TW201733920A - Manufacturing method of optical elements and apparatus for manufacturing optical elements especially by directly heating the glass material in the mold and performing the press forming - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a manufacturing method of optical elements and an apparatus for manufacturing optical elements, which can realize both high surface precision and high productivity. The manufacturing method is a method for manufacturing an optical element as follows: using a manufacturing apparatus for an optical element that allows for introducing the mold unit into an introduction portion 10, and conducting a first transportation, performing the forming by the first press forming portion 6; then conducting a second transportation to cool it by the cooling portion, and performing the forming by the second press forming portion 8; finally conducting a third transportation, the cooling portion is composed of a transport path between the first forming portion and the second forming portion, and the first to third transportations are carried out synchronously.

Description

Optical element manufacturing method and optical element manufacturing apparatus

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical element and an apparatus for manufacturing an optical element, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for molding an optical element by heating a glass material disposed in a mold and pressing the glass material.

In recent years, a method has been employed in which a glass material is placed in a mold, a glass material and a mold are heated, and a softened glass material is press-formed by a mold to produce an optical element such as a lens.

A molding apparatus shown in the patent document 1 (JP-A-2014-051420) includes a method of heating a glass material disposed in a mold unit to a predetermined temperature preheating portion, A molded portion for press forming a heated and softened glass material, an exchange chamber for exchanging mold units, and the like.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-051420

Here, the press forming operation of the glass material is performed twice. In this case, first, the glass material heated at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature Tg is subjected to press forming (first press forming), and then the glass material cooled to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg is further subjected to press forming. (Second press forming).

Further, such a press forming is performed by using the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 or the like. In the case of the first molding, the first press forming and the second press forming are performed.

In order to perform the second press forming in a state where the glass material is lower than the temperature of the first press forming as described above, the first press forming and the second press forming are performed in the same molded portion, and the first press forming is performed. After the end, the temperature of the glass material is lowered to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg, and the mold unit is naturally cooled in the molding portion.

Although the natural cooling in the molding portion is stopped by stopping the heating heater or the like in the molding portion, it is difficult for the glass material in the mold unit to lower the temperature of the peripheral portion under the influence of the warming of the heater, and the in-plane distribution of the temperature is not Even when the second intermediate press molding is performed in this state, the surface accuracy of the optical element after molding is deteriorated, and there is room for improvement in such a manner.

Further, in order to achieve uniformization of the temperature distribution, a method of placing the mold unit into the molding portion for a predetermined time after the temperature of the glass material is lowered to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg is adopted, but in the method, the above-mentioned predetermined Time becomes a key process and deteriorates productivity.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical element capable of achieving both high surface accuracy and high productivity.

The manufacturing method of the optical element of the present invention employs an apparatus for manufacturing an optical element, wherein the manufacturing apparatus includes: a transport apparatus that transports the mold unit along the transport path; and an introduction unit that arranges the mold unit in which the glass material is disposed to the transport path The first molding portion is provided on the downstream side of the introduction portion of the conveyance path to press-form the glass material, and the second molding portion is disposed in the transportation. The glass material is press-formed on the downstream side of the first molding portion of the feeding path, and the cooling portion is provided between the first molding portion and the second molding portion of the conveying path, and the method includes the following process: introduction process, introduction In the first part, the mold unit that has not been subjected to press forming of the inner glass material is placed in the transport path; in the first transport process, the mold unit is transported from the introduction unit to the first molding unit by the transport device; and the first press forming process is carried out. The glass material in the mold unit of the first molding unit is press-formed; and in the second transport process, the mold unit is transported from the first molding unit to the second molding unit via the cooling unit by the transport unit, and the cooling unit is formed by the first molding unit. The glass material after press forming is cooled to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg; the second press forming process press-forms the glass material in the mold unit conveyed to the second molding portion; and the third transport process uses the transport device The mold unit is transported from the second molding unit, and the cooling unit is constituted by a transport path between the first molding unit and the second molding unit, and the first to third transport processes are formed. Step manner.

According to the method for producing an optical element of the present invention, since the cooling of the glass material by the first molding portion is performed by the cooling portion formed by the conveyance path, the glass material can be quickly and uniformly obtained without being affected by the first molding portion. The effect of warming up.

