3D Heat Exchanger Structure With Continuous Wick Joint
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The related-art three-dimensional coolers or heat exchange devices suffer from non-continuous wick structures due to the sintered powder filling in the wick joint between the vapor chamber and heat pipe, affecting the wick transmission effect.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing process that ensures continuous wick structures by integrating the wick portions of the plate and tube body through a method involving installing holes, expanded ends, and welding, with optional powder sintering or etching to form a seamless upper wick structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sintered powder is filled into the wick joint between vapor chamber and heat pipe, then the wick structure can be formed to enable fluid transmission, but the wick structure becomes non-continuous which affects transmission effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wick structure formation with the welding process itself. The wick material is applied to the welding surface and sintered simultaneously with the welding operation, creating a continuous wick structure that spans both the vapor chamber and heat pipe without requiring separate powder filling steps. This integration ensures structural continuity while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the wick material to the welding surface before the welding operation begins. This preliminary application ensures that the wick structure is already in position and will be sintered continuously with the welding process, preventing any gaps or interruptions in the wick transmission path that would occur with post-welding powder filling.
2Reliability
If the tube body open end is expanded and pressed onto the plate, then the connection is sealed and wick structures can be jointly formed, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the single welding operation: sealing the connection between tube body and plate, forming the wick structures on both components, and creating the mechanical interlock. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing and wick formation steps, reducing overall process complexity while ensuring reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding operation serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it seals the connection, forms the wick structures, and creates the mechanical attachment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of discrete operations required, making the process simpler despite the integrated nature of the operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures uninterrupted wick transmission by maintaining the continuity of wick structures between the vapor chamber and heat pipe, enhancing the heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the open end of each tube body uses an expanded end opening to approach the inner surface of the first plate first and then exerts pressure toward the inner surface of the first plate to be flattened and superposed on the inner surface of the first plate
Implementation Method 2
An upper wick structure is jointly formed on the inner surface of the first plate and in the tube portion of the tube body
Data Source
AI summary
A forming structure includes a first plate, a tube body and a second plate. The first plate has an inner surface and an outer surface and is disposed with an installing hole penetrating through the inner surface and the outer surface. The tube body corresponds to the installing hole to be disposed. The tube body has a tube portion with a closed end and an open end. The tube portion uses its closed end to be inserted into the installing hole, and the closed end penetrates out of the outer surface from the installing hole. The second plate faces the inner surface to be sealed. The open end uses an expanded end opening to approach the inner surface and then exerts pressure to be flattened and superposed on the inner surface. An upper wick structure is jointly formed on the inner surface and in the tube portion.