U.S. patent application number 15/114699 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-24 for mobile terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Yongdae KIM, Youngjoo YEE.
Application Number | 20160341486 15/114699 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53778142 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160341486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Yongdae ; et
al. |
November 24, 2016 |
MOBILE TERMINAL
Abstract
A mobile terminal includes: an upper plate; and a lower plate
having a size corresponding to that of the upper plate and having
at least a portion spaced apart from the upper plate to form a
passage to allow fluid to flow therein, wherein the upper plate and
the lower plate form a vapor chamber, at least one of the upper
plate and the lower plate is formed by bonding dissimilar-metals,
and the passage includes an absorption layer in which a working
fluid moves and a vapor channel formed on the absorption layer and
allowing vapor evaporated from the absorption layer to move
therein, and a fluidic channel in which the working fluid moves is
formed within the absorption layer.
Inventors: |
KIM; Yongdae; (Seoul,
KR) ; YEE; Youngjoo; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
53778142 |
Appl. No.: |
15/114699 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
December 3, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2014/011764 |
371 Date: |
July 27, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 23/427 20130101;
G06F 1/203 20130101; F28D 15/02 20130101; F28D 15/046 20130101;
H04M 1/0202 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28D 15/02 20060101
F28D015/02; F28D 15/04 20060101 F28D015/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 4, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0012712 |
Claims
1. A mobile terminal comprising: a front case; a rear case covering
the opposite surface of the front case; and a frame supporting an
electrical element formed between the front case and the rear case,
wherein the frame comprises: an upper plate; and a lower plate
having a size corresponding to that of the upper plate and having
at least a portion spaced apart from the upper plate to form a
passage to allow fluid to flow therein, wherein the upper plate and
the lower plate form a vapor chamber, at least one of the upper
plate and the lower plate is formed by bonding dissimilar metals,
and the passage includes an absorption layer in which a working
fluid moves and a vapor channel formed on the absorption layer and
allowing vapor evaporated from the absorption layer to move
therein, and a fluidic channel in which the working fluid moves is
formed within the absorption layer.
2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the absorption layer is
formed of a porous material.
3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein a first metal among the
dissimilar metals is stainless steel.
4. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein a second metal among the
dissimilar metals is one or more selected from the group consisting
of copper, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy,
titanium, and magnesium.
5. The mobile terminal of claim 4, wherein the first metal forms an
appearance of the vapor chamber, and the second metal is formed
within the vapor chamber.
6. The mobile terminal of claim 4, wherein the second metal has two
or more layers formed by combining two or more selected from the
group consisting of copper, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, a
nickel alloy, titanium, and magnesium.
7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the upper plate has a
convex portion and a concave portion to form the passage.
8. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the upper plate and the
lower plate are bonded by welding or diffusion bonding.
9. The mobile terminal of claim 7, wherein a heat dissipation
element is coupled to the concave portion.
10. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the lower plate has a
flat plate shape.
11. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the absorption layer
comprises: a first layer formed by growing grains and a second
layer formed on the first layer and including a plurality of
acicular particles.
12. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the vapor chamber is
coupled to the rear case or the front case.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal and,
more particularly, to a mobile terminal in which an existing
magnesium (Mg) frame is substituted with a vapor chamber that
outwardly dissipates heat from a heating element within the mobile
terminal.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, a heat pipe serves to outwardly transmit heat
from a heating element, among large components such as a PC server,
a combined heat and power generator, and the like, to prevent
overheating.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an operation principle of a
general heat pipe 10. Referring to FIG. 1, the heat pipe 10
includes an exterior 11 formed of a material having excellent heat
transmission performance and an absorption layer 12 formed on inner
walls of the exterior 11. A fluidic channel through which a working
fluid 25 flows is formed within the absorption layer 12.
[0004] The heat pipe 10 serves to diffuse or transmit heat energy.
As for major processes of an operation, first, evaporation 22
occurs by heat 21 transmitted from a heating element 20 having a
heat source, the evaporated steam 25 flows in a vapor channel 26,
steam 23 is condensed in the vapor channel 26 and a condenser 40
and subsequently converted into a liquid 24 to flow in the
absorption layer 12 (a liquid channel or wick).
