Battery Position Actuator Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries in computing devices, such as laptops, face health degradation due to self-heating during charging and heat generated by other components, leading to reduced battery lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of battery position actuators that dynamically adjust the positioning of batteries within the device's housing to create open space for air ventilation and increase heat dissipation, using sensors to monitor temperature and usage levels to trigger adjustments and reduce adverse heating effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery is placed in close proximity to the processor to enable small and portable device design, then the device achieves compactness and portability, but the battery health deteriorates due to heat generated by the processor during high usage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery position actuator dynamically adjusts the battery's position relative to the processor based on real-time temperature monitoring. During high-usage periods when the processor generates significant heat, the actuator moves the battery away from the heat source. During low-usage periods, the battery is positioned closer to maximize space efficiency. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between compact design and battery health preservation.
2Volume of stationary object
If the battery is positioned close to the processor for space efficiency, then the device housing utilizes space efficiently, but the battery experiences compounded heating effects during charging that reduce battery lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of temperature conditions and proactively adjusts the battery position before excessive heat accumulation occurs. The temperature sensors continuously monitor the thermal environment, and when thresholds are approached, the actuator preemptively repositions the battery away from the processor and charging components, preventing the compounding heating effects before they significantly impact battery lifespan.
3Device complexity
If fixed battery positioning is used to simplify device structure, then the device structure remains simple and reliable, but the battery cannot be protected from adverse heating effects during high-usage periods
Solution Approach 1:
The battery position actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism between the battery and the thermal environment created by the processor. It provides controlled adjustment of the battery's position in response to thermal conditions, mediating the harmful thermal interaction while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The actuator adds minimal complexity compared to the benefit of active thermal management.
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 approach enhances battery life and performance by reducing self-heating and improving cooling, thereby extending the battery's lifespan and maintaining device performance.
Implementation Method 1
modify a positioning of the one or more batteries relative to the housing... create open space for air ventilation and increase heat dissipation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing, at least one processing device disposed within the housing and comprising a processor coupled to a memory, one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the processing device, one or more batteries configured to provide electrical power to the processing device, and one or more battery position actuators configured to modify a positioning of the one or more batteries relative to the housing. The processing device is configured to perform steps of obtaining information from the one or more sensors characterizing an operating state of the apparatus, monitoring the obtained information to detect one or more designated conditions affecting a health of the one or more batteries, and, responsive to detecting at least one of the one or more designated conditions, triggering the one or more battery position actuators to modify the positioning of the one or more batteries relative to the housing.