JP2965009B2 - Optical axis adjustment device for optical components - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for adjusting an optical axis of an optical component, and more particularly to a device for adjusting the position of an optical element in an in-plane direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical element from only one side of the device. Optical elements can be easily adjusted even in small, lightweight, and high-density devices, and are suitable for optical communication devices for artificial satellites that require high-density mounting and high alignment accuracy. The present invention relates to an optical axis adjusting device for a component.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when adjusting the position of an optical element such as a photodiode in an in-plane direction (± X, Y axis directions) perpendicular to the optical axis, a block incorporating the optical element is mounted on an outer casing. The block is stored and held, and the position of the block is finely adjusted by pushing and pulling the block from both sides with a screw member. With reference to FIG. 6, this type of conventional optical axis adjusting device for optical components will be described. 6A and 6B show a conventional optical axis adjusting device for an optical component, wherein FIG. 6A is a front view including a partially cut-out portion, and FIG. 6B is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional optical axis adjusting device for an optical component adjusts the optical element 100 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction.
00 is movably stored in the storage section 300a of the outer housing 300.

[0004] A block 200 includes an optical element 100 at the center.
, And each of the four corners is a slope inclined from the X-axis direction toward the Y-axis direction. Tap holes are cut on both sides of the outer casing 300 for accommodating the block 200 at positions corresponding to the slopes of the four corners of the block 200, and four adjusting screws 500, 500,
500, 500 are penetrated and screwed.

Further, a fixing screw 400 penetrates through the block 200 housed in the outer casing 300 from the front side of the apparatus, and the fixing screw 400 is screwed into a rear wall portion of the outer casing 300, The block 200 is fixed to the outer casing 300.

According to the conventional optical axis adjusting device for an optical component having such a configuration, the four adjusting screws 5 are fixed with the fixing screw 400 for fixing the block 200 slightly loosened.
The block 200 is moved forward and backward as needed to press the slope of the block 200, so that the block 200 is
The fine adjustment of the optical element 100 is performed by moving the inside of the storage section 300a of the optical element 100 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Such a conventional optical component adjusting structure is widely used for adjusting the optical axis of an optical device such as a laser printer, such as an optical component unit disclosed in JP-A-61-252515.

[0007]

However, such a conventional optical axis adjusting device for an optical component is a device for an optical device used on the ground, such as a laser printer, so that an optical axis adjusting mechanism is required. Are located in a plurality of directions around the device, and no consideration has been given to miniaturization of the entire device.

In general, artificial satellites are strongly demanded to be small and lightweight, and optical communication devices and the like mounted on satellites are also required to have high alignment accuracy of the optical axis, and at the same time, to reduce the size and weight of the entire apparatus. In addition, in order to reduce the size and weight of the entire satellite, high-density mounting of each device and device to be mounted is required. For this reason, the optical component adjusting device must also be able to achieve such miniaturization and high-density mounting.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, since the screw member for adjusting the optical axis is provided in two directions of the apparatus, the apparatus becomes large, the adjustment work is difficult to perform, and the mounting is performed at high density. When a device equipped with such a two-way adjustment mechanism is incorporated in a mounted device, it is necessary to secure space for adjustment work on both sides of the device in order to secure access to the adjustment screw. Was.

That is, in the conventional optical axis adjusting device, since the adjusting means is provided in two directions of the device, the entire device is enlarged, and the adjustment of the optical axis requires access from two directions around the device. It has been difficult to apply the present invention to optical devices that require miniaturization of the entire device and high-density mounting for the purpose, such as optical devices mounted on a satellite.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve such a problem of the prior art, and makes it possible to adjust the position of an optical element in the in-plane direction only from one direction of the apparatus. This makes it possible to easily adjust the optical axis even in a small, lightweight and densely mounted device,
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical axis adjustment device of an optical component suitable for an optical communication device mounted on an artificial satellite which requires high density mounting and high alignment accuracy.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical component adjusting apparatus for an optical component, comprising: an optical element having an X-axis and a Y-axis in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; An optical axis adjusting device for an optical component that adjusts the optical element, wherein the holding member holds the optical element, and includes a pair of inclined surfaces that are inclined from the X-axis direction toward the Y-axis direction at both ends of one side surface. And an outer housing for housing and fixing the block movably in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and a pair of two screw members arranged at a predetermined interval in the Y-axis direction. While screwing and penetrating the housing,
A pair of X-axis adjusting screw which presses the block tip contacts the inclined surface of each of the blocks, one of the screw member disposed on the Y-axis direction, the in the outer housing
Y that penetrates the same plane as the plane through which the X-axis adjustment screw penetrates so as to be movable in the X-axis direction, and whose tip is screwed into the block.
And a shaft adjusting screw.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical component adjusting device for an optical component, before the X-axis adjusting screw and the Y-axis adjusting screw penetrate.
Make sure that one surface of the outer casing does not interfere with other peripheral devices.
It is .

