Rotating Disc Eyeglasses for Continuous Subjective Refraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optometry devices for visual compensation, such as trial eyeglasses, are bulky, require separate storage of multiple lenses, and cause non-continuous correction power transitions due to manual lens changes, limiting practicality and accuracy in subjective refraction.

Innovation Solution

The development of visual compensation glasses featuring a combination of optical elements with adjustable spherical, cylindrical powers, and cylinder angles, controlled by an electronic card and inclinometer/rangefinder, allowing wireless setpoint adjustments for seamless correction without physical lens changes, ensuring continuous and precise vision correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple trial lenses are stored in separate boxes and manually changed, then various corrections can be provided, but the device becomes bulky and lens changes cause non-continuous correction transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection varietyVSAvoidstorage and lens change mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple trial lenses into a single rotating disc structure where different lens powers are positioned at different angular locations. This eliminates the need for separate storage boxes and manual lens changes, providing continuous correction transitions while maintaining versatility. The rotating disc integrates what were previously separate components into one unified device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a rotating disc mechanism that dynamically transitions between different lens powers by rotation rather than discrete manual changes. This dynamic approach allows for continuous adjustment of correction power, eliminating the non-continuous transitions associated with swapping individual lenses while maintaining the ability to provide various corrections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If trial lenses are placed on rotating discs in a refraction head, then various corrections can be provided, but the device becomes large and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection capabilityVSAvoidrefraction head weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential correction functionality from a bulky refraction head by implementing a streamlined rotating disc design. Only the necessary optical elements are retained on the disc, eliminating unnecessary structural components that contributed to the weight and size of traditional refraction heads while preserving the ability to provide various corrections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating disc is designed to serve multiple functions: storing various trial lenses, rotating to select different corrections, and integrating with standard eyeglass frames. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heavy refraction head equipment, allowing the same device to provide various corrections in a lightweight, wearable format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual lens changes are performed in trial glasses, then different corrections can be tested, but the process is impractical and causes unwanted non-continuous transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection testing capabilityVSAvoidlens change process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual lens swapping with a dynamic rotating disc mechanism that transitions between corrections smoothly and continuously. The rotation allows for incremental adjustments rather than abrupt changes, making the operation easier and more practical while maintaining the ability to test different corrections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating disc provides continuous transition between different lens powers, eliminating the discontinuous jumps associated with manual lens changes. This continuous adjustment capability makes the correction testing process more practical and easier to operate, allowing for fine-tuned adjustments without removing or swapping lenses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 a wide range of corrections with minimal bulk, allowing for continuous and precise vision adjustments, enhancing the practicality and accuracy of subjective refraction by eliminating the need for manual lens changes and reducing storage requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a first optical element, in particular a cylindrical lens (2), mounted with the possibility of rotation around said optical axis (X)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCylindrical lens rotation: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a third optical element, in particular a spherical lens (6), mounted with the possibility of translation along said optical axis (X)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpherical lens translation: Lens

Implementation Method 3

an optical sub-assembly (1) comprising a combination of optical elements, in particular at least one cylindrical power lens and at least one spherical power lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3128895B1Corrective eyeglasses and method for subjective refraction by a wearer of said eyeglasses
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3128895B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3128895B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3128895B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to corrective eyeglasses comprising supporting means (130, 140, 152) on a wearer's face and at least one optical subassembly (110, 120) mounted on the supporting means (130, 140, 152) in front of at least one of the wearer's eyes. The optical subassembly (110, 120) comprises three optical elements that are mounted in series on the supporting means in relation to an optical axis: a first optical element having cylindrical power for a wearer viewing direction along the optical axis, a second optical element having cylindrical power for said viewing direction, and a third optical element having variable spherical power for said viewing direction. The first optical element and the second optical element can be independently rotatably adjusted about the optical axis.