U.S. patent application number 11/309691 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for apparatus for cylindrically grinding workpieces.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Shih-Chieh Yen.
Application Number | 20070173184 11/309691 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38286162 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070173184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yen; Shih-Chieh |
July 26, 2007 |
APPARATUS FOR CYLINDRICALLY GRINDING WORKPIECES
Abstract
An exemplary apparatus for cylindrically grinding workpieces
(60) includes a first holding tool (20), a second holding tool
(30), and a first grinding wheel (10). The first holding tool is
configured for positioning pre-grinding workpieces, and the first
holding tool defines a first groove (24) for containing the
pre-grinding workpieces to be partially ground. The second holding
tool is configured for positioning the partially ground workpieces,
and the second holding tool defines a second groove (34) for
containing the partially ground workpieces. The first grinding
wheel is configured for grinding the pre-grinding workpieces in the
first holding tool. The first grinding wheel defines a first
grinding groove (104), and the first grinding groove is defined by
a semicircular bottom wall (1042) and two slanted walls (1044)
connected with the semicircular bottom wall.
Inventors: |
Yen; Shih-Chieh; (Tu-Cheng,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PCE INDUSTRY, INC.;ATT. CHENG-JU CHIANG JEFFREY T. KNAPP
458 E. LAMBERT ROAD
FULLERTON
CA
92835
US
|
Assignee: |
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
Tu-Cheng
TW
|
Family ID: |
38286162 |
Appl. No.: |
11/309691 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 9/14 20130101; B24B
19/009 20130101; B24B 41/067 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/65 |
International
Class: |
B24B 7/00 20060101
B24B007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2006 |
TW |
095102373 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for cylindrically grinding workpieces, comprising:
a first holding tool configured for positioning pre-grinding
workpieces, the first holding tool defining a first groove for
containing the pre-grinding workpieces to be partially ground; a
second holding tool configured for positioning the partially ground
workpieces, the second holding tool defining a second groove for
containing the partially ground workpieces; and a first grinding
wheel configured for grinding the pre-grinding workpieces in the
first holding tool, the first grinding wheel defining a first
grinding groove, the first grinding groove being defined by a
semicircular bottom wall and two slanted walls connected with the
semicircular wall.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between
the slanted walls is bigger than a diameter of the semicircular
bottom wall.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first grinding
wheel includes a main body and a driving shaft connected to the
main body for rotating the first grinding wheel.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first grinding
groove is formed on an outer surface of the main body.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first groove
has a V-shaped cross section.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second
grinding wheel.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second grinding
wheel has a second grinding groove, and the second grinding groove
has a semicircular cross section.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second holding
groove has a semicircular cross section.
9. A grinding wheel for cylindrically grinding workpieces, the
grinding wheel defining a first grinding groove, the first grinding
groove being defined by a semicircular bottom wall and two slanted
walls connected with the semicircular bottom wall.
10. The grinding wheel as claimed in claim 9, wherein a distance
between the slanted walls is bigger than a diameter of the
semicircular bottom wall.
11. The grinding wheel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the grinding
wheel is connected to a driving shaft for rotating the first
grinding wheel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to cylindrical
grinding apparatuses and, more particularly, to a holder for
holding workpieces during a cylindrical grinding process.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Usually, optical elements such as camera lenses and
spectacles are in used in cylindrical form. However, original
optical workpieces (i.e. lens blanks) are most easily manufactured
in the form of a square. Therefore, these original optical
workpieces have to be cylindrically ground before use.
[0003] A typical example of a contemporary cylindrical grinding
apparatus is a central apparatus. The central apparatus typically
includes a pair of holders for holding the original workpiece,
where each holder has a hollow chamber communicating with a surface
of the holder. The holder can hold the workpiece on its surface by
using an air pump pumping the hollow chamber, a grinding wheel is
then used to cylindrically grind the workpiece. However, the
central apparatus can only cylindrically grind one workpiece at a
time.
[0004] FIGS. 6-7 show an apparatus for cylindrically grinding more
than one workpiece at a time. The apparatus includes a grinding
wheel 80. The grinding wheel has a semicircular grinding groove 81.
In use, firstly, a plurality of workpieces 70 are bonded together
using adhesive. Secondly, the grinding wheel 80 is used to grind a
first portion 71 of the workpieces 70 into a semicircular shape.
Thirdly, a second portion 72 of the workpieces 70 is also ground
into a semicircular shape using the grinding wheel 80. The final
result being that the workpieces 70 are ground to a cylindrical
shape.
[0005] After the first portion 71 is ground to a semicircular
shape, two sharp-angled portions 73 are formed between the first
portion 71 and the second portion 72. When grinding the second
portion 72, the sharp-angled portion 73 may easily split under a
grinding pressure of the grinding wheel 80.
