Vapor Chamber Rib Support Structure for Deformation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor chambers with insufficient support strength deform under external pressure, leading to compromised temperature uniformity and thermal conduction due to lack of space for fluid phase change.
Innovation Solution
A vapor chamber design featuring a support member with interconnected ribs and a band-shaped wick material that provides sufficient structural support, preventing deformation and maintaining temperature uniformity and thermal conduction through sintered connections and inclined ribs forming subspaces for fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If bent plates are used as support members, then the device complexity is reduced, but the support strength becomes insufficient causing vapor chamber deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into multiple ribs (first ribs and second ribs) that are arranged in a specific pattern and interconnected. This segmentation allows each rib to bear localized loads while the collective structure provides overall support strength, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and sufficient strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member combines multiple rib structures with different orientations (first ribs extending in first direction, second ribs extending in second direction) to create a composite structural system. This composite arrangement provides enhanced mechanical strength and rigidity compared to simple bent plates, while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the vapor chamber is pressurized by clamping force, then the heat sink attachment is improved, but the vapor chamber deforms reducing phase change space
Solution Approach 1:
The support member with its strong rib structure is installed beforehand to counteract the deformation caused by clamping force. The ribs provide preliminary structural reinforcement that prevents the vapor chamber walls from buckling or deforming under external pressure, thereby maintaining the phase change space while allowing necessary clamping for heat sink attachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If the support member lacks sufficient strength, then the manufacturing is easier, but the temperature uniformity and thermal conduction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented rib structure can be manufactured using standard stamping or bending processes for each rib, which are relatively simple operations. The ribs are then arranged and connected in a predetermined pattern, combining ease of individual component fabrication with the precision of the final assembled structure that ensures temperature uniformity.
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 vapor chamber maintains structural integrity and enhances temperature uniformity and thermal conduction by preventing deformation under external forces, allowing free flow of vapor and maintaining thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a wick material disposed in the receiving space, and a working fluid injected into the receiving space and absorbed by the wick material
Implementation Method 2
for phase change between liquid and vapor of a working fluid, to perform a temperature uniformity effect
Implementation Method 3
Two ends of each rib are respectively defined as an upper abutting end and a lower abutting end, the upper abutting end of one rib is located on the lower abutting ends of two other ribs, and the lower abutting end of one rib is located under and connected to the upper abutting ends of two other ribs
Implementation Method 4
The upper part of the wick material is connected to a bottom surface of the upper casing by sintering, and the lower part of the wick material is connected to a top surface of the lower casing by sintering
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor chamber includes an upper casing, a lower casing, a support member, a wick material and a working fluid. The support member is formed of a plurality of ribs connected with each other, and a plurality of surrounded spaces are formed and regularly arranged between the ribs. Each rib has an upper abutting end and a lower abutting end. By the interconnection of the upper abutting ends and the lower abutting ends of the ribs, the ribs are inclined and each has a relatively higher end and a relatively lower end, so that a plurality of subspaces are respectively formed under the body of each rib close to the upper abutting end and above the body of each rib close to the lower abutting end, and the subspaces are in communication with the surrounded spaces between the ribs.