HMD Gendered Connector Assembly for USB Profile Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-mounted devices (HMDs) face compatibility issues with external electronic devices due to varying interface connector profiles, such as the transition from B-type to C-type USB connectors, which affects electrical connections and data transfer rates.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a compatible gendered connector assembly within the HMD that can accommodate different connection profiles, allowing for the use of either B-type or C-type USB connectors through interchangeable gendered connector assemblies, ensuring secure and efficient electrical connections with external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the HMD uses a fixed connector type (e.g., B-type USB), then the connector structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but it cannot connect to external devices with different connector profiles (e.g., C-type USB)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector compatibilityVSAvoidconnector assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector assembly is divided into separate interchangeable components: a base connector body and multiple gendered connector assemblies (male and female connectors of different types). This segmentation allows the HMD to maintain a simple base structure while enabling compatibility with various connector profiles through detachable modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base connector body is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of gendered connector assemblies. This multi-functional design enables the same base structure to work with different connector types (B-type, C-type, etc.), achieving broad compatibility without requiring multiple dedicated connector structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the HMD includes multiple connector types simultaneously, then compatibility with different devices is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidconnector assembly volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of integrating all connector types into a single bulky assembly, the solution segments connectors into a compact base body and separate detachable gendered assemblies. This allows multiple connector types to be stored separately and attached only when needed, reducing the overall volume when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector assembly transitions from a static fixed-connector design to a dynamic interchangeable system. The detachable nature of the gendered connector assemblies allows the HMD to adapt its connector configuration based on the external device being connected, optimizing space utilization while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the connector assembly is designed for easy interchangeability, then ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of electrical connection may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector interchangeabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide pins and guide grooves are pre-configured in the base connector body and gendered assemblies to automatically align components during insertion. This preliminary positioning action ensures proper alignment before electrical contact is made, maintaining connection reliability while enabling easy user interchangeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide pins and guide grooves act as intermediary elements that facilitate the connection process. These mechanical guides mediate between the user's simple insertion action and the complex requirement for precise electrical contact alignment, ensuring reliable connections without requiring complex user manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3296843B1Interface connector device including compatible gendered connector
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3296843B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3296843B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3296843B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be provided a head mount device including a housing including a device mounting portion to mount an external electronic device on an upper side of the head mount device, a holder assembly rotatably installed at a periphery of the device mounting portion and comprising a protruding terminal, and at least two gendered connector assemblies each removably attachable to the holder assembly. The at least two gendered connector assemblies each comprising an exposure terminal adapted to be electrically connected to the protruding terminal and a locker to fix each gendered connector assembly to the holder assembly, the each gendered connector assembly has a connector corresponding to a different connection profile, and one gendered connector assembly among the at least two gendered connector assemblies is removably attached to the holder assembly based on the connector of the one gendered connector assembly corresponding to a connector port of the external electronic device mounted to the device mounting portion. Other various exemplary embodiments are also possible.