Ambient Temperature Compensation for Enclosures With Dynamic Heat Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermostats face challenges in accurately determining ambient temperature due to dynamic heat sources like LCD backlighting, which can impair temperature sensing and lead to instantaneous errors in temperature calculation.
Innovation Solution
A compensation mechanism using a multi-term equation that accounts for dynamic thermal sources, incorporating a software time constant to soften step effects and calculate ambient temperature from multiple temperature sensors, allowing for accurate ambient temperature sensing independent of power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are used inside the enclosure to measure temperature, then temperature sensing is enabled, but dynamic heat sources like backlighting cause instantaneous errors in temperature calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of the enclosure's thermal response by measuring temperature at multiple locations under known heating conditions. This creates a baseline model of how the enclosure responds to dynamic heat sources, which is then used to compensate for backlighting effects during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperatures at multiple locations and uses feedback from these measurements to dynamically adjust the ambient temperature calculation. By comparing actual temperature readings with expected readings based on the thermal model, the system compensates for dynamic heat source interference in real-time.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are deployed in the enclosure, then temperature measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into multiple thermal zones with sensors strategically placed at different locations. Each sensor monitors a specific zone, and the combined data provides comprehensive temperature coverage. This segmentation approach improves measurement precision without requiring excessive sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensors serve multiple functions: they monitor ambient temperature, detect dynamic heat source effects, characterize the thermal response of the enclosure, and provide data for compensation calculations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated sensors.
3Measurement precision
If compensation for dynamic heat sources is implemented, then temperature accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters used in temperature calculation by introducing compensation terms based on the thermal model. Instead of using a simple average of sensor readings, the calculation dynamically adjusts for expected heat source effects using pre-characterized thermal response parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model (copy) of the enclosure's thermal behavior through preliminary characterization. This model is then used to predict and compensate for heat source effects without requiring complex real-time physics calculations, simplifying the computational burden during operation.
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
The solution effectively compensates for dynamic heat sources, providing accurate and instantaneous ambient temperature calculations, even in the presence of rapidly changing heat contributions, thereby improving thermostat accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor situated at a first location in the enclosure, a second temperature sensor situated at a second location in the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
a dynamic heat generating component situated in the enclosure that when turned on causes the first temperature and/or the second temperature to change greater than a predetermined rate
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for indicating ambient temperature of an enclosure from temperatures determined within the enclosure. The temperatures may be obtained from two or more sensors at each of two or more locations within the enclosure. The enclosure may include heat generating components such as electronics. The enclosure may also incorporate one or more dynamic components that emanate sudden amounts of heat. The present mechanism compensates for such heat sources with a compensating scheme.