U.S. patent application number 14/720594 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-10 for wire structure and method for designing the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is POWERTECH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to JUNG-HUI HSU.
Application Number | 20150255190 14/720594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47534455 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150255190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HSU; JUNG-HUI |
September 10, 2015 |
WIRE STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR DESIGNING THE SAME
Abstract
A wire structure defined between a first plane and a second
plane is provided. The first plane and the second plane are
parallel to each other. The wire structure includes a main body and
at least three convex portions. The main body has a center defined
by its centroid and a periphery defined by the perimeter of the
main body. The convex portions protrude from and are adjacently
arranged around the periphery. At least one convex portion is
tangent to the first plane, and at least two convex portions are
tangent to the second plane. The number of the at least one convex
portion tangent to the first plane is not equal to the number of
the at least two convex portions tangent to the second plane.
Inventors: |
HSU; JUNG-HUI; (NEW TAIPEI
CITY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
POWERTECH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
47534455 |
Appl. No.: |
14/720594 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13494780 |
Jun 12, 2012 |
9070493 |
|
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14720594 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/133R ;
703/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49117 20150115;
H01B 7/0009 20130101; G06F 30/00 20200101; H01B 7/421 20130101;
H01B 5/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01B 5/02 20060101
H01B005/02; G06F 17/50 20060101 G06F017/50 |
Claims
1. A method for designing a wire structure, comprising the steps
of: setting N radial lines which radiate equiangularly outward from
a center of a cross section of a wire main body; setting a circular
design line, wherein the circular design line has a center of
circle defined by the center of the cross section of the wire main
body and has a first radius; and designing N identical convex
portions, each having a cross section bilaterally symmetric with
respect to a corresponding one of the radial lines, each said
convex portion being an outward extension of the wire main body,
the center of the cross section of the wire main body being
equidistant from a centroid of the cross section of each said
convex portion, the cross section of each said convex portion
having an apex in contact with both the circular design line and
the corresponding one of the radial line; wherein N is an odd
number greater than or equal to three; wherein a vertical distance
between any two parallel tangent lines to a boundary of a cross
section of the wire structure is less than 2.01 mm.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wire main body is a
cylindrical main body having a cross section defined by a center of
circle and a second radius, the center of circle of the cross
section of the cylindrical main body being defined by the center of
the cross section of the wire main body, the first radius being
greater than the second radius.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein each said convex portion is a
portion of a cylinder, and a distance between a center of circle of
a cross section of each said cylinder and the center of the cross
section of the wire main body is the same and the distance between
the center of circle of the cross section of each said cylinder and
the center of the cross section of the wire main body is greater
than the second radius.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein each said convex portion is a
portion of a cylinder, and a distance between a center of circle of
a cross section of each said cylinder and the center of the cross
section of the wire main body is the same and the distance between
the center of circle of the cross section of each said cylinder and
the center of the cross section of the wire main body is equal to
the second radius.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein each said convex portion is a
portion of a cylinder, and a distance between a center of circle of
a cross section of each said cylinder and the center of the cross
section of the wire main body is the same and the distance between
the center of circle of the cross section of each said cylinder and
the center of the cross section of the wire main body is less than
the second radius.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein each said convex portion is
defined by a circular arc, the circular arc being defined by a
third radius, and the at least three convex portions are tangent to
an externally tangent circle defined by the first radius greater
than or equal to twice the third radius.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first radius is less than
0.134 mm.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the third radius of the circular
arc is between 0.045 and 0.0475 mm.
9. A wire structure designed by a method of designing a wire
structure, the steps of the method comprising: setting N radial
lines which radiate equiangularly outward from a center of a cross
section of a wire main body; setting a circular design line,
wherein the circular design line has a center of circle defined by
the center of the cross section of the wire main body and has a
first radius; and designing N identical convex portions, each
having a cross section bilaterally symmetric with respect to a
corresponding one of the radial lines, each said convex portion
being an outward extension of the wire main body, the center of the
cross section of the wire main body being equidistant from a
centroid of the cross section of each said convex portion, the
cross section of each said convex portion having an apex in contact
with both the circular design line and the corresponding one of the
radial line; wherein N is an odd number greater than or equal to
three; wherein a vertical distance between any two parallel tangent
lines to a boundary of a cross section of the wire structure is
less than 2.01 mm.
