JP2009143771A - Method of manufacturing optical element, apparatus for manufacturing optical element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely release an optical element from a mold without complicating the structure of a molding mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: An interference part comprising a step formed by a large radial part 1b and a small radial part 1c on the outer circumference of the optical element 1a when being molded, by constituting a part of a molding space of the molding surface together with the molding surfaces of an upper mold 2 and lower mold 3, and by providing a different radial part 5a comprising a small projection part 5b and a large radial part 5c on the inner circumference surface of an outer circumference regulating member 5 creating the outer circumferential form of the optical element 1a. The outer circumference regulating member 5 has a linear expansion coefficient smaller than that of the optical element 1a, and its projection height of the small radial 5b from the large radial part 5c is set so that the inner diameter of the small radial projection part 5b is made to be the same as the outer diameter of the large radial part 1b of the optical element 1a, at the critical temperature lower than the molding temperature, and also when the upper mold 2 is released at a temperature higher than the critical temperature, the optical element 1a is surely held by the outer circumference regulating member 5 to perform sure mold release, thereby the take-out of the optical element 1a is made possible at a temperature lower than the critical temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for manufacturing an optical element, for example, a technique for obtaining an optical element by molding a thermoplastic material such as glass.

For example, as a technique for manufacturing an optical element such as a lens, a technique for manufacturing optical glass by heat molding is known.
That is, a glass material heated to a molding temperature is sandwiched between molding surfaces of opposing molds, whereby the shape of the molding surface is transferred to the glass material to produce an optical element having a desired optical function surface. To do.

  By the way, in the molding of such an optical element, since the molding surface of the molding die is usually highly flattened by mirror finishing or the like, immediately after molding, the surface of the optical element (optical functional surface) and molding are performed. The molding surface of the mold is in close contact.

  For this reason, the optical element may not peel from the mold and may not be easily removed. For example, in molding of a concave meniscus lens, the concave surface side sticks to a convex mold due to shrinkage of glass.

  As a countermeasure, in Patent Document 1, a release arm that restricts the displacement in the displacement direction of the upper die of a ring member that is disposed so as to surround the opposing portions of the upper die and the lower die and that defines the outer peripheral shape of the optical element. A configuration is disclosed in which the displacement of the ring member during the releasing operation in which the upper die is retracted from the molding position is regulated by the release arm, and the optical element integrated with the ring member is reliably detached from the upper die. .

  Further, Patent Document 2 describes a lower ring that creates an outer peripheral portion of a glass lens around an opposing portion of the upper die and the lower die, and enters a gap between the lower ring and the upper die, and interlocks with the upper die and the sleeve. The upper ring from the glass lens is surely released by fixing the outer peripheral upper surface of the glass lens with the upper ring at the time of peeling the glass lens after molding and the upper mold. Such a configuration is disclosed.

  However, in both cases of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, it is necessary to dispose extra mechanisms such as a release arm and an upper ring in addition to the members that define the outer peripheral shape of the optical element. There is a technical problem that the mechanism is complicated.

