EP-4741912-A1 - OVER-EXTENSION HINGE FOR A PAIR OF AUGMENTED-REALITY GLASSES

EP4741912A1EP 4741912 A1EP4741912 A1EP 4741912A1EP-4741912-A1

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices, and computer program products are provided for hinge modules for smart glasses systems, and overextension hinge modules usable with one or more electronic components. In an example, an overextension hinge module may include a hinge base, a paddle connected to the hinge base via a travel pin, and a preloaded spring maintaining a base position between the hinge base and the paddle, allowing movement of the hinge base relative to the paddle along a predefined range. Various examples may include a primary pivot axis defining movement between a frame arm attached to a glasses frame, and an external pivot axis along an outer edge of the frame arm defining an over-extension of the pivot arm relative to the frame.

Inventors

WEBB, MICHAEL
PLETENETSKYY, ANDRIY
ZHANG, JACK

Assignees

Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20250910

Claims (15)

A pair of augmented-reality (AR) glasses, comprising: a primary hinge that comprises a primary pivot axis defining movement between a temple arm attached to a glasses frame, wherein the primary pivot axis provides an axis of rotation during closure and extension of the temple arm relative to the glasses frame between a first position and second position; a secondary hinge that comprises 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 an axis of rotation during an over-extension of the temple arm relative to the frame; and an AR projection system coupled to the frame; a battery located in the temple arm that is configured to provide power to the AR projection system coupled to the frame.
The pair of AR glasses of claim 1, and one or more of the following: (i) wherein over-extension occurs when an angle between the frame arm and the glasses frame exceeds 90 degrees; (ii) wherein the secondary hinge enables over-extension up to ten degrees.
The pair of AR glasses of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein rotation occurs on the secondary pivot axis after maximum rotation is achieved on the primary pivot axis.
The pair of AR glasses of any preceding claim , wherein the secondary hinge comprises a spring that biases the temple arm to the second position during over-extension; optionally, wherein the spring is one of a leaf spring, a coil spring, or a torsion spring.
The pair of AR glasses of any preceding claim, wherein the primary hinge and secondary hinge are configured to allow the pass-through of a flexible circuit that electrically couples at least the AR projection system to the battery.
The pair of AR glasses of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary hinge comprises a stop that limits the over-extension beyond ten degrees of the temple arm.
The pair of AR glasses of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary hinge can be overextended along an additional axis of rotation and the system comprises a spring that controls movement along both the secondary pivot axis and the additional axis of rotation.
The pair of AR glasses of any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the secondary hinge is coupled to the temple arm by one or more of welding, fasteners, and adhesives.
The pair of AR glasses of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary hinge comprises: a hinge base; a paddle connected to the hinge base via a travel pin, wherein the paddle comprises a cylindrical bearing surface to receive the travel pin, and enable movement of the hinge base relative to the paddle along a predefined range; a preloaded spring maintaining a base position between the hinge base and the paddle, wherein movement of the hinge base relative to the paddle along the predefined range requires a force corresponding a stiffness of the preloaded spring; optionally, wherein the predefined range is within ten degrees.
The pair of AR glasses of claim 9, comprising a first pair of attachments to secure the hinge base to a frame, and a second pair of attachments to secure the hinge base to a frame arm.
The pair of AR glasses of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the stiffness of the preloaded spring is between 29-37 N/mm.
A hinge system of a pair augmented-reality glasses, comprising: a primary hinge that comprises a primary pivot axis defining movement between a temple arm attached to a glasses frame, wherein the primary pivot axis provides an axis of rotation during closure and extension of the temple arm relative to the glasses frame between a first position and second position; a secondary hinge that comprises 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 an axis of rotation during an over-extension of the temple arm relative to the frame; and an AR projection system coupled to the frame; a battery located in the temple arm that is configured to provide power to the AR projection system coupled to the frame.
The hinge system of claim 12, and one or more of the following: (i) wherein over-extension occurs when an angle between the frame arm and the glasses frame exceeds 90 degrees; (ii) wherein the secondary hinge enables over-extension up to ten degrees.
A temple arm of a pair of augmented-reality glasses, comprising: a primary hinge that comprises a primary pivot axis defining movement between a temple arm attached to a glasses frame, wherein the primary pivot axis provides an axis of rotation during closure and extension of the temple arm relative to the glasses frame between a first position and second position; a secondary hinge that comprises 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 an axis of rotation during an over-extension of the temple arm relative to the frame; and an AR projection system coupled to the frame; a battery located in the temple arm that is configured to provide power to the AR projection system coupled to the frame.
The temple arm of the pair of augmented-reality glasses of claim 14, and one or more of the following: (i) wherein over-extension occurs when an angle between the frame arm and the glasses frame exceeds 90 degrees; (ii) wherein the secondary hinge enables over-extension up to ten degrees.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This relates generally to hinges in augmented-reality glasses that are configured to accommodate multiple head shapes while ensuring the sensitive electronic components are not damaged. BACKGROUND Smart devices are becoming increasingly integrated with wearable technology, such as glasses and other head-mounted devices. In various examples, smart devices may include a camera and display elements incorporated on or within glasses frames. The smart device may provide content through visual means, and provide unique usage features and experiences, including but not limited to virtual reality (VR), an augmented reality (AR), a mixed reality (MR), a hybrid reality, or some combination and/or derivatives thereof. Smart glasses face unique challenges compared to traditional glasses, given the additional hardware and software components that may need to be provided within a limited area, e.g., within the frames. Smart glasses face additional user constraints and design considerations, given the anatomical differences between users, such as differing head sizes. For example, conventional eyewear frames may be more compliant and/or adjustable for varying head widths since they do not require the additional computing components and hardware. Smart glasses also often have larger cross sections to house internal electronics and hardware, making for inflexible frames. Frame extension and overextension of smart glasses are further limited, since overextension may be detrimental to internal systems, interfere with alignment, connectivity, etc., and typically should be avoided in many cases. Accordingly, adjustability for varying head widths may not be readily performed on smart glasses because the internal mechanicals may not easily tolerate deformation. In addition, frames of smart glasses are usually injection molded, which doesn't take adjustment as easily as conventional eyewear made from wire or acetate. Such challenges may therefore result in user discomfort, e.g., head squeeze. Image clarity is also sensitive to deformation and bending of glasses frames, and other components, such as projectors, require isolation from contact to various enclosures. As such, there is a need to address one or more of the above-identified challenges. A brief summary of solutions to the issues noted above are described below. SUMMARY The present invention provides a pair of augmented-reality (AR) glasses, a hinge system of a pair augmented-reality glasses and a temple arm of a pair of augmented-reality glasses as defined in the appended claims. In meeting the described challenges, the present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices, for an overextension hinge, usable with various glasses technologies. According to various examples, an overextension hinge module may include a hinge base, a paddle connected to the hinge base via a travel pin, and a preloaded spring maintaining a base 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 enable movement of the hinge base relative to the paddle along a predefined range. In other examples, the movement of the hinge base relative to the paddle along the predefined range may require a force corresponding a stiffness of the preloaded spring. According to various aspects and examples, the predefined range may be up to about ten degrees. The hinge base may further include a first pair of attachments to secure the hinge base to a frame, and a second pair of attachments to secure the hinge base to a frame arm. Additionally, the stiffness of the preloaded spring is between 29-37 N/mm. In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided a pair of augmented-reality (AR) glasses, comprising: a primary hinge that comprises a primary pivot axis defining movement between a temple arm attached to a glasses frame, wherein the primary pivot axis provides an axis of rotation during closure and extension of the temple arm relative to the glasses frame between a first position and second position;a secondary hinge that comprises 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 an axis of rotation during an over-extension of the temple arm relative to the frame; andan AR projection system coupled to the frame;a battery located in the temple arm that is configured to provide power to the AR projection system coupled to the frame. The over-extension may occur when an angle between the frame arm and the glasses frame exceeds 90 degrees. The secondary hinge may enable over-extension up to ten degrees. Rotation may occur on the secondary pivot axis after maximum rotation is achieved on the primary pivot axis. The secondary hinge may comprise a spring that biases the temple arm to the second position during over-extension. The spring may be one of a leaf