Overmolded Eyewear Temple Windows for Passive Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices generate heat that impairs their normal functions, necessitating effective thermal management solutions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of thermally conductive stiffeners with non-thermally conductive overmolded materials forming windows in the temples, allowing heat dissipation through convection and providing both aesthetic and functional features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are integrated into wearable devices, then device functionality is improved, but heat generation increases impairing normal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal management function from the main device body by incorporating it into the temple structure. The temple is designed with a thermally conductive stiffener that extends to contact electronic components, separating the heat dissipation function from the primary structural and aesthetic functions of the device body.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally conductive stiffener acts as an intermediary element between the electronic components (heat source) and the ambient environment (heat sink). It transfers heat from the components through the temple structure to the external air without requiring direct thermal contact between the components and the temple's outer surface.
2Strength
If temples are made with solid materials for structural integrity, then strength is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temple is constructed as a composite structure combining a thermally conductive stiffener (metal or other conductive material) with a non-thermally-conductive overmolded material. This composite design allows the stiffener to provide thermal pathways while the overmolded material contributes to structural integrity, aesthetics, and comfort against the user's ear.
Solution Approach 2:
The temple structure exhibits local quality differentiation: the stiffener portion provides thermal conductivity where needed for heat dissipation, while the overmolded portions provide structural support, aesthetics, and comfort. Each region of the temple has optimized properties for its specific function.
3Shape
If overmolded material completely covers the stiffener for aesthetics, then appearance is improved, but thermal management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The overmolded material selectively covers only certain portions of the stiffener where aesthetics and comfort are priorities, while leaving exposed the portions that serve as thermal pathways to ambient air. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of aesthetic appearance and thermal management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The temple is segmented into functional zones: covered zones for aesthetics and comfort, and exposed zones for thermal management. The overmolded material creates distinct segments that separate the aesthetic appearance function from the thermal dissipation function within the same component.
4Weight of moving object
If temple material is made lightweight for comfort, then wearability is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temple uses a composite construction with a lightweight stiffener (such as aluminum or other light metals) combined with an overmolded material. This composite approach achieves the desired lightweight property for comfort while maintaining structural strength through the combined properties of the constituent materials and their structural arrangement.
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 dissipates heat generated by electronic components, maintaining normal device operation while enhancing the device's lightweight and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The stiffeners are thermally conductive and provide a pathway for heat to be conducted from electronic components through the temple to ambient air
Implementation Method 2
The window in each temple exposes interior components, such the stiffener to ambient air, and allows heat generated by electronic components to be released to ambient air to cool the components through convection
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic eyewear device having temples that are lightweight, aesthetically pleasant, and include thermal management. The temples each have a thermally conductive stiffener with a non-thermally conductive overmolded material forming a window. The window in each temple exposes interior components, such the stiffener to ambient air, and allows heat generated by electronic components to be released to ambient air to cool the components through convection. The windows also allow the stiffeners to be coupled to tooling and are easily overmolded. The windows provide both an aesthetic feature and a functional feature.