Liquid-cooled heat sink
The liquid-cooled heat sink design with a pedestal and elastic connections maintains stable thermal connectivity and prevents stress transfer between heat generating elements, addressing the challenges of repeated attachment and parallel mounting.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid-cooled heat sinks struggle to maintain stable thermal connectivity between heat generating elements and the heat sink when these elements are repeatedly attached and detached, and they fail to prevent stress from affecting adjacent elements through piping, especially in scenarios where multiple elements are mounted in parallel.
A liquid-cooled heat sink design featuring a pedestal with a flat and protruding portion thermally connected to the heat generating element, a cold plate connected to the pedestal via elastic bodies with elastic forces in different directions, ensuring stable thermal connectivity and preventing stress transfer to adjacent elements.
The design ensures stable thermal connectivity even with repeated attachment and detachment, prevents stress from affecting adjacent elements, simplifies pipe configuration, and reduces space requirements.
Smart Images

Figure 2026037520000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention is a liquid-cooled heat sink for cooling an object (heat generating body) such as an electric or electronic component, and in particular, a liquid-cooled heat sink that is connected to a cage that can be attached and detached to the heat generating body. It is related to. [Background technology]
[0002] As electronic devices become more sophisticated, the amount of heat generated by the electrical and electronic components and other heat-generating elements installed in those devices increases. If the temperature of the electrical and electronic components rises above a specified allowable temperature, it can cause the electrical and electronic components to malfunction, so it is important to keep the temperature of the electrical and electronic components below the allowable temperature.
[0003] In particular, in recent years, as the amount of heat generated by heat-generating elements such as electrical and electronic components has been increasing, it may be difficult to maintain the temperature of the heat-generating element below an allowable temperature using an air-cooled heat sink, and it may be necessary to cool the heat-generating element using a liquid-cooled heat sink.
[0004] On the other hand, if there is variation in mounting tolerances between thermally connected components, the thermal connectivity between the components may be reduced and mechanical stress may be applied to the components.Therefore, a cooling structure for an electronic device has been proposed (Patent Document 1), which is a cooling structure for an electronic component mounted on a substrate, and includes a plate-shaped heat conduction plate disposed between the upper part of the electronic component and the housing, and elastic bodies disposed at both ends of the heat conduction plate and pressurizing the heat conduction plate to bring the upper part of the electronic component and the housing into contact with each other.
[0005] In Patent Document 1, both ends of the plate-shaped heat conduction plate are held by the electronic component and the housing in the form of a beam supported at both ends, making it possible to use a thick, rigid heat conduction plate with high heat transport properties as the heat conduction plate, thereby reducing the mechanical stress on the solder joints of the electronic component.
[0006] Meanwhile, optical connectors are used in data centers for transmitting and receiving data in servers and network switches, and have an optoelectronic conversion function that converts data received as an optical signal into an electrical signal, or converts data transmitted as an electrical signal into an optical signal. Optical connectors generate heat according to their data processing capacity, and as the volume of communication data increases, cooling with a liquid-cooled heat sink is required. Optical connectors are attached and detached using a metal cage attached to the device, and a liquid-cooled heat sink is attached to the top of the cage to cool the optical connector. Optical connectors must be detachable from the exterior of the device, and when attaching the optical connector to the cage, it is necessary to ensure thermal contact between the optical connector and the liquid-cooled heat sink.
[0007] Furthermore, optical connectors are often mounted in parallel in one cage. Therefore, when an optical connector is attached to a cage, it is necessary to prevent the force from affecting the contact state with the liquid-cooled heat sink of other adjacent optical connectors through piping, etc. Furthermore, it is expected that optical connectors will be attached and detached from the cage multiple times, and it is necessary to ensure stable contact with the liquid-cooled heat sink even after repeated attachment and detachment.
