BATTERY ASSEMBLY FOR HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY

A head-mountable device can include an optical module to present visual information to a user, a structure movably attached to the optical module, the structure defining a motion path of the optical module. The structure can include a housing defining an internal volume, and a battery disposed within the internal volume.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to a battery assembly for head-mounted displays. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a battery integrated guide rail for an optical module of a head-mountable device.

BACKGROUND

A primary challenge when developing head-mounted displays (HMDs), particularly HMDs that have small form factors, is achieving a suitable battery life while still maintaining functionality and an acceptable shape and size. Performing the necessary computing functions, while still making the HMD stylish and light enough that a user could wear the device for an extended period of time demands novel solutions.

Given the power needs of HMDs and current battery technology, a user may be required to remove and charge the device several times a day or keep the device tethered to a power source. Additionally, internal batteries with lower power capacities can be utilized to maintain power to fundamental operations of the system, such as memory retention. Accordingly, there is a need to enhance the options for power sources in an HMD.

SUMMARY

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a head-mountable device can include an optical module to present visual information to a user, a structure movably attached to the optical module, the structure defining a motion path of the optical module. The structure can include a housing defining an internal volume, and a battery disposed within the internal volume.

In some examples, the structure can be a first guide rail, the battery can be a first battery, the optical module can be a first optical module, and the head-mountable device can further include a second optical module movably attached to a second guide rail, the second guide rail housing a second battery. The structure can include an upper structure, the optical module being movably attached to the upper structural component, and a lower structure, the lower structural component housing a second battery.

In some examples, the structure can include a guide rail that defines a motion pathway of the optical module. The structure can be cylindrical. The structure can include an electrical connection establishing electrical communication between the battery and the head-mountable device. The housing can define an air gap between an internal surface of the housing and the battery.

In some examples, the structure can be attached to a mounting enclosure of the head-mountable device, an electrical pathway positioned through the mounting enclosure. The head-mountable device can include a cable extending from the battery through an open end of the structure. The battery can include an anode material and a cathode material. Each of the anode material and the cathode material can directly contact the housing of the structure.

According to some aspects, a guide rail for a head-mounted display can include a housing defining an exterior surface and an internal volume, and a power source positioned in the internal volume. The exterior surface of the guide rail can interface with a movable lens structure.

In some examples, the power source can be removable from the housing. The power source can be fixed in the housing via an adhesive. The guide rail can include a sled fixed to the battery and removably attached to the housing. The sled can include a protrusion to releasably couple with a recess of the housing. The housing can include a carbon fiber filled composite. The housing can define a vent forming an airflow path between the internal volume and an ambient environment.

According to some aspects, a head-mountable device can include a battery including a battery housing, and an optical module including an actuator rotatably engaging the battery housing to translate the optical module. In some examples, the battery can include a cylindrical cell. The battery housing can include a flame resistant material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Given the power needs of HMDs, a user may be faced with the decision of either removing and charging the device several times a day or keeping the device tethered to a power source. Accordingly, there is a need to enhance the available options for power sources in an HMD. The present disclosure provides solutions that enable a battery to be integrated into a structural component or structure, such as a guide rail for an optical module, without increasing the overall size or shape of the HMD.

HMDs can utilize on board batteries to handle peak loads or to provide greater portability. Further, HMDs need to be lightweight and space efficient to enhance the user experience. HMDs are formed with a number of structural components, including guide rods (also referred to herein as guide rails or structural components) to allow optical modules to translate for adjustment to accommodate the user's interpupillary distance (IPD). In some examples, the guide rods can be hollow to reduce weight.

The present disclosure describes using guide rods as the thermal and mechanical enclosure for a cylindrical cell battery. In some examples, the battery integrated into a guide rod can be a pouch cell, prismatic cell, or any other suitable lithium battery. The battery housing becomes a linear mechanism surface that can be tuned for a low coefficient of friction to facilitate the continued function as a guide rail. Similarly, the properties of composite materials selected for the guide rail housing can provide thermal resistance and mechanical strength. Further, complexity of traditional mechanical housings for batteries are eliminated, thereby reducing costs and weight, and enabling more efficient packaging solutions in system.

