Imaging Optical System Ghost Light Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging optical systems, such as lens array optical systems, generate unwanted ghost light fluxes when the light source is misaligned due to assembly errors, leading to sub array direction ghost light fluxes that degrade image quality and are not effectively shielded by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging optical system includes a first and second lens array with staggered arrangements and scattering or light-shielding portions between adjacent lens rows, configured to form erect and inverted images respectively, with a scattering portion or light-shielding portion to redirect or absorb sub array direction ghost light fluxes, ensuring D/Rs ≤ 0.2 for effective shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a lens array optical system is used to downsize components and reduce the number of parts, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but sub array direction ghost light fluxes are generated when the light source is misaligned, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding member is divided into multiple light-shielding portions, each corresponding to different lens rows in the sub array direction. This segmentation allows targeted shielding of ghost light fluxes from specific lens rows while maintaining the overall compact lens array structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A light-shielding member is introduced as an intermediary component between the lens arrays and the image sensor. This mediator blocks the harmful ghost light fluxes without interfering with the primary imaging function of the lens array system, thus resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and image quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a light-shielding member is added to shield ghost light fluxes, then image quality is improved, but device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding member is integrated with the lens array structure, merging the shielding function into the existing optical system. This combination approach adds the necessary ghost light shielding capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity and part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding member serves multiple functions: it shields ghost light fluxes from misaligned light sources, maintains the compact form factor of the lens array system, and preserves the staggered arrangement benefits. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the shielding component.
3Manufacturing precision
If the light source is misaligned in the sub array direction due to assembly errors, then manufacturing tolerance is relaxed, but sub array direction ghost light fluxes are generated that existing solutions cannot shield
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding portions are pre-positioned in the light-shielding member to counteract the potential ghost light fluxes that would be generated by light source misalignment. This preliminary anti-action is designed based on expected assembly tolerances, preventing the harmful effects before they occur in practice.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and blocks the harmful ghost light fluxes that result from assembly variations. By providing this protective barrier in advance, the system can tolerate greater assembly tolerances without suffering from image quality degradation.
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 configuration significantly reduces the impact of sub array direction ghost light fluxes on image quality, maintaining imaging performance and light amount while allowing for alignment deviations, by effectively scattering or shielding these unwanted light fluxes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first lens array or the second lens array includes at least one of a scattering portion or a light-shielding portion arranged between adjacent lens rows
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first lens array or the second lens array includes at least one of a scattering portion or a light-shielding portion arranged between adjacent lens rows
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is imaging optical system, including: a first lens array including a plurality of lens rows each having a plurality of lenses arrayed in main array direction, the plurality of lens rows arranged in sub-array direction; and a second lens array including a plurality of lens rows each having a plurality of lenses arrayed in main array direction, the plurality of lens rows being arranged in sub-array direction. The imaging optical system forms an erect image of object in main array cross section, and forms an inverted image of object in sub-array cross section. At least one of first and second lens arrays includes at least one of a scattering and light-shielding portions arranged between adjacent lens rows. D/Rs≤0.2 is satisfied, where D represents length of at least one of scattering and light-shielding portions in sub-array direction, and Rs represents an effective diameter of imaging optical system in sub-array direction.