Heat sink apparatus
First Claim
1. A heat sink apparatus for dissipating heat generated by a device, comprising:
- a thermally conductive body having a mounting surface, a holding member retainer, and defining a cam channel therein;
a holding member pivotally mounted in relation to said holding member retainer, said holding member defining a pivot arm portion and a spring clip portion; and
a cam rotatably mounted within said cam channel, said cam defining therein a V-shaped engagement surface adapted to receive said pivot arm portion of said holding member in a disengaged position wherein said spring clip portion of said holding member is positioned a maximum distance from said mounting surface; and
wherein rotation of said cam in a first direction pivots said pivot arm portion into an engaged position wherein said spring clip portion is positioned at a minimum distance from said mounting surface in a quiescent state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A heat sink apparatus for drawing heat from one or more devices and a method of attaching such a heat sink to one or more devices is provided. The heat sink includes a mounting surface, which draws heat into the heat sink where it is dissipated by fins. The heat sink can be mounted next to the device to be cooled with minimum insertion force since the weight of the heat sink is borne by the printed circuit board upon which the electronic device is installed. A rotatable cam is turned by the user, which engages a pivot arm. The pivot arm rotates a number of spring clips against the device thereby holding it in place. Once in a fully closed position, the cam locks into place to prevent the pivot arm and spring clips from rotating back to an open position. The spring clips affix the heat sink and maintains contact between the mounting surface and the device being cooled. The individually articulated spring clips allow the heat sink to be mounted over multiple devices of various dimensions and locations along the heat sink.
25 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A heat sink apparatus for dissipating heat generated by a device, comprising:
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a thermally conductive body having a mounting surface, a holding member retainer, and defining a cam channel therein;
a holding member pivotally mounted in relation to said holding member retainer, said holding member defining a pivot arm portion and a spring clip portion; and
a cam rotatably mounted within said cam channel, said cam defining therein a V-shaped engagement surface adapted to receive said pivot arm portion of said holding member in a disengaged position wherein said spring clip portion of said holding member is positioned a maximum distance from said mounting surface; and
wherein rotation of said cam in a first direction pivots said pivot arm portion into an engaged position wherein said spring clip portion is positioned at a minimum distance from said mounting surface in a quiescent state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22)
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12. A heat sink apparatus, comprising:
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a body having a mounting surface;
a flexible holding member having a first portion forming a spring clip and a second portion forming a pivot arm; and
a cam rotatably positioned within a cam chamber formed by said body; and
wherein rotation of said cam in a first direction transitions said holding member between a disengaged position and an engaged position, said cam defining a recessed portion in an outer surface thereof adapted to engage said pivot arm in said engaged position thereby preventing rotation of said cam in a second direction opposite to said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 23. A heat sink apparatus comprising a body having a mounting surface adapted to provide thermal contact to a device, and a holding member adapted to provide a clamping force to hold the device in close contact with the mounting surface, the holding member including a pivot arm portion adapted to engage a rotatable cam positioned in said body, said cam positioning said holding member in an engaged and a disengaged position upon rotation thereof, said holding member further defining a flexible spring clip portion adapted to accommodate devices of different sizes in said engaged position.
Specification