Thermal sensing system
First Claim
1. A thermal sensing system, comprising:
- a thermally emitting object;
a one-piece clip contacting the thermally emitting object and formed of a thermally conductive material, the one-piece clip comprising;
a plurality of tabs substantially perpendicular to a generally flat portion configured for directly connecting the one-piece clip to a printed circuit board, wherein the plurality of tabs are in direct physical contact with the printed circuit board and protrude through it;
a vertical stem extending downward from the generally flat portion; and
a contact portion extending from the vertical stem that conforms to a three-dimensional shape of the thermally emitting object and is in contact with an outer surface of the thermally emitting object; and
a thermistor in thermal contact with the one-piece clip portion and the printed circuit board, wherein the thermistor is configured for sensing the temperature of the thermally emitting object.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal sensing system includes a one-piece clip formed of a thermally conductive material. The clip includes a flat, substantially enclosed portion with tabs extending upward from it for connecting the clip to a printed circuit board. The clip also includes a contact portion that is configured to contact a thermally emitting object along a substantial portion of its surface. The thermal sensing system also includes a thermistor. The thermistor may be mounted to the printed circuit board or directly mounted to the clip. Heat is transferred from the thermal object to the thermistor via the clip. This system may be used in various arrangements in which temperature of an object is monitored or maintained within a given range. For example, the system may be used with a rechargeable mouse to monitor the temperature of the replaceable battery during charging and discontinue charging should the temperature reach a predetermined limit.
40 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermal sensing system, comprising:
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a thermally emitting object; a one-piece clip contacting the thermally emitting object and formed of a thermally conductive material, the one-piece clip comprising; a plurality of tabs substantially perpendicular to a generally flat portion configured for directly connecting the one-piece clip to a printed circuit board, wherein the plurality of tabs are in direct physical contact with the printed circuit board and protrude through it; a vertical stem extending downward from the generally flat portion; and a contact portion extending from the vertical stem that conforms to a three-dimensional shape of the thermally emitting object and is in contact with an outer surface of the thermally emitting object; and a thermistor in thermal contact with the one-piece clip portion and the printed circuit board, wherein the thermistor is configured for sensing the temperature of the thermally emitting object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A one-piece thermal clip, comprising:
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a generally flat portion having a plurality of side walls extending therefrom; a plurality of tabs extending from the side walls and configured for directly mounting the one-piece thermal clip, wherein the plurality of tabs are in direct physical contact with a printed circuit board and protrude through it; a vertical stem extending downward from the generally flat portion; a contact portion formed at one end of the stem and configured to conform to a three-dimensional shape of a thermally emitting object, the contact portion being in contact with an outer surface of the thermally emitting object; and wherein the one-piece thermal clip is formed of a thermally conductive material to allow for sensing of a temperature of the thermally emitting object by thermally sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A thermal sensing system, comprising:
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a thermally emitting object; a one-piece clip formed of a thermally conductive material, the one-piece clip including; a flat, substantially enclosed portion; a plurality of tabs extending from the flat, substantially enclosed portion and configured for directly connecting the one-piece clip to a printed circuit board, wherein the plurality of tabs are in direct physical contact with the printed circuit board and protrude through it; a vertical stem protruding downward from the flat, substantially enclosed portion and having a substantially enclosed pocket formed in one side of the vertical stem; and
thermally sensing means in thermal contact the thermally emitting object. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification