PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7911780-B2
Application Number: US-24100908-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Methods and apparatus for cooling electronic devices through user interfaces

Abstract:
An electronic device can be provided with a user interface component and a cooling component contained within a housing. The housing may include at least one surface having an opening formed therethrough, and the user interface may include one port formed therethrough. The user interface port may provide at least a first portion of a passageway between the housing opening and the cooling component. The passageway may allow fluids to be exchanged between the cooling component and the housing opening for cooling the electronic device.

Claims:
1. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing having a housing opening; 
 a cooling component at least partially contained within the housing; and 
 an input/output (“I/O”) component at least partially contained within the housing, wherein the I/O component includes:
 a first layer having a first port through a first portion of the first layer; and 
 a second layer having a second port through a first portion of the second layer, wherein the first port is at least partially aligned with the second port, wherein the first port provides a first portion of a passageway for fluid communication between the housing opening and the cooling component, and wherein the second port provides a second portion of the passageway. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising within the passageway a filter for passing a gas but not a liquid. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the filter is positioned within the first port. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the filter is positioned between the first port and the cooling component. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the filter includes a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling component is configured to discharge a fluid through the passageway and to the housing opening. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling component is configured to draw a fluid through the passageway from the housing opening. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling component includes a fan. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the I/O component is a keyboard assembly. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the keyboard assembly further includes a plurality of keys; 
 the first layer is a light guide layer positioned under the plurality of keys; and 
 the second layer is a base layer positioned under the light guide layer. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the keyboard assembly further includes a flex layer positioned between the plurality of keys and the base layer, and wherein the I/O component further includes a third port through at least a portion of the flex layer for providing a third portion of the passageway. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the keyboard assembly further comprises:
 a keypad comprising at least a first key and a second key; 
 a keyboard membrane layer positioned under the keypad and having a keyboard membrane port through the keyboard membrane layer that is at least partially aligned with a spacing between the first key and the second key; 
 a light guide layer positioned under the keyboard membrane layer and having a light guide port through the light guide layer that is at least partially aligned with the keyboard membrane port; and 
 a reflector layer positioned under the light guide layer and having a reflector port through the reflector layer that is at least partially aligned with the light guide port; 
 
 the first layer is a flex layer positioned under the reflector layer; 
 the first port is at least partially aligned with the reflector port; and 
 the second layer is a base layer positioned under the flex layer. 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first port is completely aligned with the second port. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first port provides a first portion of another passageway. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer further comprises a third port through a second portion of the second layer, and wherein the first port is at least partially aligned with the third port. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15  further comprising a second cooling component at least partially within the housing, wherein the first port provides a first portion of a second passageway between the housing opening and the second cooling component, and wherein the third port provides a second portion of the second passageway. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the I/O component is positioned directly adjacent the cooling component. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein a surface of the I/O component contacts a surface of the cooling component. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a geometry of the second port may match a geometry of the cooling component. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the second port may match a cross-section of an active portion of the cooling component. 
     
     
       21. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is positioned under the first layer. 
     
     
       22. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first port and the second port form at least a portion of a linear channel through the I/O component. 
     
     
       23. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the passageway is a linear passageway. 
     
     
       24. A method of manufacturing an electronic device, the method comprising:
 providing an opening in a surface of a housing; 
 providing a user interface component comprising a first layer with a first port through the first layer and a second layer with a second port through the second layer; and 
 positioning a cooling component and the user interface component within the housing such that the first port and the second port are at least partially aligned and provide at least a portion of an airflow passageway between the opening and the cooling component.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/093,103, filed Aug. 29, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to methods and apparatus for cooling an electronic device, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for cooling an electronic device through a user interface of the electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     As electronic components of various electronic devices (e.g., laptop computers) evolve into faster and more dynamic machines, their power requirements often consequently increase. With this increase in power consumption, an increase in power dissipation in the form of heat results. For example, in a laptop computer, chipsets and microprocessors, such as central processing units (“CPUs”) and graphics processing units (“GPUs”), are major sources of heat. Heat dissipation is an important consideration in the design of such electronic devices. If this heat is not adequately dissipated, the electronic components may fail and/or cause damage to the electronic device. 
