US20080019093A1 - Electronic device - Google Patents
Electronic device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080019093A1 US20080019093A1 US11/797,158 US79715807A US2008019093A1 US 20080019093 A1 US20080019093 A1 US 20080019093A1 US 79715807 A US79715807 A US 79715807A US 2008019093 A1 US2008019093 A1 US 2008019093A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- cover
- heat radiation
- electronic device
- heat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/20—Cooling means
- G06F1/203—Cooling means for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
Definitions
- One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic device, for example, including heat generating parts mounted thereon.
- An electronic device such as, for example, a portable computer contains heat generating parts mounted within a housing thereof.
- heat generating parts for example, a CPU
- circuit parts such as memory chips and north bridge circuits.
- a display device provided with heat radiation parts is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2005-189453.
- a heat radiation member is provided on the rear side of a case thereof, while being exposed to outside.
- the heat radiation member is thermally connected to a liquid crystal display unit within the case.
- the electronic device includes a metal housing having a heating component mounted therein, and a cover entirely covering the metal housing.
- the cover has an intake port and an exhaust port.
- An air passage whereby the intake port communicates with the exhaust port is formed between the cover and the metal housing.
- a fan is provided at the exhaust port of the housing.
- the heat radiating member of the display device functions as a heat sink exposed to the outside of the housing to thereby cool the liquid crystal display unit.
- the heat radiating member exhausts the heat generated by the liquid crystal display unit to the outside of the housing by natural heat radiation. This leaves room for improvement from the standpoint of cooling efficiency.
- the heat from the heating component is radiated through the metal housing. Even when a plurality of heating components having different heating amounts are installed in the housing of the electronic device, the heat from all the heating components is radiated through the metal housing. This leaves room for improvement from the standpoint of cooling efficiency.
- FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing a portable computer according to a first embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer taken along line F 2 -F 2 in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view showing an interior part of the portable computer of the first embodiment
- FIG. 5 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment
- FIG. 6 is an exemplary plan view showing the interior part of the portable computer of the first embodiment
- FIG. 7 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a CPU taken along line F 7 -F 7 in FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing a partition wall taken along line F 8 -F 8 in FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 9 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing a sealing member shown in FIG. 8 when it is exploded;
- FIG. 10 is an exemplary perspective view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment when covers are mounted;
- FIG. 11 is an exemplary plan view showing a first cover according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 12 is an exemplary plan view showing a second cover according to first embodiment
- FIG. 13 is an exemplary plan view showing a third cover according to first embodiment
- FIG. 14 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment with the covers mounted thereon;
- FIG. 15 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer taken along line F 15 -F 15 in FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 16 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer taken along line F 16 -F 16 in FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 17 is an exemplary perspective view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment when the covers are mounted;
- FIG. 18 is an exemplary plan view showing the cover according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 19 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing air flows in the portable computer of the first embodiment
- FIG. 20 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing a portable computer according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 21 is an exemplary perspective view showing the portable computer according to the second embodiment.
- an electronic device includes: a housing including an opening and an exhaust hole; a partition wall which partitions an interior part of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber which communicates with the exhaust hole and is opened to the outside of the housing through the opening; first and second heat generating parts mounted in the first chamber; a first heat radiation member located in the second chamber; a heat transfer member which transfers heat generated by the first heat generating part to the first heat radiation member; a cooling fan which is located in the second chamber and draws outside air through the opening and exhausts the outside air against the first heat radiation member; a second heat radiation member which is exposed to the outside of the housing and is thermally connected to the second heat generating part; and a cover mounted on the housing, the cover covering the opening and the second heat radiation member.
- the cover forms a gap between the cover and the housing. The gap communicates with the second chamber through the opening and allows outside air to flow therethrough.
- FIGS. 1 to 19 show a portable computer 1 , which is an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the portable computer 1 has a main body 2 and a display unit 3 .
- the main body 2 includes a box-like housing 6 , and a cover 7 attached to the lower surface of the housing 6 .
- the housing 6 has an upper wall 6 a, a sidewall 6 b and a lower wall 6 c.
- the upper wall 6 a, the sidewall 6 b and the lower wall 6 c form an outer wall of the housing 6 .
- a keyboard 5 is supported on the upper wall 6 a.
- the display unit 3 includes a display housing 8 and a liquid crystal display panel 9 housed in the display housing 8 .
- the Liquid crystal display panel 9 is provided with a display screen 9 a.
