Patent Description:
Electronic devices require thermal systems to manage thermal conditions for maintaining optimal efficiency. To manage thermal conditions, electronic devices employ thermal cooling systems that cool electronic components of the electronic devices during use. <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> relate to background information.

The figures are not to scale. In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.

During operation of an electronic device (e.g., a laptop, a tablet, etc.), hardware components disposed in a body or housing of the device, such as a processor, graphics card, and/or battery, generate heat. Heat generated by the hardware components of the electronic device can cause a temperature of one or more electronic components to exceed operating temperature limits of the one or more electronic components. In some instances, heat generated by the electronic device can cause portions of an exterior surface, or skin, of a device housing to increase and become warm or hot to a user's touch.

To prevent overheating of the hardware components, damage to the device, and/or discomfort to the user of the device when the user touches or places one or more portions of the user's body proximate to the skin of the device and/or components of the device accessible via the exterior surface of the housing such as a touchpad, the electronic device includes a thermal management system to dissipate heat from the electronic device. Example thermal systems include active cooling systems or passive cooling systems. Passive cooling systems are often employed with processors that do not exceed approximately <NUM> watts of power. Processors that exceed <NUM> watts of power often require active cooling systems to effectively cool these processors below desired operating temperatures.

Active cooling systems employ forced convection methods to increase a rate of fluid flow, which increases a rate of heat removal. For example, to exhaust heat or hot air generated within the body of the electronic device and cool the electronic device, active cooling systems often employ external devices such as fans or blowers, forced liquid, thermoelectric coolers, etc. In known electronic devices, operation of the fan(s) of the electronic device and/or management of power consumed by the device are controlled based on the thermal constraint(s). For instance, if a temperature of a hardware component of the device is approaching a maximum temperature as defined by the thermal constraint for the component, rotational speed(s) (e.g., revolutions per minute (RPMs)) of the fan(s) can be increased to exhaust hot air and reduce a temperature of the component. However, operation of the fan(s) at higher speeds increases audible acoustic noise generated by the fan(s). In some known electronic devices, the fan speed(s) and, thus, the amount of cooling that is provided by the fan(s), can be restricted to avoid generating fan noise levels over certain decibels (e.g., a maximum noise level of <NUM> dBA during operation of the fan(s)). As a result of the restricted fan speed(s), performance of the device may be limited to enable the fan(s) to cool the user device within the constraints of the fan speed(s). Further, active cooling systems require additional space requirements and/or use of electricity, which results in a larger housing form factor and/or higher manufacturing costs.

Passive cooling systems employ natural convection and heat dissipation by utilizing heat spreaders or heat sinks to increase (e.g., maximize) radiation and convection heat transfer. For instance, passive cooling systems do not employ external devices such as fans or blowers that would otherwise force airflow to exhaust heat from the housing of the electronic device. Instead, passive cooling systems relay on material characteristic(s) to provide heat transfer pathways between electronic components and outer surfaces or skins of the electronic devices. Passive cooling systems are significantly less expensive than active cooling systems, do not require power to operate, and provide space saving benefits.

Some example electronic devices (e.g., laptops, tablets, etc.) offer improved ruggedness for student use, businesses, construction sites, etc. Rugged electronic devices employ chassis having thicker wall structure to protect electronic components within the frame from mechanical impacts and/or shocks. Thus, rugged-type electronic devices are structurally improved to increase impact resistance and, thus, decrease damage to electronic components when, for example, the electronic device is dropped. To increase a strength of the frame, the chassis of a rugged electronic devices employ wall structures typically between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeters. However, increased wall structures provide thermal challenges for passive cooling systems given the increased thickness of the frame reduces thermal conductivity. Thus, low cost thermal solution provided by passive cooling systems are often not effective for rugged-type electronic devices. Such devices often require use of active thermal systems to cool the electronic components, which significantly increase manufacturing costs.

Example apparatus disclosed herein provide passive cooling in combination with impact resistance. An example passive cooling system disclosed herein provides a physical heat transfer path between one or more electronic components of an electronic device and one or more outer skins of the electronic device, and a shock absorber material between the electronic components and the outer skin. An example heat transfer path disclosed herein can be formed by having heat transfer material (e.g., a graphite sheet) physically or mechanically coupling electronic components of the electronic device and an outer skin of the electronic device. Additionally, an example impact resistant material of the illustrated example is positioned between the electronic components and the outer skin to protect the electronic components from damage that may be caused by impacts. Example electronic components (e.g. motherboard, battery, etc.), passive cooling systems, frames, and outer skins of electronic devices disclosed herein provide a sandwich structure (e.g. a very stiff sandwich structure) that provides heat transfer capability and strong structure against mechanical impacts. Some example passive cooling systems disclosed herein provide an impact resistant material encased within a heat transfer material. Some example passive cooling systems disclosed herein provide a plurality of impact restrict materials encased with a plurality of heat transfer materials. Some example passive cooling systems disclosed herein provide heat transfer material positioned between spaced apart heat transfer materials.

<FIG> is an example electronic device <NUM> constructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure. The electronic device of the illustrated example is a personal computing device such as, for example, a tablet. The electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a housing <NUM> and a display <NUM>. The housing <NUM> defines a first side wall 102a, a second wall 102b, a third side wall 102c and a fourth side wall 102d. The housing <NUM> houses one or more electronic components and carries the display <NUM>. To enable user inputs, the display <NUM> of the illustrated example provides a graphical user input device, a virtual keyboard, a virtual trackpad, etc. Although the example electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example is a tablet, in some examples, the electronic device <NUM> can be a laptop, a desktop, a mobile device, a cell phone, a smart phone, a hybrid or convertible PC, a personal computing (PC) device, a sever, a modular compute device, a digital picture frame, a graphic calculator, a smart watch, and/or any other electronic device that employs passive cooling.

