HMD Mounting Apparatus Recessed Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufactured products, particularly head-mounted displays, often have curved and unusual geometries that complicate precise and quick mounting to testing and assembly fixtures, necessitating a solution for easy, accurate, and repeatable attachment and detachment.

Innovation Solution

A head-mounted display device with a chassis featuring a recessed fixture interface surface and a spring-loaded plunger mechanism that securely mates with a mounting fixture, allowing for quick and reliable connection in six degrees of freedom, while hiding the mounting mechanism for aesthetic and usability purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a head-mounted display device with curved and unusual geometry is used, then the device achieves comfortable wearability and aesthetic design, but the device becomes difficult to mount precisely and quickly to testing and assembly fixtures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovewearabilityVSAvoidmounting to fixture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate components: a fixture interface surface on the HMD device and a corresponding mounting fixture. This segmentation allows the curved external geometry to be maintained for wearability while the interface surface provides a standardized mounting interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture interface surface acts as an intermediary between the curved HMD device and the mounting fixture. It translates the unusual device geometry into a standardized interface that enables precise and quick mounting through features like recessed surfaces and alignment indicators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a standardized mounting interface is added to the HMD device, then the device can be mounted quickly and precisely to fixtures, but the mounting mechanism becomes visible and compromises aesthetic design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting speedVSAvoidaesthetic design
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting interface features (recessed surface, alignment indicators) are extracted and integrated into the fixture interface surface in a way that is functional during mounting but inconspicuous during normal use. The interface is designed to be hidden or minimized in appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture interface surface has different local qualities: areas with recessed surfaces and alignment indicators for precise mounting, and areas with smooth, continuous surfaces for aesthetic appearance. This local differentiation allows the interface to serve both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If alignment indicators are provided on the fixture interface surface, then the device can be aligned accurately with the mounting fixture, but the interface surface becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidinterface surface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment indicators are implemented using visual cues such as colored markers, reflective surfaces, or contrasting patterns on the fixture interface surface. These indicators provide clear alignment guidance without requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment indicators are designed as simple visual copies or representations of the required alignment position, rather than complex mechanical alignment mechanisms. This allows accurate alignment to be achieved through visual inspection rather than complex physical guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Enables rapid and precise mounting and dismounting of the HMD device from a mounting fixture, ensuring accurate alignment and reliable connection without rotation or lateral movement, while maintaining a clean and user-friendly design.

Implementation Method 1

spring-loaded plunger mechanism that securely mates with a mounting fixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3371644B1Mounting apparatus for head-mounted display device
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3371644B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3371644B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3371644B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A head-mounted display (HMD) device designed for quick and easy mounting and dismounting to and from, respectively, a mounting fixture comprises a display assembly and a chassis coupled to the display assembly. The display assembly includes optical elements configured to convey light to the eyes of a human user when the head-mounted display device is worn by the user. In certain embodiments introduced here, the chassis has an external surface and a fixture interface surface defined within, but not coplanar with, the external surface. The fixture interface surface is configured to mate with a device interface surface of the mounting fixture when the head-mounted display device is mounted to the mounting fixture.