An image forming apparatus, including a photosensitive member, a scanning optical unit configured to scan the photosensitive member by laser light according to image information, a detection unit arranged in a position facing the photosensitive member and configured to output positional information on the laser light. The detection unit includes a detection portion into which the laser light reflected by the photosensitive member is incident, and a control unit configured to calculate a positional deviation amount of an irradiation position on the photosensitive member which is irradiated by the laser light based on the positional information output by the detection unit, and control the scanning optical unit to correct the positional deviation of the irradiation position of the laser light.

An image forming apparatus, including a photosensitive member, a scanning optical unit configured to scan the photosensitive member by laser light according to image information, a detection unit arranged in a position facing the photosensitive member and configured to output positional information on the laser light. The detection unit includes a detection portion into which the laser light reflected by the photosensitive member is incident, and a control unit configured to calculate a positional deviation amount of an irradiation position on the photosensitive member which is irradiated by the laser light based on the positional information output by the detection unit, and control the scanning optical unit to correct the positional deviation of the irradiation position of the laser light.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a first acquisition processing portion, a second acquisition processing portion, and an adjustment processing portion. The image forming portion forms an image on a sheet. The first acquisition processing portion acquires a captured image of the sheet. The second acquisition processing portion acquires a specific value that indicates a difference between a gradation value of a pixel that, among pixels included in the captured image acquired by the first acquisition processing portion, corresponds to a higher part of an outer surface of the sheet, and a gradation value of a pixel that, among the pixels included in the captured image, corresponds to a lower part that is lower than the higher part. The adjustment processing portion adjusts an image forming condition of the image forming portion based on the specific value acquired by the second acquisition processing portion.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a first acquisition processing portion, a second acquisition processing portion, and an adjustment processing portion. The image forming portion forms an image on a sheet. The first acquisition processing portion acquires a captured image of the sheet. The second acquisition processing portion acquires a specific value that indicates a difference between a gradation value of a pixel that, among pixels included in the captured image acquired by the first acquisition processing portion, corresponds to a higher part of an outer surface of the sheet, and a gradation value of a pixel that, among the pixels included in the captured image, corresponds to a lower part that is lower than the higher part. The adjustment processing portion adjusts an image forming condition of the image forming portion based on the specific value acquired by the second acquisition processing portion.

In an optical scanning device, an outer wall closest to a circumscribed circle of a rotating polygon mirror has a space in a position facing to a position of a reflection surface of the rotating polygon mirror in an axial direction of a rotating shaft. A part of a cover is provided in a position farther from the circumscribed circle than the outer wall so as to close the space, when the optical scanning device is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

In an optical scanning device, an outer wall closest to a circumscribed circle of a rotating polygon mirror has a space in a position facing to a position of a reflection surface of the rotating polygon mirror in an axial direction of a rotating shaft. A part of a cover is provided in a position farther from the circumscribed circle than the outer wall so as to close the space, when the optical scanning device is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a light emitting element array, a photosensitive member, a transparent member, a gap spacer, and a biasing member. The light emitting element array includes a plurality of light emitting elements. The photosensitive member forms a latent image by being exposed by light emitted from the light emitting element array. The transparent member is positioned between the photosensitive member and the light emitting element array. The transparent member has a relative position fixed with respect to the light emitting element array, and transmits the light emitted from the light emitting element array. The gap spacer keeps a distance between the photosensitive member and the transparent member constant. The biasing member biases the transparent member toward the photosensitive member.

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a light emitting element array, a photosensitive member, a transparent member, a gap spacer, and a biasing member. The light emitting element array includes a plurality of light emitting elements. The photosensitive member forms a latent image by being exposed by light emitted from the light emitting element array. The transparent member is positioned between the photosensitive member and the light emitting element array. The transparent member has a relative position fixed with respect to the light emitting element array, and transmits the light emitted from the light emitting element array. The gap spacer keeps a distance between the photosensitive member and the transparent member constant. The biasing member biases the transparent member toward the photosensitive member.

Scanning optical unit includes: light source; incident optical system including one coupling lens for converting light from the light source into a light beam; optical deflector having a reflecting surface and configured to reflect and deflect the light beam in main scanning direction; and scanning optical system for focusing the deflected light beam on an image surface. The incident optical system converges the light beam on the reflecting surface in sub-scanning direction. Further, 0.01(s/m).sup.20.27 and s2<1 are satisfied, where m is a lateral magnification of the entire optical system from the light source to the image surface in the main scanning direction, s is a lateral magnification of the entire optical system in the sub-scanning direction, and s2 is a lateral magnification of the scanning optical system from the reflecting surface of the optical deflector to the image surface in the sub-scanning direction.

Scanning optical unit includes: light source; incident optical system including one coupling lens for converting light from the light source into a light beam; optical deflector having a reflecting surface and configured to reflect and deflect the light beam in main scanning direction; and scanning optical system for focusing the deflected light beam on an image surface. The incident optical system converges the light beam on the reflecting surface in sub-scanning direction. Further, 0.01(s/m).sup.20.27 and s2<1 are satisfied, where m is a lateral magnification of the entire optical system from the light source to the image surface in the main scanning direction, s is a lateral magnification of the entire optical system in the sub-scanning direction, and s2 is a lateral magnification of the scanning optical system from the reflecting surface of the optical deflector to the image surface in the sub-scanning direction.