Head-Mountable Device Support With Rotatable Friction Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mountable devices struggle with universal comfort and reliability due to anatomical variations among users, leading to inconsistent securement and increased weight-related fatigue, especially during activities like running or using certain software applications.
Innovation Solution
A head-mountable device with a rotatable head-engagement member that can pivot and slide along an arm, featuring a spring or preloaded material for compliance, a friction interface, and adjustable length to conform to user's head shape, providing enhanced fit and weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional securement arms are used to secure the device to the user's head, then the device can be held in place, but the arms do not provide universal comfort due to anatomical variations among users
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is designed with rotatable joints (first joint and second joint) that allow the arm to dynamically adjust its configuration. The head-engagement member can rotate between a stowed position and a deployed position, enabling the arm to adapt to various head shapes and sizes while maintaining securement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The arm includes adjustable parameters such as the rotation angles at the first and second joints, and the position of the head-engagement member along the arm. These parameters can be modified to accommodate different anatomical variations, providing both reliability and adaptability
2Weight of moving object
If the weight of conventional head-mountable devices is reduced, then comfort is improved, but the securement strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The head-engagement member incorporates a friction interface with localized high-friction materials or surface treatments. This concentrates the securement function at the contact point with the user's head, allowing the rest of the device to remain lightweight while maintaining adequate securement strength
Solution Approach 2:
The friction interface is designed with a curved or contoured surface that conforms to the natural curvature of the user's head. This curved geometry increases contact area and friction-based securement, enabling lightweight construction without sacrificing holding strength
3Adaptability or versatility
If the securement arms are made more complex to accommodate anatomical variations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is segmented into distinct functional components: a main arm structure, a first joint for rotation, a second joint for rotation, and a separate head-engagement member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide adaptability without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The arm structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables positioning through rotation at two joints, and secures the device through the friction interface of the head-engagement member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability
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
Improves user comfort and reliability by conforming to individual head shapes, reducing perceived weight, and ensuring a secure fit during various activities and software use.
Implementation Method 1
the friction interface includes a plurality of fingers that, when engaged with the skin or the hair of the user, is oriented to at least partially support a weight of the head-mountable device
Implementation Method 2
the head-engagement member includes a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mountable device can include a display frame, a display carried by the display frame, an arm rotatably connected to the display frame at a first joint, and a head-engagement member rotatably coupled to the arm at a second joint.