Multi-Geometry Goggle Eye-Shield with Segmented Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing goggles and eye-shields with cylindrical lenses are less expensive to manufacture but often impair vision due to distortion and glare, while spherical lenses provide better comfort and image quality but are more challenging and costly to produce with uniform thin-film heating, such as ITO, for fog prevention.
Innovation Solution
A multi-pane, multi-geometry eye-shield design featuring a spherical anterior and cylindrical posterior lens with a semi-annular gasket forming a water-tight space, allowing for the attachment of a thin-film heater to the cylindrical lens, enabling effective fog prevention while maintaining a fashionable and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spherical lenses are used, then comfort and image quality are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The eye-shield is divided into two distinct lens portions: a spherical anterior lens for optimal optical performance and a cylindrical posterior lens for manufacturing simplicity. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured using its most suitable process while working together as a unified optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical posterior lens is positioned within the spherical anterior lens structure, creating a nested configuration where the two different geometries cooperate. The posterior cylindrical lens sits in the rear portion of the eye-shield assembly, complementing the anterior spherical lens.
2Reliability
If thin-film heating is applied to spherical lenses, then fog prevention is effective, but manufacturing uniformity becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is assigned specifically to the cylindrical posterior lens portion, which has a flat or uniformly curved surface that allows for uniform thin-film deposition. This segmentation avoids the manufacturing difficulties of applying non-uniform heating to the spherical anterior lens.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-film heating element is applied locally to the cylindrical posterior lens rather than attempting to cover the entire spherical eye-shield. This localized approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing effective fog prevention where it is most needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If cylindrical lenses are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but vision distortion and glare increase
Solution Approach 1:
The eye-shield is segmented into two lens portions with different geometries: the anterior spherical lens handles the optical functions requiring minimal distortion and glare, while the posterior cylindrical lens provides the cost-effective manufacturing solution. This division allows each portion to excel at its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical and cylindrical lens portions are merged into a single integrated eye-shield assembly that combines the optical advantages of spherical geometry with the manufacturing advantages of cylindrical geometry. The two lens types work together to provide both image quality and cost effectiveness.
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 solution provides a fog-resistant, comfortable, and distortion-free vision experience by heating the eye-shield, enhancing safety and enjoyment in outdoor activities without the manufacturing complexities of uniform spherical lens heating.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member, such as a thin-film heater... adapted for heating the cylindrical posterior inner eye-shield member
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-pane, multi-geometry eye-shield adapted to be installed into a frame of an eye-shield, such as a goggle for protecting user's eyes, comprising a spherical anterior outer eye-shield member, a cylindrical posterior inner eye-shield member, an irregular-shaped gasket member between the anterior and posterior eye-shield members forming a water-tight and air-tight semi-annular space therebetween. The posterior cylindrical inner eye-shield member may further be adapted for heating to reduce condensation comprising a thin-film, electrically conductive heating element, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), and electrical contact members to connect the thin-film heating element to a power source.