Method for manufacturing lens for electronic spectacles, lens for electronic spectacles, and electronic spectacles

Abstract

A first recess (102) of a lower substrate (100) is coated with conductive ink to form a first auxiliary electrode layer (104), a lower electrode pattern (105) is formed thereon by vacuum deposition, a second recess (202) of an upper substrate (200) is coated with the conductive ink to form a second auxiliary electrode layer (204), an upper electrode pattern (205) is formed thereon by vacuum deposition, the upper and lower substrates are bonded to each other with an electric element (300) interposed between the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (100), and the upper and lower substrates are cut at positions on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer (104) and the lower electrode pattern (105) and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer (204) and the upper electrode pattern (205) so as to expose the cut surfaces of the substrates.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electric wiring for an electric element of a lens part in electronic spectacles and proposes a structure capable of particularly improving the reliability of electric connection.

BACKGROUND ART

Electronic spectacles have been proposed in which electric elements such as an electrochromic (EC) element and a liquid crystal element are formed on or in a lens and the function of the lens is changed by supplying electric energy to the electric elements.

For example, electronic spectacles using EC elements are available.

In this example, an electrode wiring method for driving an EC element is shown in FIG. 43 that is a sectional view of a lens. As shown in FIG. 43, an EC element 607 formed on a substrate lens 601 is made up of a lower ITO transparent electrode 602, an Ir₂O₃/SnO₂ layer 603, a Ta₂O₅ layer 604, a WO₃ layer 605, and an upper ITO transparent electrode layer 606. Further, plated layers 608a and 608b of two-layer structures are formed on the outer periphery of the lens (the inclined surfaces of V-blocks) as electrodes for extraction from the electrode layers. The plated layers 608a and 608b are in electrical contact with the upper ITO transparent electrode layer 606 and the lower ITO transparent electrode layer 602, respectively. As shown in FIG. 44, the frame of the spectacles is made up of metallic upper and lower rims 609a and 609b sharing a current path. The upper and lower rims 609a and 609b are joined via an insulator such as a thin plastic sheet.

A method for joining the lens and the rims and connecting a control unit and the EC element 607 is disclosed in which the electrodes 608a and 608b formed on the outer periphery of the lens and the upper and lower rims 609a and 609b are brought into contact with each other and terminals from the control unit are fastened between rim locks 609a1 on the ends of the upper and lower rims 609a and 609b (e.g., see patent document 1). Patent document 1: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-138720

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the configuration of the prior art, however, the lower ITO transparent electrode 602 and the upper ITO transparent electrode layer 606, which are electrodes provided on the outer periphery of the lens, are electrically connected only through contact with the upper rim 609a and the lower rim 609b that act as rims. Thus the electrical connection may become faulty when, for example, a screw (not shown) for fastening the rim locks 609a1 becomes loose.

In order to prevent the faulty electrical connection, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the ITO transparent electrode layer but a dry process such as vacuum vapor deposition methods other than sputtering. The other vacuum vapor deposition methods include CVD PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) methods such as resistance heating vacuum vapor deposition, electron beam vacuum vapor deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, ion plating and ion beam deposition, PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and chemical vapor deposition methods such as ion beam deposition, thermal CVD (thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition), plasma CVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition), optical CVD, epitaxial CVD, and atomic layer CVD.

Further, the transparent first and second auxiliary electrode layers 104 and 204, the lower electrode pattern 105, and the upper electrode pattern 205 are made of ITO (indium tin oxide) in the example of the foregoing explanation. The layers and patterns may be made of ITO substitute transparent electrode materials that include niobium-doped titanium dioxide (Ti_1-xNb_xO₂: TNO) not containing indium but containing titanium as a major component, and ZnO.

In the third to eighth embodiments, the lower insulating layer pattern 106 and the upper insulating layer pattern 206 are provided. When the lower electrode pattern 105 and the upper electrode pattern 205 can be electrically insulated in a continuous manner by the adhesive layer 400 alone, at least one of the lower insulating layer pattern 106 and the upper insulating layer pattern 206 may be omitted.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Electronic spectacles according to the present invention ensure connection to an electric circuit and achieve higher reliability. Thus the present invention is useful for spectacles and sunglasses that use electric elements such as a liquid crystal element and an electrochromic element.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles,

in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a first recess for lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the lower substrate, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate,

the first recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer, and

a transparent lower electrode pattern is formed on an electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first auxiliary electrode layer by a vacuum deposition method so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a second recess for the lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the upper substrate, the surface being opposed to the lower substrate,

the second recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer, and

a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vacuum deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and the second auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second auxiliary electrode layer; and

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate.

