Patent Description:
A vapor chamber is a common heat dissipation device. The vapor chamber mainly includes a flat closed casing, a capillary structure formed in the flat closed casing, and a working fluid filled inside the flat closed casing. The flat closed casing is exposed to a heat source, such as a central processing unit (CPU), and the heat source is dissipated by the vapor-liquid phase change of the working fluid inside the vapor chamber. When the heat source is in operation, the working fluid inside the vapor chamber is heated and expands, which may cause the pressure inside the flat closed casing greater than <NUM> atmosphere, and may cause the casing of the vapor chamber to deform.

The disclosure provides a vapor chamber device, which has good structural strength, is not easily deformed, and is easy to manufacture when sealing an upper plate and a lower plate because the vapor chamber device does not require precise alignment.

A vapor chamber device of the disclosure is adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat source. The vapor chamber device includes a first casing, a first capillary structure, and a second casing. The first casing includes a first plate portion, multiple first protrusions protruding from an inner surface of the first plate portion, and a first side wall protruding from the inner surface and surrounding the first protrusions. The heat source is adapted to contact an outer surface of the first plate portion. The first capillary structure is disposed above the inner surface of the first plate portion and surrounds the first protrusions. The second casing is stacked on the first casing, and the second casing includes a second plate portion, multiple second protrusions protruding from the second plate portion, and a second side wall protruding from the second plate portion and surrounding the second protrusions. The first side wall is connected to the second side wall, multiple steam passages are formed between the second protrusions, the second plate portion includes multiple connecting regions yielded by the second protrusions, the first protrusions are connected to the connecting regions, and the second protrusions rest against the first capillary structure.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a number of the second protrusions is greater than a number of the first protrusions, and a size of the first protrusion is greater than a size of the second protrusion.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a difference value between a height of the first protrusion protruding from the first plate portion and a height of the second protrusion protruding from the second plate portion is a height of a capillary layer.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the first protrusions is columnar or strip-shaped, and the first protrusions are evenly distributed on the inner surface.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second protrusions include multiple first support columns and multiple second support columns, a shape of the first support columns is different from a shape of the second support columns, the first support columns are disposed at positions corresponding to the heat source, and the second support columns are located next to the first support columns and extend in an axial direction.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a part of the second protrusions is disposed at a position corresponding to the heat source, and the other part of the second protrusions is arranged radially around the part.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first capillary structure is a mesh structure woven by multiple wires, a non-woven mesh structure, or a metal foam layer, and sintered metal powder, and the first capillary structure includes multiple holes.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first casing includes a second capillary structure protruding integrally from the inner surface of the first plate portion, the second capillary structure includes multiple grooves formed between multiple convex bars to serve as fluid channels, and the first capillary structure is disposed between the second capillary structure and the second protrusions of the second casing.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least a part of the grooves are radially arranged.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first protrusions and at least a part of the convex bars are radially arranged.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the vapor chamber device further includes a third capillary structure filled in the grooves in regions corresponding to the heat source, and the third capillary structure includes metal powder, non-woven metal wool, or chemically produced nanostructures.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the vapor chamber device further includes multiple extended capillary layers extending from the first capillary structure and integrated with the first capillary structure, and the extended capillary layers surround the first protrusions.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, one of the first side wall and the second side wall includes a ring-shaped convex bar, the ring-shaped convex bar surrounds corresponding first protrusions or second protrusions, and the other one of the first side wall and the second side wall includes a ring-shaped groove surrounding corresponding first protrusions or second protrusions, and the ring-shaped convex bar is embedded in the ring-shaped groove.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first side wall and the second side wall have a sealing region at edges, the sealing region seals the edges of the first side wall and the second side wall by pinching, diffusion bonding, brazing, soldering, laser welding, or arc welding, and the sealing region surrounds or covers the ring-shaped convex bar and the ring-shaped groove.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first side wall and the second side wall have a sealing region at edges, and the sealing region seals the edges of the first side wall and the second side wall by pinching, diffusion bonding, brazing, soldering, laser welding, or arc welding.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a material of the first casing and the second casing includes aluminum or aluminum alloy.

