JPH04308810A - Roof mirror lens array - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce an irregularity in the quantity of composite light and uniform the quantity of composite light over the entire effective scanning width range even when a lens array(LA), a roof mirror array(RMA), and a light shield member have pitch deviation in their array direction as to the roof mirror lens array(RMLA) consisting of the components. CONSTITUTION:A black light quantity absorption member 4 for adjusting the quantity of light is patterned on two individual reflecting surfaces of the roof mirror array(RMA) of the roof mirror lens array(RMLA) which has the roof mirror array(RMA) 1, lens array(LA) 2, and light shield member 3. At any place in one roof mirror array(RMA), the pitch deviation among the position of an aperture shape and the effective reflecting surface of the roof mirror array(RMA) 1 is eliminated in the array direction.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a roof mirror lens array, and more particularly to a same-magnification imaging element used in reading optical systems of copying machines, facsimile machines, image scanners, etc., and particularly relates to a roof mirror lens array with little unevenness in light intensity pitch. Regarding a mirror lens array.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image information processing apparatuses such as copying machines and facsimile machines have used equal-magnification imaging elements as elements for spatially transmitting image information in order to reduce size and cost. The same-magnification imaging element includes a converging rod lens array, a roof mirror lens array, etc. Among these, the configuration of the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) will be explained based on FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 shows a roof mirror lens array (RM
This is a diagram for explaining the roof mirror lens array (RMLA), which normally includes an optical path separating mirror (SM) 11, a lens array (LA) 12, a roof mirror array (RMA) 13, and the above, as shown in the figure. Lens array (LA)
12 and the roof mirror array (RMA) 13, and a housing member (not shown) for holding the components and blocking external light. Ru. In the figure, the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) includes an optical path separating mirror (SM) 11, a lens array (LA) 12 in which a plurality of lenses are integrally molded in a line in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined lens pitch p, and the lens array. A roof mirror array in which a large number of roof mirrors (RMA) 13 each having two reflective surfaces are consecutively provided in a straight line along the arrangement direction of (LA) 12 at an arrangement pitch p that is the same as the lens arrangement pitch. (RMA) 13 is provided. Between the lens array (LA) 12 and the roof mirror array (RMA) 13, a light shielding member ( (not shown) is provided. In the above configuration, the object (image plane) 1
The light in the Z-axis direction emitted from 4 is reflected in the X-axis direction by the optical path separation mirror (SM) 11 located below.
It passes through the lens array (LA) 12, is reflected a total of two times on each of the left and right surfaces of the roof mirror array (RMA) 13, and passes through the same lens of the lens array (LA) 12 in the X-axis direction again, and passes through the optical path separation mirror. After its optical path is bent by the (SM) 11, it is reflected again in the Z-axis direction and is imaged as an image 15 at a position conjugate with the object plane, and as described above, the object (
The information written on image plane) 14 is being read.

[0004] In the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) having the above-described configuration, the light shielding member, which is a part of the component, also has the function of adjusting the light amount distribution of a single lens array. However, since the lens array (LA) 12, light shielding plate, and roof mirror array (RMA) 13 that make up the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) are each separate members, when combining them, it is difficult to avoid pitch deviations in the arrangement direction. , a single lens array (R
MA) had a drawback that greatly affected the light amount distribution formed by 13. In particular, there is a problem in that the combined light amount distribution fluctuates greatly with respect to the pitch deviation between the light shielding plate and the roof mirror, resulting in periodic light amount pitch unevenness corresponding to the lens pitch. In response to the above problems, the applicant
tical properties of Roof
Mirror Lens Array Using R
ectangular aperture lens
s, (MicroOptics Conference
e f7p. 158-161; 1987).

[0005] The applicant has also previously developed a roof mirror lens array (RMLA) with no uneven light intensity in the composite light intensity distribution.
proposed. The roof mirror lens array (RMLA)
is a lens array (LA) and a roof mirror array (RM
This relates to an aperture member that is provided between the roof mirror and the roof mirror and that blocks reflected light from adjacent roof mirrors and adjusts the amount of light. That is, in the aperture member, the area of the opening on the side closer to each lens constituting the lens array (LA) is larger than the area of the opening on the roof mirror array (RMA) side. This type of aperture member equalizes the combined light amount of the light that passes near the optical axis and the light that passes at a position away from the optical axis among the light reflected from the roof mirror array (RMA). It is characterized by this. However, since the aperture member is separate from the roof mirror array (RMA), if a pitch deviation occurs in the arrangement direction during assembly, light intensity pitch unevenness will occur, similar to the conventional roof mirror lens array (RMLA). .

[0006] Also, the light amount pitch unevenness of the combined light amount in a conventional roof mirror lens array (RMLA) having a normal light shielding plate (diaphragm plate) will be described. Figure 4(a),
(b) shows a conventional roof mirror lens array (RMLA).
) is a diagram for explaining the light amount pitch unevenness of the combined light amount in the case where the light shielding member is in a positional relationship with the roof mirror array (RMA), and Figure (a) is a diagram showing the reflected light and the combined light amount when there is no positional shift. Figure (b) is a diagram showing the amount of reflected light and combined light when there is a positional shift. The roof mirror lens array (RMLA) is a diagram showing an XY partial cross section of the conventional roof mirror lens array (RMLA) in FIG. There is.