As a result, improvement in surface precision and productivity of the optical element are simultaneously achieved.

Further, in the method of manufacturing an optical element according to the present invention, the manufacturing apparatus further includes a preheating unit provided between the introduction portion of the conveyance path and the first molding portion to heat the glass material to a predetermined temperature, and the manufacturing method further includes the following Process: the fourth transport process, the mold unit is transported from the introduction portion to the preheating portion by the transport device; and the preheating step is performed to transport the glass material in the mold unit of the preheating portion Heating to a predetermined temperature, the first to fourth transport processes are performed in synchronization.

Based on such a configuration, the preheating portion can be used to preheat the mold unit to a predetermined temperature, so that productivity is improved.

Further, in the method of manufacturing an optical element of the present invention, the manufacturing apparatus includes a turntable.

Based on such a structure, the conveyance of the mold unit can be smoothly performed using the compact structure.

The manufacturing apparatus of the optical element of the present invention manufactures a glass molded body by heating a glass material disposed in a mold unit and press-molding the glass material, and the manufacturing apparatus of the glass molded body includes: a transport device that is transported along a path for transporting the mold unit; an introduction portion for arranging the mold unit in which the glass material is disposed in the transport path; and a first molded portion provided on the downstream side of the introduction portion of the transport path to press-form the glass material; 2 a molding portion which is provided on the downstream side of the first molding portion of the conveying path to press-form the glass material, and a cooling portion which is provided between the first molding portion and the second molding portion of the conveying path, and is to be first The glass material after the press forming of the molding portion is cooled to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg.

According to the manufacturing apparatus of the optical element of the present invention, since the glass material which is press-formed by the first molding portion is cooled by the cooling portion formed by the conveyance path, it can be quickly and uniformly achieved without being affected by the first molding portion. The effect of warming up.

As a result, improvement in surface precision and productivity of the optical element are simultaneously achieved.

Based on the present invention, it is possible to provide high surface precision and high production A manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for optical elements of both sides.

1‧‧‧ lens forming device

2‧‧‧Transportation Department

4‧‧‧Preheating department

6‧‧‧1st molding department

8‧‧‧1st molding department

10‧‧‧Exchange Department

12‧‧‧Mold support parts

16‧‧‧Mold unit

18‧‧‧ turntable

20, 22, 24, 26‧‧‧ mobile agencies

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a lens molding apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a level in a height of a preheating portion, a first molding portion, a second molding chamber, and an exchange chamber of the structure of the lens molding device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ' of Fig. 2 in a state in which each of the mold units is placed in a preheating portion, a first molding portion, a second molding chamber, and an exchange chamber in the lens molding apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ' of Fig. 2 in a state in which each of the mold units is placed in a preheating portion, a first molding portion, a second molding chamber, and an exchange chamber in the lens molding apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the mold unit employed in the lens forming apparatus of Fig. 1 in the vertical direction.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ' of Fig. 2 in a state in which each of the mold units is placed on a turntable of the transport portion in the lens forming apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ' of Fig. 2 in a state in which each of the mold units is placed on a turntable of the transport portion in the lens molding apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between each processing process, the time series of the moving step, and the like in the lens forming method of the lens forming device of Fig. 1.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The manufacturing apparatus of the optical element of this embodiment is A lens forming apparatus 1 for press forming a heated glass material.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the lens forming apparatus 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, the lens molding apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a substantially cylindrical transport portion (transport chamber) 2, a preheating portion (preheating chamber) 4 disposed adjacent to the upper side of the transport portion 2, and a first A molding portion (molding chamber) 6, a second molding portion (molding chamber) 8, and an exchange portion (exchange chamber) 10.

In the lens forming method (manufacturing method of the optical element) of the lens forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the mold unit 16 placed on the substantially circular mold supporting member 12 and having the mold (forming mold) 14 is transported. The operation of the unit 2 is sequentially moved to the preheating unit 4, the first molding unit 6, the second molding unit 8, and the exchange unit 10, and each of the portions is subjected to a respective processing process to mold the glass material (optical element) Manufacturing).

