PCB Cooling Device with Integrated Heat Conduction Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for printed circuit board components often require increased installation effort and may not adequately meet demanding thermal requirements, as they fail to separate effectively the mountability and cooling capacity requirements.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device with a plastic heat-conducting element socket that positions heat-conducting elements relative to the printed circuit board, utilizing a flexible and vibration-damping circuit board heat conduction layer, and a metal housing with rib structures for enhanced heat dissipation, along with connecting elements for secure mechanical attachment, allowing for automated assembly and easy disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional heat sinks with rib structures are used for cooling printed circuit board components, then cooling capacity is improved, but installation effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling function directly into the printed circuit board by integrating a heat-conducting layer into the board structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate heat sink components and their associated installation efforts, while maintaining effective heat dissipation from electronic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The printed circuit board serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connections, mechanical support, and thermal management. By incorporating the heat-conducting layer into the board, the board becomes a multi-functional component that handles both signal transmission and heat dissipation, reducing the need for additional cooling components.

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

2Temperature

If components are connected to heat sinks using clamps or screws, then cooling capacity is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged into the circuit board structure through an integrated heat-conducting layer, eliminating the need for separate heat sinks and their associated mounting hardware. This integration simplifies the overall device structure and reduces installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heat-conducting function from separate cooling components and integrates it directly into the circuit board. This extraction and integration approach eliminates the need for complex assembly operations involving clamps, screws, or other mounting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If additional insulation and mounting components are used for heat sink integration, then cooling capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-conducting layer is merged into the circuit board manufacturing process itself, allowing thermal management to be produced as an integrated feature rather than a separate assembly. This integration eliminates the need for additional insulation components and mounting hardware, reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-conducting layer is incorporated into the circuit board during the initial manufacturing process, before final assembly. This preliminary integration of the cooling function allows for more efficient production and eliminates the need for subsequent assembly steps involving additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 addresses demanding thermal and electrical requirements, ensuring reliable heat transfer and efficient cooling while simplifying the installation process and accommodating assembly tolerances, with the ability to be manufactured automatically and removed without residue.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one heat conductor (8) contributes to effective cooling by the cooling device (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

plastic heat-conducting element socket (7) which positions the heat-conducting element (8) in relation to the printed circuit board (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The circuit board heat conduction layer ensures good heat transfer between the heat conducting element and the component to be cooled mounted on the circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

The printed circuit board heat conduction layer can be designed to be flexible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 5

The printed circuit board heat conduction layer can be designed to be vibration-damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 6

a metal housing with rib structures for enhanced heat dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentEP3621422B1Cooling device for at least one component mounted on a printed circuit board
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 DURKOPP ADLER GMBH
  • EP3621422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3621422B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3621422B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A cooling device for at least one component mounted on a circuit board has at least one thermal conductivity element and a plastic thermal conductivity element socket (6) with at least one thermal conductivity element receptacle (7). An electrically insulating circuit board thermal conductivity layer (9) covers the thermal conductivity element socket (6) on the circuit board side when the cooling device is mounted and is in direct thermal contact with the thermal conductivity element. This results in a cooling device that can meet even demanding thermal requirements for the components to be cooled.