Thermal module

Abstract

A thermal module includes a heat spreader adapted for attaching to a heat-generating component, a fin unit, a heat pipe, and a securing structure for firmly pressing the heat pipe against the heat-generating component. The heat pipe includes an evaporation section attaching to the heat spreader and a condensation section attaching to the fin unit. The securing structure includes a mounting plate and a pair of bolts. Each bolt defines an annular notch in a middle thereof. The mounting plate includes a press portion and a pair of arms respectively extending from two opposite lateral sides of the press portion. A securing hole is defined in each of the arms. A plurality of tabs extend into each securing hole and snaps into the notch of a corresponding bolt with two ends of the corresponding bolt located at upper and lower sides of the securing hole.

1 . A thermal module, comprising:
 a heat spreader adapted for attaching to a heat-generating component to absorb heat therefrom;   a fin unit;   a heat pipe having an evaporation section attaching to the heat spreader and a condensation section attaching to the fin unit for transferring heat from the heat spreader to the fin unit; and   a securing structure adapted for firmly pressing the heat pipe against the heat-generating component, the securing structure comprising a mounting plate and a pair of bolts, each bolt defining an annular notch in a middle thereof, the mounting plate comprising a press portion attaching to the heat pipe and a pair of arms respectively extending from two opposite lateral sides of the press portion, a securing hole being defined in each of the arms for engaging with a corresponding bolt, a plurality of tabs extending into each securing hole from the arm around the securing hole, the tabs snapping into the notch of the corresponding bolt with two ends of the corresponding bolt located at upper and lower sides of the securing hole.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal module of  claim 1 , wherein each bolt comprises a head portion, a threaded portion and an engaging portion between the head portion and the threaded portion, a diameter of the threaded portion being smaller than that of the head portion and being larger than that of the engaging portion, the notch is defined around the engaging portion. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal module of  claim 2 , wherein each tab has an arced inner side, cooperatively the arced inner sides of the tabs in each securing hole defines a circle with a diameter smaller than that of the threaded portion and not smaller than that of the engaging portion of the corresponding bolt. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal module of  claim 3 , wherein the diameter of the circle defined by the arced inner sides of the tabs in each securing hole substantially equals to that of the engaging portion of the corresponding bolt. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal module of  claim 3 , wherein the diameter of the securing hole is not smaller than that of the threaded portion, and is smaller than that of the head portion of the bolt. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal module of  claim 2 , wherein an inner thread is defined in an inner surface of the threaded portion of the corresponding bolt adapted for threadedly engaging with a threaded pin. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal module of  claim 1 , wherein each securing hole is defined near a free end of the arm, and a rib is formed at an outer periphery of the free end of the arm for enhancing a strength of the arm of the securing structure. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal module of  claim 1 , wherein the press portion comprises a press wall and a pair of legs extending downwardly from opposite lateral sides of the press wall, the arms respectively extending slightly upwardly from bottom ends of the legs, a free end of each arm being higher than the bottom ends of the legs and lower than the press wall. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal module of  claim 8 , wherein the evaporation section of the heat pipe abuts the press wall and the heat spreader at two opposite sides thereof, respectively, an aperture being defined in a middle of the press wall. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal module of  claim 1 , further comprising a blower defining an air inlet, a primary outlet and a secondary outlet, the primary outlet and the secondary outlet being perpendicular to the air inlet, the primary outlet being perpendicular to and having a size much larger than the secondary outlet, the fin unit being arranged at the primary outlet. 
     
     
         11 . A securing structure, comprising:
 a pair of bolts, each bolt defining an annular notch in a middle thereof; and   a mounting plate comprising a press portion and a pair of arms respectively extending from two opposite lateral sides of the press portion, a securing hole being defined in each of the arms, a plurality of tabs extending into each securing hole from the arm around the securing hole, the tabs snapping into the notch of a corresponding bolt with two ends of the corresponding bolt located at upper and lower sides of each of the arms.   
     
     
         12 . The securing structure of  claim 11 , wherein each bolt comprises a head portion, a threaded portion and an engaging portion between the head portion and the threaded portion, a diameter of the threaded portion being larger than that of the engaging portion and being smaller than that of the head portion, the notch being defined around the engaging portion, the diameter of the securing hole being smaller than that of the head portion and not smaller than that of the engaging portion of each bolt, each tab having an arced inner side, cooperatively the arced inner sides of the tabs in each securing hole defines a circle with a diameter smaller than that of the threaded portion of each bolt and not smaller than that of the engaging portion of each bolt. 
     
     
         13 . The securing structure of  claim 12 , wherein each tab extends aslant from the arm into the engaging hole, the arced inner side of each tab is lower than the arm. 
     
     
         14 . The securing structure of  claim 12 , wherein the circle defined by the inner sides of the tabs in each securing hole has a diameter substantially equaling to that of the engaging portion of the bolt. 
     
     
         15 . The securing structure of  claim 12 , wherein an inner thread is defined in an inner surface of the threaded portion of each bolt, adapted for threadedly engaging with a threaded pin. 
     
     
         16 . The securing structure of  claim 11 , wherein each securing hole is defined near a free end of the arm, and a rib is formed at an outer periphery of the free end of the arm for enhancing a strength of the arm of the securing structure. 
     
     
         17 . The securing structure of  claim 11 , wherein the press portion comprises a press wall and a pair of legs extending downwardly from two opposite lateral sides of the press wall, the arms respectively extending slightly upwardly from bottom ends of the legs, a free end of each arm being higher than the bottom ends of the legs and lower than the press wall.