Assemblable Cooling Fin Assembly with Interference Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat sinks, such as aluminum extrusion and die-cast heat sinks, have limited heat dissipation areas due to their formation methods, making them inefficient for heat dissipation even when equipped with fans, and existing assemblable heat sinks have complex assembling structures that result in a non-flat appearance.
Innovation Solution
An assemblable cooling fin assembly with a simplified structure, featuring cooling fins with base plates, side plates, and engaging protrusions that can be easily assembled by disposing first and second engaging protrusions through slots, allowing for a flat appearance and reduced indentations, achieved through a combination of stamping and sheet metal bending processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional aluminum extrusion or die-cast heat sinks are used, then manufacturing is simple, but heat dissipation area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is divided into multiple independent cooling fin assemblies that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. Each cooling fin assembly includes a base plate, side plates, and cooling fins, allowing for modular construction that increases total heat dissipation area while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cooling fin assemblies are stacked and nested together in a layered configuration, with each assembly containing base plates, side plates, and cooling fins that nest within the overall structure. This nesting approach maximizes heat dissipation area within a compact volume while maintaining structural integrity.
2Area of stationary object
If assemblable type heat sink with multiple cooling fins is used, then heat dissipation area is increased, but assembling structures become complex resulting in non-flat appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging protrusions are designed with localized deformation zones that allow controlled bending only at specific engagement points, while the rest of the cooling fin surfaces maintain their original flat geometry. This localized approach preserves the overall flat appearance while enabling secure assembly connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging protrusions incorporate deformable ends that can dynamically adjust during assembly - initially flexible to allow insertion through engaging slots, then permanently deformed to create interference fits that secure the stacked assemblies together without compromising external flatness.
3Area of stationary object
If complex assembling structures are used to increase heat dissipation area, then heat dissipation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is divided into multiple independent cooling fin assemblies that can be manufactured separately using standard stamping and bending processes, then assembled through simple stacking and engagement of protrusions with slots, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while increasing heat dissipation area.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging protrusions are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing - the deformable ends automatically engage with the engaging slots through simple insertion and deformation, creating interference fits that secure the assemblies without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly operations.
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 assembly method simplifies the process of stacking cooling fins, achieving a flat appearance and enhancing heat dissipation by reducing complexity in assembling structures and indentations, thereby improving the efficiency of heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable end of the first engaging protrusion is deformed so as to become wider than the first engaging slot
Implementation Method 2
the deformable end of the first engaging protrusion is deformed so as to become wider than the first engaging slot
Implementation Method 3
one end of the second inclined portion, which is away from the first inclined portion, presses against one side of the base plate
Data Source
AI summary
An assemblable cooling fin assembly includes a plurality of cooling fins. Each of the cooling fins includes a base plate, a first side plate, a second side plate and a first engaging protrusion. The base plate has a first engaging slot. The first side plate and the second side plate are respectively connected to two opposite sides of the base plate. The first engaging protrusion has a connecting end and a deformable end opposite to each other. The connecting end is connected to the first side plate. In addition, the first engaging protrusion of one of the plurality of cooling fins is disposed through the first engaging slot of another one of the plurality of cooling fins, and the deformable end of the first engaging protrusion is deformed so as to become wider than the first engaging slot.