A UV curing device for contact lenses

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of automated production technology for contact lenses, specifically a UV curing device for contact lenses, including loading and unloading stations, a conveying device, and a curing unit. The curing unit and the loading and unloading stations are located within the working range of the conveying device. The loading and unloading stations include a loading conveying component and a unloading conveying component arranged in parallel. The discharge end of the loading conveying component is equipped with a loading rack. The conveying device includes a conveying robotic arm, a rotary drive device driven by the actuator of the conveying robotic arm, and a dual-purpose conveying component driven by the actuator of the rotary drive device. The dual-purpose conveying component is equipped with multiple actuators. This utility model saves material turnover and preparation time, allows for switching of the conveying actuator, facilitates dual-purpose operation, further reduces equipment space occupation, shrinks the overall equipment volume, improves curing efficiency, enhances equipment compatibility, and enables rapid handling of carrier trays and molds to improve overall curing efficiency and quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automated production technology of contact lenses, specifically a UV curing device for contact lenses. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing process of colored contact lenses, UV curing of colored inks is a post-paste printing process. Conventional processes involve curing the inks naturally after pad printing. However, existing UV curing equipment still has the following technical defects.

[0003] The overall equipment occupies a large volume, and the time cost caused by the turnover and transfer of materials is relatively large; moreover, the compatibility is not high. During the handling operation, a single fixture cannot meet the dual handling needs of contact lens male and female mold product carriers (dimensional tolerance ±0.5mm) and contact lens male and female mold products (diameter 13.8~14.5mm).

[0004] Therefore, in order to meet market demands, a solution is urgently needed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a UV curing device for contact lenses that enables fully automated UV curing processing of contact lenses with high precision positioning, high efficiency curing, and strong compatibility.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution.

[0007] A UV curing device for contact lenses includes a loading and unloading station, a conveying device for transporting trays and molds, and a UV curing unit. The loading and unloading station includes a loading conveyor assembly and an unloading conveyor assembly arranged in parallel. The discharge end of the loading conveyor assembly is provided with a loading rack. The conveying device includes a conveying robotic arm, a rotary drive device driven by the actuator end of the conveying robotic arm, and a dual-purpose conveying assembly driven by the actuator end of the rotary drive device. The dual-purpose conveying assembly is provided with multiple actuator ends.

[0008] During the curing process, the loading and conveying assembly transports a tray containing the mold to be cured. The handling robotic arm and the rotary drive drive the dual-purpose handling assembly to move the tray containing the mold to be cured to the loading rack. The handling robotic arm and the rotary drive drive the dual-purpose handling assembly to move the mold to be cured from the tray to the curing unit to complete the curing process. The handling robotic arm and the rotary drive drive move the empty tray to the unloading conveying assembly. After the mold is cured, the handling robotic arm and the rotary drive drive move the cured mold to the tray at the unloading conveying assembly.

[0009] Furthermore, the dual-purpose handling assembly includes a handling frame, a carrier suction cup, and a mold clamp; the handling frame is installed on the execution end of the rotary drive device, and the carrier suction cup and the mold clamp are installed on the handling frame; when handling the suction cup, the rotary drive device drives the handling frame to rotate so that the carrier suction cup rotates to the working state; when handling the mold, the rotary drive device drives the handling frame to rotate so that the mold clamp rotates to the working state.

[0010] Furthermore, the light-curing unit includes a mold-opening and closing conveying assembly and a light-curing conveying assembly arranged in parallel and with overlapping projections; both ends of the mold-opening and closing conveying assembly are provided with a transfer device for transferring the carrier and a mold-opening and closing device; a curing lamp assembly is provided at the light-curing conveying assembly.

