Method and machine for making folded fins for a heat sink

Details Method and machine for making folded fins for a heat sink Method and machine for making folded fins for a heat sink

1999-10-29

2001-11-27

Crane, Daniel C. (Department: 3725)

Metal deforming

By use of non-deforming work-gripping clamp and relatively...

By individually non-deforming clamps

C072S383000, C029S727000, C029S890030

Reexamination Certificate

active

06321584

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for making a fin for a heat sink, and particularly to a method for making a folded fin for a heat sink having a pair of vertical sections bent double. A machine is also disclosed for use with the method described.
2. Description of Prior Art
As heat generating components in a computer, such as CPUs and chips, contain more circuitry and operate at faster speeds, greater amounts of heat are generated, which must be dissipated for reliable operation. A heat sink made from a heat conductive material, such as aluminum, is commonly used to dissipate the heat generated by a heat generating component. The heat sink is retained in direct contact with the heat generating component to dissipate the heat into the surrounding environment.
A conventional heat sink
10
is shown in FIG.
12
. The heat sink
10
comprises a plurality of fins
12
integrally formed by extruding. The manufacturing cost using this method is relatively high.
FIG. 13
shows another conventional heat sink
11
consisting of a base plate
13
and a heat dissipating member
14
attached together. The heat dissipating member
14
is formed by stamping a metal plate or by extruding from aluminum materials and comprises a plurality of U-shaped fins
142
interconnected by planar portions
144
. The heat dissipating member
14
is attached to the base plate
13
by heat conductive epoxy adhesive or by rivets.
A problem with such an arrangement is that an additional fan must be used to enhance the heat dissipating effectiveness of the heat sink
11
. The heat generated by a heat generating component
1
in phantom is transmitted to the base plate
13
and radiates from the base plate
13
via three paths as indicated by arrows A, B and C. The heat transmitted via the paths A and C easily dissipates into the surrounding environment. However, the heat transmitted via the path B tends to accumulate in a space
143
defined in the U-shaped fin
142
and does not dissipate as readily thereby degrading the heat dissipating effectiveness of the heat sink
11
. Therefore, an additional fan (not shown) must be used to forcibly expel the heat from the space
143
in cooperation with the heat sink
11
. However, the fan occupies space, consumes electric power and increases the cost. The noise made by the fan is a further disadvantage. Furthermore, the fan has a fixed life span and vibrates during operation thereby adversely affecting connections with other components.
Therefore, a heat sink, which has an enhanced heat dissipating capability without requiring use of a fan, is desirable. The present invention meets such a requirement by providing a heat sink having a plurality of folded fins.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a method for making folded fins for a heat sink which prevents heat accumulation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine for making a heat dissipating member for a heat sink by bending a metal plate, the heat dissipating member having a plurality of folded fins.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a heat dissipating member for a heat sink having a plurality of folded fins interconnected by planar portions, each folded fin comprising a first and a second vertical sections made from a single metal sheet bent double.
In order to achieve the objects set forth, a method for making a folded fin of a heat sink, comprises the steps of:
a) preparing a metal plate;
b) clamping the metal plate with a first, a second and a third forming jigs in an initial position, the second forming jig being located between the first and the third forming jigs, each forming jig including upper and lower jig portions, the lower jig portion of the second forming jig having a tapered end;
c) actuating the second forming jig to upwardly move toward the first forming jig at a specified angle and the third forming jig to horizontally move toward the first forming jig to a second position where a portion of the metal plate between the first and the third forming jigs has been bent into a pair of symmetrically inclined sections; and
d) actuating the lower jig portion of the second forming jig to downwardly move away from the metal plate at a specified angle, and the third forming jig and the upper jig portion of the second forming jig to continue moving toward the first forming jig to a final position where the pair of symmetrically inclined sections of the metal plate between the forming jigs has been bent double thereby forming a folded fin.
A machine for performing the aforesaid method is also provided by the present invention. The machine comprise a fixed machine tool, a fixed jig actuatably mounted on the fixed machine tool, a carriage for horizontally reciprocating along the machine tool, and a first, a second and a third forming jigs sequentially and actuatably mounted on the carriage each including upper and lower jig portions. The lower jig portion of the second forming jig has a tapered end.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3164891 (1965-01-01), Gier
patent: 3385092 (1968-05-01), Scott
patent: 3722254 (1973-03-01), Katogir
patent: 3842648 (1974-10-01), Schwartz
patent: 4351178 (1982-09-01), Uehara
patent: 6195874 (2001-03-01), Chen
patent: 3018120 (1982-05-01), None
patent: 149022 (1988-06-01), None

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