[0008] However, in Patent Document 1, due to its structure, there is a problem that if the heating element is repeatedly attached and detached multiple times, stable thermal connectivity between the respective members may not be obtained. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-188998 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0010] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a liquid-cooled heat sink that can obtain stable thermal connectivity between a heat generating element and a liquid-cooled heat sink even if the heat generating element is repeatedly attached and detached multiple times, and that can prevent stress generated when the heat generating element is attached to the cage from affecting the thermal connectivity of other adjacent heat generating elements with the liquid-cooled heat sink through piping or the like, even if multiple heat generating elements are mounted in parallel in one cage. [Means for solving the problem]
[0011] The liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention has the following configuration. [1] A liquid-cooled heat sink connected to a cage that allows the heating element to be removed. a pedestal having a flat portion serving as a heat receiving portion and a protruding portion protruding from the heat receiving portion, the pedestal being thermally connected to the heat generating element at the heat receiving portion; a cold plate that is thermally connected to the pedestal at at least a partial region of the protruding portion, that has a heat medium flow space formed therein through which a liquid-phase heat medium flows, and that dissipates heat absorbed from the heat generating element to the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow space; a first pipe connected to the cold plate for supplying the heat medium to the heat medium flow space of the cold plate; a second pipe connected to the cold plate for discharging the heat medium from the heat medium flow space of the cold plate; and the pedestal and the cold plate are separated; the pedestal and the cold plate are thermally connected by a first elastic body that has an elastic force along a main surface direction of the cold plate and applies the elastic force to the protrusion of the pedestal; a liquid-cooled heat sink in which the pedestal and the heat generating element are thermally connected by a second elastic body having an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate; [2] The liquid-cooled heat sink according to [1], wherein a plurality of the pedestals are arranged in parallel with one of the cold plates. [3] The cold plate is a base plate having a heat-receiving surface provided on one surface thereof and thermally connected to the pedestal, and a heat transfer portion provided protruding from the heat-receiving surface and through which heat from the heat-receiving surface is transferred; a cover plate that covers the heat transfer portion and forms the other surface opposite to the one surface, The heat transfer medium circulation space is formed between the heat receiving surface of the base plate and the cover plate, and heat is released from the heat receiving surface and the heat transfer section to the heat transfer medium circulating in the heat transfer medium circulation space. [4] A liquid-cooled heat sink as described in [3], wherein a recessed portion recessed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate is formed on the outer surface of the heat receiving surface of the base plate, and the protrusion portion of the pedestal is inserted into the recessed portion. [5] The liquid-cooled heat sink according to [3], wherein each of the plurality of heat transfer portions is a fin extending along the flow direction of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow space. [6] The liquid-cooled heat sink according to [1] or [2], wherein a cover made of a resin material is provided at the tip of the first elastic body. [7] A liquid-cooled heat sink according to [4], wherein the side of the protrusion has an inclined portion, and the recess has an inclined portion corresponding to the inclined portion of the protrusion. [8] The liquid-cooled heat sink according to [1] or [2], wherein the protrusion is divided in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the cold plate. [9] The liquid-cooled heat sink according to [1] or [2], wherein the first elastic body is a coil spring, a leaf spring, or a sheet-like elastic member.
[10] The liquid-cooled heat sink according to [1] or [2], wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided on one of the pedestals.
[11] The liquid-cooled heat sink according to [1] or [2], wherein the heat generating element is an optical connector. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] According to an aspect of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention, there is provided a pedestal having a flat portion as a heat receiving portion and a protruding portion protruding from the heat receiving portion, the pedestal being thermally connected to the heat generating element at the heat receiving portion, and a cold plate being thermally connected to the pedestal at at least a partial area of the protruding portion, the pedestal and the cold plate being separated, the pedestal and the cold plate being thermally connected by a first elastic body having an elastic force along a main surface direction of the cold plate and applying the elastic force to the protruding portion of the pedestal, The pedestal and the heat generating element are thermally connected by a second elastic body having an elastic force perpendicular to the direction of the first elastic body, and the elastic force of the first elastic body and the elastic force of the second elastic body improve the thermal connectivity between the pedestal and the cold plate. Therefore, even if the heat generating element is repeatedly attached and detached multiple times, a stable thermal connectivity between the heat generating element and the liquid-cooled heat sink can be obtained. Furthermore, even if multiple heat generating elements are mounted in parallel in one cage, when the heat generating element is attached to the cage, the stress at the time of attachment can be prevented from affecting the thermal connectivity between the heat generating element and the liquid-cooled heat sink of other adjacent heat generating elements through piping or the like.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention, the pedestal moves in accordance with the heat generating element due to the elastic force of the first elastic body, thereby preventing the heat generating element from moving in conjunction with the first and second piping, and adjusting the load on the heat generating element.
