JP2005107117A - Compound lens, lens unit equipped with compound lens and imaging device equipped with lens unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compound lens, a lens unit and an imaging device capable of enhancing productivity as maintaining optical performance by simply and appropriately performing coaxial adjustment of the compound lens. <P>SOLUTION: Positioning in optical axis directions of the lens 7, 8 is performed by a fact that non-optical functional surfaces 10, 11 of mutually adjacent lenses 7, 8 are brought into contact with each other directly or indirectly via other members, adjustment surfaces 12, 13 of which the angles formed with an optical axis are made to be mutually different and which is used for the coaxial adjustment of the lenses 7, 8 are formed on the plurality of lenses 7, 8 and the coaxial adjustment is performed by an adjustment member 14 to be engaged into both of the adjustment surfaces 12, 13 of the lenses 7, 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a compound lens, a lens unit including the compound lens, and an imaging device including the lens unit, and in particular, a plurality of lenses are arranged adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction, and each lens The present invention relates to a compound lens that is coaxially adjusted so that the optical axes coincide with each other.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an imaging device such as an imaging camera, a plurality of (two in FIG. 22) lenses 1 and 2 and other optical components such as a diaphragm are provided in the barrel 3 as shown in FIG. The lens unit 4 was used.

  Conventionally, when assembling this type of lens unit 4, as shown in FIG. 22, the optical components 1 and 2 are sequentially press-fitted into the lens barrel 3 from the optical component 1 on the back side with respect to the lens barrel 3. In some cases, methods were taken.

  However, when such a method is adopted, when the first optical component 1 is press-fitted into the lens barrel 3, the side wall of the lens barrel 3 is expanded so that the inner diameter of the lens barrel 3 is the original design dimension. There was a slight deviation.

  As a result, the subsequent second and subsequent optical components 2 are not press-fitted into a predetermined position in the lens barrel 3, and the positional relationship between the optical components 1 and 2 becomes unbalanced. The problem of deteriorating was caused.

  In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 3 may be formed with an engaging portion to the imaging device main body such as a screw portion. As described above, the side wall portion of the lens barrel 3 is expanded by press-fitting the optical component 1. When opened, the outer diameter of the lens barrel 3 may deviate from the original design dimension, which may cause a deviation in the dimensions of the engaging portion. As a result, the lens unit 4 cannot be properly engaged with the main body of the image pickup apparatus, causing a problem that the product cannot be used as a product.

  Therefore, the lenses 1 and 2 are not housed individually in the lens barrel 3, but in the state of a compound lens in which a plurality of lenses and other optical components are integrally combined as necessary. If it is housed inside, the above-mentioned problems can be effectively avoided.

  However, simply pasting each optical component will cause an optical error such as an optical axis shift between the optical components, so that such an error can be adjusted. For example, even if the individual performances of the lenses vary, it is possible to mold a composite lens that can absorb errors and exhibit appropriate optical performance.

  From such a background, a lens that has been adjusted coaxially so that the optical axes of the lenses or the optical axes of the lenses and the optical axes of other optical components such as a diaphragm or the central axis of the lens barrel coincide with each other. Various proposals have been made.

JP 2001-344806 A JP 2002-196221 A JP 2002-286987 A

  However, conventionally, the coaxial adjustment of each optical component could not be performed at the stage of the compound lens, and a great deal of labor was required for the coaxial adjustment, resulting in a problem that the productivity of the product could not be improved. It was.

  For example, in the case of a lens in which the taper portion of the lens is brought into contact with each other and the coaxial adjustment is performed, such as the lens of Patent Document 2, each lens has to be formed with extremely high dimensional accuracy, which makes it difficult to manufacture. , Productivity could not be improved.

  In addition, in the case of a lens in which a plurality of optical components are sequentially press-fitted into a lens barrel and coaxial adjustment of each optical component is performed as in the lens of Patent Document 3, the lens barrel is deformed by press-fitting the lens as described above. Therefore, it is necessary to set the dimensions of the lens barrel or each optical component with high accuracy so that an appropriate press-fitting allowance is secured. For this reason, it is difficult to manufacture the lens, and the productivity cannot be improved.

  Further, the lens of Patent Document 1 is a lens for an optical pickup, which basically has a different configuration from the lens for an image pickup apparatus, and could not be adjusted coaxially unless it is in a unitized state. . Furthermore, since positioning in the optical axis direction could not be performed uniquely, the coaxial adjustment was complicated instead.

  Furthermore, in the case of a lens that is coaxially adjusted after being press-fitted into the lens barrel, the optical performance can be inspected only when the assembly of the lens is completed. As a result, the yield could not be improved, and the cause investigation of the assembly failure was difficult, so that it was more difficult to improve the productivity.

