JP7430894B2 - Evaporator and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an evaporator and a method for manufacturing the same.

Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe an evaporator equipped with a wick that uses capillary force to evaporate working fluid in a liquid chamber while moving it toward a vapor chamber. The evaporator described in Patent Document 1 includes a first casing (lower case) formed in a box shape with an opening, and a second casing formed in a box shape with an opening and tightly attached to the peripheral end of the first casing. It includes a housing (upper case) and a wick that partitions a steam chamber on the first housing side and a liquid chamber on the second housing side.

Further, the evaporator includes a heat insulating liner disposed inside the second casing (upper case), a rigid liner disposed inside the heat insulating liner, and protruding from the bottom surface of the first casing (lower case). Equipped with a heat dissipation pin. The wick is formed to accommodate the protruding portion of the heat dissipation pin. Furthermore, the wick is sandwiched between the rigid liner and the second casing by being pressed by the peripheral end of the rigid liner.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-83130 JP2018-66510A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-109497

By the way, in order to suppress leakage of the working fluid to the outside, it is necessary to seal the close contact portion between the first casing and the second casing. For example, it may be necessary to weld the entire circumference of the contact area between the first and second casings, or to install an O-ring or the like between the first and second casings. Become.

However, welding and installing an O-ring increase the cost of the evaporator. Furthermore, in order to ensure the sealing performance of the close contact portion between the first housing and the second housing, high shape accuracy of the first housing and the second housing is required. This also becomes a factor in increasing the cost of the evaporator.

Furthermore, in order to evaporate the liquid working fluid in the wick, it is important to transfer heat from the heat source to the wick. Therefore, it is necessary to transfer the heat from the heat source from the first casing (lower case) to the wick. Therefore, in the evaporator described in Patent Document 1, a heat radiation pin is provided in the first housing (lower case), and the wick is formed to accommodate the protrusion of the heat radiation pin. That is, the evaporator is configured such that heat from the heat source is transferred from the first housing to the wick via the heat radiation pin.

However, in this evaporator, the wick is housed in the heat radiation pin so that the wick contacts the heat radiation pin. In other words, the wick is formed in the shape of an inverted heat dissipation pin. However, since the wick has a special shape that fits the heat dissipation pin, it is not easy to mold the wick. This causes an increase in the manufacturing cost of the wick.

If the wick does not have a special shape that fits the heat radiation pin, but is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape, the wick will come into contact only with the tip of the heat radiation pin. However, if the wick is bent and deformed even slightly, the wick separates from the heat dissipation pin. In particular, the pressure of the working fluid in the steam chamber will be higher than the pressure of the working fluid in the liquid chamber. Therefore, no matter what material the wick is made of, such as an organic material or a metal material, there is a possibility that the wick will be bent and deformed, and it may separate from the heat dissipation pin. If the wick and the heat dissipation pin are separated, the liquid working fluid in the wick cannot be efficiently evaporated.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an evaporator that can seal the joint between a first casing and a second casing at low cost. Further, the present invention provides a low-cost and highly reliable evaporator that can use a wick that is easy to mold, that allows the wick and a heat-conducting portion to be in constant contact, and a method for manufacturing the same. for other purposes.

(1. First aspect)
A first aspect of the present invention provides a first concave inner surface forming a steam chamber, a first outer surface exposed to the outside, and a first annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the steam chamber. A casing and
A second concave inner surface forming a liquid chamber, a second outer surface exposed to the outside, and a second annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber and facing the first opening surface. Two housings,
a wick that is porous and made of an organic material, partitions the vapor chamber and the liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force;
Equipped with
The wick is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state over the entire circumference, thereby creating a space between the exterior and the steam chamber and between the exterior and the liquid chamber. constitutes a seal between the
At least one of the first opening surface and the second opening surface is formed with an unevenness that is equal to or less than the thickness of the wick in a compressed state between the first opening surface and the second opening surface. It's in the evaporator.

According to the first aspect, the wick is formed of an organic material and is compressed over the entire circumference between the first opening surface of the first housing and the second opening surface of the second housing. caught in a state. According to this aspect, the wick constitutes a seal portion for suppressing leakage of the working fluid to the outside. That is, the wick has a function of moving a working fluid using capillary force, and also has a function of a sealing part with the outside. Therefore, no separate member such as welding or an O-ring is required for the joint between the first housing and the second housing. As a result, the cost of the evaporator can be reduced.

Furthermore, even if there is variation in the shape precision of the first housing and the second housing, the compression portion of the wick can absorb the variation, so leakage of the working fluid to the outside can be suppressed. That is, the first casing and the second casing do not require high shape accuracy for the purpose of exhibiting a sealing function. From this point as well, it is possible to reduce the cost of the evaporator.

(2. Second aspect)
A second aspect of the present invention provides a first concave inner surface forming a steam chamber, a first outer surface exposed to the outside, and a first annular opening surface located at a peripheral edge of the opening of the steam chamber. A casing and
A second concave inner surface forming a liquid chamber, a second outer surface exposed to the outside, and a second annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber and facing the first opening surface. Two housings,
a wick that is porous and made of an organic material, partitions the vapor chamber and the liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force;
Equipped with
The wick is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state over the entire circumference, thereby creating a space between the exterior and the steam chamber and between the exterior and the liquid chamber. constitutes a seal between the
The first casing includes a steam chamber forming portion having the first inner surface, and a first flange portion having the first opening surface,
The second casing includes a liquid chamber forming portion having the second inner surface, and a second flange portion having the second opening surface,
One end of the first flange portion and the second flange portion engages with the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion in a bent state,
The wick is
sandwiched in a compressed state between an unbent portion of the one of the first flange portion and the second flange portion and the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion;
The evaporator is sandwiched in a compressed state by a bent portion of one of the first flange portion and the second flange portion and the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion .

(3. Third aspect)
A third aspect of the present invention is a first concave inner surface forming a steam chamber, a first outer surface exposed to the outside, and a first annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the steam chamber. A casing and
A second concave inner surface forming a liquid chamber, a second outer surface exposed to the outside, and a second annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber and facing the first opening surface. Two housings,
a wick that is porous and made of an organic material, partitions the vapor chamber and the liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force;
Equipped with
The wick is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state over the entire circumference, thereby creating a space between the exterior and the steam chamber and between the exterior and the liquid chamber. constitutes a seal between the
The portion of the wick constituting the seal portion is compressed by the first opening surface and the second opening surface so that the compression ratio is higher than the porosity of the wick, so that no pores exist. The state is
At least one of the first opening surface and the second opening surface is formed with an unevenness that is equal to or less than the thickness of the wick in a compressed state between the first opening surface and the second opening surface. It's in the evaporator.
(4. Fourth aspect)
A fourth aspect of the present invention is a first concave inner surface forming a steam chamber, a first outer surface exposed to the outside, and a first annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the steam chamber. A casing and
A second concave inner surface forming a liquid chamber, a second outer surface exposed to the outside, and a second annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber and facing the first opening surface. Two housings,
a wick that is porous and made of an organic material, partitions the vapor chamber and the liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force;
Equipped with
The wick is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state over the entire circumference, thereby creating a space between the exterior and the steam chamber and between the exterior and the liquid chamber. constitutes a seal between the
The portion of the wick constituting the seal portion is compressed by the first opening surface and the second opening surface so that the compression ratio is higher than the porosity of the wick, so that no pores exist. The state is
The first casing includes a steam chamber forming portion having the first inner surface, and a first flange portion having the first opening surface,
The second casing includes a liquid chamber forming portion having the second inner surface, and a second flange portion having the second opening surface,
One end of the first flange portion and the second flange portion engages with the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion in a bent state,
The wick is
sandwiched in a compressed state between an unbent portion of the one of the first flange portion and the second flange portion and the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion;
The evaporator is sandwiched in a compressed state by a bent portion of one of the first flange portion and the second flange portion and the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion.

