Heat sink retention technique

Details Heat sink retention technique Heat sink retention technique

2001-10-29

2003-04-22

Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)

Supports

Brackets

Specially mounted or attached

C248S694000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06550732

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention addresses unwanted movement of computer system components caused by mechanical shock and vibration.
BACKGROUND
In electronic equipment, shock and vibration can cause excessive movement of internal components. In general, the more massive the component, the more movement it will experience in response to shock and vibration. Heat sinks tend to be among the most massive components in a modem electronic systems. Their mechanical retention can be problematic.
The most common method used in the past for retaining heat sinks has been to screw or to bolt the bottom of the heat sink to a printed circuit board or to a structural member of an enclosure chassis. Such a retention scheme tended to add unwanted height to the heat sink assembly, and often required the use of numerous and massive fasteners. In addition, the prior art method sometimes required that some assembly steps be performed from the top of the work piece, and that some assembly steps be performed from the bottom. Consequently, the work piece often had to be flipped during the assembly process, adding time and complexity to its manufacture.
A need therefore exists for a new heat sink retention technique.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention includes a heat sink retaining bracket having a first surface for engaging a heat sink and a second surface for engaging a substantially rigid support member such as a chassis wall.
The first surface may include an opening having a rim around its periphery. The rim may be adapted to engaged the top and sides of the heat sink such that sideways and upward translational movements of the heat sink are restrained. Air may pass through the opening as it enters or exits the heat sink so that the cooling efficiency of the heat sink is not substantially impaired by the bracket.
The second surface may be adapted to engaged the chassis wall or support member using a hook-and-slot arrangement and a fastener or fasteners. Slots (or hooks) in the bracket may engaged hooks (or slots) on the wall or support member as the bracket is lowered onto the heat sink. A fastener or fasteners may then be applied to the bracket and the wall or support member so that the hooks and slots remain engaged. In one embodiment, a lip on the wall or support member may overhang the bracket, and the fastener or fasteners may be applied in a compression mode. In another embodiment, a portion of the bracket may overhang a lip on the wall or support member, and the fastener or fasteners may be applied in a tension mode.


REFERENCES:
patent: 6249428 (2001-06-01), Jeffries et al.
patent: 6301111 (2001-10-01), Katsui
patent: 6304445 (2001-10-01), Bollesen
patent: 6404634 (2002-06-01), Mann

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