Optics element, tube, objective and method for producing an objective

Abstract

An optics element (104) for an objective (100) has an optical element (106) and a housing by which the optical element (106) is enclosed. The housing has at least one contoured reference surface (112, 132) for adjusting the optics element (104) relative to another optics element (130).

Description

[0001] Optical element, tube, lens and method for producing a lens

[0002] The invention is based on a device or a method according to the class of the independent claims.

[0003] Lenses are used, for example, as components of cameras or laser systems and comprise a tube in which at least one optical element, such as a lens, is arranged. Precise adjustment of the optical element within the tube is important.

[0004] Disclosure of the invention

[0005] Against this background, the approach presented here proposes an improved optical element, an improved tube, an improved lens, and an improved method for producing a lens according to the main claims. The measures listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous refinements and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim.

[0006] The described approach enables a simple yet very precise adjustment of an optical element within a lens tube or relative to another optical element.

[0007] An optical element for a lens comprises an optical element and a housing enclosing the optical element. The housing has at least one contoured reference surface for adjusting the optical element relative to another optical element.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the optical element is designed for insertion into a tube for the lens and comprises the optical element and the housing enclosing the optical element. The housing has at least one contoured reference surface for adjusting the optical element within the tube.

[0009] Thus, the optical element can be used with or without a tube in the lens.

[0010] An objective can be understood as an optical system through which a light beam can be guided. The light beam can be modified by the optical element. The optical element can be, for example, a lens, a mirror or a diffraction grating. The housing of the optical element can be shaped to fix the optical element. The tube can be cylindrical. A contour of an outer wall of the housing of the optical element can be adapted to a contour of an inner wall of the tube so that the housing can be inserted into the tube and fixed within the tube. Depending on the arrangement of the contoured reference surface, the contoured reference surface can be used to center the optical element relative to the tube or to align it relative to another optical element arranged or capable of being arranged within the tube.To align the optical element relative to the tube, the contoured reference surface can be designed as a circumferential outer surface of the housing, for example as a lateral surface of the housing. In this case, a cross-section through the contoured reference surface running transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing can deviate from a circular shape. If the contoured reference surface is used, for example, to adjust an air gap between the optical element and another optical element arranged within the tube, the contoured reference surface can be designed as a non-planar, uneven surface. A contour defining the contoured reference surface can be understood to mean a structure that goes beyond a manufacturing-related roughness of a surface finish of the contoured reference surface.

[0011] The contoured reference surface can be shaped to effect adjustment of the optical element in response to movement of the contoured reference surface along a contoured counter-reference surface of the tube. This allows the optical element and tube to be centered relative to one another. Alternatively, the contoured reference surface can be shaped to effect adjustment of the optical element in response to movement of the contoured reference surface along another contoured counter-reference surface of another housing of another optical element. This allows the two optical elements to be adjusted relative to one another; for example, a distance between the two optical elements can be adjusted. The movement can be effected in each case by a relative rotation between the optical element and the tube about a longitudinal axis of the tube.

[0012] The contoured reference surface can have a non-rotationally symmetrical contour. Additionally or alternatively, the contoured reference surface can have a wavy contour. Additionally or alternatively, the contoured reference surface can have a sawtooth-shaped contour. Such contours can lead to a displacement of the optical element relative to the counter contour when moving along similarly or correspondingly shaped counter contours. Such a displacement makes it easy to adjust the optical element.

[0013] For example, a contour of the contoured reference surface can be at least doubly continuously differentiable. This facilitates the creation of the contoured reference surface.

[0014] The contoured reference surface can be formed as a radial reference surface. This allows the optical element to be aligned transversely to a longitudinal axis of the tube.

[0015] The contoured reference surface can be formed as an axial reference surface. This allows alignment of the optical element along the longitudinal axis of the tube and / or relative to at least one other optical element.