[0005] Namely, the liquid 24 undergoes a circulation process in
which, the liquid 24 is converted into vapor 22 in the heating
element 30, and while passing through the vapor channel 26, the
vapor 22 is deprived of heat in a condensing unit 40 so as to be
changed to liquid 24, and the liquid 24 is returned to its initial
position along the absorption layer 12.
[0006] The absorption layer 12 in which the condensed liquid flows
may be formed of a material identical to that of the heat pipe 10.
If the heat pipe 10 is formed of a heterogeneous material, a
galvanic corrosion phenomenon may occur in an interface between a
working fluid and the heat pipe 10 to degrade reliability of the
heat pipe 10 as a heat dissipation element, significantly reducing
thermal conductivity.
[0007] Research into a heat dissipation structure of heat pipes has
actively conducted, and thus, materials of heat pipes that may be
compatible with types of working fluids have been systematically
classified and used according to requirements of various
application fields in the industry.
[0008] The application fields of the heat pipes are extensive in
the industry, and in many cases, heat pipes are manufactured such
that the absorption layer 12 is present in a cylindrical edge
thereof.
[0009] Recently, as mobile terminals including smartphones
implement various functions required in all aspects of daily lives,
such as Internet, games, mobile payment, music, video, and the
like, beyond the simple voice call function, performance and
integration of application processor (AP) chips have explosively
increased, and thus, heating of AP chips is a serious problem.
Heating is not limited to AP chips but significantly increases
power consumption of chips, resulting in fast discharge of
batteries, and for users, a surface of a mobile terminal is hot to
cause user inconvenience, and in a worst case scenario, the risk of
burns is increasing.
[0010] In order to dissipate heat from an AP chip used in a mobile
terminal, conventionally, a graphite sheet is used. Also, in order
to secure strength, a frame is formed of a metal such as magnesium,
or the like, and assembled with a heating unit to provide a heat
dissipation function. However, the graphite sheet itself has
excellent heat dissipation characteristics, but due to the very low
heat dissipation characteristics of the frame formed of a metal,
the heat characteristics of the graphite and the frame are
averaged, resulting in that a reduction in the heating of the AP
chip is not greatly improved overall.
[0011] Also, although an existing heat pipe has excellent thermal
conductivity, there is a limitation in the strength and thickness,
and thus, the use of existing heat pipes is limited.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0012] Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to
provide a vapor chamber capable of maintaining rigidity, while
maintaining excellent thermal conductivity.
[0013] Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a
mobile terminal in which a heat dissipation module (graphite
sheet+frame) is substituted with a single heat dissipation element,
thus simplifying the structure.
[0014] Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a
mobile terminal in which a vapor chamber having excellent heat
dissipation characteristics is used as a frame.
Solution to Problem
[0015] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly
described herein, a mobile terminal may include: a front case; a
rear case covering the opposite surface of the front case; and a
frame supporting an electrical element formed between the front
case and the rear case, wherein the frame includes: an upper plate;
and a lower plate having a size corresponding to that of the upper
plate and having at least a portion spaced apart from the upper
plate to form a passage to allow fluid to flow therein, wherein the
upper plate and the lower plate form a vapor chamber, at least one
of the upper plate and the lower plate is formed by bonding
dissimilar metals, and the passage includes an absorption layer in
which a working fluid moves and a vapor channel formed on the
absorption layer and allowing vapor evaporated from the absorption
layer to move therein, and a fluidic channel in which the working
fluid moves is formed within the absorption layer.
[0016] The absorption layer may be formed of a porous material, and
a first metal among the dissimilar metals may be one or more
selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, an aluminum
alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, titanium, and magnesium.
[0017] A second metal among the dissimilar metals may be stainless
steel. The first metal may form an appearance of the vapor chamber,
and the second metal may be formed within the vapor chamber. The
first metal may have two or more layers formed by combining two or
more selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, an
aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, titanium, and
magnesium.
[0018] The upper plate may have a convex portion and a concave
portion to form the passage, and the upper plate and the lower
plate may be bonded by welding or diffusion bonding.
