Interleaved PFC Heat Sink for Switching Regulator Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interleaved PFC circuits in switching regulators face challenges in size reduction and heat dissipation, leading to increased temperature and noise interference, as the close mounting of components compromises heat dissipation and creates dead spaces on the circuit board.

Innovation Solution

A switching regulator design featuring a heat sink with multiple dissipation portions and strategically placed openings to optimize component mounting and heat dissipation, allowing for efficient use of circuit board space while shielding radiation noise from inductors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If components are mounted closely to reduce size, then circuit board space is reduced, but heat dissipation is compromised and temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit board spaceVSAvoidcomponent temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink utilizes three-dimensional space by extending vertically from the circuit board with multiple heat dissipation portions at different heights and positions. The first heat dissipation portion extends in a first direction, the second in a second direction, and the third in a third direction, creating a multi-dimensional heat dissipation structure that occupies vertical and lateral space efficiently while maintaining close component mounting on the circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat sink is divided into multiple separate heat dissipation portions (first, second, and third portions) that can be positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation allows each portion to serve specific components while collectively providing comprehensive heat dissipation across the circuit board, enabling close component placement without thermal interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If heat sink area is increased to improve heat dissipation, then component mounting area is reduced, but component placement flexibility is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcircuit board mounting area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink transitions from a two-dimensional planar structure to a three-dimensional structure with portions extending in multiple directions (first, second, and third directions). This vertical and multi-directional extension provides large heat dissipation surface area without occupying excessive circuit board mounting area, as the heat dissipation surfaces extend upward and laterally rather than spreading across the board plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Different heat dissipation portions are strategically positioned to serve specific components: the first heat dissipation portion serves certain components, the second serves others, and the third fills gaps between components. This localized heat dissipation approach maximizes heat dissipation efficiency while minimizing interference with component mounting areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If components are placed closer to reduce noise interference, then heat dissipation performance deteriorates, but radiation noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation noise interferenceVSAvoidheat dissipation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink acts as an intermediary structure between components that generates radiation noise and other circuit components. By positioning heat dissipation portions between components, the heat sink serves as a physical barrier that shields against radiation noise while simultaneously providing heat dissipation pathways, thus addressing both noise and thermal issues concurrently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively utilizes circuit board space for component mounting without compromising heat dissipation, reduces radiation noise, and allows for closer component placement, thereby improving reliability and reducing the risk of temperature breakdown.

Implementation Method 1

a heat sink having a first heat dissipation portion and a second heat dissipation portion, each in a rectangular shape, facing each other along a prescribed length at a prescribed distance from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Heat sink 1 is comprised of a circuit component installation portion 3 and a fin 2... Heat sink 1 is mounted with a surface of fin 2 on circuit board 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2587651B1Switching regulator and power supply device including the same
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 SHARP KK
  • EP2587651B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2587651B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2587651B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A heat sink (11) comprised of a first heat dissipation portion (11a), a second heat dissipation portion (11b), and a third heat dissipation portion (11c) is mounted on a circuit board (14). Two sets of an inductor (L1, L2) that constitute an interleaved power factor correction circuit are arranged in a spatial region formed in the inside of the heat sink and are mounted on the circuit board. Two sets of a transistor (Tr1, Tr2) and a diode (D1, D2) that constitute the interleaved power factor correction circuit are attached to an outer surface of the first heat dissipation portion and are mounted on the circuit board.