Equipment and method for cutting lens by adopting ultrasonic knife

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of lens cutting equipment, in particular to equipment and method for cutting a lens through an ultrasonic knife, and the equipment comprises a working platform which is provided with a lower clamp, an upper clamp and the ultrasonic knife. The lower clamp is used for clamping the bottom end of the to-be-cut lens and can drive the to-be-cut lens to rotate together. The upper clamp is used for clamping the top end of the to-be-cut lens and can synchronously rotate together with the lower clamp after the lower clamp clamps the bottom end of the to-be-cut lens. The ultrasonic knife is arranged on one side of the lower clamp and can move towards the to-be-cut lens to make contact with the to-be-cut lens so that the rotating to-be-cut lens can be cut. The ultrasonic knife is adopted to cut the lens, the precision is high, the cut surface smoothness is good, the edge is free of edge breakage, deformation or burrs, and subsequent further treatment on a lens cut part is facilitated. And the action parameters of the ultrasonic knife are set according to the design data of the to-be-cut lens, so that the cutting of the ultrasonic knife is more accurate and reasonable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lens cutting equipment, and in particular to an equipment and method for cutting a lens using an ultrasonic knife. Background Art

[0002] When assembling an optical lens, it is necessary to assemble multiple lenses, spacers and other components in sequence in the lens barrel. The assembled lens must pass multiple optical inspection processes before the subsequent assembly can be carried out. For lenses that fail the inspection, in order to save costs, the lens barrel needs to be cut so that the lenses and other components inside the lens barrel can be disassembled for recycling.

[0003] Currently, the methods of cutting lens barrels to recycle lens components in the industry mainly include circular grinding wheel cutting, direct blade cutting and hot knife cutting.

[0004] The solution disclosed in the existing patent application with publication number CN120055353A uses a circular grinding wheel cutting method. This method uses a cutting motor to drive the circular grinding wheel to rotate at high speed and move it toward the lens barrel to cut the lens into multiple sections. This cutting method is too simple and crude, generating a large amount of dust pollution during cutting. The incision is rough and prone to edge chipping and burrs. Subsequent lens removal operations require a lot of work to deal with dust and burrs, otherwise the lens surface is easily damaged when the lens and other components in the lens barrel are subsequently disassembled.

[0005] The solution disclosed in the existing patent with publication number CN212096445U uses a direct blade cutting method. The blade is adjusted to the right angle and position with the lens barrel, and the lens barrel is rotated to cut the lens barrel. This cutting method has low cutting efficiency, rapid blade wear, and requires frequent blade replacement.

[0006] The technical solution disclosed in the existing patent with publication number CN211682542U uses a hot knife cutting method. Two hot knives cut oppositely along the axial direction of the lens barrel, creating two slits on either side of the barrel. The lens is then removed by prying the barrel apart. This cutting method directly cuts the barrel in half. Although the number of cuts is small, the presence of flanges and steps in the barrel means that the wall thickness varies at different locations along the axial direction. To ensure effective hot cutting, the hot cutting time at locations with different wall thicknesses must vary. This places very high demands on speed control during the hot cutting process, and overall cutting efficiency is not necessarily improved. In addition, the blade must be able to adapt to the outer shape of the barrel to ensure that locations such as the flange can be hot cut, which makes the design of the tool more complex and difficult. In addition, this longitudinal cutting method cannot directly sever the barrel and requires the design of tools or equipment to pry the barrel apart, which is costly. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention provides a device for cutting a lens using an ultrasonic knife, comprising: The lower clamp is used to clamp the bottom end of the lens to be cut and can drive the lens to be cut to rotate together; The upper clamp is used to clamp the top end of the lens to be cut, and after the lower clamp clamps the bottom end of the lens to be cut, it can rotate synchronously with the lower clamp; An ultrasonic knife is provided on one side of the lower fixture and is capable of moving toward the lens to be cut until it contacts the lens to be cut and cuts the rotating lens to be cut; A working platform, on which the lower fixture, the upper fixture and the ultrasonic knife are all arranged.

[0008] In a specific embodiment, the lower clamp includes a base arranged on the work platform, the base is provided with a first rotating plate and a first servo motor for driving the first rotating plate to rotate, the first rotating plate is provided with a three-claw cylinder, and the three-claw cylinder is used to clamp the bottom end of the lens to be cut.

[0009] In a specific embodiment, the working platform is also provided with an X-axis linear module, and the upper clamp is arranged on the driving plate of the X-axis linear module; the upper clamp further includes a first Z-axis linear module arranged on the driving plate of the X-axis linear module, and the driving plate of the first Z-axis linear module is provided with a second rotating plate and a second servo motor for driving the second rotating plate to rotate, and the second rotating plate is provided with a double-claw cylinder, and the double-claw cylinder is used to clamp the top of the lens to be cut.

