Liquid Cooling Block Mounting With Pressure Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for electronic equipment face challenges in maintaining optimal contact pressure between water blocks and heat-generating components, as excessive pressure can damage the components and reduce cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A fixing system with a mounting bracket and an indicating means, such as a resilient member, ensures controlled mechanical contact pressure between the liquid cooling block and the heat-generating electronic component, allowing for adequate thermal energy transfer without damaging the component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If excessive contact pressure is applied between the water block and the heat-generating electronic component, then thermal energy transfer is improved, but the electronic component may be damaged or its temperature may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal energy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical damage to electronic component
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from excessive to optimal by introducing a mounting bracket with a resilient member that applies controlled, moderate pressure. This ensures adequate thermal contact between the water block and electronic component without causing mechanical damage, thus resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and component safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket with resilient member acts as an intermediary between the water block and the electronic component. It mediates the contact pressure, providing enough force for thermal coupling while preventing excessive pressure that would damage the component. The resilient member specifically serves as a pressure-distributing intermediary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixing system is introduced to control contact pressure, then component damage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical damage preventionVSAvoidfixing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the water block, distributes contact pressure evenly, and prevents excessive pressure on the electronic component. By combining these functions into a single component, the patent reduces overall system complexity while still achieving component protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member within the mounting bracket acts as a simple intermediary element that automatically regulates pressure. It requires no complex control mechanisms or additional components, yet effectively prevents mechanical damage while maintaining thermal contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system effectively maintains optimal contact pressure, preventing damage to the electronic component while ensuring efficient heat transfer, thereby enhancing the cooling performance of the liquid cooling block.

Implementation Method 1

water, or other heat transfer fluid, is made to flow through a conduit in the water block to absorb heat from the heat-generating electronic component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an indicating means, such as a resilient member, ensures controlled mechanical contact pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4160671B1System and methods for fixing a liquid cooling block on a heat-generating electronic component
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 OVH
  • EP4160671B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4160671B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4160671B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fixing system for fixing a liquid cooling block on a heat-generating electronic component, the fixing system comprising a mounting bracket and an indicating means. The mounting bracket comprises a main portion overlying at least part of the liquid cooling block in order to urge the liquid cooling block against the heat-generating electronic component, and an outer connecting portion extending from the main portion and configured to be fastened to a substrate on which the heat-generating electronic component is disposed. The indicating means is disposed between the main portion and the liquid cooling block, and undergoes deformation in response to the outer connecting portion being progressively fastened to the substrate in order to provide an indication to a user that a desired amount of pressure is exerted between the mounting bracket and the liquid cooling block for establishing adequate contact between the liquid cooling block and the heat-generating electronic component.