VAPOR CHAMBER

A vapor chamber includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a fixing frame. The lower plate is attached on the upper plate. The lower plate includes a raised structure. The fixing frame is attached on the lower plate. The fixing frame includes a hollow portion and at least one fastening part. The raised structure is accommodated within the hollow portion. The fixing frame is helpful for facilitating the manufacturer or the user to directly assemble and fix the vapor chamber on a supporting plate with a heat source. Moreover, due to the fixing frame, the possibility of causing deformation of the vapor chamber is minimized.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heat dissipation device, and more particularly to a vapor chamber

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vapor chamber is one of the heat dissipation devices. Generally, a heat source is fixed on a supporting plate, and a lower plate of the vapor chamber is attached on the heat source. However, the slim-type vapor chamber is readily suffered from deformation. It is important to securely fix the heat source on the supporting plate and attach the lower plate of the vapor chamber on the heat source while avoiding deformation of the vapor chamber.

Moreover, it is also important to quickly and easily fix the final product of the vapor chamber on the heat source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For solving the drawbacks of the conventional technologies, the present invention provides a vapor chamber with a fixing frame. The fixing frame is helpful for facilitating the manufacturer or the user to directly assemble and fix the vapor chamber on a supporting plate with a heat source. Moreover, due to the fixing frame, the possibility of causing deformation of the vapor chamber is minimized.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a vapor chamber is provided. The vapor chamber includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a fixing frame. The lower plate is attached on the upper plate. The lower plate includes a raised structure. The fixing frame is attached on the lower plate. The fixing frame includes a hollow portion and at least one fastening part. The raised structure is accommodated within the hollow portion.

In an embodiment, the vapor chamber is in thermal contact with a heat source, and the heat source is fixed on a supporting plate. The raised structure is contacted with the heat source. The fastening part of the fixing frame is fixed on the supporting plate.

In an embodiment, a thermal conduction property of the lower plate is superior to a thermal conduction property of the upper plate, and the thermal conduction property of the lower plate is superior to a thermal conduction property of the fixing frame.

In an embodiment, a thermal conduction property of the lower plate is superior to a thermal conduction property of the upper plate, and the thermal conduction property of the upper plate is superior to or equal to a thermal conduction property of the fixing frame.

In an embodiment, a metallic strength of the fixing frame is higher than a metallic strength of the lower plate, and the metallic strength of the fixing frame is higher than or equal to a metallic strength of the upper plate.

In an embodiment, the fixing frame is made of copper alloy, stainless steel, plastic steel or aluminum alloy.

In an embodiment, the upper plate is made of copper alloy, and the lower plate is made of pure copper.

In an embodiment, the fastening part is a male threaded rod, a female threaded rod or a threaded hole.

In an embodiment, the fixing frame is a hollow frame with a through-hole, and the through-hole is the hollow portion.

In an embodiment, the fixing frame has a notch, or the fixing frame is defined by two individual sub-frames.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a vapor chamber is provided. The vapor chamber includes an upper plate, a lower plate and a fixing frame. The lower plate is attached on the upper plate. The fixing frame is attached on the lower plate. The fixing frame includes a fastening part.

In an embodiment, the vapor chamber is in thermal contact with the heat source, and the heat source is fixed on a supporting plate. The fixing frame is contacted with the heat source. A heat from the heat source is transferred to the lower plate through the fixing frame. The fastening part of the fixing frame is fixed on the supporting plate.

In an embodiment, a thermal conduction property of the lower plate is superior to a thermal conduction property of the upper plate, and the thermal conduction property of the lower plate is superior to a thermal conduction property of the fixing frame.

In an embodiment, a thermal conduction property of the lower plate is superior to a thermal conduction property of the upper plate, and the thermal conduction property of the upper plate is superior to or equal to a thermal conduction property of the fixing frame.

In an embodiment, a metallic strength of the fixing frame is higher than a metallic strength of the lower plate, and the metallic strength of the fixing frame is higher than or equal to a metallic strength of the upper plate.

In an embodiment, the fixing frame is made of copper alloy, stainless steel, plastic steel or aluminum alloy.

