Radiation fin assembly for heat sink or the like

[0002] The present invention relates a radiation fin assembly for use to construct a heat sink or the like and, more particularly to such a radiation fin assembly, which is made by fastening unitary pieces of radiation fins in a stack without the use of external fastening means.

[0003] Conventional CPU heat sinks are commonly extruded from aluminum, comprising a flat base panel and a plurality of upright radiation fins integral with the top surface of the flat base panel. The dimension of an extruded aluminum heat sink is determined subject to the design of the extruding die. The aluminum extruding process is complicated, and the skill requirement is critical. Further, a CPU heat sink made of aluminum by extrusion is high.

[0004] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a radiation fin assembly for heat sink or the like, which is inexpensive to manufacture. It is another object of the present invention to provide a radiation fin assembly for heat sink or the like, which can be conveniently set subject to the desired dimensions. According to the present invention, radiation fins are respectively made of metal sheet material by stamping. Each radiation fin has a plurality of flat peripheral connecting strips. Each flat connecting strip has a hook hole and an arrowhead-like hook portion. The arrowhead-like hook portions of the flat connecting strips of one radiation fin are respectively hooked in the hook holes of the flat connecting strips of another, keeping the radiation fins connected in parallel. Before hooking the arrowhead-like hook portions of the flat connecting strips of a first radiation fin in the hook holes of the flat connecting strips of a second radiation fin, the flat connecting strips of the first radiation fin are bent from the horizontal position to the vertical position.

[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates the outer appearance of a radiation fin constructed according to the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates the protruding connecting strips of one radiation fin bent to the vertical position for the connection of another radiation fin according to the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 3 shows two radiation fins fastened together.

[0008] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 3.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates one application example of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates another application example of the present invention.

[0011] Referring to FIGS. From 1 through 4, a radiation fin assembly in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of a plurality of radiation fins 1 connected in parallel. The radiation fins 1 are flat rectangular members made of metal sheet material by stamping, each comprising a plurality of flat connecting strips 11;12 symmetrically horizontally protruded from the peripheral edge at two sides. For example, two symmetrical pairs of protruding connecting strips 11;12 are respectively extended from the two opposite long sides of the radiation fin 1 near the ends of the respective long side. The flat connecting strips 11;12 each comprise a hook hole 111 or 121, and an arrowhead-like hook portion 112 or 122.

[0012] During assembly process, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flat connecting strips 11;12 of a first radiation fin are respectively bent upwards from the horizontal position to the vertical position, and then the arrowhead-like hook portions 112;122 of the flat connecting strips 11;12 of the first radiation fin are respectively engaged into the hook holes 111;121 of the flat connecting strips 11;12 of a second radiation fin, and then the-flat connecting strips 11;12 of the second radiation fin are respectively bent upwards from the horizontal position to the vertical position, causing the arrowhead-like hook portions 112;122 of the flat connecting strips 11;12 of the first radiation fin to be firmly secured to the hook holes 111;121 of the flat connecting strips 11;12 of the second radiation fin. Repeating the aforesaid procedure, multiple radiation fins 1 are connected in a stack.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 4, after a predetermined number of radiation fins 1 have been connected in a stack, the stack of radiation fins 1 is fixedly fastened to the top sidewall of a flat metal panel 2, keeping the radiation fins 1 in a vertical position perpendicular to the top surface of the flat metal panel 2. Thus, the radiation fins 1 and the flat metal panel 2 form a heat sink for use to dissipate heat from a CPU. The radiating fins 1 can be fixedly fastened to the flat metal panel 2 by any of a variety of known methods, for example, by welding.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 5, the radiation fins 1 can be mounted with a condenser coil 4 for use to construct a refrigerator or cooler. In this case, the radiation fins 1 are made having insertion holes for the passing of the condenser coil 4.

[0015] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.