Method and apparatus for molding and simultaneously surface treating a coated glass lens

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of glass surface treatment and precision manufacturing of coated glass lenses, and particularly relates to a method and device for simultaneously surface treatment and mold pressing manufacturing of coated glass lenses. The method is applied to the heating stage of glass lens mold pressing. In the stage, the glass preform is heated and surface treated simultaneously to ensure that the glass surface composition remains stable and surface defects of the mold pressed glass lens are inhibited. When the glass preform is heated, the optical surface of the glass preform is not in contact with the inner surface of the mold cavity. The surface treatment is to expose the optical surface of the glass preform to a specific gas atmosphere. The gas is used to reduce the glass surface temperature and carry away part of the unstable substances on the surface by flowing. The present application improves the surface state of the glass preform, optimizes the heating mode of the glass preform, avoids long-time contact between the glass and the mold, and thus solves the problems of surface defects of the mold pressed glass and poor coating quality, effectively improving the surface quality and yield of the coated glass lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of glass surface treatment and precision manufacturing technology of coated glass lenses, and particularly to a method and apparatus for simultaneously molding and surface treating coated glass lenses. Background Technology

[0002] Optical glass is the fundamental material for manufacturing various optical components. It possesses excellent optical and thermodynamic properties and is widely used as a substrate for various substrates, lenses, and mirrors. In recent years, as the requirements for system integration and performance in optical products have further increased, the shapes of glass optical components have become more complex to meet the needs of aberration correction, light field manipulation, and expanded field of view. Examples include aspherical surfaces, freeform surfaces, diffractive structures, and microlens arrays, which are widely used in virtual reality (VR) / augmented reality (AR) devices, projectors, and lidar systems.

[0003] Traditional milling, grinding, and polishing techniques are widely used for mass production of high-precision spherical glass lenses, but their processing efficiency is low for complex-shaped glass lenses. Therefore, these types of glass lenses are generally mass-produced using precision molding technology. The precision molding process can be divided into the following steps: heating (including preheating and homogenization), molding, cooling (including annealing and rapid cooling), and demolding. Specifically, firstly, the temperature is raised above the glass transition temperature Tg to soften the glass preform, and homogenization is used to ensure uniform internal temperature. Then, under a certain pressure, the glass is deformed to fill the mold cavity, replicating the surface shape of the mold. Finally, after cooling and demolding, the optical lens is obtained. This method has high processing efficiency and is suitable for mass production of complex-shaped glass lenses made of materials such as low-melting-point glass and quartz glass.

[0004] Glass optical surfaces require specific coatings to achieve their corresponding optical properties. Coating processes generally include physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and atomic layer deposition (ALD). Based on differences in optical properties, common coating types include: surfaces with transmission capabilities are typically coated with anti-reflective films composed of magnesium fluoride and metal oxides to achieve high light transmittance in specific wavelengths; surfaces with optical functions such as filtering and polarization undergo light-controllable special coatings; and surfaces with waterproof and scratch-resistant properties are coated with waterproof and high-hardness materials as needed. Although these coatings have different functions, they all require strong adhesion to the glass substrate to ensure their lifespan. Adhesion is generally considered to be closely related to the glass material, coating material, surface condition of the glass substrate, and coating process.

[0005] However, molded glass lenses often exhibit surface defects such as adhesive spots, pitting, and blurry spots. These defects severely reduce the bonding strength between the glass and the coating, and may even lead to localized coating detachment or failure to coat, significantly impacting the yield rate of coated glass lenses. The causes of these defects are generally believed to be related to the physical adhesion and chemical reaction at the glass-mold interface. This is especially true for glass materials containing unstable components, such as chalcogenide glasses and fluorine crown glasses. Under high-temperature conditions, these unstable components readily volatilize on the surface, forming defects at the glass-mold interface.

