Mounting Tool for Thermal Interface Foil Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling of fragile thermal interface material foils during the installation of electronic components to cooling surfaces is challenging, especially in less-than-ideal working conditions, leading to risks of damage and incorrect positioning.
Innovation Solution
A mounting tool with a base surface and spacers that allows the thermal interface material foil to be initially fixed in the correct position before screws or bolts are tightened, minimizing the risk of damage and incorrect positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermal interface material foil is handled during installation without a mounting tool, then the installation process is simpler, but the risk of damaging the foil and incorrect positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tool acts as an intermediary device between the installer and the thermal interface material foil. It provides a structured platform with alignment features and support surfaces that enable safe handling and precise positioning of the fragile foil during installation, resolving the contradiction by mediating between operational simplicity and installation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting tool enables preliminary actions to be performed - the foil can be pre-positioned and aligned on the tool before final installation. The spacers and support surfaces allow the foil to be prepared in advance in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of damage during the critical final positioning steps
2Adaptability or versatility
If thermal interface material foil is handled in non-optimal working conditions during service, then service flexibility is maintained, but the risk of foil damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tool serves as a portable intermediary that can be deployed at installation sites regardless of working conditions. It provides a controlled environment for foil handling even in non-optimal conditions, maintaining service flexibility while protecting foil integrity through its protective and support features
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting tool provides beforehand cushioning and protection for the foil during service operations. The support surfaces and structured design cushion the fragile material against damage from rough handling or suboptimal working conditions, enabling service flexibility without compromising reliability
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 solution significantly simplifies the installation process, reduces the risk of damaging the thermal interface material foil, and ensures accurate positioning, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of heat transfer between electronic components and cooling surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the heat load from the electronic component is conducted to the cooling surface of the heat sink
Implementation Method 2
the heat load from the electronic component is conducted to the cooling surface of the heat sink, from where the heat load is passed on to surroundings by dissipation
Implementation Method 3
the heat load is passed on to surroundings by dissipation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a mounting tool (1) for connecting an electronic component to a cooling surface via a thermal interface material foil (2). To enable simple connecting work without damaging the thermal interface material foil, the mounting tool comprises: a base surface (3) with a reception area (4) dimensioned to receive the thermal interface material foil (2), spacers (7, 10) protruding from the base surface (3) and notches (14) provided at a first outer edge (13) of the base surface (3) at positions which are aligned with first attachment holes (15) provided in the thermal interface material foil (2) for allowing screws or bolts (17) to pass through first attachment holes (15) of the thermal interface material foil (2) and the notches (14) when the electric component (5), the thermal interface material foil (2) and the mounting tool (1) are in a stacked connecting position.