CN1675582B

CN1675582B - Method of manufacturing an electro-active lens

Info

Publication number: CN1675582B
Application number: CN038198010A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗纳德·D·布卢姆; 威廉·科科纳斯基; 德怀特·P·杜斯通
Original assignee: VISION E LLC
Current assignee: VISION E LLC
Priority date: 2002-08-20
Filing date: 2003-08-20
Publication date: 2011-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-20
Also published as: AU2003274916A1; KR20050035263A; WO2004019078A3; CN1675582A; AU2003274916B8; WO2004019078A2; BR0313643A; EP1546766A2; CA2496265A1; AU2003274916B2; JP2005536782A; EP1546766A4

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an electro-active lens is disclosed. The lens is manufactured by providing a lens blank having a front and back surface, a thickness, and an index of refraction. An electro-active element is placed on one of the front or back surfaces of the lens blank. A covering surface is then formed over the surface of the lens blank containing the electro-active element. In some embodiments, the electro-active lens may then be surfaced to provide a desired fixed optical power and edged to fit within a spectacles frame.

Description

The manufacture method of electro-active lens

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of effective ways of manufacturing electroactive (electro-active) lens.

Summary of the invention

According to a kind of embodiment of the present invention, record and narrate a kind of method of making electro-active lens by lenticular blank.Described lenticular blank comprises front surface, rear surface, and has certain thickness and refractive index.Electrically active component can be placed on the front surface or rear surface of lenticular blank.Form overlayer on the surface that comprises electrically active component of the lenticular blank that this method also is included in.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, record and narrate the another kind of method of making electro-active lens.The molded about that this method is included in electrically active component goes out to have the lenticular blank of front surface, rear surface, certain thickness and refractive index.

Now with reference to the some embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing various aspects of the present invention are described in more detail.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a process flow diagram of making the electro-active lens method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a process flow diagram of making the electro-active lens method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 A-2F represents to be in the method shown in Figure 2 the lens in each stage;

Fig. 3 represents the vertical view according to an embodiment of the present invention semi-manufacture aliform (fly-away) molded gasket;

The sectional view of semi-manufacture aliform molded gasket in Fig. 4 presentation graphs 3;

Fig. 5 is a process flow diagram of making the electro-active lens method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 A-5F represents to be in the method shown in Figure 5 the lens in each stage;

Fig. 6 is a process flow diagram of making the electro-active lens method according to further embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 6 A-6E represents to be in the method shown in Figure 6 the lens in each stage;

Fig. 7 is a process flow diagram of making the electro-active lens method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 A represents the electro-active lens that makes according to method shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 8 A-8C represents the structural arrangement according to another embodiment of the present invention conductive bus;

Fig. 9 A-9C represents to have a kind of embodiment of giving an example of the electro-active lens that this conductive bus structure arranges;

Figure 10 A represents to have the rear view of the spectacle-frame of the electro-active lens that makes according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 B represents to have the vertical view of the spectacle-frame of the electro-active lens that makes according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 A and 11B represent to have the embodiment that the another kind of Figure 10 A of the electro-active lens that makes according to the embodiment of the invention and 10B spectacle-frame is selected;

Figure 12 A and 12B represent to have the embodiment of another selection of Figure 10 A of the electro-active lens that makes according to the embodiment of the invention and 10B spectacle-frame.

Figure 13 A-13D represents to be installed on the picture frame hinge or near the accessory battery it according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14 represents to make the used Integrated Electronic Component of electro-active lens according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 15 represents to make according to the embodiment of the invention another embodiment of the used Integrated Electronic Component of electro-active lens.

Figure 16 is for making the process flow diagram that is used to repair and install the Integrated Electronic Component method in the electro-active lens according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 16 A-16E represents to be in the method shown in Figure 16 the lens in each stage;

Figure 17 is a method flow diagram of making the lens of the charged subassembly of finishing in the electro-active lens according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 A-17E represents to be in the method shown in Figure 17 the lens in each stage.

Embodiment

1998, only about 9,200 ten thousand eye examinations have just been carried out in the U.S..The overwhelming majority during these are checked relates to overhauls inside and outside eye pathology, analyzes muscle balance and binocular vision, measures cornea, and in many cases, measures pupil, and finally carries out phototropism and detect, since this has subjectivity that objectivity is arranged again.

Phototropism detects size and the type that is used to understand/diagnose refractive disorders of human eyes.The ametropia that can diagnose and measure is myopia, long sight, astigmatism and presbyopia at present.Current refracting telescope (phoropters) is attempted correcting vision with the people to 20/20 distance and nearer vision.In some cases, can realize 20/15 distance vision; But, this still makes an exception up to now.

The theoretical limit that vision could be handled and limit to the retina that should be pointed out that human eye is approximately 20/08.This is much better than current utilization refractor (phoropters) and the obtainable vision level of conventional eye sheet now.These conventional apparatus lack the ability of proofreading and correct unconventional ametropia, as the scrambling on aberration, irregular astigmatism or the visual aspect.Scrambling on these aberrations, irregular astigmatism and/or the visual aspect may be because people's vision system, or due to the caused aberration of traditional eyewear, perhaps is both combination.

