Integrated Cooling Element With Base Plates For Electronic Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for electronic components are complex and costly due to the need for multiple fluid-cooled elements and numerous pipes, which increases production and assembly complexity and risks leakage.

Innovation Solution

A cooling element with multiple base plates attached to pipes providing parallel fluid paths allows for efficient heat transfer to multiple electronic components, eliminating the need for separate cooling elements and reducing the risk of heat transfer between components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If separate cooling elements with individual pipes are used for each electronic component, then each component can be cooled efficiently, but the device complexity and number of pipe joints increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of pipes and pipe joints
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate cooling elements into a single integrated cooling element. Multiple electronic components are mounted on different base plates that are thermally coupled to a common heat sink structure. This consolidation reduces the number of independent cooling systems and pipe connections while maintaining effective heat removal from all components through the shared cooling element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling element is designed as a universal structure that can simultaneously cool multiple different electronic components. The heat sink serves as a common thermal management solution for various components mounted on different base plates, eliminating the need for component-specific cooling elements and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If multiple separate cooling elements are used, then each component receives dedicated cooling, but the production and assembly cost increases due to cumbersome assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidproduction and assembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple cooling functions into a single manufacturing unit, the patent simplifies production processes. The integrated cooling element can be manufactured as one piece or pre-assembled module, reducing the number of assembly steps required compared to installing multiple separate cooling elements and their associated piping for each electronic component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal cooling element design allows for standardized manufacturing processes that can serve multiple components simultaneously. This multi-functional approach reduces production complexity and assembly costs by eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble separate cooling systems for each electronic component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If numerous pipe joints are used to connect cooling elements, then fluid can reach all components, but the risk of leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid distribution coverageVSAvoidleakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces the number of pipe joints by merging multiple cooling circuits into a single integrated system. Fewer connections between cooling elements mean fewer potential leakage points, thereby improving system reliability while still providing fluid distribution to all necessary locations through the consolidated cooling element and its internal fluid passages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution simplifies production and assembly, reduces the risk of leakage, and ensures efficient cooling for multiple electronic components while maintaining a reliable and cost-effective cooling system.

Implementation Method 1

The heat generated by the electronic components can therefore be transferred to the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2354744B1Cooling element
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 ABB TECH OY
  • EP2354744B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2354744B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2354744B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling element (13) for an electronic apparatus, said element comprising: an inlet (3) for receiving fluid, an outlet (4) for forwarding fluid from said cooling element (13), a plurality of pipes (1) providing parallel fluid paths for passing said fluid from said inlet (3) to said outlet (4). In order to obtain a simple and efficient cooling element a plurality of base plates (11, 12, 14) for receiving electronic components (15, 16, 17) are attached to said plurality of pipes (1) for conducting heat generated by said electronic components (15, 16, 17) to said fluid in said pipes (1).