<FIG> is a cross-section of the example electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> and showing an example thermal management system <NUM> disclosed herein, falling outside of the scope of the claims but useful for understanding the invention. The housing <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a frame <NUM> (e.g., a chassis) and a skin <NUM> (e.g., a bottom skin, an outer skin, a D-cover, etc.). The frame <NUM> and the skin <NUM> define a cavity <NUM> to receive one or more hardware components <NUM>. The skin <NUM> and/or the display <NUM> of the illustrated example attaches to the frame <NUM> via an adhesive (e.g., glue). However, in some examples, the skin <NUM> of the illustrated example can attach to the frame <NUM> via a mechanical fastener such as, for example, a screw, a clip, a rivet, a chemical fastener such as, for example, glue, plastic welding, etc., and/or any other suitable fastener(s). In some examples, the skin <NUM> can be integrally formed with the frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> and/or the skin <NUM> of the illustrated example can be composed of plastic, magnesium, aluminum, a combination thereof, and/or any other material(s). In some examples, a wall thickness of the housing <NUM>, the frame <NUM> and/or the skin <NUM> can be approximately between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeters.

The housing <NUM> of the illustrated example carries the hardware components <NUM>. The hardware components <NUM> of the illustrated example include a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> coupled to a processor <NUM> (e.g., a system on chip (SOS)). The processor <NUM> of the illustrated example does not exceed <NUM> watts of power. However, in some examples, the processor <NUM> can exceed <NUM> watts of power. To couple the PCB <NUM> to the skin <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a plurality of fasteners <NUM> (e.g. standoffs, screws, etc.). Specifically, the skin <NUM> of the illustrated example includes one or more bosses <NUM> (e.g., cylindrical bosses) having apertures <NUM> to receive the fasteners <NUM>. The bosses <NUM> of the illustrated example can be formed with or attached to the skin <NUM>. Although not shown in the cross-sectional view of <FIG>, the hardware components <NUM> of the illustrated example can include a graphics card, a battery, light emitting diodes, a speaker, a microphone, a camera, memory, a storage drive, etc..

To dissipate or spread heat generated by the hardware components <NUM> during operation of the electronic device <NUM>, the thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example employs a heat sink or vapor chamber <NUM>. The vapor chamber <NUM> of the illustrated example is a heat sink that includes a metal enclosure that is vacuum sealed and includes an internal wick structure attached to the inside walls of the enclosure that moves liquid around the vapor chamber <NUM> using capillary action to spread heat along a surface area (e.g., upper surface and a lower surface) of the vapor chamber <NUM>. In some examples, the vapor chamber is a planar heat pipe, which can spread heat in two dimensions (e.g., across a surface area of the vapor chamber). The vapor chamber <NUM> of the illustrated example can be composed of brass, copper and/or any other suitable material(s) for transferring and/or spreading heat. The vapor chamber <NUM> of the illustrated example is coupled to the PCB <NUM> via the fasteners <NUM> (e.g., standoffs). The fasteners <NUM>, although couple the PCB <NUM> to the vapor chamber <NUM>, separate the PCB <NUM> from the vapor chamber <NUM> to provide a gap <NUM> for the processor <NUM>. Thus, the processor <NUM> of the illustrated example is positioned (e.g., sandwiched) between the PCB <NUM> and the vapor chamber <NUM>, and the vapor chamber <NUM> is positioned between the processor <NUM> and the skin <NUM>. Additionally, the vapor chamber <NUM> is coupled to the skin <NUM> via the fasteners <NUM> and the bosses <NUM>. Thus, fasteners <NUM> stack the PCB <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the vapor chamber <NUM> and the skin <NUM>. In some examples, the thermal management system <NUM> can employ a heat spreader, a heat sink, a heat pipe and/or any other heat spreading device in place of the vapor chamber <NUM>.

To transfer heat from the vapor chamber to the housing <NUM>, the thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example employs a thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> (e.g., a passive cooling and impact resistance assembly). The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example is positioned between the housing <NUM> and the hardware components <NUM>. Specifically, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example is positioned (e.g., sandwiched) between the skin <NUM> and the vapor chamber <NUM>. The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example provides a thermally conductive cooling pathway for the electronic device <NUM>. Specifically, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example directly couples the vapor chamber <NUM> and the skin <NUM>. In other words, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example has a first side 224a directly engaged or in direct contact with a first side 218a of the vapor chamber <NUM> and a second side 224b directly engaged with or in direct contact with a first side 204a of the skin <NUM> (e.g., an inner side oriented toward the cavity <NUM>). For reference, a second side 218b of the vapor chamber <NUM> opposite the first side 218a is oriented toward the processor <NUM> and the PCB <NUM>. Additionally, a second side 204b of the skin <NUM> opposite the first side 204a defines a portion of an outer surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the housing <NUM>.