[0010] In a specific embodiment, the working platform is further provided with a first Y-axis linear module, and the ultrasonic knife is provided on a driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module.

[0011] In a specific embodiment, at least two upper clamps are provided, a second Z-axis linear module is further provided on the working platform, and the first Y-axis linear module is provided on a driving plate of the second Z-axis linear module.

[0012] In a specific embodiment, the working platform is further provided with a second Y-axis linear module, and a material tray is provided on the driving plate of the second Y-axis linear module. The material tray is provided with an incoming material storage area and multiple lens cutting part storage areas. The upper clamp is also used to clamp the lens to be cut from the incoming material storage area to the lower clamp, and place the lens cutting parts that have been cut into the corresponding lens cutting part storage area.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the work platform is also provided with a dust suction mechanism, which includes a dust cover, the top of the lower clamp is located inside the first end of the dust cover, the top surface of the first end of the dust cover is provided with a first through hole for the upper clamp and the lens to be cut to pass through, and the side of the first end of the dust cover is provided with a second through hole for the ultrasonic knife to pass through; the end of the second end of the dust cover is connected to the dust cover, the dust cover and the dust cover are connected by a porous partition, and the dust cover is connected to an external vacuum cleaner through a dust suction pipe; a waste box is provided at the bottom of the second end of the dust cover, and the waste box is connected to the interior of the dust cover.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, an angle adjustment mechanism is also provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module, and the angle adjustment mechanism includes a third rotating plate provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module and a third servo motor for driving the third rotating plate to rotate, and the ultrasonic knife is provided on the third rotating plate.

[0015] In a specific embodiment, a dust blowing mechanism is further provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module, and the dust blowing mechanism includes an air blowing nozzle facing the blade of the ultrasonic scalpel, and the air blowing nozzle is connected to an external high-pressure air source.

[0016] The present invention also provides a method for cutting a lens, which is implemented using the above-mentioned device and includes the following steps: S1. Obtain the design data of the lens barrel material, the material of each component and the position of each component of the lens to be cut; S2. According to the data obtained in step S1, the cutting position, cutting angle, feed speed and feed stroke of the ultrasonic scalpel are set; S3. Use the upper clamp and the lower clamp to clamp the top and bottom ends of the lens to be cut respectively, so that the upper clamp, the lower clamp and the lens to be cut rotate synchronously, and the ultrasonic knife then completes the cutting of the lens to be cut according to the parameters set in step S2.

[0017] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: It is the first to use an ultrasonic scalpel to cut lenses. Compared to traditional lens cutting methods, the present invention not only achieves high lens cutting precision but also achieves a smooth cut surface with no edge chipping, deformation, or burrs, facilitating subsequent processing of the cut lens. Furthermore, the present invention sets parameters such as the ultrasonic scalpel's cutting position, cutting angle, feed speed, and feed stroke based on design data such as the lens barrel material, component materials, and component positions of the lens to be cut, making ultrasonic scalpel cutting more precise and reasonable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1This is an overall structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an assembly diagram of the lower clamp and the dust collection mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A structural diagram of an upper clamp in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is an assembly diagram of an ultrasonic scalpel, a first Y-axis linear module, an angle adjustment mechanism, and a second Z-axis linear module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a dust collection mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a diagram of the assembly structure of the dust cover and the dust collection cover in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is an overall structural diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure markings: working platform 1, lens to be cut 10, second Z-axis linear module 11, lower fixture 2, base 21, first rotating plate 22, first servo motor 23, three-claw cylinder 24, upper fixture 3, first Z-axis linear module 31, second rotating plate 32, second servo motor 33, double-claw cylinder 34, ultrasonic knife 4, knife seat 41, knife handle 42, cutting blade 43, X-axis linear module 5, first Y-axis linear module 6, angle adjustment mechanism 7, third rotating plate 71, third servo motor 72, dust blowing mechanism 73, dust suction mechanism 8, dust cover 81, first through hole 811, second through hole 812, dust suction hood 82, porous partition 83, dust suction pipe 84, waste box 85, dust blowing plate 86, air blowing port 861, second Y-axis linear module 9, material tray 91, incoming material storage area 911, lens cutting part storage area 912. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with some specific embodiments and drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Embodiment 1:

[0021] See also Figure 1 An embodiment of the present invention provides a device for cutting a lens using an ultrasonic knife 4, comprising: a lower clamp 2, an upper clamp 3 and an ultrasonic knife 4 arranged on a working platform 1.

