External power supply module adapted to be disposed in a portable electronic apparatus

• US 20040095713A1
• Filed: 12/27/2002
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compal Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Compal Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Chuang, Wei Pin
• Granted Patent: US 6,768,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.47
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter

Abstract

An external power supply module includes a module case adapted to be disposed in a portable electronic apparatus, an adapter circuit disposed in the module case and adapted to convert AC power to DC power that is to be supplied to the portable electronic apparatus, a set of contacts provided on the module case and adapted to establish electrical connection between the adapter circuit and the portable electronic apparatus, and a heat-dissipating unit mounted on the module case for dissipating heat generated during operation of the adapter circuit.

Claims

1. An external power supply module adapted to be disposed in a module receiving space of a housing of a portable electronic apparatus, said external power supply module being adapted to supply electric power to a circuit unit disposed in a circuit receiving space of the housing of the portable electronic apparatus, and comprising:

a module case adapted to be disposed in the module receiving space;

an adapter circuit disposed in said module case and adapted to convert AC power to DC power that is to be supplied to the circuit unit;

a set of contacts provided on said module case and adapted to establish electrical connection between said adapter circuit and the circuit unit; and

a heat-dissipating unit including a heat-dissipating fan mounted on said module case for dissipating heat generated during operation of said adapter circuit.

2. The external power supply module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said module case is provided with a cable connector that is connected to said adapter circuit and that is adapted to be connected to an electrical cable to permit supply of AC power to said adapter circuit.

3. The external power supply module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said module case is formed with a fan hole and a plurality of vent holes, said heat-dissipating fan being mounted on said module case at said fan hole and being operable so as to draw air from said module case through said vent holes and to expel air out of said module case through said fan hole.

4. The external power supply module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-dissipating unit further includes a thermal conductor in contact with said module case, said heat-dissipating fan being operable so as to draw air for cooling said thermal conductor.

5. The external power supply module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said thermal conductor includes a base plate in contact with said module case, and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins connected to said base plate, said heat-dissipating fan being operable so as to draw air for cooling said heat-dissipating fins.

6. The external power supply module as claimed in claim 5, wherein said heat-dissipating fan and said heat-dissipating fins are connected to a same edge of said base plate, said heat-dissipating fan being spaced apart from said heat-dissipating fins.

7. The external power supply module as claimed in claim 6, wherein said heat-dissipating fins, extend horizontally and are vertically spaced apart from each other.

8. The external power supply module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-dissipating fan is an axial fan.

9. The external power supply module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat-dissipating fan is a centrifugal fan.