JP3071878B2 - Imaging element and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging device and a method for producing the same. For example, a facsimile, a document reading unit of an image scanner, an image reading device used for an optical printer,
Further, the present invention is applied to a light source for a self-scanning optical printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a known document describing the prior art according to the present invention, there is, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 61-2929. Hereinafter, description will be given based on the drawings described in the publication. FIGS. 14A to 14C are diagrams showing a configuration of a conventional roof mirror lens array (RMLA).
Is a plan view, FIG. (B) is a front view, and FIG. (C) is a view showing an example in which a prism and a lens are integrally formed. In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a prism lens array, 11 denotes a prism array, 12 denotes a lens array, 13 denotes an object, and 14 denotes an inverted image at the same magnification.
A member (a lens array: LA) 12 in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, and a member (a roof prism array: a roof prism array: a plurality of roof prisms each having a right-angle reflecting surface at an arrangement pitch of the lens array). RPA) 11 and
This is a structure integrally molded with plastic.

[0005] An erect real image is formed in both the arrangement direction (Y direction) and the orthogonal direction (X direction) of the lens array (LA) 12 and the roof prism array (RPA) 10. In particular, since an erect equal-magnification image is formed in the Y direction, an image obtained by a single lens array (LA) 12 and a roof prism array (RPA) 11 is overlapped in the Y direction to cover a necessary width. I do. The shape of each lens aperture is appropriately determined so that the light amount distribution in the Y direction is uniform, and the light amount distribution is optimized.

As described above, Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-2929 discloses a lens array composed of a number of small lenses arranged in a row, and a ridgeline of a right-angle reflecting surface at the center of curvature of the small lenses behind the small lenses. And a plurality of right-angle prism arrays arranged in a row so as to coincide with each other, and integrally formed of a plastic material. As shown in FIG. 14A, the angle of view in the roof prism lens array (RPLA) arrangement direction is There is a disadvantage that light from a large area is reflected only on one reflecting surface of the roof prism array (RPA) and reaches the image plane without forming an erect image.