[0022] See also Figure 2The lower clamp 2 includes a base 21 arranged on the work platform 1, and a first rotating plate 22 and a first servo motor 23 for driving the first rotating plate 22 to rotate are provided on the base 21. A three-claw cylinder 24 is provided on the first rotating plate 22. The three-claw cylinder 24 is used to clamp the bottom end of the lens 10 to be cut. The first servo motor 23 drives the first rotating plate 22 to rotate, thereby driving the lens 10 to be cut to rotate together.

[0023] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 The work platform 1 is also provided with an X-axis linear module 5, and the upper fixture 3 is provided on the drive plate of the X-axis linear module 5. The upper fixture 3 includes a first Z-axis linear module 31 provided on the drive plate of the X-axis linear module 5. The drive plate of the first Z-axis linear module 31 is provided with a second rotating plate 32 and a second servo motor 33 for driving the second rotating plate 32 to rotate. The second rotating plate 32 is provided with a double-claw cylinder 34. The double-claw cylinder 34 is used to clamp the top of the lens 10 to be cut and, driven by the X-axis linear module 5, transport the lens 10 to be cut directly above the lower fixture 2. Then, driven by the first Z-axis linear module 31, the lens 10 to be cut is transported to the bottom of the lens 10 to be cut, located in the lower fixture 2. The lower fixture 2 clamps the bottom of the lens 10 to be cut, realizing automatic loading of the lens 10 to be cut. The second servo motor 33 is then driven synchronously with the first servo motor 23 to drive the lens 10 to be cut to rotate.

[0024] See also Figure 1 A first Y-axis linear module 6 is also provided on the working platform 1. The ultrasonic knife 4 is provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module 6 and is located on one side of the lower clamp 2. The first Y-axis linear module 6 can drive the ultrasonic knife 4 to move toward the lens 10 to be cut until it contacts the lens 10 to be cut, thereby realizing automatic cutting of the rotating lens 10 to be cut.

[0025] Since the shapes of the lenses and spacers assembled in the lens barrel are different, the size and shape of the gaps between the components near the inner wall of the lens barrel are also different. For example, when cutting in the gap formed between two lenses, since the lens surface is curved, if the ultrasonic knife 4 is cut horizontally, the cutting knife is likely to cut the lens surface and damage the lens. Therefore, please refer to Figure 4 In this embodiment, an angle adjustment mechanism 7 is further provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module 6. The angle adjustment mechanism 7 includes a third rotating plate 71 provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module 6 and a third servo motor 72 for driving the third rotating plate 71 to rotate. The ultrasonic knife 4 is provided on the third rotating plate 71. According to the pre-acquired design data of the lens 10 to be cut, the third rotating plate 71 is driven by the third servo motor 72 to rotate the angle, thereby adjusting the cutting angle of the ultrasonic knife 4.

[0026] For details, please refer to Figure 4 In this embodiment, the ultrasonic knife 4 includes a knife seat 41 arranged on the third rotating plate 71, a knife handle 42 is fixed on the knife seat 41, an ultrasonic transducer connected to the knife handle 42 is arranged inside the knife seat 41, and a cutting blade 43 is arranged on the knife handle 42.

[0027] Even though the ultrasonic knife 4 cutting method greatly reduces the dust generated by cutting compared to the circular grinding wheel cutting method in the prior art, it still produces a small amount of dust. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this embodiment, a dust collection mechanism 8 is further provided on the work platform 1. The dust collection mechanism 8 includes a dust cover 81. The top of the lower clamp 2 is located inside the first end of the dust cover 81. The top surface of the first end of the dust cover 81 is provided with a first through-hole 811 for the upper clamp 3 and the lens 10 to be cut to pass through. The side surface of the first end of the dust cover 81 is provided with a second through-hole 812 for the ultrasonic knife 4 to pass through. The end of the second end of the dust cover 81 is connected to the end of the dust cover 82. The dust cover 81 and the dust cover 82 are connected by a porous partition 83. The dust cover 82 is connected to an external vacuum cleaner through a dust collection duct 84, thereby promptly sucking away the dust generated by cutting.

[0028] Some lens barrels are equipped with consumable parts such as rubber seals and Mylar sheets. The positions corresponding to these consumable parts are often selected as cutting positions. In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 By providing a waste box 85 at the bottom of the second end of the dust cover 81, the waste box 85 is connected to the interior of the dust cover 81. Waste materials such as rubber sealing rings and Mylar sheets that fall during cutting move toward the porous partition 83 under the suction force of the vacuum cleaner and fall into the waste box 85 under the obstruction of the porous partition 83.

