Electronic device and heat dissipation module thereof

The disclosure provides an electronic device and a heat dissipation module having an imaginary structural plane. The heat dissipation module includes a fin assembly, a connecting part and a heat pipe. The fin assembly is disposed on the structural plane and includes a plurality of fin elements extending along a first direction. The connecting part is connected to the fin elements. The fin elements are connected to each other via the connecting part. At least one portion of the connecting part is connected to at least one portion of the heat pipe, and the connecting part and the heat pipe both extend along a second direction. The fin assembly and the connecting part are integrated and formed into one piece by die casting. The first direction and the second direction form a first included angle greater than 0 degree.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 101116032 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on May 4, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a heat dissipation module thereof, and more particularly, to an electronic device and a heat dissipation module thereof having multiple fin elements.

2. Related Art

Compared to a general computer, a thin client is a low-level computing apparatus without built-in compact disc driver, hardware device, soft disc driver and other unnecessary soft/hardware device or function. The thin client is connected to a server which stores application programs and information data of the thin client. When the thin client is operated by a user, the thin client transmits a command of the user to the server to execute operation of the command or save data needed by the user. After that, the server transmits an operating result back to the thin client and the result is displayed to the user by a display device. In other words, the thin clients only are terminal devices which provide inputting and basic functions, and other operating and saving functions of the thin client, and the thin clients are gathered and managed by the server.

Generally speaking, such thin client only includes multiple basic elements, such as a computing processing unit (CPU), a motherboard, a memory, a power supply and basic input/output ports. Therefore, the user may not install programs or save data in the thin client, otherwise, the data are saved in the server. That is, the thin client without saving function is uneasily affected by virus. As for the whole system, the arrangement of the thin client and the server may improve the protection of the data to make sure the safety of the data and keep the service uninterruptedly. Thus, in order to improve the network safety and equipment cost of an organization, the thin client becomes the basic computing device adopted by large organizations and enterprises.

The thin client is composed of the low-level electronic elements, so the operating frequency of the thin client is much slower than that of the general computer, thereby generating less heat. So, the general thin client does not include any active heat dissipation module, such as a fan module, for performing heat dissipation on the electronic elements of the thin client. In detail, the heat dissipation module consists of a heat dissipation plate and a heat pipe which is located on the heat dissipation plate. The heat dissipation plate is directly connected to the electronic element to perform heat dissipation on it. However, when the operating frequency of the electronic element is increased, the heat generated by the electronic element is increased, too. But the thin client without the active heat dissipation module may not bring the heat out immediately due to the increasing operating frequency of the electronic element. When the heat which is generated by the electronic element may not be removed by the heat dissipation plate, the excess heat will affect the stability of the operated thin client. Therefore, there is an emergent need of a heat dissipation module of a thin client to solve the problem of poor heat dissipating efficiency of the thin client which affects the stability of operation of the thin client.

SUMMARY

An embodiment discloses a heat dissipation module having an imaginary structural plane. The heat dissipation module comprises a fin assembly, a connecting part and a heat pipe. The fin assembly is disposed on the structural plane and includes a plurality of fin elements extending along a first direction. The connecting part is connected to the fin elements. The fin elements are connected to each other via the connecting part. At least one portion of the connecting part is connected to at least one portion of the heat pipe, and the connecting part and the heat pipe both extend along a second direction. The fin assembly and the connecting part are integrated and formed into one piece by die casting. The first direction and the second direction form a first included angle greater than 0 degree.

Another embodiment discloses an electronic device comprising a circuit board, a casing, a mainframe and a heat dissipation module. The circuit board comprises an electronic element. The circuit board is disposed in the casing and comprises a mainframe and a heat dissipation module. The heat dissipation module is disposed on a side of the mainframe and in thermal contact with the electronic element. The heat dissipation module has an imaginary structural plane and comprises a fin assembly, a connecting part and a heat pipe. The fin assembly is disposed on the structural plane and comprises a plurality of fin elements extending along a first direction. The connecting part is connected to the fin elements. The fin elements are connected to each other via the connecting part. At least one portion of the connecting part is connected to at least one portion of the heat pipe, and the connecting part and the heat pipe both extend along a second direction. The fin assembly and the connecting part are integrated and formed into one piece by die casting, and the first direction and the second direction form a first included angle greater than 0 degree together.

