ELECTRONIC MOUNT FOR OPTICAL DEVICE, AND OPTICAL DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A MOUNT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic mount as defined in the set of claims.

[0002] This is a frame containing electronic components, to create an optical device, for example a pair of glasses equipped with corrective lenses, for example corrective lenses or lenses of the ophthalmic cell type with variable amplitude, controlled by an electronic circuit, or even with simple lenses, tinted or not.

[0003] An electronic mount for optical devices is known from US2012127420.

[0004] An electronic mount for an optical device usually includes: a front element comprising a housing for at least one glass, and at least one electronic component.

[0005] The term "face" will be understood to mean a set of elements of a frame for an optical device intended to be placed in front of a face when the frame is worn by a user.

[0006] Electronic frames can contain fragile parts. These may include, for example, electronic connections or components that can easily be damaged when deformed, or active lenses that consist of several materials assembled together, for example, variable amplitude ophthalmic cell lenses, the cell being controlled by an electronic circuit.

[0007] There figure 1 shows an electronic frame 1 of the prior art, comprising a frame face 2, comprising a face element 5 carrying lenses 3, the electronic frame 1 also comprising two temples 4 each connected to the face element 5 by a hinge 6.

[0008] When a user places the electronic frame 1 on their face, they put stress on the hinges 6 of the temples 4 of the frame and deform at least one of the elements 2 of the electronic frame 1. More specifically, by placing the frame, the user separates the temples 4 from each other as indicated by the arrows F1 on the figure 1 .

[0009] This effort causes deformation of the branches 4, the hinges 6 (which may be equipped with elastic return elements, such as springs), and the front element 5 of the electronic frame, see lenses 3.

[0010] This general deformation of the face element 5 is indicated by an arrow F2 on the figure 2 The solid line marked D1 corresponds to the general shape of face 2 of the frame when the arms 4 are not separated from each other. The dashed line marked D2 corresponds to the general shape of face 2 of the frame when the arms 4 are separated from each other. A deformation by extension of face 2 of the frame is observed.

[0011] The intensity of the observed deformation is a function of the relative stiffnesses of the materials and elements in which the face element 5, the hinges 6 and the branches 4 are made.

[0012] It should also be noted that the deformation of the face element 2 along the arrow F2 also causes a deformation of the housing of the lenses 3 and therefore generates stresses on said lenses 3.

[0013] The invention aims to limit the deformation of certain parts of the electronic mount in order to preserve the fragile elements it contains which do not withstand, or can withstand very little, the deformations related to the installation or removal of the electronic mount by a user.

[0014] The invention as defined in the claims includes, among other things, an electronic frame for an optical device, comprising a frame front element capable of partially housing at least one lens and comprising at least one electronic element, said front element extending on either side of said at least one lens over a retention length of said lens, the electronic frame being notable in that said front element comprises a reinforcing element extending at least substantially over the entire retention length of said at least one lens.

[0015] Thus, the reinforcing element prevents or, at the very least, limits the deformation of the front element retaining part of the glass at least at the point where the glass is retained in the front element.

[0016] The invention as claimed necessarily contains all the features defined in claim 1. It may also include the following features, taken separately or in combination: The electronic frame may comprise two temples connected by a hinge at two ends of said front element, and the reinforcing element may extend between the two ends of said front element. The reinforcing element may be made of at least one of the materials belonging to the following group: aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, or carbon fibers. The frame may comprise a cradle adapted to at least partially encircle a lower portion of said at least one lens. The reinforcing element may retain the front element, preferably by attachment to the cradle. The cradle and the frame may be made of different materials, or the cradle and the frame may be made in one piece of the same material. The front element may be made of a flexible material.

[0017] The invention also relates to an optical device comprising an electronic mount as defined above, as well as at least one fragile lens.

[0018] "Brittle glass" will be understood as glass which has at least two layers of homogeneous materials bonded together, each layer having a thickness greater than 30 µm.

[0019] The invention will be better understood with regard to an embodiment which will now be described with reference to the figures, among which: THE figures 1 et 2 are top views of an optical device comprising an electronic frame fitted with lenses, conforming to the prior art, the figure 3 is a front and exploded perspective view of one face of an electronic mount according to the invention, and the figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along plane III-III shown in figure 3 the face elements being assembled together.

