Vacuum Gripper Singulation of Contact Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses, face challenges in efficiently singulating lenses from high-density buffers, where multiple lenses are stacked tightly in storage liquids, leading to unspecific gripping and subsequent difficulties in separating individual lenses.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a liquid-filled vessel with turbulent flow and a vacuum gripper with a small suction surface is used to separate and remove individual contact lenses from the turbulent flow, allowing for precise singulation and integration into automated production processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional gripper with large suction surface is used to grip lenses from high-density buffer, then multiple lenses can be gripped simultaneously, but individual lens singulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The suction surface is segmented into multiple independent suction zones (first suction zone and second suction zone) that can operate independently. This allows the gripper to selectively grip individual lenses or multiple lenses at different positions, enabling both batch gripping and individual singulation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the suction surface have different properties - the first suction zone has a first suction force and the second suction zone has a second suction force. By applying different suction forces to different zones, the system can adapt to different gripping requirements (individual vs. batch) without changing the physical gripper structure.
2Productivity
If multiple lenses are gripped simultaneously, then handling efficiency increases, but precise placement of individual lenses decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction surface is divided into multiple independently controllable suction zones, allowing selective activation of specific zones for precise placement operations or simultaneous activation for batch handling, thus achieving both precision and efficiency as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction forces in different zones can be dynamically adjusted and controlled independently. This dynamic control enables the system to switch between gripping individual lenses for precise placement and gripping multiple lenses simultaneously for efficient batch handling.
3Measurement precision
If a small suction surface vacuum gripper is used to remove individual lenses from turbulent flow, then precise singulation is achieved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex small suction surface, the invention adds a spatial dimension by creating multiple suction zones arranged in specific patterns on the gripper surface. This dimensional approach simplifies the overall structure while achieving precise singulation through selective zone activation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient and precise singulation of contact lenses from high-density buffers, reducing the need for complex logistics and specialized equipment, and improving production flexibility by allowing for easy separation and handling of individual lenses.
Implementation Method 1
an attachment surface for a contact lens and in which there are one or more openings through which an underpressure can be applied in order to suck the contact lens onto the attachment surface
Implementation Method 2
A device comprising a liquid-filled vessel with turbulent flow and a vacuum gripper with a small suction surface is used to separate and remove individual contact lenses from the turbulent flow
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a device for singulating ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses. The method and the device are suitable for integration into an automated production of ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses.