EP2116330A1 - Block station for blocking spectacle glass blanks on a block piece - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a supply line (4.1) arranged downstream a storage tank (3) e.g. pressure vessel, relative to a flow direction (S) of joining material (2). The joining material from the tank is filled between a spectacle glass blank and a block piece by the supply line. A supply unit (5) is interconnected after the tank and before the supply line relative to the flow direction. The joining material found in the supply unit and/or in the supply line is loaded with pressure increase. A surge tank (5.1) is in flow connection with the storage tank by a flow channel (7.1). An independent claim is also included for a method for blocking a spectacle glass blank on a block piece by a joining material.

Description

The invention relates to a device for blocking a lens blank on a block piece by means of a connecting mass, comprising a reservoir for the connecting mass and the reservoir with respect to a flow direction S of the connecting mass downstream feed line through which the compound from the reservoir between the lens blank and the block piece is fillable.

It is already a device for blocking a lens blank on a block piece by means of a connecting mass according to the preamble of the main claim of the DE 30 35 989 A1 known. With the known device, a low-melting metal alloy can be used as a connecting mass, which is conveyed from a reservoir to the filling site solely on the basis of gravity.

From the post-published DE 10 2007 007 161 A1 For example, an apparatus and a method for blocking spectacle lenses for processing them are known. The apparatus comprises a block material feeding means for feeding the block material in a plastically deformable or liquid state. A part of the block material supply means is a cartridge provided with a heater, in which the block material is stored and from which the block material is discharged via a downstream supply line with nozzle for connection of the block piece. In the flow direction in front of the cartridge formed as a reservoir designed as a piston conveyor unit is provided.

The invention has for its object to form a device for blocking a lens blank on a block piece in such a way and to arrange that an optimal storage and simplified promotion of the compound masses are guaranteed.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that with reference to the flow direction S after the reservoir and before the feed line a conveyor unit for the compound mass is interposed, by means of which the compound located in the conveyor unit and / or in the supply line can be acted upon by a pressure increase. This ensures that the compound compound can be promoted in the case of increased viscosity from the reservoir via the feed line between the lens blank and the block piece. The viscosity depends on the compound itself, on the nature and extent of the additives and on the temperature of this mixture.

It can also be advantageous for this purpose if the delivery unit has an intermediate container which is arranged with respect to the flow direction S to the storage container and in front of the supply line and which can be brought into flow connection with the storage container via a flow line. Through the use of an intermediate container, which has at least the volume of one to four fillings, a possibly necessary reheating or additional heating of the connecting mass is ensured prior to flowing into the supply by heating this subset in a simple way. The flow line can be designed to be correspondingly generous in accordance with the viscosity or fluidity of the connecting mass, so that filling of the intermediate container is possible despite increased viscosity. For the purpose of transporting the compound From the intermediate container in the supply line and thus in the space between the lens blank and block piece may be sufficient to ensure a lower viscosity further heating of this subset.

A simple structure of a delivery pressure can result from the fact that the intermediate container is designed as a pressure vessel and a connecting piece for the purpose of supplying liquid or gaseous pressure medium, such as water, oil or compressed air has. The intermediate container is significantly smaller than the reservoir and has a volume for the subset of compound mass, which is sufficient for about one to four fillings. Accordingly, the existing internal cross-sections of the intermediate container are correspondingly small, so that the resulting increase in pressure holding forces for flaps, covers u. Ä. also be significantly lower. Furthermore, the intermediate container can be provided due to its reduced size without further disadvantages in weight with a sufficiently thick housing wall, so that the required stability is ensured taking into account the pressure level. Since the devices considered here for blocking usually require compressed air as the working medium, the desired pressure increase for the intermediate container by using the compressed air nozzle is possible in a simple manner. The intended pressure increase for the intermediate container is 0.3 bar to 2 bar, preferably between 0.5 bar and 1 bar.

So that several fillings can be ensured at the same time, several supply lines can be connected to the storage container or to the intermediate container. As a rule, the filling takes place in pairs, so the compound compound is at the same time between two pairs of lens blanks and respective block piece, so that two or four supply lines are provided.

The object is also achieved in that the reservoir is designed as a pressure vessel and means for supplying pressure medium, such as water, oil or compressed air has. The compound compound can thus be promoted in the case of higher viscosity via the feed line between the lens blank and the block piece. The desired for the reservoir pressure increase is easily possible by the use of compressed air, which is introduced via means such as a compressed air connection. However, the storage container or a lid or a flap thereof must be adapted to the stability regarding the increased pressure level. The intended pressure increase for the storage container is 0.05 bar to 0.5 bar, preferably between 0.1 bar and 0.3 bar. The measures associated with such an increase in pressure measures to reinforce the reservoir or the lid, including the safety-related measures, are still within a reasonable range.

