Abstract:
A portable heat dissipation device is provided for operation with various devices of different purposes for heat dissipation therefrom and includes an enclosure and an air flow generation device. The air flow generation device is set in a given chamber inside the enclosure to effect flowing of air, causing air to enter through an inlet opening defined in a top of the enclosure and forcing the air flowing out through an outlet opening defined in a front wall of the enclosure. The portable heat dissipation device, when applied to remove heat, provides high performance of heat dissipation and effectively extended time interval of operation to thereby extend the lifespan of the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12/289,103 filed on Oct. 21, 2008, entitled “Portable Heat Dissipation Device with Cross Flow Fan”, currently pending. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a portable heat dissipation device, and in particular to a heat dissipation device that supports heat dissipation operations for various devices of different purposes, whereby the use of the portable heat dissipation device ensures high performance of heat removal and effectively extended time interval of operation and extended lifespan. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    With the increasing development of technology and science, the performance of electronic devices has greatly improved, such as the remarkable increase of the operation speed of a central processing unit (CPU) or the development of multiple CPU based operation configuration. Consequently, the amount of data processed and the speed of processing data are both increased remarkably. However, the overall configuration is set in a trend of being light-weighted and compact and this often leads to poor heat dissipation of the electronic device, making it difficult for the electronic device to run for a very long while. In addition, it is very likely that dust covers on an existing heat dissipation device built in the electronic device, which may deteriorate the dissipation of heat, eventually making the electronic device failing to properly function. 
         [0004]    A heat dissipation device that works with a notebook computer, an electronic game machine, or other electronic devices often adopts an axial flow fan, which is positioned in front of or under a target component from which heat is to be removed. To increase the air flow rate, the size of the fan must be correspondingly increased or additional fans have to be provided. However, increasing the fan size means a corresponding increase of the footprint of the heat dissipation device, making it inconvenient to carry or use. Increasing the number of fans may cause increased noise level generated by the fans and also induces excessive vibration that affect the comfortableness of using the electronic device. 
         [0005]    Apparently, the conventional heat dissipation device is subjected to the limitation in size and/or quantity of the fans, leading to excessively large footprint of the heat dissipation device that makes carrying difficult and/or raised levels of noise and vibration. Thus, there is a need to improve the conventional heat dissipation device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An objective of the present invention is to provide a portable heat dissipation device featuring high performance of heat removal, extended time interval of operation, and extended lifespan. 
         [0007]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable heat dissipation device that effectively lowers the levels of noises and vibration generated. 
         [0008]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a portable heat dissipation device that enhances the comfortableness of using the device. 
         [0009]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a portable heat dissipation device that is easy to carry and that occupies a less amount of space. 
         [0010]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a portable heat dissipation device that receives multiple options of power supply. 
         [0011]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a portable heat dissipation device that features adjustable wind power and adjustable flow rate of air discharged therefrom. 
         [0012]    Yet a further objective of the present invention is to provide a portable heat dissipation device with a direction-exchangeable air flow generation module which may be at a first assembly position adapted to be mounted into a concave accommodating dock of the enclosure, so as to generate a first directional air flow. Alternatively, the direction-exchangeable air flow generation device may be at a second assembly position selectively adapted to be mounted into the concave accommodating dock of the enclosure, so as to generate a second directional air flow. 
         [0013]    To realize the above objectives, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a portable heat dissipation device comprises an air flow generation device, an enclosure, and movable support arms, wherein the air flow generation devices comprises a cross flow fan that is rotatable to induce air flow and a driving source that drives the cross flow fan. 
         [0014]    The enclosure comprises a lower container that defines therein a receiving space for receiving and retaining inside parts/components and including a middle chamber that receives and retains the cross flow fan and other chambers for accommodating a battery and the driving source that drives the cross flow fan. The driving source is further connected to an external power inlet socket, whereby supply of power is optionally the built-in battery or an external power source. The lower container further defines an inlet opening and outlet opening in perpendicular walls of a top cover and the lower container at locations close to the cross flow fan for providing passages for the air flow. 
