JP2007310067A - Centering mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To repeatedly adjust centering while keeping the smooth shift of support parts, and also, to easily adjust centering with an easy and simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: The centering mechanism 100 includes a movable part 1 that holds a lens LS having an optical axis OA; a fixed part 2 surrounding the peripheral part of the movable part 1 around the optical axis OA; an elastic support part 3 and adjusting support parts 4 and 5 protrusively arranged from the fixed part 2 toward the peripheral part so that they can move backward and forward, wherein, the movable part 1 is supported by the respective support parts, and also, the respective support parts are driven backward and forward in the protrusive direction thereof, and the movable part 1 is moved along a reference plane 2d vertical to the optical axis OA so as to perform the centering of the lens LS. The elastic support part 3 includes a prismatic body 3b at the leading end thereof protrusively provided from the fixed part 2 so as to vertical to the protrusive direction thereof and the optical axis OA, and also, the elastic support part 3 supports the movable part 1 by bringing the prismatic body 3b in contact with the peripheral part of the movable part 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a centering mechanism that includes a movable part that holds an object having a predetermined axis and performs centering of the object by adjusting the position of the movable part, and is particularly applicable to the centering of an optical element having an optical axis. And a suitable centering mechanism.

  Conventionally, a movable part holding an optical element such as a lens is accommodated in a fixed part, and the movable part is supported by three or more support parts projecting from the fixed part toward the movable part, and the support part is projected. 2. Description of the Related Art A centering mechanism for centering an optical element by driving it back and forth in a direction is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  In the lens holding structure described in Patent Document 1, the lens frame holding the lens is accommodated in the fixed frame, and the lens frame is pressed by a plurality of pairs of screw members protruding from the fixed frame toward the lens frame. And support. Then, the lens frame is moved by screw driving the screw members opposed to each other in the opposite direction to center the lens. Each screw member used here has a hemispherical tip.

  On the other hand, in the centering mechanism described in Patent Document 2 and the micro-movement device described in Patent Document 3, the three lens frames housed in the fixed frame are projected from the fixed frame toward the lens frame. Three points are supported by the support part. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams showing the main configuration of such a three-point support. FIG. 9 shows an IX-IX section (bent section) in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in this three-point support configuration, the movable portion 101 that holds an optical element such as a lens (not shown) at the center is housed in the fixed portion 102 and a pressing pin 103 as a support portion. And supported by adjusting screws 104 and 105.

  The pressing pin 103 is telescopically inserted into the pin receiving hole 102 a of the fixed portion 102 through the coil spring 106, and the hemispherical tip portion 103 a is engaged with the V groove 101 a formed in the movable portion 101. ing. The adjustment screws 104 and 105 are screwed through the screw holes 102b and 102c of the fixed portion 102, respectively, and the spheres 104a and 105a provided at the tip portions thereof are respectively tapered formed on the movable portion 101. It is in contact with the surfaces 101b and 101c.

  Accordingly, in this three-point support configuration, the movable portion 101 is supported by the tip portions of the pressing pin 103 and the adjusting screws 104 and 105, and the pressing surface 101d is pressed against the reference surface 102d of the fixing portion 102. . By driving at least one of the adjustment screws 104 and 105 from this state, the movable portion 101 can be moved two-dimensionally along the reference surface 102d, and the optical element held by the movable portion 101 can be centered. It can be carried out.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-45550 JP 2001-33705 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-27231

  However, in the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, when the lens frame is moved, the two screw members facing each other must be driven with screws, and there is a risk that the work will go back and forth. Further, there is a problem that the screw member is easily squeezed into the lens frame, the lens frame is easily distorted and the lens frame is likely to be damaged, and it is difficult to say that it is suitable for repeated centering adjustment.

  On the other hand, in the prior art described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 described above, by engaging the tip portion 103a of the pressing pin 103 with the V groove 101a, the movable portion 101 corresponding to the screw driving of the adjusting screws 104 and 105 is used. The movement is complicated. In addition, the pressing pin 103 may be twisted to hinder the smooth movement of the pressing pin 103, and the pressing pin 103 or the pin receiving hole 102a may be damaged.

  This problem will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tip 103a of the pressing pin 103 shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, when the adjusting screw 104 is screwed in, for example, a stress Fcp is generated at the contact point CP between the distal end portion 103a and the V groove 101a perpendicularly to the contact plane. Based on this, a stress Fv is generated in the expansion / contraction direction of the pressing pin 103 and a stress Fh is generated in the shearing direction (left and right direction in FIG. 10), and the pressing pin 103 is compressed upward in FIG. 10 by the stress Fv. At the same time, it is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 by the stress Fh. In response to this rotation, the pressing pin 103 is tilted in the gap with the pin receiving hole 102a, that is, in a state in which “twisting” occurs. As a result, the pressing pin 103 cannot be smoothly expanded and contracted, and may come into contact with the inner wall of the pin receiving hole 102a to cause galling or damage.

