FLEXIBLE AND TRANSFORMABLE WATER-COOLING DEVICE

Abstract

A flexible and transformable water-cooling device includes a liquid reservoir case and a heat exchange unit. The liquid reservoir case is for a cooling liquid to pass therethrough. The liquid reservoir case has a flexible section, which can be flexed. The flexible section has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. A first region outward extends from the first end. The heat exchange unit is disposed in the first region and has multiple radiating fins in contact with the cooling liquid passing through the first region. Due to the flexibility of the flexible section of the water-cooling device, the water-cooling device can be freely flexed and transformed in accordance with an existent space in an electronic device. Therefore, the water-cooling device can be adaptively disposed in the electronic device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a flexible and transformable water-cooling device, and more particularly to a water-cooling device, which can be freely flexed and transformed in accordance with an existent space in an electronic device. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the water-cooling device of the present invention is much lower than the manufacturing cost of the conventional water-cooling device.

2. Description of the Related Art

When an electronic device works, the CPU or the other processor will generate heat. The heat must be quickly and efficiently dissipated. Currently, the most widely used cooling means for the CPU or the other processor is mainly an air-cooling device. The air-cooling device employs a heat sink and cooling fan as the heat dissipation means. Another type of cooling device that utilizes a cooling liquid to cool the CPU or the other processor has been developed, for example, a cooling system for heat generation component. The cooling system includes a double-faced base seat for receiving a pump to circulate a cooling liquid. The pump includes a stator and an impeller. The impeller is disposed on the bottom side of the base seat. The stator is disposed to the top side of the base seat and isolated from the cooling liquid. A cooling system further includes a liquid reservoir chamber for the cooling liquid to pass therethrough. The liquid reservoir includes a pump chamber formed on lower side of the base seat, in which the impeller is disposed. At least one impeller cover body defines the pump chamber. The impeller cover body has one or more flow passages for the cooling liquid to pass through. A heat exchange chamber is formed under the pump chamber and perpendicularly separated from the pump chamber. The pump chamber and the heat exchange chamber are separate chambers and communicate with each other through one or more passages. A heat exchange interface is formed on one side of the heat exchange chamber in contact with a heat generation component. A heat sink is connected to the liquid reservoir chamber. The cooling liquid serves to carry away the heat of the heat sink. Also, an electronic device with a pump includes a liquid reservoir case having a heat generation component. A heat dissipation section serves to dissipate the heat generated by the heat generation component. The electronic device further includes a pump unit having an impeller and a heat absorption section thermally connected to the heat generation component. The impeller of the pump unit rotates to supply cooling liquid to the heat dissipation section. The cooling liquid circulates in a circulation path between the heat absorption section and the heat dissipation section, whereby the heat generated by the heat generation component can be transferred to the heat dissipation section via the cooling liquid. The center of the impeller of the pump unit and the center of the heat generation component are separately disposed. In the conventional water-cooling system, the liquid reservoir case and the pump unit are separate components. In addition, the relevant components must be respectively assembled. This will lead to trouble in assembling process and difficulty in installation/uninstallation. Moreover, in the conventional water-cooling system, the liquid reservoir case and the pump unit are separate components so that the manufacturing cost is increased.

It is therefore tried by the applicant to provide a flexible and transformable water-cooling device to solve the above problems of the conventional water-cooling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a flexible and transformable water-cooling device, which can be freely flexed and transformed in accordance with an existent space in an electronic device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above flexible and transformable water-cooling device, which is easy to assemble.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide the above flexible and transformable water-cooling device, the manufacturing cost of which is much lower than the manufacturing cost of the conventional water-cooling device.

To achieve the above and other objects, the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention includes a liquid reservoir case and a heat exchange unit. The liquid reservoir case is for a cooling liquid to pass therethrough. The liquid reservoir case has a flexible section, which can be flexed. The flexible section has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. A first region extends from the first end. The heat exchange unit is disposed at the first region and has multiple radiating fins in contact with the cooling liquid passing through the first region.

According to the above structure, due to the flexibility of the flexible section of the liquid reservoir case, the water-cooling device can be freely flexed and transformed in accordance with an existent space in an electronic device. Moreover, the liquid reservoir case is integrally formed so that the shortcoming of the conventional water-cooling device that the relevant components must be respectively troublesomely assembled is eliminated. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is lowered.

