ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING TILT OF OPTICAL UNIT AND OPTICAL SYSTEM - Patent application

Abstract

The adjustment device according to the invention for adjusting the tilt of an optical component comprises a base element, a holder configured to support the optical component, and an annular adjustment element arranged between the base element and the holder, the base element, the adjustment element and the holder being arranged along an optical axis, the holder being supported on the base element in a tiltable and radially guided manner, the adjustment element being radially displaceable with respect to the base element and the holder about the optical axis, and cooperating with the base element and the holder, the adjustment element being radially displaced to tilt the holder, the optical component being, for example, an optical element such as a lens, a mirror, a diffractive optical element, a diaphragm or an assembly with a plurality of similar or different optical elements.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting the tilt of an optical component. [Background technology]

[0002] Optical systems often comprise several optical assemblies or optical elements, the relative position and / or the relative orientation of which with respect to each other or to the optical axis of a higher optical system must be adjusted in order to optimize the optical properties of the optical system. One of these position parameters to be adjusted is the tilt of an optical component or optical assembly with respect to the optical axis of another optical component or system. By tilt of an optical component is understood in particular the pivoting of said optical component about a pivot axis extending in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, the orientation or azimuth of the pivot axis in this plane can usually be selected as desired. The intersection point of all possible pivot axes usually coincides with the optical axis and is also called the pivot point.

[0003] For targeted adjustment of the tilt, it is desirable to locate the pivot point at or at least close to the center of the optical component, otherwise tilting of the optical component may also change other position parameters of the optical component, e.g. axial position and / or radial position with respect to the optical axis.

[0004] Previous solutions often have the above-mentioned drawbacks. For example, adjustment devices are generally known in which the optical component is supported in a holder, which is supported on a base element by means of three or four axially extending adjustment screws, and a compression spring can be provided between the base element and the holder. The tilt angle can be changed by targeted rotation of the individual adjustment screws, but if the adjustment is not performed symmetrically, the axial position of the holder with respect to the base element can also change. The adjustment process is also made more difficult, since the adjustment screws are only accessible axially.

[0005] From US 4614403 A an adjustment device is known in which the position of the pivot point can be defined as actually desired by suitable support of the holder on the base element, however the setting of the inclination is additionally performed by means of four axially extending adjustment screws.

[0006] US2005 / 0280908A1 describes a solution in which a holder for an optical component rests on a flat surface of a base element, the opposing surfaces having a depression and a bulge, and the holder can be attached to the base element without tilt only if the bulge engages with the complementary depression, with no real adjustment of tilt possible in this case.

[0007] US 3,787,108 A describes an adjustment device in which a holder for an optical assembly can be fixed to a base element by means of two wedge-shaped elements. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] An object of the present invention is to specify an optical adjustment device that can precisely and easily adjust the tilt of an optical component. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This object is achieved by a regulating device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the regulating device are described in the dependent claims.

[0010] The adjustment device according to the invention for adjusting the tilt of an optical component comprises a base element, a holder configured to support said optical component and an annular adjustment element arranged between said base element and said holder, said base element, said adjustment element and said holder being arranged along an optical axis, said holder being supported on said base element in a tiltable and radially guided manner, said adjustment element being radially displaceable with respect to said base element and said holder about said optical axis, said adjustment element being radially displaceable with respect to said base element and said holder, tilting said holder by tilting it. The optical component can be, for example, an optical element such as a lens, a mirror, a diffractive optical element, a diaphragm or an assembly with a plurality of similar or different optical elements. By adjustment of the tilt, in particular, is understood an adjustment of the angle of tilt or the tilt angle between the optical axis of the optical component and the optical axis of a higher-level optical system comprising the optical component and the adjustment device. By tilt, is understood a change of this tilt angle in a certain azimuthal direction. The annular adjustment element is preferably an adjustment element having a circular ring shape, but it is not excluded that the adjustment element also has a different shape, such as an elliptical ring shape. The holder supporting the optical component may have means for firmly connecting or fixing the optical component to the holder. Preferably, the adjustment device has exactly one adjustment element.

