Liquid Crystal Multifocal Lens for Seamless Near-Far Vision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyeglasses that correct hyperopia or myopia require multiple lenses or focal adjustments, leading to inconvenience and aesthetic issues with visible refractive differences or dizziness from focal changes.

Innovation Solution

A multifocal lens with a concave surface and a liquid crystal layer that refracts light based on the arrangement direction of liquid crystals, allowing simultaneous correction of both hyperopia and myopia without visible refractive differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a lens is divided into parts with different refractive powers to correct both near and distant vision, then multiple focal points are achieved, but dizziness occurs and refractive differences are visible from outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple focal pointsVSAvoiddizziness and visible refractive differences

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses liquid crystal molecules that can change their orientation and refractive index based on applied voltage, allowing dynamic adjustment of focal points. This enables the lens to switch between different refractive states without physical segmentation, eliminating visible refractive differences and dizziness while maintaining multiple focal capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical or spatially-divided multifocal lens structures with an electrically-controlled liquid crystal system. Instead of physically dividing the lens into segments with different refractive powers, the patent uses voltage-controlled liquid crystal orientation to achieve focal point adjustment, eliminating the harmful effects of visible segmentation and spatial disorientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lenses with different focal lengths are used alternately to correct vision, then both near and distant objects can be seen clearly, but the system becomes inconvenient to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrection of near and distant visionVSAvoidconvenience of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic focal adjustment mechanism using liquid crystal technology. The lens can continuously or steplessly change its focal length in response to voltage signals, allowing seamless transition between near and distant vision correction. This eliminates the need to manually switch between multiple fixed-focus lenses, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining full adaptability for both near and distant vision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a single lens is used for both near and distant vision, then convenience is improved, but clear vision at both distances cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle pair of glassesVSAvoidvision correction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs liquid crystal molecules whose refractive index can be dynamically changed by applying voltage. This allows a single lens to effectively become multiple lenses with different focal powers by changing the orientation and arrangement of liquid crystal molecules. The system maintains a unified lens structure for convenience while achieving precise vision correction at multiple distances through controlled parameter changes in the liquid crystal layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 comfortable viewing of both distant and near objects with a single pair of glasses by refracting and focusing light using the liquid crystal layer, addressing the limitations of traditional multifocal lenses.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid crystal layer refracts a part of light that has passed through the lens according to an arrangement direction of liquid crystals and gathers the same to the center

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS20260003211A1Multifocal lens

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 KOREA ELECTRONICS TECH INST

AI summary

Disclosed is a multifocal lens including a lens configured such that one surface thereof facing an eye is concave and a liquid crystal layer formed on one surface of the lens, wherein the liquid crystal layer refracts a part of light that has passed through the lens according to an arrangement direction of liquid crystals and gathers the same to the center according to the shape of the one surface of the lens, whereby myopia and hyperopia may be simultaneously corrected with one lens.