Imaging optical system for compensating change of temperature

Abstract

An imaging optical system for compensating for changes of temperature according to the present invention corrects a focal point for an entire optical system due to temperature change by changing a relative distance between a lens and a light receiving element. To this end, a correcting member, which expands and contracts due to temperature change, is disposed between the lens and the light receiving element. Moreover, the coefficient of thermal expansion is set to such a value so as to be able to substantially correct for the focal point change. According to another aspect of the present invention, the optical system includes a lens system which has at least a positive lens and a negative lens in order to offset the effect of the temperature change.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an imaging optical system for correcting for a change of a focal point which is caused by a change in refractive index and a change of thermal expansion due to change of temperature. More particularly, the present invention relates to an imaging optical system such as a color scanner, etc. requiring sufficient resolution over a wide range of wavelengths and a high efficiency lens, etc. having a long focal length.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The focal length fluctuation .DELTA.f caused by change of temperature of an imaging optical system can be considered as a sum of two factors, i.e., fluctuation or change .DELTA.fn caused by the change of refractive index and fluctuation .DELTA.fL caused by thermal expansion.

The focal length fluctuations .DELTA.fn and .DELTA.fL with respect to a temperature change At from a reference temperature can be expressed as follows: ##EQU1## wherein: f: focal length of a lens

n: refractive index of a lens (dn/dt): rate of change of refractive index of a lens ##EQU2## coefficient of thermal expansion

The coefficient of thermal expansion is always positive without regard to the glass material of the lens. In the case of a positive lens, where a relation of focal length f>0 is satisfied, if .DELTA.t>0, .DELTA.fL always becomes positive from the equation (2) and if .DELTA.t<0, .DELTA.fL always becomes negative.

Since the refractive index n>1, in a case of a positive lens, if .DELTA.t>0, .DELTA.fn becomes negative when it is formed of an ordinary glass material where the rate of change of the refractive index is positive, and if .DELTA.t<0, .DELTA.fn becomes positive from the equation (1).

Therefore, in a case of a positive lens formed from ordinary glass material, since .DELTA.fL and .DELTA.fn vary inversly with each other, the focal length fluctuation .DELTA.f tends to be canceled by the lens itself. The same is true with respect to the negative lens.

In an imaging optical system such as a color scanner, etc. and a high efficiency lens, etc. having a long focal length, which may include a lens formed of a low dispersion glass such as, for example Fk01 (merchandise name, i.e., trademark, of Kabushiki Kaisha Ohara) in order to limit the chromatic aberration.

However, with low dispersion glass, in contrast with general type glass, the rate of change (dn/dt) of the refractive index with respect to change of temperature is a negative value.

When a low dispersion glass is used as a glass material, in a case of a positive lens, if .DELTA.t>0, .DELTA.fn becomes positive, and if .DELTA.t<0, .DELTA.fn becomes negative.

Therefore, in a case of a low dispersion glass, .DELTA.fL and .DELTA.fn vary in the same manner (i.e., directly with respect to each other). As a result, the focal length fluctuation .DELTA.f, which is the sum of .DELTA.fL and .DELTA.fn, due to temperature change tends to become large.

Also, in recent times, in order to obtain a light weight and low cost device, plastic lenses are utilized for various lens systems.

However, as the change of refractive index and coefficient of thermal expansion for a plastic lens as a result of a temperature change are large compared with a glass lens, deterioration in imaging efficiency (i.e., focusing) due to a change in focal length is great. Therefore, as result of this problem, a plastic lens is not used in an apparatus requiring no focusing, such as facsimile and image scanner. The focal length fluctuation of the plastic lens due to temperature change is caused by the change in the refractive index and coefficient of thermal expansion, and the influence of the coefficient of thermal expansion is about 1/4.about.1/3 that of the change of refractive index.

Japan Patent Publication No. Sho 61-34644 discloses a lens system having an object of reducing the focal point change due to the temperature change of the plastic lens. However, this lens system only takes into consideration the influence due to the change in refractive index and is insufficiently efficienct to reduce the effect of temperature change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was developed in view of the problems inherent in a situation where a low dispersion glass lens or a plastic lens is used, as mentioned above. It is therefore the object of the present invention to reduce a focal point change, which is caused by changes in refractive index and coefficient of thermal expansion when a temperature change occurs.

