Method of manufacturing cooling device using heat pipe

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing cooling devices using heat pipes face challenges such as pipe damage from high-temperature melting solutions and indentation issues due to injection pressure during the casting process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a double-structured pipe with a meltable aluminum outer pipe and a copper inner pipe, where the copper pipe has a higher melting point and hardness than the support member, is used to prevent deformation and indentation, along with a support member filled inside the pipe to manage injection pressure, and subsequent steps for cooling, working fluid injection, and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a long hollow tube is used as a heat pipe, then the cooling device can be manufactured using casting, but the hollow may be deformed or destroyed during casting due to limited rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing methodVSAvoidrigidity of pipe
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the hollow tube (heat pipe) with a support member having higher rigidity. The support member is inserted into the hollow tube to form a composite structure that maintains the thermal conductivity benefits of the original heat pipe while providing the necessary mechanical strength to prevent deformation during the casting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a support member is filled inside the pipe to prevent deformation, then the pipe rigidity is improved, but the support member may generate indentations on the inner wall of the pipe due to injection pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of pipeVSAvoidinner wall surface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the support member specifically at the locations where the pipe requires additional rigidity support during casting. Rather than filling the entire pipe, the support member is strategically placed to provide structural reinforcement only where needed, minimizing contact area and reducing the risk of indentations on the inner wall while still preventing deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the pipe is made meltable by the melt to facilitate casting, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the pipe may be damaged by the high temperature of the melting solution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasting processVSAvoidpipe integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-inserting the support member into the hollow tube before the casting process begins. This preparatory step ensures that the pipe has adequate structural support before exposure to high-temperature melt, preventing damage while allowing the melting and casting processes to proceed as intended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach effectively prevents pipe damage and indentation, ensuring the production of sturdy cooling devices with improved rigidity and airtightness.

Implementation Method 1

a second pipe that is disposed inside the first pipe, has a melting point higher than a melting point of the melt, has a hardness higher than a hardness of the support member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHardness:

Implementation Method 2

the pipe includes a first pipe that is meltable by the melt and is made of aluminum material, wherein the first pipe is configured to melt partially or entirely when a high temperature melt is injected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

the working fluid is evaporated in an inner space of the corresponding heating part, and the evaporated vapor quickly moves to the other side of the housing, at which heat is not applied, and is condensed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

the evaporated vapor quickly moves to the other side of the housing, at which heat is not applied, and is condensed such that latent heat of the fluid is transferred from the heating part (evaporation part) to a condensation part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 5

Heat pipes have thermal conductivity that is tens to hundreds of times higher than that of high thermal conductivity metals such as silver, copper, and aluminum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 6

The condensed liquid returns to the heating part by a capillary force due to a wick structure provided inside the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3825625B1Method of manufacturing cooling device using heat pipe
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 MH TECH INC
  • EP3825625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3825625B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3825625B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cooling device using a heat pipe in which, using casting, the heat pipe is embedded inside a housing, and the method includes a filling step in which a predetermined support member is filled inside a pipe to prevent deformation of the pipe by a pressure of a melt being injected into a cavity of a mold that is closeable, a pipe seating step in which the pipe filled with the predetermined support member is seated in the cavity, a melt injecting step in which the melt is injected into the cavity to surround the pipe, a cooling and withdrawing step in which the injected melt is cooled and a molded product is withdrawn, an injecting step in which a working fluid is injected into the pipe through an injection end, and a finishing step in which, after the injecting step, the pipe is sealed.