Eyeglasses Lens Processing System Shaft Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The eyeglasses manufacturing process is time-consuming due to the sequential use of multiple apparatuses for measuring, aligning, and processing eyeglasses lenses, leading to inefficiencies and prolonged production times.

Innovation Solution

An integrated eyeglasses lens processing system that includes a shaft alignment apparatus with a lens support mechanism, image data obtaining mechanism, and edge information measurement, allowing for non-contact measurement and processing of eyeglasses lenses, reducing the need for sequential apparatus use and streamlining the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple specialized apparatuses are used sequentially for measuring and processing eyeglasses lenses, then measurement precision and processing quality are improved, but the overall manufacturing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens processing qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple specialized apparatuses (shaft alignment apparatus, edge information measurement apparatus, and peripheral edge processing apparatus) into a single integrated eyeglasses lens processing system. This merging allows sequential operations to be performed in an integrated manner, reducing the overall manufacturing time while maintaining the precision capabilities of each individual component through coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system enables continuous operation where the shaft alignment, edge information measurement, and peripheral edge processing are performed in a continuous workflow without the delays associated with transferring lenses between separate apparatuses. The system maintains continuous useful action by eliminating idle time and ensuring each processing stage immediately follows the previous one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized apparatuses are used for lens processing, then functional capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated eyeglasses lens processing system is designed to perform multiple functions (shaft alignment, edge information measurement, and peripheral edge processing) within a single apparatus. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate specialized apparatuses, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining comprehensive processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By merging the functions of multiple specialized apparatuses into one integrated system, the patent reduces device complexity. The combined system manages diverse processing functions through a unified structure and control mechanism, eliminating the complexity of coordinating multiple independent apparatuses while preserving all necessary processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If sequential processing steps are performed using separate apparatuses, then operational precision is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge information accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated system maintains measurement precision by performing edge information measurement immediately before processing without interruption or repositioning. This continuous workflow eliminates the loss of time associated with transferring lenses between apparatuses, thereby improving productivity while preserving the accuracy of edge information measurement through uninterrupted operational flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs shaft alignment and edge information measurement as preliminary actions within the same integrated apparatus before peripheral edge processing begins. This preliminary action is completed in continuity without apparatus changes, ensuring measurement precision is maintained while accelerating the overall process by eliminating transfer time and setup delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3495093B1Eyeglasses lens processing system and eyeglasses lens processing method
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP3495093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3495093B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3495093B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shaft alignment apparatus includes a shaft alignment position setting portion for setting a shaft alignment position being an attachment position with respect to an eyeglasses lens of a lens holding portion that clamps and holds the eyeglasses lens in order to process a peripheral edge of the eyeglasses lens, and an edge information obtaining portion for obtaining edge information about an edge of the eyeglasses lens.