JP6632391B2 - heat pipe - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a heat pipe having good heat transport characteristics even when a container is installed in a bent state.

  2. Description of the Related Art Electronic components such as semiconductor elements mounted on electric and electronic devices have increased heat generation due to high-density mounting and the like accompanying higher functionality, and in recent years, their cooling has become more important. As a method for cooling electronic components, a heat pipe may be used.

  Due to the high-density mounting and the like, the degree of freedom of the arrangement posture of the heat pipe may be required. Therefore, a rod-shaped wick structure connected to the evaporating unit and the condensing unit, a porous wick structure arranged only on the inner wall of the evaporating unit, and one end connected to the porous wick structure, It has been proposed that one end be capable of coping with top heat by a heat pipe combining different wicks including a fiber wick structure extending vertically to the condensing section along the container (practical use). New model registration No. 3164517).

  On the other hand, due to the high-density mounting and the like, it may be required to bend a container during mounting to install a heat pipe. From the above, a heat pipe having good heat transport characteristics may be required even when the container is bent.

  However, in the heat pipe combining the above different wicks, when the container is bent, the composite wick easily blocks the steam flow path, so that there is a problem that heat transport characteristics may be reduced, and a fiber wick structure may be used. There has been a problem that the fiber wick structure may be damaged by contacting the inner surface of the container.

Utility Model Registration No. 3164517

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a heat pipe having good heat transport characteristics even in a state where a container is bent, and having an excellent degree of freedom of an installation posture.

  An aspect of the present invention includes a first container having a longitudinal heat transport direction, a working fluid sealed inside the first container, and an elastic part partially fixed to an inner surface of the first container. A wick structure made of a member, wherein the wick structure is spirally arranged along the longitudinal direction of the first container with the longitudinal direction of the first container as a central axis, Is a heat pipe partially fixed to the inner surface of the container.

  In the above aspect, the inner surface side of the wick structure arranged in a spiral shape is a flow path of a gas-phase working fluid, that is, a steam flow path, and the outer surface side of the wick structure arranged in a spiral shape is , And the inner surface of the first container.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the wick structure is fixed to an inner surface of the first container by a wick structure fixing member, and the wick structure fixing members are arranged at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the first container. Heat pipe.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, one or more second containers are further disposed along a longitudinal direction of the first container having the wick structure, and one end of the second container is disposed at one end of the second container. Is a heat pipe connected to one end of the first container and the other end of the second container is connected to the other end of the first container.

  In the above aspect, the second container is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first container.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, one end of the second container and one end of the first container are linearly arranged, and the other end of the second container is The other end of the container is a heat pipe arranged on a straight line.

  An embodiment of the present invention is a heat pipe in which two or more second containers are arranged and twisted.

  An embodiment of the present invention is a heat pipe in which the first container is flattened instead of the wick structure fixing member in the heat pipe.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wick structure including a closed-loop container, a working fluid sealed in the closed-loop container, an elastic member provided in the closed-loop container, and the wick structure. A wick structure fixing member that partially fixes the body at least at two places on the inner surface of the closed loop container, wherein the wick structure is configured such that the longitudinal direction of the closed loop container is a central axis, It is a heat pipe arranged spirally along a closed loop of a closed loop container.

  In the above aspect, the inner surface side of the wick structure arranged in a spiral shape is a flow path of a gas-phase working fluid, that is, a steam flow path, and the outer surface side of the wick structure arranged in a spiral shape is , Facing the inner surface of the closed loop container.

  In the aspect of the present invention, in the wick structure fixing member, at least one of the portions of the wick structure fixed to the inner surface of the closed loop container at at least two positions functions as an evaporating unit, The other one is a heat pipe functioning as a condenser.

  An embodiment of the present invention is a heat pipe in which the closed loop-shaped container is flattened instead of the wick structure fixing member in the heat pipe.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, the wick structure is spirally arranged along the longitudinal direction of the container around the longitudinal direction of the container as a central axis, and is partially fixed to the inner surface of the container. Following the bending of the wick structure, the wick structure also bends smoothly while securing the steam flow path, so that good heat transport characteristics can be obtained even when the container is bent. Further, the wick structure arranged spirally along the longitudinal direction of the container in accordance with the bending of the container also smoothly bends, so that even if the container is bent, the wick structure can be prevented from being damaged. Furthermore, since the wick structure provides mechanical strength to the bent portion of the container, even if the container is bent, buckling of the bent portion of the container can be prevented, and as a result, the steam flow path in the bent portion of the container can be prevented. Blockage can be prevented.

