one of said stop members, whereupon said one stop member prevents further excursion of said movable member in said one rotational direction, said movable member then moving in the opposite rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages the other of said stop members, whereupon said other of said stop members prevents further excursion of said movable member in said other rotational direction, said moving means then being energized to again move said movable member in said one rotational direction, said moving means being energized in coordination with said movable member engaging said other stop member, whereupon said movable member is moved in said one rotational direction, said moving means also being energized in coordination with said movable member engaging said one stop member, whereupon said movable member is moved in said opposite rotational direction.
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36. A beam sweeping apparatus for use in a scanning device, said apparatus comprising a movable member arranged to be oscillated about an axis in an arc for sweeping a beam of light in a predetermined path, said arc having a pair of end points, a pair of stop members located adjacent said movable member to establish the limits of the excursion of said movable member and thereby define said end points of said arc, and reversible moving means operative when energized for causing said movable member to move in one rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages one of said stop members, whereupon said one stop member prevents further excursion of said movable member in said one rotational direction, said movable member then moving in the opposite rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages the other of said stop members, whereupon said other of said stop members prevents further excursion of said movable member in said other rotational direction, said moving means then being energized to again move said movable member in said one rotational direction, the speed of said movable member being substantially linear between said end points of said arc.
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37. A beam sweeping apparatus for use in a scanning device, said apparatus comprising a movable member arranged to be oscillated about an axis in an arc for sweeping a beam of light in a predetermined path, said arc having a pair of end points, a pair of stop members located adjacent said movable member to establish the limits of the excursion of said movable member and thereby define said end points of said arc, and reversible moving means operative when energized for causing said movable member to move in one rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages one of said stop members, whereupon said one stop member prevents further excursion of said movable member in said one rotational direction, said movable member then moving in the opposite rotational direction until a portion of said movable member engages the other of said stop members, whereupon said other of said stop members prevents further excursion of said movable member in said other rotational direction, said moving means then being energized to again move said movable member in said one rotational direction, the time period during which said movable member reverses direction at said end points being very short as compared to the time period said movable member moves between said end points and the speed of said movable member being substantially linear between said end points of said arc.
Specification