Patent Description:
As a cooling device used for cooling of control equipment or the like in which a semiconductor element is used, there has been known a cooling device that cools a heat generating body using latent heat at the time when working fluid boils. This cooling device includes, for example, a base block thermally connected to the heat generating body and a heat pipe thermally connected to the base block. The heat pipe is a heat transport member. A container part of the heat pipe is a sealed container and an inside of the container part is subjected to decompression treatment. The working fluid is encapsulated on the inside of the container part. The heat pipe transports heat received from the heat generating body, which is a cooling target, via the base block using latent heat due to a phase change of this working fluid.

When the heat pipe is thermally connected to the base block, in order to give heat transferability from the base block to the heat pipe and fixing stability of the heat pipe to the base block, it is requested to surely fix the heat pipe to the base block while reducing an air gap of a connecting part of the base block and the heat pipe.

As means for thermally connecting the heat pipe to the base block, there are, for example, a connecting method by caulking for accommodating the heat pipe in a heat pipe accommodating part including a recessed part formed in the base block and a pair of wall parts projecting from the recessed part, caulking the pair of wall parts, and thermally connecting the heat pipe to the base block and a connecting method by soldering for accommodating the heat pipe in the recessed part formed in the base block and soldering the heat pipe to the recessed part.

The connecting method by soldering easily reduces the air gap of the connecting part of the base block and the heat pipe. Therefore, the connecting method by soldering is excellent in the heat transferability from the base block to the heat pipe. The heat pipe can be surely fixed to the base block. However, depending on a material of the base block and a material of the heat pipe, in order to connect the heat pipe to the base block, it is necessary to sometimes form a plating film on the base block in advance before the soldering. In the connecting method by soldering, it is necessary to prepare a predetermined amount of solder in a joining part and melt the solder to join the base block and the heat pipe. Therefore, operation is complicated and cost is high. Accordingly, depending on conditions of use and the like of the heat pipe structure, the connecting method by caulking in which it is unnecessary to form an expensive plating film on the base block and joining operation for the base block and the heat pipe is easy is adopted.

As a heat pipe structure in which the heat pipe is thermally connected to the base block by caulking means, for example, there has been proposed a heat pipe structure including a heat pipe, a flat block made of metal, an attachment groove part formed along a surface direction on one surface side of the flat block, one end portion of the heat pipe disposed in the attachment groove part, and a protruding part relatively formed by recessing a vicinity of the attachment groove part in the flat block in a thickness direction, the protruding part being a claw part for fixing bent to an inner side of the attachment groove part and engaged with the one end portion of the heat pipe (Patent Literature <NUM>).

Further a heat pipe structure according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from Patent Literature <NUM>.

On the other hand, fine unevenness caused, for example, when the recessed part is formed is present on a recessed part inner surface of the base block in which the heat pipe is accommodated. Because of dimension accuracy of the heat pipe and the recessed part, fluctuation in caulking conditions, and the like, when the heat pipe is connected to the base block using the caulking means, an air gap is sometimes formed in a connecting part of the recessed part of the base block and the heat pipe. From the above description, when the heat pipe is connected to the base block by the caulking means, there is room of improvement in the heat transferability from the base block to the heat pipe. With the caulking means, since the air gap is formed in the connecting part of the recessed part of the base block and the heat pipe. Therefore, there is room of improvement in the fixing stability of heat pipe to the base block.

In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a heat pipe structure that is excellent in heat transferability from a base block to a heat pipe and excellent in fixing stability of the heat pipe to the base block even if the heat pipe is thermally connected to the base block using caulking means and a heat sink including the heat pipe structure.

Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims. A gist of a configuration of the present invention is as described below.

The invention relates to a heat pipe structure including:.

The base block includes the recessed part and a pair of wall parts projecting along an outer circumferential surface of the heat receiving tubular portion from width direction both sides of the recessed part, and the container part of the heat pipe is caulked and fixed to the recessed part and the pair of wall parts.

A second metal part containing second metal having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> and/or a second metal alloy having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is further formed between the outer surface of the container part and the first metal part. The first metal part extends from between a half on a base block side in the container part and the recessed part to between the container part and the pair of wall parts.

In some embodiments, an air gap formed between the recessed part and the second metal part is filled by the first metal part.

In some embodiments, the second metal part is a plating film formed on the outer surface of the container part. the first metal is tin (Sn) and the first metal alloy is solder.

In some embodiments, the second metal is at least one type selected out of a group consisting of nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn).

