Patent Publication Number: US-2023164946-A1

Title: Cold plate module

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Taiwanese Application Serial Number 110213961 filed Nov. 25, 2021, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to cold plate modules. 
     Description of Related Art 
     With the improvement of living qualities nowadays, the demand of people for computer equipment has also been increasing. Correspondingly, in order to fulfill the increasing demand of consumers, the manufacturers have been working hard to improve the computer equipment. 
     Apart from improving the operational efficiency of computer equipment, for example, the approach to further strengthening the internal structure of computer equipment is undoubtedly an important issue which the industry highly concerns. 
     SUMMARY 
     A technical aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a cold plate module, which can avoid from being deformed or damaged when experiencing an impact or a vibration. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cold plate module includes a cold plate, a structural piece and a plurality of first connecting pieces. The cold plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface is configured to abut against a heat source disposed on a main board. The structural piece has a third surface configured to abut against the second surface. The first connecting pieces are configured to penetrate through the structural piece and connect with the main board to fix the structural piece relative to the main board. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the structural piece includes a plate body, a plurality of connecting portions and a plurality of bending portions. The third surface is located on the plate body. Each of the connecting portions has a fourth surface configured to face to the main board. The first connecting pieces are configured to penetrate through the connecting portions and connect with the main board. The fourth surfaces and the third surface have a height difference. The bending portions are respectively connected between the plate body and a corresponding one of the connecting portions. The plate body is located between the bending portions. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate body, the connecting portions and the bending portions are an integrally formed structure. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cold plate module further includes a plurality of elastic elements. The elastic elements are respectively and elastically connected between a corresponding one of the connecting portions and a corresponding one of the first connecting pieces. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the main board has a plurality of first screw holes. Each of the connecting portions has a plurality of first through holes corresponding to the first screw holes. Each of the first connecting pieces is a screw configured to penetrate through a corresponding one of the first through holes and couple with a corresponding one of the first screw holes. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cold plate module further includes a plurality of second connecting pieces. The second connecting pieces are configured to penetrate through the plate body and connect with the cold plate to fix the plate body relative to the cold plate. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cold plate has a plurality of second screw holes. The plate body has a plurality of second through holes corresponding to the second screw holes. Each of the second connecting pieces is a screw configured to penetrate through a corresponding one of the second through holes and couple with a corresponding one of the second screw holes. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate body has a plurality of third through holes. The cold plate includes a main body, an inlet port and an outlet port. The first surface and the second surface are located on the main body. The inlet port and the outlet port are respectively connected with the second surface and respectively penetrate through a corresponding one of the third through holes. The inlet port is configured to allow a cooling liquid to flow into the main body. The outlet port is configured to allow the cooling liquid to flow out from the main body. The cold plate module further includes a first connecting port and a second connecting port. The first connecting port is connected with the inlet port and is configured to connect to a cooling liquid supplying source. The second connecting port is connected with the outlet port and is configured to connect to a cooling liquid collector. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate body has a plurality of inner edges defining the third through holes. An outer edge of the inlet port and an outer edge of the outlet port are respectively and at least partially connected with a corresponding one of the inner edges. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the bending portions are separated from each other. The connecting portions are separated from each other. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cold plate module includes a cold plate, a bent structural piece and a plurality of first connecting pieces. The cold plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface is configured to abut against a heat source disposed on a main board. The bent structural piece has a third surface and a plurality of fourth surfaces. The third surface is located between the fourth surfaces. The third surface is configured to abut against the second surface. The fourth surfaces are configured to be closer to the main board than the third surface to the main board. The first connecting pieces are configured to penetrate through the fourth surfaces and connect with the main board to abut the cold plate against the heat source by the bent structural piece through fixing the bent structural piece relative to the main board. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the bent structural piece includes a plate body, a plurality of connecting portions and a plurality of bending portions. The third surface is located on the plate body. The fourth surfaces are respectively located on a corresponding one of the connecting portions. The fourth surfaces face to the main board. The first connecting pieces are configured to penetrate through the connecting portions. The bending portions are respectively connected between the plate body and a corresponding one of the connecting portions. The plate body is located between the bending portions. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate body, the connecting portions and the bending portions are integrally formed. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cold plate module further includes a plurality of elastic elements. The elastic elements are respectively and elastically connected between a corresponding one of the connecting portions and a corresponding one of the first connecting pieces. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the main board has a plurality of first screw holes. Each of the connecting portions has a plurality of first through holes corresponding to the first screw holes. Each of the first connecting pieces is a screw configured to penetrate through a corresponding one of the first through holes and couple with a corresponding one of the first screw holes. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cold plate module further includes a plurality of second connecting pieces. The second connecting pieces are configured to penetrate through the plate body and connect with the cold plate to fix the bent structural piece relative to the cold plate. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cold plate has a plurality of second screw holes. The plate body has a plurality of second through holes corresponding to the second screw holes. Each of the second connecting pieces is a screw configured to penetrate through a corresponding one of the second through holes and couple with a corresponding one of the second screw holes. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate body has a plurality of third through holes. The cold plate includes a main body, an inlet port and an outlet port. The first surface and the second surface are located on the main body. The inlet port and the outlet port are respectively connected with the second surface. The inlet port and the outlet port respectively penetrate through a corresponding one of the third through holes. The inlet port is configured to allow a cooling liquid to flow into the main body. The outlet port is configured to allow the cooling liquid to flow out from the main body. The cold plate module further includes a first connecting port and a second connecting port. The first connecting port is connected with the inlet port and configured to connect to a cooling liquid supplying source. The second connecting port is connected with the outlet port and configured to connect to a cooling liquid collector. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate body has a plurality of inner edges defining the third through holes. An outer edge of the inlet port and an outer edge of the outlet port are respectively and at least partially connected with a corresponding one of the inner edges. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the bending portions are separated from each other. The connecting portions are separated from each other. 
     The above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure have at least the following advantages: 
     (1) As the bending portions are connected between the plate body and the connecting portions, the fourth surfaces of the connecting portions and the third surface of the structural piece have a height difference. In other words, the fourth surfaces of the connecting portions and the third surface of the structural piece are not located on the same height level. In this way, the structural piece has a reinforced moment of inertia. This means the structural piece has a good structural strength and is uneasy to be deformed. 
     (2) Since the structural piece has a good structural strength, when the cold plate module or the main board experiences an impact or a vibration, the structural piece is uneasy to be deformed and the structural piece can maintain its original shape. In this way, thanks to the structural strength of the structural piece, the cold plate abutting against the third surface of the structural piece will not be deformed under an impact or a vibration. Thus, the shape of the cold plate can be effectively maintained. In other words, the cold plate is uneasy to be damaged when the cold plate module or the main board experiences an impact or a vibration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view of a cold plate module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the cold plate module of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic bottom view of the structural piece of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view along the sectional line A-A of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view along the sectional line B-B of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Drawings will be used below to disclose embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of clear illustration, many practical details will be explained together in the description below. However, it is appreciated that the practical details should not be used to limit the claimed scope. In other words, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the practical details are not essential. Moreover, for the sake of drawing simplification, some customary structures and elements in the drawings will be schematically shown in a simplified way. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS.  1 - 2   .  FIG.  1    is a schematic view of a cold plate module  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the cold plate module  100  of  FIG.  1   . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , a cold plate module  100  includes a cold plate  110  (please see  FIG.  2   ), a structural piece  120  and a plurality of first connecting pieces  130 . The cold plate  110  is configured to abut against a heat source  200  (please see  FIG.  2   ) in order to carry out heat dissipation to the heat source  200  by transferring the heat energy of the heat source  200  away. For example, the heat source  200  can be a chip or a die, which is disposed on a main board  300  of an electronic device. For example, the main board  300  can be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) board. However, this does not intend to limit the present disclosure. The structural piece  120  is configured to abut against and connect with the cold plate  110 . The first connecting pieces  130  penetrate through the structural piece  120  and connect with the main board  300 , so as to firmly fix the structural piece  120  together with the cold plate  110  on the heat source  200 . It is worth to note that, in this embodiment, the cold plate  110  is located between the structural piece  120  and the heat source  200 , while the structural piece  120  and the cold plate  110  are detachable from each other. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  3   .  FIG.  3    is a schematic bottom view of the structural piece  120  of  FIG.  1   . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the structural piece  120  includes a plate body  122 , a plurality of connecting portions  123  and a plurality of bending portions  125 . The structural piece  120  has a third surface  121 . The third surface  121  is located on the plate body  122  and is configured to abut against the cold plate  110 . Each of the connecting portions  123  has a fourth surface  124 . The fourth surfaces  124  are configured to face to the main board  300 . The first connecting pieces  130  are configured to penetrate through the connecting portions  123  of the structural piece  120  and connect with the main board  300 , so as to firmly fix the structural piece  120  together with the cold plate  110  on the heat source  200 . The bending portions  125  are respectively connected between the plate body  122  and the corresponding connecting portion  123 . The plate body  122  is connected between the bending portions  125 . 
