Patent attributes
After having been reflected by a first return mirror, a light beam deflected by a polygon mirror is caused to travel toward a second return mirror disposed in a position below a base section of the polygon mirror by way of an opening. An image forming apparatus is configured so as to satisfy a relationship of a<b and another relationship of c<b, given that an optical path length from a reflection surface of the polygon mirror to a reflection surface of the first return mirror is taken as “a”; another optical path length from the reflection surface of the first return mirror to a reflection surface of the second return mirror is taken as “b”; and still another optical path length from the reflection surface of the second return mirror to the surface of the photosensitive member is taken as “c.”
