Thermal Test Vehicle for Early Computing Apparatus Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal testing methods for computing apparatuses are costly and inefficient, often requiring expensive components to be used for testing, which can lead to component failure and limit the ability to test next-generation components, and are typically conducted late in the development process, making design changes challenging.
Innovation Solution
A thermal test vehicle system comprising a heating element, thermal sensor, and processor that simulates the thermal load on computing apparatuses, allowing for the determination of thermal properties without the need for functional components, enabling earlier and more cost-effective thermal testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive functional components are used for thermal testing, then testing can be performed on actual computing apparatus, but development costs increase and component failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a thermal test vehicle that is a simplified copy of the actual computing apparatus, containing only the essential thermal mass and thermal interface without requiring expensive functional components like CPUs or GPUs. This copy reproduces the thermal characteristics sufficiently for thermal testing purposes, thereby reducing development costs and component failure risk while maintaining adequate testing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal test vehicle uses inexpensive, non-functional components that can be easily replaced or modified. Instead of using expensive, delicate functional components that risk failure during testing, the patent employs simple thermal mass objects that are cheap and disposable, allowing multiple test iterations without significant cost or risk.
2Reliability
If thermal testing is conducted late in the development process, then actual computing apparatus can be tested, but design changes become difficult and development time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal test vehicle enables thermal testing to be performed early in the development process, before the actual computing apparatus is complete. By creating a preliminary thermal model that can be tested independently, designers can identify and address thermal issues during the design phase when changes are still easy to implement, rather than discovering problems later when redesign is costly and time-consuming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the thermal testing function from the complete computing apparatus by creating an independent thermal test vehicle. This segmentation allows thermal testing to be conducted as a standalone activity early in development, without waiting for all other system components to be ready, thereby reducing overall development time and enabling iterative thermal design improvements.
3Measurement precision
If functional components are used for thermal testing, then real-world thermal performance can be measured, but component failure during testing increases and limits testing of next-generation components
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal test vehicle creates a simplified copy that reproduces the essential thermal characteristics of functional components without using the actual expensive and delicate components. This copy maintains sufficient measurement precision for thermal performance evaluation while eliminating the risk of component failure during testing, enabling more robust and repeatable thermal characterization.
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 reduces development costs and time by allowing thermal testing to occur earlier in the process, enabling easier integration of design changes and the ability to test for future generation components, while preventing component failure during testing.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal test vehicle system comprises a heating element, thermal sensor, and processor that simulates the thermal load on computing apparatuses
Implementation Method 2
A thermal test vehicle system comprises a heating element, thermal sensor, and processor that simulates the thermal load on computing apparatuses
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for thermal testing is described. A test vehicle includes a heating element, a thermal sensor and a processor. The processor is configured to control the heating element to output an amount of the energy per unit time. Temperature readings are received using the thermal sensor. A thermal property associated with a thermal mass is determined based at least in part the amount of the energy output and the received temperature readings.