  Further, since the movement of the pressing pin 103 in the shearing direction is restricted by the pin receiving hole 102a, the movement of the V-groove 101a engaged with the tip portion 103a is also restricted and fixed at a predetermined position. The For this reason, the movable part 101 performs a pendulum-like operation with the V groove 101a as a fulcrum when the adjustment screws 104 and 105 are driven by screws. Specifically, for example, when the adjusting screw 104 is screwed, the adjusting screw 104 rotates in a pendulum shape in the direction of the arrow R2 shown in FIG. In this case, it is difficult to grasp the moving direction and the moving amount of the movable part 101, and the position adjustment of the movable part 101, that is, the centering adjustment of the optical element becomes difficult. In particular, when high-precision adjustment is required, there is a risk that the adjustment work may go back and forth.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable that the V-groove is removed from the movable part and, for example, the tip 103a of the pressing pin 103 is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the movable part. As a result, the movement limitation of the movable part due to the engagement between the V groove and the pressing pin can be eliminated, and the movement of the movable part according to the screw drive of the adjusting screws 104, 105, etc. can be made linear. .

  However, in this case as well, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the movable portion 101 ′ moves to the left in the figure with respect to the pressing pin 103, the contact CP ′ between the tip portion 103a and the movable portion 101 ′ A stress Fcp ′ is generated perpendicular to the tangential plane. Based on this, a stress Fv ′ is generated in the expansion / contraction direction of the pressing pin 103 and a stress Fh ′ is generated in the shearing direction, and the pressing pin 103 is compressed upward in FIG. 11 by the stress Fv ′. 'Is rotated in the direction of arrow R3. That is, the pressing pin 103 is in a state in which it is distorted, as in the case of FIG. 10, and not only can the extension / contraction operation not be smoothly performed, but also there is a risk of galling or damage.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and includes a movable part that holds an object such as an optical element having a predetermined axis, without causing a twist or the like in a support part that supports the movable part, It is an object of the present invention to provide a centering mechanism that can repeatedly perform centering adjustment while maintaining a smooth movement of a support portion and can easily perform centering adjustment with a simple operation.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a centering mechanism according to claim 1 surrounds a movable part holding an object having a predetermined axis and a peripheral part around the predetermined axis of the movable part. And three or more support portions projecting from the fixed portion toward the peripheral portion so as to be movable back and forth, and supporting the movable portion by the three or more support portions, and each support portion In the centering mechanism for centering the object by moving the movable portion along a plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis, and the three or more support portions are fixed. The movable part has a linear abutting part perpendicular to the projecting direction and the predetermined axis, and the linear abutting part is brought into contact with the peripheral edge part at a tip part projected from the part. It is characterized by including the linear support part which supports.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the centering mechanism according to the above invention, wherein the linear support portion is provided on the fixed portion via an elastic body and protrudes in a telescopic manner toward the peripheral portion. Features.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the centering mechanism according to the above invention, wherein the linear support portion is provided in the fixing portion using a screw member, and is moved back and forth in the protruding direction according to screw driving of the screw member. It is driven.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the centering mechanism according to the above invention, wherein the linear support portion is capable of rotating the linear contact portion relative to a support main body portion that is driven back and forth in the protruding direction. It is characterized by having.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above-described centering mechanism, the linear support portion includes a columnar body having a fan-shaped cross section as the linear contact portion, and the side surface portion of the columnar body includes the side portion. The movable part is supported by contacting with a peripheral part.

  The centering mechanism according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the linear support portion includes the linear contact portion formed integrally with the elastic body.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the support portion other than the linear support portion among the three or more support portions has a hemispherical shape at a tip portion protruding from the fixed portion. It has a contact part.

  The centering mechanism according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the above invention, wherein the movable part has a tapered surface around the predetermined axis and a pressing surface perpendicular to the predetermined axis, and the fixing part is The reference surface that faces the pressing surface, and the three or more support portions support the movable portion while bringing the contact portion into contact with the tapered surface of the peripheral portion, and the pressing surface. It presses against the reference plane.

