JP2013160889A

JP2013160889A - Lens barrel integral type lens array

Info

Publication number: JP2013160889A
Application number: JP2012021915A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Eiji Tanaka; 映治田中; Manabu Oda; 学織田; Kazuo Morioka; 一夫森岡; Akihiko Hashimoto; 明彦橋本
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2012-02-03
Filing date: 2012-02-03
Publication date: 2013-08-19

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small lens barrel integrated type lens array in terms of a lens barrel integrated type lens array in which a plurality of lenses are arranged in array within a lens barrel.SOLUTION: A lens array 7 for forming a lens barrel integral type lens array is provided as a press molded body obtained by simultaneously press-molding glass materials 14 corresponding to individual lenses 6 within a lens barrel 4, thereby integrating the glass materials 14, and an area surrounded with the lenses 6 in the vicinity of the lens arrays 7 or an area surrounded with the lenses 6 in the vicinity thereof and an internal circumferential surface of the lens barrel 4 is formed as a free curved surface 10.

Description

本発明は、複数のレンズを鏡筒内で整列配置した鏡筒一体型レンズアレイに関する。 The present invention relates to a lens barrel-integrated lens array in which a plurality of lenses are arranged in a lens barrel.

従来、この種の鏡筒一体型レンズアレイは、図８に示すように、この複数の貫通孔１を整列配置した鏡筒２を準備し、それぞれの貫通孔１に対して個別成形したレンズ３を挿入し接着固定する構造が知られている。 Conventionally, in this type of lens barrel-integrated lens array, as shown in FIG. 8, a lens barrel 2 in which a plurality of through-holes 1 are arranged and arranged is prepared and individually molded with respect to each through-hole 1. There is known a structure for inserting and bonding and fixing.

なお、この出願の発明に関連する先行技術文献情報としては、例えば、特許文献１が知られている。 As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

特開２０１０−２６２０１３号公報JP 2010-262013 A

そして、このような鏡筒一体型レンズアレイの用途として、内視鏡などに用いる手法が検討されるようになってきたことで、鏡筒一体型レンズアレイの小型化が重要となってきている。 Further, as a use of such a lens barrel-integrated lens array, a technique used for an endoscope or the like has been studied, and thus miniaturization of the lens barrel-integrated lens array has become important. .

しかしながら、微小なレンズ３を挿入配置する貫通孔１を鏡筒２に精度よく形成することや、微小なレンズ３をガラスのプレス成形により個別形成することは非常に困難である。 However, it is very difficult to accurately form the through-hole 1 into which the minute lens 3 is inserted and arranged in the lens barrel 2 and to individually form the minute lens 3 by press molding of glass.

そこで、本発明は、このような問題を解決し、生産性の高い小型の鏡筒一体型レンズアレイを提供することを目的とする。 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve such problems and to provide a small lens barrel integrated lens array with high productivity.

そして、この目的を達成するために本発明は、鏡筒一体型レンズアレイを形成するレンズアレイを、個々のレンズに応じた硝材を鏡筒の内部で一括プレス成形して一体化したプレス成形体とするとともに、レンズアレイの近接するレンズで囲まれた領域もしくは近接するレンズと鏡筒の内周面で囲まれた領域を自由曲面としたのである。 In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a press-molded body in which a lens array forming a lens-barrel-integrated lens array is integrated by collectively press-molding a glass material corresponding to each lens inside the lens barrel. In addition, the region surrounded by the adjacent lenses of the lens array or the region surrounded by the adjacent lens and the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel is defined as a free-form surface.

この構造により本発明は、小型の鏡筒一体型レンズアレイの生産性を高めることができるのである。 With this structure, the present invention can increase the productivity of a small lens barrel-integrated lens array.

本発明の一実施の形態における鏡筒一体型レンズアレイの上面図1 is a top view of a lens barrel-integrated lens array according to an embodiment of the present invention. 同鏡筒一体型レンズアレイのａ−ａ断面図Aa sectional view of the lens barrel integrated lens array 同鏡筒一体型レンズアレイのｂ−ｂ断面図Bb sectional view of the lens barrel integrated lens array 同鏡筒一体型レンズアレイを成形するプレス成形機の断面図Sectional view of a press molding machine that molds the lens barrel integrated lens array 同プレス成形機の転写面部分を示す断面図Sectional view showing the transfer surface of the press molding machine 同プレス成形機での変形過程を示す鏡筒一体型レンズアレイのａ−ａ断面での模式図Schematic diagram of the lens barrel integrated lens array taken along the line aa showing the deformation process in the press molding machine. 同プレス成形機での変形過程を示す鏡筒一体型レンズアレイのｂ−ｂ断面での模式図Schematic view of the lens barrel-integrated lens array in the bb section showing the deformation process in the press molding machine 従来の鏡筒一体型レンズアレイの断面図Sectional view of a conventional lens barrel-integrated lens array

以下、本発明の一実施の形態における鏡筒一体型レンズアレイについて図を用いて説明する。 Hereinafter, a lens barrel-integrated lens array according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

