Virtual Reality Facial Interface With Elastic Profile Conformance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extended-reality headsets often have a fixed shape that does not accommodate different facial profiles, leading to discomfort and reduced immersive experience and stability for users.
Innovation Solution
A facial interface that elastically deforms to conform to varying facial profiles, featuring a front and rear portion with adjustable side supports and a cushioning structure, allowing passive adjustment to fit different users comfortably.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed shape headset design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but comfort and fit for different facial profiles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The headset incorporates adjustable side support structures that can be modified by users to different positions, transforming the fixed design into a dynamic, adaptable system. This allows the same headset to accommodate various facial profiles without requiring multiple product variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The side support structures are divided into adjustable segments that can be independently positioned. This segmentation enables fine-tuning of the headset fit for different users while maintaining a unified base design, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple product variations are created to accommodate different facial profiles, then comfort is improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A single headset design with adjustable side support structures serves multiple functions by accommodating different facial profiles. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized products, reducing device complexity and inventory requirements while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Users can independently adjust the side support structures to fit their own facial profiles without requiring professional fitting or multiple product options. This self-service capability enables a single product design to serve diverse users effectively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mechanisms are added to accommodate different faces, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The side support structures utilize flexible, deformable materials that can be easily adjusted to different positions. This approach provides adaptability through simple mechanical flexibility rather than complex adjustment mechanisms, maintaining device simplicity while enabling facial profile accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism allows users to change the positional parameters of the side support structures. By focusing on simple parameter changes (position adjustments) rather than complex mechanism changes, the design achieves adaptability with minimal added complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the rear portion is made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but comfort and conformability to facial profiles worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The headset employs different material properties in different regions: the front portion and side supports use more rigid materials for structural integrity, while the rear portion uses softer, more compliant materials that can deform to conform to facial profiles. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear portion incorporates composite or layered materials that combine structural support with deformability. This allows the rear portion to maintain sufficient structural integrity for manufacturing precision while enabling the necessary deformation to accommodate different facial profiles comfortably.
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 provides equal comfort for users with varying facial profiles, reducing the need for multiple product variations and enhancing the immersive experience and stability of extended-reality headsets.
Implementation Method 1
the rear portion to deform to thereby conform the rear portion to a profile of a user's head
Data Source
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AI summary
An example, facial interface structure for an extended-reality headset comprises a front portion configured to couple with a head-facing portion of an extended-reality headset, and a rear portion configured to couple with a portion of the user's face, wherein the front portion is configured to move relative to the rear portion in response to a force applied by a strap around a head of a user. The example facial interface includes two side support structures coupling the front portion to the rear portion, where each of the side support structures is configured to be positioned on a different respective side of the user's face. In addition, movement of the front portion relative to the rear portion causes, via the two side support structures, the rear portion to deform to thereby conform the rear portion to a profile of a user's head.