Segmented Heat Sink Structure for Uniform Cooling Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat sinks face challenges in maintaining thermal uniformity and fin efficiency due to integral molding of base portions and heat radiation fins, leading to increased thickness and reduced gaps between fins, which affects cooling performance and weight.
Innovation Solution
A heat sink design where the base portion and heat radiation fins are separate bodies, with a thermally conductive member embedded within, allowing for optimal fin thickness and improved thermal connectivity, enabling uniform heat transfer and reduced pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If heat radiation fins and base portion are integrally molded, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but fin thickness cannot be optimized leading to increased weight and reduced ventilation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is divided into two separate components: the base portion and the heat radiation fins. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized - the base portion can be designed for thermal connectivity while the fins can be optimized for minimal thickness and maximum surface area, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and weight optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat radiation fins are inserted into grooves formed in the base portion, creating a nested structure where the fins fit within recesses of the base. This nesting approach provides precise positioning and thermal contact while allowing the fins to be thinner than would be possible with integral molding, thus reducing weight while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Productivity
If heat radiation fins are made thinner to improve heat radiation characteristics, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fins are inserted into grooves in the base portion, which provides mechanical support and positioning. This nested structure allows the fins to be made thinner for improved heat radiation efficiency while the groove structure prevents them from being overly fragile, thus resolving the contradiction between thinness for ventilation efficiency and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion is provided with grooves at specific locations where the fins are inserted. This local structural modification concentrates support where needed (at the fin bases) while allowing the fin bodies to remain thin for optimal heat radiation, resolving the contradiction between fin thickness and structural integrity.
3Productivity
If fin pitch is narrowed to increase heat radiation surface area, then heat radiation efficiency is improved, but pressure loss of cooling air increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the base portion from the fins, the design enables precise control of fin pitch and gap dimensions. The gaps between thin fins can be optimized to maintain adequate airflow channels even at narrow pitches, allowing increased surface area while minimizing pressure loss through proper gap sizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin thickness parameter is reduced to enable narrower fin pitches while maintaining adequate gap sizes for airflow. This parameter change allows the system to achieve higher surface area density (narrower pitch) without proportionally increasing pressure loss, as the thinner fins create less flow resistance while still providing the desired surface area for heat radiation.
4Productivity
If thermally conductive members are added to improve thermal uniformity, then fin efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves in the base portion serve dual functions: they provide structural support for the fins and simultaneously serve as channels for thermally conductive members. This nested arrangement allows thermal management components to be integrated into the existing structure without adding significant complexity, as the same grooves that support the fins also accommodate the thermally conductive members.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves in the base portion are designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical support for the fins, thermal conduction pathways, and structural integration elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving fin efficiency through better thermal uniformity while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 design enhances thermal uniformity, improves fin efficiency, reduces weight, and increases ventilation efficiency by allowing for narrower fin pitches and secure gaps, thus optimizing heat radiation characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally conductive member 31 is embedded in the heat sink 1
Implementation Method 2
heat radiation fins 10 provided upright on the first surface 21 of the base portion 20
Data Source
AI summary
A heat sink including a base portion having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, in which a heat-generating element is thermally connected to the second surface, and heat radiation fins provided upright on the first surface of the base portion. The base portion and the heat radiation fins are separate bodies, and at least a part of the thermally conductive member is embedded in the heat sink.