Graphite Heat Transfer Device With Projections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat transfer devices for electronic components, particularly in vehicles, face limitations in heat dissipation efficiency due to the heat conductivity of materials used in housing, which can be economically unacceptable and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A heat transfer device comprising a first and second plate-like structure with layers of graphite, where at least one of the structures includes a thermally conducting support layer, and projections extending from the support layer into the graphite layers for enhanced thermal conductivity, allowing direct heat transfer and efficient cooling without the need for high-conductivity materials across the entire housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high thermally conductive materials are used for the housing, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using graphite layers specifically at the heat source interface and thermally conducting support layers with projections only where heat transfer is critical, rather than making the entire housing from high-conductivity material. This localized application of advanced thermal management components optimizes heat transfer efficiency at the source while keeping overall manufacturing costs acceptable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining graphite layers with thermally conducting support layers featuring projections. This composite structure leverages the high thermal conductivity of graphite along the layers while using the support layer with projections to enhance vertical heat transfer, creating a cost-effective alternative to solid high-conductivity housing materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If graphite layers are added to improve thermal conductivity, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the thermal management function into distinct components: graphite layers for in-plane heat spreading and thermally conducting support layers with projections for vertical heat transfer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thermally conducting support layer with projections acts as an intermediary between the graphite layers and the housing. The projections extend into the graphite layers to enhance thermal coupling, serving as a mediator that improves heat transfer efficiency without requiring direct integration of complex graphite structures into the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If projections are added to extend into graphite layers, then heat conduction is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat conduction rateVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the thermally conducting support layer with projections integrated into its structure before assembly with the graphite layers. This preliminary preparation of the support layer with its heat-conducting projections simplifies the final assembly process while ensuring optimal thermal contact with the graphite layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 use of graphite layers with thermally conducting support layers and projections significantly improves thermal conductivity, enabling efficient heat dissipation from electronic components, reducing material costs, and maintaining structural simplicity, thus overcoming the limitations of prior art devices.

Implementation Method 1

graphite has a high thermal stability and its thermal conductivity facilitate its use in high temperature heat transfer applications

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the first plate like structure and the second plate like structure comprise a thermally conducting support layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The latter can be either housing/bracket surface or a housing with an attached radiator enhancing natural convection and radiation processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

The latter can be either housing/bracket surface or a housing with an attached radiator enhancing natural convection and radiation processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3540770B1Heat transfer device
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP3540770B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3540770B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3540770B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a heat transfer device (10), the heat transfer device (10) comprising a first plate like structure (22), and a second plate like structure (24), with the second plate like structure (24) projecting from the first plate like structure (22), wherein both the second plate like structure (24) and the first plate like structure (22) each comprise one or more layers of graphite (26).