Heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins

Abstract

This disclosure provides a heat sink with end cap welding and 3D-printed heat sink fins. The heat sink includes a welding base plate, welding connecting pieces, end caps, and a heat sink assembly. The welding base plate has an annular welding groove, and the welding connecting pieces and end caps are partially embedded in the annular welding groove. The welding base plate, welding connecting pieces, and end caps are integrally welded together by thermal fusion welding. A receiving groove is formed between the end caps and the welding base plate, and the end caps have inlet holes and outlet holes respectively connected to the receiving groove. The heat sink assembly forms multiple sequentially connected complex heat dissipation channels, increasing the heat exchange area and promoting the turbulence effect of the coolant, achieving extremely high heat flux and uniform heat dissipation efficiency. The heat sink assembly is 3D-printed onto the welding base plate, eliminating the contact thermal resistance generated by welding the heat sink assembly and improving heat dissipation efficiency. The integrated sealing structure formed by welding the end caps, welding connecting pieces, and welding base plate improves the sealing performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to heat sinks, and more particularly to a heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of electronic technology, the power density and heat flux density of electronic components continue to rise, posing extremely severe challenges to their heat dissipation management. Air cooling is gradually becoming insufficient to meet the heat dissipation requirements of their high heat flux, and forced liquid cooling technology has become the mainstream solution due to its higher heat exchange efficiency.

[0003] Existing liquid-cooled heat sinks typically consist of a metal base plate, heat dissipation fins welded to the base plate, and end caps covering the top. The heat dissipation fins and base plate are usually formed using a toothing process. The toothing process forms fins by shaving off a portion of the metal substrate. This process cannot process complex heat dissipation channel structures with curves, branches, or three-dimensional interconnections and microporous structures. The flow channel structure of the toothed heat dissipation fins is mainly parallel straight channels, resulting in relatively low heat dissipation efficiency.

[0004] For example, CN202210496507.5 discloses a server liquid cooling plate and its manufacturing process. The liquid cooling base plate is made into multiple fins using a toothed process. The liquid cooling base plate is embedded in an opening at the bottom of the liquid cooling cover plate. The gap between the liquid cooling base plate and the liquid cooling cover plate is welded by friction stir welding. Water inlets are left at the front and rear ends of the liquid cooling cover plate. Both inlets are brazed into pagoda-shaped connectors. Finally, the connector inlet hose, outlet hose, two liquid cooling plates, and connecting hose are connected and installed. This solution's flow channel structure is mainly based on parallel straight channels, making it impossible to achieve complex flow channel structures with curves, branches, or three-dimensional interconnections, resulting in low heat dissipation efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink that integrates printing and molding to eliminate thermal resistance, improve heat dissipation efficiency and sealing performance.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] A heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink assembly includes a welding base plate, a welding connecting piece, an end cap, and a heat sink assembly. The welding base plate has an annular welding groove. Parts of the welding connecting piece and the end cap are embedded in the annular welding groove. The welding connecting piece is sandwiched between the end cap and the welding base plate. The welding base plate, the welding connecting piece, and the end cap are integrally welded together by hot melt welding.

[0008] A receiving groove is formed between the end cap and the welding base plate. The end cap has an inlet hole and an outlet hole respectively connected to the receiving groove. The heat sink assembly is 3D printed onto the welding base plate. The heat sink assembly is located in the receiving groove. Multiple heat dissipation channels are formed between the heat sink assemblies, and the multiple heat dissipation channels are interconnected.

[0009] In one embodiment, the heat sink assembly includes a plurality of heat sink fins, which are 3D printed onto a welding base plate. The plurality of heat sink fins are spaced apart in the receiving groove, and each heat sink fin has a connecting hole.

[0010] In one embodiment, the connecting hole is located on the side of the heat dissipation fin away from the welding base plate.

[0011] In one embodiment, the heat dissipation fins extend along the width direction of the receiving groove and fill the cross-section of the receiving groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, an annular guide slope is formed on the outer edge of the groove of the annular welding groove.

[0013] In one embodiment, the annular welding groove is formed with a chamfered structure.

[0014] In one embodiment, the end cap includes an end cap body, a liquid inlet, and a liquid outlet. The receiving groove, the liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet are all formed in the end cap body. The liquid inlet is connected to the liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet is connected to the liquid outlet.