In some embodiments, the heat pipe includes a bent part in the longitudinal direction of the container part, and a third metal part containing solder is further formed between the first metal part formed in at least a part of the bent part and the recessed part.

The invention also relates to a heat sink including:.

In some embodiments, the base block includes the recessed part and a pair of wall parts projecting along an outer circumferential surface of the heat receiving tubular portion from width direction both sides of the recessed part, and the container part of the heat pipe is caulked and fixed to the recessed part and the pair of wall parts.

In some embodiments, a second metal part containing second metal having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> and/or a second metal alloy having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is further formed between the outer surface of the container part and the first metal part.

The invention further relates to a manufacturing method for a heat pipe structure, including:.

In some embodiments, a second plating film containing second metal having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> and/or a second metal alloy having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is further formed between the outer surface of the container part and the first plating film, and the second plating film forms a second metal part located between the outer surface of the container part and the first metal part.

In some embodiments, in the heating step, solder provided in at least a part of the recessed part is melted to form a third metal part.

The invention also relates to a manufacturing method for a heat sink, including:.

In some embodiments, in an aspect of the heat pipe structure described above, since the heat receiving tubular portion of the heat pipe is caulked and fixed in the recessed part of the base block, the heat pipe is thermally connected to the base block. The first metal part is formed between the recessed part of the base block and the container part outer surface of the heat receiving tubular portion of the heat pipe. That is, the first metal part is formed in a part where the heat pipe is caulked and fixed to the base block. The first metal part is advanced into an air gap formed between the recessed part of the base block and the container part outer surface of the heat receiving tubular portion of the heat pipe.

In some embodiments, in an aspect of the heat pipe structure described above, in the part where the heat pipe is caulked and fixed to the base block, a laminated structure is formed in order of the container part outer surface of the heat receiving tubular portion of the heat pipe, the second metal part, and the first metal part.

According to the aspect of the heat pipe structure of the present invention, since the first metal part is advanced into the air gap formed between the recessed part of the base block and the container part outer surface of the heat receiving tubular portion of the heat pipe, the gap is in a state filled by the first metal part. Therefore, even if the heat pipe is thermally connected to the base block using caulking means, it is possible to obtain the heat pipe structure excellent in heat transferability from the base block to the heat pipe in a caulking and fixing part and excellent in fixing stability of the heat pipe to the base block. Since the heat radiation fin, which is heat exchanging means, is attached to the heat pipe structure, even if the heat pipe is thermally connected to the base block using the caulking means, it is possible to obtain the heat sink excellent in heat transferability from the base block to the heat pipe in the caulking and fixing part and excellent in fixing stability of the heat pipe to the base block.

According to the aspect of the heat pipe structure of the present invention, the first metal part in an advanced state into the air gap is formed while preventing, since the melting point of the first metal or the first metal alloy forming the first metal part is equal to or higher than <NUM>, melting of the first metal part due to a heat generation temperature of the heat generating body, which is a cooling target, and preventing, since the melting point is equal to or lower than <NUM>, damage to the heat pipe.

Since the first metal part described above is formed, even if the bent part, fixing of which by caulking is difficult, is provided in the heat receiving tubular portion of the heat pipe, it is possible to improve the heat transferability from the base block to the heat pipe over the entire heat receiving tubular portion including the bent part because the first metal part is formed in the air gap formed between the bent part of the heat receiving tubular portion and the recessed part of the base block.

According to the aspect of the heat pipe structure of the present invention, since the laminated structure is formed in the order of the container part outer surface of the heat receiving tubular portion of the heat pipe, the second metal part, and the first metal part, it is possible to impart a further function to the container part outer surface by action of the second metal part while the air gap is filled by the first metal part.

According to the aspect of the heat pipe structure of the present invention, since the first metal is tin (Sn) and the first metal alloy is solder, the first metal part in an advanced state into the air gap is formed while surely preventing melting of the first metal part due to the heat generation temperature of the heat generating body and surely preventing damage to the heat pipe.

According to the aspect of the heat pipe structure of the present invention, since the second metal is at least one type selected out of a group consisting of nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn), it is possible to impart electrolytic corrosion resistance to the container part outer surface.

According to the aspect of the heat pipe structure of the present invention, since the third metal part containing solder is further formed between the first metal part and the recessed part of the base block, the air gap formed between the bent part of the heat receiving tubular portion and the recessed part of the base block is surely filled by the first metal part and the third metal part. Therefore, the heat transferability from the base block to the heat pipe in the caulking and fixing part is further improved.