         [0015]    Further, the lower container comprises collapsible movable support arms that are provided at the same wall as the outlet opening and the movable support arms are provided with damper pads at locations where a device from which heat is to be removed is set. 
         [0016]    In a preferred embodiment, the air flow generation device is connected to a multiple-position switch for adjustably setting wind power of the air flow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a portable heat dissipation device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the portable heat dissipation device of the present invention with movable support arms of the heat dissipation device being extended; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an application of the portable heat dissipation device of the present invention to realize heat dissipation of a notebook computer; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  to illustrating the operation of heat dissipation of the notebook computer; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the portable heat dissipation device of the present invention with movable support arms of the heat dissipation device being extended in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view showing a direction-exchangeable air flow generation module at a first assembly position is separated from an enclosure of the portable heat dissipation device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view showing a direction-exchangeable air flow generation module at a second assembly position is separated from an enclosure of the portable heat dissipation device; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view showing an air guiding plate is vertically mounted to a slot of an assembly frame of a direction-exchangeable air flow generation module; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view showing an air guiding plate is vertically mounted to the other slot of an assembly frame of a direction-exchangeable air flow generation module; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view showing a direction-exchangeable air flow generation module slides into a concave accommodating dock of an enclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view showing a device supporting plate is mounted to one side of an enclosure by sliding a pair of collapsible movable support arms to corresponding slots formed on side wall of the device supporting plate; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of heat dissipation of the notebook computer when a cross flow fan is rotated forwardly; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of heat dissipation of the notebook computer when a cross flow fan is rotated backwardly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    With reference to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portable heat dissipation device constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an enclosure  1  that is configured for easy carrying and use. The enclosure  1  is comprised of a lower container  10  and a top cover  11 . The enclosure  1  forms therein a receiving space  101  that is comprised of a plurality of chambers for respectively receiving and retaining inside parts/components/devices of the portable heat dissipation device, which include an air flow generation device that is set in a particular chamber. The air flow generation device comprises a cross flow fan  12  and a driving source  13 . As shown, the cross flow fan  12  is set in a middle chamber of the lower container  10 . The driving source  13  is coupled to a left-side end of the cross flow fan  12  and is positioned leftward of the cross flow fan  12  and fit in a complementary shaped recess defined in an internal wall of the lower container  10  for securely retained. 
         [0032]    The cross flow fan  12  comprises a shaft  121  and a plurality of blades  122  that extends in an axial direction I of the shaft  121  and is fixed to a circumference of the shaft  121 . The driving source  13  is coupled to the shaft  121  of the cross flow fan  12  for rotating the blades  122 , whereby the cross flow fan  12  draws in air from inlet openings  14  and discharges the air through outlet openings  15  to form air flows that travels in a direction substantially normal to the axial direction I toward a target electronic device  24  (for example a notebook computer). 
         [0033]    The portable heat dissipation device of the present invention further comprises a vibration-resistant noise-isolation material  16 , such as cotton or similar materials, which is positioned in the chamber in a left-hand side portion of the lower container  10  for receiving the driving source  13 , for wrapping around the driving source  13 . Since noise is always generated when the heat dissipation device is turned on, arranging the vibration-resistant noise-isolation material  16  in the chamber for receiving the driving source  13  effectively reduces the levels of noise and vibration due to the driving source  13  being wrapped around by the vibration-resistant noise-isolation material  16 . 
         [0034]    Further, the driving source  13  is connected to a multiple-position switch  17 , an external power inlet port  18 , and a built-in battery set  19 . The multiple-position switch  17  provides multiple-position switching operation to selectively set the rotational speed of the cross flow fan  12  for adjusting the air flow speed and the wind power provided thereby. Further, since the external power inlet port  18  and the built-in battery set  19  are provided, an operator manipulating the device is provided with multiple choices of supply of power, so that besides the built-in battery set, an external power supply may also be selectively applied through for example a regular power socket or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector. 
