Early reviews of Apple Vision Pro had constant complaints about the unit being uncomfortable over time. The Verge reporter noted in February: “As I sit here writing this in the Apple Vision Pro, I’m acutely aware of how the light seal presses against my forehead and cheekbones. It was relatively comfy when I slipped it on an hour ago. But now, every so often, I push up on the bridge — as if I’m a cartoon nerd saying, um, well, actually — just to give my face a break.”

Another complaint was posted on Reddit in February stating: I really want to love this thing. I have been experimenting and testing different things I can do to make it comfort. I have butchered multiple different oculus straps, and modded them on. The biggest issue I have other than the weight is the light seal. I spent an hour at the Apple Store testing out different light seals. Even the best most comfortable one causes me pain on my cheekbones.

Apple took those kinds of complaints to heart, and yes, in February, filed for a patent addressing issues regarding the light seal and discomfort in various areas of the face such as the cheek and forehead bone structures and so forth.

In Apple’s patent background they note that users have myriad different anatomical features, including head size, eye location, cheek and forehead bone structure, and so forth. Unfortunately, conventional head-mountable devices fail to provide a custom, comfortable fit for a fully immersive experience. Indeed, conventional head-mountable devices have rudimentary customization features (if any).

For example, users of a conventional head-mountable device may have differing facial structures that the head-mountable device cannot accommodate. This user-to-user variation can create a poor user experience, causing pressure on a user's face from the head-mountable device.

Additionally, longer durations of wear can exacerbate ill-fitting conventional head-mountable devices. Therefore, a head-mountable device capable of dynamically adapting to different user facial profiles is desired. Likewise, a head-mountable device capable of mitigating one or more effects of prolonged use is desired.

Face Engaging Structure

Apple’s invention relates to a head-mountable device with one or more fluid chambers (e.g., pneumatic chambers or rings). A fluid chamber can be positioned on or within a facial interface. In this configuration, the fluid chamber can provide varying contact points between the facial interface and a user's face. In so doing, the fluid chamber can help prevent pressure points and dynamically change the force distribution profile when the device is donned to help reduce user fatigue (particularly over extended use durations). 

This dynamic alteration of pressure and contact points can also mitigate or reduce a user's desire to shift the device (or remove the device all together) when the device is donned.

In a same or similar manner, fluid chambers can be positioned at other portions of the device. For example, a retention band at the rear of a user's head can likewise implement fluid chambers to subtly change blood flow and/or change local tissue contact points.

In these or other examples, fluid chambers can include a variety of configurations and positioning. In some examples, a facial interface implements a single fluid chamber. In other examples, a facial interface implements multiple fluid chambers (e.g., to alternate expansion and contraction) from one fluid chamber to the other. In specific implementations, a facial interface can implement a fluid chamber with extensions that mesh with another fluid chamber's extensions (e.g., in an alternating finger pattern). 

Apple’s patent FIG. 1 below shows a top view of an example head-mountable device being worn on the head of a user; FIGS. 2A-2B respectively illustrate side and front view profiles of an example head-mountable device; FIG. 5 illustrates an example facial interface.

Apple’s patent FIG. 6 above illustrates an example of a head-mountable device (#100) that can include an adjustable tension mechanism #600. Apple notes that the term “adjustable tension mechanism” refers to one or more elements that can change the tension of at least one component retaining the HMD against a user's head. In certain examples, an adjustable tension mechanism includes one or more fluid chambers. In other examples, an adjustable tension mechanism includes tension wires.

As shown, the adjustable tension mechanism includes a first pneumatic chamber #602 and a second pneumatic chamber #604. The first and second pneumatic chambers can be positioned in various locations throughout the HMD device. In particular examples, the pneumatic chambers are positioned along the side portions and the rear portions of the HMD. For instance, the first pneumatic chamber extend from the HMD (e.g., the facial interface), through at least one of the removable straps (e.g., the removable strap #110), and into the retention band #114.

In at least some examples, the first pneumatic chambers can actuate in response to user interaction (e.g., with a button #606 positioned on or adjacent to the electronics pod #116).

For instance, in response to detecting a user input with the button #606 (e.g., indicating user fatigue or soreness), the first pneumatic chambers  can begin actuation cycles to circulate fluid through at least the retention band on a predetermined schedule. Alternatively, in some examples, the button 606 can be substituted by a dial, slider, or other input mechanism.

To review the full details of this invention, check out patent application 20240295740 in Safari, Chrome or Vivaldi browsers. For the MS Edge browser, the link will open in a PDF.