Tunable Corrective Lens with Electropermanent Magnet Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed optical power in corrective lenses limits their application in adapting to different vision needs and correcting various ametropias, making them less versatile for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes.
Innovation Solution
A corrective lens design featuring a carrier with a tunable lens element and actuator that adjusts optical power by altering the position of a shaper within a cavity filled with transparent liquid, using electropermanent magnets and piezo elements to control the refractive index and curvature, allowing for adjustable optical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed optical power is used in corrective lenses, then the lens structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lens cannot adapt to different vision needs and various ametropia corrections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a tunable lens element that can dynamically change its optical power. The lens includes a flexible membrane that can be deformed by actuators (electropermanent magnets or piezo elements) to alter the curvature of the lens surface, enabling continuous adjustment of optical power from approximately -20 to +20 diopters. This transforms a static optical system into a dynamic one that can adapt to different vision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the lens through actuation. The electropermanent magnets or piezo elements change the position of a shaper within a liquid-filled cavity, which alters the curvature and refractive properties of the flexible membrane. This changes the optical parameters (focal length, optical power) of the lens without changing its fundamental structure, enabling versatile correction of different ametropias.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tunable lens element with actuators is added to enable adjustable optical power, then the lens can correct different ametropia and adapt to various situations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single corrective lens that can perform multiple functions: correcting myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, and presbyopia through a single device. The tunable lens element with adjustable optical power allows one lens to replace multiple fixed-power lenses, providing universal correction for different vision defects and reducing the need for multiple separate optical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible shells and thin films by employing a flexible membrane as the lens element. This flexible membrane can be deformed by the actuators to change its curvature and optical properties. The use of flexible materials enables the lens to achieve variable optical power while maintaining a compact, integrated structure, thereby managing complexity through material selection rather than mechanical complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the first flexible membrane is extensively connected to the first main surface, then the membrane takes on the shape of the surface and provides good optical contact, but the difference in refractive index between carrier and membrane must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by selecting materials for the carrier and flexible membrane that have similar refractive indices (difference less than 0.2, preferably less than 0.1, highly preferred less than 0.05). This minimizes optical reflections and refractions at the interface between the carrier and membrane, ensuring high optical quality and clear vision. The extensive connection area between the membrane and carrier surface further enhances this homogeneity effect by distributing any refractive index differences over a large area.
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 the lens to adapt its optical power in response to different situations, making it universally applicable for correcting different vision defects by dynamically altering its refractive properties.
Implementation Method 1
The tuning element may be arranged to interact with visible light by means of refraction or diffraction
Implementation Method 2
The displacement unit may comprise an electro permanent magnet
Implementation Method 3
The displacement unit may comprise a piezo element
Implementation Method 4
a cavity which is filled with a liquid. In particular, the liquid is transparent for visible light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Corrective lens comprising a carrier (1), a tuning element (2) and an actuator (3), wherein - the carrier (1) has a first main surface (11), wherein the first main surface (11) is curved in two directions which two directions extend orthogonally with respect to each other, - the tuning element (2) comprises a first flexible membrane, wherein the first flexible membrane has a contact area which is extensively connected to the first main surface, and - the actuator is arranged to alter the optical power of the tuning element, wherein the actuator comprises a displacement unit with an electro permanent magnet.