Deformable Non-Round Membrane Assemblies for Adjustable Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable lenses, particularly those used in eyewear for presbyopia correction, require a circular shape to maintain spherical deformation, which is aesthetically unappealing and impractical for certain applications, and existing non-round lenses suffer from unwanted optical distortion.
Innovation Solution
A deformable membrane assembly with a flexible envelope and a supporting ring that can bend to achieve a predefined shape, allowing for adjustable non-round lenses without distortion, using controlled force application at specific points to vary the bending stiffness of the ring and maintain sphericity or other desired forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a circular shape is used to maintain spherical deformation, then optical quality is improved, but aesthetic appeal and practicality are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the supporting ring non-uniform in structure - specifically, varying its cross-sectional dimensions around the circumference. This creates regions of different bending stiffness that allow a non-circular membrane to deform into a spherical shape when pressurized, resolving the contradiction between circular shape requirements for optical quality and non-circular shapes for aesthetic/practical purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the supporting ring by varying its cross-sectional dimensions (width and thickness) around the circumference. This parameter variation creates the necessary bending stiffness distribution to enable non-circular membranes to achieve spherical deformation, allowing non-circular lens shapes without compromising optical quality
2Adaptability or versatility
If a non-circular shape is used to improve aesthetic appeal and practicality, then adaptability is improved, but optical distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting ring is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional dimensions where the width and thickness vary around the circumference. This creates localized variations in bending stiffness that compensate for the non-circular membrane shape, enabling spherical deformation and minimizing optical distortion while maintaining aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the supporting ring's cross-sectional dimensions around the circumference. This asymmetric design creates the necessary bending stiffness distribution to counteract the non-circular membrane geometry, allowing non-circular lens shapes to achieve spherical deformation without significant optical distortion
3Manufacturing precision
If the bending stiffness of the supporting ring is varied to control membrane shape, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting ring incorporates local variations in cross-sectional dimensions (width and thickness) around its circumference. This creates localized differences in bending stiffness that enable precise control of membrane deformation into spherical shapes, achieving manufacturing precision through geometric variation rather than complex mechanical control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the supporting ring's cross-section around the circumference, creating a tapered or variable thickness design. This parameter variation provides passive shape control of the membrane through elastic deformation principles, avoiding the need for active control mechanisms and reducing device complexity
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 the creation of adjustable non-round lenses with minimal optical distortion, suitable for eyewear and other applications, allowing for continuous focus adjustment from distant to near vision without the aesthetic drawbacks of circular lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure of the fluid within the envelope is adjustable to change the degree of curvature of the membrane, thereby adjusting the power of the lens
Implementation Method 2
an increase in the fluid pressure within the envelope causes deformation of the flexible membrane
Implementation Method 3
the bending stiffness of the ring varies round the ring such that upon deformation of the membrane, the ring bends variably to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form
Data Source
AI summary
A deformable membrane assembly comprises an at least partially flexible fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held around its edge by a resiliently bendable supporting ring, a fixed support for the envelope and selectively operable means for causing relative movement between the supporting ring and the support for adjusting the pressure of the fluid in the envelope, thereby to cause the membrane to deform. The bending stiffness of the ring varies round the ring such that upon deformation of the membrane the ring bends variably to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form. The moving means comprise a plurality of ring-engaging members that are arranged to apply a force to the ring at spaced control points. There are at least three control points, and there is a control point at or proximate each point on the ring where the profile of the ring that is needed to produce the predefined form upon deformation of the membrane exhibits a turning point in the direction of the force applied at the control point between two adjacent points where the profile of the ring exhibits an inflection point or a turning point in the opposite direction.