Patent Publication Number: US-6657945-B2

Title: Data storage disc drive apparatus with integral forced air cooling capability

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of 09/128,298 filed Aug. 3, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,856 which is continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/775,283 filed on Dec. 31, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,740 and entitled “CD ROM DRIVE APPARATUS WITH INTEGRAL FORCED AIR COOLING CAPABILITY”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to electronic apparatus and, in a preferred embodiment thereof, more particularly relates to the removal of operating heat from the interior of an electronic device such as a computer. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Various electronic components used in computers, such as microprocessors, generate heat during their normal operation. If not removed from the heat-generating component, the heat raises the device temperature to a level that degrades the reliability and service life of the device, and may also adversely affect nearby components as well. This problem has become more acute in recent years due to the increasing power and speed of microprocessors, and other electronic components, accompanied by correspondingly greater heat generation. 
     One proposed heat dissipation solution has been to place one or more cooling fans in the computer housing and use the fan(s) to create a flow of cooling air through the housing which receives at least a portion of the component operating heat and discharges it to ambient air surrounding the computer housing. The placement of one or more cooling fans in a computer housing, however, often undesirably takes up space therein which may already be at a premium for desirable computer equipment such as CD ROM drives, multiple floppy drives, larger hard drives and the like in the housing. 
     An even more pressing design problem in highly compact computers, such as notebook and subnotebook computers, is that there may simply not be room for a separate cooling fan to remove component operating heat, and the designer must rely on radiation and natural convection from the exterior surface of the computer housing to remove such heat. This approach is limited, of course, by two factors—(1) the maximum exterior surface area of the computer housing available for such radiant and convective operating heat dissipation, and (2) the maximum temperature to which the exterior housing surface can be permitted to rise during computer operation before the housing, to the user of the computer, becomes objectionably hot to the touch. 
     As can readily be seen from the foregoing, a need exists, representatively in conjunction with a computer housing, for at least an auxiliary source of forced air cooling which does not occupy substantial housing space beyond that occupied by the various computer components therein. It is to this need that the present invention is directed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In carrying out principles of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, a specially designed data-carrying member drive structure is disposed in a housing portion of an electronic device, representatively the CPU housing portion of a notebook computer. According to a key aspect of the invention, the data-carrying member drive structure is operative, during its rotation of an associated data-carrying member, representatively a data storage disc member such as a compact disc or a digital video disc (DVD), to create a cooling flow of air within the housing portion without requiring appreciable additional interior housing space for a separate cooling fan. 
     From a broad perspective, the drive structure includes a carrying structure for supporting the data storage disc; a drive mechanism for rotating the carrying structure, and its supported data storage disc, about a rotational axis; and blade members disposed on the carrying structure and operative to create the cooling flow of air in response to rotation of the carrying structure. The data storage disc drive structure of the present invention is accordingly provided, in a compact space-saving manner, with integral forced air cooling capability. 
     In two representative embodiments of the drive structure the cooling flow of air created thereby is directed generally parallel to the drive&#39;s rotational axis, and in a third representative embodiment of the drive structure the cooling flow of air created thereby is directed generally transversely to such rotational axis. 
     In the first representative axial air flow embodiment of the drive structure, the carrying structure is generally disc-shaped and has a central circular portion for supporting the data storage disc, and an annular peripheral portion positioned to outwardly circumscribe the supported data storage disc. The blade members are carried on the annular peripheral portion and are operative to force the cooling flow of air generally axially through the annular peripheral portion in response to driven rotation of the carrying structure. 
     The carrying structure in the second axial air flow embodiment of the data storage disc drive structure includes a hollow cylindrical hub portion coaxially receivable in the central opening in the data storage disc and having open opposite ends. The blade members are carried within the hollow hub portion and are operative to force the cooling flow of air axially therethrough, from one of the open hub ends to the opposite open end thereof, in response to driven rotation of the carrying structure. 
     In the third representative embodiment of the data storage disc drive structure, the carrying structure includes a generally disc-shaped carrying member having a side upon which the data storage disc may be coaxially supported for driven rotation therewith, and a periphery circumscribing the rotational axis. The blade members are mounted on the carrying structure periphery, and the drive structure further comprises a stationary guide structure outwardly circumscribing the periphery of the carrying member. 
     The guide structure has an air inlet passage extending generally radially into the carrying member periphery, and an air outlet passage circumferentially spaced apart from the air inlet passage around the carrying member periphery and extending generally radially outwardly therefrom. The blade members are operative to sequentially draw air into the air inlet passage and then force the air outwardly through the air outlet passage in response to driven rotation of the carrying member about the drive&#39;s rotational axis. 
     As will be appreciated by those of skill in this particular art, principles of this invention, in addition to being useable in conjunction with compact discs and digital video discs, could also be advantageously utilized in conjunction with the operative rotation of other types of data-carrying members, such as the disc portions of floppy and hard drives, by engaging the data-carrying member with a rotating drive structure, and using a portion of the rotating drive structure to interact with adjacent air and create a cooling air flow therefrom. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a representative notebook computer in which a specially designed data storage disc drive structure, having integral forced air cooling capability and embodying principles of the present invention, is operatively disposed; 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic perspective view of a portion of the data storage disc drive structure; 
     FIG. 2A is a simplified schematic perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the disc-carrying portion of the drive structure; 
     FIG. 2B is a simplified schematic perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the disc-carrying portion of the drive structure; and 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale perspective view of a portion of the disc-carrying member shown in FIG.  2 B. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrated in a simplified, somewhat schematic form in FIG. 1 is an electronic device which is representatively in the form of a notebook computer  10 . Computer  10  has a generally rectangular base housing  12  along the top side of which a keyboard structure  14  is operatively disposed. A somewhat thinner, generally rectangular lid housing  16  is secured to a rear top side edge portion of the base housing  12 , by a suitable hinge mechanism  18 , for pivotal movement relative thereto between an open use position (shown in FIG. 1) in which the lid housing  16  is generally vertically oriented to expose to the computer user a display screen  20  mounted on the bottom side of the lid housing  16 , and a closed, generally horizontal storage and transport orientation in which the lid housing  16  extends across and covers the top side of the base housing  12 . A conventional latch structure (not illustrated) releasably holds the lid housing in this horizontal storage and transport orientation. 
     Operatively disposed within the base housing  12  is a specially designed data-carrying member drive structure, representatively a CD ROM drive  22 , that embodies principles of the present invention. According to a key feature of the invention, the drive  22  is uniquely provided with the integral capability of creating within the base housing  12  a forced flow of cooling air, during rotation of a novel disc-carrying portion of the drive  22 , without the presence and attendant additional space requirement of a separate cooling fan structure. 
     While the drive  22  is representatively depicted as being a CD ROM drive useable in conjunction with compact discs, it will readily be appreciated by those of skill in this particular art that the drive  22  could also be utilized in conjunction with a variety of other types of rotatable data-carrying members such as, for example, digital video discs (DVD&#39;S). 
     FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic perspective form the disc-carrying and rotation portion of the drive  22  which includes a variable speed electric motor  24  coupled at its upper end to a drive spindle  26 . The upper end  26   a  of the spindle extends coaxially upwardly through a hollow cylindrical hub  28  having, at its bottom end, a radially enlarged annular flange  30 . As illustrated, the hub  28  is sized to be grippingly received in the central circular opening  32  of a data storage disc, such as the illustrated compact disc  34 , with a central portion of the disc  34  being supported atop the flange  30 . As will be readily be appreciated, the compact disc  34  could alternatively be a digital video disc (DVD) or other type of data storage disc or member. 
     The upper end  26   a  of the spindle  26  is secured to the hollow cylindrical hub by a circumferentially spaced series of radially extending, circumferentially sloped plate members  36  that function as axial fan blades. Accordingly, during driven rotation of the hub  28 , and thus the compact disc  34 , as indicated by the arrows  38  in FIG. 2, a forced flow of cooling air  40  is created by the rotating blades  36  within the base housing  12  (see FIG. 1) and passed downwardly through the hollow hub  28  while a schematically depicted laser scanner  42  “reads” the spinning compact disc  34 . 
     It is important to note that this beneficial axial flow of cooling air  40  is created within the base housing  12  without appreciably increasing the space requirement for the drive structure  22  or requiring additional housing space for a separate cooling fan structure. While the flow of cooling air  40  is shown as being downwardly directed through the interior  44  of the hollow cylindrical hub  28 , it will be readily appreciated by those of skill in this particular art that the air flow  40  could be upwardly directed through the hub interior, if desired, by simply reversing the slopes of the interior hub blades  36 . 
     Illustrated in FIG. 2A is the modified disc-carrying and rotation portion of a first alternate embodiment  22   a  of the previously described drive  22 . This portion of the modified data storage disc drive  22   a  is used to support and rotationally drive the compact disc  34  (or, alternatively a digital video disc), about a representatively vertical axis  46  and includes a carrying member  48  having a generally disc-shaped central portion  50  with an upstanding central cylindrical hub  52 . As illustrated, the hub  52  grippingly extends upwardly through the central circular opening  32  in the compact disc  34 , with the compact disc  34  resting atop the central carrying member portion  50 . The upper end of the motor-driven spindle  26  is coaxially secured to the bottom side of the carrying member central portion  50 . 
     Coaxially and outwardly circumscribing the central carrying member portion  50  is an annular band  53  secured to the periphery of the carrying member portion  50  by a spaced series of circumferentially sloped blade members  54  extending radially between the band  53  and the periphery of the carrying member portion  50 . During driven rotation of the compact disc  34 , as indicated by the arrows  56  in FIG. 2A, the rotating inclined blades  54  create within the base housing  12  (see FIG. 1) an axial flow of cooling air  58  that passes downwardly through the annular gap  60  between the periphery of the central carrying member portion  50  and the annular outer band  53 . 
     Thus, in a manner similar to that previously described in conjunction with the data storage disc drive structure  22 , the drive structure  22   a  creates a forced cooling air flow within the base housing  12  without substantially increasing the space requirement for the drive  22   a  or requiring additional housing space for a separate cooling fan structure. While the flow of cooling air  58  is shown as being downwardly directed through the annular carrying member space  60 , it will be readily appreciated by those of skill in this particular art that the air flow  58  could be upwardly directed through the annular space  60 , if desired, by simply reversing the slopes of the blade members  54 . 
     Illustrated in FIG. 2B is the modified disc-carrying and rotation portion of a second alternate embodiment  22   b  of the previously described data storage disc drive structure  22 . This portion of the modified drive  22   b  is used to support and rotationally drive the compact disc  34  (or, alternatively, a digital video disc or other type of data-carrying member) about a representatively vertical axis  46  and includes a stationary guide structure  62  having spaced apart, parallel rectangular top and bottom side walls  64  and  667 , a first pair of opposite side edge walls  68  and  70 , a second pair of opposite side edge walls  72  and  74  respectively having inlet and outlet openings  76  and  78  therein, and a circular opening  80  formed in the top side wall  64 . 
     Opposing arcuate interior side walls  82  and  84  extend perpendicularly to the top and bottom side walls  64  and  66  and are spaced outwardly from the periphery of the circular top side wall opening  80 . Arcuate walls  82  and  84  define within the interior of the stationary guide structure  62  a generally circular chamber  86  that open outwardly through the inlet and outlet openings  76  and  78 . 
     With reference now to FIGS. 2B and 3, the modified drive structure  22   b  also includes a generally disc-shaped carrying member  88  which is journaled within the chamber  86  for driven rotation about the vertical axis  46 . Carrying member  88  includes spaced apart, parallel circular top and bottom walls  90  and  92  which are joined by a circular interior wall  94  (see FIG. 3) radially inset from the peripheries of the top and bottom walls  90 , 92  and forming therewith an annular peripheral chamber  96  in the carrying member  88 . 
     A spaced series of circumferentially sloped centrifugal blade members  98  are disposed within the chamber  96  and interconnect the circular interior wall  94  and peripheral portions of the top and bottom walls  90  and  92 . The top wall  90  has an upwardly projecting central cylindrical hub  100  thereon (see FIG. 2B) which, with the compact disc  34  resting atop the top side wall  90  and the periphery of the disc  34  spaced inwardly from the edge of the circular top wall opening  80 , grippingly extends upwardly through the central opening  32  in the supported compact disc  34 . The upper end of the drive spindle  26  is coaxially secured to the lower side of the bottom wall  92  of the carrying member  88 . 
     Motor-driven rotation of the spindle  26  rotates the carrying member  88 , and thus the supported compact disc  34 , about the axis  46  relative to the stationary guide structure  62  as indicated by the arrows  102  in FIG.  2 B. This driven rotation of the carrying member  88 , via its centrifugal fan blade portions  98  (see FIG. 3) creates within the base housing  12  (FIG. 1) a forced flow of cooling air  104 , transverse to the axis  46 , which enters the interior guide structure chamber  86  through the inlet opening  76  (see FIG. 2B) and exits the chamber  86  through the outlet opening  78  as indicated. 
     Accordingly, in a manner similar to that previously described in conjunction with the drives  22  and  22   a , the data storage disc drive  22   b  creates a forced cooling air flow within the base housing  12  without substantially increasing the space requirement for the drive structure  22   b  or requiring additional housing space for a separate cooling fan structure. 
     AS previously stated herein, it will be readily appreciated by those of skill in this particular art, that principles of this invention, in addition to being applicable to the support and operative rotation of compact discs, could also be advantageously utilized in conjunction with the support and operative rotation of other types of data-carrying members, such as digital video discs (DVD&#39;S) and the disc portions of floppy and hard drives, by engaging the data-carrying member with a rotating drive structure, and using a portion of the rotating drive structure to interact with adjacent air and create a cooling air flow therefrom. 
     The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims.