US-12618620-B2 - Component system

US12618620B2US 12618620 B2US12618620 B2US 12618620B2US-12618620-B2

Abstract

A component system including at least two components, between which a cavity to be filled is formed, wherein the cavity has a feed section, and a filling device for the filling of the cavity via a feed element, which can be introduced, before the filling procedure into the feed section. The feed element has a closure and sealing element, which is configured to close and seal the feed section in a closure position during the filling procedure. The closure and sealing element is configured as an elastically expandable body, which can change between the closure position and a release position. During an introduction of the feed element into the feed section, the closure and sealing element is in the release position, and can then be transferred into the closure position.

Inventors

Sebastian Schwarz
Holger ROTTMANN
Dietmar Kieslinger
Harald Graf

Assignees

ZKW GROUP GMBH

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240424
Priority Date: 20230428

Claims (15)

1 . A component system ( 1 ) comprising: at least two interconnected components ( 2 a , 2 b ), between which a cavity ( 3 ) that is to be filled is formed, wherein the cavity ( 3 ) has a feed section ( 3 a ), which opens out into a feed opening ( 3 a 1 ), which is formed on at least one of the at least two components ( 2 a , 2 b ); and a filling device ( 4 ) for the filling of the cavity ( 3 ) in the course of a filling procedure, in which a viscous liquid filling material can be filled into the cavity ( 3 ), wherein in the filled state, after the filling procedure, the filling material fills the cavity ( 3 ) essentially completely, such that the at least two components ( 2 a , 2 b ) are in contact with one another, at least in some sections, via the filling material, wherein the filling material is a viscous heat-conducting material and/or comprises a viscous adhesive, wherein the filling device ( 4 ) for the filling of the cavity ( 3 ) with filling material has a feed element ( 4 a ), which is configured to be introduced, before the filling procedure, at least in some sections, along a direction of introduction (z) through the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) into the feed section ( 3 a ) of the cavity ( 3 ), such that a pouring opening ( 5 ) of the feed element ( 4 a ) projects into the feed section ( 3 a ), wherein, in the course of the filling procedure, filling material from the filling device ( 4 ) can be introduced into the cavity ( 3 ) through the feed section ( 3 a ) via the pouring opening ( 5 ), wherein the feed element ( 4 a ) has a closure and sealing element ( 4 b ), which is designed so as to close and seal the feed section ( 3 a ) of the cavity ( 3 ) in a closure position in the course of the filling procedure, such that the section of the feed element ( 4 a ) projecting into the feed section ( 3 a ) within the feed section ( 3 a ) is secured against being pushed out of the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) by a filling pressure that prevails in the course of the filling procedure, and that acts counter to the direction of introduction (z), and the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) is sealed, wherein the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) is furthermore designed so as to enable the feed element ( 4 a ) to be introduced into, and removed from, the feed section ( 3 a ) via the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) in a release position, before and after the filling procedure, and wherein the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) is configured as an elastically expandable body, which is designed to transfer between the closure position and the release position, wherein in the course of an introduction of the feed element ( 4 a ) into the feed section ( 3 a ) via the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ), the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) is in the release position, and, when the feed element ( 4 a ) has reached a filling position within the feed section ( 3 a ), the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) can be transferred into the closure position, wherein in the closure position, an outer surface of the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) bounding the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) can be transferred into the release position at an opening ( 3 a 1 ) which is adjacent to the feed section ( 3 a ), can be transferred to the closure position, wherein in the closure position an outer surface of the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) bounding the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) bears in a sealing manner against an edge surface ( 3 b ) of the feed section ( 3 a ) bounding the feed section ( 3 a ), and any movement of the feed element ( 4 a ) counter to the direction of introduction of the feed element ( 4 a ) is inhibited by the contact, wherein after the filling procedure the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) can be transferred from the closure position to the release position, wherein in the release position the outer surface of the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) is essentially free of any contact with the edge surface ( 3 b ) of the feed section ( 3 a ), as a result of which the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) can be removed from the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ), and the feed element ( 4 a ) can be removed from the feed section ( 3 a ) via the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ), after the filling procedure, counter to the direction of introduction (z).
2 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) is configured as an elastomeric body, which in the closure position has an essentially spherical shape, and in the release position has an essentially cylindrical shape.