  As described above, conventionally, no effective proposal has been made for a compound lens capable of improving productivity while maintaining high optical performance.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can improve productivity while maintaining optical performance by being able to easily and appropriately perform coaxial adjustment of optical components at the stage of a compound lens. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite lens that can be used, a lens unit including the composite lens, and an imaging device including the lens unit.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the compound lens according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of lenses are arranged adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction, and the optical axis with respect to the plurality of lenses. In the compound lens in which the coaxial adjustment is made to match each other, the non-optical functional surfaces of the lenses adjacent to each other in the plurality of lenses are brought into contact with each other by abutting directly or indirectly through another member. Are positioned in the optical axis direction, and the angle between the plurality of lenses is different between adjacent lenses and adjacent to each other. An adjustment surface used for coaxial adjustment between the lenses is formed, and the coaxial adjustment is performed by an adjustment member that engages both adjustment surfaces of the adjacent lenses. Lies in the fact that is.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the coaxial adjustment of the optical component can be easily performed at the compound lens stage by engaging the adjustment member with the adjustment surface while uniquely positioning the lens in the optical axis direction. And it becomes possible to implement | achieve the compound lens made | formed appropriately.

  In addition, when the deviation of the optical axis specific to the manufacturing conditions of a lens such as a mold for molding the lens can be defined using, for example, a statistical method, the lens under the manufacturing conditions After once defining the amount of deviation of the optical axis using the adjusting member, in subsequent manufacturing, the lens is preliminarily subjected to fleshing processing to compensate for the amount of deviation, thereby bringing the adjusting member to a predetermined position between the adjusting surfaces. Coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed only by positioning. Furthermore, such unambiguous coaxial adjustment can also be realized by forming a part that compensates for the amount of deviation in the adjustment member itself, or by arranging a spacer separate from the lens that compensates for the amount of deviation on the adjustment surface. Is possible.

  In addition, when the amount of deviation of the optical axis specific to the lens manufacturing conditions described above can be defined, each lens constituting the compound lens is under certain specific manufacturing conditions (such as a mold). In the case of molding, it means a case where it can be considered that a single shift amount corresponding to the specific manufacturing condition is generated when each lens is a compound lens (hereinafter the same).

  The compound lens according to claim 2 is characterized in that in claim 1, the lens adjacent to each other along the optical axis is disposed outside the optical functional surface of one of the lenses adjacent to each other. An extension portion extending to the other lens side is formed, an adjustment surface of the one lens is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the extension portion, and an outer periphery of the other lens is formed inside the extension portion. And at least a part of the surface is formed, and an adjustment surface of the other lens is formed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface located at least inside the extension portion, and the adjustment surface of the one lens and the other lens The adjustment member is interposed between the adjustment surface of the lens and the lens.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cross section perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the adjustment member can be further reduced, so that a more compact configuration can be realized.

  The compound lens according to claim 3 is characterized in that in claim 1, the lens adjacent to each other along the optical axis is disposed outside the optical functional surface of one of the lenses adjacent to each other. A plurality of extending portions extending toward the other lens are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, and an adjustment surface of the one lens is formed on the outer peripheral surface of these extending portions, A plurality of convex edge portions located between the extending portions of the one lens are formed outside the optical function surface, and an adjustment surface of the other lens is formed on the outer peripheral surface of these convex edge portions. The adjustment member is fitted to the outer periphery of the adjustment surface of the one lens and the adjustment surface of the other lens.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the stress applied to the lens can be kept uniform by the adjusting member, so that more stable coaxial adjustment can be performed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compound lens according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the adjustment member is an annular member that contacts both adjustment surfaces of the adjacent lenses. In the point.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the coaxial adjustment of the optical component can be appropriately performed by adjusting the inclination of the annular member, the coaxial adjustment can be performed more simply and inexpensively with a simple configuration. Can be done.

  The compound lens according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the first to third aspects, the adjustment member is a sleeve that contacts both adjustment surfaces of the lenses adjacent to each other.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the coaxial adjustment of the optical component can be appropriately performed by adjusting the inclination of the sleeve, the coaxial adjustment is performed more simply and inexpensively with a simple configuration. It becomes possible.

  The compound lens according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in claim 4, the adjustment member has a convex portion that comes into contact with a portion facing the adjustment member on the non-optical functional surface of the lens orthogonal to the optical axis. It is in.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the optical axis deviation amount specific to the lens manufacturing conditions can be further defined, the adjustment amount of the optical axis of the lens under the manufacturing conditions. After the adjustment member (which does not have a convex portion) is once defined, in the subsequent manufacturing, the adjustment member on which the convex portion for compensating for the shift amount is placed at a predetermined position between the adjustment surfaces. Coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed only by positioning. As a result, it becomes possible to further improve the manufacturing efficiency of the compound lens.

  The compound lens according to a seventh aspect is the compound lens according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the planar shape of the adjustment member is such that an opening is formed in a part of the ring shape. There is in point.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the adjustment member is elastically deformed by a predetermined amount along the shape of the adjustment surface when adjusting the adjustment member, compared to the case where the adjustment member has no opening. Therefore, the coaxial adjustment of the optical component can be performed with higher accuracy.