  According to the centering mechanism of the present invention, the movable portion that holds an object such as an optical element having a predetermined axis is provided, and the support portion that smoothly supports the movable portion without causing twisting or the like. The centering adjustment can be repeatedly performed while maintaining a smooth movement, and the centering adjustment can be easily performed with a simple operation.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a centering mechanism according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the centering mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing the main configuration of the centering mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a II-II section (bent section) in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the centering mechanism 100 accommodates the movable unit 1 holding the lens LS having the optical axis OA as an object having a predetermined axis, and the movable unit 1 around the optical axis OA. A fixed portion 2 that surrounds the peripheral portion of the movable portion 1, and an elastic support portion 3 and adjustment support portions 4 and 5 as support portions that protrude from the fixed portion 2 toward the peripheral portion of the movable portion 1. .

  The movable portion 1 holds the lens LS inside so that the central axis thereof coincides with the optical axis OA, and is fixed by the holding ring 6. Further, the movable portion 1 has a tapered surface 1a around the optical axis OA and a ring-shaped pressing surface 1b perpendicular to the optical axis OA. The tapered surface 1a and the pressing surface 1b are formed as a part of a side surface and a part of a bottom surface of a cone having an optical axis OA as a central axis, respectively. However, the optical axis OA does not need to exactly coincide with the central axis of the cone, and the pressing surface 1b does not need to be strictly perpendicular to the optical axis OA. Each may have a certain degree of difference.

  The elastic support part 3 as a linear support part is comprised using the press pin 3a, the columnar body 3b, and the coil spring 3c. The elastic support portion 3 has a pressing pin 3 a inserted into a pin receiving hole 2 a of the fixed portion 2 via a coil spring 3 c, and protrudes from the fixed portion 2 toward the movable portion 1 so as to be stretchable. A columnar body 3b having a semicircular cross section (see FIG. 2) is attached to the tip of the protruding pressing pin 3a. The columnar body 3b is provided such that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the protruding direction of the pressing pin 3a and the optical axis OA. Note that the vertical defined here does not need to be strictly vertical, but includes a state tilted from vertical to some extent.

  The adjustment support part 4 is comprised using the screw 4a and the hemisphere 4b. The adjustment support portion 4 is provided so that the screw 4a is screwed into the screw hole 2b of the fixing portion 2 and can be moved back and forth by screw drive. A hemisphere 4b is attached to the tip of a screw 4a projecting from the screw hole 2b toward the movable part 1. Similarly, the adjustment support portion 5 is configured by using a screw 5a and a hemispherical body 5b. The screw 5a is screwed into the screw hole 2c of the fixing portion 2, and is provided so as to be movable back and forth by screw driving. A hemisphere 5b is attached to the tip of a screw 5a projecting from the screw hole 2c toward the movable portion 1. The screws 4a and 5a are screwed in the direction in which the central angle around the optical axis OA is 120 ° with respect to the pressing pin 3a in the plane of FIG.

  The elastic support portion 3 causes the columnar body 3b to contact the tapered surface 1a at the peripheral portion of the movable portion 1, and similarly, the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 cause the hemispherical bodies 4b and 5b to contact the tapered surface 1a, respectively. ing. Thus, in the centering mechanism 100, the movable portion 1 is supported at three points, and the pressing surface 1b is always pressed against the reference surface 2d of the fixed portion 2. Further, by driving the screws 4a and 5a with screws, the movable portion 1 can be moved two-dimensionally along the reference surface 2d to center the lens LS.

  Specifically, for example, based on the state (initial state) shown in FIG. 1, when the screw 5a is screw-driven in the direction in which the screw 5a is extended toward the movable part 1, the adjustment support part 5 moves the movable part 1 to the reference surface 2d. 1 is moved in the upper left direction in FIG. In this case, the tapered surface 1a slides leftward in FIG. 1 with respect to the columnar body 3b, and moves the columnar body 3b so as to compress the pressing pin 3a.

  On the contrary, when the screw 5a is screw-driven in a direction to separate it from the movable part 1, the adjustment support part 5 moves in the lower right direction in FIG. 1 while sliding the movable part 1 with respect to the reference surface 2d. Move. In this case, the taper surface 1a slides to the right in FIG. 1 with respect to the columnar body 3b, and moves the columnar body 3b so as to extend the pressing pin 3a. Similarly, also in the adjustment support part 4, the movable part 1 can be moved by a symmetrical operation with the adjustment support part 5 by screw driving the screw 4a.

  In this way, in the centering mechanism 100, the movable portion 1 can be moved to any position within the movable range along the reference surface 2d by appropriately operating the adjustment support portions 4 and 5. At that time, since the movable part 1 can be linearly moved substantially parallel to the screw driving direction of the screws 4a and 5a, the movable part 1 can be easily positioned and the lens LS can be easily centered. It can be carried out.

