Mounting structure of objective lens for optical pick-up used for optical disk device

An optical pick-up for use in optical disk devices comprises an objective lens having an outer ring formed therearound and a lens holder for positioning and holding the objective lens, the lens holder having first and second inner walls between which an annular shoulder portion is formed, and plural recesses formed on the annular shoulder portion as reservoirs into which excess adhesive agent is collected when adhesive agent is applied to a gap defined between the first inner wall and the outer ring of the objective lens. Various structures for collecting excess adhesive agent are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the invention 
The present invention relates to a mounting or holding structure for an 
objective lens of an optical pick-up used in optical disk devices such as 
compact disc players and laser disc players. 
2. Description of the prior art 
FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the structure of an optical pick-up mounted 
in an optical disk device, and is used below to briefly describe an 
optical pick-up. 
The light beam emitted from a semiconductor laser 1 passes a beam splitter 
2 and is incident on an objective lens 4 held in a lens holder 3. The 
laser beam is concentrated by the objective lens 4 to form a minute beam 
spot approximately 1 micron in diameter on the recording surface of an 
optical disk E. 
A drive means 5 comprising a piezoelectric element and electromagnetic 
circuitry is provided in the lens holder 3 to drive the objective lens 4 
in the focusing and tracking directions. This drive means 5 makes it 
possible for the objective lens 4 to track surface fluctuations and 
eccentricity in the data track of the optical disk E with submicron 
precision. 
The beam reflected from the recording surface of the optical disk E passes 
back through the objective lens 4, and is reflected perpendicularly by the 
beam splitter 2 to a pin photodiode 6. The data bits from the optical disk 
E can then be read based on the intensity of the beam detected by the pin 
photodiode 6. 
Because the objective lens 4 used in this type of optical pick-up focuses 
the beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 1 to an approximately 1 
micron spot, a wavefront aberration of approximately 1/100th the 
wavelength of the laser beam is required in the objective lens 4, making 
it important to prevent lens aberrations resulting from distortion 
introduced by the adhesive. 
Momentary gravitational acceleration of up to 100 m/s2 may also be applied 
to the objective lens 4 in order for the objective lens 4 to track the 
optical disk E, which rotates at a high speed. 
It follows that the support structure for the objective lens 4 must not 
introduce any optical distortion and must provide sufficient strength. 
The material used for the objective lens 4 has conventionally been a glass 
material with high mechanical strength. Pressure to reduce cost in recent 
years has, however, driven the development of acrylic and other plastic 
lens materials. Further innovations in the bonding method have been 
required in order to assure sufficient mechanical strength and reliability 
with these plastic lenses. One such method has been to use a large outer 
ring formed around an optically functional diameter of the objective lens 
to hold the objective lens 4. 
Flowing of the adhesive to the bottom surface of the objective lens 4 is 
one particular factor that increases the optical aberration of the 
objective lens, and various designs intending to resolve this problem have 
been proposed. One of these is the adhesive method for a plastic objective 
lens having a large outer ring as described in Japanese utility model 
jikkai H1-170330 (1989-170330). The objective lens holding structure for 
an optical pick-up according to this prior art is described below with 
reference to FIG. 25. 
FIG. 25 is a side cross section showing the internal structure of the lens 
holder in an objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up 
according to the prior art. 
As shown in FIG. 25, the objective lens 4 is held in the lens holder 3. 
This objective lens 4 is an integral plastic molding of which the top 
surface 4a and the bottom surface 4b are spherical or aspherical convex 
surfaces forming lens surfaces. An outer ring 4c is formed at the outside 
circumference of the spherical surface; a stepped lens positioning wall 4d 
is formed below the outer ring 4c. 
The lens holder 3 is made from a glass or carbon fiber reinforced plastic 
molding, and comprises on the inside thereof an aperture 3a constricting 
the incidence beam to the effective diameter of the objective lens 4. 
Because of the presence of inside flange 3c, the diameter of the aperture 
3a is less than the inside diameter of the bottom aperture 3b. As a 
result, the diameter of the beam passed through the beam splitter 2 shown 
in FIG. 24 is reduced by the aperture 3a, and this reduced-diameter beam 
is incident to the objective lens 4 within the effective diameter of the 
objective lens 4. 
An outside wall 7 is also formed in a ring around the top of the aperture 
3a in this conventional lens holder 3. The position of the objective lens 
4 is thus determined by the inside circumference of the outside wall 7 and 
the lens positioning wall 4d, and the outside circumference of the outside 
wall 7 and the outside circumference of the outer ring 4c are bonded 
together by an adhesive 8. 
The problem with the construction described above is that a small space 
results between the top of the outside wall 7 and the bottom of the outer 
ring 4c, and flowing of the adhesive to the bottom of the outer ring 4c 
cannot be sufficiently suppressed. To reduce the effects of this gap and 
adhesive flow, the size of the outer ring 4c is expanded outside the 
curved surfaces functioning as lenses, thus increasing the diameter of the 
objective lens. This obviously impedes reducing the size and height 
(profile) of the optical disk device. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a structure for 
holding the objective lens of an optical pick-up, and specifically to 
provide a holding structure introducing no optical aberrations and 
offering excellent reliability even when bonding a small objective lens 
having a small outer ring. 
To achieve this object, the objective lens holding structure for an optical 
pick-up according to the present invention comprises an objective lens 
having an outer ring with a flat surface around the outside circumference 
of the lens curvature, and a lens holder. The lens holder comprises a hole 
to which the objective lens is inserted, and comprises in the bottom of 
the hole an annular member with plural recesses and an inside diameter 
greater than the inside circumference of the outer ring. The objective 
lens is thus inserted to the hole and positioned by the side walls of the 
hole and the annular member, and the outer ring and lens holder are 
fastened with adhesive positioned at the recesses. 
By means of the configuration thus described, the adhesive may travel along 
the side walls of the outer ring of the objective lens, flow downward, and 
collect in the recesses of the annular member. As a result, excess 
adhesive does not flow to the bottom surface of the objective lens, and 
optical aberrations in the objective lens caused by shrinking of the 
adhesive can be prevented even with small objective lenses having small 
outer ring.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with 
reference to the accompanying figures. 
Embodiment 1: 
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the objective lens holding 
structure for an optical pick-up according to the first embodiment of the 
present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the objective lens 
holding structure shown in FIG. 1. Note that components providing the same 
function as in the prior art example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 are 
identified by like references. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a small objective lens 104 focuses a laser beam 
passed through the beam splitter 2 shown in FIG. 24 to form a small light 
spot on the recording surface of the optical disk E. 
The objective lens 104 is a biconvex lens comprising spherical or 
aspherical convex top and bottom lens surfaces 104a and 104b, 
respectively. An outer ring 104c is formed at the outside circumference of 
the lens surfaces with flat top and bottom surfaces as shown in FIG. 2. 
The lens holder 3 comprises a lens insertion hole 30a to which the small 
objective lens 104 is inserted, and a center hole 30b providing clearance 
for the convex surface of the bottom lens surface 104b. 
An annular member 31 disposed inside the lens insertion hole 30a comprises 
recesses 31a diagonally opposed to each other in the top of the annular 
member 31 at the four corners of the lens holder 3. These recesses 31a 
correspond to the adhesion points of the small objective lens 104, and 
form reservoirs in which excess adhesive 8 can overflow and collect. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then applied to the side of the outer ring 104c of the small 
objective lens 104 across the top of the lens holder 3 at the four corners 
of the lens holder 3 to which the recesses 31a are provided. 
Any excess adhesive 8 flowing through the gap between the outer ring 104c 
and the lens insertion hole 30a toward the bottom of the small objective 
lens 104 thus collects in the recesses 31a. 
With the objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according 
to the present invention as thus described, recesses 31a are formed at 
diagonally opposing positions at the four corners of the lens holder 3 
above the annular member 31 formed in the bottom of the lens insertion 
hole 30a. The adhesive 8 is then applied at the side of the outer ring 
104c and the top four corners of the lens holder 3 to fasten the small 
objective lens 104 by adhesion. Excess adhesive 8 thus collects in the 
recesses 31a, thereby preventing the adhesive from flowing to the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c, and thus preventing further deterioration of the 
lens aberrations of the small objective lens 104. 
Embodiment 2: 
The second embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 3, a side cross-sectional view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4, a perspective view 
of the objective lens holding structure shown in FIG. 3. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiment shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 2 are identified by like references. 
What differs between the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and that in 
FIG. 1 is the provision of adhesive channels 80 in the top of the lens 
holder 3 at the four corners corresponding to the positions of the 
recesses 31a. Note that the bottom of these adhesive channels 80 slopes 
downward and inward toward the lens insertion hole 30a. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
Any excess adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 80 and flowing 
through the gap between the outer ring 104c and the lens insertion hole 
30a toward the bottom of the small objective lens 104 thus collects in the 
recesses 31a. 
In addition to the effects obtained by the first embodiment above, 
unnecessary spreading of the adhesive 8 to the sides of the outer ring 
104c can be prevented by forming adhesive channels 80 sloping downward and 
inward toward the lens insertion hole 30a at the four corners of the lens 
holder 3 corresponding to the positions of the recesses 31a according to 
the objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to 
the present embodiment as thus described. 
It should be noted that while the bottoms of the adhesive channels 80 are 
described as sloping in this embodiment, it is also possible to make said 
bottoms flat with a wall around the flat bottoms, thereby achieving the 
same effect as reservoirs for excess adhesive. 
Embodiment 3: 
The third embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 5, a side cross-sectional view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6, a perspective view 
of the objective lens holding structure shown in FIG. 5. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiment shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 2 are identified by like references. 
What differs between the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and that in 
FIG. 1 is the provision of sloping adhesive channels 80 in the top of the 
lens holder 3 at the four corners corresponding to the positions of the 
recesses 31a, and wide recesses 310 in the top of the annular member 31 
with a width greater than the channel width of the adhesive channels 80. 
The specific difference is thus the formation of adhesive channels 80 
narrower in width than the wide recesses 310 provided as adhesive 
reservoirs. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
Any excess adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 80 and flowing 
through the gap between the outer ring 104c and the lens insertion hole 
30a toward the bottom of the small objective lens 104 thus collects in the 
wide recesses 310. 
In addition to the effects obtained by the first and second embodiments 
above, adhesive 8 that has spread between the outer ring 104c and the lens 
insertion hole 30a can thus be prevented from flowing to the bottom of the 
outer ring 104c by providing in the annular member 31 wide recesses 310 
that are wider than the channel width of the adhesive channels 80 
according to the objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up 
according to the present embodiment as thus described. 
Embodiment 4: 
The fourth embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 7, a side cross-sectional view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8, a perspective view 
of the objective lens holding structure shown in FIG. 7. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiments shown in 
FIGS. 1-6 are identified by like references. 
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, adhesive channels 80 sloping downward and inward 
toward the lens insertion hole 30a are provided at the four corners of the 
lens holder 3 as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. What differs 
from FIGS. 5 and 6 is the structure of the recesses 311 disposed in the 
annular member 31 to the positions of the adhesive 8. Specifically, the 
bottom of said recesses 311 slopes away from the center hole 30b in the 
direction of the outside circumference. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
Any excess adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 80 and flowing 
through the gap between the outer ring 104c and the lens insertion hole 
30a toward the bottom of the small objective lens 104 thus collects in the 
sloping recesses 311. Because the bottom of said recesses 311 slopes away 
from the center hole 30b in the direction of the outside circumference, 
the adhesive 8 will not flow into the center hole 30b or the aperture 3a. 
In addition to the effects obtained by the first to third embodiments 
above, excess adhesive 8 flowing down through the gap between the outer 
ring 104c and the lens insertion hole 30a can be prevented from flowing 
into the center hole 30b or the aperture 3a by providing in the annular 
member 31 at positions corresponding to the adhesive channels 80 sloping 
recesses 311 of which the bottom is inclined towards the outside 
circumference according to the objective lens holding structure for an 
optical pick-up according to the present embodiment as thus described. 
As a result, a light spot is thus obtained with a constant and stable beam 
diameter constricted by the aperture 3a and incident on the small 
objective lens 104. 
Embodiment 5: 
The fifth embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 9, a side cross-sectional view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10, a perspective 
view of the objective lens holding structure shown in FIG. 9. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiments shown in 
FIGS. 1-8 are identified by like references. 
As in the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, adhesive channels 80 
sloping downward and inward toward the lens insertion hole 30a are 
provided at the four corners of the lens holder 3, and recesses 311 
disposed in the annular member 31 to the positions of the adhesive 8 have 
a bottom sloping away from the center hole 30b in the direction of the 
outside circumference. What differs in this embodiment is the provision of 
horizontal slots 320 in the outside walls of the sloping recesses 311. The 
purpose of these horizontal slots 320 is to bleed excess adhesive 8 
collecting in the sloping recesses 311 outside the lens holder 3. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
Any excess adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 80 and flowing 
through the gap between the outer ring 104c and the lens insertion hole 
30a toward the bottom of the small objective lens 104 thus collects in the 
sloping recesses 311. When the amount of collected adhesive exceeds the 
holding capacity of the sloping recess 311, any excess can flow through 
the horizontal slots 320 outside the lens holder 3. 