Further, since the ridge line of the right-angle reflecting surface is made coincident with the center of curvature of the small lens, there is a disadvantage that the degree of freedom in selecting the angle of view is small and the performance such as the light quantity distribution and the resolving power is restricted. Also, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, it has been proposed to dispose a light-shielding mask 15 in front of the lens so as to restrict the shape of the opening to improve the light amount distribution. In order to block light reflected only on one side of the surface, the aperture shape should be significantly reduced,
A method of disposing lenses discretely or the like is indispensable, and there is a problem that light use efficiency is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 18, an "optical imaging apparatus" proposed in JP-A-56-149002 has a plurality of plate-like prism arrays 23 and a plurality of lens arrays. 25 is an optical device in which a long prism lens array is formed by superimposing 25 with each other. That is, the aperture 2 of each lens element is located between the lens array and the prism array.
6 is an optical imaging device having a plate-shaped light shielding member 27 corresponding to No. 6. However, since two types of lenses, a lens array and a prism array, are overlapped in the optical axis direction, there is a disadvantage that an optical axis shift occurs due to a processing error, and the imaging performance is reduced.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a light shielding portion formed in front of an adjacent lens of a roof prism lens array (RPLA) to reduce crosstalk between adjacent lenses. To improve the imaging performance, and to improve the roof prism lens array (RPL
A) a space formed between adjacent prism lenses (unfilled portion of resin), and a light shielding plate in front of the lens portion;
And an aperture plate are integrally provided to prevent crosstalk between lenses and to control the light quantity distribution to improve the imaging performance.
A) a space formed between adjacent prism lenses (unfilled portion of resin), and a light shielding plate in front of the lens portion;
And an aperture plate are provided for each lens to prevent crosstalk between the lenses and to control the light quantity distribution to improve the imaging performance. Further, in front of the lens adjacent to the roof prism lens array (RPLA). Provided is a method of forming a light shielding film of a formed light shielding member with a simple and stable performance.
In the light shielding member formed in front of the adjacent lens of A), an exhaust port for forming the light shielding material by dip coating is provided in the light shielding member, so that the performance at the time of forming the light shielding film is stabilized. The object of the present invention is to provide an image element and a method for producing the same.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides (1)
A lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, a roof prism array in which a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angle reflecting surface at the arrangement pitch of the lens array are continuously formed, the lens array and the roof prism In the imaging element in which the array and the plastic are integrally molded, a space is formed between the adjacent roof prism lenses, and unnecessary light is integrally formed with the light shielding plate in the space between the adjacent roof prism lenses in front of the lens array. (2) a lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, and a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angle reflecting surface at the pitch of the lens arrays; Roof prism array, and an imaging element in which the lens array and the roof prism array are integrally formed of plastic. A space portion is formed between adjacent prism lenses, and a stop plate for removing unnecessary light integrally with a light shielding plate in a space portion between the adjacent roof prism lenses in front of the lens array corresponds to the arrangement of the lens portions. Or (3) a lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, and a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angle reflecting surface at the pitch of the lens arrays. A roof prism array, and an imaging element in which the lens array and the roof prism array are integrally formed of plastic, wherein a space is formed between adjacent prism lenses, and an adjacent roof prism is provided in front of the lens array. An aperture plate for removing unnecessary light is provided integrally with the light shielding plate in the space between the lenses, and a single light shielding plate is provided for each lens corresponding to the arrangement of the lens unit, That the concave and convex portions of the aperture plate have a structure connected to each other, or
(4) A lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, a roof prism array in which a plurality of roof prisms each having a right-angled reflection surface are arranged at the pitch of the lens arrays, and the lens array. In the method of manufacturing an imaging element in which the roof prism array and the roof prism array are integrally formed of plastic, light other than effective imaging light reflected on only one of the two reflecting surfaces of the roof prism array in front of the lens is blocked. After molding the light shielding member as one,
When forming a light-shielding film on the light-shielding member, the roof prism portion is downwardly immersed in a container filled with a light-shielding film forming material, or (5) a plurality of lenses are continuously formed. A lens array, a roof prism array in which a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angle reflection surface at the arrangement pitch of the lens array are continuously formed, and a lens obtained by integrally molding the lens array and the roof prism array with plastic. In the method of manufacturing an image element, when a light shielding member that shields light other than effective imaging light reflected on only one of the two reflecting surfaces of the roof prism array in front of the lens is integrally formed, An opening is provided at a position close to the lens surface of the member, and when forming the light-shielding film, the roof prism is directed downward and immersed in a container filled with the light-shielding film forming material. It is characterized by being immersed. Hereinafter, a description will be given based on examples of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an imaging device to which the present invention is applied
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example, in which 1 is a roof prism, and 2 is a light shielding member. A member in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed (lens array: LA) and a member in which a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angle reflecting surface at a pitch of the lens array are continuously formed (roof prism array:
RPA) and a plastic imaging element (roof prism lens array: RPLA)
The light shielding member 2 is integrally formed in front of the lens array (LA) of the roof prism lens array (RPLA). In addition, as shown in FIG.
By setting so as to satisfy the relationship of ≧ 0.8 (Pt), it is possible to effectively reduce and remove the reflected light from only one reflection surface of the roof prism array (RPA). P indicates the arrangement pitch of the lenses, and t indicates the thickness of the light shielding member. FIG. 2 (a),
(B) shows a sectional view and a plan view, respectively.

FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) show another example, in which FIG. 3 (a) is a plan view and FIG. 3 (b) is a sectional view. The opening shape 1a of the light shielding member is formed into an elliptical shape. The imaging performance is improved by excluding the portion where the resolving power is reduced at the peripheral portion of the lens, and the control of the light amount distribution is facilitated. Figure 4 is a diagram showing another example in further <br/>, the wedge in the cross-sectional shape of the light blocking member 2, it is possible to further improve the releasability at the time of molding as well as to facilitate control of the light amount distribution . The light-shielding member has an oval opening shape.

