US20190137187A1 - Heat sink structure - Google Patents
Heat sink structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190137187A1 US20190137187A1 US16/237,283 US201816237283A US2019137187A1 US 20190137187 A1 US20190137187 A1 US 20190137187A1 US 201816237283 A US201816237283 A US 201816237283A US 2019137187 A1 US2019137187 A1 US 2019137187A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- heat
- heat pipe
- planar
- tubular
- pipe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 abstract description 18
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 32
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 29
- 238000002791 soaking Methods 0.000 description 14
- 230000020169 heat generation Effects 0.000 description 12
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000017525 heat dissipation Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000001747 exhibiting effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- RGSFGYAAUTVSQA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Cyclopentane Chemical compound C1CCCC1 RGSFGYAAUTVSQA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910000881 Cu alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910000990 Ni alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluoromethane Chemical group FC NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- DMEGYFMYUHOHGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N heptamethylene Natural products C1CCCCCC1 DMEGYFMYUHOHGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- RVZRBWKZFJCCIB-UHFFFAOYSA-N perfluorotributylamine Chemical compound FC(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)N(C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)F RVZRBWKZFJCCIB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D15/00—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies
- F28D15/02—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes
- F28D15/0275—Arrangements for coupling heat-pipes together or with other structures, e.g. with base blocks; Heat pipe cores
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D15/00—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies
- F28D15/02—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes
- F28D15/0233—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D15/00—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies
- F28D15/02—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes
- F28D15/04—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes with tubes having a capillary structure
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
- F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
- F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
- F28F1/24—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending transversely
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L23/00—Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices
- H01L23/34—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements
- H01L23/36—Selection of materials, or shaping, to facilitate cooling or heating, e.g. heatsinks
- H01L23/367—Cooling facilitated by shape of device
- H01L23/3672—Foil-like cooling fins or heat sinks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L23/00—Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices
- H01L23/34—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements
- H01L23/42—Fillings or auxiliary members in containers or encapsulations selected or arranged to facilitate heating or cooling
- H01L23/427—Cooling by change of state, e.g. use of heat pipes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L23/00—Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices
- H01L23/34—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements
- H01L23/46—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids
- H01L23/467—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids by flowing gases, e.g. air
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
- H05K7/2029—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating using a liquid coolant with phase change in electronic enclosures
- H05K7/20336—Heat pipes, e.g. wicks or capillary pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
- F28D2021/0019—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for
- F28D2021/0028—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for for cooling heat generating elements, e.g. for cooling electronic components or electric devices
- F28D2021/0029—Heat sinks
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2250/00—Arrangements for modifying the flow of the heat exchange media, e.g. flow guiding means; Particular flow patterns
- F28F2250/08—Fluid driving means, e.g. pumps, fans
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a heat sink structure having excellent cooling performance with respect to a plurality of heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space, for example, in an inner space having a small size in the thickness direction.
- the present disclosure also relates to a heat sink structure having excellent cooling performance with respect to heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space.
- An electronic component mounted on an electric or electronic device increases in amount of heat generation due to high-density mounting or the like caused by enhanced functions. Accordingly, in recent years, it is considered important to cool the component. Further, miniaturization, thinning or the like of the electric or electronic device causes an inner space of a casing of the electric or electronic device to be further narrowed.
- a planar heat pipe may be used as a cooling unit for an electronic component installed in the narrowed inner space.
- a cooling structure which includes: a first heat generating element provided in a casing; a heat sink provided in the casing; a first pressing member; a plate-like first heat pipe which has a first portion opposedly facing the first heat generating element and a second portion displaced from the first heat generating element, the first heat pipe being bent with the press of the first pressing member; and a second heat pipe which includes a tubular container coupled to the second portion of the first heat pipe and to the heat sink (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-106793).
- the cooling structure further includes, in addition to the plate-like first heat pipe, a plate-like third heat pipe which has a first portion opposedly facing the second heat generating element, and a second portion displaced from the second heat generating element and coupled to the second heat pipe.
- the plate-like heat pipe is bent, that is, deformed in the direction perpendicular to a planar surface with the press of the pressing member. Accordingly, in the plate-like heat pipe where the container has a small thickness, an inner space, particularly, a space in the thickness direction, of the heat pipe is blocked or narrowed and hence, a function of the heat pipe, that is, heat transmission characteristics, is impaired.
- the plate-like heat pipes which are formed of the separate bodies are respectively coupled to the heat generating elements. Accordingly, when the plurality of heat generating elements have different amounts of heat generation, particularly, a heat generating element having a large amount of heat generation may not be sufficiently cooled.
- the present disclosure is related to providing a heat sink structure which can reliably prevent blocking and narrowing of an inner space of the planar heat pipe thus having excellent heat transmission characteristics, and which can make cooling of a plurality of heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space uniform with a simple configuration.
- the present disclosure is also related to providing a heat sink structure which has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate with respect to heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space with a simple configuration thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance.
- An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a heat sink structure which includes: a planar heat pipe configured to be placed on a plurality of heat generating elements thus being thermally coupled to the plurality of heat generating elements; and a tubular heat pipe thermally coupled to a heat radiating portion of the planar heat pipe at a heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe.
- placement of the planar heat pipe on the plurality of heat generating elements allows the planar heat pipe to be thermally coupled to the plurality of heat generating elements and to be fixed to the heat generating elements.
- portions of the planar heat pipe to which the heat generating elements are thermally coupled function as heat receiving portions.
- a portion of the planar heat pipe to which the tubular heat pipe is thermally coupled functions as a heat radiating portion.
- a portion of the tubular heat pipe to which the planar heat pipe is thermally coupled functions as a heat receiving portion.
- the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe and hence, the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to one planar heat pipe, that is, to the same planar heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where a heat exchange unit is provided on a heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where the heat exchange unit includes a heat radiating fin.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where at least one of the heat exchange unit and the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe is cooled by cooling air from a blower fan.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where a biasing member is provided on the planar heat pipe, and the biasing member is fixed to a support member of the heat generating element.
- An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a heat sink structure which includes a planar heat pipe, and a tubular heat pipe thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe, wherein a heat generating element is thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe and the tubular heat pipe overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view.
- the heat generating element is coupled to the planar heat pipe or to the tubular heat pipe.
- “as viewed in a plan view” means a state which is visually recognized in the direction perpendicular to a planar portion of the planar heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where the tubular heat pipe is disposed on the side of the planar heat pipe closer to the heat generating element.
- the heat generating element is coupled to the tubular heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where the planar heat pipe is disposed on the side of the tubular heat pipe closer to the heat generating element.
- the heat generating element is coupled to the planar heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where a heat exchange unit is provided on a heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where the heat exchange unit includes a heat radiating fin.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where at least one of the heat exchange unit and the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe is cooled by cooling air from the blower fan.
- placement of the planar heat pipe on the plurality of heat generating elements allows the planar heat pipe to be thermally coupled to the plurality of heat generating elements. Accordingly, blocking and narrowing of an inner space of the planar heat pipe can be reliably prevented and, as a result, the heat sink structure can exhibit excellent heat transmission characteristics.
- the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to one planar heat pipe and hence, the number of parts of the planar heat pipe can be reduced and, at the same time, the structure can be simplified.
- the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to one planar heat pipe, and the planar heat pipe is thermally coupled to the tubular heat pipe having excellent heat transmission characteristics in the predetermined direction. Accordingly, even when the plurality of heat generating elements have different amounts of heat generation, the planar heat pipe can make heating of the respective heat generating elements uniform thus making cooling of the respective heat generating elements uniform.
- the heat generating element is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe and hence, the heat sink structure can even reliably cool heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space, for example, in an inner space having a small size in the thickness direction.
- the heat exchange unit is provided on the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe and hence, heat dissipation characteristics of the tubular heat pipe is enhanced so that the heat sink structure can even reliably cool heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space.
- the planar heat pipe and the tubular heat pipe are thermally coupled to each other. Accordingly, the tubular heat pipe is operated in a state where heat from the heat generating element diffuses on a surface of the planar heat pipe thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Further, the heat generating element is thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe and the tubular heat pipe overlap with each other and hence, heat is smoothly transferred from the heat generating element to the tubular heat pipe. Accordingly, the heat sink structure of the present disclosure has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements.
- a heat generating element having a relatively small amount of heat generation can be cooled by the planar heat pipe having a function as a soaking plate. Accordingly, a heat transmission amount of the tubular heat pipe can be reduced by a corresponding amount.
- the planar heat pipe is used, and the number of heat generating elements to be thermally coupled is not particularly limited. Accordingly, the heat sink structure can exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space with a simple configuration.
- the tubular heat pipe is disposed on the side of the planar heat pipe closer to the heat generating elements and hence, heat from the heat generating elements is smoothly transferred to the tubular heat pipe. Further, the heat from the heat generating elements which is transferred to the planar heat pipe through the tubular heat pipe diffuses on the surface of the planar heat pipe due to a function of the planar heat pipe as a soaking plate thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Accordingly, in the above-mentioned aspect, a heat transmission amount of the tubular heat pipe can be reduced and, therefore, the tubular heat pipe can be flattened (thinned) and reduced in diameter. As described above, the tubular heat pipe can be flattened and reduced in diameter and hence, the heat sink structure can be further miniaturized.
- the planar heat pipe is disposed on the side of the tubular heat pipe closer to the heat generating elements and hence, heat from the heat generating elements first diffuses on the surface of the planar heat pipe due to a function of the planar heat pipe as a soaking plate and, then, is transferred to the tubular heat pipe. Accordingly, the generation of a hot spot in the planar heat pipe can be prevented. As described above, the generation of a hot spot in the planar heat pipe can be prevented and hence, the heat sink structure can exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements.
- the heat exchange unit is provided on the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe and hence, heat dissipation characteristics of the tubular heat pipe is enhanced so that the heat sink structure can even reliably cool heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space.
- FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view;
- FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view;
- FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view;
- FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view;
- FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view
- FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view;
- FIG. 6A is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view
- FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view;
- FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view;
- FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view;
- FIG. 9A is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view
- FIG. 9B is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view;
- FIG. 10A is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view
- FIG. 10B is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view
- FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view.
