PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7764493-B2
Application Number: US-23838208-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for cooling electronic devices using airflow dividers

Abstract:
An electronic device can be provided with a heat-generating component and a cooling module for dissipating heat. In some embodiments, the cooling component may include a fan configured to produce an outflow of air, and a divider configured not only to direct a first portion of the outflow between a first surface of the divider and the heat-generating component, but also to direct a second portion of the outflow along a second surface of the divider. In other embodiments, the cooling component may include a divider and a pressure clip. A first portion of the pressure clip may be configured to exert a pressure on a first surface of the divider such that the pressure may hold a portion of a second surface of the divider in contact with the heat-generating component.

Claims:
1. An electronic device comprising:
 a pressure clip; 
 a heat-generating component; 
 a fan configured to produce an outflow of air; and 
 a divider, wherein the divider is configured to direct a first portion of the outflow of air to flow along a first surface of the divider and about the heat-generating component, wherein the divider is configured to direct a second portion of the outflow of air to flow along a second surface of the divider, wherein a first portion of the pressure clip is configured to exert a first pressure on a first portion of the second surface of the divider, and wherein the first pressure is configured to hold a first portion of the first surface of the divider in contact with the heat-generating component. 
 
   
   
     2. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a wall, wherein the divider is configured to direct the second portion of the outflow of air to flow between the second surface of the divider and the wall. 
   
   
     3. The electronic device of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a circuit board coupled to the heat-generating component; 
 a first barrier extending between the first surface of the divider and the circuit board for creating a first chamber for the first portion of the outflow of air; and 
 a second barrier extending between the second surface of the divider and the wall for creating a second chamber for the second portion of the outflow of air. 
 
   
   
     4. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a second heat-generating component, wherein a second portion of the pressure clip is configured to exert a second pressure on a second portion of the second surface of the divider, and wherein the second pressure is configured to hold a second portion of the first surface of the divider in contact with the second heat-generating component. 
   
   
     5. The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the pressure clip comprises an anchor portion, wherein the first portion of the pressure clip extends away from the anchor portion, and wherein the second portion of the pressure clip extends away from the anchor portion. 
   
   
     6. The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the first portion of the pressure clip is a first free end portion of the pressure clip, and wherein the second portion of the pressure clip is a second free end portion of the pressure clip. 
   
   
     7. The electronic device of  claim 6  further comprising a fastener extending from the anchor portion to the divider for holding together the pressure clip and the divider. 
   
   
     8. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a circuit board coupled to the heat-generating component; and 
 a fastener extending from the pressure clip, through the divider, and to the circuit board for holding together the pressure clip, the divider, and the circuit board. 
 
   
   
     9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure clip is a spring loaded flexure. 
   
   
     10. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the divider conducts heat along at least one of the first and second surfaces of the divider, and wherein the divider insulates heat between the first and second surfaces of the divider. 
   
   
     11. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the divider comprises graphite. 
   
   
     12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces of the divider comprises aluminum coupled to the graphite. 
   
   
     13. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a housing component having at least a first wall, wherein the divider is configured to direct the second portion of the outflow of air to flow between the second surface of the divider and the first wall. 
   
   
     14. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a circuit board, wherein the heat-generating component is coupled to a first surface of the circuit board, and wherein the divider is configured to direct the first portion of the outflow of air to flow between the first surface of the divider and the first surface of the circuit board. 
   
   
     15. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the pressure clip is a first free end portion of the pressure clip. 
   
   
     16. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a fastener extending from the pressure clip to the divider for holding together the pressure clip and the divider. 
   
