Electronic device having thermal diffusion structure

Disclosed is an electronic device having a thermal diffusion structure and including a housing comprising a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a third surface vertical to the first surface and the second surface, a display exposed through at least part of the first surface, a battery arranged between the first surface and the second surface, a heating source arranged between the battery and the third surface in a direction vertical to the first surface and the second surface, and a first thermal diffusion member arranged vertically to the first surface and the second surface, the first thermal diffusion member including a first portion in thermal contact with at least part of the heating source and diffusing heat provided by the heating source to at least one second portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0010505, filed on Jan. 28, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to an electronic device, and more particularly, to an electronic device having a thermal diffusion structure.

2. Description of Related Art

Electronic devices, such as mobile terminals, smart phones, or wearable devices, can provide various functions including a basic voice communication function and other functions such as a short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth® (BT), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), near field communication (NFC), mobile communication (e.g., third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and fifth generation (5G) functions, music or video play, photographing, and a navigation functions.

Recent electronic devices can support high-speed data communication (e.g., millimeter wave communication). Such electronic devices can separately include an antenna module for high-speed data communication.

However, the conventional antenna module for high-speed data communication generates excess heat at operation.

In addition, the antenna module supporting high-speed communication can be mounted on a side surface of an electronic device, rendering it difficult to secure a space for applying a heat emission structure to the side surface of the electronic device, which tends to be minimal. For example, when the conventional heat emission structure is applied, a problem arises in having to change a design of the electronic device in order to secure an additional space for the heat emission structure.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method for decreasing the heat generated by the antenna module, as well as an improved structure for antenna heat emission.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a thermal diffusion structure (or heat emission structure) that minimizes a mounting space.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a heat emission structure that effectively diffuses and emits heat.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing including a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a third surface vertical to the first surface and the second surface, a display exposed through at least part of the first surface, a battery arranged between the first surface and the second surface, a heating source arranged between the battery and the third surface in a direction vertical to the first surface and the second surface, and a first thermal diffusion member arranged vertically to the first surface and the second surface, the first thermal diffusion member including a first portion in thermal contact with at least part of the heating source and diffusing heat provided by the heating source to at least one second portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing, a display exposed through at least part of a front surface of the housing, a battery arranged within the housing, an antenna module arranged vertically to the display between the battery and a side surface of the housing, and supporting communication at a frequency band of at least 20 gigahertz (GHz), a conductor plate thermally contacting at least part of an inner side surface of the antenna module at a first end of the conductor plate, and a heat pipe contacting the first end of the conductor plate at a first end of the heat pipe, and arranged vertically to the display.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing, a display exposed through at least part of a front surface of the housing, a battery arranged within the housing, an antenna module arranged vertically to the display between the battery and a side surface of the housing, and supporting communication at a frequency band of at least 20 GHz, and a heat pipe thermally contacting at least part of an inner side surface of the antenna module at a first portion of the heat pipe and arranged vertically to the display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference the accompanying drawings. In the disclosure, embodiments are described in the drawings and a related detailed description is set forth, but this is not intended to limit the embodiments of the disclosure. Descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device101in a network environment100according to an embodiment.

The memory130may store data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor120or the sensor module176) of the electronic device101, which data may include software (e.g., the program140) and input data or output data for a command related to the program140. The memory130may include the volatile memory132or the non-volatile memory134.

The program140may be stored in the memory130as software and may include an operating system (OS)142, middleware144, and/or an application146.

The input device150may receive a command or data to be used by other component (e.g., the processor120) of the electronic device101, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device101. The input device150may include a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The haptic module179may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. The haptic module179may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

The camera module180may capture a still image or moving images. The camera module180may include one or more lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The power management module188may manage power supplied to the electronic device101. The power management module188may be implemented as at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery189may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device101. The battery189may include a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a front surface of an electronic device according to an embodiment.FIG. 2Billustrates a rear surface of the electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the electronic device200(e.g., the electronic device101) of embodiments may arrange a display201(e.g., the display device160) in a front surface (i.e., a first surface)2001of a housing250. A receiver202for outputting a voice of a counterpart may be arranged above the display201. A microphone203for acquiring (or collecting) a voice of a user of the electronic device2000for the counterpart may be arranged below the display201.

The electronic device200may arrange components for performing various functions of the electronic device200, around a position where the receiver202is installed. The components may include at least one sensor module204. This sensor module204may include at least one of an illuminance sensor (e.g., an optical sensor), a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, and/or an ultrasonic sensor. The components may include a front camera205, and an indicator206(e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) for indicating state information of the electronic device200for a user.

The display201may be formed as a large screen wherein the display201occupies a majority of the front surface2001of the electronic device200. A home key210a, a menu key210b, and a rearward key210cmay be formed below the display201.

The electronic device200may arrange various electronic components at a lower side surface224. For example, a microphone203, a speaker hole208, an interface207, and an ear jack hole209may be arranged at the lower side surface224. However, an embodiment is not limited to this, and at least one of the above-described electronic components may be arranged at a left side surface221of the housing250, a right side surface222thereof, or an upper side surface223thereof as well.

The electronic device200may arrange at least one first side key211at the left side surface221. The at least one first side key211may be formed as a pair and may be arranged at the left side surface221wherein a portion of the first side key211protrudes, and may perform a volume up/down function, a scroll function, for example.

The electronic device200may arrange at least one second side key212at the right side surface222. The second side key212may perform a power on/off function, a wake-up and/or sleep function of the electronic device200, for example.

The electronic device200may arrange a rear camera213in the rear surface (i.e., a second surface)2002facing the front surface, and may arrange at least one electronic component214around the rear camera213. For example, the electronic component214may include at least one of an illuminance sensor (e.g., an optical sensor), a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a heart rate sensor, a flash device or a fingerprint scan sensor.

The electronic device200may arrange a heating source in at least one of the left side surface221and the right side surface222. The heating source may be an antenna module for high-speed communication of a frequency band of approximately 20 GHz or more (e.g., mm wave communication). The antenna module may be arranged between a battery (e.g., the battery189(not shown)) and a side surface (i.e., the right side surface or the left side surface) of the electronic device200, vertically (e.g., a Z-axis direction) to the front surface2001and the rear surface2002of the electronic device200.

The electronic device200may include a thermal diffusion member for diffusing heat provided by the heating source to outside the electronic device. A heat emission structure including the thermal diffusion member is described later with reference toFIG. 3AtoFIG. 5B. The description is made below assuming that the heating source is the antenna module, for description convenience's sake.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a heat emission structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment.FIG. 3Bis a cross section taken along line A-A′ ofFIG. 3A.FIG. 3Cillustrates a thermal diffusion member according to an embodiment.FIG. 3Dillustrates a path of diffusing heat provided by an antenna module according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3D, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101or the electronic device200) of an embodiment of the disclosure may include a display301, a bracket31, a side housing32, an antenna module310, a conductor plate320, a heat pipe330, thermal interfacing materials340, and a battery350.

The display301may be exposed through at least part of a front surface of the electronic device, and may be supported by the bracket31. At least part of the bracket31may be formed of metal. Part of the bracket31may be coupled or combined to the side housing32, which may be formed of an injection product (e.g., plastic).

The battery350may be arranged within the electronic device (e.g., between the front surface and rear surface of the electronic device). The antenna module310may be positioned between the battery350and the side housing32. The antenna module310may be arranged vertically to the front surface and rear surface of the electronic device.

The antenna module310may include at least one communication module311processing a high-speed wireless signal, a substrate313in which the at least one communication module311is mounted, and an antenna pattern312. The communication module311may be arranged in an inner side surface313aof the substrate313, and the antenna pattern312may be arranged in an outer side surface313bof the substrate313. The communication module311may further include a member for shielding an electromagnetic wave provided by a communication circuit, and an external interference signal. For example, a conductive shield can or a conductively coated injection member may surround at least part of the communication module311.

At least the communication module311of an inner side surface of the antenna module310may thermally contact the conductor plate320. For example, the inner side surface of the antenna module310and the conductor plate320may contact each other by thermal interfacing materials (TIMs)340(i.e., first thermal interfacing materials). The TIMs340may be a single layer or a multi-layer and may have a thermal conductivity. For example, the TIMs340may have a thermal conductivity of approximately 1 W/mk or more (e.g., approximately 4 W/mk). Also, the TIMs340may or may not have electrical conductivity. For example, when the TIMs340have the electrical conductivity, the TIMs340may shield electrical noise or an electro-magnetic interference (EMI). The TIMs340may also have excellent abrasion resistance or heat resistance and may include thermoplastic materials.