[0016] The housing can have a mount for the optical element and two end elements. The end elements can close off opposite ends of the mount. Depending on the design, the contoured reference surface can be arranged on a circumferential outer wall of the mount or on an outer cover surface of one of the end elements. Both the mount and one or both end elements can also be equipped with a corresponding contoured reference surface. The mount can be cylindrical. The end elements can be translucent and prevent the penetration of foreign bodies or moisture into the mount. Thus, the described approach can be used in conjunction with conventionally designed optical elements.

[0017] Alternatively, the housing itself can also be referred to as a socket.

[0018] For example, the end elements can be designed as flanges. These allow for secure sealing of the socket.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the contoured reference surface can be formed on the circumferential outer wall of the socket. The contoured reference surface can be a ruled surface. A ruled surface can be understood as a surface in which a straight line passes through every point and is entirely contained within the surface. In other words, cross-sections of the outer wall taken along a longitudinal axis of the socket can be identical, at least within the reference surface. This distinguishes the contoured reference surface from, for example, a threaded structure.

[0020] A tube for accommodating at least one optical element for a lens has an inner wall with a contoured counter-reference surface for adjusting the optical element within the tube. The contoured counter-reference surface is shaped to effect the adjustment of the optical element in response to a movement of a contoured reference surface of the optical element along the contoured counter-reference surface of the tube.

[0021] The contoured counter-reference surface can, for example, have a non-rotationally symmetrical contour, a wave-shaped contour, a sawtooth-shaped contour, and / or a contour that can be continuously differentiable at least twice, corresponding to the contoured reference surface of the optical element. This allows for optimal interaction between the two contoured surfaces. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the reference surface of the optical element and the counter-reference surface of the tube to have different contours.

[0022] A lens can comprise at least one optical element and at least one further optical element. The optical elements can be designed in accordance with the aforementioned optical element. The optical element and the further optical element can be arranged relative to one another, optionally movable relative to one another. The contoured reference surface of the optical element can be arranged opposite a further contoured counter-reference surface of the further optical element.

[0023] A lens may comprise a tube and at least one optical element, wherein the optical element is arranged within the tube.

[0024] The tube can be designed with a contoured counter-reference surface. In this case, the contoured reference surface of the optical element can be arranged opposite the contoured counter-reference surface of the tube. In this way, centering of the optical element within the tube can be achieved or has been achieved by rotating the two contoured surfaces relative to each other.

[0025] The optical element can be arranged together with another optical element within the tube. In this case, the contoured reference surface of the optical element can be arranged opposite another contoured counter-reference surface of the other optical element. In this way, the optical elements can be aligned or have been aligned relative to each other by rotating the two contoured surfaces.

[0026] A method for manufacturing a lens includes the following steps:

[0027] Pushing at least one said optical element against another optical element; and

[0028] Rotating the optical element relative to the further optical element about a longitudinal axis of the further optical element, wherein the contoured reference surface of the optical element is moved along a contoured counter-reference surface in order to adjust the optical element relative to the further optical element.

[0029] A method for manufacturing a lens includes the following steps:

[0030] Inserting or pushing said optical element into a tube; and

[0031] Rotating the optical element within the tube about a longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the contoured reference surface of the optical element is moved along a contoured counter reference surface in order to adjust the optical element within the tube.

[0032] This allows a lens to be manufactured with or without a tube. Advantageously, both the insertion or pushing step and the rotation step can be automated.

[0033] During the rotation step, the contoured reference surface of the optical element can be moved along a contoured counter-reference surface of the tube. This allows the optical element to be centered within the tube.

[0034] During the rotation step, the contoured reference surface of the optical element can be rotated along a contoured counter-reference surface of the further optical element in order to center the optical element relative to the further optical element. During the rotation step, the contoured reference surface of the optical element can also be moved along another contoured counter-reference surface of another optical element. This allows a distance between the optical element and the further optical element to be adjusted within the tube.

[0035] In the pushing step, the optical element can be pushed against the other optical element, whereby the other optical element is temporarily held in position by a V-prism.

[0036] Examples of the approach presented here are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

[0037] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lens;

[0038] Fig. 2 shows an illustration of an embodiment of an outer contour of an optical element and an inner contour of a tube in a not yet centered state of the optical element;

[0039] Fig. 3 is a representation of an embodiment of an outer contour of an optical element and an inner contour of a tube in a centered state of the optical element;

[0040] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of contours of end elements of two optical elements in a not yet adjusted state of the optical elements;

[0041] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of contours of end elements of two optical elements in a first adjustment state of the optical elements; and

[0042] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of contours of end elements of two optical elements in a second adjustment state of the optical elements;

[0043] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a lens; and Figs. 8a and 8b are an alternative embodiment for manufacturing a lens.

[0044] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, whereby a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lens 100 with a tube 102 and an optical element 104 accommodated by the tube 102. The tube 102 is, for example, cylindrical in shape with a circumferential tube wall. The optical element 104 is arranged inserted into the tube 102.

[0046] The optical element 104 has an optical element 106 enclosed by a housing of the optical element 104. For example, the optical element 106 is shaped as a lens for shaping a light beam 110 passing through the objective 100.

[0047] According to one embodiment, an outer surface of a circumferential side wall of the housing is formed as a contoured reference surface 112. The contoured reference surface 112 is arranged opposite a contoured counter-reference surface 114 of the tube 102 when the optical element 104 is inserted into the tube 102, as shown in Fig. 1. The contoured counter-reference surface 114 of the tube 102 is formed by a surface of a circumferential inner wall of the tube 102. Thus, the contoured reference surface 112 can also be referred to as a radial reference surface.

[0048] A contour of the contoured reference surface 112 and a counter-contour of the contoured counter-reference surface 114 are selected such that the optical element 104 can be inserted into the tube 102 along a longitudinal axis of the tube 102. After insertion, the tube 102 and the optical element 104 can be rotated relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of the tube 102. This results in at least one contact between the contoured reference surface 112 and the contoured counter-reference surface 114. The at least one contact results in a relative movement, for example a linear movement, between the optical element 104 and the tube 102, by which the optical element 104 and the tube 102 are centered relative to one another.According to one embodiment, the contoured reference surface 112 and the contoured counter-reference surface 114 touch each other in the centered state of the optical element 104 at three positions, for example along three straight lines running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 102.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the contoured reference surface 112 and the contoured counter-reference surface 114 are each formed as a controlled surface. This enables a straight insertion of the optical element 104 into the tube 102. In the circumferential direction, the contoured reference surface 112 and the contoured counter-reference surface 114 each have, for example, a wave-shaped or sawtooth-shaped contour. Furthermore, it is also possible for the contoured reference surface 112 and the contoured counter-reference surface 114 to have different contours, whereby the number of friction points between the optical element 104 and the tube 102 can be minimized.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the housing of the optical element 104 comprises a mount 116 and two end elements 118, 120. The mount 116 is, for example, cylindrical, and the optical element 106 is enclosed by the mount 116. The end elements 118, 120 are, for example, designed as flanges or covers and close off opposite ends of the mount 116. At least one of the end elements 118, 120 is beam-transmissive to allow the light beam 110 to pass through. According to the embodiment shown, both end elements 118, 120 are transmissive to the light beam 110.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the contoured reference surface 112 is formed by an outer surface of a circumferential side wall of the socket 116.

[0052] Optionally, a further optical element 130 is arranged within the tube 102, corresponding to the optical element 104. According to one embodiment, the further optical element 130 is designed in accordance with the optical element 104 with a contoured reference surface for centering the further optical element 130 within the tube 102.

[0053] According to one exemplary embodiment, the housing of the optical element 104 has a flange surface on at least one end face, here at least on a side facing the further optical element 130. Thus, the optical element 104 has the contoured reference surface 132, for example, on an outer cover surface or flange surface of the closure element 120. The housing has the contoured reference surface 132 in addition to or alternatively to the contoured reference surface 112. In contrast to the contoured reference surface 112, which can also be referred to as a radially contoured reference surface, the contoured reference surface 132 can also be referred to as an axially contoured reference surface.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the further housing of the further optical element 130 has a contoured counter-reference surface 134 on at least one end face, here at least on a side facing the optical element 104.

