Heat sink fixing device

A heat sink fixing device has an enclosing frame socket having a central part for disposing a heat generating unit of an electronic device thereon, with a heat sink mounted on the enclosing frame socket and covering the heat generating unit. A first fixing part is provided on a bottom surface of the heat sink, and a second fixing part corresponding to the first fixing part of the heat sink is provided on the enclosing frame socket, allowing the heat sink to be coupled to the frame socket by coupling the first fixing part of the heat sink with the second fixing part of the frame socket, thereby substantially maximizing heat dissipating area on the heat sink.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heat sink fixing techniques, and more particular, to a heat sink fixing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for operations and controls of a computer, therefore plays a primary role in the operation of a computer. However, a CPU generates a significant amount of heat when it operates at high frequencies and speeds, and high temperature may become a potential crisis to cause a computer system crashing, therefore, a heat dissipating device is invented for solving the problems.

FIG. 1shows a conventional heat dissipating device for dissipating heat from the CPU that is disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. 456586, comprising a CPU socket12, a heat sink10and a fastener11. A CPU13is mounted on the CPU socket12while the heat sink10is overlaid on the topside of the CPU13. The heat sink10is fixed by the fastener11on the CPU socket12. The fastener11has a retaining part111pressing downwards. Both ends of the retaining part111diagonally extend away and upwards from the centre of the retaining part111and then bend downward forming fastening parts112thereof. A hole113is formed around the end of each of the fastening parts112, which couples to a respective one of a pair of ears121on the lateral sides of the CPU socket12, so as to mount the heat sink10on the CPU socket12.

However, during the process of assembling and dissembling the fastener11, certain tools are needed to fasten or unfasten the holes113of the fastener11to/from the ears121of the CPU socket12, therefore it is extremely inconvenient to use, especially during assembling or servicing, which is one of the major drawbacks affecting the efficiency of operation. In order to solve the drawbacks of using the conventional fastener11, a technique of using an elastic strip to fix a heat sink has been developed, as shown in Taiwan Patent No. 483657 and 564010.

Referring toFIG. 2, an elastic strip21has a retaining part210, a pivot211pivotally coupled to a fixing frame2and a fastening part212. As shown in the drawing, the elastic strip21is a symmetric structure used to fix a heat sink in position by means of hooking the fastening part212of the elastic strip21in a corresponding fastening hole20of the fixing frame2through the pivot211, such that the retaining part210presses downwardly on the heat sink positioned on the fixing frame2, causing the heat sink (not shown in the drawing) to make contact with the CPU.

However, although using the above-mentioned elastic strip21to fix a heat sink solves the problems of inconvenience in assembly and disassembly and uneven stress on the heat sink, the fastening structure still occupies a majority of space of the heat sink. As a result, resistance of airflow increases, thereby undesirably affecting efficiency of heat dissipation. Furthermore, the elastic strip21needs to be operated individually, as shown inFIG. 2, wherein at least four fastening or unfastening operations are required in order to completely fasten or unfasten all the elastic strips21to/from the respective fastening holes20.

Therefore, how to overcome the drawbacks in the prior art is an issue urgently requiring a solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the drawbacks abovementioned, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a heat sink fixing device for reducing undesirable influence of the heat sink fixing device on the heat-dissipating airflow of a heat sink.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a heat sink fixing device for allowing a heat sink to be easily assembled and disassembled to/from a fixing frame.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a heat sink fixing device for allowing a heat sink to be firmly fixed on a fixing frame.

In order to achieve the foregoing and other objectives, the heat sink fixing structure proposed by the present invention comprises an enclosing frame socket having a central part for disposing a heat generating unit thereon, with a heat sink being mounted on the enclosing frame socket and covering the heat generating unit; a first fixing part provided on a bottom surface of the heat sink; and a second fixing part provided on the enclosing frame socket and corresponding to the first fixing part, allowing the first fixing part of the heat sink to be coupled to the second fixing part of the frame socket so as to connect the heat sink to the enclosing frame socket, thereby substantially maximizing heat dissipating area on the heat sink.

Two suspending arms and two first fastening parts are respectively formed on two opposing sides of the enclosing frame socket. One end of each of the suspending arms is pivotally coupled to the frame socket and linked to one of fixing members while the other end of each of the suspending arms has a second fastening part corresponding to the respective one of the first fastening parts, so that when second fastening part of each of the suspending arms is fastened to the corresponding first fastening part, the fixing members linked to the suspending arms are actuated, causing the first fixing part of the heat sink to be firmly coupled to the second fixing part of the frame socket. An operating arm for coupling the two second fastening parts is provided so as to allow the suspending arms on both sides of the frame socket to function simultaneously.

