Heat Sink Heat Pipe Contact Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat receiving structures in heat sinks face issues with high material and working costs due to complex block shapes, limited contact area leading to high heat resistance, and structural weakness, especially when subjected to ripping forces.

Innovation Solution

A heat receiving structure where a heat pipe is sandwiched by heat receiving members from both sides, with one side having a concave inner face matching the heat pipe's external shape and extended portions that cover the pipe, enhancing contact area and heat input from side faces, and allowing for cost-effective fixation without high-cost brazing or soldering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a block shape is adopted for the heat receiving member, then heat can be absorbed from all around the heat pipe, but material cost increases and working cost increases due to hole formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat absorption performanceVSAvoidmaterial cost and working cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat receiving member is divided into a plate-shaped base portion and multiple rib portions that extend from the base. This segmentation allows the ribs to contact the heat pipe from multiple directions while maintaining a simple plate-based structure that is easier and cheaper to manufacture than a solid block.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rib portions extend in multiple directions (radially and axially) from the base plate, creating a three-dimensional contact structure. This dimensional approach enables heat absorption from all around the heat pipe while using a lightweight plate-based structure instead of a solid block.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If heat pipes are inserted into holes in a block, then heat absorption performance is improved, but brazing and soldering material and heat conductive adhesive are squeezed out during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat absorption performanceVSAvoidmaterial squeezing out
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rib portions are designed with flexible thin-walled structures that can elastically deform during heat pipe insertion. This flexibility allows the ribs to bend and accommodate the heat pipe without squeezing out brazing or adhesive materials, while still providing effective heat contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If heat pipe contact area is reduced, then structure becomes simpler, but heat resistance increases and performance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat receiving member is segmented into multiple rib portions that contact different sections of the heat pipe. This segmentation increases the total contact area between the heat receiving member and heat pipe while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure based on a plate and ribs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If heat pipe is held only at one side, then structure becomes simpler, but strength decreases when ripping force is applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidresistance to ripping force
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rib portions are strategically positioned to contact and support the heat pipe at multiple locations along its length. This segmented support structure provides strength against ripping forces while maintaining structural simplicity compared to fully enclosing the heat pipe.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration improves heat performance, increases structural strength, reduces production costs, and shortens cutting work time, while allowing for the use of diverse materials and designs.

Implementation Method 1

heat obtained from the heat receiving face of the heat receiving member also can be inputted into the heat pipe from side faces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3088829B1Heat receiving structure and heat sink
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3088829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3088829B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3088829B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heat receiving structure and a heat sink that can ensure a sufficient contact area between a heat pipe and a heat receiving member, and are high in strength are provided. The heat receiving structure includes heat receiving blocks 7 and 8 that have concave inner faces 7A and 8A along an external shape 3A of a heat pipe 3, in which extended portions 11 and 12 at both sides that continue to the inner faces 7A and 8A extend inward in a radial direction of the heat pipe 3 while covering the heat pipe 3, and the heat pipe 3 is sandwiched by the heat receiving blocks 7 and 8 from both sides and joined.