Based on the above, the first side wall of the vapor chamber device of the disclosure is connected to the second side wall, and the first protrusions of the first casing are connected to the connecting regions of the second plate portion to increase the structural strength of the first casing and second casing and avoid expansion and deformation due to the increase of internal pressure during operation. In cold working, the first protrusions may be connected to the second plate portion by applying resistance welding to an upper outer wall and a lower outer wall of a vapor chamber in the connecting region of the first protrusion and the second plate portion; in hot working, the first protrusion may be connected to the second plate portion by a diffusion connecting process in a high temperature furnace. In addition, since the first protrusions and the second protrusions are staggered from each other, there is no need for precise alignment between the first casing and the second casing, and even if there is any offset between the first casing and the second casing during the manufacturing process, there is no effect on the connection between the first protrusion and the connecting regions of the second plate portion, and the process is convenient. Furthermore, the first capillary structure is disposed above the inner surface of the first plate portion, and the second protrusions of the second casing rest against the first capillary structure, which may avoid collapse and deformation due to the low pressure of the vacuum inside the vapor chamber device. Therefore, the vapor chamber device of the disclosure may have better structural strength and is easy to manufacture.

To make the aforementioned more comprehensive, several embodiments accompanied with drawings are described in detail as follows.

The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an appearance of a vapor chamber device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vapor chamber device in <FIG> along a line A-A. <FIG> is a schematic top view of a first casing of the vapor chamber device in <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic view of an inner surface of a second casing of the vapor chamber device in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an appearance shape of a vapor chamber device <NUM> in this embodiment is, for example, a rectangular plate shape, but the appearance shape of the vapor chamber device <NUM> may be any shape, not limited by the drawings. The vapor chamber device <NUM> is adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat source <NUM> (<FIG>). The heat source <NUM> is, for example, a central processing unit of a motherboard, but the heat source <NUM> may also be other chips, and the type and number of the heat source <NUM> are not limited thereto.

As shown in <FIG>, the vapor chamber device <NUM> of this embodiment includes a first casing <NUM>, a first capillary structure <NUM>, and a second casing <NUM>. A material of the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM> is metal, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the material of the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM> may also include other metals such as copper or copper alloy.

The first casing <NUM> includes a first plate portion <NUM>, multiple first protrusions 117a protruding from an inner surface <NUM> of the first plate portion <NUM>, and a first side wall <NUM> protruding from the inner surface <NUM> and surrounding the first protrusions 117a. The heat source <NUM> is adapted to contact an outer surface <NUM> of the first plate portion <NUM>, and heat energy generated by the heat source <NUM> is transferred to the vapor chamber device <NUM>.

As can be seen from <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 117a is columnar, and the first protrusions 117a are evenly distributed on the inner surface <NUM>. Of course, in other embodiments, the first protrusion 117a may also be strip-shaped, and the first protrusions 117a may also be unevenly distributed, and the shape and distribution of the first protrusions 117a are not limited thereto. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, although the first protrusions 117a are not placed in an evaporation zone corresponding to the heat source <NUM>, the first protrusions 117a may be partially placed in the evaporation zone corresponding to the heat source <NUM>, and second protrusions <NUM> are partially removed from positions corresponding to the first protrusions 117a on a second plate portion <NUM> to form connecting regions <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the first plate portion <NUM> and the first protrusions 117a are integrally formed, and such a design may have a simpler structure. Moreover, since there is no thermal contact resistance between the first plate portion <NUM> and the first protrusions 117a, the heat transfer effect is better. The first plate portion <NUM> and the first protrusions 117a are made, for example, by stamping, chemical etching, extruding, forging, or die-casting processes, but not limited thereto.

The first capillary structure <NUM> is disposed on the inner surface <NUM> of the first plate portion <NUM> and surrounds the first protrusions 117a. In this embodiment, the first capillary structure <NUM> is a mesh structure woven by multiple wires, for example, a metal mesh such as a copper or aluminum mesh. Of course, in other embodiments, the first capillary structure <NUM> may also be a non-woven mesh, or a porous foamed metal-type capillary structure. The first capillary structure <NUM> may also be sintered metal powder capillary, and the form of the first capillary structure <NUM> is not limited thereto. Since the first capillary structure <NUM> includes multiple holes, capillary force may be provided within the holes.

The second casing <NUM> is stacked on the first casing <NUM>. The second casing <NUM> includes a second plate portion <NUM>, multiple second protrusions <NUM> protruding from the second plate portion <NUM>, and a second side wall <NUM> protruding from the second plate portion <NUM> and surrounding the second protrusions <NUM>. In this embodiment, the second protrusions <NUM> are equal in height and flush with the second side wall <NUM>, but the relationship between the second protrusions <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> is not limited thereto.

The first side wall <NUM> is connected to the second side wall <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> may be connected by pinching, diffusion bonding, brazing, soldering, laser welding, or arc welding to achieve a sealing effect.

In order to increase a structural strength of the vapor chamber device <NUM>, the vapor chamber device <NUM> of this embodiment is deliberately provided with the first protrusions 117a in a region within the first side wall <NUM> of the first casing <NUM>. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the second plate portion <NUM> includes multiple connecting regions <NUM> yielded by the second protrusions <NUM>. When the first side wall <NUM> is connected to the second side wall <NUM>, the first protrusions 117a are connected to the connecting regions <NUM> of the second plate portion <NUM>. The first protrusions 117a may be connected to the second plate portion <NUM> by applying resistance welding to the first protrusions 117a and the connecting regions <NUM> of the second plate portion <NUM> in cold working; and may be connected by diffusion bonding in hot working to enhance connectivity between the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM> to achieve sufficient anti-expansion characteristics.

In this embodiment, since the first protrusions 117a and the second protrusions <NUM> are staggered from each other, there is no need for precise alignment between the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM>, and even if there is any offset between the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM> during the manufacturing process, there is no effect on the connection between the first protrusion 117a and the connecting regions <NUM> of the second plate portion <NUM>, and the process is convenient. In addition, the first protrusions 117a can be directly connected to the second plate portion <NUM>, making it easy to maintain a connection strength of the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the second protrusions <NUM> rest against the first capillary structure <NUM>, and help to fix a distance between the first plate portion <NUM> and the second plate portion <NUM>, which may ensure flatness of the first capillary structure <NUM> and avoid collapse and deformation of the vapor chamber device <NUM> due to a change of internal pressure, and may effectively increase the service life of the vapor chamber device <NUM>. In this embodiment, a difference value between a height H1 of the first protrusion 117a protruding from the first plate portion <NUM> and a height H2 of the second protrusion <NUM> protruding from the second plate portion <NUM> is a height H3 of a capillary layer.

As shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment, a number of the second protrusions <NUM> is greater than a number of the first protrusions 117a. Multiple steam passages <NUM> are formed between the second protrusions <NUM>. The second protrusion <NUM> is used as a structure defining the steam passages, a guide structure for the liquid condensed by steam to flow down along the second protrusion <NUM>, and a support structure to avoid collapse of the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM>. Thus, a greater number of the second protrusions <NUM> may provide a greater number of the steam passages <NUM>, the guide structure, and the support structure.

In addition, in this embodiment, a size of the first protrusion 117a is greater than a size of the second protrusion <NUM>. The first protrusion 117a is mainly used as a connection structure for connecting the second plate portion <NUM>, so a larger size of the first protrusion 117a may provide a larger connecting area. Of course, the relationship between the size and number of the first protrusion 117a and the second protrusion <NUM> is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, since the first protrusion 117a in this embodiment is directly connected to the second plate portion <NUM>, the first protrusion 117a may also be used as a structure defining a part of the steam passages, and may have a function of allowing the liquid condensed by steam to flow down along the first protrusion 117a. The first protrusion 117a and the second protrusion <NUM> may significantly shorten a path length of the liquid backflow and effectively reduce flow resistance.

In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment, the second protrusion <NUM> is, for example, a cylinder, and shapes of the second protrusions <NUM> are consistent, but the shape of the second protrusion <NUM> is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the second protrusion <NUM> may also be a rectangular column, a square column, an elliptical column, a polygonal column, a tapered column, an irregular column, or/and a combination thereof. The shape and distribution form of the second protrusion <NUM> are not limited thereto. Moreover, in this embodiment, the second protrusion <NUM> and the second plate portion <NUM> are integrally formed, and the second plate portion <NUM> and the second protrusions <NUM> are made, for example, by stamping, chemical etching, extruding, forging, or die-casting processes, but not limited thereto.