Preferably, the second fastening part is a hook pivotally mounted on the suspending arm, while the first fastening part is a protruding pillar. The first fixing part comprises at least a pillar having a slot on the circumference thereof, and the second fixing part comprises at least an opening overlapping a third fixing part of the fixing member. The third fixing part comprises a first opening and a second opening for receiving the first fixing part. An elastic arciform sliding track is provided laterally along two sides of the second opening for sliding into the slot of the first fixing part and abutting against the first fixing part, such that the heat sink is firmly fixed on the frame socket.

The frame socket has a plurality of guiding slots that respectively corresponding to one of a plurality of sliding protrusions on each of the fixing members. At least one of the sliding protrusions is further coupled with a linkage element between the blocking part and the frame socket, the linkage element further coupling to one of the suspending arms.

In order to fix the heat sink on the frame socket, first the first fixing part of the heat sink is disposed such that it penetrates the second fixing part of the frame socket to be received in the first opening of the fixing member. Then, the suspending arms are pressed down, and the fixing member slides from the first opening to the second opening of the fixing member via the actuation of the linkage element, such that now the first fixing part is received and fixed in the second opening. More specifically, the slot of the first fixing part of the heat sink is abutted against the elastic arciform sliding track along the second opening. Accordingly, the heat sink is firmly fixed on the frame socket.

In comparison with the prior art in which a fixing structure directly presses onto the heat sink, the heat sink fixing device proposed by the present invention has the fixing structure formed from an enclosing frame socket, providing a substantially maximum surface area of the heat sink to be exposed and in contact with the airflow so as to achieve the optimal heat dissipating efficiency.

Furthermore, the heat sink fixing technique of the prior art requires more complicated steps and/or larger force to fix the heat sink in place, thus the heat sink often suffers from uneven stress which also lead to damages of the electronic component (e.g. CPU) in contact with the heat sink. The heat sink fixing device of the present invention, however, provides a simple operation method to fix the heat sink in place by pressing the suspending arm downwardly, so that the second fastening part is fastened with the first fastening part. Moreover with the aid of operating arm, the heat sink can be fixed in place in a simple method.

In summary, the heat sink fixing device of the present invention is, among other advantages, easy to assemble and operate as well as having substantially maximum heat-dissipating efficiency and firm fixing, thereby having high values in the industry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described in the following with specific embodiments, so that one skilled in the pertinent art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the disclosure of the invention. The present invention may also be implemented and applied according to other embodiments, and the details may be modified based on different views and applications without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the drawing and the components shown herein are not to scale and are made in simplicity with provision of only associated components related to the invention; in practical usage, the component may be more complexly structured and the number, size, shape and arrangement of each component can be varied accordingly.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram showing a first preferred embodiment of a heat sink fixing device of the present invention. The heat sink fixing device3comprises an enclosing frame socket30for disposing a heat generating unit of an electronic device (not shown) at its central area and allowing a heat sink4to be coupled to the enclosing frame socket30in such a way that the heat generating unit is covered. A first fixing part41is provided on the bottom of the heat sink4and a corresponding second fixing part301is provided on the frame socket30, allowing the heat sink4to be physically coupled to the frame socket30by means of coupling the first fixing part41of the heat sink4with the second fixing part301of the frame socket30, so as to minimize obstructed heat dissipating area of the heat sink4.

Two suspending arms302and two first fastening parts303are respectively formed on each opposing side of the enclosing frame socket30; one end of each suspending arm302is pivotally coupled to the frame socket30as well as linked to a fixing member31(described in more details below) while the other end of each suspending arm302has a second fastening part305opposite to the first fastening part303of the frame socket30, so as to fix the first fixing part41of the heat sink4to the second fixing part301of the frame socket30in place.

The second fastening part305is a hook pivotally mounted on the suspending arm302while the first fastening part303is a protruding pillar. An operating arm302is provided between the two suspending arms302for coupling the two second fastening parts305on the opposite sides of the frame socket30together, so as to allow the suspending arms302on the two sides of the frame socket30to function simultaneously.

FIGS. 4A to 4Cshow portions of the heat sink fixing device ofFIG. 3in more details, whereinFIG. 4Ais an partial exploding diagram showing one side of the frame socket30andFIGS. 4B and 4Care cross-sectional perspective views showing the fixing member31mounted on the frame socket30. It should be noted that in the exemplary preferred embodiments various parts are respectively provided on both sides of the heat sink fixing structure, but in order to avoid repeated illustrations,FIGS. 4A to 4Conly depict one side of the structure.

