Patent ID: 12228980

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various features.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in further detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate aspects and features of the present disclosure. Numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of certain aspects and features of the present disclosure, although one having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that these aspects and features can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, with other relationships, or with other methods. In some instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail for illustrative purposes. The various embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are necessarily required to implement certain aspects and features of the present disclosure.

For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, and where appropriate, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to mean “at,” “near,” “nearly at,” “within 3-5% of,” “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances of,” or any logical combination thereof. Similarly, terms “vertical” or “horizontal” are intended to additionally include “within 3-5% of” a vertical or horizontal orientation, respectively. Additionally, words of direction, such as “top.” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “below” are intended to relate to the equivalent direction as depicted in a reference illustration; as understood contextually from the object(s) or element(s) being referenced, such as from a commonly used position for the object(s) or element(s); or as otherwise described herein.

A mounting system for an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown inFIG.3. The mounting system400includes a mounting plate410to be coupled with an electronic device. In some embodiments, the mounting plate410is square or rectangular, but the shape of the mounting plate410is not limited thereto. For example, the mounting plate410is a heatsink or a cold plate. For example, the electronic device is a chipset.

The mounting system400further includes a plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dfor coupling the mounting plate410with the electronic device. In some embodiments, when the mounting plate410is square or rectangular, each of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dis positioned at or near one of four corners of the mounting plate410. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dhas external threads. The external threads of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dare configured to be screwed into respectively corresponding internal threads of a plurality of receiving portions411a(not shown in drawings),411b(not shown in drawings),411c,411d.

In some embodiments, the plurality of receiving portions411a,411b,411c,411dof the mounting plate410are not threaded and formed as through holes. In this case, the external threads of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dpass through the through holes of the plurality of receiving portions411a,411b,411c,411dand are screwed into respectively corresponding internal threads of a plurality of receiving portions formed at the electronic device.

The mounting system400further includes a single main gear500mounted on the mounting plate410. The mounting system400further includes a plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600dthat are coupled, respectively, to the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602d. In various embodiments, the single main gear500is centrally located on the mounting plate410relative to the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600d. Rotation of each of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600dcauses a fastening movement of a respective one of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602d. The fastening movement of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dcauses the mounting plate410to be coupled with the electronic device.

In some embodiments, the external threads of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dare screwed into respectively corresponding internal threads of a plurality of receiving portions411a(not shown in drawings),411b(not shown in drawings),411c,411din response to the simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600din a first direction. In some embodiments, the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dare released from the respectively corresponding receiving portions411a(not shown in drawings),411b(not shown in drawings),411c,411din response to the simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600din a second direction opposite the first direction. A rotation direction of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600din the first direction or the second direction is determined based on a rotation direction of the main gear500.

For example, a technician rotates the main gear500in the first direction to couple the mounting plate410with the electronic device. Further, the main gear500can be rotated in the second direction by the technician to uncouple the mounting plate410from the electronic device. Thus, the technician can manipulate all the fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dsimultaneously by manipulating only the main gear500without manipulating the fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dindividually. The mounting system400according to various embodiments of the present invention allows simultaneous fastening of all the fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dby a single force applied to the main gear500. This fastening mechanism prevents the electronic device from being stressed at corners when each of the fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dis fastened individually in series, as exemplified inFIG.1. That is because a fastening force is applied to all corners of the electronic device evenly when all the fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dare rotated/fastened simultaneously such that the fastening force generated by each of the fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dis balanced. The fastening mechanism of the inventive mounting system400is also effective to shorten the time required for installation of the mounting plate410since only a single rotational force is required to the main gear500, rather than a plurality of rotations forces applied to all four fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dindividually.

