Universal Eyewear with Superelastic Nitinol Bridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pince-Nez eyeglasses face challenges in providing a universal fit for noses of varying sizes and shapes without causing discomfort, and they are not easily storable due to the absence of temple pieces.
Innovation Solution
The eyeglasses employ a superelastic bridge made from Nitinol wire interconnecting thin molded polycarbonate lenses with elongated nose pads that distribute clamping force evenly, reducing pressure and incorporating friction materials for stability, and can be stored in compact configurations using a superelastic bridge's spring action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If Pince-Nez eyeglasses apply significant clamping force on the nose to stabilize lenses, then stability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates and tissue ischemia may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible bridge component that can bend and adapt to different nose shapes and sizes. This flexible bridge distributes the clamping force more evenly across the nose bridge, reducing peak pressure points that cause discomfort and tissue ischemia while maintaining sufficient stability to hold the lenses in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a spring mechanism in the bridge that allows dynamic adjustment of clamping force. The spring can compress and expand to accommodate variations in nose geometry, automatically adjusting the applied force to maintain optimal stability without exceeding comfort thresholds, thereby preventing tissue ischemia.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Pince-Nez eyeglasses attach on the pliable tissues over the nostrils to accommodate any size nose, then adaptability is improved, but breathing is restricted and comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the eyeglass structure. The bridge is designed with specific local properties (flexibility, spring mechanism) to provide adaptability, while the nose pads are designed with different local properties (larger surface area, friction materials) to provide stability without restricting breathing, thus resolving the contradiction between universal fit and breathing comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nose pads as an intermediary element between the bridge and the nose. These nose pads act as a mediator that distributes the contact area, providing adaptability to different nose sizes while preventing direct compression of the nostril tissues, thereby maintaining breathing freedom.
3Stability of the object's composition
If standard readers use temple pieces to achieve stability on varying nose geometries, then stability is improved, but storage volume increases and accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the temple pieces from the traditional readers structure, creating a Pince-Nez design that relies solely on the nose bridge for stability. This extraction eliminates the bulk associated with temple pieces, significantly reducing storage volume and improving accessibility while maintaining stability through the specialized flexible bridge and nose pad design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using temple pieces that extend backward from the lenses to provide stability, the patent inverts the approach by using a forward-facing flexible bridge that connects the lenses directly over the nose bridge. This inverted structure achieves stability without the backward-extending temple pieces, thereby reducing storage volume.
4Adaptability or versatility
If Pince-Nez eyeglasses use a flexible bridge to accommodate varying nose widths, then adaptability is improved, but the distance between lenses and their orientation may vary, affecting optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a spring mechanism in the bridge that is pre-loaded to maintain a specific force range. This preliminary action ensures that regardless of nose width variations, the spring consistently applies sufficient force to keep the lenses at the correct distance and orientation, preventing optical performance degradation while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism acts as a feedback system that automatically adjusts to nose width variations. As the nose width changes, the spring compresses or expands accordingly, providing continuous feedback that maintains the lenses at the proper distance and orientation, thus preserving optical performance across different users and wearing conditions.
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 ensures a comfortable and stable fit for diverse nose geometries while minimizing pinch force, preventing tissue ischemia and allowing for efficient storage by distributing force and using a superelastic bridge for consistent stability and easy storage.
Implementation Method 1
The eyeglasses employ a superelastic bridge made from Nitinol wire interconnecting thin molded polycarbonate lenses
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An eyewear system including eyeglasses having first and second lenses; first and second nose pads; and a bridge operably connecting the first and second lenses, the bridge being bendable from a bridge rest position to permit relative movement between the first and second nose pads and providing a bridge pinch force of 50 g or less between the nose pads when the nose pads are moved 7 mm or less from the bridge rest position.