Apple has been granted a patent for “Battery Assembly For Head-mounted Display” that hints at a new battery integration method for improving power efficiency and portability in the Vision Pro.
About the patent
In the patent, Apple says that a primary challenge when developing head-mounted displays (HMDs) such as the Vision Pro 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,” according to Apple.
Of course, 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.
Apple says there’s a need to enhance the options for power sources in an HMD.
Summary of the patent
Here’s how Apple thinks it can help overcome the problem as described in the company’s abstract for the patent: “ 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.”