[0011] In the adjusting device according to the invention, when an adjusting movement is transmitted to the holder, the adjusting element is displaced radially relative to the base element, i.e. approximately perpendicularly to the optical axis, resulting in a tilt of the holder relative to the base element. However, the holder is not displaced in the same way by radial guidance of the holder in the base element. To allow the tilting movement, some axial play of the holder relative to the base element can be tolerated. The direction of the displacement of the adjusting element in a plane extending perpendicularly to the optical axis determines the azimuth angle of the tilt, while the tilt angle results from the amount of displacement.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the holder has a first contact portion, the adjusting element has a second and a third contact portion, and the base element has a fourth contact portion, the first and second contact portions together defining an annular first sliding surface, and the third and fourth contact portions together defining an annular second sliding surface, the first and second sliding surfaces extending obliquely relative to each other in the radial direction. Thus, the first sliding surface defines the contact surface between the holder and the adjusting element, and the second sliding surface defines the contact surface between the adjusting element and the base element. Thus, when the adjusting element is displaced, sliding occurs between the adjusting element and the holder and between the adjusting element and the base element. In other words, the sliding surfaces extending obliquely relative to each other define an annular wedge, and the adjusting element may have such a wedge shape, but this is not essential, as will be explained in more detail below. The first and second sliding surfaces preferably extend at an angle of 2° to 30°, preferably 5° to 15°, relative to each other. For such purpose, for example, a tilt of a few times the holder can be achieved when the adjusting element is displaced by 200 μm. The tip of the angle sandwiched between the two sliding surfaces preferably faces the optical axis, but this does not exclude that the tip faces in the opposite direction, i.e. away from the optical axis. Due to the radial guidance of the holder relative to the base element, when the adjusting element is displaced radially, the distance between the base element and the holder in the axial direction is smaller on one side and larger on the diametrically opposite side. This change in distance allows or causes a tilt of the holder relative to the base element, although the tilt axis usually extends perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the adjusting element.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the contact part and / or the sliding surface are formed by respective surfaces of revolution, which can preferably be generated by rotating a plane curve around the optical axis. The contact part or the sliding surface thus represent the boundary surface of a real or imaginary body of revolution. The adjustment element can for example be generated by rotating a cross section that is at least partially wedge-shaped. It is to be understood that rotational symmetry with respect to the optical axis refers to a cardinal position of the holder or the adjustment element, in which the axes of symmetry of all components of the adjustment device coincide with the optical axis.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the first and second contact parts is configured as a contact surface, the other of the contact parts cooperating with said contact surface being configured as a further contact surface or contact end. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the third and fourth contact parts is configured as a contact surface, the other of the two cooperating contact parts is configured as a further contact surface or contact end. In other words, at least one of the two cooperating contact parts is configured as a contact surface, the other is likewise configured as a contact surface or as a contact end which preferably circulates in the shape of a ring. When adjusting the adjustment element, the two contact surfaces or one contact surface and one contact end slide against each other along their respective sliding surfaces. The contact end is to be understood as the contact area of ​​the contact part, which can be considered approximately as a ring, i.e. as a circumferential line, and the skilled person will understand that the radial extent of said contact line or contact end does not necessarily have to be zero, but may have a limited radial extent, for example due to a bulge of the corresponding contact end.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, one of the sliding surfaces is planar or formed with a conical section, and the other sliding surface is formed with a spherical or conical section, in particular with another conical section. In both variants, the holder can be tilted, and if the other sliding surface is designed as a spherical section, the holder can be guided along a circular trajectory when tilted, and the geometry of the trajectory of the tilting movement can be easily determined. The angle at which the first and second sliding surfaces extend relative to each other is formed in particular between the one sliding surface, which is planar, and a tangent line extending through the center of the other sliding surface, which is determined by the average distance from the optical axis of the other sliding surface formed as a spherical or conical section, in the neutral position of the holder.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment, the adjustment element has a thread profile on the peripheral side, which cooperates with a complementary thread profile on the peripheral side of the holder, the first and second contact areas being formed by cooperating flanks of the respective thread profiles. A radial play between the thread profiles is preferably provided to ensure the inventive displacement of the adjustment element. The first and second contact areas or the first sliding surface therefore extend helically over one or preferably several thread pitches. Furthermore, the threads defined by the two mutually complementary thread profiles allow for an axial adjustment of the optical component accommodated in the holder.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment, the holder is supported on the base element without play or with radial play, preferably with settable radial play. Depending on the design of the support of the holder on the base element, some radial play may be necessary to tilt the holder relative to the base element. In the case of settable radial play, the radial play can be limited to a required level depending on the tilt position.