図１は鏡筒一体型レンズアレイの上面図であり、矩形筒状の鏡筒４と、この鏡筒４の貫通孔５内で３×３列で整列配置された９つのレンズ６からなるレンズアレイ７からなり、内視鏡の撮像部などに用いられるもので、鏡筒４の外形は、縦横ともに５ｍｍで、貫通孔５は縦横ともに３ｍｍとなっている。 FIG. 1 is a top view of a lens barrel-integrated lens array, which is composed of a rectangular barrel 4 and nine lenses 6 arranged in 3 × 3 rows in a through-hole 5 of the barrel 4. It consists of an array 7 and is used for an imaging section of an endoscope. The outer shape of the lens barrel 4 is 5 mm both vertically and horizontally, and the through-hole 5 is 3 mm both vertically and horizontally.

また、各レンズ６は両凸レンズであり、１面側の凸レンズ部８の径ｄが０．６ｍｍで２面側の凸レンズ部（特に図示せず）の径が０．２ｍｍであり、それぞれ周囲に平坦面となったコバ部９を有している。レンズ６のピッチｐは１ｍｍで、近接するレンズ６で囲まれた領域および近接するレンズ６と鏡筒４の内周面とで囲まれた領域、つまり、破線で示すコバ部９の外周端の外側領域は自由曲面１０で構成された空隙１１が設けられている。なお、自由曲面１０の状態をわかりやすくするために、隣り合うレンズ６が最近接するａ−ａ断面を図２に示し、近接するレンズ６が最離間するｂ−ｂ断面を図３に示す。 Each lens 6 is a biconvex lens. The diameter d of the convex lens portion 8 on the first surface side is 0.6 mm, and the diameter of the convex lens portion (not shown) on the second surface side is 0.2 mm. The edge portion 9 is a flat surface. The pitch p of the lenses 6 is 1 mm, and the region surrounded by the adjacent lenses 6 and the region surrounded by the adjacent lenses 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 4, that is, the outer peripheral end of the edge portion 9 indicated by a broken line. The outer region is provided with a gap 11 composed of a free curved surface 10. For easy understanding of the state of the free-form surface 10, FIG. 2 shows an aa cross section where the adjacent lenses 6 are closest to each other, and FIG. 3 shows a bb cross section where the adjacent lenses 6 are farthest apart.

次に、この鏡筒一体型レンズアレイの製造方法について説明する。図４は鏡筒一体型レンズアレイを成形するプレス成形機を示したものであり、筒状の胴型１２によって上下方向に摺動規制された上下一対の成形金型１３を用いて硝材１４をガラス転移点温度以上の成形可能な温度に昇温し成形金型１３でプレス成形するものである。 Next, a manufacturing method of this lens barrel integrated lens array will be described. FIG. 4 shows a press molding machine for molding a lens barrel-integrated lens array. A glass material 14 is formed by using a pair of upper and lower molding dies 13 which are regulated to slide in the vertical direction by a cylindrical barrel mold 12. The temperature is raised to a moldable temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature and press-molded with the molding die 13.

また、上下一対の成形金型１３には、それぞれ、胴型１２の内周面で摺動規制される径大部１５と、この径大部１５の先端部に設けられた径小部１６を有し、径小部１６の端面には、図５に示すように、個々のレンズ６を転写する凹部１７を配置した転写面１８を有している。なお、成形金型１３の摺動を規制する胴型１２は角筒形状であり、この胴型１２に挿入されて摺動規制される径大部１５は、角柱状の４つの稜線部分を曲面１９で接続した形状としている。 Each of the pair of upper and lower molding dies 13 includes a large-diameter portion 15 that is slidably restricted by the inner peripheral surface of the body die 12 and a small-diameter portion 16 provided at the tip of the large-diameter portion 15. As shown in FIG. 5, the end surface of the small-diameter portion 16 has a transfer surface 18 on which concave portions 17 for transferring individual lenses 6 are arranged. The body mold 12 that restricts the sliding of the molding die 13 has a rectangular tube shape, and the large-diameter portion 15 that is inserted into the body mold 12 and restricted from sliding has four ridge lines that are prismatic as curved surfaces. 19 is connected.

そして、図４に示すように、下側の成形金型１３の径小部１６に鏡筒４を嵌合させるとともに、転写面１８に設けられた個々の凹部１７にそれぞれ球状の硝材１４を配置し、すべての硝材１４がプレス成形可能となるガラス転移点温度以上に昇温させ、上側の成形金型１３を下降させて一括プレス成形し、その後、プレス成形体である鏡筒一体型レンズアレイが取り出し可能な温度となるまで冷却してから型開きして取り出すのである。 Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the lens barrel 4 is fitted to the small diameter portion 16 of the lower molding die 13, and the spherical glass material 14 is disposed in each concave portion 17 provided on the transfer surface 18. Then, all the glass materials 14 are heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature at which press molding is possible, the upper molding die 13 is lowered and batch press molding is performed, and then the lens barrel integrated lens array which is a press molding body The mold is opened after being cooled until it reaches a temperature at which it can be taken out.