While some HMDs can also include a larger primary battery that is integrated into the HMD housing or a separate external battery that is tethered to the HMD, the inclusion of batteries into the guide rails can be advantageous for any number of low-power functionalities or peak power loads. For example, the batteries integrated into the guide rails can be used when the HMD is unplugged from a primary power source, can be used during a reboot process, can be used for memory retention, and/or can be used for low battery modes.

The guide rail can include an interconnect extending out from the battery and connected to a main logic board (MLB). In some examples, the HMD can include at least one guide rail, and in some examples can include four guide rails (two upper and two lower). Each guide rail can be integrated with a battery positioned within the hollow volume of the guide rail housing. In some examples, the guide rail can be a structural component with an optical module movably attached thereto.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference toFIGS.1-13. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, as used herein, a system, a method, an article, a component, a feature, or a sub-feature comprising at least one of a first option, a second option, or a third option should be understood as referring to a system, a method, an article, a component, a feature, or a sub-feature that can include one of each listed option (e.g., only one of the first option, only one of the second option, or only one of the third option), multiple of a single listed option (e.g., two or more of the first option), two options simultaneously (e.g., one of the first option and one of the second option), or combination thereof (e.g., two of the first option and one of the second option).

A top view of an illustrative electronic device110is shown inFIG.1. Electronic device110ofFIG.1can include an HMD, which can include smart glasses or alternative reality or virtual reality goggles. As shown inFIG.1, device110can include a housing112. The housing112can include a housing wall, external housing, housing structures, enclosure, or case that can be formed from materials such as polymer, glass, metal, crystalline materials such as sapphire, ceramic, fabric, foam, wood, other materials, and/or combinations of these materials.

The electronic device110can be any suitable shape. The housing112can form a head-mounted housing in the shape of a pair of goggles (e.g., goggles having optional head straps such as straps112T, a nose bridge portion in nose bridge region NB that is configured to fit over a user's nose and help support housing112on the user's nose, etc.) and/or other head-mounted structures. The housing112can define an interior region126and an exterior region128. The housing112can include portions such as front portion (front wall)112F on front face F of the device110, a rear portion (rear wall)112R on an opposing rear face R of the device110, and sidewall portions112W on the sides W that extend between the front portion112F and the rear portion112R, such that the housing112encloses the interior region126.

Electrical and optical components can be mounted within housing112(e.g., in the interior region126). As an example, the housing112can include optical components disposed within the interior region126, such as displays114and lenses138. The displays114and the lenses138can be mounted in optical modules130(sometimes referred to as lens barrels, display and lens support structures, etc.). Images, visual information, or any visual data from the displays114can be viewed (i.e., visible to the user) from eye boxes136through the lenses138. A left display and left lens in a left optical module130can be used to present a left-eye image to a user's left eye in a left eye box136, and a right display and right lens in a right optical module130may be used to present a right-eye image to a user's right eye in right eye box136. Manual adjustment mechanisms and/or electrically adjustable actuators113(e.g., motors or other electrically adjustable positioners) may be used to move optical modules130horizontally across the front of the user's face (e.g., to adjust distance D between modules130along a direction parallel to the X-axis or nearly parallel to the X-axis ofFIG.1). The optical modules130can include actuators that rotatably engage a guide rail or battery housing to move the optical module along a path defined by the guide rail/battery. Optical modules130may, for example, be moved closer to each other or farther apart from each other as needed to accommodate different user interpupillary distances (IPD).

A schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic device is shown inFIG.2. Device210ofFIG.2may be operated as a stand-alone device and/or the resources of device210may be used to communicate with external electronic equipment. As an example, communications circuitry in device210may be used to transmit user input information, sensor information, and/or other information to external electronic devices (e.g., wirelessly or via wired connections) and/or may be used to receive such information from external electronic devices. Each of these external devices may include components of the type shown by device210ofFIG.2.

As shown inFIG.2, the electronic device210can include control circuitry220. Control circuitry220may include storage and processing circuitry for supporting the operation of the device210. The storage and processing circuitry can include storage such as nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory configured to form a solid-state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. Processing circuitry in control circuitry220can be used to gather input from sensors (e.g., cameras) and other input devices and may be used to control output devices. The processing circuitry can be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors and other wireless communications circuits, power management units, audio chips, application specific integrated circuits, etc. During operation, control circuitry220can use display(s)214and other output devices in providing a user with visual output and other output.

