Double Lens Holder Angular Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens holder devices for optical lenses in processing machines are inefficient in reducing tank size while maintaining treatment quality and preventing swinging movements during conveyor carriage direction changes, which limits the number of lenses that can be immersed simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A lens holder device with a body extending between two locations, featuring elastic return means and support points to secure lenses without obstructing optical faces, and a hook mechanism to stabilize the device on the conveyor carriage, allowing for reduced tank width and increased lens capacity without compromising treatment quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the tank size is reduced to optimize machine footprint, then the processing machine size is reduced, but the lens loading capacity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank sizeVSAvoidlens loading capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The lens holder device is divided into two separate holding locations (first and second locations) positioned at different angular positions relative to the support. This segmentation allows lenses to be held in distributed positions, maximizing the use of available tank space while maintaining adequate spacing for treatment quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes angular positioning in three-dimensional space around the support, rather than simply linear arrangement. By positioning lenses at different angular positions (with specific angular differences specified), the device effectively uses the radial dimension to increase loading capacity within the constrained tank cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the hook mechanism is added to prevent swinging movements, then the stability during direction changes is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability during direction changesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hook mechanism acts as a counterbalancing element that prevents swinging movements of the lens holder device during direction changes of the conveyor carriage. The hook engages with the support structure to provide stabilizing force counteracting the inertial forces generated during acceleration and deceleration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Measurement precision

If the body is positioned outside the volume between the two locations, then optical measurements are not hindered, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical measurement qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lens holder device body is segmented into distinct functional zones: the holding locations for lenses and the body structure for support and optical measurements. By positioning the body outside the volume between the two lens locations, the patent ensures that optical measurement paths remain clear while the body provides structural support and mounting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 a compact processing machine design with improved stability and increased lens loading capacity, maintaining treatment quality by preventing liquid film formation and allowing for parallel positioning of lenses, thus optimizing the processing of multiple lenses simultaneously.

Implementation Method 1

elastic return means giving a second and third point of support for the glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The hook makes it possible to overcome the swinging movements which could be generated during a change of direction of the conveyor carriage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2643097B1Double lens-holding device
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 SCL INT SPECIAL COATING LAB
  • EP2643097B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2643097B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2643097B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a lens-holding device (1) intended to be hooked on a mounting (101) of a conveyor carriage for transporting optical lenses (10) in order for said lenses to be treated by immersion in at least one bath of a treatment machine. The lens-holding device (1) is hooked on in such a way as to form an alignment of devices together with a group of other similar devices in a predetermined direction. The lens-holding device (1) comprises: means (3) for hanging same from the mounting (101); first means (4a) for holding a first optical lens (10) in position on the lens-holding device (1), which include supporting points (a, b, c) defining a first space for the first lens (10); and second means (4b) for holding a second optical lens (10) in position on the lens-holding device (1), which include supporting points (a, b, c) defining a second space for the second lens (10), the two spaces being arranged respectively in two planes separated by an angular distance of less than 30° and forming an angle of less than 30° relative to the direction defined by the alignment of the group of lens-holding devices (1).