An imaging optical system for compensating for changes in temperature according to the present invention serves to correct a focal point change due to temperature change for the whole optical system by changing the distance between a lens and a light receiving element. To this end, a correcting member, which is expanded and contracted by temperature change, is disposed between the lens and the light receiving element. Moreover, the coefficient of thermal expansion is set to have a value so as to be able to substantially correct for the focal point change.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the optical system includes a lens system which has at least a positive lens and a negative lens in order to offset or compensate for the influence or effect of the temperature change.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a first embodiment of an imaging optical system for compensating for change of temperature according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing various examples of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 1 of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 are aberrations diagrams for the lens system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 2 of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 are aberration diagrams of the lens system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 3 of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 are aberration diagrams of the lens system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9, is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 4 of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 are aberration diagrams of the lens system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 5 of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 are aberration diagrams of the lens system of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 6 of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 are aberration diagrams of the lens system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 7 of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 are aberration diagrams of the lens system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 8 of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 are aberration diagrams of the lens system of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a lens system showing example 9 of the second embodiment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 20 represents the aberration diagrams for the lens system of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

The focal length fluctuations (i.e., changes in focal length) .DELTA.fn and .DELTA.fL with respect to a temperature change .DELTA.t from a reference temperature can be expressed by expressions (1), (2).

Referring to a lens in an i-th position in a lens system, the focal length fluctuation .DELTA.f.sub.i generated in the i-th lens is enlarged or reduced by a lens system which is nearer to the side of the image with respect to the i-th lens. Given that the lateral magnification from the i-th lens to the image side is represented by m.sub.i and the lateral magnification from the i+1-th lens to the image side is represented by m.sub.i+1, the focal point change .DELTA..epsilon..sub.i which finally appears on the image side can be approximated in accordance with the following relation (3). ##EQU3##

Accordingly, when the whole system of the imaging optical system comprising N pieces of lens is taken into consideration, the focal point change due to temperature change becomes the sum of the focal length fluctuation of the various lenses, and can be expressed as follows. ##EQU4##

FIRST EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an optical system having a positive focal point change rate .DELTA..epsilon. with respect to temperature change of one degree is illustrated, for example, an imaging optical system having a positive lens formed of a low dispersion glass in which (dn/dt) becomes negative is shown.

In the figure, the numeral 1 denotes a group of lenses which constitute the imaging optical system. The lens group 1 is mounted on a substrate 3 supporting a light receiving element 2 through two correcting members 4. The correcting members 4 are adapted to change the relative distance between the light receiving element 2 and the lens group 1 by means of linear expansion due to a change of temperature, in which thermal expansion (dL/dt), for the entire correcting member 4, is set within a range as set forth hereunder: ##EQU5##

By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the lens group 1 can be moved with respect to the light receiving element 2 in accordance with the change of temperature.

The lens group 1, as shown in table 1, comprises six lenses L1.about.L6. The first, second, fifth and sixth lenses are positive, while the third and fourth lenses are negative. Also, of the four positive lenses, the second and fifth lenses L2 and L5 are formed of a low dispersion glass (Fk01).

In the table 1, the character r represents the radius of curvature of each surface, d represents a distance between two surfaces along the optical axis or between two air interfaces, (i.e., lens thickness or distance between lenses), n represents a refractive index with respect to the d line (wavelength of 587.56 nm) at a reference temperature 20.degree. C., .nu.d represents an Abbe number, m.sub.1 represents a lateral magnification from each lens to the light receiving element side at the reference temperature of 20.degree. C., and m.sub.i+1 represents a lateral magnification from the next lens to the light receiving element side.

The focal length f0 on the e-line (546 nm) of the whole imaging optical system is 70 mm, and the working magnification m is -0.224.

TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________face No r d nd .nu. d f m.sub.i (m.sub.i+1 - m.sub.i).sup.2__________________________________________________________________________1 31.662 2.94 1.64000 60.1 86.31 -0.224 0.8432 70.545 0.103 15.616 4.06 1.49700 81.6 3.57 0.694 3.1904 50.376 1.005 39.269 2.00 1.61340 43.8 -31.52 2.480 3.7796 12.788 17.287 -10.615 2.00 1.61340 43.8 -32.86 0.536 2.5998 -23.780 0.509 -25.099 3.45 1.49700 81.6 55.54 -1.076 1.20810 -13.786 0.1011 -109.820 2.98 1.64000 60.1 62.62 0.023 0.95512 -29.771__________________________________________________________________________

The temperature characteristics of lens group 1 are shown in table 2. The rates of change of the refractive index due to temperature change are negative for L2 and L5 and positive for the remaining lenses, while the coefficients of thermal expansion are positive for all the lenses. Therefore, as the focal point change coefficient .DELTA..epsilon.n/dt (unit: .mu.m) due to the change of refractive index with respect to a temperature change of 1.degree. C., and the focal point change coefficient .DELTA..epsilon.L/dt due to thermal expansion become different, these changes cancel each other in the first, third, fourth and sixth lenses, and the resulting focal point change .DELTA..epsilon.L/dt corresponding to a unit temperature change takes a comparatively small value.

Also, since .DELTA..epsilon.n/dt and .DELTA..epsilon.L/dt vary directly with respect to each other in the second and fifth lenses, the focal point change .DELTA..epsilon./dt become fairly large, compared with the other lenses. In this example, 87% of the focal point change which occurs for the whole optical system occurs in the second and fifth lenses.

TABLE 2______________________________________lensNo dn/dt (1/L) (dL/dt) .DELTA..epsilon.n/dt .DELTA..epsilon.L/dt .DELTA..epsilon./dt______________________________________1 3.7 .times. 10.sup.-6 5.8 .times. 10.sup.-6 -0.418 0.422 0.0042 -5.5 .times. 10.sup.-6 12.7 .times. 10.sup.-6 1.531 1.765 3.2963 5.5 .times. 10.sup.-6 5.3 .times. 10.sup.-6 1.050 -0.631 0.4284 5.5 .times. 10.sup.-6 5.3 .times. 10.sup.-6 0.759 -0.453 0.3065 -5.5 .times. 10.sup.-6 12.7 .times. 10.sup.-6 0.739 0.852 1.5916 3.7 .times. 10.sup.-6 5.8 .times. 10.sup.-6 -0.342 0.346 0.004total 5.629______________________________________

It is preferable that the correcting member 4 has a coefficient of thermal expansion generally equal to that of acrylic resin and, assuming that a correcting material 4, having generally the same length as a distance f(1-m) from a main point at the rear side of the optical system, to the light receiving element 2 is used, a focal point change .SIGMA.(K.sub.1 .multidot.T.sub.1) due to temperature change of the optical system is within the range of the following relation. ##EQU6##

In this inequality, when the focal point change exceeds the upper limit, it becomes necessary to have a correcting member having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is larger by one digit than that of acrylic resin. However, this makes it impossible to perform a delicate adjustment. On the contrary, when the focal point change falls below the lower limit, no correction is required.

The correcting member 4 is formed of acrylic resin, which is a copolymer including methacrylate as a principal component and has a length L in this example. The coefficient of thermal expansion per unit length of the acrylic resin can be expressed as follows: ##EQU7##

By setting L to an appropriate value, the imaging accuracy of the optical system can maintained at a high level, generally cancelling the focal point change .DELTA..epsilon..

Table 3 shows a focal length fluctuation .DELTA.f(unit: .mu.m) with respect to the change of temperature from the above-mentioned reference temperature of 20.degree. C. of the imaging optical system, a focal point change .DELTA.P obtained by chasing (i.e., following) a paraxial ray in accordance with this focal point change, a value of an approximation .DELTA.f(1-m).sup.2, .DELTA..epsilon. obtained from the relation (4), and a thermal expansion .DELTA.L of the correcting member when L=80 mm.

As will be understood from this table 3, almost all of the focal point change due to the temperature change can be corrected by making .DELTA..epsilon..apprxeq..DELTA.L.

TABLE 3______________________________________t .DELTA.f .DELTA.P .DELTA.f (1 - m).sup.2 .DELTA..epsilon. .DELTA.L______________________________________ 0 -67 -97 -100 -113 -9910 -34 -50 -51 -56 -5020 0 0 0 0 030 34 48 51 56 5040 69 97 103 113 9950 104 145 156 169 149______________________________________

FIG. 2 shows various examples of an imaging optical system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, there is shown, as one example, an imaging optical system wherein a negative lens uses a low dispersion glass in which (dn/dt) becomes negative.

In this example, a lens group 5 is fixed to a substrate 6 having a small thermal expansion and the light receiving element 2 is mounted on the substrate 6 through a correcting member 7. By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the light receiving element 2 is moved with respect to the lens and the focal point change can be corrected by the same principle as mentioned above.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the focal point change .DELTA..epsilon., which is defined by relation (4), of said lens system due to change of temperature is set within a 1/10 range of depth of focus.

According to this embodiment, the optical system includes a positive plastic lens (focal length fi, refractive index n.sub.i) in the i-th position, and a negative plastic lens (focal length f.sub.j, refractive index n.sub.j) in the j-th position respectively from the object side in Order to offset the influence of the temperature change.

