Hinge Mechanism for Stabilizing Optical Components in Foldable Wearable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable heads-up displays face challenges in achieving a compact and stylish design due to bulkier display components, which affects their portability and social acceptance, and existing hinges complicate the precise positioning of light engines and optical combiners, impacting stability and display quality.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a light engine assembly, an optical combiner assembly, and a hinge with a pivot mechanism that allows the second portion to rotate relative to the first portion, enabling the wearable heads-up display to fold like traditional eyeglasses, while maintaining precise positioning of the light engine and optical combiner through direct mechanical coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If large display components are used to ensure display quality, then display quality is improved, but the device becomes bulkier and less stylish
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is divided into separate functional modules: light engine assembly, optical combiner assembly, and hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling high display quality through precise component design while reducing overall device volume through efficient packaging and folding capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinges are used to enable folding, then portability is improved, but the positioning precision of light engine and optical combiner deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized hinge mechanism serves as an intermediary element between the light engine assembly and optical combiner assembly. This hinge includes direct mechanical coupling features that maintain precise relative positioning of optical components while enabling the device to fold like traditional eyeglasses, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of folding capability and positioning precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex coupling mechanisms are used to maintain precise positioning, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides the folding capability, maintains precise positioning of optical components through direct mechanical coupling, and ensures structural stability. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for providing stabilized display components in a wearable heads-up display. A hinge is provided that includes at least two portions rotatable relative to each other, such that each portion may be directly coupled to an optical combiner or a light engine. A bias element may be provided to bias arms of a WHUD towards an unfolded configuration. The bias element and surrounding structure may inhibit movement of arms of the WHUD between the unfolded configuration and a folded configuration.