# US 10,871,806 B2 · Power supply assembly with fan assembly for electronic device

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- Number: US 10,871,806 B2
- Document ID: US10871806B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/992,032
- Filed: 2018-05-29
- Published: 2018-12-06
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-30
- Assignees: Magic Leap, Inc.
- Applicants: Magic Leap, Inc.
- Inventors: John Aguirre; Youlin Jin; Ralph Remsburg; Guillermo Padin Rohena; Evan Francis Rynk; Carlos Julio Suate Pedroza; Gary Quartana, Jr.; Bradley Fraser; Haney Awad; William Wheeler; Shigeru Natsume
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871806B2

## CPC

- G06F 1/188: Mounting of power supply units
- F04D 25/0613: {the electric motor being of the inside-out type, i.e. the rotor is arranged radially outside a central stator}
- F04D 25/062: {Details of the bearings}
- F04D 29/4226: {Fan casings}
- F04D 29/5853: {heat insulation or conduction}
- F04D 29/601: {specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps}
- G02B 27/017: {Head mounted}
- G06F 1/1613: {for portable computers (cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202)}
- G06F 1/163: {Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt}
- G06F 1/1635: {Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter}
- G06F 1/181: {Enclosures (for portable computers G06F1/1613)}
- G06F 1/203: {for portable computers, e.g. for laptops}
- G06F 3/011: {Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality (blind teaching G09B21/00)}
- G06T 19/006: {Mixed reality (object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00)}
- H05K 7/14: Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
- H05K 7/20172: {Fan mounting or fan specifications}
- G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

A fan assembly is disclosed. The fan assembly can include a first support frame. The fan assembly can comprise a shaft assembly having a first end coupled with the first support frame and a second end disposed away from the first end. A second support frame can be coupled with the first support frame and disposed at or over the second end of the shaft assembly. An impeller can have fan blades coupled with a hub, the hub being disposed over the shaft assembly for rotation between the first and second support frames about a longitudinal axis. Transverse loading on the shaft assembly can be controlled by the first and second support frames.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A wearable electronic device comprising:
a housing configured to be worn by a user, the housing comprising:
a first compartment in which a first electronic component is disposed;
a second compartment in which a second electronic component is disposed, one or both of the first and second electronic components electrically communicating with another component of the electronic device;
a fan assembly disposed in the first compartment;
one or more ports to provide fluid communication between the fan assembly and outside environs; and
a connection portion extending between the first and second compartments, the connection portion comprising a channel providing fluid communication between the first and second compartments,
wherein the first compartment is separated from the second compartment at a location spaced away from the connection portion by a gap to provide thermal separation between the first and second electronic components.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first electronic component comprises a processor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second electronic component comprises a power supply.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The wearable electronic device of claim 3, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first compartment, the second compartment, and the channel of the connection portion are filled with a gas.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more ports comprise one or more inlet ports to permit gas to enter the housing and one or more exhaust ports to permit the gas to exit the housing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the channel has a side cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first compartment taken along a direction parallel to a maximum dimension of the first compartment.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises an augmented reality device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The wearable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising a connector configured to connect to a headpiece to be worn by a user.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first electronic component electrically communicates with the second electronic component by way of one or more electrical connectors extending through the channel.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a clip disposed in the gap between the first and second compartments.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising
a heat pipe in the first compartment, the heat pipe comprising
a thermally conductive channel and
a working fluid in the thermally conductive channel, the heat pipe arranged to transfer heat generated by the first electronic component to the outside environs, the fan assembly arranged to move air over and/or around the heat pipe.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The wearable electronic device of claim 12, further comprising a finned heat sink in thermally conductive communication with the heat pipe.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly further comprises:
an impeller coupled with a shaft assembly, the impeller configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly;
a first airflow opening disposed about the longitudinal axis; and
a second airflow opening having a face disposed about an axis non-parallel to the longitudinal axis,
wherein an airflow pathway of the fan assembly extends between the first airflow opening and the second airflow opening.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The wearable electronic device of claim 14, wherein the fan assembly comprises an elongate member extending across at least a portion of the first airflow opening, the elongate member angularly positioned across the first airflow opening at an angle relative to the non-parallel axis that permits at least a local maximum of airflow through the first airflow opening.

