Water-cooling radiator structure with internal partition member

A water-cooling radiator structure with internal partition member includes a water-cooling radiator unit, which includes a first water-receiving plate defining a first inner space and having a water inlet and a water outlet fluid-communicable with the first inner space. A working fluid flows into the first inner space via the water inlet and leaves the first inner space via the water outlet. The first inner space is internally provided with at least one first partition member, which horizontally divides the first inner space into a plurality of independent water chambers, so that the working fluid sequentially flow through the water chambers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heat dissipation structure, and more particularly, to a water-cooling radiator structure with internal partition member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many electronic elements in a computer will produce a large quantity of heat when the computer operates. Hence, a good heat dissipation system is a key factor that determines the effectiveness and reliability of a computer. In a computer, the workload of the central processing unit (CPU) and the graphic processing unit (GPU) is higher than any other heat-producing elements in the computer, and accordingly, solutions for dissipating heat produced by the CPU and the GPU are no doubt very important. Particularly, the currently available computer games all include highly exquisite images that require computer-aided design (CAD) software with increasingly enhanced functions to achieve. However, the operation of such CAD software will render the CPU and the GPU into a heavy workload state to produce a huge quantity of heat. Heat accumulated in the computer would result in lowered performance of the CPU and GPU, or, in some worse condition, even result in damages or largely shortened service life of the CPU and GPU.

Different water cooling systems are available in the market for lowering the working temperature of the heat-producing electronic elements. A conventional water cooling system generally includes a water-cooling radiator fluid-communicably connected to a pump and a water block via two water pipes. The water block is in contact with a heat-producing element, such as a CPU. The pump drives a cooling liquid, i.e. a working fluid such as water, from the water block to flow into the water-cooling radiator, so that heat absorbed and carried by the working fluid is transferred to and dissipated from the water-cooling radiator into ambient air. The pump drives the cooling liquid to continuously circulate between the water-cooling radiator and the water block to enable quick removal of heat from the heat-producing electronic element.FIG. 1shows a conventional water-cooling radiator structure1, which includes a plurality of radiating fins11, a plurality of straight flat pipes12, and two side water tanks13. The radiating fins11are arranged between any two adjacent flat pipes12and the two side water tanks13are soldered to the radiating fins11and two opposite ends of the flat pipes12, so that the two side water tanks13, the radiating fins11and the straight flat pipes12together constitute the water-cooling radiator structure1. A first one of the two side water tanks13is provided with a water inlet131and a water outlet132, which are separately connected to the above-mentioned two water pipes (not shown).

The working fluid flowed into the first side water tank13via the water inlet131quickly and straightly flows through the straight flat pipes12to the second side water tank13, and then quickly flows back to the first side water tank13via the straight flat pipes12and leaves the water-cooling radiator structure1via the water outlet132. Therefore, the time period from the entering to the leaving of the heat-carrying working fluid into and from the water-cooling radiator structure1is very short and there is not sufficient time for the heated working fluid to exchange heat with the water-cooling radiator structure1. As a result, the conventional water-cooling radiator structure1could not effectively remove the heat from the working fluid flowing therethrough and has the problem of poor heat dissipation efficiency. In addition, the conventional water-cooling radiator structure1is an integral structure, which is not adjustable or changeable according to the internal space of an electronic device that uses the water-cooling radiator structure1. Therefore, to use the water-cooling radiator structure1inside an electronic device, such as a computer or a server, the electronic device must have an independent internal space sufficient for installing the water-cooling radiator structure1.

It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved water-cooling radiator structure with internal partition member to overcome the problems and disadvantages in the prior art water-cooling radiator structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a water-cooling radiator structure that includes a water-cooling radiator unit having at least one water-receiving plate. The water-receiving plate is internally provided with at least one partition member to horizontally divide an inner space of the water-receiving plate into a plurality of independent water chambers, so that a working fluid flowed into the water-receiving plate can sequentially flow through the water chambers and the working fluid in different water chambers can reach a homogeneous temperature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water-cooling radiator structure having internal partition member. The water-cooling radiator structure includes a first and a second water-receiving plate as well as a first, a second, a third and a fourth communicating element. A heat-carrying working fluid sequentially flows through the first and the second water-receiving plate via the first to the fourth communicating element, such that the working fluid has sufficient time to exchange heat with the first and second water-receiving plates.

