Movable Heat Transfer Pipe for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices with heat-generating components face challenges in dissipating heat effectively without overheating, while maintaining safe and comfortable surface temperatures for users, as traditional heat-transfer systems often require active cooling or reduce component performance.
Innovation Solution
A movable heat-transfer device comprising a heat spreader and a heat-transfer mechanism that moves between configurations to balance cooling of heat-generating components and maintaining safe surface temperatures, using a rotatable and extendable heat pipe mechanism that thermally couples with the housing only when necessary, allowing for efficient heat dissipation without constant power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional heat-transfer systems are used, then heat dissipation is achieved, but active cooling is required or component performance must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-transfer device transitions from a static design to a dynamic system where the heat spreader can move between engaged and disengaged positions. The movable heat spreader automatically adjusts its position based on thermal conditions, engaging when heat dissipation is needed and disengaging when safe surface temperatures are maintained, eliminating the need for continuous active cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-transfer system utilizes passive thermal mechanisms including phase-change heat pipes and thermally actuated movable components that automatically respond to temperature gradients. The system self-regulates heat transfer based on thermal conditions without requiring external power input or active control systems.
2Temperature
If heat-transfer capacity is increased, then cooling effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable heat spreader serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal interface when engaged for heat dissipation, provides a protective barrier when disengaged, and can be positioned to optimize heat distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the heat spreader to optimize heat transfer. By moving the heat spreader between different positions (engaged and disengaged), the system adjusts thermal contact area and heat dissipation rate without adding complex control mechanisms or multiple heat-transfer paths.
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 effectively cools heat-generating components, maintains safe surface temperatures, and allows for increased performance of heat-generating components like chipsets and processors by providing additional heat transfer capacity without the need for active cooling, suitable for low-power devices.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-transfer pipe pivotally coupled to a heat-generating component and the heat spreader, the heat-transfer pipe operable to transfer heat from the heat-generating component to the heat spreader
Implementation Method 2
The heat-transfer pipe is a first heat-transfer pipe and includes a fluid configured to transfer heat based on a phase change between a liquid state and a gaseous state
Implementation Method 3
a heat spreader operable to transfer heat to a portion of a housing
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a housing, a heat-generating component, a heat spreader, and a heat-transfer pipe. The housing forms a cavity in which the heat-generating component is located. The heat spreader is operable to distribute heat over a portion of the housing. The heat-transfer pipe is pivotally coupled to the heat-generating component and the heat spreader. The heat-transfer pipe operable to transfer heat from the heat-generating component to the heat spreader. The heat-transfer pipe and the heat spreader are movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, a gap separates the heat spreader and the portion of the housing based on the heat-transfer pipe being at a first orientation. In the second configuration, the heat spreader closes the gap and is thermally coupled to the portion of the housing based on the heat-transfer pipe being at a second orientation.