The TIMs340may include phase change materials (PCMs) that may change from a solid phase to a liquid phase by heat. The phase change materials of the liquid phase may have viscosity and may be compressive or non-compressive. The TIMs340may include materials having at least one physical property that is changed by heat. For example, the thermal interfacing materials may have a high viscosity by virtue of the heat.

The TIMs340may be molded in a scheme of surface-processing thermal conductive materials (e.g., silicon, silicone polymer, graphite, acrylic, etc.).

The conductor plate320may collect and diffuse heat provided from the antenna module310, and may be formed of high thermal conductivity materials, such as copper.

The conductor plate320may have a specific shape (e.g., a rectangular shape), and may contact an upper surface (e.g., the communication module311) of the antenna module310through the TIMs340. As illustrated inFIG. 3C, the conductor plate320may be adhered to the TIMs340near the center of the conductor plate320and be connected with the heat pipe330at both sides of the conductor plate320. This is merely an example, and the conductor plate320may be connected with the heat pipe330at only one side of the conductor plate320. The conductor plate320may contact the heat pipe330by means of second thermal interfacing materials or welding.

The heat pipe330may be a thermal interfacing member capable of transferring a large amount of heat to a relatively low-temperature region by using a fluid of a high specific heat. For example, the heat pipe330may control transferring heat provided from the antenna module310to the relatively low-temperature region, diffusing a heat transfer path to a region around the heat pipe330, and dispersing the heat to a region away from the region around the heat pipe330. This heat pipe330has a known construction, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The heat pipe330may be a heat transfer path, a heat transfer diffusion path, or a heat dispersion path. The heat pipe330may be constructed in various shapes, may have one end in contact with the conductor plate320, and may have an opposing end arranged in a low-temperature region. The heat pipe330may be constructed in a shape of a flat section so as to maximize an adhesive surface of the conductor plate320.

As illustrated inFIG. 3D, heat provided by the communication module311mounted in the substrate313may be transferred to the conductor plate320via the thermal interfacing materials340, and be moved and/or diffused into a low-temperature region via the heat pipe330connected with the conductor plate320.

The thermal diffusion member (e.g., the conductor plate320and the heat pipe330) may contact the bracket31of metal materials. Through this, the heat provided by the antenna module310may be diffused via the bracket31of metal materials.

As the antenna module310, the conductor plate320, and the heat pipe330are arranged in a vertical direction not a horizontal direction with respect to the front surface and rear surface of the electronic device200, the above-described embodiment may minimize a transverse (e.g., X axis) size of a mounting space for mounting a heat emission structure. In turn, the electronic device200may secure a mounting space (e.g., transverse length) of the battery350, and/or may prevent an increase of a transverse size of the electronic device200.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a heat emission structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment.FIG. 4Bis a cross section taken along line B-B′ ofFIG. 4A.FIG. 4Cillustrates a thermal diffusion member according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 4AtoFIG. 4C, the electronic device may include a display401, a bracket41, a side housing42, an antenna module410, a heat pipe420, thermal interfacing materials440, and a battery450. The display401, the bracket41, the side housing42, the antenna module410including a communication module411, an antenna pattern412and a substrate413, the thermal interfacing materials440, and the battery450ofFIG. 4AtoFIG. 4Care similar to the display301, the bracket31, the side housing32, the antenna module310, the thermal interfacing materials340, and the battery350ofFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3D. Thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The heat pipe420may include a first portion421and at least one second portion422. The first portion421thermally contacts the antenna module410through the thermal interfacing materials440. The at least one second portion422has a height difference with the first portion421and is extended in parallel with the first portion421. The first portion421may have a thinner thickness (e.g., a length of a horizontal direction) than the second portion422, which minimizes a mounting space of a transverse direction (e.g., an X-axis direction ofFIG. 2A). The thickness of the second portion422may be similar with the thickness of the antenna module410.

The first portion421may not have a structure (e.g., wick structure) for thermal diffusion or may have a smaller structure than the second portion422. The first portion421may have a specific strength enabling it to support the antenna module410.

