Antibacterial Optical Lens Coating With Multilayer Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical articles, such as spectacles, suffer from contamination with bacteria due to frequent contact with hands and potential pathogenic bacteria, leading to eye infections, and existing antibacterial coatings compromise the durability or optical properties of lenses.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer interference coating is applied to optical articles, with an outermost layer comprising a composite material with antibacterial properties and a metal layer underneath, enhancing both antibacterial and optical properties without compromising durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an organic antibacterial varnish is applied to the lens surface, then antibacterial properties are provided, but the adhesion properties deteriorate and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite inorganic-organic coating system where an inorganic layer (such as silica sol-gel) serves as the outermost layer containing antibacterial agents, while an organic varnish layer is applied underneath. This composite structure allows the inorganic outer layer to provide antibacterial properties and resistance to degradation, while the organic layer provides adhesion to the substrate, thus resolving the contradiction between antibacterial efficacy and adhesion durability.
2Reliability
If a high hardness layer is deposited between the antibacterial layer and the lens exterior, then coating durability is improved, but antibacterial activity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating antibacterial agents specifically in the outermost inorganic layer that directly contacts bacteria, while the underlying organic layer provides structural support and adhesion. This localized distribution ensures antibacterial activity is maximized at the surface where it is needed, without requiring a thick hardness layer that would block its effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite coating structure where an inorganic antibacterial layer is applied over an organic varnish layer. The inorganic layer provides both hardness/durability and antibacterial properties, while the organic layer provides adhesion. This composite approach eliminates the need for a separate hardness layer that would compromise antibacterial activity, as the inorganic layer itself provides both protection and biological functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If vacuum coating methods are used for antibacterial varnish, then coating uniformity is improved, but the varnish adhesion and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coating into multiple functional layers: an organic varnish layer applied first to provide adhesion and serve as a base, followed by an inorganic antibacterial layer applied via vacuum coating methods to provide uniform distribution of antibacterial agents. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function - the organic layer for adhesion and the inorganic layer for uniform antibacterial protection - thereby resolving the contradiction between coating uniformity and adhesion.
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
The solution provides effective antibacterial protection while maintaining excellent optical properties, including high transmission and low reflection, by using a composite material with a metal layer to enhance antibacterial activity and optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a multilayer interference coating
Implementation Method 2
low reflection
Implementation Method 3
the antibacterial layer consists in Ag or in a compound of Ag, preferably Ag 2O, and more preferably the antibacterial layer consists in a mixture of Ag and Ag 2O
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical article, such as an ophthalmic lens, comprising a transparent substrate with a front main face and a rear main face, at least one of its main faces being coated with a multilayer interference coating, such as a mirror coating or an antireflective coating, which is the top coating of the article, wherein the outermost layer of the top coating comprises a material having antibacterial properties, or wherein the outermost layer of the top coating is a porous layer and the layer directly underneath the outermost layer of the top coating is a layer comprising a material having antibacterial properties.