Microlens system and micro-optical device

Abstract

The invention relates to a microlens system (9) and to a micro-optical device (1) having such a microlens system (9). The microlens system (9) comprises a microlens (15) and a lens holding device (17) for the microlens (15), wherein the lens holding device (17) has a holding tube (19) which has a tube cutout (21) and the microlens (15) is arranged within the holding tube (19).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a microlens system and a micro-optical device having a microlens system. Background Technology

[0002] Microlenses are used, for example, to couple light from a light source into an optical waveguide. Here, a light-emitting diode (LED) is used as the light source, for example. The light from the light source is focused using a microlens. This is typically necessary when the light emitted by the light source is of relatively low intensity and / or highly divergent, meaning it radiates at a large spatial angle, thus requiring focusing. In this case, focusing the light using a microlens enables sufficient light intensity to be coupled into the optical waveguide.

[0003] In engineered optics systems, microlenses are positioned, for example, directly on or above the emitting surface of a light source to capture light emitted from the source from the largest possible spatial angle and couple it into an optical waveguide. Such microlenses can, for example, have a diameter of less than 0.3 mm. Calibrating microlenses above a light source is training-, time-, and personnel-intensive, significantly increasing the manufacturing cost of micro-optical devices incorporating both a light source and microlenses. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to simplify the calibration of microlenses.

[0005] According to the present invention, the objective is achieved by a microlens system having the features of the present invention, a micro-optical device having the features of the present invention, and a method having the features of the present invention.

[0006] Advantageous designs of the present invention are the subject of the following description.

[0007] The microlens system according to the invention includes a microlens and a lens holding device for the microlens, wherein the lens holding device has a holding tube having a tube cutout, and the microlens is disposed within the holding tube.

[0008] In the microlens system according to the invention, the microlens is thus disposed within the slitted retaining tube of the lens holding device. By disposing the microlens within the retaining tube, the microlens system enables simple calibration of the microlens above the light source, wherein the retaining tube is positioned above the light source. Here, the slit in the retaining tube can be advantageously used for: inserting the microlens into the retaining tube, calibrating the distance between the microlens and the light source, and fixing the microlens to the retaining tube, for example, by bonding the microlens to the retaining tube. The retaining tube can also be used to: direct the light from the light source toward the microlens. The slit in the retaining tube of the microlens system can also be advantageously used for threading electrical wires, such as solder wires, to the light source.

[0009] In one design of the microlens system according to the invention, the tube cut extends along the entire length of the retaining tube. This allows the microlens to be advantageously positioned and fixed to the retaining tube along its entire length via the tube cut.

[0010] In another design of the microlens system according to the invention, the microlens has a diameter that matches the inner diameter of the retaining tube. This allows the microlens to be clamped in the retaining tube for alignment before it is further fixed to the retaining tube, for example, by adhesive bonding. Furthermore, by matching the diameter of the microlens to the inner diameter of the retaining tube, light flowing through the retaining tube can be focused by the microlens over the entire inner diameter of the retaining tube.

[0011] In another design of the microlens system according to the present invention, the microlens is bonded to the retaining tube. By bonding the microlens to the retaining tube, a flexible and durable connection of the microlens within the retaining tube can be achieved.

[0012] In another design of the microlens system according to the invention, the retaining tube is made of brass, aluminum, or, for example, plastic by means of 3D printing. Making the retaining tube from brass or aluminum particularly allows for simple bonding or (especially in the case of brass) welding between the microlens and the retaining tube. Making the retaining tube from plastic, especially by means of 3D printing, advantageously allows for a simple and flexible configuration of the retaining tube.

[0013] In another design of the microlens system according to the invention, the retaining tube is configured as a hollow cylinder with a notch. For example, the notch extends parallel to the cylindrical axis of the retaining tube. With this hollow cylindrical configuration, the retaining tube has a constant inner diameter along its entire length. This allows the microlens to be positioned at any height within the retaining tube in the same manner, and thus at any distance from the light source, such that the distance from the light source can be matched to the optical characteristics of the light source to optimally focus the light emitted by the light source. The notch extending parallel to the cylindrical axis of the retaining tube advantageously enables the microlens to be positioned, aligned, and fixed along the cylindrical axis of the retaining tube without rotating the instrument used for this purpose around the cylindrical axis.

[0014] In another design of the microlens system according to the invention, the lens holding device has a base plate disposed at the end of the holding tube and closing the lens holding device, the base plate having a base plate opening facing the interior of the holding tube. Furthermore, the base plate can have a base plate cutout extending from the base plate opening to the tube cutout of the holding tube. For example, the base plate is made of brass, aluminum, or plastic by means of 3D printing.

[0015] Because the surface area of ​​the base plate is larger than the edge of the retaining tube, the base plate design of the microlens system simplifies the fixation of the microlens system, for example, by gluing or welding the base plate. The base plate openings can be matched to the size of the light source above which the microlens system is positioned, thus advantageously simplifying the positioning of the microlens system during installation. For example, the base plate cutouts can be used to position the microlens system above a light source, which is electrically powered via wires, by using the cutouts as openings to guide the wires through when positioning the microlens system. Base plates made of brass or aluminum particularly allow for simple gluing or (especially when using brass) welding of the base plate to the retaining tube. In particular, 3D printing of base plates made of plastic advantageously enables simple and flexible configurations of the base plate.

[0016] The micro-optical device according to the present invention includes a carrier element, a die disposed on the carrier element, a light-emitting diode disposed on the die, and a microlens system according to the present invention, wherein a lens holding device of the microlens system is disposed at the carrier element, and the end section of the holding tube extends around the die.

[0017] The micro-optical device according to the invention enables simplified calibration of the microlens above the light-emitting diode by placing the microlens within the retaining tube of the micro-optical device according to the invention. Other advantages of the micro-optical device according to the invention arise from the advantages of the microlens system mentioned above.

[0018] One design of the micro-optical device according to the invention includes a bonding wire that connects to a bare die and is guided through a tube cutout in a retaining tube.

[0019] The aforementioned design of the micro-optical device according to the invention considers that a bare die with a light-emitting diode is typically connected via wire bonding. The tube cutout in the holder tube of the microlens system is advantageously used for threading the bonding wire.

[0020] In another design of the micro-optical device according to the present invention, the lens holding device of the microlens system has a base plate with a base plate opening, the base plate opening cooperating with the bare film and arranged around the bare film.

[0021] The aforementioned design of the micro-optical device according to the present invention advantageously simplifies the positioning of the microlens system by placing the bare die in the bottom plate opening of the bottom plate, thereby simultaneously simplifying the calibration of the microlens above the light-emitting diode.

[0022] In another design of the micro-optical device according to the invention, the lens holding device of the microlens system is bonded or welded to the carrier element. Thus, the microlens system is fixed to the carrier element in a simple and low-cost manner.

[0023] In the method according to the invention for manufacturing the microlens system according to the invention, the microlens is clamped in a retaining tube and then bonded to the retaining tube through a tube cut and / or directly at the tube cut. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention described above, and the ways and methods of achieving said features, characteristics, and advantages, become clearer and more readily understood in conjunction with the following description of embodiments, which are illustrated in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter:

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view showing one embodiment of a micro-optical device;

[0026] Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1 The top view of the micro-optical device shown in the image;

[0027] Figure 3 Shown in Figure 1 The image shown is a perspective view of the micro-optical device before the installation of the microlens system;

[0028] Figure 4 A top view showing an embodiment of a microlens system;

[0029] Figure 5 The base plate of the microlens system is shown.

[0030] Corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1 (FIG 1) and Figure 2 FIG 2 illustrates an embodiment of the micro-optical device 1 according to the present invention. Here, Figure 1 A perspective view of the micro-optical device 1 is shown, and Figure 2 A top view of the micro-optical device 1 is shown. The micro-optical device 1 includes a carrier element 3, a die 5, and a light-emitting diode 7 (see [reference]). Figure 3 (and an embodiment of the microlens system 9 according to the present invention).

[0032] Figure 3 (FIG 3) shows a perspective view of the micro-optical device 1 before the microlens system 9 is installed. A die 5 is disposed at the carrier element 3. A light-emitting diode 7 is disposed on the die 5. The die 5 is connected to an electrical contact terminal 13 disposed at the carrier element 3 via a bonding wire 11.

[0033] Figure 4(FIG 4) shows a top view of the microlens system 9. The microlens system 9 includes a microlens 15 and a lens holding device 17 for the microlens 15. The lens holding device 17 has a holding tube 19. The holding tube 19 is configured as a hollow column with a tube cutout 21 extending parallel to the column axis of the holding tube 19 along its entire length. For example, the holding tube 19 is made of brass, aluminum, or plastic by means of 3D printing.

[0034] The microlens 15 is disposed within the retaining tube 19 and has a diameter that matches the inner diameter of the retaining tube 19. For example, the microlens 15 is bonded to the retaining tube 19.

[0035] The lens holding device 17 of the microlens system 9 is disposed at the carrier element 3, wherein the end section of the holding tube 19 extends around the bare film 5. For example, the lens holding device 17 is bonded or welded to the carrier element 3. The bonding wire 11 is guided through the tube cutout 21 of the holding tube 19.

[0036] Figure 5 (FIG 5) shows an optional base plate 23 for the lens holder 17 of the microlens system 9. The base plate 23 is located at the end of the holder tube 19 on the carrier element side and closes the lens holder 17 on the carrier element side. The base plate 23 has a base plate opening 25 facing the interior of the holder tube 19. The base plate opening 25 mates with and surrounds the bare sheet 5. Furthermore, the base plate 23 has a base plate cutout 27 extending from the base plate opening 25 to the tube cutout 21 of the holder tube 19. For example, the base plate 23 may be made of brass, aluminum, or plastic by means of 3D printing.

[0037] In manufacturing the microlens system 9, the microlenses 15 are clamped in the retaining tube 19 at a spacing matched to the optical characteristics of the light-emitting diode 7 used, so as to optimally focus the light output by the light-emitting diode 7. Subsequently, the microlenses 15 are passed through the tube cutout 21 and / or directly bonded to the retaining tube 19 at the tube cutout 21. In the case of producing the same type of microlens system 9 for light-emitting diodes 7 with the same optical characteristics, the microlenses 15 can be fixed in the retaining tube 19 in a pre-production step at a predetermined spacing from the light-emitting diode 7 that matches the optical characteristics of the light-emitting diode 7. If the microlens system 9 has a base plate 23, the base plate 23 is also bonded or welded to the retaining tube 19.

[0038] In manufacturing the micro-optical device 1, the end of the lens holder 17 on the carrier element side is bonded or welded to the carrier element 3 around the bare sheet 5. If the microlens system 9 does not have a base plate 23, then the end of the holder tube 19 on the carrier element side is bonded or welded to the carrier element 3 around the bare sheet 5. If the microlens system 9 has a base plate 23, then the base plate 23 is bonded or welded to the carrier element 3, wherein when the microlens system 9 is positioned at the carrier element 3, the bare sheet 5 is guided through the base plate opening 25 of the base plate 23, and the bonding wire 11 is guided through the base plate cutout 27 of the base plate 23.

[0039] Although the details of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A microlens system (9), the microlens system comprising: - Microlenses (15); and - Lens holding device (17) for the microlens (15). - The lens holding device (17) wherein the lens holding device (17) has a holding tube (19) having a tube cutout (21), and - The microlens (15) is disposed within the retaining tube (19). The retaining tube has a constant inner diameter along its entire length, and the microlens (15) has a diameter that matches the inner diameter of the retaining tube (19), such that the microlens (15) can be clamped in the retaining tube (19) at a spacing that matches the optical characteristics of the light-emitting diode (7) used, so as to optimally focus the light output by the light-emitting diode (7), and The lens holding device (17) has a base plate (23) disposed at the end of the holding tube (19) and closing the lens holding device (17). The base plate has a base plate opening (25) facing the inside of the holding tube (19). The base plate opening cooperates with and surrounds the die on which the light-emitting diode is disposed. The base plate (23) has a base plate cut (27) extending from the base plate opening (25) to the tube cut (21) of the holding tube (19).

2. The microlens system (9) according to claim 1. The tube cut (21) extends over the entire length of the retaining tube (19).

3. The microlens system (9) according to claim 1 or 2. The microlens (15) is attached to the retaining tube (19).

4. The microlens system (9) according to claim 1 or 2. The retaining tube (19) is made of brass, aluminum or plastic.

5. The microlens system (9) according to claim 4. The retaining tube (19) is made of plastic by means of 3D printing.

6. The microlens system (9) according to claim 1 or 2. The retaining tube (19) is configured as a hollow column with cutouts.

7. The microlens system (9) according to claim 6. The tube cut (21) extends parallel to the column axis of the retaining tube (19).

8. The microlens system (9) according to claim 1 or 2. The base plate (23) is made of brass, aluminum or plastic.

9. The microlens system (9) according to claim 8. The base plate (23) is made of plastic by means of 3D printing.

10. A micro-optical device (1), the micro-optical device (1) comprising: - Supporting element (3); - A bare sheet (5) disposed at the bearing element (3); - A light-emitting diode (7) is disposed at the bare die (5); and - A microlens system (9) comprising any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein - The lens holding device (17) of the microlens system (9) is disposed at the carrier element (3).

11. The micro-optical device (1) according to claim 10. The micro-optical device has a bonding wire (11) that is connected to the bare die (5) and guided through the tube cutout (21) of the retaining tube (19).

12. The micro-optical device (1) according to claim 10 or 11. The lens holding device (17) of the microlens system (9) is bonded or welded to the carrier element (3).

13. A method for manufacturing a microlens system (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The microlens (15) is clamped in the retaining tube (19) and then the microlens (15) is passed through the tube cut (21) or / and directly bonded to the retaining tube (19) at the tube cut (21).

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