JP2007161278A - Pallet, optical component manufacturing method using the same, and optical component package and housing body - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pallet on which a positional shift of an optical component hardly occurs, an optical component manufacturing method using the pallet, and an optical component package and housing body. <P>SOLUTION: According to the pallet, a tabular first plate 11 and a tabular second plate 12 are superposed one another to hold the optical component 14 between the first and second plates 11 and 12. The first plate 11 has a first through-hole 15 from which a part of the surface of the optical component 14 is exposed when the optical component 14 is held, and a first support which is composed of a plurality of projections encircling the first through-hole 15. The second plate 12 has a second through-hole 16 from which a part of the surface of the optical component 14 is exposed when the optical component 14 is held, and a second support 18 which is composed of a plurality of projections encircling the second through-hole 16. When the first and second plates 11 and 12 are superposed, the first and second plates 11 and 12 are so aligned that the front ends of the first support and of the second support do not butt against each other, and then the outer periphery of the optical component 14 is supported from the side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pallet used for manufacturing or packaging optical components such as lenses used in various optical devices, a method for manufacturing an optical component using the pallet, and a packaging body and a container for optical components.

  Conventionally, when an optical thin film is formed collectively on the surface of a large number of optical components, a pallet 1 as shown in FIG. 7 has been used.

  That is, the pallet 1 includes a pair of plates 4 each having a through hole 2 and a receiving hole 3, and the pair of plates 4 are stacked in a state where an optical component 5 such as a lens or a phase plate is received in the receiving hole 3. I was trying to match.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2001-221902 A

  However, when an attempt is made to accommodate a thin optical component 5 using such a conventional pallet 1, the pallet 1 is deformed by external force applied during handling or heat applied during optical thin film formation, and a gap is formed between the pair of plates 4. There is a problem that the optical component 5 is deviated from the receiving hole 3 and enters the gap. When an optical thin film is formed on the exposed surface of the optical component 5 in such a state, a region where the optical thin film can be formed is shifted, and the optical thin film cannot be formed at a necessary position.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pallet in which the optical component is less likely to be displaced, a method for manufacturing an optical component using the pallet, and an optical component packaging body and container. It is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a pallet for holding an optical component between a plate-like first plate and a plate-like second plate by superimposing the plate-like first plate and the plate-like second plate. The plate has a first through hole that exposes a part of the surface of the plate when holding the optical component, and a first support portion that includes a plurality of protrusions that surround the first through hole, and The second plate has a second through hole that exposes a part of the surface of the second plate when holding the optical component, and a second support portion that includes a plurality of protrusions surrounding the second through hole. Then, when the first plate and the second plate are overlapped, the outer periphery of the optical component is aligned so that the front ends of the first support portion and the second support portion do not collide with each other. Is supported from the side, and according to this configuration, the first plate and When the two plates are overlapped, the outer periphery of the optical component is supported from the side by positioning so that the tips of the first support portion and the second support portion do not collide with each other. Even if the pallet is deformed by heat applied during the formation of the optical thin film and a gap is generated between the first plate and the second plate, the optical component does not deviate from the through hole of the plate and enter the gap. As a result, the optical component can be always held at a predetermined accommodation position.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention, in particular, when the first plate and the second plate are superimposed on one of the first plate and the second plate, The concave portion into which the protrusion constituting the provided support portion enters is provided. According to this configuration, the height of the protrusion constituting the support portion can be made sufficiently higher than the height of the outer peripheral portion of the optical component. Therefore, the optical component is less likely to deviate from the storage position, and thus, the optical component can be always held in a stable state at the predetermined storage position.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is particularly advantageous when the optical component is held between the first plate and the second plate by overlapping the first plate and the second plate. The first plate and the second plate are configured so that the optical component does not protrude from the surface through the through-hole. According to this configuration, the surface of the optical component is in contact with the outside during handling or packaging. Therefore, the surface of the optical component is hardly damaged.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the first support portion and the second support portion formed of a plurality of protrusions on the first plate and the second plate, the first support portion and the second support portion are provided. 2 is provided with a jig escape portion for gripping the optical component when the optical component is placed on the plate between the plurality of protrusions constituting the support portion. When mounting the optical component, the optical component can be gripped by a jig such as tweezers at the mounting position, so that the optical component can be accurately mounted at a predetermined mounting position. It is what you have.

