Temperature Sensor Rate of Change Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature sensors are limited in providing dynamic temperature parameters, leading to inadequate system response in managing rapid temperature changes, which can result in system failures, especially in electronic devices like laptops where quick thermal regulation is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor system with a digital interface that stores current temperature values, rate of temperature change, and slope direction changes, allowing for programmable measurement intervals and external alert outputs, enabling real-time monitoring and control of temperature changes through a processor-controlled cooling fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional temperature sensors are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of dynamic temperature parameters is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature measurement functions into a single integrated sensor device. The sensor includes a temperature sensor element, analog-to-digital converter, memory unit, and processing unit all integrated together, enabling simultaneous measurement of current temperature, rate of temperature change, and temperature history without requiring multiple separate sensors or external processing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor device performs multiple functions through a single device: measuring current temperature, calculating rate of temperature change (dT/dt), storing temperature history, and providing both absolute and dynamic temperature parameters through a unified digital interface. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by delivering comprehensive measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device integration.
2Reliability
If conventional temperature sensors are used, then the ease of operation is good, but the reliability of thermal management is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs preliminary calculations of the rate of temperature change and stores temperature history data in advance, so when thermal management decisions are needed, the system already has pre-processed dynamic temperature parameters ready. This preliminary action enables faster and more reliable thermal management response without requiring complex real-time calculations during critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor provides continuous feedback of both absolute temperature and dynamic temperature parameters (rate of change, temperature history) through a digital interface. This comprehensive feedback enables more reliable closed-loop thermal management control, allowing the system to respond appropriately to temperature trends while maintaining straightforward integration through a unified communication protocol.
3Productivity
If rate of temperature change calculation is implemented, then the productivity of thermal control is improved, but the loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor device performs self-service by automatically calculating the rate of temperature change and storing temperature history data internally without requiring external processor intervention. The processing unit within the sensor computes dT/dt in real-time as temperature measurements are taken, enabling the system to immediately access pre-calculated dynamic parameters and improve thermal control productivity without incurring additional data processing delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
A temperature sensor device has a digital interface with a first memory storing a current temperature value which can be read through the digital interface and a second memory storing a rate of temperature change value which can be read through the digital interface. Such a temperature sensor can be preferably used in a system with a cooling fan and a processor coupled with the digital interface of the temperature sensor. The processor is operable to control the cooling fan based on temperature measurement values and the rate of change in temperature retrieved from the temperature sensor through the digital interface.