Patent Publication Number: US-2013248161-A1

Title: Heat dissipation module and method of using the heat dissipation module

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a heat dissipation module for an electronic component and a method using the heat dissipation module. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     To get a good balance between heat dissipation effectiveness and cost, a heat dissipation module for an electronic component, such as a central processing unit, may comprise an aluminum heat sink, and a plurality of copper heat pipes fitted in grooves defined in a bottom side of the heat sink. However, because of the size of the heat pipes and assembly tolerances, when the heat dissipation module is seated on an electronic component, there may be spaces between the electronic components and the bottom side of the heat sink and the heat pipes. The spaces do not allow contact between the pipe and the heat sink and reduces the efficiency of head dissipation from the electronic component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a heat dissipation module. 
         FIG. 2  shows the heat dissipation module in use. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are sectional views taken along the line III-III of  FIG. 2 , but respectively showing before and after the heat dissipation module being heating. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method using the heat dissipation module of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references can mean “at least one.” 
       FIG. 1 , is an exemplary embodiment of a heat dissipation module. The heat dissipation module includes a heat sink  10 , a plurality of heat pipes  20 , and a heat conductive pad  30  made of phase change material. 
     The heat sink  10  includes a base plate  11  and a plurality of fins  12  perpendicularly extending from a top surface of the base plate  11 . A plurality of grooves  112  is defined in a bottom surface of the base plate  11  opposite to the fins  12 . 
     Each heat pipe  20  has a rounded cross section. 
     The heat conductive pad  30  is a flexible solid material at ambient room temperature. A top surface of the heat conductive pad  30  is adhesive and covered with a protective film (not shown) before use. The heat conductive pad  30  softens when heated to a phase-transition temperature of the heat conductive pad  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in assembly, the heat pipes  20  are forced to be deformed to be tightly engaged in the corresponding grooves  112  of the heat sink  10 . The protective film of the heat conductive pad  30  is removed, and then the heat conductive pad  30  is adhered to the bottom surface of the base plate  11  of the heat sink  10  to cover the grooves  112  and the heat pipes  20 . Due to geometric differences, there will be spaces  1020  between the heat conductive pad  30 , the bottom surface of the heat sink  10 , and the heat pipes  20 . 
       FIGS. 3-5 , shows a method to use the heat dissipation module of  FIG. 2 . The method for dissipating heat for an electronic component  200  includes the following steps. 
     In step S 01 , a heat sink  10  with a plurality of grooves  12  defined in a bottom surface of the heat sink  20  is provided. 
     In step S 02 , providing a plurality of heat pipes  20 . The plurality of heat pipes  20  correspondingly engage in the grooves  12  of the heat sink  10 . 
     In step S 03 , providing a heat conductive pad  30  made of phase change material. 
     The heat conductive pad  30  is adhered to the bottom surface of the heat sink  10  covering the grooves  12  and the heat pipes  20 ; 
     In step S 04 , the heat sink is seated on the electronic component  200 , with a bottom surface of the heat conductive pad  30  opposite to the heat sink  10  abutting against a top surface of the electronic component  200 . 
     In step S 05 , the heat conductive pad  30  is softened by heating the heat conductive pad  30  to a temperature greater than the phase-transition temperature of the heat conductive pad  30 . Since the electronic component  200  generates heat in operation, in one embodiment, the heat conductive pad  30  is heated by heat generated by the electronic component  200 . 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.