Adapter Ring Geometry for Uniform Optical Element Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating stations struggle to maintain uniform coating thickness across optical elements with varying diameters and shapes due to the use of adapter rings that disrupt the equidistance from the vaporization source, leading to non-uniform coating quality.
Innovation Solution
An adapter ring design with an inner support portion aligned at the same level as the sheet carrier's shoulder, ensuring consistent distance from the vaporization source for both standard and non-standard diameter optical elements, and optionally using flexible elastic elements for secure holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adapter rings are used to hold optical elements with non-standard diameter, then the capacity of the dome can be optimized for varying diameters and shapes, but the distance from the optical elements to the vaporization source becomes non-uniform, affecting coating quality
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter ring solution moves the problem from a two-dimensional plane (opening level) to a three-dimensional space by adding a vertical support portion. This support portion extends upward from the adapter ring to reach the shoulder level of the opening, thereby maintaining equidistance from the vaporization source while accommodating non-standard diameters. The vertical dimension resolves the contradiction by allowing different optical element sizes without compromising coating uniformity.
2Reliability
If flexible springs shaped like clamping arms are used to hold optical elements with non-standard shape, then the optical elements can be securely fixed, but the weight of the dome increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the clamping function from flexible springs and relocates it to the rigid adapter ring structure. The adapter ring's outer portion, when inserted into the opening, provides a mechanical stop that prevents the optical element from moving radially outward. This eliminates the need for additional flexible spring components, thereby reducing the overall weight of the dome while maintaining secure fixation through the geometric constraint of the adapter ring opening.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adapter rings with inner support portion at a different level are used, then non-standard diameter optical elements can be held, but the coating thickness becomes non-uniform due to disrupted equidistance from vaporization source
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter ring is designed with its inner support portion extending to the exact same vertical level as the shoulder of the opening. This ensures that optical elements of any diameter, when held by the adapter ring, maintain the same distance from the vaporization source as standard optical elements held directly in the opening. By equalizing the vertical position (creating equipotentiality in terms of distance from the vaporization source), the invention ensures uniform coating thickness across all optical elements regardless of their diameter.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to an optical elements holder device (11) for a coating station (5) comprising at least one sheet carrier (21) having individual openings (23), said opening (23) having in its inner face at least one shoulder (25) configured to hold an optical element (3) such as lenses during a coating procedure, said sheet carrier (21) presenting the shape of a dome or a part of a dome which is mounted above a vaporization source (9) so that the optical elements (3) are oriented towards said vaporization source (9), wherein it also comprises at least one adapter ring (31b) comprising an outer portion (33) configured to be supported by the at least one shoulder (25) of the opening (23) of the sheet carrier (21).