English:
[0002] FIGURE 1 is a diagram illustrating a computing device in which an embodiment of a filter system is employed to advantage;
[0003] FIGURE 2 is diagram of a section view of the computing device of FIGURE 1 taken along the line 2—2;
[0004] FIGURE 3 is a diagram of an exploded section view of the computing device of FIGURE 1 taken along the line 3 — 3; and
[0005] FIGURE 4 is a block diagram illustrating the computing device of FIGURE 1 having an embodiment of a filter management module.
[0006] Various embodiments and the advantages thereof are best understood by referring to FIGURES 1-4, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
[0007] FIGURE 1 is a diagram illustrating a computing device 10 comprising a cooling system 12 in which an embodiment of a filter system 14 is employed to advantage. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 , computing device 10 comprises a laptop or notebook computer 16; however, it should be understood that computing device 10 may comprise any type of computing device such as, but not limited to, a tablet personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a desktop computer or any other type of portable or non-portable computing device. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 , computing device 10 comprises a display member 18 rotatably coupled to a base member 20. Display member 18 and base member 20 each comprise a housing 21 and 22, respectively, formed having a number of walls. For example, housing 22 comprises a top wall/working surface 24, a bottom wall 26, a front wall 28, a rear wall 30 and a pair of sidewalls 32 and 34.
[0008] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 , cooling system 12 is disposed within housing 22 of base member 20 and is configured to dissipate and/or otherwise remove thermal energy from an internal area of base member 20 and/or thermal energy generated by one or more particular computer operational components 36 disposed within housing 22. It should be understood that all or a portion of cooling system 12 may be otherwise disposed (e.g., within display member 18 of computing device 10 or within both display member 18 and base member 20).
[0009] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 , cooling system 12 comprises an airflow device or cooling fan 38, a heat dissipating element configured as a heat exchanger 40, and a heat transport element 42 thermally coupling at least one computer operational component 36 to heat exchanger 40. Heat transport element 42 may comprise any type of thermally conductive element capable of transferring heat from operational component 36 to heat exchanger 40. For example, in some embodiments, heat transport element 42 comprises a heat pipe 44 filed with a vaporizable liquid to increase heat transfer performance. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 , heat exchanger 40 comprises a plurality of fins 46 to facilitate thermal energy dissipation from heat exchanger 40. In operation, ambient cooling air is directed from cooling fan 38 through heat exchanger 40 to dissipate thermal energy generated by operational component 36 and/or dissipate thermal energy otherwise generated within housing 22.
[0010] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 , filter 14 system comprises a filter 15 configured to extract impurities such as sand, dust, hair, and other debris from the cooling air before the cooling air reaches heat exchanger 40 to prevent and/or substantially reduce the likelihood of buildup of impurities inside or on heat exchanger 40. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 , filter 15 is disposed between cooling fan 38 and heat exchanger 40 to filter the cooling air prior to entering heat exchanger 40. However, it should be understood that filter may be otherwise located.
[0011] FIGURE 2 is diagram of a section view of computing device 10 of FIGURE 1 taken along the line 2—2. In FIGURE 2, heat exchanger 40 is aligned with and/or otherwise positioned near an outlet 41 in housing 22 to enable warmed cooling air to exit exchanger 40 and housing 22. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2, filter 15 is disposed between an exhaust face 39 of cooling fan 38 and an intake face 41 of heat exchanger 40. However, it should be understood that filter 14 may be otherwise positioned such as, for example, adjacent an intake face 48 of cooling fan 38 or at any other position within housing 22 to filter the cooling air prior to entering heat exchanger 40.
[0012] In operation, cooling fan 38 draws ambient cooling air inside housing 22 through an inlet 23 disposed on bottom wall 26. Cooling fan 38 forces air through filter 15, thereby enabling the removal of impurities therein prior to entering heat exchanger 40. The cooling air travels through heat exchanger 40 to dissipate thermal energy carried by fins 46. The warmed cooling air exits housing 22 through outlet 41. Accordingly, cooling fan 38 creates an airflow path 51 extending between inlet 23 and outlet 41 in which filter 15 is disposed at some intermediate location along airflow path 51. For purposes herein, intermediate location shall mean located away or spaced apart from inlet 23 and outlet 41 at some position along airflow path 51 , such as, for example, between exhaust face 39 of cooling fan 38 and intake face 41 of heat exchanger 40.
