Optical pickup device

An optical pickup device includes a light source configured to output laser light, an objective lens configured to converge the laser light emitted from the light source onto an optical disc, a sensor lens including a lens surface on which return light reflected by the optical disc is incident and that is also configured to generate an astigmatism in the return light, and a light-receiving element configured to receive the return light which has passed through the sensor lens 40 and to generate a focus error signal based on the received return light. The lens surface includes a first curvature radius in a first direction and a second curvature radius different from the first curvature radius in a second direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical pickup device configured to read information recorded on optical discs or to write information onto optical discs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Optical pickup devices for reading information recorded on optical discs or writing information onto optical discs have been known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-40123). Optical pickup devices are equipped with light sources, objective lenses, sensor lenses, and light-receiving units. Laser light emitted from the light source is converged by the objective lens onto the recording plane of the optical disc. Return light reflected at the recording plane of the optical disc is given an astigmatism by the sensor lens and then received by the light-receiving unit. The light-receiving unit generates a focus error signal based on the return light it receives. Note that the focus error signal is a control signal used for focus servo control in order to match the focal position of the laser light from the objective lens to the recording plane of the optical disc.

In conventional optical pickup devices, the lens surface of the sensor lens is constituted by a cylindrical surface. Return light reflected at the recording plane of the optical disc is incident on the lens surface of the sensor lens.

In recent years, as equipment that incorporates optical pickup devices has become more compact, the need has arisen for smaller optical pickup devices. In order to make optical pickup devices smaller, distances between various components of the optical pickup device must be reduced. When the distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving unit is reduced, the curvature radius of the lens surface of the sensor lens must be reduced in order to generate the desired focus error signal. For example, when the distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving unit is 3.0 mm or less, the curvature radius of the lens surface of the sensor lens must be 3.0 mm or less. However, when the curvature radius of the lens surface of the sensor lens is reduced, the sensor lens is more prone to assembly discrepancies, which therefore creates the problem of the performance of optical pickup devices becoming unstable.

Note that methods are also conceivable in which the distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving unit is reduced without changing the curvature radius of the lens surface of the sensor lens. In such cases, optical components of glass or the like must be disposed between the sensor lens and the light-receiving unit in order to increase the optical distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving unit. However, by increasing the optical distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving unit, the size of the spot of return light on the light-receiving unit is reduced, thus creating the problem of greater sensitivity to positional shift of the spot of return light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an optical pickup device in which a distance between the sensor lens and the light receiver is significantly reduced, a reduction in a curvature radius of a lens surface of the sensor lens is prevented, and a desired size of a spot of return light on the light receiver is secured.

An optical pickup device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a light source configured to output laser light; an objective lens configured to converge the laser light emitted from the light source onto an optical disc; a sensor lens including a lens surface on which return light reflected by the optical disc is incident or from which the return light exits and that also is configured to generate an astigmatism in the return light; and a light receiver configured to receive the return light which has passed through the sensor lens and to generate a focus error signal based on the received return light, wherein the lens surface has a first curvature radius in a first direction and a second curvature radius different from the first curvature radius in a second direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Generally, when the distance between the sensor lens and the light receiver is reduced, the curvature radius of the lens surface of the sensor lens must be reduced in order to generate the desired focusing error signal. With this mode, because the lens surface of the sensor lens is a so-called a biconic surface, the first curvature radius and second curvature radius of the lens surface each help implement the reduction in curvature radius of the overall lens surface. This makes it possible to reduce the distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving element while limiting the reduction in each of the first curvature radius and the second curvature radius. As a result, sensor lens assembly discrepancies are significantly reduced and prevented, so the performance of the optical pickup device is made stable. Furthermore, because the first curvature radius and the second curvature radius are each reduced, there is no need to dispose optical components of glass or the like between the sensor lens and the light receiver in order to increase the optical distance between the sensor lens and the light receiver. For this reason, the size of the spot of return light on the light receiver is reliably secured, and sensitivity to positional shift of the spot of return light on the light receiver is significantly reduced or minimized.

