Wearable cooling device

Abstract

A wearable cooling / heating device is provided. The wearable heating / cooling device includes an air mover disposed within a housing. Two arms extend from the housing and receive air exhausted from the air mover and direct the air to at least one outlet provided along the length of each arm. The arms of the device rest on the shoulders / trapezii of the wearer. The device directs airflow under a garment worn by the wearer and the arms of the device are provided under the garment and include thermally conductive plates to contact the skin of a user to provide a cooling effect. The thermally conductive plates can also be configured as heating plates.

Description

[0001]269369.000003 WEARABLE COOLING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 674,993, filed July 24, 2024. The entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by FIELD The present invention relates generally to a personal wearable cooling / heating device, and in particular to a personal wearable cooling device that may be secured in a position on or surrounding the neck region of a user and which utilizes one or more ducts, which may be positioned under a garment and which distribute air to the neck and torso of the user. BACKGROUND Personal cooling devices have been utilized to provide a convenient cooling solution for individual use. However, these personal cooling devices are limited in that they do not provide for a combination of neck and torso cooling. Additionally, these personal cooling devices are bulky and may not be easily put on or removed. Historically, personal heating devices, such as hand warmers have been used in cold weather conditions. Though these heaters are widely popular due to their small size and portability, they do not have the ability to heat more than a small area of the body, such as the hands or feet. In view of the foregoing, there exists a need to provide a combination cooling and heating device that is low profile and lightweight, and which may effectively lower or raise skin temperature skin temperature across a significant portion of the body, i.e., the torso and the neck. Thus, it is desirable to provide a personal wearable cooling / heating device that may be secured around the neck of a user and which utilizes one or more ducts, which may be positioned under a user's garments to distribute hot, cold, or ambient temperature air to the neck of a user, as well as the front and back of the torso. 1 317002979v3 269369.000003 SUMMARY There is provided, in accordance with an example of the disclosed technology, a personal heating / cooling device. A wearable cooling / heating device may include a housing with an air mover provided within and an inlet for intake of air on an outer side of the housing. Two arms may extend from the housing, each arm having a channel for directing air exhausted from the air mover towards a distal portion of each arm. At least one air outlet may be provided along the length of each arm. When worn by a user, the housing of the device may contact the user’s back and the two arms may contact and be provided over the upper trapezii of the user. A portion of the air inlet of the housing may be provided proximal to the neck of a user. The wearable cooling / heating device may be worn under a garment, such that the distal portion of each arm is provided under the garment. The device may also include an additional air outlet at the bottom of the housing. The outlet at the bottom of the housing may direct air inside the garment. Each arm of the wearable cooling / heating device may include a thermally conductive plate. The thermally conductive plates may contact the front torso of a user when the device is worn. Each arm may include an additional outlet disposed proximal to the other air outlet provided on the arm. Each arm may include a proximal portion and a distal portion, with the proximal portion configured to be flexible. The distal portion of each arm may be rigid. The distal portion of each arm may house a battery. The distal portion of each arm may include an upper housing and a lower housing to contain components within. The thermally conductive plate may include a thermally conductive material which is coupled to a thermoelectric element. A heat sink may be coupled to the thermoelectric element and may be provided on the side of the thermoelectric element opposite to the thermally conductive plate. The proximal portion of each arm may be hollow to direct air from the housing towards the distal end of each arm. An outer surface of the housing may include a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the inlet. The plurality of ridges may prevent a garment from entering the housing. A second inlet may be provided on an inner side of the housing. An inner surface of the housing may also include a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the second 2 317002979v3 269369.000003 inlet. The bottom of the housing may include an additional air outlet. The additional air outlet may exhaust air down the back of the wearer and underneath a garment, when a garment is worn. The air mover may include two fans. The housing may include a fan cover. The fan cover may have at least one surface configured to direct air from a first fan of the two fans into a first arm of the two arms, and at least one surface configured to direct air from a second fan of the two fans into a second arm of the two arms. A top side of the housing comprises a ledge which extends from an outer side of the housing to facilitate air flow through the outer air inlet into the housing. The ledge may also form a clip feature that may prevent a garment from covering the top of the housing. The wearable cooling device further comprises an additional air inlet provided on an inner side of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.1A is a front perspective view of a wearable cooling device, according to aspects of the present invention. FIG.1B is a rear perspective view of a wearable cooling device, according to aspects of the present invention. FIG. 1C is a front view of a wearable cooling device, according to aspects of the present invention. FIG. 1D is a side view of a wearable cooling device, according to aspects of the present invention. FIG.2A is an exploded view of a wearable cooling device, according to some aspects of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a sectioned view of a wearable cooling device, according to some aspects of the present invention. FIG.2C is an exploded view of a wearable cooling device, according to some aspects of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an arm component of a wearable cooling device, according to some aspects of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a rear view of a wearable cooling device worn by a user, according to some aspects of the present invention. 3 317002979v3 269369.000003 FIG. 4B is a left side view of a wearable cooling device worn by a user, according to some aspects of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a system comprising a wearable cooling device and other devices that may interact with the wearable cooling device, according to some aspects of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are identically numbered. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein. More specifically, “about” or “approximately” may refer to the range of values ±20% of the recited value, e.g., “about 90%” may refer to the range of values from 71% to 110%. The terms “user” and “wearer” may be used interchangeably herein. Disclosed is a personal wearable cooling / heating device. The device may simply be referred to as a wearable cooling device. As discussed herein, the device may be configured to operate as a personal heating device or a personal cooling device. In use, the user may secure the personal wearable cooling / heating device around his or her neck, positioning the arms and the ducts of the body under a garment. The device may provide a lightweight and low profile personal wearable cooling / heating device that may easily be secured around a user's neck and which utilizes one or more ducts, which may be positioned under a user's garments, for distribution of hot, cold, or room temperature air to the neck and torso of the user. 4 317002979v3 269369.000003 FIGS. 1A-4B depict a wearable cooling / heating device 100, according to some examples. In some examples, the cooling device comprises a housing 101. In some examples, the housing contains an air mover disposed within. In some examples, the air mover comprises at least one fan 145. In some examples, the air mover comprises two fans 145. In some examples, the air mover comprises a piezo electric or pneumatic element, such as a piezo electric fan. In some examples, the housing 101 includes one or more air inlets 132, 136 for intaking air by the air mover. In some examples, the housing 101 comprises at least one air inlet 132 provided on an inner side 102 of the housing 101. In some examples, the housing 101 comprises two air inlets 132 provided on an inner side 102 of the housing 101. The inner side air inlets 132, may be positioned such that when the cooling device 100 is worn by a user, air circulates across the wearers back / neck when being drawn into the air inlets 132, thereby providing a cooling effect. In some examples, the housing 101 comprises at least one air inlet 136 provided on an outer side 104 of the housing 101. In some examples, the housing 101 comprises two air inlets 136 provided on an outer side 104 of the housing 101. In some examples, a plurality of ridges is provided to form vents 134, 138 for the inner side fan inlet(s) 132 and outer side fan inlet(s) 136. In some examples, the ridges of the inner vent 134 provide a space between the inner side fan inlet(s) 132 and the back of a wearer, such air may be directed from into the inner side fan inlets(s) 132 without being inhibited by the skin of the wearer. In some examples, the ridges of the outer vent 138 are configured to space a portion of a garment, worn by a user, away from the interior of the housing 101, thereby preventing the garment from contacting the air mover (e.g., fans). The ridges forming the outer vent 138 may be configured to provide a space between the outer side fan inlet(s) 136 and a garment, such that air may be directed from into the outer side fan inlets(s) 136 without being inhibited by garment. Spacing the garment away from the outer side fan inlets(s) 136 may be an important consideration if the garment is waterproof or air-impermeable. In some examples, the ridges which form the outer vent 138 and or inner vent 134 may be spaced apart about 2 millimeters to allow sufficient airflow. In some examples, the ridges which form the outer vent 138 and or inner vent 134 may be about 1.5 millimeters wide. In some examples, the ridges which form the outer vent 138 and or inner vent 134 may be about 2.5 millimeters 5 317002979v3 269369.000003 thick to provide space between the inlets 132, 136 and the garment / wearer to allow sufficient airflow. The ridges may further serve to provide additional stiffness / support for the housing 101. In some examples, the cooling device 100 comprises two arms 110 connected to the housing. Each arm 110 connects to the housing 101 at a proximal end of the arms 110. The device 100 is configured such that the air mover draws air into the housing through inlets 132, 136 exhausts air into each of the arms 110. As depicted in FIG. 2C, the arms 110 each comprise a hollow interior 113 which functions as a channel to direct air exhausted from the air mover, along the length of each arm, and towards the distal portion of each arm 110. Each arm 110 may be rigid or flexible. In some examples, a proximal portion 112 of each arm 110 is flexible and a distal portion 114 of each arm 110 is made of rigid material. In some examples, the entire arm 110 may be flexible or rigid. The distal portion 114 of each arm may be slightly concave to allow for the arm 110 to sit securely on a user's upper trapezius 30. In some examples, the distal portion 114 of the arms 110 may be rotatably adjustable to allow for a change in the angle at which the arms 110 connect to allow for the device to fit onto a smaller or larger torso. Moreover, in some examples, the arms may instead be connectable at their proximate ends to allow for the device to be securely attached around the user's neck if the user chooses to not wear any upper garments. In some examples, the housing may instead be attached to a ring, wherein the user's head may fit through the ring and wherein the shape of the ring allows for a secure attachment on the user's upper trapezius and along the front of the user's torso. This ring may be formed with two or more separate elements that may be removably attached together. In some examples, each arm 110 comprises a thermally conductive plate 120. The thermally conductive plate 120 may be configured to contact the skin of a user when worn and providing a cooling effect to the user’s skin. The cooling mechanism may be provided by a thermoelectric element, an evaporative element, a phase change element, other mechanisms which are able to provide a cooling effect, and combinations thereof. In some examples, where the cooling element is a thermoelectric element, the thermally conductive plate 120 may be configured to produce heat, for example, by reversing the polarity of the thermoelectric element. In such examples, the device 100 may be configured as a personal wearable heating 6 317002979v3 269369.000003 device, capable of providing a cooling or heating effect to the wearer. Similarly, the inner surface 102 of the housing 101 may comprise a thermally conductive plate 121 (as depicted in FIG.1C). The thermally conductive plates may be referred to herein as a “cooling plate” or a “heating plate”, however, it should be understood that a “cooling plate” may be capable of providing both heating and cooling effects to the wearer. In some examples, one or more air outlets 116, 118 are provided along the length of the arms 110. In some examples, a proximal arm air outlet 116 is provided proximal to the cooling plate 120 of each arm 110. In some examples, a distal arm air outlet 118 is provided distal to the cooling plate 120 and at or near the distal end of each arm 110. As further discussed herein, the arms 110 may be provided underneath a garment, such that the air outlets 116, 118 provided on the arms 110 direct air towards the chest of a wearer and underneath the front of the garment. The outlets 116, 118 may include surfaces to further direct air exiting the outlets. For example, distal outlets 118 are depicted in FIG. 1B as having two surfaces which divide the outlets 118 into three ducts. The ducts may be substantially round, square, rectangular, irregularly shaped, or any other shape known in the art. The ducts may be grouped or spaced in any fashion along each arm 110. In some examples, the housing 101 comprises one or more air outlets 140. In some examples, air outlets 140 are located at a bottom portion 106 of the housing 101. As further discussed herein, the air outlets 140 may be provided underneath a garment, such that the air outlets 140 of the housing 101 direct air down the neck / back a wearer and underneath the back of the garment. The outlets 140 may include surfaces to further direct air exiting the outlets. For example, bottom outlets 140 are depicted in FIG.1A as having two surfaces which divide the outlets 140 into three ducts. The ducts may be substantially round, square, rectangular, irregularly shaped, or any other shape known in the art. The ducts may be grouped or spaced in any fashion along the bottom surface 106 and or the inner surface 102 of the housing 101. FIG. 2A depicts the housing 101 and one of the arms 110 (left arm) in an exploded view, in accordance with some examples. In some examples, housing 101 comprises an outer housing portion 142 and an inner housing portion 144. As discussed above, in some examples, the outer housing portion 142 comprises outer side inlets 136 and outer side vents 138, the vents formed by a plurality of ridges. As discussed above, in some examples, the inner 7 317002979v3 269369.000003 housing portion 144 comprises inner side inlets 132 and inner side vents 134, the vents formed by a plurality of ridges. In some examples, contained within the housing 101 is an air mover, which may be one or more fans 145. Fans 145 may be centrifugal fans. The fans 145 may comprise 90 blades and may operate at a maximum speed of about 4800 rotations per minute, such that each fan produces an air flow up to about 12.2 cubic feet per minute at a velocity of up to about 1150 feet per minute. A cover 146 may be provided to protect the air mover mechanism. For example, the cover 146 may be provided to protect fans 145. In some examples, the cover 146 comprises surfaces which function as air guides to direct air from the fans and into the arms 110. In some examples, the outer housing portion 142 and the inner housing portion 144 are fasted together with fastening elements 155 (as depicted in FIG. 1C), such as screws or nuts and bolts. A printed circuit board (PCB) 148 may be provided within the housing 101. The PCB 148 may comprise circuitry necessary to enable at least some of the functions performed by the device, as further discussed herein. The PCB 148 may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port (USB port 154 as depicted in FIG. 1B) which is accessible from outside the housing 101 to allow connections for charging, configuring the operation of the device, programming, updating firmware, etc. FIGS. 2A and 3 depict one of the arms 110 (the left arm) in an exploded view, in accordance with some examples. In some examples, the distal portion 114 of the arm 110 comprises an upper arm housing 126 and a lower arm housing 128. With the distal portion 114 of the arm 110, and between the upper arm housing 126 and the lower arm housing 128, a cooling element 122, a heat sink 124, and a battery 130 may be provided. In some examples, the cooling element 122 is in thermal communication with the cooling plate 120 and the heat sink 124, such that the cooling plate 120 may be cooled to provide a cooling effect to a wearer and heat produced by the cooling element 122 may be dissipated by the heat sink 124. In some examples, the heat sink 124 is connected to the battery 130 to dissipate heat from the battery. In some examples, the cooling element 122 can be configured heat or cool the plate 120. The cooling element 122 may be a thermoelectric element, an evaporative element, a phase change element, or other element capable of producing heating and / or cooling effects. In some 8 317002979v3 269369.000003 examples, wherein the cooling element 122 is a thermoelectric element, the polarity of the thermoelectric cooling element may be reversed to provide heat to the user. In some examples, the upper arm housing 126 and the lower arm housing 128 are fasted together with fastening elements 155, such as screws or nuts and bolts. The distal portion 114 may be hollow and provide space around the cooling element 122, battery 130, and heat sink 124 such that air can move around said elements and out the distal arm air outlets 118. In some examples, air is passed over a surface of the cooling element 122, such that the air is cooled before it exits the distal air outlet 118. Similarly, the housing 101 may include one or more cooling elements to cool air which is passed over a surface of the cooling element. In some examples, wiring (not shown) connects the cooling element and battery in the arms 110 to the PCB provided in the housing. In some examples, both arms 110 include a battery 130. The battery 130 may be provided within the distal portion 114 of the arms 110 to balance the weight of the housing 101. In some examples, only one arm may include a battery. In some examples, the battery or an additional battery may be provided in the housing. In some examples, the battery may be housed in a removeable compartment and be removed from the device for charging. In some examples, the batteries are charged through a USB port, which may be provided as part of the housing (e.g., USB port 154 as depicted in FIG. 1B). A power button may be located anywhere on the personal wearable cooling / heating device. In some examples, controls for the ducts and ports may also be located on the personal wearable cooling / heating device. In some examples, the controls may allow for the user to set the personal wearable cooling / heating device to a heating, cooling, or neutral mode. In some examples, the controls on the device may allow the user to set a specified temperature or operating level (e.g., high power, medium power, low power) for the dispersed air. In some examples, the personal wearable cooling / heating device may have a transmitter and a receiver that are Bluetooth enabled to allow wireless connection between the personal wearable cooling / heating device and the user's personal computer or cellular device. The personal wearable cooling / heating device may be controlled via an application on the user's personal computer or cellular device to enable the user to set a desired temperature or fan speed for the ports or ducts. In some examples, the application may allow the user to program different 9 317002979v3 269369.000003 temperatures for the air displaced from the ducts and ports based on their location on the personal wearable cooling / heating device. Thus, for example, the user may program the inner ducts to blow air at a certain temperature, and may simultaneously program the rear ducts to blow air at a lower temperature. Moreover, in some examples, where it may be desirable, the user may select which ducts or ports they desire to be operating at any given time, and one or more valves may be included in the device to selectively restrict or limit the flow of air out of certain ducts or ports. The personal wearable cooling / heating device 100 may be programed to allow airflow through one, all, or any combination of the ducts and / or ports. In some examples, at least one switch 150 is provided on one of the arms 110. The switch 150 may be configured to power the device on or off and / or change the operation mode of the device. In some examples, each arm 110 may comprise a switch 150, the switches having different functions. For example, one switch may power the device on or off and the other switch may change the operation of the device from heating to cooling. One will appreciate that additional manual controls may be included, such as a wheel to adjust the temperature of the cooling plate or speed of the air movers. In some examples, as further discussed herein, functions of the device may be controlled remotely, e.g., by a mobile phone wirelessly connected to the device. The device 100 may include an indication light 152 (e.g., light 152 depicted in FIG. 1B) on the housing 101 or elsewhere on the device. The light 152 may indicate the power state of the device, the battery level of the device, a mode of operation, and combinations thereof. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict the wearable cooling / heating device 100 being worn by a user 10 and a portion of the device 100 being provided underneath a garment 50, in accordance with some examples. In some examples, the distal arm portions of the device 100 are configured to sit on a chest / front torso 40 of a user. In some examples, the wearable cooling device is configured such that when worn by a user, the housing contacts the user’s back / neck and the two arms placed over an upper trapezii 30 of the user. A harness or securing strap may be implemented to better secure the device 100 to the user 10. In some examples, the wearable cooling device 100 is configured such that when worn by the user, a portion of the inlet 136 is provided proximal to a neck of the user. In some examples, as discussed herein, the wearable cooling device 100 further comprises an air outlet provided at the bottom of the housing which 10 317002979v3 269369.000003 directs air inside the garment. In some examples, the cooling plates on each arm contact a front torso 40 of a user when worn. In some examples, distal air outlets 118 on each arm direct air down the front torso 40 of the wearer 10. In some examples, at least a portion of the outer air inlets 136 are provided above the neck / shoulder line 20 of a user, such that at least a portion of the outer air inlets 136 are unobstructed when a garment 50 (e.g., a shirt) is worn. In some examples, as depicted in FIGS. 1B and 1D, the top surface 108 of the housing 101 may comprise a ledge 109 which acts a shirt guide to prevent provide a space between the garment and the outer surface 104 of the housing 101 to facilitate air flow into the outer air inlets 136. The ledge 109 may extend from the outer surface of the housing approximately 15 millimeters. The ledge 109 may curved and extend a maximum distance of about 5 millimeters at the center of the ledge / housing. The ledge 109 may also form a clip feature that may prevent a garment from covering the top of the housing. The device 100 is configured to draw in air from around the user and disperses it around the neck and into the garment of a user through the ducts and output ports. This provides cooling of the neck, lower face / chin, and the front and back of the torso, and in some instances may be useful to lower the risk of heat illness. The device may be worn during a variety of activities, such as, but not limited to, athletics, recreation, working, walking, running, playing, or jumping, as well as by a number of users, such as, but not limited to, construction workers or defense workers. In some examples , the device 100 is intended to provide cooling of the neck, lower face / chin, and the entire torso to significantly lower the skin temperature of people exposed to high heat or under physical exertion. In some examples, the device may also be used as a heating device providing warm air onto a large portion of the user's body to significantly raise the skin temperature of people exposed to cold temperatures. FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a system 500 comprising a personal wearable cooling / heating device 502 and other devices that may interact with the personal wearable cooling / heating device 502, in accordance with some examples discussed herein. In some examples, the device 502 may interact with a user device 552 or another remote device 554. The user device 552 may be a cell phone, smart phone, tablet, smart watch, computer, or another device that a user may utilize to input information. In some examples, the user may input commands at the user device 552, these commands may be received at the device 502 11 317002979v3 269369.000003 through the use of the communication interface(s) 512, these commands may be stored in the memory device(s) 508, and / or the processor(s) 510 may be configured to implement these commands. Additionally, the remote device 554 may be a device such as a server, a computer, etc. In some examples, the remote device 554 may be configured to provide software updates to the device 502, these updates may be received at the device 502 through the use of the communication interface(s) 512, these updates may be stored in the memory device(s) 508, and / or the processor(s) 510 may be configured to implement these commands. Additionally or alternatively, status information or sensor information from sensor(s) 518 may be sent from the device 502 to the user device 552 or the remote device 554, thereby allowing a person affiliated with the user device 552 or the remote device to be alerted as to repairs that need to be made, additional cooling or heating material that is needed, extremely high or low temperatures, low power etc. The processor(s) 510 may be any means configured to execute various programmed operations or instructions stored in a memory device (e.g., memory device(s) 508) such as a device or circuitry operating in accordance with software or otherwise embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software (e.g. a processor operating under software control or the processor embodied as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA) specifically configured to perform the operations described herein, or a combination thereof) thereby configuring the device or circuitry to perform the corresponding functions of the processor(s) 510 as described herein. In some examples, the memory device(s) 508 may include one or more non-transitory storage or memory devices such as, for example, volatile and / or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory device(s) 508 may be configured to store instructions, computer program code, log data (including data regarding variations and locations thereof, dimensions, log shapes, etc.), location data, and additional data in a non- transitory computer readable medium for use, such as by the processor(s) 510 for enabling the components of the log processing system 525 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memory device(s) 508 may be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor(s) 510. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory device(s) 508 could be configured to store instructions for 12 317002979v3 269369.000003 execution by the processor(s) 510. The memory device(s) 508 may include computer program code that is configured to, when executed, cause processor(s) 510 to perform various methods described herein. The memory device(s) 508 may serve as non-transitory computer readable mediums having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause methods described herein to be performed. The communications interface(s) 512 may be configured to enable communication to other components of the system 500 such as a user device 552 or a remote device 554. The communications interface(s) 512 may also include one or more communications modules configured to communicate with one another in any of a number of different manners including, for example, via wired connections. However, communications interface(s) 512 may be configured to communicate with one another in other ways such as via a network. In this regard, the communications interface(s) 512 may include any of a number of different communication backbones or frameworks including, for example, Ethernet, global positioning system (GPS), cellular, Wi-Fi, or other suitable networks. In some embodiments, some or all of the communications interface(s) 512, may be configured to communicate using short-range wireless technologies such as Bluetooth (e.g., Bluetooth Version 4.1 or another version), Wi-Fi, NearLink, near-field communication (NFC), low power wide area networks (LPWAN), ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless local area network (WLAN) in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11(b), IEEE 802.11(g), and / or IEEE 802.11(n) standards, and / or low-rate wireless personal access networks (LR-WPAN) pursuant to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. One or more power source(s) 506 may be included in the device 502 (such as batteries 130 discussed herein). The power source(s) 506 may include chargeable batteries, solar cells, etc., but other power sources may be used. One or more user interface(s) 514 may be provided on the device 502. The user interface(s) 514 may be configured to receive user inputs from the user. The user interface(s) 514 may be provided in the form of selectable buttons, touch screen displays, microphones, etc., but other user interface(s) 514 may be used. The device 502 may also have other components such as one or more fans 504, one or more valves 516, and one or more sensors 518. The fan(s) 504 may be selectively controlled to change the amount of airflow through the device 502, and the fan(s) 504 may be positioned 13 317002979v3 269369.000003 at an internal location within the device 502. In some embodiments, the fan(s) 504 may be positioned proximate to inlet ports, but the fan(s) 504 may be positioned at other locations as well. Various types of fans may be used. The valve(s) 516 may be selectively controlled to change the amount of airflow through internal channels. In some examples, the valve(s) 516 may be configured to operate in a fully opened state, a partially closed state, or a fully opened state, thereby allowing the amount of airflow through particular outlet port or a duct. Sensor(s) 518 may be configured to sense a variety of different conditions for the device 502 such as the external air temperature, the body temperature of the user, the level of heat exchange material within the device 502, the power level of power source(s), the operating conditions of a component to confirm that the component is functioning appropriately, etc. The disclosed technology described herein can be further understood according to the following clauses: Clause 1: A wearable device for providing cooling and / or heating to a user, the wearable device comprising: a housing comprising an air mover and an inlet provided on an outer side of the housing; and two arms extending from the housing, each arm comprising: a channel for directing air exhausted from the air mover towards a distal portion of each arm; and a first air outlet provided along a length of each arm. Clause 2: The wearable device of Clause 1, configured such that when worn by a user, the housing contacts the user’s back and the two arms contact an upper trapezii of the user. Clause 3: The wearable device of Clause 2, configured such that when worn by the user, a portion of the inlet is provided proximal to a neck of the user. Clause 4: The wearable device of Clause 3, configured to be worn under a garment, such that the distal portion of each arm is provided under the garment. Clause 5: The wearable device of Clause 4, further comprising a second air outlet provided at the bottom of the housing, wherein the second air outlet directs air inside the garment. Clause 6: The wearable device of Clause 1, wherein each arm further comprises a thermally conductive plate. 14 317002979v3 269369.000003 Clause 7: The wearable device of Clause 6, wherein the thermally conductive plate on each arm contacts a front torso of a user when worn. Clause 8: The wearable device of any one of Clauses 1 to 7, wherein each arm comprises a third air outlet disposed proximal to the first air outlet. Clause 9: The wearable device of Clause 1, wherein each arm comprises a proximal portion and the distal portion, the proximal portion configured to be flexible. Clause 10: The wearable device of Clause 9, wherein the distal portion of at least one arm houses a battery. Clause 11: The wearable device of Clause 10, wherein the distal portion of each arm comprises an upper housing and a lower housing. Clause 12: The wearable device of any one of Clauses 9 to 11, wherein the distal portion of each arm comprises a thermally conductive plate. Clause 13: The wearable device of Clause 12, wherein each thermally conductive plate is configured to contact a front torso of a user when worn. Clause 14: The wearable device of Clause 12, wherein the thermally conductive plate comprises a thermally conductive material and is coupled to a thermoelectric element. Clause 15: The wearable device of Clause 14, further comprising a heat sink coupled to the thermoelectric element. Clause 16: The wearable device of Clause 15, wherein the heat sink is provided on the side of the thermoelectric element opposite to the thermally conductive plate. Clause 17: The wearable device of Clause 9, wherein the proximal portion of each arm is hollow. Clause 18: The wearable device of Clause 1, wherein an outer surface of the housing comprises a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the inlet. Clause 19: The wearable device of Clause 18, wherein the plurality of ridges is configured to prevent a garment from entering the housing. Clause 20: The wearable device of Clause 1, further comprising a second inlet on an inner side of the housing. Clause 21: The wearable device of Clause 20, wherein an inner surface of the housing comprises a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the second inlet. 15 317002979v3 269369.000003 Clause 22: The wearable device of Clause 1, further comprising a second air outlet provided at the bottom of the housing. Clause 23: The wearable device of Clause 1, wherein the air mover comprises two fans. Clause 24: The wearable device of Clause 1, wherein a top side of the housing comprises a ledge which extends from an outer side of the housing. Clause 25: The wearable device of Clause 1, further comprising: a second air inlet provided on an inner side of the housing; a second air outlet provided at the bottom of the housing; and wherein each arm further comprises: a proximal portion configured to be flexible, the proximal portion comprising a hollow interior configured to direct air toward the distal portion of the arm; and a distal portion comprising a thermally conductive plate provided on a bottom surface of the distal portion. Clause 26: The wearable device of Clause 25, wherein the distal portion of each arm houses a battery. Clause 27: The wearable device of Clause 26, configured such that when worn by a user, the housing contacts the user’s back and the two arms rest on an upper trapezii of the user. Clause 28: The wearable device of Clause 27, configured such that when worn by the user, a portion of the inlet is provided proximal to the user’s neck. Clause 29: The wearable device of Clause 28, configured to be worn under a garment, such that the distal portion of each arm is provided under the garment and the second air outlet directs air inside the garment. Clause 30: The wearable device of Clause 29, wherein an outer surface of the housing comprises a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the inlet. Clause 31: The wearable device of Clause 30, wherein the plurality of ridges is configured to prevent the garment from entering the housing. Clause 32: The wearable device of Clause 25, wherein the thermally conductive plate on each arm contacts a front torso of a user when worn. 16 317002979v3 269369.000003 Clause 33: The wearable device of Clause 25, wherein the air mover comprises a fan and the housing comprises a fan cover, the fan cover comprising at least one surface configured to direct air from the fan into at least one of the arms. Clause 34: The wearable device of Clause 25, wherein the air mover comprises two fans. Clause 35: The wearable device of Clause 34, wherein the housing comprises a fan cover, wherein the fan cover comprises: at least one first surface configured to direct air from a first fan of the two fans into a first arm of the two arms; and at least one second surface configured to direct air from a second fan of the two fans into a second arm of the two arms. Clause 36: A wearable device configured to be worn under a garment and to provide cooling and / or heating to a user, the device comprising: a fan housing comprising a fan and a fan inlet provided on an outer side of the housing; and two arms extending from the housing, each arm comprising: a channel for directing air exhausted from the fan towards a distal portion of each arm; and a first air outlet provided along at the distal portion of each arm, the wearable device configured such that the distal portion of each arm is provided under the garment. Clause 37: The wearable device of Clause 36, wherein an outer surface of the fan housing comprises a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the fan inlet, wherein the plurality of ridges is configured to prevent the garment from contacting the fan. Clause 38: The wearable device of Clause 37, further comprising a second air outlet provided at the bottom of the fan housing, wherein the second air outlet directs air inside the garment. Clause 39: The wearable device of Clause 38, further comprising a second air outlet provided at the bottom of the fan housing, wherein the second air outlet directs air inside the garment. Clause 40: The wearable device of any one of Clauses 36 to 39, wherein each arm comprises a third air outlet disposed proximal to the first air outlet. Clause 41: The wearable device of Clause 40, wherein the third air outlet directs air inside the garment. 17 317002979v3 269369.000003 The embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the invention includes both combinations and sub combinations of the various features described herein above, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art. 18 317002979v3