[0013] FIGURE 3 is diagram of a section view of the computing device of FIGURE 1 taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3, base member 20 comprises an opening 50 in housing 22 such that filter 15 is readily accessible through opening 50 of housing 22 to facilitate insertion and removal of filter 15 relative to housing 22. As defined herein, the term "readily accessible" shall mean accessible without disassembling housing 22 (other than to provide access through opening 50, such as for example, removing an access door) to access filter 15. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3, opening 50 comprises finger recesses 52 and 54 to provide access to ends of filter 15 to facilitate insertion and removal of filter 15 relative to housing 22.
[0014] In some embodiments, filter 15 comprises a pair of locking mechanisms 56 and 58 to securely fasten filter 15 inside housing 22. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3, locking mechanisms 56 and 58 each comprise flexible arms 60 and 62 having a detent 64 and 66, respectively, for insertion within a corresponding recess 65 and 67 disposed inside housing 22. In order to disengage detents 64 and 66 from respective recesses 65 and 67 to facilitate removal of filter 15 from housing 22, a user inserts his/her finger inside finger recesses 52 and 54 and forces arms 60 and 62 inwardly and/or toward each other to remove detents 64 and 66 from their corresponding recesses 65 and 67. Once detents 64 and 66 are removed from recesses 65 and 67, filter 15 can be withdrawn from housing 22. It should be understood that other configurations of locking mechanisms 56 and 58 may be used such as, for example, utilizing only a single detent 64 or 66 any other method of securing filter 14 within housing 22. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, base member 20 comprises an access door 68 removably coupleable to base member
[0015] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, filter 15 comprises a filter element 15a surrounded by a frame 15b. According to some embodiments, frame 15b is configured to sealingly engage exhaust face 39 and/or intake face 41 to minimize gaps and/or leaking between filter 15 and cooling fan 38 and heat exchanger 40 as cooling air flows from cooling fan 38 and heat exchanger 40.
[0016] FIGURE 4 is a block diagram illustrating computing device 10 of FIGURE 1 having an embodiment of a filter management module 70. In FIGURE 4, computing device 10 comprises a processor 72 coupled to a memory 74, a sensor 76 and an alert indicator 78. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 4, memory 74 comprises filter management module 70. Filter management module 70 may comprise hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In FIGURE 3, filter management module 70 is illustrated as being stored in memory 74 so as to be accessible and/or executable by processor 72; however, it should be understood that filter management module 70 may be otherwise stored. Filter management module 70 is used to analyze signals received from sensor 76 to determine whether filter 15 should be serviced (e.g., cleaned, repaired and/or replaced). In operation, in response to filter management module 70 receiving a signal indicating that filter 15 should be serviced, filter management module 70 sends a signal to actuate and/or otherwise turn on alert indicator 78 to notify a user of the servicing condition of filter 15.
[0017] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 4, sensor 76 comprises any type of sensor/device to enable filter management module 70 to determine whether filter 15 should be serviced. For example, sensor 78 may comprise a clock, timer or other mechanism configured to send a signal to filter management module 70 at predetermined intervals such as, for example, after a predetermined number of operating hours of computing device 10 or at a predetermined date intervals (e.g., at six month intervals, twelve month intervals, etc.), to enable actuation of alert indicator 70. According to another embodiment, sensor 78 may comprise a flow rate sensor (e.g., disposed within heat exchanger 40 or elsewhere) to monitor the flow rate of cooling air through heat exchanger 40. For example, in response to detecting a reduction in airflow rate through filter 15 when cooling fan 38 is operating, sensor 78 transmits a signal to filter management module 70 to cause filter management module 70 to actuate alert indicator 78 to indicate that filter 15 should be serviced. According to another embodiment, sensor 78 may comprise a thermometer to monitor the temperature inside heat exchanger 40. For example, in response to a reduction in airflow rate through filter
[0018] Thus, embodiments of filter system 14 employ a filter 15 is to remove impurities from cooling air prior to entering heat exchanger 40 to reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood of impurities entering heat exchanger 40, thereby maintaining efficient heat dissipation by heat exchanger 40. Embodiments also provide a filter management module 70 to actuate an alert indicator 78 to indicate to a user that filter

中文:
[0002]图1是图解计算装置的图,其中有利地使用过滤器系统的实施例;
[0003]图2是沿着线2-2得到的图1的计算装置的剖视图的图;
[0004]图3是沿着线3-3得到的图1的计算装置的分解的剖视图的图;以及
[0005]图4是图解具有过滤器管理模块的实施例的图1的计算装置的框图。
[0006]通过参照图1-4可以最好地理解本发明的各个实施例和其优点,相同的附图标号用于各个附图的相同和对应的部分。
[0007]图1是图解包括冷却系统12的计算装置10的图,其中有利地使用过滤器系统14的实施例。在图1中图解的实施例中,计算装置10包括膝上型或者笔记本计算机16;但是,应当理解,计算装置10可以包括任何类型的计算装置,诸如但是不限于平板个人计算机、个人数字助理、台式计算机或者任何其他类型的便携或者非便携计算装置。在图1中图解的实施例中,计算装置10包括显示构件18,该显示构件18可旋转地耦合到底座构件20。显示构件18和底座构件20每个分别包括形成为具有若干壁的外壳21和22。例如,外壳22包括顶壁/工作表面24、底壁26、前壁28、后壁30和一对侧壁32和34。
[0008]在图1中图解的实施例中,冷却系统12被布置在底座构件20的外壳22内,并且被配置成耗散和/或以其他方式去除来自底座构件20的内部区域的热能和/或由在外壳22内布置的一个或多个特定的计算机操作部件36产生的热能。应当理解,可以以其他方式布置冷却系统12的全部或者一部分(例如在计算装置10的显示构件18内或者在显示构件18和底座构件20二者内)。
