Modular Lens Assemblies for Head-Mountable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mountable devices lack modular and interchangeable lens assemblies that can provide tailored vision correction for different users, leading to increased part count, weight, complexity, and installation difficulties, while also compromising the reliability and robustness of connections.
Innovation Solution
The integration of modular lens assemblies with operable connections to optical assemblies, allowing for easy exchange and identification of vision correction needs, which reduces part count and weight, enhances connection reliability by sealing cables from the external environment, and facilitates user-specific settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If lens assemblies are integrated into head-mountable devices, then vision correction capability is improved, but device complexity and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the head-mountable device into modular components: a main body unit and interchangeable lens assemblies. Each lens assembly is a self-contained module that can be attached or detached independently, allowing vision correction to be customized without increasing overall device complexity. This segmentation enables different lens assemblies to be used with the same main body, reducing the total part count across multiple configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The main body of the head-mountable device is designed with universal mounting features that can accommodate multiple different lens assemblies. The mounting interface and connection mechanisms are standardized to work with various lens types, allowing a single main body unit to serve multiple users and purposes by simply changing the lens assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lens assemblies are provided for different users, then customized vision correction is improved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the vision correction function into detachable lens assemblies, the weight of the main body remains constant. Users only carry and swap the relatively lightweight lens assemblies rather than carrying multiple complete head-mountable devices, significantly reducing the effective weight burden on each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular lens assemblies can be easily removed and exchanged between different users and devices. A lens assembly removed from one head-mountable device can be immediately attached to another, allowing the same lens to serve multiple users without requiring each user to have a dedicated heavy device.
3Ease of operation
If lens assemblies are made interchangeable, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting interface combines multiple connection functions into a single integrated mechanism. The mechanical mounting features and electrical connection contacts are merged into one unified attachment action, so that when the lens assembly is mechanically secured, the electrical connections are simultaneously engaged and sealed, ensuring both ease of operation and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism includes built-in alignment features and tolerance compensation that anticipate and prevent misalignment during attachment. The mounting interface is designed with forgiving tolerances and self-aligning elements that ensure reliable electrical and mechanical connections even with minor variations in assembly positioning.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular lens assemblies are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the device into standardized modules allows each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes. The lens assemblies can be produced in batches for different prescriptions, and the main body can be manufactured once with universal mounting features, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to producing multiple complete customized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal mounting interface and standardized connection protocols enable a single main body design to serve multiple lens assembly types. This universality simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of unique parts and assembly variations that would otherwise need to be produced and quality-tested.
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mountable device can include modules that provide vision correction and operable connections between the modules. By providing head-mountable devices with modular features, certain lens assemblies can provide the desired vision correction for any given user and facilitate exchange with a different lens assembly for a different user. The lens assembly can identify itself and/or a feature thereof (e.g., vision correction and/or user identification) via an operable connection through the optical assembly onto which it attaches. By providing the operable connection through the optical assembly, part count, weight, complexity, and install procedures can be reduced. By sealing the cable providing the operable connect from an external environment, the reliability and robustness of the connection can be enhanced.