Assuming that the lateral magnification from the i-th lens to the image surface is m.sub.i, the lateral magnification from the i+1-th lens to the image surface is m.sub.i+1, the lateral magnification from the j-th lens to the image surface is m.sub.j, the lateral magnification from the j+1-th lens to the image surface is m.sub.j+1, the F number of the whole system is F, the lateral magnification of the whole system is m, and the picture element size of a light receiving element is p, the following relation is satisfied; ##EQU8##

T.sub.i and T.sub.j represent focal length fluctuation due to a change of refractive index and thermal expansion per unit temperature change, i.e., static factors originating in the temperature characteristics of the lens itself.

Also, K.sub.i and K.sub.j represent dynamic factors originating in positions of the i-th lens and the j-th lens in a lens system.

By taking these two factors into consideration, the focal point change of the whole lens system due to the focal length fluctuation of the positive and negative plastic lens can be regulated.

On the other hand, the depth of focus on the side of an image field can be expressed by p.multidot.F.multidot.(1-m) wherein p is the size of a picture element of the light receiving element. In this situation, F.multidot.(1-m) corresponds to an effective F number.

Assuming that the range of the working temperature is .+-.10.degree. C. with respect to a design basis temperature, the focal point change of the whole lens system due to temperature change can be limited so as not to cause a problem with respect to image efficiency by satisfying the above relation (5).

Additionally, if the denominator of the relation (5) is set to 20, the effect of the change of temperature can be reduced more effectively.

The example, which will be described hereunder, is of a lens system having three lens groups comprising three lenses in which a first lens is a positive plastic lens, a second lens is a double concave negative plastic lens, and a third lens is a double convex positive lens. The lenses are arranged in this order from the object side, and the following conditions (6) through (9) are satisfied.

0.30<.vertline.f.sub.2 .vertline./f<0.40 (6) 0.40<f.sub.3 /f<0.50 (7) 0.28<.vertline.r.sub.3 .vertline./f<0.40 (8) n.sub.5 >1.75 (9) wherein f: focal length of the whole system f.sub.i : focal length of the i-th lens r.sub.3 : radius of curvature of the third surface n.sub.5 : refractive index of the third lens

Relations (6).about.(9) are conditions for keeping the powers of the first and second lenses, which are plastic lenses within appropriate ranges and reducing the influence due to the change of temperature while maintaining a favorable efficiency.

Expression (6) is the condition for obtaining a good balance with the first lens by keeping the focal length of the second lens having a negative power in an appropriate range and maintaining a favorable efficiency. When the value .vertline.f.sub.2 .vertline./f become larger than 0.40, the negative power is in shortened, and the correction of chromatic aberration and curvature of field becomes difficult. When the ratio falls below the lower limit, the focal point change due to the change of temperature becomes large.

Expression (7) is the condition for maintaining aberration correcting ability by keeping the focal length of the third lens, formed of glass, in an appropriate range. When the focal length of the third lens (i.e., the ratio) exceeds the upper limit, a power distribution to the first lens becomes excessive and the correction of the curvature of field becomes difficult. When the ratio falls below the lower limit, the focal point change due to the change of temperature becomes large.

Expression (8) is the condition for making the first surface of the second lens acts as a strong divergent surface, as the power of the first lens is comparatively large. When the ratio exceeds the upper limit, a coma-flare is generated on the second surface of the second lens, and a favorable efficiency is difficult to obtain.

Expression (9) is the condition for keeping the Pettsvar sum small by using a glass material having a high refractive index for the third lens. When the ratio falls below the lower limit, the correction of the curvature of field and astigmatism becomes difficult.

Concrete numerical values for each embodiment are as shown in table 4 through table 11.

In the tables, FNO represents an F number, f represents a focal length on the e-line (wavelength of 546 nm), r represents the radius of curvature of a surface, d represents a lens thickness or an air distance, n represents a refractive index of a lens on the d-line, and .nu. represents a dispersion (Abbe number) in the vicinity of the d-line.

EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 3 shows example 1 of the second embodiment according to the present invention. Concrete numerical values are shown in table 4 and aberrations thereof are shown in FIG. 4. The seventh and eighth surfaces refer to a cover glass.

TABLE 4______________________________________FNO. = 1:8.0 f = 29.61 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 18.205 6.00 1.49186 57.42 -64.814 3.303 -9.494 0.80 1.58547 29.94 20.936 1.535 121.981 2.07 1.77250 49.66 -10.483 28.887 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.18 .infin.______________________________________

EXAMPLE 2

FIGS. 5 and 6 show example 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention. Numerical values are shown in table 5. Example 1 uses only spherical lenses. In the second and subsequent examples, the first surface of the first lens is formed as an aspherical surface in order to reduce the aberration.