[0015] In one embodiment, the end cap body is further provided with a first connecting groove and a second connecting groove, the liquid inlet is installed in the first connecting groove, the liquid outlet is installed in the second connecting groove, and the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are welded together with the end cap body.

[0016] In one embodiment, the end cap body is provided with a first marking groove and a second marking groove, the first marking groove being disposed adjacent to the liquid inlet and the second marking groove being disposed adjacent to the liquid outlet.

[0017] In one embodiment, the welding base plate has at least two positioning through holes.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, this disclosure has at least the following advantages:

[0019] The aforementioned radiator with end cap welding and printed heat sinks integrates the heat sink assembly and welding base plate through 3D printing. The heat sink assembly forms multiple interconnected complex heat dissipation channels, achieving a complex channel structure with microporous structures, including machining curves, branches, or three-dimensional interconnections. By increasing the heat exchange area and promoting the turbulence effect of the coolant, the radiator achieves uniform heat dissipation and improves heat dissipation efficiency. The end cap, welding connecting piece, and welding base plate form an integrated sealing structure through hot-melt welding in an annular welding groove, ensuring the tightness and strength of the weld. This completely seals the high-pressure and high-speed flowing coolant within the system, improving the sealing performance of the radiator structure and preventing coolant leakage. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this disclosure and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 An exploded view of a heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to one embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins.

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial structural schematic diagram of a heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins is shown.

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Another exploded view of the heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins shown. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To facilitate understanding of this disclosure, a more complete description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. However, this disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure.

[0026] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0027] 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 disclosure belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0028] To better understand the technical solutions and beneficial effects of this disclosure, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments:

[0029] Please see Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a heat sink 10 with end cap soldering and printed heat sink assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a welding base plate 100, a welding connecting piece 200, an end cap 300, and a heat sink assembly 400. The welding base plate 100 has an annular welding groove 101. Parts of the welding connecting piece 200 and the end cap 300 are embedded in the annular welding groove 101. The welding connecting piece 200 is sandwiched between the end cap 300 and the welding base plate 100. The welding base plate 100, the welding connecting piece 200, and the end cap 300 are integrally welded by hot melt welding. The welding connecting piece 200 is a metal brazing filler. Under the combined action of high temperature and pressure, the brazing filler melts and fully fills the annular welding groove 101 to form a dense and high-strength weld.

[0030] Furthermore, a receiving groove 301 is formed between the end cap 300 and the welding base plate 100. The end cap 300 has an inlet hole 302 and an outlet hole 303 respectively connected to the receiving groove 301. The heat sink assembly 400 is 3D printed onto the welding base plate 100. The heat sink assembly 400 is located in the receiving groove 301. Multiple heat dissipation channels 401 are formed between the heat sink assemblies 400, and the multiple heat dissipation channels 401 are interconnected.

[0031] In this embodiment, the coolant enters the receiving tank 301 through the inlet 302. After passing through multiple sequentially connected heat dissipation channels 401 formed by the heat sink assembly 400, the coolant forms turbulence as it passes through the complex heat dissipation channels 401. The heat in the liquid that is in close contact with the inner wall of the heat dissipation flow is quickly carried away. The heat is conducted from the heating element to the welding base plate 100. The heat sink assembly 400 is directly 3D printed on the welding base plate 100, so that the heat is transferred directly from the welding base plate 100 to the complex heat sink assembly 400 with almost no loss, and is quickly absorbed by the flowing coolant. Finally, the coolant flows out from the outlet 303. The end cap 300, the welding tab connector and the welding base plate 100 are thermally welded together through the annular welding groove 101.

