Light Guiding Member Side Surface Positioning for Optical Path Purity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guiding members in image forming apparatuses face challenges in suppressing unnecessary light from entering the primary optical path, leading to deteriorated optical performance due to the mixing of secondary optical paths with the primary optical path.
Innovation Solution
A light guiding member with side surfaces positioned at a distance of 1.2 R or more from the center of the reflection surface, where R is the distance from the center to the edge of the reflection surface, effectively diverting secondary optical paths away from the primary optical path using unnecessary light transmitting surfaces, preventing them from entering the slit and thus minimizing optical performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prism-shaped grooves are provided in the side surfaces to suppress unnecessary light, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light suppression function from the side surfaces by providing light blocking surfaces on the incident surface that extend in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. This separates the light blocking function from the side surface structure, eliminating the need for complex prism-shaped grooves while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light blocking surfaces as an intermediary element on the incident surface to suppress unnecessary light. These light blocking surfaces act as a mediator between the incident light and the reflection surface, blocking secondary optical paths without requiring modification of the side surfaces.
2Volume of moving object
If side surfaces are positioned closer to the center to reduce device size, then compactness is improved, but unnecessary light enters the primary optical path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing light blocking surfaces at specific locations on the incident surface where secondary optical paths occur. Instead of uniformly positioning side surfaces far from the center, the light blocking surfaces are locally placed to suppress unnecessary light only in the regions where it occurs, allowing side surfaces to be positioned closer for compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The light blocking surfaces perform preliminary action by blocking secondary optical paths before the unnecessary light can enter the primary optical path. This preventive measure allows the device to maintain a compact design with side surfaces closer to the center while still preventing light interference.
3Reliability
If light blocking surfaces are added to suppress secondary optical paths, then optical performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light blocking function with the existing incident surface by providing light blocking surfaces on the same incident surface where light enters. This integration combines multiple functions into a single surface structure, improving optical performance without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The incident surface serves multiple functions: it allows primary optical paths to pass through while the light blocking surfaces on the same surface suppress secondary optical paths. This multi-functionality improves optical performance without requiring separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 the secondary optical path light amount ratio, enhancing the optical performance by preventing unnecessary light from interfering with the primary optical path, thereby improving the spectral colorimetric apparatus's accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection surface which reflects a light flux from the incident surface
Data Source
AI summary
For the purpose of providing a light guiding member with a simple structure which is capable of suppressing risk that unnecessary light could be mixed in a primary optical path, a light guiding member according to the present invention includes an incident surface, a reflection surface which reflects a light flux from the incident surface, and a side surface disposed at a distance of 1.2 R or more from a center of the reflection surface, where R is a distance from the center to an edge portion of the reflection surface, in a direction perpendicular to a first cross-section including an incident light toward the reflection surface on an optical axis and a reflected light from the reflection surface on the optical axis.