CN1764858A - Optical device with lens positioning and method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Abstract

Translated fromChinese

对光学元件进行精确定位的光学装置和生产这些光学装置的方法。在轴线上的支撑件支承每一光学元件，该支撑件具有塑性变形的部分，这些塑性变形的部分用来与光学元件面的在中间外缘表面附近的部分重叠。该构造在支撑件内轴向锁住光学元件，并为每一光学元件产生可靠刚性保持结构。

Optical devices and methods for producing such optical devices precisely position optical elements. Each optical element is supported by an axial support member having a plastically deformed portion configured to overlap a portion of the optical element face near the intermediate outer edge surface. This configuration axially locks the optical element within the support member and creates a secure, rigid retaining structure for each optical element.

Description

Have the optical devices of lens position and make the method for these optical devices

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the manufacturing and the structure of optical devices, and relates more specifically to the location of the lens that separate along axis such as optical housing.

Background technology

In many optical devices, importantly lens or other optical element are carried out accurate location mutually along the device axis.Rigid endoscope is an example.Rigid endoscope is elongated optical devices, and in rigid endoscope, a plurality of axially spaced optical elements of lens that comprise are passed to eyepiece with image from object lens branch journey along the device axis, and this device axis also is an optical axis.Importantly accurately keep the axially spaced-apart between the element in single optical element such as the relay lens system under the environmental baseline of multiple extensive variation, these environmental baselines comprise as the temperature conditions of the extensive variation that is run in the high pressure steam sterilization process and mechanical vibration condition.And, usually importantly, all optical elements are remained in the sealed environment to prevent that moisture from accumulating so that keep picture quality along optical path.

The many methods that are used to provide the optical element axial location are disclosed in the prior art.Certain methods adopts and makes the process of some malformation, and announces in below with reference to document:

GB1556475 (1979) Epworth etc.

1,587,131 (1926) Tillyer

3,949,482 (1976) Ross

4,776,670 (1988) Kessels etc.

5,305,406 (1994) Rondeau

5,493,452 (1996) Hoshino etc.

5,810,713 (1998) Rondeau etc.

5,969,887 (1999) Hagimori etc.

6,201,649 (2001) Rudischhauser etc.

6,263,133 (2001) Hamm

6,398,723 (2002) Kehr etc.

6,462,895 (2002) Hunter

6,487,440 (2002) Deckert etc.

Generally speaking, these methods are attempted along optical axis location optical element the outer tube distortion.In certain methods, as a result of the structure that produces only engages and relies on sliding friction with the outer rim of lens and keeps accurate position.Yet under many situations, vibration force can overcome the sliding friction that is applied in these devices, thereby can the dislocation optical element.Under the other situation, pipe is penetrated the short and small teat that stops the lens axially-movable to provide.Any ability that the environment around optical element and the optical system is isolated that penetrated outer tube damage is particularly in the situation of the endoscope that needs high pressure steam sterilization.

Required is a kind of optical devices and a kind of manufacturing have the optical devices of the reliable location of single optical element and need not to penetrate the method for supporting construction.

Summary of the invention

Thereby one object of the present invention is to provide a kind of optical devices, and optical element is accurately fixing in the axial direction in these optical devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of optical devices, even in the high pressure steam sterilization process, these optical devices are also guaranteed the axial location of optical element.

Of the present invention also have another purpose to be to provide a kind of method of making optical devices, and the optical element that these optical devices had is accurately fixing in the axial direction.

Of the present invention also have another purpose to be to provide a kind of method of making optical devices, and this method is guaranteed accurately to locate at housing interior focusing element in assembling process He in the use.

According to the present invention, the optical devices that are characterised in that axis are included in the optical element on the axis, and this optical element has first and second and middle outer fringe surface.Be used to optical element to form the optic support elements of reliable bearing.First support member engages with outer fringe surface, and second support member engages with at least one face in first and second of outer rim near surface, thereby pins optical element with restriction moving along axis in optical devices.