[0018] According to another advantageous embodiment, the base element has an axially projecting collar which defines the boundary of the receiving space for the adjusting element and the holder, i.e. the collar defines a receiving space or cavity in which the adjusting element and the holder are arranged. In particular, the collar can also be guided in the radial direction, possibly in cooperation with further guide elements.

[0019] In this connection, it is preferred that the adjustment element is supported in the receiving space so as to be radially displaceable and is assigned a set of, preferably three or four, adjustment elements which act radially between the adjustment element and the collar or the holder and are adapted to displace and / or fix the adjustment element. The adjustment elements can be, for example, adjustment screws or threaded pins. For example, these adjustment screws can be screwed into the collar and their respective radially inward parts act on the adjustment elements. Alternatively, the adjustment screws or threaded pins can be screwed into the adjustment elements and their respective radially inward parts act on the holder. In the latter case, the collar can be provided with corresponding holes providing access to an actuation tool for adjusting the adjustment elements.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, the holders are supported in the receiving space so as to be radially displaceable, and the holders are assigned a respective set of, preferably three or four, radially acting adjustment elements, which are arranged on the collar and are configured for displacing and / or fixing the holders in the receiving space. The adjustment elements assigned to the holders are fundamentally different from the adjustment elements assigned to the adjustment elements, and the adjustment elements provided for fixing or displacing the holders can also be formed by adjustment screws or threaded pins. By being radially displaceable, the optical component can be set in terms of its radial position relative to the base element in addition to its tilt, and preferably the radial position and the tilt can be set substantially independently of each other.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment, the collar has on its inner periphery a convex arch-shaped wall which cooperates with a wall, preferably cylindrical, on the outer periphery of the holder, so as to allow radial guidance of the holder in the base element and at the same time a tilting movement about the desired tilt axis extending perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0022] According to another preferred embodiment, the holder has a convex arched wall on its outer periphery. Alternatively or additionally, the collar has a concave arched wall on its inner periphery, whereby the holder or collar can be designed as a spherical section, thereby allowing a defined tilting movement of the holder to be guided. If both walls are arched, they are preferably complementary to each other, i.e. in each case with approximately the same radius of curvature. If only one wall is arched, the opposite periphery, i.e. the inner or outer periphery, may be provided with a plain, ball or roller bearing arrangement. This allows a reduction in friction occurring during tilting.

[0023] According to another preferred embodiment, the holder is fixed to the base element by an axially acting, preferably variable, contact force, preferably transmitted via at least one spring element and / or generated by at least one screw element or clamping ring. In other words, the contact force can clamp the adjustment element between the holder and the base element, so that the respective cooperating contacts are always in contact during the displacement of the adjustment element. If the contact force is variable, the contact force can be weakened during the adjustment process and strengthened again after the adjustment, thus preventing undesired displacements. The contact force can be transmitted by spring elements, such as, for example, wave springs, leaf springs, compression springs or elastic elements, and the holder can actually be fixed to the base element via one or more screw elements, such as an annular screw connection or individual screws, or a clamping ring or in another way. In principle, another external force can also be generated or gravity can be applied to apply the contact force.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment, the base element is adapted to support a further optical component, i.e. the base element has the function of a further holder provided for supporting or fixing a further optical element or optical member.

[0025] In a second aspect, the invention further relates to an optical system comprising an adjustment device according to an embodiment or a preferred embodiment of the invention and an optical component fixed in a holder of the adjustment device.

[0026] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings, and the various aspects of the invention can also be combined with one another in ways other than those described.

