Abstract:
The present invention provides a heat-dissipating device and a method for manufacturing the same. The heat-dissipating device includes a heat sink and a heat pipe. The heat sink has an end surface provided with a groove. The heat pipe is received in the groove. The heat pipe has a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-conducting surface. The heat-conducting surface is adhered to the inner edge of the groove. The heat-absorbing surface is in flush with the end surface. With this arrangement, heat resistance of the heat-dissipating device is reduced to improve the heat-dissipating effect thereof.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan patent application number 099115434 filed on May 14, 2010. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a heat-dissipating device and a method for manufacturing the same, and in particular to a heat-dissipating device and a method for manufacturing the same, whereby manufacturing cost is saved and heat resistance is reduced. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    Currently, heat pipe is a heat-conducting element widely used in electronic apparatuses and electronic elements. In general, the interior of the heat pipe is filled with a heat-conducting medium of good flowability, high heat of vaporization, low boiling point and stable chemical properties, such as water, ethanol, acetone or the like. The inner surfaces of the heat pipe are usually formed with a wick structure having a lot of protrusions. 
         [0006]    In operation, one of the heat pipe acts as an evaporating section connected to a base of an electronic element, and the other end of the heat pipe acts as a condensing section assembled with a plurality of heat-dissipating fins. With this arrangement, when the evaporating section of the heat pipe is heated, the heat-conducting medium located in the evaporating section is vaporized to absorb a lot of latent heat of evaporation. As a result, the temperature of the base can be lowered. Then, the vapor-phase heat-conducting medium diffuses to the condensing section. The vapor-phase heat-conducting medium condenses into its liquid phase to release a lot of latent heat of condensation and flows back to the evaporating section through the wick structure. The heat-dissipating fins assembled with the condensing section dissipate the latent heat of condensation to the outside. 
         [0007]    Please refer to  FIG. 1 , which is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional heat-dissipating device. The heat-dissipating device  3  is constituted of a heat sink  31  having fins, a base  32  and at least one heat pipe  33 . The heat sink  31  has a heat-absorbing portion  311  and a heat-dissipating portion  312 . The heat-absorbing portion  311  is adhered to the base  32 . One end of the heat pipe  33  is disposed between the heat-absorbing portion  311  and the base  32 . The other end of the heat pipe  33  is disposed through the heat-dissipating portion  312 . The heat-dissipating device  3  is brought into thermal contact with the base  32  to absorb the heat generated by a heat source  4 . The heat is conducted from the base  32  to the heat sink  31  and the heat pipe  33 , and then the heat is conducted from the heat pipe  33  to the heat-dissipating portion  312  of the heat sink  31 . By this structure, the heat-dissipating efficiency of the whole heat-dissipating device can be improved. 
         [0008]    The base  32  of the conventional heat-dissipating device  3  has the following functions. The base  32  is combined with the heat sink  31  to directly conduct the heat to the heat-dissipating portion  312  of the heat sink  31 . Further, one side of the base  32  is provided with at least one groove  321  for allowing the heat pipe  33  to be received in and combined with the heat sink  31  because the heat pipe  33  is formed into a cylindrical pipe and unable to contact the heat source  4  properly. With the base  32  being brought into thermal contact with the heat source  4  to absorb the heat generated by the heat source  4 , the heat can be conduct from the base  32  to the heat sink  31  and the heat pipe  33 . 
         [0009]    Since a gap is inevitably formed between two connected heat-dissipating elements, heat resistance is generated between these two heat-dissipating elements. In order to reduce the heat resistance, these two heat-dissipating elements can be soldered together by electrical-conductive solder. However, when a plurality of heat-dissipating elements is assembled together, the heat-dissipating efficiency of the whole structure is insufficient. On the other hand, it takes more time to assemble the plurality of heat-dissipating elements together, which undesirably raises the manufacturing cost. 
         [0010]    Further, the combination of the base and the heat sink makes the whole heat-dissipating device bulky and unable to be moved easily. Also, such a large-sized heat-dissipating device occupies more space, so that the application thereof is limited. 
         [0011]    According to the above, the conventional heat-dissipating device has drawbacks as follows: (1) higher cost; (2) more working hours for assembly; (3) unable to be used in a smaller space; and (4) low in heat-conducting and heat-dissipating efficiency. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a heat-dissipating device and a method for manufacturing the same, whereby the heat resistance thereof is reduced. 
