Wire-Hinged Folding Eyeglasses Bridge Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable eyeglasses face issues with excessive weight, durability concerns due to repeated opening and closing, and the need for elegant, practical, and lightweight designs that avoid the use of screws, glue, and welds which can lead to weak points and breakage.
Innovation Solution
The use of wire-like metal connections between the bridge and lens components, eliminating articulation screws and reducing stress on the lenses, while providing a lightweight and durable alternative with a reduced number of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional screw-based hinge connections are used to connect the bridge to the lenses, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the weight increases and durability decreases due to loose screws and weak points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screw-based hinge connection system entirely and replaces it with an integrated bridge structure that incorporates the hinge mechanism within the bridge body itself. This extraction of the external screw system eliminates the need for separate fastening components, thereby reducing weight while improving durability by eliminating loose parts that can detach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the bridge structure with the hinge mechanism into a single integrated component. The bridge body incorporates internal hinge joints that connect the lens mounts directly to the bridge, eliminating the need for separate screw fasteners. This merging reduces the number of parts, decreases weight, and improves reliability by creating a unified structure without weak connection points.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple articulated parts are used in the temple portions for folding functionality, then the eyeglasses are compact when folded, but the complexity increases and the risk of breakage at hinge points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temple portion into distinct functional zones: a rigid mounting section attached to the lens, a flexible hinge section with articulated joints, and a folding section that can be collapsed. This segmentation allows the temple to achieve compact folding while maintaining structural integrity by distributing stress across specialized zones rather than requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire temple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic hinge mechanisms within the temple portion that allow controlled articulation between the lens mount and the folding section. These dynamic joints provide the necessary movement for folding while maintaining connection integrity, reducing complexity compared to rigid multi-part assemblies by allowing smooth articulation through engineered flexibility points.
3Ease of manufacture
If homogeneous materials are used for all temple portion parts, then manufacturing is simplified, but design creativity and aesthetic variety are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials or finishes to different sections of the temple portion based on functional requirements. The mounting section near the lens may use a rigid material for structural support, while the folding section may use a more flexible or aesthetically differentiated material. This local differentiation allows manufacturing simplicity through modular construction while enabling aesthetic variety through targeted material selection in specific zones.
4Strength
If rigid materials like horn are used for the bridge and lens mounts, then strength and elegance are improved, but the risk of breakage increases under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction in the bridge structure, combining rigid materials like horn or metal with more flexible connecting elements. The bridge body may use rigid material for elegance and strength, while the hinge connection points incorporate flexible or shock-absorbing materials that prevent stress concentration. This composite approach maintains the aesthetic and structural benefits of rigid materials while eliminating their primary weakness - susceptibility to sudden breakage under stress.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
Described are eyeglasses (10), in particular of the folding type, composed of a front part (11) comprising respective lens means (12, 12) and means (14, 14) for hooking to the wearer's face, the front part (11) comprising first and second lens means (12, 12) which are connected to each other by corresponding bridge means (16) comprising a respective bridge body (18) and means (20, 20) for fastening the bridge body to the respective first and second lens means (12, 12). The means for fastening the body to the respective first and second lens means (12, 12) comprise, or are in the form of, corresponding wire-like means, in particular metal wire (20, 20), which are adapted to define respective means for articulating and rotating the bridge body (18) relative to the lens means (12, 12).