Foldable VR Viewer Integrated in Product Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtual reality viewers are bulky, require connection to high-end computers, and are not integrated with product packaging or mailers, leading to resource waste and limited recyclability.
Innovation Solution
A foldable virtual reality viewer constructed from planar surfaces, comprising a face plate, spine/frame, and back plate, using biconvex lenses attached with adhesives, and secured with elastics or rubber bands, allowing assembly from product packaging materials for use with smart devices, enabling hands-free operation and easy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional virtual reality viewers are used, then immersive VR experience is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and requires connection to high-end computers
Solution Approach 1:
The VR viewer is divided into separate functional components: the packaging container serves as the housing, lenses are attached separately to the front panel, and the smart device is secured independently with elastics. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the lightweight packaging to serve multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The product packaging is transformed into a multi-functional object that simultaneously serves as the VR viewer housing, the mounting surface for lenses, the structural frame, and the storage container when collapsed. This eliminates the need for separate high-end computer connections by using the smart device's own processing capabilities.
2Reliability
If separate packaging is used for VR viewers and products, then device functionality is maintained, but resource waste increases and recyclability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The VR viewer components (housing, lenses, mounting mechanisms) are merged with the product packaging materials. The packaging box becomes the viewer housing, flaps become lens mounts, and elastic bands from the packaging secure the device. This merging ensures that after use, the entire assembly can be recycled together as a single package rather than as separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables the entire VR viewer assembly to be discarded with the product packaging after use, eliminating the need to separate recyclable materials. The packaging materials (cardboard, tape, elastics) are all recoverable together through standard recycling processes, maximizing material recovery efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid assembly is used for foldable viewers, then structural stability is improved, but the viewer cannot collapse into compact form for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging structure utilizes dynamic folding mechanisms where flaps and panels can transition between extended (stable for viewing) and collapsed (compact for storage) positions. The elastics provide continuous tension to maintain stability during use while allowing the structure to collapse when not in use, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different functional states.
Solution Approach 2:
The VR viewer components are nested within the packaging structure during storage, with lenses stored in recesses, elastics coiled within the box cavity, and the overall assembly collapsing into a compact form that fits within the original packaging dimensions, minimizing storage volume.
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
The solution provides a lightweight, portable, and reusable virtual reality headset that reduces resource consumption, promotes recyclability, and offers an immersive VR experience without the need for separate packaging, enhancing comfort and portability.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of optical lenses locked in one position to view stereoscopic images
Implementation Method 2
biconvex lenses attached with adhesives
Implementation Method 3
secured with elastics or rubber bands
Data Source
AI summary
A new method of constructing a convertible virtual reality viewer on planar surface when in an unfolded state, or out of a box-type structure is described. Through its design of structural folds, the planar surface(s) can be configured into any shape such as, but not limited to, a package, box, container, mailer, and flyer of any material. Users of such a viewer download a software application onto a smart device and use this display apparatus to view a virtual image through a face plate, containing a pair of biconvex lenses. A viewer fashioned as such provides an environmental solution to reusing resources and limiting product waste by reusing product packaging as a virtual reality viewer with multiple uses. The planar surface(s) are intended for use as product packaging and/or mailer designed to be converted into a virtual reality viewer by the user.