VAPOR CHAMBER WITH INTEGRALLY FORMED WICK STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

Abstract

A vapor chamber includes a main body and a wick structure. The main body includes a first and a second plate, which are closed to each other to define a chamber therein between. A working fluid is filled in the chamber. The wick structure is integrally formed on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate by way of mechanical processing, and is projected from the first and second plates toward a central space in the chamber. By integrally forming the wick structure on the first and second plates, the vapor chamber can be manufactured at reduced time and labor to obtain increased yield. A method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure is also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, and more particularly to a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure that can be manufactured at reduced time and labor to obtain increased yield. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to the constant progress in many technological fields, electronic elements now have largely increased power and performance, which, however, also brings the electronic elements to generate more heat during the operation thereof. The generated heat must be timely removed, lest it should accumulate in the electronic elements to adversely affect the performance or even cause burnout of the electronic elements. To effectively solve the problem of heat dissipation in different electronic devices and elements, vapor chambers with better heat transfer effect have been developed from time to time.

A prior art vapor chamber usually includes a chamber and a wick structure provided in the chamber. A working fluid is filled in the chamber. The wick structure provided in the chamber or on inner surfaces of the chamber may be sintered powder, metal meshes, or fibers. One side of the vapor chamber is a vaporizing zone that is in contact with a heat-generating element, such as a central processing unit, a graphics chip, a south bridge chip, a north bridge chip, or a communication chip, to absorb the generated heat. The liquid-phase working fluid in the chamber near the vaporizing zone is heated by the absorbed heat and vaporized into a vapor-phase working fluid, which flows toward and accordingly transfers heat to the other side of the vapor chamber, i.e. a condensing zone. At the condensing zone, the vapor-phase working liquid is cooled and condensed into a liquid-phase working fluid again. The liquid-phase working fluid flows back to the vaporizing zone through gravity force or the wick structure to continue the cycles of vapor/liquid phase conversion and thereby achieve the temperature lowering and heat dissipating effects.

While the prior art vapor chamber may achieve the effect of lowering temperature, it has another problem with the wick structure thereof. The wick structure in the prior art vapor chamber is attached to the inner surfaces of the chamber through sintering, for example, instead of being integrally formed thereon. Thus, the wick structure tends to separate from the inner surfaces of the vapor chamber when the latter is subjected to some external factors, such as deformation caused by collision, compression and the like, resulting in unmovable working fluid in the chamber and accordingly, lowered heat transfer efficiency of the vapor chamber.

Furthermore, the manufacture of the prior art vapor chamber involves rather complicated procedures to provide the wick structure in the form of sintered powder, metal meshes or fibers in the chamber. The complicated procedures for forming the wick structure in the vapor chamber would inevitably require more labor and time to reduce the yield.

In conclusion, the prior art vapor chamber has the following disadvantages: (1) consuming more time and labor; (2) having lowered yield; and (3) involving complicated manufacturing procedures.

It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure and a method for manufacturing same, so as to eliminate the drawbacks in the prior art vapor chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, so as to save the time and labor needed to manufacture the vapor chamber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure to enable increased yield thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, so as to save the time and labor needed to manufacture the vapor chamber.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure to enable increased yield thereof.

To achieve the above and other objects, the vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the present invention includes a main body and a wick structure. The main body includes a first and a second plate, which are closed to each other to define a chamber therein between. A working fluid is filled in the chamber. The wick structure is integrally formed on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate by way of mechanical processing, and is projected from the first and second plates toward a central space in the chamber. By integrally forming the wick structure on the first and second plates, the vapor chamber can be manufactured at reduced time and labor to obtain increased yield.

To achieve the above and other objects, the method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the present invention includes the following steps: providing a first and a second plate; forming a wick structure on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate by way of mechanical processing; closing the first and the second plate to each other to thereby define a chamber therein between; evacuating the chamber, filling the chamber with a working fluid, and sealing the chamber. With the method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the present invention, the manufacturing process for a vapor chamber is effectively simplified to achieve the effects of saving time and labor as well as increased yield.

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. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of a variant of the vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of a variant of the vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a first method of manufacturing a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a second method of manufacturing a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a third method of manufacturing a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with some preferred embodiments thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of easy to understand, elements that are the same in the preferred embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Please refer to FIG. 1 that is an assembled perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the present invention, and to FIGS. 2 and 3 that are exploded perspective view and assembled sectional view, respectively, of the vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the vapor chamber includes a main body 1 and a wick structure 15. The main body 1 includes a first plate 11 and a second plate 12, which are closed to each other to define a chamber 14 therein between. The chamber 14 is filled with a working fluid, such as purified water, inorganic compounds, alcohols, ketones, liquid metals, coolants, or organic compounds.

