Adjustable Counterbalance for Head-Mounted Display Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-mountable electronic devices, such as those providing augmented and virtual reality experiences, often become unbalanced due to the weight of display components, leading to discomfort for users.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a counterbalance mechanism into the securement band of the head-mountable device, which can be adjustable to balance the weight of the display unit, ensuring comfort and stability across various user head shapes and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If display components are positioned towards the front of the user's head to provide visual displays, then the visual display function is achieved, but the device becomes front-heavy and unbalanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual display functionVSAvoiddevice balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A counterbalance weight is integrated into the securement band structure, positioned opposite to the display components. This counterweight creates a balancing moment that offsets the front-heavy condition caused by the display components, thereby stabilizing the device composition and improving wearability comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the device structure is made fixed to maintain stability, then structural stability is achieved, but adaptability to various user head shapes and sizes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to user head shapes and sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The securement band incorporates adjustable elements including a telescoping mechanism with lockable positions and a rotatable dial mechanism. These dynamic features allow the band length and configuration to be adjusted, enabling the fixed structure to adapt to various user head shapes and sizes while maintaining structural stability during use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the securement band is made adjustable to fit different users, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsecurement band mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securement band is divided into modular components including adjustable length sections with telescoping mechanisms, rotatable dial adjustment mechanisms, and discrete counterbalance elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific adjustment function independently, making the overall system more manageable despite the increased adaptability features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250102815A1Electronic device including counterbalance

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 APPLE INC

AI summary

Wearable electronic devices including counterbalances for adjusting balance points thereof and methods of using the same are disclosed. In an example, head-mountable electronic device includes a display unit, a securement band connected to the display unit, an overhead band including a first end secured to the securement band and a second end secured to the securement band, and a counterbalance connected to the securement band between the first end and the second end. A distance between the counterbalance and the first end can be adjustable.