Automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lens

By integrating a spray channel and a UV light source into an automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses, directional injection and instant curing of the adhesive are achieved, solving the problem of dispensing head movement accuracy, improving adhesive layer consistency and bonding strength, and reducing equipment complexity and cost.

CN120984503APending Publication Date: 2025-11-21SHENZHEN ZHIHONG AUTOMATION TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511320273.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-09-16
Publication Date
2025-11-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In existing optical lens dispensing processes, the dispensing head requires high precision in its movement, which is difficult to maintain over a long period of time. This leads to problems such as uneven adhesive layer, overflow, or adhesive breakage, affecting bonding strength and sealing performance.

Method used

An integrated adhesive spraying channel is used in the dispensing head of the clamping plate. The adhesive nozzle is directly inserted into the mounting groove on the outer wall of the lens barrel and aligned axially with the connecting hole. Combined with the adhesive suction channel and UV light source arranged on the same frame, the adhesive can be injected directionally and cured instantly, reducing the positioning accuracy and control complexity of the moving components.

Benefits of technology

It improves the consistency of adhesive layer morphology and batch repeatability, reduces cumulative tolerance and dynamic error, enhances bonding strength and sealing performance, and reduces equipment costs and downtime.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention provides an automatic dispensing and curing machine for an optical lens, and relates to the technical field of optical lens equipment. The transfer seat is used for placing and fixing a lens cone, and the transfer seat can move along the Y-axis direction of the workbench under the action of the driving structure so as to move the lens cone to a dispensing position; the dispensing head comprises a dispensing rod, clamping plates and an adjusting piece, and the adjusting piece can drive the clamping plates to relatively open or close to clamp the outer wall of the lens cone; wherein at least one clamping plate is provided with a glue spraying channel, a glue spraying opening can extend into a mounting groove in the outer wall of the lens barrel, and glue is injected into a contact area through a communication hole which is communicated to the contact area of the lens and the lens barrel from the mounting groove; the curing part is installed on the sliding frame, the UV light source can conduct illumination curing on glue at the communicating hole after glue injection is completed at the glue spraying opening and the glue spraying opening is moved away, compared with the prior art, the consistency of glue layer morphology and the repeatability between batches can be remarkably improved, and meanwhile the equipment cost and the outage rate are effectively reduced.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical lens equipment technology, and in particular to an automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses. Background Technology

[0002] As a key component of an imaging system, the assembly quality of the optical lens directly affects image sharpness and the overall stability of the system. Existing lens dispensing processes typically include material loading, dispensing, and UV curing, with the precision and stability of the dispensing step being particularly crucial. To ensure a strong and reliable connection and seal between the lens element and the lens barrel, a uniform and continuous adhesive layer needs to be formed in the contact area.

[0003] However, in related technologies, dispensing machines typically form the adhesive path by moving the dispensing head along the contact point between the lens and the lens barrel. This method places extremely high precision requirements on the movement of the moving frame to which the dispensing head is attached. Due to the small size of the lens barrel itself, coupled with the short travel distance and low error tolerance, it is difficult to maintain high-precision movement for extended periods in actual operation, often leading to problems such as uneven adhesive layer, adhesive path breakage, or localized adhesive shortages. Furthermore, during the movement of the dispensing head, adhesive overflow or interruption may occur due to speed fluctuations and unstable pressure, thereby reducing dispensing consistency and consequently affecting the subsequent UV curing effect and bond strength. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses to solve the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] This application provides an automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses, which adopts the following technical solution: An automatic adhesive dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses, comprising: Workbench; A transfer seat is used to place and fix the lens barrel, and the transfer seat can move along the Y-axis of the worktable under the action of the drive structure to move the lens barrel to the dispensing position; A dispensing head is mounted on a sliding frame that can move along the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis under the action of a driving structure, and can be moved to directly above the lens barrel on the transfer seat. The dispensing head includes a dispensing rod, a clamping plate, and an adjusting member. The clamping plates are arranged in at least pairs at the bottom end of the dispensing rod. The adjusting member can drive the clamping plates to open or close relative to each other to clamp the outer wall of the lens barrel. At least one of the clamping plates is provided with a spray channel. The spray channel has a spray nozzle that can extend into the mounting groove on the outer wall of the lens barrel and inject glue into the contact area through a connecting hole that connects the mounting groove to the contact area between the lens and the lens barrel. A curing component is installed on the sliding frame. The curing component includes a UV light source, which can perform light curing on the glue at the connecting hole after the glue is injected through the glue nozzle and then removed.

[0006] Preferably, at least one clamping plate of the dispensing head is provided with a suction channel. The suction channel can automatically connect the overflow seam at the top of the contact area between the lens and the lens barrel when the clamping plate clamps the outer wall of the lens barrel. The suction channel is provided with a micro flow valve. The micro flow valve is electrically connected to the drive source of the dispensing nozzle through a controller. When the micro flow valve detects fluid flow, it can send a shut-off command to the drive source through the controller to realize the automatic shut-off of the dispensing nozzle.

[0007] Preferably, a central pressure bar is provided at the bottom center of the dispensing rod, and a first rubber block is provided at the bottom end of the central pressure bar; And / or, the clamping plates are provided in pairs, the glue spraying nozzle and the glue suction channel are respectively located on the pair of clamping plates, and the glue spraying nozzle and the entrance of the glue suction channel are arranged opposite to each other; And / or, the bottom of the clamping plate has a rounded corner on the side near the inner wall; And / or, the clamping plate has a protrusion that is interlocked with the mounting groove on the outer wall of the lens barrel, the glue nozzle is provided on the protrusion, and after the protrusion is inserted into the mounting groove, the glue nozzle is aligned with and connected to the connecting hole, and a portion of the glue suction channel is formed on another protrusion, and after the protrusion is inserted into the mounting groove, the glue suction channel is aligned with and connected to the overflow seam; And / or, the adhesive spraying channel has a horizontal section, which is gradually narrowed along the side near the adhesive spraying nozzle.

[0008] Preferably, the first rubber block is rotatably engaged with the central pressure rod about the axis of rotation of the central pressure rod, and has a ring structure. A second rubber block is rotatably disposed inside the first rubber block. A rotating motor is embedded in the central pressure rod. The second rubber block is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the rotating motor so as to drive the lens to rotate under the drive of the rotating motor.

[0009] Preferably, the transfer seat is rotatably mounted on a base, the base is provided with a rotating component for driving the transfer seat to rotate, a support plate is mounted on the base, and a laser emitter and a laser receiver are provided on the support plate. The laser emitter is used to emit laser light into the side wall of the microscope tube, and the side wall of the microscope tube has an alignment point. When the laser light from the laser emitter is projected onto the alignment point, the laser receiver receives the laser signal reflected or attenuated by the alignment point and transmits the detection result to the control module. The control module controls the rotating component to stop rotating, thereby realizing the automatic alignment of the microscope tube. And / or, a limiting post is fixedly provided on the transfer seat, and the limiting post is used to be inserted into the lens barrel; And / or, a negative pressure hole is provided on the top of the transfer seat, directly opposite the mirror tube.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting post is provided with a lifting member, and a third rubber block is rotatably installed at the output end of the lifting member. The third rubber block is used to abut against the bottom of the lens to lift the lens. The third rubber block, the first rubber block, and the second rubber block are arranged along the same axis.

[0011] Preferably, the upward lifting distance of the third rubber block is 100µm-500µm.

[0012] Preferably, the top of the pair of clamping plates is provided with a groove, and a spring is provided in the groove. One end of the spring is fixedly connected to the bottom of the dispensing rod, and the other end is fixedly connected to the groove of the clamping plate, so that the pair of clamping plates are in an open state in the initial position; wherein: The adjusting component includes a sliding ring and an electric push rod. The sliding ring is slidably sleeved on the dispensing rod, and the cylinder of the electric push rod is fixedly installed on the dispensing rod. The output end of the electric push rod is fixedly connected to the sliding ring.

[0013] Preferably, the spring is V-shaped, and the middle part of the V-shaped spring has an arched deformation portion.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes a feeding assembly, a transfer assembly, a handling assembly, a dispensing assembly, and a UV curing assembly; wherein: The feeding assembly includes a hopper, which is located on one side of the middle of the workbench, and is used to stack material trays inside the hopper; The transfer assembly is arranged along the Y-axis in the middle of the workbench and is used to transport the material tray in the hopper to the transport position of the transfer assembly. The transfer assembly includes a pair of transport frames, each of which is equipped with a pair of clamping cylinders. The pair of transport frames are set on a portal frame erected on the workbench along the X-axis and can move along the X-axis, Y-axis or Z-axis under the action of the drive structure, so as to clamp and transfer the lens barrel to the corresponding transfer seat after moving. The transfer seats are provided on each side of the feeding assembly in pairs for receiving the lens barrels transported by the conveying assembly. The dispensing assembly includes the dispensing head and the sliding frame. The dispensing assemblies are arranged in pairs and located on the other side of the gantry frame, and are used to dispense glue onto the lens barrels on the transfer seats on both sides of the worktable. The UV curing components are arranged in pairs and located on the side of the transfer seat away from the hopper on both sides of the worktable. They are used to perform UV curing on the contact area between the lens and the lens barrel from above after dispensing.

[0015] The present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects: This invention integrates the adhesive spraying channel into the clamping plate of the dispensing head, allowing the adhesive nozzle to be directly inserted into the mounting groove on the outer wall of the lens barrel while clamped, aligning it axially with the connecting hole. This achieves passive alignment adhesive injection using the lens barrel mounting groove as a physical reference. This structural alignment transforms the adhesive injection action from relying on the long stroke and high precision of the sliding frame to structural fit and adhesive injection at a fixed position, thereby eliminating the cumulative tolerances, backlash, speed fluctuations, and dynamic errors caused by the long stroke of the sliding frame. In actual production, this means a significant reduction in the requirements for positioning accuracy, response speed, and control complexity of moving components, a decrease in calibration frequency and maintenance workload, and a corresponding reduction in equipment costs and downtime.

[0016] On the other hand, the spray nozzle injects adhesive into the contact surface through a restricted "mounting groove-connecting hole" channel. The combination of channel constraint and axial injection utilizes pressure drive and tension coupling to make the adhesive spread preferentially within the restricted interface and automatically fill the contact area, suppressing large-area flow on the free surface and edge spreading, thereby reducing local adhesive buildup, adhesive breaks or missing adhesive, forming a continuous and thickness-controllable annular adhesive layer, improving the consistency of the adhesive layer morphology and batch repeatability.

[0017] (3) By arranging the curing component (UV light source) and the dispensing head on the same frame, the glue can be cured immediately after dispensing by in-situ irradiation of the connecting holes, thus "locking" the glue path morphology before the glue undergoes significant gravity-induced sagging or backflow. This co-mounted curing ensures the stability of the optical path, incident angle, and irradiation energy, reduces uneven curing caused by changes in curing position or irradiation angle, and significantly reduces the probability of interface displacement and trapped air bubbles, thereby improving bonding strength, sealing performance, and long-term reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram intended to show the transfer seat and base.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram designed to show the structure of the handling components and dispensing components mounted on a gantry frame.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram designed to show the overall structure of the dispensing assembly.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram designed to illustrate the structure of the dispensing head.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view designed to show the dispensing head.

