Portable Contact Lens Applicator with Silicone Eyelid Lifter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for attaching and detaching contact lenses are complex, costly, and prone to malfunction, with issues related to contamination and interference with upper eyelashes during use.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a first and second clamp, each with a grip portion and arms that intersect at a pivot point, featuring eye opening means made of silicone to gently lift the eyelids and lift upper eyelashes, allowing for stable and sanitary contact lens attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional integrated devices including eye opening means and wearing means are used, then contact lens attachment function is provided, but device structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a clamp for holding the contact lens and an eye opening means for separating eyelids. These components operate independently but coordinate during use, allowing each part to be optimized for its specific function without the complexity of an integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp structure serves multiple functions: it holds the contact lens, positions it near the eye, and works in coordination with the eye opening means. The simple clamp design can be used with various eye opening mechanisms, providing versatility without requiring a complex integrated system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional integrated devices are used, then contact lens attachment is possible, but manufacturing cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the contact lens holding function from the eye opening function into distinct components, each part can be manufactured using simpler, more cost-effective processes. The clamp can be produced as a basic plastic or metal component, while the eye opening means can be a separate silicone element, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs simple, easily manufacturable materials such as silicone for the eye opening means and basic plastics or metals for the clamp. These materials allow for cost-effective production and can be disposed of after use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex integrated devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional devices are used, then contact lens attachment function is provided, but malfunction occurs frequently
Solution Approach 1:
Separating the device into independent components reduces the complexity of mechanical interactions that can lead to malfunction. The clamp and eye opening means operate independently with simple coordination, minimizing points of failure compared to integrated devices with multiple moving parts working together.
Solution Approach 2:
The eye opening means is designed to automatically separate the eyelids when the clamp is positioned near the eye, using the natural geometry and elastic properties of the silicone material. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for complex actuators or control systems that could malfunction.
4Ease of operation
If fingers are used to attach contact lenses, then attachment is possible, but contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp serves as an intermediary tool between the user's hand and the contact lens. The user holds the clamp rather than touching the lens directly, and the clamp transfers the lens to the eye. This intermediary mechanism prevents contamination of the lens by fingers while maintaining ease of operation.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If eye opening means is added to lift upper eyelash, then interference with upper eyelash is prevented, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The eye opening means incorporates a localized feature (the curved protrusion) specifically designed to interact with the upper eyelash. This localized quality allows the device to address the eyelash interference problem without requiring a complete redesign of the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to push the eyelash down or avoid it, the device inverts the approach by lifting the eyelash upward with the curved protrusion. This inverted action naturally resolves the interference problem by creating space between the eyelash and the contact lens placement area.
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 easy, stable, and sanitary attachment and detachment of contact lenses while preventing interference with upper eyelashes and foreign matter, reducing manufacturing costs and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first eye opening means and the second eye opening means may be made of a silicone material
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device for attaching a contact lens to an eye includes a first clamp including a first grip portion having a first grip hole and a first arm including two branches extending from the first grip portion, each branch extending obliquely and being bent, and a second clamp having a shape identical to the shape of the first clamp, the second clamp including a second grip portion having a second grip hole and a second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are coupled to each other so as to intersect each other about a pivot point, and a first eye opening means and a second eye opening means are installed at tip ends of the first arm and the second arm, respectively, each eye opening means being configured to be brought into tight contact with a corresponding eyelid.