Patent Description:
End users have more electronic device choices than ever before. A number of prominent technological trends are currently afoot (e.g., more computing devices, more devices that can change into different configurations, etc.), and these trends are changing the electronic device landscape. Some emerging trends place increasing performance demands on systems. The increasing demands can cause thermal increases in the system. The thermal increases can cause a reduction in device performance, a reduction in the lifetime of a device, and delays in data throughput.

<CIT> describes a computing apparatus, including: a first chassis including primary operational circuitry of the computing apparatus; a second chassis hingeably coupled to the second chassis, the second chassis having substantially less operational circuitry than the first chassis whereby the operational circuitry of the second chassis generates substantially less heat than the operational circuitry of the first chassis; and a heat spreader between the first chassis and second chassis and disposed to dissipate generated heat from the first chassis into the second chassis.

<CIT> describes a flexible temperature equalizing plate applied to an electronic device. The temperature equalizing plate comprises an upper cover, a lower cover, a chamber, a capillary structure, a plurality of support units and working fluid contained in the chamber. The temperature equalizing plate can be flexible in a flexible range, and the flexible temperature equalizing plate can be set according to the shape of the electronic device.

The dependent claims recite selected optional features.

The FIGURES of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, as their dimensions can be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The following detailed description sets forth examples of apparatuses, methods, and systems relating to a system for enabling a flexible heat spreader. Features such as structure(s), function(s), and/or characteristic(s), for example, are described with reference to one embodiment as a matter of convenience; various embodiments may be implemented with any suitable one or more of the described features.

In the following description, various aspects of the illustrative implementations will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials, and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative implementations. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative implementations.

The terms "over," "under," "below," "between," and "on" as used herein refer to a relative position of one layer or component with respect to other layers or components. For example, one layer disposed over or under another layer may be directly in contact with the other layer or may have one or more intervening layers. Moreover, one layer disposed between two layers may be directly in contact with the two layers or may have one or more intervening layers. In contrast, a first layer "directly on" a second layer is in direct contact with that second layer. Similarly, unless explicitly stated otherwise, one feature disposed between two features may be in direct contact with the adjacent features or may have one or more intervening layers.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase "A, B, and/or C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C). Reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" in the present disclosure means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "for example," "in an example," or "in some examples" are not necessarily all referring to the same example.

<FIG> is a simplified block diagram of an electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device <NUM> can include a flexible display <NUM> and a chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include a first portion chassis <NUM>, a second portion chassis <NUM>, and a hinge <NUM>. Flexible display <NUM> may be a foldable organic light emitting diode (FOLED) display or some other flexible display. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably or pivotably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Electronic device <NUM> can also include one or more heat sources <NUM> and a heatsink <NUM>. More specifically, first portion chassis <NUM> can include one or more heat sources <NUM> and second portion chassis <NUM> can include heatsink <NUM>. Heatsink <NUM> may be an active heatsink or a passive heatsink.

A flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be comprised of graphite, graphene, copper, aluminum, or some other flexible thermo-conductive material that can transfer heat from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include one or more frills <NUM>. In an example, at least a portion of flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be secured to first portion chassis <NUM>, hinge <NUM>, and or second portion chassis <NUM> using a glue and/or adhesive.

Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> such that the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded (e.g., first portion chassis <NUM> is rotated about hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>). The design or configuration of frills <NUM> creates a slope and the slope can accommodate the displacement of flexible heat spreader <NUM> as electronic device <NUM> moves from zero to one-hundred and eighty (<NUM>) degrees. Frills <NUM> can also be configured to mitigate the slack length as electronic device <NUM> is opened and closed. The dimensions of frills <NUM> are based on design constraints, hinge design, the displacement of flexible heat spreader <NUM> that needs to be accommodated, the slack length of flexible heat spreader <NUM> that needs to be accommodated, and/or other factors. In a specific example, the height of each frill <NUM> is about <NUM> millimeter and the length can be about three (<NUM>) millimeters. The term "about" indicates a tolerance of ten percent (<NUM>%). For example, about one (<NUM>) would include one (<NUM>) millimeter and ± <NUM> millimeter from one (<NUM>) millimeter. Frills <NUM> can be located proximate to hinge <NUM> where space will allow for frills <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> is in an open flat configuration.

