Cooling Liquid Copolymer Dispersion for PCB Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling liquids for liquid cooling systems on printed circuit boards face issues with inadequate retention of pigment particles, leading to sedimentation and blockages, which can cause system failure and damage to the pump, and require mechanical abrasion for stain removal, potentially damaging equipment.

Innovation Solution

A cooling liquid composition with a copolymer concentration of 0.05% to 20% by mass, specifically 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with ethenylbenzene, and additional additives like propylene glycol, sodium 2-ethylhexanoate, and isothiazolones, which provides stable flow and prevents particle retention issues without titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, or zinc oxide, ensuring optimal flow and easy stain removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If micropowder or nanopowder opacity pigments (TiO2, Al2O3, ZnO) are added to cooling liquids in the form of water suspension, then the cooling liquid achieves cloudy or opaque appearance, but the pigment particles sediment when the liquid cooling pump is not operating steadily, leading to blockages and system failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecloudy or opaque appearanceVSAvoidsystem operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dispersant as an intermediary substance between the opacity pigment particles and the cooling liquid. This dispersant prevents direct interaction between pigment particles and water that would cause sedimentation, instead creating a stable suspension through chemical interaction. The dispersant acts as a mediator that maintains particle retention without requiring constant pump operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cooling liquid by adding specific dispersants (non-ionic, anionic, or cationic types) that modify the surface properties of pigment particles. This parameter change transforms the physical state of pigment suspension from unstable to stable, preventing sedimentation while maintaining the desired optical appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If micropowder or nanopowder pigment particles are retained in suspension through forced cooling liquid flow, then sedimentation is prevented, but the liquid cooling pump may be damaged by pigment particles accumulating inside the pump volute and overloading the motor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepigment particle retention in suspensionVSAvoidpump damage from pigment accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dispersant serves as a protective intermediary between pigment particles and pump components. By chemically binding to pigment particles and creating a stable suspension, the dispersant prevents particles from accumulating on pump surfaces and entering the motor, thereby protecting the pump from damage while maintaining suspension stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical retention method (relying on continuous pump operation to keep particles suspended) with a chemical retention method (using dispersants to stabilize particles). This substitution eliminates the need for high-velocity flow to prevent sedimentation, thereby reducing the mechanical stress and particle accumulation problems in the pump system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If mechanical abrasion (polishing or sanding) is used to remove dried out stains from liquid cooling heat exchangers, then stains are successfully removed, but the liquid heat exchanger equipment may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestain removal capabilityVSAvoidheat exchanger equipment integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical stain removal methods (abrasion, polishing, sanding) with chemical cleaning methods. The dispersant formulation prevents stain formation by maintaining stable particle suspension, and any dried stains can be removed through chemical dissolution rather than mechanical abrasion, thereby preserving heat exchanger equipment integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of dried pigment stains into a benefit by using dispersants that prevent stain formation in the first place. The chemical formulation ensures particles remain suspended and do not deposit on heat exchanger surfaces, turning the problem of stain removal into a prevention issue that requires no aggressive intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 composition ensures stable and optimal cooling liquid flow, reduces the risk of system failure due to blockages, and allows for easy removal of dried stains without damaging equipment, providing effective corrosion and biological growth inhibition.

Implementation Method 1

the aqueous solution comprises a copolymer having a copolymer concentration in a range of 0.05% to 20% by mass... allows for an optimal flow of the cooling liquid within the liquid cooling system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteric hindrance:

Implementation Method 2

liquid cooling system for cooling a heat generating element arranged on a printed circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3369797B1Cooling liquid composition for a liquid cooling system for cooling a heat generating element arranged on a printed circuit board
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 EKWB D O O
  • EP3369797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3369797B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3369797B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

A cooling liquid composition for a liquid cooling system (10) for cooling a heat generating element (22) arranged on a printed circuit board (PCB) comprisesan aqueous solution comprising a copolymer having a copolymer concentration in a range of 0.05% to 20% by mass.