An outer side of the second plate 12, i.e. a vaporizing zone of the vapor chamber, is in contact with a heat-generating element, such as a central processing unit, a graphics chip, a south bridge chip, a north bridge chip, a communication chip and the like (not shown), for absorbing heat generated by the heat-generating element. The working fluid in the chamber 14 located at an inner side of the second plate 12 is heated by the absorbed heat and vaporized into a vapor-phase working fluid. The vapor-phase working fluid flows to the first plate 11, which is also a condensing zone of the vapor chamber, and is cooled and condensed into a liquid-phase working fluid. The liquid-phase working fluid flows back to the vaporizing zone through gravity force or the wick structure 15 to continue the cycles of vapor/liquid phase conversion to thereby enable effective and excellent temperature lowing and heat dissipating effects.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wick structure 15 is provided on two inner surfaces of the first and the second plate 11, 12 that facing toward each other, and is projected toward a central space in the chamber 14. In other words, the wick structure 15 is integrally formed on the first and the second plate 11, 12 at the two facing inner surfaces thereof.

In the illustrated first embodiment, the wick structure 15 is configured as two roughened surfaces (see FIG. 2). However, it is understood the wick structure 15 is not necessarily limited to the roughened surfaces but may include a plurality of grooves as shown in FIG. 3, or a plurality of grids.

With the wick structure 15 being integrally formed on the two facing inner surfaces of the first and second plates 11, 12, it is possible to effectively avoid undesired separation of the wick structure 15 from the first and second plates 11, 12 and therefore ensure stable quality and enhanced heat transfer effect of the vapor chamber. Furthermore, by integrally forming the wick structure 15 with the first and second plates 11, 12, it is able to save the labor and time for manufacturing the vapor chamber.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the second embodiment is generally structurally similar to the first embodiment, except for a radiating fin unit 2 provided on an outer surface of the first plate 11. The radiating fin unit 2 includes a plurality of radiating fins 21 outward extended from the outer surface of the first plate 11 to enable quicker cooling of the vapor-phase working fluid for the same to convert into the liquid-phase working fluid.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the third embodiment is generally structurally similar to the first embodiment, except for at least one supporting structure 17. The supporting structure 17 may be selectively provided on the inner surface of the first or the second plate 11, 12 having the wick structure 15 formed thereon. That is, the supporting structure 17 is also integrally formed with the first plate 11 or the second plate 12 to locate on the surface having the wick structure 15 formed thereon. In the illustrated third embodiment, two spaced supporting structures 17 are formed on the inner surface of the first plate 11. However, it is understood the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

By forming the supporting structure 17, the first and the second plate 11, 12 facing toward each other are effectively supported by the supporting structure 17 to prevent or resist deformation of the vapor chamber due to an external factor, such as a compressive force applied thereto.

FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view showing a variant of the third embodiment of the present invention. The variant of the third embodiment is mainly characterized by a radiating fin unit 2 provided on the outer surface of the first plate 11. The radiating fin unit 2 includes a plurality of radiating fins 21 to enable quicker cooling of the vapor-phase working fluid for the same to convert into the liquid-phase working fluid.

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the fourth embodiment is generally structurally similar to the first embodiment, except for a plurality of supporting structures 17. The supporting structures 17 are provided on the inner surfaces of the first and the second plate 11, 12 having the wick structure 15 formed thereon. That is, the supporting structures 17 are also integrally formed with the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 to locate on the two facing inner surfaces having the wick structure 15 formed thereon. The supporting structures 17 not only reinforce or strengthen the structure of the first and the second plate 11, 12, but also provide good support effect to the first and the second plate 11, 12 when they are closed to each other.

With the supporting structures 17 integrally formed on the two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate 11, 12, the first and second plates 11, 12 are effectively supported and structurally reinforced by the supporting structures 17 to effectively prevent the vapor chamber from deformation due to an external factor, such as a compressive force applied thereto.

FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view showing a variant of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The variant of the fourth embodiment is mainly characterized by a radiating fin unit 2 provided on the outer surface of the first plate 11. The radiating fin unit 2 includes a plurality of radiating fins 21 to enable quicker cooling of the vapor-phase working fluid for the same to convert into the liquid-phase working fluid.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a first method of the present invention for manufacturing a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 7 along with FIGS. 2 and 3. In the first method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, steps S1, S2, and S3 are included.

In the step S1, a first plate and a second plate are provided.

More specifically, a first plate 11 and a second plate 12 are provided.

In the step S2, a wick structure is formed on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate by way of mechanically processing.

More specifically, the first and the second plate 11, 12 are machined on their two facing inner surfaces, such as by stamping, rolling, slotting, or milling, so that a wick structure 15 is formed on the two facing inner surfaces of the first and second plates 11, 12. That is, the wick structure 15 is integrally formed on the two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate 11, 12. The wick structure 15 may include roughened surfaces as shown in FIG. 2, or a plurality of grooves as shown in FIG. 3, or a plurality of grids.

In the step S3, the first and the second plate are closed to each other, so as to define a chamber therein between; and the chamber is evacuated and filled with a working fluid before being sealed.

More specifically, the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are closed to each other to form a main body 1 of the vapor chamber, which internally defines a chamber 14. The chamber 14 is evacuated and filled with a working fluid before being sealed. The working fluid may be purified water, inorganic compounds, alcohols, ketones, liquid metals, coolants, or organic compounds.

With the first method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, the manufacturing process for a vapor chamber is effectively simplified to achieve the effect of saving time and labor. Moreover, the wick structure 15 integrally formed with the main body may have stable quality and can be differently configured according to users' requirements.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a second method of the present invention for manufacturing a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 8 along with FIG. 5A. In the second method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, steps S1, S2, S3, and S4 are included.

In the step S1, a first plate and a second plate are provided.

In the step S2, a wick structure is formed on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate by way of mechanically processing.

In the step S3, the first and the second plate are closed to each other, so as to define a chamber therein between; and the chamber is evacuated and filled with a working fluid before being sealed.

Since the steps S1 to S3 are identical to those in the first method, they are not described in details herein. The second method is different from the first method in the step S4, which is performed after the step S1. In the step S4, at least one supporting structure is formed on an inner surface of the first facing toward the second plate or on an inner surface of the second plate facing toward the first plate by way of mechanically processing.

More specifically, in the step S4, the first plate 11 is machined on its inner surface facing toward the second plate 12, such as by stamping, rolling, slotting, or milling, so that at least one supporting structure 17 is formed on the inner surface of the first plate 11. Alternatively, the second plate 12 is machined on its inner surface facing toward the first plate 1, so that at least one supporting structure 17 is formed on the inner surface of the second plate 12. The supporting structure 17 provides effective supporting to prevent the first and the second plate 11, 12 from undesired deformation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the steps included in a third method of the present invention for manufacturing a vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 9 along with FIG. 6A. In the third method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, steps S1, S2, S3, and S5 are included.

In the step S1, a first plate and a second plate are provided.

In the step S2, a wick structure is formed on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate by way of mechanically processing.

In the step S3, the first and the second plate are closed to each other, so as to define a chamber therein between; and the chamber is evacuated and filled with a working fluid before being sealed.

Since the steps S1 to S3 are identical to those in the first method, they are not described in details herein. The third method is different from the first method in the step S5, which is performed after the step S1. In the step S5, a plurality of supporting structures is formed on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate by way of mechanically processing.

More specifically, in the step S5, the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are machined on their two facing inner surfaces, so that a plurality of supporting structures 17 is formed on the two facing inner surfaces of the first and second plates 11, 12. The supporting structures 17 integrally formed on the two facing inner surfaces of the first and second plates 11, 12 not only effectively structurally reinforce the first and the second plate 11, 12, but also provide excellent supporting to prevent the first and the second plate 11, 12 from undesired deformation.

Accordingly, compared to the prior art vapor chamber, the vapor chamber of the present invention provides the following advantages: (1) saving time and labor for manufacturing the vapor chamber and the wick structure thereof; (2) enabling increased yield thereof; and (3) reinforcing and protecting the main body of the vapor chamber from deformation.

The present invention has been described with some preferred embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in the described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, comprising:

a main body including a first plate and a second plate; the first plate and the second plate being closed to each other, so as to define a chamber therein between; and the chamber being filled with a working fluid; and

a wick structure being formed on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate to project from the first and the second plate toward a central space in the chamber.

2. The vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one supporting structure; the supporting structure being formed on the inner surface of one of the first and the second plate having the wick structure formed thereon.

3. The vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of supporting structures; the supporting structures being formed on the two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate having the wick structure formed thereon.

4. The vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plate is provided on an outer surface with a

5. The vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plate is provided on an outer surface with a radiating fin unit; and the radiating fin unit including a plurality of radiating fins outward extended from the outer surface of the first plate.

6. The vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first plate is provided on an outer surface with a radiating fin unit; and the radiating fin unit including a plurality of radiating fins outward extended from the outer surface of the first plate.

7. The vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wick structure is integrally formed on the two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate.

8. The vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wick structure is selected from the group consisting of grooves, roughened surfaces, and grids.

9. A method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure, comprising the following steps:

providing a first and a second plate;

forming a wick structure on two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate by way of mechanical processing; and

closing the first and the second plate to each other to thereby define a chamber therein between; evacuating the chamber, filling the chamber with a working fluid, and sealing the chamber.

10. The method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a step after the step of providing the first and the second plate to mechanically process an inner surface of one of the first and the second plate, so as to form at least one supporting structure on the inner surface.

11. The method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a step after the step of providing the first and the second plate to mechanically process two facing inner surfaces of the first and the second plate, so as to form a plurality of supporting structures on the two facing inner surfaces.

12. The method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wick structure is selected from the group consisting of grooves, roughened surfaces, and grids.

13. The method of manufacturing vapor chamber with integrally formed wick structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mechanical processing is selected from the group consisting of stamping, rolling, slotting and milling.