MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR VAPOR CHAMBER WITHOUT INJECTION TUBE AND APPARATUS THEREOF

Abstract

A manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube and an apparatus thereof, includes the steps of preparing two plates for covering onto each other to form a vapor chamber housing, injecting a working fluid between the two plates, and further preparing a sealed space having a refrigeration device installed therein, and then placing the two plates having the working fluid injected therein onto the refrigeration device, thereby maintaining a temperature of the working fluid below a boiling point under a vacuum state; next, performing evacuation on the sealing space, and then sealing perimeters of the two plates. Consequently, a vapor chamber without any injection tube can be obtained through such manufacturing method.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The technical field relates to the manufacturing method of a vapor chamber, in particular, to a manufacturing method of a vapor chamber without the need of an injection tube during the manufacturing method, and a vapor chamber apparatus without any injection tube after the completion of the manufacturing method.

Description of Related Art

According to a commonly known manufacturing process for a conventional vapor chamber, such as Taiwan Invention Patent Application No. 103125191, it often requires the use of an injection tube (also known as a degassing tube) to complete, such as the works of injection of working fluid, degassing or vacuum extraction, in order to further use welding to seal the edges and opening, thereby forming a vapor chamber.

However, since the aforementioned injection tube has been installed during the manufacturing process, consequently, after the completion of the process, such injection tube is often left in the vapor chamber. As a result, the outer appearance of the conventional vapor chamber contains a protruded tubular object thereon, which often affects the installation of the vapor chamber onto a slim 3C product. Accordingly, in the currently existing manufacturing process of vapor chambers, such as Taiwan Invention Patent Application No. 104129879, the protruded portion of the injection tube is further cut off in order to maintain the uniformity of the outer appearance at the circumference of the vapor chamber in light of overcoming the issue associated with the installation of vapor chamber in a confined space.

Nevertheless, the impact of the injection tube on a vapor chamber is greater than the drawback mentioned above. In view of the demand for slim and compact 3C products nowadays, vapor chambers are also requested to adopt slimmer design, such as Taiwan Invention Patent Application No. 104118900. However, if an injection tube is required to perform the aforementioned manufacturing process, since the injection tube has a certain outer diameter, the thickness of the vapor chamber needs to be at least equivalent to the outer diameter of the injection tube, such that it is difficult to achieve the requirement for a slimmer design. Furthermore, since the manufacturing process also requires the installation of the injection tube first and further processing work to remove such tube at the end of the manufacturing process, consequently, it is inevitable that the edge of the vapor chamber housing is left with the trace and mark of previously installed injection tube. If a portion of the injection tube, indentation or welding material etc. provided for the installation of the injection tube is left thereon, it can cause the housing edge of the vapor chamber to fail to constitute a true continuous and integral sealing edge.

Moreover, in terms of the current technologies, most of the manufacturing processes utilize the method of extending the vapor chamber housing to be used as an injection tube for injecting the working fluid, degassing or vacuum extraction. The tube diameter can be generally equivalent to the thickness of the vapor chamber, and once the manufacturing process is complete, the opening gap then undergoes a secondary press sealing process, followed by cutting the injection tube off. Nevertheless, in such manufacturing process, it still requires the installation of the injection tube in order to perform the processes of injection of working fluid, degassing or vacuum extraction. As a result, the injection tube still has certain level of impact on the manufacturing process of vapor chambers, and in such conventional manufacturing process, injection tubes are still considered to be essential rather than unnecessary.

In view of above, the inventor seeks to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with the currently existing technology after years of research and development along with the utilization of academic theories, which is also the objective of the development of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method of a vapor chamber without an injection tube and an apparatus thereof. During the manufacturing method of a vapor chamber of the present invention, it does not require the installation of the element of an injection tube at all, such that the present invention is able to achieve the manufacturing method technology for a vapor chamber without any injection tube, thereby the vapor chamber is no longer affected by the existence of the injection tube during the manufacturing process.

