Head-Mounted Device Comfort Bands for Face-Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-mounted devices exert significant downward force on the user's face, leading to discomfort due to the weight of the housing and components, which existing designs fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The use of adjustable headbands and straps, counterweights, and pads to distribute and counterbalance the weight of the device, adjusting pressure points and centers of force to enhance user comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If headbands and straps are used to hold the head-mounted device, then the device can be worn on the user's head, but the weight of the housing exerts significant downward force on the user's face causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort while wearingVSAvoiddownward force on user's face

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A counterweight is provided at the rear of the user's head to counterbalance the head-mounted device. The counterweight may be coupled to an extension of the head-mounted housing, and/or may be coupled to one of the headband(s) and/or strap(s). This directly addresses the downward force by introducing an opposing upward force through gravitational attraction on the counterweight mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The headband system is divided into multiple components including a rear headband, an overhead strap, and adjustable angle mechanisms. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component to optimize force distribution and reduce concentrated pressure on the user's face.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the headband system uses fixed straps and headbands, then the structure is simple, but the user comfort cannot be optimized by adjusting pressure points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidheadband system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headband system incorporates adjustable elements including angle-adjustable straps and movable pads that can be repositioned to optimize comfort for different users and usage conditions. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to various head shapes and pressure tolerance levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Pads are coupled to the headbands and straps to serve as intermediaries between the structural components and the user's head. These pads distribute pressure over larger surface areas and can be adjusted to modify the contact points, reducing discomfort from direct strap contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250318596A1Head-Mounted Devices with Comfort Bands

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 APPLE INC

AI summary

A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. The optical assemblies may be mounted in a head-mounted device housing. The head-mounted device housing may be supported at the front of the head of a user in front of the user's eyes using a headband system that includes one or more headbands and/or straps. The headband system may include a rear headband and an overhead strap, for example. A counterweight may be provided at the rear of the user's head to counterbalance the head-mounted device. The counterweight may be coupled to an extension of the head-mounted housing, and/or may be coupled to one of the headband(s) and/or strap(s). Additionally or alternatively, a pad may be coupled to, or embedded in one or more of the headband(s) and/or strap(s). By adjusting the headbands/straps, the counterweight(s), and/or the pad(s), the comfort of the headband system may be enhanced.