Stacked PCB Inverter Layout for Compact Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inverters face challenges in achieving a compact and cost-effective design with high power density, as they often struggle with heat dissipation and component arrangement efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The inverter is divided into two assemblies, with the first assembly comprising a circuit board mounted on a heat sink and the second assembly on a sheet metal plate, utilizing SMD and THT components, and incorporating a fan for airflow to enhance heat dissipation and mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If components are arranged on circuit boards with traditional mounting methods, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but device volume increases and power density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinverter volumeVSAvoidcomponent assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional planar component arrangement on circuit boards to a three-dimensional stacked configuration where circuit boards are arranged in layers with vertical interconnections. This dimensional change allows compact integration while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized vertical mounting procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where multiple circuit boards are stacked within a confined space, with components and interconnections arranged in hierarchical layers. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and achieves high power density while preserving ease of manufacture through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If heat sinks are added for cooling, then temperature control improves, but device complexity and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the heat dissipation function directly into the structural framework of the stacked circuit board assembly. The housing and mounting structures serve dual purposes as both mechanical support and thermal management pathways, eliminating separate cooling system components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs structural elements to perform multiple functions simultaneously - the housing provides mechanical protection, structural support, and thermal conduction pathways. This multi-functionality approach achieves effective temperature control without adding dedicated cooling system complexity.

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

3Power

If traditional component arrangement is used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but power density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidcomponent arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves high power density by transitioning from two-dimensional planar arrangement to three-dimensional stacked configuration of circuit boards and components. This vertical integration dramatically increases power density while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized vertical mounting and interconnection techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the inverter system into modular stacked units, each containing specific functional components. This segmentation allows for optimized space utilization, high power density, and simplified manufacturing through modular assembly of standardized units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design achieves a compact, high-power density inverter with effective heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding, enabling efficient operation and reduced costs.

Implementation Method 1

The first circuit board is mounted on a heat sink and rests essentially flat on the heat sink... so that their waste heat generated during operation of the inverter is essentially dissipated via the heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a thermally conductive material arranged between the first circuit board and the heat sink, so that their waste heat generated during operation of the inverter is essentially dissipated via the heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

incorporating a fan for airflow to enhance heat dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4070629B1Inverter of compact design
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SMA SOLAR TECH AG
  • EP4070629B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4070629B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4070629B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inverter (1-4) with a rated power of more than 3 kVA has a first assembly, which comprises a first printed circuit board (10) and a DC/AC converter stage, and a second assembly, which comprises a second printed circuit board (20) and an EMC filter for the DC/AC converter stage. The first printed circuit board (10) is mounted on a heat sink (30, 35) and rests substantially flat on the heat sink (30, 35). The DC/AC converter stage has converter components which comprise power semiconductors (12), inductors (13) and intermediate circuit capacitors (11), wherein the inductors (13) and the intermediate circuit capacitors (11) are arranged together on one side of the first printed circuit board (10) and the heat sink (30, 35) is arranged on the opposite side of the first printed circuit board (10). The inductors (13) and/or the power semiconductors (12) are thermally connected to the heat sink (30, 35) by means of the first printed circuit board (10) and a thermally conductive material (33) which is arranged between the first printed circuit board (10) and the heat sink (30, 35). The second printed circuit board (20) is arranged on that side of the first printed circuit board (10) which is situated opposite the heat sink (30, 35). A metal sheet (40) is arranged between the first and the second assembly, and the second printed circuit board (20) is mounted on the metal sheet (40).