Neutral Conductor Heat Sink for Electronic Break Thermal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cut-off protection devices with heat sinks face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat without modifying the housing material or complicating the phase current line, and they often require tedious assembly operations.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an electronic cut-off protection device with a neutral conductive portion that forms part of the neutral current line and serves as a heat sink, electrically connected between the neutral connection terminals and thermally interfaced with the electronic cut-off unit to dissipate heat by thermal conduction, while being electrically isolated from the electronic cut-off unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the rear side face of the housing is made of metallic material with heat sink fins to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the housing material complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidhousing material complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a neutral conductive portion as an intermediary heat dissipation path. This component serves dual purposes: it forms part of the neutral current line (electrical function) and acts as a heat sink (thermal function). The neutral conductive portion is thermally coupled to the electronic cut-off unit while being electrically isolated, allowing heat to be conducted away from the power transistors without requiring the housing itself to be metallic or complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If conductive plates are used to dissipate heat from phase switches through the phase current line, then heat dissipation is improved, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the neutral conductive portion multi-functional by combining electrical and thermal functions in a single component. It serves as both a current-carrying conductor (neutral line) and a heat dissipation path. This eliminates the need for separate conductive plates in the phase current line, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining effective heat dissipation from the electronic cut-off unit.

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

3Temperature

If the neutral conductive portion is thermally coupled to the electronic cut-off unit, then heat dissipation by thermal conduction is improved, but electrical isolation must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation by thermal conductionVSAvoidelectrical isolation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the thermal and electrical pathways by introducing an insulating barrier between the neutral conductive portion and the electronic cut-off unit. The insulating barrier has high thermal conductivity perpendicular to its surface, allowing heat to pass through while blocking electrical current. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of thermal coupling and electrical isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Temperature

If the neutral conductive portion uses an insulating barrier with high thermal conductivity, then heat dissipation through the barrier is improved, but the selection of suitable materials becomes more constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation through insulating barrierVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal parameter (conductivity) of the insulating barrier material to achieve the desired heat dissipation. By selecting materials with specifically high thermal conductivity perpendicular to the surface (such as certain ceramics or metal matrix composites), the system achieves effective heat transfer while maintaining electrical isolation. This parameter change approach allows for optimized thermal performance within the constraints of electrical insulation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration allows for efficient heat dissipation from the electronic power cut-off components without altering the housing material or phase current line, simplifying assembly and improving thermal management.

Implementation Method 1

the neutral conductive portion being on the one hand arranged relative to said electronic cut-off unit so as to dissipate the heat coming from said at least one electronic power cut-off component associated with said phase current line at least by thermal conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4564671A1Electronic break protection apparatus with heat sink
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 HAGER NEXT
  • EP4564671A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4564671A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4564671A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic cut-off protection device comprising: a housing (1), a phase current line (P), a neutral current line (N) between a first neutral connection terminal (4) and a second neutral connection terminal (5), an electronic cut-off unit (8) comprising an electronic power cut-off component (9) arranged on said phase current line (P), an electronic protection trip unit, a heat sink (10) made of electrically conductive material, characterized in that it comprises: - a neutral conductive portion (11) forming on the one hand a first part of the neutral current line (N) and on the other hand a heat sink (10) and being electrically connected between the first neutral connection terminal (4) and the second neutral connection terminal (5),- the neutral conductive portion (11) being on the one hand arranged relative to said electronic cut-off unit (8) so as to dissipate the heat coming from said electronic power cut-off component (9) associated with said phase current line (P) at least by thermal conduction and being on the other hand electrically isolated from said electronic cut-off unit (8).,