Heat Sink Fin Protrusions for Uniform Airflow and Lower Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat sinks in cooling modules for electronic devices, such as laptop PCs, experience inefficiencies in thermal performance and increased noise due to varying wind speeds across the vertical airflow path, caused by airflow resistance and the positional relationship with the blower fan's impeller.
Innovation Solution
A heat sink design featuring a first and second plate-shaped portion with protrusions at the center of each fin, which stand upright and protrude into the airflow path, creating a uniform air flow velocity and reducing noise by managing air pressure differences, while increasing the heat transfer area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional plate-like fins are used without protrusions, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wind speed varies between center and upper/lower ends causing increased noise and reduced cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding protrusions specifically at the center portion of the fins, rather than uniformly modifying the entire fin structure. This localized modification addresses the wind speed variation problem at the center region where it most affects noise and cooling efficiency, while keeping the rest of the fin structure simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are designed in advance during the fin manufacturing process to preemptively address wind speed variation. By incorporating these protrusions before the heat sink is assembled into the cooling module, the design prevents noise and cooling efficiency issues from arising in the first place, rather than attempting to correct them afterward.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protrusions are added to the fins to uniform wind speed and reduce noise, then cooling efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are localized to specific portions of the fins (the center region) rather than requiring modification of the entire fin structure. This localized approach minimizes the additional manufacturing complexity while achieving the noise reduction and cooling efficiency improvements where they are most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by adding protrusions to only certain portions of the fins (specifically the center region) rather than modifying all fins uniformly. This partial modification is sufficient to address the wind speed variation problem and achieve the desired noise reduction and cooling efficiency improvements without requiring excessive manufacturing complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If uniform wind speed is achieved through protrusions, then noise is reduced, but the fin structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are applied locally to the center region of the fins rather than uniformly across the entire fin structure. This localized complexity is sufficient to achieve uniform wind speed and reduce noise, while minimizing the overall structural complexity of the heat sink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by implementing protrusions on only certain portions of the fins (the center region) rather than modifying the entire fin structure. This partial modification achieves the noise reduction goal without requiring excessive structural complexity throughout the entire heat sink.
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 enhances cooling efficiency and system performance by maintaining consistent air flow speed and reducing noise, as demonstrated by lower CPU, GPU, and chassis surface temperatures compared to traditional heat sinks under the same noise conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the wind speed differs between a center and the upper and lower ends in the upright direction of the fins due to the airflow resistance
Implementation Method 2
air from a blower fan flows through the gaps between these fins to dissipate the heat received from the heat transport device
Data Source
AI summary
A heat sink faces an exhaust port of a blower fan in use, and includes: a first plate-shaped portion; a second plate-shaped portion disposed in parallel with the first plate-shaped portion having a gap therebetween; a plurality of fins that stand up between the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion and are disposed side by side with a gap therebetween to define an air flow path between the fins, through which air flows from the exhaust port; and a protrusion that is disposed at a part of each fin including a center of the upright height, and protrudes into the air flow path.