[0020] For the sake of clarity, only the elements useful for understanding the described implementation methods have been represented.

[0021] Furthermore, references designating the same element from one embodiment to another will be retained.

[0022] Finally, in the description that follows, the terms "lower," "upper," "top," "bottom," etc., are used with reference to the drawings for ease of understanding. They should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the invention.

[0023] There figure 3 represents several elements which together constitute an electronic frame according to the invention, and more particularly a face 2 of an electronic frame, that is to say the part of the electronic frame which is positioned in front of the face of a wearer of the electronic frame. The elements are illustrated separately from one another.

[0024] The different elements can be assembled by screwing or gluing, or any other conventional means of assembly.

[0025] The electronic frame 1 includes a front element 7 which has a housing 8, suitable for partially housing a lens 3. The frame 1 also includes at least one electronic component. An example of such a component will be given later.

[0026] In the example illustrated in the figures, the electronic frame 1 is designed to hold two lenses 3, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to an electronic frame designed to hold two lenses. Indeed, the electronic frame according to the invention could be designed to hold only a single mask-shaped lens, without departing from the scope of the invention, the mask-shaped lens being sufficiently large to extend in front of both eyes of a wearer when the electronic frame is worn.

[0027] The lenses 3 can be active lenses (which are associated with an electronic component 9 allowing them to change state when the electronic component is activated).

[0028] For example, lenses 3 are variable amplitude ophthalmic cells, phase-modulating lenses, informative lenses, or hybrid lenses controlled by an electronic circuit 9.

[0029] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to an optical device comprising an electronic frame equipped with active lenses. Indeed, a device comprising an electronic frame according to the invention may be equipped with passive lenses, that is to say, lenses which may (or may not) have optical properties but which are not designed to change state (under the control of an electronic component, for example).

[0030] Furthermore, in the context of this example, the two glasses 3 are fragile glasses, that is to say glasses which have at least two layers of homogeneous materials assembled together, each layer having a thickness greater than 30 µm.

[0031] The two materials may or may not be identical. These glasses are inherently fragile because a significant portion of their volume is not homogeneous, which can create risks of deterioration at the interface / joint of these materials. Indeed, using a material assembly with a significant thickness, greater than 30µm, reduces the glass's strength by generating weaknesses in the layer-joint zone that can lead to glass breakage or delamination under mechanical stress.

[0032] In a non-limiting example, a fragile glass can be an assembly of at least 2 mineral shells with a thickness greater than 30µm, directly glued together, or separated by a material of the electroactive type (electrochromic material, liquid crystal...) or passive type (polymer, glue, photopolymer...).

[0033] In another non-limiting example, a fragile glass can be a hybrid glass made of plastic and mineral materials of considerable thickness.

[0034] In another non-limiting example, a fragile glass may be an informative glass consisting of a mineral waveguide encapsulated by an organic material, or any other glass subject to delamination or exhibiting fragility due to the use of an assembly of materials.

[0035] There figure 4 shows in cross-section a lens 3 of the type ophthalmic cell with variable amplitude, the lens 4 comprising two parallel walls 30, made of a first material, between which is trapped a layer 31 made of a second material.

[0036] Each of the lenses 3 is oval in shape, and is connected to its control circuit 9 positioned on a part 10 of the lens, the part 10 being intended to be positioned opposite the nose of a wearer of the electronic frame 1.

[0037] The area of ​​the electronic frame 1 designed to be positioned at the level of a wearer's nose will be called the nasal area 11 of the electronic frame 1.

[0038] In the example described, the face element 7 receiving at least partially the lenses 3 is a nacelle 12 designed to accommodate at least partially an upper part 13 of the lenses 3.

[0039] The gondola 12 is a longitudinal piece that extends between two ends 14, the two ends of the gondola 12 bordering the upper outer sides 15 of the glasses 3.

[0040] The gondola 12 has a central part 16 located at the level of the nasal area 11 of the electronic mount 1.

[0041] On either side of the central part 16, the gondola 12 has two symmetrical parts 17 with respect to the central part 16.

[0042] Each symmetrical part 17 is formed by a circular arc profile 18, which has a groove, corresponding to the housing 8 mentioned above, the groove 8 being designed to accommodate the upper part 13 of the glass 3. The curvature of the circular arc shape 18 corresponds substantially to the shape of the upper part 13 of the glass.