[0014] According to an aspect of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention, the heat generating element and the first and second pipes can be prevented from moving in conjunction with each other, thereby simplifying the configuration of the first and second pipes and reducing the space required for the liquid-cooled heat sink.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention, a recessed portion is formed on the outer surface of the heat-receiving surface of the base plate, recessed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate, and the protrusion of the pedestal is inserted into the recessed portion, thereby further improving the thermal connectivity between the pedestal and the cold plate by the first elastic body having an elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention, a resin cover is provided on the tip of the first elastic body, thereby reducing friction in the portion of the cold plate facing the tip of the first elastic body.
[0017] According to an aspect of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention, the side of the protrusion has an inclined portion, and the recess has an inclined portion corresponding to the inclined portion of the protrusion, which makes it easier to insert the protrusion of the pedestal into the recess of the cold plate, thereby facilitating the assembly of the pedestal to the cold plate.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention, the protrusion is divided in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate, and the first elastic body having elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate ensures thermal contact between the pedestal and the cold plate on two sides in the main surface direction of the cold plate, thereby further improving the thermal connectivity between the pedestal and the cold plate.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention, multiple protrusions are provided on one pedestal, thereby increasing the thermal contact area between the pedestal and the cold plate, thereby further improving the thermal connectivity between the pedestal and the cold plate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a first elastic body of a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a second elastic body of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention will be described below. First, a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the first elastic body of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the second elastic body of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] The liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention is a liquid-cooled heat sink that is connected to a cage that allows a heat generating element to be attached and detached.
[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a liquid-cooled heat sink 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a pedestal 200 having a flat portion 201 which is a heat receiving portion 202 and a protruding portion 203 which protrudes from the heat receiving portion 202, and which is thermally connected to a heat generating element 150 at the heat receiving portion 202, a cold plate 10 which is thermally connected to the pedestal 200 at at least a portion of the protruding portion 203, and which has a heat medium flow space 13 formed therein through which a liquid phase heat medium (not shown) flows, and which releases heat absorbed from the heat generating element 150 to the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow space 13, a first pipe 20 connected to the cold plate 10 for supplying the heat medium to the heat medium flow space 13 of the cold plate 10, and a second pipe 30 connected to the cold plate for discharging the heat medium from the heat medium flow space 13 of the cold plate 10.
[0024] The heat medium is supplied to the cold plate 10 via the first piping 20, and the heat absorbed by the cold plate 10 from the heat generating element 150 is released into the heat medium while the heat medium flows through the cold plate 10, thereby cooling the heat generating element 150, which is the object to be cooled. The heat medium that has absorbed heat from the cold plate 10 is discharged from the cold plate 10 to the outside of the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 via the second piping 30. The heat medium discharged to the outside of the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 is cooled in a heat exchanger (not shown) and then flows into the first piping 20 again.
[0025] 1 to 3, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, a cage 100 to which a heat generating element 150 can be attached and detached has a plurality of heat generating element storage sections 101 arranged in parallel for storing the heat generating elements 150. The plurality of heat generating elements 150, 150, 150... are stored in the respective heat generating element storage sections 101, and the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 is attached via a pedestal 200 to the top surface of the cage 100 to which the plurality of heat generating elements 150, 150, 150... stored in parallel can be attached and detached.