Some embodiments of the present invention have disclosed the method for making electro-active lens.Described electro-active lens can be used for providing vision correction to a focal length or a plurality of focal length, and proofreaies and correct the unconventional ametropia that comprises higher order aberrations.

In order to help to understand some embodiments of the present invention, explain a plurality of terms now." fix " and can comprise bonding, deposition, adhere to and other known fixing meanss." controller " can comprise processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, computer chip and/or chip, perhaps wherein comprises these." conductive bus " is used for by the form of electric signal data being transmitted to the another location from a position." low coverage ametropia " can comprise presbyopia and any other ametropia that need be corrected in order to make the people closely locate clearly to watch." middle apart from ametropia " can comprise the required degree and any other ametropia that need be corrected for the people is clearly watched at the intermediate distance place of presbyopia that will be corrected to intermediate distance." long distance ametropia " can comprise the ametropia that is corrected for any needs that the people can clearly be watched at distant location." conventional ametropia " comprises myopia, long sight, astigmatism and/or presbyopia." unconventional ametropia " comprises irregular astigmatism, comprises the aberration of the eye system of coma, aberration and spherical aberration, and conventional ametropia any other higher order aberrations or the ametropia that do not comprise." optics refractive error " comprises any aberration relevant with lens optical system.

In certain embodiments, " glasses " can comprise lens.In other embodiments, " glasses " comprise can more than lens." multi-focus lens " can comprise bifocus, three focuses, four focuses and/or increase the lens of focus one by one." finished product " lenticular blank can comprise that both sides have the lenticular blank on polishing of optical surface." semi-manufacture " lenticular blank can comprise that only a side has the polishing of optical surface, and has the lenticular blank without the optical polish surface on the opposite side, and this lens need further to revise, and for example grind and/or polish, so that make it become available lens." do not finish " lenticular blank and on its either side, do not have polished surface." basic lens " refers to the non-electroactive part of the lenticular blank finished.

" surface working " comprise and grinding and/or polishing, remove unnecessary material, with the finishing semi-manufacture or do not finish the non-polished surface of lenticular blank.The free form Machining Technology finishing lenticular blank that can also use recent eyeglass already to adopt.Described free form technology can make lenticular blank can be shape fully arbitrarily, and this lenticular blank can be used for finishing conventional error correction, but also can be used to proofread and correct higher order aberrations, so that unconventional error correction is provided, can make vision correction be better than 20/20.In addition, can form finished lens or semi-manufacture lenticular blank by two or more lens wafers are bonded together, thereby produce lenticular blank.No matter will be understood that finished product, uncompleted still semi-manufacture lenticular blank, can use the free form technology to make at first, so that proofread and correct one of conventional and unconventional ametropia or proofread and correct both.

As shown in fig. 1, disclose a kind of method of making electro-active lens.Described method comprises provides lenticular blank, shown in step 10.Described lenticular blank can be the lenticular blank of any kind of, and has front surface and rear surface, certain thickness and refractive index.In step 20, electrically active component is placed on the front surface or rear surface of lenticular blank.In step 30, on the surface of the lenticular blank that comprises electrically active component, form overlayer.This overlayer is protected described electrically active component, and electrically active component is fixed on a certain position on the lenticular blank.Being used for forming tectal material can also combine with lenticular blank, for the wearer of lens provides the fixed range vision correction.

Described electrically active component comprises one or more layers electroactive material, as polymer gel and/or liquid crystal, when being subjected to the excitation of impressed voltage, produces the refractive index that the size with adding to electroactive material voltage changes.When the wearer when comprising the electro-active lens regional observation of electrically active component, based on the electrically active component refractive index, the wearer can realize vision correction, this can be the vision correction except that the vision correction that the non-electroactive part of lens provides.Suitable electroactive material comprises all kinds of liquid crystal and polymer gel.These kinds comprise nematic, smectic type and cholesteryl liquid crystal, and comprise polymer liquid crystal, and Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal and polymer stabilizing liquid crystal also have electro-optic polymer.

If the use liquid crystal such as nematic crystal, as electroactive material, then needs oriented layer, because nematic and many other liquid crystal all are birefringent.When promptly being exposed to nonpolarized light there not being impressed voltage, it demonstrates two different focal lengths.This birefringence causes producing on the retina two or fuzzy image.In order to alleviate this birefringence, can use the second layer electroactive material vertical orientated with the ground floor electroactive material.In this way, by two-layer two kinds of polarization states are focused on equally, and all light all focus on the same focal length place.

Select as another, can use cholesteryl liquid crystal, as preferred electroactive material with big chirality composition.Different with other liquid crystal commonly used with nematic, cholesteryl liquid crystal does not have the polarity of nematic crystal, thereby need not the multilayer electroactive material.

Described the various electroactive layers that can be used in the embodiment of the invention electrically active component among the PCT/US03/12528 that on April 23rd, 2003 submitted, this application is in this hereby incorporated by reference.

