Annular Wick Vapor Chamber Structure for Faster Fluid Return
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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 instability due to lack of vertical support for the heat pipes.
Innovation Solution
An annular wick structure is introduced, providing axial and radial passages that facilitate quick fluid flow and axial support for the heat pipe, enhancing structural strength and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting members are located at a distance from the opening, then the structural stability is improved, but the working fluid has to flow through a considerably long path resulting in low flow-back efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wick structure as an intermediary component that provides both mechanical support and fluid transport functionality. The wick structure is positioned closer to the opening than the supporting members, acting as a mediator that enables efficient fluid flow-back while the supporting members maintain structural stability at their optimized distance from the opening.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pipe and vapor chamber are horizontally fixedly welded only at the joint, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the structural strength is insufficient when subjected to vertical impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support function and connection function into a unified structure. The supporting members are integrated into the vapor chamber structure and provide both vertical support for the pipe and horizontal fixation through welding, merging multiple functions into a single structural system that achieves both manufacturing simplicity and structural strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the working fluid flows back through a long path to the vaporizing zone, then the structural stability is improved, but the vaporizing zone tends to occur dry burning due to insufficient working fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The wick structure serves as an intermediary fluid transport mechanism that bridges the gap between the pipe opening and the vaporizing zone. It enables reliable fluid flow-back over the necessary distance while maintaining structural stability, preventing dry burning by ensuring continuous fluid supply to the vaporizing zone.
4Device complexity
If the pipe extended into the chamber is not vertically supported, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pipe would separate or become bent when subjected to vertical impact
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting members are designed to be self-supporting structures that automatically provide vertical support to the pipe through their positioning and structural design. The supporting members themselves serve as the support mechanism, eliminating the need for additional complex support structures while ensuring the pipe remains securely positioned and connected.
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 annular wick structure significantly shortens the flow path and time for working fluid to return to the vaporizing zone, ensuring continuous two-phase heat exchange and preventing dry burning, while improving structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a wick structure (2) is provided in the vapor chamber (3)
Implementation Method 2
The working fluid condensed in the heat pipe (4) can flow back from the closed end (41) to a vaporizing zone in the vapor chamber (3)
Data Source
AI summary
A combination thermal module includes a vapor chamber defining an airtight chamber filled with a working fluid and having at least one through hole formed thereon communicable with the airtight chamber; at least one annular wick structure provided in the airtight chamber corresponding to the through hole; and at least one heat pipe has an open end inserted into the airtight chamber to contact with a first wick structure on an inner lower surface of the vapor chamber and be axially supported on the annular wick structure. The annular wick structure includes communicable axial and radial passages, allowing vaporized working fluid to flow from the vapor chamber to the heat pipe quickly. With these arrangements, the thermal module has a shortened flow-back path between the vapor chamber and the heat pipe to avoid dry burning in the vapor chamber and upgrade the two-phase heat exchange efficiency of the vapor chamber.