Randomly Pixellated Optical Component for Ophthalmic Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pixellated optical components suffer from macroscopic diffusion due to periodic cell geometry, leading to image degradation and loss of contrast, which is unacceptable for transparent optical elements like ophthalmic lenses that require high transparency and no cosmetic defects.
Innovation Solution
A network of cells with random distribution and geometry is used, where each cell has unique dimensions and shapes, breaking up preferred diffraction directions and minimizing diffraction effects, allowing for a transparent optical component with improved optical and cosmetic quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If periodic cell geometry is used in pixellated optical components, then manufacturing is simplified and structure is regular, but macroscopic diffusion occurs causing image degradation and loss of contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by replacing periodic cell geometry with random cell geometry. Each cell has irregular shape and size, eliminating the symmetry that causes preferred diffraction directions. This random arrangement breaks up the periodicity while maintaining manufacturability through single-shot molding techniques, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and image quality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If walls separate the cells in periodic structure, then cell organization is achieved, but transparency defect occurs due to diffraction and macroscopic diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cell network from periodic to random distribution. By varying cell size, shape, and position randomly, the diffraction pattern is disrupted and macroscopic diffusion is eliminated. The walls still provide cell separation and organization, but the random parameter distribution prevents the formation of regular diffraction patterns that cause transparency defects.
3Manufacturing precision
If random cell distribution and geometry are used, then diffraction effects are minimized and transparency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service through self-assembling materials that naturally form random cell structures during the molding process. The material system is designed to spontaneously organize into random geometries without requiring complex external patterning or post-processing steps. This reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the optical benefits of random cell distribution.
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 random meshing technique reduces diffraction-induced halo formation, maintaining image quality and transparency, making it suitable for advanced optical applications such as ophthalmic lenses without cosmetic defects.
Implementation Method 1
The walls separating the cells of the optical component interact with the light by diffracting it. Diffraction is defined as the light spreading effect that is observed when a light wave is physically limited
Data Source
Figure 1~7
AI summary
An optical component (10) comprises at least one transparent set of cells (15) juxtaposed parallel to a surface of the component, each cell having a size and a geometry that are different from those of its neighbours forming a network of cells with random distribution and random geometry, parallel to the surface of the component. Each cell is hermetically sealed and contains at least one substance with optical property. The invention also comprises a method of producing such an optical component and its use in the fabrication of an optical element. The optical element can in particular be a spectacle lens.