Lens Mirror Array Stray Light Control via Directional Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lens mirror arrays in image forming apparatuses, such as copying machines and printers, suffer from stray light generation due to unnecessary surface portions, which degrade image quality by mixing noise light with effective light, and it is challenging to eliminate these surfaces during injection molding.
Innovation Solution
A lens mirror array structure is designed with an incident surface, emitting surface, reflecting surfaces, and a light shielding portion, where the incident surface includes an effective surface for guiding effective light and a directional surface that directs unnecessary light to a light shielding portion, effectively blocking stray light and improving optical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lens mirror array is formed by injection molding, then manufacturing efficiency and cost are improved, but unnecessary surface portions that generate stray light cannot be eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The incident surface is segmented into two distinct regions: an effective surface for guiding effective light and a directional surface for directing stray light. This segmentation allows the optical element to simultaneously perform multiple functions within a single injection-molded structure, eliminating the need for post-processing removal of unnecessary surfaces while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the incident surface are赋予 different optical functions: the effective surface region is optimized for light guidance, while the directional surface region is specifically designed to redirect stray light toward the light shielding layer. This local differentiation of surface properties enables the single molded piece to eliminate stray light without requiring additional manufacturing steps.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the light shielding layer is applied on the surface of the optical element, then stray light is blocked, but the light shielding layer may affect the effective light transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding layer is applied selectively only on the directional surface region where stray light is directed, while the effective surface region remains free of the light shielding layer. This localized application ensures that the light shielding layer blocks stray light without interfering with the transmission of effective light through the effective surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface of the optical element is divided into functional zones: the effective surface that transmits effective light and the directional surface that receives and redirects stray light to the light shielding layer. This segmentation allows the light shielding layer to be positioned precisely where it is needed without affecting effective light paths.
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
The proposed lens mirror array effectively blocks stray light, enhancing image formation quality by isolating unnecessary light and preventing noise light from mixing with effective light, thereby improving optical characteristics and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The lens mirror array has a structure in which a plurality of optical elements are arranged. Each of the optical elements has: an incident surface on which light is incident; an emitting surface emitting the light incident through the incident surface; at least one reflecting surface reflecting the light incident through the incident surface toward the emitting surface; and a light shielding portion blocking light.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the optical elements of the lens mirror array has a light shielding layer on a portion of a surface of the optical element. The light shielding layer blocks light (for example, light that is undesirably incident on an adjacent optical element) that is unnecessary for exposure.
Data Source
AI summary
According to at least one embodiment, a lens mirror array includes a plurality of optical elements. An optical element of the plurality of optical elements includes an incident surface on which light is incident, an emitting surface configured to emit the light incident through the incident surface, at least one reflecting surface reflecting the light incident through the incident surface toward the emitting surface, and a light shielding portion configured to block the light. The incident surface includes an effective surface configured to pass effective light emitted from the emitting surface and a directional surface configured to direct unnecessary light to the light shielding portion.