U.S. patent application number 12/288525 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-31 for radiating fin.
This patent application is currently assigned to Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Chih Peng Chen.
Application Number | 20090321049 12/288525 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41446005 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090321049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Chih Peng |
December 31, 2009 |
Radiating fin
Abstract
A radiating fin includes a main body, on which at least one
reinforcing section is formed. The reinforcing section is sunken
into a first side of the main body and correspondingly protruded
from an opposite second side of the main body. With the reinforcing
section formed on the main body, the radiating fin can have largely
enhanced structural strength and increased heat-radiating area.
Inventors: |
Chen; Chih Peng; (Sinjhuang
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIKOLAI & MERSEREAU, P.A.
900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 820
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
Asia Vital Components Co.,
Ltd.
Sinjhuang City, Taipei County
TW
|
Family ID: |
41446005 |
Appl. No.: |
12/288525 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/80.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2924/0002 20130101;
H01L 2924/0002 20130101; H01L 23/3672 20130101; H01L 23/467
20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/80.3 |
International
Class: |
F28F 3/02 20060101
F28F003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2008 |
TW |
097211592 |
Claims
1. A radiating fin, comprising a main body having at least one
reinforcing section provided thereon, and the reinforcing section
being sunken into a first side of the main body and correspondingly
protruded from an opposite second side of the main body.
2. The radiating fin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body
is formed along an end thereof with a downward extended first skirt
portion and along another end with a downward extended second skirt
portion opposite to the first skirt portion.
3. The radiating fin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing
section creates a recess on the first side of the main body and a
corresponding raised area on the second side of the main body.
4. The radiating fin as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein the
reinforcing section has across-sectional shape selected from the
group consisting of a semicircular, a rectangular, and a V-shaped
cross section.
5. The radiating fin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body
has at least one through hole formed thereon.
6. The radiating fin as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the case of
more than one reinforcing section is formed on the main body, the
reinforcing sections are regularly arranged on the main body.
7. The radiating fin as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the case of
more than one reinforcing section is formed on the main body, the
reinforcing sections are irregularly arranged on the main body.
8. A thermal module, comprising: a base; a heat pipe including at
least one heat absorption section and at least one heat conduction
section, and the heat absorption section being associated with the
base; and a radiating fin assembly consisting of a plurality of
stacked radiating fins; the heat conduction section being extended
through the stacked radiating fins to connect the radiating fins to
one another; and each of the radiating fins having a main body, on
which at least one reinforcing section is formed, so that the
reinforcing section is sunken into a first side of the main body
and correspondingly protruded from an opposite second side of the
main body.
9. The thermal module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
reinforcing section has a cross-sectional shape selected from the
group consisting of a semicircular, a rectangular, and a V-shaped
cross section.
10. The radiating fin as claimed in claim 8, wherein, in the case
of having more than one reinforcing section provided on each of the
radiating fins, the reinforcing sections can be regularly or
irregularly arranged on the main bodies of the radiating fins.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a radiating fin, and more
particularly to a radiating fin having at least one reinforcing
section formed thereon to thereby have a largely enhanced
structural strength and increased heat-radiating area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] With the quick development in electronic information
technologies, various kinds of 3C products, such as computers,
notebook computers, etc., have become highly popularized and widely
employed in various fields. While these 3C products have been
designed to provide highly increased operating and processing speed
as well as expanded storage capacity, they are also subject to the
risk of becoming damaged due to the high temperature caused by the
high-speed operation of the electronic components in the 3C
products.
[0003] Taking a computer as an example, when the computer is
started, a central processing unit (CPU) inside the computer will
operate at high speed and produce a large amount of heat, which
tends to result in unstable conditions of CPU to cause, for
example, unexpected shutdown of the computer or even a burned-out
CPU. Moreover, to solve the problem of electromagnetic radiation,
most of the important components of the computer are enclosed in a
case. The case also prevents the heat produced by the CPU from
quickly dissipating into ambient air. Therefore, it is desirable to
develop an effective way for quickly conducting and dissipating the
heat produced by the CPU and other heat-producing electronic
elements in the enclosure.
[0004] A most common way for dissipating the heat produced by the
CPU is to mount a heat sink to the CPU. The heat sink has one side
provided with a plurality of radiating fins, and another side in
direct contact with the CPU for transferring the heat produced by
the CPU to the radiating fins. The heat sink can further include a
fan for forcing airflow through the radiating fins, so that the
produced heat can be more quickly radiated and dissipated into
ambient air.