Turning to <FIG>, as illustrated in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> can include flexible display <NUM> and chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> can be bend to an open or laptop configuration. More specifically, first portion chassis <NUM> can be rotated about hinge <NUM> towards second portion chassis <NUM> such that electronic device <NUM> is in an open or laptop configuration. Electronic device <NUM> can also include one or more heat sources <NUM> and heatsink <NUM>. More specifically, first portion chassis <NUM> can include one or more heat sources <NUM> and second portion chassis <NUM> can include heatsink <NUM>. Heatsink <NUM> may be an active heatsink or a passive heatsink.

Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include one or more frills <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> such that the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded.

Turning to <FIG>, as illustrated in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> can include flexible display <NUM> (not shown) and chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> can be bent to a closed configuration. More specifically, first portion chassis <NUM> can be bent or rotated about hinge <NUM> towards second portion chassis <NUM> such that flexible display <NUM> is bent and electronic device <NUM> is in a closed configuration with flexible display <NUM> facing inward. Electronic device <NUM> can also include one or more heat sources <NUM> (not shown) and heatsink <NUM>. More specifically, first portion chassis <NUM> can include one or more heat sources <NUM> and second portion chassis <NUM> can include heatsink <NUM>. Heatsink <NUM> may be an active heatsink or a passive heatsink.

Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include one or more frills <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> such that the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or rotated. As used herein, the term "bend," (and its derivatives) includes "curve," "fold," "rotate," and other similar terms that connote moving one end of an object towards an opposite end of the object (e.g., moving first portion chassis <NUM> towards second portion chassis <NUM>).

Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can enable a heat transfer of at least a portion of heat from heat source <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>, across hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>. In some examples, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be over heat source <NUM>. In other examples, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be over a heat pipe or some other rigid heat spreader and the heat pipe or other rigid heat spreader can be over heat source <NUM>. The heat pipe or other rigid heat spreader can collect thermal energy from heat source <NUM> and transfer the collected thermal energy to flexible heat spreader <NUM>. In an example implementation, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be coupled to the chassis of first portion chassis <NUM>. Heat source <NUM> may be a processor, computer processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), battery, memory, or some other type of component or element in electronic device <NUM> that generates heat.

In an example, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be configured to go through hinge <NUM> and transfer the heat from heat source <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM> to heatsink <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM> where there is more surface area and the increased surface area can provide relatively better cooling and dissipation of the thermal energy from heat source <NUM>. More specifically, transferring the heat from heat source <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM> to heatsink <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM> allows for more area to transfer heat to the environment and away from electronic device <NUM>. In an example, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend the length of chassis and up to the hinge locations in width based on available chassis dimensions. In a specific illustrative example, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be about three hundred millimeters (<NUM>) by about two hundred (<NUM>) millimeters, or some other dimensions based on design constrains and/or other factors.

When first portion chassis <NUM> is bent on hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>, flexible heat spreader <NUM> is bent in the hinge area. As flexible heat spreader <NUM> is bent, it experiences a distortion such that material nearer the outside convex surface of the bend is forced to stretch and come into tension, while material nearer the inside concave surface of the bend is forced into compression. In the cross section of flexible heat spreader <NUM>, there is a plane called a neutral axis that separates the tension and compression zones. The neutral axis is an area within the bend where the material of flexible heat spreader <NUM> goes through no physical change during forming of the bend. During bending, on the outside of the neutral axis, the material of flexible heat spreader <NUM> is expanding while on the inside of the neutral axis the material of flexible heat spreader <NUM> is compressing. This causes the inside surface of flexible heat spreader <NUM>, being inside of the bent neutral axis, to bend to a smaller radius than the outside of the bent neutral axis due to the bending arc length of the inside surface of flexible heat spreader <NUM> being smaller than the bending arc length of the outside surface of flexible heat spreader <NUM>. As a result, during bending, the material on the outside of flexible heat spreader <NUM> will move further than the material on the inside of flexible heat spreader <NUM> and can become creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged. Also, as electronic device <NUM> is bent, it experiences a distortion such that material nearer the outside convex surface of the bend is forced to stretch and come into tension, while material nearer the inside concave surface of the bend comes into compression. On the outside of the neutral axis, the material of electronic device <NUM> is expanding while on the inside of the neutral axis, the material of electronic device <NUM> is compressing. This causes the inside surface, which includes flexible heat spreader <NUM>, to extend outside or past the outside surface, which includes chassis <NUM>. More specifically, flexible heat spreader <NUM>, being inside of the bent neutral axis of electronic device, needs to bend to a smaller radius due to the bending arc length of flexible heat spreader <NUM> being smaller than the bending arc length of chassis <NUM> and therefore, the ends of flexible heat spreader <NUM> will move further and are longer than the ends of chassis <NUM>. To help keep the ends of flexible heat spreader <NUM> from moving relative to chassis <NUM>, the ends of flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be secured to chassis <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> such that the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent on hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>.

Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be configured as a thermal cooling device to help remove thermal energy from one or more heat sources. Heatsink <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM> may be a passive cooling device or an active cooling device. In an example, heatsink <NUM> can be coupled to or include an active cooling device to help reduce the thermal energy or temperature of one or more heat sources. In addition, second portion chassis <NUM> may include one or more passive cooling devices and/or active cooling devices to help remove thermal energy from one or more heat sources in second portion chassis <NUM>. The one or more passive cooling devices and/or active cooling devices in second portion chassis <NUM> may be independent of flexible heat spreader <NUM> or may function in concert with flexible heat spreader <NUM>.

In a specific example, flexible heat spreader <NUM> is coupled to a rigid or semi rigid heat spreader over a heat source (e.g., heat source <NUM>). The term "rigid heat spreader" and "semi-rigid heat spreader" include a cold plate, heat pipe, vapor chamber, and other rigid or semi-rigid heat spreaders. The heat from the heat source is collected by the rigid or semi rigid heat spreader and transferred to flexible heat spreader <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> transfers the heat through hinge <NUM> and to heatsink <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>. Hinge <NUM> can include a support that helps support flexible heat spreader <NUM> and allows frills <NUM> in flexible heat spreader <NUM> to dynamically vary the dimension of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> by absorbing the slack that is created when first portion chassis <NUM> is bent on hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>. In some examples, at least a portion of flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be coupled to the chassis of electronic device <NUM>. In some examples, heat collected by flexible heat spreader <NUM> is dissipated to chassis <NUM>. In a specific example, electronic device <NUM> does not include heatsink <NUM> and the heat collected by flexible heat spreader <NUM> is dissipated to chassis <NUM>.

It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Substantial flexibility is provided by electronic device <NUM> in that any suitable arrangements and configuration may be provided without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

For purposes of illustrating certain example techniques of electronic device <NUM>, the following foundational information may be viewed as a basis from which the present disclosure may be properly explained. End users have more media and communications choices than ever before. A number of prominent technological trends are currently afoot (e.g., more computing elements, more online video services, more Internet traffic, more complex processing, etc.), and these trends are changing the expected performance of devices as devices and systems are expected to increase performance and function. However, the increase in performance and/or function causes an increase in the thermal challenges of the devices and systems.

For example, in some devices, it can be difficult to cool one or more heat sources, especially when the heat sources are relatively close together and/or are located inside a relatively crowded housing that includes memory, processors, battery, etc. The relatively crowded housing can make it difficult to locate thermal solutions inside the crowded housing. In addition, typically the crowded housing acts as a base and is against a flat surface such as a table so it can be difficult to facilitate the movement of air inside the base and dissipate heat from a heat source. Further, in passively cooled systems, there is strong need to reduce the system thickness and at the same time increase the thermal performance. Designing thinner devices is constrained and limited by cooling capability and a cooling budget limitation that comes from the restriction of a thermal solution that can be designed in the base side alone without increasing the thickness of the system.

One solution is to transfer the heat from the crowded housing to a housing that is not crowded. For example, transferring heat from a base of a laptop to the lid provides more area to reject the heat to the environment. However, the base is typically coupled to the lid using a hinge and to transfer the heat from the base to the lid, the heat transfer device needs to go through the hinge.

