Micro Vapor Chamber Protrusions for Condensate Reflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro vapor chambers face challenges with slow reflow rates of the working fluid, poor thermal-conducting efficiency, and difficulty in compact design due to the collapse of wick structures in thin vapor chambers, leading to overheating of electronic elements.
Innovation Solution
A micro vapor chamber design featuring a condensing region with protrusions that facilitate quick collection and flow back of condensed working fluid to the evaporating region, enhancing liquid-vapor phase circulation and allowing for a compact, high-efficiency thermal management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a smooth condensing region surface is used, then the vapor chamber structure is simple, but the reflow rate of working fluid is too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The condensing region surface is segmented into multiple protrusions instead of being smooth. These protrusions divide the condensing surface into multiple small regions, allowing condensed droplets to form and collect more efficiently on each protrusion, thereby accelerating the reflow rate without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The condensing region has non-uniform local quality with protrusions concentrated in specific areas. The protrusions create localized collection points with different surface properties compared to the surrounding areas, optimizing droplet formation and flow paths to improve reflow rate while maintaining overall structural simplicity
2Productivity
If the number or density of wick structure is increased to improve reflow rate, then the reflow rate of working fluid is improved, but the vapor chamber cannot be further compact
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional wick structure is extracted and replaced with protrusions on the condensing region surface. The protrusions perform the same function of collecting and directing condensed droplets without requiring the bulky three-dimensional wick structure, thereby reducing the vapor chamber volume while maintaining or improving reflow rate
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a three-dimensional wick structure extending into the vapor chamber volume to a two-dimensional surface feature on the condensing region. The protrusions are formed on the surface plane rather than occupying internal volume, enabling compact design while achieving effective droplet collection and reflow
3Volume of moving object
If the thickness of upper and lower walls of micro vapor chamber is reduced for compact design, then the vapor chamber can be made compact, but the wick structure collapses
Solution Approach 1:
The wick structure is extracted and replaced with surface protrusions that do not require thick walls for structural support. The protrusions are integral surface features rather than separate three-dimensional elements, eliminating the need for wall thickness to prevent collapse
Solution Approach 2:
The vapor chamber walls can be made thin because the protrusions are formed as surface features on the condensing region rather than requiring substantial internal structural support. The thin wall design is compatible with the protrusion geometry, enabling compact micro vapor chamber construction without structural failure
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 design improves the reflow rate and thermal-conducting efficiency of the micro vapor chamber, enabling a compact and effective heat dissipation solution for electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
The working fluid is heated in the evaporating region to evaporate, whereby the working fluid transforms from liquid phase into vapor phase
Implementation Method 2
The vapor-phase working fluid is condensed in the condensing region, whereby the working fluid transforms from vapor phase into liquid phase
Implementation Method 3
a condensing region provided with protrusions for allowing condensed working fluid to be quickly collected thereon so as to accelerate the flowing of the condensed working fluid back to an evaporating region
Implementation Method 4
the condensed droplet of the working fluid has to be collected to a volume large enough to drip down by gravity force
Data Source
AI summary
A micro vapor chamber includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has a condensing region constituted of a plurality of protrusions. The second plate has a plurality of liquid-collecting regions and an evaporating region. The condensing region is located to correspond to the liquid-collecting regions and the evaporating region. The first plate is arranged to cover the second plate. The condensed working fluid are quickly collected on the protrusions to flow back to the evaporating region, thereby improving the liquid-vapor phase circulation of the working fluid in the micro vapor chamber greatly.