Claims

269369.000003 CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A wearable device for providing cooling and / or heating to a user, the wearable device comprising: a housing comprising an air mover and an inlet provided on an outer side of the housing; and two arms extending from the housing, each arm comprising: a channel for directing air exhausted from the air mover towards a distal portion of each arm; and a first air outlet provided along a length of each arm.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, configured such that when worn by the user, the housing contacts the user’s back and the two arms contact an upper trapezii of the user.

3. The wearable device of claim 2, configured such that when worn by the user, a portion of the inlet is provided proximal to a neck of the user.

4. The wearable device of claim 3, configured to be worn under a garment, such that the distal portion of each arm is provided under the garment.

5. The wearable device of claim 4, further comprising a second air outlet provided at a bottom of the housing, wherein the second air outlet directs air inside the garment.

6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein each arm further comprises a thermally conductive plate.

7. The wearable device of claim 6, wherein the thermally conductive plate on each arm contacts a front torso of the user when worn.

8. The wearable device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each arm comprises a third air outlet disposed proximal to the first air outlet. 19 317002979v3269369.000003 9. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein each arm comprises a proximal portion and the distal portion, the proximal portion configured to be flexible.

10. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein the distal portion of at least one arm houses a battery.

11. The wearable device of claim 10, wherein the distal portion of each arm comprises an upper housing and a lower housing.

12. The wearable device of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the distal portion of each arm comprises a thermally conductive plate.

13. The wearable device of claim 12, wherein each thermally conductive plate is configured contacts a front torso of the user when worn.

14. The wearable device of claim 12, wherein the thermally conductive plate comprises a thermally conductive material and is coupled to a thermoelectric element.

15. The wearable device of claim 14, further comprising a heat sink coupled to the thermoelectric element.

16. The wearable device of claim 15, wherein the heat sink is provided on a side of the thermoelectric element opposite to the thermally conductive plate.

17. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein the proximal portion of each arm is hollow.

18. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the housing comprises a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the inlet.

19. The wearable device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of ridges is configured to prevent a garment from entering the housing.

20. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising a second inlet on an inner side of the housing. 20 317002979v3269369.000003 21. The wearable device of claim 20, wherein an inner surface of the housing comprises a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the second inlet.

22. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising a second air outlet provided at a bottom of the housing.

23. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the air mover comprises two fans.

24. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein a top side of the housing comprises a ledge which extends from an outer side of the housing.

25. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising: a second air inlet provided on an inner side of the housing; a second air outlet provided at a bottom of the housing; and wherein each arm further comprises: a proximal portion configured to be flexible, the proximal portion comprising a hollow interior configured to direct air toward the distal portion of the arm; and a distal portion comprising a thermally conductive plate provided on a bottom surface of the distal portion.

26. The wearable device of claim 25, wherein the distal portion of each arm houses a battery.

27. The wearable device of claim 26, configured such that when worn by the user, the housing contacts the user’s back and the two arms rest on an upper trapezii of the user.

28. The wearable device of claim 27, configured such that when worn by the user, a portion of the inlet is provided proximal to the user’s neck.

29. The wearable device of claim 28, configured to be worn under a garment, such that the distal portion of each arm is provided under the garment and the second air outlet directs air inside the garment. 21 317002979v3269369.000003 30. The wearable device of claim 29, wherein an outer surface of the housing comprises a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the inlet.

31. The wearable device of claim 30, wherein the plurality of ridges is configured to prevent the garment from entering the housing.

32. The wearable device of claim 25, wherein the thermally conductive plate on each arm contacts a front torso of the user when worn.

33. The wearable device of claim 25 wherein the air mover comprises a fan and the housing comprises a fan cover, the fan cover comprising at least one surface configured to direct air from the fan into at least one of the arms.

34. The wearable device of claim 25, wherein the air mover comprises two fans.

35. The wearable device of claim 34, wherein the housing comprises a fan cover, wherein the fan cover comprises: at least one first surface configured to direct air from a first fan of the two fans into a first arm of the two arms; and at least one second surface configured to directs air from a second fan of the two fans into a second arm of the two arms.

36. A wearable device configured to be worn under a garment and to provide cooling and / or heating to a user, the device comprising: a fan housing comprising a fan and a fan inlet provided on an outer side of the housing; and two arms extending from the housing, each arm comprising: a channel for directing air exhausted from the fan towards a distal portion of each arm; and a first air outlet provided along at the distal portion each arm, the wearable device configured such that the distal portion of each arm is provided under the garment.

37. The wearable device of claim 36, wherein an outer surface of the fan housing comprises a plurality of ridges forming a vent provided over the fan inlet, wherein the plurality of ridges is configured to prevent the garment from contacting the fan. 22 317002979v3269369.000003 38. The wearable device of claim 37, further comprising a second air outlet provided at a bottom of the fan housing, wherein the second air outlet directs air inside the garment.

39. The wearable device of claim 38, further comprising a second air outlet provided at a bottom of the fan housing, wherein the second air outlet directs air inside the garment.

40. The wearable device of any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein each arm comprises a third air outlet disposed proximal to the first air outlet.

41. The wearable device of claim 40, wherein the third air outlet directs air inside the garment. 23 317002979v3

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