Cooling Unit Pipe Fixing Mechanism Prevents Refrigerant Entanglement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooling structures often suffer from refrigerant pipes getting caught during installation or replacement, leading to potential damage to the cooling assembly and integrated circuits.

Innovation Solution

A cooling assembly design featuring a first heat exchanger with a fixing portion that secures an intermediate portion of the flow path pipe, preventing separation and entanglement with other components during installation or replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the refrigerant pipe is made flexible to connect cooling plates, then the cooling structure can be installed and replaced, but the refrigerant pipe may get caught by integrated circuits or other components during installation or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation and replacement of cooling structureVSAvoidRefrigerant pipe entanglement with integrated circuits
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant pipe is divided into multiple sections: a first section connected to the cooling plate, a second section extending from the first section, and a third section extending from the second section. This segmentation allows each section to be independently positioned and managed, preventing entanglement while maintaining flexibility for installation and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the refrigerant pipe and the integrated circuit board. The guide structure includes a guide hole that directs the refrigerant pipe along a predetermined path, preventing the pipe from contacting or getting caught by the integrated circuit or other components during installation and replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cooling structure is designed with flexible refrigerant pipes for connectivity, then adjacent cooling plates can be connected, but damage may occur to the cooling structure, integrated circuit, or other components during installation or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveConnection between adjacent cooling platesVSAvoidDamage prevention during installation and replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant pipe is divided into multiple sections with specific orientations. The first section extends in a first direction from the cooling plate, the second section extends in a second direction from the first section, and the third section extends in a third direction from the second section. This segmentation provides adaptability for connecting adjacent cooling plates while controlling the pipe's path to prevent damage during installation and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide structure serves as a mediator that protects the refrigerant pipe, integrated circuit, and other components from damage. The guide hole in the guide structure constrains the refrigerant pipe's movement, ensuring it follows a safe path that avoids contact with vulnerable components during installation and replacement, thereby enhancing reliability.

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

This design effectively suppresses the refrigerant pipe from being caught by other members, thereby protecting the cooling assembly and integrated circuits from damage during installation and replacement processes.

Implementation Method 1

The first heat exchanger comes into contact with a first heat generating component. The first flow path pipe is connected to the first heat exchanger.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20230389227A1Cooling unit
Publication Date: 2023.11.30 NIDEC CORP(JP)
  • US20230389227A1 patent drawing
  • US20230389227A1 patent drawing
  • US20230389227A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A cooling assembly includes a first heat exchanger and a first flow path pipe. The first heat exchanger comes into contact with a first heat generating component. The first flow path pipe is connected to the first heat exchanger. The first flow path pipe includes a first intermediate portion between one end of the first flow path pipe connected to the first heat exchanger and the other end of the first flow path pipe. The first heat exchanger includes a first fixing portion that fixes the first intermediate portion of the first flow path pipe. The first heat exchanger includes a metal cold plate in contact with the first heat generating component, and a synthetic resin cover on one side in a first direction with respect to the cold plate.