Description of drawings

The detailed description, various purposes of the present invention, advantage and novel feature will be more fully apparent below reading in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and identical Reference numeral refers to identical parts in these accompanying drawings, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is the skeleton view as the endoscope of optical devices example, the present invention can be applied to this endoscope;

Fig. 2 is the part of the endoscope that forms Fig. 1, and the cut-open view of optical devices constructed according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is the longitudinal profile along the part of optical devices shown in Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is the section along the straight line 4-4 among Fig. 3;

The flow chart description of Fig. 5 be used to make hydrostatic pressure process according to optical devices of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is the partial schematic diagram of the xsect of manufacturing equipment, and this manufacturing equipment is used for realizing the hydrostatic pressure process of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 be as shown in Figure 2 optical devices through the longitudinal section after the hydrostatic pressure process of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is the section along the straight line 8-8 among Fig. 7;

The series that the flow chart description of Fig. 9 is used to make according to optical devices of the present invention is pressed the pleat process;

Figure 10 is the longitudinal section after the series through Fig. 9 of optical devices is as shown in Figure 2 pressed the pleat process;

Figure 11 is the section along the straight line 11-11 among Figure 10;

The flow chart description of Figure 12 be used to make sequential configuration according to optical devices of the present invention;

Figure 13 be with as shown in Figure 2 similar optical devices of optical devices through the longitudinal profile after the sequential configuration process of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is the cut-open view along the straight line 14-14 among Figure 13;

Figure 15 is the longitudinal profile in conjunction with optical module of the present invention;

Figure 16 is the longitudinal profile of the optical devices of the optical element of description employing Figure 15;

Figure 17 is the longitudinal profile of optical devices of structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 18 is the transverse sectional view along the straight line 18-18 among Figure 17; And

Figure 19 is the skeleton view of the described optical devices of Figure 17.

Implement optimal mode of the present invention

Fig. 1 shows and presents to the medical worker for theendoscope 10 that uses.Thisendoscope 10 extends between far-end 11 and near-end 12, and this far-end 11 is that this near-end 12 is from the nearest end of people that uses this device from the nearest end of object that will imaging.This view shows the optical body 13 witheyecup 14, and the individual observes image by this eyecup 14.Thereby fiber pole 15 is held out splice going splice from light source and is provided for light through the optical fiber transmission, in order to just to illuminate the object in imaging.In this certain embodiments,device axis 18 is optical axises.

Endoscope 10 also holds theoptical devices 20 that extend as shown in Figure 2 between far-end 11 and near-end 12.Theseoptical devices 20 comprise thetubulose epitheca 21 that extends along optical axis 18.In the present embodiment,distal window 22 is at far-end 11 place's sealed tubular epithecas 21.Distal window 22 can be formed by any material that will stand the high pressure steam sterilization temperature such as sapphire window.

The 22dislocation Liars 31 closely alongaxis 18 from window.As everyone knows, the object that is positioned on the extended line ofoptical axis 18 of 31 pairs of Liars forms image.Liar 31 can have any embodiment in the various embodiments.

Theeyepiece 32 ofoptical devices 20 extends in thetubulose epitheca 21 from near-end 12.The axially extendedaxle collar 33 is welded or is brazed on the tubulose epitheca 21.The optical element that forms eyepiece can comprise some combination of aperture/sept, eye lens or guard ring or these elements or other optical element.Eyepiece 32 is to be an example of the optical element of the optical viewing arrangement of human eye or other form more well known in the prior art such as video observation system transmitted image.

The 3rd optical elements sets formsrelay lens system 41 between Liar 31 and eyepiece 32.As everyone knows, this relay lens system is passed toeyepiece 32 with image from Liar 31.First sept 42 positions with respect to 31 pairs first relay lens elements of Liar such as doublet lens 43.In this specific embodiment, middle cylindricaloptic lens sept 44 and other relayingdoublet lens 43 constitute the other optical element of separating in order alongoptical axis 18, Duan relayingdoublet lens 45 up to date, promptly nearest relayingdoublet lens 45 with near-end 12.The structure of these relay lens system known in the state of the art and operation.Can make many improvement to specific lens shown in Figure 2 and sept structure.

Fig. 3 is the sections ofoptical devices 20 along thewhole axis 18 among Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is perpendicular to the section ofaxis 18 by Fig. 3.Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show bysept 44 alongaxis 18 separated two doublet lens 43.Eachdoublet lens 43 has first and second 45 and 46 and middle outer fringe surface 47.Tubulose epitheca 21 these optical elements of supporting.According to the present invention, only in construction process, use sept 44.Because behind utilization the present invention,sept 44 is not carried out the function of main location, thissept 44 can be thinner than traditional sept.