- the heat sink structure 1 includes a planar heat pipe 10 , and a tubular heat pipe 12 thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 .
- a planar container 11 of the planar heat pipe 10 and a tubular container 13 of the tubular heat pipe 12 come into direct contact with each other so that the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 are thermally coupled to each other.
- a plurality of heat generating elements (two heat generating elements, that is, a first heat generating element 100 and a second heat generating element 101 in FIG. 1 ) mounted on a substrate 102 are thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 . That is, the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 are thermally coupled to the same planar heat pipe 10 . Accordingly, the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 are thermally coupled to each other through the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 has portions to which the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 are thermally coupled, and the portions of the planar heat pipe 10 function as heat receiving portions of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- Placement of the planar heat pipe 10 on the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 allows the planar heat pipe 10 to be thermally coupled and fixed to the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 may be placed on the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 so as to come into direct contact with the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 may be placed on the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 with a thermally conductive grease not shown in the drawing inserted between the planar heat pipe 10 and the first heat generating element 100 and between the planar heat pipe 10 and the second heat generating element 101 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 has a peripheral edge portion which is separated at a predetermined distance from the portions of the planar heat pipe 10 to which the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 are thermally coupled.
- One end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- one tubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- a portion of the planar heat pipe 10 to which the one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled functions as a heat radiating portion of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- a method for thermally coupling the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 to each other is not particularly limited.
- fixing of the tubular container 13 of the tubular heat pipe 12 to the planar container 11 of the planar heat pipe 10 by soldering, by swaging or the like allows the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 to be thermally coupled to each other.
- the one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 functions as a heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- portions of the tubular heat pipe 12 other than the one end portion 14 that is, a center portion 15 and another end portion 16 do not come into contact with the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the other end portion 16 functions as a heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- a heat generating element is not coupled to the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- the tubular heat pipe 12 may be bent, or may be used in a straight line shape.
- the tubular heat pipe 12 may be partially or wholly flattened so as to enhance thermal coupling performance.
- the whole tubular heat pipe 12 including the heat receiving portion is flattened.
- the one end portion 14 (heat receiving portion) of the tubular heat pipe 12 extends along the plane direction of the planar heat pipe 10 . That is, the one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 extends along the plane direction of the planar heat pipe 10 as viewed in a plan view.
- the center portion 15 and the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 also extend along the plane direction of the planar heat pipe 10 . Accordingly, the direction along which heat is transmitted in the tubular heat pipe 12 extends in the direction substantially parallel to the plane direction of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- heat radiating fins 17 are attached to the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 (that is, the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 ) as a heat exchange unit.
- a blower fan 103 is disposed between the heat radiating fins 17 and the planar heat pipe 10 . Cooling air from the blower fan 103 is supplied to the heat radiating fins 17 .
- the plurality of heat radiating fins 17 are attached to the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 so that heat is smoothly discharged from the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 to an external environment.
- the blower fan 103 is disposed between the heat radiating fins 17 and the planar heat pipe 10 . Accordingly, with the operation of the blower fan 103 , not only cooling air is supplied to the heat radiating fins 17 but also a flow of air is generated in the direction from the planar heat pipe 10 toward the heat radiating fins 17 , and the flow of air functions also as cooling air for cooling the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 includes the planar container 11 , a working fluid (not shown in the drawing) sealed in an inner space of the planar container 11 , and a wick structure (not shown in the drawing) provided in the inner space of the planar container 11 .
- the tubular heat pipe 12 includes the tubular container 13 , a working fluid (not shown in the drawing) sealed in an inner space of the tubular container 13 , and a wick structure (not shown in the drawing) provided in the inner space of the tubular container 13 .
- a material for forming the planar container 11 and the tubular container 13 may be copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, stainless steel, titanium or the like, for example.
- the working fluid can be suitably selected according to compatibility with the material for forming the planar container 11 and the tubular container 13 .
- the working fluid may be water, alternative fluorocarbons, fluorocarbon group such as Fluorinert, cyclopentane or the like, for example.
- the wick structure may be a sintered body of metal powder such as copper powder, metal mesh, wires, grooves formed on inner surfaces of the planar container 11 and the tubular container 13 or the like.
- the heat generating elements which are cooling targets are not particularly limited.
- the heat generating elements may be a central processing unit, a graphic chip (GPU, VGA), a memory, a capacitor, a power source and the like which are mounted on the substrate 102 (a circuit board incorporated in an electronic device, for example).
- a portion of the heat transmitted from the heat receiving portions to the heat radiating portion of the planar heat pipe 10 is transferred from the heat radiating portion of the planar heat pipe 10 to the one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 , that is, to the heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- the heat transferred to the heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 is transmitted to the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 , that is, to the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- the heat is discharged from the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 to an external environment through the heat radiating fins 17 .
- the heat from the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 which the planar heat pipe 10 receives is transmitted to a portion which corresponds to the heat radiating fins 17 through the tubular heat pipe 12 thus being smoothly discharged to the external environment.
- the planar heat pipe is thermally coupled to the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 in a state of being placed on the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 . Accordingly, blocking and narrowing of an inner space of the planar heat pipe can be reliably prevented and, therefore, the heat sink structure 1 exhibits excellent heat transmission characteristics thus reliably cooling the plurality of heat generating elements.
- the plurality of heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) are thermally coupled to one planar heat pipe 10 . Accordingly, the number of parts of the planar heat pipe 10 can be reduced and, at the same time, the heat sink structure 1 can be simplified. Further, in the heat sink structure 1 , the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to one planar heat pipe 10 , and the planar heat pipe 10 is thermally coupled to the tubular heat pipe 12 through which heat is transmitted to the portion where the heat radiating fins 17 are installed.
- the planar heat pipe 10 can make heating of the respective heat generating elements uniform thus making cooking of the respective heat generating elements uniform.
- the respective heat generating elements are thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe and hence, the heat sink structure 1 can even reliably cool heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space, for example, in an inner space having a small size in the thickness direction.
- one tubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- two tubular heat pipes 12 , 12 ′ are thermally coupled to a peripheral edge portion of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- tubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to one predetermined portion of the peripheral edge portion of the planar heat pipe 10
- another tubular heat pipe 12 ′ is thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of the planar heat pipe 10 at the position on the side opposite to the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- Heat radiating fins 17 are also provided on a heat radiating portion of the other tubular heat pipe 12 ′ in the similar manner as the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- the heat sink structure 2 can reliably cool the plurality of heat generating elements. That is, the number of tubular heat pipes 12 thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 is not particularly limited, and may be single or plural. The number of tubular heat pipes 12 can be suitably selected depending on usage conditions including amount of heat generation by a heat generating element, the number of heat generating elements and the like.
- the planar heat pipe 10 is thermally coupled to the respective heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) such that the planar heat pipe 10 comes into direct contact with the respective heat generating elements, or comes into contact with the respective heat generating elements with the thermally conductive grease interposed therebetween.
- a heat conductive member 18 is inserted between the planar heat pipe 10 and a heat generating element.
- a third heat generating element 104 is mounted on the substrate 102 in addition to the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 , that is, three heat generating elements are mounted on the substrate 102 .
- the above-mentioned aspect is particularly effective when the first heat generating element 100 , the second heat generating element 101 and the third heat generating element 104 have different sizes in the height direction. That is, the heat conductive member 18 is inserted between each of the heat generating elements having a small size in the height direction (the second heat generating element 101 and the third heat generating element 104 in FIG. 4 ) and the planar heat pipe 10 thus causing the heat generating elements to have substantially the same height as the heat generating element having the largest size in the height direction (the first heat generating element 100 in FIG. 4 ).
- the plurality of heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 , the second heat generating element 101 , and the third heat generating element 104 ) and the planar heat pipe 10 can be thermally coupled to each other without causing deformation such as deflection of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the heat conductive member 18 may be formed of a thermally conductive sheet or the like, for example.
- a thermally conductive grease 19 is applied to a contact surface between the first heat generating element 100 and the planar heat pipe 10 so as to enhance thermal conductivity.
- biasing members 20 are also provided on a surface (back surface) of the planar heat pipe 10 on the side where heat generating elements are disposed.
- Providing the biasing members 20 to the back surface of the planar heat pipe 10 allows prevention of deformation such as deflection of the planar heat pipe 10 , and also allows the planar heat pipe 10 to be biased in the direction toward the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 . Accordingly, thermal coupling performance between the planar heat pipe 10 and the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 is enhanced. Further, the planar heat pipe 10 can be reliably fixed to the substrate 102 .
- the tubular heat pipe 12 is attached to a surface (front surface) of the planar heat pipe 10 on the side where the heat generating elements are not disposed.
- two biasing members 20 are provided on the back surface of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the respective biasing members 20 are disposed at the peripheral edge portion of the planar heat pipe 10 so as to be oppositely positioned with each other.
- the respective heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) are disposed between two biasing members 20 . Accordingly, the planar heat pipe 10 in a state of being biased toward the substrate 102 side is thermally coupled to all heat generating elements.
- the biasing members 20 are fixed to the substrate 102 on which the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 are mounted.
- Each biasing member 20 includes a first flat portion 20 - 1 attached to the back surface of the planar heat pipe 10 in a surface contact state, second flat portions 20 - 2 attached to the substrate 102 in a surface contact state, and coupling portions 20 - 3 which connect the first flat portion 20 - 1 and the second flat portions 20 - 2 to each other.
- the coupling portions 20 - 3 exhibit a biasing effect.
- An attaching unit configured to attach the first flat portion 20 - 1 to the back surface of the planar heat pipe 10 is not particularly limited, and soldering or the like may be adopted, for example.
- a fixing unit configured to fix the second flat portions 20 - 2 to the substrate 102 is not particularly limited.
- the second flat portions 20 - 2 are fixed to the substrate 102 by means of screws 21 . That is, a through hole (not shown in the drawing) which allows the insertion of the screw 21 is formed in each second flat portion 20 - 2 . Screw holes (not shown in the drawing) are formed in the substrate 102 . Each screw 21 is inserted through the through hole, and is threadedly engaged with the screw hole so that the biasing members 20 are fixed to the substrate 102 .