[0055] For example, the contoured reference surface 132 and the further contoured counter-reference surface 134 are circular or annular, sinusoidal, or sawtooth-shaped. Furthermore, the contoured reference surface 132 and the further contoured counter-reference surface 134 can also have different contours.

[0056] In the state shown in Fig. 1, the optical element 104 and the further optical element 130 are arranged in series along the longitudinal axis of the tube 102 and directly adjacent within the tube 102. The contoured reference surface 132 of the optical element 104 is arranged opposite the further contoured counter-reference surface 134 of the further optical element 130.

[0057] A contour of the contoured reference surface 132 and a counter-contour of the contoured counter-reference surface 134 are selected such that the optical elements 104, 130 can be rotated relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of the tube 102 after insertion into the tube 102, resulting in at least one contact between the contoured reference surface 132 and the contoured counter-reference surface 134. The at least one contact results in a relative movement, for example a linear movement, between the optical element 104 and the further optical element 130, by means of which a distance between the optical element 104 and the further optical element 130 can be adjusted.

[0058] Optionally, the optical elements 104, 130 are glued to the tube 102 after their adjustment within the tube 102 and are thus fixed in their adjusted position.

[0059] The described approach enables fine positioning using contoured reference surfaces, for example surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134.

[0060] The described approach overcomes limitations often associated with other alignment machining methods. The optical axis of the optical element 104 can be generated with high precision (~1 pm) for the radial reference of the mount 116. However, other methods for assembling the mounts into the tube (fill mount principle, poker chip assembly) inherently require a clearance fit between the mount and tube. Even with tight tolerances, depending on the mount / tube material pairing, other methods require a clearance of approximately 10 pm or more to insert the mounts into the tube without jamming. This means that the optical axis to the tube still has a certain amount of play, which, although smaller than the theoretical gap in a practical scenario, is still greater than the centering accuracy of the individual mount.

[0061] In order to reduce or eliminate this play, the mount 116 and the tube 102, according to an embodiment of the approach described here, have a contour which, on the one hand, allows joining, but, on the other hand, also enables (re-)centering in order to better utilize the very good quality of the mount 102.

[0062] Advantageously, this avoids a loss of accuracy due to play between the mount 116 and the tube 102, as well as additional effort due to a mismatch between the inner and outer diameters of the mount 116 and the tube 102. Furthermore, a fine adjustment option for the air gap between adjacent optical elements 104, 130 is provided.

[0063] The described approach enables a method for increasing the assembly accuracy of mounted optical elements, such as the optical element 106, by producing precisely contoured reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134 using alignment turning. According to one embodiment, the reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134, as produced during alignment turning, are produced with non-rotationally symmetric contours, which serve to increase the assembly accuracy (air gaps or centering).

[0064] According to one embodiment, the reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134 are typically produced as alignment-turned reference surfaces that are not as round or flat as possible. Thus, the roundness of the radial reference surfaces 112, 114 and the flatness of the axial reference surfaces 132, 134 are not maintained as precisely as possible. Instead, a targeted contouring of the reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134 is performed, by means of which the position of, for example, the optical element 106 in the tube 102 can be finely adjusted. The method can generally be applied to the production of lenses, such as the lens 100 shown as an example, and can also be subsequently incorporated into existing designs.

[0065] The approach described can solve or at least mitigate several problems associated with lens assembly using adjustment turning. a) Other methods require a degree of play between the mount and the tube to mount the lens mount into the lens barrel, which play is generally (and must be) greater than the desired tolerance of the optical axis to the lens barrel. b) Other methods require the production of a precise (µm-accurate) inner diameter that is required to meet the desired dimension. As a workaround, other methods match the outer diameters of the mount to the actual inner diameters, which requires additional effort. c) Other methods adjust the air gaps to the desired dimension.If a correction in the range of up to 5 pm is necessary due to the assembly and elastic deformation of the frame when the frame stack is compressed, there is no possibility of subsequent correction according to other methods.

