Lens array, manufacturing method of lens array, illumination optical device, and projector
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorMotoyuki Fujimori
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Molten glass (G) is set and press-molded in a molding die (60) having dies (621A1, 621A2) corresponding to a lens array. After the molding, the molded article is removed from the molding die (60) and separated by bending at a bend-separation face (121C), which is a boundary part of adjacent lens arrays, so that two lens arrays are produced.
Claims24
A lens array manufactured by press-molding a molten optical material in a molding die having a plurality of dies corresponding to the lens array, comprising:
- a base with a shape of substantially rectangular plate;
- and a dome-shaped lens section formed on one face of the base and having a plurality of small lenses,
- wherein at least one lateral face out of four lateral faces of the base is a bend-separation face separated by a bend-separation.
An illumination optical device comprising:
- a light source;
- a first lens array for splitting a light beam irradiated from the light source into a plurality of sub-beams;
- and a second lens array for focusing the sub-beams on an illuminated area, the illumination optical device superposing the sub-beams on the illuminated area,
- wherein the first lens array and/or the second lens array is manufactured by press-molding a molten optical material in a molding die having a plurality of dies corresponding to the first lens array and/or the second lens array,
- wherein the first lens array and/or the second lens array includes a base with a shape of substantially rectangular plate, and a dome-shaped lens section formed on one face of the base and having a plurality of small lenses arranged in a matrix form, and
- wherein at least one lateral face out of four lateral faces of the base is a bend-separation face separated by a bend-separation.
A projector comprising:
- an illumination optical device including:
- a light source;
- a first lens array for splitting a light beam irradiated from the light source into a plurality of sub-beams;
- and a second lens array for focusing the sub-beams on an illuminated area, the illumination optical device superposing the sub-beams on the illuminated area;
- an optical modulator for modulating a light beam irradiated from the illumination optical device in accordance with image information to form an optical image;
- and
- a projection optical device for projecting the optical image in an enlarged manner,
- wherein the first lens array or/and the second lens array is manufactured by press-molding a molten optical material in a molding die having a plurality of dies corresponding to the first lens array and/or the second lens array,
- wherein the first lens array and/or the second lens array includes a base with a shape of substantially rectangular plate, and a dome-shaped lens section formed on one face of the base and having a plurality of small lenses arranged in a matrix form, and
- wherein at least one lateral face out of four lateral faces of the base is a bend-separation face separated by a bend-separation.
A method for manufacturing a lens array including a base with a shape of substantially rectangular plate, and a dome-shaped lens section formed on one face of the base and having a plurality of small lenses, the method comprising:
- a press-molding step for setting and press-molding a molten optical material in a molding die in which a plurality of dies corresponding to the lens array are formed;
- and
- a bending and separating step for removing from the molding die after the molding, and separating adjacent lens array molded articles by bending at a boundary thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.