[0027] The invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of an optical system having an adjustment device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical system of FIG. [Diagram 3] 11A-11C are cross-sectional views of an optical system having an adjustment device according to another embodiment in various adjustment positions. [Figure 4] 13 is a detailed cross-sectional view of another optical system having an adjustment device according to another embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is a detailed perspective cross-sectional view of an optical system having an adjustment device according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a detailed perspective cross-sectional view of an optical system having an adjustment device according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a detailed perspective cross-sectional view of an optical system having an adjustment device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In the following, identical or similar elements are given the same reference numbers.

[0030] 1 and 2 show an optical system 10 having an adjustment apparatus 20 according to one embodiment.

[0031] The adjustment device 20 comprises a base element 22, a holder 26, and an adjustment element 24 arranged between the base element 22 and the holder 26. In this embodiment, the base element 22, the adjustment element 24, and the holder 26 are formed in the shape of a torus or as a body of revolution about their basic structure.

[0032] The holder 26 supports a first optical component 60 and the base element 22 supports a second optical component 62, which in this embodiment are configured as individual lenses. In general, other optical components such as diffractive optical elements, mirror optical components, etc., or assemblies with similar or different optical components can also be held in the base element 22 and / or the holder 26. The connection of the optical components 60, 62 to the base element 22 or the holder 26 can be performed by any suitable means, e.g. gluing, screwing, clamping or other fastening techniques.

[0033] The base element 22, the adjustment element 24 and the holder 26 are arranged along an optical axis A, which in Figures 1 and 2 are in basic positions relative to each other and which simultaneously form the axis of symmetry of the base element 22, the adjustment element 24 and the holder 26 for rotational symmetry.

[0034] The base element 22 has an axially projecting collar portion 36 which defines an accommodation space 48 for the adjustment element 24 and the holder 26 .

[0035] The collar 36 of the base element 22 has on its inner wall a slightly arched wall 38 which, in cooperation with a cylindrical wall 40 provided on the outer periphery of the holder 26, makes it possible to guide the holder 26 radially within the base element 22 and to allow a tilting movement about the desired tilt axis extending perpendicular to the optical axis A. In this embodiment, the radial play between the holder 26 and the base element 22 is selected so as to be large enough to allow the holder 26 to tilt within the base element 22.

[0036] In their respective radially outer peripheral regions, the holder 26 has a first contact portion 28.1, the adjusting element 24 has second and third contact portions 28.2, 28.3 and the base element 22 has a fourth contact portion 28.4, the first and second contact portions 28.1, 28.2 cooperating to define a first annular sliding surface 30.1 and the third and fourth contact portions 28.3, 28.4 cooperating to define a second annular sliding surface 30.2.

[0037] The first and second sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2 extend obliquely relative to one another in the radial direction and therefore define a wedge-shaped ring, which in the embodiment according to figures 1 to 3 also defines the shape of the adjustment element 24. The acute angle β between the sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2 is preferably in the range of 2° to 30°, particularly preferably in the range of 5° to 15°. The tip of the angle β between the sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2 faces radially inward, but in variants it may also face radially outward.

[0038] In the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 3, all the contact portions 28.1 to 28.4 are configured as contact surfaces. The first sliding surface 30.1 has the shape of a spherical portion, while the second sliding surface 30.2 extends planarly in a plane extending perpendicular to the optical axis. Due to the relatively large radius of curvature R2 (see Figure 3a), the curvature of the first sliding surface 30.1 is relatively small, but the surface contact between the first contact portion 28.1 and the second contact portion 28.2 is possible even when the holder 26 is inclined with respect to the base element 22.

[0039] Due to the slight curvature of the sliding surface 30.1, the specification of the angle β between the sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2 can be referenced to a respective tangent or secant of the first sliding surface 30.1, the reference point of which can be defined, for example, by the center or edge of the first or second contact portion 28.1, 28.2. In this case, the angle β is related to a tangent extending through the center of the first sliding surface 30.1, which is defined by the average distance R1 of the first sliding surface 30.1 from the optical axis A in the neutral or central position of the holder 26. This average distance R1 can also be considered as the radius of the holder 26. The following applies to the relationship between the average distance R1 of the first sliding surface 30.1 from the optical axis A, the radius of curvature R2 of the first sliding surface 30.1 and the angle β between the sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2: sinβ=R1 / R2 (1)

[0040] The radius of curvature R2 is preferably 2 to 30 times larger than the radius of the holder 26 or the average distance R1, and more preferably 4 to 10 times larger. When the ratio of R2 to R1 is in the particularly preferred range of 4 to 10, the angle range of the included angle β from equation (1) is 5° to 15° when rounded off.

