ThermoElectric Device Embedded Controller

Innovations in thermoelectric modules have the potential to drastically impact the entertainment world.

Applying Thermoelectric Devices in New Ways

TEGway ThermoRealis a thermoelectric device embedded controller. TEGway has developed a way to generate a flexible array of miniature thermoelectric devices (TEDs). This flexible array of TEDs is powered in rows. This allows the array to individually control each row as hot, cold, or anywhere in between the 4° to 40°C range it's capable of. An interesting aspect is when you alternate these hot and cold rows. By doing so, the TED array can also simulate "pain," or that burning sensation you get when you've been out in the cold and put your hands right up to the fire.

Flexible Thermoelectric Device and Comparison to Rigid TEDs Courtesy of TEGway

由于大多数热电装置由陶瓷和金属制成，它们通常更大且刚性。这可能是寻找珀耳帖设备的新应用的巨大限制。通过创建该较小的设备阵列，热电可以找到更紧密和更有趣的地方。

Flexible Thermoelectric Device and Comparison to Rigid TEDs Courtesy of TEGway

Making Virtual and Augmented Reality More Tangible

听起来很整洁，但是什么都很有意思thermoelectric device embedded controller? As our media consumption becomes more immersive, the entertainment industry will seek new technologies like this to further simulate reality. The latest TV screens, movie screens, and virtual reality head sets envelop our sense of sight, surround sound or great headphones have our sense of sound covered, but what about touch? TEGway saw this potential of immersing a whole new sense with our digital experience. That's why you see them applying this technology to video games since there is a large potential to add another level of feedback to consumers.

想象一下，在视频游戏或电影中探索北极地区，在那里你想象它会非常冷。目前，这就是我们所能做的一切：想象一下寒冷。但是通过热电装置嵌入式控制器，您实际上可以感受到它。如果我们的媒体将我们带到沙漠或站在火山上，那将是相同的情景。我们的控制器会加热以模拟我们期望体验的热量。随着控制器上的一个小空间的交替冷热的能力，媒体消费者甚至可以感受到他们沉浸在的故事主角的痛苦。

伴随热电装置嵌入式控制器的热量

Let's take a look at the thermal situation that a thermoelectric device embedded controller has. In most thermal management applications, we see the need of maintaining a specific temperature differential for thermoelectric coolers. This is a unique application in which that temperature differential is dynamic and can vary widely across the TED array.

热电装置嵌入式控制器本身

这些装置的背面应该保持在一致温度下，使得每个温度输出的电压是可预测的。这可以通过使用散热器来完成，如铜涂布器。热电装置也应该与控制器的内部绝缘，以防有机板电子设备，如果暴露于由这些设备引起的温度波动，可能遭受可靠性问题。

Controller Power Supply

Secondary to the TEDs themselves is the power source for these devices. Thermoelectric devices are inefficient, so a lot of energy needs to go into making a small temperature differential. Multiply this inefficiency across the whole array and these thermoelectric device embedded controllers become huge power hogs. It will either need a large power supply or a hefty battery, both of which may need their own thermal solution to keep them safe and reliable.

推动沉浸式游戏的界限

Despite the challenges that come with controllers that can output a thermal experience, it's exciting to see the gaming industry pushing existing technologies into new applications. We're certainly looking forward to seeing the first commercially available thermoelectric device embedded controller.