Photochromatic Eyeglass Frame Patterns Using Selective Acetate Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production processes for photochromatic acetate eyeglass frames result in uniformly homogeneous colorings that cannot be precisely defined or tailored to specific geometries, patterns, or images.
Innovation Solution
A frame for eyeglasses made of photochromatic acetate is produced using a wet block method, where areas with and without photochromatic pigment are strategically arranged to form desired geometries, patterns, and images, achieved by combining acetate blocks with and without pigments under controlled pressure and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If photochromatic pigment is dispersed uniformly in acetate material, then homogeneous colorings are achieved, but well-defined geometries, patterns, or images cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The acetate sheet is segmented into multiple layers, with photochromatic pigment applied selectively to specific layers rather than uniformly throughout. This segmentation allows different regions to have different optical properties, enabling well-defined geometries and patterns while maintaining homogeneous colorings in activated and non-activated areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies photochromatic pigment locally to specific layers of the acetate sheet rather than uniformly throughout. This local quality approach allows certain regions to exhibit photochromatic effects while other regions remain neutral, creating well-defined geometric designs and patterns with precise control over where color changes occur.
2Adaptability or versatility
If photochromatic pigment is added to achieve color changes, then reversible color activation is obtained, but precise and repeatable geometric patterns cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The acetate sheet is divided into multiple layers with photochromatic pigment applied selectively to specific layers. This segmentation enables precise control over which areas activate and remain neutral, allowing repeatable geometric patterns to be created through controlled pigment application on specific layers rather than uniform dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The photochromatic pigment is pre-applied to specific layers of the acetate sheet in a controlled manner before the frame manufacturing process. This preliminary action ensures that the geometric patterns and designs are predetermined and repeatable, allowing precise control over color activation areas while maintaining manufacturing consistency.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional wet block technology is used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but desired geometries and patterns cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains ease of manufacture by using the conventional wet block process to create multiple acetate layers, then applying photochromatic pigment selectively to specific layers. This segmentation approach allows desired geometries and patterns to be achieved through simple pigment application on predetermined layers, combining manufacturing simplicity with design precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The acetate sheet is pre-divided into multiple layers using conventional wet block technology before pigment application. This preliminary action allows photochromatic pigment to be applied selectively to specific layers, enabling precise geometric patterns and designs to be created while maintaining the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of conventional manufacturing processes.
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
Enables the creation of eyeglass frames with well-defined, repeatable, and customizable geometric designs, patterns, and images, while maintaining reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Photochromatic acetates are known which contain a photochromatic pigment which, in the presence of sunlight, allows to reveal colorings that would otherwise not be visible. The effect is reversible, since when the material is sheltered from sunlight the coloring changes and the color becomes neutral again
Data Source
AI summary
A frame for eyeglasses, provided by means of at least one sheet of photoacetate provided with areas which comprise photochromatic pigments and areas lacking photochromatic pigments, organized so as to form geometries, patterns, designs and images desired by the manufacturer.