Further, in the lens molding method (method of manufacturing an optical element) of the lens molding apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, each of the preheating unit 4, the first molding unit 6, the second molding unit 8, and the exchange unit 10 is provided. A total of four mold units 16 are simultaneously processed in parallel.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a level in a height of the preheating portion 4, the first molding portion 6, the second molding chamber 8, and the exchange chamber 10 of the configuration of the lens molding device 1 of FIG. The preheating portion 4, the first molding portion 6, the second molding portion 8, and the exchange portion 10 are arranged along the circumference of a small circle C having a predetermined radius smaller than the outer diameter of the turntable 18 to be described later, as shown in Fig. 2 . . Specifically, the preheating portion 4, the first molding portion 6, the second molding portion 8, and the exchange portion 10 are arranged at an angular interval of 90 degrees so that the center thereof is located on the small circle C.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ' of Fig. 2 in a state in which each of the mold units is placed in a preheating portion, a first molding portion, a second molding chamber, and an exchange chamber in the lens molding apparatus of Fig. 1; A cross-sectional view taken along line BB ' of Fig. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transport unit 2 includes a turntable 18 that is provided in a cylindrical space formed by the transport unit casing 2A, and is provided in each of the preheating unit 4, the first molding unit 6, and the second molding. The portion 8 and the preheating portion moving mechanism 20, the first molding portion moving mechanism 22, the second molding portion moving mechanism 24, and the exchange portion moving mechanism 26 below the exchange portion 10.

Further, approximately circular openings 4B and 6B are formed at positions on the upper surface of the transport unit casing 2A that are in contact with the preheating unit 4, the first molding unit 6, the second molding unit 8, and the exchange unit 10, respectively. 8B, 10B. The space in the transport unit 2 communicates with the space in the preheating unit 4, the first molding unit 6, the second molding unit 8, and the exchange unit 10 via the openings 4B, 6B, 8B, and 10B, respectively.

In the lens molding apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the diameters of the openings 4B, 6B, and 8B formed between the transport portion 2 and the preheating portion 4, and between the first molding portion 6 and the second molding portion 8 are larger than the mold supporting members 12, respectively. diameter of. On the other hand, the diameter of the opening 10B formed between the conveying portion 2 and the exchange portion 10 is smaller than the diameter of the mold supporting member 12.

Further, in the lens forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature of the internal space of the transport unit 2 is set lower than the temperature of the second molded portion 8. The temperature of the internal space of the transport unit 2 is set to, for example, 100 ° C or lower. The lower temperature limit of the internal space of the transport unit 2 can be set to a temperature at which the glass material after press forming by the first molding unit 6 is not damaged by cracks or the like. For example, it can be set to 50 °C.

The inside of each of the transport unit 2, the preheating unit 4, the first molding unit 6, and the second molding unit 8 is an inert gas atmosphere. As an inert gas, use nitrogen or argon It is preferable to have an oxygen concentration of 5 ppm or less. By making the inside of the transport unit 2, the preheating unit 4, the first molding unit 6, and the second molding unit 8 an inert gas atmosphere, it is possible to prevent oxidation of the mold unit 14 or deterioration of the surface of the glass material.

The turntable 18 includes a rotating shaft 28 that is provided to extend from the center of the lower conveying portion 2 and a disk-shaped rotating disk 30 that is supported by the rotating shaft 28. A driving device (not shown) for rotating the rotating shaft 28 of the motor or the like is provided below the transport unit 2. By rotating the rotary shaft 28 by the drive device and rotating the rotary disk 30, the mold unit 16 placed on the rotary disk 30 can be moved in the circumferential direction.

Further, each of the moving mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 includes drive shafts 20B, 22B, 24B, and 26B extending in the up-down direction through the turntable 18, and holding members 20A and 22A attached to the front ends of the drive shafts 20B, 22B, 24B, and 26B. 24A, 26A. The moving mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 are provided corresponding to the respective portions 4, 6, 8, 10 immediately below the preheating portion 4, the first molding portion 6, the second molding portion 8, and the exchange portion 10. .

Each of the drive shafts 20B, 22B, 24B, and 26B extends in the transport portion 2 through the respective openings 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D provided at positions corresponding to the rotary disk 30 of the turntable 18. Each of the openings 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D has a smaller diameter than the mold supporting member 12 of the mold unit 16, and has a larger diameter than the holding members 20A, 22A, 24A, and 26A of the respective moving mechanisms 20, 22, 24, and 26 .

