Lattice Facial Interface for Head-Mounted Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mountable devices face challenges in providing a lightweight and highly conformable facial interface that accommodates diverse user head sizes and facial contours, affecting user comfort and immersive experience.
Innovation Solution
The use of a lattice structure in the facial interface, fabricated via additive manufacturing, which can include elastomer materials and multiple materials with varying directional properties, combined with a rigid bumper to create a customizable and comfortable fit, allowing for interchangeable lattice structures and engagement mechanisms for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a traditional solid facial interface is used, then structural strength is sufficient, but weight is high and conformability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The facial interface employs a lattice structure with controlled porosity, where the open-cell or closed-cell geometry provides both weight reduction and structural strength. The porous arrangement allows material distribution optimized for mechanical performance while minimizing mass compared to solid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The facial interface combines multiple materials with different properties, such as rigid materials for structural support and flexible materials for conformability. This composite approach enables the interface to achieve both strength and lightness by strategically placing different materials in the lattice structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed facial interface design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different head sizes and shapes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The facial interface is divided into modular sections or interchangeable components, allowing different portions to be customized or swapped based on user requirements. This segmentation enables adaptability to various head sizes and shapes while keeping individual module complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The facial interface incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable components, flexible materials, or reconfigurable lattice structures that can adapt their shape or stiffness in response to different users. This dynamic capability provides versatility without requiring completely different designs for each user.
3Strength
If material density is increased for durability, then strength improves, but weight increases reducing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure implements local quality by varying material density, thickness, or cross-sectional area at different locations based on stress distribution requirements. High-strength regions use denser or thicker material, while low-stress regions use lighter constructions, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio across the entire facial interface.
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
This solution enables a lightweight, customizable, and comfortable facial interface that effectively conforms to individual head shapes and facial contours, enhancing user experience and immersion in augmented and virtual reality environments.
Implementation Method 1
the lattice structure can include an elastomer material
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mountable device includes a display frame, an optical component, a facial interface, and a strap. The optical component is disposed within the display frame. The facial interface is connected to the display frame and includes a lattice structure. The strap connects to the display frame.