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 assembled view of a first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a top sectional view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a flexed state;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a folded state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a folded state;

FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective assembled view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a top sectional view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a flexible state;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a folded state; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. FIG. 1A is a perspective assembled view of a first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 1C is a top sectional view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention. According to the first embodiment, the flexible and transformable water-cooling device 1 of the present invention includes a liquid reservoir case 10 and a heat exchange unit 2. The liquid reservoir case 10 has a flexible section 101, which can be flexed. The flexible section 101 has a first end 1011 and a second end 1012 opposite to each other. A first region 102 outward extends from the first end 1011. A receiving space (not shown) is disposed in the liquid reservoir case 10 for a cooling liquid 3 to pass therethrough. One side of the heat exchange unit 2 has multiple radiating fins 21. The radiating fins 21 are positioned in the receiving space of the first region 102 for contacting the cooling liquid 3 passing through the first region 102.

The liquid reservoir case 10 is formed with an opening 104 in a position where the heat exchange unit 2 is positioned. The other side of the heat exchange unit 2 has a heat contact face 22 for contacting a heat source such as a central processing unit or graphics processing unit (not shown).

In this embodiment, a second region 103 extends from the second end 1012 of the flexible section 101. The first and second regions 102, 103 and the flexible section 101 are integrally formed. A pump unit 42 is disposed at the second region 103 and has a driver 43. The driver 43 is immerged in the cooling liquid 3 for driving the cooling liquid 3 in the liquid reservoir case 10 to pass through the flexible section and the first and second regions 102, 103. The first region 102 defines a heat exchange chamber 6, while the second region 103 defines a pump chamber 7. The flexible section 101 has a passage 8 in communication with the pump chamber 7 and the heat exchange chamber 6.

Please now also refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a flexed state. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a folded state. The heat exchange chamber 6 has an outlet 61 and the pump chamber 7 has an inlet 71. The passage 8 communicates with the outlet 61 and the inlet 71. When the driver 43 rotates, the cooling liquid 3 in the pump chamber 7 is disturbed and urged to flow to the passage 8. Then the cooling liquid 3 flows from the passage 8 to the heat exchange chamber 6. At this time, the heat generated by the heat source (not shown) in contact with the heat contact face 22 is conducted to the radiating fins 21 of the heat exchange chamber 6. After heat exchange takes place between the cooling liquid 3 and the radiating fins 21, the cooling liquid 3 carries the heat of the radiating fins 21 away and flows out from the outlet 61 so as to achieve heat dissipation effect.

The flexible section 101 of the liquid reservoir case 10 can be flexed so that the first and second regions 102, 103 can be bent about the flexible section 101 from a horizontal parallel position to a vertical overlapping position. A mating section 91 is formed near rear end edge of the first region 102 and a connection section 92 is formed on the second region 103 in a position corresponding to the mating section 91. In this embodiment, the mating section 91 and the connection section 92 are magnetic members, whereby the mating section 91 and the connection section 92 can be connected with each other by means of magnetic attraction force. When the second region 103 is folded onto the first region 102 about the flexible section 101, the mating section 91 and the connection section 92 are connected with each other to keep the water-cooling device 1 in a folded state. Due to the flexibility of the flexible section 101, the water-cooling device 1 can be freely flexed and transformed. The liquid reservoir case 10 is integrally formed so that the shortcoming of the conventional water-cooling device that the relevant components must be respectively troublesomely assembled is eliminated. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is lowered.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a folded state. The second embodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment in structure, component and relationship between components and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The second embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the mating section 91 and the connection section 92 are connected with each other via a connection member 93. When the second region 103 is folded onto the first region 102 about the flexible section 101, the mating section 91 and the connection section 92 are connected with each other via the connection member 93 to keep the water-cooling device 1 in a folded state. Due to the flexibility of the flexible section 101, the water-cooling device 1 can be freely flexed and transformed. The liquid reservoir case 10 is integrally formed so that the shortcoming of the conventional water-cooling device that the relevant components must be respectively troublesomely assembled is eliminated. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is lowered.

Please refer to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a perspective assembled view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 4C is a top sectional view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention. The third embodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment in structure, component and relationship between components and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The third embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the second end 1012 of the flexible section 101 is connected with a pump case 4 in which a pump unit 44 is received. The pump unit 44 has a driver 45 immerged in the cooling liquid 3 for driving the cooling liquid 3 in the liquid reservoir case 10 to pass through the flexible section 101, the first region 102 and the pump case 4. The first region 102 defines a heat exchange chamber 6, while the pump case 4 defines a pump chamber 70. The flexible section 101 has a passage 80 in communication with the pump chamber 70 and the heat exchange chamber 6.

The heat exchange chamber 6 has an outlet 61 and the pump chamber 70 has an inlet 72. The passage 80 communicates with the outlet 61 and the inlet 72. When the driver 45 rotates, the cooling liquid 3 in the pump chamber 70 is disturbed and urged to flow to the passage 80. Then the cooling liquid 3 flows from the passage 80 to the heat exchange chamber 6. At this time, the heat generated by the heat source (not shown) in contact with the heat contact face 22 is conducted to the radiating fins 21 of the heat exchange chamber 6. After heat exchange takes place between the cooling liquid 3 and the radiating fins 21, the cooling liquid 3 carries the heat of the radiating fins 21 away and flows out from the outlet 61 so as to achieve heat dissipation effect.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A and 5B as well as FIG. 4B. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a flexible state. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a folded state. The flexible section 101 of the liquid reservoir case 10 can be flexed so that the first region 102 and the pump case 4 can be bent about the flexible section 101 from a horizontal parallel position to a vertical overlapping position. A mating section 91 is formed on the first region 102 and a connection section 94 is disposed on the pump case 4 in a position corresponding to the mating section 91. In this embodiment, the mating section 91 and the connection section 94 are magnetic members, whereby the mating section 91 and the connection section 94 can be connected with each other by means of magnetic attraction force. When the pump case 4 is folded onto the first region 102 about the flexible section 101, the mating section 91 and the connection section 94 are connected with each other to keep the water-cooling device 1 in a folded state. Due to the flexibility of the flexible section 101, the water-cooling device 1 can be freely flexed and transformed.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a folded state. The fourth embodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment in structure, component and relationship between components and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The fourth embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the mating section 91 and the connection section 94 are connected with each other via a connection member 95. When the pump case 4 is folded onto the first region 102 about the flexible section 101, the mating section 91 and the connection section 94 are connected with each other via the connection member 95 to keep the water-cooling device 1 in a folded state. Due to the flexibility of the flexible section 101, the water-cooling device 1 can be freely flexed and transformed.

In comparison with the conventional water-cooling device, the present invention has the following advantages:

• • 1. The water-cooling device of the present invention is flexible and transformable.
  • 2. The water-cooling device of the present invention is easy to assemble.
  • 3. The manufacturing cost of the water-cooling device of the present invention is much lower than the manufacturing cost of the conventional water-cooling device.

The present invention has been described with the above embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in the above 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 flexible and transformable water-cooling device comprising:

a liquid reservoir case for a cooling liquid to pass therethrough, the liquid reservoir case having a flexible section, which can be flexed, the flexible section having a first end and a second end opposite to each other, a first region extending from the first end; and

a heat exchange unit disposed at the first region, one side of the heat exchange unit having multiple radiating fins in contact with the cooling liquid passing through the first region.

2. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second region extends from the second end of the flexible section, the first and second regions being bendable about the flexible section from a horizontal parallel position to a vertical overlapping position, a pump unit being disposed at the second region and having a driver, the driver being immerged in the cooling liquid for driving the cooling liquid in the liquid reservoir case to pass through the flexible section and the first and second regions.

3. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of the flexible section is connected with a pump case in which a pump unit is received, the first region and the pump case being bendable about the flexible section from a horizontal parallel position to a vertical overlapping position, the pump unit having a driver immerged in the cooling liquid for driving the cooling liquid in the liquid reservoir case to pass through the flexible section, the first region and the pump case.

4. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir case is formed with an opening in a position where the heat exchange unit is positioned, the other side of the heat exchange unit having a heat contact face for contacting a heat source.

5. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first region defines a heat exchange chamber, while the second region defines a pump chamber.

6. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first region defines a heat exchange chamber, while the pump case defines a pump chamber.

7. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible section has a passage in communication with the pump chamber and the heat exchange chamber.

8. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flexible section has a passage in communication with the pump chamber and the heat exchange chamber.

9. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the heat exchange chamber has an outlet and the pump chamber has an inlet, the passage communicating with the outlet and the inlet.

10. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat exchange chamber has an outlet and the pump chamber has an inlet, the passage communicating with the outlet and the inlet.

11. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a mating section is disposed on the first region and a connection section is disposed on the second region, the mating section and the connection section being connectable with each other to keep the first and second regions in a folded state.

12. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a mating section is disposed on the first region and a connection section is disposed on the second region, the mating section and the connection section being connectable with each other to keep the first and second regions in a folded state.

13. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mating section and the connection section are connectable with each other via a connection member.

14. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the mating section and the connection section are connectable with each other via a connection member.