Spectacle Lens Blocking Device with Vertical Axis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for blocking spectacle lenses in smaller workshops are either overly complex and costly or restrict the positioning of lenses relative to the block piece, limiting their accuracy and efficiency in processing and coating.
Innovation Solution
A device with a single vertically extending blocker axis that allows for 'spatial blocking' without horizontal movement, using a temporarily deformable blocking material and a separate aligning station to ensure precise positioning and alignment of the lens, eliminating the need for complex CNC movements and reducing installation area requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional blocking devices are used in smaller workshops, then the device complexity and cost increase, but the positioning accuracy and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the horizontal movement function from the blocking device, separating it into a standalone aligning station. The blocking device retains only the vertical blocking function, reducing complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy through the separate alignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into two independent functional units: an aligning station for horizontal positioning and a blocking device for vertical blocking. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler and more specialized, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision.
2Area of stationary object
If horizontal movement is used for positioning, then the device requires complex CNC movements, but the installation area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal positioning function is extracted to a separate aligning station that operates independently. The blocking device only requires vertical movement, eliminating complex horizontal CNC movements and reducing the installation area footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional horizontal positioning to one-dimensional vertical blocking. By separating the alignment function, the blocking device only needs to operate in the vertical dimension, reducing complexity and installation space requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lens is constrained by the block piece orientation, then the blocking is simplified, but the processing and coating accuracy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning station performs preliminary horizontal alignment and positioning of the lens before the blocking process. This preliminary action ensures the lens is correctly positioned, allowing the subsequent blocking operation to be simpler while maintaining high processing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The aligning station acts as an intermediary between the lens positioning and the blocking process. It establishes the correct horizontal orientation and position, allowing the blocking device to focus only on vertical blocking without compromising accuracy.
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
Enables precise, efficient, and cost-effective blocking of spectacle lenses with minimal installation area requirements, allowing for full-area support and adhesion without constrained orientation, thus improving processing and coating accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a temporarily deformable blocking material on a block piece
Data Source
AI summary
A device for blocking workpieces has an aligning station that includes a workpiece support for aligning a workpiece. A blocking station comprises a block piece mount and serves to block the aligned workpiece by use of a block material on a block piece, which can be mounted in the block piece mount in a centered manner in relation to a substantially vertically extending blocker axis. A workpiece carriage carries a holding head for the workpiece and is suitably guided and driven to transport the workpiece from the aligning station to the blocking station to position the workpiece along the blocker axis in a defined manner relative to the block piece held in the block piece mount, and to hold the workpiece during blocking in the defined relative position to the block piece with a gap between workpiece and body piece.