Heat exchange – Movable heating or cooling surface
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-23
2001-02-20
Lazarus, Ira S. (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
Movable heating or cooling surface
C165S104330, C165S185000, C361S689000, C361S700000, C174S015200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189602
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to electronic devices and more particularly relates to an electronic device such as a portable computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of portable electronic devices such as portable computers are recently commercially available, including those incorporating central processing units (CPUs). Such electronic devices consume substantial electrical power, and hence generate heat that must be dissipated.
Certain types of portable electronic devices such as portable computers have a basic structure composed primarily of a main unit and a display unit hinged to the main unit. Such a basic structure is typical for A-4-size notebook personal computers (PCs) and mini-notebook PCs of, for example, B-5 size.
The above hinge is typically a mechanical hinge having a fixed part and a movable part that is pivotally and mechanically connected to the fixed part. The movable part is pivotally swung towards and away from the fixed part when a certain amount of torque is applied to act about the axis of the pivotal connection. Conventionally, selection of materials for the fixed and movable parts has been made primarily based on mechanical strength, without giving specific consideration to conduction of heat to be dissipated.
Measures conventionally employed for enhancing heat dissipation are broadly classified into two types: use of a large heat sink which naturally radiates heat, and forced air-cooling by means of a fan.
Heat dissipation relying upon natural heat radiation from a heat sink, however, is limited due to the restricted space available for the heat sink. Forced air-cooling by a fan also has drawbacks such as generation of noise from the fan and greater power consumption due to driving of the fan.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that rapidly dissipates heat without requiring increase in size.
To this end, according to the present invention, there is provided an electronic device that comprises: a first part containing a heat source; a second part connected to the first part; and pivotal connecting means for mechanically and pivotally connecting the second part to the first part so as to allow the second part to pivot on the first part between a closed position and an open position and for transmitting heat from the heat source to the second part.
Thus, the electronic device has pivotal connecting means that pivotally connects the second part to the first part and that transmits heat from the heat source inside the first part to the second part. With this arrangement, transfer of heat from the heat source inside the first part to the second part is promoted by virtue of the heat-transmitting pivotal connecting means, whereby heat dissipation is achieved without requiring any increase in the size of the electronic device.
Preferably, the first part has a heat pipe that conducts heat from the heat source to the pivotal connecting means. Such a heat pipe ensures heat conduction to the pivotal connecting means from the heat source even when the heat source is spaced a large distance from the pivotal connecting means. Alternatively, the heat source may be disposed in the vicinity of the pivotal connecting means, so that heat is conducted to the pivotal connecting means without the aid of such a heat pipe.
It is also preferred that the second part has a heat diffusion member thermally connected to the pivotal connecting means so that heat can be diffused and dissipated through the heat diffusion member.
The heat diffusion member may be disposed in a casing that is a constituent of the second part and that encases other constituents of the second part. Alternatively, the second part has a metallic casing that serves as the heat diffusion member.
Preferably but not exclusively, the first part comprises a main unit of a portable computer and the second part comprises a display unit of the portable computer. In such a case, either or both the central processing unit and a power supply unit serve as the heat source.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the following descriptions of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Asawa Tsutomu
Ichikawa Mitsuru
Tanahashi Makoto
Frommer William S.
Frommer & Lawrence & Haug LLP
Lazarus Ira S.
McKinnon Terrell
Ryan Matthew K.
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