- the biasing member 20 may be formed of a spring member such as a leaf spring or a coil made of metal, for example.
- the planar heat pipe 10 in a state of being biased toward the substrate 102 side is thermally coupled to all heat generating elements.
- the planar heat pipe 10 in a state of being biased toward the substrate 102 side is thermally coupled only to some heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 in FIG. 6 ) of a plurality of heat generating elements (two heat generating elements consisting of the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 in FIG. 6 ).
- Through holes 22 each of which allows the insertion of the screw 21 are formed in the planar heat pipe 10 .
- Through holes (not shown in the drawing) each of which allows the insertion of the screw 21 are also formed in the biasing members 20 .
- Screw holes (not shown in the drawing) are formed in the substrate 102 .
- Each screw 21 is inserted through the through hole 22 formed in the planar heat pipe 10 and the through hole formed in the biasing member 20 , and the screw 21 is threadedly engaged with the screw hole formed in the substrate 102 . With such operations, the planar heat pipe 10 and the biasing members 20 are fixed to the substrate 102 .
- the first heat generating element 100 is disposed between the two biasing members 20 , but the second heat generating element 101 is not disposed between the two biasing members 20 .
- a portion of the planar heat pipe 10 which is not biased in the direction toward the substrate 102 is thermally coupled to the second heat generating element 101 .
- the heat conductive member 18 formed of a thermally conductive sheet or the like is inserted between the second heat generating element 101 and the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 is biased also in the direction toward the first heat generating element 100 due to a cushioning function of the heat conductive member 18 .
- deformation such as deflection of the planar heat pipe 10 can be prevented, and thermal coupling performance between the planar heat pipe 10 and the first heat generating element 100 can be enhanced. Further, the planar heat pipe 10 can be reliably fixed to the substrate 102 .
- the heat radiating fins are provided on the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe as the heat exchange unit.
- the heat exchange unit may not be provided depending on usage conditions.
- the blower fan is installed in the vicinity of the heat radiating fins. However, the blower fan may not be installed depending on usage conditions.
- the planar heat pipe is placed on the respective heat generating elements such that the planar heat pipe comes into direct contact with the respective heat generating elements, or comes into contact with the respective heat generating elements with the thermally conductive grease interposed therebetween.
- a heat conductive member may be disposed between each heat generating element and the planar heat pipe.
- the above-mentioned heat sink structure of the present disclosure has excellent heat transmission characteristics, and can make cooling of the plurality of heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space uniform with a simple configuration. Accordingly, for example, the heat sink structure of the present disclosure has a high utility in the field of cooling a plurality of heat generating elements installed in a space having a small size in the thickness direction.
- a heat sink structure 6 includes the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the planar container 11 of the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular container 13 of the tubular heat pipe 12 come into direct contact with each other so that the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 are thermally coupled to each other.
- the tubular heat pipe 12 is disposed on the side of the planar heat pipe 10 closer to heat generating elements.
- the first heat generating element 100 mounted on the substrate 102 is thermally coupled to the tubular heat pipe 12
- the second heat generating element 101 mounted on the substrate 102 is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the first heat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 through the tubular heat pipe 12
- the second heat generating element 101 is thermally coupled to the tubular heat pipe 12 through the planar heat pipe 10
- the planar heat pipe 10 has a function as a soaking plate.
- the heat sink structure 6 may be configured such that the tubular heat pipe 12 comes into direct contact with the first heat generating element 100 thus being thermally coupled to the first heat generating element 100 , and the planar heat pipe 10 comes into direct contact with the second heat generating element 101 thus being thermally coupled to the second heat generating element 101 .
- a thermally conductive grease not shown in the drawing may be inserted between the tubular heat pipe 12 and the first heat generating element 100 and between the planar heat pipe 10 and the second heat generating element 101 thus thermally coupling the tubular heat pipe 12 and the first heat generating element 100 to each other and the planar heat pipe 10 and the second heat generating element 101 to each other.
- a one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10
- the first heat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to the one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 . That is, as shown in FIG. 8 , the first heat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view.
- the second heat generating element 101 is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 at the position where the planar heat pipe 10 does not overlap with the tubular heat pipe 12 as viewed in a plan view.
- one tubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 .
- a method for thermally coupling the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 to each other is not particularly limited.
- fixing of the tubular container 13 of the tubular heat pipe 12 to the planar container 11 of the planar heat pipe 10 by soldering, by swaging or the like allows the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 to be thermally coupled to each other.
- the one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 and to the first heat generating element 100 functions as a heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- portions of the tubular heat pipe 12 other than the one end portion 14 that is, the center portion 15 and the other end portion 16 do not come into contact with the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the center portion 15 and the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 the other end portion 16 functions as a heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- the tubular heat pipe 12 may be bent, or may be used in a straight line shape.
- the tubular heat pipe 12 may be partially or wholly flattened so as to enhance thermal coupling performance.
- the whole tubular heat pipe 12 including the heat receiving portion is flattened.
- the one end portion 14 (heat receiving portion) of the tubular heat pipe 12 extends along the plane direction of the planar heat pipe 10 . That is, the one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 extends along the plane direction of the planar heat pipe 10 as viewed in a plan view.
- the center portion 15 and the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 also extend along the plane direction of the planar heat pipe 10 . Accordingly, the direction along which heat is transmitted in the tubular heat pipe 12 extends in the direction substantially parallel to the plane direction of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the heat radiating fins 17 are attached to the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 (that is, the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 ) as a heat exchange unit.
- the blower fan 103 is disposed between the heat radiating fins 17 and the planar heat pipe 10 . Cooling air from the blower fan 103 is supplied to the heat radiating fins 17 .
- the plurality of heat radiating fins 17 are attached to the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 so that heat is smoothly discharged from the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 to an external environment.
- a position where the blower fan 103 is installed is not particularly limited. However, by disposing the blower fan 103 between the heat radiating fins 17 and the planar heat pipe 10 , with the operation of the blower fan 103 , not only cooling air is supplied to the heat radiating fins 17 but also a flow of air is generated in the direction from the planar heat pipe 10 toward the heat radiating fins 17 , and the flow of air functions also as cooling air for cooling the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 includes the planar container 11 , a working fluid (not shown in the drawing) sealed in the inner space of the planar container 11 , and a wick structure (not shown in the drawing) provided in the inner space of the planar container 11 .
- the tubular heat pipe 12 includes the tubular container 13 , a working fluid (not shown in the drawing) sealed in the inner space of the tubular container 13 , and a wick structure (not shown in the drawing) provided in the inner space of the tubular container 13 .
- a material for forming the planar container 11 and the tubular container 13 may be copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, stainless steel, titanium or the like, for example.
- the working fluid can be suitably selected according to compatibility with the material for forming the planar container 11 and the tubular container 13 .
- the working fluid may be water, alternative fluorocarbons, fluorocarbon group such as Fluorinert, cyclopentane or the like, for example.
- the wick structure may be a sintered body of metal powder such as copper powder, metal mesh, wires, grooves formed on inner surfaces of the planar container 11 and the tubular container 13 or the like.
- the heat generating elements which are cooling targets are not particularly limited.
- the heat generating elements may be a central processing unit, a graphic chip (GPU, VGA), a memory, a capacitor, a power source and the like which are mounted on the substrate 102 (a circuit board incorporated in an electronic device, for example).
- the one end portion 14 (heat receiving portion) of the tubular heat pipe 12 receives heat from the first heat generating element 100 , the heat transferred from the first heat generating element 100 to the heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 is transmitted to the other end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 , that is, to the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 . Then, the heat is discharged from the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 to an external environment through the heat radiating fins 17 .
- a portion of the heat transferred to the heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 is not transmitted to the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 , but is transferred to the planar heat pipe 10 thermally coupled to the one end portion 14 of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- the heat transferred from the heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 to the planar heat pipe 10 is discharged from the planar heat pipe 10 while diffusing along a planar surface of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- planar heat pipe 10 receives heat from the second heat generating element 101 , in the similar manner as the heat transferred from the first heat generating element 100 , heat transferred from the second heat generating element 101 to the planar heat pipe 10 is discharged from the planar heat pipe 10 while diffusing along the planar surface of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 has a function as a soaking plate.
- the heat from the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 which the heat sink structure 6 receives is transmitted to a portion which corresponds to the heat radiating fins 17 through the tubular heat pipe 12 thus being smoothly discharged to the external environment. Further, the heat diffuses along the planar surface of the planar heat pipe 10 thus being discharged also from the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 are thermally coupled to each other. Accordingly, the tubular heat pipe 12 exhibits a heat transmission function in a state where heat from the first heat generating element 100 and heat from the second heat generating element 101 diffuse on the surface of the planar heat pipe 10 thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Further, at least some heat generating elements (first heat generating element 100 ) of the plurality of heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) are thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other. Accordingly, heat is smoothly transferred from the first heat generating element 100 to the tubular heat pipe 12 . Therefore, the heat sink structure 6 has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements.
- the heat sink structure 6 cools a plurality of heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) which have different amounts of heat generation.
- a heat generating element having a relatively small amount of heat generation (the second heat generating element 101 , for example) can be cooled by the planar heat pipe 10 having a function as a soaking plate. Accordingly, the heat transmission amount of the tubular heat pipe 12 can be reduced by a corresponding amount.
- the planar heat pipe 10 is used, and the number of heat generating elements to be thermally coupled is not particularly limited. Accordingly, the heat sink structure 6 can exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space with a simple configuration.
- the tubular heat pipe 12 is disposed on the side of the planar heat pipe 10 closer to the heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) (on the side closer to the substrate 102 ). Accordingly, heat from the heat generating element (the first heat generating element 100 in FIGS. 7 and 8 ) is smoothly transferred to the tubular heat pipe 12 . Further, heat transferred from the respective heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) diffuses on the surface of the planar heat pipe 10 due to a function of the planar heat pipe 10 as a soaking plate thus increasing a heat dissipation area.
- a heat transmission amount of the tubular heat pipe 12 can be reduced and, therefore, the tubular heat pipe 12 can be flattened and reduced in diameter.
