Smart Glasses Thermal Architecture for Distributed Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices, such as smart glasses, generate excessive heat due to processors and other electronics, which limits power consumption and necessitates thermal throttling, especially in augmented reality experiences with complex algorithms and high-power displays.
Innovation Solution
The wearable electronic eyewear device employs a thermal management system with separate heat sinks for imaging and processing devices, thermally connecting them to different parts of the frame and temples, respectively, and using a thermally insulated air gap to distribute heat evenly across a larger area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high power displays and complex algorithms are used in smart glasses, then augmented reality experience quality is improved, but heat generation increases causing thermal throttling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermal management system into separate heat sinks for imaging devices and processing devices. Each heat sink is thermally connected to its respective heat-generating component and extends to different portions of the frame, distributing heat away from sensitive areas rather than using a single centralized heat management approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sinks extend in multiple directions from their respective components - the imaging device heat sink extends toward the front of the frame while the processing device heat sink extends toward the temple. This spatial distribution across different dimensions of the device allows heat to be dispersed over a larger volume and surface area, reducing localized temperature increases.
2Temperature
If thermal management system is added to dissipate heat, then operating temperature is controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat sinks directly into the frame structure of the smart glasses. The frame serves dual purposes as both the structural housing and the thermal conduction pathway, eliminating the need for separate, detachable heat management components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure performs multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the glasses, serves as the thermal conduction pathway for heat sinks, and distributes heat to the temple and front portions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated thermal management 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 configuration effectively dissipates heat, minimizing overall heating and preventing thermal throttling, ensuring safe operating temperatures and user comfort by spreading heat generated by imaging and processing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink at another area of the body and a thermal coupling disposed within the eyewear body that is thermally coupled to the heat source and the heat sink to increase heat dissipation of the electronic components
Implementation Method 2
providing a thermally insulating gap, such as an air gap, between the first heat sink and the second heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dissipating heat generated by imaging devices and processing devices of a wearable electronic eyewear device includes providing a first heat sink thermally connecting the imaging devices to a frame of the eyewear device to sink heat to the frame and providing a second heat sink thermally connecting the processing devices to respective temples of the eyewear device to sink heat to the respective temples. The first and second heat sinks are thermally insulated from each other to direct the heat to different portions of the eyewear device. The processing devices may include a first co-processor disposed in a first temple connected to a first end of the frame and a second co-processor disposed in a second temple connected to a second end of the frame. The resulting eyewear device spreads the heat from heat generating devices over a larger area to minimize overall heating.