Spectacle Lens Spacer Design for Removable Thin Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assembling thin structures with spectacle lenses are prone to defects, require complex and expensive tools, and result in permanent bonding, making it difficult to change or replace the thin structure, which can lead to stress and degradation.

Innovation Solution

A spectacle lens design featuring a base lens with a spacer that maintains a thin structure with parallel surfaces, allowing for independent manufacturing and assembly, eliminating the need for compressive forces on optically useful parts and enabling removable or permanent attachment, thus preventing defects and enhancing production yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the thin structure is bonded definitively with the base spectacle lens using an intermediate adhesive layer, then the assembly is stable and secure, but the thin structure cannot be separated or replaced later, and complex application tools are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidreplaceability of thin structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the assembly into three separate components: the base spectacle lens, the spacer, and the thin structure. The spacer acts as an independent intermediate element that maintains a constant separation distance between the lens and thin structure, allowing the thin structure to be removed and replaced without damaging the base lens while maintaining assembly stability through the spacer's mechanical support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer serves as an intermediary component between the base spectacle lens and the thin structure. This mediator element provides a constant separation distance and mechanical support, enabling the thin structure to be attached and removed repeatedly without direct bonding to the base lens, thus resolving the contradiction between assembly stability and replaceability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the thin structure is assembled against a curved face of the base spectacle lens, then the thin structure conforms to the lens curvature, but stresses result in the thin structure causing degradation or delaminations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformity to lens curvatureVSAvoidstructural integrity of thin structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is designed with a predetermined constant thickness that establishes the optimal separation distance between the base lens and thin structure before assembly. This preliminary dimensional design ensures that the thin structure maintains its structural integrity while conforming to the lens curvature, preventing stress-induced degradation or delamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If a specific and complex application tool is used to uniformly apply the thin structure to the base spectacle lens, then uniform application is achieved, but the tool is expensive and requires an experienced operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of thin structure applicationVSAvoidcomplexity and cost of application tool

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is designed to inherently maintain a constant separation distance between the base lens and thin structure through its own geometric properties rather than requiring complex external application tools. This self-maintaining design achieves uniform application through the spacer's built-in dimensional stability, eliminating the need for expensive specialized equipment and experienced operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Volume of moving object

If the thin structure is applied against the base spectacle lens without a spacer, then the assembly is compact, but scratches or crushing of the thin structure occur leading to product rejection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompactness of assemblyVSAvoidintegrity of thin structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer serves as a protective intermediary element between the base spectacle lens and the thin structure. By maintaining a constant separation distance, it prevents direct contact that would cause scratches or crushing, thereby protecting the thin structure's integrity while adding minimal volume to the overall assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2652545B1Spectacle lens including a base lens and a thin structure

Publication Date: 2018.09.12 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)

Figure 1a~2c
Figure 3a~5b
Figure 6a~7c

AI summary

The invention relates to a spectacle lens including a base lens (1) and a thin structure (2) that are assembled together other with an intermediate spacer (30). The spacer is located along a peripheral edge (12) of the base lens, and a separation space, which is determined by said spacer between said base lens and said thin structure, contains a gaseous medium when the spectacle lens is used by a wearer. The assembly of the base lens with the thin structure may be either permanent or separable.