Spectacle lens conveyance device for conveying spectacle lens, spectacle lens conveyance system, and spectacle lens processing system

Abstract

Provided is a spectacle lens conveyance device that conveys a spectacle lens to a spectacle lens holding position of a pair of lens-holding shafts included in a spectacle lens processing device, the spectacle lens conveyance device comprising a lens-holding part that holds the spectacle lens, and a movement part that has a drive source and is configured to move the lens-holding part relative to the lens-holding shafts by driving of the drive source, and the installation position of the movement part being provided in an upper space above a housing or a processing chamber of the spectacle lens processing device.

Description

Glasses lens conveying device, glasses lens conveying system, and glasses lens processing system for conveying glasses lenses

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a glasses lens conveying device, a glasses lens conveying system, and a glasses lens processing system used for manufacturing glasses.

[0002] In automating the peripheral processing of glasses lenses, it has been proposed to use a glasses lens conveying device that holds a glasses lens and conveys it to a glasses lens processing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also, in automating the peripheral processing of glasses lenses, a glasses lens conveying device exemplified by a conveying robot that holds a glasses lens and conveys it to a glasses lens processing device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this glasses lens conveying device, the lens holding portion attached to the tip of the arm is configured to hold (grip) the glasses lens by sandwiching the periphery of the glasses lens with two (a pair) of finger members.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-58948, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-5309

[0005] In the prior art, a installation space for the glasses lens conveying device is required separately from the installation space of the glasses lens processing device. However, depending on the installation location of the glasses lens processing device, it may be difficult to secure an installation space for the glasses lens conveying device.

[0006] Also, a configuration in which a glasses lens is held by two finger members as in Patent Document 2 has difficulty in stably holding a non-circular glasses lens (for example, a processed glasses lens), and there is a possibility that the glasses lens may fall during conveyance.

[0007] The technical objective of this disclosure is to provide an eyeglass lens transport device, an eyeglass lens transport system, and an eyeglass lens processing system that can solve at least one of the problems of the prior art described above. For example, the technical objective of this disclosure is to provide an eyeglass lens transport device and an eyeglass lens transport system that can transport eyeglass lenses in a space-saving manner. Furthermore, for example, the technical objective of this disclosure is to provide an eyeglass lens transport device and an eyeglass lens processing system that can stably hold and transport non-circular eyeglass lenses.

[0008] (1) An eyeglass lens transport device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is an eyeglass lens transport device that transports eyeglass lenses to an eyeglass lens holding position on a pair of lens holding shafts of an eyeglass lens processing device, comprising: a lens holding part for holding the eyeglass lenses; and a moving part having a drive source and configured to move the lens holding part relative to the lens holding shafts by the drive source, wherein the installation position of the moving part is provided in an upper space above the housing or processing chamber of the eyeglass lens processing device. (2) An eyeglass lens transport system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is an eyeglass lens transport system comprising an eyeglass lens processing device for processing the periphery of eyeglass lenses with a processing tool, and comprising the eyeglass lens transport device described in (1). (3) An eyeglass lens transport device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is an eyeglass lens transport device according to (1), wherein the lens holding portion comprises at least three contact members for holding an eyeglass lens by contacting the periphery of the eyeglass lens, support members for supporting each of the contact members, and a moving mechanism for moving each of the support members so that each of the contact members is moved to open and close in the direction of contact with the periphery of the eyeglass lens, wherein a first gap is formed between a first contact member and a second contact member among the at least three contact members, and a second gap is formed between a first support member that supports the first contact member and a second support member that supports the second contact member among the support members, wherein the first gap is sized to allow the lens holding shaft to pass through, and the second gap is sized to avoid interference with the lens holding shaft even when an unprocessed eyeglass lens is held on the lens holding shaft at a position eccentric from the optical center of the eyeglass lens.(4) An eyeglass lens processing system according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is an eyeglass lens processing system comprising: an eyeglass lens transport device as described in (3); and an eyeglass lens processing device for processing an eyeglass lens held on a lens holding shaft with a processing tool, wherein the eyeglass lens processing device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring the lens shape of the peripheral processing of the eyeglass lens; a rotation means for rotating the lens holding shaft; and a control means, wherein the control means determines, based on the lens shape, whether the positional relationship of the processed eyeglass lens with respect to the contact member can change when the processed eyeglass lens held on the lens holding shaft rotated to a standby rotation angle is held by the contact member provided by the eyeglass lens transport device; if it is determined that the positional relationship can change, it determines the rotation angle of the processed eyeglass lens in a state where the positional relationship remains unchanged; and controls the rotation means based on the determined rotation angle to adjust the rotation angle of the lens holding shaft and put it into standby mode.

[0009] This is an external view of the eyeglass lens processing system 10. This diagram illustrates the schematic configuration of the lens processing mechanism 600. This is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the eyeglass lens transport device 300. This is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the main body moving part 360. This shows the arm moving part 380 and connecting arm 390 as seen from the side where the rail 65a in the X direction in Figure 3 of this embodiment is located. This shows the arm moving part 380 as seen from the side where the first rail 61 in the Z direction in this embodiment is located. This shows the lens holding part 320 as seen from the Z direction in Figure 5B. This shows the lens holding part 320 as seen from the X direction in Figure 5B. This is a diagram showing the case where the cup Cu is attached to the center of the lens LE. This is a diagram showing the case where the cup Cu is fixed eccentrically from the center of the lens. This is a diagram illustrating the state in which the lens LE is held by the first lens holding part 320a. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the tray 400. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the overall control system of the eyeglass lens processing system 10. This is a diagram showing the transport procedure. This is a diagram showing a flowchart of the transport procedure. This is a diagram showing an example of a case in which misalignment of the processed lens may occur. This figure shows a typical example of a state in which no misalignment occurs in processed lenses. This figure shows an eyeglass lens transport device 300 composed of a robot with a multi-joint arm. This figure shows an example of a modification of the eyeglass lens processing system 10. This figure shows that the lens holding part 320 is composed of a suction part that adsorbs the refractive surface of the lens LE.

[0010] <Overview> This section describes the overview of the spectacle lens transport device and spectacle lens processing system according to this embodiment. The items classified in < > below can be used independently or in relation to each other.

[0011] For example, an eyeglass lens processing system (e.g., eyeglass lens processing system 10) comprises an eyeglass lens processing device (e.g., eyeglass lens processing device 200) and an eyeglass lens transport device (e.g., eyeglass lens transport device 300).

[0012] <Eyeglass Lens Processing Apparatus> For example, an eyeglass lens processing apparatus processes the periphery of an eyeglass lens held on a pair of lens holding shafts (for example, lens holding shaft 602) using a processing tool (for example, processing tool 660). The eyeglass lens processing apparatus also includes a processing chamber (for example, processing chamber 214) in which the eyeglass lens held on the lens holding shafts and the processing tool are arranged. The eyeglass lens processing apparatus also includes a housing (for example, housing 211). The housing is a cover that covers the processing mechanism (for example, lens processing mechanism 600) mounted on the base of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus.

[0013] <Eyeglass Lens Transport Device> For example, an eyeglass lens transport device is configured to transport eyeglass lenses to the eyeglass lens holding position on a pair of lens holding axes of an eyeglass lens processing device. The eyeglass lens transport device comprises a lens holding section (e.g., lens holding section 320) and a moving section (e.g., moving section 330) having a drive source (e.g., drive source 330M). For example, the moving section is configured to move the lens holding section relative to the lens holding axes of the eyeglass lens processing device by the drive source. The installation position of the moving section (e.g., installation position 331) is provided in the space above the housing of the eyeglass lens processing device. Alternatively, the installation position of the moving section may be provided in the space above the processing chamber of the eyeglass lens processing device. This allows eyeglass lenses to be transported in a space-saving manner. In other words, the installation area of ​​the eyeglass lens transport device can be reduced. Furthermore, even if it is difficult to secure installation space for the eyeglass lens transport device, the space above the eyeglass lens processing device can be effectively utilized. Therefore, the installation area of ​​the eyeglass lens transport device can be reduced relative to the installation area of ​​the eyeglass lens processing device.

[0014] For example, the lens holder is configured to hold eyeglass lenses. For example, the lens holder may include a contact member (for example, a contact member 321) that abuts against the periphery of the lens, and the eyeglass lenses may be held by the opening and closing movement of the contact member. The configuration of the lens holder equipped with this contact member will be described later. Alternatively, the lens holder may include a suction part (for example, a suction part 922), and the eyeglass lenses may be held by the application of suction force to the suction part.

[0015] For example, the installation position of the movable part is the position where the base of the movable part (e.g., the second rail 65, base 701) is positioned. Also, the space above the housing or processing chamber of the spectacle lens processing device is the space above within the predetermined space where the spectacle lens processing device is installed. The predetermined space should be set to a space within an acceptable range relative to the installation space of the base of the spectacle lens processing device (e.g., base 201). For example, the predetermined space may be the footprint (occupied area) of the spectacle lens processing device. Alternatively, for example, the predetermined space may be the installation area of ​​the spectacle lens processing device (which may include cases where it is slightly larger than the installation area).

[0016] Furthermore, for example, the eyeglass lens transport device may include a support section (e.g., a support column 340) configured to support the moving section at its installation location. This allows the installation position of the eyeglass lens transport device to be determined in relation to the installation position of the eyeglass lens processing device. Therefore, it becomes easier to improve the accuracy of moving the lens holding section while saving space for the installation area of ​​the eyeglass lens transport device.

[0017] Furthermore, the support section may include a connecting section (e.g., a connecting section 350) that can be detachably connected to the spectacle lens processing device. For example, if the support section is composed of a column extending upward, the connecting section may be configured to connect the base of the spectacle lens processing device to the column. In this case, the position of the spectacle lens transport device is fixed relative to the spectacle lens processing device, allowing for more stable transport of spectacle lenses. Additionally, when installing the spectacle lens processing system in various facilities (e.g., spectacle lens processing factories, eyewear stores, etc.), the movement of the lens holder of the spectacle lens transport device relative to the lens holding axis can be calibrated with high accuracy.

