Graphite Thermal Conduit Spring for Rotating Hinge Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face challenges with thermal management due to limited space for active cooling, leading to excessive heat buildup and reduced performance, especially in low profile configurations where passive cooling is insufficient for high power dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize thermal conduits and vapor chambers to transfer heat between rotationally coupled housing portions, dynamically controlling thermal energy dissipation by managing pressure within vapor chambers and using graphite thermal spreaders to efficiently reject heat from the system, thereby maintaining component temperatures within safe limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If passive cooling is used in low profile configurations, then the system maintains a thin and light weight design, but thermal management becomes insufficient for high power dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible graphite thermal spreader is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat-generating processor and the heat sink. The graphite material conducts heat laterally across its surface, distributing concentrated heat from the processor die over a larger area of the heat sink, thereby improving thermal management without requiring active cooling fans or increasing system weight
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal conduction parameter by using graphite material with high in-plane thermal conductivity. This material property allows efficient heat lateral spreading within the constrained thickness of the low-profile system, enabling passive cooling to handle higher power dissipation than conventional materials could achieve
2Temperature
If active cooling systems are added to improve thermal management, then heat dissipation capability increases, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible graphite thermal spreader serves as a passive intermediary that enhances heat transfer from the processor to the heat sink without requiring active cooling components. By laterally conducting heat across its flexible surface, it improves thermal management through passive conduction alone, avoiding the complexity of fans, pumps, or controlled thermal modules
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces potential active mechanical cooling systems (fans, pumps) with a passive thermal conduction solution using graphite. The high thermal conductivity of graphite naturally drives heat flow from hot to cold regions without requiring mechanical agitation or external power, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective heat dissipation
3Temperature
If a rigid thermal spreader is used, then thermal conduction efficiency is maintained, but the system cannot accommodate rotationally coupled housing portions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible graphite thermal spreader that can bend and conform to different housing configurations. This flexibility allows the thermal spreader to maintain effective thermal contact whether the housing portions are fixed or rotationally coupled, enabling the system to adapt between closed and open positions while preserving thermal conduction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible graphite spreader introduces dynamic adaptability to the thermal management system. It can adjust its shape and position dynamically as the housing portions rotate relative to each other, maintaining optimal thermal contact and conduction pathways throughout the range of motion, thereby accommodating versatile housing configurations
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
Enhances passive thermal transfer and cooling efficiency, allowing for higher power dissipation without overheating, and dynamically manages temperatures across the system to maintain performance and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
managing pressure within vapor chambers to efficiently reject heat from the system
Implementation Method 2
using graphite thermal spreaders to efficiently reject heat from the system
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system transfers thermal energy associated with operation of processing components in a main housing portion through a graphite torsion spring formed from a graphite sheet by cutting arms to extend out of opposing corners of a central portion and rolling the central portion about a central axis. The graphite torsion spring passes thermal energy between the housing portions with the spring releasing tension as the housing portions rotate from a closed to an open position and the central axis disposed about a hinge pin that couples the housing portions to each other.