WO1994000790A1 - Light-protective eyeglasses - Google Patents

Abstract

Light-protective eyeglasses with pairs of polarizing disks rotative in opposite directions are characterized in that the inner space of the eyeglass mount is hermetically sealed. For that purpose, the disk actuating means are totally sealed, and, if required, a minimum air-containing dead space is further provided between the fixed and rotative polarization filter disks, the disks can slide upon each other and/or the whole dead space in the eyeglasses is filled with a liquid or semi-solid medium.

Description

LIGHT PROTECTIVE GLASSES

The present invention relates to light protection glasses with adjustable darkening, in which a pair of rotatable polarization filters is arranged in front of each eye in a spectacle part, the rotatable filter disks being rotatable together by means of rotating means.

Such glasses have been a dream since the discovery of polarization, and therefore a whole series of glasses with rotatable polarization filters have become known, e.g. from the following patent applications or documents: US Pat. No. 3,371,979; 3,944,346; 4 113 364; 4,119,369 and 4,386,832; GB-A-2 204 709 and 2 228 341; and FR-A-2 050 723 and 2 537 292.

An air-filled dead space is located between the individual polarization filters of each pair of the known glasses, which therefore consists of two panes arranged one behind the other. As a result of temperature fluctuations in use, this air exchanges at least partially with the outside air. As a result, a condensation of moisture which has been carried in forms, as is known from double windows, except for those which are hermetically sealed. Since at least one disk of the polarization filter has to twist against the other, such a hermetic seal cannot be achieved. The finest dust can also enter the dead space mentioned.

Based on the numerous publications, it is assumed that the problem has not yet been solved and that it has not yet been possible to develop really usable light protection glasses of the above type that are reliable, suitable for all weather conditions, mature and affordable. In any case, such glasses are not on the market. It is an object of the present invention to provide light protection glasses with the properties just listed and to eliminate the disadvantages of the light protection glasses described so far.

The solution to this problem is seen in the light protection glasses according to the invention, which is defined in claim 1. Special embodiments form the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments can also be modified beyond the scope of the claimed and, to the knowledge and ability of the person skilled in the art; the invention is not restricted to the examples to be described. The drawings, in which:

1 is a front view of light protection glasses according to the invention,

2 shows the top view of the glasses according to FIG. 1,

3 shows the rear view of the glasses of FIG. 1,

4 shows a cross section of the glasses frame according to FIG. 1 in the plane IV-IV (FIG. 1) with polarization filters in an enlarged view,

5 shows a cross section as in Fig. 4, but of another frame,

6 shows the view of the polarizing disks,

7 is an enlarged, partially sectioned view of part of the light protection glasses according to FIG. 1, 8 shows a section in the plane YY in FIG. 7,

9A shows a detail of another embodiment of the glasses in the illustration according to FIG. 7,

Fig. 9B shows a section in the plane Y-Y in Fig. 9A.

FIG. 10A shows another embodiment of the filter adjustment in the illustration according to FIG. 7,

10B shows a section in the plane X-X in Fig. 10A,

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment modified from FIG. 4 for storing and sealing the rotatable filter disks in the illustration according to FIG. 4,

12 shows a variant of the embodiment according to FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment modified from FIG. 5 for storing and sealing the rotatable filter disks in the illustration according to FIG. 5,

14 shows a variant of the embodiment according to FIG. 13,

15 the storage of the rotatable filter disk in the embodiment according to FIGS. 11 and 12,

16 shows the storage of the rotatable filter disk in the embodiment according to FIGS. 13 and 14,

Fig. 17 is the front view of a preferred embodiment and

18 shows a section in the plane AA in FIG. 17 on an enlarged scale. In the figures, several parts are identical in pairs, sometimes also mirror images. They are then given the same reference numerals, one of which is given an apostrophe (').