[0019] A heat dissipation element may be coupled to the concave
portion, and the lower plate may have a flat plate shape.
[0020] The absorption layer may include a first layer formed by
growing grains and a second layer formed on the first layer and
including a plurality of acicular particles.
[0021] The vapor chamber may be coupled to the rear case or the
front case.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0022] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, since the
vapor chamber is advantageous in the aspect of thickness and
rigidity, while maintaining excellent thermal conductivity, it can
replace a heat dissipation sheet and a corresponding frame of a
mobile terminal, simplifying the structure.
[0023] Also, by maximizing utilization in products of a display
field having a thin structure, such as a digital TV, an
advertisement display, a notebook computer, a tablet, a netbook,
and the like, the vapor chamber can lower a heating temperature of
a product according to high density integration and implement
highly efficient product.
[0024] In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, the structure of the ultra-slim vapor chamber
serves as a heat pipe lowering a temperature of a heating portion
by transmitting heat from the heating portion to a low-temperature
region, and also serves as a frame for strengthening rigidity of a
heat dissipation element by applying a clad metal formed by bonding
dissimilar metals and fixing other components of the mobile
terminal.
[0025] Further scope of applicability of the present application
will become more apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating preferred
embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an operation principle of a
related art heat pipe.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a vapor chamber according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vapor chamber
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a process of manufacturing a
vapor chamber according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile terminal
using a vapor chamber according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile terminal using
a vapor chamber according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of
FIG. 3.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0033] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
like numbers refer to like elements throughout although the
embodiments are different, and a description of the like elements a
first embodiment will be used for those of the different
embodiment. In the following description, usage of suffixes such as
`module`, `part` or `unit` used for referring to elements is given
merely to facilitate explanation of the present invention, without
having any significant meaning by itself. In describing the present
invention, if a detailed explanation for a related known function
or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of
the present invention, such explanation has been omitted but would
be understood by those skilled in the art. The accompanying
drawings of the present invention aim to facilitate understanding
of the present invention and should not be construed as limited to
the accompanying drawings. Also, the present invention is not
limited to a specific disclosed form, but includes all
modifications, equivalents, and substitutions without departing
from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0034] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these
elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only
used to distinguish one element from another.
[0035] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.
[0036] It will be further understood that the terms "comprises"
"comprising," "includes" and/or "including" when used herein,
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,
operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0037] The present disclosure relates to a heat dissipation
element, which also referred to as a chamber, as a type of heat
pipe. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an
ultra-slim vapor chamber that can be applied to various products in
the form of a heat pipe. In an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a material and a structure for complementing a
degradation of rigidity according to the ultra-slim structure are
provided.
[0038] Namely, the present disclosure relates to an ultra-slim
vapor chamber 100 which solves a heating problem of a mobile
terminal based on the excellent heat conductivity and an
operational principle of an existing heat pipe and plays a role of
a frame of an electronic component.
[0039] The mobile terminal described in the present disclosure may
include a cellular phone, a smartphone, a notebook computer (or a
laptop computer), a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal
digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a
navigation device, a slate PC, a tablet PC, an ultrabook, a
wearable device (e.g., a watch-type terminal such as smartwatch, a
glass-type terminal such as smart glass, a head mounted
display(HMD), and the like.
[0040] However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
the present disclosure may also be applicable to a fixed terminal
such as a digital TV, a desktop computer and a digital signage,
except for specific configurations for mobility.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, copper
(Cu), which has excellent thermal conductivity, relative to other
metals, and is not chemically reacted with a working fluid (water)
within the heat pipe, is used as a material to form an appearance
of the vapor chamber 100. However, copper (Cu) has high ductility
as inherent properties, and thus, its application to mobile
terminal fields that require rigidity and heat dissipation
performance is very limited in spite of the excellent heat
dissipation characteristics thereof.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
shortcomings are complemented, excellent heat dissipation
characteristics and rigidity are secured, and the entire area of a
mobile terminal is covered by a ultra-slim vapor chamber 100, thus
obtaining a heat dissipation effect.
