Optical printer head which prevents dust from being generated therein or entering thereinto when in operation or disassembled

• US 6,226,028 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo KK
• Original Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo KK
• Inventors: Kato, Hideo, Kimura, Yuuichi, Yuge, Tomohiko, Nakahara, Toshiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, HAI CHI
• Application Number:
  US09/392,652
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 347/232, 347/241, 347/242, 347/256, 347/257, 347/244, 313/496, 359/502, 396/307, 430/245, 430/511
• US Class Current: 347/242
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/4476 using cathode ray or electron beam tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/451 Special optical means therefor, e.g. lenses, mirrors, focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/525 Arrangement for multi-colour printing, not covered by group B41J2/21, e.g. applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking process

Abstract

An optical printer head capable of preventing catching between a filter holder and a luminous tube to prevent production of dust and attaining replacement of the luminous tube without exposing filters to an ambient atmosphere. A filter holder is arranged separately from a light source and an selfoc lens array, to thereby prevent production of dust from the filter holder due to contact of the filter holder with the light source and selfoc lens array. A base is arranged so as to receive only the filter holder therein, to thereby prevent the filters held on the filter holder from being exposed to an ambient atmosphere, resulting in dust being kept from adhering to the filters. A pair of light passages are formed on a light path and closed with a light-permeable cover to sealedly close the base, to thereby prevent dust from intruding into the base during replacement of the light source.

Claims

1. An optical printer head comprising:

a light source arranged so as to be opposite to a recording medium;

image formation means provided on a light path defined so as to extend from said light source to said recording medium;

said light source emitting light, said light being collected by said image formation means as said optical printer head is being reciprocated in a sub-scanning direction with respect to said recording medium, to thereby form an image on said recording medium; and

filter holding means arranged between said light source and said recording medium to hold a plurality of filters thereon and selectively change over a desired filter of said plurality of filters to position said desired filter on said light path;

each of said plurality of filters being constructed so as to permit said light, which is at a predetermined wavelength and which is emitted from said light source, to permeate therethrough; and

a base enclosing said filter holding means, said base including a housing and a filter holder guide each having an elongated light passage therethrough so that said light passage of said filter holder guide is aligned with said light passage of said housing in a direction of elongation of said light passages, said base being positioned on said light path and arranged so as to receive said filter holding means therein so as to keep said filter holder means separated from said light source and image formation means;

said filter holding means being slidably arranged in said base.

2. The optical printer head as defined in claim 1, wherein said light passages each are covered with a light-permeable cover to sealedly close said base.

3. An optical printer head comprising:

a light source arranged so as to be opposite to a recording medium;

image formation means provided on a light path defined so as to extend from said light source to said recording medium;

said light source emitting light, said light being collected by said image formation means as said optical printer head is being reciprocated in a sub-scanning direction with respect to said recording medium, to thereby form an image on said recording medium; and

filter holding means arranged between said light source and said recording medium to hold a plurality of filters thereon and selectively change over a desired filter of said plurality of filters to position said desired filter on said light path;

each of said plurality of filters being constructed so as to permit said light, which is at a predetermined wavelength and which is emitted from said light source, to permeate therethrough; and

a base formed with light passages so as to be positioned on said light path and arranged so as to receive only said filter holding means therein, while keeping said filter holder means separated from said light source and image formation means, said filter holding means being slidably arranged in said base, and said light passages each being covered with a light-permeable cover for sealedly closing said base to prevent dust from entering into said optical printer head.