Environment control in electronic apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale electronic displays face challenges with condensation issues due to temperature and humidity fluctuations, particularly during startup when ambient temperatures drop, leading to unwanted condensation that can damage electronics, and existing heat-exchangers may exacerbate these problems with cold spots.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with integrated temperature and humidity sensing, a power controller, and an electronic processor that manages the dew point by controlling a heat source and dehumidifier, ensuring the apparatus is heated before powering on sensitive components to prevent condensation, and adjusts fluid flow through a crossflow heat-exchanger to maintain optimal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat-exchanger is incorporated into the display to prevent overheating, then cooling performance is improved, but condensation risk increases due to cold spots forming on the heat-exchanger surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the display housing before startup using heating elements positioned strategically to warm surfaces that would otherwise become cold spots. This preliminary action prevents condensation from forming when the heat-exchanger is later activated, as the surfaces are already above the dew point temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that includes temperature and humidity sensors, a dew point calculator, and a controller that coordinates between the heating elements and heat-exchanger. This intermediary system manages the interaction between heating and cooling functions to prevent condensation while maintaining cooling performance.
2Productivity
If the display is started up after being idle overnight in cold ambient conditions, then operational readiness is achieved, but condensation forms on electronic components due to temperature below dew point
Solution Approach 1:
Before the display is made operational after overnight idle period, the system activates heating elements to raise the internal temperature above the dew point. Temperature sensors monitor the heating process and the controller determines when sufficient heating has occurred to prevent condensation during subsequent startup operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs temperature sensors and humidity sensors that provide continuous feedback to the controller. The controller calculates the current dew point based on sensor readings and uses this feedback to determine when to activate heating elements and when the display is ready for startup without condensation risk.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature and humidity sensors are deployed throughout the housing to monitor dew point, then condensation detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into distributed sensor nodes placed at critical locations within the housing, particularly near the heat-exchanger and electronic components. Each sensor provides localized measurements, and the controller aggregates this data to calculate local dew points, providing precise monitoring without requiring a single complex centralized system.
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 effectively manages condensation risks by pre-heating the display unit before startup, reducing the likelihood of moisture accumulation on sensitive electronics and maintaining optimal environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the display.
Implementation Method 1
activate the heat source to raise the temperature within the housing
Implementation Method 2
heat-exchanger arranged to exchange heat between internal and external fluids without direct contact between the internal and external fluids
Implementation Method 3
The electronic processor is arranged to control the dehumidifier in order to adjust dew point within the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
In an electronic apparatus, a housing (120) has within it a power supply unit (200,318,319) that receives external electrical power and supplies electrical power to components of the apparatus, under the control of a power controller (201). Also within the housing are a heater (202); temperature and humidity sensors (300-311); and an electronic processor (315) that receives power from the power supply unit (200,318,319) and carries out functions of the electronic apparatus. Upon startup of the electronic apparatus, the power controller (201) is arranged to receive data from the temperature and humidity sensors (300-311); process the received temperature and humidity data to indicate a current dew point within the housing (120); and compare the current dew point with a current location temperature at a location within the housing (120). If the current location temperature is at or below the current dew point, the heater (202) is activated to raise the temperature within the housing. Only if the current location temperature is above the current dew point, is electrical power supplied from the power supply unit (200, 318, 319) to the electronic processor (315).