Patent Publication Number: US-2011056659-A1

Title: Heat Dissipating Module

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a heat dissipating module and, more particularly, to a heat dissipating module that can be coupled to various heat sources at the same time. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Nowadays, various heat sources are generated during operation of all kinds of electronic devices. To prevent the electronic devices from being damaged due to overheat, a heat dissipating module is mounted to a predetermined position of a heat source. 
       FIG. 1  shows a conventional heat dissipating module  7  including a heat sink  71 , a plurality of heat pipes  72 , and a fan  73 . The heat sink  71  includes a plurality of fins  711 . The heat pipes  72  are coupled to the fins  711  to enhance the heat conducting efficiency. The fan  73  is coupled to an end of the heat sink  71 . The heat sink  71  is coupled to a heat source (such as a central processing unit, a main board, electronic chips, or a lighting module) of an electronic device. The heat generated by the heat source can be conducted to the heat sink  71  and the heat pipes  72 . At the same time, the fan  73  guides air currents to proceed with heat dissipation of the heat sink  71 , so that the electronic device can operate normally. An example of such a heat dissipating module is disclosed in Taiwan Utility Model No. M358217. However, the heat sink  71  coupled to a side of the fan  73  causes limitation to reduction of the volume and axial length of the heat dissipating module  7 . Thus, problems exist when installing the heat dissipating module in a limited space surrounding the heat source. Furthermore, the heat dissipating module  71  can provide the desired heat dissipating effect only when the heat sink  71  is coupled to a predetermined location of the heat source. Namely, heat dissipating modules of the same type can only be utilized with a single heat source, not allowing use with various heat sources at the same time. Further, the heat sink  71  and the fan  73  must be assembled together before dissipating heat from the heat source of the electronic device. Further, the heat dissipating module  7  is complicated in structure due to having many components and, thus, does not allow compact designs for miniature electronic devices. Further, the air currents driven by the fan  73  are liable to undesirably disperse to the environment via two sides of the heat sink  71 , providing limited heat dissipating effect while forming turbulence. 
       FIG. 2  shows another conventional heat dissipating module  8  including a box  81  defining a wind passageway  811 . The box  81  further includes an air inlet  812  and an air outlet  813  both in communication with the wind passageway  811 . An impeller  82  is received in the wind passageway  811  and aligned with the air inlet  812 . Fins  83  are formed inside and outside of the box  81 . The box  81  can be coupled to a heat source of an electronic device. Air currents can be driven by the impeller  82  into the box  81  and pass through the fins  83  inside of the box  81  and then exit via the air outlet  813 , so that the heat generated by the heat source can be carried to the environment for heat dissipation purposes. Instead of using the heat sink  71 , the heat dissipating module  8  includes fins  83  directly formed in predetermined locations of the box  81 . An example of such a heat dissipating module is disclosed in Taiwan Utility Model No. M261013. However, the fins  83  outside of the box  81  limit reduction of the volume while having complicated structure, leading to inconvenient or even impossible installation of the heat dissipating module  8  when the space surrounding the heat source of the electronic device is limited. Further, the heat dissipating module  8  is not suitable for coupling various heat sources at the same time and can not easily be assembled. Further, the fins  83  inside of the box  81  of the heat dissipating module  8  are adjacent the air outlet  813 , such that the air currents driven by the impeller  82  into the wind passageway  811  are liable to undesirably disperse to the environment via the fins  83  inside of the box  81 , adversely affecting the heat dissipating effect. 
       FIG. 3  shows a further conventional heat dissipating module  9  including a fan  91 , a filtering net  92 , and an air guiding housing  93 . The fan  91  is mounted in the air guiding housing  93  having an air inlet  931  and an air outlet  932 . An inlet of the fan  91  is aligned with the air inlet  931 , and an outlet of the fan  91  is aligned with the air outlet  932 . Fins  94  are provided in the air outlet  932  of the air guiding housing  93 . The air guiding housing  93  can be coupled to a heat source of an electronic device. Air currents are driven by the fan  91  to pass through the air inlet  931 , the inlet and outlets of the fan  91 , the fins  94 , and the air outlet  932  to provide heat dissipating effect. Instead of using the heat sink  71 , the heat dissipating module  9  includes fins  94  directly formed in the air guiding housing  93 . Such a heat dissipating module is disclosed in Taiwan Utility Model No. M335723. However, the fan  91  mounted in the air guiding housing  93  limits reduction of the volume while having the disadvantages of complicated structure and inconvenient assembly. Furthermore, the heat dissipating module  9  is not suitable for coupling various heat sources at the same time, either. Further, the fins  94  formed inside of the air guiding housing  93  are adjacent the air outlet  932  and, thus have similar disadvantages of the heat dissipating module  8 . As a result, the heat dissipating effect provided by the heat dissipating module  9  is unsatisfactory. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a heat dissipating module that can be installed without the need of a large space. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a heat dissipating module that can be coupled to various heat sources at the same time. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a heat dissipating module with enhanced assembling convenience. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a heat dissipating module with less complicated structure. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a heat dissipating module with enhanced heat dissipating effect. 
