Electrostatically Actuated Device for Variable Power Glasses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional displacement machines for liquids, such as those using MEMS and piezoelectric actuators, are inefficient for reversible pumping of small liquid volumes and consume high power, making them unsuitable for variable ophthalmic devices that require precise control of fluid lenses.

Innovation Solution

An electrostatically actuated device with a deformable electrode and partition walls, configured to control fluid movement between chambers, allowing reversible displacement of fluids with reduced friction and low power consumption, suitable for use in variable power glasses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional displacement machines (MEMS, piezoelectric actuators) are used to displace fluids, then the device can achieve continuous fluid circulation, but the power consumption becomes excessively high and the device becomes slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid displacement speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical actuators (piezoelectric, MEMS) with an electrostatic actuation system. The deformable electrode, when voltage is applied, deforms under electrostatic forces to directly displace the fluid, eliminating the need for complex mechanical moving parts and reducing power consumption significantly while improving response speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the actuation system by using a deformable electrode that can change its shape and position in response to voltage. This allows the system to achieve high-speed fluid displacement with low power consumption by controlling the electrode's deformation rather than using continuous mechanical actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional displacement machines are used, then continuous fluid circulation is achieved, but the device exhibits very low power efficiency (less than 0.1)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid circulation capabilityVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces inefficient mechanical continuous actuation with electrostatic field-based actuation. The deformable electrode responds only when voltage is applied, creating fluid displacement on-demand rather than continuous circulation, which dramatically improves power efficiency by eliminating energy loss during idle periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic or on-demand actuation of the deformable electrode rather than continuous operation. By applying voltage only when fluid displacement is needed and allowing the electrode to return to its neutral state, the system achieves high power efficiency while maintaining effective fluid circulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If conventional displacement machines are used, then the device structure is established, but the device complexity increases and reversibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereversibilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a deformable electrode made of flexible thin film material that can be actuated by electrostatic forces. This thin-film structure provides excellent reversibility as it can be deformed and return to its original state repeatedly without mechanical wear, while keeping the overall device structure simple and compact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex mechanical actuation mechanisms from the system and replaces them with a simple electrostatic field generation system. By removing unnecessary mechanical components and using only the essential deformable electrode element, the device achieves high reversibility with minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 electrostatically actuated device efficiently displaces small volumes of fluid with high precision and low power consumption, enabling effective control of optical power in ophthalmic devices by creating a pressure difference between fluid chambers.

Implementation Method 1

an electrostatically actuated device comprising at least one: first chamber, primary partition wall, electrode chamber, deformable electrode, electrode configured to cooperate with the deformable electrode such as to actuate the deformable electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS11280995B2Electrostatically actuated device

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 LACLAREE

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrostatically actuated device comprising at least first chamber, an electrode chamber comprising a deformable electrode. The deformable electrode is disposed in the electrode chamber such as to form a first electrode chamber and a second electrode chamber.