Patent Publication Number: US-2016227668-A1

Title: Cooling module and heat sink

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a heat sink, more particularly to a cooling module and a heat sink. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With today&#39;s technology, a large amount of electronic components can be installed on a motherboard densely. The motherboard of an industrial computer, for example, is with multiple CPUs (Central Processing Units) installed thereon and arranged side by side and with multiple memory slots arranged on two sides of the CPU. This may improve the performance and expansion capability of the motherboard. 
     However, the trend of today&#39;s motherboards is to manufacture them as small as possible. This makes the CPUs and the memory slots be arranged even more densely. Closely arranged CPUs lead to an issue of heat dissipation which affects the operation of CPUs negatively. Thus, it is important to find a way to install a heat sink on the motherboard with these densely arranged electronic components. 
     The objective of the disclosure is to provide an improved design capable of solving the problems mentioned above. 
     SUMMARY 
     The goal of this disclosure is to provide an improved cooling module and a heat sink. In the ideal cooling module and heat sink, the base and the removable air guide member may be assembled together and be disassembled. This enables the cooling module and the heat sink to be installed on the motherboard with electronic components arranged densely. Moreover, the base and the removable air guide member are able to guide airflow into the air guide channel so that the cooling module and the heat sink receive maximum airflow. 
     To reach the goal, a heat sink is provided and it comprises a base and a removable air guide member. The base comprises a thermal plate and two air guide plates fixed to opposite two sides of the thermal plate. An air guide channel is formed between the thermal plate and the two air guide plates. The plurality of fins is connected to the thermal plate. One end of each of the air guide plates bends and extends to form a windshield while another end has a connection portion. The removable air guide member is detachably connected to the base. The removable air guide member comprises two vertical plates. One end of each of the vertical plates is connected to the connection portion while another end bends outward and extends to form a horizontal plate 
     Moreover, a cooling module comprises two bases and a removable air guide member. Each of the bases comprises a thermal plate and two air guide plates fixed to opposite two sides of the thermal plate. An air guide channel is formed between the thermal plate and the two air guide plates. A plurality of first fins is connected to one of the thermal plates while a plurality of second fins is connected to the other thermal plate. One end of each of the air guide plates bends outward and extends to form a windshield. Another end of one of the two opposite air guide plates has a connection portion correspondingly. The removable air guide member is disposed between the two bases. The removable air guide member comprises two vertical plates. One end of each of the vertical plates is connected to the connection portion while another end bends outward and extends to form a horizontal plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the drawings given herein below for illustration only, and thus does not limit the disclosure, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a heat sink according to a first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the assembly of the heat sink according to the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the assembly of the heat sink according to the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a heat sink according to a second embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a heat sink according to a third embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a heat sink according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a heat sink according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a heat sink according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a heat sink according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a cooling module according to the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the assembly of the cooling module according to the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view of the cooling module in use according to the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is another schematic view of the cooling module in use according to the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is still another schematic view of the cooling module in use according to the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view of a cooling module in use according to the second embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic view of a cooling module in use according to the third embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the cooling module according to the eighth embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the cooling module according to the eighth embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the cooling module according to the ninth embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the cooling module according to the ninth embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the disclosure relates to a heat sink  10  comprising a base  1  and a removable air guide member  2 . 
     The base  1  comprises a thermal plate  11  and two air guide plates  12  fixed to opposite two sides of the thermal plate  11 . An air guide channel  13  is formed between the thermal plate  11  and the two air guide plates  12 . A plurality of fins  111  is connected to the thermal plate  11 . One end of each air guide plate  12  bends outward and forms a windshield  121  while another end has a connection portion  122 . 
     Specifically, each connection portion  122  comprises a fastening groove  123  formed on the air guide plate  12  and each fin  111  is disposed in the air guide channel  13 . The angle θ 1  between each air guide plate  12  and the windshield  121  ranges from 90 degrees to 150 degrees. In this embodiment, the angle θ 1  between each air guide plate  12  and the windshield  121  is 90 degrees, but it is not limited thereto. 
     The removable air guide member  2  is detachably connected to the base  1  and comprises two vertical plates  21 . One end of each vertical plate  21  is connected to the connection portion  122  while the other end bends outward and extends to form a horizontal plate  22 . 