[0041] The above-mentioned angle range of the included angle β obtained from the ratio of R1 to R2 also applies to the embodiment described below in which the sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2 are both conical or flat and therefore do not have a radius of curvature R2.

[0042] Between the adjustment elements 24 and the collar 36 of the base element 22 there is a free space, which allows the adjustment elements 24 to be displaced or shifted radially relative to the base element 22, i.e. transversely to the optical axis. To perform such an adjustment or displacement movement, the respective adjustment elements 32 are provided in threaded holes, which in the present embodiment are provided on the peripheral side of the collar 36 and are configured as screw pins. By correspondingly screwing in and out only partly or entirely the adjustment elements 32, the adjustment elements 24 can be displaced radially in the receiving space 48 defined in the base element 22. In the present embodiment according to figures 1 and 2 the number of adjustment elements 32 is three, but a different number of adjustment elements 32, for example four, may also be selected.

[0043] The mode of operation of the adjustment device 20 will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 3a and 3b. Figures 3a and 3b show an optical system 10 with an adjustment device 20 according to another embodiment, which differs substantially from the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 in that the optical system 10 according to Figures 3a and 3b has only one optical component 60 housed in a holder 26 and the base element 22 shown does not have any further optical components. Also, for the sake of clarity, various details such as the adjustment element 32 are not shown.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 3, the holder 26 is pressed against the base element 22, preferably by a settable contact force F. The adjustment element 24 is now clamped between the holder 26 and the base element 22. To adjust the tilt of the optical component 60, the adjustment element 24 is displaced relative to the base element 22 in a displacement direction represented by the arrow x extending in the plane of the drawing according to Fig. 3b. In this respect, the contact parts 28.1 and 28.2 or 28.3 and 28.4 slide relative to each other along the respective sliding surfaces 30.1 or 30.2. Due to the angular position of the sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2, the left side of the holder 26 is raised relative to the base element 22, while the right side of the holder 26 is lowered. This causes the holder 26 together with the optical component 66 to perform a tilting movement (represented by the curved arrow) clockwise by the tilt angle α about a pivoting or tilting axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. The intersection of the tilt axis, which extends perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, with the optical axis A or with the plane of the drawing is called the pivot point P. Since the holder 26 is radially fixed within the accommodation space 48, only the orientation of the optical component 60 changes, but not its lateral or radial position with respect to the optical axis A.

[0045] The pivot point P is located at the height of the apex of the convexly curved wall portion 38 and extends through the center of the optical component 60. The location of the pivot point P may generally deviate slightly with respect to the apex of the convexly curved wall portion 38 and / or the center of the optical component 60 depending on design considerations.

[0046] With regard to the inclination angle α, when the adjustment element 24 is displaced by the adjustment distance d, for a radius of curvature R2 of the first sliding surface 30.1 the following relationship applies at least approximately: tan α = d / R2 (2)

[0047] In the embodiment described below in which the sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2 are both conical or planar and therefore do not have a radius of curvature R2, in equation (2), R2 can be replaced by the term R1 / sinβ, which is derived by rearranging equation (1).

[0048] Unlike conventional systems in which the optical component is displaced along a circular locus whose center defining the pivot point is away from the center of the optical component to adjust the tilt, in embodiments according to the invention, the pivot point P is much closer to or is identical to the center of the optical component 60, thereby completely avoiding or at least minimizing the relative displacement of the optical component 60 along the optical axis A. This allows for even more precise adjustment of the tilt of the optical component 60.

