Variable Transmission Lens Control for Glasses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing variable transmission devices for glasses, such as those that adjust based on ambient light, face challenges in balancing visual comfort and electrical consumption, often requiring frequent battery recharging due to high power usage by control circuits and lenses.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control system that dynamically adjusts the number of operating levels for the variable transmission lens based on battery charge state, using a micro-illuminance sensor to measure ambient light and minimize energy consumption by switching between active and inactive states, and defining multiple transmission setpoints to optimize power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control circuit continuously adjusts the lens transmission based on ambient light, then visual comfort is improved, but electrical consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual comfortVSAvoidelectrical consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of operating levels based on battery charge state. When battery charge is high, the system uses a larger number of operating levels (e.g., 5-10 levels) to provide fine-grained transmission control for optimal visual comfort. When battery charge is low, the system reduces to a smaller number of operating levels (e.g., 2-3 levels) to minimize energy consumption, accepting coarser control granularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit changes the parameter of operating level quantity based on battery charge conditions. By varying this parameter, the system adapts its operational characteristics to balance between visual comfort (requiring more levels) and energy conservation (requiring fewer levels), directly resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If the battery capacity is increased to extend usage time, then duration of action is improved, but device weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage timeVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a fixed large battery, the system dynamically adapts its power consumption characteristics by adjusting the number of operating levels based on real-time battery charge monitoring. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to extend effective usage time through intelligent power management rather than simply increasing battery capacity, avoiding the weight penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a smaller battery than would be required for continuous high-performance operation, but compensates by using partial action - reducing the number of operating levels when battery charge is low. This approach achieves acceptable usage duration with reduced battery size, thereby reducing device weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If the number of operating levels is increased to improve transmission control precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission control precisionVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of operating levels based on battery charge state rather than maintaining a fixed high number of levels. This reduces the complexity requirements of the control circuit and lens mechanisms while still providing fine control precision when battery charge is sufficient, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces electrical consumption while maintaining visual comfort by adjusting the number of operating levels in response to battery charge and ambient light conditions, minimizing frequent recharging needs.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor adapted to measure illuminance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

variable transmission glass (4) adapted to operate in a step-wise manner by transmission bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP3320387B1Range-based control of the transmission of a variable transmission lens

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)

Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a variable transmittance device (2) including at least one variable transmittance lens (4) and a control circuit (5) comprising at least one sensor (8) suitable for measuring an illuminance (E), the control circuit (5) being suitable for automatically controlling the value of the transmittance of the variable transmittance lens (4) depending on the illuminance (E) measured by the sensor (8), wherein the control circuit (5) defines a plurality of successive illuminance ranges (P) each illuminance range (P) being bounded by a minimum illuminance value (Emin) and a maximum illuminance value (Emax), and wherein the control circuit (5) is suitable for controlling the transmittance of the lens (4) to a plurality of setpoint transmittance values (Tv) respectively corresponding to said plurality of illuminance ranges (P).