     Accordingly, what is needed are methods and apparatus for cooling an electronic device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Apparatus and methods for cooling an electronic device are provided. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electronic device that may include a housing having a housing opening, a cooling component at least partially contained within the housing, and an input/output (“I/O”) component at least partially contained within the housing. The I/O component may include a first port through the I/O component for providing a first portion of a passageway between the housing opening and the cooling component. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electronic device that may include a housing having a housing opening, a cooling component, and a user interface component. The user interface component may include means for providing fluid communication through the user interface component and between the housing opening and the cooling component. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for cooling an electronic device, wherein the electronic device may include a housing having a housing opening, a cooling component, and an input/output (“I/O”) component having a port through at least a portion of the I/O component. The method may include passing a fluid between the housing opening and the cooling component through the port. The passing may include discharging the fluid from the cooling component and through the port to the housing opening. Alternatively or additionally, the passing may include drawing the fluid from the housing opening and through the port to the cooling component. 
     According to yet still another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an electronic device. The method may include providing an opening in a surface of a housing and providing a port through a user interface component. The method may also include positioning a cooling component and the user interface component within the housing such that the port provides an airflow passageway between the opening and the cooling component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a simplified schematic diagram of an electronic device, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a top, front, right perspective view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  in an open position, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom, back, left perspective view of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a closed position, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-3 , taken from line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 , according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded top, front, right perspective view of a keyboard assembly of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-4 , according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the keyboard assembly of  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5 , taken from line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 , according to some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-4 , taken from line VII-VII of  FIG. 2 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Apparatus and methods for cooling an electronic device are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic diagram of an electronic device  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The term “electronic device” can include, but is not limited to, music players, video players, still image players, game players, other media players, music recorders, video recorders, cameras, other media recorders, radios, medical equipment, domestic appliances, transportation vehicle instruments, musical instruments, calculators, cellular telephones, other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants, remote controls, pagers, computers (e.g., desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, etc.), monitors, televisions, stereo equipment, set up boxes, set-top boxes, boom boxes, modems, routers, keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, and combinations thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , electronic device  100  may include housing  101 , processor  102 , memory  104 , power supply  106 , communications circuitry  108 , bus  109 , input component  110 , output component  112 , and cooling component  118 . Bus  109  may provide a path for transmitting data and/or power, to, from, or between various components of electronic device  100  including, for example, processor  102 , memory  104 , power supply  106 , communications circuitry  108 , input component  110 , output component  112 , and cooling component  118 . 
     One or more input components  110  may be provided to permit a user to interact or interface with device  100 . For example, input component  110  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, an electronic device pad, dial, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen, one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball, microphone, camera, video recorder, and any combinations thereof. Each input component  110  may be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  100 . 
     One or more output components  112  can be provided to present information (e.g., textual, graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to a user of device  100 . Output component  112  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, audio speakers, headphones, signal line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers, vibrators, and any combinations thereof. 
     It should be noted that one or more input components  110  and/or one or more output components  112  may sometimes be referred to individually or collectively herein as an input/output (“I/O”) component or I/O or user interface. It should also be noted that one or more input components  110  and one or more output components  112  may sometimes be combined to provide a single I/O component or user interface, such as a touch screen that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Communications circuitry  108  may be provided to allow device  100  to communicate with one or more other electronic devices using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry  108  may support Wi-Fi™ (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, file transfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”), real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”), any other communications protocol, and any combinations thereof. Communications circuitry  108  can also include circuitry that enables device  100  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device. 
     Memory  104  may include one or more storage mediums, including, but not limited to, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, and any combinations thereof. Memory  104  may include cache memory, which may be one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data for electronic device applications. 
     Power supply  106  may provide power to the electronic components of electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, power supply  106  can be coupled to a power grid (e.g., when device  100  is not a portable device, such as a desktop computer). In some embodiments, power supply  106  can include one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device  100  is a portable device, such as a cellular telephone or a laptop computer). As another example, power supply  106  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). 
     Processor  102  of device  100  may control the operation of many functions and other circuitry provided by device  100 . For example, processor  102  can receive input signals from input component  110  and/or drive output signals through output component  112 . Processor  102  may load a user interface program (e.g., a program stored in memory  104  or on another device or server) to determine how instructions received via input component  110  may manipulate the way in which information (e.g., information stored in memory  104  or on another device or server) is provided to the user via output component  112 . 
     One or more cooling components  118  can be provided to help dissipate heat generated by the various electronic components of electronic device  100 . Cooling component  118  may take various forms, including, but not limited to, fans, heat sinks, heat spreaders, heat pipes, vents or openings in housing  101  of electronic device  100 , and any combinations thereof. 
