The present invention relates to a stacked glass lens module with alignment member and a manufacturing method thereof, especially to a rectangular stacked glass lens module with alignment member and a manufacturing method thereof that are applied to assembled lenses of light emitting diode (LED) light sources, assembled lenses of solar energy conversion systems and optical lenses of cameras and phone cameras.
Glass precision molding technology has been widely applied to manufacture aspherical molded glass lens with high resolution, good stability and low cost such as lens revealed in US2006/0107695, US2007/0043463, TW095101830, TW095133807, and JP63-295448 etc. A glass preform is set into a mold having an upper mold and a lower mold to be heated and softening. Then the upper mold and the lower mold are assembled correspondingly and apply pressure on the upper mold and the lower mold so as to make the soft glass perform have the same optical surfaces as that of the upper mold and the lower mold. After cooling, a molded glass lens with mold surfaces of the upper mold and the lower mold is released. In order to reduce manufacturing cost, prior arts—JP63-304201 and US2005/041215 reveal a lens array formed by glass molding. As to a single lens-called a lens element hereunder, JP02-044033 revealed that a lens blank having a plurality of lenses is manufactured by movement of glass materials and multiple molding ways. Then the lens blank is cut into a plurality of lens elements.
The optical lens formed by glass molding is widely applied to assembled lenses of LED light sources, lenses of solar energy conversion systems, and optical lenses of mobile phone cameras. The assembled lens or optical lens is formed by a plurality of optical lenses with different lens power assembled with other optical elements such as a shade, an infrared (IR)-cut lens, an aperture, an image capture device (ICD) or photo-electronic device (PED) arranged at a certain interval between one another. Thus while assembling, an optical axis of each optical lens must be aligned precisely so as to avoid the reduction of resolution. Moreover, the distance between two adjacent optical lenses (interval) is fixed. Thus the assembling requires a plurality of processes and precise correction. Therefore, the yield rate is unable to increase and the cost reduction is difficult.
For mass production, the manufacturing of the optical lens array has received more attention. As to the manufacturing of the optical lens array, JP2001194508 discloses a manufacturing method of plastic optical lens array. Taiwanese patent No. M343166 reveals a manufacturing method of glass optical lens array. In manufacturing of arrayed optical lens modules, wafer level lens modules are revealed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,183,643, US2007/0070511, WO2008011003, WO2008094499 and so on. Refer to
However, in a lens module array, while assembling a lens array with plurality of optical lenses, the alignment of the lens array has effects on resolution of the lens module. In US20060249859, imaging techniques are used to determine if stacked wafers are in proper alignment. Fiducial marks that were previously patterned on each wafer of the stack are exposed in an image produced by the captured infrared radiation. The degree of alignment of the wafers can be measured using the fiducial marks exposed in the image. In assembling of plastic optical lens arrays, JP2000-321526 and JP2000-227505 revealed bi-convex type optical lens arrays formed by combination of heights with crevices. As to U.S. Pat. No. 7,187,501, cone-shaped projections are used to form a resin lens array by stacking the resin lenses one over another. Refer to US2008/0007623, a camera module having an array with multiple colors is revealed. As shown in
As to the lens module used in cameras and phone cameras, it generally includes a plurality of lens with various concave or convex optical surfaces. Such lens modules have higher requirements of the alignment of the optical axis, and the location precision of optical surfaces. In the conventional assembling way of projections and holes to form plastic optical lens array, material shrinkage after the plastic injection molding will lead to size change of the projections and the holes. Thus the location precision is affected and the alignment of the optical axis is difficult. Therefore, the applications of the plastic optical lens array is limited, especially during manufacturing of small-size lens module, the complicated processes cause cost increase. The molded glass has better reflective index than the plastic and also with better thermostability so that the molded glass has been applied to various optical systems. Moreover, the optical lens array made from molded glass exhibit less shrinkage.