[0026] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Enlarged view of section B.

[0027] Figure 9 It is an exploded view designed to show the dispensing head, lens barrel, transfer base, and base.

[0028] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram designed to show the overall structure of the handling components.

[0029] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram designed to show the overall structure of the transfer component.

[0030] The diagram is marked as follows: 100. Workbench; 110. Gantry frame; 200. Transfer seat; 210. Base; 220. Rotating component; 230. Support plate; 231. Laser emitter; 232. Laser receiver; 240. Limiting post; 250. Negative pressure hole; 260. Lifting component; 270. Third rubber block; 300. Dispensing assembly; 310. Sliding frame; 320. Dispensing head; 321. Dispensing rod; 322. Clamping plate; 3220. Rounded corners; 32201. Tank; 3221. Spraying channel; 32211. Horizontal section; 3222. Spray nozzle; 323. Adjusting component; 3231. Sliding ring; 3232. Electric push rod; 330. Curing component; 331. UV light source; 340, adhesive suction channel; 341, miniature flow valve; 350, central pressure rod; 3501, rotating motor; 351, first rubber block; 3511, second rubber block; 360, protrusion; 370, spring; 371, arched deformation part; 380, camera; 400, feeding assembly; 410, hopper; 420, tray; 500, transfer assembly; 510, transfer tray; 600, handling assembly; 610, handling frame; 620, clamping cylinder; 700, UV curing assembly; 800, lens barrel; 810, mounting slot; 820, connecting hole; 830, overflow seam; 840, alignment point; 850, lens; 900, rotating frame. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0032] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0033] In the various embodiments of this application, "near end" and "far end" refer to the distance of each component from the user in the usage environment. The end closer to the user is designated as the "near end", and the end farther from the user is designated as the "far end".

[0034] The following is combined Figures 1 to 11 The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses provided in this application will be described in detail through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0035] An automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses includes a worktable 100, on which an outer cover (not shown) is mounted. The outer cover has a hinged door to ensure the airtightness of the internal environment and reduce the impact of dust and external light on the process. A dust-proof baffle and a replaceable filter can be arranged inside the outer cover to ensure long-term stable cleanliness. A transfer seat 200 is used to place and fix a lens barrel 800. The transfer seat 200 moves along the Y-axis of the worktable 100 via a guide rail and a drive structure, thereby accurately delivering the lens barrel 800 to the dispensing position and ensuring repeatability, facilitating the coordination of subsequent dispensing and curing processes.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 5 As shown, the dispensing head 320 is mounted on a sliding frame 310 that can move along the X, Y, or Z axes under the action of a drive structure. The sliding frame 310 can be driven by a lead screw + servo motor, an electric linear module, or a precision ball bearing guide with a stepper / servo motor to balance speed and positioning accuracy. The dispensing head 320 is connected to the dispensing cylinder via a connector. The dispensing cylinder is connected to the glue source via a high-pressure corrosion-resistant pipe. The system is equipped with a metering pump or piston pump to provide stable dispensing pressure. Check valves, buffer tanks, and pressure sensors are arranged on the pipeline to suppress backflow and pulsation.

[0037] In this embodiment, a camera 380, preferably a CCD camera, is also mounted on the sliding mount 310. The camera 380 captures and obtains image information of the relative positions of the lens barrel 800 and the lens 850 before the sliding mount 310 moves, thereby achieving real-time detection and precise positioning of the lens barrel 800 and the lens 850. Based on this positioning information, the control system can adjust the moving path of the sliding mount 310, preventing positional deviations during movement and ensuring its stability at the target position.

[0038] Furthermore, the position information acquired by camera 380 can also be used to assist in the calibration of dispensing head 320, enabling dispensing head 320 to accurately align with the mounting position of lens barrel 800 and complete the dispensing operation, thereby avoiding dispensing deviation or uneven adhesive layer caused by inaccurate positioning. Through the above settings, the accuracy and consistency of the dispensing process are improved, the need for manual intervention is reduced, and production efficiency and product yield are guaranteed.

[0039] Reference Figures 5-8As shown, the dispensing head 320 includes a dispensing rod 321, a clamping plate 322, and an adjusting member 323. The dispensing rod 321 is used to mount the clamping plate 322, and the adjusting member 323 is connected to the clamping plate 322 in a transmission manner, enabling the clamping plate 322 to move in a closed direction under controlled conditions. Through this structure, the clamping plate 322 can be reliably clamped onto the outer wall of the lens barrel 800, thereby ensuring the fixation effect of the lens barrel 800 during the dispensing process and stabilizing the dispensing.

[0040] Specifically, one of the clamping plates 322 is provided with a glue spraying channel 3221. The glue spraying channel 3221 extends from the inside of the clamping plate 322 and has a glue spraying nozzle 3222 at the protrusion 360. The glue spraying nozzle 3222 can enter the mounting groove 810 on the outer wall of the lens barrel 800 in the clamped state, and inject glue into the contact area through the connecting hole 820 connecting the mounting groove 810 to the contact area between the lens 850 and the lens barrel 800. In different embodiments, in order to ensure alignment and sealing, the mating surface between the glue spraying nozzle 3222 and the mounting groove 810 can be designed to fit a guide tongue and a guide groove, or a soft sealing ring can be added to form a slight seal when the glue spraying nozzle 3222 is inserted, so as to reduce backflow and leakage during the glue injection process. The opening diameter, insertion depth and insertion angle of the glue spraying nozzle 3222 can be adjusted according to different lens barrel 800 structures to take into account the control of flow rate, pressure and glue line morphology.

[0041] It should be noted that the connecting hole 820 of the lens barrel 800 is preferably designed to gradually rise upwards with a bend and narrowing structure. This geometry forms a confined channel from bottom to top during adhesive injection. The gradual narrowing and bend of the channel can suppress the rise of air bubbles and the backflow of adhesive, reducing free surface flow and thus reducing backflow and overflow caused by interfacial tension. This design requires a certain injection pressure to overcome the narrowing resistance. This controlled pressure injection allows the adhesive to fill the connecting hole 820 and minimizes air bubble entrainment under gravity. Applying instant UV curing after the clamping plate 322 is removed can "lock" the adhesive path morphology and prevent gravity sagging or backflow before curing.

[0042] The curing component 330 is mounted on the sliding frame 310, and preferably connected to the sliding frame 310 via an adjustable rotating frame 900 to adjust the angle. The curing component 330 includes a UV light source 331 and a heat dissipation / shielding assembly. The installation angle of the UV light source 331 and its distance from the lens barrel 800 can be adjusted by bolts or by an electric adjustment mechanism to match the curing process parameters of different adhesives. The curing component 330 and the dispensing head 320 are arranged on the same frame, which allows the dispensing nozzle 3222 to retract after the adhesive is dispensed and immediately cured in situ by the UV light source 331 at a predetermined position. At the same time, the light shield of the curing component 330 is interlocked with the outer cover to ensure optical safety during the curing process. To ensure curing consistency, a collimator or lens assembly can be added to the optical path to control the irradiation uniformity, and power sensing and timing control can be used to ensure the consistency of curing energy and time for each time, thereby improving the bonding strength and product stability.

[0043] It should be noted that the drive structure and lifting component 260 involved in this embodiment can be implemented in various ways, such as lead screw drive, servo / stepper motor with guide rail, cylinder or electric push rod, depending on actual needs. For actions requiring high positioning accuracy and controllable speed (such as positioning of sliding frame 310, fine adjustment of rotating seat), servo / stepper motor + lead screw or ball screw is preferred; for scenarios focusing on rapid switching or simple clamping actions, cylinder or electric push rod can be used. The drive component and controller form a closed-loop control through servo driver or PLC / motion controller with encoder or limit switch, so that the accuracy and reliability requirements can be met under different implementation methods. Since these drive methods are existing technologies, they will not be described in detail here.

[0044] Reference Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, one of the clamping plates 322 of the dispensing head 320 is provided with a suction channel 340. The suction channel 340 can be embedded in the clamping plate 322 through a pipe or prefabricated in the clamping plate 322. The rear end of the suction channel 340 is connected to a recycling adhesive source or a suction pump through a flexible pipe, so that if excess adhesive occurs during the dispensing process, the excess adhesive can be promptly guided into the recycling channel, realizing the reuse of adhesive or centralized collection for safe disposal, thereby avoiding waste and pollution. When the front end of the suction channel 340 is clamped on the outer wall of the lens barrel 800 by the clamping plate 322, it can automatically form a communication relationship with the overflow seam 830 at the top of the contact area between the lens 850 and the lens barrel 800 where the adhesive rises the most. This makes the channel highly targeted and real-time in capturing overflow adhesive, ensuring that once overflow occurs, it can be quickly sucked away, keeping the adhesive at a predetermined liquid level.

[0045] Furthermore, a miniature flow valve 341 or flow detector is installed within the adhesive suction channel 340. This detection device is electrically connected to the controller and forms a closed-loop control with the drive source of the adhesive nozzle 3222. When the miniature flow valve 341 detects fluid flow within the channel and the detected value exceeds a preset flow threshold, the controller can immediately issue a command to stop the adhesive dispensing from the drive source of the adhesive nozzle 3222 and draw the overflowing adhesive into the channel. Through this dynamic control process, not only is adhesive overflow at the edge of the lens barrel 800 caused by excessive adhesive dispensing avoided, but the amount of adhesive dispensed is also kept within a reasonable range, improving dispensing accuracy and finished product consistency.

[0046] In terms of specific implementation, the miniature flow valve 341 or sensor can adopt various equivalent alternative structures. For example, a detection method based on microcapacitive flow sensing can achieve a sensitive response to the flow rate of the adhesive through changes in capacitance; differential pressure flow sensing can reflect whether the adhesive has overflowed through the pressure difference before and after the channel; and optical detection can use a miniature optical sensor to monitor the presence and flow rate of the adhesive in the channel non-contactly. These various detection methods can be flexibly selected or replaced according to production needs or cost factors, thereby ensuring the adaptability and stability of the entire device in different application environments.

[0047] By setting up the adhesive suction channel 340 and its corresponding detection and control mechanism, the present invention realizes the automation, intelligence and closed-loop control of the dispensing process, which not only improves the consistency of adhesive layer morphology and batch repeatability, but also reduces adhesive waste and lens 850 contamination caused by adhesive overflow, further improving production efficiency and product yield.

[0048] Preferably, a central pressure rod 350 is integrally formed at the bottom center of the dispensing rod 321. A first rubber block 351 is provided at the bottom end of the central pressure rod 350. The first rubber block 351 is used to support and position the bottom of the lens 850 during dispensing, preventing displacement of the lens 850 during dispensing or lifting. The bottom surface of the first rubber block 351 is arc-shaped or an arc surface matched to the curvature of the lens 850 to increase the contact area and reduce local stress, thereby avoiding indentation or damage to the lens 850. The material of the first rubber block 351 can be an elastomer with moderate hardness after demolding treatment, and the surface can be micro-textured to increase friction and prevent the lens 850 from slipping.

[0049] Reference Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the clamping plates 322 are arranged in pairs, with the glue spraying nozzle 3222 and the glue suction channel 340 located on a pair of clamping plates 322 respectively. The glue spraying nozzle 3222 and the entrance of the glue suction channel 340 are arranged opposite to each other. This symmetrical layout generates a balanced mechanical effect during clamping, which can reduce the risk of deflection and tilting of the lens barrel 800. The relative arrangement allows the glue injection and suction to be controlled in both directions on the same cross section, realizing the immediate back suction of excess glue during injection and maintaining the stability of the glue surface, thereby effectively reducing the lens 850 misalignment or unbalanced stress caused by asymmetrical glue injection.

[0050] As an optional embodiment, the bottom of the clamping plate 322 has a rounded corner 3220 (R-angle) on the side near the inner wall. This rounded corner 3220 serves as a guide and buffer when clamped to the lens barrel 800, reducing cutting stress and the risk of scratches when in contact with the lens barrel 800. It also facilitates smooth insertion during clamping, reducing vibration and impact. The radius of the rounded corner 3220 can be optimized according to the material of the lens barrel 800 and the thickness of the groove edge to ensure both guiding effect and clamping force and positioning accuracy.

[0051] As an optional embodiment, the clamping plate 322 has a protrusion 360 that interlocks with the mounting groove 810 on the outer wall of the lens barrel 800. The protrusion 360 may be provided with a guide tongue or guide shoulder to achieve quick and repeatable alignment. A glue nozzle 3222 is provided on the protrusion 360, ensuring that the nozzle 3222 is axially aligned with the connecting hole 820 after insertion into the mounting groove 810, and that there is a clear positioning surface for the insertion depth to prevent excessive or insufficient insertion. A portion of the glue suction channel 340 is formed on the corresponding protrusion 360. After insertion into the mounting groove 810, the glue suction channel 340 aligns with and connects with the overflow seam 830, thereby achieving automatic alignment and sealing of the "injection-reverse suction" structure, reducing reliance on external visual inspection or additional alignment steps.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive spraying channel 3221 has a horizontal section 32211 on the side near the adhesive nozzle 3222, and this horizontal section 32211 is gradually narrowed along the direction near the adhesive nozzle 3222. The narrowing of the horizontal section 32211 helps to form a controlled cut surface at the adhesive nozzle 3222, reducing burrs and dripping at the adhesive outlet. The gradual narrowing balances the flow rate and pressure drop near the nozzle by changing the channel cross-sectional area, which helps to form a continuous adhesive line with clear breaks, reducing stringing or dripping after adhesive breakage.

[0053] Reference Figure 7As shown, the first rubber block 351 is engaged with the central pressure rod 350 around its axis of rotation and forms a ring structure. The first rubber block 351 and the central pressure rod 350 can achieve anti-detachment engagement through a locking groove and a locking ring. The cross-section of the locking groove or locking ring can be T-shaped or other anti-detachment cross-sections to enhance assembly reliability. A second rubber block 3511 is provided inside the first rubber block 351. The second rubber block 3511 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of a rotary motor 3501 embedded in the central pressure rod 350. The rotary motor 3501 (preferably a stepper motor or servo motor) drives the second rubber block 3511 to rotate relative to the first rubber block 351, thereby achieving micro-rotation of the lens 850. During adhesive injection, by controlling the slow, constant speed or micro-step rotation of the rotary motor 3501, centrifugal force is used to promote uniform distribution of the adhesive at the edge of the lens 850, thereby improving the consistency of the adhesive layer thickness. Furthermore, the flow characteristics of the adhesive and molding requirements can be considered by developing a rotation speed curve.

[0054] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the transfer seat 200 is rotatably mounted on the base 210. Support plates 230 are vertically mounted on both sides of the base 210. Each support plate 230 is equipped with a laser emitter 231 and a laser receiver 232. The dual-laser configuration of the two support plates 230 provides redundant detection and bidirectional alignment evaluation to improve the reliability and anti-interference capability of automatic alignment. The laser emitter 231 emits a parallel or collimated beam towards the side wall of the lens barrel 800. The alignment point 840 on the side wall of the lens barrel 800 can be an engraving, reflective sticker, or structural feature. The laser receiver 232 detects the reflection intensity or positional offset from the alignment point 840. The detection result is amplified and sent to the control module. The control module controls the rotating component 220 to stop rotating and sends a positioning completion signal according to a set algorithm (such as PID or threshold comparison). To improve anti-disturbance capability, the system can incorporate multiple sampling consistency judgment and fault tolerance processing into the detection logic, and a calibration process can be performed before starting alignment to compensate for device installation errors. In this embodiment, the rotating component 220 is connected to a pair of pulleys and a belt via a motor and to the transfer seat 200. The pair of pulleys are respectively connected to the shaft of the transfer seat 200 and the motor shaft. The pair of pulleys and the belt are located inside the base 210. The rotation of the motor drives the transfer seat 200 to rotate.

[0055] In some embodiments, a limiting post 240 is fixedly installed on the transfer seat 200. The limiting post 240 is fixedly connected to the transfer seat 200 and is inserted into the lens barrel 800 when it is loaded, thereby providing quick positioning and anti-torsional fixation. The material and cross-sectional shape of the limiting post 240 can be designed according to the material and wall thickness of the lens barrel 800. If necessary, a soft anti-slip sleeve can be covered on the outer surface of the limiting post 240 or a buffer ring can be provided to avoid surface damage caused by direct metal-to-metal collision.

[0056] As an optional embodiment, a negative pressure hole 250 is provided at the top of the transfer seat 200, directly opposite the lens barrel 800. The negative pressure hole 250 is connected to an external negative pressure source via a conduit. When the negative pressure source is working, an adsorption force is formed at the top of the transfer seat 200 to assist in adsorption and fixation of the lens barrel 800. Negative pressure adsorption can temporarily stabilize the position of the lens barrel 800 before clamping, and together with the limiting post 240, ensures the stability of the clamping. To prevent damage to the lens 850 or small parts by negative pressure, a filter and a flow restrictor can be added at the negative pressure hole 250 to control the adsorption area and adsorption force.