5 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram when a light shielding plate and an aperture plate of a roof prism lens array are combined,
FIG. 7 is a completed drawing of the combination. In the figure, 2a is a space part,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a light shielding plate, and 4 denotes an aperture plate. A member in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed (lens array: LA) and a member in which a plurality of roof prisms 1 having a right-angle reflecting surface at the arrangement pitch of the lens array are continuously formed (roof prism array: RPA) ) And an image forming element (roof prism lens array: RPLA) integrally formed of plastic, a space portion (unfilled portion of resin) between adjacent roof prism lenses of the roof prism lens array (RPLA).
2a, a light shielding plate 3 is integrally formed in a space 2a between the roof prism lenses, and a diaphragm plate 4 is integrally formed and provided in front of the lens.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. A member in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed (lens array: LA); and a member in which a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angled reflecting surface at the arrangement pitch of the lens array are continuously formed (roof prism array: RPA). After forming a space (unfilled portion of resin) 2a between adjacent roof prism lenses of the roof prism lens array (RPLA) in an imaging element (roof prism lens array: RPLA) integrally molded of plastic, A light shielding plate 3 is provided in the space between the roof prism lenses, and an aperture plate 4 is integrally formed in front of the lens for each lens. A single light-shielding plate and aperture plate are integrated and arranged in front of the lens.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, reference numeral 5 denotes an uneven portion. A member in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed (lens array: LA); and a member in which a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angled reflecting surface at the arrangement pitch of the lens array are continuously formed (roof prism array: RPA). After forming a space (unfilled portion of resin) 2a between adjacent roof prism lenses of the roof prism lens array (RPLA) in an imaging element (roof prism lens array: RPLA) integrally molded of plastic, A light shielding plate 3 is provided in a space 2a between roof prism lenses, and an aperture plate 4 is formed integrally with each lens in front of the lens. Single gobo,
Since the concave / convex portions 5 of the aperture plate are connected to each other, the unevenness 5 slides and the opening / closing portion of the diaphragm member slides in response to variations in the entire length due to processing errors of the roof prism lens array (RPLA) or expansion / contraction due to environmental changes. Keep the arrangement pitch even. Further, by connecting the concave and convex portions 5, light leakage between the light shielding plate and the diaphragm plate can be prevented.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein 6 is a light shielding material, and 7 is a container. A member in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed (lens array: LA); a member in which a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angled reflection surface at the arrangement pitch of the lens array are continuously formed (roof prism array: RPA); Further, in an imaging element (roof prism lens array: RPLA) in which a light-shielding member is integrally formed of plastic, a roof prism lens array (R
The roof prism array (RPA) of PLA) has its back surface (surface opposite to the lens) facing up and is immersed to form a colored surface. It is immersed to a position almost adjacent to the surface of the lens (spherical surface (including aspherical surface)), pulled up and dried to form a light-shielding film. As the light shielding material, a material in which a solute containing a light absorbing material such as carbon is dispersed in a solvent that does not change the characteristics of the plastic material forming the roof prism lens array (RPLA) can be used.

FIG. 12 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 8 denotes a slit. In an imaging element (roof prism lens array: RPLA) in which a roof prism lens array (RPLA) and a light shielding member 2 are integrally formed of plastic, a slit 8 is further provided in a part of the light shielding member 2, and the light shielding film is immersed. When forming, it is formed in a space formed by the light-shielding member 2 and the lens, and forms an air vent portion that inhibits seepage of the light-shielding material. FIG. 13 is a view showing another embodiment of claim 5 of the present invention, in which 9 is a hole. Slit 8 in FIG.
Instead, a hole 9 is provided in the light shielding member 2 to achieve the same effect.

