Pixelated Transparent Optical Component with Absorbent Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ophthalmic lenses face challenges in achieving flexible and modular optical functions while maintaining transparency, as the diffraction caused by walls in pixelated structures leads to macroscopic diffusion and a loss of contrast, which is unacceptable for ophthalmic lenses that require transparency and cosmetic clarity.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing transparent optical elements with cells separated by walls, where an absorbent coating is deposited parallel to the surface of the walls to absorb light and reduce diffraction, preventing macroscopic diffusion and maintaining image quality. The coating can be made of materials that absorb across the visible spectrum, and the walls can be formed using metallization processes or etching techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pixelated structures with walls are used to create modular optical functions, then design flexibility is improved, but transparency and image quality deteriorate due to diffraction and macroscopic diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using the walls that cause diffraction as a substrate for depositing absorbent material. The harmful diffraction effect is converted into a beneficial solution: the walls become carriers for the absorbent coating that eliminates macroscopic diffusion, thus transforming the source of the problem into part of the solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an absorbent coating as an intermediary substance deposited on the walls. This coating acts as a mediator that absorbs stray light and prevents macroscopic diffusion, allowing the pixelated structure to maintain both its modular design flexibility and optical transparency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If walls are added to separate cells in pixelated structures, then optical function modulation is improved, but light transmission and transparency worsen due to diffraction
Solution Approach 1:
The walls that initially reduce light transmission are transformed into beneficial elements by depositing absorbent material on them. This converts the harmful diffraction effect into a useful function, as the coated walls now actively prevent macroscopic diffusion while maintaining the optical modulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the wall material with an absorbent coating. This composite approach allows the walls to serve dual purposes: maintaining cell separation for optical modulation and absorbing stray light to preserve transparency, thus resolving the contradiction between function modulation and light transmission.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If absorbent coating is deposited on walls, then macroscopic diffusion is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by depositing the absorbent coating on the walls during the manufacturing process, before the final assembly and testing stages. This early integration of the absorbent layer simplifies subsequent manufacturing steps and reduces overall process complexity despite adding an initial deposition step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the wall formation step with the absorbent coating deposition step into a single integrated manufacturing process. By combining these two operations, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity compared to creating walls and then separately applying absorbent material in distinct sequential steps.
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
This approach allows for the production of transparent optical elements with reduced diffraction, ensuring high transparency and flexibility in design, suitable for ophthalmic lenses and other optical applications by minimizing the impact of walls on light transmission.
Implementation Method 1
at least one absorbent liner, placed on the walls on a side extending parallel to said component surface... said absorbent coating deposited parallel to the surface of the optical component, and matching the geometry of the network of cells, has the essential role of preventing light from propagating through each of the walls constituting said network
Implementation Method 2
The walls separating the cells from the optical component interact with the light by diffracting it. Diffraction is defined as the phenomenon of light scattering observed when a light wave is materially limited
Data Source
Figure 1~3a
Figure 3b~3c
AI summary
The invention concerns a transparent optical element (10) comprising at least one set of transparent cells (15) juxtaposed parallel to one surface of the component, each cell being separated by walls (18) parallel to the surface of the component, hermetically sealed and containing at least one optical property, and at least one absorbent coating (30), arranged on the walls on one side extending parallel to said surface of the component. The optical component can be cut out in accordance with a predefined outline and optionally pierced. The invention also concerns a method for making such an optical component as well as its use for making an optical element. The optical element can in particular be a spectacle lens.