[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the ultra-slim vapor chamber 100 may be customized to
be applied to mobile terminals having various structures.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a structure of the ultra-slim
vapor chamber 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, and FIG. 3 includes a partial plan view of the
vapor chamber 100 of FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view taken along
line A-A', and a partially enlarged view of a portion. FIG. 7 is a
cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 3.
[0045] First, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the vapor chamber 100
includes an upper plate 111 and a lower plate 112 spaced apart from
the upper plate 111 in at least a portion thereof, to form a
passage 113 in which a fluid such as a liquid or vapor moves. Here,
at least one of the upper plate 111 and the lower plate 112 is
formed of a clad metal formed by bonding dissimilar metals.
[0046] The upper plate 111 includes a convex portion 111c and
concave portions 130 and 140 formed through pressing, or the like.
The passage 113 is formed by the convex portion 111c and the
concave portions 130 and 140.
[0047] Here, the passage 113 includes an absorption layer 113a in
which a liquid is fixedly stored by capillary force, a fluidic
channel in which a working fluid moves is formed within the
absorption layer 113a, and a vapor-condensed fluid moves through
the fluidic channel 113c. Here, the working fluid largely refers to
a liquid.
[0048] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a vapor channel 113b in
which vapor evaporated from the absorption layer 113a moves is
formed on the absorption layer 113a. The absorption layer 113a and
the vapor channel 113b are formed in the same space, and the vapor
channel 113b is a channel in which a liquid (e.g., water) heated by
a heating element is evaporated to become vapor and subsequently
move to a condensing portion (e.g., one end portion of the vapor
chamber).
[0049] The absorption layer 113a is formed of a porous material,
preventing a fluid such as water from being leaked out. Namely,
water is stored in the absorption layer 113a due to a capillary
force phenomenon.
[0050] In detail, the absorption layer 113a includes a plurality of
acicular particles and a working fluid moves between the plurality
of acicular particles, namely, to pores. In detail, as illustrated
in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the absorption layer 113a includes
a first layer formed by grain growth and a second layer 1132 formed
on the first layer 1131 and including a plurality of acicular
particles. The fluidic channel 113c in which a fluid is movable is
formed between the acicular particles. Here, the second layer 1132
is thicker than the first layer 1131, and preferably, the thickness
of the second layer 1132 is ten times to 30 times that of the first
layer 1131.
[0051] The first layer 1131 is an under layer forming conditions
facilitating formation of the second layer 1132 having a plurality
of acicular particles. The first layer 1131 is formed through an
electroplating method in which a current having a DC waveform
supplying a DC current in a reverse (-) direction. The second layer
1132 has a plurality of acicular particles. The second layer 1132
is also formed through the electroplating method, specifically,
through a periodic reverse current plating performed by
periodically changing a direction of an electric current or by
using a bipolar pulse current. Here, a length of the plurality of
acicular particles forming the second layer 1132 in a longer
direction ranges from 10 m to 50 m.
[0052] In this manner, the second layer 1132 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes the
acicular particles, specifically, acicular copper particles, and
thus, the second layer 1132 has high porosity, compared with the
related art absorption layer in the form of a groove or a mesh, or
a sintered absorption layer. Thus, a working fluid may smoothly
move within the absorption layer 113a, relative to the related art,
enhancing a heat-exchange rate or heat-exchange performance.
[0053] Here, the vapor chamber 100 includes a path formation region
110 in which vapor or a liquid may flow and an edge 120 formed
outside of the path formation region 110. Since the lower plate 112
has a flat plate shape, the vapor chamber 100 has a flat plate
shape overall.
[0054] Here, only any one of the upper plate 111 and the lower
plate 112 may be a clad metal, and in an exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure, both the upper plate 111 and the lower
plate 112 are formed of a clad metal formed by bonding dissimilar
metals.
[0055] In detail, the ultra-slim vapor chamber 100 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is formed of a
metal, and here, a clad metal formed by bonding dissimilar metals
is used. A structure of the clad metal may include copper (Cu) and
stainless steel (SUS). However, besides the foregoing copper
(Cu)/stainless steel (SUS), various metals having high rigidity may
also be used. Namely, composition of the clad metal may be altered
according to requirements of specific application purposes to form
the vapor chamber 100.
