JP2001130668A - Housing method and device for optical parts - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a housing method and device for optical parts capable of improving the housing efficiency and the inspection efficiency of the optical parts. SOLUTION: The housing device 1 of optical parts housing a plurality of optical parts L which are substantially rectangular parallelepiped and whose central part La of the side face is an optical effective part is constituted of a fixed guide body 2 having a U-shaped cross section perpendicularly erected on a base 4 and a movable guide body 3 having a U-shaped cross section vertically and transferably erected on the base 4 so as to be arranged opposite to the fixed guide body 2 and make it possible to adjust a distance from the fixed guide body 2. Guide recessions 2a, 3a having a U-shaped cross sectional face of both guide bodies 2, 3 hold both end parts Lb, Lc of the optical parts L in a state that both upper and lower faces Ld, Ld forming the non-effective part of the optical parts L are vertically stacked in the upward and downward direction so as to get in contact with each other, and houses a plurality of optical parts L in a state that the central part La of the side face forming the optical effective face is exposed outside so as to be inspected from the outside.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing a plurality of optical components such as a toric lens used in a scanner unit of a laser beam printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a scanner unit of a laser beam printer, an optical component such as a toric lens is used to guide a laser beam. FIG. 4 illustrates a general scanner unit.
Is an outer box of the scanner unit, 21 is a laser beam oscillating source, 22 is a rotating polygon mirror, and the laser beam oscillated from the laser beam oscillating source 21 is reflected by the rotating polygon mirror 22, and the toric lens L ₁ , through the L ₂ and lens L ₃ reaches the photosensitive drum (not shown), and is configured to scan the photosensitive drum.

The optical components L such as the toric lenses L ₁ and L ₂ used in the scanner unit and the like are manufactured by injection molding or the like, and as shown in FIG. Lc and both upper and lower surfaces Ld, Ld
And the side center portion La is an optically effective portion,
The other portion is an ineffective portion, and if there is dust attached or flawed on the side center portion La which is an optically effective portion, the laser beam is obstructed, and accurate printing cannot be performed. Therefore, it is necessary to check the surface condition of the optically effective portion, the attachment of scratches and dust, and the like.

In order to transport an optical component L such as a toric lens manufactured in a manufacturing process to an assembling process, it is generally general to store the optical component L in a storage box as shown in FIG. 6 and transport it. Is being done. Storage box 3
Reference numeral 0 denotes two storage recesses 31 formed so that a plurality of optical components L can be arranged at appropriate intervals so as not to contact the low foaming resin.
Numeral 1 is formed at a depth corresponding to the height Zl of the optical component L in the vertical direction (z direction) or slightly deeper than the height Zl. A plurality of locking portions 32 for locking both end portions Lb and Lc of the optical component L so as not to move in the concave portion 31 are formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the height L1 of the optical component L in the vertical direction (z direction) is 10 mm, the length Xl in the x direction is 80 mm, and the length Yl in the y direction is 15 mm. , Both ends L of the optical component L in the storage box 30
The locking portions 32 for locking b and Lc are formed at intervals of about 30 mm, and the storage box 30 for storing 20 optical components L is about 200 mm × 350 mm × 20 mm (Xb ×
(Yb × Zb).

As described above, when optical components L such as toric lenses are produced by an injection molding machine or the like in a manufacturing process, they are sequentially stored in a storage box 30 and transported to an assembly inspection process. Then, in the inspection process, the optical component L
In order to check the surface condition of the optically effective surface La, the adhesion of scratches and dust, etc., take out the optical components L one by one from the storage box 30 and inspect the optically effective surface La of each optical component L, After the inspection, non-defective products are stored in the storage box 30 again. Thereafter, the optical components L are conveyed to an assembling process, taken out of the storage box 30, and assembled into a scanner unit or the like.