### Claim 16

A wearable electronic device comprising:
a housing comprising a first compartment in which a first electronic component is disposed, a second compartment in which a second electronic component is disposed, and a connection portion extending between the first and second compartments, the connection portion comprising a channel providing fluid communication between the first and second compartments, wherein at least one of the first and second electronic component comprises a processor for operating the wearable electronic device;
a wearable connector mechanically coupled with the housing, the wearable connector configured to be worn by a user;
a battery disposed in the housing, the battery supplying power for at least a portion of the wearable electronic device;
and
a thermal mitigation assembly comprising a frame assembly, comprising:
a shaft assembly having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends supported by the frame assembly;
an impeller having fan blades coupled with a hub, the hub being coupled with the shaft assembly for rotation within the housing about a longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly;
wherein loading transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly is controlled by the frame assembly at the second end of the shaft assembly; and
wherein the thermal mitigation assembly removes heat generated from one or both of the battery and the at least one processor.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The wearable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the processor and the thermal mitigation assembly are disposed in the first enclosure and the battery is disposed in the second enclosure.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The wearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein the wearable connector comprises a clip disposed in a gap between the first and second enclosures.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The wearable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a first shaft portion connected to a first frame of the frame assembly and a second shaft portion connected to a second frame of the frame assembly, the first and second shaft portions disposed at least partially on opposing sides of the hub.

### Claim 20

A wearable electronic device comprising:
a housing comprising a first compartment in which a first electronic component is disposed, a second compartment in which a second electronic component is disposed, and a connection portion extending between the first and second compartments, the connection portion comprising a channel providing fluid communication between the first and second compartments;
a wearable connector mechanically coupled with the housing, the wearable connector configured to be worn by a user;
a fan assembly in the housing, the fan assembly comprising:
a first support frame;
a shaft assembly having a first end coupled with the first support frame and a second end disposed away from the first end;
a second support frame coupled with the first support frame and disposed at or over the second end of the shaft assembly; and
an impeller having fan blades coupled with a hub, the hub being disposed over the shaft assembly for rotation between the first and second support frames about a longitudinal axis,
wherein transverse loading on the shaft assembly is controlled by the first and second support frames, and
wherein the impeller is arranged to convey heat away from a processor to outside environs.

### Claim 21 (depends on 3)

The wearable electronic device of claim 3, wherein the second support frame comprises an airflow opening disposed about the longitudinal axis which extends between the first and second ends of the shaft assembly.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The wearable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the fan assembly further comprises a shaft support coupled with the second end of the shaft assembly, the shaft support being rigidly attached to the second support frame across the airflow opening.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The wearable electronic device of claim 22, wherein the shaft support is supported at respective first and second portions of the second support frame, the respective first and second portions spaced apart about a periphery of the airflow opening.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The wearable electronic device of claim 23, wherein the first portion of the second support frame is generally on an opposite side of the airflow opening relative to the second portion of the second support frame.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The wearable electronic device of claim 22, wherein the shaft support is disposed in a rotational position of the airflow opening corresponding to a maximum of air flow when the impeller is operating.

### Claim 26 (depends on 22)

The wearable electronic device of claim 22, wherein the shaft support comprises an elongate member between first and second ends thereof, the elongate member having an airfoil shape.

### Claim 27 (depends on 22)

The wearable electronic device of claim 22, wherein the shaft support comprises an elongate member between first and second ends thereof, the elongate member having varying width along the length thereof.

### Claim 28 (depends on 22)

The wearable electronic device of claim 22, wherein the shaft support comprises an elongate member between first and second ends thereof, the elongate member having varying thickness along the length thereof.

### Claim 29 (depends on 3)

The wearable electronic device of claim 3, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a first shaft portion rotationally fixed to the first support frame and a second portion rotationally fixed to the impeller, the second portion being rotatable over a free end of the first shaft portion of the shaft assembly.

### Claim 30 (depends on 20)

The wearable electronic device of claim 20, wherein the shaft assembly comprises an elongate member having a first end disposed on a first side of the impeller and a second end disposed on a second side of the impeller, the second side being opposite the first side.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The wearable electronic device of claim 30, wherein the fan assembly further comprises a concave member coupled with the second support frame and configured to rotationally support the second end of the elongate member.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The wearable electronic device of claim 31, wherein the fan assembly further comprises an additional concave member coupled with the first support frame and configured to rotationally support the first end of the elongate member.