[0009]在图1中图解的实施例中,冷却系统12包括空气流装置或者冷却风扇38、被配置为热交换器40的散热元件和热传输元件42,该热传输元件42将至少一个计算机操作部件36热耦合到热交换器40。热传输元件42可以包括任何类型的热传导元件,其能够从操作部件36向热交换器40传送热量。例如,在一些实施例中,热传输元件42包括热管44,其被填充可汽化的液体以提高热传送性能。在图1中图解的实施例中,热交换器40包括多个散热片46,以促进从热交换器40耗散热能。在运行中,周围的冷却空气从冷却风扇38被引导通过热交换器40,以耗散由操作部件36产生的热能和/或耗散在外壳22内以其他方式产生的热能。
[0010]在图1中图解的实施例中,过滤器14系统包括过滤器15,其被配置成在冷却空气到达热交换器40之前从冷却空气提取诸如沙子、灰尘、毛状物和其他碎屑之类的杂质,以防止和/或充分减小杂质在热交换器40内部或者上面积聚的可能性。在图1中图解的实施例中,过滤器15被布置在冷却风扇38和热交换器40之间,以在进入热交换器40之前过滤冷却空气。但是,应当理解,可以以其他方式定位过滤器。
[0011]图2是沿着线2-2得到的图1的计算装置10的剖视图的图。在图2中,热交换器40与外壳22中的出口41对齐和/或以其他方式定位在外壳22中的出口41附近,以使得变热的冷却空气能够退出交换器40和外壳22。在图2中图解的实施例中,过滤器15被布置在冷却风扇38的排气面39和热交换器40的进气面41之间。但是,应当理解,过滤器14可以以其他方式定位,诸如靠近冷却风扇38的进气面48或者在外壳22内的任何其他位置处,以在进入热交换器40之前过滤冷却空气。
[0012]在运行中,冷却风扇38通过布置在底壁26上的入口23将周围的冷却空气吸到外壳22内部。冷却风扇38强制空气通过过滤器15,由此使得能够在冷却空气进入热交换器40之前移除其中的杂质。冷却空气穿过热交换器40,以耗散由散热片46携带的热能。变热的冷却空气通过出口41退出外壳22。因此,冷却风扇38创建了在入口23和出口41之间延伸的空气流路径51,其中,过滤器15被布置在沿着空气流路径51的某个中间位置处。为了此处的目的,中间位置将意味着被定位在远离入口23和出口41或者与入口23和出口41隔开的沿着空气流路径51的某个位置处,例如在冷却风扇38的排气面39和热交换器40的进气面41之间。
[0013]图3是沿着图1的线3-3得到的图1的计算装置的剖视图的图。在图3中图解的实施例中,底座构件20包括在外壳22中的开口50,使得通过外壳22的开口50能够容易接近(accessible)过滤器15,从而便于相对于外壳22插入和移除过滤器15。在此定义的术语“能够容易接近”将意味着不用拆解外壳22而能够接近(不同于通过开口50接近,例如移去出入门(access door)),以接近过滤器15。在图3中图解的实施例中,开口50包括用于接近过滤器15的端部的手指凹进部分52和54,以便于相对于外壳22插入和移除过滤器15。
[0014]在一些实施例中,过滤器15包括一对锁定机构56和58,以牢固地将过滤器15紧固在外壳22内部。在图3中图解的实施例中,锁定机构56和58每个分别包括具有棘爪(detent)64和66的柔性臂60和62,用于插入到布置在外壳22内部的对应凹进部分65和67中。为了从相应的凹进部分65和67分离棘爪64和66以便于从外壳22移除过滤器15,用户将他的/她的手指插在手指凹进部分52和54内部,并且向内和/或朝向彼此推动臂60和62以将棘爪64和66从它们对应的凹进部分65和67移开。一旦将棘爪64和66从凹进部分65和67移开,就可以从外壳22取出(withdraw)过滤器15。应当理解,可以使用锁定机构56和58的其他配置,诸如在将过滤器14固定到外壳22内的任何其他方法中仅仅使用单个棘爪64或66。在图2和3中图解的实施例中,底座构件20包括出入门68,其可拆卸地可耦合到底座构件20以封住开口50从而减少和/或消除通过开口50的气流,同时也减小和/或消除碎屑进入外壳22的可能性。在图2和3中,出入门68经由一对螺杆68a和68b可耦合到外壳22;但是,应当理解,可以以其他方式固定出入门68以封住开口50。在图2和3中图解的实施例中,开口50被布置在底壁26上;但是,应当理解,可以以其他方式布置开口52(例如在壁24、28、30、32和/或34上)。
[0015]在图2和3中图解的实施例中,过滤器15包括由框架15b围绕的过滤器元件15a。根据一些实施例,框架15b被配置成密封地接合排气面39和/或进气面41,以在冷却空气从冷却风扇38和热交换器40流出时最小化在过滤器15与冷却风扇38和热交换器40之间的间隙和/或泄漏。
[0016]图4是图解具有过滤器管理模块70的实施例的图1的计算装置10的框图。在图4中,计算装置10包括耦合到存储器74的处理器72、传感器76和警报指示器78。在图4中图解的实施例中,存储器74包括过滤器管理模块70。过滤器管理模块70可以包括硬件、软件、固件或者其组合。在图3中,过滤器管理模块70被图解为存储在存储器74中,以便能够由处理器72访问和/或执行;但是,应当理解,可以以其他方式存储过滤器管理模块70。过滤器管理模块70用于分析从传感器76接收的信号,以确定是否应当维修(service)(例如清洁、修理和/或更换)过滤器15。在运行中,响应于过滤器管理模块70接收到指示应当维修过滤器15的信号,过滤器管理模块70发送信号以致动和/或以其他方式启动警报指示器78,以向用户通知过滤器15的维护状况。
[0017]在图4中图解的实施例中,传感器76包括用于使得过滤器管理模块70能够确定是否应当维修过滤器15的任何类型的传感器/装置。例如,传感器78可以包括时钟、定时器或者被配置成以预定间隔(例如在计算装置10的预定数量的工作小时后或者以预定日期间隔(例如以6个月的间隔、12个月的间隔等))向过滤器管理模块70发送信号的其他机构,以使得能够致动警报指示器70。根据另一个实施例,传感器78可以包括流速传感器(例如被布置在热交换器40内或者其他位置),以监控通过热交换器40的冷却空气的流速。例如,响应于在冷却风扇38工作时检测到通过过滤器15的空气流速率的减小,传感器78向过滤器管理模块70发送信号以使得过滤器管理模块70致动警报指示器78来指示应当维修过滤器15。根据另一个实施例,传感器78可以包括温度计,以监控在热交换器40内部的温度。例如,响应于当冷却风扇38工作时通过过滤器14的空气流速率的减小,传感器78检测到由于冷却热交换器40的冷却空气流的减小的体积而导致的在热交换器40内部或者在热交换器40附近的温度的升高。在这种情况下,传感器78向过滤器管理模块70发送信号以使得过滤器管理模块70致动警报指示器78来指示应当维修过滤器14。
[0018]因此,过滤器系统14的实施例使用过滤器15来在冷却空气进入热交换器40之前从冷却空气中移除杂质,以减小和/或消除杂质进入热交换器40的可能性,由此保持热交换器40的高效散热。实施例也提供了过滤器管理模块70,用于致动警报指示器78来向用户指示应当维修过滤器15。