Lenticular blank can be the lenticular blank of any kind, and for example comprises the semi-manufacture blank, do not finish blank, lens wafers, prefabricated optical devices or finished lens.Can seal by conformal,, perhaps pass through to cover lenticular blank to form overlayer with lens wafers as by molded or surperficial casting.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, make electro-active lens by the semi-manufacture blank, have the overlayer that forms by the conformal sealing.Described electrically active component can be placed on the front surface or rear surface of semi-manufacture blank.Conformal is sealed in and forms the protection overlayer on the surface that is placed with electrically active component of lenticular blank, and electrically active component is imbedded in the lens.Fig. 2 is a kind of embodiment of the present invention, a kind of process flow diagram that uses the semi-manufacture blank manufacturing electro-active lens method of conformal sealing of its explanation.Fig. 2 A-E explanation is in the lens in each stage of method shown in Figure 2.In step 100, can select to have the semi-manufacture blank 230 of back concave surface 202 and convex front surface 204, shown in Fig. 2 A.In step 110, as shown in Fig. 2 B, in the convex front surface 204 of semi-manufacture blank 230, cut out groove 205.In step 120, electrically active component 200 can be positioned in the groove 205.In addition, the conductive bus 210 that is connected with electrically active component 200 can be placed in the groove 205.Preferably by optically transparent flexible material, constitute described conductive bus 210 as the extruding of the ophthalmology level material of tin indium oxide or casting polymer film and/or conducting polymer such as scribbling transparent conductive material.Conductive bus 210 can have a plurality of apertures, and this can promote conductive bus and lenticular blank 230 bonding better.

In step 130, as shown in Fig. 2 D, can use to include the sealant that preferred its refractive index was similar to or equaled the lenticular blank refractive index, as the mould 220 of optical clear resin, electrically active component 200 and conductive bus 210 conformals are sealed in the semi-manufacture blank 230.

Electrically active component 200 and conductive bus 210 are positioned in the mould 220, and cover at the top with lenticular blank 230.Can only make resin solidification by heat energy, luminous energy or the two combination.Light source can comprise any one or its combination in the middle of visible light source, ultraviolet source or the infrared light supply.

In step 140, shown in Fig. 2 E, make 230 demouldings of semi-manufacture blank, make semi-finished product cell electro-active lens blank 235.The resin that solidifies forms overlayer 215 on convex front surface 204, it has imbeds the interior effect of electro-active lens to electrically active component 200 and conductive bus 210.Electro-active lens blank 235 has covering surfaces 208, and this surperficial radius-of-curvature equals the radius-of-curvature of mould 220.The radius-of-curvature of covering surfaces 208 combines with the radius-of-curvature of back concave surface 202, and fixing refractive power is provided.

Can be selectively give lens in addition hard anti-zoned coating, shown in step 150.Can before finishing semi-finished product cell electro-active lens blank 235, obtain described hard coating by dipping or spin coating lens.Will be understood that, can be before arriving the convex front surface 204 of lenticular blank with resin fill mold 220 and with resin solidification, described hard coating is put on the inside surface of mould 220, thereby when resin solidification with when forming overlayer, this hard coating has been on the covering surfaces 208.

In step 160, as shown in Fig. 2 F, can pass through known technology, the described electro-active lens blank 235 of surface working makes semi-finished product cell electro-active lens blank 235 be trimmed to required specification, makes electro-active lens 240.Electro-active lens 240 edge treated can be formed in spectacle-frame subsequently adapts.

The convex front surface 204 and the back concave surface 202 that should be appreciated that lenticular blank 230 can have any flexibility or not have flexibility, and this can implemented by the kinds of surface process technology after a while.Hide electrically active component 200 and conductive bus 210 in case lenticular blank 230 is sealed by conformal, after then finishing, just give the flexibility of back concave surface 202 and covering surfaces 208 (being not convex front surface 204), the optical property of decision electro-active lens 240.

According to a kind of embodiment of the present invention, use prefabricated optical devices when making electro-active lens, be such as but not limited to finished product or single vision lens.Fig. 6 represents to use with top and forms overlayer with reference to the described similar conformal encapsulating method of Fig. 2, so that electrically active component is covered in the lens, thereby is made the method for electrically active component by the lenticular blank with single vision lens.But, different with the described semi-manufacture blank of reference Fig. 2 method, single vision lens has had certain specification, need not further to carry out surface working and comes to provide appropriate fixed optical power for the wearer of lens.Thereby, in the present embodiment, preferably carry out the conformal sealing in the following manner, so that do not change the refractive power of original finished lens.Such as, can be by using mould, the radius-of-curvature that produces the convex front surface radius-of-curvature that equals single vision lens on tectal covering surfaces realizes this point.But, even should be appreciated that use finished product single vision lens, if necessary, also can use mould to produce and have covering surfaces, this covering surfaces has the overlayer of the required curvature different with the single vision lens convex front surface, thereby changes refractive power.

As shown in Figure 6, in step 700, just as among Fig. 6 A further expression, can select the basic lens 800 of single vision.In step 710,, can cut out groove 810 in the convex front surface 804 with the basic lens 800 of single vision shown in Fig. 6 B.As another selection, the basic lens 800 of single vision can have groove 810, such as, in basic lens 800 initial manufacture of single vision, can in the basic lens 800 of single vision, form.In step 720,, electrically active component 200 and conductive bus 210 are positioned in the groove 810 just like such shown in Fig. 6 C.In step 730, use the mould 820 that contains resin, with electrically active component 200 and bus 210 conformals sealing, promptly as shown in Fig. 6 D.In step 740, remove mould 820, and can select to apply hard coating.In certain embodiments, in the conformal seal process, shift described hard conating from mould.In this case, be used for making the inner concave of the mould of overlayer projection coverage rate 808, should scribble the hard conating resin in advance, in the conformal seal process, described hard conating resin can take place to solidify and shift.Because the basic lens of single vision described in this example, before the conformal sealing, be trimmed to and had required fixed optical power, the inside surface of mould 820 is preferably the concave surface of radius-of-curvature that radius-of-curvature equals the convex front surface 804 of the basic lens 800 of single vision.Like this, just like such shown in Fig. 6 E, when mould 820 is removed the basic lens 800 of single vision, just produce curvature and convex front surface 804 essentially identical protruding coverage rates 808 in conformal sealing back, cause the fixed optical power change of the basic lens 800 of single vision very little or do not change.

In the electro-active lens manufacture process, use the conformal sealing, the quantity of the holding member (SKU) 539 that can reduce to get the raw materials ready, this with conventional lenses usually the quantity of required SKU compare, be significantly reduced.

In order to understand this improved meaning, must understand the quantity that is used to solve the required conventional lenses blank of most variations.Be about 95% correcting scheme comprise-6.00 diopters in+6.00 diopter scopes, step-length is that 0.25 dioptric spherical diopter is proofreaied and correct.According to this scope, has the spherical diopter of about 49 routine prescription.Certainly, in comprising the scheme of astigmatism correction, be about 90% be in-4.00 diopters in+4.00 dioptric scopes, step-length is 0.25 diopter.According to this scope, has astigmatism (or cylinder) diopter of about 33 routine prescription.But, because astigmatism has axial component, have the astigmatism axle orientation of about 180 degree, the regulation step-length is 1 degree usually.Thereby, 180 different astigmatic axis prescriptions are arranged.

In addition, many schemes comprise and are used to proofread and correct presbyopic bifocal component.Have in the scheme of presbyopia corrective at these, be about 95% be in+1.00 to+3.00 diopter scopes in, step-length is 0.25 diopter, thereby produces the presbyopia's diopter that is about 9 routine prescription.

This causes 2,619, the individual possible different lens arrangement in 540 (49 * 33 * 180 * 9), and lens manufacturers needs very a large amount of SKU.Because can be used for the raw-material diversity that lens are made, and other specific characteristics that can comprise in the lens, such as photochromic colourity, the number of this larger amt SKU is further increased.Electroactive by most of vision corrections are had, can significantly reduce the quantity of SKU.

In another embodiment of the present invention, by two lens wafers are fixed together, electrically active component is clipped between two lens wafers, make electro-active lens.

As shown in Figure 7,, select front lens wafer and back lens wafer to have required optical property, obtain the fixed range refractive power, so that be complementary with wearer's vision scheme in step 1000.Shown in Fig. 7 A, select concave back lens wafer 900 and convex front lens wafer 930.Front lens wafer 930 can have radius of curvature R 1, and back lens wafer 900 can have radius of curvature R 2.The fixed optical power of lens wafers equals (n-1) * (1/R1-1/R2), and wherein " n " equals to make the refractive index of lens wafers material therefor.Wherein R1 is similar each other to R2, and it is 0 that the basic lens that form by the fixed lens wafer have fixing refractive power.

For other electro-active lens as herein described, (this provides refractive power usually by increasing fixed optical power, so that distance vision is provided to be proofreaied and correct), the refractive power that provides when watching by the electro-active lens zone that comprises electrically active component is provided, produces and be used for that near vision is proofreaied and correct and the refractive power of mesopic vision correction.But, should be appreciated that any lens to be manufactured to have null fixed optical power, thereby watch, all vision corrections can be provided by the electro-active lens zone that comprises electrically active component.Equally, watch, the correction to unconventional ametropia can be provided, comprise at all focus correction higher order aberrations by the lens area that comprises electrically active component.

Should further understand,, but, can only use basic lens or, proofread and correct unconventional ametropia in conjunction with electrically active component although use habitual casting, free form manufacturing or photon-induced refractive index to change or photic refraction change.In these embodiments, basic lens can be independent of the correction that electrically active component provides unconventional ametropia, and this can proofread and correct the sphere refractive power relevant with conventional ametropia and regulate or error, such as the presbyopia.

