Wireless Charging Heat Sink with Active Air Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless charging of mobile terminal devices results in lower efficiency and higher heat loss compared to wired charging, leading to significant heating issues that can cause mobile devices to shut down or reduce performance to prevent damage.

Innovation Solution

A charging device with a primary coil, control devices, a housing with air inlet and outlet openings, a heat sink, and an active air supply system that activates only when a predetermined temperature is reached during wireless charging, ensuring efficient cooling and reduced noise and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless energy transmission is used to charge the mobile terminal device, then the convenience and portability are improved, but the heat loss increases and temperature rises significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless charging convenienceVSAvoiddevice temperature during charging
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system is segmented into multiple functional modules: wireless charging module, active cooling module with air supply device, heat sink, and control device. Each module operates independently but coordinates to solve the heat issue while maintaining wireless charging convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air is introduced as an intermediary cooling medium between the charging components and the environment. The air flows through the housing, absorbs heat from the wireless charging components, and carries it away, thus mediating the heat transfer process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If continuous active cooling is provided during wireless charging, then the temperature control is improved, but the noise and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption for cooling
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system transitions from static to dynamic operation. The air supply device is activated only when the control device detects that temperature has reached a predetermined level during wireless charging, and deactivated when cooling is no longer needed, creating a dynamic response to thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device monitors temperature conditions and provides feedback to the air supply device. When the temperature reaches the predetermined level, the control device activates the air supply device; when temperature is acceptable, it deactivates the cooling, creating a closed-loop feedback control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If the air outlet opening is positioned to guide cooling air toward the mobile terminal device, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling air delivery to terminalVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the wireless charging components, provides structural support, guides cooling air flow through strategically positioned openings, and acts as a mounting structure for all components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated cooling structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively manages heat dissipation during wireless charging, maintaining device functionality and reducing heat-related shutdowns or performance reductions, while providing a more pleasant ambient air experience compared to traditional air conditioning systems.

Implementation Method 1

an alternating magnetic field is generated by means of one or more primary coils AC voltage induced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a heat sink, which is arranged in the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

an active air supply device, which is assigned to the heat sink and is set up to actively feed ambient air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3472937B1Charging apparatus for wirelessly charging a rechargeable electrical energy store of a mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 AUDI AG
  • EP3472937B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3472937B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3472937B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a charging apparatus (1) for wirelessly charging a rechargeable electrical energy store of a mobile terminal having a housing (5), having a primary coil device (2) and having a first control device (3) operatively connected thereto, wherein the first control device (3) is arranged in the housing (5), which has at least one air entry opening (4) and at least one air exit opening (6). The housing (5) further has a heat sink (8) arranged in it that has an associated active air supply device (9) that is set up to actively supply the heat sink (8) with ambient air that can flow in, at least also through the at least one air entry opening (4). The heat sink has an associated temperature sensor device (10) for sensing the temperature of the heat sink (8). The charging apparatus (1) further has a second control device (11) that has a signal connection to the temperature sensor device (10) and is operatively coupled to the active air supply device (9), and that is set up to be able to activate the active air supply device (9) as soon as and for as long as a prescribable first limit temperature of the heat sink (8) has been reached or exceeded. Furthermore, the second control device (11) also has a signal connection to the first control device (3) and is set up to activate the active air supply device (9) only if, when or after the first limit temperature of the heat sink (8) is reached or exceeded, wireless charging of an electrical energy store of a mobile terminal is also performed.