10. The wire structure of claim 9, wherein each said convex portion
is defined by a circular arc, the circular arc being defined by a
third radius, and the at least three convex portions are tangent to
an externally tangent circle defined by the first radius greater
than or equal to twice the third radius.
11. A wire structure defined between a first plane and a second
plane parallel to the first plane, the wire structure comprising: a
main body comprising a center and a periphery, wherein the center
is defined by a centroidal axis of the main body, and the periphery
is defined by a perimeter of the main body; and at least three
convex portions which protrude from and are adjacently arranged
around the periphery; wherein a distance between the first plane
and the second plane is less than 2.01 mm.
12. The wire structure of claim 11, wherein the number of the at
least three convex portions is an odd number.
13. The wire structure of claim 11, wherein the at least three
convex portions are asymmetrically distributed about the
center.
14. The wire structure of claim 11, wherein a junction between a
said convex portion and an exposed portion of the periphery forms a
bend point in a cross section of the wire structure.
15. The wire structure of claim 11, wherein at least one said
convex portion being tangent to the first plane, at least two said
convex portions being tangent to the second plane.
16. The wire structure of claim 15, wherein the number of the at
least one convex portion tangent to the first plane is not equal to
the number of the at least two convex portions tangent to the
second plane.
17. The wire structure of claim 11, wherein each said convex
portion is defined by a circular arc, the circular arc being
defined by a third radius, and the at least three convex portions
are tangent to an externally tangent circle defined by a first
radius (R1) greater than or equal to twice the third radius.
18. The wire structure of claim 17, wherein the first radius is
less than 0.134 mm.
19. The wire structure of claim 17, wherein the third radius of the
circular arc is between 0.045 and 0.0475 mm.
20. The wire structure of claim 11, wherein the two adjacent convex
portions are spaced by a spacing, the spacing substantially is
between 0.012 and 0.021 mm.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of Ser. No.
13/494,780 filed on Jun. 12, 2012, now pending, and entitled "WIRE
STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR DESIGNING THE SAME", the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a wire structure. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a wire structure and
a design method thereof, wherein enhanced heat dissipation is
achieved in the micron scale by an irregular shape design and by
changing the surface area as appropriate.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The continuous improvement of technology has given rise to a
plethora of electric appliances and electronic products. An
electronic product typically requires a plurality of wires for
transmitting signals and thereby achieving the intended hardware
and software objectives.
[0006] Conventionally, a wire structure depends on an external heat
exchange structure, such as a fan or fins, to dissipate heat, and
the purpose of providing the additional heat exchange structure is
to increase the efficiency of heat transfer.
[0007] However, when wire structures are downsized to the micron
scale (about 0.010 to 0.999 mm), the issue of heat dissipation
differs substantially from that of the traditional wires, which are
in the millimeter scale (about 1 to 2 mm). This difference can be
accounted for by the fact that heat transfer in different scales
features different heat dissipation effects. Besides, the
additional heat dissipation structures incur extra costs and occupy
considerable space, which is highly undesirable.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,479,597 directs itself to reduce attenuation
of high frequency signal transmissions due to the skin effect which
was filed on Nov. 28, 2007. The '597 patent discloses a wire
structure whose cross section is defined by a closed curve composed
of three to eight convex portions and an equal number of concave
portions. The radii of curvature of the convex portions and of the
concave portions are less than one sixth of the overall radius of
the closed curve. The radius of the cross section of the wire
ranges from 2 mm to 10 mm and the simple closed curve has no point
where the radius of curvature is less than 0.5 mm. Moreover, the
radii of curvature of the convex portions and of the concave
portions can be less than 0.1 mm.
[0009] It is well known that the heat dissipation effect of a wire
varies with the surface area of the wire structure. If the
dimensions of the wire structure of the '597 patent are markedly
reduced (e.g., to one tenth, one hundredth, or even one
thousandth), the perimeter of the closed curve will become so small
that an increase in the surface area of the wire structure is
unattainable by the design of the convex portions and the concave
portions, and poor heat dissipation follows. If, however, an
additional heat exchanger is used for more efficient heat
dissipation, the convenience of use of the electric appliance in
which the wire structure, and hence the heat exchanger, are
provided will be compromised. Therefore, it is a pressing issue to
improve heat transfer of relatively small wire structures.