[0018] For example, the movable part may be suspended and supported at the installation location by a support part. This further reduces the possibility of the movable part extending beyond the installation area where the eyeglass lens transport device is installed. In addition, the lens holding part can be moved smoothly in the space above the eyeglass lens processing device. For example, the movable part that is suspended and supported may be composed of a robot with a multi-joint arm (e.g., movable part 700). The installation location of the movable part only needs to be in the space above the eyeglass lens processing device, and if there is a side wall close to the eyeglass lens processing device, it may be installed on the side wall in the space above.

[0019] For example, the moving part may include an arm (e.g., connecting arm 390) connected to the lens holding part, a main body (e.g., main body 370) that movably holds the arm, an arm moving part (e.g., arm moving part 380) configured to move the arm relative to the main body, and a main body moving part (e.g., main body moving part 360) configured to move the main body two-dimensionally in the space above the spectacle lens processing device and on a plane parallel to the installation surface on which the spectacle lens processing device is installed. In this case, the main body may be suspended and supported by the main body moving part. For example, it is often necessary to determine the transport path for spectacle lenses according to the respective installation positions of the spectacle lenses (tray placement position), spectacle lens processing device, spectacle lens transport device, etc. For this reason, spectacle lens transport devices tend to have complex configurations, such as having multiple axes in the moving part to match the transport path. However, by moving the main body (arm) two-dimensionally, spectacle lenses can be transported with a simple configuration.

[0020] Furthermore, the arm movement unit may include, for example, an up-and-down movement unit (e.g., an arm up-and-down movement unit 381) configured to move the arm unit (i.e., the lens holding unit connected to the arm unit) in the vertical direction. This reduces interference between the arm unit and the lens holding unit with the spectacle lens processing machine, allowing for smooth loading and unloading of lenses into and out of the tray and the entrance of the spectacle lens processing machine.

[0021] Furthermore, for example, the arm section may be equipped with at least two arms, each connected to a lens holding section. In this case, the arm movement section may be configured to move at least two arms so as to individually or integrally change the position of each lens holding section. In this case, for example, the spectacle lens transport device can quickly hold the pre-processed spectacle lens in a predetermined lens holding position by having the pre-processed spectacle lens wait in one lens holding section while the processed spectacle lens is held in the other lens holding section. As a result, the waiting time associated with switching spectacle lenses can be reduced, and work efficiency can be easily improved.

[0022] Furthermore, for example, if the arm portion is provided with at least two arms, a first arm and a second arm, each having a lens holding portion connected to it, the control means (for example, the control unit 310) of the spectacle lens transport device may control the drive of the moving portion so as to hold the processed lens located at the spectacle lens holding position of the spectacle lens processing device with the first lens holding portion of the first arm, remove the processed lens from the spectacle lens holding position, and then position the unprocessed lens held by the second lens holding portion of the second arm at the spectacle lens holding position.

[0023] <Lens Holding Section> For example, the lens holding section comprises at least three contact members (e.g., contact member 321), a support member (e.g., support member 322), and a moving mechanism (e.g., moving mechanism 323). The contact members are configured to contact the periphery of the spectacle lens and hold (grip) the spectacle lens. The support members each support at least three of the contact members. The moving mechanism is configured to move each of the support members so that each of the contact members moves open and closed in the direction of contact with the periphery of the spectacle lens.

[0024] Furthermore, for example, a first gap is formed between the first contact member (e.g., first contact member 321a) and the second contact member (e.g., second contact member 321b) among the at least three contact members. For example, the first gap is large enough for the lens holding shaft to pass through. Also, within the support members, a second gap is formed between the first support member (e.g., first support member 322a) that supports the first contact member and the second support member (e.g., second support member 322b) that supports the second contact member. The second gap is large enough to avoid interference with the lens holding shaft, even when an unprocessed spectacle lens is held on the lens holding shaft of a spectacle lens processing device at an eccentric position from the optical center of the spectacle lens. This configuration, in which the spectacle lens is held by at least three contact members, allows for more stable handling and transport of non-circular spectacle lenses. The first and second gaps are examples of interference avoidance means to avoid interference with the lens holding shaft. This allows for the insertion of an unprocessed spectacle lens between a pair of lens holding shafts of a spectacle lens processing device, even when the spectacle lens is held at an eccentric position from the optical center of the spectacle lens, while avoiding interference with the lens holding shafts, and also allows for the removal of the processed lens from the lens holding shafts.

[0025] For example, the first gap may be formed with a width that allows the first and second contact members to contact the periphery of a processed spectacle lens with a minimum processing diameter (for example, a diameter that can be processed by a spectacle lens processing device). This allows even a processed spectacle lens with a minimum processing diameter to be held and removed stably without interfering with the lens holding shaft.

[0026] For example, the size of the second gap may be set based on the maximum design eccentricity when the optical center of the spectacle lens is mounted eccentrically with respect to the lens holding axis (in other words, when the center of the cup on the machining axis is mounted eccentrically with respect to the optical center of the spectacle lens) and the diameter of the lens holding axis. That is, for example, the second gap only needs to be large enough to avoid the outer diameter of the lens holding axis even when the center of the cup is mounted on the surface of the spectacle lens with the maximum design eccentricity with respect to the optical center of the spectacle lens.

[0027] For example, the moving mechanism may include an opening and closing mechanism that moves the support member open and closed along the insertion direction when inserting an eyeglass lens between a pair of lens holding shafts. This allows the contact member and support member to be opened without interfering with the processing chamber, even if the processing chamber where the lens holding shafts are located is narrow. Also, even if two left and right eyeglass lenses are placed side by side on a tray and the gap between the two placed eyeglass lenses is narrow, when transporting one lens, the lens can be removed by opening and closing the contact member and support member to avoid interference with the other lens. Furthermore, even if the gap between the two eyeglass lenses placed on the tray and their left and right side plates (for example, side plate TR02) is narrow, the contact member and support member can be opened and closed without interfering with the side plates, allowing the eyeglass lenses to be held.

[0028] For example, the first and second contact members may be positioned on the side facing the lens holding axis relative to the holding center of the lens holding portion in the insertion direction when inserting an eyeglass lens between a pair of lens holding axes. Also, the third contact member (for example, the third contact member 321c) of the at least three contact members may be positioned on the opposite side from the first and second contact members relative to the holding center of the lens holding portion. This allows for stable holding of an unprocessed eyeglass lens and insertion without interference with the holding position between a pair of lens holding axes. Furthermore, it allows for stable holding and removal of a processed non-circular eyeglass lens held in the holding position between a pair of lens holding axes.

[0029] For example, the maximum outer width of the first and second support members in a direction perpendicular to their movement direction (insertion direction) may be configured to not exceed the diameter of the unprocessed spectacle lens (for example, a predetermined size). This makes it less likely for the processing chamber to interfere with the processing chamber when opening and closing the first and second contact members, even when the processing chamber is narrow, and allows the spectacle lens to be inserted between the pair of lens holding shafts.

[0030] Furthermore, the moving mechanism may include, for example, an interlocking opening and closing mechanism (for example, an opening and closing mechanism 327) that is driven by a drive unit (for example, an opening and closing motor 25) to open and close the set of the first support member and the second support member and the third support member that supports the third contact member in conjunction with each other. This makes it possible to consolidate (simplify) the drive source for moving the three contact members (support members).

[0031] For example, in an eyeglass lens processing system, the eyeglass lens processing apparatus may include an acquisition means (e.g., a control device 500) for acquiring the lens shape of the peripheral processing of the eyeglass lens, a rotation means (e.g., a rotation unit 656) for rotating the lens holding shaft, and a control means (e.g., a control unit 210). For example, the control means may determine, based on the lens shape, whether the positional relationship of the processed eyeglass lens with respect to the contact member of the eyeglass lens transport apparatus can change when the processed eyeglass lens held on the lens holding shaft rotated to a standby rotation angle is held by the contact member provided by the eyeglass lens transport apparatus. If it is determined that the positional relationship can change, the control means may determine the rotation angle of the processed eyeglass lens in a state where the positional relationship remains unchanged, and control the rotation means based on the determined rotation angle to adjust the rotation angle of the lens holding shaft and put it into standby mode. Depending on the state in which the three contact members contact the non-circular lens shape of the processed lens, there is a possibility that the processed lens may fall during transport. Even in such cases, the periphery of the spectacle lens can be held more stably by adjusting the rotation angle of the lens holding axis to keep the spectacle lens in a waiting position.

[0032] <Examples> One typical example of the eyeglass lens transport device and eyeglass lens processing system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0033] <Appearance of the device> Figure 1 is an external view of the eyeglass lens processing system 10. The eyeglass lens processing system 10 of this embodiment includes a tray transport device 100, an eyeglass lens processing device 200, an eyeglass lens transport device 300, etc. The tray transport device 100 transports a tray 400 on which eyeglass lenses (hereinafter referred to as lens LE) are placed. As shown in Figure 2, the eyeglass lens processing device 200 is used to process the periphery of the lens LE held on the lens holding shaft 602 using a processing tool 660. The eyeglass lens transport device 300 transports the lens LE to the eyeglass lens holding position 660 of the pair of lens holding shafts 602 of the eyeglass lens processing device. In this embodiment, the lens transport device 300 transports the lens LE between the lens mounting section (lens mounting section TR10L, lens mounting section TR10R) of the tray 400 and the lens holding shaft 602 of the eyeglass lens processing device 200.

[0034] <Tray Conveying Device> As an example, the tray conveying device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a belt conveyor 101. Trays 400 are placed on the belt conveyor 101. ID tags 401, which store the work number of the lens LE, are attached to the trays 400. The trays 400 are conveyed sequentially in the direction of arrow A and stopped at a predetermined position Q1 where the spectacle lens conveying device 300 receives the lens LE. The ID tags 401 on the trays 400 are read by an ID tag reader 402 located at the predetermined position Q1. In addition, a pair of lenses LE to be processed are placed on the lens mounting section (lens mounting section TR10L, lens mounting section TR10R) of the trays 400.

[0035] In this embodiment, the belt conveyor 101 on which the tray 400 is placed is positioned higher than the lens processing mechanism 600 of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200, which will be described later. This further reduces interference between the tray transport device 100 and the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 and the lens transport device 300.

[0036] <Eyeglass Lens Processing Apparatus> In this embodiment, an eyeglass lens processing apparatus 200 is described as an example, which holds a lens LE on a lens holding shaft 602 and processes the periphery of the lens LE with a processing tool 660 while the lens LE is held on the lens holding shaft 602. The eyeglass lens processing apparatus 200 includes a housing 211, a monitor 213, a lens processing mechanism 600 (see Figure 2), a processing chamber 214 in which the lens LE held on the lens holding shaft 602 and the processing tool 660 are arranged, a window 212 of the processing chamber 214, etc.

[0037] The housing 211 is an external cover that houses components such as the lens processing mechanism 600. The window 212 is openable and closable and is used to insert and remove the lens LE into and out of the lens holding shaft 602 in the processing chamber 214. The window 212 may be automatically opened and closed by a motor or the like (not shown). The monitor 213 in this embodiment is a display with touch panel functionality. In other words, in this embodiment, the monitor 213 functions as an operating unit (controller). The monitor 213 does not have to be a touch panel, and the monitor 213 and the operating unit may be provided separately. In this case, at least one of the following may be used as the operating unit: a mouse, joystick, keyboard, mobile terminal, etc.

[0038] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the lens processing mechanism 600. The eyeglass lens processing apparatus 200 includes a lens holding shaft 602 (lens holding shafts 602L, 602R) for holding the lens LE, a processing tool 660 for processing the periphery of the lens LE, a moving unit 650 for changing the relative positional relationship between the lens LE held by the lens holding shaft 602 and the processing tool 660, and a control unit 210 for controlling the moving unit 650.

[0039] For example, in this embodiment, the lens holding shaft 602 extends horizontally and is located in the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200. The lens holding shaft 602 may also be configured to extend vertically. For example, the processing tool 660 is attached to the processing tool rotation shaft 661 and comprises at least one of a finishing tool 662 and a roughing tool 663 having V-grooves for forming a bevel. For example, the moving unit 650 comprises a Y-direction moving unit 652 that moves a carriage (not shown) that rotatably holds the lens holding shaft 602 in the axial direction (Y direction) of the lens holding shaft 602, and a Z-direction moving unit 654 that moves in a direction (Z direction) that changes the distance between the lens holding shaft 602 and the processing tool rotation shaft 661. The moving unit 650 also comprises a rotation unit 656 that rotates the lens holding shaft 602 held in the carriage.

[0040] The lens LE is held by a pair of lens holding shafts 602L and 602R. A cup holder 630 is attached to one of the lens holding shafts 602L, into which the base 50 of the cup CU, fixed to the lens LE, is inserted. The cup holder 630 has an insertion hole 631a with a key 631b formed therein. By fitting the key groove 50b formed in the base 50 of the cup CU into the key 631b, the astigmatism axis angle of the lens LE and the reference direction of the lens holding shafts 602L and 602R are kept constant. In this embodiment, the spectacle lens holding position 660 is the position in which the cup CU fixed to the lens LE is inserted into the cup holder 630. After the cup CU is mounted in the cup holder 630, the lens holding shaft 602R is moved toward the lens LE, and the lens LE is held down by a lens retainer 635 attached to the lens holding shaft 602R. As a result, the lens LE is held by the lens holding shaft 602. The spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 includes a lens holding mechanism 640 that moves the lens holding shaft 602R toward the lens holding shaft 602L, and the lens holding mechanism 640 is controlled by the control unit 210.

[0041] Note that the cup CU may not be fixed to the lens LE, and the lens LE may be held by the lens holding shaft 602 without passing through the cup CU. For example, a suction mechanism may be provided on the lens holding shaft 602L, and the front surface of the lens LE may be adsorbed to the lens holding shaft 602L. Further, the pair of lens holding shafts 602 is not limited to the horizontal arrangement, and may be configured to extend in the vertical direction, for example.

[0042] Note that an example of the detailed configuration of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-158866.

[0043] <Spectacle lens transfer device>FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the spectacle lens transfer device 300. The spectacle lens transfer device 300 includes a lens holding unit 320, a moving unit 330, and four support columns 340 as an example of a support unit. The lens holding unit 320 holds the lens LE (details will be described later). The moving unit 330 has a drive source 330M (see FIG. 10) and is configured to move the lens holding unit 320 relative to the lens holding shaft 602 by driving the drive source 330M. Note that the drive source 330M includes, as components, an X-axis motor 64, a Y-axis motor 69, an N-axis motor 384, an N-axis rotation motor 386, an M-axis rotation motor 389, etc., which will be described later.

[0044] The support column 340, which is an example of the support unit, is configured to support the moving unit 330 at the installation position 331. The installation position 331 is provided in an upper space above the housing 211 of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 (or the processing chamber 214 when the housing 211 is removed). Further, the support column 340 includes a connecting portion 350 that is detachably connected to the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200. In the present embodiment, the lower end of the support column 340 is installed in a predetermined space P, and is detachably fixed to the base 201 (see FIG. 1) of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 by adjusting screws or the like (not shown) of the connecting portion 350. Note that the predetermined space P is set in consideration of an allowable range for space saving with respect to the installation space of the base 201.

[0045] Also, the upper end of the support column 340 is fixed to the lower parts of both ends in the second rail 65 (65a, 65b) described later. That is, in this embodiment, the installation position 331 of the moving part 330 is set to the position of the upper end of the support column 340, and the second rail 65 is taken as an example of the base part of the moving part 330. Thereby, the moving part 330 is arranged at the installation position 331 in the upper space above the housing 211 (or the processing chamber 214) of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200.

[0046] The moving part 330 of this embodiment includes a main body moving part 360, a main body part 370, an arm moving part 380, a connecting arm 390, and the like.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the main body moving part 360. The main body moving part 360 is configured to two-dimensionally move the main body part 370 in an upper space above the housing 211 (or the processing chamber 214) of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 and in a plane parallel to the installation surface on which the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 is installed. The main body moving part 360 includes a first moving part 361, a second moving part 362, a moving support base 363, and the like.

[0048] The first moving part 361 is configured to move the main body part 370 in the first direction (X direction). The first moving part 361 includes a first rail 61, an X-axis feed screw part 62, an X-axis feed screw engaging part 63, an X-axis motor 64, and the like. The first rail 61 moves the main body part 370 in the first direction (X direction). Also, the first rail 61 extends in the X direction and houses the X-axis feed screw part 62, the X-axis feed screw engaging part 63, and the like. The X-axis feed screw part 62 is held by the first rail 61. The X-axis feed screw engaging part 63 is screwed to the X-axis feed screw part 62, and when the X-axis feed screw part 62 is rotated by the X-axis motor 64, it is guided by the first rail 61 and moved in the X-axis direction. A moving support base 363 is attached to the X-axis feed screw part 62. The main body part 370 is suspended from the moving support base 363.

[0049] The second moving section 362 is configured to move the main body 370 in a second direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction of the first moving section 361. The second moving section 362 includes a second rail 65 (65a, 65b), a Y-axis feed screw section 67, a Y-axis threaded section 66a, a sliding section 66b, a guide rail 68, a Y-axis motor 69, etc. The second rail 65 (65a, 65b) houses the Y-axis threaded section 66a, the Y-axis feed screw section 67, the guide rail 68, etc. The second rail 65 moves the first moving section 361 in the second direction (Y direction). The second rail section 65 includes two rails 65a and rail 65b. Rails 65a and 65b extend parallel to each other in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction. In this embodiment, support columns 340 are fixed to the lower part of each end of the second rail 65. This allows the movable part 330 to be supported at the installation position 331 (see Figure 3).

[0050] A Y-axis feed screw portion 67 extending along the Y-axis direction is positioned on rail 65a. A Y-axis threaded portion 66a is screwed into the Y-axis feed screw portion 67. One end of the first rail 61 is fixed to the Y-axis threaded portion 66a. A guide rail 68 extending along the Y-axis direction is positioned on rail 65b. A sliding portion 66b is slidably attached to the guide rail 68. One end of the first rail 61 (the end opposite to the Y-axis threaded portion 66a) is fixed to the sliding portion 66b. When the Y-axis feed screw portion 67 is rotated by a Y-axis motor 69 attached to rail 65a, the Y-axis threaded portion 66a moves in the Y direction, and the sliding portion 66b is also moved in the Y direction, guided by the guide rail 68. As a result, the first moving portion 361 moves in the Y direction. Therefore, the main body 370, which is suspended from the first movable part 361 via the movable support base 363, is moved in the Y direction.

[0051] Regarding the movement of the first movable part 361 in the Y direction, the Y-axis threaded portion 66a may be rotatably held at one end of the first rail 61, and the Y-axis threaded portion 66a may be rotated by a motor attached to the first rail 61, thereby moving the first rail 61 according to the Y-axis feed screw portion 67. Similarly, regarding the movement of the movable support base 363 in the X direction, the X-axis feed screw threaded portion 63 may be rotatably held on the movable support base 363, and the X-axis feed screw threaded portion 63 may be rotated by a motor, thereby moving the movable support base 363 in the X direction according to the X-axis feed screw portion 62.

[0052] The main body 370 is fixed to the movable support base 363 and serves as a base for movably holding the lens holder 320 via the connecting arm 390. The main body 370 can be transported in a space-saving manner by moving two-dimensionally along the first rail 61 and the second rail 65 in the space above where the spectacle lens processing device 200 is installed. Furthermore, by moving the lens holder 320 vertically relative to the main body 370, the lens holder 320 is less likely to interfere with the housing 211 of the spectacle lens processing device 200, and the lenses LE can be inserted into and removed from the tray 400 and the window 212 of the spectacle lens processing device 200 without any problems.