In the case of FIG. 4(a), a light shielding plate 16 is arranged between a lens array (LA) 12 and a roof mirror array (RMA) 13, which are disposed facing each other at equal pitches in the arrangement direction. It is arranged without any problem. For example, the light reflected by the single roof mirror 13C, which is an optical element, is collected by the corresponding single lens 12C, and has a light amount spread in the longitudinal direction (main running direction) of IC (indicated by a solid line). In other words, this reflected light has the maximum amount of light at the center of the optical element, as shown by the diagonal line LC0, and is determined according to the shape of the single lens in the section where both ends are blocked by the light shielding plates 16 and the amount of light is the minimum. It has an amount of light that spreads through its shape. Such reflected light is also emitted from adjacent optical elements and is combined into combined light, resulting in a constant combined light amount I0 in the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, when the light shielding plate 16 and the roof mirror array (RMA) 12 are misaligned by ΔL in the arrangement direction as shown in FIG. 4(b), the single roof mirror 13
The reflected light from D is focused by a single lens 12D. However, since the reflected light LD0 on the optical axis, which is the maximum amount of light, is blocked by the light shielding plate 16, the area becomes the area indicated by the diagonal line LD0. The amount of reflected light LD0 is decreased by approximately the amount blocked by the light shielding plate 16 with respect to the amount of reflected light LC0. Therefore, the combined light amount I is also smaller than the combined light amount I0 in FIG. 4(a), and as the light amount decreases, the light amount pitch unevenness also increases.

[0009]

[Purpose] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and even if there is a pitch deviation in the arrangement direction of the component parts in a roof mirror lens array (RMRA),
It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof mirror lens array in which the pitch unevenness of the combined light amount is reduced and the light amount is made uniform over the entire effective scanning width.

0010

[Structure] In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides (1)
an optical path separating mirror; a roof mirror array in which a large number of roof mirrors are continuously formed in a straight line at a constant arrangement pitch; and a roof mirror array located between the roof mirror array and the optical path separating mirror, corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the roof mirrors. A roof mirror lens consisting of a lens array having lenses formed by the above-mentioned roof mirror array, and a light shielding plate located between the lens array and the roof mirror array and shielding light beams crossing between adjacent roof mirror lenses. In the array, the reflecting surface of the roof mirror is provided with an aperture having an aperture function for adjusting the amount of light, or (2) a large number of optical path separating mirrors and roof mirrors are arranged linearly at a constant pitch. a roof mirror array continuously formed on the roof mirror array; a lens array located between the roof mirror array and the optical path separation mirror and having lenses formed in correspondence with the arrangement pitch of the roof mirrors; In the roof mirror lens array, the roof mirror lens array includes a light shielding plate located between the roof mirror array and a light shielding plate that blocks light beams crossing between adjacent roof mirror lenses. The present invention is characterized in that a protrusion-shaped light shielding member is formed that protrudes toward. Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on examples.

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are cross-sectional views in the arrangement direction for explaining one embodiment of the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) of the present invention. Figure 1(a) in relation to the positional relationship with RMA)
shows the case where there is no positional deviation, and FIG. 1(b) shows the case where there is positional deviation. In the figure, 1 is a roof mirror array (RMA
), 2 is a lens array (LA), 3 is a light shielding member, 4 is a black light absorbing member, and 5 is an effective reflecting surface.
The upper part of b) shows the amount of effective imaging light flux.

In the illustration, the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) includes a roof mirror array (RMA) 1;
It is composed of a lens array (LA) 2 and a light shielding member 3, and is housed integrally within a housing (not shown). Two reflective surfaces forming each single roof mirror of the roof mirror array (RMA) 1 are patterned in the shape of an opening to adjust the amount of light. That is, by the patterning, a black light absorbing member 4 is formed on the two reflective surfaces forming a single roof mirror, and a black light absorbing member 4 is formed in the portion of the reflective surface that is in contact with an adjacent single roof mirror. The other reflective surface on which no is formed becomes an effective reflective surface 5.

As a result, roof mirror array (RMA)
1, the roof mirror array (RM
A) The position of the opening shape and the position of the effective reflecting surface 5 are determined in any single roof mirror part constituting 1. At this position, pitch deviation in the arrangement direction will not occur due to environmental changes, assembly errors, etc. Therefore, fluctuations in the combined light amount distribution will not occur. This is shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b).
).

