Thin heat pipe structure and manufacturing method thereof   

Abstract: A thin heat pipe structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The thin heat pipe structure includes a tubular body and a support body. The tubular body has at least one receiving space in which a working fluid is contained. The support body is disposed in the receiving space to partition the receiving space into a first chamber and a second chamber. By means of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure, the thin heat pipe structure can be made with greatly enhanced heat transfer efficiency. In addition, in the manufacturing process, the ratio of good products is increased to lower the manufacturing cost.

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan patent application number 100119071 filed on May 31, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a thin heat pipe structure and a manufacturing method thereof. By means of the manufacturing method, the heat pipe structure can be made with a thin configuration and enhanced heat transfer efficiency. In addition, in the manufacturing process, the ratio of good products is increased.

2. Description of the Related Art

A heat pipe has heat conductivity several times to several tens times that of copper, aluminum or the like. Therefore, the heat pipe has excellent performance and serves as a cooling component applied to various electronic devices. As to the configuration, the conventional heat pipes can be classified into heat pipes in the form of circular tubes and heat pipes in the form of flat plates. For cooling an electronic component such as a CPU, preferably a flat-plate heat pipe is used in view of easy installation and larger contact area. To catch up the trend toward miniaturization of cooling mechanism, the heat pipe has become thinner and thinner in adaptation to the cooling mechanism.

The heat pipe is formed with an internal space as a flow path for the working fluid contained in the heat pipe. The working fluid is converted between liquid phase and vapor phase through evaporation and condensation and is transferable within the heat pipe for transferring heat. The heat pipe is formed with sealed voids in which the working fluid is contained. The working fluid is phase-changeable and transferable to transfer heat.

The heat pipe is used as a heat conduction member. The heat pipe is fitted through a radiating fin assembly. The working fluid with low boiling point is filled in the heat pipe. The working fluid absorbs heat from a heat-generating electronic component (at the evaporation end) and evaporates into vapor. The vapor goes to the radiating fin assembly and transfers the heat to the radiating fin assembly (at the condensation end). A cooling fan then carries away the heat to dissipate the heat generated by the electronic component.

The heat pipe is manufactured in such a manner that metal powder is filled into a hollow tubular body and sintered to form a capillary structure layer on the inner wall face of the tubular body. Then the tubular body is vacuumed and filled with the working fluid and then sealed. On the demand of the electronic equipment for slim configuration, the heat pipe must be made with a thin configuration.

In the conventional technique, a hollow tubular body is pressed into a flat-plate form. Then the sintered capillary body is disposed into the hollow tubular body. Then the hollow tubular body is vacuumed and filled with the working fluid. Finally, the hollow tubular body is sealed. According to such process, the heat pipe can be made with a flat configuration. However, when bending or shaping the heat pipe, the internal sintered capillary body will crack apart or detach from the tubular body. In this case, the heat pipe will become a defective product.

Alternatively, when manufacturing the thin heat pipe, the powder is first filled into the heat pipe and then sintered. Then the heat pipe is flattened. Then the heat pipe is filled with the working fluid and sealed. Alternatively, the tubular body of the heat pipe is first pressed and flattened and then the powder is filled into the tubular body and sintered. However, the internal chamber of the tubular body is extremely narrow. Therefore, it is quite hard to fill the powder into the tubular body. Moreover, the capillary structure in the heat pipe needs to provide capillary attraction for transferring the working fluid on one hand and support the tubular body on the other hand. The support effect is quite limited in such a narrow space.

Furthermore, the vapor passageways in the heat pipe are so narrow that an effective vapor/liquid circulation can be hardly achieved. Therefore, the conventional thin heat pipe and the manufacturing method thereof have many defects.

According to the above, the conventional technique has the following shortcomings:

1. It is hard to process and manufacture the thin heat pipe. 2. The capillary structure in the heat pipe is subject to damage. 3. The manufacturing cost is higher.

SUMMARY

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a thin heat pipe structure having a thin configuration and enhanced heat transfer efficiency.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method of the above thin heat pipe structure.

To achieve the above and other objects, the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention includes a tubular body and a support body.

