Spectacle Lens Coating Compatibility Rules for In-Frame Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a method to add or replace functional coatings on spectacle lenses after they have been designed and arranged in a spectacle frame, allowing for upgrading or modifying their performance characteristics, particularly in response to user requests or temporary needs such as anti-fog coatings during winter.
Innovation Solution
A method that enables the direct addition of functional coatings at an eye care practitioner's premises using a compact machine, allowing for the selection and application of coatings like anti-soiling, anti-reflective, or anti-fog coatings without removing the lenses from the frame, utilizing compatibility rules and treatments like plasma or corona discharge to ensure adhesion and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If functional coatings are added at manufacturing facilities, then coating quality and precision are improved, but loss of time and logistical complexity increase due to requiring lens removal and return shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coating process into two stages: initial coating at manufacturing facility, and subsequent functional coating addition at practitioner premises. This segmentation allows quality coating to be done professionally while enabling quick local additions without removing lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary atmospheric pressure plasma treatment that prepares the lens surface for coating without requiring vacuum equipment. This intermediary step enables high-quality coating deposition at practitioner locations, resolving the conflict between coating quality and logistical convenience.
2Ease of operation
If a compact coating machine is placed at practitioner premises, then ease of operation and speed are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vacuum requirement from the coating process by using atmospheric pressure plasma treatment. This removes the need for complex vacuum chambers while maintaining coating quality, significantly simplifying the device suitable for practitioner premises.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum system with an atmospheric pressure plasma field. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical vacuum pumps and chambers, reducing device complexity while enabling effective coating deposition at practitioner locations.
3Ease of manufacture
If lenses are removed from frames for coating, then coating access is improved, but risk of damage to lenses and frames increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic coating approach where the frame can remain in place during treatment. The atmospheric pressure plasma and coating materials are delivered in a controlled manner that accommodates the lens-in-frame configuration, eliminating damage risk while maintaining coating effectiveness.
4Manufacturing precision
If vacuum deposition equipment is used, then coating precision and quality are improved, but device complexity and portability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from vacuum to atmospheric pressure. This fundamental parameter change enables the use of plasma treatment and coating deposition without vacuum chambers, maintaining coating quality while dramatically simplifying device portability for practitioner premises.
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
Enables convenient and faster coating or recoating of spectacle lenses at the practitioner's premises, addressing user requests and temporary needs without risking damage to the lenses or frames, improving optical performance and user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing compatibility rules and treatments like plasma or corona discharge to ensure adhesion and compatibility
Implementation Method 2
utilizing compatibility rules and treatments like plasma or corona discharge to ensure adhesion and compatibility
Implementation Method 3
a treatment step for the deposit of a chosen functional coating
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention proposes a method for the addition of a functional coating on an optical surface of a spectacle lens suitable to be arranged in a spectacle frame, said method comprising the following steps: - providing a first set of rules suitable to determine if the features of an optical surface chosen within a list of features are compatible with a functional coating chosen within a list of functional coatings, and a second set of rules to determine a modified optical surface if features of an optical surface and a functional coating are not compatible; - providing said spectacle lens; - choosing within the list of functional coatings a functional coating to be added on said optical surface; - analysing the quality of the optical surface and identifying the features of the optical surface; - determining (118) thanks to the first set of rules if the features of the optical surface and the chosen functional coating are compatible; - if the optical surface has features compatible with the chosen functional coating, depositing (120) the chosen functional coating on the optical surface; - if the optical surface has features not compatible with the chosen functional coating, forming (128) a modified optical surface which is compatible with the chosen functional coating determined thanks to the second set of rules and depositing (120) the chosen functional coating on the modified optical surface.