( 5. Fifth aspect)
A fifth aspect of the present invention is an evaporator in which at least a portion of the first casing or at least a portion of the second casing in the evaporator described above is formed by press working of a plate-shaped material. It's in the manufacturing method. Therefore, at least a portion of the first housing and the second housing can be formed at low cost. However, when press working a plate-shaped material, the shape accuracy is inferior to cutting work or the like. However, as described above, even if there is variation in the shape accuracy of the first casing and the second casing, the compression portion of the wick can absorb the variation. Therefore, leakage of the working fluid to the outside can be suppressed.

It is a figure showing the composition of a loop heat pipe. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the evaporator of the first example, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the evaporator of the first example, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the evaporator of the first example, as seen from below in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the evaporator of the first example, as seen from above in FIG. 3; It is an exploded view of the component parts of the evaporator of the first example in the middle of manufacturing. It is a cross-sectional view of the evaporator of a second example.

(1. Configuration of loop heat pipe 1)
The configuration of the loop heat pipe 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, black arrows indicate the flow of working fluid, and white arrows indicate the movement of heat. The loop heat pipe 1 includes an evaporator 2 that absorbs heat from a heat source 6, a condenser 3 that exhausts heat to the outside, a steam pipe 4 and a liquid pipe 5 as transport pipes that connect the evaporator 2 and the condenser 3. Inside the evaporator 2, a porous wick 2a is arranged. The wick 2a divides the inside of the evaporator 2 into a vapor chamber and a liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force. In other words, the wick 2a functions as a drive source that circulates the working fluid.

(2. Evaporator 2 of the first example)
(2-1. Configuration of evaporator 2 in the first example)
The configuration of the evaporator 2 of the first example will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2-5. The evaporator 2 is formed into a flat shape. In the evaporator 2, one flat surface (the lower surface of FIGS. 2 and 3) constitutes the surface that comes into contact with the heat source 6 (shown in FIG. 1), and the other flat surface (the upper surface of FIGS. 2 and 3) constitutes the surface opposite to the heat source 6. For example, the evaporator 2 is positioned so that its surface direction coincides with the horizontal direction, and the heat source 6 is arranged on the lower surface of the evaporator 2 in the direction of gravity.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the evaporator 2 has a first housing 11 disposed on the heat source 6 side to form a vapor chamber P1, and a first housing 11 disposed on the opposite side to the heat source 6 to form a liquid chamber P2. A wick 13 is provided sandwiched between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 to partition the steam chamber P1 and the liquid chamber P2.

(2-1-1. Configuration of first housing 11)
The first housing 11 is placed in contact with the heat source 6. The first housing 11 is a member for conducting heat from the heat source 6 to the steam chamber P1. Furthermore, the first housing 11 has a function of conducting heat from the heat source 6 to the wick 13 by partially contacting the wick 13.

Therefore, for the first housing 11, a thermally conductive material, particularly a material with high thermal conductivity, is suitably used. In particular, the first housing 11 is preferably made of a material with a thermal conductivity of 50 W/m·K or more. For example, the first housing 11 is preferably made of metal with a thermal conductivity of 50 W/m·K or more. Suitable metals include aluminum, duralumin, copper, magnesium, brass, carbon steel, chrome steel, aluminum bronze, manganese steel, beryllium steel, molybdenum, iron, tungsten steel, and the like.

The first housing 11 includes a steam chamber forming part 11a and a first flange part 11b, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. In this example, the first housing 11 is formed by pressing a single plate-shaped material. Therefore, the steam chamber forming part 11a and the first flange part 11b constitute one integrally formed member.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the steam chamber forming portion 11a includes a concave first inner surface 20 that forms a steam chamber P1. The first inner surface 20 is open to the liquid chamber P2 side. The first inner surface 20 includes a first protrusion area 20a that includes a plurality of first protrusions 21 that protrudes toward the liquid chamber P2, and an exhaust area 20b that communicates with the first protrusion area 20a and is connected to the steam pipe 4. .

As shown in FIG. 4, the first protrusion area 20a is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the normal direction of the flat surface (plan view). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the first projection area 20a, a plurality of first projections 21 are provided in the steam chamber P1. The tip end surface of the first protrusion 21 contacts the wick 13. That is, the first protrusion 21 functions as a part for conducting heat from the heat source 6 to the wick 13.

The plurality of first protrusions 21 are formed to extend continuously in a linear or wavy shape. FIG. 4 shows a case where the first protrusion 21 is formed in a straight line. Furthermore, the plurality of first protrusions 21 are formed in parallel. In addition, when the plurality of first protrusions 21 are linear, the moldability is better than that when the first protrusions 21 are wavy, so that the cost can be reduced.

The space between two adjacent first protrusions 21 forms a part of the steam chamber P1. Therefore, in the first protrusion area 20a, the plurality of first protrusions 21 can cause steam to flow along the extending direction of the plurality of first protrusions 21. When the first protrusion 21 is formed in a straight line, steam can be efficiently circulated. Further, when the first protrusion 21 is formed to extend continuously, the first protrusion 21 comes into contact with the wick 13 continuously. In other words, the portion where heat is conducted to the wick 13 via the first protrusion 21 becomes a continuous line. Note that the first protrusions 21 are not limited to being formed so as to extend continuously, but may also be formed so as to be scattered.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, in the first housing 11, a portion where the first protrusion area 20a is formed constitutes a first wavy plate portion formed in a wavy shape. Therefore, the first protrusion area 20a on the first inner surface 20 is formed into a wavy surface.

Therefore, the first protrusion 21 corresponds to the convex portion on the inner surface side of the first wavy plate portion. The first protrusion 21 is formed to have a substantially trapezoidal or triangular cross-sectional shape so that the width becomes narrower toward the tip side (liquid chamber P2 side). A steam chamber P1 formed between two adjacent first protrusions 21 has a trapezoidal or triangular cross-sectional shape. By forming the shape of the first protrusion 21 as described above, it becomes easy to form the first protrusion 21 using a press mold.

Further, the tip end surface of the first protrusion 21 may be flat or may be formed into a slightly curved convex shape. Furthermore, the corner portion of the tip end surface of the first protrusion 21 is preferably formed into a curved convex shape. The width of the distal end surface of the first protrusion 21 is smaller than the distance between the base ends of two adjacent first protrusions 21 . Thereby, a large steam chamber P1 can be secured. Further, the height of the first protrusion 21 is set to be the same as the height of the outer circumferential frame of the first inner surface 20, or slightly higher than the height of the outer circumferential frame.

The exhaust area 20b on the first inner surface 20 forms one flat space, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. As described above, the exhaust area 20b communicates with the first protrusion area 20a. In particular, the exhaust area 20b communicates with the end of the first protrusion area 20a in the extending direction of the first protrusion 21. Therefore, the steam existing between two adjacent first protrusions 21 is guided along the first protrusions 21 to the exhaust area 20b.

The exhaust area 20b has an exhaust hole 22 to which the steam pipe 4 is connected, as shown in FIG. The exhaust hole 22 is formed on the bottom surface (lower surface in FIG. 3) of the first inner surface 20. Furthermore, the exhaust hole 22 is formed in the exhaust area 20b at a position far from the first protrusion area 20a.

Here, in this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust area 20b is formed so that the width becomes narrower from the first protrusion area 20a side toward the position where the exhaust hole 22 is formed. There is. Therefore, the exhaust area 20b can guide steam toward the exhaust hole 22 from the first protrusion area 20a side. That is, the steam guided from the first protrusion area 20a to the exhaust area 20b is discharged from the exhaust hole 22 to the steam pipe 4.

The steam chamber forming portion 11a includes a first outer surface 30 that is on the back side of the first inner surface 20 and is exposed to the outside. Here, the steam chamber forming portion 11a is formed by pressing a plate-shaped material, and is formed to have approximately the same thickness throughout. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the first outer surface 30 is formed in a shape obtained by transferring the first inner surface 20. That is, the first outer surface 30 includes a plurality of first outer recesses 31 corresponding to the plurality of first protrusions 21 on the first inner surface 20.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, since the first protrusion 21 is formed to extend linearly, the first outer recess 31 in the first outer surface 30 also extends linearly. It is formed like this. On the first outer surface 30 , a first outer convex surface 32 located between two adjacent first outer recesses 31 contacts the heat source 6 . In this example, the plurality of first outer convex surfaces 32 are in contact with the heat source 6.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first flange portion 11b is located at the periphery of the opening of the steam chamber P1, and extends outward from the entire periphery of the steam chamber forming portion 11a. Since the first flange portion 11b is formed by pressing a plate-shaped material, it has a thickness comparable to that of the steam chamber forming portion 11a. Furthermore, the first flange portion 11b is made of the same material as the steam chamber forming portion 11a.

The first flange portion 11b is bent so that the outer peripheral side thereof is folded back. That is, the first flange portion 11b includes an unbent portion 41 connected to the steam chamber forming portion 11a, and a bent portion 42 that is folded back from the outer peripheral end of the unbent portion.

The non-bent portion 41 has an annular first opening surface 41 a facing toward the opening side of the first inner surface 20 . The bent portion 42 has a first opposing surface 42a that faces the first opening surface 41a of the non-bent portion 41. The first opening surface 41a and the first opposing surface 42a have a predetermined distance. Here, the bent portion 42 is formed by bending the outer peripheral end of the first flange portion 11b, which is a planar shape in an unbent state, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the first opening surface 41a of the non-bent portion 41 be subjected to a surface treatment to provide an anti-slip function to the wick 13. For example, the first opening surface 41a has a thickness equal to or less than the thickness of the wick 13 in a compressed state between the first opening surface 41a and a second opening surface 71 of a second flange portion 12b of the second housing 12, which will be described later. Microscopic irregularities with depth are formed. In addition, it is also possible to apply a coating to the first opening surface 41a to provide an anti-slip mechanism to the wick 13.

Further, it is preferable that the first opposing surface 42a of the bent portion 42 is also subjected to a surface treatment to provide an anti-slip function to the wick 13. For example, the first opposing surface 42a has a depth equal to or less than the thickness of the wick 13 in a compressed state between the first opposing surface 42a and a second back surface 72 of a second flange portion 12b of the second housing 12, which will be described later. Microscopic unevenness is formed. In addition, it is also possible to apply a coating or the like to the first opposing surface 42a to provide an anti-slip mechanism to the wick 13.

(2-1-2. Configuration of second housing 12)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second housing 12 is a member for forming the liquid chamber P2, and is disposed on the opposite side from the heat source 6. Since the second housing 12 forms the liquid chamber P2, it is preferable to prevent the heat of the heat source 6 from being conducted to the fluid in the liquid chamber P2. Therefore, it is preferable that the second housing 12 is thermally insulated from the heat source 6 and the first housing 11.

Therefore, the second housing 12 is placed in a non-contact manner with the first housing 11. Furthermore, the second housing 12 is preferably made of a material with low thermal conductivity. That is, the second housing 12 is preferably formed of a material with lower thermal conductivity than the first housing 11. In this case, the second housing 12 is formed of a different type of material from the first housing 11. In particular, the second housing 12 is preferably made of a material with a thermal conductivity of less than 50 W/m·K.

For example, metals with low thermal conductivity suitable for the second housing 12 include stainless steel, titanium, nickel steel, silicon steel, chromium-nickel steel, and the like, each having a thermal conductivity of less than 50 W/m·K. Further, various resins, glasses, ceramics, etc. can also be used as materials with low thermal conductivity suitable for the second housing 12. However, the second casing 12 may be formed of the same material as the first casing 11, as long as it is thermally insulated from the heat source 6 and the first casing 11.

The second housing 12 includes a liquid chamber forming part 12a and a second flange part 12b, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. In this example, the second housing 12, like the first housing 11, is formed by pressing a sheet of plate-shaped material. Therefore, the liquid chamber forming portion 12a and the second flange portion 12b constitute one integrally formed member.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid chamber forming portion 12a includes a concave second inner surface 50 for forming a liquid chamber P2. The second inner surface 50 is open to the steam chamber P1 side. The second inner surface 50 includes a second protrusion area 50a that includes a plurality of second protrusions 51 that protrudes toward the steam chamber P1, and an introduction area 50b that communicates with the second protrusion area 50a and is connected to the liquid pipe 5. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the second protrusion area 50a is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the normal direction of the flat surface (plan view). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the second projection area 50a, a plurality of second projections 51 are provided in the liquid chamber P2. The tip end surface of the second protrusion 51 contacts the wick 13. The plurality of second protrusions 51 have a function of supporting the wick 13.

The plurality of second protrusions 51 are formed to extend continuously in a linear or wavy manner. FIG. 5 shows a case where the second protrusion 51 is formed in a straight line. Furthermore, the plurality of second protrusions 51 are formed in parallel. In addition, when the plurality of second protrusions 51 are linear, the moldability is better than that when the second protrusions 51 are wavy, so that the cost can be reduced.

