A repeatedly foldable small R-corner heat pipe and its processing method

Abstract

The present application provides a repeatedly small R-angle foldable heat pipe and a processing method thereof. The heat pipe includes a first heat pipe, a second heat pipe, and a fold-resistant channel structure. The fold-resistant channel structure connects the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe. The fold-resistant channel structure includes a gas phase channel and a liquid phase channel. The gas phase channel is hollow and communicates with the cavities of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe. A linear capillary structure is arranged inside the liquid phase channel, and the linear capillary structure contacts the capillary structures in the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe. By providing a special fold-resistant channel structure to connect the two heat pipes, metal fatigue fracture caused by repeated folding of the outer shell cavity of the traditional heat pipe can be avoided. Since the fold-resistant channel structure includes independent gas phase and liquid phase channels, the steady-state balance between the gas phase channel and the liquid phase channel of the heat pipe can be ensured. In addition, when the fold-resistant channel structure cooperates with the heat pipe, it will not exceed the maximum thickness of the heat pipe, ensuring that the overall thickness of the heat pipe is thinner and lighter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to heat dissipation technology, and particularly to a repeatedly foldable heat pipe with a small R corner and a processing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, the requirements for the functionality, practicality, and aesthetics of consumer electronic products are increasing. In recent years, foldable mobile phones and foldable tablets have emerged and are highly sought after. Their characteristics of portability, aesthetics, and practicality are particularly prominent, and they are bound to become a trend in the future.

[0003] However, since foldable mobile phones and foldable tablets have a split design for all components except the screen, new requirements are put forward for the design and processing of hardware components. At present, hinges and flexible cables can meet the requirements at a relatively high cost, but since the heat dissipation components have not yet achieved the folding function, at least half of the mechanism space cannot be utilized for heat dissipation, and the chip performance and power consumption are limited, resulting in the performance of foldable mobile phones and foldable tablets not being able to provide a good user experience like traditional products.

[0004] The heat dissipation components of high-end traditional mobile phones and tablets are usually thin heat pipes, which use the gas-liquid phase change of the phase change medium to transfer and disperse the high heat density heat of the chip to the entire surface of the mobile phone and tablet for heat exchange. In order to utilize the entire space mechanism for heat dissipation, foldable mobile phones and foldable tablets need to solve the following technical difficulties: ① Metal fatigue fracture caused by repeated folding of the heat pipe housing cavity. ② Steady-state balance of the gas phase channel and the liquid phase channel of the heat pipe. ③ Synchronization of the folding position mechanism of the heat pipe with the R corner movement of the hinge components of the foldable mobile phone and foldable tablet. ④ The folding R corner of the heat pipe needs to meet the requirements of the thin and light design of the foldable mobile phone and foldable tablet, reaching the standard of repeated folding of a small R corner of ≤R7mm. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a repeatedly foldable heat pipe with a small R corner and a processing method thereof. By connecting two heat pipes through a fold-resistant channel structure, it can avoid metal fatigue fracture caused by repeated folding of the heat pipe housing cavity, and at the same time ensure the steady-state balance of the gas phase channel and the liquid phase channel of the heat pipe.

[0006] The following gives a brief overview of one or more aspects to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This overview is not an exhaustive survey of all contemplated aspects, and is neither intended to identify key or decisive elements of all aspects nor to define the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description to follow.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a repeatedly small R-angle foldable heat pipe, including a first heat pipe, a second heat pipe and a fold-resistant channel structure, wherein the fold-resistant channel structure connects the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe; both the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe include an upper shell, a lower shell and a capillary structure, a cavity is formed between the upper shell and the lower shell, the capillary structure is arranged in the cavity, and a phase change medium is injected into the cavity; the fold-resistant channel structure includes a gas phase channel and a liquid phase channel, the gas phase channel is hollow and communicates with the cavities of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe, a linear capillary structure is arranged inside the liquid phase channel, and the linear capillary structure contacts the capillary structures in the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe.

[0008] In one embodiment, the heat pipe further includes a mating hinge structure, the mating hinge structure is wrapped outside the fold-resistant channel structure, and the mating hinge structure can contact and cooperate with the device hinge to limit the bending R-angle of the fold-resistant channel structure.

[0009] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the mating hinge structure of the heat pipe is in sliding contact and cooperation with the device hinge.

[0010] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the mating hinge structure of the heat pipe is an arc surface that can fit with the device hinge.

