Removable Eyewear Attachment with Movable Flange for Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional eyewear products often suffer from inadequate ventilation, insufficient protection, and lack of ballistic impact resistance, particularly at lateral portions.

Innovation Solution

An eyewear attachment comprising a subframe, a flexible flange, and a retention member that allows for removable attachment to eyewear while worn, featuring a mechanism to toggle between closed and open positions for ventilation adjustment and includes a lens retaining member for impact resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional eyewear is designed with sealed structure for protection, then protection level is improved, but ventilation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection levelVSAvoidventilation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flange movable between a first position (sealed for protection) and a second position (open for ventilation). The flange can be dynamically adjusted during use to transition between sealed and vented states, allowing the eyewear to adapt to different environmental conditions and user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If eyewear attachment is made removable for versatility, then adaptability is improved, but reliability of attachment is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveremovabilityVSAvoidattachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the eyewear system into separable components: a frame, a removable flange, and an attachment mechanism. This allows the flange to be independently attached or detached from the frame, providing versatility while maintaining secure attachment through the dedicated retention mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If lateral protection is enhanced for safety, then protection level is improved, but field of view is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral protectionVSAvoidfield of view
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the lateral protection structure movable. The flange can be positioned to provide lateral protection when needed, and opened to expand the field of view when protection is less critical, allowing dynamic adjustment between safety and visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances ventilation and provides improved protection by allowing for adjustable airflow and retaining lenses in place during impacts, addressing the shortcomings of existing eyewear designs.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible flange extending rearward from the subframe, the flexible flange configured to rest against and conform to the face of a wearer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2890341B1Eyewear having removably attached eyewear attachment
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 OAKLEY INC
  • EP2890341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2890341B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2890341B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Eyewear is disclosed that can have multiple ventilation states providing different amounts of ventilation through the eyewear. The eyewear can include a lens and a frame. In some embodiments, the lens can be movable with respect to the frame to provide the multiple ventilation states. In some embodiments, the eyewear can include a gasket that removably attaches to the frame. In some embodiments, the gasket can be movable with respect to the frame to provide the multiple ventilation states.