Electronic device with environmental sealing

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device with environmental sealing. A head-mounted device may include a display projector and a waveguide. The head-mounted device may have a head-mounted housing in which the display projector and the waveguide are mounted. The head-mounted housing may have a housing wall that forms a cavity that houses the display projector and the waveguide. A moisture impermeable cover may be used to cover and protect each of the display projectors. The cover may be formed from an elastomeric sheath. The sheath may have an opening that allows the display projector to emit image light received by a corresponding one of the waveguides. A partition may also be formed in the housing to block moisture and other contaminants. An elastomeric gasket or bellows acting as a divider may be used to separate the display projector cavity from the waveguide cavity.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 773,124, filed on July 15, 2024, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 583,739, filed on September 19, 2023, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to sealing electronic devices to prevent the intrusion of dust and moisture. Background Art

[0003] Electronic devices have sensitive components such as electrical and optical components. Preventing dust, moisture, and other contaminants from interfering with the proper operation of such sensitive components can be challenging. Summary of the invention

[0004] A head mounted device may include a display projector and a waveguide. The head mounted device may have a head mounted housing in which the display projector and the waveguide are mounted. The head mounted housing may have a housing wall forming a cavity for accommodating the display projector and the waveguide. A moisture impermeable cover may be used to cover and protect each of the display projectors. Each cover may be formed of an elastomeric sheath. The sheath may have an opening that allows the display projector to emit image light received by a corresponding one of the waveguides.

[0005] If desired, a partition may be formed between the cavities in the housing to block moisture and other contaminants. For example, an elastomeric gasket or bellows acting as a partition may be used to separate the display projector cavity from the waveguide cavity.

[0006] A locator may be used to dynamically align the display projector relative to the waveguide, or an adhesive may be used to attach the display projector to the housing wall. The locator may be coupled between the housing wall and the portion of the display projector that protrudes through the elastomeric sheath, or may be coupled to a structure such as a clamp that holds the display projector through the sheath. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a top view of an illustrative electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional top view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device according to an embodiment showing how an elastomeric cover such as an elastomeric boot may be used to protect a display projector.

[0009] Figure 3is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an elastomeric sheath having an opening through which an electrical signal path may pass according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative display projector partially covered by an elastomeric sheath according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative display projector having a protrusion and a corresponding elastomeric sheath having structure to form a seal with the protrusion according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative display projector with an internal mount and internal positioning equipment according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative display projector covered with an elastomeric jacket and a clamp to clamp the display projector and jacket according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative display projector covered with an elastomeric jacket having locally hardened portions.

[0015] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative display projector at least partially covered with a plurality of elastomeric cover structures according to an embodiment.

[0016] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative display projector and associated elastomeric spacer structure, such as a gasket that may be used to help seal the display projector and separate internal volumes within an electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0017] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative elastomeric sheath having end portions for helping to separate an internal volume in an electronic device into separate compartments in accordance with an embodiment.

[0018] Fig.12 is a cross-sectional side view of an interior portion of an illustrative electronic device in accordance with an embodiment in which a bellows structure has been used to separate an internal display projector cavity from another internal volume such as a waveguide cavity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Electronic devices such as mixed reality glasses or other head mounted devices may have sensitive components such as waveguides and displays. As an example, a pair of mixed reality glasses may have a display projector that emits images into a waveguide. The waveguide may transmit the image to the eye zone where the user's eyes are located so that the user can view computer generated content mixed with real world images viewed by the user through the waveguide. The display projector and waveguide may be mounted within the interior volume of the glasses housing. For example, the glasses housing may have a waveguide cavity and a display projector cavity. These chambers may be filled with air and may be separated from the external environment by the housing wall.

[0020] In some arrangements, there may be a risk that moisture or other contaminants, such as dust particles, may enter the air-filled cavities of the electronic device, such as the waveguide cavity and the display projector cavity. Enhanced sealing for these cavities may be provided using sealing structures such as elastomeric boots, elastomeric spacers (e.g., bellows), and other sealing structures. By using these sealing structures to prevent moisture and dust intrusion, potential damage to sensitive components such as waveguides and display protectors may be avoided.