[0066] These problems are solved according to the method described here, according to one exemplary embodiment, by manufacturing the reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134 with a superimposed structure. This is made possible by non-circular machining, in which a relative movement already occurs between the tool and the housing of the optical element 104. In this process, the reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134 are deliberately machined to be "wavy" so that the mount 116 can be centered in a correspondingly manufactured tube 102 by rotating it, and additionally or alternatively, the air gap can be adjusted by rotating the mount 116 of the optical element 104 relative to another mount of the further optical element 130.

[0067] This eliminates any play between the mount 116 and the tube 102 in the centered state. Furthermore, the manufacturing of the reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134 can be kept simple. Finally, a subsequent correction of the stack of the housings of the optical elements 104, 130 within the tube 102 can also be performed, for example, in the range of up to 5 pm.

[0068] The following Figures 2 and 3 graphically illustrate the described approach to centering. Each graph is shown as a line diagram on a polar axis.

[0069] According to an alternative embodiment, the lens 100 is implemented without the tube 102. In this case, the optical elements 104, 130 are adjusted by rotating them relative to one another, for example, using the contoured reference surface 132 of the optical element 104 and the further contoured counter-reference surface 134 of the further optical element 130.

[0070] Fig. 2 shows an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an outer contour 240 of an optical element and an inner contour 242 of a tube. The optical element is arranged within the tube, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1, but is not yet centered.

[0071] The outer contour 240 represents an exemplary embodiment of a contour of the contoured reference surface 112 of the optical element described with reference to Fig. 1. The inner contour 242 represents an exemplary embodiment of a contour of the contoured counter-reference surface 114 of the tube described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0072] According to one exemplary embodiment, the outer contour 240 of the housing of the optical element and the inner contour 242 of the tube deviate from the circular shape with a plurality of alternating bulges and indentations. For example, at least two bulges and two indentations, for example, exactly three bulges and three indentations, are arranged along the circumference of the outer contour 240. For example, fewer than five bulges and five indentations are arranged along the circumference of the outer contour 240.

[0073] According to the illustrated embodiment, the outer contour 240 of the mount and the inner contour 242 of the tube exhibit a wavy deviation from the circular shape with three "peaks and valleys." This rotation relative to each other leaves maximum lateral play to enable assembly, during which the optical element is inserted into the tube. Fig. 3 shows an illustration of an embodiment of an outer contour 240 of an optical element and an inner contour 242 of a tube. For example, these are the contours described with reference to Fig. 2, with the optical element and the tube rotated relative to each other to such an extent that the optical element is in a centered state.

[0074] For example, the optical element and the tube are rotated relative to each other to such an extent that a vertex of a bulge of the optical element in the direction of the tube touches a vertex of a bulge of the tube in the direction of the optical element.

[0075] For example, starting from the state shown in Fig. 2, a rotation with an angle between 40° and 80° is carried out.

[0076] In the view shown in Fig. 3, which according to one embodiment is created solely by rotation between the mount and the tube, the play between the mount and the tube is limited. With respect to the center of the tube, the mount is centered in this rotation and no longer exhibits any lateral play.

[0077] Of course, the contour need not be designed in such a way that a rotation of 60° is necessary ("peak" does not have to be on "valley"), as shown by way of example in Fig. 3. The contours 240, 242 can, but do not necessarily have to, be designed in such a way that there is mandatory contact between the mount and the tube.

[0078] By way of example, the contours 240, 242 are formed as circles overlaid with a symmetrical or asymmetrical sinusoidal shape. However, this is only an example. Thus, the contours 240, 242 do not have to be overlaid with a (symmetrical) sinusoidal shape; other shapes, such as a sawtooth, are also possible. The contours 240, 242 can also have different shapes in order to reduce the contact points of the surfaces and thus the friction between the surfaces. However, it is advantageous for the machining speed and accuracy if the contour is continuously differentiable at least twice, so that no sudden acceleration (jerk) occurs during machining.