In addition, in this embodiment, as seen from a cross section of <FIG>, a cross section of the second protrusion <NUM> is a rectangle, but in other embodiments, the cross section of the second protrusion <NUM> may also be an inverted trapezoid, so the constructed steam passage <NUM> has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the second protrusions <NUM> may include multiple tapered columns, multiple trapezoidal columns, multiple cylinders, or multiple irregular columns. Thus, a cross-sectional shape of the second protrusion <NUM> may be triangular, arc-shaped, or other shapes. Likewise, the cross-sectional shape of the steam passage <NUM> may be triangular, arc-shaped, or other shapes.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, an internal space surrounded by the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM> will be filled with an appropriate amount of working fluid g (marked in <FIG>, and the working fluid g in <FIG> is gas). The working fluid g is, for example, acetone compatible with an aluminum container, but the type of the working fluid g is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the working fluid g may also be water or other types of working fluid, as long as it can be compatible with the material of the vapor chamber device. The working fluid g flows in the first casing <NUM> in the form of liquid, for example.

The outer surface <NUM> (marked in <FIG>) of the first casing <NUM> of the vapor chamber device <NUM> contacts the heat source <NUM>, and heat emitted by the heat source <NUM> is transferred to the first casing <NUM>. A region of the vapor chamber device <NUM> corresponding to the heat source <NUM> is called an evaporation zone. In the evaporation zone, the working fluid g (liquid) absorbs heat and is vaporized into gas (steam). The working fluid g (gas) flows upward to the steam passage <NUM> of the second casing <NUM> and diffuses within the second casing <NUM>, and then condenses into liquid in a condensation region of the vapor chamber (e.g., a region of the second casing <NUM> or the first casing <NUM> of the vapor chamber device <NUM> outside projection of the heat source <NUM>), and discharges the heat from the vapor chamber device <NUM>. When the working fluid g is condensed from gas to liquid, the working fluid g may flow down along side walls of the second protrusion <NUM> and the first protrusion 117a. The condensed working fluid g (liquid) flows back down to a region near the heat source <NUM> and evaporates, and a thermal cycle is completed.

In this embodiment, the steam passage <NUM> of the second casing <NUM> may be vacuumed to exclude non-condensable gases such as air.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the second protrusions <NUM> rest against the first capillary structure <NUM>, and may support the second plate portion <NUM>, effectively avoiding the collapse of the first casing <NUM>, the second casing <NUM>, and the steam passages <NUM> during vacuuming. In addition, the first protrusion 117a may be connected with the corresponding connecting region <NUM>, so that when the pressure between the first plate portion <NUM> and the second plate portion <NUM> is greater than <NUM> atmosphere (i.e., the saturation pressure corresponding to an operating temperature of the vapor chamber is higher than the ambient pressure), the distance between the first plate portion <NUM> and the second plate portion <NUM> may be maintained fixed, and the vapor chamber device <NUM> may be prevented from expanding and deforming.

The vapor chamber device or the second casing thereof of other implementations will be introduced in the following. Components that are the same or similar to those in the previous embodiment are represented by the same or similar symbols and will not be repeated, and only the main differences are described.

<FIG> are schematic views of inner surfaces of second casings of various vapor chamber devices according to other embodiments of the disclosure. Referring to <FIG> first, the main difference between a second casing 120a in <FIG> and the second casing <NUM> in <FIG> lies in shapes of the second protrusion <NUM> and 122a. In this embodiment, a second protrusion 122a is a square column, but the shape of the second protrusion 122a is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, the main difference between a second casing 120b of <FIG> and the second casing <NUM> of <FIG> is that, in this embodiment, the second protrusions <NUM> include multiple first support columns 122b and multiple second support columns <NUM>, the shape of the first support columns 122b is different from the shape of the second support columns <NUM>, the first support columns 122b are disposed at positions corresponding to the heat source <NUM>, and the second support columns <NUM> are located next the first support columns 122b and extend in an axial direction A1.

In this embodiment, a high-density first support columns 122b are disposed at positions of the second casing <NUM> corresponding to the heat source <NUM>, and provide good structural strength. The second support columns <NUM> are disposed on both sides of the first support columns 122b and extend in the axial direction A1 to guide a flow direction of the working fluid g (gas). In addition, in this embodiment, the second support column <NUM> are partially yielded to the connecting region <NUM> for the connection of the first protrusion 117a (as shown in <FIG>).