For example, in the optical pickup device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lens surface preferably is concave in the first direction and convex in the second direction.

With this preferred embodiment of the present invention, because the lens surface preferably is concave in the first direction and convex in the second direction, it is possible to limit the shape of the lens surface approaching a spherical surface and to effectively produce an astigmatism in the return light.

For example, in the optical pickup device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor lens preferably includes a spherical surface provided on the opposite side of the lens surface.

With this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor lens also includes a spherical surface provided on the opposite side of the lens surface, so it is possible to prevent or minimize the reduction of the first curvature radius or the second curvature radius such that the first and/or second curvature radius is larger. This makes it possible to limit the shape of the lens surface approaching a spherical surface and to effectively produce an astigmatism in the return light.

For example, in the optical pickup device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an optical axis of the lens surface preferably coincides with an optical axis of the spherical surface.

With this preferred embodiment of the present invention, because the optical axis of the lens surface coincides with the optical axis of the spherical surface, a stable astigmatism is reliably generated in the return light.

With the optical pickup device according to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the distance between the sensor lens and the light receiver is significantly reduced while limiting the reduction in curvature radius of the lens surface of the sensor lens and also securing the size of the spot of return light on the light receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An optical pickup device according to preferred embodiments will be described in detail below using drawings. Note that each of the preferred embodiments to be described below represents a preferred concrete example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, the disposed positions and connection modes of the constituent elements, and so forth indicated in the preferred embodiments described below are just examples and do not limit the present invention in any way.

First, a schematic configuration of an optical disc device in which the optical pickup device according to a preferred embodiment is included will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.FIG. 1is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an optical disc device in which the optical pickup device according to a preferred embodiment is mounted.FIG. 2is a plan view showing the loader of the optical disc device inFIG. 1.

For example, the optical pickup device2is included in an optical disc device4as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The optical disc device4preferably is a Blu-ray disc (or BD; Blu-ray is a registered trademark) recorder configured to play information recorded on an optical disc6and recording information on the optical disc6. Note that the optical disc6is, for example, a Blu-ray disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), or compact disc (CD).

A disc tray10and a loader12disposed under the disc tray10are mounted in the casing8of the optical disc device4.

As shown inFIG. 1, the disc tray10is configured to carry the optical disc6. The disc tray10is able to move back and forth between a pulled-out position pulled to the outside of the casing8and a housed position that is housed in the interior of the casing8via a drive mechanism (not shown) provided in the interior of the casing8. As a result of the disc tray10moving to the pulled-out position, it is possible to place the optical disc6on the disc tray10(or to remove the optical disc6from the disc tray10).

As shown inFIG. 2, the loader12includes a loader main body14and a traverse member16which is configured such that it can be raised and lowered with respect to the loader main body14. A spindle motor (not shown) configured to rotate a turntable18is attached to the traverse member16. The turntable18is configured to carry the optical disc6.

A pair of guide shafts20and22are also attached to the traverse member16. The optical pickup device2configured to read information recorded on the optical disc6and write information to the optical disc6is supported on the pair of guide shafts20and22so as to be movable. A stepping motor24configured to drive the optical pickup device2is also attached to the traverse member16. As a result of the drive force of the stepping motor24being transferred to the optical pickup device2, the optical pickup device2moves back and forth in the radial direction of the optical disc6along the pair of guide shafts20and22. The configuration of the optical pickup device2will be described below.

Next, the configuration of the optical pickup device2will be described with reference toFIGS. 3 through 5Cas well.FIG. 3is a perspective view showing the configuration of the optical pickup device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4is a perspective view showing in model form how an astigmatism is created in the return light by the sensor lens. Each ofFIGS. 5A through 5Cis a diagram showing the light-receiving surface of a light-receiving element that has received return light.

As shown inFIG. 2, the optical pickup device2includes a housing26. The housing26houses an optical system28for BDs and an optical system (not shown) for DVDs and CDs. When the optical disc6placed on the disc tray10is a BD, the optical system28for BDs is used. When the optical disc6placed on the disc tray10is a DVD or CD, on the other hand, the optical system for DVDs and CDs is used. Note that because the optical system28for BDs and the optical system for DVDs and CDs have nearly the same configuration, the description below will cover only the configuration of the optical system28for BDs.

