Transparent Optical Component Non-Straight Walls Diffraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transparent optical components with cells separated by walls suffer from luminous glints and flashing due to light diffraction, which are aesthetically undesirable and degrade image quality, particularly in ophthalmic applications.

Innovation Solution

The use of non-straight walls on the optical component surface, where segments of walls diffract light in distinct planes, reducing the intensity of luminous glints, and varying wall directions by at least 5 degrees to minimize diffraction and maintain transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If walls separating cells are made with limited thickness to maintain structural integrity, then cell separation and substance containment are improved, but light diffraction increases causing luminous glints and flashing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell separation effectivenessVSAvoidluminous glint
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by making the walls non-straight (curved or angled) instead of straight lines. This asymmetric configuration causes light to be diffracted into multiple distinct planes rather than concentrating in a single direction, thereby eliminating the luminous glint effect while preserving the wall's structural function of separating cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curvature by forming the walls as non-straight lines (arcs, curves, or angled segments) rather than straight segments. This curved geometry scatters light diffraction into different planes, preventing the concentration of light in specific directions that causes the harmful luminous glint, while still maintaining effective cell separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If walls are made straight to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but light diffraction concentrates in isolated directions creating macroscopic diffraction effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall fabrication simplicityVSAvoidmacroscopic diffraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry in wall configuration (curved or angled instead of straight) to scatter light diffraction across multiple planes. This asymmetric design prevents the concentration of light in isolated directions that creates macroscopic diffraction effects, while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses curved or angled wall segments instead of straight lines to disrupt the periodicity that causes macroscopic diffraction. This curvature approach spreads the diffracted light into different planes, eliminating the harmful macroscopic diffraction effect while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Manufacturing precision

If periodic network of walls is used to maintain structural order, then manufacturing precision is improved, but light diffraction concentrates in certain directions creating luminous glints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell network regularityVSAvoidluminous glint
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the periodic network structure for manufacturing precision but introduces asymmetry in the wall geometry (curved or angled segments). This asymmetric modification within the periodic structure scatters light diffraction into multiple planes, preventing the concentration of light in specific directions that causes luminous glints, while preserving the regularity needed for precise manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent preserves the periodic network arrangement for manufacturing precision but incorporates curved or angled wall segments instead of straight lines. This curvature within the periodic structure disrupts the light diffraction concentration, eliminating luminous glints while maintaining the structural regularity required for precise fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 approach significantly reduces the perception of luminous glints and flashing, maintaining high transparency and aesthetic appeal while preventing image degradation, even under unfavorable lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

each wall has a limited thickness, parallel to the surface of the optical component, it gives rise to microscopic diffraction of the light which reaches the component at the location of this wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP1904887B1Transparent optical component with cells separated by walls
Publication Date: 2011.11.30 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP1904887B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7
  • EP1904887B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

A transparent optical component comprises a set of cells (15) juxtaposed on a surface of the component. Each cell encloses a determined substance so as to endow the component with particular optical characteristics, and two neighbouring cells are separated by a wall (18). Some walls are not straight at the surface of the component, so that the light diffracted by the walls does not form any luminous glint or any flashing. In particular, the walls can be curved or made up of straight segments disposed end-to-end.