Ultralow-temperature rectangular lens supporting tool and lens unit

By using an ultra-low temperature rectangular lens support fixture, combined with flexible and rigid structures, the problems of surface accuracy and deformation stress of rectangular lenses under large temperature differences were solved, achieving high performance and reliability of the infrared optical system in extreme low temperature environments.

CN121500529APending Publication Date: 2026-02-10XIAN INST OF OPTICS & PRECISION MECHANICS CHINESE ACAD OF SCI
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511720756.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-11-21
Publication Date
2026-02-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing technologies struggle to effectively guarantee the surface accuracy and deformation stress requirements of rectangular lenses under conditions of large temperature differences. In particular, the combination of optical elements made of different materials and support structures in complex optical systems makes it difficult to achieve high surface accuracy and low deformation stress.

Method used

The ultra-low temperature rectangular lens support fixture includes a rectangular support frame and four bonding components. Each component consists of a rigid body at the support frame end, flexible fins, and a rigid body at the lens end. The combination of flexible fins and epoxy adhesive releases the stress caused by temperature changes and adapts to environments with large temperature differences.

Benefits of technology

It effectively adapts to temperature differences of 50K-300K, ensuring the surface accuracy and optical performance of the rectangular lens, improving the performance and reliability of the infrared optical system, and meeting the requirements of high-precision technology fields.

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Abstract

The invention discloses an ultralow-temperature rectangular lens supporting tool and a lens unit, and solves the problem that the surface precision and the deformation stress of a rectangular lens are difficult to meet the requirements at the same time under a large temperature difference. Each elastic sheet type flexible bonding piece is composed of a supporting frame end rigid body, two flexible fins and two lens end rigid bodies, each bonding piece is of a linear flexible structure, the supporting frame end rigid bodies are bonded with the rectangular supporting frame, the lens end rigid bodies are bonded with the rectangular lens, and the lens end rigid bodies are bonded with the rectangular lens. The flexible fins cope with huge stress brought by temperature changes to the rectangular lens, so that the supporting structure and the flexible release structure are combined, the advantages of a rigid structure and a flexible structure are coupled, the rectangular lens can effectively adapt to a large-temperature-difference environment, the surface shape precision and the optical performance of the rectangular lens are guaranteed, and the service life of the rectangular lens is prolonged. The performance and reliability of an infrared optical system in a low-temperature environment are improved, and the strict requirements of the high-precision advanced technical field on infrared optical elements in the future are met.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to lens support fixtures and lens units, specifically to an ultra-low temperature rectangular lens support fixture and lens unit. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of modern technology, infrared optical systems are playing an increasingly important role in fields such as astronomical observation, remote sensing, and industrial inspection. To improve the sensitivity and imaging quality of infrared detectors, these systems often need to operate in extreme low-temperature environments. However, these low-temperature environments pose severe challenges to the shape and stability of optical components.

[0003] To address the issues of large surface deformation and high thermal stress in optical components caused by significant temperature differences in infrared systems, various research institutions have conducted corresponding studies. Currently, low-temperature infrared cold optical systems primarily employ homogeneous design to achieve calorimetry. The entire system uses the same materials for structural fabrication, avoiding deformation differences between structural components. However, the performance differences between optical components and supporting materials limit the achievement of homogeneity, making it only suitable for metal mirror reflection systems and systems using optical components made of the same material. For complex optical systems, especially transmission systems, optical components and supporting structures made of different materials are essential. When the materials of the optical components and supporting structures differ, current methods involve decoupling the optical components from the supporting structure, designing relative degrees of freedom for movement, allowing the lens to have degrees of freedom in both the axial and radial directions, thus releasing the enormous stress caused by the different deformations of the optical components and supporting structures due to temperature changes. While this approach requires high precision in the fabrication of optical components and supporting structure parts to meet optical requirements, it also introduces assembly inconveniences.

[0004] Neither of the above two solutions can effectively and conveniently solve the problem of severe deformation of optical components in low-temperature infrared lens systems under huge temperature differences, making it difficult to achieve the requirements of high surface accuracy and low deformation stress in cold optics optomechanical systems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the technical problem of simultaneously meeting the requirements for surface accuracy and deformation stress of rectangular lenses under large temperature differences, this invention provides an ultra-low temperature rectangular lens support fixture and lens unit.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture, characterized by the following features: It includes a rectangular support frame that matches the outer shape of the rectangular lens to be supported, and four adhesive components evenly distributed on the inner walls of the rectangular support frame; each adhesive component includes at least one adhesive element; The adhesive component includes a rigid body at the support frame end, two flexible fins, and two rigid bodies at the lens end; The rigid body at the end of the support frame is a rectangular body, including a first top surface and a first bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a first to a fourth side surface arranged around the periphery of the first top surface and the first bottom surface in sequence, wherein the first side surface and the third side surface are parallel, and the second side surface and the fourth side surface are parallel; the first side surface is bonded to the inner wall of the rectangular support frame. One end of each of the two flexible fins is perpendicularly connected to the second and fourth sides of the rigid body at the end of the support frame, respectively, and the two flexible fins are located in the same plane. The two lens end rigid bodies are respectively disposed at the other end of the two flexible fins, and the two lens end rigid bodies are symmetrically disposed on both sides of the support frame end rigid body for bonding with the rectangular lens to be supported. There is a gap between the rigid body at the end of the support frame and the rectangular lens to be supported, and there is a gap between the rigid bodies at the ends of the two lenses and the inner wall of the rectangular support frame.

[0007] Furthermore, the flexible fin includes a second top surface and a second bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a fifth to an eighth side surface that are arranged sequentially around the periphery of the second top surface and the second bottom surface, wherein the fifth side surface and the seventh side surface are parallel, and the sixth side surface and the eighth side surface are parallel. The sixth and eighth sides are one end and the other end of the flexible fin, respectively. The fifth and seventh sides are located on the plane between the first and third sides, and both are parallel to the first side. The fifth and seventh sides are respectively perpendicular to the second or fourth side of the rigid body at the end of the support frame and are connected by a rounded transition, with the connection position close to the third side.

[0008] Furthermore, the rigid body at the end of the lens is a rectangular body, including a third top surface and a third bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a ninth to a twelfth side surface arranged sequentially around the periphery of the third top surface and the third bottom surface, wherein the ninth side surface and the eleventh side surface are parallel, and the tenth side surface and the twelfth side surface are parallel. The ninth and eleventh sides are both parallel to the first side, and the eleventh side is used to bond with the rectangular lens to be supported. The fifth and seventh sides are located on the plane between the ninth and eleventh sides; The fifth and seventh sides are perpendicular to the twelfth side and connected by a rounded transition, with the connection position close to the ninth side.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner wall of the rectangular support frame is provided with mounting grooves that match the shape of each adhesive component, for mounting the corresponding adhesive component.

[0010] Furthermore, the rectangular support frame has downward protruding bosses at the bottom of its four corners, and notches at the top of each boss; the four notches and four bosses correspond vertically to each other. Each of the aforementioned bosses is provided with a threaded hole, the top of which is located within the corresponding notch; Each of the bosses has a positioning surface on its inner side for positioning and installation with external equipment.

[0011] Furthermore, the rectangular support frame is provided with injection holes at positions corresponding to each mounting groove, for injecting epoxy adhesive into the mounting groove so that the first side surface is bonded to the inner wall of the rectangular support frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the rigid body at the end of the support frame, the two flexible fins, and the two rigid bodies at the end of the lens are integrated into one unit.

[0013] Furthermore, the rigid body at the end of the support frame, the two flexible fins, and the rigid bodies at the ends of the two lenses are all made of titanium alloy or Invar steel.

[0014] A lens unit that is special in that: Including the aforementioned cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture, it also includes a rectangular lens; The rectangular lens is set inside the rectangular support frame; A gap is provided between the third side of the rigid body at the end of the support frame and the rectangular lens; The rigid body at the end of the lens is bonded to the rectangular lens.

[0015] Furthermore, a gap is provided between the ninth side of the rigid body at the lens end and the inner wall of the rectangular support frame, and its eleventh side is bonded to the rectangular lens.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. The ultra-low temperature rectangular lens support fixture provided by this invention is provided with a rectangular support frame, and four spring-type flexible adhesive components are set inside it, each consisting of a rigid body at the end of the support frame, two flexible fins, and two rigid bodies at the end of the lens. Each adhesive component is a linear flexible structure, and the four adhesive components are symmetrical in pairs. The rigid body at the end of the support frame is bonded to the rectangular support frame, and the rigid body at the end of the lens is bonded to the rectangular lens. The flexible fins cope with the huge stress brought to the rectangular lens by temperature changes, so that the support structure and the flexible release structure are combined, which combines the advantages of rigid and flexible structures. It can effectively adapt to large temperature difference (50K-300K) environment, ensure the surface accuracy and optical performance of the rectangular lens, improve the performance and reliability of infrared optical system in low temperature environment, and meet the stringent requirements of infrared optical components in future high-precision technology fields.

[0017] 2. The ultra-low temperature rectangular lens support fixture provided by the present invention connects the fifth and seventh sides perpendicularly to the second or fourth side with a rounded transition, and connects the fifth and seventh sides perpendicularly to the twelfth side with a rounded transition. This makes the connection between the flexible fins and the rigid body at the end of the support frame and the rigid body at the end of the lens more flexible, and ensures that the adhesive can more reliably cope with the deformation of the rectangular lens.

[0018] 3. The present invention has injection holes in the middle of the four sides of the rectangular support frame for injecting epoxy resin. The resin layer can not only further release the deformation and thermal stress of the rectangular lens, but also reduce the processing difficulty and debugging and assembly difficulty of the flexible support structure.

[0019] 4. The adhesive component in this invention can adjust the flexibility of the lens support structure for rectangular lenses of different sizes and materials by adjusting the size of the adhesive surface, the number of adhesive points, and the thickness of the rigid body at the support frame end and the rigid body at the lens end, thereby achieving the deformation requirements of different lenses.

[0020] 5. The rigid body at the end of the support frame, the two flexible fins and the rigid bodies at the end of the two lenses of the present invention are integrated and made of titanium alloy or Invar steel, which has good rigidity and toughness and can well realize the processing of flexible structures. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an ultra-low temperature rectangular lens support fixture of the present invention, wherein a rectangular lens to be supported is installed in the middle. Figure 2 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the adhesive component in the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3 This is the second schematic diagram of the adhesive component in the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rectangular support frame in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1- Rectangular lens to be supported; 2-Adhesive component; 21-Support frame end rigid body; 211-First side surface; 212-Second side surface; 213-Third side surface; 214-Fourth side surface; 22-Flexible fin; 221-Fifth side surface; 222-Seventh side surface; 23-Lens end rigid body; 231-Ninth side surface; 232-Tenth side surface; 233-Eleventh side surface; 234-Twelfth side surface; 3-Rectangular support frame, 31-Mounting groove, 32-Boss, 33-Notch, 34-Threaded hole, 35-Positioning surface, 36-Injection hole. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention provides a cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes a rectangular support frame 3 that matches the outer shape of the rectangular lens 1 to be supported, and four adhesive components evenly distributed on each inner wall of the rectangular support frame 3; each adhesive component includes at least one adhesive element 2; the number of adhesive elements 2 can be increased or decreased according to the size of the rectangular lens 1 to be supported. In this embodiment, four adhesive elements 2 are provided, and each adhesive element 2 is respectively provided in the middle of the four inner walls of the rectangular support frame 3.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the adhesive component 2 includes a support frame end rigid body 21, two flexible fins 22 and two lens end rigid bodies 23; like Figure 3 As shown, the rigid body 21 at the end of the support frame is a rectangular body, including a first top surface and a first bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and first to fourth side surfaces arranged around the periphery of the first top surface and the first bottom surface in sequence. The first side surface 211 and the third side surface 213 are parallel, and the second side surface 212 and the fourth side surface 214 are parallel. The first side surface 211 is bonded to the inner wall of the rectangular support frame 3. like Figure 3 As shown, one end of each of the two flexible fins 22 is perpendicularly connected to the second side 212 and the fourth side 214 of the rigid body 21 at the support frame end, respectively, and the two flexible fins 22 are located in the same plane. Specifically, the flexible fin 22 includes a second top surface and a second bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a fifth to an eighth side surface arranged sequentially around the second top surface and the second bottom surface. The fifth side surface 221 and the seventh side surface 222 are parallel, and the sixth side surface and the eighth side surface are parallel. The sixth side surface and the eighth side surface are one end and the other end of the flexible fin 22, respectively. The fifth side surface 221 and the seventh side surface 222 are located on the plane between the first side surface 211 and the third side surface 213, that is, the plane containing the fifth side surface 221 and the seventh side surface 222 is located between the plane containing the first side surface 211 and the third side surface 213, and the fifth side surface 221 and the seventh side surface 222 are both parallel to the first side surface 211. The fifth side surface 221 and the seventh side surface 222 are respectively perpendicular to the second side surface 212 or the fourth side surface 214 of the rigid body 21 at the support frame end and are connected by an arc transition, with the connection position close to the side of the third side surface 213. The vertical distance between the fifth side 221 and the seventh side 222 is 0.3 mm - 2 mm.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, two lens-end rigid bodies 23 are respectively disposed at the other ends of the two flexible fins 22, and the two lens-end rigid bodies 23 are symmetrically disposed on both sides of the support frame end rigid body 21 for bonding with the rectangular lens 1 to be supported. Specifically, the lens-end rigid body 23 is a rectangular body, including a third top surface and a third bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a ninth to twelfth side surface arranged sequentially around the outer periphery of the third top surface and the third bottom surface. Among them, the ninth side surface 231 and the eleventh side surface 233 are parallel, and the tenth side surface 232 and the twelfth side surface 234 are parallel; the ninth side surface 231 and the eleventh side surface 233 are both parallel to the first side surface 211, and the eleventh side surface 233 is used for bonding with the rectangular lens 1 to be supported. The fifth side 221 and the seventh side 222 are located on the plane between the ninth side 231 and the eleventh side 233, that is, the planes on which the fifth side 221 and the seventh side 222 are located are both located between the planes on which the ninth side 231 and the eleventh side 233 are located; the fifth side 221 and the seventh side 222 are perpendicular to the twelfth side 234 and are connected by a circular arc, with the connection position close to the side of the ninth side 231.

[0027] The distance between the first side 211 and the third side 213, and the distance between the ninth side 231 and the eleventh side 233, are both 2-5mm, which can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0028] The rigid body 21 at the support frame end, the two flexible fins 22, and the two rigid bodies 23 at the lens end are integrated and are all made of titanium alloy or Invar steel and processed by slow wire EDM.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the inner wall of the rectangular support frame 3 is provided with mounting grooves 31 that match the shape of each adhesive component 2 for mounting the corresponding adhesive component 2. In this embodiment, the inner wall of the rectangular support frame 3 is provided with a total of four mounting grooves 31 for mounting four adhesive components 2. The bottom of the four corners of the rectangular support frame 3 is provided with downward protruding bosses 32, and the top of each boss is provided with a notch 33 for screw avoidance; the four notches 33 and the four bosses 32 are respectively vertically aligned; a weight-reducing groove is formed between adjacent bosses; each boss 32 is provided with a threaded hole 34 for mounting screws for connection with external equipment, and the top of the threaded hole is located in the corresponding notch 33; the inner side of each boss 32 is provided with a positioning surface 35 for positioning and installation with external equipment to achieve precision assembly. The rectangular support frame 3 is provided with an injection hole 36 at the position corresponding to each mounting groove 31 for injecting epoxy glue into the mounting groove 31 so that the first side 211 is bonded to the inner wall of the rectangular support frame 3.

[0030] The device can achieve primary thermal stress release through flexible fins in the adhesive component and secondary thermal stress release through epoxy adhesive bonding. Moreover, the adhesive component is bonded separately, which can effectively disperse and release thermal stress caused by temperature changes and avoid the impact of low-temperature punching effect on the rectangular lens.

[0031] This invention solves the problem of severe lens deformation in low-temperature infrared optical systems in cold optics, caused by large temperature differences during processing, assembly, and actual working environments. For lenses of different sizes and materials, the flexibility of the lens support structure can be adjusted by changing the size of the bonding surface, the number of bonding points, and the thickness of the flexible sheet, thus achieving the desired lens deformation.

[0032] This device is adaptable to temperature variations up to 200K and is applicable in temperatures ranging from 50K to 300K. It ensures that the surface accuracy and optical performance of the rectangular lens still meet requirements even in extremely low-temperature environments.

[0033] After the optical components pass the surface inspection and the structural components are cleaned after inspection, the four adhesive parts are bonded to the low-temperature rectangular lens using low-temperature epoxy adhesive. The adhesive layer thickness is controlled, and any excess adhesive is removed. After the epoxy adhesive cures, the rectangular support frame is placed flat on the optical mounting platform. After adjusting the gaps, the rectangular lens and adhesive parts are placed into the corresponding mounting slots within the rectangular support frame. Adhesive is injected into the corresponding adapters through the injection holes, controlling the adhesive layer thickness, and any excess adhesive is removed. After curing, the surface of the low-temperature rectangular lens assembly is inspected, and the assembly is completed.

[0034] This embodiment also provides a lens unit, including the above-mentioned ultra-low temperature rectangular lens support fixture, and a rectangular lens made of low temperature infrared materials such as single crystal germanium, single crystal silicon, and zinc tin oxide; the rectangular lens is set inside the rectangular support frame 3; a gap is provided between the third side 213 of the rigid body 21 at the end of the support frame and the rectangular lens; a gap is provided between the ninth side 231 of the rigid body 23 at the end of the lens and the inner wall of the rectangular support frame 3, and its eleventh side 233 is bonded to the rectangular lens.