[0057] Preferably, the limiting post 240 is provided with a lifting member 260, which in this embodiment is an electric push rod. A third rubber block 270 is rotatably mounted on the piston rod of the electric push rod. The third rubber block 270 is used to abut against the bottom of the lens 850 and slightly lift the lens 850, thereby forming a small gap between the lens 850 and the lens barrel 800 so that the adhesive can be evenly distributed along the gap by centrifugal force or capillary action under rotational drive. The third rubber block 270, the first rubber block 351 and the second rubber block 3511 are arranged along the same axis, thereby ensuring the coaxiality of the lifting-supporting-rotation action and avoiding the lens 850 from getting stuck due to eccentricity. In this embodiment, the rotating motor 3501 is preferably a stepper motor to precisely control the speed and angle. The small step size of the stepper motor helps to avoid rotation that is too fast or too large, preventing the lens 850 from jamming or causing impact, thereby achieving smooth rotation of the lens 850 to promote the uniformity of the adhesive path and allow the adhesive to penetrate into the micro-slit between the lens 850 and the lens barrel 800 to enhance adhesion.

[0058] Preferably, to balance the installation accuracy of the lens 850 with the lifting effect, the upward lifting distance of the third rubber block 270 is limited to the range of 100µm-500µm. More suitable subdivision values ​​(such as 100µm, 200µm, 300µm, 400µm, 500µm, etc.) can be selected according to the thickness of the lens 850, the inner diameter of the lens barrel 800, and the characteristics of the adhesive used. This level of lifting can provide sufficient clearance to facilitate rotation and adhesive distribution, while avoiding excessive lifting from affecting the axial positioning and optical center offset of the lens 850, thereby improving the uniformity of the adhesive layer while ensuring installation accuracy.

[0059] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, a groove 32201 is provided at the top center of a pair of clamping plates 322 to accommodate the spring clip 370. The groove 32201 not only serves to avoid and accommodate the spring clip 370, but also ensures that the clamping plates 322, when closed, can adhere to the bottom wall of the dispensing rod 321 to form a stable force transmission path. The geometry of the groove 32201 and the installation position of the spring clip 370 are optimized to ensure that the clamping plates 322 are in an open state with a sufficient opening angle in the initial position to facilitate the insertion of the lens barrel 800. One end of the spring clip 370 is fixed to the bottom of the dispensing rod 321, and the other end is fixed inside the groove 32201 of the clamping plate 322. The material and thickness of the spring clip 370 are selected to provide appropriate restoring force without causing fatigue failure.

[0060] The adjusting component 323 includes a sliding ring 3231 and an electric push rod 3232. The sliding ring 3231 is slidably sleeved on the dispensing rod 321. The cylinder of the electric push rod 3232 is fixedly installed on the dispensing rod 321, and the output end of the electric push rod 3232 is fixedly connected to the sliding ring 3231. During operation, the electric push rod 3232 pushes the sliding ring 3231 downward, and the sliding ring 3231 acts on the clamping plate 322, thereby overcoming the elastic force of the spring piece 370 and guiding the clamping plate 322 to close, thus clamping the lens barrel 800. To adapt to different implementation methods, this embodiment also shows that the electric push rod 3232 can be replaced with a cylinder or other linear actuator, and the force adjustment and stroke limitation can be realized by parameter setting in the control system to avoid excessive clamping force causing damage to the lens barrel 800.

[0061] Preferably, the spring 370 is V-shaped, and an arched deformation section can be provided in the middle of the V-shaped spring 370 to increase the opening angle and deformation range. The V-shaped structure provides preload in the initial state and achieves a larger opening stroke and more linear restoring force characteristics through the deformation section.

[0062] As an alternative embodiment, a pair of clamping plates 322 can also be hinged to the dispensing rod 321 and driven to rotate and close by gears, connecting rods, or a drive motor. This hinged structure is beneficial for mechanical simplification and reliability improvement, but the opening range of the top is relatively limited, making it suitable for scenarios where the outer diameter of the lens barrel 800 is small. Regardless of whether a sliding or hinged clamping mechanism is used, the surface of the lens barrel 800 can be protected and the controllability of the clamping action can be ensured by setting position limits, pads, or buffers.

[0063] Reference Figures 1-11As shown, the automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses includes a feeding assembly 400, a transfer assembly 500, a handling assembly 600, a dispensing assembly 300, and a UV curing assembly 700. The feeding assembly 400 includes a hopper 410, located on one side of the center of the worktable 100, for stacking multiple trays 420. The hopper 410 is equipped with a Z-axis drive structure, capable of adjusting its height according to the height of the stacked trays 420 to ensure the upper trays 420 are always at a suitable pick-up / placement height. This height adjustment not only improves the accuracy of the pick-up / placement action but also avoids clamping or handling deviations caused by excessive changes in the position of the trays 420, thus ensuring the stability and consistency of the feeding process. In some embodiments, the hopper 410 may also be equipped with limiting posts 240 or positioning slots to further ensure the flatness and alignment of the trays 420 during stacking.

