Foldable Eyeglass Bridge With Rotational Rim Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eyeglass frames with foldable structures face issues of volume increase due to folded temples and loosening of hinged portions, leading to durability problems and inconvenient storage.
Innovation Solution
An eyeglass frame design featuring a foldable bridge with orthogonal rim folding mechanism, utilizing a connection plate and rotational support to maintain the folded or unfolded state securely, reducing volume and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the front of the eyeglasses is folded to minimize volume, then storage convenience is improved, but the volume occupied by lenses remains the same and may actually increase due to folded temples
Solution Approach 1:
The front of the eyeglasses is divided into two separate lens frames that can be independently folded and overlapped. This segmentation allows the lenses to occupy the same spatial region when folded, significantly reducing the overall volume compared to conventional single-front designs where lenses remain on the same surface.
Solution Approach 2:
One lens frame is positioned inside or overlapping with the other lens frame when folded, creating a nested configuration. This nesting approach minimizes the external dimensions of the folded eyeglasses by having components occupy the same three-dimensional space, thereby achieving compact storage volume.
2Device complexity
If simple pin connection (hinges) is used to connect lens frames, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to loosening and shaking after prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection is extracted and replaced with a dedicated connection member that provides enhanced stability. This separate connection component is designed to firmly secure the lens frames to the bridge, eliminating the loosening and shaking problems associated with simple pin hinges while maintaining structural integrity after prolonged use.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member is pre-designed with features that prevent loosening before use, such as interference fits, friction locks, or geometric constraints that maintain tight connections. This preliminary design ensures that the lens frames remain securely attached to the bridge throughout the product lifecycle, preventing the shaking and loosening that occurs with conventional hinges.
3Ease of operation
If rims are folded arbitrarily without controlled mechanism, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to maintain accurate folded state
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitrary mechanical folding motion is replaced with a guided mechanism involving grooves, slots, or cam surfaces that constrain the folding path. This mechanical substitution ensures that the rims fold along a predetermined trajectory, achieving both ease of operation through simple user action and manufacturing precision through controlled motion paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism incorporates self-aligning features such as tapered surfaces, spring-loaded elements, or gravity-assisted positioning that automatically guide the rims into the correct folded position without requiring precise user control. This self-service approach maintains manufacturing precision while simplifying the user operation to a simple folding motion.
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 design effectively minimizes the volume of the eyeglasses when folded, improves durability by preventing shaking or loosening, and simplifies storage and portability, while reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
easily and accurately unfolded or folded by elasticity of the connection plate, and to maintain the folded state or the unfolded state when both rims are folded or unfolded by elasticity of the connection plate
Data Source
AI summary
An eyeglass frame having a foldable bridge includes: a pair of rims facing each other from both sides such that lenses are coupled/configured, respectively; and a bridge configured to be individually separated from the pair of rims, the pair of rims being rotatably connected to inner portions of the bridge, which face each other, such that the pair of rims are unfolded forwards from both sides and then folded rearwards. The bridge includes: a connection plate configured such that inner front surfaces of the pair of rims contact both sides thereof, respectively; and a rotating support coupled to the front of the connection plate such that inner portions of the pair of rims are rotatably coupled to both sides of the connection plate, respectively, front surfaces of the pair of rims being folded.