BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a cup attaching apparatus for attaching a cup, used
for fixing an eyeglass lens to an eyeglass lens processing apparatus, to the lens.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] US R E 18 569 E is related to a lens blocking device as per the preamble of claim 1.
[0003] DE 195 02 537 A1 describes a device for marking lenses. In particular the surface of a row lens is
marked for the further processing of the optical surface and/or the edging and if
necessary, the attachment of facet.
[0004] There is a cup attaching apparatus called a blocker for attaching a cup, used for
fixing an eyeglass lens to an eyeglass lens processing apparatus, to the lens. This
cup attaching apparatus comprises a blocking arm provided with a cup holder in the
vicinity of a distal end of the arm, the holder being used to hold the cup, and a
lens mount (a lens support) on which the lens is to be mounted. When the lens is mounted
on the mount, the cup is mounted (fitted) in the holder, and the arm is moved downward,
the cup is attached to a front refractive surface of the lens.
[0005] In the conventional cup attaching apparatus, the orientation of the cup holder is
constant. This may cause an operator to have difficulties in viewing and mounting
the cup depending on his/her posture, dominant hand, or other reasons.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and has an
object to provide a cup attaching apparatus adapted to make it easy to mount a cup
to a cup holder.
[0007] The object is achieved by a cup attaching apparatus according to claim 1. Further
developments are described in the dependent claims.
[0008] Further developments of the present invention are given in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention.
[0010] In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a schematic external view of a cup attaching apparatus of a preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic configuration views of the attaching apparatus;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a rotating mechanism
for a cup holder and a rotating mechanism for a blocking arm;
Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C are views showing changing of orientations of the cup holder;
Figs. 5A and 5B are sectional views showing a schematic configuration of a modified
form of the rotating mechanism for the cup holder and the rotating mechanism for the
blocking arm;
Figs. 6A and 6B are views showing changing of the orientations of the cup holder;
Fig. 7 is a schematic external view of a lens mount;
Fig. 8 is a top view of the lens mount;
Fig. 9 is a partly sectional view taken along a line B-B in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line C-C in Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along a line D-D in Fig. 9;
Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along a line E-E in Fig. 9;
Fig. 13 is a bottom view of a lens clamp;
Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion F in Fig. 13;
Figs. 15A and 15B are schematic configuration views of a moving unit for the lens
clamp;
Fig. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of an illumination optical system and
a light receiving optical system of the attaching apparatus and a schematic block
diagram of a control system of the attaching apparatus;
Fig. 17 is a view showing a setting screen for the orientation of the cup holder;
Figs. 18A, 18B, and 18C are views showing positions of support pins in a unprocessed
lens blocking mode, a processed lens blocking mode, and a shape measuring mode;
Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a measuring screen for a shape of a demo lens; and
Fig. 20 is a view showing a setting screen for positions of holes and others.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now
be given referring to the accompanying drawings.
<Overall configuration>
[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cup attaching apparatus 1 of the present
embodiment. Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic configuration views of the attaching apparatus
1; Fig. 2A is a front view and Fig. 2B is a side view.
[0013] In an upper portion of the attaching apparatus 1, an eyeglass frame measuring device
5 is placed (built) and a switch panel (an input part) 4 for the measuring device
5 is placed. In an upper front portion of the attaching apparatus 1, forming a canopy
part 1b, a display (a display and input part) 3 of a touch screen type is placed.
The display 3 is movable to change the orientation of a screen according to the posture
of an operator or the like (see Fig. 2B). On a lower front portion of the attaching
apparatus 1 forming a base part 1a, a lens mount (a lens support) 100 having three
support pins 120 is placed. Above the lens mount 100, a lens clamp 200 having three
presser pins 220 is placed. The lens clamp 200 is movable up and down by a moving
unit 250.
[0014] On a right portion of the attaching apparatus 1 seen from the front, a blocking unit
(a cup attaching unit) 300 for attaching a cup CU to a front refractive surface of
an eyeglass lens LE is placed. The blocking unit 300 includes a blocking arm 310 including
a cup holder 320 disposed at the vicinity of a distal end thereof, in which the cup
CU is to be mounted (fitted).
[0015] On the front of the base part 1a, a switch 2a for activating the moving unit 250
and a switch 2b for activating the blocking unit 300 are arranged.
[0016] The base part 1a internally contains an illumination optical system 10 for illuminating
the lens LE with diffused illumination light. The optical system 10 has an optical
axis L1 that passes almost the center of the lens mount 100. The illumination light
from the illumination optical system 10 is reflected by a concave mirror 21 placed
inside the canopy part 1b. A light receiving optical system 20 for receiving the illumination
light reflected by the mirror 21 is placed in a root portion of the base part 1a so
that an optical axis L2 of the optical system 20 forms a predetermined angle with
respect to the optical axis L1.
<Configuration of Blocking unit>
[0017] The configuration of the blocking unit 300 will be explained referring to Figs. 2
through 6. The arm 310 which rotatably holds the holder 320 is rotatably held by an
arm holding base 312. The holding base 312 is held by a moving unit 302 in such a
manner as to be movable backward and forward (in a Y-axis direction). Further, the
moving unit 302 is held by a moving unit 304 in such a manner as to be movable upward
and downward (in a Z-axis direction). Further, the moving unit 304 is held by a moving
unit 306 in such a manner as to be movable rightward and leftward (in an X-axis direction).
Each of the moving units 302, 304, and 306 is constituted of a well known moving mechanism
including a motor, a sliding mechanism, etc.
[0018] Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a rotating mechanism
of the holder 320 and a rotating mechanism of the arm 310. The holder 320 is placed
near the distal end of the arm 310 in such a manner as to be rotatable about a central
axis S1. The arm 310 internally contains a motor 314 whose rotating shaft is coupled
to a rear end of a shaft 318 supported by a bearing 316 in such a manner as to be
rotatable about a central axis S2. A bevel gear 319 is attached to a front end of
the shaft 318 and in mesh with a bevel gear 322 attached to a rear end of the holder
320. Such mechanism causes the holder 320 to rotate about the central axis S1 relative
to the arm 310 in conjunction with rotation of the motor 314.
