WO2013031534A1

WO2013031534A1 - Method for transferring optical element

Info

Publication number: WO2013031534A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/070689
Authority: WO
Inventors: 浩彦関
Original assignee: コニカミノルタアドバンストレイヤー株式会社
Priority date: 2011-08-31
Filing date: 2012-08-14
Publication date: 2013-03-07
Also published as: JP2014219427A

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for transferring an optical element (100), wherein a transferring apparatus (3) transfers the optical element (100) onto a tray (1) by holding the optical element (100) or transfers the optical element (100) to other places by holding the optical element disposed on the tray (1). An elastic member is provided on a lower surface of the tray (1).

Description

Transfer method of optical element

The present invention relates to an optical element transfer method.

In recent years, with the development of information devices using optical elements such as CDs and DVDs, in the production and assembly of optical elements, the optical element production place, unit assembly place, Are often not identical, and the number of cases in which optical elements are packed and transported is increasing.
As a packing form for packing the optical element, the structure, material, and the like of the packaging container are determined depending on the size, material, weight, contact place restriction, and the like of the optical element.
If the destination is within the same factory, there are cases where returnable pallets are used, but when exporting to an overseas base, the storage container cannot be returned and reused. For this reason, the number of storage containers based on the premise that the storage containers are reduced in size and weight and discarded on-site is increasing recently.
Such storage containers on the premise of on-site disposal have been required to have a high-productivity molding condition for reducing the thickness, reducing the weight by using a plastic material, and controlling the price in order to minimize the material cost.
As a result, an optical element packaging tray having a structure in which a thin flat tray made of plastic is provided with reinforcing ribs around and at main portions has been developed. In addition, in the field where optical elements are produced and shipped, a technique for handling optical elements directly on the plastic tray described above has been required.

As a technique for handling an optical element, when an optical element is handled by a suction head, variations in the gap between the optical element and the suction head affect the reliability of handling, and various methods have been proposed.
Possible causes of the variation in the gap between the optical element and the suction head include a variation in the height of the optical element and insufficient flatness of the pallet or tray. If there is a gap between the optical element and the suction head, the optical element cannot be sucked, or conversely, if the optical element and the suction head collide, the suction head or the optical element is damaged.
Therefore, in order to avoid these problems, for example, a cylindrical elastic member provided at the tip of the vacuum suction nozzle is pushed into the optical glass material stored in the pallet by a predetermined amount, and a negative pressure is applied to the vacuum suction head. Techniques for generating and adsorbing optical glass materials are known. Thus, by providing a cylindrical elastic member at the tip of the vacuum suction nozzle, the optical glass material is sucked without being damaged (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In addition, in the mounting table on which a plurality of preforms for optical element molding are mounted, a support mechanism that elastically supports the mounting unit is incorporated below the plurality of mounting units on which the plurality of preforms are respectively mounted. Technology is known. By incorporating a support mechanism, pressing the preform placed on the placement surface with an adsorption member increases the adhesion between the preform and the adsorption member, thereby improving the adsorption performance of the preform. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-81949 JP 2007-261854 A

However, when the tray is thinned, there is a problem that the flatness of the tray is deteriorated and the rigidity of the tray is also reduced at the same time.
Therefore, when the tray is thin and the rigidity is low, a structure in which a cylindrical elastic member is provided at the tip of the suction head as in Patent Document 1 described above, the tray generated when the optical glass material is sucked by the suction head. The tray may be deformed before the energy is absorbed by the cylindrical elastic member. In addition, there is a problem that the optical elements that are aligned and transferred on the tray by the margins are distorted by jumping on the tray. These phenomena can be reduced by softening the cylindrical elastic member. However, when the optical element is detached from the chuck, the optical element is easily attached to the cylindrical elastic member, thereby obtaining a highly reliable conveyance. It was difficult.
In Patent Document 2, a support mechanism that elastically supports the inside of the mounting table is incorporated. However, when the tray is thin with a single plate, it is difficult to incorporate such a support mechanism into the tray.
Furthermore, with the miniaturization of the optical element, precision is required for the drop when the optical element is transferred and the pressing amount of the suction head against the optical element.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when the tray is downsized and thinned and an external force that deforms the tray is received, the optical element is reliably transferred onto the tray or the optical element on the tray. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for transferring an optical element that can be transferred to another place.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the transfer means holds the optical element and transfers the optical element onto the tray, or holds the optical element disposed on the tray and moves to another place. In the transfer method of the optical element transferred to
An optical element transfer method is provided, wherein an elastic member is provided on the lower surface of the tray.