- the display screen 9 a is exposed to the outside through an opening 8 a which is formed in the front side of the display housing 8 .
- the display unit 3 is supported on the rear end of the housing 6 by means of a hinge device (not shown).
- the display unit 3 may be hinged between a closed position and an open position. When the display unit 3 is hinged toward the closed position and reaches the closed position, it covers the upper side of the upper wall 6 a at the closed position. When the display unit 3 is hinged upward from the closed position, the upper wall 6 a is exposed to outside.
- a cover mounting portion 11 to which the cover 7 is mounted is formed on the lower wall 6 c of the housing 6 .
- a configuration of the cover mounting portion 11 is substantially the same as the external configuration of the cover 7 .
- the cover mounting portion 11 is depressed toward the inner side of the housing 6 by a thickness of the cover 7 from the lower wall 6 c located out of the cover mounting portion 11 .
- the housing 6 is provided with a partition wall 14 , which partitions an interior space thereof into a first chamber 12 and a second chamber 13 .
- the partition wall 14 has a top wall 15 and a sidewall 16 .
- the top wall 15 is positioned between the upper wall 6 a and the lower wall 6 c of the housing 6 , and extends parallel to the upper wall 6 a.
- One end of the top wall 15 is continuous to the sidewall 6 b of the housing.
- the other end of the top wall 15 extends to the inside of the housing 6 .
- the sidewall 16 extends from the other end of the top wall 15 toward the lower wall 6 c of the housing 6 , and is continuous to the lower wall 6 c located in the cover mounting portion 11 .
- the sidewall 16 has a first wall 16 a, a second wall 16 b and a third wall 16 c.
- the first wall 16 a faces the sidewall 6 b of the housing, while being oblique to the latter.
- the second and third walls 16 b and 16 c extend from both ends of the first wall 16 a toward the sidewall 6 b of the housing, and are continuous to the sidewall 6 b.
- the partition wall 14 is integral with the housing 6 , for example.
- the first chamber 12 and the second chamber 13 of the housing 6 are liquid-tightly isolated from each other.
- the first chamber 12 is a closed space isolated from the outside of the housing 6 .
- the first chamber 12 occupies the most part of the interior space of the housing 6 .
- the second chamber 13 occupies a part of the right lower end of the interior part of the housing.
- the housing 6 has a first opening 18 communicating with the second chamber 13 .
- the first opening 18 is formed by substantially entirely cutting out an areal portion of the lower wall 6 c of the housing corresponding to the second chamber 13 .
- the second chamber 13 is opened to the outside of the housing 6 through the first opening 18 . It is not essential to form the first opening 18 over the entire area corresponding to the second chamber 13 . It suffices that the first opening 18 is formed in at least a part of the area corresponding to the second chamber 13 , and the second chamber 13 communicates with the outside of the housing 6 .
- the portable computer 1 is provided with a case 19 having the outer walls 6 a, 6 b and 6 c and a closed interior space.
- the lower wall 6 c of the case 19 includes a hollow part 20 being hollow toward the inside of the case 19 . That is, a part of the housing 6 including the first chamber 12 forms the case 19 .
- the second chamber 13 one side of which is opened through the first opening 18 forms the hollow part 20 .
- the housing 6 further includes exhaust holes 22 .
- the exhaust holes 22 are opened in a part of the sidewall 6 b of the housing which defines the second chamber 13 .
- the exhaust holes 22 communicate with the second chamber 13 .
- the hollow part 20 communicates with the outside of the portable computer 1 through the exhaust holes 22 .
- the second chamber 13 is provided with a cooling fan 24 and a first heat radiation member 25 .
- the cooling fan 24 and the first heat radiation member 25 are housed in the hollow part 20 of the case 19 .
- the cooling fan 24 has an intake port 24 a and an exhaust port 24 b.
- the intake port 24 a is formed in the lower surface of the cooling fan 24 , while facing the first opening 18 of the housing 6 .
- the exhaust port 24 b faces the first heat radiation member 25 .
- the cooling fan 24 draws air (referred to as outside air) from the outside of the housing 6 into the second chamber 13 of the housing 6 through the first opening 18 , and feeds the drawn air into the cooling fan 24 through the intake port 24 a.
- the cooling fan 24 blows the drawn air against the first heat radiation member 25 through the exhaust port 24 b.
- the first heat radiation member 25 extends along the exhaust holes 22 of the sidewall 6 b.
