Clip for heat sink

Details Clip for heat sink Clip for heat sink

2000-07-10

2001-11-20

Leo, Leonard (Department: 3743)

Heat exchange

With retainer for removable article

Electrical component

C165S185000, C174S016300, C257S719000, C361S704000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06318452

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clip for a heat sink, and particularly to a lip which readily and securely attaches a heat sink to an electronic device.
2. The Related Art
A heat sink placed in contact with an electronic package, such as a central processing unit (CPU) module, transfers heat through conduction from the electronic package. Oftentimes, a heat sink is secured to an electronic package by a clip.
Referring to
FIG. 5
, a conventional clip comprises a first member
1
and a second member
2
coupled to the first member
1
. The clip is placed on and secures a heat sink
20
to a CPU module
25
supported on a socket
90
. The first member
1
includes a spring portion
3
with a leg
4
extending from an end of the spring portion
3
. The leg
4
defines a first slot
6
for engaging with a catch
91
of the socket
90
. A pair of arms
5
extends from an opposite end of the spring portion
3
to define a receiving space
7
for receiving the second member
2
therein. The second member
2
, which is L-shaped, comprises a handle portion
8
extending above the spring portion
3
of the first member
1
for manual operation and a lower portion (not labeled) opposite the leg
4
defining a second slot
10
for engaging a catch
92
of the socket
90
. The second member
2
defines a pair of notches
9
on opposite sides thereof for engaging with the arms
5
thereby connecting the first member
1
to the second member
2
. The spring portion
3
is deformed to apply a spring force to the heat sink
20
for securing the heat sink
20
and the CPU module
25
to the socket
90
.
However, a great force is required to operate the handle portion
8
for fixing the heat sink
20
to the CPU module
25
. This makes it difficult to attach and detach the clip from the socket. Furthermore, the engagement between the second member
2
and the socket
90
may be unexpectedly broken due to external shocks applied to the heat sink
20
and/or the CPU module
25
whereby the heat sink
20
may become separated from the CPU module
25
and the socket
9
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a clip which readily secures a heat sink to an electronic device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a clip which securely attaches a heat sink to an electronic device.
To achieve the above-mentioned objects, a clip in accordance with the present invention comprises a body having a spring portion and a leg formed on a first end of the spring portion for engaging with a first side of a heat generating device, such as a central processing unit module. A fastener has a spring plate connected to a second end of the spring portion of the body for being engageable with an opposite second side of the heat generating device to secure a heat sink to the heat generating device. A pair of connecting tabs extends from the fastener above the body for pivotally retaining an actuating member. The actuating member forms cams engaging the spring portion of the body whereby when the actuating member is manually operated, the camming engagement between the actuating member and the spring portion drives the fastener to engage the second side of the heat generating device.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:


REFERENCES:
patent: 5638258 (1997-06-01), Lin
patent: 5791403 (1998-08-01), Chiou
patent: 5828553 (1998-10-01), Chiou
patent: 5860195 (1999-01-01), Wang
patent: 5943209 (1999-08-01), Liu
patent: 5953212 (1999-09-01), Lee
patent: 6111752 (2000-08-01), Huang et al.
patent: 6229705 (2001-05-01), Lee
patent: 6257533 (2001-07-01), Pei et al.

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