According to the present invention, when the tray is downsized and thinned, the optical element on the tray does not jump even if the transfer head receives an external force that deforms the tray. It is possible to transfer the optical element or to transfer the optical element on the tray to another place.

It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the transfer method of the optical element in 1st Embodiment, and is the figure which showed the state before adsorption | suction of the optical element by an adsorption | suction nozzle. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the transfer method of the optical element in 1st Embodiment, and is the figure which showed the state at the time of adsorption | suction. It is a top view which shows the state by which the optical element is arrange | positioned on a tray. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the transfer method of the optical element in 2nd Embodiment, and is the figure which showed the state before adsorption | suction of the optical element by an adsorption | suction nozzle. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the transfer method of the optical element in 2nd Embodiment, and is the figure which showed the state at the time of adsorption | suction. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the transfer method of the optical element in 2nd Embodiment, and is the figure which showed the state before adsorption | suction of the optical element by an adsorption | suction nozzle. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the transfer method of the optical element in 2nd Embodiment, and is the figure which showed the state at the time of adsorption | suction. It is the sectional side view which showed an example at the time of setting it as a tray of 2 sheets.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
1A and 1B are side sectional views for explaining a method of transferring an optical element, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the optical element is arranged on a tray.
Examples of the optical element 100 used in the present invention include lenses for glasses, cameras, image sensors, optical pickup devices, and the like.
The size of the optical element 100 suitable for the present invention is φ2 to φ10, and the optical element 100 is preferably made of a resin material.

As shown in FIG. 1A, in the method for transferring an optical element 100 according to the present invention, an elastic member 2 that absorbs vibration of the tray 1 is provided on the lower surface of the tray 1, and the transfer device 3 holds the optical element 100. While descending from above the tray 1, the optical element 100 is transferred onto the tray 1, or the transfer device 3 descends from above the tray 1 to place the optical element 100 disposed on the tray 1. It is a method for holding and transferring to another place.
The tray 1 used in the transfer method of the optical element 100 according to the present invention is a thin plate having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a plurality of recesses 11 are formed on the upper surface at predetermined intervals. The optical element 100 can be disposed in each of the plurality of recesses 11. In the optical element 100 disposed in the recess 11, a part of the flange 102 and the lens unit 101 protrude from the recess 11.
On the lower surface of the tray 1, a rib 12 protruding downward is formed outside the elastic member 2 described later. For example, the ribs 12 may have a rectangular frame shape, and may be provided along the outer periphery of the elastic member 2, or may be provided in a rod shape at a predetermined interval on the outer periphery of the elastic member 2.
The thickness of the tray 1 is preferably 1 to 5 mm at a portion where the ribs 12 are not formed, and the tray 1 is preferably made of a resin material. The thickness of the tray 1 is as thin as 1 to 5 mm at the portion where the rib 12 is not formed, and since it is a resin tray, the tray 1 is easily elastically deformed, and the optical element disposed on the tray 1 jumps. Although it becomes easy, since the elastic member is arrange | positioned at the lower part of the tray 1, it can prevent suitably that an optical element jumps and is disturb | confused.

