Flexible Facial Interface Assembly for HMD Comfort and Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted displays cause discomfort due to weight distribution and lack of conformability to diverse facial features, leading to inadequate user comfort during prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
A facial interface assembly comprising a rigid support frame element and a flexible facial interface frame element, where the flexible frame can conform to individual facial features, with an extensible material allowing independent movement relative to the rigid frame for a customizable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foam or conformable features are included to improve user comfort, then user comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The facial interface assembly is divided into two distinct frame elements: a rigid support frame element and a flexible facial interface frame element. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function - the rigid element provides structural support while the flexible element conforms to facial features - thereby improving user comfort without requiring complete redesign of the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the facial interface assembly have different mechanical properties. The rigid support frame element maintains structural integrity and supports the display weight, while the flexible facial interface frame element provides conformability to diverse facial features. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction by applying rigidity where needed for support and flexibility where needed for comfort.
2Strength
If the displays and other elements are made rigid for structural support, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to diverse facial features deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into rigid and flexible portions, allowing the rigid support frame element to maintain structural strength for supporting the display while the flexible facial interface frame element provides adaptability to diverse facial features. Each segment performs its specialized function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The facial interface assembly exhibits local quality differentiation where the rigid support frame element provides structural strength in the regions requiring support, while the flexible facial interface frame element provides adaptability in the regions requiring conformability to facial features.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single rigid frame structure is used for support, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to inability to conform to diverse faces
Solution Approach 1:
The facial interface assembly is manufactured as separate rigid and flexible frame elements that are subsequently assembled. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured using appropriate processes for its material properties while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility, and the assembly provides both structural support and facial conformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The facial interface assembly combines rigid and flexible materials in a composite structure. The rigid support frame element provides structural integrity while the flexible facial interface frame element provides conformability. This composite approach enables manufacturing of both rigid and flexible components using suitable processes and assembly techniques.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible frame outer periphery is independently movable relative to the rigid frame, then adaptability to facial features is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The independent movability of the flexible frame outer periphery relative to the rigid frame is achieved through segmentation of the frame into distinct elements. This segmentation allows the flexible portion to move independently for adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without complex mechanisms.
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
Provides enhanced user comfort by adapting to various face shapes and sizes, reducing discomfort and improving fit stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible facial interface frame element configured to flex to conform to the user's facial features
Implementation Method 2
The extensible material may be configured to extend upon flexing of the flexible facial interface frame element away from the rigid support frame element and to retract upon flexing of the flexible facial interface frame element toward the rigid support frame element
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed flexible facial interface assemblies for head-mounted display systems may include a rigid support frame element and a flexible facial interface frame element. The rigid support frame element may be shaped and configured to physically support a display of a head-mounted display system in front of a user's eyes when the facial interface assembly is worn by the user. The flexible facial interface frame element may be configured to flex to conform to the user's facial features when the facial interface assembly is worn by the user. An outer periphery of the flexible facial interface frame element may be independently movable relative to an outer periphery of the rigid support frame element. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.