  Furthermore, according to the aspect of the present invention, since the wick structure is partially fixed to the inner surface of the container by the wick structure fixing member and the wick structure and the container are well connected to each other, good heat is obtained. Transport properties are obtained. Also, for the portion where the wick structure is fixed, a portion thermally connected to the heating element functions as an evaporating portion, and a portion thermally connected to the heat exchange means functions as a condensing portion. The degree of freedom of the installation posture is improved without impairing the heat transfer characteristics.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, the portions of the wick structure fixed to the inner surface of the container with the wick structure fixing members disposed at both ends of the first container are formed as an evaporating portion and a condensing portion, Better heat transport properties are obtained.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, the second container is separately arranged along the longitudinal direction of the first container whose heat transport direction is the longitudinal direction, and one end of the second container is the first container. The second container provides an additional vapor flow path by communicating with one end of the container and the other end of the second container with the other end of the first container. And more excellent heat transport characteristics.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, since the second container is twisted, the shape of the heat pipe can be flexibly changed while obtaining a further steam flow path.

(A) is a side sectional view of the heat pipe according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a sectional view taken along the line aa of FIG. It is b sectional drawing. It is a side sectional view of a heat pipe concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded view explaining a heat pipe concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a side sectional view of a heat pipe concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side sectional view of the heat pipe concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side sectional view of the heat pipe concerning a 6th embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A and 7B are front sectional views of a heat pipe according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a heat pipe according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the heat pipe 1 according to the first embodiment includes a first container 10 made of a tubular material having a circular cross section in a radial direction, and a first container 10 inside the first container 10. It includes a sealed working fluid (not shown) and a wick structure 11 provided on the inner surface of the first container 10. The wick structure 11 is fixed to the inner surface of the first container 10 by a wick structure fixing member 12.

  The wick structure 11 has a long fence shape and is wound in a hollow spiral shape along the inner surface of the first container 10. That is, the first containers 10 are arranged spirally along the longitudinal direction of the first container 10 with the longitudinal axis of the first container 10 as the central axis. In FIG. 1A, the wick structure 11 is provided without a gap in the longitudinal direction of the first container 10.

  The wick structure 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is an elastic member capable of transporting a liquid-phase working fluid in the longitudinal direction of the first container 10 by capillary pressure. Can be mentioned.

  In the heat pipe 1, the wick structure 11 is partially fixed to the inner surface of the first container 10 by a wick structure fixing member 12 at a plurality of places (two places in the figure). The wick structure fixing member 12 is provided on the inner surface side of the wick structure 11, and presses and fixes the wick structure 11 from the inner surface side of the wick structure 11 to the inner surface of the first container 10. That is, the wick structure fixing member 12 is an elastic component urged outward. Therefore, the wick structure 11 and the first container 10 are thermally connected particularly favorably to the portion of the first container 10 where the wick structure fixing member 12 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the wick structure fixing member 12 has a radial shape corresponding to the radial shape of the first container 10 and the radial shape of the wick structure 11. It extends at a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of one container 10. That is, the wick structure fixing member 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape in a front view. Although the position of the wick structure fixing member 12 on the inner surface of the first container 10 is not particularly limited, in the heat pipe 1, the wick structure fixing members 12 are provided at both ends of the first container 10, and the first No wick structure fixing member 12 is provided at the center of the container 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a portion of the inner surface of the first container 10 where the wick structure fixing member 12 is disposed has an inner surface side of the wick structure fixing member 12, which has a gaseous phase. The steam flow path 13 through which the working fluid flows. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1C, in the portion where the wick structure fixing member 12 is not provided, the inner surface side of the wick structure 11 is a steam flow path 13 through which a gas-phase working fluid flows.

  In the heat pipe 1, the wick structure 11, which is an elastic member, is spirally arranged on the inner surface of the first container 10 along the longitudinal direction of the first container 10. Following the wick structure 11, the steam flow path 13 formed inside the wick structure 11 is also secured while being bent. Therefore, even if the first container 10 is bent, the blockage of the steam flow path 13 is prevented, and good heat transport characteristics can be obtained. Further, since the wick structure 11 also bends smoothly in response to the bending of the first container 10, damage to the wick structure 11 due to the bending of the first container 10 can be prevented.