To support communications between the device210and external equipment, the control circuitry220can communicate using communications circuitry222. The communications circuitry222can include antennas, radio-frequency transceiver circuitry, and other wireless communications circuitry and/or wired communications circuitry. The circuitry222, which can sometimes be referred to as control circuitry and/or control and communications circuitry, can support bidirectional wireless communications between the device210and external equipment (e.g., a companion device such as a computer, cellular telephone, or other electronic device, an accessory such as a point device, computer stylus, or other input device, speakers, or other output devices, etc.) over a wireless link. For example, the circuitry222can include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry such as wireless local area network transceiver circuitry configured to support communications over a wireless local area network link, near-field communications transceiver circuitry configured to support communications over a near-field communications link, cellular telephone transceiver circuitry configured to support communications over a cellular telephone link, or transceiver circuitry configured to support communications over any other suitable wired or wireless communications link. Wireless communications may, for example, be supported over a Bluetooth® link, a Wi-Fi® link, a wireless link operating at a frequency between 10 GHz and 400 GHz, a 60 GHz link, or other millimeter wave link, a cellular telephone link, or other wireless communications link. The device210can include power circuits for transmitting and/or receiving wired and/or wireless power and may include batteries or other energy storage devices. For example, the device210can include a coil and a rectifier to receive wireless power that is provided to circuitry in device210.

The device210can include input-output devices224. Electronic components such as input-output devices224can be used in gathering user input, in gathering information on the environment surrounding the user, and/or in providing a user with output.

The input-output devices224can include one or more displays such as display(s)214. The display(s)214can include one or more display devices such as organic light-emitting diode display panels (panels with organic light-emitting diode pixels formed on polymer substrates or silicon substrates that contain pixel control circuitry), liquid crystal display panels, microelectromechanical systems displays (e.g., two-dimensional mirror arrays or scanning mirror display devices), display panels having pixel arrays formed from crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diode dies (sometimes referred to as micro LEDs), and/or other display devices.

The input-output devices224can include cameras234. The cameras234can include visible light cameras, infrared cameras, and/or cameras that are sensitive at multiple wavelengths, may include three-dimensional camera systems such as depth sensors (e.g., structured light sensors and/or depth sensors based on stereo imaging devices that capture three-dimensional images), may include time-of-flight cameras, and/or may include other cameras. The cameras234can face toward the user of device210and/or away from the user of device210.

The sensors216in input-output devices224can include force sensors (e.g., strain gauges, capacitive force sensors, resistive force sensors, etc.), audio sensors such as microphones, touch and/or proximity sensors including capacitive sensors such as a touch sensor that forms a button, trackpad, or other input device), and other sensors. If desired, sensors216may include optical sensors such as optical sensors that emit and detect light, ultrasonic sensors, optical touch sensors, optical proximity sensors, and/or other touch sensors and/or proximity sensors, monochromatic and color ambient light sensors, fingerprint sensors, iris scanning sensors, retinal scanning sensors, and other biometric sensors, temperature sensors, sensors for measuring three-dimensional non-contact gestures (“air gestures”), pressure sensors, sensors for detecting position, orientation, and/or motion (e.g., accelerometers, magnetic sensors such as compass sensors, gyroscopes, and/or inertial measurement units that contain some or all of these sensors), health sensors such as blood oxygen sensors, heart rate sensors, blood flow sensors, and/or other health sensors, radio-frequency sensors, optical sensors such as self-mixing sensors and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, humidity sensors, moisture sensors, gaze tracking sensors, electromyography sensors to sense muscle activation, facial sensors, interferometric sensors, time-of-flight sensors, magnetic sensors, resistive sensors, distance sensors, angle sensors, and/or other sensors. In some arrangements, device210may use sensors216and/or other input-output devices224to gather user input. For example, input-output devices224such as buttons may be used to gather button press input, touch sensors overlapping displays can be used for gathering user touch screen input, touch pads may be used in gathering touch input, microphones may be used for gathering audio input (e.g., voice commands), accelerometers may be used in monitoring when a finger contacts an input surface and may therefore be used to gather finger press input, etc.