  The compound lens according to claim 8 is characterized in that a plurality of lenses are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction, and the plurality of lenses are coaxially adjusted so that the optical axes coincide with each other. In this case, the non-optical functional surfaces of the lenses adjacent to each other in the plurality of lenses are directly or indirectly contacted via another member, thereby positioning the lenses adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction. And the plurality of lenses have an angle formed with an optical axis that is different between adjacent lenses and is used for coaxial adjustment of the adjacent lenses. The surface is formed.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the coaxial adjustment of the optical component can be easily performed at the compound lens stage by engaging the adjustment member with the adjustment surface while uniquely positioning the lens in the optical axis direction. And it becomes possible to implement | achieve the compound lens made | formed appropriately.

  In addition, when the amount of deviation of the optical axis specific to the manufacturing conditions of the lens such as a mold for molding the lens can be defined using a statistical method or the like, the amount of deviation of the optical axis of the lens under the manufacturing conditions. Once it has been defined using the adjustment member, in subsequent manufacturing, the lens is preliminarily subjected to fleshing processing that compensates for the deviation amount, or the adjustment member itself is provided with a portion that compensates for the deviation amount, or the deviation amount. By arranging a lens separate from the lens to compensate for the adjustment surface on the adjustment surface, the coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed only by positioning the adjustment member at a predetermined position between the adjustment surfaces. In this way, it is possible to further improve the lens manufacturing efficiency.

Also, after bonding the optical components, the adjustment member is detached from the adjustment surface, or the adjustment member is used only to define the amount of deviation of the optical axis, and compensates for the amount of deviation in the actual mass production stage. By providing another member between the adjustment surfaces, it is possible to obtain a compound lens that is not provided with the adjustment member in the final product state.

  The compound lens according to claim 9 is characterized in that a plurality of lenses are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction, and are adjusted coaxially so that the optical axes coincide with each other with respect to the plurality of lenses. The plurality of lenses can be positioned in the optical axis direction of the adjacent lenses by directly contacting the non-optical functional surfaces of the adjacent lenses with each other directly or indirectly through another member. The plurality of lenses are formed with an adjustment surface used for coaxial adjustment of the adjacent lenses, and are engaged with both adjustment surfaces of the adjacent lenses. The coaxial adjustment is performed by a sleeve.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the coaxial adjustment of the optical component is simple and easy at the compound lens stage by engaging the sleeve with the adjustment surface while uniquely positioning the lens in the optical axis direction. It becomes possible to realize an appropriately made compound lens.

  The lens unit according to a tenth aspect is characterized in that the compound lens according to the first to ninth aspects is mounted on a lens barrel.

  According to the invention of claim 10, the coaxial adjustment of the optical component can be easily performed at the compound lens stage by engaging the adjustment member with the adjustment surface while uniquely positioning the lens in the optical axis direction. And it becomes possible to implement | achieve the lens unit provided with the compound lens made | formed appropriately.

  The feature of the lens unit according to claim 11 is that, in claim 10, only one lens in the compound lens is press-fitted into the lens barrel.

  And according to such a structure, it becomes possible to implement | achieve the lens unit in which position alignment to the lens-barrel was made more simply.

  The imaging device according to claim 12 is characterized in that the lens unit according to claim 10 or 11 is provided.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to realize an imaging apparatus including a lens unit in which the coaxial adjustment of the optical component is simply and appropriately performed at the stage of the compound lens.

  According to the composite lens of the first aspect, it is possible to realize a composite lens that can improve productivity while maintaining optical performance.

  According to the compound lens according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the compound lens according to claim 1, it is possible to realize a compound lens capable of improving productivity while maintaining good optical performance.

  According to the compound lens according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the compound lens according to claim 1, it is possible to realize a compound lens that is smaller and can further improve productivity.

  According to the compound lens according to the fourth aspect, in addition to the effects of the compound lens according to the first to third aspects, the compound lens capable of further improving the productivity can be realized at a lower cost.

  According to the compound lens according to the fifth aspect, in addition to the effects of the compound lens according to the first to third aspects, the compound lens capable of further improving the productivity can be realized at a lower cost.

  According to the composite lens according to the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the composite lens according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to realize a composite lens that can further improve productivity.

  According to the compound lens according to the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the compound lens according to the fourth to sixth aspects, a compound lens capable of further improving productivity can be realized.

  According to the composite lens of the eighth aspect, it is possible to realize a composite lens that can improve productivity while maintaining optical performance.

  According to the composite lens of the ninth aspect, it is possible to realize a composite lens that can improve productivity while maintaining optical performance.

  According to the lens unit of the tenth aspect, it is possible to realize a lens unit that can improve productivity while maintaining optical performance.

  According to the lens unit of the eleventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the lens unit according to the tenth aspect, it is possible to realize a lens unit that can further improve productivity.

  According to the imaging device of the twelfth aspect, it is possible to realize an imaging device capable of improving productivity while maintaining optical performance.

  A compound lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the compound lens 6 in the present embodiment has two lenses 7 and 8 arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the direction of the optical axis 9, and one lens on the object side. Is the first lens 7, and the other lens on the image plane side is the second lens 8.