The space between two adjacent second protrusions 51 forms a part of the liquid chamber P2. Therefore, in the second protrusion area 50a, the plurality of second protrusions 51 can cause the liquid to flow along the extending direction of the plurality of second protrusions 51. When the second protrusion 51 is formed in a straight line, the liquid can be efficiently circulated. Further, when the second protrusion 51 is formed in a straight line, the second protrusion 51 is in continuous contact with the wick 13. In other words, the portion where the wick 13 is supported by the second protrusion 51 becomes a continuous line. Note that the second protrusions 51 are not limited to being formed so as to extend continuously, but may also be formed so as to be scattered.

Furthermore, the plurality of second protrusions 51 are provided in the same number as the plurality of first protrusions 21. Furthermore, each of the plurality of second protrusions 51 faces the corresponding first protrusion 21. That is, all the second protrusions 51 are opposed to the corresponding first protrusions 21. Furthermore, in this example, each of the plurality of second protrusions 51 faces over most of the corresponding first protrusion 21 . Therefore, the part where the wick 13 is supported by the second protrusion 51 corresponds to the part where the first protrusion 21 is present. Although it is preferable that the plurality of second protrusions 51 be positioned so as to face all of the first protrusions 21, they may be positioned so as to face at least a portion of the first protrusions 21.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, in the second housing 12, a portion where the second projection area 50a is formed constitutes a second wavy plate portion formed in a wavy shape. Therefore, the second protrusion area 50a on the second inner surface 50 is formed into a wavy surface.

Therefore, the second protrusion 51 corresponds to the convex portion on the inner surface side of the second wavy plate portion. The second protrusion 51 is formed to have a substantially trapezoidal or triangular cross-sectional shape so that the width becomes narrower toward the tip side (steam chamber P1 side). A liquid chamber P2 formed between two adjacent second protrusions 51 has a trapezoidal or triangular cross-sectional shape. By forming the shape of the second protrusion 51 as described above, it becomes easy to form the second protrusion 51 using a press mold.

Further, the tip end surface of the second protrusion 51 may be flat or may be formed into a slightly convex curved surface. Furthermore, the corner portion of the tip surface of the second protrusion 51 is preferably formed into a curved convex shape. The width of the distal end surface of the second protrusion 51 is smaller than the distance between the proximal ends of two adjacent second protrusions 51. Thereby, a large liquid chamber P2 can be ensured. Further, the height of the second protrusion 51 is set to be the same as the height of the outer circumferential frame of the second inner surface 50, or slightly higher than the height of the outer circumferential frame.

The introduction area 50b on the second inner surface 50 forms one flat space, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. As described above, the introduction area 50b communicates with the second projection area 50a. In particular, the introduction area 50b communicates with the end of the second protrusion 51 in the second protrusion area 50a in the extending direction. Therefore, the liquid introduced into the introduction area 50b flows between the two adjacent second protrusions 51. Further, the introduction area 50b is arranged on the opposite side of the exhaust area 20b on the flat surface of the evaporator 2.

The introduction area 50b has an introduction hole 52 to which the liquid pipe 5 is connected, as shown in FIG. The introduction hole 52 is formed on the bottom surface (the top surface in FIG. 3) of the second inner surface 50. Further, the introduction hole 52 is formed in the introduction area 50b at a position far from the second protrusion area 50a and at a position far from the exhaust hole 22.

Here, in this example, as shown in FIG. 5, the introduction area 50b is formed so that the width becomes wider from the introduction hole 52 toward the second protrusion area 50a. Therefore, the introduction area 50b can guide the liquid from the introduction hole 52 toward the second protrusion area 50a. That is, the liquid introduced from the liquid pipe 5 through the introduction hole 52 is guided from the introduction area 50b to the second protrusion area 50a.

The liquid chamber forming portion 12a includes a second outer surface 60 that is on the back side of the second inner surface 50 and is exposed to the outside. Here, the liquid chamber forming portion 12a is formed by pressing a plate-shaped material, and is formed to have approximately the same thickness throughout. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the second outer surface 60 is formed in a shape obtained by transferring the second inner surface 50. That is, the second outer surface 60 includes a plurality of second outer recesses 61 corresponding to the plurality of second protrusions 51 on the second inner surface 50. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5, since the second protrusion 51 is formed to extend linearly, the second outer recess 61 in the second outer surface 60 also extends linearly. It is formed like this.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the second flange portion 12b is located at the periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber P2, and extends outward from the entire periphery of the liquid chamber forming portion 12a. Since the second flange portion 12b is formed by pressing a plate-shaped material, it has a thickness comparable to that of the liquid chamber forming portion 12a. Further, the second flange portion 12b is made of the same material as the liquid chamber forming portion 12a.

The second flange portion 12b is different from the first flange portion 11b in that the entire second flange portion 12b is formed in a planar shape. The second flange portion 12b is sandwiched between the non-bent portion 41 and the bent portion 42 of the first flange portion 11b. That is, the second flange portion 12b has an annular second opening surface 71 facing the opening side of the second inner surface 50. The second opening surface 71 of the second flange portion 12b faces the first opening surface 41a of the non-bent portion 41 of the first flange portion 11b. Further, the second flange portion 12b has an annular second back surface 72 located on the back side of the second opening surface 71. The second back surface 72 of the second flange portion 12b faces the first opposing surface 42a of the bent portion 42 of the first flange portion 11b. Therefore, the non-bent portion 41 and the bent portion 42 of the first flange portion 11b engage with the second flange portion 12b by caulking.

Further, it is preferable that the second opening surface 71 of the second flange portion 12b is subjected to a surface treatment to provide an anti-slip function to the wick 13. For example, the second opening surface 71 has minute irregularities having a depth equal to or less than the thickness of the wick 13 in a compressed state between the first opening surface 41a and the second opening surface 71 of the first flange portion 11b. It is formed. In addition, it is also possible to apply a coating to the second opening surface 71 to provide an anti-slip mechanism to the wick 13.

Further, it is preferable that the second back surface 72 of the second flange portion 12b is also subjected to a surface treatment to provide an anti-slip function to the wick 13. For example, minute irregularities are formed on the second back surface 72 between the first opposing surface 42a of the first flange portion 11b and the second back surface 72, and have a depth equal to or less than the thickness of the wick 13 in a compressed state. ing. In addition, it is also possible to apply a coating or the like to the second back surface 72 to provide an anti-slip mechanism to the wick 13.

Note that both the first opening surface 41a and the second opening surface 71 may be subjected to a surface treatment that exhibits an anti-slip function, or only one of them may be subjected to the surface treatment. You can also do this. Further, the surface treatment method may be different for both the first opening surface 41a and the second opening surface 71. Further, both the first facing surface 42a and the second back surface 72 may be subjected to a surface treatment that exhibits an anti-slip function, or only one of them may be subjected to the surface treatment. You can. Further, the surface treatment method may be different for both the first opposing surface 42a and the second back surface 72.

(2-1-3. Configuration of wick 13)
The wick 13 is formed into a flat sheet and is porous. The wick 13 partitions a steam chamber P1 and a liquid chamber P2. The wick 13 evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber P2 while moving it toward the vapor chamber P1 side by capillary force.

