Thin-Lens Polishing Using a Porous Elastic Hydrostatic Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for polishing optical lenses and mirrors face challenges in achieving precise mounting and preventing bending, especially for thin lenses, due to uneven pressure distribution and mobility issues.
Innovation Solution
A device combining an elastic and porous support with a hydrostatic bearing, allowing the polishing agent to flow through under pressure, ensuring uniform pressure distribution and maintaining a constant distance between the lens and holder, featuring a porous, elastic support and a hydrostatic bearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If negative pressure is applied to the rear side of the lens to fix it to the lens support, then the lens is secured to the holder, but the lens flexes due to uneven airflow and non-uniform pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vacuum (negative pressure) mounting system with a hydrostatic bearing system that uses pressurized polishing suspension (liquid) to support the lens. The liquid pressure is applied uniformly through the polishing suspension flow, eliminating the uneven pressure distribution caused by airflow in the vacuum system and preventing lens flexure while maintaining secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from gas (airflow in vacuum system) to liquid (polishing suspension in hydrostatic bearing). This parameter change enables uniform pressure distribution across the lens surface, as liquids can transmit pressure more evenly than gases in this application context, thereby preventing lens flexure and improving manufacturing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a guide ring is added to ensure cardanic mobility of the optical lens, then the lens can fit seamlessly into the polishing tool, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens holder in the patent is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides secure mounting of the lens, ensures proper positioning, and enables the necessary cardanic mobility for the lens to fit into the polishing tool. By integrating these functions into a single simplified holder structure without requiring an additional guide ring, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If a purely hydrostatic bearing with liquid is used to mount the lens, then the lens is supported, but the pressure application exerts different forces on the back of the lens due to uneven flow velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring that the polishing suspension flows in a manner that creates uniform pressure distribution specifically at the lens support interface. The holder design and suspension flow control are optimized to maintain consistent liquid pressure across the entire lens back surface, compensating for potential flow velocity variations and ensuring uniform force application.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for polishing an optical lens or an optical mirror with a liquid polishing agent, wherein the device comprises a workpiece carrier for fixing at least one first surface of the optical lens or the optical mirror, wherein the workpiece carrier has a porous and elastic support for fixing the at least one first surface of the optical lens or the optical mirror, and wherein the support is designed as a surface permeable to the polishing agent. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for polishing an optical lens or an optical mirror.