Thus there is a need to develop a method of manufacturing stacked optical glass lens arrays as well as stacked lens modules with simple structure and high precision so as to provide stacked lens modules for assembled lenses of light emitting diode (LED) light sources, assembled lenses of solar energy conversion systems and optical lenses of phone cameras. And the lens modules meet requirements of mass-production and yield rate.
Therefore it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a rectangular stacked glass lens module with alignment member and a manufacturing method thereof in which the stacked glass lens module is formed by making straight cuts through the stacked lens module array. Each rectangular stacked glass lens module includes at least two optical glass lenses that are assembled with other optical elements at a preset interval. The stacked optical glass lens module array includes at least two optical glass lens arrays that are produced by multi-cavity glass molding and are disposed with a plurality of lenses arranged in an array. An alignment member is arranged at a periphery of a non-optical surface of the optical glass lens arrays. The alignment members of two adjacent lens arrays are connected and assembled with each other so as to make each lens thereof align the optical axis.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a rectangular stacked glass lens module with alignment member and a manufacturing method thereof in which an alignment member is designed as a through hole for convenience of assembly when the stacked lens module array consists of a plurality of optical elements. The through hole is arranged at a non-optical surface of each lens array and a proper position of each optical element. While assembling, the through-hole of the lens array and the through hole of the optical element are positioned over a rod of a jig assembly so as to align the lens array and the optical elements. Thus convenient and precise assembling is achieved.
In accordance with the above manufacturing method, a stacked lens module array is produced one at a time. Then the stacked lens module array is cut into a plurality of rectangular stacked lens modules. Thus the purposes of precise assembling and mass production are achieved.
Refer to
The alignment member includes a plurality of alignment pins 1011/1021 and a plurality of corresponding alignment cavities 1022/1012 assembled with each other. The shape of the alignment pins 1011/1021 is not limited and it can be a column, a rectangular prism or a cone, as shown in
Refer to
S1: providing a rectangular sheet-like glass blank 21 and a molding mold 22 having an upper mold 221 and a lower mold 222 respectively disposed with a mold core of multi-cavity optical surfaces 227/228 and a mold pin/mold bushing 223. 224;
S2: setting the glass blank 21 into the mold 22, then heat the glass blank 21 by a heater 225 and apply pressure to run molding processes;
S3: molding a lens array 101 with alignment members such as alignment pins and alignment cavities; as shown in
S4: producing another lens array 102 according to the above steps from S1 to S3 and the two adjacent lens arrays 101, 102 have corresponding alignment members such as alignment cavities 1022/1012 and alignment pins 1011/1021;
S5: coating ultraviolet (UV) curing glue 104 on a non-optical area between the two adjacent optical glass lenses 101, 102;
S6: performing alignment and assembling; for example, the alignment cavities 1022/1012 and corresponding alignment pins 1011/1021 are connected correspondingly so that the two lens arrays 101, 102 are assembled along the optical axis 103;
S7: producing a lens module array 100 in which each optical axis 103 is aligned with one another;
S8: assembling and aligning other optical elements having a spacer 107 a circuit board 105, and image sensors 106 by glue in a stacked way sequentially; each image sensor 106 is aligned with each optical axis 103 of the lens module array 100;
S9: curing the glue: for example, a semifinished product in the step S8 is radiated by UV light so that the glue 104 is cured and a stacked lens module array 10 is formed.
S10: cutting straight lines through the stacked lens module array 10 to produce a plurality of rectangular stacked lens modules 11. As shown in
As shown from
Refer to
SS1: providing a rectangular sheet-like glass blank 21 and a molding mold 24 having an upper mold 221 and a lower mold 222 respectively disposed with a mold core of optical surfaces 247, 248 and a mold bar and/or mold sleeve for molding four through holes as alignment members;
SS2: setting the glass blank 21 into the mold 24, then heat the glass blank 21 by a heater 245 and apply pressure to run multi-cavity glass molding processes;
SS3: molding a first lens array 101;
SS4: producing at least another lens array 102 by repeating above steps; the lens arrays 101, 102 respectively include a plurality of lenses arranged in an array; through holes 108 for alignment are arranged on non-optical area of each lens array.
