Eyewear Linkage Assembly Hides Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eyewear with onboard electronics is often bulky and unwieldy due to the presence of ports and connection mechanisms for power and data transfer, making them difficult to transport and aesthetically unappealing when not in use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a linkage assembly between the temple and the frame that allows the electronics to be hidden when the eyewear is worn, with a port exposed only when the eyewear is folded, enabling connection to an external power or data source through a cable or case with complementary connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ports and connection mechanisms are added to eyewear for power and data transfer, then functionality is improved, but the eyewear becomes bulky and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanisms and ports are extracted from the main eyewear body and relocated to a separate case or docking station. The eyewear contains minimal connection elements, while the case houses the bulk of the connection infrastructure, allowing the eyewear to remain compact while maintaining full functionality when docked.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyewear nests into the case, with the case serving as a container that holds the eyewear in a folded or retracted position. The case itself nests connection ports and mechanisms that interface with the eyewear, creating a nested structure where the smaller eyewear unit fits within the larger case unit that contains all connection functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ports are exposed on wearable eyewear, then connectivity is enabled, but aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Ports and connection mechanisms are extracted from the visible portions of the eyewear and placed in the case. The eyewear presents a clean, aesthetic appearance when worn, while the case—which is not visible during wear—contains all the connection infrastructure needed for power and data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection ports are designed to be dynamically accessible only when needed. The eyewear can be inserted into the case at any time to establish connections, allowing connectivity to be activated or deactivated based on user need without permanently exposing ports on the wearable portion.
3Device complexity
If eyewear is made slimmer and more portable, then transportability is improved, but access to ports becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The case serves as an intermediary structure that provides easy access to connection ports. When the eyewear is inserted into the case, the case automatically positions and exposes the connection ports for interfacing with external devices, eliminating the need to manually access ports on the compact eyewear itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is pre-configured with connection ports and mechanisms positioned for optimal access. Before the user needs to connect the eyewear, the case is ready with all connection infrastructure in place, so that simply inserting the eyewear into the case immediately establishes connectivity without requiring additional manual port access operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems and methods for wearable devices such as eyewear are described. According to one embodiment, the wearable device can include a frame, a temple, electronics, and a linkage assembly. The frame can have two opposing connection portions and the temple can be adapted to selectively interface with one of the two connection portions. The electronics can be mounted to at least one of the temple and the frame. The linkage assembly can be pivotally coupled at a first end portion to the temple and pivotally coupled at a second end portion to the one of the two connection portions. The linkage assembly can be configured for movement of the temple between a wearable position and a folded position.


