Intro

Previously I showed new interesting components for high-current boards — it's metal (copper/brass) blocks compatible with P2P machines:

🧱 SMT Metal Copper Sheets (blocks/jumpers) for High Current PCB

During testing DC-DC buck converter with high load I sensed that most of heating produced by IC and inductor.

Despite on DC-DC IC power pad with vias and direct connection to all 4L with ground it can't effectively remove heat.

Idea

Here is SMT blocks (small busbars), that could be made of brass/copper:

The board should be 2-side (components on both sides), which makes it not available for many board. But on other hand these blocks could be soldered manually, which shouldn't cost much.

All you need is to place such small heatsink (radiator) on the opposite side of heating IC and add more vias. The basic idea is to reduce the hotspot by using high thermal conductivity of metal:

• IC Power Pad -> Vias ->Solder -> Block

Example

Big SMT blocks located at the bottom of IC with power pad connected to the common ground. Since all vias are through hole (not blind or burried) only GND vias should be placed in this area.

3D View

Artwork

Vias

Conclusions

• This interesting solution looks promising, but need PoC
• Maybe it make sense also to place such SMT blocks on the same side, but close to the heating source