JP6895928B2 - Lens, lens unit and lens manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a lens, a lens unit, and a lens manufacturing method.

In the lens fixing structure of Patent Document 1, the cylindrical connecting portion is fitted radially outward from the outer peripheral portion of the optical surface of the lens, and protrudes from the lens side surface portion in the direction along the optical axis.

In the mount for an optical element of Patent Document 2, a lens having three ribs provided on the outer peripheral edge at intervals of 120 ° is attached to the mount.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-197599 Special Publication No. 63-500271

The shape of the outer peripheral surface of the lens is not a perfect circle when viewed from the optical axis direction. Specifically, a plurality of peaks protruding outward in the radial direction and valleys recessed inward in the radial direction are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

Here, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, by fitting a cylindrical connecting portion on the outer circumference of a lens that is not a perfect circle, a gap may be formed between the connecting portion and the outer peripheral surface of the lens. When the lens and the connection portion are fitted to the lens frame in a state where a gap may be formed between the connection portion and the outer peripheral surface of the lens, the optical axis position of the lens with respect to the center position of the lens frame. There is a possibility that it will shift. Further, if a member for adjusting the optical axis misalignment of the lens is further added, the configuration becomes complicated.

In the configuration of Patent Document 2, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the lens is not taken into consideration, and three ribs are provided at intervals of a central angle of 120 °. In other words, in a configuration in which the peaks protruding outward in the radial direction of the lens are arranged at intervals different from the central angle of 120 °, the positions of the ribs and the peaks may not match. If the lens is fitted to the lens frame in a state where the rib position and the mountain portion position do not match, the mountain portion comes into contact with the lens frame, and the light of the lens with respect to the center position of the lens frame. The axis position may shift. Further, if a member for adjusting the optical axis misalignment of the lens is further added, the configuration becomes complicated.

That is, in the configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is room for improvement in suppressing the optical axis misalignment when the glass lens body is fitted to the lens frame with a simple configuration.

In consideration of the above facts, the present disclosure provides a lens, a lens unit, and a lens manufacturing method capable of suppressing an optical axis misalignment when a glass lens body is fitted in a lens frame with a simple configuration. The purpose is.

The lens according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a lens fitted in a tubular lens frame, which is made of glass and has a lens main body having a side surface surrounding the optical axis and a layered lens provided on the side surface and covering the side surface. It is arranged at a distance from the base in the circumferential direction of the base and protrudes from the base to the side opposite to the lens body side, and the tip is on the circumference of a virtual circle centered on the optical axis when viewed from the optical axis direction. It has a plurality of protrusions located in, and a light-shielding layer including.

The base portion and the protruding portion of the lens according to the second aspect of the present disclosure may be integrated.

The protruding portion of the lens according to the third aspect of the present disclosure may be projected outward in the radial direction of the virtual circle from the base portion.

The protruding portion of the lens according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure may be made of a light energy curable resin.

The base of the lens according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure may contain inorganic particles.

The thickness of the protruding portion in the radial direction of the virtual circle of the lens according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure may be reduced from one side in the optical axis direction to the other side.

The protruding portion of the lens according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure may be formed over the entire base portion along the optical axis direction.

The protruding portion of the lens according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure may be aligned in the radial direction with the mountain portion of the side surface located outside the reference circle having the average diameter of the lens body in the radial direction of the virtual circle. Good.

Of the plurality of protrusions of the lens according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, at least two sets of protrusions are each on a plurality of straight lines orthogonal to the optical axis and intersecting each other when viewed from the optical axis direction. They may be arranged one by one.

The lens unit according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure has a tubular shape that has an inner wall surface in which the lens according to any one of the first to ninth aspects and a protruding portion of the lens are in contact with each other and holds the lens. With a lens frame.

The lens manufacturing method according to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of forming a lens main body portion made of glass and having a side surface surrounding an optical axis, and a base portion and a plurality of projecting portions protruding outward from the base portion on the side surface. In the process of providing the provided light-shielding layer, the tip of the protruding part is formed into a virtual circle centered on the optical axis by changing the amount of the light-shielding material applied to the side surface while rotating the lens body around the optical axis. It has a step of positioning it on the circumference.

The step of providing the light-shielding layer of the lens manufacturing method according to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a step of applying a light-shielding material to the upper side surface in the direction of gravity from the optical axis when the lens body is viewed from the optical axis direction. , The step of curing the light-shielding material above the optical axis in the direction of gravity may be provided.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a lens, a lens unit, and a lens manufacturing method capable of suppressing an optical axis misalignment when a glass lens body is fitted in a lens frame with a simple configuration.

It is a block diagram of the lens unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which looked at the lens which concerns on 1st Embodiment from the optical axis direction. It is a vertical sectional view of the lens which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the lens manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which forms the light-shielding layer in the lens body part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which light-cured the light-shielding layer formed in the lens body part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the lens manufacturing method which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a vertical sectional view of the lens which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a vertical sectional view of the lens and the lens holder which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which forms the light-shielding layer in the lens body part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the lens manufacturing method which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which looked at the lens which concerns on 3rd Embodiment from the optical axis direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement of the mountain part and the protruding part of the lens which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which looked at the lens which concerns on 1st modification from the optical axis direction. It is a block diagram which looked at the lens which concerns on 2nd modification from the optical axis direction. It is a block diagram which looked at the lens which concerns on 3rd modification from the optical axis direction.

Hereinafter, an example of the lens, the lens unit, and the lens manufacturing method according to the present disclosure will be described.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows the image pickup apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. The image pickup device 10 includes a lens unit 20 and an image pickup unit having an image pickup element (not shown).

The lens unit 20 has a lens holder 22 as an example of a lens frame, and a lens 30 held by the lens holder 22. The lens 30 collects light from a side (subject side) opposite to the imaging unit (not shown) toward the imaging unit. In the present embodiment, one lens 30 will be described as an example, but the lens unit 20 is also provided with another lens (not shown).

[Lens holder]
The lens holder 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open in one direction. Further, the lens holder 22 has a circular inner wall surface 22A and a circular outer peripheral surface 22B when viewed from the opening direction. The axis extending in one direction as described above through the center of the circle of the inner wall surface 22A is referred to as the central axis 26 of the lens holder 22. Further, the diameter of the inner wall surface 22A is D1 mm. A protrusion 46, which will be described later, is brought into contact with the inner wall surface 22A.

The lens holder 22 is made of metal, and as an example, it is made of an aluminum alloy. The coefficient of linear expansion of the lens holder 22 is 23.8 × ^10-6 / K. The circle when the inner wall surface 22A of the lens holder 22 is viewed from the optical axis direction of the lens 30 is referred to as a virtual circle A (see FIG. 2). The diameter of the virtual circle A is D1 [mm]. The lens holder 22 holds the lens 30.

〔lens〕
The lens 30 shown in FIG. 2 has a lens main body 32 and a light-shielding layer 42. In each drawing showing the lens 30, in order to show the outer shape of the lens body 32 in an easy-to-understand manner, a portion protruding in the radial direction and a recessed portion are enlarged (exaggerated).

