Electronic Cooling Case Using Endothermic Reaction Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling mechanisms for portable electronic devices are often bulky, expensive, and ineffective in high ambient temperatures, as they require external power sources or fail to reduce device temperature below ambient levels.
Innovation Solution
A cooling case with a cartridge system that utilizes endothermic reactions between substances, where a partition separates paired compartments that can be selectively breached to control the duration and magnitude of the cooling effect, allowing for controlled heat transfer from the device to the case without external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling mechanisms (fans, liquid cooling loops, heat sink fins) are used, then cooling effect is achieved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs endothermic chemical reactions that absorb heat through phase transitions and chemical changes. The cartridge contains substances that undergo endothermic reactions when activated, directly absorbing excess heat from the electronic device without requiring mechanical cooling components, thereby achieving cooling while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling cartridge is designed as a disposable component that can be replaced when its cooling capacity is depleted. This eliminates the need for complex, expensive, and power-intensive conventional cooling systems, while providing effective cooling through simple chemical reactions in the cartridge
2Temperature
If heat sinks are used to draw heat away, then some cooling effect is achieved, but temperature cannot be reduced below ambient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The endothermic chemical reactions in the cartridge can actively absorb heat and reduce the device temperature below ambient temperature, overcoming the fundamental limitation of passive heat sinks that can only transfer heat to the ambient environment but cannot cool below ambient temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cooling mechanism from passive thermal conduction (heat sinks) to active endothermic chemical reactions, fundamentally altering the cooling parameter from ambient-temperature-dependent to chemically-driven temperature reduction that can achieve sub-ambient cooling
3Temperature
If conventional cooling mechanisms are used, then cooling is provided, but bulkiness and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable cartridge design replaces heavy, permanent cooling infrastructure with a lightweight, replaceable chemical cooling unit. The cartridge contains only the necessary chemical substances and containment structure, dramatically reducing the weight of the cooling system while maintaining effective cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from a complex, heavy mechanical system and concentrates it into a simple chemical cartridge. This separation allows the main device to remain lightweight while the cooling function is provided by a compact, removable cartridge that can be replaced when depleted
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
Provides effective and controlled cooling of portable electronic devices without external power, allowing for adjustable cooling duration and magnitude based on the amount and size of substances used, and enabling continuous cooling by replacing cartridges when reactions complete.
Implementation Method 1
The cartridge retains two or more substances for creating an endothermic reaction. The first and second substances in the corresponding pair of compartments may then mix or combine so as to generate an endothermic reaction. The endothermic reaction will create a thermal gradient between the case and the electronic device such that heat is transferred or drawn from the electronic device to the case, thereby cooling the electronic device.
Data Source
AI summary
A case for cooling a portable electronic device, the case including a housing and a removable cartridge. The housing holds the electronic device and has a cartridge compartment for retaining the removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a set or sets of compartments for retaining substances configured to generate an endothermic reaction when mixed or combined. Pairs of compartments are separated by a divider configured to be selectively breached. The duration of the cooling effect may be extended by periodically breaching dividers of additional compartment pairs. The magnitude of the cooling effect may be increased by breaching multiple compartment pairs at once. The case may also include electronic components for monitoring the temperature of the electronic device and automatically initiating an endothermic reaction when the temperature reaches a predetermined threshold.