SPECTACLE LENS EDGE SIMULATION TOOL AND METHOD FOR DEFINING A LENS SHAPE WITH SAID TOOL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lens edge simulation tool (10) for measuring the fitment of a lens edge profile (LEP) with respect to a frame groove profile (FGP) of a spectacle frame (20), the lens edge simulation tool (10) having a defined edge profile (STP) like a lens edge profile (LEP) of a lens (6) being machined by a defined edger machine (4), the defined edge profile (STP) comprising a bevel portion (11) protruding towards a protrusion direction (A), wherein the lens edge simulation tool (10) further comprises a probe (15) provided at a distal end tip portion (14) of the bevel portion (11) and being moveable (M) along the protrusion direction (A) between a retracted position in which the probe (15) does not protrude from the defined edge profile (STP) and an extension position in which the probe (15) protrudes from the distal end tip portion (14). The present invention further relates to a system (1) and method for defining a lens shape for a machined lens (6) adapted to fit into a frame groove (21) of a spectacle frame (20).

Claims

1. Lens edge simulation tool (10) for measuring the fitment of a lens edge profile (LEP) with respect to a frame groove profile (FGP) of a spectacle frame (20), the lens edge simulation tool (10) having a defined edge profile (STP) like a lens edge profile (LEP) of a lens (6) being machined by a defined edger machine (4), the defined edge profile (STP) comprising a bevel portion (11) protruding towards a protrusion direction (A), wherein the lens edge simulation tool (10) further comprises a probe (15) provided at a distal end tip portion (14) of the bevel portion (11) and being moveable (M) along the protrusion direction (A) between a retracted position in which the probe (15) does not protrude from the defined edge profile (STP) and an extension position in which the probe (15) protrudes from the distal end tip portion (14).

2. Lens edge simulation tool (10) according to claim 1, wherein the defined edge profile (STP) further comprises two lateral portions (12, 13) each facing towards the protrusion direction (A) and extending at opposite sides of the bevel portion (11) and away from one another.

3. Lens edge simulation tool (10) according to claim 1, wherein the probe (15) has the same dimensions, preferably the same shape and/or size, like a tracer pin (30) of a tracer (3) for determining a frame groove periphery (22), preferably they are identical, and/or wherein the probe (15) has a spherical or partially spherical or hemispherical or rounded shape, preferably having a diameter D of 0.1 to 4 mm, more preferred 0.2 to 2 mm.

4. Lens edge simulation tool (10) according to claim 1, wherein the probe (15) is biased towards the extension position, and/or wherein the probe (15) is releasably provided to the defined edge profile (STP).

5. Lens edge simulation tool (10) according to claim 1, wherein the bevel portion (11) tapers towards the protrusion direction (A).

6. System (1) for defining a lens shape for a machined lens (6) adapted to fit into a frame groove (21) of a spectacle frame (20), comprising: a holder (2) for holding a spectacle frame (20), a lens edge simulation tool (10) according to claim 1 and provided such that it can be introduced with its bevel portion (11) and probe (15) into a frame groove (21) of the spectacle frame (20) held by the holder (2) at least at one position along a frame groove periphery (22).

7. System (1) according to claim 6, wherein the lens edge simulation tool (10) is supported in a tiltable manner, preferably in a freely tiltable manner, more preferred at least about an axis extending orthogonally to the protrusion direction in side view of the lens edge simulation tool (10) and preferably also orthogonal to the extension direction of the lateral portions (12, 13).

8. System (1) according to claim 6, further comprising a tracer (3) for determining the frame groove periphery (22) at a bottom (23) of the frame groove (21) of the spectacle frame (20) preferably being held by the holder (2) preferably by relative movement of the tracer (3) with respect to the holder (2) or spectacle frame (20), wherein the tracer (3) preferably comprises a camera, and/or wherein the tracer (3) preferably comprises a tracer pin (30) configured to rest at the bottom (23) of the frame groove (21) during determination of the frame groove periphery (22), preferably during the relative movement, wherein the probe (15) and the tracer pin (30) preferably have the same shape and/or size and more preferred are identical.

