Monolithic Imaging Device Array with Protruding Reflective Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging device arrays face issues with misalignment of lenses and mirrors, leading to uneven imaging characteristics and increased manufacturing costs due to complex assembly processes and deep light shielding parts, which affect the performance and efficiency of image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The development of an imaging device array formed through a single molding process, where the relative positions of lenses and mirrors are aligned to prevent misalignment, using a monolithic molded lens with reflective surfaces on protrusions to ensure precise light reflection and imaging, and a light shielding mechanism to minimize stray light and improve optical efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If lenses and mirrors are assembled separately to form an imaging device array, then flexibility in component selection is improved, but misalignment occurs leading to degradation in imaging characteristics and increased manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging devices (lenses and mirrors) into a single monolithic molded body, eliminating separate assembly operations. This merging approach ensures precise relative positioning of optical components while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through mold design, directly resolving the contradiction between assembly flexibility and alignment precision.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If deep light shielding parts are formed between imaging devices, then stray light is effectively blocked, but resin flow during molding is poor and forming time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from deep vertical light shielding structures to a planar configuration where light shielding is achieved through the arrangement of imaging devices in the same plane. This dimensional change eliminates deep cavity formation issues during molding while maintaining effective stray light blocking, resolving the contradiction between light shielding performance and molding productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses and apertures are combined in an array, then imaging functionality is improved, but assembly offset leads to performance degradation and increased manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple imaging devices including lenses and apertures into a single monolithic molded body, eliminating complex multi-component assembly operations. This merging maintains full imaging functionality while dramatically simplifying manufacturing to a single molding process, directly resolving the contradiction between imaging functionality and assembly complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the formation of high-quality images while simplifying the manufacturing process, reducing manufacturing costs and improving the alignment of lenses and mirrors, resulting in enhanced imaging performance and reduced stray light, thus improving the overall efficiency of image forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
plural reflective surfaces that reflect light from the incidence surface
Implementation Method 2
an incidence surface that converges light in the primary scanning direction
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an imaging device array includes a plurality of imaging devices integrally including an incidence surface that converges light in the primary scanning direction, plural reflective surfaces that reflect light from the incidence surface multiple times, and an exit surface through which light that has reflected at the plural reflective surfaces exits the array. At least one of the plural reflective surfaces is formed at the apex of a protrusion that protrudes outwardly from the surface of the array, and the light that is output from the exit surface is imaged at an image point.