- the tubular heat pipe 12 can be flattened and reduced in diameter and hence, the heat sink structure 6 can be further miniaturized.
- the first heat generating element 100 mounted on the substrate 102 is coupled to the tubular heat pipe 12
- the second heat generating element 101 mounted on the substrate 102 is coupled to the planar heat pipe 10
- a heat generating element is not coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the first heat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view.
- a heat generating element is not coupled to the position where the tubular heat pipe 12 and the planar heat pipe 10 do not overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view.
- the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 are thermally coupled to each other. Accordingly, the tubular heat pipe 12 exhibits a heat transmission function in a state where, due to the provision of the planar heat pipe 10 , heat from the first heat generating element 100 diffuses along the planar surface of the planar heat pipe 10 thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Further, the heat generating element (the first heat generating element 100 ) is thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other. Accordingly, heat is smoothly transferred from the first heat generating element 100 to the tubular heat pipe 12 . Therefore, in the similar manner as the heat sink structure 6 , the heat sink structure 7 also has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements.
- the tubular heat pipe 12 is disposed on the side of the planar heat pipe 10 closer to the heat generating elements.
- the planar heat pipe 10 is disposed on the side of the tubular heat pipe 12 closer to the heat generating elements.
- Heat generating elements (a plurality of heat generating elements, that is, the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 in FIG. 10 ) mounted on the substrate 102 are coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 .
- a heat generating element is not coupled to the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- both heat generating elements that is, both the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 are thermally coupled to the tubular heat pipe 12 through the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the planar heat pipe 10 has a function as a soaking plate.
- some heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 in FIG. 10B ) of the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 at the position where the planar heat pipe 10 and the tubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view.
- some of remaining heat generating elements (the second heat generating element 101 in FIG. 10B ) is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 at the position which does not overlap with the tubular heat pipe 12 as viewed in a plan view.
- the first heat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 such that the first heat generating element 100 comes into direct contact with the planar heat pipe 10 , or comes into contact with the planar heat pipe 10 with a thermally conductive grease (not shown in the drawing) interposed therebetween.
- the heat conductive member 18 formed of a thermally conductive sheet or the like is inserted between the planar heat pipe 10 and the second heat generating element 101 so that the second heat generating element 101 is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 through the heat conductive member 18 .
- the heat conductive member 18 is inserted between the heat generating element having a small size in the height direction (the second heat generating element 101 in FIG. 10A ) and the planar heat pipe 10 .
- an increase in thermal resistance can be prevented, and height adjustment can be performed between the heat generating elements having different sizes in the height direction. Accordingly, deformation such as deflection of the planar heat pipe 10 can be prevented and hence, the inner space of the planar heat pipe 10 can be maintained and, as a result, the lowering of cooling performance of the heat sink structure 8 can be prevented.
- both the heat from the first heat generating element 100 and the heat from the second heat generating element 101 are discharged from the planar heat pipe 10 while diffusing on the planar heat pipe 10 along the planar surface of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the tubular heat pipe 12 is provided at the position where the tubular heat pipe 12 overlaps with the first heat generating element 100 as viewed in a plan view, and the one end portion 14 (heat receiving portion) of the tubular heat pipe 12 comes into direct contact with the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the tubular heat pipe 12 Accordingly, heat which is not discharged from the planar heat pipe 10 is transferred to the heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 .
- the heat transferred to the heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 is transmitted from the heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe 12 to the other end portion 16 (heat radiating portion) of the tubular heat pipe 12 , and is discharged to an external environment from the heat radiating fins 17 provided on the heat radiating portion.
- the tubular heat pipe 12 has a function of transmitting the heat which is not discharged from the planar heat pipe 10 to a portion which corresponds to the heat radiating fins.
- the planar heat pipe 10 is disposed on the side of the tubular heat pipe 12 closer to the heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) and hence, due to a function of the planar heat pipe 10 as a soaking plate, heat from the heat generating elements first diffuses along the planar surface of the planar heat pipe 10 and, then, is transferred to the tubular heat pipe 12 . Accordingly, the generation of a hot spot in the planar heat pipe 10 can be prevented. As described above, in the heat sink structure 8 , the generation of a hot spot in the planar heat pipe 10 can be prevented and hence, the heat sink structure 8 can exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements.
- planar heat pipe 10 can cover the whole heat generating elements (the first heat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101 ) coupled to the planar heat pipe 10 as viewed in a plan view and hence, heat transfer performance from the heat generating element to the heat sink structure 8 is enhanced.
- one tubular heat pipe is installed.
- the number of tubular heat pipes to be installed is not particularly limited.
- a plurality of tubular heat pipes may be installed depending on usage conditions of the heat sink structure.
- one tubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the first heat generating element 100 mounted on the substrate 102 .
- a plurality of (two in FIG. 11 ) tubular heat pipes 12 , 12 ′ may be thermally coupled to the first heat generating element 100 mounted on the substrate 102 .
- two tubular heat pipes 12 , 12 ′ are thermally coupled to a position which overlaps with the first heat generating element 100 as viewed in a plan view.
- portions of the two tubular heat pipes 12 , 12 ′ which overlap with the first heat generating element 100 as viewed in a plan view are disposed parallel to each other.
- Portions of the two tubular heat pipes 12 , 12 ′ which do not overlap with the planar heat pipe 10 as viewed in a plan view are disposed such that the one tubular heat pipe 12 and the other tubular heat pipe 12 ′ are disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to a center line of the planar heat pipe 10 .
- the plurality of tubular heat pipes 12 , 12 ′ are thermally coupled to the first heat generating element 100 thus reliably cooling the first heat generating element 100 even when the first heat generating element 100 has a large amount of heat generation.
- the number of heat generating elements to be thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe and the tubular heat pipe overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view is not particularly limited.
- one heat generating element is thermally coupled to the position.
- a plurality of heat generating elements may be thermally coupled to the position.
- the heat radiating fins are provided on the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe as the heat exchange unit.
- the heat exchange unit may not be provided depending on usage conditions.
- the blower fan is installed in the vicinity of the heat radiating fins.
- the blower fan may not be installed depending on usage conditions.
- a thermally conductive grease may be applied between the heat generating element and the planar heat pipe or the tubular heat pipe so as to enhance thermal coupling performance when necessary.
- the above-mentioned heat sink structure of the present disclosure has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate with respect to the heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space with a simple configuration thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance. Accordingly, for example, the heat sink structure of the present disclosure has a high utility in the field of cooling heat generating elements mounted on a substrate.
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Abstract
Description
- This is a continuation application of international patent Application No. PCT/JP2017/024069 filed Jun. 30, 2017, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-131802, filed Jul. 1, 2016, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-131803, filed Jul. 1, 2016, the full contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- The present disclosure relates to a heat sink structure having excellent cooling performance with respect to a plurality of heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space, for example, in an inner space having a small size in the thickness direction. The present disclosure also relates to a heat sink structure having excellent cooling performance with respect to heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space.
- An electronic component mounted on an electric or electronic device, such as a semiconductor element, increases in amount of heat generation due to high-density mounting or the like caused by enhanced functions. Accordingly, in recent years, it is considered important to cool the component. Further, miniaturization, thinning or the like of the electric or electronic device causes an inner space of a casing of the electric or electronic device to be further narrowed. A planar heat pipe may be used as a cooling unit for an electronic component installed in the narrowed inner space.
- As the cooling structure for an electronic component installed in an inner space having a small size in the thickness direction, a cooling structure is proposed which includes: a first heat generating element provided in a casing; a heat sink provided in the casing; a first pressing member; a plate-like first heat pipe which has a first portion opposedly facing the first heat generating element and a second portion displaced from the first heat generating element, the first heat pipe being bent with the press of the first pressing member; and a second heat pipe which includes a tubular container coupled to the second portion of the first heat pipe and to the heat sink (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-106793).
- According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-106793, in the case where a second heat generating element is provided in the casing, the cooling structure further includes, in addition to the plate-like first heat pipe, a plate-like third heat pipe which has a first portion opposedly facing the second heat generating element, and a second portion displaced from the second heat generating element and coupled to the second heat pipe.
- However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-106793, the plate-like heat pipe is bent, that is, deformed in the direction perpendicular to a planar surface with the press of the pressing member. Accordingly, in the plate-like heat pipe where the container has a small thickness, an inner space, particularly, a space in the thickness direction, of the heat pipe is blocked or narrowed and hence, a function of the heat pipe, that is, heat transmission characteristics, is impaired.
- In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-106793, to cool the plurality of heat generating elements, plate-like heat pipes which are formed of separate bodies are required to be coupled to the heat generating elements respectively, and the respective plate-like heat pipes are required to be coupled to the second heat pipe which is a main heat pipe having a tubular container. Accordingly, it is necessary to adjust a size of each plate-like heat pipe according to the position of a heat generating element. Therefore, the number of parts increases and, at the same time, the structure is complicated.
- Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-106793, the plate-like heat pipes which are formed of the separate bodies are respectively coupled to the heat generating elements. Accordingly, when the plurality of heat generating elements have different amounts of heat generation, particularly, a heat generating element having a large amount of heat generation may not be sufficiently cooled.
- The present disclosure is related to providing a heat sink structure which can reliably prevent blocking and narrowing of an inner space of the planar heat pipe thus having excellent heat transmission characteristics, and which can make cooling of a plurality of heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space uniform with a simple configuration. The present disclosure is also related to providing a heat sink structure which has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate with respect to heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space with a simple configuration thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance.
- An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a heat sink structure which includes: a planar heat pipe configured to be placed on a plurality of heat generating elements thus being thermally coupled to the plurality of heat generating elements; and a tubular heat pipe thermally coupled to a heat radiating portion of the planar heat pipe at a heat receiving portion of the tubular heat pipe.
