Spectacle Hinge With Independent Spring Locking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectacle hinges fail to securely lock temples to the frame, requiring multiple pairs for different colors or materials and lacking reliable locking mechanisms, especially with 360° swiveling and varying spring forces.

Innovation Solution

A three-part spectacle hinge with two resiliently mounted locking means in blind holes, allowing for independent spring force application and secure locking, enabling 360° pivoting without temple movement relative to the middle hinge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a three-part hinge with spring-loaded locking elements is used, then the temple can be locked to the frame, but both locking elements are pressed with the same spring force and cannot be independently adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidindependent spring force adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into three separate elements (first hinge element, second hinge element, third hinge element) with independent locking mechanisms. Each locking element can be independently adjusted and pressed against the central hinge element with its own spring force, allowing separate optimization of each locking position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable during assembly. The locking elements can be positioned at different locations on the central hinge element, and the spring forces can be independently adjusted to accommodate different temple angles and locking requirements, making the system adaptable to various configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a temple joint allowing 360° pivoting is used, then the temple can be folded onto the frame, but the temple cannot be reliably locked in a specific position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivoting rangeVSAvoidposition locking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Spring-loaded locking elements act as intermediaries between the temple and frame. These locking elements engage with corresponding features on the central hinge element to provide reliable positioning and locking at specific angles, while still allowing the temple to pivot through a wide range of motion when not locked.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pairs of glasses are provided for different colors or materials, then the wearer can match outfits, but the complexity of managing multiple pairs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemple color and material varietyVSAvoidnumber of pairs to manage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is designed as a universal mounting system that can accommodate temples of different colors and materials. By providing interchangeable temples that attach to the standardized three-part hinge mechanism, a single frame can support multiple temple configurations, eliminating the need for multiple complete pairs of glasses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures secure locking and flexible pivoting of temples relative to the frame, allowing for interchangeable temple colors and materials without the need for multiple pairs, enhancing usability and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the first locking means is pressed against the second hinge element by a spring force in a movement direction along the movement axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the first hinge element has at least one first resilient or resiliently mounted locking means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4318086A1Spectacles hinge for spectacles and spectacles with a spectacles hinge
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 EDELWEYES GMBH
  • EP4318086A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4318086A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP4318086A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The invention provides a spectacle hinge for pivotally attaching a spectacle temple to a spectacle frame of spectacles, wherein the spectacle hinge comprises a first hinge element, a second hinge element and a third hinge element, wherein at least two spring-loaded or spring-mounted locking means are arranged in the first (middle) hinge element, wherein one locking means is pressed against the second hinge element by a spring force in a direction of movement along the axis of movement and wherein the other locking means is pressed against the third hinge element by a spring force in a direction of movement along the axis of movement.