High-Resistivity Jaw for Eyewear Hinging Machine

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating vices for eyewear hinging-machines consume high energy due to the low electrical resistance of copper jaws, requiring approximately 700-1000 Amperes of current at 1-10 Volts to heat hinge parts effectively.

Innovation Solution

The use of jaws with a steel core completely covered in a high electrical resistivity coating, such as Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), increases the overall electrical resistance to 10-40 MΩ, allowing for lower current usage while maintaining sufficient heating through Joule effect and contact heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If copper jaws with low electrical resistance are used in the heating vice, then the hinge part can be heated through Joule effect, but the energy consumption is high requiring 700-1000 Amperes of current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge part temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical resistance parameter of the jaw from low (copper) to high (coated steel with 10-40 MΩ resistance). This parameter change fundamentally alters the heating mechanism: instead of heating the low-resistance hinge part directly through high current, the high-resistance jaw itself generates heat through Joule effect at much lower currents, then transfers this heat to the hinge part through thermal conduction during clamping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the direct electrical heating of the hinge part with a two-stage process: first, the jaw is heated electrically through Joule effect; second, the heat is transferred mechanically through thermal conduction when the jaw clamps the hinge part. This replaces the direct electrical-mechanical heating approach with an electrical-thermal-mechanical-thermal sequence, reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If copper jaws are used for heating, then heating function is achieved, but the jaws have low durability due to abrasion and lack of self-cleaning properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidjaw service life
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure consisting of a steel core providing mechanical strength and durability, combined with a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating providing abrasion resistance and self-cleaning properties. This composite material approach allows the jaw to maintain both heating capability and extended service life, solving the durability issue of pure copper jaws while preserving the heating function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This configuration reduces energy consumption by using significantly lower electric currents, primarily heating the hinge parts through contact with the high-resistance jaws, preventing overheating and extending the service life of the jaws with DLC's abrasion resistance and self-cleaning properties.

Implementation Method 1

the application of an electric voltage to the ends of the jaws generates the passage of an electric current through the jaws and through the hinge part, which heats up due to the Joule effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule effect: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

heating the hinge parts through contact with the high-resistance jaws

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4151397B1Jaw for a heating vice for an eyewear hinging-machine
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 AUTONOMA INNOVAZIONE SRL
  • EP4151397B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151397B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4151397B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a jaw (7a, 7b) for an eyewear hinging-machine (1), comprising a core (17) made of steel, completely covered with a coating (18) made of a material with an electrical resistivity higher than that of steel, and such that the overall electrical resistivity of the jaw (7a, 7b) is between 10 and 40 MΩ.