In addition to the effects obtained by the first to fourth embodiments 
above, excess adhesive 8 exceeding the capacity of the sloping recesses 
311 when bonding the small objective lens 104 can flow outside the lens 
holder 3 by providing horizontal slots 320 in the outside walls of the 
sloping recesses 311, the bottoms of which are inclined to the outside, 
according to the objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up 
according to the present embodiment as thus described. 
It is therefore easier to control the amount of adhesive applied, and a 
small objective lens 104 can be easily bonded in place. 
Embodiment 6: 
The sixth embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 11, a side cross-sectional view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12, a perspective 
view of the objective lens holding structure shown in FIG. 11. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiments shown in 
FIGS. 1-10 are identified by like references. 
As in the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, adhesive channels 80 
sloping downward and inward toward the lens insertion hole 30a are 
provided at the four corners of the lens holder 3, and recesses 311 
disposed in the annular member 31 to the positions of the adhesive 8 have 
a bottom sloping away from the center hole 30b in the direction of the 
outside circumference. What differs in this embodiment is the provision of 
an annular channel 330 around the circumference of the annular member 31. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
It should be noted that a burr sometimes occurs at the edge of the outer 
ring 104c of the small objective lens 104. This burr is therefore able to 
enter the annular channel 330, permitting the bottom of the outer ring 
104c to positively contact the top of the annular member 31. 
In addition to the effects obtained by the first to fourth embodiments 
above, the bottom surface of the outer ring 104c can be made to positively 
contact the top surface of the annular member 31 when bonding the small 
objective lens 104 in place, even if there is an edge burr on the outer 
ring 104c of the small objective lens 104, by providing an annular channel 
330 around the outside circumference of the annular member 31 according to 
the is objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according 
to the present embodiment as thus described. It is therefore possible to 
prevent the small objective lens 104 from being bonded at an angle to the 
lens holder 3. 
Embodiment 7: 
The seventh embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 13, an exploded perspective view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14, a top view of 
the objective lens holding structure shown in FIG. 13. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiments shown in 
FIGS. 1-12 are identified by like references. 
As in the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, adhesive channels 
80 sloping downward and inward toward the lens insertion hole 30a are 
provided at the four corners of the lens holder 3; recesses 311 disposed 
in the annular member 31 to the positions of the adhesive 8 have a bottom 
sloping away from the center hole 30b in the direction of the outside 
circumference; and an annular channel 330 is provided around the 
circumference of the annular member 31. What differs in this embodiment is 
the provision of split recess 340 outside the lens insertion hole 30a and 
in the top of the lens holder 3 to separate the adhesive channels 80 at 
the four corners. The lens holder 3 thus comprises a lens insertion hole 
30a having plural wall sections resulting from the formation of the split 
recess 340. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
With this configuration, the adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 
80 spreads through the gap between the outer ring 104c and the lens 
insertion hole 30a. The diffusion area (adhesion area) of the adhesive 8 
in this case is limited to the divided wall sections of the lens insertion 
hole 30a because the wall area of the lens insertion hole 30a contacting 
the side of the outer ring 104c is limited by the split recess 340. 
Therefore, in addition to the effects obtained by the first to fourth 
embodiments and the sixth embodiment above, the adhesion area can be made 
constant, and the adhesion strength can be made constant, by providing a 
split recess 340 in the top of the lens holder 3 outside the lens 
insertion hole 30a to separate the adhesive channels 80 at the four 
corners as described in the present embodiment of the objective lens 
holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the present 
invention. 
Embodiment 8: 
The eighth embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 15, an exploded perspective view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
eighth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16, a perspective view of 
the objective lens holding structure shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17, a side 
cross-sectional view of the same. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiments shown in 
FIGS. 13-14 are identified by like references. 