[0053] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the arm movement unit 380. Figure 5A shows the arm movement unit 380 and connecting arm 390 as viewed from the side where the rail 65a in the X direction in Figure 3 of this embodiment is located. Figure 5B shows the arm movement unit 380 as viewed from the side where the first rail 61 in the Z direction in this embodiment is located (viewed from above relative to the spectacle lens processing device 200). The arm movement unit 380 is configured to move the lens holding unit 320 relative to the main body unit 370. The arm movement unit 380 is also configured to move at least two arms (the first connecting arm 391 and the second connecting arm 392, described later) so as to individually or integrally change the position of each lens holding unit 320 relative to the main body unit 370. The arm movement unit 380 includes an arm vertical movement unit 381, a first rotation unit 382, ​​a second rotation unit 383, etc.

[0054] The arm vertical movement section 381 is configured to move the lens holding section 320 vertically (Z direction) relative to the main body section 370. The arm vertical movement section 381 is equipped with an N-axis motor 384. When the N-axis motor 384 is rotationally driven, the arm vertical movement section 381 is moved vertically via a conversion mechanism (a known configuration can be used, so it is not shown) that converts rotation into linear motion. As a result, the lens holding section 320 is moved in the N-axis direction. The upper end of the arm vertical movement section 381 is connected to the main body section 370. The lower end of the arm vertical movement section 381 is connected to a first rotation unit 382.

[0055] The first rotating unit 382 is configured to rotate the lens holder 320 in the direction of the N-axis by rotating the first rotating arm 387 around a first axis (N-axis) that extends vertically relative to the main body 370. The first rotating unit 382 includes a first rotating part 385, an N-axis rotation motor 386, etc. The first rotating arm 387 is connected to the first rotating part 385. When the N-axis rotation motor 386 is rotationally driven, the first rotating part 385 and the first rotating arm 387 rotate together around the N-axis. Therefore, the lens holder 320 rotates in the direction of the N-axis.

[0056] The second rotation unit 383 is configured to rotate the lens holder 320 in the direction of the M axis by rotating the first rotation arm 387 around a second axis (M axis) that extends horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the N axis. The second rotation unit 383 includes a second rotation part 388, an M axis rotation motor 389, etc. The second rotation part 388 is connected to the first rotation arm 387 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the M axis which is perpendicular to the N axis. The second rotation part 388 comprises two parts, a second rotation part 388a and a second rotation part 388b. The second rotation part 388a is rotatably held at one end of the first rotation arm 387 which extends in the direction of the M axis, and the second rotation part 388b is rotatably held at the other end. The first connecting arm 391 is connected to the second rotation part 388a. The second rotating part 388b is connected to the second connecting arm 392. When the M-axis rotation motor 389 is rotationally driven, the second rotating part 388 rotates around the axis of the M-axis. As a result, the first connecting arm 391 and the second connecting arm 392, which are connected to the second rotating part 388a and the second rotating part 388b respectively, rotate around the axis of the M-axis. In this embodiment, the second rotating part 388a and the second rotating part 388b are rotated synchronously by driving a single motor (M-axis rotation motor 389). Of course, the second rotating part 388a and the second rotating part 388b may be rotated separately by driving separate motors.

[0057] The connecting arm 390 is connected to the lens holder 320. In this embodiment, the connecting arm 390 includes a first connecting arm 391 attached to the rotation axis center of the second rotating part 388a and extending outward relative to the second rotating part 388a, a second connecting arm 392 attached to the rotation axis center of the second rotating part 388b and extending outward relative to the second rotating part 388a from the first connecting arm 391, and so on. The first connecting arm 391 and the second connecting arm 392 are bent in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second rotating unit 383 extends (M-axis direction) (Q-axis direction). As a result, the positions of the connecting arm 390 and the lens holder 320 are shifted with respect to the vertical axis (N-axis) of the arm vertical movement part 381 (that is, the connecting arm 390 and the lens holder 320 are positioned away from the arm vertical movement part 381), so that the connecting arm 390 and the lens holder 320 can be rotated in the direction around the M-axis.

[0058] <Lens Holding Section> The lens holding section 320 holds the lens LE. In this embodiment, the lens holding section 320 is composed of a first lens holding section 320a provided at the tip of the first connecting arm 391 and a second lens holding section 320b provided at the tip of the second connecting arm 392. The first lens holding section 320a holds an unprocessed lens LE. Note that the unprocessed lens LE also includes lenses that have been processed before being processed again (double-printed). The second lens holding section 320b holds a processed lens LE. Note that this embodiment is just one example, and the first lens holding section 320a and the second lens holding section 320b may hold the right lens and the left lens separately, or they may hold them in any order, and are not limited thereto.

[0059] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the lens holder 320. Figure 6A shows the lens holder 320 as viewed from the Z direction in Figure 5B. Figure 6B shows the lens holder 320 as viewed from the X direction in Figure 5B. In this embodiment, the configurations of the first lens holder 320a and the second lens holder 320b are the same, so the explanation will use the first lens holder 320a.

[0060] The first lens holding portion 320a includes a contact member 321, a support member 322, a moving mechanism 323, and the like.

[0061] The contact member 321 consists of at least three contact members 321 for gripping the lens LE by contacting its periphery. In this embodiment, the contact member 321 consists of three members: a first contact member 321a, a second contact member 321b, and a third contact member 321c. The first contact member 321a, the second contact member 321b, and the third contact member 321c have a length (a length in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the support member 322 extends) that allows them to contact the periphery of the lens LE even when the lens LE is placed at an angle on the tray 400. The first contact member 321a, the second contact member 321b, and the third contact member 321c are attached to the first support member 322a, the second support member 322b, and the third support member 322c, respectively, which will be described later. In Figure 6A, the third support member 322c extends from the first connecting arm 391 side in the Q-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the M-axis direction of the first rotating arm 387 (see Figure 5). Similarly, the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b also extend from the first connecting arm 391 side in the Q-axis direction. The Q-axis direction is the insertion direction in which the lens LE held by the lens holding part 320 is inserted between the lens holding shafts 602 of the spectacle lens processing device 300.

[0062] The lens LE is held by the three contact members 321 by moving the set of first contact member 322a and second support member 322b and the third support member 322c so that the set of first contact member 321a and second contact member 321b and the third contact member 321c move in an open-closed position along the Q-axis relative to the holding center AC of the first lens holding portion 320a.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6B, the contact member 321 is further equipped with a contact sensor 31, an anti-slip mechanism 32, etc., on the side that contacts the periphery of the lens LE. The contact sensor 31 is attached to the first contact member 321a, the second contact member 321b, and the third contact member 321c, respectively. The contact sensor 31 is configured to detect when the contact member 321 has come into contact with the periphery of the lens LE. The contact sensor 31 is, for example, a capacitive sensor. The contact sensor 31 is electrically connected to the control unit 310 of the lens transport device 300 by, for example, an electric wire (not shown). The contact sensor 31 may also be a pressure sensor or the like. The anti-slip mechanism 32 may be configured to prevent the lens LE from shifting from its holding position when it is held. The anti-slip mechanism 32 is attached to the first contact member 321a, the second contact member 321b, and the third contact member 321c, respectively. The anti-slip mechanism 32 may be composed of a cushioning material such as rubber or a cushion. This allows for more stable transport of the lens LE.

[0064] The maximum width D of the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b is configured to be a size that does not exceed the diameter of the unprocessed lens LE (for example, 90 mm).

[0065] Furthermore, the insides of the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b are formed in a curved shape so as not to interfere with the cup CU (base of the cup CU) attached to the surface of the unprocessed lens LE. As a result, even if the cup CU is attached to the surface of the lens LE eccentrically, the lens LE can be transported more stably without interfering with the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6B, the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b may be equipped with a contact sensor 33 on the side facing the lens LE (downward side). The contact sensor 33 may be configured to detect when the lens LE comes into contact with the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b. The contact sensor 33 has the same configuration as the contact sensor 31, so its description is omitted. This allows, for example, the contact sensor 31 to be contacted when the lens LE is held at a large tilt, thereby detecting that it is not being held correctly and enabling more stable transport of the lens LE.

[0067] In Figure 6A, a first gap 324 is formed (secured) between the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b. A first gap 324 is also formed (secured) between the first support member 322a near the first contact member 321a and the second support member 322b near the second contact member 321. The first gap 324 is sized to allow the lens holding shaft 602 of the spectacle lens processing device 200 to pass through. Furthermore, the first gap 324 (in other words, the distance between the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b) is set to a width (for example, 30 mm) that allows the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b to contact the periphery of the processed lens LE with the minimum processing diameter.

[0068] Furthermore, in Figure 6A, a second gap 325 is formed (secured) between the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b. The second gap 325 is sized to avoid interference with the lens holding shaft 602 when the unprocessed lens LE is held on the lens holding shaft 602 at a position eccentric from the optical center of the lens LE.

[0069] Figure 7 illustrates the first gap 324 and the second gap 325. Figure 7A shows the case where the cup Cu is attached to the center (optical center) of the lens LE (in other words, the optical center of the lens LE is held by the lens holding shaft 602). Figure 7B shows the case where the cup Cu is fixed eccentrically from the center of the lens (in other words, the optical center of the lens LE is held eccentrically with respect to the lens holding shaft 602).

[0070] The first gap 324 is formed in such a way that the lens holding shaft 602 of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 can pass through. For example, in this embodiment, the diameter of the lens holding shaft 602 is 10 mm. The first gap 324 is formed between the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b. The first gap 324 is formed with a width that allows the lens holding shaft 602 to pass through (for example, a width greater than 10 mm), and with a width that allows the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b to contact the periphery of the processed lens LE with the smallest processing diameter (for example, 30 mm). As a result, as shown in Figure 7A, even when the unprocessed lens LE is held by the contact member 321, the lens holding shaft 602 can pass inside the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b.

