The described embodiments relate generally to a user contacting cushion assembly of a head-mountable device. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a user contacting cushion assembly for active user perspiration management.
Recent advances in portable computing have enabled head-mountable devices (HMD) that provide augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences to users. These head-mountable devices include many components for a user to properly don the head-mountable device, such as a facial engagement feature, padding, bands, securement mechanisms, displays, and other components. Certain portions of these head-mountable devices contact the user's face throughout the duration of use of the head-mountable device. As such, the components in contact with a user's face and head should provide a comfortable and desirable experience. In certain instances while donning a head-mountable device, a user may perform activities that induce perspiration, for example, a physical exercise.
User contacting components of conventional head-mountable devices tend to absorb moisture, creating situations where a user must stop the activity being performed to remove moisture from the user contacting components of the head-mountable device, causing user frustration and interrupting AR/VR related activities. Additionally, user contacting components of the head-mountable display can cause the user contacting component material to degrade, produce an odor, and transmit bacteria between users.
In at least one example of the present disclosure, a cushion assembly for a wearable electronic device includes a polymer structure and a foam. The polymer structure can include a laminar portion defining a first aperture and a second aperture, a first tube structure extending from a peripheral edge of the first aperture, and a second tube structure extending from a peripheral edge of the second aperture. The foam can be disposed between the first tube structure and the second tube structure.
In one example, the first tube structure can include a sidewall having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, the first surface defines an empty conduit of the first tube structure, and the second surface defines an outer surface of the first tube structure in contact with the foam. In one example, the foam is disposed against the laminar portion. In one example, the polymer structure includes silicone. In one example, a thickness of the foam is substantially equal to a height of the first tube structure. In one example, the cushion assembly further includes a third aperture defined by the laminar portion, wherein a first distance separating the first aperture from the second aperture is greater than a second distance separating the second aperture from the third aperture. In one example, the polymer structure is molded as a single, unitary piece. In one example, the laminar portion is less than about 100 microns thick.
In at least one example of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing defining a contact surface and a cushion assembly disposed on the contact surface. The cushion assembly can include a polymer structure having a laminar portion defining an aperture, and a tube structure extending from a peripheral edge of the aperture, the tube structure defining a passageway extending through the cushion assembly, and a foam layer disposed against the laminar portion.
In one example, the laminar portion is a first laminar portion and the polymer structure includes a second laminar portion. In one example, the foam layer is disposed between the first laminar portion and the second laminar portion. In one example, the aperture is a first aperture, the second laminar portion defines a second aperture, and the tube structure extends from the first aperture to the second aperture. In one example, the second laminar portion defines a third aperture in fluid communication with the foam layer. In one example, the tube structure is configured to allow air from a first source to pass through the cushion assembly via the first aperture and the second aperture, and the third aperture defined by the second laminar portion, the third aperture defined adjacent to the foam.
In at least one example of the present disclosure, a head mountable device includes a display portion including a display screen, a securement strap connected to the display portion, and a cushion assembly extending from the display portion. The cushion assembly can include a foam layer and a perforated silicone barrier including tube structures extending through the foam layer.
In one example, the head mountable device further includes a textile layer. In such an example, the perforated silicone barrier is disposed between the textile layer and the foam layer. In one example, the perforated silicone barrier defines a set of aperture and each tube structure of the tube structures extending through the foam layer extends from an aperture of the set of apertures. In one example, the perforated silicone barrier is configured to press against a face. In one example, the tubes define passageways through the cushion assembly and through which air can flow. In one example, the apertures of the set of apertures are non-uniformly spaced.
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
The following disclosure relates to a cushion assembly of a head-mountable device. More particularly, the cushion-assembly of the head-mountable device utilizes a textile foam silicone hybrid for waterproofing, comfort, and breathability.
Conventional head-mountable devices may employ foam or silicone cushion assemblies. Foam cushion assemblies absorb user-generated perspiration, producing an uncomfortable user experience. Over time, perspiration also causes discoloration, odor, or a loss in rigidity of the cushion assembly. Silicone cushion assemblies are waterproof, but lack material breathability, leading to increased perspiration levels during use. Though waterproof, silicone cushion assemblies become slippery as a user perspires, moving from the original user positioned location to a less desirable location while in use. In addition, the cushion assembly of a conventional head-mountable device is uniformly rigid across all locations of the cushion assembly, creating user discomfort and pressure points, creating an inadequate seal around the user's face. The lack of variable rigidity negatively impacts user experience creating a poor AR/VR experience.
In contrast, the head-mountable device of the present disclosure employs a textile foam silicone hybrid cushion assembly that is simultaneously waterproof and breathable. The cushion assembly feature of the head-mountable device is designed to minimize user perspiration and manage user produced perspiration in a comfortable and accommodating way, leading to an improved user experience. The textile foam silicone cushion assembly disclosed herein can also employ variable rigidity through the spacing of breathable tubes to ensure a secure connection with the facial structure of the user and effectively seal the display portion to minimize the perception of external light.
In some examples, the cushion assembly for a wearable electronic device includes a polymer structure, including a laminar portion defining a first aperture and a second aperture, a first tube structure extending from a peripheral edge of the first aperture, and a second tube structure extending from a peripheral edge of the second aperture, and foam disposed between the first tube and the second tube.
In other examples, the electronic device includes a housing defining a contact surface and a cushion assembly disposed on the contact surface. The cushion assembly can include a polymer structure including a laminar portion defining an aperture, a tube extending from a peripheral edge of the aperture, the tube defining a passageway extending through the cushion assembly, and a foam layer disposed against the laminar surface.
In yet other examples, the electronic device can be a head mountable device including a display portion including a display screen, a securement strap connected to the display portion, and a cushion assembly extending from the display portion. The cushion assembly can include a foam layer, and a perforated silicone barrier including tubes extending through the foam layer. The present exemplary systems and methods can be used with any number of head mountable devices including electronic systems intended to be donned and positioned on a user's head, typically with a display directed at a user's eyes.
These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to
The cushion 110 can be removably connect to the housing 104, for example at a contact surface of the housing 104, wherein the cushion 110 can be removably connected. As used herein, the terms “cushion,” “facial interface,” “light seal,” “facetrack,” or “engagement interface,” refer to a portion of the head-mountable device 100 that engages (i.e., contacts or conforms to) a user's face. In particular, the cushion 110 can include portions of a head-mountable device that conform or press against regions of a user's face. The cushion 110 can be disposed on a contact surface of the housing 104 pointing in the directions of a user's face and eyes. In some examples, the cushion 208 can include a pliant (or semi-pliant) cushion or lumen that spans the forehead, wraps around the eyes, contacts other regions of the face (e.g., zygoma and maxilla regions), and bridges the nose.
In addition, the cushion 110 can include various components forming a frame, structure, or webbing of the head-mountable device 100 disposed between the display 102 and the user's skin. In some examples, the cushion 110 can include a seal (e.g., an environmental seal, dust seal, air seal, light seal, etc.) It will be appreciated that the term “seal” can include partial seals or inhibitors, in addition to complete seals (e.g., a partial light seal where incoming ambient light is blocked and a complete seal where all ambient light is blocked when the head-mountable device 100 is donned). The cushion can be removably attached to the housing 104 and in electrical communication with the display 102.
In one example, the head-mountable device 100 includes the display portion (e.g., housing 104) including the display 102, the securement strap 106 connected to the display portion (e.g., housing 104), and a cushion assembly 110. The cushion assembly 110 includes a foam layer and a perforated silicon barrier including tubes exiting from the foam layer.
Any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in
The term “foam” refers to a permeating, lightweight material produced by pushing gas bubbles into a polymer material, making it a type of expanded plastic and/or rubber. The foam material can include closed cell foam, open cell foam, high density foam, high resilience foam, latex foam, memory foam, lux foam, or other types of foam materials incorporated into a head-mountable device.
In some examples, the thickness of the foam 230 is substantially equal to the height of the first tube 234. In another example, the foam 230 can be disposed against the laminar portion 236 of the polymer structure 214. In certain instances, the laminar portion 236 is less than about 100 microns thick, acting as a film or covering to the foam 230 such that the foam 230 is not exposed to the user's line of site.
In another example, the laminar portion 236 of the polymer structure 214 includes a first laminar portion 236a and a second laminar portion 236b with the foam 230 disposed between the first laminar portion 236a and the second laminar portion 236b. The first laminar portion 236a includes the first aperture 232 and the second laminar portion 236b includes the second aperture 228. The first tube 234 extends from the first aperture 232 to the second tube 226, the second tube 226 extending to the first tube 234 from the second aperture 228.