Refer again to Fig. 7 A, can with the convex surface facing surfaces of front lens wafer 903 and with the concave surface facing surfaces of back lens wafer 900 in the middle of one of or both in cut out groove.As another selection, described groove is present in the lens wafers 900,930 already, produces in advance as during fabrication.Fig. 7 A represents front lens wafer 930, with the convex surface facing surfaces of front lens wafer 930 in have single groove 940.Electrically active component 910 and flexible conductive bus 920 can be positioned between back lens wafer 900 and the front lens wafer 930, and electrically active component 910 and compliant conductive bus 920 are arranged to be in the groove 940.As shown in step 1030, can utilize the bonding agent of index matched that front lens wafer 930 and back lens wafer 900 are bonded together, make electro-active lens.

In certain embodiments, can make back lens wafer that the cylinder refractive power is provided by stacked lens wafers, and combination back lens wafer and front lens wafer, realize the sphere refractive power of lens, thereby make electro-active lens.

Will be understood that in certain embodiments when making electro-active lens, the step 1010 shown in Fig. 7 is selectable, and conductive bus and electrically active component do not need groove.For example, in some embodiments,, electrically active component and conductive bus can be clipped between two lens wafers, keep the suitable relation of two wafers simultaneously, so that do not produce the prism refractive power unless need to solve the required special vision of wearer.Between each layer, apply the ophthalmology grade resins of refractive index match, and only utilize such as the edge packing ring and remain on the appropriate location till being cured, at this moment remove packing ring again, to make electro-active lens.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, can wherein, electrically active component be placed in the discrete material of final electrically active component goods by making electro-active lens around the molded whole lens of electrically active component.Fig. 3 represents to keep the vertical view of the semi-manufacture aliform molded gasket 610 of electrically active component 200 and bus 410-413.Electrically active component 200 is electrically connected with four conductive bus 410,411,412,413.Conductive bus 410,411,412,413 outwards radially extends to molded gasket ring 420 from electrically active component 200.The sectional view that comprises the semi-manufacture aliform molded gasket of electrically active component 200 and bus 410-413 in Fig. 4 presentation graphs 3.

Fig. 5 represents a kind of embodiment of the present invention, uses molded fully semi-manufacture blank to make the method for electro-active lens.As shown in Fig. 5 A, in step 500, can select to comprise backform 600 and bed die 620, and die assembly, electrically active component and conductive bus with the aliform packing ring 610 in chamber 650 at the bottom of chamber 640, packing ring top, the packing ring.In step 510, packing ring 610 is placed on the bed die 620, as shown in Fig. 5 B.In step 520, resin 660 can be added die assembly, resin will form lens when solidifying.Resin enters at the bottom of the packing ring in the chamber 650 by space between the conductive bus or the aperture in the conductive bus.It is also understood that can be by the die assembly of the salable hole in packing ring 610 sides shown in the resin blank map 5D.

Can use the ophthalmology grade resins, such as used resin in the conformal sealing.These resins comprise diallyl carbonic acid diglycol ester (dietilenglycol bis allylcarbonate), such as the CR39 that can obtain from the PPG Industries company of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ^TM, high refractive index polymer and other known ophthalmology resin materials.In step 530, shown in Fig. 5 D, like that, backform 600 can be placed on above the chamber 640, packing ring top.In step 540, make the resin solidification between backform 600 and the bed die 620, such shown in Fig. 5 E.In step 550, can come along except that backform 600 and bed die 620 with outer washer ring 420, obtain the semi-finished product cell electro-active lens blank, this semi-finished product cell electro-active lens blank is handled through multiple finishing technology, make the finished product electro-active lens.

Should be appreciated that, described molding process although present embodiment is example with the mold, yet, when making electro-active lens, also can use jet moulding.In these embodiments, can will be injection molded in the mould, and be solidificated in the mould around electrically active component that is comprised and the conductive bus, make electro-active lens such as makrolon material.

Can use multiple conductive bus structure to make the electro-active lens of the embodiment of the invention.Usually, can place bus or bus group by any means, radially outwards conduct electricity from electrically active component.As shown in Fig. 8 A, electrically active component 200 can be electrically connected with single conductive bus 1100.Bus 1100 is extended from electrically active component 200 outward radials.When bus extends to the electrically active component outside, also can be used as power supply and the electrically active component 200 direct or indirect electrical leads that are connected.

In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8 B, electrically active component 200 can with a plurality of conductive bus, be electrically connected as

conductive bus

1110,1111,1112.As the single conductive bus that adopts Fig. 7 A, each

bus

1110,1111,1112 can be electrically connected with electrically active component 200 by an end, and extends radially outward from electrically active component 200.Preferably make every

bus

1110,1111, youngster 12 at interval even around electrically active component 200.Should be appreciated that and to make any amount of bus be arranged to stretch out according to completely or the form of truck wheel structure of part from described electrically active component 200.The advantage that the number of buses purpose increases comprises provides a plurality of positions, and so that electronic unit to be set, as stadimeter, controller and power supply, these electronic units are used to encourage electrically active component and electroactive vision correction is provided.

