Communications Device Thermal Control via Dynamic Data Rate Throttling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices face shutdown due to excessive internal temperature, leading to poor user experience as they exceed thermal limits when data transfer occurs at maximum rates, necessitating prolonged cooling before operation can resume.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a temperature control system using processors to monitor internal temperature, adjust data transfer rates by throttling bandwidth when thresholds are exceeded, thereby preventing overheating and potential shutdowns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data transfer occurs at maximum rates, then productivity is improved, but temperature increases causing device shutdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidinternal temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the data transfer rate adjustable rather than fixed at maximum. The system dynamically modifies the data transfer rate based on real-time temperature monitoring, allowing the device to operate at maximum rates when cool and reduce rates when temperature thresholds are approached, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and controlling temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the device by modifying the data transfer rate in response to temperature conditions. Instead of operating continuously at maximum data transfer rate, the system adjusts this parameter dynamically based on thermal state, enabling the device to balance productivity with thermal management and avoid shutdown

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If device operates continuously at maximum rate, then productivity is improved, but reliability decreases due to shutdown risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors temperature and uses this information to adjust the data transfer rate. This closed-loop control ensures that the device operates within safe thermal boundaries, preventing shutdown and maintaining reliability while maximizing productivity within thermal constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by monitoring temperature proactively and reducing data transfer rate before the device reaches dangerous temperature levels that would cause shutdown. This preventive approach maintains operational continuity by avoiding the shutdown state entirely rather than reacting after the problem occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9763116B2Method of optimizing device performance by maintaining device within temperature limits
Publication Date: 2017.09.12 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • US9763116B2 patent drawing
  • US9763116B2 patent drawing
  • US9763116B2 patent drawing

AI summary

One aspect of an apparatus for controlling temperature of a communications device includes one or more processors configured to monitor the temperature of the communications device, determine if the monitored temperature exceeds a first threshold, determine if the monitored temperature exceeds a second threshold when it is determined that the monitored temperature does not exceed the first threshold, and adjust a rate of data transfer of the communications device when it is determined that the monitored temperature exceeds the second threshold.