Moisture-Resistant Electronic Spectacle Frames Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electro-active eyewear is prone to moisture and liquid ingress, leading to electrical shorts and corrosion, which can result in hazy or non-functional lenses, especially due to perspiration and salt residue, compromising the reliability and longevity of the electronic components.

Innovation Solution

The technology incorporates sealed electrical connective elements, conductive compressible members, and insulating coatings to ensure moisture resistance, using conductive materials and gaskets to prevent liquid ingress and electrical shorts, while also employing methods like plug-and-receptacle connections and embedded conductive wires for secure electrical connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealed electrical connective elements are used to prevent moisture ingress, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nested sealing structures where waterproof coatings envelop conductive elements, which are further enclosed within sealed electronics modules. This multi-layer nesting approach ensures that electrical connections remain protected from moisture while maintaining a compact integrated design that does not significantly increase overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate sealing layers and waterproof coatings as mediators between the electrical connective elements and the external environment. These intermediary protective layers block moisture ingress while allowing electrical functionality to persist, resolving the contradiction by adding protection without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conductive materials are exposed for electrical connectivity, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to corrosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidmoisture and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing selective waterproof protection only at critical exposure points where conductive materials interface with the external environment. Waterproof coatings and sealed modules are applied locally at connection points rather than uniformly across all components, maintaining electrical connectivity where needed while protecting against corrosion at vulnerable interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining conductive materials with waterproof coatings and sealing compounds. This creates a composite interface that simultaneously provides electrical connectivity and moisture resistance, allowing conductive elements to function while being protected from corrosive effects of perspiration and environmental moisture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If sealed electronics modules are used to prevent moisture ingress, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic component protectionVSAvoidsealing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-applying waterproof coatings to conductive elements and pre-sealing electronics modules before final assembly. This advance protection ensures that components are already shielded against moisture before they are installed in the eyewear, reducing the precision requirements for final sealing operations and simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses beforehand cushioning by incorporating redundant sealing layers and waterproof margins in the design of sealed electronics modules. These extra protective layers provide a buffer against manufacturing variations and ensure reliable moisture protection even when sealing precision varies within normal tolerances, reducing the stringency of precision requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9470909B2Moisture-resistant electronic spectacle frames

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 CARL ZEISS VISION INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

Eyewear including an optical functional member, control electronics, and a sealed electrical connective element connecting the electronics to the optical functional member. The connective element can directly connect the electronics to the optical functional member, or can connect through an intermediate contact, e.g., a plug-and-receptacle. The connective element can be routed from the electronics, around a rimlock of the eyewear to the optical functional member. The connective element can be a conductive compressible member, such as conductive rubber. In some embodiments, the connective element can be a multiconductor cable.