Swimming Goggle Eyepiece Flat Lens Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional swimming goggles suffer from refraction problems due to non-flat lenses, limited visual fields, hydrodynamic encumbrance, instability, and discomfort, particularly during competitive swimming and long training sessions, due to bulky designs and poor watertightness.

Innovation Solution

The design features eyepieces with a truncated pyramid shape and irregular polygonal base, including a polygonal plan-shaped flat front lens and a set of connected flat lenses, providing a wide panoramic vision without obstacles, and a peripheral adhesion lip for secure fit, made from rigid transparent plastic with anti-fogging and anti-scratching properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If curved lenses are used to extend visual field, then lateral vision is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to out-of-focus images and refraction problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual fieldVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The eyepiece is divided into multiple flat lens segments (front lens, lateral lenses, upper lenses, lower lenses) arranged in a truncated pyramid configuration. Each segment remains flat to maintain optimal image quality while the segmented arrangement collectively provides an extended panoramic visual field of nearly 180 degrees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If flat lenses are used to eliminate refraction problems, then image quality is improved, but visual field is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidvisual field
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from traditional single-plane flat lenses to a three-dimensional truncated pyramid structure composed of multiple flat lens segments. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows each lens to remain flat for optimal image quality while the collective configuration extends the visual field panoramically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If bulky eyepieces are used to ensure watertightness, then sealing is improved, but hydrodynamic performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovewatertightnessVSAvoidhydrodynamic drag
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The eyepiece geometry is changed from traditional bulky curved shapes to a streamlined truncated pyramid form with flat surfaces. This parameter change in shape and structure reduces hydrodynamic drag significantly while maintaining watertightness through precision sealing elements positioned at the periphery of the compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter 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

The solution offers enhanced stability, reduced hydrodynamic drag, and improved watertightness, allowing for a wide, distortion-free visual field of almost 180°, making it suitable for various swimming styles without compromising comfort or performance.

Implementation Method 1

under-water the main problem is that a non-flat lens leads to refraction problems, since water and air have very different refractive indexes, negatively affecting the vision

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3194034B1Swimming goggles and method for designing the same
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 MARES SPA
  • EP3194034B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3194034B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2e
  • EP3194034B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

Swimming goggles (1) comprising two eyepieces (2), with a substantially cup-like shape, a bridge element (6) connecting said two eyepieces (2) at the nose, a strap (7) for wrapping the head and intended to couple the outer ends of each eyepiece (2) and to keep the goggles (1) in place when in use, wherein each one of the two eyepieces (2) comprises at least one polygonal plan shaped flat front lens or wall (201) and a shell wall (202) composed of a set of polygonal plan shaped flat lenses joined with each other, along adjacent contact edges, and with the peripheral edge of the at least one flat front lens or wall (201) such to delimit a reduced volume inner chamber which is completely open towards the rear part of the eyepiece (2), that is towards the eye.