ここで、プレス成形における硝材１４の変形過程を図６、図７を用いて説明する。図６は図１におけるａ−ａ断面部分におけるプレス変形過程を模式的に示したもので、破線で示す球状の硝材１４が成形金型１３（特に図示せず）の摺動に応じて側方に押し出され、隣り合うレンズ６間、および、鏡筒４の内周面とレンズ６間で、プレス変形に伴う圧接応力が矢印で示すように働きこれらを一体化している。つまり、図８で説明した従来の個々のレンズ３を鏡筒２に設けた貫通孔１に個別に保持するための困難な作業を必要とせず、微小なレンズ６を整列配置させたレンズアレイ７を鏡筒４内に容易に一体化することができる。 Here, the deformation process of the glass material 14 in press molding will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 schematically shows the press deformation process in the cross section taken along the line aa in FIG. 1, and the spherical glass material 14 indicated by the broken line is laterally moved according to the sliding of the molding die 13 (not shown in particular). The pressure stress accompanying the press deformation acts as shown by arrows between the adjacent lenses 6 and between the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 4 and the lens 6 to integrate them. That is, the lens array 7 in which the minute lenses 6 are arranged and arranged is not required without requiring a difficult operation for individually holding the conventional individual lenses 3 described in FIG. 8 in the through holes 1 provided in the lens barrel 2. Can be easily integrated into the lens barrel 4.

また、図７は隣接するレンズ６間に自由曲面１０と空隙１１が形成された図１におけるｂ−ｂ断面部分におけるプレス変形過程を模式的に示したもので、ａ−ａ断面と同様に、破線で示す球状の硝材１４が成形金型１３の摺動に応じて側方に押し出されるように変形するのであるが、成形金型１３で押し切った状態で、転写面１８が当接せず自由曲面１０となり空隙１１や窪み（図示せず）を形成するため、上下の成形金型１３の転写面１８及び鏡筒４で形成する成形空間内に硝材１４の未充填領域が残存することになる。つまり、このように成形金型１３を押し切った際の成形空間内に、硝材１４の未充填領域が残存する構成とすることで、図４に示すプレス成形時に、径小部１６の外周側面と鏡筒４の内周面の間に余剰な硝材１４が入り込んでバリが発生することや、成形金型１３とプレス成形体の噛み込みを防止できる。つまり、硝材１４の体積バラツキに起因する成形課題を低減し生産性を高めた構造としている。 FIG. 7 schematically shows the press deformation process in the bb cross section in FIG. 1 in which the free curved surface 10 and the air gap 11 are formed between the adjacent lenses 6. As in the aa cross section, The spherical glass material 14 indicated by the broken line is deformed so as to be pushed out sideways in accordance with the sliding of the molding die 13, but the transfer surface 18 does not come into contact with the molding die 13 and is free. Since the curved surface 10 is formed to form the void 11 and the depression (not shown), an unfilled region of the glass material 14 remains in the molding space formed by the transfer surface 18 of the upper and lower molding dies 13 and the lens barrel 4. . In other words, the structure in which the unfilled region of the glass material 14 remains in the molding space when the molding die 13 is pushed in this way, and at the time of press molding shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent the excessive glass material 14 from entering between the inner peripheral surfaces of the lens barrel 4 to generate burrs and the biting of the molding die 13 and the press-molded body. That is, the structure is such that productivity is increased by reducing molding problems due to volume variation of the glass material 14.

また、成形金型１３の生産性を考慮した場合、プレス成形における転写面１８と鏡筒４で形成する成形空間からの余剰な硝材１４のはみ出しが防止されることから、鏡筒４の内周面と径大部１５の外周側面との間に余剰な硝材１４に対する対策を必要とせず、この結果、図５に示すように、角型の径大部１５の四隅の稜線部分を曲面１９とすることで、成形金型１３の加工性や耐久性を大幅に向上させている。 Further, when considering the productivity of the molding die 13, it is possible to prevent excessive glass material 14 from protruding from the molding space formed by the transfer surface 18 and the lens barrel 4 in press molding. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the ridges at the four corners of the large-diameter portion 15 of the rectangular shape are not curved with the curved surface 19. By doing so, the workability and durability of the molding die 13 are greatly improved.

本発明は、小型の鏡筒一体型レンズアレイを提供することができるという効果を有し、特に内視鏡用途などの微小構造において有効となる。 The present invention has an effect that a small lens barrel-integrated lens array can be provided, and is particularly effective in a micro structure such as an endoscope application.

４鏡筒
６レンズ
７レンズアレイ
１０自由曲面
１４硝材 4 Lens barrel 6 Lens 7 Lens array 10 Free-form surface 14 Glass material

Claims

The lens array includes a lens array in which a plurality of lenses are arranged and a lens barrel surrounding the lens array, and the lens array is formed by batch press-molding glass materials corresponding to each of the plurality of lenses inside the lens barrel. A press-molded body, and a region surrounded by the adjacent lenses in the lens array or a region surrounded by the adjacent lens and the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel is a free-form surface. Body lens array.