JP2004233535A - Alignment method for rod-like lens - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alignment method for rod-like lenses for easily decreasing a gap between the rod-like lenses. <P>SOLUTION: An alignment unit is prepared which is composed of: a frame part 10 having two opposite faces 11a and 11b by spacing a longer interval than the length of the rod-like lens 30; and a gutter-shaped receiving part 20 arranged by directing both ends 21a and 22b to the opposite faces. A plurality of the rod-like lenses are mounted on the receiving part, and reciprocated and aligned in a longitudinal direction by swinging the alignment unit. Thereafter, the receiving part is lifted from the frame part to take out the rod-like lenses from the receiving part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of aligning a plurality of rod-shaped lenses for an optical transmitter array before bundling and packing the plurality of rod-shaped lenses.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, many LED printers, scanners, and the like have incorporated an optical transmitter array (also referred to as a rod lens array) as an image transmitter. The optical transmitter array generally includes two substrates and a number of rod-shaped lenses (also referred to as rod lenses) having an optical transmission property arranged in parallel between them. The diameter of each rod-like lens constituting the optical transmitter array is usually 1 mm or less. The smaller the diameter of the rod-shaped lens and the smaller the interval between the rod-shaped lenses, the higher the resolution of the optical transmitter.
[0003]
In manufacturing an optical transmission body array, a factory may be different depending on a manufacturing process. In that case, it is necessary to pack the thin rod-shaped lens and transport it to a factory where the next step is performed. When packing the rod-shaped lens, a unit (a wrapping unit) in which a bundle of several thousand rod-shaped lenses is put in a packing bag is made, and a plurality of wrapping units are packed in a bales in a packing box. When making the wrapping unit, the worker grasps the bundle of rod-shaped lenses stored in the rack etc. by hand and puts it in the packing bag, then aligns both ends of the bundle of rod-shaped lenses, The bill was wound around and fixed with tape.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, many gaps remain between the rod-shaped lenses simply grasped by hand and put in the packing bag. When packing a wrapped unit with many such gaps left, the individual rod-shaped lenses move within the wrapped unit during transportation, causing deformation and flaws in the rod-shaped lens and deteriorating the quality of the rod-shaped lens. There is.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rod lens alignment method capable of easily reducing a gap between rod lenses.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a bar lens alignment method of the present invention is a method of aligning a plurality of bar lenses, and has two opposing surfaces facing each other with a longer interval than the length of the bar lens. A first step of preparing an alignment unit composed of a frame portion and a gutter-shaped receiving portion arranged with both ends facing these facing surfaces, and a second step of placing a plurality of rod-shaped lenses on the receiving portion. A third step of reciprocating the rod-shaped lens in the longitudinal direction to swing and align the unit for alignment, and a fourth step of lifting the receiving portion from the frame portion and removing the rod-shaped lens from the receiving portion. It is characterized by the following.
[0007]
As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of rod-shaped lenses can be easily aligned, and the gap between the rod-shaped lenses can be reduced. Thereby, the bundle of the rod-shaped lenses can be packed in a state where the gap between the rod-shaped lenses is small. As a result, it is possible to suppress the movement of the individual rod-shaped lenses in the bundle of the rod-shaped lenses during the transportation of the rod-shaped lenses. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the rod-shaped lenses from moving, causing deformation and flaws, and deteriorating the quality.
[0008]
In the present invention, preferably, in the first step, the receiving portion has a semi-cylindrical shape.
As described above, if the receiving portion has a semi-cylindrical shape, the rod-shaped lenses can be efficiently aligned.
[0009]
In the present invention, preferably, in the first step, the length of the gutter shape of the receiving portion in the axial direction is shorter than the length of the rod-shaped lens.
With this configuration, in the fourth step, it is possible to easily grasp the rod-shaped lens portion protruding from the receiving portion. As a result, the rod-shaped lenses can be easily taken out while being aligned.
[0010]
In the present invention, preferably, in the third step, the rod-shaped lens is reciprocated while a load is applied to the rod-shaped lens.
By doing so, the rod-shaped lenses can be efficiently aligned.
