Peltier Element Thermal Fatigue Stabilization via Predictive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peltier elements in heating/cooling systems, such as those used in network cameras, suffer from fatigue due to heat cycles, leading to thermal stress, crack formation, and potential disconnection, as the temperature difference between the heat absorption and radiation sides varies, causing increased electric resistance and risk of burnout.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus predicts heat generation amounts and controls the temperature of a heat exchange unit's absorption and radiation sides to maintain a predetermined temperature difference, thereby reducing fatigue and preventing disconnection by stabilizing the temperature difference between the heat absorption and radiation sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the temperature difference (ΔT) between heat absorption and radiation sides is increased to improve cooling efficiency, then the cooling performance is improved, but thermal stress and fatigue increase leading to crack formation and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the temperature difference control adaptive rather than static. The control unit dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of the Peltier element based on real-time temperature measurements from both the heat absorption side and heat radiation side, allowing the system to optimize cooling performance while preventing excessive thermal stress that would lead to fatigue and failure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the Peltier element operates continuously to maintain temperature control, then the temperature stability of the controlled object is improved, but fatigue due to heat cycles increases causing solder layer and thermoelectric element failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring the temperatures at both the heat absorption side and heat radiation side of the Peltier element, then using this feedback information to adjust the operating parameters. This closed-loop control system maintains temperature stability of the controlled object while reducing excessive heat cycling that would cause fatigue and extend the service life of the Peltier element.
3Power
If the output voltage and output time of the Peltier element are increased to enhance heat exchange capability, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the thermal stress and risk of burnout or melting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the output voltage and output time parameters of the Peltier element based on real-time temperature conditions. The control unit modifies these parameters to optimize heat exchange capability while preventing excessive thermal stress, burnout, or melting of the thermoelectric elements and solder layers.
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 solution effectively suppresses fatigue in the heat exchange unit, reducing the occurrence of failures and maintaining the Peltier element's performance by stabilizing the temperature difference, thus extending its lifespan and ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating/cooling system using a Peltier element (module) has been used... the network camera may be cooled by a Peltier element... The Peltier element is used by generating a temperature difference (ΔT) between a heat absorption side (low temperature side) and a heat radiation side (high temperature side)
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided with an information processing apparatus comprising a computer executing instructions. A predicting unit predicts a heat generation amount of a control target, wherein a temperature of the control target is controlled by a heat absorbing action or a heat radiating action of a heat exchange unit including a heat absorption unit and a heat radiation unit. A control unit controls a temperature of the heat absorption unit or the heat radiation unit of the heat exchange unit based on the predicted heat generation amount so that the temperature of the heat absorption unit or the heat radiation unit becomes a predetermined value.