Eyeglasses with a sandwiched polymer structure

Abstract

To improve spectacles.SOLUTION: A spectacle lens comprises: a first transparent cover member and a second transparent cover member, where the first cover member comprises a proximal surface arranged to face the eye when in use and the second cover member comprises a distal surface arranged to face the surroundings when in use; one or more actuators arranged to generate forces or torques on the first or second cover member along a circumference of the first or second cover member so as to generate a controllable change of curvature of the first or second cover member; and a transparent, deformable, non-fluid body sandwiched between the first and second transparent cover members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to glasses, and more particularly to glasses having lenses with adjustable refractive power.

Background Art

[0002] The ability of the eye to focus on objects at different distances can be limited for various reasons. Typically, this ability declines as a function of age. In such cases, it may be necessary to use various glasses having different refractive powers, or glasses having different or variable refractive powers such as bifocal or progressive glasses.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Although these solutions are very beneficial, the need to switch to another pair of glasses or use glasses with different built-in refractive powers is not optimal compared to the vision of a person with non-deteriorating focusing ability. [[ID=二十三]]

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to improve glasses against the above problems and other limitations in currently available glasses.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve glasses, and particularly to provide glasses that provide different refractive powers in a more user-friendly manner than conventional glasses. Another object of the present invention is to further improve the vision of a person with a reduced ability to focus or a person suffering from other vision limitations compared to currently available glasses.

[0006] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spectacle lens, which -A first transparent cover member and a second transparent cover member, wherein the first cover member has a proximal surface that is positioned to face the eye when in use, and the second cover member has a distal surface that is positioned to face the surroundings when in use, - One or more actuators provided to generate force or torque on the first or second cover member in order to cause a controllable change in the curvature of the first or second cover member, - comprising a transparent, deformable, non-fluid body sandwiched between the first transparent cover member and the second transparent cover member, -One or more of the actuators act on one of the first and second transparent cover members, which is supported on the distal or proximal surface by sliding contacts (304) that allow displacement of the distal or proximal surface relative to one or more of the actuators (160).

[0007] Advantageously, the controllable actuator allows for control of the refractive power of the lenses in a pair of eyeglasses, meaning that the refractive power of the lenses can be changed without the user having to look at different parts of the lens to access different refractive powers, as is the case with conventional multifocal or progressive lenses.

[0008] Advantageously, the transparent, deformable, non-fluid body supports the bending of the first or second cover member, thereby causing the resulting bend to approach a spherical shape. That is, the polymer used in the non-fluid body creates a non-uniform distribution of force applied to the cover member when the actuator is activated. For comparison, hydrostatic pressure in a liquid is the same everywhere in the liquid. A non-uniform force distribution can be advantageous in some situations for generating a spherical deformation profile.

[0009] Furthermore, non-fluid materials are less sensitive to gravity compared to liquids. Therefore, using non-fluid materials reduces optical errors caused by gravity.

[0010] One or more actuators may be positioned to generate force or torque on the first or second cover member along a path surrounding at least a portion of the non-fluid body, such as along the circumference of the first or second cover member, in order to generate a controllable change in the curvature of the first or second cover member.

[0011] Sliding contacts, provided to allow displacement of one or more actuators on the distal or proximal surface, are optional and may be omitted in other configurations.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the proximal and / or distal surfaces are curved inward when viewed from the eye.

[0013] According to one embodiment, one of the first and second transparent cover members on which one or more actuators act is bendable by the force or torque generated by one or more actuators, and the other of the first and second transparent cover members is molded to provide static optical correction.

[0014] According to one embodiment, one of the first and second transparent cover members on which one or more actuators act is supported on the distal or proximal surface, respectively, by sliding contact that allows displacement along the distal or proximal surface relative to the actuator.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the spectacle lens is provided such that the non-fluid body is located between a first transparent cover member and a second transparent cover member and is able to expand without being constrained within an annular volume surrounding the non-fluid body.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the spectacle lens is designed such that external light traveling towards the eye through the lens is refracted through a sandwich structure consisting of first and second transparent cover members and a non-fluid body (optionally including optical coatings on the distal surfaces of the first and second transparent cover members). Advantageously, the simple design of this spectacle lens provides a solution with fewer components.

[0017] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first and second transparent cover members has an initial curved shape, so that when one or more actuators apply zero or minimal force to the first or second cover member, the spectacle lens has a non-zero refractive force.