In the table, a mark * for an aspherical surface is printed in the column of the radius of curvature in order to distinguish it from a spherical surface, and the numerical value represents the radius of curvature at the vertex of the aspherical surface.

The aspherical surface is expressed as follows: ##EQU9## wherein X is a distance from a tangential plane of the vertex of an aspherical surface on an aspherical surface having a height Y from the optical axis, C is the curvature (1/r) of the vertex of the aspherical surface, K is a coefficient of a circular cone, and A.sub.4, A.sub.6, and A.sub.8 are the fourth, sixth, and eighth aspherical surface coefficients.

TABLE 5______________________________________FNO. = 1:8.0 f = 30.68 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 *12.121 6.00 1.49186 57.42 500.000 2.373 -10.682 1.40 1.58547 29.94 17.011 1.515 52.130 2.36 1.80400 46.66 -13.719 27.597 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.18 .infin.______________________________________ K = 0.42433700 A.sub.4 = 0.00000000 A.sub.6 = 0.00000000 A.sub.8 = 0.00000000

EXAMPLE 3

FIGS. 7 and 8 show example 3 of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and numerical values thereof are shown in table 6.

TABLE 6______________________________________FNO. = 1:8.0 f = 30.72 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 *11.449 4.00 1.49186 57.42 -3399.341 2.543 -10.292 1.40 1.58547 29.94 16.666 1.565 63.536 2.19 1.80400 46.66 -13.422 28.867 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.18 .infin.______________________________________ K = 0.91424306 A.sub.4 = 0.33111623 .times. A.sub.6 = 0.00000000 A.sub.8 = 0.00000000

EXAMPLE 4

FIGS. 9 and 10 show example 4 of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and numerical values thereof are shown in table 7.

TABLE 7______________________________________FNO = 1:8.0 f = 31.84 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 *11.961 6.00 1.49186 57.42 311.055 1.823 -9.683 1.40 1.58547 29.94 17.862 1.345 58.952 2.24 1.80400 46.66 -12.960 29.697 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.18 .infin.______________________________________ K = 0.11981200 A.sub.4 = 0.30824000 .times. A.sub.6 = 0.10956800 .times. A.sub.8 = 0.00000000

EXAMPLE 5

FIGS. 11 and 12 show example 5 of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and numerical values thereof are shown in table 8.

TABLE 8______________________________________FNO. = 1:8.0 f = 30.63 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 *11.681 6.00 1.49186 57.42 -4283.812 1.443 -9.718 1.40 1.58547 29.94 17.378 1.305 62.212 2.13 1.80400 46.66 -12.834 28.597 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.18 .infin.______________________________________ K = 0.39133656 .times. 10.sup.-1 A.sub.4 = 0.50243544 .times. A.sub.6 = 0.10798819 .times. A.sub.8 = 0.13983309 .times. 10.sup.-7

EXAMPLE 6

FIGS. 13 and 14 show example 6 of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and numerical values thereof are shown in table 9.

TABLE 9______________________________________FNO. = 1:8.0 f = 31.18 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 *10.730 6.00 1.49186 57.42 111.294 1.363 -10.343 0.80 1.58547 29.94 15.417 1.455 55.611 1.82 1.83481 42.76 -13.803 28.567 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.18 .infin.______________________________________ K = 0.31898464 .times. 10.sup.-1 A.sub.4 = 0.37922729 .times. A.sub.6 = 0.49101462 .times. A.sub.8 = 0.24853732 .times. 10.sup.-7

EXAMPLE 7

FIGS. 15 and 16 show example 7 of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and numerical values thereof are shown in table 10.

Examples 7 and 8 use APO (amorphous polyolefine: merchandise name) for the first lens.

PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), which has been used as a material for plastic lenses, exhibits larger changes in refractive index due to change of temperature and moisture (i.e., humidity) and its optical efficiency changes greatly depending on environmental circumstances. Particularly, when humidity changes occur, the lens becomes out of focus. In addition, the wave surface of a light flux is disturbed. APO was developed by Mitsui Sekiyu Kogaku Kabushiki Kaisha as a low hygroscopic material. As the coefficient of water absorption of the APO is smaller by one digit compared with a conventional plastic lens and is 0.01% or less, it is hardly affected by change in humidity of the operating environment. Therefore, by using APO for any of the lenses, the efficiency of the lens system can become more stabilized.

As APO has a high heat-resisting temperature (136.degree. C.) compared with conventional acrylic materials, coatings can be applied at a high temperature, which has heretofore been impossible.

