Erecting Equal-Magnification Lens Array Plate Ghost Noise Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Erecting equal-magnification lens array plates in image reading devices suffer from ghost noise due to diagonally incident light beams entering adjacent convex lenses, and the use of intermediate light-shielding members to mitigate this issue leads to manufacturing complexities and increased costs due to burr formation and precise thickness control requirements.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an erecting equal-magnification lens array plate design where the lens-to-lens distance is determined by integral lens-to-lens distance determining parts on the lens array plates, eliminating the need for an intermediate light-shielding member and reducing the risk of burr-related gaps, thereby improving optical properties and manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an intermediate light-shielding member is used to reduce ghost noise, then optical property is improved, but manufacturing precision requirement increases due to precise thickness control needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical propertyVSAvoidthickness control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the intermediate light-shielding member from the structure and integrates the light-shielding function directly into the lens array plate through protrusions and recesses. This extraction eliminates the need for precise thickness control of a separate component while maintaining the light-shielding effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-shielding function is merged with the lens array plate structure itself. The protrusions and recesses are formed as integral parts of the lens array plate, combining the optical function with the light-shielding function in a single component, thereby eliminating the intermediate light-shielding member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If an intermediate light-shielding member is used to reduce ghost noise, then optical property is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical propertyVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-shielding function is merged with the lens array plate structure itself. The protrusions and recesses are formed as integral parts of the lens array plate, combining the optical function with the light-shielding function in a single component, thereby eliminating the intermediate light-shielding member and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the intermediate light-shielding member from the structure and integrates the light-shielding function directly into the lens array plate through protrusions and recesses. This extraction eliminates the need for precise thickness control of a separate component while maintaining the light-shielding effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If injection molding is used to manufacture the lens array plate, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but burr formation occurs in through holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidburr formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating through holes that are prone to burr formation, the patent inverts the approach by creating protrusions from the lens array plate. This inversion eliminates the through holes and their associated burr problems while maintaining the light-shielding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of burr formation into a benefit by designing the light-shielding structure as protrusions rather than through holes. This design choice transforms what would be a manufacturing defect into an intentional structural feature that performs the light-shielding function without burrs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If burrs are removed by polishing to prevent gaps, then optical property is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical propertyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the intermediate light-shielding member from the structure and integrates the light-shielding function directly into the lens array plate through protrusions and recesses. This extraction eliminates the need for precise thickness control of a separate component while maintaining the light-shielding effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating through holes that are prone to burr formation, the patent inverts the approach by creating protrusions from the lens array plate. This inversion eliminates the through holes and their associated burr problems while maintaining the light-shielding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design enhances the optical properties of the lens array plate by stabilizing the lens-to-lens distance, reducing manufacturing costs, and simplifying the redesign process, while minimizing the impact of burrs and improving yield.

Implementation Method 1

an erecting equal-magnification optical system comprises a linear light source, an erecting equal-magnification lens array, and a linear image sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the first lens array plate and/or the second lens array plate is provided with a lens-to-lens distance determining part that determines a distance between adjacent lenses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical path control:

Data Source

PatentUS8810912B2Erecting equal-magnification lens array plate, optical scanning unit, image reading device, and image writing device

Publication Date: 2014.08.19 NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO LTD

AI summary

An erecting equal-magnification lens array plate includes a first lens array plate and a second lens array plate provided opposite to each other, each of the first and second lens array plates being formed with a plurality of lenses on both sides thereof. The first lens array plate is provided with a first lens-to-lens distance determining part. The second lens array plate is provided with a second lens-to-lens distance determining part. The distance between opposite lenses is determined by the contact between the first lens-to-lens distance determining part and the second lens-to-lens distance determining part.