Image forming lens unit and image reading apparatus using the same
AssigneeRohm Co., Ltd.
InventorHisayoshi Fujimoto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lens unit (U15) includes a housing (45), an upper and a lower lens arrays (A1′, A2′), and a first and a second prisms (4A, 4B). Each of the lens arrays includes a plurality of lenses, a light-shielding member (4), and a plurality of positioning projections, all of which are integral with each other. Downwardly traveling light which enters the housing (45) through a first slit (45c) formed at an upper portion of the housing (45) is directed upward by the first prism (4A) to pass through the two lens arrays (A1′, A2′). The light is then directed downward by the second prism (4B) to exit the housing through a second slit (45d) formed at a lower portion of the housing (45).
Claims37
A lens array comprising:
- a body including a plurality of lenses and a holder portion for holding the lenses;
- and
- separating means for optically separating the plurality of lenses from each other;
- wherein the plurality of lenses and the holder portion are formed of a light-permeable resin and integral with each other.
A lens array comprising:
- a plurality of lenses;
- and
- a holder portion for holding the plurality of lenses;
- wherein the lens array further includes a plurality of hollows located adjacent the plurality of lenses;
- and
- wherein the plurality of lenses and the holder portion are formed of a light-permeable synthetic resin and being integral with each other.
A lens unit comprising:
- a first lens array including a plurality of first lenses, a first holder portion for holding the first lenses, and first separating means for optically separating the first lenses from each other;
- and
- a second lens array including a plurality of second lenses, a second holder portion for holding the second lenses, and second separating means for optically separating the second lenses from each other;
- wherein the first lenses and the first holder portion are formed of a light-permeable resin and are integral with each other, the second lenses and the second holder portion being formed of a light-permeable resin and being integral with each other, the first lens array and the second lens array being laminated on each other so that each of the first lenses and a corresponding one of the second lenses are aligned on a common optical axis.
A lens unit comprising:
- at least one lens array including a plurality of lenses each of which has a first surface and a second surface;
- a housing for accommodating the lens array;
- a first opening provided in the housing at a position which is closer to the first surface than to the second surface;
- a second opening provided in the housing at a position which is closer to the second surface than to the first surface;
- a first light guide means for guiding light traveling through the first opening into the housing toward the second surface of the lens;
- and
- a second light guide means for guiding light emitted from the first surface of the lens toward the second opening.
A method of making a lens array comprising:
- a first step of forming a plurality of lenses and a holder portion for holding the lenses by molding a light permeable resin;
- and
- a second step of providing separating means for optically separating the plurality of lenses from each other;
- wherein the plurality of lenses and the holder portion are integrally formed with each other in the first step.
An image reading apparatus comprising:
- a lens unit including a plurality of lenses for collecting light traveling from a linear image read area, each of the lenses having a first surface and a second surface which is located farther from the image read area than the first surface;
- and
- a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving the collected light;
- wherein the image reading apparatus further includes a first light guide means for guiding light traveling from the image read area toward the second surface of said each lens, and a second light guide means for guiding light emitted from the first surface of said each lens toward the plurality of light receiving elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.