     Furthermore, the removable air guide member  2  comprises a crossbar  23  and two vertical plates  21  are fixed to two ends of the crossbar  23 . The top portion  211  of each vertical plate  21  extends and folds to form an elastic sheet  212 . Each elastic sheet  212  has a protruding portion  213  and each protruding portion  213  is fastened with each fastening groove  123 . Additionally, the angle θ 2  between each vertical plate  21  and the horizontal plate  22  is 90 degrees. 
     In the assembly of the heat sink  10 , the base  1  comprises the thermal plate  11  and the air guide plates  12  fixed to opposite two sides of the thermal plate  11 ; the air guide channel  13  is formed between the thermal plate  11  and two air guide plates  12 ; the plurality of fins  111  is connected to the thermal plate  11 ; one end of each air guide plate  12  bends outward and forms the windshield  121  while another end has the connection portion  122 ; the removable air guide member  2  is detachably connected to the base  1  and comprises two vertical plates  21 ; one end of each vertical plate  21  is connected to the connection portion  122  while the other end bends outward and extends to form the horizontal plate  22 . Thereby, the base  1  and the removable air guide member  2  may be assembled together and be disassembled. This enables the heat sink  10  to be installed on the motherboard with electronic components arranged densely. Moreover, the base  1  and the removable air guide member  2  are able to guide airflow into the air guide channel  13  so that the heat sink  10  receives maximum airflow, thereby improving the efficiency of heat dissipation regarding the heat sink  10 . 
     Additionally, the shape of the heat sink  10  is similar to a plate. In other words, the heat sink  10  is thin and may be fixed to most places (e.g. on a motherboard or a computer case). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6 , the heat sinks  10  of the second, third and fourth embodiments are similar to that of the first embodiment but they further comprise a heat pipe  3 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the heat sink  10  of the second embodiment. In  FIG. 4 , the thermal plate  11  has a top surface  112 . A recessed groove  14  is formed on the top surface  112  while the heat pipe  3  is mounted on the recessed groove  14 .  FIG. 5  shows the heat sink  10  of the third embodiment. In  FIG. 5 , the thermal plate  11  has a bottom surface  113 . A recessed groove  14 ′ is formed on the bottom surface  113  and the heat pipe  3  is mounted on the recessed groove  14 ′.  FIG. 6  shows the heat sink  10  of the fourth embodiment. In  FIG. 6 , the thermal plate  11  has a top surface  112  and a bottom surface  113 . A through groove  15  penetrating the top surface  112  and the bottom surface  113  is formed on the thermal plate  11 . The heat pipe  3  is mounted on the through groove  15 . Since the heat pipe  3  is mounted on the thermal plate  11 , the efficiency of heat dissipation regarding the heat sink  10  is improved. 
     As seen in  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 9 , the heat sinks  10  of the fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments are similar to that of the first embodiment but they further comprise a vapor chamber  4 . 
     Specifically,  FIG. 7  shows the heat sink  10  of the fifth embodiment. In  FIG. 4 , the thermal plate  11  has a top surface  112 . A recessed groove  14  is formed on the top surface  112  while the vapor chamber  4  is mounted on the recessed groove  14 .  FIG. 8  shows the heat sink  10  of the sixth embodiment. In  FIG. 8 , the thermal plate  11  has a bottom surface  113 . A recessed groove  14 ′ is formed on the bottom surface  113  and the vapor chamber  4  is mounted on the recessed groove  14 ′.  FIG. 9  shows the heat sink  10  of the seventh embodiment. In  FIG. 9 , the thermal plate  11  has a top surface  112  and a bottom surface  113 . A through groove  15  penetrating the top surface  112  and the bottom surface  113  is formed on the thermal plate  11 . The vapor chamber  4  is mounted on the through groove  15 . Since the vapor chamber  4  is mounted on the thermal plate  11 , the efficiency of heat dissipation of the heat sink  10  is improved. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 14 , the disclosure provides a cooling module. The cooling module  100  comprises two bases  1  and a removable air guide member  2 . 
     Each base  1  comprises a thermal plate  11  and two air guide plates  12  fixed to and connected with opposite two sides of the thermal plate  11 . An air guide channel  13  is formed between the thermal plate  11  and the two air guide plates  12 . A plurality of first fins  111 ′ is connected to one of the thermal plate  11  while a plurality of second fins  111 ″ is connected to the other thermal plate  11 . One end of each air guide plate  12  bends outward and extends to form a windshield  121 . The other end of one of the two air guide plates  12  has a connection portion  122  correspondingly. 
