Modular Assemblies for Wearable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mountable devices often face limitations in providing customizable components and functions to meet diverse user preferences due to space and cost constraints, limiting their adaptability and performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of modular assemblies that allow for adjustable and exchangeable connections between the head-mountable device and external modules, such as arms, earpieces, and accessory devices, enabling users to customize the device's components and functions as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular assemblies with exchangeable components are implemented, then adaptability and customization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head-mountable device is divided into separate modular components including a frame, arms, earpieces, and accessory devices. Each component can be independently manufactured, tested, and exchanged. The frame includes mounting structures that accept different arm configurations, and earpieces can be attached to different arms, creating a segmented system that improves adaptability while managing complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is designed with universal mounting structures that can accommodate multiple types of arms, earpieces, and accessory devices. The standardized connection interfaces allow a single frame to support various functional configurations, enabling one base unit to serve multiple purposes through component exchange rather than requiring separate specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple customizable components are provided, then user preferences and performance requirements are better met, but space constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into removable modules, the system allows users to attach only the components needed for specific tasks. Instead of incorporating all possible features into a single bulky unit, the frame maintains a compact base structure with standardized mounting points, and users add arms, earpieces, or accessories only when required, reducing the effective volume during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structures extend the device's functional volume in specific directions when components are attached. The frame includes mounting structures that utilize spatial dimensions efficiently, allowing components to be added in directions that minimize interference with the core device volume while providing access to additional functionality when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If exchangeable components are implemented, then functionality and performance are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Segmentation enables each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes for that specific part. The frame, arms, earpieces, and accessories can be produced in separate manufacturing lines with specialized techniques, then assembled through standardized interfaces. This reduces the complexity of manufacturing the entire system as one integrated unit while maintaining functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized mounting structures and connection interfaces serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical attachment, define alignment tolerances, and enable interchangeability across different component types. This universal interface design reduces the number of unique manufacturing specifications needed compared to custom-fit components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the modular architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Wearable electronic devices can include connection mechanisms for adjustable and exchangeable connections with selected modules other devices to enhance performance of the wearable electronic device. Such connections can provide both mechanical engagement and operable communication between the connected devices. Arms, earpieces, accessory devices, and/or other external devices can be easily connected to provide different components and functions at different times as desired. Accordingly, a main portion of the wearable electronic device need not include permanent components that provide every function that will later be desired by the user. Instead, the wearable electronic device can have expanded and customizable capabilities by the use of one or more arms, earpieces, accessory devices, and/or other external devices.