[0006] Currently, in glass molding processes, glass preforms without any surface treatment are generally used directly. Throughout the entire process, the optical surface of the glass remains in close contact with the mold cavity, which can easily induce the generation of volatiles on the glass surface and remain at the contact interface, ultimately leading to surface defects.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-71424 (JP, 09-071424, A) discloses a method of heating glass raw materials to a viscosity of 10 before forming. 9 -10 14 Poise is at a similar temperature, and at an air pressure below 10. 3 The glass was subjected to high-temperature heat release treatment under Pa conditions, and then the glass was heated to a viscosity of 10. 5 -10 7 Poise involves rapidly molding glass at a relatively high temperature. On one hand, this method requires an additional high-temperature treatment process before molding, which can take several hours, resulting in low processing efficiency and making the glass prone to defects such as surface contamination. On the other hand, this method requires heating the glass to a very high temperature (far above its softening point) during molding, while in actual production, the heating temperature should generally be kept as low as possible below the glass softening point to extend the mold's lifespan. Furthermore, the high temperature can also lead to defects such as glass sticking to the mold and surface adhesion points. Therefore, this method still has many practical problems to be solved.

[0008] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-24741 (JP, 2014-24741, A) discloses a process for removing the surface modification layer of molded optical components by polishing with zirconia abrasives to eliminate the surface defect layer and meet the requirements of subsequent coating, addressing a surface defect in coated phosphate glass. However, the polishing process easily affects the surface accuracy of the optical components and can easily generate new scratches, abrasive residues, and other defects on the optical surface. Therefore, strict and precise control of the polishing process is required, which significantly reduces the production efficiency of optical components. Thus, this method still has certain limitations in mass production.

[0009] Currently, there are no publicly available reports on new methods and processes specifically developed to address the surface defects in coated glass molding. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method and technology that can suppress surface defects in glass lenses in order to improve the surface quality and yield of coated glass lens molding. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide a method and apparatus for surface stabilization treatment of glass preforms at a lower temperature, thereby enabling the molding and surface treatment of coated glass lenses.

[0011] In glass molding, high-precision, high-surface-quality spherical preforms are typically chosen for the glass preforms. Before molding, a clean glass preform is placed in the mold, with the spherical surface of the glass in direct contact with the mold. This achieves initial positioning of the glass preform and facilitates heat exchange between the mold and the glass. However, for some glass materials, numerous defects such as adhesive spots, pitting, and blurry spots appear on the molded surface, making it difficult to meet the appearance standards for subsequent coatings. This results in poor coating quality or even prevents coating altogether. The applicant discovered that these surface defects often occur at the interface where the glass and mold are in prolonged contact. Furthermore, many of these glass materials contain components that are unstable at high temperatures and easily volatilize through the glass surface after heating. These volatiles fail to escape effectively from the contact area between the glass and the mold and remain on the surface, thus causing surface defects in that area.

[0012] The method and apparatus of this invention are applied to the heating stage of glass lens molding. In this stage, the glass preform is simultaneously heated and surface-treated to ensure that the glass surface composition remains stable and to suppress the formation of surface defects in the molded glass lens. When heating the glass preform, the optical surface of the glass preform is kept out of contact with the inner surface of the mold cavity. The surface treatment involves exposing the optical surface of the glass preform to a specific gas atmosphere. The gas is used to reduce the surface temperature of the glass and to carry away some unstable substances on the surface through flow.

[0013] Furthermore, the contactless operation is achieved by setting a retaining ring component for the glass preform inside the mold.

[0014] Furthermore, the heating method involves contact heat transfer to the glass preform via a retaining ring component. Specifically, contact heat transfer to the mold is achieved by placing a heating plate outside the mold, or non-contact radiative heat transfer is achieved by placing an infrared heater outside the mold. Further, the retaining ring component can be heated through contact with the mold or through radiative heat transfer, thereby achieving contact heating of the glass preform. The advantage of this heating method is that it avoids prolonged contact between the glass optical surface and the mold.

[0015] Furthermore, a retaining ring component is assembled inside the mold, making close contact with the non-optical surface of the glass preform to position and clamp the glass preform; the retaining ring component separates the optical surface of the glass preform from the inner surface of the mold cavity and maintains this state until the heating is completed. After heating is completed, the retaining ring component releases the glass preform into the mold cavity, and then proceeds to the molding process.