[0006] Therefore, a new apparatus for cylindrically grinding
workpieces is desired in order to overcome the above-described
shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment, an apparatus for cylindrically grinding
workpieces includes a first holding tool, a second holding tool,
and a first grinding wheel. The first holding tool is configured
for positioning pre-grinding workpieces, and the first holding tool
defines a first groove for containing the pre-grinding workpieces
to be partially ground. The second holding tool is configured for
positioning the partially ground workpieces, and the second holding
tool defines a second groove for containing the partially ground
workpieces. The first grinding wheel is configured for grinding the
pre-grinding workpieces in the first holding tool. The first
grinding wheel defines a first grinding groove, and the first
grinding groove is defined by a semicircular bottom wall and two
slanted walls connected with the semicircular bottom wall.
[0008] Other advantages and novel features will become more
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Many aspects of the apparatus can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings
are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present
apparatus. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first grinding wheel of an
apparatus for cylindrically grinding workpieces in accordance with
a preferred embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first grinding wheel
in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a step of a process for
cylindrically grinding workpieces in accordance with a preferred
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another step subsequent to the
step in FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a further step subsequent to
the step in FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a grinding wheel for
cylindrically grinding workpieces from the related art; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the grinding wheel in
FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, in a preferred embodiment, an
apparatus for cylindrically grinding workpieces, includes a first
grinding wheel 10, a first holding tool 20, a second holding tool
30, and a second grinding wheel 40. The holding tools 20, 30 are
configured for positioning workpieces 60. In this embodiment, the
workpieces 60 are optical elements, such as infrared cut filters
and ultraviolet cut filters.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the first holding tool 20 defines a
first groove 24 for containing pre-grinding workpieces 60. The
pre-grinding workpieces 60 can be optical elements having a
non-cylindrical shape. In this preferred embodiment, the workpieces
60 are in substantially square form. Therefore, the first groove 24
is configured to have a V-shaped cross section, for compliantly
receiving the pre-grinding workpieces 60 therein. Understandably,
the cross section of the first groove 24 can be of other shape
depending on the form of the pre-grinding workpieces 60. The
pre-grinding workpieces 60 are partially ground on the first groove
24 using the first grinding wheel 10.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the first grinding wheel 10 can be
disposed above the first holding tool 20. The first grinding wheel
10 includes a main body 11 and a driving shaft 12. The main body 11
has a cylindrical shape. A first grinding groove 104 is defined on
an outer surface 101 of the main body 11. The first grinding groove
104 is defined by a semicircular bottom wall 1042 and two slanted
walls 1044 connected with the semicircular bottom wall 1042. A
distance between the slanted walls 1044 is bigger than a diameter
of the semicircular bottom wall 1042. The driving shaft 12 is
connected to the main body 11 for rotating the first grinding wheel
10.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 5, the second holding tool 30 defines a
second groove 34 for containing the partially ground workpieces 60.
The second groove 34 is configured to have a semicircular cross
section. The partially ground workpieces 60 are ground to be
cylinder shape on the second groove 34. The second grinding wheel
40 can be disposed above the second holding tool 30. The second
grinding wheel 40 has a semicircular groove 42 for grinding the
partially ground workpieces 60. The semicircular groove 42 has a
similar shape to the second groove 34 of the second holding tool
30. The second grinding wheel 14 is connected to a driving
mechanism 43. In this embodiment, the driving mechanism 43 is a
motor.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, an exemplary process for
cylindrically grinding workpieces 60 includes the steps of:
[0022] (1) A stack of workpieces 60 (i.e. pre-grinding workpieces)
are placed in the first groove 24 of the first holding tool 20. A
first portion 61 of the pre-grinding workpieces 60 projects out of
the first groove 24.
[0023] (2) The pre-grinding workpieces 60 are bonded on the first
groove 24.
[0024] (3) The first portion 61 of the pre-grinding workpieces 60
is partially ground to a first shape.
[0025] (4) The partially ground workpieces 60 are placed in the
second holding tool 30 with the first portion 61 held in the second
groove 34, a second portion 63 of the workpieces 60 projects out of
the second grooves 34.
[0026] (5) The second portion 63 of the workpieces 60 is ground to
a semicircular shape. In this way a plurality of cylindrical
workpieces 60 can be obtained.
[0027] After the first portion 61 is partially ground, two slanted
portions 62 are formed between the first portion 61 and the second
portion 63 of the workpieces 60 by the slanted wall 1044 of the
first grinding wheel 10. Because the slanted portion 62 forms an
obtuse angle with a vertical tangent of the first portion 61, the
workpieces 60 will not be prone to splitting during grinding of the
second portion 63.
[0028] It is believed that the present embodiments and their
advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and
it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or
sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples here
before described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of
the invention.
* * * * *