[0032] The aforementioned radiator 10, featuring end cap welding and printed heat sinks, integrates the heat sink assembly 400 and the welding base plate 100 through 3D printing. The heat sink assembly 400 forms multiple interconnected complex heat dissipation channels 401, achieving a complex channel structure with microporous structures, including processing curves, branches, or three-dimensional interconnections. This increases the heat exchange area and promotes the turbulence effect of the coolant, enabling the radiator to achieve uniform heat dissipation and improve heat dissipation efficiency. The end cap 300, welding connecting piece 200, and welding base plate 100 form an integrated sealing structure through hot-melt welding via an annular welding groove 101. This ensures the tightness and strength of the weld, completely sealing the high-pressure and high-speed flowing coolant within the system, improving the sealing performance of the radiator structure and preventing coolant leakage.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, the heat sink assembly 400 includes a plurality of heat sink fins 410, which are 3D printed onto the welding base plate 100. The plurality of heat sink fins 410 are spaced apart in the receiving groove 301, and each heat sink fin 410 has a connecting hole 4101. In this embodiment, the spaced arrangement of multiple heat sink fins 410 within the receiving groove 301 creates a large effective heat dissipation surface area within the limited space of the receiving groove 301, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency. The connecting holes 4101 on the heat sink fins 410 allow the coolant to laterally intersect and mix between adjacent heat dissipation channels 401, providing more and more flexible flow paths for the coolant, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

[0034] like Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment, the connecting hole 4101 is located on the side of the heat dissipation fin 410 away from the welding base plate 100. In this embodiment, the connecting hole 4101 is located in the top region where the load is relatively small, so the connecting hole has a smaller structural weakening effect on the heat dissipation fin 410. By guiding the coolant to mix laterally with the fluid in the adjacent heat dissipation channel 401, the coolant forms a lateral cross-flow in the top space of the heat dissipation channel 401, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the coolant.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the heat dissipation fins 410 extend along the width direction of the receiving groove 301 and fill the cross-section of the receiving groove 301. In this embodiment, multiple heat dissipation fins 410 are fused with the underlying welding base plate 100 to form multiple efficient heat conduction paths. The tightly filled array of heat dissipation fins 410 divides the flow space into parallel and regular microchannels, which is beneficial to forming a uniform and controllable fluid boundary layer, ensuring the efficiency and reliability of the convective heat transfer process.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, an annular guide slope 110 is formed on the outer edge of the annular welding groove 101. In this embodiment, when the end cap 300 is assembled with the welding base plate 100, the annular guide slope 110 serves as a preliminary guide and positioning surface, allowing the end cap 300 to be quickly and accurately guided into the annular guide slope 110. The annular guide slope 110 provides a smooth transition and containment space for an appropriate amount of molten material overflowing during the hot melt welding process, preventing molten solder from accumulating at the edge of the groove and forming defects such as sharp corners and burrs, thus improving the welding quality and sealing performance of the weld. The angle between the annular guide slope 110 and the horizontal surface of the welding base plate 100 ranges from 15° to 75°. Within this angle range, the annular guide slope 110 can balance the guiding effect and structural strength during welding.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the annular welding groove 101 has a chamfered structure. In this embodiment, the solder flows smoothly within the annular welding groove 101 after melting, effectively avoiding turbulence and accumulation of solder at sharp corners; the chamfered structure guides and initially positions the end cap 300, and eliminates stress concentration caused by sharp angles, thereby improving the structural strength of the heat sink 10 with end cap soldering and printed heat sink.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment, the end cap includes an end cap body 310, a liquid inlet 320, and a liquid outlet 330. The receiving groove 301, the liquid inlet hole 302, and the liquid outlet hole 303 are all formed in the end cap body 310. The liquid inlet 320 is connected to the liquid inlet hole 302, and the liquid outlet 330 is connected to the liquid outlet hole 303. In this embodiment, the connection between the liquid inlet 320 and the liquid outlet 330 and the corresponding channels on the end cap body 310 allows for the adaptation of different interfaces, thus making it suitable for radiator structures with different piping standards.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the end cap body 310 is further provided with a first connecting groove 3101 and a second connecting groove 3102. The liquid inlet 320 is installed in the first connecting groove 3101 and is welded integrally with the end cap body 310. The liquid outlet 330 is installed in the second connecting groove 3102 and is welded integrally with the end cap body 310. In this embodiment, portions of the liquid inlet 320 and the liquid outlet 330 are respectively submerged in the first connecting groove 3101 and the second connecting groove 3102 of the end cap 300, which improves the installation strength of the liquid inlet 320 and the liquid outlet 330. The liquid inlet 320 and the liquid outlet 330 are welded integrally with the end cap 300, so that the radiator 10 with end cap welding and printed heat sinks forms a completely sealed metal whole. The welded metal fusion connection has a mechanical strength much higher than that of threaded connection or crimping, which improves the structural strength of the connection and avoids the problem of coolant leakage at the connection.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the end cap body 310 has a first marking groove 3103 and a second marking groove 3104. The first marking groove 3103 is disposed adjacent to the liquid inlet 320, and the second marking groove 3104 is disposed adjacent to the liquid outlet 330. In this embodiment, the first marking groove 3103 and the second marking groove 3104 can quickly distinguish between the liquid inlet 302 and the water outlet, avoiding the problem of reversed pipe connection leading to reduced heat dissipation efficiency; the first marking groove 3103 and the second marking groove 3104 can be used for production auxiliary positioning, guiding operators or automated equipment to quickly confirm the position of the liquid inlet 320 and the liquid outlet 330, thereby improving assembly efficiency.

[0041] like Figure 4As shown, in one embodiment, the welding base plate 100 has at least two positioning through holes 102. In this embodiment, before 3D printing the heat sink assembly 400, the welding base plate 100 is precisely fixed to the tooling fixture through the positioning through holes 102 to ensure the accurate positioning of the 3D printed heat sink assembly 400; during the annular welding of the end cap and the base plate, the welding base plate 100 is precisely fixed through the positioning through holes 102 to ensure the consistency of welding quality.

[0042] Compared with the prior art, this disclosure has at least the following advantages:

[0043] The aforementioned radiator 10, featuring end cap welding and printed heat sinks, integrates the heat sink assembly 400 and the welding base plate 100 through 3D printing. The heat sink assembly 400 forms multiple interconnected complex heat dissipation channels 401, achieving a complex channel structure with microporous structures, including processing curves, branches, or three-dimensional interconnections. This increases the heat exchange area and promotes the turbulence effect of the coolant, enabling the radiator to achieve uniform heat dissipation and improve heat dissipation efficiency. The end cap 300, welding connecting piece 200, and welding base plate 100 form an integrated sealing structure through hot-melt welding via an annular welding groove 101. This ensures the tightness and strength of the weld, completely sealing the high-pressure and high-speed flowing coolant within the system, improving the sealing performance of the radiator structure and preventing coolant leakage.

[0044] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this disclosure, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this disclosure, and these all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins, characterized in that, The assembly includes a welding base plate, a welding connecting piece, an end cap, and a heat sink assembly. The welding base plate has an annular welding groove. Parts of the welding connecting piece and the end cap are embedded in the annular welding groove. The welding connecting piece is sandwiched between the end cap and the welding base plate. The welding base plate, the welding connecting piece, and the end cap are integrally welded together by hot melt welding. A receiving groove is formed between the end cap and the welding base plate. The end cap has an inlet hole and an outlet hole respectively connected to the receiving groove. The heat sink assembly is 3D printed onto the welding base plate. The heat sink assembly is located in the receiving groove. Multiple heat dissipation channels are formed between the heat sink assemblies, and the multiple heat dissipation channels are interconnected.

2. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat sink assembly includes multiple heat sink fins, which are 3D printed onto a welding base plate. The multiple heat sink fins are spaced apart in the receiving groove, and each heat sink fin has a connecting hole.

3. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting hole is located on the side of the heat dissipation fin that is away from the welding base plate.

4. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat dissipation fins extend along the width of the receiving groove and fill the cross-section of the receiving groove.

5. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer edge of the annular welding groove has an annular guide slope.

6. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular welding groove has a chamfered structure.

7. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end cap includes an end cap body, a liquid inlet, and a liquid outlet. The receiving groove, the liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet are all formed in the end cap body. The liquid inlet is connected to the liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet is connected to the liquid outlet.

8. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 7, characterized in that, The end cap body is also provided with a first connecting groove and a second connecting groove. The liquid inlet is installed in the first connecting groove, and the liquid outlet is installed in the second connecting groove. The liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are welded together with the end cap body.

9. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 8, characterized in that, The end cap body is provided with a first marking groove and a second marking groove. The first marking groove is disposed adjacent to the liquid inlet and the second marking groove is disposed adjacent to the liquid outlet.

10. The heat sink with end cap soldering and printed heat sink fins according to claim 1, characterized in that, The welding base plate has at least two positioning through holes.

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