   
     17. A method of cooling an electronic device including a heat-generating component and a divider having a first surface and a second surface, the method comprising:
 exerting a pressure on a portion of the second surface of the divider, wherein the pressure is configured to hold a portion of the first surface of the divider in contact with the heat-generating component; 
 directing a first portion of an outflow of air from a fan along the first surface of the divider and about the heat-generating component; and 
 directing a second portion of the outflow of air from the fan along the second surface of the divider.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/010,175, filed Jan. 4, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/010,887, filed Jan. 11, 2008, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This can relate to systems and methods for cooling an electronic device, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for cooling an electronic device using airflow dividers. 
   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 systems and methods for cooling an electronic device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   Systems and methods for cooling an electronic device using airflow dividers are provided. 
   According to some embodiments of the invention, there is provided an electronic device that may include a heat-generating component, a fan configured to produce an outflow of air, and a divider. The divider may be configured to direct a first portion of the outflow of air to flow between a first surface of the divider and the heat-generating component. The divider may also be configured to direct a second portion of the outflow of air to flow along a second surface of the divider. 
   According to other embodiments of the invention, there is provided an electronic device that may include a heat-generating component, a pressure clip, and a divider having a first surface facing the heat-generating component and a second surface. A portion of the pressure clip may be configured to exert a pressure on a portion of the second surface of the divider. The pressure may be configured to hold a portion of the first surface of the divider in contact with the heat-generating component. 
   According to yet other embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method of cooling an electronic device having a heat-generating component and a divider with a first surface and a second surface. The method may include exerting a pressure on a portion of the second surface of the divider. The pressure may be configured to hold a portion of the first surface of the divider in contact with the heat-generating component. The method may also include directing a flow of air between the first surface of the divider and the heat-generating 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 an exploded bottom, rear, right perspective view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-3 , according to some embodiments of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-4 , taken from line V-V of  FIG. 2 , according to some embodiments of the invention; 
       FIG. 6A  shows a bottom, rear, right perspective view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-5 , according to some embodiments of the invention; 
       FIG. 6B  shows a top, rear, left perspective view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-6A , according to some embodiments of the invention; and 
       FIG. 6C  shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-6B , taken from line VIC-VIC of  FIG. 6B , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   Systems and methods for cooling an electronic device using airflow dividers are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6C . 
     FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic diagram of an electronic device  100  in accordance with some embodiments 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 , motherboard  105 , power supply  106 , communications circuitry  108 , bus  109 , input component  110 , output component  112 , and cooling module  118 . Bus  109  may include one or more wired or wireless links that provide paths 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 module  118 . 
   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). 
   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. 
   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. 
   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 . 
   Motherboard  105  may be a central or primary printed circuit board (“PCB”) of electronic device  100 , and may also be known as a main circuit board, mainboard, baseboard, system board, planar board, or logic board. Motherboard  105  may provide attachment points for one or more of the other electronic components of electronic device  100  (e.g., processor  102 , memory  104 , power supply  106 , communications circuitry  108 , input component  110 , any external peripheral devices, etc.). Generally, most of the basic circuitry and components required for electronic device  100  to function may be onboard or coupled (e.g., via a cable) to motherboard  105 . Motherboard  105  may include one or more chipsets or specialized groups of integrated circuits. For example, motherboard  105  may include two components or chips, such as a Northbridge and Southbridge. Although in other embodiments, these chips may be combined into a single component. 
   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 include one or more walls  120  that define a cavity  103  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 I/O component  110  and/or I/O component  112 , at the surfaces or within one or more housing openings  151  through the surfaces of walls  120  of housing  101 . Housing openings  151  may also allow certain fluids (e.g., air) to be drawn into and discharged from cavity  103  of electronic device  100  for helping to manage the internal temperature of device  100 . 
   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 . 
   Heat may be generated by one or more electronic components of electronic device  100 , such as a chipset of motherboard  105 , processor  102 , and/or power supply  106 , for example. The heat may increase the temperature of an external surface of the heat-generating electronic component. If this heat is not adequately dissipated, the electronic component may fail and/or cause damage to electronic device  100 . Therefore, electronic device  100  may include one or more heat-dissipating or cooling modules  118  that may be positioned adjacent such a heat-generating component in order to transfer the heat generated at the surface of the electronic component away from the electronic component. Each cooling module  118  may include one or more various components according to various embodiments of the invention, including, but not limited to, fans, heat sinks, heat spreaders, heat pipes, pressure clips, thermoelectric cooling components, airflow dividers, and any combinations thereof. 