[0016] Furthermore, the retaining ring component releases the glass preform synchronously with the mold closing action. The methods for releasing the glass preform by the retaining ring component include: the retaining ring component automatically separating under external control, or a specific structure inside the mold expanding the retaining ring component to cause its separation.

[0017] The surface treatment of glass involves exposing the optical surface of the glass to a specific flowing gas atmosphere at a gas temperature tens of degrees lower than the glass heating temperature, preferably 20-30°C. This gas both lowers the glass surface temperature and carries away some unstable substances from the surface through its flow. Different gas atmospheres, either single or composite gases, are selected based on the differences in unstable components on the surface of different glass materials. Specifically, since the retaining ring component keeps the optical surface of the glass preform separated from the mold surface, the required gas can be directly introduced into the heating chamber of the molding press, ensuring that the mold is immersed in the gas atmosphere.

[0018] Furthermore, the single gas is an inert gas. When the unstable substance on the glass surface has low-temperature stability, the single gas is used for treatment. The temperature of the glass surface is reduced by the gas flow, thereby maintaining the stability of the physical and chemical properties of the glass surface.

[0019] Furthermore, the composite gas includes an inert gas and a gas that reacts with unstable substances on the glass surface. When the unstable substances on the glass surface do not have low-temperature stability, the composite gas is used to transfer the unstable substances on the glass surface into the gas, thereby achieving efficient glass surface stabilization treatment.

[0020] Furthermore, the gas pressure, temperature, and flow rate are adjusted according to the surface treatment requirements of the glass material to achieve the optimal surface treatment effect.

[0021] The present invention achieves the following beneficial technical effects:

[0022] 1. This invention provides a method and apparatus for non-contact heating of the optical surface of glass while simultaneously performing surface treatment. During the heating stage, the glass preform transfers heat based on its non-optical surface, while its optical surface is separated from the mold surface and fully exposed to a specific flowing gas atmosphere for low-temperature stabilization. Subsequently, molding is performed, effectively suppressing defects caused by volatiles on the glass surface. Existing glass molding methods maintain close contact between the glass optical surface and the mold surface throughout the entire process, lacking the conditions for surface treatment of unstable glass materials. Furthermore, the mold structure itself cannot achieve non-contact heating and surface treatment of the glass optical surface, easily leading to surface defects in the molded glass lens and reducing coating quality. This invention proposes a method and apparatus for simultaneously molding and surface treating coated glass lenses, cleverly utilizing non-contact heating of the glass optical surface and surface treatment in a flowing gas atmosphere. First, the glass surface treatment is performed in a specific flowing gas atmosphere, which maintains the glass optical surface at a consistently low temperature, reducing the generation of volatiles. Furthermore, for glass materials with poor thermal stability, a composite gas is used for surface treatment to stabilize the surface, thus solving the problem of the source of surface defects. Second, the heating method employs non-contact heating of the glass optical surface, avoiding prolonged close contact between the glass and the mold surface. This allows the gas to flow over the glass optical surface, cooling it while also carrying away some of the small amount of volatiles that have escaped from the glass optical surface, reducing the problem of volatile residue caused by contact and thus blocking the external conditions for surface defect formation. Third, the glass surface treatment and heating processes are performed in parallel, achieving the effect of suppressing glass surface defects while ensuring molding efficiency. Therefore, the method provided by this invention, from the perspective of improving the glass surface condition and optimizing the heating method, provides a stable glass surface and heating conditions, achieving the goal of suppressing surface defects in molded glass, thereby improving the yield of molded glass coatings.

[0023] 2. The method and apparatus of this invention are clear, easy to implement, and the glass surface treatment and non-contact heating of the optical surface involved can be achieved by setting a specific gas atmosphere environment and using specific devices, making it easy to promote and apply in production. Therefore, this invention can effectively suppress the occurrence of surface defects in molded glass lenses, and is particularly suitable for applications where molded lenses are made of glass materials that are volatile or contain components that are unstable at high temperatures. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the glass lens molding process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mold structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the heating and surface treatment of a glass preform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the retaining ring component clamping the glass preform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The CC-direction section view.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning structure of the retaining ring component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 for Figure 6 DD-direction cross-sectional view.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the retaining ring component after releasing the glass preform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the molding process of a glass lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] In the diagram: 1 Upper mold core, 2 Glass preform, 3 Retaining ring component, 4 Positioning sleeve, 5 Lower mold core, 6 Guide post, 7 Positioning block, 8 Target lens, 3-1 Upper drive mechanism, 3-2 Upper semi-circular ring, 3-3 Lower semi-circular ring, 3-4 Lower drive mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To further illustrate the technical content, features, and implementation effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0035] This embodiment uses the molding process of a 19.5mm diameter biconvex aspherical coated lens as an example to specifically illustrate the implementation of a method and apparatus for molding and surface treatment of coated glass lenses. The glass material is a fluoride glass. The chemical properties of fluorine (F) change with temperature. When heated to approximately 50°C above the glass transition temperature Tg, fluorine is chemically more active and begins to volatilize in large quantities; at this temperature, its chemical properties are relatively stable. The mold material is tungsten carbide. After molding, the optical surface of the lens is coated with an anti-reflective film of magnesium fluoride using a vacuum vapor deposition (physical vapor deposition) method.

[0036] The method and apparatus of this invention are applied to the heating stage of glass lens molding. In this stage, the glass preform 2 is simultaneously heated and surface-treated to ensure that the glass surface composition remains stable and to suppress the formation of surface defects in the molded glass lens. When heating the glass preform 2, the optical surface of the glass preform 2 is kept out of contact with the inner surface of the mold cavity. The surface treatment involves exposing the optical surface of the glass preform 2 to a specific flowing gas atmosphere. The gas is used to reduce the surface temperature of the glass and to carry away some unstable substances on the surface through flow.

[0037] Based on the method described above, the determined molding process flow is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the process includes the following stages in sequence: preparation, heating, molding, cooling, and demolding.

[0038] Preparation: First, assemble the glass preform 2 into the retaining ring component 3, then place the glass preform 2 and the retaining ring component 3 together into the mold, and finally position the retaining ring component 3 and close the mold.

[0039] Heating stage: A specific gas is introduced into the heating chamber of the molding press, the mold is sent into the heating chamber, and the glass preform 2 is heated and surface treated at the same time;

[0040] Molding stage: The mold core moves to close the mold, and the retaining ring component 3 releases the glass preform 2 into the mold cavity. Under a given pressure, the glass preform 2 forms a lens.

[0041] Cooling stage: Under a given holding pressure, the mold is cooled to room temperature. During cooling, it is first slowly cooled to the annealing point temperature of the glass to reduce the internal stress of the glass, and then rapidly cooled to room temperature.

[0042] Demolding stage: The mold is removed from the molding machine, and the lens is demolded after the mold is opened.

[0043] After that, the process moves to the coating process, where the demolded lens is sent into a coating machine to apply a coating layer to its optical surface.

[0044] like Figure 2As shown, based on the method and apparatus described in this invention, this embodiment uses a mold to mold a biconvex aspherical lens. The mold cavity is formed by an upper mold core 1 and a lower mold core 5. Both the upper mold core 1 and the lower mold core 5 are machined into concave aspherical surfaces. After mold closing, the glass deforms to replicate the surface shape of the mold, thus forming a biconvex aspherical lens. The outer part of the upper mold core 1 and the lower mold core 5 is a positioning sleeve 4, which is clearance-fitted with the upper mold core 1 and the lower mold core 5 to control the inter-surface eccentricity of the lens. The positioning sleeve 4 has four evenly distributed vent holes on its circumference opposite to the mold cavity, allowing the mold cavity to ventilate with the external environment so that the glass can undergo surface treatment in a gas atmosphere. A retaining ring component 3 is provided between the upper mold core 1 and the lower mold core 5 for positioning and clamping the glass preform 2. The retaining ring component 3 is placed on the upper part of the lower mold core 5. There is a guide post 6 on each of the left and right sides of the upper mold core 1, which is connected to the upper mold core 1 by interference fit. The end of the guide post 6 has a conical surface feature to facilitate positioning and movement. There is a reserved hole on each of the left and right sides of the lower mold core 5 that is clearance fit with the guide post 6.