  In the heat pipe 1, the positions of the evaporating unit 14 and the condensing unit 15 are not particularly limited. For example, the two positions of the first container 10 provided with the wick structure fixing member 12 are particularly Since the thermal connection between the container 10 and the wick structure 11 is excellent, the two portions can function as the evaporating unit 14 and the condensing unit 15, respectively, to obtain more excellent heat transport characteristics. it can. In the heat pipe 1, one end of both ends of the first container 10 provided with the wick structure fixing member 12 is thermally connected to a heating element (not shown) to serve as an evaporator 14. By functioning and thermally connecting the other end to a heat exchange means (not shown) such as a radiation fin or a heat sink to function as the condensing part 15, more excellent heat transport characteristics can be obtained.

  In the heat pipe 1, by changing the position of the wick structure fixing member 12 on the inner surface of the first container 10, the position where the heat pipe 1 functions as the evaporating unit 14 and the condensing unit 15 is obtained while obtaining more excellent heat transport characteristics. Since it can be changed, the degree of freedom of the arrangement posture of the heat pipe 1 is improved.

  Examples of the material of the first container 10 include copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, and stainless steel. The dimensions of the first container 10 are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a pipe shape having an outer diameter of about 1 to 50 mm, a thickness of about 0.1 to 1 mm, and a length of about 50 to 500 mm. The working fluid to be sealed in the first container 10 can be appropriately selected according to the compatibility with the material of the first container 10, and includes, for example, water, CFC substitute, perfluorocarbon, cyclopentane, and the like. Can be mentioned.

  Next, a heat pipe according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those of the heat pipe according to the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the heat pipe 2 according to the second embodiment, similarly to the heat pipe 1, the wick structure 11 has the longitudinal direction of the first container 10 as a center axis and Although arranged in a spiral shape along the longitudinal direction, a wick structure extending portion 17 is formed in which the wick structure 11 projects from both ends of the first container 10. The wick structure extending portion 17 does not face the inner surface of the first container 10 and is housed in one housing 16-1 and the other 16-2, respectively. Accordingly, the heat pipe 2 includes one housing 16-1 at one end and the other housing 16-2 at the other end.

  Both the inside of the one housing 16-1 and the inside of the other housing 16-2 are evacuated similarly to the inside of the first container 10, and communicate with the internal space of the first container 10. . Further, the connection between the one housing 16-1 and the first container 10 and the connection between the other housing 16-2 and the first container 10 are airtight. In the heat pipe 2, the wick structure fixing members 12 are disposed at both ends of the first container 10.

  In the heat pipe 2, for example, one end of the one housing 16-1 and one end of the first container 10 function as the evaporating unit 14, and the other housing 16-2 and the other end of the first container 10 are connected to each other. It can function as the condenser 15.

  In the heat pipe 2 as well, even if the first container 10 is bent at the center, for example, the heat pipe 2 is prevented from blocking the steam flow path, so that good heat transport characteristics can be obtained.

  Next, a heat pipe according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those of the heat pipe according to the first and second embodiments are described using the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the heat pipe 3 according to the third embodiment, along the longitudinal direction of the first container 10 provided with the wick structure 11 in which the wick structure extension 17 is formed, Further, a second container 20 separate from the first container 10 is arranged. That is, the longitudinal direction of the second container 20 is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first container 10. The second container 20 is a tube having a circular cross section in the radial direction.

  In the heat pipe 3, a wick structure as an elastic member is also provided on the inner surface of the second container 20 in a spiral shape along the longitudinal direction of the second container 20 with the longitudinal direction of the second container 20 as a central axis. 21 are arranged. Further, a wick structure extending portion 27 is formed in which the wick structure 21 projects from both ends of the second container 20. The wick structure extension 27 does not face the inner surface of the second container 20 and is housed in one housing 16-1 and the other housing 16-2, respectively.

  Although the number of the second containers 20 to be installed is not particularly limited, in FIG. 3, two first containers 20 are arranged, one on each side, with the first container 10 as the center. ing. One end of the second container 20 is communicated with the inside of one housing 16-1, and the other end of the second container 20 is communicated with the inside of the other housing 16-2. Further, the connection between the one housing 16-1 and the second container 20 and the connection between the other housing 16-2 and the second container 20 are airtight. Accordingly, in the heat pipe 3, the internal space of the first container 10 and the internal space of the second container 20 communicate with each other via the internal space of one housing 16-1, and the internal space of the other housing 16-2. The internal space of the first container 10 and the internal space of the second container 20 communicate with each other via the internal space.