Furthermore, in the case of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to take out the glass lens after the entire upper ring and sleeve are retracted together with the upper mold to expose the lower mold, and the configuration of the molding apparatus becomes larger. . Further, when the sleeve is fixed, there is a technical problem that it is difficult to take out the optical element due to the presence of the upper ring.
JP 2002-179429 A JP 2007-31213 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical element manufacturing technique capable of reliably releasing an optical element from a mold without complicating the structure of a molding mechanism.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an inner periphery of an outer periphery regulating member that creates an outer periphery shape of an optical element molded from a thermoplastic material by molding is formed with an outer peripheral portion of the optical element according to a temperature change. Provided is a method of manufacturing an optical element that forms a different diameter portion in which an interference state changes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical element manufacturing method for obtaining an optical element by filling a thermoplastic material into a molding space constituted by first and second molding dies and an outer periphery regulating member.
Provided is a method for manufacturing an optical element in which a different diameter portion is provided on the inner periphery of the outer periphery regulating member having a smaller linear expansion coefficient than the thermoplastic material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there are opposed first and second molds,
An outer periphery regulating member that constitutes a molding space for the thermoplastic material together with the first and second molding dies,
The outer periphery regulating member has a linear expansion coefficient smaller than that of the thermoplastic material, and provides an optical element manufacturing apparatus having an inner diameter portion with a different diameter portion.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manufacturing technology of the optical element which can perform the mold release of the optical element from a shaping | molding die reliably without complicating the structure of a shaping | molding mechanism can be provided.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, for example, for the purpose of easily and surely peeling an optical element molded from a glass material from a mold, a part of the outer peripheral portion regulating material that creates the outer peripheral shape of the optical element is shaped. The forming member has a protruding shape that interferes with the mold release step that widens the distance between the molds and does not interfere with the removal step that takes out the optical element. That is, the linear expansion coefficient of the outer periphery regulating member is set to be smaller than that of the glass material, and interference is controlled using the difference in shrinkage due to the temperature of the optical element and the outer periphery regulating member.

  More specifically, as an example, a different diameter portion such as a protrusion or a groove is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the outer periphery regulating member that creates the outer peripheral portion of the optical element. Is made to interfere with the outer peripheral portion of the optical element after molding.

The different diameter part interferes with the optical element in the mold release step to peel the optical element from the mold, and in the take-out step, the optical element can be taken out without interfering with the protrusion due to the difference in shrinkage.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a manufacturing apparatus that performs an optical element manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an outer periphery regulating member used in the manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation of the manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B are shown in FIG. It is the schematic sectional drawing which illustrated an example of an operation of this form in order of a process.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus M according to the present embodiment includes a mold unit U including an upper mold 2, a lower mold 3 and a sleeve 4, and an outer periphery regulating member 5, a molding furnace 8, a base 9, and infrared rays. A heater 6 and a pressure shaft 7 are provided.

In the molding die unit U, the lower die 3 and the upper die 2 are arranged in the cylindrical sleeve 4 so that the molding surfaces 3a and 2a face each other in the axial direction.
The sleeve 4 and the lower mold 3 of the mold unit U are placed on the base 9, and the upper mold 2 is driven in the vertical direction by a pressure shaft 7 connected to the back surface.

  The entire molding die unit U is housed in a molding furnace 8 that is in close contact with the base 9 and forms a sealed space, and is heated to a desired molding temperature by an infrared heater 6 provided outside the molding furnace 8.

If necessary, the inside of the molding furnace 8 in which the mold unit U is accommodated may be replaced with an inert gas or evacuated.
In this case, a ring-shaped outer periphery regulating member 5 is disposed in a fixed state around the molding surface 3 a of the lower mold 3 disposed at the bottom of the sleeve 4.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner peripheral portion of the outer periphery regulating member 5 includes a large diameter portion 5 c having a large inner diameter W 2 that is substantially equal to the outer peripheral diameter of the molding surface 3 a of the lower mold 3, and a small diameter smaller than W 2. A different-diameter portion 5a in which a small-diameter projection 5b having an inner diameter W1 is formed coaxially is provided.

  In addition, the small diameter protrusion part 5b of the different diameter part 5a may be a protrusion part continuously provided over the entire inner periphery of the outer periphery restricting member 5, or intermittently in the circumferential direction, for example, the outer periphery restricting member 5 Protrusions arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner around the axis may be used.

  The different diameter portion 5a of the outer periphery regulating member 5 constitutes a molding space (cavity) together with the molding surface 3a of the lower mold 3 and the molding surface 2a of the upper mold 2 when the glass material 1 described later is molded. The outer peripheral shape of the optical element 1a to be molded is created.

  In this case, the linear expansion coefficient αb of the outer periphery regulating member 5 is made of a material smaller than the linear expansion coefficient αg of the optical element 1a, and has a critical temperature Tc lower than a molding temperature Tm described later, and the inner diameter of the small-diameter protrusion 5b. The protruding height of the small-diameter protrusion 5b from the large-diameter portion 5c (that is, the difference between the small inner diameter W1 and the large inner diameter W2) is set so that the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 1b of the optical element 1a becomes equal.

  As a result, when the upper mold 2 is released at a temperature higher than the critical temperature Tc, the large-diameter portion 1b of the optical element 1a interferes with the different-diameter portion 5a of the outer periphery regulating member 5 to ensure reliable release. At a temperature lower than the critical temperature Tc, the optical element 1a can be taken out from the outer periphery regulating member 5.

  In the different diameter portion 5a of the outer periphery regulating member 5, the small diameter protrusion portion 5b and the large diameter portion 5c form a stepped step of 90 °, but the boundary between the small diameter protrusion portion 5b and the large diameter portion 5c is smooth. A tapered surface may be used.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the molding surface 3a of the lower mold 3 is a concave surface, the molding surface 2a of the upper mold 2 is a convex surface, and a meniscus concave lens is molded from the glass material 1 as an optical element 1a. The case where it does is illustrated.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
First, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the glass material 1 having a glass transition point Tg is placed on the lower mold 3 of the mold unit U in which the upper mold 2 is opened upward by retracting from the sleeve 4.

(Step 101) And the glass raw material 1 is heated with the infrared heater 6 to the temperature (Tg + 20 degreeC) which can be shape | molded.
(Step 102) Next, as illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B, the upper mold 2 is press-fitted into the sleeve 4 by the pressure shaft 7, and the glass material 1 in a heated state is replaced with the lower mold 3. Is pressed between the molding surface 3a of the upper mold 2 and the molding surface 2a of the upper mold 2, and the distance between the molding surface 3a and the molding surface 2a, that is, the thickness dimension of the optical element 1a molded from the glass material 1 at the optical axis portion. Until the value reaches a desired value.

Thereby, the molding surface 2a of the upper mold 2 is transferred as the optical function surface 1d, and the optical element 1a having the molding surface 3a of the lower mold 3 transferred as the optical function surface 1e is molded.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the glass material 1 flows until it comes into contact with the different diameter portion 5a of the outer periphery regulating member 5, and the shape of the different diameter portion 5a is the molded optical element 1a (optical function surface 1e). Is transferred to the outer periphery of the.

  That is, the outer peripheral portion of the optical element 1a after molding has a large-diameter portion 1b (interference portion size Gm during molding) corresponding to a large-diameter portion 5c of the different-diameter portion 5a (large-diameter portion dimension W2m during molding) and a small diameter. A small-diameter portion 1c corresponding to the protrusion 5b (projection dimension W1m at the time of molding) is formed.

  (Step 103) Then, the optical element 1a molded from the glass material 1 is cooled in the mold unit U to a release temperature Ts (> critical temperature Tc) below the transition point (Tg-10 ° C.). At this time, if necessary, a load may be applied to the upper mold 2 from the pressing shaft 7 to press the optical element 1a being cooled with a constant load.

(Step 104) Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B at the mold release temperature Ts, a mold release operation for raising the upper mold 2 and separating the upper mold 2 from the lower mold 3 is performed.
At this time, since the mold release temperature Ts> the critical temperature Tc, the mold release protrusion dimension W1s <the mold release interference part dimension Gs, and the large diameter part 1b of the outer peripheral part of the optical element 1a is The molding surface 2a of the upper die 2 that rises by interfering with the small-diameter projection 5b (projection) of the different-diameter portion 5a and being fixed to the lower die 3 and the outer circumference regulating member 5 is the optical element 1a. It is made to peel from the functional surface 1d.

  (Step 105) Thereafter, the temperature is further cooled to a temperature at which extraction is possible (extraction temperature Te (<critical temperature Tc)). At this time, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the outer diameter (interference part dimension Ge at the time of extraction) of the large-diameter portion 1 b of the optical element 1 a that is larger in thermal contraction than the outer periphery restricting member 5 is the outer periphery restricting member 5. Smaller than the inner diameter (projection dimension W1e at the time of removal).

(Step 106) Then, the optical element 1a is taken out from the lower mold 3 of the mold unit U.
At this time, as described above, the outer diameter of the optical element 1a (interference part dimension Ge when taking out) is smaller than the projection part dimension W1e when taking out the small-diameter protrusion part 5b (protrusion part) in the different diameter part 5a of the outer periphery regulating member 5. Therefore, the optical element 1 a can be taken out from the lower mold 3 without interfering with the outer periphery regulating member 5.

Below, the example which set the specific value regarding the above-mentioned dimension and physical-property value is demonstrated.
A glass material 1 having an outer diameter of φ18.8 mm and a glass material having a glass transition point Tg of 506 ° C. is used.

  The optical element 1a as a molded article is a concave meniscus lens having a thickness of 2 mm at the optical axis portion, an effective diameter range φ25 mm of the optical function surface 1d and the optical function surface 1e, and an outer diameter φ30 mm.

The total volume of the optical element 1a is 5376 mm ³ , and the outer diameter G of the large-diameter portion 1b (molding interference portion dimension Gm, mold release interference portion dimension Gs, take-out interference portion dimension Ge).
Further, the linear expansion coefficient αg of the glass material 1 (optical element 1a) is set to 7.2 × 10 ⁻⁶ .

On the other hand, the outer periphery regulating member 5 has a small inner diameter W1 of the small diameter protrusion 5b of the different diameter portion 5a of φ29.990 mm (at 25 ° C.), a large inner diameter W2 of the large diameter portion 5c of φ30.000 mm (at 25 ° C.), The expansion coefficient αb is 4.8 × 10 ⁻⁶ .

Further, the molding temperature Tm is 526 ° C., the mold release operating temperature Ts is 496 ° C., and the take-out temperature Te is 100 ° C.
As in Step 101 and Step 102 described above, the glass material 1 is heated to the molding temperature, and is deformed to a desired thickness by the upper mold 2 and the lower mold 3.

The projection size W1m at the time of forming the projection is expressed by the following equation (1): W1m = (1 + αb × (Tm−25)) × W1 (1)
From this relationship, W1m = 30.062 mm.

Similarly, the large diameter portion dimension W2m at the time of molding is represented by the following formula (2).
W2m = (1 + αb × (Tm−25)) × W2 (2)
From this relationship, W2m = 30.072 mm.

At this time, the large diameter portion 1b of the optical element 1a is Gm = W2m = 30.072 mm because the large diameter portion 5c (W2m) of the outer periphery regulating member 5 is transferred.
In step 103 described above, the mold is cooled to the release operation temperature Ts, and in step 104, the release operation is performed.

At this time, the dimension of the small-diameter protrusion 5b (protrusion) in the outer periphery regulating member 5 is expressed by the following equation (3).
W1s = (1 + αb × (Tm−Ts)) × W1m (3)
From this relationship, W1s = 30.58 mm.

The dimension of the large diameter portion 1b of the optical element 1a after molding is expressed by the following equation (4).
Gs = (1 + αg × (Tm−Ts)) × Gm (4)
Therefore, Gs = 30.066 mm.

  At this time, since W1s <Gs, the optical element 1a interferes with the outer periphery regulating member 5 during the mold release operation of the upper mold 2, and the optical function surface 1d is surfaced from the molding surface 2a of the upper mold 2. Can be reliably peeled off.

Cooling is performed in step 105 described above, and the optical element 1a is removed from the mold unit U in step 106.
The dimension of the protrusion part of the different diameter part 5a in the outer periphery control member 5 at this time is shown by following Formula (5).
W1e = (1 + αb × (Ts−25)) × W1 (5)
From this relationship, W1e = 30.004 mm.

On the other hand, the dimension of the large diameter portion 1b of the optical element 1a is expressed by the following equation (6).
Ge = (1 + αg × (Tm−Te)) × Gm (6)
From this relationship, Ge = 29.980 mm.

At this time, since W1e> Ge, the optical element 1a can be taken out from the mold unit U without interfering with the outer periphery regulating member 5.
In this case, the critical temperature Tc, that is, the size of the small-diameter protrusion 5b of the different-diameter portion 5a of the outer periphery regulating member 5, and the size of the large-diameter portion 1b of the optical element 1a to which the large-diameter portion 5c of the different-diameter portion 5a is transferred. The temperatures at which are equal are:

That is, the dimension W1c of the small diameter protrusion 5b at the critical temperature Tc is expressed by the following equation (7):
W1c = (1 + αb × (Tm−Tc)) × W1m (7)
Is required.

Similarly, the dimension Gc of the large diameter portion 1b of the optical element 1a at the critical temperature Tc is expressed by the following equation (8):
Gc = (1 + αg × (Tm−Tc)) × Gm (8)
It is represented by

At the critical temperature Tc, since W1c = Gc, as shown by the following equation (9):
(1 + αb × (Tm−Tc)) × W1m = (1 + αg × (Tm−Tc)) × Gm (9)
Is established.

Since W1m, Gm, Tm, αb, and αg are known, Tc = 388 ° C. is obtained by solving this equation (9). At this time, W1c = Gc = 30.042 mm.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a temperature profile in the molding process by the manufacturing apparatus M of the present embodiment described above.

The molding temperature Tm, the mold release operating temperature Ts, the critical temperature Tc, and the take-out temperature Te are plotted in the temperature profile.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the case of the present embodiment, the release operation is performed at a release operation temperature Ts between Tm>Ts> Tc.

A more detailed examination of the setting of the mold release operating temperature Ts is as follows.
That is, when the mold release operating temperature Ts is set such that Tm>Ts> Tc, the minimum effect of reliably releasing the upper mold 2 from the optical element 1a is obtained.

  Further, a more desirable temperature range can be set such that Tg ≧ Ts ≧ (Tg−200 ° C.). In this case, the effect that the shape accuracy and appearance quality of the optical element 1a can be maintained is further obtained.

  Further, as a more desirable temperature range, (Tg−10 ° C.) ≧ Ts ≧ (Tg−100 ° C.) can also be set. In this case, the effect that the shape accuracy and appearance quality of the optical element 1a can be maintained better is obtained.

  In addition, if the taking-out temperature Te when taking out the optical element 1a from the shaping | molding die unit U is lower than the critical temperature Tc, since the whole optical element 1a can pass the different diameter part 5a of the outer periphery control member 5, Te <Tc If so, it may be taken out at any take-out temperature Te.

  Thus, in the case of this Embodiment 1, it is cooling from molding temperature Tm by providing the different diameter part 5a in the outer periphery control member 5 with a smaller linear expansion coefficient than the glass raw material 1 (optical element 1a). The optical element 1a molded from the glass material 1 can be reliably released from the mold unit U by performing the mold release operation at a temperature higher than the critical temperature Tc.

Further, a complicated movable mechanism such as an arm for fixing the optical element 1a at the time of the mold release operation is completely unnecessary, and the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus M is simplified.
Further, the different diameter portion 5a of the outer periphery regulating member 5 does not prevent the optical element 1a from passing at a temperature lower than the critical temperature Tc. 1a can be taken out, and a large-scale mechanism for moving the sleeve 4 and the outer periphery regulating member 5 is not required, and the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus M is further simplified.

Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the manufacturing apparatus M, and the cost reduction of the optical element 1a manufactured by using the manufacturing apparatus M can be realized.
Further, since the optical element 1a is reliably released from the mold unit U, for example, when the optical element 1a from the mold unit U is automatically performed, the optical element 1a has failed to be released. Therefore, a redundant control mechanism such as determining whether or not the optical element 1a is removed from the mold unit U is also unnecessary.

(Embodiment 2)
8 and 9 are enlarged cross-sectional views showing a configuration example of an outer periphery regulating member which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The basic configurations of the manufacturing apparatus M and the mold unit U are the same as those in the first embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the outer periphery regulating member 5 according to the first embodiment, a small-diameter protrusion 5e is provided in the center of the inner periphery, and large-diameter portions 5f are disposed on both upper and lower sides thereof. A different diameter portion 5d is provided.

  Thereby, on the outer peripheral portion of the optical element 1a to which the different diameter portion 5d is transferred at the time of molding, a groove-shaped small diameter portion 1f corresponding to the small diameter protrusion portion 5e of the different diameter portion 5d and a large diameter corresponding to the large diameter portion 5f. Part 1g is formed.

  Thereby, in a state where the small-diameter protruding portion 5e of the different-diameter portion 5d and the groove-shaped small-diameter portion 1f of the optical element 1a interfere with each other, the optical element 1a has the upper mold 2 and the lower mold 3 with respect to the outer periphery regulating member 5. Any state can be used as long as the mold release operation temperature Ts is higher than the critical temperature Tc. It becomes possible to execute in order.

Moreover, the different diameter part 5g of the outer periphery control member 5 illustrated by FIG. 9 is an example which set the unevenness | corrugation contrary to the case of the different diameter part 5d illustrated by the above-mentioned FIG.
In the case of this different-diameter portion 5g, a groove-shaped large-diameter groove portion 5i is formed in the central portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer periphery regulating member 5, and small-diameter portions 5h are disposed on both sides in the vertical direction.

Correspondingly, a projecting large-diameter portion 1h corresponding to the large-diameter groove portion 5i and a small-diameter portion 1j corresponding to the small-diameter portion 5h are created on the outer peripheral portion of the optical element 1a.
Also in the case of the different diameter portion 5g of the outer periphery regulating member 5, the same effect as the above-described different diameter portion 5d can be obtained.

  In the case of the different diameter portion 5a of the outer periphery regulating member 5 shown in FIG. 10, for example, the volume of the glass material 1 is reduced, and only the portion of the large diameter portion 5c of the different diameter portion 5a is provided on the outer periphery of the optical element 1a. This shows a case of a modification in which is transferred.

  In this case, there is no small-diameter portion 1c corresponding to the small-diameter protrusion 5b of the different-diameter portion 5a at the upper end of the outer peripheral portion of the optical element 1a. At a temperature higher than the critical temperature Tc, the optical element 1a As a result, the end surface of the large-diameter portion 1b of the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral portion interferes with the small-diameter protruding portion 5b, so that reliable release is achieved.

  As described above, in the case of the different-diameter portion 5d and the different-diameter portion 5g of the outer periphery regulating member 5 exemplified in the second embodiment, the optical surfaces are formed on the molding surfaces 2a and 3a of the upper die 2 and the lower die 3, respectively. Even when the release timings of the optical function surface 1d and the optical function surface 1e of the element 1a are different from each other, the release can be performed on each side, so that various release operations can be realized and the optical element 1a has a stable optical function. The surface shapes of the functional surface 1d and the optical functional surface 1e can be obtained.

Further, in the modified example of the different diameter portion 5a illustrated in FIG. 10, there is an advantage that no step is generated in the outer peripheral portion of the optical element 1a.
(Embodiment 3)
An example of a mold release and extraction method using the above-described characteristics of the interference portion of the different-diameter portion 5g (or different-diameter portion 5d) of the outer periphery regulating member 5 exemplified in the second embodiment will be described below as a third embodiment. This is illustrated in

  FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for releasing an optical element in a method for manufacturing an optical element according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method for taking out the optical element. It is.

In the example of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the case where the different diameter part 5g illustrated in the above-mentioned FIG.
In this case, Step 101 to Step 104 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  (Step 105a) In the third embodiment, the lower mold release temperature Ts2 (the mold release temperature Ts> the lower mold release temperature Ts2> critical) before the temperature of the optical element 1a being cooled is lowered to the critical temperature Tc. At the temperature Tc), the outer peripheral regulating member 5 is held, and the mold release operation of the optical function surface 1e of the optical element 1a from the molding surface 3a of the lower mold 3 is performed.

  At this time, since the different diameter portion 5g of the outer periphery regulating member 5 interferes with the protruding large diameter portion 1h of the optical element 1a, the outer periphery regulating member 5 and the optical element 1a remain integrated, and the outside of the sleeve 4 To be taken out. FIG. 11 shows this state.

  (Step 106a) Thereafter, when the temperature of the optical element 1a is lowered to a temperature lower than the critical temperature Tc, the optical element 1a is separated from the outer periphery regulating member 5 and taken out as illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the molded optical element 1a can be taken out of the mold unit U and transported integrally with the outer periphery regulating member 5, so that stress is applied to the optical element 1a such as a lens in a high temperature state. It becomes possible to carry without carrying out.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the configuration exemplified in the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
(Additional remark 1) The manufacturing method of the optical element which has the outer-diameter shape aiming at the mold release by a member contraction difference in the outer peripheral part of an optical element.

(Additional remark 2) After obtaining desired shape, the shaping | molding apparatus characterized by performing mold release operation | movement at high temperature.
(Additional remark 3) The manufacturing method of the optical element which has the outer periphery member which creates an outer diameter change.

(Additional remark 4) The conveyance apparatus which does not determine the presence or absence of an optical element.
(Additional remark 5) The conveyance apparatus which takes out an optical element, without moving an outer peripheral member or a sleeve.
(Additional remark 6) The manufacturing method of the optical element using the outer peripheral member with a large shrinkage difference with an optical element.

(Additional remark 7) The conveyance method which takes out an outer peripheral member and an optical element integrally at the time of high temperature, and takes out an optical element from an outer peripheral member after cooling.
(Additional remark 8) The conveyance method which takes out an optical element and a ring integrally at low temperature, and takes out an optical element from an outer peripheral member.

(Supplementary Note 9) A method for manufacturing an optical element, characterized by satisfying the attached mathematical formulas (1) to (9).
(Supplementary Note 10) A method for manufacturing an optical element, characterized in that the lens is held at a mold release operating temperature by a contraction difference of members.

  (Additional remark 11) The manufacturing method of the optical element which molds | releases at another timing in each of an upper and lower molding surface by the contraction difference of a member.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the structure of the manufacturing apparatus which enforces the manufacturing method of the optical element which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a rough section showing an example of the composition of the perimeter control member used with the manufacturing device which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the manufacturing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic sectional view which illustrated an example of the operation which is one embodiment of the present invention in order of a process. It is the expanded sectional view which illustrated an example of the operation which is one embodiment of the present invention in order of a process. It is the schematic sectional view which illustrated an example of the operation which is one embodiment of the present invention in order of a process. It is the expanded sectional view which illustrated an example of the operation which is one embodiment of the present invention in order of a process. It is the schematic sectional view which illustrated an example of the operation which is one embodiment of the present invention in order of a process. It is the expanded sectional view which illustrated an example of the operation which is one embodiment of the present invention in order of a process. It is a diagram which shows the temperature profile in the shaping | molding process by the manufacturing apparatus M which is one embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the structural example of the outer periphery control member which is other embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the structural example of the outer periphery control member which is other embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing a modification of an embodiment of the invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the mold release method of the optical element in the manufacturing method of the optical element which is further another embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the taking-out method.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Glass material 1a Optical element 1b Large diameter part 1c Small diameter part 1d Optical functional surface 1e Optical functional surface 1f Groove-shaped small diameter part 1g Large diameter part 1h Protruding large diameter part 1j Small diameter part 2 Upper mold | type 2a Molding surface 3 Lower mold 3a Molding Surface 4 Sleeve 5 Outer circumference regulating member 5a Different diameter portion 5b Small diameter projection portion 5c Large diameter portion 5d Different diameter portion 5e Small diameter projection portion 5f Large diameter portion 5g Different diameter portion 5h Small diameter portion 5i Large diameter groove portion 6 Infrared heater 7 Pressure shaft 8 Molding furnace 9 Base M Manufacturing device U Mold unit Tc Critical temperature Te Extraction temperature Tg Glass transition point Tm Molding temperature Ts Mold release operating temperature