TABLE 10______________________________________FNO. = 1:8.0 f = 30.61 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 *12.195 4.00 1.55000 55.02 137.132 2.243 -10.195 1.40 1.58547 29.94 16.733 1.305 59.562 1.96 1.80400 46.66 -12.962 29.257 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.18 .infin.______________________________________ K = 0.12265300 .times. 10.sup.+1 A.sub.4 = 0.39585900 .times. A.sub.6 = 0.00000000 A.sub.8 = 0.00000000

EXAMPLE 8

FIGS. 17 and 18 show example 8 of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and numerical values thereof are shown in table 11.

TABLE 11______________________________________FNO. = 1:8.0 f = 30.65 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 *12.291 4.00 1.55000 55.02 278.523 2.303 -10.650 1.40 1.58547 29.94 16.795 1.555 69.755 1.98 1.80400 46.66 -13.428 29.037 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.18 .infin.______________________________________ K = 0.11187377 .times. 10.sup.+1 A.sub.4 = 0.33285570 .times. A.sub.6 = 0.00000000 A.sub.8 = 0.00000000

EXAMPLE 9

FIGS. 19 and 20 show example 9 of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and numerical values for this example are shown in table 12. According to example 9, the lens system comprises a positive plastic first lens, a double concave plastic second lens, a positive glass third lens, and a double convex plastic fourth lens. The lenses are arranged in the above order, as viewed from the object side of the system. The lens system of this example includes 4 groups and 4 lens elements.

TABLE 12______________________________________FNO. = 1:8.0 f = 30.65 m = -0.112face No r d n .nu.______________________________________1 *12.156 5.00 1.49176 57.42 .infin. 3.053 -8.883 1.40 1.58547 29.94 26.676 2.085 -214.354 2.30 1.80400 46.66 -12.863 0.107 69.797 2.00 1.49176 57.48 -167.341 27.269 .infin. 0.70 1.51633 64.110 .infin.______________________________________ K = 0.81290000 A.sub.4 = 0.39601600 .times. A.sub.6 = 0.00000000 A.sub.8 = 0.00000000

The relation between the above-mentioned respective embodiments and expression (5) are as follows.

When the diameter of the circle of least confusion:

p=0.014, the F number is equal to 8.0 (F=8.0), the magnification of whole system: m=-0.112 when the right-hand side of expression (5) takes an identical value for all embodiments and the denominator is 10, it becomes ##EQU10## and when the denominator is 20, it becomes ##EQU11##

On the contrary, the values on the left-hand side are different for each embodiment and become those as shown in table 13.

TABLE 13______________________________________EXAMPLE 1 0.00529 EXAMPLE 2 0.00217EXAMPLE 3 0.00275 EXAMPLE 4 0.00384EXAMPLE 5 0.00320 EXAMPLE 6 0.00302EXAMPLE 7 0.00578 EXAMPLE 8 0.00470______________________________________

Also, the values of the respective embodiments for each of the conditions (6)-(9) are shown in table 14.

TABLE 14______________________________________ .vertline.f.sub.2 .vertline./f f.sub.3 /f .vertline.r.sub.3 .vertline./f n.sub.5______________________________________EXAMPLE 1 0.370 0.423 0.321 1.77250EXAMPLE 2 0.356 0.445 0.348 1.80400EXAMPLE 3 0.344 0.452 0.335 1.80400EXAMPLE 4 0.328 0.419 0.304 1.80400EXAMPLE 5 0.338 0.435 0.317 1.80400EXAMPLE 6 0.333 0.428 0.332 1.83481EXAMPLE 7 0.344 0.436 0.333 1.80400EXAMPLE 8 0.354 0.459 0.347 1.80400______________________________________

According to the above-mentioned embodiments, a reading lens comprising three groups of lenses is provided in which the effect of change of temperature is small, and which is inexpensive.

Therefore, a plastic lens can be utilized in an optical system as a facsimile and an image reader in which no focusing is performed and a large cost reduction for the lens system can be realized.

Claims

1. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature comprising:

a lens system, in which a focal point change due to a change of temperature is defined as follows, ##EQU12## where; i: lens position from an object side

N: number of component lenses of the whole lens system

m.sub.i : lateral magnification from i-th lens to an image side

m.sub.i+1 : lateral magnification from i+1-th lens to the image side

dfn.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by change of refractive index

dfL.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by thermal expansion

a light receiving element for receiving an image formed by said lens system, and

a correcting member adapted to change a relative distance between said light receiving element and said lens system by means of linear expansion due to change of temperature, in which a thermal expansion (dL/dt) of said correcting member is set within a range as set forth hereunder; ##EQU13##

2. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 1 wherein said correcting member uses acrylic resin.

3. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 1 wherein said lens system includes plastic lenses.

4. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 1 wherein said lens system includes at least a lens in which a change rate (dn/dt) of refractive index with respect to change of temperature is negative.

5. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature comprising:

a lens system including at least a lens in which a change rate (dn/dt) of refractive index n with respect to change of temperature is negative,

a light receiving element for receiving an image formed by said lens system,

a correcting member adapted to change a relative distance between said light receiving element and said lens system by means of thermal expansion due to change of temperature, in which a thermal expansion (dL/dt) is set within a range as set forth hereunder; ##EQU14## i: lens position from an object side, N: number of component lenses of whole imaging optical system,

f.sub.i : focal length of i-th lens,

m.sub.i : lateral magnification from i-th lens to an image side,

m.sub.i+1 : lateral magnification from i+1-th lens, to the image side,

(dn/dt).sub.i : rate of change of refractive index of an i-th lens, and ##EQU15## thermal expansion coefficient due to change of temperature of an i-th lens.

6. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 5 which satisfies the following expression; ##EQU16## m: lateral magnification of whole lens system, at reference temperature, and

f: focal length of whole lens system at reference temperature.

7. In an imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature composed of a lens system which has at least a positive lens and a negative lens, wherein a focal point change d.epsilon./dt, which is defined as follows, of said system due to change of temperature is set within a 1/10 range of depth of focus; ##EQU17## where; i: lens position from an object side

N: number of component lenses of the whole lens system

m.sub.i : lateral magnification from i-th lens to an image side

m.sub.i+1 : lateral magnification from i+1-th lens to the image side

dfn.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by change of refractive index

dfL.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by thermal expansion.

8. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 7,

wherein said focal point change d.epsilon./dt is set within a 1/20 range of depth of focus.

9. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 7,

wherein said lens system Includes plastic lenses.

10. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claims 9 wherein at least one of plastic lenses uses a low hygroscopic plastic.

11. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 10, wherein said low hygroscopic plastic includes amorphous polyolefine.

12. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 7, wherein at least one surface of said positive and negative lenses is an aspherical surface.

13. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 7 which comprises three lens groups consisting of a first positive plastic lens, a second double concave negative plastic lens, and a third double convex positive lens arranged in that order from an object side, and satisfies the following expressions;

0.30<.vertline.f.sub.2 .vertline./f<0.40

0.40<f.sub.3 /f<0.50

0.28<.vertline.r.sub.3 .vertline./f<0.40

n.sub.5 >1.75

where;

f: focal length of whole system,

f.sub.i : focal length of i-th lens,

r.sub.3 : radius of curvature of third surface, and

n.sub.5 : refractive index of third lens.

14. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature comprising:

a lens system, in which a focal point change d.epsilon./dt due to a change of temperature is defined as follows, ##EQU18## where; i: lens position from an object side

N: number of component lenses of the whole lens system

m.sub.i : lateral magnification from i-th lens to an image side

m.sub.i+1 : lateral magnification from i+1-th lens to the image side

dfn.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by change of refractive index

dfL.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by thermal expansion

a light receiving element for receiving an image formed by said lens system

and which satisfies the following expression; ##EQU19## where; m: lateral magnification of whole lens system, at a reference temperature,

f: focal length of whole lens system at a reference temperature,

K.sub.i : dynamic factor originating in the position of the i-th lens in the lens system, and

T.sub.i : focal length fluctuation of i-th lens due to a change of refractive index and thermal expansion per unit temperature change, and

a correcting member adapted to change a relative distance between said light receiving element and said lens system by means of linear expansion due to change of temperature, in which a thermal expansion (dL/dt) of said correcting member is set within a range as set forth hereunder; ##EQU20##

15. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature comprising:

a lens system, in which a focal point change d.epsilon./dt due to a change of temperature satisfies the following expression; ##EQU21## where; m: lateral magnification of the lens system, at a reference temperature,

f: focal length of the whole lens system at reference temperature;

K.sub.i : dynamic factor originating in the position of the i-th lens in the lens system, and

T.sub.i : focal length fluctuation of i-th lens due to a change of refractive index and thermal expansion per unit temperature change, and

a lighting receiving element for receiving an image formed by said lens system; and

a correcting member adapted to change a relative distance between said light receiving element and said lens system by means of linear expansion due to change of temperature, in which a thermal expansion (dL/dt) of said correcting member is set within a range as set forth hereunder; ##EQU22##

16. In an imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature composed of a lens system comprising at least three lenses which has at least a positive lens and a negative lens, wherein a focal point change d.epsilon./dt, which is defined as follows, of said lens system due to change of temperature is set within a 1/10 range of depth of focus; ##EQU23## where; i: lens position from an object side

N: number of component lenses of the whole lens system

m.sub.i : lateral magnification from i-th lens to an image side

m.sub.i+1 : lateral magnification from i+1-th lens to the image side

dfn.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by change of refractive index

dfL.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by thermal expansion.