Yet another embodiment discloses a heat dissipation module for being in thermal contact with an electronic element and having an imaginary structural plane. The heat dissipation module comprises a connecting part, a plurality of fin elements, a heat-absorbing plate and a heat pipe. The connecting part includes a container. The fin elements extend outwardly from the structural plane. Each of the fin elements has an outer surface away from the structural plane, respectively. The heat-absorbing plate is connected to at least one of the fin elements and includes a contact surface which is coplanar with the structural plane. The heat-absorbing plate is used for being in thermal contact with the electronic element at the contact surface. The heat pipe is disposed in the container and is in thermal contact with the heat-absorbing plate and the connecting part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed features and advantages of the disclosure are described below in great detail through the following embodiments, the content of the detailed description is sufficient for those skilled in the art to understand the technical content of the present disclosure and to implement the disclosure there accordingly. Based upon the content of the specification, the claims, and the drawings, those skilled in the art can easily understand the relevant objectives and advantages of the disclosure.

An embodiment discloses a heat dissipation module for being in thermal contact with and performing heat dissipation on an electronic element such that the electronic element may be kept in normal operation condition.

Please refer toFIGS. 1A and 1B.FIG. 1Ais a schematic perspective view of a heat dissipation module according to an embodiment.FIG. 1Bis a top view of a heat dissipation module according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, a heat dissipation module100which has an imaginary structural plane500comprises a fin assembly110, a connecting part140and a heat pipe160. The fin assembly110, disposed on the structural plane500, comprises a plurality of fin elements111-131which extend along a first direction D1. The fin elements111-131are connected to each other via the connecting part140. A hollow shape is formed between each pair of the adjacent fin elements111-131such that the hollow-shape area of the fin elements111-131which are in directly contact with outside air is increased.

At least one portion of the connecting part140is connected to at least one portion of the heat pipe160. In some embodiments, the connecting part140includes a container146in which the heat pipe160is disposed. That is, a portion of the connecting part140is connected to a portion of the heat pipe160. A portion of the heat pipe160and the connecting part140both extend outwardly along a second direction D2. Furthermore, the fin assembly110and the connecting part140are integrated and formed into one piece by die casting such that the structural strength of the heat dissipation module100is enhanced to prevent from structural failure by an external force.

A first included angle, formed between the first direction D1and the second direction D2, is greater than 0 degree. In this embodiment, the first direction D1is perpendicular to the second direction D2. Moreover, in some embodiments, the first direction D1is perpendicular to the normal line N1of the structural plane500.

In some embodiments, the heat dissipation module100further comprises a heat-absorbing plate150. The heat-absorbing plate150is disposed on and connected to the fin elements115-120. The heat-absorbing plate150includes a contact surface156which is coplanar with the structural plane500. The contact surface156is used for being in thermal contact with an electronic element (not shown). An end of the heat pipe160is connected to the heat-absorbing plate150, and another end of the heat pipe160is in thermal contact with the fin elements111-120of the fin assembly110via the container146. Also, a portion of the heat pipe160extends from the connecting part140to the heat-absorbing plate150. In other words, the heat pipe160bridges and crosses through the fin elements111-124(the heat pipe160is suspended in the air) such that the heat pipe160becomes a flex arm to enhance the flexibility of the whole heat dissipation module100.

In some embodiments, the heat pipe160is connected to the container146by welding, but not limited to the disclosure. In other embodiment, the heat pipe160is disposed in the container146by buckling, locking or adhering and is in thermal contact with the fin assembly110.

