Cooling method and apparatus for handheld devices

• US 20030184967A1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd. (Xiaomi Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Faneuf, Barrett M., Holalkere, Ven R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,741,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/687
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/201 Cooling arrangements using cooling fluid

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cooling an electronic component within a handheld device comprised of an extension to the casing of the handheld device and at least one portion of a cooling apparatus within the extension.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an electronic component;

a cooling apparatus to dissipate heat from the electronic component into the environment external to the apparatus;

a casing small enough to be held with one hand that encloses the electronic component; and

an extension to the casing that encloses at least one portion of the cooling apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension is located on the casing to enable heat from the electronic component to be dissipated to the environment external to the apparatus through convection.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fan within the extension to cause air from the environment external to the apparatus to move through the at least one portion of the cooling apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a microprocessor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling apparatus is comprised of an evaporator to collect heat from the electronic component and a condenser within the extension to dissipate the heat collected from the electronic component to the environment external to the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein liquid coolant is used in the cooling apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising controls carried by the extension to enable interaction between the apparatus and a user of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an antenna protruding from the extension to enable radio frequency communication.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an antenna within the extension to enable radio frequency communication.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an optical transmitter within the extension to enable optical communication.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the casing is further comprised of a hinge connecting another part of the apparatus and the extension is integrated with the hinge.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising straps to enable the apparatus to be strapped to a part of the body of a user of the apparatus.

13. A method, comprising:

forming an extension on the casing of an apparatus, the apparatus being small enough to be held with one hand, and being comprised of an electronic component; and

providing a cooling apparatus, at least one portion of which is carried within the extension, to dissipate heat from the electronic component to the environment external to the apparatus.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising locating the extension on the casing to enable heat from the electronic component to be dissipated to the environment external to the apparatus through convection.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a fan within the extension to cause air from the environment external to the apparatus to move through the at least one portion of the cooling apparatus.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronic component is a microprocessor.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the cooling apparatus is comprised of an evaporator to collect heat from the electronic component and a condenser within the extension to dissipate the heat collected from the electronic component to the environment external to the apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein liquid coolant is used in the cooling apparatus.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a base for an antenna within the extension.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising locating the extension on the casing such that the extension is integrated with a hinge on the casing that connects the casing to another part of the apparatus.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is further comprised of straps to enable the apparatus to be strapped to a part of the body of a user of the apparatus.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

an extension formed on the casing of a device small enough to be held with one hand; and

at least one portion of a cooling apparatus enclosed within the extension to dissipate heat from an electronic component within the device into the environment external to the device.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is located on the casing to enable heat from the electronic component to be dissipated to the environment external to the device through convection.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a fan to cause air from the environment external to the device to move through the at least one portion of the cooling apparatus.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the electronic component is a microprocessor.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one portion of the cooling apparatus is comprised of a condenser to dissipate the heat collected from the electronic component to the environment external to the device.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein liquid coolant is used in the cooling apparatus.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising controls carried by the apparatus to enable interaction between the device and a user of the device.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising an antenna to enable radio frequency communication.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising an optical transmitter to enable optical communication.