[0021] Figure 1 is a top view of an illustrative electronic device of the type that may include sensitive components such as a waveguide and a display projector. Figure 1 In an embodiment, the device 10 is a pair of mixed reality glasses, which can be provided with a separator, a cover, and / or other sealing structure to help prevent damage to these sensitive components. If desired, other types of electronic devices 10 can be provided with a sealing structure. The use of a sealing structure in a pair of mixed reality glasses is described herein as an example.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown in , the device 10 can have a housing 12. A waveguide 14 and a display projector 16 can be mounted in the housing 12. The housing 12 (which may sometimes be referred to as a head-mounted housing) can be configured to be worn on a user's head. When the device 10 is worn on the user's head, the user's eyes will be located in an eye-viewing zone 30. During operation, the display projector 16 can emit image light into the waveguide 14, as shown by arrow 32. The image light corresponds to an image to be displayed for the user. The waveguide 14 can transmit these images to the center of the device 10, as indicated by arrow 34. An output coupler (e.g., a holographic output coupler) on the waveguide 14 can then extract the guided image and direct the extracted image to the eye-viewing zone 30 for viewing by the user, as indicated by arrow 36. Any overlapping portions of the waveguide 14 and the housing portion 12C are transparent so that the user can also view real-world objects such as object 40 through the waveguide 14 in direction 42.

[0023] The housing 12 (which may sometimes be referred to as an eyeglass frame) may have a housing wall 18 formed of a polymer, metal, ceramic, glass, and / or other material. Contaminants may be able to pass through cracks in the housing wall (e.g., at the joints between different portions of the housing 12), so an internal sealing structure (such as a moisture-impermeable elastomeric structure) may be used to help protect sensitive components.

[0024] Housing 12 may have an optional hinge, such as hinge 20, to connect elongated housing portion 12A on the side of device 10 to housing portions 12B and 12C near the front F of device 10. Housing portion 12C may extend completely across front F of device 10, or may have left and right portions on the left and right sides of device 10 joined by a nose bridge portion NB. Nose bridge portion NB may be configured to rest on the nose of a user when device 10 is worn on the user's head.

[0025] Waveguide 14 can be mounted in one or more internal waveguide cavities (chambers) 24 in housing portion 12C, and thus housing portion 12C can sometimes be referred to as forming a waveguide chamber portion of housing 12. Housing portion 12C can also sometimes be referred to as a front frame portion or a front housing portion. Housing portion 12B can sometimes be referred to as a temple or an end piece. Display projector 16 can be mounted in an internal display projector cavity 26 in housing portion 12B, and thus portion 12B can sometimes be referred to as forming a display projector cavity portion of housing 12.

[0026] Display projector 16 and waveguide 14 may be protected from contaminants (moisture, dust, etc.) using one or more flexible, moisture-impermeable materials such as silicone or other elastomeric polymers (which are sometimes referred to as flexible polymers or elastomers). Figure 2 is a cross-sectional top view of a portion of device 10 illustrating an exemplary sealing arrangement for covering and / or otherwise protecting such components.

[0027] exist Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , the waveguide 14 has been installed in an air-filled waveguide cavity 24 in the housing portion 12C. To help prevent contamination of the central portion of the waveguide 14, an elastomeric seal 50 may be formed at the opposite ends of the waveguide 14. The seal 50 may be configured to form a bellows or other sealing structure and may extend between the waveguide 14 and the inner surface of the housing wall 18 in the portion 12C. Due to the presence of the seal 50, any moisture or other contaminants that enter the device 10 at the end of the waveguide 14 will be prevented from traveling along the length of the waveguide 14.

[0028] In housing portion 12B, there is a risk that moisture or other contaminants may pass through the openings in housing wall 18 to reach display projector cavity 26. Therefore, an elastomeric sealing structure such as an elastomeric sheath 52 can be placed around at least some of the outer surfaces of display projector 16. Display projector 16 has a display unit portion 16-1, which includes a projector that generates images and an image coupler portion, such as prism portion 16-2, for coupling image light of these images into waveguide 14. The image is output from display projector 16 at prism 16-2, so elastomeric sheath 52 preferably has an opening aligned with prism 16-2 so as not to cover and not block prism 16-2. During operation, image light can pass through this sheath opening to waveguide 14. In order to seal projector 16, portion 52' of sheath 52 can be attached (e.g., using an adhesive or the like) to housing wall 18 of the display projector cavity formed by housing portion 12B.