Further, the wick 13 is made of an organic material. In other words, the wick 13 is made of a compressively deformable material. Furthermore, the wick 13 has flexibility. In particular, since the wick 13 is formed into a sheet shape, it can be bent and deformed.

The organic material used for the wick 13 is made of at least one of rubber, resin, and elastomer. The wick 13 may be formed of a single type of organic material, or may be formed of multiple types of organic materials. When the wick 13 is made of a plurality of types of organic materials, it may have a multilayer structure.

Rubbers suitably used for the wick 13 include, for example, natural rubber, SBR, CR, NBR, butyl rubber, EPDM, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, and fluororubber. Examples of resins suitably used for the wick 13 include PVC, polyvinyl alcohol, ABS, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacetal, polycarbonate, PET, polyamide, polyurethane, and fluororesin. The elastomer suitably used for the wick 13 is, for example, a polystyrene thermoplastic elastomer, a polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer, a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester thermoplastic elastomer, or the like.

Further, the wick 13 is manufactured by a stretching method. The wick 13 is formed into a sheet by extrusion molding, for example, and then the sheet is stretched to form a porous structure. After stretching, the thickness of the wick 13 when it exists as a single unit is 0.05 mm to 10 mm. The pore size is 20 μm or less.

Further, the porosity of the wick 13 is 30% to 95%. When the wick 13 is compressed in the thickness direction, if the compression rate is greater than or equal to the porosity of the wick 13, the wick 13 in the compressed state has no pores. On the other hand, when the wick 13 is compressed in the thickness direction, if the compression ratio is less than the porosity of the wick 13, the wick 13 in the compressed state has pores remaining.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wick 13 includes a wick body 81 as a portion that exerts capillary force. The wick body 81 is located at the center of the entire wick 13 and is formed into a flat sheet. The wick body 81 partitions a steam chamber P1 and a liquid chamber P2. That is, the wick body 81 is a portion formed in the same area as the opening of the steam chamber P1 and the opening of the liquid chamber P2.

The wick body 81 has a sheet-like central portion thereof sandwiched between the tip surface of the first protrusion 21 of the first housing 11 and the tip surface of the second protrusion 51 of the second housing 12. There is. In particular, the wick body 81 is sandwiched between the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 51 in a compressed state.

Therefore, the wick body 81 maintains a state in which it is in contact with the distal end surface of the first protrusion 21 and the distal end surface of the second protrusion 51. By maintaining the wick body 81 in contact with the first protrusion 21 , heat from the heat source 6 is conducted via the first protrusion 21 . As a result, the liquid present in the wick body 81 can be efficiently evaporated.

Furthermore, the pressure of the working fluid (steam) in the vapor chamber P1 is higher than the pressure of the working fluid (liquid) in the liquid chamber P2. Therefore, the wick main body 81 deforms so as to bend toward the liquid chamber P2 side. However, the portion of the wick body 81 supported by the second protrusion 51 does not bend or deform. Further, in the wick body 81, the portion supported by the second protrusion 51 corresponds to the portion in contact with the first protrusion 21. Therefore, the portion of the wick body 81 that is sandwiched between the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 51 remains in contact with the first protrusion 21 . Therefore, even if the pressure of the working fluid (steam) in the steam chamber P1 increases, the liquid present in the wick body 81 can be efficiently evaporated.

Here, the wick body 81 is compressed to have a compression ratio smaller than the porosity of the wick 13 in an uncompressed state. The compression ratio (%) corresponds to the thickness of the wick body 81 in a compressed state, where the thickness of the wick body 81 in an uncompressed state is 100.

In particular, the compressibility of the wick body 81 is preferably less than 0.5, for example, when the porosity of the wick 13 is 1. For example, when the porosity of the wick 13 is 60%, the compression ratio of the wick body 81 is less than 30% (=60%×0.5). Thereby, the state in which the wick body 81 has holes is reliably maintained. Further, in the wick body 81, the capillary force can also be exerted in the portion sandwiched between the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 51.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wick 13 further includes a seal portion 82 located around the entire outer circumference of the wick body 81. The seal portion 82 is compressed over the entire circumference and is sandwiched between the first opening surface 41a of the non-bent portion 41 of the first flange portion 11b and the second opening surface 71 of the second flange portion 12b. The main seal portion 82a is provided with a main seal portion 82a.

Here, the main seal portion 82a is compressed to a compression ratio that is higher than the porosity of the wick 13 in an uncompressed state. For example, when the porosity of the wick 13 is 80%, the compression ratio of the main seal portion 82a is 80% or more. As a result, the main seal portion 82a is in a state where no pores exist. Thereby, the main seal portion 82a suppresses leakage of the working fluid to the outside between the outside and the steam chamber P1 and between the outside and the liquid chamber P2. In other words, the main seal portion 82a seals between the region where the working fluid exists, which is formed by the steam chamber P1 and the liquid chamber P2, and the outside.

Further, the wick 13 is made of an organic material, as described above. Therefore, the main seal portion 82a can be compressed to a higher compression ratio than the porosity of the wick 13 in an uncompressed state. Therefore, by making the main seal part 82a have a higher compressibility than the porosity of the wick 13, the main seal part 82a can reliably perform its sealing function.

Furthermore, even if there are variations in the shape accuracy of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the main seal portion 82a of the wick 13 can absorb the variations, so that the working fluid will not leak to the outside. can be suppressed. That is, the first casing 11 and the second casing 12 do not require high shape accuracy for the purpose of exhibiting a sealing function. From this point of view, the cost of the evaporator 2 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the seal portion 82 further includes an auxiliary seal portion 82b bent from the outer peripheral edge of the main seal portion 82a. The auxiliary seal portion 82b is compressed and sandwiched between the first opposing surface 42a of the bent portion 42 of the first flange portion 11b and the second back surface 72 of the second flange portion 12b. .

The auxiliary seal part 82b, like the main seal part 82a, is compressed to a compression rate that is higher than the porosity of the wick 13 in an uncompressed state. Further, the auxiliary seal portion 82b is compressed to have a higher compression ratio than the porosity of the wick 13 in an uncompressed state. Therefore, since the auxiliary seal portion 82b further exhibits a sealing function, leakage of the working fluid to the outside can be suppressed more reliably.

Further, a main seal part 82a and an auxiliary seal part 82b of the seal part 82 are interposed between the first flange part 11b and the second flange part 12b. That is, the first flange portion 11b and the second flange portion 12b are arranged in a non-contact state with the main seal portion 82a and the auxiliary seal portion 82b interposed therebetween.

Here, both the steam chamber forming part 11a and the liquid chamber forming part 12a are arranged in a non-contact state with the wick main body 81 interposed therebetween. That is, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are arranged in a non-contact state with the wick 13 interposed therebetween. For this reason, the first casing 11 and the second casing 12 are thermally insulated. That is, heat conduction from the first casing 11 to the second casing 12 is suppressed, and as a result, heat conduction from the second casing 12 to the liquid chamber P2 side is suppressed. In this way, the wick 13 has a thermal insulation function between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12.