[0045] The method of using the mold is as follows: First, the glass preform 2 is installed into the retaining ring component 3, and then the retaining ring component 3 is installed on the upper part of the lower mold core 5; then, the positioning sleeve 4 is installed on the outside of the lower mold core 5; finally, the upper mold core 1 with guide post 6 is placed into the positioning sleeve 4 until the end tapered surface of the guide post 6 contacts the opening of the guide post hole reserved on both sides of the retaining ring component 3. Since the diameter of the guide post hole of the retaining ring component 3 is smaller than the diameter of the guide post 6 when the retaining ring component 3 is holding the glass preform 2, the guide post 6 is limited when it contacts the opening of the guide post hole, and the positioning of the upper mold core 1 is achieved at the same time. Thus, the installation of the glass preform 2 is completed.

[0046] During the heating stage, when heating the glass preform 2, the optical surface of the glass is kept out of contact with the inner surface of the mold cavity, and the non-optical surface of the glass is used as the contact surface with the mold. This lack of contact is achieved by setting a retaining ring component 3 for the glass preform 2 inside and outside the mold. In this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, the outer cylindrical surface (non-optical surface) of the glass preform 2 is held by the retaining ring component 3, which determines its position in the mold cavity. Both sides of the optical surface of the glass preform 2 maintain a large gap with the corresponding mold surface, thus avoiding long-term contact between the glass optical surface and the mold.

[0047] The heating method is to conduct contact heat transfer to the glass preform 2 through the retaining ring component 3. In this embodiment, the mold is placed on the heating plate in the heating chamber of the molding press, and heat is transferred to the upper mold core 1 and the lower mold core 5 through the heating plate. Further, the lower mold core 5 transfers heat to the retaining ring component 3, and the retaining ring component 3 then transfers heat to the glass preform 2.

[0048] Figure 4 and Figure 5A schematic diagram of the retaining ring component 3 used in this embodiment is shown, illustrating its structural state when clamping the glass preform 2. The retaining ring component 3 has the following structure: the main body consists of an upper semicircular ring 3-2 and a lower semicircular ring 3-3. The radii of the two semicircular rings are equal and both larger than the radius of the molded target lens 8. Both semicircular rings have locating edges at their axial ends for clamping and limiting the glass preform 2. Two upper driving mechanisms 3-1 and two lower driving mechanisms 3-4 are respectively provided on the outer sides of the upper semicircular ring 3-2 and the lower semicircular ring 3-3. One side of the driving mechanism is the driving end (…). Figure 4 The side shown is connected to the semi-circular ring, and the other side is a fixed end. The driving ends of the upper driving mechanism 3-1 and the lower driving mechanism 3-4 are respectively connected to the pre-drilled holes on both sides of the upper semi-circular ring 3-2 and the lower semi-circular ring 3-3. The connection method is an interference fit, as shown. Figure 5 The cross-sectional view is shown. During operation, the drive ends of the upper drive mechanism 3-1 and the lower drive mechanism 3-4 move, applying forces to the upper semi-circular ring 3-2 and the lower semi-circular ring 3-3 respectively, controlling the movement of the upper semi-circular ring 3-2 and the lower semi-circular ring 3-3.

[0049] The retaining ring component 3 is located between the upper mold core 1 and the lower mold core 5, and is assembled on the upper part of the lower mold core 5. For example... Figures 6-7 As shown, four positioning blocks 7 are assembled on the upper part of the lower mold core 5, with two on each side of the mold core. The upper end face of the lower mold core 5 has four corresponding positioning grooves. The positioning blocks 7 are inserted into the positioning grooves via an interference fit to achieve connection. The assembly of the positioning blocks 7 is completed before mold assembly. The positioning block 7 has a semi-cylindrical groove structure and a single-sided stop. The opening side of the semi-cylindrical groove faces the fixed end of each drive mechanism, and its size is consistent with the size of the fixed end of the drive mechanism. The fixed ends of the two upper drive mechanisms 3-1 and the two lower drive mechanisms 3-4 are respectively installed in the semi-cylindrical groove, and the position of each drive mechanism is restricted by the stop. Therefore, when assembling the retaining ring component 3, it is only necessary to align the fixed ends of the upper drive mechanism 3-1 and the lower drive mechanism 3-4 with the positioning blocks 7 to achieve rapid positioning and assembly.