     Housing  101  may at least partially enclose one or more of the various electronic components associated with operating electronic device  100  for protecting them from debris and other degrading forces external to device  100 . In some embodiments, housing  101  may typically include several walls that define a cavity within which the various electronic components of device  100  can be disposed. In some embodiments, housing  101  can support various electronic components of device  100 , such as input/output (“I/O”) components  110  and/or I/O components  112 , at the surfaces or within openings through the surfaces of the walls of housing  101 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the electronic components of electronic device  100  may be provided within its own housing component (e.g., input component  110  may be an independent keyboard or mouse within its own housing component that may wirelessly or through a wire communicate with processor  102 , which may similarly be provided within its own housing component). Housing  101  can be formed from a wide variety of materials including, but not limited to, metals (e.g., steel, copper, titanium, aluminum, and various metal alloys), ceramics, plastics, and any combinations thereof. Housing  101  may also help to define the shape or form of electronic device  100 . That is, the contour of housing  101  may embody the outward physical appearance of electronic device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-7  to be a laptop computer, although it is to be understood that electronic device  100  may be any type of electronic device as described herein in accordance with the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , for example, housing  101  of electronic device  100  may be configured to provide two housing components coupled together by a hinge or clutch assembly. Particularly, housing  101  may include a base housing component  101   a  and a display housing component  101   b  coupled to one another by a hinge assembly  101   c , also known as clutch assembly  101   c . Housing components  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  may be configured such that electronic device  100  may be “opened” for use (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) by rotating display housing component  101   b  away from base housing component  101   a  in the direction of arrow O about hinge axis H of hinge assembly  101   c , and such that electronic device  100  may be “closed” (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) by rotating display housing component  101   b  towards base housing component  101   a  in the direction of arrow C about hinge axis H. However, it should be noted that housing  101  of device  100  is only exemplary and need not include two substantially hexahedral portions coupled by a hinge. For example, in certain embodiments, the housing of device  100  could generally be formed in any other suitable shape, including, but not limited to, one or more housing components or portions that are substantially spherical, ellipsoidal, conoidal, octahedral, and any combinations thereof. 
     Base housing component  101   a  may include a top wall  121 , various side walls, such as front wall  122 , back wall  123 , right wall  124 , and left wall  125 , and a bottom wall  126  opposite top wall  121 . In some embodiments, one or more openings may be provided through one or more of the walls of housing component  101   a  to at least partially expose one or more components of electronic device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , an opening  131  may be provided through top wall  121  of base housing component  101   a  to at least partially expose an input component  110   a  of electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , for example, openings  141   a  and  141   b  may be provided through top wall  121  of base housing component  101   a  to at least partially expose respective output components  112   a  and  112   b  of electronic device  100 . Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , openings  151   a  and  151   b  may be respectively provided through front wall  122  and back wall  123  of base housing component  101   a  to at least partially expose respective cooling components  118   e  and  118   f  of electronic device  100 . 
     Likewise, display housing component  101   b  may include a top wall  161 , various side walls, such as front wall  162 , back wall  163 , right wall  164 , and left wall  165 , and a bottom wall (not shown) opposite top wall  161 . In some embodiments, one or more openings may be provided through one or more of the walls of housing component  101   b  to at least partially expose one or more components of electronic device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , an opening  171  may be provided through top wall  161  of display housing component  101   b  to at least partially expose an output component  112   c  of electronic device  100 . 
     Input component  110   a  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-6  to be a keyboard, although it is to be understood that input component  110   a  exposed by opening  131  through top wall  121  of housing component  101   a  may be any type of input component as described herein in accordance with the invention. Moreover, although output components  112   a  and  112   b  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2-7  to be audio speakers, it is to be understood that each one of output components  112   a  and  112   b  exposed by a respective opening  141  through top wall  121  of housing component  101   a  may be any type of output component as described herein in accordance with the invention. Similarly, although output component  112   c  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  to be a visual display, it is to be understood that output component  112   c  exposed by opening  171  through top wall  161  of housing component  101   b  also may be any type of output component as described herein in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded perspective view of keyboard assembly input component  110   a  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Keyboard assembly  110   a  may include base layer  210 , flex layer  220 , reflector layer  230 , light guide layer  240 , keyboard membrane layer  250 , keypad layer  260 , and/or any other suitable layer. Keyboard assembly  110   a  may also include one or more illumination sources  221 . Keyboard assembly  110   a  may also include one or more flex circuits and voltage sources. 
     Base layer  210  may at least partially be made of any suitable material for providing structural support to keyboard assembly  110   a . For example, base layer  210  may be made of a plastic sheet or a metal sheet, such as a piece of aluminum or stainless steel. 