According to the optical axis adjusting device for an optical component of the present invention having such a configuration, the X axis in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis,
By providing the optical axis adjusting means for the two directions of the Y axis on one surface side of the apparatus, it is possible to perform the optical axis adjustment of the two directions of the X axis and the Y axis only by accessing from one direction, thereby facilitating the adjustment work. On the other hand, since the adjusting means is concentrated on one side, the size of the device itself can be reduced, and the position of the optical element can be adjusted even when other devices are mounted around the device, thereby enabling high-density mounting.

The optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to a third aspect of the present invention is configured such that the tip of the X-axis adjusting screw that contacts the slope of the block is formed in a hemispherical shape.

According to the optical component adjusting device for an optical component of the present invention having such a configuration, the tip of the X-axis adjusting screw is hemispherical, so that the friction between the slope of the block and the X-axis adjusting screw is reduced. The block can be moved smoothly in the X-axis direction, and fine adjustment of the optical element can be performed easily and accurately.

The optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is configured such that a rotatable sphere is provided at the tip of an X-axis adjusting screw that comes into contact with the slope of the block.

According to the optical component adjusting device for an optical component of the present invention having such a configuration, by disposing a rotatable sphere at the tip of the X-axis adjustment screw, the sphere rolls on the slope of the block. The friction between the slope and the X-axis adjustment screw can be further reduced.

The optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is configured such that the tip of the X-axis adjusting screw abutting on the slope of the block is formed in a conical shape.

According to the optical axis adjusting device for an optical component of the present invention having such a configuration, the tip of the X-axis adjusting screw has a conical shape, thereby reducing the friction between the slope of the block and the X-axis adjusting screw. While doing so, the slope of the block can be reliably pressed by line contact, the block can be moved more smoothly and more reliably in the X-axis direction, and fine adjustment of the optical element can be performed easily and accurately.

[0021]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for adjusting an optical axis of an optical component according to an embodiment of the present invention. [First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment of an optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B show an optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.
(B) is a front view including a partially cut-away portion. 2 and 3 are explanatory views of the case where the optical axis adjustment of the optical component is performed by the present apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows the case of performing the adjustment in the X-axis direction, and FIG. The case where the direction is adjusted is shown.

As shown in these figures, the optical axis adjusting device of the present embodiment moves the optical element 1 constituting an optical component in a two-dimensional direction in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, that is, the optical axis direction to the Z axis. In this case, the optical element 1 is finely adjusted in the X-axis and Y-axis directions indicated by arrows in FIG.

An optical element 1 to be adjusted by the present apparatus is disposed and held substantially at the center of a block 2, and this block 2 is movably supported and fixed together with the optical element 1 to an outer casing 3. It has become so.

The block 2 for holding the optical element 1 is a housing-like member provided with the optical element 1 at the center. As shown in FIG. It has a pair of slopes 2a and 2b inclined toward. Then, such a block 2 is disposed substantially at the center of the storage section 3a of the outer casing 3.

The outer casing 3 holding the block 2 is hollow with a storage portion 3a in the center.
Has an opening on the front side of the apparatus, and the rear side of the apparatus (not shown) forms a wall. A block 2 holding the optical element 1 is stored substantially at the center of the storage portion 3a. As will be described later, the block 2 is moved by the X-axis adjustment screws 5, 6 and the Y-axis adjustment screw 7 to the X-axis. And in the Y-axis direction.

Further, the block 2 housed in the housing portion 3a of the outer casing 3 is provided with fixing screws 4 (4a, 4b, 4).
c, 4d), it is fixed to the outer casing 3. The fixing screw 4 penetrates through the block 2 from the entire surface of the device, and is screwed to and fixed to the wall of the storage portion 3a on the back side of the device (not shown).

Although not shown, the through hole of the block 2 through which the fixing screw 4 penetrates is larger than the shaft of the fixing screw 4 so that the fixing screw 4 can move within a certain range in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Diameter. The movable range of the fixing screw 4 is a range necessary for adjusting the optical element 1,
For example, in an optical device or the like mounted on an artificial satellite, X
It is sufficient if there is a range of about ± 0.5 mm in both the axis and Y axis directions.

The outer casing 3 has flanges 3b, 3b protruding in the horizontal direction on the bottom side. The flange 3b is fixed to an installation surface of an apparatus mounted on an artificial satellite by bolts or the like. It has become so.