The mounting system400further includes a plurality of intermediate gears701a,701b,702a,702b,703a,703b,704a,704b,708a,708b,709a,709bmounted on the mounting plate410. The plurality of intermediate gears701a,701b,702a,702b,703a,703b,704a,704b,708a,708b,709a,709bare rotationally coupled between the single main gear500and the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600d. Simultaneous rotation of the plurality of intermediate gears701a,701b,702a,702b,703a,703b,704a,704b,708a,708b,709a,709bcauses the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600dto rotate simultaneously in response to a single rotational force being received by the main gear500. The simultaneous rotation of the plurality of intermediate gears701a,7016,702a,702b,703a,703b,704a,704b,708a,708b,709a,709bcauses a simultaneous fastening movement of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600d.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the mounting system400further includes a plurality of guide gears712a,712b,712c.712d,712e,712f,712g,712h. As shown inFIG.3, a pair of guide gears712a,712b(712c.712d) (712e,712f) (712g,712h) among the plurality of guide gears712a,712b,712c.712d,712e,712f,712g,712hare operably engaged with a respective one600d, (600c), (600b). (600a) of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b.600c,600d. Thus, the plurality of guide gears712a,7126,712c,712d,712e,712f,712g,712hact as guide rollers that are rotated when the respective secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600drotate. The plurality of guide gears712a,712b,712c,712d,712e,712f.712g,712hsupport the respective secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600dto provide stability, preventing the secondary gears600a,600b,600c.600dfrom tilting when they are rotated and fastened.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the main gear500is formed as a bevel gear, as exemplified inFIG.3. In some embodiments, the main bevel gear500is coupled to a shaft510coupled with the mounting plate410. In some embodiments, a handle520is coupled to or protrudes from the main gear500. A technician can apply a rotational force to the main gear500by manipulating the handle520with a hand or a tool.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of intermediate gears includes a pair of first bevel gears701a,701boperably engaged with the main gear500. The plurality of intermediate gears further includes a pair of second bevel gears702a,702b. Each of the pair of first bevel gears701a,701bis formed at a first end of a respective first shaft705a,705b, and each of the pair of second bevel gears702a,702bis formed at a second end of the respective first shaft705a,705b. The first shaft705ais held by a pair of supporting structures710a,710band the first shaft705bis held by a pair of supporting structures710c,710d.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of intermediate gears further includes a pair of third bevel gears703a,703band a pair of fourth bevel gears704a,704b. Each of the pair of second bevel gears702a,702bis operably engaged with a respective one of the pair of third bevel gears703a,703band a respective one of the pair of fourth bevel gears704a,704b. The third bevel gear703a,703bis formed at one end of a respective one of a pair of second shafts706a,706band the fourth bevel gear704a,704bis formed at one end of a respective one of a pair of third shafts707a,707b. The second shaft706aand the third shaft707aare aligned along a same axis, and the second shaft706band the third shaft707bare aligned along a same axis. The third bevel gear703a,703band the corresponding fourth bevel gear704a,704bface each other. The second shaft706ais held by a pair of supporting structures711a,711b, and the second shaft706bis held by a pair of supporting structures711e,711f. The third shaft707ais held by a pair of supporting structures711c.711d, and the third shaft707bis held by a pair of supporting structures711g,711h. Each of the supporting structures710a,710b,710c,710d,711a.711b,711c,711d,711e,711f,711g,711his coupled to the top surface of the mounting plate410and has a through hole into which a respective shaft705a,705b,706a,706b,707a,707bis inserted.

According to various embodiments, a lefthand thread of a first worm gear708a,708bis cut into a portion of the second shaft706a,706b, respectively, and a righthand thread of a second worm gear709a,709bis cut into a portion of the third shaft707a,707b, respectively. The first worm gear708a,708bis operably engaged with a respective one of the plurality of secondary gears600d,600bformed as worm wheels. The second worm gear709a,709bis operably engaged with a corresponding one of the plurality of secondary gears600c,600aformed as worm wheels. A plurality of rotation axes of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600dare perpendicular to the first shafts705a,705b, second shafts706a,706b, and third shafts707a,707b.

As exemplified inFIG.3, in the mounting system400, rotation of the main gear500causes the pair of first shafts705a,705bto rotate. Then, the rotation of the pair of first shafts705a,705bcauses the pair of second shafts706a,706band pair of third shafts707a,707bto rotate simultaneously. Then, the simultaneous rotation of the pair of second shafts706a,706band pair of third shafts707a,707bcauses the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600dto rotate simultaneously such that the plurality of fasteners coupled to the plurality of secondary gears are rotated simultaneously. Then, the rotated fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dare fastened to or loosened from the electronic device based on a direction of the rotational force received by the main gear500.

Although a number of gears are included in the inventive mounting system400exemplified inFIG.3, rotation of the main gear500in a first direction causes the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600dto rotate simultaneously in one direction. The simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600din the one direction causes fastening of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dinto the plurality of receiving portions411a,411b,411c,411dconfigured to receive respectively corresponding fasteners602a,602b,602c,602d.

Further, rotation of the main gear500in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600dto rotate simultaneously in another direction opposite the one direction. The simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600din another direction opposite the one direction causes release of the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602dfrom the respectively corresponding receiving portions411a,411b,411c,411dof the mounting plate410.

