On October 26, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published a patent application from Apple that relates to Vision Pro's fans and heat sinks that are designed to cool optical modules and keep displays from classic OLED burn-in.

Heat Management for Apple Vision Pro

Apple's patent relates to Head-mountable devices, such as head-mountable displays, headsets, visors, smartglasses, head-up display, etc., can perform a range of functions that are managed by the components (e.g., sensors, circuitry, and other hardware) included with the wearable device.

The head-mountable device can provide a user experience that is immersive or otherwise natural so the user can easily focus on enjoying the experience without being distracted by the mechanisms of the head-mountable device.

Components of a head-mountable device can generate heat during operation. Excessive heat for long durations of time can damage the components of the head-mountable device and cause discomfort to the user. Heat can be mitigated in a number of ways, including with active mechanisms (e.g., fans) that are integrated into the head-mountable device.

Head-mountable devices can also adjust the position of optical modules that contain displays for visual output to a user. The optical modules can be adjusted to properly align the optical axes thereof with the user’s eyes. Based on such adjustments, the thermal solution to optimize heat mitigation within the optical modules can vary. For example, a different position of the optical module can alter the ideal flow path for air to pass by heat sinks of the optical modules.

Systems of the present disclosure can provide a thermal mitigation system that effectively manages heat while also allowing adjustment of optical modules to accommodate particular users. For a given interpupillary distance (IPD) to accommodate a user, different heat sinks can be provided with optimized fin patterns, lengths, or shapes.

Other mechanisms for managing airflow, such as intake modules, can be provided with custom or adjustable characteristics to achieve different airflow patterns and thereby accommodate movement of the optical modules. Such customization and/or adjustability of thermal mitigations by can allow users to experience optimal performance from temperature-sensitive modules such as displays, cameras, sensors, circuitry, and the like.

This can decrease the risk of sensor misalignment with CTE drift, minimize burn-in on displays, and improve overall long-term reliability. Customizing these components by IPD could also mitigate risks of system interferences in drop that may occur at specific IPD positions.

In Apple's patent FIG. 1, the head-mountable device can be provided with one or more flow channels that extend through at least a portion of the frame thereof to provide cooling to components of the head-mountable device. As shown in FIG. 1 below, the flow channels can include and/or be connected to a side inlet #112 and/or a front inlet #114. The side inlet can provide airflow directly to one or more components of the optical module #150, such as a circuit component #158.

The side inlet and/or the front inlet can provide airflow directly to fan #190 and/or to a heat sink #200 coupled to the optical module of the head-mountable device #100.

Additionally or alternatively, the fan can push air against or draw air across the heat sink and to an outlet #116 and/or other outlets for exhaust out of the head-mountable device.

The fan can direct air or another gas within, against, or across one or more components of the optical module, such as the heat sink. The fan can be operated based on one or more operating parameters that are controllable during use. The operating parameters can be determined, at least in part, based on a demand for cooling (e.g., based on a temperature of one or more components). The operating parameters can be further determined based on acceptable sound levels and characteristics to be produced by the fan 190 and along the flow channel.

While the side inlet is depicted at a bottom portion of the frame #110, the front inlet is depicted at a front portion of the frame, and the outlet is depicted at a top portion of the frame, it will be recognized that inlets, outlets, and flow channels there between can be positioned at any portion of the head-mountable device.

The outlet can be provided at a location that will allow exiting air to exhaust to an environment that is not disruptive to the user. For example, the outlet can be provided at a location and in and orientation that directs hot air away from the user. Multiple flow channels can be interconnected, such that multiple inlets and/or multiple outlets are connected to each other.

One or more heat sinks can be operated to provide cooling to one or more circuit components of the optical module. The circuit component can be an electrical component that generates heat during operation. The circuit component can be a component of a circuit board. The circuit component can be operably and structurally coupled to other components of the optical module. A portion of the heat sink can be thermally connected to the circuit component.

Apple's patent FIG. 10 above illustrates a front view of a portion of a head-mountable device with first intake modules in a first configuration. 

To review its full details, review patent application WO2023205097 in the World Intellectual Property Organizations (WIPO) database.