[0026] Each of the plurality of heat generating elements 150, 150, 150... (i.e., the plurality of heat generating element storage sections 101, 101, 101...) is connected to one pedestal 200. As the heat generating elements 150 are stored in each of the plurality of heat generating element storage sections 101, 101, 101... of the cage 100, the plurality of pedestals 200, 200, 200... are arranged in parallel.
[0027] For ease of explanation, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, one liquid-cooled heat sink 1 is thermally connected to four heat-generating element housings 101. Therefore, for one cold plate 10, multiple pedestals 200 (four in the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 for ease of explanation) are arranged in parallel and thermally connected to one cold plate 10.
[0028] The pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 are separate components, and are separated from each other. The pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 are connected via a first elastic body 210 provided on the protruding portion 203 of the pedestal 200, which has elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10, and a second elastic body 220, which has elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 (i.e., in the thickness direction of the cold plate 10).
[0029] A recess 18 is formed on the outer surface of the heat-receiving surface 14 of the base plate 16 of the cold plate 10, recessed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate 10, and the protrusion 23 of the pedestal 200 is inserted into the recess 18. Therefore, the first elastic body 210 exerts stress on the sidewall of the recess 18 in the direction of the main surface of the cold plate 10. In other words, the first elastic body 210 exerts stress on the sidewall of the recess 18 in the plane direction of the heating element 150. The first elastic body 210 improves the thermal connectivity between the sidewall of the recess 18 of the cold plate 10 and the sidewall of the protrusion 203 of the pedestal 200.
[0030] On the other hand, the second elastic body 220 has a stress in the direction from the pedestal 200 to the cold plate 10 (i.e., the thickness direction of the cold plate 10). When the heating element 150 is inserted into the heating element storage section 101, the inserted heating element 150 displaces the pedestal 200 toward the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, generating a stress in the second elastic body 220 toward the pedestal 200, and bringing the cold plate 10 of the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 into close contact with the pedestal 200. As a result, the heating element 150 inserted into the heating element storage section 101 and the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 are thermally connected via the pedestal 200.
[0031] In the liquid-cooling type heat sink 1, the first elastic body 210 is a coil spring. Also, the second elastic body 220 is a coil spring. Also, a tip end portion 211 of the first elastic body 210 is provided with a cover 212 made of a resin member.
[0032] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, the cold plate 10 has a heat transfer medium flow space 13 formed therein through which a liquid heat transfer medium (not shown) flows, and has the function of releasing heat absorbed from the heat generating element 150 into the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium flow space 13.
[0033] Specifically, the cold plate 10 includes a base plate 16 having a heat receiving surface 14 provided on one side thereof and thermally connected to the pedestal 200, and a heat transfer section 15 provided protruding from the heat receiving surface 14 and through which heat from the heat receiving surface 14 is transferred, and a cover plate 17 forming the other side opposite the one side thereof and covering the heat transfer section 15. A heat medium flow space 13 is formed between the heat receiving surface 14 of the base plate 16 and the cover plate 17, and heat is released from the heat receiving surface 14 and the heat transfer section 15 to the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow space 13, thereby cooling the heating element 150.
[0034] The heating element 150 is thermally connected to the outer surface of the heat receiving surface 14 via a pedestal 200. The heat transfer section 15 of the base plate 16 is a portion that protrudes from the inner surface of the heat receiving surface 14 of the base plate 16 toward the cover plate 17. The heat transfer section 15 of the base plate 16 is integrally formed with the inner surface of the heat receiving surface 14 of the base plate 16. A plurality of heat transfer sections 15 are provided, and they also function as flow paths through which the heat medium flows.
[0035] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, the plurality of heat transfer portions 15, 15, 15 . . . are fins that extend along the flow direction of the heat medium that flows through the heat medium flow space 13.
[0036] The heating element 150 thermally connected to the cold plate 10 may be, for example, an optical connector used for transmitting and receiving data in a server or network switch used in a data center. The heat medium may be, for example, water.