Referring to <FIG>, the main difference between a second casing 120c of <FIG> and the second casing <NUM> of <FIG> is that, in this embodiment, the second protrusions 122b are disposed at positions corresponding to the heat source <NUM>, and the other part of the second protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is arranged radially around the part corresponding to the heat source <NUM>. This design also allows for good guidance of the flow direction of the working fluid g (gas).

In the above embodiment, second protrusions <NUM>, 122a, 122b, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a part of the second casing <NUM>, 120a, 120b, 120c are removed to partially form the connecting region <NUM>, and the connecting region <NUM> is used to allow the connection of the first protrusion 117a and the second plate portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vapor chamber device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the main difference between a vapor chamber device 100d in <FIG> and the vapor chamber device <NUM> in <FIG> is that, in this embodiment, a size of the first protrusion 117d is the same as the size of the second protrusion <NUM>.

Similarly, since the first protrusion 117d is directly connected to the second plate portion <NUM>, the first protrusions 117d and the second protrusions <NUM> are staggered from each other, there is no need for precise alignment between the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM>, and the connecting process is convenient. The second protrusions <NUM> rest against the first capillary structure <NUM>, effectively avoiding the collapse of the first casing <NUM>, the second casing <NUM>, and the steam passages <NUM> during vacuuming.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vapor chamber device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic top view of a first casing of the vapor chamber device in <FIG>. It should be noted that a cross section in <FIG> is a cross section along a line B-B in <FIG>, i.e., in a width direction of the vapor chamber device, unlike a cross section in <FIG> in a length direction of the vapor chamber device. In addition, in <FIG>, a convex bar <NUM> is shown by thin lines, and a first protrusion 117e is shown by bold lines.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the main difference between a vapor chamber device 100e of <FIG> and the vapor chamber device <NUM> of <FIG> is that, in this embodiment, the first casing 110e includes a second capillary structure <NUM> protruding integrally from the inner surface <NUM> of the first plate portion <NUM>. The second capillary structure <NUM> includes multiple grooves <NUM> formed between multiple convex bars <NUM> to serve as fluid channels.

More specifically, the convex bars <NUM> protrude from the inner surface <NUM> of the first plate portion, so that the groove <NUM> are defined between two adjacent convex bars <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first plate portion <NUM> is integrally formed with the convex bars <NUM>, and such a design may have a relatively simple structure. Since there is no thermal contact resistance between the first plate portion <NUM> and the convex bars <NUM> (i.e., between the first plate portion <NUM> and the groove <NUM>), the heat transfer effect is better.

The working fluid g (<FIG>), for example, flows in the groove <NUM> of the second capillary structure <NUM> of the first casing 110e in the form of liquid. The second capillary structure <NUM> is designed with the grooves <NUM> to provide a lower flow resistance. In this embodiment, a width of the groove114 is, for example, between <NUM> microns and <NUM> microns, and a depth of the groove114 is, for example, between <NUM> microns and <NUM> microns, but the width and the depth of the groove1 <NUM> are not limited thereto.

As shown in <FIG>, a height of the first protrusion 117e is greater than a height of the convex bar <NUM>. The first capillary structure <NUM> passes through the first protrusion 117e, and is disposed between the second capillary structure <NUM> and the second protrusions <NUM> of the second casing <NUM>. Since the first capillary structure <NUM> is disposed on the groove <NUM> of the second capillary structure <NUM>, the upper part of the groove <NUM> of the second capillary structure <NUM> is covered by the first capillary structure <NUM>, and a capillary-like structure is formed in a direction of the extension of the groove <NUM> (the direction of injection or injection into the drawing surface). This structure enables the working fluid g in the groove <NUM> to resist gravity, so that the vapor chamber device <NUM> may complete a thermal cycle well in a non-horizontal condition.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the open groove <NUM> of the second capillary structure <NUM> is covered with a mesh-like first capillary structure <NUM>, which not only maintains the low flow resistance advantage of the groove <NUM>, but also significantly enhances the capillary force and makes the vapor chamber device 100e suitable for non-horizontal placement.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an inner surface of a first casing of a vapor chamber device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. It should be noted that, in <FIG>, the convex bar <NUM> is shown by thin lines, and a first protrusion 117f is shown by bold lines. In addition, a second casing corresponding to a first casing 110f in <FIG> may be, for example, the second casing 120c in <FIG>. It can be seen from <FIG> and <FIG> that positions of the first protrusions 117f in <FIG> correspond to the positions of the connecting regions <NUM> in <FIG>; however, the second casing corresponding to the first casing 110f in <FIG> is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, the first protrusions 117f and at least a part of the convex bars <NUM> are radially arranged together, so that at least a part of grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged radially. In addition, grooves <NUM> of the first casing 110f corresponding to the heat source <NUM> are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Of course, in an embodiment, it is possible to have only the convex bars <NUM> arranged radially, without being limited by the drawing.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the first casing 110f has a variety of grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in different directions, which are arranged radially to reduce the flow resistance and allow the condensed working fluid g (liquid) to flow back quickly. The arrangement of the grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the inner surface <NUM> of the first casing 110f is not limited to the radial pattern, and may be any arrangement sufficient to guide the working fluid g (liquid).

