Three-dimensional uniform temperature plate and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

According to the three-dimensional uniform temperature plate and the manufacturing method thereof, the radial flange of the hollow pipe body is connected to the bottom face of the upper cover plate through the solid-phase diffusion bonding technology, and the joint is completely and tightly connected without forming holes. In addition, the capillary structure extends from the interior of the hollow pipe body to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate, so that the liquid working medium can smoothly flow back to the accommodating cavity from the condensation section of the hollow pipe body, and no interruption occurs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional heat pipe and a manufacturing method thereof, and particularly to a three-dimensional heat pipe combining a heat pipe and a flat heat pipe and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In the traditional manufacturing method of three-dimensional heat pipes, most of them use manual welding to connect the heat pipes to the flat heat pipes, and the heat pipes are directly lapped on the upper surface of the flat heat pipes. However, this welding method is quite difficult and highly depends on the technology of the welder. Once there is insufficient solder or poor construction at a certain welding part, it is easy to cause cracking or porosity at that part, resulting in the failure of the entire device. In addition, during the welding process, whether it is flux, solder or the high temperature during welding, it is also easy to cause pollution or deterioration of the internal capillary structure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a three-dimensional heat pipe with a simple, reliable structure and excellent heat transfer efficiency. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention provides a manufacturing method with simple steps and high manufacturing efficiency.

[0004] The manufacturing method of the three-dimensional heat pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes (but is not limited to) the following steps: First, provide a hollow tube, an upper cover plate and a lower bottom plate; the hollow tube includes a closed end and an open end, and the open end includes a radial flange; and the upper cover plate includes a through hole; then, the hollow tube passes through the through hole of the upper cover plate, and solid phase diffusion bonding is applied to the radial flange and the upper cover plate; furthermore, a capillary structure is formed inside the hollow tube and on the upper cover plate; finally, the upper cover plate and the lower bottom plate are joined to form a cavity, after filling the working medium into the cavity, the cavity is evacuated and sealed.

[0005] The three-dimensional heat pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes (but is not limited to) at least one hollow tube, an upper cover plate, a lower bottom plate, at least one capillary structure and a working medium; the hollow tube includes a closed end and an open end, and the open end includes a radial flange; the upper cover plate includes at least one through hole; the at least one hollow tube is disposed through the at least one through hole, and the radial flange of the at least one hollow tube is joined to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate by solid phase diffusion bonding; the lower bottom plate is joined to the upper cover plate, and a cavity is formed between the upper cover plate and the lower bottom plate; at least one capillary structure covers the inner wall surface of the hollow tube and the inner wall surface of the cavity; the working medium is contained in the cavity.

[0006] In summary, according to some embodiments of the three-dimensional heat pipe and its manufacturing method, the solid-phase diffusion bonding technology is utilized to bond the radial flange of the hollow tube body to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate. The bonding part is in complete close contact without forming pores, and the bonding strength is high. Moreover, automated bonding is adopted, so the process efficiency and reliability are quite high. In addition, since no flux and solder are used, there will be no problems such as flux and solder contaminating the capillary structure and the internal cavity of the heat pipe during the general welding process. Additionally, the capillary structure extends at least partially from the inside of the hollow tube body to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate. Therefore, the liquid working medium can smoothly flow back from the hollow tube body (condensing end) to the cavity (evaporating end) without interruption, which can increase the speed of the liquid working medium flowing back to the cavity, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1A FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 1B FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 1C FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of installing the first metal woven mesh in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 FIG. 22 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 4A FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of laying copper powder in another embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 4B FIG. 30 is a sectional view of laying copper powder in another embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention;

[0014] Among them, reference numerals:

[0015] 2: hollow tube body;

[0016] 3: upper cover plate;

[0017] 4: lower bottom plate;

[0018] 5: copper mesh installation device;

[0019] 6: opening;

[0020] 21: closed end;

[0021] 22: open end;

[0022] 31: through hole;

