Optical Brightener Fluorescence for Colorless Blue Light Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blue light-blocking optical articles, such as ophthalmic lenses, often compromise color perception and aesthetics by appearing yellow or amber, and existing solutions that attempt to mitigate this effect either reduce overall light transmission or are not effective in maintaining UV protection.
Innovation Solution
A transparent optical article comprising a thermoplastic substrate with a blue light-blocking dye and an optical brightener, where the optical brightener emits fluorescence at wavelengths matching the blocked blue light range, incorporated in a specific layer configuration to maintain UV protection and restore a colorless appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a blue light-blocking dye is incorporated into the optical article to filter harmful blue light (400-460 nm), then blue light transmission is reduced and retinal protection is improved, but the optical article appears yellow or amber and color perception is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating an optical brightener that emits blue light (400-460 nm) through fluorescence to counterbalance the yellow color imparted by the blue light-blocking dye. This creates a dynamic color balance where the optical article maintains a mostly colorless appearance despite containing the yellow dye, thereby resolving the contradiction between blue light blocking and color perception
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the blue light-blocking dye (which imparts yellow color) with an optical brightener (which emits blue light). This composite system allows the optical article to simultaneously block harmful blue light while maintaining acceptable color cosmetics and color perception through the synergistic interaction between the dye and brightener
2Loss of information
If additional dyes (blue, red, or green) are added to compensate for the yellowing effect of blue blocking filters, then color balance is improved, but overall light transmission is reduced causing light attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/additive approach of adding multiple dyes to achieve color balance with an optical/fluorescent approach. Instead of adding blue, red, or green dyes that would absorb additional light and reduce overall transmission, the invention uses an optical brightener that converts UV light to blue light through fluorescence, thereby compensating for the yellow color without further attenuating visible light transmission
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV absorbers are incorporated into the optical article substrate to block UV light, then UV protection is improved, but the ability of optical brighteners to emit light by fluorescence is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the UV absorption function and the fluorescence emission function into different components or layers of the optical article. The UV absorbers are placed in positions where they block UV light from reaching the retina, while the optical brightener is positioned or configured to receive UV light and convert it to blue light without being completely blocked by the UV absorbers, thereby maintaining both UV protection and fluorescence emission
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 effectively blocks harmful blue light while maintaining over 80% visible light transmission and preserving UV protection, ensuring the optical article appears mostly colorless and does not impair color vision.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical brightener B for at least partially balancing the color imparted to the transparent optical article by the dye A, wherein said at least one optical brightener B emits light by fluorescence at a wavelength ranging from 400 to 460 nm
Implementation Method 2
at least one dye A at least partially inhibiting light having a wavelength ranging from 400 to 460 nm
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a transparent optical article (e.g. an ophthalmic lens) comprising a thermoplastic substrate and a dye at least partially inhibiting light having a wavelength ranging from 400 to 460 nm and an optical brightener for at least partially balancing the colour imparted to the transparent optical article by the dye, wherein said optical brightener emits light by fluorescence at a wavelength ranging from 400 to 460 nm and is incorporated into a layer fused or bonded to the thermoplastic substrate. Said optical brightener allows for perception of said optical article as less yellow, and even colourless, to a user or to an observer. In addition, the UV-absorbers that may be present in the thermoplastic substrate do not negatively interact with the optical brightener.