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is, in particular, the first plate and the second plate made of resin. According to this configuration, when the pallet is packaged, its weight becomes lighter, It has the effect of hardly scratching the surface of the optical component.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the pallet is provided with a means for preventing misalignment when a plurality of pallets are stacked. According to this configuration, a plurality of pallets holding optical components are provided. When packaging individually, it has the effect that position shift can be prevented reliably.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in particular, an optical thin film is formed on the exposed surface of the optical component in a state where the optical component is accommodated in the pallet according to the first aspect, and then the exposure of the optical component is performed. According to this optical component manufacturing method, since there is no transfer work to the optical component storage jig from the formation of the optical thin film to the inspection, the work can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of scratches on the optical surface that occur when the optical component is transferred.

  The invention according to claim 8 of the present invention is particularly the one in which the optical component is accommodated in the pallet according to claim 1, and according to the package of this optical component, the optical component is transferred to a dedicated packaging tray. Since the operation can be omitted, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of scratches on the optical surface when the optical component is transferred, and it is possible to omit the production of a dedicated packaging tray or the like.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the optical component is accommodated in the pallet according to the first aspect. According to the optical component housing, the optical component is placed at a predetermined accommodating position of the pallet. It has the effect that it can hold | maintain reliably.

  As described above, the pallet of the present invention is aligned so that the tips of the first support part and the second support part do not collide when the first plate and the second plate are overlapped. Since the outer periphery of the optical component is supported from the side, even if the pallet is deformed by an external force or heat applied during the formation of the optical thin film and a gap is generated between the pair of plates, the optical component deviates from the through hole of the plate. As a result, the optical component is not entered into the gap, thereby providing an excellent effect that the optical component can always be held at a predetermined accommodation position.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the inventions described in claims 1 and 3 to 9 of the present invention will be described using the first embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a state in which an optical component is accommodated in a pallet according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view with a surface in contact with the optical component of a first plate constituting the pallet as an upper surface. FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which the surface of the first plate constituting the pallet is in contact with the optical component on the bottom surface, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view in which the surface of the second plate in the pallet is in contact with the optical component is on the top surface. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second plate constituting the pallet with the lower surface being the surface in contact with the optical component.

  1 to 5, reference numerals 11 and 12 denote flat plate-like first and second plates made of ABS resin molded by injection molding, respectively, facing the first plate 11 and the second plate 12. Together, one set of pallets 13 is formed, and the optical component 14 is sandwiched and held between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12.

  The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are provided with a first through hole 15 and a second through hole 16 that expose the surface of the optical component 14 at a position where the optical component 14 is held. The first through hole 15 and the second through hole 16 are provided with a taper that widens toward the outside of the pallet.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a first support portion 17 composed of a plurality of protrusions is formed around the first through hole 15 so as to surround the first through hole 15. It is provided on the surface where the component 14 comes into contact. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, the second support portion 18 including a plurality of protrusions is also provided around the second through hole 16 so as to surround the second through hole 16. The second plate 12 is provided on the surface on the side where the optical component 14 contacts. Then, the protrusions constituting the first support part 17 and the protrusions constituting the second support part 18 are formed by superposing the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 as shown in FIG. When the components 14 are accommodated, they are alternately arranged so as not to overlap each other around the optical components 14, that is, such that the tip portions of the first support portion 17 and the second support portion 18 do not collide with each other. The outer periphery of the optical component 14 is supported from the side.

  The first support portion 17 and the second support portion 18 are each composed of four protrusions as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the planar shape of these individual protrusions. Is a circular arc shape in which the circumference of the circular optical component 14 is divided into eight. The height of each of these protrusions is slightly higher than the thickness of the outer peripheral portion 14a of the optical component 14, and the pressure of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 is applied to the outer peripheral portion 14a of the optical component 14. I try not to join. The tips of these protrusions are chamfered so that the optical component 14 is placed and the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 facing each other are smoothly stacked.

