Direct-Contact Heat Pipe Clip Plate for Secure Thermal Mounting

Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in efficiently managing heat generated during processing, which can affect the performance and reliability of components such as processors and storage devices.

Innovation Solution

A direct contact heat pipe apparatus is designed, comprising a heat pipe with specific geometric configurations and a clip plate that couples to a base plate, allowing for effective heat transfer and management within an information handling system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heat pipe is used for heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the complexity of mounting and securing the heat pipe increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmounting structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is divided into separate functional components: a base plate with mounting holes for securing the heat pipe, and a clip plate with a clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mounting process while maintaining secure attachment of the heat pipe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clip plate acts as an intermediary component between the base plate and the heat pipe. It provides a simple clamping action that secures the heat pipe without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, thus reducing mounting complexity while ensuring proper thermal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the heat pipe structure is made more secure, then reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat pipe securing reliabilityVSAvoidmounting structure manufacturability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is divided into separate functional components: a base plate with mounting holes for securing the heat pipe, and a clip plate with a clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mounting process while maintaining secure attachment of the heat pipe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clip plate incorporates a self-adjusting clamping mechanism that automatically secures the heat pipe in place through elastic deformation or spring action. This self-service feature ensures reliable mounting without requiring precise manual adjustment or complex fastening procedures, thereby improving both reliability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If the clip plate structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the precision of heat pipe positioning decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip plate manufacturabilityVSAvoidheat pipe positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clip plate acts as an intermediary component between the base plate and the heat pipe. It provides a simple clamping action that secures the heat pipe without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, thus reducing mounting complexity while ensuring proper thermal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The design replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simpler elastic or spring-based clamping mechanism. The clip plate uses material elasticity to provide both the clamping force for secure mounting and the positioning function, eliminating the need for precision-machined定位 features while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables efficient heat transfer and temperature control within the system, enhancing the performance and reliability of components by effectively managing heat generated during processing.

Implementation Method 1

A direct contact heat pipe apparatus is designed, comprising a heat pipe with specific geometric configurations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pipe: Heat Pipe

Data Source

PatentUS11991859B2Apparatus for direct contact heat pipe

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An apparatus may include a heat pipe with a first portion residing in a first plane, a second portion residing in the first plane and a third portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion, the third portion residing in a second plane spaced-apart from the first plane. The apparatus further includes a base plate including an opening and a clip plate having a first region, a second region and a third region positioned between the first and the second regions. The third portion of the heat pipe is positioned within the opening, and the clip plate is coupled to the base plate such that i) the third region of the clip plate is in superimposition with the third portion of the heat pipe and ii) third region of the clip plate resides in the first plane.