Optical Element Manufacturing Apparatus Temperature Control Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical element manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining uniform temperature distribution across the temperature control blocks, leading to temperature gradients that result in internal distortion and reduced shape accuracy of optical elements during the molding process, especially for larger diameters.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates temperature control blocks with heating regions at both ends and a non-heating region in the center, optimizing the ratio of non-heating to total length to improve temperature uniformity, thereby preventing temperature gradients and ensuring accurate shape formation of optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating sources are uniformly distributed across the temperature control block, then the heating coverage is maximized, but temperature gradients and non-uniform temperature distribution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control block implements local quality by dividing it into heating regions at both ends and a non-heating region in the center. Heating sources are strategically placed only in the heating regions, creating localized heating zones that prevent temperature gradients in the central area where uniform temperature is critical for maintaining shape accuracy of optical elements.
2Temperature
If heating sources are placed at both ends of the temperature control block, then temperature uniformity in the central region is improved, but the total heating capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control block is segmented into distinct heating regions at both ends and a non-heating region in the center. This segmentation allows independent control of heating zones, enabling the system to maintain temperature uniformity in the central region while providing sufficient heating capacity at the ends where temperature gradients need to be managed.
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 configuration enhances temperature distribution, reducing temperature differences and internal distortions, resulting in improved shape accuracy and consistency of optical elements, particularly for middle to large diameter optical components.
Implementation Method 1
A heating source and a temperature measurement unit are buried in the temperature control block. A method is employed for detecting a temperature at a prescribed position by usually using a plurality of cartridge type heaters as the heating source
Implementation Method 2
the temperature control block includes heating regions that are positioned on sides of both ends and in which heating sources are arranged, and a non-heating region that is positioned on a central side and in which the heating sources are not arranged
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element manufacturing apparatus includes plural pairs of stage units that are each arranged opposite to each other so as to sandwich a mold set that houses a molding material, each of the plural pairs of stage units performing at least one of heating, pressurization, and cooling on the mold set, wherein each of the stage units includes a temperature control block for which temperature is controlled, and in a third direction orthogonal to a first direction and a second direction, the temperature control block includes heating regions that are positioned on sides of both ends and in which heating sources are arranged, and a non-heating region that is positioned on a central side and in which the heating sources are not arranged throughout the first direction, the first direction being a direction in which the plural pairs of stage units are arranged, and the second direction being a direction in which a pair of stage units are opposite to each other.