Electroactive Lens Assembly with Peripheral Conductive Plugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-active lens systems face challenges in achieving high customizability and reliable contact integration into spectacles, with issues such as visual disturbance from non-transparent vias and complex driver configurations, and lack of effective integration methods that reduce cost and design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A lens foil system comprising a first and second transparent electrode, a Fresnel lens, and liquid crystalline material, with conductive plugs positioned relative to the optical axis to minimize visual impact and simplify electrical connections, allowing for modular assembly and integration into spectacles using axial surfaces and auxiliary conductive material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple vertical interconnects (vias) are used to establish reliable contacts to the electro-active lens unit, then electrical connections are established, but visual disturbance occurs because the vias are not transparent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from the optical path by positioning conductive plugs at the periphery of the lens assembly, away from the central viewing area. This separates the electrical connection requirement from the optical transparency requirement, allowing reliable contacts without visual disturbance in the wearer's field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical via connections (perpendicular to the lens plane) to lateral conductive plug connections (in the plane of the lens assembly). This dimensional change allows connections to be made at the edge rather than through the center, eliminating visual obstruction while maintaining electrical connectivity.
2Ease of operation
If a driver chip is assembled on the surface of the lens unit, then electrical control is achieved, but visual disturbance increases due to the presence of the chip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the driver chip from the front surface of the lens assembly and relocates it to the periphery or back surface. The conductive plugs provide electrical access to the liquid crystal layer without requiring surface mounting, thereby eliminating visual disturbance from the chip while maintaining full electrical control functionality.
3Device complexity
If phase wrapping is used to reduce the number of contacts needed, then the driver is simplified, but multiple vias remain necessary
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using phase wrapping techniques that reduce contacts but still require vias, the patent inverts the approach by using direct peripheral conductive plugs that eliminate the need for complex phase wrapping while also eliminating visual disturbance from vias. The conductive plugs provide direct electrical access without requiring additional signal processing complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If edging is performed to fit the lens assembly into spectacles, then integration is achieved, but material must be removed which may affect structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs edging and shaping of the transparent bodies and lens assembly as preliminary actions during manufacturing, before final assembly. This allows the frame and lens components to be pre-customized to fit specific spectacle frames, ensuring proper integration while maintaining structural integrity through controlled material removal rather than post-assembly modification.
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 enables high customizability and reliable integration of electroactive lens systems into spectacles with reduced visual disturbance and design freedom, while minimizing the number of conductive plugs and wiring, thus lowering production costs and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-active lens is present between a first and a second glass or plastic substrate... The said patent application however does not specify how to establish reliable contacts to the electro-active lens unit... the electro-active lens may comprise either polarization-dependent nematic liquid crystal, or cholesteric crystal
Implementation Method 2
an improved lens unit is known from EP 3 255 479 A1. This lens unit comprises a Fresnel lens
Data Source
AI summary
An electroactive lens, method, and pair of glasses are described. The electroactive lens forms a stack of at least three elements. A first transparent body is a first lens element having a first optical axis. A second transparent body is a second lens element having a second optical axis. At least one lens foil sandwiched between the first and second transparent body comprises a first and second transparent electrode, and a Fresnel lens and liquid crystalline material therebetween to define an optical device. The first and second transparent electrodes are electrically coupled to terminals and are configured to receive a voltage for operating the switchable lens. First and second conductive plug are positioned relative to the optical axis of the Fresnel lens such that radial lines extending from the optical axis to the first and second conductive plugs mutually enclose an angle of less than 120, 90, or 60 degrees.