Rectangular Aperture Array Optical Recording Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses produce circular laser spots on the recording medium, leading to blurred pixels, particularly at the corners, which reduces the overall image definition.
Innovation Solution
An optical recording head with a rectangular aperture array is used to shape the laser spots into rectangular shapes, improving image definition by using a combination of a fly-eye lens, cylindrical lens array, and aperture array to direct and focus the laser light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If circular laser spots are used from conventional optical fibers, then the structure is simple, but the image definition deteriorates due to blurred pixels especially at corners
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple functional components: optical fibers for light input, a fly-eye lens for beam expansion and uniformity, a cylindrical lens array for rectangular shaping, and an aperture array for precise spot formation. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, transforming circular spots into rectangular spots while maintaining system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The fly-eye lens acts as an intermediary between the optical fibers and the cylindrical lens array. It expands and uniformizes the laser beams before they reach the shaping lenses, enabling consistent rectangular spot formation across all pixels without directly increasing the complexity of the fiber-optic connection
2Manufacturing precision
If rectangular aperture array is introduced to shape laser spots, then image definition is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical functions are merged into a compact integrated optical system where the fly-eye lens, cylindrical lens array, and aperture array are positioned in close proximity and work together as a unified assembly. This merging reduces the overall space requirement and simplifies alignment while achieving rectangular spot formation
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system transitions from producing circular spots (isotropic in both dimensions) to rectangular spots (anisotropic in two dimensions) by introducing directional control through the cylindrical lens array. This dimensional transformation enables better pixel definition by matching the rectangular pixel geometry of digital images
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 solution effectively shapes each laser spot into a rectangular form, enhancing image definition by eliminating blurriness and improving the clarity of the entire image formed on the recording medium.
Implementation Method 1
a fly-eye lens arranged to be opposite to end surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers such that during use laser light respectively emitted from the end surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers directly enters into the fly-eye lens
Implementation Method 2
a cylindrical lens array arranged to be opposite to a light exit surface of the fly-eye lens such that during use laser light emitted from the light exit surface of the fly-eye lens directly enters into the cylindrical lens array
Implementation Method 3
an aperture array arranged to be opposite to a light exit surface of the cylindrical lens array such that during use laser light emitted from the light exit surface of the cylindrical lens array directly enters into the aperture array, wherein each of the apertures of the aperture array is rectangular
Implementation Method 4
a lens that during use collects, on a surface of the recording medium, laser light that passed through apertures of the aperture array
Data Source
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AI summary
Image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention is an apparatus for forming an image on a surface of recording medium P by applying laser light to recording medium P, the apparatus including a plurality of light sources 31 each of which emits laser light, a plurality of optical fibers 23 and 42 through which laser light respectively emitted from light sources 31 propagates, holder 43 that holds optical fibers 42, and fly-eye lens 50, cylindrical lens array 60, aperture array 70, lens 80a and lens 80b through which laser light emitted from end surfaces of optical fibers 42 passes, wherein each of apertures 71 of aperture array 70 is rectangular.