     In a first aspect, a heat dissipating module according to the preferred teachings of the present invention includes a housing having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall interconnected to a periphery of the bottom wall. The peripheral wall includes at least one heat conducting section and defines a compartment. The peripheral wall further includes an air inlet in communication with the compartment and an air outlet in communication with the compartment. A stator is received in the compartment of the housing. An impeller is coupled to the stator. A plurality of rows of fins is formed on the at least one heat conducting section of the peripheral wall and located in the compartment. 
     In a second aspect, a heat dissipating module according to the preferred teachings of the present invention includes a housing having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall interconnected to a periphery of the bottom wall. The peripheral wall defines a compartment and includes an air inlet in communication with the compartment and an air outlet in communication with the compartment. A stator is received in the compartment of the housing. An impeller is coupled to the stator. A lid is coupled to the air inlet side of the housing and includes an inlet aligned with the air inlet of the housing. The lid further includes at least one heat conducting section. A plurality of rows of fins is formed on the at least one heat conducting section of the lid and located in the compartment. 
     In a third aspect, a heat dissipating module according to the preferred teachings of the present invention includes a housing having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall interconnected to a periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall includes at least one heat conducting section. The peripheral wall defines a compartment and includes an air inlet in communication with the compartment and an air outlet in communication with the compartment. A stator is received in the compartment of the housing. An impeller is coupled to the stator. A plurality of rows of fins is formed on the at least one heat conducting section of the bottom wall and located in the compartment. 
     The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a conventional heat dissipating module. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of another conventional heat dissipating module. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a further conventional heat dissipating module. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exploded, perspective view of a heat dissipating module of a first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows another exploded, perspective view of the heat dissipating module of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  shows an exploded, perspective view of a heat dissipating module of the first embodiment having a modified housing according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded, perspective view of a heat dissipating module of the first embodiment having another modified housing according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a top view of the heat dissipating module of the first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows an exploded, perspective view of a heat dissipating module of a second embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross sectional view of the heat dissipating module of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  shows an exploded, perspective view of a heat dissipating module of a third embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a cross sectional view of the heat dissipating module of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating use of the heat dissipating module according to the preferred teachings of the present invention with heat pipes. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating use of the heat dissipating module according to the preferred teachings of the present invention with a plurality of lighting modules. 
     
    
    
     All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. 
     Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “inner”, “outer”, “end”, “section”, “axial”, “radial”, “circumferential”, “outward”, “height”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a heat dissipating module of a first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is designated  1  and includes a housing  11 , a stator  12 , an impeller  13 , and a plurality of rows of fins  14 . The housing  11  is preferably a housing of blower type and receives the stator  12  to which the impeller  13  is rotatably mounted. The plurality of rows of fins  14  are provided in predetermined locations of an inner face of the housing  11  for heat conduction purposes. The outer face of the housing  11  opposite to the inner face having the plurality of rows of fins  14  can be coupled to various heat sources of electronic devices to provide enhanced heat dissipation. 
     The housing  11  includes a bottom wall  111  and a peripheral wall  112  interconnected to a periphery of the bottom wall  111 . The peripheral wall  112  including at least one heat conducting section  113  capable of conducting heat. The heat conducting section  113  can be in a specific area or several areas of the peripheral wall  112 . The peripheral wall  112  defines a compartment  114  and includes an air inlet  115  in communication with the compartment  114  and an air outlet  116  in communication with the compartment  114 . 