The drive shafts 20B, 22B, 24B, and 26B of the respective moving mechanisms 20, 22, 24, and 26 can be used by a driving device (not shown) such as a driver provided below the transport unit 2, in order to hold the components 20A, 22A, and 24A. 26A and the turret 18 do not interfere with each other and retreat downwardly from the retracted position and the front end holding members 20A, 22A, 24A, The 26A is disposed so that the preheating portion 4, the first molding portion 6, the second molding portion 8, and the entry and exit positions of the lower end of the exchange portion 10 expand and contract in the up and down direction. Thereby, each of the moving mechanisms 20, 22, 24, and 26 respectively places the mold unit 16 on the lower position placed on the turntable 18, and is disposed in the preheating portion 4, the first molding portion 6, the second molding portion 8, and the exchange portion. Move between the upper positions of each of the 10 rooms.

The preheating portion 4 has a substantially cylindrical space defined by the preheating portion casing 4A, and a preheating heater 32 is provided inside the preheating portion 4. As the preheating heater 32, for example, it is preferable to heat the heating target (mold unit) disposed inside the coil heater or the like uniformly from the outer circumference. The preheating portion 4 heats the mold unit to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg of the glass material before the press forming of the glass material in the first molding portion 6. The inside of the preheating portion 4 is preferably an inert gas atmosphere. Further, in the present embodiment, the preheating heater 32 is provided inside the preheating unit 4, but the invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided outside the preheating unit 4.

In the lens molding apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first molding portion 6 and the second molding portion 8 have the same configuration. Therefore, only the configuration of the first molding portion 6 will be described, and the same portions as those of the first molding portion 6 will be denoted by the respective portions of the second molding portion 8, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The first molding portion 6 includes a press machine 34 and a heater 36, and has a substantially cylindrical space defined by the molding portion casing 6A. The punch 34 includes a punching head 34A and a punching head driving portion 34B. The punch head driving unit 34B incorporates a driver such as a hydraulic piston therein, and by driving the driver, the punch head 34A is lowered downward into the first molding unit 6.

In order to heat and soften the glass material disposed in the mold unit 16, a heater 36 is provided. In addition, the heater 36 of the first molding portion 6 is also In the same manner, for example, the preheating heater 32 of the preheating unit 4 can uniformly heat the heating target disposed inside the coil heater or the like from the outer circumference. Further, in the present embodiment, the heater 36 is provided inside the first molding portion 6, but the invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided outside the first molding portion 6.

The exchange unit 10 is constituted by a substantially cylindrical space that is formed by the exchange unit casing 10A. The exchange portion housing 10A includes a base housing 10A' integrated with the upper portion of the transport portion housing 2A and an upper housing 10A" disposed above the base housing 10A'. The upper end surface of the base housing 10A' is mounted on the end surface. O ring 38. Thus, when the upper casing 10A" is coaxially disposed above the base casing 10A', the O-ring 38 is closed between the base casing 10A' and the upper casing 10A" without a gap. An O-ring 39 is also attached around the opening 10B corresponding to the exchange portion 10 on the upper surface of the transport unit casing 2A.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the mold unit employed in the lens forming apparatus of Fig. 1 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the mold unit 16 has a mold 14. The mold 14 is attached to the mold supporting member 12. The mold (forming mold) 14 includes an upper mold 14A and a lower mold 14B having a molding surface formed corresponding to the shape of the glass molded body to be manufactured, and a boring mold 14C that limits the upper mold 14A and the lower mold 14B. The mutual position of the radial direction. A release film is formed on the molding faces of the upper mold 14A and the lower mold 14B. The glass material 40 is placed in a state of being sandwiched between the upper mold 14A and the lower mold 14B. In a state where the glass material 40 is heated to a temperature higher than the glass relaxation temperature, the upper and lower molds 14A and 14B can be pressed in a relatively close direction to transfer the molding surface shape onto the glass material 40, and press-formed into A glass molded body (optical element) of a desired shape.

Next, a lens molding method (manufacturing method of an optical element) based on the lens molding apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ' of Fig. 2 in a state in which each of the mold units is placed on a turntable of the transport portion, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ' of Fig. 2. In addition, FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between each processing process and the time series of the moving process.

According to the lens molding method of the lens molding apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the processing of the mold unit 16 is simultaneously performed in the preheating unit 4, the first molding unit 6, the second molding unit 8, and the exchange unit 10, respectively. That is, four mold units (for example, mold units 16a to d) are simultaneously processed in parallel.

Hereinafter, only the processing of one mold unit 16a will be described. However, when the mold unit 13a is introduced into the exchange unit 10, the preceding mold unit 16b is heated in parallel by the preheating unit 4, and the first molding unit 6 is again advanced. The die unit 16c performs the first press forming, and the second molding unit 8 performs the second press forming 16d on the preceding die unit (Figs. 1 and 2). Therefore, the residence time of the mold units of the respective sections is equal, and the movement of the mold units between the respective sections is also performed in synchronization.

In the lens forming method based on the lens forming apparatus 1, first, an introduction process of arranging the mold unit 16a in the exchange portion (introduction portion) 10, the mold unit 16a housing the unformed between the upper mold 14A and the lower mold 14B. Glass material 40. At this time, the mold unit that completes the second molding of the glass material by the second molding unit 8 is disposed in the exchange unit 10, so that the mold unit 16a that contains the unformed glass material is formed by the glass material after the molding is completed. The mold units are exchanged and placed in the exchange unit 10 (Fig. 4).

In this exchange, first, the upper casing 10A" of the exchange portion 10 is moved upward, and the exchange portion 10 is opened. Then, it is detached from the mold supporting member 12. A mold that is a glass material that completes the molded glass molded body is housed, and a mold unit 16a that accommodates an unformed glass material is attached to the mold support member 12.

At this time, since the O-ring 39 is provided around the opening 10B that communicates with the exchange portion 10 of the transport unit casing 2A, the upper surface of the mold supporting member 12A supported by the moving mechanism 28 comes into contact with the O-ring 39. Thereby, even if the upper casing 10A" of the exchange portion 10 is removed, the inside of the transport portion 2 can be kept in an airtight state, and the increase in the concentration of oxygen (O2) in the transport portion 2 can be prevented.

Then, the first moving step (first conveying process) is performed, and the die unit 16a disposed in the exchange unit 10 is transported from the exchange unit 10 to the preheating unit 4 together with the die supporting member 12. That is, first, the exchange unit moving mechanism 26 causes the die unit 16a introduced into the exchange unit 10 to be lowered from the inside of the exchange unit 10 to the lower position on the turntable 18 together with the mold supporting member 12 (FIG. 7). Then, the turntable 18 is rotated by 90 degrees until the mold unit 16a and the mold supporting member 12 are located immediately below the preheating portion 4 (the position of the mold unit 16b in Fig. 6).

Further, the preheating unit moving mechanism 28 causes the die unit 16a to rise from the turntable 18 together with the mold supporting member 12 to the upper position in the preheating portion 4 (the position of the die unit 16b in Fig. 3).

Then, a preheating step of heating the glass material in the mold unit 16a is performed. That is, the mold unit 16a is heated by the preheating heater 32 in the preheating unit 4. Further, in the preheating step, it is preferred to control the preheating heater 32 such that the temperature of the glass material in the mold 14 does not exceed the glass transition temperature Tg + 10 °C.

Then, the second moving step (the fourth transport process) is performed, and the pre-completed The hot mold unit 16a is transported from the preheating unit 4 to the first molding unit 6 together with the mold support member 12. That is, first, the preheating unit moving mechanism 20 causes the preheated mold unit 16a to descend from the inside of the preheating unit 4 to the lower position on the turntable 18 together with the mold supporting member 12. Then, the turntable 18 is rotated by 90 degrees until the mold unit 16a is positioned below the first molding portion 6 (the position of the mold unit 16c in Fig. 7).

After the rotary turret 18 is placed below the first molding portion 6, the first molding portion moving mechanism 22 causes the mold unit 16a to rise from the turntable 18 to the upper portion of the first molding portion 6 together with the mold supporting member 12. Position (position of the mold unit 16c in Fig. 4).

Further, when the temperature of the mold unit 16a is in a range from a temperature at which the glass transition temperature of the glass material is lowered by 50 ° C (Tg - 50 ° C) or more and a glass transition temperature is increased by 10 ° C (Tg + 10 ° C) or less, The moving step is preferred.

Then, in the first molding portion 6, the mold unit 16a is heated. That is, in the first molding portion 6, the temperature of the glass material 40 in which the mold unit 16a is heated by the heater 36 to the mold 14 corresponds to a temperature of 106 to 1011 dPa ‧ s in the glass viscosity. It is preferable to heat up to about 10 to 30 ° C higher than the relaxation temperature Ts.

Then, when the heating of the die unit 16a is completed, the first pressurizing process (first press forming process) is continued to the die 14 of the die unit 16a in the first molding section 6. That is, the temperature of the glass material of the mold unit 16a is maintained, and the punch head 34A is lowered by the punch driving unit 34B for a predetermined period of time (for example, several tens of seconds to several tens of minutes), and the mold 14 is pressed in the up-down direction. The glass material is stamped. Further, the press load in the first pressurizing process is preferably P130 to 200 kgf/cm ² .

Then, the third moving step (second transporting process) is performed, and the die unit 16a after the completion of the first pressurizing process is transported from the first molding unit 6 to the second molding unit 8. In other words, the first molding unit moving mechanism 22 lowers the mold unit 16a and the mold supporting member 12 from the inside of the first molding unit 6 to the lower position on the turntable 18 (the position of the mold unit 16c in Fig. 7). Then, the turntable 18 is rotated by 90 degrees until the mold unit 16a is positioned below the second molding portion 8 (the position of the mold unit 16d in Fig. 6).

After the rotary turret 18 is placed below the second molding portion 8 , the second molding portion moving mechanism 24 causes the mold unit 16 a to rise from the turntable 18 to the upper portion of the second molding portion 8 together with the mold supporting member 12 . Position (position of the mold unit 16d in Fig. 3).

In the third moving step (second transport process), the mold unit 16a is transported from the first molding unit 6 to the second molding unit 8 through the internal space of the transport unit 2. As described above, the temperature in the internal space of the transport unit 2 is the glass material 40 in the die unit 16a after the press forming by the first molding unit 6 in the third moving step (second transport process) of about 100 ° C. The temperature is lowered.

In the present embodiment, the temperature of the glass material 40 in the die unit 16a after the press molding of the first molding portion 6 is cooled to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg by the third moving step (second transport process). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transport unit 2 constitutes a cooling unit that cools the glass material 40 that has been press-formed by the first molding unit 6 to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg. The cooling rate in the cooling portion is appropriately set by the shape, diameter, thickness, and the like of the optical element affected by the heat capacity.

Then, in the second molding portion 8, the second pressurizing process (second press forming process) is performed on the mold 14 of the die unit 16a. That is, the temperature of the glass material of the mold unit 16a is maintained, and the punch head 34A is lowered by the punch driving portion 34B of the second molding portion 8 for a predetermined time (for example, several tens of seconds to several tens of minutes). The glass material 40 is press-formed by pressing in the downward direction. Further, the press load P2 in the second pressurizing process is smaller than the press load P1 in the first pressurizing process, and is preferably 10 to 40 kgf/cm ² , for example.

After the completion of the second pressurization process for the die unit 16a, the fourth transport step (third transport process) is performed, and the die unit 16a and the mold support member 12 are moved from the second molded portion 8 to the exchange portion 10. In other words, first, the mold unit 16a and the mold supporting member 12 are lowered from the inside of the second molding unit 8 to a lower position on the turntable 18 (the position of the mold unit 16d in Fig. 6) by the second molding unit moving mechanism 24.

Then, after the turntable 18 is rotated by 90 degrees until the mold unit 16a is positioned below the exchange unit 10, the die unit 16a is caused to rise from the turntable 18 together with the mold support member 12 to the upper portion of the exchange portion 10 by the exchange portion moving mechanism 26. Location (Figure 4).

When the temperature at which the glass transition temperature of the glass material of the mold unit 16a is lowered by 100 ° C (Tg - 100 ° C) or more and the glass transition temperature is increased by 10 ° C (Tg + 10 ° C) or less, the fourth step can be performed. Shipping steps. Further, it is preferably carried out in the range of temperature (Tg - 80 ° C) to temperature (Tg - 10 ° C).

When the glass transition temperature is increased by 10 ° C or less, the fourth transport step is started, and when the mold unit 16 a is moved from the second molding portion 8 to the exchange portion 10 , the temperature of the glass material is lowered to become the glass transition temperature Tg or less. . Therefore, the influence of deformation of the glass molded body due to its own weight can be reduced, and Shorten the stamping time.

In the third transport step, the mold unit 16a returned to the exchange unit 10 is exchanged with a new mold unit containing the unformed glass material in the same order as the above-described exchange operation.

By repeating the above process, the glass material in the mold unit is continuously press-formed, and the lens (optical element) is continuously produced.

In the lens molding apparatus (the apparatus for manufacturing an optical element) of the present embodiment, the exchange portion, the preheating portion, the first molding portion, and the second molding portion are disposed on the circumference, and the mold unit is sequentially conveyed to the mold unit by the turntable. The exchange unit, the preheating unit, the first molding unit, and the second molding unit are not limited to the configuration of the present invention.

For example, the exchange unit, the preheating unit, the first molding unit, and the second molding unit may be disposed in a rectangular shape such that each processing unit is located at a rectangular corner portion, and the mold unit is linearly transported to the next processing unit. The conveyance mechanism cools the temperature of the glass material which is press-molded by the first molding portion to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg during the conveyance from the first molding portion to the second molding portion.

For example, the preheating unit, the first molding unit, and the second molding unit may be disposed in series, and the glass material after the first molding unit is press-formed from the first molding unit to the second molding unit may be configured. The temperature is cooled to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg. In such a configuration, the transport portion is provided upstream of the preheating portion, and the transport portion is provided downstream of the second molding portion.

Further, as the shape of the optical element to which the present embodiment is applied, a two concave lens, a concave meniscus lens, and a convex meniscus lens are preferable. Two concave lenses and a concave meniscus lens are preferred. The reason is to increase the surface precision of such a lens shape and divide it into two effective means for performing press forming.

Finally, embodiments of the invention are summarized using diagrams and the like.

A method of manufacturing an optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed by a lens forming apparatus 1 including: a transporting device 2 that transports a mold unit 16 along a transport path; and an introduction portion 10 that is internally provided with a glass material 40 The mold unit is disposed in the transport path; the first molding unit 6 is disposed on the downstream side of the introduction portion of the transport path, and press-forms the glass material; and the second molding unit 8 is disposed on the first path of the transport path. On the downstream side of the portion, the glass material is press-formed; and the cooling portion 2 is disposed between the first molding portion and the second molding portion of the transport path, and cools the glass material that has been press-formed by the first molding portion to The temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg. The method includes the following process: an introduction process is performed in which a mold unit that does not press the inner glass material is placed on the transport path in the introduction portion; and in the first transport process, the mold unit is transported from the introduction unit to the first unit by the transport device a molding unit; the first press forming process press-molding the glass material in the mold unit conveyed to the first molding unit; and the second transport process, transporting the mold unit from the first molding unit to the second via the cooling unit by the transport device a molding unit; a second press forming process for press-molding a glass material in a mold unit transported to the second molding unit; and a third transport process for transporting the mold unit from the second molding unit by a transport device, the cooling unit being The transport path between the molded portion and the second molded portion is configured, and the first to third transport processes are performed in synchronization.

In the apparatus 1 for manufacturing a glass molded body according to the embodiment of the present invention, the glass material 40 placed in the mold unit 16 is heated, and the glass material is press-formed to produce a glass molded body. The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes: a transporting device 2, 30 that transports a mold unit along a transport path; and an introduction unit 10 that disposes a mold unit in which a glass material is disposed in a transport path; a first molding section 6. The glass material is press-formed on the downstream side of the introduction portion of the transport path, and the second molded portion 8 is provided on the downstream side of the first molding portion of the transport path to press-form the glass material; The portion 2 is disposed between the first molding portion and the second molding portion of the conveyance path, and cools the glass material that has been press-formed by the first molding portion to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg.

1‧‧‧ lens forming device

2‧‧‧Transportation Department

4‧‧‧Preheating department

4A‧‧‧Preheating housing

6‧‧‧1st molding department

6A‧‧‧Shaping part housing

8‧‧‧1st molding department

10‧‧‧Exchange Department

10A‧‧‧Exchange housing

10A’‧‧‧ base shell

10A”‧‧‧Upper casing

12‧‧‧Mold support parts

14‧‧‧Mold

16‧‧‧Mold unit

16a~16d‧‧‧Mold unit

18‧‧‧ turntable

C‧‧‧小圆

Claims (12)

A manufacturing method of an optical element using the optical element manufacturing apparatus, wherein the manufacturing apparatus includes: a transport apparatus that transports a mold unit along a transport path; and an introduction unit that arranges the mold unit in which a glass material is disposed inside In the transport path, the first molded portion is provided on the downstream side of the introduction portion of the transport path, and the glass material is press-formed; and the second molded portion is provided downstream of the first molded portion of the transport path a press forming of the glass material, and a cooling portion provided between the first molding portion and the second molding portion of the transport path, wherein the manufacturing method includes the following process: an introduction process, in the introduction portion a mold unit that does not press-form the inner glass material is placed in the transport path; in the first transport process, the mold unit is transported from the introduction unit to the first molding unit by the transport device; and the first press forming process Press-forming a glass material in the mold unit conveyed to the first molding portion In the second transport process, the mold unit is transported from the first molding unit to the second molding unit via the cooling unit by the transport unit, and the cooling unit cools the glass material that has been press-formed by the first molding unit to the glass. a temperature near the transition temperature Tg; a second press forming process for the mold sheet transported to the second molding portion The glass material in the element is press-formed; and the third transport process is performed by the transport device, and the mold unit is transported from the second molding unit, and the cooling unit is transported between the first molding unit and the second molding unit. In this configuration, the first transport process to the third transport process are performed in synchronization. The manufacturing method of the optical element according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the manufacturing apparatus further includes a preheating unit provided between the introduction portion of the transport path and the first molding portion, and heating the glass material to The predetermined temperature, the manufacturing method further includes a fourth transportation process in which the mold unit is transported from the introduction portion to the preheating portion by the transport device, and a preheating step of transporting the mold to the preheating portion The glass material in the unit is heated to a predetermined temperature, and the first transport process to the fourth transport process are performed in synchronization. The method for producing an optical element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the introduction unit exchanges the mold unit in which the glass material after the press forming is completed into a mold unit in which a glass material which is not subjected to press forming is disposed. In the die unit exchange unit, the third transport process is a process in which the die unit is transported from the second molding unit to the introduction unit by the transport device. The method of manufacturing an optical element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the manufacturing apparatus includes a turntable. The manufacturer of the optical component according to any one of claims 1 to 4 The first molding portion and the second molding portion include a heating portion that heats and softens a glass material disposed in the mold unit, and a pressing portion that presses the mold unit to press the glass material forming. The method of manufacturing an optical element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mold unit comprises: a molding die having a molding surface corresponding to a shape of the glass molding body; and a mold supporting member. The above molding die is maintained. An optical element manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a glass molded body by heating a glass material disposed in a mold unit and press-forming the glass material, the manufacturing apparatus of the glass molded body comprising: a transport device, which is transported along The mold unit is transported by the path, and the introduction unit is configured to dispose the mold unit in which the glass material is disposed in the transport path, and the first molded portion is disposed on the downstream side of the introduction portion of the transport path to perform the glass material. a second molding portion that is provided on the downstream side of the first molding portion of the conveyance path to press-form the glass material, and a cooling portion that is provided in the first molding portion and the first portion of the conveyance path Between the molding portions, the glass material which has been press-formed by the first molding portion is cooled to a temperature near the glass transition temperature Tg. The apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to claim 7, further comprising a preheating unit provided between the introduction portion of the transport path and the first molding portion to heat the glass material to a predetermined temperature. The apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the introduction unit exchanges the mold unit in which the glass material after the press forming is completed into a mold unit in which a glass material which is not subjected to press forming is disposed. Mold unit exchange department. The apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the manufacturing apparatus includes a turntable. The apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first molding portion and the second molding portion include a heating portion that heats the glass material disposed in the mold unit. Softening; and a press portion that presses the mold unit to press-form the glass material. The apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the mold unit comprises: a molding die having a molding surface corresponding to a shape of the glass molding body; and a mold supporting member. The above molding die is maintained.