     Specifically, each connection portion  122  comprises a fastening groove  123  formed on the air guide plate  12 . Each first fin  111  and each second fin  111 ″ are disposed in the air guide channel  13 . The angle θ 1  between each air guide plate  12  and the windshield  121  ranges from 90 degrees to 150 degrees. In this embodiment, the angle θ 1  between each air guide plate  12  and the windshield  121  is 90 degrees for the best performance, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     Additionally, one of the thermal plates  11  has a first top surface  112 ′. Each first fin  111 ′ is connected to a part of the first top surface  112 ′. The first top surface  112 ′ forms a no fin area between each first fin  111 ′ and one of the air guide plate  12 . The other thermal plate  11  has a second top surface  112 ″ and each second fin  111 ″ is connected to the whole second top surface  112 ″. 
     The removable air guide member  2  is disposed between the two bases  1  and comprises two vertical plates  21 . One end of each vertical plate  21  is connected with the connection portion  122  while the other end bends outward and extends to form a horizontal plate  22 . 
     Moreover, the removable air guide member  2  comprises a crossbar  23  and two vertical plates  21  are fixed to two ends of the crossbar  23 . Top portion  211  of each vertical plate  21  extends and folds to form an elastic sheet  212 . Each elastic sheet  212  has a protruding portion  213  and each protruding portion  213  is fastened with each fastening groove  123 . Additionally, the angle θ 2  between each vertical plate  21  and the horizontal plate  22  is 90 degrees. 
     In the assembly of the cooling module  100  of the disclosure, the base  1  comprises the thermal plate  11  and the air guide plates  12  fixed to opposite two sides of the thermal plate  11 ; the air guide channel  13  is formed between the thermal plate  11  and two air guide plates  12 ; each first fin  111 ′ is connected to one of the thermal plate  11  while each second fin  111 ″ is connected to the other thermal plate  11 ; one end of each air guide plate  12  bends outward and extends to form the windshield  121 ; the other end of one of the two air guide plates  12  has the connection portion  122  correspondingly; the removable air guide member  2  is disposed between the two bases  1  and comprises vertical plates  21 ; one end of each vertical plate  21  is connected with the connection portion  122  while the other end bends outward and extends to form the horizontal plate  22 . Thereby, the base  1  and the removable air guide member  2  may be assembled together and be disassembled. This enables cooling module  100  to be installed on the motherboard with electronic components arranged densely. Moreover, the base  1  and the removable air guide member  2  are able to guide airflow into the air guide channel  13  so that the cooling module  100  receives maximum airflow, thereby improving the efficiency of heat dissipation regarding the cooling module  100 . 
     The usage state of the cooling module involves a motherboard  200  and a fan  300 . The motherboard  200  comprises a circuit board  201 , two CPUs  202  arranged side by side on the circuit board  201  and four memory slots disposed on two sides of each CPU  202 . Two ends of each memory slot  203  have two plates  204  while the fan  300  and the motherboard  200  are arranged correspondingly. 
     Firstly, as seen in  FIG. 10 , the two bases  1  are fixed to the top of each CPU  202  and between the two memory slots  203 . The windshield  121  is arranged along the outside of the memory slot  203 . 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 11 , the removable air guide member  2  is disposed between the two bases  1  while each protruding portion  213  is fastened with each fastening groove  123 . Thereby, each vertical plate  21  is detachably connected to the connection portion  122  and the two horizontal plates  22  are disposed between each two memory slots  203 . 
     Lastly, referring to  FIG. 12 , the fan  300  and the air guide channel  13  are arranged correspondingly while the windshield  121  and the removable air guide member  2  fill in the gap between each memory slot  203 . Thereby, airflow is reliably guided to the air guide channel  13  and heat of the CPU  202  is transferred to the first fins  111 ′ as well as the second fins  111 ″ by airflow and then be dissipated to the outside. 
     Additionally, as seen in  FIG. 13 , nowadays the motherboard  200  is manufactured as small as possible so the CPUs  202  and the memory slots  203  are arranged densely. As a result, the gap between the memory slots  203  is approximately equal to the width of the horizontal plate  22  so the plate  204  is unable to be turned and be moved. Nonetheless, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the removable air guide member  2  and the base  1  can be assembled together and be disassembled. Hence, the plate  204  can be moved and be utilized normally by removing the removable air guide member  2  from the base  1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the fan  300  may be arranged near the first fins  111 ′ or near the second fins  111 ″ so it is not limited to the arrangement illustrated in this embodiment. Nonetheless, no matter where the fan  300  is disposed (namely either near the first fins  111 ′ or near the second fins  111 ″), it will generate airflow blowing from the first fns  111 ′ to the second fins  111 ″. Consequently, the first top surface  112 ′ forms a no fin area  16  between each first fin  111 ′ and one of the thermal plate  12 , which enables airflow to go from the first fins  111 ′ to the second fins  111 ″. This improves the performance of air guide and heat dissipation regarding the cooling module  100 . 