Some current systems may use a rigid heat pipe as the pin of a system hinge where the system attempts to transfer the heat across the gap between the heat pipe pin and an inner surface of the hinge cylinder. However, with this system, a sliding surface between the heat pipe pin and outer portion of the hinge is required and there is typically a high thermal resistance across the sliding surface. Other current systems may use a flexible heat pipe where the lid is connected to the base by a flexible heat pipe that is perpendicular to the hinge axis. However, a flexible heat pipe requires a relatively large bend radius to avoid failure. Typically, the minimum bend radius for a flexible heat pipe is about or greater than twenty-five (<NUM>) millimeters and hinged devices often experience a full deflection of approximately one hundred and fifty (<NUM>) degrees, which results in tight bend radius for the heat pipe where strains are concentrated on the bending area of the heat pipe. The tight bend radius can cause reliability problems and will often fail under fatigue loading. Further, a flexible heat pipe is not suitable for thin clamshell solutions, because for thin clamshell systems, the bending radius should be less than ten (<NUM>) millimeters while the minimum bend radius for a flexible heat pipe is typically about or greater than twenty-five (<NUM>) millimeters. In addition, the large bend radius of the flexible heat pipe can make the system odd-shaped. What is needed is a flexible heat spreader that can allow for the transfer of heat from one portion of a chassis to another portion of the chassis across the hinge area.

A flexible heat spreader, as outlined in <FIG>, can help to resolve these issues (and others). For example, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device <NUM>) can be configured to allow for a flexible heat spreader that can transfer heat from one portion of a chassis to another portion of the chassis across the hinge area. More specifically, the electronic device can be configured to include a flexible heat spreader that can enable a heat transfer of at least a portion of heat from a heat source (e.g., computer processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), etc.) in one portion of a chassis (e.g., second portion chassis <NUM>), through a hinge (e.g., hinge <NUM>), and to a heatsink (e.g., heatsink <NUM>) in another portion of the chassis (e.g., first portion chassis <NUM>). The other portion of the chassis can be used for heat dissipation because it has a large surface area and it is often nearly vertical during use. Transferring heat with low resistance from one portion of the chassis to another portion of the chassis enables higher performance from the heat source and/or a quieter thinner system than some current designs.

In an example, an electronic device can be configured to support a flexible heat spreader in a lay-flat mode. The flexible heat spreader can include frills that allow the flexible heat spreader to have an even bend from about zero degrees (<NUM>°) to about one hundred and eighty degrees (<NUM>°) of rotation or from about zero degrees (<NUM>°) to about three-hundred and sixty degrees (<NUM>°) of rotation without damaging the flexible heat spreader. The flexible heat spreader can include graphite, copper, aluminum, or some other flexible material that can be used as a heat spreader for the electronic device and be configured to help increase the thermal performance of the electronic device while the system "Z" thickness is not significantly increased. The flexible heat spreader can be configured to include frills that dynamically support the flexible heat spreader to accommodate the change in position of the material in the flexible heat spreader during rotation of the electronic device at various angles and up to three-hundred and sixty degrees (<NUM><NUM>) such that the material in the flexible heat spreader is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged during the rotation.

Electronic device <NUM> may include any suitable hardware, software, components, modules, or objects that facilitate operations thereof, as well as suitable interfaces for receiving, transmitting, and/or otherwise communicating data or information in a network environment. This may be inclusive of appropriate algorithms and communication protocols that allow for the effective exchange of data or information. Electronic device <NUM> may include virtual elements.

In regards to the internal structure associated with electronic device <NUM>, electronic device <NUM> can include memory elements for storing information to be used in operations or functions. Electronic device <NUM> may keep information in any suitable memory element (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), software, hardware, firmware, or in any other suitable component, device, element, or object where appropriate and based on particular needs. Any of the memory items discussed herein should be construed as being encompassed within the broad term 'memory element. ' Moreover, the information being used, tracked, sent, or received in electronic device <NUM> could be provided in any database, register, queue, table, cache, control list, or other storage structure, all of which can be referenced at any suitable timeframe. Any such storage options may also be included within the broad term 'memory element' as used herein.

