Ophthalmic Lens Gripper Liquid Immersion Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grippers for ophthalmic lenses immersed in liquid cause drying out and strong adhesion issues during removal and transport, which can damage the lenses and hinder reliable release.
Innovation Solution
A gripper design that sucks the lens and surrounding liquid into its interior space, using underpressure and overpressure mechanisms with a piston and screen/mesh material to maintain immersion and prevent adhesion, allowing for safe transport and controlled release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum is applied through the interior of the gripper to suck the lens against the distal end face, then the lens is reliably grasped and retained during removal from liquid, but the lens may dry out during transport which can damage the lens or render it useless
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces liquid as an intermediary substance between the lens and the gripper's distal end face. The liquid fills the interior space of the gripper and maintains contact with the lens during transport, preventing the lens from drying out while the vacuum maintains grasping force. This mediator (liquid) resolves the contradiction by allowing vacuum retention without causing harmful drying effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment by filling the gripper's interior space with liquid (such as storage buffer or treatment liquid) that maintains the lens in a hydrated state. This liquid environment acts as a protective atmosphere that prevents harmful evaporation and drying during the transport phase, while still allowing the vacuum mechanism to function effectively for grasping.
2Reliability
If vacuum is applied to suck the lens against the distal end face, then the lens is securely held during transport, but the lens may strongly adhere to the distal end face so that it is not reliably released upon application of overpressure
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid in the gripper's interior space acts as a release agent that prevents strong adhesion between the lens and the distal end face. When overpressure is applied for release, the liquid layer facilitates easy separation of the lens from the gripper surface, resolving the contradiction between secure holding during transport and easy release at the destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the interface between lens and gripper by introducing liquid. This liquid layer modifies the adhesion characteristics, allowing strong holding force during vacuum application while enabling easy release when overpressure is applied, thus resolving the contradiction between secure transport and reliable release.
3Ease of operation
If the gripper is designed with openings in the distal end face for vacuum application, then the lens can be effectively grasped, but the structure becomes more complex and may compromise the sealing required for vacuum maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end face with openings serves multiple functions: it allows vacuum application for grasping, permits liquid to surround the lens completely, and enables overpressure application for release. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the same structural feature serve both grasping effectiveness and simplified construction purposes.
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
Prevents lens drying and adhesion, ensuring reliable grasping, transport, and release without damage, suitable for mass production and various container types.
Implementation Method 1
suction means for generating suction in an interior space of the housing to suck the lens and an amount of liquid in which the lens is immersed into the interior space of the housing through the opening at the distal end
Implementation Method 2
pressure means for generating positive pressure in the interior space of the housing to release the lens from the interior space of the housing through the opening at the distal end
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A gripper (2) for grasping an ophthalmic lens immersed in a liquid (L), in particular for a contact lens (CL) such as a soft contact lens, the gripper (2) including: - a housing (20) having an opening (200) arranged at the distal end of the housing (20), the opening (200) being in communication with an interior space (21, 210) defined by the housing (20) and being sized to allow the ophthalmic lens to pass therethrough, - suction means (30, 23) for generating suction in the interior space (21, 210) of the housing (20) to allow the ophthalmic lens together with an amount of the liquid (L) in which the ophthalmic lens is immersed to be sucked through the opening (200) into the interior space (21, 210) of the housing (20), and - pressure means (30, 23) for generating positive pressure in the interior space (21, 210) of the housing (20) so as to allow the ophthalmic lens together with the amount of liquid to be released from the interior space (21, 210) through the opening (200) at the distal end of the housing (20; 40).