According to another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8 C, electrically active component 200 is electrically connected with the dish type conductive bus 1120 that centers on electro-active optical element 200 to small part.Conductive bus 1120 can comprise a plurality of eyelets or aperture 1125.In the electrically active component manufacture process, these eyelets 1125 help making resin flows and round conductive bus 1120, electrically active component 200 is locked onto in the lenticular blank, and, if use lens wafers to make electro-active lens, then can strengthen bonding between conductive bus 1120 and the lens wafers.Conductive bus 1120 is electrically connected with electro-active optical element 200 at the inner periphery place of dish.

Fig. 9 A represents electro-active lens 1200, and it has the conductive bus structure that links to each other with controller with stadimeter.Described conductive bus structure comprises electrically active component 1205, electroactive substrate wafer 1210, integrated manipulator/stadimeter 1220, basic lens 1230 and drive signal bus 1240.

Stadimeter comprises transmitter and the detecting device with the controller coupling.In another embodiment, an independent device can be manufactured and make and to play the transmitter that links to each other with controller and the effect of detecting device simultaneously by dual mode.

Controller can be processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit or the chip that comprises a memory member at least.Controller is preserved the information such as the vision scheme, can comprise the scheme of wearer at several different viewing distances.Controller can be used as parts or integrated with stadimeter of stadimeter.But should be understood that controller and stadimeter can be separating component, need not to be placed on same position, as long as controller is electrically connected with stadimeter.It should also be understood that, can use other eyesight detecting devices, as the eye tracker that is used for determining the low dip switch that wearer's head tilts or is used for determining wearer's sight line, replace stadimeter or combine with stadimeter, determine what object the wearer watches, and should how to encourage electrically active component to provide and the corresponding focal length of viewed object, for the wearer provides suitable vision correction.

Stadimeter directly or via controller, the signal by via the conductive bus issue carries out electronic communication with electrically active component.Should change the focal length that is produced by electrically active component when stadimeter detects, so that when different focal is provided, stadimeter is by electronics mode signaling controller.Respond for this signal, controller is regulated the voltage impose on electrically active component, produces refraction index changing, this refraction index changing separately or with other refraction index changings, the refraction index changing combination that fixed optical power provided as basic lens provides required vision correction.Can use this refraction index changing to proofread and correct conventional ametropia, when using the refraction index changing of electrically active component generation predetermined pattern, proofread and correct unconventional ametropia, perhaps proofread and correct the combination of conventional and unconventional error correction, one of them or both are consistent with vision scheme in the storer that is stored in controller.New refractive index produces suitable refractive power in electro-active lens, be equivalent to change focal length.

Only by electrically active component, by using the free form lens technologies not proofread and correct under the situation of unconventional ametropia, adopt pixilated electro-active element.By adding to voltage to electrically active component, to proofread and correct unconventional ametropia, produce refraction index changing for a plurality of pixels that comprise in the electrically active component, thereby produce grid or pattern with a plurality of refractive indexes, combine and be used to proofread and correct unconventional ametropia.

Stadimeter can use multiple signal source, as laser instrument, light emitting diode, rf wave, microwave or excusing from death pulse positioning object, and determines its distance.Optical transmitting set can be vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).The small size of these devices and planar shape make its very attractive for this application.In another embodiment, use Organic Light Emitting Diode or OLED light source as stadimeter.The advantage of this device is, usually OLED can be manufactured to make it be essentially transparent.Therefore, OLED can be the stadimeter of the best, makes lens meet needs on aesthetic, because it can be incorporated in lens or the framework, but can not be noted.

With reference to Fig. 9 B, Fig. 9 B controller/stadimeter 1220 can be contained within the electroactive substrate 1250, and electroactive substrate 1250 can further be handled for the sectional view of lens shown in Fig. 9 A when the top is watched, and makes electro-active lens.Circuit in can utilizing passage 1290 and imbedding basic lens 1230 is electrically connected.Can apply the outside surface of basic lens 1230 then with

transparent conductor

1293,1296, use the positive terminals and the negative terminals of

transparent conductor

1293,1296 and external power source to electrically contact, thereby, electric energy can be added to electrically active component 1205 and controller/stadimeter 1220 by between two outside surfaces of lens, adding to electromotive force.

Can controller/stadimeter 1220 be connected with electrically active component 1205 by a series of conductive bus, such as utilizing any structure as herein described.Bus is preferably the structure just like the truck wheel sample, and wherein bus constitutes the spoke of described wheel, and electrically active component is then as wheel hub.The structure of this truck wheel sample provides the selection that controller/stadimeter 1220 can be installed in some diverse locations place on the lens 1200.Controller/stadimeter 1220 can be connected in any position on any conductive bus 1240, preferably connects in the edge of lens near picture frame, and perhaps controller/stadimeter 1220 can be fixed on the spectacle-frame, is connected with conductive bus 1240 by lead.The conductive bus structure of this truck wheel sample also provides a plurality of positions, in order to voltage is put on the electrically active component 1205 from power supply.

