Polishing Device Rotary Feedthrough Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polishing devices for spherical surfaces in precision optics face challenges in supplying polishing agents effectively due to the rigidity of the tool and the inability to swivel, leading to suboptimal polishing performance.
Innovation Solution
A rotary union is integrated with the polishing spindle, allowing for supplemental polishing agent supply between the polishing head and the surface, with a detachable rotary feedthrough and a funnel-shaped channel system to ensure efficient agent distribution, avoiding interference with the ball joint and enabling easy cleaning and exchange of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid cast molding tool with a polishing film is used, then the tool structure is simple and stable, but the tool cannot be swiveled and the relative angular position between the tool and the surface to be machined is rigid, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid cast molding tool with a dynamic polishing plate system that includes a base part, a polishing plate with carrier layer and polishing film, and a ball joint mechanism. This allows the polishing plate to be tilted and adapted to different surface geometries while maintaining structural stability through the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is divided into separate functional components: a base part for mounting, a carrier layer for flexibility, and an exchangeable polishing film. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and enables the polishing film to be replaced without replacing the entire tool structure.
2Productivity
If polishing agent is supplied through a rotary feedthrough arranged between the spindle and the tool, then the agent supply path is short and efficient, but the rotary feedthrough cannot be easily removed for cleaning or exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary feedthrough is designed as a detachable component that can be easily removed from the base part. This dynamic design allows the feedthrough to be accessed for cleaning or replacement without disassembling the entire polishing device, maintaining efficient agent supply while improving maintainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary feedthrough is extracted as a separate, independently removable component from the base part. This allows the feedthrough to be taken out for cleaning or replacement while leaving the rest of the polishing device intact, solving the maintenance accessibility problem.
3Productivity
If the outlet opening of the polishing agent channel system is arranged opposite the polishing spindle, then the agent supply is direct and efficient, but the base part interferes with the agent supply path
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening of the polishing agent channel system is arranged in a different spatial dimension relative to the base part. Specifically, the outlet opening is positioned on the side of the base part rather than directly opposite the spindle, allowing the polishing agent to be supplied to the polishing plate without interference from the base part structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a polishing plate with elastic carrier layer and exchangeable polishing film is used, then the polishing plate can be locally deformed to adapt to the shape of the lens, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The polishing plate uses an elastic carrier layer that provides local flexibility and deformability. This allows different regions of the polishing plate to adapt to the specific geometry of the lens surface being polished, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and modular.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a polishing device (1) for polishing optical lenses with a tiltable base part (1.1) for direct or indirect mounting of a polishing disc (2), wherein the base part (1.1) is connected to a polishing spindle (1.2) having a rotary axis (D) for rotary drive, wherein a rotary feedthrough (3) is provided for supplying polishing medium, wherein the rotary feedthrough (3) is arranged at least partially opposite the polishing spindle (1.2) with respect to the base part (1.1), and a coupling element (3.8) is provided by means of which the rotary feedthrough (3) can be detachably attached or clipped onto a polishing spindle (1.2). The invention further relates to a method for zonal polishing of aspherical, non-rotationally symmetric lenses using a polishing plate (2) which is tiltable by a polishing spindle (1.2), wherein during polishing a surface is connected between the polishing spindle (1.2) and the rotary feedthrough (3) arranged with the polishing plate (2) polishing medium is introduced between the polishing plate (2) and the lens.