Spectacle Frame Hinge with Internal Elastic Cursor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectacles frames with inclinable temples suffer from wear and breakage due to torsion stresses on mechanical components, and current solutions are expensive, complex, and aesthetically limiting, with protruding cursor elements that increase production costs and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A frame design featuring elastic cushioning and recall means with a cursor element completely inside the temple, using longitudinal elastic means that reduce torsion stress and allow automatic return to the open position, made with cost-effective materials and simplified hinging mechanisms, eliminating the need for high-torsion-resistant materials and complex designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastic return means are disposed to allow temple inclination, then ease of operation is improved, but the mechanical components suffer from torsion stresses causing wear and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical hinge system with an elastic monoblock component that integrates the hinge function. This eliminates mechanical wear and torsion stress on separate components by using the elastic deformation of a single piece of material (such as memory metal or elastic polymer) to provide both the inclination movement and the return force, thereby solving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the hinge mechanism and the elastic return spring into a single monoblock component. By combining these previously separate elements into one integrated structure, the design eliminates the mechanical interface that causes wear and torsion stress, while maintaining the dual functionality of inclination movement and automatic return
2Ease of operation
If traditional elastic return means are used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components like springs, sliders, and cams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (hinge mechanism, elastic spring, sliders, cams) into a single monoblock elastic component. This integration maintains the automatic return functionality while dramatically reducing the number of parts, simplifying the overall device structure, and eliminating the need for complex mechanical assemblies
3Ease of operation
If cursor element protrudes outside the temple to define limit positions, then ease of operation is improved, but aesthetics are compromised and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the cursor element that defines limit positions completely inside the bulk of the temple structure. By placing the functional element within the temple rather than having it protrude outward, the design maintains smooth external surfaces for aesthetic purposes while still providing the necessary mechanical function of defining opening and closing limits
4Reliability
If high-torsion-resistant materials are used for hinges, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hinge system that requires high-torsion-resistant materials with an elastic monoblock component. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive specialized materials because the elastic component naturally resists deformation through its material properties (such as memory metal or elastic polymer) without requiring high-strength alloys or complex heat treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using elastic materials (memory metal, elastic polymer) with specific elastic properties rather than high-strength rigid materials. This parameter change allows the component to achieve both reliability and manufacturability by utilizing the elastic deformation characteristics of the material instead of relying on high-torsion strength
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 provides prolonged resistance to deformation and breakage, reduces production costs, simplifies assembly, enhances aesthetics, and prevents user discomfort by minimizing protrusions and torsion stress, while maintaining the functionality of easy on/off operations.
Implementation Method 1
elastic cushioning and recall means associated with the hinging means, which allow an inclination of the temples towards the outside, beyond the normal positions of use, with automatic return to the open position
Data Source
AI summary
Spectacles frame including a front component supporting a pair of lenses, two supporting temples each hinged by respective hinging elements to the front component, and cushioning and recall members associated with the hinging elements. Cushioning members include: elastic elements in an open seating, inside the respective temple bulk, configured so part of the elastic elements faces outside in the open seating, towards the front component; and a cursor element as an extension and completely inside the bulk of the respective temple, to slide longitudinally along it at the moment of opening-closing of the respective temple relative to the front component, and having a second surface, or external surface, contacting the front component, and a first surface, or internal surface, opposite the second surface, on which the part of the elastic elements facing outside in open seating acts, to keep the cursor element normally thrusting against the front component.