[0079] Advantageously, even a slightly incorrectly manufactured inner diameter of the socket still allows for precise centering if the socket can be forced into a fixed position and thus centered by slightly further twisting. The following Figures 4 to 6 graphically illustrate the approach described for adjusting the air gap. Analogous to the radial reference surfaces, the axial reference surfaces of the housing or socket can be overlaid with a contour, so that an axial displacement and thus adjustment can be generated by twisting.

[0080] Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contour 450 of an optical element 106 and a further contour 452 of a further optical element 130. The optical elements 106, 130 are optionally arranged within the tube, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1, but are not yet aligned with one another. The optical element 106 is shown within the optical element 104, e.g., as a lens, and a further optical element 506, e.g., as a further lens, is shown within the further optical element 130.

[0081] According to the embodiment shown, the optical elements 106, 506 have an air gap Di.

[0082] The contour 450 represents an exemplary embodiment of a contour of the contoured reference surface 132 of the optical element 104 described with reference to Fig. 1. The further contour 452 represents an exemplary embodiment of a contour of the contoured counter-reference surface 134 of the further optical element 130 described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0083] According to one embodiment, when the lens is vertically aligned, contour 452 is associated with an upper flange of a lower mount, and contour 450 is associated with a lower flange of an upper mount. Compared to a flat reference surface and a corresponding flat counter-reference surface, the contoured reference surface 132 and the corresponding contoured counter-reference surface 134 achieve 0.02 mm more air clearance in the position shown in Fig. 4.

[0084] The contours 450, 452 are shown, for example, along a cross section through the surfaces 132, 134.

[0085] For example, the contours 450, 452 have a deviation from the plane with a plurality of alternating bulges and indentations. For example, the contours 450, 452 each have at least two bulges and two indentations, for example exactly three bulges and three indentations. For example, the contours 450, 452 have fewer than five bulges and five indentations. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the contours 450, 452 thus have a wavy deviation with three "peaks and valleys" from the plane. In the rotation shown in Fig. 4, the "peaks" of the optical element 104 lie opposite the "peaks" of the optical element 130. This maximizes the air distance between the two optical elements 104, 130.

[0086] Fig. 5 shows an illustration of an embodiment of the contours 450, 452 described with reference to Fig. 4. In contrast to the state shown in Fig. 4, the two optical elements in the state shown in Fig. 5 are arranged slightly rotated relative to one another, whereby a distance between the two optical elements has been reduced.

[0087] In the rotation shown in Fig. 5, the "peaks" of optical element 104 are offset from the "peaks" of the other optical element 130. As a result, the air gap between the two optical elements is reduced compared to the distance shown in Fig. 3, but not yet minimized.

[0088] As an example, Fig. 5 shows an axial adjustment of 0.01 mm with a 30° rotation of the flange surfaces relative to each other. According to one embodiment, the reference surface and the counter-reference surface are formed on the mutually facing flange surfaces of the two optical elements.

[0089] Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the contours 450, 452 described with reference to Fig. 4. In contrast to the state shown in Fig. 5, the two optical elements 104, 130 are arranged somewhat rotated relative to one another in the state shown in Fig. 6, as a result of which a distance between the two optical elements 104, 130 has been further reduced, here by way of example minimised.

[0090] In the rotation shown in Fig. 6, the peaks of the optical element 104 coincide with the peaks of the further optical element 130. This minimizes a distance, for example, an air gap, between the two optical elements 104, 130.

[0091] Thus, a minimum air gap is achieved when peaks are aligned with peaks and valleys are aligned with valleys. However, this condition is not crucial for the functioning of the approach described here and is a possible embodiment. An offset may well remain between the two optical elements 104, 130, e.g., depending on manufacturing tolerances. Furthermore, the two optical elements 104, 130 can have different contours. For example, optical element 104 can have a sinusoidal contour and the other optical element 130 can have a sawtooth-shaped contour.

[0092] According to the embodiment shown, the optical elements 106, 506 have an air gap D2.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the possibility of axial fine adjustment and the possibility of lateral re-centering are not used simultaneously on one frame, because then one goal cannot be optimally achieved in each case (overdetermination of the system).

[0094] Since the adjustment is at best (but not necessarily) force-fitting and not form-fitting, it may be necessary to fix the sockets by applying adhesive.