     In practical applications, the plate body  122 , the connecting portions  123  and the bending portions  125  are an integrally formed structure. Thus, the structural piece  120  has a better structural strength. 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the quantities of the bending portions  125  and the connecting portions  123  of the structural piece  120  are both two. The bending portions  125  and the connecting portions  123  are both located on two opposite sides of the plate body  122 . In other words, the bending portions  125  are separated from each other, and the connecting portions  123  are also separated from each other. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  4   .  FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view along the sectional line A-A of  FIG.  1   . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the cold plate  110  has a first surface  111  and a second surface  112  opposite to the first surface  111 . The first surface  111  of the cold plate  110  is configured to abut against the heat source  200  disposed on the main board  300 . The third surface  121  of the structural piece  120  is configured to abut against the second surface  112  of the cold plate  110 . Thus, the cold plate  110  is located between the structural piece  120  and the heat source  200 . The fourth surfaces  124  of the connecting portions  123  and the main board  300  have a gap G therebetween. Thus, the cold plate  110  can be tightly clamped between the structural piece  120  and the heat source  200 . It is worth to note that, as the bending portions  125  are connected between the plate body  122  and the connecting portions  123 , the fourth surfaces  124  of the connecting portions  123  and the third surface  121  of the structural piece  120  have a height difference HD. In other words, the fourth surfaces  124  of the connecting portions  123  and the third surface  121  of the structural piece  120  are not located on the same height level. In this way, the structural piece  120  has a reinforced moment of inertia. This means the structural piece  120  has a good structural strength and is uneasy to be deformed. 
     Since the structural piece  120  has a good structural strength, when the cold plate module  100  or the main board  300  experiences an impact or a vibration, the structural piece  120  is uneasy to be deformed and the structural piece  120  can maintain its original shape. In this way, due to the structural strength of the structural piece  120 , the cold plate  110  abutting against the third surface  121  of the structural piece  120  will not be deformed under an impact or a vibration. Thus, the shape of the cold plate  110  can be effectively maintained. In other words, the cold plate  110  is uneasy to be damaged when the cold plate module  100  or the main board  300  experiences an impact or a vibration. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  5   .  FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view along the sectional line B-B of  FIG.  1   . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the first connecting pieces  130  are configured to penetrate through the connecting portions  123  of the structural piece  120  and connect with the main board  300  to fix the structural piece  120  relative to the main board  300 . Thus, the structural piece  120  together with the cold plate  110  can be firmly fixed on the heat source  200 . 
     To be more specific, as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  5   , the main board  300  has a plurality of first screw holes S 1 . As shown in  FIGS.  2 - 3  and  5   , each of the connecting portions  123  has a plurality of first through holes H 1 . The first through holes H 1  of the connecting portions  123  correspond to the first screw holes S 1  of the main board  300 . Each of the first connecting pieces  130  can be a screw configured to penetrate through the corresponding first through hole H 1  of the connecting portions  123  and couple with the corresponding first screw hole S 1  of the main board  300 , so as to fix the position of the structural piece  120  relative to the main board  300  in order to firmly fix the structural piece  120  together with the cold plate  110  on the heat source  200 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2  and  4 - 5   , the cold plate module  100  further includes a plurality of elastic elements  140 . The elastic elements  140  are respectively and elastically connected between the corresponding connecting portion  123  and the corresponding first connecting piece  130 . In this way, when the structural piece  120  is fixed on the main board  300  by the first connecting pieces  130 , the elastic elements  140  will be compressed, and the force that the cold plate  110  exerting on the heat source  200  from the structural piece  120  can be cushioned. Thus, the structural piece  120  is avoided from being crushed by the heat source  200  or the cold plate  110 . In practical applications, each of the elastic elements  140  can be a spring. However, this does not intend to limit the present disclosure. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , the cold plate module  100  further includes a plurality of second connecting pieces  150 . The second connecting pieces  150  are configured to penetrate through the plate body  122  of the structural piece  120  and connect with the cold plate  110  to fix the plate body  122  relative to the cold plate  110 . This means the structural piece  120  is fixed on the cold plate  110 , such that the third surface  121  of the structural piece  120  and the second surface  112  of the cold plate  110  abut against each other. 