9. System (1) according to claim 6, further comprising an edger machine (4) having an edging profile (40) for machining the defined lens edge profile (LEP), wherein the edging profile (40) preferably comprises a groove representing the negative layout or contour of the lens edge profile (LEP) to be machined.

10. System (1) according to claim 6, further comprising a control unit (5) preferably for controlling the holder (2) and/or the lens edge simulation tool (10) and/or the tracer (3) and/or the edger machine (4), further preferred for controlling a relative movement of the holder (2) with respect to the lens edge simulation tool (10) and/or the tracer (3), and/or for controlling a relative movement of a lens (L) to be machined with respect to the edger machine (4).

11. System (1) according to claim 10, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to provide and/or determine data, like a lens shape compensation value, representing an offset Z of the lens edge simulation tool (10) introduced in the frame groove (21) with respect to a bottom (23) of the frame groove (21) based on the extension position of the probe (15) with respect to the retracted position or distal end tip portion (14), preferably based on data received from the lens edge simulation tool (10), and preferably also data representing the frame groove periphery (22), more preferred based on data received from the tracer (3), and/or preferably also data representing a lens edge periphery (60) of a machined lens (6) preferably based on the frame groove periphery (22) in conjunction with the determined offset (Z) or shape compensation value and preferably also based on data representing the relative tiltable angle α of the lens edge simulation tool (10), wherein the control unit (5) is more preferred configured to provide said data to the edger machine (4) to control the edger machine (4) to machine a lens (L) based on said data.

12. Method for defining a lens shape for a machined lens (6) adapted to fit into a frame groove (21) of a spectacle frame (20), comprising the steps of: a) Determining a frame groove periphery (22) at a bottom (23) of a frame groove (21) of a spectacle frame (20), b) Providing a lens edge simulation tool (10), preferably according to claim 1, having a defined edge profile (STP) comprising a bevel portion (11) protruding towards a protrusion direction (A), wherein the lens edge simulation tool (10) comprises a probe (15) provided at a distal end tip portion (14) of the bevel portion (11) and being moveable (M) along the protrusion direction (A) between a retracted position in which the probe (15) does not protrude from the defined edge profile (STP) and an extension position in which the probe (15) protrudes from the distal end tip portion (14), c) Introducing the lens edge simulation tool (10) with its bevel portion (11) and probe (15) into the frame groove (21) at least at one position along the frame groove periphery (22) so that the lens edge simulation tool (10) rests on the spectacle frame (20) in the protrusion direction (A) and the probe (15) rests on the bottom (23) of the frame groove (21), d) Determining an offset (Z) of the so introduced lens edge simulation tool (10) with respect to the frame groove (21) based on the extension position of the probe (15) with respect to the retracted position or distal end tip portion (14), and e) Determining a lens edge periphery (60) for a machined lens (6) based on the frame groove periphery (22) in conjunction with the determined offset (Z), preferably based on the frame groove periphery (22) compensated by a shape compensation value based on or derived from the amount of offset (Z).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the lens edge simulation tool (10) and the frame groove (21) are relatively tilted with respect to each other, preferably relatively and freely tilted with respect to each other, to align them and preferably their planes of osculation (P10, P20), more preferred in a tilt position in which the determined offset (Z) is minimum and/or in which the lateral portions (12, 13) restrict the tilt angle α relative to the spectacle frame (20) due to contact between them, preferably substantially symmetrical contact between them in side view of the lens edge simulation tool (10).

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the following step: f) Machining the lens with an edger machine (4) based on the determined lens edge periphery (60) so that the machined lens (6) fits into the frame groove (21) of the spectacle frame (20).

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein steps b) to e), and preferably also step a), are performed on a computer (5), wherein the computer (5) provides the determined data, particularly the lens edge periphery (60), preferably to an edger machine (4) for performing step f), or wherein all steps are performed on a system (1) according to claim 6.