[0018] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first and second transparent cover members has a concave or convex portion that contacts the non-fluid body.

[0019] According to one embodiment, one or more actuators can be controlled to generate at least two predetermined refractive forces of an eyeglass lens.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the spectacle lens is optimized to produce the minimum optical error with at least two predetermined refractive powers.

[0021] According to one embodiment, one or more actuators are controlled via a control signal or power signal, the control signal or power signal is determined as a function of measured data.

[0022] According to one embodiment, one or more actuators are controlled via a control signal, which is determined as a function of the error between the desired refractive power of the spectacle lens and measured data relating to the actual refractive power.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the actuator is a linear displacement motor capable of maintaining the achieved curvature of the first or second transparent cover member in an unpowered state.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the minimum diameter of a line extending from one edge of the spectacle lens to the opposite edge and crossing the center point of the spectacle lens is 15 mm.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the sliding contact comprises one or more elastic elements connecting one or more actuators to a distal surface and / or a proximal surface.

[0026] The second aspect of the present invention is - a spectacle lens according to the first aspect - a power and control circuit that supplies power to and controls one or more actuators and relates to spectacles comprising the same.

[0027] Generally, the various aspects and embodiments of the present invention can be combined and joined in any way possible within the scope of the present invention. These and other aspects, features and / or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and will be elucidated by reference thereto.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] A diagram showing a pair of spectacles. [Figure 2A] A diagram showing a front view of one of the spectacle lenses and a side view of the lens. [Figure 2B] A diagram showing a front view of one of the spectacle lenses and a side view of the lens. [Figure 3A] A diagram showing the principle of controlling the curvature of one of the first cover member or the second cover member. [Figure 3B] A diagram showing the principle of controlling the curvature of one of the first cover member or the second cover member. [Figure 3C] A diagram showing a sliding contact. [Figure 3D] A diagram showing an example in which both the near surface of the first transparent cover member and the far surface of the second transparent cover member are curved inward (bulging inward, or concave) when viewed from the eye. [Figure 3E] A diagram showing an example in which one of the first and second transparent cover members not provided to be bent by an actuator has a convex portion centered on the optical axis, for example. [Figure 4A]This figure shows the refractive force and optical error as a function of the power applied to the actuator. [Figure 4B] This figure shows the refractive force and optical error as a function of the power applied to the actuator. [Figure 5A] This is a diagram showing alternative actuator configurations. [Figure 5B] This is a diagram showing alternative actuator configurations. [Figure 6A] This diagram primarily shows another configuration of the sliding contact. [Figure 6B] This diagram primarily shows the elastic elements of a sliding contact. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Figure 1 shows a pair of eyeglasses 100, including two eyeglass lenses 101 mounted on an eyeglass frame 102. The eyeglasses 100 further have a power and control circuit 150, which may be integrated into the frame 102, powering and controlling one or more actuators 160, which are configured to generate forces acting on one or more lenses 101 to produce a controllable change in the refractive power of the lenses 101. The power and control circuit 150 and the actuators 160 are shown primarily.

[0031] Figure 2A shows a front view of one of the spectacle lenses 101, and Figure 2B shows a side view or cross-sectional view of the lens 101.

[0032] The lens has a first transparent cover member 211 and a second transparent cover member 212. The first transparent cover member 211 is defined as the cover member located next to the eye 290 during use. Therefore, the second cover member 212 is defined as the cover member located closest to the surroundings, i.e., the target space, during use.

[0033] The outer surface of the first transparent cover member 211 is defined as the proximal surface 213 that faces the eye 290 during use. The outer surface of the second transparent cover member 211 is defined as the distal surface 214 that faces the periphery during use.

[0034] The lens 101 comprises a transparent, deformable, non-fluid body 205 sandwiched between a first transparent cover member 211 and a second transparent cover member 212. The non-fluid body 205 is in contact with the inner surfaces of the first and second cover members 211 and 212.

[0035] One or more actuators 160 are provided along the circumference 261 of the first or second cover members 211, 212 to generate force or torque on the first or second cover members 211, 212.

[0036] The actuator 160 may be a linear displacement actuator, such as a linear piezoelectric motor, which is provided to apply displacement to several points along the circumference 261, four points are shown in this example.

[0037] The circumference 261 may be located outside the transparent and deformable non-fluid body 205, as shown in the figure, such that the non-fluid body 205 is surrounded by the circumference. However, the circumference 261 may also be located within the extension of the non-fluid body 205. The actuator 160 may be provided to act on the edge 219 of the first or second cover members 211, 212.

[0038] The circumference 261 is therefore understood as a path surrounding at least a portion of the non-fluid body, such as the portion containing the optical axis 291 or the central portion of the non-fluid body.

[0039] Other configurations are possible in which the actuator acts on a frame or mount, and the frame or mount transmits force to the lens 101. In this case, the force or torque from a single actuator may be distributed to the cover members 211, 212. The frame or mount may convert the rotation of the rotary actuator into linear displacement.

[0040] The actuator 160 is positioned to generate displacement along the circumference 261 in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to one of the surfaces, for example, the proximal or distal surfaces 213, 214. In this context, substantially perpendicular may mean a deviation of, for example, 10 to 15 degrees from the perpendicular.

[0041] The actuator may have other configurations in which it acts on the edge 219, for example, an actuator comprising a clamping belt that at least partially surrounds the edge 219. In such other configurations, the actuator may be positioned to generate a force acting on the surfaces of the cover members 211, 212.

[0042] As will be described in more detail below, the action of the actuator changes the curvature of the first or second cover member in accordance with the force, torque, or displacement provided by the actuator. Therefore, by controlling the actuator, the bending of the lens 101 and the resulting refractive force can be controlled.

[0043] To allow the first membrane 211 or the second membrane 212 to bend, one of the first or second membranes that is not in contact with the actuator 160 may be supported by a portion of the spectacle frame 202, i.e., so that the first or second membrane is fixed to the frame 102.

[0044] The example in Figure 2B shows that the second membrane 212 is fixed to frames 102, 202, and the first membrane 211 is connected to one or more actuators 160. In another embodiment, the first membrane 211 is fixed to frames 102, 202, and the second membrane 212 is connected to one or more actuators 160.

[0045] The actuators may be configured to act on both the first and second membranes 211 and 212 so that both membranes can be bent by the action of the actuator 160, and in some cases, so that the actuators on both sides can be controlled independently, i.e., so that the displacement / force applied to one of the cover members is independent of the displacement / force applied to the other. An example of such a solution is shown in Figure 5A, where the actuators are fixed to the eyeglass frames 120 and 202, and the cover members 211 and 212 are fixed to the actuators.

[0046] Figure 5B shows another actuator 160, which is composed of one or more elements 501 arranged along the circumference 261. The actuator 160 may be composed of, for example, ring-shaped actuator elements 501, such as ring-shaped piezoelectric elements attached to the proximal and / or distal surfaces 213, 214 of the first and / or second cover members 211, 212.

[0047] The actuator 160, in the form of a ring-shaped actuator such as a ring-shaped piezoelectric element 501, or the individual distributions of surface-mount elements 501, are positioned at the center of the optical axis 291 such that the distribution of elements 501 inside the ring element 501 or along the circumference 261 allows light transmission. By supplying a power signal to the elements 501, the elements contract or expand radially (for example, in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis 291) and are essentially rotationally symmetric with respect to the optical axis 291. The resulting expansion / contraction force T is transmitted to the cover members 211, 212, and the torque generated by the force T causes bending. The lens 101 in Figure 5B may be connected to the frame via elements 501 as in Figure 5A if both cover members have elements 501, or via a cover member as in Figure 3B if the cover members do not have elements 501.

[0048] The components of Figures 5A and 5B are described in more detail in Figures 3D to 3E.

[0049] The lens 101 defines the optical axis 291. The light (for at least some paraaxial rays) can be seen as the axis along which the light propagates from object space toward the eye 290. The planar or curved surfaces of the first and second transparent films 211, 212, e.g., the planar or curved proximal / distal surfaces 213, 214, may define a plane perpendicular or tangent to the optical axis 291 at a point on at least one surface, or at least a plane or tangent to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis 291 at an acute angle. Therefore, the planes of the first and second transparent films 211 and 212 generally extend along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis 291.

