Magnetic Visor Alignment for Repeatable Head-Worn Optics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head worn display systems face challenges in maintaining precise and repeatable alignment of optical elements due to permanent fixation, which complicates detachment and reattachment of visors or combiners, affecting optical performance and requiring frequent recalibration of sensitive components like IMUs.

Innovation Solution

A head worn assembly with a selectively attachable visor assembly using magnetic fasteners and profiled features that ensure stable alignment through a triangular pattern of protrusions and recesses, inhibiting movement across six degrees of freedom, combined with a ferromagnetic element for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If permanent fixation is used to maintain precise alignment of optical elements, then alignment precision is improved, but detachment and reattachment becomes complicated and recalibration is frequently required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddetachment and reattachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic fastening system divides the visor assembly into separable components that can be independently attached and detached from the frame, allowing maintenance of alignment precision while enabling easy operation during detachment and reattachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces permanent mechanical fixation (adhesives, screws) with a magnetic field-based fastening system, eliminating the need for complex detachment tools and procedures while maintaining precise alignment through the magnetic attraction force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If permanent fixation is used to secure visors or combiners, then positional stability is improved, but recalibration of sensitive components like IMUs is frequently required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidrecalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic fastening system establishes preliminary alignment features and datum locations that guide the visor assembly into correct positional orientation before final magnetic attachment, ensuring that repeated attachments maintain consistent alignment and minimize recalibration requirements for sensitive components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If magnetic fasteners are used for selective attachment, then ease of detachment is improved, but alignment precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachment easeVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two distinct functions into a unified magnetic fastening system: alignment guidance through profiled features and datum locations, and secure attachment through magnetic attraction, allowing both easy detachment and precise alignment to be achieved simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures consistent optical performance and reduces the need for recalibration of sensitive components by allowing repeatable and precise alignment of visor assemblies with the frame, maintaining imagery quality and minimizing recalibration efforts.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic fastener distributed between the frame and visor assembly, and biased to hold the visor assembly at the frame; The magnetic fastener may comprise a permanent magnet and a corresponding ferromagnetic element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4682616A1Head worn assembly
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP4682616A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682616A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4682616A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a head worn assembly comprising: a wearable frame; a selectively attachable visor assembly for mounting at the frame; a magnetic fastener distributed between the frame and visor assembly, and biased to hold the visor assembly at the frame; the visor assembly comprising at least two profiled features, the frame comprising a physically reciprocating feature for each of the at least two profiled features, the each of the at least two profiled features stably occupying its respective reciprocating feature when the frame and visor assembly are in an operational alignment condition.