Description

[0035] Further advantages and specific features will now be described with respect to the drawings of the accompanied Figures, according to which:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a lens edge simulation tool according to the present invention and a frame groove of a spectacle frame before being introduced,

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the features of FIG. 1 in a measuring position of the lens edge simulation tool being inserted into the frame groove profile of the spectacle frame,

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a lens edge simulation tool according to the present invention and a frame groove of another spectacle frame before being introduced,

[0039] FIG. 4 shows the features of FIG. 3 in a measuring position of the lens edge simulation tool being inserted into the frame groove profile of the spectacle frame, and

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a schematic partially cut side view of a system according to the present invention having a lens edge simulation tool according to FIG. 1.

[0041] The Figures show a lens edge simulation tool 10 for measuring the fitment of a lens edge profile with respect to a frame groove profile FGP of a spectacle frame 20. As can be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens edge simulation tool 10 has a defined edge profile STP like a lens edge profile LEP of a lens 6 being machined by a defined edger machine 4. Therefore, the edger machine 4 usually has a defined edging profile or groove 40 which corresponds to the lens edge profile LEP to be obtained for fitment thereof into a frame groove 21 of the spectacle frame 20.

[0042] The defined edge profile STP comprises a bevel portion 11 protruding towards a protrusion direction A. As can be best seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, the bevel portion 11 preferably tapers towards the protrusion direction A; here in a V-shape. Moreover, the defined edge profile STP may further comprise two lateral portions 12, 13 each facing towards the protrusion direction A and extending at opposite sides of the bevel portion 11 and away from one another. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral portions 12, 13 extend substantially orthogonal with respect to the protrusion direction A. Such a defined edge profile STP thus represents the whole lens edge profile LEP even of a thick lens L to be machined of which the resulting bevel portion 61 protrudes in a region between an upper and lower or inner and outer side I, O of the lens 6 with respect to its thickness. Such a layout thus allows for a most accurate representation of a lens edge profile LEP and thus a more accurate measurement by use of the lens edge simulation tool 10 according to the present invention.

[0043] The lens edge simulation tool 10 further comprises a probe 15 provided at a distal end tip portion 14 of the bevel portion 11 and being moveable M along the protrusion direction A between a retracted position (see dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the probe 15 does not protrude from the defined edge profile STP and an extension position (see, e.g., the positions in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the probe 15 protrudes from the distal end tip portion 14.

[0044] The probe 15 may have the same dimensions like a tracer pin 30 of a tracer 3 for determining a frame groove periphery 22 of the spectacle frame 20. In particular, the probe 15 may preferably have the same shape and/or size like such a tracer pin 30. In a most preferred embodiment, the probe 15 can even be identical to such a tracer pin 30.

[0045] As can be best seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, the probe 15 may have a spherical shape. The probe 15 may also have a partially spherical or hemispherical or even just a rounded shape. Preferably, the probe 15 may have a diameter D of about 0.1 to 4 mm and more preferred of about 0.2 to 2 mm or any other dimension.

[0046] The probe 15 is preferably biased towards the extension position or protrusion direction so that it always tends to be moved towards the extension position and thus always lies in abutment when being in use for measuring the fitment of a lens edge profile LEP with respect to a frame groove profile FGP of a spectacle frame 20.

[0047] The probe 15 could also be releasably provided to the defined edge profile STP or its bevel portion 11, which allows the lens edge simulation tool 10 to be adapted to any possible tracer 3 or tracer pin 30 layout for highly accurate measurements, e.g. by simple replacement of the probe 15.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a system 1 according to the present invention for defining a lens shape for a machined lens 6 adapted to fit into a define frame groove 21 of a spectacle frame 20. The system 1 comprises a holder 2 for holding the spectacle frame 20. The holder 2 can be a separate holding means while it can also or additionally be provided by the lens edge simulation tool 10 itself, the latter being also part of the system 1. As shown, the lens edge simulation tool 10 as the holder 2 is arranged here in a horizontal orientation to thus receive the spectacle frame from an upper side and thus supporting the spectacle frame 20. For secure fitment, the holder 2 may further comprise an upper clamping portion (not shown) to bring the spectacle frame 20 in secure abutment with the lens edge simulation tool 10. The lens edge simulation tool 10 is provided such that it can be introduced with its bevel portion 11 into the frame groove 21 of the spectacle frame 20 held by the holder (here supported by the lens edge simulation tool 10 as the holder 2) at least at one position—namely preferably in a static manner—along the frame groove periphery 22 so that the lens edge simulation tool 10 rests on the spectacle frame 20 in the protrusion direction A and the probe 15 rests on the bottom 23 of the frame groove 21.