A mounting system for an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown inFIG.4. The mounting system800includes a mounting plate810to be coupled with an electronic device. In some embodiments, the mounting plate810is square or rectangular, but the shape of the mounting plate810is not limited thereto. For example, the mounting plate810is a heatsink or a cold plate. For example, the electronic device is a chipset.

The mounting system800further includes a plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dfor coupling the mounting plate810with the electronic device. In some embodiments, when the mounting plate810is square or rectangular, each of the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dis positioned at or near one of four corners of the mounting plate810. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dhas external threads. The external threads of the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dare configured to be screwed into respectively corresponding internal threads of a plurality of receiving portions811a(not shown in drawings),8116,811c,811d.

In some embodiments, the plurality of receiving portions811a,811b,811c,811dof the mounting plate810are not threaded and formed as through holes. In this case, the external threads of the plurality of fasteners1002a.1002b,1002c,1002dpass through the through holes of the plurality of receiving portions811a,811b,811c,811dand are screwed into respectively corresponding internal threads of a plurality of receiving portions formed at the electronic device.

The mounting system800further includes a single main gear900mounted on the mounting plate810. The mounting system800further includes a plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dthat are coupled, respectively, to the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002d. In various embodiments, the single main gear900is centrally located on the mounting plate810relative to the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d. Rotation of each of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dcauses a fastening movement of a respective one of the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002d. The fastening movement of the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dcauses the mounting plate810to be coupled with the electronic device.

In some embodiments, the external threads of the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b.1002c,1002dare screwed into respectively corresponding internal threads of a plurality of receiving portions811a(not shown in drawings),811b,811c,811din response to the simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears1000a.1000b,1000c,1000din a first direction. In some embodiments, the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dare released from the respectively corresponding receiving portions811a(not shown in drawings).811b,811c.811din response to the simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000din a second direction opposite the first direction. A rotation direction of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000din the first direction or the second direction is determined based on a rotation direction of the main gear900.

For example, a technician rotates the main gear900in the first direction to couple the mounting plate810with the electronic device. Further, the main gear900can be rotated in the second direction by the technician to uncouple the mounting plate810from the electronic device. Thus, the technician can manipulate all the fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dsimultaneously by manipulating only the main gear900without manipulating the fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dindividually. The mounting system800according to various embodiments of the present invention allows simultaneous fastening of all the fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dby a single force applied to the main gear900. This fastening mechanism prevents the electronic device from being stressed at corners when each of the fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dis fastened individually in series, as exemplified inFIG.1. That is because a fastening force is applied to all corners of the electronic device evenly when all the fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dare rotated/fastened simultaneously such that the fastening force generated by each of the fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dis balanced. The fastening mechanism of the inventive mounting system800is also effective to shorten the time required for installation of the mounting plate810since only a single rotational force is required to the main gear900, rather than a plurality of rotations forces applied to all four fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dindividually.

The mounting system800further includes a plurality of intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100dmounted on the mounting plate810. The plurality of intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100dare rotationally coupled between the single main gear900and the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d. Simultaneous rotation of the plurality of intermediate gears1100a.1100b,1100c,1100dcauses the plurality of secondary gears1000a.1000b,1000c,1000dto rotate simultaneously in response to a single rotational force being received by the main gear900. The simultaneous rotation of the plurality of intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100dcauses a simultaneous fastening movement of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the mounting system800further includes a plurality of guide gears1112a,1112b,1112c,1112d,1112e,1112f,1112g,1112h. As shown inFIG.4, a pair of guide gears1112a,1112b, (1112c,1112d), (1112e,1112f), (1112g,1112h) among the plurality of guide gears are operably engaged with a respective one1000a, (1000b), (1000c), (1000d) of the plurality of secondary gears. Thus, the plurality of guide gears1112a,1112b,1112c,1112d,1112e,1112f,1112g,1112hact as guide rollers that are rotated when the respective secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000drotate. The plurality of guide gears1112a,1112b,1112c,1112d,1112e,1112f,1112g,1112hsupport the respective secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dto provide stability, preventing the secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dfrom tilting when they are rotated and fastened.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the main gear900, secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d, intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100d, and guide gears1112a,1112b,1112c,1112d,1112e,1112f,1112g,1112hare spur gears. Each spur gear is formed as a cylinder or disk with teeth projecting radially. All rotation axes of the main gear900, secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d, intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100d, and guide gears1112a,11126,1112c,1112d,1112e,1112f,1112g,1112hare parallel and formed vertically with respect to the top surface of the mounting plate810. In some embodiments, the main gear900is coupled to the mounting plate810. In some embodiments, a handle920is coupled to or protrudes from the main gear900. A technician can apply a rotational force to the main gear900by manipulating the handle920with a hand or a tool.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dare raised or lowered with respect to the plurality of guide gears1112a,1112b,1112c,1112d,1112e,1112f,1112g,1112hin response to the single rotational force being received by the main gear900. The plurality of guide gears1112a,1112b,1112c,1112d,1112e,1112f,1112g,1112hare rotated simultaneously in response to the simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d. In some embodiments, a number of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dis same as a number of the plurality of intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100d.