[0006]

However, when an optical component L such as a toric lens is conveyed from a manufacturing process to an assembling process, the surface condition of the optically effective portion of the optical component L at the center of the side surface, and the generation of scratches and dust are reduced. It is necessary to check for adhesion and the like, and in the inspection process, inspection work is performed in which the optical components L are individually taken out of the storage box, inspected, and returned to the storage box, but substantially required for inspection. In addition to the time (for example, 1 second), the time required for taking out and returning from the storage box (for example, 1 second each) is required, and the time required for taking out and returning this optical component L (for example, 2 seconds) is It is wasted time. In order to inspect 20 optical components L stored in one storage box, 60
It takes seconds, of which 40 seconds is wasted time.

Further, when the optical component L is taken out and returned from the storage box, the optical component L may drop and become a defective product.

[0008] As shown in FIG.
It requires a wasteful space compared to a space for 20 optical components L such as 20 toric lenses. In particular, when taking out the optical component L, it is necessary to grasp the optical component L, and the interval between the optical components L cannot be reduced.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned unresolved problems of the prior art, and has been made in consideration of the above problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a storage method and a storage device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a method for storing a plurality of optical parts, each of which stores a plurality of optical parts having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an optically effective portion having a lateral center portion. While holding both ends which are the ineffective portions of the optical components, the upper and lower surfaces which are the ineffective portions of the optical components are vertically stacked so that the upper and lower surfaces are in contact with each other. A plurality of optical components are stored in a state of being exposed to the outside so that inspection can be performed from the outside.

In the method for storing an optical component according to the present invention,
It is preferable to hold both end portions, which are ineffective portions of the optical component, by a pair of guide bodies formed in a U-shape in cross section,
It is preferable that one of the pair of guides is provided so as to be movable with respect to the other.

In the method for storing an optical component according to the present invention,
It is preferable that through-holes penetrating in the vertical direction are formed at both ends, which are ineffective portions of the optical component, respectively, and a pair of rod-shaped guide bodies are inserted into the through-holes of the optical component to hold the optical component.

Further, the optical component storage device of the present invention comprises:
An optical component storage device for storing a plurality of optical components each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and having a side center portion as an optically effective portion, comprising: a fixed guide body having a U-shaped cross section vertically erected on a base; A movable guide body having a U-shaped cross section that is vertically erected on the upper side so as to face the fixed guide body and is movable so as to be able to adjust the interval with the fixed guide body. A guide concave portion having a U-shaped cross section of the body is held in a vertically stacked state so that upper and lower surfaces which are ineffective portions of the optical component are opposed to each other while engaging with both ends of the optical component, A plurality of optical components are housed in such a manner that a central portion of a side surface, which is an optically effective portion of each optical component, is exposed to the outside so that the optical component can be inspected from outside.

In the optical component storage device of the present invention,
It is preferable that an elastic body is attached to a wall surface of the guide concave portion which comes into contact with an end edge surface of the optical component of the movable guide body.

In the optical component storage device of the present invention,
The movable guide body is movably mounted on a base so as to be able to adjust a distance between the fixed guide body and a long hole provided in a mounting portion at a lower end thereof by engagement of a screw. It is preferable that the movable guide body is configured to be fixed while the optical component is pressed by the guide body.

Further, the optical component storage device of the present invention is an optical component having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a center portion of a side surface is an optically effective portion, and through-holes penetrating vertically are formed at both ends which are ineffective portions. A pair of rod-shaped guides, each of which can be inserted into a through-hole of the optical component vertically erected on a base, and formed on top of the pair of rod-shaped guides. And a pair of nuts that can be screwed into the threaded portion, wherein the pair of rod-shaped guides are inserted into the through holes of the optical component, and the upper and lower surfaces, which are ineffective portions of the optical component, face each other. Each optical component is held in a vertically stacked state, and a plurality of optical components are housed so that a central portion of a side surface, which is an optically effective portion of each optical component, can be inspected from outside.