[0037] The cold plate 10 may be made of a metal such as copper, and the pedestal 200 may be made of a metal such as copper. The first pipe 20 and the second pipe 30 may be made of a metal pipe such as copper.
[0038] According to an embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 includes a pedestal 200 having a flat portion 201 as a heat receiving portion 202 and a protruding portion 203 protruding from the heat receiving portion 202, the pedestal 200 being thermally connected to the heating element 150 at the heat receiving portion 202, and a cold plate 10 being thermally connected to the pedestal 200 at at least a partial area of the protruding portion 203, the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 being separated from each other, the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 being thermally connected to each other by a first elastic body 210 having an elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 and applying this elastic force to the protruding portion 203 of the pedestal 200, and the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 being thermally connected to each other by an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. Since the pedestal 200 and the heating element 150 are thermally connected by the second elastic body 220 having the elastic force of the first elastic body 210 and the elastic force of the second elastic body 220 improve the thermal connectivity between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10, even if the heating element 150 is repeatedly attached and detached multiple times, a stable thermal connectivity between the heating element 150 and the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 can be obtained. Furthermore, even if multiple heating elements 150, 150, 150... are mounted in parallel in one cage 100, when the heating element 150 is attached to the cage 100, the stress at the time of attachment can be prevented from affecting the thermal connectivity of other adjacent heating elements 150 with the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 through piping or the like.
[0039] According to this aspect of the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, the pedestal 200 moves in accordance with the heating element 150 along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 due to the elastic force of the first elastic body 210, thereby preventing the heating element 150 and the first and second piping 20 and 30 from moving in conjunction with each other and adjusting the load on the heating element 150.
[0040] According to this aspect of the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, the heating element 150 and the first and second piping 20 and 30 can be prevented from moving in conjunction with each other, thereby simplifying the configuration of the first and second piping 20 and 30 and making the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 more space-saving.
[0041] According to this embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, a recess 18 is formed on the outer surface of the heat-receiving surface 14 of the base plate 16 of the cold plate 10, recessed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate 10, and the protrusion 203 of the pedestal 200 is inserted into the recess 18.Therefore, the first elastic body 210, which has an elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10, further improves the thermal connectivity between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 in the main surface direction of the cold plate 10.
[0042] According to this embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink 1, a cover 212 made of a resin material is provided on the tip 211 of the first elastic body 210, thereby reducing friction in the part of the cold plate 10 facing the tip 211 of the first elastic body 210.
[0043] Next, a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to the second embodiment shares major components with the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the first embodiment, so the same components as those in the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals. Note that Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 according to the first embodiment, a coil spring is used as the first elastic body 210 having elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. Instead, as shown in FIG. 4, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 2 according to the second embodiment, a sheet-shaped elastic member 213 is used as the first elastic body 210.
[0045] The sheet-like elastic member 213 is provided on the side wall of the protruding portion 203 of the pedestal 200, and thus has elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. The sheet-like elastic member 213, which is the first elastic body 210, improves the thermal connectivity between the side wall of the recessed portion 18 of the cold plate 10 and the side wall of the protruding portion 203 of the pedestal 200.
[0046] In the embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink 2, the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 are thermally connected by the first elastic body 210, which has an elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 and applies this elastic force to the protrusion 203 of the pedestal 200, and the pedestal 200 and the heating element 150 are thermally connected by the second elastic body 220, which has an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. Since this force improves the thermal connectivity between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10, stable thermal connectivity between the heating element 150 and the liquid-cooled heat sink 2 can be obtained even if the heating element 150 is repeatedly attached and detached multiple times. Furthermore, even if multiple heating elements 150, 150, 150, etc. are mounted in parallel in one cage 100, when the heating element 150 is attached to the cage 100, stress at the time of attachment can be prevented from affecting the thermal connectivity of other adjacent heating elements 150 with the liquid-cooled heat sink 2 through piping or the like.
