U.S. patent application number 13/723061 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-26 for vapor chamber and method of manufacturing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to COOLER MASTER CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is COOLER MASTER CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jen-Cheng Lin, Chien-Hung Sun, Chun Zhou.
Application Number | 20140174700 13/723061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50973302 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140174700 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Jen-Cheng ; et
al. |
June 26, 2014 |
VAPOR CHAMBER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a vapor chamber includes steps of:
providing a first metal cover plate with a plurality of first
engaging recesses, a second metal cover plate with a plurality of
second engaging recesses, and a plurality of support members,
wherein a width of a first end of each support member is larger
than a width of each first engaging recess, and a width of a second
end of each support member is larger than a width of each second
engaging recess; making the first end abut against the first
engaging recess and making the second end abut against the second
engaging recess; and punching the first metal cover plate and the
second metal cover plate so as to rivet the first end into the
first engaging recess in a tight-fitting manner and rivet the
second end into the second engaging recess in a tight-fitting
manner.
Inventors: |
Lin; Jen-Cheng; (New Taipei
City, TW) ; Sun; Chien-Hung; (New Taipei City,
TW) ; Zhou; Chun; (New Taipei City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COOLER MASTER CO., LTD. |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
COOLER MASTER CO., LTD.
New Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
50973302 |
Appl. No.: |
13/723061 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.26 ;
29/521 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49936 20150115;
F28D 15/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.26 ;
29/521 |
International
Class: |
F28D 15/02 20060101
F28D015/02 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a vapor chamber comprising: providing
a first metal cover plate, a second metal cover plate and a
plurality of support members, wherein the first metal cover plate
has a plurality of first engaging recesses, the second metal cover
plate has a plurality of second engaging recesses, a width of a
first end of each support member is larger than a width of each
first engaging recess, a width of a second end of each support
member is larger than a width of each second engaging recess, and
the first end is opposite to the second end; making the first ends
of the support members abut against the first engaging recesses and
making the second ends of the support members abut against the
second engaging recesses; and punching the first metal cover plate
and the second metal cover plate so as to rivet the first ends of
the support members into the first engaging recesses in a
tight-fitting manner and rivet the second ends of the support
members into the second engaging recesses in a tight-fitting
manner.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein sections of the support members
are circular or polygonal and sections of the first engaging
recesses and the second engaging recesses are circular or polygonal
corresponding to the sections of the support members.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the support members are connected
to each other by a connecting structure.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first metal cover plate and
the second metal cover plate are made of copper or aluminum.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a capillary
structure between the first metal cover plate and the second metal
cover plate; and filling a working fluid in between the first metal
cover plate and the second metal cover plate.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the capillary structure is a
groove-type capillary structure, a porous capillary structure, a
mesh capillary structure, a sintered capillary structure or a
compound capillary structure.
7. A vapor chamber comprising: a first metal cover plate having a
plurality of first engaging recesses; a second metal cover plate
having a plurality of second engaging recesses; a plurality of
support members, a first end of each support member being riveted
into one of the first engaging recesses in a tight-fitting manner
and a second end being riveted into one of the second engaging
recesses in a tight-fitting manner; a capillary structure formed
between the first metal cover plate and the second metal cover
plate; and a working fluid filled in between the first metal cover
plate and the second metal cover plate.
8. The vapor chamber of claim 7, wherein sections of the support
member are circular or polygonal and sections of the first engaging
recesses and the second engaging recesses are circular or polygonal
corresponding to the sections of the support members.
9. The vapor chamber of claim 7, wherein the support members are
connected to each other by a connecting structure.
10. The vapor chamber of claim 7, wherein the first metal cover
plate and the second metal cover plate are made of copper or
aluminum.
11. The vapor chamber of claim 10, wherein the capillary structure
is a groove-type capillary structure, a porous capillary structure,
a mesh capillary structure, a sintered capillary structure or a
compound capillary structure.