[0029] During operation of projector 16, it may be desirable to route power and data signals to projector 16. If desired, signal cables may be routed to projector 16 through signal cable openings in portions of jacket 52. This type of arrangement is Figure 3 In Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 5 , a polymer sealing structure 56 (e.g., a flexible or rigid overmolded member, a gasket through which the cable 54 has been passed, etc.) has been formed over the cable 54. The structure 56 has then been placed in the opening in the jacket 52. At the attachment point 58, a crimp connection, adhesive, polymer welding, or other attachment mechanism may be used to attach the jacket 52 to the structure 56. If desired, arrangements in which the jacket 52 is overmolded directly over the cable 54 or in which the cable 54 is sealed within the opening in the jacket 52 using only an adhesive may also be used.

[0030] In some embodiments, the jacket 52 may only partially cover the projector 16. This type of arrangement is Figure 452. In this example, the moisture-sensitive surface of the projector 16 has been covered and protected by the sheath 52, but the portion 16P without any exposed moisture-sensitive area has not been covered by the sheath 52. This allows the use of adhesive 60 to attach the projector 16 to the housing wall 18. As an example, the projector 16 can be aligned relative to the waveguide 14 using an assembly tool in the factory. Once aligned, the adhesive 60 can be dispensed and cured to fix the projector 16 in its aligned position. In another exemplary embodiment, the adhesive 60 can be omitted so that the projector 16 can be dynamically repositioned during the use of the device 10. In particular, the adhesive 60 can be omitted, and an electrically adjustable positioner such as a positioner 62 (e.g., a piezoelectric actuator, a solenoid, a motor and / or other positioner) can be connected between the housing wall 18 in the portion 12B and the portion 12P of the projector 16. In response to sensor measurements made during the use of the device 10, the positioner 62 can be used to adjust the positioning of the projector 16. Jacket 52 may be formed of a flexible polymer (eg, an elastomer) and may be sufficiently flexible to allow projector 16 to be moved by positioner 62. This arrangement allows projector 16 to be periodically realigned (eg, after becoming misaligned due to a drop event, temperature-induced drift, etc.).

[0031] Figure 5 A method for placing the positioner 62 (or if desired, Figure 4 Another exemplary arrangement is to couple the housing wall 18 of the portion 12B to a portion of the projector 16 with an adhesive 60. Figure 5 In the example of , the projector 16 has a rigid protruding post or other portion 16'. A locator 62 can be coupled between the housing wall 18 and the portion 16' so that the locator 62 can periodically move the projector 16 to align the projector 16 with the waveguide 14. The sheath 52 can be sealed to the portion 16' using an O-ring 64 and an O-ring retainer 66. The retainer 66 (which can be referred to as an O-ring support structure or grommet) can be attached to the sheath 52 using an adhesive, polymer overmolding technology, polymer welding, a crimp connection, or other suitable attachment mechanism. If desired, the adhesive 60 ( Figure 4 ) instead of the locator 62 may be coupled between the wall 18 and the portion 16'.

[0032] like Figure 6 As shown in , projector 16 can have an outer housing portion 16-1 and a movable inner portion 16-2 that moves relative to portion 16-1. A sheath 52 can be attached and sealed around housing portion 16-1 using an adhesive or other attachment mechanism 70. This protects the outer surface of projector 16. During operation, positioner 62 can periodically adjust the positioning of inner portion 16-2 relative to outer portion 16-1 (e.g., to align the projector).

[0033] If desired, the projector 16 can be clamped through the jacket 52 without forming any additional openings in the jacket 52. This type of arrangement is Figure 7 As shown in Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the clamp 72 has been press-fitted over the jacket 52 and the projector 16. This allows the clamp 72 to securely clamp the projector 16. The locator 62 may be mounted between the wall 18 of the portion 12B and the clamp 72 so that the locator 62 may adjust the positioning of the projector 16 during operation. If desired, the adhesive 60 ( Figure 4 ) instead of the locator 62 can be connected between the wall 18 and the clamp 72. Figure 7 In the embodiment and other embodiments, the open end of the sheath 52 can be sealed relative to the projector 16, can be sealed relative to the wall 18 (see, for example, exemplary sheath attachment location 73), or can be sealed relative to the waveguide 14 (see, for example, exemplary attachment location 75).

[0034] exist Figure 8 In the exemplary arrangement of , the jacket 52 has been provided with a rigid portion (rigid portion 52', which is sometimes referred to as a locally hardened portion). Portion 52' may have an elastic modulus greater than the elastic modulus of the remaining flexible portion of the jacket 52. Portion 52' may be attached to the projector 16 using an adhesive or other attachment mechanism. Locator 62 may be coupled between wall 18 of portion 12B and portion 52' so that projector 16 may be positioned during operation of device 10 (e.g., to periodically realign the projector). The flexible portion of jacket 52 may extend over an exposed portion of projector 16 to cover and protect projector 16 from moisture and other contaminants. Because portion 52' is rigid, flexing of jacket 52 may be minimized when jacket 52 is attached between locator 62 and projector 16 to help ensure that projector 16 can be accurately positioned. If desired, adhesive 60( Figure 4 ) may be used to attach the rigid portion 52 ′ of the sheath 52 to the wall 18 , thereby rigidly attaching the projector 16 to the wall 18 .

[0035] Fig. 9 5 shows how a cover such as the sheath 52 can be divided into multiple parts. Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 1 , first jacket portion (jacket) 52-1 covers the sensitive portion at the top of projector 16, while second portion 52-1 having a tubular sleeve shape covers the sensitive portion at the bottom of projector 16. With this arrangement, moisture-impermeable portion 16E of projector 16 can be exposed. This allows locator 62 to be coupled between wall 18 and portion 16E to allow alignment of projector 16 during operation of device 10. If desired, adhesive 60 ( Figure 4) may be used to attach portion 16E to wall 18 in place of locator 62, thereby rigidly attaching projector 16 to wall 18 in portion 12B.

[0036] Another arrangement that can be used to prevent moisture or other contaminants from intruding into the device 10 involves the use of a partition seal (which is sometimes referred to as a partition or cavity divider structure). Fig.10 , for example, an annular elastomeric gasket such as gasket 80 can be connected to wall 18 at the prism end of projector 16. An adhesive, friction fit connection, or other attachment mechanism can be used to connect the outer edge of gasket 80 to wall 18 and the inner edge of gasket 80 to projector 16. In this position, gasket 80 separates display projector cavity 26 from waveguide cavity 24, so gasket 80 forms an elastomeric partition between cavity 24 and cavity 26. By separating the interior of housing 12 in this manner, contaminants are prevented from moving between the internal chambers of housing 12, thereby helping to protect sensitive components in these chambers. Gasket 80 can be formed of an elastomeric material having a sufficiently low elastic modulus (e.g., sufficiently high flexibility) to allow display projector 16 to move during alignment operations.

[0037] exist Fig.11 In the example of FIG. 1 , portion 52G of elastomeric jacket 52 is attached between wall 18 and the prism end of projector 16 using connector 82 (e.g., adhesive, friction fit connector, and / or other attachment mechanism). In this configuration, portion 52G acts as an elastomeric divider (e.g., portion 52G forms a divider seal that separates cavity 24 from cavity 26).

[0038] If necessary, bellows can be used to increase the flexibility of elastomeric separators or other separator seal structures. Fig.12 In the example of FIG. 1 , a flexible partition formed by an annular bellows 84 has been used to separate the interior of housing 12. Bellows 84 separates cavity 24 from cavity 26, thereby separating the interior of housing 12. Bellows 84 may be attached between housing wall 18 and the prism end of projector 16 using adhesives, friction fit connections, or other attachment mechanisms (see, e.g., connection 86).

[0039] A divider, such as a bellows-based divider or a divider formed from other flexible sealing structures (e.g., elastomeric gaskets, portions of a jacket 52, etc.), may be used in conjunction with an elastomeric display projector cover such a jacket 52, or may be used alone.

[0040] To help protect the user's privacy, best practices may be used to handle any personal user information collected by the device 10. These best practices include meeting or exceeding any applicable privacy regulations. Opt-in and opt-out options and / or other options may be provided that allow users to control the use of their personal data.

[0041] According to an embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a head-mounted housing; a display projector located in the head-mounted housing, the display projector being configured to emit image light; a waveguide being configured to receive the image light; and an elastomeric cover being configured to cover the display projector without blocking the image light.

[0042] According to another embodiment, the head mounted housing has housing walls configured to form a first cavity and a second cavity.