- One example of the first heat radiation member 25 is a heat radiation fin.
- the first heat radiation member 25 contains a plurality of plate-shaped fin elements 25 a. The plate surfaces of those fin elements 25 a are arrayed in the air blowing direction of the cooling fan 24 .
- a circuit board 31 and a hard disc drive (HDD) 32 are located in the first chamber 12 of the housing 6 .
- a CPU 33 and a memory module 34 are mounted on the circuit board 31 .
- the CPU 33 , the memory module 34 and the HDD 32 are arrayed, for example, horizontally.
- the CPU 33 is one example of a first heat generating part. As shown in FIG. 7 , the CPU 33 includes a base substrate 33 a and an IC chip 33 b.
- the base substrate 33 a is mounted on the circuit board 31 .
- the IC chip 33 b is mounted on the central part of the base substrate 33 a.
- the portable computer 1 includes a heat pipe 36 .
- the heat pipe 36 is one example of a heat transfer member.
- the heat pipe 36 has a pipe-like container both ends of which are closed.
- One form of the container is constructed such that a wick is formed on the inner wall of the container, and a coolant fluid is sealed into the container.
- part of the coolant fluid evaporates to move to the other end.
- the coolant fluid which has moved to the other end and is now in a vaporized state, radiates heat and condenses at the other end.
- the coolant fluid having condensed returns to the end having been exposed to high temperature by capillary action.
- the heat pipe 36 has a first terminal 36 a and a second terminal 36 b.
- the first terminal 36 a of the heat pipe 36 is thermally connected to the CPU 33 .
- the IC chip 33 b of the CPU 33 is connected to a heat receiving plate 37 .
- the heat receiving plate 37 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum alloy or copper alloy.
- the heat receiving plate 37 is rectangular in shape, and its size is larger than the external dimension of the IC chip 33 b.
- a heat transfer member 38 is interlayered between the heat pipe 36 and the heat receiving plate 37 .
- the heat transfer member 38 is a lamination of a plurality of heat transfer sheets made of, for example, a silicone material.
- the heat transfer member 38 is not limited to the heat transfer sheets, but may be silicone grease, for example.
- the heat pipe 36 is fixed to the circuit board 31 by means of a fixing member 39 .
- the fixing member 39 includes a cover part 39 a and legs 39 b.
- the cover part 39 a is brought into contact with the heat pipe 36 .
- the legs 39 b extend from both ends of the cover part 39 a toward the circuit board 31 , and are screwed into the circuit board 31 .
- the fixing member 39 presses the heat pipe 36 against the CPU 33 .
- the heat pipe 36 passes through the partition wall 14 .
- the first wall 16 a of the partition wall 14 has a rectangular cutout part 16 d.
- the cutout part 16 d is formed at an areal region of the partition wall 14 through which the heat pipe 36 and the cables 40 a and 40 b pass, that is, at the region of a path of the heat pipe 36 and the cables 40 a and 40 b.
- the cutout part 16 d is cut out to be larger than the cross-sectional areas of the heat pipe 36 and the cables 40 a and 40 b.
- a first sealing member 42 is fit to the cutout part 16 d.
- the first sealing member 42 serves as a part of the partition wall 14 .
- the first sealing member 42 is formed with rubber, for example.
- the first sealing member 42 includes a pair of first and second members 42 a and 42 b, which are separable from each other.
- the first member 42 a has hollows which are deep enough to receive, for example, the lower half parts of the heat pipe 36 and the cables 40 a and 40 b.
- the second member 42 b has hollows which are deep enough to receive the upper half parts of the heat pipe 36 and the cables 40 a and 40 b.
- the heat pipe 36 and the cables 40 a and 40 b are sandwiched between the first and second members 42 a and 42 b, whereby the vicinal portions of the heat pipe 36 and the cables 40 a and 40 b are liquid-tight.
- the cutout part 16 d of the partition wall 14 and the first sealing member 42 are also liquid-tight.
- the first sealing member 42 liquid-tightly isolates the first chamber 12 from the second chamber 13 of the housing.
- the second terminal 36 b of the heat pipe 36 extends into the second chamber 13 of the housing 6 , and is attached to the first heat radiation member 25 . That is, the second terminal 36 b of the heat pipe 36 is thermally connected to the first heat radiation member 25 .
- the heat pipe 36 transfers the heat generated by the CPU 33 to the first heat radiation member 25 .