12. A method of manufacturing a vapor chamber comprising: providing
a first metal cover plate and a second metal cover plate, wherein
the first metal cover plate has a plurality of support members, the
first metal cover plate and the support members are formed
integrally, the second metal cover plate has a plurality of
engaging recesses, a width of a free end of each support member is
larger than a width of each engaging recess; making the free ends
of the support members abut against the engaging recesses; and
punching the first metal cover plate and the second metal cover
plate so as to rivet the free ends of the support members into the
engaging recesses in a tight-fitting manner.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein sections of the support members
are circular or polygonal and sections of the engaging recesses are
circular or polygonal corresponding to the sections of the support
members.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first metal cover plate and
the second metal cover plate are made of copper or aluminum.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: forming a capillary
structure between the first metal cover plate and the second metal
cover plate; and filling a working fluid in between the first metal
cover plate and the second metal cover plate.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the capillary structure is a
groove-type capillary structure, a porous capillary structure, a
mesh capillary structure, a sintered capillary structure or a
compound capillary structure.
17. A vapor chamber comprising: a first metal cover plate having a
plurality of support members, the first metal cover plate and the
support members being formed integrally; a second metal cover plate
having a plurality of second engaging recesses, a free end of each
support member being riveted into one of the engaging recesses in a
tight-fitting manner; a capillary structure formed between the
first metal cover plate and the second metal cover plate; and a
working fluid filled in between the first metal cover plate and the
second metal cover plate.
18. The vapor chamber of claim 17, wherein sections of the support
members are circular or polygonal and sections of the engaging
recesses are circular or polygonal corresponding to the sections of
the support members.
19. The vapor chamber of claim 17, wherein the first metal cover
plate and the second metal cover plate are made of copper or
aluminum.
20. The vapor chamber of claim 19, wherein the capillary structure
is a groove-type capillary structure, a porous capillary structure,
a mesh capillary structure, a sintered capillary structure or a
compound capillary structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a vapor chamber and a method of
manufacturing the same and, more particularly, to a method for
riveting a support member into a metal cover plate of a vapor
chamber in a tight-fitting manner.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In a vapor chamber, a working fluid is filled in a sealed
chamber. The working fluid can be evaporated and condensed in
cycles such that heat can be conducted by the vapor chamber
uniformly and rapidly. In general, the vapor chamber essentially
consists of metal casing, capillary structure and working fluid and
is manufactured by an annealing process, a vacuumizing process, a
soldering and sealing process, and so on. Furthermore, to prevent
the vapor chamber from caving in or bulging out, the prior art
disposes a plurality of support members in the metal casing and
solders opposite ends of each support member onto upper and lower
metal cover plates of the metal casing. Since the cost of soldering
process is higher than other processes, the manufacture cost of the
vapor chamber will increase accordingly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention provides a vapor chamber and a method for
riveting a support member into a metal cover plate of a vapor
chamber in a tight-fitting manner, so as to solve the aforesaid
problems.
[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention, a method of
manufacturing a vapor chamber comprises steps of providing a first
metal cover plate, a second metal cover plate and a plurality of
support members, wherein the first metal cover plate has a
plurality of first engaging recesses, the second metal cover plate
has a plurality of second engaging recesses, a width of a first end
of each support member is larger than a width of each first
engaging recess, a width of a second end of each support member is
larger than a width of each second engaging recess, and the first
end is opposite to the second end; making the first ends of the
support members abut against the first engaging recesses and making
the second ends of the support members abut against the second
engaging recesses; and punching the first metal cover plate and the
second metal cover plate so as to rivet the first ends of the
support members into the first engaging recesses in a tight-fitting
manner and rivet the second ends of the support members into the
second engaging recesses in a tight-fitting manner.
[0007] According to another embodiment of the invention, a vapor
chamber comprises a first metal cover plate, a second metal cover
plate, a plurality of support members, a capillary structure and a
working fluid. The first metal cover plate has a plurality of first
engaging recesses. The second metal cover plate has a plurality of
second engaging recesses. A first end of each support member is
riveted into one of the first engaging recesses in a tight-fitting
manner and a second end is riveted into one of the second engaging
recesses in a tight-fitting manner. The capillary structure is
formed between the first metal cover plate and the second metal
cover plate. The working fluid is filled in between the first metal
cover plate and the second metal cover plate.
[0008] According to another embodiment of the invention, a method
of manufacturing a vapor chamber comprises steps of providing a
first metal cover plate and a second metal cover plate, wherein the
first metal cover plate has a plurality of support members, the
first metal cover plate and the support members are formed
integrally, the second metal cover plate has a plurality of
engaging recesses, a width of a free end of each support member is
larger than a width of each engaging recess; making the free ends
of the support members abut against the engaging recesses; and
punching the first metal cover plate and the second metal cover
plate so as to rivet the free ends of the support members into the
engaging recesses in a tight-fitting manner.