To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides a manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube, the steps comprising:

a) preparing two plates for covering onto each other to form a vapor chamber housing, and injecting a working fluid between the two plates;

b) preparing a sealed space having a refrigeration device installed therein, and placing the two plates having the working fluid injected therein onto the refrigeration device, thereby maintaining a temperature of the working fluid below a boiling point under a vacuum state; and

c) performing evacuation on the sealing space, and sealing perimeters of the two plates.

To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides a vapor chamber apparatus without an injection tube, comprising a housing and a capillary structure. The housing is formed by two plates covering onto each other, and the two places both include a protruded accommodating portion and a sealing edge formed to extend along and continuously surround a circumference of the accommodating portion. The capillary structure is arranged at an inner wall of the accommodating portion of the two plates. In addition, the sealing edge of the two plates are attached onto each other and is continuously surrounded by an outer edge of the two plates and is formed via an edge sealing in order to seal the working fluid inside the accommodating portion of the two plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the manufacturing method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the vapor chamber apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the process of injection of working fluid in the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the process of covering the two plates onto each other in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the degassing process in the vacuum box in the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the process of edge sealing in the vacuum box in the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective outer view of the vapor chamber apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the vapor chamber apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of manufacturing method for injection of the working fluid in the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a finished product of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following provides a detailed technical content of the present invention along with the accompanied drawings. However, the accompanied drawings are provided for reference and illustrative purpose only such that they shall not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 1, a flowchart showing steps of the manufacturing method of the present invention. The present invention provides a manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube and an apparatus thereof. During the manufacturing of the vapor chamber, the injection tube commonly used in the currently existing technology is not required to achieve the processes of working fluid injection, degassing or vacuum extraction etc. for the manufacturing of a vapor chamber.

Please refer to FIG. 2 along with step S1 illustrated in FIG. 1. Prepare two places 10, 11 for covering onto each other to form a vapor chamber housing 1. The two plates 10, 11 cover onto each other and have a shape symmetrical to each other. In other words, the two plates 10, 11 both respectively have a large flat surface area and protruded accommodating portions 100, 110 as well as sealing edges 101, 111 continuously surrounding the perimeter of the accommodating portions 100, 110. In addition, the inner walls of the accommodating portions 100, 110 of the two plates 10, 11 include a capillary structure 2 formed thereon. The capillary structure 2 can be formed of sintered powder or knitted web materials etc. capable of providing capillary force. In addition, the accommodating portions 100, 110 of the two plates 10, 11 can further include a supporting structure 3 installed therein in order to abut against the capillary structure 2 at the inner walls of the accommodating portion 100, 110 of the two plates 10, 11.

According to the above, a working fluid 20 is injected into the aforementioned two plates 10, 11. As shown in FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, any one of the plates 10 can be placed flatly on a processing platform 4 first, i.e. the outer surface of its accommodating portion 100 lies on processing platform 4 in order to allow the inner wall of its accommodating portion 100 to face upward. Then, an injector 40 filled with the working fluid 20 is used to inject an appropriate amount of working fluid 20. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the other plate 11 can be covered onto the plate 10, and a pressing mold 41 can be used for pressing onto the other plate 11, or use other latch means (not shown in the drawings) to clamp and secure the two plates 10, 11, in order to maintain the working fluid 20 injected within the two plates 10, 11. At this time, if the aforementioned supporting structure 3 is to be installed inside the vapor chamber, it shall also be installed at the internal thereof before the covering of the two plates 10, 11 onto each other.

