Radiator Frame Cutouts for Thermal Grease Overflow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with heat-producing elements mounted on a substrate, heat dissipation grease often overflows and adheres to electrodes, increasing electrode distortion and reducing the reliability of electrical connections between the substrate and the element.
Innovation Solution
A radiator member with a rectangular frame surrounding the heat dissipation grease and cutouts in its corners is used, allowing excess grease to flow out and preventing adhesion to the electrodes, while a pooling part outside the cutouts stores the excess grease, ensuring even distribution and preventing contact with the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat dissipation grease is applied to fill the gap between the element that produces heat and the radiator member, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the grease may overflow and adhere to the electrode, increasing distortion and reducing reliability of electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator member is segmented into multiple functional zones: a frame portion that defines boundaries, a bottom surface with a first region (surrounded by the frame) and a second region (outside the frame). This segmentation creates distinct areas for grease containment and overflow management, preventing grease from reaching the electrode while maintaining effective heat dissipation in the first region.
2Temperature
If the heat dissipation grease is applied in excess to ensure complete gap filling, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but the excess grease overflows and adheres to the electrode, causing distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The frame acts as an intermediary structure between the heat dissipation grease and the electrode. It provides a physical barrier that guides the grease flow and contains it within the first region, while the second region serves as an overflow zone. This intermediary structure allows excess grease to be redirected away from the electrode, preventing adhesion and distortion while maintaining adequate grease coverage for heat dissipation.
3Reliability
If the heat dissipation grease is confined strictly within the gap region, then electrode reliability is maintained, but heat dissipation efficiency may be reduced due to insufficient grease distribution
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the radiator member are assigned different functions: the first region (surrounded by the frame) is optimized for heat dissipation with concentrated grease, while the second region (outside the frame) serves as an overflow management zone. This local differentiation ensures that grease remains confined where it is needed for heat dissipation while providing a designated area for excess grease to redirect away from the electrode, simultaneously maintaining both heat dissipation efficiency and electrical connection reliability.
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 design effectively prevents heat dissipation grease from adhering to electrodes, enhancing the reliability of electrical connections and maintaining high radiation properties by managing grease distribution and overflow.
Implementation Method 1
a heat dissipation grease filling a gap between an element that produces heat and a radiator member
Implementation Method 2
applying the heat dissipation grease in a semi-liquid form on a part of the radiator member surrounded by the frame
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device and an electronic device manufacturing method according to the present invention include, as a mode thereof, a substrate on which an element that produces heat, which is rectangular, is mounted, a radiator member disposed at a position facing the element that produces heat, and a heat conductive material filling a gap between the element that produces heat and the radiator member. The radiator member includes a rectangular frame that surrounds an arrangement region of the heat conductive material in a position of a surface facing the element that produces heat outside a peripheral edge of the element that produces heat, and has a cutout in at least one of four corners of the frame. With this configuration, when assembling the substrate onto the radiator member, excess heat conductive material flows out of the frame from the cutout.