Claims (11)

  On the inner circumference of the outer circumference regulating member that creates the outer circumference shape of the optical element molded from the thermoplastic material by molding, a different diameter portion in which the interference state with the outer circumference of the optical element changes according to the temperature change. A method for producing an optical element, comprising: forming the optical element. An optical element manufacturing method for obtaining an optical element by filling a thermoplastic material into a molding space constituted by first and second molding dies and an outer periphery regulating member,
A method for manufacturing an optical element, comprising providing a different-diameter portion on an inner periphery of the outer periphery regulating member having a linear expansion coefficient smaller than that of the thermoplastic material. In the manufacturing method of the optical element of Claim 1 or Claim 2,
The different diameter portion of the outer periphery regulating member is composed of a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion,
The dimension at the mold release operating temperature of the large diameter part of the optical element to which the large diameter part has been transferred is Gs, and the dimension at the take-out temperature lower than the mold release operating temperature is Ge.
When the dimension at the mold release operating temperature of the small diameter part of the different diameter part is W1s, and the dimension at the extraction temperature is W1e,
Gs> W1s and Ge <W1e
The manufacturing method of the optical element characterized by satisfy | filling. In the manufacturing method of the optical element according to claim 3,
In the mold release operating temperature higher than the critical temperature at which the size of the large diameter portion of the optical element created at the different diameter portion is equal to the size of the small diameter portion of the different diameter portion, the first and A method for producing an optical element, comprising performing a mold release operation for separating at least one of the second molds from the optical element. In the manufacturing method of the optical element according to claim 3,
In the release operation temperature higher than the critical temperature at which the size of the large diameter portion of the optical element created at the different diameter portion is equal to the size of the small diameter portion of the different diameter portion, the outer periphery regulating member A method of manufacturing an optical element, comprising: detaching the optical element fitted in the different diameter part from both the first and second molds. In the manufacturing method of the optical element of Claim 4 or Claim 5,
The mold release operating temperature Ts is relative to the glass transition point Tg of the thermoplastic material.
Tg ≧ Ts ≧ (Tg−200 ° C.)
The manufacturing method of the optical element characterized by satisfy | filling these conditions. Opposing first and second molds;
An outer periphery regulating member that constitutes a molding space for the thermoplastic material together with the first and second molding dies,
The outer peripheral regulating member has a smaller linear expansion coefficient than the thermoplastic material, and has an inner diameter portion with a different diameter portion. In the optical element manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7,
The different diameter portion of the outer periphery regulating member is composed of a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion,
The dimension at the mold release operating temperature of the large diameter part of the optical element to which the large diameter part has been transferred is Gs, and the dimension at the take-out temperature lower than the mold release operating temperature is Ge.
When the dimension at the mold release operating temperature of the small diameter part of the different diameter part is W1s, and the dimension at the extraction temperature is W1e,
Gs> W1s and Ge <W1e
An optical element manufacturing apparatus characterized by satisfying: In the optical element manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8,
In the mold release operating temperature higher than the critical temperature at which the size of the large diameter portion of the optical element created at the different diameter portion is equal to the size of the small diameter portion of the different diameter portion, the first and An apparatus for manufacturing an optical element, wherein a mold release operation for separating at least one of the second molds from the optical element is performed. In the optical element manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8,
In the release operation temperature higher than the critical temperature at which the size of the large diameter portion of the optical element created at the different diameter portion is equal to the size of the small diameter portion of the different diameter portion, the outer periphery regulating member The optical element manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the optical element in a state of being fitted to the different diameter portion is separated from both the first and second molds. In the optical element manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10,
The mold release operating temperature Ts is relative to the glass transition point Tg of the thermoplastic material.
Tg ≧ Ts ≧ (Tg−200 ° C.)
An optical element manufacturing apparatus that satisfies the following condition: