Patent Publication Number: US-2023152046-A1

Title: Die-cast fin with opening and cover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/264,282, filed on Nov. 18, 2021, titled “Design Of The Mechanism To Achieve Memory Module Expandability In Telecom System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a die-cast fin, and more specifically, to a die-cast fin with an opening and a cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Telecommunication devices  100 , such as 5G equipment, base stations for cellular networks and servers, typically have compartments for holding various components such as a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA)  120 , a memory module  130 , an on-board chip  140 , and a thermal pad  150 , as shown in  FIGS.  1 B- 1 D . Since telecommunication devices are generally set up in the outdoor environment, the components are protected from adverse environmental conditions and unauthorized access by a die-cast fin  110  (heat sink, shown in  FIG.  1 A ) covering the compartments, as shown in  FIGS.  1 C and  1 D . Referring to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D , generally, the die-cast fin  110  that transfers heat directly from the source, such as the on-board chip  140 , is fixed to the compartments by fasteners such as screws  160  to enclose the components and protect them from external elements. In such configuration, the thermal pad  150  is placed between the on-board chip  140  and the die-cast fin  110  to cool down the heat generated from the on-board chip. When the die-cast fin  110  is uncoupled from the PCBA  120  and the compartments to replace the memory module  130  mounted on the PCBA, for example a Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), not only the DIMM, but also all other components including the thermal pad  150  are exposed. Other components on the PCBA may impede access to the DIMM  130  when the die-cast fin  110  is uncoupled from the PCBA  120 . For example, the thermal pad  150  may be adversely affected or damaged when the die-cast fin  110  is open to expand or replace the DIMM  130 , making expansion/replacement of DIMM difficult. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an improved die-cast fin that allows easy/direct access to DIMMs without affecting other components. The present disclosure is directed to such a die-cast fin that provides easy access to DIMMs for expansion, modification, or replacement of the same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The term embodiment and like terms, e.g., implementation, configuration, aspect, example, and option, are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this disclosure and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the present disclosure covered herein are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the disclosure and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. This summary is also not intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this disclosure, any or all drawings, and each claim. 
     According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a die-cast cooling device for protecting a computer assembly is disclosed. The die-cast cooling device includes a cooling plate, a plurality of die-cast fins, an opening formed on the cooling plate, and a cover coupled to the cooling plate. The cooling plate extends between two side walls, and the cooling plate and the side walls are arranged to form a protective space for computing components. The plurality of die-cast fins are formed on the cooling plate, extending away from the protective space. The opening provides access to the protective space. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position, the cover preventing access to the protective space in the closed position, and the cover providing access to the protective space in the open position. 
     In some examples, the cover is pivotably coupled to the cooling plate. In some exaples, the cover has parallel sides and a cover wall extends from each side of the cover such that the cover walls face each other. In some examples, a protrusion is formed outwardly from each cover wall, and the opening has corresponding receiving portions configured to receive the protrusions. The cover walls are inserted into the opening in the closed position such that the opening is sealed by the cover. A top surface of the cover is aligned with a top surface of the plurality of die-cast fins in the closed position. 
     In some examples, the die-cast cooling device further includes a fastener inserted through a through-hole of the cover. Further, the plurality of die-cast fins include a receiving portion, the fastener being received by the receiving portion to directly couple the cover to the cooling plate. A portion of the cover is recessed with respect to a top surface of the cover such that a top of the fastener is positioned lower than the top surface of the cover when the fastener is received at the receiving portion. Further, the receiving portion is recessed with respect to a top surface of the plurality of die-cast fins such that the top of the fastener is positioned lower than the top surface of the plurality of die-cast fins when the fastener is received at the receiving portion. The portion of the cover protrudes from an edge of the cover, and one side of the opening corresponding to the edge of the cover is recessed to receive the protruded portion of the cover. 
     In some examples, the plurality of die-cast fins and the cover are made of different materials. For example, the cover is made of a synthetic polymer including plastics. 
     According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a frame for enclosing computing components includes a plurality of fins arranged in parallel, an opening, and a cover movable between a closed position and an open position to close or open the opening. In some examples, the plurality of fins comprise fins of different lengths. In some examples, the frame further includes a fastener passing through a through-hole of the cover and received by a receiving portion of the frame such that the cover is directly coupled to the frame by the fastener. 
     According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a computing device includes a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) on which a plurality of computing components are mounted, a memory module mounted on the PCBA, and a die-cast fin covering the PCBA. The die-cast fin has a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover covers an opening in the closed position. The memory module is accessible when the cover is in the open position. 
     In some examples, the cover is pivotably coupled to the die-cast fin. The plurality of computing components are not exposed while the memory module is exposed when the cover is in the open position. In some examples, the cover includes protrusions. The opening has corresponding receiving portions configured to receive the protrusions. The cover is configured to pivot about an axis of the protrusions. 
     The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an example of some of the novel aspects and features set forth herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Additional aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure, and its advantages and drawings, will be better understood from the following description of representative embodiments together with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only representative embodiments, and are therefore not to be considered as limitations on the scope of the various embodiments or claims. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a front view of a prior art die-cast fin. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a front view of compartments of a device with the die-cast fin shown in  FIG.  1 A  removed. 
         FIG.  1 C  is a cross-sectional view taken generally across line A-A shown in  FIG.  1 B . 
         FIG.  1 D  is a generally perspective view of a device with a prior art die-cast fin. 
         FIG.  2    is a generally perspective view of a die-cast fin with an opening and a detached cover, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of the die-cast fin of  FIG.  2    showing a coupling mechanism between the die-cast fin and the cover, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  are generally perspective views of a die-cast fin in open and closed configurations, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  are generally perspective views of a device having a DIMM and a die-cast fin with a cover in open and closed configurations, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in further detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a die-cast fin with an opening and a cover. The cover can be easily open to allow easy access to components that lie underneath the die-cast fin. Thus, the die-cast fin does not need to be detached from a device when it is necessary to access the components of the device. 
     Various embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate aspects and features of the present disclosure. Numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of certain aspects and features of the present disclosure, although one having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that these aspects and features can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, with other relationships, or with other methods. In some instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail for illustrative purposes. The various embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are necessarily required to implement certain aspects and features of the present disclosure. 
     For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, and where appropriate, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to mean “at,” “near,” “nearly at,” “within 3-5% of,” “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances of,” or any logical combination thereof. Similarly, terms “vertical” or “horizontal” are intended to additionally include “within 3-5% of” a vertical or horizontal orientation, respectively. Additionally, words of direction, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “below” are intended to relate to the equivalent direction as depicted in a reference illustration; as understood contextually from the object(s) or element(s) being referenced, such as from a commonly used position for the object(s) or element(s); or as otherwise described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a die-cast fin or cooling device  210  (“die-cast fin” hereinafter), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, has an opening that can be closed or open by a cover  212 . In general, the die-cast fin  210  has a cooling plate and a plurality of fins formed on the cooling plate to form a protective space for computing components. In an embodiment, the cover  212  is coupled the cooling plate. In  FIG.  2   , the cover  212  is detached from the die-cast fin  210  for clarity. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the opening is formed at a portion of the die-cast fin  210 , such that lengths of some of the fins are shortened by the opening, compared to lengths of fins that are not interrupted by the opening. In one embodiment, shorter fins are formed at a first side of the opening of the die-cast fin  210 , the shorter fins extending perpendicular to the first side. In further embodiments, the longer fins are formed at or near a second side of the opening of the die-cast fin  210 , the second side being perpendicular to the first side and the longer fins extending along the second side. In further embodiments, no fins are formed at a third side of the opening of the die-cast fin  210  that is in parallel with the first side. In yet further embodiments, no fins or fewer fins are formed at a fourth side of the opening of the die-cast fin  210  that is in parallel with the second side compared to the number of the longer fins formed near the second side. 
     In one embodiment, the cover  212  coupled to the die-cast fin  210  is locked or unlocked by coupling means or a fastener, such as a pin or screw  214 , passing through a through-hole  216  of the cover  212  and inserted into a receiving portion  218  formed at a portion of the die-cast fin. The receiving portion  218  may be a receptacle or through-hole. Coupling of the cover  212  to the die-cast fin  210  will be discussed referring to  FIG.  3   . 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the through-hole  216  is formed at a portion protruding from a side of the cover  212 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 - 5 C . In one embodiment, the protruding portion is recessed with respect to the top surface of the cover  212 . In one embodiment, the recessed protruding portion of the cover  212  is surrounded by walls. In one embodiment, a gap is formed between one of the walls and the protruding portion of the cover  212  such that a portion of the die-cast fin  210  is visible through the gap when the cover  212  is closed. In one embodiment, the top of the pin or screw  214  inserted into the receiving portion  218  of the die-cast fin  210  is positioned lower than the top surface of the cover  212  in a closed configuration. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the die-cast fin  210  has a recessed portion at one side of the opening. The recessed portion of the die-cast fin  210  is sized and shaped to receive the recessed protruding portion of the cover  212 . According to one embodiment, fins formed between an edge and a first side of the recessed portion of the die-cast fin  210  are even shorter than the shorter fins such that the even shorter fins are located between a number of the shorter fins at one side thereof and a number of the shorter fins at another side thereof. See  FIGS.  2 - 5 C . 
     Generally, the die-cast fin  210  is made of zinc, aluminum, or zinc-aluminum alloy. However, the materials used to cast the fin  210  are not limited to zinc, aluminum, or zinc-aluminum alloy, and may be made of any materials that are suitable for die casting. Although the cover  212  may be made of the same material as the die-cast fin  210 , preferably, the cover is made of a different material that is weather/heat/water-resistant. For example, the cover  212  is made of polymers such as plastics that can be easily and inexpensively shaped into a desired shape. However, the material for the cover  212  is not limited to plastics, and the cover may be made of any materials that are easily and inexpensively formed into the shape of the cover. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover  212  has parallel walls that face each other, as shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  4 B,  5 A, and  5 C . Each wall extends vertically from a corresponding edge of the cover  212  such that the walls are perpendicular to the top surface of the cover. The walls of the cover  212  are inserted into the opening of the die-cast fin  210  when the cover is closed. In one embodiment, heights of the two parallel walls are the same. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 A- 5 C , the width of the opening of the die-cast fin  210  is sized such that no space or very little space is formed between the walls of the cover  212  and their corresponding sides of the opening of the die-cast fin when the cover is closed. Thus, sealing is achieved when the cover  212  is closed such that components underneath the die-cast fin  210  are protected from the outer environment. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover  212  has an additional wall extending vertically from another edge of the cover such that the additional wall is perpendicular to the two parallel walls. In one embodiment, the heights of the additional wall and the two parallel walls are the same. In another embodiment, the height of the additional wall is less than the heights of the two parallel walls. 
     Various coupling mechanisms may be employed to couple the cover  212  to the die-cast fin  210 . Referring to  FIG.  3   , for example, the cover  212  has protrusions  220  formed at two opposite sides thereof near an edge of the cover. However, the positions of the protrusions  220  are not limited thereto, and the protrusions may be formed at different positions of the cover  212 , for example, near the other edge or a middle portion of the cover. The die-cast fin  210  has receiving portions  222  formed near the opening or at inner walls of the opening and shaped to receive the protrusions  220 . Positions of the receiving portions  222  are determined according to the positions of the corresponding protrusions  220 . In one embodiment, the protrusions  220  of the cover  212  are inserted into the corresponding receiving portions  222  of the die-cast fin  210 . Various hinge mechanisms may be employed for coupling of the cover  212  and the die-cast fin  210  instead of the set of the protrusions  220  and the receiving portions  222  described above. Preferrably, the cover  212  is not completely detached from the die-cast fin  210  even when the cover is in the open configuration. For example, protrusions may be formed on the die-cast fin  210 . Further, receiving portions or through-holes receiving the protrusions may be formed at the cover  212 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the cover  212  is completely detached from the die-cast fin  210  when the cover is in the open configuration. For example, the cover  212  has at least one handle such that the cover can be open by pulling the handle away from the die-cast fin  210 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 A , when the cover  212  is in a closed position, the cover is directly coupled to the die-cast fin  210  or locked by a locking mechanism. In one embodiment, a through-hole  216  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) is formed at a portion of the cover  212 . Further, a pin or screw  214  passing through the through-hole  216  is received by a receiving portion  218  formed at a portion of the die-cast fin  210 . Alternatively, instead of employing the pin or screw  214 , a protrusion may be formed at a portion of the cover  212  without requiring the through-hole  216 . The protrusion may be directly inserted into the receiving portion  218  of the die-cast fin  210  when the cover  212  is in the closed configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 B , to open the cover  212 , the cover may be raised by being rotated about an axis of the protrusions  220  and receiving portions  222 . In case the cover  212  is locked by the pin or screw  214 , the pin or screw needs to be unscrewed from the receiving portion  218  before being raised, as shown in  FIG.  4 A . In one embodiment, once the cover  212  is unlocked, the pin or screw  214  may remain in the through-hole  216  of the cover even when the cover is raised and open, as shown in  FIG.  4 B . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 C , the cover  212  is closed by being rotated downward about the axis of the two protrusions  220  and their corresponding receiving portions  222 . Once the cover  212  is closed, it may be locked by inserting or rotating the pin or screw  214  to/in the receiving portion  218 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , in order to replace or expand a memory module  230  of a computing or telecommunication device  200 , the memory module  230  mounted on a PCBA can be accessed through the opening of the die-cast fin  210 . This can be achieved by opening the cover  212  without removing the entire die-cast fin  210  from the device  200 . Therefore, referring to  FIG.  5 B , the memory module  230  can be replaced or expanded without damaging other components of the computing or telecommunication device  200 . Referring to  FIG.  5 C , once the memory module  230  is replaced, modified, or expanded, the cover  212  is closed, thus avoiding the possibility of damaging other components when detaching the entire die-cast fin  210  from the computing or telecommunication device  200 . 
     While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed examples can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described examples. Rather, the scope of the disclosure should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 
     One or more elements or aspects or steps, or any portion(s) thereof, from one or more of any of claims below can be combined with one or more elements or aspects or steps, or any portion(s) thereof, from one or more of any of the other claims or combinations thereof, to form one or more additional implementations and/or claims of the present disclosure. 
     Although the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur or be known to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof, are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Furthermore, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.