Mold Release Mechanism for Optical Lens Demolding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for releasing molded optical materials from molds result in high damage to both the mold and the molded article, and require excessive use of non-reactive internal release agents that can affect the transparency and consistency of the lens over time.

Innovation Solution

A method involving fixing the mold to a support and pressing the lateral side of the molded article with a presser, where the modulus of the mold is significantly higher than the molded article, allowing for efficient release at controlled temperatures, thereby minimizing damage and reducing the need for mold release agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If internal release agents are added to the composition, then the molded article can be released from the mold, but the release agent remains as an impurity affecting transparency and curing consistency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold releaseVSAvoidtransparency and curing consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the internal release agent from the composition entirely, replacing it with a mechanical pressing method that applies force to the lateral side of the molded article during demolding, thereby removing the harmful impurity while maintaining release functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the chemical method (using internal release agents) with a mechanical method (applying pressing force during demolding), substituting chemical interaction with physical force to achieve mold release without contamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional pressing methods are used to release the molded article, then the article can be removed from the mold, but damage occurs to both the mold and the molded article

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold release efficiencyVSAvoiddamage ratio of mold and molded article
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies pressing force locally to the lateral side of the molded article rather than applying force directly to the mold cavity, concentrating the mechanical action on a specific region that facilitates release without transmitting damaging forces to the mold or article

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral side of the molded article serves as an intermediary element that transmits the pressing force to initiate release, acting as a mediator between the external pressing mechanism and the mold-article interface, thereby protecting both the mold and article from direct damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a high modulus mold is used, then the mold maintains its shape and strength, but the molded article with lower modulus is more prone to damage during release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold strength and shape retentionVSAvoiddamage to molded article
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying force to the mold or the front surface of the molded article, the invention applies pressing force to the lateral side of the molded article, inverting the conventional approach to force application and thereby protecting the molded article from damage while maintaining mold integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This approach achieves a high release ratio with low damage to both the mold and the molded article, while minimizing the use of mold release agents, enhancing the efficiency and consistency of the mold release process.

Implementation Method 1

the modulus of the mold (201) is 50,000 MPa to 70,000 MPa, the modulus of the molded article (202) is 500 MPa to 5,000 MPa, and the ratio of the modulus of the mold to the modulus of the molded article is 10:1 to 200:1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3480003B1Method and apparatus for releasing molded article from mold
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 SKC CO LTD
  • EP3480003B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

In the method and the apparatus for releasing a molded article (202) from a mold (201) according to the embodiments, the lateral of the molded article (202) in the mold (201) is pressed, so that it is possible to minimize the damage of the mold (201) and the molded article (202) at the time of the release, while the amount of a mold release agent used is minimized.