[0019] As well known, a base portion CUa of the cup CU is formed with a linear recess CUb
and a small circular recess CUc. A hole 320a of the holder 320 in which the base portion
CUa is to be fitted is formed with a linear protrusion 320b engageable in the recess
CUb and a small circular protrusion 320c engageable in the recess CUc. This makes
it possible to control the orientation of the cup CU.
[0020] The arm 310 is held by the holding base 312 through a bearing 324 in such a manner
as to be rotatable about the central axis S2. The holding base 312 internally contains
a motor 330 whose rotating shaft is attached with a spur gear 332 meshing with a spur
gear 334 attached to a rear end of the arm 310. Such mechanism causes the arm 310
to rotate about the central axis S2 relative to the holding base 312 in conjunction
with rotation of the motor 330. Accordingly, the orientation of the holder 320 can
be changed to any one of a downward orientation (see Figs. 3 and 4A), a sideways orientation
(see Fig. 4B), an upward orientation (see Fig. 4C), and others.
[0021] It should be noted that changing of the orientation of the holder 320 is not always
effected by rotation of the arm 310 about the central axis S2. For instance, it may
be effected by rotation of the arm 310 about an axis perpendicular to the central
axis S2. Figs. 5A and 5B are sectional views showing a schematic configuration of
a modified form of the rotating mechanism for the holder 320 and the rotating mechanism
for the arm 310; Fig. 5A is a sectional side view and Fig. 5B is a sectional view
(a sectional front view) taken along a line A-A in Fig. 5A. The arm 310 includes a
first arm 350a and a second arm 350b. The first arm 350a is held by the holding base
312. The second arm 350b is placed near a distal end of the first arm 350a in such
a manner as to be rotatable about a central axis S3 perpendicular to the central axis
S2. The first arm 350a contains a motor 352 whose rotating shaft is coupled to a rear
end of a shaft 354 supported by a bearing 353 in such a manner as to be rotatable
about the central axis S2. A bevel gear 356 is attached to a front end of the shaft
354 and in mesh with a bevel gear 362 attached to a shaft 358 that is fixed to an
outer surface of the second arm 350b and is supported by a bearing 360 in such a manner
as to be rotatable about the central axis S3. Such mechanism causes the second arm
350b to rotate about the central axis S3 relative to the first arm 350a in conjunction
with rotation of the motor 352. Accordingly, the orientation of the holder 320 can
be changed to any one of the downward orientation (see Figs. 5A and 5A), a frontward
orientation (see Fig. 6A), the upward orientation (see Fig. 6B), and others.
[0022] The holder 320 is held near a distal end of the second arm 350b in such a manner
as to be rotatable about a central axis S4 perpendicular to the central axis S3. The
second arm 350b contains a motor 364 whose rotating shaft is coupled to a rear end
of a shaft 366 supported by a bearing 368 in such a manner as to be rotatable about
the central axis S4. A front end of the shaft 366 is coupled to a rear end of the
holder 320. Such mechanism causes the holder 320 to rotate about the central axis
S4 relative to the second arm 350b in conjunction with rotation of the motor 364.
[0023] It should be noted that the arm rotating mechanism in Fig. 3 and the arm rotating
mechanism in Fig. 5 may be combined. In the configuration in Fig. 5, specifically,
the first arm 350a may be adapted to be rotatable about the central axis S2 relative
to the holding base 312.
<Configuration of Lens mount>
[0024] The configuration of the lens mount 100 will be explained referring to Figs. 7 through
12. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the lens mount 100. Fig. 8 is a top
view of the lens mount 100. Fig. 9 is a sectional view (a sectional side view) taken
along a line B-B in Fig. 8.
[0025] A ring member 104 is placed on the top of a cylindrical mount base 102. In an upper
inside of the ring member 104, a diffusing plate 12, which can also be used as a lens
table, is fitted. A light source 11 of the illumination optical system 10 is placed
on the center of a bottom plate 106 placed under the mount base 102.
[0026] In the periphery of the mount base 102, three ball splines 112 each holding a spline
shaft 110 in a manner to permit vertical movement of the spline shaft 110 are arranged.
Three ball splines 112 are arranged at an equal distance from and circumferentially
spaced at equally intervals about the central axis L1 (an axis coinciding with the
optical axis L1 of the illumination optical system 10). In other words, three spline
shafts 110 are arranged at an equal distance from and circumferentially spaced at
equally intervals about the central axis L1. Each ball spline 112 is held in the mount
base 102 in such a manner as to be rotatable about the central axis of the spline
shaft 110. An arm 114 is attached to an upper end of each spline shaft 110 and provided
at its distal end with the support pin 120. To be concrete, three support pins 120
are arranged at an equal distance from and circumferentially spaced at equally intervals
about the central axis L1.
[0027] Fig. 10 is a partly sectional view taken along a line C-C in Fig. 9. Each spline
shaft 110 is formed with two semicircular grooves 110a extending along the central
axis of the spline shaft 110. Each ball spline 112 is also formed with two semicircular
grooves 112a facing the grooves 110a. Between the groove 110a and the groove 112a,
a ball 116 is interposed. Such mechanism causes the spline shaft 110 to move in the
direction of its central axis (in the Z-axis direction) relative to the ball spline
112, and further permits the spline shaft 110 together with the ball spline 112 to
rotate relative to the mount base 102.
[0028] Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along a line D-D in Fig. 9. Under each ball spline
112, a ring member 130 is held on the periphery of the mount base 102 in such a manner
as to be rotatable about the central axis L1. The ring member 130 is formed with long
holes 132 each radially extending in correspondence with the position of each ball
spline 112. Each ball spline 112 is provided with a pin 134 standing in the position
deviated from the central axis of the spline shaft 110 and engaging in the hole 132.
