Vapor Chamber and Heat Pipe Assembly for Dry-Burn Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D vapor chambers face issues with inefficient working fluid flow-back to the vaporizing zone, leading to dry burning, and structural weakness due to inadequate support of the heat pipes, resulting in potential separation or bending.
Innovation Solution
A combination heat dissipation structure comprising a vapor chamber and heat pipe, where annular elements provide axial support and positioning, allowing direct and efficient flow-back of condensed working fluid to the vaporizing zone, enhancing structural strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the supporting members are located at a distance from the opening to provide structural support, then the structural strength is improved, but the working fluid flow-back path becomes longer resulting in low flow-back efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is segmented into multiple sections: a first section extending from the opening and a second section extending from the first section. This segmentation allows the supporting member to provide structural support while maintaining a shorter effective distance for working fluid flow-back, thus resolving the contradiction between structural strength and flow-back efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member transitions from a horizontal arrangement (perpendicular to the heat pipe) to a vertical arrangement (parallel to the heat pipe) in its second section. This dimensional change allows the supporting member to provide structural support in the vertical direction while minimizing the horizontal distance that working fluid must travel, thereby improving flow-back efficiency without compromising structural strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heat pipe is only horizontally fixed to the vapor chamber, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but the structural strength is insufficient leading to potential separation or bending
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is positioned locally at the opening of the heat pipe and provides localized structural support through its vertical configuration. This local quality enhancement strengthens the critical connection point between the heat pipe and vapor chamber without requiring complex assembly procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and structural strength.
3Area of stationary object
If the working fluid flow-back path is lengthened to reach supporting members, then the structural support coverage is improved, but the flow-back time increases causing dry burning in the vaporizing zone
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the supporting member horizontally to increase coverage area, the supporting member is inverted to extend vertically parallel to the heat pipe. This inversion maintains comprehensive structural support coverage through the vertical dimension while minimizing the horizontal flow-back path length, thereby preventing dry burning without sacrificing support coverage.
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
The structure ensures efficient working fluid return, prevents dry burning, and increases structural integrity, maintaining continuous two-phase heat exchange and heat dissipation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the heat pipe internally defines a heat pipe chamber extending between the closed and open ends... The open end of the heat pipe inserted into the airtight chamber is axially supported and positioned by the plurality of annular elements... allowing direct and efficient flow-back of condensed working fluid to the vaporizing zone
Implementation Method 2
A combination heat dissipation structure comprising a vapor chamber and heat pipe
Implementation Method 3
Two opposing inner side surfaces of the upper and the lower plate member that face toward the airtight chamber are provided with a first and a second wick structure, respectively... allowing direct and efficient flow-back of condensed working fluid to the vaporizing zone
Data Source
AI summary
A combination heat dissipation structure includes a vapor chamber and at least one heat pipe. The vapor chamber defines an airtight chamber filled with a working fluid and provided with first and second wick structures. The vapor chamber further includes at least one through hole formed on its upper wall and communicable with the airtight chamber, and annular elements provided in the airtight chamber corresponding to the through hole to contact with the first and second wick structures. The heat pipe has an open end inserted into the airtight chamber to contact with the first wick structure, such that the heat pipe is axially supported and located by the annular elements. With these arrangements, a flow-back path between the vapor chamber and the heat pipe is largely shortened to avoid dry burning in the vapor chamber and upgrade the two-phase heat exchange efficiency of the vapor chamber.