[0005] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a conventional radiating fin 11. The
radiating fin 11 is made of a flat sheet material and has two
opposite ends bent into two skirt portions 111. In the course of
pressing the sheet material to form the skirt portions 111, it
often takes place that the radiating fin 11 is bent, twisted or
otherwise deformed due to insufficient structural strength of the
flat sheet material and uneven distribution of the pressing force
over the radiating fin 11.
[0006] Moreover, when a plurality of radiating fins 11 is stacked
to form a radiating fin assembly 1 as that shown in FIG. 1B, a heat
dissipating space 113 is formed between any two adjacent radiating
fins 11. The radiating fin assembly 1 is able to radiate heat, so
that a heat source is diffused outward. However, since the
conventional radiating fin 11 has an upper and a lower plane
surface that provide a relatively small heat-radiating area, only a
limited heat-dissipating effect can be achieved by the radiating
fin 11.
[0007] In brief, the conventional radiating fin and the radiating
fin assembly formed therefrom have the following disadvantages: (1)
having insufficient structural strength and being easily subjected
to damage; (2) being easily become deformed in the course of
forming the skirt portions; (3) providing a relative small
heat-radiating area; and (4) providing only limited
heat-dissipating effect.
[0008] It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved
radiating fin to eliminate the drawbacks in the conventional
radiating fins.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
radiating fin having enhanced structural strength.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
radiating fin having increased heat-radiating area.
[0011] To achieve the above and other objects, the radiating fin
according to the present invention includes a main body, on which
at least one reinforcing section is formed. The reinforcing section
is sunken into a first side of the main body and correspondingly
protruded from an opposite second side of the main body. With the
reinforcing section formed on the main body, the radiating fin can
have a largely enhanced structural strength and increased
heat-radiating area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present
invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best
understood by referring to the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings,
wherein
[0013] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional radiating
fin;
[0014] FIG. 1B is a partially exploded perspective view of a
radiating fin assembly consisting of a plurality of the
conventional radiating fins of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a radiating fin according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a radiating fin assembly
consisting of a plurality of the radiating fin of FIG. 2A;
[0017] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a radiating fin according
to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG.3B is a perspective view of a radiating fin according to
a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows three variants of the radiating fin of FIG.
2A;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a thermal module
consisting of the radiating fin assembly of FIG. 2B;
[0021] FIG. 6A is an assembled view of the thermal module of FIG.
5;
[0022] FIG. 6B is an assembled perspective view of another
embodiment of the thermal module of FIG. 6A; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a heat sink including a
thermal module of FIG. 6A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Please refer to FIG. 2A that is a perspective view of a
radiating fin according to a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention. As shown, the radiating fin of FIG. 2A includes
a main body 21, a first skirt portion 214 downward extending from
an end of the main body 21, and a second skirt portion 215 downward
extending from another end of the main body 21 opposite to the
first skirt portion 214. The main body 21 is formed at
predetermined positions with at least one through hole 216, through
which a heat pipe 32 can be extended, as shown in FIG. 5. In
addition, the main body 21 is also provided with at least one
reinforcing section 211, which is sunken into a first side of the
main body 21 and correspondingly protruded from an opposite second
side of the main body 21. With the reinforcing section 211, the
main body 21 can have a largely enhanced structural strength and
increased heat-radiating area. In another embodiment of the present
invention, the radiating fin is not provided on the main body 21
with the first and the second skirt portion 214, 215, and the
reinforcing section 211 can be irregularly or regularly formed on
the main body 21. For example, a plurality of the reinforcing
sections 211 can be regularly formed on the main body 21 in
parallel with one another as shown in FIG. 3A. Alternatively, a
plurality of the reinforcing sections 211 can be irregularly formed
on the main body 21 to intersect with one another, as shown in FIG.
3B.
[0025] Please now refer to FIG. 4. With the reinforcing section 211
provided on the radiating fin, a recess 213 is formed on the first
side of the main body 21 and a raised area 212 is correspondingly
formed on the opposite second side of the main body 21. With the
raised area 212 formed on the second side of the main body 21, the
main body 21 is not subjected to structural damage or other
destruction in the course of forming the first and the second skirt
portion 214, 215 on the main body 21. The raised area 212 also
increases the heat-radiating area on the main body 21. In FIG. 4,
there are illustrated three variants of the radiating fin of FIG.