The pin 134 is arranged in the position deviated from the rotating center of the ball
spline 112 (the central axis of the spline shaft 110) and, accordingly, when the ring
member 130 is rotated about the central axis L1, the pin 134 is guided in the hole
132, thereby rotating the ball spline 112 about the central axis of the spline shaft
110, simultaneously rotating the spline shaft 110. This permits the support pin 120
provided in the distal end of each arm 114 to move radially inwardly from a standby
position (see Figs. 7 and 8) as indicated by an arrow 122. In other words, as the
distances of the support pins 120 from the central axis L1 are changed simultaneously,
the intervals between the support pins 120 are changed.
[0029] The mount base 102 is provided with a motor 140 for rotating the ring member 130,
through a plate 141. A rotating shaft of the motor 140 is coupled to a feed screw
143 on which a nut 145 is threadably engaged. On the other hand, the ring member 130
is provided with an engagement member 147 having a hole 149 in which the nut 145 is
engaged. By such mechanism, when the screw 143 is rotated by rotation of the motor
140, the nut 145 is moved in the central axial direction of the screw 143, thereby
making the ring member 130 rotate about the central axis L1. A sensor 138 is placed
to detect an initial position of rotation of the ring member 130. It should be noted
that the ring member 130 may be rotated by hand.
[0030] Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along a line E-E in Fig. 9 and also an explanatory
view for showing an inclination mechanism for a supporting plane (level) He defined
by the support pins 120. An x-axis inclining ring member 144 is placed around the
mount base 102 and a y-axis inclining ring member 148 is placed around the ring member
144. The ring member 144 is connected to the mount base 102 with two connecting shafts
142 located on the x-axis in Fig. 12 so that the ring member 144 can be rotated about
the x-axis. The ring member 148 is connected to the ring member 144 with two connecting
shafts 146 located on the y-axis in Fig. 12, perpendicular to the x-axis, so that
the ring member 148 can be rotated about the y-axis. This permits the ring member
148 to incline two-dimensionally about a point 02 on the central axis L1 and accordingly
an upper surface 148a of the ring member 148 to incline two-dimensionally about a
point 03 on the central axis L1. As shown in Fig. 9, on the upper surface 148a of
the ring member 148, three lower ends 110b of the spline shafts 110 are placed. The
spline shafts 110 are moved up and down as the ring member 148 inclines two-dimensionally,
so that the supporting plane He defined by the support pins 120 is inclined two-dimensionally
about a point O1 on the central axis L1 passing that supporting plane He. This inclination
of the supporting plane He is restricted in a position where an undersurface of each
of the arms 114 comes into contact with the edge of the ring member 104. A permissible
inclination range is set at about 6°, for example.
[0031] Columnar magnets 150a and 150b are embedded to face each other in an outer surface
of the mount base 102 and an inner surface of the ring member 144 respectively. Similarly,
columnar magnets 152a and 152b are embedded to face each other in an outer surface
of the ring member 144 and an inner surface of the ring member 148 respectively. When
the lens clamp 200 (the presser pins 220) is not in contact with the front refractive
surface of the lens LE, the ring member 148 (the upper surface 148a) is held in a
horizontal position by magnetic forces of the magnets 150a and 150b that attract each
other and magnetic forces of the magnets 152a and 152b that attract each other, thereby
horizontally keeping the supporting plane He. In other words, the magnets 150a, 150b,
152a, and 152b constitute means for horizontally keeping the supporting plane He defined
by the support pins 120 and serve as an urging member that applies an urging force
to the support pins 120 to make the supporting plane He horizontal. The magnetic force
(the urging force) of the magnet 150a and others serving as the urging member is determined
to be strong enough to reliably keep the supporting plane He in the horizontal position
against a load on the support pins 120 when the lens LE is mounted on the support
pins 120 and enough to allow the support pins 120 and the spline shafts 110 and others
to move up and down under a load on the lens LE when the lens LE is pressed by the
presser pins 220.
[0032] It should be noted that the means for returning and keeping the supporting plane
He in the horizontal position may be a resilient member such as a plate spring serving
as the urging member, instead of using the magnet 150a and others.
[0033] As means for locking the supporting plane He defined by the support pins 120 in the
horizontal position, a locking ring member 160 is placed below the ring members 144
and 148 in such a manner as to be movable up and down. An upper surface of the ring
member 160 is able to come into contact with respective lower surfaces of the ring
members 144 and 148. The ring member 160 is fixed to an arm 162 which can be moved
up and down by a moving unit 164. When the ring member 160 is moved up into contact
with the ring members 144 and 148 by operation of the moving unit 164, the ring members
144 and 148 are inhibited from inclining and hence the supporting plane He defined
by the support pins 120 is also inhibited from inclining (locked in the horizontal
position). When the ring member 160 is moved downward to come out of contact with
the ring members 144 and 148, the ring members 144 and 148 are permitted to incline
and hence the supporting plane He is also allowed to incline. The means for locking
the supporting plane He in the horizontal position may be configured such that the
ring member 148, the ring member 144, and the mount base 102 are locked to each other
with pins or the like inserted through them.
[0034] The means for horizontally keeping the supporting plane He by the magnets 150a and
others and the means for locking the supporting plane He in the horizontal position
with the ring member 160 and others may be applied to a lens mount (a lens support)
provided with support pins spaced at constant intervals.
<Configuration of Lens clamp>
[0035] The configuration of the lens clamp 200 will be explained referring to Figs. 13 and
14. Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the lens clamp 200 and Fig. 14 is an enlarged view
of a part F in Fig. 13. At the back of the attaching apparatus 1, a clamp base 210
is placed to be movable in the Y-axis direction by the moving unit 250. Fixed on the
clamp base 210 is a ring member 212 centered on the central axis L1. The ring member
212 includes three arms 214 provided at respective distal ends with the presser pins
220, each arm 214 being rotatable about a fixed shaft 216. Around the ring member
212, a ring member 222 is placed to be rotatable about the central axis L1. It should
be noted that three presser pins 220 are arranged at an equal distance from and circumferentially
spaced at equally intervals about the central axis L1. The presser pins 220 are positioned
with respective end faces being flush with one another. In other words, the presser
pins 220 are provided in the lens clamp 200 so that a pressing plane defined by the
presser pins 220 is in a substantially horizontal position.