  The thickness of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 is such that when the optical component 14 is accommodated between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 by superimposing the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, the first through hole 15. The surface of the optical component 14 exposed from the second through hole 16 has a sufficient thickness so as not to protrude from the surface of the pallet 13 and come into contact with an external object.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, after the optical component 14 is accommodated on the surface of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 on the side where the optical component 14 contacts, Positioning means 19 and 20 are provided for positioning the position where the second plate 12 is overlapped. The positioning means 19 and 20 are constituted by protrusions and recesses that fit together. Further, a plurality of pallets 13 are provided on the surface of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 opposite to the surface where the optical component 14 contacts, as shown in FIGS. Position misalignment prevention means 21 and 22 are provided so that the individual pallets 13 are not displaced or collapsed when stacked.

  When the optical component 14 is accommodated in the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 described above, one of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, for example, the first plate 11 is shown in FIG. The optical component 14 is placed so that the surface on which the optical component 14 contacts is the upper surface, and the optical component 14 is placed at a predetermined accommodation position surrounded by the plurality of first support portions 17. By aligning the front end portions of the second support portions 18 of the first support portion 17 and the second plate 12 so that they do not collide with each other, the second plate 12 faces the first plate 11. The optical component 14 is sandwiched and accommodated.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the optical component 14 by accommodating the optical component 14 in the pallet 13 and a method for packaging the optical component 14 will be described.

  In the case where the optical component 14 accommodated in the pallet 13 is, for example, a plastic lens, a plurality of optical components 14 are accommodated in the pallet 13 after being injection-molded and gate-cut. Then, a step of forming an antireflection film is performed. On the other hand, in the case of a glass lens, a process of forming a plurality of antireflection films on a large number of optical components 14 in a state of being put in the pallet 13 of the present invention after being press-molded is performed.

  This antireflection film is an optical thin film for the purpose of increasing the light transmission efficiency of the optical component 14, and a desired coating material is vacuum-deposited, CVD, sputtering, ion plating on the surface of the optical component 14 exposed from the pallet 13. It is formed by the method.

  The antireflection film forming apparatus forms a film while rotating the pallet 13 while changing the angle of the pallet 13 with respect to the irradiation source of the film material in order to form a film uniformly on the optical component 14.

  Then, after the coating is formed on the surface of the pallet 13 where the optical component 14 on one side is exposed, the pallet 13 is inverted and the coating is formed on the opposite surface in the same manner.

  The optical component 14 after the formation of the antireflection film is stocked as a work-in-process while being accommodated in the pallet 13.

  Next, an inspection process is performed for inspecting the optical characteristics and appearance of the optical component 14 using an optical inspection machine or a magnifier. In this inspection process, the optical components 14 are still accommodated in the pallet 13 used for forming the optical thin film, and the inspection is sequentially performed on an inspection machine. Also in the appearance inspection, the optical components 14 are sequentially inspected using a magnifying glass in a state where the optical components 14 are accommodated in the pallet 13.

  Next, in order to deliver the optical component 14 to a consumer, a process of packaging the optical component 14 is performed. In this packaging process, packaging is performed while the optical component 14 is accommodated in the pallet 13 used in the optical thin film formation and inspection process, and a plurality of pallets 13 accommodating the optical component 14 are provided on the outer surface thereof. The misalignment prevention means 21 and 22 are engaged with each other, stacked vertically while being prevented from mutual misalignment, and fixed with a rubber band or the like. And this is put in a plastic bag, sealed, packed in a cardboard box together with a cushioning material, and shipped.

  The effects of manufacturing, inspecting, and packaging the optical component 14 using the pallet 13 of the present invention configured as described above will be described below.

  In the above process, when the antireflection film, which is an optical thin film, is formed, the pallet 13 is exposed to heat, so that it deforms and the gap between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 is enlarged. There is. Further, when the pallet 13 is handled, the gap between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 may be opened when an external force is applied and the pallet 13 is deformed or when the pallet 13 is handled.

  At this time, when the conventional pallet 1 shown in FIG. 7 is used, if a gap larger than the thickness of the outer peripheral portion 5a of the optical component 5 is opened, the optical component 5 deviates from a predetermined accommodation position, and the gap Will fit in. In this case, the positional deviation is likely to occur particularly with respect to the optical component 5 having a small thickness. If an antireflection film, which is an optical thin film, is formed in such a state, the antireflection film formation region shifts and cannot be formed at a necessary location.

