Planar Cooling Unit Integrating Chassis Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical power apparatuses incorporating units with semiconductor elements and cooling mechanisms tend to be heavy, requiring additional reinforcing materials and components, increasing the number of parts and assembly time.

Innovation Solution

A planar cooling unit serves both as a cooling mechanism for semiconductor elements and a reinforcing material for the chassis, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying assembly by integrating structural support into the power converter's design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a unit including semiconductor element and cooling mechanism is incorporated into chassis, then cooling function is provided, but weight increases and additional reinforcing material is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidweight of electrical power apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling unit is merged with the chassis structure by directly attaching the cooling fin to the chassis, eliminating the need for separate reinforcing materials. The chassis and cooling unit form an integrated structure that provides both structural support and thermal dissipation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support and simultaneously acts as a heat dissipation structure through the integrated cooling fin. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate reinforcing materials while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If reinforcing material and plates for attaching cooling fin are added, then structural strength is increased, but number of components and assembly man-hours increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strength of chassisVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing material and cooling fin attachment plates are merged into a single integrated cooling unit structure. The cooling fin itself serves as the reinforcing element, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling fin structure is designed to provide both thermal management and structural reinforcement functions simultaneously. This multi-functional design reduces the total component count while maintaining the required structural strength of the chassis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 integration reduces the overall component count, minimizes material costs, and allows for easier maintenance and installation, while maintaining the stability and efficiency of the power converter circuit.

Implementation Method 1

cooling unit having a planar shape which cools the semiconductor element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

cooling fin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8395897B2Electrical power component attached to chassis of an electrical power apparatus

Publication Date: 2013.03.12 TMEIC CORP

AI summary

There is provided an electrical power component attached to a chassis of an electrical power apparatus, including a semiconductor element constituting an electronic circuit, and cooling unit having a planar shape which cools the semiconductor element and serves as a reinforcing material for increasing strength of the chassis.