IHS Housing Thermal Window Using Composite Metal Plastic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable Information Handling Systems (IHSs) face issues with heat dissipation, leading to increased surface temperatures that can be uncomfortable or dangerous to touch, as existing metal housings with high thermal conductivity limit maximum operating temperatures and require component throttling to prevent overheating.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a housing with a combination of metal and plastic components, where the plastic portion provides thermal insulation at hot spots and heat sources, and is co-extensive with heat pipes or heat sinks, allowing for the creation of thermal windows that equalize temperature distribution across the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a metal housing with high thermal conductivity is used, then heat dissipation is improved, but the housing surface temperature becomes too high to touch comfortably
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with non-uniform thermal properties: metal portions provide high thermal conductivity in areas needing heat dissipation, while plastic portions provide thermal insulation in areas where low surface temperature is desired. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous heat dissipation and comfortable surface temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing combines metal and plastic materials in a composite structure. The metal portions (e.g., aluminum or magnesium) provide thermal conduction pathways, while the plastic portions (e.g., polymer blends) provide thermal insulation. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by utilizing the complementary thermal properties of different materials in specific locations.
2Temperature
If the housing is made entirely of metal to improve heat dissipation, then thermal management is improved, but the maximum operating temperature is limited and component throttling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The housing provides different thermal characteristics in different regions: metal areas with high thermal conductivity facilitate heat dissipation from hot spots, while plastic areas with low thermal conductivity maintain lower surface temperatures. This spatial variation in thermal properties allows the system to operate at higher temperatures without component throttling.
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 solution reduces skin temperatures by 4° C or more and increases thermal design power, enabling IHSs to operate cooler at higher thermal demands, while facilitating the design of thinner and more efficient housings.
Implementation Method 1
the plastic portion provides thermal insulation at hot spots and heat sources
Implementation Method 2
existing metal housings with high thermal conductivity limit maximum operating temperatures
Implementation Method 3
creating thermal windows that equalize temperature distribution across the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods for providing a thermal window for an Information Handling System (IHS) housing are described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include a plurality of components and a housing configured to hold the plurality of components, where the housing includes a plate having a metal portion and a plastic portion, and where the plastic portion is positioned adjacent a hot spot of the IHS.