Interferential Coating with Adjustable Light Absorbing Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing sunglasses lack the ability to easily and flexibly control the transmittance of antireflective or mirror coatings, making it difficult to achieve a wide range of visible light mean transmission factors without tinting steps and with limited adjustability of absorptive layer configurations.
Innovation Solution
An optical article with a base material coated using an interferential multilayer coating comprising adjustable light-absorbing material, allowing for controllable visible light mean transmission factors between 95% and 5%, achieved through adjustable composition and thickness of the light-absorbing layers, which can be deposited on any substrate without requiring tinting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multilayer interferential AR or mirror stack with fixed source material composition is used, then the coating structure is simple, but the transmittance control is inflexible and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of transmittance by making the absorptive layer properties adjustable during deposition. The composition and thickness of the absorptive layer can be varied in real-time to achieve different transmittance values, transforming a static coating system into a dynamic one that adapts to different optical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical and chemical parameters of the absorptive layer, specifically its composition (ratio of absorbing material to inert material) and thickness. By varying these parameters during the deposition process, the transmittance can be precisely controlled across a wide range, from highly transparent to strongly absorbing configurations.
2Manufacturing precision
If both HI layers are made light absorbing with fixed source material composition, then the coating has structural stability, but the absorbance adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the manufacturing process by enabling real-time modification of the source material composition ratio during deposition. This allows precise control of absorbance characteristics while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the system can adapt to different requirements without requiring multiple fixed-composition material preparations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the source material composition (varying the ratio of absorbing material to inert material) to achieve precise absorbance control. By adjusting this composition parameter during deposition, the manufacturing process gains precision in controlling optical properties without complicating the overall manufacturing procedure.
3Ease of operation
If the source material mixture composition is determined beforehand, then the preparation process is simple, but the resulting coating transmittance cannot be easily adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static deposition process into a dynamic one by enabling real-time adjustment of source material composition during deposition. This allows easy transmittance adjustment through simple parameter changes in the deposition process, without requiring complex post-deposition treatments or multiple fixed-composition material inventories.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves easy transmittance adjustment by implementing parameter changes in the source material composition ratio during the deposition process. This approach maintains operational simplicity while enabling flexible transmittance control, as the system responds directly to composition parameter adjustments without requiring complex process modifications.
4Productivity
If conventional tinting steps are used to achieve desired transmittance, then the transmittance range can be achieved, but the production process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tinting function directly into the AR or mirror coating deposition process by incorporating an absorptive layer. This combination eliminates the need for separate tinting steps, thereby improving productivity while reducing overall process complexity. The single integrated process achieves both protective coating and light absorption functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal coating structure that performs multiple functions: the absorptive layer serves both as part of the interferential coating system and as the tinting agent. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate tinting operations, streamlining the production process and improving efficiency without adding complexity.
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 flexible control of transmittance in sunglasses from class 0 to class 4, simplifying the production process and allowing for various absorptive layer configurations, thereby addressing the limitations of prior art in achieving desired optical properties.
Implementation Method 1
the coating comprises at least one layer of light absorbing material which has an adjustable composition and thickness, such that the visible light mean transmission factor of the coating is controllable to have a value between 95% and 5%
Implementation Method 2
a base material having at least one face coated with an interferential multilayer coating providing either antireflective or high reflective properties
Data Source
AI summary
This optical article comprises a base material having at least one face coated with an interferential multilayer coating providing either antireflective or high reflective properties. The coating comprises at least one layer of light absorbing material which has an adjustable composition and thickness, such that the visible light mean transmission factor of the coating is controllable to have a value between 95% and 5%.