  The first lens 7 and the second lens 8 are positioned in the direction of the optical axis 9 by bringing the non-optical functional surfaces 10 and 11 orthogonal to the optical axis 9 into contact with each other.

  The first lens 7 and the second lens 8 are formed with adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 used for coaxial adjustment of both lenses 7 and 8, and these adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 are connected to the optical axis 9. The angles formed, that is, the angles formed between the optical axis 9 in contact with the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 and the optical axis 9 tangent to the same plane (hereinafter the same) are made different from each other.

  In this embodiment, the adjustment surface 12 is formed as a vertical surface parallel to the optical axis 9 as shown in FIG. 1, and the adjustment surface 13 is formed as a tapered surface whose diameter is reduced downward in FIG. Has been.

  Further, the first lens 7 and the second lens 8 are coaxially adjusted by an adjustment member 14 that engages the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 of both the lenses 7 and 8.

  That is, by tilting the adjustment member 14 (changing the angle formed by the adjustment member 14 and the optical axis 9), the first lens 7 and the second lens 8 are relatively moved relative to each other via the non-optical functional surfaces 10 and 11. The optical axes of the first lens 7 and the second lens 8 are made coincident with each other.

  Here, the movement amount of the lens is substantially proportional to the inclination of the adjustment member 14.

  Therefore, the adjustment member 14 is adjusted to the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 while the positioning of the lenses 7 and 8 in the direction of the optical axis 9 is uniquely performed via the non-optical functional surfaces 10 and 11 orthogonal to the optical axis 9 of both the lenses 7 and 8. It is possible to realize the composite lens 6 in which the coaxial adjustment of the lenses 7 and 8 is simply and appropriately performed at the stage of the composite lens 6. In FIG. 1, the non-optical functional surfaces 10 and 11 are in direct contact with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other members whose non-optical functional surfaces 10 and 11 are orthogonal to the optical axis 9 ( It may be contacted indirectly via a diaphragm or the like.

  Further, when the inclination angle of the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 is changed, the amount of movement of the lens with respect to the inclination of the adjustment member 14 can be changed.

  Further, the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 are such that the angle formed by the optical axis 9 in contact with the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 and the optical axis 9 tangent on the same plane is always a constant angle along the optical axis 9 direction. The surface is not limited to a surface, and may be a surface in which the angle formed by the tangent gradually changes along the direction of the optical axis 9. By doing so, the amount of displacement of the lens with respect to the inclination of the adjustment member 14 can be suitably set, for example, in a quadratic function or other than a proportional step.

  Furthermore, the compound lens 6 in the present embodiment is configured such that the adjustment member 14 contacts the contact surfaces 12 and 13 of both the first lens 7 and the second lens 8.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjusting member 14 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape is circular and the planar shape has an opening 17 in a part of the ring shape.

  Accordingly, the adjustment member 14 can be easily elastically deformed by a predetermined amount along the shape of the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 during the coaxial adjustment, compared with the case where the adjustment member 14 does not have an opening. It becomes possible to perform the coaxial adjustment of 7 and 8 with higher accuracy.

  Moreover, it is preferable that this adjustment member 14 is formed with members which have elasticity, such as a steel wire and a copper wire, for example.

  Further, since the coaxial adjustment of the optical components 7 and 8 can be appropriately performed by adjusting the inclination of the adjusting member 14, the coaxial adjustment can be performed more simply and inexpensively with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, an extension portion 16 extending toward the second lens 8 along the optical axis 9 is formed outside the optical functional surface 15 of the first lens 7, and this extension portion. An adjustment surface 12 of the first lens 7 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 16.

  Further, at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the second lens 8 is positioned inside the extending portion 16, and at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the second lens 8 is positioned inside the extending portion 16. An adjustment surface 13 is formed.

  An adjustment member 14 is interposed between the adjustment surface 12 of the first lens 7 and the adjustment surface 13 of the second lens 8.

  Thereby, the outer diameter of the compound lens can be made more compact by further reducing the cross section of the adjustment member 14 perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the adjustment member 14 is preferably circular, but it is of course possible to use other shapes as long as it engages both the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13. is there.

  As a means for maintaining the coaxial adjustment state by the adjustment member 14, the adjustment member 14 and the adjustment surfaces 12, 13 may be simply bonded via an adhesive. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a rib 19 that contacts the adjustment member 14 in the optical axis direction is formed on the adjustment surface 13 of the second lens 8 as a fleshing process. The state may be stably maintained, and an adhesive may be further used. Further, by arranging a ring-shaped spacer separate from the lens 8 on the adjustment surface 13, the coaxial adjustment state by the adjustment member 14 may be maintained.

  Furthermore, another important significance of performing the above-mentioned ribbing processing of the ribs 19 and the like is to realize the composite lens 6 that can perform the coaxial adjustment uniquely.

  That is, when the deviation amount of the optical axis 9 specific to the manufacturing conditions of the lenses 7 and 8 such as molds for molding the lenses 7 and 8 can be defined using a statistical method, for example, the manufacturing conditions Once the shift amount of the optical axis 9 of the lenses 7 and 8 is once defined using the adjusting member 14, the defined shift amount is used to form the first lens 7 and the first lens 7 molded under the same manufacturing conditions. It can be used as it is for the compound lens 6 by the two lenses 8.

