Vortex water tank

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vortex water tank, which comprises a housing component and a driving component. The housing component includes a peripheral wall and an end wall. The peripheral wall surrounds an accommodation chamber and forms two openings at both ends thereof for communicating with the accommodation chamber. The end wall is installed on and closes one of the openings, wherein a through hole communicating with the accommodation chamber is formed on the peripheral wall or the end wall, and the through hole is used for communicating with the environment or a flow system. The driving component is installed on and closes the other opening of the peripheral wall, and it includes a pump and a stirring element. The pump forms a rotating chamber, a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel communicates the rotating chamber with the accommodation chamber, and the second channel communicates the rotating chamber and is used for communicating with the environment or a flow system. The stirring element is accommodated in the accommodation chamber, and the pump can drive the stirring element to rotate, so as to stir the working fluid accommodated in the accommodation chamber to form a vortex.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat transfer, and more particularly to a vortex water tank. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of the frequency and efficiency of electronic components, the heat generated by these electronic components is more significant. Therefore, simply installing a fan and a heat sink is not sufficient to dissipate the heat. Thus, a liquid cooling system has been developed.

[0003] The liquid cooling system includes a pump, a liquid storage tank, a heat exchanger (i.e., a heating core or a radiator), a water block, and a circulation pipeline connecting the aforementioned components. If these components have a complex structure, the impedance in these components may be significant, and thus the pump requires more power to drive the working fluid. However, when the pump consumes more power, it generates more heat, which may reduce the efficiency of the liquid cooling system.

[0004] In addition, the working fluid is usually water, and water is prone to evaporation. After the liquid cooling system has been used for some time, the amount of the working fluid will decrease, and air will infiltrate into the liquid cooling system. If air flows with the working fluid, the heat dissipation efficiency will decrease. In addition, bubbles in the working fluid may cause damage to the pump or other components. Therefore, a simple way is needed to allow the user to detect the bubbles.

[0005] To overcome these drawbacks, the present invention provides a vortex water tank to alleviate or eliminate the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a vortex water tank to solve the problem in the prior art that due to the complex structure of the components in the liquid cooling system having significant impedance, the pump requires more power to drive the working fluid, thereby generating more heat and reducing the efficiency of the liquid cooling system.

[0007] The vortex water tank disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing assembly and a driving assembly. The housing assembly includes a peripheral wall and an end wall. The peripheral wall surrounds a receiving chamber, and two openings communicating with the receiving chamber are formed at both ends of the peripheral wall. The end wall is installed and closes one of the openings. A through hole communicating with the receiving chamber is formed on the peripheral wall or the end wall, and the through hole is used to communicate with the environment or the flow system. The driving assembly is installed and closes the other opening of the peripheral wall. The driving assembly includes a pump and a stirring element. The pump forms a rotating chamber, a first channel, and a second channel, wherein the first channel communicates the rotating chamber and the receiving chamber, and the second channel communicates the rotating chamber and is used to communicate with the environment or the flow system to form a cooling circuit for the circulation of the working fluid. The stirring element is received in the receiving chamber, and the pump can drive the stirring element to rotate, so as to stir the working fluid received in the receiving chamber to form a vortex.

[0008] According to the vortex water tank disclosed in the above embodiments, its accommodation chamber is used to store the working fluid. When the pump operates and extracts the working fluid, the stirring element can cause the working fluid to form a vortex, thereby improving the fluidity of the working fluid and reducing the impedance in the vortex water tank.

[0009] The above description of the content of the present invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principle of the present invention, and provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0010] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a vortex water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the vortex water tank of

[0012] Figure 3 It is Figure 1 an exploded view of the vortex water tank of

[0013] Figure 4 It is Figure 1 another exploded view of the vortex water tank of

[0014] Figure 5 It is Figure 1 a perspective view of the drive assembly of

[0015] Figure 6 It is Figure 1 a partial cross-sectional view of the vortex water tank of

[0016] Figure 7 It is Figure 1 a partial top view of the drive assembly of

[0017] Figure 8 It is Figure 1 a partial exploded view of the drive assembly of

[0018] Figure 9 It is Figure 1 another partial exploded view of the drive assembly of

[0019] Description of the Reference Numerals:

[0020] 10 Accommodation Assembly

[0021] 11 Peripheral Wall

[0022] 111 Opening

[0023] 112 Accommodation Chamber

[0024] 12 End Wall

[0025] 120 Through-hole

[0026] 13 Steering element

[0027] 131 Blocking block

[0028] 132 Connecting piece

[0029] 20 Driving assembly

[0030] 21 Housing

[0031] 211 First component

[0032] 212 Second component

[0033] 2120 Annular groove

[0034] 213 Third component

[0035] 214 Fourth component

[0036] 22 Pump

[0037] 221 Driving chamber

[0038] 222 Rotating chamber

[0039] 223 First channel

[0040] 224 Second channel

[0041] 225 Stator

[0042] 226 Rotor

[0043] 2261 Base

[0044] 2262 Vane

[0045] 23 Stirring element

[0046] 231 Main rod

[0047] 232 Branch rod

[0048] 233 Assembly structure

[0049] 24 Anti-gas element

[0050] 241 Baffle

[0051] 2411 Stopping part

[0052] 2412 Guiding part

[0053] 2413 First hole

[0054] 2414 Second hole

[0055] 242 Support piece

[0056] 30 Luminescent component Detailed implementation manners

[0057] Referring to Figures 1 to 9 , the present invention provides a vortex water tank according to a first embodiment, which includes a housing component 10 and a driving component 20.

[0058] The housing component 10 includes a peripheral wall 11 and an end wall 12. The peripheral wall 11 and the end wall 12 may be two independent elements installed together, or the peripheral wall 11 and the end wall 12 may be integrally formed.

[0059] The peripheral wall 11 is like a hollow container made of a transparent material. The cross-sectional shape of the container may be circular, polygonal, elliptical or other geometric shapes, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The peripheral wall 11 forms two openings 111 at its two ends, and the peripheral wall 11 encloses a receiving chamber 112. The two openings 111 of the peripheral wall 11 can communicate with the receiving chamber 112.

[0060] The end wall 12 is installed at one of the openings 111 of the peripheral wall 11 and closes this opening 111. The end wall 12 may be made of a transparent material, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The end wall 12 forms a through hole 120 communicating with the receiving chamber 112, so that the receiving chamber 112 communicates with the environment or the flow system through the through hole 120. In another embodiment, the through hole 120 may be formed in the peripheral wall 11 instead of in the end wall 12, so that when the liquid flows in or out through the through hole 120 on the peripheral wall 11, the liquid will automatically form a vortex.

[0061] The driving component 20 is installed at and closes the other opening 111 of the peripheral wall 11. The driving component 20 includes a pump 22 and a stirring element 23. The pump 22 forms a driving chamber 221, a rotating chamber 222, a first channel 223 and a second channel 224, and the pump 22 includes a stator 225 and a rotor 226. The rotating chamber 222 and the driving chamber 221 are isolated from each other. The first channel 223 and the second channel 224 communicate with the rotating chamber 222, so that the rotating chamber 222 communicates with the receiving chamber 112 through the first channel 223 and communicates with the environment or the flow system through the second channel 224.

[0062] The stator 225 is disposed in the drive chamber 221, and the rotor 226 is disposed in the rotation chamber 222. The stator 225 is used to rotate the rotor 226, and the rotor 226 is used to drive the liquid to flow in the rotation chamber 222. Specifically, the rotor 226 includes a base 2261 and a plurality of blades 2262 disposed on the base 2261. The blades 2262 extend outwardly and curvedly from the middle of the base 2261, so that the working fluid can obtain kinetic energy from the blades 2262 and flow outwardly. However, the structure of the rotor 226 is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the rotor 226 forms an installation space between the inner ends of these blades 2262.

[0063] With the above structure, if the vortex water tank of the present invention is connected to the flow system, one of the pipe fittings of the flow system can be connected to the through hole 120, and the other pipe fitting of the flow system can be connected to the second channel 224.

[0064] In this way, the working fluid of the flow system can flow into the vortex water tank of the present invention through the through hole 120 of the end wall 12 and be accommodated in the accommodation chamber 112. Then, the working fluid flows into the rotation chamber 222 through the first channel 223. When the working fluid is in the rotation chamber 222, the rotor 226 drives the working fluid to flow out of the rotation chamber 222 through the second channel 224 and return to the flow system again. However, the working fluid can flow reversely in the aforementioned path.

[0065] The stirring element 23 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 112 and is used to be rotated. Therefore, the working fluid can form a vortex by the stirring of the stirring element 23. The stirring element 23 can be a magnetic stirring member; however, in this embodiment, the stirring element 23 can be a bifurcated rod, and is not limited thereto. Specifically, the stirring element 23 can include a main rod 231 and two or more branch rods 232. The main rod 231 includes bifurcated ends and a driving end opposite to each other. The branch rods 232 are disposed on the bifurcated ends of the main rod 231 and are located in the accommodation chamber 112. For example, the shape of the stirring element 23 can be T-shaped or Y-shaped, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0066] In this embodiment, the stirring element 23 is driven by the stator 225. That is to say, the stirring element 23 is another rotor. Specifically, the stirring element 23 is installed on the rotor 226, so that the stirring element 23 and the rotor 226 can rotate synchronously.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first channel 223 is aligned with the rotating shaft of the rotor 226, and the driving end of the stirring element 23 is installed at the center of the rotor 226. Therefore, the rotating shaft of the stirring element 23 and the rotating shaft of the rotor 226 are the same, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the stirring element 23 is sleeved in the first channel 223, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0068] Specifically, the agitating element 23 includes an assembling structure 233 at the driving end of the main rod 231. The assembling structure 233 is installed in the installation space of the rotor 226. The assembling structure 233 includes at least one protruding block extending outward. Each protruding block abuts against at least one blade 2262 of the rotor 226. Moreover, each protruding block can abut against two adjacent blades 2262. That is to say, each protruding block can be clamped by the inner ends of two adjacent blades 2262. The number of the at least one protruding block can be two, three, five or other numbers, and in this embodiment, the number of the protruding blocks is the same as the number of the blades 2262. Therefore, each protruding block is respectively clamped by two adjacent blades 2262.

[0069] With the above structure, the accommodating chamber 112 is used to store the working fluid. When the pump 22 operates and extracts the working fluid, the agitating element 23 can form a significant vortex, thereby improving the fluidity of the working fluid and reducing the impedance in the vortex water tank.

[0070] The present invention provides a vortex water tank according to a second embodiment, which includes a housing assembly 10 and a driving assembly 20 as shown in the first embodiment. The technical features of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, and the difference is only that the vortex water tank further includes a lighting assembly 30. The lighting assembly 30 can be arranged in the housing assembly 10; for example, the lighting assembly 30 can be arranged on the inner surface of the end wall 12 of the housing assembly 10 to emit light toward the driving assembly 20, or the lighting assembly 30 can be arranged on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the housing assembly 10 to emit light inward.

[0071] In this embodiment, the lighting assembly 30 is arranged between the housing assembly 10 and the driving assembly 20. The lighting assembly 30 includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and these LEDs are arranged in a circle so as to surround the first channel 223 of the pump 22 and the agitating element 23, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0072] With the configuration of the lighting assembly 30, the working fluid in the housing assembly 10 can be illuminated, so that the user can directly observe the condition of the working fluid, such as observing impurities or bubbles in the accommodating chamber 112. In addition, when the working fluid is illuminated during the operation of the pump 22, the vortex will become significant.

[0073] The present invention provides a vortex water tank according to a third embodiment, which includes a housing assembly 10, a driving assembly 20 and a lighting assembly 30 as shown in the second embodiment. The technical features of the third embodiment are similar to those of the second embodiment, and the difference is only that the lighting assembly 30 is arranged in the driving assembly 20.

[0074] In this embodiment, the driving assembly 20 further includes a housing 21. The housing 21 includes a first component 211, a second component 212, and a third component 213. However, the present invention is not limited to the structure of the housing 21. The first component 211 is installed on and closes the opening 111 on the peripheral wall 11 relative to the end wall 12. The first component 211 can be made of a transparent material.

[0075] The second component 212 is installed on the first component 211 such that the first component 211 is located between the second component 212 and the peripheral wall 11. The second component 212 forms an annular groove 2120 on the surface where it is connected to the first component 211. The light-emitting assembly 30 is disposed in the annular groove 2120. In addition, the second component 212 further forms the rotation chamber 222 and the second channel 224 of the driving assembly 20, so that the rotor 226 is disposed in the second component 212.

[0076] In another embodiment, the annular groove 2120 can be recessed on the first component 211.

[0077] The third component 213 is installed on the second component 212 such that the second component 212 is located between the third component 213 and the first component 211. The third component 213 closes the rotation chamber 222. The third component 213 forms the driving chamber 221 of the driving assembly 20, so that the stator 225 is disposed in the third component 213.

