Portable cooling electronics case
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices often lack effective cooling systems, leading to overheating issues that can reduce device performance, shorten battery life, and result in device damage or premature disposal.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronics case equipped with a thermo-electric cooler, a pump, and a length of tubing to circulate coolant, effectively transferring heat away from electronic devices and maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a portable electronic device operates continuously, then productivity is improved, but temperature increases causing overheating and device damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermo-electric cooler as an intermediary device between the electronic components and the external environment. This cooler actively mediates heat transfer by pumping coolant through channels adjacent to heat-generating components, preventing direct thermal contact and enabling continuous operation without overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic cooling system where a pump circulates coolant through tubing and channels. This fluid-based heat transfer mechanism efficiently removes heat from electronic components during continuous operation, resolving the contradiction between sustained productivity and temperature control.
2Temperature
If cooling systems are added to portable devices, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the thermo-electric cooler and pump into a unified cooling assembly that serves multiple functions: cooling electronic components, managing thermal hotspots, and preventing overheating. This multi-functional integration reduces overall system complexity compared to separate cooling solutions for different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is nested within the portable device housing, with coolant channels and tubing integrated into the device structure. The thermo-electric cooler is positioned adjacent to heat-generating components, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes space requirements and reduces structural complexity.
3Device complexity
If heat is not managed, then device simplicity is maintained, but device lifespan decreases due to overheating damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary cooling action by positioning the thermo-electric cooler and coolant channels adjacent to heat-generating components before overheating occurs. The pump continuously circulates coolant to prevent temperature buildup, addressing thermal management proactively rather than reactively, thereby extending device lifespan while maintaining reasonable system simplicity.
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 provides efficient heat management, extending the lifespan of electronic devices, reducing the frequency of device replacements, and minimizing electronic waste by preventing overheating-related damage.
Implementation Method 1
The thermo-electric cooler includes a first side positioned on an interior of the case and a second side opposite the first side and adjacent to a first outer side of the case. The thermo-electric cooler is configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side.
Implementation Method 2
The pump is configured to pump coolant through the length of tubing between the second section and the first section, thereby facilitating cooling of the coolant by the thermo-electric cooler.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed systems include a case for cooling electronic devices. In an example, the case includes a thermo-electric cooler that includes a first side positioned on an interior of the case and a second side opposite the first side and adjacent to a first outer side of the case. The thermo-electric cooler is configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side. The case further includes a pump and a length of tubing connected to the pump. The tubing includes a first section positioned adjacent to the first side of the thermo-electric cooler, and a second section positioned adjacent a second outer side of the case. The pump is configured to pump coolant through the length of tubing, thereby facilitating cooling of the coolant by the thermo-electric cooler. The case further includes a power source configured to power the pump and power the thermo-electric cooler.