Cold plate radiator

Abstract

The invention provides a cold plate radiator which comprises a base and at least one cold plate module, the cold plate module is fixedly installed on the base through an elastic clamping piece, the cold plate module comprises a base and a cover plate, the base is provided with a containing cavity used for containing cooling liquid, the cover plate covers an opening of the containing cavity, the end face of the base is provided with a through hole, and the end face of the base is provided with an elastic clamping piece. The through hole is communicated with the accommodating cavity; a corrugated pipe is arranged between every two adjacent cold plate modules, the two ends of each corrugated pipe are connected to the inner walls of the two through holes correspondingly, and cooling liquid flows among the multiple cold plate modules through the corrugated pipes. The cold plate radiator disclosed by the invention is good in radiating effect on the basis of adapting to different use scenes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat dissipation technology, and in particular to a cold plate heat sink. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic devices generate heat during data processing. To effectively dissipate the heat from operating electronic components, heat dissipation devices are needed at the heat-generating parts of the electronic devices. Heat dissipation for electronic components mainly includes air cooling, heat pipe cooling, and water cooling. A common method using a cold plate heat sink involves mounting the device to be cooled onto the cold plate substrate, and then circulating a cooling medium through the substrate to achieve cooling.

[0003] In existing cold plate heat dissipation devices, the mainstream solution is to connect multiple cold plates in series and parallel through pipes. Chinese patent CN116234265A discloses a cold plate structure and heat dissipation device, including at least one set of cold plate modules. The cold plate module includes a cold plate base and a cover plate assembly disposed on the cold plate base. The cold plate base includes multiple integral cold plate bodies, each of which is provided with multiple flow channels. The cover plate assembly includes at least one cold plate cover and at least one water distributor, which is disposed on the cold plate cover. The water distributor has a hollow structure. The cold plate cover has multiple cover plate bodies, each of which has an inwardly recessed structure. The cover plate bodies cooperate with the cold plate bodies to form a sealed cavity communicating with the water distributor, and the multiple flow channels are located in the sealed cavity.

[0004] However, during the assembly of existing cold plate heat dissipation devices, due to the fixed and inflexible structure of the water distributor, when the heat-generating surfaces of the devices to be cooled are not on the same plane and there is a step difference, the bonding effect between the cold plate and the heat-generating surface is poor, and the contact thermal resistance is large. This results in poor heat dissipation effect of the cold plate on the devices to be cooled, which in turn limits the application scenarios of existing cold plate heat dissipation devices.

[0005] Therefore, how to design a cold plate heat sink that can provide good heat dissipation while being suitable for different usage scenarios is a technical problem that designers and developers need to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a cold plate heat sink, designed to provide excellent heat dissipation while being adaptable to different application scenarios.

[0007] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A cold plate heat sink includes a base and at least one set of cold plate modules, wherein the cold plate modules are fixedly mounted on the base by elastic clamping members. The cold plate module includes a base and a cover plate. The base has a receiving cavity for containing coolant, and the cover plate covers the opening of the receiving cavity. The end face of the base has a through hole that communicates with the receiving cavity. A corrugated pipe is provided between two adjacent cold plate modules, and the two ends of the corrugated pipe are respectively connected to the inner walls of the two through holes. The coolant flows between the multiple cold plate modules through the corrugated pipe.

[0008] In one embodiment, there are multiple cold plate modules. The end face of the first cold plate module is provided with a liquid inlet pipe. The liquid inlet pipe is arranged opposite to the through hole and communicates with the receiving cavity. Coolant enters the receiving cavity through the liquid inlet pipe. The last cold plate module is provided with a liquid outlet pipe on its end face. The liquid outlet pipe is arranged opposite to the through hole and is connected to the receiving cavity. The coolant in the receiving cavity flows out through the liquid outlet pipe.

[0009] In one embodiment, the end face of the base is provided with blind holes, and a connector is provided between two adjacent cold plate modules. The connector is an elastically deformable structure, and the two ends of the connector are respectively connected to the inner walls of the two blind holes.

[0010] In one embodiment, the connector is a hollow tubular structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, both the base and the bellows are made of copper.