[0056] When the upper plate 111 or the lower plate 112 are formed
of a clad metal formed by bonding dissimilar metals, metals 111b
and 112a exposed inwardly may be formed of oxygen-free copper (Cu)
having high ductility and external metals 111a and 112b may be
formed of materials having high rigidity such as stainless
steels.
[0057] Here, besides stainless steel, the metals 111a and 112b
exposed to outside may be one or more selected from the group
consisting of copper, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel
alloy, titanium, and magnesium, or may be formed of two or more
layers by combining these elements.
[0058] For example, the metal 111a may be formed of only stainless
steel or may have an aluminum alloy in the outermost portion. This
may be the same for the metals 111b and 112a formed internally.
Here, the metals 111a and 112b are described as stainless steel,
but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and any metal may
be used as long as it has rigidity equivalent to that of stainless
steel.
[0059] Also, when the metals 111a and 112b exposed outwardly are a
first metal, and the internal metals 111b and 112a are a second
metal, the second metal may be formed of copper, aluminum, an
aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, titanium, magnesium, and
the like, and the first metal may be formed of stainless steel. Or
conversely, the first metal may be formed of copper, aluminum, an
aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, titanium, magnesium, and
the like, and the second metal may be formed of stainless
steel.
[0060] Also, the lower plate 112 may simply be a flat clad metal,
and the overall thickness of the vapor chamber 100 may be 0.5 mm.
Here, a vapor inlet 150 may be provided in a portion of the edge
120 to allow a liquid (water) to be injected to the interior of the
chamber 100 therethrough.
[0061] Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, portions of the upper plate 111 and the lower plate 112
are in contact to form concave portions 130 and 140. The concave
portions 130 and 140 support the fluidic channel 113 and serve as a
post maintaining rigidity of the structure to prevent bending due
to external impact. The concave portions 130 and 140 may be
patterned through metal forming. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,
the path formation region 110 part protrudes to form a space, and
the upper plate 111 and the lower plate 112 are formed of clad
metal. The concave portion 130 may be a rib, and the concave
portion 140 may be a portion in which a heating element such as a
CPU is fixed.
[0062] In the concave portions 130 and 140, as the upper plate 111
and the lower plate 112 are compressed, a path 113 having a
corrugation shape may be formed. Here, the upper plate 111 and the
lower plate 112 may be bonded through welding or diffusion bonding.
Namely, in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
fluid movement passage 113 is etched or a flow path pattern having
a corrugation shape is formed by sheet metal working, or the like,
to allow vapor to circulate between the upper plate 111 and the
lower plate 112 after the evaporation in the heating unit.
[0063] As discussed above, when the passage 113 has a corrugation
shape in the upper plate 111 or the lower plate 112 of the
ultra-slim vapor chamber 100 according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure, a channel wall of the passage 113 serves
as a support with respect to external force and rigidity can be
strengthened. Also, in the ultra-slim vapor chamber 100, the upper
plate 111 and the lower plate 112 including the vapor channel
corrugation are bonded in a surface-to-surface manner without using
a heterogeneous adhesive material. Namely, the upper plate 111 and
the lower plate 112 can be assembled through a bonding technique
such as diffusion bonding, local welding, or the like, which
fundamentally preventing a chemical reaction and corrosion between
the fluid and the material. In addition, a process of bonding the
upper plate 111 and the lower plate 112 by utilizing a laser
welding technique, as well as the diffusion bonding, may also be
additionally performed.
[0064] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a process of manufacturing the
vapor chamber 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the upper plate 111 formed
as a clad metal (please refer to FIG. 4A) by bonding dissimilar
metals 111a and 111b is pressed by using a press tool 160 at high
pressure so as to be processed to have an embossed structure
(please refer to FIG. 4B) to have a shape corresponding to a curved
surface 160a of the press tool 160. Accordingly, an inner surface
of the upper plate 111 has a shape corresponding to the curved
surface 160a, and the convex portion 111c protruding upwardly is
formed.
[0065] FIG. 4C illustrates the ultra-slim vapor chamber 100 having
high rigidity characteristics completed by bonding the upper plate
111 having the embossed structure with the concave portions 130 and
140 and the convex portion 11c and the lower plate 112 having a
flat structure through welding. Here, the lower plate 112 is also
formed by bonding dissimilar metals 112a and 112b. The metal 112a
positioned within the vapor chamber 100 may be formed of the same
material as that of the metal 111b positioned within the upper
plate 111, and the metal 112b positioned outside of the vapor
chamber 110 may be formed of the same material as that of the metal
111a positioned outside of the upper plate 111. A hollow portion
117 (please refer to FIG. 4D) is formed by bonding the upper plate
111 and the lower plate 112, and the passage 113 may be provided in
the hollow portion 117 (please refer to FIG. 4E).
[0066] As described above, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, the structure and manufacturing method capable
of enhancing the rigidity characteristics of the ultra-slim vapor
chamber 100 are provided, a heating problem is solved, and a frame
structure providing a function of protecting an electronic
component of the mobile terminal from external force, and the like,
is provided.
[0067] Also, the structure of the vapor channel 110 of the
ultra-slim vapor chamber 100 according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure can be configured to have various shapes
to provide an electrical ground plane as well as being a heat
dissipation element.
[0068] Hereinafter, utilization of a vapor chamber according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a mobile terminal
will be described.
[0069] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile terminal
using a vapor chamber according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure as a frame of the mobile terminal, and FIG. 6 is
a cross-sectional view of a mobile terminal using a vapor chamber
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as a
frame. Here, FIG. 6 may be a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a mobile terminal 200 according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has a bar-type
terminal body. However, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto and may be applied to a slide type mobile terminal, a
folder type mobile terminal, or a swing type mobile terminal, and
the like, in which two or more bodies are coupled to each other so
as to perform a relative motion. Further, the mobile terminal
described in the present disclosure may be applied to any portable
electronic device having a camera and a flash, for instance, a
portable phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital
broadcasting terminal, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Portable
Multimedia Players (PMO), etc.
[0071] The terminal body may include a case (which may also be
referred to as a casing, a housing, a cover, etc.) which forms the
appearance of the mobile terminal. The case may include a front
case 201, a rear case 202 covering the opposite side of the front
case 201, and a battery cover 203 for coupled to the rear case 202
to form a rear surface of the mobile terminal 200. A space formed
by the front case 201 and the rear case 202 may accommodate various
electrical elements 260 such as an application processor (AP), or
the like. Such cases may be formed by injection-molding a synthetic
resin, or may be formed using a metallic material such as stainless
steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).
[0072] The electronic components such as the AP, or the like,
generates a great amount of heat, and thus, heat of the electronic
components need to be promptly dissipated to ensure a reliable
operation without malfunction.
[0073] The mobile terminal 200 includes a window 210 and a display
module 220 coupled to one surface of the front case 201. The front
case 201 and the rear case 202 form an appearance of the mobile
terminal 200, and a frame is formed to support electrical elements
260 between the front case 201 and the rear case 202. The frame is
an internal support structure of the mobile terminal 200. For
example, the frame may be formed to support at least any one among
the display module 220, a camera module, an antenna device 242, or
a printed circuit board (PCB) 250. Here, however, in FIG. 5, it is
illustrated that the frame supports the PCB 250 and the battery
230.
[0074] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the frame is the foregoing vapor chamber 100, and a
portion of the vapor chamber 100 may be exposed to outside of the
terminal. Also, the vapor chamber 100 may form a portion of a
sliding module connecting a terminal body and a display unit in a
slide-type mobile terminal, rather than a bar-type terminal.
[0075] In FIG. 5, for example, it is illustrated that the PCB 250
is disposed between the vapor chamber 100 and the rear case 202 and
the display module 220 is coupled to one surface of the vapor
chamber 100. The PCB 250 and the battery 250 may be disposed on the
other surface of the vapor chamber 100, and the battery cover 203
may be coupled to the rear case 202 to cover the battery 230.
[0076] The window 210 is coupled to one surface of the front case
201. A touch sensor (not shown) may be installed in the window 210.
The display module 220 is installed on a rear surface of the window
210. In this embodiment, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal
display (TFT-LCD) is provided as an example of the display module
220, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0077] For example, the display module 220 may be a liquid crystal
display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a
flexible display, a three-dimensional (3D) display, or the
like.
