Patent ID: 6088223
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
Electronic apparatus having a housing with at least first and second walls meeting at a corner, said electronic apparatus constructed to be positioned to function in either a first operating position or a second operating position the apparatus comprising:an electronic component which in use generates heat;a heatsink mounted within the housing and having a thermal path to the electronic component, the heatsink comprising a formation for generating, by natural convection, a cooling airflow for dissipating heat from the electronic component, said formation comprising a plurality of fins with triangular portions whose edges adjoin said first and second walls that meet at said corner;wherein the first and second walls of the housing each include a vent structure; andwherein the formations of the heatsink defines one or more oblique paths from the vent structure in the first wall across the heatsink to the vent structure in the second wall so that in at least said first operating orientation where the vent structure in the second wall is higher than the vent structure in the first wall, a cooling airflow passes from vent structure in the first wall across the heatsink to the vent structure of the second wall and in at least said second operating orientation where the vent structure in the first wall is higher than the vent structure in the second wall, a cooling airflow passes from the vent structure in the second wall across the heatsink to the vent structure of the first wall.