A part (e.g., the first portion421) of the heat pipe420may have a role/function of the conductor plate320ofFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3D.

In the above-described heat emission structure, heat provided by the communication module411may be transferred to the first portion421of the heat pipe420through the heat interfacing materials440, and the heat transferred to the first portion421may be moved and/or diffused to a low-temperature region through the second portion422of the heat pipe420.

FIG. 5Aillustrates a heat emission structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment.FIG. 5Billustrates a thermal diffusion member according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101or the electronic device200) of an embodiment of the disclosure may include a display501, a bracket51, a side housing52, an antenna module510, a conductor plate520, a heat pipe530, thermal interfacing materials540, and a battery550. The display501, the bracket51, the side housing52, the antenna module510including a communication module511, an antenna pattern512and a substrate513, the heat pipe530, the thermal interfacing materials540, and the battery550ofFIG. 5AandFIG. 5Bare similar with the display301, the bracket31, the side housing32, the antenna module310, the heat pipe330, the thermal interfacing materials340, and the battery350of above-describedFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3Dand thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The conductor plate520may have a ‘┐’ shape and may include a contact surface522and a support surface521. The contact surface522contacts the communication module511of the antenna module510through the thermal interfacing materials540. The support surface521is extended vertically to the contact surface522and supports the contact surface522. For example, the support surface521may be coupled to the bracket51, thereby more stably supporting the antenna module510.

The support surface521may be positioned at a lower end of the display501, and may contact another thermal diffusion member (e.g., a vapor chamber) diffusing heat of the display501.

In the above-described heat emission structure, heat provided by the communication module511may be transferred to the contact surface522of the conductor plate520via the thermal interfacing materials540, and may be moved/diffused to a low-temperature region via the heat pipe530connected to the contact surface522. The heat transferred to the contact surface522may be moved/diffused to the low-temperature region, by means of the bracket51connected with the support surface521, and/or another thermal diffusion member.

FIG. 6illustrates a result of measuring heat emission of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 6, when the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101or the electronic device200) of various embodiments of the disclosure does not have the heat emission structure, as illustrated in reference numeral610, a region601where an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module310, the antenna module410, or the antenna module510) is positioned may have a relatively higher temperature (e.g., 39.5 degrees) than the surroundings since the antenna module consumes high current during high-speed communication, and the consumed current is converted into heat.

In the electronic device applying the heat emission structure of the present disclosure, as illustrated in reference numeral620, a region601where the antenna module is positioned may have a similar temperature (e.g., 36.7 degrees) with the surroundings, since heat provided by the antenna module has been diffused to the surroundings by the heat emission structure.

An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101), the electronic device (200)) as described above includes a housing including a first surface (e.g., the front surface (2001)), a second surface (e.g., the rear surface (2002)) facing the first surface, and a third surface (e.g., the left side surface (221), the right side surface (222), the upper side surface (223), the lower side surface (224)) vertical to the first surface and the second surface; a display (e.g., the display device (160), the display (201), the display (301), the display (401), the display (501)) exposed through at least part of the first surface; a battery (e.g., the battery (189), the battery (350), the battery (450), the battery (550)) arranged between the first surface and the second surface, a heating source arranged between the battery and the third surface in a direction vertical to the first surface and the second surface, and a thermal diffusion member arranged vertically to the first surface and the second surface, and having one portion being thermally contacted with at least part of the heating source and diffusing heat provided by the heating source to other portion.

The heating source may comprise an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (310), the antenna module (410), the antenna module (510)) configured to communicate at a frequency band of 20 GHz or more.

The antenna module may comprise: a substrate (e.g., the substrate (313), the substrate (413), the substrate (513)) arranged in a vertical direction; a communication module (e.g., the communication module (311), the communication module (411), the communication module (511)) mounted in an inner side surface of the substrate, and an antenna pattern (e.g., the antenna pattern (312), the antenna pattern (412), the antenna pattern (512)) mounted in an outer side surface of the substrate.

The thermal diffusion member may include a conductor plate (e.g., the conductor plate (320), the conductor plate (520)) collecting heat of the heating source, thermal interfacing materials (e.g., the first thermal interfacing materials (340), the thermal interfacing materials (540)) arranged between the conductor plate and the heating source, and at least one heat pipe (e.g., the heat pipe (330), the heat pipe (530)) contacting or welded to the conductor plate.

