Electrochromic Lens Element Layout for Multi-Shape Glasses Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of electronic light-modulating glasses and devices is hindered by the need for customized deposition masks for each lens shape, leading to low production efficiency and high costs due to the variability in lens designs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a laminate structure with electrode layers and a light-modulating layer, where the electrode layers have overlapping and terminal regions set to accommodate various lens shapes, allowing for efficient production of electronic elements by cutting from a single laminate type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If customized deposition masks are prepared for each lens shape, then the electronic element can be precisely patterned for the specific lens shape, but the production efficiency decreases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single deposition mask with multiple opening patterns that can accommodate different lens shapes (round, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc.). The mask includes a first opening pattern for central light-modulating regions and a second opening pattern for terminal electrode regions, allowing one mask to serve multiple lens shape requirements and thereby improving production efficiency without sacrificing patterning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrode pattern into two distinct regions: a central light-modulating region formed by the first opening pattern and terminal electrode regions formed by the second opening pattern. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region's deposition parameters and enables the same mask to produce different electrode configurations for various lens shapes by selectively using the first or second opening patterns
2Adaptability or versatility
If deposition masks are switched for different lens shapes, then the electronic element can be adapted to various lens shapes, but the production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a single deposition mask that contains multiple opening patterns capable of forming electronic elements for different lens shapes. The mask includes a first opening pattern for central regions and a second opening pattern for terminal regions, enabling one mask to produce adaptable electronic elements for round, square, rectangular, and other lens shapes without requiring mask switching, thus reducing production time while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming multiple opening patterns on the deposition mask before the deposition process. The first and second opening patterns are prepared in advance on the mask structure, allowing the deposition process to directly form the required electrode patterns for different lens shapes in a single operation without requiring mask changes or additional processing steps
3Ease of manufacture
If the electrode deposition pattern is set first, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the freedom in selecting lens shapes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a deposition mask with multiple opening patterns that can accommodate various lens shapes. The mask includes a first opening pattern for central light-modulating regions and a second opening pattern for terminal electrode regions, allowing the same mask to produce electronic elements adapted to different lens shapes (round, square, rectangular, trapezoidal) while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single mask design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electrode deposition pattern flexible rather than fixed. The same deposition mask can produce different electrode configurations by selectively using the first or second opening patterns, allowing the electronic element design to dynamically adapt to different lens shapes while keeping the manufacturing process simple through a single mask system
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
This approach enables the production of electronic elements that can adapt to diverse lens shapes with improved efficiency and reduced costs, enhancing productivity in manufacturing electronic light-modulating glasses and devices.
Implementation Method 1
An electrochromic element utilizes a phenomenon (electrochromism) in which reversible optical absorption occurs due to an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction or the like when a charge is applied to a substance
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing an electronic light-modulating device that obtains a light-modulating effect by supplying electrical energy to an electronic element overlapping an optical element includes: forming a laminate in which a pair of electrode layers and a light-modulating layer between the pair of electrode layers are laminated; and setting, in the laminate, an overlapping region having a shape overlapping the optical element in a formation region of the light-modulating layer, setting two or more terminal regions which are continuous to an outer side of the overlapping region and in which one and the other of the pair of electrode layers are independently present, and cutting a portion including the overlapping region and the terminal regions from the laminate to form the electronic element. As a result, production efficiency is improved.