Segmented Heat Sink Structure for Distorted Device Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat sink structures face challenges in maintaining effective thermal contact with electronic components due to non-flat surfaces and thermal distortion, leading to reduced heat transfer efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A heat sink structure comprising multiple spaced-apart heat sink parts with adjustable contact areas that can accommodate surface distortions, allowing for flexible positioning and maintaining contact with electronic components, even when their surfaces become curved or deformed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single large contact area is used, then the heat sink structure is simpler, but it cannot adapt to surface distortions of the electronic component

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to surface distortionVSAvoidheat sink structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink structure is divided into multiple discrete heat sink parts (e.g., pins or fins) that are spaced apart from each other. Each part has its own contact area that can independently adjust to surface distortions, allowing the overall structure to adapt to non-flat component surfaces while maintaining thermal contact effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If heat sink parts are spaced apart, then adaptability to surface distortion improves, but thermal contact area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidtotal contact area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Each heat sink part is designed with specific local characteristics including optimized contact area size, spacing distance, and geometric configuration. The local quality of each part is tailored to maximize thermal contact at its specific location while the collective arrangement maintains overall adaptability to surface variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 flexible heat sink structure enhances thermal contact and heat transfer efficiency by allowing the contact areas to adjust to surface distortions, thereby maintaining effective heat dissipation from electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

A heat sink may consist of a metal structure having elements which serve to lead the heat away from the component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the heat sink structure enhances thermal contact and heat transfer efficiency by allowing the contact areas to adjust to surface distortions, thereby maintaining effective heat dissipation from electronic components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3631851B1Heat sink structure
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 AGILE POWER SWITCH 3D INTEGRATION APSI3D
  • EP3631851B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3631851B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3631851B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A heat sink structure (10) comprises a plurality of heat sink parts (16), each heat sink part having a contact area (12) for contacting a surface of an electronic device. The heat sink parts (16) may be connected but are spaced apart so as to allow them to adjust and keep their contact areas (12) contacting the surface of the electronic device when the surface is distorted, for example due to heating. A heat sink part (16) may comprise at least two spaced apart heat sink elements (11) which may be connected.