Eyewear Lens Deflection Attenuation via Segmented Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective eyewear suffers from poor optical performance due to lens deflection, which can be caused by the curvature and material properties of the lenses, leading to temporary or permanent damage and distortion, especially when the frames do not fit the wearer's head properly, resulting in increased production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a deflection attenuation mechanism, such as an elongated recess or slot in the lens, which isolates the viewing portion from deflection forces by allowing the mounting portion to deflect without transferring these forces to the viewing area, thereby reducing or preventing undesirable bending and maintaining optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lens is made with curvature and standard material properties, then the lens provides protective coverage, but the lens suffers from deflection and distortion when frames do not fit properly
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into distinct functional zones: a mounting portion with reduced thickness that accepts deflection forces, and a viewing portion with full optical properties. This segmentation allows the mounting area to absorb mechanical stress while the viewing area maintains optical integrity, resolving the contradiction between protective coverage and optical performance under misfit conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are given different properties: the mounting portion has reduced thickness and increased flexibility to handle deflection, while the viewing portion maintains full thickness and optimal optical characteristics. This local differentiation enables the lens to adapt to frame fit variations without compromising optical performance in the critical viewing area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex adjustment mechanisms are added to frames to accommodate different head shapes, then fit adaptability improves, but production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens autonomously accommodates frame fit variations through its built-in deflection attenuation mechanism. The reduced-thickness mounting portion automatically absorbs deflection forces based on the degree of misfit, eliminating the need for external adjustment mechanisms. This self-adjusting capability provides adaptability to different head shapes without adding frame complexity.
3Reliability
If the lens mounting portion is made thicker to prevent deflection, then optical integrity improves, but the lens becomes more prone to damage from impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The lens structure separates the functions of optical integrity and impact resistance into different zones. The viewing portion maintains full thickness for optical integrity, while the mounting portion uses reduced thickness to manage impact forces by allowing controlled deflection. This segmentation prevents stress concentration that would occur with uniform thickness, thereby improving both optical integrity and impact resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
Eyewear, lenses, and methods of forming lenses are disclosed. In an example eyewear, first and second temples are coupled to a lens. The lens includes a viewing portion, a mounting portion configured to be coupled to at least one of the first and second temples, a connecting portion connecting the mounting portion to the viewing portion of the lens. The lens further includes an elongated slot that defines at least in part the mounting portion and the connecting portion. The mounting portion and connecting portion are configured to effectively isolate the viewing portion from deflection of the mounting portion.