[0050] The transparent, deformable, non-fluid lens body 205 is preferably made from an elastic material. Since the lens body is non-fluid, a fluid-sealed enclosure to hold the lens body is unnecessary, and there is no risk of leakage. In a preferred embodiment, the lens body is made from a soft polymer, which may include several different materials such as silicone, polymer gels, polymer networks of crosslinked or partially crosslinked polymers, and miscible oils or oil compounds. The elastic modulus of the non-fluid lens body may be greater than 300 Pa, thereby avoiding deformation due to gravity during normal operation. The refractive index of the nonfluid lens body may be greater than 1.3. The nonfluid body 205 may have a refractive index equal to, substantially equal to, or close to that of the transparent cover members 211 and 212 in order to reduce reflection at the boundary of the nonfluid body 205.

[0051] The transparent cover members 211 and 212 may be made from a number of different materials such as acrylic, polyolefin, polyester, silicone, polyurethane, glass, and others. At least one of the first cover member 211 and the second cover member 212, which are provided to be deformable by the actuator, has suitable rigidity and thickness to allow bending by the operation of the actuator 160. Generally, the material of the first and / or second cover members 211 and 212 may be formed from a material having a Young's modulus in the range of 5 MPa to 100 GPa to provide the required rigidity. For example, the Young's modulus of borosilicate glass is 63 GPa, while the Young's modulus of fused silica glass is 72 GPa.

[0052] The bending of the first and / or second cover members 211, 212 is at least partial, due to the reaction force from the radially changing non-fluid lens body 105, which affects the sag of the cover members 111, 112 and thus affects the refractive force instead of simply compressing the lens body vertically without a change in sag. A complete description of the effect of the lens body 105 on the curvature of the cover members is given in WO2019002524A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. The material of the non-fluid lens body 105 is substantially incompressible. This incompressibility is at least a partial factor in the fact that the first and / or second cover members 211, 212, which are shaped to provide the optical lens effect, are bendable.

[0053] Similar to conventional eyeglass lenses, the lens 101 may be provided with a coating such as an anti-reflective coating applied to the proximal surface 213 and / or the distal surface 214.

[0054] The transparent cover members 211 and 212 are generally plate-shaped and may have curves, flat surfaces, or a combination thereof. The plate-shaped cover members have first and second surfaces, for example, a distal surface 214 and an inner surface 216, and an edge, and the curvature extends along at least one direction on at least one of the surfaces. Thus, the transparent cover members 211 and 212 may be curved along only one direction or along two directions. Alternatively, one or both of the first and second surfaces may be flat. For example, one or both of the cover members 211 and 212 may constitute a plano-convex or plano-concave lens.

[0055] Other thicknesses are also possible, but the thickness of the cover member, which is designed to be bent by the actuator, may range from 0.1 mm to 2 mm, or from 0.1 mm to a maximum of 10 mm.

[0056] The spectacle lens 101 may have a minimum diameter of 15 mm, defined by a line extending from one edge to the opposite edge and crossing the center point of the spectacle lens; that is, the minimum diameter of the lens 101 is generally greater than 15 mm. Typical diameters of the lens 101 range from 20 mm to 50 mm.

[0057] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the principle of controlling the curvature of one of the first or second cover members 211, 212. In Figure 3A, the first cover member 211 has a curved surface, which means that the lens can generate a non-zero refractive force.

[0058] The deformations and expansions shown in Figures 3A to 3C are greatly exaggerated. Furthermore, the first cover member 211 is shown with an outward curved bend (viewed from the eye side), although an inward curved shape would be more typical. However, both outward and inward curved bends are feasible for different vision corrections.

[0059] The curvature of the first cover member 211 in Figure 3A may be due to the force applied by the actuator 160. Alternatively, the curvature of the first cover member 211 may be a pre-formed curvature. Thus, the first cover member 211 may have an initial curvature, i.e., a curvature that exists when there is no force from the actuator, meaning that the spectacle lens 101 has a non-zero refractive force when one or more actuators apply zero or minimal force to the first cover member 211 or the second cover member 212, for example, when the actuators are not powered.

[0060] Figure 3B shows further bending of the first cover member 211 due to displacement of the actuator 160, for example, in the direction of the optical axis. Further bending changes the refractive power of the lens 101.

[0061] Further bending of the first cover member 211 reduces the volume between the first membrane 211 and the second membrane 212, which means that the incompressible non-fluid body 205 expands radially away from the optical axis, as shown in Figure 3B, and the boundary of the non-fluid body 205 expands from the boundary shown by the dotted line to the boundary shown by the solid line 303.