Since the third metal part described above is formed, even if the bent part, fixing of which by caulking is difficult, is provided in the heat receiving tubular portion of the heat pipe, it is possible to surely improve the heat transferability from the base block to the heat pipe over the entire heat receiving tubular portion because not only the first metal part but also the third metal part is formed in the air gap formed between the bent part of the heat receiving tubular portion and the recessed part of the base block.

A heat pipe structure according to an embodiment example of the present invention and a heat sink in which the heat pipe structure is used are explained below with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is an explanatory view of the heat sink in which the heat pipe structure according to the embodiment example of the present invention is used. <FIG> is an explanatory view schematically showing a cross section of the heat pipe structure according to the embodiment example of the present invention. <FIG> is a side sectional view of the heat pipe structure according to the embodiment example of the present invention. <FIG> is a front sectional view of the heat pipe structure according to the embodiment example of the present invention.

First, the heat pipe structure according to the embodiment example of the present invention is explained. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a heat pipe structure <NUM> includes a base block <NUM> including a rear surface part 10a thermally connectable to a heat generating body <NUM> and a front surface part 10b opposed to the rear surface part 10a and a heat pipe <NUM> including a heat receiving tubular portion 21a fixed to the front surface part 10b of the base block <NUM> and disposed along an in-plane direction of the base block <NUM>.

The base block <NUM> has a longitudinal direction and a width direction. A shape of the base block <NUM> is not particularly limited. However, in the heat pipe structure <NUM>, the base block <NUM> is a tabular member having predetermined thickness. A shape in a plan view of the base block <NUM> is a rectangular shape. The rear surface part 10a and the front surface part 10b are main surfaces of the base block <NUM>. Note that "plan view" means a state in which the base block <NUM> is visually recognized from an orthogonal direction with respect to a heat transport direction in the heat receiving tubular portion 21a of the heat pipe <NUM> and from a direction opposed to the front surface part 10b.

The front surface part 10b of the base block <NUM> includes a recessed part <NUM>, which is a strip groove in which the heat receiving tubular portion 21a of the heat pipe <NUM> is accommodated, and a pair of wall parts 12a, 12a projecting along an outer circumferential surface of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a from both sides in the orthogonal direction (thereafter, sometimes referred to as "width direction") with respect to the longitudinal direction of the recessed part <NUM>. Since a container part <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is caulked and fixed to the recessed part <NUM> and the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a, the heat pipe <NUM> is caulked and fixed to the base block <NUM>.

In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, the recessed part <NUM> extends, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the base block <NUM> along an in-plane direction of the base block <NUM>. A shape in the longitudinal direction of the recessed part <NUM> corresponds to a shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a. A shape in the width direction of the recessed part <NUM> corresponds to a shape of a substantially lower half in a shape in the width direction of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a, that is, corresponds to a shape of a substantial half on the base block <NUM> side. Note that, in the heat pipe structure <NUM>, the shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is a linear shape and a shape of a width direction cross section of the container <NUM> in the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is a substantially circular shape.

As shown in <FIG>, like the recessed part <NUM>, the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a is provided along the in-plane direction of the base block <NUM>. For example, the wall part 12a extends along an extending direction of the recessed part <NUM> and extends in parallel to the extending direction of the recessed part <NUM>. The pair of wall parts 12a, 12a projects toward an upward direction of the recessed part <NUM> in a width direction cross section and is bent toward a width direction center of the recessed part <NUM> to come close to each other. The pair of wall parts 12a, 12a is formed as a pair of ridge parts projecting along an outer circumferential surface 21c of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a opposed to the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a and extending along the longitudinal direction of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a (an X direction in <FIG>). The pair of ridge parts respectively includes press contact surfaces 12c that are in press contact with the outer circumferential surface 21c of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a opposed to the pair of ridge parts. Since the pair of ridge parts includes a pair of press contact surfaces 12c, 12c, a contact area of the pair of ridge parts and the heat receiving tubular portion 21a increases and adhesion between the base block <NUM> and the heat pipe <NUM> is improved.

The heat pipe <NUM> includes the container part <NUM> having a tube shape, an end face at one end and an end face at another end of which are sealed, a wick structure <NUM> provided on an inside of the container part <NUM>, and working fluid encapsulated in a hollow part <NUM>, which is an internal space of the container part <NUM>. The hollow part <NUM> of the container part <NUM> is a sealed space and is subjected to decompression treatment. A material of the container part <NUM> is not particularly limited. Examples of the material of the container part <NUM> include copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, and stainless steel. The working fluid can be selected as appropriate according to compatibility with the material of the container part <NUM>. Examples of the working fluid include water, alternative freon, perfluorocarbon, and cyclopentane. The wick structure <NUM> is not particularly limited if the wick structure <NUM> is a structure that generates capillarity. Examples of the wick structure <NUM> include a plurality of thin grooves (grooves) extending along the longitudinal direction of the container part <NUM>, a sintered body of metal power, and a metal mesh. Note that, in <FIG>, the groove is used as the wick structure <NUM> from a viewpoint of preventing an increase in circular current resistance of the working fluid in a liquid phase.

