Glasses Frame with Vapor-Permeable Inserts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glasses and masks are not vapor-permeable, leading to sweat stagnation and condensation issues, which can cause discomfort and increase the risk of bacterial growth due to trapped moisture.

Innovation Solution

The frame incorporates waterproof and vapor-permeable functional inserts with absorbent elements, allowing vapor permeation while preventing condensation return, and is designed with openings and structures that facilitate airflow and sweat absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional frames are used for glasses or masks, then structural support and protection are provided, but vapor permeation is substantially prevented leading to sweat stagnation and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidsweat stagnation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame incorporates porous functional inserts that allow vapor permeation while maintaining structural integrity. These inserts are positioned at contact points with the skin to enable sweat vapor to escape, preventing stagnation and discomfort while preserving the frame's supportive function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The frame uses composite construction combining solid frame components with porous functional inserts. This composite approach allows different regions of the frame to have different properties: solid sections provide structural support while porous sections enable vapor permeation at skin contact areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If openings are provided in the frame to allow air circulation, then ventilation is improved to prevent lens fogging, but water passage is allowed into the mask during rain

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveventilationVSAvoidwater intrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The functional inserts utilize porous materials with controlled pore sizes that permit vapor and air molecules to pass through for ventilation purposes, while their pore structure naturally blocks larger water droplets from entering during rain, thus achieving selective permeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the frame have different properties: areas requiring ventilation have porous inserts, while other areas maintain solid construction. This local differentiation allows the frame to provide ventilation where needed without compromising protection in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If conventional non-vapor-permeable frames are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but condensation forms on the frame and skin contact areas causing discomfort and bacterial growth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcondensation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Porous functional inserts are integrated into the frame structure at skin contact points. These inserts allow sweat vapor to escape from the skin surface, preventing condensation formation on the frame and reducing the risk of bacterial growth, while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The porous functional inserts act as intermediaries between the skin and the external environment. They facilitate vapor transport from the skin surface through the frame structure to the outside, preventing condensation accumulation at the skin-frame interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 frame effectively prevents sweat stagnation and reduces the risk of bacterial proliferation by allowing vapor permeation and absorption, maintaining comfort and hygiene in aggressive environments.

Implementation Method 1

waterproof and vapor-permeable functional inserts being provided which are arranged so as to obstruct in a vapor-permeable way the corresponding openings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVapor permeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

waterproof and vapor-permeable functional inserts... allowing vapor permeation while preventing condensation return

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

The frame incorporates waterproof and vapor-permeable functional inserts with absorbent elements, allowing vapor permeation while preventing condensation return

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

The frame effectively prevents sweat stagnation and reduces the risk of bacterial proliferation by allowing vapor permeation and absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2598940B1Frame for glasses, masks for professional or sports use, and the like
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 GEOX SPA
  • EP2598940B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2598940B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2598940B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A frame for glasses, masks for professional or sports use, adapted to support at least one corrective and/or protective lens in a position which during use is located in front of the ocular region of the user, the frame including at least one through opening which is open toward the skin of the user who is wearing it, and at least one waterproof and vapor-permeable functional arranged so as to obstruct in a vapor-permeable manner the at least one opening to allow vapor permeation of the skin of the user, preventing a return of condensation toward the skin.