- In the above-mentioned aspect, placement of the planar heat pipe on the plurality of heat generating elements allows the planar heat pipe to be thermally coupled to the plurality of heat generating elements and to be fixed to the heat generating elements. In the above-mentioned aspect, portions of the planar heat pipe to which the heat generating elements are thermally coupled function as heat receiving portions. A portion of the planar heat pipe to which the tubular heat pipe is thermally coupled functions as a heat radiating portion. A portion of the tubular heat pipe to which the planar heat pipe is thermally coupled functions as a heat receiving portion. Further, in the above-mentioned aspect, the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe and hence, the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to one planar heat pipe, that is, to the same planar heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where a heat exchange unit is provided on a heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where the heat exchange unit includes a heat radiating fin.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where at least one of the heat exchange unit and the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe is cooled by cooling air from a blower fan.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where a biasing member is provided on the planar heat pipe, and the biasing member is fixed to a support member of the heat generating element.
- An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a heat sink structure which includes a planar heat pipe, and a tubular heat pipe thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe, wherein a heat generating element is thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe and the tubular heat pipe overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view.
- In the above-mentioned aspect, the heat generating element is coupled to the planar heat pipe or to the tubular heat pipe. In this specification, “as viewed in a plan view” means a state which is visually recognized in the direction perpendicular to a planar portion of the planar heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where the tubular heat pipe is disposed on the side of the planar heat pipe closer to the heat generating element. In the above-mentioned aspect, the heat generating element is coupled to the tubular heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where the planar heat pipe is disposed on the side of the tubular heat pipe closer to the heat generating element. In the above-mentioned aspect, the heat generating element is coupled to the planar heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where a heat exchange unit is provided on a heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where the heat exchange unit includes a heat radiating fin.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the heat sink structure where at least one of the heat exchange unit and the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe is cooled by cooling air from the blower fan.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, placement of the planar heat pipe on the plurality of heat generating elements allows the planar heat pipe to be thermally coupled to the plurality of heat generating elements. Accordingly, blocking and narrowing of an inner space of the planar heat pipe can be reliably prevented and, as a result, the heat sink structure can exhibit excellent heat transmission characteristics.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to one planar heat pipe and hence, the number of parts of the planar heat pipe can be reduced and, at the same time, the structure can be simplified. According to the aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to one planar heat pipe, and the planar heat pipe is thermally coupled to the tubular heat pipe having excellent heat transmission characteristics in the predetermined direction. Accordingly, even when the plurality of heat generating elements have different amounts of heat generation, the planar heat pipe can make heating of the respective heat generating elements uniform thus making cooling of the respective heat generating elements uniform. Further, according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the heat generating element is thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe and hence, the heat sink structure can even reliably cool heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space, for example, in an inner space having a small size in the thickness direction.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, the heat exchange unit is provided on the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe and hence, heat dissipation characteristics of the tubular heat pipe is enhanced so that the heat sink structure can even reliably cool heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, the planar heat pipe and the tubular heat pipe are thermally coupled to each other. Accordingly, the tubular heat pipe is operated in a state where heat from the heat generating element diffuses on a surface of the planar heat pipe thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Further, the heat generating element is thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe and the tubular heat pipe overlap with each other and hence, heat is smoothly transferred from the heat generating element to the tubular heat pipe. Accordingly, the heat sink structure of the present disclosure has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, in cooling a plurality of heat generating elements which have different amounts of heat generation, a heat generating element having a relatively small amount of heat generation can be cooled by the planar heat pipe having a function as a soaking plate. Accordingly, a heat transmission amount of the tubular heat pipe can be reduced by a corresponding amount.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, the planar heat pipe is used, and the number of heat generating elements to be thermally coupled is not particularly limited. Accordingly, the heat sink structure can exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space with a simple configuration.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, the tubular heat pipe is disposed on the side of the planar heat pipe closer to the heat generating elements and hence, heat from the heat generating elements is smoothly transferred to the tubular heat pipe. Further, the heat from the heat generating elements which is transferred to the planar heat pipe through the tubular heat pipe diffuses on the surface of the planar heat pipe due to a function of the planar heat pipe as a soaking plate thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Accordingly, in the above-mentioned aspect, a heat transmission amount of the tubular heat pipe can be reduced and, therefore, the tubular heat pipe can be flattened (thinned) and reduced in diameter. As described above, the tubular heat pipe can be flattened and reduced in diameter and hence, the heat sink structure can be further miniaturized.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, the planar heat pipe is disposed on the side of the tubular heat pipe closer to the heat generating elements and hence, heat from the heat generating elements first diffuses on the surface of the planar heat pipe due to a function of the planar heat pipe as a soaking plate and, then, is transferred to the tubular heat pipe. Accordingly, the generation of a hot spot in the planar heat pipe can be prevented. As described above, the generation of a hot spot in the planar heat pipe can be prevented and hence, the heat sink structure can exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements.
- According to the aspect of the present disclosure, the heat exchange unit is provided on the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe and hence, heat dissipation characteristics of the tubular heat pipe is enhanced so that the heat sink structure can even reliably cool heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space.
-
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view; -
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view; -
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view; -
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view; -
FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view, andFIG. 5B is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view; -
FIG. 6A is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view, andFIG. 6B is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view; -
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view; -
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view; -
FIG. 9A is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view, andFIG. 9B is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view; -
FIG. 10A is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a side view, andFIG. 10B is an explanatory view of the heat sink structure according to the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view; and -
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a heat sink structure according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in a plan view. - Hereinafter, a heat sink structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theheat sink structure 1 according to the first embodiment includes aplanar heat pipe 10, and atubular heat pipe 12 thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10. In theheat sink structure 1, aplanar container 11 of theplanar heat pipe 10 and atubular container 13 of thetubular heat pipe 12 come into direct contact with each other so that theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 are thermally coupled to each other. - A plurality of heat generating elements (two heat generating elements, that is, a first
heat generating element 100 and a secondheat generating element 101 inFIG. 1 ) mounted on asubstrate 102 are thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10. That is, the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 are thermally coupled to the sameplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 are thermally coupled to each other through theplanar heat pipe 10. Theplanar heat pipe 10 has portions to which the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 are thermally coupled, and the portions of theplanar heat pipe 10 function as heat receiving portions of theplanar heat pipe 10. - Placement of the
planar heat pipe 10 on the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 allows theplanar heat pipe 10 to be thermally coupled and fixed to the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101. - In the
heat sink structure 1, theplanar heat pipe 10 may be placed on the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 so as to come into direct contact with the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101. Alternatively, theplanar heat pipe 10 may be placed on the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 with a thermally conductive grease not shown in the drawing inserted between theplanar heat pipe 10 and the firstheat generating element 100 and between theplanar heat pipe 10 and the secondheat generating element 101. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theplanar heat pipe 10 has a peripheral edge portion which is separated at a predetermined distance from the portions of theplanar heat pipe 10 to which the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 are thermally coupled. Oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of theplanar heat pipe 10. In theheat sink structure 1, onetubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of theplanar heat pipe 10. A portion of theplanar heat pipe 10 to which the oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled functions as a heat radiating portion of theplanar heat pipe 10. - A method for thermally coupling the
planar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 to each other is not particularly limited. For example, fixing of thetubular container 13 of thetubular heat pipe 12 to theplanar container 11 of theplanar heat pipe 10 by soldering, by swaging or the like allows theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 to be thermally coupled to each other. - The one
end portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12 thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 functions as a heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. On the other hand, portions of thetubular heat pipe 12 other than the oneend portion 14, that is, acenter portion 15 and anotherend portion 16 do not come into contact with theplanar heat pipe 10. Of thecenter portion 15 and theother end portion 16 of thetubular heat pipe 12, theother end portion 16 functions as a heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. Unlike theplanar heat pipe 10, a heat generating element is not coupled to thetubular heat pipe 12. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , thetubular heat pipe 12 may be bent, or may be used in a straight line shape. Thetubular heat pipe 12 may be partially or wholly flattened so as to enhance thermal coupling performance. - In the
heat sink structure 1, the wholetubular heat pipe 12 including the heat receiving portion is flattened. The one end portion 14 (heat receiving portion) of thetubular heat pipe 12 extends along the plane direction of theplanar heat pipe 10. That is, the oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12 extends along the plane direction of theplanar heat pipe 10 as viewed in a plan view. In the similar manner as the oneend portion 14, thecenter portion 15 and theother end portion 16 of thetubular heat pipe 12 also extend along the plane direction of theplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, the direction along which heat is transmitted in thetubular heat pipe 12 extends in the direction substantially parallel to the plane direction of theplanar heat pipe 10. - In the
heat sink structure 1,heat radiating fins 17 are attached to theother end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 (that is, the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12) as a heat exchange unit. Ablower fan 103 is disposed between theheat radiating fins 17 and theplanar heat pipe 10. Cooling air from theblower fan 103 is supplied to theheat radiating fins 17. - In the
heat sink structure 1, the plurality ofheat radiating fins 17 are attached to theother end portion 16 of thetubular heat pipe 12 so that heat is smoothly discharged from the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 to an external environment. Further, theblower fan 103 is disposed between theheat radiating fins 17 and theplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, with the operation of theblower fan 103, not only cooling air is supplied to theheat radiating fins 17 but also a flow of air is generated in the direction from theplanar heat pipe 10 toward theheat radiating fins 17, and the flow of air functions also as cooling air for cooling theplanar heat pipe 10. - The
planar heat pipe 10 includes theplanar container 11, a working fluid (not shown in the drawing) sealed in an inner space of theplanar container 11, and a wick structure (not shown in the drawing) provided in the inner space of theplanar container 11. Thetubular heat pipe 12 includes thetubular container 13, a working fluid (not shown in the drawing) sealed in an inner space of thetubular container 13, and a wick structure (not shown in the drawing) provided in the inner space of thetubular container 13. - A material for forming the
planar container 11 and thetubular container 13 may be copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, stainless steel, titanium or the like, for example. The working fluid can be suitably selected according to compatibility with the material for forming theplanar container 11 and thetubular container 13. The working fluid may be water, alternative fluorocarbons, fluorocarbon group such as Fluorinert, cyclopentane or the like, for example. - The wick structure may be a sintered body of metal powder such as copper powder, metal mesh, wires, grooves formed on inner surfaces of the
planar container 11 and thetubular container 13 or the like. - The heat generating elements which are cooling targets are not particularly limited. The heat generating elements may be a central processing unit, a graphic chip (GPU, VGA), a memory, a capacitor, a power source and the like which are mounted on the substrate 102 (a circuit board incorporated in an electronic device, for example).