SS5: preparing a jig assembly 23 with at least one alignment rod 231 and optical elements having a circuit board 105 and a spacer 107; the circuit board 105 are preset with image sensors 106 and through holes corresponding to the through holes 108; then coating glue 104 on non-optical area of each component, setting these components 105, 107, 102, 101 on a jig assembly 23, and positioning each through hole 108 over the alignment rod 231 in turn; One more spacer 107a can be disposed between two adjacent lens arrays 101, 102 according to users' needs. Refer to
SS6: aligning the components by the alignment rod 231 of the jig assembly 23 and fixing them by glue 104; curing the glue 104 and releasing the jig assembly 23 so as to produce a stacked lens module array 10 in which each optical axis 103 is aligned.
SS7: making straight cuts through the stacked lens module array 10 to generate a plurality of rectangular stacked lens modules 11; each rectangular stacked lens module 11 includes at least two lenses 101, 102 and other optical elements 105, 106, 107 and aligned optical axes 103.
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In the following list one, the number of the optical surfaces from the object side in turn, the optical surface type, the radius of curvature R (mm) of each optical surface on the optical axis, the on-axis surface spacing and lens materials.
List one optical parameters of the embodiment 4 applied to mobile camera lenses:
The manufacturing processes of this embodiment are similar to that of the embodiment 3, first produce a glass lens module array having 16 first lenses and 16 second lenses. The number of the lenses is not limited to 16. The non-optical area of each lens array is disposed with alignment member such as an alignment cavity 412 on the first lens 41 and an alignment pin 421 on the second lens 42 so as to align optical axes 103 of each lens. Then produce a lens array having 16 (4×4) third lenses 43 by glass molding. Also produce optical element plate having 16 (4×4) apertures 45 and 16 (4×4) spacers 47. Weld 16 (4×4) optical sensors 46 on preset positions of a circuit board 36. Next use glue 49 such as UV curing glue to bind each optical element plate 45, 47, a cover glass 4, an IR cut lens 48, a lens module array formed by the first lens array 41 and the second lens array 42, with the third lens array 43 in a stacked way. After being radiated in an UV oven, a stacked lens module array with 16 camera lenses is formed and 16 rectangular stacked lens modules 40 are generated through cutting. By this method, the manufacturing processes are simplified, the cost is reduced and predetermined optical functions are achieved.
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The first optical group 61 consists of a cover glass 64a, an aperture 65, a first lens 611, a second lens 612 and the lens holder 613. The first lens 611 and the second lens 612 are made of optical glass and disposed with alignment members such as an alignment cavity 6112 and corresponding alignment pin 6121. The manufacturing processes of this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment 4. Firstly, a stacked lens module array having a cover glass 64a, an aperture 65, a first lens 611, and a second lens 612 glued with one another by glue 69 is produced. Then the array is cut through straight lines into a plurality of rectangular stacked lens module. Each lens module is positioned into a lens holder 613. The lens holder 613 is designed into a column with a rectangular hole therein so as to assemble with the columnar lens barrel 601. Thus the rectangular stacked lens module is mounted into the rectangular hole to be assembled with the lens holder 613.
The second optical group 62 consists of a third lens 621, a fourth lens 622 and the lens holder 623. The third lens 621 and the fourth lens 622 are made of optical glass and disposed with alignment members such as an alignment cavity 6212 and corresponding alignment pin 6221. The manufacturing processes of this embodiment are similar to those of the first optical group 61. The lens holder 623 in this embodiment is similar to the lens holder 613, a column with a rectangular hole therein.
The third optical group 63 includes a fifth lens 631 made of optical plastic and a lens holder 633 that is a column with a hole for mounting the fifth lens 631.
The fourth optical group 64 includes an IR cut lens 68, a spacer 67, an image sensor 661, a circuit board 662 and a lens holder 643. The lens holder 643 is designed into a column with a hole for mounting each optical element in the fourth optical group 64.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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098112490 | Apr 2009 | TW | national |