# US 7,746,369 B2 · Lens array, a line head and an image forming apparatus using the line head

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- Number: US 7,746,369 B2
- Document ID: US7746369B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/141,819
- Filed: 2008-06-18
- Published: 2009-01-08
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2007-07-06
- Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation
- Inventors: Yujiro Nomura; Ken Ikuma
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7746369B2

## CPC

- G02B 3/0068: {arranged in a single integral body or plate, e.g. laminates or hybrid structures with other optical elements (G02B5/1885, G02B17/002, G02B30/27 take precedence)}
- G02B 3/0012: {characterised by the manufacturing method}
- G02B 3/0056: {arranged along two different directions in a plane, e.g. honeycomb arrangement of lenses (G02B3/0043 takes precedence; miniaturised objectives for electronic devices employing wafer level optics G02B13/0085)}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A lens array, includes: a clear substrate; and a plurality of plastic lens substrates each of which includes a plurality of lenses and which are arranged on at least one of surfaces of the clear substrate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A line head, comprising:
a lens array which includes a clear substrate and a plurality of plastic lens substrates each of which includes a plurality of lenses and which are arranged on at least one of surfaces of the clear substrate; and
a head substrate on which a plurality of light emitting element groups which are groups of a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, wherein
the plurality of plastic lens substrates are arranged in a longitudinal direction and have plane surfaces that are adjoined to a surface of the clear substrate,
the lenses are arranged opposed to the light emitting element groups in the lens array, and
light emitted from the light emitting element groups impinges upon the lenses and is imaged by an imaging optical system which includes the lenses.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The line head of claim 1, wherein the light emitted from one of the light emitting element groups impinges upon one of the lenses.

### Claim 3

An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a latent image carrier;
a lens array which includes a clear substrate and a plurality of plastic lens substrates each of which includes a plurality of lenses and which are arranged on at least one of surfaces of the clear substrate; and
a head substrate on which a plurality of light emitting element groups which are groups of a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged, wherein
the plurality of plastic lens substrates are arranged in a longitudinal direction and have plane surfaces that are adjoined to a surface of the clear substrate,
the lenses are arranged opposed to the light emitting element groups in the lens array, and
light emitted from the light emitting element groups impinges upon the lenses and is imaged by an imaging optical system which include the lenses to form spots on the surface of the latent image carrier.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the light emitted from one of the light emitting element groups impinges upon one of the lenses.