- Next, a mechanism for a cooling effect of the
heat sink structure 1 will be described. When the heat receiving portions of theplanar heat pipe 10 receives heat from the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101, the heat from the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 is transmitted from the heat receiving portions of theplanar heat pipe 10 to the heat radiating portion of theplanar heat pipe 10 coupled to the oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12. Planar portions of theplanar heat pipe 10 other than the heat receiving portions of theplanar heat pipe 10 function as the heat radiating portions of theplanar heat pipe 10. A portion of the heat transmitted from the heat receiving portions to the heat radiating portion of theplanar heat pipe 10 is transferred from the heat radiating portion of theplanar heat pipe 10 to the oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12, that is, to the heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. The heat transferred to the heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 is transmitted to theother end portion 16 of thetubular heat pipe 12, that is, to the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. Then, the heat is discharged from the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 to an external environment through theheat radiating fins 17. - That is, the heat from the first
heat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 which theplanar heat pipe 10 receives is transmitted to a portion which corresponds to theheat radiating fins 17 through thetubular heat pipe 12 thus being smoothly discharged to the external environment. - In the
heat sink structure 1, the planar heat pipe is thermally coupled to the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 in a state of being placed on the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101. Accordingly, blocking and narrowing of an inner space of the planar heat pipe can be reliably prevented and, therefore, theheat sink structure 1 exhibits excellent heat transmission characteristics thus reliably cooling the plurality of heat generating elements. - In the
heat sink structure 1, the plurality of heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) are thermally coupled to oneplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, the number of parts of theplanar heat pipe 10 can be reduced and, at the same time, theheat sink structure 1 can be simplified. Further, in theheat sink structure 1, the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to oneplanar heat pipe 10, and theplanar heat pipe 10 is thermally coupled to thetubular heat pipe 12 through which heat is transmitted to the portion where theheat radiating fins 17 are installed. Accordingly, even when the plurality of heat generating elements have different amounts of heat generation, theplanar heat pipe 10 can make heating of the respective heat generating elements uniform thus making cooking of the respective heat generating elements uniform. Further, in theheat sink structure 1, the respective heat generating elements are thermally coupled to the planar heat pipe and hence, theheat sink structure 1 can even reliably cool heat generating elements installed in a narrow inner space, for example, in an inner space having a small size in the thickness direction. - Next, a heat sink structure according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Constitutional elements identical to the constitutional elements of the heat sink structure according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure are given the same reference characters, and the description is made using the same reference characters.
- In the
heat sink structure 1 according to the first embodiment, onetubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of theplanar heat pipe 10. However, in aheat sink structure 2 according to the second embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3 , twotubular heat pipes planar heat pipe 10. - In the
heat sink structure 2, not only thetubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to one predetermined portion of the peripheral edge portion of theplanar heat pipe 10, but also anothertubular heat pipe 12′ is thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of theplanar heat pipe 10 at the position on the side opposite to thetubular heat pipe 12.Heat radiating fins 17 are also provided on a heat radiating portion of the othertubular heat pipe 12′ in the similar manner as the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. - Even when the two
tubular heat pipes 12 are thermally coupled to the peripheral edge portion of theplanar heat pipe 10, in the similar manner as theheat sink structure 1, theheat sink structure 2 can reliably cool the plurality of heat generating elements. That is, the number oftubular heat pipes 12 thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 is not particularly limited, and may be single or plural. The number oftubular heat pipes 12 can be suitably selected depending on usage conditions including amount of heat generation by a heat generating element, the number of heat generating elements and the like. - Next, a heat sink structure according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Constitutional elements identical to the constitutional elements of the heat sink structures according to the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure are given the same reference characters, and the description is made using the same reference characters.
- In the
heat sink structure 1 according to the first embodiment, theplanar heat pipe 10 is thermally coupled to the respective heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) such that theplanar heat pipe 10 comes into direct contact with the respective heat generating elements, or comes into contact with the respective heat generating elements with the thermally conductive grease interposed therebetween. However, in aheat sink structure 3 according to the third embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4 , a heatconductive member 18 is inserted between theplanar heat pipe 10 and a heat generating element. In theheat sink structure 3, a thirdheat generating element 104 is mounted on thesubstrate 102 in addition to the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101, that is, three heat generating elements are mounted on thesubstrate 102. - The above-mentioned aspect is particularly effective when the first
heat generating element 100, the secondheat generating element 101 and the thirdheat generating element 104 have different sizes in the height direction. That is, the heatconductive member 18 is inserted between each of the heat generating elements having a small size in the height direction (the secondheat generating element 101 and the thirdheat generating element 104 inFIG. 4 ) and theplanar heat pipe 10 thus causing the heat generating elements to have substantially the same height as the heat generating element having the largest size in the height direction (the firstheat generating element 100 inFIG. 4 ). With such a configuration, the plurality of heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100, the secondheat generating element 101, and the third heat generating element 104) and theplanar heat pipe 10 can be thermally coupled to each other without causing deformation such as deflection of theplanar heat pipe 10. - The heat
conductive member 18 may be formed of a thermally conductive sheet or the like, for example. InFIG. 4 , a thermallyconductive grease 19 is applied to a contact surface between the firstheat generating element 100 and theplanar heat pipe 10 so as to enhance thermal conductivity. - Next, a heat sink structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Constitutional elements identical to the constitutional elements of the heat sink structures according to the first, second and third embodiments of the present disclosure are given the same reference characters, and the description is made using the same reference characters.
- As shown in
FIGS. 5A and 5B , in aheat sink structure 4 according to the fourth embodiment, biasingmembers 20 are also provided on a surface (back surface) of theplanar heat pipe 10 on the side where heat generating elements are disposed. Providing the biasingmembers 20 to the back surface of theplanar heat pipe 10 allows prevention of deformation such as deflection of theplanar heat pipe 10, and also allows theplanar heat pipe 10 to be biased in the direction toward the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101. Accordingly, thermal coupling performance between theplanar heat pipe 10 and the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 is enhanced. Further, theplanar heat pipe 10 can be reliably fixed to thesubstrate 102. Thetubular heat pipe 12 is attached to a surface (front surface) of theplanar heat pipe 10 on the side where the heat generating elements are not disposed. - In the
heat sink structure 4, two biasingmembers 20 are provided on the back surface of theplanar heat pipe 10. Therespective biasing members 20 are disposed at the peripheral edge portion of theplanar heat pipe 10 so as to be oppositely positioned with each other. The respective heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) are disposed between two biasingmembers 20. Accordingly, theplanar heat pipe 10 in a state of being biased toward thesubstrate 102 side is thermally coupled to all heat generating elements. The biasingmembers 20 are fixed to thesubstrate 102 on which the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 are mounted. - Each biasing
member 20 includes a first flat portion 20-1 attached to the back surface of theplanar heat pipe 10 in a surface contact state, second flat portions 20-2 attached to thesubstrate 102 in a surface contact state, and coupling portions 20-3 which connect the first flat portion 20-1 and the second flat portions 20-2 to each other. The coupling portions 20-3 exhibit a biasing effect. - An attaching unit configured to attach the first flat portion 20-1 to the back surface of the
planar heat pipe 10 is not particularly limited, and soldering or the like may be adopted, for example. A fixing unit configured to fix the second flat portions 20-2 to thesubstrate 102 is not particularly limited. In theheat sink structure 4, the second flat portions 20-2 are fixed to thesubstrate 102 by means ofscrews 21. That is, a through hole (not shown in the drawing) which allows the insertion of thescrew 21 is formed in each second flat portion 20-2. Screw holes (not shown in the drawing) are formed in thesubstrate 102. Eachscrew 21 is inserted through the through hole, and is threadedly engaged with the screw hole so that the biasingmembers 20 are fixed to thesubstrate 102. - The biasing
member 20 may be formed of a spring member such as a leaf spring or a coil made of metal, for example. - Next, a heat sink structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Constitutional elements identical to the constitutional elements of the heat sink structures according to the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments of the present disclosure are given the same reference characters, and the description is made using the same reference characters.
- In the
heat sink structure 4 according to the fourth embodiment, theplanar heat pipe 10 in a state of being biased toward thesubstrate 102 side is thermally coupled to all heat generating elements. However, in aheat sink structure 5 according to the fifth embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B , theplanar heat pipe 10 in a state of being biased toward thesubstrate 102 side is thermally coupled only to some heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 inFIG. 6 ) of a plurality of heat generating elements (two heat generating elements consisting of the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 inFIG. 6 ). Throughholes 22 each of which allows the insertion of thescrew 21 are formed in theplanar heat pipe 10. Through holes (not shown in the drawing) each of which allows the insertion of thescrew 21 are also formed in the biasingmembers 20. Screw holes (not shown in the drawing) are formed in thesubstrate 102. Eachscrew 21 is inserted through the throughhole 22 formed in theplanar heat pipe 10 and the through hole formed in the biasingmember 20, and thescrew 21 is threadedly engaged with the screw hole formed in thesubstrate 102. With such operations, theplanar heat pipe 10 and the biasingmembers 20 are fixed to thesubstrate 102. - As shown in
FIG. 6B , in theheat sink structure 5, the firstheat generating element 100 is disposed between the two biasingmembers 20, but the secondheat generating element 101 is not disposed between the two biasingmembers 20. A portion of theplanar heat pipe 10 which is not biased in the direction toward thesubstrate 102 is thermally coupled to the secondheat generating element 101. The heatconductive member 18 formed of a thermally conductive sheet or the like is inserted between the secondheat generating element 101 and theplanar heat pipe 10. Theplanar heat pipe 10 is biased also in the direction toward the firstheat generating element 100 due to a cushioning function of the heatconductive member 18. - Also in the above-mentioned aspect, deformation such as deflection of the
planar heat pipe 10 can be prevented, and thermal coupling performance between theplanar heat pipe 10 and the firstheat generating element 100 can be enhanced. Further, theplanar heat pipe 10 can be reliably fixed to thesubstrate 102. - Next, other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. In the above-mentioned first to fifth embodiments, the heat radiating fins are provided on the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe as the heat exchange unit. However, the heat exchange unit may not be provided depending on usage conditions. In the above-mentioned first to fifth embodiments, the blower fan is installed in the vicinity of the heat radiating fins. However, the blower fan may not be installed depending on usage conditions.
