Pressure-Controlled Air Bladder Light Seal for Head-Mounted Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-mountable devices face challenges in adapting to diverse user faces and protecting users from external forces, as existing solutions do not effectively conform to individual facial structures or absorb impact forces efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The integration of pressure-controlled air bladders in the light seal of the head-mountable device, which conform to the user's face and include valves that release air to cushion against external forces, providing tailored relief to sensitive regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed rigid light seal is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to diverse user facial structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacial structure adaptationVSAvoidlight seal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light seal transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic adaptable structure through the integration of air bladders that can inflate and deflate, and segmented sections that can independently adjust to match diverse facial contours, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The light seal employs flexible air-filled bladders and thin segmented sections that can deform and conform to different facial geometries, enabling adaptation to diverse user faces while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid light seal is used, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot effectively absorb impact forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force transmissionVSAvoidlight seal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light seal incorporates air-filled bladders that can be pre-inflated to create a cushioning effect, absorbing impact forces before they reach the user's face, thus protecting against harmful forces while adding functional complexity to the structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The light seal utilizes pneumatic air bladders that can compress and expand to absorb and dissipate impact forces, providing effective protection against external forces while maintaining a relatively compact device design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If uniform pressure is applied across the light seal, then the structure is simple, but sensitive regions cannot receive tailored relief

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure on sensitive regionsVSAvoidpressure control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light seal is divided into multiple independent segmented sections or air bladders that can be independently controlled, allowing different pressure levels to be applied to different regions, particularly providing reduced pressure to sensitive areas while maintaining simplicity in the control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light seal implements local quality control by enabling independent pressure adjustment in specific regions through segmented design, allowing sensitive areas to receive tailored relief while other regions maintain higher pressure for secure fit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution enhances user comfort by conforming to individual facial structures and effectively absorbs impact forces, preventing them from being transmitted to the user, thus improving the overall wearability and safety of the device.

Implementation Method 1

pressure-controlled face engagement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

conform to the user's face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConforming: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

a valve that releases air from the air bladder when a pressure within the air bladder exceeds a threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure relief: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

cushion the user from an external force applied to the head-mountable device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCushioning: Damping

Implementation Method 5

exclude light from an external environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20240402761A1Pressure-controlled face engagement

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 APPLE INC

AI summary

A wearable electronic device can include a light seal to comfortably engage the face of the user and to exclude light from an external environment. The light seal can include one or more air bladders that conform as needed to the face of the user. One or more of the air bladders can include a valve that releases air from the air bladder when a pressure within the air bladder exceeds a threshold. Such release can cushion the user from an external force applied to the wearable electronic device. The air bladders can have different configurations, such that greater relief is provided to more sensitive regions of the user's face.