Adjustable Eyewear with Movable Lens System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyeglasses, particularly those with progressive addition lenses, face challenges in adjusting optical zones to accommodate different viewing distances and orientations, leading to issues like blurred vision when looking at screens or navigating stairs, due to fixed lens positions that do not adapt to changing gaze directions.

Innovation Solution

The development of eyewear with a movable lens system that includes a progressive addition lens with adjustable optical zones, utilizing a mechanism with micro-motors, micro-pumps, and manual controls to adjust the position of the lenses relative to the wearer's eye, allowing for automatic, semi-automatic, or manual adjustment of optical zones based on the wearer's gaze direction and position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lens position is fixed in traditional eyeglasses, then the structure is simple and stable, but the optical zones cannot adapt to different viewing distances and orientations, causing blurred vision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of optical zones to different viewing distancesVSAvoidcomplexity of lens positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a movable lens system where the lens housing can be dynamically repositioned relative to the wearer's eye through actuators (micro-motors, micro-pumps, or manual mechanisms). This dynamic positioning allows the optical zones to adapt to different viewing distances and orientations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lens system is divided into distinct optical zones (distance, intermediate, near) with a progressive addition power channel. The lens housing and optical assembly are segmented from the frame, allowing independent movement of the lens relative to the eye. This segmentation enables selective positioning of different optical zones without complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the temples are raised high on the head to tilt the eyeglasses, then the near area can be lowered to avoid interfering with TV screens, but this is not an optimal solution and causes discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of adjusting lens position for different activitiesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, or gaze-detecting cameras) that automatically detect the wearer's head position, gaze direction, or activity context. The controller processes this information and automatically actuates the lens positioning mechanism, enabling self-service adjustment without manual intervention. This resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation through automation while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensing mechanisms to continuously monitor the wearer's orientation and gaze direction, providing feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the lens position based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system. This automatic feedback mechanism simplifies operation while maintaining a manageable device complexity through intelligent control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the wearer looks down at stairs, then the wearer can see the stairs, but may look through a portion of the lens designed for different optical power, resulting in blurry vision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclarity of vision at different orientationsVSAvoidcomplexity of real-time lens adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively adjusts the lens position before the wearer experiences blurred vision. Sensors detect upcoming head movements or gaze changes, and the controller pre-positions the appropriate optical zone in advance. This preliminary action ensures clear vision when the wearer looks at stairs or other objects at different orientations, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining simple control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables clear vision across various distances and orientations without the need for constant adjustment, improving usability in daily activities and reducing the risk of blurry vision or disorientation.

Implementation Method 1

one or more micro-motors which apply a push and pull force to the movable member by pushing, extending or retracting an actuator arm, wire or line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

one or more micro-pumps which are coupled to the movable member by a tube and which move a fluid from a fluid holding element to thereby apply pressure or force on the movable member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic Pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

a progressive addition lens supported by the lens housing, wherein the lens comprises at least three optical zones having different optical powers, the lens comprising a progressive addition surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3079005B1Adjustable eyewear, lenses, and frames
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3079005B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(f)
  • EP3079005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3079005B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Eyewear comprising: a lens housing; a first temple and a second temple coupled to the lens housing; a lens supported by the lens housing, wherein the lens comprises at least three optical zones having different optical powers; and a movable member coupled to the eyewear, wherein the movable member is configured to move between a first position, a second position, and a third position, and wherein a position of the lens is based at least in part on the position of the movable member.