In some embodiments, the heat-absorbing plate150comprises a main body152and a heat-conducting element154. The main body152is connected to the fin elements115-120. The heat-conducting element154is disposed on the main body152. In this embodiment, the material of the main body152is aluminum, that of the heat-conducting element154is copper, and the main body152and the heat-conducting element154are combined by welding, but not limited to the disclosure. The contact surface156is on the heat-conducting element154and used for being thermal contact with the electronic element (not shown). The main body152further comprises four spring screws (not shown) for being connected to a circuit board of the electronic element. Furthermore, the end of the heat pipe160is connected to the heat-conducting element154of the heat-absorbing plate150. In some embodiments, each of the fin elements111-131includes a recess170, an inner surface180and an outer surface182(the fin element111is shown for an example in the figure). The inner surface180represents a surface of each of the fin elements111-131which faces the structural plane500. The outer surface182represents another surface of each of the fin elements111-131away from the structural plane500. The recess170is formed inwardly towards the fin elements111-131.

The following describes another heat dissipation module according to another embodiment. Please refer toFIGS. 2A,2B and2C.FIG. 2Ais a schematic perspective view of a heat dissipation module according to another embodiment.FIG. 2Bis a top view of a heat dissipation module according to another embodiment.FIG. 2Cis a bottom view of a heat dissipation module according to another embodiment. In an embodiment, a heat dissipation module100which is coplanar with an imaginary structural plane500is in thermal contact with an electronic element (not shown). The heat dissipation module100comprises three connecting parts140,142,144, a plurality of fin elements111-131, a heat-absorbing plate150and three heat pipes160,162,164. Each of the connecting part140,142,144includes a container146. Each of the fin elements111-131, which extend outwardly from the connecting parts140,142,144, includes an inner surface180, an outer surface184(as shown inFIG. 2C), a first heat dissipation surface184and a second heat dissipation surface186. Take the fin element111as an example. The first heat dissipation surface184and the second heat dissipation surface186are opposite to each other (two opposite side) between the inner surface180and the outer surface184. The heat-absorbing plate150, disposed on and connected to the fin elements115-120, includes a contact surface156which is in thermal contact with the electronic element. Furthermore, the contact surface156is coplanar with the structural plane500. A portion of each of the heat pipes160,162,164is disposed on the container146of the connecting parts140,142,144. The heat-absorbing plate150comprises a main body152and a heat-conducting element154.

Compared to the above-mentioned first embodiment, the main difference between the first embodiment and this (second) embodiment is that the number of the connecting part and the heat pipe. That is, the heat dissipation module100in this embodiment comprises the three connecting parts140,142,144and the three heat pipes160,162,164. The heat pipe162is disposed on the connecting part142, and the heat pipe164is disposed on the connecting part144. Moreover, the heat pipe162is further connected to the main body152of the heat-absorbing plate150and to the fin elements116-131through the container146. The heat pipe164is also connected to the main body152of the heat-absorbing plate150and to the fin elements116-131through the container146. By disposing the three heat pipes160,162,164on different positions of the fin elements111-131, heat, absorbed by the heat-absorbing plate150, is quickly transferred to the fin elements111-131. At the same time, the heat may spread to the fin elements111-131evenly such that the whole heat dissipation module100is in a uniform temperature, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation module100.

In some embodiments, a portion of the heat pipe160extends from and bridges the connecting part140to the heat-absorbing plate150, a portion of the heat pipe162extends from and bridges the connecting part142to the heat-absorbing plate150, and a portion of the heat pipe164extends from and bridges the connecting part144to the heat-absorbing plate150(as shown inFIG. 2C, the solid lines of the heat pipes160,162,164indicate that the heat pipes160,162,164are suspended in the air). In other words, the heat pipes160,162,164become flex arms to enhance the flexibility of the whole heat dissipation module100.

In some embodiments, the fin elements111-131extend outwardly from the connecting parts140,142,144along a first direction D1. In other words, the fin elements111-131are parallel to each other.

In some embodiments, a portion of the connecting part140has a long axis L1, a portion of the connecting part142has a long axis L2, and a portion of the connecting part144has a long axis L3(as shown inFIG. 2B). The long axes L1, L2, L3are parallel to a second direction D2, respectively, and the first direction D1is perpendicular to the second direction D2. Therefore, the first direction D1is perpendicular to the long axes L1, L2, L3at the same time.