(2-2. Manufacturing method of evaporator 2 of the first example)
A method of manufacturing the evaporator 2 of the first example will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the first casing 11, the second casing 12, and the wick 13 are prepared (preparation step). The first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are formed by pressing a single planar plate-shaped material. However, the first flange portion 11b of the first housing 11 is formed in an unbent state. That is, in the first flange portion 11b, the bent portion 42 in the final shape is formed on the same plane as the non-bent portion 41. Further, the thickness of the wick 13 is the same throughout.

Next, the wick 13 is sandwiched between the unbent first flange portion 11b and the second flange portion 12b (sandwiching step). At this time, the outer peripheral end of the wick 13 is located further outward than the outer peripheral end of the second flange portion 12b. Further, the outer circumferential end of the wick 13 is located at the same position as the outer circumferential end of the first flange portion 11b in an unbent state, or located inward.

Subsequently, the outer peripheral end of the unbent first flange portion 11b is bent, and the outer peripheral end of the wick 13 is also bent (bending step). Then, the bent portion 42 located at the outer circumferential end of the first flange portion 11b is brought into a state of being engaged with the second flange portion 12b so as to face the second back surface 72 of the second flange portion 12b.

At this time, the outer peripheral end portion of the bent wick 13 is interposed between the bent portion 42 of the first flange portion 11b and the second flange portion 12b. In this way, the evaporator 2 is manufactured.

(2-3. Effect of Wick 13)
As described above, the wick body 81 of the wick 13 has the function of moving the working fluid using capillary force. Furthermore, the seal portion 82 of the wick 13 has a sealing function that suppresses leakage of the working fluid to the outside between the steam chamber P1 and the liquid chamber P2 and the outside. In this way, the wick 13 has a sealing function in addition to the function of exerting capillary force. Therefore, no separate member such as welding or an O-ring is required for the joint between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. As a result, the cost of the evaporator 2 can be reduced.

When minute irregularities are formed on at least one of the first opening surface 41a and the second opening surface 71, the following effects are achieved. Even if the wick 13 is thermally shrunk due to the operation of the loop heat pipe 1, the main seal portion 82a of the wick 13 has an anti-slip function due to minute irregularities on at least one of the first opening surface 41a and the second opening surface 71. , positional shift can be suppressed. Therefore, the sealing function of the main seal portion 82a can be reliably performed. The minute unevenness of the first opening surface 41a and the second opening surface 71 is made smaller than the thickness of the main seal portion 82a compressed between the first opening surface 41a and the second opening surface 71. Even if the main seal part 82a gets into the irregularities, the main seal part 82a can still perform its sealing function.

Further, when minute irregularities are formed on at least one of the first opposing surface 42a and the second back surface 72, the following effects are achieved. Even if the wick 13 shrinks due to heat, the auxiliary seal portion 82b of the wick 13 can suppress misalignment due to its anti-slip function due to minute irregularities on at least one of the first opposing surface 42a and the second back surface 72. Therefore, the sealing function of the auxiliary seal portion 82b can be reliably performed. The minute unevenness on the first opposing surface 42a and the second back surface 72 is smaller than the thickness of the auxiliary seal portion 82b compressed between the first opposing surface 42a and the second back surface 72, thereby making it possible to Even if the seal portion 82b gets into the irregularities, the auxiliary seal portion 82b can still perform its sealing function.

Furthermore, although the wick body 81 has flexibility, it is in a state in which it is in contact with the first protrusion 21 by being sandwiched between the first protrusion 21 of the first housing 11 and the second protrusion 51 of the second housing 12. maintain. In particular, even if the pressure of the working fluid in the steam chamber P1 becomes higher than the pressure of the working fluid in the liquid chamber P2, the wick body 81 is supported by the second protrusion 51 in the liquid chamber P2. The state of contact with one protrusion 21 is maintained. Therefore, the liquid working fluid in the wick body 81 can be efficiently evaporated.

Furthermore, by interposing the wick 13 between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 can be arranged without contacting each other. Therefore, after the heat from the heat source 6 is conducted to the first casing 11, the wick 13 suppresses the heat from the first casing 11 from being conducted to the second casing 12. As a result, heat conduction from the second housing 12 to the liquid chamber P2 can be suppressed.

If heat is conducted from the second housing 12 to the liquid chamber P2, there is a possibility that the working force of the working fluid by the wick 13 will decrease. However, by suppressing the heat from the heat source 6 from being conducted to the second casing 12, the working force of the working fluid by the wick 13 is reliably exerted.

Furthermore, since the wick 13 is sandwiched between the first protrusion 21 of the first housing 11 and the second protrusion 51 of the second housing 12, there are fewer restrictions on the shape of the wick 13 formed of an organic material. Therefore, the evaporator 2 can use the wick 13 made of an organic material that is easy to mold.

(3. Evaporator of second example)
The configuration of the evaporator 2 of the second example will be explained with reference to FIG. 7. The evaporator 2 of the second example includes a first housing 111, a second housing 112, and a wick 13. Here, the evaporator 2 of the second example has the same basic configuration as the evaporator 2 of the first example. The differences between the two will be explained below. However, in the evaporator 2 of the second example, the same components as those of the evaporator 2 of the first example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The first housing 111 includes a steam chamber forming part 111a and a first flange part 11b. The steam chamber forming part 111a includes a steam chamber main body 120 and a first protrusion member 130. Here, the steam chamber main body 120 and the first flange portion 11b are formed by pressing a single plate-shaped material.

Here, for the steam chamber forming part 111a and the first flange part 11b, a thermally conductive material, particularly a material with high thermal conductivity, is suitably used. In particular, the steam chamber forming portion 111a and the first flange portion 11b are preferably made of a material having a thermal conductivity of 50 W/m·K or more. For example, metal having a thermal conductivity of 50 W/m·K or more is suitable for the steam chamber forming portion 111a and the first flange portion 11b. Suitable metals include aluminum, duralumin, copper, magnesium, brass, carbon steel, chrome steel, aluminum bronze, manganese steel, beryllium steel, molybdenum, iron, tungsten steel, and the like.

The steam chamber main body 120 includes a first recess 121. The first recess 121 has a flat bottom surface. The first outer surface 122 of the steam chamber main body 120 includes a flat surface that contacts the heat source 6 in a planar manner. That is, the heat from the heat source 6 is effectively conducted to the first outer surface 122 of the steam chamber main body 120.

The first protruding member 130 is provided separately on the bottom surface of the first recess 121 of the steam chamber main body 120. The first protrusion member 130 includes a surface 131 that contacts the bottom surface of the first recess 121, and a first protrusion 132 that protrudes toward the liquid chamber P2. Therefore, the heat of the heat source 6 is reliably conducted to the first protrusion 132 via the steam chamber main body 120. Here, the first protrusion 132 corresponds to the first protrusion 21 of the first example. Note that the first protruding member 130 may be joined to the bottom surface of the first recess 121 via an adhesive, or may be arranged without using an adhesive.