As in the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, split recess 340 
separates the side wall of the lens insertion hole 30a into plural wall 
sections; adhesive channels 80 sloping downward and inward toward the lens 
insertion hole 30a are provided for adhesive 8 injection; an annular 
member 31 determines the height position of the small objective lens 104; 
and recesses 300 collect any excess adhesive 8 overflow. Note that the 
annular channel 330 provides an escape area for any edge burrs on the 
small objective lens 104. What differs in this embodiment is that the 
recesses 300 are formed on the annular member 31, and the width in the 
circumferential direction is greater than the width of the wall members of 
the lens insertion hole 30a positioned thereabove. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
With this configuration, the adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 
80 spreads downward and circumferentially through the gap between the 
outer ring 104c and the lens insertion hole 30a. The spread of any 
adhesive 8 in the circumferential direction is limited by the split recess 
340, and unnecessary expansion of the adhesion area is thus prevented. 
Excess adhesive 8 flowing toward the bottom of the small objective lens 
104 also reliably collects in the recesses 300 because the circumferential 
width of the recesses 300 is greater than that of the wall sections of the 
lens insertion hole 30a. 
With the configuration of an objective lens holding structure for an 
optical pick-up according to the present embodiment thus described, the 
side wall of the lens insertion hole 30a in the lens holder 3 is separated 
into plural wall sections by the split recess 340, and adhesive channels 
80 sloping downward and inward toward the lens insertion hole 30a are 
provided above these wall sections. Recesses 300 having a greater width in 
the circumferential direction than the width of the wall members are also 
formed in the top of the annular member 31, which is formed in the bottom 
of the lens insertion hole 30a, at positions corresponding to the adhesive 
channels 80. By applying adhesive 8 to the adhesive channels 80 to bond 
the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3, excess adhesive 8 
reliably collects in the recesses 300, and overflow of excess adhesive 8 
below the outer ring 104c can be prevented. Thus, in addition to the 
effects of the preceding embodiments, adhesion reliability and stability 
can be improved. 
Embodiment 9: 
The ninth embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 18, an exploded perspective view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
ninth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19, a perspective view 
of the objective lens holding structure shown in FIG. 18. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiments shown in 
FIGS. 15-17 are identified by like references. 
What differs between this embodiment and that shown in FIGS. 15-17 is the 
provision of a split recess 345 dividing the side wall of the lens 
insertion hole 30a into plural segments where the bottom of the split 
recess 345 is lower than the top of the annular member 31. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
With this configuration, the adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 
80 spreads downward and circumferentially through the gap between the 
outer ring 104c and the lens insertion hole 30a. The spread of any 
adhesive 8 in the circumferential direction is limited by the split recess 
345, and unnecessary circumferential spreading of the adhesion area is 
thus prevented. Because the bottom of the split recess 345 is lower than 
the top of the annular member 31, any adhesive 8 leaking along the side 
wall of the outer ring 104c can also be collected in the bottom of the 
split recess 345. Excess adhesive 8 flowing toward the bottom of the small 
objective lens 104 also collects in the recesses 300. 
By thus providing a split recess 345 having a bottom below the top of the 
annular member 31 in an objective lens holding structure for an optical 
pick-up according to the present embodiment thus described, any adhesive 8 
travelling along the outer ring 104c and leaking from the side walls can 
be reliably collected and prevented from flowing to the lens surface. 
Therefore, in addition to the effects of the preceding embodiments, 
penetration of the adhesive 8 between the outer ring 104c and the annular 
member 31 can be prevented. 
Embodiment 10: 
The tenth embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 20, an exploded perspective view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
tenth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21, a top view of the 
same. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiments shown in 
FIGS. 1-14, are identified by like references. 
As in the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, adhesive channels 
80 sloping downward and inward toward the lens insertion hole 30a are 
provided in the top of the lens holder 3 at the four corners thereof for 
injecting adhesive 8; recesses 311 are formed in the top of the annular 
member 31 at positions corresponding to the adhesive channels 80 with the 
bottoms thereof sloping away from the center hole 30b in the direction of 
the outside circumference; and an annular channel 330 is provided around 
the circumference of the annular member 31. What differs in this 
embodiment is that a split recess 340 is provided outside the lens 
insertion hole 30a and in the top of the lens holder 3 to separate the 
adhesive channels 80 at the four corners, and an outside (side) wall 
member 360 is provided outside the split recess 340. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
With this configuration, the adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 
80 spreads through the gap between the outer ring 104c and the lens 
insertion hole 30a. The wall area of the lens insertion hole 30a 
contacting the side wall of the outer ring 104c is limited by the split 
recess 340, and the diffusion area (adhesion area) of the adhesive 8 is 
limited to the divided wall sections of the lens insertion hole 30a. 