As shown in <FIG>, a second metal part <NUM> containing second metal having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> and/or a second meat alloy having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is formed on an outer surface of the container part <NUM>. In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, a shape of the second metal part <NUM> is a layered shape. The second metal part <NUM> covers the outer surface of the container part <NUM> including the heat receiving tubular portion 21a. A further function can be imparted to the container part <NUM> outer surface by action of the second metal part <NUM>. A metal type of the second metal part <NUM> can be selected according to a type of the further function imparted to the container <NUM> outer surface. Average thickness of the second metal part <NUM> is not particularly limited. Examples of the average thickness of the second metal part <NUM> include a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, the second metal part <NUM> is, for example, a plating film (a second plating film) formed on the outer surface of the container part <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM> may be directly formed on the outer surface of the container part <NUM> or may be formed on the outer surface of the container part <NUM> via another layer. In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, the second metal part <NUM> is directly formed on the outer surface of the container part <NUM>.

A metal type of the second metal is not particularly limited if the melting point is higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>. Examples of the second metal include nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn). The second metal alloy is not particularly limited if the melting point is higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>. Examples of the second metal alloy include a nickel (Ni) alloy, a copper (Cu) alloy, and a zinc (Zn) alloy. Since the second metal and the second metal alloy are the metal types described above, electrolytic corrosion resistance can be imparted to the container part <NUM>. Since the electrolytic corrosion resistance is imparted to the container part <NUM>, even if moisture adheres to the heat pipe <NUM>, electrolytic corrosion of the container part <NUM> can be prevented.

The second metal part <NUM> only has to contain the second metal and/or the second metal alloy having the melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>. The second metal part <NUM> may be a member made of the second metal and/or the second metal alloy.

As shown in <FIG>, a first metal part <NUM> containing the first metal having the melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> and/or the first metal alloy having the melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is formed between the recessed part <NUM> and the outer surface of the container part <NUM>. The first metal part <NUM> is a metal material having a melting point lower than the melting point of the second metal part <NUM>. A shape of the first metal part <NUM> is a layered shape. The first metal part <NUM> is formed between the second metal part <NUM> and the recessed part <NUM>. That is, the first metal part <NUM> is formed between a substantial half on the base block <NUM> side in the container prat <NUM> and the recessed part <NUM>. From the above description, a metal laminate part <NUM> including the first metal part <NUM> and the second metal part <NUM> is provided between the substantial half on the base block <NUM> side in the container part <NUM> and the recessed part <NUM>. Note that the first metal part <NUM> only has to be provided between the substantial half on the base block <NUM> side in the container part <NUM> and the recessed part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first metal part <NUM> extends from between the substantial half on the base block <NUM> side in the container part <NUM> and the recessed part <NUM> to between the container part <NUM> and the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a. That is, the first metal part <NUM> is provided not only between the container part <NUM> and the recessed part <NUM> but also between the container part <NUM> and the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a.

Average thickness of the first metal part <NUM> is not particularly limited. Examples of the average thickness of the first metal part <NUM> includes a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, as explained below, the first metal part <NUM> is derived from, for example, the plating film (a first plating film) formed on the outer surface of the second metal part <NUM>, which is a second plating film. The first metal part <NUM> is formed directly on the outer surface of the second metal part <NUM> or may be formed on the outer surface of the second metal part <NUM> via another layer. In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, the first metal part <NUM> is directly formed on the outer surface of the second metal part <NUM>.

The melting point of the first metal and the first metal alloy is not particularly limited if the melting point is equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>. Since the melting point of the first metal and the first metal alloy is equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>, the first metal part <NUM> in a state advanced into an air gap formed between the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM> and the heat receiving tubular portion 21a of the heat pipe <NUM> without damaging the heat pipe <NUM> while preventing the first metal part <NUM> from being melted by heat of the heat generating body <NUM> thermally connected to the base block <NUM>. A lower limit value of the melting point of the first metal and the first metal alloy is preferably <NUM> and particularly preferably <NUM> from a viewpoint of surely preventing the first metal part <NUM> from being melted by the heat of the heat generating body <NUM> thermally connected to the base block <NUM>. On the other hand, an upper limit value of the melting point of the first metal and the first metal alloy is preferably <NUM> and particularly preferably <NUM> from a viewpoint of surely forming the first metal part <NUM> in the advanced state into the air gap without damaging the heat pipe <NUM>.

