Virtual Temperature Sensing for Charging Connector Overheat Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face challenges in accurately detecting overheat events caused by short circuits in charging connectors due to heat generated by other components and heat absorption by the circuit board, leading to false positives or delayed detection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual temperature sensor that calculates a temperature difference between two temperature sensors positioned at different distances from the charging connector to improve the accuracy of overheat event detection, thereby reducing the risk of false positives and negatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a single temperature sensor is placed proximate to the connector to detect overheat events, then the detection speed is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to heat generated by other components and heat absorption by the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature monitoring function into multiple sensors positioned at different locations: one sensor proximate to the connector for fast detection and another sensor distal to the connector for reference measurements. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between local connector heating and general device temperature changes, resolving the contradiction between fast detection and accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual temperature sensor that acts as an intermediary, calculating the temperature difference between the proximate and distal sensors. This virtual sensor provides a corrected temperature reading that compensates for environmental heat interference, enabling both fast response and accurate measurement simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is placed close to the connector for accurate measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but false positive detections increase due to heat from other components
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual temperature sensor serves as an intermediary that processes readings from both physical sensors to distinguish true connector overheating from environmental heat effects. By calculating the temperature differential and applying compensation algorithms, it eliminates false positives while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature differences between the two sensors and uses this feedback to adjust the interpretation of proximate sensor readings. When the distal sensor detects elevated temperatures, the system compensates for this environmental factor, preventing false positive overheat detections while maintaining reliable detection capability.
3Speed
If a temperature sensor is placed close to the connector for fast detection, then the detection speed is improved, but false negative detections increase due to heat absorption by the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the measurement function into two sensors, the system captures both the fast-responding proximate sensor data and the reference distal sensor data. This allows the virtual sensor to detect when the circuit board absorbs heat (indicated by distal sensor readings) and compensate accordingly, preventing false negatives while maintaining fast detection response.
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
Enhances the accuracy of overheat event detection, preventing false alarms and ensuring timely intervention to mitigate overheating issues by using a virtual sensor that accounts for heat gradients between sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor of a plurality of temperature sensors of the mobile computing device... a temperature measured by a first temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
a second temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors... a temperature measured by a second temperature sensor... 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
Implementation Method 3
detect, based on a difference between a temperature measured by a first temperature sensor... and a temperature measured by a second temperature sensor... an occurrence of an overheat event in the physical connector
Data Source
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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.