Top-Hat Rail Electric Assembly Thermal Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical assemblies with printed circuit boards face challenges in thermal dissipation due to limited thermal conductivity, requiring additional heat sinks that complicate assembly and increase space usage.

Innovation Solution

An electrical assembly featuring a multi-layer carrier with a thermally conductive metal plate and a thermally conductive dielectric layer, eliminating the need for additional heat sinks by effectively dissipating thermal energy, while also providing electromagnetic shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If additional heat sinks are used to dissipate thermal energy, then thermal dissipation is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal dissipationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heat dissipation function with the existing metal plate structure by creating a thermally conductive connection between the power supply component and the metal plate. This integration eliminates the need for separate heat sinks while maintaining effective thermal management through the metal plate's inherent thermal conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal plate is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, electromagnetic shielding, and thermal dissipation. By making the metal plate thermally conductive, it simultaneously performs cooling without requiring additional dedicated cooling components, thus reducing overall device complexity.

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

2Temperature

If additional heat sinks are installed, then thermal dissipation is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal dissipationVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged into the existing metal plate structure rather than adding separate heat sink components. This integration allows thermal dissipation to occur within the same spatial footprint as the original design, eliminating the need for additional space that would be required for separate heat sinks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal plate itself serves as the heat dissipation medium through its inherent thermal conductivity. By establishing a thermally conductive connection, the metal plate performs self-cooling without requiring external heat sink components, thereby maintaining compact installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If phenolic resin or epoxy resin carrier materials are used, then electrical insulation is provided, but thermal conductivity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thermally conductive adhesive layer as an intermediary between the power supply component and the metal plate. This adhesive layer maintains electrical insulation properties while providing a thermally conductive pathway, effectively bridging the gap between the electrically insulating carrier material and the thermally conductive metal plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution employs a composite structure combining the electrically insulating carrier material (phenolic or epoxy resin) with a thermally conductive adhesive layer and metal plate. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve electrical insulation from the resin and thermal conductivity through the adhesive and metal plate combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 enhances thermal dissipation and reduces installation space, allowing for easier assembly and operation in EMC-sensitive environments without additional heat sinks, improving cooling efficiency and shielding electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

the electrical power supply component is thermally conductively connected to the metal plate to dissipate thermal energy from the electrical power supply component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an electrical insulation layer which is arranged between the metal plate and the conductor track layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2932804B1Electric assembly to be mounted on a top-hat rail
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 PHOENIX CONTACT POWER SUPPLIES
  • EP2932804B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2932804B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2932804B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric assembly to be mounted on a top-hat rail, comprising: an electric current supply component (200): a multi-layered support (206) comprising a metal plate (300), a conductive layer (302) for electrically contacting the electric current supply component (200) and an electric insulation layer (304) which is arranged between the metal plate (300) and the conductive layer (302); said electric current supply component (200) is connected in an heat-conductive manner to the metal plate (300) in order to withdraw thermal energy from the electric current supply component (200).