[0078] As described above, the PCB 250 may be formed on one surface
of the vapor chamber 100, or it may also be installed below the
display module 220. At least one electrical element 260 is
installed on a lower surface of the PCB 250.
[0079] The rear case 202 may have a battery accommodation portion
recessed to accommodate the battery 230. A contact terminal may be
formed on one surface of the battery accommodation portion and
connected to the PCB 250 to allow the battery 230 to supply power
to the terminal body.
[0080] The antenna device 242 may be formed on upper end or a lower
end of the mobile terminal 200. Also, a plurality of terminal
devices 242 may be formed and disposed at each end portion of the
mobile terminal 200, and here, the antenna devices 242 may be
formed to transmit and receive wireless signals having different
frequency bands.
[0081] The vapor chamber 100 may be formed of a clad metal as
described above in order to maintain sufficient rigidity even
though it is formed to have a small thickness. Here, the vapor
chamber 100 may operate as a ground. Namely, the PCB 250 or the
antenna device 242 may be ground-connected to the vapor chamber
100, and the vapor chamber 100 may operate as a ground of the PCB
250 or the antenna device 242. In this case, the vapor chamber 100
may extend a ground of the mobile terminal 200.
[0082] The vapor chamber 100 and the rear case 202 may be coupled
by a screw 270. The PCB 250 may be disposed between the vapor
chamber 100 and the screw 270. When the vapor chamber 100 is
coupled to the screw 270, the screw 270 may be exposed outwardly
from the terminal body, such that static electricity within the
terminal may be released outwardly. Also, when the vapor chamber
100 operates as a ground, the ground of the terminal may extend by
coupling the vapor chamber 100 and the screw 270. In this case, the
screw 270 may also be coupled to any other conductive member.
[0083] The rear case 202, the PCB 250, and the vapor chamber 100
may respectively have through holes 271, 272, and 273 in portions
coupled to the screw 270. The through holes 271, 272, and 273 may
be formed on the edges of the terminal body or may be formed in a
central region thereof. In the above, the vapor chamber 100 is
coupled to the rear case 202, but the present disclosure is not
limited thereto and the vapor chamber 100 may also be coupled to
the front case 201.
[0084] In the above, it is described that the vapor chamber 100,
the PCB 250, and the rear case 202 are coupled by the screw 270,
but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the vapor
chamber 100, the PCB 250, and the rear case 202 may also be coupled
by a hook, an adhesive, or the like.
[0085] Hereinafter, a process of dissipating heat according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described
with reference to FIG. 6.
[0086] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mobile terminal 200
having the vapor chamber 100. When the electrical element 260, a
heating element, formed on the PCB 250 generates heat, heat 2252
may flow to the PCB 250 in contact with the electrical element 260,
and the heat 2253 flowing along the PCB 250 may move toward the
vapor chamber 100 and move along the vapor chamber so as to be
dissipated outwardly.
[0087] Here, a partial amount 2251 of the heat generated by the
electrical element 260 may also be discharged outwardly through the
PCB 250, the rear case 202, and the battery cover 203.
[0088] However, most heat 225 generated by the electrical element
260 moves outwardly through the vapor chamber 100.
[0089] Here, a movement path of the heat 225 within the vapor
chamber 100 is similar to that described above. Namely, evaporation
occurs due to the heat 225 transmitted from the electrical element
260, evaporated vapor flows in the vapor channel 113b, steam is
condensed in the condensing unit so as to be converted into a
liquid form, and the liquid may flow to the absorption layer 113a
(liquid channel or wick).
[0090] This has been described with reference to FIG. 1, so a
detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0091] The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be
utilized in a vapor chamber that transmits heat from a heat
dissipation element to outside.
[0092] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting the present
disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and
other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein
may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or
alternative exemplary embodiments.
[0093] As the present features may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also
be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited
by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless
otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within
its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all
changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of
the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore
intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0094] The embodiment of the invention may be applied to a mobile
terminal using a vapor chamber that outwardly dissipates heat from
a heating element within the mobile terminal.
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