[0095] Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for producing a lens, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1.

[0096] In a step 701, at least one optical element is inserted into a tube and additionally or alternatively pushed against another optical element.

[0097] If the at least one optical element is to be centered within the tube using the described circumferential contoured reference surface, according to one embodiment, in a step 703, the at least one optical element is rotated relative to the tube about a longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the contoured reference surface of the optical element is moved along a contoured counter-reference surface of the tube. The relative rotation is carried out, for example, until a predetermined angle of rotation is reached or a blockage occurs between the contoured surfaces.

[0098] If two adjacent optical elements are to be aligned relative to one another, optionally within the tube, using the described contoured front-end reference surface, the two optical elements are rotated relative to one another about a longitudinal axis of the tube and / or the optical elements in a step 705, according to one embodiment, wherein the contoured front-end reference surface of the optical element is moved along another contoured front-end counter-reference surface of the further optical element. The relative rotation between the two optical elements is carried out, for example, until a predetermined angle of rotation is reached or a blockage occurs between the contoured surfaces.

[0099] Optionally, after the adjustment in one of the steps 703, 705, the at least one optical element is glued in a step 707 relative to the optional tube and / or relative to the further optical element.

[0100] Optionally, in step 701, the optical element is pushed against the other optical element. Optionally, the other optical element is temporarily held in position by a V-prism.

[0101] Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b show an alternative embodiment of a lens or an alternative possibility for its production, in which a tube can be dispensed with. The optical elements 104 and 130 can be held in their lateral position by a V-prism 860, so that they can be prevented from moving apart. Alternatively, corresponding fits can be realized on the optical elements 104, 130, which limit the maximum lateral play. In practice, the optical elements 104, 130 are usually arranged vertically during the adjustment process. If the optical elements 104, 130 are arranged horizontally, for example, a flat surface would press against the end face of one of the optical elements 104, 130 to hold it axially in position. Additionally or alternatively, the adjustment process can be monitored by measurement.For example, a device consisting of an autocollimator and a short-coherence interferometer could be used to determine the alignment state of the optical elements 104, 130 relative to one another from the position of their centers of curvature and air gaps. An example of such a device can be found in EP2458321 B1 or DE102010053422B3. The housings of the two optical elements 104, 130 have contoured reference surfaces or counter-reference surfaces 132, 134 for axial alignment, as well as contoured reference surfaces or counter-reference surfaces 112, 114 for radial alignment. The separate representation in Fig. 8a and 8b is for illustrative purposes only. In practice, the housings of the optical elements 104, 130 would be manufactured such that they have both types of reference surfaces or counter-reference surfaces. The principle of adjusting or centering the optical elements 104, 130 does not differ fundamentally from the procedures already described above.Only a tube is omitted. The mounts or housings of the optical elements 104, 130 can, for example, have different diameters so that they can mechanically interlock, as indicated in Fig. 8b. Both elements 104, 130 can be moved or rotated relative to each other and finely adjusted using the contoured reference or counter-reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134, and then fixed, e.g., using an adhesive.

[0102] To join the optical elements 104, 130, according to one embodiment, a radially acting V-prism 860 is attached to the further optical element 130 and the

[0103] Optical element 104 is subjected to a thrust force 862. The V-prism 860 engages radially on the housing of the further optical element 130. As shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the two optical elements 104, 130 shown in Fig. 8b, in order to center the optical elements 104, 130 against each other, a rotational force 870 is applied to the optical element 104 and a further

[0104] Rotational force 872 is applied. This allows the optical elements 104, 130 to be rotated relative to one another and adjusted relative to one another in the axial and radial directions using the reference or counter-reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134. Even when the optical elements 104, 130 are assembled without the use of a tube, a defined axial or radial distance, or air gap, between the optical elements 104, 130 relative to one another can be set or generated during the adjustment using the contoured reference surfaces 112, 114, 132, 134.