[0011] During the curing process, the handling robotic arm and rotary drive device transport the mold from the carrier plate to the carrier. The mold opening and closing conveying assembly moves the carrier carrying the mold to be cured to the transfer device. The mold opening and closing device separates the upper and lower molds and places them in the carrier. The transfer device transfers the carrier carrying the mold after mold separation and sends it into the light curing conveying assembly. The light curing conveying assembly drives the carrier carrying the mold after mold separation through the curing lamp assembly to complete the curing process. At the other end, the transfer device and mold opening and closing device close the cured mold after mold separation and transfer it into the mold opening and closing conveying assembly, waiting for the handling device to unload the material.

[0012] Furthermore, the transfer device includes a transfer lifting device, a transfer frame driven and connected to the execution end of the transfer lifting device, an upper and lower line drive device installed on the transfer frame, and a transfer conveyor line driven and connected to the execution end of the upper and lower line drive device.

[0013] During transfer, the transfer lifting device drives the transfer frame to rise and fall, which in turn drives the upper and lower line drive devices to move. The upper and lower line drive devices drive the transfer conveyor line to realize the transfer of the carrier.

[0014] Furthermore, dust removal and cooling components are installed at both the inlet and outlet of the optical-solidification conveying assembly.

[0015] During curing, the light-curing conveyor drives the carrier carrying the mold through the dust removal and cooling component. The dust removal and cooling component blows air onto the mold on the carrier and quickly extracts the gas to remove dust and cool it down.

[0016] Furthermore, the dust removal and cooling assembly includes a dust blowing pipe, a blowing baffle installed on the dust blowing pipe, and a suction baffle covering the outside of the blowing baffle.

[0017] An air passage exists between the blowing baffle and the suction baffle, and the suction baffle is provided with a suction pipe connected to the air passage. During dust removal, the blowing pipe blows out clean gas to blow up the dust on the mold, and the suction pipe draws the dust-laden gas from the blowing baffle into the air passage to remove the dust-laden gas.

[0018] Furthermore, the distance between the suction baffle and the mold is less than the distance between the blowing baffle and the mold;

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0020] In practical use, the parallel loading and unloading conveying components facilitate rapid loading and unloading by workers, saving material turnover and preparation time. The handling device is responsible for handling the carrier tray and mold. It uses a rotary drive to drive the dual-purpose handling component to rotate and switch the handling execution end, which facilitates dual-purpose use of one machine. The loading and unloading stations and the curing unit are compactly set up, further reducing the space occupied by the equipment, reducing the overall size of the equipment, improving curing efficiency, and enhancing equipment compatibility. It can realize rapid handling of carrier trays and molds to improve the overall curing efficiency and quality. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the conveying device in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the curing unit in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the transfer device in this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the dust removal and cooling component in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0027] refer to Figure 1-5 The present invention relates to a UV curing equipment for contact lenses, comprising a loading and unloading station 100, a conveying device 200 for conveying a carrier tray 900 and a mold, and a UV curing unit.

[0028] The loading and unloading station 100 includes a loading conveyor assembly 101 and an unloading conveyor assembly 103 arranged in parallel; the discharge end of the loading conveyor assembly 101 is provided with a loading rack 102; the handling device 200 includes a handling robotic arm 210, a rotary drive device 220 driven by the execution end of the handling robotic arm 210, and a dual-purpose handling assembly 230 driven by the execution end of the rotary drive device 220; the dual-purpose handling assembly 230 is provided with multiple execution ends. During the curing process, the loading and conveying assembly 101 transports the carrier tray 900 carrying the mold to be cured. The handling robot arm 210 and the rotary drive device 220 drive the dual-purpose handling assembly 230 to transport the carrier tray 900 carrying the mold to be cured to the loading rack 102. The handling robot arm 210 and the rotary drive device 220 drive the dual-purpose handling assembly 230 to transport the mold to be cured from the carrier tray 900 to the light curing unit to complete the curing process. The handling robot arm 210 and the rotary drive device 220 transport the empty carrier tray 900 to the unloading and conveying assembly 103. After the mold is cured, the handling robot arm 210 and the rotary drive device 220 transport the cured mold to the carrier tray 900 at the unloading and conveying assembly 103.

