Spectacle Frame Bezel Contour Scanning with Inclined Feeler

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reading the contour of spectacle frame bezels, particularly for highly curved frames, are inaccurate due to mechanical interference between the feeler finger and the bezel edge, leading to incomplete geometry acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A bezel contour reading method where the feeler finger is inclined at a specific angle (between 5 to 20 degrees) to maintain constant contact with the bezel bottom, preventing mechanical interference and allowing precise geometry capture across various frame curvatures, with interchangeable feeler fingers and motorized control for adaptive reading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the feeler finger is used to read the contour of bezels of strongly curved frames with the feeler axis parallel to the general plane of the frame, then the reading method is simple, but the feeler finger comes into contact with the edge of the bezel and cannot reach the bottom of the bezel, causing reading errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of reading methodVSAvoidaccuracy of bezel contour reading
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feeler axis is made adjustable relative to the general plane of the frame, allowing dynamic modification of the reading angle. This enables the feeler finger to adapt its position to reach the bottom of the bezel on strongly curved frames while maintaining simple operation on standard frames.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The angle between the feeler axis and the general plane of the frame is changed as a parameter to resolve the contradiction. By modifying this geometric parameter, the system achieves both simple operation (when angle is small) and high measurement precision (when angle is optimized for curved frames).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the feeler is made tiltable around a tilting axis offset from the pivot axis to reach the bottom of the bezel on curved frames, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to reach bottom of bezelVSAvoidcomplexity of feeler mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a fixed tilting mechanism, the feeler axis is made dynamically adjustable. This allows the system to achieve the necessary tilt for measuring curved frames without requiring a complex permanent tilting mechanism, thus improving measurement precision while limiting device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses parameter changes (adjusting the feeler axis angle) rather than complex mechanical tilting mechanisms. This approach achieves the same measurement capability with simpler means, resolving the contradiction between precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the feeler finger is inclined at a specific angle to maintain constant contact with the bezel bottom, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant contact with bezel bottomVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The feeler axis inclination is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. This allows the operator to set the optimal angle for each frame type, ensuring constant contact with the bezel bottom for high precision while maintaining operational simplicity through easy adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inclination angle is treated as an adjustable parameter that can be optimized for different measurement scenarios. This parameter change enables constant contact with the bezel bottom for high precision while the adjustability maintains ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1952088B1Method for scanning rim groove contour of spectacle frame
Publication Date: 2010.07.07 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP1952088B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1952088B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1952088B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for scanning rim groove contour of a spectacle frame, including a step of contacting against the base of the groove a tracing stylus (9) belonging to a sensor (8) and pointing along its sensing axis (C) or a sensing finger belonging to a sensor and extending along a sensing plane, and a sensing step which consists in moving the sensor along the groove to trace the base of the groove while rotating about an axis of rotation. The invention is characterized in that the tracing stylus or sensing finger, at least when it is arranged in a temporal region of the rim of the frame, points obliquely towards the rim of the frame and towards its rear side designed to be arranged opposite a wearer's eyes, such that its sensing axis or its sensing plane forms, with a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the sensor, a non-null sensing angle (A1)