In some embodiments, each of the fin elements111-122includes a recess170(The figures are taken the fin element111as an example). The recesses170are formed inwardly from an outer surface180towards the fin elements111-122.

The heat dissipation modules100having the fin elements111-122parallel to each other according to the above-mentioned embodiments are not limited to the disclosure. Please refer toFIG. 3, which is a top view of a heat dissipation module according to yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, a fin assembly of a heat dissipation module100comprises a plurality of fin elements111-125extending towards different directions. Therefore, by adjusting the arrangement of directions and positions of the fin elements111-125, the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation modules100is enhanced.

The above-mentioned heat dissipation module may be assembled in an electronic device which is a thin client computer. Please refer toFIGS. 4A,4B and4C.FIG. 4Ais an exploded view of an electronic device according to an embodiment.FIG. 4Bis a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment.FIG. 4Cis a cross-sectional profile of an electronic device along line4C-4C according to an embodiment. A heat dissipation module100in this embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment (as shown inFIGS. 2A to 2D), and the same numerals represent the similar elements, so the similar descriptions are not repeated herein. An electronic device200comprises a circuit board300and a casing400. The circuit board300comprises an electronic element310, such as a CPU. The circuit board300is disposed in the casing400for preventing the circuit board300from exposure. The casing400comprises a mainframe410and the heat dissipation module100which is disposed on a side of the mainframe410. The heat dissipation module100is in thermal contact with the electronic element310. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation module100is directly exposed from outside, that is, taken as an outer shell of the electronic device200. Moreover, the heat dissipation module100has an imaginary structural plane500that a heat-absorbing plate150of the heat dissipation module100is in thermal contact with the electronic element310at the structural plane500. Furthermore, the casing400further comprises a bottom shell430. The normal line of the structural plane500and the normal line of the surface of the bottom shell430form a second included angle together. The second included angle is greater than 0 degree. In this embodiment, the normal line of the structural plane500is perpendicular to the normal line of the surface of the bottom shell430.

In some embodiment, the casing400further comprises a top shell420. The top shell420and the bottom shell430are disposed at two opposite side of the casing400. Fin elements111-131extend from the bottom shell430to the top shell420along a first direction D1. When the electronic device200is operated, the electronic element310and some elements (not shown) of the circuit board300generate heat. The heat may be transferred to the heat dissipation module100to be cooled. Moreover, the heat generated by the electronic element310and some elements of the circuit board300may be performed heat transfer with the outside air via the heat dissipation module100. The air which absorbs the heat may flow from bottom to top towards the top shell420. At the same time, because the fin elements111-131extend from the bottom shell430to the top shell420, an air flowing channels are formed between a pair of the adjacent fin elements111-131, respectively. The air which absorbs the heat may flow upward via the air flowing channels. By a chimney effect, the hot air may flow upward (to the top shell420) via the air flowing channels, and cool air may flow downward (to the bottom shell430) via the air flowing channels. Hence, the air may rapidly flow through the air flowing channels circularly to remove the heat from the electronic element310and the circuit board300, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation module100.

According to the disclosure, the bottom shell430is defined that an outer shell of the casing400facing a horizontal plane.

