Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
  • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
  • B24B13/00—Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor
  • B24B13/02—Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor by means of tools with abrading surfaces corresponding in shape with the lenses to be made
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
  • B24D—TOOLS FOR GRINDING, BUFFING OR SHARPENING
  • B24D9/00—Wheels or drums supporting in exchangeable arrangement a layer of flexible abrasive material, e.g. sandpaper
  • B24D9/08—Circular back-plates for carrying flexible material

Definitions

• the invention relates to optical quality surfacing for surfaces such as a face of an ophthalmic lens or a camera lens or an instrument for observing distant objects or a face a semiconductor substrate.
• Surfacing means any operation to modify the state of a previously shaped surface. These include polishing, grinding or etching operations to modify (decrease or increase) the roughness of the surface and / or to reduce the undulation.
• an optical surface comprising: a rigid support having a transverse end surface; an elastically compressible interface secured to the rigid support and having a first end transverse surface, a second end transverse surface and a lateral surface extending from the periphery of the first end surface to the periphery of the second surface; end, said first end surface of the interface being applied against and covering said end surface of the rigid support; as well as a flexible pad that can be applied against the optical surface and is applied against and at least partially covers the second end surface of the interface opposite and to the right of said end surface of the rigid support.
• the tool In order to reduce the roughness of the optical surface, the tool is brought into contact with the latter while maintaining sufficient tool pressure on it so that, by deformation of the interface, the pad conforms to the shape of the optical surface. .
• the optical surface is rotated, its friction against the tool being sufficient to jointly drive the latter in rotation, a variable shift during operation ensures relative movement and scanning.
• the surfacing operation requires an abrasive that can be contained in the buffer or in the fluid.
• the elastically compressible interface compensates for the difference in curvature between the end surface of the tool support and the optical surface.
• the aim of the invention is to provide a surfacing tool which is particularly efficient in terms of minimizing appearance defects.
• an optical quality surfacing tool comprising:
• an elastically compressible interface comprising a first transverse end surface, a second end transverse surface and a lateral surface extending from the periphery of the first transverse end surface to the periphery of the second end transverse surface; ;
• a flexible pad configured to be applied against a surface to be worked, secured to the interface by its second transverse end surface; and a connection structure between said elastically compressible interface and a tool mounting member on a surfacing machine; characterized in that said connecting structure is configured to form a bearing on a portion of the lateral surface and / or the first transverse end surface of the interface, leaving at least a portion of the lateral surface and minus a central portion of the first transverse end surface of the interface.
• the connecting structure comprises a bell having a main body and a peripheral wall projecting from the periphery of said body and extending to a free end; and said connecting structure comprises a support member between the peripheral wall of the bell and the periphery of the interface; said peripheral wall of the bell being applied against a portion of the lateral surface and / or the first transverse surface of the interface; at least one annular portion of the lateral surface of the interface being free; said first transverse end surface of the interface being on the side and away from the main body.
• an optical quality surfacing tool comprising:
• an elastically compressible interface comprising a first transverse end surface, a second end transverse surface and a lateral surface extending from the periphery of the first transverse end surface to the periphery of the second end transverse surface; ;
• said connecting structure comprises a bell comprising a main body and a peripheral wall projecting from the periphery of said body and extending to a free end; and said connecting structure comprises a support member between the peripheral wall of the bell and the periphery of the interface; said peripheral wall of the bell being applied against a portion of the lateral surface and / or the first transverse surface of the interface; at least one annular portion of the lateral surface of the interface being free; said first transverse end surface of the interface being on the side and away from the main body.
• the interface is elastically compressible and the support between the bell and this elastically compressible interface is effected by the periphery of the elastically compressible interface, it ensures a good conformation of the flexible pad to the surface to be worked whatever it is, to allow surfacing of particularly high quality.
• the tool further comprises an elastic return member disposed between the bell and the first transverse end surface of the interface;
• the elastic return member is formed by at least a portion of the peripheral wall of the bell;
• the elastic return member is separate from the bell and is engaged in at least one opening of the peripheral wall of the bell for mounting on the bell and to form said support member;
• the elastic return member comprises a solid disk or a disc having a central opening
• the elastic return member comprises elastically flexible radial strips; the elastic return member comprises an annular portion; and each said elastically flexible strip extends between a free end and an end attached to said annular portion;
• annular portion is centrally disposed
• annular portion is disposed peripherally;
• the support member is formed by at least one portion protruding internally from the peripheral wall of the bell;
• the elastic return member is formed by a fluid or gel disposed between the main body of the bell and the first transverse end surface of the elastically compressible interface;
• said support member is configured so that the interface is oriented as said main body of the bell;
• said support member is configured so that the interface is inclined with respect to said main body of the bell;
• said flexible buffer, said elastically compressible interface and said main body comprise openings configured to conduct a watering fluid towards the surface to be worked;
• a said opening is disposed centrally in said flexible buffer and in said elastically compressible interface
• the main body and / or the peripheral wall of the bell are divided into several angular segments;
• the lateral surface and / or the first transverse surface of the interface are fixed to the peripheral wall of the bell by interlocking or gluing; and or
• the elastically compressible interface has a thickness between the first transverse end surface and the second end transverse surface between 1 mm and 20 mm.