Claims

Patent claims 1. An optical element (104) for a lens (100), the optical element (104) comprising: an optical element (106); and a housing enclosing the optical element (106), characterized in that the housing comprises at least one contoured reference surface (112, 132) for adjusting the optical element (104) relative to another optical element (130).

2. Optical element (104) according to claim 1, wherein the contoured reference surface (112, 132) is shaped to effect adjustment of the optical element (104) in response to movement of the contoured reference surface (112) along a contoured counter-reference surface (114) of a tube (102) or a further contoured counter-reference surface (134) of a further housing of a further optical element (130).

3. Optical element (104) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contoured reference surface (112, 132) has a non-rotationally symmetrical contour or a wave-shaped contour or a sawtooth-shaped contour.

4. Optical element (104) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a contour of the contoured reference surface (112, 132) is at least twice continuously differentiable.

5. Optical element (104) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contoured reference surface (112) is formed as a radial reference surface or wherein the contoured reference surface (132) is formed as an axial reference surface.

6. Optical element (104) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has a mount (116) for the optical element (106) and two terminating elements (118, 120) which close off opposite ends of the mount (116), and wherein the contoured reference surface (112) is arranged on a circumferential outer wall of the mount (116) or wherein the contoured reference surface (132) is arranged on an outer cover surface of one of the terminating elements (118, 120).

7. Optical element (104) according to claim 6, wherein the end elements (118, 120) are formed as flanges.

8. Optical element (104) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the contoured reference surface (112) is formed on the circumferential outer wall of the mount (116) and is a ruled surface.

9. A tube (102) for receiving at least one optical element (104) for an objective (100), the tube (102) having the following features: an inner wall with a contoured counter-reference surface (114) for adjusting the optical element (104) within the tube (102), the contoured counter-reference surface (114) being shaped to effect adjustment of the optical element (104) in response to movement of a contoured reference surface (112) of the optical element (104) along the contoured counter-reference surface (114) of the tube (102).

10. Lens (100) with at least one optical element (104) and at least one further optical element (130) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the optical element (104) and the further optical element (130) are arranged relative to one another and wherein the contoured reference surface (112, 132) of the optical element (104) is arranged opposite a further contoured counter-reference surface (114, 134) of the further optical element (130).

11. Lens (100) with a tube (102) and at least one optical element (104) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the optical element (104) is arranged within the tube (102).

12. Lens (100) according to claim 11, wherein the tube (102) is designed as a tube (102) according to claim 9 and the contoured reference surface (112) of the optical element (104) is arranged opposite the contoured counter reference surface (114) of the tube (102).

13. Lens (100) according to claim 11, wherein the optical element (104) and a further optical element (130) are arranged within the tube (102), wherein the contoured reference surface (130) of the optical element (104) is arranged opposite a further contoured counter-reference surface (132) of the further optical element (130).

14. A method for manufacturing a lens (100), the method comprising the following steps: Pushing (701) at least one optical element (104) according to one of claims 1 to 8 into a tube (102) and / or against another optical element (130); and Rotating (703, 705) the optical element (104) within the tube (102) or relative to the further optical element (130) about a longitudinal axis of the tube (102) or of the further optical element (130), wherein the contoured reference surface (112, 130) of the optical element (104) is moved along a contoured counter-reference surface (114, 132) in order to adjust the optical element (104) within the tube (102) or relative to the further optical element (130).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein in the step (703) of rotating, the contoured reference surface (112) of the optical element (104) is moved along a contoured counter-reference surface (114) of the tube (102) in order to center the optical element (104) within the tube (102).

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein in the step (703) of rotating, the contoured reference surface (112) of the optical element (104) is moved along a contoured counter-reference surface (114) of the further optical element (130) in order to center the optical element (104) relative to the further optical element (130).

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein in the step (705) of rotating, the contoured reference surface (130) of the optical element (104) is moved along a further contoured counter-reference surface (132) of a further optical element (130) in order to adjust a distance between the optical element (104) and the further optical element (130) within the tube (102) or relative to each other.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein in the pushing step (701) the optical element (104) is pushed against the further optical element (130) and wherein the further optical element (130) is temporarily held in position by a V-prism.

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