Input-output devices224may include optical components such as depth sensors (e.g., structured light sensors or other sensors that gather three-dimensional image data), optical proximity sensors, ambient light sensors (e.g., color ambient light sensors), optical time-of-flight sensors and other sensors216that are sensitive to visible and/or infrared light and that may emit visible and/or infrared light (e.g., devices224may contain optical sensors that emit and/or detect light). For example, a visible-light image sensor in a camera may have a visible light flash or an associated infrared flood illuminator to provide illumination while the image sensor captures a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional image. An infrared camera such as an infrared structured light camera that captures three-dimensional infrared images may have an infrared flood illuminator that emits infrared flood illumination and/or may have a dot projector the emits an array of infrared light beams. Infrared proximity sensors may emit infrared light and detect the infrared light after the infrared light has reflected from a target object.

If desired, electronic device210may include additional components (see, e.g., other devices218in input-output devices224). The additional components may include haptic output devices, actuators for moving movable structures in device210, audio output devices such as speakers, light-emitting diodes for status indicators, light sources such as light-emitting diodes that illuminate portions of a housing and/or display structure, other optical output devices, and/or other circuitry for gathering input and/or providing output. Device210may also include a battery or other energy storage device, connector ports for supporting wired communication with ancillary equipment and for receiving wired power, and other circuitry.

To help maintain desired alignment between optical modules230as the optical modules230are moved by actuators, optical modules230may be mounted on optical module guiding structures such as guide rails or other elongated support members. This type of arrangement is shown in the top view ofFIG.3.

FIG.3illustrates a top view of an HMD or electronic device310including optical modules330movable along a guide rail344. The electronic device310can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the electronic devices described herein. As shown inFIG.3, the optical modules330can be movably or slidably coupled to guide rail344to allow the optical modules330to move horizontally (e.g., laterally along the X-axis to accommodate different user interpupillary distances).

The guide rails344can include a circular cross-sectional shape (e.g., guide rail344may be cylindrical rods) or may have other cross-sectional shapes. Guide rod344may be formed from metal, polymer, composites, and/or other materials. Hollow and/or solid members may be used in forming guide rail344. To help reduce friction between guide rail344and the optical modules330, the guide rail344and/or mating portions of optical modules330can include a low-friction coating (e.g., nickel, etc.).

In some examples, the guide rail344can span the width of housing312. For example, the electronic device310can include left and right guide rails344in the device310that are joined at a housing support structure and are aligned with nose bridge portion NB. Additionally, in some examples, left and right guide rails344may be formed as integral portions of a single guide rail that extends across the housing312. The guide rail344can be straight or can have a bend or curve at the nose bridge portion NB (e.g., to rake the left and right sides of the guide rails backwards slightly to conform to the shape of a user's face). As shown in the rear view of device410ofFIG.4, there may be upper and lower guide rails444T and444B (collectively referred to as guide rails444). In some examples, the device410can include four guide rails (two upper and two lower). Arrangements with fewer guide rails or more guide rails can also be used, in some examples.

FIG.5is a side view of an illustrative optical module mounted on guide rails544. In the example ofFIG.5, optical module530has an upper portion such as portion530T and a lower portion such as portion530B. Portions530T and/or530B may be integrally formed with main supporting structure530M of the lens barrel structures and/or other support structures of optical module530, and/or may be separate members that are coupled (e.g., using welds, fasteners, adhesive, etc.) to main supporting structure530M. Lens538may be aligned with display514so that an image on display514can be viewed through lens538from eye box536.

As shown inFIG.5, optical module530may have portions that receive and couple to guide rails544while allowing optical module530to slide along guide rails544. For example, upper portion530T may have a guide rail opening (optical module opening)550such as opening550T that receives upper guide rail544T and lower portion530B may have a guide rail opening such as opening550B that receives lower guide rail544B. Openings550T and550B may by cylindrical openings with circular cross-sectional shapes that receive the cylindrical members forming rails544T and544B and/or may have other shapes that partly or fully surround rails544T and544B.