[0016]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) Effect corresponding to claim 1 : a light shielding plate is integrally formed in a space (unfilled portion of resin) between adjacent prism lenses of a roof prism lens array (RPLA), and an aperture plate is formed integrally in front of the lens. Thereby, crosstalk between adjacent lenses can be reduced and imaging performance can be improved.
Further, the light quantity distribution is optimized. (2) Effects corresponding to the second and third aspects: a light shielding plate is provided in a space (unfilled portion of resin) between adjacent prism lenses of a roof prism lens array (RPLA), and an aperture plate is provided in front of the lens unit as a lens. By correspondingly forming them integrally, crosstalk between adjacent lenses can be reduced and imaging performance can be improved. Further, since the light-shielding plate and the diaphragm plate correspond to the lens and are integrally formed individually, the aperture is adjusted to cope with variations in the overall length due to a processing error of the roof prism lens array (RPLA) or expansion and contraction due to environmental changes. The arrangement pitch of the sections can be kept uniform, and local fluctuation of the light quantity distribution can be prevented. Further, since the concavo-convex portions of the diaphragm plate are connected to each other, the diaphragm plate slides in response to a change in the total length of the roof prism lens array (RPLA), and the arrangement pitch of the aperture portions of the diaphragm plate is maintained uniformly, and The connection prevents light leakage between the light blocking plate and the diaphragm plate. (3) Effect corresponding to claim 4 : The formation of the light shielding material on the light shielding member provided integrally with the roof prism lens array (RPLA) can be achieved by a simple method, and the performance is stabilized. (4) Effect corresponding to claim 5 : By forming the gas vent portion on the light shielding member provided integrally with the roof prism lens array (RPLA), stable formation at the time of dip coating of the light shielding material can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an imaging element to which the present invention is applied .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view and a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the imaging element to which the present invention is applied .

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing still another example of an imaging element to which the present invention is applied .

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a combination showing the embodiment of claim 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a completed view of the combination of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an embodiment of claim 2 ;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an embodiment of claim 4 ;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an embodiment of claim 5 ;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another embodiment of claim 5 ;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional roof mirror lens array.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of a conventional prism lens array.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing that the degree of overlap differs depending on the prism opening shape.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing that the degree of overlap differs depending on the prism opening shape.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a form of a prism lens array.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Roof prism, 2 ... Light shielding member, 3 ... Light shielding plate, 4 ...
Aperture plate.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, a roof prism array in which a plurality of roof prisms each having a right-angle reflecting surface at an arrangement pitch of the lens arrays are continuously formed, and the lens In an imaging element in which an array and the roof prism array are integrally formed of plastic, a space is formed between adjacent roof prism lenses, and a light shielding plate in a space between adjacent roof prism lenses in front of the lens array. An imaging element comprising an integral aperture plate for removing unnecessary light. 2. A lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, a roof prism array in which a plurality of roof prisms each having a right-angle reflecting surface are arranged at a pitch of the lens array, and the lens In an imaging element in which an array and the roof prism array are integrally formed of plastic, a space is formed between adjacent prism lenses, and a light shielding plate in a space between adjacent roof prism lenses is provided in front of the lens array. An imaging element, wherein an aperture plate for integrally removing unnecessary light is provided for each lens corresponding to the arrangement of the lens units. 3. A lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, a roof prism array in which a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angle reflecting surface at the pitch of the lens arrays are continuously formed, and the lens In an imaging element in which an array and the roof prism array are integrally formed of plastic, a space is formed between adjacent prism lenses, and a light shielding plate in a space between adjacent roof prism lenses is provided in front of the lens array. A diaphragm plate for removing unnecessary light is provided integrally, a single light-shielding plate is provided for each lens corresponding to the arrangement of the lens units, and the concave and convex portions of the diaphragm plate are connected to each other. Characteristic imaging element. 4. A lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, a roof prism array in which a plurality of roof prisms having a right-angle reflecting surface at the pitch of the lens arrays are continuously formed, and the lens In a method of forming an imaging element in which an array and the roof prism array are integrally molded from plastic, light other than effective imaging light reflected on only one of the two reflecting surfaces of the roof prism array is provided in front of the lens. After the light-shielding member for shading is also integrally formed, when the light-shielding film is formed on the light-shielding member, the roof prism is downwardly immersed in a container filled with a light-shielding film forming material. Method of making an imaging element. 5. A lens array in which a plurality of lenses are continuously formed, a roof prism array in which a plurality of roof prisms each having a reflection surface at a right angle at an arrangement pitch of the lens arrays are continuously formed, and the lens In a method of forming an imaging element in which an array and the roof prism array are integrally molded from plastic, light other than effective imaging light reflected on only one of the two reflecting surfaces of the roof prism array is provided in front of the lens. When integrally forming the light-shielding member for shielding light, an opening is provided at a position close to the lens surface of the light-shielding member, and further, when forming the light-shielding film, the roof prism portion is directed downward to form a light-shielding film forming material. A method for producing an imaging element, characterized by being immersed in a filled container.