In certain example implementations, functions may be implemented by logic encoded in one or more tangible media (e.g., embedded logic provided in an ASIC, digital signal processor (DSP) instructions, software (potentially inclusive of object code and source code) to be executed by a processor, or other similar machine, etc.), which may be inclusive of non-transitory computer-readable media. In some of these instances, memory elements can store data used for operations. This includes the memory elements being able to store software, logic, code, or processor instructions that are executed to carry out the activities.

Additionally, electronic device <NUM> may include one or more processors that can execute software or an algorithm to perform activities. A processor can execute any type of instructions associated with the data to achieve one or more operations. In one example, the processors could transform an element or an article (e.g., data) from one state or thing to another state or thing. In another example, activities may be implemented with fixed logic or programmable logic (e.g., software/computer instructions executed by a processor) and electronic device <NUM> could include some type of a programmable processor, programmable digital logic (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) or an ASIC that includes digital logic, software, code, electronic instructions, or any suitable combination thereof. Any of the potential processing elements and modules described herein should be construed as being encompassed within the broad term 'processor.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram of a top cutaway view of electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device <NUM> can include a flexible display <NUM> (not shown) and chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include one or more frills <NUM>. When electronic device is bent, frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> such that the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded (e.g., first portion chassis <NUM> is bent about hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>). The number and location of frills <NUM> depends on design constraints and the number and location that will help to prevent the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> from being creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, first portion chassis <NUM> includes three (<NUM>) frills <NUM> while second portion chassis <NUM> includes two (<NUM>) frills <NUM>. In an illustrative example, most of the electronics for electronic device <NUM> are located in second portion chassis <NUM> so there is only enough room for two (<NUM>) frills <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram of side cutaway view of electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device <NUM> can include flexible display <NUM> and chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. Flexible display <NUM> may be a FOLED display or some other flexible display. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Electronic device <NUM> can also include one or more heat sources <NUM> and heatsink <NUM>. More specifically, first portion chassis <NUM> can include one or more heat sources <NUM>, substrate <NUM>, and cold plate <NUM>. Second portion chassis <NUM> can include heatsink <NUM> and a battery <NUM>. Heat source <NUM> can be over or on substrate <NUM>. Cold plate <NUM> can be thermally coupled to heat source <NUM> to help remove heat or thermal energy from heat source <NUM>. Cold plate <NUM> can be coupled to a flexible heat spreader 116a to help move the heat from heat source <NUM> away from heat source <NUM> and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. Heatsink <NUM> can be an active heatsink or a passive heatsink.

Flexible heat spreader 116a can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. In some examples, a flexible heat spreader 116b can extend from substrate <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. In addition, flexible heat spreader 116a and /or 116b can be secured to chassis <NUM> (or some other structure or component of electronic device <NUM>) using flexible heat spreader securing means <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader securing means <NUM> can be configured to help keep flexible heat spreaders 116a and/or 116b from moving relative to chassis <NUM> (or some other structure or component of electronic device <NUM>).

Each of flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b can include one or more frills <NUM>. In some examples, the frills can interweave so the peaks and valleys of the frills interlace. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader 116a and 116b such that the material in flexible heat spreader 116a and 116b is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded (e.g., first portion chassis <NUM> is bent about hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>). The number and location of frills <NUM> depends on design constraints and the number and location that will help to prevent the material in flexible heat spreader 116a and 116b from being creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, first portion chassis <NUM> includes three (<NUM>) frills <NUM> while second portion chassis <NUM> includes two (<NUM>) frills <NUM>. In some examples, the electronics for electronic device <NUM> are located in second portion chassis <NUM> so there is only enough room for two (<NUM>) frills <NUM>. While flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b are shown in <FIG> to have the same number and orientation of frills <NUM>, the number, orientation, placement, etc. of frills in flexible heat spreader 116a can be different than one or more of the number, orientation, placement, etc. of frills in flexible heat spreader 116b.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram cut away view of electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device <NUM> can include flexible display <NUM> (not shown) and chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Second portion chassis <NUM> can include one or more heat sources <NUM> (not shown) and substrate <NUM>. Second portion chassis <NUM> can include heatsink <NUM>. Heatsink <NUM> may be an active heatsink or a passive heatsink. Hinge <NUM> can include a support plate <NUM>.

Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be secured to chassis <NUM> (or some other structure or component of electronic device <NUM>) using flexible heat spreader securing means <NUM>. In some examples, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend under support plate <NUM>. Support plate <NUM> helps to keep flexible heat spreader <NUM> confined in the Z-direction in hinge <NUM> as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>. In some specific examples, as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>, if support plate <NUM> was not present, flexible heat spreader <NUM> could stick or etch to flexible display <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include one or more frills <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> such that the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded (e.g., first portion chassis <NUM> is bent about hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>). The number and location of frills <NUM> depends on design constraints and the number and location that will help to prevent the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> from being creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram cut away view of electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device <NUM> can include chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. In an example, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be secured to hinge <NUM> using glue and/or an adhesive. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include frills <NUM>. In some examples, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend under support plate <NUM>. Support plate <NUM> helps to keep flexible heat spreader <NUM> confined in the Z-direction in hinge <NUM> as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>. More specifically, as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can follow the profile of support plate <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> is in a flat configuration.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram cut away view of electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device <NUM> can include chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include frills <NUM>. In some examples, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend under support plate <NUM>. Support plate <NUM> helps to keep flexible heat spreader <NUM> confined in the Z-direction in hinge <NUM> as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>. More specifically, as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can follow the profile of support plate <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, first portion chassis <NUM> is bent or rotated towards second portion chassis <NUM>.

As first portion chassis <NUM> is bent or rotated towards second portion chassis <NUM>, frills <NUM> can help prevent the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> from creasing, folding, warping, or otherwise being damaged. More specifically, as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent or rotated towards second portion chassis <NUM>, on the outside of the neutral axis of flexible heat spreader <NUM>, the material of flexible heat spreader <NUM> is expanding while on the inside of the neutral axis, the material of flexible heat spreader <NUM> is compressing. This causes the inside surface of flexible heat spreader <NUM>, being inside of the bent neutral axis, to bend to a smaller radius than the outside of the bent neutral axis due to the bending arc length of the inside surface of flexible heat spreader <NUM> being smaller than the bending arc length of the outside surface of flexible heat spreader <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> such that the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent or rotated towards second portion chassis <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram cut away view of electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device <NUM> can include chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include frills <NUM>. In some examples, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend under support plate <NUM>. Support plate <NUM> helps to keep flexible heat spreader <NUM> confined in the Z-direction in hinge <NUM> as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>. More specifically, as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can follow the profile of support plate <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, first portion chassis <NUM> is bent or rotated towards second portion chassis <NUM> and electronic device <NUM> is in open laptop configuration.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram cut away view of electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device <NUM> can include chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include frills <NUM>. In some examples, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend under support plate <NUM>. Support plate <NUM> helps to keep flexible heat spreader <NUM> confined in the Z-direction in hinge <NUM> as first portion chassis <NUM> is rotated relative to second portion chassis <NUM>. More specifically, as first portion chassis <NUM> is rotated relative to second portion chassis <NUM>, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can follow the profile of support plate <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, first portion chassis <NUM> is bent or rotated towards second portion chassis <NUM> and electronic device <NUM> is in a closed configuration.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram of side cutaway view of electronic device 100a configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device 100a can include flexible display <NUM> and chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, hinge <NUM>, and a plurality of flexible heat spreaders (e.g., flexible heat spreaders 116a-116c). Flexible display <NUM> may be a FOLED display or some other flexible display. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can include one or more heat sources <NUM> (e.g., a system on a chip (SoC)), substrate <NUM>, and cold plate <NUM>. Second portion chassis <NUM> can include battery <NUM>. Heat source <NUM> can be over or on substrate <NUM>. Cold plate <NUM> can be thermally coupled to heat source <NUM> to help remove heat or thermal energy from heat source <NUM>. Cold plate <NUM> can be coupled to a flexible heat spreader 116b to help move the heat from heat source <NUM> away from heat source <NUM> and to second portion chassis <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a flexible heat spreader 116a can be located below flexible display <NUM> and extend from first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader 116b can extend from cold plate <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader 116c can be under substrate <NUM> and help transfer heat to chassis <NUM>. Each of flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b can include one or more frills <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b such that the material in flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device 100a is bent or folded (e.g., first portion chassis <NUM> is bent about hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>). The number and location of frills <NUM> depends on design constraints and the number and location that will help to prevent the material in flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b from being creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded.

