Dynamic Laptop Foot Mechanism for Adaptive Bottom-Airflow Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face thermal management challenges due to restricted airflow caused by their low profile design, which limits the use of processing components and requires throttling to reduce thermal dissipation, especially when resting on a support surface.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic foot system with an integrated actuator that selectively extends and retracts to adjust the housing height over a support surface, using a nickel titanium wire and sliding ramps to improve airflow impedance during thermal stress, allowing for increased cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the housing uses a low profile design to improve portability, then the thickness and weight are reduced, but thermal transfer efficiency deteriorates due to restricted airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The foot is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The actuator mechanism allows the foot height to change based on thermal conditions, enabling the system to adapt between a low profile state (for portability) and an extended state (for improved airflow and thermal transfer).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of foot height to control airflow impedance. By adjusting the foot extension height, the system modifies the gap between the housing bottom and support surface, thereby changing airflow characteristics and thermal transfer efficiency as needed.
2Temperature
If fixed feet are extended to improve airflow impedance, then cooling efficiency is improved, but system height increases and appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The foot transitions from a static extended position to a dynamic adjustable position. The actuator enables the foot to extend only when thermal management is required, and retract when not needed, thus maintaining a low profile appearance during normal use while providing improved cooling when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot extension function is extracted as a separate, independently controllable feature. Rather than permanently extending the foot for cooling, the system can selectively activate the foot extension only when thermal conditions require it, separating the cooling function from the permanent structural form.
3Power
If processing components operate at high power, then computational capability is improved, but thermal energy generation increases requiring throttling
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements thermal feedback control where thermal conditions are monitored and used to control foot extension. When thermal sensors detect elevated temperatures, the controller activates the actuator to extend the foot, improving airflow and cooling. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to maintain high processing power by dynamically adjusting cooling based on actual thermal conditions.
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 dynamic foot system enhances airflow by 34% and reduces system skin temperature by 6 degrees Celsius, enabling higher power consumption without exceeding thermal constraints, while retracting to maintain a sleek profile.
Implementation Method 1
Upon application of a current to heat the nickel titanium wire
Implementation Method 2
a nickel titanium wire coupled between the first and second sliding ramps
Implementation Method 3
the sliding ramps are pulled towards each other so that the first and second sliding ramps interact with the first and second ramps to induce vertical movement of the dynamic foot
Implementation Method 4
A biasing device, such as leaf spring biases the foot into the housing once the lock is released
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system has dynamic foot disposed at a bottom surface of a housing that extends and retracts to adjust cooling airflow impedance at vents disposed at the bottom surface. The dynamic foot includes an actuator in an internal cavity having opposing ramp structures interfaced by a nickel titanium wire that changes phase when heated to move the ramp structures. In the example embodiment, a push-push lock engages and disengages the ramp structures at each activation of the nickel titanium wire so that an embedded controller controls foot extension and retraction by applying current to the nickel titanium wire that heats the wire based upon detection of predetermined thermal conditions in the housing.