Chassis heat dissipation structure

A chassis heat dissipation structure includes a chassis main body. The chassis main body has a chassis support, a thermal module and at least one heat conduction unit. At least one server mainframe is disposed on the chassis support. The thermal module has at least one heat dissipation unit and multiple fan units. The heat dissipation unit is disposed between the fan units and the server mainframe. The heat conduction unit has at least one first end and a second end. The first end is in contact with a heat generation module of the server mainframe. The second end is in contact with the heat dissipation unit. The heat conduction unit serves to conduct the heat of the heat generation module to the heat dissipation unit. The fan units serve to carry away the heat of the heat dissipation unit to dissipate the heat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a heat dissipation structure, and more particularly to a chassis heat dissipation structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

Along with the advance of sciences and technologies, the operation speed of the server mainframe has been continuously increased. As a result, the heat generation power of the internal electronic components of the server mainframe has continuously risen. In order to avoid overheating of the internal electronic components of the server mainframe so as to prevent the electronic components from failing, sufficient heat dissipation performance must be provided for the electronic components. Therefore, conventionally, a heat dissipation structure is respectively disposed on each server mainframe.

However, the heat dissipation structure disposed on the server mainframe serves to dissipate the heat of the server mainframe. The heat dissipation structure leads to increase of the volume of the server mainframe. Especially, the server mainframes are stacked in the chassis for supporting the server mainframes. In the case that each server mainframe is equipped with more than one heat dissipation structure, the number of the server mainframes supported by the chassis will be reduced. In the condition that the volumes of the server mainframes and the heat dissipation structures cannot be minified, the application efficiency and heat dissipation effect of the internal space of the chassis are poorer.

It is therefore tried by the applicant to provide a chassis heat dissipation structure to solve the above problems of the conventional heat dissipation structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a chassis heat dissipation structure, in which the possibility that the thermal module transfers heat to the internal space of the chassis main body is reduced so that the heat dissipation effect for the internal space of the chassis main body is enhanced.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above chassis heat dissipation structure, in which the internal space of the chassis main body is not occupied by the thermal module.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide the above chassis heat dissipation structure, in which the heat conduction unit can be arranged in parallel to the heat generation module or normal to the heat generation module. Therefore, the use flexibility of the internal space of the chassis main body is increased.

To achieve the above and other objects, the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention is for at least one server mainframe to dispose thereon. The server mainframe has a heat generation module. The chassis heat dissipation structure includes a chassis main body. The chassis main body has a chassis support, a thermal module and at least one heat conduction unit. The at least one server mainframe is disposed on the chassis support. The thermal module has at least one heat dissipation unit and multiple fan units. The at least one heat dissipation unit is disposed between the fan units and the at least one server mainframe. The at least one heat conduction unit has at least one first end and a second end. The at least one first end is in contact with the heat generation module of the at least one server mainframe. The second end is in contact with the at least one heat dissipation unit of the thermal module. The at least one heat conduction unit serves to conduct the heat of the heat generation module to the at least one heat dissipation unit. The fan units serve to carry away the heat of the at least one heat dissipation unit to dissipate the heat.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the heat generation module has at least one heat source and at least one base seat. The at least one base seat is disposed on the at least one heat source. The at least one first end of the at least one heat conduction unit is in contact with the at least one base seat.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one first end of the at least one heat conduction unit is a free end inserted in the at least one base seat. The second end of the at least one heat conduction unit is a fixed end affixed to the at least one heat dissipation unit of the thermal module.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one first end of the at least one heat conduction unit is a fixed end fixed on the at least one base seat. The second end of the at least one heat conduction unit is a free end inserted in the at least one heat dissipation unit of the thermal module.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one first end of the at least one heat conduction unit is a free end inserted in the at least one base seat. The second end of the at least one heat conduction unit is another free end inserted in the at least one heat dissipation unit of the thermal module.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one heat dissipation unit of the at least one thermal module has a first heat dissipation unit and a second heat dissipation unit. The second end of the at least one heat conduction unit is held between the first and second heat dissipation units.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the heat generation module has at least one heat source. The at least one first end of the at least one heat conduction unit is in contact with the at least one heat source.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one first end of the at least one heat conduction unit is a fixed end fixed on the at least one heat source. The second end of the at least one heat conduction unit is a free end inserted in the at least one heat dissipation unit of the thermal module.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one heat dissipation unit of the thermal module has a first heat dissipation unit and a second heat dissipation unit. The second end of the at least one heat conduction unit is held between the first and second heat dissipation units.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the second end of the at least one heat conduction unit is positioned in parallel to the heat generation module.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one heat conduction unit has a first bent section. The first bent section is positioned between the first and second ends. The second end of the at least one heat conduction unit is positioned normal to the heat generation module.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one heat dissipation unit of the thermal module is selected from a group consisting of a radiating fin assembly, a water-cooling module, a vapor chamber and any combination thereof.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the thermal module is disposed on one side of the chassis main body, which side is open to an ambient environment outside the chassis main body. The thermal module is also in adjacency to an internal space of the chassis main body.