[0017]

According to the method and apparatus for storing an optical component of the present invention, an optical component having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and having a side center portion as an optical effective portion is vertically moved so that upper and lower surfaces, which are ineffective portions, are in contact with each other. By stacking vertically and storing a plurality of optical components so as to hold both ends which are ineffective portions, the optical components are not damaged by vibrations during transportation, and the storage of the optical components is prevented. Efficiency can be greatly improved. Furthermore, since a plurality of optical components can be housed in a state where the center of the side surface, which is the optically effective portion, is exposed to the outside, the inspection of the optically effective portion does not need to keep each optical component, and is performed collectively. As a result, the inspection time can be shortened, and the inspection efficiency can be improved.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the optical component storage device of the present invention in a state where the optical component is stored, and FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the optical component storage device of the present invention. It is a partial perspective view of one movable guide body. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the optical component storage device of the present invention will be described first.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, L is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, the center part La of the side surface is an optically effective part, and both ends Lb, L
c and optical components such as a toric lens in which the upper and lower surfaces Ld and Ld are ineffective portions. 1 is an optical component L
2 is a fixed guide body having a U-shaped cross section that is vertically erected on the base 4 so that the guide recess 2a receives one end Lb of the optical component L. The mounting portion 2b at the lower end of the fixed guide body 2 is fixed to the base 4 with a screw 6a or the like. Three
Is a movable guide body having a U-shaped cross section which is vertically erected on the base 4 so as to face the fixed guide body 2, and the guide concave portion 3 a of the movable guide body is provided with the other end Lc of the optical component L. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of elongated holes 3c extending in the x direction are provided in the mounting portion 3b formed at the lower end of the movable guide body 3 so as to receive the base. 3 is attached to the base 4 by screwing a thumbscrew 6b. Therefore, the movable guide body 3 is
Can be moved in the longitudinal direction (the x direction) within the range of the long hole 3c, and the distance to the fixed guide body 2 can be adjusted appropriately. The height of the fixed guide body 2 and the movable guide body 3 in the vertical direction is large enough to accommodate a plurality of (20 in this embodiment) optical components L in the vertical direction (z direction). Further, an elastic body 5 such as rubber is adhered over the entire vertical area of the wall portion abutting on the edge of the end Lc of the optical component L of the guide concave portion 3a of the movable guide body 3. ing.

Next, a description will be given of a method of storing optical components in the storage device configured as described above, and a mode of use thereof.

The optical component L such as a toric lens is manufactured by an injection molding machine or the like, and is stored in the storage device 1 every time it is sent from the injection molding machine or the like. In addition, the storage device 1
Prior to storage of the optical component L, the thumb screw 6b of the mounting portion 3b of the movable guide body 3 is loosened so that the guide recess 3a of the movable guide body 3 is spaced from the guide recess 2a of the fixed guide body 2 by x of the optical component L. In the expanding direction so as to be slightly larger than the length Xl (FIG. 5) in the direction, and then the thumb screw 6b
Is lightly tightened to temporarily fix the movable guide body 3.

The optical component L is stored in the storage device 1 from above the storage device 1. At this time, both ends Lb and Lc of the optical component L are fixed to the guide recesses 2a of the fixed guide body 2 and the movable guide body 3 respectively. , 3a. The height Zm of the fixed guide body 2 and the movable guide body 3 in the vertical direction (z direction) is set in advance to a height capable of accommodating a plurality of (20 in the embodiment) optical components L, and a predetermined number (20) )
Can be stored.

After the predetermined number of optical components L are sequentially stored,
Loosen the thumbscrew 6b and move the movable guide 3 to the fixed guide 2
, The end Lc of the optical component L is pressed via the elastic body 5 attached to the wall of the guide recess 2a of the movable guide body 2 to move the optical component L to the fixed guide. The movable guide body 3 is fixed by pressing the guide recess 2a of the body 2 and then tightening the thumb screw 6b. Thereby, the predetermined number of optical components L stored in the storage device 1
Is held so as not to move by the elastic force of the elastic body 5 of the movable guide body 3.

As described above, by storing a predetermined number of optical components L in the storage device 1, both ends Lb and Lc, which are ineffective portions, of the optical component L are fixed and movable guide members 2 and 3, respectively. And the upper and lower surfaces Ld, Ld, which are non-effective portions, are vertically stacked in the vertical direction (z direction) so as to be in contact with each other. A certain side center L
a is stored in the storage device 1 in a state where there is nothing in contact with it and it is exposed to the outside.

