Patent · US Expired

Lens array unit and process for making lens array

US6646807B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
4References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 2002
Grant dateNov 11, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 19, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B3/02
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lens array unit fabrication process. A lens array forming step produces a first and a second lens arrays each having linearly-arranged first or second lenses. In a lens array connecting step, the first array is connected to the second array so that the first lenses are axially aligned with the second lenses. The connecting step includes providing of ultrasonic vibration by e.g. an ultrasonic horn. In the forming step, a resin casting is used in which lens array regions, each including linearly-arranged first or second lenses, are integrally formed in a direction perpendicular to the rows of lenses. In the forming step, a multiple-blade rotary cutter, provided with rotary blades disposed at a pitch corresponding to the transverse dimension of each lens array region, is used to simultaneously make cuts flanking the lens array regions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.