2. The method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 1, further comprising, A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles, in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a first recess for lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the lower substrate, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate;

coating the first recess with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer;

forming a transparent lower electrode pattern on an electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first auxiliary electrode layer by a vapor deposition method so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a second recess for the lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the upper substrate, the surface being opposed to the lower substrate;

coating the second recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer;

forming a transparent upper electrode pattern by the vapor deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and the second auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second auxiliary electrode layer;

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate; and

after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on the first and second recesses to expose cut surfaces of the first and second recesses on a lens end.

3. The method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 1 2, further comprising: after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on the first and second recesses to expose cut surfaces of the first and second recesses on a lens end; and

forming conductive paste on the exposed first and second recesses to form the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern.

4. A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles,

in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate,

the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a first recess for lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the lower substrate, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate,

a lower electrode pattern is formed on an electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first recess so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first recess, and

the lower electrode pattern of the first recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by a vacuum deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and a second recess for the lens electrode pads so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second recess, and

the upper electrode pattern of the second recess is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer; and

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate.

5. The method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 4, further comprising, A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles, in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a first recess for lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the lower substrate, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate;

forming a lower electrode pattern on an electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first recess so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first recess,

coating the lower electrode pattern of the first recess with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by a vapor deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and a second recess for the lens electrode pads so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second recess;

coating the upper electrode pattern of the second recess with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer;

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate; and

after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on the first and second recesses to expose cut surfaces of the first and second recesses on a lens end.

6. The method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 4 5, further comprising: after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on the first and second recesses to expose cut surfaces of the first and second recesses on a lens end; and

forming conductive paste on the exposed first and second recesses to form the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern.

7. A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles, in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a surface of the lower substrate is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer for lens electrode pads, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate, and

a transparent lower electrode pattern is formed by a vacuum deposition method on an electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a surface of the upper substrate is coated with the conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer for the lens electrode pads, the surface being opposed to the lower substrate, and

a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vacuum deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and the second auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second auxiliary electrode layer; and

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate.

8. The method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 7, further comprising, A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles, in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a surface of the lower substrate is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer for lens electrode pads, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate;

forming a transparent lower electrode pattern by a vapor deposition method on an electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a surface of the upper substrate is coated with the conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer for the lens electrode pads, the surface being opposed to the lower substrate;

forming a transparent upper electrode pattern by the vapor deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and the second auxiliary electrode layer so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second auxiliary electrode layer;

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate; and

after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on an overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and an overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to expose cut surfaces of the substrates.

9. The method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 7 8, further comprising:

after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on an overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and an overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to expose cut surfaces of the substrates; and

forming conductive paste on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to form the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern.

10. A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles, in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a transparent lower electrode pattern for applying a signal to an electric element forming part of the lower substrate is formed by a vacuum deposition method, and

one end of the lower electrode pattern is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vacuum deposition method, the upper electrode pattern applying a signal to a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate, and

one end of the upper electrode pattern is coated with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer; and

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate.

11. The method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 10, further comprising, A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles, in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a transparent lower electrode pattern for applying a signal to an electric element forming part of the lower substrate is formed by a vapor deposition method;

coating one end of the lower electrode pattern with conductive ink to form a transparent first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vapor deposition method, the upper electrode pattern applying a signal to a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate, and

coating one end of the upper electrode pattern with conductive ink to form a transparent second auxiliary electrode layer;

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate; and

after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on an overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and an overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to expose cut surfaces of the substrates.

12. The method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 10 11, further comprising:

after joining the upper and lower substrates, cutting the upper and lower substrates at positions on an overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and an overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to expose cut surfaces of the substrates; and

forming conductive paste on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern to form the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the first auxiliary electrode layer and the lower electrode pattern and the lens electrode pad serving as an extraction electrode for the second auxiliary electrode layer and the upper electrode pattern.

13. A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles, in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a transparent lower electrode pattern for applying a signal to an electric element forming part of the lower substrate is formed by a vacuum deposition method,

a lower insulating layer pattern is formed on the electric element forming part and the lower electrode pattern of the lower substrate except for a part to be coated with a first auxiliary electrode layer, and

a hole of the lower insulating layer pattern is coated with conductive ink to form the transparent first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by the vacuum deposition method, the upper electrode pattern applying a signal to a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate,

an upper insulating layer pattern is formed on the part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and on the upper electrode pattern except for a part to be coated with a second auxiliary electrode layer, and

a hole of the upper insulating layer pattern is coated with conductive ink to form the transparent second auxiliary electrode layer; and

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate.