In this embodiment, the outer casing 3
X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 serve as fine adjustment means for moving the optical element 1 together with the block 2 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.
And a Y-axis adjusting screw 7. X axis adjustment screws 5, 6
Is a pair of two screw members arranged in the Y-axis direction,
It is screwed into and penetrates the outer casing 3, and the tip comes into contact with the slope 2 a of the block 2. Specifically, a tap hole 3c through which the X-axis adjustment screws 5 and 6 are screwed and penetrated, respectively, is cut in the outer housing 3 in the Y-axis direction.
The two X-axis adjustment screws 5, 6 are formed by the tap holes 3c.
Can rotate and move toward the block 2 while rotating.

The tips of the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 press the slopes 2a and 2b of the block 2, respectively. Here, the slopes 2a,
The tips of the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 that come into contact with 2b are formed in a hemispherical shape as shown in FIG. By making the tips of the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 semi-spherical in this manner, the friction between the slopes 2a and 2b of the block 2 and the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 is reduced. It can be moved smoothly in the X-axis direction.

On the other hand, the Y-axis adjusting screw 7 is a screw member disposed in the Y-axis direction, and penetrates the outer casing 3 in a state where it can be moved in the X-axis direction. Are adapted. Specifically, the outer casing 3 has Y
A through-hole 3d is formed in the axial direction, and the Y-axis adjusting screw 7 penetrates the through-hole 3d, and the distal end side is screwed into a tap hole 2c formed in the block 2 and extending in the Y-axis direction. It has become.

A through hole 3d through which the Y-axis adjusting screw 7 penetrates
Is a long hole extending in the X-axis direction.
The Y-axis adjusting screw 7 is movable in the X-axis direction in the area d. Here, the moving range of the Y-axis adjusting screw 7 is a range necessary for adjusting the optical element 1. For example, in the case of a device mounted on an artificial satellite, a range of about ± 0.5 mm is usually sufficient. It is.

In the present embodiment, the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 and the Y-axis adjusting screw 7 penetrate the same surface of the outer casing 3. That is, the X-axis adjustment screws 5 and 6 and the Y-axis adjustment screw 7 are provided on the upper surface side of the outer casing 3.
Y axis adjusting screw 7 between X axis adjusting screw 5 and X axis adjusting screw 6
Are arranged in parallel with each other and penetrate in the Y-axis direction.

Then, the Y-axis adjusting screw 7 is screwed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the block 2, and the two X-axis adjusting screws 5, 6 are respectively connected to the inclined surfaces 2 a, 2 on both ends of the upper surface of the block 2.
2b. Thus, as described later, the position of the optical element 1 can be adjusted by accessing the outer housing 3 from the upper surface of the apparatus in both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Here, the surface of the outer casing 3 on which the X-axis adjustment screws 5 and 6 and the Y-axis adjustment screw 7 are disposed is a surface that does not interfere with other peripheral devices and the like in a device mounted on a satellite. Is desirable.

Next, the operation of the optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. When adjusting the optical axis of the optical element 1, first, the fixing screw 4 fixing the block 2 holding the optical element 1 and the outer casing 3 is slightly loosened. In this state, when adjusting in the X-axis direction, the X-axis adjustment screws 5 and 6 are pushed and pulled to adjust the optical axis.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the X-axis adjustment screw 5 on the front left side of the apparatus is pushed in, the tip of the X-axis adjustment screw 5 presses the block 2 holding the optical element 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the optical element 1 is moved together with the block 2 to the right in the drawing, that is, in the X-axis direction. Similarly, when the X-axis adjustment screw 6 on the right side of the front of the apparatus is pushed in, the tip of the X-axis adjustment screw 6 presses the block 2 holding the optical element 1, so that the optical element 1 is moved together with the block 2 on the left side of the drawing, that is, X Move in the axial direction.

At this time, since the tips of the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 for pressing the slopes 2a and 2b of the block 2 are each formed in a hemispherical shape, the slopes 2a and 2b of the block 2 and the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 are used. 6 is reduced, and the block 2 can be moved smoothly in the X-axis direction.

On the other hand, when adjusting in the Y-axis direction, FIG.
Turn the Y-axis adjustment screw 7 as shown in FIG. Since the Y-axis adjustment screw 7 is directly screwed into the tap hole 2c of the block 2 holding the optical element 1, by turning the Y-axis adjustment screw 7, as shown in FIG. The optical element 1 can be moved in the vertical direction, that is, in the Y-axis direction. Finally, when the optical axis is determined, the loosened fixing screw 4 is tightened again, and the adjustment of the optical axis is completed.