[0009] According to another embodiment of the invention, a vapor
chamber comprises a first metal cover plate, a second metal cover
plate, a capillary structure and a working fluid. The first metal
cover plate has a plurality of support members and the first metal
cover plate and the support members are formed integrally. The
second metal cover plate has a plurality of second engaging
recesses and a free end of each support member is riveted into one
of the engaging recesses in a tight-fitting manner. The capillary
structure is formed between the first metal cover plate and the
second metal cover plate. The working fluid is filled in between
the first metal cover plate and the second metal cover plate.
[0010] As mentioned in the above, the invention rivets opposite
ends of one single support member into two metal cover plates in a
tight-fitting manner through a punch process or, alternatively,
rivets a support member, which is formed with a metal cover plate
integrally, into another metal cover plate in a tight-fitting
manner through a punch process. The process of the invention is
simple and the efficiency of manufacturing the vapor chamber can be
improved effectively so that the manufacture cost can be
reduced.
[0011] These and other objectives of the present invention will no
doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing
a vapor chamber according to a first embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a vapor
chamber before a punch process.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vapor
chamber after the punch process.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating three different
sections of the support member.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the support
members according to a second embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing
a vapor chamber according to a third embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a vapor
chamber before a punch process.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vapor
chamber after the punch process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, FIG. 1 is a flowchart
illustrating a method of manufacturing a vapor chamber according to
a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional
view illustrating a vapor chamber 1 before a punch process, and
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vapor chamber 1
after the punch process.
[0021] First of all, step S10 is performed to provide a first metal
cover plate 10, a second metal cover plate 12 and a plurality of
support members 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the first metal cover plate
10 has a plurality of first engaging recesses 100, the second metal
cover plate 12 has a plurality of second engaging recesses 120, a
width W1 of a first end 140 of each support member 14 is larger
than a width W2 of each first engaging recess 100, a width W3 of a
second end 142 of each support member 14 is larger than a width W4
of each second engaging recess 120, and the first end 140 is
opposite to the second end 142. In this embodiment, the width W1 of
the first end 140 of the support member 14 is equal to the width W3
of the second end 142 of the support member 14. However, in another
embodiment, the width W1 of the first end 140 of the support member
14 may be larger or smaller than the width W3 of the second end 142
of the support member 14 according to practical applications.
[0022] Afterward, step S12 is performed to form a capillary
structure 16 between the first metal cover plate 10 and the second
metal cover plate 12, wherein the capillary structure 16 may be a
groove-type capillary structure, a porous capillary structure, a
mesh capillary structure, a sintered capillary structure or a
compound capillary structure according to practical applications.
It should be noted that the aforesaid compound capillary structure
may consist of at least two capillary structures selected from the
groove-type capillary structure, the porous capillary structure,
the mesh capillary structure and the sintered capillary structure.
Step S14 is then performed to make the first ends 140 of the
support members 14 abut against the first engaging recesses 100 and
make the second ends 142 of the support members 14 abut against the
second engaging recesses 120. Step S16 is then performed to punch
the first metal cover plate 10 and the second metal cover plate 12
in directions indicated by the arrows A1 and A2 of FIG. 2 so as to
rivet the first ends 140 of the support members 14 into the first
engaging recesses 100 in a tight-fitting manner and rivet the
second ends 142 of the support members 14 into the second engaging
recesses 120 in a tight-fitting manner. In this embodiment, the
first metal cover plate 10 and the second metal cover plate 12 may
be made of, but not limited to, copper, aluminum or other metal
with low hardness. Accordingly, the invention can rivet the first
end 140 and the second end 142 of the support member 14 into the
first metal cover plate 10 and the second metal cover plate 12 in a
tight-fitting manner rapidly and effectively by the punch process,
so as to reduce the manufacture cost.
