Heat sink assembly

Details Heat sink assembly Heat sink assembly

2000-10-10

2001-12-18

Leo, Leonard (Department: 3743)

Heat exchange

With retainer for removable article

Electrical component

C165S121000, C165S185000, C257S719000, C361S697000, C361S704000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06330905

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly, and particularly to a heat sink assembly having a fixing device for readily and firmly attaching a fan to a heat sink.
2. The Related Art
During operation of an electronic device of a computer system, a large amount of heat is often produced. The heat must be quickly removed from the electronic device, to prevent the computer system from becoming unstable or being damaged. Typically, a heat sink is attached to an outer surface of the electronic device to facilitate removal of heat therefrom. Fans are often attached to the heat sink to provide forced convection therefrom.
A conventional means for attaching a fan to a heat sink is by using screws. Referring to
FIG. 6
, each of four corners of a fan
2
defines a through hole. A heat sink
1
forms threading corresponding to the through holes of the fan
2
. Screws
3
extend through the through holes and engage with the threadings of the heat sink
1
, thereby attaching the fan
2
to the heat sink
1
. However, installation and removal of the fan requires a tool such as a screwdriver. This makes the process cumbersome and complicated. Moreover, aluminum chips may be torn off the threadings of an aluminum heat sink as the screws
3
are rotated during installation. Such loose chips can migrate to other parts of the computer system during installation or use, where they may cause malfunction or damage. Furthermore, this mode lacks generality because it can only be used in heat sink of a given size and given configuration heat sink.
Thus a heat sink assembly which overcomes the above problems of the prior art is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a heat sink assembly having a fixing device which firmly attaches a fan to a heat sink.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat sink assembly which is readily assembled and disassembled.
To achieve the above-mentioned objects, a heat sink assembly comprises a heat sink, a fan and a fixing device. The heat sink has a plurality of parallel fins. The outermost fins define internal catches. The fixing device comprises a rectangular upper portion and a rectangular lower portion. The upper and lower portions respectively define upper and lower openings providing air flow access for the fan. A pole depends vertically from each corner of the upper portion. The fan has through holes for the extension of the poles therethrough. A pair of latches extends upwardly from opposite sides of the lower portion, for engaging with the upper portion. The upper portion defines two opposed cutouts in communication with the opening, for receiving the latches. A side wall depends from each of two opposite sides of the lower portion. Each side wall defines two recess at respective opposite ends thereof. A barb is formed at each opposite end of each side wall, for engaging with the corresponding catch of the heat sink.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which:


REFERENCES:
patent: 5677829 (1997-10-01), Clemens
patent: 5724228 (1998-03-01), Lee
patent: 5943209 (1999-08-01), Liu
patent: 6199624 (2001-03-01), Wotring

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