[0062] The non-fluidic body 205 must be expandable unrestricted, substantially unrestricted, or at least with low resistance, so as not to cause deviations from the desired curved shape. Such deviations can result in optical errors such as wavefront aberration. Therefore, the spectacle lens 101 may have an annular volume 301 surrounding the non-fluidic body, located between the first transparent cover member 211 and the second transparent cover member 212, from which the non-fluidic body 205 can expand without restriction. The annular volume 301 may be an air-filled volume that is directly connected to the surroundings so that air can flow freely or substantially freely between the annular volume 301 and the surroundings.

[0063] Figure 3A shows point A on the first cover member 211. Figure 3B shows that as the bending of the first cover member 211 increases, point A moves to the right relative to the left actuator 160. Thus, as the bending of the first or second cover members 211, 212 changes, position A on the proximal surface 213 or distal surface 214 moves radially with respect to the optical axis 291, for example in the illustrated cross-sectional view, in a direction 302 perpendicular to the optical axis 291.

[0064] To avoid stress in the first or second cover member, the spectacle lens 101 has a sliding contact 304, mainly as shown in Figure 3C. One of the first and second transparent cover members, which is provided to bend by one or more actuators, is supported or mechanically engaged with the distal / proximal surfaces 213, 214 by the actuator 160 or by a portion of the actuator 160 that engages with the cover member via the sliding contact 304.

[0065] The sliding contact 304 may be comprised of low-friction contact between the actuator 160 and the distal / proximal surfaces 213, 214. Low-friction contraction may also be achieved by a pair of low-friction materials, i.e., the material of the contact portion of the actuator 160 should provide low or sufficiently low friction with respect to the transparent material of the cover members 211, 212. Examples include polyethylene and other plastic materials.

[0066] The sliding contact 304 ensures that a given point on the proximal / distal surfaces 213, 214 can be displaced along its surface relative to the contact portion of the actuator 160.

[0067] The sliding contact 304 is configured so that the distal surface 214 or the proximal surface 213 can be displaced along the surface with respect to the portion of the actuator 160 that is engaged with the surface. Furthermore, the sliding contact should provide a rigid (i.e., stiff) connection in a direction perpendicular to the surface or in the direction of the displacement of the actuator 160 in the supported position, so that the displacement of the actuator is directly transmitted to the cover members 211, 212.

[0068] Figure 6A shows another configuration of the sliding contact 304, in which the sliding contact is composed of an elastic element 601 positioned between the actuator 160 and the distal / proximal surfaces 213, 214, the elastic element 601 connecting the actuator 160 to the distal / proximal surfaces 213, 214.

[0069] The elastic element 601 is designed to elastically deform in response to the relative displacement between the actuator 160 and the distal / proximal surfaces 213 and 214, for example, in response to radial displacement between them (for example, radial movement in the direction 302 perpendicular to the optical axis 291).

[0070] The stationary xyz coordinate system is defined, for example, with respect to the initial position of the elastic element 601 when it is in an undeformed state. In this example, the z axis is parallel to the optical axis 291.

[0071] In the figure on the left, the first transparent cover member 211 (which is also the second transparent cover member 212) has an initial curvature (bending), which may be pre-formed or due to initial displacement. The contact point 681 of the first transparent cover member 211 at the interface between the elastic element 601 and the first transparent cover member 211 has x0, z0 in xz coordinates.

[0072] In the figure on the right, the actuator 160 is controlled to move or extend its piston or other displacement element by a distance ΔL1 along the z-axis. This displacement causes bending or additional bending of the first transparent cover member 211, and as a result, the contact point 681 moves from x0, z0 to x1, z1 due to the radial displacement of the contact point 681 toward the optical axis and the displacement along the z-axis.

[0073] Due to the bending of the first transparent member 211, the surface of the interface between the elastic element 601 and the first transparent cover member 211 rotates around the y-axis, that is, around an axis tangent to the path 261 that generally surrounds the optical axis 291.

[0074] In response to the relative radial displacement between the first transparent cover member 211 and the actuator 160, the elastic element 601 is configured to elastically deform radially (shown here along the x-axis), as shown in the figure.

[0075] Furthermore, the elastic element 130 is configured to elastically deform in response to a torque Ty acting around the y-axis or tangential axis. The torque Ty is generated by the bending of the first transparent cover member 211, including rotation around the y-axis, or generally by the relative displacement between the first transparent cover member and the actuator displacement element.

