Motor Temperature Sensor with Conductive Vias for Head-Mountable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mountable devices face challenges in managing heat generated by motors, which can damage components and cause user discomfort, as existing systems lack efficient and accurate temperature sensing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A motor assembly with a temperature sensor on its outer surface, connected via a flex circuit to a controller, that includes thermally conductive vias for efficient heat conduction and calibration data for accurate temperature data output, allowing for effective temperature monitoring and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is integrated into the motor assembly of a head-mountable device, then temperature monitoring accuracy is improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is integrated directly into the motor assembly structure, merging the sensing function with the motor housing. This combination allows the sensor to accurately monitor motor temperature while sharing structural space, thereby improving temperature monitoring accuracy without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive intermediary material or structure is introduced between the motor components and the temperature sensor to enhance thermal coupling. This intermediary ensures accurate temperature measurement by improving heat transfer from the motor to the sensor, while being a simple additive component that does not significantly increase overall complexity
2Loss of energy
If thermal conduction pathways are added to improve heat management, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thin thermally conductive films or layers are applied to the motor assembly to create efficient thermal pathways. These thin films provide effective heat conduction while adding minimal weight, as they are extremely thin yet maintain high thermal conductivity across the motor structure
Solution Approach 2:
Composite materials with high thermal conductivity are used in the motor assembly design, combining materials that provide both structural integrity and thermal management. These composite structures achieve efficient heat dissipation through material selection rather than adding separate heavy cooling components
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
This solution enables compact, lightweight temperature monitoring of motors within head-mountable devices, ensuring optimal performance and user comfort by accurately tracking and managing heat output.
Implementation Method 1
thermally conductive vias extending from the first side to the second side to conduct heat from the case to the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mountable device can effectively manage heat with a motor assembly that efficiently and accurately senses a temperature of a motor. A temperature sensor can be provided on an outer surface (e.g., case) of the motor. A flex circuit can be operably connect both the motor and the temperature sensor to a controller of the head-mountable device. The flex circuit can have a first side coupled to the outer surface of the case, a second side supporting the temperature sensor, and thermally conductive vias extending from the first side to the second side to conduct heat from the case to the sensor. The flex circuit can further include a memory comprising calibration data of the temperature sensor and a connector for outputting temperature data based on the temperature sensor and the calibration data of the memory.