Turning to <FIG> are simplified block diagrams of side cutaway view of electronic device 100b configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device 100b can include flexible display <NUM> and chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, hinge <NUM>, and a plurality of flexible heat spreaders (e.g., flexible heat spreaders 116d and 116e). Flexible display <NUM> may be a FOLED display or some other flexible display. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Hinge <NUM> can include support plate <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a flexible heat spreader 116d can be located below flexible display <NUM> from first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to second portion chassis <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader 116e can extend from first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to second portion chassis <NUM>. As each of flexible heat spreaders 116d and 116e pass through hinge <NUM>, each flexible heat spreaders 116d and 116e can be supported by support plate <NUM>. Support plate <NUM> helps to keep flexible heat spreaders 116d and 116e confined in the Z-direction in hinge <NUM> as first portion chassis <NUM> is bent relative to second portion chassis <NUM>. In addition, each of flexible heat spreaders 116d and 116e can include one or more frills <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b such that the material in flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b is not creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device 100b is bent or folded (e.g., first portion chassis <NUM> is bent about hinge <NUM> relative to second portion chassis <NUM>). The number and location of frills <NUM> depends on design constraints and the number and location that will help to prevent the material in flexible heat spreaders 116a and 116b from being creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device <NUM> is bent or folded.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram cut away view of a portion of electronic device 100c configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Electronic device 100c can include a flexible heat spreader <NUM>. In an example, flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be secured to a support layer. For example, a portion of flexible heat spreader <NUM> that will be located in first portion chassis <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) can be secured to support layer 138b with the help of adhesive and/or glue and a portion of flexible heat spreader <NUM> that will be located in second portion chassis <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) can be on support layer 138a with the help of adhesive and/or glue. In an example, the adhesive/glue can also be used to help secure flexible heat spreader <NUM> to hinge <NUM> (not shown).

Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include one or more frills <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> when flexible heat spreader <NUM> is bent or folded. The number and location of frills <NUM> depends on design constraints and the number and location that will help to prevent the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> from being creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device 100e is bent or folded.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram view of a portion of electronic device 100e configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device 100e can include chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. The portion of flexible heat spreader <NUM> located in first portion chassis <NUM> can be on support layer 138b with the help of adhesive/glue and the portion of flexible heat spreader <NUM> located in second portion chassis <NUM> can be on support layer 138a with the help of adhesive/glue. Hinge <NUM> can have one or more locating guide holes in the center and flexible heat spreader <NUM> can have one or more corresponding guide holes <NUM> that help to position and orient flexible heat spreader <NUM> in the proper location with respect to hinge 110and can help in the assembly of flexible heat spreader <NUM>. in an example, the Z-movement of flexible heat spreader <NUM> can be arrested using support plate (e.g., support plate <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>).

Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can include one or more frills <NUM>. Frills <NUM> can be configured to accommodate the change in position of the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> when first portion chassis <NUM> is bent or folded relative to second portion chassis <NUM>. The number and location of frills <NUM> depends on design constraints and the number and location that will help to prevent the material in flexible heat spreader <NUM> from being creased, folded, warped, or otherwise damaged as electronic device 100e is bent or folded.

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram view of a portion of electronic device 100e configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, electronic device 100e can include chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. First portion chassis <NUM> can be rotatably coupled to second portion chassis <NUM> using hinge <NUM>. Flexible heat spreader <NUM> can extend from one or more heat sources <NUM> in first portion chassis <NUM>, through hinge <NUM>, and to heatsink <NUM> in second portion chassis <NUM>. In an example, a cover layer can be over flexible heat spreader <NUM>. For example, a cover layer 140a can be over a portion of flexible heat spreader <NUM> that is located in first portion chassis <NUM> and a cover layer 140b can be over a portion of flexible heat spreader <NUM> that is located in second portion chassis <NUM>. Cover layers 140a and 140b can help protect flexible heat spreader <NUM> and can provide a support for flexible display <NUM> (not shown).

