Electronic device and method for controlling temperature of electronic device

• US 10,305,311 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2016
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Joon-Il, Lee, Won-Ki, Hwangbo, Sang-Moo, Park, Se-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Arun C
• Application Number:
  US15/242,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20170063141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007192 in response to temperature

Abstract

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device comprising: a housing; a conductive pattern that is provided in the housing; and a controller that is electrically connected with the conductive pattern, configured to apply a current to the conductive pattern, monitor the current, and if the monitored current value exceeds a first threshold value for more than a selected time, changes the current value to a first selected value that is equal to or less than the first threshold value; wherein the conductive pattern is configured to generate induced electric power responsive to application of current by the controller. Various embodiments may be provided.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a conductive pattern that is provided in the housing; and

a controller that is electrically connected with the conductive pattern, configured to apply a current to the conductive pattern, monitor the current, and if the monitored current value exceeds a first threshold value for more than a selected time, change the current value to a first selected value that is equal to or less than the first threshold value and if the monitored current value is greater than a second threshold value exceeding the first threshold value for more than a selected time, changes the current value to a second selected value that is equal to or less than the second threshold value;

wherein the conductive pattern is configured to generate induced electric power responsive to application of current by the controller.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller, if the monitored current value is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value for more than a selected time, maintains the current value.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller controls to change the current value to a selected value that is equal to or less than the first threshold value, based on at least one of an internal temperature of the electronic device, an external temperature of the external device, or an ambient temperature of the electronic device or an external device, which is measured through a sensor that is electrically connected with the electronic device or the external device.

4. An electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a conductive pattern that is provided in the housing;

a sensing circuit that measures an input current value applied to the conductive pattern;

a communication circuit that wirelessly communicates information with an external electronic device; and

a controller that, if the measured input current value exceeds one or more predetermined threshold current values, controls to adjust the input current value to be equal to or less than the one or more predetermined current values, and transmit wireless power corresponding to the controlled input current value to the external electronic device.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the controller controls the sensing circuit to:

determine whether or not the current applied to the conductive pattern is sensed;

if the current is sensed, determine whether or not the sensed current converges on a constant current level; and

if the sensed current converges on the constant current level, provide the converged current level as the input current value.

6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the controller, if the measured input current value is equal to or less than the one or more predetermined threshold current values, maintains the input current value.

7. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the controller:

if the measured input current value is equal to or less than a first predetermined threshold current value, maintains the input current value;

if the measured input current value is more than the first predetermined threshold current value and is less than a second predetermined threshold current value, which is more than the first predetermined threshold current value, adjusts the input current value to a first predetermined current value that is less than the first threshold current value; and

if the measured input current value is equal to or more than the second predetermined threshold current value, adjusts the input current value to a second predetermined current value that is equal to or less than the first current value.

8. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the controller:

if the measured input current value is equal to or less than a first predetermined threshold current value, adjusts the input current value to a first predetermined current value, which is equal to or more than the first predetermined threshold current value and is equal to or less than a second predetermined threshold current value, which is more than the first predetermined threshold current value;

if the measured input current value is more than the first predetermined threshold current value and is less than a second predetermined threshold current value, maintains the input current value; and

if the measured input current value is equal to or more than the second predetermined threshold current value, adjusts the input current value to the second predetermined current value, which is equal to or more than the first predetermined threshold current value and is equal to or less than the second predetermined threshold current value.

9. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the controller further controls to transmit wireless power corresponding to the controlled input current value to an external electronic device.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the controller, if the measured input current value is changed after transmitting the wireless power, controls to determine whether or not the wireless power is to be transmitted, based on a comparison result of the changed input current value and a predetermined minimum charging current value.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the controller:

if the changed input current value is equal to or more than the minimum charging current value, determines to transmit the wireless power corresponding to the input current value that is controlled according to the changed input current value; and

if the changed input current value is less than the minimum charging current value, determines to stop wireless power transmission.

12. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the controller:

senses at least one of an internal temperature or an external temperature of the electronic device through the sensing circuit;

compares at least one of the sensed internal temperature or external temperature with one or more predetermined threshold temperatures; and

controls the input current value based on a comparison result.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the controller:

if the sensed temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold temperature, maintains the measured input current value; and

if the sensed temperature exceeds the predetermined threshold temperature, adjusts the input current value to a current value that is less than the predetermined threshold current value.

14. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the controller receives data related to at least one of an internal temperature or an external temperature of an external electronic device through the communication circuit, and controls the input current value based on received data.

15. A temperature control method of an electronic device, the method comprising:

measuring an input current value that is applied to a conductive pattern provided in the electronic device; and

when the measured input current value exceeds one or more predetermined threshold current values, adjusting the input current value to a current value that is equal to or less than the one or more predetermined current values, wherein;

when the measured input current value is equal to or less than a first predetermined threshold current value, the electronic device maintains the input current value;

when the measured input current value is more than the first predetermined threshold current value and is less than a second predetermined threshold current value, which is more than the first predetermined threshold current value, the electronic device adjusts the input current value to a first predetermined current value that is less than the first threshold current value; and

when the measured input current value is equal to or more than the second predetermined threshold current value, the electronic device adjusts the input current value to a second predetermined current value that is equal to or less than the first current value.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the measuring of the input current value comprises:

determining whether or not the current applied to the conductive pattern is sensed;

when the current is sensed, determining whether or not the sensed current converges on a constant current level; and

if the sensed current converges on a constant current level, providing the converged current level as the input current value applied to the conductive pattern.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the controlling of the input current value comprises, if the measured input current value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold current value, maintaining the input current value.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the controlling of the input current value comprises:

if the measured input current value is equal to or less than a first predetermined threshold current value, adjusting the input current value to a first predetermined current value, which is equal to or more than the first predetermined threshold current value and is equal to or less than a second predetermined threshold current value, which is more than the first predetermined threshold current value;

if the measured input current value is more than the first predetermined threshold current value and is less than the second predetermined threshold current value, maintaining the input current value; and

if the input current value is equal to or more than the second predetermined threshold current value, adjusting the input current value to a second predetermined current value, which is equal to or more than the first predetermined threshold current value and is equal to or less than the second predetermined threshold current value.