Spectacle Frame Hinge with Segmented Blades for Wiring Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of electronics in spectacle frames often leads to stress on electrical wiring due to repeated folding and unfolding, resulting in potential breakage, as the hinge area acts as a stress point and can cause excessive curvature of the wiring, leading to degradation over time.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible and hard material combination in the joining part of the spectacle frame, designed with specific shapes and structures such as slots and protruding elements, allows for elastic deformation without overstressing the wiring, ensuring a curvature radius greater than a predefined minimum, thus preventing damage and incorporating stop devices to limit curvature within safe ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinge is used to connect the front part and temples to enable folding, then the spectacle frame can be folded and unfolded, but the hinge acts as a stress point causing excessive curvature of the wiring which leads to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The joining part is divided into multiple segments or blades that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the wiring to follow a more gradual curved path through the hinge mechanism, reducing the curvature stress on the wiring while maintaining the foldability of the spectacle frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is designed to accommodate wiring in three dimensions rather than forcing it through a two-dimensional plane. The wiring can exit one blade and enter the next at different spatial positions, creating a more favorable curvature path that reduces stress on the wiring during folding and unfolding.
2Ease of operation
If the joining part is made flexible to enable folding, then the spectacle frame can be folded, but the wiring may be overstressed during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge blades are designed with curved surfaces and rounded edges that guide the wiring through a smooth curved path. This curvature design prevents sharp bends and stress concentration points on the wiring, allowing the joining part to be flexible enough for folding while protecting the wiring from overstress.
3Adaptability or versatility
If repeated folding and unfolding is allowed, then the spectacle frame is versatile, but the electrical wiring may degrade over time
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism incorporates cushioning elements or stress-distributing features that protect the wiring from repeated folding stresses. The design anticipates the cumulative effect of repeated folding and provides mechanical protection in advance, allowing the spectacle frame to be folded repeatedly without degrading the wiring lifespan.
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
This design enhances the durability of the spectacle frame by reducing tensile stress on the wiring, preventing breakage and ensuring the integrity of both the frame and wiring, while also allowing for customizable integration of electronics and simplified assembly through three-dimensional printing technology.
Implementation Method 1
the joining part is made of a flexible material and of a hard material, the flexible material having augmented flexibility when heated
Implementation Method 2
the flexible material having augmented flexibility when heated
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a spectacle frame (1) comprising: a first part (2), at least a second part (4), a joining part (5, 29, 33, 34) joining the second part (4) to the first part (2) allowing to fold and unfold the second part (4) relative to the first part (2) so that the second part (4) be movable between respective closed position and open position , at least an electrical wiring (8) arranged through the joining part (5, 29, 33, 34) to allow an electrical connectivity between the first part (2) and the second part (4), wherein the joining part (5, 29, 33, 34) is elastically deformable with curvature radius values higher than a predefined minimum curvature radius value.