In this embodiment, each of the fin elements111-131includes a recess170, an inner surface180, an outer surface182, a first heat dissipation surface184and a second heat dissipation surface186(take the fin element111as an example). The inner surface180of the fin element111facing the structural plane500forms the recess170which is formed inwardly towards the fin elements111-131within the casing400. The outer surface182of the fin element111away from the structural plane500forms another recess170which is formed inwardly towards the fin elements111-131within the casing400as well. The first heat dissipation surface184and the second heat dissipation surface186opposite to each other are formed between the inner surface180and the outer surface182. When the electronic device200is operated, the airflow which absorbs the heat may flow to the inner surface180, an outer surface182, the first heat dissipation surface184and the second heat dissipation surface186of the fin elements111-131along a the-bottom-shell430-to-the-top-shell420direction. Take the fin element111as an example. The airflow may flow along the inner surface180, the outer surface182, the first heat dissipation surface184and the second heat dissipation surface186of the fin element111. When the airflow flows to the outer surfaces182of the fin elements111-131, a boundary layer is formed due to the friction between the airflow and the outer surfaces182of the fin elements111-131. In detail, when the airflow is closer to the outer surfaces182, the velocity of the airflow is much reduced. On the contrary, when the airflow is farther away from the outer surfaces182, the velocity of the airflow is increased. When the airflow flows to the recess170, the boundary layer of the airflow is destroyed by the recess170and the boundary layer is formed again in the recess170(when the boundary layer is destroyed, the velocity is increased), thereby increasing the velocity of the airflow. It could be understood that the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation module100is increased by the structure of the recess170. Similarly, when the airflow passes through the inner surface180, the first heat dissipation surface184and the second heat dissipation surface186, the airflow generates other boundary layers due to the friction between the air flow and the inner surface180, the first heat dissipation surface184and the second heat dissipation surface186. After that, the recesses170of the fin elements111-131may destroy the other boundary layers formed by the inner surface180, the first heat dissipation surface184and the second heat dissipation surface186. Thus, the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation module100is increased by the recesses170.

Please refer toFIG. 5, which is an exploded view of an electronic device according to another embodiment. The structure in this embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment inFIGS. 4A,4B, and the same numerals represent the similar elements, so the similar descriptions are not repeated herein. In this embodiment, the casing400comprises a cover440disposed on the same side of the mainframe410with the heat dissipation module100. The heat dissipation module100in this embodiment is disposed between the cover440and the circuit board300. Therefore, the cover440may prevent the heat dissipation module100from direct exposure.

The above-mentioned arrangements of the heat dissipation modules100are not limited to the disclosure. Please refer toFIG. 6, which is an exploded view of an electronic device according to yet another embodiment. The structure in this embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment inFIGS. 4A,4B, and the same numerals represent the similar elements, so the similar descriptions are not repeated herein. In this embodiment, the circuit board300stands on the bottom shell430of the casing400, and the normal line N1of the structural plane500is perpendicular to the normal line N2of the bottom shell430. Moreover, the normal line N1of the structural plane500. Thus, the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation module100may be improved.

The above-mentioned arrangements of the heat dissipation modules100are not limited to the disclosure. Please refer toFIG. 7, which is an exploded view of an electronic device according to still another embodiment. The structure in this embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment inFIGS. 4A,4B, and the same numerals represent the similar elements, so the similar descriptions are not repeated herein. In this embodiment, the mainframe410comprises a bottom shell430disposed on a lower side of the electronic device200. The structural plane500faces the bottom shell430. That is, in this embodiment, the largest area of the circuit board300faces the bottom shell430, and the largest area of the heat dissipation module100faces the bottom shell430, too. In other words, the heat dissipation module100lies on the casing400. Thus, the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation module100may be improved.

To sum up, the electronic element is in thermal contact with the heat dissipation module. By the hollow shapes formed between fin elements and the disposing of the heat pipe, the heat, generated by the electronic element, may spread to the heat dissipation module evenly so that the heat dissipation module may be in a uniform-temperature state quickly. Therefore, the heat, generated by the electronic element, is rapidly removed by the heat pipes and the fin elements of the heat dissipation module. Moreover, the fin assembly (the fin elements) and the connecting part are integrated and formed into one piece by die casting so as to improve the structural strength of the heat dissipation module. Compared to the conventional technology, because of the hollow-shaped of the electronic element and the heat dissipation module, the electronic element and the heat dissipation module in the disclosure solve the problem of poor heat dissipation efficiency, which increases the outside contact area and the addition of the heat pipes to improve the heat dissipation efficiency, thereby enhancing the stability of the thin client when operating.