# US 12,111,458 B2 · Electro-responsive gel lens having automatic multifocal and image stabilization functions

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- Number: US 12,111,458 B2
- Document ID: US12111458B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/784,669
- Filed: 2020-03-25
- Published: 2023-01-26
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2019-12-17
- Assignees: Korea University of Technology and Education Industry-University Cooperation Foundation
- Applicants: Korea University of Technology and Education Industry-University Cooperation Foundation
- Inventors: Jin Woo Bae
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111458B2

## CPC

- G02B 26/004: {based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid}
- G02B 3/14: of variable focal length
- G02B 7/08: adapted to co-operate with a remote control mechanism
- G02B 15/04: by changing a part
- G02B 26/0875: {by means of one or more refracting elements}
- G02B 27/646: {compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake (movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68)}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An electro-responsive gel lens having automatic multifocal and image stabilization functions according to the present invention comprises: a first electrode and a second electrode formed on a substrate and having different polarities; and a transmissive part which is formed of an electroactive polymer, and the shape of which is deformed when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed in the plural, and a voltage is individually applied so as to change the shape of the transmissive part in three dimensions, such that the location of the focal point of light passing through the transmissive part is changed in three dimensions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electro-responsive gel lens having automatic multifocal and image stabilization functions, comprising:
a first electrode and a second electrode, which are formed on a substrate and have different polarities; and
a transmissive part formed of an electro-active polymer and having a shape deformed when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode,
wherein as at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is provided in plurality, and a voltage is individually applied to change the shape of the transmissive part in three dimensions, a location of a focal point of light passing through the transmissive part is changed in three dimensions,
wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode, which is provided in plurality, comprises a plurality of unit electrodes to which a voltage is individually applied on the substrate, and
the electro-responsive gel lens further comprises a distortion prevention part configured to block electrical interference between the plurality of unit electrodes and prevent shape distortion of the transmissive part.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 1, wherein the distortion prevention part is formed on the substrate so that the plurality of unit electrodes are spaced a preset distance from each other.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 2, wherein the preset distance is in a range from 50 μm to 1000 μm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 2, wherein the transmissive part is disposed to expose a partial surface through a through-hole defined in the substrate, and
one of the first electrode and the second electrode is provided in plurality and arranged on the substrate along an inner circumferential surface of the through-hole, and the other of the first electrode and the second electrode, which is not provided in plurality, is spaced a preset distance from the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole and disposed below the substrate in the form of surrounding the through-hole.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 4, wherein the present distance that is a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is set in correspondence to a voltage in a preset range, which is applied from the first electrode and the second electrode to the transmissive part.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 4, wherein the distortion prevention part is formed between the plurality of unit electrodes so that the plurality of unit electrodes are spaced a preset distance from each other.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 6, wherein the preset distance that is a distance between the plurality of unit electrodes is changed according to a diameter of the through-hole.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 2, wherein the transmissive part is disposed on the substrate so that a partial surface protrudes when a voltage is applied, and
all of the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a plurality of unit electrodes between the substrate and the transmissive part,
wherein the first electrode corresponds to a partial surface of the transmissive part, and
the second electrode is formed on the same plane as the first electrode and spaced a preset distance from a circumference of the first electrode to surround a portion of the circumference of the first electrode.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 8, wherein the preset distance that is a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode prevents short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 9, wherein the present distance that is the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is set in correspondence to a voltage in a preset range, which is applied from the first electrode and the second electrode to the transmissive part.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 8, wherein the distortion prevention part is formed between the plurality of unit electrodes so that the plurality of unit electrodes are spaced a preset distance from each other.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 11, wherein the preset distance that is a distance between the plurality of unit electrodes is changed according to a diameter of the protruding partial surface.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 1, wherein the light collecting member comprises a unit lens having a ring shape in which concave-convex portions each having a cross-section having an inclined surface are arranged consecutively in a circumferential direction thereof.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 13, wherein a plurality of unit lenses have the same central axis on the same plane and arranged consecutively in a radial direction from the central axis.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The electro-responsive gel lens of claim 14, wherein a length of the unit lens from the central axis to the inclined surface has a preset ratio.

### Claim 16

An electro-responsive gel lens having automatic multifocal and image stabilization functions, comprising:
a first electrode and a second electrode, which are formed on a substrate and have different polarities; and
a transmissive part formed of an electro-active polymer and having a shape deformed when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode,
wherein as at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is provided in plurality, and a voltage is individually applied to change the shape of the transmissive part in three dimensions, a location of a focal point of light passing through the transmissive part is changed in three dimensions,
wherein the transmissive part comprises a light collecting member having a concave-convex shape of which a cross-section has an inclined surface to diffract incident light through the inclined surface, and an inclination angle of the inclined surface is changed when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.