[0012] In one embodiment, the base is made of stainless steel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the elastic clamping member has two elastic arms, and each of the cover plates has a positioning groove adapted to the elastic arms. The elastic clamping member is detachably clamped on the base. During installation, the elastic arms are received in the positioning grooves and pressed against the cover plate, thereby locking the cold plate module on the base.

[0014] In one embodiment, the elastic clamping member is provided with a barb portion, and the base is provided with a snap-fit ​​port that mates with the barb portion. When the elastic clamping member mates with the base, the barb portion passes through the snap-fit ​​port.

[0015] In one embodiment, the elastic clamp is made of annealed stainless steel.

[0016] In summary, the cold plate heat sink of the present invention has good heat dissipation performance while being adaptable to different usage scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cold plate heat sink of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the cold plate heat sink. Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the cold plate heat sink. Figure 4 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of the cold plate heat sink is shown; Figure 5 This is a partially exploded view of the cold plate module of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a planar sectional view of the cold plate module of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic clamping member of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cold plate device in the prior art.

[0019] The above figures include the following reference numerals: 10. Cold plate heat sink; 100. Base; 110. Snap-fit ​​port; 200. Cold plate module; 210. Base; 211. Through hole; 212. Blind hole; 201. Receiving cavity; 220. Cover plate; 221. Positioning groove; 230. Corrugated pipe; 240. Liquid inlet pipe; 250. Liquid outlet pipe; 260. Connector; 300. Elastic clamping part; 310. Elastic arm; 320. Barb. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more comprehensive description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., depicted in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of the present invention. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effects and objectives achieved by the present invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present invention. Furthermore, the terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and "middle" used in this specification are merely for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships are also considered within the scope of the present invention without substantial alteration of the technical content.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0022] This invention provides a cold plate heat sink 10, designed to provide good heat dissipation while being adaptable to different usage scenarios. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the cold plate heat sink 10 includes a base 100 and at least one set of cold plate modules 200. The cold plate modules 200 are fixedly mounted on the base 100 by elastic clamping members 300. Preferably, the base 100 is made of stainless steel, which has high strength, good resistance to compressive deformation, and good corrosion resistance, and can provide stable support for the cold plate modules 200.

[0023] Among them, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the cold plate module 200 includes a base 210 and a cover plate 220. The base 210 has a receiving cavity 201 for containing coolant, and the cover plate 220 covers the opening of the receiving cavity 201. The end face of the base 210 has a through hole 211, which communicates with the receiving cavity 201.

[0024] A corrugated pipe 230 is provided between two adjacent cold plate modules 200. The two ends of the corrugated pipe 230 are respectively connected to the inner walls of two through holes 211. Coolant flows between the multiple cold plate modules 200 through the corrugated pipe 230. Compared with the existing rigid pipe connection method, the corrugated pipe 230 can better transmit radial pressure, and the cold plate module 200 can better conform to the heating surface of the heat source. Its specific design principle is explained below. Preferably, the corrugated pipe 230 is brazed to the inner wall of the through hole 211.

[0025] Preferably, both the base 210 and the bellows 230 are made of copper, which has good ductility, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, and can extend service life while increasing heat dissipation performance.

[0026] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, there are multiple cold plate modules 200. In this embodiment, there are four cold plate modules 200. The first cold plate module 200 has an inlet pipe 240 on its end face. The inlet pipe 240 is opposite to the through hole 211 and is connected to the receiving cavity 201. Coolant enters the receiving cavity 201 through the inlet pipe 240. The last cold plate module 200 has an outlet pipe 250 on its end face. The outlet pipe 250 is opposite to the through hole 211 and is connected to the receiving cavity 201. Coolant in the receiving cavity 201 flows out through the outlet pipe 250.

[0027] Specifically, the flow path of the coolant within the cold plate module 200 (e.g.) Figure 6 (As indicated by the middle arrow): The coolant enters the receiving cavity 201 of the first cold plate module 200 through the inlet pipe 240, then enters the receiving cavity 201 of the next cold plate module 200 through the bellows pipe 230, and finally enters the receiving cavity 201 of the last cold plate module 200. It then flows out through the outlet pipe 250. After being cooled, the coolant flows back into the receiving cavity 201 of the first cold plate module 200 through the inlet pipe 240, thereby realizing the circulation of coolant and thus heat dissipation.

[0028] It should be noted that, compared with the prior art, the present invention, by setting the inlet pipe 240 and the outlet pipe 250 on the end face of the cold plate module 200 and opposite to the corrugated pipe 230, effectively reduces the bends in the coolant flow path and reduces the influence of the bends on the coolant flow direction. As a result, the coolant can circulate smoothly within the cold plate module 200, improving the circulation speed and thus improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0029] In the cold plate heat sink 10 of the present invention, the elastic clamping member 300 provides downward pressure to fix the cold plate module 200 onto the base 100, that is, it plays a positioning role for the cold plate module 200. For example, Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the elastic clamping member 300 has two elastic arms 310, and the cover plate 220 is provided with positioning grooves 221 that are adapted to the elastic arms 310. The elastic clamping member 300 is detachably clamped on the base 100. During installation, the elastic arms 310 are housed in the positioning grooves 221 and pressed against the cover plate 220, thereby locking the cold plate module 200 on the base 100.

[0030] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the elastic clamping member 300 has a barb portion 320, and the base 100 has a snap-fit ​​port 110 that mates with the barb portion 320. When the elastic clamping member 300 mates with the base 100, the barb portion 320 passes through the snap-fit ​​port 110. Preferably, the elastic clamping member 300 is made of annealed stainless steel, which has high strength and a certain degree of flexibility and plasticity, adapting to the repeated clamping requirements of the elastic clamping member 300. In some embodiments, the elastic clamping member 300 may also be made of copper.

[0031] The working principle of the cold plate heat sink 10 of the present invention will be explained below in conjunction with the above structure: When using, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, multiple sets of cold plate modules 200 are arranged side by side on the base 100, and adjacent cold plate modules 200 are connected by a corrugated pipe 230. During heat dissipation, the cold plate radiator 10 is in contact with the heat source, and the coolant enters the receiving cavity 201 through the inlet pipe 240, flows through multiple receiving cavities 201 through the corrugated pipe 230, and finally exits from the outlet pipe 250.

[0032] Compared to existing rigid pipes, the corrugated pipe 230 of this invention can better transmit radial pressure and better conform to the heating surface of the heat source. The specific design principle of the corrugated pipe 230 is as follows: During assembly, the elastic clamping member 300 applies pressure to each cold plate module 200. However, due to tolerances and errors, the pressure on each cold plate module 200 cannot be completely uniform, resulting in uneven force distribution among the multiple cold plate modules 200 and inconsistent downward displacement. Connecting adjacent cold plate modules 200 via a bellows 230, which has sections, allows for better transmission of radial pressure, thus making the force distribution among the multiple cold plate modules 200 more uniform. In other words, when one of the two adjacent cold plate modules 200 is subjected to greater pressure, the pressure will also be transmitted to one end of the bellows 230, thereby providing radial force to the bellows 230. The bellows 230 transmits the radial force to the other end and to the other cold plate module 200, so that the pressure on the two cold plate modules 200 tends to be the same, thus making the pressure on the multiple cold plate modules 200 more uniform.

[0033] Furthermore, in scenarios where multiple independent heat sources are not on the same plane and there are differences in elevation, the floating effect of the corrugated pipe 230 allows the cold plate module 200 to better fit the heating surface of the heat source. That is, even if multiple cold plate modules 200 are set independently, good fitting effect can still be achieved by utilizing the floating characteristics of the corrugated pipe 230, even if the heat source elevation difference is large.

[0034] It should be noted that in existing cold plate assembly systems, some cold plate modules are also connected using corrugated pipes. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the bellows 230 is located on the side of the cold plate module 200. While this provides some floating characteristics, resulting in more uniform force distribution among multiple cold plate modules 200 and accommodating minor displacements and tolerances during assembly, the short length of the bellows 230 limits the floating characteristics, typically to only about 1mm. Furthermore, the coolant flow path often involves right-angle turns, hindering coolant flow and affecting its flow rate, thus resulting in poor heat dissipation. This invention bridges the outer periphery of the cold plate module 200 with the bellows 230. The larger bending radius of the bellows 230 allows for greater floating, meeting floating requirements within 10mm, thus adapting to different application scenarios without affecting coolant flow. Simultaneously, bridging the outer periphery of the cold plate module 200 with the bellows 230 allows for the addition of longer microchannels (such as grooved fins or needle-like fins), further enhancing heat dissipation.

[0035] Furthermore, the heat source is typically the optical module, which is subjected to a vertical force of approximately 50N when inserted or removed from the base 100. Traditionally, thermal pads or coatings have been used to address the contact issue. However, even with these methods, wear still occurs on the interface material. This wear increases the contact thermal resistance, thus limiting the number of insertions and removals of traditional optical modules. This patent utilizes the flexibility of the corrugated pipe 230 to achieve proper contact between the optical module and the surface of the cold plate module 200, thereby reducing the interface contact thermal resistance and achieving better heat dissipation.

[0036] It should be emphasized that, compared with the prior art, the present invention uses the corrugated pipe 230 to bridge the outer periphery of the cold plate module 200, which can not only adapt to different application scenarios, but also enhance the heat dissipation effect.

[0037] Understandably, the bellows 230 in the above structure integrates both floating and flow channel functions. In actual use, the bellows 230, as a flow channel, needs to withstand the pressure and corrosion generated by the coolant during flow, and as a floating structure, it needs to provide displacement compensation. This can easily lead to structural fatigue and damage, resulting in heat dissipation failure.

[0038] Therefore, this invention provides an auxiliary support structure between two adjacent cold plate modules 200 to provide additional floating support force. Specifically, as shown... Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, the end face of the base 210 has blind holes 212, and a connector 260 is provided between two adjacent cold plate modules 200. The connector 260 has an elastic deformation structure, and its two ends are respectively connected to the inner walls of the two blind holes 212. The connector 260 can provide additional floating support. This design not only effectively avoids the problem of heat dissipation failure due to damage to the bellows 230 and extends the service life of the bellows 230, but also improves the stability of the structure and enhances the user experience.

[0039] Preferably, the connector 260 is a hollow tubular structure, such as a corrugated pipe 230 or a metal flexible hose.

[0040] In summary, the cold plate heat sink 10 of the present invention has good heat dissipation performance while being adaptable to different usage scenarios.

[0041] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cold plate heat sink, characterized in that, It includes a base and at least one set of cold plate modules, wherein the cold plate modules are fixedly mounted on the base by elastic clamping members. The cold plate module includes a base and a cover plate. The base has a receiving cavity for containing coolant, and the cover plate covers the opening of the receiving cavity. The end face of the base has a through hole that communicates with the receiving cavity. A corrugated pipe is provided between two adjacent cold plate modules, and the two ends of the corrugated pipe are respectively connected to the inner walls of the two through holes. The coolant flows between the multiple cold plate modules through the corrugated pipe.

2. The cold plate heat sink according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of cold plate modules is multiple. The end face of the first cold plate module is provided with a liquid inlet pipe. The liquid inlet pipe is arranged opposite to the through hole and communicates with the receiving cavity. Coolant enters the receiving cavity through the liquid inlet pipe. The last cold plate module is provided with a liquid outlet pipe on its end face. The liquid outlet pipe is arranged opposite to the through hole and is connected to the receiving cavity. The coolant in the receiving cavity flows out through the liquid outlet pipe.

3. The cold plate heat sink according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base has blind holes on its end face, and a connector is provided between two adjacent cold plate modules. The connector is an elastic deformation structure, and its two ends are respectively connected to the inner walls of the two blind holes.

4. The cold plate heat sink according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connector is a hollow tubular structure.

5. The cold plate heat sink according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the base and the corrugated pipe are made of copper.

6. The cold plate heat sink according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic clamping member has two elastic arms, and each of the cover plates has a positioning groove adapted to the elastic arms. The elastic clamping member is detachably clamped on the base. During installation, the elastic arms are received in the positioning grooves and pressed against the cover plate, thereby locking the cold plate module on the base.

7. The cold plate heat sink according to claim 6, characterized in that, The elastic clamping member is provided with a barb portion, and the base is provided with a snap-fit ​​port that cooperates with the barb portion. When the elastic clamping member is cooperated with the base, the barb portion passes through the snap-fit ​​port.

8. The cold plate heat sink according to claim 7, characterized in that, The elastic clamping component is made of annealed stainless steel.

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