[0029] Specifically, both the loading conveyor assembly 101 and the unloading conveyor assembly 103 can adopt a motor-controlled conveyor line structure; the handling robotic arm 210 can be a multi-axis robot.

[0030] This UV curing equipment for contact lenses features parallel loading and unloading conveyor components 101 and 103, facilitating rapid loading and unloading by operators and saving material turnover and preparation time. The handling device 200 handles the transport of the carrier tray 900 and the mold. A rotary drive device 220 drives the dual-purpose handling component 230 to rotate and switch the handling execution end, enabling dual-purpose operation. The compact arrangement of the loading / unloading station 100 and the curing unit further reduces the space occupied by the equipment, shrinks the overall size of the equipment, improves curing efficiency, and enhances equipment compatibility. It enables rapid transport of the carrier tray and mold, thereby improving overall curing efficiency and quality.

[0031] In practical applications, this UV curing equipment for contact lenses utilizes a multi-axis robot with a dual-purpose handling component 230, along with a compactly designed loading / unloading station 100 and a curing unit, to achieve a fully automated, highly accurate, efficient, and compatible UV curing process for contact lenses.

[0032] In this embodiment, the dual-purpose handling assembly 230 includes a handling frame 231, a carrier suction cup 232, and a mold clamp 233. The handling frame 231 is installed on the execution end of the rotary drive device 220, and the carrier suction cup 232 and the mold clamp 233 are installed on the handling frame 231. When handling the suction cup, the rotary drive device 220 drives the handling frame 231 to rotate so that the carrier suction cup 232 rotates to the working state. When handling the mold, the rotary drive device 220 drives the handling frame 231 to rotate so that the mold clamp 233 rotates to the working state.

[0033] Specifically, the transport frame 231 can adopt a plate-type frame, with the carrier suction cup 232 installed on one side of the transport frame 231 and the mold gripper 233 installed on the other side of the transport frame 231; and the installation spacing of the mold gripper 233 matches the placement position of the mold in the carrier 900; the installation orientation of the carrier suction cup 232 and the mold gripper 233 is 90 degrees, which facilitates rotation switching; under the drive of the rotary drive device 220, the transport frame 231 rotates so that the mold gripper 233 and the carrier suction cup 232 correctly correspond to the materials to be transported, realizing rapid switching of the execution end, and the detachable installation structure can realize rapid replacement and maintenance, further improving the compatibility of the equipment and the efficiency of inspection and maintenance.

[0034] In this embodiment, the light curing unit includes a mold opening and closing conveying assembly 710 and a light curing conveying assembly 720 arranged in parallel and with overlapping projections; both ends of the mold opening and closing conveying assembly 710 are provided with a transfer device 600 for transferring the carrier 400 and a mold opening and closing device 500; a curing lamp assembly 300 is provided at the light curing conveying assembly 720.

[0035] During the curing process, the handling robotic arm 210 and the rotary drive device 220 transport the mold from the carrier plate 900 to the carrier 400. The mold opening and closing conveying assembly 710 moves the carrier 400 carrying the mold to be cured to the transfer device 600. The mold opening and closing device 500 separates the upper and lower molds and places them inside the carrier 400. The transfer device 600 transfers the carrier 400 carrying the mold after separation and sends it into the light curing conveying assembly 720. The light curing conveying assembly 720 drives the carrier 400 carrying the mold after separation through the curing lamp assembly 300 to complete the curing process. At the other end, the transfer device 600 and the mold opening and closing device 500 close the cured mold after separation and transfer it into the mold opening and closing conveying assembly 710, waiting for the handling device 200 to unload the material.

[0036] Specifically, the mold opening and closing conveyor assembly 710 and the curing conveyor assembly 720 can adopt a motor-controlled conveyor line structure for moving the carrier 400. The mold opening and closing device 500 can adopt a structure combining a linear module and a suction cup to pick up and place the mold for opening and closing. The double-layer conveying structure of the mold opening and closing conveyor assembly 710 and the curing conveyor assembly 720, together with the transfer devices 600 on both sides, enables the carrier 400 to circulate, improving the turnover speed of the carrier and the overall efficiency of the curing operation. Furthermore, the rolling form of the carrier 400 avoids the fixed carrier from being frequently exposed to UV light, thus affecting the curing operation. The curing lamp assembly 300 can adopt a double-layer design, respectively set on the upper and lower sides of the curing conveyor assembly 720, to facilitate UV curing of the moving mold in the curing conveyor assembly 720. Overall, the carrier turnover efficiency is improved, the material flow capacity is increased, and the overall curing efficiency and quality are improved.

[0037] In this embodiment, the transfer device 600 includes a transfer lifting device 610, a transfer frame 620 driven by the execution end of the transfer lifting device 610, a loading and unloading line drive device 630 installed on the transfer frame 620, and a transfer conveyor line 640 driven by the execution end of the loading and unloading line drive device 630. During transfer, the transfer lifting device 610 drives the transfer frame 620 to rise and fall, thereby driving the loading and unloading line drive device 630 to move. The loading and unloading line drive device 630 drives the transfer conveyor line 640 to run in order to realize the transfer of the carrier 400.

[0038] Specifically, the transfer lifting device 610 can be a linear electric cylinder, and the up-and-down line drive device 630 can be a motor to drive the transfer conveyor line 640. The transfer lifting device 610 can drive the up-and-down line drive device 630 to move between the mold opening and closing conveyor assembly 710 and the light-solid conveyor assembly 720. The forward and reverse rotation of the up-and-down line drive device 630 can drive the transfer conveyor line 640 to run and switch the running direction, so as to realize the up-and-down movement of the carrier 400 on the mold opening and closing conveyor assembly 710 and the light-solid conveyor assembly 720. This reduces manual turnover actions, realizes automated transfer and line changing, and improves the turnover efficiency of the carrier 400.

[0039] In this embodiment, dust removal and cooling components 800 are provided at both the inlet and outlet of the photocuring conveying component 720. During curing, the photocuring conveying component 720 drives the carrier 400 carrying the mold through the dust removal and cooling component 800. The dust removal and cooling component 800 blows air onto the mold on the carrier 400 and quickly extracts the gas to remove dust and cool it down.

[0040] Specifically, dust removal and cooling components 800 are installed at the inlet and outlet of the light-curing conveying component 720. The blowing action can remove dust and impurities, preventing dust and impurities from affecting the curing efficiency and the quality of contact lens products. It can also be used to cool the mold and carrier 400 after light curing.

[0041] In this embodiment, the dust removal and cooling component 800 includes a dust blowing pipe 840, a blowing baffle 830 installed on the dust blowing pipe 840, and a suction baffle 820 covering the outside of the blowing baffle 830; there is an air passage between the blowing baffle 830 and the suction baffle 820, and the suction baffle 820 is provided with a suction pipe 810 connected to the air passage; during dust removal, the dust blowing pipe 840 blows out clean gas to blow up the dust on the mold, and the suction pipe 810 draws the gas containing dust from the blowing baffle 830 into the air passage to suck out the gas containing dust.

[0042] Specifically, the dust blowing pipe 840 is connected to an external air source. The external clean air source enters the air blowing baffle 830 through the dust blowing pipe. The air blowing baffle 830 gathers the clean air and blows it towards the carrier below to clean the mold. The suction pipe 810 is connected to an external air pump. The external air pump performs a suction action. The gas mixed with dust is carried out by the external air pump through the air passage, enters the suction pipe 810 and exits the device, completing the dust blowing action. At the dust removal and cooling component 800 at the discharge end of the light-curing conveying component 720, the air blowing action can also cool the carrier and mold.