  However, when the pallet 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used, the height between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 is the same as that of the first and second support portions 17 and 18 from the beginning. However, since the projections of the first support portion 17 and the projections of the second support portion 18 support the periphery of the optical component 14 alternately, the first and second support portions 17 and 18 are provided. If the gap between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 is not larger than the sum of the height of the optical component 14 and the thickness of the outer peripheral portion 14a of the optical component 14, the optical component 14 cannot deviate. is there.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the optical component 14 is effectively prevented from deviating from a predetermined accommodation position in the pallet 13, and the antireflection film that is an optical thin film is used. Inconvenience due to misalignment of the optical component 14 is less likely to occur during formation, inspection, and packaging.

  Further, when the optical component 14 is taken out from the pallet 13, the position of the optical component 14 is lowered by the support portion of the lower plate, regardless of which surface is opened, and the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are opened. Since the optical component 14 is held, the alignment state of the optical component 14 is not lost, and therefore, the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 can be easily accommodated by overlapping them.

  In addition, even when the optical component 14 is placed in the accommodation position with the pallet 13 opened, the space between the plurality of protrusions forming the first and second support portions 17 and 18 is the optical component. Since the space of the jig escape portion for gripping 14 is formed, the optical component 14 can be gripped or separated at the mounting position by using a jig such as tweezers. It can be placed at a position. Furthermore, when the 1st plate 11 and the 2nd plate 12 are piled up, the space of the jig | tool escape part mentioned above is block | closed by the 1st support part 17 and the 2nd support part 18 which were provided, respectively. It has become.

  Moreover, since the pallet 13 in Embodiment 1 of this invention can be accommodated in the same pallet 13 consistently from formation of an antireflection film which is an optical thin film to packaging and shipment, the optical component 14 is provided. The work of transferring can be eliminated, the occurrence of scratches at the time of transferring can be prevented, and further, there is no need to prepare a separate pallet for packaging.

  As described above, the pallet 13 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can effectively prevent the optical component 14 from deviating from a predetermined position in the packaging process from the formation process of the antireflection film that is an optical thin film. It can be done.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the ABS resin is used as the material of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, but the same result is obtained with other resin materials or metal materials such as polycarbonate and PPE. Is obtained. In this case, when a resin material is used, there are an advantage that the optical component 14 is hardly damaged and an advantage that it is light when packaged and transported. Further, when it is necessary to form an antireflection film that is an optical thin film at a temperature exceeding the heat resistance temperature of the resin material, it is necessary to use a metal material or the like. In addition, when a material having a thermal expansion coefficient close to that of the optical component 14 is used, the first through hole 15 and the first aperture 15 are affected by a dimensional change due to thermal expansion in the formation region of the antireflection film that is an optical thin film of the optical component 14. Since the dimensional change of the two through-holes 16 can be followed, the positional accuracy for forming the antireflection film, which is an optical thin film, is improved.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the protrusions constituting the first support portion 17 and the protrusions constituting the second support portion 18 is an arc shape that divides the outer periphery of the optical component 14 into eight. However, the number of divisions is not limited to eight divisions.

  For example, when the outer periphery of the optical component 14 is divided into four projections, the first support portion 17 and the second support portion 18 are each composed of a pair of projections facing each other. In this case, when the pallet 13 is opened, the width of each jig escape portion can be made larger than in the case of dividing into 8 parts, so that it is effective when the dimension of the optical component 14 is fine. It is necessary to design the dimensions so that the optical component 14 does not deviate in the horizontal direction through the jig escape portion.

  Further, in the case where the outer periphery of the optical component 14 is divided into six projections, the first support portion 17 and the second support portion 18 are respectively formed from three protrusions that support the outer periphery of the optical component 14 from three directions. Composed. In this case, since there is no possibility that the optical component 14 deviates in the horizontal direction, in order to fix the position of the optical component 14, the outer periphery of the optical component 14 may be a projection that is divided into six or more parts.