1 to 3, light protection glasses 1 are shown in front view, top view and rear view. A spectacle frame 2 has, in a manner known per se, two frames 82, 82 ', each with a circular opening for receiving round viewing panes. The frames 82, 82 'are connected by an upper web 81 and a lower web 80, which is shaped to put the glasses on the nose. Brackets 4, 4 'are articulated to the frame in a known manner. The frames 82, 82 'can have any fashionable shape, as indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3. The straight part of the upper web 81 is designed as a profile 48 (see also FIG. 8), in which a groove 49 is provided, preferably on the back of the light protection glasses. An actuator 47 is slidably arranged on the profile 48. A sliding, pulling and bending element 46, 46 '(one element for each side of the glasses) is slidably mounted and guided in this groove 49 with little play and is in operative connection with a rotatably arranged polarization filter. Disk 5, 5 '(Fig. 4, 5 and 7).

In the frame 82, 82 'of the frame 2, a fixed polarization filter disk 6, 6' is inserted tightly and firmly in a corresponding recess, for example by gluing. Behind each is a briefly mentioned, rotatably mounted polarization filter disc 5, 5 ', which is axially supported on the one hand on a dust and water-tight sealing lip 50, 50' or a shoulder 51, 51 'of the frame 82, 82' , the contact pressure on this lip or shoulder either by a wave-shaped, theoretically averaged The flat surface of the spacer ring 52, 52 ', which is slightly corrugated and designed as a snap ring, or by direct contact with the fixed disk 6, 6' is constructed. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the filter disks 6, 6 'are at a distance from the filter disks 5, 5' given by the thickness of the spacer ring 52, 52 ', as a result of which a cavity 99 is formed. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the two disks 5, 5 'and 6, 6' slide on one another without a gap, that is to say without formation of dead space.

Each disk of a pair of filters is preferably provided on both sides with a light-polarizing layer and at least one scratch-resistant protective layer located thereover. These layers are not shown in the drawing, but are known per se. The material of these layers should be self-lubricating so that the two disks cannot seize together.

Furthermore, individual, optical correction glasses 42, 42 'can be provided and installed as required, which can be glued or shrunk into the frame 82, 82' or attached in some other way.

The above-mentioned member 46 slides through a seal 70, 70 'installed in the spectacle frame 2, which also exerts a wiping effect.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dead space inside the spectacle frame 2 is made air-free, ie between the polarizing filter disks and in the space of the rotation means and their connections to the disks etc., in such a way that no air exchange with the surrounding atmosphere is more possible or is restricted to an absolute minimum. This is achieved in the simplest way by filling the dead space with a transparent medium that is used at the temperatures of the glasses neither crystallize nor evaporate nor change in any other way and of course must also be lightfast. Furthermore, the medium should also have sliding properties. Preferred on the one hand are water-soluble liquids such as glycerol, glycols, their esters and some ethers, and on the other hand those whose refractive index matches that of the material of the polarization filter disks (acrylic glass approx. 1.47 to 1.50). Such liquids are, for example, glycerol (n _D = 1.475) and dibutyl phthalate (n _D = 1.49), which thus become invisible between the polarizing filter disks and do not cause any refraction at interfaces. Certain silicone oils, silicone greases and other fats can also be considered, for example polyglycol ether with a waxy texture. The medium of choice is glycerin. Special effects can be achieved by means of phototropic media or additives.

In the spectacle frame, the medium mentioned fills the entire dead spaces, which are formed by the spaces between the polarization filter disks, the rear seal and the cutouts for the sliding element. The medium can be introduced through a blind bore 71, 71 'which is provided for inserting the seals 70, 70'.

If only a very small dead space has been created, ie if the panes 5 and 6 of a polarization filter slide on one another and there is no need to fill them with medium, it is advisable to keep the dead space free of water vapor. This can be achieved by a closable cavity 41 in the lower web 80, which is connected to the dead space by a channel (40, 40 '). A dehumidifying substance is introduced into this cavity, for example silica gel, which can also contain a moisture indicator, and this substance can be replaced. It can be in an air-accessible capsule. The Cavities 41, 41 'and the channels 40, 40' can also serve, when the dead space is filled with medium, to absorb temperature-dependent changes in volume of the medium without a substantial increase in pressure in the dead space.

The polarizing filter disks can be provided on the outside and / or inside with protective layers, e.g. outside with an anti-reflection layer and inside with a sliding layer.

