Compact Cooling Apparatus With Integrated Cold Plate And Pump
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic-component cooling apparatuses are bulkier due to the connection of heatsinks, radiators, and electric pumps with pipes, which increases their size and complicates mounting.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooling apparatus design featuring a cold plate with integrated refrigerant channels and a pump, where the cold plate, radiator, and pump are directly connected, reducing the number of joint members and forming a single unit to minimize size and enhance mounting ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heatsink, radiator, and electric pump are connected with pipes, then the cooling apparatus can function properly, but the size of the entire cooling apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heatsink and radiator into a single cold plate component with integrated refrigerant channels. The electric pump is also integrated directly onto the cold plate, eliminating the need for separate pipes to connect these components. This merging reduces the overall apparatus size while maintaining the cooling function through direct contact and integrated fluid pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the heatsink (cooling the heating element) and the radiator (dissipating heat through the refrigerant channels), while also serving as the mounting platform for the electric pump. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate connection pipes between these components.
2Ease of manufacture
If heatsink, radiator, and electric pump are connected with pipes, then the cooling system can be assembled, but the number of joint members increases making mounting complicated
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the electric pump directly onto the cold plate and forming the refrigerant channels within the cold plate itself, the patent eliminates multiple separate components and their associated connection pipes and joints. This reduces assembly complexity while maintaining manufacturability through a single integrated component structure.
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 design reduces the overall size of the cooling apparatus, improves handling, and facilitates efficient heat transfer from heating components to the cold plate, enhancing cooling performance while preventing pump exposure and potential heat-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
A first refrigerant channel 11 is formed in an inner space enclosed by the bottom wall 12 and the upper wall 13. Heat is transferred from a heating element to the cold plate 10, and from the cold plate 10 to the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant channel 11.
Implementation Method 2
Heat is transferred from the heating element to the cold plate 10, and from the cold plate 10 to the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant channel 11.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus includes a cold plate with a first refrigerant channel through which refrigerant flows, and a pump to circulate the refrigerant. The cold plate includes a bottom wall and an upper wall. A lower surface of the bottom wall is in contact with a heating element. The upper wall is located in contact with the bottom wall. A lower surface of the upper wall and an upper surface of the pump directly oppose each other. A lower surface of the pump is exposed to an outside of the cooling apparatus.