[0064] The transfer assembly 500 is arranged along the Y-axis in the middle of the worktable 100. The transfer assembly 500 is equipped with a transfer tray 510, which can extend between adjacent trays 420 to individually remove the upper tray 420 and transport the trays 420 in the hopper 410 to the picking position of the transfer assembly 600. The transfer assembly 600 includes a pair of transfer frames 610, each equipped with a pair of clamping cylinders 620 or clamping actuators. The clamping actuators can open and close under drive to clamp or release the lens barrel 800. The transfer frames 610 are mounted on a gantry frame 110 erected along the X-axis of the worktable 100 and can move along the X, Y, or Z axes under the action of the drive structure, allowing the transfer frames 610 to freely pick up and place the lens barrel 800 within the worktable 100. This arrangement allows the transfer frames 610 to flexibly switch between different workstations, adapting to different production cycles and process sequences. In a further embodiment, the transport rack 610 can also be used in conjunction with a vision recognition system or a position sensor to automatically calibrate the positions of the tray 420 and the lens barrel 800, so as to improve the accuracy and stability of the pick-and-place action and effectively reduce the yield drop caused by position deviation in batch operations.

[0065] Two transfer seats 200 are arranged on each side of the loading assembly 400, forming a total of four transfer seats 200, constituting a four-channel dispensing layout. This arrangement can simultaneously complete the positioning and dispensing operations of multiple lens barrels 800 within the limited space of the workbench 100, significantly improving the parallelism and efficiency of production. The four-channel layout not only ensures that dispensing and loading on both sides do not interfere with each other, but also allows the equipment to maintain closed-loop operation, thereby reducing waiting time between processes and increasing overall capacity. In some specific application scenarios, this parallel layout can also achieve differentiated processes through flexible scheduling. For example, standard dispensing processes can be performed on some transfer seats 200, while special dispensing or repeated curing processes can be performed on other transfer seats 200, thereby improving the versatility and adaptability of the equipment.

[0066] The dispensing assembly 300 includes the aforementioned dispensing head 320 and sliding frame 310. The dispensing assemblies 300 are arranged in pairs and located on the other side of the gantry frame 110, dispensing adhesive to the lens barrels 800 on the transfer seats 200 on both sides in parallel. This symmetrical arrangement allows the dispensing action to alternate with the handling action; that is, while dispensing is completed on one side, loading or unloading can be performed on the other side, significantly optimizing the process cycle time and reducing idle waiting time, thereby further improving equipment utilization and production efficiency. Since the movement range of the dispensing head 320 and sliding frame 310 is relatively limited, and the lens barrel 800 is positioned by moving the transfer seat 200, the system effectively reduces the high-precision, long-stroke movement requirements of the sliding frame 310 while maintaining dispensing accuracy, thus simplifying the control logic and mechanical structure and further improving system stability.

[0067] Because the dispensing assembly 300 and the handling assembly 600 are mounted together on the same gantry frame 110, independent vibrations and relative displacements caused by their separate arrangement are avoided, thus significantly improving the overall operational stability. The gantry frame 110 provides a unified mounting reference for the dispensing assembly 300 and the handling assembly 600, enabling them to maintain a stable spatial position and consistent movement trajectory during operation. Furthermore, this unified reference not only facilitates precise matching of the dispensing position and the handling path, reducing deviations caused by assembly errors, but also improves the overall repeatability and reliability of the equipment under long-term use, ensuring high-precision correspondence between the glue dot and the lens barrel 800 position even under high-speed continuous operation.

[0068] The UV curing units 700 are arranged in pairs. Each UV curing unit 700 includes a UV lamp and a mounting bracket. The UV lamp is fixedly mounted on the mounting bracket, which can be adjusted up and down via a Z-axis drive structure to accommodate different lens barrel heights and different adhesive curing depth requirements. In practical applications, the UV curing units 700 are located on the side of the transfer seats 200 on both sides of the worktable 100, away from the material hopper 410. This arrangement allows the lens barrel 800 to be directly transferred to the curing station after dispensing, avoiding unnecessary handling paths and time losses.

[0069] To ensure uniform curing, the irradiation angle, light intensity, travel distance, and curing time of the UV curing unit 700 are precisely controlled by a central control module, and the data is linked and recorded in conjunction with the dispensing process, enabling traceability of the adhesive curing parameters for each product. This process-level closed-loop data management not only improves bond strength and sealing performance but also provides a basis for subsequent quality monitoring and process optimization, thereby enhancing the automation and reliability of the entire machine.

[0070] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic adhesive dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses, characterized in that, include: Workbench (100); A transfer seat (200) is used to place and fix the lens barrel (800), and the transfer seat (200) can move along the Y-axis direction of the worktable (100) under the action of the drive structure to move the lens barrel (800) to the dispensing position; A dispensing head (320) is mounted on a sliding frame (310) that can move along the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis under the action of a driving structure, and can be moved to be directly above the lens barrel (800) on the transfer seat (200). The dispensing head (320) includes a dispensing rod (321), a clamping plate (322), and an adjusting member (323). The clamping plates (322) are arranged in at least pairs at the bottom end of the dispensing rod (321), and the adjusting member (323) can drive the clamping plates (321) to move. 22) They are relatively open or close together to clamp the outer wall of the lens barrel (800); wherein at least one of the clamping plates (322) is provided with a glue spraying channel (3221), the glue spraying channel (3221) has a glue spraying nozzle (3222), the glue spraying nozzle (3222) can extend into the mounting groove (810) on the outer wall of the lens barrel (800), and inject glue into the contact area through the connecting hole (820) that connects the mounting groove (810) to the contact area between the lens (850) and the lens barrel (800); The curing component (330) is installed on the sliding frame (310). The curing component (330) includes a UV light source (331). The UV light source (331) can perform light curing on the glue at the connecting hole (820) after the glue is injected at the glue nozzle (3222) and removed.

2. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one clamping plate (322) of the dispensing head (320) is provided with a suction channel (340). When the clamping plate (322) clamps the outer wall of the lens barrel (800), the suction channel (340) can automatically connect the overflow seam (830) at the top of the contact area between the lens (850) and the lens barrel (800) with the maximum rise of the glue. The suction channel (340) is provided with a micro flow valve (341). The micro flow valve (341) is electrically connected to the drive source of the glue spray nozzle (3222) through a controller. When the micro flow valve (341) detects fluid flow, it can send a closing command to the drive source through the controller to realize the automatic closing of the glue spray nozzle (3222).

3. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to claim 2, characterized in that, A central pressure bar (350) is provided at the bottom center of the dispensing rod (321), and a first rubber block (351) is provided at the bottom end of the central pressure bar (350). And / or, the clamping plate (322) is provided with a pair, the glue spraying nozzle (3222) and the glue suction channel (340) are respectively located on the pair of clamping plates (322), and the entrances of the glue spraying nozzle (3222) and the glue suction channel (340) are arranged opposite to each other; And / or, the bottom of the clamping plate (322) is provided with a rounded corner (3220) on the side near the inner wall; And / or, the clamping plate (322) has a protrusion (360) that is inserted into the mounting groove (810) on the outer wall of the lens barrel (800). The glue nozzle (3222) is provided on the protrusion (360). After the protrusion (360) is inserted into the mounting groove (810), the glue nozzle (3222) is aligned with and connected to the connecting hole (820). A portion of the glue suction channel (340) is formed on another protrusion (360). After the protrusion (360) is inserted into the mounting groove (810), the glue suction channel (340) is aligned with and connected to the overflow seam (830). And / or, the adhesive spraying channel (3221) has a horizontal section (32211) that is tapered along the side near the adhesive spraying nozzle (3222).

4. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first rubber block (351) is rotatably clamped onto the central pressure rod (350) with the axis of rotation as the axis of rotation, and has a ring structure. A second rubber block (3511) is rotatably provided inside the first rubber block (351). A rotating motor (3501) is embedded on the central pressure rod (350). The second rubber block (3511) is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the rotating motor (3501) so as to drive the lens (850) to rotate under the drive of the rotating motor (3501).

5. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transfer seat (200) is rotatably mounted on the base (210). The base (210) is provided with a rotating component (220) for driving the transfer seat (200) to rotate. A support plate (230) is mounted on the base (210). A laser emitter (231) and a laser receiver (232) are provided on the support plate (230). The laser emitter (231) is used to emit laser light to the side wall of the lens barrel (800). The side wall of the lens barrel (800) has an alignment point (840). When the laser light from the laser emitter (231) is projected onto the alignment point (840), the laser receiver (232) receives the laser signal reflected or attenuated by the alignment point (840) and transmits the detection result to the control module. The control module controls the rotating component (220) to stop rotating, thereby realizing the automatic alignment of the lens barrel (800). And / or, a limiting post (240) is fixedly provided on the transfer seat (200), the limiting post (240) being used to be inserted into the lens barrel (800); And / or, a negative pressure hole (250) is provided on the top of the transfer seat (200) directly opposite the mirror tube (800).

6. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to claim 5, characterized in that, The limiting post (240) is provided with a lifting member (260), and a third rubber block (270) is rotatably installed at the output end of the lifting member (260). The third rubber block (270) is used to abut against the bottom of the lens (850) to lift the lens (850). The third rubber block (270), the first rubber block (351) and the second rubber block (3511) are arranged along the same axis.

7. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to claim 6, characterized in that, The third rubber block (270) is lifted upwards by a distance of 100µm-500µm.

8. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to claim 3, characterized in that, A groove (32201) is provided on the top of the pair of clamping plates (322). A spring piece (370) is provided in the groove (32201). One end of the spring piece (370) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the dispensing rod (321), and the other end is fixedly connected to the groove (32201) of the clamping plate (322), so that the pair of clamping plates (322) are in an open state in the initial position; wherein: The adjusting component (323) includes a sliding ring (3231) and an electric push rod (3232). The sliding ring (3231) is slidably sleeved on the dispensing rod (321). The cylinder of the electric push rod (3232) is fixedly installed on the dispensing rod (321). The output end of the electric push rod (3232) is fixedly connected to the sliding ring (3231).

9. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to claim 8, characterized in that, The spring piece (370) is V-shaped, and the middle part of the V-shaped spring piece (370) has an arched deformation part (371).

10. The automatic dispensing and curing machine for optical lenses according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, It also includes a feeding assembly (400), a transfer assembly (500), a handling assembly (600), a dispensing assembly (300), and a UV curing assembly (700); among which: The feeding assembly (400) includes a hopper (410), which is located on one side of the middle part of the workbench (100). The hopper (410) is used to stack and place trays (420). The transfer assembly (500) is arranged along the Y-axis direction in the middle of the workbench (100) and is used to transport the material tray (420) in the hopper (410) to the transport position of the transport assembly (600). The transport assembly (600) includes a pair of transport frames (610), each of which is provided with a pair of clamping cylinders (620). The pair of transport frames (610) are set on the gantry frame (110) erected along the X-axis direction on the workbench (100) and can move along the X-axis, Y-axis or Z-axis direction under the action of the drive structure so as to clamp and transfer the lens barrel (800) to the corresponding transfer seat (200) after moving. The transfer seat (200) is provided on each side of the feeding assembly (400) with a pair for receiving the lens barrel (800) transported by the transport assembly (600). The dispensing assembly (300) includes the dispensing head (320) and the sliding frame (310). The dispensing assemblies (300) are arranged in pairs and located on the other side of the gantry frame (110), and are used to dispense glue to the lens barrels (800) on the transfer seats (200) on both sides of the worktable (100). The UV curing components (700) are arranged in pairs and located on both sides of the worktable (100) on the side of the transfer seat (200) away from the hopper (410). They are used to perform UV curing on the contact area between the lens (850) and the lens barrel (800) from above the lens barrel (800) after dispensing.

Citation Information

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