Spectacle Lens Marking via Laser Ablation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current spectacle lenses often have rims that obstruct the field of vision and are not lightweight, despite advancements in materials that have reduced the need for protective rims.

Innovation Solution

A spectacle lens with a multilayer anti-reflective film coating, featuring a reactive layer with higher reactivity to ultrashort pulse laser irradiation, and a marking applied in a cut lens-like shape within a material removal area, which is visible due to exposure of the high refractive index layer or the reactive layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rim is provided on spectacle frames, then the strength and protective function of spectacles is improved, but the field of vision is obstructed and the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of spectaclesVSAvoidweight of spectacles

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of a rim by applying a marking that outlines the contour of the cut lens. This marking replicates the appearance of a traditional rim without the physical presence of actual frame material, thereby providing the aesthetic and contour-defining function of a rim while eliminating its weight and field-of-vision obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes optical properties and visual effects through the marking application. By creating a visible outline through material removal or refractive index differences, the invention changes the visual appearance to simulate a rim structure without adding physical mass, effectively using optical perception rather than physical material to achieve the desired effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Strength

If a rim is provided on spectacle frames, then the strength and protective function of spectacles is improved, but the field of vision is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of spectaclesVSAvoidfield of vision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of a rim by applying a marking that outlines the contour of the cut lens. This marking replicates the appearance of a traditional rim without the physical presence of actual frame material, thereby providing the aesthetic and contour-defining function of a rim while eliminating its weight and field-of-vision obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Shape

If decorative material is added to accentuate the contours of a cut lens, then the outer appearance is improved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontours of cut lensVSAvoidweight of spectacles

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of a rim by applying a marking that outlines the contour of the cut lens. This marking replicates the appearance of a traditional rim without the physical presence of actual frame material, thereby providing the aesthetic and contour-defining function of a rim while eliminating its weight and field-of-vision obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes optical properties and visual effects through the marking application. By creating a visible outline through material removal or refractive index differences, the invention changes the visual appearance to simulate a rim structure without adding physical mass, effectively using optical perception rather than physical material to achieve the desired effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 solution effectively accentuates the contours of the cut lens, improving the outer appearance of the spectacle lens regardless of whether it has a rim, while also providing a lightweight and unobtrusive design.

Implementation Method 1

a reactive layer that has relatively higher reactivity to ultrashort pulse laser irradiation than the other layers included in the anti-reflective film, and a marking is applied in a cut lens-like shape in a material removal area formed by at least partially removing one or more specific layers including a topmost layer of the multilayer structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4571400A1Spectacle lens and spectacles

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 HOYA LENS THAILAND LTD

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~3A

AI summary

Provided are a spectacle lens 1 and related features, wherein the spectacle lens 1 is provided with a lens base material with an optical surface and an anti-reflective film coating the optical surface of the lens base material, the anti-reflective film has a multilayer structure including a low refractive index layer and a high refractive index layer layered on each other, the anti-reflective film is provided with a reactive layer that has relatively higher reactivity to ultrashort pulse laser irradiation than the other layers included in the anti-reflective film, and a marking 2M is applied in a cut lens-like shape in a material removal area formed by at least partially removing one or more specific layers including a topmost layer of the multilayer structure, wherein in the marking, the material removal area is visible due to visible light as a result of exposure of the high refractive index layer below the reactive layer or exposure of the reactive layer having partially remained.