APPARATUS FOR HEAT DISSIPATION AND USE OF SUCH APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus for heat dissipation is provided comprising a heat source, a heat sink and a heat conducting element, wherein the heat conducting element conducts heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink along a heat conducting path, and wherein the heat conducting element is arranged in such a way on the heat source and the heat sink and is configured to physically change in such a way with increasing temperature of the heat conducting element that a) a first cross-sectional area between the heat source and the heat conducting element and/or a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element of the heat sink increases, and/or b) a length of the heat conducting path shortens. Further, a video endoscope having such an apparatus and a use of such an apparatus are disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for heat dissipation comprising a heat source, a heat sink and a heat conducting element, wherein the heat conducting element conducts heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink along a heat conducting path, and wherein the heat conducting element is arranged in such a way on the heat source and the heat sink and is configured to physically change in such a way with increasing temperature of the heat conducting element that at least one of a) a first cross-sectional area between the heat source and the heat conducting element increases, b) a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element of the heat sink increases, or c) a length of the heat conducting path shortens.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat conducting element has a heat pipe for increasing the heat dissipation or is flowed through by a fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source has a first recess in which a first section of the heat conducting element is arranged.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat conducting element has a first recess in which a first section of the heat source is arranged.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat sink has a second recess in which a second section of the heat conducting element is arranged.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat conducting element has a second recess in which a second section of the heat sink is arranged.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second recess is led through the heat sink and the heat conducting element is led in the second recess through the heat sink.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source, the heat sink and the heat conducting element are arranged along a straight line.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source, the heat sink and the heat conducting element are arranged along a common longitudinal central axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source, the heat sink and the heat conducting element are arranged within a housing, wherein a side of the heat source facing away from the heat conducting element is arranged on the housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source, the heat sink and the heat conducting element are arranged within a housing, wherein a side of the heat sink facing away from the heat conducting element is arranged on the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein on the side of the heat source facing away from the heat conducting element an imaging sensor is configured, which has a line of sight which is directed out of the housing through an opening in a wall of the housing.

13-14. (canceled)

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a control element which receives heat energy from the heat source and at least a section of the control element moves towards the heat conducting element or increases pressure on the heat conducting element as the temperature rises.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control element is configured as a first strip and has a counter element which is fixedly arranged as a second strip on the control element, the counter element being made of a material, which has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the control element, wherein the control element is arranged with the counter element in such a way that the control element presses against the heat conducting element as the temperature rises with increasing pressure.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the heat conducting element is configured as a heat conducting pad, the thickness of which decreases as the pressure through the control element increases.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the heat conducting element comprises a first comb-like element and a second comb-like element configured complementary to each other and meshing with each other, wherein the first comb-like element is arranged on the control element and the second comb-like element is arranged on the heat sink, wherein the first comb-like element and the second comb-like element continue to slide into each other as the pressure through the control element increases.

19. A video endoscope, comprising: a heat source comprising an imaging sensor; a heat sink; and a heat conducting element, wherein the heat conducting element conducts heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink along a heat conducting path, and wherein the heat conducting element is operatively connected to the heat source and the heat sink and mechanically displaces from a first heat transfer position to a second heat transfer position when a temperature of the heat conducting element increases to a predetermined temperature, and wherein in the second heat transfer position at least one of a) a first cross-sectional area between the heat source and the heat conducting element is increased over the first heat transfer position, b) a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element and the heat sink is increased over the first heat transfer position, or c) a length of the heat conducting path is shortened from the first heat transfer position.

20. A method of dissipating heat in a video endoscope, comprising: providing a video endoscope comprising an image sensor, wherein the image sensor corresponds to a heat source of the video endoscope; providing a heat transfer apparatus, comprising: a heat sink; and a heat conducting element, wherein the heat conducting element conducts heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink along a heat conducting path, and wherein the heat conducting element is operatively connected to the heat source and the heat sink and mechanically displaces from a first heat transfer position to a second heat transfer position when a temperature of the heat conducting element increases to a predetermined temperature, and wherein in the second heat transfer position at least one of a) a first cross-sectional area between the heat source and the heat conducting element is increased over the first heat transfer position, b) a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element and the heat sink is increased over the first heat transfer position, or c) a length of the heat conducting path is shortened from the first heat transfer position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Exemplary embodiments according to the disclosure are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. There is shown:

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus at a lower temperature;

[0046] FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment at a higher temperature;

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus;

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of an apparatus;

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of an apparatus at a lower temperature;

[0050] FIG. 6 shows the fourth embodiment of an apparatus at a higher temperature;

[0051] FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of an apparatus at a lower temperature;

[0052] FIG. 8 shows the fifth embodiment of a device at a higher temperature;

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of an apparatus at a lower temperature;

[0054] FIG. 10 shows the sixth embodiment at a higher temperature;

[0055] FIG. 11 shows a first embodiment of a videoendoscope;

[0056] FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of videoendoscope; and

[0057] FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of a videoendoscope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus 10 for heat dissipation with a heat source 12, a heat sink 14 and a heat conducting element 16. the heat conducting element leads heat energy E along a heat conducting path 18 from the heat source 12 to the heat sink 14.

[0059] The heat conducting element 16 is arranged in such a way at the heat source 12 and the heat sink 14 and changes physically with increasing temperature of the heat conducting element 16 in such a way that at least one of the two following changes results: [0060] a) a first cross-sectional area A between the heat source and the heat conducting element 16 increases and/or a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element 16 and the heat sink 14 increases (not shown here) [0061] b) a length d of the heat conduction path 18 is shortened.

[0062] The heat source 12 has a first recess 20, in which a first section 22 of the heat conducting element 16 is arranged. The heat conducting element 16 may comprise a material that, when subjected to a particular temperature or range of temperatures, expands and/or contracts at a rate defined by an associated coefficient of thermal expansion.

[0063] In this first embodiment, the main feature is that the first cross-sectional area A increases as the temperature rises. In this first embodiment, the heat conducting element 16 is connected to the heat sink 14 via an optional heat conducting pad 24.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows the situation when the temperature of the heat source 12 and thus also the temperature of the heat conducting element 16 increases in the first embodiment according to FIG. 1. It may be seen that the heat conducting element 16 has extended into the recess 20 of the heat source 12. In FIG. 2, the heat conducting element 16 may expand (e.g., in the horizontal direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) causing the end of the heat conducting element 16 to further engage the recess 20 of the heat source 12 and increase the contact surface area between the heat conducting element 16 and the heat source 12 (e.g., between an outer peripheral surface, or surfaces, of the heat conducting element 16 and an internal surface, or surfaces, of the recess 20, etc.) There is still at least one physical planar contact between the heat conducting element 16 and the heat source 12.

[0065] Since the first cross-sectional area A between the heat source 12 and the heat conducting element 16 has now increased, there is also a larger thermal flow between the heat source 12 and the heat sink 14. In other words, the heat source 12 is now cooled more strongly, or quickly (e.g., as thermal flow increases so does the transfer of heat).

[0066] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus 10. Here and in the following, reference signs already introduced for the same or functionally similar elements are used and not explained again.

[0067] In the second embodiment, the heat conducting element 16 has a heat pipe 26 to increase heat dissipation. Alternatively, a fluid may also flow (not shown) through the heat conducting element 16. The heat sink 14 here has a second recess 28, in which a second section 30 of the heat conducting element 16 is arranged. Specifically, the second recess 28 is led through the heat sink 14, and the heat conducting element 16 is passed through the heat sink 14 in the second recess 28.

[0068] In contrast to the first embodiment, the heat conducting element 16 here does not have a heat conducting pad 24. Instead, the heat conducting element 16 is arranged here on a static abutment 32, which is to be understood as immovable even in case of a temperature change with respect to the heat source 12, the heat sink 14 and the heat conducting element 16.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the apparatus 10, whereby here the heat source 12, the heat sink 14 and the heat conducting element 16 are arranged along a straight line, in particular along a common longitudinal central axis 34. The heat source 12, the heat sink 14 and the heat conducting element 16 are here arranged within a housing 36, whereby a side 38 of the heat source 12 facing away from the heat conducting element 16 and/or a side 40 of the heat sink 14 facing away from the heat conducting element 16 is arranged on the housing 36.

