Moisture-resistant electronic spectacle frames

• US 9,470,909 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision International GMBH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals Incorporated (Mitsui Chemicals)
• Inventors: Kokanaski, William, Willey, Charles, Haddock, Joshua, Graham, Mark, Dalla Longa, Claudio, Blum, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J
• Assistant Examiner(s): O'NEILL, GARY WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US14/715,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20150248026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 351 41-158, 351/178, 351/159.03, 351/159.39, 351/159.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 13/001 Assembling; Repairing
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2414 conductive elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

Eyewear including an optical functional member, control electronics, and a sealed electrical connective element connecting the electronics to the optical functional member. The connective element can directly connect the electronics to the optical functional member, or can connect through an intermediate contact, e.g., a plug-and-receptacle. The connective element can be routed from the electronics, around a rimlock of the eyewear to the optical functional member. The connective element can be a conductive compressible member, such as conductive rubber. In some embodiments, the connective element can be a multiconductor cable.

Claims

1. Eyewear comprising:

an optical functional member comprising a lens;

an electrically-insulating gasket disposed on an edge of the lens;

an electronics module comprising electronics for controlling the optical functional member; and

at least one sealed electrical connective element connecting the electronics of the electronics module to the optical functional member;

wherein the gasket extends around the entire circumference of the lens;

wherein the gasket defines at least one aperture therethrough;

wherein the electrical connective element connects to the optical functional member through the aperture; and

wherein the gasket is not conductive.

2. The eyewear of claim 1 wherein:

the optical functional member comprises at least one electrical connector,

the connective element directly connects the electronics of the electronics module to the at least one electrical connector of the optical functional member, and

the electronics module is sealed.

3. The eyewear of claim 1:

further comprising at least one intermediate electrical contact; and

wherein;

the optical functional member comprises at least one electrical connector, and

the connective element connects the electronics of the electronics module to the at least one electrical connector of the optical functional member through the at least one intermediate electrical contact.

4. The eyewear of claim 3 wherein:

the intermediate electrical contact comprises a plug-and-receptacle.

5. The eyewear of claim 3 wherein the intermediate electrical contact is located at one of:

a rim of the eyewear, a surface of the optical functional member, a frame front of the eyewear, an electronic display, or an electronic controller.

6. The eyewear of claim 1 wherein:

the eyewear further comprises a temple and a rimlock, and wherein;

the electronics module is located in the temple, and

the connective element is routed from the electronics module through the rimlock to the optical functional member.

7. The eyewear of claim 6 wherein:

the rimlock comprises an upper rimlock and a lower rimlock, and

the connective element is routed between the upper rimlock and the lower rimlock.

8. The eyewear of claim 6 wherein:

the rimlock comprises an upper rimlock and a lower rimlock, and

the connective element forms a layer between the upper rimlock and the lower rimlock.

9. The eyewear of claim 8 wherein:

the layer is an electrically insulating layer.

10. The eyewear of claim 1 wherein:

the connective element is a conductive compressible member.

11. The eyewear of claim 10 wherein:

the conductive compressible member is conductive rubber.

12. The eyewear of claim 1 wherein:

the connective element comprises a multi-conductor cable.

13. The eyewear of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one sealed electrical conductive element is at least one of;

moisture resistant, salt resistant, and moisture proof.