Refractive-Diffractive Multifocal Lens with Index Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multifocal lenses suffer from visible discontinuities between vision zones and optical distortions due to refractive structures, while diffractive lenses face issues like chromatic aberration and ghosting.
Innovation Solution
A multifocal lens design incorporating a diffractive region insert with index matching layers to reduce reflection losses and provide wider, less distorted vision zones with invisible boundaries, combining refractive and diffractive optical powers for improved optical communication and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional refractive structures are used in multifocal lenses, then multiple vision zones can be provided, but visible discontinuities and optical distortions occur between zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional refractive optical structures with diffractive optical structures to create multifocal lenses. The diffractive optical structure uses diffraction of light rather than refraction to provide multiple focal points, thereby eliminating visible discontinuities and optical distortions while maintaining multiple vision zones. This substitution of optical mechanism resolves the contradiction between providing multiple vision zones and avoiding visible boundaries.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If diffractive optical structures are used to reduce visibility of discontinuities, then cosmetic appeal improves, but chromatic aberration and ghosting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite optical structure combining diffractive optical structures with specific lens materials having controlled refractive indices. By integrating the diffractive structure into a composite lens system with carefully selected materials, the patent achieves reduced visibility of discontinuities while minimizing chromatic aberration and ghosting effects through material optimization and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters of the diffractive optical structure including groove depth, groove spacing, and refractive index differences to control diffraction efficiency and minimize unwanted optical effects. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the patent reduces visibility of discontinuities while suppressing chromatic aberration and ghosting, resolving the contradiction between cosmetic appeal and optical quality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If blended zones are used to reduce visibility of discontinuities, then cosmetic appearance improves, but optical usability deteriorates due to high distortion and astigmatism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces blended refractive zones with diffractive optical structures that create multiple focal points. The diffractive structure directs light to different focal lengths without creating the high distortion and astigmatism associated with blended zones, thereby maintaining both cosmetic appearance and optical usability simultaneously.
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 results in multifocal lenses with wider vision zones and reduced distortion, offering invisible breaks between adjacent zones and minimizing optical power discontinuities, enhancing both performance and cosmetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
Diffractive optical structures have many advantages over refractive optical structures and can reduce the visibility of discontinuities between vision zones when used to construct multifocal lenses
Implementation Method 2
A multifocal lens design incorporating a diffractive region insert with index matching layers to reduce reflection losses
Implementation Method 3
combining refractive and diffractive optical powers for improved optical communication and alignment
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention provide multifocal lenses having one or more multifocal inserts comprising one or more diffractive regions. A diffractive region of a multifocal insert of the present invention can provide a constant optical power or can provide a progression of optical power, or any combination thereof. A multifocal insert of the present invention can be fabricated from any type of material and can be inserted into any type of bulk lens material. A diffractive region of a multifocal insert of the present invention can be positioned to be in optical communication with one or more optical regions of a host lens to provide a combined desired optical power in one or more vision zones. Index matching layers of the present invention can be used to reduce reflection losses at interfaces of the host lens and multifocal insert.