[0029] In order to prevent dust or consumable parts such as rubber sealing rings from sticking to the cutting position of the lens 10 to be cut, in this embodiment, a dust blowing mechanism 73 is also provided on the third rotating plate 71. The dust blowing mechanism 73 includes an air blowing nozzle facing the blade of the ultrasonic knife 4. The air blowing nozzle is connected to an external high-pressure air source to achieve dust blowing while cutting.

[0030] To further improve dust removal and waste collection efficiency, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, a dust blowing plate 86 is further provided at the first end of the dust cover 81, and the dust blowing plate 86 is also connected to the external high-pressure air source. The dust blowing plate 86 is provided with a plurality of blowing ports 861 connected to the interior of the dust cover 81, and the blowing ports 861 are directed toward the second end of the dust cover 81.

[0031] See also Figure 1 In this embodiment, a second Y-axis linear module 9 is further provided on the work platform 1, and a material tray 91 is provided on the driving plate of the second Y-axis linear module 9. The material tray 91 is provided with an incoming material storage area 911 and multiple lens cutting piece storage areas 912. The upper clamp 3 is also used to clamp the lens 10 to be cut from the incoming material storage area 911 to the lower clamp 2, and place the lens cutting pieces that have been cut into the corresponding lens cutting piece storage area 912, so as to realize automatic loading and unloading.

[0032] During operation, the cutting position, cutting angle, feed speed and feed stroke of the ultrasonic knife 4 are first set according to the design data such as the barrel material of the lens 10 to be cut, the material of each component and the position of each component. Then, the upper clamp 3 is used to clamp the lens 10 to be cut from the incoming material storage area 911 of the material tray 91 to the lower clamp 2. The upper clamp 3 and the lower clamp 2 rotate synchronously with the lens 10 to be cut, driving the lens 10 to be cut to rotate. The ultrasonic knife 4 is then driven by the first Y-axis linear module 6 to complete the cutting of the lens 10 to be cut according to the set feed speed and feed stroke. The cut segments of the lens are placed by the upper clamp 3 in the corresponding lens cutting segment storage area 912 on the material tray 91, completing the automatic loading and unloading. Example 2:

[0033] See also Figure 4 and Figure 7Compared to Example 1, this embodiment includes four upper clamps 3. A second Z-axis linear module 11 is also provided on the work platform 1, and a first Y-axis linear module 6 is mounted on the drive plate of the second Z-axis linear module 11. During operation, the rightmost upper clamp 3 clamps the lens 10 to be cut from the incoming material storage area 911 of the material tray 91 to the lower clamp 2. It rotates synchronously with the lower clamp 2, carrying the lens 10 to be cut. Driven by the first Y-axis linear module 6, the ultrasonic scalpel 4 performs the first cut of the lens 10 to be cut according to the set feed speed and feed stroke. The upper clamp 3 on the far right holds the cut lens cutting piece and moves it upward out of the dust cover 81. The X-axis linear module 5 then drives the four upper clamps 3 to move to the right together by the distance of one upper clamp 3, so that the second upper clamp 3 on the right is located directly above the lower clamp 2. The lower clamp 2 then holds the upper end of the remaining lens in the dust cover 81 and rotates synchronously with the lower clamp 2 with the lens 10 to be cut. The ultrasonic knife 4, driven by the first Y-axis linear module 6, completes the second cutting of the lens 10 to be cut according to the set feed speed and feed stroke. Repeat the above actions until the third cutting is completed. Then, the upper clamp 3 on the far left holds the remaining lens in the dust cover 81, the lower clamp 2 releases the remaining lens, and the upper clamp 3 on the far left holds the remaining lens and moves it upward out of the dust cover 81. Finally, the X-axis linear module 5 drives the four upper clamps 3 to move together to the top of the material tray 91, and places each lens cutting piece in the corresponding lens cutting piece storage area 912 in turn. This embodiment can automatically cut the lens 10 to be cut into four sections, and automatically unload the four sections after the cutting is completed. Compared with the reciprocating unloading method of a single upper clamp 3, the work efficiency is greatly improved.

[0034] It should be noted that, in other embodiments of the present invention, the number of upper clamps 3 provided can be at least two according to the number of cutting times.