The first protrusion member 130 is arranged in the steam chamber main body 120 in an area corresponding to the first protrusion area 20a in the first example. That is, a part of the steam chamber main body 120 and the first protrusion member 130 constitute the first protrusion area 20a in the first example. Further, another part of the steam chamber main body 120 constitutes the exhaust area 20b in the first example.

Further, the first protruding member 130 is formed by, for example, forging, cutting, electrical discharge machining, or the like. The first protrusion 132 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, or may have a trapezoidal or triangular cross-sectional shape as in the first example. However, it is preferable that the tip end surface of the first protrusion 132 be flat or slightly curved. The first protrusion member 130 can be formed into any shape by forging, cutting, electrical discharge machining, or the like. Furthermore, the first projection member 130 can appropriately design the shape and size of the steam chamber P1.

Like the steam chamber main body 120, the first protrusion member 130 is preferably made of a thermally conductive material, particularly a material with high thermal conductivity. The first protruding member 130 may be formed from the same material as the steam chamber main body 120, or may be formed from a different material. The first protruding member 130 is preferably made of metal having a thermal conductivity of 50 W/m·K or more, for example. Suitable metals include aluminum, duralumin, copper, magnesium, brass, carbon steel, chrome steel, aluminum bronze, manganese steel, beryllium steel, molybdenum, iron, tungsten steel, and the like.

The second housing 112 includes a liquid chamber forming portion 112a and a second flange portion 12b. The liquid chamber forming portion 112a includes a liquid chamber main body 140 and a second protruding member 150. Here, the liquid chamber main body 140 and the second flange portion 12b are formed by pressing a single plate-shaped material.

For the liquid chamber forming portion 112a and the second flange portion 12b, a material having lower thermal conductivity than that of the first housing 111 is preferably used. In this case, the liquid chamber forming portion 112a and the second flange portion 12b are formed of a different type of material from that of the first housing 111. In particular, it is preferable for the liquid chamber forming portion 112a and the second flange portion 12b to be made of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 50 W/m·K. For example, metals with low thermal conductivity suitable for the liquid chamber forming part 112a and the second flange part 12b are metals with a thermal conductivity of less than 50 W/m·K, such as stainless steel, titanium, nickel, etc. steel, silicon steel, chrome-nickel steel, etc. Furthermore, various resins, glasses, ceramics, etc. can be used as materials with low thermal conductivity suitable for the liquid chamber forming portion 112a and the second flange portion 12b. However, the liquid chamber forming portion 112a and the second flange portion 12b may be formed of the same material as the first casing 111, as long as they are thermally insulated from the heat source 6 and the first casing 11.

The liquid chamber main body 140 includes a second recess 141. The second recess 141 has a flat bottom surface. The second protruding member 150 is separately provided on the bottom surface of the second recess 141 of the liquid chamber main body 140. The second protrusion member 150 includes a surface 151 that contacts the bottom surface of the second recess 141 and a second protrusion 152 that protrudes toward the steam chamber P1 side. Here, the second protrusion 152 corresponds to the second protrusion 51 of the first example. In addition, the second protruding member 150 may be joined to the bottom surface of the second recess 141 via an adhesive, or may be arranged without using an adhesive.

The second protruding member 150 is arranged in an area of the liquid chamber main body 140 that corresponds to the second protruding area 50a in the first example. That is, a part of the liquid chamber main body 140 and the second protrusion member 150 constitute the second protrusion area 50a in the first example. Further, another part of the liquid chamber main body 140 constitutes the introduction area 50b in the first example.

Further, the second protrusion member 150 is formed by, for example, forging, cutting, electrical discharge machining, or the like. The second protrusion 152 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, or may have a trapezoidal or triangular cross-sectional shape as in the first example. However, it is preferable that the tip end surface of the second protrusion 152 be flat or slightly curved. The second protrusion member 150 can be formed into any shape by forging, cutting, electrical discharge machining, or the like. Furthermore, the shape and size of the liquid chamber P2 of the second protruding member 150 can be designed as appropriate.

As with the liquid chamber main body 140, a material with low thermal conductivity is preferably used for the second protruding member 150. The second protrusion member 150 may be formed from the same material as the liquid chamber main body 140, or may be formed from a different material. A material having a thermal conductivity of less than 50 W/m·K is suitable for the second projection member 150. For example, metals such as stainless steel, titanium, nickel steel, silicon steel, and chromium-nickel steel having a thermal conductivity of less than 50 W/m·K are suitable for the second protruding member 150. Moreover, various resins, glasses, ceramics, etc. can also be applied to the second projection member 150.

According to the evaporator 2 of the second example, the effect of the wick 13 is similar to that of the first example. Furthermore, since the first outer surface 122 of the steam chamber main body 120 in the steam chamber forming part 111a includes a flat surface that contacts the heat source 6, the heat conduction efficiency becomes extremely high.

(4. Others)
In addition to the above example, the evaporator 2 may include the first case 111 of the second example and the second case 12 of the first example. Thereby, the effect of the first housing 111 of the second example, that is, high heat conduction efficiency can be obtained. Furthermore, the effect of the second housing 12 of the first example, that is, cost reduction can be achieved.

Further, in the above example, the first flange portion 11b of the first housing 11 is bent to engage with the second flange portion 12b of the second housing 12. The first flange portion 11b and the second flange portion 12b may be reversed.

1: Loop heat pipe, 2: Evaporator, 2a: Wick, 3: Condenser, 4: Steam pipe, 5: Liquid pipe, 6: Heat source, 11: First housing, 11a: Steam chamber forming part, 11b: First flange portion, 12: second housing, 12a: liquid chamber forming portion, 12b: second flange portion, 13: wick, 20: first inner surface, 20a: first projection area, 20b: exhaust area, 21: First protrusion, 22: Exhaust hole, 30: First outer surface, 31: First outer recess, 32: First outer convex surface, 41: Non-bent portion, 41a: First opening surface, 42: Bent portion, 42a: First opposing surface, 50: Second inner surface, 50a: Second projection area, 50b: Introduction area, 51: Second projection, 52: Introduction hole, 60: Second outer surface, 61: Second outer recess, 71: Second opening surface, 72: Second back surface, 81: Wick main body, 82: Seal portion, 82a: Main seal portion, 82b: Auxiliary seal portion, 111: First housing, 111a: Steam chamber forming portion, 112: First 2 housings, 112a: liquid chamber forming part, 120: steam chamber main body, 121: first recess, 122: first outer surface, 130: first protrusion member, 132: first protrusion, 140: liquid chamber main body, 141 : second recess, 150: second protrusion member, 152: second protrusion, P1: steam chamber, P2: liquid chamber

