Composite Heat Spreader Module for Mobile Terminal Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals face challenges in maintaining heat spreading performance while achieving a slim thickness, as existing solutions often compromise on either heat dissipation or structural rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A heat spreader module with a predetermined rigidity is integrated into the mobile terminal, featuring a graphite heat spreading film on a metallic plate with a polyimide cover layer, thermally compressed to enhance heat conductivity and protect the graphite material, and using a copper cover layer for improved rigidity and heat sinking efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat spreader module with predetermined rigidity is integrated into the mobile terminal, then heat spreading performance is maintained, but the overall thickness of the mobile terminal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat spreader module employs a composite structure consisting of a metallic plate (first substrate) and a graphite heat spreading film (second substrate) bonded together. The metallic plate provides structural rigidity and heat sinking capability, while the graphite film offers superior in-plane heat conductivity. This composite material approach enables the module to maintain high heat spreading performance while keeping the overall thickness minimal, as both layers are thin but highly effective in their respective functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat spreader module serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat spreading component, a structural support element providing rigidity to the mobile terminal, and a heat sinking mechanism. The metallic plate specifically provides both structural support and heat sinking, while the graphite film enhances in-plane heat distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby minimizing thickness while maintaining heat spreading performance.
2Length of moving object
If the mobile terminal is made slimmer, then portability is improved, but heat dissipation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The use of composite materials with high thermal conductivity properties (metallic plate and graphite film) enables effective heat dissipation within a thin profile. The graphite film's superior in-plane heat conductivity compensates for the reduced thickness, ensuring that heat is efficiently spread across the available surface area even in a slim device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal conductivity parameters of the heat spreader module by using materials with exceptionally high thermal conductivity (graphite and metal). This parameter change allows the module to achieve effective heat dissipation in a thinner configuration, as the high conductivity compensates for the reduced dimension, maintaining thermal performance while improving portability.
3Temperature
If a heat spreader module is added to improve heat spreading performance, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat spreader module is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated component: heat spreading, structural support, and heat sinking. The metallic plate provides both mechanical strength and thermal management, while the graphite film enhances heat distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the heat spreading function with the structural support function in a single integrated module. The metallic plate and graphite film are bonded together to form a unified structure that simultaneously provides mechanical rigidity and thermal management. This merging of functions reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the device structure, limiting the increase in complexity while maintaining effective heat spreading performance.
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 supports the display panel, secures heat spreading performance, and reduces the overall thickness of the mobile terminal by efficiently dissipating heat generated by the printed circuit board, while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a graphite heat spreading film on a metallic plate
Implementation Method 2
thermally compressed to enhance heat conductivity
Implementation Method 3
using a copper cover layer for improved rigidity and heat sinking efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a mobile terminal including a display panel, a frame comprising a front surface where the display panel is disposed, a rear case coupled to one surface of the frame, to form an electric/electronic control unit there between the frame and the rear case, a heat spreader module provided between the display panel and the frame, wherein the heat spreader module includes a metallic plate in contact with the display panel, a heat spreading material layer disposed on a rear surface of the metallic plate and an adhesive layer disposed between the heat spreading material layer and the metallic plate to bond the metallic plate and the heat spreading material layer with each other. Even when the frame is partially eliminated, the mobile terminal may support the display panel and securing the heat spreading performance simultaneously, using the heat spreader module having a preset rigidity.