[0036] Each arm 214 includes a base plate 214a extending over the ring member 222. The ring
member 222 is formed with long holes 224 each radially extending. On the other hand,
each base plate 214a is provided with a pin 218 engaging in the hole 224. By such
mechanism, when the ring member 222 is rotated, each arm 214 is rotated about each
shaft 216, thereby moving each presser pin 220 attached to the distal end of each
arm 214 from a standby position (see Fig. 13) as indicated by an arrow 221. In other
words, as the distances of the presser pins 220 from the central axis L1 are changed
simultaneously, the intervals between the presser pins 220 are changed.
[0037] The clamp base 210 is provided with a motor 230 for rotating the ring member 222.
A rotating shaft of the motor 230 is coupled to a feed screw 232 on which a nut 234
is threadably engaged. On the other hand, the ring member 222 is provided with an
engagement member 238 having a hole 239 in which the nut 234 is engaged. By such mechanism,
when the screw 232 is rotated by rotation of the motor 230, the nut 234 is moved in
the central axial direction of the screw 232, thereby making the ring member 222 rotate
about the central axis L1. A sensor 240 is placed to detect an initial position of
rotation of the ring member 222.
[0038] The configuration of the moving unit 250 will be explained referring to Figs. 15A
and 15B. Fig. 15A is a front view of the moving unit 250 and Fig. 15B is a sectional
view of the same viewed along a plane passing through each center of two guide shafts
254 and a feed screw 262. On a unit base 252, the guide shafts 254 are mounted extending
in the Y-axis direction. A moving block 256 is supported on the guide shafts 254 in
such a manner as to movable in the Y-axis direction. The moving block 256 is fixed
to the clamp base 210. Below the unit base 252, a motor 260 is placed with its rotating
shaft being coupled to the feed screw 262. On the feed screw 262, a nut 264 is threadably
engaged in a manner so as to be non-rotatable relative to the moving block 256 but
movable in the Y-axis direction. A coil spring 268 is interposed between a lower end
of the nut 264 and a bottom portion 256a of the moving block 256. A plate 256b placed
at the top of the moving block 256 restricts upward travel of the nut 264.
[0039] When rotation of the motor 260 produces a driving force to move the nut 264 downward,
the nut 264 moves the moving block 256 downward through the spring 268, and thus the
clamp base 210 fixed to the moving block 256 is also moved down. The nut 264 is provided
with a light shielding plate 270. The moving block 256 is provided with a sensor 272
for detecting the position of the light shielding plate 270. As the clamp base 210
is moved downward, the presser pins 220 are brought into contact with the front refractive
surface of the lens LE supported on the support pins 120. In this state, the clamp
base 210 and the moving block 256 are no longer able to further move downward, and
only the nut 264 is allowed to further move downward against an urging force of the
spring 268. As the nut 264 is further moved downward, the light shielding plate 270
is also moved downward and becomes detected by the sensor 272. By a detection signal
of the sensor 272, it is detected that the presser pins 220 are placed in contact
with the front refractive surface of the lens LE. At the time of attachment of the
cup CU, the motor 260 is driven from the time of detection of the sensor 272 to further
move the nut 264 downward to apply an increased pressing force of the lens clamp 200
by the urging force of the spring 268 to the lens LE. After the attachment of the
cup CU, when the motor 260 is driven to move the nut 264 upward, the clamp base 210
as well as the moving block 256 is moved upward.
<Configurations of Optical system and Control system>
[0040] Fig. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of the illumination optical system 10
and the light receiving optical system 20 and a schematic block diagram of a control
system of the attaching apparatus 1. The illumination optical system 10 includes the
light source 11 such as an LED which emits white light and the diffusing plate 12
having a diffusing plane larger than the lens LE. Formed on a surface of the diffusing
plate 12 is an index part 13 including measurement indexes arranged in a regular pattern
centered on the central axis L1. The measurement indexes of the index part 13 are
for example a plurality of dot indexes spaced at equally intervals. The light receiving
optical system 20 includes a half mirror 22 located on the optical axis L2 in a reflecting
direction of the concave mirror 21, a CCD camera (an imaging unit) 24 located on the
optical axis L2 on a transmission side of the half mirror 22, and a CCD camera (an
imaging unit) 28 located on the optical axis L2 on a reflection side of the half mirror
22. An image of the lens LE is captured by the camera 28 and displayed on the display
3.
[0041] The cameras 24 and 28 are connected to an arithmetic control section 50. When the
lens LE having refractive power is mounted on the lens mount 100 (the support pins
120), this arithmetic control section 50 obtains an optical center and the direction
of a cylinder axis of the lens LE, etc. based on images of the measurement indexes
captured by the cameral 24, and further obtains a shape (a contour) of the lens LE,
etc. based on an image of the lens LE captured by the camera 28.
[0042] A brief explanation is made on a method for calculating the optical center and the
direction of the cylinder axis of the lens LE based the measurement index images.
For instance, in the case where the plurality of dot indexes spaced at equally intervals
are the measurement indexes, changes in the positions of the measurement index images
formed when the lens LE is mounted on the lens mount 100 are detected in comparison
with the positions of the measurement index images formed when the lens LE is not
mounted on the lens mount 100. The center of changes in the positions is obtained
as the optical center. In the case where the lens LE has cylinder power, the direction
of changes in the positions of the measurement index images is detected. The direction
of changes in the positions is obtained as the cylinder axis direction. As this detecting
method, a similar method to that disclosed in
JP-A-2002-292547 may be adopted.
[0043] Connected to the arithmetic control section 50 are the moving units 302, 304, and
306 of the blocking unit 300 and the motors 314 and 330 (or the motors 352 and 364).