In an embodiment, the upper plate is made of copper alloy, and the lower plate is made of pure copper.

In an embodiment, the fastening part is a male threaded rod, a female threaded rod or a threaded hole.

In an embodiment, the fixing frame is a hollow frame with a through-hole, and the through-hole is the hollow portion.

In an embodiment, the fixing frame has a notch, or the fixing frame is defined by two individual sub-frames.

In an embodiment, the vapor chamber further includes a heat conduction block. The heat conduction block is attached on the lower plate. The heat conduction block is in thermal contact with a heat source. The heat source is fixed on a supporting plate. The heat conduction block is contacted with the heat source. A heat from the heat source is transferred to the lower plate through the heat conduction block. The fastening part of the fixing frame is fixed on the supporting plate.

In an embodiment, a thermal conduction property of the lower plate or the heat conduction block is superior to a thermal conduction property of the upper plate, and the thermal conduction property of the lower plate or the heat conduction block is superior to a thermal conduction property of the fixing frame.

In an embodiment, a thermal conduction property of the lower plate or the heat conduction block is superior to a thermal conduction property of the upper plate, and a thermal conduction property of the upper plate is superior to or equal to a thermal conduction property of the fixing frame.

In an embodiment, a metallic strength of the fixing frame is higher than a metallic strength of the lower plate, and the metallic strength of the fixing frame is higher than or equal to a metallic strength of the upper plate.

In an embodiment, the fixing frame is made of copper alloy, stainless steel, plastic steel or aluminum alloy.

In an embodiment, the upper plate is made of copper alloy, and the lower plate or the heat conduction block is made of pure copper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer toFIGS. 1A and 1B.FIG. 1Ais a schematic exploded view illustrating a vapor chamber and a supporting plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1Bis a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the vapor chamber and the supporting plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the vapor chamber1comprises an upper plate11, a lower plate12and a fixing frame13. The vapor chamber1is in thermal contact with at least one heat source4. The heat source4is fixed on a supporting plate5. After the upper plate11and the lower plate12of the vapor chamber1are attached on each other, a working space14is defined. In the working space14, a first capillary structure15is formed on an inner surface of the upper plate11, and a second capillary structure16is formed on an inner surface of the lower plate12. Moreover, a support structure17is clamped between the upper plate11and the lower plate12.

In this embodiment, at least one raised structure121is formed on a portion of the lower plate12. The raised structure121is in thermal contact with the at least one heat source4. In this context, the thermal contact between the raised structure121and the heat source4indicates that the raised structure121is directly attached on the heat source4or an intermediate medium (a thermal grease or another heat conductive element) is arranged between the raised structure121and the heat source4. The arrangement of the raised structure121has the following advantages. When the vapor chamber1is in thermal contact with the heat source4, there is a height difference between the raised structure121and the other region of the lower plate12. Consequently, the electronic components on the supporting plate5are not pressed or obstructed by the lower plate12, and the installing flexibility and convenience are enhanced.

The fixing frame13is attached on the lower plate12through a welding means or any other appropriate connecting means. When the fixing frame13and the supporting plate5are combined together, the raised structure121provides a pressing force to suppress the heat source4. Consequently, the heat energy generated by the heat source4can be quickly and completely transferred to the raised structure121. Then, the heat energy is dissipated away through the operations of the vapor chamber1. In this embodiment, the fixing frame13comprises a hollow portion131and at least one fastening part132. Preferably but not exclusively, the raised structure121of the lower plate12is accommodated within the hollow portion131of the fixing frame13, or the raised structure121of the lower plate12is extended or protruded out of the hollow portion131of the fixing frame13.

In an embodiment, the fastening part132of the fixing frame13is fixed on the supporting plate5. The fastening part132of the fixing frame13is a female threaded rod. The supporting plate5has at least one perforation51corresponding to the at least one fastening part132. After a screw6is penetrated through the perforation51and tightened into the fastening part132(e.g., the female threaded rod), the lower plate12, the fixing frame13and the supporting plate5(along with the heat source4) are combined together. It is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, in another embodiment, the fastening part132of the fixing frame13is a male threaded rod, and the supporting plate5has at least one perforation51corresponding to the at least one fastening part132. After the male threaded rod is penetrated through the perforation51, a screw (not shown) is fixed on the male threaded rod. Consequently, the assembling process is completed. In another embodiment, the fastening part132of the fixing frame13is a threaded hole. After a screw6is penetrated through the perforation51of the supporting plate5and tightened into the threaded hole, the assembling process is completed.