The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example is positioned within the cavity <NUM> and has a shape complementary to a shape of the vapor chamber <NUM>. For example, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> (e.g., the first side 224a) of the illustrated example has a surface area that is substantially similar to (e.g., within <NUM>%) of a surface area provided by the vapor chamber <NUM> (e.g., the first side 218a of the vapor chamber <NUM>). In other words, a length and a width that is substantially equal to (e.g., within a <NUM>% variation of) a length and a width of the vapor chamber <NUM>. Providing a surface area similar to (e.g., identical to) the surface area of the vapor chamber <NUM> improves heat transfer efficiency. In some examples, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example can have a length extending between the first side wall 102a and the second side wall 102b of the housing <NUM> and a width extending between the third side wall 102c and the fourth side wall 102d of the housing <NUM>. In some examples, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example can have a length and/or a width that is smaller than a length and/or a width of the housing <NUM>, the skin <NUM> (e.g., the first side 204a of the skin <NUM>) and/or the vapor chamber <NUM> (e.g., the first side 218a of the vapor chamber <NUM>). In some examples, a surface area of (e.g., the first side 224a of) the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> can be less than a surface area (e.g., of the first side 218a) of the vapor chamber <NUM> and/or the skin <NUM> (e.g., the first side 204a) of the skin <NUM>. In some examples, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example can be any size relative to the vapor chamber <NUM> and/or the skin <NUM>. In some examples, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example can be sized substantially similar to a size of the vapor chamber <NUM> and/or may be positioned only in areas aligned with the hardware components <NUM>.

The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a shock absorbing body <NUM> (e.g., a shock absorbing material or a shock absorber) and a thermal conductive material <NUM> (e.g., a thermal conductive layer, a sheet, etc.). The shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example is a body made of an impact absorbing material (e.g., shock absorbing material(s)). For example, the shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example is a body that can be made of rubber, silicone, urethane, an elastomeric material, and/or any other suitable yielding material to absorb impact forces. For example, the impact absorbing material can be a jelly and/or liquid sealed within the thermal conductive material <NUM>. The shock absorbing body <NUM> resiliently deforms, flexes, or deflects to absorb energy or impact forces during an impact event. For example, the shock absorbing body <NUM> absorbs impact forces when the electronic device <NUM> is dropped to protect against damage to the hardware components <NUM> (e.g., the processor <NUM>, the PCB <NUM>, the vapor chamber <NUM>, etc.). Thus, the shock absorbing body <NUM> provides an energy sink in load path. After absorbing the impact, the shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example has resilient characteristics and returns to its initial position (e.g., a non-deformed or non-flexed position).

To define a thermally conductive cooling pathway between the vapor chamber <NUM> and the skin <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM>, the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example includes the thermal conductive material <NUM>. The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example is a first sheet 232a (e.g., an upper sheet) that defines the first side 224a of the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> and is in direct contact with the second side 218b of the vapor chamber <NUM> and a second sheet 232b (e.g., a lower sheet) that defines the second side 224b of the thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> and is in direct contact with the first side 204a of the skin <NUM>. The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated is in contact with at least a portion of the shock absorbing body <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the thermal conductive material <NUM> encases or wraps around (e.g., completely encloses) the shock absorbing body <NUM> such that the shock absorbing body <NUM> is fully positioned within the thermal conductive material <NUM>. The thermal conductive material <NUM> includes ends 232c, 232d that couple the first sheet 232a and the second sheet 232b. For example, the first sheet 232a, the second sheet 232b and the ends 232c, 232d wrap around the shock absorbing body <NUM>. In other words, the thermal conductive material <NUM> is a continuous sheet that provides a continuous heat transfer pathway from the vapor chamber <NUM> to the skin <NUM> and/or housing <NUM>.

The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example can have a thickness of approximately between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeter. For example, the shock absorbing body <NUM> can have a thickness that is approximately between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeters. Each of the first sheet 232a and the second sheet 232b of the thermal conductive material <NUM> can have a thickness approximately between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeters. The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated is formed as a tube that is crushed or compressed after the shock absorbing body <NUM> is positioned in the tube. The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example is composed of graphite (e.g., a single layer of graphite, multiple folded layers of graphite, a foil, etc.). However, in other examples, the thermal conductive material <NUM> can be copper, aluminum, a copper foil, an aluminum foil, a graphite foil, a sheet, a layer, a combination thereof, and/or any other suitable heat conductive material(s). In some examples, the thermal conductive material <NUM> can be a combination of copper, graphite, aluminum and/or any other combination or suitable material(s). When the thermal conductive material <NUM> is a foil, the thermal conductive material <NUM> can be wrapped around the shock absorbing body <NUM> to encircle the shock absorbing body <NUM>.