• the invention also proposes a surfacing machine comprising a surfacing tool of optical quality as mentioned above.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 are sectional elevational views of a surfacing tool according to the invention, respectively exploded and in the assembled state;
• FIG. 3 is the cross-sectional view marked by III-III in FIG.
• FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic elevational view illustrating the use of the surfacing tool shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 for working a surface of an ophthalmic lens;
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIG. 2, but showing in broken lines examples of conformations taken during the surfacing operation illustrated in FIG. 4, respectively by the elastic return member and by the flexible buffer ;
• FIGS 7 to 13 show, in the same way as Figure 3, variants of the elastic return member
• FIGS. 14 and 15 show, in the same way as FIG. 1, variants of the resilient return member that are curved rather than flat;
• FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 2 for a variant in which the elastic return member, the elastically compressible interface and the flexible buffer are inclined;
• Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 2 for an alternative in which the surfacing tool is configured to drive a coolant fluid to the work surface;
• Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 1 for a variant in which the elastic return member is formed by a fluid or gel disposed between the bell and the elastically flexible interface;
• Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 2 for a variant in which the surfacing tool has no elastic return member;
• Figures 20 and 21 are views similar to Figure 2 for other variants without elastic return member in which the elastically flexible interface is attached to the bell by gluing rather than by interlocking, the bell of the variant of the figure 21 being shaped differently;
• Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 2 for a variant similar to the variant illustrated in Figure 19, but with the bell which is shaped differently;
• Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 2 for a variant of the bell shaped differently and made of an elastic material
• Figure 24 is a plan view of a variant of the bell in which the peripheral wall has radial notches to be resiliently flexible.
• Figure 25 is a view similar to Figure 2 for a variant similar to the variant shown in Figure 23, but with the peripheral wall of the bell which is in two parts.
• the tool 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 comprises a bell 11, an elastically compressible interface 12, a flexible buffer 13 and an elastic return member 14.
• the tool 10 is generally cylindrical with symmetry of revolution and has an axis of symmetry illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 which defines a axial direction.
• the bell 11 comprises a main body 16, here a flange, and a peripheral wall 17 projecting from the periphery of the main body 16 to a free end 18.
• the main body 16 has the general shape of a disc oriented transversely to the axial direction; and the peripheral wall 17 is an annular wall extending in the axial direction.
• the interface 12 has a first end surface 20, a second end surface 21 and a side surface 22 extending from the periphery of the surface 20 to the periphery of the surface 21.
• the surfaces 20 and 21 extend transversely to the axial direction of the interface 12 and are here planar.
• the interface 12 and the buffer 13 have the general shape of a disk of the same diameter, with the thickness of the interface 12 which is higher than the thickness of the buffer 13.
• the interface 12 has a thickness (distance between the surfaces 20 and 21) of between 1 mm and 20 mm.
• the buffer 13 is applied against and covers the surface 21 of the interface
• the subjugation between the pad 13 and the interface 12 is done here by gluing over the entire surface 21.
• the elastic return member 14 is here a star part. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the elastic return member 14 comprises an annular portion 24, here disposed centrally, and resiliently flexible strips 25 which here extend radially from the annular portion 24.
• Each lamella 25 extends between a free end 26 and an end 27 attached to the annular portion 24.
• the length of the elastic strips 25 is such that the elastic return member 14 has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the peripheral wall 17 of the bell 11.
• the peripheral wall 17 has openings 29 in each of which is engaged a distal portion of one of the flexible strips 25.
• the diameter of the interface 12 and the buffer 13 is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the peripheral wall 17 of the bell 11, as can be seen in FIG.
• the assembly between the assembly formed by the interface 12 and the buffer 13 is made by interlocking the interface 12 in the space delimited laterally by the peripheral wall 17 between its free end 18 and the elastic return member 14.
• the thickness of the interface 12 is greater than the distance between the free end 18 and the openings 29 and therefore the elastic return member 14 engaged in these openings.