[0010] Furthermore, in order to form the convex portion and the
convex portion on the wire structure. The radius of the cross
section of the wire ranges should be greater than 2 mm. Thus, the
size of the wire structure is greater.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,967,289 directs itself to an electric wire,
which is enhanced on transmissibility of high-frequency current,
especially to enlarge conductor skin effect in high-frequency
current flow. The '289 patent discloses a conductive portion formed
on cross section thereof into round shape having a diameter of
0.1-1 mm. The conductive portion is provided with a convexo-concave
surface to provide the predetermined amount of grooves. The
electric wire provided with a conductive portion which groove has a
cross section being formed into any of V-shape, U-shape or
trapezoid.
[0012] However, due to the diameter of the conductive portion is
0.1-1 mm. Thus, the groove should be a cross section being formed
into V-shape, U-shape or trapezoid. Therefore, because of the
diameter of the conductive portion is small, the shape of the
groove is restricted by the processing tools and also difficult to
manufacturing. In addition, in order to provide the size of wire
from 0.1-1 mm, the grooves should be recessed in the wire, and
should be manufactured by the cutting process.
[0013] Therefore, as described above, the wire structure disclosed
in the '597 patent merely describe that formed the convex portion
and the convex portion on the wire which diameter is greater than 2
mm. The wire structure of disclosed in the'289 patent merely
discloses that if the diameter of the conductive portion is 0.1-1
mm, the groove should be manufactured by the cutting process.
Furthermore, FIG. 3 of the '597 patent disclosed a wire structure
similar to the wire disclosed in the '289 patent. However, due to
the structure of the wire is different with the '597 patent, the
person skill in the art could not recognize any teaching,
suggestion, or motivation to accomplish the cable disclosed in the
'597 patent.
[0014] US Patent Publication No. 2009/0025960 directs itself to a
cable-type composite printed wiring board including a cable
component having a coupler abutting a wiring pattern on the wiring
board. The '289 patent discloses a conductor wire coupler and a
shielding wire coupler are connected to the cable of the cable
component. However, the conductor wire coupler and the shielding
wire coupler are planetary gear-shaped.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to a method for designing a
wire structure, wherein the method includes the steps of: setting N
radial lines, setting a circular design line, and designing N
identical convex portions. As a wire structure thus designed can
dissipate heat efficiently despite its relatively small size, the
cost and space otherwise required for the installation of a heat
exchanger can be saved.
[0016] The primary objective of the present invention is to
increase the heat dissipation efficiency of a micron-scale wire
structure.
[0017] Another objective of the present invention is to reduce
costs and save space.
[0018] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present
invention provides another wire structure defined between a first
plane and a second plane parallel to the first plane. The wire
structure includes a main body and at least three convex portions.
The main body includes a center and a periphery. The center is
defined by the centroidal axis of the main body, and the periphery,
by the perimeter of the main body. The convex portions protrude
from and are adjacently arranged around the periphery. At least one
of the convex portions is tangent to the first plane, and at least
two of the convex portions are tangent to the second plane. The
number of the at least one convex portion tangent to the first
plane is not equal to the number of the at least two convex
portions tangent to the second plane. Furthermore, each convex
portion is defined by a circular arc, which in turn is defined by a
third radius (R2), and the plural convex portions are tangent to an
externally tangent circle defined by a first radius (R1) greater
than or equal to twice the third radius (R2).
[0019] In either of the foregoing wire structures, each convex
portion is or may be defined by a circular arc, bend points may be
formed in the cross section of the wire structure at junctions
between the convex portions and an exposed portion of the
periphery, the number of the convex portions may be an odd number,
the convex portions may be asymmetrically distributed about the
center, or each two adjacent convex portions may or may not be in
contact with each other.
[0020] The present invention further provides a method for
designing a wire structure, and the method is carried as follows.
