Rotated Lens Array Alignment for Optical Axis Deviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variations in the arrangement interval of lens elements in lens arrays can cause deviations in optical axes, reducing the resolution of image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A lens unit configuration where the second lens array is rotated about a virtual line perpendicular to both the first optical axis and the arrangement direction by 180 degrees, ensuring that the optical axes of the lens elements at the centers of both arrays coincide, thereby reducing deviations and enhancing resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the second lens array is positioned with a simple parallel arrangement relative to the first lens array, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but variations in lens element arrangement intervals cause optical axis deviations that reduce manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by rotating the second lens array 180 degrees around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis, creating a symmetric-but-reversed configuration. This asymmetric positioning method (rotating by exactly 180 degrees) ensures that even with variations in lens element arrangement intervals, the optical axes of corresponding lens elements in both arrays remain substantially coincident, thereby resolving the alignment precision issue without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If the second lens array is rotated by 180 degrees relative to the first lens array, then optical axis deviation is reduced and manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the specific rotational positioning requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining the 180-degree rotational position of the second lens array relative to the first lens array. This predetermined positioning eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments during assembly, as the correct orientation is established in advance through the rotational relationship, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring optical axis coincidence
3Reliability
If lens elements are arranged with standard intervals in both lens arrays, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but variations in arrangement intervals still cause optical axis deviations that reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry (180-degree rotation) to create a configuration where corresponding lens elements in the first and second arrays maintain coincident optical axes even when arrangement intervals vary. This asymmetric positioning strategy ensures that manufacturing variations do not translate into optical axis misalignments, thereby maintaining reliability and image resolution consistency while allowing ease of manufacture with standard lens element spacing
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 reduces optical axis deviations, even with manufacturing errors, and enhances the resolution of the image forming apparatus by ensuring precise alignment and symmetry between the first and second lens arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens array including a plurality of first lens elements 21 each of which has a first optical axis A1
Data Source
AI summary
The lens unit includes a first lens array including a plurality of first lens elements each of which has a first optical axis and which are arranged in an arrangement direction perpendicular to the first optical axis. A second lens array includes a plurality of second lens elements each of which has a second optical axis and which are arranged in the arrangement direction while facing the first lens elements. The second lens array is in a positional relationship relative to the first lens array such that the second lens array is rotated about a virtual line perpendicular to both the first optical axis and the arrangement direction as the rotational axis by 180 degrees. The optical axes of the lens elements located at the substantially centers of the lens arrays in the arrangement direction are arranged to substantially coincide with each other.