Any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in
A magnified and exploded perspective view of a portion of a cushion assembly 308, as shown in
In one example, the laminar portion 336 is formed from waterproof silicone intended to contact a user's face. The laminar portion 336 includes the aperture 332, allowing fluid (e.g., perspiration from a user) to pass through the aperture 332 and into the tube 332. In some examples, the aperture 332 diameter ranges from 100 microns to about 2 mm or 3 mm. The foam layer 330 of the cushion assembly 308 acts as padding, providing a level of comfort to a user while donning a head-mountable device. Further, the foam layer 330 is protected from fluid by the laminar portion 336 which directs a user's perspiration into the tube 334 providing an empty conduit for fluid, such as a user's perspiration or air, to flow through the foam layer 330 without contacting the foam layer 330.
In at least one example, the foam layer 330 can define an aperture or through-hole through which the tube 334 extends when assembled together with the laminar portion 336. The through-hole of the foam layer 330 can be dimensioned to receive the tube 334 such that the foam layer 330 surrounds the tube 334. In one example, an inner diameter of the through-hole of the foam layer 330 is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the tube 334 when the foam layer 330 is assembled with the laminar portion 336 such that the tube 334 extends through the through-hole of the foam layer 330. In at least one example, there is no foam or foam portion disposed within the tube when assembled.
In at least one example, the laminar portion 336 is configured to press against the user's face such that according to the orientation of
In at least one example,
Along these lines, in at least one example,
Any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in
The perforated silicone barrier 442 includes tubes 434 extending through the foam layer 430. The tube(s) 434 is configured to allow a first air to pass through the cushion assembly 408 via a first aperture 432 and a second aperture 428. The foam layer 430 can be in fluid communication with an external environment beyond the perforated silicone barrier 442 through a third aperture 444 defined by the perforated silicone barrier 442. In this way, the third aperture 444 allows a second air within the pores of the foam layer 430 to pass through a second laminar portion 436b. The third aperture 444 allows the cushion assembly 408 to expand and compress freely, adapting to a user's face and providing a comfortable and customized fit. In addition to adapting to a user's face, the third aperture 444 also provides venting, acting as an outlet for moisture to exit. As moisture exists the foam layer 430, the foam layer 430 is able to dry and prevent the buildup of moisture. In at least one example, the third aperture 444 is defined by the second laminar portion 436b, the third aperture 444 defined adjacent to the foam layer 430.
In one example, the perforated silicone barrier 442 defines a set of apertures 432, 444 with the tube 434 extending from a peripheral edge of an aperture 432 to a set of apertures 428, 444. For example, the tube 434 can extend starting from the first aperture 432 and terminating at the second aperture 428 and adjacent to the third aperture 444. The tube(s) 434 define passageways through the cushion assembly 408 through which air can flow, creating sufficient ventilation to evaporate moisture from the cushion assembly 408. Similarly, the air and enter or exit the cushion assembly 408 through the apertures 434, 428, 444 allowing the cushion to expand or contract according to a user's facial profile.
In at least one example, each tube 434 or a plurality of tubes of the cushion assembly 408 can include a sidewall 435, such as a tubular or hollow cylindrical sidewall, having a first surface 437 and a second surface 437. The first surface can define the conduit or empty space within the tube 434 through which moisture is configured to flow. The second surface 439 opposing the first surface 437 can define an outer surface of the structure of the tube 434 and configured to be in contact with the foam 430 disposed between adjacent tubes 434.
Any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in
In the example shown in
In at least one example, as shown in
Any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in
In some examples, the present exemplary systems and methods can collect, store, use, and/or transmit personal information data related to users of the systems described herein. Such collection, storage, use and/or transmission can be conducted in order to provide a customized and personalized experience to a user. However, if such collection, storage, use and/or transmission of personal information data is performed, it should be conducted in accordance with standard and well-accepted personal information data procedures and protocols intended to prevent the unauthorized and/or unintentional access to the personal information data. However, the present exemplary systems and methods can be performed without the use of such personal information data.
The detailed description provided above includes specific language and nomenclature in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments and examples. However, the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. To the contrary, the foregoing descriptions of the various specific embodiments and configurations described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description, and are not intended to be exhaustive, comprehensive, or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. In fact, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
This claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/376,750, filed 22 Sep. 2022, and entitled “Cushion Assembly for Wearable Devices,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63376750 | Sep 2022 | US |