In operation, the thermal conductive material <NUM> provides a passive cooling system or heat sink. For example, heat generated by the hardware components <NUM> of the illustrated example is dissipated (e.g., spread) across the surface area of the vapor chamber <NUM>. For example, heat generated by the processor <NUM> is absorbed and dissipated across the vapor chamber <NUM>. The vapor chamber <NUM> is structured to dissipate heat from the first side 218a of the vapor chamber <NUM> to the second side 218b of the vapor chamber <NUM>. The thermal conductive material <NUM> transfers the heat from the second side 218b of the vapor chamber <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. Specifically, heat transfers from the first sheet 232a and to the second sheet 232b via the ends 232c, 232d. The heat then transfers to the skin <NUM> via the second sheet 232b and to the frame <NUM> via the ends 232c, 232d, where it dissipates from the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is another example electronic device having an example cooling system disclosed herein, falling outside of the scope of the claims but useful for understanding the invention. Many of the components of the example electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> are substantially similar or identical to the components described above in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>. As such, those components will not be described in detail again below. Instead, the interested reader is referred to the above corresponding descriptions for a complete written description of the structure and operation of such components. To facilitate this process, similar or identical reference numbers will be used for like structures in <FIG> as used in <FIG>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a frame <NUM>, a skin <NUM>, hardware components <NUM> (e.g., electronic components, a PCB <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, graphic card, memory, a camera, a speaker, a microphone, etc.) a vapor chamber <NUM>) that are constructed substantially similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes another example thermal management system <NUM> disclosed herein. The thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a plurality of thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> (e.g., passive cooling and impact resistant units). The thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> are positioned between the vapor chamber <NUM> and the skin <NUM> and define a heat transfer pathway to transfer heat from the vapor chamber <NUM> to the housing <NUM> (e.g., the skin <NUM>). Specifically, the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> of the illustrated example are spaced throughout the housing <NUM>.

Each of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a shock absorbing body <NUM> and a thermal conductive material <NUM> (e.g., a layer, a sheet, a foil, etc.). The thermal conductive material <NUM> encloses the shock absorbing body <NUM>. The shock absorbing body <NUM> is a shock absorber composed of, for example, rubber, silicone, a jelly, a liquid, and/or other impact absorbing material(s). The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example can be composed of graphite, copper, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or any other suitable thermally conductive material(s). In some examples, the shock absorbing body <NUM> and the thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example can be composed or formed similar to the shock absorbing body <NUM> and the thermal conductive material <NUM> of <FIG>, but formed with a smaller dimensional footprint.

To define a heat load pathway from the vapor chamber <NUM> to the skin <NUM>, the thermal conductive material <NUM> of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> of the illustrated example directly engage the vapor chamber <NUM> and the skin <NUM>. Additionally, to reduce (e.g. prevent) hotspots on the housing <NUM> (e.g., the skin <NUM>), the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> are spaced apart relative to each other to provide spaces or airgaps <NUM> therebetween. In this manner, the airgaps <NUM> act as insulation to resist heat transfer from the vapor chamber <NUM> to the skin <NUM> via the airgaps <NUM>.

In operation, heat generated by the processor <NUM> is spread via the vapor chamber <NUM>. The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> transfer heat from the vapor chamber <NUM> to the housing <NUM> (e.g., the skin <NUM>). Each of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> provide a continuous pathway for transferring heat from the vapor chamber <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. In contrast, the airgaps <NUM> restrict (e.g., prevent) heat transfer from the vapor chamber <NUM> to the skin <NUM> via the airgaps <NUM>. In this manner, heat transferred from the vapor chamber <NUM> to the housing <NUM> is (e.g., only, or directly) channeled through the thermal conductive material <NUM> of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM>. As a result, the airgaps <NUM> restrict (e.g., prevent) occurrence of hotspots on the skin <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> typically generates the most amount of heat during operation and the airgap <NUM> directly underneath the processor <NUM> restricts or prevents the portion of the skin <NUM> in alignment (e.g., vertical alignment) with the airgap <NUM> and the processor <NUM> from having a temperature that is greater than a portion of the skin <NUM> spaced away from the processor <NUM>. By distributing the heat to portions of the skin <NUM> associated with the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM>, heat transferred to the skin <NUM> can be more evenly distributed across the skin <NUM> to reduce (e.g., prevent) occurrence of hotspots on the housing <NUM>. In other words, heat transferred from the thermal conductive material <NUM> in direct contact with the skin <NUM> transfers laterally to cooler portions of the skin <NUM> directly aligned with the airgaps <NUM>.

<FIG> is another example electronic device <NUM> disclosed herein. The electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example is a mobile computer (e.g., a rugged laptop, a laptop, etc.). The electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a first housing <NUM> coupled to a second housing <NUM> via a hinge <NUM>. The hinge <NUM> enables the second housing <NUM> to rotate or fold relative to first housing <NUM> between a stored position (e.g., where the second housing <NUM> is aligned or parallel with the first housing <NUM>) and an open position as shown in <FIG> (e.g., where the second housing <NUM> is non-parallel relative to the first housing <NUM>). In the open position, the second housing <NUM> can rotate relative to the first housing <NUM> about the hinge <NUM> to a desired viewing angle. The first housing <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a keyboard <NUM>, a track pad <NUM> and input keys <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> carries a display <NUM>, a camera <NUM> and a speaker <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the example electronic device <NUM> taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. The electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example includes another example thermal management system <NUM> disclosed herein as an embodiment of the invention to dissipate heat generated in the first housing <NUM>. In some examples, the second housing <NUM> can include the thermal management system <NUM> to dissipate heat generated within the second housing <NUM> by, for example, the display <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> of the illustrated example defines a frame <NUM> (e.g., chassis) having side walls <NUM> and a support surface <NUM>. The frame <NUM> of the illustrated example is single piece structure. The frame <NUM> of the of the illustrated example defines a cavity <NUM> to carry the hardware components <NUM> and the thermal management system <NUM>. The support surface <NUM> of the illustrated example is oriented toward the cavity <NUM>. The hardware components <NUM> of the illustrated example include a PCB <NUM> and a processor <NUM>. The PCB <NUM> and the processor <NUM> are positioned underneath the keyboard <NUM>. The thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a vapor chamber <NUM> and a thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM>. The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> is positioned between the vapor chamber <NUM> and the support surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>.