[0050] The working principle of the retaining ring component 3 in this embodiment is as follows: During the heating and glass surface treatment process, the retaining ring component 3 is assembled on the outside of the outer cylindrical surface of the glass preform 2. Under the opposing push of the upper drive mechanism 3-1 and the lower drive mechanism 3-4, the upper semi-circular ring 3-2 and the lower semi-circular ring 3-3 always maintain the positioning and clamping of the glass preform 2, while keeping the optical surface of the glass preform 2 separated from the inner surface of the mold cavity, and maintaining this state until the heating is completed. After the heating and surface treatment are completed, the upper mold core 1 moves downward under the action of external pressure to close the mold, and at the same time the glass preform 2 is released into the mold cavity.

[0051] The methods by which the retaining ring component 3 releases the glass preform 2 include: the retaining ring component 3 automatically separating under external control, and the retaining ring component 3 being expanded by a specific structure inside the mold to separate it. In this embodiment, guide posts 6 are used to expand the retaining ring component 3. The guide posts 6 move downwards into the guide post holes reserved on both sides of the retaining ring component 3. The guide post holes formed by the upper semicircular ring 3-2 and the lower semicircular ring 3-3 expand, applying a force to separate the two semicircular rings. Since the upper semicircular ring 3-2 and the lower semicircular ring 3-3 are interference-fitted with the driving ends of the upper driving mechanism 3-1 and the lower driving mechanism 3-4, the driving ends of the upper driving mechanism 3-1 and the lower driving mechanism 3-4 begin to retract after being subjected to force. The upper driving mechanism 3-1 and the lower driving mechanism 3-4 move in opposite directions, causing the upper semicircular ring 3-2 and the lower semicircular ring 3-3 to separate from each other, no longer maintaining the clamping state of the glass preform 2. The glass preform 2 is released into the lower mold core 5. Thereafter, as Figure 8 As shown, the retaining ring component 3 will keep the upper semicircular ring 3-2 and the lower semicircular ring 3-3 separated until the process is completed.

[0052] The surface treatment principle of the glass preform 2 is as follows: Under conditions where the gas temperature is tens of degrees lower than the glass heating temperature, preferably 20-30°C, the optical surface of the glass preform 2 is exposed to a specific gas atmosphere. This gas can both reduce the glass surface temperature and remove some unstable substances from the surface through flow. Different gas atmospheres are selected based on the differences in unstable components on the surface of different glass materials; these can be single gases or composite gases. Specifically, since the retaining ring component 3 keeps the optical surface of the glass preform 2 separated from the mold surface, the required gas can be directly introduced into the heating chamber of the molding press, ensuring that the mold is immersed in the gas atmosphere.

[0053] The single gas is an inert gas, including but not limited to nitrogen and argon. When the unstable substance on the glass surface has low-temperature stability, the single gas is used for treatment. The temperature of the glass surface is reduced by the gas flow, thereby maintaining the stability of the physical and chemical properties of the glass surface.

[0054] The composite gas includes an inert gas and a gas that reacts with unstable substances on the glass surface. When the unstable substances on the glass surface do not have low-temperature stability, the composite gas is used to transfer the unstable substances on the glass surface into the gas, thereby achieving efficient glass surface stabilization treatment.

[0055] Furthermore, the gas pressure, temperature, and flow rate are adjusted according to the surface treatment requirements of the glass material to achieve the optimal surface treatment effect.

[0056] In this embodiment, since the material of the glass preform 2 is chemically active at high temperatures and relatively stable at low temperatures, there is no need to use a specific composite gas for surface treatment; a single gas can be used.

