Spectacle Frame Connecting Tabs Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional spectacle frames face difficulties in mounting removable tenon-branch subassemblies due to the slight transverse or vertical offset of connecting tabs, which can prevent proper insertion into the tenon channel, making assembly challenging and prone to misalignment.

Innovation Solution

The spectacle frame incorporates connecting tabs with functional transverse and vertical support surfaces that overlap when close together, preventing relative displacement and facilitating insertion by ensuring proper alignment, and features hook-shaped ends with notches for secure attachment without the need for a clamping ring, along with an abutment member to block the insertion in a predetermined position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If connecting tabs are used with overall section corresponding to the channel section, then the connection structure is simple, but slight transverse or vertical offset prevents proper insertion into the tenon channel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection structureVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tab is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: a front support surface for transverse alignment, a rear support surface for vertical alignment, and side surfaces for guidance. This segmentation allows each surface to perform a specific alignment function, ensuring proper insertion while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting tab is designed with predetermined support surfaces that perform alignment actions before insertion into the tenon channel. The front support surface prevents transverse offset, and the rear support surface prevents vertical offset, ensuring proper positioning is achieved beforehand during the insertion process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If connecting tabs are made with precise alignment features, then insertion is facilitated, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the entire connecting tab to have complex features, local quality is applied by adding specific support surfaces at critical locations: the front support surface for transverse alignment and the rear support surface for vertical alignment. These localized features provide precise alignment without requiring complex manufacturing throughout the entire component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The solution addresses alignment in multiple dimensions by introducing support surfaces that constrain movement in both transverse and vertical directions. The front support surface controls transverse positioning while the rear support surface controls vertical positioning, providing comprehensive alignment control through dimensional constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual pressure is applied during assembly to maintain tab alignment, then proper insertion is achieved, but assembly time and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tab is designed to perform self-alignment during insertion through its geometric features. The front support surface automatically prevents transverse offset, and the rear support surface automatically prevents vertical offset, eliminating the need for manual pressure or external alignment tools. The structure serves its own alignment function during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If connecting tabs are designed without additional alignment features, then manufacturing is simpler, but transverse and vertical misalignment occurs during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tab employs asymmetric geometry with distinct front and rear support surfaces positioned at different locations and orientations. The front support surface is configured for transverse alignment while the rear support surface is configured for vertical alignment, creating an asymmetric structure that provides precise alignment control without requiring complex symmetric features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2856245B1Spectacles frame
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 SURFOLDING SAS
  • EP2856245B1 patent drawingFigure 1~8
  • EP2856245B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2856245B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a frame (1) which includes an optical facade (2) into which the lenses (4) are fitted, and two removable sub-assemblies attached to the optical facade (2). In addition, the frame (1) comprises two linking tabs (16) extending from the optical facade (2) and each including a functional transverse bearing surface (18), the functional transverse bearing surfaces (18) being arranged such as to be stacked transversely when the two linking tabs (16) are moved close to one another in order to enable the attachment of one of the sub-assemblies to the optical facade (2) by inserting the linking tabs (16) in a recess (20) of a lug (8) of one of the sub-assemblies, the stacking of the functional transverse bearing surfaces (18) blocking a relative transverse movement of the linking tabs (16) relative to one another in order to facilitate the insertion of same in the recess (20).