To prevent rails544from becoming stuck in guide rail openings550of optical module530, the inner diameter of optical module openings may be slightly larger (e.g., by 2-50 microns, at least 5 microns, less than 100 microns, or other suitable amount) than the outer diameter of rails544. To prevent excess motion, which could lead to misalignment of optical modules, device510may be provided with guide rail biasing systems. The guide rail biasing systems may have movable biasing members (e.g., pins, plates, spherical members, hemispherical members, etc.) and biasing elements that apply force to the biasing members. The biasing elements may be, for example, springs such as coil springs, leaf springs, and/or other spring members, may be compressed polymer (e.g., elastomeric material, foam, etc.), may be magnets, and/or may be other biasing components that can be used to bias the biasing members in a desired direction.

Using the guide rail biasing systems, guide rails544may be pushed towards desired positions within openings550to help remove undesired play between guide rails544and openings550. As an example, guide rails544may be pressed against the inner surfaces of openings550(e.g., at a location on the side of openings550that faces eye boxes536rather than the opposing side of openings550that faces outwardly away from the user) and/or may be pressed against a structure mounted within openings550such as a pin or other support member.

FIG.6Ashows a perspective view of a guide rail644. The guide rail644can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the guide rails described herein. The guide rail644can include an exterior shell, casing, or housing645. The housing645can define an elongated cylindrical shape. The length of the housing645can be several times greater than the width or diameter. In some examples, a cross-section of the housing645can be circular, however other shapes are possible including rectangular, oval, etc.

The housing645of the guide rail644can include or can be made from a variety of materials. In some examples, the housing645can include a material having a low coefficient of friction such that the housing645includes a smooth exterior surface. The housing645can be a composite of materials, in some examples. In other examples, the housing645can be a clad of materials. The housing645can include one or more of carbon fiber, a carbon fiber filled composite, epoxy-based carbon fiber prepreg, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, or plastic. The resin may be thermoset, such as an epoxy, or thermoplastic, such as PEEK. The housing material can be selected or tuned to have high thermal resistance and mechanical strength properties. The housing645can, in some examples, include a flame-resistant material. In some examples, the guide rail644can include an inner layer of flame-resistant material adjacent the housing645. In some other examples, the guide rail644can include a flame-retardant epoxy resin or plastic overlaying structural carbon layers of the housing645.

In some examples, the housing645of the guide rail644can be hollow (i.e., the housing644defining an interior volume). The hollow nature of the guide rail644can reduce the overall weight of the system and can also utilize improved stiffness of a hollow structure.

FIG.6Bshows a cross-sectional perspective view of the guide rail644. As shown, a power source, such as a battery602, can be housed, positioned, surrounded, encapsulated, or disposed within the internal volume defined by the housing645of the guide rail644. Thus, the guide rail644can be integrated with a battery, or in other words, the guide rail644can be a battery integrated guide rail. Further details regarding battery integrated guide rails are described below.

FIG.7shows a cross-sectional view of a guide rail744. The guide rail744can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the guide rails described herein. In some examples, the HMD can include a mounting component749. The mounting component749can be part of the enclosure of the HMD. In some examples, the guide rail744can be received into a recess751of the mounting component749. The guide rail744can be removably or fixedly mounted or attached to the mounting component749.

In some examples, the guide rail744can include an exterior shell or housing745. A battery702can be fixed within the guide rail744. In some examples, the battery702can be adhered to the interior of the guide rail744using adhesive747. The adhesive747can partially or entirely fill the space between the battery702and the housing745. In some examples, the adhesive747can provide shear coupling between opposing sides of the housing745of the guide rail744. Thus, the battery702can be permanently or fixedly secured within the housing745of the guide rails744.

In some examples, the battery702can include an electrical contact, terminal, connection, or outlet753. The electrical contact753can create an electrical pathway to transfer power from the battery702to the HMD. In some examples, the enclosure749can include an electrical terminal, connector, or contact that is positioned to engage with the electrical contact753of the battery702to establish an electrical connection. In some examples, a cable, a wire, or a flex cable757can transfer power from the battery702to the components of the HMD. In other examples, a conductive surface can be formed on the enclosure749to establish an electrical via between the battery702and an electrical component within the HMD.

The guide rail744can be coupled to the enclosure749using any suitable attachment. For example, the guide rail744can be adhered, bolted, screwed, friction fitted, fastened, or magnetically coupled to the enclosure749. In some examples, the contacts753and755are electromagnets that aid in coupling the guide rail744to the enclosure749and establish an electrical connection between the battery and a main-logic board or other electrical component of the HMD. The guide rail744can, in some examples, be pivotally mounted to the enclosure749.