     Flex layer  220  may at least partially be made of any suitable material operative to provide support for and/or power to other layers of keyboard assembly  110   a . Base layer  210  and flex layer  220  may each be of any suitable thickness and any suitable flexibility. In some embodiments, base layer  210  and flex layer  220  may be combined and provided as a single structural layer of keyboard assembly  110   a . One or more illumination sources  221  may be positioned on flex layer  220 , but an illumination source  221  may not need to be positioned on flex layer  220  in order to receive power from flex layer  220 . An illumination source  221  may be positioned within light guide layer  240 , but may still receive power through flex layer  220 . Flex layer  220  may also include any suitable logic circuitry to process input signals received by keyboard assembly  110   a . In some embodiments, flex layer  220  may provide power and support to illumination sources  221  of keyboard assembly  110   a , while an additional flex circuit (not shown) may contain any suitable logic circuitry for processing input signals received by keyboard assembly  110   a . The additional flex circuit may form any suitable layer within keyboard assembly  110   a.    
     In some embodiments, flex layer  220  may contain one or more illumination sources  221 , such as sources  221   a ,  221   b ,  221   c , and  221   d  to provide illumination to keypad layer  260  using any suitable approach.  FIG. 5  illustrates one spatial arrangement of multiple illumination sources  221  of flex layer  220 . Each illumination source  221  may be the same type of illumination source as or a different type of illumination source from another illumination source  221 . Each illumination source  221  may be positioned on flex layer  220 , but there may be a corresponding illumination source hole or port  231  in reflector layer  230  and a corresponding illumination source port  241  in light guide layer  240  to allow each illumination source  221  to fit through corresponding illumination source ports  231  and  241  and to emit light from the optical portion of each illumination source  221  into light guide layer  240 . For example, illumination source  221   a  may fit through illumination source port  231   a  in reflector layer  230  and illumination source port  241   a  in light guide layer  240  so that the light emitted by illumination source  221   a  may diffuse through light guide layer  240  (i.e., at least in the X-Y plane of light guide layer  240 ). 
     Each illumination source  221  may be positioned anywhere within or on flex layer  220 , such that each illumination source  221  may emit light primarily along an axis that may form any suitable angle with an edge  242  of light guide layer  240  within the X-Y plane of light guide layer  240 . For example, an illumination source  221  may emit light primarily along an axis that is parallel with edge  242  (e.g., illumination source  221   a  may emit light in the direction of arrow  222 , as shown in  FIG. 6 ). Although, in some embodiments, some light may be emitted upwardly towards keyboard membrane layer  250  and/or downwardly towards reflector layer  230  because an illumination source  221  may emit light in three dimensions (e.g., in the X, Y, and Z directions of  FIG. 5 ). Light that may be diffused through light guide layer  240  by an illumination source  221  may also diffuse upwardly through keyboard membrane layer  250  to illuminate one or more keys  205  of keypad layer  260 . 
     In other embodiments, flex layer  220  may include any illumination source for generally illuminating keyboard assembly  110   a . For example, flex layer  220  may include a sheet at least partially made of or coated with a light emitting diode (“LED,”) an organic light emitting diode (“OLED,”) or an electroluminescent material, or any material that may emit light, for example, if a voltage source is provided. 
     Reflector layer  230  may at least partially be made of any suitable material for reflecting light emitted within keyboard assembly  110   a  towards keypad layer  260 . If light guide layer  240  is transparent, and if flex layer  220  includes one or more illumination sources  221 , then some light emitted from one or more of illumination sources  221  through light guide layer  240  may diffuse downwardly towards reflector layer  230  (e.g., downwardly at least partially in the Z-direction of  FIG. 5 ). Reflector layer  230  may redirect at least some of the diffused light upwardly towards keypad layer  260  to help ensure that keypad layer  260  may be illuminated efficiently without requiring additional illumination sources. Reflector sheet layer  230  may include any suitable number of illumination source ports  231 , such as illumination source ports  231   a ,  231   b ,  231   c , and  231   d  that may traverse the depth of reflector sheet layer  230  to allow any illumination sources  221  of flex layer  220  to traverse reflector layer  230  and to emit light into light guide layer  240 . In other embodiments, keyboard assembly  110   a  may not include reflector layer  230 , and flex layer  220  may be positioned between base layer  210  and light guide layer  240 . If reflector layer  230  is not present, then base layer  210  may be at least partially made of any suitable material that is operative to reflect light emitted by one or more illumination sources  221  of flex layer  220  upwardly towards keypad layer  260 . 
     Light guide layer  240  may be at least partially made of any suitable material for diffusing light emitted within keyboard assembly  110   a . For example, light guide layer  240  may include a transparent material, such as a flexible clear plastic sheet, that may allow light to travel along its length (i.e., in its X-Y plane). Light guide layer  240  may also allow light to be reflected through it along any suitable path toward keypad layer  260  (e.g., in the Z-direction), the reflection of which may be aided by reflector layer  230 . 
     In some embodiments, light guide layer  240  is present and may include one or more illumination source ports  241 , such as illumination source ports  241   a ,  241   b ,  241   c , and  241   d  that may or may not traverse the full depth of light guide layer  240 , but may allow any illumination source  221  to traverse at least a portion of light guide layer  240  to emit light into light guide layer  240 . 
     Keyboard membrane layer  250  may include any suitable mechanism for receiving any suitable inputs related to keyboard assembly  110   a  and for transmitting any suitable information to any other suitable device. For example, keyboard membrane layer  250  may contain flex circuitry. Keyboard membrane layer  250  may convert an input from a user that may be received through keypad layer  260  into a signal that may be transmitted to any suitable device, such as the processing circuitry of a desktop computer or any other suitable electronic device using keyboard assembly  110   a  (e.g., processor  102  of electronic device  100 ). Keyboard membrane layer  250  may be of any suitable thickness, and may be compressible in response to receiving an input from a user on keypad layer  260 . Keyboard membrane layer  250  may also be transparent to allow light emitted from lower layers within keyboard assembly  110   a  to travel through keyboard membrane layer  250  towards keypad layer  260 . 
     Keypad layer  260  may include any suitable mechanism for receiving user inputs to keyboard assembly  110   a . Keypad layer  260  may be at least partially made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. Keypad layer  260  may include any suitable arrangement of keys  205  for presentation to a user, and may include any suitable legend scheme in any suitable arrangement to denote each key  205  on keypad layer  260 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of keyboard assembly  110   a  of  FIG. 5  that includes individual key  205   a  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Key  205   a  may form a part of keypad layer  260 , and may be mounted above base layer  210 , flex layer  220 , reflector layer  230 , light guide layer  240 , and keyboard membrane layer  250 . Key  205   a  may include a striking surface  280 , keycap  270 , key mount  275 , conducting plates  252  and  254 , and any other suitable features. Other keys  205  on keypad layer  260  may be the same as or different from key  205   a , and may include some or all of the features of key  205   a . Key mount  275  may be coupled to the top surface of keyboard membrane layer  250  and to the underside of keycap  270 . 
     Conducting plate  252  may be coupled to the top of keyboard membrane layer  250 , underneath key  205   a , and conducting plate  254  may be coupled to the bottom of keyboard membrane layer  250 . The plates may include or may be coated with any material capable of conducting electricity. When placed in contact with one another, conducting plates  252  and  254  may complete an electrical circuit. For example, if a user strikes key  205   a  on striking surface  280 , key mount  275  may move downward, causing keyboard membrane layer  250  to compress and thereby move conducting plate  252  downwardly. Conducting plate  252  may contact conducting plate  254  as a result of the compression and an electrical circuit may be completed by the contact. The completion of the electrical circuit may generate an electrical keyboard input that keyboard membrane layer  250  may transmit to any suitable device, such as the processor of a desktop computer or a laptop computer associated with keyboard assembly  110   a  (e.g., processor  102  of electronic device  100 ), to process the keyboard input. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, one or more holes or ports may be provided through one or more portions of an I/O component for providing at least a portion of a passageway between an opening in a housing and a cooling component of an electronic device. For example, one or more ports may be provided through keyboard assembly  110   a  for providing one or more portions of a cooling passageway  303  extending between opening  131  in housing  101  and a cooling component  118  of electronic device  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , keyboard assembly  110   a  may be positioned within housing  101  of electronic device  100  such that at least a portion of keypad layer  260  extends through or is at least exposed by housing opening  131  to be accessible to a user of device  100 . The remaining portions of keyboard assembly  10   a  may be contained within housing  101 . In some embodiments, keyboard assembly  110   a  may be positioned with respect to opening  131  of housing  101  such that housing opening  131  may not be exposed to other components of device  100  (e.g., cooling components  118 ). However, as there may be limited openings provided through housing  101 , utilizing the available housing openings for drawing cool air into the device and/or for discharging hot air from the device, for example, may be helpful for managing the internal temperature of the device. 
     Therefore, one or more ports may be provided through a portion of keyboard assembly  110   a  positioned between housing opening  131  and other electronic components of device  100  (e.g., a cooling component  118 ) for providing at least a portion of a passageway between housing opening  131  and the electronic component for cooling electronic device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , one or more cooling ports  213  may be provided through base layer  210  of keyboard assembly  110   a , one or more cooling ports  223  may be provided through flex layer  220  of keyboard assembly  110   a , one or more cooling ports  233  may be provided through reflector layer  230  of keyboard assembly  110   a , one or more cooling ports  243  may be provided through light guide layer  240  of keyboard assembly  110   a , and one or more cooling ports  253  may be provided through keyboard membrane layer  250  of keyboard assembly  110   a . Moreover, one or more spacings  263  may be provided between two or more keys  205  of keypad layer  260 . 