[0071] The second gap 325 is formed between the first support member 322a, which supports the first contact member 321a, and the second support member 322b, which supports the second contact member 321b (in other words, inside the space between the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b). Furthermore, the second gap 325 is formed to a size that avoids interference with the lens holding shaft 602 when the unprocessed lens LE is held on the lens holding shaft 602 at an eccentric position from the optical center of the lens LE. As a result, as shown in Figure 7B, even when the cup Cu, which is a processing jig for the lens LE, is fixed to the unprocessed lens LE eccentrically from the lens center, the second gap 325 allows the unprocessed lens LE to be held on the lens holding shaft 602 while avoiding the lens holding shaft 602. Furthermore, the eccentricity of the cup Cu from the lens center can be obtained from lens data such as the layout data of the lens LE (for example, the positional relationship between the optical center of the lens LE and the lens shape, etc.).

[0072] For example, the size of the second gap 325 is set based on the maximum design eccentricity when the center of the cup Cu is mounted eccentrically with respect to the optical center of the lens LE (in other words, when the optical center of the lens LE is mounted eccentrically with respect to the lens holding shaft 602) and the diameter of the lens holding shaft 602. That is, the second gap 325 is sized to avoid the outer shape of the lens holding shaft 602 that holds the cup Cu, even when the center of the cup Cu is mounted on the surface of the lens LE with the maximum design eccentricity with respect to the optical center of the lens LE. For example, if the maximum design eccentricity with respect to the optical center of the lens LE is Wa, and the diameter of the lens holding shaft 602 is Ra, then the size of the second gap 325 is set to exceed the value obtained by adding the diameter Ra to twice the eccentricity Wa.

[0073] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6, the moving mechanism 323 has one end connected to the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b, and the other end connected to the first connecting arm 391. The moving mechanism 323 further includes a support member moving mechanism 326, an opening and closing mechanism 327, and so on.

[0074] The support member moving mechanism 326 is configured to move the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b as a set. The support member moving mechanism 326 further includes a parallel link mechanism 328. The parallel link mechanism 328 is configured so that when the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b come into contact with the processed lens LE, the Pb direction connecting the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b can be tilted with respect to the Pa direction (M axis direction in Figure 5B) which is perpendicular to the insertion direction (Q direction) of the lens holding portion 320. In this embodiment, the parallel link mechanism 328 also serves as a connecting portion for connecting the first support member 322a and the second contact member 321b to the support member moving mechanism 326.

[0075] The parallel link mechanism 328 further includes a guide hole 34, a pin 35, a pin stopper 36, a support member moving motor 37, etc. The guide hole 34 is formed to extend in the Q-axis direction and is configured to move the pin 35 in the Q-axis direction. The pin 35 is attached to the first support member 322a and the second contact member 321b, respectively. The pin stopper 36 is formed on the side of the pin 35 opposite to the first support member 322a. The pin fixing member 36 and the first support member 322a or the second contact member 321b sandwich the support member moving mechanism 326 via the pin 35, thereby supporting and connecting the first support member 322a or the second contact member 321b to the support member moving mechanism 326. The guide hole 34, pin 35 and pin stopper 36 are arranged in two locations on the parallel link mechanism 328, and are arranged so that each guide hole 34 is parallel to the Q-axis direction. The support member moving motor 37a moves the first support member 322a in the Q-axis direction. The support member moving motor 37b moves the second contact member 321b in the Q-axis direction. As the support member moving motors 37a and 37b are rotationally driven, the first support member 322a and the second contact member 321b1 are slid parallel to the Q-axis direction along the guide hole 34 via a conversion mechanism (a known configuration can be used, so it is not shown) that converts rotation into linear motion.

[0076] The opening / closing mechanism 327 moves the support member 322 open and closed along the direction in which the lens LE is inserted between the pair of lens holding shafts 602. In this embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 327 moves the support member moving mechanism 326 and the third support member 322c open and closed in the axial direction of the Q axis. As a result, the first contact member 321a, the second contact member 321b, and the third contact member 321c are each moved open and closed in the direction of contact with the periphery of the lens LE.

[0077] The opening / closing mechanism 327 further comprises a first rack 21, a second rack 22, an output shaft 23, an opening / closing motor 24, and the like. The first rack 21 and the second rack 22 have a rack structure with a predetermined length (for example, a length based on the maximum diameter of the unprocessed lens or the minimum diameter of the processed lens). The first rack 21 is formed on the third support member 322c side of the support member moving mechanism 326. The second rack 22 is formed on the first rack 21 side of the third support member 322c. Therefore, the first rack 21 and the second rack 22 are configured to face each other. The output shaft 23 has a gear structure. The first rack 21 and the second rack 22 and the output shaft 23 are in a rack-and-pinion relationship and mesh with each other. In other words, in this embodiment, the first rack 21 and the second rack 22 and the output shaft 23 are driven by the opening / closing motor 24, thereby creating an interlocking opening / closing mechanism that moves the support member moving mechanism 326 (in other words, the set of the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b) and the 321c that supports the third support member 322c in conjunction. The output shaft 23 is connected to the opening / closing motor 24 and rotates around its axis.

[0078] For example, when the opening / closing motor 24 is driven based on an operation signal to open or close the opening / closing mechanism 327, and the output shaft 23 is rotated, the first rack 21 and the second rack 22 that mesh with the output shaft 23 are moved in conjunction. As the first rack 21 and the second rack 22 move, the opening / closing mechanism 327 on which the first rack 21 is formed and the third support member 322c on which the second rack 23 is formed are slid laterally (in the M-axis direction) by guide rails or the like (not shown). As a result, the opening / closing mechanism 327 slides laterally (in the M-axis direction) on the same plane as the direction in which the first connecting arm 391 extends (in other words, on the same plane as the lens mounting section (lens mounting section TR10L, lens mounting section TR10R) on the tray 400, or on the same plane as the plane perpendicular to the lens holding shaft 602).

[0079] The minimum width to which the support member 322 can be opened and closed by the opening / closing mechanism 327 is set to a width that can hold at least a predetermined minimum diameter (for example, 30 mm) of the processed lens LE. The maximum width to which the support member 322 can be opened and closed by the opening / closing mechanism 327 is set to a width that can hold at least a predetermined maximum diameter (for example, 90 mm) of the processed lens LE.

[0080] Figure 8 illustrates a state in which the processed lens LE, held on the lens holding shaft 602, is held by the first lens holding part 320a. For example, the control unit 310 drives the moving part 330 of the first lens holding part 320a so that the holding center AC coincides (approximately coincides) with the center position of the lens holding shaft 602 in which the processed lens LE is held. For example, the opening / closing motor 24 of the opening / closing mechanism 327 is driven, and the support member moving mechanism 326 and the third support member 322c are moved in the direction of contact with the periphery of the lens LE. For example, in a processed lens LE with the shape shown in Figure 8, when the second contact member 321b first comes into contact with the processed lens LE, that contact is detected by the contact sensor 31 of the second contact member 321b. Next, when the third contact member 321c comes into contact with the processed lens LE, that contact is detected by the contact sensor 31 of the third contact member 321c. At this time, it is detected that the processed lens LE has come into contact with the second contact member 321b and the third contact member 321c, but contact has not yet been detected with the first contact member 321a. At this time, the support member moving motor 37a of the parallel link mechanism 328 connected to the first support member 322a is driven, and the first support member 322a is moved in the direction to come into contact with the processed lens LE. Next, when the first contact member 321a comes into contact with the processed lens LE, the contact is detected by the contact sensor 31 of the first contact member 321a. As a result, the control unit 310 confirms that the first lens holding part 320a has gripped the processed lens LE. Thus, when contact of at least the third contact member 321c is detected, and contact of either the first contact member 321a or the second contact member 321b is detected, the support member 322 that has not been detected is moved in the direction of contact with the lens LE by the drive of the parallel link mechanism 328. This makes it easier for the three contact members to reliably make contact, so that the lens holding part 320 can stably grip the lens LE.

[0081] <Tray> Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a typical tray 400 according to an embodiment.

[0082] The tray 400 has a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from above. The bottom plate TR01 is provided with a lens mounting section TR10L for placing the left eye lens LE and a lens mounting section TR10R for placing the right eye lens LE. Since the lens mounting sections TR10L and TR10R have the same configuration, the explanation will use the lens mounting section TR10L as an example.

[0083] In the center of the lens mounting section TR10L, a cup mounting section TR20 is formed where the cup CU attached to the lens LE is placed. The cup mounting section TR20 has an insertion hole TR21 into which the base 10 of the cup CU is inserted. Inside the insertion hole TR21, a key TR22 is formed into which the key groove 50b of the cup CU is fitted.

[0084] The base plate TR01 has left and right side plates TR02 and front and rear side plates TR03 formed on all four sides. The height of the front and rear side plates TR03 is lower than the height of the left and right side plates TR02, making it easier to remove the lens LE placed on the lens stand TR30 from the front or rear. In addition, trays 400 of the same shape can be stacked on top of the left and right side plates TR.

[0085] <System Control System Configuration> Figure 10 shows the overall control system configuration of the eyeglass lens processing system 10. The eyeglass lens processing system 10 includes a control device 500 that controls the entire system. The control device 500 is connected to the control unit 110 of the tray transport device 100, the control unit 210 of the eyeglass lens processing device 200, and the control unit 310 of the lens transport device 300. The connection to the control device 500 is not limited to wired connections, but may also be connected in a wireless communication manner.

[0086] The control device 500 sends operation command signals to the control units of each device in accordance with the transport process of the lens transport device 300. The control unit of each device controls the components of each device based on the command signals from the control device 500. The exchange of signals between the control unit 310 of the lens transport device 300 and the control unit 210 of the spectacle lens processing device 200 may be carried out via the control device 500 or directly without going through the control device 500.

