Segmented Retainer Expanding Contact Area for Thermal Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retainers in aerospace and aviation industries fail to provide an adequate conductive heat path and convective heat transfer, leading to inefficient heat dissipation and potential overheating of electronic components due to point or near-point contact interfaces and limited contact surface areas.
Innovation Solution
The development of a retainer/module system with a center body component and compatible components featuring troughs and channels, along with a support screw, which increases the contact surface area and provides a continuous conductor path, allowing for improved convective and conductive heat transfer through a gear-style contact and load scheme.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional retainers with screw-through design are used, then the retainer can be assembled and locked in place, but the contact surface area between components is limited to point or near-point contact
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into multiple segments including a center body segment and wedge segments, each with specific trough configurations. This segmentation allows each segment to contribute to the overall contact surface area while maintaining structural integrity and enabling the gear-style contact mechanism that expands thermal contact paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point contact to surface contact by utilizing the third dimension through the wedge mechanism. The wedge segments, when actuated, create expansion in the radial direction that transforms point contacts into extended surface contacts between the retainer and adjacent components, significantly increasing the thermal contact area.
2Loss of energy
If point or near-point contact interfaces are used in retainers, then the retainer structure remains simple, but thermal resistance increases and heat dissipation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer acts as an intermediary thermal path between electronic components and heat sinking devices. By incorporating multiple segments with troughs that create gear-style contact, the retainer provides multiple parallel thermal pathways, reducing thermal resistance and improving heat dissipation efficiency while maintaining reliable thermal contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer utilizes composite structural design combining different material properties in various segments. The center body and wedge segments are designed with materials and structures optimized for both mechanical locking function and thermal conduction, creating a composite structure that simultaneously achieves mechanical reliability and thermal efficiency.
3Strength
If the retainer uses wedge segments with trapezoidal configuration, then the retainer can be locked through expansion, but the contact surface area for heat transfer remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the retainer are designed with locally optimized qualities. The wedge segments have trapezoidal configurations optimized for mechanical locking and expansion, while the center body segment has troughs configured to maximize thermal contact surface area. This local differentiation allows each segment to excel at its primary function while contributing to overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer incorporates dynamic elements through the wedge mechanism that allows the structure to transition from a compact state to an expanded locked state. This dynamic expansion creates additional contact surface area between the retainer and adjacent components, transforming the thermal contact path from point contact to extended surface contact while maintaining strong mechanical locking.
4Temperature
If conventional heat transfer paths are used through the retainer, then the system structure remains simple, but thermal resistance is high and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical locking, structural support, and enhanced thermal conduction. The same wedge segments and trough configurations that enable mechanical locking also create extended thermal contact paths, eliminating the need for separate thermal management components and reducing overall system complexity while improving temperature control.
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 solution significantly enhances thermal performance by reducing thermal resistance, increasing heat dissipation, and ensuring stability across various temperatures, thereby extending the life of electronic components and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional apparatus fail to provide an adequate conductive heat path and convective heat transfer systems for the cooling of electronic components
Implementation Method 2
Conventional apparatus fail to provide an adequate conductive heat path and convective heat transfer systems for the cooling of electronic components
Data Source
AI summary
Retainers are described that comprise at least one center body component comprising a plurality of center body troughs, and at least one compatible component comprising a plurality of compatible troughs, wherein at least part of the plurality of the compatible troughs couple with at least part of the plurality of center body troughs. In addition, thermal displacement devices are described that incorporate at least one retainers and at least one additional component, wherein the at least one retainer is coupled at least in part to the at least one additional component through a contact area or a substrate, surface or combination thereof, wherein the at least one retainer is coupled with the substrate, surface or combination thereof through a contact area.