Lens array block for image capturing unit and methods of fabrication
First Claim
1. A lens array block comprising a three-dimensional unitary structure comprising a plurality of lens barrels joined to one another and spaced apart in a periodic arrangement to form a three-dimensional unitary structure, the unitary structure comprising:
- (a) a first plate having a plurality of first through holes having first diameters; and
(b) a second plate joined to the first plate by an adhesive, the second plate having a plurality of second through holes that are aligned with the first through holes in the first plate, the second through holes having second diameters which are smaller than the first diameters to form a stepped cylindrical chamber for positioning at least one lens therein, andwherein each lens barrel can be cut from the unitary structure to form a separate image capturing unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lens array block comprises a plurality of lens barrels joined to one another form a three-dimensional unitary structure. Each lens barrel comprises a stepped cylindrical chamber having a through hole with an internal profile having first and second steps that are spaced apart through the height of the through hole, the second step being radially inward of the first step. An image capturing unit comprising the lens block array, and methods of fabrication and assembly are also described.
74 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A lens array block comprising a three-dimensional unitary structure comprising a plurality of lens barrels joined to one another and spaced apart in a periodic arrangement to form a three-dimensional unitary structure, the unitary structure comprising:
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(a) a first plate having a plurality of first through holes having first diameters; and (b) a second plate joined to the first plate by an adhesive, the second plate having a plurality of second through holes that are aligned with the first through holes in the first plate, the second through holes having second diameters which are smaller than the first diameters to form a stepped cylindrical chamber for positioning at least one lens therein, and wherein each lens barrel can be cut from the unitary structure to form a separate image capturing unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An image capture module array comprising:
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(a) a lens array block comprising a plurality of lens barrels joined to one another and spaced apart in a periodic arrangement in a three-dimensional unitary structure comprising; (i) a first plate having a plurality of first through holes having first diameters, and a top surface with a plurality of circumferential protrusions; and (ii) a second plate joined to the first plate by an adhesive, the second plate having a plurality of second through holes that are aligned with the first through holes in the first plate to a common and aligned central axis by aligning a plurality of circumferential slots on a bottom surface of the second plate with the circumferential protrusions on the top surface of the first plate, and the second through holes having second diameters which are smaller than the first diameters by at least about 10% to form a stepped cylindrical chamber for positioning at least one lens therein, and wherein each lens barrel can be cut from the unitary structure to form a separate image capturing unit; and (b) a plate having an array of image sensors which are aligned and joined to the lens array block such that each image sensor is directly below a through hole of a lens barrel. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of forming a lens array block, the method comprising:
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(a) providing first and second plates; (b) forming a plurality of first through holes through the first plate, the first through holes each having a first diameter; (c) forming a plurality of second through holes through the second plate, the second through holes each having second diameter that is a different diameter than the first diameter; (d) aligning the first through holes to the second through holes to form stepped cylindrical chambers, each stepped cylindrical comprising a first through hole and a second through hole that each have a common central axis; and (e) joining the first and second plates to one another with an adhesive to form a lens array block having a plurality of lens barrels that are spaced apart from one another in a periodic arrangement such that the lens barrels can be cut to form separate image capturing units. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification