Optical device for implanting an optical device, optical device, method for producing an optical device, and method for producing an optical device

Abstract

An optical device (100) for placement in an optical apparatus includes an optical element (110) having at least one optical characteristic that deviates from a given value. This deviation necessitates adjustment of the optical device (100) relative to the optical apparatus in relation to placement of the optical device (100). The optical device (100) also includes at least one adjustment element (120) bonded to the optical element (110) by a manufacturing process. The at least one adjustment element (120) is generated according to the deviation. The at least one adjustment element (120) is designed to act as a passive adjustment structure for compensating for the deviation when the optical device (100) is placed in a holding device of the optical apparatus.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus or method as described in the preamble of the independent claims.

[0002] Optical components typically require adjustment for placement within an optical device to ensure the entire system meets predetermined specifications. Traditionally, subtractive machining or adjustment turning methods, such as turning or milling, can be used for this purpose. For example, micro-technology methods such as laser ablation are conceivable, as described in DE 10 2018 106 468 A1. Furthermore, DE 10 2016 101 928 A1 describes a method for manufacturing a photoelectric sensor consisting of a lens and a detector. This method is particularly significant in that, in a first step, two components are positioned relative to each other in a desired orientation, whereby these components are temporarily mechanically held. In a second step, material is applied around the components using additive manufacturing or 3D printing in such a manner that the components are permanently held in the pre-adjusted position. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Against this backdrop, utilizing the scheme described herein, we propose an improved optical device for embedding in an optical apparatus, an improved optical apparatus, an improved method for manufacturing an optical device, and an improved method for manufacturing an optical apparatus, according to the main claim. Advantageous improvements and enhancements to the apparatus given in the independent claim can be achieved through the measures implemented in the dependent claims.

[0004] The described solution enables simple yet highly precise passive adjustment of optical elements within an optical device. Specifically, precise reference surfaces or adjustment elements can be manufactured on the optical elements using fabrication processes for passive adjustment.

[0005] An optical device for embedding in an optical apparatus includes the following features:

[0006] An optical element having at least one optical characteristic that deviates from a given value, wherein, with respect to the placement of the optical element into an optical device, this deviation necessitates adjustment of the optical element relative to the optical device; and

[0007] At least one adjustment element is bonded to an optical element by a manufacturing process, wherein the at least one adjustment element is generated according to a deviation, and wherein the at least one adjustment element is designed to act as a passive adjustment structure for compensating for the deviation when the optical element is placed in the holding device of the optical device.

[0008] An optical device can be understood as an optical system. An optical device can be designed to generate, guide, deflect, and additionally or alternatively modify a beam of light. Optical elements can be designed to generate, guide, deflect, and additionally or alternatively modify a beam of light. The manufacturing process can also be called additive manufacturing. Regarding the placement of optical components into an optical device, misalignment may necessitate adjustments, particularly to the optical elements relative to the optical device.

[0009] Here, the at least one optical characteristic can be the orientation of the optical axis, eccentricity error, center thickness, or modulation transfer function. The orientation of the optical axis can be defined relative to the outer periphery or outer surface of the optical element.

[0010] Furthermore, the optical element can be either passive or active. In particular, the optical element can be a lens, objective lens, or laser diode. The optical element can be implemented as rotationally symmetric, having another type of symmetry, or as asymmetric. Therefore, the concepts described herein can have a very wide range of applications.

[0011] An optical device includes the following features:

[0012] At least one example of an implementation of the optical device described herein; and

[0013] A holding device for holding the at least one optical device, wherein, in the state held by the holding device, the at least one optical device is adjusted in a passive adjustment manner by means of the at least one adjusting element.

[0014] By using at least one optical element as described herein, optical devices can employ passive adjustments that can be performed in a simple and precise manner, especially during final assembly.

[0015] Here, the optical device can be an objective lens or a camera. This makes the concept described in this article applicable to a wide range of diverse fields.

[0016] The retaining device can also be a lens mount or a lens barrel. The retaining device can be designed as an example or embodiment of an implementation of at least one of the optical devices described herein.

[0017] A method for producing an embodiment of the optical device described herein includes the following steps:

[0018] Determine the deviation of at least one optical characteristic of an optical element from a given value; and

[0019] Based on this deviation, at least one adjustment element is produced on the optical element through a manufacturing process.

[0020] By implementing this method, embodiments of the optical devices described herein can be advantageously produced. Advantageously, both the determining and generating steps can be performed automatically.

[0021] According to the embodiment, in the production step, the at least one adjustment element can be produced on the optical element in a dimensionally precise manner relative to the holding device of the optical device. Therefore, material can be applied in a direct, dimensionally precise manner.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the method may include the step of generating a replica template that maintains the precise dimensions of the device. Here, in the generation step, at least one adjustment element may be generated on the optical element relative to the replica template. The method may also include the step of removing the optical element from the replica template. The replica template may also be referred to as a master template. Therefore, a master template of this structure is specifically molded, and the structure is designed for fixing or holding optical elements in an optical device.

[0023] A method for producing an embodiment of the optical device described herein includes the following steps:

[0024] The at least one optical element is arranged in a holding device, wherein passive adjustment of the at least one optical element is performed by means of the at least one adjusting element.

[0025] By implementing this method, it is advantageous to produce embodiments of the optical device described herein. Here, the arrangement steps can be advantageously performed automatically.

[0026] Embodiments of the proposed solution are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in more detail in the following description. In the accompanying drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical device;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the optical device;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical components in the replication template;

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical components in the replication template;

[0031] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical device;

[0032] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the optical device;

[0033] Figure 7A flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for producing optical devices; and

[0034] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for producing optical devices.

[0035] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for elements shown and similarly functioning in different figures, wherein repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted.

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical device 100 is shown. The optical device 100 is configured for placement or insertion into an optical apparatus, as described in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0037] The optical device 100 includes an optical element 110 (e.g., a lens) and at least one adjustment element 120 (three adjustment elements 120 are exemplarily provided only) which are additively mounted on the optical element 110.

[0038] Optical element 110 has at least one optical characteristic that deviates from a given value. This optical characteristic is such that, with respect to the placement of optical device 100 into an optical apparatus, this deviation necessitates adjustment of the optical device, more precisely, of optical element 110 relative to the optical apparatus. As an example of this optical characteristic, the orientation of optical axis A is shown here.

[0039] The at least one adjustment element 120 is bonded to the optical element 110 via an additive or synthetic manufacturing process. Here, the at least one adjustment element 120 is produced based on deviations in the aforementioned optical characteristics. Thus, the at least one adjustment element 120 is designed to act as a passive adjustment structure for compensating for deviations when the optical device is placed in the holding device of the optical apparatus.

[0040] Besides the orientation of the optical axis A, eccentricity error, center thickness, or modulation transfer function are also examples of at least one optical characteristic of optical element 110. According to an embodiment, optical element 110 is a passive optical element. According to another embodiment, optical element 110 is an active optical element. In particular, optical element 110 is implemented as a lens, objective lens, or laser diode.

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical device 200 is shown. The optical device 200 includes at least one optical element 100 and a holding device 230. The optical element 100 corresponds to or is similar to... Figure 1The optical device 100 includes, therefore, an optical element 110 (e.g., a lens) and at least one adjustment element 120 (three adjustment elements 120 in this example only), which are additively mounted on the optical element 110. A holding device 230 is designed to hold or fix the at least one optical device 100. Here, in the state held by the holding device 230, the at least one optical device 100 is adjusted passively by means of the at least one adjustment element 120.

[0042] The optical device 200 is, for example, an objective lens or a camera. The retaining device 230 is implemented as a lens mount or lens barrel.

[0043] In other words, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The direct application of the reference surface is shown, as presented in an embodiment of the method, which will be described in more detail below. Figure 1 The image shows the application of a reference point or reference surface with precise dimensions, or more precisely, an optical element 110 with an adjustment element 120 applied in a dimensionally precise manner. Figure 2 The image shows the optical element 100 being placed in a lens mount or lens barrel, or more precisely, the optical element 100 being placed in a holding device 230. Here, at least one adjustment element 120 is generated on the optical element 110 in a dimensionally precise manner relative to the holding device 230 of the optical device 200.

[0044] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical device 100 in the copy template 330 is shown. Here, the optical device 100 corresponds to or is similar to the optical device in one of the foregoing figures, except that... Figure 3 The adjustment element 120 of the optical device 100, which is manufactured by additive or synthetic methods, is produced by molding.

[0045] For this purpose, optical element 110 (also implemented here, for example, as a lens) is arranged in replication template 330, which can also be called replication mold or molding master. Replication template 330 is generated in a dimensionally precise manner relative to the holding device of the optical apparatus, for example, relative to... Figure 2 and / or Figure 6 The holding device in the middle. The adjustment element 120 is produced by additive or generative means on the optical element 110 relative to the dimensionally precise replica template 330.

[0046] Here, Figure 3 The optical element 100 and the replication template 330 are shown in a top view. It can be seen here that the lateral position or orientation of the optical element 110 relative to the replication template 330 is set by adjusting element 120.

[0047] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the optical device 100 in the replication template 330 is provided. Here, the optical device 100 and the replication template 330 correspond to... Figure 3 Optical components and replication templates, in which Figure 4 In the illustration, the optical element 100 and the replication template 330 are shown in cross-section. It can be seen here that the vertical or axial position or orientation of the optical element 110 relative to the replication template 330 is set by the adjusting element 120.

[0048] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the optical device 100 is shown. The optical device 100 corresponds to... Figure 3 and / or Figure 4 Optical components. Here, optical component 100 has been removed from... Figure 3 and Figure 4 Removed from the copy template shown. Thus, the adjustment element 120 or reference surface used for passive adjustment is additively mounted and subsequently molded.

[0049] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the optical device 200 is provided. Here, the optical device 200 corresponds to... Figure 2 The optical device in the middle is different in that the optical device 100 is based on Figures 3 to 5 It was produced in the way it is displayed. In other words, Figure 6 The optical device 100 in the middle includes, for example, in Figures 3 to 5 Adjustment element 120, which is mounted by additive or fabrication and is chamfered or molded as described herein. Optical device 100 is also placed in holding device 230. Holding device 230 is, for example, the mount of an objective lens, which is, for example, optical device 200.

[0050] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method 700 for manufacturing optical devices is shown. The manufacturing method 700 can be performed to produce the optical device shown in one of the foregoing figures or similar optical devices. The manufacturing method 700 includes a determining step 704 and a generating step 706.

[0051] In step 704, a deviation of at least one optical characteristic of the optical element from a given value is determined. Subsequently, in step 706, based on the determined deviation, the at least one adjustment element is manufactured on the optical element using a manufacturing process.

[0052] According to an embodiment, in generation step 706, the at least one adjustment element is generated on the optical element in a dimensionally precise manner relative to the holding device of the optical device. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The operation method according to this embodiment is illustrated in the figure.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the production method 700 further includes a step 702 of generating a dimensionally accurate replica template of the optical device. This replica template, for example, is... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the diagram. Therefore, in step 706, the at least one adjustment element is generated on the optical element relative to the replication template. Furthermore, the production method 700 here also includes a step 708 of removing the optical element from the replication template. Figures 3 to 6 The operation method according to this embodiment is illustrated in the figure.

[0054] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method 800 for manufacturing an optical device is shown. Manufacturing method 800 can be performed to produce the optical device shown in one of the foregoing figures or a similar optical device. Manufacturing method 800 includes an arrangement step 805.

[0055] In arrangement step 805, the at least one optical device is arranged in the holding device. Here, passive adjustment of the at least one optical device is performed by means of the at least one adjustment element. Passive adjustment is advantageously achieved because the at least one adjustment element is bonded to the optical element by a manufacturing or additive method.

[0056] Referring to the embodiments shown in the foregoing figures, the background of the embodiments, and the advantages of the embodiments, the present invention will be briefly summarized again below in a different manner.

[0057] In particular, a method for generating a reference surface or adjustment element 120 on an optical element 110 through fabrication is described. This can be applied to the adjustment processing of optical components and / or the manufacture of combined optical components and / or cameras.

[0058] According to the embodiments, limitations typically associated with conventional adjustment machining methods can be advantageously circumvented, for example. In practice, for mounting objectives, reference surfaces are usually prepared on the lens mount by machining (i.e., so-called adjustment turning). However, not every material can be precisely machined, and there are application cases where optical components cannot be clamped securely enough for precision machining, particularly in the field of micro-optics. In particular, if the optical material itself cannot be machined, the optical components must be mounted in a lens mount suitable for machining. This can be disadvantageous in space-constrained applications. Therefore, in some cases, it is necessary to generate reference surfaces where optical elements cannot be placed in a machineable lens mount. This can be achieved through embodiments where optical element 110 can be passively adjusted within the optical device 200 by adjustment element 120.

[0059] Typically, further requirements arise, especially due to the need for assembly in cleanrooms. For this reason, active adjustment and assembly of lenses in objectives have been developed, for example. Here, the lens is brought to the target position via a hexapod stage and fixed there by means of a UV-cured adhesive. However, this method of operation can reach its extreme cost-effectiveness when the application does not allow for UV adhesives, as is the case in many military applications, where the hexapod stage must hold the lens in place until the adhesive hardens. If the lens can be positioned in the mount by a reference plane, then its adhesion to the mount will no longer depend on active adjustment and will be independent of the type of adhesive. This can be achieved according to embodiments.

[0060] Therefore, to adjust optical components, cutting methods that require machinable lens mounts, such as turning and milling, can be abandoned. Other known methods (such as laser ablation) also remove material from optical elements, which must be removed from the machining area to avoid contaminating the optical elements. These known methods can be complex and, in some cases, may not be compatible with specific manufacturing methods (e.g., due to a lack of cleanroom compatibility).

[0061] In particular, according to the embodiment, the disadvantages typically associated with adjustment turning can be avoided because optical components are generally not machinable and therefore do not need to be installed, and cleanroom compatibility can also be achieved. Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the disadvantages typically associated with active adjustment and assembly can be avoided because limitations on the use of certain types of adhesives can be eliminated. Therefore, by producing the adjustment element 120 on the optical element 110 in a generative or additive manufacturing manner before placing it into the holding device 230 of the optical device 200, many of the aforementioned process disadvantages of conventional methods can be avoided.

[0062] According to the embodiments, particularly for assembling passive and active optical elements 110, reference surfaces or adjustment elements 120 are generated on these optical elements 110 by means of fabrication. For this purpose, the optical characteristics of the optical elements 110 are measured, mainly the eccentricity error or the orientation of the optical axis A, but also including the center thickness and other characteristics. Then, based on these measurements, material is applied to the adjustment element 120 in such a way that the added material can be used as a reference point for passive adjustment.

[0063] Therefore, according to the embodiments, in the context of passively adjusting the orientation of optical elements 110 (primarily lenses) via reference surfaces or adjustment elements 120, the following advantages are particularly provided: optical elements 110 (e.g., lenses) no longer need to be separately installed or glued into the lens mount. The technique for setting the reference surface or adjustment element 120 is cleanroom compatible. Unlike adjustment turning, the technique for setting the reference surface or adjustment element 120 is not limited to rotationally symmetric lenses or optical elements 110.

[0064] Here, according to the embodiment, two different operating methods can be envisioned: the first is direct, dimensionally precise material application; the second is targeted molding of the master template. Both are illustrated, for example, by the lateral orientation of the optical axis A of the lens, which is the optical element 110, relative to the lens mount or lens barrel, which is the holding device 230. However, the application is not limited to this and can also be applied to other references.