<Lens body>
The lens body 32 shown in FIG. 3 is configured as a meniscus lens as an example. The lens body 32 is made of glass. The coefficient of linear expansion of the lens body 32 is 9 × ^10-6 / K. Further, the lens body 32 has an optical center C as the center of the lens 30. The optical center C defines a line connecting the centers of curvature (corresponding to the optical axis K) and a midpoint in the thickness direction of the lens body 32 with respect to the surface 31A on the incident side of light and the surface 31B on the emitting side of light. It is defined at the point where it intersects with the connecting line. In other words, in the lens 30, the optical axis K passes through the optical center C. The elastic modulus of the lens body 32 is larger than the elastic modulus of the magnesium alloy. That is, the lens body 32 is harder than the lens holder 22 (see FIG. 1).

Further, the lens main body 32 has an optical portion 33 in which light is incident and emitted, and an edge portion 34 forming an outer peripheral portion of the lens main body 32. The edge portion 34 is formed with an outer peripheral surface 36 as an example of a side surface. The outer peripheral surface 36 surrounds the optical axis K of the lens main body 32. The direction in which the optical axis K extends is referred to as the optical axis direction. The direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction is referred to as the radial direction of the lens body 32. In the following description, the optical axis direction of the lens 30 is referred to as the Z direction, and is illustrated by the arrow Z. Further, the direction orthogonal to the Z direction and the radial direction of the lens 30 is referred to as the D direction, and is shown by the arrow D. Further, the circumferential direction around the optical axis K of the lens 30 is referred to as an R direction, and is illustrated by an arrow R (see FIG. 2).

When the lens body 32 is viewed from one D direction, the outer peripheral surface 36 has, for example, a vertical surface 36A along the Z direction and an inclined surface 36B extending in an oblique direction intersecting the Z direction. The vertical surface 36A is arranged on the incident side of the light in the lens body 32. The inclined surface 36B extends from one end of the vertical surface 36A in the Z direction toward the optical axis K side. The maximum diameter of the outer peripheral surface 36 is smaller than the diameter D1 (see FIG. 1).

In the lens body 32 shown in FIG. 1, the average diameter obtained by averaging the diameters of the outer peripheral surfaces 36 is defined as D2 [mm]. Further, a circle having an average diameter D2 as a diameter is referred to as a reference circle B. The shape of the outer peripheral surface 36 is a peak portion 37 located outside the reference circle B in the D direction (protruding) and a valley portion recessed inward in the D direction with respect to the reference circle B when viewed from the Z direction. 38 is a shape that repeats in the R direction. In other words, the outer peripheral surface 36 has a plurality of peaks 37 and a plurality of valleys 38. The amount of protrusion in the D direction with respect to the reference circle B of the plurality of mountain portions 37 is different from each other. The amount of depression in the D direction with respect to the reference circle B of the plurality of valleys 38 is different from each other. That is, the lens main body 32 has an outer peripheral surface 36 having an outer shape deviated from the perfect circle when viewed from the Z direction. An outer shape deviated from a perfect circle means an outer shape having a low roundness. In the present embodiment, low roundness means that the roundness is 20 μm or more. Roundness is expressed by the difference in radius between two circles when the distance between the two concentric circles is the minimum when a circular body is sandwiched between two concentric geometric circles (JIS B 0621).

<Shading layer>
The light-shielding layer 42 shown in FIG. 2 has a base portion 44 provided on the outer peripheral surface 36, and a plurality of (eight as an example) projecting from the base portion 44 to the side opposite to the lens body portion 32 side (outside in the D direction). It is provided with a protrusion 46. Further, the light-shielding layer 42 is formed by a manufacturing method described later. The base 44 and the protrusion 46 are made of the same material and are integrated. Specifically, the light-shielding layer 42 is composed of, for example, an acrylic resin AK which is a main component having a content of about 90%, and inorganic particles Pa and carbon particles Pb dispersed in the acrylic resin AK. There is.

Acrylic resin AK is an example of a light energy curable resin, and has a property of being cured by UV (ultraviolet) irradiation. The inorganic particles Pa are composed of titanium oxide particles as an example. Further, the diameter of the inorganic particles Pa is, for example, in the range of 100 nm or more and 200 nm or less. Since the light-shielding layer 42 contains the inorganic particles Pa, the refractive index of the light of the light-shielding layer 42 is brought close to the refractive index (n = 1.8) of the glass constituting the lens body 32.

In FIG. 2, in order to show the inorganic particles Pa and the carbon particles Pb in an easy-to-understand manner, they are schematically shown by white circles and black circles having the same size, but the actual sizes of the inorganic particles Pa and the carbon particles Pb and The shape is different from that of FIG. The specific gravity of the light-shielding layer 42 is negligibly smaller than the specific gravity of the lens body 32.

(base)
When the lens 30 is viewed from the Z direction, the base portion 44 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 36 and covers the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 36 from the outside in the D direction. The thickness of the base portion 44 in the D direction is set to be about the same in each portion of the outer peripheral surface 36 in the R direction. In other words, the base 44 is formed in a layered shape with the D direction as the thickness direction. Further, the length corresponding to the thickness of the base portion 44 in the D direction is, for example, less than half of the length corresponding to the distance between the outer peripheral surface 36 and the virtual circle A in the D direction when viewed from the Z direction. short. As described above, the base 44 contains the inorganic particles Pa. Light incident on the lens 30 and directed toward the outer peripheral surface 36 is difficult to be reflected by the base 44 because the refractive index of the base 44 is brought close to the refractive index of the lens body 32 by the inorganic particles Pa. In other words, the light directed to the outer peripheral surface 36 is attenuated by the base 44 (light-shielding layer 42).

As an example, the base portion 44 shown in FIG. 3 is formed from one end to the other end of the vertical surface 36A and from one end to the other end of the inclined surface 36B in the Z direction. Further, the thickness of the base 44 in the D direction is made to be substantially the same in the Z direction. In other words, the base portion 44 is formed over the entire outer peripheral surface 36 in the Z direction.

(Protruding part)
The eight protrusions 46 shown in FIG. 2 are arranged at equal intervals in the R direction of the base 44. Further, the eight projecting portions 46 project from the base portion 44 in the D direction of the virtual circle A. Each of the eight protrusions 46 has a tip 47 (corresponding to an apex) located on the outermost side in the D direction. In the following description, when distinguishing the eight protrusions 46, the protrusions 46A, the protrusions 46B, the protrusions 46C, the protrusions 46D, the protrusions 46E, the protrusions 46F, the protrusions 46G and the protrusions 46H It is called. When distinguishing the eight tips 47, they are referred to as tip 47A, tip 47B, tip 47C, tip 47D, tip 47E, tip 47F, tip 47G and tip 47H.

The tip 47A, tip 47B, tip 47C, tip 47D, tip 47E, tip 47F, tip 7G and tip 47H are, for example, on the circumference of a virtual circle A centered on the optical axis K when viewed from the Z direction. positioned. The state in which the tip 47 is located on the circumference of the virtual circle A is not only that the tip 47 is located on the circumference of the virtual circle A, but also that the tip 47 is inside or outside the virtual circle A in the D direction. Includes the state of being displaced due to an error. The error includes an error caused in manufacturing and a measurement error. In this embodiment, as an example, the error range is set to 20 μm or less.