[0049] 1 and 2, the manner in which the contact force F is generated is also described. The holder 26 is connected to the base element 22 by a number of screws 44, which are arranged along the periphery of the adjusting device 20 and extend in the axial direction, and the force is transmitted between the heads of the screws 44 and the holder 26 by means of wave springs 42. Instead of the peripheral wave springs 44, springs such as individual coil springs can also be provided. The screws 44 extend through corresponding holes 46, which are arranged in the adjusting element 24 and extend in the axial direction, and whose diameter is selected such that the screws 44 do not impede the radial displacement or movement of the adjusting element 24. If the screws 44 are not completely screwed into the base element 22, the contact force F is reduced and the axial mobility of the holder 26 required for tilting is obtained.

[0050] Once adjusted, the screw 44 can be tightened to compress the wave spring 42 more strongly, so that the base element 22, the adjustment element 24 and the holder 26 are finally connected with a force fit, which effectively prevents the tilt of the optical component 26 from being accidentally shifted. One advantage of the invention is that when the screw 44 required to fix the holder 26 is tightened to increase the contact force F, the axial play of the holder 26 is reduced as a result, so that the tilt position of the holder 26 or the optical component 60 does not change anymore, or at least changes only very slightly.

[0051] Various further embodiments of the adjusting device 20 will now be described with reference to figures 4a to 4f. These embodiments in principle represent design variants of the contact parts 28.1 to 28.4 as previously explained with reference to figures 1 to 3.

[0052] In the embodiment according to figure 4a, the design of the contact parts 28.1 to 28.4 corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to figures 1 to 3. Each of the contact parts 28.1 to 28.4 is configured as a contact surface.

[0053] In the embodiment according to Fig. 4b, the configuration of the contact parts 28.3 and 28.4 corresponds substantially to the embodiment described above. In contrast thereto, however, the first contact part 28.1 is configured as a conically or slightly spherically curved contact surface, and the cooperating second contact part 28.2 is formed at the contact end. Here, the path of the first sliding surface 30.1 is thus defined by the first contact part 28.1 and has the shape of a conical or spherical part. The second sliding surface 30.2 is planar.

[0054] The embodiment according to Fig. 4c is, so to speak, the inverse of the embodiment according to Fig. 4b. In contrast to Fig. 4b, the first contact portion 28.1 is a contact end and the second contact portion 28.2 is formed by a contact surface. The first sliding surface 30.1 likewise has the shape of a conical or spherical portion. The second sliding surface 30.2 is planar.

[0055] The embodiment according to Fig. 4d is essentially a mirror image of the embodiment according to Fig. 4a. Here too, the contacts 28.1 to 28.4 are all configured as contact surfaces, but in contrast to Fig. 4a, the first and second contacts 28.1, 28.2 extend in a plane extending perpendicular to the optical axis A, while the third and fourth contacts 28.3, 28.4 extend at an angle to the first and second contacts 28.1, 28.2, so that the first sliding surface 30.1 is planar and the second sliding surface 30.2 has the shape of a conical or spherical section.

[0056] The embodiment according to FIG. 4e largely corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 4b, but in contrast thereto, the second contact portion 28.2 is not configured as a contact end but is formed by a contact surface whose radial extent is smaller than the radial extent of the first contact portion 28.1.

[0057] Finally, in the embodiment according to Fig. 4f, the adjustment element 24 has a thread form 34.2 on its inner circumference, which cooperates with a complementary thread form 34.1 on the outer circumference of the holder 26, the first and second contact portions 28.1, 28.2 being formed by the cooperating flanks of the respective thread forms 34.1, 34.2. The threads formed by the thread forms 34.1, 34.2 have a radial play, which ensures the displaceability of the adjustment element 24 required for the adjustment. The second sliding surface 30.2 is planar, while the first sliding surface 30.1, which is inclined thereto, extends along a helical line or a helically wound surface. Thus, in the embodiment according to Fig. 4f, the optical component 60 accommodated in the holder 26 can also be adjusted axially.

[0058] In the embodiment according to figures 1 to 3, 4a, 4c and 4d, the adjustment element 24 is defined directly as an annular wedge or wedge portion by the sliding surfaces 30.1, 30.2 which run obliquely to one another (see figures 1 to 3).

[0059] 5a to 5c show another design of the adjusting device 20 which in principle can be considered as a variant of the embodiment described above.

[0060] The embodiment according to figure 5a corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to figures 1 to 3. Here, the adjustment element 32 is configured as a threaded pin which can be actuated, for example, by means of an Allen wrench.

[0061] In the embodiment according to figure 5b, the adjustment element 32 is configured as an adjustment screw which is provided with a head with an enlarged diameter and a ribbed outer periphery, which allows for tool-free adjustment.

[0062] In the embodiment according to Fig. 5c, in departure from the embodiment according to Fig. 5a and 5b, the adjustment element 32 is screwed into the adjustment element 24 rather than into the base element 22. The adjustment element 32 therefore does not act on the adjustment element 24 with its respective extremities, but on the part of the holder 26 which projects as a collar. Access to the adjustment element 32, which is configured as a threaded pin as in Fig. 5, is provided through a radial hole 50 in the base element 22. Here too, an adjustment screw can be used as the adjustment element 32 instead of a threaded pin.

[0063] With reference to Figures 6a to 6c, various embodiments are shown which differ substantially from one another with regard to the generation of the contact force F (see Figures 3a and 3b).

[0064] The embodiment according to FIG. 6 a corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the contact force F is generated by a screw 44 and a wave spring 42 .

[0065] In the embodiment according to Fig. 6b, the application of the contact force F is again performed by a number of screws 44 which are arranged on the peripheral side but, in contrast to Fig. 6a, are screwed into the holder 26 and the transmission of the force from the heads of the screws 44 to the base element 22 is performed by one or more spring elements, such as a wave spring 42 or a number of individual springs (coil springs, disc springs, etc.) Thus, unlike the embodiments according to Figs. 1, 2 and 6a, the screws 44 are accessible from the peripheral side of the optical system 10.

[0066] In the embodiment according to Fig. 6c, the holder 26 is fixed to the base element 22 not by screws but by a peripheral clamping ring 56 which can be latched on the inner circumference of the collar part 36 and which fastens the holder 26 and the adjusting element 24 to the base element 22 by means of a spring element. Here, the spring element is configured as a resilient element 52, such as an elastomeric sealing ring, which is arranged in the region of a step 54 on the outer circumference of the holder 26. The required contact pressure F is achieved by compressing the resilient element 52, the resilience of which provides the play of the holder required for the adjustment.

[0067] In another embodiment according to FIG. 7, which represents a variant of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder 26 is supported in the receiving space 48 so as to be radially displaceable and is assigned a respective set of preferably three or four radially acting adjustment elements 33 arranged on the collar part 36. By means of these adjustment elements 33, the holder 26 can be radially displaced or fixed in the receiving space 48. The adjustment elements 33 assigned to the holder 26 are fundamentally different from the adjustment elements 32 assigned to the adjustment element 24, the adjustment elements 33 provided for fixing or displacing the holder 26 can also be formed by adjustment screws or threaded pins. By virtue of the radial displacement, the optical component 60 supported in the holder 26 can also be set in terms of its radial position relative to the base element 22 or the optical component 62 in addition to its tilt, the radial position and the tilt being set substantially independently of each other.

[0068] According to a variant (not shown) of the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 3, the holder 26 may have a convex arch-shaped wall on its outer periphery and / or the collar 36 may have a concave arch-shaped wall on its inner periphery. The curvature of these arch-shaped walls preferably corresponds to a sphere, the geometric center of which usually coincides with the pivot point of the tilting movement and preferably also with the center of the optical component. This allows the holder 26 or the collar 36 to be formed as a spherical part, so that a defined tilting movement can be induced. If both walls are arch-shaped, they are preferably arched complementary to each other, i.e. with the same radius of curvature in both cases. If only one wall is arch-shaped, the opposite periphery may have a ball or roller bearing arrangement. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10: Optical system 20: Adjustment device 22: Base element 24: Adjustment elements 26: Holder 28.1~28.4: Contact part 30.1, 30.2: Sliding surface 32, 33: Adjustment element 34.1, 34.2: Thread shape 36: Color section 38, 40: Wall part 42: Wave spring 44: Screw 46: Hole 48: Storage Space 50: Radial holes 52: Elastic element 54: Step 56: Clamp ring 60, 62: Optical components A: Optical axis d: Adjustment distance F: Contact force P: pivot point R1: Average distance R2: radius of curvature x: Displacement direction α: Tilt angle β: included angle

