DE102020006895A1 - Plant for processing ophthalmic lenses - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for processing ophthalmic lenses (2), with several processing devices (3) for the independent processing of the ophthalmic lenses (2), with a conveyor device (4) connecting the processing devices (3) to one another for transporting the ophthalmic lenses Lenses (2) or lens carriers (5) from one processing device (3) to the other, with the conveyor device (4) having at least two transport tracks (T1, T2), with a first transport track (T1) for transporting the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carrier (5) from one processing device (3) to the next and a second transport track (T2) for the parallel conveyance of the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carrier (5), with transfer devices for transporting the ophthalmic lenses (2) or Lens carrier (5) from one transport track (T1, T2) to the other, transversely to the transport direction (F1, F2), for temporary recording/intermediate storage if required ng and, if necessary, further transport of the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carrier (5). According to the invention, it is provided that the conveyor device (4) has at least one continuous conveyor belt (6), that at least one drive system (7) is provided for the at least one conveyor belt (6), that each processing device (3) leads directly to the first transport track (T1). is adjacent and that each transfer device is designed as a pushing device (10, 20) which pushes the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carrier (5) transversely to the conveying direction (F1, F2) from one transport track (T1, T2) to the other.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for processing ophthalmic lenses according to the preamble of claim 1.

The processing of ophthalmic lenses, in particular for glasses, takes place in several separate processing devices. The processing can in particular include shaping, preferably machining, polishing, testing or measuring, marking and coating. To link the processing devices, conveyor systems with belt and belt conveyors are used for serial processing, which transport the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers loaded with ophthalmic lenses from one processing device to the other.

A generic device is from EP 2 822 883 B1 famous. The generic device is a system for the independent processing of optical lenses for glasses in several separate processing devices. Each processing device is assigned its own conveying device for conveying the lenses or lens carriers to and from the processing devices. A transfer system with a first transport track T1 for transporting the lenses or lens supports from one processing device to the next and a second parallel transport track T2 for the parallel transport of lenses or lens supports is used to convey the lenses or lens supports. Furthermore, the transfer system has transfer devices arranged between the processing devices for receiving and temporarily storing them as well as for further conveying the lenses or lens carriers to the conveyor device of a processing device or to the second transport track T2, if necessary. The first transport track T1 is made up of the transfer devices and the conveyor devices assigned to the processing devices, which can each be controlled and driven independently.

Starting from the EP 2 822 883 B1 as the closest prior art, the object of the present invention is to further simplify a generic system for processing ophthalmic lenses.

The above object is achieved by a system according to claim 1.

The device according to the invention is a system with several separate processing devices for the independent processing of ophthalmic lenses, in particular lenses for spectacle lenses and contact lenses. The processing devices are positioned on a continuous conveyor. The conveyor device serves to feed the ophthalmic lenses on lens carriers to and from the individual processing devices. So that the ophthalmic lenses can be processed independently and in parallel in the separate processing machines, the continuous conveyor device has two transport tracks, with the processing devices being positioned directly on the first transport track. The first transport track serves to transport the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers from one processing device to the next, and the second transport track for parallel transport, in particular as an overtaking track, on which the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers that are not to be fed to a processing device are transported further.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the conveyor device has at least one continuous conveyor belt with at least one drive system.

The system according to the invention has a significantly simplified structure compared to the prior art, since the conveying device is now continuous with respect to the conveying direction and is not composed of separate sub-units. In the generic from the EP 2 822 883 known system, the first transport track T1 is made up of the transfer devices and the conveyor devices assigned to the processing devices, each of which has its own drive system and two conveyor belts each. In addition, the second transport track of the generic system is assigned to a separate conveyor with two conveyor belts. In the embodiment according to the invention, only one continuous conveyor device is provided for both transport lanes, ideally with only one continuous conveyor belt for both transport lanes. As a result, significantly fewer drive systems, particularly preferably only one drive system, are required to operate the conveying device. The configuration according to the invention thus enables a significantly lower control and assembly effort.

An essential aspect of the system according to the invention is that each processing device is immediately adjacent to the first transport track T1, ie the first transport track T1 runs directly past the processing devices and not, as in FIG EP 2 822 883 B1 described, through the processing devices. The processing devices are preferably positioned directly on the first transport track T1. This enables simpler maintenance work and less complex assembly or dismantling. Expansion of the system to include further processing devices, since these now only have to be pushed up directly to the conveyor device and connected. Alternatively, however, the processing devices can also be spaced apart from the conveyor device or from the first transport track T1. In this case, the distance is limited by the range of the respective handling device for loading and unloading the processing devices.

In principle, all known lens carriers are suitable for the system according to the invention. The most common lens carriers have, in a manner known per se, two receiving positions for receiving up to two ophthalmic lenses, as is customary in the manufacture of lenses or spectacles. The mounting positions of the lens carriers are used to pre-position the ophthalmic lenses in such a way that the loading of the processing devices can be carried out particularly reliably. The ophthalmic lenses can also be removed individually from the lens carriers.

The distance between the receiving places for the ophthalmic lenses within a lens carrier is preferably exactly the same as the distance between a receiving place in a lens carrier and the neighboring receiving place in a directly neighboring lens carrier. This simplifies the handling or positioning of the ophthalmic lenses, in particular in the holding area of the processing devices for loading and unloading the processing devices with ophthalmic lenses.

