Microlens array, method for manufacturing microlens array, electro-optical device and electronic apparatus

• US 10,007,033 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2016
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Nimura, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US15/284,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20170023707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 359619, 359621-623, 359626, 359628, 359630, 362602, 362606, 362607, 362610, 362615, 362621, 362622
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/149 using crossed beamsplitting surfaces, e.g. cross-dichroic cubes or X-cubes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0006 Arrays G02B3/02, G02B5/188 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0012 characterised by the manufacturing method
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0043 Inhomogeneous or irregular arrays, e.g. varying shape, size, height
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133526 Lenses, e.g. microlenses or Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/24 Focusing screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/006 using LCD's
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/28 Reflectors in projection beam in illumination beam G03B21/2066
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14603 Special geometry or disposition of pixel-elements, address-lines or gate-electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14627 Microlenses

Abstract

A microlens array includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens. The first lens and the second lens are adjacent to each other and are arranged neighboring in a first direction. The first lens and the third lens are adjacent to each other and are arranged neighboring in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. A gap between an apex of the first lens and an apex of the second lens is different to a gap between the apex of the first lens and an apex of the third lens.

Claims

1. A microlens array that includes a first lens, a second lens and a third lens, wherein:

the first lens and the second lens adjacent to each other are arranged neighboring in a first direction,

the first lens and the third lens adjacent to each other are arranged neighboring in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and

a gap between an apex of the first lens and an apex of the second lens is different to a gap between the apex of the first lens and an apex of the third lens.

2. An electro-optical device, comprising the microlens array according to claim 1.

3. A microlens array that includes a first lens, a second lens and a third lens, wherein:

the first lens and the second lens adjacent to each other are arranged neighboring in a first direction,

the first lens and the third lens adjacent to each other are arranged neighboring in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and

an inner product of a vector that connects an apex of the first lens and an apex of the second lens and a vector that connects the apex of the first lens and an apex of the third lens is a value different to 0.

4. An electro-optical device, comprising the microlens array according to claim 3.

5. A microlens array including P lenses (where P is an integer of 4 or more), wherein:

a first lens and a second lens adjacent to each other are arranged neighboring in a first direction,

the first lens and a third lens adjacent to each other are arranged neighboring in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction,

the second lens and a fourth lens adjacent to each other are arranged neighboring in the second direction,

the third lens and the fourth lens adjacent to each other are arranged neighboring in the first direction, and

apexes of the P lenses are arranged such that symmetry is at least partially broken, when viewed in plan view.

6. The microlens array according to claim 5, wherein the apexes of the P lenses are disorderly arranged in a cell, when viewed in plan view.

7. An electro-optical device, comprising the microlens array according to claim 6.

8. An electro-optical device, comprising the microlens array according to claim 5.