  Next, the operation of the columnar body 3b will be described. FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the movable portion 1 and the columnar body 3b in the initial state. As shown in this figure, in the initial state, the columnar body 3b is brought into contact with the contact CP1 on the contour line CL of the tapered surface 1a. The contour line CL corresponds to a locus of a contact point at which the columnar body 3b can come into contact with the tapered surface 1a, and the tangential direction of the contour line CL at the contact point CP1 is perpendicular to the expansion / contraction direction of the pressing pin 3a. For this reason, the columnar body 3b receives the stress Fv1 only from the movable part 1 in the expansion / contraction direction of the pressing pin 3a, and does not receive any stress in the shearing direction. Therefore, in the initial state, the pressing pin 3a is held parallel to the pin receiving hole 2a, and no twisting occurs.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3-2 is an enlarged view showing a state in which the movable portion 1 is moved from the initial state by screw driving in the extending direction of the screw 5a. In this case, the columnar body 3b is brought into contact with the tapered surface 1a at the contact point CP2 on the contour line CL, and the tangential direction of the contour line CL at the contact point CP2 is perpendicular to the expansion / contraction direction of the pressing pin 3a. For this reason, the columnar body 3b receives the stress Fv2 only from the movable part 1 in the expansion / contraction direction of the pressing pin 3a, and does not receive any stress in the shearing direction. That is, the pressing pin 3a is held in parallel to the pin receiving hole 2a even in a state other than the initial state, and no twisting occurs. In addition, it is similarly understood that the pressing pin 3a is not twisted when the screw 4a is extended and when the screws 4a and 5a are pulled.

  As described above, in the centering mechanism 100, the columnar body 3b perpendicular to the projecting direction and the optical axis OA is provided at the tip of the pressing pin 3a projecting from the fixed portion 2, and the columnar body 3b is tapered. By holding the movable part 1 in contact with 1a, the pressing pin 3a is always subjected to stress from the movable part 1 only in the expansion and contraction direction. For this reason, in the centering mechanism 100, the pressing pin 3a is not twisted, and the centering adjustment can be stably and repeatedly performed without damage while maintaining the smooth expansion and contraction operation of the pressing pin 3a.

  In the centering mechanism 100, the columnar body 3b is provided only on the elastic support portion 3, but a columnar body can be provided on the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 instead of the hemispherical bodies 4b and 5b, respectively. As a result, it is possible to prevent the screws 4a and 5a from being twisted and to maintain smooth screw driving of the screws 4a and 5a. In this case, the columnar body is preferably provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the screws 4a and 5a. Further, this columnar body may be provided on any one of the adjustment support portions 4 and 5.

  As described above, the centering mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment can prevent the occurrence of twisting with a simple configuration, can repeatedly adjust the centering, and can position the movable portion 1 with a simple operation. In addition, the lens LS can be easily centered.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a centering mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the centering mechanism 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in this figure, the centering mechanism 200 includes a movable portion 11 instead of the movable portion 1 based on the configuration of the centering mechanism 100. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The movable part 11 has tapered surfaces 11a to 11c around the optical axis OA and a pressing surface (not shown) perpendicular to the optical axis OA. The tapered surfaces 11a to 11c and the pressing surface are respectively formed as a part of a side surface and a part of a bottom surface of a triangular pyramid having the optical axis OA as a central axis. Note that the movable portion 11 holds the lens LS in the same manner as the movable portion 1.

  The elastic support portion 3 brings the columnar body 3b into contact with the tapered surface 11a at the periphery of the movable portion 1, and similarly, the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 contact the hemispherical bodies 4b and 5b with the tapered surfaces 11b and 11c, respectively. Touching. Thus, in the centering mechanism 200, the movable portion 11 is supported at three points, and the pressing surface of the movable portion 11 is always pressed against the reference surface 2d of the fixed portion 2. Further, by driving the screws 4a and 5a with screws, the movable portion 11 can be moved two-dimensionally along the reference surface 2d, and the lens LS can be centered.

  In the centering mechanism 200, the tapered surfaces 11a to 11c are flat surfaces, and the locus of contact between the columnar body 3b and the hemispherical bodies 4b and 5b and the tapered surfaces 11a to 11c is a straight line. For this reason, the movable part 1 can be moved more linearly than the centering mechanism 100, and the positioning of the movable part 1 and the centering of the lens LS can be performed more easily.

  Further, in the centering mechanism 200, the columnar body 3b is brought into contact with the tapered surface 11a via a linear contact, and the linear contact is always perpendicular to the expansion / contraction direction of the pressing pin 3a. For this reason, the columnar body 3b receives stress only from the movable part 11 in the expansion / contraction direction of the pressing pin 3a, and does not receive stress in the shearing direction. Therefore, in the centering mechanism 200, the pressing pin 3a is not twisted, and the centering adjustment can be stably and repeatedly performed without damage while maintaining the smooth expansion and contraction operation of the pressing pin 3a.

  Further, in the centering mechanism 200, since the columnar body 3b is brought into contact with the tapered surface 11a via a linear contact, the movable portion 11 does not rotate along the reference surface 2d during the centering adjustment. Therefore, the hemispheres 4b and 5b receive stress from the movable part 11 only in the screw driving direction of the screws 4a and 5a, respectively, and do not receive stress in the shearing direction. Therefore, the centering mechanism 200 can maintain smooth screw driving of the screws 4a and 5a without causing any twisting to the screws 4a and 5a.

  In the centering mechanism 200, the elastic support 3 is provided with the columnar body 3b. However, the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 may be provided with the columnar body. Moreover, you may make it provide in two or more support parts among the elastic support part 3 and the adjustment support parts 4 and 5. FIG. In addition, it is preferable that the columnar bodies provided in the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 are rotatable with respect to the screws 4a and 5a, respectively.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a centering mechanism according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of the centering mechanism 300 according to the third embodiment. As shown in this figure, the centering mechanism 300 includes a movable portion 21 and a fixed portion 22 in place of the movable portion 1 and the fixed portion 2 based on the configuration of the centering mechanism 100, and an elastic support portion 23. Further prepare. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Similar to the movable unit 1, the movable unit 21 holds the lens LS inside and is accommodated in the fixed unit 22. The movable portion 21 has tapered surfaces 21a to 21d around the optical axis OA and a pressing surface (not shown) perpendicular to the optical axis OA. The tapered surfaces 21a to 21d and the pressing surface are respectively formed as a part of a side surface and a part of a bottom surface of a quadrangular pyramid having the optical axis OA as a central axis.

  The elastic support portion 3 has a pressing pin 3 a inserted into a pin receiving hole 22 a of the fixed portion 22 via a coil spring 3 c, and protrudes from the fixed portion 22 toward the movable portion 21 so as to expand and contract. Similar to the elastic support portion 3, the elastic support portion 23 is configured by using a pressing pin 23a, a columnar body 23b, and a coil spring 23c, and the pressing pin 23a is inside the pin receiving hole 22d of the fixed portion 22 via the coil spring 23c. And projecting from the fixed portion 22 toward the movable portion 21 so as to be stretchable. The elastic support portion 23 is provided in the direction in which the central angle around the optical axis OA is 90 ° with respect to the elastic support portion 3 in the plane of FIG. The adjustment support portions 4 and 5 are provided such that the screws 4a and 5a are screwed into the screw holes 22b and 22c of the fixing portion 22, respectively, and can be moved back and forth by screw driving. The adjustment support parts 4 and 5 are provided so as to face the elastic support parts 23 and 3, respectively.

  The elastic support portions 3 and 23 bring the columnar bodies 3b and 23b into contact with the tapered surfaces 21a and 21d at the peripheral edge of the movable portion 21, respectively. Similarly, the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 have the hemispheres 4b and 5b respectively. It is made to contact | abut to the taper surfaces 21b and 21c. As a result, the movable portion 21 is sandwiched between the elastic support portion 3 and the adjustment support portion 5 in the vertical direction in FIG. 5, and is sandwiched between the elastic support portion 23 and the adjustment support portion 4 in the left-right direction. Further, the pressing surface of the movable portion 21 is pressed against the reference surface of the fixed portion 22 that faces the pressing surface. The reference surface of the fixed portion 22 is formed in the same manner as the reference surface 2d of the fixed portion 2.

  In the centering mechanism 300, the lens 4 can be centered by moving the movable part 21 two-dimensionally along the reference plane of the fixed part 22 by driving the screws 4a and 5a. Specifically, for example, when the screw 4a is driven in the direction in which the screw 4a is drawn out toward the movable portion 21 from the state shown in FIG. 5 (initial state), the adjustment support portion 4 sets the movable portion 21 to the reference plane of the fixed portion 22. On the other hand, it is moved to the right in FIG. At this time, the tapered surfaces 21a and 21c slide and move to the right in FIG. 5 with respect to the columnar body 3b and the hemispherical body 5b, respectively, and press the columnar body 23b to compress the pressing pin 23a.

  On the contrary, when the screw 4a is screw-driven in the direction in which the screw 4a is pulled away from the movable part 21, the adjustment support part 4 slides the movable part 21 with respect to the reference surface of the fixed part 22 while Move in the direction. At this time, the tapered surfaces 21a and 21c slide and move to the left in FIG. 5 with respect to the columnar body 3b and the hemispherical body 5b, respectively, and reduce the pressing force on the columnar body 23b to extend the pressing pin 23a. . Similarly, also in the adjustment support part 5, the movable part 21 can be moved by an action orthogonal to the adjustment support part 4 by 90 ° by driving the screw 5 a with a screw.

  Thus, in the centering mechanism 300, the movable portion 21 can be moved to any position within the movable range along the reference plane of the fixed portion 22 by appropriately operating the adjustment support portions 4 and 5. . At this time, since the movable part 21 can be moved linearly along the screw driving directions orthogonal to each other of the screws 4a and 5a, positioning of the movable part 21 and the lens can be performed more easily than the centering mechanism 200. LS can be centered. Further, in the centering mechanism 300, the movable part 21 can be moved by screw driving one of the opposed support parts, so that the centering adjustment can be performed with a simple operation compared to the prior art described in Patent Document 1. It can be carried out.

  Further, in the centering mechanism 300, the columnar bodies 3b and 23b are brought into contact with the tapered surfaces 21a and 21d through linear contacts, respectively, and the linear contacts are respectively expanded and contracted in the pressing pins 3a and 23a. Always vertical. For this reason, the columnar bodies 3b and 23b receive stress only from the movable portion 21 in the expansion and contraction direction of the pressing pins 3a and 23a, respectively, and do not receive stress in the shearing direction. Therefore, in the centering mechanism 300, the pressing pins 3a and 23a are not twisted, and the centering mechanism 300 can repeatedly and repeatedly perform centering adjustment while maintaining the smooth expansion and contraction operation of the pressing pins 3a and 23a. it can.

  Further, in the centering mechanism 300, the columnar bodies 3b and 23b are brought into contact with the tapered surfaces 21a and 21d via linear contacts, respectively, so that the movable portion 21 follows the reference surface of the fixed portion 22 during centering adjustment. Will not rotate. Therefore, the hemispheres 4b and 5b receive stress from the movable part 21 only in the screw driving direction of the screws 4a and 5a, respectively, and do not receive stress in the shearing direction. Therefore, in the centering mechanism 300, the screws 4a and 5a can be held smoothly without being twisted, and the screws 4a and 5a can be driven smoothly.

  In the centering mechanism 300, the elastic support portions 3 and 23 are provided with the columnar bodies 3b and 23b, respectively, but may be provided only on one of the elastic support portions 3 and 23, or the adjustment support portion. You may make it provide in one of 4 and 5. Further, two or more of the elastic support portions 3 and 23 and the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 may be provided. In addition, it is preferable that the columnar bodies provided in the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 are rotatable with respect to the screws 4a and 5a, respectively.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a centering mechanism according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams showing the main configuration of the centering mechanism 400 according to the fourth embodiment. 6 shows a VI-VI cross section in FIG. 7, and FIG. 7 shows a VII-VII cross section (bent cross section) in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the centering mechanism 400 includes a movable portion 31 and a fixed portion 32 instead of the movable portion 1 and the fixed portion 2 based on the configuration of the centering mechanism 100. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The movable portion 31 holds the tip portion of the fiber light guide LG having the optical axis OB as an object having a predetermined axis. The movable portion 31 has a tapered surface 31a around the optical axis OB and a ring-shaped pressing surface 31b perpendicular to the optical axis OB. The tapered surface 31a is formed as a part of a side surface of a cone having the optical axis OB as a central axis. However, the optical axis OB does not need to exactly coincide with the central axis of the cone, and the pressing surface 31b does not need to be strictly perpendicular to the optical axis OB. Each may have a certain degree of difference.

  The fixing portion 32 has a cup-shaped frame structure, and accommodates and holds the lens LN in the central portion of a portion corresponding to the bottom surface of the cup. The lens LN is fixed by a holding ring 36. The fixing portion 32 has a ring-shaped reference surface 32d perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens LN at a portion corresponding to the opening peripheral edge of the cup. The fixing portion 32 has the pressing surface 31b in surface contact with the reference surface 32d, the fiber light guide LG is opposed to the lens LN, and the optical axis of the lens LN and the optical axis OB of the fiber light guide LG are parallel to each other. Thus, the distal end portion of the movable portion 31 is accommodated in the opening portion.