In the above chassis heat dissipation structure, the at least one heat conduction unit is selected from a group consisting of a heat pipe, a loop-type heat pipe, a vapor chamber and any combination thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer toFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4.FIG. 1is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention.FIG. 2is a perspective assembled view of the first embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention.FIG. 3is a side view of the heat dissipation unit and heat conduction unit of the first embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention.FIG. 4is a perspective assembled view of the heat dissipation unit and heat conduction unit of the first embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention. According to the first embodiment, the chassis heat dissipation structure10of the present invention includes a chassis main body110. The chassis main body110has a chassis support111, a thermal module112and at least one heat conduction unit114a. At least one server mainframe20is disposed on the chassis support111.

In this embodiment, one server mainframe20is disposed on the chassis support111. The server mainframe20has a heat generation module210.

The heat generation module210has at least one heat source211and at least one base seat212. In this embodiment, the heat generation module210has one heat source211and one base seat212. The base seat212is disposed on the heat source211. The heat source211is, but not limited to, an electronic component. In the present invention, the application of the chassis heat dissipation structure10is not limited. In addition, in this embodiment, the chassis main body110is, but not limited to, a half-open chassis main body. Alternatively, the chassis main body110can be a full-open chassis main body (without any sidewall such as support body) or a closed chassis main body.

The thermal module112is disposed on one side of the chassis main body110, which side is open to an ambient environment116outside the chassis main body110. The thermal module112is also in adjacency to an internal space115of the chassis main body110. Accordingly, the thermal module112can transfer the heat of the internal space115of the chassis main body110to the ambient environment116to dissipate the heat. In this embodiment, the thermal module112is disposed on a rear side of the chassis main body110. The thermal module112has at least one heat dissipation unit112aand multiple fan units112b. In this embodiment, the thermal module112has one heat dissipation unit112aand multiple fan units112b. The heat dissipation unit112ais disposed between the fan units112band the server mainframe20. The fan units112bserve to carry the heat of the heat dissipation unit112ato the ambient environment116for heat exchange and heat dissipation. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112is, but not limited to, selected from a group consisting of a radiating fin assembly, a water-cooling module and a vapor chamber. In a modified embodiment, the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112can be alternatively a combination of the radiating fin assembly, the water-cooling module and the vapor chamber. In practice, the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112can be any unit that is able to achieve the same heat dissipation effect.

The heat conduction unit114ahas at least one first end1141aand a second end1142a. In this embodiment, the heat conduction unit114ahas one first end1141aand one second end1142a. The first end1141ais in contact with the heat generation module210of the server mainframe20. The second end1142ais in contact with the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112. The base seat212of the heat generation module210is disposed on the heat source211so that the first end1141aof the heat conduction unit114ais in contact with the base seat212of the heat generation module210. In this embodiment, the first end1141aof the heat conduction unit114ais a free end inserted in the base seat212. The second end1142aof the heat conduction unit114ais a fixed end fixed in the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112. The heat conduction unit114aserves to conduct the heat of the heat generation module210to the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112. The fan units112bserve to carry the heat of the heat dissipation unit112ato the ambient environment116to dissipate the heat. The heat dissipation means of the heat dissipation unit112aand the fan units112bsubstantially is heat conduction or heat convection or heat radiation or a combination thereof.

In this embodiment, the first end1141aof the heat conduction unit114ahorizontally longitudinally extends to the second end1142aand the second end1142ais parallel to the heat generation module210. As shown inFIG. 5, in a modified embodiment, the heat conduction unit114ahas a first bent section1143apositioned between the first and second ends1141a,1142a. Accordingly, the second end1142aof the heat conduction unit114ais normal to the heat generation module210.