         [0035]    Once these constituent parts/components are properly set in the lower container  10 , the top cover  11  are closed to seal the lower container  10  so as to form a sealed internal space with only air passages defined in a front side wall of the lower container  10  and a top wall of the top cover  11  to correspond in position to the cross flow fan  12  for air to flow therethrough, and grating members are fit in the passages to define rows of slim openings. In the embodiment illustrated, the air passages formed in the top cover  11  define the inlet openings  14 , while the air passages formed in the lower container define the outlet openings  15 . Opposite sides of each outlet opening  15  are configured as being curve and outward divergent to help guiding the air flows. The above described air passages allow air to enter in a substantially vertical direction and to leave in a substantially horizontal direction to effect operations of heat dissipation for various electronic devices. 
         [0036]    In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the lower container  10  forms in the wall in which the inlet openings  14  are defined two recessed chambers that are respectively located at left and right hand side portions of a bottom portion of the wall to receive and support two movable support arms  20  that are rotatable on a horizontal plane. The movable support arms  20  are rotatable about rotation axes that are respectively defined by pivots  21 . The pivots  21  are located on the outer sides of the recessed chambers and are respectively joined to pivoting sections  22  of the movable support arms  20 . To set the movable support arms  20  in an operation condition, forces are applied thereto to extend the movable support arms  20 ; and in a non-use condition, to facilitate storage, the movable support arms  20  are rotated inward to fit into the recessed chambers for collapsing to store, which eliminates the inconveniences of carrying due to outward extending, whereby space saving and easy carrying can be realized. 
         [0037]    When an electronic device from which heat is to be dissipated is set on the extended movable support arms  20 , to enhance the stability of positioning of the electronic device, as shown in the drawings, each movable support arm  20  has an upper surface that is inclined, whereby one end of the electronic device that is positioned thereon can be set in tight engagement with the movable support arm  20  while an opposite end of the electronic device can be set on for example a desk top or the ground, making it difficult for the electronic device to undesirably shake. The inclined surface of the movable support arm  20  may be further provided with a damper pad  23  to increase the frictional force thereof with the electronic device, making it difficult for the electronic device to slide. The movable support arms  20  are two slender parts in the present invention and thus, the contact surface area thereof with the electronic device is relatively small as compared to the known techniques, with remaining area of the electronic device being exposed to the atmosphere so as to cause no interference with the design of the electronic device that draw in air flow from the underside thereof and also to increase the contact area of the electronic device with the surrounding air to effect high performance of heat dissipation. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to practice the present invention, for example, a notebook computer  24  is positioned on the movable support arms  20  whereby a keypad  26  of the notebook computer is set in slight inclination with an end of the notebook computer engaging the desk top and an opposite end tightly engaging the damper pads  23  of the movable support arms  20  to securely hold the notebook computer in position. Thus, when a user operates the keypad  26 , the notebook computer  24  is set in an angular position that is comfortable for operation, making it easy for the user operating the keypad  26  without feeling tired. 
         [0039]    Further, since the inlet openings  14  and the outlet openings  15  are set in the surfaces of the top cover  11  and the lower container  10  that are perpendicular to each other, the air flows that enter the inlet openings  14  may effect heat dissipation for a display  25  of the notebook computer first and after the air flows are subjected to direction change by the cross flow fan  12 , the air flows that are discharged through the outlet openings  15  may sufficiently contact the underside of the keypad due to the raised condition of the notebook computer provided by the inclination of the movable support arms  20  to effectively carry out heat dissipation. Since the keypad  26  is set on the desk top at the end thereof that is close to the user, the air flows from the outlet openings  15  are forced to spread outward through opposite lateral sides of the keypad  26 . 
         [0040]    With reference to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 5 and 9 , a portable heat dissipation device constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the enclosure defines at least one first air flowing opening  14   a  and at least one second air flowing opening  15   a . A concave accommodating dock  102  is formed in the receiving space  101  of the enclosure  1 . The concave accommodating dock  102  is provided with a first section  102   a  and a second section  102   b  correspondingly opposite to the first section  102   a.    
         [0041]    A pair of first conductive elements  103   a ,  103   b  are spaced each other and arranged at the first section  102   a . A pair of second conductive elements  104   a ,  104   b  are spaced each other and arranged at the second section  102   b.    