When the optical component L has a size of 80 mm × 15 mm × 10 mm (Xl × Yl × Zl) as shown in FIG. 5, the storage device 1 for storing 20 optical components has a size of 120 mm × 30 mm x 210 mm (Xm
.Times.Ym.times.Zm), and the volume is 200 mm.times. Of the conventional storage box shown in FIG.
The size can be reduced to about し て of 350 mm × 20 mm (Xb × Yb × Zb), and the storage efficiency can be improved.

As described above, the storage device 1 storing a plurality of optical components L can be mounted on a car or the like from a manufacturing department to an inspection department or an assembly department for the optical components L and transported. Even if the device 1 receives vibrations or the like from the outside, both ends Lb and Lc of the optical component L are
Since the guide concave portions 2a and 3a of the optical component L are securely held, the optical component L does not emit dust or the like due to friction or the like, and is not damaged.

When inspecting the optical components L after the storage device 1 storing the plurality of optical components L has been transported to the inspection section, the operator picks up the entire storage device 1 storing the plurality of optical components L. The inspection of the side central portion La, which is the optically effective surface of each optical component L, can be sequentially performed from the side of the storage device without taking out each optical component L from the storage device 1. As a result, if it takes one second to inspect one optical component L, the inspection of the twenty optical components L stored in the storage device 1 can be performed in 20 seconds. That is, it is not necessary to take out the optical components L one by one from the storage device and return them after the inspection, so that the inspection work can be performed quickly, and further, there is no danger of the optical components L dropping. The problem of defective products can be eliminated.

In the assembling section for assembling the optical component L after inspecting the optical component L, the thumb screw 6b is loosened to separate the movable guide 3 from the fixed guide 2, and then the thumb screw 6b is lightly tightened. The optical component L can be easily taken out of the storage device 1. In this state, it is possible to assemble the optical components L while sequentially taking out the optical components L from the storage device 1.

Next, another embodiment of the optical component storage device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the optical component storage device of the present invention in a state where the optical components are stored.

The optical component L to which this embodiment is applied is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped like the optical component in the above-described embodiment, and has a lateral center portion La as an optical effective surface, and has both end portions Lb and Lc and upper and lower surfaces Ld and Ld. The through-holes Lf and L penetrate vertically through both ends Lb and Lc.
g are respectively drilled.

The storage device 11 according to the present embodiment is formed on two bar-shaped guides 12 and 13 erected vertically on a base 14 at predetermined intervals, and formed on the upper portions of the respective bar-shaped guides 12 and 13. Nuts 15 and 16 which are detachably screwed into the threaded portions 12a and 13a, respectively. Further, elastic bodies 15a and 16a are attached to the lower surfaces of the nuts 15 and 16, respectively.

The method of storing the optical component L in the storage device 11 of the present embodiment configured as described above and the manner of using the same will now be described. Two rod-shaped guides standing vertically on the base 14 are described. Nuts 15, 16 from bodies 12, 13
Are removed, the through holes Lf, Lg at both ends Lb, Lc of the optical component L are inserted into the rod-shaped guide bodies 12, 13. As described above, the plurality of optical components L are sequentially placed on the rod-shaped guide body 1.
The optical components L are vertically stacked such that the upper and lower surfaces Ld, Ld, which are ineffective portions, are in contact with each other by being inserted through the optical components 2 and 13. Predetermined number (for example, 20)
After inserting the optical component L into the rod-shaped guide bodies 12 and 13,
The nuts 15 and 16 are screwed to the rod-shaped guide bodies 12 and 13.
a and 13a, respectively, so that the nut 1
The elastic bodies 15a and 16a on the lower surfaces of the optical components 5 and 16 abut on the upper surface Ld of the uppermost optical component L, and the plurality of optical components L
Press the whole body moderately. This can prevent the movement of the optical component L due to external vibration when transporting the storage device 11. And also in this embodiment, while being able to greatly improve the storage efficiency of the optical components,
Since the side center portion La, which is an optically effective portion of the optical component L, is exposed, a plurality of optical components L
The entire storage device 11 that stores the optical components L
Can be sequentially inspected from the side of the storage device without taking out the storage device 11 one by one from the side central portion La, which is the optically effective portion of each optical component L.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Optical components having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with the side center part as the optically effective part are vertically stacked vertically so that the upper and lower surfaces which are the ineffective parts are in contact with each other, so that both ends which are the ineffective parts are held. By storing multiple optical components,
Optical parts are not damaged by vibrations during transportation, etc., the storage efficiency of optical parts can be greatly improved, and the optical effective part is stored with the side center part exposed to the outside. Therefore, the inspection of the optically effective portion can be performed collectively without having to keep each optical component, so that the inspection time can be shortened and the inspection efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical component storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where optical components are stored.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of one movable guide body in an embodiment of the optical component storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the optical component storage device of the present invention in a state where optical components are stored.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a scanner unit of a laser beam printer using a toric lens or the like as an optical component to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toric lens as an optical component to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional storage box for optical components.