Also connected to the arithmetic control section 50 are the motor 140, the sensor
138, and the moving unit 164 of the lens mount 100, and also the motor 230, the sensor
240, the moving unit 250 (the motor 260), and the sensor 272 of the lens clamp 200.
[0044] The operations of the apparatus having the above configuration will be described
below.
<Mounting of Cup>
[0045] The following explanation is made first on how to change the orientation of the holder
320 placed in a standby position. The standby position of the arm 310 when the cup
CU is to be mounted is the right portion of the apparatus 1 seen from the front, as
shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When a menu button 30a appearing on an initial screen 3a (see
Fig. 16) of the display 3 is pressed (touched), an orientation setting screen 3b (see
Fig. 17) for the orientation of the holder 320 appears. When one of buttons 31a to
31f on the setting screen 3b is pressed, the orientation of the holder 320 is specified
(chosen). In the present embodiment, the button 31a is pressed to specify "leftward
orientation", seen from the front of the apparatus 1, the button 31b is pressed to
specify "obliquely left-upward orientation", the button 31c is pressed to specify
"upward orientation", the button 31d is pressed to specify "rightward orientation",
the button 31e is pressed to specify "obliquely right-upward orientation", and the
button 31f is pressed to specify "downward orientation".
[0046] When any of the buttons 31a to 31f is pressed, the arithmetic control section 50
activates the motor 330 to rotate the arm 310 to bring the holder 320 into the specified
orientation. In the case where an operator conducts mounting work while standing,
for example, the holder 320 is preferably placed in the upward orientation to facilitate
the mounting of the cup CU to the holder 320.
[0047] The orientation of the holder 320 relative to the arm 310 can be adjusted with buttons
31g. Specifically, while an up button "Δ" of the buttons 31g is being pressed, the
arithmetic control section 50 activates the motor 314 to rotate the holder 320 to
the left (counterclockwise). While a down button "∇" of the buttons 31g is being pressed,
the arithmetic control section 50 activates the motor 314 to rotate the holder 320
to the right (clockwise).
[0048] The height of the holder 320 (the arm 310) can also be adjusted with buttons 31h.
Specifically, while an up button "Δ" or a down button "∇" of the buttons 31h is being
pressed, the arithmetic control section 50 activates the moving unit 304 to change
the height of the arm 310.
[0049] After completion of the setting of the orientation and height of the holder 320,
the menu button 30a is pressed, closing the setting screen 3b, and set data on the
orientation and height of the holder 320 are stored in a memory 51. Accordingly, the
orientation and height of the holder 320 in the arm 310 placed in the standby position
before and after the cup CU is attached thereto is adjusted to the specified orientation
and height (see Figs. 1 and 2).
[0050] It should be noted that the case where the arm rotating mechanism of Figs. 5A and
5B is adopted, it may be adapted to specify (choose) the orientation of the holder
320 from among "frontward orientation", "obliquely front-upward orientation", "upward
orientation", "obliquely front-downward orientation", "downward orientation", and
the like. The orientation of the holder 320 by the rotation of the holder 320 and
the height of the holder 320 (the arm 310) may also be made adjustable.
<Attaching of Cup to Unprocessed lens>
[0051] Attaching of the cup CU to an unprocessed lens LE is explained below. When a mode
selecting button 30b appearing on the initial screen 3a of the display 3 is pressed,
an unprocessed lens blocking mode is established and an input screen for inputting
target lens shape data and layout data appears on the display 3. The target lens shape
data on an eyeglass frame obtained by the measuring apparatus 5 is stored in the memory
51 at the press of a data transfer button not shown. A target lens shape graphic based
on the input target lens shape data is displayed on the display 3. Then, with buttons,
not shown in the figure, appearing on the display 3, the layout data such as a FPD
(frame pupillary distance) of the eyeglass frame, a PD (pupillary distance) of a person
who wears the eyeglass, and the height of the optical center of the lens relative
to the geometric center of the target lens shape, the type of the lens (a monofocal
lens, a progressive multifocal lens, etc.), and the type of the eyeglass frame (with
a rim, with no rim, etc.) are input. If the lens LE has cylinder power, data on an
angle of the cylinder axis is further input.
[0052] When the unprocessed lens blocking mode is specified (selected), the arithmetic control
section 50 activates the motor 140 of the lens mount 100 to rotate the arms 114 from
the standby position, thereby moving the support pins 120 to predetermined positions
suitable for mounting the unprocessed lens LE. For instance, the support pins 120
are moved to positions on a circle which is 40 mm in diameter and centered on the
central axis L1 (see Fig. 18A). The positions (the intervals) of the support pins
120 can be changed on a setting screen, not shown in the figure, which will appear
at the press of the menu button 30a. In this mode, the ring member 160 is put in a
lower standby position, so that the supporting plane He defined by the support pins
120 is allowed to incline.
[0053] When the unprocessed lens blocking mode is specified (selected), the arithmetic control
section 50 also activates the motor 230 of the lens clamp 200 to rotate the arm 214
from the standby position, thereby moving the presser pins 220 to predetermined positions.
For instance, the presser pins 220 are moved to positions on a circle which is 50
mm in diameter and centered on the central axis L1. The positions (the intervals)
of the presser pins 220 can be changed on a setting screen, not shown in the figure,
which will appear at the press of the menu button 30a.
[0054] The supporting plane He defined by the support pins 120 is kept horizontally by the
horizontality keeping means such as the magnet 150a and others. Accordingly, the lens
LE is stably mounted on the support pins 120.
[0055] After the lens LE is mounted on the lens mount 100 (the support pins 120), when the
switch 2a is pressed, the arithmetic control section 50 activates the moving unit
250 to move the moving block 256 downward, thereby bringing the presser pins 220 into
contact with the front refractive surface of the lens LE. When the sensor 272 detects
that the presser pins 220 come in contact with the lens LE, the arithmetic control
section 50 stops the operation of the motor 260 based on that detection signal. At
this stage, the lens LE has been pressed just slightly and hence is so movable on
the support pins 120 as to adjust the position thereof.
