Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-08-28
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S688000, C361S689000, C361S690000, C361S691000, C361S692000, C361S693000, C361S694000, C361S695000, C361S696000, C361S697000, C361S698000, C361S699000, C361S701000, C361S702000, C361S703000, C361S704000, C361S707000, C361S708000, C361S709000, C361S710000, C361S711000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282089
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a cooling method and a holder for a portable computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Portable computers are now being developed which can be used as terminals for desktop computers and the like, adapted to be attached to a belt or a strap, and operative with the use of a microphone and earphone. Internal components employed for such portable computers may have a generated heat density equal to or greater than that of currently available notebook computers. If the heat density of the portable computer is such, conventional design concepts for a cooling device cannot be applied to the portable computer as discussed below.
That is, a portable computer should have a far smaller housing size than a notebook or larger-scale computer. Therefore, with a much smaller housing size, it is difficult to provide sufficient space in the portable computer for installation of a cooling device for cooling the heatgenerating electronic components of the computer.
Further, as the portable computer is basically battery-driven (e.g., on a default operation basis), driving the cooling device increases power consumption, thereby shortening the continuous operation period of the portable computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages, and drawbacks of conventional portable computers, the present invention has been devised, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a structure that properly cools a portable computer provided with no internal cooling device.
Further, it is an object of the invention to cool heat-generating electronic components provided in the portable computer so that a central processing unit (CPU) or micro-processing unit (MPU) of the highest processing speed can be used, thereby improving the performance of the portable computer.
It is another object of the present invention to cool the portable computer without influencing the period of continuous operation of the portable computer.
A method of cooling a portable computer according to a first aspect of the present invention includes attaching a portable computer to a holder, transferring heat from a heat-generating component disposed within the portable computer to the holder, and releasing the transferred heat to the atmosphere.
A portable computer cooling method according to another aspect of the present invention includes attaching a portable computer to a holder and cooling a heat-generating component disposed within the portable computer by applying an air blow or an air suction to the heat-generating component from the holder.
In either of the cooling methods, the portable computer is attached to the holder so that the heat-generating component in the portable computer can be cooled by transferring the heat of the heat-generating component to the holder and/or applying an air flow thereto through either an air blow or an air suction.
In another aspect, a computer holder according to the present invention includes a fixture for detachably fixing a portable computer to the holder, a heat-releasing unit for releasing heat from a heat-generating component disposed within the portable computer to the outside, and a supporter which supports the fixture and the heat-releasing unit.
Hence, the portable computer can be fixed to the holder by the fixture when the computer is to be used, and can be detached from the holder when the computer is not in use or data is to be exchanged between the portable computer and a host computer. Further, the heat generated by the heat-generating component during the operation of the portable computer can be released or dissipated outside the computer by the heat-releasing unit.
The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application 11-069849, filed Mar. 16, 1999, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5121291 (1992-06-01), Cope et al.
patent: 5694292 (1997-12-01), Paulsel et al.
patent: 6073684 (2000-06-01), Fiechter et al.
patent: 6118654 (2000-09-01), Bhatia
patent: 0 825 515 A1 (1998-02-01), None
patent: 1-76623 (1989-05-01), None
patent: 10-275034 (1998-10-01), None
patent: 10-262719 (1998-10-01), None
patent: 10-290709 (1998-11-01), None
patent: 2000-259577 (2000-09-01), None
patent: WO99/47988 A2 (1999-09-01), None
Nakanishi Tohru
Nishio Toshihiko
Chang Yean-Hsi
International Business Machines - Corporation
McGinn & Gibb PLLC
Picard Leo P.
Underweiser Esq Marian
LandOfFree
Portable computer cooling method and computer holder does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Portable computer cooling method and computer holder, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Portable computer cooling method and computer holder will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2451478