[0043] In this embodiment, the distance between the suction baffle 820 and the mold is less than the distance between the blowing baffle 830 and the mold.

[0044] Specifically, the height difference between the intake baffle 820 and the blowing baffle 830 allows the gas mixed with dust to generate an air vortex so that it can enter the air passage for rapid extraction.

[0045] This equipment achieves a technological breakthrough through the collaborative control of dual core modules:

[0046] 1. The handling device 200 is responsible for the robot's transfer and loading / unloading module (high-precision handling system).

[0047] Employs a six-axis high-rigidity robot (repeatability ±0.02mm), with a load capacity ≥20kg; the robot's end effector integrates a dual-mode, dual-purpose handling assembly 230.

[0048] The carrier suction cup 232 is a vacuum negative pressure adsorption device (adjustable pressure range -80kPa to -10kPa), and is compatible with a carrier size of 600×600×20mm (variable).

[0049] Mold gripper 233 (multiple gripping to improve loading time): pneumatic parallel gripping (gripping force adjustable from 0.5 to 3N), gripping diameter tolerance ±0.1mm; robot motion trajectory is optimized through programming, path repeatability accuracy error <0.03mm.

[0050] The feeding conveyor assembly 101 and the unloading conveyor assembly 103 are driven by precision motors (speed adjustable from 0.1 to 1.5 m / s) with a positioning accuracy of ±0.1 mm; the picking platform is equipped with a positioning module, and the position error of repeated picking of male and female molds is <0.01 mm.

[0051] 2. Photopolymerization main module

[0052] The mold opening and closing conveyor assembly 710 and the light-curing conveyor assembly 720 are wheel-type rolling conveyor lines: double-layer stainless steel sprocket conveyor lines with a stepless adjustable circulation speed of 0.2 to 2.0 m / s; equipped with (customizable) special male and female mold carriers to complete the cyclic operation.

[0053] The lower-level light curing conveying component 720 is equipped with a zoned light energy intelligent control system and multiple curing lamp groups 300 (wavelength 365nm, power density 80W / cm²); the two ends of the line are equipped with mold opening and closing devices 500, and the clamping force of the actuator claw is adjustable from 3 to 8N.

[0054] Overall efficiency improvement: Cycle time reduced to 0.9 seconds / mold, 1-hour capacity reaches 4000 pieces (200% increase compared to traditional equipment), and the dual-layer circulation structure of the curing unit reduces the idle rate of the carrier to below 1%. Precision breakthrough: Robot repeatability accuracy reaches ±0.02mm, and the standard deviation of temperature in the curing area is ≤±2℃. Energy consumption optimization: Intelligent temperature control reduces UV lamp energy consumption by 40%, with overall power consumption ≤8kW / h, saving 35% energy compared to similar equipment.

[0055] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples illustrating the spirit of this utility model. Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to replace them, without departing from the scope defined by the spirit of this utility model.

Claims

1. A UV curing device for contact lenses, characterized in that, It includes loading and unloading stations (100), a conveying device (200) for transporting trays (900) and molds, and a light-curing unit; The loading and unloading station (100) includes a loading conveyor assembly (101) and an unloading conveyor assembly (103) arranged in parallel; the discharge end of the loading conveyor assembly (101) is provided with a loading rack (102); the handling device (200) includes a handling robotic arm (210), a rotary drive device (220) driven by the execution end of the handling robotic arm (210), and a dual-purpose handling assembly (230) driven by the execution end of the rotary drive device (220); the dual-purpose handling assembly (230) is provided with multiple execution ends; During the curing operation, the loading and conveying assembly (101) transports the tray (900) carrying the mold to be cured. The handling robot arm (210) and the rotary drive device (220) drive the dual-purpose handling assembly (230) to move the tray (900) carrying the mold to be cured to the loading rack (102). The handling robot arm (210) and the rotary drive device (220) drive the dual-purpose handling assembly (230) to move the mold to be cured from the tray (900) to the light curing unit to complete the curing operation. The handling robot arm (210) and the rotary drive device (220) move the empty tray (900) to the unloading and conveying assembly (103). After the mold is cured, the handling robot arm (210) and the rotary drive device (220) move the cured mold to the tray (900) at the unloading and conveying assembly (103).

