Lens Cleaning Conveyor With Back-and-Forth Motion for High Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning machines for lenses are either inefficient or require complex designs that hinder high throughput and optimal cleaning, lacking a simple and compact solution for thorough lens cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning machine with a conveying device that moves lenses through multiple stations sequentially, alternating directions, and incorporates a cleaning chamber design with a collection area integrated into the cleaning station, eliminating the need for separate tanks and allowing for intermittent conveying speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lenses are conveyed continuously through cleaning stations, then throughput is improved, but cleaning thoroughness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying device alternates between forward and backward movement directions, creating periodic action that allows the lens to be cleaned thoroughly on both sides during each cycle, while maintaining continuous operation for high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying device is designed to be movable and changeable in direction, allowing it to adapt its motion pattern dynamically between forward and backward movements to optimize both cleaning effectiveness and production efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If separate tanks are used for cleaning agents, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection area is integrated directly into the cleaning station design, merging the functions of cleaning agent application and collection into a single unit, thereby eliminating the need for separate external tanks and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The collection area serves multiple functions: it collects cleaning agents, stores them for reuse, and integrates with the cleaning station operation, allowing a single component to perform what would traditionally require multiple separate systems
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple cleaning stations are used, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single conveying device performs the work of multiple stations by alternating its movement direction, dynamically switching between forward and backward motion to clean different sides of the lens, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate cleaning stations and reducing device complexity
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
Enables thorough and intensive lens cleaning with high throughput in a simple and compact design, optimizing cleaning efficiency and reducing the complexity of the machine.
Implementation Method 1
the lens is conveyed through the cleaning station(s) by means of the conveying device and is moved back and forth temporarily, particularly by means of the conveying device, during the cleaning process within the cleaning station
Implementation Method 2
cleaning by mechanical treatment with a cleaning device, such as a brush, mechanical and/or chemical cleaning by the use of a cleaning agent
Implementation Method 3
cleaning by applying a stream of air or gas, for example by a blower and/or for drying
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A cleaning machine and a method for cleaning lenses are proposed, wherein the lenses are conveyed by means of a conveying device in one conveying direction through several horizontally divided cleaning stations and are moved back and forth in the cleaning stations simultaneously parallel to the conveying direction during a cleaning process.