Thermal Management Composite Sheet With Integrated EMI and Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in achieving lightweight, cost-effective integration of electromagnetic shielding, fire retardancy, and temperature management due to separate layers increasing weight and complicating manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A thermal management composite sheet (TMS) integrated into fiber-reinforced plastic, combining electromagnetic interference shielding material, fire retardant, and heating/cooling structures, which are stitched to the fiber material before molding, forming a single lightweight and functional layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate layers are used for electromagnetic shielding, fire retardancy, and thermal management, then each function can be independently optimized, but the total weight increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidtotal weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electromagnetic shielding material, fire retardant material, and thermal management structures into a single integrated fiber-reinforced plastic layer. This merging eliminates the need for separate layers, reducing total weight while maintaining all required functions through material integration at the composite level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by incorporating electromagnetic shielding particles, fire retardant additives, and thermal conductive fillers within the fiber-reinforced plastic matrix. This allows multiple functions to be achieved through material composition rather than structural layering, directly reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If separate layers are used for electromagnetic shielding, fire retardancy, and thermal management, then each function can be independently optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging all functional components into a single fiber-reinforced plastic layer, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps. The integrated structure can be manufactured as one piece using conventional composite molding techniques, eliminating the need to laminate and bond separate layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber-reinforced plastic layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - electromagnetic shielding, fire retardancy, and thermal management - all within a single material system. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall device architecture and manufacturing process.

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

3Reliability

If separate layers are used for electromagnetic shielding, fire retardancy, and thermal management, then adhesive bonding is required, but this increases weight and complicates the structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoidstructure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges all functional layers into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for adhesive bonding between separate layers. This removes the weight contribution of adhesives and simplifies the structural architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple separate components are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the total number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separately optimized components (electromagnetic shielding material, fire retardant, thermal management structures) into a single integrated fiber-reinforced plastic layer, reducing the total number of parts while preserving the ability to optimize each function through material selection and distribution within the composite.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 TMS provides excellent electromagnetic shielding, fire retardancy, and temperature adjustment, improving mechanical stability and reducing weight while simplifying production and manufacturing processes.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic interference shielding material (EMI material in the following)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

a heating structure (5) including electrically conductive wires (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

a cooling structure (6) including hollow tubes (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4488058B1Thermal management composite sheet, method for producing the same and car, battery case, computer case and sensor case comprising the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 EURO ADVANCED CARBON FIBER COMPOSITES GMBH
  • EP4488058B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention concerns a thermal management composite sheet (1) comprising, integrated into a fiber-reinforced plastic (2) an electromagnetic interference shielding material (3), a fire retardant (4), and a heating structure (5) and/or a cooling structure (6), wherein the heating structure (5) includes electrically conductive wires (12), wherein the cooling structure (6) includes hollow tubes (13), and wherein the heating structure (5) and/or the cooling structure (6) is stitched to a fiber material (7, 14).