To begin with, N radial lines are set, wherein the radial lines
radiate equiangularly outward from the center of the cross section
of a wire main body. Then, a circular design line is set, whose
center of circle is defined by the center of the cross section of
the wire main body and whose first radius is R1. Following that, N
identical convex portions are designed, wherein the cross section
of each convex portion is bilaterally symmetric with respect to a
corresponding one of the radial lines, and each convex portion is
an outward extension of the wire main body. Additionally, the
distance between the centroid of the cross section of each convex
portion and the center of the cross section of the wire main body
is the same, and the cross section of each convex portion has an
apex in contact with the circular design line and located on the
corresponding radial line. N is an odd number greater than or equal
to three.
[0021] The present invention also provides a wire structure
designed by the foregoing method.
[0022] Implementation of the present invention at least achieves
the following advantageous effects:
[0023] 1. A wire structure capable of efficient heat dissipation is
formed; and
[0024] 2. As the physical limitations imposed by miniature
dimensions on heat transfer are overcome, the cost and space
otherwise required for installing a heat exchanger can be
saved.
[0025] Hereinafter, the detailed features and advantages of the
present invention are described in detail by way of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention so as to enable persons
skilled in the art to gain insight into the technical disclosure of
the present invention, implement the present invention accordingly,
and readily understand the objectives and advantages of the present
invention by making reference to the disclosure of the
specification, the claims, and the drawings of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the wire structure
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the wire structure
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the wire structure
according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the wire structure
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of the wire structure
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of the wire structure
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the wire structure
according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing showing a measurement error of
the wire structure of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is the flowchart of the method for designing a wire
structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 10 schematically shows how N radial lines are set
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 11 schematically shows how a circular design line is
set according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 12 schematically shows how a wire main body is designed
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the wire structure
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 14 schematically shows the first aspect of the N
identical convex portions designed according to the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 15 schematically shows the second aspect of the N
identical convex portions designed according to the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 16 schematically shows the third aspect of the N
identical convex portions designed according to the present
invention; and
[0042] FIG. 17 schematically shows the fourth aspect of the N
identical convex portions designed according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0043] Please refer to FIG. 1 for a schematic drawing of the wire
structure according to the first embodiment of the present
invention or, more particular, a sectional view the wire structure
1. As shown in FIG. 1, the wire structure 1 is defined between a
first plane 91 and a second plane 92 parallel to the first plane
91. The wire structure 1 includes a main body 12 and five convex
portions 11. The main body 12 is composed of a center 13 and a
periphery 14. The center 13 is defined by the centroidal axis
(i.e., geometric center axis) of the main body 12. The periphery 14
is defined by the perimeter of the main body 12 and forms the
boundary of the main body 12. In this embodiment, the cross section
of the main body 12 is a perfect circle, so the centroid of the
cross section of the main body 12 is the center of circle of the
cross section of the main body 12. At least three (for example,
five) convex portions 11 protrude from and are adjacently arranged
around the periphery 14. The uppermost convex portion 11 is tangent
to the first plane 91 while the two lowest convex portions 11 are
simultaneously tangent to the second plane 92. Hence, the number of
the convex portion 11 tangent to the first plane 91 is not equal to
the number of the convex portions 11 tangent to the second plane
92. In this embodiment, the total number of the convex portions 11
is an odd number, and the convex portions 11 are symmetrically
distributed about the center 13. By "symmetrically distributed" it
is meant that the five convex portions 11 are evenly distributed
along the 360.degree. circumference around the center 13.
Therefore, each convex portion 11 spans 72.degree.
(360.degree./5=72.degree.). In addition, each two adjacent convex
portions 11 are in contact with each other.
[0044] The cross section of the periphery 14 is a perfect circle
defined by a base diameter D1, and the plural convex portions 11
are tangent to an externally tangent circle 93 defined by a first
radius R1, wherein the base diameter D1 is less than the first
radius R1. The cross section of each convex portion 11 is defined
by a circular arc which in turn is defined by a third radius R2.
The first plane 91 and the second plane 92 define a distance H1.
