Erecting Equal-Magnification Lens Array Plate Flare Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Erecting equal-magnification lens array plates in image reading devices suffer from flare noise due to light reflection from light-shielding walls, which is not effectively addressed by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a stack of lens array plates with coaxial lens systems, featuring light-shielding walls with through holes that are tapered in diameter and inclined angles to minimize light reflection, specifically forming intermediate through holes with progressively smaller diameters and angles of inclination to reduce flare noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a light-shielding wall is provided between two lens array plates to remove ghost noise, then ghost noise is reduced, but light reflected by the light-shielding wall produces flare noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the light-shielding wall component that causes flare noise through light reflection. By eliminating this reflective surface, the source of flare noise is removed while alternative structures are provided to maintain the optical separation function without creating harmful reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the problematic light reflection phenomenon into a beneficial anti-reflection structure. By designing the lens array plate interfaces and surrounding structures with anti-reflection properties, the light that would have been reflected and caused flare is now transmitted or absorbed in a controlled manner, converting the harmful reflection into a beneficial anti-reflection effect.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple rows of rod lenses are used to improve light transmission proportion and reduce unevenness, then light transmission is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lens array into multiple independent lens plates, each with a manageable number of lens rows. This allows optimization of light transmission within each plate while keeping individual plate complexity low. The segmented structure enables parallel light transmission paths without requiring an excessive number of rows in a single dense array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite lens structures combining multiple lens plates with different optical properties. By stacking plates with complementary characteristics, the system achieves high overall light transmission proportion without requiring each individual plate to have excessive lens rows, thus balancing performance with manufacturing feasibility.
3Volume of moving object
If an erecting equal-magnification lens array plate is used to reduce device size, then device size is reduced, but stray light enters adjacent convex lenses creating ghost noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple lens arrays within a compact stacked configuration, placing lens plates in close proximity with precise alignment. This nesting approach achieves high space utilization and compact device size while maintaining optical isolation between adjacent lenses through carefully designed interfaces and spacing, preventing stray light from entering neighboring optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional lens arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension with multiple lens plates stacked along the optical axis, the system achieves compact footprint while maintaining adequate optical separation between lenses through the third dimension, thereby preventing stray light interference.
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 flare noise by controlling the angle of reflection and absorption, ensuring high-quality image formation in image reading and writing devices.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate light-shielding wall provided with a plurality of intermediate through holes corresponding to the second and third lenses and provided between the first lens array plate and the second lens array plate such that the intermediate through holes are located directly opposite to the corresponding second and third lenses. The intermediate through hole is formed such that the hole diameter is progressively smaller in a tapered fashion away from the second surface toward the third surface, and an angle of inclination θ of an interior wall surface of the intermediate through hole with respect to a optical axis
Implementation Method 2
a fourth surface light-shielding wall provided with a plurality of fourth surface through holes corresponding to the fourth lenses and provided on the fourth surface such that the fourth surface through holes are located directly opposite to the corresponding fourth lenses
Data Source
AI summary
An erecting equal-magnification lens array plate comprises first and second lens array plates stacked on one another, a fourth surface light-shielding wall, and an intermediate light-shielding wall. An intermediate through hole formed in the intermediate light-shielding wall is formed such that the hole diameter is progressively smaller in a tapered fashion away from the first lens array plate toward the second lens array plate. An angle of inclination θ of an interior wall surface of the intermediate through hole with respect to a optical axis is given byθ≧tan−1(D4/(Gap+L2+H4))/2where Gap denotes a gap between the lens array plates, L2 denotes a thickness of the second lens array plate, H4 denotes a height of the fourth surface light-shielding wall, and D4 denotes a diameter of the opening of the fourth surface through hole formed in the fourth surface light-shielding wall facing the image plane.