Spring Hinge Cam Device for Flexible Circuit Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices, such as head-mounted wearable devices (HMWDs), face challenges in maintaining stability and comfort due to the lack of effective mechanical support and biasing mechanisms in their hinges, which can lead to a 'loose' feeling and increased risk of dislodgment during use.
Innovation Solution
A spring hinge with a cam device that applies a biasing force to maintain the temples in desired configurations, providing stability and comfort by using a cam with a surface profile that includes curves and recesses to control the biasing force, allowing the temples to rotate between closed, neutral, and transit configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spring hinge with cam device is used to provide biasing force and mechanical support, then stability and comfort are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spring mechanism and cam device into an integrated hinge assembly, merging multiple functions (biasing force application, rotational movement control, and temple positioning) into a single unified mechanism. This integration provides stable support while managing complexity through functional consolidation rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides biasing force to maintain temple configuration, enables rotational movement between closed and open positions, and positions the flexible printed circuit. This multi-functionality improves stability while avoiding the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
2Ease of operation
If a cam device with surface profile curves and recesses is used to control biasing force, then comfort and stability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam device incorporates curved surface profiles and recesses that provide varying biasing forces throughout the hinge's range of motion. These curved geometries enable smooth, comfortable transitions between positions while the cam mechanism translates complex force requirements into manageable geometric features that can be manufactured with standard precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge provides accommodation for flexible printed circuit through a channel, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge channel serves dual purposes: it provides the mechanical biasing function through the cam device while simultaneously accommodating and guiding the flexible printed circuit. This multi-functionality improves adaptability by integrating electrical connection support into the mechanical structure without adding separate circuit routing components.
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 and stability by maintaining the HMWD on the head, reduces the likelihood of dislodgment, and allows for greater design flexibility while protecting the flexible printed circuit within the hinge.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is affixed to the cam device and applies a force thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted wearable device (HMWD) with a form factor of eyeglasses incorporates hinges between a front frame and temples. The hinges provide a fully enclosed passage for a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The FPC allows electrical connectivity between devices in the front frame and in the temple. The hinge includes a cam device that provides a biasing force that allows the temples to remain in one of four configurations: closed, transit, neutral, and maximum neutral. When in the transit configuration the biasing force provided by the cam device tends to move the temples towards the closed configuration. When in the maximum neutral configuration the biasing force provided by the cam device tends to move the temples towards the neutral configuration. During use, this biasing of the temples provides a gentle clamping force that assists in maintaining the HMWD on the user's head.