2A. These three variants respectively include a reinforcing section
211 having a semicircular, a rectangular, and a V-shaped cross
section.
[0026] Please now refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B. A plurality of the
radiating fins of the present invention can be stacked to form a
radiating fin assembly 2. In the radiating fin assembly 2, the
first and second skirt portions 214, 215 on the main body 21 of an
upper radiating fin are located immediately above the first and
second skirt portions 214, 215 on the main body 21 of a lower
radiating fin, so that an air passage 217 is defined between the
main bodies 21 of two vertically adjacent radiating fins.
[0027] The radiating fin assembly 2 formed from the radiating fins
of the present invention can be further associated with at least
one heat pipe 32 and a base 31 to form a thermal module 3, an
exploded and an assembled perspective view of which are shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6A, respectively. The base 31 is provided on a top
thereof with a raised section 311. At least one elongated hole 312
is formed on a lower surface of the raised section 311 in contact
with the top of the base 31. The elongated hole 312 is extended
through the raised section 311 with two ends of the elongated hole
312 communicating with two open-topped grooves 313, which are
formed on the top of the base 31 to extend from two outer ends of
the elongated hole 312. A bottom surface 310 of the base 31 is in
contact with at least one heat-producing element (not shown), so
that heat produced by the heat-producing element can be transferred
to the base 31.
[0028] The heat pipe 32 includes at least one heat absorption
section 320 and at least one heat conduction section 321. The heat
absorption section 320 is extended through the elongated hole 312
on the base 31 below the raised section 311 to lie in the two
grooves 313. The heat conduction section 321 has an end connected
to the heat absorption section 320 and another opposite end upward
extended through the through holes 216 on the main bodies 21 of the
stacked radiating fins to connect the main bodies 21 with the heat
pipe 32. The heat produced by the heat-producing element is first
transferred to the heat absorption section 320 of the heat pipe 32
via the base 31, and then transferred to the heat conduction
section 321 and accordingly, the radiating fin assembly 2 via the
heat absorption section 320. Heat transferred to the radiating fin
assembly 2 is then dissipated into ambient air from the radiating
fins. The raised areas 212 of the reinforcing sections 211 on the
main bodies 21 give the radiating fin assembly 2 an increased
heat-radiating area to enhance the heat dissipating effect
thereof.
[0029] FIG. 6B shows another embodiment of the thermal module 3, in
which each of the main bodies 21 of the radiating fins forming the
radiating fin assembly 2 has three reinforcing sections 211.
However, it is understood the number of the reinforcing sections
211 on the main body 21 is not limited to three, but can be one,
two, three, four, or more. It is also understood any structure that
can be used to enhance the structural strength and increase the
heat-radiating area of the main body 21 is included in the scope of
the reinforcing section 211.
[0030] Please further refer to FIGS. 5 and 7 at the same time. A
fan 5 can be further associated with the thermal module 3 to form a
heat sink 4. The fan 5 is located at one side of the radiating fin
assembly 2 between the first and the second skirt portion 214, 215
of the main bodies 21. When the fan 5 operates to force
heat-dissipating airflows into the air passages 217 in the
radiating fin assembly 2, the recesses 213 of the reinforcing
sections 211 at the first side of the main bodies 21 are helpful in
concentrating the heat-dissipating airflows for the same to
smoothly and regularly flow through the passages 217. On the other
hand, the raised areas 212 of the reinforcing sections 211 at the
second side of the main bodies 21 are helpful in increasing the
heat-radiating area on the radiating fin assembly 2 and
accordingly, largely enhancing the heat-radiating efficiency of the
heat sink 4.
[0031] Therefore, as aforesaid, the raised areas 212 on the main
bodies 21 increase the heat-radiating area of the radiating fin
assembly 2, and the recesses 213 on the main bodies 21 help in
guiding and concentrating the heat-dissipating airflow produced by
the fan 5, enabling the heat sink 4 to have largely upgraded heat
dissipation efficiency.
[0032] In conclusion, the radiating fin of the present invention
and the thermal module formed therefrom have the following
advantages: (1) increased structural strength; (2) increased
heat-radiating area; and (3) improved heat-radiating effect.
[0033] The present invention has been described with some preferred
embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and
modifications in the described embodiments can be carried out
without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention
that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.
* * * * *