     In the preferred form shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the peripheral wall  112  comprises a plurality of sidewalls  112   a,    112   b,  and  112   c.  The sidewalls  112   a,    112   b,  and  112   c  can be integrally formed as a single continuous monolithic piece or detachable from the bottom wall  111 . In the preferred form shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the sidewalls  112   b  and  112   c  extend integrally from and perpendicularly to the periphery of the bottom wall  111 , and the sidewall  112   a  is coupled to the sidewalls  112   b  and  112   c  and the bottom wall  111  by male/female coupling, welding, and/or bonding. The sidewalls  112   a,    112   b,  and  112   c  define the compartment  114 . Furthermore, the sidewall  112   a  includes the heat conducting section  113 . 
     In another preferred form shown in  FIG. 6 , the peripheral wall  112  comprises a plurality of sidewalls  112   d,    112   e,  and  112   f.  The sidewalls  112   d,    112   e,  and  112   f  extend integrally from and perpendicularly to the periphery of the bottom wall  111  and interconnected to each other. The sidewalls  112   d,    112   e,  and  112   f  define the compartment  114 . Furthermore, each sidewall  112   d,    112   e    112   f  includes the heat conducting section  113 . 
     In a further preferred form shown in  FIG. 7 , the peripheral wall  112  is a wall  112   g  extends integrally from and perpendicularly to the periphery of the bottom wall  111  and having U-shaped cross sections. The wall  112   g  defines the compartment  114  and includes the heat conducting section  113 . 
     It can be appreciated that the peripheral wall  112  can have other forms and shapes according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     The stator  12  is received in the compartment  114  of the housing  11 . The stator  12  can include elements such as coils, a drive circuit, a shaft seat, etc. The shaft seat can be coupled to the housing  11 . The impeller  13  can be rotatably coupled to and controlled by the stator  12 . Thus, the impeller  13  is rotatable relative to the stator  12  about an axis extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall  111  in the preferred forms shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . 
     The impeller  13  includes a hub  131  coupled to the stator  12  and a plurality of blades  132 . A wind passageway  133  is defined between an outer periphery of the hub  131  and an inner face of the peripheral wall  112  of the housing  11 . The blades  132  are formed on the outer periphery of the hub  131  and located in the wind passageway  133 . The impeller  13  drives in air current via the air inlet  115  of the housing  11 . The blades  132  increases the wind pressure of the air currents accumulated in the wind passageway  133 . The air currents are pushed by the wind pressure toward the air outlet  116  and exit the housing  11  to the environment via the air outlet  116 . 
     The plurality of rows of fins  14  is provided on the heat conducting section  113  of the sidewall  112  and located in the compartment  114 . Two adjacent rows of fins  14  are spaced in a direction parallel to the axis. A circumferential passageway  141  is formed between two adjacent rows of fins  14  and surrounds the hub  131  and the axis. Thus, when the blades  132  of the impeller  13  pushes the air currents along the wind passageway  133  toward the air outlet  116 , the air currents can move along the circumferential passageway  141  and exit the air outlet  116  to the environment without interferences providing enhanced heat dissipating effect with less turbulence. 
     Specifically, in the preferred form shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each row of fin  14  is formed on the inner face of the sidewall  112   a  and includes a plurality of protrusions spaced in a circumferential direction surrounding the axis. In the preferred form shown in  FIG. 6 , the inner face of each of the sidewalls  112   d,    112   e,  and  112   f  is formed with a plurality of rows of fins  14  spaced in a direction parallel to the axis. Each of the plurality of rows of fins  14  on each sidewall  112   d,    112   e,    112   f  is in the form of a continuous rib. Furthermore, each rib of each sidewall  112   d,    112   e,    112   f  is spaced from the ribs on an adjacent sidewall. In the preferred form shown in  FIG. 7 , the plurality of rows of fins  14  is formed on an inner face of the wall  112   g  and each in the form of a continuous rib. It can be appreciated that the plurality of rows of fins  14  can be of other forms and shapes according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a heat dissipating module of a second embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is designated  2  and includes a housing  21 , a stator  22 , an impeller  23 , a lid  24 , and a plurality of fins  25 . 
     The housing  21  includes a bottom wall  211  and a peripheral wall  212  interconnected to a periphery of the bottom wall  211  and defining a compartment  213 . The peripheral wall  212  further includes an air inlet  214  in communication with the compartment  213  and an air outlet  215  in communication with the compartment  213 . 