17. The imaging optical according to claim 16, wherein said lens system comprises four lenses.

18. In an imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature composed of a lens system which has at least a positive lens and a negative lens and comprises an asymmetric lens structure, wherein a focal point change d.epsilon./dt, which is defined as follows, of said lens system due to change of temperature is set within a 1/10 range of depth of focus; ##EQU24## where; i: lens position from an object side

N: number of component lenses of the whole lens system

m.sub.i : lateral magnification from i-th lens to an image side

m.sub.i+1 : lateral magnification from i+1-th lens to the image side

.DELTA.fn.sub.i : fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by change of refractive index

.DELTA.L.sub.i : fluctuation in focal length of i-th lens caused by thermal expansion.

19. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature, said optical system comprises three lens groups consisting of a first positive plastic lens, a second double concave negative plastic lens, and a third double convex positive lens arranged in that order from an object side, said system satisfies the following expressions:

0.30<.vertline.f.sub.2 .vertline./f<0.40

0.40<f.sub.3 /f<0.50

0.28<.vertline.r.sub.3 .vertline./f<0.40

n.sub.5 >1.75

where:

f: focal length of whole system,

f.sub.i : focal length of i-th lens,

r.sub.3 : radius of curvature of third surface, and

n.sub.5 : refractive index of third lens.

20. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature including a positive plastic lens, having a focal length f.sub.i, and a refractive index n.sub.i placed in an i-th position from an object side, and a negative plastic lens, having a focal length f.sub.j and a refractive index n.sub.j, placed in a j-th position from the object side, and satisfying the expression set forth hereunder wherein the lateral magnification from the i-th lens to an image surface is m.sub.i, the lateral magnification from the i+1-th lens to the image surface is m.sub.i+1, the lateral magnification from the j-th lens to the image surface is m.sub.j, the lateral magnification from the j+1-th lens to the image surface is m.sub.j+1, the F number of the whole system is F, the lateral magnification of the whole system is m, and the picture element size of a light receiving element is p; ##EQU25## (dn/dt).sub.i : rate of change of refractive index of an i-th lens, ##EQU26## coefficient thermal expansion of an i-th lens.

21. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 20, which satisfies p=0.014.

22. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 20, wherein at least one surface of said positive and negative plastic lenses is an aspherical surface.

23. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 20, wherein at least one of said positive and negative plastic lenses uses a low hygroscopic plastic.

24. An Imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 23 wherein said low hygroscopic plastic includes amorphous polyolefine.

25. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 20 which comprises three lens groups consisting of a first positive plastic lens, a second double concave negative plastic lens, and a third double convex positive lens arranged in that order from an object side, and satisfies the following expressions:

0.30<.vertline.f.sub.2 .vertline./f<0.40

0.40<f.sub.3 /f<0.50

0.28<.vertline.r.sub.3 .vertline./f<0.40

n.sub.5 >1.75

where;

f: focal length of whole system,

f.sub.i : focal length of i-th lens,

r.sub.3 : radius of curvature of third surface,

n.sub.5 : refractive index of third lens.

26. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 20, which comprises four lens groups including four lenses, arranged in a sequence comprising a first positive plastic lens, a second double concave plastic lens, a third positive glass lens, and a fourth double convex plastic lens extending in a direction from the object side of the optical system.

27. An imaging optical system for compensating for a change of temperature according to claim 20 which satisfies the following expression; ##EQU27##

28. An imaging optical system for compensating for change of temperature comprising a lens system which has at least a positive lens and a negative lens, wherein a focal point change d.epsilon./dt of said lens system due to a change of temperature satisfies the following expression: ##EQU28## F: F number of the whole system, m: lateral magnification of the whole system,

p: the picture element size of a light receiving element,

i: lens position from an object side

N: number of component lenses of the whole lens system

m.sub.i : lateral magnification from i-th lens to an image side

dfn.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th caused by change of refractive index

dfL.sub.i /dt: fluctuation in focal length of i-th caused by thermal expansion.