In FIG. 1(a), one optical element of the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) is taken, and a single roof mirror 1A of the roof mirror array (RMA) 1, a single lens 2A of the lens array (LA) 2, and When the light shielding member 3 is defined, the amount of reflected light on the imaging plane of the optical element is represented by a curve of the amount of light IA determined by the type of lens. The maximum value of the light amount curve IA is the reflected light LA0 (indicated by diagonal lines) that passes through the optical axis, and the minimum value is the light LA1 that passes farthest from the optical axis. However, the maximum light intensity IA
is the reflected light reflected from the effective reflection surface 5 that has been blocked in advance by the black light absorbing member 4, and the amount of light is reduced by that amount, but the light LA1 that forms an image at the position of the minimum light amount value is reflected from the light blocking member 3.
will not be affected by. In this state, the amount of light reflected from adjacent optical elements is combined, and the entire roof mirror lens array (RMLA) has a constant amount of light I0 in the arrangement direction.

In the case of FIG. 1(b), the light shielding member 3 has a pitch deviation of ΔL with respect to the roof mirror array (RMA) 1, but this pitch deviation ΔL
Roof mirror array (RMA) 1 if within the position range of
The size of the effective reflecting surface 5 does not change. Therefore, the value of the maximum light amount of the reflected light LB0 passing through the optical axis is the same as in the case of FIG. does not reach the light shielding member 3. That is, the single lens light amount I
B is equal to the single lens light amount IA in FIG. 1(a), and the combined reflected light amount I in the arrangement direction of the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) is also equal to I0 in FIG. 1(a).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) of the present invention, in which 6 is a roof mirror array (RMA) having a light shielding member, 6a is a light shielding member, and 7 is a roof mirror array (RMA) having a light shielding member. Lens array (LA) 8 is an effective reflection area.

The illustrated roof mirror array (RMA) includes:
At the position of the effective reflection surface of the roof mirror, a projection of the light shielding member 6a is provided in advance in a portion other than the effective reflection area 8 with the opening on the side of the single roof mirror having a shape D2, and the opening shape of the tip of this projection is That is, the aperture shape D1 on the single lens side of the lens array (LA) 7 is determined from the aperture shape D2 existing at the effective reflecting surface position of the single roof mirror.
It is characterized by being set to become larger. According to the roof mirror array (RMA) described above, similarly to the roof mirror array (RMA) of FIG. ), there will be no pitch deviation in the arrangement direction due to environmental changes, assembly errors, etc., and therefore no fluctuations in the composite light beam distribution will occur. Furthermore, since the protruding light shielding member 6a also has a light shielding function to prevent crosstalk between adjacent roof mirror lenses, the roof mirror lens array (RMLA) is more stable against fluctuations in light intensity distribution. )
It becomes possible to obtain.

[0018]

[Effects] As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) Effect corresponding to claim 1; roof mirror array (
By forming an opening with a light amount adjustment function directly on the effective reflective surface of the roof mirror array (RMA), it is possible to reduce the arrangement pitch caused by the assembly of the light shielding member and the roof mirror array (RMA) or by environmental changes after assembly. It becomes possible to eliminate the error, and thereby it becomes possible to reduce the light amount pitch unevenness corresponding to the lens pitch, which was caused by the arrangement pitch error. (2) Effect corresponding to claim 2: In addition to the effect of (1) above, the light shielding member and the roof mirror array (RMA) are integrally constructed, and the assembly can be more stable. becomes. Therefore, it becomes possible to obtain a roof mirror lens array (RMLA) at a lower cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

[Fig. 1] Roof mirror lens array of the present invention (RM
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view in the arrangement direction for explaining one embodiment of LA).

[Fig. 2] Roof mirror lens array of the present invention (RM
It is a figure which shows another Example of LA.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a roof mirror lens array (RMLA).

[Figure 4] Conventional roof mirror lens array (RML)
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the light combination pitch unevenness of the combined light quantity in A).

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Roof mirror array (RMA), 2... Lens array (LA), 3... Light blocking member, 4... Black light absorbing member, 5... Effective reflective surface, 6... Roof mirror array having light blocking member (
RMA), 6a... Light shielding member.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical path separating mirror, a roof mirror array in which a large number of roof mirrors are continuously formed linearly at a constant arrangement pitch, and a roof mirror array located between the roof mirror array and the optical path separating mirror, the roof mirror A lens array having lenses formed corresponding to an arrangement pitch of , and a light shielding plate located between the lens array and the roof mirror array and blocking light beams crossing between adjacent roof mirror lenses. 1. A roof mirror lens array characterized in that the reflective surface of the roof mirror is provided with an aperture having a diaphragm function for adjusting the amount of light. 2. An optical path separating mirror, a roof mirror array in which a plurality of roof mirrors are continuously formed linearly at a constant arrangement pitch, and a roof mirror array located between the roof mirror array and the optical path separating mirror, the roof mirror a lens array having lenses formed corresponding to an arrangement pitch of , and a light shielding plate located between the lens array and the roof mirror array to shield light beams crossing between adjacent roof mirror lenses. 1. A roof mirror lens array comprising: a protrusion-shaped light shielding member protruding toward the lens formed on a portion of the roof mirror that is not an effective reflective surface.