[0011] In one embodiment, the mating hinge structure of the heat pipe is an integral or split structure.

[0012] In one embodiment, the hinge structure of the heat pipe is split, and the hinge structure includes a plurality of mating limit blocks distributed along the fold-resistant channel structure, and each of the mating limit blocks is parallel to the rotation axis of the device hinge.

[0013] In one embodiment, the ratio of the number of the liquid phase channels to the number of the gas phase channels of the heat pipe is 1:1 to 1:3.

[0014] In one embodiment, the liquid phase channel and / or the gas phase channel of the heat pipe is a flexible hose.

[0015] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing method of the repeatedly small R-angle foldable heat pipe as described above, including:

[0016] Cleaning and degreasing the upper shells, lower shells and fold-resistant channel structures of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe;

[0017] Combining the capillary structures of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe with their upper shells / lower shells respectively;

[0018] Inserting the linear capillary structure into the liquid phase channel of the fold-resistant channel structure;

[0019] Combine and connect the upper and lower shells and the fold-resistant channel structure of the first vapor chamber and the second vapor chamber, so that the vapor channels communicate with the cavities of the first vapor chamber and the second vapor chamber, and the linear capillary structure in the liquid phase channels contacts the capillary structures in the first vapor chamber and the second vapor chamber;

[0020] Inject a phase change medium into the cavities of the first vapor chamber and the second vapor chamber, degas and seal.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method further includes: installing a mating hinge structure onto the fold-resistant channel structure.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention are as follows: By providing a dedicated fold-resistant channel structure to connect two vapor chambers, it is possible to avoid metal fatigue fracture caused by repeated folding of the outer shell cavities of traditional vapor chambers; Since the fold-resistant channel structure includes independent vapor channels and liquid phase channels, it can ensure the steady-state balance between the vapor channels and the liquid phase channels of the vapor chamber. In addition, when the fold-resistant channel structure cooperates with the vapor chamber, it will not exceed the maximum thickness of the vapor chamber, ensuring that the overall thickness of the vapor chamber is thinner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention, and thus should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0024] After reading the detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the following drawings, the above features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood. In the drawings, the components are not necessarily drawn to scale, and components with similar related characteristics or features may have the same or similar reference numerals.

[0025] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in

[0029] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in

[0030] Figure 6 is Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the C-C cross-section;

[0031] Wherein: 1 - the first heat pipe; 11 - the upper housing; 12 - the lower housing; 12a - the support structure; 13 - the capillary structure; 2 - the second heat pipe; 3 - the fold-resistant channel structure; 31 - the gas-phase channel; 32 - the liquid-phase channel; 33 - the linear capillary structure; 4 - the mating hinge structure; 41 - the mating limit block; 41a - the inner side surface; Specific embodiments

[0032] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Note that the aspects described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments are merely exemplary and should not be construed as imposing any limitation on the protection scope of the present invention.

[0033] The embodiment of the present application provides a heat pipe with a repeatedly foldable small R corner, which can be applied to foldable devices such as foldable mobile phones and foldable tablet computers.

[0034] As Figure 1 shown, the heat pipe with a repeatedly foldable small R corner includes a first heat pipe 1, a second heat pipe 2 and a fold-resistant channel structure 3, and the fold-resistant channel structure 3 connects the first heat pipe 1 and the second heat pipe 2. In this embodiment, the structures of the first heat pipe 1 and the second heat pipe 2 are the same (or different). Taking the first heat pipe 1 as an example, it includes an upper housing 11, a lower housing 12 and a capillary structure 13. A cavity is formed between the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12, and the capillary structure 13 is arranged in the cavity, and a phase change medium (not shown in the figure) is injected into the cavity.

[0035] As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the fold-resistant channel structure 3 includes two types of channels: a gas-phase channel 31 and a liquid-phase channel 32. The gas-phase channel 31 is hollow and communicates with the cavities of the first heat pipe 1 and the second heat pipe 2 to form a gas path. A linear capillary structure 33 is arranged inside the liquid-phase channel 32, and both ends of the linear capillary structure 33 extend out of the liquid-phase channel 32 and are respectively in contact with the capillary structures in the first heat pipe 1 and the second heat pipe 2 to form a liquid path.

