Flexible Heat Sink Thermoelective Device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018017334-A1
Application number	US-201715650000-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 14, 2017
Priority date	Jul 15, 2016
Publication date	Jan 18, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flexible heat sink with a flexible base having a first side configured to engage a heat generating component, and a second side opposite the first side. A plurality of groups of fins extend from the second side of the base. The groups of fins are positioned in an array and spaced apart lengthwise and width wise across the base to enable the heat sink to flex lengthwise and width wise. The heat sink is able to flex lengthwise and width wise between the groups of fins. The fins and groups of fins also may provide some flex. The fins may define triangular, rectangular, or u-shaped channels to enable air flow through the heat sink.

First claim

1 . A flexible heat sink comprising
a flexible base having a first side configured to engage a heat generating component, and a second side opposite the first side; and a plurality of groups of fins, each fin extending from the second side of the base; and the groups of fins positioned in an array and spaced apart lengthwise and width wise across the base, enabling the heat sink to flex lengthwise and width wise between the groups of fins.

2 . The flexible heat sink of claim 1 wherein the array comprises a rectangular grid.

3 . The flexible heat sink of claim 1 wherein each fin comprises first and second walls extending from the second side of the base and parallel to each other, and a first panel parallel to the base, the first panel connecting an outer end of the first wall to an outer end of the second wall to define a rectangular shaped channel.

4 . The flexible heat sink of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of second panels parallel and adjacent to the second side of the base, each second panel connecting an inner end of the second wall of one fin to an inner end of the first wall of an adjacent fin.

5 . The flexible heat sink of claim 4 wherein each lengthwise section of groups comprises fins constructed from a single piece of material and wherein the second panel connecting fins of adjacent groups is longer than the second panels connecting adjacent fins within each group.

6 . The flexible heat sink of claim 1 wherein each fin comprises first and second walls extending from the second side of the base and away from each other, and a first panel parallel to the base, the first panel connecting an outer end of the first wall to an outer end of the second wall to define a triangular shaped channel.

7 . The flexible heat sink of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of second panels parallel and adjacent to the second side of the base, each second panel connecting an inner end of the second wall of one fin to an inner end of the first wall of an adjacent fin.

8 . The flexible heat sink of claim 7 wherein each lengthwise section of groups comprises fins constructed from a single piece of material and wherein the second panel connecting fins of adjacent groups is longer than the second panels connecting adjacent fins within each group.

9 . The flexible heat sink of claim 1 wherein each fin comprises first and second walls extending from the second side of the base and parallel to each other, and a third panel parallel and adjacent to the second side of the base, the third panel connecting an inner end of the first wall to an inner end of the second wall to define a u-shaped channel.

10 . The flexible heat sink of claim 1 wherein each fin comprises a flexible, thermally conductive material.

11 . The flexible heat sink of claim 1 wherein the flexible base comprises a thermally conductive flexible tape.

12 . The flexible heat sink of claim 1 wherein each group of fins comprises four to six fins.

13 . The flexible heat sink of claim 1 further comprising at least one structural member positioned parallel to the fins and extending width wise across the heat sink between groups of fins.

Assignees

• Magna Seating Inc

Inventors

• Davis Jason
• Stepanov Artur
• Kozlowski Eric

Classifications

• H10W40/25

  characterised by their materials · CPC title

• F28D15/0241 Primary

  the tubes being flexible · CPC title

• F28F3/042

  in the form of local deformations of the element · CPC title

• F28F3/06

  the means being attachable to the element · CPC title

• F28F3/027

  with openings, e.g. louvered corrugated fins; Assemblies of corrugated strips · CPC title