3 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the feed element ( 4 a ) has a feed channel ( 6 ), with a longitudinal extent (L) along the direction of introduction (z), through which the filling material can be conducted, and on the distal end section of which the pouring opening ( 5 ) is formed, wherein the feed channel ( 6 ) has a wall ( 6 a ) bounding the feed channel, wherein the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) is designed on an elastic section of the wall ( 6 a ).
4 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) is configured integrally with the feed element ( 4 a ) in the manner or shape of a balloon catheter, wherein the configuration in the manner or shape of a balloon catheter is such that in the closure position it has an essentially spherical shape, and in the release position it has an essentially cylindrical shape.
5 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) in a main sectional plane, which is orientated orthogonally to the direction of introduction (z), has an opening shape that is configured in a manner corresponding to a cross-sectional shape in the main sectional plane of the feed element ( 4 a ) and the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) in the release position.
6 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the feed section ( 3 a ) is configured as an inlet channel with a longitudinal extent along the direction of introduction (z), wherein the feed section ( 3 a ) is configured to be cylindrical, or rotationally conical, with a rotational cone radius that increases along the direction of introduction (z), along its longitudinal extent.
7 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the filling material comprises a thermal interface material (TIM), which forms a thermal contact between the at least two components ( 2 a , 2 b ).
8 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ) is configured as an expandable elastomeric cylindrical body, which has a first cylindrical radius in the release position, and a second cylindrical radius in the closure position, wherein the first cylindrical radius is less than the second cylindrical radius, wherein the feed section ( 3 a ) is configured as an inlet channel with a longitudinal extent along the direction of introduction (z), wherein the inlet channel is configured to be cylindrical along its longitudinal extent, and has an inlet channel cylindrical radius that is essentially equal to or less than the second cylindrical radius of the closure and sealing element ( 4 b ), such that in the closure position, in the course of the filling of the cavity ( 3 ), an outer surface of the expanded elastomeric cylindrical body makes contact with an inlet channel inner surface, bounding the inlet channel in a sealing manner, and closing the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ), wherein the contact is such that a contact pressure of the expanded outer surface acts radially on the inlet channel inner surface, wherein the contact pressure is such that any movement of the feed element ( 4 a ) counter to the direction of introduction of the feed element ( 4 a ) is inhibited, and the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) is sealed against any release of fluid.
9 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the elastomeric cylindrical body is formed integrally with the feed element ( 4 a ), wherein the pouring opening ( 5 ) is arranged on a distal end section of the elastomeric cylindrical body.
10 . The component system ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the elastomeric cylindrical body has a filling channel, through which the filling material can be conveyed into the cavity ( 3 ) in the course of the filling of the cavity, wherein the expandable section of the elastomeric cylindrical body encases the filling channel.
11 . A component system ( 10 ), comprising: at least two interconnected components ( 2 a , 2 b ), between which a cavity ( 3 ) that is to be filled is formed, wherein the cavity ( 3 ) has a feed section ( 3 a ), which opens out into a feed opening ( 3 a 1 ), which is formed on at least one of the at least two components ( 2 a , 2 b ); and a filling device ( 4 ) for the filling of the cavity ( 3 ) in the course of a filling procedure, in which a viscous liquid filling material can be filled into the cavity ( 3 ), wherein in the filled state, after the filling procedure, the filling material fills the cavity ( 3 ) essentially completely, such that the at least two components ( 2 a , 2 b ) are in contact with one another, at least in some sections, via the filling material, wherein the filling material is a viscous heat-conducting material and/or comprises a viscous adhesive, wherein the filling device ( 4 ), for the filling of the cavity ( 3 ) with filling material, has a feed element ( 4 a ), which is designed so as to be introduced, before the filling procedure, through the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) into the feed section ( 3 a ) of the cavity ( 3 ), at least in some sections, along a direction of introduction (z), such that a pouring opening ( 5 ) of the feed element ( 4 a ) projects into the feed section ( 3 a ), wherein in the course of the filling procedure, filling material from the filling device ( 4 ) can be introduced into the cavity ( 3 ) through the feed section ( 3 a ) via the pouring opening ( 5 ), wherein the feed element ( 4 a ) has a closure and sealing element ( 40 b ), which is designed so as to close and seal the feed section ( 3 a ) of the cavity ( 3 ) in a closure position in the course of the filling procedure, such that the section of the feed element ( 4 a ) projecting into the feed section ( 3 a ) within the feed section ( 3 a ) is secured against being pushed out of the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) by a filling pressure that prevails in the course of the filling procedure, and that acts counter to the direction of introduction (z), and the feed opening ( 3 al ) is sealed, wherein the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) is furthermore designed so as to enable the feed element ( 4 a ) to be introduced into, and removed from, the feed section ( 3 a ) via the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) in a release position, before and after the filling procedure, wherein the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) has a shape corresponding to the feed opening ( 3 a ), so as with the feed section ( 3 a ), for purposes of forming the closure position, to design a two-stage bayonet closure mechanism, wherein so as to form a first stage of the two-stage bayonet closure mechanism the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) can be introduced into the feed section ( 3 a ) via the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) along the direction of introduction (z) and, in the introduced state, can rotate about a first axis (z 1 ), which is orientated parallel to the direction of introduction (z), wherein by means of a rotation of the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) about the first axis (z 1 ) through at least 45°, a first contact of a first contact section of the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) can be made with a first edge section of the feed section ( 3 a ), bounding the feed section ( 3 a ), wherein the first contact is such that any movement of the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) counter to the direction of introduction (z) is inhibited, wherein so as to form the second stage of the two-stage bayonet closure mechanism, the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) is configured to be pivoted about a second axis (x), which is orthogonal to the first axis (z 1 ), wherein the pivot point of the pivoting movement lies essentially at a centre point of the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ), wherein, by the pivoting movement of the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) about the second axis (x) through at least 30° a second contact can be made by a second contact section of the closure and release element ( 40 b ) with a second edge section of the feed section ( 3 a ), wherein the second contact is such that the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) is sealed by means of the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ), in the course of a filling of the cavity ( 3 ) with filling material, and wherein, after the filling of the cavity, the second contact is configured to be released by a reverse pivoting movement about the second axis (x), and the first contact is configured to be released by a reverse pivoting movement about the first axis (z 1 ), so as to transfer the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) into the release position.
12 . The component system ( 10 ) in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) is arranged on a distal end section of the feed element ( 40 a ), which has the pouring opening ( 5 ).
13 . The component system ( 10 ) in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) is configured as a sphere that is flattened on two diametrically opposed spherical surface sections.
14 . The component system ( 10 ) in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the feed element ( 4 a ) is designed as a feed channel, which has the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) on a distal end section, wherein the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ) has a conduit section, which is connected to the feed channel in a fluid-conducting manner, such that filling material can flow from the feed channel into the conduit section of the closure and sealing element ( 40 b ), wherein a distal end section of the conduit section has the pouring opening ( 5 ).
15 . A method for the filling of a cavity ( 3 ), the method comprising the following steps: providing a component system ( 1 , 10 ) in accordance with claim 1 , with (A) at least two interconnected, components ( 2 a , 2 b ), between which a cavity ( 3 ) that is to be filled is formed, wherein the cavity ( 3 ) has a feed section ( 3 a ), which opens out into a feed opening ( 3 a 1 ), which is formed on at least one of the at least two components ( 2 a , 2 b ), and (B) a filling device ( 4 ) for the filling of the cavity ( 3 ) in the course of a filling procedure, in which a viscous liquid filling material can be filled into the cavity ( 3 ), wherein in the filled state, after the filling procedure, the filling material fills the cavity ( 3 ) essentially completely, such that the at least two components ( 2 a , 2 b ) are in contact with one another, at least in some sections, via the filling material, wherein the filling material is a viscous heat-conducting material and/or comprises a viscous adhesive, wherein the filling device ( 4 ) for the filling of the cavity ( 3 ) with filling material has a feed element ( 4 a ), which is designed so as to be introduced, before the filling procedure, through the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) into the feed section ( 3 a ) of the cavity ( 3 ), at least in some sections, along a direction of introduction (z), such that a pouring opening ( 5 ) of the feed element ( 4 a ) projects into the feed section ( 3 a ), wherein in the course of the filling procedure, filling material from the filling device ( 4 ) can be introduced into the cavity ( 3 ) through the feed section ( 3 a ) via the pouring opening ( 5 ), wherein the feed element ( 4 a ) has a closure and sealing element ( 4 b , 40 b ), which is designed so as to close and seal the feed section ( 3 a ) of the cavity ( 3 ) in a closure position in the course of the filling procedure, such that the section of the feed element ( 4 a ) projecting into the feed section ( 3 a ) is secured within the feed section ( 3 a ) against being pushed out of the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) by a filling pressure that prevails in the course of the filling procedure, and that acts counter to the direction of introduction (z), and the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) is sealed, wherein the closure and sealing element ( 4 b , 40 b ) is furthermore designed so as to enable the feed element ( 4 a ) to be introduced into, and removed from, the feed section ( 3 a ) via the feed opening ( 3 a 1 ) in a release position, before and after the filling procedure; introducing the feed element ( 4 a ) into the feed section ( 3 a ); transferring the closure and sealing element ( 4 b , 40 b ) into the closure position; filling the cavity ( 3 ) with filling material through the feed element ( 4 a ); transferring the closure and sealing element into the release position; and removing the feed element ( 4 a ) from the feed section ( 3 a ).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 23170610.2, filed Apr. 28, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference. Field of the Invention and Description of Prior Art The invention relates to a component system, comprising: at least two, in particular interconnected, components, between which a cavity that is to be filled is formed, wherein the cavity has a feed section, which opens out into a feed opening, which is formed on at least one of the at least two components, anda filling device for the filling of the cavity in the course of a filling procedure, in which filling material, in particular a viscous liquid, can be filled into the cavity, wherein in the filled state, after the filling procedure, the filling material fills the cavity essentially completely, such that the at least two components are in contact with one another, at least in some sections, via the filling material, wherein the filling material is in particular a viscous heat-conducting material, and/or comprises a viscous adhesive,wherein the filling device for the filling of the cavity with filling material has a feed element, which is designed so as to be introduced, before the filling procedure, through the feed opening into the feed section of the cavity, at least in some sections, along a direction of introduction, such that a pouring opening of the feed element projects into the feed section, wherein in the course of the filling procedure, filling material can be introduced, via the pouring opening, from the filling device through the feed section into the cavity, wherein the feed element has a closure and sealing element, which is designed so as, in the course of the filling procedure, to close and seal the feed section of the cavity in a closure position, such that the section of the feed element projecting into the feed section is secured within the feed section against being pushed out of the feed opening by a filling pressure that prevails in the course of the filling procedure, and that acts counter to the direction of introduction, and the feed opening is sealed, wherein the closure and sealing element is furthermore designed so as to enable, in a release position, the feed element to be introduced into, and removed, from the feed section via the feed opening, before and after the filling procedure. The invention also relates to a method for the filling of a cavity. In the prior art, there are component systems of known art that contain components and filling devices for the filling of cavities that are formed between the interconnected components. A cavity that is to be filled can, for example, be an air gap between a heat sink and a printed circuit board, wherein the air gap can usually be filled, or is designed to be filled, with a thermally conductive viscous filling material, for example a highly viscous thermally conducting paste, in order to improve the conduction of heat between the two components. A high injection pressure is required in order to introduce highly viscous liquids into narrow cavities, which in turn means that a feed element, for example an injection nozzle, which introduces the highly viscous liquid into the cavity, must be mechanically fixed to a feed opening of the cavity. This fixation must withstand a pressure that acts counter to the direction of fill. Mechanical fixations of known art (for example screw caps with seals) disadvantageously require a complex assembly of the feed element at the feed opening, and thus increase the time required for filling, and often require additional comprehensive mechanical closure means. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to alleviate or eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the invention to create a component system in which a cavity between two components can be filled easily and reliably. The object is achieved by a component system in accordance with claim 1 and, alternatively, by a component system in accordance with claim 11. The object is further achieved by a method in accordance with claim 15. Preferred forms of embodiment are described in the dependent claims. In accordance with the invention, the closure and sealing element is configured as an elastically expandable body, which is designed so as to change between the closure position and the release position, wherein in the course of an introduction of the feed element into the feed section via the feed opening, the closure and sealing element is in the release position and, when the feed element has reached a filling position within the feed section, can be transferred into the closure position, wherein, in the closure position, an outer surface of the closure and sealing element bounding the closure and sealing element bears in a sealing manner against an edge surface of the feed section bounding the feed section, and movement of the feed element coun