Optical Lens Surface Positioning via Marking Reference Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing optical lenses are inefficient in accurately checking the relative position of optical surfaces, leading to potential optical errors, and are time-consuming and costly for full optical function measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method involving providing a lens member with initial markings, machining the second surface based on surface data, determining and applying secondary markings that align with optical and observation data to ensure accurate positioning, and using these markings to easily verify the relative position of the surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If full optical function measurement or 3D surfaces measurement is performed to check the relative position of optical surfaces, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelative position measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified reference system using markings on the lens surfaces that copy the essential geometric relationships needed for verification. Instead of performing complete optical measurements, the invention uses these markings as substitutes to indicate relative surface positions, dramatically reducing measurement time while maintaining sufficient accuracy for quality control purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the critical verification information from the complex optical measurement process by implementing a separate, simplified reference system with markings. This extracted reference system contains only the necessary information for checking relative surface positioning, separating it from the full optical measurement process and enabling quick verification without time-consuming complete measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional machining methods are used without improved reference systems, then manufacturing process simplicity is maintained, but positioning accuracy of optical surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelative positioning accuracy of optical surfacesVSAvoidreference system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference system into distinct markings on different surfaces (first markings on the first surface, second markings on the second surface). Each marking set independently indicates the position and orientation of its respective surface, allowing for modular verification of relative positioning without requiring a complex integrated reference system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces markings as intermediary elements that mediate between the machining process and the verification process. These markings serve as intermediate reference features that can be easily observed and measured, translating the complex geometric relationships into simple visual indicators that improve positioning accuracy without complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If no verification markings are provided on lens surfaces, then manufacturing process complexity is reduced, but ease of operation for verifying surface positioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of verifying surface positioningVSAvoidmarking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service verification system where the lens itself carries the reference markings needed for verification. The markings are directly provided on the lens surfaces during manufacturing, allowing the lens to serve its own verification needs without requiring external reference artifacts or complex verification equipment, thereby greatly improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the markings on the lens surfaces in advance during the manufacturing process, before the verification step. The first markings are provided on the first surface and the second markings are provided on the second surface during machining operations, so that when verification is needed, the reference system is already in place and ready for use, eliminating the need for additional setup time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2919973B1Method of manufacturing an optical lens
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP2919973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2919973B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3
  • EP2919973B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Method of manufacturing an optical lens Method of manufacturing an optical lens, the method comprising: • a lens member providing step (S1) during which a lens member comprising a first surface and a first reference system identified by first markings on the first surface is provided, • a surface data providing step (S2) during which surface data corresponding to a second surface and the position of the second surface relative to the first surface of the optical lens are provided, • a blocking and machining step during which the lens member is blocked and the second surface is machined, • a second markings determining an providing step (S4) during which second markings identifying a second reference system of the second surface are determined and provided according at least to optical data representing the refractive properties of the optical lens and to observation data representing observation conditions in which the first and second markings are to be observed.