Rotatable Light Seal Segments for Head-Mountable Device Fit

Solution Overview

Problem

Head-mountable devices often require individual customization to fit different facial features, leading to increased costs and variability in user experience due to inconsistent light sealing and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A head-mountable device with a light seal element featuring discrete portions that rotate relative to each other and the user's face, allowing for adaptable fit and enhanced light sealing by maximizing surface contact area with the face.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individual customization is provided for different facial features, then adaptability to user faces is improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user facesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light seal element is divided into multiple discrete portions (first portion, second portion, third portion, fourth portion) that can independently rotate relative to the frame and to each other. Each portion can be adjusted to engage with different facial features, allowing a single standardized device to adapt to various users without requiring custom-tailored devices for each person.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light seal portions are made rotatable relative to the frame and to each other, transforming a static seal structure into a dynamic one. This rotational capability allows the portions to adapt their orientation and position to match different facial contours and features, achieving customization through motion rather than through multiple fixed custom designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a fixed light seal design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but light sealing effectiveness deteriorates for users with different facial features

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidlight sealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light seal portions are made rotatable relative to the frame and to each other, transforming a static seal structure into a dynamic one. This rotational capability allows the portions to adapt their orientation and position to match different facial contours and features, achieving customization through motion rather than through multiple fixed custom designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotational degrees of freedom allow the light seal portions to change their angular parameters and positions to optimize contact with the user's face. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the seal maintains effectiveness across different facial types without requiring complex custom designs for each user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If discrete rotatable portions are used, then adaptability to different facial features is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different facial featuresVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The light seal element is divided into multiple discrete portions (first portion, second portion, third portion, fourth portion) that can independently rotate relative to the frame and to each other. Each portion can be adjusted to engage with different facial features, allowing a single standardized device to adapt to various users without requiring custom-tailored devices for each person.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized portions with rotational capabilities serve multiple functions: they provide light sealing, accommodate different facial features, and enable adaptability across users. This universal design allows the same basic portion structure to be used across different device configurations and user types, simplifying manufacturing compared to custom designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230229008A1Head-mountable device with adaptable fit

Publication Date: 2023.07.20 APPLE INC

AI summary

A head-mountable device can include adaptable components, which move to comfortably engage the face of the user and to exclude light from an external environment. A head-mountable device can include a light seal element that includes discrete portions that rotate relative to each other and to a user. Such mobility allows the portions to be oriented with respect to corresponding regions of the face, so that an engagement surface of each portion directly engages the corresponding region of the face to maximize the surface area of contact.