Virtual Thermistor Temperature Prediction Without Physical Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in accurately measuring temperature in areas where mounting a thermistor is difficult or impossible, such as components that do not generate heat, due to the need for electrical connection and additional circuitry, limiting effective temperature management and resource distribution.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual thermistor that collects information from the electronic device to predict temperature without a physical sensor, allowing temperature measurement in areas where a hardware thermistor cannot be mounted, by classifying areas based on characteristics like heating sources and data continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a hardware thermistor is mounted to measure temperature, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but the device complexity increases due to additional circuit elements and electrical connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual thermistor as a software-based copy of the physical thermistor functionality. Instead of using actual hardware sensors in difficult-to-reach areas, the system uses thermal simulation models that replicate thermistor behavior through mathematical calculations based on device geometry, material properties, and operating conditions. This allows temperature measurement capability to be extended to areas like inside battery cells or integrated circuits without physical sensor mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical thermistor mounting system with an electronic computation system. Rather than physically installing sensors and connecting them through circuits, the system uses processors to calculate temperature based on thermal models, substituting the mechanical sensing approach with an electronic simulation approach that eliminates the need for physical circuit elements in hard-to-reach locations.
2Measurement precision
If a thermistor is mounted in areas with heating sources, then temperature of heating areas can be measured, but it becomes difficult to electrically connect the thermistor to the processor
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual thermistor approach creates a computational model that copies the temperature measurement functionality without requiring physical presence. The system simulates what a thermistor would measure in heating source areas by calculating thermal conduction, convection, and radiation effects based on known device parameters, eliminating the need to physically place and electrically connect sensors in difficult locations like inside battery cells or integrated circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal simulation models as intermediaries between the heating sources and the processor. Instead of directly connecting thermistors to processors in difficult locations, the system uses computational models that act as intermediaries, taking device geometry and operating conditions as input and producing temperature estimates without requiring physical sensor installation in the heating areas.
3Measurement precision
If additional circuit elements are added for thermistor voltage application, then temperature measurement function is enabled, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual thermistor methodology creates a software-based copy of temperature measurement functionality that eliminates the need for additional circuit elements. By using thermal simulation models that calculate temperature based on device parameters and operating conditions, the system removes the manufacturing complexity associated with installing and connecting physical thermistors and their required voltage application circuits.
4Device complexity
If a virtual thermistor is implemented to avoid hardware mounting, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature measurement accuracy may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by using multiple input parameters (device geometry, material thermal properties, operating conditions, environmental factors) to drive the thermal simulation models. By dynamically adjusting and refining these parameters based on available sensor data and operational feedback, the system maintains measurement accuracy while avoiding the limitations of fixed physical sensor installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual thermistor system incorporates feedback mechanisms where temperature predictions from the simulation models are compared with actual measurements from any available physical sensors, and the model parameters are adjusted accordingly. This continuous refinement process ensures that the virtual measurements remain accurate while maintaining the advantages of not requiring extensive hardware installation.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure disclose a method and an apparatus for implementing a virtual sensor (for example, a virtual thermistor) for checking temperature (or heating) of an electronic device by the electronic device. An electronic device according to various embodiments includes a plurality of electronic components mounted into the electronic device, and a processor operatively connected to the electronic components, wherein the processor is configured to classify a prediction area according to predetermined characteristics, configure a virtual thermistor corresponding to the prediction area, based on the classification characteristic of the prediction area, collect information on at least one prediction area, based on the virtual thermistor, and manage heating of the electronic device, based on the collected information. Various embodiments are possible.