[0036] The first heat pipe 1, the second heat pipe 2 and the fold-resistant channel structure 3 are interconnected with each other, and the internal environment is a negative pressure environment. The phase change medium is in a gas-liquid steady-state equilibrium therein, and reaches the boiling point of the liquid-phase change medium with a little heat. Both the liquid-phase change medium and the gas-phase change medium can flow freely between the first heat pipe 1 and the second heat pipe 2.

[0037] The repeatedly foldable small R-angle heat pipe connects two heat pipes by setting a special fold-resistant channel structure 3, which can avoid the metal fatigue fracture caused by the repeated folding of the traditional heat pipe housing cavity. Since the fold-resistant channel structure 3 includes an independent gas phase channel 31 and a liquid phase channel 32, it can ensure the steady-state balance between the gas phase channel and the liquid phase channel of the heat pipe. In addition, when the fold-resistant channel structure 3 cooperates with the heat pipe, it will not exceed the maximum thickness of the heat pipe, ensuring that the overall thickness of the heat pipe is thinner. Using this structure, the bent R-angle can be minimized to less than 4 mm, thus meeting the requirements of thinness and lightness for foldable mobile phones and foldable tablets, making it possible for the unfolded thickness dimension of the foldable mobile phone and the foldable tablet to be ≤ 6 mm and the folded thickness dimension to be ≤ 12 mm.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first heat pipe 1 and the second heat pipe 2 further include a support structure. The support structure 12a is a boss formed on the lower housing 12, but other support structures can also be used, such as setting support columns in the cavity.

[0039] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In order to make the R-angle movement of the heat pipe synchronize with the hinge component of the foldable screen device, further, the repeatedly foldable small R-angle heat pipe further includes a cooperating hinge structure 4. The cooperating hinge structure 4 is wrapped outside the fold-resistant channel structure 3. The cooperating hinge structure 4 can contact and cooperate with the device hinge to limit the bent R-angle of the fold-resistant channel structure 3, so that the fold-resistant channel structure 3 will not be bent beyond the material's tensile strength, avoiding fatigue fracture caused by excessive repeated folding of the fold-resistant channel structure 3 / internal linear capillary structure 33.

[0040] In addition, the fixed bent R-angle formed by the cooperating hinge structure 4 and the fold-resistant channel structure 3 can also ensure that the folded part will not bend and block the gas / liquid channels, ensuring the smoothness and steady-state balance of the gas phase channel and the liquid phase channel of the heat pipe.

[0041] The contact and cooperation between the cooperating hinge structure 4 and the device hinge may have various different forms. For example, the cooperating hinge structure 4 may have a sliding surface that contacts the device hinge. It is also possible that the outer surface of the cooperating hinge structure 4 meshes with the device hinge to form a motion structure similar to a planetary gear. These forms can ensure that the bent R-angle of the fold-resistant channel structure synchronizes with the R-angle movement of the device hinge.

[0042] The cooperating hinge structure 4 can be an integral or split structure. See Figure 2In this embodiment, the mating hinge structure 4 is a split type, and the mating hinge structure 4 includes a plurality of mating limit blocks 41 distributed along the folding-resistant channel structure, each of which is parallel to the rotating shaft of the device hinge, and the inner side surface 41a of the mating hinge structure is an arc surface with the same arc as the hinge of the folding device, so that when the folding screen device is folded, the mating hinge structure 4 can slide with the hinge to avoid excessive stretching or squeezing of the gas phase / liquid phase channel. In addition, the mating limit blocks 41 can also be hinged to form a chain-like whole.

[0043] The folding-resistant channel structure 3 includes a plurality of independent gas phase channels 31 and liquid phase channels 32. Since the gas volume of the phase change medium is larger than the liquid volume, the number of gas phase channels 31 should generally be not less than that of liquid phase channels 32, and the ratio of the number of the gas phase channels 31 to the liquid phase channels 32 may be 3:1 to 1:1. Figure 6 In this embodiment, the ratio of the number of liquid phase channels 32 to the number of gas phase channels 31 is 1:1, and they are arranged at intervals. The liquid phase channels 32 and the gas phase channels 31 are flexible hoses, such as metal braided tubes. Preferably, the liquid phase channels 32 and the gas phase channels 31 can adopt inner / outer corrugated tubes, so as to have better bending resistance.

[0044] The embodiment of the present application also provides a method for processing a temperature evaporating plate that can be repeatedly folded with a small R angle, comprising the following steps:

[0045] Clean and degrease the upper shell, the lower shell and the anti-folding channel structure of the first and second temperature averaging plates;

[0046] Combining the capillary structures of the first temperature averaging plate and the second temperature averaging plate with the upper shell / lower shell thereof respectively through sintering or spot welding process;

[0047] Inserting the linear capillary structure into the liquid phase channel of the folding-resistant channel structure;

[0048] The upper shell, the lower shell and the anti-folding channel structure of the first and second temperature averaging plates are combined and connected (for example, by brazing) so that the gas phase channel is connected to the cavities of the first and second temperature averaging plates, and the linear capillary structure in the liquid phase channel is in contact with the capillary structures in the first and second temperature averaging plates;

[0049] Phase change medium is injected into the cavities of the first and second temperature averaging plates, and degassing is performed (in order to improve the temperature uniformity, the first and second temperature averaging plates may be heated and degassed for a second time if necessary) and then sealed.

[0050] In this embodiment, the machining methods for the upper and lower shells of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe can be machining methods such as etching, sheet metal stamping, CNC, additive manufacturing, etc. The machining methods for the capillary structure of the heat pipe and the linear capillary structure in the fold-resistant channel structure can be machining methods such as sintering, weaving, winding, etc. The machining method for the fold-resistant channel structure can be welding, riveting, extrusion, etc. In terms of materials, the first heat pipe, the second heat pipe and the fold-resistant channel structure can be copper, copper alloy, iron, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, or metal materials with coatings, etc.

[0051] Further, the processing method further includes: installing the mating hinge structure onto the fold-resistant channel structure. The installation method can be to snap the mating hinge structure into the fold-resistant channel structure from the side, or to axially sleeve the mating hinge structure onto the fold-resistant channel structure, which is not limited herein.

[0052] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. For the same or similar parts among the various embodiments, reference can be made to each other.

[0053] The foregoing description of the present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0054] The above are only the preferred examples of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A repeatedly foldable small R-angle heat pipe, characterized in that: It includes a first heat pipe, a second heat pipe and a fold-resistant channel structure, and the fold-resistant channel structure connects the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe; Both the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe include an upper shell, a lower shell and a capillary structure. A cavity is formed between the upper shell and the lower shell. The capillary structure is arranged in the cavity, and a phase change medium is injected into the cavity; The fold-resistant channel structure includes a gas phase channel and a liquid phase channel. The gas phase channel is hollow and communicates with the cavities of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe. A linear capillary structure is arranged inside the liquid phase channel. The linear capillary structure contacts the capillary structures in the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe. The liquid phase channel and / or the gas phase channel is a flexible hose; It further includes a mating hinge structure. The mating hinge structure wraps around the fold-resistant channel structure, and the mating hinge structure can contact and cooperate with the device hinge to limit the bending R angle of the fold-resistant channel structure.

2. The heat pipe with repeatedly foldable small R corners according to claim 1, wherein: The inner surface of the mating hinge structure is in sliding contact and cooperation with the device hinge.

3. The heat pipe with repeatedly foldable small R corners according to claim 2, wherein: The inner surface of the mating hinge structure is an arc surface that can fit with the device hinge.

4. The heat pipe with repeatedly foldable small R corners according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mating hinge structure is an integral or split structure.

5. The heat pipe with repeatedly foldable small R corners according to claim 4, wherein: The mating hinge structure is split. The mating hinge structure includes a plurality of mating limit blocks distributed along the fold-resistant channel structure, and each mating limit block is parallel to the rotation axis of the device hinge.

6. The heat pipe with repeatedly foldable small R corners according to claim 1, wherein: The number ratio of the liquid phase channel to the gas phase channel is 1:1 to 1:

3.

7. A processing method of a repeatedly foldable heat pipe with small R corners as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It includes: Clean and degrease the upper shells, lower shells of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe, and the fold-resistant channel structure; Combine the capillary structures of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe with their upper shells / lower shells respectively; insert the linear capillary structure into the liquid phase channel of the fold-resistant channel structure; Combine and connect the upper shells, lower shells of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe, and the fold-resistant channel structure, so that the gas phase channel communicates with the cavities of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe, and the linear capillary structure in the liquid phase channel contacts the capillary structures in the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe; Inject a phase change medium into the cavities of the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe, degas and seal.

8. The processing method according to claim 7, characterized in that, It further includes: Install the mating hinge structure onto the fold-resistant channel structure.

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