As another selection, in some embodiments, can as shown in Fig. 9 C, use conductive surface.In these embodiments, can use the conduction penetrating device, as have the clamp of first clamp 1282 and second clamp 1284, each clamp is fixed in the line end that connects of power supply.Can tighten

clamp

1282,1284, make the surface of the penetrable lens 1200 of a part of clamp perhaps to contact by the surface of other modes with

transparent conductor

1293,1296, thereby from the power supply conduct electrical power.In Fig. 9 C, connect the opposite side that clamp 1282,1284 is in lens.But, should be appreciated that the same side of two

clamp

1282,1284 penetrable lens, as long as suitably insulated separation positive conductor and negative conductor.

In another embodiment of the present invention, can will be installed on the frame hinge 1305 of eyeglass with contact head or in its vicinity, wherein eyeglass comprises the electro-active lens of making according to methods described herein 1200 such as the such power supply of battery.Figure 10 A represents the rear view of spectacle-frame, and this spectacle-frame has and is installed on according on the picture frame hinge of the embodiment of the invention or neighbouring and contact head power supply.Figure 10 B represents the top view of spectacle-frame, and this spectacle-frame has contact head, and described contact head contacts with battery, and is installed on the frame hinge of the embodiment of the invention or near it.In some embodiments, can make such as battery 1320 such power supplys and be connected by in lens, getting out the hole 1330 that arrives

supply terminals

1380,1385 with lens.

In certain embodiments, controller/stadimeter 1220 is installed in the lens 1200, and is controller/stadimeter 1220 and electrically active component 1205 transmission of electric energy by the battery 1320 that is fixed in spectacle-frame 1300.Figure 10 A and 10B represent that the contact head 1310 with battery 1320 is on the frame hinge 1305 or in its vicinity, and for example, this is the embodiment that is on the both sides stent area of spectacle-frame.As selection, as shown in Figure 11 A and 11B, the rear portion of all right scioptics 1200 forms the contact head 1310 with battery 1320.Can be by transparent conductive material, make contact head 1310 as ITO or other conductive oxides or transparent conductive polymer.

Figure 12 A and 12B represent to be installed on the frame hinge 1305 or near another embodiment of the contact head 1310 of the battery 1320 it.Contact head 1310 can extend in the side of lens 1200 by the side of spectacle-frame 1300.In this case, the outer rim with two bus coated lens 1200 that are electrically insulated from each other helps stoping electric current to flow to this device.These buss can provide the contact of better surface, and reduce impedance for the voltage that imposes on electrically active component 1205.

Can also use screw and frame hinge that external power source is installed on picture frame.In certain embodiments, also can be installed on controller on the spectacle-frame in this way.Figure 13 A-13D represents to be installed on the battery component on the frame hinge.Battery component comprises having battery 1320, spectacle-frame screw 1410 and the frame hinge 1305 that is fixed with support ring 1420.Cell support ring 1420 can insert in the frame hinge 1305, to hold screw 1410.Screw 1410 can insert by frame hinge 1305, and frame hinge 1305 is threaded, to keep screw 1410.Figure 13 D represents another embodiment, and wherein battery component can also comprise battery bracket 1322, can take off or change battery 1320 from this, and screw 1410 and cell support ring 1420 are broken away from.

The controller of described electro-active lens, stadimeter and power supply can be the separating components that is placed on lens or the spectacle-frame, perhaps they can be integrated in the module.Figure 14 represents integrated battery, controller and stadimeter, and they constitute the employed single control module of one embodiment of the invention.This control module is such as only comprising: semicircle photoelectric detector 1700 and semicircle light emitting diode 1710, they constitute stadimeter together, as first parts of module.Controller 1720 can be located at the stadimeter back, constitute second parts; Disk-shaped battery 1730 can be located at the back of controller 1720.As shown in figure 15, these parts constitute an independent control module 1810, and this control module 1810 can be connected with electrically active component 1830 by conductive bus 1820, for electrically active component 1830 provides electric energy, and the focal length of transform lens 1800, for lens wearer provides required vision correction.

Figure 16 represents integrated control module finishing and is installed on method in the lens.In step 1900, consider lenticular blank size and wearer's pupil position and the distance between the pupil, select the structure of required picture frame.In step 1910, can be according to the size of lenticular blank and wearer's pupil structure, make the optical devices that are generally prefabricated or lenticular blank 1975 off-axis of semi-manufacture blank.Also need off-axis under some situation, in order that produce required prismatic effect.If the non-electroactive part of lens provides astigmatism correction, then can also the relay lens blank.In step 1920, can surperficial casting mold (surface cast) or grind lenticular blank 1975, so that provide required for the wearer apart from scheme.In step 1930, can in the surface, cut or be molded into groove, be used to hold electrically active component 1977 and conductive bus 1979.Should be appreciated that step 1930 is optionally, can make groove in advance.In step 1940, with electrically active component and conductive bus, and in controller/stadimeter 1981 insertion grooves, and the conformal sealing, so that these parts are imbedded in the lens.Preferably bus is located at such position, makes that described stadimeter and controller can be near the edges of spectacle-frame, preferably be provided with near wearer's temples.

