JPS62291609A - Optical element with multifunction carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an optical element from the generation of cracks or distortion by joining a glass material heated up to a forming enabling temperature unitedly with a transporting carrier forming an assembling part for a formed optical element or an outer diameter regulating part at the time of forming and a coupling reinforcing part with the formed optical element at the time of press forming work. CONSTITUTION:The carrier 7 for setting and supporting the glass material 6 is set up and constituted so as to have various functions, i.e. an assembling holding function at the time of assembling a formed part and and outer diameter regulating function at the time of forming, in addition to a transporting function, and at the time of press forming of the glass material 6 heated in a heating furnace 9 through upper and lower dies 1, 3, the carrier 7 is unitedly joined (coupled) with the formed optical element to form the optical element 20 with the multifunction carrier. The multifunction carrier 7 is constituted of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient almost the same or smaller as/than that of glass. Even if a change with the passage of time is generated after forming, the surface of an optical element 6a can be surely prevented from the generation of cracks or distortion.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a method for forming a glass material heated to a moldable temperature.
The present invention relates to an optical element with a multifunctional carrier in which a carrier equipped with functions other than MMIi* is integrally bonded.

[Prior Art] Recently, a molding method has been adopted in which optical elements such as lenses, prisms, and filters are molded by press molding without polishing or the like. In such a forming means, a glass material that has been heated and softened to a moldable state is transported between upper and lower molding molds via a carrier linked to a transporting device, and after being stopped, the glass material is press-formed through the upper and lower molding molds to obtain the desired shape. This is to obtain a shaped optical element.

However, this type of molding means has the problem that the carrier is integrally fused with the high-temperature glass material during molding, so the carrier has various functions other than the transportation function. During assembly, a technique has been devised in which the carrier and the optical element are integrally molded to have a holding function or an outer diameter regulating function during molding. An optical element that is molded integrally with a carrier in this way is called an optical element with a multifunctional fi carrier.
It is disclosed in Publication No. 743.

That is, the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-83743 involves an optical element heated to a moldable temperature and an optical element equipped with a holding part or an outer diameter regulating part during molding. By integrally joining the carrier for carrying the element during the press molding process, it is configured to facilitate the work when assembling the optical element and the centering work when assembling the optical element. It is something.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above prior art has the following problems. In other words, immediately after press-molding a heat-softened glass material, the molded optical element and the multifunctional carrier are integrally bonded with sufficient bonding force, but after the molding is completed, cooling process, removal process 2
During the assembly process and usage process, changes occur between the optical element and the carrier over time, and this causes major problems such as looseness occurring between the optical element and the carrier over time or the optical element falling out from the carrier. There was a point. In addition, in the above conventional technology, no consideration is given to the coefficient of thermal expansion between the glass material of the optical element and the carrier component, so if the coefficient of thermal expansion between one image material and one member differs greatly, the molding There was a serious problem that cracks in the optical element and distortion of the optical functional surface occurred during the subsequent cooling process.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and it is possible to ensure the bonding force between an optical element and a multifunctional carrier, and to provide an optical element without causing cracks or distortions. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical element with a multifunctional carrier that can exhibit high performance functions.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a method for assembling a glass material heated to a moldable temperature and an optical element after molding by providing a holding portion or an outer diameter/regulating portion during molding, and the molding. A transportation carrier provided with a portion for reinforcing the bond with the subsequent optical element is integrally joined during press molding.

[Function] In the above configuration, when the heated glass element is molded, the optical element after molding and the carrier are strongly bonded to each other via the bond reinforcing portion, and the optical element is reliably prevented from wobbling or falling out.

[Example] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but before explaining the specific examples, FIG. I will explain using

In the figure, reference numeral 1 indicates an upper mold, which is fixedly mounted on the upper plate 2 of the main body of the apparatus. 3 is a lower mold which is disposed opposite to the upper mold 1 on the same axis, and is slidable in a direction away from the upper mold 1 via a lower plate 4 fixed to the main body of the device. is maintained. The upper plate 2 and the lower plate 4 are connected to each other by a connecting member (not shown) so that the distance 1 position between them does not change.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a transport arm for transporting the glass material 6, which is the object to be molded, into and out of the molding point between the upper and lower molds 1.3, and the glass material 6 placed on the carrier 7 is molded. It is configured so that it can be carried in and out of the point. Reference numeral 8 denotes a heater for heating the glass material 6 to a moldable temperature (a moldable state) before transporting the glass material 6 to a molding point, and this heater 8 constitutes a heating furnace 9. There is. The temperature inside the heating furnace 9 can be set to a predetermined temperature using a temperature measuring device and a temperature controlling device, which are not shown. The molding chamber 10 is surrounded by an inner wall 11 made of quartz glass to prevent oxidation even when the inside of the molding chamber 10 reaches a high temperature. The inside of the molding chamber IO is connected to an atmospheric gas supply device 12, and nitrogen gas for oxidation prevention is supplied from the atmospheric gas supply device 12.

It is filled with inert gas or reducing gas.

The carrier 7 that stores and supports the glass material 6 has various functions other than the transportation function, namely, a holding function during assembly of molded products, a holding function,
It is configured so that it can also have an outer diameter regulating function during molding, and when the glass material 6 heat-treated in the heating furnace 9 is press-formed via the upper and lower molds 1.3, the carrier 7 and the molded optical element are integrally joined (coupled). The specific structure of the multi-a-moat carrier 7 and the coupling structure of the multi-functional carrier 7 and the optical element will be specifically explained in each embodiment below.

(First embodiment) FIGS.
Mbf=shows the first embodiment of the optical element 20 with a carrier, FIGS. 2a and 2b are a plan view and a front sectional view showing the configuration of the multifunctional carrier 7, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing the press-molded optical element 20 with a multifunctional carrier in an assembled state.

As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the multifunctional carrier is composed of a cylindrical carrier body 7a and a flange-shaped carrier holding ear 7b.

A hole 21 and a support step 22 for placing and supporting a glass material 6 (see FIG. 1), which is a workpiece, are formed at the axial center of the carrier main body part 7a and the carrier holding ear part 7b. The glass material 6 is supported in the hole 21 at a position a while in contact with the support step 22. The hole 23 of the support step portion 22 functions as a hole for transmitting light when assembled. Further, the inner circumferential surface of the hole 21 functions as an outer diameter regulating portion during molding of the glass material 6. Flange-shaped carrier holding ears! l! B7b has hole 2 with m.
As shown in FIG. 4, four (not limited to four) equally spaced holes 24 for assembly are integrally joined to the multifunctional carrier 7 after molding. optical element 6a
The hole 24 and the carrier locking pin 26 are engaged with each other. When assembled, the axes of the optical element 6a and the holding frame 25 are automatically aligned. Multifunctional carrier 7
is made of a material having a coefficient of expansion that is approximately the same as or slightly smaller than that of the glass material 6, and the allowable range of this difference in coefficient of thermal expansion depends on the diameter and shape of the optical element 6a.

The lower part (not limited to the lower part) of the inner peripheral surface of the hole 21 of the multifunctional carrier has a semicircular cross section (not limited to the semicircular shape).
A concave portion 27 is formed in the circumferential direction, and as shown in FIG. A portion of the outer circumferential surface of the material 6 protrudes (bulges) inward from the four portions 27 to form an anchor portion (joint portion) 28. That is, the carrier 7
The configuration is such that the coupling between the optical element 6a and the optical element 6a can be strengthened. Further, the four portions 27 also have the function of absorbing variations in the weight of the glass material 6 during molding of the glass material 6 and adjusting the wall thickness.

Next, the operation based on the above configuration will be explained. As shown in the first ffl, the glass material 6 placed on the multi-functional carrier is heated and softened in the heating furnace 9 to a moldable state through the transfer arm 5, and then transferred between the upper and lower molds 1.3. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower mold 3 is moved upward to the molding point, and the glass material 6 placed on the multifunctional carrier 7 is molded into a predetermined shape of optical fibers through the upper and lower molds 1.3. Element 6a
Press mold into. During this press molding, the upper and lower surfaces of the glass material 6 are regulated by the molding surfaces of the upper and lower molds 1.3, and
The outer peripheral surface is regulated by the inner peripheral surface of the hole 21 of the multifunctional carrier 7 and is molded. Furthermore, during molding, a part of the outer periphery of the glass material 6 bulges and deforms into the recess 27 (fluid deformation) to form an anchor part 28, so it is difficult to connect the anchor part 28 and the recess 27. Through the multifunctional carrier 7 and the optical element 6
It is possible to form an optical element 20 with a multifunctional carrier, in which a and a are firmly and integrally combined. Furthermore, if the recess 27 is formed sufficiently large so that variations in the weight of the glass material 6 can be absorbed by the size of the shape of the anchor portion 28, it is possible to mold the optical element 6a with less variation in wall thickness. . In addition, since the multifunctional carrier 7 is made of a material with a thermal expansion coefficient that is almost the same as or slightly smaller than that of glass, even if changes occur over time after molding, the optical fiber 6a surface will not be distorted or cracked. can be reliably prevented from occurring.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the optical element 20 with a multifunctional carrier is held in the holding frame 25, it can be assembled mechanically using the holes 24 and the locking pins 26 without using an adhesive.
Since the assembly is automatically aligned and maintained by engaging the two, accurate and reliable holding is possible.

(Second Example) FIGS. 5a and 5b show a second example of the optical element 20 with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention, and FIG. 5a shows the state before molding. , FIG. 5 shows the state after molding. The feature of this embodiment is that the hole 21 of the multifunctional carrier 7 is formed in a tapered shape so as to gradually expand downward. This is because the large diameter portion is configured as a recess 27 in FIG. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the above configuration, during press molding of the glass material 6,
A part of the glass material 6 expands in the direction of the recess 27 to form an anchor part 28, and the optical element 6a and the multifunctional carrier 7 are firmly connected via this anchor part 28. This embodiment can provide the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

(Third Example) FIGS. 6a and 6b show a third example of the optical element 20 with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention, and FIG. 6a shows the state before molding. The figure shows the state after molding.Characteristics of this example.

By forming a large number of concave portions (rough surface) 27 in the shape of 9jAtIii on the inner peripheral surface of the hole 21, the anchor portion 28 during molding is formed.
The point is that it is structured so that it can be formed. In this embodiment, the carrier holding ear portion 7b is provided on the main body portion 7a, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this.

The above configuration also provides the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 7a and 7b show a fourth embodiment of an optical element 20 with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention. That is, the seventh
The assembly shown in FIG. It is configured such that an optical element 20 with a multifunctional carrier can be fixedly held on a holding frame 25. Note that the hole 24 may be provided at an appropriate depth, and the hole 24 shown in FIG. A threaded portion 33 which is screwed into the carrier 32 is formed so that the carrier-equipped optical element 2o can be fixedly held on the holding frame 25 via the threaded portion 32,33. Reference numeral 34 indicates a crab eye hole for one-turn operation. The other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

According to the above configuration, the optical element 20 with a multifunctional carrier is held in the holding frame 2 without providing the hole 24 in the carrier holding ear.
There are things that can be maintained at 5. Other actions and effects are as follows.
Since this is the same as the embodiment, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

(Fifth Example) FIG. 8 shows an optical element 2 with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention.
The feature of this embodiment is that a coating 35 made of an oxide is adhered to the inner circumferential surface of the hole 21 of the multifunctional carrier 7, and this coating 35 and the glass material This point is that it is configured so that it can be firmly connected through the connection with 6. That is, since the glass material 6 is mostly composed of oxide, when it comes into contact with the oxide film 35 at high temperature, mutual diffusion occurs and the glass material 6 is firmly bonded to each other. It is something that makes you The coating 35 may be formed by oxidizing the carrier 7 itself, or may be formed by ceramic spraying, vapor deposition, or other methods. The oxide film used in this example is as follows.

Fl! 203. It was formed using three types: SiO+ and An 203.

According to the above configuration, since the mutual feed portion of the oxide film 35 and the glass material 6 constitute the anchor part 28 in the first embodiment, it is possible to firmly connect the optical element 6a and the multifunctional carrier 7. This embodiment can provide the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when the optical element and the multi-functional carrier are integrally joined together, the optical element and the multi-functional carrier can be firmly connected, Post-processing and assembly after molding can reliably prevent the optical element from wobbling or coming off during use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a molding apparatus for molding an optical element with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2a and b
, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing a first embodiment of the optical element with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention, and FIGS. FIGS. 6a and 6b are explanatory diagrams showing a third embodiment of the optical element with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention. FIGS. 7a and b are explanatory diagrams showing a third embodiment of the optical element with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the optical element with a multifunctional carrier according to the present invention. 1.3...Upper and lower molds 6...Glass material 6a...Optical element 7...Multiple carrier 27...Concavity Fig. 1, upper mold 3, lower mold 6 , Glass material 7, Multifunctional carrier n, Recessed part Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 7 Fig. 7 (a) Fig. 7 (b) Fig. 8 n Procedural amendment (voluntary) 1. Indication of case 1985 patent application No. 134381 2, Name of the invention Optical element with multifunctional carrier 3, Relationship to the person making the correction case Patent application Person 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Name Title (037) Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Representative: Toshibe Shimoyama 4, Agent Address: 706 Hamamatsucho Dia Heights, 2-2-15 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo Name (8942) Patent attorney: Nara Takekino 5, Subject of amendment 6, Contents of the amendment (1) "Items that function" written on page 8, line 4 of the specification are amended to read "things that function." (The phrase “high temperature” written on page 14, line 8 of the specification is amended to read “under high temperature.”)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A carrier for transporting a glass material heated to a moldable temperature and having an assembly holding part for an optical element after molding or an outer diameter regulating part during molding, and a part for reinforcing the bond with the optical element after molding. An optical element with a multifunctional carrier, characterized in that these are integrally joined during press molding.