In fact, the invention reside in by engaging each lens or other optical element are positioned, thereby each such optical element is carried out lock-bit alongaxis 18 with near one or twoface 45 and 46outer fringe surface 47 of optical element.Can adopt different detailed processes.For example, Fig. 5 shows the hydrostatic pressure process 50 that adopts hydrostatic pressure equipment 51 shown in Figure 6 and implement.More specifically, in Fig. 5, the various operations of step 52 representative by these operations, are assembledoptical devices 20 for example shown in Figure 3 with lens, sept and other optical element in tubulose epitheca 21.After the assembling, in step 53optical devices 20 are positioned in the pressure chamber 54, this pressure chamber 54 is expressed as the cylindrical structural of the sealing with gland bonnet 55 in Fig. 6.

Along with removing gland bonnet 55, supporting construction 56 is connected to the end ofoptical devices 20, and this supporting construction 56 drops in the hydraulic oil 57.After gland bonnet 55 replaced, the operation of step 61 control hydraulic pump 61 and with boost in pressure to makingepitheca 21 that the degree of plastic yield take place.Pressure gauge 62 these pressure of monitoring.Reduction valve 63 prevents that pressure is excessive, and plays the effect of snap-out release pressure when process finishes.When reaching suitable pressure, the part in the middle of lens element oftubulose epitheca 21 deforms, with the part that covers lens face for example on thelens face 45 and 46 among Fig. 3, and lock-bit and pinning lens element.This distortion makes these parts ofepitheca 21 limit the axially-movable oflens 43 inepitheca 21 with showing in the geometric configuration one of near the faceouter fringe surface 47 45 and 46.With reference to figure 7 and 8, by medium 57 hydrostatic pressure is applied to the outside ofoptical devices 20, it is avette that the not supply section distortion betweenlens element 43 oftubulose epitheca 21 is become, and this is avette to have thepart 64 and 65 that keeps flat along mainaxis.Lens element 43 prevents the adjacent part distortion of tubulose epitheca 21.Thereby tubuloseepitheca 21 covers on two lens faces 45 and 46 at each lens element place, as the covering at 66 and 67 places on eachlens element 43 of lens element 43.Produce thereupon to the transition piece of covering 66 and 67 withlens element 43 locks in place, thereby lens element is fixedly positioning intubulose epitheca 21 along axis 18.If adoptsept 44, then thissept 44 is thin septs, and thissept 44 is deformed into consistent with tubulose epitheca 21.Other covering is provided like this.

After distortion takes place,, in the step 70 of Fig. 5, start reduction valve 63 among Fig. 6 with relief pressure as showing ground by reaching predetermined pressure.After this, can remove end cap 55, and from chamber 54, remove out theoptical devices 20 of the structure of Fig. 7 and 8.

In this process, the component of elasticity of the circumference under the given hydrostatic pressure or hoop compressive stress and radial deflection can be used for calculating and the pressure when predicting for certain material and material thickness generation plastic yield.Having adopted the pressure of 1450 to 2250 PSI that diameter is provided is the suitable plastic yield of 3 millimeters 316 stainless-steel tubes.Foundation or prediction cause that for other material, material thickness and diameter the step of the pressure of plastic yield is known by the those of ordinary skill in the present technique field.

The major control criterion that is used for this process is to produce enough pressure to make the part of crossing a part of lens face of housing to keep the mode plastic yield of pipe integrality.This method and control criterion can be suitable for all types of optical devices, comprise that those bear optical devices high pressure steam sterilization or other severe rugged environment, the needs sealing.In addition, should limit radial deformation, make the crushed element oftubulose epitheca 21 not extend to the visual field that is used foroptical devices 20.

Fig. 9 to 11 shows the replacement process of aforesaid fluid static pressure process, and this replacement process adopts series to press the pleat process.Initial step 80 for example is included in and uses lens, sept, prism, window and other optical element construction ofoptical device 20 in the housing shown in Fig. 3 and 4.Step 81 makeoptical devices 20 by the pressure pleat instrument place of arrow 82 representatives with as first lens of selected lens first in the face of neat.In this case, select lens 83, and first 84 is alignd with pressure pleat instrument 82 as doublet lens 43.At step 85 place, the pleat instrument is pressed in utilization in the transverse plane ofaxis 18, is to form gauffer on the opposite side of housing of form thereby be intubulose epitheca 21 at the end sections 86 of sept 43.Instep 87, withoptical devices 20 with press the pleat instrument to reorientate, make and press second 97 of pleat instrument and selected lens to align, promptly be positioned at the position of arrow 90representatives.Step 91 repeats this pressure pleat process then.