The first metal part <NUM> only has to contain the first metal and/or the first metal alloy having the melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>. The first metal part <NUM> may be a member made of the first metal and/or the first metal alloy.

In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, the first metal part <NUM> containing the first metal and/or the first metal alloy having the melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is advanced into the air gap formed between the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM> and the heat receiving tubular portion 21a of the heat pipe <NUM> including bent parts <NUM> on the longitudinal direction both sides of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a. That is, the air gap is in a filled state by the first metal part <NUM>. Therefore, in the heat pipe structure <NUM>, even if the heat pipe <NUM> is thermally connected to the base block <NUM> using caulking means, the heat pipe structure <NUM> is excellent in heat transferability from the base block <NUM> to the heat pipe <NUM> in a caulking and fixing part. As a result, a cooling characteristic of the heat pipe structure <NUM> is improved. In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, since the air gap is in the filled state by the first metal part <NUM>, the heat pipe structure <NUM> is excellent in fixing stability of the heat pipe <NUM> to the base block <NUM>.

Since the first metal part <NUM> is formed, even if the bent parts <NUM>, fixing of which by caulking is difficult, are provided in the heat receiving tubular portion 21a of the heat pipe <NUM>, the first metal part <NUM> is formed in the air gap formed between the bent parts <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a and the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to improve heat transferability from the base block <NUM> to the heat pipe <NUM> over the entire heat receiving tubular portion 21a including the bent parts <NUM>. As a result, the cooling characteristic of the heat pipe structure <NUM> is improved.

In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, since the metal laminate part <NUM> formed in order of the second metal part <NUM> and the first metal part <NUM> is provided on the container part <NUM> outer surface of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a, a further function (in the heat pipe structure <NUM>, electrolytic corrosion resistance) can be imparted to the container part <NUM> outer surface by the action of the second metal <NUM> while the air gap is filled by the first metal part <NUM>.

A metal type of the first metal is not particularly limited if the melting point is equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>. Examples of the first metal include tin (Sn) from a viewpoint of forming the first metal part <NUM> in the advanced state into the air gap while surely preventing melting of the first metal part <NUM> due to heat generation of the heat generating body <NUM> and surely preventing damage to the heat pipe <NUM>. A metal type of the first metal alloy is not particularly limited if the melting point is equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>. Examples of the first metal alloy include a tin (Sn) alloy and solder (for example, a tin alloy and a lead alloy) from a viewpoint of forming the first metal part <NUM> in the advanced state into the air gap while surely preventing melting of the first metal part <NUM> due to heat generation of the heat generating body <NUM> and surely preventing damage to the heat pipe <NUM>.

Thereafter, an aspect in which the heat pipe structure <NUM> according to the embodiment example of the present invention is used as a cooling device in a form of a heat sink is explained. As shown in <FIG>, a heat sink <NUM> includes the heat pipe structure <NUM> according to the embodiment example including the base block <NUM> including the rear surface part 10a thermally connected to the heat generating body <NUM>, which is the cooling target, and the heat pipe <NUM> fixed to the front surface part 10b of the base block <NUM>. The heat pipe <NUM> includes the heat receiving tubular portion 21a disposed along the in-plane direction of the base block <NUM> and a heat radiating tubular portion 21b connected to and communicating with the heat receiving tubular portion 21a and erected from the base block <NUM>. In the heat sink <NUM>, a heat pipe group <NUM> including a plurality of heat pipes <NUM> is formed. The heat sink <NUM> includes a heat radiation fin group <NUM> formed by a plurality of heat radiation fins <NUM>, <NUM>,. fixed to the heat radiating tubular portion 21b in parallel to an erected direction of the heat pipe group <NUM>, that is, an extending direction of the heat radiating tubular portion 21b. From the above description, the heat sink <NUM> has structure in which the heat radiation fins <NUM> are fixed to the heat radiating tubular portion 21b of the heat pipe <NUM> provided in the heat pipe structure <NUM>.

The plurality of heat pipes <NUM>, <NUM>,. forming the heat pipe group <NUM> are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals. A shape in the longitudinal direction (a heat transport direction) of the heat pipe <NUM> is a linear shape, a shape having bent parts, or the like and is not particularly limited. For example, in <FIG>, the heat pipe <NUM> is formed by a tubular body having a substantially U shape, which is a shape having bent parts on both sides of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a.

