Eyewear Lens Retention Mechanism With Spring Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eyewear devices face challenges in establishing a reliable and consistent conductive connection between the retention element and onboard electronics while allowing for the selective disengagement of the lens retention mechanism for replacement or removal.
Innovation Solution
A lens retention mechanism that uses a resiliently compressible electrical contact member, such as a spring washer, to establish electrical contact between the lens retainer and onboard electronics, while maintaining a secure mechanical connection through a lock screw and antenna launch, ensuring tamper-resistant operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retention element extends peripherally around the lens to provide mechanical retention, then the lens can be securely held and selectively removed, but establishing a reliable conductive connection between the retention element and onboard electronics becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mechanical retention function and electrical connection function into a single integrated retention element. The retention element simultaneously provides mechanical support for the lens and serves as an electrical conductor connected to onboard electronics, eliminating the need for separate mechanical and electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element is designed to perform multiple functions: it mechanically retains the lens in the eyewear device, provides a conductive path for electrical signals, and enables selective removal of the lens. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
2Ease of operation
If the retention mechanism allows selective disengagement for lens replacement, then lens maintenance and upgrading are facilitated, but maintaining a consistent electrical connection during disengagement and reengagement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism employs a dynamic design where the retention element can be selectively engaged and disengaged. The element includes features such as deformable portions or movable sections that allow easy disengagement for lens replacement while automatically restoring the electrical connection upon reengagement, ensuring consistent connectivity throughout the operation cycle.
3Reliability
If the retention element is made conductive for electronic connection purposes, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the mechanical retention and disengagement functionality becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retention element is constructed using composite materials or material combinations that inherently provide both mechanical strength for retention and electrical conductivity for electronic connection. This eliminates the need for complex assembly of separate materials and simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving both mechanical and electrical functionality.
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 mechanism provides a reliable and consistent electrical connection between the lens retainer and electronics, allowing easy lens replacement while preventing tampering and loss of components, improving the functionality and durability of the eyewear device.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently compressible electrical contact member (e.g., a spring washer) forming part of the lens retention mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An eyewear device has a lens retention mechanism that establishes electrical contact between onboard electronics and a lens ring by a resiliently compressible electrical contact member, such as a spring washer, located within a housing defined by a body of the eyewear device. The retention mechanism can further include a lock screw that is selectively engageable with the lens ring to allow disposal between retention and release of a lens by the lens ring, the lock ring being captured in the housing such as to resist removal of the lock screw from the housing when the lens ring is released for lens removal.