Claims

1. An adjustment device (20) for adjusting the tilt of an optical component (60), comprising: A base element (22), A holder (26) configured to support the optical component (60); and An annular adjustment element (24) disposed between the base element (22) and the holder (26) It has The base element (22), the adjustment element (24), and the holder (26) are arranged along an optical axis (A); The holder (26) is supported on the base element (22) so as to be tiltable and radially guided, The adjustment element (24) is radially displaceable relative to the base element (22) and the holder (26) about the optical axis (A), and by cooperating with the base element (22) and the holder (26), the adjustment element (24) is radially displaced to tilt the holder (26).

2. the holder (26) has a first contact portion (28.1), the adjustment element (24) has second and third contact portions (28.2, 28.3), the base element (22) has a fourth contact portion (28.4), the first and second contact portions (28.1, 28.2) cooperating to define an annular first sliding surface (30.1) and the third and fourth contact portions (28.3, 28.4) cooperating to define an annular second sliding surface (30.2); 2. Adjusting device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second sliding surfaces (30.1, 30.2) extend obliquely to each other in the radial direction.

3. 3. Adjusting device (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first sliding surface (30.1) and the second sliding surface (30.2) extend at an angle (β) between 2° and 30°, preferably between 5° and 15°, relative to one another.

4. Adjusting device (20) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the contact parts (28.1-28.4) and / or the sliding surfaces (30.1, 30.2) are formed by respective surfaces of rotation.

5. At least one of the first and second contact portions (28.1, 28.2) is configured as a contact surface and the other contact portion (28.1, 28.2) cooperating with said contact surface is configured as a further contact surface or contact tip; and / or 4. An adjusting device (20) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one of the third and fourth contact portions (28.3, 28.4) is configured as a contact surface and the other contact portion (28.3, 28.4) cooperating with said contact surface is configured as a further contact surface or contact end.

6. 4. Adjustment device (20) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that one of the sliding surfaces (30.1, 30.2) is flat or formed by a conical section and the other sliding surface (30.1, 30.2) is formed by a spherical section or a conical section, in particular by another conical section.

7. 4. An adjusting device (20) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the adjusting element (24) has a thread form (34.1) on its peripheral side which cooperates with a complementary thread form (34.2) provided on the peripheral side of the holder (26), and the first and second contact portions (28.1, 28.2) are formed by cooperating flank portions of the respective thread forms (34.1, 34.2).

8. Adjusting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holder (26) is supported on the base element (22) without play or with radial play, preferably with settable radial play.

9. The adjusting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base element (22) has an axially protruding collar portion (36) which defines a receiving space (48) for the adjusting element (24) and the holder (26).

10. 10. An adjusting device (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the adjusting element (24) is supported in the accommodation space (48) so as to be radially displaceable and that the adjusting element (24) is assigned a set of, preferably three or four, adjusting elements (32) which act radially between the adjusting element (24) and the collar part (36) or the holder (26) and are configured to displace and / or fix the adjusting element (24).

11. 10. An adjusting device (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the holder (26) is supported in the receiving space (48) so as to be radially displaceable, and the holder (26) is assigned a respective set of, preferably three or four, radially acting adjusting elements (33), which are arranged on the collar part (36) and are configured to displace and / or fix the holder (26) in the receiving space (48).

12. 10. The adjusting device (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the collar portion (36) has a convex arch-shaped wall portion (38) on its inner periphery, which wall portion (38) cooperates with a wall portion (40), preferably a cylindrical wall portion (40), provided on the outer periphery of the holder (26).

13. Adjusting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holder (26) is fixed to the base element (22) by an axially acting contact force (F), preferably a variable contact force (F), preferably transmitted via at least one spring element (42, 52) and / or generated by at least one screw element (44) or a clamping ring (52).

14. Adjustment device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base element (22) is adapted to support a further optical component (62).

15. An optical system (10) comprising an adjustment device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and an optical component (60) fixed in the holder (26) of the adjustment device (20).

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