[Explanation of symbols]

 L Optical component (toric lens) La Side center (optically effective portion) Lb, Lc End Ld Upper and lower surfaces Lf, Lg Through hole 1 Storage device 2 Fixed guide 2a Guide recess 2b Mounting portion 3 Movable guide 3a Guide recess 3b Attachment part 3c Long hole 4 Base 5 Elastic body 6b Thumb screw 11 Storage device 12, 13 Rod guide body 12a, 13a Screw part 14 Base 15, 16 Nut 15a, 16a Elastic body 30 Storage box 31 Storage recess 32 Locking part

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A method of storing a plurality of optical components each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and having a side center portion as an optically effective portion. A plurality of optical components are vertically stacked so that the upper and lower surfaces are in contact with each other, and a plurality of optical components are exposed to the outside so that the center of the side surface, which is the optically effective portion of each optical component, can be inspected from the outside. A method for storing an optical component, which is stored. 2. The method for storing an optical component according to claim 1, wherein both ends, which are ineffective portions of the optical component, are held by a pair of guides formed in a U-shaped cross section. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein one of said pair of guides is provided movably with respect to the other.
A method for storing the described optical components. 4. A through-hole penetrating in a vertical direction is formed at both ends, which are ineffective portions of the optical component, and a pair of rod-shaped guides is inserted into the through-hole of the optical component to hold the optical component. The method for storing an optical component according to claim 1, wherein: 5. An optical component storage device for storing a plurality of optical components each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and having a side center portion as an optically effective portion, wherein the fixed guide body has a U-shaped cross section and is vertically erected on a base. And a movable guide body having a U-shaped cross section which is vertically erected on the base so as to face the fixed guide body and is movable so as to be able to adjust the interval with the fixed guide body. The guide recesses having a U-shaped cross section of the two guide bodies are engaged with both ends of the optical component and are vertically stacked vertically so that upper and lower surfaces which are ineffective portions of the optical component face each other. An optical component storage device, wherein a plurality of optical components are stored in a state where the optical components are held in a state and a central portion of a side surface, which is an optically effective portion of each optical component, is exposed to the outside so as to be inspected from outside. 6. The optical component storage device according to claim 5, wherein an elastic body is attached to a wall surface of the guide concave portion which abuts on an end edge surface of the optical component of the movable guide body. 7. The movable guide body is movably mounted on a base so that the distance between the movable guide body and the fixed guide body can be adjusted by engagement of a screw and a long hole provided in a mounting portion at a lower end thereof. 7. The optical component storage device according to claim 5, wherein the movable guide body is fixed in a state where the optical component is pressed by the two guide bodies. 8. An optical component storage device for storing a plurality of optical components, each of which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with a center portion on a side surface as an optically effective portion, and through-holes penetrating vertically in both end portions which are ineffective portions. A pair of rod-shaped guides that can be inserted into through-holes of the optical component vertically erected on a base, and a pair of screws that can be screwed into screw portions formed on the upper portions of the pair of rod-shaped guides. In a state in which the pair of rod-shaped guide bodies are inserted through the through-hole of the optical component and vertically stacked vertically so that upper and lower surfaces that are ineffective portions of the optical component face each other. An optical component storage device that holds and stores a plurality of optical components so that a central portion of a side surface, which is an optically effective portion of each optical component, can be inspected from outside. 9. The optical component storage device according to claim 8, wherein an elastic body is attached to a lower surface of each of the pair of nuts.