The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a plurality of shock absorbing bodies <NUM> and a thermal conductive material <NUM>. The shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example are shock absorbing materials or shock absorbing bodies. The shock absorbing bodies <NUM> are made of impact absorbing material(s) such as, for example, rubber, silicone, jelly, and/or any suitable material(s).

The shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example include a first set <NUM> (e.g. first row) of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> and a second set <NUM> (e.g., a second row) of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>. In particular, the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> are oriented in a first orientation and the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> are oriented in a second orientation opposite the first orientation. In particular, the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> and the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> are positioned in an alternating relationship. Specifically, the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> is coupled (e.g., attached) to the vapor chamber <NUM> and the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> is coupled (e.g., attached) to the support surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>.

The shock absorbing bodies <NUM> each include a mounting surface <NUM> and a guide surface <NUM>. The mounting surface <NUM> of the illustrated example is substantially planar (e.g., a substantially flat surface). For example, in the orientation of <FIG>, the mounting surface <NUM> of the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> is substantially parallel (e.g., almost parallel, exactly parallel, within <NUM> percent of perfectly parallel, etc.) to a second surface 218a of the vapor chamber <NUM> oriented toward the support surface <NUM>, and the mounting surface <NUM> of the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> is substantially parallel (e.g., almost parallel, exactly parallel, within <NUM> percent of perfectly parallel, etc.) relative to an inner surface 506a of the support surface <NUM> oriented toward the vapor chamber <NUM>. For example, the mounting surface <NUM> of the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> (e.g., directly) couples or attaches to the second surface 218b of the vapor chamber <NUM> and the mounting surface <NUM> of the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> (e.g., directly) couples or attaches to the inner surface 506a of the support surface <NUM>. For example, the mounting surface <NUM> is permanently deformed to provide the planar surface and the guide surface <NUM> elastically deforms to absorb forces during an impact event.

The guide surface <NUM> of the illustrated example has an arcuate surface. For example, the guide surface <NUM> is a semi-circular shape (e.g., a half-circle) that protrudes away from the mounting surface <NUM>. As discussed below, a radius of the guide surface <NUM> of the illustrated example is dependent on a bending radius of the thermal conductive material. Specifically, the radius of the guide surface <NUM> is greater than the bending radius of the thermal conductive material <NUM>.

Additionally, the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> each include an airgap <NUM> The airgap <NUM> of the illustrated example can be defined by a cutout, an opening, a channel, etc. The airgap <NUM> of the illustrated example acts as insulation to reduce (e.g., restrict or prevent) heat conduction through the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>. Additionally, the airgap <NUM> formed in the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> improves (e.g., increases) flexibility characteristics of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> (e.g., of the guide surface <NUM>). In some examples, the airgap <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example can be filled with jelly, liquid and/or any other impact absorbing material(s), an insulation material, any combination thereof, and/or any other suitable impact absorbing material(s) and/or thermally nonconductive material(s).

The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example is positioned between the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> and the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>. For example, the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> do not directly engage each other because the thermal conductive material <NUM> is positioned between the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>. The thermal conductive material <NUM> at least partially surrounds (e.g., partially wraps around) the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>. Specifically, the thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example wraps around at least portions of the guide surface <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>. To enable the thermal conductive material <NUM> to at least partially contact (e.g., directly contact or at least partially wrap around) the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> (e.g., arcuate or curved surfaces of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>), the thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example has an arcuate or wavelike shape (e.g., a sinusoidal wave shape). The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example has alternating waves <NUM> that engage (e.g., directly engage) at least portions of the vapor chamber <NUM> and portions of the support surface <NUM>. For example, the waves <NUM> of the thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example that at least partially wrap around the guide surface <NUM> of the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> at least partially engage the support surface <NUM>. In some examples, the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> causes portions of the thermal conductive material <NUM> to engage support surface <NUM>.

Similarly, the waves <NUM> of the thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example that at least partially contact or wrap around the guide surface <NUM> (e.g., a curved or arcuate surface) of the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> at least partially engage (e.g., directly engage) the vapor chamber <NUM>. The waves <NUM> of the thermal conductive material <NUM> have shapes that are similar or complementary to the shape of the guide surface <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>. In some examples, the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> causes portions of the thermal conductive material <NUM> to engage the vapor chamber <NUM>. The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example is a continuous strip of material.

To vary (e.g., increase or decrease) a heat transfer rate of the thermal conductive material <NUM>, a bending radius of the waves <NUM> and/or a thickness <NUM> of the thermal conductive material <NUM> can be varied (e.g., increased or decreased). Additionally, a number of direct engagements (e.g., the waves <NUM>) of the thermal conductive material <NUM> with the vapor chamber <NUM> and the support surface <NUM> can vary the heat transfer rate. For example, the greater the number of direct engagements (e.g., waves <NUM>), the greater the heat transfer rate, and vice versa. The thermal conductive material <NUM> can be a layer, a sheet, a foil, etc., and can be made of aluminum, graphite, copper, a combination thereof, and/or any other suitable thermal conductive material(s).