  Therefore, after the shift amount is defined, a fleshing process for compensating for the shift amount is applied to the lenses 7 and 8 in advance, not after the coaxial adjustment, or separately from the lenses 7 and 8 for compensating for the shift amount. By arranging the spacers on the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13, the coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed only by installing the adjustment member 14 at a predetermined position between the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13.

  Note that the installation position of the adjustment member 14 in this case is determined based on a specific part such as the opening 17 of the adjustment member 14, for example, and the specific part serving as the reference is used for coaxial adjustment (the amount of deviation is specified). In this case, it may be determined by detecting in advance in which position in the circumferential direction between the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 it is installed. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and a specific part such as the gate portion of the lenses 7 and 8 at the time of molding the mold is used as a reference, and which part of the adjustment member 14 is installed with respect to the specific part serving as the reference May be determined in advance to determine the installation position of the adjustment member 14.

  By doing so, it becomes possible to further improve the manufacturing efficiency of the compound lens 6.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the adjustment member 14 may be provided with a convex portion 20 that abuts on a portion facing the adjustment member 14 in the non-optical functional surface 11 of the first lens 7.

  In this way, as in the case of the rib 19, when the deviation amount of the optical axis 9 specific to the manufacturing conditions of the lenses 7 and 8 can be defined, the lenses 7 and 8 under the manufacturing conditions. After once defining the amount of deviation of the optical axis 9 using the adjustment member 14 (without the projection 20), the adjustment member in which the projection 20 for compensating for the deviation is formed in subsequent manufacturing. Coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed only by positioning 14 at a predetermined position between the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13.

  Although not shown, the direction of the convex portion 20 of the adjustment member 14 may be opposite to that shown in FIG. Even in this case, the amount of deviation of the optical axis can be compensated by bringing the convex portion 20 into contact with the portion facing the adjustment member 14 in the non-optical functional surface 11 of the second lens 8, as shown in FIG. Similarly, the coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed.

  Further, the adjustment member 14 is separated from the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 after the optical components 7 and 8 are bonded, or the adjustment member 14 is used only when the amount of deviation of the optical axis 9 is specified. In the mass production stage, it is possible to provide a compound lens in which the adjusting member 14 is not provided in the final productized state by providing another member for compensating for the shift amount between the adjusting surfaces 12 and 13.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the compound lens 6 in this embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, the second lens 8 is fixed with the adjustment surface 13 facing upward, and a jig 21 surrounding the adjustment surface 13 is installed on the second lens 8. The adjustment member 14 is placed on the tool 21.

  In this state, the first lens 7 is placed on the second lens 8 with the adjustment surface 12 facing down.

  At this time, the non-optical functional surfaces 10 and 11 orthogonal to the optical axis 9 of the first lens 7 and the second lens 8 are brought into contact with each other, whereby the positioning of the lenses 7 and 8 in the direction of the optical axis 9 is performed. It is made uniquely.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the first lens 7 moves in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis 9 by changing the inclination of the adjustment member 14 using the jig 21.

  At this time, by using an optical method such as a resolution chart that outputs the image formation state by the first lens 7 and the second lens 8, both the lenses 7, 8 are confirmed while confirming the deviation of the optical axes of the lenses 7, 8. The first lens 7 and the second lens 8 are coaxially adjusted by adjusting the inclination of the adjustment member 14 so that the optical axes 9 of the first and second lenses 9 coincide with each other.

  At this time, in accordance with the coaxial adjustment, the fitting degree is adjusted by the vertical movement of the adjustment member 14 between the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 of the first lens 7 and the second lens 8, and the first lens 7 and the second lens 8 Are fitted with an appropriate degree of fitting via the adjusting member 14.

  After performing the coaxial adjustment, an adhesive is poured between the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 to bond the two adjustment surfaces 12.13 to each other, or in addition to the adhesive, the coaxial adjustment state is set as shown in FIG. Manufacturing the composite lens 6 is completed by applying the holding process 19 to the adjustment surface 13 or the like.

  Next, another method for manufacturing the compound lens 6 in the present embodiment will be described.

  Note that the method described below is based on the premise that the deviation amount of the optical axis 9 inherent to the manufacturing conditions of a lens such as a mold for manufacturing the compound lens 6 can be defined using a statistical method or the like. .

  Under such a premise, first, coaxial adjustment as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is performed on the first lens 7 and the second lens 8 manufactured under predetermined manufacturing conditions. In addition, based on the inclination and position of the adjustment member 14 in the state after the coaxial adjustment, the deviation amount of the optical axis in the manufacturing conditions is defined.

  At this time, a specific part (opening 17 or the like) of the adjustment member 14 is determined as a reference, and a position in the circumferential direction between the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 is determined as the reference specific part. The installation position of the adjustment member 14 with respect to the first lens 7 and the second lens 8 is determined in advance by detecting the detection in advance.

