US20120261096A1

US20120261096A1 - Radiating fin structureand thermal module using same

Info

Publication number: US20120261096A1
Application number: US13/084,560
Authority: US
Inventors: Chun-Ming Wu
Original assignee: Asia Vital Components Co Ltd
Current assignee: Asia Vital Components Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-12
Filing date: 2011-04-12
Publication date: 2012-10-18

Abstract

A radiating fin structure includes a main body being angularly upward extended from a first surface to form at least a first and a second ascending airflow-guiding section, so that a first and a second exterior angle are respectively contained between a line extended from an opposite second surface of the main body and the first and the second ascending airflow-guiding section. A thermal module using the radiating fin structure is also disclosed. The thermal module includes at least one heat pipe, a plurality of the above-described radiating fins sequentially extended through by an end of the heat pipe, and a base receiving another end of the heat pipe therein. An ascending airflow passage is defined between any two vertically adjacent first ascending airflow-guiding sections and any two vertically adjacent second ascending airflow-guiding sections to enhance natural convection and accordingly largely upgrades the natural cooling efficiency of the thermal module.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a radiating fin structure and a thermal module using same, and more particularly to a radiating fin structure and a thermal module using same capable of enhancing natural convection to enable upgraded natural cooling efficiency of the thermal module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The progress in semiconductor technology enables various integrated circuits (ICs) to have gradually reduced volume. For the purpose of processing more data, the number of components provided on the presently available ICs is several times higher than that on the conventional ICs of the same volume. When the number of components on the ICs increases, the heat generated by the components during the operation thereof also increases. For example, the heat generated by a central processing unit (CPU) at full-load condition is high enough to burn out the whole CPU. Thus, it has become a very important issue in the computer-related fields to properly provide a heat-dissipation device for ICs.
Generally, the currently available heat sinks are manufactured using metal materials with high thermal conductivity and include flat radiating fins to provide increased heat dissipation area. Meanwhile, for the purpose of obtaining upgraded heat dissipation effect, heat pipes are usually used with heat sinks to enable quick removal of heat from the heat-generating elements and protect IC products against burnout.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional thermal module 10, which includes a plurality of heat pipes 11, a plurality of radiating fins 12 and a base 13. The heat pipes 11 respectively have a heat-absorption end 111 and a heat-dissipation end 112. The radiating fins 12 are substantially flat plates stacked on top of and spaced from one another, and are sequentially extended through by the heat-dissipation ends 112 of the heat pipes 11, such that a horizontal airflow passage 121 is formed between any two adjacent radiating fins 12. The heat-absorption ends 111 of the heat pipes 11 are received in the base 13.
The base 13 is in contact with a heat-generating element (not shown), so that heat generated by the heat-generating element during the operation thereof is transferred to the base 13. The heat-absorption ends 111 received in the base 13 absorb the heat transferred from the heat-generating element to the base 13 and transfer the absorbed heat to the heat-dissipation ends 112. The radiating fins 12 sequentially extended through by the heat-dissipation ends 112 of the heat pipes 11 absorb the heat transferred to the heat-dissipation ends 112, and the heat absorbed by the radiating fins 12 is carried by the air in the horizontal airflow passages 121 to a space outside the thermal module 10 to achieve the purpose of heat dissipation.
However, in the process of using the flat radiating fins 12 to remove heat through natural cooling, only the heat at the top and bottom radiating fins 12 and outer peripheral portions of all other radiating fins 12 can be ideally carried away while most of the heat absorbed by the radiating fins 12 accumulates in the horizontal airflow passages 121, particularly around the positions at where the radiating fins 12 are extended through by the heat pipes 11. Therefore, the conventional thermal module 10 has poor natural cooling efficiency to cause largely reduced heat dissipation performance. To achieve the same required heat dissipation effect, it is necessary to increase the radiating fins to obtain increased heat dissipation area and use a cooling fan along with the radiating fins. By doing this, it would, however, adversely increase the overall weight and the material cost of the thermal module 10.
In brief, the thermal module using the conventional flat radiating fins has the following disadvantages: (1) poor natural cooling efficiency; (2) low heat dissipation efficiency; (3) accumulated heat; (4) increased overall weight; and (5) increased material cost.
