Wearable temperature control device

Abstract

In accordance with the inventive concepts, provided is a wearable device for personal thermal comfort. The device can take the form of a wearable fan comprising a U-shaped housing including a first arm having a central first axis and a second arm having a central second axis connected by an intermediate curved member. The device includes a first fan assembly disposed at a distal end of the first arm, comprising a fan, at least one air inlet, and least one air outlet directed off-axis from the first axis. The device can further include a second fan assembly disposed at a distal end of the second arm, comprising a fan, at least one air inlet, and least one air outlet directed off-axis from the second axis. The device can include a rear plate for cooling and/or heating. The device, in some embodiments, can be structured to be worn around a neck.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable device, comprising:
 a U-shaped housing including a first arm having a central first axis and a second arm having a central second axis connected by an intermediate curved member; and   a first fan assembly disposed at a distal end of the first arm, comprising a first fan, at least one first air inlet, and least one first air outlet directed off-axis from the first axis.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first air outlet is rotatable about the first axis to selectively direct airflow exiting the at least one first air outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one first air outlet is rotatable up to about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one first air outlet is rotatable up to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first air inlet is configured to draw air into the first arm along the first axis. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least first air inlet is configured to draw air into the first arm in a direction orthogonal to the first axis. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first fan is oriented so that its fan blades rotate in a plane orthogonal to the first axis. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first flexure joining a first end of the curved member with a proximal end of the first arm, wherein the first flexure enables the first arm to be flexed away from the second arm.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second fan assembly disposed at a distal end of the second arm, comprising a second fan, at least one second air inlet, and the at least one second air outlet directed off-axis from the second axis,   wherein the at least one second air inlet is configured to draw air into the second arm along the second axis, and   wherein the at least one second air outlet is rotatable about the second axis to selectively direct airflow exiting the at least one second air outlet.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the second fan is oriented so that its fan blades rotate in a plane orthogonal to the second axis. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second flexure joining a second end of the curved member with a proximal end of the second arm, wherein the second flexure enables the second arm to be flexed away from the first arm.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a thermal comfort plate disposed at an internal surface of the curved member, the thermal comfort plate configured to cool and/or warm.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the thermal comfort plate is a thermoelectric cooling plate. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a third fan disposed within the curved member and oriented to direct air flow toward and/or away from the thermal comfort plate.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the curved member includes at least one inlet vent and at least one outlet vent and the third fan is oriented to draw air into the at least one inlet vent past the thermal comfort plate and out the at least one outlet vent. 
     
     
         16 . A wearable device, comprising:
 a U-shaped housing including a first arm having a central first axis and a second arm having a central second axis connected by an intermediate curved member;   a first fan assembly disposed at a distal end of the first arm, comprising a first fan, at least one first air inlet, and least one rotatable first air outlet directed off-axis from the first axis; and   a second fan assembly disposed at a distal end of the second arm, comprising a second fan, at least one second air inlet, and least one rotatable second air outlet directed off-axis from the second axis.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first flexure joining a first end of the curved member with a proximal end of the first arm, wherein the first flexure enables the first arm to be flexed away from the second arm; and   a second flexure joining a second end of the curved member with a proximal end of the second arm, wherein the second flexure enables the second arm to be flexed away from the first arm.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a thermal comfort plate disposed at an internal surface of the curved member, the thermal comfort plate configured to cool and/or warm; and   a third fan disposed within the curved member and oriented to direct air flow toward and/or away from the thermal comfort plate,   wherein the curved member includes at least one inlet vent and at least one outlet vent and the third fan is oriented to draw air into the at least one inlet vent past the thermal comfort plate and out the at least one outlet vent.   
     
     
         19 . A wearable device, comprising:
 a U-shaped housing including a first arm having a central first axis and a second arm having a central second axis connected by an intermediate curved member;   a first fan assembly disposed at a distal end of the first arm, comprising a first fan, at least one first air inlet, and least one first air outlet directed off-axis from the first axis;   a second fan assembly disposed at a distal end of the second arm, comprising a second fan, at least one second air inlet, and least one second air outlet directed off-axis from the second axis;   a thermal comfort plate disposed at an internal surface of the curved member, the thermal comfort plate configured to cool and/or warm; and   a third fan disposed within the curved member and oriented to direct air flow toward and/or away from the thermal comfort plate,   wherein the curved member includes at least one inlet vent and at least one outlet vent and the third fan is oriented to draw air into the at least one inlet vent past the thermal comfort plate and out the at least one outlet vent.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the thermal comfort plate is a thermoelectric cooling plate.