[0087] The control device 500 is connected to the monitor 213 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 200. The control device 50 may also function as a host computer. The control device 500 is also configured to communicate with external devices via an interface and acquire lens processing information necessary for processing the periphery of the lens LE. For example, the lens processing information includes at least one of the following: the target lens shape for processing the periphery of the lens LE, layout data (data on the positional relationship of the optical center of the lens LE relative to the lens shape), and lens LE prescription data (astigmatism axis angle, prescription power for negative or positive power, etc.). The lens processing information may also be input by the monitor 213. For example, if the eyeglass lens processing system 10 is installed in an eyeglass lens processing center (a so-called lab factory), lens processing information such as lens shape and layout data is transmitted from the eyeglass store and acquired by the control device 500.

[0088] Furthermore, the control units (110, 210, 310) of each device combine the functions of an information output unit that outputs various types of information and an information acquisition unit that acquires various types of information. For example, the control unit 310 of the lens transport device 300 acquires information on the measurement results of the lens LE (optical center position, astigmatism axis angle, etc.) output from the control unit of a lens meter (not shown). Also, the control unit 210 of the spectacle lens processing device 200 acquires information on the external shape of the processed lens LE.

[0089] In this disclosure, the term "processor" refers to one or more hardware processors configured to execute program code contained in a program (i.e., one or more instructions of a program). In other words, a "processor" is a hardware device capable of executing one or more programmed processes. For example, a "processor" may be a general-purpose or application-specific processor and may be at least one of a CPU, microprocessor, GPU, and DFP (Data Flow Processor).

[0090] In this disclosure, the term “memory” refers to one or more hardware memories that are non-transitional tangible recording media configured to record at least one of computer program code and data in a manner accessible from a processor. “Memory” can be implemented by memory technologies such as SRAM, SDRAM, non-volatile / flash type memory, or other types of memory. The computer program code that constitutes the program is recorded on the memory and executed by the processor to realize various functions in the eyeglass lens processing system 10.

[0091] In this disclosure, the term “circuit” refers to one or more logic circuits as hardware, configured to enable the eyeglass lens processing system 10 to perform functions. In other words, “circuit” refers to one or more non-programmable devices. For example, “circuit” could be a custom IC designed to be non-programmable for a specific application.

[0092] In this disclosure, at least one of a circuit and a processor having memory storing computer program code enables the eyeglass lens processing system 10 to function. The expression "at least one of a circuit and a processor" should be interpreted as disjunctive (logical OR) and not as at least one circuit and at least one processor.

[0093] <Operation> The process performed by the spectacle lens processing system 10 having the above configuration will be explained with reference to the transport procedure diagram in Figure 11 and the flowchart in Figure 12. In the spectacle lens processing system 10 of this embodiment, the unprocessed lenses LE placed on the tray 400 are transported to the spectacle lens processing device 200 by the spectacle lens transport device 300. The spectacle lens processing device 200 processes the lenses LE. The processed lenses LE are then transported back to the tray 400 by the spectacle lens transport device 300. In this embodiment, processing is performed starting with the right lens LEr on the right side when viewed from the front of the tray 400, and after processing the right lens LEr is completed, processing is performed on the left lens LEl.

[0094] <Registration of work data: S1> For example, the control device 500 registers work data for lens processing. Also, a pair of left and right lenses LE, with cups CU fixed to them, are placed by the worker or the like at predetermined positions on the lens mounting section (lens mounting section TR10L, lens mounting section TR10R) on the worker tray 400 (see Figure 9). For example, the cups CU may be attached to the optical center of the lens LE, or to the eccentric center of the lens LE according to the layout data. The control device 500 identifies which position the cups CU of the lens LE placed on the tray 400 are attached to based on the ID tag 401 which stores the work number of the lens LE. In the case of an unprocessed lens LE, the optical center of the lens LE may be treated as coinciding with (or approximately coinciding with) its circular geometric center.

[0095] For example, lens data such as the lens shape data and the layout data of the lens LE (e.g., the positional relationship between the optical center of the lens LE and the lens shape) are input to the control device 500. The control device 500 assigns a work number to each input lens data and registers the work number on the ID tag 401 of the tray 400. Subsequently, the trays 400 are sequentially placed on the belt conveyor 101 by an operator or other person.

[0096] <Tray transport: S2> When the belt conveyor 101 is driven, the tray 400 is transported in the feed direction (direction of arrow A in Figure 1). Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 110, when the tray 400 reaches a predetermined position Q1, the drive is stopped. At this time, the ID tag reader 402 reads the work number of the ID tag attached to the tray 400, and this signal is input to the control device 500. The control device 500 transmits data related to the processing of the lens LE corresponding to this work number to the spectacle lens processing device 200. The control device 500 also transmits an operation start signal to the spectacle lens transport device 300.

[0097] <Holding of the unprocessed lens by the first lens holding unit: S3> When the control unit 310 of the eyeglass lens transport device 300 receives an operation start signal, it drives the moving unit 330 and starts transporting the unprocessed right lens LEr placed on the tray 400 to the eyeglass lens processing device 200.

[0098] For example, the control unit 310 controls the driving of the main body moving unit 360 and the arm moving unit 380, and moves the lens holding unit 320 onto the right lens LEr so that the holding center AC of the lens holding unit 320 coincides with (or approximately coincides with) the optical center of the right lens LEr placed on the lens mounting unit TR10R on the tray 400.

[0099] Next, the control unit 310 drives the arm vertical movement unit 381 to lower the lens holding unit 320 to a certain position on the tray 400 (for example, the height of the cup placement unit TR20). The control unit 310 drives the movement mechanism 323 of the lens holding unit 320 to move the first contact member 321a, the second contact member 321b, and the third contact member 321c in the direction of contact with the periphery of the lens LE (step: M1). As a result, the right lens LEr is clamped in the first lens holding unit 320 (step: M2).

[0100] In this case, since the opening and closing directions of the three contact members 321 and the support member 322 are in the Q direction, which is the insertion direction of the lens holding part 320, the unprocessed right lens LEr is held by the three contact members 321 without any problems. In other words, in the conventional lens holding part with two finger members, the two finger members were configured to open and close in a direction perpendicular to the Q direction. In this case, if the optical center of the unprocessed lens LE is positioned off-center to the left or right side plate TR02 side from the insertion hole TR21 of the tray 400, the finger members that open in a direction perpendicular to the Q direction may come into contact with the side plate TR02. In contrast, the three contact members 321 and support member 322 of the lens holding portion 320 of this disclosure open and close along the Q direction, and the maximum width D of the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b is set to a size that does not exceed the diameter of the unprocessed lens LE, thereby reducing the inconvenience of these members coming into contact with the side plate TR02 of the tray 400.

[0101] <Transport to the eyeglass lens processing device: S4> When the right lens LEr is held in the first lens holding part 320a, the control unit 310 of the eyeglass lens transport device 300 transports the right lens LEr to the eyeglass lens processing device 200.

[0102] For example, the control unit 310 drives the N-axis motor 384 of the arm vertical movement unit 381 to raise the first lens holding unit 320a. This allows the first lens holding unit 320a to be transported without interfering with the spectacle lens processing device 200. Next, the control unit 310 drives the main body movement unit 360 to move the main body 370 in the XY direction to near the top of the window 212 of the spectacle lens processing device 200. The stopping position of the main body 370 may be obtained in advance from the results of experiments or simulations, etc., and stored in memory (not shown).

[0103] For example, the control unit 310 drives the N-axis rotation motor 386 to rotate the first lens holder 320a by 180 degrees using the first rotation unit 385 (step: M3). Alternatively, for example, the control unit 310 drives the M-axis rotation motor 389 to rotate the first lens holder 320a by 90 degrees in the direction toward the spectacle lens processing device 200 using the second rotation unit 383 (step: M4). This rotates the first lens holder 320a in a direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the spectacle lens processing device 200 (in other words, the insertion direction toward the processing chamber 214 of the spectacle lens processing device 200). This makes it possible for the cup Cu fixed to the right lens LEr and the orientation of the left lens holder shaft 602L of the lens holder shaft 602 to face each other.

[0104] Next, the control unit 310 drives the N-axis motor 384 to lower the first lens holder 320a. For example, the control unit 310 lowers the first lens holder 320a so that the center of the cup Cu fixed to the right lens LEr held by the first lens holder 320a and the center of the lens holder shaft 602 of the spectacle lens processing device 200 are coaxial (approximately coaxial), and inserts the right lens LEr between the pair of lens holder shafts 602 (step: M5).

[0105] During this downward movement (insertion), a first gap 324 is formed between the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b, which are located closer to the lens holding shaft 602. As a result, the lens holding shaft 602 passes through the first gap 324, and the right lens LEr can be inserted between the pair of lens holding shafts 602 without interfering with the lens holding shaft 602.

[0106] Furthermore, when the cup Cu is mounted eccentrically from the optical center of the right lens LEr (in the case of a so-called frame-centered chuck), as shown in Figure 7B, after the first gap 324 formed between the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b passes through the lens holding shaft 602, the first lens holding portion 320a is moved in the X direction so that the center of the cup Cu coincides (or nearly coincides) with the center of the lens holding shaft 602. During this movement in the X direction, the second gap 325 described above is formed between the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b, so that the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b do not interfere with the lens holding shaft 602, and the right lens LEr is moved to the holding position on the lens holding shaft 602.

[0107] Next, the control unit 310 moves the first lens holding unit 320a in the direction of the left lens holding shaft 602L (Y direction) and outputs (transmits) a transport completion signal. When the control unit 210 of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 receives the transport completion signal from the spectacle lens transport apparatus 300, it drives the motor 650 to move the right lens holding shaft 602R towards the left lens holding shaft 602L (step: M6). As a result, the right lens LEr is held (chucked) by the left and right lens holding shafts 602L and 602R.

[0108] Next, when the control unit 210 confirms that the right lens LEr is held on the lens holding shaft of the eyeglass lens processing device 200, it outputs a holding completion signal. When the control unit 310 of the eyeglass lens transport device 300 receives the holding completion signal, it releases the grip of the right lens LEr by the first lens holding part 320a of the arm part 370. Next, the control unit 310 moves the first lens holding part 320a in the direction of the right lens holding shaft 602R (Y direction). After that, the control unit 310 moves the first lens holding part 320a away from the lens holding shaft 602 in the opposite direction to the movement of the first lens holding part 320a when the right lens LEr was inserted into the lens holding shaft 602. Furthermore, the control unit 310 raises and retracts the first lens holding part 320a to near the top of the window 212 of the eyeglass lens processing device 200.

[0109] The control unit 310 outputs a retraction completion signal indicating that the first lens holder 320a has been retracted. Upon receiving the retraction completion signal, the control unit 210 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 200 automatically closes the window 212 using a motor (not shown) or the like.

[0110] <Lens Processing: S5> Next, the control unit 210 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 200 processes the periphery of the lens LE with the processing tool 660 based on data relating to the processing of the right lens LEr corresponding to the work number transmitted in advance from the control device 500 (for details, please refer to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-177234). The control unit 210 also outputs a processing start signal to the control device 500.

[0111] <Preparation for the next lens processing: S6> When the control unit 310 of the spectacle lens transport device 300 receives a processing start signal, it prepares to hold the next right lens to be processed in the second lens holding unit 320b while the right lens LEr is being processed.

[0112] The control unit 310 drives the M-axis rotation motor 389 and rotates the first lens holder 320a by 90 degrees in the opposite direction to step M4 using the second rotation unit 383. As a result, the first lens holder 320a is rotated in a direction parallel to the mounting surface.

[0113] Next, the control unit 310 drives the moving unit 330 to move the first lens holder 320a to a predetermined position on the lens mounting unit TR10L on the tray 400 where it can hold the left lens LEl. Then, the control unit 310 moves the first lens holder 320a to hold the left lens LEl in the first lens holder 320a in the same manner as when the right lens LEr was held in the first lens holder 320a. After that, the control unit 310 controls the drive of the moving unit 330 to move the first lens holder 320a to the position where it was retracted in step S4.

[0114] Next, the control unit 310 drives the M-axis rotation motor 389 in preparation for holding the processed right lens LEr processed by the spectacle lens processing device 200 with the second lens holder 320b, and the second rotation unit 383 rotates the second lens holder 320b by 90 degrees in the direction toward the spectacle lens processing device 200. As a result, the second lens holder 320b is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the spectacle lens processing device 200 (in other words, toward the processing chamber 214 of the spectacle lens processing device 200). The control unit 310 drives the moving unit 330 to position the second lens holder 320b in the position where the first lens holder 320a was retracted in step S4. Therefore, the second lens holder 320b is positioned in the position where the first lens holder 320a was retracted in step S4.

[0115] <Removal of processed lens: S7> When the processing of the right lens LEr is complete, the control unit 210 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 200 automatically opens the window 312 by a motor (not shown) and outputs a processing completion signal.

[0116] When the control unit 310 receives a processing completion signal from the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200, it controls the drive of the N-axis motor 384 and other components of the moving unit 330 to lower the second lens holder 320b and move the second lens holder 320b so that its holding center AC is located at the center of the lens holder shaft 602. At this time, the second lens holder 320b is moved so that the lens holder shaft 602 passes through the first gap 324 formed between the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b. Next, the control unit 310 moves the second lens holder 320b toward the processed lens LE held by the lens holder shaft 602. After that, the control unit 310 drives each motor of the support member moving mechanism 326 and moves the three contact members 321 in the closing direction so that the processed right lens LEr is held by the second lens holder 320b (step: M7).

[0117] Furthermore, depending on the state in which the three contact members 321 contact the lens shape of the processed lens, there is a possibility that the processed lens may fall during transport. In other words, if the positional relationship of the processed lens with respect to the holding positions of the three contact members 321 can change (in other words, if the processed lens may be misaligned when held by the contact members 321), there is a possibility that the processed lens may fall during transport. Therefore, the control unit 310 determines, based on the lens shape TL, whether or not the processed lens held on the lens holding shaft 602 may be misaligned when held by the contact members 321.

[0118] Figure 13 illustrates the determination of whether or not misalignment of a processed lens may occur. Figure 13A shows an example of a case in which misalignment of a processed lens may occur. In Figure 13A, the processed lens with a lens-shaped TL is assumed to be held on the lens holding shaft 602 with the holding center AC of the lens holding part 320 coinciding with the center of the lens holding shaft 602. In Figure 13A, the holding center AC, which coincides with the center of the lens holding shaft 602, is considered the origin in the x and y directions. The processed lens (lens-shaped TL) is held by the three first contact members 321a, the second contact member 321b, and the third contact member 321c moving toward the holding center AC along the y direction, which is the direction of movement (Q direction). At this time, holding forces F1, F2, and F3 are applied to the contact points P1 of the first contact member 321a, P2 of the second contact member 321b, and P3 of the third contact member 321c, respectively, along the y-direction. The holding forces F1, F2, and F3 are of the same magnitude.

[0119] For example, with respect to the holding forces F1, F2, and F3, the x-vector components fx1, fx2, and fx3 in the x-direction toward the normal direction of the lens shape TL at each contact point are determined. Then, if the sum of these (considering the positive / negative direction of the x-vector components) exceeds the allowable limit, it is determined that displacement of the processed lens may occur. Alternatively, instead of determining the x-vector components fx1, fx2, and fx3, if the sum of the angles β1, β2, and β3 in the direction normal to the y-direction at the contact points P1, P2, and P3 (considering the positive / negative angle relative to the y-direction) exceeds the allowable limit, it may be determined that displacement of the processed lens may occur. In the example in Figure 13A, the x-vector components fx1, fx2, and fx3 are all negative components in the x-direction, and the angles β1, β2, and β3 in the normal direction are angles in the direction of arrow B, which is negative with respect to the y-axis, the processed lens may be displaced in the direction of arrow B.

[0120] If it is determined that a displacement of the processed lens may occur, the control unit 310 determines the rotation angle of the processed lens in a state where no displacement occurs. For example, Figure 13B shows a typical example of a state in which no displacement of the processed lens occurs, where the lens shape TL is rotated by angle α compared to Figure 13A. In this case, the x-vector component fx1 at contact point P1 and the x-vector component fx2 at contact point P2 have opposite positive / negative directions and are approximately the same in magnitude, and the x-vector component fx3 at contact point 3 is approximately zero. Therefore, the sum of these is approximately zero, and the state in which no displacement of the processed lens occurs is determined. Also, when determining by the angles β1, β2, and β3 in the normal direction, the sum of these values ​​is also approximately zero. After determining the rotation angle α as illustrated in Figure 13B, the control unit 210 controls the rotation unit 656 to adjust the rotation angle of the lens holding shaft 602 in the initial standby state and put it into standby mode.

[0121] The calculation method described above is merely one example. The determination of whether the positional relationship of the processed lens with respect to the contact member 321 can change, and the rotation angle of the processed lens when that positional relationship remains unchanged, can be determined based on the positional relationship and normal direction of each contact point of each contact member 321 with respect to the lens shape TL.

[0122] When the control unit 310 confirms that it has gripped (held) the processed right lens LEr, it outputs a gripping completion signal. When the control unit 210 of the eyeglass lens processing device 200 receives the gripping completion signal, it drives the motor 650 to release the gripping (chucking) of the right lens LEr (step: M8). The control unit 310 of the eyeglass lens transport device 300 also moves the second lens holding part 320b toward the right lens holding shaft 602R (step: M9), and raises the second lens holding part 320b to remove the right lens LEr from the eyeglass lens processing device 200 (step: M10).

[0123] <Lens replacement by lens holder: S8> The control unit 310 drives the M-axis rotation motor 389 and rotates the second lens holder 320b by the second rotation unit 383 in the opposite direction to step M6 by 180 degrees. As a result, the first lens holder 320a is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the spectacle lens processing device 200 (in other words, in the direction toward the processing chamber 214 of the spectacle lens processing device 200). The control unit 310 also controls the drive of the moving unit 330 so that the first lens holder 320a is once again positioned in the location where it was retracted in step S4 (step: M11).

[0124] Subsequently, the control unit 310 moves the first lens holder 320a in essentially the same operation as in steps M6 and M7 described above, so that the left lens LEl held in the first lens holder 320a is held by the lens holder shaft 602 (steps: M10, M11).

[0125] When the control unit 210 of the eyeglass lens processing apparatus 200 confirms that the left lens LEl is held in the lens holding shaft 602, it processes the periphery of the left lens LEl based on the processing data for the left lens LEl corresponding to the work number transmitted in advance. For example, the control unit 210 also outputs a processing start signal.

[0126] <Transport of processed lenses to tray: S9> When the control unit 310 of the eyeglass lens transport device 300 receives a processing start signal, it transports the processed right lens LEr to the tray 400 while the left lens LEl is being processed. That is, the control unit 310 drives the M-axis rotation motor 389 and rotates the second lens holder 320b by 90 degrees in the opposite direction to step M4 using the second rotation unit 383. As a result, the second lens holder 320b is rotated in a direction parallel to the installation surface (in other words, the cup Cu attached to the right lens LEr is rotated downward (Y direction)).

[0127] Next, the control unit 310 controls the drive of the moving unit 330 and moves the second lens holding unit 320b so that it aligns (approximately aligns) with the predetermined position for placing the right lens LEr on the lens mounting unit TR10R on the tray 400. In the same manner as the transport of the right lens LEr, the control unit 310 releases the gripping of the right lens LEr by the second lens holding unit 320b.

[0128] Once the processing of the left lens LEl is complete, the control unit 210 of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200 outputs a processing completion signal and transports the left lens LEl to a predetermined position on the tray 400, similar to the right lens LEr. Thereafter, the transport and processing of the lenses LE placed on each tray 400 are automatically repeated.