         [0013]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a heat-dissipating device and a method for manufacturing the same, whereby the manufacturing cost thereof is reduced. 
         [0014]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a heat-dissipating device and a method for manufacturing the same, which can be assembled easily. 
         [0015]    In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention is to provide a heat-dissipating device including a heat sink and at least one heat pipe. The heat sink has a heat-dissipating portion and a heat-absorbing portion. The heat-absorbing portion has an end surface. The end surface is provided with at least one groove. The groove has an opening and a closed side. The heat pipe has a heat-absorbing end and a heat-dissipating end. The heat-absorbing end has a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-conducting surface. The heat-absorbing surface is adjacent to the heat-conducting surface. The heat-absorbing end of the heat pipe is inserted into the groove. The heat-dissipating end is disposed through the heat-dissipating portion. The heat-conducting surface is adhered to the closed side. The heat-absorbing surface is in flush with the end surface. The heat-dissipating end of the heat pipe is provided in the heat-dissipating portion of the heat sink. The heat-absorbing end of the heat pipe conducts the heat to the heat-dissipating end. Then, the heat-dissipating end conducts the heat to the heat-dissipating portion for heat dissipation. 
         [0016]    The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a heat-dissipating device. By this method, a planar surface is formed on at least one side of a heat pipe. At least one groove is formed on one side of heat-dissipating fins. The heat-dissipating fins are superposed together to form a heat sink. The heat pipe is disposed into the groove of the heat sink to form a heat-dissipating device or the heat pipe is disposed through the respective heat-dissipating fins to form a heat-dissipating device. In this way, the heat resistance and cost of the whole heat-dissipating device are reduced and an excellent heat-dissipating effect is achieved. 
         [0017]    According to the above, the present invention has advantages as follows: (1) reduced manufacturing cost; (2) smaller heat resistance; and (3) less working hours and rapid assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional heat-dissipating device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing a heat-dissipating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view showing the heat-dissipating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front view showing the heat-dissipating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is an assembled perspective view showing the heat-dissipating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing the heat-dissipating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing the heat-dissipating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing the heat-dissipating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing the heat-dissipating device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The above objectives and structural and functional features of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing a heat-dissipating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view showing the heat-dissipating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is a front view showing the heat-dissipating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in these figures, the heat-dissipating device  1  includes a heat sink  11  and at least one heat pipe  12 . 
         [0029]    The heat sink  11  is constituted by superposing a plurality of heat-dissipating fins  2 . The heat sink  11  has a heat-dissipating portion  111  and a heat-absorbing portion  112 . The heat-absorbing portion  111  has an end surface  113 . The end surface  113  is provided with at least one groove  114 . The groove  114  has an opening  1141  and a closed side  1142 . The heat-dissipating portion  111  is connected to the heat-absorbing portion  112 . The heat-dissipating portion  111  is formed by extending from one side of the heat-absorbing portion  112  away from the heat-absorbing portion  112 . The heat-dissipating portion  111  is provided with at least one hole  1111 . 
         [0030]    The heat pipe  12  has a heat-absorbing end  121  and a heat-dissipating end  122 . The heat-absorbing end  121  has a heat-absorbing surface  1211  and a heat-conducting surface  1212 . The heat-absorbing surface  1211  is adjacent to the heat-conducting surface  1212 . The heat-absorbing end  121  of the heat pipe  12  is inserted into the groove  114 . The heat-dissipating end  122  is disposed through the heat-dissipating portion  111  in such a manner that the heat-conducting surface  1212  is adhered to the closed side  1142  and the heat-absorbing surface  1211  is in flush with the end surface  113 . 
         [0031]    The diameter of the opening  1141  of the heat sink  11  is smaller than the diameter of the closed side  1142 . The shape of the groove  114  is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the heat-absorbing end  121 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an assembled perspective view showing the heat-dissipating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the heart sink  11  further includes a first portion  115 , a second portion  116  and a third portion  117 . The first portion  115  and the third portion  117  are provided on both ends of the second portion  116 . The thickness of the heat-dissipating fin  2  located in the first portion  115  and the third portion  117  is larger than that of the heat-dissipating fin  2  located in the second portion  116 . Alternatively, the heat-dissipating fin may be made of a material of a larger structural strength to thereby increase the strength of the whole heat-dissipating device  1 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing the heat-dissipating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Please also refer to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . As shown in these figures, the method for manufacturing a heat-dissipating device according to the present invention includes steps as follows. 
