Circumferential Heat Sink with Central Cavity for Multi-Sided Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling solutions for heat-generating components in control cabinets are inefficient, as they do not effectively dissipate heat from components arranged on multiple sides or the entire circumference, and often require components to be aligned linearly for cooling.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system featuring a heat sink with a continuous cavity acting as a cooling channel, allowing central ventilation and air guidance, with heat-generating components thermally connected to the heat sink's outer surface and printed circuit boards connected via a holding device that allows for flexible arrangement and improved heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional cooling solutions are used for heat-generating components, then components can be cooled, but the components must be arranged linearly and heat dissipation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear arrangement of heat-generating components to a three-dimensional circumferential arrangement around a central heat sink. The heat sink features a central cavity that receives cooling air, with cooling fins extending radially outward to contact components positioned at multiple points around the circumference, enabling heat dissipation in multiple spatial dimensions rather than along a single line.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal conduction path from components to cooling air, provides structural support for mounting components circumferentially, and functions as an air duct guiding cooling airflow through its central cavity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate linear cooling channels for each component.
2Productivity
If components are arranged on multiple sides around the heat sink, then heat dissipation improves, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cooling channels and mounting structures into a single integrated heat sink component. The central cavity and radial cooling fins are formed as one continuous structure, allowing the heat sink to be manufactured as a single piece or through continuous casting, thereby simplifying production while enabling circumferential component arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink is designed with a continuous cavity of optimized dimensions and cooling fins with specific surface areas that can be adjusted through parameter changes in the manufacturing process. This allows the same basic structure to accommodate different numbers and types of heat-generating components without requiring fundamentally different designs.
3Ease of manufacture
If a continuous casting heat sink is used, then cooling fins can be easily provided and inner surface area increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous casting process parameters such as cooling rate, mold temperature, and casting speed can be optimized to achieve the desired precision for the central cavity and cooling fins. By adjusting these parameters, the manufacturing process can produce the required geometric accuracy while maintaining the benefits of continuous casting for integrating complex fin structures.
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
This solution enables effective cooling of heat-generating components arranged on multiple sides or the entire circumference, allowing for compact design and efficient heat dissipation without the need for linear alignment, using central ventilation and flexible printed circuit board arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat-generating component is thermally connected to, and in particular touches, an outer surface section of the heat sink. The advantage here is that heat can be introduced to the outside of the heat sink and only needs to be conducted inwards to the cavity.
Implementation Method 2
This airflow can be achieved convectively or by means of a fan. In this way, heat-generating components can be positioned on multiple sides, at multiple points around the circumference, or around the entire circumference, enabling effective heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 3
This airflow can be achieved convectively or by means of a fan.
Data Source
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AI summary
Module, especially an electrical device having a cooling system (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for carrying off heat from components that produce heat, and appliance comprising said module, the module having a cooling body (1) and components that produce heat. The cooling body has a continuous cavity which serves as a cooling channel, the cooling channel being particularly fashionable as a single or multiple piece, the cooling body especially being fashioned as a continuous casting.