6, 7 and 8 show the twisting mechanism in more detail. The rotatable polarization filter disc 5, 5 'is designed such that the circumferential radius of the polarization filter disc is smaller than the nominal radius of the polarization filter over an angular range of somewhat more than 90 ° by the amount of the material thickness of the above-mentioned actuating member 46 -Disc. This is clear from Fig. 6. Furthermore, a radial recess 65 is worked into the periphery of the disk 5, 5 ', into which the actuating member 46 to be described engages.

This member 46 is a wire, for example made of rust-proof spring steel, spring bronze or a correspondingly stiff, flexible plastic, which is bent at essentially one end at a right angle and the crank 60 in the form of a bar into the associated groove or recess 65 in engages the rotatable polarizing filter discs. At least one of the organs 46, 46 'can be pre-bent over a length which corresponds to at least a quarter of the circumference of the rotatable polarization filter disk in such a way that its material deforms in the straight state and in the state bent around the polarization filter radius approximately equal bending stresses occur. At the other end, the organ is provided with a second cropping 62, which lies in a plane perpendicular to the first cropping and into an speaking opening of the actuator 47 engages. When the actuator 47 is displaced on the profile 48, both polarization filter disks 5, 5 'are rotated by the same amount and in the same direction.

The organ 46 can also be in the form of a narrow band or strip of the material specified above. This embodiment is not shown here, but only in the following figures; the tape has e.g. a width of 0.6 to 1 mm and a thickness of 0.15 to 0.3 mm, depending on the material used. In the case of plastics, a transparent material can be selected, as a result of which the twisting mechanism is almost invisible.

In a further embodiment, the two fixed polarization filter disks 5, 5 'can be positioned and installed in such a way that, with glasses worn normally, the glare of a horizontal surface reflecting sunlight is reduced to a minimum so that the polar plane of the rotatable polarization filter disks 5, 5 'to the polarization plane of the fixed polarization filter disks 6, 6' have essentially parallel polarization planes corresponding to the least darkening, and that the latter polarization filter disks 5, 5 'by up to about Can be rotated 90 ° synchronously in order to achieve maximum darkening.

9A and 9B now show a top view or section in the plane YY of a further embodiment of the light protection glasses according to the invention. A flexible band 46A is selected as the twisting means transmitter, which is bent at 60 as in the described embodiments and engages in the rotatable filter disk 5, 5 '. The position of the cropping and the length of the band 46A are selected so that in the "upper" end position 60A the cropping (shown in dashed lines), ie after passing through an arc of approximately 90 °, still a free arc W from 10 ° to approx. 45 ° is available. This has the advantage that the points of greatest darkness and brightness can be set with certainty. 9B shows the band 46A and the slide 47 which largely encompasses the web 81.

FIGS. 10A and 10B now show, in an analogous representation to FIGS. 9A and 9b, a further embodiment of the light protection goggles according to the invention, namely a different form of rotary adjustment of the filter disk 5. The continuation of FIG. 10A to the left can be seen think in mirror image of the drawing. A gear segment 90 is incorporated into the rotatable filter disk 5 or into a narrow ring frame, into which it can be inserted, and a worm 92, which is fastened on a shaft 94, engages in this tooth segment. The shaft 94 is sealed to the outside in the web 81 and in the attachment of the frame 82. The knurled wheel 96 projects outwards over the web 81, with the aid of which the shaft 94 and thus the worm 92 and the filter disk 5 can be rotated. This embodiment has i.a. the advantage that a once selected setting of the polarization filter disks remains unchanged until a new setting is made.

11, 12 and 15 show a further embodiment of the light protection glasses according to the invention. Here, between the two disks 5 and 6 of the polarization filter, as in FIG. 4, there is a preferably medium-filled cavity 99. The rotatable filter disks 5, 5 'are tightly inserted, for example glued, into a narrow ring frame 98. The rotating member 46, here a band 46A, lies on the circumference of the ring frame 98 and, like in the other embodiments, is cranked at 60. So that the ring frame 98 can rotate easily in the eyeglass frame 82, it does not abut the latter, but runs on cams 100 which protrude outward from its periphery. In FIG. 11 it is shown that the sealing of the ring frame 98 to the outside serves a V-lip seal 102, while in FIG. 12 a simple oblique lip seal 104 is selected.

