Convex Electrochromic Cell for Ophthalmic Glare Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ophthalmic electrochromic devices with flat front faces suffer from lateral luminous flux issues, limiting visual comfort, imposing unsightly frame choices, and sub-optimal performance due to inability to comply with wearer prescriptions.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmic device featuring an electrically controllable amplitude variation cell with a convex main surface on the front face, allowing for efficient lateral light filtering and curvature to match frame shapes, ensuring optimal visual comfort and aesthetic appeal while accommodating prescriptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cell has a flat front face, then the manufacturing is simpler, but lateral luminous flux disturbs visual comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlateral luminous flux disturbance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the front face of the electrochromic cell by making the transparent layer convex. This curved surface redirects lateral luminous flux away from the wearer's eyes, eliminating glare and improving visual comfort while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard curving processes for ophthalmic lenses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If the cell has a flat front face, then the frame choice is limited to flat shapes, but this imposes unsightly aesthetic constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe compatibilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The convex transparent layer can be manufactured with various curvature radii to match different frame shapes. This allows the cell to be aesthetically pleasing in curved or rounded frames while maintaining the same optical functionality, expanding frame compatibility beyond flat designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If the cell has a flat front face, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot comply with certain ophthalmic prescriptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell structure complexityVSAvoidprescription compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By making the transparent layer convex with adjustable curvature, the cell can provide the necessary optical power to comply with various ophthalmic prescriptions including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism corrections, while adding only minimal structural complexity compared to flat designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the transparent layer has convex curvature, then visual comfort is improved, but the manufacturing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual comfortVSAvoidlayer fabrication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The convex curvature is achieved through standard manufacturing processes for ophthalmic lenses, including curving glass or plastic substrates and applying electrochromic coatings to pre-curved surfaces. These are established industrial processes that add minimal complexity while delivering the visual comfort benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Enhances visual comfort by reducing glare, improves aesthetics, and optimizes performance by providing a wide range of frame options and precise optical power to meet wearer prescriptions.

Implementation Method 1

a cell of the electrochromic type, connected to an amplitude variation control circuit, for example transmission in the visible spectrum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 2

at least one transparent layer having a convex main surface on the front face... makes it possible to increase the wearer's visual comfort... process a lateral flow RP

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3320390B1Ophthalmic device with an improved, transmission varying cell
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3320390B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3320390B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3B
  • EP3320390B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an ophthalmic device including an electrically controllable amplitude variation cell, in particular an electrochromic transmission variation cell. More particularly, the cell (3) comprises a main convex surface on the front. This arrangement makes it possible for the cell to process a lateral luminous flux (RP), unlike cells in the prior art (1AA).