(Embodiment 2)
The second aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the second embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the optical component is accommodated in the pallet according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the same parts as those in the first embodiment of the present invention described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the differences from the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. To do.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the pallet according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the first plate 11 so as to face the protrusions constituting the second support portion 18 provided on the second plate 12. The concave portion 23 is provided in the second plate 12, and the tip end portion of the protrusion constituting the second support portion 18 in the second plate 12 extends into the concave portion 23 in the first plate 11 and is inserted.

  Although not shown, conversely to the above, the second plate 12 is provided with a recess so as to face the protrusions constituting the first support portion 17 provided on the first plate 11. And the front-end | tip part of the processus | protrusion which comprises the 1st support part 17 in the 1st plate 11 may be extended and inserted into the inside of the recessed part in the 2nd plate 12. FIG.

  By configuring as described above, the height of the protrusions constituting the first support portion 17 and the second support portion 18 can be made sufficiently higher than the height of the outer peripheral portion 14a of the optical component 14, The optical component 14 is more difficult to deviate from the storage position. If the gap between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 does not increase from the initial state to the sum of the height of the protrusion, the depth of the recess 23, and the thickness of the outer peripheral portion 14a of the optical component 14, the optical component. Since 14 does not deviate, the deviation of the optical component 14 from the accommodation position can be more effectively prevented.

  In the pallet according to the present invention, even if the pallet is deformed by an external force or heat applied during the formation of the optical thin film and a gap is generated between the pair of plates, the optical component deviates from the through hole of the plate and enters the gap. Thus, the optical component can be held at a predetermined accommodation position at all times, which is useful when manufacturing and packaging various optical components.

The partial expanded sectional view of the state which accommodated the optical component in the pallet in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view which made the surface which touches the optical component of the 1st plate which comprises the pallet the upper surface The perspective view which made the surface which touches the optical component of the 1st plate which comprises the pallet the lower surface The perspective view which made the surface which touches the optical component of the 2nd plate which comprises the pallet the upper surface The perspective view which made the surface which touches the optical component of the 2nd plate which comprises the pallet the lower surface Partial expanded sectional view of the state which accommodated the optical component in the pallet in Embodiment 2 of this invention Partial enlarged sectional view of a state where optical components are housed in a conventional pallet

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 1st plate 12 2nd plate 13 Pallet 14 Optical component 15 1st through-hole 16 2nd through-hole 17 1st support part 18 2nd support part 19,20 Positioning means 21,22 Prevention of position shift Means 23 Recess

Claims (9)

A pallet for holding an optical component between the plate-shaped first plate and the plate-shaped second plate by superimposing the plate-shaped first plate, the first plate being The first plate has a first through hole that exposes a part of the surface, and a first support portion that includes a plurality of protrusions surrounding the first through hole, and the second plate holds an optical component. The first plate and the second plate having a second through hole that exposes a part of the surface thereof and a second support portion comprising a plurality of protrusions surrounding the second through hole. A pallet that is positioned so that the tip portions of the first support portion and the second support portion do not collide with each other when the two are stacked, and the outer periphery of the optical component is supported from the side. One of the first plate and the second plate is provided with a recess into which one of the plates, when the first plate and the second plate are overlapped, is inserted into a protrusion that constitutes a support portion provided on the other plate. The pallet according to claim 1. When the optical component is held between them by superimposing the first plate and the second plate, the first plate has a thickness such that the optical component does not protrude from the surface of the first plate and the second plate through the through hole. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the plate and the second plate are configured. In the first support part and the second support part, which are composed of a plurality of protrusions in the first plate and the second plate, between the plurality of protrusions constituting the first support part and the second support part, The pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a jig escape portion for gripping the optical component when the optical component is placed on the plate. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second plate are made of resin. The pallet according to claim 1, further comprising means for preventing misalignment when a plurality of pallets are stacked on the pallet. An optical component manufacturing method in which an optical thin film is formed on an exposed surface of the optical component in a state where the optical component is housed in the pallet according to claim 1, and then the exposed surface of the optical component is inspected. An optical component packaging body in which an optical thin film is formed on the optical component in a state where the optical component is housed in the pallet according to claim 1 and packaging is performed in this state. An optical component container in which an optical component is accommodated in the pallet according to claim 1.

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