  The elastic support portion 3 has a pressing pin 3 a inserted through a coil spring 3 c into a pin frame 37 provided on the fixed portion 32, and protrudes from the fixed portion 32 toward the movable portion 31 so as to expand and contract. The pin frame 37 is inserted into the through hole 32 a of the fixing portion 32. The adjustment support portions 4 and 5 are provided such that the screws 4a and 5a are screwed into the screw holes 32b and 32c of the fixing portion 32, respectively, and can be moved back and forth by screw drive. The adjustment support parts 4 and 5 are screwed into the elastic support part 3 in the direction in which the central angles around the optical axis OB are each 120 ° within the paper surface of FIG.

  The elastic support portion 3 causes the columnar body 3b to contact the tapered surface 31a at the peripheral portion of the movable portion 31, and similarly, the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 cause the hemispherical bodies 4b and 5b to contact the tapered surface 31a, respectively. ing. As a result, in the centering mechanism 400, like the centering mechanism 100, the movable portion 21 is supported at three points, and the pressing surface 31 b of the movable portion 31 is pressed against the reference surface 32 d of the fixed portion 32. Further, by driving the screws 4a and 5a with screws, the movable portion 31 can be moved two-dimensionally along the reference surface 32d, and the fiber light guide LG can be centered.

  Further, in the centering mechanism 400, similarly to the centering mechanism 100, a columnar body 3 b perpendicular to the projecting direction and the optical axis OB is provided at the tip of the pressing pin 3 a projecting from the fixed portion 32. By holding the movable portion 31 by bringing the columnar body 3b into contact with the tapered surface 31a, the pressing pin 3a is always subjected to stress from the movable portion 31 only in the extending and contracting direction. For this reason, in the centering mechanism 400, the pressing pin 3a is not twisted, and the centering adjustment can be stably and repeatedly performed without damage while maintaining the smooth expansion and contraction operation of the pressing pin 3a.

  In the centering mechanism 400, the columnar body 3b is provided only on the elastic support portion 3, but a columnar body can be provided on the adjustment support portions 4 and 5 instead of the hemispherical bodies 4b and 5b, respectively. As a result, it is possible to prevent the screws 4a and 5a from being twisted and to maintain smooth screw driving of the screws 4a and 5a. In this case, the columnar body is preferably provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the screws 4a and 5a. Further, this columnar body may be provided only on one of the adjustment support portions 4 and 5.

  As described above, the centering mechanism according to the present invention can perform centering adjustment using various optical elements such as a fiber light guide as well as a lens. Moreover, it is not limited to an optical element, Centering adjustment can be similarly performed on various objects having a predetermined axis.

  So far, the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described as the first to fourth embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the first to fourth embodiments described above, and may be within the scope of the present invention. Various modifications are possible. For example, in Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the columnar bodies 3b and 23b have a semicircular cross section, but the cross sectional shape is not limited to a semicircular shape, and may be other shapes. .

  In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the pressing pin 3a of the elastic support portion 3 is provided on the fixed portion 2 and the like via the coil spring 3c. However, the pressing pin 3a is not limited to the coil spring, and is not limited to the leaf spring. It can also be provided on the fixed portion 2 or the like. In this case, the leaf spring can be provided, for example, so as to urge the rear end portion (end portion where the columnar body 3b is not provided) of the pressing pin 3a toward the movable portion 1 or the like.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the elastic support portion 3 is configured by combining the pressing pin 3a, the columnar body 3b as a linear contact portion, and the coil spring 3c as an elastic body. However, for example, the elastic body and the linear contact portion can be integrally formed to form the elastic support portion. In this case, for example, one end of the leaf spring is attached to the fixed portion, and the other end is bent. At that time, the linear bent portion is bent so as to be perpendicular to the expansion / contraction direction of the leaf spring and the predetermined axis of the object. Then, by bringing the linear bent portion into contact with the peripheral portion (tapered surface or the like) of the movable portion, it is possible to have the same function as the elastic support portions 3 and 23 described above.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1-4 mentioned above, a movable part has a taper surface, and each indicating part supports this taper surface, and the pressing surface formed in the movable part is made into the reference plane of a fixed part. Although the pressing is performed, a mechanism for pressing the pressing surface against the reference surface can be provided separately from the support portion. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a taper surface on the movable part, and each indicating part can indicate, for example, the outer peripheral side surface part of the movable part.