13, 14 and 16 show further embodiments in which the two filter disks 5, 5 'and 6, 6' slide on each other without dead space. The previously mentioned V-lip seal is used in FIG. 13 and the oblique lip seal in FIG. 14. Of course, the seals mentioned are ring seals. They preferably consist of an elastic, spring-hard and self-lubricating material such as nylon (polyamide) or Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene).

Finally, FIGS. 17 and 18 show a particularly preferred embodiment of the light protection goggles according to the invention, in which the adjustment of the polarizing lenses is carried out particularly precisely and the inventive sealing of the interior of the glasses against the outside world is particularly effective and simple.

Analogous to FIG. 1, FIG. 17 shows an eyeglass frame 2 with frames 82 and 82 'as well as an upper web 81 and a lower web 80. A worm shaft 204 is horizontally mounted in the upper web 81 and is provided with two worms 205 and 205 '. These worms engage in external toothings 214 of rotating frames 206, 206 ', which receive the rotatable polarizing disks 207. The worm shaft 204 is guided outwards on one side through a sealing packing 212 through the side wall of the upper web 81 and carries an actuating wheel 211 on the outside. 202 is an eyeglass temple.

The assembly of the glasses is very simple in that the glasses frame 2 is composed of two parts, which are glued together (Fig. 18). The brackets 202 are fastened to the front part 201, and the rear part 203, into which the fixed polarization disk 209 is inserted, is combined with the front part 201 when the worm shaft, the individual seals and the frame 206 with the rotatable polarization disk 207 are inserted in the latter .

In the front part of the frame, glued or pressed into a recess 213, there is a clear disk 208 which hermetically seals the inside of the glasses from the outside world. An optical correction lens 210, which is shown in broken and broken lines in FIG. 18, can also be attached in front of the clear lens. However, it is also possible to design the clear lens 208 as an optical lens.

The following information is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to limit the embodiments or the invention. The height of the spectacle frame is approximately 48 to 50 mm, the diameter of the lenses is approximately 40 to 42 mm, the thickness of the lenses is approximately 0.5 to 1 mm and their spacing is approximately 0.3 to 0.8 mm. The disks 208 and 209 can also be interchanged in the glasses.

The light protection glasses according to the invention can be further supplemented and modified. The polarization disks can be rotated, for example, by a miniature motor which acts via a reduction gear on the above-mentioned worm shaft 204 which is guided outwards on one side. The mini adjusting motor is preferably powered by solar cells which are to be attached to the spectacle frame. The mutual adjustment of the polarizing disks can also be automated. For this purpose, photocells are provided in the area of the light striking the glasses, which is via an electronically known device The control unit controls the adjustment motor in such a way that it rotates the polarization discs for optimal darkening.

It is expedient to treat the inner surfaces of the polarization filter disks by capillary action, so that the introduced medium cannot leak if a seal becomes permeable. A highly viscous medium, to which one can also add thixotropic substances, is very cheap. Even thixotropic gels can be used. The medium should also contain capillary-active substances which well wet the filter discs as additives. Mixtures of two or more substances as filling medium for the dead space between the panes are possible. It may also be preferred to choose a hydrophobic medium in order to prevent water vapor from penetrating between the filter disks.

The light protection goggles according to the invention can additionally have further features known per se; anti-glare flaps can be attached, the glasses or panes can be provided with further protective layers, e.g. against glare, ultraviolet, infrared, the glasses or

Windows can be tinted symmetrically or asymmetrically, contain phototropic additives, etc.