To achieve the above and other objects, the water-cooling radiator structure having internal partition member according to the present invention includes a water-cooling radiator unit, which includes a first water-receiving plate having a first inner space fluid-communicable with a water inlet and a water outlet of the first water-receiving plate. A heat-carrying working fluid flows into the first inner space via the water inlet and leaves the first inner space via the water outlet. At least one first partition member is provided in the first inner space to horizontally divide the same into a plurality of independent water chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with some preferred embodiments thereof and by referring to the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of easy to understand, elements that are the same in the preferred embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Please refer toFIGS. 2A and 2B, which are exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a water-cooling radiator structure with internal partition member according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and toFIG. 2C, which is an assembled sectional view taken along line2C-2C ofFIG. 2B. For the purpose of conciseness and clarity, the present invention is also briefly referred to as the water-cooling radiator structure herein. As shown, in the first embodiment, the water-cooling radiator structure includes a water-cooling radiator unit21consisting of a first water-receiving plate411, which internally defines a first inner space4111communicable with a water inlet4112and a water outlet4113formed on the first water-receiving plate411. A working fluid flows into the first inner space4111via the water inlet4112and leaves the first inner space4111via the water outlet4113. In the first inner space4111, there is provided at least one first partition means to horizontally divide the first inner space4111into a plurality of independent water chambers.

As shown inFIGS. 2A to 2C, the first water-receiving plate411is formed of a first top plate member412and a first bottom plate member413. The at least one first partition means is located between the first top and the first bottom plate member412,413, and includes a first partition member4114that horizontally divides the first inner space4111into a first water chamber4115and a second water chamber4116located above the first water chamber4115. That is, the first partition member4114is located between the first and the second water chamber4115,4116. The first partition member4114is connected along its outer peripheral edges to inner wall surfaces of the first top plate member412or of the first bottom plate member413. The first partition member4114can be integrally formed with the first top plate member412or the first bottom plate member413, or can be an individual member connected to the first top plate member412or the first bottom plate member413. The first water chamber4115is vertically divided by a first partitioning rib4117into a first zone41151communicable with the water inlet4112and a second zone41152communicable with the water outlet4113. The first partitioning rib4117can be integrally formed with the first partition member4114to protrude toward the first bottom plate member413, or can be integrally formed with the first bottom plate member413to protrude toward the first partition member4114.

The first partition member4114is provided with a first communicating element41141and a second communicating element41142, each of which can be, for example, a through hole penetrating the first partition member4114. The first communicating element41141communicates the first zone41151of the first water chamber4115with the second water chamber4116; and the second communicating element41142communicates the second zone41152of the first water chamber4115with the second water chamber4116.

A working fluid, such as pure water, flows into the first zone41151of the first water chamber4115via the water inlet4112and then, flows into the second water chamber4116via the first communicating element41141. The working fluid keeps flowing from the second water chamber4116into the second zone41152of the first water chamber4115via the second communicating element41142and finally leaves the first water-receiving plate411via the water outlet4113.

It is noted the working fluid has absorbed heat outside the first water-receiving plate411. When the working fluid flows into the first water-receiving plate411, heat absorbed and carried by the working fluid is transferred to the first top plate member412and the first bottom plate member413, from where the heat is dissipated into ambient air and the working fluid is cooled when it leaves the first water-receiving plate411. Moreover, heat carried by the working fluid that is currently in the first zone41151of the first water chamber4115can be transferred via the first partition member4114to the working fluid that is currently in the second water chamber4116, so that the working fluid in the first zone41151and the second water chamber4116can reach a homogeneous temperature. Similarly, the working fluid in the second zone41152and the second water chamber4116can also reach a homogeneous temperature.

Please refer toFIGS. 3A and 3Bthat illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. Elements that are the same in the first and the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and are not repeatedly described herein. In the second embodiment, the first water-receiving plate411internally includes a first partition member4114athat horizontally divides an inner space of the first water-receiving plate411into a first water chamber4115acommunicable with a water inlet4112aand a second water chamber4116acommunicable with a water outlet4113a. The first partition member4114ais provided with a first communicating element41141a, which communicates the first water chamber4115awith the second water chamber4116a. The first water chamber4115ais not internally provided with any partitioning rib like the first partitioning rib4117in the first embodiment. The working fluid flows into the first water chamber4115avia the water inlet4112aand keeps flowing into the second water chamber4116avia the first communicating element41141a, and finally leaves the second water chamber4116avia the water outlet4113a.