[0035] The above content is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, and the specific implementation of the present invention should not be considered to be limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art of the present invention, several simple deductions and substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all of these should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4), characterized in that: include: A lower clamp (2) is used to clamp the bottom end of the lens to be cut (10) and can drive the lens to be cut (10) to rotate together; The upper clamp (3) is used to clamp the top end of the lens to be cut (10), and after the lower clamp (2) clamps the bottom end of the lens to be cut (10), it can rotate synchronously with the lower clamp (2); An ultrasonic knife (4) is arranged on one side of the lower clamp (2) and is capable of moving toward the lens to be cut (10) until it contacts the lens to be cut (10) to cut the rotating lens to be cut (10); A working platform (1), the lower clamp (2), the upper clamp (3) and the ultrasonic knife (4) are all arranged on the working platform (1).

2. The device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower clamp (2) comprises a base (21) arranged on the working platform (1), a first rotating plate (22) and a first servo motor (23) for driving the first rotating plate (22) to rotate are arranged on the base (21), a three-claw cylinder (24) is arranged on the first rotating plate (22), and the three-claw cylinder (24) is used to clamp the bottom end of the lens (10) to be cut.

3. The device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The working platform (1) is also provided with an X-axis linear module (5), and the upper clamp (3) is provided on a driving plate of the X-axis linear module (5); the upper clamp (3) further includes a first Z-axis linear module (31) provided on the driving plate of the X-axis linear module (5), a second rotating plate (32) and a second servo motor (33) for driving the second rotating plate (32) to rotate are provided on the driving plate of the first Z-axis linear module (31), and a double-claw cylinder (34) is provided on the second rotating plate (32), and the double-claw cylinder (34) is used to clamp the top end of the lens (10) to be cut.

4. The device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first Y-axis linear module (6) is also provided on the working platform (1), and the ultrasonic knife (4) is provided on a driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module (6).

5. The device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that: At least two upper clamps (3) are provided, a second Z-axis linear module (11) is further provided on the working platform (1), and the first Y-axis linear module (6) is provided on a drive plate of the second Z-axis linear module (11).

6. The device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The working platform (1) is further provided with a second Y-axis linear module (9), a material tray (91) is provided on a driving plate of the second Y-axis linear module (9), the material tray (91) is provided with an incoming material storage area (911) and a plurality of lens cutting piece storage areas (912), and the upper clamp (3) is further used to clamp the lens (10) to be cut from the incoming material storage area (911) to the lower clamp (2), and place the lens cutting piece that has been cut into the corresponding lens cutting piece storage area (912).

7. The device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The working platform (1) is also provided with a dust suction mechanism (8), the dust suction mechanism (8) includes a dust cover (81), the top of the lower clamp (2) is located inside the first end of the dust cover (81), the top surface of the first end of the dust cover (81) is provided with a first through hole (811) for the upper clamp (3) and the lens to be cut (10) to pass through, and the side surface of the first end of the dust cover (81) is provided with a second through hole (812) for the ultrasonic knife (4) to pass through; the end of the second end of the dust cover (81) is connected to the dust cover (82), the dust cover (81) and the dust cover (82) are connected by a porous partition (83), and the dust cover (82) is connected to an external dust collector through a dust suction pipe (84); a waste box (85) is provided at the bottom of the second end of the dust cover (81), and the waste box (85) is connected to the interior of the dust cover (81).

8. The device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that: An angle adjustment mechanism (7) is also provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module (6), and the angle adjustment mechanism (7) comprises a third rotating plate (71) provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module (6) and a third servo motor (72) for driving the third rotating plate (71) to rotate. The ultrasonic knife (4) is provided on the third rotating plate (71).

9. The device for cutting lenses using an ultrasonic knife (4) according to claim 4 or 8, characterized in that: A dust blowing mechanism (73) is also provided on the driving plate of the first Y-axis linear module (6), and the dust blowing mechanism (73) includes an air blowing nozzle facing the blade of the ultrasonic knife (4), and the air blowing nozzle is connected to an external high-pressure air source.

10. A method for cutting a lens, characterized in that: The method is implemented using the device according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: S1, obtaining the design data of the lens barrel material, the material of each component and the position of each component of the lens (10) to be cut; S2. According to the data obtained in step S1, the cutting position of the ultrasonic knife (4), the cutting angle of the ultrasonic knife (4), the feeding speed of the ultrasonic knife (4), and the feeding stroke of the ultrasonic knife (4) are set; S3. Use the upper clamp (3) and the lower clamp (2) to respectively clamp the top and bottom ends of the lens to be cut (10), so that the upper clamp (3), the lower clamp (2) and the lens to be cut (10) rotate synchronously, and the ultrasonic knife (4) completes the cutting of the lens to be cut (10) according to the parameters set in step S2.

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