Heat Sink With Internal Heat Pipe and Sealing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat sinks with exposed heat pipes are prone to corrosion when used outdoors due to moisture exposure, and they have limited thermal connectivity and arrangement flexibility, especially when the materials of the heat pipe and base portion differ.
Innovation Solution
A heat sink design where the heat pipe is placed within an internal space of the base portion, sealed by a metal sealing member with resin interposed between the heat pipe and the sealing member, allowing for improved thermal connectivity and corrosion resistance without the need for solder joining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat pipe is provided on the front surface of the base portion, then the thermal connectivity between the base portion and the heat pipe is improved, but the heat pipe is exposed to moisture and corrosion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is nested within an internal space formed in the base portion, specifically within a recessed region. This nesting arrangement protects the heat pipe from direct exposure to moisture and corrosive environments while maintaining close thermal contact with the base portion through the internal space configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the heat pipe and the external environment. The sealing member fills the internal space and contacts the heat pipe, providing both sealing against moisture intrusion and thermal conduction path, thus mediating between the need for corrosion protection and thermal connectivity.
2Reliability
If the heat pipe is joined to the groove by pressure welding, then the thermal connectivity is improved, but the arrangement flexibility of the heat pipe is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion is segmented into different functional regions: a front surface region for heat-generating element mounting, an internal space for heat pipe placement, and a rear surface for radiating fins. This segmentation allows the heat pipe to be positioned independently within the internal space without being constrained by groove formations on the front surface, thereby improving arrangement flexibility while maintaining thermal connectivity.
3Reliability
If depressions and protrusions are formed on the front surface of the base portion, then the contact property with the substrate is improved, but the arrangement of the heat pipe is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe arrangement freedom is recovered by moving the heat pipe placement to a different dimensional space - specifically, within the internal space/recessed region of the base portion rather than on the front surface. This dimensional relocation allows the front surface to be freely shaped with depressions and protrusions for improved substrate contact, while the heat pipe maintains its position and thermal connection through the internal space configuration.
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 design effectively prevents corrosion, enhances thermal connectivity, and increases the degree of freedom in heat pipe arrangement, while maintaining effective heat transfer to radiating fins.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pipe is being provided in the base portion of the heat sink along the planar direction of the base portion, and heat from the heat-generating elements is being transported to a region of the base portion in which the radiating fins are provided
Implementation Method 2
the heat pipe is exposed from the base portion, and corrosion occurs in a part in which a container of the heat pipe and the base portion contact each other due to moisture such as rainwater and humidity
Implementation Method 3
a sealing member that is provided in the internal space of the base portion so as to face an end portion of the heat pipe in a longitudinal direction and seals the internal space of the base portion
Data Source
AI summary
A heat sink including: a base portion to which a heat-generating element is thermally connected; a radiating fin provided on a front surface of the base portion; a heat pipe that is provided in an internal space of the base portion and stretches in a planar direction of the base portion; and a sealing member that is provided in the internal space of the base portion so as to face an end portion of the heat pipe in a longitudinal direction and seals the internal space of the base portion.