[0043] The groove 8 extends over a length, called the retention length, because the glass is retained in the groove 8 along its entire length.

[0044] The gondola 12 carries an electronic component of the type flexible ribbon 120 carrying conductive strips, the flexible ribbon 120 extending substantially over the entire length of the gondola 12 and being fixed by gluing at least partially on an upper edge 26 and on the central part 16 of the gondola 12 (the upper edge 26 being located opposite the groove receiving the glass 3).

[0045] In the present embodiment, the electronic mount 1 also includes a cradle 19 and a reinforcing element 20 ( figure 3 ), allowing respectively to encircle the lateral parts 21 and lower parts 22 of the lenses 3 on the one hand, and to stiffen the nacelle 12 partially housing the lenses 3.

[0046] The cradle 19 and the reinforcement element 20 are designed to attach to each other, enclose the cradle 12 (partially housing the lenses 3), and encircle the lenses 3 so as to hold them in place.

[0047] The cradle 19 includes a central cradle part 23 designed to belong to the elements of the nasal area 11 of the electronic mount 1.

[0048] On either side of the central part 23 of cradle 19, the latter comprises two parts 24 of cradle 19 which are symmetrical with respect to the central part 23, each of the symmetrical parts 24 of cradle 19 having a shape complementary to that of the lateral parts 21 and lower parts 22 of the lenses 4.

[0049] Each of the symmetrical parts 24 has an internal groove 25 into which the edges of the lateral parts 21 and lower parts 22 of the lenses 3 are inserted ( figure 3 ).

[0050] The reinforcement element 20, stiffening the nacelle 12, extends over the entire length of the nacelle 1, the reinforcement element 20 covering the entire nacelle 12 on which it is attached, as well as the ends 14 of the nacelle 12.

[0051] Thus, the reinforcement element 20 extends over the two retention lengths of the glasses 3 in the gondola 12.

[0052] The reinforcement element 20 also covers the central part 16 of the nacelle 12 belonging to the elements of the nasal area 11 of the electronic mount 1.

[0053] The reinforcement element 20 has a shape substantially identical to that of the nacelle 12, and includes a U-shaped section forming a housing 27 to accommodate the nacelle 12 and the electronic component 120 fixed to the nacelle 12 ( figures 3 et 4 ). The U-shape gives the reinforcement element 20 a geometric characteristic which allows it to maintain a reasonable weight, so that the electronic mount 1 is comfortable to wear.

[0054] Housing 27 is deep enough to accommodate gondola 12 so that gondola 12 is covered over at least half of its thickness.

[0055] The reinforcement element thus has a central reinforcement part 28, which belongs to the elements of the nasal area 11 of the electronic frame, and two reinforcement parts 29 which are symmetrical with respect to the central reinforcement part 38 and which extend on either side of the central part 28.

[0056] The central reinforcement part 28 is designed to be assembled with the central cradle part 23.

[0057] Each of the central reinforcing parts 28 or cradle 23 has a cutout, respectively 32 and 33, the two cutouts 32 and 33 coming opposite each other when the cradle 19 is assembled to the reinforcing element 20.

[0058] In this way, when the cradle 19 and the reinforcement element 20 are assembled and form a casing around the lenses 3 and the nacelle 12, the two cutouts 32 and 33 form an opening through the casing of the nasal area 11 of the electronic frame 1.

[0059] The cradle 19 and the reinforcing element 20 finally have ends 34 and 35, respectively, which are shaped to assemble with the ends of branches and receive a hinge.

[0060] The cradle 19 and the bassinet 16 can be made of the same material or of different materials.

[0061] The reinforcing element 20, which stiffens the cradle 16, can be made of a flexible material, such as thermoplastic elastomer, which allows easy insertion of the edges of the lenses 3 into the grooves 8 and 25 of the cradle 12 and the cradle 24. The flexible material also allows the energy of any shocks to be absorbed.

[0062] This is not the case for reinforcement element 20.

[0063] The reinforcing element 20 is made of a material capable of sufficiently stiffening the gondola at least over the length of the circular arc profile 18, (corresponding approximately to the retention length of the glass 3 in a symmetrical part 17 of the gondola 12) so that, when a wearer spreads the arms of the optical device, this part of the gondola 12 does not deform.