In an embodiment, the upper plate11is made of copper alloy, the lower plate12is made of pure copper, and the fixing frame13is made of copper alloy, stainless steel, plastic steel or aluminum alloy. Since the thermal conduction property of pure copper is better than the thermal conduction property of copper alloy, the lower plate12can receive the heat energy more efficiently than the upper plate11. Since the upper plate11is closer to the site grasped by the user, the thermal conductivity of the upper plate11is slightly lower than the thermal conductivity of the lower plate12. Consequently, when the vapor chamber1is applied to a product (e.g., a smart phone), the user feels that the touch temperature of the product is not too high and the heat dissipation efficiency is still satisfactory. Since the fixing frame13is made of copper alloy or stainless steel, the fixing frame13has excellent metallic strength. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the thermal conduction property of the material of the fixing frame13is lower than that of pure copper (i.e., the material of the lower plate12) but the metallic strength of the fixing frame13is superior to that of the pure copper. Consequently, the vapor chamber1is not readily suffered from deformation during the assembling process. The thermal conductivity is measured according to the thermal conductivity coefficient. The metallic strength is measured according to Vickers hardness, tensile strength or elasticity coefficient.

In accordance with the designing rules of the vapor chamber1, the thermal conduction property of the lower plate12is superior to the thermal conduction property of the upper plate11, the thermal conduction property of the lower plate12is superior to the thermal conduction property of the fixing frame13, the thermal conduction property of the upper plate11is superior to or equal to the thermal conduction property of the fixing frame13, the metallic strength of the fixing frame13is higher than (or superior to) the metallic strength of the lower plate12, or the metallic strength of the fixing frame13is higher than (or superior to) the metallic strength of the upper plate11.

Please refer toFIGS. 1A and 1Cagain. The fixing frame13is a hollow frame with a through-hole. That is, the hollow portion131is the through-hole. Since the raised structure121of the lower plate12is accommodated within the hollow portion131, the overall thickness of the vapor chamber1is not increased.

Hereinafter, some variant examples of the hollow portion131of the fixing frame13will be described with reference toFIGS. 1D and 1E.

As shown inFIG. 1D, the fixing frame13is a hollow frame with a notch133. That is, the hollow portion131is defined by the notch133. The raised structure121of the lower plate12can be accommodated within the hollow portion131. In other words, the fixing frame13is a frame with the notch133or a C-shaped frame.

As shown inFIG. 1E, the hollow portion131of the fixing frame13is defined by two individual sub-frames13A and13B. The raised structure121of the lower plate12can be accommodated within the hollow portion131.

FIGS. 2A and 2B.FIG. 2Ais a schematic exploded view illustrating a vapor chamber and a supporting plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2Bis a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the vapor chamber and the supporting plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the vapor chamber2comprises an upper plate21, a lower plate22and a fixing frame23. the fixing frame23comprises at least one fastening part232. The vapor chamber2is in thermal contact with at least one heat source4. Consequently, the heat energy from the heat source4can be transferred to the lower plate22. The heat source4is fixed on a supporting plate5. After the upper plate21and the lower plate22of the vapor chamber2are attached on each other, a working space24is defined. In the working space24, a first capillary structure25is formed on an inner surface of the upper plate21, and a second capillary structure26is formed on an inner surface of the lower plate22. Moreover, a support structure27is clamped between the upper plate21and the lower plate22. In this context, the thermal contact between the fixing frame23and the heat source4indicates that the fixing frame23is directly attached on the heat source or an intermediate medium (a thermal grease or another heat conductive element) is arranged between the fixing frame23and the heat source4.

The fixing frame23is attached on the lower plate22through a welding means or any other appropriate connecting means. When the fixing frame23and the supporting plate5are combined together, the fixing frame23provides a pressing force to suppress the heat source4. Consequently, the heat energy generated by the heat source4can be quickly and completely transferred to the lower plate22through the fixing frame23. Then, the heat energy is dissipated away through the operations of the vapor chamber2.