         [0042]    A direction-exchangeable air flow generation module  3  comprising an assembly frame  31  having a first end plate  32  and a second end plate  33  correspondingly opposite to the first end plate  31 . A pair of conductive terminals  32   a ,  32   b  spaced each other and arranged at the first end plate  32 . 
         [0043]    A cross flow fan  34  has a shaft  341  supported between the first end plate  32  and the second end plate  33  of the assembly frame  31  and a plurality of blades  342  extending in an axial direction of the shaft  341  and fixed to a circumference of the shaft  341 . A driving source  35  is mounted on the assembly frame  31  and coupled to the shaft  341  of the cross flow fan  34  for rotating the blades  342 . 
         [0044]    At least one screw  36  serving as a fixing mechanism is used to fix the direction-exchangeable air flow generation module  3  in the concave accommodating dock  102  of the enclosure  1  via a through hole formed on the tab  38 . 
         [0045]    The assembly frame  31  of the direction-exchangeable air flow generation module  3  is provided with at least one vibration-resistant member  39  on the first end plate  32  and the second end plate  33  to prevent the vibration generated by the direction-exchangeable air flow generation module  3  from transferring to the enclosure  1 . 
         [0046]    The assembly frame  31  of the direction-exchangeable air flow generation device  3  may be mounted into the concave accommodating dock  102  of the enclosure  1  at a first assembly position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , so that the conductive terminals  32   a ,  32   b  on the assembly frame  31  electrically contact the first conductive elements  103   a ,  103   b  respectively. When the assembly frame  31  is at the first assembly position, the first air flowing opening  14   a  serves as an inlet opening and the second air flowing opening  15   a  serves as an outlet opening. In alternative, the assembly frame  31  of the direction-exchangeable air flow generation device  3  may be mounted into the concave accommodating dock  102  of the enclosure  1  at a second assembly position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , so that the conductive terminals  32   a ,  32   b  on the assembly frame  31  electrically contact the second conductive elements  104   a ,  104   b  respectively. When the assembly frame  31  is at the second assembly position, the first air flowing opening  14   a  serves as an outlet opening and the second air flowing opening  15   a  serves as an inlet opening. 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , the direction-exchangeable air flow generation module  3  may comprise an air guiding plate  37  which may be vertically mounted to the assembly frame  31  between the first end plate  32  and the second end plate  33  by means of slots  371 . The air guiding plate  37  is parallel to the axial direction of the shaft  341  and adjacent to the cross flow fan  34  with a suitable distance. The air guiding plate  37  is used to guide the air flow generated by the cross flow fan  34 . The air guiding plate  37  may be removed from the slots  371  and alternatively mounted to the assembly frame  31  between the first end plate  32  and the second end plate  33  by means of another slots  372 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the fixing mechanism described above may be replaced by a known slid mechanism to mounting the direction-exchangeable air flow generation module  3  into the concave accommodating dock  102  of the enclosure  1  by means of slid operation. The slid mechanism may comprise a pair of extended slots  42   a ,  42   b  formed on the concave accommodating dock  102  of the enclosure  1 , and a pair of guiding rails  41   a ,  41   b  formed on the first end plate  32  and the second end plate  33 . 
         [0049]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , a device supporting plate  5  may be mounted to one side of the enclosure  1  by sliding the collapsible movable support arms  20  to corresponding slots  52  formed on side wall of the device supporting plate  5 . Preferably, the device supporting plate  5  is provided with an inclined top plate  53  with a plurality of through holes  51  arranged on the inclined top plate  53 , so that a target electronic device  24  (for example a notebook computer) may be supported on the inclined top plate  53 , and then the device supporting plate  5  may be further placed on a user&#39;s legs for use. 
         [0050]    An air flow is generated from the first air flowing opening  14   a  to the second air flowing opening  15   a  when the cross flow fan  12  is rotated forwardly, as shown in  FIG. 12 . On contrary, an air flow is generated from the second air flowing opening  15   a  to the first air flowing opening  14   a  when the cross flow fan  12  is rotated backwardly, as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0051]    The present invention provides portable heat dissipation device that can be powered by a built-in battery set or an external power supply to realize high performance of heat dissipation with extended operation time period and is effective in removing heat from various electronic devices. 
         [0052]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.