Cold Plate Column Supports for Blade-Deformation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold plates face issues with blade deformation during assembly, leading to a reduction in cooling efficiency due to the joining of the top and bottom walls.
Innovation Solution
The cold plate design includes column portions on the bottom wall that protrude and oppose the extending direction of the blades, with their upper ends positioned above or at the same level as the blades, enhancing structural support and reducing deformation, and incorporates a cushioning portion to prevent direct contact between the top and bottom walls, ensuring smooth refrigerant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the top wall is joined to the bottom wall in a conventional cold plate, then the structure is formed, but the blades may be deformed and cooling effect is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The column portions are formed on the bottom wall before assembly, protruding upward to contact the top wall during joining. This preliminary formation of support structures prevents blade deformation during the assembly process, ensuring both structural integrity and manufacturing precision are maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The column portions act as intermediary elements between the bottom wall and top wall. During assembly, these column portions contact the top wall first, providing support and preventing direct contact between the top wall and blades, thereby preventing blade deformation while maintaining structural integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If column portions are added to prevent blade deformation, then blade shape accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The column portions are integrated directly into the bottom wall as part of its structure, rather than being separate components. This merging of the column portions with the bottom wall simplifies the overall device complexity while still providing the necessary support to prevent blade deformation during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The column portions serve multiple functions: they provide structural support during assembly, prevent blade deformation, and maintain the refrigerant flow path. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while improving blade shape accuracy.
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 design effectively prevents blade deformation, maintains cooling efficiency, and facilitates seamless assembly, thereby improving the overall performance and durability of the cold plate.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom wall includes a lower surface to be in thermal contact with a heat generating component
Data Source
AI summary
A cold plate includes a bottom wall, a top wall, blades, and a side wall. The bottom wall includes a lower surface in thermal contact with a heat generating component. The top wall covers an upper surface of the bottom wall. The blades are arranged side by side on the upper surface of the bottom wall. The side wall is located between the bottom wall and the top wall, and includes a refrigerant flow path that surrounds the blades and through which the refrigerant flows. The bottom wall includes column portions that protrude from the upper surface of the bottom wall, and oppose each other in the extending direction of the blades over the blades inside the side wall. The upper end of the column portion is located at the same position as the upper end of the blade or above the upper end of the blade.