It should be noted that, in an embodiment, the first protrusions may be evenly distributed in regions other than the evaporation zone. In another embodiment, the first protrusions may also be unevenly distributed in regions other than the evaporation zone. The shape and size of the first protrusions are not limited. In other embodiments, the first protrusions may also be partially located in the evaporation zone and is not limited by the drawing.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vapor chamber device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic top view of a first casing of the vapor chamber device in <FIG>. Similarly, a cross section in <FIG>, like <FIG>, is in the width direction of the vapor chamber device.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the main difference between a vapor chamber device <NUM> of <FIG> and the vapor chamber device 100e of <FIG> is that, in this embodiment, the vapor chamber device <NUM> further includes a third capillary structure <NUM> filled in the grooves <NUM> in regions corresponding to the heat source <NUM>.

The third capillary structure <NUM> includes metal powder, non-woven metal wool, or chemically or physically produced nanostructures. In this embodiment, the third capillary structure <NUM> is in the form of a sintered capillary structure, for example, where the metal powder is sintered in a localized region of the groove <NUM>. Of course, in other embodiments, the form of the third capillary structure <NUM> is not limited thereto. The first capillary structure <NUM> may also be a metal foam layer with a large number of internal holes, and the third capillary structure <NUM> (metal powder, or chemically or physically produced nanostructure) may also be filled in the holes in the metal foam layer.

In this embodiment, the addition of metal powder or metal wool with stronger capillary force to the second capillary structure <NUM> near the heat source <NUM> increases the capillary force therein and enhances the drying resistance. In addition, because the third capillary structure <NUM> is only disposed at the position corresponding to the heat source <NUM> in the second capillary structure <NUM>, a path through which the liquid flows back is not blocked.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, since the third capillary structure <NUM> corresponding to the region of the heat source <NUM> has a stronger capillary force, and the groove <NUM> in the second capillary structure <NUM> covered by the first capillary structure <NUM> has both lower flow resistance and stronger capillary force, the proper combination of the three capillary structures results in a more rapid return of the working fluid to the evaporation zone close to the heat source <NUM>, so that the evaporation zone of the vapor chamber device is less likely to dry out, and has better heat dissipation efficiency.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vapor chamber device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic top view of a first casing of the vapor chamber device in <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic view of an inner surface of a second casing of the vapor chamber device of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the main difference between a vapor chamber device <NUM> of <FIG> and the vapor chamber device <NUM> of <FIG> is that, in this embodiment, one of the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> includes a ring-shaped convex bar <NUM>, and the other one of the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> includes a ring-shaped groove <NUM>. For example, the first side wall <NUM> includes the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM>, and the second side wall <NUM> includes the ring-shaped groove <NUM>. The ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> surrounds the first protrusion 117a, and the ring-shaped groove <NUM> surrounds the second protrusion <NUM>. The ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> is embedded in the ring-shaped groove <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM> are metal, and the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> and the ring-shaped groove <NUM> may be made in advance during the manufacturing process. A width of the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> may be slightly larger than a width of the ring-shaped groove <NUM>, and when the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> is embedded in the ring-shaped groove <NUM>, the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> may be tightly squeezed into the ring-shaped groove <NUM>, providing a seal by deformation through compression. This procedure is particularly suitable for the first casing <NUM> and the second casing <NUM> which are made of aluminum with excellent ductility.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment, in order to enhance the sealing of the vapor chamber device <NUM>, the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> have a sealing region <NUM> at edges. The sealing region <NUM> surrounds the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> and the ring-shaped groove <NUM>, and may also cover a region surrounding the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> and the ring-shaped groove <NUM>. That is, the edges of the vapor chamber device <NUM> further adopts pinching, diffusion bonding, brazing, soldering, laser welding, or arc welding to achieve an effect of second vacuum sealing.

