Passive Cooling Module Triangular Heat Sink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat sinks do not allow for the formation of a mechanical structure that can carry and cool heat-generating elements simultaneously, limiting their ability to efficiently dissipate heat from electronic components.

Innovation Solution

A passive cooling module with a triangular shape, featuring a base plate with heat sink elements extending perpendicular and enclosed by a metal plate, utilizing a heat spreading element with a vacuum-sealed chamber filled with water absorbed by a copper-mesh wick, and thermally conductive materials like aluminium, to efficiently transfer heat to a surrounding fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional heat sinks are used to cool heat generating elements, then heat dissipation is achieved, but a mechanical carrying structure cannot be formed simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to form mechanical carrying structureVSAvoidstructural integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heat sink function with the mechanical carrying structure into a single integrated component. The heat sink is formed as an integral part of the carrier structure, allowing it to simultaneously support heat-generating elements and dissipate heat, thereby eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it mechanically supports the heat-generating elements while also serving as a heat dissipation device. This multi-functional design allows the same structure to fulfill both structural and thermal management roles, improving adaptability without significantly increasing complexity.

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

2Productivity

If heat sink surface area is maximized to improve cooling performance, then heat dissipation efficiency increases, but the structural adaptability for assembly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidassembly adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink is divided into multiple individual fins or cooling elements that are arranged in a structured pattern. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to heat dissipation while the overall modular structure maintains adaptability for assembly and integration with different heat-generating elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat sink structure features varying local geometries where specific regions have optimized surface areas and fin configurations tailored to local heat generation patterns. This allows maximum cooling efficiency at critical hot spots while maintaining overall structural adaptability for assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the creation of a mechanical structure that can carry and efficiently cool heat-generating elements, effectively managing heat dissipation across multiple modules to form adaptable cooling structures for electronic components, enhancing operational longevity and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

water absorbed by a copper-mesh wick

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

heat spreading element with a vacuum-sealed chamber filled with water absorbed by a copper-mesh wick

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

heat sink elements are connected to said base plate to transfer heat from said base plate to a surrounding fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

transfer heat from said base plate to a surrounding fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3113221B1Passive cooling module
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3113221B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3113221B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3113221B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A passive cooling module (1) having a shape adapted to be assembled with one or more passive cooling modules having a matching shape to form a cooling structure, said passive cooling module (1) comprising a base plate (2) to receive heat from at least one heat generating element (3) attached to said base plate (2), wherein heat sink elements (4) are connected to said base plate (2) to transfer heat from said base plate (2) to a surrounding fluid.