Referring toFIG. 4A, the first fixing part41of the heat sink4is a pillar having a slot410surrounding the circumference of the pillar while the corresponding second fixing part301of the frame socket30is an opening. The fixing member31has a third fixing part310overlapping the second fixing part301. The third fixing part310is constituted by a first opening3101and a second opening3102for receiving the first fixing part41. Elastic arciform sliding tracks33are formed respectively on the two opposing sides of the second opening3102, so that the tracks33can be slid into the slot410of the first fixing part41of the heat sink4.

Referring toFIG. 4Ain conjunction toFIGS. 4B and 4C, the frame socket30has plurality of guiding slots304. The fixing member31has sliding protrusions311and the number of which is the same as that of the guiding slots allowing the fixing member31to move along the guiding slots304within the frame socket30. A blocking part3110is coupled to each of the sliding protrusions311in order to fix the fixing member31on the frame socket30without coming off. One of the sliding protrusions311is pivotally coupled with a linkage element32between the blocking part3110and the frame socket30, so as to link the fixing member31with the suspending arm302.

The fixing member31is movable within the region defined between a first end3041and a second end3042of the guiding slots304. When the sliding protrusions311are at the first ends3041, as shown inFIG. 4B, the fixing member31overlaps the second fixing part301via the first opening3101, meanwhile the first fixing part41is positioned as penetrating through the second fixing part301and the first opening3101of the fixing member31. When the sliding protrusions311are moved to the second ends3042, as shown inFIG. 4C, the fixing member31overlaps the second fixing part301via the second opening3102, causing the elastic arciform sliding tracks33to slide into the sliding slot410of the first fixing part41penetrating through the second fixing part301, so that the first fixing part41can be tightly abutted, that is, the heat sink4can now be tightly fixed to the frame socket30.

The heat sink fixing device before and after the process of fastening are shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively.

Referring toFIG. 5A, the second fastening part305is unfastened with the first fastening part303, and the sliding protrusions311are located at the first ends3041. As mentioned above, at this time the first fixing part41of the heat sink4is positioned in the first opening3101of the fixing member31via the second fixing part301.

Pulling the suspending arm302down via the operating arm3051causes the linkage element32to be pushed, and in turn the sliding protrusions311to be pushed from the first end3041toward the second end3042. Originally, the fixing member31is coupled to the second fixing part301via its first opening3101, however through the action of pushing down the suspending arms and the movement of the sliding protrusions311towards the second end3042, the elastic arciform sliding track33slides into the slot410of the first fixing part41, such that the first fixing part41is firmly fixed in position.

Referring toFIG. 5B, when the sliding protrusion311moves to the second end3042and the second fastening part305is fastened with the first fastening part303, the arciform sliding track33exerts a significant amount of elastic force to the slot410so as to tightly clamp the heat sink in place. Therefore, the heat sink will not come off the frame socket easily unless being unfastened. The heat sink fixing device passes the dropping test. Moreover, substantially maximum surface area of the heat sink4is exposed to the air without being blocked by any objects, and as a result, heat dissipating efficiency is maximized.

In order to unfasten the heat sink fixing device, the operating arm3051is actuated on to release the second fastening part305from the first fastening part303. Upon releasing, the elastic force exerted by the arciform sliding track33is also released and as the arciform sliding track33is relatively smooth, the sliding protrusions311is easily moved to the first end3041of the guiding slot304experiencing less elastic force. This allows a user to easily flip the second fasting part305from the first fastening part303under this elastic force effect.

In summary, when the second fastening part305is released from the corresponding first fastening part303, the sliding protrusions311are at the first end3041of the guiding slot304and the first fixing part41is coupled to the first opening3101; when the second fastening part305is fastened to the corresponding first fastening part303, the sliding protrusions311are at the second end3041of the guiding slot304and the first fixing part41is coupled to the second opening3102to allow the arciform sliding track33to exert elastic force on the first fixing part41in the slot410.

In comparison with the prior art in which a fixing structure directly presses onto the heat sink, the heat sink fixing device proposed by the present invention has the fixing structure formed from an enclosing frame socket, providing a substantially maximum surface area of the heat sink to be exposed and in contact with the airflow so as to achieve the optimal heat dissipating efficiency.

Moreover, the heat sink fixing device of the invention eliminates the complicated steps with the use of tools in the prior art and requires only a simple action of pushing down the suspending arms via the operating arm of the heat sink fixing device to fix the heat sink in place, as well as preventing uneven force and damages of the electronic devices below.

Moreover, as the bottom surface of the heat sink has a pillar-like first fixing part, which is coupled to the opening-like second fixing part on the frame socket, the heat sink can be quickly and accurately mounted on the frame socket in the right orientation, so as to avoid misplacement.

In conclusion, the heat sink fixing device of the present invention solves the various conventional drawbacks, and has high value in the industry