  Then, the composite lens 6 is manufactured using the first lens 7 and the second lens 8 manufactured under the same manufacturing conditions as the lenses 7 and 8 when the deviation amount of the optical axis 9 is defined.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the adjustment surface of the second lens 8 is preliminarily provided with a rib 19 as a fleshing process that compensates for the amount of deviation, or as shown in FIGS. A stepped portion 22 is applied in advance to the adjustment surface 13 of 8 and the adjustment surface 12 of the first lens 7 as a fleshing process.

  Further, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a convex portion 20 that compensates for the shift amount of the optical axis 9 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the adjustment member 14 is installed on the second lens 8 that has been subjected to the fleshing process. At this time, the adjustment member 14 is installed so that the adjustment member 14 is positioned at a predetermined installation position with respect to the second lens 8 during the coaxial adjustment.

  Next, the first lens 7 is installed on the second lens 8 on which the adjustment member 14 is installed. At this time, the first lens 7 is installed such that the adjustment member 14 is positioned at a predetermined installation position with respect to the first lens 7 during the synchronous adjustment.

  In this way, the coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed simply by positioning the adjustment member 14 at a predetermined position between the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 of the second lens 8 and the first lens 7.

  As a result, the manufacturing efficiency of the compound lens 6 can be improved.

  Next, a second embodiment of the compound lens according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Note that portions having the same or similar basic configuration to the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

  In the compound lens 25 in the present embodiment, the adjustment member 14 is the same as that in the first embodiment described above.

  However, in the present embodiment, the forms of the adjustment surfaces 28 and 29 of the first lens 26 and the second lens 27 and the manner in which the adjustment member 14 is engaged with the adjustment surfaces 28 and 29 are different from those of the first embodiment. .

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, a plurality of extending portions 31 extending toward the second lens 27 along the optical axis 9 are provided on the outer side of the optical functional surface 30 of the first lens 26. The adjustment surface 28 of the 1st lens 26 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of these extension parts 31 at predetermined intervals in the direction. The adjustment surface 28 is formed in such a manner that the radial distance perpendicular to the optical axis 9 between the optical axis 9 and the optical axis 9 gradually decreases when viewed in cross section in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a plurality of convex edge portions 34 are formed on the outer side of the optical functional surface 33 of the second lens 27 between the extending portions 31 of the first lens 26. In addition, an adjustment surface 29 of the second lens 27 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the convex edge portion 34. The adjustment surface 29 is formed in such a manner that a radial distance perpendicular to the optical axis 9 between the optical axis 9 and the optical axis 9 is gradually reduced as viewed in a cross section in FIG.

  The adjustment surface 28 of the first lens 26 and the adjustment surface 29 of the second lens 27 are different from each other in the angle formed with the optical axis 9.

  Then, the adjustment member 14 is fitted to the outer periphery of the adjustment surface 28 of the first lens 26 and the adjustment surface 29 of the second lens 27, so that the optical axes of the first lens 26 and the second lens 27 can be coaxially adjusted. Has been made.

  Thereby, the stress acting on the lenses 26 and 27 by the adjusting member 14 can be kept uniform, and stable coaxial adjustment can be performed.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the adjustment surfaces 28 and 29 are fleshed out, the spacers are arranged separately from the lenses, or the convex portions 20 are formed on the adjustment member 14. Thus, the coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed.

  In FIG. 12, the non-optical functional surface 10 orthogonal to the optical axis 9 of the first lens 26 and the non-optical functional surface 11 orthogonal to the optical axis of the second lens 27 are indirectly connected via the stop 32. However, the diaphragm 32 may be disposed as necessary.

  Next, FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of the compound lens according to the present invention.

  Note that portions having the same or similar basic configuration to the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

  The compound lens 37 in the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in the form of the adjustment surfaces 12 and 13 of the first lens 7 and the second lens 8.

  However, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the adjustment member is a sleeve 38 that surrounds the adjustment surface 13 of the second lens 8.

  The sleeve 38 preferably has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and a planar shape having an opening in which a part of an annular shape is opened. In addition, a diaphragm 39 orthogonal to the optical axis 9 is disposed between the non-optical functional surfaces 10 and 11 orthogonal to the optical axis 9 of the first lens 7 and the second lens 8. Thus, the non-optical functional surfaces 10 and 11 of both lenses 7 and 8 are indirectly contacted to position the lenses 7 and 8 in the direction of the optical axis 9. The diaphragm 39 may be arranged as necessary.

  Even in such a case, the coaxial adjustment of the optical components 7, 8, and 39 can be appropriately performed by adjusting the inclination of the sleeve 38, so that the coaxial adjustment can be performed simply and inexpensively with a simple configuration. It becomes possible.

  In the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the coaxial adjustment can be uniquely performed by performing the fleshing process on the adjustment surface 13 or the like.

  Next, a first embodiment of the lens unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The lens unit 41 in this embodiment is obtained by mounting the above-described compound lens 6 of the first embodiment on a lens barrel 42, and the optical axis 9 of the compound lens 6 and the central axis of the lens barrel 42 are adjusted coaxially with each other. Has been made.