[0129] <Example of Modification> In the eyeglass lens processing system 10 of this embodiment, the main body moving section 360 of the moving section 330 of the eyeglass lens transport device 300 is configured such that the main body 370 (base of the arm) is moved two-dimensionally in the XY direction by a first rail 61 extending in a first direction and a second rail 65 extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, but it is not limited to this. For example, the main body moving section 360 may be composed of a first rail 61 extending in a first direction and a rotation mechanism in which the first rail rotates with respect to the center of the first direction, so that the arm beyond the main body 370 is moved two-dimensionally in the XY direction.

[0130] Furthermore, in the eyeglass lens processing system 10 of this embodiment, the movable part 330 of the eyeglass lens transport device 300 is configured to include a main body movable part 360 that moves the main body part 370 (base of the arm part) in two dimensions, but it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the eyeglass lens transport device 300 may be configured to include a movable part 700 which is composed of a robot with a multi-joint arm. In this case, the base 701 of the movable part 700 is fixed to a ceiling member 340a attached to the upper end of the support column 340, so that the installation position 331 of the movable part 700 is in the upper space above the housing 211 (or processing chamber 214) of the eyeglass lens processing device 200. Also, the base 701 of the movable part 700 is configured to be suspended from the ceiling member 340a. In this case, the ceiling member 340a is a component of the support that supports the movable part 330 at the installation position 331, similar to the support column 340.

[0131] Furthermore, the installation position 331 of the movable part 700 shown in Figure 14 is not limited to the ceiling (ceiling member 340a) of the support column 340, and the base 701 of the movable part 700 may be supported by a side wall. In this case as well, the installation position 331 of the base 701 is in the upper space above the housing 211 (or processing chamber 214) of the spectacle lens processing apparatus 200.

[0132] Furthermore, although an example in which the eyeglass lens processing system 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 211 for the eyeglass lens processing device 200 has been described, the invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 15, the eyeglass lens processing device 200 itself does not have a housing 211, and a cover 800 is provided on all four sides and the top, including a support column 340 which is an example of a support part, and this can serve as a substitute for the housing 211 of the eyeglass lens processing device 200. In Figure 15, an opening and closing door 810 is provided on the side cover 800 on the side where the tray 400 is placed, and it opens and closes automatically in accordance with the insertion and removal of the lens holding part 320. In the case of Figure 15, the installation position of the movable part 330 is in the upper space above the processing chamber 214 of the eyeglass lens processing device 200.

[0133] Furthermore, in the lens holding portion 320 of the embodiment described above, the support member moving mechanism 326 is configured to move the first support member 322a and the second support member 322b individually by motors 37a and 37b, but it is not limited to this. For example, when the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b come into contact with the processed lens in a first direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the lens holding portion 320, the second direction connecting the first contact member 321a and the second contact member 321b may be configured by a parallel link mechanism that can be tilted. In this case, motors 37a and 37b are unnecessary, and the first support member 322a, the second support member 322b and the third support member 322c are moved individually by a single opening / closing motor 25, so the weight of the lens holding portion 320 can be reduced.

[0134] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the lens holding portion 320 is configured to include at least three contact members 321 and a moving mechanism that opens and closes each contact member 321, and the periphery of the lens LE is held by opening and closing the contact members 321, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the lens holding portion 320 may be configured to include a suction portion 922 that adsorbs the refractive surface (rear surface or front surface of the lens) of the lens LE, as shown in Figure 16. The suction portion 922 is attached to a block 921 fixed to the tip of the connecting arm 390 of the moving portion 330. The suction force from a suction source (e.g., a compressor) 923 is applied to the suction portion 922 via a suction path provided in the connecting arm 390 and the block 921, so that the lens LE is adsorbed and held by the suction portion 922.

[0135] Furthermore, in the eyeglass lens processing system 10 of this embodiment, the eyeglass lens transport device 300 may transport the right lens Ler to the tray 400 while the left lens Ler is being processed, then grasp the right lens Ler from the next tray 400 and transport it to the position of the eyeglass lens processing device 200. This allows the eyeglass lens processing device 200 to process lenses LE continuously.

[0136] In the eyeglass lens processing system 10 of this embodiment, if the distance between the lens holding shafts 602L and 602R of the lens holding section 602 is narrow, an acquisition means (for example, a control device 500) for acquiring curve information of the refractive surface of the eyeglass lens may be provided, and the moving section 330 may be moved taking into account the acquired curve of the refractive surface of the eyeglass lens. This makes it easier to avoid interference with the lens holding section 602.

[0137] 10 Eyeglass lens processing system 100 Tray transport device 200 Eyeglass lens processing device 300 Eyeglass lens transport device 320 Lens holding unit 330 Moving unit 340 Support column 350 Connecting unit 370 Main body 390 Connecting arm 400 Tray 500 Control device

Claims

1. An eyeglass lens transport device for transporting eyeglass lenses to an eyeglass lens holding position on a pair of lens holding shafts of an eyeglass lens processing device, comprising: a lens holding section for holding the eyeglass lenses; and a moving section having a drive source and configured to move the lens holding section relative to the lens holding shafts by the drive source, wherein the installation position of the moving section is provided in the space above the housing or processing chamber of the eyeglass lens processing device.

2. An eyeglass lens transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a support portion configured to support the movable portion at the installation position.

3. An eyeglass lens transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable part is suspended and supported at the installation position by the support part.

4. An eyeglass lens transport device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the support portion comprises a connecting portion that is detachably connected to the eyeglass lens processing device.

5. An eyeglass lens transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moving part comprises an arm connected to the lens holding part, an arm moving part configured to move the arm relative to a main body that movably holds the arm, and a main body moving part configured to move the main body two-dimensionally in the upper space and on a plane parallel to the installation surface on which the eyeglass lens processing device is installed, and the main body is suspended and supported by the main body moving part.

6. An eyeglass lens transport device according to claim 5, wherein the arm moving part is configured to move the arm part in the vertical direction.

7. An eyeglass lens transport device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the arm portion is provided with at least two arms, each of which is provided with a lens holding portion, and the arm moving portion is configured to move the at least two arms so as to individually or integrally change the position of each of the lens holding portions relative to the arm portion.

8. The spectacle lens transport device according to claim 7, comprising control means, wherein the at least two arms comprise a first arm and a second arm different from the first arm, the lens holding portion comprises a first lens holding portion provided on the first arm and a second lens holding portion provided on the second arm, and the control means controls the drive of the moving portion such that, after the processed lens located at the spectacle lens holding position of the spectacle lens processing device is held by the first lens holding portion provided on the first arm and the processed lens is removed from the spectacle lens holding position, the unprocessed lens held by the second lens holding portion of the second arm is moved to the spectacle lens holding position.

9. An eyeglass lens transport device according to claim 8, wherein the control means controls the moving part to hold the unprocessed eyeglass lens placed at a predetermined lens standby position with a surface parallel to the lens mounting surface; transports the eyeglass lens from the predetermined lens standby position to the eyeglass lens processing device so that the arm part does not interfere with the eyeglass lens processing device; rotates the arm so that the refractive surface of the eyeglass lens is perpendicular to the lens holding axis of the eyeglass lens processing device, thereby holding the eyeglass lens on the lens holding axis; and after the processing of the eyeglass lens is completed by the eyeglass lens processing device, moves the processed eyeglass lens to the lens standby position.

10. An eyeglass lens transport system comprising an eyeglass lens processing device for processing the periphery of an eyeglass lens with a processing tool, characterized in that it comprises the eyeglass lens transport device described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An eyeglass lens transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lens holding portion comprises: at least three contact members for holding an eyeglass lens by contacting the periphery of the eyeglass lens; support members for supporting each of the contact members; and a moving mechanism for moving each of the support members so that each of the contact members is moved to open and close in the direction of contact with the periphery of the eyeglass lens, wherein a first gap is formed between a first contact member and a second contact member among the at least three contact members; a second gap is formed between a first support member that supports the first contact member and a second support member that supports the second contact member among the support members; the first gap is sized to allow the lens holding shaft to pass through; and the second gap is sized to avoid interference with the lens holding shaft even when an unprocessed eyeglass lens is held on the lens holding shaft at a position eccentric from the optical center of the eyeglass lens.

12. An eyeglass lens transport device according to claim 11, wherein the moving mechanism further comprises an opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes the support member along the insertion direction when inserting an eyeglass lens between the pair of lens holding shafts.

13. An eyeglass lens transport device according to claim 12, wherein the first contact member and the second contact member are arranged in the insertion direction toward the lens holding axis with respect to the holding center of the lens holding portion, and the third contact member among at least three contact members is arranged on the opposite side from the first contact member and the second contact member with respect to the holding center of the lens holding portion.

14. An eyeglass lens transport device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the maximum outer width of the first support member and the second support member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first support member and the second support member is configured to not exceed the diameter of the unprocessed eyeglass lens.

15. An eyeglass lens transport device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the first gap is formed with a width that allows the first contact member and the second contact member to contact the periphery of a processed eyeglass lens of the minimum processing diameter.

16. An eyeglass lens transport device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the moving mechanism is driven by a drive unit and comprises an interlocking opening and closing mechanism that interlocks the opening and closing of the set of the first support member and the second support member and the third support member that supports the third contact member.

17. An eyeglass lens processing system comprising: an eyeglass lens transport device according to any one of claims 11 to 16; and an eyeglass lens processing device for processing an eyeglass lens held on a lens holding shaft with a processing tool, wherein the eyeglass lens processing device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring the lens shape of the peripheral processing of the eyeglass lens; a rotation means for rotating the lens holding shaft; and a control means, wherein the control means determines, based on the lens shape, whether the positional relationship of the processed eyeglass lens with respect to the contact member can change when the processed eyeglass lens held on the lens holding shaft rotated to a standby rotation angle is held by the contact member provided by the eyeglass lens transport device; if it is determined that the positional relationship can change, it determines the rotation angle of the processed eyeglass lens in a state where the positional relationship remains unchanged; and controls the rotation means based on the determined rotation angle to adjust the rotation angle of the lens holding shaft and put it into standby mode.

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