Lens dyeing method and apparatus for producing a dyeing base body for dyeing lenses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dyeing spectacle lenses, such as the vapor deposition transfer method, face challenges in achieving uniform color density due to differences in curvature and power, leading to irregular dye deposition on lenses with varying shapes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine and apply a print area on a dyeing base body with a diameter larger than the lens surface, featuring concentrically changing color density from the central to the peripheral portion, using sublimable dyes applied under vacuum conditions to ensure uniform dye deposition across the lens surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a uniform print area is applied on the dyeing base body, then the dyeing process is simple, but the color density becomes non-uniform on lenses with high curvature or power due to distance differences from the base body to lens surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the color density of the print area according to position. The central portion has lower color density while the peripheral portion has higher color density, matching the distance characteristics from the base body to different regions of the lens. This ensures that after vapor deposition, the color density becomes uniform across the entire lens surface despite the curvature and power differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of color density distribution in the print area from uniform to non-uniform. Specifically, it adjusts the concentration of sublimable dyes in different regions of the print area, creating a gradient distribution that compensates for the geometric distance variations between the base body and lens surfaces, thereby achieving uniform color density on the finished lens.
2Quantity of substance
If the print area diameter is made equal to the lens surface diameter, then the material usage is efficient, but the dyeing quality deteriorates due to insufficient coverage of distance variations across the lens surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the print area diameter beyond the lens surface diameter and applies local quality by creating a gradient color density distribution. The peripheral regions of the extended print area have higher color density to compensate for the greater distance from the base body, ensuring uniform dye deposition across the entire lens surface while maintaining material efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If the color density is uniform across the print area, then the printing process is simple, but the vapor deposition results in non-uniform color density on the lens due to varying distances from the base body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making the color density in the print area non-uniform, with the central portion having lower color density and the peripheral portion having higher color density. This compensates for the distance variations during vapor deposition, ensuring that the final lens achieves uniform color density across its surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the color density distribution in the print area before vapor deposition. By creating a non-uniform color density pattern in advance that accounts for the expected distance variations, the system ensures that the final deposited color on the lens is uniform, eliminating the need for post-processing adjustments.
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 method ensures almost uniform color density on spectacle lenses regardless of their power or curvature, minimizing differences in color density between the central and peripheral portions, thus improving dyeing consistency and quality.
Implementation Method 1
heating the base body to deposit the dye onto the spectacle lens
Implementation Method 2
vapor deposition transfer dyeing method... depositing dyes onto the lens
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5B
AI summary
A lens dyeing method comprising the steps of (a) determining a print area (2) to be formed on a dyeing base body (1) based on information entered to dye a predetermined area of a surface of a lens (10) to be dyed with desired hue and almost uniform color density so that the print area has a diameter larger than that of the lens surface area and the color density of the print area concentrically changes from a central portion to a peripheral portion in a stepwise or linear manner; (b) applying a dyeing ink containing a sublimable dye onto the base body to form the determined print area on one surface of the base body; and (c) placing the base body and the lens so that the print area formed surface and the lens surface area to be dyed face each other in noncontact relation under substantially a vacuum condition, and heating the base body to deposit the dye onto the lens.