Diffuse Reflecting Sunglass Lens for Eye Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sunglass lenses face challenges in achieving a balance between good optics and aesthetics, particularly in reducing specular reflections to conceal the wearer's eyes while maintaining sufficient light transmission and avoiding distracting internal reflections, which are inherent in matte and brushed finishes.
Innovation Solution
A diffuse reflecting lens with a random and continuous series of peaks and valleys on its surface, combined with a thin reflective medium and anti-reflective coatings, to produce a uniform, omni-directional diffuse reflection that reduces contrast and internal reflections, enhancing both optical performance and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a matte or brushed finish is applied to the lens surface, then specular reflection is reduced and eyes are concealed, but distracting internal reflections are generated and optical performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anti-reflective coatings with specific refractive indices (between 1.2 and 2.0) to control the optical properties of the lens surface. By changing the optical parameters of the coating layers, the invention reduces unwanted reflections while maintaining good optics, resolving the contradiction between reducing specular reflection and preserving optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures combining lens material with anti-reflective coating layers of different refractive indices. This multi-layer composite approach allows simultaneous reduction of specular reflection and internal reflections while maintaining optical clarity, addressing both the harmful reflection and optical performance concerns
2Shape
If a mirror coating is applied to the lens surface, then aesthetic appearance is enhanced, but the wearer's eyes become visible and concealment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the optical parameters of the lens surface by applying anti-reflective coatings instead of mirror coatings. This changes the reflection characteristics from high reflectivity (mirror) to controlled low reflectivity, achieving eye concealment while maintaining aesthetic appeal through a different optical mechanism
3Reliability
If anti-reflective coating is applied only on the backside of the lens, then optical performance is enhanced, but specular reflection off the front surface is preserved and eyes remain visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the anti-reflective treatment into multiple functional layers with different refractive indices, where the first layer is applied to the front surface and subsequent layers are applied to the back surface. This segmentation allows the front surface layer to control specular reflection for eye concealment while back surface layers optimize optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different anti-reflective coating properties to different surfaces of the lens. The front surface receives a coating optimized for reducing specular reflection and concealing eyes, while the back surface receives coating optimized for enhancing optical performance, creating local quality differentiation to satisfy both requirements
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 provides a sunglass lens with a soft, satin-like appearance that effectively conceals the eyes while maintaining sufficient light transmission and minimizing internal reflections, offering a distinct fashion option and potential military applications.
Implementation Method 1
said diffuse reflecting form texture producing a uniform diffuse omni-directional reflection of light impinging thereon
Implementation Method 2
said reflective medium being sufficiently thin to reflect only a fraction of the light impinging thereon, the remainder of the impinging light passing through said reflective medium
Implementation Method 3
it is very difficult for a new product, using existing methods, designs and know how, to stand out from the rest
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A transparent multi-layer lens construction to be worn as a sunglass lens, or a fashion lens, that reflects light in a diffuse manner. The multi-layer lens construction is, in part, a combination of surface form and surface texture combined with a reflective medium and an anti-reflective coating. The present invention offers vast improvements over previously disclosed lens constructions in that it provides for both improved reflectivity and improved optical quality.