In operation, the thermal conductive material <NUM> promotes heat transfer between the vapor chamber <NUM> and the frame <NUM>. For example, heat generated by the hardware components <NUM> is spread by the vapor chamber <NUM> across a surface area of the vapor chamber <NUM>. The heat transfers through the vapor chamber <NUM> towards the waves <NUM> of the thermal conductive material <NUM> that are in direct contact with the vapor chamber <NUM>. The airgaps <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> restrict heat transfer through the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> and thereby reduce (e.g., prevent) hotspots from forming on portions of the support surface <NUM> that are not directly engaged by the thermal conductive material <NUM>. The heat transfers from the waves <NUM> of the thermal conductive material <NUM> in direct contact with the vapor chamber <NUM> to the waves <NUM> of the thermal conductive material <NUM> in direct contact with the support surface <NUM>. The heat then dissipates away from the support surface <NUM> and/or dissipates laterally (e.g., in a direction between the side walls <NUM>) across the support surface <NUM>. During an impact event (e.g., when the electronic device is dropped from a height of, for example, <NUM> to <NUM> meters (<NUM> to <NUM> feet)), the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> absorb the impact load and restrict impact forces from imparting to the hardware components <NUM>. In some examples, the guide surface <NUM> flexes or bends towards the mounting surface <NUM> during impact (e.g., to absorb the forces) and returns to its initial position (e.g., deflects to the position shown in <FIG>) after the impact event.

<FIG> is another example electronic device <NUM> having another example thermal management system <NUM> disclosed herein as an embodiment of the invention. Many of the components of the example electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> are substantially similar or identical to the components described above in connection with <FIG>. As such, those components will not be described in detail again below. Instead, the interested reader is referred to the above corresponding descriptions for a complete written description of the structure and operation of such components. To facilitate this process, similar or identical reference numbers will be used for like structures in <FIG> as used in <FIG>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM>, a keyboard <NUM>, hardware components <NUM> (e.g., a PCB <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a vapor chamber <NUM>) a frame <NUM>, side walls <NUM>, a support surface <NUM>, a thermal conductive material <NUM> that are constructed substantially similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM>. The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a plurality of shock absorbing bodies <NUM> (e.g., a shock absorber) and a thermal conductive material <NUM>. The shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example have a solid body composed of an impact absorbing material including, but not limited to, rubber, silicon, jelly a combination thereof, and/or any other suitable yielding material(s). In other words, the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example are substantially similar to the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of <FIG> except that the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example do not have the airgaps <NUM>. Thus, the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example have a perimeter profile that is substantially similar to the perimeter profile of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> each include a mounting surface <NUM> and a guiding surface <NUM>.

The shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example include a first set <NUM> (e.g. first row) of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> and a second set <NUM> (e.g., a second row) of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM>. In particular, the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> is oriented in a first orientation and the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> is oriented in a second orientation opposite the first orientation. Specifically, the first set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> is coupled (e.g., attached) to the vapor chamber <NUM> and the second set <NUM> of the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> is coupled (e.g., attached) to the support surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of the illustrated example can dissipate a greater amount of force than the shock absorbing bodies <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of thermal conductive materials 702a-702d that can be used to implement the example thermal management systems <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a relationship of a height 704a-704d, a pitch 706a-706d, and a count (e.g., <NUM> waves) for a bending radius of the thermal conductive materials 702a-702d fixed at three (R=<NUM>).

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of another example electronic device <NUM> having another example thermal management system <NUM> disclosed herein, falling outside of the scope of the claims but useful for understanding the invention. The example electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example can be a tablet, a display portion of a laptop (e.g., the second housing <NUM> of <FIG>), and/or any other suitable electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example has a frame <NUM> (e.g., a chassis). The frame <NUM> of the illustrated example carries a display <NUM> and a cover <NUM> (e.g., a glass cover). The frame <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a support surface <NUM> and side walls <NUM> that define a cavity <NUM> to house or receive hardware components <NUM> (e.g., a PCB <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM>.

The thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a heat sink or a heat spreader <NUM> and a plurality of thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM>. The heat spreader <NUM> of the illustrated example is a plate or block of material having high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat spreader <NUM> of the illustrated example can be made of copper, aluminum, diamond, and/or any thermally conductive material(s). In other examples, thermal management system <NUM> can use a vapor chamber, a heat sink, and/or any other heat spreader(s) to dissipate or spread heat generated by the hardware components <NUM>. The thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> are positioned between the heat spreader <NUM> and the support surface <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> of the illustrated example each include a shock absorbing body <NUM> (e.g., a shock absorber) positioned between a first thermal conductive material <NUM> (e.g., a layer, a sheet, etc.) and a second thermal conductive material <NUM> (e.g., a layer, a sheet, etc.). The first thermal conductive material <NUM> of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> is directly coupled to the heat spreader <NUM> and the second thermal conductive material <NUM> of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> is directly coupled to the support surface <NUM>. To provide a continuous heat pathway between the heat spreader <NUM> and the support surface <NUM>, the first thermal conductive material <NUM> is directly coupled to the second thermal conductive material <NUM>. Specifically, respective ends 822a, 822b of the first thermal conductive material <NUM> are directly engaged with respective ends 824a, 824b of the second thermal conductive material <NUM>. In some examples, the respective ends 822a, 822b of the first thermal conductive material <NUM> can be coupled to the respective ends 824a, 824b of the second thermal conductive material <NUM> via fasteners (e.g., pins, rivets, screws), conductive adhesive, crimping, twisting, and/or any other fastener(s) or manufacturing technique(s) to provide a thermal conductive pathway between the first thermal conductive material <NUM> and the second thermal conductive material <NUM>.

The shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example can be an impact absorbing material including, but not limited to, rubber, silicone, jelly, liquid, a combination thereof, and/or any other yielding material(s) for absorbing impact forces. Respective ones of the first thermal conductive material <NUM> and the second thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example can be sheets of materials, a folded sheet of material, graphite layers or folded graphite layers, copper, layers of aluminum, a combination thereof, and/or any other thermal conductive material(s).

Additionally, the shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The second thermal conductive material <NUM> is at least partially contoured to matably engage the shock absorbing body <NUM>. In other words, a portion 824c of the second thermal conductive material <NUM> between the respective ends 824a, 824b has a shape complementary to a shape of the shock absorbing body <NUM> to enable the second thermal conductive material <NUM> to at least partially contact or wrap around the shock absorbing body <NUM>. An arcuate portion 820a of the shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example has a radius that is greater a minimum required bending radius needed for shaping the second thermal conductive material <NUM> complementary to the shock absorbing body <NUM>. In some examples, the shock absorbing body <NUM> can have any suitable shape.

The thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> of the illustrated example are positioned between the heat spreader <NUM> and the support surface <NUM>. Additionally, a first thermally conductive shock absorber 818a is spaced from a second thermally conductive shock absorber 818b to provide an airgap <NUM> underneath the processor <NUM>.

In operation, heat generated by the hardware components <NUM> (e.g., the processor <NUM>) is spread across a surface of the heat spreader <NUM>. The heat transfers to the first thermal conductive material <NUM> of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> that is in direct contact with the heat spreader <NUM> and transfers to the second thermal conductive material <NUM> of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> via the connection provided by the respective ends 822a-b and 824a-b. The heat transfers to the support surface <NUM> via the direct contact between the second thermal conductive material <NUM> of the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> and the support surface <NUM>. The airgap <NUM>, which is aligned with the processor <NUM> and provides an insulation against thermal heat transfer, reduces (e.g., prevent) hotspots from forming on the support surface <NUM> during operation. The shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example absorb impact forces during a drop event (e.g., a drop between <NUM> centimeters and <NUM> meters (six inches and <NUM> feet)).

<FIG> is another example thermal management system <NUM> disclosed herein, falling outside of the scope of the claims but useful for understanding the invention. The thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example can be used with the electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> disclosed herein and/or any other electronic device(s). The thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example is a pre-assembled unit or assembly cartridge that can facilitate assembly of an electronic device. In some examples, the thermal management system <NUM> can retrofit existing electronic devices.

Many of the components of the example thermal management system <NUM> of <FIG> are substantially similar or identical to the components described above in connection with <FIG>. As such, those components will not be described in detail again below. Instead, the interested reader is referred to the above corresponding descriptions for a complete written description of the structure and operation of such components. To facilitate this process, similar or identical reference numbers will be used for like structures in <FIG> as used in <FIG>. For example, the thermal management system <NUM> includes a heat spreader <NUM>, a shock absorbing body <NUM>, a first thermal conductive material <NUM>, and a second thermal conductive material <NUM> that are constructed substantially similar to the thermal management system <NUM> of <FIG>.

The thermal management system <NUM> of <FIG> includes a thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> (e.g., a passive cooling and impact resistant assembly) coupled to the heat spreader <NUM>. The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> includes the shock absorbing body <NUM> positioned between the first thermal conductive material <NUM> and the second thermal conductive material <NUM>. The first thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example is coupled to a first surface <NUM> of the heat spreader <NUM> via a first conductive adhesive layer <NUM>. Likewise, the second thermal conductive material <NUM> is attached to the first thermal conductive material <NUM> via a second thermal conductive adhesive layer <NUM>. In some examples, the first thermal conductive material <NUM> couples to the heat spreader <NUM> via fasteners, chemical fasteners (e.g., glue), welding, and/or any other fastener(s) and/or manufacturing technique(s). In some examples, the second thermal conductive material <NUM> couples to the first thermal conductive material <NUM> via fasteners, chemical fasteners (e.g., glue), welding, and/or any other fastener(s) and/or manufacturing technique(s).

The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example has an overall height <NUM>. The overall height <NUM> of the illustrated example is determined based on a thickness <NUM> of the shock absorbing body <NUM>, a thickness <NUM> of the first thermal conductive material <NUM>, and a thickness <NUM> of the second thermal conductive material <NUM>. The overall height <NUM> can vary to adjust (e.g., increase or decrease) an impact absorbing characteristic of the shock absorbing body <NUM> and/or a heat transfer rate of the first thermal conductive material <NUM> and/or the second thermal conductive material <NUM>. For example, the overall height <NUM> can be between approximately <NUM> micron and <NUM> microns. In some examples, the thickness <NUM> of the shock absorber can be between <NUM> microns and <NUM> microns. In some examples, the thickness <NUM> of the first thermal conductive material <NUM> and/or the thickness <NUM> of the second thermal conductive material <NUM> can be between <NUM> micron and <NUM> microns.

<FIG> is another example electronic device <NUM> disclosed herein. <FIG> is a partially exploded view of the example electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example includes another example thermal management system <NUM> disclosed herein, falling outside of the scope of the claims but useful for understanding the invention. The electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example is a desktop computer such as, for example, a NUC extreme compute element manufactured by Intel® Corporation. In some examples, the electronic device <NUM> of the illustrated example can be a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet, etc.), a server, a modular compute system, a graphic calculator, and/or any other electronic device.