In this embodiment, the heat conduction unit114ais, but not limited to, a heat pipe. In a modified embodiment, the heat conduction unit114acan be alternatively a vapor chamber or a loop-type heat pipe. In another modified embodiment, the heat conduction unit114acan be alternatively a combination of the heat pipe, the vapor chamber, the loop-type heat pipe or any metal with heat conductivity. In practice, the heat conduction unit114aof the present invention can be any unit that is able to achieve the same heat conduction effect.

According to the design of the present invention, the thermal module112is fixed on the chassis support111. The second end1142aof the heat conduction unit114ais affixed to the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112. The server mainframe20can be disposed on the chassis support111of the chassis main body110from the ambient environment. Accordingly, the first end1141aof the heat conduction unit114ais inserted in the base seat212of the heat generation module210of the server mainframe20. When the heat source211of the heat generation module210of the server mainframe20operates to generate heat, the base seat212absorbs the heat of the heat source211and then the first end1141aof the heat conduction unit114aabsorbs the heat of the base seat212.

In the case that the heat conduction unit114ais a heat pipe or a vapor chamber or a loop-type heat pipe, the heat conduction unit114ais formed with an internal chamber as a flow way of a working fluid. The working fluid contained in the chamber is phase-changed, that is, evaporated and condensed and flows through the chamber to transfer the heat. The heat pipe or the vapor chamber or the loop-type heat pipe serves as a remote-end heat conduction member, whereby the low-boiling-point working fluid filled in the heat pipe or the vapor chamber or the loop-type heat pipe will absorb heat and evaporate at the first end1141a. The vapor working fluid will flow to the second end1142a. At the second end1142a, the working fluid transfers the heat generated by the heat source211to the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112. Then, the fan units112bcarry the heat of the heat dissipation unit112ato the ambient environment116to dissipate the heat.

Accordingly, the possibility that the thermal module112transfers heat to the internal space115of the chassis main body110is reduced so that the heat dissipation effect for the internal space115of the chassis main body110is enhanced. Also, the thermal module112will not occupy the internal space115of the chassis main body110. Moreover, the heat conduction unit114acan be disposed in parallel to the heat generation module210or normal to the heat generation module210. Under such circumstance, the use flexibility of the internal space115of the chassis main body110is greatly increased.

Please now refer toFIG. 6, which is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention. Also supplementally referring toFIGS. 1 to 5, the second embodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment in structure and function and thus will not be redundantly described hereinafter. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that two server mainframes20are disposed on the chassis support111at an interval and stacked on each other. The thermal module112has two heat dissipation units112acorresponding to the server mainframes20. Also, the chassis main body110has two heat conduction units114arespectively disposed between the server mainframes20and the heat dissipation units112a. The first ends1141aof the heat conduction units114aare respectively in contact with the heat generation modules210of the server mainframes20. The second ends1142aof the heat conduction units114aare respectively in contact with the heat dissipation units112a. The number of the server mainframes20of the present invention is not limited to one or two. In practice, there can be more than two server mainframes20and the number of the heat dissipation units112aand the number of the heat conduction units114aare equal to the number of the server mainframes20.

Also, one server mainframe20certainly can have multiple heat generation modules210. One single heat conduction unit114acan be serially connected with the multiple heat generation modules210and in contact with the multiple heat generation modules210to conduct the heat. Alternatively, multiple heat conduction units114acan be respectively connected with the multiple heat generation modules210and in contact with the multiple heat generation modules210to conduct the heat to the heat dissipation units112afor heat exchange and heat dissipation.

Please now refer toFIGS. 7 and 8.FIG. 7is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention.FIG. 8is a perspective assembled view of the heat dissipation unit and heat conduction unit of the third embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention. Also supplementally referring toFIGS. 1 to 6, the third embodiment is partially identical to the second embodiment in structure and function and thus will not be redundantly described hereinafter. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the thermal module112has a heat dissipation unit112acorresponding to the server mainframe20. Also, the chassis main body110has only one heat conduction unit114adisposed between the server mainframe20and the heat dissipation unit112a. The heat conduction unit114ahas two first ends1141aand one second end1142a. In this embodiment, the heat conduction unit114ahas one first end1141aand one second end1142a. In addition, a second bent section1144ais connected between one of the first ends1141aand the second end1142a. Accordingly, in adaptation to the server mainframes20which are disposed at an interval and stacked on each other, the first ends1141aof the heat conduction unit114aare respectively in contact with the base seats212of the heat generation modules210.

