Surfacing tool for optical purposes
View Patent ↗A surfacing tool for optical purposes, includes a body ( 30 ) for mounting the tool ( 10 ) on a surfacing machine, an elastically compressible interface ( 12 ), a flexible buff ( 13 ), and a connecting structure between the mounting body ( 30 ) and the elastically compressible interface ( 12 ). The connecting structure includes a bell ( 11 ), and a supporting body ( 14 ) between the peripheral wall ( 17 ) of the bell ( 11 ) and the periphery of the interface ( 12 ), the body ( 30 ) for mounting the tool ( 10 ) on a surfacing machine ( 32, 33 ) being connected to the main body ( 16 ) on the side opposite the side facing the interface.
1. An optical-quality surfacing tool comprising:
an elastically compressible interface ( 12 ) comprising a first transverse end surface ( 20 ), a second transverse end surface ( 21 ) and a lateral surface ( 22 ) extending from the periphery of the first transverse end surface ( 20 ) to the periphery of the second transverse end surface ( 21 );
a flexible pad ( 13 ) configured to be pressed against a workpiece surface ( 35 ), and secured to the interface ( 12 ) by its second transverse end surface ( 21 ); and
a connecting structure connecting said elastically compressible interface ( 12 ) and a member ( 30 ) for mounting the tool ( 10 ) on a surfacing machine ( 32 , 33 );
wherein said connecting structure is configured to form a bearing surface resting against part of the lateral surface ( 22 ) and/or of the first transverse end surface ( 20 ) of the interface ( 12 ), leaving at least part of the lateral surface ( 22 ) and at least a central part of the first transverse end surface ( 20 ) of the interface ( 12 ) free.
2. The tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said connecting structure comprises a bell housing ( 11 ) comprising a main body ( 16 ) and a peripheral wall ( 17 ) projecting from the periphery of said body ( 16 ) and extending as far as a free end ( 18 ); and said connecting structure comprises a bearing member ( 14 ; 50 ; 53 ; 18 ; 57 ) between the peripheral wall ( 17 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ) and the periphery of the interface ( 12 ); said peripheral wall ( 17 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ) being pressed against a part of the lateral surface ( 22 ) and/or of the first transverse surface ( 20 ) of the interface ( 12 ); at least an annular portion of the lateral surface ( 22 ) of the interface ( 12 ) being free; said first transverse end surface ( 20 ) of the interface ( 12 ) being on the side of and distant from the main body ( 16 ).
3. The tool as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising an elastic return member positioned between the bell housing ( 11 ) and the first transverse end surface ( 20 ) of the interface ( 12 ).
4. The tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the elastic return member is formed by at least a portion ( 57 ) of the peripheral wall ( 17 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ).
5. The tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the elastic return member ( 14 ) is distinct from the bell housing ( 11 ) and is engaged in at least one opening ( 29 ) in the peripheral wall ( 17 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ) in order to mount it on the bell housing ( 11 ) and form said bearing member.
6. The tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the elastic return member ( 14 ) comprises a solid disk ( 42 ) or a disk ( 40 ) that has a central opening ( 41 ).
7. The tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the elastic return member ( 14 ) comprises elastically flexible radial fingers ( 25 ).
8. The tool as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the elastic return member ( 14 ) comprises an annular portion ( 24 ); and each said elastically flexible finger ( 25 ) extends between a free end ( 26 ) and an end ( 27 ) that is attached to said annular portion ( 24 ).
9. The tool as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the bearing member is formed by at least one portion ( 50 ; 53 ; 57 ) projecting toward the inside of the peripheral wall ( 17 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ).
10. The tool as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the elastic return member is formed by a fluid or gel ( 51 ) placed between the main body ( 16 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ) and the first transverse end surface ( 20 ) of the elastically compressible interface ( 12 ).
11. The tool as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said bearing member ( 14 ; 50 ; 53 ; 18 ; 57 ) is configured such that the interface ( 12 ) is oriented the same as said main body ( 16 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ).
12. The tool as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said flexible pad ( 13 ), said elastically compressible interface ( 12 ) and said main body ( 16 ) have openings ( 45 , 46 , 47 ) configured to convey a cutting fluid toward the workpiece surface ( 35 ).
13. The tool as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the main body ( 16 ) and/or the peripheral wall ( 17 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ) are divided into a plurality of angular segments.
14. The tool as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the lateral surface ( 22 ) and/or the first transverse end surface ( 20 ) of the interface ( 12 ) are fixed to the peripheral wall ( 17 ) of the bell housing ( 11 ) by push-fitting or bonding.
15. The tool as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the elastically compressible interface ( 12 ) has a thickness of between 1 mm and 20 mm between the first transverse end surface ( 20 ) and the second transverse end surface ( 21 ).
16. A surfacing machine comprising an optical-quality surfacing tool as claimed in claim 1 .
17. The tool as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the elastic return member ( 14 ) comprises a solid disk ( 42 ) or a disk ( 40 ) that has a central opening ( 41 ).
18. The tool as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the elastic return member ( 14 ) comprises elastically flexible radial fingers ( 25 ).
19. The tool as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the elastic return member ( 14 ) comprises elastically flexible radial fingers ( 25 ).