Hygienic Vehicle HMD With Detachable Stiff Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

The adoption of Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) in vehicles for in-vehicle infotainment is hindered by hygiene concerns due to the need for multiple passengers to share the same device, which comes into direct contact with their faces, and safety issues during collisions where the HMD can cause trauma or whiplash.

Innovation Solution

A hygienic HMD design featuring a detachable stiff module and head piece with a lock mechanism that allows each passenger to use their own disposable head piece, automatically disconnecting the stiff module from the head during an imminent collision to reduce injury risk, and a storage module for secure stowage when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a shared HMD is used for multiple passengers, then device cost is reduced, but hygiene is compromised due to direct face contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of HMD devicesVSAvoidhygiene contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The HMD is divided into two separate components: a reusable stiff module containing the display and electronics, and a disposable head piece that contacts the user's face. This segmentation allows the face-contacting portion to be discarded after single use, eliminating cross-contamination while keeping the expensive display module shared across multiple passengers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The head piece is designed as a low-cost, single-use component that is discarded after one passenger uses it. This disposable approach ensures hygiene by preventing contact between multiple users and the same surface, while the expensive stiff module remains reusable. The head piece can be made from inexpensive materials like foam, rubber, or silicon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an HMD is worn during vehicle operation, then infotainment experience is improved, but safety is compromised during collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfotainment functionalityVSAvoidcollision trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the HMD into a stiff module and a head piece connected by a lockable interface, the system enables rapid disconnection. In case of imminent collision, the stiff module can be quickly detached from the head piece, removing the heavy display component from the passenger's head and reducing trauma and whiplash risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The HMD system includes a detection mechanism that monitors for imminent collisions. When such a condition is detected, the system automatically triggers the disconnection of the stiff module from the head piece before the collision occurs, allowing passengers to benefit from infotainment during normal operation while being protected during accidents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a detachable HMD design is implemented, then hygiene and safety are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene and safety risksVSAvoidHMD structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If the stiff module is always accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is compromised when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHMD accessibilityVSAvoidunauthorized handling damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system includes a storage module that automatically receives and secures the stiff module when it is disconnected from the head piece. This preliminary action of automatic stowage prevents unauthorized handling and potential damage to the expensive display module when not in use, while still allowing quick access when needed by simply retrieving it from the storage module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10884248B2Hygienic head-mounted display for vehicles

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 FACENSE LTD

AI summary

A hygienic in-vehicle head-mounted display (HMD) includes: a head piece, a stiff module, and a lock that connects and disconnects the head piece and the stiff module. The head piece is in direct physical contact with the passenger's face. The stiff module includes a display module that projects video into eyes of a passenger of a vehicle while the HMD is worn by the passenger. In one embodiment, a storage module may be used to stow the stiff module. Optionally, the storage module releases the stiff module responsive to the head piece being connected to the stiff module. In another embodiment, a processor instructs the display module to project video responsive to an indication that the head piece and the stiff module are connected, and instructs the display module not to project the video, responsive to an indication that the head piece and the stiff module are not connected.