Eyewear Temple Flexing Portion Radius for Head Size Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyewear designs often fail to provide a comfortable and secure fit for a wide range of head sizes, leading to increased costs due to complex designs and the need for multiple sizes, as they rely on mechanisms that are either too rigid or too dependent on specific head widths.

Innovation Solution

The eyewear features a temple piece with a flexing portion having a radius of curvature that allows for angularly disposed ribs, which rotate to accommodate different head sizes, providing a consistent force distribution and comfort across a range of head widths, made from materials like polycarbonates and polyesters with specific flexural modulus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional rigid temple pieces are used, then manufacturing is simple, but fit comfort deteriorates across different head sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfit across head sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The temple piece incorporates a flexing portion that allows dynamic adaptation to different head sizes. The temple piece transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible one that can bend and conform to the user's head shape, providing a comfortable fit across various head sizes while maintaining a simple single-piece manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter of the temple piece by introducing a flexing portion with specific radius of curvature (between 5mm and 15mm) that allows controlled bending. This parameter change enables the temple piece to adapt to different head sizes through elastic deformation, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and fit adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple sizes of eyewear are produced, then fit precision improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefit precisionVSAvoidproduct variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temple piece is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple functions across different head sizes. The flexing portion enables a single temple piece design to accommodate various head widths (e.g., 140mm to 180mm) by adjusting its bend angle, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple size variants and reducing product complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If temple pieces are made more flexible, then adaptability to head sizes improves, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to head sizesVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The temple piece applies local quality by concentrating flexibility in a specific region (the flexing portion with radius of curvature between 5mm and 15mm) while maintaining rigidity in other sections. This localized flexibility allows the temple to adapt to head sizes without compromising the overall structural strength needed to support the eyewear frame and withstand daily use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design ensures a balanced fit and comfort for various head sizes by maintaining a desired force level, reducing the need for multiple sizes and minimizing manufacturing complexity, while providing a secure fit without excessive pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a flexing portion (120) having a radius of curvature when in an unflexed state... The flexing portion (120) flexes outwardly to accommodate the head of a user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2820469B1Eyewear having an arcuate flexural member
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP2820469B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2820469B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4C
  • EP2820469B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~6

AI summary

An eyewear article having a flexing portion including first and second longitudinally disposed ribs is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexing portion has a radius of curvature that is less than 80 mm. The eyewear article of the present invention provides a balance of fit and comfort suitable for a range of user head sizes.