[0043] According to another embodiment, the display projector and the elastomeric cover are located in the first cavity.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the elastomeric cover includes an elastomeric sheath surrounding the display projector, and the elastomeric sheath has an opening through which the image light passes.

[0045] According to another embodiment, parts of the display projector pass through additional openings in the elastomeric sheath.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an adhesive configured to attach the portion of the display projector to the housing wall.

[0047] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a positioner coupled between the housing wall and the portion of the display projector, the positioner being configured to dynamically adjust an alignment of the display projector relative to the waveguide.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a clamp configured to hold the display projector via the elastomeric sheath and a retainer coupled between the clamp and the housing wall.

[0049] According to another embodiment, the elastomeric jacket has a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion have different elastic modulus values.

[0050] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a locator located inside the elastomeric sheath, the locator being configured to align the display projector.

[0051] According to an embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a head-mounted shell having shell walls configured to form a first cavity and a second cavity; a display projector located in the first cavity, the display projector configured to emit image light; a waveguide located in the second cavity, the waveguide configured to receive the image light; and a partition located between the first cavity and the second cavity, the partition configured to block moisture.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the partition comprises a flexible bellows connected between the housing wall and the display projector.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the divider comprises an elastomeric gasket connected between the housing wall and the display projector.

[0054] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a bellows coupled between the housing wall and the waveguide.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an elastomeric sheath at least partially covering the display projector.

[0056] According to another embodiment, the elastomeric sheath has a portion configured to form the partition.

[0057] According to an embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a head-mounted housing; a display projector located in the head-mounted housing, the display projector being configured to emit image light; a waveguide, the waveguide being configured to receive the image light; and a sheath, the sheath being configured to at least partially cover the display projector without blocking the image light.

[0058] According to another embodiment, the sheath comprises an elastomeric material configured to be a moisture barrier.

[0059] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a signal cable configured to pass through the sheath.

[0060] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a clamp configured to hold the display projector via the sheath.

[0061] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications may be made to the embodiments described. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented independently or in any combination.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: Head mounted housing; a display projector in the head mounted housing, the display projector configured to emit image light; a waveguide configured to receive the image light; and An elastomeric cover is configured to cover the display projector without blocking the image light. 2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the head mounted housing has housing walls configured to form a first cavity and a second cavity.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the display projector and the elastomeric cover are located in the first cavity.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the elastomeric cover comprises an elastomeric sheath surrounding the display projector, and wherein the elastomeric sheath has an opening through which the image light passes.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein a portion of the display projector passes through an additional opening in the elastomeric sheath. 6 . The electronic device of claim 5 , further comprising an adhesive configured to attach the portion of the display projector to the housing wall.

7. The electronic device of claim 5, further comprising a positioner coupled between the housing wall and the portion of the display projector, wherein the positioner is configured to dynamically adjust an alignment of the display projector relative to the waveguide.

8. The electronic device according to claim 4, further comprising: a clamp configured to hold the display projector via the elastomeric sheath; and A locator is coupled between the fixture and the housing wall.

9. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the elastomeric jacket has a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion and the second portion have different elastic modulus values.

10. The electronic device of claim 4, further comprising a locator located inside the elastomeric jacket, the locator configured to align the display projector.

11. An electronic device, comprising: a head-mounted housing having housing walls configured to form a first cavity and a second cavity; a display projector located in the first cavity, the display projector configured to emit image light; a waveguide in the second cavity, the waveguide configured to receive the image light; and A partition is located between the first cavity and the second cavity, and the partition is configured to block moisture.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the divider comprises a flexible bellows connected between the housing wall and the display projector.

13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the divider comprises an elastomeric gasket connected between the housing wall and the display projector.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising a bellows coupled between the housing wall and the waveguide.

15. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising an elastomeric sheath at least partially covering the display projector.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the elastomeric sheath has a portion configured to form the divider.

17. An electronic device, comprising: Head mounted housing; a display projector in the head mounted housing, the display projector configured to emit image light; a waveguide configured to receive the image light; and A cover is configured to at least partially cover the display projector without blocking the image light.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the sheath comprises an elastomeric material configured to block moisture.

19. The electronic device according to claim 18, further comprising a signal cable configured to pass through the sheath.

20. The electronic device of claim 18, further comprising a clamp configured to hold the display projector via the sheath.

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