     Similarly, the second top surface  112 ″ forms a no fin area between each second fin  111 ″ and one of the thermal plates  12  when the fan  300  generates airflow going from the second fins  111 ″ to the first fins  111 ′. This ensures airflow going from the second fins  111 ″ to the first fins  111 ′. 
       FIG. 15  shows the cooling module  100  of the second embodiment which is similar to that of the first embodiment but with different locations in terms of the no fin area  16 ′. 
     Specifically, the fan  300  generates airflow going from the first fins  111 ′ to the second fins  111 ″ so each first fin  111 ′ is connected to two sides of the first top surface  112 ′ and the first top surface  112 ′ forms the no fin area  16 ′ between each first fin  111 ′. Besides, each second fin  111 ″ is connected to the whole second top surface  112 ″. This ensures that airflow is able to go from the first fins  111 ′ to the second fins  111 ″. 
     Similarly, the second top surface  112 ″ also forms a no fin area between each second fin  111 ″ and one of the thermal plates  12  when the fan  300  generates airflow going from the second fins  111 ″ to the first fins  111 ′. This ensures airflow going from the second fins  111 ″ to the first fins  111 ′. 
       FIG. 16  shows the cooling module  100  of the third embodiment which is similar to that of the first embodiment but it has a distance a between each first fin  111 ′ greater than a distance b between each second fin  111 ″. 
     Specifically, the fan  300  generates airflow going from the first fins  111 ; to the second fins  111 ″. Thus, each first fin  111 ′ is arranged at intervals and connected to the whole first top surface  112 ′ while each second fin  111 ″ is arranged at intervals and connected to the whole second top surface  112 ″. The distance a between the adjacent two first fins  111 ′ is greater than the distance b between the adjacent two second fins  111 ″. This ensures that airflow goes from the first fins  111 ′ to the second fins  111 ″. 
     Similarly, the distance a between the adjacent two first fins  111 ′ is less than the distance b between the adjacent two second fins  111 ″ when the fan  300  generates airflow going from the second fin  111 ″ to the first fin  111 ′. This ensures that airflow goes from the second fins  111 ″ to the first fins  111 ′. 
       FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18  show the heat sink  10  of the eighth embodiment which is similar to that of the first embodiment but the removable air guide member  2  is fixed to the base  1  by locking. 
     Specifically, the heat sink  10  further comprises a fixing member  5  (e.g. a screw or a fastener). The crossbar  23  extends and forms a protruding piece  231  with a through hole  232  formed thereon. A fixing hole  114  is formed on the thermal plate  11 . The fixing member  5  goes through and is fixed to the through hole  232  as well as the fixing hole  114  so that the removable air guide member  2  is fixed to the base  1  by locking. 
     Furthermore, as seen in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , each connection portion  122  may comprise the fastening groove  123  formed on the air guide plate  12 . As shown in  FIG. 17  to  FIG. 18 , each connection portion  122  may also comprise the mounting groove  125  formed downwardly on the top edge  124  of the air guide plate  12 . The top portion  211  of each vertical plate  21  extends and folds to form a barb  214  while each barb  214  and each mounting groove  125  are mounted together. 
       FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20  show the heat sink  10  of the ninth embodiment which is similar to that of the first embodiment but the base  1  of this embodiment further comprises two auxiliary air guide plates  17 . 
     Specifically, two auxiliary air guide plates  17  are fixed to opposite two sides of the thermal plate  11  while the two auxiliary air guide plates  17  and the two air guide plates  12  are spaced apart and are arranged side by side. Thereby, the two auxiliary air guide plates  17  and the two air guide plates  12  are on the front side, the rear side, the left side and the right side. Since the two auxiliary air guide plates  17  and the two air guide plates  12  are separated from each other, an opening is therefore between them. The removable air guide member  2  is disposed between the two auxiliary air guide plates  17  and the two air guide plates  12  for covering the opening between the two auxiliary air guide plates  17  and the two air guide plates  12 . As a result, the base  1  and the removable air guide member  2  are able to guide airflow into the air guide channel  13  such that the heat sink  10  receives maximum airflow, which improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat sink  10 .