Ifoptical devices 20 comprise other lens,step 92 is diverted tostep 93 with control, presses facing of pleat instrument and next lens neat thereby make, and these next one lens are represented by arrow 94 as selected lens and at Figure 10.Control is turned back tostep 85,87 and 91 and produces first gauffer and produce second gauffer in the position of arrow 95 with the position at arrow 94 then.When finishing this process, just finished described process andstep 92 and be diverted to and finish this series atstep 96 place and press the pleat process for each lens element.

The pressure pleat at step 85 and 86 places usually occurs in opposed position on the diametric(al).Step 85 and 86 can also be included in the repeatedly pressure pleat operation of each aligned position.For example, first presses the pleat operation can produce the gauffer of vertical alignment, and second press the pleat operation can produce and first gauffer gauffer of displacement at an angle of 90.Can adopt more other pressure pleat instrument or processing to produce suitable gauffer by serial or parallel, as the gauffer that can obtain by special pressure pleat instrument, this special pressure pleat instrument can produce the radial pressure that equates from a plurality of radial angles.

Figure 11 shows has fouropposed gauffer part 100 and 101optical devices 20 on diametric(al), and thesegauffer parts 100 and 101 manually press the pleat operation to produce by twice.Also as illustrating especially among Figure 10, if adoptsept 43 to be used for initial alignment, each fold place that thesesepts 43 also will be in these gauffers is the gauffer in Figure 11 100 and 101 place's deflections for example.

Control the gauffer that each presses the pleat operation to have a degree of depth with generation, this degree of depth guarantees that gauffer partly covers on the part of lens face such as lens face 84.Yet, thereby should limit gauffer so that do not make material breaks keep the integrality of any hermetically-sealed construction.Also gauffer should be limited so that structure does not extend in the visual field.No matter in which kind of is arranged, these gauffers all make housing or tubulose epitheca with near the outer fringe surface of each doublet lens 83 first and second to look like face 84 and 97 consistent, withalong axis 18 pinning doublet lens 83.

That Figure 12 to 14 shows the like configurations that is used to produce shown in Figure 10 and 11 but need not the structure of sept 44.According to present embodiment, theprocess 110 of Figure 12 starts from the end withoptical devices 20 in thestep 111, and to be fixed ontubulose epitheca 21 be in the far-end of housing of form.For example, assemble this structure if insert device, by objective lens arrangement being positioned and performingstep 111 at far-end by near-end from endoscope.

The step 112tubulose epitheca 21 that aligns in the axial direction then makes position as the distal face of first lens of selected lens be positioned at and presses pleat instrument place.This is by 113 representatives of the arrow amongFigure 13.In step 114, the operation of the pressure pleat of one or many produces the gauffer part, and these gauffers partly make the part of tubulose epitheca 21 consistent with selected lens at far-end lens face place.

Instep 115, with the lens position instrument lens element such aslens element 116 are inserted in the tubulose epitheca usually.This lens element that moves forward contacts with thehousing parts 120 of pressing pleat up to far-end lens face 117.

Step 121 is reorientated tubulose epitheca 21 in the axial direction then, with theproximal end face 122 at thelens 116 that align as the pressure pleat instrument place ofarrow 123representatives.At step 124 place, another presses the pleat operation to make the part conformal at near-end lens face place of tubulose epitheca 21 isgauffer 125.In step 126, can remove any orientation tool that adopts in the step 115.Therebylens 116 accurately are held in place on theoptical axis 18 and are vertical withaxis 18.

Figure 13 shows anotherlens element 127 with far-end lens face 128 and near-end lens face 129.Thereby thestep 130 among Figure 12 turns to step 131 with control, and thisstep 131location tubulose epitheca 21 is with by the pressure pleat instrument place alignment of thearrow 131 representatives distal face as next lens of selected lens.Control is turned back to step 114 to forminitial gauffer 133 then, can adopt orientation tool to contact withgauffer 133 up todistal face 128 to insertlens 127 thereafter.Can will press the pleat instrument be repositioned to position corresponding toarrow 134 then to produce gauffer at near-end lens face 129 places.

According to step 114 to 126 during with all lens element location, step 130 is diverted to step 137 place terminating operation with control.

According to present embodiment, aforementioned operation produces four gauffers of separating around the circumference equal angles of tubulose epitheca 21 at each lens face place.Figure 14 shows opposedfirst gauffer 133 on diametric(al) especially, and thisgauffer 133 engages with thedistal face 128 of lens 127.Second presses pleat to be operable to is created inopposed gauffer 136 on the diametric(al) squarely.