The plural convex portions 11 of the wire structure 1 are tangent
to the first plane 91 and the second plane 92 such that the wire
structure 1 is vertically sandwiched between the first plane 91 and
the second plane 92. In order to enhance heat dissipation from the
small-sized (micron-scale) wire structure 1, the inventor of the
present invention conducted numerous experiments and found the
following. The wire structure 1 in this embodiment can dissipate
heat efficiently when: the first radius R1 of the externally
tangent circle 93 is less than 0.134 mm, the third radius R2 of the
circular arc is between 0.045 and 0.0475 mm, the distance H1
between the first plane 91 and the second plane 92 is between 0.125
and 2.01 mm, and the first radius R1 is greater than or equal to
twice the third radius R2 (i.e., R1.gtoreq.2R2). By satisfying the
above conditions, the hair-like wire structure 1 (i.e., with
R1<0.134 mm) is significantly enhanced in heat dissipation
efficiency and is prevented from melting or burning which may
otherwise result from an excessively high temperature. It should be
noted that the externally tangent circle 93 is an imaginary circle
provided only to better explain the structural features of the wire
structure 1 and is not a physical element of the wire structure
1.
Second Embodiment
[0045] It is understood that the present invention can be
implemented in many other ways as well. Please refer to FIG. 2 for
a schematic drawing of the wire structure according to the second
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the wire
structure 2 has seven (again an odd number) convex portions 21. The
two uppermost convex portions 21 are tangent to the first plane 91
while the three lowest convex portions 21 are tangent to the second
plane 92. Therefore, the number of the convex portions 21 tangent
to the first plane 91 is not equal to the number of the convex
portions 21 tangent to the second plane 92. In this embodiment, the
convex portions 21 are asymmetrically distributed about the center
23. By "asymmetrically distributed" it is meant that the seven
convex portions 21 are either different in size or differently
spaced from the center 23 such that the seven convex portions 21
cannot be evenly distributed along the 360.degree. circumference
around the center 23. As a result, a different included angle is
formed between each two adjacent convex portions 21. Besides, each
two adjacent convex portions 21 are in contact with each other.
Third Embodiment
[0046] FIG. 3 schematically shows the wire structure according to
the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3,
the wire structure 3 includes five convex portions. The convex
portions 31A and 31B are adjacent to and in contact with each
other, whereas the convex portions 31B and 31C are adjacent to but
not in contact with each other. In consequence, the periphery 35
has an exposed portion between the convex portions 31B and 31C. The
junction between the convex portion 31B and the exposed portion of
the periphery 35 is shown in FIG. 3 as a bend point 39, and the
junction between the convex portion 31C and the exposed portion of
the periphery 35, as another bend point 39. The convex portions 31B
and 31C are spaced by a spacing L1. In this embodiment, not only do
the convex portions increase the surface area for heat dissipation,
but also the exposed portion of the periphery 35 serves to
dissipate heat. The experiments conducted by the inventor of the
present invention show that the exposed portion of the periphery 35
can dissipate heat efficiently when the spacing L1 is between 0.012
and 0.021 mm.
Fourth Embodiment
[0047] Please refer to FIG. 4 for a schematic drawing of the wire
structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention. The wire structure 4 in FIG. 4 has five convex portions
41, each two adjacent ones of which are separate from each other.
Hence, five spacings L1 are defined and are preferably equal to
facilitate manufacture. However, the five spacings L1 may also be
unequal in applications with particular heat dissipation
conditions.
Fifth and Sixth Embodiments
[0048] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic drawings of the wire structures
according to the fifth and the sixth embodiments of the present
invention respectively. The periphery 55 of the wire structure 5 in
FIG. 5 is smaller in cross section than the periphery 65 of the
wire structure 6 in FIG. 6. In other words, the base diameter D1 in
FIG. 5 is less than the base diameter D1 in FIG. 6. Furthermore,
the third radius R2 in FIG. 5 is less than the third radius R2 in
FIG. 6.
Seventh Embodiment
[0049] FIG. 7 schematically shows the wire structure according to
the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the
seven convex portions 71 of the wire structure 7 are evenly
distributed along the periphery 74. The uppermost convex portion 71
is tangent to the first plane 91 while the two lowest convex
portions 71 are tangent to the second plane 92. Besides, the seven
convex portions 71 are identical in both shape and size.
