Conductive Pathways in Wearable HUD Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable heads-up displays face challenges in minimizing bulk, achieving ergonomic design, and maintaining high performance while being aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, especially in fitting powerful technology within a compact, balanced, and foldable form factor.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support structure with hinged arms and a front frame, utilizing multiple sets of electrically conductive current paths to efficiently route power and signals across hinges, allowing for a balanced distribution of components and enabling the device to fold, while using dynamic and non-dynamic paths to manage flexibility and impedance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sets of electrically conductive current paths are used to route power and signals across hinges, then electrical connectivity and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical pathway system is divided into multiple discrete sets of conductive paths, each serving specific functional connections. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each pathway set for its specific electrical requirements, improving overall system reliability while managing complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs both dynamic and non-dynamic conductive pathways. Dynamic pathways flex with hinge movement to maintain connectivity during folding, while non-dynamic pathways provide stable low-impedance connections. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by ensuring reliable electrical connectivity across varying device configurations without requiring all pathways to be equally complex.
2Weight of moving object
If components are distributed across hinged arms and front frame, then bulk and weight are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Components are segmented and distributed across separate structural elements (first arm, second arm, front frame) rather than consolidated in one location. This segmentation reduces the weight of any single component and allows parallel manufacturing of individual parts, which can then be assembled through the hinge connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connections serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical articulation for folding, serve as structural support points, and act as pathways for electrical connections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying manufacturing despite the distributed component layout.
3Manufacturing precision
If dynamic and non-dynamic current paths are used, then impedance control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the electrical pathway system have different properties tailored to their specific functions. Non-dynamic pathways are designed with properties optimized for low impedance and stable signal transmission, while dynamic pathways are designed to maintain connectivity during flexing. This local optimization of pathway properties achieves precise impedance control without requiring the entire system to be uniformly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for electrical connection between components of wearable heads-up displays are described. A wearable heads-up display can include a first arm and a second arm, bridged by a front frame. The first arm can carry electrical components, the second arm can carry a power source, and the front frame can carry a set of electrically conductive current paths which provide electrical coupling between the power source and the electrical components. The first arm and the second arm can each rotate about a respective hinge relative to the front frame. A flexible, dynamic set of electrically conductive current paths can couple the electrical components in the first arm to the set of electrically conductive current paths in the front frame, and another flexible, dynamic set of electrically conductive current paths can couple the power source in the second arm to the connector in the front frame.