Flexible Compartments for Multi-Lens Hermetic Seal Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-lens devices experience pressure fluctuations due to ambient temperature variations, leading to stress on gaskets and seals, which can degrade over time, allowing inert gas to escape and impurities to enter, compromising optical clarity.

Innovation Solution

A volumetrically flexible compartment is fluidly coupled to the gap between lenses, with a desiccant to reduce moisture and maintain a hermetic seal by adjusting volume in response to temperature changes, reducing stress on seals and gaskets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hermetically sealed compartment with fixed volume is used between lenses, then optical clarity is improved by preventing impurity entry, but pressure fluctuations from temperature variations cause stress on gaskets and seals leading to degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic seal durabilityVSAvoidpressure stress on gaskets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed-volume hermetic seal to a flexible-volume hermetic seal. The flexible compartment allows the sealed volume to dynamically expand and contract in response to temperature-induced pressure changes, thereby maintaining hermetic sealing while eliminating excessive stress on gaskets and seals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the volume parameter of the hermetic compartment to vary flexibly rather than remaining constant. This volume adjustment capability enables the system to accommodate pressure fluctuations from temperature variations without compromising seal integrity or causing gasket degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a hermetically sealed compartment is used between lenses, then condensation is reduced by inert gas filling, but pressure fluctuations cause seal degradation over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidseal lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible compartment enables dynamic volume adjustment that protects seals from degradation caused by pressure cycling. By allowing the compartment volume to change with temperature, the system maintains seal integrity and extends seal lifespan without compromising the inert gas condensation prevention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If ambient temperature variations are experienced, then optical devices must operate in varying conditions, but this causes pressure fluctuations that stress seals and gaskets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature adaptationVSAvoidpressure stress on seals

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible compartment provides dynamic adaptation to temperature variations by allowing volume changes that compensate for pressure fluctuations. This enables the optical device to operate reliably across varying ambient temperatures while protecting seals and gaskets from excessive stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to temperature variations by changing the volume parameter of the hermetic compartment. This flexible volume adjustment allows the device to maintain operational reliability across different temperature conditions without subjecting seals to damaging pressure stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flexible compartment maintains the hermetic seal effectively for a longer period, preventing impurities and condensation, thus enhancing the optical quality and longevity of the multi-lens device.

Implementation Method 1

changes in temperatures may result in a corresponding increase or decrease in volume of the flexible compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The desiccant may reduce moisture in the gap, decreasing condensation formation within the gap on the lenses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12449118B2Systems for multi-lens devices

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 MARTIN PROFESSIONAL

AI summary

Systems are provided a multi-lens device. In one example, the multi-lens device includes a volumetrically flexible compartment fluidly coupled to a gap between a first lens and a second lens of a lens assembly. The gap and the flexible compartment are hermetically sealed from outside of the lens assembly. A desiccant is positioned between the compartment and the gap.