[0047] Also, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 2 configuration, the pedestal 200 moves in accordance with the heating element 150 along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 due to the elastic force of the sheet-shaped elastic member 213, thereby preventing the heating element 150 and the first and second piping 20 and 30 from moving in conjunction with each other, thereby adjusting the load on the heating element 150.
[0048] Next, a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to the third embodiment shares major components with the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first and second embodiments, so the same components as those in the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first and second embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals. Note that Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 2 according to the second embodiment, one protrusion 203 is provided on one pedestal 200, but instead, as shown in Fig. 5, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 3 according to the third embodiment, multiple protrusions 203, 203, 203... are provided on one pedestal 200. For ease of explanation, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 3, two protrusions 203 are provided on one pedestal 200.
[0050] Furthermore, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 3, a single pedestal 200 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 203, 203, 203..., and correspondingly, a single pedestal 200 is provided with a plurality of recesses 18, 18, 18.... In the liquid-cooled heat sink 3, a single pedestal 200 is provided with two recesses 18.
[0051] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 3, a sheet-shaped elastic member 213 is provided on each side wall of the multiple protrusions 203, 203, 203... of the pedestal 200 as a first elastic body 210 having elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10.
[0052] In the embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink 3, the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 are thermally connected by the first elastic body 210, which exerts an elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 and causes this elastic force to act on the protruding portion 203 of the pedestal 200, and the pedestal 200 and the heating element 150 are thermally connected by the second elastic body 220, which has an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. Since the thermal connectivity between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 is improved, stable thermal connectivity between the heating element 150 and the liquid-cooled heat sink 3 can be obtained even if the heating element 150 is repeatedly attached and detached multiple times. Furthermore, even if multiple heating elements 150, 150, 150, etc. are mounted in parallel in one cage 100, when the heating element 150 is attached to the cage 100, stress at the time of attachment can be prevented from affecting the thermal connectivity of other adjacent heating elements 150 with the liquid-cooled heat sink 3 through piping or the like.
[0053] Furthermore, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 3, multiple protrusions 203, 203, 203... are provided on one pedestal 200, which increases the thermal contact area between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10, thereby further improving the thermal connectivity between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 in the direction of the main surface of the cold plate 10.
[0054] Next, a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to the fourth embodiment has major components in common with the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first to third embodiments, and therefore the same components as those in the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first to third embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals. Note that Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] 6, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the side wall of the protruding portion 203 has an inclined portion 214, and the side wall of the recessed portion 18 has an inclined portion 19 corresponding to the inclined portion 214 of the protruding portion 203. The inclined portion 214 is provided so that the protruding portion 203 widens toward the flat portion 201. The inclined portion 214 is provided in a portion of the side wall opposite the portion of the side wall of the protruding portion 203 where the first elastic body 210 is provided.
[0056] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 4, the side of the protrusion 203 has an inclined portion 214, and the recess 18 has an inclined portion 19 corresponding to the inclined portion 214 of the protrusion 203, which makes it easier to insert the protrusion 203 of the pedestal 200 into the recess 18 of the cold plate 10, thereby facilitating the assembly of the pedestal 200 to the cold plate 10.
[0057] Next, a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to the fifth embodiment has major components in common with the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first to fourth embodiments, and therefore the same components as those in the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first to fourth embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals. Note that Fig. 7 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 according to the first embodiment, a cover 212 made of a resin material is provided on the tip portion 211 of the first elastic body 210, but as shown in Fig. 7, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 5 according to the fifth embodiment, a cover made of a resin material is not provided on the tip portion 211 of the first elastic body 210. Therefore, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 5, the tip portion 211 of the first elastic body 210 is in contact with the side wall of the recessed portion 18.
[0059] In this way, depending on the conditions of use of the liquid-cooled heat sink 5, the tip end 211 of the first elastic body 210 does not need to be provided with a cover.