It may also be advantageous if the intermediate container and / or the respective supply line heating means for heating the compound contained therein. By separate use of heating means for the intermediate container and / or the supply line, the amount of compound contained therein can be heated very selectively, without always keeping the entire compound contained in the reservoir connection mass on the ultimately necessary temperature level.

Of particular importance may be for the present invention, when a valve is provided, which in the flow direction S is arranged after the reservoir and before the intermediate container. Through the valve, the promotion of the compound mass is supported from the intermediate container. The intermediate container can be decoupled via the valve from the reservoir, so that upon pressurization of the intermediate container pressurization of the reservoir or the compound contained therein is prevented. In addition, the inflow can be regulated from the reservoir into the intermediate container.

In connection with the design and arrangement according to the invention, it may be advantageous if the valve has the at least partially flexible flow channel and an actuator, wherein a flow cross-section Q of the flow channel by means of the actuator is reduced or variable. The bonding compound achieved on cooling a very high strength, which makes the use of conventional valves with freely movable valve bodies difficult. The use of a flexible channel, which is variable or closable via a simple adjusting means in the flow cross-section, ensures a permanent operation, in particular if the device or the connecting compound cools in the meantime and is reheated.

It can also be advantageous if the flow channel is formed by a hose. The formation of the flow channel as a flexible hose ensures the necessary flexibility for arbitrary varying the flow cross section by means of the actuator. The tube or the flow channel is preferably guided within a bore in the valve housing, whereby the pressure stability of the flow channel or the hose is ensured.

In addition, it may be advantageous if the actuator has a pneumatically driven slide or piston, which is adjustable in the radial direction to the flow channel in order to reduce the flow cross-section Q. The use of a piston, which is usually controlled by a compressed air membrane, represents a simple and inexpensive component. The use of compressed air is as already stated above due to the existing pressure medium air advantage.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the reservoir is assigned a mixing unit for mixing the compound mass contained therein and the mixing unit is preferably designed as a stirrer and has a stirrer and a drive. The mixing unit described above ensures a homogeneous temperature distribution within the bonding compound in the reservoir and a thorough mixing of the additives contained in the bonding compound in liquid and / or solid form.

It may be advantageous if the intermediate container is arranged with respect to the horizontal below and / or laterally from the reservoir. Thus, as already stated above, the intermediate container can readily be filled by gravity opening by opening the flow channel. The filling level of the intermediate container is significantly lower than that of the storage container. The fill level is controlled via the valve.

Finally, it may be advantageous if the reservoir has a container wall and the intermediate container has a housing wall, wherein the housing wall for the purpose of transfer of heat is applied flat against the container wall or to the container wall, optionally using heat transfer Materials, is coupled so that the container wall and the housing wall have a common contact surface of at least 20 cm ² to 100 cm ² . By the highest possible heat transfer from the reservoir to the intermediate container, a separate heating of the bonding compound in the intermediate container can be avoided. At most in the subsequent to the intermediate container supply line, a supplementary intermediate heating may be necessary.

In addition, a filling mechanism with a receiving dome for the block piece and a filler neck for the liquid bonding compound can be provided, wherein the filling mechanism is set at an angle α between 10 ° and 30 °, in particular 20 °, with respect to the vertical. The spectacle lens blank to be piled is placed over or to the side of the block piece, whereby a block ring designed as a sealing means and a guide calotte are placed between the spectacle lens blank and the block piece or the receiving dome in order to ensure a cavity to be filled with bonding compound. The block ring thus seals against the lens blank or a first lower side and against the guide calotte. The guide calotte seals against the receiving dome, while the receiving dome seals against the block piece.

Within the block ring a filling opening is provided. In the region of the filling opening, a filler neck of the filling mechanism is arranged, via which liquid compound compound is introduced into the cavity thus formed. In order to ensure the position of the lens blank and the tightness of the filling mechanism has a holder which biases the lens blank in the axial direction against the sealant or the block ring.

The lens blank, the block piece and the block ring with the filling opening are, as well as the filling mechanism, employed against the vertical at an angle α of about 20 °. The compound compound can therefore enter from the filler neck through the filling opening in the angled at the angle α cavity, whereby it is filled from bottom to top. The claimed angular range ensures a rapid filling of the cavity and prevents clogging of the filling opening or the filling zone by already occurred and partially cooled connecting compound. Due to the increased gravity component, which is due to the low angle of attack α, a possibly accumulating accumulation of leaked and partially cooled connection compound is conveyed further down into the cavity. This is supported by the inflowing hot bonding compound.

