Graded Microlens Array for Thin Multifocal Ophthalmic Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmic lenses face design limitations in prescription sunglasses and multifocal lenses, resulting in limited availability and functional areas, particularly for high prescriptions and varying lens powers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an array of microlenses with varying optical powers and orientations into the base lens substrate, allowing for thinner lenses with customizable prescriptions and larger functional areas without visible steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional ophthalmic lenses use base curve geometry to refract light, then the lens can be manufactured with simple curvature, but the lens becomes extremely thick for high prescriptions and limits available prescriptions to a narrow range
Solution Approach 1:
The lens surface is segmented into multiple zones with different curvatures. Instead of using a single base curve, the lens incorporates distinct optical zones (distance, intermediate, near) each with optimized curvature characteristics. This segmentation allows each zone to be tailored for its specific function while maintaining overall lens thinness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are assigned different optical properties. The distance portion has one curvature characteristic, the intermediate portion has another, and the near portion has yet another. This local differentiation of optical quality enables high prescription correction without uniform thickness increase across the entire lens.
2Ease of operation
If conventional progressive lenses use continuous progressive surface geometry, then the lens provides continuous power transition, but the functional areas for different lens powers become limited and small
Solution Approach 1:
The progressive lens is divided into distinct functional zones (distance, intermediate, near) rather than using a continuous gradual transition. Each zone is separated by visible or invisible boundaries and provides a specific optical power range. This segmentation allows each functional area to be maximized in size while maintaining clear delineation between power zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens design incorporates variations in both horizontal and vertical dimensions to create functional zones. By utilizing the full two-dimensional surface area with strategically positioned zones of different powers, the design maximizes the functional area available to the wearer while providing distinct optical regions.
3Shape
If conventional lenses are designed to fit small frames with short corridors, then the lens fits the frame geometry, but the lens exhibits increased astigmatism and reduced functional areas
Solution Approach 1:
The lens design applies different curvature characteristics to different zones to compensate for the constraints of small frame geometry. The distance, intermediate, and near zones are each optimized with specific curvature profiles that reduce astigmatism induction while maintaining compatibility with short corridor frame shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens design varies multiple parameters including base curve, add power, zone sizes, and corridor lengths to optimize performance for small frames. By adjusting these parameters across different zones rather than using uniform parameters, the design achieves reduced astigmatism while fitting compact frame geometries.
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
Enables the production of thin prescription sunglasses and multifocal lenses with flexible prescriptions and larger optically functional regions, overcoming design constraints of conventional lenses.
Implementation Method 1
In order to refract light, the common denominator in conventional ophthalmic lenses is the difference in curvature between the front surface and the back surface
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic lens incorporating an array of microlenses.