   According to some embodiments of the invention, each cooling module  118  may include an airflow generator and an airflow divider. The airflow generator may be configured to produce an outflow of air. The divider may be configured to direct a first portion of the outflow of air to flow between a first surface of the divider and a heat-generating component of the electronic device. Moreover, the divider may be configured to direct a second portion of the outflow of air to flow along a second surface of the divider. According to other embodiments, each cooling module  118  may include a divider and a pressure clip. The divider may include a first surface facing a heat-generating component and a second surface. The pressure clip may be configured to exert a pressure on a portion of the second surface of the divider. The pressure exerted by the pressure clip may be configured to hold a portion of the first surface of the divider in contact with the heat-generating component. 
   Electronic device  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5  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. 3-5 , openings  151   a  and  151   b  may be provided through bottom wall  126  of base housing component  101   a  and openings  151   c  and  151   d  may be provided through back wall  123  of base housing component  101   a . These openings may be used to allow fluids (e.g., air) to enter and exit housing  101  for cooling device  100 , for example, in conjunction with one or more cooling modules  118 . 
   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 and 5  to be a keyboard assembly including one or more keys  205  coupled to keyboard circuitry  207 , 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  FIG. 2  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. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a cooling module  118  may be positioned within cavity  103   a  of base housing component  101   a  adjacent one or more heat-generating components  214  of electronic device  100 . Cooling module  118  may help dissipate heat away from at least one heat-generating component  214  for cooling electronic device  100 . Each heat-generating component  214  may be any component of electronic device  100  capable of generating heat (e.g., a chipset of motherboard  105 , processor  102 , power supply  106 , etc.). Each heat-generating component  214  may include an external heat-generating surface portion  214   a . Heat-generating components  214  may be configured to spread or otherwise generate heat at external surface portion  214   a , thereby increasing the temperature of external surface portion  214   a . The temperature of heat-generating component  214  may vary along width W of external surface portion  214   a , thereby creating one or more hotspots. 
   Cooling module  118  may include one or more airflow generators  180 . Each airflow generator  180  may be a fan or any other device capable of generating an outflow of air for cooling portions of electronic device  100  (e.g., one or more heat-generating components  214 ). Although the terms “air,” airflow,” and the like are used to describe aspects of the invention, it is to be understood that various other suitable fluids other than air may be used by cooling modules  118  to dissipate heat generated by components of electronic device  100 . 
   Airflow generator  180  may include at least one inlet  182  for drawing in or otherwise receiving an inflow of air that may be used by generator  180  to cool device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , inlet  182  may be positioned along a first portion  182 ′ of generator  180 . First portion  182 ′ of generator  180  may be proximate opening  151   a  through bottom wall  126  of base housing component  101   a , such that an inflow of air  181   a  may be drawn from outside of device  100 , through housing opening  151   a , and into inlet  182  of airflow generator  180 . Additionally or alternatively, an inflow of air  181   b  may be drawn from within cavity  103   a  of base housing component  101   a  and into inlet  182  of airflow generator  180 . Although not shown, an additional inflow of air may be drawn into an inlet of generator  180  from outside of device  100 , through housing opening  151   c  in back wall  123  of base housing component  101   a , for example. 
   Airflow generator  180  may also include at least one outlet  184  for blowing or otherwise discharging an outflow of air  183  that may be used by cooling module  118  to cool device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , outlet  184  may be positioned along a second portion  184 ′ of generator  180 . Second portion  184 ′ may be a side of generator  180  that runs perpendicular to and/or that intersects first portion  182 ′ of generator  180 . Generator  180  may include any circuitry and/or mechanical components capable of receiving one or more air inflows (e.g., air inflow  181   a  and/or air inflow  181   b ) and producing one or more air outflows  183 . In some embodiments, generator  180  may redirect the direction of the airflow between an air inflow (e.g., air inflow  181   a  and/or air inflow  181   b ) and outflow  183 . Additionally or alternatively, generator  180  may increase or decrease the velocity of the airflow between an air inflow (e.g., air inflow  181   a  and/or air inflow  181   b ) and outflow  183 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, generator  180  may additionally or alternatively increase or decrease the temperature of the airflow between an air inflow (e.g., air inflow  181   a  and/or air inflow  181   b ) and outflow  183 . 
   Cooling module  118  may also include at least one divider  186 . Divider  186  may be a wall or any other suitable component positioned adjacent airflow generator  180  for splitting air outflow  183  discharged from outlet  184  into two or more various outflow portions. For example, divider  186  may be configured to split air outflow  183  into a first outflow portion  183   a  and a second outflow portion  183   b . As shown, divider  186  may include at least a first surface  186   a  and a second surface  186   b . Divider  186  may be configured to split air outflow  183  such that first outflow portion  183   a  may be directed to flow along first divider surface  186   a  and such that second outflow portion  183   b  may be directed to flow along second divider surface  186   b.    
