Head-Mounted Display Conformable Support with Phase-Change Sealing

Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable electronic devices face challenges in providing both comfort and effective light sealing for users, as existing solutions often compromise between fit and environmental light blocking, and do not adapt well to individual facial or finger shapes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a head-mounted display unit and finger-worn user input device with conformable supports that can change from a compliant state to a support state, using materials with adjustable deformation properties, such as photopolymers or thermosetting polymers, to securely fit various user shapes while maintaining light sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the facial support is made rigid to provide stable support and light sealing, then the light sealing effectiveness is improved, but the comfort and adaptability to individual facial shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight sealing effectivenessVSAvoidadaptability to individual facial shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The facial support structure transitions from a static rigid state to a dynamic state that can adapt its properties. The support material's deformation resistance is selectively changed between compliant and support states, allowing the same structure to provide both comfort during fitting and reliable light sealing during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the facial support are changed by adjusting the deformation resistance parameter. This allows the support to conform to individual facial shapes when compliant and provide stable light sealing when in the support state, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the facial support is made compliant to adapt to individual facial shapes, then the adaptability is improved, but the light sealing effectiveness and stable support deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to individual facial shapesVSAvoidlight sealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The facial support structure transitions from a static rigid state to a dynamic state that can adapt its properties. The support material's deformation resistance is selectively changed between compliant and support states, allowing the same structure to provide both comfort during fitting and reliable light sealing during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The facial support is first placed in a compliant state to adapt to the user's facial shape before use. After adaptation is complete, the material property is changed to the support state to provide reliable light sealing, ensuring both comfort and functionality are achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a single rigid support structure is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the comfort and user customization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The material properties of the facial support are changed by adjusting the deformation resistance parameter. This allows the support to conform to individual facial shapes when compliant and provide stable light sealing when in the support state, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If material deformation resistance is increased to provide stable support, then the support stability is improved, but the conformability to individual shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidconformability to facial shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The facial support structure transitions from a static rigid state to a dynamic state that can adapt its properties. The support material's deformation resistance is selectively changed between compliant and support states, allowing the same structure to provide both comfort during fitting and reliable light sealing during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the facial support are changed by adjusting the deformation resistance parameter. This allows the support to conform to individual facial shapes when compliant and provide stable light sealing when in the support state, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and sealing effectiveness.

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

These devices provide enhanced user comfort and secure fit by adapting to individual shapes, while effectively blocking environmental light and ensuring reliable sensing and display positioning.

Implementation Method 1

using materials with adjustable deformation properties, such as photopolymers or thermosetting polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

using materials with adjustable deformation properties, such as photopolymers or thermosetting polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermosetting:

Data Source

PatentUS11768538B1Wearable electronic device with physical interface

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 APPLE INC

AI summary

A head-mounted display unit includes a display and a facial support. The facial supported is coupled to the display for engaging a face of a user to support the display thereon. The facial support is selectively changeable from a compliant state to a support state in which the facial support is more resistant to shape deformation than in the compliant state.