Claims (22)

a first housing including a concave first inner surface forming a steam chamber, a first outer surface exposed to the outside, and an annular first opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the steam chamber;
A second concave inner surface forming a liquid chamber, a second outer surface exposed to the outside, and a second annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber and facing the first opening surface. Two housings,
a wick that is porous and made of an organic material, partitions the vapor chamber and the liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force;
Equipped with
The wick is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state over the entire circumference, thereby creating a space between the exterior and the steam chamber and between the exterior and the liquid chamber. constitutes a seal between the
At least one of the first opening surface and the second opening surface is formed with an unevenness that is equal to or less than the thickness of the wick in a compressed state between the first opening surface and the second opening surface. Evaporator. a first housing including a concave first inner surface forming a steam chamber, a first outer surface exposed to the outside, and an annular first opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the steam chamber;
A second concave inner surface forming a liquid chamber, a second outer surface exposed to the outside, and a second annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber and facing the first opening surface. Two housings,
a wick that is porous and made of an organic material, partitions the vapor chamber and the liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force;
Equipped with
The wick is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state over the entire circumference, thereby creating a space between the exterior and the steam chamber and between the exterior and the liquid chamber. constitutes a seal between the
The first casing includes a steam chamber forming portion having the first inner surface, and a first flange portion having the first opening surface,
The second casing includes a liquid chamber forming portion having the second inner surface, and a second flange portion having the second opening surface,
One end of the first flange portion and the second flange portion engages with the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion in a bent state,
The wick is
sandwiched in a compressed state between an unbent portion of the one of the first flange portion and the second flange portion and the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion;
The evaporator is sandwiched in a compressed state by a bent portion of one of the first flange portion and the second flange portion and the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion. The portion of the wick constituting the seal portion is compressed by the first opening surface and the second opening surface so that the compression ratio is higher than the porosity of the wick, so that no pores exist. The evaporator according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the evaporator is in a state of 4. The wick according to claim 1 , wherein the wick is formed into a flat sheet, and an outer peripheral edge of the sheet is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state. The evaporator according to any one of the items above. a first housing including a concave first inner surface forming a steam chamber, a first outer surface exposed to the outside, and an annular first opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the steam chamber;
A second concave inner surface forming a liquid chamber, a second outer surface exposed to the outside, and a second annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber and facing the first opening surface. Two housings,
a wick that is porous and made of an organic material, partitions the vapor chamber and the liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force;
Equipped with
The wick is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state over the entire circumference, thereby creating a space between the exterior and the steam chamber and between the exterior and the liquid chamber. constitutes a seal between the
The portion of the wick constituting the seal portion is compressed by the first opening surface and the second opening surface so that the compression ratio is higher than the porosity of the wick, so that no pores exist. The state is
At least one of the first opening surface and the second opening surface is formed with an unevenness that is equal to or less than the thickness of the wick in a compressed state between the first opening surface and the second opening surface . Evaporator. The evaporator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the first housing and the second housing are arranged in a non-contact state with the wick interposed therebetween. The evaporator according to claim 6 , wherein the first housing and the second housing are formed of different types of materials. The evaporator according to claim 7 , wherein the second housing is made of a material with lower thermal conductivity than the first housing. a first housing including a concave first inner surface forming a steam chamber, a first outer surface exposed to the outside, and an annular first opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the steam chamber;
A second concave inner surface forming a liquid chamber, a second outer surface exposed to the outside, and a second annular opening surface located at a periphery of the opening of the liquid chamber and facing the first opening surface. Two housings,
a wick that is porous and made of an organic material, partitions the vapor chamber and the liquid chamber, and evaporates the working fluid in the liquid chamber while moving it toward the vapor chamber by capillary force;
Equipped with
The wick is sandwiched between the first opening surface and the second opening surface in a compressed state over the entire circumference, thereby creating a space between the exterior and the steam chamber and between the exterior and the liquid chamber. constitutes a seal between the
The portion of the wick constituting the seal portion is compressed by the first opening surface and the second opening surface so that the compression ratio is higher than the porosity of the wick, so that no pores exist. The state is
The first casing includes a steam chamber forming portion having the first inner surface, and a first flange portion having the first opening surface,
The second casing includes a liquid chamber forming portion having the second inner surface, and a second flange portion having the second opening surface,
One end of the first flange portion and the second flange portion engages with the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion in a bent state,
The wick is
sandwiched in a compressed state between an unbent portion of the one of the first flange portion and the second flange portion and the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion;
The evaporator is sandwiched in a compressed state by a bent portion of one of the first flange portion and the second flange portion and the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion . The first casing is
a first protrusion provided in the steam chamber, protruding toward the liquid chamber, and made of a thermally conductive material;
The second casing is
a second protrusion provided in the liquid chamber, protruding toward the steam chamber, and opposing at least a portion of the first protrusion;
The evaporator according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the wick maintains a state in contact with the first protrusion by being sandwiched between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The first housing includes a plurality of the first protrusions,
The second housing includes the second protrusions in the same number as the first protrusions,
The evaporator according to claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of second projections faces the corresponding first projection. The evaporator according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the wick is compressed and sandwiched between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The portion of the wick that is sandwiched between the first protrusion and the second protrusion has a compressibility smaller than the porosity of the wick. The evaporator according to claim 12 , wherein the evaporator is in a compressed state with voids remaining. Any one of claims 10 to 13 , wherein the wick is formed in a flat sheet shape, and a central portion of the sheet shape is sandwiched between the first protrusion and the second protrusion in a compressed state. The evaporator according to item 1. The first casing has a first wavy plate portion formed in a wavy shape, and the first protrusion corresponds to a convex portion on the inner surface side of the first wavy plate portion.
or
Any one of claims 10 to 14 , wherein the second casing has a second wavy plate portion formed in a wavy shape, and the second protrusion corresponds to a convex portion on the inner surface side of the second wavy plate portion. The evaporator described in item (1) above. The first casing includes a steam chamber main body having a first recess, and a first protrusion member that is separately provided on the bottom surface of the first recess of the steam chamber main body and constitutes the first protrusion. , comprising;
or
The second housing includes a liquid chamber main body having a second recess, and a second protrusion member that is separately provided on the bottom surface of the second recess of the liquid chamber main body and constitutes the second protrusion. The evaporator according to any one of claims 10 to 15 , comprising: . The evaporator according to any one of claims 1 to 16 , wherein the wick is formed of the organic material made of at least one of rubber, resin, and elastomer. The evaporator according to any one of claims 1 to 17 , wherein the wick has a porosity of 30% to 95%. The evaporator according to any one of claims 1 to 18 , which is a loop heat pipe evaporator. A method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of claims 1 to 19 , comprising:
A method for manufacturing an evaporator, wherein at least a portion of the first casing or at least a portion of the second casing is formed by pressing a plate-shaped material. A method for manufacturing an evaporator according to claim 2 or 9 ,
sandwiching the wick between the first flange portion in an unbent state and the second flange portion in an unbent state;
By bending the one end of the first flange part and the second flange part and bending the wick, one end of the first flange part and the second flange part is folded into the first flange part. and a method for manufacturing an evaporator, the method including engaging the other of the second flange portions. A method for manufacturing an evaporator according to claim 15 , comprising:
The method for manufacturing an evaporator, wherein the first wavy plate portion or the second wavy plate portion is formed by press working on a plate-like material.

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