   In some embodiments, divider  186  may be shaped (e.g., at an edge  186 ′ between first surface  186   a  and second surface  186   b ) such that outflow  183  may be easily split into at least first outflow portion  183   a  and second outflow portion  183   b . Additionally or alternatively, it is to be understood that generator  180  may include two or more distinct outlets  184  for discharging its own respective air outflow  183 . In such embodiments, a divider (e.g., divider  186 ) may be provided such that the various airflows  183  of generator  180  may remain distinct as they flow further away from their respective outlets  184 . 
   Outlet  184  of generator  180  may be positioned with respect to divider  186  within housing cavity  103   a  such that first outflow portion  183   a  may be directed to flow between first divider surface  186   a  and at least one heat-generating component  214 . In some embodiments, heat-generating component  214  may be coupled to motherboard or circuit board  105  of electronic device  100 . For example, as shown, each one of heat-generating components  214 - 1  and  214 - 2  may be coupled to circuit board  105  and may extend away from a first surface  105   a  of circuit board  105 . In such embodiments, first outflow portion  183   a  may be directed to flow not only between first divider surface  186   a  and first circuit board surface  105   a , but also about at least a portion of heat-generating component  214 - 1  and heat-generating component  214 - 2 . Therefore, the air of first outflow portion  183   a  may help cool or otherwise dissipate heat generated by one or more heat-generating components  214 . Likewise, the air of first outflow portion  183   a  may help cool or otherwise dissipate heat away from first divider surface  186   a.    
   Moreover, an opening  151  of housing  101  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4  and opening  151   d  in back wall  123  of base housing component  101   a ) may be at least partially exposed to the path of first outflow portion  183   a  such that at least some of the air of first outflow portion  183   a  may flow out of electronic device  100 . For example, once it passes one or more heat-generating components  214 , at least some of the air of first outflow portion  183   a  may flow out of electronic device  100  through housing opening  151   d . Therefore, air (e.g., airflow warmed by dissipating heat from one or more heat-generating components  214  and/or first divider surface  186   a ) may be discharged from base housing  101   a  through a housing opening  151  for cooling electronic device  100 . 
   Outlet  184  of generator  180  may be positioned with respect to divider  186  within housing cavity  103   a  such that second outflow portion  183   b  may be directed to flow between second divider surface  186   b  and at least one other surface or component of electronic device  100 . For example, second outflow portion  183   b  may be directed to flow between second divider surface  186   b  and bottom wall  126  of base housing component  101   a . In such embodiments, the air of second outflow portion  183   b  may help cool or otherwise dissipate heat away from second divider surface  186   b  and/or bottom wall  126 . 
   Moreover, an opening  151  of housing  101  (e.g., opening  151   b  in bottom wall  126  of base housing component  101   a ) may be at least partially exposed to the path of second outflow portion  183   b  such that at least some of the air of second outflow portion  183   b  (e.g., the air of second outflow subportion  183   b ′ of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) may flow out of electronic device  100 . For example, once it passes between at least a portion of second divider surface  186   b  and bottom wall  126 , at least some of the air of second outflow portion  183   b  (e.g., the air of second outflow subportion  183   b ′ of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) may flow out of electronic device  100  through housing opening  151   b . Therefore, air (e.g., airflow warmed by dissipating heat away from second divider surface  186   b  and/or bottom wall  126 ) may be discharged from base housing  101   a  through a housing opening  151  for cooling electronic device  100 . 
   In some embodiments, cooling module  118  may include one or more barriers  188  for limiting the space through which one or more portions of an air inflow (e.g., air inflow  181   a  and/or air inflow  181   b ) and/or air outflow  183  may travel within electronic device  100 . For example, a first barrier  188   a  may be provided between portions of first circuit board surface  105   a  and portions of first divider surface  186   a  for at least partially defining a first chamber  187   a  through which first air outflow portion  183   a  may flow. Additionally or alternatively, a second barrier  188   b  may be provided between portions of bottom wall  126  and portions of second divider surface  186   b  for at least partially defining a second chamber  187   b  through which second air outflow portion  183   b  may flow. Each barrier  188  may be made of any suitable material, such as foam, for defining an airflow chamber (e.g., first chamber  187   a  and/or second chamber  187   b ). 
   Cooling module  118  may also include at least one pressure clip  190 . Pressure clip  190  may be any suitable component that may be configured to exert a pressure on a portion of second divider surface  186   b  of divider  186  such that the pressure may hold a portion of first divider surface  186   a  in contact (e.g., physical and/or thermal contact) with a portion of a heat-generating component  214 . For example, pressure clip  190  may include at least a first pressure clip end portion  191  configured to exert a first pressure in the direction of arrow P 1  on a first portion of second divider surface  186   b , such that the first pressure may force a first portion of first divider surface  186   a  to remain in contact with a portion of first heat-generating component  214 - 1  (e.g., in contact with first external heat-generating surface portion  214   a - 1 ). In some embodiments, pressure clip  190  may also include at least a second pressure clip end portion  193  configured to exert a second pressure in the direction of arrow P 2  on a second portion of second divider surface  186   b , such that the second pressure may force a second portion of first divider surface  186   a  to remain in contact with a portion of second heat-generating component  214 - 2  (e.g., in contact with second external heat-generating surface portion  214   a - 2 ). Moreover, first pressure clip end portion  191  and second pressure clip end portion  193  may both be coupled to a single pressure clip anchor portion  192 . 