     In some embodiments, a single cooling port through each of the layers of keyboard assembly  110   a  may align with one another to form a substantially linear channel through keyboard assembly  110   a  to provide at least a portion of a substantially linear passageway  303   a  between housing opening  131  and cooling component  118   a  (see, e.g., cooling ports  213   a ,  223   a ,  233   a ,  243   a , and  253   a , as well as spacing  263   a  provided between keys  205   a  and  205   b  of keypad layer  260 ). By at least partially aligning one or more ports and/or spacings through keyboard assembly  110   a  with housing opening  131  and cooling component  118   a , cooling passageway  303   a  may be linear and may provide a passageway with the least resistance for fluid (i.e., liquid and/or gas) attempting to travel between opening  131  and cooling component  118   a.    
     In some embodiments, a single cooling port through one portion of an I/O component or user interface may align with two or more cooling ports through an adjacent layer of the I/O component or other portions of the electronic device. This may allow a single cooling port of an I/O component to provide a portion of two or more cooling passageways  303  between housing opening  131  and a cooling component  118 . For example, a cooling port  243   b  through light guide layer  240  may align with two separate cooling ports  233   b - 1  and  233   b - 2  through reflector layer  230  to provide for a portion of not only cooling passageway  303   b - 1  but also cooling passageway  303   b - 3 . 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, a single cooling port through one portion of an I/O component or user interface may align with two or more cooling components  118 . This may allow a single cooling port of an I/O component to provide a portion of two or more cooling passageways  303  between housing opening  131  and two or more cooling components  118 . For example, a cooling port  213   b - 1  through base layer  210  may align with two separate cooling components  118   b - 1  and  118   b - 2  to provide for a portion of not only cooling passageway  303   b - 1  but also cooling passageway  303   b - 2 . 
     In some embodiments, a single cooling component  118  may align with two or more cooling passageways  303 . This may allow a single cooling component  118  to exchange fluids with two or more cooling passageways  303  using two or more cooling ports provided through a portion of an I/O component or user interface. For example, not only may cooling component  118   b - 3  align with cooling passageway  303   b - 3  that is exposed to housing opening  131  by cooling port  253   b , but cooling component  118   b - 3  may also align with a cooling passageway  303   c - 1  that is exposed to housing opening  131  by a cooling port  253   c - 1 . 
     Similarly, although not shown, it is to be understood that a single cooling port through a portion of an I/O component of device  100  may align with two or more distinct housing openings of housing  101 . It is also to be understood that two cooling ports through a user interface and/or other component of an electronic device may only partially align with each other in certain embodiments (see, e.g., cooling port  233   b - 1  through reflector layer  230  and cooling port  223   b - 1  through flex layer  220 ). 
     It is also to be understood that an I/O component may not be positioned directly adjacent (e.g., may not be in surface to surface contact with) a cooling component in order to provide at least a portion of a cooling passageway between that cooling component and a housing opening. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , keyboard assembly  110   a  may be spaced apart from cooling component  118   b - 3  (e.g., by an open distance of length L) and still be able to provide cooling passageway  303   b - 3  between housing opening  131  and cooling component  118   b - 3 . Moreover, it is also to be understood that one or more cooling ports may be provided through an I/O component to expose a housing opening to other components of an electronic device directly and not necessarily through a cooling component. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , no cooling component  118  may be aligned with a cooling passageway  303   c - 2  that is exposed to housing opening  131  by cooling ports  253   c - 4 ,  243   c - 4 ,  233   c - 4 ,  223   c , and  213   c - 2  of keyboard assembly  110   a . Instead, cooling passageway  303   c - 2  may allow fluid to be exchanged through keyboard assembly  110   a  between housing opening  131  and communications circuitry  108  directly, for example, without also having to be exchanged through a cooling component  118 . 
     The geometry of each cooling port through a portion of an I/O component, as well as the geometry of any other portion of a cooling passageway that may allow for fluid to be exchanged between a housing opening and an electronic device component contained within the housing (e.g., a cooling component), may vary depending on the circumstances of its use. For example, the geometry of any cooling port or any other portion of a cooling passageway may be configured to match the geometry of an active portion of an associated cooling component (e.g., the size of a fan included in a cooling component). In some embodiments, the geometry of a portion of a cooling passageway may be configured based on thermal management considerations, such as how much heat is to be dissipated by the cooling passageway. 
