Mechanical Head-Worn Orientation Display for Motion Sickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motion sickness, spatial disorientation, and related issues such as vertigo and visually induced motion sickness occur due to mismatches between visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular sensory inputs, particularly in environments with motion or provocative visual stimuli, affecting human performance and causing discomfort and disability.

Innovation Solution

Head-worn devices with mechanical or fluid systems that provide visual cues responsive to gravitational forces and head movements, such as pendulums or fluid levels, to align visual perception with vestibular and proprioceptive inputs, mitigating sensory mismatch and reducing symptoms of motion sickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If visual stimuli are provided to engage the user (e.g., displays, simulations, gaming), then user engagement and productivity are improved, but motion sickness and spatial disorientation occur due to sensory mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoidmotion sickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides real-time visual feedback through an artificial horizon that displays the user's head orientation relative to gravity. This feedback loop allows the user to consciously control their head movements and maintain proper orientation, preventing sensory mismatch between vestibular and visual systems while engaging with displays or simulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical pendulum system acts as an intermediary that translates gravitational forces into visual information. The pendulum's physical movement in response to gravity provides a tangible reference that mediates between the user's inner ear sensations and visual perception, reconciling the sensory conflict that causes motion sickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If mechanical or fluid systems are added to provide visual references, then motion sickness is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion sickness preventionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pendulum system is self-powered by gravitational forces and inertial effects. It automatically responds to head movements and orientation changes without requiring external power sources, sensors, or electronic control systems. This passive mechanism reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable motion sickness prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex electronic sensor systems with simple mechanical pendulum elements. The pendulum's natural physical behavior under gravity and acceleration provides the necessary visual reference, eliminating the need for batteries, processors, or electronic displays while achieving the same protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If visual references are provided during head movements, then sensory mismatch is reduced, but the device must respond rapidly to dynamic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensory alignmentVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The pendulum system continuously provides visual reference information throughout head movements. As the user moves their head, the pendulum continuously adjusts its position to reflect the new orientation relative to gravity, ensuring uninterrupted sensory alignment without requiring discrete updates or processing delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

These devices effectively reduce nausea, vomiting, and disorientation by providing continuous visual feedback that matches the user's head and body motion, enhancing cognitive and motor skills in motion-related environments and shortening rehabilitation times for balance-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

mechanical or fluid systems that provide visual cues responsive to gravitational forces and head movements, such as pendulums or fluid levels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

mechanical or fluid systems that provide visual cues responsive to gravitational forces and head movements, such as pendulums or fluid levels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9080868B2Mechanical and fluid system and method for the prevention and control of motion sickness, motion-induced vision sickness, and other variants of spatial disorientation and vertigo

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 NOVUTZ LLC

AI summary

A non-electronic head-worn system for providing visual inertial head orientation information to a person is disclosed. The system comprises a head-worn unit that displays at least one orientation reference symbol to the person wearing the unit wherein the orientation reference symbol stays in a fixed visual position for the person when the person's head changes orientation. The system also comprises a pitch indicator that gives visual pitch information to the person and a roll indicator that gives visual roll information to the person. The pitch indicator and the roll indicator are responsive to a pendulum, a rolling element, or a fluid in a reservoir. The pitch element and the roll element do not use electricity or electronics.