   Pressure clip  190  may be a spring loaded flexure or any other suitable component that may be deformable into a second configuration other than its original non-deformed configuration. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , pressure clip  190  may have an original configuration such that first pressure clip end portion  191  extends away from pressure clip anchor portion  192  at an angle θ 1 . A fastener  196  (e.g., a screw) may be provided to extend in a direction F, from a portion of anchor portion  192  (e.g., through hole  195 ), through divider  186  (e.g., through second divider surface  186   b  and then through first divider surface  186   a ), and then to a portion of a heat-generating component  214  or circuit board  105  (e.g., to a fastener clamp  197  of  FIG. 4 ). 
   When fastener  196  extends from anchor portion  192 , to circuit board  105 , through divider  186 , pressure clip  190  may be forced to deform such that first pressure clip end portion  191  may lie in the same plane as anchor portion  192  (e.g., angle θ 1  may increase, for example, to 180°). This deformed configuration may cause first pressure clip end portion  191  to exert a force in the direction of arrow P 1  on divider  186 . Similarly, if pressure clip  190  also includes second pressure clip end portion  193  that extends away from anchor portion  193  at an angle θ 2  in its original configuration, pressure clip  190  may be forced to deform such that second pressure clip end portion  193  may lie in the same plane as anchor portion  192  (e.g., angle θ 2  may increase, for example, to 180°). For a larger angle θ in the original configuration of pressure clip  190 , a greater pressure may be exerted on divider  186  by pressure clip  190  when deformed. In some embodiments, the pressure that may be exerted by each pressure clip end portion may be in the range of 100 to 250 pounds per square inch (“PSI”), for example. 
   In some embodiments, divider  186  may be at least partially made of any suitable material that can conduct or otherwise transmit heat along its length (e.g., along one or both of divider surfaces  186   a  and  186   b  extending from edge  186 ′ away from airflow generator  180 ). Additionally or alternatively, divider  186  may be at least partially made of any suitable material that can insulate or otherwise reduce the transfer of heat along its thickness (e.g., between divider surfaces  186   a  and  186   b ). For example, divider  186  may be at least partially made of graphite. The graphite or other suitable material may be laminated with a protective covering (e.g., an aluminum laminate). Therefore, divider  186  may be a hybrid heat spreader/insulator that may be positioned to create bifurcate airflow within an electronic device. One or more holes or gaps may be provided in the protective covering of divider  186  at the one or more portions along first divider surface  186   a  that may contact heat-generating components  214  (e.g., due to the force exerted by pressure clip  190  on divider  186 ). When in thermal contact with a portion of a heat-generating component  214  (e.g., a chip set or processor of motherboard  105 ), divider  186  may be configured to receive heat generated by the heat-generating component and to transfer the received heat away from the heat-generating component for cooling electronic device  100 . 
   One or more thermoelectric cooling components (not shown) can be provided to create a temperature difference between the junction of first divider surface  186   a  and an external heat-generating surface portion  214   a  (e.g., at one or more hotspots) for helping to dissipate heat generated by the heat-generating component  214 , such as the thermoelectric cooling components described in Ali, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2008/0101038, published May 1, 2008, entitled “Embedded Thermal-Electric Cooling Modules For Surface Spreading Of Heat,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Each thermoelectric cooling component may be any component or components suitable to move heat from one surface or material to another surface or material. For example, each thermoelectric cooling component may take various forms, including, but not limited to, any solid-state cooling mechanism that uses the Peltier effect, such as a Peltier cooler, Peltier diode, Peltier heat pump, solid state refrigerator, thermoelectric cooler (“TEC”), or any other component that may transfer heat from one material to another material with the consumption of electrical energy, and any combinations thereof. A thermoelectric cooling component provided as a TEC, for example, may include one or more p/n junctions (e.g., 1, 4, or 16 p/n junctions) in a semiconductor device and may be powered by providing a current from a power supply (e.g., power supply  106  of electronic device  100 ). 
   While there have been described systems and methods for cooling an electronic device using airflow dividers, 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,” 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 the 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 the 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: 20080925
Publication Date: 20100727
Grant Date: 20100727
Priority Date: 20080104
Inventors: ALI IHAB A.
MATHEW DINESH
WILSON, JR. THOMAS W.
HENDREN KEITH
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/203", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/203", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/4093", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/467", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/0002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/467", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/0002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L23/4093", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 40844377