Electronic Device Low-Temperature Startup via Internal Joule Heating

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices fail to start up in low-temperature environments due to reduced electron activity, leading to insufficient current flow and operational failure, with existing solutions like adding a heating unit increasing volume and cost.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a temperature detection unit, storage unit, and control unit that executes a temperature monitoring and full load process to increase the current through electronic elements, ensuring they reach operational temperatures by driving them with an enhanced load process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heating unit is added to increase temperature in low-temperature environment, then the electronic device can reach operational temperature, but the volume of the electronic device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational temperatureVSAvoidvolume of electronic device

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic elements themselves serve as heating sources by operating at full load to generate heat, eliminating the need for separate heating units. The control unit activates all electronic elements simultaneously to generate heat internally, raising the overall temperature of the device without adding external heating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic elements perform dual functions: they execute computational tasks and simultaneously serve as heating elements. By driving all electronic elements at full load, the system uses the electronic elements themselves as both functional components and thermal sources, eliminating the need for dedicated heating units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If a heating unit is added to increase temperature in low-temperature environment, then the electronic device can reach operational temperature, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational temperatureVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic elements themselves serve as heating sources by operating at full load to generate heat, eliminating the need for separate heating units. The control unit activates all electronic elements simultaneously to generate heat internally, raising the overall temperature of the device without adding external heating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic elements perform dual functions: they execute computational tasks and simultaneously serve as heating elements. By driving all electronic elements at full load, the system uses the electronic elements themselves as both functional components and thermal sources, eliminating the need for dedicated heating units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If a heating unit is added to increase temperature in low-temperature environment, then the electronic device can reach operational temperature, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational temperatureVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic elements perform dual functions: they execute computational tasks and simultaneously serve as heating elements. By driving all electronic elements at full load, the system uses the electronic elements themselves as both functional components and thermal sources, eliminating the need for dedicated heating units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The waste heat generated during normal operation of electronic elements is converted into a useful function for heating the device in low-temperature environments. By utilizing the inherent heat generation during full-load operation, the system transforms what would normally be wasted energy into a beneficial thermal source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Productivity

If current is increased to drive electronic elements in low-temperature environment, then the electronic elements can operate, but the electron activity is still reduced due to low temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent flowVSAvoidenvironmental temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary heating by activating all electronic elements at full load before normal operation begins. This preliminary action raises the temperature of the electronic elements and their surrounding environment, ensuring that subsequent operations occur at appropriate temperatures for optimal electron activity and device performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic elements continuously operate at full load to maintain elevated temperatures, ensuring continuous heat generation. This continuous operation maintains the thermal conditions necessary for proper electron activity and current flow throughout the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables electronic devices to maintain stable operation in low-temperature environments by ensuring all electronic elements reach operational temperatures, allowing the device to power on and function correctly without the need for a large heating unit, thus reducing volume and power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the full load process drives the plurality of electronic elements, and the full load process increases an operation current of the electronic elements, thereby increasing the temperatures of the electronic elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8527746B2Electronic device capable of starting up in low-temperature environment and startup method thereof

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 MSI COMPUTER (SHENZHEN) CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device capable of starting up in a low-temperature environment and a startup method for starting up the electronic device in the low-temperature environment and provide a stable operation temperature. The electronic device includes a temperature detection unit, a plurality of electronic elements, a storage unit, and a control unit. The electronic elements connects to the temperature detection unit. The storage unit stores a temperature monitoring process and an operating system. The control unit electrically connects to the temperature detection unit, the electronic elements, and the storage unit. The control unit acquires an operation temperature of the electronic elements through the temperature detection unit. The control unit executes the temperature monitoring process for driving the electronic elements, and increases the operation temperature of the electronic elements, so that the operating system is executed when a working temperature of the electronic device is higher than a first rated temperature.