← Back to Patent Explorer
US5363240A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image forming device and method for producing it

Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1992-11-13
•
Granted: 1994-11-08
•
Expires: 2012-11-13
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract An image forming device is improved in that crosstalk between adjacent lenses is decreased thereby to improve an imaging power. In the image forming device a lens array has a plurality of lenses continuously formed. A roof prism array is also provided therein with a plurality of roof prisms respectively having a rectangular reflection plane and arranged at the same pitch as that of the lenses in the lens array. The lens array and the roof prism array are integrally formed of a plastic. A space portion, which is a portion unfilled with a resin, is formed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent the crosstalk therebetween. Alternatively, a light shielding member may be integrally formed in front of the lens array to prevent the crosstalk.

Inventors

  • 👤 Takaaki Miyashita

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 00:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/005; G02B3/0012; G02B3/0031; G02B3/0075

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim 110 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed; a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, said light shielding means being a space portion provided between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 110 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed; a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, said light shielding means being a space portion provided between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
An image forming device according to claim 1, wherein each roof prism of said roof prism array has a reflection film on a back of the reflection plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 44 words
An image forming device according to claim 1, wherein said each roof prism lens pair has a plane on each side thereof connecting between the lens and the roof prism, two facing planes between two adjacent roof prism lens pairs defining the space portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
An image forming device according to claim 3, wherein a light shielding film is formed on said planes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
An image forming device according to claim 1, wherein a light shielding member is provided in each space portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 42 words
An image forming device according to claim 3, wherein a distance L of said planes satisfies the following relation: L≦0.8 (P-d), where P is an arrangement pitch of the roof prism lens pairs, and d is a thickness of the space portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 118 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed; a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, said light shielding means being a light shielding member disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs and in front of the lens array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 118 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed; a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, said light shielding means being a light shielding member disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs and in front of the lens array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
An image forming device according to claim 7, wherein said light shielding member is integrally formed together with the lens array and the roof prism array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 45 words
An image forming device according to claim 7, wherein a length l of the light shielding member satisfies the following relation: l≦0.8 (P-d), where P is an arrangement pitch of the roof prism lens pairs, and t is a thickness of the light shielding member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 147 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed; a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, said light shielding means being a light shielding member comprising a light shielding plate portion fit into the space portions disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs and an aperture plate portion combining said light shielding plate portion while defining an opening shape of each lens in front of the lens array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 147 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed; a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, said light shielding means being a light shielding member comprising a light shielding plate portion fit into the space portions disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs and an aperture plate portion combining said light shielding plate portion while defining an opening shape of each lens in front of the lens array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 16 words
An image forming device according to claim 10, wherein said light shielding member is integrally formed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 34 words
An image forming device according to claim 10, wherein said light shielding plate portion and said aperture plate portion are provided for each roof prism lens pair, independent of other light shielding plate portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
An image forming device according to claim 12, wherein adjacent aperture plate portions are connected by male-female coupling.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 101 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed; a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, an aperture shape of said lenses being rectangular.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 101 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed; a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, an aperture shape of said lenses being rectangular.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 90 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, an aperture shape of said lenses being elliptic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 90 words
An image forming device comprising: a lens array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens; said lens array and said roof prism array being integrally formed of a plastic; and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween, an aperture shape of said lenses being elliptic.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 126 words
A method for producing an image forming device, comprising the steps of: integrally forming an image forming device, said image forming device comprising a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed, a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens, and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween; and dipping the integrally-formed image forming device into a material for forming a light shielding film so as to form a light shielding film on the light shielding means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 126 words
A method for producing an image forming device, comprising the steps of: integrally forming an image forming device, said image forming device comprising a lens array having a plurality of lenses continuously formed, a roof prism array having a plurality of roof prisms corresponding to said plurality of lenses in said lens array in one-to-one correspondence, each of said roof prisms having a rectangular reflection plane and defining a roof prism lens pair together with a corresponding lens, and light shielding means disposed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent crosstalk of light therebetween; and dipping the integrally-formed image forming device into a material for forming a light shielding film so as to form a light shielding film on the light shielding means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 53 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said light shielding means of the image forming device is formed as a space portion between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs, and the integrally-formed image forming device is dipped into the light shielding film forming material on a side of the roof prism array.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 57 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said light shielding means of the image forming device is formed as a light shielding member in front of the lens array between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs, and the light shielding member of the integrally-formed image forming device is dipped into the light shielding film forming material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 16 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein vent means is formed in said light shielding member.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5035486A Cited
US5150259A Cited
US5168401A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-11-07 1998-05-09 1998-11-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-11-07 2002-05-09 2002-11-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-11-07 2006-05-09 2006-11-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag