JP2008225051A - Method of fixing lens, lens device, and light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of fixing a lens by which misalignment of the optical axis of the lens is prevented, by preventing the occurrence of unevenness in the thickness of an adhesive. <P>SOLUTION: A hemispherical projected part 21A is formed on a face through which the optical axis passes among the faces of the lens 21, and a hemispherical recessed part 22A is formed on a support member 22 which supports the lens 21. An ultraviolet-setting type adhesive 23 is applied at least to either the projected part 21A or the recessed part 22A, when the lens 21 is mounted on the support member 22, and the projected part 21A is fitted to the recessed part 22A and the gap between the projected part 21A and the recessed part 22A is filled with the ultraviolet-setting type adhesive 23. The angles in the optical axis direction and around the optical axis of the lens 21 are adjusted prior to the curing of the adhesive 23, thereafter, an ultraviolet ray is irradiated to make the adhesive 23 cure and the lens 21 is fixed on the support member 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens fixing method, a lens device, and a light source device used in an optical scanning device such as a copying machine or a laser printer.

  In general, copying machines, laser printers, and the like are equipped with an optical scanning device as shown in FIG. That is, the optical scanning device includes a light source unit 1, a polygon mirror 2, a cylinder lens 3 that linearly forms a laser beam from the light source unit 1 on the polygon mirror 2, and a laser deflected by the polygon mirror 2. And an fθ lens 5 that forms an image of the beam on the surface to be scanned of the photosensitive member 4 (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

  The light source unit 1 superimposes and emits the semiconductor lasers 6A and 6B, the collimator lenses 7A and 7B that convert the laser beams from the semiconductor lasers 6A and 6B into parallel light beams, and the parallel light beams from the collimator lenses 7A and 7B. Beam combining means 8.

By the way, as a method for fixing the collimator lens 7 or the like of the light source unit, it has been proposed to use an ultraviolet curable adhesive to fix the lens on the support member (for example, see Patent Document 3 or Patent Document 4). . If an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used, after adjusting the optical axis of the lens, the adhesive may be cured by irradiating the lens with ultraviolet rays, so that the optical axis can be adjusted easily.
Japanese Patent No. 2942721 JP 11-271653 A Japanese Patent No. 3375429 JP-A-9-218368

  However, the UV curable adhesive shrinks about 10% when solidified, and in order to avoid the influence of this shrinkage, the adhesive layer is bonded so that it is parallel to the optical axis direction and each direction orthogonal to the optical axis. It is necessary to apply the agent.

  In the case where they are not applied in parallel, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the lens 10 is placed on the support member 11 and the angle of the lens is adjusted in the direction of the arrow γ, a certain part a on the left side of the figure Then, the thickness of the adhesive 12 is t1, and the thickness b of the adhesive 12 is t2 (t1> t2) at a portion b on the right side, resulting in uneven thickness of the adhesive 12. As shown in FIG. 10, when the adhesive 12 is uneven in thickness, the amount of shrinkage of the adhesive 12 becomes non-uniform when the adhesive 12 is solidified. The thickness is t3 (t3 <t1), and the thickness of the adhesive 12 is t4 (t3> t4 and t4 <t2) at the part b, and the lens 10 is tilted (this tilt is angle-adjusted in the direction of the arrow γ ′) Is the same as the above, and as a result, the optical axis of the lens 10 is distorted.

  An object of the present invention is to mount a lens fixing method, a lens device, and the lens device that can prevent the optical axis of the lens from being distorted by preventing the thickness unevenness of the adhesive from occurring. The object is to provide a light source device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the lens fixing method according to claim 1, a hemispherical protrusion is formed on a surface of the lens through which the optical axis passes, while a hemispherical support member supporting the lens is formed. When the lens is placed on the support member, an adhesive is applied to at least one of the projecting portion and the recess, and the projecting portion is fitted into the recess so that the projecting portion and the recess are disposed. Before the adhesive is cured, the optical axis direction of the lens and the angle around the optical axis are adjusted, and then the adhesive is cured to It is characterized by being fixed on a support member.

  According to the above configuration, since the protruding portion and the dent face each other between the hemispherical surfaces with the adhesive interposed therebetween, the portion filled with the adhesive can be widened, and the thickness of the adhesive is uneven accordingly. Can be prevented.

  The lens fixing method according to claim 2, wherein a semi-cylindrical protrusion is formed on a surface of the lens through which an optical axis passes, and a semi-cylindrical recess is provided in a support member that supports the lens, When placing the lens on the support member, an adhesive is applied to at least one of the projecting portion and the recess, and the projecting portion is fitted into the recess to form a gap between the projecting portion and the recess. Before filling the adhesive and curing the adhesive, the angle of the optical axis direction of the lens is adjusted, and then the adhesive is cured and the lens is fixed on the support member. Yes.

  According to the above configuration, since the protruding portion and the dent face each other between the semi-cylindrical surfaces with the adhesive interposed therebetween, the portion filled with the adhesive can be widened, and the thickness of the adhesive is uneven accordingly. Can be prevented.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lens fixing method, a rib projecting laterally is provided on a side surface of the lens, and a semi-cylindrical projecting portion is formed on the bottom of the lens, while a support member that supports the lens is half When a cylindrical recess is provided and the lens is placed on the support member, an adhesive is applied to at least one of the protrusion and the recess, and the protrusion is fitted into the recess. The gap between the dent and the recess is filled with the adhesive, and before the adhesive is cured, the angle of the lens is adjusted by rotating the lens by operating the rib, and then the adhesive And the lens is fixed on the support member.

  According to the above configuration, since the projecting portion and the dent face each other between the semicylindrical surfaces with the adhesive interposed therebetween, as in the case of claim 2, the portion filled with the adhesive can be widened. It is possible to prevent unevenness in the thickness of the adhesive.

  A lens fixing method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the lens fixing method according to the third aspect, wherein the rib has a function of regulating a rotation range of the lens. In this way, when adjusting the angle of the lens, it is avoided that the lens is rotated too much, and the productivity is improved.

  A lens fixing method according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used as the adhesive in any one of the first to third aspects. In this way, the lens can be quickly fixed on the support member.

  Claims 6 to 9 are inventions of the lens device. That is, the lens device according to claim 6 supports a lens body in which a hemispherical protrusion is formed on a surface of the lens surface through which an optical axis passes, and a hemispherical recess is provided in part. A support member, and the protrusion is fitted into the recess, and the protrusion and the recess are bonded with an adhesive, and the lens body is fixed on the support member. It is said.

  The lens device according to claim 7, wherein a lens main body having a semi-cylindrical protrusion formed on a surface of the lens surface through which an optical axis passes, and a semi-cylindrical recess provided in part to support the lens main body. A support member, and the protrusion is fitted into the recess, and the protrusion and the recess are bonded with an adhesive, and the lens body is fixed on the support member. It is said.

  The lens device according to claim 8 is provided with a lens body in which a laterally projecting rib is provided on a side surface and a semi-cylindrical projecting portion is formed on a bottom, and a semi-cylindrical recess is provided in part. A support member that supports the lens body, the protrusion is fitted into the recess, and the protrusion and the recess are bonded with an adhesive, so that the lens body is fixed on the support member. It is characterized by having.

  A lens device according to a ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the support member is made of a synthetic resin.

  Claims 10 to 12 are inventions of the light source device. That is, the light source device according to claim 10 is disposed on the optical axis of the light source and the light source, provided with a rib protruding laterally on the side surface, and formed with a semi-cylindrical protrusion at the bottom. An aperture holding member that holds one or more lens bodies, an aperture on the optical axis, a rib that protrudes laterally on the side surface, and a semi-cylindrical protrusion formed on the bottom; and a semicircle A columnar recess provided with a support member that supports the lens body and the aperture holding member, and the protruding portion of the lens body and the protruding portion of the aperture holding member fit into the recess of the support member; and The protrusions and the recesses are bonded with an adhesive, and the lens body and the aperture holding member are fixed on the support member.

  The light source device according to an eleventh aspect is the light source device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the light source is attached to the support member.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the light source device according to the tenth or eleventh aspect is characterized in that a plurality of the light sources are provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the thickness unevenness of the adhesive from occurring, and as a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a deviation in the optical axis of the lens.

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

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a lens apparatus according to the present invention. This lens device 20 has a hemispherical projection surface 21A on the surface of the lens surface through which the optical axis passes (however, it is not a regular hemispherical shape but a shape of a part of the tip of the hemispherical surface, and the same applies hereinafter). And a support member 22 that is provided with a hemispherical recess 22 </ b> A in part and supports the lens body 21. Then, the protruding portion 21A is fitted into the recess 22A, and the protruding portion 21A and the recess 22A are bonded with an ultraviolet curable adhesive 23, so that the lens body 21 is fixed on the support member 22.

  In the lens device 20, when the lens body 21 is fixed on the support member 22, the ultraviolet curable adhesive 23 is applied to at least one of the protrusion 21A and the recess 22A, and the protrusion 21A is fitted into the recess 22A. Then, the gap between the protruding portion 21A and the recess 22A is filled with the ultraviolet curable adhesive 23. At this time, the thickness of the ultraviolet curable adhesive 23 is the same everywhere and is t5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical axis direction of the lens body 21 and the angle adjustment around the optical axis (only the angle adjustment γ in the optical axis direction is shown) are shown. The thickness of the ultraviolet curable adhesive 23 is the same everywhere and is t5. At this time, the height of the lens body 21 with respect to the support member 22 is Y1.

  Thereafter, when the ultraviolet curable adhesive 23 is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays, the adhesive 23 solidifies and condenses as shown in FIG. 3, and the height of the lens body 21 relative to the support member 22 is Y2 (Y2 < Y1). At this time, since the thickness of the adhesive 23 is the same everywhere and becomes t6, the angle adjustment γ does not change. Therefore, since the change in the height of the lens body 21 with respect to the support member 22 is approximately the same as the solidification shrinkage amount of the ultraviolet curable adhesive 23, the angle adjustment γ may be performed with an estimate of the shrinkage amount in advance. The lens body 21 can be firmly fixed on the support member 22 by curing the ultraviolet curable adhesive 23.

  According to the present embodiment, since the protruding portion 21A and the recess 22A face each other between the hemispherical surfaces with the ultraviolet curable adhesive 23 interposed therebetween, the portion filled with the adhesive 23 can be widened, and the adhesive is correspondingly increased. Unevenness in the thickness of the agent 23 can be prevented.

  In the above configuration, the protrusion 21A and the recess 22A are hemispherical, but the protrusion 21A and the recess 22A may be semicylindrical.

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment. The lens device 25 in the present embodiment is provided with a rib 26A protruding laterally on the side surface and a semi-cylindrical shape at the bottom (however, it means not the regular semi-cylindrical shape but the shape of a part of the tip of the semi-cylindrical surface. The same applies to the following.) The lens body 26 in which the protruding portion 26B is formed, and a support member 27 that supports the lens body 26 and is provided with a semi-cylindrical recess 27A in part. The protruding portion 26B is fitted in the recess 27A, and the protruding portion 26B and the recess 27A are bonded with an ultraviolet curable adhesive 28, so that the lens body 26 is fixed on the support member 27. The support member 27 is made of synthetic resin.

  In order to fix the lens body 26 on the support member 27, an ultraviolet curable adhesive 28 is applied to at least one of the protrusion 26B and the recess 27A, and the protrusion 26B is fitted into the recess 27A to form the protrusion 26B. The gap between the recesses 27 </ b> A is filled with the ultraviolet curable adhesive 28. Next, the angle 26 of the lens body 26 is adjusted by rotating the lens body 26 by operating the rib 26A, and then the ultraviolet curable adhesive 28 is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays. Is fixed on the support member 27.