As shown inFIG. 3, the optical system28for BDs includes a light source30, a beam splitter32, a collimating lens34, a rising mirror36, an objective lens38, a sensor lens40, and a light-receiving element42(which constitutes the light receiver).

For instance, the light source30preferably is a laser diode that outputs laser light for BDs (for example, laser light of wavelengths in the 405 nm band).

The beam splitter32preferably is disposed on the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source30. The beam splitter32reflects laser light emitted from the light source30and also passes laser light reflected at the recording plane6aof the optical disc6(hereinafter referred to as “return light”).

The collimating lens34preferably is disposed on the optical path of the laser light reflected by the beam splitter32. The collimating lens34converts the laser light reflected by the beam splitter32into parallel light.

The rising mirror36is disposed on the optical path of the laser light reflected by the beam splitter32. The laser light converted into parallel light by the collimating lens34is incident on the rising mirror36. The rising mirror36reflects the incident laser light in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the recording plane6aof the optical disc6.

The objective lens38is disposed on the optical path of the laser light between the rising mirror36and the optical disc6. The objective lens38converges the laser light reflected by the rising mirror36on the recording plane6aof the optical disc6. The objective lens38is exposed on the top surface of the housing26as shown inFIG. 2. Note that an objective lens44of the optical system for DVDs and CDs is also exposed on the top surface of the housing26.

The sensor lens40is disposed on the optical path of the return light that has passed through the beam splitter32. The sensor lens40generates an astigmatism in the return light that has passed through the beam splitter32. This changes the shape of the return light that has passed through the sensor lens40so as to be a horizontally elongated elliptical shape, a circular shape, or a vertically elongated elliptical shape, for example, as shown inFIG. 4, depending on the position on the optical axis of the sensor lens40. With the optical pickup device2of the present preferred embodiment, the shape of the sensor lens40is unique and will be described later.

The light-receiving element42is disposed on the optical path of the return light that has passed through the beam splitter32. The light-receiving element42preferably is, for example, a photodiode that receives return light that has passed through the sensor lens40. As shown inFIG. 5A, the light-receiving element42includes a light-receiving surface46configured to receive return light. The light-receiving surface46preferably is divided into four light-receiving regions46a,46b,46c, and46d, centered on the optical axis of the sensor lens40. The light-receiving element42outputs the sum of the amounts of light received in the four individual light-receiving regions46a,46b,46c, and46das a replay signal to the replay circuit (not shown).

The light-receiving element42also generates a focus error (FE) signal based on the return light received in each of the four light-receiving regions46a,46b,46c, and46d. When the amounts of light received in the four light-receiving regions46a,46b,46c, and46dare respectively designated as A, B, C, and D, the focus error signal is expressed as (A+C)−(B+D). The light-receiving element42generates the focus error signal by calculating (A+C)−(B+D).

Note that the focus error signal is used for focus servo control to match the focal position of the laser light from the objective lens38to the recording plane6aof the optical disc6. Here, focus servo control will be briefly described. When the focal position of the laser light from the objective lens38is matched to the recording plane6aof the optical disc6, the spot shape of the return light received by the light-receiving surface46of the light-receiving element42is a circular or substantially circular shape as indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 5A. At this time, the focus error signal is such that (A+C)−(B+D)=0.

When the focal position of the laser light from the objective lens38is shifted so as to be forward of the recording plane6aof the optical disc6, the spot shape of the return light received by the light-receiving surface46of the light-receiving element42is a horizontally elongated elliptical shape as indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 5B. At this time, the focus error signal is such that (A+C)−(B+D)<0.

When the focal position of the laser light from the objective lens38is shifted so as to be behind the recording plane6aof the optical disc6, the spot shape of the return light received by the light-receiving surface46of the light-receiving element42is a vertically elongated elliptical shape as indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 5C. At this time, the focus error signal is such that (A+C)−(B+D)>0.

