Loudspeaker Heat Sink Temperature Control Under Thermal Power Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sound reproduction equipment tends to overheat, particularly at the radiator interface, posing comfort and regulatory compliance issues due to inadequate temperature control.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control method and device that utilize an electronic temperature control module to collect temperature data, calculate thermal power, and adjust the operation of the loudspeaker and amplification chain to limit thermal power emission, ensuring the radiator operates within safe temperature thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the sound reproduction equipment operates continuously over a long period, then the audio signal restoration performance is maintained, but the radiator temperature increases excessively causing user discomfort and non-compliance with standards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation durationVSAvoidradiator temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the radiator temperature and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares the measured temperature with a predetermined threshold and automatically adjusts the amplification chain operation to maintain temperature within safe limits, enabling continuous operation without excessive heat accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the amplification chain based on real-time temperature conditions. When temperature approaches the threshold, the control unit reduces the power output or modifies the operation of electronic components, creating a dynamic balance between maintaining audio performance and controlling heat generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the thermal power emission is increased to maintain audio performance, then the sound quality is improved, but the radiator temperature exceeds safe thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal power emissionVSAvoidradiator temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism monitors radiator temperature and provides real-time information to the control unit, which adjusts the thermal power emission of the amplification chain accordingly. This ensures that high power operation is maintained only when temperature conditions permit, automatically reducing power when temperature thresholds are approached

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If the radiator surface area is increased to improve heat dissipation, then the temperature control is improved, but the equipment size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoidequipment size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive mechanical heat dissipation solutions (larger radiator surface area) with an active electronic control system. The control unit dynamically manages thermal power emission based on temperature feedback, substituting the need for large physical heat dissipation structures with intelligent power management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

Effectively controls the temperature of the radiator, maintaining it below a maximum threshold while optimizing the equipment's performance and user comfort, ensuring compliance with standards.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor adapted to take temperature measurements of the heatsink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a heatsink adapted to dissipate the heat from the processing and amplification chain to the surrounding environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a heatsink adapted to dissipate the heat from the processing and amplification chain to the surrounding environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3637793B1Method for controlling the temperature of sound playback equipment, corresponding device and computer program
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 DEVIALET
  • EP3637793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3637793B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3637793B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for temperature control of a sound reproduction device comprising a loudspeaker, an amplifier and a heat sink, including: determining the thermal power supplied to the heat sink as a function of an evaluation of the emitted thermal power Pg and a heat transfer model; estimating the outside temperature as a function of the heat sink temperature Trad, Prad and the thermal resistance of the heat sink; calculating the maximum thermal power Prad_max supplied to the heat sink as a function of the outside temperature and a maximum heat sink temperature; determining the corresponding maximum thermal power to be emitted, as a function of Prad_max and the heat transfer model, and deducing a control to limit the thermal power below said determined maximum thermal power to be emitted.