Modular Eyewear with Universal Resilient Hinge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional eyewear is limited in functionality and requires multiple pairs for different applications, making it inconvenient and costly, especially for activities like fly fishing where varying light conditions necessitate multiple pairs with different polarizing lenses.

Innovation Solution

A modular eyewear system with a universal, U-shaped, resilient polymeric hinge that allows for easy interchange of temples and lenses, eliminating the need for multiple pairs by fitting both sides and providing 180-degree flexibility without screws or hardware, enabling quick assembly and various designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional eyewear is made for a specific purpose with fixed components, then the structural integrity and stability are improved, but the adaptability and versatility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidfunctional adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The eyewear is divided into separate modular components including temples, lenses, and frame fronts that can be independently removed and replaced. The temple assembly includes a temple piece, hinge, and temple tip that can be detached from the frame front, allowing users to reconfigure components for different activities and light conditions while maintaining structural integrity through precise mounting features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame front is designed with universal mounting features that can accommodate multiple types of temples, lenses, and accessories. The standardized hinge and temple piece design allows the same frame front to be used with different temple configurations, enabling a single base unit to serve multiple functions across various activities from fishing to skiing to everyday wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pairs of eyewear are purchased for different applications, then the functional versatility is improved, but the cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple eyewear functions are merged into a single system by allowing different temples, lenses, and frame fronts to be combined with a universal base unit. Instead of maintaining separate complete eyewear assemblies for fishing, skiing, and everyday use, users can interchange components among a shared collection, reducing the total number of items needed while maintaining full functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Components such as temples and lenses can be easily removed and transferred to different frame fronts based on activity requirements. The quick-release hinge mechanism allows users to discard one temple configuration and recover the same temple for use with a different frame front, maximizing utilization of each component across multiple eyewear configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Strength

If traditional hinge mechanisms with screws and hardware are used, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of assembly and interchangeability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional screw and hardware-based hinge mechanism is replaced with a spring-loaded resilient hinge that uses elastic deformation and mechanical interlocking features. The resilient hinge engages with complementary features on the frame front and temple piece, providing strong connection through spring force and geometric interlocking while eliminating the need for screws, allowing tool-free assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge mechanism is designed to self-engage and self-lock when components are brought together, requiring no additional fastening steps. The spring-loaded design automatically provides connection strength upon engagement, and the same mechanism automatically releases when pressure is applied, enabling users to assemble and disassemble temples without tools or complex procedures while maintaining strong connections during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 modular eyewear system offers convenience, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, allowing users to change frames easily and adapt to different activities, such as cycling, camping, or daily use, while being durable and suitable for a wide range of users.

Implementation Method 1

The hinge is flexible that it allows the temples to flex 180+ degrees

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11526027B2Interchangeable hinge for modular eyewear

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 GIOVANNONE KATHERINE

AI summary

A wearable lightweight, adjustable, and comfortable modular eyewear with multiple interchangeable components includes: a central frame with two eyeglass supporting members, lenses, temple and hinge. The assembly has a hinge which is designed to fit the frames. The fronts and temples are grooved to allow the hinge to fit snuggly into the grooves. The hinge is flexible that it will allow the temples to flex 180+ degrees.