Vibrating Base Assembly for Contact Lens Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact lens cleaning devices are noisy, bulky, require external components, and often fail to effectively clean and disinfect lenses due to exposure to dirt and foreign particles, with no option to set different cleaning modes.
Innovation Solution
A compact, standalone vibrating base assembly with integrated vibration motors and polymeric components that supports contact lens containers, offering two cleaning modes and reducing noise, with no need for external components, designed to minimize lens exposure to contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing vibrating cleaning devices are used, then contact lenses can be cleaned, but excessive noise is generated which is inconvenient and bothersome to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical vibrating mechanisms with ultrasonic vibration technology. The ultrasonic cleaner uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves (20kHz-100kHz) to generate cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution, which collapse and create micro-jets that remove deposits from lenses. This substitution eliminates the need for loud mechanical motors while maintaining effective cleaning through acoustic energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid cleaning solution (hydraulic medium) that fills the cleaning chamber and interacts with ultrasonic waves to produce cavitation effects. The liquid medium transmits ultrasonic energy efficiently and enables the cavitation process that removes protein and residue buildup from lenses without requiring direct mechanical contact or loud vibrating motors.
2Reliability
If contact lenses are placed directly within the cleaning device, then cleaning can occur, but lenses are exposed to dirt, dust, rust, germs, residue from prior uses, and other foreign particles resident on the cleaning device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid cleaning solution as an intermediary between the lenses and the cleaning device surfaces. Lenses are fully submerged in this sterile or disinfected solution, which acts as a protective barrier preventing direct contact with potentially contaminated device surfaces. The solution itself is periodically replaced and disinfected, ensuring lenses are always in contact with a clean medium rather than the device housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device creates a controlled, isolated environment (clean chamber) where lenses are processed. The design minimizes exposure to external contaminants through sealed construction and allows the internal environment to be maintained in a sterile state through regular disinfection of the cleaning solution and chamber surfaces, effectively creating a protected space free from dust, rust, and foreign particles.
3Device complexity
If existing cleaning devices are designed with external components and assembly requirements, then functionality can be achieved, but the device becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single unified device: the ultrasonic vibration generator, cleaning solution reservoir, lens holder, and control circuitry are all combined into one compact unit. The ultrasonic transducer is built-in rather than external, and the cleaning chamber serves both as the processing space and the solution container, eliminating the need for separate external components and reducing overall device complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is designed to handle multiple lens types and cleaning requirements within a single unit. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism effectively cleans soft lenses, rigid lenses, and lens cases simultaneously. The device can operate with different cleaning solutions and accommodates various lens container sizes, providing universal functionality without requiring multiple specialized devices or complex assembly configurations.
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 provides a quiet, efficient, and hygienic method for cleaning contact lenses, reducing protein and residue buildup, and minimizing damage from finger rubbing, while ensuring effective disinfection without external assembly or noise.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vibration motor disposed within the housing cavity, electrically coupled to a power source, and operably configured to selectively induce a vibration therefrom
Implementation Method 2
a friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material configured to support two contact lens containers and operably coupled to the at least one vibration motor and receive a vibration thereon
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated and standalone vibrating base assembly for cleaning contact lenses having two selective modes of operation, each mode operably configured to produce different preset vibrational rotations per minute, and comprising a base housing defining a housing cavity, with at least one vibration motor disposed within the housing cavity, electrically coupled to a power source, and operably configured to selectively induce a vibration therefrom with at least one switch coupled to the base housing; and a bottom surface and an upper surface spanning inwardly toward the housing cavity from an upper edge of the base housing to define a concave recess sized to receive two contact lens containers, the upper surface of a friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material configured to support two contact lens containers and operably coupled to the at least one vibration motor and to receive a vibration thereon upon activation of the at least one switch.