Flexible IC Assembly Heat Dissipation for Compact Displays

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern display devices with compact housings face challenges in cooling due to limited space, leading to potential overheating and damage of integrated circuit (IC) components, especially with high data transmission rates generating significant heat.

Innovation Solution

An integrated circuit assembly with a flexible substrate and multiple thermally conductive layers, including a mesh structure, is used to dissipate heat effectively, allowing the assembly to be flexed for fitting within tight spaces without damaging mechanical or electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If components are positioned closely together in compact housing, then display device profile is reduced, but heat dissipation becomes insufficient leading to overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing sizeVSAvoidcomponent temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible thermally conductive layers (including mesh structures) that can be conformally applied to IC chips and folded to fit compact housing spaces. These flexible thermal management components maintain effective thermal contact while adapting to limited space configurations, enabling heat dissipation in ultra-slim display devices without requiring traditional rigid heat sink structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If high data transmission rates are used, then image quality is improved, but heat generation increases causing potential damage to IC components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical thermal management approaches with flexible thermally conductive material layers that directly interface with IC chips. These flexible thermal layers provide efficient heat conduction pathways without requiring bulky mechanical heat sink structures, enabling effective thermal management for high-speed data transmission applications in space-constrained environments.

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

3Temperature

If rigid heat sinks are used for cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but the assembly cannot be flexed to fit tight spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes rigid heat sink structures with flexible thermally conductive layers that can be conformally applied to IC chips and folded to fit tight housing spaces. The flexible thermal management solution maintains effective thermal contact through material compliance while enabling the assembly to be flexed into compact configurations without damaging mechanical or electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Adaptability or versatility

If the IC assembly is flexed to fit within housing, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical and electrical connections may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidconnection integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible substrates and thermally conductive layers that are specifically designed to accommodate bending and folding without compromising structural integrity. These flexible components maintain mechanical and electrical connection reliability even when the IC assembly is flexed to fit within compact housing spaces, eliminating the need for rigid structures that would prevent adaptation to tight configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively spreads and dissipates heat generated by IC chips, preventing damage and ensuring reliable operation even at high data transmission rates, while maintaining flexibility to fit within the slim profiles of modern display devices.

Implementation Method 1

a first flexible thermally conductive layer on the flexible substrate; and an IC chip on the flexible substrate and thermally coupled to the first flexible thermally conductive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9978663B2Integrated circuit assembly with heat spreader and method of making the same
Publication Date: 2018.05.22 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US9978663B2 patent drawing
  • US9978663B2 patent drawing
  • US9978663B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a display device includes: a display panel; and an integrated circuit (IC) assembly coupled to the display panel, the IC assembly comprising: a flexible substrate; a first flexible thermally conductive layer on the flexible substrate; and an IC chip on the flexible substrate and thermally coupled to the first flexible thermally conductive layer.