Based on the focus error signal, focus servo control detects whether the focal position of the laser light from the objective lens38is shifted from the recording plane6aof the optical disc6. If the focal position of the laser light from the objective lens38is shifted from the recording plane6aof the optical disc6, the objective lens38is moved relative to the optical disc6by an actuator (not shown) so as to make the focus error signal such that (A+C)−(B+D)=0.

Next, the route of the laser light in the optical pickup device2will be described with reference toFIG. 3. InFIG. 3, the outward path of the laser light to the optical disc is indicated by a solid line, while the return path of the laser light from the optical disc6is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

As shown inFIG. 3, the laser light emitted from the light source30is reflected by the beam splitter32and is then incident on the collimating lens34. The laser light converted into parallel light by the collimating lens34is reflected by the rising mirror36and is then incident on the objective lens38. The laser light that exits from the objective lens38is converged on the recording plane6aof the optical disc6.

The return light reflected at the recording plane6aof the optical disc6is converted into parallel light by the objective lens38and is then incident on the rising mirror36. The return light reflected at the rising mirror36is converted to convergent light by the collimating lens34and then passes through the beam splitter32. The return light from the beam splitter32passes through the sensor lens40and is then received by the light-receiving surface46of the light-receiving element42.

Next, the shape of the sensor lens40, which is one of the unique features of the optical pickup device2of the present preferred embodiment, will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 through 8.FIG. 6is a perspective view showing the sensor lens of the pickup device according to the present preferred embodiment.FIG. 7is a sectional view of the sensor lens that is cut along the line A-A inFIG. 6.FIG. 8is a sectional view of the sensor lens that is cut along the line B-B inFIG. 6.

As shown inFIG. 6, the sensor lens40includes a lens surface48on which the return light that has passed through the beam splitter32is incident. The lens surface48is a so-called biconic surface which has a first curvature radius R1in a first direction (X-axis direction) and a second curvature radius R2in a second direction (Y-axis direction) that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first curvature radius R1and the second curvature radius R2are of different sizes. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the lens surface48preferably is concave in the first direction and convex in the second direction. For example, the first curvature radius R1preferably is about −4.0 mm to about −3.0 mm, and the second curvature radius R2preferably is about +8.8 to about +20.0 mm. Note that, inFIG. 6, the gridlines assigned to the lens surface48are lines used to express the shape of the curved surface.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the sensor lens40also includes a spherical surface50from which the return light that is incident on the lens surface48exits. The spherical surface is a concave surface and is provided on the side opposite from the lens surface48. The optical axis C1of the lens surface48and the optical axis C2of the spherical surface50coincide. The curvature radius of the spherical surface50preferably is about +5.5 mm to about +7.0 mm, for example.

Next, the effects obtained by using the optical pickup device2of the present preferred embodiment will be described. When the distance D (seeFIG. 3) between the sensor lens40and the light-receiving element42is reduced, the curvature radius of the lens surface48of the sensor lens40must be reduced in order to generate the desired focusing error signal. In the present preferred embodiment, because the lens surface48of the sensor lens40is a biconic surface, the first curvature radius R1and the second curvature radius R2of the lens surface48each help implement the reduction in curvature radius of the overall lens surface48. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the distance D between the sensor lens40and the light-receiving element42while limiting the individual reductions of the first curvature radius R1and the second curvature radius R2. For instance, if the first curvature radius R1is set to about −4.0 mm to about −3.0 mm, and the second curvature radius R2is set to about +8.8 mm to about +20.0 mm, then the distance D between the sensor lens40and the light-receiving element42can be about 3.0 mm or less. As a result, assembly discrepancies in the sensor lens40are significantly reduced or prevented, so the performance of the optical pickup device2is stable.