[0065] To directly set the reference surface or adjustment element 120, the orientation of the optical axis A is measured. Subsequently, material is applied to the circumference of the optical element 110, or only at discrete points, such that the outer periphery or these discrete points are equidistant from the optical axis A. If the lens or optical element 110 is now engaged with the reference or adjustment element 120, the orientation of the optical axis A relative to the mount or holding device 230 is achieved through passive adjustment. Depending on the error requirements, active adjustment is no longer necessary.

[0066] Molding or producing the reference surface or adjustment element 120 requires a replica template 330 or master plate, which has an inner diameter and, if necessary, support surfaces corresponding to the subsequent inner diameter on the holding device 230 of the objective lens or optical device 200. To prevent the lens or optical element 110 from sticking to the master plate or replica template 330, the master plate is made of a material such that the applied material does not adhere, or at least can be easily detached again, for example, by extrusion. The optical axis A is then measured, and the lens or optical element 110 is oriented relative to the master plate or replica template 330 such that the optical axis A is centered relative to the master plate. The lens is laterally and axially positioned, and the material used to prepare the reference surface or adjustment element 120 is applied. Subsequently, the lens is separated from the master plate, at which point the lens has a reference surface or adjustment element 120 oriented relative to the optical axis A.

[0067] Furthermore, it is conceivable that, based on MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) or wavefront measurements, the reference structure or adjustment element 120 could be mounted on the complete objective lens, which serves as the optical element 110. This would break down the existing process into: measuring and orienting the camera by setting up the reference; and bonding the camera to the sensor chip. This might be meaningful under certain conditions where contact with the camera chip is not possible.

[0068] When adjusting the laser diode, which is an optical element 110, a reference surface or adjustment element 120 can also be applied to orient the laser beam to compensate for manufacturing errors in the production of the laser diode.

Claims

1. An optical device (100) for embedding in an optical apparatus (200), wherein the optical device (100) has the following characteristics: An optical element (110) having at least one optical characteristic that deviates from a given value, wherein, with respect to the placement of the optical device (100) into the optical apparatus (200), the deviation necessitates adjustment of the optical device (100) relative to the optical apparatus (200); and At least one adjustment element (120) is bonded to the optical element (110) by a manufacturing process, wherein the at least one adjustment element (120) is generated according to the deviation, and wherein the at least one adjustment element (120) is designed to act as a passive adjustment structure for compensating the deviation when the optical device (100) is placed in the holding device (230) of the optical device (200).

2. The optical device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical characteristic is the orientation of the optical axis (A), eccentricity error, center thickness or modulation transfer function.

3. The optical device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element (110) is a passive or active optical element, in particular a lens, objective lens or laser diode.

4. An optical device (200), wherein the optical device (200) has the following characteristics: At least one optical device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims; and A holding device (230) for holding the at least one optical device (100), wherein, in the state held by the holding device (230), the at least one optical device (100) is adjusted in a passive adjustment manner by means of the at least one adjusting element (120).

5. The optical device (200) according to claim 4, wherein the optical device (200) is an objective lens or a camera.

6. The optical device (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the holding device (230) is a lens mount or lens barrel.

7. A method (700) for producing an optical device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method (700) comprises the following steps: Determine (704) the deviation of at least one optical characteristic of the optical element (110) from the given value; and Based on the deviation, at least one adjustment element (120) is produced on the optical element (110) by a manufacturing process (706).

8. The method (700) according to claim 7, wherein in the generation step (706), the at least one adjustment element (120) is generated on the optical element (110) in a dimensionally precise manner relative to the holding device (230) of the optical device (200).

9. The method (700) according to claim 7, the method having a step (702) of generating a dimensionally accurate replica template (330) of the holding device (230), wherein in the generation step (706), the at least one adjustment element (120) is generated on the optical element (110) relative to the replica template (330), and the method having a step (708) of removing the optical element (100) from the replica template (330).

10. A method (800) for producing an optical device (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the method (800) comprises the following steps: The at least one optical element (100) is arranged (805) in the holding device (230), wherein passive adjustment of the at least one optical element (100) is performed by means of the at least one adjusting element (120).

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