Lens Holder Structure for Uniform Dip Coating of Optical Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dip coating methods for optical lenses often result in non-uniform coating layers due to waves on the surface of the dip coating bath, leading to defects and reduced optical quality, particularly when lenses are held at few retention points which can cause uneven coating application and stripping.
Innovation Solution
A lens holding device with elastic units and a circumferential frame that holds the lens at its edge, damping waves on the bath surface and ensuring even coating by minimizing contact points and using a V-shaped design to center and secure the lens, while the frame design allows for efficient draining and prevents webbing effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lens is held at few retention points during dip coating, then handling during and after coating is enabled, but wave-induced defects and non-uniform coating occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lens holder is divided into multiple elastic holding units distributed around the lens circumference, each independently contacting the lens edge. This segmentation allows the holder to grip the lens at multiple discrete points while maintaining overall stability, enabling easy handling without causing wave-induced coating defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding force and contact characteristics are changed by using elastic materials with specific hardness values (Shore A 40-70). This parameter change allows the holding units to conform to the lens edge while providing sufficient grip for handling, yet minimizing disturbance to the coating bath surface.
2Manufacturing precision
If lateral frame portions are added to damp waves, then coating homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wave-damping frame portions are merged with the functional holding units, creating an integrated structure where the frame serves dual purposes: providing structural support for the holding units and simultaneously damping waves on the coating bath surface to ensure uniform coating application.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral frame portions serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the holding units, act as wave-damping elements to prevent coating defects, and contribute to the overall stability of the lens holder during the dip coating process, reducing the need for additional separate components.
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 enhances the homogeneity and quality of the coating layer by reducing wave-induced defects, ensuring a defect-free and uniformly applied coating, even for lenses of different sizes, and allows for automatic handling and inspection without unclamping.
Implementation Method 1
a first distance between the first lens edge holder element and the first lateral frame portion, and a second distance between the second lens edge holder element and the second lateral frame portion, such that waves that are caused on the surface of the dip coating bath by the respective first or second lens edge holder element upon raising the lens holding device out of said dip coating bath are damped
Data Source
AI summary
Lens holding device holding an optical lens at its edge during a dip coating in a dip coating bath. First elastic lens holder having first lens edge holder holds the optical lens at a right edge of the optical lens, second elastic lens holder with second lens edge holder holds the optical lens at a left edge of the optical lens, and a circumferential frame with a third lens edge holder holds the optical lens at a lower edge of the optical lens. The circumferential frame has first and second lateral frame portions such that when the lens holder is raised out of the dip coating bath, waves caused at a surface of the dip coating bath are damped by the right or left lens edge holder, respectively.