Planar Transformer Mounting Plate for Two-Card Thermal Conduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In two-card electronic assemblies, there is no effective method to dissipate heat from the center, as electronic modules are sandwiched between printed wiring boards, limiting heat removal to only the sides in contact with the boards.

Innovation Solution

A conductive thermal management architecture is implemented using a transformer mounting plate interposed between stiffeners, which dissipates heat from the center of a planar transformer through thermally conductive materials and strategically designed openings, allowing for efficient heat transfer and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If electronic modules are sandwiched between printed wiring boards in a two-card assembly, then the structural compactness and integration are improved, but the heat dissipation capability from the center of the assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A thermally conductive mounting plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the planar transformer and the stiffeners. This mounting plate serves as a heat transfer mediator, conducting heat away from the center of the assembly where the transformer is located, thereby resolving the heat dissipation problem while maintaining the compact two-card structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new thermal management dimension by adding the mounting plate as a separate thermal conduction path. Instead of relying solely on the PWBs for heat dissipation, the mounting plate creates an additional thermal pathway that extends the heat dissipation capability into the previously problematic center region of the assembly

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

2Ease of manufacture

If heat is dissipated only from the sides of electronic modules in contact with PWBs, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the thermal management effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidthermal management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the planar transformer, enables thermal conduction from the transformer, and acts as a structural element within the two-card assembly. This multi-functionality improves thermal management without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

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

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 enables effective heat dissipation from the center of the two-card assembly, improving thermal management and preventing overheating issues by utilizing thermally conductive materials and strategically designed openings in the transformer mounting plate.

Implementation Method 1

A conductive thermal management architecture is implemented using a transformer mounting plate interposed between stiffeners, which dissipates heat from the center of a planar transformer through thermally conductive materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3905859B1Thermal management of planar transformer windings and cores
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP3905859B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3905859B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3905859B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A two-card assembly includes: a first printed wiring board (110a); a second printed wiring board (110b); a first stiffener (220) secured to the first printed wiring board, the first stiffener interposed between the first printed wiring board and the second printed wiring board; a second stiffener (130) secured to the second printed wiring board, the second stiffener interposed between the first stiffener and second printed wiring board; a transformer mounting plate interposed between the first stiffener and the second stiffener; and a planar transformer secured to the transformer mounting plate. The transformer mounting plate dissipates heat from the planar transformer.