[0049] As also indicated in FIG. 5 and clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lens edge simulation tool 10 can be supported in a tiltable manner and most preferably in a freely tiltable manner. Even more preferred, the lens edge simulation tool 10 is (freely) tiltable at least about an axis extending orthogonally through the protrusion direction A in side view of the lens edge simulation tool 10 and preferably also orthogonal to the extension direction of the lateral portions 12, 13 as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Such a tiltable support is exemplarily depicted in FIGS. 3 to 5 by a corresponding circular arrow.

[0050] Again turning to FIG. 5, the system 1 may further comprise a tracer 3 for determining the frame groove periphery 22 at a bottom 23 of the frame groove 21 of the spectacle frame 20. Therefore, a separate tracer 3 can be used as shown in FIG. 5, which might then require a separate holder for holding the spectacle frame 20 during the tracer measurement. However, it is also possible that the tracer 3 can use the holder 2 of the system 1 for its measurement; in this case, it would be preferred if the holder 2 is not (only) represented by the lens edge simulation tool 10 but preferably as a separate element. For measurement, the tracer 3 is provided such that it can determine the frame groove periphery 22 by relative movement of the tracer 3 with respect to the holder 2 (or a separate holder) or the spectacle frame 20. In FIG. 5 there is shown an example for potential degrees of freedom by corresponding arrows, while the application is not limited thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the tracer 3 may comprise a tracer pin 30 configured to rest at the bottom 23 of the frame groove 21 during determination of the frame groove periphery 22 and more preferred during the relative movement. The probe 15 and the tracer pin 30 preferably have the same shape and/or size and are more preferably identical so that the tracer pin 30 may also have the dimensions as already mentioned herein above for the probe 15. This allows for an exact and highly accurate measurement result, which is also easily comparable. Alternatively or additionally it may also be possible that the tracer 3 comprises a camera for visually determining the frame groove periphery 22 or frame groove profile FGP (from which the frame groove periphery 22 may be derived).

[0051] The system 1 may further comprise an edger machine 4 having an edging profile 40 for machining the defined lens edge profile LEP. The edging profile 40 thus preferably has a contour which corresponds to the contour of the lens edge simulation tool 10, i.e. its defined edge profile STP.

[0052] The system 1 may further comprise a control unit 5 preferably for controlling the holder 2 or even the holder of the tracer 3, the lens edge simulation tool 10, the tracer 3, and/or the edger machine 4. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 5 is configured for controlling a relative movement of the holder 2 with respect to the lens edge simulation tool 10 and/or the tracer 3. Moreover, the control unit 5 may also be configured for controlling a relative movement of a lens to be machined with respect to the edger machine 4.

[0053] Moreover, the control unit 5 may further be configured to provide and/or determine data, like a lens shape compensation value, representing an offset Z of the lens edge simulation tool 10 introduced in the frame groove 21 with respect to the bottom 23 of the frame groove 21 based on the extension positon of the probe 15 with respect to the retracted position or distal end tip portion 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). This data is preferably based on data received from the lens edge simulation tool 10.

[0054] The control unit 5 may further be configured to provide and/or determine also data representing the frame groove periphery 22 preferably based on data received from the tracer 3.

[0055] Moreover, the control unit 5 may further be configured to provide and/or determine also data representing a lens edge periphery 60 of a machined lens 6 preferably based on the frame groove periphery 22 in conjunction with determined offset Z or shaped compensation value and preferably also based on data representing the relative tiltable angle α of the lens edge simulation tool 10; preferably with respect to a defined default orientation.