     For example, each cooling port through keyboard assembly  110   a  that provides a portion of cooling passageway  303   a  (i.e., cooling ports  253   a ,  243   a ,  233   a ,  223   a , and  213   a ) may each form passageway portions that have rectangular cross-sections of width w (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). In some embodiments, width w may be in the range of 0.5 millimeters to 1.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, width w may be in the range of 0.7 millimeters to 1.3 millimeters. In some embodiments, width w may be about 1.0 millimeter. 
     As another example, each cooling port through keyboard assembly  110   a  that provides a portion of cooling passageway  303   b - 1  (i.e., cooling ports  253   b ,  243   b ,  233   b - 1 ,  223   b - 1 , and  213   b - 1 ) may each form passageway portions that have circular cross-sections. For example, cooling port  253   b  may have a circular cross-section with a diameter d (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). In some embodiments, diameter d may be in the range of 1.5 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, diameter d may be in the range of 1.7 millimeters to 2.3 millimeters. In some embodiments, diameter d may be about 2.0 millimeters. 
     As yet another example, each cooling port through keyboard assembly  110   a  that provides a portion of at least one of cooling passageways  303   c - 1 ,  303   c - 2 ,  303   c - 3 , and  303   c - 4  may each form passageway portions that have rectangular cross-sections of width t (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). For example, cooling ports  253   c - 1 ,  253   c - 2 ,  253   c - 3 , and  253   c - 4  may each be configured as having a cross-section shaped as a long and thin rectangular slot, and each of these ports may run parallel to one another through keyboard membrane layer  250 . In some embodiments, width t may be in the range of 0.1 millimeters to 0.9 millimeters. In some embodiments, width t may be in the range of 0.3 millimeters to 0.7 millimeters. In some embodiments, width t may be about 0.5 millimeters. 
     It is to be understood that the size of a cooling port may vary throughout the thickness of the portion of the user interface or other electronic device component through which the cooling port is provided (see, e.g., cooling port  213   b - 1  of  FIG. 4 , whose size may increase as it traverses downwardly through base layer  210  in the Z-direction towards cooling components  118   b - 1  and  118   b - 2 ). It is also to be understood, that the foregoing is just illustrative, and that each portion of each cooling passageway  303  may be formed of any suitable size and shape, including, but not limited to, triangular, rectangular, elliptical, and the like. Moreover, any suitable number of cooling ports may be provided through an I/O component, including just one port, for example. Each cooling port may be separated from other cooling ports by any suitable distance, depending on the size of the I/O component and the cooling requirements of the cooling passageways to which each cooling port contributes. 
     Although creating cooling passageways between housing openings and cooling components may allow certain fluids (e.g., air) to be drawn into and discharged from an electronic device for helping to manage the internal temperature of the device, these passageways may also allow other fluids (e.g., water or any other liquid) to be drawn into the device that may damage some of the internal components of the device. Therefore, in some embodiments of the invention, one or more filters may be positioned within a cooling passageway for protecting the device or the user from harmful fluids (e.g., liquids) that may otherwise travel freely through the passageway. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , one or more filters  353  may be positioned within one or more cooling passageways  303 . In some embodiments, a single filter may be positioned within a cooling passageway between a housing opening and an I/O component or user interface. This may allow the filter to be accessible to a user of the device for cleaning or replacement of the filter. For example, a filter  353   a  may be positioned within cooling passageway  303   a  between housing opening  131  and cooling port  253   a  provided through keyboard membrane layer  250  of keyboard assembly  110   a.    
     In some embodiments, a filter may be positioned between two or more aligned cooling ports through an I/O component or user interface that provide at least a portion of one or more cooling passageways. This may allow the filter to be positioned during the manufacture of the I/O component. For example, a filter  353   b - 1  may be positioned within keyboard assembly  110   a  between keyboard membrane layer  250  and light guide layer  240  such that filter  353   b - 1  is positioned not only within cooling passageway  303   b - 1 , but also cooling passageways  303   b - 2  and  303   b - 3 . 
     In some embodiments, a filter may be positioned within a cooling port through an I/O component or user interface that provides at least a portion of one or more cooling passageways. This may allow the filter to be positioned after the manufacture of the I/O component. For example, a filter  353   b - 2  may be positioned or inserted within cooling port  213   b - 2  provided through base layer  210  of keyboard assembly  110   a  such that filter  353   b - 2  is positioned within cooling passageway  303   b - 3 . 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, a single filter may be positioned within a cooling passageway between a cooling component and an I/O component or user interface. This may allow the filter to be positioned after the manufacture of the I/O component. For example, a filter  353   c  may be positioned within cooling passageway  303   c - 1  between cooling component  118   b - 3  and keyboard assembly  110   a.    
