Eyeglass Hinge Leaf Spring Assembly Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges for eyeglasses have complex structures that complicate production and assembly, leading to increased production and assembly times, and often result in difficulties and delays in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a leaf spring with a cavity and an abutment head that rotates to flex the leaf spring, allowing for easy assembly and providing a reliable and safe over-opening mechanism, comprising a U-shaped leaf spring, retention plates, and a pin for secure attachment to the temple and front of the eyeglasses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hinges with helical springs and tie rods are used, then the temples can be over-opened to facilitate wearing, but the structure becomes complex and assembly time increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated leaf spring component. The leaf spring simultaneously provides the elastic return force mechanism, the over-opening stop mechanism, and the pivot connection, eliminating the need for separate helical springs, tie rods, and cylindrical seats. This merging directly reduces structural complexity while preserving the over-opening capability that facilitates wearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The leaf spring serves multiple functions: it acts as the elastic element providing return force, as the structural component defining the over-opening limit through its geometry, and as the mounting structure for the pivot. This multi-functionality consolidates what were previously separate components, simplifying the overall hinge structure while maintaining all necessary operational features.
2Ease of operation
If conventional hinges with multiple components are used, then the temples can be over-opened, but the assembly requires many manual operations and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the spring element, stop mechanism, and mounting structure into a single leaf spring component, the number of assembly operations is dramatically reduced. Instead of assembling multiple separate components (helical spring, tie rod, cylindrical seat), the leaf spring can be installed as a single unit, directly improving assembly speed and productivity.
3Productivity
If simpler hinge structures are used, then production and assembly are faster, but reliability and safety guarantees may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring utilizes elastic deformation through its curved geometry to provide the return force mechanism. The curved shape allows the spring to flex and store energy elastically, providing reliable over-opening protection without requiring complex mechanical stop mechanisms. This curvature-based approach maintains reliability while simplifying the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the elastic element from a helical spring (torsional deformation) to a leaf spring (bending deformation). This parameter change simplifies the structure while maintaining the elastic return function. Additionally, the geometry of the leaf spring itself defines the over-opening limit, using dimensional parameters rather than mechanical stops, thereby simplifying the structure while preserving reliability.
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 new hinge design simplifies production and assembly, enhances reliability and safety, and is economically competitive by allowing for rapid and straightforward assembly, while preventing excessive opening forces that could damage components.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring (17) which defines a cavity (176)... the rotation of said abutment head (11) about said rotation axis (13) in a first direction of rotation produces the flexing of said leaf spring (17) by said protrusion (15)
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for eyeglasses, which includes first elements for pivoting to a front of eyeglasses, and second elements for pivoting to a temple of eyeglasses, and which include a leaf spring that defines a cavity. The second pivoting elements include an abutment head that can rotate about a rotation axis and is configured to be associated rigidly with one end of the temple. The abutment head includes a protrusion inserted into the cavity of the leaf spring so as to be retained in the cavity. The rotation of the abutment head about the rotation axis in a first direction of rotation produces the flexing of the leaf spring by the protrusion and the consequent rotation of the temple.