Please refer toFIGS. 4A and 4Bthat illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. Elements that are the same in the first and the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and are not repeatedly described herein. In the third embodiment, the first partition means in the first inner space4111of the first water-receiving plate411further includes a second partition member4118, which is located above and spaced from the first partition member4114, such that the first inner space4111is horizontally divided by the first and second partition members4114,4118into a first water chamber4115, a second water chamber4116located above the first water chamber4115, and a third water chamber4119located above the second water chamber4116. That is, the second partition member4118is located between the second and the third water chamber4116,4119to separate them from each other.

In the third embodiment, the second water chamber4116is vertically divided by a second partitioning rib421into a third zone41161correspondingly located above the first zone41151and a fourth zone41162correspondingly located above the second zone41152. Further, the second partition member4118is provided with a third communicating element41181and a fourth communicating element41182, which can be respectively a through hole penetrating the second partition member4118. The third communicating element41181communicates the third zone41161of the second water chamber4116with the third water chamber4119, and the fourth communicating element41182communicates the fourth zone41162of the second water chamber4116with the third water chamber4119. The second partitioning rib421can be integrally formed with the first partition member4114to protrude toward the second partition member4118, or be integrally formed with the second partition member4118to protrude toward the first partition member4114. It is noted the first communicating element41141and the third communicating element41181are eccentrically arranged, which means the first and the third communicating element41141,41181are offset from each other, as can be seen inFIG. 4B. With this arrangement, the working fluid having past through the first communicating element41141would not directly pass through the third communicating element41181. Similarly, the second communicating element41142and the fourth communicating element41182are eccentrically arranged to be offset from each other.

The working fluid flowed into the first water chamber4115via the water inlet4112will flow through the first zone41151and into the second water chamber4116via the first communicating element41141. Then, the working fluid keeps flowing into the third water chamber4119via the third communicating element41181. The working fluid keeps flowing from the third water chamber4119into the second water chamber4116via the fourth communicating element41182and then flows into the second zone41152of the first water chamber4115via the second communicating element41142. The working fluid finally leaves the first water-receiving plate411via the water outlet4113.

Please refer toFIGS. 5A and 5Bthat illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Elements that are the same in the first and the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and are not repeatedly described herein. In the fourth embodiment, the first partition means in the first inner space4111of the first water-receiving plate411includes a first and a second partition member4114b4118b, which horizontally divide the first inner space4111into a first water chamber4115b, a second water chamber4116band a third water chamber4119b. That is, the first partition member4114bis located between the first and the second water chamber4115b,4116b; and the second partition member4118bis located between the second and the third water chamber4116b,4119b. The first partition member4114bis provided with a first communicating element41141bthat communicates the first water chamber4115bwith the second water chamber4116b; and the second partition member4118bis provided with a second communicating element41181bthat communicates the second water chamber4116bwith the third water chamber4119b. The first and the second communicating element41141b,41181bare eccentrically arranged to be offset from each other. The first water chamber4115bis communicable with a water inlet4112bof the first water-receiving plate411; and the third water chamber4119bis communicable with a water outlet4113bof the first water-receiving plate411. With these arrangements, the working fluid first flows into the first chamber4115bvia the water inlet4112band then flows into the second water chamber4116bvia the first communicating element41141b. The working fluid in the second water chamber4116bfurther flows into the third water chamber4119bvia the second communicating element41181b, and finally leaves the third water chamber4119bvia the water outlet4113b.

The heat carried by the working fluid is gradually dissipated into ambient air while the heat-carrying working fluid sequentially flows through the first, the second and the third water chamber4115b,4116b,4119b. More specifically, heat carried by the working fluid in the first water chamber4115bis transferred via the first partition member4114bto the working fluid in the second water chamber4116b, and heat carried by the working fluid in the second water chamber4116bis transferred via the second partition member4118bto the working fluid in the third water chamber4119b, so that the working fluid in the first, second and third water chambers4115b,4116b,4119bcan reach a homogeneous temperature.