[0023] 41: Outer frame edge;

[0024] 51: Vertical pole;

[0025] 52: Helical spring;

[0026] 53: Turntable;

[0027] 221: Radial flange;

[0028] Cs: Capillary structure;

[0029] Cs1: First metal woven mesh;

[0030] Cs2: Second metal woven mesh;

[0031] Cs3: Metal woven mesh;

[0032] Cs4: Copper powder sintered body;

[0033] Cs5: Copper powder sintered body;

[0034] R: Rod body;

[0035] S: Cavity;

[0036] Sp: Inner cavity. Detailed implementation manners

[0037] The following presents various embodiments for detailed description. The embodiments are only used as examples for illustration and will not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, some elements are omitted in the drawings of the embodiments to clearly show the technical features of the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used to represent the same or similar elements in all the drawings, and the drawings of the present invention are only for schematic illustration, which may not be drawn to scale, and not all details may be presented in the drawings.

[0038] Please also refer to Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 1C , Figure 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention, Figure 1B is a sectional view of an embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention, Figure 1C is an exploded view of an embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in an embodiment of the three-dimensional heat pipe, it includes three hollow tubes 2. However, the number of the hollow tubes 2 is not limited to three, and it can also be a single one or other numbers, which can be determined according to actual needs.

[0039] Furthermore, each hollow tube body 2 includes a closed end 21 and an open end 22, and a radial flange 221 is provided at the open end 22. In addition, the upper cover plate 3 includes three through holes 31, and the closed ends 21 of the three hollow tube bodies 2 respectively pass through the three through holes 31, and the radial flange 221 of each hollow tube body 2 is joined to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3. In some embodiments, the solid-phase diffusion bonding technique is adopted to make the radial flange 221 of the hollow tube body 2 closely and completely contact the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3.

[0040] The diffusion bonding adopted in this embodiment is a solid-state bonding technique. It mainly utilizes applying pressure (acting force) to the joint to be bonded under a high-temperature environment, so that the distance between the contact surfaces of the two workpieces reaches the atomic spacing, enabling the atoms to mutually embed and diffuse to combine, thereby bonding the metals. In some embodiments, the atoms on the surfaces of the joint to be bonded can mutually diffuse through diffusion bonding to achieve metallurgical bonding of the surfaces. However, since the solid-phase diffusion bonding technique does not require solder or flux, the joint surface has no stress effect and is more robust, and both the strength and corrosion resistance are the same as those of the raw materials. After bonding, the two workpieces almost become one body, and no pores are formed at the joint.

[0041] In addition, the outer frame edge 41 of the lower bottom plate 4 is also joined to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3. In some embodiments, the bonding here can also adopt the solid-phase diffusion bonding technique; after the upper cover plate 3 and the lower bottom plate 4 are joined, a cavity S is formed between them. In addition, as shown in the figure, a capillary structure Cs is provided in the cavity S. In some embodiments, the capillary structure Cs covers the inner wall surface of the hollow tube body 2 and the inner wall surface of the cavity S.

[0042] Moreover, a working medium is provided in the cavity S, which can be water, acetone, ammonia, freon, alcohol or other organic substances. In other embodiments, for example, in the embodiments of the large-area lower bottom plate 4 and upper cover plate 3, a plurality of support columns (not shown in the figure) can be provided in the cavity S, which can be connected to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3 and the top surface of the lower bottom plate 4, thereby supporting between the lower bottom plate 4 and the upper cover plate 3 to maintain the space of the cavity S.

[0043] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the capillary structure Cs can be a copper mesh structure, a copper powder sintered body, a micro-groove structure, a fiber structure body, a whisker structure body, or a mixture of the above structures. In this embodiment, the capillary structure Cs includes a first metal woven mesh Cs1 and a second metal woven mesh Cs2; the first metal woven mesh Cs1 covers the inner wall surface of the hollow tube body 2 and extends to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3.

[0044] In some embodiments, the range where the first metal braided mesh Cs1 extends from the hollow tube body 2 exceeds the outer edge of the radial flange 221, that is, the first metal braided mesh Cs1 not only covers the radial flange 221, but further extends outward from the radial flange 221. In some embodiments, the first metal braided mesh Cs1 and the second metal braided mesh Cs2 can be fixed to the radial flange 221 and the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3 in a semi-fused form.

[0045] In addition, three openings 6 are provided on the second metal braided mesh Cs2, and the aperture size and position thereof can correspond to the open end 22 of the hollow tube body 2. The second metal braided mesh Cs2 covers the inner wall surface of the cavity S and covers the first metal braided mesh Cs1, and the cavity S and the inner cavity Sp of the hollow tube body 2 can be kept unobstructed through these openings 6. Thereby, the working medium in a vapor state can freely flow between the cavity S and the inner cavity Sp of the hollow tube body 2, and the working medium in a liquid state can also freely flow between the first metal braided mesh Cs1 and the second metal braided mesh Cs2.

[0046] In some embodiments, the metal braided mesh can be a braided copper mesh, a braided stainless steel mesh, or other metal braided meshes that can provide liquid capillary action. On the other hand, in some embodiments, the second metal braided mesh Cs2 may not be provided with the openings 6, and by adjusting the density of the braided mesh, the working medium in a vapor state can also penetrate through.

[0047] Please continue to refer to Figure 1B , when the lower bottom plate 4 serves as the heat absorption end, the working medium is heated and evaporated to form vapor, and flows into the inner cavity Sp of the hollow tube body 2. Furthermore, the hollow tube body 2 serves as the heat dissipation end, and the working medium in a vapor state cools down and condenses into a liquid in the hollow tube body 2 and adheres to the first metal braided mesh Cs1. Then, affected by the capillary force, the liquid flows out of the inner cavity Sp of the hollow tube body 2 through the first metal braided mesh Cs1, and then penetrates into the second metal braided mesh Cs2 and flows back into the cavity S.

[0048] Please continue to refer to Figure 1C , the manufacturing method of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described below; first, provide three hollow tube bodies 2, an upper cover plate 3, and a lower bottom plate 4; then, the three hollow tube bodies 2 respectively pass through the three through holes 31 on the upper cover plate 3, and make the radial flanges 221 of the three hollow tube bodies 2 flat against the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3, and then perform solid-phase diffusion bonding on the radial flanges 221 and the upper cover plate 3; furthermore, capillary structures Cs are respectively formed inside the hollow tube bodies 2 and on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3; finally, the upper cover plate 3 and the lower bottom plate 4 are joined to form a cavity S, a working medium is filled into the cavity S, and then the cavity S is evacuated and sealed.

[0049] In addition, in some embodiments, capillary structures Cs may be provided on all the inner sidewalls of the entire cavity S to enhance the ability of the condensed liquid to flow back; and the capillary structures Cs on the inner sidewalls of the cavity S may be copper mesh structures, copper powder sintered bodies, micro-groove structures, fiber structures, whisker structures, or composite capillary structures that are a combination of any two or three of the above capillary structures Cs.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 1C and Figure 2 , which Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of installing the first metal braided mesh Cs1 in an embodiment of the present invention. The following describes the method of forming the capillary structure Cs in the hollow tube body 2, that is, the steps of installing the first metal braided mesh Cs1. First, the first metal braided mesh Cs1 is sleeved on a copper mesh installation device 5 and then inserted into the hollow tube body 2. The first metal braided mesh Cs1 has been pre-made according to the shape of the hollow tube body 2 by a braiding technique.

[0051] In some embodiments, the copper mesh installation device 5 may include a vertical rod 51, a spiral spring 52, and a turntable 53; the turntable 53 is pivotally connected to the vertical rod 51, and the spiral spring 52 is sleeved on the vertical rod 51, with one end connected to the top of the vertical rod 51 and the other end connected to the turntable 53; when the turntable 53 is rotated, the spiral spring 52 can be further wound to reduce the outer diameter or unwound to increase the outer diameter.

[0052] Accordingly, after the first metal braided mesh Cs1 is sleeved on the spiral spring 52 and inserted into the hollow tube body 2, the turntable 53 can be rotated to unwind the spiral spring 52, for example, rotating the turntable 53 clockwise, thereby expanding the first metal braided mesh Cs1 and making the first metal braided mesh Cs1 expand and fit against the inner wall surface of the hollow tube body 2. At this time, in some embodiments, fixing means can be applied to the inner wall surface of the first metal braided mesh Cs1 and the hollow tube body 2, such as applying semi-welding, welding, or soldering to a part of the first metal braided mesh Cs1.

[0053] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the material of the first metal braided mesh Cs1 can be copper, and the material of the spiral spring 52 can be stainless steel; since the melting point of stainless steel is higher than that of copper, after heating the spiral spring 52, a welded or semi-welded joint can be formed between the part where the first metal braided mesh Cs1 contacts the spiral spring 52 and the inner wall surface of the hollow tube body 2, thereby making the first metal braided mesh Cs1 fit against the inner wall surface of the hollow tube body 2. In addition, in other embodiments, the hollow tube body 2 can also be heated to form a semi-welded joint between the first metal braided mesh Cs1 and the inner wall surface of the hollow tube body 2, thereby fixing the first metal braided mesh Cs1 to the inner wall surface of the hollow tube body 2.

[0054] Finally, rotate the turntable 53 again to wind the helical spring 52. For example, rotate the turntable 53 counterclockwise, and the number of turns of the helical spring 52 wound around the vertical rod 51 increases, and the outer diameter of the helical spring 52 decreases. Thereby, the copper mesh installation device 5 can be withdrawn from the hollow tube 2 without obstruction.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 3 , which is a sectional view of another embodiment of the three-dimensional heat spreader of the present invention; the main difference between this embodiment and the foregoing embodiment is that this embodiment adopts a composite capillary structure Cs, which includes a metal woven mesh Cs3 and a copper powder sintered body Cs4. Similar to the foregoing embodiment, a metal woven mesh Cs3 is disposed inside the hollow tube 2, and the metal woven mesh Cs3 also extends to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3. Then, a copper powder sintered body Cs4 is formed on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3, and the copper powder sintered body Cs4 covers the metal woven mesh Cs3; the main steps of forming the copper powder sintered body Cs4 include first laying a layer of copper powder on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3, and then heating the copper powder to sinter it to form the copper powder sintered body Cs4.

[0056] Please also refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B , Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of laying copper powder in another embodiment of the three-dimensional heat spreader of the present invention, Figure 4B is a sectional view of laying copper powder in another embodiment of the three-dimensional heat spreader of the present invention: the main difference between this embodiment and the foregoing embodiment is that the capillary structure Cs of this embodiment is a single structure of a copper powder sintered body Cs5, which is integrally formed on the inner wall surface of the hollow tube 2 and the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3.

[0057] The formation steps of the copper powder sintered body Cs5 may include: first insert a rod R into each hollow tube 2, and then lay copper powder inside the hollow tube 2 and on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3; at this time, in order to make the copper powder evenly laid on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate 3 and fill the inside of the hollow tube 2, vibration can be applied to the inside of the hollow tube 2 and the upper cover plate 3. Then, heat and sinter the copper powder to form the copper powder sintered body Cs5; finally, remove the rod R. Through the above steps, a copper powder sintered body Cs5 with uniform thickness and accurate positioning can be obtained, and importantly, the copper powder sintered body Cs5 is integrally formed, and the capillary action will not be interrupted, and the liquid reflux effect is good.

[0058] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional heat pipe, characterized in that, Comprising the following steps: (A) Providing at least one hollow tube body, an upper cover plate and a lower bottom plate; the at least one hollow tube body includes a closed end and an open end, and the open end includes a radial flange; the upper cover plate includes at least one through hole; (B) The at least one hollow tube body passes through the at least one through hole of the upper cover plate, and solid phase diffusion bonding is applied to the radial flange and the upper cover plate; (C) Forming at least one capillary structure in the at least one hollow tube body and the upper cover plate; and (D) Joining the upper cover plate and the lower bottom plate to form a cavity, filling the cavity with a working medium, and then evacuating and sealing the cavity.

2. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional heat pipe according to claim 1, wherein The at least one capillary structure includes a first metal woven mesh and a second metal woven mesh; step (C) includes a step (C1) and a step (C2); in step (C1), the first metal woven mesh is first formed on the inner wall surface of the at least one hollow tube body, and the first metal woven mesh extends to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate; in step (C2), the second metal woven mesh is then formed on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate, and the second metal woven mesh covers the first metal woven mesh.

3. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional heat pipe according to claim 2, wherein In step (C1), the first metal woven mesh is sleeved on a copper mesh installation device and then inserted into the at least one hollow tube body. After the copper mesh installation device expands the first metal woven mesh and makes it fit on the inner wall surface of the at least one hollow tube body, the copper mesh installation device withdraws from the at least one hollow tube body.

4. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional heat pipe according to claim 3, wherein The copper mesh installation device includes a vertical rod, a helical spring, and a turntable; the turntable is pivotally connected to the vertical rod, one end of the helical spring is connected to the vertical rod, and the other end is connected to the turntable; in step (C1), after the first metal woven mesh is sleeved on the helical spring and inserted into the at least one hollow tube body, the turntable is rotated to make the helical spring expand the first metal woven mesh, and the turntable is rotated again to make the helical spring contract and withdraw from the at least one hollow tube body.

5. The manufacturing method of the three-dimensional heat pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one capillary structure includes a metal woven mesh and a copper powder sintered body; step (C) includes a step (C1) and a step (C2); in step (C1), the metal woven mesh is first formed on the inner wall surface of the at least one hollow tube body, and the metal woven mesh extends to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate; in step (C2), the copper powder sintered body is formed on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate, and the copper powder sintered body covers the metal woven mesh located on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate.

6. The manufacturing method of the three-dimensional heat pipe according to claim 1, wherein In step (C), it includes a step (C1) and a step (C2); in step (C1), a rod is inserted into the at least one hollow tube body, and then a copper powder is laid in the at least one hollow tube body and on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate; in step (C2), the copper powder is heated and sintered and then the rod is removed.

7. A three-dimensional heat pipe, characterized in that, Comprising: At least one hollow tube body, including a closed end and an open end, and the open end includes a radial flange; An upper cover plate, including at least one through hole; the at least one hollow tube body passes through the at least one through hole, and the radial flange of the at least one hollow tube body is joined to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate by solid phase diffusion bonding; A lower bottom plate, joined to the upper cover plate; a cavity is formed between the upper cover plate and the lower bottom plate; At least one capillary structure covering the inner wall surface of the at least one hollow tube body and the inner wall surface of the cavity; and A working medium contained in the cavity.

8. The three-dimensional heat pipe according to claim 7, wherein The at least one capillary structure includes a first metal woven mesh and a second metal woven mesh; the first metal woven mesh covers the inner wall surface of the at least one hollow tube body and extends to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate; the second metal woven mesh covers the inner wall surface of the cavity and covers the first metal woven mesh.

9. The three-dimensional heat pipe according to claim 7, wherein The at least one capillary structure includes a metal woven mesh and a copper powder sintered body; the metal woven mesh covers the inner wall surface of the at least one hollow tube body and extends to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate; the copper powder sintered body covers the inner wall surface of the cavity and covers the metal woven mesh located on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate.

10. The three-dimensional heat pipe according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one capillary structure includes a copper powder sintered body integrally formed on the inner wall surface of the at least one hollow tube body and the bottom surface of the upper cover plate.

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