Head-Mounted Device Flexible Pad Pressure Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted display devices often require increased pressing force to securely hold the display unit in front of the user, leading to discomfort, especially when used for extended periods, due to the concentration of weight and pressure on sensitive areas like the temporal portions.

Innovation Solution

The head-mounted device employs flexible pads with air escape holes strategically positioned to distribute the pressure and reduce the burden on the user's head, allowing for secure positioning of the display unit without discomfort, using foamable members and packaging materials like artificial leather to manage the deformation and resilience of the pads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressing force is increased to hold the display unit securely, then the display unit position stability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay unit position stabilityVSAvoiduser discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pad is divided into multiple regions with different hardness levels: a first region with higher hardness and a second region with lower hardness. This segmentation allows the pad to provide stronger support where needed while maintaining comfort in other areas, resolving the contradiction between secure positioning and user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the pad are assigned different local properties (hardness levels) based on their functional requirements. The first region has higher hardness for structural support, while the second region has lower hardness for comfort, allowing the pad to simultaneously achieve position stability and reduce discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If pressing force is increased to hold the head mounted device securely, then the device mounting stability is improved, but pressure on sensitive areas increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice mounting stabilityVSAvoidpressure on temporal portions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pad is segmented into regions with different hardness characteristics. The first region with higher hardness provides structural support for mounting stability, while the second region with lower hardness reduces pressure concentration on sensitive temporal portions, resolving the contradiction between stability and pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hardness parameter of the pad material is varied across different regions. By changing the hardness parameter locally, the pad can provide adequate support for device stability while reducing pressure on sensitive areas through softer material regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design enables comfortable and secure mounting of the head-mounted device on various head shapes, allowing for easy adjustment of the display unit's position without causing discomfort, by distributing the pressure effectively and reducing the pressure on sensitive areas.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic member is configured to have a first length when the mounting apparatus is not mounted on the head of the user such that a first biasing force is applied; and have a second length larger than the first length when the mounting apparatus is mounted on the head of the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

using foamable members and packaging materials like artificial leather to manage the deformation and resilience of the pads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

flexible pads with air escape holes strategically positioned to distribute the pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir escape:

Data Source

PatentEP3196687B1Head mounted device
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 CANON KK
  • EP3196687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3196687B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3196687B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A head mounted device configured to be mounted on a head portion of a user when used includes a display unit (100) configured to display an image to the user, a mount unit (200) configured to mount the display unit (100) on the head portion of the user, and a holding member (260) provided to the mount unit and configured to hold the head portion of the user with respect to the mount unit (200), wherein the holding member (260) includes an elastic member (P1) and a packaging member (P3) enclosing the elastic member (P1), and an air escape hole (P4, 261) is formed in the packaging member (P3), whereby the head mounted device is properly held on the head portion of the user without making the user feel uncomfortable in the head mounted device.