[0076] Preferably, the elastic element 130 has low rigidity in response to radial deformation and rotation, such as rotation around the tangential axis (y-axis in this figure) tangent to the path 261. Low rigidity is preferred so that the first transparent cover member 211 can bend without being subjected to surface stresses that may unduly affect the curvature of the first transparent cover member 211, which would lead to increased wavefront errors or other bending deviations due to the altered curvature. Undesirable stresses are, for example, due to forces and torques from the elastic element 601 acting radially and around the tangential axis.

[0077] On the other hand, it is preferable that the elastic element has high rigidity in the displacement direction of the actuator 150, that is, along the z-axis or along the optical axis 291, in order to transmit the displacement of the actuator to the cover members 211 and 212.

[0078] The elastic element 601 can be defined as a structure having a first portion 611 (e.g., the surface of the elastic element in contact with the cover members 211, 212) fixed to a first or second transparent cover member 211, 212, and a second portion 612 (e.g., the surface in contact with the actuator 160) fixed to the actuator 160 or its displacement element. The first and second portions 611, 612 are elastically connected so that they can be elastically displaced relative to each other, for example, in the radial direction toward the optical axis 291. The elastic element 601 may be manufactured as a single component from an elastic material such as silicone, polymer, metal, plastic, and other materials. In one example, the elastic element 601 is formed from an adhesive applied to connect the actuator 160 to the transparent cover member.

[0079] Therefore, the elastic element 601 constituting the sliding contact 304 allows the first or second transparent cover members 211 and 212 to be displaced relative to the portion of the actuator 160 that engages with the cover member (such as the contact 681) in accordance with the bending of the cover member.

[0080] In another example, the elastic element 601 is configured as a spring element positioned between the actuator 160 and the distal / proximal surfaces 213 and 214. For example, the spring element may be configured as a bending element having relatively low rigidity in the radial direction, relatively low rotational rigidity around the tangential axis, and relatively high rigidity along the optical axis.

[0081] Figure 6B mainly shows the elastic element 601, which includes the spring element 651. The left figure shows the elastic element 601 (part of the elastic element), including the spring element 651, when the actuator 160 is not generating force, i.e., in the state F=0. Therefore, the curvature of the first transparent cover member 211 is not changing due to the actuator.

[0082] In the figure on the right, the displacement element of the actuator is actuated to cause a z-axis displacement of ΔL1. The z-axis displacement generates a non-zero equilibrium force F1 in the z direction (i.e., the cover member is in a static bent state) due to the reaction force caused at least partially by the bending of the first transparent cover member 211. The z-axis displacement generated by the actuator 160 bends the first transparent cover member 211, as shown in the exaggerated figure. In addition to the z-axis displacement of ΔL1, the bending causes a radial displacement of the first portion 611 along the x-axis (a displacement to the right in this case) and a rotation of the first portion 611 around the y-axis.

[0083] It is understood that the sliding element contact 304 may comprise both a spring element 651 and an elastic material, such as an elastic adhesive placed between the first and / or second parts 611, 612 and the surface of the first or second transparent cover members 211, 212.

[0084] Therefore, generally speaking, examples of sliding element contacts 304 composed of elastic elements 601 and / or low-friction contacts provide the same sliding response to displacements generated by the actuator 160 (particularly the radial displacement A of the contact point 681 (Figures 6A and 3C, respectively)), and also provide the same sliding response to rotations that cause bending of the first or second cover members 211, 212, and to the transmission of actuator displacements to the first or second cover members.

[0085] In possible configurations of the first or second cover members 211, 212, the first or second cover member has a reinforcing element, such as a reinforcing ring (not shown). The reinforcing element may be formed in an annular shape along the circumference 261, or it may be bonded, for example, to the distal / proximal surfaces 213, 214 of the cover members 211, 212. The reinforcing element may be made of metal or other rigid material. In this configuration, the contact portion of the actuator 160, i.e., the portion positioned to contact the cover members 211, 212, contacts the reinforcing ring, for example, via a sliding contact 304. Clearly, the radial extension of the reinforcing element must be large enough to accommodate the radial displacement of the surfaces of the cover members 211, 212 due to bending.

