A numerical method for simulating impinging air flow and heat transfer in p
late-fin type heat sinks has been developed. In this method, all the fins o
f an individual heat sink and the air between them are replaced with a sing
le, uniform element having an appropriate flow, resistance and thermal cond
uctivity. With this element, fine calculation meshes adapted to the shape o
f the actual heat sink are not needed, so the size of the calculation mesh
is much smaller than that of conventional methods.