Fig. 3 shows each parting 34 wherein and bears againstoptical devices 20 on the opposed lens face.Figure 15 shows the replacement method, plays the effect of optical branch support arrangement and at pre-position supporting lens element by each lens sept of this replacement method.For example, Figure 15 shows thelens element 140 with first and second lens faces 141 and 142.Sept 143 supportings are as thelens element 140 of sub-component or lens subassembly.In this application-specific, at lens element insept 143 after the axial location, press the pleat operation to producegauffer group 144 and 145, thereby insept 143,pin lens element 140, middleware parting part 146 betweengauffer 144 and 145 engages with theouter fringe surface 147 oflens element 140, and should press pleat operation generation component 148.Thereby the structure of optical sub-assembly as shown in figure 16 such assub-component 144 comprises: adopt tubulose epitheca such astubulose epitheca 21; And after with end member such as object lens location, in the assembly with suitable dimension shown in Figure 15 such as assembly 148A and 148B tubular stinger successively, to produce relay lens system.Can adopt the method among Figure 15 to be used for relay lens system, but obviously can adopt this method to be used to form object lens or formation eyepiece.

Shown in Fig. 9 to 14 each is pressed pleat action need some control, the particularly degree of depth of each gauffer.Mechanical stop on the instrument can provide this control.Those of ordinary skill in the present technique field is known the operation and the control of this process very much.

Figure 17 to 19 shows combining of another other form optical devices of the present invention, and these optical devices are suitable for endoscope without difficulty, endoscope that particularly can high pressure steam sterilization.As shown in these figures,optical module 150 extends alongdevice axis 18, and thisdevice axis 18 is an optical axis in thiscertain embodiments.Assembly 150 comprisesoptical element 151 and theconformal pipe 152 thatoptical element 151 is positioned.For the reason that illustrates, theoptical element 151 among Figure 17 to 19 is the doublet lens withlens 151A and151B.Conformal pipe 152 comprises twoshell 152A and 152B.

Be specifically related toshell 152A,center section 153 in the axial direction withoptical element 151 with prolonging, and have aroundaxis 18 and make a part of consistent radius ofcenter section 153 and optical element 151.Eachextension 154 and 155 has the radius that reduces slightly to produceradial transition parts 156 and 157 withcenter section 153 respectively.Thesetransition pieces 156 and 157 and the outward flange ofoptical element 151 overlapping, thereby by being consistent, and insub-component 150, produce reliable axial location with near the faceouter fringe surface 162 160 ofoptical element 151 and 161 geometric configuration.

Each shell amongshell 152A and the 152B has the excircle that is used forcylindrical lens group 151, and this excircle makes to havegap 163 and 164 betweenshell 152A and 152B less than the semi-circumference of lens combination 151.Thereby assembly shown in Figure 19 150 can be slid into external structure for example in thetubulose epitheca 21 among Figure 17 and 18.The external diameter ofcenter section 153 makes that corresponding to the internal diameter ofepitheca 21assembly 150 slides in assembling in epitheca 21.The cooperation ofassembly 150 inepitheca 21 produces enough frictions with the unnecessary axial displacement in preventing to use.Thereby epitheca 21 also prevents any outside radial displacement ofshell 152A and 152B.In addition, the axial range ofcenter section 153 enough is used for preventingassembly 150 deflection intubulose epitheca 21.

Be easy to makeconformal pipe 152 by many different manufacture processes.For example, in having the smart mould machine that cooperates smart mould, each shell in these shells such asshell 152A can form required profile by foil.Other method is that this deformable material is used for and described chip bonding in conjunction with single accurate machine mould and the pressing element with deformable material.Also in other method, can in smart molded tool, form shell such asshell 152A in the shell, lens combination such asoptical element 151 are carried in theconformal shell 152A, and exert pressure, thereby aroundoptical element 151, form another foil by pressing element with deformable material such as RTV.

The conformal tube side method of describing with reference to Figure 17 to 19 has many advantages.Need not just can assemble theseconformal pipes 152, and be accompanied by the difficulty that keeps clean along the tube wall single lens that slide along the tube wall single lens that slide.Adopt theseconformal pipes 152 bigger productive capacity can also be provided, reduce cost and improve the precision of axial location.And this structure is compatible with automation equipment.

