JPH08660Y2 - High performance glasses - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to high-performance eyeglasses having electric elements.

[Prior Art] In recent years, as a lens for spectacles, a lens in which electric elements such as an electrochromic (EC) element, a liquid crystal element, and a transparent heating resistor element (anti-fog) are formed on the lens surface or inside, High-performance spectacles that change the function (for example, optical characteristics) of the lens by supplying electric power to the electric element have been proposed.

For example, an EC device in which a transparent electrode layer (cathode), a tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ) layer, an insulating layer such as silicon dioxide, and a transparent electrode layer (anode) are sequentially laminated on a lens (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. S60-12065).
Eyeglasses are known that form (see No. 52-54455). When a voltage is applied to this EC element, the WO ₃ layer is colored blue. After that, when a reverse voltage is applied to this EC element, WO ₃
The blue color of the layer disappears and becomes colorless. Although the mechanism of this coloration / decoloration has not been elucidated in detail, it is understood that the trace amount of water contained in the WO ₃ layer and the insulating layer controls the coloring and decoloration of WO ₃ .

The electrode terminal of the lens provided with such an electric element is provided on the outer periphery of the lens in order to secure the field of view of the spectacle wearer. It was to attach directly to the electrode terminal of the lens by the method. In addition, the power supply unit for supplying electric power to the electric element has been conventionally incorporated in the frame or temple part, and the lead wire attached to the electrode terminal of the lens is extended to the power supply unit to connect to the electric element and the power supply. I was trying to connect the parts.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-described conventional technique, the lead wire may have to be extended long depending on the position of the power supply unit, which may cause a large change in appearance. In order to make it close to the above, special processing was required for accommodating the lead wire, for example, by providing the temple with a hole into which the lead wire can be inserted, a concave groove, and the like. For this reason, in the conventional eyeglasses of this type, there are many restrictions on the design of the frame and the like, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

In addition, by extending the lead wire for a long time, the risk of failure such as disconnection at the bent part, especially when the lead wire extends over the temple part and the front part, increases, and depending on the type of electric element, the lead wire There is also a problem that the characteristics are deteriorated due to the power loss in the part.

Further, in the conventional high-performance spectacles, since the power supply unit (battery etc.), the switch, the lead wire, etc. are built in the frame etc., it is heavy and uncomfortable to wear, and the frame becomes thick and the appearance is bad. There are some drawbacks, and the reality is that high-performance eyeglasses are used only for special purposes.

This invention is made in view of such a point,
It is an object of the present invention to provide high-performance spectacles which are lightweight and suitable for general use and have few design restrictions, and which have few failures such as disconnection.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The high-performance spectacles according to the present invention comprises a lens provided with an electric element and a frame for holding the lens,
In order to achieve the above object, a driving power supply section having a switch function and an electric power supply function for operating the electric element is a separate body, and an electrode section electrically connected to the electric element, The high-performance spectacles, in which the electrode portion detachably electrically connected to the terminal portion of the separate drive power source portion is provided in the frame.

[Operation] In the high-performance spectacles according to the present invention, the drive power supply unit is provided separately from the spectacles, and when the electric element is desired to be operated (for example, when the EC element is desired to be worn or erased),
When the driving power supply unit is connected to the electrode portion of the spectacles, electric power is supplied from the driving power supply unit to the electric element. Since the electrode portion is provided in the frame portion, the operation of attaching and detaching the drive power source portion can be easily performed with one hand without blocking the field of view.

By separating the spectacles and the driving power supply unit in this way, the weight of the spectacles is reduced, and the switches conventionally provided in the spectacles are unnecessary. Also, since the distance from the electrode terminal of the lens to the electrode part provided on the frame is very short, it is not necessary to extend the lead wire for a long time, and the restrictions on the design of the frame etc. are reduced and the electrical resistance caused by the lead wire is reduced. It also solves problems such as increase in power consumption and disconnection.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 are a partial front view and a partial rear view of the high-performance spectacles according to the first embodiment (view seen from the spectacle wearer side).
Indicates. In the figure, the frame 4 has an EC as an electric element.
A lens 2 having an element (details will be described later) and having an upper electrode 1a and a lower electrode 1b on the outer periphery is fitted therein,
The armor part 6 has electrodes 3a, 3b (which may be conductive,
It is not limited to metal and may be a conductive elastic body).