It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved radiating fin structure to overcome the problems in the thermal module using conventional flat radiating fins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a radiating fin structure capable of enhancing natural convection effect.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal module that includes radiating fins capable of enhancing natural convection effect.
To achieve the above and other objects, the radiating fin structure according to the present invention includes a main body having an upper and a lower side defining a first and a second surface, respectively. At least one pair of two opposite ends of the main body is angularly upward extended from the first surface to form at least a first ascending airflow-guiding section and at least a second ascending airflow-guiding section, so that a first exterior angle is contained between the first ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body, and a second exterior angle is contained between the second ascending airflow-guiding section and the line extended from the second surface of the main body.
To achieve the above and other objects, the thermal module according to the present invention includes at least one heat pipe, a plurality of the above-described radiating fins sequentially extended through by a heat-dissipation end of the at least one heat pipe, and a base having at least a receiving hole for receiving a heat-absorption end of the at least one heat pipe therein. With these arrangements, a horizontal airflow passage is defined between the second surface of an upper radiating fin and the first surface of an adjacent lower radiating fin; a first ascending airflow passage is defined between any two vertically adjacent first ascending airflow-guiding sections; and a second ascending airflow passage is defined between any two vertically adjacent second ascending airflow-guiding sections. Since the first and second ascending airflow passages provide spaces for natural convection, air in the horizontal airflow passages would carry the heat transferred to and then radiated from the radiating fins to naturally flow through the first and second ascending airflow passages to a space outside the thermal module. That is, by providing the first and second ascending airflow-guiding sections on the radiating fins, the thermal module can have enhanced natural cooling efficiency, and the absorbed heat would not accumulate between the radiating fins. Therefore, the area of the radiating fins can be reduced to lower the weight and material cost of the thermal module.
In brief, the thermal module of the present invention has the following advantages: (1) upgraded natural cooling efficiency; (2) increased heat dissipation efficiency; (3) avoiding heat from accumulating between radiating fins; (4) reduced overall weight; and (5) lowered material cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermal module using conventional flat radiating fins;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a radiating fin structure according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the radiating fin structure of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is another side view of the radiating fin structure of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a thermal module using the radiating fin structure according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the thermal module of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a radiating fin structure according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a thermal module using the radiating fin structure according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a side view of the thermal module of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a radiating fin structure according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a thermal module using the radiating fin structure according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a radiating fin structure according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with some preferred embodiments thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of easy to understand, elements that are the same in the preferred embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Please refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B that are perspective and side views, respectively, of a radiating fin structure 20 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. For the purpose of conciseness, the radiating fin structure is also briefly referred to as a “radiating fin” herein. As shown, the radiating fin structure 20 according to the first preferred embodiment includes a main body 30 having an upper and a lower side defining a first surface 31 and a second surface 32, respectively. One pair of opposite ends of the main body 30 is angularly upward extended from the first surface 31 to form at least a first ascending airflow-guiding section 33 and at least a second ascending airflow-guiding section 34, so that a first exterior angle 331 is contained between the first ascending airflow-guiding section 33 and a line extended from the second surface 32, and a second exterior angle 341 is contained between the second ascending airflow-guiding section 34 and the line extended from the second surface 32. The first and the second exterior angle 331, 341 can be ranged between 30 and 80 degrees, and are preferably ranged between 45 and 60 degrees. FIG. 2C is another side view of the radiating fin structure 20 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the illustrated first and second exterior angles 331, 341 are smaller than those shown in FIG. 2B.