Optical lens assemblies and related methods
The disclosed optical lens assemblies may include a structural support element, a deformable element coupled to the structural support element, and a deformable medium positioned between the deformable element and the structural support element. The deformable element may include a base element that, when deformed, alters an optical property of the optical lens assembly. The deformable element may have a non-uniform stiffness. Related methods of fabricating an optical lens assembly are also disclosed.
1. An optical lens assembly, comprising:
a structural support element;
a deformable element coupled to the structural support element, the deformable element comprising:
a base element that, when deformed, alters an optical property of the optical lens assembly; and
a coating applied to a first region of a surface of the base element and not applied to a second region of the surface of the base element, such that a stiffness of the first region of the deformable element is greater than a stiffness of the second region of the deformable element; and
a deformable medium positioned between the deformable element and the structural support element.
2. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein the structural support element comprises a transparent material.
3. The optical lens assembly of claim 2 , wherein the structural support element comprises an eye-tracking element.
4. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coating in the first region exhibits a variable thickness.
5. The optical lens assembly of claim 4 , wherein a peripheral thickness of the coating proximate a periphery of the optical lens assembly is greater than a central thickness of the coating that is radially inward from the periphery of the optical lens assembly.
6. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coating is applied to the base element in a manner that causes at least one of:
the deformable element to have an aspherical shape, a spherical shape, or a parabolic shape when the deformable element is in a relaxed state; or
the deformable element to have the aspherical shape, a spherical shape, or a parabolic shape when the deformable element is actuated and deformed.
7. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the coating is diffused into the base element.
8. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the coating is crosslinked with the base element.
9. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the coating is applied to a surface of the base element facing the deformable medium; and
a refractive index of the coating is at least substantially similar to a refractive index of the deformable medium.
10. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coating is applied to a surface of the base element opposite the deformable medium.
11. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein a mechanical stress of the coating is at least one of:
within about five percent of a mechanical stress of the base element; or
less than about ninety-five percent of a mechanical stress of the base element.
12. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein a location of the first region is at least partially based on an inter-pupillary distance between a particular user's eyes.
13. The optical lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coating is flexible.
14. Eyeglasses, comprising:
at least one optical lens assembly, comprising:
a substantially transparent structural support element;
a substantially transparent deformable element coupled to the structural support element, the deformable element comprising a base element and a coating applied to a first region of a surface of the base element, wherein a second region of the surface of the base element lacks the coating, such that a stiffness of the first region of the base element is greater than a stiffness of the second region of the deformable element; and
a substantially transparent deformable medium disposed between the deformable element and the structural support element; and
a frame element for supporting the optical lens assembly on a user's head.
15. The eyeglasses of claim 14 , wherein the coating comprises at least one of:
a polymer material;
a ceramic material;
a glass material;
a crystalline material; or
a composite material.
16. The eyeglasses of claim 14 , further comprising an actuator for deforming the deformable element to adjust at least one optical property of the at least one optical lens assembly.
17. The eyeglasses of claim 14 , wherein the coating comprises a different material from the base element.
18. The eyeglasses of claim 14 , wherein the second region lacking the coating is centered about a geometric center of the optical lens assembly.
19. The eyeglasses of claim 14 , wherein the second region lacking the coating is not centered about a geometric center of the optical lens assembly.
20. A method of fabricating an optical lens assembly, the method comprising:
determining a profile of a coating to be applied to a base element of a deformable element to achieve an optical property;
applying the coating to a first region of a surface of the base element to substantially achieve the profile, wherein the coating causes a stiffness of the first region of the deformable element to be greater than a stiffness of a second region of the deformable element lacking the coating;
coupling the deformable element to a structural support element; and
disposing a deformable medium between the deformable element and the structural support element.