The heat receiving tubular portion 21a, a shape in the longitudinal direction of which is a linear shape, has a function of a heat receiving part heated by heat from the base block <NUM>. The heat radiating tubular portion 21b has a function of a heat radiating part that emits heat transported from the heat receiving tubular portion 21a to the heat radiating tubular portion 21b. In the heat sink <NUM>, the shape in the longitudinal direction of the heat radiating tubular portion 21b is a linear shape.

The plurality of heat radiation fins <NUM>, <NUM>,. forming the heat radiation fin group <NUM> are provided in parallel at predetermined intervals in the extending direction of the heat radiating tubular portion 21b. For example, in the heat sink <NUM>, the respective heat radiation fins <NUM> are provided in parallel such that principal planes of the plurality of heat radiation fins <NUM>, <NUM>,. are substantially parallel. The heat radiation fin <NUM> includes a hole part corresponding to a position, a shape, and a dimension of the heat radiating tubular portion 21b of the heat pipe <NUM>. For example, the heat radiation fin <NUM> is fixed to the heat pipe <NUM> by fitting and inserting the heat radiating tubular portion 21b into the hole part. The heat radiation fin <NUM> has a function of heat exchanging means for emitting heat from the heat radiating tubular portion 21b.

Thereafter, a mechanism of heat transport by the heat sink <NUM> in which the heat pipe structure <NUM> is used is explained. When the base block <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> receives heat from the heat generating body <NUM> in the rear surface part 10a, the heat is transferred from the rear surface part 10a to the front surface part 10b of the base block <NUM>. The heat transferred to the front surface part 10b is transferred from the front surface part 10b to the heat receiving tubular portion 21a of the heat pipe <NUM>. When the heat is transferred to the heat receiving tubular portion 21a, the heat receiving tubular portion 21a functions as a heat receiving part (an evaporating part) of the heat pipe <NUM>. The working fluid inside the heat pipe <NUM> changes from a liquid phase to a gas phase in the heat receiving part. The working fluid changed to the gas phase flows, inside the heat pipe <NUM>, from the heat receiving part to a heat radiating part (a condensing part) of the heat radiating tubular portion 21b in the longitudinal direction of the heat pipe <NUM>, whereby the heat from the heat generating body <NUM> is transported from the heat receiving part to the heat radiating part of the heat pipe <NUM>. The working fluid in the gas phase changes to the liquid phase in the heat radiating part of the heat radiating tubular portion 21b in which the heat radiation fin <NUM>, which is the heat exchanging means, is provided, whereby the heat transported from the heat receiving part to the heat radiating part of the heat pipe <NUM> is emitted as latent heat.

From the above description, since the heat sink <NUM> in which the heat radiation fin <NUM>, which is the heat exchanging means, is attached to the heat pipe structure <NUM> is adopted, even if the heat pipe <NUM> is thermally connected to the base block <NUM> using the caulking means, the heat sink <NUM> is excellent in heat transferability from the base block <NUM> to the heat pipe <NUM> in the caulking and fixing part. As a result, a cooling characteristic of the heat sink <NUM> is improved. The heat sink <NUM> excellent in fixing stability of the heat pipe <NUM> to the base block <NUM> can be obtained.

Thereafter, a manufacturing method for the heat pipe structure <NUM> and a manufacturing method for the heat sink <NUM> in which the heat pipe structure <NUM> is used are explained with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is an explanatory view of manufacturing the heat sink using the heat pipe structure according to the embodiment example of the present invention. A figure (a) is an explanatory view of a state in which the heat pipe is caulked and fixed to the base block, a figure (b) is an explanatory view of a state in which heating treatment is performed after the caulking and fixing and the heat pipe structure is manufactured, and a figure (c) is an explanatory view of a state in which the heat radiation fin is attached to the heat pipe structure and the heat sink is manufactured.

First, the recessed part <NUM> having the longitudinal direction and the width direction is formed in the front surface part 10b of the base block <NUM>. The pair of wall parts 12a, 12a projecting in the thickness direction of the base block <NUM> from the width direction both sides of the recessed part <NUM> is formed. At the same time, the heat pipe <NUM> in which the second plating film is formed on the outer surface of the container part <NUM> of the heat pipe <NUM> and the first plating film is further formed on the second plating film is prepared. From the above description, a container of the heat pipe <NUM> has structure in which a laminated body <NUM> of a plating film including the first plating film and the second plating film is provided on the container part <NUM> outer surface. The laminated body <NUM> of the plating film may be provided over the entire outer surface of the container part <NUM> or may be provided in only a partial region of the container part <NUM> including the heat receiving tubular portion 21a. Note that, in <FIG>, the laminated body <NUM> of the plating film is provided over the entire outer surface of the container part <NUM>.

