Electrically Conductive Lens Connection and Methods of Making the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to electro-active optical systems, such as a pair of spectacles having one or more lenses that employ electro-active optical structures. In some embodiments, the invention relates to electro-active optical systems having a flexible electrically conductive connection between the lens and the frame.

1 . A pair of spectacles comprising:
 a first lens and a second lens, wherein the first lens comprises an electro-active region in an interior portion, an electrical contact on an edge portion, and a transparent wire electrically connecting the electro-active region to the edge contact;   a controller;   a frame, wherein the frame comprises a first contact disposed adjacent to the first lens, and one or more wires electrically connecting the first contact to the controller; and   a first conductive element that electrically connects the edge contact of the first lens to the first contact of the frame, the first conductive element being at least partially formed, from a conductive elastomeric material that adheres to the edge contact of the first lens and the contact of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is disposed on or within the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is separate from the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 1 , wherein the first conductive element is disposed in a first cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 4 , wherein the first cavity is formed by a groove formed on the outer edge of the first lens, a groove formed on the inner edge of the frame, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 1 , further comprising a second conductive element;
 wherein the second lens comprises an electro-active region in an interior portion, an electrical contact on an edge portion, and a transparent wire electrically connecting the electro-active region to the edge contact;   wherein the frame comprises a second contact disposed adjacent to the second lens, and one or more wires electrically connecting the second contact to the controller; and   wherein the second conductive element electrically connects the edge contact of the second lens to the second contact of the frame, the second conductive element being at least partially formed from a conductive elastomeric material that adheres to the edge contact of the second lens and the second contact of the frame.   
     
     
         7 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 6 , wherein the second conductive element is disposed in a second cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 7 , wherein the second cavity is formed by a groove formed on the outer edge of the second lens, a groove formed on the inner edge of the frame, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive elastomeric material is flexible. 
     
     
         10 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive elastomeric material is moisture resistant. 
     
     
         11 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive elastomeric material comprises an adhesive binder and conductive particles. 
     
     
         12 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive binder comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a silicone resin, an epoxy resin, a polyurethane resin, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 11 , wherein the conductive particles are selected from the group consisting of silver particles, silver-coated particles, nickel, nickel-coated particles, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 13 , wherein the silver coated particles are silver-plated aluminum, silver-plated copper, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The pair of spectacles of  claim 13 , wherein the nickel-coated particles are nickel-coated carbon. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming an electrical connection between a spectacle lens and a frame, the method comprising:
 providing a spectacle lens, which comprises an electro-active region in an interior portion, an electrical contact on an edge portion, and a transparent wire electrically connecting the electro-active region to the edge contact;   providing a frame, which comprises an electrical contact disposed on an interior portion of the frame; and   disposing a flowable conductive material between the electrical contact of the spectacle lens and the electrical contact of the frame, the flowable conductive material being a curable material.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the disposing step comprises:
 disposing an amount of the flowable conductive material onto an edge portion of the spectacle lens; and   disposing the spectacle lens into the frame such that the flowable conductive material makes contact with and electrically connects the electrical contact of the spectacle lens and the electrical contact of the frame.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the disposing step comprises:
 disposing an amount of the flowable conductive material onto an interior portion of the frame; and   disposing the spectacle lens into the frame such that the flowable conductive material makes contact with and electrically connects the electrical contact of the spectacle lens and the electrical contact of the frame.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the disposing step comprises:
 disposing the spectacle lens into the frame; and   disposing an amount of the flowable conductive material between the spectacle lens and the frame, such that the flowable conductive material makes contact with and electrically connects the electrical contact of the spectacle lens and the electrical contact of the frame.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: following the disposing step, curing the flowable conductive material to form a flexible conductive element. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the flexible conductive element is disposed in a cavity. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cavity is formed by a groove formed on the outer edge of the spectacle lens, a groove formed on the inner edge of the frame, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the conductive material comprises an adhesive binder and conductive particles. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the adhesive binder comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a silicone resin, an epoxy resin, a polyurethane resin, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the conductive particles are selected from the group consisting of silver particles, silver-coated particles, nickel, nickel-coated particles, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the silver coated particles are silver-plated aluminum, silver-plated copper, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the nickel-coated particles are nickel-coated carbon.