Bi-Stable Spring With Flexible Display for Wearable Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic device accessories are not easily wearable and lack active interaction capabilities, limiting their functionality beyond basic protection or support.
Innovation Solution
A wearable video device using a bi-stable spring substrate with a flexible display and electronic module, enabling bi-directional communication and interactive functionality through sensors and a touch-sensitive interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional accessories are used for electronic devices, then basic protection or support functions are provided, but they are not easily wearable and lack active interaction capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single wearable accessory device: the bi-stable spring substrate provides both the structural basis for wearability and the mechanical actuation mechanism, while integrating a flexible display, sensors, and communication electronics to enable interactive functionality. This merging resolves the contradiction by making the device both easily wearable and actively interactive simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory device is designed with multi-functionality to overcome the limitation of conventional single-function accessories. It can display information, receive user input through touch or mechanical interaction, communicate with portable devices, and provide haptic feedback. This universal design enables the device to serve multiple purposes while maintaining ease of wear through the bi-stable spring mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a bi-stable spring substrate is used to enable easy wearability, then the device can be easily worn and removed, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-stable spring substrate provides self-service by automatically transitioning between flat and curled states through mechanical activation without requiring complex control systems. The spring's inherent bi-stability allows it to maintain both states equally, eliminating the need for motors, actuators, or complex control electronics to maintain the wearable configuration, thus reducing overall device complexity while preserving ease of wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes dynamic transitions between two stable states (flat and curled) to provide ease of wear. The bi-stable spring can be easily activated to switch between these states, allowing the user to quickly put on or remove the accessory and adjust its configuration. This dynamic capability is achieved through simple mechanical design rather than complex control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and communication modules are added to enable interactive functionality, then active interaction capabilities are provided, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical input mechanisms (such as physical buttons or switches) with sensors that detect mechanical interactions through non-contact or minimal-contact means. This allows the device to maintain interactive capabilities while reducing the mechanical complexity and power consumption associated with traditional actuation mechanisms. The sensors can detect touch, pressure, or motion without requiring the user to physically press buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible display serves as a visual copy or representation of information from portable electronic devices, allowing users to interact with and view content without needing to handle the original device. This copying approach enables interactive functionality while reducing power consumption compared to having full processing and display capabilities built into the accessory itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable accessory device is disclosed. The wearable accessory device includes a flexible display coupled to a bi-stable spring. Coupling the display to the bi-stable spring allows the accessory device to be easily worn in a number of convenient locations.