Transfer devices are required to transport the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers from one transport track to the other.
According to a further aspect of the invention, each transfer device is designed as a pushing device which pushes the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers from one transport track to the other transversely to the conveying direction.
The conveying of the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers by means of the shifting device from one transport track to the other takes place transversely to the conveying direction, preferably along the shortest path, ie at an approximately right angle relative to the conveying direction. However, transverse conveying can also take place at other angles in relation to the conveying direction. In particular, diagonal conveyance with respect to the conveying direction can take place both along and counter to the conveying direction. In all cases, the lens carriers are conveyed transversely by the sliding devices in such a way that the lens carriers are conveyed particularly reliably and as quickly as possible from one transport track to the other.

This inventive design of the transfer device as a sliding device allows on the one hand by eliminating from the EP 2 822 883 B1 known transfer devices composed of several sub-units, a transverse conveyance with the conveyor belt running and, on the other hand, a transverse conveyance without a stroke. In other words, easier and faster transfer is possible. The transfer facilities from the EP 2 822 883 B1 known generic system were previously too complex with several separately driven sections and a major reason for the development of the system according to the invention.

For pushing the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers from one transport track to the other by means of the pushing devices, conveyor belts with a particularly smooth surface without shoulders and bumps, in particular link belts with a smooth surface, are preferred. An inventive advantage of the conveyor belts in the form of continuous link belts is that the lens carrier, unlike in the EP 2 822 883 B1 , do not have to drive precisely on a transport track, but that lens carriers of different dimensions can be promoted with the system according to the invention. For example, it is possible to convey lens carriers of different widths on a conveyor belt, provided that the lens carrier is not wider than the respective transport track.

After ophthalmic lenses have been processed on a processing device, the ophthalmic lenses can be transported to their receiving places of the respective lens carrier on the first transport track to the shifting device downstream of the respective processing device. If the ophthalmic lenses are not to be processed at the closest processing facility but at a more distant one, the lens carrier with the processed ophthalmic lenses is pushed by means of the sliding facility from the first to the second transport track transversely to the conveying direction, so that the next one in the conveying direction can be overtaken Processing device is enabled on the second transport track. The ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers now located on the second transport track can, as soon as they reach a shifting device located in front of the processing device on which the next processing is to take place, be pushed by means of the shifting device from the second transport track to the first, transversely to the conveying direction will.

In the event that stopping the lens wearers, e.g devices or in front of a sliding device is necessary or desired, preferably to avoid a collision with lens carriers, stop devices are provided on both transport tracks, such that the conveyor device can continue to be operated continuously.

Advantageous developments are the subject of the subclaims.

A particularly preferred embodiment assigns a fork that can be moved transversely to the conveying device to each pushing device. On the one hand, this serves to take the lens carriers with you from one transport track to another as required. On the other hand, this is designed in such a way, i.e. the opening of the fork is oriented in the opposite direction to the conveying direction, that the lens carrier can pass through or under the fork while the conveyor belt is running, since the lens carrier is not clamped between the holding arms of the fork (see below). The fork of the sliding device according to the invention ensures that only one continuous conveying device and no separate sub-units of a transfer device for transverse conveying are required.

It is also conceivable that the sliding device has a height-adjustable fork. An advantage of this further embodiment according to the invention is that the lens wearers can leave the sliding device more quickly by quickly raising the fork while the conveyor belt is running. This serves to prevent a build-up of lens wearers or to achieve a higher throughput.

If lens carriers accumulate in front of a shifting device, i.e. either in front of a fork occupied by a lens carrier or on the opposite transport track onto which the lens carrier is to be pushed by means of the fork, stop devices are provided to stop the lens carriers. These are positioned on the conveyor device in such a way that the following lens carriers do not accumulate behind another lens carrier or collide with it when the conveyor belt is running, or the waiting position to which a lens carrier is to be pushed using the fork of the pushing device is not occupied before the transverse conveyance has been carried out by the pushing device.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shifting device has a linear drive for the transverse conveyance of the fork, which shifts the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers from one transport track to the other. Opposite the one from the EP 2 822 883 B1 known generic system, the transfer facilities are composed of several sub-units, each with its own drive or motor, this leads to a much lower control and assembly costs.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the fork of the sliding device can be moved in both directions transversely to the conveying direction. This allows for significantly less material and assembly costs, since only a single-driven shifting device that shifts the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers from the first transport track to the second and vice versa is required instead of transfer devices consisting of several separately driven subunits.

Each sliding device is particularly preferably arranged on the conveyor device, preferably between two processing devices or before and after each processing device. This has the particular advantage that the arrangement of the shifting devices is independent of the location of the processing devices.

In an alternative embodiment, the sliding devices can also be attached directly to the processing devices, preferably on the side of each processing device that can be reached first with respect to the conveying direction for the lens wearer. This means that when the system is modified, for example by adding additional processing devices, no further sliding devices have to be attached to the conveyor device, but instead these can be pushed directly onto the conveyor device with the processing devices.

It is also conceivable to arrange two pushing devices directly one behind the other on the conveyor device or also on the processing devices. This primarily serves the purpose of achieving a higher throughput and a process that is as smooth and delay-free as possible. If, for example, a first lens carrier is to be pushed from the second transport track onto the first while the conveyor belts are running, so that the corresponding ophthalmic lenses of the first lens carrier can be processed at a subsequent processing device with regard to the conveying direction, while a second lens carrier is on the first transport track is in the area in front of the shifting devices in relation to the conveying direction, which must first be pushed onto the second transport track so that the area on the first transport track in front of the processing device is free for the first lens carrier to be processed, the second lens carrier can be moved by means of a first sliding device pushed from the first transport track to the second transport track be, while in relation to the conveying direction subsequent sliding device can push the first lens carrier to be processed from the first transport track to the second. It is of course also conceivable that two lens carriers conveyed one behind the other on a transport track each enter the fork of the two sliding devices arranged one behind the other and are pushed parallel onto the other transport track. If there are fewer lens carriers, the lens carriers can also be pushed separately from one transport track to the other, depending on the desired position of the lens carriers on the conveying device, either via the first or second sliding device in relation to the conveying direction.

A possible embodiment of the system according to the invention provides that the conveyor device has a conveyor belt with two transport tracks and a common drive system. This is associated with low assembly costs and a particularly simple transverse conveyance, since the two transport tracks run on a common conveyor belt and the fork of the shifting device thus only has to be displaced transversely to the conveying direction on a running conveyor belt.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the conveyor device has two separate conveyor belts, each in the form of a transport track and a common drive system. In this case, a distance is provided between the two separate conveyor belts, which forms an intermediate space. Various measuring devices, such as stop devices and sensors, can be accommodated in this space, which, due to the inward shift between the two conveyor belts, leads to a lower space requirement for the system. As a result, more space is available for the processing devices and for an operator. In addition, this ensures a more favorable connection of the processing devices to the conveyor device.

However, it is also conceivable for the conveyor device to have two conveyor belts, each in the form of a transport track, with either one drive system being provided for each conveyor belt or particularly preferably a common drive system with a known planetary gear. This configuration allows the conveyor belts or transport tracks to be operated at different speeds. This can be advantageous, for example, if several lens carriers are to be moved past several processing devices in the fast lane in order to avoid a build-up of lens carriers or to convey lens carriers loaded with ophthalmic lenses more quickly to a processing device that is further away and to achieve a higher throughput.

The particularly preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention with two spaced conveyor belts provides that each sliding device is assigned an intermediate plate arranged between the conveyor belts. This serves to bridge the distance between the conveyor belts in such a way that the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers can be conveyed transversely from one conveyor belt to the other in a particularly reliable manner. The intermediate plate can also be used to temporarily store a lens carrier, i.e. as a waiting position, for example to achieve a higher throughput. If, for example, a first lens carrier is to be overtaken on a transport track so that a subsequent second lens carrier can reach the subsequent processing device first, e.g. if this is free at this point in time for processing the corresponding ophthalmic lenses of the second lens carrier, the first lens carrier can use the The fork of the sliding device can be pushed onto the intermediate plate and temporarily stored there so that the second lens wearer can overtake the first. In this case, the width of the intermediate plate expediently corresponds to at least the width of a lens carrier.

An independent inventive aspect consists in the fact that the width of the conveyor device or conveyor belts is determined by the width of the lens carrier, which has two receiving locations for up to two ophthalmic lenses. The width of a transport track corresponds at least to the width of a lens carrier. It follows from this that the width of the conveyor device corresponds at least to the number of transport tracks multiplied by the width of the lens carrier. In the previously explained configuration according to the invention with two transport tracks on a conveyor belt on a conveyor device, the width of the conveyor belt and of the conveyor device is at least twice the width of the lens carrier. In the particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of two spaced-apart conveyor belts or transport tracks on a conveyor device, the width of the conveyor device is at least twice the width of the lens carrier and the width of the respective conveyor belt corresponds at least to the width of the lens carrier. In general, in the case of several, i.e. at least two, conveyor belts, the width of the conveyor device corresponds at least to the product of the number of conveyor belts and the width of the lens carrier.

The system according to the invention preferably has guide webs on the edge of the conveyor belts for guiding the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers ger parallel to the conveying direction. This enables the lens carriers to be guided in a straight line along the transport tracks on the conveyor belts and prevents the lens carriers from running at an angle or falling off the system.

In the area of the sliding devices, in the case of at least two spaced conveyor belts, recesses in the guide webs corresponding to the dimensions of the lens carriers are provided. This configuration permits simple, rapid cross-conveyance from one conveyor belt to the other without lifting the lens carrier. The guidance parallel to the conveying direction through or into the fork is taken over by the side elements of the fork.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, the system according to the invention is designed in such a way that ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers can be circulated in a circuit. This makes it possible for the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers to approach the processing devices repeatedly or in any order, and for the processing sequence, the utilization of the processing devices and the processing sequences to be varied or optimized. In this way, a build-up on lens carriers, in particular in front of processing devices, can be prevented.

A possible embodiment of the system according to the invention provides that the conveying device is extended or combined to form a system that allows circulation or circulatory conveyance of the ophthalmic lenses or lens wearers. Such a plant system can consist of a ring-shaped or elliptical conveyor belt with one or two transport tracks or of two spaced-apart conveyor belts in the form of one transport track each, which are preferably driven by a common drive system. The processing devices are preferably arranged on the long, approximately straight sections of the preferably elliptical plant system, but can also be arranged at any other location, such as e.g. inside or on the shorter sides of the plant system.