- In the heat sink structures according to the first and fourth embodiments, the planar heat pipe is placed on the respective heat generating elements such that the planar heat pipe comes into direct contact with the respective heat generating elements, or comes into contact with the respective heat generating elements with the thermally conductive grease interposed therebetween. However, a heat conductive member may be disposed between each heat generating element and the planar heat pipe.
- The above-mentioned heat sink structure of the present disclosure has excellent heat transmission characteristics, and can make cooling of the plurality of heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space uniform with a simple configuration. Accordingly, for example, the heat sink structure of the present disclosure has a high utility in the field of cooling a plurality of heat generating elements installed in a space having a small size in the thickness direction.
- Hereinafter, a heat sink structure according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8 , aheat sink structure 6 according to the sixth embodiment includes theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10. In theheat sink structure 6, theplanar container 11 of theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular container 13 of thetubular heat pipe 12 come into direct contact with each other so that theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 are thermally coupled to each other. - In the
heat sink structure 6, thetubular heat pipe 12 is disposed on the side of theplanar heat pipe 10 closer to heat generating elements. The firstheat generating element 100 mounted on thesubstrate 102 is thermally coupled to thetubular heat pipe 12, and the secondheat generating element 101 mounted on thesubstrate 102 is thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, the firstheat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 through thetubular heat pipe 12, and the secondheat generating element 101 is thermally coupled to thetubular heat pipe 12 through theplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, theplanar heat pipe 10 has a function as a soaking plate. - The
heat sink structure 6 may be configured such that thetubular heat pipe 12 comes into direct contact with the firstheat generating element 100 thus being thermally coupled to the firstheat generating element 100, and theplanar heat pipe 10 comes into direct contact with the secondheat generating element 101 thus being thermally coupled to the secondheat generating element 101. Alternatively, a thermally conductive grease not shown in the drawing may be inserted between thetubular heat pipe 12 and the firstheat generating element 100 and between theplanar heat pipe 10 and the secondheat generating element 101 thus thermally coupling thetubular heat pipe 12 and the firstheat generating element 100 to each other and theplanar heat pipe 10 and the secondheat generating element 101 to each other. - As shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8 , a oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10, and the firstheat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to the oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12. That is, as shown inFIG. 8 , the firstheat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to the position where theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view. On the other hand, the secondheat generating element 101 is thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 at the position where theplanar heat pipe 10 does not overlap with thetubular heat pipe 12 as viewed in a plan view. In theheat sink structure 6, onetubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10. - A method for thermally coupling the
planar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 to each other is not particularly limited. For example, fixing of thetubular container 13 of thetubular heat pipe 12 to theplanar container 11 of theplanar heat pipe 10 by soldering, by swaging or the like allows theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 to be thermally coupled to each other. - The one
end portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12 thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 and to the firstheat generating element 100 functions as a heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. On the other hand, portions of thetubular heat pipe 12 other than the oneend portion 14, that is, thecenter portion 15 and theother end portion 16 do not come into contact with theplanar heat pipe 10. Of thecenter portion 15 and theother end portion 16 of thetubular heat pipe 12, theother end portion 16 functions as a heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8 , thetubular heat pipe 12 may be bent, or may be used in a straight line shape. Thetubular heat pipe 12 may be partially or wholly flattened so as to enhance thermal coupling performance. - In the
heat sink structure 6, the wholetubular heat pipe 12 including the heat receiving portion is flattened. The one end portion 14 (heat receiving portion) of thetubular heat pipe 12 extends along the plane direction of theplanar heat pipe 10. That is, the oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12 extends along the plane direction of theplanar heat pipe 10 as viewed in a plan view. In the similar manner as the oneend portion 14, thecenter portion 15 and theother end portion 16 of thetubular heat pipe 12 also extend along the plane direction of theplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, the direction along which heat is transmitted in thetubular heat pipe 12 extends in the direction substantially parallel to the plane direction of theplanar heat pipe 10. - In the
heat sink structure 6, theheat radiating fins 17 are attached to theother end portion 16 of the tubular heat pipe 12 (that is, the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe 12) as a heat exchange unit. Theblower fan 103 is disposed between theheat radiating fins 17 and theplanar heat pipe 10. Cooling air from theblower fan 103 is supplied to theheat radiating fins 17. - In the
heat sink structure 6, the plurality ofheat radiating fins 17 are attached to theother end portion 16 of thetubular heat pipe 12 so that heat is smoothly discharged from the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 to an external environment. A position where theblower fan 103 is installed is not particularly limited. However, by disposing theblower fan 103 between theheat radiating fins 17 and theplanar heat pipe 10, with the operation of theblower fan 103, not only cooling air is supplied to theheat radiating fins 17 but also a flow of air is generated in the direction from theplanar heat pipe 10 toward theheat radiating fins 17, and the flow of air functions also as cooling air for cooling theplanar heat pipe 10. - The
planar heat pipe 10 includes theplanar container 11, a working fluid (not shown in the drawing) sealed in the inner space of theplanar container 11, and a wick structure (not shown in the drawing) provided in the inner space of theplanar container 11. Thetubular heat pipe 12 includes thetubular container 13, a working fluid (not shown in the drawing) sealed in the inner space of thetubular container 13, and a wick structure (not shown in the drawing) provided in the inner space of thetubular container 13. - A material for forming the
planar container 11 and thetubular container 13 may be copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, stainless steel, titanium or the like, for example. The working fluid can be suitably selected according to compatibility with the material for forming theplanar container 11 and thetubular container 13. The working fluid may be water, alternative fluorocarbons, fluorocarbon group such as Fluorinert, cyclopentane or the like, for example. - The wick structure may be a sintered body of metal powder such as copper powder, metal mesh, wires, grooves formed on inner surfaces of the
planar container 11 and thetubular container 13 or the like. - The heat generating elements which are cooling targets are not particularly limited. The heat generating elements may be a central processing unit, a graphic chip (GPU, VGA), a memory, a capacitor, a power source and the like which are mounted on the substrate 102 (a circuit board incorporated in an electronic device, for example).
- Next, a mechanism for a cooling effect of the
heat sink structure 6 will be described. When the one end portion 14 (heat receiving portion) of thetubular heat pipe 12 receives heat from the firstheat generating element 100, the heat transferred from the firstheat generating element 100 to the heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 is transmitted to theother end portion 16 of thetubular heat pipe 12, that is, to the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. Then, the heat is discharged from the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 to an external environment through theheat radiating fins 17. - A portion of the heat transferred to the heat receiving portion of the
tubular heat pipe 12 is not transmitted to the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12, but is transferred to theplanar heat pipe 10 thermally coupled to the oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12. The heat transferred from the heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 to theplanar heat pipe 10 is discharged from theplanar heat pipe 10 while diffusing along a planar surface of theplanar heat pipe 10. On the other hand, when theplanar heat pipe 10 receives heat from the secondheat generating element 101, in the similar manner as the heat transferred from the firstheat generating element 100, heat transferred from the secondheat generating element 101 to theplanar heat pipe 10 is discharged from theplanar heat pipe 10 while diffusing along the planar surface of theplanar heat pipe 10. - Further, depending on an amount of heat generation by the second
heat generating element 101, heat transferred from the secondheat generating element 101 to theplanar heat pipe 10 diffuses along the planar surface of theplanar heat pipe 10, and a portion of the heat is transmitted to the oneend portion 14 of thetubular heat pipe 12, and is discharged to an external environment from the heat radiating portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 through theheat radiating fins 17. Accordingly, theplanar heat pipe 10 has a function as a soaking plate. - That is, the heat from the first
heat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 which theheat sink structure 6 receives is transmitted to a portion which corresponds to theheat radiating fins 17 through thetubular heat pipe 12 thus being smoothly discharged to the external environment. Further, the heat diffuses along the planar surface of theplanar heat pipe 10 thus being discharged also from theplanar heat pipe 10. - As described above, in the
heat sink structure 6, theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 are thermally coupled to each other. Accordingly, thetubular heat pipe 12 exhibits a heat transmission function in a state where heat from the firstheat generating element 100 and heat from the secondheat generating element 101 diffuse on the surface of theplanar heat pipe 10 thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Further, at least some heat generating elements (first heat generating element 100) of the plurality of heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) are thermally coupled to the position where theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other. Accordingly, heat is smoothly transferred from the firstheat generating element 100 to thetubular heat pipe 12. Therefore, theheat sink structure 6 has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements. - Assume a case where the
heat sink structure 6 cools a plurality of heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) which have different amounts of heat generation. In such a case, in theheat sink structure 6, a heat generating element having a relatively small amount of heat generation (the secondheat generating element 101, for example) can be cooled by theplanar heat pipe 10 having a function as a soaking plate. Accordingly, the heat transmission amount of thetubular heat pipe 12 can be reduced by a corresponding amount. - In the
heat sink structure 6, theplanar heat pipe 10 is used, and the number of heat generating elements to be thermally coupled is not particularly limited. Accordingly, theheat sink structure 6 can exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space with a simple configuration. - In the
heat sink structure 6, thetubular heat pipe 12 is disposed on the side of theplanar heat pipe 10 closer to the heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) (on the side closer to the substrate 102). Accordingly, heat from the heat generating element (the firstheat generating element 100 inFIGS. 7 and 8 ) is smoothly transferred to thetubular heat pipe 12. Further, heat transferred from the respective heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) diffuses on the surface of theplanar heat pipe 10 due to a function of theplanar heat pipe 10 as a soaking plate thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Accordingly, a heat transmission amount of thetubular heat pipe 12 can be reduced and, therefore, thetubular heat pipe 12 can be flattened and reduced in diameter. As described above, thetubular heat pipe 12 can be flattened and reduced in diameter and hence, theheat sink structure 6 can be further miniaturized. - Next, a heat sink structure according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Constitutional elements identical to the constitutional elements of the heat sink structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure are given the same reference characters, and the description is made using the same reference characters.
