IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,352,400
Granted Patent B2
US 12,352,400 · App. 18/687,938 · Granted Jul 8, 2025

Microlens array and vehicle lamp using microlens array

Inventor: Ayaka Kazama (Shizuoka, JP)
Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
F21S41/265F21S41/143F21S41/151
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,352,400
App. No.
18/687,938
Granted
Jul 8, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A microlens array includes a plurality of optical systems. Each of the optical systems includes a pair of an incidence-side lens portion and an emission-side lens portion, respectively. A low refractive index portion is provided between an incident surface of the incidence-side lens portion and an emission surface of the emission-side lens portion. A refractive index of the low refractive index portion is lower than refractive indexes of other portions. The low refractive index portion comprises a first surface extending through a focus of the emission surface and a second surface extending from the first surface toward the incident surface. A cut line forming portion is formed by a boundary portion between the first surface and the second surface. The incident surface is provided at a position that does not overlap the second surface in a front view of the incidence-side lens portion.

Claims (19)

1. A microlens array comprising:

a plurality of optical systems,

wherein each of the optical systems comprises a pair of an incidence-side lens portion and an emission-side lens portion, respectively,

wherein a low refractive index portion is provided between an incident surface of the incidence-side lens portion and an emission surface of the emission-side lens portion,

wherein a refractive index of the low refractive index portion is lower than refractive indexes of other portions,

wherein the low refractive index portion comprises a first surface extending through a focus of the emission surface and a second surface extending from the first surface toward the incident surface,

wherein a cut line forming portion is formed by a boundary portion between the first surface and the second surface, and

wherein the incident surface is provided at a position that does not overlap the second surface in a front view of the incidence-side lens portion,

wherein in at least one of the optical systems,

the emission surface of the emission-side lens portion is divided into a first region and a second region,

the first region has a radius of curvature where a focus is located at the cut line forming portion, and

the second region has a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the first region.

2. The microlens array according to claim 1 , wherein the low refractive index portion is a cavity portion.

3. The microlens array according to claim 1 , wherein the incident surface is located on an opposite side to the low refractive index portion with respect to an optical axis of the emission-side lens portion.

4. The microlens array according to claim 1 , wherein an optical axis of the emission-side lens portion passes through a boundary line between the first region and the second region.

5. The microlens array according to claim 1 , wherein the radius of curvature of the second region is 1.1 to 1.5 times the radius of curvature of the first region.

6. A vehicle lamp comprising:

a light source; and

the microlens array according to claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2024
From: KAZAMA, AYAKA
To: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 066635/0524 →
Priority Claims (3)
JP 2021-139973 · Aug 30, 2021 · national
JP 2021-139974 · Aug 30, 2021 · national
JP 2021-139975 · Aug 30, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240426447A1 · Dec 26, 2024
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