Carbon Nanoparticle Polymer Optical Mount Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-mounted displays and other wearable devices face challenges in thermal management due to the inefficiencies of traditional cooling methods, which are often bulky and unsuitable for wearable technology, leading to poor heat dissipation and user comfort issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a passive thermal heat-pipe or heat spreader into the mounting platform made from a polymer infused with carbon nanoparticles, which enhances thermal conductivity and dissipates heat efficiently, thereby maintaining component stability and user comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional cooling methods are used in wearable devices, then heat dissipation can be achieved, but the device becomes bulky and unsuitable for wearable technology

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoiddevice bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the polymer material by incorporating carbon nanoparticles (graphene, carbon nanotubes, or carbon black) at concentrations of 1-10% by weight. This transforms the material from poor thermal conductor to efficient heat spreader, enabling passive thermal management without bulky active cooling components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material by combining polymer matrix with carbon-based nanoparticles. The composite structure leverages the lightweight properties of polymer and the high thermal conductivity of carbon nanoparticles, achieving both wearability and effective heat dissipation through material composition rather than additional cooling hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If carbon nanoparticles are added to polymer to enhance thermal conductivity, then heat dissipation improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the thermal management function directly into the structural polymer component itself, rather than adding separate cooling elements. The carbon nanoparticles are integrated into the polymer matrix during manufacturing, combining mechanical support and thermal conduction functions in a single component, thereby simplifying the overall device assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the polymer material properties by controlling carbon nanoparticle concentration (1-10% by weight) and distribution, transforming the material's thermal conductivity while maintaining compatibility with existing polymer processing techniques like injection molding and extrusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively manages heat dissipation in wearable devices, improving performance and longevity by providing a lightweight and efficient thermal management system that maintains ambient temperatures imperceptible to the user.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a passive thermal heat-pipe or heat spreader incorporated into the material making up the mounting platform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pipe effect: Heat Pipe

Data Source

PatentUS10108017B2Carbon nanoparticle infused optical mount

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A passive thermal heat-pipe material comprising an optical mounting structure including heat producing electronic components is provided. Each structural component of the optical mounting structure may be at least partially comprised of a polymer including a plurality of carbon nanoparticles. In a further aspect, a method of creating an optical structure adapted to support a plurality of heat emitting components is provided. The method includes adding a percentage by concentration of carbon nanoparticles to a polymer base material, mixing the polymer base material and carbon nanoparticles uniformly, melting the mixture at high temperature, forming the melted mixture into a component of the optical structure, and cooling the formed component to solidify the component. The percentage may be between 2 and 10 percent.