As described above, according to the optical axis adjusting device for an optical component of the present embodiment, the optical axis adjusting means in two directions of the X axis and the Y axis in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, that is, the X axis adjusting screw 5 , 6 and the Y-axis adjusting screw 7 are provided in a concentrated manner on the upper surface side of the apparatus, so that optical axis adjustment in two directions of the X-axis and the Y-axis can be performed only by access from one direction. Thereby, in the optical axis adjustment device of the present embodiment, the adjustment operation is easy to perform, and
Since the adjusting means is concentrated on one side, the size of the device itself can be reduced, and the position of the optical element can be adjusted even when other devices are mounted around the device, thereby enabling high-density mounting.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the optical axis adjusting device for an optical component of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view including a partially cut-away portion showing an optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, an optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to the present embodiment is a modified embodiment of the above-described first embodiment, and an X-axis adjusting device which contacts the inclined surfaces 2a and 2b of the block 2. The shape of the tips of the screws 5 and 6 is changed. That is, rotatable spheres 5a and 6a are provided at the tips of the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 that contact the slopes 2a and 2b of the block 2, respectively.

According to the optical axis adjusting device for an optical component of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, by providing the rotatable spheres 5a and 6a at the tips of the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6, this sphere can be obtained. Since 5a and 6a roll on the slopes 2a and 2b of the block 2, the friction between the slopes 2a and 2b and the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 is further reduced, and the position of the optical element 1 can be adjusted more smoothly. .

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the optical axis adjusting device for an optical component of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view including a partially cut-away portion showing an optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, an optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to the present embodiment is a modified embodiment of the above-described first embodiment, and is provided with a tip of an X-axis adjusting screw which abuts on a slope of a block. The shape has been changed. That is, the tips of the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6 that contact the slopes 2a and 2b of the block 2 are formed as conical tapered surfaces 5c and 5d that are in line contact with the slopes 2a and 2b.

According to the optical axis adjusting device for an optical component of the present embodiment having such a configuration, the conical tapered surfaces 5c and 5d are formed at the tips of the X-axis adjusting screws 5 and 6, respectively.
While reducing the friction between the slopes 2a, 2b of the block 2 and the X-axis adjusting screws 5, 6, the taper faces 5c, 5d and the slopes 2a,
The block 2 can be reliably pressed by the line contact with 2b, and the block 2 can be moved more smoothly and reliably in the X-axis direction.

[0046]

As described above, according to the apparatus for adjusting the optical axis of an optical component of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the position of an optical element in the in-plane direction only from one direction of the apparatus, thereby reducing the size. The optical axis can be easily adjusted even in a device that is lightweight and densely mounted, and is particularly suitable for optical communication devices for artificial satellites that require high-density mounting and high alignment accuracy. It is suitable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a front view including a partially cut-away portion.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an optical axis adjustment of an optical component is performed by the present apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and illustrates a case where an adjustment in an X-axis direction is performed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an optical axis of an optical component is adjusted by the present apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and shows a case where an adjustment in a Y-axis direction is performed.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a device for adjusting an optical axis of an optical component according to a second embodiment of the present invention, including a partially cut-away portion.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a device for adjusting an optical axis of an optical component according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the view including a partially cut-away portion;

FIG. 6 shows a conventional optical axis adjusting device for an optical component,
(A) is a front view including a partially notched portion, and (b)
Is a side view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical component 2 Block 2a, 2b Slope 3 Outer housing 3a Storage part 4 Fixing screw 5, 6 X-axis adjustment screw 7 Y-axis adjustment screw

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An optical element comprising: an X-axis in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis direction;
An optical axis adjusting device for an optical component that adjusts in an axis and a Y-axis direction, comprising a pair of holding members that hold the optical element, each of which is inclined from the X-axis direction toward the Y-axis direction at both ends of one side surface. A block provided with a slope, an outer housing for accommodating and fixing the block movably in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and a pair of two screws arranged at a predetermined interval in the Y-axis direction A pair of X-axis adjusting screws, which are screwed and penetrated into the outer casing, and whose ends abut against the inclined surface of the block to press the block, one of the screws arranged in the Y-axis direction; A screw member is used for the outer casing.
A Y-axis adjustment screw that penetrates the same plane as the surface of the X-axis adjustment screw through the body so as to be movable in the X-axis direction, and a tip of which is screwed into the block. Optical axis adjustment device for optical components. 2. The optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to claim 1, wherein one surface of the outer casing through which the X-axis adjusting screw and the Y-axis adjusting screw pass does not interfere with other peripheral devices. 3. The optical axis adjusting device for an optical component according to claim 1 , wherein the tip of the X-axis adjusting screw abutting on the slope of the block is formed in a hemispherical shape. 4. At a front end of the X-axis adjustment screw abuts against the inclined surface of the block, claim including a rotatable sphere 1 or 2
An optical axis adjustment device for an optical component as described in the above. 5. The optical part of the optical axis adjusting apparatus of the front end of the X-axis adjustment screw abuts against the inclined surface according to claim 1, wherein formed in the conical shape of the block.