Rigid Bumper Design for Head-Mountable Device Structural Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-mountable devices (HMDs) lack sufficient structural integrity to protect sensitive components from stresses and strains, while also maintaining user comfort.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rigid bumper connected to the display frame and positioned between the display frame and the facial interface, which defines a fixed gap between the optical component and the facial interface, and is rated for forces exceeding 20 Newtons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid bumper is added to enhance structural integrity, then component protection improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is divided into multiple segments including a facial interface portion, a rigid bumper portion, and a structural post portion. Each segment serves a specific function: the facial interface portion contacts the user's face, the rigid bumper portion provides structural support and force distribution, and the structural post portion anchors to the display frame. This segmentation allows the bumper to achieve comprehensive protection while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects optical components from stress and strain, distributes applied forces across multiple structural posts, maintains a fixed gap between optical components and facial interface, and provides user comfort through the facial interface portion. By integrating these multiple functions into a single multi-component bumper assembly, the design achieves enhanced reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If the bumper is made more rigid to withstand higher forces, then component protection improves, but user comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the bumper have different mechanical properties optimized for their specific functions. The rigid bumper portion is made highly rigid to withstand and distribute forces exceeding 20 Newtons, protecting optical components. In contrast, the facial interface portion is designed with softer, more compliant materials that conform to the user's face and provide comfort during extended wear. This local differentiation of material properties allows the bumper to simultaneously achieve component protection and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper is segmented into functionally distinct portions with different mechanical characteristics. The facial interface portion uses softer materials for comfort, while the rigid bumper portion uses stiff materials for force distribution. The structural post portion provides rigid anchoring to the display frame. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for protection and softness for comfort.
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 rigid bumper enhances the structural integrity of the HMD by distributing applied forces effectively, preventing damage to sensitive components, and maintaining user comfort across a wide range of applied loads.
Implementation Method 1
The rigid bumper can be connected to the display frame and positioned between the display frame and the facial interface, where the rigid bumper can further define a fixed gap between the optical component and the facial interface
Implementation Method 2
the facial interface can include a compressible portion, where the compressible portion can be compressed until it is hard-stopped by the rigid bumper
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mountable device can include a display frame, an optical component disposed within the display frame, a facial interface, and a rigid bumper connected to the display frame. The rigid bumper can be positioned between the display frame and the facial interface and can further define a gap between the optical component and the facial interface. The facial interface can also include a cushion layer that can be rated for applied loads in a first force range. Furthermore, a stop can be connected to the head-mountable display, wherein the stop can be rated for applied loads within a second force range that is higher than the first force range. The facial interface can further include a front surface facing toward the head-mountable display and a rear surface that can contact a face. A set of structural posts can also be attached to the head-mountable display and positioned adjacent to a forehead region and a maxilla region of a face, wherein a portion of each structural post of the set of structural posts can be embedded in the facial interface.