FIG.8shows a cross-sectional view of a battery integrated guide rail844according to one exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIG.8, the guide rail844can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the guide rails described herein. In some examples, the guide rail844can include one or more biased contact pins853. The biased contact pins853can include, for example, spring-loaded pogo pins. The biased contact pins853can be biased into cavities or grooves859in the enclosure849. The cavities859can be formed within the recess851. In some examples, electrical terminals855can be positioned or exposed within the cavities859to establish an electrical connection with the biasing contact pins853. Thus, the battery802can be in electrical communication with the HMD via biasing contact pins853and terminals855.

In some examples, the biasing contact pins853can include a spring to extend the contact pins853into the cavities859. The biasing contact pins853can aid in securing the guide rail844within the recess851. The biasing contact pins853can be depressed under a force from the user, such as a pulling motion on the guide rail844, in order to remove the guide rail844from the enclosure849. In some examples, the guide rail844can be removably inserted into the enclosure849by pushing or pressing the guide rail844into the recess851. Upon contacting the enclosure849, the biasing contact pins853can depress or compress in order to allow passage of the guide rail housing845into the recess851. Once the guide rail844passes a certain distance into the cavity851, the biasing contact pins853can decompress or extend into the cavities859, thereby removably retaining the guide rail844to the enclosure849and establishing an electrical communication between the battery802and the HMD.

FIG.9shows a cross-sectional view of a battery integrated guide rail944. The guide rail944can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the guide rails described herein. The guide rail944can include a support or sled960on which the battery902can be positioned. The sled960can be positioned within the internal volume962of the housing945. The sled960can be positioned between the battery902and the housing945. In some examples, a cross-section of the guide rail944can be circular or curved. In some examples, the sled960can include a shape that conforms to or matches a shape of the interior surface of the housing945. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.9, the sled960can be curved to match a curvature of the housing945. The battery902can be secured to the sled960. In some examples, the battery902can be adhered to the sled960via an adhesive947. In some examples, the sled960can include wheels or rollers. As discussed in greater detail with regard toFIGS.11and12, in some examples the sled960can be movable relative to the housing945to insert and remove the battery902from the housing945.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown inFIG.9can be included, either alone or in any combination, in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures described herein. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown and described with reference to the other figures can be included, either alone or in any combination, in the example of the devices, features, components, and parts shown inFIG.9.

FIG.10shows a cross-sectional view of a battery integrated guide rail. The guide rail944can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the guide rails described herein. In some examples, the housing1045of the guide rail1044can include one or more apertures or openings1064to vent or cool the battery1002. In other words, the openings1064in the housing1045can define an airflow path, placing the internal volume1062of the housing1045in fluid communication with the outside environment. Thus, the battery1002can be cooled by forming holes1064in the housing1045. Further venting examples and embodiments are discussed below with reference toFIG.13.

FIG.10shows only a top portion of the housing as including openings. However, it will be understood the openings can be located around/along an entirety of the housing1045, including a lower portion of the housing1045. Although not illustrated inFIG.10, in some examples, the sled1060can include openings to allow heat generated by the battery1002to vent into the outside environment. Further details regarding guide rails, and specifically regarding the sled configurations are described below with reference toFIGS.11and12.

FIG.11shows a cross-sectional view of a battery integrated guide rail1144. The guide rail1144can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the guide rails described herein.

It can be advantageous to produce a battery integrated guide rail that includes an easily removable battery1102. However, the desire to remove the battery1102must be balanced with the need to securely attach the battery1102within the guide rail1144. As shown inFIG.11, the battery1102can be fixedly attached to a removable support or sled1160which is detachably coupled to the housing1145of the guide rail1144. In some examples, the sled1160can be a distinct component of the guide rail1144that is adhered to the battery1102. In some examples, the sled1160can be an exterior portion or surface of the battery1102(i.e., not a separate component from the battery1102).