  As a material of the second container 20, for example, copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, stainless steel, or the like, which is the same material as the first container 10, can be used. Although the dimensions of the second container 20 are not particularly limited, for example, as in the case of the first container 10, a pipe shape having an outer diameter of about 1 to 50 mm, a thickness of about 0.1 to 1 mm, and a length of about 50 to 500 mm is used. Can be.

  In the heat pipe 3, one end face of the second container 20 and one end face of the first container 10 are arranged on a straight line, and the other end face of the second container 20 and the other end face of the first container 10 are arranged. The end faces are also arranged on a straight line. The end face of the wick structure extension 27 projecting from the second container 20 and the end face of the wick structure extension 17 projecting from the first container 10 are arranged on a straight line.

  Although the position of the wick structure fixing member not shown in FIG. 3 is not particularly limited, the heat pipe 3 is disposed at both ends of the first container 10 and both ends of the second container 20, respectively. I have.

  In the heat pipe 3, for example, one housing 16-1, one end of the first container 10, and one end of the second container 20 function as the evaporator 14, and the other housing 16-2 The other end of the first container 10 and the other end of the second container 20 can function as the condensing unit 15.

  In the heat pipe 3, similarly to the heat pipes 1 and 2, even if the first container 10 and the second container 20 are bent at the center, for example, the blockage of the steam flow path is prevented, and good heat is obtained. Transport properties can be obtained. Further, in the heat pipe 3, in addition to the first container 10, the second container 20 is also provided with the wick structure 21, that is, a plurality of containers provided with the wick structure are provided. The amount is further improved.

  Next, a heat pipe according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those of the heat pipe according to the first to third embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the heat pipe 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the wick structure 21 is provided also in the second container 20 of the heat pipe 3 according to the third embodiment. The wick structure 21 is not provided in the second container 20. In the heat pipe 4, the second container 20 functions as a vapor flow path of the working fluid 40 that has changed from a liquid phase to a gas phase in the evaporator 14.

  In the heat pipe 4, a further steam flow path is provided by the second container 20 separately from the steam flow path of the first container 10, so that the heat transport characteristics can be further improved.

  Next, a heat pipe according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those of the heat pipe according to the first to fourth embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the heat pipe 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the second container 20 of the heat pipe 4 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the longitudinal direction of the first container 10. Instead of being arranged parallel or substantially parallel, the second container 20 'is twisted around the first container 10 arranged at the center. In the heat pipe 5, the second container 20 'is spirally wound along the longitudinal direction of the first container 10 with the first container 10 as a central axis. In the heat pipe 5, similarly to the heat pipe 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the wick structure is not provided in the second container 20 ', so that the second container 20' Acts as a vapor flow path for the fluid.

  In the heat pipe 5, since the two second containers 20 'are twisted, the shape of the heat pipe 5 can be more flexibly changed while obtaining a further steam flow path.

  Next, a heat pipe according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those of the heat pipe according to the first to fifth embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the heat pipe 6 according to the sixth embodiment, a closed-loop container having a circular cross-sectional shape in place of a tubular material having a circular cross-sectional shape in a radial direction is used instead of a container of tubular material having a circular cross-sectional shape in a radial direction. 60 are used. A working fluid is sealed inside the closed-loop container 60, and a wick structure 61 as an elastic member is provided on the inner surface of the closed-loop container 60. The wick structure 61 is spirally arranged along the longitudinal direction of the closed-loop container 60 around the longitudinal axis of the closed-loop container 60 as a central axis. In the heat pipe 6, the closed loop-shaped container 60 has a substantially rectangular loop formed therein, and wick structures 61 are arranged on three of the four sides, respectively.

  Each wick structure 61 is fixed to the inner surface of the closed-loop container 60 at at least two places by a wick structure fixing member not shown in FIG. In the heat pipe 6, the parts of the evaporating part and the condensing part are not particularly limited. For example, the part of the closed loop container 60 in which the wick structure fixing member is disposed is, in particular, It has excellent thermal connectivity with the body 61. Therefore, by making the above portions function as an evaporating portion and a condensing portion, more excellent heat transport characteristics can be obtained.