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective and side views, respectively, of a first embodiment of the thermal module 40 according to the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 2A, 3A and 3B at the same time. The thermal module 40 in the first embodiment includes at least one heat pipe 50 (two are shown in the drawings), a plurality of radiating fins 20, and a base 60. Each of the heat pipes 50 has two ends being a heat-dissipation end 51 and a heat-absorption end 52, respectively. The radiating fins 20 are the same as those having been described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C. That is, each of the radiating fins 20 includes a main body 30 having a first and a second surface 31, 32, and one pair of opposite ends of the main body 30 is angularly upward extended from the first surface 31 to form at least a first and at least a second ascending airflow-guiding section 33, 34. For forming the thermal module 40, the main bodies 30 of the radiating fins 20 are correspondingly provided with at least one through hole 35 each (two are shown in the drawings), which extends from the first surface 31 to the second surface 32, for the heat-dissipation end 51 of the at least one heat pipe 50 to extend therethrough. The base 60 is provided with at least one receiving hole 61 (two are shown in the drawings) for receiving the heat-absorption end 52 of the at least one heat pipe 50 therein.
With the above arrangements, at least a horizontal airflow passage 41 is defined between the first and the second surface 31, 32 of two vertically adjacent radiating fin 20, at least a first ascending airflow passage 42 is defined between any two vertically adjacent first ascending airflow-guiding sections 33, and at least a second ascending airflow passage 43 is defined between any two vertically adjacent second ascending airflow-guiding sections 34. When the heat generated by a heat-generating element (not shown) is transferred to the base 60, the transferred heat is absorbed and further transferred by the heat-absorption ends 52 of the heat pipes 50 to the heat-dissipation ends 51. The heat transferred to the heat-dissipation ends 51 of the heat pipes 50 is then absorbed by the radiating fins 20 that are sequentially extended through by the heat pipes 50 via the through holes 35. The heat absorbed by the radiating fins 20 is then radiated into the horizontal airflow passages 41 defined between the vertically adjacent radiating fins 20 to heat the air in the horizontal airflow passages 41. Since the provision of the first and second ascending airflow passages 42, 43 enhances the phenomenon of natural convection, the hot air in the horizontal airflow passages 41 naturally flows through the first and the second ascending airflow passages 42, 43 to a space outside the radiating fins 20 to carry the heat away from the thermal module 40 and the heat-generating element. In this manner, the thermal module 40 can have largely upgraded natural cooling efficiency and the absorbed heat would not accumulate in the horizontal airflow passages 41. Further, with the present invention, the overall area of the radiating fins 20 can be reduced to enable lowered weight and material cost of the thermal module 40.
FIG. 4A shows a radiating fin structure 20 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4B and 4C are perspective and side views, respectively, of a second embodiment of the thermal module 40 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4A, the radiating fin 20 in the second preferred embodiment also includes a main body 30 having one pair of opposite ends angularly upward extended to form at least a first and at least a second ascending airflow-guiding section 33, 34. In the second preferred embodiment, the first and the second ascending airflow-guiding section 33, 34 include a plurality of first and second extending segments 332, 342, respectively. The first extending segments 332 are integrally serially connected to one another to constitute the first ascending airflow-guiding section 33, and the second extending segments 342 are integrally serially connected to one another to constitute the second ascending airflow-guiding section 34, such that the first and the second ascending airflow-guiding section 33, 34 are curved in shape.
