Eyewear Frame Linkage Mechanism for Tool-Free Lens Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eyewear assemblies require disassembly with tools to remove lenses, which can lead to damage and inconvenience, especially in situations where users need to switch lenses quickly or in high-risk environments.
Innovation Solution
An eyewear assembly with a frame that includes an upper and lower portion separable at a bridge region, connected by a linkage with a finger actuator, allowing the frame to move from a closed to an open position without tools, enabling easy removal and replacement of lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional eyewear frames are used with fixed lenses, then structural integrity and stability are maintained, but lens removal and replacement require tools and disassembly, leading to time loss and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion that can separate from each other. The upper frame portion is movable relative to the lower frame portion, allowing the frame to transition between closed and open configurations. This segmentation enables tool-free lens removal while maintaining structural integrity when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame incorporates a dynamic mechanism that allows the upper frame portion to move between fixed and separated positions. A finger actuator enables the user to initiate separation by rotating it, which triggers a linkage mechanism to move the upper frame portion away from the lower frame portion, facilitating lens removal without tools.
2Loss of time
If the frame structure is made more complex to enable tool-free lens removal, then ease of operation improves, but the mechanism becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is pre-configured with a finger actuator and linkage mechanism that, when activated, automatically initiates the separation process. The actuator is positioned and oriented to engage the linkage system, which has pre-established pivot points and connection points, enabling rapid frame opening without requiring complex manual disassembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism is designed to automatically execute the frame separation action once the finger actuator is rotated. The mechanical advantage and geometric arrangement of the linkage cause the upper frame portion to move away from the lower frame portion autonomously after initial actuator rotation, reducing the time and effort required for lens removal.
3Productivity
If the frame portions are made separable to enable quick lens changes, then productivity improves, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into upper and lower portions that remain structurally intact individually but can separate from each other. This segmentation allows the frame to maintain stability during normal use when closed, while enabling rapid separation for lens replacement by moving the entire upper portion away from the lower portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic open configuration through controlled movement of the upper frame portion. The linkage mechanism ensures that separation occurs in a controlled manner, maintaining structural integrity of both frame portions while enabling quick lens replacement when needed.
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
Facilitates convenient and tool-free lens changes, reducing the risk of damage and improving user safety by allowing quick lens switching without disassembling the entire frame.
Implementation Method 1
The linkage includes a first link pivotally connected to the upper frame portion, and a second link pivotally connected to the lower frame portion. The first link is pivotally connected to the second link.
Implementation Method 2
rotating a finger actuator attached to the linkage, the finger actuator rotating a first link pivotally connected to the upper frame portion, and the rotation of the first link rotating a second link pivotally connected to the lower frame portion
Data Source
AI summary
An eyewear assembly has a frame with removable lenses. The eyewear assembly may include upper and lower frame portions that are separable from one another at a bridge region of the frame using a linkage. A finger actuator actuates the linkage to cause the upper frame to move away from the lower frame, exposing at least one edge of the lenses for removal. The separated upper frame portion and lower frame portion may be held in a stable open position. After lens removal or replacement, the linkage may be actuated to reconnect the upper frame portion and lower frame portion, thereby enclosing the lenses.