  Here, the composite lens 6 attached to the lens unit 41 has already been subjected to the coaxial adjustment at the stage of the composite lens 6 as described above.

As a result, of the compound lens 6, only one lens (the first lens 7 in FIG. 16) is press-fitted into the lens barrel 42 while coaxially adjusting the optical axis 9 and the central axis of the lens barrel 42. For example, all the optical axes 9 of the optical components 7 and 8 constituting the compound lens 6 and the central axis of the lens barrel 42 can be uniquely and coaxially adjusted.
In FIG. 16, the non-optical functional surface 10 perpendicular to the optical axis 9 of the first lens 7 and the non-optical functional surface 11 perpendicular to the optical axis 9 of the second lens 8 are perpendicular to the optical axis. The diaphragm 45 is in contact indirectly through 45, but the diaphragm 45 may be arranged as necessary.

  In FIG. 16, a slope 43 is formed at the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the first lens 7 for coaxial adjustment of the compound lens 6 and the lens barrel 42, and the surface facing the slope 43 and the lens barrel 42. An adjustment member 44 for coaxial adjustment (for example, a member having elasticity such as a spring) is interposed between the lens 6 and the lens 42, but the coaxial adjustment between the compound lens 6 and the lens barrel 42 is performed by other methods. Of course, it may be.

  Next, FIG. 17 shows a second embodiment of the lens unit according to the present invention.

  The lens unit 43 is obtained by mounting the compound lens 25 of the second embodiment described above (in FIG. 17, the adjustment member 14 having the convex portion 20) on the lens barrel 47, and the compound lens 25 and the lens barrel. 47 are coaxially adjusted. A diaphragm 45 is disposed between the first lens 26 and the second lens 27 as necessary.

  Also in the present embodiment, the coaxial adjustment has already been completed at the stage of the compound lens 25 as in the case of FIG. In the lens unit 43 of FIG. 17, only one lens 26 is press-fitted into the lens barrel 47 while coaxially adjusting the optical axis 9 and the central axis of the lens barrel 47, whereby the compound lens 25. Coaxial adjustment between all the optical axes 9 and the central axis of the lens barrel 42 is uniquely performed. As a result, the manufacturing efficiency of the lens unit 43 can be improved.

  An image pickup apparatus provided with a lens unit 41, 46 as shown in FIG. 16 or FIG. 17 or a lens unit containing the compound lens 37 shown in FIG. Since the coaxial adjustment between the optical components of the compound lenses 6, 25, and 37 and the coaxial adjustment between the compound lenses 6, 25, and 37 and the lens barrel 42 are appropriately performed, good optical performance can be exhibited. it can.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible as needed.

  For example, the present invention can be effectively applied to a compound lens including three or more lenses.

  In the lens configuration shown in FIGS. 12 and 17, the adjustment member may be a sleeve. Even in this case, as in the compound lens of FIG. 12, the stress applied to the lens can be kept uniform by the adjusting member, so that more stable coaxial adjustment can be performed. Similarly to the lens unit 46, the coaxial adjustment between the compound lens and the lens barrel can be uniquely performed.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18, a compound lens 48 in which the outer peripheral surfaces of both lenses 49 and 50 are fitted in a sleeve 38 with the first lens 49 and the second lens 50 in contact with each other may be used. Even in this case, the coaxial adjustment can be easily performed by adjusting the angle of the sleeve 38. In the compound lens 48 of FIG. 18, the angles formed with the optical axis 9 on the adjustment surfaces 51 and 52 of the adjacent lenses 49 and 50 are not necessarily different from each other. Each of the adjustment surfaces 51 and 52 as shown in FIG. 5 may be configured so as to be positioned on a concentric spherical surface having the same center of curvature on the optical axis 9. In this case, a compound inclined surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 38 such that the angle formed with the optical axis 9 is different between the side fitted to the first lens 49 and the side fitted to the second lens 50. The lenses 49 and 50 may be coaxially adjusted using this compound inclined surface.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, a diaphragm 53 is formed integrally with the sleeve 38, the first lens 49 and the second lens 50 are brought into contact with each other through the diaphragm 53, and the central axis of the sleeve is The one end side and the other end side in the direction of the optical axis 9 may be configured to deviate from each other.

  In this case, the first lens 49 and the second lens 50 are brought into contact with each other via the diaphragm 53, and the two lenses 49 and 50 are relatively rotated around the optical axis 9 (the circumferential direction of the lens). The lenses 49 and 50 can be relatively eccentrically rotated, and the optical components can be coaxially adjusted with the eccentric rotation.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first embodiment of a compound lens according to the present invention. The top view which shows the cyclic | annular member as an adjustment member in 1st Embodiment of the compound lens which concerns on this invention. Side view of FIG. In the first embodiment of the compound lens according to the present invention, a longitudinal sectional view showing another aspect different from FIG. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another aspect different from FIGS. 1 and 4 in the first embodiment of the compound lens according to the present invention. The perspective view which shows the other aspect different from FIG. 2 of a cyclic | annular member in 1st Embodiment of the compound lens which concerns on this invention. In the first embodiment of the compound lens according to the present invention, a longitudinal sectional view showing the adjustment member and the first lens installation step on the second lens in the compound lens manufacturing step 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a coaxial adjustment process of each lens in a manufacturing process of the compound lens in the first embodiment of the compound lens according to the present invention The perspective view which shows the 2nd lens to which the rib as a fleshing process was given previously in 1st Embodiment of the compound lens which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the 2nd lens to which the level | step-difference part as a fleshing process was given previously in 1st Embodiment of the compound lens which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the 1st lens by which the level | step-difference part as a fleshing process was given previously in 1st Embodiment of the compound lens which concerns on this invention. A longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the compound lens according to the present invention. The bottom view which shows a 2nd lens in 2nd Embodiment of the compound lens which concerns on this invention. The top view which shows a 1st lens in 2nd Embodiment of the compound lens which concerns on this invention. A longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the compound lens according to the present invention. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first embodiment of a lens unit according to the present invention. A longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the lens unit according to the present invention. Longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the compound lens Longitudinal sectional view showing the form of a compound lens not adopted in the present invention FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment different from FIG. 19 of the compound lens not employed in the present invention. Longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the compound lens A longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a conventional compound lens

Explanation of symbols

6, 25, 37 Compound lens 7, 26 First lens 8, 27 Second lens 9 Optical axis 10, 11, 30, 33 Non-optical functional surface 12, 13, 28, 29 Adjustment surface 14 Adjustment member 16 Extending portion 17 Opening portion 19 Rib 20 Convex portion 22 Stepped portion 31 Extension portion 34 Convex edge portion 38 Sleeve 41, 46 Lens unit 42 Lens barrel

Claims (12)

In the compound lens in which the plurality of lenses are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction, and are adjusted coaxially so that the optical axes coincide with each other with respect to the plurality of lenses.
The plurality of lenses are positioned in the optical axis direction of the adjacent lenses by directly contacting the non-optical functional surfaces of the adjacent lenses with each other directly or indirectly through another member. And the adjustment surfaces used for the coaxial adjustment of the lenses adjacent to each other while the angles formed with the optical axis are different between the lenses adjacent to each other. And the coaxial adjustment is performed by an adjustment member that engages both adjustment surfaces of the lenses adjacent to each other.   An extending portion is formed on the outer side of the optical function surface of one of the adjacent lenses, and extends to the other lens side of the adjacent lenses along the optical axis. The adjustment surface of the one lens is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the extension portion, and at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the other lens is located inside the extension portion, The adjustment surface of the other lens is formed at a portion located inside the extension portion, and the adjustment member is interposed between the adjustment surface of the one lens and the adjustment surface of the other lens. The composite lens according to claim 1.   A plurality of extending portions that extend to the other lens side of the adjacent lenses along the optical axis are arranged on the outer side of the optical functional surface of one of the adjacent lenses. And an adjustment surface of the one lens is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the extension part, and the extension part of the one lens is outside the optical function surface of the other lens. A plurality of convex edge portions are formed therebetween, and an adjustment surface of the other lens is formed on an outer peripheral surface of these convex edge portions, and the adjustment surface of the one lens and the adjustment surface of the other lens The compound lens according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is fitted to the outer periphery of the lens.   4. The compound lens according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is an annular member that contacts both adjustment surfaces of the lenses adjacent to each other. 5.   4. The compound lens according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is a sleeve that contacts both adjustment surfaces of the lenses adjacent to each other. 5.   5. The compound lens according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment member has a convex portion that comes into contact with a portion facing the adjustment member on a non-optical functional surface of the lens orthogonal to the optical axis.   The compound lens according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the adjustment member has a planar shape having an opening in a part of the ring shape. In the compound lens in which the plurality of lenses are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction, and are adjusted coaxially so that the optical axes coincide with each other with respect to the plurality of lenses.
The plurality of lenses are positioned in the optical axis direction of the adjacent lenses by directly contacting the non-optical functional surfaces of the adjacent lenses with each other directly or indirectly through another member. And the adjustment surfaces used for the coaxial adjustment of the lenses adjacent to each other while the angles formed with the optical axis are different between the lenses adjacent to each other. A composite lens characterized in that is formed. In the compound lens in which the plurality of lenses are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the optical axis direction, and are adjusted coaxially so that the optical axes coincide with each other with respect to the plurality of lenses.
The plurality of lenses are positioned in the optical axis direction of the adjacent lenses by directly contacting the non-optical functional surfaces of the adjacent lenses with each other directly or indirectly through another member. And an adjustment surface used for coaxial adjustment of the adjacent lenses is formed on the plurality of lenses, and further, a sleeve that engages both adjustment surfaces of the adjacent lenses. The compound lens, wherein the coaxial adjustment is made.   A lens unit, wherein the compound lens according to claim 1 is attached to a lens barrel.   The lens unit according to claim 10, wherein only one lens in the compound lens is press-fitted into the lens barrel.   An imaging apparatus comprising the lens unit according to claim 10.