Heat-Dissipating Assembly With Molded Plastic Combining Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current heat-dissipating assemblies face challenges with increased production costs, longer working hours, larger weight, and low yield due to complex welding processes and inefficiencies in combining different heat-dissipating elements, particularly with heat pipes, which result in thermal resistance and indirect heat conduction.

Innovation Solution

A heat-dissipating assembly comprising a base with an accommodating trough and through-holes, combined with a non-metallic combining unit that securely encases heat pipes, allowing direct heat conduction and reducing assembly complexity through a method involving a mold and molten plastic material for firm bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welding process is used to combine heat-dissipating elements, then the elements are firmly combined, but the manufacturing process becomes more complicated and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombination strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/chemical system) with a mechanical insertion system. Heat pipes are inserted into accommodating troughs and fixed by combining units with fixing elements, eliminating the need for welding operations while achieving firm combination through mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces accommodating troughs and combining units as intermediary structures. These troughs receive and position the heat pipes, while combining units provide fixing elements that secure the heat pipes without direct welding, serving as mediators between the heat-dissipating elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If welding process is used to combine heat-dissipating elements, then the elements are firmly combined, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombination strengthVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive combining units and fixing elements (screws, clips, or adhesive structures) instead of expensive welding operations. These combining units can be mass-produced at low cost and provide sufficient fixing strength without the high equipment and operational costs of welding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If heat pipe is disposed through hole or groove of heat-dissipating base, then heat pipe can be combined with base, but heat conduction efficiency is insufficient due to gaps and indirect conduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidheat conduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different structural qualities to different regions: the accommodating trough provides a precise fitted space for the heat pipe, while the combining unit provides localized fixing pressure. This ensures intimate thermal contact at the heat pipe-base interface while maintaining ease of assembly through the modular combining unit design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If screws are used to fix heat-dissipating elements, then assembly can be simplified, but only some elements can be fixed and heat pipes cannot be directly fixed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidelement fixation versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal combining unit that can accommodate and fix different types of heat-dissipating elements including heat pipes, heat sinks, and heat-dissipating bases. The accommodating trough design and fixing mechanism are versatile enough to handle various element geometries and materials, making the assembly process unified rather than element-specific.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enhances assembly efficiency, reduces production costs, decreases working hours, and improves heat conduction efficiency by directly integrating heat pipes with the base and combining unit, resulting in a lighter and more effective heat-dissipating structure.

Implementation Method 1

pouring a molten plastic material in one side of the combining unit having at least one penetration hole by a machining step; and firmly combining the heat pipe, the base and the combining unit when the molten plastic material is cooled and harden

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling and hardening of molten plastic material: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS9054076B2Heat-dissipating assembly and method for manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a heat-dissipating assembly and a method for manufacturing the same. The heat-dissipating assembly includes a base, at least one heat pipe, and a combining unit. The base is provided with an accommodating trough and at least one through-hole. The accommodating trough has at least one receiving hole penetrating the base. One end of the heat pipe is disposed through the through-hole on one side of the base into the receiving hole. The combining unit covers the accommodating trough and one end of the heat pipe. By this arrangement, the efficiency in assembly is increased and the working hours are decreased. Further, the production cost is reduced.