[0057] In this embodiment, the specific implementation of the surface treatment is as follows: the heating temperature of the glass material is set to T1, preferably, T1 is set 50-70°C higher than the glass transition temperature Tg, at which temperature the glass is easily formed under external pressure; nitrogen is selected as the gas, and the temperature is set to T2, preferably, T2 is set 30-120°C lower than the heating temperature T1, at which temperature the volatility of fluorine on the glass surface is significantly reduced; when the temperature is higher than T2, the volatility of fluorine increases with increasing temperature. Figure 3 As shown, during surface treatment, nitrogen gas is introduced into the heating chamber of the molding press. The heating chamber has an inlet and an outlet, and the mold is located between the two outlets. Nitrogen gas flows from the inlet to the outlet within the heating chamber, and the gas pressure within the heating chamber is set to atmospheric pressure. Since the retaining ring component 3 has ensured that the optical surface of the glass preform 2 is completely separated from the mold surface, the optical surface of the glass preform 2 can be completely blown by the flowing nitrogen gas. Due to the poor thermal conductivity of glass, within a limited processing time, preferably 100-200 s, the flowing nitrogen gas can only remove heat from the glass surface, lowering the glass surface temperature and maintaining it near T2, while the core temperature of the glass remains at T1.

[0058] Therefore, the above-described embodiments achieve the following effects: the glass surface temperature is lower than the glass core temperature; the lower glass surface temperature reduces the generation of fluorine volatiles, while the higher glass core temperature ensures that the glass preform is easily deformable during molding. Furthermore, even if a small amount of fluorine volatiles is generated near the glass surface, it can be promptly blown away by the flowing nitrogen gas, preventing the glass surface from accumulating a high concentration of fluorine volatiles and thus preventing defects. Therefore, the surface treatment in this embodiment achieves the effect of suppressing glass surface defects by reducing fluorine volatilization from the glass surface and removing a small amount of fluorine volatiles near the glass surface.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, after the glass preform 2 has been heated and surface-treated, and has been kept sufficiently warm and homogenized, it is transferred to the molding process. Under external pressure, the upper mold core 1 moves and presses down, and the guide post 6 passes through the retaining ring component 3 and enters the left and right reserved holes of the lower mold core 5. The glass preform 2 is compressed to replicate the shape of the mold surface and begins to form the lens. Figure 9 The image shows the molded target lens 8 and the mold in its closed state. The mold is then cooled to room temperature and removed from the molding machine; during demolding, the upper mold core 1 is removed, followed by the target lens 8. Further, the molded target lens 8 undergoes a coating process, where a magnesium fluoride anti-reflective film is deposited on its optical surface via vacuum evaporation. Thus, based on the method and apparatus of this invention, a single molding process for manufacturing a coated lens is completed.

[0060] In summary, the principles and implementation methods of the present invention have been described in conjunction with specific embodiments. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the methods and concepts of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes made by those skilled in the art based on the methods and technical routes of the present invention through simple modifications, equivalent transformations, etc., should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for molding and surface treating a coated glass lens simultaneously, characterized in that, In the heating stage of glass lens molding, the glass preform (2) is heated and surface treated simultaneously. When heating the glass preform (2), the optical surface of the glass preform (2) is kept out of contact with the inner surface of the mold cavity by the retaining ring component (3). The surface treatment is to expose the optical surface of the glass preform (2) to a flowing gas atmosphere, and the temperature of the flowing gas is set to be 20-30°C lower than the heating temperature of the glass preform (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining ring component (3) is disposed inside the mold.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating method is to conduct contact heat transfer to the glass preform (2) through the retaining ring component (3).

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The retaining ring component (3) is in close contact with the non-optical surface of the glass preform (2) to position and clamp the glass preform (2) so that the optical surface of the glass preform (2) is separated from the inner surface of the mold cavity; after heating, the retaining ring component (3) releases the glass preform (2) into the mold cavity so that it can be transferred to the molding process.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The retaining ring component (3) releases the glass preform (2) in a synchronous manner with the mold closing action.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas can be a single gas or a compound gas.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The single gas is an inert gas.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Adjust the gas pressure, temperature, and flow rate according to the surface treatment requirements of the glass material.

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