Lens-Centric Spectacles Frame Design for Precise Lens Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional eyewear design focuses on frames first, which can constrain the optimal positioning and orientation of lenses, leading to visual discomfort and poor vision for wearers, especially with multifocal or progressive lenses.

Innovation Solution

A lens-centric approach is adopted, where frames are designed around optimized lenses based on individual wearer parameters using additive manufacturing techniques, incorporating 3D scanning and customization systems to ensure proper fit and orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If frames are selected first and lenses are made to fit the frame, then design freedom and frame diversity are improved, but lens positioning accuracy and optical performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe design freedomVSAvoidlens positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional eyewear design sequence by starting with lens parameters optimized for the wearer's vision needs and then designing frames to accommodate those lenses, rather than selecting frames first and adapting lenses to fit. This reversal ensures that optical performance requirements drive the frame design, resolving the contradiction between frame diversity and lens positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary optimization of lens parameters including optical center position, pantoscopic angle, and face form angle based on wearer-specific vision requirements before frame selection and design. This preliminary action establishes precise lens positioning requirements that guide subsequent frame design, ensuring optical performance is maintained while achieving frame diversity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If lenses are adapted to selected frames, then ease of manufacture and frame selection simplicity are improved, but visual comfort and optical performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens adaptation simplicityVSAvoidvisual comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional manufacturing sequence by optimizing lens parameters first based on vision requirements, then designing frames to fit those optimized lenses. This ensures visual comfort is prioritized while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic design processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically optimizes multiple lens parameters including optical center position, pantoscopic angle, and face form angle based on wearer-specific measurements and vision requirements. These parameter optimizations are performed before frame selection, ensuring that subsequent manufacturing processes work with pre-optimized specifications that guarantee visual comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If standard frames are used, then productivity and cost efficiency are improved, but lens positioning precision and wearer-specific optimization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidlens positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary optimization of lens parameters including optical center position, pantoscopic angle, and face form angle based on wearer-specific vision requirements before frame selection. This preliminary action creates precise positioning specifications that guide frame and lens integration, achieving high positioning precision while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through systematic design processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3455671B1Method of designing and placing a lens within a spectacles frame
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 MATERIALISE NV
  • EP3455671B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3455671B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3455671B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

Described herein are methods and systems for customizing and personalizing eyewear. The methods and system consider optimal parameters for each wearer's personal visual situation and configures frames around them.