Photovoltaic Cell Cooling and Energy Capture in Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in adequately cooling compact designs, leading to hot spots and reduced battery life due to inadequate heat dissipation and increased power consumption from active cooling solutions.

Innovation Solution

Integration of photovoltaic cells to convert infrared energy into electric current, which is then used to power the device or recharge the battery, thereby reducing heat levels and extending battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If electronic devices are made more compact with components packed closer together, then device size is reduced and portability is improved, but heat dissipation becomes inadequate causing hot spots and increased temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful infrared energy and heat radiated by electronic components into useful electrical energy through photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cells are positioned to capture infrared energy from components like the CPU and battery, transforming the waste heat into electricity that can power the device or recharge the battery, thus addressing the heat dissipation problem while generating additional power.

Inventive Principle:

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

2Temperature

If active cooling solutions such as fans or Peltier coolers are used, then heat dissipation is improved, but power consumption increases reducing battery life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service cooling system where photovoltaic cells capture infrared energy radiated by hot components and convert it into electrical energy. This energy is then used to power cooling elements or recharge the battery, creating a self-sustaining system that cools the device without drawing additional power from the battery. The system uses the heat problem itself to generate the solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If components are throttled back to reduce power consumption, then heat generation is reduced, but device performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows components to operate at full performance levels by capturing the infrared energy they radiate and converting it into useful electrical power. The photovoltaic cells positioned near high-power components like the CPU and battery convert their waste heat into electricity, which can be used to power other device components or recharge the battery, thus maintaining high performance while managing heat through energy recovery rather than throttling.

Inventive Principle:

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

4Temperature

If larger capacity batteries are used to support active cooling solutions, then cooling capability is improved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capabilityVSAvoidbattery size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a self-charging system where photovoltaic cells capture infrared energy from device components and convert it into electrical energy that recharges the battery. This extends battery life and supports cooling operations without requiring a larger battery capacity. The system generates additional power internally, eliminating the need to increase battery size while maintaining enhanced cooling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 cools electronic components, prolongs battery life, and increases device efficiency by recovering lost energy, reducing the need for active cooling and expensive battery solutions.

Implementation Method 1

A photovoltaic cell converts the infrared energy into an electric current to reduce the overall heat level of the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

A power recovery circuit conditions the electric current into a conditioned power signal usable by a system power path manager

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower conditioning:

Data Source

PatentUS9124213B2Method and apparatus for cooling and energy capture in an electronic device via a photovoltaics

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for cooling and capturing energy in an electronic device using photovoltaic cells is disclosed. A power supply powers electronic components inside the electronic device. The electronic components produce heat and infrared energy. The photovoltaic cells convert the infrared energy into an electric current to reduce the overall heat level of the electronic device. A power recovery circuit conditions the electric current into a conditioned power signal usable by a system power path manager of the electronic device. The system power path manager uses the converted infrared energy to power the electronic device and/or to charge an energy storage unit.