2. The UV curing device for contact lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dual-purpose handling assembly (230) includes a handling frame (231), a tray suction cup (232), and a mold gripper (233); the handling frame (231) is installed on the execution end of the rotary drive device (220), and the tray suction cup (232) and the mold gripper (233) are installed on the handling frame (231). When transporting the suction cup, the rotary drive device (220) drives the transport frame (231) to rotate so that the carrier suction cup (232) rotates to the working state; when transporting the mold, the rotary drive device (220) drives the transport frame (231) to rotate so that the mold gripper (233) rotates to the working state.

3. The UV curing device for contact lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light curing unit includes a mold opening and closing conveying assembly (710) and a light curing conveying assembly (720) arranged in parallel and with overlapping projections; both ends of the mold opening and closing conveying assembly (710) are provided with a transfer device (600) for transferring the carrier (400) and a mold opening and closing device (500); a curing lamp assembly (300) is provided at the light curing conveying assembly (720). During the curing operation, the handling robotic arm (210) and the rotary drive device (220) transport the mold from the carrier plate (900) to the carrier (400). The mold opening and closing conveying assembly (710) moves the carrier (400) carrying the mold to be cured to the transfer device (600). The mold opening and closing device (500) separates the upper and lower molds and places them in the carrier (400). The transfer device (600) transfers the carrier (400) carrying the mold after mold separation and sends it into the light curing conveying assembly (720). The light curing conveying assembly (720) drives the carrier (400) carrying the mold after mold separation through the curing lamp assembly (300) to complete the curing operation. The transfer device (600) and the mold opening and closing device (500) at the other end transfer the cured mold after mold separation after mold closing and send it into the mold opening and closing conveying assembly (710), waiting for the handling device (200) to unload the material.

4. The UV curing device for contact lenses according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transfer device (600) includes a transfer lifting device (610), a transfer frame (620) driven and connected to the execution end of the transfer lifting device (610), an up-and-down line drive device (630) installed on the transfer frame (620), and a transfer conveyor line (640) driven and connected to the execution end of the up-and-down line drive device (630). During the transfer, the transfer lifting device (610) drives the transfer frame (620) to rise and fall, thereby driving the upper and lower line drive device (630) to move. The upper and lower line drive device (630) drives the transfer conveyor line (640) to run in order to realize the transfer of the carrier (400).

5. The UV curing device for contact lenses according to claim 3, characterized in that, The feed and discharge points of the optical-solidification conveying assembly (720) are both equipped with dust removal and cooling components (800). During curing, the light curing conveying assembly (720) drives the carrier (400) carrying the mold through the dust removal and cooling assembly (800). The dust removal and cooling assembly (800) blows air onto the mold on the carrier (400) and quickly extracts the gas to remove dust and cool it down.

6. The UV curing equipment for contact lenses according to claim 5, characterized in that, The dust removal and cooling assembly (800) includes a dust blowing pipe (840), a blowing baffle (830) installed on the dust blowing pipe (840), and a suction baffle (820) covering the outside of the blowing baffle (830). There is an air passage between the blowing baffle (830) and the suction baffle (820). The suction baffle (820) is provided with a suction pipe (810) connected to the air passage. During dust removal, the blowing pipe (840) blows out clean gas to blow up the dust on the mold, and the suction pipe (810) draws the gas with dust from the blowing baffle (830) into the air passage to suck out the gas with dust.

7. The UV curing device for contact lenses according to claim 6, characterized in that, The distance between the suction baffle (820) and the mold is less than the distance between the blowing baffle (830) and the mold.

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