     To be more specific, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the cold plate  110  has a plurality of second screw holes S 2 . As shown in  FIGS.  2 - 3   , the plate body  122  of the structural piece  120  has a plurality of second through holes H 2 . The second through holes H 2  of the plate body  122  correspond to the second screw holes S 2  of the cold plate  110 . Each of the second connecting pieces  150  can be a screw configured to penetrate through the corresponding second through hole H 2  of the plate body  122  and couple with the corresponding second screw hole S 2  of the cold plate  110 , so as to fix the structural piece  120  on the cold plate 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the plate body  122  of the structural piece  120  has a plurality of third through holes H 3 . The cold plate  110  includes a main body  113 , an inlet port  114  and an outlet port  115 . The first surface  111  and the second surface  112  are located on the main body  113 . The inlet port  114  and the outlet port  115  are respectively connected with the second surface  112  and respectively penetrate through the corresponding third through hole H 3  of the plate body  122 . The inlet port  114  is configured to allow a cooling liquid (not shown) to flow into the main body  113 . The outlet port  115  is configured to allow the cooling liquid to flow out from the main body  113 . The cold plate module  100  further includes a first connecting port  160  and a second connecting port  170 . The first connecting port  160  is connected with the inlet port  114  and is configured to connect to a cooling liquid supplying source (not shown). The second connecting port  170  is connected with the outlet port  115  and is configured to connect to a cooling liquid collector (not shown). 
     During the operation of the cold plate module  100 , the cooling liquid supplying source supplies the cooling liquid. The cooling liquid sequentially flows through the first connecting port  160  and the inlet port  114  and enters into the main body  113  of the cold plate  110 . Since the first surface  111  located on the main body  113  abuts against the heat source  200 , the heat energy of the heat source  200  can be transferred to the cooling liquid inside the main body  113 , such that the cooling liquid is heated up. The heated cooling liquid then sequentially flows through the outlet port  115  and the second connecting port  170  and flows to the cooling liquid collector. For example, the heated cooling liquid collected by the cooling liquid collector is flowed back to the cooling liquid supplying source after treatment of cooling down. 
     On the other hand, moreover, as shown in  FIGS.  2 - 4   , the plate body  122  of the structural piece  120  has a plurality of inner edges  126 . The inner edges  126  define the third through holes H 3 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , an outer edge  116  of the inlet port  114  and an outer edge  117  of the outlet port  115  of the cold plate  110  are respectively and at least partially connected with the corresponding inner edge  126 . In this way, as the inlet port  114  and the outlet port  115  of the cold plate  110  abut against the inner edges  126  of the plate body  122 , the relative position of the structural piece  120  and the cold plate  110  can be further secured. 
     In conclusion, the aforementioned embodiments of the present disclosure have at least the following advantages: 
     (1) As the bending portions are connected between the plate body and the connecting portions, the fourth surfaces of the connecting portions and the third surface of the structural piece have a height difference. In other words, the fourth surfaces of the connecting portions and the third surface of the structural piece are not located on the same height level. In this way, the structural piece has a reinforced moment of inertia. This means the structural piece has a good structural strength and is uneasy to be deformed. 
     (2) Since the structural piece has a good structural strength, when the cold plate module or the main board experiences an impact or a vibration, the structural piece is uneasy to be deformed and the structural piece can maintain its original shape. In this way, thanks to the structural strength of the structural piece, the cold plate abutting against the third surface of the structural piece will not be deformed under an impact or a vibration. Thus, the shape of the cold plate can be effectively maintained. In other words, the cold plate is uneasy to be damaged when the cold plate module or the main board experiences an impact or a vibration. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. 
     It will be apparent to the person having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.