[0011]
In the present invention, preferably, in the fourth step, the receiving portion is made of a flexible material, and when the receiving portion is lifted, both edges of the gutter shape of the receiving portion are brought close to each other to form a rod. The lenses are collected in the center of the gutter shape.
In this way, if the rod-shaped lens is moved to the center of the gutter shape, it is possible to easily grasp the rod-shaped lens while keeping the rod-shaped lens aligned. As a result, the rod-shaped lenses can be easily taken out while being aligned.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a rod-shaped lens alignment method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In order to align a plurality of rod-shaped lenses, first, as a first step, an alignment unit is prepared. Here, FIG. 1 shows an alignment unit of the present embodiment. FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the alignment unit, and FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of the alignment unit.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment unit according to the present embodiment includes a frame portion 10 and a receiving portion 20. In FIG. 1A, the frame portion 10 and the receiving portion 20 are separated from each other in the vertical direction to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the alignment unit.
[0014]
The frame 10 has two opposing surfaces 11a and 11b facing each other. In the present embodiment, the bottom portion 12 is further provided on the frame portion 10 so that the frame portion 10 has a box shape. In the present embodiment, the frame portion 10 is formed by combining a resin plate having a thickness of 2 mm, and the dimensions are length L ₁ = 200 mm, width W = 100 mm, and depth D = 30 mm.
[0015]
In the present embodiment, since the plastic rod-shaped lenses 30 having a length L ₃ = 166 mm are aligned, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the frame 10 (from the length L ₁ of the frame 10 to the thickness of the opposing surface is equal to the thickness of the opposing surface). the.) as a value obtained by subtracting the, it is longer than the length L ₃ of the rod-like lenses 30. The distance between the opposing surfaces is preferably 120 to 140% of the length of the rod-shaped lens.
[0016]
The receiving portion 20 has a semi-cylindrical gutter shape, and both ends 21 a and 22 b of the gutter shape are arranged to face the facing surfaces 11 a and 11 b of the frame portion 10. In the present embodiment, the receiving portion 20 is made of a resin material such as a vinyl chloride resin so as to have flexibility. In the present embodiment, the receiving portion 20 of the trough-shaped axial length _L 2 = 130 mm, the radius of curvature of the semi-cylindrical trough shape is 30～45Mm.
[0017]
In the present embodiment, the length L ₂ of the receiving portion 20, is made shorter than the length L ₃ of the rod-like lenses 30. In addition, the length of the receiving portion 20 is preferably 30 to 80% of the length of the rod-shaped lens in order to make it easy to take out the aligned rod-shaped lens 30 from the receiving portion 20.
[0018]
Next, as a second step, a plurality of rod-shaped lenses 30 are placed on the receiving portion 20. In this embodiment, an operator grasps by hand about 5000 rod-shaped lenses having a length of 166 mm and a diameter of 0.6 mm, and places them on the receiving portion 20 as shown in FIG. In addition, the amount of the rod-shaped lens placed on the receiving portion 20 at one time is not particularly limited, but for example, about 100 to 300 grams is preferable in terms of work efficiency.
[0019]
Next, as a third step, the rod-shaped lens 30 is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction to be aligned by shaking the alignment unit.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the alignment unit is vibrated in the longitudinal direction in the horizontal direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2B). Then, as a result of the reciprocating movement of the rod-shaped lens due to the vibration, the rod-shaped lenses are substantially aligned in the closest density. The ends of the bundle of the rod-shaped lenses 30 can be easily aligned by applying the rod-shaped lenses 30 to the opposing surface 11a or 11b.
The vibration conditions such as the vibration amplitude and the vibration period of the alignment unit can be arbitrarily suitable.
[0020]
Here, FIG. 3 schematically shows how the gap between the rod-shaped lenses changes. FIG. 3A schematically shows an enlarged end of the bundle of rod-shaped lenses before alignment, and FIG. 3B schematically shows an enlarged end of the bundle of rod-shaped lenses after alignment. Show. When the rod-shaped lens is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction, an unnecessary gap as shown in FIG. 3A is substantially eliminated as shown in FIG.