As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode portions 3a and 3b are electrically connected to the upper electrode 1a and the lower electrode 1b on the outer circumference of the lens 2 through plate-shaped conductors (metal plates or the like) 5a and 5b, respectively. On this occasion,
A concave groove may be provided in the frame 4 in order to prevent the plate-shaped conductors 5a and 5b from being in a convex state. Conductor 5a, 5
The b is not limited to a plate and may be a linear one, and can be made more inconspicuous by coloring it in the same color as the frame 4.

Further, in the above embodiment, the two electrode portions 3a, 3
Although b is provided, if the frame 4 is a metal frame, the frame 4 itself should function as one of the electrode parts (provide an insulating part as appropriate so that the upper and lower electrodes 1a and 1b of the electric element are not short-circuited). You may provide only one.

In the spectacles having such a structure, the separate drive power source unit 7 as shown in FIG. 3 is attached so as to sandwich the electrode units 3a and 3b, and the terminal units 7a and 7b of the drive power source unit 7 and the electrodes are attached. Part 3a, 3b
When contacted with, the battery 7c from the terminal portion 7a, 7b-electrode portion 3a,
3b-conductor 5a, 5b-EC of the lens 2 through the upper and lower electrodes 1a, 1b
Power is supplied to the device, and color fading occurs.

Here, the structure of the EC element used as the electric element in this example will be described. The EC element is planar and, as an example of a preferable thin film type structure, a four-layer structure such as electrode layer / EC layer / ion conductive layer / electrode layer, electrode layer / reduction coloring type EC layer / ion conductive layer A five-layer structure such as layer / reversible electrolytic oxidation layer or oxidation coloring type EC layer / electrode layer can be mentioned.
For application to spectacles, both electrode layers must be transparent. As the material of the transparent electrode, for example, SnO ₂ , I
n ₂ O ₃ , ITO, etc. are used. Such an electrode layer is generally formed by a vacuum thin film forming technique such as vacuum deposition, ion plating or sputtering.

(Reducing colorability) As the EC layer, WO ₃ , MoO ₃ or the like is generally used.

As the ion conductive layer, for example, silicon oxide, tantalum oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, niobium oxide, zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, lanthanum oxide, magnesium fluoride or the like is used.

These substances films, the manufacturing process, but prevents the movement of electrons, protons (H ⁺⁾ and hydroxy ions ^- a good conductor the movement of a free (OH). A cation is required for the coloring and erasing reaction of the EC layer, and H ⁺ ions and Li
It is necessary to include ⁺ ions in the EC layer and others. The H ⁺ ion does not have to be an ion from the beginning, and it suffices that the H ⁺ ion is generated when a voltage is applied, and thus water may be contained instead of the H ⁺ ion. This water is very small and sufficient, and often water that naturally invades from the atmosphere will also fade.

Either of the EC layer and the ion conductive layer may be on the upper side or the lower side. Further, a reversible electrolytic oxidation layer, an oxidation coloring type EC layer, or a catalyst layer may be disposed with respect to the EC layer with an ion conductive layer interposed therebetween. Examples of such a layer include iridium oxide or hydroxide, nickel, chromium, vanadium, ruthenium, rhodium and the like.

These substances may be dispersed in the ionic conductive layer or the transparent electrode, or may contain the constituent substances dispersed therein. Next, the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. A second embodiment will be described. In the spectacles of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a conical electrode hole 13 is bored in the armor portion 6 of the frame 4, and ring-shaped electrode portions 13a and 13b (see FIG. ), (B)) are formed. This electrode part 13
a and 13b are the upper electrode 1a and the lower electrode of the lens 2 equipped with the EC element
Connected to 1b respectively. Further, the electrode hole 13 is provided with a positioning concave portion 20a which serves as a reference when inserting a drive power source portion 17 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the driving power source portion 17 in this embodiment has a conical end portion corresponding to the electrode hole 13 provided in the frame 4, and the conical portion has an electrode hole. Alignment projections 20b are provided which match the alignment recesses 20a of 13. In addition, ring-shaped terminal portions 17a and 17b are formed on the surface of the conical portion, and the conical portion of the drive power source portion 17 is formed in the electrode hole 13 at the fifth position.
By inserting from the direction of the arrow in FIG.
The structure is such that a, 13b and the terminal parts 17a, 17b of the drive power supply part 17 are simultaneously in contact with each other.

A pair of rotation portions 18a and 18b are provided at the portion corresponding to the conical bottom portion of the drive power source portion 17 as shown in FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B). One rotation portion 18a constitutes the bottom surface of the conical portion, and the terminal portions 17a and 17b are respectively extended in strips in ¼ divided areas that are not adjacent to each other on the bottom surface.

Also, two ball bearing electrodes 21a, 21b are fixed by springs to the other opposing rotation part 18b at positions separated by 180 ° from each other, and are connected to the + side and-side of a battery (not shown), respectively. Has been done.