[0035] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture, characterized in that: It includes a rectangular support frame (3) that matches the outer shape of the rectangular lens (1) to be supported, and four adhesive components evenly distributed on each inner wall of the rectangular support frame (3); each adhesive component includes at least one adhesive element (2). The adhesive component (2) includes a support frame end rigid body (21), two flexible fins (22) and two lens end rigid bodies (23). The rigid body (21) at the end of the support frame is a rectangular body, including a first top surface and a first bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a first to a fourth side surface arranged around the periphery of the first top surface and the first bottom surface in sequence. The first side surface (211) and the third side surface (213) are parallel, and the second side surface (212) and the fourth side surface (214) are parallel. The first side surface (211) is bonded to the inner wall of the rectangular support frame (3). One end of each of the two flexible fins (22) is perpendicularly connected to the second side (212) and the fourth side (214) of the rigid body (21) at the end of the support frame, and the two flexible fins (22) are located in the same plane; The two lens end rigid bodies (23) are respectively disposed at the other end of the two flexible fins (22), and the two lens end rigid bodies (23) are symmetrically disposed on both sides of the support frame end rigid body (21) for bonding with the rectangular lens (1) to be supported; There is a gap between the rigid body (21) at the end of the support frame and the rectangular lens (1) to be supported, and there is a gap between the rigid bodies (23) at the ends of the two lenses and the inner wall of the rectangular support frame (3).

2. The cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible fin (22) includes a second top surface and a second bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a fifth to an eighth side surface arranged sequentially around the periphery of the second top surface and the second bottom surface, wherein the fifth side surface (221) and the seventh side surface (222) are parallel, and the sixth side surface and the eighth side surface are parallel. The sixth and eighth sides are one end and the other end of the flexible fin (22), respectively; The fifth side (221) and the seventh side (222) are located on the plane between the first side (211) and the third side (213), and both are parallel to the first side (211); The fifth side (221) and the seventh side (222) are respectively perpendicular to the second side (212) or the fourth side (214) of the rigid body (21) at the end of the support frame and are connected by a circular arc transition, with the connection position close to the third side (213).

3. The cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rigid body (23) at the end of the lens is a rectangular body, including a third top surface and a third bottom surface that are parallel to each other, and a ninth to a twelfth side surface arranged around the periphery of the third top surface and the third bottom surface in sequence, wherein the ninth side surface (231) and the eleventh side surface (233) are parallel, and the tenth side surface (232) and the twelfth side surface (234) are parallel. The ninth side (231) and the eleventh side (233) are both parallel to the first side (211), and the eleventh side (233) is used to bond with the rectangular lens (1) to be supported. The fifth side (221) and the seventh side (222) are located on the plane between the ninth side (231) and the eleventh side (233); The fifth side (221) and the seventh side (222) are respectively perpendicular to the twelfth side (234) and connected by a circular arc transition, with the connection position close to the ninth side (231).

4. The cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The inner wall of the rectangular support frame (3) is provided with mounting grooves (31) that match the shape of each adhesive component (2) for mounting the corresponding adhesive component (2).

5. The cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rectangular support frame (3) has downward protruding bosses (32) at the bottom of its four corners, and notches (33) at its top; the four notches (33) and the four bosses (32) correspond to each other vertically. Each of the bosses (32) is provided with a threaded hole (34), the top of which is located in the corresponding notch (33); Each of the bosses (32) has a positioning surface (35) on its inner side for positioning and installation with external equipment.

6. The cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rectangular support frame (3) is provided with glue injection holes (36) at positions corresponding to each mounting groove (31) for injecting epoxy glue into the mounting groove (31) so that the first side (211) is bonded to the inner wall of the rectangular support frame (3).

7. The cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support frame end rigid body (21), the two flexible fins (22) and the two lens end rigid bodies (23) are integrated into one unit.

8. The cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture according to claim 7, characterized in that: The support frame end rigid body (21), the two flexible fins (22) and the two lens end rigid bodies (23) are all made of titanium alloy or Invar.

9. A lens unit, characterized in that: The cryogenic rectangular lens support fixture according to any one of claims 1-8 further includes a rectangular lens; The rectangular lens is set inside the rectangular support frame (3); A gap is provided between the third side (213) of the rigid body (21) at the end of the support frame and the rectangular lens; The rigid body (23) at the end of the lens is bonded to the rectangular lens.

10. The lens unit according to claim 9, characterized in that: A gap is provided between the ninth side (231) of the rigid body (23) at the lens end and the inner wall of the rectangular support frame (3), and its eleventh side (233) is bonded to the rectangular lens.