14. A method for manufacturing a lens for electronic spectacles, in fabrication of the lens containing an electric element between a lower substrate and an upper substrate, the method comprising:

fabricating the lower substrate such that a first recess for lens electrode pads is formed on a surface of the lower substrate, the surface being opposed to the upper substrate,

a lower electrode pattern is formed on an electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the first recess so as to connect the electric element forming part and the first recess,

a lower insulating layer pattern is formed on the electric element forming part and the lower electrode pattern of the lower substrate except for a part to be coated with a first auxiliary electrode layer, and

a hole of the lower insulating layer pattern is coated with conductive ink to form the transparent first auxiliary electrode layer;

fabricating the upper substrate such that a transparent upper electrode pattern is formed by a vacuum deposition method on a part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate and a second recess for the lens electrode pads so as to connect the part corresponding to the electric element forming part and the second recess,

an upper insulating layer pattern is formed on the upper electrode pattern and the part corresponding to the electric element forming part on the upper substrate, except for a part to be coated with a second auxiliary electrode layer, and

a hole of the upper insulating layer pattern is coated with conductive ink to form the transparent second auxiliary electrode layer; and

joining the upper and lower substrates with the electric element interposed between the electric element forming part of the lower substrate and the upper substrate.

15. A lens for electronic spectacles, the lens containing an electric element between two substrates, wherein comprising:

a first recess formed on one of the substrates;

an electric element forming part formed on said one of the substrates apart from the first recess, with a liquid crystal element serving as the electric element placed on the electric element forming part; and

a lens electrode pad on one end of an electrode for applying a voltage to the electric element is, the lens electrode pad being exposed on a lens end, and the lens electrode pad has the electrode formed in a recess on a bonded surface of one of the two substrates, the electrode being formed by stacking an auxiliary electrode layer formed of conductive ink and a lower electrode pattern formed by a vacuum deposition method

wherein the electrode is formed by stacking an auxiliary electrode layer formed of conductive ink and an electrode pattern formed by a vapor deposition method in the first recess,

wherein a second recess is formed on the other of the substrates at a position not facing the first recess, with a second electrode provided in the second recess, and

wherein the electrode pattern extends to the electric element forming part.

16. The lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 15, wherein the first recess is exposed on the lens end as a curved surface.

17. A lens for electronic spectacles, the lens containing an electric element between two substrates, wherein an electrode for applying a voltage to the electric element has one end exposed on a lens end, and the one end of the electrode is formed by stacking an auxiliary electrode layer formed of conductive ink and a lower electrode pattern formed by a vacuum deposition method.

18. electronic spectacles in which a lens containing an electric element is set in a spectacle frame,

the lens having lens electrode pads exposed on a lens end, the lens electrode pads being disposed on one end of an electrode for applying a voltage to the electric element,

the spectacle frame including an electric connector having one end connected to a control unit for controlling the electric element, the electric connector having wiring electrode pads disposed on an other end of the electric connector so as to correspond to positions of the lens electrode pads of the lens,

the electronic spectacles having anisotropic conductive rubber interposed between the wiring electrode pad of the electric connector and the lens electrode pad of the lens.

19. The electronic spectacles according to claim 18, further comprising: a rim-side spot facing in a rim of the spectacle frame, the electric connector being placed in the rim-side spot facing; and

a lens-side spot facing on the lens end of the lens, the anisotropic conductive rubber being placed in the lens-side spot facing.

20. The electronic spectacles according to claim 18, wherein the electric connector passes through rim locks of the spectacle frame and is provided in the rim, and

the wiring electrode pads are set in the rim of the spectacle frame.

21. The lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 15, wherein the electric element forming part is located at a center of the one substrate and the first recess is opened to an edge of the one substrate.

22. The lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 15, wherein the liquid crystal element is disposed at a center of the one substrate.

23. The lens for electronic spectacles according to claim 15, wherein the electrode pattern is formed over the electric element forming part and the first recess.

24. electronic spectacles having a lens that contains an electric element, comprising:

a substrate of the lens;

an electric element forming part formed on the substrate and accepting the electric element;

a first recess apart from the accommodation recess on the substrate,

an auxiliary electrode layer formed of conductive material and disposed on the first recess; and

an electrode pattern formed by a vapor deposition method over the electric element and the auxiliary electrode layer,

wherein a second recess is formed on a second substrate of the lens at a position not facing the first recess, with a second electrode provided in the second recess, and

wherein voltage is applied to the electronic element via the auxiliary electrode layer and the electrode pattern.