Cooling Block Assembly for Easy IC Unmounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling system block assemblies face difficulties in efficient unmounting due to increased adhesive force between the heatsink or cooling system block and the packaged integrated circuit, leading to damage and inefficiency during separation, as the horizontal movement of the cooling system block is restricted.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system block assembly design that allows vertical alignment of attachment members for mounting and horizontal movement for unmounting, featuring rotatable and vertically movable attachment members and positioning members within a socket and plate configuration, enabling easy separation without damaging the integrated circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If positioning members are fixed to the cooling system block and circuit board for vertical alignment before fixing, then vertical alignment of attachment members is improved, but horizontal movement of the cooling system block is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical alignment of attachment membersVSAvoidhorizontal movement for unmounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function and attachment function are segmented into separate components: positioning members (positioning pins/hubs) that remain fixed to provide alignment reference, and attachment members (screws/bolts) that can be removed. This segmentation allows the positioning structure to remain while the attachment structure can be detached, resolving the contradiction between maintaining alignment precision and enabling easy unmounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment members are designed with dynamic characteristics - they can be inserted and removed from the positioning members. During mounting, the attachment members engage with positioning members to establish vertical alignment. During unmounting, the attachment members can be detached while the positioning members remain fixed, allowing the cooling system block to move horizontally without restriction from the positioning structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the cooling system block is prevented from moving horizontally by positioning members, then vertical alignment is maintained, but separation from the packaged integrated circuit becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical alignment during mountingVSAvoidseparation during unmounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning members are pre-installed on both the cooling system block and the circuit board before the actual attachment process. This preliminary positioning action establishes the correct vertical alignment and horizontal position. During unmounting, because the positioning members were already in place during mounting, they continue to provide the alignment reference while allowing the attachment members to be removed, facilitating easy separation without damaging the packaged integrated circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning members act as intermediary elements between the cooling system block and the packaged integrated circuit. They provide the alignment function without creating permanent adhesion. The attachment members serve as the actual bonding intermediaries that can be easily removed. This intermediary structure allows precise alignment during mounting while enabling clean separation during unmounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If attachment members are fixed vertically to the packaged integrated circuit, then thermal coupling is achieved, but unmounting causes damage or inoperability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal coupling effectivenessVSAvoiddamage to packaged integrated circuit during unmounting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is segmented from the positioning function. Positioning members (pins/hubs) provide alignment and do not create strong adhesion, while attachment members (screws/bolts) provide the necessary clamping force for thermal coupling. During unmounting, only the attachment members need to be removed, while the positioning members remain to ensure proper alignment. This segmentation prevents damage to the packaged integrated circuit by separating the alignment reference from the bonding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If positioning members are separately unfixed before unmounting the cooling system block, then damage risk is reduced, but unmounting becomes inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage risk to positioning membersVSAvoidunmounting time consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning members and attachment members are merged into a single integrated assembly structure. The positioning members are permanently or semi-permanently attached to the circuit board, while the attachment members are designed to be easily removable from the positioning members. This merging allows the positioning structure to remain in place as a reusable fixture, while the attachment members can be quickly removed during unmounting operations, eliminating the need to separately handle positioning members and reducing both damage risk and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates convenient and efficient unmounting of the cooling system block from the packaged integrated circuit, reducing the risk of damage and time consumption, while maintaining effective thermal coupling for heat dissipation.

Implementation Method 1

heat is dissipated from an upper surface of a packaged integrated circuit via upper surface adherence of a heatsink or cooling system block to the packaged integrated circuit... Thermal pads (also called thermally conductive pad or thermal interface pad) and thermal paste (also called thermal compound, thermal grease, thermal interface material (TIM), heat sink compound, heat sink paste or CPU grease) may be used to enhance adherence and aid in heat conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4489068A1Cooling system block assembly
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 PURPLE CLOUD DEV PTE LTD
  • EP4489068A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4489068A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4489068A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cooling system block assembly may include a cooling system block and a circuit board assembly. The cooling system block includes a plurality of attachment members and one or more positioning members. The circuit board assembly is fixed to the cooling system block via the plurality of attachment members. The circuit board assembly includes a socket and a plate. The socket includes one or more positioning hubs or one or more positioning pins, and the plate includes a plurality of attachment hubs. The one or more positioning members is disposed within the one or more positioning hubs or disposed around the one or more positioning pins and the plurality of attachment members is fixed within the plurality of attachment hubs. When the one or more positioning members is disposed within the one or more positioning hubs or is disposed encompassing the one or more positioning pins and the plurality of attachment members is not fixed within the plurality of attachment hubs, the plurality of attachment members is vertically aligned with the plurality of attachment hubs.