HMD Strap Arm with Integrated Audio Port and Speaker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted displays (HMDs) face challenges with audio systems due to inconvenient signal transmission lines and hygiene issues when sharing earbuds or headphones, particularly in multi-user scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A strap system for HMDs with integrated audio ports and a speaker configuration that includes a rotatable strap arm with an audio passage and back volume unit, enhancing sound transmission and quality by positioning the speaker within a cylindrical column and directing sound through defined audio passages to an audio port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If earbuds or headphones are used for audio transmission in HMDs, then audio functionality is achieved, but hygiene issues arise when sharing among multiple users and convenience is reduced due to external lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the speaker directly into the HMD body, merging the audio transmission function with the head-mounted display structure. This eliminates the need for separate earbuds or headphones, allowing direct sound emission to the user's ear while maintaining hygiene as the audio component is dedicated to each user's device and cannot be shared.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a speaker is integrated into the HMD, then hygiene is improved and audio transmission becomes device-internal, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strap arm of the HMD is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the device, enables rotation and adjustment for user comfort, and simultaneously houses the audio transmission components. By making the strap arm multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated audio structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Device complexity
If the speaker is positioned within the HMD body, then integrated audio transmission is achieved, but sound quality and transmission efficiency may be compromised without proper acoustic design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dedicated acoustic environment within the strap arm by forming an acoustic cavity and using acoustic holes to direct sound waves. This local acoustic optimization ensures that sound quality is maintained despite the integrated positioning, as the sound transmission path is specifically designed and isolated within the strap arm structure.
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
The solution provides a secure, hygienic, and comfortable audio experience for HMD users by eliminating the need for external audio devices and improving sound quality through the integrated audio system, suitable for single or multiple users.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker positioned to emit the sound through the audio passage and to the audio port
Implementation Method 2
the boss rotatably connecting the strap arm to the front rigid body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A head-mounted display (HMD) includes a strap arm that transmits audio. The HMD includes a front rigid body and a strap arm. The strap arm includes a body portion defining a boss having an aperture that rotatably connects the strap arm to the front rigid body. The body portion defines an audio passage to transmit sound and an audio port to output the sound. The audio passage is defined along the body portion between the aperture of the boss and the audio port. A speaker is positioned, such as within the aperture, to emit the sound through the audio passage and to the audio port. The strap arm can further include a back volume unit that enhances the sound transmitted through the audio passage.