Electronic Spectacle Frames with Embedded Conductive Traces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current eyewear technologies face challenges in incorporating electronics without compromising aesthetics or functionality, particularly in maintaining a minimal number of frame components, ensuring robust electronics placement, and keeping costs affordable while maintaining fashion appeal.

Innovation Solution

The development of electro-active spectacle frames that incorporate a housing module, spring hinge, and conductive compliant materials to house electronic components, provide an electrical path between temple and lens, and offer a façade that covers structural components, allowing for flexible design and manufacturing while maintaining aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electronics are incorporated into spectacle frames, then functionality is improved, but aesthetics and design flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidaesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds electronic components within the spectacle frame structure itself, nesting electronics inside the temple and bridge areas. This allows functional integration without adding external visible components, maintaining aesthetic appearance while providing electronic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible printed circuit boards and thin conductive traces integrated into the frame structure. These flexible electrical connections allow routing of power and signals through the frame without requiring rigid wires or exposed connectors, preserving design flexibility and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple frame components are used to accommodate electronics, then electronics placement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronics placementVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the spectacle frame components to serve multiple functions: the temple structure provides both mechanical support and houses electronic components; the bridge connects lenses and serves as a mounting location for electronics; the frame material itself provides both structural integrity and electrical connectivity through embedded conductors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated electronic housings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the structural frame elements with electronic component housings and electrical connection paths. The temple arm integrates battery compartments and circuit board mounting areas; the bridge integrates connector elements and power transmission paths. This merging eliminates the need for separate electronic modules and reduces overall component count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If robust electronics placement is ensured, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronics placementVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates electrical conductors and electronic component mounting features directly into the frame manufacturing process itself. Conductive traces are formed during frame molding; mounting recesses and alignment features are created in the same manufacturing step. This preliminary integration ensures reliable electronics placement while avoiding subsequent complex assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite frame materials that integrate both structural and electrical functions. Conductive polymers or metal-infused plastics provide both mechanical strength and electrical conductivity; multi-layer molded structures provide both housing and circuit board integration. This material integration simplifies manufacturing while ensuring reliable electrical connections and component placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Adaptability or versatility

If electronics are integrated into frames, then functionality is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electronic system into modular segments distributed across different frame components. Small battery cells are placed in temple segments; processing electronics are distributed across bridge and temple areas; sensors are positioned at specific frame locations. This segmentation allows for efficient use of space, simplified manufacturing of individual components, and selective assembly based on desired functionality, reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8944590B2Electronic spectacle frames

Publication Date: 2015.02.03 CARL ZEISS VISION INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

Embodiments may provide a first device that comprises eyeglasses, where the eyeglasses may further include a lens housing, a first temple and a second temple coupled to the lens housing, and a first and a second lens supported by the lens housing. The first device may further include a façade that covers the lens housing. The first device may further comprise an electronic component and at least one conductive path may be provided from the electronic component to the first lens having a portion that runs through the lens housing.