Electronic apparatus having heat sink for cooling circuit component

• US 5,402,311 A
• Filed: 01/04/1994
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakajima, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US08/177,177
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708.1, 361/699, 361/680, 361/687, 361/704, 361/690, 361/698, 361/717-719, 361/722, 361/702, 361/707, 361/709-711
• US Class Current: 361/679.54
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops

Abstract

A portable electronic apparatus includes a box type housing made of synthetic resin and having a top wall in which an opening is formed. The housing houses a heat radiating circuit component therein which faces the opening of the top wall of the housing. A keyboard device is provided at the housing in such a manner as to close the opening of the top wall. The keyboard device has a bottom surface, covered by a metal plate, which faces the circuit component. A heat sink is provided between the circuit component and the metal plate. A metal shield is provided between the metal plate and the heat sink. The heat sink includes a bag formed of a flexible film and a liquid refrigerant with which the bag is filled. The bag is in contact with both the circuit component and the metal shield, and can thus absorb heat from the circuit component and transmit the heat to the metal plate.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a box-shaped housing made of a synthetic resin and having an opening formed in a top wall;

a circuit component contained in said box-shaped housing, opposing said opening, and radiating heat while operating;

a keyboard device attached to said box-shaped housing to close said opening, and having a bottom surface which is covered by a metal plane facing said circuit component; and

a heat sink interposed between said metal plate and said circuit component, said heat sink having a bag formed of a flexible film and a liquid refrigerant with which said bag is filled, said bag being in contact with said circuit component for absorbing heat radiated from said circuit component and transmitting the heat to said metal plate.

2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said keyboard, device has a keyboard body made of a synthetic resin, attached to said box-shaped housing, covering said opening, and having a flat lower surface contacting said metal plate.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said metal plate has substantially the same size as said keyboard body.

4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a metal shield interposed between said heat sink and said metal plate.

5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said metal shield has an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the upper surface of said metal shield contacting said metal plate and a portion of the lower surface of said metal shield contacting said heat sink.

6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said metal plate has a stay which is fixed to said housing by a screw.

7. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a box-shaped housing made of a synthetic resin and having an extended space and a top wall in which an opening is formed, said extended space being provided for housing an optional device and being continuous with said opening;

a circuit component which is provided in said box-shaped housing so as to face said opening, and radiates heat during an operation of said circuit component;

a case housed in said extended space and arranged adjacent to said circuit component;

a keyboard device attached to said box shaped housing such that said keyboard device closes said opening, and having a bottom surface covered by a metal plate which faces said circuit component and said case; and

a heat sink, interposed between said metal plate and said circuit component, said heat sink including a bag which is made of a flexible film and in contact with said circuit component, a liquid refrigerant with which said bag is filled, and a portion which extends into a region between said circuit component and said case, said portion being in contact with said circuit component and said case, said heat sink for absorbing heat radiated from said circuit component and transmitting the heat to said metal plate.

8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said keyboard device has a keyboard body which is made of a synthetic resin and a flat lower surface on which said metal plate is provided, and is attached to said box-shaped housing so as to cover said opening.

9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a metal shield having an upper surface arranged between said extended space and said metal plate, said metal plate having an upper surface an a lower surface and a stay fixed to said housing by a screw, said upper surface of said metal shield being in contact with the bottom surface of said metal plate.

10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said metal shield has a portion which is interposed between said heat sink and said metal plate.

11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said case is formed in a box-shape and has a portion which faces said metal shield and in which an opening is formed, said opening being closed by said metal shield.