Flexible Ferrite Pneumatic Diaphragm for Wireless Charging Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal cooling challenges in wirelessly rechargeable battery-powered information handling systems (IHSs) arise due to heating issues in thinner mobile device structures, which lack effective heat dissipation mechanisms, especially when using materials that are not good thermal conductors, and are prone to damage from excessive heat near heat-sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A flexible ferrite sheet is used to form a pneumatic diaphragm within the receiver coil, which oscillates to dissipate thermal energy, enhancing heat transfer without increasing the device's thickness and maintaining efficient magnetic energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless charging is implemented with higher energy transfer rates, then charging speed is improved, but thermal heating of the receiver coil increases causing damage to heat-sensitive components
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional layers: the receiver coil for wireless power reception, the flexible ferrite sheet for magnetic shielding and heat dissipation, and the rigid housing for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the ferrite sheet can be designed specifically for thermal management without compromising the receiver coil's charging functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible ferrite sheet acts as an intermediary component between the receiver coil and the battery/heat-sensitive components. It serves dual functions: (1) shielding the battery from harmful magnetic fields, and (2) conducting heat away from the receiver coil to prevent thermal damage. This intermediary structure resolves the thermal management problem while maintaining wireless charging efficiency.
2Length of stationary object
If the device structure is made thinner to improve portability, then device thickness is reduced, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible ferrite sheet is implemented as a thin film structure that provides effective thermal conduction and magnetic shielding without adding significant thickness to the device. This thin film approach enables heat dissipation in a space-constrained environment, resolving the contradiction between device thinness and thermal management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a composite structure combining the flexible ferrite sheet with the rigid housing and receiver coil assembly. The ferrite sheet's unique properties - flexibility, magnetic permeability, and thermal conductivity - are leveraged to create a multi-functional composite structure that achieves both thin profile and effective heat dissipation simultaneously.
3Ease of manufacture
If materials such as polymers or resins are used for the housing to meet aesthetic or economic requirements, then manufacturing cost or appearance is improved, but thermal conduction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the entire housing to have high thermal conductivity, the solution applies local quality enhancement by inserting the flexible ferrite sheet specifically in the thermal pathway between the receiver coil and the battery. This localized approach provides effective heat conduction where needed most, while allowing the rest of the housing to use cost-effective polymer materials for aesthetic and economic benefits.
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 flexible ferrite sheet effectively increases the local heat transfer coefficient by ten times, reducing skin temperatures and preventing damage to heat-sensitive components while maintaining the device's thin profile and efficient energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
A receiver coil magnetically receives power from a transmitter coil that is located within a proximate range of the receiver coil
Implementation Method 2
A pneumatic diaphragm is formed by a portion of the flexible ferrite shield and is positioned for oscillating movement into a center cavity of the receiver coil to dissipate thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system (IHS) includes a base station that has a transmitter coil to generate a magnetic field for charging a portable power source of a battery-powered electronic device. A receiver coil magnetically receives power from the transmitter coil of the base station. A power control module connected to the portable power source and the receiver coil charges the portable power source with the received power. A flexible ferrite shield is positioned on a side of the receiver coil opposite to the transmitter coil to shield the IHS electronics. A pneumatic diaphragm is formed by a portion of the flexible ferrite shield that is positioned for oscillating movement into a center cavity of the receiver coil. A diaphragm actuator is attached to the pneumatic diagram and is responsive to a triggering signal to oscillate the pneumatic diaphragm to disperse thermal energy that is generated by the receiver coil.