Phase-Change Metal Heat Dissipation Assembly for Spill Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-efficiency electronic devices generate significant heat, which can lead to thermal breakdown or malfunction if not effectively dissipated, and traditional liquid metal heat dissipation methods can cause inefficiencies and short circuits due to flowability issues.

Innovation Solution

A heat dissipation structure assembly incorporating an elastic limiting member, a paste-type heat dissipation wall, a phase-change metal, and an assembling plate, where the phase-change metal changes state at a critical temperature to prevent flow and is contained by the assembly, ensuring efficient heat transfer and preventing leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If metal in liquid state is applied on the surface of the heat source to contact heat dissipation shell, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the metal may flow to other places causing short-circuit condition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidshort-circuit prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a solidifying film-forming substance that forms a solid film at lower temperatures to contain the liquid metal, preventing it from flowing to other places while maintaining thermal contact with the heat dissipation shell. This flexible containment approach resolves the contradiction between heat dissipation efficiency and short-circuit prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase change of the containing material - it exists in solid state at lower temperatures to prevent metal flow, and transitions to liquid state at higher temperatures to allow effective heat dissipation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the containment material's properties to different thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If device is carried at angles or shaken, then portability is improved, but liquid metal flows to other places causing inefficient heat dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The solidifying film-forming substance creates a flexible solid film that adheres to the heat source surface and contains the liquid metal within a confined region. This containment structure remains effective during device movement, carrying at angles, or shaking, preventing metal flow while maintaining heat dissipation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a substance that proactively prevents the harmful effect of metal flow before it occurs. The film-forming substance creates a containment barrier in advance, counteracting the potential flow caused by device movement, gravity, or shaking, thus maintaining heat dissipation efficiency during portable use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If phase-change metal is contained by assembly, then flowability is limited preventing short circuits, but heat dissipation efficiency may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort-circuit preventionVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different functional zones: the film-forming substance forms a solid containment film at the boundaries to prevent metal flow and short circuits, while the central region maintains liquid metal for efficient heat dissipation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliability and heat dissipation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The solidifying film-forming substance creates a thin solid film that confines the liquid metal without significantly impeding heat transfer. The film acts as a flexible containment barrier that prevents short circuits while allowing the liquid metal to maintain thermal contact with the heat dissipation shell for efficient heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 limits the flowability of phase-change metal, preventing it from spilling and causing short circuits, while maintaining efficient heat dissipation, even when the device is not in use or subjected to movement.

Implementation Method 1

When a temperature of the phase-change metal exceeds a critical temperature, a state of the phase-change metal is changed to a liquid state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the elasticity provided by the elastic limiting member, the flowable region of the phase-change metal is limited

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the heat generated by the heat source can be exported rapidly through heat conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4113247B1Heat dissipation structure assembly
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 MICRO STAR INTERNATIONAL CO LTD
  • EP4113247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4113247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4113247B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heat dissipation structure assembly (1) includes an elastic limiting member (10), a paste-type heat dissipation wall (20), a fitting member (30), a phase-change metal (40), and an assembling plate (50). The elastic limiting member (10) is adapted to be disposed at a periphery of a heat source (510). The paste-type heat dissipation wall (20) is adapted to be in contact with the periphery of the heat source (510). The fitting member (30) is in contact with the paste-type heat dissipation wall (20) and engaged with the elastic limiting member (10). The phase-change metal (40) is adapted to be filled into a region among the fitting member (20), the paste-type heat dissipation wall (30), and the heat source (510). When a temperature of the phase-change metal (40) exceeds a critical temperature, a state of the phase-change metal (40) is changed to a liquid state. The assembling plate (50) is connected to the fitting member (20), and the assembling plate (50) is in contact with the paste-type heat dissipation wall (20).