Scan Lens with Orthogonal Optical Powers for Multi-Beam Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices with photoconductive surfaces are limited by scan lenses that restrict the number of optical beams that can be scanned, media width, and image quality, hindering speed, width, and quality of image formation.
Innovation Solution
A unique scan lens design with four optically positioned lens elements, each with specific optical powers in orthogonal directions, allowing for the simultaneous scanning of multiple optical beams across a wider media surface, reducing visible artifacts and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional scan lens is used, then the device structure is simple, but the number of optical beams that can be simultaneously scanned is limited to about twelve
Solution Approach 1:
The scan lens is divided into four separate lens elements (first, second, third, and fourth lens elements) with different optical powers. This segmentation allows each element to contribute differently to the overall optical function, enabling the system to handle multiple optical beams simultaneously while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces different optical powers in orthogonal directions (meridional and sagittal directions) for the lens elements. This dimensional approach allows the lens to focus and scan multiple beams across the photoconductive surface in different directions simultaneously, increasing productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If a conventional scan lens is used, then the lens design is simple, but the width of media on which images can be formed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Each lens element is designed with specific local optical properties - the first and fourth elements have positive optical power while the second and third have negative optical power. This local differentiation of optical quality across the lens structure enables wider media coverage while keeping the overall design manageable through functional specialization.
3Manufacturing precision
If a conventional scan lens is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but visible artifacts and lens aberrations are present in the formed images
Solution Approach 1:
The lens elements are designed with asymmetric optical powers - alternating positive and negative powers across the four elements. This asymmetric configuration helps correct lens aberrations and reduce visible artifacts in the formed images, achieving higher manufacturing precision while the modular design maintains reasonable ease of manufacture.
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
Enables increased image formation speed, wider media support, and improved image quality by allowing more optical beams to be scanned and reducing lens aberrations, resulting in higher quality images on larger media sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a scan lens, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A scan lens for an imaging device includes first, second, third, and fourth lens elements optically positioned in ascending numeric order between a scanning component and an imaging surface. The first lens element has an optical power in an in-scan direction of the imaging device and an optical power in a cross-scan direction of the imaging device, the optical power in the cross-scan direction being positive and greater than the optical power in the in-scan direction. The second lens element has a negative optical power in the in-scan and cross-scan directions. The third lens element has a positive optical power in the in-scan direction and cross-scan directions. The fourth lens element has an optical power in the in-scan direction and a positive optical power in the cross-scan direction, the optical power in the cross-scan direction being greater than the optical power in the in-scan direction.