Rotatable Pillar Cooling for Motor Vehicle Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling pillar heat sinks for electronic devices in motor vehicles face limitations in heat dissipation capacity due to fixed dimensions and uneven cooling by natural convection, and require complex and bulky fan implementations for forced convection.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with rotatable ventilation means, comprising a hub with blades mounted on each cooling pillar, driven by an electromagnetic rotation drive system, to enhance air flow and increase heat dissipation surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If natural convection is used for cooling, then the heat sink structure is simple, but the cooling uniformity across all pillars is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cooling system active rather than passive. Each cooling pillar is equipped with a rotatable ventilation means (impeller) that can rotate to actively draw air through the pillar. This dynamic mechanism allows uniform cooling across all pillars by controlling air flow through rotation, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and uniform cooling performance.
2Productivity
If forced convection with fan is used, then heat dissipation capacity is improved, but the device becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the single fan system into multiple individual ventilation means, each associated with a specific cooling pillar. Instead of using one bulky fan to cool the entire heat sink, each pillar has its own compact impeller that rotates to create localized air flow. This segmentation achieves high heat dissipation capacity while avoiding the bulk and complexity of a large fan assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal fan-based forced convection system to a vertical pillar-integrated ventilation system. The ventilation means are mounted on the pillars themselves, utilizing the vertical dimension of the heat sink structure. This dimensional change allows the cooling mechanism to be integrated into the existing heat sink geometry rather than adding a separate horizontal fan assembly, reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If heat sink dimensions are fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but heat dissipation capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ventilation means rotatable rather than static. Each impeller can rotate to adjust air flow characteristics, allowing the heat dissipation capacity to be optimized dynamically. This rotational capability enables the system to achieve higher heat dissipation from fixed dimensions without requiring manufacturing complexity, as the same physical structure can adapt its cooling performance through rotation.
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 provides improved heat dissipation by creating a uniform air flow around all cooling pillars, increasing the heat dissipation capacity and surface area, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional heat sinks.
Implementation Method 1
each pillar comprising a ventilation means comprising a hub equipped with blades, the blades being arranged axially along each pillar so as to be able to rotate around the pillar thus creating a flow of air for cooling the pillars
Implementation Method 2
The rotation drive device may be of the electromagnetic type. The electromagnetic type rotation drive device may comprise for each ventilation means: 3 coils arranged on the second printed circuit board forming a magnetic stator and 2 permanent magnets arranged on the hub forming a magnetic rotor
Implementation Method 3
a first printed circuit board comprising at least one heat-generating zone resting against the underside of the cooling plate
Implementation Method 4
the blades being arranged axially along each pillar so as to be able to rotate around the pillar thus creating a flow of air for cooling the pillars
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An electronic assembly (48, 76) comprising a cooling device (10) includes a cooling tray (12) equipped on its upper face (14) with a plurality of cooling pillars (16); a first printed circuit board (50) having at least one heat-generating area (52) bearing against the lower face (22) of the cooling tray (12); each pillar (16) having a ventilation means (29) comprising a hub (30) equipped with blades (32), the blades (32) being arranged axially along each pillar (16) so as to be able to rotate around the pillar (16) thus creating a cooling airflow of the pillars (16).