Focus lens array with crosstalk reduction

Abstract

A focus optical lens array assembly has two lens sections each encased in a housing. The housings are made of black polymer to block unwanted scattered or external light. The lens assembly can all be made by injection-molding. Notches, locating holes, posts, and ears serve to orient and align the parts, and to prevent incorrect assembly. The housings include a plurality of holes that extend to the edge of the individual lenses. This prevents any unwanted light from passing to other adjacent lenses. As a result, cross-talk is reduced and ghosting is prevented.

1 . A lens array assembly comprising: 
 a first lens section comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface comprising a plurality of first lens surfaces and the second surface comprising a plurality of second lens surfaces;    a second lens section comprising a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface comprising a plurality of third lens surfaces and the fourth surface comprising a plurality of fourth lens surfaces;    a first lens housing encasing the first lens section, the first lens housing comprising a plurality first holes encircling the plurality of first lens surfaces, and a plurality of second holes encircling the plurality of second lens surfaces; and    a second lens housing encasing the second lens section, the second lens housing comprising a plurality of third holes encircling the plurality of third lens surfaces, the second lens housing mating with the first lens housing to form the lens array assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The lens array assembly of  claim 1  where the first lens section and the second lens section are formed from a substantially transparent polymer.  
   
   
       3 . The lens array assembly of  claim 1  where the first lens housing and the second lens housing are formed from a substantially opaque black polymer.  
   
   
       4 . The lens array assembly of  claim 1  where the second lens housing further comprises a plurality of tabs for positioning and holding the first lens housing in place.  
   
   
       5 . The lens array assembly of  claim 4 , where the first lens housing further comprises a plurality of slots for mating with the tabs of the second lens housing.  
   
   
       6 . A lens array assembly comprising: 
 a first lens section, comprising a first surface and a second surface,    said first surface comprising a first plurality of lens surfaces, said first plurality of lens surfaces forming a first plurality of optical axes, said first plurality of lens surfaces having substantially the same size and shape,    said second surface comprising a second plurality of lens surfaces, said second plurality of lens surfaces forming a second plurality of optical axes, said second plurality of lens surfaces having substantially the same size and shape,    such that each optical axis of the first plurality of optical axes is aligned with an optical axis of the second plurality of optical axes;    a second lens section, comprising a third surface and a fourth surface,    said third surface comprising a third plurality of lens surfaces, said third plurality of lens surfaces forming a third plurality of optical axes, said third plurality of lens surfaces having substantially the same size and shape,    said fourth surface comprising a fourth plurality of lens surfaces, said fourth plurality of lens surfaces forming a fourth plurality of optical axes, said fourth plurality of lens surfaces having substantially the same size and shape,    such that each optical axis of the third plurality of optical axes is aligned with an optical axis of the fourth plurality of optical axes;    a first lens housing encasing the first lens section, the first lens housing comprising a plurality first holes encircling the first plurality of lens surfaces, and a plurality of second holes encircling the second plurality of lens surfaces; and    a second lens housing encasing the second lens section, the second lens housing comprising a plurality of third holes encircling the third plurality of lens surfaces, the second lens housing mating with the first lens housing to form the lens array assembly.    
   
   
       7 . The lens array assembly of  claim 6 , where each optical axis of the second plurality of optical axes is aligned with an optical axis of the third plurality of optical axes, and each axis of the first plurality of axes is aligned with an optical axis of the third plurality of optical axes, and each axis of the second plurality of axes is aligned with an optical axis of the first plurality of optical axes.  
   
   
       8 . The lens array assembly of  claim 6  where the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface are substantially aspherical, and where the optical axes of the first plurality of optical axes are normal to a plane of the first surface, and where the optical axes of the first plurality of optical axes are arranged along a line such that a first distance between an adjacent pair of optical axes is substantially the same as another distance between any other adjacent pair of optical axes.  
   
   
       9 . The lens array assembly of  claim 6  where the first lens section and the second lens section are formed from a substantially transparent polymer.  
   
   
       10 . The lens array assembly of  claim 6  where the first lens housing and the second lens housing are formed from a substantially opaque black polymer.  
   
   
       11 . The lens array assembly of  claim 6  where the second lens housing further comprises a plurality of tabs for positioning and holding the first lens housing in place.  
   
   
       12 . The lens array assembly of  claim 11 , where the first lens housing further comprises a plurality of slots for mating with the tabs of the second lens housing.  
   
   
       13 . A lens array assembly comprising: 
 a first lens section, comprising a first aspherical surface and a second aspherical surface, 
 said first aspherical surface comprising a first plurality of lens surfaces, said first plurality of lens surfaces forming a first plurality of optical axes normal to the first aspherical surface, said first plurality of lens surfaces having substantially the same size and shape,  
 said second aspherical surface comprising a second plurality of lens surfaces, said second plurality of lens surfaces forming a second plurality of optical axes, said second plurality of lens surfaces having substantially the same size and shape,  
 such that each optical axis of the first plurality of optical axes is aligned with an optical axis of the second plurality of optical axes;  
   a second lens section, comprising a third aspherical surface and a fourth aspherical surface, 
 said third aspherical surface comprising a third plurality of lens surfaces, said third plurality of lens surfaces forming a third plurality of optical axes, said third plurality of lens surfaces having substantially the same size and shape,  
 said fourth aspherical surface comprising a fourth plurality of lens surfaces, said fourth plurality of lens surfaces forming a fourth plurality of optical axes, said fourth plurality of lens surfaces having substantially the same size and shape,  
 such that each optical axis of the third plurality of optical axes is aligned with an optical axis of the fourth plurality of optical axes;  
   a first lens housing encasing the first lens section, the first lens housing comprising a plurality first holes encircling the first plurality of lens surfaces, and a plurality of second holes encircling the second plurality of lens surfaces; and    a second lens housing encasing the second lens section, the second lens housing comprising a plurality of third holes encircling the third plurality of lens surfaces, the second lens housing mating with the first lens housing to form the lens array assembly.    
   
   
       14 . The lens array assembly of  claim 13 , such that each optical axis of the second plurality of optical axes is aligned with an optical axis of the third plurality of optical axes, and each axis of the first plurality of axes is aligned with an optical axis of the third plurality of optical axes, and each axis of the second plurality of axes is aligned with an optical axis of the first plurality of optical axes.  
   
   
       15 . The lens array assembly of  claim 13  where the optical axes of the first plurality of optical axes are arranged along a line such that a first distance between an adjacent pair of optical axes is substantially the same as another distance between any other adjacent pair of optical axes.  
   
   
       16 . The lens array assembly of  claim 13  where the first lens section and the second lens section are formed from a substantially transparent polymer.  
   
   
       17 . The lens array assembly of  claim 13  where the first lens housing and the second lens housing are formed from a substantially opaque black polymer.  
   
   
       18 . The lens array assembly of  claim 13  where the second lens housing further comprises a plurality of tabs for positioning and holding the first lens housing in place.  
   
   
       19 . The lens array assembly of  claim 18 , where the first lens housing further comprises a plurality of slots for mating with the tabs of the second lens housing.