The rigidity of the lens holder 3 is also increased because a wall member 
360 is also provided outside the split recess 340. 
Therefore, in addition to the effects obtained by the first to fourth 
embodiments and the sixth and seventh embodiments above, the rigidity of 
the lens holder 3 can be increased and stable servo characteristics can be 
achieved by providing a split recess 340 in the top of the lens holder 3 
outside the lens insertion hole 30a to separate the adhesive channels 80 
at the four corners, and providing a wall member 360 on the outside 
circumference of the split recess 340. 
Embodiment 11: 
The eleventh embodiment of the present invention is described below with 
reference to the accompanying FIG. 22, an exploded perspective view of the 
objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according to the 
eleventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 23, a perspective 
view of said objective lens holding structure. 
Note that components providing the same function as in the prior art 
example shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and the preceding embodiments shown in 
FIGS. 15-17 and FIGS. 20 and 21 are identified by like references. 
What differs in this embodiment from those shown in FIGS. 15-17 and FIGS. 
20 and 21 is that the lens insertion hole 30a is interrupted by vertical 
slots 350 of which the bottom is lower than the top of the annular member 
31, and side wall members contacting the outside circumference of the 
outer ring 104c are thus also formed at positions other than the adhesive 
channels 80 while providing an adhesive drain channel through the side 
walls to the outside. 
The method of positioning and fastening the small objective lens 104 in the 
lens holder 3 is described next. 
When the small objective lens 104 is inserted to the lens insertion hole 
30a, the bottom lens surface 104b enters the center hole 30b, the bottom 
of the outer ring 104c contacts the top of the annular member 31, and the 
position of the small objective lens 104 to the lens holder 3 is thus 
determined by the lens insertion hole 30a and the annular member 31. The 
adhesive 8 is then injected to the adhesive channels 80 to bond the small 
objective lens 104 in place. 
With this configuration, the adhesive 8 injected to the adhesive channels 
80 spreads downward and circumferentially through the gap between the 
outer ring 104c and the lens insertion hole 30a. The spread of any 
adhesive 8 in the circumferential direction is limited by the vertical 
slots 350, and unnecessary expansion of the adhesion area is thus 
prevented. Because the bottom of the vertical slots 350 is also lower than 
the top of the annular member 31, any adhesive 8 migrating along the side 
wall of the outer ring 104c and flowing over the side wall can also be 
collected in the vertical slots 350. Because side walls are also formed 
for the lens insertion hole 30a at points other than the adhesive channels 
80, the wall area used to position the small objective lens 104 can be 
increased. Excess adhesive 8 flowing toward the bottom of the small 
objective lens 104 also flows into the recesses 300. 
Therefore, in addition to the effects obtained by the eighth to tenth 
embodiments above, the small objective lens 104 can be consistently 
positioned because the contact area to the sides of the small objective 
lens 104 can be increased by dividing the side wall of the lens insertion 
hole 30a into plural segments by means of narrow vertical slots 350 of 
which the bottom is lower than the top of the annular member 31, and side 
wall members can thus be formed separately from the wall sections in which 
the adhesive channels 80 are disposed. 
Effects of the invention 
With an objective lens holding structure for an optical pick-up according 
to the present invention as thus described, an objective lens having an 
outer ring with a flat surface around the outside circumference of the 
lens curvature is inserted to a lens holder comprising a hole to which the 
objective lens is inserted, and comprising at the bottom of said hole an 
annular member comprising plural recesses and having an inside diameter 
greater than the diameter of the inside circumference of said outer ring. 
The objective lens is thus positioned by the side wall of the hole and 
this annular member, and the outer ring and lens holder are bonded 
together with adhesive applied to the positions at which said recesses are 
formed. It is therefore possible to provide an objective lens holding 
structure for an optical pick-up whereby excess adhesive does not flow to 
the bottom surface of the objective lens, and the objective lens is 
resistant to distortion and lens aberrations introduced by adhesive 
shrinkage even when the objective lens is a small lens having a small 
outer ring buffering adhesion distortions. Said objective lens holding 
structure therefore also offers excellent reliability and does not 
contribute to optical aberrations in the optical pick-up. 
It is also possible to reduce the size of the lens holder, and to provide a 
compact, low-profile optical pick-up and optical disk device, because a 
small objective lens can be used. 
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be 
varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure 
from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as 
would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included 
within the scope of the following claims.