     The stator  22  is received in the compartment  213  of the housing  21 . The stator  22  can include elements such as coils, a drive circuit, a shaft seat, etc. The impeller  23  can be rotatably coupled to and controlled by the stator  22 . Thus, the impeller  23  is rotatable relative to the stator  22  about an axis extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall  211  in the preferred form shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     The impeller  23  includes a hub  231  coupled to the stator  22  and a plurality of blades  232 . A wind passageway  233  is defined between an outer periphery of the hub  231  and an inner face of the peripheral wall  212  of the housing  21 . The blades  232  are formed on the outer periphery of the hub  231  and located in the wind passageway  233 . The function of the wind passageway  233  is substantially the same as the wind passageway  133  of the first embodiment and therefore not described in detail to avoid redundancy. 
     The lid  24  is engaged to the air inlet  214  side of the housing  21  and includes an inlet  241  aligned with the air inlet  214 . The lid  24  further includes a plurality of heat conducting sections  242  capable of conducting heat. The lid  24  mounted to the housing  21  can guide air currents, increase the wind pressure, and provide heat dissipation. It can be appreciated that the lid  24  can include only one heat conducting section  242 . 
     The plurality of rows of fins  25  is formed on the heat conducting sections  242  of the lid  24 , respectively. Furthermore, the plurality of rows of fins  25  is located in the compartment  213 . Further, two adjacent rows of fins  25  are spaced in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis. A circumferential passageway  251  is formed between two adjacent rows of fins  25  and surrounds the inlet  241  and the axis and radially outward of the hub  231 . The circumferential passageways  251  are preferably located in the wind passageway  233 . The function of the circumferential passageways  251  is substantially the same as the circumferential passageway  141  of the first embodiment and therefore not described in detail to avoid redundancy. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a heat dissipating module of a third embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is designated  3  and includes a housing  31 , a stator  32 , an impeller  33 , and a plurality of rows of fins  34 . 
     The housing  31  includes a bottom wall  311  and a peripheral wall  312  interconnected to a periphery of the bottom wall  311  and defining a compartment  313 . The peripheral wall  312  further includes an air inlet  314  in communication with the compartment  313  and an air outlet  315  in communication with the compartment  313 . A plurality of air deflectors  316  is provided in the air outlet  315  and formed on the bottom wall  311  in the preferred form shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  for guiding the air currents to pass through the air outlet  315 . The bottom wall  311  further includes a heat conducting section  317  capable of conducting heat. It can be appreciated that the bottom wall  311  can include several heat conducting sections  317 . 
     The stator  32  is received in the compartment  313  of the housing  31 . The stator  32  can include elements such as coils, a drive circuit, a shaft seat, etc. The impeller  33  can be rotatably coupled to and controlled by the stator  32 . Thus, the impeller  33  is rotatable relative to the stator  32  about an axis extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall  311  in the preferred form shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     The impeller  33  includes a hub  331  coupled to the stator  32  and a plurality of blades  332 . A wind passageway  333  is defined between an outer periphery of the hub  331  and an inner face of the peripheral wall  312  of the housing  31 . The blades  332  are formed on the outer periphery of the hub  331  and located in the wind passageway  333 . The function of the wind passageway  333  is substantially the same as the wind passageway  133  of the first embodiment and therefore not described in detail to avoid redundancy. 
     The plurality of rows of fins  34  is formed on the heat conducting section  317 . Furthermore, the plurality of rows of fins  34  is located in the compartment  313 . Further, two adjacent rows of fins  34  are spaced in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis. A circumferential passageway  341  is formed between two adjacent rows of fins  34  and surrounds the stator  32  and the axis and radially outward of the hub  331 . The circumferential passageway  341  is located in the wind passageway  333 . The function of the circumferential passageway  341  is substantially the same as the circumferential passageway  141  of the first embodiment and therefore not described in detail to avoid redundancy. 
     The heat dissipating module  3  can further include a lid  35  engaged to a side of the housing  31  where the air inlet  314  is disposed, and including an inlet  351  aligned with the air inlet  314 . The lid  35  further includes a deflector  352  formed on an edge of the lid  35  adjacent the air outlet  315 . The deflector  352  extends from the edge of the lid  35  towards but spaced from the bottom wall  311 . By such an arrangement, the air currents driven by the blades  332  to flow along the wind passageway  333  can be further guided to the environment by the deflector  352  after passing through the air outlet  315 , providing enhanced wind pressure increasing effect. 