The thermal module 40 in the second embodiment is generally structurally similar to the first embodiment, except that the radiating fins 20 thereof are the same as that shown in FIG. 4A. In the second embodiment of the thermal module 40, the heat-dissipation ends 51 of the heat pipes 50 thereof extend through all the radiating fins 20, and the heat-absorption ends 52 of the heat pipes 50 are received in the base 60. Therefore, at least a horizontal airflow passage 41 is defined between any two vertically adjacent radiating fins 20 that have been sequentially extended through by the heat-dissipation ends 51 of the heat pipes 50, at least a curved first ascending airflow passage 42 is defined between any two vertically adjacent curved first ascending airflow-guiding sections 33, and at least a curved second airflow passage 43 is defined between any two vertically adjacent curved second airflow-guiding sections 34. And, the first and the second ascending airflow passages 42, 43 extend from two opposite ends of the horizontal airflow passages 41 and communicate with the latter. Since the first and the second ascending airflow passages 42, 43 provide spaces on the thermal module 40 for natural convection, the thermal module 40 in the second embodiment can also have upgraded natural cooling efficiency.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a radiating fin structure 20 according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the thermal module 40 of the present invention. The radiating fin structure 20 in the third preferred embodiment is generally structurally similar to the first preferred embodiment, except for a third and a fourth ascending airflow-guiding section 36, 37. That is, in the third preferred embodiment, the radiating fin structure 20 includes not only the first and the second ascending airflow-guiding section 33, 34 angularly upward extended from one pair of opposite ends of the main body 30, but also the third and the fourth ascending airflow-guiding section 36, 37 angularly upward extended from another pair of opposite ends of the main body 30. The thermal module 40 in the third embodiment is generally structurally similar to the first embodiment, except that the radiating fins 20 thereof are the same as that shown in FIG. 5A. Therefore, in addition to the horizontal airflow passages 41 and the first and second ascending airflow passages 42, 43, a third ascending airflow passage 44 is further defined between any two vertically adjacent third ascending airflow-guiding sections 36, and a fourth ascending airflow passage 45 is further defined between any two vertically adjacent fourth ascending airflow-guiding sections 37. In the third embodiment of the thermal module 40, the heat received by the radiating fins 20 from the heat-dissipation ends of the heat pipes is radiated into the horizontal airflow passages 41 to heat the air therein. Since the provision of the first, second, third and fourth ascending airflow passages 42, 43, 44, 45 at all four ends of the main bodies 30 of the radiating fins 20 enhances the phenomenon of natural convection, the hot air in the horizontal airflow passages 41 naturally flows through the first, second, third and fourth ascending airflow passages 42, 43, 44, 45 to a space outside the radiating fins 20 and carries heat away from the thermal module 40 and the heat-generating element. In this manner, the thermal module 40 can have further upgraded natural cooling efficiency and the absorbed heat would not accumulate in the horizontal airflow passages 41. Further, with the present invention, the overall area of the radiating fins 20 can be reduced to enable lowered weight and material cost of the thermal module 40.
It is noted the third and the fourth ascending airflow-guiding section 36, 37 may also be formed from a plurality of integrally connected extending segments (not shown) and accordingly have a curved shape. With the curved third and fourth ascending airflow-guiding sections 36, 37, it is also able to define curved third and fourth ascending airflow passages 44, 45, which similarly provide natural convection spaces to upgrade the natural cooling efficiency of the thermal module 40.
Please refer to FIG. 6 that is a side view of a radiating fin structure 20 according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. The radiating fin 20 in the fourth preferred embodiment is provided on each of the first and second surfaces 31, 32 with a coating layer 70, which can be a radiation-enhancing coating for upgrading a cooling effect of the radiating fin 20. When the radiating fins 20 provided with the coating layers 70 are sequentially extended through by the at least one heat pipe 50 to form the thermal module 40 of the present invention for transferring and dissipating heat, it is able to effectively upgrade the natural cooling efficiency of the thermal module 40 and prevent the heat from accumulating in the horizontal airflow passages 41.
The present invention has been described with some preferred embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in the described embodiments, such as changes in the configuration or arrangement thereof, can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A radiating fin structure comprising a main body having an upper and a lower side defining a first and a second surface, respectively; and the main body having at least one pair of opposite ends angularly upward extended from the first surface to form at least a first ascending airflow-guiding section and at least a second ascending airflow-guiding section.

2. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body together define a first exterior angle therebetween.

3. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first exterior angle is ranged between 30 degrees and 80 degrees.

4. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first exterior angle is ranged between 45 degrees and 60 degrees.

5. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body together define a second exterior angle therebetween.

6. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second exterior angle is ranged between 30 degrees and 80 degrees.

7. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second exterior angle is ranged between 45 degrees and 60 degrees.

8. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ascending airflow-guiding section includes a plurality of first extending segments, and the first extending segments being integrally connected to one another to constitute the first ascending airflow-guiding section.

9. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second ascending airflow-guiding section includes a plurality of second extending segments, and the second extending segments being integrally connected to one another to constitute the second ascending airflow-guiding section.

10. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body is further angularly upward extended from a first one of another pair of opposite ends to form at least a third ascending airflow-guiding section, such that a third exterior angle is contained between the third ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body.

11. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third exterior angle is ranged between 30 degrees and 80 degrees.

12. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third exterior angle is ranged between 45 degrees and 60 degrees.

13. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third ascending airflow-guiding section includes a plurality of third extending segments, and the third extending segments being integrally connected to one another to constitute the third ascending airflow-guiding section.

14. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body is further angularly upward extended from a second one of another pair of opposite ends to form at least a fourth ascending airflow-guiding section, such that a fourth exterior angle is contained between the fourth ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body.

15. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fourth exterior angle is ranged between 30 degrees and 80 degrees.

16. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fourth exterior angle is ranged between 45 degrees and 60 degrees.

17. The radiating fin structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fourth ascending airflow-guiding section includes a plurality of fourth extending segments, and the fourth extending segments being integrally connected to one another to constitute the fourth ascending airflow-guiding section.

18. A thermal module comprising:

at least one heat pipe having a heat-dissipation end and a heat-absorption end;

a plurality of radiating fins; each of the radiating fins including a main body having an upper and a lower side defining a first and a second surface, respectively; and the main body having at last one pair of opposite ends angularly upward extended from the first surface to form at least a first ascending airflow-guiding section and at least a second ascending airflow-guiding section; and the radiating fins being sequentially extended through by the heat-dissipation end of the at least one heat pipe, such that a plurality of ascending airflow passages are defined between the radiating fins; and

a base being provided with at least one receiving hole for receiving the heat-absorption end of the at least one heat pipe therein.

19. The thermal module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the ascending airflow passages are respectively defined between any two vertically adjacent first ascending airflow-guiding sections and between any two vertically adjacent second ascending airflow-guiding sections of the radiating fins.

20. The thermal module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body together define a first exterior angle therebetween.

21. The thermal module as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first exterior angle is ranged between 30 degrees and 80 degrees.

22. The thermal module as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first exterior angle is ranged between 45 degrees and 60 degrees.

23. The thermal module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body together define a second exterior angle therebetween.

24. The thermal module as claimed in claim 23, wherein the second exterior angle is ranged between 30 degrees and 80 degrees.

25. The thermal module as claimed in claim 23, wherein the second exterior angle is ranged between 45 degrees and 60 degrees.

26. The thermal module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first ascending airflow-guiding section includes a plurality of first extending segments, and the first extending segments being integrally connected to one another to constitute the first ascending airflow-guiding section.

27. The thermal module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second ascending airflow-guiding section includes a plurality of second extending segments, and the second extending segments being integrally connected to one another to constitute the second ascending airflow-guiding section.

28. The thermal module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the main body of each of the radiating fins is further angularly upward extended from a first one of another pair of opposite ends to form at least a third ascending airflow-guiding section, such that a third exterior angle is contained between the third ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body.

29. The thermal module as claimed in claim 28, wherein the ascending airflow passages are further defined between any two vertically adjacent third ascending airflow-guiding sections.

30. The thermal module as claimed in claim 28, wherein the third exterior angle is ranged between 30 degrees and 80 degrees.

31. The thermal module as claimed in claim 28, wherein the third exterior angle is ranged between 45 degrees and 60 degrees.

32. The thermal module as claimed in claim 28, wherein the third ascending airflow-guiding section includes a plurality of third extending segments, and the third extending segments being integrally connected to one another to constitute the third ascending airflow-guiding section.

33. The thermal module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the main body of each of the radiating fins is further angularly upward extended from a second one of another pair of opposite ends to form at least a fourth ascending airflow-guiding section, such that a fourth exterior angle is contained between the fourth ascending airflow-guiding section and a line extended from the second surface of the main body.

34. The thermal module as claimed in claim 33, wherein the ascending airflow passages are further defined between any two vertically adjacent fourth ascending airflow-guiding sections.

35. The thermal module as claimed in claim 33, wherein the fourth exterior angle is ranged between 30 degrees and 80 degrees.

36. The thermal module as claimed in claim 33, wherein the fourth exterior angle is ranged between 45 degrees and 60 degrees.

37. The thermal module as claimed in claim 33, wherein the fourth ascending airflow-guiding section includes a plurality of fourth extending segments, and the fourth extending segments being integrally connected to one another to constitute the fourth ascending airflow-guiding section.

38. The thermal module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first and the second surface of each of the radiating fins respectively have a coating layer formed thereon.

39. The thermal module as claimed in claim 38, wherein the coating layer is a radiation-enhancing coating for upgrading a cooling effect of the radiating fin.