Virtual Connector Temperature Sensing for Accurate Overheat Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face challenges in accurately detecting overheat events in connectors due to false positives from heat generated by other components and false negatives from heat absorption by the circuit board, leading to potential overheating issues during short circuits.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a virtual sensor system using multiple temperature sensors, where a first sensor is proximal to the connector and a second sensor is distal, allows for accurate detection of overheat events by measuring the temperature difference between the two sensors, thereby reducing false positives and negatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single temperature sensor is placed proximate to the connector, then the device can detect temperature for overheat protection, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to heat interference from other components and heat absorption by the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature measurement function into multiple sensors placed at different locations (proximal and distal to the connector). By segmenting the measurement system, the patent can compare temperature differences to distinguish connector-generated heat from ambient heat, thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual temperature sensor as an intermediary computational construct. This virtual sensor is derived from the difference between measurements from two physical sensors, serving as a mediator that isolates the connector's temperature contribution from other heat sources in the system
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to improve measurement accuracy, then false positives and negatives are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple physical temperature sensors with a virtual temperature sensor in a unified measurement system. By merging the data from multiple sensors through a computational model, the system achieves high measurement precision while managing complexity through integration rather than separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from individual sensor readings to a derived parameter (temperature difference or virtual sensor value). This parameter transformation simplifies the interpretation of multiple sensor inputs and reduces the complexity of the detection logic while maintaining high measurement 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 improves the accuracy of overheat event detection, preventing overheating damage by reducing electrical current flow through the connector when an overheat event is detected, while minimizing false alarms and delays in detection.
Implementation Method 1
detect, based on a difference between a temperature measured by a first temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors and a temperature measured by a second temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors, an occurrence of an overheat event in the physical connector
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving electrical power via a physical connector of a mobile computing device; determining, by a controller of the mobile computing device, a value of a temperature of a virtual temperature sensor, the value representing a difference between a temperature measured by a first temperature sensor of a plurality of temperature sensors of the mobile computing device and a temperature measured by a second temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors, wherein a distance between the first temperature sensor and the physical connector is less than a distance between the second temperature sensor and the physical connector; determining, based on the value of the temperature of the virtual temperature sensor, whether an overheat event has occurred; and responsive to determining that the overheat event has occurred, reducing an amount of electrical current flowing through the physical connector.