         [0034]    A 1 : providing at least one heat pipe, bending the heat pipe into a U shape, forming one side surface of at least one end of the heat pipe into a planar surface. 
         [0035]    In the step A 1 , at least one heat pipe  12  is provided. The heat pipe  12  is bent into a U shape. One side surface of at least one end (such as the heat-absorbing end  121 ) of the heat pipe  12  is formed into a planar surface (such as the heat-absorbing surface  1211 ) by means of a machining process such as pressing or milling. 
         [0036]    A 2 : providing a plurality of heat-dissipating fins, forming at least one groove on one side of the heat-dissipating fins, and forming at least one hole on one end surface of the heat-dissipating fins. 
         [0037]    In the step A 2 , a plurality of heat-dissipating fins  2  is provided. On side (such as the end surface  113 ) of the heat-dissipating fins  2  is formed with at least one groove  114 . One end surface (such as the heat-dissipating portion  111 ) of the heat-dissipating fins  2  is formed with at least one hole  1111 . 
         [0038]    A 3 : superposing the heat-dissipating fins to form a heat sink; 
         [0039]    In the step A 3 , the heat-dissipating fins  2  formed with the grooves  114  and the holes  1111  are superposed together to form a heat sink  11 . 
         [0040]    A 4 : disposing the end of the heat pipe on which the planar surface is formed and the other end of the heat pipe respectively into the grooves and the holes of the heat-dissipating fins respectively, making the planar surface in flush with two adjacent sides of the groove to combine the heat pipe with the heat sink to thereby form a heat-dissipating device. 
         [0041]    In the step A 4 , one end (the heat-absorbing end  121 ) of the heat pipe  12  on which the planar surface is formed and the other end (heat-dissipating end  122 ) of the heat pipe  12  are disposed respectively into the grooves  113  and the holes  1111  of the heat-dissipating fins  2 . The planar surface (the heat-absorbing surface  1211 ) is made in flush with the adjacent sides of the groove  114  (i.e. the end surface  113 ) to combine the heat pipe  12  with the heat sink  11  to thereby form a heat-dissipating device  1 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing the heat-dissipating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Please also refer to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . As shown in these figures, the method for manufacturing a heat-dissipating device according to the present invention includes steps as follows. 
         [0043]    B 1 : providing at least one heat pipe, bending the heat pipe into a U shape, forming one side surface of at least one end of the heat pipe into a planar surface. 
         [0044]    In the step B 1 , at least one heat pipe  12  is provided. The heat pipe  12  is bent into a U shape. One side surface of at least one end (e.g., the heat-absorbing end  121 ) of the heat pipe  12  is formed into a planar surface (e.g., the heat-absorbing surface  1211 ) by means of a machining process such as pressing or milling. 
         [0045]    B 2 : providing a plurality of heat-dissipating fins, forming at least one groove on one side of the heat-dissipating fins, and forming at least one hole on one end surface of the heat-dissipating fins. 
         [0046]    In the step B 2 , a plurality of heat-dissipating fins  2  is provided. On side (such as the end surface  113 ) of the heat-dissipating fins  2  is formed with at least one groove  114 . One end surface (e.g., the heat-dissipating portion  111 ) of the heat-dissipating fins  2  is formed with at least one hole  1111 . 
         [0047]    B 3 : disposing the end of the heat pipe on which the planar surface is formed and the other end of the heat pipe into the grooves and the holes of the heat-dissipating fins in such a manner that both ends of the heat pipe are disposed through the heat-dissipating fins to connect the heat-dissipating fins in series, making the planar surface in flush with two adjacent sides of the groove to combine the heat pipe with the heat sink to thereby form a heat-dissipating device. 
         [0048]    In the step B 3 , one end (the heat-absorbing end  121 ) of the heat pipe  12  on which the planar surface is formed and the other end (the heat-dissipating end  122 ) of the heat pipe  12  are disposed respectively into the grooves  113  and the holes  1111  of the heat-dissipating fins  2  in such a manner that both ends (the heat-absorbing end  121  and the heat-dissipating end  122 ) of the heat pipe  12  are disposed through the heat-dissipating fins  2  to connect the heat-dissipating fins  2  in series. The planar surface (the heat-absorbing surface  1211 ) is made in flush with the adjacent sides of the groove  114  (i.e. the end surface  113 ) to combine the heat pipe  12  with the heat sink  11  to thereby form a heat-dissipating device  1 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing the heat-dissipating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Please also refer to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . As shown in these figures, the method for manufacturing a heat-dissipating device according to the present invention includes steps as follows. 