Please refer toFIGS. 6A and 6Bthat are exploded top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a first variant of the first embodiment of the present invention; and toFIGS. 6C and 6Dthat are exploded top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a first variant of the third embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, the water-cooling radiator structure can further include a pump28arranged inside or outside the first water-receiving plate411. In the illustrated variants of the first and third embodiments, the pump28is arranged in the first water chamber4115of the first water-receiving plate411to drive the working fluid to flow. However, the pump28can be otherwise arranged in the second water chamber4116or the third water chamber4119, or at the water inlet4112or the water outlet4113. Further, please refer toFIGS. 6A and 6Balong withFIGS. 2A to 2C. In the first variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, the first water chamber4115of the first water-receiving plate411further has a first flow passage44provided therein and the second water chamber4116has a second flow passage45provided therein. As can be seen inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the first flow passage44is formed on one side of the first partition member4114facing toward the first water chamber4115and distributed in the first zone41151and the second zone41152to serve as a guide path for the working fluid. On the other hand, the second flow passage45is formed on another side of the first partition member4114facing toward the second water chamber4116to serve as a guide path for the working fluid. The working fluid flowed into the first zone41151of the first water chamber4115via the water inlet4112flows along the first flow passage44toward the first communicating element41141, via which the working fluid flows into the second water chamber4116. Then, the working fluid flowed into the second water chamber4116flows along the second flow passage45toward the second communicating element41142, via which the working fluid flows into the second zone41152of the first water chamber4115. Thereafter, the working fluid in the second zone41152of the first water chamber4115flows along the first flow passage44toward the water outlet4113and finally leaves the first water-receiving plate411via the water outlet4113. The provision of the first and second flow passages44,45increases the time for the working fluid to flow in the first and the second water chamber4115,4116and the time for the working fluid to exchange heat with the first water-receiving plate411.

Also please refer toFIGS. 6C and 6Dalong withFIGS. 4A and 4B. In the first variant of the third embodiment of the present invention, the first water chamber4115of the first water-receiving plate411further has a first flow passage44dprovided therein, the second water chamber4116has a second flow passage45dprovided therein, and the third water chamber4119has a third flow passage46dprovided therein. As can be seen inFIG. 6D, the first flow passage44dis formed on one side of the first partition member4114facing toward the first water chamber4115; and as can be seen inFIG. 6C, the second flow passage45dis formed on another side of the first partition member4114facing toward the second water chamber4116and the third flow passage46dis formed on one side of the second partition member4118facing toward the third water chamber4119. The first, second and third flow passages44d,45d,46dnot only serve as guide paths for the working fluid, but also increase the time for the working fluid to flow in the first, second and third water chambers4115,4116,4119as well as the time for the working fluid to exchange heat with the first water-receiving plate411.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a water-cooling radiator structure with internal partition member according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the present invention. Please refer toFIGS. 7A and 7Balong withFIGS. 2A to 2C. In the second variant of the first embodiment, the first water-receiving plate411further includes a first radiating fin assembly471and a second radiating fin assembly472connected to an outer surface of the first top plate member412and of the first bottom plate member, respectively, to enable enhanced heat dissipation effect. The first and the second radiating fin assembly471,472respectively include a plurality of radiating fins. The second variant of the first embodiment also includes a protection unit48and at least one fan50. The protection unit48can be, for example, in the form of a cover consisting of a first protection part481and a second protection part482, which protectively cover the first water-receiving plate411, the first radiating fin assembly471and the second radiating fin assembly472in between them. The at least one fan50is connected to the protection unit48with an air outlet of the fan facing toward the first water-receiving plate411, the first radiating fin assembly471and the second radiating fin assembly472, so that airflows produced by the at least one fan50flow toward the first water-receiving plate411, the first radiating fin assembly471and the second radiating fin assembly472to helpfully achieve enhanced heat dissipation.

The water-cooling radiator structure according to the second variant of the first embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 7A and 7Balso has a water block unit49fluid-communicably connected to the water inlet4112and the water outlet4113of the first water-receiving plate411. The water block unit49is in contact with at least one heat-producing element. The working fluid in the water block unit49absorbs heat produced by the heat-producing element before it flows into the first water-receiving plate411via the water inlet4112. Then, the working fluid is cooled in the first water-receiving plate411and flows back into the water block unit49via the water outlet4113.

In the above embodiments and variants thereof, the first water-receiving plate411can be made of gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium, aluminum or stainless steel, or any alloy of these metal materials.

