Tunable Spectacle Lenses with Electro-Optic Phase Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tunable spectacle lenses require efficient control circuits to dynamically adjust focal lengths with minimal power consumption and a uniform aesthetic appearance, posing challenges in practical implementation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a transparent envelope with an electro-optical layer and an array of excitation electrodes, where control circuitry applies voltage waveforms to generate a specified phase modulation profile, allowing for dynamic focal adjustments while maintaining a uniform appearance through limited active areas and integrated control chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control circuitry is integrated into the spectacle frame to enable dynamic focal adjustments, then the adaptability and functionality of the lenses are improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry is integrated directly into the spectacle frame structure, merging the control functions with the mechanical support structure. This eliminates the need for separate control modules and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining dynamic focal adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry is designed to perform multiple functions including power management, phase modulation control, and communication with external devices, all within a single integrated unit. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control circuitry is integrated into the spectacle frame to enable dynamic focal adjustments, then the adaptability and functionality of the lenses are improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry is designed to update the phase modulation profiles at discrete intervals rather than continuously, and to enter low-power states between updates. This periodic operation significantly reduces average power consumption while maintaining the ability to provide dynamic focal adjustments when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and stores energy during periods of low demand, and discards non-critical functions during high-power operations. The control circuitry implements power management strategies that recover energy from the electro-optical layer and discard unnecessary control updates to minimize overall power consumption.
3Shape
If the electro-optical layer is made transparent to maintain aesthetic appearance, then the visual uniformity is improved, but the control of phase modulation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is configured with varying densities and geometries in different regions of the electro-optical layer to optimize phase modulation control locally. This allows the transparent layer to maintain visual uniformity while the non-uniform electrode distribution provides adequate control authority across the entire aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control approach transitions from two-dimensional planar electrodes to three-dimensional structured electrodes that extend into the depth of the electro-optical layer. This additional dimension provides enhanced control capability while maintaining external transparency and aesthetic appearance.
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 high-speed focal adjustments with low power consumption and a uniform appearance, addressing the practical needs of tunable spectacle lenses by effectively controlling phase modulation profiles in electro-optical layers within spectacle frames.
Implementation Method 1
An electro-optical layer, contained within the envelope, has an effective local index of refraction at any given location that is determined by a voltage waveform applied across the electro-optical layer at the location
Implementation Method 2
Liquid crystals are the electro-optical material that is most commonly used for this purpose (wherein the applied voltage rotates the molecules, which changes the axis of birefringence and thus changes the effective refractive index)
Data Source
AI summary
Optical apparatus (20) includes a transparent envelope (26) configured to be mounted in a spectacle frame. An electro-optical layer (46) is contained within the envelope, with an array of transparent excitation electrodes (50) disposed over a first surface of the transparent envelope. A transparent common electrode (52) is disposed over a second surface of the transparent envelope, opposite the first surface, and is electrically separated into a central region defining an active area (24) of the electro-optical layer and a peripheral region, which at least partially surrounds the central region. Control circuitry (72, 82, 92) holds the central region of the transparent common electrode at a predefined common voltage while allowing the peripheral region to float electrically, and to apply control voltage waveforms to the excitation electrodes, relative to the common voltage, so as to generate a specified phase modulation profile in the active area of the electro-optical layer.