Predictive Cooling Control for Heat-Generating Power Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control methods for devices with heat-generating components, such as those on vehicles, face challenges in efficiently managing temperature changes without increasing device size, weight, or power consumption, and are affected by individual device differences, leading to potential malfunctions due to temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A power supply control apparatus and method that includes a nonvolatile storage unit for specific thermal resistance and capacity data, a current measurement unit, and a control unit estimating temperature rise after a delay to perform targeted cooling control, reducing unnecessary temperature changes and individual device variability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling capacity is increased to prevent temperature rise, then temperature control reliability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by estimating future temperature values based on current temperature trends and device characteristics before the temperature actually reaches critical levels. This allows proactive cooling control adjustments, preventing temperature excursions without requiring oversized cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring current temperature, comparing it against estimated future temperature values, and adjusting cooling output accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables precise temperature management with smaller cooling components compared to conservative oversized designs.
2Reliability
If cooling capacity is increased to prevent temperature rise, then temperature control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Device characteristics (thermal mass, heating rate) are determined in advance through calibration processes, storing this information for later use. This preliminary characterization simplifies real-time control by eliminating the need for complex continuous measurements, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational data (current temperature, device characteristics) to self-determine future temperature trends without requiring external complex monitoring systems. The device essentially monitors and controls itself, reducing overall system complexity.
3Speed
If real-time temperature measurement and immediate cooling control is implemented, then response speed is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates due to time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates estimated future temperature values in advance based on current temperature and device characteristics before the actual temperature deviation occurs. This allows control actions to be taken proactively, compensating for the inherent time delay between detection and physical response, thereby maintaining precision despite fast response requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reacting to current temperature deviations after they occur, the system inverts the approach by predicting future temperature values and taking control actions before deviations happen. This predictive inversion compensates for response delays and maintains control precision.
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 approach enables precise temperature control, reducing the impact of device individual differences and avoiding excessive cooling, thus maintaining optimal temperature ranges while minimizing size, weight, and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
information indicating a specific characteristic including a thermal resistance and a thermal capacity of the device
Implementation Method 2
information indicating a specific characteristic including a thermal resistance and a thermal capacity of the device
Implementation Method 3
heat generating component that generates heat by being energized
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply control apparatus controls a temperature of a device having a cooling mechanism and a heat generating component. The power supply control apparatus includes a nonvolatile storage unit that stores information indicating a specific characteristic including a thermal resistance and a thermal capacity of the device for each current of the heat generating component, a current measurement unit configured to measure a current flowing through the heat generating component, a temperature measuring unit configured to measure a current temperature of the heat generating component, and a control unit configured to perform cooling control on the device. The control unit estimates a temperature rise value after a certain delay time based on the current, the temperature, and the information on the specific characteristic, and performs the cooling control on the device based on an estimated temperature after the delay time.