Single Cartridge Optical Coating System Vaporizing Conduit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for coating optical articles, such as spectacle lenses, are complex, costly, and lack efficiency in applying and replacing anti-soiling and anti-fogging coatings, which degrade over time, requiring cumbersome machinery and multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A compact, economical coating system featuring a single cartridge unit with a vaporizing conduit and propelling member that vaporizes and directs the coating composition onto the lens, simplifying the process and reducing system connections, allowing for easy handling and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex multi-component coating system is used, then coating functionality is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coating device components into a single integrated cartridge unit that includes the coating composition container, vaporizing conduit, and propelling member. This merging of functions into one compact unit reduces system complexity while maintaining full coating functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable coating performance and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single cartridge unit serves multiple functions: it stores the coating composition, pressurizes it via the propelling member, vaporizes it through the conduit, and directs it onto the optical article. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining complete coating capability.
2Device complexity
If a single cartridge unit is used, then device complexity is reduced, but coating composition delivery capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The propelling member utilizes pneumatic pressure to force the coating composition through the vaporizing conduit and onto the optical article. This pneumatic mechanism ensures reliable and consistent coating delivery while maintaining a simple single-cartridge structure, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and reliable coating delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaporizing conduit transforms the coating composition from liquid to vapor phase, enabling it to be delivered as a fine mist onto the optical surface. This phase transition mechanism ensures effective coating application while maintaining the simplicity of the single cartridge unit design.
3Productivity
If vaporization is used for coating, then coating application efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propelling member is designed to utilize the kinetic energy and pressure differential already present in the system to vaporize and deliver the coating composition without requiring additional external energy input. The coating composition itself serves as the medium that carries the energy needed for vaporization and delivery, eliminating the need for separate energy-consuming heating elements or pumps.
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 system efficiently applies coatings by vaporizing the composition into a mist, providing a convenient, cost-effective solution for opticians to recoat lenses with anti-soiling or anti-fogging properties, extending the lifespan of the coatings and simplifying the recoating process.
Implementation Method 1
by vaporizing said predetermined coating composition and by exposing at least a face of said optical article to the vaporized coating composition
Implementation Method 2
The machine further comprises a nebulizer configured to carry out a vacuum nebulization treatment of the predetermined coating composition in the vacuum chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a system for coating an optical article with a coating composition (50), comprising a chamber configured to receive said article, a coating device configured to carry out a coating treatment of said composition for depositing it on said article in said chamber, by vaporizing said composition and by exposing at least a face of said article to the vaporized composition, and a control unit configured to control said coating device for coating said article by vaporizing said composition; said coating device being formed as a single cartridge unit comprising a casing (41) configured to contain said composition, a vaporizing conduit (49) opening both into said casing and outside of said coating device, and a propelling member (52) configured to pressurize said composition; said coating device being configured to put in fluidic communication said propelling member in an operative state with said casing in order to carry out said coating treatment for coating an article.