Magnetic Hinge for Eyewear Frame and Temple Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eyewear hinges with screw-type connections are prone to damage, deformation, and metal fatigue, leading to misfitting and discomfort, with screws being difficult to handle and replace.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic hinge system that uses a rotatable magnet secured in a housing, cooperating with a magnetically responsive body to pivotally connect the frame front and temple bars, eliminating the need for screws and minimizing risk of breakage by allowing limited angular movement and friction-based retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw-type hinges are used to connect frame front and temple bars, then the eyewear can be assembled and adjusted, but the hinges are prone to breakage, deformation, and metal fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw-type mechanical connection system with a magnetic connection system. The magnet embedded in the frame front and the magnetically responsive body in the temple bar create a magnetic field that holds the temple bar to the frame front, eliminating the need for screws and reducing mechanical stress on the hinge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection mechanism from mechanical (screw-based) to magnetic field-based. The magnetic field strength and distribution are optimized to provide sufficient holding force while allowing controlled movement, thereby improving reliability and resistance to breakage without requiring high mechanical strength.
2Ease of repair
If screw-type hinges are used, then the frame can be assembled, but the screws are small, difficult to handle and replace, making repair tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection function from the small screw components and integrates it into larger, more manageable magnetic components. The magnet in the frame front and the magnetically responsive body in the temple bar can be easily accessed, handled, and replaced without requiring specialized tools or techniques, significantly improving ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic connection components are designed to be easily replaceable and are less prone to damage. If a magnet or magnetically responsive body becomes worn or damaged, it can be quickly removed and replaced without affecting the overall structure of the eyewear, reducing the time and complexity of repairs.
3Ease of operation
If conventional hinges are used, then the eyewear can be worn, but the eyewear becomes misshapen or ill-fitting causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic connection system allows for dynamic adjustment of the temple bar position while maintaining a stable connection. The magnetic field can accommodate slight variations in fit and can be easily adjusted by the wearer or optician, providing comfort during wear while maintaining the proper shape and fit of the eyewear.
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
The magnetic hinge system enhances durability and comfort by preventing damage from impact forces, allowing easy adjustment and retrofitting of existing eyewear, while avoiding the challenges of screw-based connections.
Implementation Method 1
The magnet has a contact surface and cooperates with a magnetically responsive body that is secured to the other of the front frame or the temple to which the magnet is not mounted. The magnetically responsive body has a surface that engages the contact surface of the magnet while the magnet holds the magnetically responsive body to the magnet.
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic hinge (24) having a magnet (68) that is rotatably connected to frame front (14) or temples (18, 19) of eyewear (10). Magnet (68) has a contact surface that cooperates with a magnetically reactive body (76) and can be secured in a housing (34) that is rotatably connected to eyewear (10) by protrusions (60, 62).