Erecting Equal-Magnification Lens Array Plate Stray Light Shielding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Erecting equal-magnification lens array plates in image reading and forming devices suffer from stray light issues and uneven light distribution, which affect image quality and device size due to the lack of effective light shielding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first light shielding member near the intermediate plane where the inverted image of the light source is formed and a second light shielding member on the lens surface facing the light source or image plane to reduce stray light and even out light distribution, without using a partition with a slit opening, thereby shifting the main lens arrangement direction from the longitudinal direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a partition with slit opening is used to shield stray light, then stray light is reduced, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light shielding function from a separate partition structure and integrates it directly into the lens array plate by forming light shielding walls on the plate's surface. This eliminates the need for a partition with slit openings, reducing device size and weight while maintaining stray light shielding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light shielding function with the lens array plate structure by forming light shielding walls directly on the plate surface. This merging of functions eliminates separate shielding components, reducing overall device complexity, size, and weight.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a partition with slit opening is used to shield stray light, then stray light is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light shielding function with the lens array plate by forming light shielding walls directly on the plate surface. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating separate shielding components and simplifying the optical system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens array plate is given multiple functions: it serves as both the optical element for image formation and the structure for light shielding. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the optical system.
3Manufacturing precision
If light shielding members are added to eliminate stray light, then image quality improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light shielding walls with the lens array plate into a single integrated component. This can be achieved through co-molding or other manufacturing techniques, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielding walls and lens array plate are formed as an integrated composite structure, where the plate material incorporates light shielding properties in specific regions. This integration simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps.
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 effectively eliminates stray light and reduces light unevenness in the main scanning direction, improving image quality and reducing the size and weight of the optical system while maintaining high transmissivity for imaging light.
Implementation Method 1
a first light shielding member operative to shield light not contributing to imaging and formed in the neighborhood of a position in the intermediate plane
Implementation Method 2
a second light shielding member operative to reduce the amount of light incident on at least some of the lenses at the periphery in the sub-scanning direction and provided on a lens surface
Implementation Method 3
each lens array plate is formed with a plurality of lenses on one or both surfaces of the plate, the plate receiving light from a substantially straight light source and the plate forming an erect equal-magnification image of the substantially straight light source
Data Source
AI summary
An erecting equal-magnification lens array plate includes a stack of a plurality lens array plates built such that pairs of corresponding lenses form a coaxial lens system, where each lens array plate is formed with a plurality of convex lenses on both surfaces of the plate. The plate receives light from a substantially straight light source facing one side of the plate, and the plate forms an erect equal-magnification image of the substantially straight light source on an image plane facing the other side of the plate. The main lens arrangement direction differs from the main scanning direction of the erecting equal-magnification lens array plate. The erecting equal-magnification lens array plate is provided with a first light shielding member operative to shield light not contributing to imaging and formed in the neighborhood of a position in the intermediate plane in the erecting equal-magnification lens array plate where an inverted image of the substantially straight light source is formed, and with a second light shielding member operative to reduce the amount of light incident on at least some of the lenses at the periphery in the sub-scanning direction and provided on a lens surface facing a light source.