[0056] The control unit 5 is preferably also configured to provide said data to the edger machine 4 for controlling the edger machine 4 to machine a lens L based on said data to thus receive the required machined lens 6 for accurate fitment into the spectacle frame 20.

[0057] As can also be seen in FIG. 5, the system 1 may further comprise an indicator 7 for indicating or displaying or providing the amount or data representing the amount of extension of a probe 15 in the extension position with respect to the retracted position or distal end tip portion 14, which represents the offset Z or forms the basis to determine a required offset. The indicator 7 can be a gauge or indicating instrument (see FIG. 5) or a computer display or any other indication or displaying means.

[0058] In the following, a method for defining a lens shape for a machined lens 6 adapted to fit into a frame groove 21 of a spectacle frame 20 is described.

[0059] In a first step, a frame groove periphery 22 is determined at a bottom 23 of a frame groove 21 of a spectacle frame 20. Therefore, any known tracer or the tracer 3 of the system 1 can be used.

[0060] In a second step, a lens edge simulation tool 10 is provided, having a defined edge profile STP comprising a bevel portion 11 protruding towards a protrusion direction A, wherein the lens edge simulation tool 10 comprises a probe 15 provided at a distal end tip portion 14 of the bevel portion 11 and being moveable along the protrusion direction A between a retracted position in which the probe 15 does not protrude from the defined edge profile STP and an extension position in which the probe 15 protrudes from the defined edge profile STP or the distal end tip portion 14. The lens edge simulation tool 10 is preferably a physical lens edge simulation tool 10 according to the present invention but may also be simulated on a computer in case of a computer-implemented invention.

[0061] In a third step, the lens edge simulation tool 10 is introduced with its bevel portion 11 and the probe 15 into the frame groove 21 at least at one position along the frame groove periphery 22—i.e. preferably in a static manner—so that the lens edge simulation tool 10 rests on the spectacle frame 20 in the protrusion direction A and the probe 15 rests on the bottom 23 of the frame groove 21. Even though the probe 15 may also be moved along the frame groove 21, it is generally sufficient for an accurate measurement by the lens edge simulation tool 10 to be positioned in a static manner at at least one or a defined number (2, 3, 4, 5, or more) static positions along the frame groove 21 or frame groove periphery 22.

[0062] In a fourth step, an offset of the so introduced lens edge simulation tool 10 is determined with respect to the frame groove 21 based on the extension position of the probe 15 with respect to the retracted position or distal end tip portion 14.

[0063] In a fifth step, a lens edge periphery 60 for a machined lens 6 is determined based on the frame groove periphery 22 in conjunction with the determined offset Z, preferably based on the frame groove periphery 22 compensated by a shape compensation value based on or derived from the amount of offset Z.

[0064] The lens edge simulation tool 10 and the frame groove 21 are relatively tilted with respect to each other, preferably relatively and freely tilted with respect to each other, to align them, i.e. preferably to align their planes of osculation P10, P20, more preferred in a tilt position in which the determined offset Z is minimum (see FIG. 4) and/or in which the lateral portions 12, 13 restrict the tilt angle α (preferably with respect to a defined default orientation) relative to the spectacle frame due to (physical) contact between them, preferably substantially symmetrical (physical) contact between them in side view of the lens edge simulation tool 10.

[0065] The method may comprise a sixth step of machining the lens L with an edger machine 4 based on the determined lens edge periphery 60 so that the machined lens 6 fits into the frame groove 21 of the spectacle frame 20.

[0066] The second to fifth step (or just one or some thereof) and preferably also the first step can be performed on a computer (e.g. by means of or on the control unit 5), wherein the computer provides the determined data, particularly the lens edge periphery 60, preferably to an edger machine 4 for performing the sixth step. It may also be possible that all or at least some of the steps of the present method are performed on a system 1 according to the present invention.

[0067] The present invention is not limited by the embodiments described herein above as long as being covered by the appended claims. All of the features described herein above in the embodiments can be combined and/or replaced in any given manner.