Turning to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram of electronic device <NUM> configured with a flexible heat spreader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> is in an open configuration. Electronic device <NUM> can include flexible display <NUM> and chassis <NUM>. Chassis <NUM> can include first portion chassis <NUM>, second portion chassis <NUM>, and hinge <NUM>. Electronic device <NUM> can also include one or more heat sources <NUM> and heatsink <NUM>. More specifically, first portion chassis <NUM> can include one or more heat sources <NUM> and second portion chassis <NUM> can include heatsink <NUM>. Heatsink <NUM> may be an active heatsink or a passive heatsink.

Electronic device <NUM> may be in communication with cloud services <NUM>, one or more servers <NUM>, and/or one or more network elements <NUM> using network <NUM>. In some examples, electronic device <NUM> may be standalone devices and not connected to network <NUM> or another device. Elements of <FIG> may be coupled to one another through one or more interfaces employing any suitable connections (wired or wireless), which provide viable pathways for network (e.g., network <NUM>, etc.) communications. Additionally, any one or more of these elements of <FIG> may be combined or removed from the architecture based on particular configuration needs. Network <NUM> may include a configuration capable of transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) communications for the transmission or reception of packets in a network. Electronic devices <NUM> may also operate in conjunction with a user datagram protocol/IP (UDP/IP) or any other suitable protocol where appropriate and based on particular needs.

Turning to the infrastructure of <FIG>, network <NUM> represents a series of points or nodes of interconnected communication paths for receiving and transmitting packets of information. Network <NUM> offers a communicative interface between nodes, and may be configured as any local area network (LAN), virtual local area network (VLAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), Intranet, Extranet, virtual private network (VPN), and any other appropriate architecture or system that facilitates communications in a network environment, or any suitable combination thereof, including wired and/or wireless communication.

In network <NUM>, network traffic, which is inclusive of packets, frames, signals, data, etc., can be sent and received according to any suitable communication messaging protocols. Suitable communication messaging protocols can include a multi-layered scheme such as Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, or any derivations or variants thereof (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), user datagram protocol/IP (UDP/IP)). Messages through the network could be made in accordance with various network protocols, (e.g., Ethernet, Infiniband, OmniPath, etc.). Additionally, radio signal communications over a cellular network may also be provided. Suitable interfaces and infrastructure may be provided to enable communication with the cellular network.

The term "packet" as used herein, refers to a unit of data that can be routed between a source node and a destination node on a packet switched network. A packet includes a source network address and a destination network address. These network addresses can be Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in a TCP/IP messaging protocol. The term "data" as used herein, refers to any type of binary, numeric, voice, video, textual, or script data, or any type of source or object code, or any other suitable information in any appropriate format that may be communicated from one point to another in electronic devices and/or networks.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to particular arrangements and configurations, these example configurations and arrangements may be changed significantly without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, certain components may be combined, separated, eliminated, or added based on particular needs and implementations. Additionally, although electronic device <NUM> has been illustrated with reference to particular elements and operations that facilitate a flexible heat spreader, these elements may be replaced by any suitable architecture and/or processes that achieve the intended functionality of electronic device <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first portion chassis (<NUM>);
a second portion chassis (<NUM>);
a hinge (<NUM>), wherein the hinge (<NUM>) pivotably couples the first portion chassis (<NUM>) to the second portion chassis (<NUM>); and
a flexible heat spreader (<NUM>), wherein the flexible heat spreader (<NUM>) extends from the second portion chassis (<NUM>), through the hinge (<NUM>), and to the first portion chassis (<NUM>), characterized in that the flexible heat spreader (<NUM>) includes frills (<NUM>) configured to create a slope that is adapted to accommodate deformations in the flexible heat spreader (<NUM>) when the first portion chassis (<NUM>) is pivoted relative to the second portion chassis (<NUM>), wherein the hinge (<NUM>) includes a support plate (<NUM>) to confine the flexible heat spreader (<NUM>) in a Z-direction as the first portion chassis (<NUM>) is pivoted relative to the second portion chassis (<NUM>), wherein the flexible heat spreader (<NUM>) is a flexible graphite sheet, a flexible copper sheet, or a flexible aluminum sheet, wherein the first portion chassis (<NUM>) is adapted to rotate from about zero degrees to about one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the second portion chassis (<NUM>).