The tubular body has at least one receiving space and a first closed end and a second closed end in communication with the receiving space. A working fluid is contained in the receiving space. The support body is disposed in the receiving space to partition the receiving space into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first and second chambers axially extend through the tubular body.

The manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention includes steps of: preparing a tubular body and a support body; placing the support body into the tubular body; pressing the tubular body into a flat form; vacuuming the tubular body and filling a working fluid into the tubular body; and sealing the tubular body.

By means of the manufacturing method of the present invention, the heat pipe structure can be made with a thin configuration and greatly enhanced heat transfer efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1a is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 1b is a perspective assembled view of the first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the support body of the first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention in a first aspect;

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the support body of the first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention in a second aspect;

FIG. 2c is a perspective view of the support body of the first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention in a third aspect;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the tubular body of a second embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the tubular body of a third embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5a is a sectional view of the tubular body of a fourth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5b is a sectional view of the tubular body of a fifth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the tubular body of a sixth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 7a is a top view of the first capillary structure of the sixth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 7b is a top view of the third capillary structure of the sixth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a fourth embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer to FIGS. 1a to 2c. FIG. 1a is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. FIG. 1b is a perspective assembled view of the first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the support body of the first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention in a first aspect. FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the support body of the first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention in a second aspect. FIG. 2c is a perspective view of the support body of the first embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention in a third aspect. The thin heat pipe structure 1 includes a tubular body 11 and a support body 12.

The tubular body 11 has at least one receiving space 111 and a first closed end 112 and a second closed end 113 in communication with the receiving space 111. A working fluid 2 is contained in the receiving space 111 (as shown in FIG. 3).

The support body 12 is disposed in the receiving space 111 and has multiple meshes 121. The support body 12 is selected from a group consisting of mesh body (as shown in FIG. 2a), board material having recessed/raised sections on its surface (as shown in FIG. 2b) and waved board body (as shown in FIG. 2c).

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a sectional view of the tubular body of a second embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment in structure and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The second embodiment is only different from the first embodiment in that the second embodiment further includes a first capillary structure 13 disposed in the receiving space 111. The first capillary structure 13 is attached to one side of the support body 12. The first capillary structure 13 together with the support body 12 partitions the receiving space 111 into a first chamber 1111 and a second chamber 1112. The first and second chambers 1111, 1112 axially extend through the tubular body 11.

The first capillary structure 13 is selected from a group consisting of sintered powder body, a structure with multiple channels, mesh body, fiber body and foam body. In this embodiment, the first capillary structure 13 is, but not limited to, sintered powder body for illustration purposes only.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a sectional view of the tubular body of a third embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. The third embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment in structure and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The third embodiment is only different from the first embodiment in that the third embodiment further includes a first capillary structure 13 disposed in the receiving space 111. The first capillary structure 13 encloses the support body 12.

Please refer to FIG. 5a, which is a sectional view of the tubular body of a fourth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment in structure and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The fourth embodiment is only different from the first embodiment in that a second capillary structure 3 is disposed on inner wall face of the tubular body 11. The second capillary structure 3 is selected from a group consisting of sintered powder body and a structure with multiple channels. In this embodiment, the second capillary structure 3 is, but not limited to, sintered powder body for illustration purposes only. The powder of the sintered powder body is selected from a group consisting of copper powder and aluminum powder. In this embodiment, the powder of the sintered powder body is, but not limited to, copper powder for illustration purposes only.

Please refer to FIG. 5b, which is a sectional view of the tubular body of a fifth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment in structure and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The fifth embodiment is only different from the first embodiment in that a second capillary structure 3 is disposed on inner wall face of the tubular body 11. The second capillary structure 3 is selected from a group consisting of sintered powder body and a structure with multiple channels. In this embodiment, the second capillary structure 3 is, but not limited to, a structure with multiple channels for illustration purposes only.

Please refer to FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the tubular body of a sixth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. FIG. 7a is a top view of the first capillary structure of the sixth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. FIG. 7b is a top view of the third capillary structure of the sixth embodiment of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. The sixth embodiment is substantially identical to the second embodiment in structure and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The sixth embodiment is only different from the second embodiment in that the sixth embodiment further includes a third capillary structure 14 disposed in the tubular body 11. The third capillary structure 14 is, but not limited to, mesh body for illustration purposes only. The third capillary structure 14 has multiple meshes 141 and is attached to the other side of the support body 12 opposite to the first capillary structure 13.

The meshes of 141 of the third capillary structure 14 have a size larger than that of the meshes 121 of the support body 12. Alternatively, the meshes 121 of the support body 12 can be classified into large meshes and small meshes. The large and small meshes are alternately arranged. The meshes 141 of the third capillary structure 14 can be classified into large meshes and small meshes. The large and small meshes are alternately arranged.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a flow chart of a first embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. Also referring to FIGS. 1 to 7b, the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention includes steps of:

S1: preparing a tubular body and a support body, a hollow tubular body 11 with at least one open end and a support body 12 being prepared; S2: placing the support body into the tubular body, the support body 12 being placed into the receiving space 111 of the tubular body 11; S3: pressing the tubular body into a flat form, the tubular body 11 being pressed into a flat form by means of pressing; S4: vacuuming the tubular body and filling the working fluid into the tubular body, the receiving space 111 of the flattened tubular body 11 being vacuumed and filled with the working fluid 2; and S5: sealing the tubular body, the open end of the tubular body 11, which is vacuumed and filled with the working fluid 2 being sealed.

Please refer to FIG. 9, which is a flow chart of a second embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. Also referring to FIGS. 1 and 7b, the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention includes steps of:

S1: preparing a tubular body and a support body; S2: placing the support body into the tubular body; S3: pressing the tubular body into a flat form; S4: vacuuming the tubular body and filling the working fluid into the tubular body; and S5: sealing the tubular body.

The second embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention is substantially identical to the first embodiment and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that in step S1, a tubular body and a mesh body are prepared. In addition, after step S1, the second embodiment further includes a step S6 of forming a second capillary structure in the tubular body.

A second capillary structure 3 is formed on the inner wall face of the tubular body 11 by means of sintering. Alternatively, the inner wall face of the tubular body 11 is formed with multiple channels as the capillary structure.

Please refer to FIG. 10, which is a flow chart of a third embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. Also referring to FIGS. 1 and 7b, the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention includes steps of:

S1: preparing a tubular body and a support body; S2: placing the support body into the tubular body; S3: pressing the tubular body into a flat form; S4: vacuuming the tubular body and filling the working fluid into the tubular body; and S5: sealing the tubular body.

The third embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention is substantially identical to the first embodiment and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that in step S2, the support body and the first capillary structure are placed into the tubular body. In addition, after step S2, the third embodiment further includes a step S7 of bending the tubular body.

After the support body 12 and the first capillary structure 13 are placed into the tubular body 11, the tubular body 11 is bent. Thereafter, step S3 of pressing the tubular body into a flat form is performed.

Please refer to FIG. 11, which is a flow chart of a fourth embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention. Also referring to FIGS. 1 and 7b, the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention includes steps of:

S1: preparing a tubular body and a support body; S2: placing the support body into the tubular body; S3: pressing the tubular body into a flat form; S4: vacuuming the tubular body and filling the working fluid into the tubular body; and S5: sealing the tubular body.

The fourth embodiment of the manufacturing method of the thin heat pipe structure of the present invention is substantially identical to the first embodiment and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that after step S1 of preparing a tubular body and a support body, the fourth embodiment further includes a step S8 of preparing a first capillary structure and fixedly attaching the first capillary structure to the support body.

A first capillary structure 13 is prepared and fixedly attached to the support body 12. The first capillary structure 13 can be attached to one side of the support body 12. Alternatively, the first capillary structure 13 encloses the support body 12. The first capillary structure 13 is fixedly attached to the support body 12 by means of a measure selected from a group consisting of spot welding, diffusion bonding and ultrasonic welding.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. It is understood that many changes and modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.