Abrading – Precision device or process - or with condition responsive... – Computer controlled
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-23
2001-09-18
Rose, Robert A. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Precision device or process - or with condition responsive...
Computer controlled
C451S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290569
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an eyeglass lens grinding apparatus which grinds a lens to be processed, so that the lens fits into an eyeglass frame.
An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus is known, which, on the basis of input frame shape data obtained by a measurement of the shape of an eyeglass frame, grinds a lens to be processed to fit into the eyeglass frame. The apparatus is provided with lens measuring means for measuring the shape of the lens (the peripheral edge position) on the basis of the input frame shape data. The lens measuring means includes two detecting mechanisms respectively having first and second feelers that are movable in the direction of a lens rotary shaft and that are brought into abutment with the front and rear surfaces of the lens to detect their peripheral edge positions. Alternatively, the lens measuring means includes a single detecting mechanism by which the front and rear faces of the lens are sequentially measured. Such a lens measurement is performed for each of the lenses to be processed.
In a manufacturer of sunglass lenses, the sunglass lenses are generally processed such that lenses of the same specifications are continuously processed into the same shape. When the measurement of the lens shape is performed prior to each processing of a lens, there arises a problem in that the production efficiency is low.
Such an eyeglass lens grinding apparatus is known, which has a rough grinding wheel having a particle size of about #100 to #120 depending on the material of a lens to be processed, and a finishing grinding wheel having a particle size of about #400. These rough grinding and finishing grinding wheels are coaxially mounted on a grinding wheel rotary shaft. The finishing grinding wheel is provided with a single bevel groove. In the lens grinding apparatus, the lens to be processed is held on the lens rotary shaft, and pressingly contacted with the grinding wheels so that a bevel is finally formed in a peripheral portion of the lens. That is, the lens is roughly processed by the rough grinding wheel and then processed by the finishing grinding wheel having the bevel groove, into a final shape in which the lens fits into an eyeglass frame.
When the number of lenses to be processed is large, the degree of wear of a grinding wheel is increased in proportion to the number. Particularly when the finishing grinding wheel which is used in the final finishing processing is largely worn, this wear tends to produce an error in the finished size. Furthermore, wear of a grinding wheel reduces the processing accuracy due to a lowered processing performance of the grinding wheel.
In order to avoid the size error and reduction of the processing accuracy, the finished size must be periodically checked to make an appropriate size adjustment. For lenses such as sunglass lenses which are processed in large quantities by the manufacturer, however, frequent size checks result in a reduced production efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the problem discussed above, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which can efficiently process a large number of lenses.
It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus which can process a large number of lenses efficiently while suppressing a size error.
To achieve the above-noted objects, the present invention provides the followings:
(1) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens to fit into an eyeglass frame, the apparatus comprising:
frame shape data input means for inputting frame shape data of an eyeglass frame;
lens edge measuring means for obtaining a lens edge position based on the frame shape data input by the frame shape data input means;
processing data calculating means for obtaining lens processing data based on the lens edge position obtained by the lens edge measuring means and the frame shape data;
mode switching means for newly activating the lens edge measuring means to newly obtain processing data;
data storing means for storing the processing data obtained by the processing data calculating means;
grinding means for grinding a lens;
processing control means for controlling the grinding means to process a plurality of lenses consecutively based on the same processing data until the control means receives a signal requiring different processing data.
(2) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus according to (1), wherein the lens edge measuring means includes:
input means for inputting a lens shape data including lens thickness information; and
detecting means for detecting the lens edge position on either one of front and rear surfaces of a lens;
(3) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus according to (2), wherein the lens includes a sunglass lens.
(4) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus according to (2), wherein:
the lens includes a sunglass lens; and
the detecting means detects two different paths in relation to the same radius vectors, one of the paths being indicative of a position of a bevel bottom.
(5) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus according to (4), wherein the other of the paths is indicative of a position of a bevel apex.
(6) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus according to (1), wherein:
the data storing means stores plural sets of processing data, obtained by the processing data calculating means, in relation to respective identification data; and
the apparatus further comprises reading-out means for selectively reading out one set of processing data from the storing means; and
the processing control means controls the grinding means to process a lens based on the set of processing data read out by the reading-out means.
(7) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus according to (1), wherein:
the data storing means is rewritable; and
the processing control means controls the grinding means to process a plurality of lenses consecutively based on the same processing data until the processing data is updated.
(8) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus according to (1), wherein:
the grinding means includes a rough processing wheel and a finishing processing wheel having a plurality of bevel grooves each for forming a bevel; and
the processing control means controls the finishing processing wheel to perform processing with a sequentially selected one of the bevel grooves.
(9) An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens to fit into an eyeglass frame, the apparatus comprising:
frame shape data input means for inputting frame shape data of an eyeglass frame;
lens edge measuring means for obtaining a lens edge position based on the frame shape data input by the frame shape data input means;
processing data calculating means for obtaining lens processing data based on the lens edge position obtained by the lens edge measuring means and the frame shape data;
data storing means for storing plural sets of processing data, obtained by the processing data calculating means, together with respective identification data;
mode switching means for newly activating the lens edge measuring means to newly obtain processing data;
grinding means for grinding a lens;
reading-out means for reading out one set of processing data from the storing means; and
processing control means for controlling the grinding means to process a lens based on the one set of processing data read out by the reading-out means.
According to the invention, a large number of lenses can be processed efficiently.
Further, even when a large number of lenses are processed, a size error can be reduced to a very low level and the processing can be efficiently performed.
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application Nos. Hei. 9-337995 and Hei. 9-337997 (both filed on Nov. 21, 1997), which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1521116 (1924-12-01), Miller
patent: 2127210 (1938-08-01), Dunbar
patent: 3158967 (1964-12-01), Reaser
patent: 4656590 (1987-04-01), Ace
patent: 4912880 (1990-04-01), Haddock et al.
patent: 5056270 (1991-10-01),
Mizuno Toshiaki
Obayashi Hirokatsu
Nidek Co. Ltd.
Rose Robert A.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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