The object is also achieved by the inventive method for blocking a lens blank on a block piece by means of a connecting mass, wherein a reservoir for the connecting mass and the reservoir with respect to a flow direction S of the connecting mass downstream feed line through which the compound from the reservoir between the Eyeglass lens blank and the block piece is filled, is provided, wherein the bonding compound is promoted by the use of compressed air from the reservoir through the supply line between the lens blank and the block piece. This ensures that the compound compound can be promoted in the case of higher viscosity at the desired speed of the reservoir via the supply line between the lens blank and the block piece. The viscosity depends on the bonding mass itself, the nature and extent of the additives and the temperature of this mixture.

It may be advantageous if a conveyor unit is provided which has a pressurizable intermediate container and between the intermediate container and the reservoir, a flow line is provided with a valve, wherein for the purpose of promoting the compound mass from the intermediate container into the supply line, the flow line over the Valve closed and the intermediate container is pressurized. The intermediate container is significantly smaller than the reservoir and has a volume for the compound mass, which is sufficient for about one to four fillings plus a possible reserve. Accordingly, the existing internal cross-sections of the intermediate container are correspondingly small, so that the resulting increase in pressure holding forces for flaps, covers u. Ä. also be significantly lower. Furthermore, the intermediate container can be provided due to its reduced size without further effort with a sufficiently thick housing wall, so that the required stability is ensured. Since the devices considered here for blocking usually require compressed air as the working medium, the desired pressure increase for the intermediate container by using the compressed air nozzle is possible in a simple manner. Through the valve, the promotion of the compound mass is supported from the intermediate container. The intermediate container can be decoupled from the reservoir with respect to the connected via the flow line pressure channel, so that upon pressurization of the intermediate container pressurization of the reservoir or the compound contained therein or a backflow is prevented. In addition, the inflow can be regulated from the reservoir.

Alternatively, the reservoir itself can be pressurized to convey the compound mass into the supply line. Thus, an increase in the flow rate of the bonding compound is also achieved despite possibly increased viscosity.

Figur 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Blocken;

Figur 2

einen Vorratsbehälter mit Zwischenbehälter;

Figur 3

den Zwischenbehälter mit Ventil;

Figur 4

einen Teilausschnitt aus der Befüllmechanik gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 5

einen Vorratsbehälter mit Druckanschluss.

Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in the patent claims and in the description and illustrated in the figures. Show it:

FIG. 1

a device for blocking;

FIG. 2

a storage container with intermediate container;

FIG. 3

the intermediate container with valve;

FIG. 4

a partial section of the filling according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5

a reservoir with pressure connection.

An in FIG. 1 1 illustrated device for blocking has a housing 1.7, in which a storage container 3 is mounted for connection mass 2. At the front, the device 1 has a filling mechanism 1.4 and a camera 1.3, by means of which the spectacle lens blanks, not shown, are aligned relative to a block piece, fixed and connected to connecting compound 2. For this purpose, a monitor 1.2 and an electronic unit 1.5 are further provided, by means of which the blocking process is supported. For the purpose of thorough mixing of the bonding compound 2 in the reservoir 3, a mixing unit 8 with a stirrer 8.1, which is connected via a gearbox 8.3 with a drive 8.2, is provided.

As in FIG. 2 shown closer to the storage container 3 is a conveyor unit 5, via which the compound compound 2 in one or two feed lines 4.1, 4.2 is promoted.

The storage container 3 is mounted on a support plate 1.6 and closed by a cover 1.1 with a lid 3.1. Above the cover 1.1, the mixing unit 8 is arranged with the drive 8.2 and the gearbox 8.3. The delivery unit 5 is laterally offset in the region of a container wall 3.2 placed down on the reservoir 3. About the two feed lines 4.1, 4.2 the compound compound 2 is promoted to the filling 1.4. The two supply lines 4.1, 4.2 each have separate heating means 6.1, 6.2 in the form of airbags.

In the sectional view according to FIG. 3 the reservoir 3 is partially shown with a container wall 3.2. An intermediate container 5.1 of the conveyor unit 5 has a rectangular housing 5.3 with a front housing wall 5.4 and a voltage applied to the reservoir 3 rear housing wall 5.5. Furthermore, the intermediate container 5.1 has a bell-shaped, designed as a cylinder cover 5.6, on which a connection piece 5.2 is provided for compressed air. About the connection 5.2, the interior of the lid 5.6 and the inner cavity of the intermediate container 5.1 is pressurized with compressed air.