Please refer toFIGS. 8A and 8Bthat are exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a water-cooling radiator structure with internal partition member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and toFIG. 8Cthat is a sectional view taken along line8C-8C ofFIG. 8B. As shown, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the water-cooling radiator structure includes a water-cooling radiator unit21. The water-cooling radiator unit21includes a first and a second water-receiving plate211,212, which are spaced from each other with the first water-receiving plate211located above the second water-receiving plate212. An open space located at one side of the first water-receiving plate211facing away from the second water-receiving plate212is defined as a first heat dissipation space s1; an open space located between the first and the second water-receiving plate211,212is defined as a second heat dissipation space s2; and an open space located at one side of the second water-receiving plate212facing away from the first water-receiving plate211is defined as a third heat dissipation space s3. In a first variant of the fifth embodiment as shown inFIG. 8D, a first radiating fin assembly261is connected to the first water-receiving plate211and located in the first heat dissipation space s1; a second radiating fin assembly262is connected to between the first and the second water-receiving plate211,212and located in the second heat dissipation space s2; and a third radiating fin assembly263is connected to the second water-receiving plate212and located in the third heat dissipation space s3. The first, second and third radiating fin assemblies261,262,263respectively include a plurality of radiating fins to helpfully increase the heat dissipation areas of the first and the second water-receiving plate211,212and accordingly, enable an upgraded heat dissipation efficiency of the water-cooling radiator structure.

Please refer back toFIGS. 8A to 8C. In the fifth embodiment, the first water-receiving plate211has an enclosure formed of a first top plate member2111and a first bottom plate member2112, and is internally provided between the first top and bottom plate members2111,2112with a first partition member2116to horizontally divide a first inner space of the first water-receiving plate211into a first water chamber21131and a second water chamber21132located above the first water chamber21131. The first and the second water chamber21131,21132are two independent chambers separated by the first partition member2116and not directly communicable with each other. That is, the first water chamber21131is formed between the first bottom plate member2112and the first partition member2116, while the second water chamber21132is formed between the first top plate member2111and the first partition member2116. A raised rib portion21121is provided on the first bottom plate member2112to protrude into the first water chamber21131and vertically divide the same into a flow-in zone21131aand a flow-out zone21131b. One peripheral edge of the first water-receiving plate211has two outward protruded portions to form at least one water inlet2118and at least one water outlet2114, which are fluid-communicable with the flow-in zone21131aand the flow-out zone21131b, respectively, of the first water chamber21131.

Further, the first bottom plate member2112of the first water-receiving plate211is provided with a first, a second, a third and a fourth opening21171,21172,21173,21174, which penetrate the first bottom plate member2112; and the first partition member2116is provided with a first and a second hole21161,21162that penetrate the first partition member2116and are located corresponding to the second and the third opening21172,21173, respectively.

The second water-receiving plate212has an enclosure formed of a second top plate member2121and a second bottom plate member2122, and is internally provided between the second top and bottom plate members2121,2122with a second partition member2126to horizontally divide a second inner space of the second water-receiving plate212into a third water chamber21231and a fourth water chamber21232located above the third water chamber21231. The third and the fourth water chamber21231,21232are two independent chambers separated by the second partition member2126and not directly communicable with each other. That is, the third water chamber21231is formed between the second bottom plate member2122and the second partition member2126, while the fourth water chamber21232is formed between the second top plate member2121and the second partition member2126.

The second top plate member2121of the second water-receiving plate212is provided with a fifth, a sixth, a seventh and an eighth opening21271,21272,21273,21274, which penetrate the second top plate member2121; and the second partition member2126is provided with a third and a fourth hole21261,21262that penetrate the second partition member2126and are located corresponding to the fifth and the seventh opening21271,21273, respectively.

The water-cooling radiator structure according to the fifth embodiment further includes a communicating element unit27consisting of a first, a second, a third and a fourth communicating element271,272,273,274, which can be, for example, a pipe each. The first communicating element271communicates the flow-in zone21131aof the first water chamber21131with the third water chamber21231; the second communicating element272communicates the second water chamber21132with the fourth water chamber21232; the third communicating element273communicates the second water chamber21132with the third water chamber21231; and the fourth communicating element274communicates the flow-out zone21131bof the first water chamber21131with the fourth water chamber21232. The communicating element unit27guides a working fluid to flow through each of the first, second, third and fourth water chamber21131,21132,21231,21232along predetermined flow paths.

