Ergonomic Wearable Latching via Guide Rail and Release Button

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices in industrial and logistics settings often require complex and counterintuitive motions for latching and release, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties in attachment and detachment, particularly due to protruding battery designs and narrow sliding channels.

Innovation Solution

A wearable device mounting system featuring a guide surface with angled surfaces and a rail mechanism that allows for intuitive alignment and quick release via a release button, enabling rotational freedom and blind insertion, facilitating efficient and ergonomic attachment and detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex latching mechanism with multiple opposing motions is used, then the wearable device can be securely attached, but the operation becomes difficult and counterintuitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidlatching operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism is divided into two independent functional components: a rail mechanism for attachment/detachment and a button for latching/unlatching. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, eliminating the need for complex coordinated motions while maintaining secure attachment through the button's independent locking action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to perform complex coordinated motions to secure the device, the invention inverts the approach by using a button that automatically engages and locks the device in place. The button's simple pressing motion triggers the latching action, reversing the traditional complex multi-motion requirement into a single intuitive action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Volume of moving object

If a narrow sliding channel is used for the attachment mechanism, then the device structure is compact, but the alignment and insertion become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidalignment and insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rail mechanism incorporates curved or rounded surfaces that guide the wearable device during insertion. These curved surfaces provide tactile feedback and automatic alignment, allowing the device to be easily inserted without precise manual alignment while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The rail mechanism is designed to self-align the wearable device during insertion through its geometric features. The structure automatically guides the device into the correct position without requiring user intervention for alignment, simplifying the attachment process while keeping the mechanism compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If a protruding battery design is used, then the device has sufficient power capacity, but the attachment and detachment process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower capacityVSAvoidattachment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rail mechanism serves multiple functions: it guides the device during insertion, provides structural support, and accommodates the protruding battery design. By making the rail mechanism multi-functional, the invention handles the complex geometry created by the protruding battery without adding additional complexity to the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The rail mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's attachment action and the device's internal components including the protruding battery. It mediates the interaction by providing a guided path that naturally accommodates the battery's protrusion, transforming a potentially complex attachment process into a simple sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240099445A1Methods, systems, and apparatuses for ergonomic latching and release of wearable devices

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 HAND HELD PRODS INC

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, systems, and/or the like are provided. An example method may include operably attaching a wearable device to a mounting apparatus. An example wearable device may include one of a guide surface and an attachment mechanism and one of a receptor and a latching mechanism. The wearable device may be rotatable relative to the mounting apparatus in which the latching mechanism and the receptor are disengaged. The mounting apparatus may include the other of the guide surface and the attachment mechanism and the other of the receptor and the latching mechanism. The latching mechanism may include a release button. The wearable device may be aligned with the mounting apparatus. The attachment mechanism may be engaged with the guide surface, and the latching mechanism may be engaged with the receptor.