Bistable Glasses Hinge Assembly for Extra-Opening Cable Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart glasses hinges suffer from excessive bending and damage of the connecting cable due to stress during rotation, and lack the flexibility to achieve an 'extra-flex' operating position beyond 90 degrees, leading to discomfort and potential cable breakage.

Innovation Solution

A bistable and flexible hinge assembly that allows an extra-opening position, incorporating a support plate and support body with guide grooves and elastic elements to manage cable stress, ensuring stable rotation and preventing cable damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a common hinge is used to connect the temple to the frame, then the hinge allows rotation between opening and closing positions, but the cable excessively bends and deteriorates or breaks under stress during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemple rotationVSAvoidcable integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cable management system with a cable groove and cable retention structure that acts as an intermediary between the hinge mechanism and the cable. This intermediary structure guides and protects the cable during temple rotation, preventing excessive bending and stress while allowing the hinge to function properly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge assembly is divided into separate functional components: the hinge body for rotation, the cable management system for cable protection, and the retention structure for securing the cable. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, preventing cable damage while maintaining rotational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a bistable hinge is used to keep the temple stationary in opening or closing positions, then the temple remains stable, but the hinge cannot reach an extra-flex operating position beyond 90 degrees

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemple stabilityVSAvoidoperating position range

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the traditional bistable hinge by adding a flexible cable management system that allows the temple to dynamically adjust its position. The cable groove and retention structure enable the temple to achieve an extra-flex position beyond the traditional 90-degree limit while maintaining stability in the opening and closing positions through the same hinge mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the hinge is made flexible to reach extra-flex position, then the temple can open beyond 90 degrees for easier wearing, but the cable experiences greater stress and may damage or break

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearing comfortVSAvoidcable stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system with the cable groove and retention structure serves as a protective intermediary between the flexible hinge mechanism and the cable. This intermediary structure absorbs and distributes the stress generated during extra-flex positioning, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the cable while allowing the hinge to achieve the desired flexibility for comfortable wearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 hinge assembly provides a stable, flexible, and extra-opening position, protecting the cable from excessive stress and enhancing user comfort by allowing easier wearing and maintaining cable integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a bistable and flexible hinge which allows an extra-opening position... incorporating a support plate and support body with guide grooves and elastic elements to manage cable stress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250341733A1Hinge assembly for glasses and glasses comprising such a hinge assembly

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 LUXOTTICA SRL

AI summary

Hinge assembly for glasses (100) comprising: a support plate (110) comprising a first cantilevered portion (113) and a second cantilevered portion (114) respectively having a first through hole (115) and a second through hole (116); a support body (130) rotatably coupled to the support plate (110), the support body (130) comprising a third through hole (132), a slotted through hole (133) and at least one housing chamber (138); a first arm element (140) and a second arm element (150) having respective first perforated end portions (141, 151) arranged respectively at the first through hole (115) and the second through hole (116), and respective second perforated end portions (142, 152) housed at the third through hole (132), a first coupling pin (136) crossing the third through hole (132); a third arm element (160) and a fourth arm element (170) having respective third perforated end portions (161, 171) rotatably coupled respectively to the first perforated end portions (141, 151) and respective fourth perforated end portions (162, 172) housed at the slotted through hole (133), a second coupling pin (137) crossing the slotted through hole (133); at least one elastic element (139) housed in the at least one housing chamber (138).