As can be seen inFIGS. 8A to 8C, the first communicating element271has an end passing through the first opening21171to communicate with the flow-in zone21131aof the first water chamber21131; the second communicating element272has an end passing through the second opening21172and the first hole21161to communicate with the second water chamber21132; the third communicating element272has an end passing through the third opening21173and the second hole21162to communicate with the second water chamber21132; and the fourth communicating element274has an end passing through the fourth opening21174to communicate with the flow-out zone21131bof the first water chamber21131. Another end of the first communicating element271passes through the fifth opening21271and the third hole21261to communicate with the third water chamber21231; another end of the second communicating element272passes through the sixth opening21272to communicate with the fourth water chamber21232; another end of the third communicating element273passes through the seventh opening21273and the fourth hole21262to communicate with the third water chamber21231; and another end of the fourth communicating element274passes through the eighth opening21274to communicate with the fourth water chamber21232.

As indicated by arrows inFIG. 8C, the working fluid flows into the flow-in zone21131aof the first water chamber21131via the at least one water inlet2118and then flows into the third water chamber21231via the first communicating element271. The working fluid in the third water chamber21231flows into the second water chamber21132via the third communicating element273and then flows into the fourth water chamber21232via the second communicating element272. The working fluid in the fourth water chamber21232flows into the flow-out zone21131bof the first water chamber21131via the fourth communicating element274. Finally, the working fluid leaves the first water chamber21131via the at least one water outlet2114.

According to the fifth embodiment, at least one pump28can be optionally arranged in the first water chamber21131or the second water chamber21132of the first water-receiving plate211. However, the above description is only illustrative without limiting the present invention in any way. The at least one pump28can be otherwise arranged in the third water chamber21231or the fourth water chamber21232of the second water-receiving plate212. The pump28can include, for example, an impeller and a driving motor for driving the impeller to rotate and accordingly, bring the working fluid in the water chambers to flow. The driving motor can be, for example, a submersible motor or a waterproof motor. As can be seen inFIG. 8A, in the illustrated fifth embodiment, one pump28is arranged in the flow-out zone21131bof the first water chamber21131. For this purpose, the first bottom plate member2112of the first water-receiving plate211is provided with a recess corresponding to the pump28. The recess does not penetrate the first bottom plate member2112, so that the pump28is stably seated in the recess.

Also shown inFIGS. 8A to 8C, the first partition member2116is provided on one side facing the first water chamber21131with a first flow passage21151to serve as a guide path for the working fluid flowing through the first water chamber21131. The first flow passage21151is distributed in the flow-in zone21131aand the flow-out zone21131b. The first flow passage21151can be integrally formed with the first partition member2116, or can be an individual member connected to one side of the first partition member2116. The first flow passage21151can be formed of a plurality of winding partitioning ribs or can be formed of a plurality of winding guide grooves. The working fluid flows into the flow-in zone21131aof the first water chamber21131via the at least one water inlet2118and is guided by the first flow passage21151to flow into the third water chamber21231via the first communicating element271. Also, the working fluid flows into the flow-out zone21131bof the first water chamber21131via the fourth communicating element274and is guided by the first flow passage2115to flow out of the first water chamber21131via the at least one water outlet2114. The provision of the first flow passage21151enables extended time for the working fluid to exchange heat with the first water-receiving plate211, so that heat absorbed and carried by the working fluid can be fully transferred to the first water-receiving plate211, from where the heat is dissipated into ambient air. The provision of the first flow passage also extends the time for the working fluid in the first water chamber21131to exchange heat with the working fluid in the second water chamber21132.

FIG. 8Jis a top phantom view of the first water-receiving plate211according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer toFIGS. 8A and 8Jat the same time. In the illustrated fifth embodiment, the pump28is arranged in the flow-out zone21131bof the first water chamber21131, and the part of the first flow passage21151that is distributed in the flow-out zone21131bis a flow guiding structure taking the position of the pump28into consideration, in order to correctly guide the working fluid that is driven by the pump28to flow. It is noted at least one fluid storing space is provided in the first water chamber21131without being occupied by the first flow passage21151, and the working fluid can be stored in the fluid storing space. In the illustrated fifth embodiment, a space in the flow-in zone21131aof the first water chamber21131that is not occupied by the first flow passage21151is used as a first fluid storing space2119a, and a space in the flow-out zone21131bof the first water chamber21131that is not occupied by the first flow passage21151is used as a second fluid storing space2119b.

Please refer toFIGS. 8E to 8Gthat illustrate different examples of flow passage arrangements that can be provided on the first partition member2116and the second partition member2126in the fifth embodiment of the present invention and different variants thereof. As shown inFIG. 8G, according to an operable variant of the fifth embodiment, a second flow passage21152is further provided on another side of the first partition member2116facing toward the second water chamber21132. According to another operable variant of the fifth embodiment, a third flow passage21251is further provided on one side of the second partition member2126facing toward the third water chamber21231, as shown inFIG. 8F. According to a further operable variant of the fifth embodiment, a fourth flow passage21252is further provided on another side of the second partition member2126facing toward the fourth water chamber21232, as shown inFIGS. 8E and 8G. The second, third and fourth flow passages21152,21251,21252are structurally similar to the first flow passage21151. The provision of the second flow passage21152increases the time for the working fluid to flow in the second water chamber21132; the provision of the third flow passage21251increases the time for the working fluid to flow in the third water chamber21231; and the provision of the fourth flow passage21252increases the time for the working fluid to flow in the fourth water chamber21232. Meanwhile, the first and second flow passages21151,21152enable increased time for the working fluid in the first water chamber21131to exchange heat with the working fluid in the second water chamber21132, and the third and fourth flow passages21251,21252enable increased time for the working fluid in the third water chamber21231to exchange heat with the working fluid in the fourth water chamber21232.

In the first variant of the fifth embodiment shown inFIG. 8D, heat carried by the working fluid is transferred to the first top plate member2111and the first bottom plate member2112of the first water-receiving plate211, and is finally dissipated into ambient air from the first, second and third radiating fin assemblies261,262,263.

Please refer toFIGS. 8H and 8Ithat illustrate different examples of pump arrangements for the fifth embodiment of the present invention and different variants thereof. InFIG. 8H, the pump28is arranged at the water outlet2114of the first water-receiving plate211. On the other hand, inFIG. 8I, the pump28is arranged at the water inlet2118of the first water-receiving plate211. It is noted, in the water inlet2118or the water outlet2114, a flow guiding structure corresponding to the pump28is provided to guide the working fluid driven by the pump28to flow through the water inlet2118or the water outlet2114.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bare exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a second variant of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, characterized by having a water block unit30connected thereto. Please refer toFIGS. 9A and 9Balong withFIGS. 8A to 8C. The water-cooling radiator unit21is fluid-communicably connected to the water block unit30via the at least one water inlet2118and the at least one water outlet2114provided on the first water chamber21131of the first water-receiving plate211. The water block unit30is in contact with at least one heat-producing element. The working fluid left the first water-receiving plate211via the water outlet2114flows into the water block unit30to exchange heat with the heat-producing element before it flows out of the water block unit30into the first water-receiving plate211via the water inlet2118, and heat carried by the working fluid is dissipated into ambient air from the water-cooling radiator unit21.

FIGS. 9C and 9Dare exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of a third variant of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is a combination of the first and second variants of the fifth embodiment and further includes a protection unit48and at least one fan50. According to the third variant of the fifth embodiment, after the working fluid has flowed into the water-cooling radiator unit21, heat carried by the working fluid is transferred to the first water-receiving plate211and the second water-receiving plate212and is finally dissipated into ambient air from the first, the second and the third radiating fin assembly261,262,263. The protection unit48can be, for example, in the form of a cover consisting of a first protection part481and a second protection part482, which protectively cover the water-cooling radiator unit21to protect the first water-receiving plate211, the second water-receiving plate212, the first radiating fin assembly261, the second radiating fin assembly262and the third radiating fin assembly263against dust and damage. The at least one fan50can be optionally connected to the protection unit48with an air outlet of the fan50facing toward the water-cooling radiator unit21to produce airflows against the first and second water-receiving plates211,212as well as the first, second and third radiating fin assemblies261,262,263to enable an enhanced heat dissipation effect.

The above-described first and second water-receiving plates211,212as well as the first, second, third and fourth communicating elements271,272,273,274can be made of gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium, aluminum or stainless steel or any alloy of these metals. Among others, titanium has high metal strength and low weight as well as good heat transfer efficiency to enable effectively upgraded heat dissipation effect and reduced overall weight of the water-cooling radiator structure.

With the above arrangements, the embodiments of the present invention and the variants thereof can provide desired heat dissipation effect and solve the problems in the prior art water-cooling radiator structure.