[0050] As demonstrated by the structures in the foregoing
embodiments, the present invention can substantially enhance
thermal diffusion and convection of a wire structure by increasing
its surface area and thus prevent it from experiencing an
exceedingly high temperature during operation and signal
transmission. Here, the issue of heat dissipation from a hair-like
wire structure (micron-scale, about 0.010 to 0.999 mm) differs
substantially from that of a conventional wire (millimeter-scale,
about 1 to 2 mm), and this is because heat transfer in different
scales is accompanied by diverse heat dissipation effects. It is
therefore necessary to describe in detail the measurement of the
wire structure of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 8 for
a schematic drawing showing a measurement error of the wire
structure of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the
first plane 91 and the second plane 92 are spaced by the distance
H1. Once the wire structure 1 is rotated about the center 13, the
position of the second plane 92 is changed accordingly; therefore,
the distance H1 is not a fixed value. However, with the wire
structure 1 as fine as a hair, it is impossible to visually
determine the orientation of the plural convex portions 11 of the
wire structure 1. If the diameter D2 of the externally tangent
circle of the wire structure 1 is to be measured by measuring the
distance H1 between the first plane 91 and the second plane 92, the
variable distance H1 may not give an accurate measurement of the
diameter D2. In other words, an error is very likely to exist
between the distance H1 and the diameter D2. Nevertheless, the
experiments conducted by the inventor of the present invention show
that the error between the distance H1 and the diameter D2 is less
than 3% in all the aforesaid embodiments of the present invention.
By definition, the diameter D2 of the externally tangent circle is
equal to twice the aforesaid first radius R1 of the externally
tangent circle.
[0051] To sum up, the foregoing limitations in dimensions and
configuration help increase the heat dissipation efficiency of the
micron-scale wire structure of the present invention. The enhanced
heat dissipation capability, in turn, lends the wire structure
great commercial potential in practical use.
[0052] The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is a method for designing a
wire structure (S100), wherein the method includes the steps of:
setting N radial lines (step S10), setting a circular design line
(step S20), and designing N identical convex portions (step
S30).
[0053] The step of setting N radial lines (step S10) is now
detailed with reference to FIG. 10. To start with, the center 20 of
the cross section of a wire main body is set. Then, lines are drawn
radially outward from the center 20 to form N radial lines 30 which
are equally angularly spaced. In other words, the included angle
.theta. between each two adjacent radial lines 30 is the same. The
number N is an odd number greater than or equal to three and is
five in this embodiment. In practice, however, N may also be three,
seven, or an odd number not less than nine.
[0054] The step of setting a circular design line (step S20) is
carried out as follows. Using the center 20 as the center of
circle, the circular design line 40 is drawn with a first radius
R1, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0055] After the circular design line is set (step S20), the wire
main body is designed as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. To begin with, a
circle for defining the cross section 50' of the wire main body is
drawn, wherein the center 20 serves as the center of circle of the
cross section 50', and the second radius is R3. R1 is greater than
R3. Then, based on the cross section 50', a cylindrical main body
is designed as the wire main body 50.
[0056] Next, referring to FIG. 13, N identical convex portions are
designed in step S30, wherein each convex portion 60 is an outward
extension of the wire main body 50.
[0057] More specifically, referring to the sectional view of FIG.
14, each radial line 30 serves as the center line of the cross
section 60' of one convex portion. Therefore, the cross section 60'
of each convex portion is bilaterally symmetric with respect to the
corresponding radial line 30. In other words, the left half of the
cross section 60' of each convex portion is a mirror image of the
right half with respect to the corresponding radial line 30.
Moreover, the cross section 60' of each convex portion has an apex
90 in contact with the circular design line 40 and located on the
corresponding radial line 30.
[0058] To put it differently, if the radial lines 30 extend to the
circular design line 40, the radial lines 30 and the circular
design line 40 will intersect at the apexes 90. Besides, when
designing the N identical convex portions (step S30), the centroid
70 of the cross section 60' of each convex portion is positioned on
the corresponding radial line 30 such that the shortest distances
between each centroid 70 and the center 20 are the same.