  In this embodiment, when the angle adjustment γ is performed, the rib 26A interferes with the support member 27 if the lens body 26 is rotated more than necessary by operating the rib 26A. For this reason, the lens body 26 can be quickly adjusted to the target angle.

  Further, since the protruding portion 26B and the recess 27A face each other between the semi-cylindrical surfaces with the ultraviolet curable adhesive 28 interposed therebetween, the portion filled with the adhesive 28 can be widened, and the thickness of the adhesive 28 is correspondingly increased. It is possible to prevent unevenness from occurring.

  FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment and is an external perspective view of a lens body 30 formed by injection molding. When the internal distortion of the molded lens is large, the lens transmission of laser light is affected. This distortion occurs during injection molding. That is, in the mold for injection molding, stress is applied to the resin in the gate portion 31 for injecting the resin into the lens forming portion, and a large internal distortion occurs.

  Therefore, by providing the gate portion 31 at the tip of the rib 32 of the molded product, the distance D between the gate portion 31 and the optically effective area 33 of the lens main body 30 can be obtained by the length of the rib 32, and due to internal distortion. The influence can be avoided.

  FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment and is a schematic configuration diagram of a light source device 35 for optical scanning corresponding to multi-beams. The light source device 35 includes two semiconductor lasers 36 as light sources, and an optical axis of the semiconductor laser 36. The light source device 35 is provided with ribs 37A projecting laterally on the side surfaces, and a semi-cylindrical projecting part 37B on the bottom. A cylindrical lens body 37 formed with an aperture 38A and an aperture 38A on the optical axis, and an aperture holder having a rib 38B projecting laterally on the side surface and a semi-cylindrical projecting portion 38C formed on the bottom. A member 38 and a semi-cylindrical recess 39 </ b> A are provided, and a support member 39 that supports the cylinder lens body 37 and the aperture holding member 38 is provided. In this embodiment, the two semiconductor lasers 36 are attached to the support member 39.

  In order to fix the cylinder lens body 37 and the aperture holding member 38 on the support member 39, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is applied to at least one of the protrusions 37B and 38C and the recess 39A, and the protrusions 37B and 38C are attached to the protrusions 37B and 38C. The gap between the projecting portions 37B and 38C and the recess 39A is filled with the UV curable adhesive by fitting into the recess 39A. Next, each of the ribs 37A and 38B is operated to rotate the cylinder lens body 37 and the aperture holding member 38, thereby adjusting the angles of the cylinder lens body 37 and the aperture holding member 38. The curable adhesive is cured to fix the cylinder lens body 37 and the aperture holding member 38 on the support member 39.

  According to the present embodiment, the cylinder lens and the aperture 38A are placed on the optical axis of the semiconductor laser 36 only by fitting the projections 37B and 38C of the cylinder lens body 37 and the aperture holding member 38 into the recess 39A of the support member 39. Can be easily matched.

  A polygon mirror, a scanning lens, or the like may be incorporated on the support member 39.

  FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment. In the light source device 40 of the present embodiment, one semiconductor laser 42 is attached to the support member 41, ribs 43A projecting laterally are formed on the side surfaces, and a semi-cylindrical projecting portion (not shown) is formed on the bottom. The collimating lens main body 43 in which is formed is provided. The aperture holding member 44 that holds the aperture 44A has a semicircular protrusion 44B formed only in the lower part. The support member 41 is formed with a semi-cylindrical recess 41A.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the same operational effects as in the case of the fourth embodiment can be obtained.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a lens apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the mode at the time of performing angle adjustment in the lens apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode when the adhesive agent is hardened in the lens apparatus of FIG. It is a front view of the lens apparatus which has a lens main body with a rib. It is a perspective view of the lens main body with a rib. It is a perspective view of the light source device which mounted the cylinder lens and the aperture holding member on the support member. It is a perspective view of the light source device which mounted the cylinder lens, the collimating lens, and the aperture holding member on the support member. It is a schematic block diagram of an optical scanning device. It is a figure which shows the mode at the time of performing angle adjustment in the lens apparatus by a prior art. It is a figure which shows a mode when an adhesive agent is hardened in the lens apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Lens apparatus 21 Lens main body 21A Protrusion part 22 Support member 22A Depression 23 UV curable adhesive 25 Lens apparatus 26, 30 Lens main body 26A Rib 26B Protrusion part 27 Support member 27A Depression 35, 40 Light source apparatus 37 Cylinder lens main body 38, 44 Aperture holding member