[0086] Figure 3D shows an example where both the proximal surface 213 of the first transparent cover member 211 and the distal surface 214 of the second transparent cover member 212 are curved inward (bulging inward or concave) as viewed from the eye. The inwardly curved shape may be preferred for optometry reasons or to provide an attractive design for the eyeglasses. Alternatively, only one of the proximal surface 213 of the first transparent cover member 211 and the distal surface 214 of the second transparent cover member 212 may be concave as viewed from the eye 290. The inwardly curved shape of one of the cover members 211, 212, which is configured to be bent by the actuator 160, may be due to pre-molding of the cover member. Thus, the curvature of the inwardly curved shape may be changed by the actuator 160 to provide a variable refractive force.

[0087] Figure 3D also shows that the proximal surface 213 and inner surface 315 of the first cover member 211 have different curvatures, and similarly, the distal surface 214 and inner surface 316 of the second cover member 211 have different curvatures. The different curvatures of the given cover members 211 and 212 provide refractive power or optical correction, as used in conventional spectacle lenses. Alternatively, only one of the first or second cover members may have different curvatures. For example, the first and second transparent cover members 211 and 212 that are not designed to be bent by an actuator may be molded to provide static optical correction. Static optical correction may include correction of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, etc.

[0088] Figure 3E shows an example in which one of the first and second transparent cover members 211, 212, which is not designed to be bent by an actuator, has a convex portion 330 centered on, for example, the optical axis, and this convex portion 330 forms part of the inner surface 316. The convex portion abuts against the non-fluid body 205.

[0089] Generally, either or both of the first and second transparent cover members 211, 212 may be configured to have a concave or convex shaped portion 330 that forms part of the inner surface 316 and abuts against the non-fluid body 205. For example, the concave portion 330 advantageously provides a dome-shaped feature that provides mechanical support to the opposite cover member and thus assists in controlling bending. The dome shape may be designed to act at least partially as a mold for the shape of the cover member of the opposing member. Furthermore, the dome-shaped or convex projection may allow for greater deformation of the opposing cover member.

[0090] Figure 4A primarily illustrates the relationship between the control or power signal 401 applied to the actuator 160 and the resulting optical power 402, represented by curve 405. Curve 405 indicates that the refractive power can change continuously from a minimum to a maximum value. The lens 101 may be configured to provide a diopter change of up to 3, up to 5, or possibly up to 7 from the minimum to the maximum refractive power. Thus, the refractive power can be continuously adjusted according to the user's eye needs.

[0091] In other situations, for example, to provide eyeglasses 100 similar to conventional eyeglasses, a continuous change in refractive power may be undesirable. Therefore, the control system 150 may be configured to shift between predetermined refractive powers of the eyeglass lens 101. Figure 4A shows that the lens 101 can be controlled to provide two predetermined refractive powers 413, 414 by controlling an actuator with two values ​​403, 404 of a control signal or power signal. The values ​​403, 404 may be predetermined, determined as a function of other data, or determined via a feedback function. Thus, one or more actuators may be controllable to generate at least two predetermined refractive powers of the lens 101.

[0092] Figure 4B shows an optical error 406, such as wavefront distortion error or aberration error, represented by curve 407, as a function of the control or power signal 401. As shown, the optical error 406 is minimized for two values ​​of the control or power signal 401 corresponding to two values ​​of the refractive force 402. The optical error 406 may be minimized for two or more refractive forces by optimizing the pre-formed curvature of the first and second cover members 211, 212 to provide the smallest optical error at a desired predetermined refractive force 413, 414.

[0093] The control or power signals, i.e., control signals used indirectly to control the actuator, or power signals used directly to supply power to the actuator, may be predetermined; that is, a predetermined relationship between one or more values ​​of the control or power signals and the corresponding refractive force 402 may be used. This relationship may be stored in the memory included in the control circuit 150.

[0094] Since the resulting refractive force may depend on various factors such as temperature, actuator usage history, lifespan, and other parameters, the control or power signal may instead be determined as a function of measured data such as the measured temperature, the measured capacitance in the case of the piezoelectric element-based actuator 160, and the measured change in displacement over time.

[0095] The eyeglasses 100 may be configured to include a distance sensor capable of measuring the distance between the lens 101 and an object that the user of the eyeglasses 100 is fixating on. Such a sensor may be a time-of-flight sensor or something else. In this case, the control signal or power signal can be determined as a function of the error between the desired refractive power of the eyeglass lens and measurement data relating to the desired actual refractive power, such as the measured distance. Eye tracking may be implemented in the eyeglasses to track the direction of gaze. Such eye tracking may be used in combination with the distance sensor to determine what distance should be measured and thus accurately determine the distance and the associated refractive power.

