Nose Support Assembly with Angularly Mobile Pads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nose support assemblies for spectacle frames often fail to provide adequate comfort, especially for wearers with flat noses or asymmetrical nose shapes, due to poorly suited orientation of nose pads, and require complex or large-sized solutions.

Innovation Solution

A nose support assembly with mobile nose pads that can adjust in multiple axes, utilizing stop means along the Z, Y, and X axes, allowing angular travel ranges of 45°, 50°, and 15° respectively, and featuring elastically deformable materials for precise adaptation to individual nose shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed nose pads are used in traditional spectacle frames, then the structure is simple and stable, but the nose pads cannot adapt to different nose shapes (especially flat noses) resulting in poor support comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability to different nose shapesVSAvoidComplexity of nose pad mounting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nose pad is made movable relative to the nose pad holder through a ball-and-socket joint mechanism, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate different nose shapes. The ball element rotates within the spherical cavity, enabling the nose pad to pivot and adapt its position while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The nose pad assembly is divided into separate components: the nose pad itself, the nose pad holder, and the connecting ball mechanism. This segmentation allows independent movement and adjustment of the nose pad relative to the holder, providing adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the entire mounting system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex mounting mechanisms are used to achieve nose pad mobility, then adaptability to different nose shapes is improved, but the size and complexity of the assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdjustment range of nose padVSAvoidVolume of nose pad holder assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ball element is nested within the spherical cavity formed by the nose pad holder, with the stop means integrated into the ball's structure. The stop means are received within grooves or cavities of the holder, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides extensive adjustment range without significantly increasing the overall assembly volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The nose pad mobility is achieved through rotation about multiple axes (X, Y, and Z axes) rather than simple linear movement. This multi-dimensional rotation allows the nose pad to reach various positions in space, maximizing adaptability within a compact volume by utilizing angular displacement rather than linear extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If stop means are extended along X and Y axes to allow angular travel, then adaptability is improved, but the size of the male element increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAngular travel range of nose padVSAvoidLength of male element
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stop means are strategically positioned only at specific locations on the ball element where needed to limit rotation about each axis. Rather than extending stop means throughout the entire length of the male element, they are placed locally at the extremes of the desired angular travel ranges, minimizing the overall length while maintaining full adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 assembly provides improved comfort and precise adjustment for various nose shapes, including flat noses, by allowing the nose pads to adapt to natural asymmetry and varying angles, ensuring reliable fitting and preventing accidental detachment.

Implementation Method 1

said male element being made of an elastically deformable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2987023B1Nose support assembly and corresponding spectacle frame
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP2987023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2987023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2987023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a nose support assembly for a spectacle frame, comprising two nose support elements (3), known as nose pads, and, for each nose pad, a mounting element (2) for said nose pad, known as the nose pad holder. Each nose pad (3) and the corresponding nose pad holder (2) have connecting means (1) for connecting one to the other, said connecting means being designed to allow the nose pad (3) to move angularly with respect to the nose pad holder (2). The invention also relates to a frame equipped with such a nose support assembly.