Plastic Lens Sublimation Dyeing Using Integrated Substrate Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dyeing plastic lenses with sublimation dyes are cumbersome due to complex loading and unloading processes and require mechanisms for adjusting the interval between the lens and dyeing substrates, leading to inefficiencies in the dyeing process.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where a sublimation dye is applied to a dyeing substrate, held on a holding member, and a plastic lens is positioned above it in a vacuum vessel. The dyeing substrate is transferred to a heating device by vertically moving the holding member or heating device, allowing the lens to be dyed by sublimating the dye, simplifying the loading and unloading process and eliminating the need for complex interval adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the lens and dyeing substrate are separately arranged in the vacuum device, then the dyeing process can be performed, but the loading and unloading of lens and substrate becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lens holding member and substrate holding member into a single integrated structure where both the lens and substrate are held simultaneously on the same member. This allows both components to be loaded and unloaded together as a single unit, eliminating the time-consuming separate handling operations and improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is designed to serve multiple functions: it holds both the lens and the substrate simultaneously, and can be vertically moved to control the interval between them. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate holding mechanisms and complex adjustment systems, reducing loading/unloading time while maintaining dyeing capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanisms for adjusting the interval between lens and substrate are added, then appropriate spacing can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is designed to serve multiple functions: it holds both the lens and the substrate simultaneously, and can be vertically moved to control the interval between them. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate holding mechanisms and complex adjustment systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining precise interval control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vertical movement of the holding member to dynamically adjust the interval between lens and substrate during the dyeing process. This dynamic adjustment capability allows precise interval control without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, as the entire assembly can be positioned vertically to achieve the desired spacing.
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 simplifies the loading and unloading of substrates, enhances heating efficiency, and ensures even dye distribution on the plastic lens, improving productivity and reducing dyeing time.
Implementation Method 1
dyeing a target surface of the plastic lens with the sublimation dye by sublimating the sublimation dye by heating the dyeing substrate using the heating device
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of dyeing a plastic lens includes the steps of applying a sublimation dye to a dyeing substrate, holding the dyeing substrate on a holding member, holding a plastic lens on the holding member at a position above the dyeing substrate, evacuating a vacuum vessel which accommodates the holding member, transferring the dyeing substrate from the holding member to a heating device provided in the vacuum vessel, so that the dyeing substrate is held to be heatable by the heating device, by vertically moving at least one of the holding member and the heating device, bringing the plastic lens in close proximity to the dyeing substrate by vertically moving at least one of the holding member and the heating device which holds the dyeing substrate, and dyeing the target surface of the plastic lens with the sublimation dye by sublimating the sublimation dye by heating the dyeing substrates using the heating device. An apparatus for dyeing a plastic lens is also disclosed.