The tray 1 can be attached to the cradle 4. The cradle 4 includes a metal base plate 41 and a pair of

tray fixtures

42 and 43 that are disposed on the upper surface of the metal base plate 41 and that position and fix the tray 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of

tray fixing tools

42 and 43 fixes the side surfaces of the tray 1 that face each other. One tray fixture 42 is fixed and attached to the metal base plate 41 in advance, and the other tray fixture 43 is detachable from the metal base plate 41.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, the tray fixing tool 42 is provided at a rising portion 421 that rises from the upper surface of the metal base plate 41 and contacts and fixes the side surface of the tray 1 and an upper end portion of the rising portion 421. And a pressing portion 422 for pressing the upper surface of the tray 1. The side surface of the tray 1 is fixed by the rising portion 421, thereby positioning the tray 1 in the planar direction. In addition, the upper surface of the tray 1 is pressed by the pressing portion 422 so that the tray 1 is prevented from being lifted.
The tray fixture 43 also includes a rising portion 431 and a pressing portion 432, as with the tray fixture 42.

In FIG. 2, the

tray fixtures

42 and 43 are formed in a bar shape in plan view so as to fix the opposite side surfaces of the tray 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tray 1 is positioned in the planar direction. Therefore, for example, at least the opposite corners of the four corners of the tray 1 may be fixed.

On the upper surface of the metal base plate 41 and inside the

tray fixtures

42 and 43, the above-described elastic member 2 that contacts the lower surface of the tray 1 is attached.
The elastic member 2 has a sheet shape. The thickness of the elastic member 2 is thicker than the ribs 12 formed on the lower surface of the tray 1 and is preferably about 2 to 5 mm, more preferably 3 mm.
As a material of the elastic member 2, for example, polyethylene foam, styrene, flexible urethane foam, silicone rubber, natural rubber, butyl rubber, or the like can be used. It is also preferable to use the above material as a foam sponge. Furthermore, the most desirable materials are non-brene (manufactured by Hirakata Giken Co., Ltd.) and honey night (manufactured by Naigai Rubber Co., Ltd.). Here, the rubber hardness (JIS 6253) of the elastic member 2 is preferably 30 degrees or less.

The transfer device 3 moves on a predetermined optical element 100, a head unit 31 that can be moved up and down, a suction nozzle 32 provided on the head unit 31, and the head unit 31 moved on the predetermined optical element 100. A driving device (not shown) for moving up and down, a lifting device (not shown) for moving the head portion 31 up and down, and a vacuum generator (not shown) for generating a vacuum state at the suction nozzle 32.

Next, a method for transferring the optical element 100 using the transfer device 3 as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the tray 1 is installed on the upper surface of the elastic member 2 of the cradle 4. At this time, one side surface of the tray 1 is abutted against the inner surface of the rising portion 421 of the tray fixture 42 fixed in advance to the cradle 4, and the tray 1 is placed on the upper surface of the elastic member 2. Next, the other tray fixing tool 43 is abutted against the other side surface of the tray 1, and the tray fixing tool 43 is attached on the cradle 4. In this manner, the tray 1 is positioned in the planar direction by the rising

portions

421 and 431 of the

tray fixtures

42 and 43, and the tray 1 is prevented from being lifted by the

pressing portions

422 and 432.
After the tray 1 is installed on the cradle 4, the driving device of the transfer device 3 is driven to move the head unit 31 onto the predetermined optical element 100. Next, as shown in FIG. 1B, the head unit 31 is lowered by the lifting device, and the lens unit 101 of the optical element 100 is sucked by the tip of the suction nozzle 32. When the lens unit 101 is sucked, the optical element 100 and the tray 1 are pushed by the head unit 31 and the tray 1 is deformed. At this time, the energy of the head unit 31 and the tray are deformed by the elastic member 2 on the lower surface of the tray 1. 1 rebound is absorbed. As a result, the vibration of the tray 1 is reduced, and a phenomenon in which the other optical element 100 disposed on the tray 1 jumps up can be prevented.
Thereafter, the head unit 31 is raised by the lifting device, and the head unit 31 is moved to a predetermined place by the driving device. When the head portion 31 is raised, the pressure on the tray 1 by the head portion 31 is released. Also in this case, the energy of the head portion 31 is absorbed by the elastic member 2 on the lower surface of the tray 1, and the tray 1 and the jumping of the optical element 100 on the tray 1 can be prevented.
As described above, the head unit 31 sequentially holds the predetermined optical element 100 on the tray 1 by suction, whereby the optical element 100 is transferred.

In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the case where the optical element 100 on the tray 1 is transferred to another location has been described. However, when the optical element 100 is transferred onto the tray 1, the transfer device 3 is also used. Can be used. Specifically, after the lens unit 101 of the optical element 100 is adsorbed by the tip of the adsorption nozzle 32 of the transfer device 3, the head unit 31 is moved onto the tray 1, and then the head unit 31 is lowered by the lifting device. The suction of the optical element 100 by the suction nozzle 32 is released, and the optical element 100 is transferred onto the tray 1. By repeating this operation, a plurality of optical elements 100 can be transferred onto the tray 1.
After the plurality of optical elements 100 are transferred onto the tray 1 in this way, the tray 1 is further stacked on the tray 1, and the plurality of optical elements 100 are also transferred onto the tray 1. The elements 100 may be stacked in this order, and a plurality of layers may be stacked.

According to this embodiment, since the elastic member 2 is provided on the lower surface of the tray 1, when the optical element 100 sucked by the suction nozzle 32 is transferred onto the tray 1, or the optical on the tray 1 is picked up by the suction nozzle 32. When adsorbing the element 100, the tray 1 is pushed and deformed by the head portion 31, but the elastic member 2 absorbs energy applied to the tray 1 of the head portion 31 and repulsion of the tray 1. As a result, the vibration of the tray 1 is reduced, and the phenomenon that the other optical element 100 arranged on the tray 1 jumps up can be prevented. Therefore, even when the tray 1 is reduced in size and thickness, the optical element 100 can be reliably transferred.
Moreover, since the rib 12 which protrudes below is formed in the outer surface of the elastic member 2 in the lower surface of the tray 1, the intensity | strength of the tray 1 can be raised.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a transfer device 3A different from the transfer device 3 of the first embodiment is used.
3A and 3B are side sectional views for explaining a method of transferring an optical element.
In the transfer device 3A used in the second embodiment, in the transfer device 3 in the first embodiment, a pressing member 33 that is provided outside the suction nozzle 32 of the head portion 31 and presses the upper surface of the tray 1 is provided. It is a newly added device. Since others are the same structure, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same component.
The pressing member 33 includes an elastic body 331 incorporated in the head portion 31, and a pressing portion 332 that is attached to the lower end portion of the elastic body 331 and directly contacts and presses the upper surface of the tray 1. The pressing part 332 has a tapered tip. Examples of the elastic body 331 include a push spring and a contact probe. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, a push spring that is an elastic body 331 is incorporated in the head portion 31 and the push portion 332 is attached to the lower end portion of the push spring. The entire pressing member 33 may be formed of an elastic body.

Next, a method for transferring the optical element 100 using the transfer device 3A as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3A, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, after the tray 1 is installed on the cradle 4, the driving device of the transfer device 3 A is driven to move the head unit 31 over the predetermined optical element 100. Move to. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the head unit 31 is lowered by the lifting device. When the suction nozzle 32 is brought closer to the optical element 100, the tip of the pressing portion 332 first comes into contact with the upper surface of the tray 1, and then the optical element 100 is sucked by the suction nozzle 32 that has become a vacuum pressure by the vacuum generator. The Here, the tip of the pressing portion 332 contacts the upper surface of the tray 1 before the suction nozzle 32, and presses the upper surface of the tray 1 by the action of the elastic body 331. As a result, the degree of adhesion between the elastic member 2 disposed on the lower surface of the tray 1 and the tray 1 is increased. In this way, the elastic member 2 and the tray 1 are made in close contact with each other, and the optical element 100 is adsorbed in this close contact state, whereby the vibration of the tray 1 can be further reduced and disposed on the tray 1. Further, it is possible to reliably prevent the other optical element 100 from jumping up.
Here, particularly when the tray 1 has an upward convex warp and the metal base plate 41 and the elastic member 2 are flat, the above-described effect becomes remarkable. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the tray 1 is warped and the metal base plate 41 and the elastic member 2 are flat, a gap S is generated between the tray 1 and the elastic member 2, but as described above. Before the suction nozzle 32 comes into contact with the optical element 100, the pressing portion 332 slowly pushes down the warp of the tray 1 to correct the tray 1 until a damper effect is obtained. And as shown to FIG. 4B, the vibration of the tray 1 can be further reduced by making the state which made the elastic member 2 and the tray 1 contact | adhere, and adsorb | sucking the optical element 100 in this contact state, It is possible to reliably prevent the other optical elements 100 arranged on the tray 1 from jumping up.
Thereafter, the head unit 31 is raised by the lifting device, and the head unit 31 is moved to a predetermined place by the driving device. In this manner, the head unit 31 sequentially holds the predetermined optical element 100 on the tray 1 by suction, whereby the optical element 100 is transferred.

3A and 3B, the case where the optical element 100 on the tray 1 is transferred to another location has been described. However, when the optical element 100 is transferred onto the tray 1, the transfer device 3A is also used. Can be used. Specifically, after the lens portion 101 of the optical element 100 is sucked by the tip of the suction nozzle 32 of the transfer device 3A, the head portion 31 is moved onto the tray 1, and then the head portion 31 is lowered by the lifting device. The suction of the optical element 100 by the suction nozzle 32 is released, and the optical element 100 is transferred onto the tray 1. At this time, before the optical element 100 sucked by the suction nozzle 32 comes into contact with the upper surface of the tray 1, the tip of the pressing portion 332 comes into contact with and presses the upper surface of the tray 1. The degree of adhesion between the elastic member 2 and the tray 1 is increased, and as a result, the vibration of the tray 1 can be further reduced.

In this embodiment, compared with the first embodiment, since the pressing member 33 is provided in the transfer device 3, the optical element 100 is transferred onto the tray 1, or the optical element 100 on the tray 1 is replaced with another. Therefore, the degree of adhesion between the elastic member 2 and the tray 1 can be further increased, and the vibration of the tray 1 can be reliably reduced. This is particularly effective when the tray 1 has an upward convex warp.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it can change suitably.
For example, although the above-described tray 1 is formed by laminating a plurality of single-sheet trays 1, not only the single-sheet tray 1 but also a two-sheet tray may be used. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, one constituted by a lower tray 10A and an upper tray 10B can be mentioned. In this case, the optical element 100 can be accommodated by placing the optical element 100 on the lower tray 10A and then overlapping the upper tray 10B on the lower tray 10A.
The recess 11A formed in the lower tray 10A penetrates the lower surface of the lower tray 10A, and the diameter of the through hole 12A is increased on the lower surface side of the lower tray 10A. Further, the recess 11B formed in the upper tray 10B penetrates the upper surface of the upper tray 10B, and the diameter of the through hole 12B is enlarged on the upper surface side of the upper tray 10B. Therefore, the lens portion 101 of the optical element 100 can be seen from the through hole 12B in a state where the upper tray 10B is stacked on the lower tray 10A.

The present invention can be suitably used for lenses for glasses, cameras, image sensors, optical pickup devices, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tray 2

Elastic member

3, 3A Transfer apparatus (transfer means)
4 Receiving base 12 Rib 32 Adsorption nozzle 33 Pressing member 100 Optical element

Claims

An optical element transfer method in which the transfer means holds the optical element and transfers the optical element on the tray, or holds the optical element arranged on the tray and transfers it to another place. In
An optical element transfer method, wherein an elastic member is provided on a lower surface of the tray.
2. The method of transferring an optical element according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is provided at a position corresponding to a lower surface of the tray of a cradle on which the tray is installed.
The transfer means includes a suction nozzle that sucks and holds the optical element;
A pressing member that is provided outside the suction nozzle, extends downward from the tip of the suction nozzle, and has elasticity to press the upper surface of the tray before the suction nozzle contacts the upper surface of the tray. The method for transferring an optical element according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is transferred.
The method of transferring an optical element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a rib projecting downward is formed on a lower surface of the tray.