The electronic device of the illustrated example includes a primary frame <NUM> (e.g., chassis) that defines a cavity <NUM> to receive hardware components <NUM>. In <FIG>, the hardware components are showed removed from the primary frame <NUM>. The hardware components <NUM> are cantilevered from a secondary frame <NUM> (e.g., a handle portion). The hardware components <NUM> of the illustrated example include a printed circuit board, a processor, memory, a graphics card, an antenna, a power source and/or any other hardware components used with electronic devices.

The thermal management system <NUM> of the illustrated example includes thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM>. The thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> of the illustrated example extend between a first end 1004a of the primary frame <NUM> and a second end 1004b of the primary frame <NUM>, and between a first side edge 1004c of the primary frame <NUM> and a second side edge 1004d of the primary frame <NUM>. Although not shown, in some examples, the thermal management system <NUM> can include a vapor chamber and/or a heat spreader positioned on the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> and/or carried by hardware components <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> representative of the example thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM> of <FIG>. The thermally conductive shock absorber <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a shock absorbing body <NUM> (e.g., a shock absorber) and a thermal conductive material <NUM>. The shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example is a body <NUM> having a cylindrical shape (e.g., a circular cross-sectional shape) and a longitudinal length <NUM>. The shock absorbing body <NUM> of the illustrated example is a solid body made of a shock absorbing or impact absorbing material(s) including, but limited to, rubber, silicone, jelly and/or any other suitable material(s). In some examples, the shock absorbing body <NUM> can include an airgap (e.g., a bore or opening) extending (e.g., in the longitudinal direction) through at least a portion of the body <NUM>. The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example at least partially wraps around the shock absorbing body <NUM> such that the thermal conductive material <NUM> establishes a heat transfer pathway between the hardware components <NUM> and the frame <NUM> when the electronic device <NUM> is in the assembled view of <FIG> and the electronic device is in an operating condition. The thermal conductive material <NUM> of the illustrated example forms a tube or cylinder to receive the shock absorbing body <NUM>.

In some examples, the hardware components <NUM>, the PCB <NUM>, and/or processor <NUM> disclosed herein provides means for processing instructions (e.g., calculations, logical comparisons, data, etc.). In some examples, the housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, primary frame <NUM> provide means for housing the means for processing and/or means for housing the hardware components <NUM>, the PCB <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the thermal management systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. In some examples, the vapor chamber <NUM>, the heat spreader <NUM>, a heat sink, and/or other suitable heat spreaders provides means for spreading heat. In some examples, the shock absorbing body(ies) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> provides the means for absorbing a shock from an impact. In some examples, the thermal conductive material <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 702a-d, first thermal conductive material <NUM>, the second thermal conductive material <NUM>, and/or the thermal conductive material <NUM> provide means for transferring heat.

The foregoing examples of the electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the thermal management systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> improve passive heat transfer rates and provide impact resistance. For example, the thermally conductive shock absorber body(ies) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can provide approximately between a <NUM>% and a <NUM>% stress reduction. For example, a simulation drop of an electronic device from a height of <NUM> meter on concrete, the electronic device having a <NUM> millimeter thick outer cover, a <NUM> millimeter thick graphite thermal conductive layer, and <NUM> millimeter jelly shock absorbing material(s) and <NUM> millimeter outer cover provided a <NUM> percent stress reduction compared to the same electronic device without the graphite layer and the jelly shock absorbing material(s). In some examples, the thermally conductive shock absorbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> disclosed herein reduce a deflection of a housing, chassis and/or cover (e.g., the housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the skin <NUM>, the support surface <NUM>, the cover <NUM>, etc.) by approximately between <NUM>% and <NUM>%. For example, a force of <NUM> Newtons applied by a pogo pin having a <NUM> centimeter (<NUM> inch) diameter to an electronic device that did not include the thermally conductive shock absorber(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> disclosed herein caused a cover deflection of <NUM> millimeters. A force of <NUM> Newtons applied by a pogo pin having a <NUM> centimeter (<NUM> inch) diameter to an electronic device that included the thermally conductive shock absorber(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> disclosed herein caused a cover deflection of <NUM> millimeters, a <NUM> percent decrease. Thus, the example thermally conductive shock absorber(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> disclosed herein provide an effective, low cost thermal management and impact resistant solution for electronic devices.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a chassis (<NUM>);
a processor (<NUM>);
a printed circuit board (<NUM>);
a heat sink (<NUM>);
a shock absorbing body (<NUM>); and
a thermally conductive material (<NUM>) having a first surface to at least partially engage the heat sink and a second surface to at least partially engage the chassis (<NUM>), the thermally conductive material (<NUM>) to transfer heat from the heat sink to the chassis (<NUM>), the thermally conductive material (<NUM>) to at least partially wrap around the shock absorbing body (<NUM>), the shock absorbing body (<NUM>) including a plurality of shock absorbing bodies (<NUM>) spaced apart and located between the heat sink and the chassis (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of shock absorbing bodies (<NUM>) include a first set of shock absorbing bodies (<NUM>) positioned in a first orientation and a second set of shock absorbing bodies (<NUM>) positioned in a second orientation opposite the first orientation, the first set of shock absorbing bodies (<NUM>) and the second set of shock absorbing bodies (<NUM>) being positioned in an alternating relationship, wherein the thermally conductive material (<NUM>) is positioned between the first set of the shock absorbing bodies (<NUM>) and the second set of the shock absorbing bodies (<NUM>).