  Further, in Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the pressing surface of the movable portion is pressed against the reference surface of the fixed portion. However, the mechanism that can adjust the angle of the pressing surface with respect to the reference surface, that is, the angle of the movable portion. Can also be provided. As a result, not only position adjustment but also angle adjustment can be performed as centering adjustment of the object.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1-4 mentioned above, although the movable part and the fixed part shall have a substantially circular external shape in the cross section perpendicular | vertical to the optical axis of a target object, it is not necessary to limit to circular shape. , An elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, etc. However, since the movable range of the movable part may be limited depending on the outer shape, it is preferable to determine the outer shape in consideration of the necessary movable range.

  Furthermore, in Embodiment 1-4 mentioned above, although the fixing | fixed part shall accommodate and hold | maintain the whole or front-end | tip part of a movable part and a target object, it is not necessary to limit to the accommodated state, for example, The fixed part may be a cylindrical or ring-shaped frame structure, and the movable part and the object can be held in a state of passing through the fixed part. Note that the fixed portion does not need to surround the entire peripheral portion (the entire circumference) of the movable portion, and may be configured to surround only a region corresponding to each indication portion, for example.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the centering mechanism concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the II-II cross section shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the action | operation relationship between the elastic support part shown in FIG. 1, and a movable part. It is a figure explaining the action | operation relationship between the elastic support part shown in FIG. 1, and a movable part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the centering mechanism concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the centering mechanism concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the centering mechanism concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the VII-VII cross section shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the centering mechanism concerning a prior art. It is a figure which shows the IX-IX cross section shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the action | operation relationship between the pressing pin shown in FIG. 8, and a movable part. It is a figure explaining the other operation | movement relationship of the press focus of the centering mechanism concerning a prior art, and a movable part.

Explanation of symbols

1,11,21,31 Movable part 1a, 11a-11c, 21a-21d, 31a Tapered surface 1b, 31b Pressing surface 2, 22, 32 Fixed part 2a, 22a, 22d Pin receiving hole 2b, 2c, 22b, 22c , 32b, 32c Screw hole 2d, 32d Reference surface 3 Elastic support part 3a, 23a Press pin 3b, 23b Columnar body 3c, 23c Coil spring 4, 5 Adjustment support part 4a, 5a Screw 4b, 5b Hemisphere 6, 36 Holding ring 32a Through-hole 37 Pin frame 100, 200, 300, 400 Centering mechanism 101 Movable part 101a V groove 101b, 101c Tapered surface 101d Pressing surface 102 Fixed part 102a Pin receiving hole 102b, 102c Screw hole 102d Reference surface 103 Pressing pin 103 Tip Part 104, 105 Adjustment screw 104a, 105a Spherical body 106 Coil spring CL Contour line CP, CP1, CP2 Contact Fcp, Fh, Fv, Fv1, Fv2 Stress LG Fiber light guide LN, LS Lens OA, OB Optical axis

Claims (8)

A movable part holding an object having a predetermined axis, a fixed part surrounding a peripheral part around the predetermined axis of the movable part, and 3 projecting from the fixed part so as to be movable back and forth from the fixed part to the peripheral part The movable part is supported by the three or more support parts, and each support part is driven back and forth in the projecting direction so that the movable part is moved along a plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis. In a centering mechanism that moves and centers the object,
The three or more support parts have a linear contact part perpendicular to the projecting direction and the predetermined axis at the tip part projected from the fixed part, and the linear contact part is A centering mechanism comprising a linear support portion that contacts the peripheral portion and supports the movable portion.   2. The centering mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the linear support portion is provided on the fixed portion via an elastic body, and is projected and extended toward the peripheral portion.   3. The core according to claim 1, wherein the linear support portion is provided in the fixing portion using a screw member, and is driven back and forth in the projecting direction in accordance with screw driving of the screw member. Out mechanism.   The linear support part has the linear contact part rotatably with respect to a support main body part that is driven back and forth in the projecting direction. The centering mechanism described.   The linear support portion includes a columnar body having a fan-shaped cross section as the linear contact portion, and supports the movable portion by bringing a side surface portion of the columnar body into contact with the peripheral edge portion. The centering mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The centering mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the linear support part includes the linear contact part formed integrally with the elastic body.   The support part other than the linear support part among the three or more support parts has a hemispherical contact part at a tip part protruding from the fixed part. The centering mechanism according to one. The movable part has a tapered surface around the predetermined axis and a pressing surface perpendicular to the predetermined axis,
The fixing portion has a reference surface facing the pressing surface,
The three or more support portions are configured to cause the contact portion to contact the tapered surface of the peripheral portion, support the movable portion, and press the pressing surface against the reference surface. The centering mechanism according to any one of 1 to 7.

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