Vehicle Adapter Cooling System for Portable Device Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable communications devices experience significant temperature rises due to simultaneous charging, application usage, and exposure to direct sunlight, which can lead to thermal issues when mounted on vehicle dashboards.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle adapter with a built-in cooling system that includes a conduit delivering a coolant to an internal channel within the device, featuring a one-way valve and heat exchanger to manage temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the portable communications device is mounted on the vehicle dashboard for charging and usage, then user access to device displays and power charging is facilitated, but the device experiences significant temperature rise due to simultaneous charging, application usage, and direct sunlight exposure
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling system is introduced as an intermediary between the device and the hot environment. The cooling system includes a heat exchanger with channels that receive coolant from a pump, creating a thermal management interface that protects the device from excessive heat while maintaining dashboard mounting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the coolant is utilized to change thermal parameters. The coolant absorbs heat from the device through phase change or temperature differential, transforming thermal energy from the device to the coolant, thereby reducing device temperature while maintaining operational parameters
2Temperature
If a cooling system is added to the vehicle adapter, then device temperature is reduced, but the device complexity and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system components (pump, reservoir, heat exchanger channels) are merged into the vehicle adapter housing rather than being separate attachments. The adapter body itself is structured to incorporate coolant flow channels, combining thermal management functionality with the mounting structure to reduce overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle adapter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical mounting for the device, electrical charging connection, and active thermal management through the cooling system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling devices and simplifies the overall system architecture
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 cooling system effectively reduces the temperature of the portable communications device, preventing thermal damage and ensuring optimal performance during use.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the internal channel and configured to receive the coolant
Implementation Method 2
a conduit configured to deliver a coolant to an internal channel of the portable communications device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle adapter configured to be mounted to a vehicle. The vehicle adapter includes a body sized and shaped to receive and hold a portable communications device, the body including a surface configured to press against the portable communications device. The vehicle adapter further includes a cooling system coupled to the body, the cooling system including a conduit configured to deliver a coolant to an internal channel of the portable communications device. The conduit defines a projection sized and shaped to press against and open a valve on the portable communications device when the portable communications device is received into the vehicle adapter.