Modular Eyewear Temple with Releasable Electronic Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyewear with electrical components faces challenges due to the large form factor of electrical connectors, which can damage the eyewear during charging and limit design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The eyewear features a modular temple design with a releasable portion that conceals and exposes an electrical connector, allowing for easy charging and swapping of electronic devices like batteries without damaging the frame, using a mechanical and electrical connector system for secure connection and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical connectors are incorporated into eyewear for charging batteries, then charging functionality is enabled, but the large form factor of connectors damages the eyewear and limits design flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging functionalityVSAvoiddamage to eyewear

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The temple is divided into a first portion (integrated with frame, containing electrical connector) and a second portion (removable, containing electronic device). This segmentation allows the electrical connector to remain protected in the frame while the removable portion can be easily detached for charging without exposing the connector to external damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connector is nested within the first portion of the temple that is integrated with the frame structure. The second portion with the electronic device nests into or connects with the first portion, creating a hierarchical structure where the connector is protected inside while still enabling charging functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If electrical connectors are made accessible for charging, then charging convenience is improved, but the connectors are exposed to manipulation risks that can damage the eyewear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidprotection from manipulation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the temple into fixed first portion (with protected connector) and removable second portion, the system enables charging through the removable portion while the connector remains safely nested in the fixed portion, preventing direct exposure to manipulation risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first portion of the temple acts as an intermediary structure that houses the electrical connector and provides a controlled interface for charging. This intermediary protects the connector from direct external manipulation while still enabling the charging function through the removable second portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250102837A1Modular eyewear temple

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 SNAP INC

AI summary

Eyewear that includes a frame supporting an optical element. The frame has a first side and a second side. The eyewear also includes a temple adjacent the first side of the frame. The temple includes a first portion adjacent the frame and a second portion releasably connected to the first portion. An electronic device is provided in the releasable second portion. The electronic device may be passive or active, such as a battery configured to power the eyewear. The electronic device may communicate with an electronic component in the first portion, and may also operate independently when the second portion is removed.