Electronic Apparatus Mode Control for Thermal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices, such as mobile devices, often experience increased surface temperatures during high-performance functions, potentially leading to user safety risks due to the risk of low-temperature burns, necessitating a balance between performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a temperature sensor and mode controller that enables an endurance mode, allowing the surface temperature to rise to a higher limit when the device is used out of contact with a human body, while ensuring user consent and safety through alert messages and mode management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the performance of the electronic apparatus is increased, then the processing capability and functionality are improved, but the surface temperature increases to levels that could burn the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature management by switching between normal mode and endurance mode based on detected temperature conditions. The mode controller dynamically adjusts the upper limit temperature threshold and activates cooling control when the surface temperature exceeds the dynamic threshold, allowing the system to adapt its thermal management strategy in real-time to maintain high performance while preventing burn injuries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter threshold dynamically by introducing an endurance mode with a higher upper limit temperature (e.g., 45°C or higher) compared to the normal mode. This parameter change allows the electronic apparatus to operate at higher temperatures during endurance mode, enabling sustained high performance without immediately triggering cooling control, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and temperature safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the upper limit of surface temperature is reduced to ensure user safety, then the risk of user burn is decreased, but the performance of the electronic apparatus must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the safe temperature threshold based on the operational mode. In endurance mode, the upper limit temperature is set higher (45°C or above), allowing the device to maintain high performance without immediately reducing it. The mode controller switches between normal mode (lower temperature limit) and endurance mode (higher temperature limit) based on temperature conditions, enabling the system to preserve performance while managing burn risk through dynamic threshold adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mode controller continuously monitors the surface temperature and compares it against the current mode's upper limit. When the temperature exceeds the limit in endurance mode, the controller provides feedback to activate cooling control or switch to normal mode, creating a closed-loop system that manages burn risk while allowing high performance operation within safe boundaries
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cooling control is activated to reduce surface temperature, then user safety is improved, but the processing capability of the electronic apparatus is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching that delays the activation of cooling control. By introducing endurance mode with a higher temperature threshold, the system dynamically determines when cooling should be activated, allowing the processor to operate at high performance levels for longer periods before cooling control reduces the temperature and potentially impacts performance
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 solution maintains high device performance while ensuring user safety by allowing increased surface temperatures during specific functions when the device is not in contact with the user, with alerts and consent mechanisms to prevent burns.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of a specified portion of the electronic apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
[Object] To achieve the high performance of an electronic apparatus and ensure the safety of a user at the same time.[Solving Means] An electronic apparatus includes a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of a specified portion of the electronic apparatus; and a mode controller that turns on an endurance mode that is a mode that permits a surface temperature of the electronic apparatus to be increased to a second upper limit when the electronic apparatus is used out of contact with a human body, the surface temperature being calculated on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the second upper limit being higher than a first upper limit that is an upper limit of a temperature in a normal mode.