In a state in which the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is accommodated in the recessed part <NUM>, the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a is caulked to fix the heat pipe <NUM> including the heat receiving tubular portion 21a to the base block <NUM>, the heat pipe <NUM> being the prepared heat pipe <NUM> including the first plating film containing the first metal having the melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> and/or the first metal alloy having the melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> formed on the outer surface of the container part <NUM> of the heat pipe <NUM>. The heat radiating tubular portion 21b is in a state erected from the base block <NUM>. Specifically, for example, the heat receiving tubular portion 21a of the heat pipe <NUM> is fit in the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM> and the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is accommodated in the recessed part <NUM>. At this time, the heat radiating tubular portion 21b is set in the state erected from the base block <NUM>. Thereafter, a caulking part formed in a concave shape of a caulking jig (not shown in the figures) are brought into contact with distal end portions of the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a. The caulking jig is moved downward in a vertical direction (that is, a direction of the base block <NUM>) to caulk the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a. At this time, the outer circumferential surface 21c of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a in contact with the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a receives stress on a width direction outer side from the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a. The pair of wall parts 12a, 12a is brought into press contact with the outer circumferential surface 21c of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a. When the caulking jig is further moved downward in the vertical direction to further caulk the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a, the press contact surfaces 12c on which the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a is in press contact with the outer circumferential surface 21c of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is formed.

As shown in <FIG>, when the press contact surfaces 12c are formed, the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is caulked and fixed to the pair of wall parts 12a, 12a and the recessed part <NUM>. As a result, the heat pipe <NUM> is caulked and fixed to the base block <NUM>.

The heat pipe <NUM> fixed to the base block <NUM> is subjected to heating treatment at temperature equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>, the first plating film is melted, and the first metal part <NUM> is formed between the recessed part <NUM> and the outer surface of the container part <NUM>. In a heating step, since the first plating film is melted, a heating temperature in the heating step is temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the first plating film. The heating temperature is set to be equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> according to the melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> of the first metal and the first metal alloy forming the first metal part <NUM>. For example, when the first plating film is a tin plating film, since a melting point of tin is <NUM>, the heating temperature is set to be equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>. On the other hand, since the melting point of the second metal and the second metal alloy forming the second metal part <NUM> is higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>, in the heating step, the second plating film, which is the second metal part <NUM>, does not melt.

A melted object of the first metal film moves downward in a gravity direction with action of gravity. At least a part of the melted object of the first plating film intrudes into between the recessed part <NUM> and the second plating film (the second metal part <NUM>) formed on the container part <NUM> outer surface. The first plating film located between the recessed part <NUM> and the second plating film (the second metal part <NUM>) formed on the container part <NUM> outer surface is also melted by the heating treatment. At this time, the melted object of the first plating film intrudes into an air gap formed between the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM> and the second plating film (the second metal part <NUM>) formed on the container part <NUM> outer surface of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a including the bent parts <NUM> on both the sides of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a. The air gap is in a filled state by the melted object of the first plating film.

Thereafter, when the melted object of the first metal film is cooled, the melted object of the first metal film solidifies. The first metal part <NUM> containing the first metal and/or the first metal alloy having the melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is formed in an advanced state into the air gap. That is, it is possible to manufacture the heat pipe structure <NUM> shown in <FIG> in a state in which the air gap is filled by the first metal part <NUM>. In the heat pipe structure <NUM>, a region where the melted first plating film moves downward in the gravity direction and the first plating film does not remain on the container outer surface is in a state in which the second plating film forming the second metal part <NUM> is exposed.

Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, the heat radiation fin <NUM> is attached to the heat radiating tubular portion 21b of the heat pipe <NUM> fixed to the base block <NUM> in a state in which the first metal part <NUM> is formed. The heat sink <NUM> can be manufactured by attaching the plurality of heat radiation fins <NUM>, <NUM>,. to the heat pipe structure <NUM> obtained as explained above.

Thereafter, another embodiment example of the heat pipe structure of the present invention is explained. In the heat pipe structure <NUM> according to the embodiment example explained above, the first metal part <NUM> is formed in at least a part between the bent parts <NUM> on the longitudinal direction both sides of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a and the recessed part <NUM>. Instead of this, a third metal part containing solder may be further formed between the first metal part <NUM> formed at least in a part of the bent parts <NUM> and the recessed part <NUM>. Examples of the solder of the third metal part include a tin alloy and a lead alloy.

