CN-121995637-A - Hyperextension hinge for augmented reality glasses

Abstract

The present invention relates to an overextension hinge for augmented reality glasses. Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are provided for a hinge module for a smart eyewear system, and an overstretched hinge module that may be used with one or more electronic components. In one example, an overstretched hinge module may include a hinge base, a paddle coupled to the hinge base via a travel pin, and a preload spring that maintains a basic position between the hinge base and the paddle allowing the hinge base to move along a predetermined range relative to the paddle. Various examples may include a main pivot axis defining movement of a frame arm attached to an eyeglass frame and an outer pivot axis defining over-extension of the pivot arm relative to the frame along an outer edge of the frame arm.

Inventors

• MICHAEL WEBER
• Andriy Pleznetsky
• JACK ZHANG

Assignees

• 元平台技术有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20251105

Priority Date

20241107

Claims (20)

1. 1. An augmented reality AR glasses, the AR glasses comprising: A main hinge comprising a main pivot axis defining movement of a temple arm attached to an eyeglass frame, wherein the main pivot axis provides a rotational axis during closing and extending of the temple arm relative to the eyeglass frame between a first position and a second position; A secondary hinge comprising a secondary pivot axis along an outer edge of the temple arm, wherein the secondary pivot axis is parallel to the primary pivot axis, wherein the secondary pivot axis provides a rotational axis during overextension of the temple arm relative to the eyeglass frame; An AR projection system coupled to the eyeglass frame, and A battery located in the temple arm, the battery configured to power the AR projection system coupled to the eyeglass frame.
2. 2. The AR eyeglass of claim 1, wherein overextension occurs when the angle between the temple arm and the eyeglass frame exceeds 90 degrees.
3. 3. The AR eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the secondary hinge is capable of being overstretched up to ten degrees.
4. 4. The AR eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the secondary pivot axis rotates after the primary pivot axis achieves a maximum rotation.
5. 5. The AR eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the secondary hinge comprises a spring that biases the temple arm to the second position during hyperextension.
6. 6. The AR eyeglass of claim 5, wherein the spring is one of a leaf spring, a coil spring, or a torsion spring.
7. 7. The AR glasses of claim 1, wherein the primary hinge and the secondary hinge are configured to allow a flexible circuit electrically coupling at least the AR projection system to the battery to pass through.
8. 8. The AR eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the secondary hinge comprises a stop that limits the overextension of the temple arm beyond ten degrees.
9. 9. The AR glasses of claim 1 wherein the secondary hinge is overextended along an additional axis of rotation and the AR glasses include a spring that controls movement along both the secondary pivot axis and the additional axis of rotation.
10. 10. The AR eyeglass of claim 1, wherein a portion of the secondary hinge is coupled to the temple arm by one or more of a weld, a fastener, and an adhesive.
11. 11. The AR eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the secondary hinge comprises: a hinge base; A paddle connected to the hinge base via a travel pin, wherein the paddle includes a cylindrical bearing surface to receive the travel pin and enable the hinge base to move along a predetermined range relative to the paddle, and A preload spring that maintains a basic position between the hinge base and the paddle, wherein movement of the hinge base relative to the paddle along the predetermined range requires a force corresponding to a stiffness of the preload spring.
12. 12. The AR glasses of claim 11 wherein the predetermined range is within ten degrees.
13. 13. The AR glasses of claim 11, further comprising a first pair of fittings for securing the hinge base to a frame and a second pair of fittings for securing the hinge base to a frame arm.
14. 14. The AR eyeglass of claim 11, wherein the preload spring has a stiffness between 29N/mm and 37N/mm.
15. 15. A hinge system of augmented reality glasses, the hinge system comprising: A main hinge comprising a main pivot axis defining movement of a temple arm attached to an eyeglass frame, wherein the main pivot axis provides a rotational axis during closing and extending of the temple arm relative to the eyeglass frame between a first position and a second position; A secondary hinge comprising a secondary pivot axis along an outer edge of the temple arm, wherein the secondary pivot axis is parallel to the primary pivot axis, wherein the secondary pivot axis provides a rotational axis during overextension of the temple arm relative to the eyeglass frame; An AR projection system coupled to the eyeglass frame, and A battery located in the temple arm, the battery configured to power the AR projection system coupled to the eyeglass frame.
16. 16. The hinge system of claim 15, wherein overextension occurs when the angle between the temple arm and the eyeglass frame exceeds 90 degrees.
17. 17. The hinge system of claim 15, wherein the secondary hinge is capable of being overstretched up to ten degrees.
18. 18. A temple arm of augmented reality glasses, the temple arm comprising: A main hinge comprising a main pivot axis defining movement of a temple arm attached to an eyeglass frame, wherein the main pivot axis provides a rotational axis during closing and extending of the temple arm relative to the eyeglass frame between a first position and a second position; A secondary hinge comprising a secondary pivot axis along an outer edge of the temple arm, wherein the secondary pivot axis is parallel to the primary pivot axis, wherein the secondary pivot axis provides a rotational axis during overextension of the temple arm relative to the eyeglass frame; An AR projection system coupled to the eyeglass frame, and A battery located in the temple arm, the battery configured to power the AR projection system coupled to the eyeglass frame.
19. 19. The temple arm of augmented reality glasses according to claim 18, wherein over-extension occurs when the angle between the temple arm and the glasses frame exceeds 90 degrees.
20. 20. The temple arm of augmented reality glasses according to claim 18, wherein the secondary hinge is capable of being overstretched up to ten degrees.

Description

Hyperextension hinge for augmented reality glasses Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/940,708, filed 11/7 at 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field The present application relates generally to hinges in augmented reality glasses configured to accommodate a variety of head shapes while ensuring that sensitive electronic components are not damaged. Background Smart devices are increasingly integrated with wearable technologies (e.g., eyeglasses and other head-mounted devices). In various examples, the smart device may include a camera and display element incorporated on or within the eyeglass frame. The smart device may provide content through visual means and provide unique usage characteristics and experiences including, but not limited to, virtual Reality (VR), augmented reality (augmented reality, AR), mixed Reality (MR), mixed reality (hybrid reality), or some combination and/or derivative thereof. Smart glasses present unique challenges in view of the additional hardware and software components that may need to be provided in a limited area (e.g., within a frame) as compared to conventional glasses. Smart glasses face additional user constraints and design considerations in view of anatomical differences between users (e.g., different head sizes). For example, the frames of conventional eye-wear devices may be more compliant and/or adjustable for different head widths, as these frames do not require additional computing components and hardware. Smart glasses also typically have a larger cross section to house the internal electronics and hardware, which makes the frame less flexible. The frame extension and over-extension of smart glasses is further limited because over-extension may be detrimental to internal systems, interfere with alignment, connectivity, etc., and in many cases should generally be avoided. Thus, smart glasses may not be easily adjustable for different head widths, as the internal mechanisms may not be easily tolerant of deformation. Furthermore, the frames of smart glasses are typically injection molded, not as easily adjusted as conventional glasses made from wire or acetate. Thus, such challenges may lead to user discomfort, such as head compression (head squeeze). Image clarity is also sensitive to distortion and bending of the eyeglass frame, and other components such as the projector need to be isolated from contact with the various housings. Accordingly, there is a need to address one or more of the challenges described above. A brief summary of the solution to the above-described problems is described below. Disclosure of Invention To address the described challenges, the present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for overstretching hinges that can be used with a variety of eyewear technologies. According to various examples, an overstretched hinge module may include a hinge base, a paddle connected to the hinge base via a travel pin, and a preload spring that maintains a basic position between the hinge base and the paddle. In various examples, the paddle may include a cylindrical bearing surface to receive the travel pin, and the paddle may move the hinge base along a predetermined range relative to the paddle. In other examples, movement of the hinge base relative to the paddle along the predetermined range may require a force corresponding to the stiffness of the preload spring. According to various aspects and examples, the predetermined range may be up to about ten degrees. The hinge base may further include a first pair of fittings that secure the hinge base to a frame (hereinafter also referred to as an eyeglass frame) and a second pair of fittings that secure the hinge base to a frame arm (hereinafter also referred to as a temple arm). Furthermore, the stiffness of the preload spring is between 29N/mm and 37N/mm. Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, or may be learned by practice. These advantages will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. The devices and/or systems described herein may be configured to include instructions that enable performing methods and operations associated with presentation and/or interaction of an extended-reality (XR) head-mounted device (head). The methods and operations may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium of the device or system. It should also be noted that the devices and systems described herein may be part of a larger overall system that includes multiple devices. A non-exhaustive list of electronic devices that may include instructions, alone or in comb