JP2010139627A - Member connecting mechanism and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress degradation in performance, which results from relative displacement between optical members in the process of fixing. <P>SOLUTION: In a lens device having a lens barrel 102 and a lens 101, the lens barrel 102, which is formed from a resin material that absorbs a laser beam, is provided with a contact section 106, the circumference of which is sandwiched between edges 107. In addition, the lens 101, which is disposed adjacent to the lens barrel 102 in the direction of an optical axis, is formed from a resin material that transmits a laser beam and that is compatible with a material forming the lens barrel 102. A contact section 203 and the contact section 106, which are provided on the lens 101, are fixed by their being laser-welded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a member connecting mechanism including a plurality of optical members whose positional relationship is fixed, and an imaging apparatus including the member connecting mechanism.

  In recent years, with the demand for miniaturization of various devices having an imaging function (hereinafter referred to as “imaging device”) such as a portable phone and a compact camera, an optical member such as a lens mounted on the imaging device or the optical member is installed. There is a tendency that an optical device (optical system) constituted by using a plurality is miniaturized. In recent years, there has been a tendency to increase the number of pixels of an image pickup device in a small image pickup apparatus such as a mobile phone or a compact camera. High optical devices are desired.

  For example, when a throwing-type assembly method is employed, high accuracy can be achieved by narrowing the component tolerance of each optical member constituting the optical device. On the other hand, by reducing the component tolerance of each optical member, the mass productivity of each optical member is lowered, and the yield in mass production of the optical device and the imaging device including the optical device is lowered. In addition, when the throw-in assembly method is used, the accuracy (optical performance) of the optical device depends on the manufacturing accuracy of the component. Therefore, if the component tolerance is widened to improve the mass productivity, the accuracy (optical performance) of the optical device will increase. It will decline.

  In contrast, a resin product formed by injection molding using a resin material can ensure a relatively high manufacturing accuracy by improving the precision of the mold technology and improving the precision molding technology. For this reason, conventionally, an optical device in the case of assembling by a throwing type by providing a positioning structure for positioning another optical member on a resin optical member and positioning another optical member by this positioning structure. There was a technology that ensured the accuracy (optical performance).

  In such an optical device, after assembling by a throwing type, the positional relationship between the optical members is fixed using an adhesive. Specifically, for example, in an optical apparatus configured to determine the positional relationship between a lens and a lens holder by holding the outer peripheral edge of a resin lens with a resin lens holder, the outer peripheral edge of the lens in the lens holder There has been a technique in which a notch portion is provided in the boundary portion, and the positional relationship between the lens and the lens holder is fixed by applying an adhesive to the notch portion.

  As the adhesive, for example, a UV curable adhesive that can ensure high workability can be used. Since the UV curable adhesive starts a curing reaction when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, when fixing the lens and the lens holder, it is necessary to align between applying the adhesive and irradiating the ultraviolet rays. The positional relationship between the lens and the lens holder is temporarily fixed by a jig. The alignment jig is generally removed after the applied adhesive is irradiated with UV light to be primarily cured.

  The UV curable adhesive has a property of shrinking from the start of the curing reaction by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays to the completion of the curing reaction. For this reason, if the alignment jig is removed before the curing reaction in the UV curable adhesive is completed, the relative shrinkage between the lens and the lens holder is caused by the shrinkage of the adhesive that progresses until the curing reaction is completed. The positional relationship sometimes shifted. As described above, when the positional relationship between the optical members is deviated, the optical performance of the optical device is deteriorated.

  In addition, when fixing the positional relationship between optical members by applying an adhesive to a plurality of locations, it is difficult to make the applied state of the adhesive uniform at the plurality of locations, and the applied state of the adhesive is applied. There was a case where it fluctuated from place to place. Depending on the dispersion of the application state, the adhesive sometimes protrudes to within the optically effective range of the lens. When the adhesive protrudes within the optically effective range of the lens, the optical performance of the optical device using the lens is deteriorated.

  As a countermeasure, there has been a technique in which a jig is attached until the curing reaction is completed. On the other hand, if the jig is attached until the curing reaction is completed, a stress caused by the shrinkage of the adhesive is generated in the lens, the lens holder or the adhesive, and the lens, the lens holder, etc. are caused by the stress caused by the shrinkage of the adhesive. The optical member or adhesive will be distorted. When distortion occurs in the optical member or the adhesive, the positional relationship between the optical members is shifted, and the optical performance of the optical device is degraded.

  In addition, when the jig is attached until the curing reaction is completed, the assembly work cannot be continued for a long time until the alignment jig is removed, and the yield in mass production of optical devices and imaging devices is reduced. The problem of deteriorating arises. Further, in this case, it is necessary to secure a place for storing the lens to which the alignment jig is attached for a long time until the alignment jig is removed, which causes an increase in production cost. .

  As a method for fixing the positional relationship between optical members, there has been a technique in which optical members are joined using laser welding (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). Specifically, for example, a lens is formed using a resin material that transmits laser light, and an exterior cover is formed using a resin material that absorbs laser light. And the contact part of a lens and an exterior cover is irradiated with a laser beam. Laser light irradiates the contact portion between the lens and the exterior cover by transmitting the lens.

  Specifically, for example, a technique in which an intermediate member is interposed between optical members to be bonded and the optical members are welded via an intermediate member melted by laser light irradiation (for example, the following) (See Patent Document 2), and the optical members to be joined are not brought into contact with each other, and a laser beam is irradiated with a gap between the optical members, and the portion irradiated with the laser beam is melted and expanded. There has been a technique in which optical members are welded to each other (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4 below). By using laser welding, various problems that occur when using an adhesive can be prevented.

JP 2004-20867 A JP 2005-316045 A JP 2006-11234 A JP 2006-17818 A

  However, some resin materials that form the optical member to be bonded may significantly expand when irradiated with laser light. For this reason, despite the fact that the optical member provided with the positioning structure is manufactured with high precision, the optical member is displaced in the positional relationship between the optical members due to the expansion of the irradiated portion of the laser beam in the optical member, and the optical performance is deteriorated. There was a problem of doing.

  On the other hand, when the laser beam is irradiated with a gap between the optical members as in Patent Documents 3 and 4, for example, the heat generated in the optical member that absorbs the laser beam is generated by the laser beam. There is a problem in that it is difficult to be transmitted to an optical member that transmits light and poor welding occurs.

  As an exception, when an optical member that absorbs laser light is formed using a resin material that has a relatively large volume expansion coefficient upon melting by heating, such as polyamide (PA), the laser light is irradiated. It becomes possible to fill the gap between the optical members by the volume expansion due to. However, in order to join the optical members by laser welding, it is necessary to irradiate a plurality of laser beams to a plurality of locations, and it is difficult to make the degree of expansion equal for each of the plurality of irradiated portions of the laser beams. When the degree of expansion differs for each laser light irradiation location, there is a problem in that the welding strength varies and it becomes difficult to stably join the optical members.

  Further, when the degree of expansion is different for each laser beam irradiation location, there is a problem in that the optical member to be joined is distorted and the optical performance is lowered. In particular, a PA-based resin material is unsuitable as a material for forming an optical member such as a lens holder or a lens barrel that requires high manufacturing accuracy because of a large dimensional change due to water absorption and the environment. In addition, at present, it is difficult to obtain a resin material having compatibility with a PA-based resin material and a property of transmitting laser light.

  In order to eliminate the above-described problems caused by the prior art, the present invention can suppress a decrease in the performance of the apparatus constituted by the members due to a relative positional shift between the members in the fixing process. An object is to obtain a member coupling mechanism and an imaging device.

  In addition, in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, the present invention is caused by a relative positional shift between the optical members when the member to be fixed is an optical member constituting the optical device. An object of the present invention is to obtain a member coupling mechanism and an imaging device that can suppress a decrease in optical performance in an optical device constituted by the optical member.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the member coupling mechanism according to the present invention is formed of a resin material that absorbs laser light, and is surrounded by a groove on one end side in the optical axis direction. A first member provided with an abutting portion and a material that is disposed adjacent to the first member in the optical axis direction and transmits the laser light and forms the first member. A second contact portion formed of a compatible resin material and fixed to the first contact portion by laser welding, and a groove surrounding the second contact portion is provided. And 2 members.

  According to the present invention, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion that are involved in laser welding are provided so as to sandwich the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion. Even when the abutting portion or the second abutting portion undergoes volume expansion, the volume expansion can be released to the groove. Thereby, even when the first contact portion and the second contact portion are volume-expanded by the heat of the laser beam at the time of fixing, the relative positional relationship between the first member and the second member is shifted. Can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, a space is provided in the vicinity of the first contact portion and the second contact portion by the grooves provided in the vicinity of the first contact portion and the second contact portion related to laser welding. By forming, it can suppress that the heat | fever which generate | occur | produces at the time of welding with a 1st contact part and a 2nd contact part is transmitted to circumference | surroundings. As a result, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat to portions other than those involved in welding, and to prevent distortion of each member due to heat generated during laser welding.

  The member connecting mechanism according to the present invention is the first positioning surface according to the first aspect, wherein the first member is provided at a position different from the first contact portion on the one end side. And the second member has a second positioning surface provided at a position different from the second contact portion on the first member side, and the first contact The contact portion and the second contact portion are fixed in a state where the first positioning surface and the second positioning surface are in contact with each other.

  According to this invention, the first member and the second member can be made high by bringing the first positioning surface and the second positioning surface, which can be manufactured with high accuracy by using a resin material, into contact with each other. An accurate positional relationship can be ensured. Further, according to the present invention, the first contact portion and the first member, and the second contact portion and the second member are provided at different positions, respectively, so that the first contact portion and the first member are heated by the heat of the laser beam during fixing. Even when the first contact portion or the second contact portion expands in volume, the first positioning surface and the second positioning surface are stably contacted without being affected by the volume expansion. Can do. This can reliably prevent the positional relationship between the first member and the second member from shifting.

  In the member coupling mechanism according to the present invention, in the above invention, the first abutting portion protrudes toward the second abutting portion from the first positioning surface in the optical axis direction. It is characterized by. According to this invention, the first contact portion and the second contact portion can be reliably contacted, and the first member and the second member can be reliably fixed.

  In the member coupling mechanism according to the present invention, in the above invention, the second abutting portion protrudes closer to the first abutting portion than the second positioning surface in the optical axis direction. It is characterized by. According to this invention, the first contact portion and the second contact portion can be reliably contacted, and the first member and the second member can be reliably fixed.

  In the member coupling mechanism according to the present invention, in the above invention, the first member is formed of a material in which a resin material serving as a base is mixed with a material that absorbs laser light, and the second member is Further, it is characterized in that it is formed of a material obtained by mixing a material that absorbs laser light in the same type of resin material as the base resin material.

  According to this invention, since the first member and the second member are formed using the same type of resin material as a base, the degree of volume change such as expansion or contraction of each member due to a change in environmental temperature is made closer. be able to. Accordingly, even when a volume change occurs in each member due to a change in environmental temperature, it is possible to prevent the positional relationship between the members from being displaced due to the difference in the linear expansion coefficient of each member and the occurrence of distortion in each member. .

  In the member coupling mechanism according to the present invention, in the above invention, the first member is formed of a resin material, holds the second member, and the second member is formed of a resin material. It is characterized by being a lens.

  According to the present invention, even when the lens formed of the resin material and the first member are directly fixed by laser welding, the relative relationship between the first member and the second member due to the heat of the laser beam at the time of fixing. Can be prevented from shifting.

  In the above invention, the member connecting mechanism according to the present invention is formed of a resin material that absorbs laser light, and is adjacent to the first member provided with the first contact portion, and the first member. And is formed of a resin material that transmits the laser light and is compatible with the material forming the first member, and is fixed to the first contact portion by laser welding. A second member provided with a second contact part; and a groove provided so as to sandwich at least one of the first contact part and the second contact part. And

  According to this invention, at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion involved in laser welding is sandwiched between the grooves, so that the first contact portion and the second contact portion are welded. Even when the first contact portion or the second contact portion undergoes volume expansion, the volume expansion can be released to the groove. Thereby, even when the first contact portion and the second contact portion are volume-expanded by the heat of the laser beam at the time of fixing, the relative positional relationship between the first member and the second member is shifted. Can be prevented.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are formed in the vicinity of the first contact portion and the second contact portion related to the laser welding so that the space formed by the groove is present. It can suppress that the heat | fever generate | occur | produced at the time of welding with a contact part is transmitted to circumference | surroundings. As a result, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat to portions other than those involved in welding, and to prevent distortion of each member due to heat generated during laser welding.

  The image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is a first member that is formed of a resin material that absorbs laser light, and is provided with a first contact portion that is surrounded by a groove on one end side in the optical axis direction. And a resin material that is disposed adjacent to the first member in the optical axis direction, transmits the laser light, and is compatible with a material forming the first member, A second abutting portion fixed to one abutting portion by laser welding, a second member provided with a groove surrounding the periphery of the second abutting portion, the first member, And a photoelectric conversion element for imaging that converts external light received through the second member into an electric signal.

  According to this invention, even when the first contact portion and the second contact portion are volume-expanded by the heat of the laser beam during fixing, the relative positions of the first member and the second member are increased. The relationship can be prevented from shifting, and stable imaging performance can be ensured.

  According to the member coupling mechanism and the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the positions of the optical members or the distortion of the optical members when the optical member is fixed. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in optical performance in the member coupling mechanism due to a shift in the relative positional relationship between the optical members in the fixing process.

  Exemplary embodiments of a member coupling mechanism according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an example of application to a lens apparatus is shown as a member connecting mechanism according to the present invention.

  First, a schematic configuration of a lens apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The lens device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a lens as an optical member. The lens provided in the lens device may be singular or plural. When the lens device includes a plurality of lenses, all the lenses may be fixed in position with respect to the lens barrel, or a part of the lenses can be moved relative to the lens barrel along the optical axis direction. It may be provided. Since the lens moving mechanism can be easily realized by using a known technique, a description thereof will be omitted.

  The lens device is attached to a mount or the like included in the imaging device main body (not shown). An imaging photoelectric conversion element, that is, an imaging element (not shown) is disposed in the imaging apparatus main body. The image sensor photoelectrically converts external light incident through the lens device and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of incident light.

  Specifically, the imaging device can be realized by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD image sensor (Charge Coupled Device Image Sensor) or a CMOS image sensor (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor).

  Next, a lens apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 and 2 are explanatory views showing a part of a lens apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a part of the lens device according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. FIG. 2 shows a cross section (a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 1) of a part of the lens device according to the embodiment of the present invention, taken along a plane passing through the optical axis and parallel to the optical axis.

  1 and 2, the lens apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a lens barrel 102 that holds a lens 101. The lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 are formed by injection molding using a resin material. By forming by injection molding using a resin material, the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 can be manufactured with high accuracy.

  The resin material forming the lens barrel 102 has a property of absorbing laser light. Specifically, the resin material having the property of absorbing laser light can be realized by, for example, mixing or dispersing a substance having the property of absorbing laser light in a resin material serving as a base. In this embodiment, the first member can be realized by the lens barrel 102.

  The resin material forming the lens 101 has a property of transmitting laser light. Specifically, the resin material having the property of transmitting laser light can be realized, for example, by mixing or dispersing a substance having the property of transmitting laser light in a resin material serving as a base.

  Further, the resin material forming the lens 101 has compatibility with the resin material forming the lens barrel 102. In this embodiment, the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 are formed using the same type of resin material. In this embodiment, the lens 101 can realize the second member.

  The lens barrel 102 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the optical axis C. On the inner periphery of the lens barrel 102, a rib 103 that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 102 toward the optical axis C is provided. The rib 103 has a ring shape with the optical axis C as the center. The inner diameter dimension of the circle formed by the end surface on the optical axis side in the rib 103 is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the lens 101.

  Thereby, a step portion 201 is formed inside the lens barrel 102. Specifically, the step portion 201 may be configured by, for example, a portion where the inner diameter dimension is substantially the same as the outer diameter dimension of the lens 101 and a rib 103 portion where the inner diameter dimension is smaller than the outer dimension of the lens 101. it can.

  The lens 101 is inserted into the lens barrel 102 from one end side in the optical axis direction. Since the inner diameter dimension of the rib 103 is smaller than the outer dimension of the lens 101, the lens 101 inserted into the lens barrel 102 from one end side in the optical axis direction passes through the rib 103 and the inside of the lens barrel 102. It is possible to regulate entry. The rib 103 includes a positioning portion 104 used for positioning the lens 101 inserted into the lens barrel 102 from one end side in the optical axis direction.

  A plurality (three in this embodiment) of positioning portions 104 are provided on the rib 103. Each of the plurality of positioning portions 104 is a surface on the lens 101 side of the rib 103 and is provided on a concentric circle with the optical axis C as the center. Further, the plurality of positioning portions 104 are provided at equal intervals on a concentric circle with the optical axis C as the center.

  Each of the plurality of positioning portions 104 is provided with a positioning surface 105. The positioning surface 105 is provided in each positioning unit 104 and forms a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. Each positioning surface 105 forms a plane at the same position in the optical axis direction. In this embodiment, the first positioning surface can be realized by the positioning surface 105.

  The lens 101 includes a positioning surface 202 that faces the positioning surface 105 in the optical axis direction. The positioning surface 202 forms a plane orthogonal to the optical axis and faces the plurality of positioning surfaces 105. Each positioning surface 202 forms a plane at the same position in the optical axis direction. In this embodiment, the positioning surface 202 can realize the second positioning surface.

  The positioning surface 202 in this embodiment is realized by the end surface of the lens 101 on the rib 103 side. The positioning surface 202 is preferably provided so as to face all the positioning portions 104. The positioning surfaces 202 facing all the positioning portions 104 may be provided in the same number as the positioning portions 104 so as to individually face the plurality of positioning portions 104, or one continuous (or more) ).

  The lens 101 is inserted into the lens barrel 102 from one end side in the optical axis direction, and is positioned relative to the lens barrel 102 in the optical axis direction by bringing the positioning surface 202 into contact with the positioning surface 105. Since the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 formed by injection molding using a resin material can ensure high manufacturing accuracy, the lens barrel 102 is brought into contact with the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202. And the lens 101 in the optical axis direction can be determined with high accuracy.

  Since the outer dimensions of the lens 101 are substantially the same as the inner diameter of the lens barrel 102, the positional relationship between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis by inserting the lens 101 into the lens barrel 102. Can be decided. The positional relationship between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 is determined, for example, such that the optical axis of the lens 101 is aligned with the center of the lens barrel 102.

  By forming the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 by injection molding using a resin material that can ensure high manufacturing accuracy, the lens 101 is inserted into the lens barrel 102 so that the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 are in contact with each other. By doing so, it is possible to determine the relative positional relationship between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 in the optical axis direction and in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

  The lens 101 is fixed with respect to the lens barrel 102 in a state where the lens 101 is positioned in the lens barrel 102. Specifically, for example, the position of the lens 101 with respect to the lens barrel 102 is fixed by laser welding to the rib 103. In laser welding, a member to be joined formed of a thermoplastic resin material is heated using a laser beam until the melting point of the resin material is exceeded, and pressure is applied in a state where the temperature has been raised. This technique is known as a technique for joining members at the molecular level.

  Laser (LASER: Light Amplification Stimulated Emission of Radiation) light is coherent light obtained by amplifying light (electromagnetic wave), and for example, a wavelength in the near infrared region can be used. Specifically, for example, a YAG laser can be used. More specifically, it is preferable to use a laser beam with a wavelength of 800 to 1100 nm using, for example, a YAG laser, a YVO4 laser, a semiconductor laser, or the like.

  YAG in a YAG laser is derived from the initials of yttrium, aluminum, and garnet. YVO4 in the YVO4 laser is an abbreviation for yttrium vanadate (YVO4) and represents a kind of laser medium of a solid-state laser oscillator. The laser light is not limited to the wavelength in the near infrared region, but may be a wavelength shorter than visible light such as ultraviolet rays or X-rays, or a wavelength longer than visible light such as infrared rays.

  In laser welding, basically, a joining target member (hereinafter referred to as “laser light absorbing member” as appropriate) formed of a thermoplastic resin material having a property of absorbing laser light, and a property of transmitting laser light. A laser beam is irradiated from the laser beam transmitting member side to an interface where a joining target member (hereinafter, referred to as “laser beam transmitting member” as appropriate) formed of a thermoplastic resin material having a contact is made.

  In addition to laser welding, techniques for joining members to be joined formed of thermoplastic resin materials at the molecular level include impulse welding, hot plate welding, non-contact hot plate welding, ultrasonic welding, high frequency welding, vibration welding, Although there is infrared welding or the like, the irradiation range of the laser beam can be made extremely small. Therefore, even when the member to be joined is small, it is possible to reliably join by using laser welding. In addition, since laser welding can be joined without using vibration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of adverse effects such as damage to the joining target member due to vibration during joining.

  The resin material used for laser welding can be configured by including various color materials in a predetermined material serving as a base. Specifically, as the thermoplastic resin material having the property of absorbing laser light, for example, a resin material containing a coloring material that is efficient in absorbing laser light in the wavelength range to be used and converting it to heat is used. be able to. Further, as the thermoplastic resin material having a property of transmitting laser light, specifically, for example, a resin material containing a dye-based coloring material that transmits almost the laser light in the wavelength range to be used can be used. .

  Laser welding causes irradiated laser light to reach the laser light absorbing member without melting the surface of the laser light transmitting member, and raises the temperature of the laser light absorbing member higher than the melting point of the laser light absorbing member. Then, the heat of the laser light absorbing member is conducted to the laser light transmitting member to dissolve the laser light transmitting member. The laser light absorbing member and the laser light transmitting member are mixed with each other in the melted portion. When the irradiation of the laser beam is stopped, the temperature of the melted resin material falls below the melting point, and the welding is completed.

  By joining the members to be joined (in this embodiment, the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102) using laser welding, the members to be joined can be joined without using an adhesive. Thereby, the adverse effect on the environment caused by using the adhesive can be suppressed. Further, since no adhesive is required, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where an adhesive is used.

  The positioning portion 104 includes a contact portion 106 provided in the same plane as the positioning surface 105. The abutting portion 106 is provided inside the positioning surface 105 in the positioning portion 104, and has a protruding shape surrounded by an annular groove 107. The groove 107 is not limited to an annular shape surrounding the contact portion 106. The groove 107 may be provided adjacent to the contact portion 106, and is preferably provided so as to face the contact portion 106 with the contact portion 106 therebetween. The contact portion 106 is provided at a position different from the positioning surface 105. In this embodiment, the first contact portion can be realized by the contact portion 106.

  The contact portion 106 is flat in the same plane as the positioning surface 105 in the optical axis direction. The contact portion 106 is not limited to be provided so as to form a plane in the same plane as the positioning surface 105 in the optical axis direction. The plane formed by the contact portion 106 may be provided at a position that protrudes closer to the lens 101 than the positioning surface 105 in the optical axis direction.

  The lens 101 includes a contact portion 203 provided on an end surface on the rib 103 side in the optical axis direction. The contact portion 203 is provided on the lens 101 on the same side as the positioning surface 202 in the optical axis direction and at a position different from the positioning surface 202, and has a protruding shape surrounded by an annular groove 204. There is no. The groove 204 is not limited to an annular shape surrounding the contact portion 203. The groove 204 may be provided adjacent to the contact portion 203, and is preferably provided so as to face the contact portion 203 with the contact portion 203 in between. In this embodiment, the second contact portion can be realized by the contact portion 203.

  The contact portion 203 is flat at the same position as the positioning surface 202 in the optical axis direction. The contact portion 203 is not limited to a flat surface at the same position as the positioning surface 202 in the optical axis direction. The flat surface formed by the contact portion 203 may be provided at a position protruding toward the rib 103 from the positioning surface 202 in the optical axis direction.

  In the lens barrel 102, the lens 101 is positioned so that the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 face each other in the optical axis direction in a state where the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 are in contact with each other. By using the abutting portions 106 and 203 that form a plane in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis C, the abutting portions 106 and 203 can be satisfactorily abutted.

  Next, the positional relationship among the positioning surface 105, the positioning surface 202, the contact portion 106, and the contact portion 203 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a part of the lens apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3, the cross section shown in FIG. 2 is partially enlarged. In FIG. 3, the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 are in contact with each other when the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 are in contact.

  In this embodiment, the contact portion 106 is provided at the same position as the positioning surface 105 and the contact portion 203 is provided at the same position as the positioning surface 202 in the optical axis direction. In a state where 105 and the positioning surface 202 are in contact, the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 can be reliably contacted.

  The size of the contact portion 106 in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction (see reference numeral 301 in FIG. 3) is the size of the contact portion 203 in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction (see reference numeral 302 in FIG. 3). Smaller than. Even if a slight variation occurs in the positional relationship between the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 by making the size of the contact portion 106 smaller than the size of the contact portion 203, the contact portion 106, 203 can be reliably brought into contact.

  When the contact portion 106 protrudes toward the lens 101 from the positioning surface 105 in the optical axis direction, or when the contact portion 203 protrudes toward the lens 101 from the positioning surface 202 in the optical axis direction, The contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 can be brought into contact with each other such that the contact portion 106 or the contact portion 203 bites into the contact portion 203 or the contact portion 106. Thereby, the contact part 106 and the contact part 203 can be contact | abutted more reliably.

  Next, a method for fixing the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 will be described. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing a method of fixing the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101. FIG. 4 and 5, when fixing the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101, first, the lens 101 is inserted into the lens barrel 102 from one end side in the optical axis direction.

  When the lens 101 is inserted, the position of the lens 101 with respect to the lens barrel 102 is adjusted so that the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 face each other in the optical axis direction. The lens 101 is inserted into the lens barrel 102 until the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 come into contact with each other with the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 facing each other in the optical axis direction.

  Then, in the state where the lens 101 is inserted until the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 are in contact with each other and the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 are in contact with each other, A laser beam is irradiated to the contact position. The laser light is irradiated from the opposite side of the lens 101 from the rib 103 so as to irradiate the contact position (welded surface) between the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 through the lens 101, for example.

  The laser light irradiation is performed using a predetermined laser light irradiation device (not shown). The laser light irradiation apparatus includes a laser light source and a lens 401 that collects laser light emitted from the laser light source. Since the laser beam irradiation device can be easily realized by using various known techniques, description thereof is omitted.

  The laser beam applied to the contact position (welded surface) between the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 reaches the rib 103. Since the rib 103, that is, the resin material forming the lens barrel 102 has a property of absorbing laser light, the laser light reaching the rib 103 is absorbed by the rib 103 and converted into heat energy. The thermal energy converted from the light energy in the rib 103 raises the temperature of the protruding portion forming the contact portion 106. Only the resin material at the location where the temperature has been raised to a temperature higher than the melting point is melted at the protruding portion that forms the contact portion 106, and a molten pool 501 is formed.

  In the rib 103, since the contact portion 106 has a protruding shape surrounded by the groove 107, the heat energy forming the molten pool 501 is transmitted to the periphery of the contact portion 106 via the positioning surface 105. Can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the portions other than the portion irradiated with the laser light from melting.

  Further, in the rib 103, a groove 107 surrounding the protruding portion is provided around the protruding portion forming the contact portion 106. Therefore, when the protruding portion forming the contact portion 106 expands due to a temperature rise. The expanded portion can be released to the groove 107. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the generation of a biasing force in the direction in which the rib 103 and the lens 101 are separated in the optical axis direction. Thus, even when volume expansion occurs due to temperature rise, the contact state between the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 can be maintained, and the position of the lens 101 with respect to the lens barrel 102 can be shifted. Can be prevented.

  Since the lens 101 is in contact with the contact portion 106, which is the tip of the projection portion, via the contact portion 203, the heat energy generated in the rib 103 is applied to the projection portion of the lens 101 via the contact portion 203. Conduction is performed to raise the temperature of the lens 101. In the lens 101, only the resin material at a location where the temperature has been raised to a temperature higher than the melting point is melted to form a molten pool 502.

  In the lens 101, since the contact portion 203 has a protruding shape surrounded by the groove 204, the heat energy forming the molten pool 502 is transmitted to the periphery of the contact portion 203 via the positioning surface 202. Can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the portions other than the portion irradiated with the laser light from melting.

  Further, in the lens 101, a groove 204 is provided around the protruding portion that forms the contact portion 203. Therefore, when the protruding portion that forms the contact portion 203 expands due to a temperature rise. The expanded portion can be released to the groove 204. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the generation of a biasing force in the direction in which the rib 103 and the lens 101 are separated in the optical axis direction. Thus, even when volume expansion occurs due to temperature rise, the contact state between the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 can be maintained, and the position of the lens 101 with respect to the lens barrel 102 can be shifted. Can be prevented.

  Since the resin material forming the molten pool 501 in the lens barrel 102 and the resin material forming the molten pool 502 in the lens 101 have compatibility, they are mixed with each other to form one molten pool 503. One molten pool 503 includes a resin material that forms the lens barrel 102 and a resin material that forms the lens 101.

  Since the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 are formed using compatible resin materials, the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 are formed in one melting pool 503 formed by the melting pool 501 in the lens barrel 102 and the melting pool 502 in the lens 101. The resin material for forming the lens barrel 102 and the resin material for forming the lens 101 are mixed evenly and uniformly.

  After one melting pool 503 is formed by the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101, when the irradiation of laser light is stopped, the temperature of the resin material in one melting pool 503 is lowered and solidified. One solidified molten pool forms part of the lens barrel 102 and part of the lens 101. That is, when the temperature of the resin material in one molten pool 503 is lowered and solidified, the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 are joined through the resin material forming the one molten pool 503.

  Since the laser beam can irradiate an accurate position within a small irradiation range, the molten pool 503 can be formed and bonded only at a position where the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 are to be bonded. Thereby, the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 can be joined without impairing the beauty of the joined portion.

  Next, the intensity distribution of the laser beam on the weld surface will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the irradiation position of the laser beam and the intensity distribution of the laser beam on the weld surface. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 indicates an irradiation range (shape) of the laser light at the contact portion 203 when the contact portion 203 is viewed along the optical axis of the laser light.

  Reference numeral 602 indicates the intensity distribution of the laser beam at the protrusion portion that forms the contact portion 106, and reference numeral 603 indicates the intensity distribution of the laser beam in the groove 107. As indicated by reference numerals 602 and 603, the intensity of the laser light is distributed such that the central portion in the laser light irradiation range is higher than the peripheral portion in the laser light irradiation range.

  In the protruding portion forming the contact portion 106, the melting pool 501 is melted deeper as the laser intensity is higher. Then, in the laser light irradiation range, in the peripheral portion where the laser intensity is lower than that in the central portion, melting is performed so that the depth of the molten pool 501 becomes shallower than that in the central portion. Since the groove 107 is provided around the contact portion 106, the laser light emitted from the contact position (welding surface) into the groove 107 through the protruding portion forming the contact portion 106 is the groove 107. Is attenuated within. For this reason, the laser intensity in the groove 107 is lowered.

  By providing the groove 107, the contact position (welding surface) can be brought closer to the laser light source than the periphery of the contact position (welding surface). Accordingly, it is possible to reliably form the molten pool 501 at the contact position (welded surface) and to prevent the unnecessary portion from being melted.

  As described above, the lens device as an example of the member coupling mechanism according to the present invention includes the lens barrel 102 as an example of the first member and the lens 101 as an example of the second member. . Then, a contact portion 106 as a first contact portion surrounded by a groove 107 is provided in a lens barrel 102 formed of a resin material that absorbs laser light, and is adjacent to the lens barrel 102 in the optical axis direction. The lens 101 is formed of a resin material that transmits laser light and is compatible with the material forming the lens barrel 102, and a contact portion 203 as a second contact portion of the lens 101; The contact portion 106 is fixed by laser welding.

  According to the lens device of this embodiment, by providing the grooves 107 and 204 around the contact portions 106 and 203 related to laser welding, the contact portion 106 is welded between the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203. Even when the contact portion 203 undergoes volume expansion, the volume expansion can be released to the grooves 107 and 204. This prevents the relative positional relationship between the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 from deviating even when the contact portion 106 or the contact portion 203 undergoes volume expansion due to the heat of the laser light during fixation.

  Further, according to the lens device of this embodiment, the contact portions 106 and 203 related to laser welding are separated from the periphery through the grooves 107 and 204, so that the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 are separated. It is possible to suppress the heat generated during welding from being transmitted to the surroundings. Thus, heat transfer to portions other than the portions involved in welding can be suppressed, and distortion of the lens 101 and the like due to heat generated during laser welding can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the lens device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the positional relationship between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 from being shifted or the distortion of the lens 101 or the lens barrel 102 during fixing. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in optical performance in the lens apparatus due to a shift in the relative positional relationship between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 in the fixing process.

  In the lens device of this embodiment, the lens barrel 102 has a positioning surface 105 as an example of a first positioning surface provided at a position different from the contact portion 106, and the lens 101 is It has a positioning surface 202 as an example of a second positioning surface provided at a position different from the contact portion 203 on the lens barrel 102 side, and the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 are in contact with each other. In this state, the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 are fixed.

  According to the lens device of this embodiment, the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 that can be manufactured with high accuracy by using a resin material are brought into contact with each other, so that the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 are highly accurate. The positional relationship can be ensured. Further, by providing the contact portion 106 and the lens barrel 102, and the contact portion 203 and the lens 101 at different positions, the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 are volume-expanded by the heat of the laser beam during fixing. Even in this case, the positioning surface 105 and the positioning surface 202 can be stably brought into contact without being affected by the volume expansion. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the positional relationship between the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 from shifting.

  In the lens apparatus according to this embodiment, the contact portion 106 may be configured to protrude from the positioning surface 105 toward the contact portion 203 side in the optical axis direction. In such a configuration, the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 can be reliably brought into contact with each other, and the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 can be reliably fixed.

  In the lens device of this embodiment, the contact portion 203 may be configured to protrude from the positioning surface 202 toward the contact portion 106 in the optical axis direction. Even in such a configuration, the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 can be reliably brought into contact with each other, and the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 can be reliably fixed.

  In the lens device of this embodiment, the lens barrel 102 is formed of a material obtained by mixing a resin material serving as a base with a material that absorbs laser light. Specifically, for example, a black polycarbonate (PC) resin material can be used for the lens barrel 102, for example. In the lens device of this embodiment, the lens 101 is formed of a material obtained by mixing a material that transmits laser light into the same type of resin material as the base resin material. Specifically, for example, a transparent polycarbonate (PC) resin material can be used for the lens 101, for example.

  Thus, by forming the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 using the same type of resin material as a base, the degree of volume change such as expansion or contraction of each optical member due to a change in environmental temperature can be made closer. As a result, even when a volume change occurs in the lens 101 or the lens barrel 102 due to a change in environmental temperature, the positional relationship between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 is shifted due to a difference in linear expansion coefficient between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102. Or distortion of the lens 101 or the lens barrel 102 can be prevented.

  In addition, the optical performance of the lens device is reduced by preventing the positional relationship between the optical members and the occurrence of distortion in each optical member due to the volume change of each member due to changes in the environmental temperature. Can be suppressed.

  Further, the lens device of this embodiment is characterized in that the lens barrel 102 is formed of a resin material, holds the lens 101, and the second member is a lens formed of a resin material. According to the lens device of this embodiment, even when the lens barrel 102 and the lens barrel 102 formed of a resin material are directly fixed by laser welding, the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 are heated by the heat of the laser light at the time of fixing. It is possible to prevent the relative positional relationship with the shift.

  Further, in the lens device according to this embodiment, the contact portion 106 formed on the lens barrel 102 provided with the contact portion 106, which is formed of a resin material that absorbs laser light, and the lens barrel 102 are adjacent to each other. A contact portion 203 is provided which is formed of a resin material which is arranged together and transmits laser light and is compatible with the material forming the lens barrel 102 and is fixed to the contact portion 106 by laser welding. It is only necessary that the groove 107 or the groove 204 is provided so as to sandwich at least one of the contact portions 203 provided on the lens 101 provided.

  Even in such a configuration, at least one of the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 involved in laser welding is sandwiched between the grooves 107 and 204, so that the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 are welded. Even when the contact portion 106 or the contact portion 203 undergoes volume expansion, the volume expansion portion can escape to the groove. This prevents the relative positional relationship between the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 from deviating even when the contact portion 106 or the contact portion 203 undergoes volume expansion due to the heat of the laser light during fixation.

  Further, in the case of such a configuration, at least one of the groove 107 and the groove 204 exists in the vicinity of the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 involved in laser welding, so that the contact portion 106 and the contact portion A space is formed in the vicinity of 203, and heat generated during welding of the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 can be suppressed from being transmitted to the surroundings. As a result, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat to portions other than those involved in welding, and to prevent distortion of each member due to heat generated during laser welding.

  As described above, even in a configuration in which at least one of the groove 107 and the groove 204 is provided, the positional relationship between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 at the time of fixing or the distortion in the lens 101 or the lens barrel 102 is generated. Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in optical performance in the lens apparatus due to a shift in the relative positional relationship between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 102 in the fixing process.

  In addition, an imaging apparatus including the lens device according to this embodiment includes a lens barrel 102 having a contact portion 106, a lens 101 having a contact portion 203, and external light received through the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101. And a photoelectric conversion element for imaging that converts the signal into an electric signal. For this reason, according to the imaging apparatus of this embodiment, even when the contact portion 106 and the contact portion 203 are volume-expanded by the heat of the laser beam at the time of fixing, the relative relationship between the lens barrel 102 and the lens 101 is increased. The positional relationship can be prevented from shifting, and stable imaging performance can be ensured.

  In the embodiment described above, the lens device in which the contact portions 106 and 203 have a planar shape in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis C has been described. However, the contact portions 106 and 203 are orthogonal to the optical axis C. It is not limited to the planar shape formed in the plane to be performed. The contact portions 106 and 203 may have a curved shape so as to protrude or dent in the optical axis direction.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of the contact portion 106. In FIG. 7, the contact portion 106 has a curved surface shape that is curved so as to protrude toward the contact portion 203 side. As for the curved surface shape, it is preferable that at least the tip portion protrudes closer to the lens 101 than the position of the contact portion 203 in the optical axis direction. Thereby, the contact parts 106 and 203 can be contacted satisfactorily.

  In this case, a curved surface shape that is curved so that the position of the contact portion 106 that protrudes closest to the lens 101 coincides with the position 701 of the optical axis (center) in the laser beam irradiated to the contact position (welded surface). It is preferable to do. As a result, the irradiated laser light can be condensed at the center of the protruding portion forming the contact portion 106, and the irradiated laser light can be used effectively.

  Further, instead of the contact portion 106, the contact portion 203 may have a curved shape that protrudes toward the rib 103 from the position of the contact portion 106. Furthermore, both the contact part 106 and the contact part 203 may have a curved shape so as to protrude from each other. By making the contact part 106 and the contact part 203 into such a shape, the contact parts 106 and 203 can be satisfactorily brought into contact with each other.

  Further, the contact portions 106 and 203 may be curved, for example, such that one of the contact portions 106 and 203 protrudes and the other is recessed. In this case, by adjusting the curvature of the protruding curved surface and the concave curved surface, the contact portions 106 and 203 are brought into contact with each other so that the contact portions 106 and 203 are in good contact with each other. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of application to an optical device such as a lens device has been described. However, the member coupling mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to application to an optical device. The member connecting mechanism according to the present invention can be applied to various apparatuses including a plurality of members fixed using laser welding.

  As described above, the member coupling mechanism and the imaging device according to the present invention are useful for the member coupling mechanism including a plurality of optical members whose mutual positional relationship is fixed and the imaging device including the member coupling mechanism. In particular, the present invention is suitable for a member coupling mechanism that requires high accuracy in the positional relationship between optical members to be fixed and an imaging device including the member coupling mechanism.

It is explanatory drawing (the 1) which shows a part of lens apparatus of embodiment concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) which shows a part of lens apparatus of embodiment concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing (the 3) which shows a part of lens apparatus of embodiment concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) which shows the fixing method of a lens-barrel and a lens. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) which shows the fixing method of a lens-barrel and a lens. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the irradiation position of a laser beam, and the intensity distribution of the laser beam in a welding surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of a contact part.

Explanation of symbols

101 Lens 102 Lens barrel 103 Rib 104 Positioning part 105, 202 Positioning surface 106, 203 Contact part 107, 204 Groove

Claims (8)

A first member formed of a resin material that absorbs laser light and provided with a first contact portion sandwiched between grooves;
The first member is disposed adjacent to the first member, and is formed of a resin material that transmits the laser light and is compatible with a material forming the first member. A second abutting portion fixed by laser welding and a second member provided with a groove sandwiching the second abutting portion;
A member coupling mechanism comprising: The first member has a first positioning surface provided at a position different from the first contact portion on the one end side,
The second member has a second positioning surface provided at a position different from the second contact portion on the first member side,
The first contact portion and the second contact portion are fixed in a state where the first positioning surface and the second positioning surface are in contact with each other. Item 2. The member connecting mechanism according to Item 1.   3. The member coupling mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first abutting portion protrudes closer to the second abutting portion than the first positioning surface in the optical axis direction. .   3. The member coupling mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the second abutting portion protrudes closer to the first abutting portion than the second positioning surface in the optical axis direction. . The first member is formed of a material obtained by mixing a resin material serving as a base with a material that absorbs laser light,
The member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second member is formed of a material obtained by mixing a material that absorbs laser light into the same type of resin material as the base resin material. Linkage mechanism. The first member is formed of a resin material, holds the second member,
The member coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second member is a lens formed of a resin material. A first member formed of a resin material that absorbs laser light and provided with a first contact portion;
The first member is disposed adjacent to the first member, and is formed of a resin material that transmits the laser light and is compatible with a material forming the first member. A second member provided with a second contact portion fixed by laser welding;
A groove provided to sandwich at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion;
A member coupling mechanism comprising: A first member formed of a resin material that absorbs laser light, and provided with a first contact portion surrounded by a groove on one end side in the optical axis direction;
The first member is disposed adjacent to the first member in the optical axis direction, and is formed of a resin material that transmits the laser light and is compatible with a material forming the first member. A second member provided with a second contact portion fixed to the contact portion by laser welding and a groove surrounding the periphery of the second contact portion;
A photoelectric conversion element for imaging that converts external light received through the first member and the second member into an electrical signal;
An imaging apparatus comprising:

Images