Furthermore, because the first curvature radius R1and the second curvature radius R2are each significantly reduced, there is no need to dispose optical components of glass or the like between the sensor lens40and the light-receiving element42. Therefore, it is possible to secure the size of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface46of the light-receiving element42.FIG. 9is a graph showing the relationship between the diameter of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface and the sensitivity to positional deviation. InFIG. 9, PD-X represents the sensitivity to the positional deviation of the spot in the direction in which the light-receiving region46aand the light-receiving region46bare disposed (to be taken as the X direction), while PD-Y represents the sensitivity to the positional deviation of the spot in the direction in which the light-receiving region46aand the light-receiving region46dare disposed (to be taken as the Y direction). When the amounts of light received in the four light-receiving regions46a,46b,46c, and46dare respectively designated as A, B, C, and D, PD-X and PD-Y are respectively calculated based on Equations 1 and 2 below:
PD-X={(A+D)−(B+C)}/(A+B+C+D)  (Equation 1)
PD-Y={(A+B)−(C+D)}/(A+B+C+D)  (Equation 2)

As shown inFIG. 9, the larger the diameter of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface46, the lower the sensitivity to positional deviation of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface46. Thus, because the size of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface46is reliably secured in the present preferred embodiment, sensitivity to positional deviation of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface46significantly reduced or minimized.

Moreover, because the sensor lens40is provided with the spherical surface50, it is possible to alleviate or prevent the reduction of the second curvature radius R2such that the second curvature radius is larger. As a result, it is possible to limit the shape of the lens surface48of the sensor lens40approaching a spherical surface and to effectively produce an astigmatism in the return light.

Next, the advantageous effects of the present preferred embodiment, including the effect of being able to significantly reduce the distance D between the sensor lens40and the light-receiving element42while limiting the reduction in each of the first curvature radius R1and the second curvature radius R2and also securing the size of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface46, will be described with reference toFIG. 10.FIG. 10is a table showing working examples and a comparative example of sensor lenses.

In each of Working Examples 1 and 2, the sensor lens40of the preferred embodiments described above was used as the sensor lens. In the comparative example, a conventional cylindrical lens whose lens surface is a cylindrical surface was used as the sensor lens. Note that the spherical surface is provided on the opposite side of the lens surface in the sensor lens of the comparative example.

As shown inFIG. 10, with the sensor lens of the comparative example, when the distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving element was about 2.9 mm, the curvature radius R1of the lens surface was about −2.8 mm to about −2.5 mm. In addition, the diameter of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface was about 74 μm.

In contrast to this, with the sensor lens of Working Example 1, when the distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving element was about 2.9 mm, the first curvature radius R1was about −4.0 mm to about −3.0 mm, and the second curvature radius R2was about +200 mm to about +1000 mm, for example. Furthermore, the diameter of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface was about 74 μm, for example.

Moreover, with the sensor lens of Working Example 2, when the distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving element was about 2.9 mm, the first curvature radius R1was about −4.0 mm to about −3.0 mm, and the second curvature radius R2was about +8.8 mm to about +20.0 mm. In addition, the diameter of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface was about 85 μm.

It can be the from the foregoing that, with the sensor lens of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the distance between the sensor lens and the light-receiving element is significantly reduced while preventing a reduction in each of the first curvature radius R1and the second curvature radius R2and also securing the desired size of the spot of return light on the light-receiving surface.

An optical pickup device according to various preferred embodiments of the present invention was described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above preferred embodiments.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention described above, the optical pickup device preferably was a Blu-ray disc recorder, but the device is not limited to this. For example, the device may be a Blu-ray disc player configured to play information recorded on an optical disc. Alternatively, the optical pickup device may be, for example, a DVD recorder, DVD player, CD player, or the like.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention described above, the sensor lens preferably includes a spherical surface, but this spherical surface can also be omitted.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention preferably are configured such that return light is incident on the lens surface of the sensor lens, but it is also possible to have a configuration such that return light exits from the lens surface of the sensor lens. In this case, the return light that has passed through the beam splitter is incident on the spherical surface of the sensor lens and then exits from the lens surface of the sensor lens.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the lens surface of the sensor lens preferably is concave in the first direction and convex in the second direction, but it may also be conversely convex in the first direction and concave in the second direction. Alternatively, the lens surface of the sensor lens may be convex in both the first direction and second direction, or it may be concave in both the first direction and second direction.

The optical pickup device according to various preferred embodiments of the present invention can be included, for example, in Blu-ray disc recorders or in other optical disc devices.