Curved Eyewear Lens with Switchable Spectral Zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat lenses in eyewear can reduce peripheral vision, cause eyelash contact, and introduce distortion in the central field of view due to their design, limiting their effectiveness for athletes who need enhanced visual dexterity in both central and peripheral fields.
Innovation Solution
Curved eyewear with an electrically switchable spectral transmittance lens that reduces eyelash contact and increases peripheral vision, featuring a plurality of zones that can be switched in-phase or out-of-phase depending on the activity, and a shatter-resistant material for constructing the lens, with a frame member that maintains the lens in a desired position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a flat lens is angled within a curved frame to increase peripheral field of vision, then the peripheral field of vision is improved, but eyelash contact occurs and distortion of the central field of view is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the lens surface itself rather than angling a flat lens within a frame. The curved lens design follows the contour of the eye and orbital structure, providing increased peripheral field of vision while maintaining proper optical alignment and avoiding eyelash contact. The curvature is specifically designed to wrap around the eye's anatomy, delivering wide-angle vision without the distortion problems associated with angled flat lenses.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flat lens is positioned parallel to the wearer's frontal plane, then manufacturing and alignment are simplified, but the peripheral field of vision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved lens design that inherently provides expanded peripheral field of vision while maintaining manufacturability. The curvature is designed to conform to the natural anatomy of the eye socket, allowing the lens to be positioned optimally without complex angling or customization. This curved configuration captures a wider visual field compared to flat lenses while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes for curved optical elements.
3Ease of operation
If a curved lens is used to increase peripheral field of vision and reduce eyelash contact, then visual dexterity is improved, but lens complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a curved lens design that enhances visual dexterity by expanding peripheral field of vision and reducing eyelash contact. The curvature is optimized to follow the natural contours of the eye and orbital structure, which simplifies positioning and reduces the need for complex adjustment mechanisms. While the lens itself is curved, the overall device complexity is managed through straightforward integration into standard eyewear frames and mounting 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
The solution enhances peripheral vision while minimizing eyelash contact and distortion, providing improved visual dexterity for athletes by allowing adjustable spectral transmittance and maintaining the lens in a curved orientation, thus supporting better performance in sports and 3D viewing experiences.
Implementation Method 1
The curved lens is constructed with a plurality of zones having selectable optical transmittance... each zone connection conductor adapted to provide a control signal to at least one zone of the curved lens
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to curved eyewear having an electrically switchable spectral transmittance lens. The lens is curved in orientation, which aids in reducing eyelash contact while increasing a peripheral field of view for a wearer of the curved eyewear. The electrically switchable spectral transmittance lens, in an embodiment, includes a plurality of zones that may be switched in-phase or out-of-phase with each other depending on an activity being performed. Another embodiment utilizes a shatter-resistant material for constructing the lens. Further embodiments utilize a frame member that includes a curved channel for forming the curved orientation of the lens and for maintaining the lens in a desired position relative to a wearer.