Claims

Claims 1. Light protection goggles (1) with adjustable darkening, in which a pair of mutually rotatable polarization filters (5, 5 '; 6, 6') is arranged in an eyeglass frame (2) in front of each eye, rotatable filter disks (5, 5 ') by means of Rotating means against stationary filter disks (6, 6 '; 209) can be rotated together and in the same direction, characterized in that the interior of the spectacle frame, but at least the space between the rotatable (5, 5'; 207) and the stationary filter disks (6, 6 '; 209), is completely sealed against the ingress of air, moisture and dust to the outside. 2. Light protection goggles according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint adjustment of the rotatable filter disks (5, 5 '; 207) is carried out by a worm gear, each rotatable filter disk (5, 5'; 207) having a ring gear (90 ; 214) and a drive worm (92; 205) is assigned and the drive worms (92; 205) sit on a common shaft (94; 204) which can be actuated from the outside and is arranged horizontally in the eyeglass web (81). 3. Light protection goggles according to claim 2, characterized in that the said shaft (94; 204) can be actuated by a preferably knurled wheel (96; 211) projecting beyond the web (81). 4. Light protection goggles according to claim 1, characterized in that the two polarizing filter disks of each pair (5, 6; 5 ', 6') are arranged at a distance from one another which is just sufficient to effect the rotation is sufficient, and / or that a dead space existing between the polarization filter disks and the connections of the rotating means is made air-free. 5. Light protection goggles according to claim 4, characterized in that the said panes (5, 6; 5 ', 6') s are installed that they slide on each other, with the part of the dead space that is located between the panes, practical Is zero. 6. Light protection glasses according to claim 5, characterized in that the lenses are provided on their sliding surfaces with at least one scratch-resistant and preferably self-lubricating protective layer. 7. Light protection goggles according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a cold and heat-resistant, transparent, liquid or semi-liquid or gel-like medium is introduced between the said lenses and possibly also into the volume required for the connection z the twisting means , and the means (40, 40 '; 41, 41') are provided to accommodate temperature-dependent changes in volume of the medium without a significant increase in pressure in the dead space. 8. Light protection goggles according to claim 7, characterized in that the medium introduced is such that it exerts a sliding action when the lenses are rotated, in particular glycerin, a glycol, a silicone oil, a grease or a wax. 9. Light protection goggles according to one or more of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that a replaceable capsule with a dehumidifying substance is arranged in a cavity (41, 41 ') connected to the dead space volume of the goggles through a channel (40, 40') to which channels (40, 40 ') lead. 10. Light protection glasses according to claim 9, characterized in that the capsule is transparent and the Ent Moisture substance contains a moisture color indicator. 11. Light protection glasses according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for receiving and holding optical correction lenses (42; 210) are provided in the glasses frame (2). 12. Light protection goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a total of four polarization filters are provided, each lens of a pair of filters being provided with a light-polarizing layer and at least one scratch-resistant protective layer located thereover. 13. Light protection goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one fixed polarization filter lens is positioned and installed per eye so that, when the glasses are worn normally, they glare off a horizontal, sunlight-reflecting surface a minimum is reduced that the polarization planes of the rotatable polarization filter disks have essentially parallel polarization planes corresponding to a minimal darkening to the fixed polarization plane, and that the latter polarization filter disks can be rotated synchronously by up to approximately 90 ° are to give the highest darkening. 14. Light protection glasses according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotatable polarization filter disc (5, 5 ') on one surface of the fixed, for example glued-in polarization filter disc (6, 6') and is guided on the other surface by an annular stripping and sealing lip (50) located in the disc mount. 15. Light protection goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surfaces of the filter disks of the glasses which slide on one another or face each other at a distance are provided with an anti-fogging application. 16. Light protection glasses according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opposing surfaces of the filter disks of the glasses and / or said filling medium are capillary-active or have been made capillary-active. 17. Light protection glasses according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling medium is highly viscous. 18. Light protection glasses according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the filling medium is thixotropic or has been made thixotropic. 19. Light protection glasses according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling medium is hydrophobic. 20. Light protection glasses according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rotatable polarizing disk (207) is fastened in a rotatable, annular frame (206) which carries an external toothing (214). 21. Light protection glasses according to claim 2 or 3 and according to claim 20, characterized in that the spectacle frame (2) consists of two parts, namely a front part (201) and a rear part (203), the rear part (203) after insertion of the worm drive (204, 205) and the toothed frame (206) with the rotatable polarization disc 207) and the sealing means (212) in the front part (201) are tightly combined with the latter. 22. Light protection goggles according to one of claims 2, 3, 20 and 21, characterized in that the worm shaft (204) is guided outwards on one side by a seal (212) in the upper web (81) and has an actuating wheel on its free end (211) carries.