The conductor plate may include a contact surface (e.g., the contact surface (522)) contacting the heating source, and a support surface (e.g., the support surface (521)) extended vertically to the contact surface and supporting the contact surface.

The support surface may contact another thermal diffusion member diffusing heat provided by the display.

The thermal diffusion member may include a heat pipe (e.g., the heat pipe (420)) and thermal interfacing materials (e.g., the thermal interfacing materials (440)) arranged between the heat pipe and the heating source. The heat pipe may include a first portion (e.g., the first portion (421)) thermally contacting with the heating source through the thermal interfacing materials, and at least one second portion (e.g., the second portion (422)) having a height difference with the first portion, and extended in parallel with the first portion.

A horizontal length (e.g., thickness) of the first portion may be less (e.g., thinner) than a horizontal length of the second portion.

The electronic device may further comprise a metal bracket (e.g., the bracket (31), the bracket (41), the bracket (51)) supporting the display.

The thermal diffusion member may contact the metal bracket.

An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101), the electronic device (200)) as described above includes a housing, a display (e.g., the display device (160), the display (201), the display (301), the display (401), the display (501)) exposed through at least part of a front surface of the housing, a battery (e.g., the battery (189), the battery (350), the battery (450), the battery (550)) arranged within the housing, an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (310), the antenna module (410), the antenna module (510)) arranged vertically to the display between the battery and a side surface of the housing, and supporting communication at a frequency band of 20 GHz or more; a conductor plate (e.g., the conductor plate (320), the conductor plate (520)) thermally contacting at its one end with at least part of an inner side surface of the antenna module, and a heat pipe (e.g., the heat pipe (330), the heat pipe (530)) contacting at its one end with the conductor plate, and arranged vertically to the display.

The antenna module may include a substrate (e.g., the substrate (313), the substrate (413) arranged in a vertical direction, a communication module (e.g., the communication module (311), the communication module (411), the communication module (511)) mounted in an inner side surface of the substrate, and an antenna pattern (e.g., the antenna pattern (312), the antenna pattern (412), the antenna pattern (512)) mounted in an outer side surface of the substrate.

The electronic device may further include first thermal interfacing materials (e.g., the thermal interfacing materials (340), the thermal interfacing materials (540)) arranged between the communication module and the conductor plate, and second thermal interfacing materials arranged between the conductor plate and the heat pipe.

The conductor plate may comprise: a contact surface (e.g., the contact surface (522)) contacting the antenna module, and a support surface (e.g., the support surface (521)) extended vertically to the contact surface and supporting the contact surface.

The support surface may contact another thermal diffusion member diffusing heat provided by the display.

The electronic device may further include a bracket (e.g., the bracket (31), the bracket (41), the bracket (51)) of metal materials supporting the display.

The heat pipe may contact at its one portion with the bracket of metal materials.

An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101), the electronic device (200)) as described above includes a housing; a display (e.g., the display device (160), the display (201), the display (301), the display (401), the display (501)) exposed through at least part of a front surface of the housing, a battery (e.g., the battery (189), the battery (350), the battery (450), the battery (550)) arranged within the housing, an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (310), the antenna module (410), the antenna module (510)) arranged vertically to the display between the battery and a side surface of the housing, and supporting communication at a frequency band of 20 GHz or more, and a heat pipe (e.g., the heat pipe (420)) thermally contacting at one portion with at least part of an inner side surface of the antenna module, and arranged vertically to the display.

The heat pipe may include a first portion (e.g., the first portion (421)) thermally contacting with the antenna module through the thermal interfacing materials, and at least one second portion (e.g., the second portion (422)) having a height difference with the first portion, and extended in parallel with the first portion.

A horizontal length of the first portion may be less than a horizontal length of the second portion.

By minimizing a mounting space of a heat emission component, the electronic device of the present disclosure cures a limit in structure change, battery size decrease, and terminal size increase of the electronic device. Also, the present disclosure may effectively diffuse heat provided by the antenna module and thus, may provide stable high-speed data communication. For example, embodiments of the disclosure may decrease a frequency in which, due to a high temperature, high-speed data communication is limited by a communication module or an AP.