[0021]
When the rod-shaped lens is reciprocated, the rod-shaped lenses are aligned by the weight of the rod-shaped lens. However, the rod-shaped lens may be reciprocated while a load is further applied to the rod-shaped lens. However, if the load is too large, the friction will hinder the alignment. For this reason, it is preferable that the magnitude of the load be 50 kPa or less in terms of pressure.
[0022]
Next, as a fourth step, the receiving part 20 is lifted from the frame part 10 and the rod-shaped lens 30 is taken out from the receiving part 20.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the receiving portion 20 is lifted while the gutter-shaped edges 22a and 22b of the receiving portion 20 are brought close to each other. Since the receiving portion 20 has elasticity, the worker can easily squeeze the receiving portion 20 by lifting the both edges 22a and 22b of the receiving portion 20 with one hand with fingers.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the rod-shaped lens 30 is gathered at the center of the gutter shape by narrowing the receiving portion 20. Therefore, the operator can easily grasp the portion of the bundle of rod-shaped lenses protruding from the receiving portion 20 with the other hand while keeping the rod-shaped lenses aligned.
[0023]
Further, the bundle of rod-shaped lenses taken out of the receiving portion 20 is directly put in a packing bag to make a wrapping unit. Thereby, the rod-shaped lens can be packed in a state where there is substantially no extra gap. As a result, the movement of each rod-shaped lens can be suppressed during the transportation of the rod-shaped lens. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the rod-shaped lenses from moving and causing deformation or flaws to deteriorate the quality.
[0024]
In each of the embodiments described above, examples in which the present invention is configured under specific conditions have been described. However, the present invention can be variously changed and combined, and the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a plastic rod lens is used as the rod lens has been described. However, in the present invention, a glass rod lens may be used as the rod lens.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the gutter shape of the receiving portion was a semi-cylindrical shape. However, in the present invention, the gutter shape of the receiving portion is not limited to this.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the frame portion and the receiving portion are made of resin, but the material of the frame portion and the receiving portion is not limited to this.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the alignment unit is vibrated in the horizontal direction has been described. However, in the present invention, the alignment unit may be alternately inclined in the opposite direction to reciprocate the rod-shaped lens. .
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the gap between the rod-shaped lenses can be easily reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of an alignment unit according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of the alignment unit.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a second step of the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a third step of the embodiment.
FIG. 3A is an enlarged schematic diagram of an end of a bundle of rod-shaped lenses before alignment, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged schematic diagram of an end of a bundle of rod-shaped lenses after alignment.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view for explaining a fourth step of the embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a schematic end view for explaining deformation of a receiving portion.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Frame portions 11a, 11b Opposing surface 20 Receiving portions 21a, 21b Ends 22a, 22b Edge 30 Bar-shaped lens

Claims (5)

A method of aligning a plurality of rod-shaped lenses,
Prepare an alignment unit composed of a frame portion having two opposing surfaces facing each other at an interval longer than the length of the rod-shaped lens, and a gutter-shaped receiving portion arranged with both ends facing these opposing surfaces. The first step,
A second step of placing a plurality of rod-shaped lenses on the receiving portion,
By shaking the alignment unit, the third step of reciprocating the rod-shaped lens in the longitudinal direction and aligning,
A fourth step of lifting the receiving portion from the frame portion and removing the rod-shaped lens from the receiving portion;
A method of arranging rod-shaped lenses, comprising: The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion in the first step has a semi-cylindrical shape. The rod lens alignment method according to claim 1, wherein the gutter-shaped axial length of the receiving portion in the first step is shorter than the length of the rod lens. 4. The rod lens alignment method according to claim 1, wherein the third step includes reciprocating the rod lens with a load applied to the rod lens. In the fourth step, the receiving portion is made of a flexible material, and when the receiving portion is lifted, both edges of the gutter shape of the receiving portion are brought close to each other, and the rod-shaped lens is moved to the gutter. The method for aligning rod-shaped lenses according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lenses are collected at the center of the shape.

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