Please refer to FIG. 5 along with step S2 illustrated in FIG. 1. Prepare a sealed space 50, and the sealed space 50 having a refrigeration device 42 installed therein, and place the two plates 10, 11 having the working fluid 20 injected therein onto the refrigeration device 42, thereby maintaining a temperature of the working fluid 20 below a boiling point under a vacuum state. In addition, the aforementioned sealed space 50 can be achieved via a vacuum box 5. The vacuum box 5 includes a vacuum device 51 capable of performing vacuum extraction or evacuation on the sealed space 50. The vacuum device 51 can be a vacuum pump and uses a vacuum tube 510 to connect to the internal of the sealed space 50 in order to perform vacuum extraction or evacuation on the sealed space 50. Furthermore, the refrigeration device 42 is used to reduce the temperature of the working fluid 20 inside the two plates 10, 11. The refrigeration device 42 can be a refrigeration disk or freezer disk, such that by contacting with any one of the plate 10, it is able to carry heat away from the working fluid 20 in order to maintain the working fluid 20 at a low temperature required. The aforementioned low temperature refers to that the working fluid 20 is below the boiling point under the vacuum state in order to prevent complete vaporization of the working fluid 20.

Finally, please refer to FIG. 6 along with step S3 illustrated in FIG. 1. After performing evacuation on the aforementioned sealed space 50, the perimeters of the two plates 10, 11 are sealed, in order to achieve the vapor chamber without an injection tube. In addition, by using the aforementioned vacuum device 51 to perform vacuum extraction or evacuation on the sealed space 50, the working fluid 20 at the internal of the sealed space 50 of two plates 10, 11 can be vaporized. Once it is complete, a welding gun 43 can be used for welding the sealing edges 101, 111 of the two plates 10, 11 in order to seal the two. Consequently, a vapor chamber (as shown in FIG. 7) can be manufactured completely without the element of injection tube that is commonly used in the known arts.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sealing edges 101, 111 of the two plates 10, 11 of the vapor chamber are attached onto each other, and a continuous sealing edge is formed by using a welding gun 43. In addition, since the two plates 10, 11 are under the vacuum state when the edge sealing is performed, there is no need to install an injection tube. During the welding process, it is not required to stop the welding or to cross over the injection tube; consequently, the sealing edges 101, 111 are sealed with each other to form a continuous loop without any disconnected portions or gaps and continuously surrounding the outer edges of the two plates 10, 11 (such as a loop formed by welds on the sealing edges 101, 111 via arc welding). In other words, the sealing edges 101, 111 of the two plates 10, 11 have no traces or marks of any previously installed injection tube, such as any grooves installed for an injection tube, or welding material or waste material due to the welding of injection tube. The two sealing edges 101, 111 continuously surround the two plates 10, 11 and are completely flat and attached onto each other. The aforementioned flat shape means that there are no traces or marks as described above. Accordingly, the working fluid 20 is sealed inside the accommodating portions 100, 110 of the two plates 10, 11.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, during the process of injection of the working fluid 20, if the supporting structure 3 is to be additionally installed, the supporting structure 3 can also be used to carrying the working fluid 20. In other words, the injector 40 can also inject an appropriate amount of the working fluid 20 onto the surface of the supporting structure 3, and after placing the supporting structure 3 on one plate 10, the other plate 11 can be covered thereon in order to proceed with the subsequent manufacturing process in the sealed space 50.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10, in another embodiment of a vapor chamber of the present invention, the accommodating portions 100, 110 of the two plates 10, 11 further include two through holes 102, 111 respectively formed thereon and corresponding to each other in order to allow fasteners, such as, screw bolts, to penetrate through and to secure at the portions of the vapor chamber provided for corresponding installation. The quantity of the two through holes 102, 112 can be additionally provided in pairs according to the area of the two plates 10, 11, and the outers of the two through holes respectively includes hole edges 102a, 112a for attachment with each other, such that the method of, such as, welding can be used to seal the hole edges 102a, 112a. To be more specific, any one of the accommodating portions of plate 11 can be indented inward to form an outer hole wall 112b, and the outer hole wall 112b is integrally connected to its hole edge 112a. In addition, any one of the accommodating portions 110 of the plate 11 can be indented inward to form a blind hole 113. The blind hole 113 is formed by a bottom edge 113a connected to a circumferential wall 113b outside of the bottom edge 113a, and attached onto another plate 10 via the bottom edge 113a. Its quantity can be further increased depending upon the area of the two plates 10, 11. Accordingly, it can be used as a support between the two plates 10, 11 without the aforementioned supporting structure while maintaining the flatness and structural strength of the surfaces of the two plates 10, 11 at the same time.

Accordingly, through the aforementioned structural assembly, the manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube and an apparatus thereof of the present invention can be achieved.

Consequently, with the manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube and an apparatus thereof of the present invention, during the manufacturing process, since the known element of injection tube is completely eliminated, the entire process is not affected by the injection tube such that the objective of automation and mass production can be easily achieved, thereby further increasing the product yield rate and reducing costs. In addition, it is most suitable to be applied to satisfy the demand for vapor champers with reduced thickness (such as applicable to situation where thickness of 0.4 mm is required) or extremely small area. Moreover, the outer appearance of the vapor chamber is free from any limitation or difficulty due to the existence of the injection tube. As a result, in terms of its outer appearance, it also provides greater flexibility in its style variation and design.

In view of the above, the present invention is a novel design capable of achieving the objectives of the present invention and overcoming the drawbacks of known arts. The present invention is novel and of inventive step, which satisfies the patentability requirements. The above describes the preferable and feasible exemplary embodiments of the present invention for illustrative purposes only, which shall not be treated as limitations of the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the claims of the present invention shall be considered to be within the scope of the claim of the present invention.

Claims

1. A manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube, the steps comprising:

a) preparing two plates for covering onto each other to form a vapor chamber housing, and injecting a working fluid between the two plates;

b) preparing a sealed space having a refrigeration device installed therein, and placing the two plates having the working fluid injected therein onto the refrigeration device, thereby maintaining a temperature of the working fluid below a boiling point under a vacuum state; and

c) performing evacuation on the sealing space, and sealing perimeters of the two plates.

2. The manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube according to claim 1, wherein in step a), any one of the plates is placed on a processing platform flatly first, and an injector filled with the working fluid is used to inject the working fluid into such plate, followed by covering the other plate onto such plate.

3. The manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube according to claim 2, wherein the two plates include a supporting structure formed therein.

4. The manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube according to claim 1, wherein step a) further includes preparing a supporting structure for installing inside the two plates, and using an injector filled with the working fluid to inject the working fluid onto a surface of the supporting structure, followed by installing the supporting structure inside the two plates.

5. The manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube according to claim 2, wherein in step a), a pressing mold is used for pressing onto the other plate.

6. The manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube according to claim 2, wherein in step a), a latch is used for clamping and securing the two plates.

7. The manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube according to claim 1, wherein step b) is performed inside a vacuum box.

8. The manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube according to claim 7, wherein the refrigeration device is a refrigeration disk or freezer disk.

9. The manufacturing method for a vapor chamber without an injection tube according to claim 1, wherein in step c), a welding gun is used to perform sealing of the two plates.

10. A vapor chamber apparatus without an injection tube, comprising:

a housing formed by two plates covering onto each other, and the two places both having a protruded accommodating portion and a sealing edge formed to extend along and continuously surround a circumference of the accommodating portion; and

a capillary structure arranged at an inner wall of the accommodating portion of the two plates;

wherein the sealing edge of the two plates are attached onto each other and is continuously surrounded by an outer edge of the two plates and is formed via an edge sealing in order to seal the working fluid inside the accommodating portion of the two plates.

11. The vapor chamber apparatus without an injection tube according to claim 10, wherein the sealing edge of the two plates are completely flat and attached onto each other.

12. The vapor chamber apparatus without an injection tube according to claim 10, wherein the two plates include two through holes respectively formed thereon and corresponding to each other, and an outer of the two through holes is respectively formed of a hole edge for attachment onto each other.

13. The vapor chamber apparatus without an injection tube according to claim 12, wherein any one of the accommodating portions of the plate is indented inward to form an outer hole wall, and the outer hole wall is integrally connected to the hole edge thereof.

14. The vapor chamber apparatus without an injection tube according to claim 10, wherein any one of the accommodating portions of the plate is indented inward to form a blind hole; the blind hole is formed by a bottom edge connected to a circumferential wall outside the bottom edge, and attached onto another plate via the bottom edge.