     Each filter  353  may be configured not only to allow certain fluids to pass through the filter but also to prevent other certain fluids from passing through the filter. For example, filter  353  may include a hydrophobic material that can allow air and other similar gasses to travel through the filter but not water or other similar liquids. 
     Besides keyboard assemblies, one or more cooling passageways  303  may also be provided through any other type of I/O component or user interface. For example, one or more cooling passageways may be provided through audio speaker output components  112   a  and  112   b . As shown in  FIG. 7 , for example, audio speaker output component  112   a  may include an electromechanical transducer or driver  414  and a cabinet or enclosure  416 . Driver  414  may be able to convert an electrical signal into sound (e.g., an electrical signal provided to driver  414  from processor  102  via bus  109 ). Driver  414  may be mounted in cabinet  416  and cabinet  416  may prevent sound waves from the back of driver  414  from interfering with sound waves from the front of driver  414  (e.g., a sealed cabinet  416  may prevent transmissions from rear  414   b  of driver  414  from interfering with transmissions from front  414   a  of driver  414 ). 
     Audio speaker output component  112   a  may be positioned within housing  101  of electronic device  100  such that at least a portion of front  414   a  of driver  414  extends through or is at least exposed by housing opening  141   a  to be accessible to a user of device  100 . Audio speaker output component  112   a  may also include a speaker grill  418   a  that may be provided between driver  414  and housing opening  141   a  to protect front  414   a  of driver  414  from being punctured or otherwise damaged by a user or other dangers external to housing  101 . 
     As mentioned, because there may be limited openings provided through housing  101 , utilizing the available housing openings for drawing cool air into the device and/or for discharging hot air from the device, for example, may be helpful for managing the internal temperature of the device. Therefore, a portion of audio speaker output component  112   a  may be used to provide a cooling passageway between housing opening  141   a  and a cooling component or other electronic component of electronic device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , one or more spacings in grill  418   a  of audio speaker output component  112   a  may provide at least a portion of a cooling passageway  303   d - 1  between housing opening  141   a  and a cooling component  118   d - 1 . 
     In some embodiments, a filter  353   d - 1  may be positioned within cooling passageway  303   d - 1  between grill  418   a  of audio speaker output component  112   a  and cooling component  118   d - 1 . This may allow filter  353   d - 1  to be positioned after the manufacture of audio speaker output component  112   a.    
     Audio speaker output component  112   b  may be constructed and positioned within housing  101  similarly to audio speaker output component  112   a , such that a portion of audio speaker output component  112   b  may be used to provide a cooling passageway between housing opening  141   b  and a cooling component or other component of electronic device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a grill  418   b  of audio speaker output component  112   b  may provide at least a portion of a cooling passageway  303   d - 2  between housing opening  141   b  and a cooling component  118   d - 2 . In this embodiment, however, a filter  353   d - 2  may be used not only to filter fluids passing through the filter but also to provide grill  418   b  for protecting the front of the driver of audio speaker output component  112   b  (not shown) from being punctured or otherwise damaged by a user or other dangers external to housing  101 . 
     Each cooling passageway  303  of electronic device  100  may allow fluids to be exchanged between one or more openings in housing  101  and one or more electronic components contained within housing  101 , such as cooling components  118  or processor  102 . Fluids drawn through a cooling passageway  303  from a housing opening into housing  101  may be directed towards components within housing  101  that need to be cooled, such as processor  102 . A cooling component  118  may be a fan configured to draw air through a cooling passageway  303  from a housing opening and to blow that drawn air over portions of processor  102  that may be hot and in need of cooling. Alternatively, fluids may be discharged from within housing  101  through a cooling passageway  303  and a housing opening for removing hot fluids from electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, a cooling component  118  may be in direct communication with a housing opening and may not need to utilize a cooling passageway that is at least partially provided through an I/O component (see, e.g., cooling component  118   e  and housing opening  151   a  of  FIG. 2  as well as cooling component  118   f  and housing opening  151   b  of  FIG. 3 ). 
     While there have been described methods and apparatus for cooling an electronic device through a user interface of the electronic device, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “front” and “back” and “rear,” “left” and “right,” “top” and “bottom,” “side” and “edge” and “corner,” “up” and “down,” “thickness” and “width,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080929
Publication Date: 20110322
Grant Date: 20110322
Priority Date: 20080829
Inventors: ALI IHAB A.
RIHN BERNARD K.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/203", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/203", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 41725155