Ultrasonic Probe Heat Dissipation Member Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic probes face challenges in heat dissipation and mechanical strength due to the need for holes or notches in monolithically molded heat spreaders, which reduce heat dissipation area and mechanical integrity, and separate heat spreaders result in poor contact and reduced heat transfer efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A separately constructed heat dissipation member is thermally connected with the ultrasonic vibrators and housing, eliminating the need for holes or notches and ensuring close contact for improved mechanical strength and heat transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a heat spreader is monolithically molded with the housing by insert molding, then the housing and heat spreader are integrated as a single structure, but holes or notches must be formed in the heat spreader which reduces heat dissipation area and mechanical strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing integrationVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation member is separated from the housing into an independent component. This segmentation allows the heat dissipation member to be manufactured without holes or notches, preserving its mechanical strength and heat dissipation area, while still being integrally connected to the housing through thermal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a heat spreader is monolithically molded with the housing by insert molding, then the housing and heat spreader are integrated as a single structure, but holes or notches must be formed in the heat spreader which reduces heat dissipation area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing integrationVSAvoidheat dissipation area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation member is separated from the housing into an independent component. This segmentation allows the heat dissipation member to be manufactured without holes or notches, preserving its heat dissipation area, while still being integrally connected to the housing through thermal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If separate heat spreader and housing are used, then holes or notches are avoided and heat dissipation area is preserved, but closeness of contact is poor resulting in reduced heat transfer efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation areaVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A thermal gasket is introduced as an intermediary substance between the heat dissipation member and the housing. This gasket fills gaps and ensures intimate thermal contact between the two components, thereby maintaining high heat transfer efficiency while preserving the benefits of separate construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If separate heat spreader and housing are used, then holes or notches are avoided and heat dissipation area is preserved, but mechanical strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation areaVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A thermal gasket is introduced as an intermediary substance between the heat dissipation member and the housing. This gasket fills gaps and ensures intimate thermal contact between the two components, thereby maintaining high heat transfer efficiency while preserving the benefits of separate construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances heat dissipation area and mechanical strength while maintaining efficient heat transfer from the heat dissipation member to the housing, improving the overall performance of the ultrasonic probe.

Implementation Method 1

a heat dissipation member constructed separately from the housing, and encased in the housing in thermal connection with the ultrasonic vibrators and the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11474219B2Ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic image display apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

An ultrasonic probe including ultrasonic vibrators for transmitting ultrasound and a housing for encasing the ultrasonic vibrators. The ultrasonic probe includes a heat dissipation member encased in the housing in thermal connection with the ultrasonic vibrators and housing, and constructed separately from the housing, wherein the heat dissipation member has opposing surfaces and facing inner surfaces of the housing, the opposing surfaces being secured in close contact with the inner surfaces.