Interdigitated Heat Sink Cooling Dual Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat sink designs are inadequate for efficiently cooling two distinct heat sources located in close proximity within a common enclosure, as they often rely on inefficient thermal transfer and lack optimal fin configurations to manage heat dissipation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compact heat sink assembly featuring interdigitated banks of horizontal and vertical cooling fins, arranged within a housing with inlet and outlet means for air flow, to facilitate rapid thermal energy transfer from both heat sources using a cooling fan, ensuring effective heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single type of fin configuration is used in existing heat sink designs, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heat dissipation efficiency for multiple distinct heat sources in close proximity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is divided into multiple distinct heat sink portions, each with fins configured in different orientations (horizontal, vertical, angled). Each portion is specifically designed to cool a particular heat source, allowing optimized thermal contact and air flow paths for each heat generating component while maintaining manufacturability through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heat sink are given different fin configurations tailored to local requirements. For example, heat sources with different geometries or thermal loads receive customized fin orientations and densities, ensuring optimal heat dissipation performance at each location rather than using a uniform design throughout
2Volume of moving object
If heat sink assembly is made compact to fit within common enclosure, then the device size is reduced, but the air flow management and thermal contact efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by incorporating fins extending in multiple directions (horizontal, vertical, and angled orientations) from each heat sink portion. This multi-directional fin arrangement maximizes the heat dissipation surface area within the compact enclosure volume, ensuring adequate thermal contact and air flow paths without increasing the overall device footprint
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat sources are cooled simultaneously within close proximity, then the heat dissipation coverage is improved, but the air flow management complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heat sink portions are integrated into a single unified heat sink assembly that simultaneously cools multiple heat sources. The different fin configurations are merged into one structure with common mounting and air flow pathways, providing comprehensive heat dissipation coverage for all heat generating components while avoiding the need for separate, independently managed cooling systems
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 interdigitated fin configuration allows for balanced air flow and enhanced heat transfer, effectively cooling both heat sources, maintaining them at safe operating temperatures while accommodating complex geometries and diverse heat source configurations.
Implementation Method 1
Heat sinks function by efficiently transferring thermal energy ('heat') from an object at a relatively high temperature to a second object at a lower temperature with a much greater heat capacity. This rapid transfer of thermal energy quickly brings the first object into thermal equilibrium with the second, lowering the temperature of the first object
Implementation Method 2
The most common design of a heat sink is a metal device with many fins, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 7,447,020 to Xia et al. The high thermal conductivity of the metal combined with its large surface area due to the fins result in the rapid transfer of thermal energy to the surrounding cooler air
Data Source
AI summary
A heat sink assembly including a first heat sink sub-assembly in thermal contact with a first heat source and including spaced apart columns of spaced horizontal fins extending outwardly from the first heat source, and a second heat sink sub-assembly in thermal contact with a second heat source and including spaced apart rows of space vertical fins extending outwardly from the second heat source, wherein the spaced apart columns of spaced horizontal and the spaced apart rows of spaced vertical fins are arranged in an interdigitated manner.