Disclosed is some alternative methods that are used to form optical devices, axially accurately is provided with optical element in these optical devices with placing.These different structures are characterised in that pressure pleat or the crushed element with support member, and these press the part of pleat or crushed element and each face of optical element overlapping to carry out lock-bit at support member interior focusing element.The example of the process that adopts hydrostatic pressure process, traditional pressure pleat and process operation is disclosed.These only are the modes of example.Obviously can not depart from the present invention disclosed equipment is made many improvement.Thereby the purpose of claims is to cover all these variations and improvement that occurred in true spirit of the present invention and the scope.

Claims (21)

Translated fromChinese

1.一种光学装置，该光学装置的特征在于轴线并包括：1. An optical device characterized by an axis and comprising:A)位于轴线上的光学元件，该光学元件包括第一和第二面以及中间外缘表面；以及A) an on-axis optical element comprising first and second faces and an intermediate peripheral surface; andB)光学元件支撑装置，该光学元件支撑装置用于为所述光学元件形成可靠支座，所述支撑装置包括用于与所述外缘表面接合的第一支撑装置、以及用于与所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面的每一面中的至少一个面接合的第二成形支撑装置，从而在所述光学装置内锁住所述光学元件以限制沿轴线的运动。B) optical element support means for forming a secure seat for said optical element, said support means comprising first support means for engaging said peripheral surface, and for engaging said optical element At least one of each of said first and second faces adjacent the peripheral surface engages second shaped support means to lock said optical element within said optical device to restrict movement along the axis.2.如权利要求1所述的光学装置，其中所述第一和第二支撑装置与第一和第二面的所述外缘表面附近部分的几何形状一致。2. The optical device of claim 1, wherein said first and second support means conform to the geometry of portions of said first and second faces adjacent said peripheral surfaces.3.如权利要求2所述的光学装置，其中所述第一支撑装置包括壳体装置的用于与所述外缘表面接合的中间部分，所述壳体装置具有分隔的压褶部分，这些压褶部分用于使所述壳体与在所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面的几何形状一致。3. The optical device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first support means comprises an intermediate portion of housing means for engaging with said peripheral surface, said housing means having separate crimped portions, the A crimped portion is used to conform the housing to the geometry of the first and second faces adjacent the peripheral surface.4.如权利要求2所述的光学装置，其中支撑装置包括壳体装置的用于与所述外缘表面接合的中间部分，所述壳体装置具有第一和第二变形部分，这些变形部分用于使所述壳体与在所述外缘表面附近和周围的所述第一和第二面的几何形状一致。4. The optical device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the supporting means comprises an intermediate portion of housing means for engaging with said peripheral surface, said housing means having first and second deformed portions, said deformed portions for conforming the housing to the geometry of the first and second faces near and around the peripheral surface.5.如权利要求2所述的光学装置，其中所述装置包括轴向延伸的第一和第二外壳，每一外壳具有：用于与所述外缘表面接合的中间部分；对置延伸部分，这些对置延伸部分覆盖在所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面上；以及在所述中间部分和所述对置延伸部分中的每一延伸部分之间的塑性变形过渡部分，该塑性变形过渡部分与在所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面的几何形状一致。5. The optical device of claim 2, wherein said device includes axially extending first and second housings, each housing having: an intermediate portion for engagement with said peripheral surface; opposing extending portions , the opposed extensions overlying said first and second faces near said outer edge surface; and a plastic deformation transition between said intermediate portion and each of said opposed extensions part, the plastically deformed transition part conforms to the geometry of said first and second faces near said peripheral surface.6.如权利要求5所述的光学装置，该光学装置包括用于对所述第一和第二外壳进行锁位的装置。6. An optical device as claimed in claim 5, comprising means for locking said first and second housings.7.一种光学装置，该光学装置的特征在于轴线并包括：7. An optical device characterized by an axis and comprising:A)透镜组，该透镜组包括至少一个位于轴线上的透镜元件，该透镜元件包括第一和第二面以及中间外缘表面；以及A) a lens assembly comprising at least one on-axis lens element comprising first and second faces and an intermediate peripheral surface; andB)透镜组支撑装置，该透镜组支撑装置用于为所述透镜组形成可靠支座，所述支撑装置包括用于与所述外缘表面接合的第一支撑装置、以及用于与在所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面的每一面中的至少一个面接合的第二塑性变形支撑装置，从而在所述光学装置内锁住所述透镜组以限制沿轴线的运动。