### Claim 33 (depends on 21)

The wearable electronic device of claim 21, wherein an airflow pathway of the fan assembly extends between the airflow opening disposed about the longitudinal axis and a second airflow opening having a face disposed about an axis non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The wearable electronic device of claim 33, wherein the axis non-parallel to the longitudinal axis is disposed generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and along a radial-extending axis of the impeller.

### Claim 35

A wearable electronic device comprising:
a housing comprising a first compartment in which a first electronic component is disposed, a second compartment in which a second electronic component is disposed, and a connection portion extending between the first and second compartments, the connection portion comprising a channel providing fluid communication between the first and second compartments;
a wearable connector mechanically coupled with the housing, the wearable connector configured to be worn by a user;
a fan assembly in the housing, the fan assembly comprising:
an enclosure supporting a shaft assembly at a first end, the shaft having a second end opposite the first end;
an impeller having fan blades coupled with a hub, the hub being coupled with the shaft for rotation within the enclosure about a longitudinal axis;
a first airflow opening disposed about the longitudinal axis; and
a second airflow opening disposed about an axis non-parallel to the longitudinal axis,
wherein transverse loading on the shaft assembly is controlled by the enclosure at the second end of the shaft assembly, and
wherein the impeller, the first airflow opening, and the second airflow opening are arranged to convey heat away from a processor to outside environs.

### Claim 36

A wearable electronic device comprising:
a housing comprising a first compartment in which a first electronic component is disposed, a second compartment in which a second electronic component is disposed, and a connection portion extending between the first and second compartments, the connection portion comprising a channel providing fluid communication between the first and second compartments;
a wearable connector mechanically coupled with the housing, the wearable connector configured to be worn by a user;
a fan assembly in the housing, the fan assembly comprising:
a fan housing comprising a shaft support and a shaft assembly supported by the shaft support;
an impeller disposed in the fan housing and coupled with the shaft assembly, the impeller configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly;
a first airflow opening disposed about the longitudinal axis;
a second airflow opening having a face disposed about an axis non-parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
an airflow pathway of the fan assembly extending between the first airflow opening and the second airflow opening,
wherein the shaft support comprises an elongate member extending across at least a portion of the first airflow opening, the elongate member angularly positioned across the first airflow opening at an angle relative to the non-parallel axis that permits at least a local maximum of airflow through the first airflow opening, and
wherein the impeller, the first airflow opening, and the second airflow opening are arranged to convey heat away from a processor to outside environs.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The wearable electronic device of claim 36, wherein the angle relative to the non-parallel axis is acute.

### Claim 38 (depends on 32)

The wearable electronic device of claim 32, wherein the angle relative to the non-parallel axis is in a range of −45° to 45°.

### Claim 39 (depends on 33)

The wearable electronic device of claim 33, wherein the angle relative to the non-parallel axis is in a range of −30° to 30°.

### Claim 40

A method of manufacturing a wearable electronic device including a fan assembly, the method comprising:
providing a housing comprising a first compartment in which a first electronic component is disposed, a second compartment in which a second electronic component is disposed, and a connection portion extending between the first and second compartments, the connection portion comprising a channel providing fluid communication between the first and second compartments;
providing a wearable connector mechanically coupled with the housing, the wearable connector configured to be worn by a user;
providing the fan assembly in the housing, the fan assembly comprising:
a fan housing;
an impeller disposed in the fan housing and coupled with a shaft assembly, the impeller configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly;
a first airflow opening disposed about the longitudinal axis; and
a second airflow opening having a face disposed about an axis non-parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein an airflow pathway of the fan assembly extends between the first airflow opening and the second airflow opening,
wherein the impeller, the first airflow opening, and the second airflow opening are arranged to convey heat away from a processor to outside environs;
computing an airflow profile through the fan assembly; and
based on the computing, providing a shaft support to support an end of the shaft assembly, the shaft support comprising an elongate member extending across at least a portion of the first airflow opening.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The method of claim 40, further comprising, based on the computing, angularly positioning the elongate member at least partially across the first airflow opening at an angle relative to the non-parallel axis that permits at least a local maximum of airflow through the first airflow opening.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, wherein angularly positioning comprises orienting the angle relative to the non-parallel axis at an acute angle.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The method of claim 42, wherein angularly positioning comprises orienting the angle relative to the non-parallel axis in a range of −45° to 45°.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The method of claim 43, wherein angularly positioning comprises orienting the angle relative to the non-parallel axis in a range of −30° to 30°.