  In the heat pipe 6, since the wick structure 61 is not disposed on one of the four sides, the above-mentioned portion where the wick structure 61 is not disposed does not return the working fluid in the liquid phase without reflux. It functions as a part where the working fluid of the phase flows.

  In the heat pipe 6, since the container has a loop shape, a plurality of evaporating sections and a plurality of condensing sections can be provided. Further, even if bending is applied to the closed loop-shaped container 60, blockage of the steam flow path is prevented, and good heat transport characteristics can be obtained. Further, since the wick structure 61 is smoothly bent in response to the bending applied to the closed loop-shaped container 60, even if the bending is applied to the closed loop container 60, the wick structure 61 can be prevented from being damaged.

  Next, an example of using the heat pipe of the present invention will be described. The heat pipe of the present invention has good heat transport characteristics even when installed in a bent state, and has a high degree of freedom in installation posture, so that it is used, for example, for cooling a heating element arranged in a narrow area. can do. That is, the heat pipe of the present invention can thermally connect a desired portion of the heat pipe to the heating element by applying a predetermined bending to the heating element disposed in the narrow area, A desired portion of the heat pipe not thermally connected to the heat exchange means can be thermally connected to the heat exchange means. The heat pipe of the present invention, by the above-described installation method, can transfer heat from the heating element disposed in a narrow area to the heat exchange means satisfactorily, thereby exhibiting good cooling reliability for the heating element. Further, the heat pipe of the present invention can also be used for a heat sink, and the heat sink exhibits good cooling reliability even for a heating element arranged in a narrow area.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each of the above embodiments, the wick structure fixing member is provided to fix the wick structure to the inner surface of the container. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. By flattening the portion in the radial direction, a flattened portion 72 is formed in the container 70, and the wick structure 71 is sandwiched by the inner surface of the flattened portion 72 so that the wick structure 71 is May be fixed to the inner surface. In the above aspect, the opposing inner surfaces of the wick structure 71 are pressed by the flattening of the container 70.

  In this case, in the flattened portion 72, the steam passage 13 is formed on both sides of the wick structure 71 along the longitudinal direction of the container 70.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, an elastic body 73 (for example, a spring material) is further inserted between the opposed inner surfaces of the wick structure 71 sandwiched between the flattened portions 72, The wick structure 71 may be pressed from the inner surface side of the wick structure 71 to the inner surface of the container 70. In the above aspect, the opposing inner surfaces of the wick structure 71 are not in contact with each other, and are in a state in which the elastic body 73 is interposed.

  In this case, in the flattened portion 72, the steam passage 13 is formed on both sides of the wick structure 71 along the longitudinal direction of the container 70.

  Further, in the heat pipe according to the fifth embodiment, two second containers are twisted around the first container. Instead, the second container is also twisted with the first container. They may be combined.

  The heat pipe of the present invention has good heat transport characteristics even in a bent state of a container, and has excellent freedom of installation posture, so that it has utility value, for example, in the field of cooling a heating element mounted in a narrow area. high.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Heat pipe 10 First container 11, 21, 61 Wick structure 12 Wick structure fixing member 14 Evaporation unit 15 Condensation unit 20, 20 'Second container 60 Closed loop shape Container 72 Flattened part

Claims (3)

A wick structure including a first container whose heat transport direction is a longitudinal direction, a working fluid sealed in the first container, and an elastic member partially fixed to an inner surface of the first container. And having
The wick structure is spirally disposed along the longitudinal direction of the first container with the longitudinal direction of the first container as a central axis, and is partially fixed to the inner surface of the first container ;
The wick structure is fixed to an inner surface of the first container by a wick structure fixing member, and the wick structure fixing members are arranged at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the first container;
Along the longitudinal direction of the first container having the wick structure, one or more second containers are further disposed, and one end of the second container is connected to the first container. One end of the container is in communication with the other end of the second container is in communication with the other end of the first container;
A heat pipe in which two or more of the second containers are arranged and twisted . One end of the second container and one end of the first container are arranged in a straight line, and the other end of the second container and the other end of the first container The heat pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the heat pipes are arranged on a straight line. 3. The heat pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the first container is flattened instead of the wick structure fixing member. 4.

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