B) lens group support means for forming a secure seat for said lens group, said support means comprising first support means for engaging with said peripheral surface, and for engaging with said lens group second plastically deformable support means engaged with at least one of each of said first and second faces near said peripheral surface, thereby locking said lens group within said optical device to limit movement along the axis .8.如权利要求7所述的光学装置，其中所述第一和第二支撑装置与所述外缘表面和所述第一和第二面中一个面的附近部分的几何形状一致。8. The optical device of claim 7, wherein said first and second support means conform to the geometry of said peripheral surface and the vicinity of one of said first and second faces.9.如权利要求8所述的光学装置，其中所述透镜组具有圆柱形外缘表面，而且所述第一支撑装置的与所述外缘表面同延的部分与所述外缘表面接合。9. The optical device of claim 8, wherein said lens group has a cylindrical peripheral surface, and a portion of said first support means coextensive with said peripheral surface engages said peripheral surface.10.如权利要求9所述的光学装置，其中所述第一支撑装置包括圆柱形壳体的用于与所述外缘表面接合的中间部分，而且所述第二支撑装置包括所述壳体的呈角度分隔的皱褶，这些皱褶覆盖在所述第一和第二面的在所述外缘表面附近的部分上。10. The optical device according to claim 9, wherein said first support means comprises an intermediate portion of a cylindrical housing for engagement with said peripheral surface, and said second support means comprises said housing angularly spaced corrugations overlying portions of the first and second faces adjacent the peripheral surfaces.11.如权利要求9所述的光学装置，其中第一支撑装置包括圆柱形壳体的用于与所述外缘表面接合的中间部分，所述第二支撑装置包括所述壳体的塑性变形周向延伸部分，这些塑性变形周向延伸部分用于使所述壳体与在所述外缘表面附近和周围的所述第一和第二面的几何形状一致。11. An optical device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first support means comprises an intermediate portion of a cylindrical housing for engagement with said peripheral surface, said second support means comprises a plastic deformation of said housing Circumferentially extending portions, these plastically deformable circumferentially extending portions serve to conform said housing to the geometry of said first and second faces near and around said peripheral surface.12.如权利要求9所述的光学装置，其中所述透镜支撑装置包括轴向延伸的第一和第二外壳，每一外壳具有：用于与所述外缘表面接合的第一半径的中间部分；对置延伸部分，这些对置延伸部分具有比第一半径小的第二半径，从而覆盖在所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面上；以及在所述中间部分和所述对置延伸部分中的每一延伸部分之间的塑性变形过渡部分，所述塑性变形过渡部分与在所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面的几何形状一致。12. The optical device of claim 9, wherein said lens support means includes axially extending first and second housings, each housing having a first radius intermediate to engage said outer peripheral surface portions; opposing extensions having a second radius smaller than the first radius so as to cover the first and second faces near the outer edge surface; and between the intermediate portion and A plastically deformable transition between each of the opposed extensions, the plastically deformed transition conforming to the geometry of the first and second faces adjacent the peripheral surface.13.如权利要求12所述的光学装置，该光学装置包括用于对所述第一和第二外壳进行锁位的外部壳体。13. The optical device of claim 12, comprising an outer housing for locking the first and second housings.14.一种内窥镜，该内窥镜包括形成为光学组件的多个光学元件，所述光学组件中的每一光学组件包括：14. An endoscope comprising a plurality of optical elements formed into an optical assembly, each of said optical assemblies comprising:A)从位于轴线上的透镜组、间隔物、窗口和棱镜中取出的至少一个光学元件的组，所述光学元件组包括第一和第二面以及中间外缘表面；以及A) a set of at least one optical element taken from the set of lenses, spacers, windows, and prisms on the axis, said set of optical elements comprising first and second faces and an intermediate peripheral surface; andB)沿轴线延伸的光学元件支撑装置，该光学元件支撑装置用于为所述光学元件形成可靠支座，所述支撑装置包括用于与所述外缘表面接合的第一支撑装置、以及用于与所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面接合的第二塑性变形支撑装置，从而在所述光学装置内锁住所述光学元件以限制沿轴线的运动。B) optical element support means extending along the axis for forming a secure seat for said optical element, said support means comprising first support means for engaging said peripheral surface, and A second plastically deformable support means engages said first and second faces adjacent said peripheral surface, thereby locking said optical element within said optical device to restrict movement along the axis.15.