Optical Element Tapered Part Geometry for Glass Lens Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of tapered parts in glass lenses is challenging due to high viscosity and the ease of air trap occurrence, which affects shape accuracy and optical axis alignment.
Innovation Solution
An optical element with a tapered part on its outer peripheral side, where the normal line faces the optical axis, and a side surface part with a specific B/A ratio greater than 0.2, reducing air trap traces and ensuring high accuracy in optical axis alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tapered part is formed in a glass lens for alignment, then optical axis alignment is improved, but shape accuracy deteriorates due to high viscosity and air trap occurrence during forming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the tapered part, specifically setting the ratio of the height of the tapered part (B) to the distance from the end point on the optical axis side to the side surface part (A) to be greater than 0.2 (B/A > 0.2). This parameter optimization allows the tapered part to function effectively for alignment while minimizing air trap occurrence and maintaining shape accuracy during glass lens forming
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the normal direction of the tapered part compared to conventional designs. Instead of the normal line facing away from the optical axis, the tapered part is designed so that its normal line faces toward the optical axis. This inversion changes the flow pattern of glass material during forming, reducing air trap occurrence while maintaining alignment functionality
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the normal line of the tapered part faces away from the optical axis (conventional design), then air trap occurrence is reduced, but optical axis alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by reversing the normal direction of the tapered part. The tapered part is designed with its normal line facing toward the optical axis rather than away from it. This inversion simultaneously achieves two objectives: maintaining reduced air trap occurrence through optimized material flow and improving optical axis alignment accuracy through the specific geometric configuration where B/A > 0.2
3Reliability
If glass material is used for lens formation, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to high viscosity and air trap formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the tapered part, specifically setting B/A > 0.2, which changes the flow characteristics of glass material during forming. This parameter optimization reduces air trap formation and makes the glass lens forming process more controllable and easier to manufacture while maintaining high optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered part with normal line facing the optical axis is designed into the mold beforehand. This preliminary configuration guides the glass material flow during the forming process, preventing air trap occurrence before it happens and making the manufacturing process more reliable and easier to control
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optical element including an optical surface, a tapered part located on an outer peripheral side of the optical surface and having a normal line of which a direction heading to an outside of the optical element from an inside thereof, faces an optical axis side, and a side surface part located on an outer peripheral side of the tapered part, in which when a distance in a straight line vertical to an optical axis of from an end point on the optical axis side of the tapered part to the side surface part is denoted by A and a height of the tapered part based on the straight line is defined by B, in a cross section including the optical axis and passing through the tapered part, B/A is larger than 0.2.