Ambient Temperature Sensing via Conductive Element Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer electronics devices face inaccurate ambient temperature readings due to heat buildup within their housings, which can lead to incorrect operation of applications and components, as conventional temperature sensors are influenced by internal heat sources and often require complex algorithms or additional sensors to correct for this issue.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing featuring a channel for ambient air to flow in, containing a conductive element thermally coupled to a sensor, allowing the sensor to accurately detect ambient temperature by measuring the temperature of the conductive element, which is exposed to external air and thermally coupled using a thermal adhesive, such as a metal wedge made from aluminum, copper, or stainless steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If temperature sensors are placed inside the device housing, then the device structure is compact and simple, but the sensor reads higher than expected temperatures due to heat buildup from internal components
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive element acts as a thermal intermediary between the ambient air and the temperature sensor. The conductive element is thermally coupled to the sensor and extends toward the device opening, allowing it to conduct heat from the ambient air to the sensor, thereby compensating for the sensor's exposure to internal heat sources while maintaining a compact structure.
2Measurement precision
If open ports are added to allow outside air flow, then ambient air circulation improves, but concerns about dust, moisture, and damage to internal components increase
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane or thin film is used to cover the device opening, allowing ambient air to pass through while preventing dust, moisture, and other harmful particles from entering the device interior. This maintains the protective barrier while enabling the conductive element to access ambient air for accurate temperature sensing.
3Measurement precision
If additional temperature sensors are included for algorithmic correction, then temperature measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful influence of internal heat sources is extracted from the sensor's measurement environment by using a conductive element that thermally couples the sensor to ambient air through the device opening. This allows a single sensor to provide accurate ambient temperature readings without requiring additional sensors or complex correction algorithms.
4Measurement precision
If the sensor is completely shielded from internal heat sources, then accurate ambient temperature reading is achieved, but the sensor must be isolated from other internal components increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive element serves as a thermal intermediary that selectively couples the sensor to ambient air while isolating it from internal heat sources. By positioning the conductive element to extend toward the device opening and thermally coupling it to the sensor, the system achieves accurate ambient temperature sensing without requiring complex isolation structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides more accurate tracking of ambient temperature, reducing the influence of internal heat sources and improving the reliability of temperature-based operations, such as power usage adjustments and HVAC control, by creating a direct and efficient thermal path for ambient air to reach the sensor.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive element thermally responsive to ambient air entering the channel... and a sensor situated within the housing and thermally coupled to the conductive element
Implementation Method 2
the conductive element and the sensor are thermally coupled using a thermal adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A device and system are disclosed for sensing ambient temperature. The device includes a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface, a channel, formed through an opening in the housing from the exterior surface to the interior surface, a conductive element, thermally responsive to ambient air entering the channel, comprising an external surface and an internal surface, and a sensor situated within the housing and thermally coupled to the conductive element, wherein the sensor determines the ambient temperature of the device based at least on a detected temperature of the conductive element.