如权利要求14所述的内窥镜，其中所述第一和第二支撑装置与所述外缘表面和所述第一和第二面的附近部分的几何形状一致。15. The endoscope of claim 14, wherein said first and second support means conform to the geometry of said peripheral surface and adjacent portions of said first and second faces.16.如权利要求15所述的内窥镜，其中所述光学元件具有圆柱形外缘表面，并且所述第一支撑装置的与所述外缘表面同延的部分与所述外缘表面接合。16. The endoscope of claim 15, wherein said optical element has a cylindrical peripheral surface, and a portion of said first support means coextensive with said peripheral surface engages said peripheral surface .17.如权利要求16所述的内窥镜，其中所述第一支撑装置包括圆柱形壳体的用于与所述外缘表面接合的中间部分，而且所述第二支撑装置包括所述壳体的呈角度分隔的皱褶，这些皱褶覆盖在所述第一和第二面的在所述外缘表面附近的部分上。17. The endoscope of claim 16, wherein said first support means comprises an intermediate portion of a cylindrical housing for engagement with said peripheral surface, and said second support means comprises said shell Angularly spaced corrugations of the body overlie portions of the first and second faces adjacent the peripheral surfaces.18.如权利要求16所述的内窥镜，其中第一支撑装置包括圆柱形壳体的用于与所述外缘表面接合的中间部分，所述第二支撑装置包括所述壳体的塑性变形周向延伸部分，这些塑性变形周向延伸部分用于使所述壳体与在所述外缘表面附近和周围的所述第一和第二面的几何形状一致。18. The endoscope of claim 16, wherein the first support means comprises an intermediate portion of a cylindrical housing for engagement with the peripheral surface, and the second support means comprises a plastic portion of the housing. Deformed circumferential extensions, these plastically deformed circumferential extensions serve to conform the housing to the geometry of the first and second faces near and around the peripheral surface.19.如权利要求16所述的内窥镜，其中所述光学元件支撑装置包括轴向延伸的第一和第二外壳，每一外壳具有：用于与所述外缘表面接合的第一半径的中间部分；对置延伸部分，这些对置延伸部分具有比第一半径小的第二半径，从而覆盖在所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面上；以及在所述中间部分和所述对置延伸部分中的每一延伸部分之间的塑性变形过渡部分，该塑性变形过渡部分与在所述外缘表面附近的所述第一和第二面的几何形状一致。19. The endoscope of claim 16, wherein said optical element support means includes axially extending first and second housings, each housing having a first radius for engagement with said peripheral surface an intermediate portion of; opposed extensions having a second radius smaller than the first radius so as to cover said first and second faces near said outer edge surface; and in said middle A plastically deformable transition portion between a portion and each of said opposed extension portions, the plastically deformable transition portion conforming to the geometry of said first and second faces adjacent said peripheral surface.20.如权利要求19所述的内窥镜，包括用于对所述第一和第二外壳进行锁位的外部壳体。20. The endoscope of claim 19, comprising an outer housing for locking said first and second housings.21.一种内窥镜，包括：圆柱形外鞘；位于远端处的用于形成图像的物镜装置；用于从所述物镜装置向近端传输图像的中继透镜装置；以及位于近端的用于提供图像以供观察的目镜装置；其中所述物镜装置、中继透镜装置和目镜装置中的至少一个装置包括用于放置在外鞘内的光学组件，而且其中每一所述光学组件包括：21. An endoscope comprising: a cylindrical outer sheath; an objective lens arrangement at a distal end for forming an image; a relay lens arrangement for transmitting an image from said objective arrangement to a proximal end; An eyepiece arrangement for providing an image for observation; wherein at least one of said objective lens arrangement, relay lens arrangement and eyepiece arrangement comprises an optical assembly for placement within an outer sheath, and wherein each said optical assembly comprises :A)至少一个透镜元件的透镜组，该透镜组用于沿轴线导引图像，所述透镜组的特征在于圆柱形外缘表面和横向于轴线取向的两个面；A) a lens group of at least one lens element for directing an image along an axis, said lens group being characterized by a cylindrical peripheral surface and two faces oriented transversely to the axis;B)沿轴线延伸的支撑装置，该支撑装置具有用于与圆柱形外缘表面接合的第一支撑部分、以及从所述第一支撑部分延伸的第二支撑部分，这些第二支撑部分包括塑性变形部分，这些塑性变形部分与在所述外缘表面附近的所述透镜元件的面一致，从而所述第二支撑部分锁住所述透镜组以限制透镜组的轴向运动。B) A support means extending along an axis, the support means having a first support portion for engaging the cylindrical outer edge surface, and a second support portion extending from said first support portion, the second support portions comprising plastic Deformed portions, these plastically deformed portions conform to the face of the lens element near the peripheral surface, such that the second support portion locks the lens group to limit the axial movement of the lens group.

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