Heat Radiating Component with Protruding Carbon Nanotubes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat radiating components, such as heat spreaders and heat pipes, face challenges in improving heat radiation efficiency due to issues like carbon nanofibers or nanotubes falling off during processing, incomplete exposure of carbon materials on the surface, and difficulties in forming hydrophilic metal plating layers, which hinder effective heat transfer and adhesion.

Innovation Solution

A heat radiating component design featuring a base with a first plating layer of metal and carbon nanotubes, where the carbon nanotubes protrude from the surface, covered by a catalyst layer and a second plating layer that prevents them from falling off, enhancing heat radiation efficiency without fully filling the spaces between the protruding parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carbon nanofibers are dispersed in plating solution to improve heat radiation efficiency, then heat radiation efficiency is improved, but carbon nanofibers fall off during ultrasonic vibration process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat radiation efficiencyVSAvoidcarbon nanofiber retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing surface treatment on the metal plate before plating to create a roughened surface with increased surface area. This pre-prepared surface structure provides better anchoring for carbon nanofibers during subsequent plating and ultrasonic vibration, preventing nanofiber loss while maintaining heat radiation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite plating layer combining metal matrix with carbon nanofibers dispersed within it. This composite structure allows the metal to provide mechanical strength and adhesion while carbon nanofibers contribute to heat radiation efficiency, resolving the contradiction between nanofiber retention and heat radiation performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If carbon nanofibers are completely removed by ultrasonic vibration to expose surface, then carbon nanofibers are exposed on surface, but heat radiation efficiency is reduced to one half

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface preparationVSAvoidheat radiation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using ultrasonic vibration to remove only excess or loosely attached carbon nanofibers from the surface, rather than completely removing all nanofibers. This partial removal achieves sufficient surface exposure for manufacturing while retaining enough nanofibers to maintain high heat radiation efficiency, avoiding the 50% efficiency loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Quantity of substance

If plating metal is removed by etching to increase exposed carbon nanofibers, then amount of exposed carbon nanofibers increases, but carbon nanofibers fall off during etching process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposed carbon nanofibersVSAvoidcarbon nanofiber loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing surface roughening treatment before plating and controlling the plating process to create a composite structure where carbon nanofibers are embedded in the metal matrix. This pre-established structure reduces carbon nanofiber loss during subsequent etching while still allowing sufficient exposure of nanofibers to increase heat radiation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 radiation efficiency by ensuring the protruding carbon nanotubes are effectively covered and secured, preventing reduction in efficiency and enhancing heat transfer, while maintaining the thermal conductivity of the metal components.

Implementation Method 1

a catalyst layer formed on the first plating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

a second plating layer formed on the first plating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroplating: Electroplating

Implementation Method 3

heat radiating component such as a heat spreader or a heat pipe is often attached to a semiconductor device to effectively release heat emitted by the semiconductor device into external space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

research is being conducted to improve the radiation performance (or heat radiation efficiency) of heat radiating components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9136200B2Heat radiating component and method of producing same

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 SHINKO ELECTRIC IND CO LTD

AI summary

A heat radiating component includes a base including a first metal, a first plating layer formed on the base and including a second metal and carbon material structures dispersed in the second metal, and a second plating layer formed on the first plating layer. The first plating layer includes protruding parts that are parts of the carbon material structures protruding from a surface of the second metal. The second plating layer is formed on the first plating layer to cover surfaces of the protruding parts and the surface of the second metal without filling spaces between the protruding parts.