In an embodiment, the fastening part232of the fixing frame23is a female threaded rod. The supporting plate5has at least one perforation51corresponding to the at least one fastening part232. After a screw6is penetrated through the perforation51and tightened into the fastening part232(e.g., the female threaded rod), the lower plate22, the fixing frame23and the supporting plate5(along with the heat source4) are combined together. It is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, in another embodiment, the fastening part232of the fixing frame23is a male threaded rod and the supporting plate5has at least one perforation51corresponding to the at least one fastening part232. After the male threaded rod is penetrated through the perforation51, a screw (not shown) is fixed on the male threaded rod. Consequently, the assembling process is completed. In another embodiment, the fastening part232of the fixing frame23is a threaded hole (not shown). After a screw6is penetrated through the perforation51of the supporting plate5and tightened into the threaded hole, the assembling process is completed.

In an embodiment, the upper plate21is made of copper alloy, the lower plate22is made of pure copper, and the fixing frame23is made of copper alloy, stainless steel, plastic steel or aluminum alloy. Since the thermal conduction property of pure copper is better than the thermal conduction property of copper alloy, the lower plate22can receive the heat energy more efficiently than the upper plate21. Since the upper plate21is closer to the site grasped by the user, the thermal conductivity of the upper plate21is slightly lower than the thermal conductivity of the lower plate22. Consequently, when the vapor chamber2is applied to a product (e.g., a smart phone), the user feels that the touch temperature of the product is not too high and the heat dissipation efficiency is still satisfactory. Since the fixing frame23is made of copper alloy or stainless steel, the fixing frame23has excellent metallic strength. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the thermal conduction property of the material of the fixing frame23is lower than that of pure copper (i.e., the material of the lower plate22) but the metallic strength of the fixing frame23is superior to that of the pure copper. Consequently, the vapor chamber2is not readily suffered from deformation during the assembling process. The thermal conductivity is measured according to the thermal conductivity coefficient. The metallic strength is measured according to Vickers hardness, tensile strength or elasticity coefficient.

In accordance with the designing rules of the vapor chamber2, the thermal conduction property of the lower plate22is superior to the thermal conduction property of the upper plate21, the thermal conduction property of the lower plate22is superior to the thermal conduction property of the fixing frame23, the thermal conduction property of the upper plate21is superior to or equal to the thermal conduction property of the fixing frame23, the metallic strength of the fixing frame23is higher than (or superior to) the metallic strength of the lower plate22, or the metallic strength of the fixing frame23is higher than (or superior to) the metallic strength of the upper plate21.

Please refer toFIGS. 3A and 3B.FIG. 3Ais a schematic exploded view illustrating a vapor chamber and a supporting plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3Bis a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the vapor chamber and the supporting plate according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the vapor chamber3comprises an upper plate31, a lower plate32, a fixing frame33and a heat conduction block38. The vapor chamber3is in thermal contact with at least one heat source4. The heat source4is fixed on a supporting plate5. After the upper plate31and the lower plate32of the vapor chamber3are attached on each other, a working space34is defined. In the working space34, a first capillary structure35is formed on an inner surface of the upper plate31, and a second capillary structure36is formed on an inner surface of the lower plate32. Moreover, a support structure37is clamped between the upper plate31and the lower plate32.

In this embodiment, a first surface of the heat conduction block38is attached on the lower plate32of the vapor chamber3through a welding means or any other appropriate connecting means. A second surface of the heat conduction block38is in thermal contact with the at least one heat source4. In this context, the thermal contact between the heat conduction block38and the heat source4indicates that the heat conduction block38is directly attached on the heat source4or an intermediate medium (a thermal grease or another heat conductive element) is arranged between the heat conduction block38and the heat source4. When the heat conduction block38, the lower plate32of the vapor chamber3and the heat source4are combined together, the heat energy generated by the heat source4is transferred to the vapor chamber3through the heat conduction block38. Then, the heat energy is dissipated away through the vapor chamber3.