In an alternative embodiment of the system according to the invention, a U-shaped or ring-like arrangement is provided with two conveyor devices located opposite one another, with one conveyor belt each having one or two transport tracks or two spaced-apart conveyor belts in the form of one transport track each. In a manner known per se, there are preferably a plurality of processing devices in a row along the opposite conveyor devices, which are directly adjacent to the first transport track. Connecting elements are provided for the circulation of the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers, for example curved pieces or cross-connecting pieces, which connect the two conveyor devices located opposite one another around the corner or curve. The curve conveyance ensures that the orientation of the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers remains constant with respect to the respective conveying direction.

According to a particularly preferred aspect of the aforementioned embodiment of the system according to the invention, each of the two opposite conveyor devices has two conveyor belts in the form of a transport track each, which are connected to one another via sliding devices. The second transport tracks are particularly preferably connected to one another via connecting elements, such as curved pieces or cross-connecting pieces, in order to ensure circular conveyance. The shifting devices have the function of transporting the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers from one transport track to another and of shifting all ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers that are to be transported from one transport device to the opposite transport track onto the second transport track.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the system according to the invention has a third transport track for parallel transport, in particular return transport, of ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers. In particular, the first and second transport tracks have conveying directions that are opposite to one another in relation to the third transport track.

A preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention provides that the first and second transport tracks run in one direction and a third transport track with opposite transport direction runs parallel thereto. The third transport track serves to convey back the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers. A number of processing devices are therefore preferably arranged along the first transport track, while the third transport track is only used for return transport.

According to a particularly preferred aspect of the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, only one common drive system is provided for all three transport tracks on a respective conveyor belt on a common conveyor device. The reversal of the conveying directions or the drive of the third transport track takes place, for example, in a manner known per se by means of an epicyclic gear. Furthermore, to change transport lanes, preferably transversely to the conveying direction device, in particular between the processing devices, arranged sliding devices are provided, which can push the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers over two or three transport tracks. The sliding devices running over three transport tracks allow a circulation or circular transport of the ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers on the three-track transport device. In particular, the conveyed ophthalmic lenses or lens carriers can be repeatedly conveyed to and from the processing devices. According to a particularly preferred aspect of the embodiment according to the invention, by means of the shifting devices preferably arranged between the processing devices, return conveyance via the third transport track can be initiated after each processing device and not only at the end of the conveying device. This makes it possible to avoid accumulations of lens carriers and, in particular, a higher throughput, since the lens carriers can be circulated over shorter distances and do not have to be conveyed back over the entire route of the third transport track before they are pushed back onto the first transport track adjacent to the processing machines via a pushing device will.

The three-lane embodiment of the conveyor belt described above can also be integrated into more complex processing systems, such as those from the EP 2 822 883 B1 are known.

According to a particularly preferred aspect of such a system according to the invention, the three-lane conveyor can be connected to at least one other, preferably opposite, conveyor. The connection can be made, for example, via the connecting elements mentioned above. Conceivable here are connections on both sides of the conveyor devices to form a ring or also U-shaped arrangements in which one side of the conveyor belts remains open by omitting the connecting elements and the space between the two conveyor devices, which preferably run parallel, remains accessible to an operator.

The two conveying devices or rows of processing devices are spaced apart in such a way that the intermediate space forms an access possibility for an operator. In the case of a U-shaped arrangement, this is particularly easy for an operator to reach. In the case of a ring-like arrangement, the connecting elements are designed in such a way that they can be loosened or opened or folded away as needed to make the intermediate space accessible. Alternatively or additionally, these can also be raised or lowered and, for example, connected via vertical conveyors or inclines, so that preferably free access to the intermediate space is ensured. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate space can be used in a manner known per se for operating material containers of the processing devices, such as containers for chips, polishing agents or coolants. However, the containers can also be arranged below the conveyor belts. As a result, the gap can be used for other purposes or reduced if necessary, and the entire plant system can thus be kept narrower in order to save space.

In a further preferred embodiment of the plant according to the invention, the processing devices are not arranged outside the ring-like or U-shaped plant system, but rather in the space between the two conveyor devices and preferably in relation to one another in such a way that the space is kept as narrow as possible, but an operator can still easily and can reach any processing facility in a timely manner. In addition to a considerable saving in space due to the elimination of the processing devices projecting outwards, another advantage according to the invention is that the operator has a shorter route from one processing device to another.

The three-track conveyor device is particularly preferably combined with a two-track conveyor device with two transport tracks running in the same direction, in particular a first and a second transport track. In this embodiment according to the invention, several processing devices are arranged along the conveyor devices, in particular along the first transport tracks, preferably in a row. The three-lane conveyor system with the return conveying third transport lane is preferably used as an express line with the task of ensuring a high throughput (see above).

According to a further aspect of the system according to the invention, the third transport track and the above-mentioned connecting elements can also be combined if necessary. For example, an embodiment of the system according to the invention is conceivable in which the second transport track is connected to the third transport track running parallel and in the opposite direction to the second transport track around the curve or corner by known connecting elements.

Another independent inventive aspect is a further simplification or optimization of the automation of the entire conveyor system of the system according to the invention compared to the generic from EP 2 822 883 B1 known plant. In the from the EP 2 822 883 B1 known system, the conveyor devices associated with the processing devices associated with the first transport track are controlled separately by the machine controller and do not form part of the transfer controller, ie the conveyor system is not controlled centrally by one controller, but by several controllers, namely a central controller and a machine controller.