Yet, be understood that,, need not controller and stadimeter are imbedded in the lens for other embodiment, can be afterwards such as by being placed on the spectacle-frame or being placed on any one or both that add on the lens surface wherein, then be included in lens in conductive bus be electrically connected.In step 1950, rims of the lens is processed into the shape that is suitable for being placed in the spectacle-frame, be installed in the spectacle-frame then.When being suitable for putting into spectacle-frame and handling rims of the lens, the edge of lens should be made and only remove those parts that do not comprise electrically active component in the lens.At last, in step 1960, battery is connected with conductive bus.If before installing, controller is not programmed in advance, then can programme, so that comprise the distinctive information of wearer, such as vision scheme for the different focal wearer.

Select as another, can be with any one or a plurality of being installed on the spectacle-frame in the middle of stadimeter, controller and the battery, and be connected with electro-active lens by the lead through electrically active component.Figure 17 represent to repair with spectacles frame in have the method for the lens of stadimeter, battery and controller.In step 2000, select a kind of design.In step 2010, as shown in Figure 17 B, can make prefabricated optical devices or semi-manufacture blank off-axis and rotation.If lens have the double-curved surface refractive power, then electrically active component is placed on the optical centre of lens, must be orientated bus with respect to the double-curved surface axle.In step 2020, lens grinding is become double-curved surface and sphere, as shown in Figure 17 C.As step 2030 those shown, lens are carried out edge treated, be positioned in the spectacle-frame, such shown in Figure 17 D.In step 2040, stadimeter, battery and the controller that is expressed as integrated control module 2060 can be installed on the spectacle-frame, finish this process, as shown in Figure 17 E.Select as another, will be understood that and in the process of making spectacle-frame, integrated control module to be installed on the spectacle-frame.

If wearer's vision needs, then in the process of each embodiment that makes electro-active lens, can add prism.For example,, then can increase prism if use the semi-manufacture blank, and, if the vision scheme needs, surface working can be become lens, perhaps can form prism with respect to wearer's pupil spacing off-axis by making lens in some cases.

Similarly, can pass through, but be preferably in before the hard coating,, realize changing in the manufacture process additive method of electro-active lens lens staining as after surface treatment.Can also be easy to absorb the photochromic layer or the material conformal coated lens of photochromic dyestuff by usefulness, and make the lens photochromism.As other selection, can dye by the electric look that electrically active component produces, perhaps, dye and form by adding additional electroactive material layer to electrically active component.

Can be before or after edge treated, for lens apply an optional antireflective coating.The contingent degassing in the antireflective coating coating procedure should be sealed in electrically active component in the lens fully.

The invention is not restricted to the scope of specific embodiment described herein.In fact, except described herein, those of ordinary skills are easy to draw multiple modification of the present invention according to above description and accompanying drawing.Thereby these modification are intended to fall within the scope of claims.In addition, although this paper adopts and to have described the present invention as an example for the specific implementations of specific purpose under specific environment, those of ordinary skills as can be known, its purposes is not limited thereto.And, for any purpose can advantageously be implemented the present invention in any environment.Thereby, should consider that the whole marrow of the present invention that this paper discloses explain claim given below.

Claims

1. a method of making electro-active lens comprises the steps:

Surface with one deck covering electrically active component obtains electro-active lens;

Wherein, described layer is selected from by the semi-manufacture lenticular blank, does not finish in one group that lenticular blank, lens wafers, prefabricated optical lens blank, finished lens blank and resin constitute, wherein by applying voltage, described electrically active component can change its refractive index, and described electro-active lens also comprises the zone that increases focus one by one.

2. the method for claim 1, wherein described electrically active component comprises one or more layers electroactive material.

3. the method for claim 1, wherein described electrically active component comprises electroactive material, and this material comprises liquid crystal material.

4. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described liquid crystal material comprises nematic crystal.

5. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described liquid crystal material comprises cholesteryl liquid crystal.

6. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described liquid crystal material comprises Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal.

7. a method of making electro-active lens comprises the steps:

Wherein, described layer is selected from by the semi-manufacture lenticular blank, does not finish in one group that lenticular blank, lens wafers, prefabricated optical lens blank, finished lens blank and resin constitute, and wherein by applying voltage, described electrically active component can change its refractive index; Form described layer to proofread and correct high order aberration at least in part.

8. method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, described electrically active component comprises one or more layers electroactive material.

9. method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, described electrically active component comprises electroactive material, this material comprises liquid crystal material.

10. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein, described liquid crystal material comprises nematic crystal.

11. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein, described liquid crystal material comprises cholesteryl liquid crystal.

12. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein, described liquid crystal material comprises Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal.

13. a method of making electro-active lens comprises the steps:

Wherein, described layer is selected from by the semi-manufacture lenticular blank, does not finish in one group that lenticular blank, lens wafers, prefabricated optical lens blank, finished lens blank and resin constitute, and wherein by applying voltage, described electrically active component can change its refractive index.

14. method as claimed in claim 13, wherein, described electrically active component comprises one or more layers electroactive material.

15. method as claimed in claim 13, wherein, described electrically active component comprises electroactive material, and this material comprises liquid crystal material.