Dynamic Vent Eyeglass Frames for Fogging and Light Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sunglasses designed for athletic events face issues with lens fogging due to reduced airflow, which is exacerbated in high humidity or sweating conditions, and existing ventilation features often compromise light blocking or cause discomfort in high wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
The eyeglass frames incorporate a dynamic vent system with a moveable block in the brow that adjusts between open and closed positions, allowing for controlled airflow and heat transfer while maintaining light blocking, ensuring a continuous brow surface for aesthetic integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation features are incorporated to allow heat escape and airflow, then lens fogging is reduced, but additional light reaches the eyes reducing sunglasses effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the brow structure. The vent passage is localized to specific areas where airflow is needed, while other areas maintain light-blocking properties. The moveable block selectively opens or closes vent passages in specific locations, allowing localized ventilation without compromising overall light blocking effectiveness across the entire lens area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through the moveable block that can transition between blocking and open positions. This dynamic element allows the ventilation system to adapt to different conditions - blocking vents when light blocking is prioritized and opening vents when fogging prevention is needed. The dynamic adjustment enables the system to resolve the contradiction between ventilation and light blocking based on real-time requirements.
2Temperature
If ventilation features are incorporated to encourage airflow through the space between lens and face, then heat escape is improved, but in high wind conditions excessive airflow dries the eyes causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable block provides dynamic control over vent passage openness, allowing the system to adjust airflow levels based on environmental conditions. In high wind conditions, the block can be positioned to close or partially close vents, limiting excessive airflow that would cause eye dryness. In conditions requiring heat escape, the block can open vents to promote airflow. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between heat escape and preventing eye dryness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the airflow parameter through the moveable block's position. The block changes the flow rate and volume of air passing through the vent passages. By adjusting this parameter, the system can optimize heat escape when needed while limiting airflow to prevent eye dryness in high wind conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the moveable block is made visible on the brow surface, then vent adjustment functionality is apparent, but aesthetic continuity of the brow is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes (or more broadly, surface property changes) by making the moveable block optically similar to the surrounding brow material. The block can be designed with matching color, texture, and reflectivity properties, making it visually blend with the brow surface. This allows the functional element to remain aesthetically integrated while still being identifiable upon close inspection, resolving the contradiction between functionality visibility and aesthetic continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable block is designed to copy the visual characteristics of the surrounding brow material. By replicating the color, texture, and surface properties of the adjacent brow areas, the block becomes visually indistinguishable from the background when in the closed position. This copying approach allows the functional component to maintain aesthetic continuity while still serving its vent adjustment purpose.
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 dynamic vent system effectively reduces fogging by managing airflow and heat transfer, maintaining light blocking effectiveness and user comfort across various conditions without compromising aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
A vent passage is provided in the brow. A vent adjustment member is provided by a moveable block on the brow directly above the at least one lens. The vent adjustment member is configured to move between a first position wherein the vent passage is substantially closed and a second position wherein the vent passage is open.
Implementation Method 2
many sunglasses incorporate ventilation features designed to allow heat to escape from the space between the lens and the face of the wearer
Implementation Method 3
these relatively large lenses worn close to the face limit the amount of airflow across the interior surface of the lenses. This reduced airflow across the rear of the lenses results in fogging when condensation is formed on the rear surface of the lenses.
Data Source
AI summary
Eyeglass frames include a face member and two temple members connected to the face member. The face member includes a rim with a brow configured to retain at least one lens. A nose member is connected to the face member and supports the rim separated from a face of a wearer by a gap. A vent passage is provided in the brow and extends from a front portion of the brow to a rear portion of the brow. A vent adjustment member provided on the brow directly above the at least one lens. The vent adjustment member is configured to move between a first position wherein the vent passage is substantially closed and a second position wherein the vent passage is open. The vent adjustment member is substantially flush with a medial portion and a lateral portion of the brow when the vent adjustment member is in the first position and offset from the medial portion and lateral portions of the brow when the vent adjustment member is in the second position.