[0096] The actuator 160 may be a linear displacement motor such as a linear piezoelectric motor or an electromagnetic linear motor. A piezoelectric motor may be advantageous because it can maintain the achieved displacement of the linear output member when power is not supplied to the motor. Thus, the curvature of the first or second transparent cover members 211, 212 can be maintained in a non-power supply state, i.e., when power is not supplied to the motor. This has the advantage of reducing power consumption, since power is mainly required when the refractive force is changed.

[0097] The control circuit 150 may include an electronic circuit and / or digital processor that generates a control or power signal, and the electronic circuit and / or digital processor may optionally acquire measurement data for determining the control or power signal, and may control the actuator using a feedforward or feedback control algorithm.

Claims

1. A first transparent cover member (211) and a second transparent cover member (212), wherein the first transparent cover member has a proximal surface (213) that is positioned to face the eye when in use, and the second transparent cover member has a distal surface (214) that is positioned to face the periphery when in use, A plurality of actuators (160) provided to generate force or torque on the first transparent cover member or the second transparent cover member (211, 212) to cause a controllable change in the curvature of the first or second transparent cover member, wherein the plurality of actuators (160) provided to generate displacement in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the proximal surface or the distal surface, A transparent, deformable, non-fluid body (205) sandwiched between the first transparent cover member and the second transparent cover member, A plurality of sliding contacts (304) wherein the plurality of actuators (160) mechanically engage with the proximal or distal surface via the plurality of sliding contacts (304), the sliding contacts are configured to allow displacement of the distal or proximal surface relative to the actuator along the distal or proximal surface, and the plurality of sliding contacts are provided to provide a connection in a direction perpendicular to the proximal or distal surface at the engagement position or in the direction of displacement of the actuator, thereby enabling the displacement of the actuator to be directly transmitted to the first or second transparent cover member (211, 212), Equipped with, The sliding contact is configured to displace along the surface of the proximal or distal surface when the first transparent cover member (211) and the second transparent cover member (212) are bent. Eyeglass lenses (100).

2. The proximal surface (213) and / or the distal surface (212) are curved inward as viewed from the eye. The spectacle lens according to claim 1.

3. One of the first and second transparent cover members on which the multiple actuators act is bendable by the force generated by the multiple actuators. The other of the first and second transparent cover members is molded to provide static optical correction. The spectacle lens according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The spectacle lens is provided such that the non-fluid body is located between the first transparent cover member and the second transparent cover member and is positioned within an annular volume (301) surrounding the non-fluid body, allowing it to expand without being constrained. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned spectacle lens is provided such that external light traveling towards the eye through the spectacle lens is refracted through a sandwich structure having the first and second transparent cover members and the non-fluid body. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. At least one of the first transparent cover member and the second transparent cover member has an initial curvature shape such that the spectacle lens has a non-zero refractive force when the plurality of actuators apply zero or minimal force to the first or second transparent cover member. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. At least one of the first and second transparent cover members has a concave or convex portion that contacts the non-fluid body. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Multiple actuators are controllable to generate at least two predetermined refractive forces (413, 414) of the spectacle lens. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The spectacle lens is optimized to produce the minimum optical error (406) with at least two predetermined refractive powers. The spectacle lens according to claim 8.

10. Multiple actuators are controlled via control signals or power signals, and the control signals or power signals are determined as a function of measured data. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The multiple actuators are controlled via a control signal, which is determined as a function of the error between the desired refractive power of the spectacle lens and measured data relating to the actual refractive power. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The actuator is a linear displacement motor capable of maintaining the curvature of the first or second transparent cover member when not powered. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The minimum diameter of the line extending from one edge to the opposite edge of the spectacle lens and crossing the center point of the spectacle lens is 15 mm. An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The aforementioned sliding contact (304) is Multiple actuators (160) are connected to the distal surface and / or the proximal surface (213, 214), and have multiple elastic elements (601). An eyeglass lens according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An eyeglass lens according to at least one claim 1, A power and control circuit that supplies power to and controls multiple actuators, Eyeglasses equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

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