Adjustable Focal Length Eyewear with Nested Lens Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable focal length eyewear is aesthetically unattractive due to visible side edges of lens elements and requires a mechanism for shifting lens elements that is not concealed within the frame.
Innovation Solution
The eyewear features two lenses with one lens element fixedly mounted to the frame and the other movable manually relative to the fixed lens element, with guiding parts to constrain movement to a transverse path and releasable fasteners for secure attachment while allowing focal length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two superposed lens elements are used with relative transverse displacement for focal length adjustment, then the focal length is variable, but the side edges of lens elements are visible and aesthetically unattractive
Solution Approach 1:
One lens element is positioned within the periphery of the other lens element, with the first lens element having a larger peripheral extent than the second lens element. This nesting arrangement ensures that when the lens elements are laterally displaced relative to each other for focal length adjustment, the smaller second lens element remains entirely within the boundary of the larger first lens element, preventing visible side edges and maintaining aesthetic appearance while enabling variable focal length functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanism for shifting lens elements is provided, then focal length adjustment is enabled, but the mechanism must be concealed within the frame to improve appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is merged with the lens element structure itself. The first lens element is divided into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can laterally displace relative to each other. The movable second lens element is coupled to the movable portion through guiding parts and releasable fasteners, integrating the adjustment function directly into the lens assembly rather than requiring separate external mechanisms, thereby concealing the adjustment system within the frame while maintaining operational ease.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lens elements are laterally displaced for focal length adjustment, then optical power varies, but the adjustment mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The first lens element is segmented into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can laterally displace relative to each other. The second lens element is coupled to the movable portion through guiding parts that constrain movement to a transverse path and releasable fasteners that secure the lens elements at desired positions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each portion's function while simplifying the overall adjustment mechanism compared to traditional multi-component systems.
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
This design provides a more aesthetically pleasing adjustable focal length eyewear that is easier to clean, with improved concealment of the adjustment mechanism and enhanced user experience through manual adjustment of focal lengths.
Implementation Method 1
lens elements having mutually cooperating optical surfaces that are shaped such that the focal length of the optical lens is variable according to the relative disposition of the two lens elements
Data Source
AI summary
Adjustable focal length eyewear (11) comprising two lenses (21, 22) that are mounted to a frame (14, 15, 16) for supporting the lenses (21, 22) in front of a user's eyes. At least one of the lenses (21, 22) is a variable focal length lens of the kind comprising two superposed lens elements (31, 41) having cooperating optical surfaces that are shaped such that the focal length of the variable focal length lens (21, 22) is variable according to the relative lateral disposition of the lens elements (31, 41). One of the lens elements (31) is fixedly mounted to the frame (14, 15, 16) and the other lens element (41) is movable manually relative to the fixed lens element (31) for varying the focal length of the variable focal length lens (21, 22). Guiding parts (81, 82) are provided on the movable lens element (41) which cooperate with corresponding guiding parts on the fixed lens element (31) or the frame (14, 15, 16) to define and constrain movement of the movable lens element (41) relative to the fixed lens element (31) to a transverse path that extends across the viewing direction. One or more releasable fasteners are provided for releasably fastening the movable lens element (41) to the fixed lens element (31) or frame (14, 15, 16) whilst permitting movement of the movable lens element (41) relative to the fixed lens element (31) along the transverse path.