Optical device, optical scanner, and image forming apparatus

• US 7,907,317 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2010
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Yamaga, Hirokazu, Mizoguchi, Yasushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry; Euncha P
• Application Number:
  US12/711,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20100245962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 359/200.7, 3592231-2261
• US Class Current: 359/200.7
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/105 with one or more pivoting mirrors or galvano-mirrors G02B26/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/141 using dichroic mirrors

Abstract

An optical device includes: a movable plate disposed in a distribution range of light input from outside, and having a light reflecting surface adapted to reflect the light; a shaft member adapted to support the movable plate so that the movable plate can swing around a predetermined axis; a ferromagnetic member provided to the movable plate; and a drive section configured to generate electromagnetic force between the drive section and the ferromagnetic member to thereby swing the movable plate, wherein a portion of the drive section, included in the distribution range of the light, is formed of a surface having a normal vector with which the light is reflected to outside of a predetermined range.

Claims

1. An optical device comprising:

a movable plate disposed in a distribution range of light input from outside, and having a light reflecting surface adapted to reflect the light;

a shaft member adapted to support the movable plate so that the movable plate can swing around a predetermined axis;

a ferromagnetic member provided to the movable plate, the ferromagnetic member being a permanent magnet; and

a drive section configured to generate electromagnetic force between the drive section and the ferromagnetic member to thereby swing the movable plate, the drive section including;

a coil disposed at a position opposed to the permanent magnet with a predetermined distance from the permanent magnet, and

an alternating current signal generator adapted to supply the coil with an alternating current signal,

wherein a portion of the drive section, included in the distribution range of the light, is formed of a surface having a normal vector with which the light is reflected to outside of a predetermined range; and

the surface having the normal vector includes a plane having a predetermined angle with the movable plate, the plane having the predetermined angle being tilted in a direction perpendicular to a direction of a magnetic field of the permanent magnet.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a substrate including a plane having the normal vector,

wherein the coil is mounted on the plane.

3. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein

the predetermined range includes a reflection range of light reflected by the movable plate.

4. An optical scanner comprising:

the optical device according to claim 1.

5. An image forming apparatus comprising:

the optical scanner according to claim 4.