Claims (12)

While forming a hemispherical protrusion on the surface of the lens through which the optical axis passes, a hemispherical recess is provided in the support member that supports the lens,
When placing the lens on the support member, an adhesive is applied to at least one of the projecting portion and the recess, and the projecting portion is fitted into the recess so that a gap is formed between the projecting portion and the recess. With the adhesive,
Before curing the adhesive, adjust the optical axis direction of the lens and the angle around the optical axis, and then cure the adhesive to fix the lens on the support member. Fixing method. While forming a semi-cylindrical protrusion on the surface of the lens through which the optical axis passes, a semi-cylindrical recess is provided in the support member that supports the lens,
When placing the lens on the support member, an adhesive is applied to at least one of the projecting portion and the recess, and the projecting portion is fitted into the recess so that a gap is formed between the projecting portion and the recess. With the adhesive,
A lens fixing method comprising adjusting an angle of the lens in the optical axis direction before curing the adhesive, and then curing the adhesive to fix the lens on the support member. A rib protruding laterally is provided on the side surface of the lens, and a semi-cylindrical protrusion is formed at the bottom of the lens, while a semi-cylindrical recess is provided in the support member that supports the lens,
When placing the lens on the support member, an adhesive is applied to at least one of the projecting portion and the recess, and the projecting portion is fitted into the recess so that a gap is formed between the projecting portion and the recess. With the adhesive,
Before the adhesive is cured, the angle of the lens is adjusted by operating the rib to rotate the lens, and then the adhesive is cured to fix the lens on the support member. The lens fixing method characterized by the above-mentioned.   The lens fixing method according to claim 3, wherein the rib has a function of regulating a rotation range of the lens.   The lens fixing method according to claim 1, wherein an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used as the adhesive. A lens body in which a hemispherical protrusion is formed on a surface of the lens surface through which the optical axis passes, and a support member that is provided with a hemispherical recess in part and supports the lens body,
The lens device, wherein the protrusion is fitted in the recess, the protrusion and the recess are bonded with an adhesive, and the lens body is fixed on the support member. A lens body having a semi-cylindrical protrusion formed on a surface of the lens surface through which the optical axis passes, and a support member for supporting the lens body provided with a semi-cylindrical recess in part;
The lens device, wherein the protrusion is fitted in the recess, the protrusion and the recess are bonded with an adhesive, and the lens body is fixed on the support member. A lens body having a laterally projecting rib on the side surface and a semi-cylindrical projecting portion formed on the bottom, and a support member supporting a part of the lens body having a semi-cylindrical recess. Prepared,
The lens device, wherein the protrusion is fitted in the recess, the protrusion and the recess are bonded with an adhesive, and the lens body is fixed on the support member.   The lens device according to claim 6, wherein the support member is made of a synthetic resin. A light source;
One or more lens bodies disposed on the optical axis of the light source, provided with ribs protruding laterally on the side surface, and formed with a semi-cylindrical protruding portion on the bottom;
An aperture holding member that holds the aperture on the optical axis, and that is provided with ribs protruding laterally on the side surface and having a semi-cylindrical protruding portion formed on the bottom;
A semi-cylindrical recess is provided, and includes a support member that supports the lens body and the aperture holding member,
The projecting portion of the lens body and the projecting portion of the aperture holding member are fitted in the recesses of the support member, and the projecting portions and the recesses are bonded with an adhesive, whereby the lens body and the aperture holding member Is fixed on the support member.   The light source device according to claim 10, wherein the light source is attached to the support member.   The light source device according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of the light sources are provided.

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