Please now refer toFIG. 9, which is a perspective assembled view of the heat dissipation unit and heat conduction unit of a fourth embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention. Also supplementally referring toFIGS. 1 to 5, the fourth embodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment in structure and function and thus will not be redundantly described hereinafter. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the heat generation module210of the server mainframe20has multiple heat sources211and multiple base seats212corresponding to the heat sources211. The heat sources211are arranged in parallel to each other. The base seats212are respectively disposed on the heat sources211. The heat conduction unit114ahas two first ends1141aarranged in parallel to each other at an intervals and one second end1142a. The first ends1141aare respectively in contact with the base seats212of the heat generation modules210. The number of the heat sources211and the base seats212of the heat generation module210of the present invention is not limited to one or two. In practice, there can be more than two heat sources211and base seats212and the number of the first end1141aof the heat conduction unit114ais equal to the number of the heat sources211and base seats212.

Please now refer toFIGS. 10 and 11.FIG. 10is a side view of the heat dissipation unit and heat conduction unit of a fifth embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention.FIG. 11is a perspective assembled view of the heat dissipation unit and heat conduction unit of the fifth embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention. Also supplementally referring toFIGS. 1 to 5, the fifth embodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment in structure and function and thus will not be redundantly described hereinafter. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the first end1141bof the heat conduction unit114bis a fixed end fixed on the base seat212. The second end1142bof the heat conduction unit114bis a free end inserted in the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112. The heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112includes a first heat dissipation unit112a1and a second heat dissipation unit112a2. The second end1142bof the heat conduction unit114bis held between the first and second heat dissipation units112a1,112a2.

In addition, in a modified embodiment as shown inFIG. 12, the heat generation module210of the server mainframe20has the heat source211without the base seat212. The first end1141bof the heat conduction unit114bis fixed on the heat source211. The second end1142bof the heat conduction unit114bis inserted in the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112.

Accordingly, the first end1141bof the heat conduction unit114bis fixed on the base seat212or the heat source211of the server mainframe20. The server mainframe20can be disposed on the chassis support111of the chassis main body110from the ambient environment. The second end1142bof the heat conduction unit114bis inserted in the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112and held between the first and second heat dissipation units112a1,112a2. This can achieve the same effect as the first embodiment.

Please now refer toFIGS. 13 and 14.FIG. 13is a side view of the heat dissipation unit and heat conduction unit of a sixth embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention.FIG. 14is a perspective assembled view of the heat dissipation unit and heat conduction unit of the sixth embodiment of the chassis heat dissipation structure of the present invention. Also supplementally referring toFIGS. 1 to 4 and 10 to 12, the sixth embodiment is partially identical to the fifth embodiment in structure and function and thus will not be redundantly described hereinafter. The sixth embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that the first end1141cof the heat conduction unit114cis a free end inserted in the base seat212, while the second end1142cof the heat conduction unit114cis another free end inserted in the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112.

In a preferred embodiment, the first end1141cof the heat conduction unit114cis inserted in the server mainframe20and then the server mainframe20is disposed on the chassis support111, while the second end1142cof the heat conduction unit114cis inserted in the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112. In another preferred embodiment, the second end1142cof the heat conduction unit114cis inserted in the heat dissipation unit112aof the thermal module112and then the server mainframe20is disposed on the chassis support111, while the first end1141cof the heat conduction unit114cis inserted in the server mainframe20. This can achieve the same effect as the fifth embodiment.

Accordingly, the heat conduction units114a,114b,114cof the chassis heat dissipation structure10of the present invention serve to conduct the heat of the heat generation module210to the thermal module112. The fan units112bserve to carry away the heat of the thermal module112to dissipate the heat. Therefore, the heat dissipation effect of the internal space115of the chassis main body110is enhanced. Also, multiple heat conduction units114a,114b,114cand multiple heat dissipation units112acan be arranged corresponding to multiple server mainframes20. Alternatively, one heat conduction unit114a,114b,114cand one heat dissipation unit112acan be arranged corresponding to multiple server mainframes20. Still alternatively, one heat conduction unit114a,114b,114cand one heat dissipation unit112acan be arranged corresponding to multiple heat generation modules210of one server mainframe20. In addition, it is unnecessary to dispose the thermal module112on the server mainframe20. This can prevent the internal space115of the chassis main body110from being occupied. Moreover, the heat conduction unit114a,114b,114ccan be positioned in parallel to the heat generation module210or normal to the heat generation module210. Under such circumstance, the use flexibility of the internal space115of the chassis main body110is increased.

The present invention has been described with the above embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in such as the form or layout pattern or practicing step of the above embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.