Consequently, the shortest distances between each centroid 70 of
the cross section 60' of each convex portion and the circular
design line 40 are also the same.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, each convex portion 60 may be a
portion of a cylinder. In addition, the distances between the
center of circle 80 of the cross section of each such cylinder and
the center 20 are the same, wherein the distances may be greater
than, equal to, or less than R3. When the distances between the
center of circle 80 of the cross section of each cylinder and the
center 20 are greater than R3, the radius of curvature of each
convex portion 60 is less than the distance between the circular
design line 40 and the wire main body 50. When the distances
between the center of circle 80 of the cross section of each
cylinder and the center 20 are equal to R3, the radius of curvature
of each convex portion 60 is equal to the distance between the
circular design line 40 and the wire main body 50. When the
distances between the center of circle 80 of the cross section of
each cylinder and the center 20 are less than R3, the radius of
curvature of each convex portion 60 is greater than the distance
between the circular design line 40 and the wire main body 50.
[0060] The first radius R1 of the circular design line 40 may be
less than 2 mm. When R1 is less than 0.134 mm and is greater than
or equal to twice the distance between the circular design line 40
and the wire main body 50, and the radius of curvature of the cross
section 60' of each convex portion is between 0.045 and 0.0475 mm,
the spacing L1 between each two adjacent convex portions 60 as
measured along the boundary of the cross section 50' of the wire
main body is between 0.012 and 0.021 mm, and the vertical distance
between any two parallel tangent lines to the boundary of the cross
section 10' of the wire structure is between 0.125 and 2.01 mm.
[0061] Nonetheless, the distance between such parallel tangent
lines may vary with product requirements. For example, the distance
may be subject to the sole limitation that it must be less than
2.01 mm, or the distance may be as short as 0.125 mm when a smaller
value is desired, or the distance may be even smaller in order to
meet the requirements of product design. Also, a reduction in the
distance may be accompanied by a change in the value of N. For
instance, if the distance between such parallel tangent lines is
further reduced, N can be set at three to facilitate the design and
manufacture of the wire. Even though the wire structure 10 of the
present invention may be ten times, a hundred times, or a thousand
times thinner than a conventional wire, it can transfer and
dissipate heat more efficiently.
[0062] In the wire structure 10 designed by the method described
above, the wire main body 50 is a cylindrical main body, has a
circular cross section 50' defined by the second radius R3, and is
circumferentially provided with the N convex portions 60, wherein N
is an odd number greater than or equal to three. Further, the
centroid 70 of the cross section 60' of each convex portion is
located on a corresponding one of the radial lines 30 radiating
outward from the center 20 of the cross section 50' of the wire
main body and may be shifted along the corresponding radial line
30, with the cross section 60' of each convex portion having the
same radius of curvature, so as for the boundary of the cross
section of each convex portion 60 and the circular design line 40
defined by the first radius R1 to meet at the corresponding apex
90.
[0063] Therefore, as long as the small-sized wire structure 10 has
an odd number of convex portions 60, the cross section 10' of the
wire structure can be vertically sandwiched between any two
parallel lines and will contact with the two parallel lines at
three contact points. Moreover, the vertical distance between the
two parallel lines will be the same, regardless of the orientation
in which the cross section 10' of the wire structure is sandwiched
between the two parallel lines.
[0064] Even if a pair of parallel lines between which the cross
section 10' of the wire structure is sandwiched contact with the
cross section 10' at only two contact points, the error of the
vertical distance between this pair of parallel lines will be
within 3% of the vertical distance between a pair of parallel lines
which contact with the cross section 10' sandwiched therebetween at
three contact points.
[0065] As heat transfer in wire structures 10 of different sizes
produces different heat dissipation effects, the shape of the
convex portions 60 can be designed in accordance with product
requirements to adjust the surface areas of different wire
structures 10 for higher heat dissipation efficiency. By doing so,
small-sized wire structures 10 are provided with increased
commercial potential in practical use.
[0066] The features of the present invention are disclosed above by
the preferred embodiments to allow persons skilled in the art to
gain insight into the contents of the present invention and
implement the present invention accordingly. The preferred
embodiments of the present invention should not be interpreted as
restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all
equivalent modifications or amendments made to the aforesaid
embodiments should fall within the scope of the appended
claims.
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