• the annular portion of the lateral surface 22 of the interface 12 located between the free end 18 of the peripheral wall 17 and the surface 21 is free.
• the elastic return member 14 is remote from the main body 16. Consequently, the surface 20 of the interface 12, which is against the elastic return member 14, is remote from the main body 16.
• the portion of the resilient return member 14 located near the peripheral wall 17 of the bell 1 1 can not approach the main body 16 since it is engaged in the openings 29.
• the portion of the elastic return member 14 located near the peripheral wall 17 thus forms a thrust abutment between the peripheral wall 17 and the periphery of the interface 12.
• a mounting member 30 is connected to the main body 16 on the side opposite the side facing the interface 12, that is to say on the side that one see above in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6.
• the mounting member 30 is here a nipple come from material with the bell
• a cavity 31 for receiving the head 32 of a pin 33 of a surfacing machine ( Figure 4).
• the head 32 has a spherical portion end shaped like the cavity 31.
• the assembly between the mounting member 30 and the pin 33 is made by simple snapping, the material surrounding the cavity 31 being able to deform because the spherical portion of the head 32 is housed in the cavity 31.
• the tool 10 When the head 32 of the pin 33 is engaged in the cavity 31, the tool 10 cooperates in a ball joint with respect to the pin 33.
• the mounting member 30 is different from a protruding nipple made of material, for example a mounting member attached to the main body 16 and / or projecting from the main body 16.
• the ophthalmic lens 36 is mounted on a rotatable support (not shown) to drive it in rotation about the X axis as shown by the arrow 37 .
• the tool 10 is applied against the face 35 with sufficient force for the pad 13 to conform to its shape.
• the face 35 is watered with a nonabrasive or abrasive watering fluid, depending on whether or not the pad 13 exerts this function.
• the tool 10 In order to scan the entire face 35, the tool 10 is moved in a reciprocating motion, as shown by the arrow 38.
• the force applied by the pin 33 on the tool 10, and more precisely on the mounting member 30, is transmitted to the buffer 13 via the bell 1 1, via the body of support formed by the portion of the elastic return member 14 located near the peripheral wall 17 due to the engagement in the openings 29, and through the interface 12.
• the support between the bell 11 and the interface 12 is effected by the periphery of the interface 12, it is essentially by its periphery that the flexible buffer 13 presses on the surface to be worked, here the face 35 of the ophthalmic lens 36.
• the surfacing therefore takes place essentially at the periphery of the buffer
• the central portion of the buffer 13 can be deformed to fit closer to the surface to be worked.
• the interface 12 is elastically compressible and the support between the bell 11 and this interface 12 is effected by the periphery of the interface 12, it ensures a good conformation of the flexible buffer 13 to the any working surface, to perform a removal of material distributed in the most homogeneous manner and allow a surfacing of particularly high quality.
• the tool 10 is particularly suitable for working convex surfaces.
• the tool 10 is generally capable of working surfaces of different curvatures, including concave surfaces.
• the variant of the elastic return member 14 illustrated in FIG. 7 is shaped in the same way, but with a different number of lamellae 25, here twelve lamellae 25.
• the variant of the elastic return member 14 illustrated in Figure 8 is shaped in a reverse manner, that is to say with the annular portion 24 which is arranged peripherally.
• each lamella 25 is therefore central and the attached end 27 is therefore peripheral.
• the annular portion 24 has an outer diameter similar to the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 17 of the bell 11. Tabs 28 protrude externally of the annular portion 24 to be engaged in the openings 29.
• the variant of the elastic return member 14 illustrated in Figure 9 is similar to the variant illustrated in Figure 8, except that there is a different number of slats 25, here twelve instead of six.
• the slats 25 may have a variable thickness, which therefore has a different flexibility.
• each lamella may be relatively rigid at its free end and relatively flexible at the attached end.
• the variant of the elastic return member 14 illustrated in FIG. 10 is formed by a disc 40 having a central opening 41.
• the variant of the return member 14 illustrated in FIG. 11 is formed by a solid disc 42.
• the variant of the elastic return member illustrated in FIG. 12 is similar to the variant illustrated in FIG. 11, but the solid disc 42 has a radial notch 43 extending from the periphery to a certain distance from the center.
• the variant of the elastic return member illustrated in FIG. 13 is similar to the variant illustrated in FIG. 12, except that there is here a plurality of notches 43 of different lengths, with alternating lengths. long notches and short notches (each short notch is between two long notches).
• the disc 40 or 42 has an outer diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the peripheral wall 17 of the bell 11 and the tongues 28 serve engagement of the member 14 with the bell 11 by insertion into the openings 29.
• the various examples of the elastic return member 14 described so far are all flat.
• the elastic return member 14 is curved, with the convex face facing the main body 16 (FIG. 14) or the concave face facing the main body 16 (FIG. 15). ).
• FIG. 14 is particularly suitable for working on highly convex surfaces.
• FIG. 15 is particularly suitable for working on concave or even particularly concave surfaces.
• the elastic return member 14, the elastically compressible interface 12 and the flexible buffer 13 are oriented as the main body 16, that is to say transversely to the axial direction.
• the elastic return member 14, the elastically compressible interface 12 and the flexible buffer 13 are inclined with respect to the main body 16.
• this inclination is obtained by arranging the openings 29 not at the same distance from the main body 16 but at different distances.
• the tool 10 is configured to drive the coolant fluid to the work surface, through openings 45 formed in the main body 16, through an opening 46 in the interface 12 and thanks to an opening 47 formed in the buffer 13.
• the fluid or gel is contained in a deformable envelope.
• the fluid is for example a compressed gas or a liquid.
• no elastic return member is disposed between the bell 11 and the surface 20 of the interface 12.
• the elastically compressible interface 12 itself has sufficient elasticity.
• the elastically compressible interface 12 is for example made of a homogeneous foam of chosen flexibility or else a foam or other material with a gradient of elasticity (greater elasticity on the side of the main body 16).
• the portion protruding internally from the peripheral wall 17 to form the support member does not delimit a rib 50 but a shoulder 53.
• the tool 10 has no elastic return member.
• the assembly formed by the elastically compressible interface 12 and the flexible buffer 13 is not fitted into the bell 11: the peripheral wall 17 of the bell 11 is not not applied against a portion of the lateral surface 22 of the interface 12 but against a portion of the end surface 20 of the interface 12.
• the lateral surface 22 of the interface 12 is therefore completely free.
• the support member between the peripheral wall 17 of the bell 11 and the periphery of the interface 12 is formed by the free end 18 of the peripheral wall 17.
• the fixing between the bell 1 1 and the interface 12 is done by a bead of adhesive 55.
• the variant of the tool 10 illustrated in Figure 21 is similar to the variant illustrated in Figure 20, except that the bell 1 1 is shaped differently: the main body 16 is present only in the center of the bell 1 1 and the peripheral wall 17 is frustoconical.
• the variant of the tool 10 illustrated in FIG. 22 is similar to the variant illustrated in FIG. 19, except that the bell is shaped. differently: the main body 16 is present only in the center of the bell 1 1 and the peripheral wall 17 is curved.
• the shoulder 53 can be made by an adhesive joint.
• the elastic return member is not a separate member of the bell but is formed in particular by the peripheral wall 17 of the bell 11.
• the peripheral wall 17 has a return 57 directed towards the interior of the bell 11. If a force directed towards the main body 16 is exerted on the return 57, then the peripheral wall 17 comprising the return 57 flexes elastically towards the main body 16, as shown in FIG. 23 by the arrows 58.
• the support member between the peripheral wall 17 and the interface 12 is formed by the return 57.
• Fixing between the interface 12 and the bell 11 is effected by an adhesive film 59 placed between the surface 20 of the interface 12 and the return 57.
• Figure 24 shows a bell 1 1 in which are provided notches 60 to allow (or to help to allow) the bell 1 1 to play directly the role of the elastic return member.
• the notches 60 subdivide the main body 16 and / or the side wall 17 of the bell 11 or several angular segments.
• the variant illustrated in FIG. 25 is similar to the variant illustrated in FIG. 23, except that the peripheral wall 17 is formed by an annular wall 62 integral with the main body 16 and by an insert 63 secured to the annular wall 62, here thanks to tabs 64 each engaged in an opening 65 of the wall 62.
• the attachment between the interface 12 and the bell 1 1 is performed otherwise than by nesting or gluing, for example by means of clips, buttons or a bayonet mount.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)
• Surgical Instruments (AREA)
• Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)

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Citations (10)

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• 2014
  • 2014-10-24 EP EP14789277.2A patent/EP3060369B1/fr active Active
  • 2014-10-24 US US15/031,033 patent/US10189139B2/en active Active
  • 2014-10-24 BR BR112016008853-0A patent/BR112016008853B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2014-10-24 CN CN201480058479.2A patent/CN105658376B/zh active Active
  • 2014-10-24 WO PCT/EP2014/072906 patent/WO2015059299A1/fr not_active Ceased

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