FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to display technologies, and, more particularly, to internal seals for display devices, such as, for example, wearable head-mounted displays (HMDs) with high-resolution panels.

BACKGROUND

High-resolution display devices, such as wearable HMDs, for example, include a variety of delicate internal components (e.g., display panels and lenses) that are often highly sensitive to water, moisture, particulate, debris, dust, etc. It would thus be desirable to house such components in a sealed internal compartment. During use, however, it is often necessary to adjust the position of the display panel and/or the internal lens along one or more axes to adjust focus, correct distortion, alignment, or field-of-view issues, improve content accommodation, etc. The seal(s) used to protect the internal components must allow for such movement without overly taxing the adjustment mechanism, which is typically small and lightweight given the limited interior space and intended use of the system and must be highly durable to resist fatigue that might otherwise occur over a large number of adjustment cycles. The seals must also allow for a sufficiently large range of motion depending, for example, upon the diopter range covered by the adjustment mechanism.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a wearable display system is described that includes an internal housing; a lens that is positioned within the internal housing; a display module including a display panel that is positioned within the internal housing to allow for relative movement between the lens and the display module to adjust focus of the display panel; and a seal that extends between the internal housing and the display module so as to permit relative movement between the lens and the display module.

In certain embodiments, the seal may include a generally J-shaped configuration defining a generally linear segment and an arcuate segment extending from the linear segment. In such embodiments, one of the linear segment and the arcuate segment is connected to the display module, and the other of the linear segment and the arcuate segment is connected to the internal housing. It is also envisioned that the seal may include a generally U-shaped configuration defining a pair of generally linear segments that are separated by a generally arcuate segment. More specifically, the seal may include a first generally linear segment that is connected to the display module and a second generally linear segment that is connected to the internal housing.

In certain embodiments, the arcuate segment may include a series of corrugations to facilitate controlled deformation of the seal during relative movement between the lens and the display module.

In certain embodiments, the seal may include a first segment having an arcuate configuration and a second segment including a bellows portion. In alternate embodiments it is envisioned that the bellows portion may include a series of interconnected arcuate wall portions or a series of interconnected linear wall portions. In such embodiments, adjacent linear wall portions may be connected so as to define vertices (apices).

In certain embodiments, the seal may include a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a curvature that extends inwardly away from the internal housing or outwardly towards the internal housing.

In certain embodiments, the seal may include a generally sinusoidal (S-shaped) configuration defining a first arcuate segment extending in a first direction and a second arcuate segment extending in a second direction opposite the first direction. In such embodiments, the first arcuate segment is connected to the display module, and the second arcuate segment is connected to the internal housing.

In certain embodiments, the display module may be movable in relation to the internal housing, whereas in certain other embodiments, the lens may be movable in relation to the internal housing. It is also envisioned that, in certain embodiments, both the display module and the lens may be movable in relation to the internal housing.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a seal is disclosed for use in a wearable display system including an internal housing and a display panel that is supported by a movable display module to adjust focus of the display panel. The seal includes a first portion that is connectable to the internal housing, and a second portion that is connectable to the display module. The seal includes (e.g., is formed from) a deformable material to permit movement of the display module.

In certain embodiments, the seal may include a first segment that is generally linear in configuration and a second segment that is generally arcuate in configuration such that the seal is generally J-shaped. Alternatively, the seal may include a pair of generally linear segments that are separated by a generally arcuate segment such that the seal is generally U-shaped.

In certain embodiments, the second (arcuate) segment of the seal may include a series of corrugations to facilitate controlled deformation of the seal during movement of the display module.

In certain embodiments, the seal may include a generally arcuate portion and bellows portion adjacent to the generally arcuate portion.

In certain embodiments, the seal may include a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a curvature that extends either inwardly away from the internal housing or outwardly towards the internal housing.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for assembling a wearable display system. The method includes positioning a display module having a display panel within an internal housing; positioning a lens within the internal housing to allow for relative movement between the display module and the lens to adjust focus of the display panel;

and positioning a seal within the internal housing to define an enclosed interior space accommodating the display panel. The seal includes a deformable material to permit relative movement between the display module and the lens.

In certain embodiments, positioning the seal within the internal housing may include connecting a first segment of the seal to the display module and connecting a second segment of the seal to the internal housing, wherein one of the first and second segments includes a generally linear configuration and the other of the first and second segments includes a generally arcuate configuration such that the seal is generally J-shaped. Alternatively, positioning the seal within the internal housing may include connecting a first generally linear segment of the seal to the display module and connecting a second generally linear segment of the seal to the internal housing. In such embodiments, the first and second generally linear segments may be separated by a generally arcuate segment such that the seal is generally U-shaped.