The rotation portions 18a, 18b are each formed with a concave portion 19a and a convex portion 19b for engagement in the center thereof, and the convex portion 19b of the rotation portion 18b is inserted into the concave portion 19a of the rotation portion 18a, and is about ± 80 degrees. Relative rotation is possible. Normally, the ball bearing electrodes 21a, 21b are not in contact with the terminal portions 17a, 17b at zero degree (the state shown in the figure), and the conduction path is in the open state.

By rotating the rotation part 18b clockwise by 80 degrees from the state shown in the figure, the ball bearing electrode 21
The a, 21b and the terminal parts 17a, 17b are in contact with each other, whereby the conduction path is closed, and the coloring voltage is applied from the battery to the EC element. Conversely, if the rotation portion 18b is rotated 80 degrees counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 7, the ball bearing electrode 2
The 1a and the terminal portion 17b are in contact with each other, and the ball bearing electrode 21b and the terminal portion 17a are in contact with each other, so that the decoloring voltage (reverse voltage) is applied to the EC element.

When using the high-performance spectacles having such a structure, first, the conical portion of the drive power supply unit 17 is fitted so that the alignment protrusion 20b of the drive power supply unit 17 is fitted into the alignment recess 20a of the electrode hole 13. Is inserted into the electrode hole 13 of the frame 4 to bring the electrode portions 13a and 13b into contact with the terminal portions 17a and 17b, respectively. Then, the rotation part 18b is rotated using the alignment protrusion 20b as a guideline to adjust the light until the lens has a desired color.

Next, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing still another embodiment (third embodiment) in the case of electrically connecting the terminal portion of the driving power supply portion and the electrode portion of the spectacles side by a plug-in type. In this embodiment, the end of the driving power supply 27 is constructed as a single-head plug (terminals 27a, 27b), and the frame 4 is provided with an electrode hole 23 as a jack.
(Electrode portions 23a, 23b) are provided.

When the plug-in structure is adopted as described above, the electrical connection is performed in the hole, which is excellent in safety, and it is possible to prevent an increase in contact resistance due to adhesion or damage of the surface of the spectacle electrode.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the electrode portions are provided near the armor portions of the frame, but the electrode portions may be provided at any position on the frame as long as they are easily operated by the spectacle wearer.

Further, regarding the drive power source section, only the structure relating to the electrical connection with the spectacle electrode section has been described, but the drive power source section can also be configured to have other functions such as a pen, a seal, a penlight and a necklace header. .

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the present invention, the drive power supply unit having the switch function and the power supply function for operating the electric element is provided separately, and is detachable from the drive power supply unit. Since the electrically connected electrode portion is provided on the frame, it is not necessary to incorporate an external power source and a switch into the frame or the like, and the weight of the glasses can be reduced.

Also, because the wiring is simplified, design restrictions are much less than in the past, and it can be used as the frame of the highly functional eyeglasses of the present invention by simply performing a simple process on a general eyeglass frame. .

Further, since it is not necessary to extend the wiring for a long time, it is possible to significantly reduce the failure due to the disconnection or the like.

As described above, the present invention has the excellent effects of improving the comfort of wearing high-performance spectacles, diversifying the design, and improving the reliability, and enhances the versatility of high-performance spectacles. Very informative.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 and 2 are respectively a front view and a rear view of a main part of the high-performance spectacles according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a driving power supply unit in the first embodiment, and FIG. This invention second
Explanatory drawing for explaining an Example, FIG. 5 (A), (B)
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of an essential part of the high-performance spectacles according to the second embodiment (a view of the electrode hole as seen from the opening) and an enlarged sectional view of the essential part, and FIG. 7A and 7B are explanatory views of the rotation part of the driving power supply part shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a third view of the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an Example. [Explanation of symbols for main parts] 1a …… upper electrode 1b …… lower electrode 2 …… lens 3a, 3b, 13a, 13b, 23a, 23b …… electrode part 13,23 …… electrode holes 5a, 5b …… conducting Body 6 ... Armor 7,7,27 ...... Drive power supply 7a, 7b, 17a, 17b, 27a, 27b ...... Terminal 21a, 21b ...... Ball bearing electrode

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. High-performance spectacles having a lens having an electric element and a frame for holding the lens, wherein a driving power supply unit having a switch function and a power supply function for operating the electric element. And a separate electrode part which is electrically connected to the electric element and which is detachably electrically connected to the terminal part of the drive power source part is provided in the frame. High performance glasses.