Vapor Chamber Groove Network for Dry-Out Resistant Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor chambers experience working fluid accumulation in communication grooves, leading to reduced flow and dry-out issues, which hinder efficient heat transfer performance.
Innovation Solution
The vapor chamber design features main grooves extending in one direction with continuous or discontinuous lines, connected by connection grooves at irregular pitches and widths, along with micro-uneven surfaces, to enhance fluid transport efficiency and increase evaporation surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If communication grooves with large width and deep depth are formed to transport more working fluid, then the heat transfer coefficient can be improved, but the working fluid accumulates in the communication grooves and causes dry-out in the main flow groove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating micro-uneven surfaces with specific roughness (Ra: 0.1-10 μm) in the communication groove regions, while keeping the main flow groove surfaces smoother. This localized surface property differentiation enables the communication grooves to retain working fluid through capillary action without causing accumulation that would lead to dry-out in the main flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface roughness parameter of the communication groove inner surfaces to optimize working fluid retention. By controlling the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) within 0.1-10 μm, the communication grooves can hold adequate working fluid through capillary forces while maintaining proper flow dynamics to prevent dry-out conditions.
2Reliability
If communication grooves are arranged at regular pitch shifted by half pitch to prevent capillary action loss, then capillary flow is maintained, but the working fluid transport efficiency in wide area along different direction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging communication grooves at irregular intervals rather than regular pitch. The distance between adjacent communication grooves varies, with some spacings being larger and others smaller, which prevents periodic capillary action interference while maintaining overall working fluid distribution efficiency across the wide area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances working fluid transport by adding dimensional complexity to the groove arrangement. Communication grooves are configured to extend in directions different from the main flow groove direction, creating a multi-directional network that improves transport efficiency across the wide evaporator area while maintaining capillary action through proper spacing.
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 configuration improves the heat transfer coefficient by efficiently transporting working fluid over a wider area, reducing dry-out occurrences and enhancing thermal transport properties.
Implementation Method 1
a vapor chamber using the latent heat (heat of vaporization) by phase changing the working fluid from liquid phase to gas phase
Implementation Method 2
a vapor chamber using the latent heat (heat of vaporization) by phase changing the working fluid from liquid phase to gas phase
Implementation Method 3
a condenser arranged at a position separated from the evaporator and which condenses the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
a condenser arranged at a position separated from the evaporator and which condenses the working fluid
Implementation Method 5
in order to prevent the capillary action in a direction along the main flow groove from being lost
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor chamber which enables to raise the heat transfer coefficient by improving the transport efficiency of the working fluid, and a manufacturing method thereof. A vapor chamber includes a working fluid in a sealed internal space formed by joining a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet, in which in an opposite surface of at least one metal sheet (at least opposite surface 12a in FIGS. 1A and 1B) among opposite surfaces 11a, 12a at which the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet are facing each other, main grooves extending continuously or discontinuously towards one direction (extending direction X of main groove) are formed in line at a predetermined interval, and connection grooves connecting main grooves 21a, 21b which are adjacent are formed at irregular arrangement pitches and irregular grooves widths toward a different direction than the one direction (extending direction X of main groove 21).