Certainly, the structure of the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> embedded in the ring-shaped groove <NUM> and the design of the edge of the vapor chamber device <NUM> as the sealing region <NUM> of this embodiment may also be applied to the vapor chamber device <NUM> to <NUM> of other embodiments mentioned above, and is not limited to <FIG>.

In the vapor chamber devices of the above embodiments, the first protrusion of the first casing is connected to the connecting region of the second plate portion, so that the first casing and the second casing may be connected well, and large-area, low-cost vapor chambers may be produced. The vapor chamber device is suitable for connecting aluminum with cold working to produce a thin vapor chamber with strong heat dissipation performance, which may be applied to <NUM> base stations, natural convection heat dissipation on the surface of high power fanless computer cases, and temperature control of energy storage or automotive lithium battery modules for large area heat dissipation.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vapor chamber device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the main difference between a vapor chamber device 100i in <FIG> and the vapor chamber device <NUM> in <FIG> is that, in this embodiment, the vapor chamber device 100i further includes multiple extended capillary layers <NUM> extending from the first capillary structure <NUM>, and are integrated with the first capillary structure <NUM>, and the extended capillary layers <NUM> surround the first protrusions 117a. The design of the extended capillary layer <NUM> facilitates the condensed liquid of the second casing <NUM> to flow back to the evaporation zone above the heat source <NUM> in the first capillary structure <NUM> on the first casing <NUM>, thus forming a thermal cycle. Of course, the extended capillary layer <NUM> may also be applied to other implementations mentioned above, without being limited by <FIG>.

In addition, the structure of the ring-shaped convex bar <NUM> embedded in the ring-shaped groove <NUM> and the design of the sealing region <NUM> in <FIG> may also be applied to the vapor chamber device 100i of this embodiment.

Claim 1:
A vapor chamber device (<NUM>, 100d, 100e, <NUM>, <NUM>, 100i) adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat source (<NUM>), the vapor chamber device (<NUM>, 100d, 100e, <NUM>, <NUM>, 100i) comprising:
a first casing (<NUM>, 110e, 110f, <NUM>) comprises a first plate portion (<NUM>), a plurality of first protrusions (117a, 117d, 117e, 117f) protruding from an inner surface (<NUM>) of the first plate portion (<NUM>), and a first side wall (<NUM>) protruding from the inner surface (<NUM>) and surrounding the first protrusions (117a, 117d, 117e, 117f), wherein the heat source (<NUM>) is adapted to contact an outer surface (<NUM>) of the first plate portion (<NUM>);
a first capillary structure (<NUM>) disposed above the inner surface (<NUM>) of the first plate portion (<NUM>) and surrounding the first protrusions (117a, 117d, 117e, 117f); and
a second casing (<NUM>, 120a, 120b, 120c, <NUM>) stacked on the first casing (<NUM>, 110e, 110f, <NUM>), the second casing (<NUM>, 120a, 120b, 120c, <NUM>) comprising a second plate portion (<NUM>), a plurality of second protrusions (<NUM>, 122a, 122b) protruding from the second plate portion (<NUM>), and a second side wall (<NUM>) protruding from the second plate portion (<NUM>) and surrounding the second protrusions (<NUM>, 122a, 122b), wherein the first side wall (<NUM>) is connected to the second side wall (<NUM>), a plurality of steam passages (<NUM>) are formed between the second protrusions (<NUM>, 122a, 122b), the vapor chamber device being characterized in that the second plate portion (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of connecting regions (<NUM>) yielded by the second protrusions (<NUM>, 122a, 122b), the first protrusions (117a, 117d, 117e, 117f) are connected to the connecting regions (<NUM>), and the second protrusions (<NUM>, 122a, 122b) rest against the first capillary structure (<NUM>).