Screwless Eyeglass Hinge Friction Fit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eyeglass hinges often loosen and become lost during use, rendering eyeglasses unwearable due to the use of small screws, which can be problematic for easy assembly and secure connection of temple and lens pieces.
Innovation Solution
A screw-less hinge design featuring a cylindrical element with a slot and a projection, combined with a cylindrical support member that forms a friction fit, allowing for secure assembly and disassembly without tools, using materials like beta-titanium or stainless steel for durability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hinges use small screws to connect temple pieces and lens retaining pieces, then the connection can be achieved, but the screws may become loosened during use and lost, rendering the eyeglasses unwearable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional screw fastening mechanism from the hinge design. Instead of using separate screws that can loosen and be lost, the invention integrates the fastening function directly into the hinge structure itself, eliminating the problematic external fastening elements while maintaining secure connection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the hinge body and fastening mechanism into a single integrated structure. The hinge arm incorporates built-in features that provide both the articulation function and the secure locking function, merging previously separate components into one unified assembly that cannot separate or loosen
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional hinges use small screws for connection, then assembly is possible, but the screws can become lost during use
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is designed to be self-assembling and self-securing. The integrated design allows the hinge components to interlock automatically during assembly without requiring separate fastening operations, and the structure maintains its own connection security without needing external screws that could be lost
3Ease of operation
If a screw-less hinge design is used with cylindrical elements and friction fit, then assembly and disassembly become tool-free and easy, but the connection must remain secure during use
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge employs a dynamic friction-fit mechanism where the cylindrical element can be easily inserted and removed when force is applied (for assembly/disassembly), but automatically locks into a secure position during normal use through friction and geometric interlocking, providing both ease of operation and connection security
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge design changes the physical parameters of the connection interface - using a cylindrical geometry with specific friction characteristics that allow easy insertion/removal at certain force levels while maintaining secure holding at operational force levels, effectively using parameter transitions to achieve both ease of assembly and connection reliability
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 design provides a reliable, durable, and easy-to-assemble eyeglass frame that reduces material and manufacturing processes, ensuring a secure connection between temple and lens pieces without the risk of screws becoming loose.
Implementation Method 1
a substantially cylindrical element having a slot, and a projection coupled to the temple piece and adapted to be received in the slot of the substantially cylindrical element. The hinge further includes a substantially cylindrical support member coupled to the end piece and adapted to accept the substantially cylindrical element, and including retaining means adapted to maintain the projection in the slot of the substantially cylindrical element.
Data Source
AI summary
An eyeglass frame is provided that includes a lens retaining part having an end piece, a temple piece, and a hinge connecting the end piece and the temple piece. The hinge includes a substantially cylindrical element having a slot, and a projection coupled to the temple piece and adapted to be received in the slot of the substantially cylindrical element. The hinge further includes a substantially cylindrical support member coupled to the end piece and adapted to accept the substantially cylindrical element and including retaining means adapted to maintain the projection in the slot of the substantially cylindrical element. A hinge for an eyeglass frame is provided. A method of assembling a hinge for an eyeglass frame is provided.