Adjustable Lens Tube Alignment for Head-Mounted Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Some display devices, including head-mounted displays, may be incapable of displaying images properly due to misalignment of the user's pupils and the lens tubes.

Innovation Solution

A glasses-style head-mounted display with two tubular housings that can be freely arranged to align with the user's pupils, allowing for adjustable distance between the lens tubes, and incorporating an image angle maintainer to ensure proper image orientation during rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the lens tubes are fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the user's pupils may not align with the lens tubes causing improper image display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepupil-lens alignmentVSAvoidadjustable mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an adjustable mechanism that allows the lens tubes to move relative to each other along the optical axis. This dynamic adjustment enables the device to adapt to different users' interpupillary distances, resolving the contradiction between fixed simple structure and precise alignment requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into separate adjustable components (lens tubes, mounting brackets) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows precise adjustment of each lens tube's position to achieve proper pupil alignment while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the lens tubes are adjusted for different users, then alignment precision is improved, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterpupillary distance adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-marked adjustment positions and guide features on the lens tubes and mounting brackets. These preliminary markings allow users to quickly locate and set the correct interpupillary distance without time-consuming trial and error adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the device allows free rotation, then usability is improved, but image orientation becomes incorrect when rotated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice rotationVSAvoidimage orientation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an image angle maintainer that automatically compensates for device rotation. This multi-functional component not only maintains image orientation but also allows the device to be used in various orientations, resolving the contradiction between rotation flexibility and image stability.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If the lens tubes are made adjustable, then adaptability to different users is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser compatibilityVSAvoidadjustable mounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves user adaptability by allowing adjustment of key parameters (interpupillary distance, lens-to-eye distance) through a relatively simple mechanical adjustment mechanism. This changes the device's physical parameters to match different users without requiring complex reconfiguration systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4012484B1Display device
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4012484B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4012484B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4012484B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes: a first closed-bottom lens tube (10) including a first display part on the closed bottom for displaying a first image (101L); a second closed-bottom lens tube (20) including a second display part on the closed bottom for displaying a second image (101R); an adjustment mechanism including a first rod (71) that extends from the first lens tube (10) and a second rod (72) that extends from the second lens tube (20) and is rotatably connected relative to the first rod (71); and an image maintainer that, in accordance with the angle of rotation of the first and second rods (71 and 72) of the adjustment mechanism, rotates the first and second display parts relative to the first and second lens tubes (10 and 20) to bring the horizontal directions of the first and second display parts closer to the arrangement direction of the first and second lens tubes (10 and 20).