Variable Focus Glasses Using Liquid Crystal Electric Potential Gradient
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glasses that adjust focal points based on line-of-sight directions rely on mechanical mechanisms, which are slow and bulky, limiting their ability to quickly change focal lengths and adapt to varying visual needs.
Innovation Solution
The glasses employ a control section with liquid crystal layers that form an electric potential gradient to refract light, allowing for rapid and efficient adjustment of focal lengths without mechanical changes, enabling the optical elements to function as both convex and concave lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mechanical focus adjusting mechanisms are used in variable focus lenses, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the response speed is slow and the device is bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical focus adjusting mechanism with an electric field-based liquid crystal control system. The liquid crystal layer's refractive index is modulated by applying voltage, eliminating moving parts and mechanical structures. This substitution achieves rapid focal length adjustment (electronic control speed) while reducing device bulkiness, directly resolving the contradiction between response speed and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the liquid crystal material by applying electric voltage, which alters its refractive index. This parameter change enables dynamic focal length adjustment without mechanical movement. The electric field-induced refractive index change provides fast response speed while maintaining a compact structure, addressing both the speed and complexity issues.
2Length of moving object
If mechanical mechanisms are used to adjust focal points, then the structure is stable, but the thickness increases and diameter decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal optical element achieves multi-functionality by varying the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer. By controlling the electric field strength, the same optical element can function as either a convex lens or a concave lens, providing adaptability without increasing thickness. This resolves the contradiction between compact size and functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through voltage adjustment, allowing the optical element's focal length and lens type (convex/concave) to be changed on demand. This dynamic capability enables a thin optical element to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate mechanical components of varying thicknesses, thus reducing overall thickness while maintaining versatility.
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 solution allows for high-speed control of focal lengths, reducing the thickness and increasing the diameter of the optical elements while providing adaptive power changes, enhancing user convenience and visual acuity.
Implementation Method 1
The optical element includes a liquid crystal layer that refracts the light
Implementation Method 2
The control section controls refraction of the light by forming an electric potential gradient in a saw-tooth shape in the liquid crystal layer through application of control voltage to the liquid crystal layer
Data Source
AI summary
Glasses controls light that is to enter an eye. The glasses includes an optical element and a control section. The optical element includes a liquid crystal layer that refracts the light. The control section controls refraction of the light by forming an electric potential gradient in a saw-tooth shape in the liquid crystal layer through application of control voltage to the liquid crystal layer.