Heatsink, method of manufacturing the same and cooling apparatus using the same

Abstract

A heatsink of the present invention has a column having a heat conducting plate with a heat receiving face contacting a heat producing element. On the side faces of the column are a plurality of first slits disposed parallel to the heat receiving face and a plurality of second slits disposed transversely to the heat receiving face. These slits form a plurality of pillar-type protrusions functioning as fins for cooling. At least one of cross sections of the column has a shape of a rectangle, a trapezoid, a triangle or a shape which tapers off as it goes away at right angle from the heat receiving face. A method of manufacturing the heatsink of the present invention includes first and second processes. In the first process, the first slits are formed by providing a plurality of metallic plate fins on the column along its length by the methods including the extrusion molding using a metallic mold. In the second process, the second slits are formed in a direction approximately transverse to the length direction of the plate fins. By using a specialized jig for the machining of the second slits, many fins can be formed remarkably efficiently. A cooling apparatus for the present invention includes a cooling means mounted on the heatsink of the present invention. The cooling apparatus for the present invention enjoys a high cooling capability and reduced size.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heatsink comprising: 
 a) column having a heat receiving face; and    b) a plurality of pillar-type protrusions provided on a face other than the heat receiving face of said column in such a manner that they are parallel to or at a predetermined angle against the heat receiving face.    
     
     
         2 . The heatsink of  claim 1 , wherein said pillar-type protrusions are formed by a plurality of first slits provided on a face other than the heat receiving face of said column parallel to the heat receiving face and a plurality of second slits provided transversely to the first slits.  
     
     
         3 . The heatsink of  claim 2 , wherein a cross section of said column has one shape selected from rectangle, trapezoid, triangle, and a shape whose sectional width tapers off as it goes away at right angle from said heat receiving face.  
     
     
         4 . The heatsink of  claim 2 , wherein said pillar-type protrusion has protrusions and/or recesses on its surface.  
     
     
         5 . The heatsink of  claim 2 , wherein the heat receiving face protrudes further outwards than said column.  
     
     
         6 . The heatsink of  claim 2 , wherein the vertical distance to the heat receiving face from the end of said pillar-type protrusion on the column side is shorter than that from the other end.  
     
     
         7 . The heatsink of  claim 6 , wherein the height of said pillar-type protrusion does not go beyond the height of said column.  
     
     
         8 . The heatsink of  claim 7 , wherein said pillar-type protrusion has protrusions and/or recesses on its surface.  
     
     
         9 . The heatsink of  claim 7 , wherein the heat receiving face protrudes further than said column.  
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a heatsink comprising: 
 forming a plurality of first slits along the length of a column, and    forming a second slit at approximately right angle to the first slits.    
     
     
         11 . The method of manufacturing the heatsink of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of first slits are formed by the extrusion method or the pultrusion method.  
     
     
         12 . The method of manufacturing the heatsink of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of columns where the plurality of first slits are formed, are machined on the same jig to form the second slits.  
     
     
         13 . The method of manufacturing the heatsink of  claim 12 , wherein said machining of the second slits is conducted at a time by a plurality of machining tools.  
     
     
         14 . The method of manufacturing the heatsink of  claim 12 , wherein the shape of the jig where the column is mounted is tilted in relation to the machining line of the machining tools.  
     
     
         15 . A cooling apparatus comprising: 
 a heatsink comprising: 
 column having a heat receiving face; and  
 a plurality of pillar-type protrusions provided on a face other than the heat receiving face of said column in such a manner that they are parallel to or at a predetermined angle against the heat receiving face; and  
   a cooling means mounted on said heatsink.    
     
     
         16 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said pillar-type protrusions are formed by a plurality of first slits provided on a face other than the heat receiving face of said column parallel to the heat receiving face and a plurality of second slits provided transversely to the first slits.  
     
     
         17 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the heat receiving face protrudes further outwards than said column.  
     
     
         18 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a cross section of said column has one shape selected from rectangle, trapezoid, triangle and a shape whose sectional width tapers off as it goes away at right angle from said heat receiving face.  
     
     
         19 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said cooling means is selected from one of an air blowing means, a Peltier element, a heat pipe and dipping in liquid.  
     
     
         20 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said air blowing means is disposed on the top face of said heatsink, facing the heat receiving face.  
     
     
         21 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said air blowing means is a fan which is mounted on the top face of said heatsink in such a manner that the fan sends wind to the heat receiving face.