In some examples, the sled1160can be removed or detached from the housing1145. The sled1160can be attached to the housing1145using any suitable attachment mechanism. For example, the sled1160can include one or more attachment components that couple to corresponding attachment components of the housing. In the specific example illustrated inFIG.11, the sled1160includes feet, protrusions, or clips1166that engage or clip into recesses or retention apertures1168defined by, or formed in, the housing1145. In some examples, the feet1166and/or the recesses1168can be shaped and designed to allow for removable coupling with each other. For example, the feet1166can include a flexible design that allows the feet to bend or flex in order to be removed from the recesses1168. In some examples, the feet1166can include an angled surface, such as a slope or a ramp that allows the feet1166to be withdrawn from the recess1168to remove the sled1160and battery1102from the housing1145.

In some examples, the sled1160can include a bracket portion, such as a flange1170, that engages or contacts a portion of the housing1145, such as an edge or end of the housing1145. The flange1170can be secured to the end of the housing1145via a fastener1172, thereby securing the sled1160in place relative to the housing1145. It will be understood that other attachment means for removably coupling the sled1160to the housing1145can be used to securely couple the sled1160to the housing1145, including but not limited to magnets, adhesive, fasteners, or any other suitable coupler.

In some examples, the battery1102can include a wire or a cable, such as flexible circuitry that establishes an electrical connection between the battery1102and the HMD. The cable1157can extend from an end of the battery1102and through an open end of the housing1145and can provide power to the HMD. The cable1157can be sufficiently long and can include enough slack to accommodate for motion of the guide rail1144relative to the HMD.

FIG.12shows a cross-sectional view of a battery integrated guide rail1244. The guide rail1244can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the guide rails described herein. In some examples, the housing1245can define one or more through-holes or openings1266which extend entirely through the wall of the housing1245, as opposed to the recesses1168ofFIG.11which do not extend entirely through the housing1245. The openings1268can be positioned to receive the feet1266of the sled1260. The openings1268can allow the feet1266to be accessible from an exterior of the guide rail1244. In some examples, a user can press or manipulate the feet1266through the openings1268in order to depress and detach the sled1260from the housing1245and remove the battery1202.

In some examples, the sled1260can form a hard stop or barrier that the optical module contacts and prevents further motion of the optical module beyond the hard stop. In some examples, the sled1260can include a cable guide or strain relief for an interconnect cable. In other examples, the sled1260can include crumple zones or locations of designed failure when predefined forces are reached, to protect ends of the guide rail1244. In other words, the sled1260can include protective sections that cushion or structurally support the guide rail1244.

FIG.13shows a cross-sectional perspective view of battery1302. The battery1302can be substantially similar to, including some or all of the features of, the batteries and/or guide rails described herein. In some examples, the battery1302can include a housing or shell1345that forms an exterior protective surface and container of the battery cells1374. The battery cells1374can include a roll of anode and cathode components. The anode and cathode components1374can be electrically connected to the HMD via cable1357.

As illustrated inFIG.13. In some examples, the shell1345can include elongated vents1364that run along and around the shell1345in order to improve thermals of the battery1302. The vents1364can include mesh or protective screens to prevent debris ingress.

In some examples, the battery1302can include cylindrical cells that include a roll of anode and cathode material1374that is positioned in the outer casing1345. The outer casing1345can include steel or aluminum. In some examples, the outer casing1345is the guide rail. The anode and cathode components1374can contact directly the outer casing1345. In other words, the anode and cathode components1374can directly contact the housing of a guide rail. In other examples, the outer casing in surrounded by or encapsulated by the guide rail housing.

In some examples, the outer casing1345can structurally support the cylindrical cells1374to maintain their shape. However, the examples where the outer casing1345is surrounded by the housing of the guide rail, it may not be necessary for the outer casing1345to be structurally rigid. Instead, the outer casing1345can be thin and flexible, relying instead on the guide rail housing for structural support of the battery1302. It will be understood that the traditional housing of the battery (i.e., outer casing1345) can be replaced by the housing of the guide rail when integrating the battery into a guide rail.

In some examples, an optical module of an HMD can be movably attached to the battery1302, such that the battery1302guides motion of the optical module. In this manner, the battery1302can be a guide rail, such as those described herein.

To the extent applicable to the present technology, gathering and use of data available from various sources can be used to improve the delivery to users of invitational content or any other content that may be of interest to them. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, TWITTER® ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.