In this embodiment, the fixing frame33comprises a hollow portion331and at least one fastening part332. The heat conduction block38is disposed within the hollow portion331. That is, the top surface of the heat conduction block38is at the same level with the top surface of the fixing frame33. Consequently, the overall thickness of the vapor chamber3is not increased.

In an embodiment, the fixing frame33is attached on the lower plate32through a welding means or any other appropriate connecting means, and the fixing frame33is fixed on the supporting plate5through the at least one fastening part332. The fastening part332of the fixing frame33is a female threaded rod. The supporting plate5has at least one perforation51corresponding to the at least one fastening part332. After a screw6is penetrated through the perforation51and tightened into the fastening part332(e.g., the female threaded rod), the lower plate32, the fixing frame33and the supporting plate5(along with the heat source4) are combined together. It is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, in another embodiment, the fastening part332of the fixing frame33is a male threaded rod and the supporting plate5has at least one perforation51corresponding to the at least one fastening part332. After the male threaded rod is penetrated through the perforation51, a screw (not shown) is fixed on the male threaded rod. Consequently, the assembling process is completed. In another embodiment, the fastening part332of the fixing frame33is a threaded hole. After a screw6is penetrated through the perforation51of the supporting plate5and tightened into the threaded hole, the assembling process is completed.

In an embodiment, the upper plate31is made of copper alloy, the lower plate32is made of pure copper, the heat conduction block38is made of pure copper, and the fixing frame33is made of copper alloy, stainless steel, plastic steel or aluminum alloy. Since the thermal conduction property of pure copper is better than the thermal conduction property of copper alloy, the heat energy can be transferred from the heat source4to the lower plate32through the heat conduction block38more efficiently and the lower plate32can receive the heat energy more efficiently than the upper plate31. Since the upper plate31is closer to the site grasped by the user, the thermal conductivity of the upper plate31is slightly lower than the thermal conductivity of the lower plate32. Consequently, when the vapor chamber3is applied to a product (e.g., a smart phone), the user feels that the touch temperature of the product is not too high and the heat dissipation efficiency is still satisfactory. Since the fixing frame33is made of copper alloy or stainless steel, the fixing frame33has excellent metallic strength. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the thermal conduction property of the material of the fixing frame33is lower than that of pure copper (i.e., the material of the lower plate32) but the metallic strength of the fixing frame33is superior to that of the pure copper. Consequently, the vapor chamber3is not readily suffered from deformation during the assembling process. The thermal conductivity is measured according to the thermal conductivity coefficient. The metallic strength is measured according to Vickers hardness, tensile strength or elasticity coefficient.

In accordance with the designing rules of the vapor chamber3, the thermal conduction property of the lower plate32or the heat conduction block38is superior to the thermal conduction property of the upper plate31, the thermal conduction property of the lower plate32or the heat conduction block38is superior to the thermal conduction property of the fixing frame33, the thermal conduction property of the upper plate31is superior to or equal to the thermal conduction property of the fixing frame33, the metallic strength of the fixing frame33is higher than (or superior to) the metallic strength of the lower plate32, or the metallic strength of the fixing frame33is higher than (or superior to) the metallic strength of the upper plate31.

FIG. 3Cis a schematic perspective view illustrating the fixing frame of the vapor chamber according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Please refer toFIGS. 3A and 3C. The fixing frame33is a hollow frame with a through-hole. That is, the hollow portion331is the through-hole. Since the heat conduction block38is accommodated within the hollow portion331, the overall thickness of the vapor chamber3is not increased.

It is noted that the examples of the hollow portion331are not restricted. Hereinafter, some variant examples of the hollow portion331of the fixing frame33will be described with reference toFIGS. 3D and 3E.

As shown inFIG. 3D, the fixing frame33is a hollow frame with a notch333. That is, the hollow portion331is defined by the notch333. The heat conduction block38can be accommodated within the hollow portion331. In other words, the fixing frame33is a frame with the notch333or a C-shaped frame.

As shown inFIG. 3E, the hollow portion331of the fixing frame33is defined by two individual sub-frames33A and33B. The heat conduction block38can be accommodated within the hollow portion331.