[0056] Even in the case where the lens LE mounted on the support pins 120 is a lens having
a rear refractive surface different in shape from the front refractive surface, such
as a prism lens and an astigmatic lens (a toric lens), the front refractive surface
portion of the lens LE to which the cup CU is to be attached can be held in the substantially
horizontal position by the lens mount 100 adapted to allow the supporting plane He
defined by the support pins 120 to incline. Thus, the cup CU can be attached to the
front refractive surface of the lens LE with accuracy.
[0057] When the lens LE is pressed by the lens clamp 200, attaching of the cup CU is started.
When the switch 2b is pressed, the arithmetic control section 50 obtains the optical
center position of the lens LE based on the measurement index images captured by the
camera 24, and accordingly obtains data on the deviation of the optical center relative
to the central axis L1 and data on the cylinder axis angle. Based on those data and
the layout data with respect to the target lens shape, the attaching position and
angle of the cup CU are determined. The arithmetic control section 50 successively
activates the blocking unit 300.
[0058] In the case where the orientation of the holder 320 has been set to the upward orientation
and others, the arithmetic control section 50 activates the motor 330 to rotate the
arm 310, 180 degrees, to make an attachment surface of the cup CU face down. Based
on the attaching position and angle of the cup CU, thereafter, the arithmetic control
section 50 activates the motor 314 to rotate the holder 320 and also activates the
moving units 302, 304, and 306 to move the arm 310 downward to attach the cup CU to
the front refractive surface of the lens LE.
[0059] When the switch 2b is pressed, the arithmetic control section 50 activates the motor
260 of the moving unit 250 to rotate by only an amount corresponding to a fixed number
of pulses, thereby moving the nut 264 downward to increase the pressing force to the
lens LE by the urging force of the spring 268.
[0060] When the attachment of the cup CU to the lens LE is completed, the arm 310 is returned
to the standby position again. At this time, the orientation of the holder 320 remains
in (returns to) the specified one. After completion of the attachment of the cup CU,
the lens clamp 200 is moved up to return to a standby position, thus removing the
load on the lens LE. Accordingly, the supporting plane He defined by the support pins
120 is returned to and kept in the horizontal position again by the horizontality
keeping means such as the magnet 150a and others.
[0061] As the means for horizontally keeping the supporting plane He defined by the support
pins 120, the ring member 160 and the moving unit 164 serving as the locking means
may be utilized as an alternative to the magnet 150a and others. In other words, the
inclination of the supporting plane He defined by the support pins 120 has only to
be allowed when the lens LE is pressed by the lens clamp 200 (the presser pins 220).
When the presser pins 220 are moved upward, the arithmetic control section 50 activates
the moving unit 164 to move the ring member 160 upward, thereby locking the ring member
148 horizontally. When the lens LE is mounted on the support pins 120 and then the
switch 2a is pressed, the arithmetic control section 50 causes the pressure pins 220
to move downward and the ring member 160 to move downward in interlocked relation
to the downward movement of the pressure pins 220, releasing the locked state of the
supporting plane He. After attachment of the cup CU, the arithmetic control section
50 causes the presser pins 220 to move upward and the ring member 160 to move upward
in interlocked relation to the upward movement of the presser pins 220, thereby locking
the ring member 148 horizontally.
<Attaching of Cup to Processed lens>
[0062] Attaching of the cup CU to a processed cup LE is explained below. When a mode selecting
button 30c on the initial screen 3a of the display 3 is pressed, a processed lens
blocking mode is established and an input screen for inputting the target lens shape
data and the layout data is displayed on the display 3.
[0063] When the processed lens blocking mode is specified (selected), the arithmetic control
section 50 activates the motor 140 of the lens mount 100 to rotate the arm 114 from
the standby position, moving the support pins 120 to predetermined positions suitable
for mounting of the processed lens LE (at narrower intervals than those in the unprocessed
lens blocking mode). For instance, the support pins 120 are moved to positions on
a circle which is 20 mm in diameter and centered on the central axis L1 (see Fig.
18B). The positions (the intervals) of the support pins 120 can be changed on a setting
screen, not shown in the figure, which will appear at the press of the menu button
30a.
[0064] In the case of the processed lens LE, which is of a small outer shape, when the lens
LE is pressed by the presser pins 220 arranged at narrower intervals, the cup CU is
likely to collide with the presser pins 220 at the time of attachment of the cup CU.
In the case where the processed lens blocking mode is specified (selected), therefore,
the lens clamp 200 is not used. When the processed lens blocking mode is specified
(selected), the arithmetic control section 50 controls the activation of the moving
unit 164 to move the ring member 160 upward, locking the horizontal position of the
supporting plane He defined by the support pins 120.
[0065] After the lens LE is mounted on the lens mount 100 (the support pins 120), the cup
CU is attached to the lens LE. This attachment of the cup CU to the lens LE is effected
in the same manner as the case of the unprocessed lens, and the explanation thereof
is not repeated herein.
<Measuring of Outer shape and Setting of Hole of Demo lens>
[0066] An explanation will be made on the setting of a hole position and others by measuring
an outer shape (a contour) of a demo lens (including a template) with the frame having
no rim. When a mode selecting button 30d on the initial screen 3a of the display 3
is pressed, a lens outer shape measuring mode is established. In this mode, the support
pins 120 and the arms 114, if existing within an outer shape measuring area, are likely
to interfere with the measurement. Thus, the arithmetic control section 50 causes
the support pins 120 to move to the standby positions outside the diffusing plate
12 (outside the measuring area). When the lens outer shape measuring mode is specified
(selected), furthermore, a measuring screen 3c (see Fig. 19) appears on the display
3. In the case of measuring the outer shape of the demo lens, the edge of the demo
lens is colored with a felt-tip pen or the like to emphasize the lens contour in order
to facilitate the measurement.
[0067] As shown in Fig. 18C, the demo lens LE mounted on the diffusing plate 12 is illuminated
with the diffused illumination light of the illumination optical system 10. The image
of the lens LE is captured by the camera 28 and displayed on the display 3. At the
press of a Measure button 33a on the measuring screen 3c, the measurement of the outer
shape and the hole positions based on the obtained image of the lens LE is started.