In the system according to the invention with all the above-mentioned embodiments, on the other hand, a controller is provided which controls the entire conveyor system, i.e. the conveyor device including conveyor belts or transport tracks, pushing devices and stopping devices in the holding area in front of the respective processing devices. In order to continue to allow independent processing, the processing devices are controlled separately, i.e. by their own machine control. Of course, it is also possible for the stopping devices to be controlled by the machine control as well. This shifting of the automation to a central belt control enables assembly, conversion and maintenance work on the system according to the invention to be significantly less complex, since the processing devices with their own machine controls only have to be connected to the centrally controlled conveyor device and no additional separate conveyor devices assigned to the processing devices. This makes it much easier to expand the system according to the invention to include further processing devices.

• 1 einen schematischen Ausschnitt eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Anlage mit einer Fördereinrichtung, zwei Bearbeitungseinrichtungen sowie einer dazwischen angeordneten Schiebeeinrichtung in einer Draufsicht;
• 2 eine schematische Teildarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Fördereinrichtung der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage gemäß 1;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Schiebeeinrichtung der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage gemäß 1;
• 4 eine Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Schiebeeinrichtung gemäß 3;
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines anderen Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Schiebeeinrichtung;
• 6 das Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Schiebeeinrichtung gemäß 5 in einer anderen Perspektive;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung eines Linsenträgers in einer Draufsicht.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows in a schematic representation, not true to scale:

• 1 a schematic section of an embodiment of a system according to the invention with a conveyor, two processing devices and a sliding device arranged between them in a plan view;
• 2 a schematic partial representation of an embodiment of a conveyor of the system according to the invention 1 ;
• 3 a perspective view of an embodiment of a sliding device according to the invention of the system according to the invention 1 ;
• 4 according to a side view of the sliding device according to the invention 3 ;
• 5 a perspective view of another embodiment of the sliding device according to the invention;
• 6 the embodiment of the sliding device according to the invention 5 in a different perspective;
• 7 a schematic representation of a lens carrier in a top view.

1 shows a schematic section of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1 according to the invention for processing ophthalmic lenses 2, in particular ophthalmic lenses for spectacle lenses.
The system 1 according to the invention has several, two in the exemplary embodiment shown, separate processing devices 3 for the independent processing of the ophthalmic lenses 2 .
How from the EP 2 822 883 B1 known, the system 1 can have several separate processing devices 3, such as for blocking, for shaping, in particular machining, for polishing, for testing or measuring, for marking and for cleaning and for coating ophthalmic lenses 2.

How to continue from the EP 2 822 883 B1 known, not only different, but also several similar processing devices 3 can be integrated into the system 1 for the same processing. As 1 As can be seen, the system 1 according to the invention has a conveyor device 4 for transporting the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 from one processing device 3 to the other. The conveying device 4 has the task of feeding the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 to the respective processing device 3 , transporting them from one processing device 3 to another processing device 3 after processing has been completed, or removing them from a processing device 3 .

The promotion of ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 on the conveyor 4, as from the EP 2 822 883 B1 known, e.g. by a pick-up station (not shown), while transport away from the conveyor device 4 can take place via a delivery station (not shown).

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the conveyor device 4 has two continuous conveyor belts 6, 6', which form the respective transport tracks T1 and T2. The conveying direction of the first transport track T1 is in 1 indicated by an arrow F1. The second transport track preferably conveys in the same direction, as indicated by the arrow F2. As in 1 As can be seen, the first transport track T1 is directly adjacent to the processing devices 3 or connects them to one another and is used to convey the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 from a processing device direction 3 to the next.
Therefore, a particular advantage of the system 1 according to the invention is that the system 1 can be expanded very easily to include additional processing devices 3 as required, since these only have to be pushed up to the conveyor device 4 .
The second parallel transport track T2 is used for parallel further transport or as an overtaking track for the respective ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two conveyor belts 6, 6' are at a distance from one another such that a gap is formed between the conveyor belts 6, 6'. This has the advantage that various components such as stop devices 31 or sensors 32 can be accommodated.
1 shows several stopping devices 31 in the form of separations for stopping a lens carrier 5 as required when the conveyor belts 6, 6' are running. The lens carriers 5 are stopped in particular in order to move the lens carriers 5 individually to the corresponding points on the conveyor device 4 - such as, for example, on the transport track T1 in the area of the processing devices 3 for loading and unloading the processing devices 3 with ophthalmic lenses 2 and on both transport tracks T1 and T2 in front of a shifting device 10 - to be positioned. Preferably, as in 1 to see

Stopping devices 31 in relation to the conveying direction F1, F2 in front of the respective sliding devices 10 at a distance from the sliding device 10 or from each other by at least one length of the lens carrier 5. Furthermore, stopping devices 31 are provided in the holding area of the processing devices 3, which are spaced apart from one another in such a way that the loading and unloading of the lens carrier 5, in particular with ophthalmic lenses 2, can be carried out particularly reliably. As continues in 1 shown, the system 1 preferably has sensors 32, such as light sensors for detecting the presence and the position of ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carriers 5 or barcode readers for identifying ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carriers 5.

2 shows a partial representation of a preferred embodiment of the conveyor device 4 of the system 1 according to the invention in a schematic top view. How 2 can be seen, the two conveyor belts 6, 6 'in the illustrated embodiment are driven by a common drive system 7, such that the two conveyor belts 6, 6' rotate at the same speed in the same direction. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this is achieved by a drive shaft connecting the two conveyor mats 6, 6' to one another in a manner known per se.