[0064] The reinforcing element 20 also provides stiffening to the nasal area 11 of the electronic frame, which may contain fragile electronic components and which would be a prone area of ​​deformation if only the areas of the circular arc profiles 18 of the nacelle 12 were stiffened. Indeed, the reinforcing element 20 deforms very little, if at all, when subjected to the spreading of the frame's temples.

[0065] The reinforcement element also makes it possible to stiffen face 2 of the electronic frame 1 under other types of stresses than those related to the opening of the temples.

[0066] For example, the reinforcing element 20 has a mass of less than 10g, preferably approximately equal to 6g for a device whose total mass (without the lenses) does not exceed 32g.

[0067] The stiffness of the reinforcement element can be expressed as a deflection resulting from a torque exerted around the pivot point of the hinge, the nose area being fixed: The deflection is measured at the pivot point of the hinge, in the plane normal to the axis of the hinge.

[0068] The optical device is subsequently considered to be a classic eyeglass frame, weighing approximately 32 g.

[0069] In one example, when a torque of 0.05 Nm is applied to such a mount (a force of 50 g at 100 mm from the axis of a hinge) equipped with a 20 mm reinforcing element, the deflection is 0.07 mm. For comparison, on a standard plastic mount without a 20 mm reinforcing element, the deflection is several tenths of a millimeter, or even several millimeters (4 mm is measured on a standard plastic mount).

[0070] In this example, the measured stiffness for the mount equipped with a reinforcement element 20 is approximately 714 Nm / m. The higher the K value, the stiffer the mount. For comparison, the stiffness under this type of stress on the standard plastic mount, without reinforcement element 20, would be 12.5 Nm / m.

[0071] Advantageously, under the effort to spread the arms apart when putting the frame on the wearer's head (50g force at 100mm from the hinge axis) the deformation of the lens housing is less than 0.1mm (for example, 0.07mm on a frame (equipped with a 20 reinforcement element against 4mm for a standard plastic frame).

[0072] As an example, the reinforcement element 20 can be made of an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, a titanium alloy or carbon fibers.

[0073] Thanks to the preceding description, it is understood how the invention makes it possible to preserve the lenses, fragile or not fragile, of electronic frames thanks to the presence of the reinforcement element 20 and its advantageous arrangement on the frame.

[0074] It should be understood, however, that the invention is not specifically limited to the embodiment described in the figures 3 et 4 and that it extends to the implementation of any equivalent means.

[0075] For example, the embodiment shown in figures 3 et 4 describes a reinforcement element 20 attached to the nacelle 12. An embodiment in which the nacelle 12 and the reinforcement element are made in one piece would also correspond to an embodiment according to the invention.

[0076] As defined in claim 1, the nacelle and the reinforcement element would be molded together by means of a double injection of two thermoplastic resins into a mold.

[0077] The reinforcement element could also consist of a part of the nacelle with a greater thickness, giving said reinforcement element sufficient hardness to prevent deformation of the area of ​​the arc-shaped profile of the nacelle housing a glass 3.

Claims

1. Electronic frame (1) for an optical device, said frame including a front frame element (7) able to partially house at least one lens (3) and including at least one electronic component (120), said front element (7) extending, on either side of said at least one lens (3), over a retained length of said at least one lens (3), characterized in that said front element (7) includes a reinforcing element (20) extending at least substantially over all said retained length of said at least one lens, and in that the front element (7) is a holder (12) able to house an upper portion (13) of said at least one lens (3) and said reinforcing element (20) is integrally formed with the holder by virtue of double-shot injection moulding of two thermoplastic resins in a mould.

2. Electronic frame (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it includes two temples connected by a hinge at two ends (14) of said front element (7), and in that the reinforcing element (20) extends between the two ends (14) of said front element (7).

3. Electronic frame (1) according to either one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a cradle (24) able to at least partially encircle a lower portion (22) of said at least one lens (3).

4. Electronic frame (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the holder (12) and the cradle (20) are made of different materials.

5. Electronic frame (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the holder (12) and the cradle (20) are a single part made of a given material.

6. Electronic frame (1) according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the front element (7) is made from a flexible material.

7. Electronic frame (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the flexible material is a thermoplastic elastomer.

8. Optical device including an electronic frame (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, and including at least one fragile lens (3).