Skin Temperature Sensors on Flex PCB for Portable Device Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices (PCDs) face challenges in accurately managing thermal energy due to the limitations of on-chip temperature sensors, which fail to accurately determine skin temperature, leading to unnecessary performance degradation and quality of service (QoS) reductions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with multiple skin sensors on a flexible printed circuit board (Flex PCB) internal to the PCD, allowing for precise temperature monitoring and application of thermal mitigation policies based on accurate skin temperature data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-chip temperature sensors are used to monitor thermal energy, then thermal management can be implemented, but skin temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates leading to unnecessary performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated skin temperature sensor as an intermediary component between the on-chip temperature sensor and the thermal management system. This skin temperature sensor is positioned in direct contact with or proximity to the device housing to accurately measure skin temperature, while the on-chip sensor continues to monitor internal thermal energy. The intermediary sensor resolves the contradiction by providing accurate skin temperature data without compromising internal thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the temperature monitoring function into two distinct sensing systems: an on-chip temperature sensor for monitoring internal thermal energy generation, and a separate skin temperature sensor for measuring external skin temperature. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific measurement purpose, resolving the accuracy problem while maintaining thermal management effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If multiple skin sensors are added to improve skin temperature measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning skin temperature sensors at specific locations where skin temperature measurement is most critical, rather than uniformly distributing sensors throughout the device. The sensor placement is optimized to capture representative skin temperature data with minimal sensor count, thus improving measurement precision while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by implementing a limited number of skin temperature sensors at strategic locations rather than comprehensive coverage. This partial sensing approach provides sufficient measurement precision for thermal management decisions while avoiding the complexity and cost of excessive sensor deployment.
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 more precise thermal management, avoiding unnecessary performance reductions and ensuring user comfort by accurately measuring skin temperature, thus optimizing PCD performance and QoS.
Implementation Method 1
skin temperature sensor(s) located internal to the portable computing device proximal to an outer surface of the portable computing device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for improved thermal management of a portable computing device (“PCD”) with skin temperature sensors are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of skin sensors are provided in the PCD, the plurality of skin sensors disposed on a flexible printed circuit board (“Flex PCB”) located internal to the PCD proximal to an outer surface of the PCD. It is determined whether to obtain temperature information from one or more of the plurality of skin sensors, and one or more skin sensors from which to obtain temperature information are identified. The temperature information is obtained from the identified one or more skin sensors, and the temperature information is applied to a thermal mitigation policy.