[0078] In another embodiment, the housing 21 further includes a fourth component 214 installed on the third component 213 such that the third component 213 is located between the fourth component 214 and the second component 212. The fourth component 214 closes the driving chamber 221.

[0079] The present invention provides a vortex water tank according to the fourth embodiment, which includes a housing component 10 and a driving assembly 20 as shown in any of the above embodiments. The technical features of the fourth embodiment are similar to those of any of the above embodiments, and the difference is only that the housing component 10 further includes a steering element 13, and the steering element 13 is located in the accommodation chamber 112 of the peripheral wall 11 and adjacent to the through hole 120 of the end wall 12. That is, the steering element 13 is located in front of the through hole 120.

[0080] In this structure, when the working fluid flows into the accommodation chamber 112 through the through hole 120, the steering element 13 will change the flow direction of the working fluid. In this embodiment, the flow direction of the working fluid can be changed to be directed towards the peripheral wall 11. Therefore, if the working fluid contains bubbles or the accommodation chamber 112 contains gas, the bubbles or gas will not be transmitted to the deep part of the accommodation chamber 112, but will be maintained in the upper part of the accommodation chamber 112.

[0081] In this embodiment, the steering element 13 includes a blocking block 131 and at least one connecting member 132. The blocking block 131 is located in front of the through hole 120. The blocking block 131 may be formed with a curved surface protruding toward the through hole 120. In this embodiment, the curved surface is a round top surface, and the through hole 120 is aligned with the center of the round top surface. One end of the connecting member 132 is installed on the end wall 12 and the other end is disposed on the blocking block 131, so that there is a gap between the blocking block 131 and the end wall 12. In this embodiment, the number of the connecting members 132 is multiple (for example, three), and these connecting members 132 are configured to be arranged around the through hole 120.

[0082] The present invention provides a vortex water tank according to the fifth embodiment, which includes the accommodating assembly 10 and the driving assembly 20 as shown in any of the above embodiments. The technical features of the fifth embodiment are similar to those of any of the above embodiments, and the difference lies only in that the driving assembly 20 further includes a gas-proof element 24, and the gas-proof element 24 is located in the accommodating chamber 112 and between the support rod 232 of the stirring element 23 and the pump 22.

[0083] The gas-proof element 24 can be installed on the outer shell 21 of the pump 22 (for example, installed on the first component 211 of the outer shell 21 disclosed in the fourth embodiment, but not limited thereto) and surround the first channel 223 of the pump 22. In this embodiment, the gas-proof element 24 includes a baffle 241 and at least one support member 242.

[0084] In this embodiment, the baffle 241 may include a stop portion 2411 and a guiding portion 2412. The stop portion 2411 may be a plate perpendicular to the main rod 231 of the stirring element 23. That is, the extending direction of the stop portion 2411 intersects with the flowing direction of the working fluid. A gap is formed between the outer edge of the baffle 241 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 11.

[0085] The guiding portion 2412 is installed on the stop portion 2411, specifically on the outer edge of the stop portion 2411. The guiding portion 2412 may extend from the stop portion 2411 toward the end wall 12 or toward the pump 22, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0086] The baffle 241 may be formed with a first hole 2413, and the stirring element 23 passes through the first hole 2413. That is, both ends of the main rod 231 of the stirring element 23 are located on both sides of the baffle 241. The baffle 241 may selectively form a plurality of second holes 2414 beside the first hole 2413, so that the working fluid can flow not only through the first hole 2413 but also through the second holes 2414. In this embodiment, the second holes 2414 are formed on the stop portion 2411, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second holes 2414 may be formed on the guiding portion 2412, or may be formed on both the stop portion 2411 and the guiding portion 2412.

[0087] One end of the support member 242 is mounted on the baffle 241, and the other end of the support member 242 is mounted on the housing 21. Specifically, the support member 242 can be mounted on the baffle 241, on the guiding portion 2412, or on both the stopping portion 2411 and the guiding portion 2412. Therefore, a gap is formed between the baffle 241 and the first channel 223. The number of the at least one support member 242 is plural, and the support members 242 are spaced apart from each other.

[0088] Due to the presence of the anti-air element 24, air bubbles in the working fluid can be blocked and it is difficult for them to pass through the anti-air element 24. Therefore, the air bubbles will not be transmitted into the rotating chamber 222 to damage the pump, and the air bubbles will not enter the flow system through the second channel 224.

[0089] Even though many features and advantages of the present invention, as well as details of its structure and characteristics, have been set forth in the foregoing description, the above disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in details, particularly in terms of the shape, size, and configuration of the elements, within the principles of the present invention, which can be varied within the broad general meaning of the terms as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vortex water tank, characterized in that, Comprising: A containing component, including a peripheral wall and an end wall. The peripheral wall encloses a containing chamber, and two openings communicating with the containing chamber are formed at both ends of the peripheral wall. The end wall is installed on and closes one of the openings. A through hole communicating with the containing chamber is formed on the peripheral wall or the end wall, and the through hole is used to communicate with the environment or a flow system; and A driving component, installed on and closing the other opening of the peripheral wall. The driving component includes a pump and a stirring element. The pump forms a rotating chamber, a first channel, and a second channel. The first channel communicates the rotating chamber and the containing chamber, and the second channel communicates the rotating chamber and is used to communicate with the environment or the flow system to form a cooling circuit for the working fluid to circulate; Wherein, the stirring element is accommodated in the containing chamber, and the pump can drive the stirring element to rotate so that the stirring element stirs the working fluid accommodated in the containing chamber to form a vortex; Wherein, the peripheral wall is a hollow container, and the cross-sectional shape of the hollow container is circular, polygonal or elliptical.

2. The vortex water tank according to claim 1, wherein The peripheral wall is made of a transparent material.

3. The vortex water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end wall is made of a transparent material.

4. The vortex water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pump includes a stator and a rotor. The pump also forms a driving chamber. The rotating chamber and the driving chamber are isolated from each other. The stator is installed in the driving chamber, and the rotor is installed in the rotating chamber. The stator rotates the rotor. The rotor includes a base and a plurality of blades arranged on the base. The blades extend outward and bend from the middle of the base. The stirring element passes through the first channel and is installed on the rotor.

5. The vortex water tank according to claim 4, characterized in that, An installation space is formed between the inner ends of the blades. The stirring element includes a main rod and a plurality of support rods. The main rod passes through the first channel and includes a bifurcated end and a driving end opposite to each other. The bifurcated end is located in the containing chamber, and the driving end includes an assembly structure installed in the installation space. The assembly structure includes at least one convex block extending outward. The at least one convex block is clamped between any two adjacent blades. The support rods are installed on the bifurcated end of the main rod and are located in the containing chamber.

6. The vortex water tank according to claim 5, wherein, The driving component further includes an anti-air element. The anti-air element is located in the containing chamber and between the support rods and the pump. The anti-air element surrounds the first channel. A gap is formed between the outer edge of the anti-air element and the inner surface of the peripheral wall. The anti-air element includes a baffle and at least one support member. The baffle includes a stop portion and a guiding portion. The stop portion is a plate perpendicular to the main rod. The stop portion forms a first hole. The main rod of the stirring element passes through the first hole. The guiding portion is installed on the stop portion and extends from the stop portion towards the end wall or towards the pump. One end of the at least one support member is installed on the baffle and the other end is installed on the pump, so that a gap is formed between the baffle and the first channel.

7. The vortex water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a lighting component, wherein the lighting component is arranged on the inner surface of the end wall or the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the containing component.

8. The vortex water tank according to claim 1, wherein, It further includes a light-emitting component, wherein the light-emitting component is disposed between the accommodating component and the driving component, the light-emitting component includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes, and these light-emitting diodes are arranged in a circle and surround the first channel and the stirring element.

9. The vortex water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that It further includes a light-emitting component, wherein the driving component further includes a housing, the housing includes a first component and a second component, the first component is installed on and closes the opening on the peripheral wall opposite to the end wall, the first component is made of a transparent material, the second component is installed on the first component such that the first component is located between the second component and the peripheral wall, the second component is formed with the rotation chamber and the second channel, the first component has a first surface connected to the second component, the second component has a second surface connected to the first component, an annular groove is formed on the first surface or the second surface, and the light-emitting component is disposed in the annular groove.

10. The vortex water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a steering element, wherein the steering element is located in the accommodating chamber, the through hole is located on the end wall, the steering element includes a blocking block and at least one connecting member, the blocking block is adjacent to and in front of the through hole, one end of the at least one connecting member is installed on the end wall and the other end is disposed on the blocking block, so that a gap is formed between the blocking block and the end wall.

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