Adjustable Housing Spacing Mechanism for Custom-Fit Wearables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices, such as head-mounted displays, struggle to accommodate users with varying body types due to fixed structural configurations, leading to discomfort and improper fit.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a first and second housing with movable coupling via rotating members and adjusting mechanisms, including inclined surfaces and locking structures, allowing for adjustable distances between housings to fit different user body types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device uses a fixed structural configuration, then the device structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate users with varying body types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different body typesVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed housing structure into an adjustable one. The distance between the first and second housings can be modified through the rotating member and moving members, allowing the device to adapt to different head sizes and shapes. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling versatility without requiring multiple fixed configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the housing structure into adjustable components. The first housing, second housing, and intermediate moving members are separated to allow independent adjustment. The rotating member divides the adjustment function into rotational motion that translates to linear distance changes, enabling customized fitting while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device includes adjustable components, then it can fit different body types, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomizable fittingVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating member serves multiple functions: it adjusts the distance between housings, engages with the locking structure for fixed positioning, and interfaces with moving members for smooth adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining customizable fitting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the adjustment mechanism and locking mechanism into an integrated system. The rotating member combines both adjustment and locking functions, while the locking structure integrates with the moving members to provide secure positioning. This merging approach reduces the total number of separate components compared to having independent adjustment and locking systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the rotating member is always in contact with the locking structure, then rotation is limited for stability, but adjustment of housing distance is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of housing distanceVSAvoidstability during adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously. The rotating member engages with the locking structure at specific positions during rotation to provide intermittent stabilization. This periodic engagement allows the member to rotate freely for adjustment while providing stability at discrete intervals, resolving the contradiction between continuous adjustability and continuous stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking structure acts as an intermediary between the rotating member and the adjustment process. It provides temporary engagement points that guide and stabilize the rotation without preventing the overall adjustment motion. This intermediary role allows the system to achieve both smooth adjustability and reliable stability during the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 customizable fitting to accommodate users with diverse body shapes, enhancing comfort and usability by adjusting the distance between housings.

Implementation Method 1

a state of the rotating member may change from a first state, in which the rotating member is in contact with the locking structure, to a second state, in which the rotating member is spaced apart from the locking structure, by linearly moving toward the plurality of moving members as the at least one first inclined surface slides with respect to the at least one second inclined surface by rotation of the adjusting member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP4700455A1Electronic device including structure for adjusting distance between housings
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4700455A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700455A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4700455A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device comprises: a first housing; a second housing; moving members; a rotating member, which engages with each of the plurality of moving members, can rotate around a rotation axis, and includes at least one first inclined surface inclined with respect to the rotation axis; an adjustment member for rotating the rotating member, the adjustment member including at least one second inclined surface facing the at least one first inclined surface; and a locking structure disposed between the adjustment member and the rotating member, wherein, according to at least one first inclined surface sliding with respect to the at least one second inclined surface, the rotating member moves in the direction parallel to the rotation axis so as to be spaced apart from the locking structure, and rotates, after being spaced from the locking structure, so as to move the plurality of moving members.