As an example, the straight line G1 connecting the tip 47A and the tip 47E, the straight line G2 connecting the tip 47B and the tip 47F, the straight line G3 connecting the tip 47C and the tip 47G, and the straight line G4 connecting the tip 47D and the tip 47H are optical. It passes through the center C. The straight line G1, the straight line G2, the straight line G3 and the straight line G4 are orthogonal to the optical axis K and intersect each other. That is, one set (two) of each of the eight protrusions 46 is arranged on the straight line G1, the straight line G2, the straight line G3, and the straight line G4 when viewed from the Z direction. The number and arrangement of the protrusions 46 are set in consideration of a state in which the protrusions 46 are deformed to the extent that they do not exceed the elastic limit when the protrusions 46 come into contact with the lens holder 22 (see FIG. 1). ing.

In other words, the light-shielding layer 42 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 36 and covers the outer peripheral surface 36. Further, the thickness of the light-shielding layer 42 when viewed from the Z direction is different in the circumferential direction of the lens body 32. Further, the outermost tip 47 of the light-shielding layer 42 in the D direction is located on the circumference of the virtual circle A.

As an example, the protruding portion 46 shown in FIG. 3 is formed in the Z direction in accordance with the range from one end to the other end of the vertical surface 36A. Further, the thickness of the protruding portion 46 in the D direction is made to be substantially the same in the Z direction. In other words, the protrusion 46 is formed over the entire base 44 along the Z direction. Further, the protruding portion 46 functions as a replenishing portion for replenishing the insufficient length (length corresponding to the gap) from the base 44 with respect to the virtual circle A.

Although not shown, the average inner diameter (average inner diameter) of the lens holder 22 is Dx [mm] and the average outer diameter (average outer diameter) of the lens 30 is Dy [mm] at a temperature of 20 ° C. Further, the coefficient of linear expansion of the lens holder 22 is σx [1 / ° C.], and the coefficient of linear expansion of the lens 30 is σy [1 / ° C.]. Further, the gap between the lens 30 and the lens holder 22 in the D direction is t [mm]. Here, the gap ta = (Dx−Dy) / 2 at 20 ° C. Further, the gap tb = {(Dx × σx−Dy × σy) / 2} × (80-20) at 80 ° C. In order to maintain the contact state between the protruding portion 46 and the lens holder 22 in the temperature change from 20 ° C. to 80 ° C., the average thickness of the protruding portion 46 in the D direction at 20 ° C. is T [mm], and ta. T that satisfies ≦ T ≦ tb may be set.

[Lens manufacturing equipment]
Next, the lens manufacturing apparatus 50 will be described.

As an example, the lens manufacturing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 4 includes an input / output interface unit (I / O) 52, a monitor 54, a control unit 56, a coating unit 58, a sensor 62, a motor 64, and a holding unit 66. And an irradiation unit 68. The monitor 54, the control unit 56, the coating unit 58, the sensor 62, the motor 64, and the irradiation unit 68 are electrically connected to the input / output interface unit 52.

The monitor 54 includes a touch panel (not shown), and by operating the touch panel, it is possible to input various setting parameters of the lens manufacturing apparatus 50 and operate the lens manufacturing apparatus 50. Various setting parameters include the moving speed of the slider 61, which will be described later, the discharge amount of the light-shielding material in the coating portion 58, the rotation speed of the motor 64, and the like.

The control unit 56 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 56A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 56B, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 56C. The CPU 56A controls and controls the entire lens manufacturing apparatus 50. The control program of the lens manufacturing apparatus 50 is stored in the ROM 56B in advance. The RAM 56C is used as a work area when the control program is executed.

The coating portion 58 has a discharge head 59 for discharging the light-shielding material forming the light-shielding layer 42 (see FIG. 2) described above, and a slider 61 for moving the discharge head 59 in one direction or the opposite direction. The discharge head 59 is configured to discharge the light-shielding material toward the outer peripheral surface 36 (see FIG. 2) above the optical axis K (see FIG. 2) in the direction of gravity. The movement of the slider 61 is controlled by the control unit 56. The sensor 62 detects the amount of movement of the coating unit 58 (slider 61) in one direction, and sends the obtained data of the amount of movement to the control unit 56. The motor 64 rotates the holding portion 66.

As an example, the holding portion 66 shown in FIG. 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end side in the axial direction opened, and the inside is taken in by a compressor (not shown), so that the optical axis K of the lens main body portion 32 K. It is designed to attract the peripheral part of the lens. Further, the holding portion 66 is rotatably supported around the central axis Q by a support member (not shown), and is rotated by a motor 64 (see FIG. 4).

The irradiation unit 68 shown in FIG. 6 is located on the downstream side of the discharge head 59 in the rotation direction of the lens body unit 32 and on the upper side of the optical axis K in the gravity direction when viewed from the Z direction. Then, as an example, the irradiation unit 68 cures the light-shielding material on the outer peripheral surface 36 by irradiating the outer peripheral surface 36 with UV.

[Action]
Next, the operations of the lens 30, the lens unit 20, and the lens manufacturing method of the first embodiment will be described.

The lens body 32 shown in FIG. 2 is formed by making a preform from molten glass, softening the preform at a high temperature, pressing it with a mold (not shown), and then cooling it. The outer shape data of the formed lens body 32 can be obtained by measuring with a roundness measuring machine (Roncom 65A) of Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd. as an example. The external shape data includes roundness data and average diameter data of the lens body 32. As described above, the lens body 32 has a structure having a low roundness.

In the lens manufacturing apparatus 50 (see FIG. 4), difference data representing the gap between the lens main body 32 and the virtual circle A can be obtained based on the external shape data of the lens main body 32 and the diameter data of the virtual circle A. Then, in the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the arrangement of the protruding portions 46 is determined based on the difference data and the number of the protruding portions 46 (8 as an example) input by an operator (not shown).

Further, in the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the protrusion 46A, the protrusion 46B, the protrusion 46C, the protrusion 46D, the protrusion 46E, the protrusion 46F, the protrusion 46G and the protrusion 46H are required from the base 44 to the virtual circle A. A large amount of protrusion (thickness) is required. Then, in the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the discharge amount of the light-shielding material is programmed in advance according to the required protrusion amount.

Next, a method of manufacturing the lens 30 will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. For each part of the lens 30 and each part of the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, FIGS. 1 to 6 will be referred to, and the description of individual reference drawing numbers will be omitted. The lens main body 32 is brought into a state in which the optical axis K coincides with the central axis Q by being abutted against a V block (not shown) positioned in advance, and is held by the holding portion 66.

In step S10 shown in FIG. 7, the discharge head 59 is arranged at the reference position. Then, the process proceeds to step S12. The reference position is a preset initial position before the start of coating.

In step S12, the rotation of the motor 64 is started. That is, the rotation of the lens body 32 is started. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the ejection of droplets of the light-shielding material is started while rotating the lens body 32 around the optical axis K from the ejection head 59 toward the outer peripheral surface 36. The discharged light-shielding material adheres to the outer peripheral surface 36. Then, the process proceeds to step S16. In the circumferential direction of the lens body 32, the discharge amount in the discharge head 59 is kept constant in the range where only the base 44 is formed, but the protrusion in the D direction is in the range where the protrusion 46 is formed. The discharge amount is increased or decreased in the R direction according to the magnitude of the amount. That is, the amount of the light-shielding material applied to the outer peripheral surface 36 can be changed.

In step S16, light irradiation (UV irradiation) from the irradiation unit 68 to the light-shielding material is started. The first light irradiation from the irradiation unit 68 is started before the light-shielding material adhering to the outer peripheral surface 36 reaches the light irradiation position. A light-shielding layer 42 is formed on one end of the outer peripheral surface 36 in the Z direction over the entire circumference. Then, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the discharge head 59 starts moving along the Z direction. Then, the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the sensor 62 determines whether or not the position of the discharge head 59 has reached the end position set at the other end of the outer peripheral surface 36 in the Z direction. When the end position is reached, the process proceeds to step S22. If the end position has not been reached, step S20 is repeatedly executed.

In step S22, the movement of the discharge head 59 along the Z direction is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the ejection of the droplet from the ejection head 59 is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, the light irradiation from the irradiation unit 68 is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S28, the rotation of the motor 64 is stopped. Then, the program is terminated. Through the above steps, the lens 30 in which the light-shielding layer 42 is formed on the lens body 32 is completed. Then, the lens unit 20 is completed by fitting the completed lens 30 into the lens holder 22 and fixing the lens 30 with an adhesive.

When the lens 30 is fitted to the lens holder 22, the tips 47 of the plurality of protrusions 46 come into contact with the inner wall surface 22A of the lens holder 22. Since the plurality of tips 47 of the lens 30 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle A and the roundness is higher than that of the case where only the lens body 32 is used, the lens 30 is fitted in the lens holder 22. In this case, it is possible to prevent the position of the optical axis K from deviating from the set position. Further, since the light-shielding layer 42 includes a plurality of projecting portions 46, the lens 30 has a simpler structure than a structure in which another member is added to the light-shielding portion to increase the roundness of the outer diameter. it can.

Since the lens 30 has a plurality of protruding portions 46, the contact state between the inner wall surface 22A of the lens holder 22 and the lens 30 is a multi-point fitting state at intervals in the circumferential direction of the lens 30. Since the contact area between the lens 30 and the inner wall surface 22A is smaller than the contact area when the entire circumferential direction of the lens 30 and the inner wall surface 22A are in contact with each other due to the multi-point fitting state, the lens holder 22 The lens 30 can be easily accommodated in the lens 30. That is, the lens unit 20 can improve the assembling property as compared with the configuration which does not have the plurality of projecting portions 46 (light-shielding layers 42).

Since the specific gravity of the light-shielding layer 42 is negligibly smaller than the specific gravity of the lens body 32, the light-shielding material is unevenly distributed on one side in the radial direction with respect to the optical center C (optical axis K) of the lens 30. Even when this is done, the lens body 32 does not tilt. That is, the inclination of the optical axis K in the lens unit 20 is suppressed. Further, since the light-shielding layer 42 before curing applied to the lens main body 32 has a small specific gravity, it is not easily affected by the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the lens main body 32 or its own weight.

Further, in the lens 30, since the base 44 and the protrusion 46 are integrated, there is no interface that separates the base 44 and the protrusion 46, so that the base 44 and the protrusion 46 are separated. Compared with the configuration, it is possible to prevent the protruding portion 46 from being peeled off from the base portion 44. Further, the fact that the protruding portion 46 is difficult to be peeled off from the base portion 44 means that it is possible to suppress a decrease in the roundness of the lens 30.

Further, in the lens 30, the protruding portion 46 is projected from the base portion 44 in the D direction. In other words, the direction in which the protrusion 46 extends (the direction in which the protrusion 46 is easily contracted by the lens holder 22) is along the D direction. Here, when the lens holder 22 is contracted in a low temperature environment lower than 20 ° C., the protruding portion 46 that receives the compressive force (stress) from the lens holder 22 is contracted in the D direction. That is, since the stress is concentrated from the lens holder 22 toward the optical center C, the position of the optical center C is less likely to shift. Therefore, the light of the lens 30 is compared with the configuration in which the protruding portion 46 is not projected in the D direction. Axial misalignment can be suppressed.

In addition, in the lens 30, the protruding portion 46 is made of a light energy curable resin. Since it is made of a light energy curable resin, the protruding portion 46 is cured in a shorter time than a structure in which it is naturally cured. Curing in a short time means that the amount of deformation during curing is small, so that the variation in the amount of protrusion of the protruding portion 46 can be suppressed as compared with the configuration in which the protrusion 46 is naturally cured.

Further, in the lens 30, the base 44 contains the inorganic particles Pa. Since the inorganic particles Pa have a refractive index similar to that of the lens body 32, the light incident on the lens body 32 toward the outer peripheral surface 36 is reflected by the base 44. It's hard to be done. In other words, the base 44 can attenuate (absorb) light outward from the outer peripheral surface 36. Further, in the light-shielding layer 42, since the inorganic particles Pa are dispersed in the main component acrylic resin AK, the strength of the light-shielding layer 42 can be increased as compared with the configuration in which the inorganic particles Pa are not dispersed.

In addition, in the lens 30, the protruding portion 46 is formed over the entire portion of the base portion 44 along the Z direction (the portion in contact with the vertical surface 36A). That is, the contact area between the protruding portion 46 and the lens holder 22 is larger than that in the configuration in which the length of the protruding portion 46 in the Z direction is shorter than the length of the base 44. Therefore, when the lens 30 is fitted to the lens holder 22. In addition, it is possible to prevent the optical axis K of the lens 30 from being tilted.

Further, in the lens 30, four sets of protruding portions 46 are arranged one set each on a straight line G1, a straight line G2, a straight line G3, and a straight line G4 orthogonal to the optical axis K. In other words, the four sets of protrusions 46 are arranged one on one side and one on the other side with respect to the optical axis K in the D direction. Here, when the lens 30 is fitted in the lens holder 22, the force acting on each of the protrusions 46 from the lens holder 22 is directed toward the optical axis K (acts in the D direction) through each of the protrusions 46. Become. Since the force acting in the D direction means that the force is concentrated on the optical axis K, the position of the optical axis K is less likely to shift in the lens 30 as compared with the configuration in which the force is not concentrated on the optical axis K. Become. That is, when the lens 30 is fitted in the lens holder 22, the optical axis position shift is less likely to occur.

In the lens unit 20, when the lens 30 is fitted in the lens holder 22, the optical axis misalignment of the lens 30 is less likely to occur, so that the optical axis misalignment of the lens unit 20 can be suppressed.

In the method of manufacturing the lens 30, a light-shielding material is applied to the outer peripheral surface 36 on the upper side in the gravity direction of the optical axis K, and the light-shielding material is applied on the upper side of the optical axis K in the gravity direction by UV irradiation from the irradiation unit 68. It is cured. Since the light-shielding material is applied and cured above the optical axis K in the direction of gravity, the weight of the light-shielding material is self-weight compared to the method in which the light-shielding material is applied and cured below the optical axis K in the direction of gravity. Since the deformation due to the above is suppressed, the variation in the protrusion amount (thickness) of the protrusion 46 can be suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an example of the lens, the lens unit, and the lens manufacturing method according to the second embodiment will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description of the structure and operation will be omitted. Further, the description of the manufacturing method similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 8A shows the lens 80 of the second embodiment. The lens 80 constitutes a lens unit 70 together with a lens holder 22 (see FIG. 8B). Further, the lens 80 has a lens main body 32 and a light-shielding layer 82. The light-shielding layer 82 has a base 44 and eight protrusions 84. Note that FIG. 8A shows only two (one set) of the eight protrusions 84, and the remaining six protrusions 84 are not shown.

In other words, the light-shielding layer 82 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 36 and covers the outer peripheral surface 36. Further, the thickness of the light-shielding layer 82 when viewed from the Z direction is different in the circumferential direction of the lens main body 32.

The eight protrusions 84 are arranged at equal intervals in the R direction with respect to the base 44. Further, the eight projecting portions 84 project from the base portion 44 in the D direction. The protrusion 84 has a tip 86 located on the outermost side in the D direction. The eight tips 86 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle A (see FIG. 2) centered on the optical axis K when viewed from the Z direction. The state in which the tip 86 is located on the circumference of the virtual circle A is not only that the tip 86 is located on the circumference of the virtual circle A, but also that the tip 86 is inside or outside the virtual circle A in the D direction. Includes the state of being displaced due to an error. Further, the eight projecting portions 84 function as replenishing portions for replenishing the shortage length (length corresponding to the gap) from the base portion 44 with respect to the virtual circle A.

When viewed from the Z direction, the eight protrusions 84 are arranged in pairs (two) on four straight lines (not shown) orthogonal to the optical axis K and along the D direction. The number and arrangement of the protrusions 84 are set so as not to exceed the elastic limit of the protrusions 84 when the protrusions 84 are in contact with the lens holder 22 (see FIG. 8B).

Further, as an example, the protruding portion 84 is formed in the Z direction according to the range from one end to the other end of the vertical surface 36A. Further, the thickness of the protruding portion 84 in the D direction gradually decreases from one side in the Z direction to the other side. In FIG. 8A, as an example, the cross section of the protrusion 84 on the DZ plane is shown as a right-angled triangle. The portion of the protruding portion 84 having a large thickness in the D direction is arranged on the incident side of the light in the lens main body portion 32. The portion of the protruding portion 84 having a thin thickness in the D direction is arranged on the light emitting side of the lens main body portion 32.

As an example, FIG. 9 schematically shows a state in which the protruding portion 84 has a first protruding portion 84A, a second protruding portion 84B, and a third protruding portion 84C divided into three in the Z direction. .. The first protruding portion 84A is arranged on the light emitting side of the lens main body portion 32. The third protruding portion 84C is arranged on the incident side of the light in the lens main body portion 32. The second protrusion 84B is arranged between the first protrusion 84A and the third protrusion 84C in the Z direction. In the present embodiment, the tip 85 of the protruding portion 84 is set as the tip 85 at the center of the second protruding portion 84B in the Z direction.

Further, FIG. 9 schematically shows a state in which a plurality of droplets S of the light-shielding material are deposited on the outer peripheral surface 36. At the time of forming the first protrusion 84A, the moving speed of the discharge head 59 is V1 mm / s. The mass (hereinafter, simply referred to as the density) of the plurality of droplets S per unit area in the first protrusion 84A is smaller than the density of the second protrusion 84B and the density of the third protrusion 84C.

When the second protrusion 84B is formed, the moving speed of the discharge head 59 is V2 mm / s (<V1). The density of the second protrusion 84B is higher than the density of the first protrusion 84A and lower than the density of the third protrusion 84C. Further, the thickness of the second protruding portion 84B in the D direction is equal to or larger than the thickness of the first protruding portion 84A in the D direction. When the third protrusion 84C is formed, the moving speed of the discharge head 59 is V3 mm / s (<V2). The density of the third protrusion 84C is higher than the density of the second protrusion 84A. Further, the thickness of the third protruding portion 84C in the D direction is equal to or larger than the thickness of the second protruding portion 84B in the D direction.

Note that FIG. 9 shows an ideal state in which the first protruding portion 84A, the second protruding portion 84B, and the third protruding portion 84C have a continuous inclined surface, but when a light-shielding material is applied to the outer peripheral surface 36, , The protruding portion 84 may be formed in a stepped shape. When the protruding portion 84 is formed in a stepped shape, the cured protruding portion 84 may be cut in an oblique direction by post-processing, if necessary.

[Action]
Next, the operations of the lens 80, the lens unit 70, and the lens manufacturing method of the second embodiment will be described.

In the lens manufacturing apparatus 50 (see FIG. 4), difference data representing the gap between the lens main body 32 and the virtual circle A can be obtained. Then, in the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the arrangement of the protrusions 84 is determined based on the difference data and the number of the protrusions 84 (8 as an example) input by an operator (not shown). Further, for the eight protrusions 84, the required protrusion amount (thickness) from the base 44 to the virtual circle A is required. Then, in the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the discharge amount of the light-shielding material is programmed in advance according to the required protrusion amount. Further, in the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the moving speed V1, the moving speed V2, and the moving speed V3 of the discharge head 59 in three stages are set.

Next, a method of manufacturing the lens 80 will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. For each part of the lens 80 and the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, reference is made to FIGS. 4, 5, 8A, 8B and 9, and the description of individual reference drawing numbers is omitted. The lens main body 32 is brought into a state in which the optical axis K coincides with the central axis Q by being abutted against a V block (not shown) positioned in advance, and is held by the holding portion 66.

Since steps S40, S42, S44, and S46 shown in FIG. 10 are the same steps as steps S10, S12, S14, and S16 (see FIG. 7) of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. After step S46, the process proceeds to step S48.

In step S48, the discharge head 59 starts moving along the Z direction. The discharge head 59 is moved at a moving speed V1. A base portion 44 and a first protruding portion 84A are formed on the outer peripheral surface 36. Then, the process proceeds to step S50.

In step S50, it is determined whether or not the position of the discharge head 59 detected by the sensor 62 has reached the switching position for switching the moving speed. When the switching position is reached, the process proceeds to step S52. If the switching position has not been reached, step S50 is repeatedly executed.

In step S52, the moving speed of the discharge head 59 is reduced from V1 to V2. A base portion 44 and a second protruding portion 84B are formed on the outer peripheral surface 36. Then, the process proceeds to step S54.

In step S54, it is determined whether or not the discharge head 59 is switched to another speed (moving speed). If there is another speed changeover, the process proceeds to step S50. If there is no other speed switching, the process proceeds to step S56. In this embodiment, the process proceeds to step S50. Then, when the next switching position is reached in step S50, the process proceeds to step S52, and the moving speed of the discharge head 59 is reduced from V2 to V3. A base portion 44 and a third protruding portion 84C are formed on the outer peripheral surface 36. Then, the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54, since there is no other speed switching, the process proceeds to step S56.

In step S56, it is determined whether or not the position of the discharge head 59 detected by the sensor 62 has reached the end position set at the other end of the outer peripheral surface 36 in the Z direction. When the end position is reached, the process proceeds to step S58. If the end position has not been reached, step S56 is repeatedly executed.

Since steps S58, S60, S62, and S64 are the same steps as steps S22, S24, S26, and S28 of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. After step S64, the program ends.

Through the above steps, the lens 80 in which the light-shielding layer 82 is formed on the lens body 32 is completed. In other words, by rotating the lens body 32 around the optical axis K and changing the amount of the light-shielding material applied to the outer peripheral surface 36, the tip 85 of the protrusion 84 is formed on the virtual circle A centered on the optical axis K. Position it on the circumference. Then, the lens unit 70 is completed by fitting the completed lens 80 into the lens holder 22 and fixing the lens 80 with an adhesive.

When the lens 80 is fitted to the lens holder 22, the tips 85 of the plurality of protrusions 84 come into contact with the inner wall surface 22A of the lens holder 22. Since the plurality of tips 85 of the lens 80 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle A and the roundness is higher than that of the case where only the lens body 32 is used, the lens 80 is fitted into the lens holder 22. In this case, it is possible to prevent the position of the optical axis K from deviating from the set position. Further, since the light-shielding layer 82 includes a plurality of projecting portions 84, the lens 80 has a simpler structure than a structure in which another member is added to the light-shielding portion to increase the roundness of the outer diameter. it can.

Since the specific gravity of the light-shielding layer 82 is negligibly smaller than the specific gravity of the lens body 32, the light-shielding material is biased to one side in the radial direction with respect to the optical center C (optical axis K) of the lens 80. The lens body 32 does not tilt even when the lens body 32 is distributed. That is, the inclination of the optical axis K in the lens unit 70 is suppressed. Further, since the light-shielding layer 82 applied to the lens body 32 before curing has a small specific gravity, it is not easily affected by the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the lens body 32 or its own weight.

Further, in the lens 80, since the base 44 and the protrusion 84 are integrated, there is no interface that separates the base 44 and the protrusion 84, so that the base 44 and the protrusion 84 are separated. Compared with the configuration, it is possible to prevent the protruding portion 84 from being peeled off from the base portion 44. Further, the fact that the protruding portion 84 is difficult to be peeled off from the base portion 44 means that it is possible to suppress a decrease in the roundness of the lens 80.

Further, in the lens 80, the protruding portion 84 is projected from the base portion 44 in the D direction. In other words, the direction in which the protrusion 84 extends (the direction in which the protrusion 84 is easily contracted) is along the D direction. Here, when the lens holder 22 is contracted in a low temperature environment, the protruding portion 84 that has received the compressive force (stress) from the lens holder 22 is likely to be contracted in the D direction. That is, since the stress is concentrated from the lens holder 22 toward the optical center C, the position of the optical center C is less likely to shift. Therefore, the light of the lens 80 is compared with the configuration in which the protruding portion 84 is not projected in the D direction. Axial misalignment can be suppressed.

In addition, in the lens 80, the protruding portion 84 is made of a light energy curable resin. Since it is made of a light energy curable resin, the protrusion 84 is cured in a shorter time than a structure in which it is naturally cured. Curing in a short time means that the amount of deformation during curing is small, so that the variation in the amount of protrusion of the protruding portion 84 can be suppressed as compared with the configuration in which the protrusion 84 is naturally cured.

Further, in the lens 80, since the base 44 contains the inorganic particles Pa, it is possible to attenuate (absorb) the light outward from the outer peripheral surface 36. Further, in the light-shielding layer 82, since the inorganic particles Pa are dispersed in the main component acrylic resin AK, the strength of the light-shielding layer 82 can be increased as compared with the configuration in which the inorganic particles Pa are not dispersed. In addition, in the lens 80, the protruding portion 84 is formed over the entire portion of the base portion 44 along the Z direction (the portion in contact with the vertical surface 36A). That is, the contact area between the protrusion 84 and the lens holder 22 is larger than that in the configuration in which the length of the protrusion 84 in the Z direction is shorter than the length of the base 44. Therefore, when the lens 80 is fitted to the lens holder 22. In addition, it is possible to prevent the optical axis K of the lens 80 from tilting.

Further, in the lens 80, four sets of projecting portions 84 are arranged one set each on a straight line orthogonal to the optical axis K. In other words, the four sets of protrusions 84 are arranged one on one side and one on the other side with respect to the optical axis K in the D direction. Here, when the lens 80 is fitted in the lens holder 22, the force acting on each of the protrusions 84 from the lens holder 22 is directed toward the optical axis K (acts in the D direction) through each of the protrusions 84. Become. Since the force acting in the D direction means that the force is concentrated on the optical axis K, the position of the optical axis K is less likely to shift in the lens 80 as compared with the configuration in which the force is not concentrated on the optical axis K. Become. That is, when the lens 80 is fitted in the lens holder 22, the optical axis position shift is less likely to occur.

In the lens 80 shown in FIG. 8B, the thickness of the protruding portion 84 in the D direction gradually decreases from one side in the Z direction to the other side. Here, when the lens 80 is fitted to the lens holder 22, the other side of the protruding portion 84 (the side with a thin thickness and a small outer diameter) is earlier than the one side (the side with a thick thickness and a large outer diameter). Since it is inserted inside the lens holder 22, the lens 80 can be easily fitted into the lens holder 22.

Further, when the lens 80 is fitted to the lens holder 22, the outer diameter of the protruding portion 84 gradually increases in the Z direction, so that the force acting on the light-shielding layer 82 due to contact with the inner wall surface 22A is Z. It gradually increases as the fitting amount of the lens 80 in the direction increases. Since the force acting on the light-shielding layer 82 gradually increases, the shearing force acting on the light-shielding layer 82 at the interface between the outer peripheral surface 36 and the light-shielding layer 82 also gradually increases. That is, when the lens 80 is fitted to the lens holder 22, it is suppressed that a large shearing force acts on the light-shielding layer 82 from the initial stage of fitting, so that the light-shielding layer 82 is suppressed from peeling from the lens body 32. be able to. Further, since the light-shielding layer 82 can be suppressed from peeling from the lens main body 32, the optical axis misalignment when the lens main body 32 is fitted to the lens holder 22 can be suppressed.

In the lens unit 70, when the lens 80 is fitted in the lens holder 22, the optical axis misalignment of the lens 80 is suppressed, so that the optical axis misalignment of the lens unit 70 can be suppressed.

In the method of manufacturing the lens 80, by changing (decelerating) the moving speed of the discharge head 59 in the Z direction, a protruding portion 84 whose thickness in the D direction gradually increases in the Z direction is formed. In other words, when the protrusion 84 whose thickness in the D direction gradually increases in the Z direction is formed, it is not necessary to use another processing device, so that it is possible to suppress an increase in equipment used for manufacturing the lens 80.

Further, in the method of manufacturing the lens 80, a light-shielding material is applied to the outer peripheral surface 36 on the upper side in the gravity direction of the optical axis K, and light-shielded by UV irradiation from the irradiation unit 68 on the upper side in the gravity direction of the optical axis K. The material is cured. Since the light-shielding material is applied and cured above the optical axis K in the direction of gravity, the weight of the light-shielding material is self-weight compared to the method in which the light-shielding material is applied and cured below the optical axis K in the direction of gravity. Since the deformation due to the above is suppressed, the variation in the protrusion amount (thickness) of the protrusion 84 can be suppressed.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an example of the lens, the lens unit, and the lens manufacturing method according to the third embodiment will be described. The same configurations as those of the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first and second embodiments, and the description of the structure and operation will be omitted. Further, the description of the manufacturing method similar to that of the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

FIG. 11 shows the lens 100 of the third embodiment. The lens 100 constitutes a lens unit 90 together with a lens holder 22 (see FIG. 1). Further, the lens 100 has a lens main body 102 and a light-shielding layer 104.

<Lens body>
The lens body 102 has the same basic configuration as the lens body 32 (see FIG. 1) including materials and characteristics (hardness, coefficient of linear expansion), but differs only in the outer shape when viewed from the Z direction. .. The lens body 102 is formed with an outer peripheral surface 106 as an example of a side surface. The outer peripheral surface 106 surrounds the optical axis K of the lens body 102. In the lens body 102, the average diameter obtained by averaging the diameters of the outer peripheral surfaces 106 is defined as D3 [mm]. Further, a virtual circle having an average diameter D3 as a diameter and centered on the optical axis K is referred to as a reference circle M.

The shape of the outer peripheral surface 106 is a mountain portion 107 located outside the reference circle M in the D direction (protruding) and a valley recessed inward in the D direction with respect to the reference circle M when viewed from the Z direction. The portion 108 is formed to repeat in the R direction. In other words, the outer peripheral surface 106 has a plurality of peaks 107 and a plurality of valleys 108. The amount of protrusion in the D direction with respect to the reference circle M of the plurality of mountain portions 107 is different from each other. The amount of depression in the D direction with respect to the reference circle M of the plurality of valleys 108 is different from each other. That is, the lens main body 102 has an outer peripheral surface 106 having an outer shape deviated from the perfect circle when viewed from the Z direction. The outermost portion of the mountain portion 107 in the D direction is referred to as a tip 109.

<Shading layer>
The light-shielding layer 104 includes a base portion 44 provided on the outer peripheral surface 106, and a plurality of (seven) projecting portions 112 protruding from the base portion 44 on the side opposite to the lens main body portion 102 side. The base 44 and the protrusion 112 are made of the same material and are integrated. Specifically, the light-shielding layer 104 includes, as an example, an acrylic resin AK which is a main component having a content of about 90%, and inorganic particles Pa and carbon particles Pb (see FIG. 2) dispersed in the acrylic resin AK. It is configured to include. The specific gravity of the light-shielding layer 104 is negligibly smaller than the specific gravity of the lens body 102.

In other words, the light-shielding layer 104 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 106 and covers the outer peripheral surface 106. Further, the thickness of the light-shielding layer 104 when viewed from the Z direction is different in the circumferential direction of the lens body 102.

(Protruding part)
The seven protrusions 112 are arranged at intervals in the R direction of the base 44. Further, the seven projecting portions 112 project from the base portion 44 in the D direction of the virtual circle A. Further, each of the seven protrusions 112 has a tip 113 (corresponding to an apex) located on the outermost side in the D direction.

As an example, the seven tips 113 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle A centered on the optical axis K when viewed from the Z direction. The state in which the tip 113 is located on the circumference of the virtual circle A is not only that the tip 113 is located on the circumference of the virtual circle A, but also that the tip 113 is inside or outside the virtual circle A in the D direction. Includes the state of being displaced due to the above-mentioned error. The number and arrangement of the protruding portions 112 are set in consideration of a state in which the protruding portions 112 are deformed to the extent that the elastic limit is not exceeded when the protruding portions 112 are in contact with the lens holder 22 (see FIG. 1). It is set.

When one protrusion 112 and one peak 107 shown in FIG. 12 are viewed from the Z direction, the protrusion 112 is aligned with the peak 107 in the D direction. Specifically, as an example, the protrusion 112 is arranged so that the tip 109 of the mountain portion 107 and the tip 113 of the protrusion 112 are arranged on a straight line N along the D direction. The protruding portion 112 functions as a replenishing portion for replenishing the insufficient length (length corresponding to the gap) from the base 44 with respect to the virtual circle A.

[Action]
Next, the operations of the lens 100, the lens unit 90, and the lens manufacturing method of the third embodiment will be described.

In the lens manufacturing apparatus 50 (see FIG. 4), difference data representing the gap between the lens main body 102 and the virtual circle A can be obtained. Then, in the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the arrangement of the protruding portions 112 is determined based on the difference data, the number of protruding portions 112 (7 as an example) input by an operator (not shown), and the position of the peak portion 107. To. Further, for the seven protrusions 112, the required protrusion amount (thickness) from the base 44 to the virtual circle A is required.

In the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the lens 100 is manufactured by applying the light-shielding material to the outer peripheral surface 106 of the lens main body 102 after the discharge amount of the light-shielding material is programmed according to the required protrusion amount. .. Then, the lens unit 90 is completed by fitting the completed lens 100 into the lens holder 22 and fixing the lens 100 with an adhesive.

When the lens 100 is fitted into the lens holder 22 (see FIG. 1), the tips 113 of the plurality of protrusions 112 come into contact with the lens holder 22. Since the plurality of tips 113 of the lens 100 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle A and the roundness is higher than that of the case where only the lens body 102 is used, the lens 100 is fitted into the lens holder 22. In this case, it is possible to prevent the position of the optical axis K from deviating from the set position. Further, since the light-shielding layer 104 includes a plurality of projecting portions 112, the lens 100 has a simpler structure than a structure in which another member is added to the light-shielding portion to increase the roundness of the outer diameter. it can.

Further, the protruding portion 112 of the lens 100 is aligned with the mountain portion 107 located outside the reference circle M in the D direction of the virtual circle A in the D direction. In other words, the protruding portion 112 is provided on the protruding portion on the outer peripheral surface 106 of the lens main body portion 102. When the lens 100 is fitted to the lens holder 22, the protruding portion 112 is closer to the lens holder 22 than the configuration in which the valley portion 108 and the protruding portion 112 are arranged in the D direction, so that the protruding portion 112 is the lens holder. It becomes easy to come into contact with 22.

Further, since the gap between the mountain portion 107 and the lens holder 22 is smaller than the gap between the valley portion 108 and the lens holder 22, even if the protrusion amount of the protrusion 112 is small, the protrusion 112 and the lens holder 22 are in contact with each other. Can be made to. That is, the amount of the light-shielding material required for forming the protruding portion 112 is smaller than that of the configuration in which the valley portion 108 and the protruding portion 112 are arranged in the D direction.

In the lens unit 90, when the lens 100 is fitted in the lens holder 22, the optical axis misalignment of the lens 100 is less likely to occur, so that the optical axis misalignment of the lens unit 90 can be suppressed.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment.

(First modification)
FIG. 13A shows the lens 120 of the first modification. The lens 120 has a lens body 32 and a light-shielding layer 122. The light-shielding layer 122 includes a base 44 and three protrusions 124 protruding outward from the base 44. The three protrusions 124 are arranged substantially evenly apart in the circumferential direction. Further, each of the three protrusions 124 has a tip 125. The three tips 125 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle A. In the lens 120, the three protruding portions 124 come into contact with the lens holder 22 to be in a three-point support state, so that the inclination of the optical axis K is suppressed as compared with the configuration in which the two-point support is performed.

(Second modification)
FIG. 13B shows the lens 130 of the second modification. The lens 130 has a lens body 32 and a light-shielding layer 132. The light-shielding layer 132 includes a base 44 and four protrusions 134 protruding outward from the base 44. The four protrusions 134 are arranged substantially evenly apart in the circumferential direction. In other words, the lens 130 includes two sets of protrusions 134 with two protrusions 134 arranged in the D direction as one set. Further, each of the four protrusions 134 has a tip 135. The four tips 135 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle A. In the lens 130, the two sets of protrusions 134 come into contact with the lens holder 22 to be in a four-point support state, so that the inclination of the optical axis K is suppressed as compared with the configuration in which the two sets of protrusions 134 are supported at two points.

(Third modification example)
FIG. 13C shows the lens 140 of the third modification. The lens 140 has a lens body 32 and a light-shielding layer 142. The light-shielding layer 142 includes a base portion 44 and 16 projecting portions 144 projecting outward from the base portion 44. The 16 protrusions 144 are arranged side by side in the R direction. Further, each of the 16 protrusions 144 has a tip 145. Only one protrusion 144 and the tip 145 are designated by reference, and the remaining 15 protrusions 144 and tip 145 are omitted. The 16 tips 145 are located on the circumference of the virtual circle A. In the lens 140, there are 16 contact points with the lens holder 22, but since there is a region where the light-shielding layer 142 and the lens holder 22 do not contact with each other, the entire circumference of the lens is in contact with the lens holder 22. Therefore, it is easy to fit the lens 140 into the lens holder 22.

(Other variants)
In the lens 30, after forming the base 44, the protruding portion 46 may be formed by using another light-shielding material. That is, the protruding portion 46 may be configured as a separate body from the base portion 44. Further, the projecting portion 46 is not limited to the configuration projecting in the D direction, and may project in a direction intersecting the D direction. Further, the protruding portion 46 may be made of a resin that is naturally cured after being formed. The base 44 does not have to contain the inorganic particles Pa. In addition, the protrusion 46 may be replaced by the protrusion 84.

Further, in the lens 30, the protruding portion 46 may be formed as a part of the portion of the base portion 44 along the D direction. Further, the protruding portion 46 may be aligned with the mountain portion 37 in the D direction. In addition, the four sets of protrusions 46 may not be arranged on the straight line G1, the straight line G2, the straight line G3 and the straight line G4. The numbers of the peaks 37, the valleys 38, and the protrusions 46 may be numbers other than those described above. The number of the protruding portions 46 is not limited to four, and it is preferable that at least two or more sets are arranged on a plurality of straight lines orthogonal to the optical axis K and intersecting each other. The above configurations may be applied to the lens 30 individually or in combination.

The lens holder 22 is not limited to the aluminum alloy, and may be made of, for example, a magnesium alloy. Moreover, it may be made of other metal.

In the lens manufacturing apparatus 50, the irradiation unit 68 may irradiate light below the optical axis K in the direction of gravity.

The inorganic particles Pa are not limited to titanium oxide particles, and may be, for example, any of copper oxide particles, titanium nitride particles, silica particles, and magnesium fluoride particles. Further, the inorganic particles Pa may be either crystalline or amorphous. Further, the shape of the inorganic particles Pa may be either a spherical shape or an indefinite shape.

The light-shielding layers 42, 82, 104, 122, 132, 142 are not limited to the configuration formed by one coating, but may be formed by a plurality of coatings and a plurality of light irradiations.

In the present embodiment, the contact between the tip of each protrusion and the lens holder is not limited to point contact, but includes surface contact having a width in the D direction and the Z direction.

10 Imaging device, 20 lens unit, 22 lens holder (example of lens frame), 22A inner wall surface, 22B outer peripheral surface, 26 central axis, 30 lens, 31A surface, 31B surface, 32 lens body, 33 optical unit, 34 edge Part, 36 outer peripheral surface (example of side surface), 36A vertical surface, 36B inclined surface, 37 peak part, 38 valley part, 42 light-shielding layer, 44 base, 46 protrusion, 46A protrusion, 46B protrusion, 46C protrusion, 46D protruding part, 46E protruding part, 46F protruding part, 46G protruding part, 46H protruding part, 47 tip, 47A tip, 47B tip, 47C tip, 47D tip, 47E tip, 47F tip, 47G tip, 47H tip, 50 lens manufacturing Equipment, 52 input / output interface unit, 54 monitor, 56 control unit, 58 coating unit, 59 discharge head, 61 slider, 62 sensor, 64 motor, 66 holding unit, 68 irradiation unit, 70 lens unit, 80 lens, 82 shading layer , 84 protruding part, 84A protruding part, 84B protruding part, 84C protruding part, 85 tip, 86 tip, 90 lens unit, 100 lens, 102 lens body, 104 light-shielding layer, 106 outer peripheral surface (example of side surface), 107 peaks Part, 108 valley part, 109 tip, 112 protrusion, 113 tip, 120 lens, 122 light-shielding layer, 124 protrusion, 125 tip, 130 lens, 132 light-shielding layer, 134 protrusion, 135 tip, 140 lens, 142 light-shielding layer 144 protruding part, 145 tip, A virtual circle, AK acrylic resin, B reference circle, C optical center, D1 diameter, D2 average diameter, D3 average diameter, G1 straight line, G2 straight line, G3 straight line, G4 straight line, K optical axis , M reference circle, N single point chain line, Pa inorganic particles, Pb carbon particles, Q central axis, R arrow, S droplets

Claims (12)

A lens that fits into a tubular lens frame
The lens body, which is made of glass and has a side surface that surrounds the optical axis,
When the layered base portion provided on the side surface and covering the side surface is arranged at a distance in the circumferential direction of the base portion and is projected from the base portion to the side opposite to the lens body portion side and viewed from the optical axis direction. A light-shielding layer having a plurality of protrusions whose tips are located on the circumference of a virtual circle centered on the optical axis.
Lens with. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the base portion and the protruding portion are integrated. The lens according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protruding portion is projected from the base portion in the radial direction of the virtual circle. The lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding portion is made of a light energy curable resin. The lens according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protruding portion contains inorganic particles. The lens according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thickness of the protruding portion in the radial direction of the virtual circle becomes thinner from one side to the other side in the optical axis direction. The lens according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protruding portion is formed over the entire base portion along the optical axis direction. The protrusions are the mountain portions of the side surface located outside the reference circle having the average diameter of the lens body in the radial direction of the virtual circle, and claims 1 to 1 that are aligned in the radial direction. 7. The lens according to any one of 7. A claim in which at least two sets of the protrusions are arranged on a plurality of straight lines orthogonal to the optical axis and intersecting each other when viewed from the optical axis direction. The lens according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The lens according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
A tubular lens frame having an inner wall surface with which the protruding portion of the lens is in contact and holding the lens,
Lens unit with. The process of forming a lens body that is made of glass and has a side surface that surrounds the optical axis,
A step of providing a light-shielding layer having a base portion and a plurality of protrusions protruding outward from the base portion on the side surface of the light-shielding material, which is applied to the side surface while rotating the lens main body portion around an optical axis. By changing the amount, the tip of the protrusion is positioned on the circumference of the virtual circle centered on the optical axis.
Lens manufacturing method having. The step of providing the light-shielding layer is
A step of applying the light-shielding material to the side surface above the optical axis in the direction of gravity when the lens body is viewed from the optical axis direction.
A step of curing the light-shielding material above the optical axis in the direction of gravity,
The lens manufacturing method according to claim 11.

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