         [0050]    C 1 : providing at least one heat pipe, bending the heat pipe into a U shape. 
         [0051]    In the step C 1 , at least one heat pipe  12  is provided. The heat pipe  12  is bent into a U shape. 
         [0052]    C 2 : providing a plurality of heat-dissipating fins, forming at least one groove on one side of the heat-dissipating fins, and forming at least one hole on one end surface of the heat-dissipating fins. 
         [0053]    In the step C 2 , a plurality of heat-dissipating fins  2  is provided. On side (e.g., the end surface  113 ) of the heat-dissipating fins  2  is formed with at least one groove  114 . One end surface (e.g., the heat-dissipating portion  111 ) of the heat-dissipating fins  2  is formed with at least one hole  1111 . 
         [0054]    C 3 : disposing both ends of the heat pipe respectively into the grooves and the holes of the heat-dissipating fins to connect the heat-dissipating fins in series to thereby form a heat-dissipating device; 
         [0055]    In the step C 3 , both ends (the heat-absorbing end  121  and the heat-dissipating end  122 ) of the heat pipe  12  are respectively disposed into the grooves  114  and the holes  1111  of the heat-dissipating fins  2  to connect the heat-dissipating fins  2  in series to thereby form a heat-dissipating device  1 . 
         [0056]    C 4 : machining one end of the heat pipe disposed into the groove to form a planar surface, making the heat pipe to be in flush with one groove-bearing side of the heat-dissipating device. 
         [0057]    In the step C 4 , one end (the heat-absorbing end  121 ) of the heat pipe  12  disposed into the groove  114  is machined by pressing or milling to form a planar surface (the heat-absorbing surface  1211 ). The planar surface (the heat-absorbing surface  1211 ) of the heat pipe  12  is made to be in flush with one side (the end surface  113 ) of the heat-dissipating device  1  having the groove  114 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing the heat-dissipating device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Please also refer to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . As shown in these figures, the method for manufacturing a heat-dissipating device according to the present invention includes steps as follows. 
         [0059]    D 1 : providing at least one heat pipe, bending the heat pipe into a U shape. 
         [0060]    In the step D 1 , at least one heat pipe  12  is provided. The heat pipe  12  is bent into a U shape. 
         [0061]    D 2 : providing a plurality of heat-dissipating fins, forming at least one groove on one side of the heat-dissipating fins, and forming at least one hole on one end surface of the heat-dissipating fins. 
         [0062]    In the step D 2 , a plurality of heat-dissipating fins  2  is provided. On side (e.g., the end surface  113 ) of the heat-dissipating fins  2  is formed with at least one groove  114 . One end surface (e.g., the heat-dissipating portion  111 ) of the heat-dissipating fins  2  is formed with at least one hole  1111 . 
         [0063]    D 3 : superposing the heat-dissipating fins to form a heat sink; 
         [0064]    In the step D 3 , the heat-dissipating fins  2  formed with the grooves  114  and the holes  1111  are superposed to form a heat sink  11 . 
         [0065]    D 4 : disposing both ends of the heat pipe respectively into the grooves and the holes of the heat-dissipating fins to thereby combine the heat pipe with heat sink to form a heat-dissipating device. 
         [0066]    In the step D 4 , both ends (the heat-absorbing end  121  and the heat-dissipating end  122 ) of the heat pipe  12  are disposed into the grooves  114  and the holes  1111  of the heat-dissipating fins  2  to thereby combine the heat pipe  12  with heat sink  11  to form a heat-dissipating device  1 . 
         [0067]    D 5 : machining one end of the heat pipe disposed into the groove to form a planar surface, making the heat pipe to be in flush with one groove-bearing side of the heat-dissipating device. 
         [0068]    In the step D 5 , one end (the heat-absorbing end  121 ) of the heat pipe  12  disposed into the groove  114  is machined by pressing or milling to form a planar surface (the heat-absorbing surface  1211 ). The planar surface (the heat-absorbing surface  1211 ) of the heat pipe  12  is made to be in flush with the groove-bearing side (the end surface  113 ) of the heat-dissipating device  1 . 
         [0069]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still occur to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.