Adjustable Facial Interface for Head-Mounted Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtual reality headsets often have cushioned facial interfaces that do not comfortably fit users with varying head or face shapes, and those who wear glasses, requiring replacement cushions for proper adjustment.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable facial-interface system with a facial-interface adjustment apparatus that includes an adjustment base and a rotatable adjustment protrusion, allowing users to adjust the fit of the headset without replacing cushions, by moving the protrusion between holding positions to accommodate different face sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size facial interface cushion is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the headset cannot accommodate users with various head or face shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the adjustment protrusion rotatable and movable between multiple positions, transforming a static cushion system into a dynamic one that can adapt to different user needs while maintaining a single cushion design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the adjustment mechanism into distinct components (adjustment protrusion, adjustment base, spring, detent positions) that work independently to provide incremental positioning, allowing the cushion to be adjusted in discrete steps to accommodate various face shapes
2Adaptability or versatility
If replacement cushions are provided for different sizes, then the fit can be properly adjusted, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single facial interface cushion that can serve multiple functions through the adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cushions of different sizes while maintaining adaptability across various user types
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment protrusion allows one cushion to perform the function of multiple cushions by enabling repositioning, thereby reducing the quantity of parts needed while maintaining size adjustment capability
3Ease of operation
If the adjustment protrusion is held at multiple positions, then the fit can be customized, but the adjustment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded detent mechanism is designed to automatically engage with the adjustment base at predetermined positions, allowing the system to self-regulate and hold positions without requiring additional active components or complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element that provides the necessary force to engage the adjustment protrusion with the adjustment base at detent positions, simplifying the holding mechanism while enabling stable position maintenance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to comfortably wear head-mounted displays with adjustable facial interfaces, accommodating various face sizes and shapes, and allowing wearability with accessories like glasses without needing replacement cushions.
Implementation Method 1
The facial-interface adjustment apparatus may include a spring that biases the adjustment protrusion toward the adjustment base
Implementation Method 2
a coupling magnet disposed at the protrusion end portion... a mounting magnet attached to the facial-interface mounting member or the facial interface and the mounting magnet may be magnetically coupled with the coupling magnet of the facial-interface adjustment apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A facial-interface system for a head-mounted display may include (1) a facial interface, (2) a facial-interface mounting member, and (3) a facial-interface adjustment apparatus disposed between the facial interface and the facial-interface mounting member. The facial-interface adjustment apparatus may include (1) an adjustment base that includes a contact surface and (2) an adjustment protrusion that protrudes along an extension axis from the adjustment base to a protrusion end portion of the adjustment protrusion opposite the adjustment base. The adjustment protrusion may include an adjustment surface that is adjacent to the contact surface of the adjustment base. The adjustment protrusion may be rotatable relative to the adjustment base about the extension axis to move the adjustment protrusion axially along the extension axis between a plurality of holding positions relative to the adjustment base. Various other systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.