Whereas an air gap is easily formed between the bent parts <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a and the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM>, since the third metal part containing solder is further formed between the first metal part <NUM> located in the bent parts <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a and the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM>, whereby the air gap formed between the bent parts <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a and the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM> is surely filled by the first metal part <NUM> and the third metal part. Therefore, the heat transferability from the base block <NUM> to the heat pipe <NUM> in the caulking and fixing part is further improved. Even if the bent parts <NUM>, fixing of which by caulking is difficult, are provided in the heat receiving tubular portion 21a of the heat pipe <NUM>, since not only the first metal part <NUM> but also the third metal part explained above is formed in the air gap between the bent parts <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a and the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM>, it is possible to surely improve the heat transferability from the base block <NUM> to the heat pipe <NUM> over the entire longitudinal direction of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a.

Examples of a forming method for the third metal part include a method of, in the heating step explained above, melting the solder provided in at least a part of the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM> and cooling the melted solder. More specifically, for example, the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is accommodated in the recessed part <NUM> in a state in which a predetermined amount of the solder, which is a material of the third metal part, is placed in advance in positions corresponding to the bent parts <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a in the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM> or a predetermined amount of the solder, which is the material of the third metal part, is supplied to the position corresponding to the bent parts <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a in a state in which the heat receiving tubular portion 21a is accommodated in the recessed part <NUM>, and the caulking step explained above is carried out. Thereafter, the third metal part can be formed by melting the solder, which is the material of the third metal part, in the heating step and cooling the melted solder. After the caulking step is carried out, the third metal part may be formed by supplying the predetermined amount of the solder, which is the material of the third metal part, to the positions corresponding to the bent parts <NUM> of the heat receiving tubular portion 21a in the recessed part <NUM> of the base block <NUM>, melting the solder, which is the material of the third metal part, in the heating step explained above, and cooling the melted solder.

In the heat pipe structure <NUM> according to the embodiment example, the second metal part <NUM>, which is the second plating film, is provided on the outer surface of the container part <NUM> in order to impart the further function (for example, electrolytic corrosion resistance) to the outer surface of the container part <NUM>. However, when it is unnecessary to impart the further function to the outer surface of the container part <NUM>, the second metal part <NUM> does not have to be provided.

The heat pipe structure <NUM> according to the embodiment example includes the laminated body <NUM> of the plating films having the two-layer structure in which the second plating film is directly formed on the outer surface of the container part <NUM> of the heat pipe <NUM> and the first plating film is further directly formed on the second plating film. Instead of this, a plating film provided on the outer surface of the container part <NUM> of the heat pipe <NUM> may be the laminated body <NUM> of plating films in three or more layers. For example, another plating film may be provided between the outer surface of the container part <NUM> and the second plating film. Another plating film may be provided between the second plating film and the first plating film.

Claim 1:
A heat pipe structure (<NUM>) comprising:
a base block (<NUM>) including a rear surface part (10a) thermally connectable to a heat generating body; and
a heat pipe (<NUM>) including a heat receiving tubular portion (21a) fixed to a front surface part (10b) of the base block (<NUM>) and disposed along an in-plane direction of the base block (<NUM>), wherein
the base block (<NUM>) has a longitudinal direction and a width direction and includes a recessed part (<NUM>) in which the heat receiving tubular portion (21a) is accommodated, and
a container part (<NUM>) of the heat pipe (<NUM>) is caulked and fixed in the recessed part (<NUM>) and a first metal part (<NUM>) containing first metal having a melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> and/or a first metal alloy having a melting point equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is formed between the recessed part (<NUM>) and an outer surface of the container part (<NUM>), and
the base block (<NUM>) includes the recessed part (<NUM>) and a pair of wall parts (12a) projecting along an outer circumferential surface of the heat receiving tubular portion (21a) from width direction both sides of the recessed part (<NUM>), and the container part (<NUM>) of the heat pipe (<NUM>) is caulked and fixed to the recessed part (<NUM>) and the pair of wall parts (12a), characterised in that
a second metal part (<NUM>) containing second metal having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> and/or a second metal alloy having a melting point higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM> is further formed between the outer surface of the container part (<NUM>) and the first metal part (<NUM>), and
wherein the first metal part (<NUM>) extends from between a half on a base block (<NUM>) side in the container part (<NUM>) and the recessed part (<NUM>) to between the container part (<NUM>) and the pair of wall parts (12a).