- In the
heat sink structure 6 according to the sixth embodiment, the firstheat generating element 100 mounted on thesubstrate 102 is coupled to thetubular heat pipe 12, and the secondheat generating element 101 mounted on thesubstrate 102 is coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10. However, in aheat sink structure 7 according to the seventh embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B , a heat generating element is not coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10. - That is, as shown in
FIG. 9 , the firstheat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to the position where theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view. On the other hand, a heat generating element is not coupled to the position where thetubular heat pipe 12 and theplanar heat pipe 10 do not overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view. - Also in the
heat sink structure 7, theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 are thermally coupled to each other. Accordingly, thetubular heat pipe 12 exhibits a heat transmission function in a state where, due to the provision of theplanar heat pipe 10, heat from the firstheat generating element 100 diffuses along the planar surface of theplanar heat pipe 10 thus increasing a heat dissipation area. Further, the heat generating element (the first heat generating element 100) is thermally coupled to the position where theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other. Accordingly, heat is smoothly transferred from the firstheat generating element 100 to thetubular heat pipe 12. Therefore, in the similar manner as theheat sink structure 6, theheat sink structure 7 also has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements. - Next, a heat sink structure according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Constitutional elements identical to the constitutional elements of the heat sink structure according to the sixth and seventh embodiments of the present disclosure are given the same reference characters, and the description is made using the same reference characters.
- In the
heat sink structure 6 according to the sixth embodiment, thetubular heat pipe 12 is disposed on the side of theplanar heat pipe 10 closer to the heat generating elements. However, in aheat sink structure 8 according to the eighth embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B , theplanar heat pipe 10 is disposed on the side of thetubular heat pipe 12 closer to the heat generating elements. - Heat generating elements (a plurality of heat generating elements, that is, the first
heat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 inFIG. 10 ) mounted on thesubstrate 102 are coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10. On the other hand, a heat generating element is not coupled to thetubular heat pipe 12. Accordingly, both heat generating elements, that is, both the firstheat generating element 100 and the secondheat generating element 101 are thermally coupled to thetubular heat pipe 12 through theplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, theplanar heat pipe 10 has a function as a soaking plate. - As shown in
FIG. 10B , some heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 inFIG. 10B ) of the plurality of heat generating elements are thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 at the position where theplanar heat pipe 10 and thetubular heat pipe 12 overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view. On the other hand, some of remaining heat generating elements (the secondheat generating element 101 inFIG. 10B ) is thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 at the position which does not overlap with thetubular heat pipe 12 as viewed in a plan view. - As shown in
FIG. 10A , in theheat sink structure 8, the firstheat generating element 100 is thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 such that the firstheat generating element 100 comes into direct contact with theplanar heat pipe 10, or comes into contact with theplanar heat pipe 10 with a thermally conductive grease (not shown in the drawing) interposed therebetween. On the other hand, the heatconductive member 18 formed of a thermally conductive sheet or the like is inserted between theplanar heat pipe 10 and the secondheat generating element 101 so that the secondheat generating element 101 is thermally coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 through the heatconductive member 18. - Assume a case where heat generating elements having different sizes in the height direction are thermally coupled to the
heat sink structure 8 as described above. In such a case, the heatconductive member 18 is inserted between the heat generating element having a small size in the height direction (the secondheat generating element 101 inFIG. 10A ) and theplanar heat pipe 10. With such a configuration, an increase in thermal resistance can be prevented, and height adjustment can be performed between the heat generating elements having different sizes in the height direction. Accordingly, deformation such as deflection of theplanar heat pipe 10 can be prevented and hence, the inner space of theplanar heat pipe 10 can be maintained and, as a result, the lowering of cooling performance of theheat sink structure 8 can be prevented. - Next, a mechanism for a cooling effect of the
heat sink structure 8 will be described. When theplanar heat pipe 10 receives heat from the firstheat generating element 100 and heat from the secondheat generating element 101, both the heat from the firstheat generating element 100 and the heat from the secondheat generating element 101 are discharged from theplanar heat pipe 10 while diffusing on theplanar heat pipe 10 along the planar surface of theplanar heat pipe 10. Further, thetubular heat pipe 12 is provided at the position where thetubular heat pipe 12 overlaps with the firstheat generating element 100 as viewed in a plan view, and the one end portion 14 (heat receiving portion) of thetubular heat pipe 12 comes into direct contact with theplanar heat pipe 10. Accordingly, heat which is not discharged from theplanar heat pipe 10 is transferred to the heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12. The heat transferred to the heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 is transmitted from the heat receiving portion of thetubular heat pipe 12 to the other end portion 16 (heat radiating portion) of thetubular heat pipe 12, and is discharged to an external environment from theheat radiating fins 17 provided on the heat radiating portion. Accordingly, thetubular heat pipe 12 has a function of transmitting the heat which is not discharged from theplanar heat pipe 10 to a portion which corresponds to the heat radiating fins. - The
planar heat pipe 10 is disposed on the side of thetubular heat pipe 12 closer to the heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) and hence, due to a function of theplanar heat pipe 10 as a soaking plate, heat from the heat generating elements first diffuses along the planar surface of theplanar heat pipe 10 and, then, is transferred to thetubular heat pipe 12. Accordingly, the generation of a hot spot in theplanar heat pipe 10 can be prevented. As described above, in theheat sink structure 8, the generation of a hot spot in theplanar heat pipe 10 can be prevented and hence, theheat sink structure 8 can exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to the heat generating elements. Further, theplanar heat pipe 10 can cover the whole heat generating elements (the firstheat generating element 100 and the second heat generating element 101) coupled to theplanar heat pipe 10 as viewed in a plan view and hence, heat transfer performance from the heat generating element to theheat sink structure 8 is enhanced. - Next, other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. In the above-mentioned sixth to eighth embodiments, one tubular heat pipe is installed. However, the number of tubular heat pipes to be installed is not particularly limited. A plurality of tubular heat pipes may be installed depending on usage conditions of the heat sink structure.
- For example, in the
heat sink structure 6 according to the sixth embodiment, onetubular heat pipe 12 is thermally coupled to the firstheat generating element 100 mounted on thesubstrate 102. However, as shown inFIG. 11 , in aheat sink structure 9 according to a ninth embodiment, a plurality of (two inFIG. 11 )tubular heat pipes heat generating element 100 mounted on thesubstrate 102. - In the
heat sink structure 9, twotubular heat pipes heat generating element 100 as viewed in a plan view. In theheat sink structure 9, portions of the twotubular heat pipes heat generating element 100 as viewed in a plan view are disposed parallel to each other. Portions of the twotubular heat pipes planar heat pipe 10 as viewed in a plan view are disposed such that the onetubular heat pipe 12 and the othertubular heat pipe 12′ are disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to a center line of theplanar heat pipe 10. - The plurality of
tubular heat pipes heat generating element 100 thus reliably cooling the firstheat generating element 100 even when the firstheat generating element 100 has a large amount of heat generation. - The number of heat generating elements to be thermally coupled to the position where the planar heat pipe and the tubular heat pipe overlap with each other as viewed in a plan view is not particularly limited. In the above-mentioned sixth to eighth embodiments, one heat generating element is thermally coupled to the position. However, a plurality of heat generating elements may be thermally coupled to the position.
- In the above-mentioned sixth to eighth embodiments, the heat radiating fins are provided on the heat radiating portion of the tubular heat pipe as the heat exchange unit. However, the heat exchange unit may not be provided depending on usage conditions. In the above-mentioned sixth to eighth embodiments, the blower fan is installed in the vicinity of the heat radiating fins. However, the blower fan may not be installed depending on usage conditions. Further, a thermally conductive grease may be applied between the heat generating element and the planar heat pipe or the tubular heat pipe so as to enhance thermal coupling performance when necessary.
- The above-mentioned heat sink structure of the present disclosure has excellent heat transmission characteristics and functions as a soaking plate with respect to the heat generating elements installed in a narrowed inner space with a simple configuration thus exhibiting excellent cooling performance. Accordingly, for example, the heat sink structure of the present disclosure has a high utility in the field of cooling heat generating elements mounted on a substrate.
Claims (5)
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2016131803A JP6266044B2 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2016-07-01 | Heat sink structure |
JP2016-131802 | 2016-07-01 | ||
JP2016131802A JP6574404B2 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2016-07-01 | Heat sink structure |
JP2016-131803 | 2016-07-01 | ||
PCT/JP2017/024069 WO2018003958A1 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2017-06-30 | Heat sink structure |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/JP2017/024069 Continuation WO2018003958A1 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2017-06-30 | Heat sink structure |
Publications (1)
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US20190137187A1 true US20190137187A1 (en) | 2019-05-09 |
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ID=60787282
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US16/237,283 Abandoned US20190137187A1 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2018-12-31 | Heat sink structure |
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US (1) | US20190137187A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN209524789U (en) |
TW (1) | TWI649529B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018003958A1 (en) |
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JP7275243B1 (en) | 2021-12-21 | 2023-05-17 | レノボ・シンガポール・プライベート・リミテッド | Electronics |
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- 2017-06-30 CN CN201790000986.XU patent/CN209524789U/en active Active
- 2017-06-30 WO PCT/JP2017/024069 patent/WO2018003958A1/en active Application Filing
- 2017-07-03 TW TW106122199A patent/TWI649529B/en active
-
2018
- 2018-12-31 US US16/237,283 patent/US20190137187A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US6900990B2 (en) * | 2002-08-27 | 2005-05-31 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Electronic apparatus provided with liquid cooling type cooling unit cooling heat generating component |
US20050103477A1 (en) * | 2003-11-14 | 2005-05-19 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Cooling apparatus for portable computer |
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Also Published As
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TW201809579A (en) | 2018-03-16 |
CN209524789U (en) | 2019-10-22 |
TWI649529B (en) | 2019-02-01 |
WO2018003958A1 (en) | 2018-01-04 |
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