The intermediate container 5.1 is connected via a valve 7 with a flow channel 7.1 with the reservoir 3 in flow connection. The valve 7 and the flow channel 7.1 is connected to a bottom opening 3.3 of the reservoir 3 with this. The flow channel 7.1 connects laterally to the housing wall 5.5 to the intermediate container 5.1. about an opening 5.7 in the housing wall 5.4, the supply lines 4.1, 4.2 are connected. The valve 7 has a valve housing 7.4, in which the flow channel 7.1 is included. The flow channel 7.1 is formed from an elastic tube which is arranged within a corresponding bore or recess of the housing 7.4. The valve 7 also has a slide 7.3, which is driven via an actuator 7.2 and can be prestressed in the radial direction against the flow channel 7.1, so that the flow channel 7.1 or its cross-section Q can be changed or closed.

After the connecting mass 2 has flowed into the intermediate container 5.1 due to gravity when the valve 7 is open, the valve 7 is closed. By pressurizing the intermediate container 5.1 via the connecting piece 5.2, the compound mass 2 contained in the intermediate container 5.1 is pressurized and fed via the supply line 4.1, 4.2 of the filling mechanism 1.4.

To block a lens blank 9.1 on a block piece 9.2, both the block piece 9.2 and the lens blank 9.1 are placed in a partially shown filling mechanism 1.4 of the block device 1. The filling mechanism 1.4 has a receiving dome 1.4a into which the block piece 9.2 is inserted. For the purpose of aligning the block piece 9.2 or the receiving dome 1.4a relative to the lens blank 9.1, a guide dome 1.4b is provided, which is mounted in the filling mechanism 1.4 via a swivel plate 1.4c. The swivel plate 1.4c, in addition to various other gear members also has a rotation axis 1.4d. For later ejection of the block piece 9.2 an ejector 1.4e is provided.

The glass lens blank 9.1 to be lifted is placed over the block piece 9.2, whereby a block ring formed as a sealing agent 1.4g and the guide cup 1.4b are placed between the lens blank 9.1 and the block piece 9.2 or the socket cup 1.4a in order to ensure a cavity 1.4f to be filled by bonding compound 2 become. The block ring 1.4g thus seals against the lens blank 9.1 or a first lower side 9.1a as well as against the guide dome 1.4b. The guide dome 1.4b seals against the receiving dome 1.4a, while the receiving dome 1.4a seals against the block piece 9.2.

Within the block ring 1.4g a filling opening 1.4h is provided. In the region of the filling opening 1.4h, a filler neck 1.4i is arranged, via which liquid bonding compound 2 is filled into the cavity 1.4f. In order to ensure the position of the lens blank 9.1 and the tightness, the filling mechanism 1.4 a holder 1.4k, which biases the lens blank 9.1 in the axial direction against the sealant or the block ring 1.4g.

The lens blank 9.1, the block piece 9.2 and the block ring 1.4g with the filling opening 1.4h are, as well as the filling mechanism 1.4, compared to the vertical at an angle α of about 20 ° employed. The bonding compound 2 thus enters from the filler neck 1.4i through the filling opening 1.4h into the cavity 1.4f set at the angle α, whereby it is filled from bottom to top.

According to embodiment FIG. 5 has the reservoir 3 on the cover 1.1 as a connecting piece 3.4 trained Means for connecting compressed air. The lid 3.1 is tightly closed by means of closure 3.5, 3.6, which are displaceable according to the arrow for locking or unlocking to one side. About the two feed line 4.1, 4.2, the compound compound 2 is conveyed to the filling mechanism 1.4. By pressurizing the reservoir 3, the promotion of the bonding compound 2 is supported.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Device for blocking, block device

1.1

cover

1.2

monitor

1.3

camera

1.4

Befüllmechanik

1.4a

Aufnahmekalotte

1.4b

Führungskalotte

1.4c

pivoting disc

1.4d

axis of rotation

1.4e

ejector

1.4f

cavity

1.4g

Sealant, block ring

1.4h

fill opening

1.4i

filler pipe

1.4k

holder

1.5

electronics unit

1.6

support plate

1.7

casing

2

connecting material

3

reservoir

3.1

cover

3.2

container wall

3.3

bottom opening

3.4

Medium, spigot

3.5

closure means

3.6

closure means

4.1

feed

4.2

feed

5

delivery unit

5.1

intermediate container

5.2

Medium, spigot

5.3

casing

5.4

housing wall

5.5

housing wall

5.6

cover

5.7

opening

6.1

heating

6.2

heating

7

Valve

7.1

flow channel

7.2

actuator

7.3

pusher

7.4

valve housing

8th

mixing unit

8.1

stirrer

8.2

drive

8.3

transmission

9.1

Lens blank

9.1a

first page

9.2

block piece

Q

Flow area

S

flow direction

α

angle

Claims (15)

