Abstract:
A heat dissipation mechanism for handheld electronic apparatus includes a thin metal sheet having spaced integral clamping plates, and one or multiple heat pipes attached to the clamping plates and secured thereto. After insertion of each heat pipe into the clamping plates, the clamping plates are deformed to wrap about the loaded heat pipe(s).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (a) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to heat dissipation technology, and more particularly to a heat dissipation mechanism for handhold electronic apparatus, which comprises a thin metal sheet and at least one heat pipe joined to the thin metal sheet. 
         [0003]    (b) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    With rapid progress of technology, many different handheld electronic apparatuses, such as cell phone, notebook computer, tablet computer, iPad, PDA, GPS etc., have been continuously created. These advanced handheld electronic apparatuses have the characteristics of low profile, light weight and compact size. Further, due to high operating speed, the internal CPU and other IC components of these advanced handheld electronic apparatuses generate a large amount of waste heat during operation. Such waste heat must be quickly dissipated to ensure normal functioning of the heat emitting component and to sustain its lifespan. 
         [0005]    In order to fit the low-profile characteristic of a handheld electronic apparatus, conventional heat dissipation mechanisms commonly comprise a thin metal sheet for directly bonding to a CPU or heat-emitting component of a handheld electronic apparatus for heat dissipation. This technique has low heat dissipation performance and cannot dissipate heat rapidly. Waste heat can easily be accumulated in the handheld electronic apparatus, causing system halt or component damage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a heat dissipation mechanism for handheld electronic apparatus. The heat dissipation mechanism comprises a thin metal sheet and at least one heat pipe mounted at the thin metal sheet. The thin metal sheet comprises a plurality of integral clamping plates adapted for receiving the at least one heat pipe. Each clamping plate has at least one of two opposite lateral sides thereof deformable to wrap about one heat pipe. After installation of the heat dissipation mechanism in a handheld electronic apparatus, the heat absorbing end of each heat pipe is kept in contact with a heat-emitting component of the handheld electronic apparatus, enabling heat to be rapidly carried away from the heat-emitting component. Thus, the heat dissipation mechanism enhances the heat dissipation performance of the handheld electronic apparatus, avoiding damage to the handheld electronic apparatus or its components. 
         [0007]    Further, after insertion of each heat pipe in the clamping plates, a stamping technique is employed to deform one or two opposite sides of each of all the clamping plates, causing the clamping plates to wrap about the loaded heat pipe(s). Thus, the heat dissipation mechanism is easy to fabricate, and its cost is low. Further, the heat pipe(s) can be tightly secured to the thin metal sheet by the clamping plates without welding. 
         [0008]    Further, the clamping plates can be made to have a U-shaped cross section. Thus, each clamping plate defines therein an accommodation space for accommodating one heat pipe. After loading of the heat pipe(s) in the clamping plates, the clamping plates are deformed to wrap about the heat pipe(s), securing the heat pipe(s) firmly to the thin metal sheet. 
         [0009]    Further, the heat pipe can be a straight heat pipe, an angled heat pipe, a U-shaped heat pipe, or a flat heat pipe. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a heat dissipation mechanism for handheld electronic apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the heat pipe loaded prior to deformation of the clamping plates. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view in an enlarged scale of a part of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the heat pipe set in the clamping plates. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  corresponds to  FIG. 2 , illustrating the clamping plates after they are deformed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  corresponds to  FIG. 3 , illustrating the clamping plates after they are deformed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view illustrating the use of the heat dissipation mechanism for handheld electronic apparatus in a cell phone in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a heat dissipation mechanism for handheld electronic apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a heat dissipation mechanism for handheld electronic apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a heat dissipation mechanism for handheld electronic apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a heat dissipation mechanism for handheld electronic apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a heat dissipation mechanism for handhold electronic apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. As illustrated, the heat dissipation mechanism comprises a thin metal sheet  1  and a heat pipe  2 . 
         [0021]    The thin metal sheet  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is a metal sheet having high heat transfer capability. The thin metal sheet  1  is stamped or machined to provide a set of clamping plates  11  arranged in a line for securing the heat pipe  2 . 
         [0022]    The heat pipe  2  is a flat pipe insertable into the clamping plates  11  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0023]    After insertion of the heat pipe  2  into the clamping plates  11 , one side or two opposite sides of each clamping plate  11  are deformed (in the direction shown in  FIG. 3 ) and wrapped about the heat pipe  2  (see  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in one application example of the present invention, the heat dissipation mechanism is used in a cell phone. As illustrated, the cell phone comprises a top cover  31 , a bottom cover  32 , a circuit board  33  set in between the top cover  31  and the bottom cover  32  and carrying a heat-emitting component  331  (for example, CPU). The heat dissipation mechanism is set between the circuit board  33  and the bottom cover  32  to keep the heat absorbing end of the heat pipe  2  in direct contact with the heat-emitting component  331 . Thus, the heat pipe  2  can absorb heat from the heat-emitting component  331  and transfer absorbed heat to the thin metal sheet  1  for quick dissipation, preventing accumulation of waste heat in the cell phone. Thus, the use of the heat dissipation mechanism enhances the heat dissipation performance of the cell phone, avoiding damage to the cell phone or its components. 
         [0025]    Further, the clamping plates  11  of the thin metal sheet  1  have a substantially U-shaped cross section, defining therein an accommodation space for accommodating the heat pipe  2 . After loading of the heat pipe  2  in the clamping plates  11 , the clamping plates  11  are deformed to wrap about the heat pipe  2 , securing the heat pipe  2  firmly to the thin metal sheet  1 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  illustrates a heat dissipation mechanism for handhold electronic apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception that two heat pipes  2  are respectively mounted in two sets of clamping plates  11  near two opposite lateral sides of the thin metal sheet  1 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 8  illustrates a heat dissipation mechanism for handhold electronic apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception that the heat pipe  2   a  is an angled pipe secured to the thin metal sheet  1  by the clamping plates  11 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 9  illustrates a heat dissipation mechanism for handhold electronic apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This fourth embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid third embodiment with the exception that two angled heat pipes  2  are respectively mounted in two sets of clamping plates  11  in two diagonal corners of the thin metal sheet  1 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 10  illustrates a heat dissipation mechanism for handhold electronic apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This fifth embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception that the heat pipe  2   b  is a substantially U-shaped pipe mounted in the clamping plates  11  and extending along three adjacent sides of the thin metal sheet  1 . 
         [0030]    Further, the shape, size and distribution of the clamping plates  11  of the thin metal sheet  1  can be changed to fit different designs of heat pipes  2 ,  2   a,    2   b.    
         [0031]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.