Another variant according to the invention of the conveyor device 4 of the system 1 according to the invention provides that the two conveyor belts 6, 6' of the conveyor device 4 are driven either by two separate drive systems 7, 7' or preferably by a common drive system 7 with planetary gear. This allows variations in the circulating speed of the conveyor belts 6, 6' or the transport tracks T1, T2. For example, it is conceivable to select the speed of the conveyor belt 6′ and thus the transport track T2 higher than that of the conveyor belt 6 or the transport track T1 in order to avoid a build-up of lens carriers 5 when there is a high volume of lens carriers 5 or to achieve a higher throughput to allow. Opposite conveying directions F1 and F2 are also conceivable in such an embodiment.

In a further embodiment, the conveyor device 4 of the system 1 according to the invention can also have only one conveyor belt 6, which is divided into two separate areas, i.e. two transport tracks T1 and T2, and a drive system 7.

1 and 2 it can also be seen that guide bars 8 for guiding the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 are provided parallel to the conveying directions F1 and F2 on the edge side of the conveyor belts 6, 6'.

How further from 1 As can be seen, in the exemplary embodiment shown, sliding devices 10 according to the invention, which are preferably arranged between two adjacent processing devices 3, are provided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, shifting devices 10 are arranged between all of the respective adjacent processing devices 3 . However, embodiments are also possible in which sliding devices 10 are arranged not between all but only some processing devices 3 .

The sliding devices 10 are preferably used to transport the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 from one transport track T1, T2 to the other, transversely to the transport direction F1, F2, as required. The transverse conveyance can take place in both directions R1, R2 transverse to the conveying direction F1, F2, ie in direction R1 from the first transport track T1 to the second transport track T2 and vice versa in direction R2 from the second transport track T2 to the first transport track T1. Furthermore, the sliding devices 10 for recording as needed and temporary Zwi mechanical storage of the ophthalmic lenses 2
or lens carrier 5 is formed.
For convenience, directions R1, R2 are in 1 shown perpendicular to the conveying direction. However, as already mentioned above, transverse conveying diagonally to the conveying direction is also possible.

In the embodiment of the system 1 according to the invention, an intermediate plate 9 is fastened in the area of the pushing device 10 between the conveyor belts 6, 6'. This serves to bridge the distance between the conveyor belts 6, 6' when the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 are transported transversely by means of the shifting device 10 from one transport track T1, T2 to the other.

Furthermore, in 1 It can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment in the region of the intermediate plate 9 there are recesses or openings in the guide webs 8 in order to enable transverse conveyance of the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 without a lift.

A sliding device 10 according to the invention for preferred attachment to the conveyor device 4 of the system 1 according to the invention is in 3 shown in a perspective view. The sliding device 10 has a fork 11 with two side elements 11a, 11b which are designed in one piece with a holding surface 12. The fork 11 is wider than the lens carrier 5 in order to ensure that the lens carrier 5 can be retracted into or through the fork 11 without resistance. The width of the fork 11 is expediently selected in such a way that the lens carrier 5 can be pushed from one transport track T1, T2 to the other with little play when it is carried along by the fork 11. An embedded in the holding surface 12 vertical stopper cylinder 13, in a particularly preferred embodiment, a pneumatic cylinder, has how 4 can be seen, an extendable piston 13a. This is essentially intended to stop the lens carrier 5 . If the piston 13a is extended downwards onto the conveyor belts 6, 6', the lens carrier 5 is stopped when the conveyor belts 6, 6' are running, while the lens carrier 5 can continue to run on the conveyor device 4 or the conveyor belts 6, 6' if the piston 13a is in the retracted state.

Furthermore is 3 to see that the holding surface 12 is connected via a mounting bracket 14 with a driver 15 in the form of a carriage. The driver 15 is linearly movable on a transfer cylinder 17, in the illustrated embodiment in the form of a rodless pneumatic cylinder and is used to drive the fork 11 and thus the transverse promotion of the lens carrier 5 from one transport track T1, T2 to the other. The transfer cylinder 17 is mounted on a carrier 18, on the underside 18a of which a guide rail 19 is fastened. In addition, a guide carriage 16, which is mounted on roller bearings in the exemplary embodiment, is mounted on the holding surface 12, which is arranged to be linearly movable on the guide rail 19 and is used for linear guidance when the fork 11 is transported transversely along the transfer cylinder 17 and thus the lens carrier 5 from one transport track T1, T2 to the other.

As 1 and 3 can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, an intermediate plate 9 is attached between the conveyor belts 6, 6'. This is in a particularly preferred embodiment, as in 3 to recognize, higher than the conveyor belts 6, 6' itself and has bevels 9a, 9b on the edges facing the conveyor belts 6, 6'. These essentially serve to move the lens carrier 5 up onto the intermediate plate 9 without the lens carrier 5 having to be lifted. The higher level of the intermediate plate 9 in relation to the conveyor belts 6, 6' in turn ensures that the lens carrier 5 does not get caught on the edge of the respective conveyor belt 6, 6' when being transported from the intermediate plate 9 onto a transport track T1, T2.