[0060] Next, a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to the sixth embodiment has major components in common with the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first to fifth embodiments, and therefore the same components as those in the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first to fifth embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals. Note that Fig. 8 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] 8, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 6 according to the sixth embodiment, the protruding portion 203 is divided in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the cold plate 10. Therefore, the protruding portion 203 has a first protruding portion 203-1 and a second protruding portion 203-2.
[0062] The first elastic body 210 extends from the first protruding portion 203-1 to the second protruding portion 203-2 along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. The first elastic body 210 has a stress that presses the first protruding portion 203-1 toward the side wall of the recessed portion 18 facing the first protruding portion 203-1, and a stress that presses the second protruding portion 203-2 toward the side wall of the recessed portion 18 facing the second protruding portion 203-2.
[0063] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 6, the protrusion 203 is divided in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate 10, so that the first elastic body 210 having elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 can ensure thermal contact between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 on two sides in the main surface direction of the cold plate 10, thereby further improving the thermal connectivity between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 in the main surface direction of the cold plate 10.
[0064] Next, a liquid-cooled heat sink according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to the seventh embodiment has major components in common with the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first to sixth embodiments, and therefore the same components as those in the liquid-cooled heat sinks according to the first to sixth embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals. Note that Fig. 9 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the liquid-cooled heat sink according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0065] In the liquid-cooled heat sink 1 according to the first embodiment, a coil spring is used as the first elastic body 210 having elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. Instead, as shown in FIG. 9, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 7 according to the seventh embodiment, a leaf spring 215 is used as the first elastic body 210.
[0066] The leaf spring 215 is provided on the side wall of the protruding portion 203 of the pedestal 200, and thus has an elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. The leaf spring 215, which is the first elastic body 210, improves the thermal connection between the side wall of the recessed portion 18 of the cold plate 10 and the side wall of the protruding portion 203 of the pedestal 200. In the liquid-cooled heat sink 7, a receiving portion 216 is provided on the side wall of the recessed portion 18 to receive the tip of the leaf spring 215.
[0067] In the embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink 7, the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10 are thermally connected by the first elastic body 210, which has an elastic force along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 and applies this elastic force to the protrusion 203 of the pedestal 200, and the pedestal 200 and the heating element 150 are thermally connected by the second elastic body 220, which has an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate 10. Since this force improves the thermal connectivity between the pedestal 200 and the cold plate 10, stable thermal connectivity between the heating element 150 and the liquid-cooled heat sink 7 can be obtained even if the heating element 150 is repeatedly attached and detached multiple times. Furthermore, even if multiple heating elements 150, 150, 150, etc. are mounted in parallel in one cage 100, when the heating element 150 is attached to the cage 100, stress at the time of attachment can be prevented from affecting the thermal connectivity between other adjacent heating elements 150 and the liquid-cooled heat sink 7 through piping or the like.
[0068] Also, in the liquid-cooled heat sink 7 embodiment, the pedestal 200 moves in accordance with the heating element 150 along the main surface direction of the cold plate 10 due to the elastic force of the leaf spring 215, thereby preventing the heating element 150 and the first and second piping 20 and 30 from moving in conjunction with each other, thereby adjusting the load on the heating element 150.
[0069] Next, another embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat sink of the present invention will be described.
[0070] In each of the above embodiments, the first elastic body is attached to the protruding portion of the pedestal. Therefore, when inserting the protruding portion into the recessed portion, the operator must compress the first elastic body while inserting the protruding portion into the recessed portion, especially if the first elastic body is a spring member. In this case, a retaining member may be provided to maintain the compressed state of the first elastic body before insertion. When the protruding portion is inserted into the recessed portion, the retaining member's retention may be released, allowing the elastic force of the first elastic body to act on the cold plate. The retaining member may, for example, have a sliding portion that contacts the tip of the first elastic body and is slidable in the protruding direction of the protruding portion (the depth direction of the recessed portion), and a restraining portion that contacts the sliding portion from the direction of the elastic force of the first elastic body. The sliding portion is formed in a stepped shape on the surface facing away from the first elastic body, with a first surface at the tip of the protruding portion and a second surface that is closer to the base end than the first surface and farther from the first elastic body. The restraining portion is capable of contacting either the first surface or the second surface. Before insertion, the restraining portion comes into contact with the second surface, compressing the first elastic body. When the protruding portion is inserted into the recess, the tip of the sliding portion comes into contact with the bottom surface of the recess, causing the sliding portion to slide, bringing the restraining portion into contact with the first surface, stretching the first elastic body, and bringing the surface of the sliding portion facing away from the first elastic body into contact with the inner surface of the recess.
[0071] In the above-described embodiments, the first elastic body 210 is attached to the pedestal 200. Alternatively, the first elastic body 210 may be attached to the cold plate 10. Specifically, in the above-described embodiments, the first elastic body 210 is attached to the side wall of the protruding portion 203 of the pedestal 200. Alternatively, the first elastic body 210 may be attached to the side wall of the recessed portion 18 of the cold plate 10. Attaching the first elastic body 210 to the cold plate 10 allows the compression operation of the first elastic body 210 and the insertion of the pedestal 200 into the cold plate 10 to be performed independently, facilitating the assembly of the pedestal 200 to the cold plate 10. [Explanation of symbols]
[0072] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Liquid-cooled heat sink 10 Cold Plate 13 Heat medium circulation space 20 First Pipe 30 Second Pipe 200 Pedestal 203 Protrusion 210 First Elastic Body 220 Second Elastic Body
Claims
1. It is a liquid-cooled heat sink that is connected to a cage that allows the heating element to be attached and detached, a pedestal having a flat portion serving as a heat receiving portion and a protruding portion protruding from the heat receiving portion, the pedestal being thermally connected to the heat generating element at the heat receiving portion; a cold plate that is thermally connected to the pedestal at at least a partial region of the protruding portion, that has a heat medium flow space formed therein through which a liquid-phase heat medium flows, and that dissipates heat absorbed from the heat generating element to the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow space; a first pipe connected to the cold plate for supplying the heat medium to the heat medium flow space of the cold plate; a second pipe connected to the cold plate for discharging the heat medium from the heat medium flow space of the cold plate; and the pedestal and the cold plate are separated; the pedestal and the cold plate are thermally connected by a first elastic body that has an elastic force along a main surface direction of the cold plate and applies the elastic force to the protrusion of the pedestal; a liquid-cooled heat sink in which the pedestal and the heat generating element are thermally connected by a second elastic body having an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate;
2. 2. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said pedestals are arranged in parallel with one said cold plate.
3. The cold plate is a base plate having a heat-receiving surface provided on one surface thereof and thermally connected to the pedestal, and a heat transfer portion provided protruding from the heat-receiving surface and through which heat from the heat-receiving surface is transferred; a cover plate that covers the heat transfer portion and forms the other surface opposite to the one surface, 3. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer portion is formed between the heat receiving surface of the base plate and the cover plate, and heat is released from the heat receiving surface and the heat transfer portion to the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer portion.
4. 4. A liquid-cooled heat sink as described in claim 3, wherein a recessed portion recessed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface direction of the cold plate is formed on the outer surface of the heat receiving surface of the base plate, and the protrusion portion of the pedestal is inserted into the recessed portion.
5. 4. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of heat transfer portions is a fin extending in a direction in which the heat medium flows through the heat medium flow space.
6. 3. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 1, wherein a cover made of a resin material is provided on a tip end of the first elastic body.
7. 5. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 4, wherein the side surface of the protrusion has an inclined portion, and the recess has an inclined portion corresponding to the inclined portion of the protrusion.
8. 3. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is divided in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the main surface of the cold plate.
9. 3. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic body is a coil spring, a leaf spring, or a sheet-like elastic member.
10. 3. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided on one of the pedestals.
11. 3. The liquid-cooled heat sink according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating element is an optical connector.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Cooling structure of electronic apparatus
JP2007188998A