Split Heat Sink Assembly for Lightweight Thermal Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat sinks are heavy, costly, and have limited thermal performance due to manufacturing constraints of extrusion, molding, and stamping processes.

Innovation Solution

A two-part heat dissipation assembly comprising a base plate and a heat sink, where the heat sink is independent of the base plate, allowing for separate manufacturing processes to optimize thermal performance and reduce weight, with features like protruding thermal contacts and optimized air channels for enhanced heat exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional integrated heat sink is manufactured using extrusion, molding, or stamping processes, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the weight is high, the cost is high, and the thermal performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidweight of heat dissipation assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation assembly is divided into two independent parts: a base plate and a heat sink. The heat sink is detached from the base plate and introduced through an opening in the base plate to contact the electronic component. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized separately - the base plate for structural support and the heat sink for thermal performance - while reducing overall weight compared to a traditional integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a traditional integrated heat sink is manufactured using extrusion, molding, or stamping processes, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the manufacturing cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation assembly is divided into two independent parts: a base plate and a heat sink. The heat sink is detached from the base plate and introduced through an opening in the base plate to contact the electronic component. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized separately - the base plate for structural support and the heat sink for thermal performance - while reducing overall weight compared to a traditional integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat sink function is extracted from the base plate structure. The heat sink is introduced through an opening in the base plate, separating the thermal management function from the structural support function. This allows the heat sink to be optimized purely for thermal performance using specialized manufacturing processes, while the base plate can be manufactured using cost-effective stamping or molding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the heat sink is integrated with the base plate, then the structural support function is combined, but the thermal performance is limited and weight is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidthermal performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation assembly is divided into two independent parts: a base plate and a heat sink. The heat sink is detached from the base plate and introduced through an opening in the base plate to contact the electronic component. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized separately - the base plate for structural support and the heat sink for thermal performance - while reducing overall weight compared to a traditional integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the electronic component and serves as a mounting platform for the heat sink. The heat sink is introduced through an opening in the base plate, allowing the base plate to fulfill both structural and thermal management support roles without being thermally optimized itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If separate manufacturing processes are used for the base plate and heat sink, then the thermal performance is optimized and weight is reduced, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink is inserted through an opening in the base plate and positioned to contact the electronic component from the opposite side. This nesting approach allows the heat sink to be integrated into the base plate structure during assembly, creating a compact unified assembly from two separately manufactured parts. The opening in the base plate serves as the pathway for introducing and positioning the heat sink.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 assembly achieves lightweight, cost-effective, and efficient heat dissipation by leveraging different manufacturing methods for the base plate and heat sink, ensuring optimal thermal performance and reduced component count.

Implementation Method 1

a heat sink independent of the base plate and comprising at least one thermal contactor (21) introduced through the at least one opening (11) and arranged to be in thermal contact with the electronic component (41)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the heat sink (20) may include a raised surface (28) opposite the thermal contactor (21), the raised surface maximizing heat exchange with the surrounding atmosphere

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the heat sink (20) may include a raised surface (28) opposite the thermal contactor (21), the raised surface maximizing heat exchange with the surrounding atmosphere

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4658008A1Heat dissipating assembly
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
  • EP4658008A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4658008A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4658008A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Thermal dissipation assembly comprising: a. a base plate (10) including at least one opening (11) and fixing elements for holding an electronic component opposite the at least one opening (11), and b. a heat sink (20) independent of the base plate (10) and including at least one thermal contactor introduced through the at least one opening (11) and arranged to be in thermal contact with the electronic component.