• Sobald ein Linsenträger 5 in die Gabel 11 fährt, wird der Linsenträger 5 durch den heruntergefahrenen Kolben 13a des Stopperzylinders 13 angehalten. Zur Querförderung des Linsenträgers 5 von einer Transportspur T1, T2 zur anderen wird die Gabel 11 mittels des Transferzylinders 17 und der unterstützenden Linearführung entlang der Führungsschiene 19 über die Zwischenplatte 9 von einer Transportspur T1, T2 zur anderen transportiert, wobei der Linsenträger 5 zwischen den Seitenelementen 11a, 11b der Gabel 11 mitgeführt wird. Wenn der Linsenträger 5 auf einer Transportspur T1, T2 in die Förderrichtung F1, F2 weiterbefördert werden soll, fährt der Kolben 13a des Stopperzylinders 13 hoch, derart, dass der Werkstückträger 5 durch die Gabel 11 auf dem laufenden Förderband 6, 6' hindurchfahren kann. Dies wird dadurch ermöglicht, dass keine seitlichen Spannkräfte von den Seitenelementen 11a, 11b auf den Linsenträger 5 einwirken.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, the following transfer method according to the invention can be carried out with the sliding device 10 according to the invention in combination with the conveyor device 4 of the system 1 according to the invention:

• As soon as a lens carrier 5 moves into the fork 11, the lens carrier 5 is stopped by the piston 13a of the stopper cylinder 13 being lowered. To transport the lens carrier 5 transversely from one transport track T1, T2 to the other, the fork 11 is transported by means of the transfer cylinder 17 and the supporting linear guide along the guide rail 19 via the intermediate plate 9 from one transport track T1, T2 to the other, with the lens carrier 5 between the side elements 11a, 11b of the fork 11 is carried along. If the lens carrier 5 is to be conveyed further on a transport track T1, T2 in the conveying direction F1, F2, the piston 13a of the stopper cylinder 13 moves up in such a way that the workpiece carrier 5 can pass through the fork 11 on the moving conveyor belt 6, 6'. This is made possible by the fact that no lateral clamping forces from the side elements 11a, 11b act on the lens carrier 5.

According to the invention, it is also possible for the lens carrier 5 to pass the fork 11 directly while the conveyor belt 6, 6' is running without the lens carrier 5 being transported transversely from one transport track T1, T2 to the other. This is provided, for example, if a lens carrier 5 conveyed on the second transport track T2 is not to be processed on the processing device 3 immediately adjacent to the closest shifting device 10, but only on a subsequent processing device 3.

5 and 6 12 show a further embodiment of the sliding device 20 according to the invention. This has a fork 21 with side elements 21a, 21b formed in one piece with an upper holding surface 24. A vertical lifting cylinder 23 , preferably a pneumatic cylinder, is embedded in this upper holding surface 24 , the lower end of which is fastened to the lower holding surface 22 . The height of the lifting cylinder 23 can be adjusted along the arrow H by means of a piston 23a and takes the fork 21 with it via the upper holding surface 24 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fork 21 is in the raised state, so that the lens carrier 5 can pass under the fork 21 when the conveyor belts 6, 6' are running. As 6 to see, serves to stop the lens carrier 5 on the running conveyor belts 6, 6 'a vertical cantilevered support arm 25, which is connected to the upper support surface 24 in one piece. If the lifting cylinder 23 is not raised on the lower holding surface 22, the lens carrier 5 is stopped by the holding arm 25 when the conveyor belts 6, 6' are running, while the lens carrier 5 continues to run with the conveyor device 4 or the conveyor belts 6, 6' can when the lifting cylinder 23 connected to the fork 21 via the upper holding surface 24 is raised along the piston 23a.

The transverse conveyance of the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 takes place in the case of the illustrated embodiment of the sliding device 20 in an identical manner as in the case of the particularly preferred embodiment of the sliding device 10 according to the invention (see above).

An advantage according to the invention of the illustrated embodiment of the sliding device 20 is that the lens carrier 5 can leave the sliding device 20 more quickly by quickly raising the fork 21 or can be carried along with the conveyor belt 6, 6'. As a result, a jamming of lens carriers 5 can be prevented or a higher throughput can be achieved. For the transverse conveyance of the ophthalmic lenses 2 or lens carrier 5 from one transport track T1, T2 to the other, the fork 21 with the lens carrier 5 always remains on the conveyor belt 6, 6' or the intermediate plate 9.

Preferably, two ophthalmic lenses 2 to be processed are held by a lens carrier 5, as is customary in the manufacture of lenses or spectacles. 7 shows a schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of a lens carrier 5 for receiving up to two ophthalmic lenses 2. Two receiving locations 41 are used to receive the ophthalmic lenses 2, which are designed in such a way that the ophthalmic lenses 2 do not slip when the lens carrier is conveyed and stopped 5 can be avoided. This allows the ophthalmic lenses 2 to remain particularly stable in their spatial position on the lens carrier 5 and therefore the loading and unloading in the holding area of the processing devices 3 can be carried out particularly reliably.

In the example shown, the distance between the ophthalmic lenses 2 or their mounting positions 41 within a lens carrier 5 is the same as the distance between an ophthalmic lens 2 or a mounting position 41 in a lens carrier 5 and the neighboring ophthalmic lens 2 or the mounting position 41 in one immediately adjacent lens carrier 5. This simplifies the handling or positioning of the ophthalmic lenses 2, in particular on the transport track T1 on the processing devices 3 for loading and unloading the processing devices 3 with ophthalmic lenses 2.

The distance a between the centers of the receiving positions 41 of the lens carrier 5 is approximately 130 mm in the exemplary embodiment shown, with an error tolerance of 10 mm. Accordingly, the length I of the lens carrier 5 is twice the distance a, i.e. approximately 260 mm with an error tolerance of 10 mm. The width b of the lens carrier 5 is preferably approximately 220 mm with an error tolerance of 10 mm.