     In use, the heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  can be coupled with various heat sources at the same time. In an example of use of the heat dissipating module  1  shown in  FIG. 6  with a plurality of heat pipes  4  shown in  FIG. 13 , each heat pipe  4  is in contact with an outer face of one of the sidewalls  112   d,    112   e,  and  112   f.  The heat pipes  4  are connected to various heat sources such as central processing units, main boards, electronic chips, and/or lighting modules. In another example of use of the heat dissipating module  1  shown in  FIG. 7 , heat sources such as a plurality of lighting modules  5  are directly mounted to the outer face of the wall  112   g  of the heat conducting section  113  of the peripheral wall  112 . It can be appreciated that various heat sources can be directly coupled to the heat conducting section  113  shown in  FIG. 5 , or to the heat conducting section  242  of the lid  24  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , or to the heat conducting section  317  of the bottom wall  311  shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Thus, the heat generated by the various heat sources can be conducted to the fins  14 ,  25 ,  34  via the heat conducting section  113 ,  242 ,  317 . Furthermore, the impeller  13 ,  23 ,  33  drives air currents to pass through the fins  14 ,  25 ,  34  and exit the air outlet  116 ,  215 ,  315  to the environment. When coupled with various heat sources, the heat dissipating modules  1 ,  2 , and  3  having higher heat dissipating efficiency can be selected to avoid adverse affect to the heat dissipating effect. 
     The heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can include at least one heat conducting section  113 ,  242 ,  317  in a predetermined location of the housing  11 ,  21 ,  31 , such as on the peripheral wall  112 , the lid  24  (which can be deemed as a part of the housing  21 ), or the bottom wall  311 . Furthermore, a plurality of rows of fins  14 ,  25 ,  34  is formed on the inner face of the at least one heat conducting section  113 ,  242 ,  317 , and the outer face of the at least one heat conducting section  113 ,  242 ,  317  can be engaged with various heat sources. It can be appreciated that at least one heat conducting section  113 ,  242 ,  317  can be formed on more than one of the peripheral wall  112 , the lid  24 , and the bottom wall  311 . As an example, at least one heat conducting section is formed on each of the peripheral wall of the housing and the lid. In another example, at least one heat conducting section is formed on each of the peripheral wall and the bottom wall of the housing. In a further example, at least one heat conducting section is formed on each of the peripheral wall, the lid, and the bottom wall of the housing. 
     The heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can easily be installed in an electronic device by incorporating the fins  14 ,  25 ,  34  in the housing  11 ,  21 ,  31  so that the volume and axial length of the heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  are respectively the volume and axial length of the housing  11 ,  21 ,  31 . Compared to the conventional heat dissipating modules  7 ,  8 , and  9 , the heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  can more effectively reduce the volume and axial height to allow easy installation in the electronic device and to allow easy coupling with the heat sources of the electronic device without occupying a considerable space in the electronic device. Furthermore, by providing the plurality of rows of fins  14 ,  25 ,  34  on the at least one heat conducting section  113 ,  242 ,  317  of the housing  11 ,  21 ,  31 , the heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can be coupled to various heat sources at the same time by the outer face of the at least one heat conducting section  113 ,  242 ,  317 , providing enhanced utility. Furthermore, inconvenient installation of the conventional heat dissipating modules  7 ,  8 , and  9  does not occur in the heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  according to the preferred teachings of the present invention by incorporating the fins  14 ,  25 ,  34  in the housing  11 ,  21 ,  31 . Thus, the heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can easily be installed in an electronic device without complicated assembly. Further, the heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  according to the preferred teachings of the present invention has fewer elements and, thus a simple structure, reducing structural complexity, reducing manufacturing costs, and allowing compact and miniature designs. Further, when the heat dissipating module  1 ,  2 ,  3  according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is coupled to various heat sources, the heat generated by the heat sources is conducted by the heat conducting section  113 ,  242 ,  317  to the fins  14 ,  25 ,  34 . Furthermore, the impeller  13 ,  23 ,  33  drives air currents to flow through the fins  14 ,  25 ,  34 , prolonging the contact time between the air currents and the fins  14 ,  25 ,  34  and, thus, enhancing the heat conduction effect while decreasing turbulence. The heat dissipating effect is, thus, enhanced. 
     Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.