Since a distance and image-magnifying power of an imaging optical system including
the camera 28 and others with respect to the diffusing plate 12 are well known in
design, the outer shape of the lens LE can be detected by performing image-processing
on contrast of the image of the lens LE captured by the camera 28. The arithmetic
control section 50 obtains data on the outer shape and data on the hole position of
the lens LE by processing the image of the lens LE. When obtains the outer shape data,
the arithmetic control section 50 causes an outline FT of the lens LE to appear in
red in a superimposed manner on the image of the lens LE displayed on the measuring
screen 3c. Further, a geometric center GO of the lens LE is determined based on the
outer shape data and a coordinate of the center point of each hole HO relative to
the geometric center GO is obtained. It should be noted that the front refractive
surface of the lens LE is applied with three dot marks in advance by a lensmeter or
the like so that the dot marks represent a horizontal direction of the lens LE which
a person will wear the eyeglass. This makes it possible for the operator to position
the lens LE so that the three dot marks become parallel with the x-axis while viewing
the image of the lens LE displayed on the measuring screen 3c.
[0068] In the case where the position and the size of each hole HO are set in detail, a
Hole-set button 33b on the measuring screen 3c is pressed after the hole HO is specified,
and thus a setting screen 3d (see Fig. 20) showing the specified hole HO in an enlarged
form appears. A hole mark MH is displayed on the hole HO and adjusted while being
moved with a stylus pen or the like not shown, thereby determining the position of
the hole HO. A hole size button 34a on the setting screen 3d is pressed to variously
adjust the size of the hole mark MH to determine the size of the hole HO. The determined
size of the hole HO is displayed in a hole size box 34b. When a return button 34c
on the setting screen 3d is pressed, the screen is returned to the measuring screen
3c. For terminating the outer shape measuring and the hole setting, a Complete button
33c on the measuring screen 3d is pressed and thus the screen returns to the initial
screen 3a. The obtained outer shape data and the hole data are stored in the memory
51. The data stored in the memory 51 can be output to a hole-making device (an eyeglass
lens processing apparatus including a hole-making part) connected to an output part
52.
1. Schalenbefestigungsvorrichtung (1) zum Befestigen einer Schale (CU) an einer Brillenglaslinse
(LE), aufweisend:
eine Linsenfassung (100), auf der die Linse zu befestigen ist;
mindestens drei Trägerstifte (120), die auf der Linsenfassung vorgesehen sind, um
die Linse zu tragen, wenn eine hintere brechende Oberfläche der Linse mit den Trägerstiften
in Kontakt gebracht ist;
eine Linsenklemme (200), zum Festklemmen der Linse gemeinsam mit der Linsenfassung,
wenn die Linse auf der Linsenfassung befestigt ist;
mindestens drei Drückstifte (220), die auf der Linsenklemme vorgesehen sind, um die
Linse zu drücken, wenn eine vordere brechende Oberfläche der Linse in Kontakt mit
den Drückstiften gebracht ist; und
eine Sperreinheit (300), die eine Schalenhalterung (320) und
einen Sperrarm (310; 350a, 350b), der ein distales Ende hat, enthält, in dessen Nähe
der Schalenhalter angeordnet ist,
wobei die Sperreinheit daran angepasst ist, die Schale an der Linse, die auf der Linsenfassung
befestigt ist, zu befestigen;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Vorrichtung des Weiteren aufweist:
eine Halteeinheit, die in der Linsenfassung vorgesehen ist, und daran angepasst ist,
die Trägerstifte so zu halten, dass eine Trägerebene (He), die von den Trägerstiften
definiert wird, zwei-dimensional neigbar ist, wobei die Halteeinheit eine Fassungsbasis
(102), ein Ringbauteil (142, 144, 146, 148), das so angeordnet ist, dass es zwei-dimensional
neigbar bezüglich der Fassungsbasis ist, und Schäfte (110, 114), die auf dem Ringbauteil
angeordnet und an distalen Enden mit den Trägerstiften vorgesehen sind, enthält;
ein Drängbauteil (150a, 150b, 152a, 152b), das daran angepasst ist, die Trägerebene
in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Position zu halten, wobei das Drängbauteil eine
Drängkraft besitzt, die stark genug ist, um eine Neigung des Ringbauteils gegen eine
Belastung nicht zu erlauben, wenn die Linse von den Trägerstiften getragen wird und
nicht von den Drückstiften gedrückt wird, und ausreichend, um eine Neigung des Ringbauteils
gegen eine Belastung zu erlauben, wenn die Linse von den Trägerstiften getragen wird
und von den Drückstiften gedrückt wird.
2. Schalenbefestigungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1,
des Weiteren aufweisend:
eine Verriegelungseinheit (160, 162, 164), die daran angepasst ist, das Ringbauteil
gegen die Neigung zu verriegeln,
um die Trägerebene in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Position zu halten; und
eine Steuereinheit (50), die daran angepasst ist, den Betrieb der Verriegelungseinheit
zu steuern.
3. Schalenbefestigungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 2, die des Weiteren eine Bewegungseinheit
(250) aufweist, die daran angepasst ist, die Linsenklemme nach oben und unten zu bewegen,
und
wobei die Steuereinheit daran angepasst ist, jeden Betrieb der Bewegungseinheit und
der Verriegelungseinheit in verblockter Beziehung zu steuern.
4. Schalenbefestigungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 2, die des Weiteren Modusauswahlmittel
(30b, 30c) aufweist, zum Auswählen zwischen einem ersten Modus zum Befestigen der
Schale an einer unbearbeiteten Linse und einem zweiten Modus zum Befestigen der Schale
an einer bearbeiteten Linse;
wobei der Steuerabschnitt daran angepasst ist, den Betrieb der Verriegelungseinheit
zu steuern, um eine Neigung des Ringbauteils zu erlauben, wenn der erste Modus ausgewählt
ist, und das Ringbauteil gegen Neigung zu verriegeln, wenn der zweite Modus ausgewählt
ist.
5. Schalenbefestigungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1,
wobei das Drängbauteil entweder ein Magnet oder ein elastisches Bauteil ist.
6. Schalenbefestigungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Drückstifte auf der Linsenklemme
so vorgesehen sind, dass eine Drückebene, die von den Drückstiften definiert wird,
im Wesentlichen horizontal ist.
7. Schalenbefestigungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, die des Weiteren aufweist:
eine erste Bewegungseinheit (304), die daran angepasst ist, den Sperrarm auf und ab
zu bewegen;
eine zweite Bewegungseinheit (250), die daran angepasst ist, die Linsenklemme auf
und ab zu bewegen; und
einen Steuerabschnitt (50), der daran angepasst ist, jeden Betrieb der ersten Bewegungseinheit
und der zweiten Bewegungseinheit zu steuern,
wobei der Steuerabschnitt daran angepasst ist, den Betrieb der ersten Bewegungseinheit
zu steuern, um den Arm nach unten zu bewegen, um eine Schale an der Linse zu befestigen,
und den Arm, nach Befestigen der Schale, nach oben zu bewegen.
8. Schalenbefestigungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 7, die des Weiteren aufweist:
einen ersten Schalter (2b) zum Aktivieren der ersten Bewegungseinheit; und
einen zweiten Schalter (2a) zum Aktivieren der zweiten Bewegungseinheit.
1. Dispositif de fixation de ventouse (1) pour fixer une ventouse (CU) à un verre de
lunettes (LE), comprenant :
une monture de verre (100) sur laquelle le verre doit être monté ;
au moins trois broches de support (120) prévues sur la monture de verre pour supporter
le verre lorsqu'une surface de réfraction arrière du verre est amenée en contact avec
les broches de support ;
un dispositif de serrage de verre (200) pour serrer le verre en coopération avec la
monture de verre lorsque le verre est monté sur la monture de verre ;
au moins trois broches de pression (220) prévues sur le dispositif de serrage de verre
pour presser le verre lorsqu'une surface de réfraction avant du verre est amenée en
contact avec les broches de pression ; et
une unité de blocage (300) comprenant un support de ventouse (320) et un bras de blocage
(310 ; 350a, 350b) ayant une extrémité distale, dans le voisinage de laquelle le support
de ventouse est placé, l'unité de blocage étant adaptée pour attacher la ventouse
au verre monté sur la monture de verre ;
caractérisé en ce que
le dispositif comprend en outre :
une unité de maintien prévue dans la monture de verre et adaptée pour maintenir les
broches de support de sorte qu'un plan de support (He) défini par les broches de support
puisse être incliné de manière bidimensionnelle, l'unité de maintien comprenant une
base de monture (102), un élément formant bague (142, 144, 146, 148) placé pour pouvoir
être incliné de manière bidimensionnelle par rapport à la base de monture, et des
arbres (110, 114) placés sur l'élément formant bague et pourvus des broches de support
aux extrémités distales ;
un élément de poussée (150a, 150b, 152a, 152b) adapté pour maintenir le plan de support
dans une position sensiblement horizontale, l'élément de poussée ayant une force de
poussée suffisamment grande pour ne pas permettre l'inclinaison de l'élément formant
bague contre une charge lorsque le verre est supporté par les broches de support et
n'est pas pressé par les broches de pression et suffisante pour permettre l'inclinaison
de l'élément formant bague contre une charge lorsque le verre est supporté par les
broches de support et pressé par les broches de pression.
2. Dispositif de fixation de ventouse selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre :
une unité de verrouillage (160, 162, 164) adaptée pour verrouiller l'élément formant
bague contre une inclinaison pour maintenir le plan de support dans une position sensiblement
horizontale ; et
une section de commande (50) adaptée pour commander une opération de l'unité de verrouillage.
3. Dispositif de fixation de ventouse selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre une
unité de déplacement (250) adaptée pour déplacer le dispositif de serrage de verre
vers le haut et vers le bas, et
dans lequel l'unité de commande est adaptée pour commander chaque opération de l'unité
de déplacement et de l'unité de verrouillage dans une relation de verrouillage mutuel.
4. Dispositif de fixation de ventouse selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre des
moyens de sélection de mode (30b, 30c) pour effectuer une sélection entre un premier
mode pour fixer la ventouse à un verre non traité et un deuxième mode pour fixer la
ventouse à un verre traité ;
dans lequel la section de commande est adaptée pour commander l'opération de l'unité
de verrouillage pour permettre l'inclinaison de l'élément formant bague lorsque le
premier mode est sélectionné et pour verrouiller l'élément formant bague contre une
inclinaison lorsque le deuxième mode est sélectionné.
5. Dispositif de fixation de ventouse selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel l'élément de poussée est l'un d'un aimant et d'un élément élastique.
6. Dispositif de fixation de ventouse selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel les broches de pression sont prévues sur le dispositif de serrage de verre
de sorte qu'un plan de pression défini par les broches de pression soit sensiblement
horizontal.
7. Dispositif de fixation de ventouse selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre :
une première unité de déplacement (304) adaptée pour déplacer le bras de blocage vers
le haut et vers le bas ;
une deuxième unité de déplacement (250) adaptée pour déplacer le dispositif de serrage
de verre vers le haut et vers le bas ; et
une section de commande (50) adaptée pour commander chaque opération de la première
unité de déplacement et de la deuxième unité de déplacement,
dans lequel la section de commande est adaptée pour commander l'opération de la première
unité de déplacement pour déplacer le bras vers le bas pour fixer la ventouse au verre
et pour déplacer le bras vers le haut après la fixation de la ventouse.
8. Dispositif de fixation de ventouse selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre :
un premier commutateur (2b) pour activer la première unité de déplacement ; et
un deuxième commutateur (2a) pour activer la deuxième unité de déplacement.