Sony patents wearable device with self-adjusting fit using heat
Sony describes a wearable device with a frame that changes its curvature to adjust how tightly it fits. The device uses wires made of a shape memory alloy that shrink when heated by electricity, allowing a controller to tighten or loosen the frame automatically.
In the filing’s own words
A wearable device of which a degree of tightening can be adjusted using electronic control is provided. A wearable device includes a frame that is curved along a longitudinal direction of the frame and of which a degree of curvature is changeable; a plurality of first wires arranged in a widthwise direction of the frame, each of the plurality of first wires being supported to be provided to the frame along the longitudinal direction, each of the plurality of first wires being made of a shape memory alloy of which a length is made smaller when the shape memory alloy reaches a first temperature or above due to being energized; and a controller that receives first information and is capable of controlling energization of a first wire of the plurality of first wires on the basis of the first information, the control of the energization enabling the degree of curvature of the frame to be adjusted.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A wearable device, comprising: a frame that is curved along a longitudinal direction of the frame and of which a degree of curvature is changeable; a plurality of first wires arranged in a widthwise direction of the frame, each of the plurality of first wires being supported to be provided to the frame along the longitudinal direction, each of the plurality of first wires being made of a shape memory alloy of which a length is made smaller when the shape memory alloy reaches a first temperature or above due to being energized; and a controller that receives first information and is capable of controlling energization of a first wire of the plurality of first wires on a basis of the first information, the control of the energization enabling the degree of curvature of the frame to be adjusted.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY GROUP CORPORATION)
- Official title
- Wearable device
- Patent number
- US12732736B2
- Application number
- 18849529
- Filed
- Mar 16, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 9
- Claims
- 13
Classified under
H04R 1/105 Electricity & electronicsH04R 1/1041 Electricity & electronicsH04R 5/0335 Electricity & electronicsH04R 1/1008 Electricity & electronicsH04R 2201/105 Electricity & electronicsMore from Sony in Wearables
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.