Device (1) for blocking a lens blank (9.1) on a block piece (9.2) by means of a connecting mass (2), comprising a reservoir (3) for the connecting mass (2) and a reservoir (3) with respect to a flow direction S of Connecting compound (2) downstream supply line (4.1), via which the compound compound (2) from the reservoir (3) between the lens blank (9.1) and the block piece (9.2) can be filled,
characterized in that with respect to the flow direction S to the reservoir (3) and in front of the feed line (4.1) a conveyor unit (5) for the connecting mass (2) is interposed, by means of which in the conveyor unit (5) and / or in the supply line (4.1) located connection mass (2) can be acted upon with a pressure increase. Device (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that the delivery unit (5) has an intermediate container (5.1), which is arranged with respect to the flow direction S to the reservoir (3) and in front of the feed line (4.1) and with the reservoir (3) via a flow channel ( 7.1) can be brought into flow connection. Device (1) according to claim 2,
characterized in that the intermediate container (5.1) is designed as a pressure vessel and means (5.2) for the purpose of supplying liquid or gaseous pressure medium, such as water, oil or air has. Device (1) for blocking a lens blank (9.1) on a block piece (9.2) by means of a connecting mass (2), comprising a reservoir (3) for the connecting mass (2) and a reservoir (3) with respect to a flow direction S of Connecting compound (2) downstream supply line (4.1), via which the compound compound (2) from the reservoir (3) between the lens blank (9.1) and the block piece (9.2) can be filled,
characterized in that the storage container (3) is designed as a pressure vessel and means (3.4) for supplying pressure medium, such as water, oil or air, has. Device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3,
characterized in that a valve (7) is provided, which is arranged in the flow direction S to the reservoir (3) and in front of the intermediate container (5.1). Device (1) according to claim 5,
characterized in that the valve (7) has the at least partially flexible flow channel (7.1) and an actuator (7.2), wherein a flow cross-section Q of the flow channel (7.1) by means of the actuator (7.2) is reduced in size. Device (1) according to claim 6,
characterized in that the actuator (7.2) has a pneumatically driven slide (7.3) or piston, which is adjustable in order to reduce the flow cross-section Q in the radial direction to the flow channel (7.1). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the reservoir (3) is associated with a mixing unit (8) for mixing the compound compound (2) contained therein. Device (1) according to one of claims 2, 3 or 5 to 8,
characterized in that the intermediate container (5.1) with respect to the horizontal below and / or laterally from the reservoir (3) is arranged. Device (1) according to one of claims 2, 3 or 5 to 9,
characterized in that the reservoir (3) a container wall (3.2) and the intermediate container (5.1) has a housing wall (5.3), wherein the housing wall (5.3) for the purpose of transfer of heat is coupled flat to the container wall (3.2). Device (1) according to claim 10,
characterized in that the container wall (3.2) and the housing wall (5.3) have a common contact surface of at least 20 cm ² . Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that a filling mechanism (1.4) with a receiving dome (1.4a) for the block piece (9.2) and a filler neck (1.4i) for the liquid compound compound (2) is provided, wherein the filling mechanism (1.4) relative to the vertical in one Angle α between 10 ° and 30 °, in particular 20 ° is employed. A method for blocking a lens blank (9.1) on a block piece (9.2) by means of a connecting mass (2), wherein a reservoir (3) for the connecting mass (2) and a reservoir (3) with respect to a flow direction S of the connecting mass (2 ) downstream supply line (4.1), via which the compound compound (2) from the reservoir (3) between the lens blank (9.1) and the block piece (9.2) can be filled, is provided,
characterized in that the bonding compound (2) by the use of compressed air from the reservoir (3) through the feed line (4.1) between the lens blank (9.1) and the block piece (9.2) is promoted. Method according to claim 16,
characterized in that a delivery unit (5) is provided which has a pressurizable intermediate container (5.1) and between the intermediate container (5.1) and the reservoir (3) a flow channel (7.1) with a valve (7) is provided, for conveying the connecting compound (2) from the intermediate container (5.1) into the supply line (4.1) the flow channel (7.1) via the valve (7) closed and the intermediate container (5.1) is pressurized. Method according to claim 16,
characterized in that the storage container (3) for the purpose of promoting the bonding compound (2) in the supply line (4.1) is pressurized.

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