From the aforementioned dimensions of the lens carrier 5, the width of the conveying device 4 results, specifically at least twice the width b of the lens carrier 5, ie at least approx. 440 mm in the exemplary embodiment mentioned, taking into account the error tolerance. In the case of several, i.e. at least two, conveyor belts 6, 6', the width of the conveyor device 4 corresponds at least to the number of conveyor belts 6, 6' multiplied by the width b of the lens carrier 5, i.e. at least the corresponding multiple of 220 mm, taking into account the error tolerance . In the case of several spaced conveyor belts 6, 6', the width of the conveyor belts is at least the width b of a lens carrier 5, i.e. at least approximately 220 mm, taking into account the error tolerance.

In addition to the exemplary embodiment of the lens carrier 5 mentioned, narrower variants of the lens carrier 5 are also conceivable, which are known to those skilled in the art. These can, for example, have a length I between 245 and 265 mm, in particular approx. 250 mm, have a width b of between 120 and 130 mm, in particular approx. 125 mm, and a distance a between the receiving locations 41 of between 110 and 135 mm, in particular approx. 130 mm. Other dimensions are of course also conceivable.

Furthermore, stackable embodiments known per se, in particular double trays, of the lens carrier 5 can also be used. In the case of lens supports 5 stacked on top of one another, it is advisable to take their height into account. This is possible, for example, by raising or lowering the conveyor device 4 or the processing devices 3 by the respective height of the additional lens carrier 5.

Reference List

1

investment

2

ophthalmic lens

3

processing facility

4

conveyor

5

lens wearer

6, 6'

conveyor belt

7, 7'

drive system

8th

guide rails

9

intermediate plate

9a, 9b

edge bevels of the intermediate plate 9

10

sliding device

11

Fork

11a, 11b

Side elements of the fork 11

12

holding surface

13

stopper cylinder

13a

piston of 13

14

mounting brackets

15

driver

16

roller-bearing guide carriage

17

transfer cylinder

18

carrier

18a

Bottom of beam 18

19

guide rail

20

Sliding device with height-adjustable fork 21

21

height-adjustable fork

21a, 21b

Side elements of the fork 21

22

holding surface

23

lifting cylinder

24

upper mounting surface of the fork 21

25

cantilever arm

31

stopping device

32

sensor

41

recording place

42

profile

F1

Conveying direction along T1

F2

Conveying direction along T2

H

Arrow H

R1, R2

Directions transverse to the conveying direction

T1

first transport track

T2

second transport track

a

Spacing of the receiving places 41 of the lens carrier 5

b

Lens carrier width 5

I

Lens carrier length 5

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2822883 B1 [0003, 0004, 0009, 0013, 0014, 0021, 0040, 0046, 0049, 0050, 0051]
• EP 2822883 [0008]

Claims (13)

Plant (1) for processing ophthalmic lenses (2), with a plurality of processing devices (3) for the independent processing of the ophthalmic lenses (2), with a conveyor device (4) connecting the processing devices (3) to one another for transporting the ophthalmic lenses (2) or . Lens carriers (5) from one processing device (3) to the other, with the conveyor device (4) having at least two transport tracks (T1, T2), with a first transport track (T1) for conveying the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carriers (5 ) from one processing device (3) to the next and a second transport track (T2) for the parallel conveyance of the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carrier (5); with transfer devices for transporting the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carriers (5) from one transport track (T1, T2) to the other transversely to the conveying direction (F1, F2), if necessary, for temporarily receiving/intermediate storage and for transporting the ophthalmic lenses further if necessary ( 2) or lens carrier (5), characterized in that the conveyor device (4) has at least one continuous conveyor belt (6), that at least one drive system (7) is provided for the at least one conveyor belt (6), that each processing device (3 ) is immediately adjacent to the first transport track (T1), that each transfer device is designed as a pushing device (10, 20) which moves the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carrier (5) transversely to the transport direction (F1, F2) from a transport track (T1 , T2) to the other. Annex (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pushing device (10, 20) has a fork (11, 21) which can be moved transversely to the conveyor device (4). Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pushing device (10, 20) has a linear drive for the transverse conveyance of the fork (11, 21). Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fork (11, 21) of the pushing device (10, 20) can be moved in both directions (R1, R2) transversely to the conveying direction (F1, F2). Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pushing device (10, 20) is arranged on the conveyor device (4). Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding device (10, 20) is arranged on the processing device (3). Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor device (4) has a conveyor belt (6) with two transport tracks (T1, T2) and a common drive system (7). Annex (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the conveyor device (4) has two separate conveyor belts (6, 6'), which each form the transport tracks (T1, T2). Annex (1) according to claim 8 , characterized in that the conveyor device (4) for driving the separate conveyor belts (6, 6') has a common drive system (7). Annex (1) according to claim 8 , characterized in that the conveyor device (4) has a drive system (7, 7') per conveyor belt (6, 6'). Annex (1) according to one of Claims 8 until 10 , characterized in that each sliding device (10, 20) is assigned an intermediate plate (9) arranged between the conveyor belts (6, 6'). System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that guide webs (8) for guiding the ophthalmic lenses (2) or lens carriers (5) parallel to the conveying direction (F1, F2) are provided on the edge of the conveyor belts (6, 6'). are. Annex (1) according to claim 12 , characterized in that in the area of the sliding devices (10, 20) recesses of the guide webs (8) are provided.

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