As exemplified inFIG.4, in the mounting system800, rotation of the main gear900causes the intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100dto rotate. Then, the rotation of the intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100dcauses the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dto rotate simultaneously. At the same time, the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dcoupled to the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dare rotated simultaneously. The simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dcauses the plurality of guide gears1112a,1112b,1112c,1112d,1112e,1112f,1112g,1112hto rotate. Then, the rotated fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dare fastened to or loosened from the electronic device based on a direction of the rotational force received by the main gear900.

In the mounting system800, the direction of the rotation of the main gear900is same as a direction of the rotation of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d. Further, a direction of the rotation of the intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100dis opposite to the direction of the rotation of the main gear900. For example, the direction of the rotation of the intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100dis counterclockwise when the directions of the rotation of the main gear900and secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dare clockwise. Further, the direction of the rotation of the intermediate gears1100a,1100b,1100c,1100dis clockwise when the directions of the rotation of the main gear900and secondary gears1000a.1000b,1000c,1000dare counterclockwise.

For example, rotation of the main gear900in a first direction causes the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dto rotate simultaneously in one direction. The simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000din the one direction causes fastening of the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dinto the plurality of receiving portions811a,811b,811c,811dconfigured to receive respectively corresponding fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c.1002d.

Further, rotation of the main gear900in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000dto rotate simultaneously in another direction opposite the one direction. The simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears1000a,1000b,1000c,1000din another direction opposite the one direction causes release of the plurality of fasteners1002a,1002b,1002c,1002dfrom the respectively corresponding receiving portions811a,811b,811c,811dof the mounting plate810.

Referring toFIGS.3and4, a method for mounting an electronic device with the mounting system400or800includes receiving a single rotational force for rotating the main gear500or900mounted on the mounting plate410or810. In response to the rotating of the main gear500or900, the plurality of intermediate gears intermediate gears701a,701b,702a,702b,703a,703b,704a,704b,708a,708b,709a,709b(or1100a,1100b,1100c,1100d) rotate simultaneously. The plurality of intermediate gears701a,701b,702a,702b,703a,703b,704a,704b,708a,708b,709a,709b(or1100a,1100b,1100c,1100d) are physically coupled between the main gear500or900and the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600d(or1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d). In response to the simultaneous rotation of the plurality of intermediate gears701a,701b,702a,702b,703a,703b,704a,704b,708a,708b,709a,709b(or1100a,1100b,1100c,1100d), the plurality of secondary gears rotate simultaneously. In response to the simultaneous rotation of the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600d(or1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d), the mounting plate410or810is fastened with the electronic device by the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602d(or1002a,1002b,1002c,1002d) respectively coupled to the plurality of secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600d(or1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d). Thus, in the method, the only operation performed by a technician to couple the mounting plate410or810to the electronic device is applying a single rotational force for rotating the main gear500or900. The single rotation force applied to the main gear500or900causes simultaneous rotation of the plurality of intermediate gears701a,701b,702a,702b,703a,703b,704a,704b,708a,708b,709a,709b(or1100a,1100b,1100c,1100d) and secondary gears600a,600b,600c,600d(or1000a,1000b,1000c,1000d), at the same time, causing fastening of the mounting plate410or810with the electronic device by the plurality of fasteners602a,602b,602c,602d(or1002a,1002b,1002c,1002d).

FIG.5shows a cooling system1200of an electronic device including the mounting system400exemplified inFIG.3.FIG.6shows a cooling system1300of an electronic device including the mounting system800exemplified inFIG.4. The mounting systems400,800can be implemented in various cooling systems including an air cooling system and a liquid cooling system in which a contact force between the mounting plate410,810and the surface of the electronic device needs to be balanced.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur or be known to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof, are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Furthermore, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein, without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the disclosure should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.