Vibrating Brush Assembly for Gentle Ophthalmic Lens Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current manual cleaning procedures for ophthalmic lenses are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors, while automated systems using ultrasonic baths can damage soft materials, affecting optical quality.

Innovation Solution

An automated system with vibrating brush heads, a rinsing assembly, and a drying assembly, utilizing polymeric fibers and surfactant solutions, to clean ophthalmic lenses efficiently and gently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual cleaning procedures are used, then labor intensity and time consumption increase, but cleaning effectiveness may be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system performs automated cleaning operations without continuous manual intervention. The brush heads automatically vibrate and move across the lens surfaces, applying cleaning solution and removing debris through mechanical action, thereby eliminating the need for manual scrubbing while maintaining effective cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical scrubbing with an automated vibrating brush system. The vibration mechanism generates oscillating motion that facilitates cleaning through mechanical action enhanced by cleaning solution, substituting human labor with an automated mechanical system that achieves faster and more consistent cleaning results

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If ultrasonic baths are used for automated cleaning, then cleaning automation is achieved, but soft lens materials may absorb ultrasonic energy and optical quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning automationVSAvoidultrasonic damage to soft materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces ultrasonic vibration with direct mechanical vibration from brush heads. The brush heads are driven by motors that generate controlled oscillating motion, providing mechanical cleaning action without using ultrasonic waves. This substitution eliminates the harmful absorption of ultrasonic energy by soft lens materials while maintaining automated cleaning functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning solution acts as an intermediary between the brush heads and the lens surface. The solution facilitates the mechanical cleaning action by reducing surface tension and allowing the brush bristles to effectively remove debris without direct harsh mechanical contact, thereby protecting soft lens materials during automated cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If vibrating brush heads with direct contact are used, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but risk of mechanical damage to soft materials increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidlens material integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the vibration parameters of the brush heads, including frequency and amplitude, to optimize cleaning effectiveness while preventing damage. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves sufficient mechanical action for thorough cleaning without exceeding the tolerance of soft lens materials, thereby maintaining both cleaning reliability and material integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The brush heads are designed with specific bristle characteristics (material, stiffness, length) that vary in different regions to match the local requirements of the lens surfaces. This localized optimization ensures effective cleaning contact on optic portions while using gentler contact on haptic portions, preventing mechanical damage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness across different lens regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system provides a fast, reliable, and effective cleaning process that maintains the optical quality of ophthalmic lenses without damaging soft materials.

Implementation Method 1

a first vibrating motor assembly configured to vibrate the first brush head and a second vibrating motor assembly configured to vibrate the second brush head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250375796A1Systems, methods, and assemblies for cleaning an ophthalmic lens

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 ALCON INC

AI summary

Disclosed are systems, methods, and assemblies for cleaning an ophthalmic lens. In one aspect, an automated system is disclosed comprising a brushing assembly, a rinsing assembly, and a drying assembly. The brushing assembly can comprise a first brush head facing a second brush head. The first brush head can be coupled to a first vibrating motor assembly configured to vibrate the first brush head and the second brush head can be coupled to a second vibrating motor assembly configured to vibrate the second brush head.