Lens Mirror Array Grooves for Reflection Surface Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens mirror arrays in scanners face challenges in securing shape accuracy of reflection surfaces due to disturbances in the resin flow during molding, especially when projecting portions or recesses are used for travel inhibiting purposes.
Innovation Solution
The lens mirror array incorporates a plurality of grooves among the reflection surfaces in the main scanning direction, with a light blocking member provided in these grooves, allowing for the application of light blocking ink and stabilizing the shape of the travel inhibiting surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If projecting portions or recesses are provided for travel inhibiting purposes, then light traveling is inhibited, but shape accuracy of reflection surfaces deteriorates due to resin flow disturbance during molding
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the travel inhibiting function from the reflection surface structure itself and relocates it to groove structures. By providing grooves that extend in the main scanning direction among the reflection surfaces, the patent separates the light blocking function from the optical reflection function, allowing each to be optimized independently without interfering with the other.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light blocking films are provided on side surfaces of projecting portions, then light traveling is inhibited, but device complexity increases due to additional manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the travel inhibiting function directly into the groove structures formed during the molding process itself. The grooves are integrated into the single-molded optical element, combining multiple functions (light blocking, structural support) into a unified structure that requires no separate assembly steps or additional materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the molding process itself to create the travel inhibiting structures, eliminating the need for separate, expensive light blocking films or additional manufacturing steps. The grooves are formed as an integral part of the molding process, reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing cost.
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 improves the surface accuracy of the reflection surfaces, reduces the effective range of reflected light, increases the depth of field, and enhances optical performance by stabilizing the light blocking member and maintaining the shape accuracy of the reflection surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an incident-side lens surface on which reflected light from an original document is made incident
Implementation Method 2
at least one reflection surface that guides the light made incident via the incident-side lens surface to the emission-side lens surface
Implementation Method 3
The at least one reflection surface includes a reflection surface of a free curved surface having positive optical power for converging reflected light
Implementation Method 4
an emission-side lens surface that emits the incident light toward the CCD sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A lens mirror array includes a plurality of optical elements arrayed in a main scanning direction. Each of the optical elements includes an incident surface, at least one reflection surface, and an emission surface. The incident surface transmits and converges light made incident thereon. The reflection surface has positive optical power for reflecting and converging the light made incident via the incident surface. The emission surface emits the light reflected by the reflection surface. The lens mirror array includes a plurality of grooves and a light blocking member. The plurality of grooves are provided among a plurality of the reflection surfaces arranged in the main scanning direction of the plurality of optical elements. The light blocking member is provided in the plurality of grooves.