[0023] Step S18 is then performed to fill a working fluid 18 (e.g.
water) in between the first metal cover plate 10 and the second
metal cover plate 12. Finally, step S20 is performed to vacuumize
the chamber between the first metal cover plate 10 and the second
metal cover plate 12 so as to complete the vapor chamber 1 shown in
FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the vapor chamber 1, which is
manufactured by the aforesaid steps, comprises the aforesaid first
metal cover plate 10, second metal cover plate 12, support members
14, capillary structure 16 and working fluid 18.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram
illustrating three different sections of the support member 14. As
shown in FIG. 4, the sections of the support members 14 may be
circular or polygonal (e.g. rectangular or star-shaped) according
to practical applications. Accordingly, the sections of the first
engaging recesses 100 and the second engaging recesses 120 may be
circular or polygonal (e.g. rectangular or star-shaped)
corresponding to the sections of the support members 14. In
addition to rectangular section and star-shaped section shown in
FIG. 4, the sections of the support members 14 may also be formed
in other polygonal shapes (e.g. triangular or pentagon) or
irregular shape according to practical applications.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 5 along with FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a
cross-sectional view illustrating the support members 14 according
to a second embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the
support members 14 can be connected to each other by a connecting
structure 144, wherein the support members 14 and the connecting
structure 144 are formed integrally. Accordingly, in the aforesaid
step S14, an operator can make the first ends 140 of one row of
support members 14 abut against the first engaging recesses 100 and
make the second ends 142 of one row of support members 14 abut
against the second engaging recesses 120 at the same time, so as to
enhance the efficiency of manufacturing the vapor chamber 1.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, FIG. 6 is a flowchart
illustrating a method of manufacturing a vapor chamber according to
a third embodiment of the invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional
view illustrating a vapor chamber 3 before a punch process, and
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vapor chamber 3
after the punch process.
[0027] First of all, step S30 is performed to provide a first metal
cover plate 30 and a second metal cover plate 32. As shown in FIG.
7, the first metal cover plate 30 has a plurality of support
members 34, the first metal cover plate 30 and the support members
34 are formed integrally, the second metal cover plate 32 has a
plurality of engaging recesses 320, a width W5 of a free end 340 of
each support member 34 is larger than a width WE of each engaging
recess 320. In this embodiment, the sections of the support members
34 may also be circular or polygonal (e.g. rectangular or
star-shaped) shown in FIG. 4 according to practical applications.
Accordingly, the sections of the engaging recesses 320 may also be
circular or polygonal (e.g. rectangular or star-shaped)
corresponding to the sections of the support members 34.
[0028] Afterward, step S32 is performed to form a capillary
structure 36 between the first metal cover plate 30 and the second
metal cover plate 32, wherein the capillary structure 36 may be a
groove-type capillary structure, a porous capillary structure, a
mesh capillary structure, a sintered capillary structure or a
compound capillary structure according to practical applications.
It should be noted that the aforesaid compound capillary structure
may consist of at least two capillary structures selected from the
groove-type capillary structure, the porous capillary structure,
the mesh capillary structure and the sintered capillary structure.
Step S34 is then performed to make the free ends 340 of the support
members 34 abut against the engaging recesses 320. Step S36 is then
performed to punch the first metal cover plate 30 and the second
metal cover plate 32 in directions indicated by the arrows A1 and
A2 of FIG. 7 so as to rivet the free ends 340 of the support
members 34 into the engaging recesses 320 in a tight-fitting
manner. In this embodiment, the first metal cover plate 30 and the
second metal cover plate 32 may be made of, but not limited to,
copper, aluminum or other metal with low hardness. Accordingly, the
invention can form the first metal cover plate 30 and the support
members 34 integrally in advance and then rivet the free ends 340
of the support members 34 into the second metal cover plate 32 in a
tight-fitting manner rapidly and effectively by the punch process,
so as to reduce the manufacture cost.
[0029] Step S38 is then performed to fill a working fluid 38 (e.g.
water) in between the first metal cover plate 30 and the second
metal cover plate 32. Finally, step S40 is performed to vacuumize
the chamber between the first metal cover plate 30 and the second
metal cover plate 32 so as to complete the vapor chamber 3 shown in
FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the vapor chamber 3, which is
manufactured by the aforesaid steps, comprises the aforesaid first
metal cover plate 30, second metal cover plate 32, support members
34, capillary structure 36 and working fluid 38.
[0030] As mentioned in the above, the invention rivets opposite
ends of one single support member into two metal cover plates in a
tight-fitting manner through a punch process or, alternatively,
rivets a support member, which is formed with a metal cover plate
integrally, into another metal cover plate in a tight-fitting
manner through a punch process. The process of the invention is
simple and the efficiency of manufacturing the vapor chamber can be
improved effectively so that the manufacture cost can be
reduced.
[0031] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous
modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made
while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the
above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes
and bounds of the appended claims.
* * * * *