[0070] Here, the heat conducting element 16 is configured as a compressible heat conducting pad. When the heat source 12 heats up and expands (e.g., in an axial direction along the line of sight 44, etc.), the heat source 12 compresses the heat conducting element 16, thus shortening the length d of the heat conducting path 18 (e.g., in the axial direction). In this way, the thermal flow from the heat source 12 to the heat sink 14 increases, so that the heat source 12 is cooled more strongly as the temperature rises. When the heat source 12 cools and shrinks, the heat conducting element 16 expands again, increasing the length d of the heat conduction path 18. In this way, the thermal flow from the heat source 12 to the heat sink 14 decreases, so that the heat source 12 is cooled less as the temperature decreases. As described herein, the shorter the length d of the heat conducting path 18, the quicker the transfer of heat. Additionally or alternatively, the longer the length d of the heat conducting path 18, the longer, or slower, the transfer of heat.

[0071] In this third embodiment, an imaging sensor 42 is arranged on the side 38 of the heat source 12 facing away from the heat element 16. The imaging sensor 42 has a line of sight 44 which is directed out of the housing 36 through an opening 46 in a wall 48 of the housing 36.

[0072] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment in which the apparatus 10 also has a control element 50 which absorbs heat energy from the heat source 12 and exerts increasing pressure on the heat conducting element 16 as the temperature rises. As explained above, this causes the elastic heat conducting element 16 to be compressed as the temperature rises, thus shortening the length d of the heat conducting path 18. While the control element 50 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is illustrated as a bar disposed between the heat source 12 and the lever 52, it should be appreciated that the control element 50 may correspond to any physical structure or member that, when subjected to a particular temperature, moves from a first position to a different second position. In some embodiments, the control element 50 may correspond to a thermally-expanding metal or combination of metals, or other thermally-activated actuator that mechanically displaces (e.g., moves, expands, bends, contracts, etc.) when subjected to predetermined temperatures or temperature ranges. In one embodiment, the control element 50 may mechanically displace solely through thermal expansion. Stated another way, the control element 50 may not include any moving parts, actuators, pistons, motors, or other components other than a construction, shape, and/or arrangement of the physical structure making up the control element 50.

[0073] In the fourth embodiment, a lever 52 is used for this purpose, which has a first lever arm 54 and a second lever arm 56. Here the lever 52 is arranged on a lever abutment 58. As the temperature rises, the control element 50 exerts increasing pressure on the first lever arm 54 so that the second lever arm 56 exerts pressure on the heat conducting element 16 via the heat sink 14. Stated another way, as the control element 50 increases in temperature, the control element 50 increases in size (e.g., due to thermal expansion, etc.). More specifically, as the temperature increases, the control element 50 extends in a length direction from the heat source toward the first lever arm 54 of the lever 52. This increase in length moves the first lever arm 54 toward the lower abutment 58 and as the lever 52 pivots about a fulcrum 53, or pivot point, the second lever arm 56 moves away from the lower abutment 58 (e.g., in a direction toward the heat sink 14). The pressure from the second lever arm 56 is transmitted here (e.g., to the heat sink 14, etc.) by a rigid rod 60 as an example.

[0074] FIG. 6 shows the situation with the fourth embodiment when the heat source 12 has heated up and the control element 50 has expanded as a result. It may be seen that the control element 50 has pressed against the first lever arm 54, whereby the second lever arm 56 has pressed the heat sink 14 towards the heat source 12 via the rod 60. Due to the pressure, the heat conducting element 16 is compressed, so that the length d of the heat conducting path 18 is shortened between an uncompressed state (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5) and the compressed state (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6).

[0075] FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment in which the apparatus 10 also has a control element 62 which absorbs heat energy from the heat source 12 and at least a section of the control element 62 moves towards the heat conducting element 16 as the temperature rises or increases pressure on the heat conducting element 16.

[0076] In this fifth embodiment, the control element 62 is configured as a first strip 64 and also has a counter element 66 which is fixedly arranged as a second strip on the control element 62. The control element 62, as described herein, may correspond to a bimetallic strip that converts temperature changes into mechanical displacement. The first strip 64 and the counter element 66 of the control element 62 may be made from different materials. The counter element 66 is made of a material that has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first strip 64 of the control element 62. For instance, when the first strip 64 is made from first material (e.g., steel, carbon fiber, etc.) having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, the counter element 66 may be made from a second material (e.g., copper, aluminum, etc.) material having a greater, or higher, second coefficient of thermal expansion. The control element 62 is arranged with the counter element 66 in such a way that the control element 62 presses against the thermal element 16 with increasing pressure as the temperature rises. For instance, as the temperature of the heat source 12 increases, heat transfers (e.g., through a conduction path, etc.) from the heat source 12 to the first strip 64 and the counter element 66 of the control element 62. Because the counter element 66 has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first strip 64, the counter element 66 increases in length at a greater rate than the first strip 64. This difference causes a portion of the control element 62 (e.g., the end opposite the connection to the heat source 12, etc.) to mechanically displace, or bend, in a direction toward the heat sink 14 (e.g., compressing the heat conducting element 16, as shown in FIG. 8). In some embodiments, this mechanical displacement may be referred to herein as a cantilevered beam deflection.

[0077] An inverse arrangement is also possible, in which the positions of control element 62, i.e. the first strip 64, and the counter element 66 are reversed. The counter element 66 is then made of a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than control element 62, for example carbon.

[0078] FIG. 8 shows the situation with the fifth embodiment when the temperature of the heat source 12 has increased and the control element 62 has compressed the heat conducting element 16. In this embodiment, heat conducting element 16 is preferably configured as an elastic heat conducting pad, the thickness of which decreases as the pressure from control element 62 increases.

[0079] FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment, in which a control element 62 with a counter element 66, as described in FIG. 7, is used.

[0080] In the sixth embodiment, the heat conducting element 16 has a first comb-like element 68 and a second comb-like element 70, which are configured complementary to each other and comb together. Stated another way, the teeth of the first comb-like element 68 may intermesh with the teeth of the second comb-like element 70. In some embodiments, the first comb-like element 68 and the second comb-like element 70 may be referred to as combs having alternating teeth and hollows. The teeth and hollows may offset between the first comb-like element 68 and the second comb-like element 70 such that the teeth of the first comb-like element 68 align and engage with the hollows of the second comb-like element 70 and/or vice versa. Like the control element 62 of FIGS. 6-10, the teeth of the heat conducting element 16 (e.g., of the first comb-like element 68 and the second comb-like element 70) may be made from a thermally conductive material. The first comb-like element 68 is arranged at the control element 62 and the second comb-like element 70 is arranged at the heat sink 14. As shown in FIG. 10, the first comb-like element 68 and the second comb-like element 70 push further into each other as the pressure through the control element 62 increases, i.e. as the temperature of the heat source 12 rises. As the temperature of the heat source 12 rises and the counter element 66 is caused to expand, or increase in length (e.g., running in a horizontal direction shown in the figures, etc.), the control element 62 mechanically displaces, or bends, in a direction toward the heat sink 14 (e.g., providing a greater surface contact, or contact area, between the teeth of the first comb-like element 68 and the teeth of the second comb-like element 70, etc.).

[0081] FIGS. 11-13 show various embodiments of a videoendoscope 80 capable of employing any one or more of the heat conducting elements 16 and/or arrangements between the heat sources 12 and the heat sinks 14 as described in FIGS. 1-10. FIG. 11 shows a first embodiment of a videoendoscope 80. In a housing 36 a heat source 12 is arranged here, which has an imaging sensor 42, a heat sink 14 and a heat conducting element 16.

[0082] FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of a videoendoscope 80, where the heat source 12 has a first imaging sensor 42 and a second imaging sensor 42′.

[0083] FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of a videoendoscope 80, which has a first heat source 12 with an imaging sensor 42 and a second heat source 12′ with a second imaging sensor 42′. In addition to the first heat conducting element 16, a second heat conducting element 16′ is also shown here.