- the cables 40 a and 40 b of the cooling fan 24 extend into the first chamber 12 and are electrically connected to the circuit board 31 .
- a memory slot 44 is mounted to the circuit board 31 .
- the memory module 34 is inserted into and removed from the memory slot 44 .
- the memory module 34 is one example of the second heat generating part.
- the memory module 34 includes a child board 45 and a plurality of memory chips 46 , for example, mounted on the child board 45 . By inserting the child board 45 into the memory slot 44 , the memory chips 46 are electrically connected to the circuit board 31 .
- the first and the second heat generating parts are not limited to the CPU and the memory module, but may be a north bridge, a graphics board, a PCI module or any other heat generating part.
- the cover mounting portion 11 includes second to fourth openings 51 , 52 and 53 formed therein.
- the second to fourth openings 51 , 52 and 53 communicate with the first chamber 12 of the housing 6 .
- the second opening 51 is provided facing the CPU 33 .
- the third opening 52 is provided facing the memory module 34 .
- the memory module 34 is inserted into and removed from the memory slot 44 through the third opening 52 .
- the fourth opening 53 is provided facing the HDD 32 .
- the HDD 32 is attached to and detached from the inside of the housing 6 through the fourth opening 53 .
- a rib 55 is raised toward the outside of the housing 6 from the opening edges of the second to fourth openings 51 , 52 and 53 . As shown in FIG. 6 , the rib 55 surrounds entirely the second to fourth openings 51 , 52 and 53 .
- bosses 56 are raised from the cover mounting portion 11 toward the outside of the housing 6 .
- the bosses 56 are integral with the lower wall 6 c.
- the bosses 56 are protruded toward the outside of the housing 6 to be much higher than the rib 55 .
- two bosses 56 are located between the second opening 51 and the second chamber 13 .
- Four bosses 56 are located around the third and fourth openings 52 and 53 .
- a screw hole 56 a is formed in each boss 56 .
- a female screw is formed in the surface of the screw hole 56 a. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the screw hole 56 a reaches the mid-point of the lower wall 6 c when viewed in the thickness direction thereof. In other words, the screw hole 56 a does not pass through the lower wall 6 c.
- a pair of recess parts 57 a and 57 b are formed in an area between the second opening 51 and the third opening 52 . Those recess parts 57 a and 57 b are arrayed along the edge of the second opening 51 .
- the recess parts 57 a and 57 b are each slightly depressed from the lower wall 6 c of the housing 6 toward the inner part of the housing 6 .
- the portable computer 1 includes first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 .
- the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 are each one form of an outer covering part of the housing. Those covers 61 , 62 and 63 are removably mounted to the housing 6 .
- the first cover 61 has a size larger than the second opening 51 .
- the first cover 61 is mounted on the housing 6 to close the second opening 51 .
- the first cover 61 includes a flat portion 65 which covers the second opening 51 and the boss 56 , and a bent portion 66 which is bent from the peripheral edge of the flat part 65 toward the housing 6 .
- a second sealing member 71 is attached to the rear side of the first cover 61 .
- the second sealing member 71 has a ring-like shape to be equivalent in configuration to the opening edge of the second opening 51 .
- the width of the ring-like second sealing member 71 is larger than that of the rib 55 .
- the second sealing member 71 When the first cover 61 is attached to the housing 6 , the second sealing member 71 surrounds the second opening 51 and is interposed between the housing 6 and the first cover 61 . To be more specific, the second sealing member 71 comes in contact with the protruded surface, the inner surface and the peripheral surface of the rib 55 , and is pressed in three directions so as to wrap the top end part of the rib 55 . As shown in FIG. 14 , the second sealing member 71 is interposed between the housing 6 and the first cover 61 , so that the vicinal portion of the second opening 51 is liquid-tight.
- screw holes 75 are formed in a region of the first cover 61 closer to the peripheral edge thereof than a region of the first cover 61 contacting the second sealing member 71 .
- the screw holes 75 are through holes.
- the screw holes 75 correspond in position to the bosses 56 located around the second opening 51 .
- the first cover 61 further includes a pair of claw parts 76 a and 76 b.
- the claw parts 76 a and 76 b slightly extend downward from the peripheral edge of the first cover 61 , and also outward from the housing 6 .
- the claw parts 76 a and 76 b correspond in position to the recess parts 57 a and 57 b, respectively.
- the claw parts 76 a and 76 b are placed into the recess parts 57 a and 57 b, respectively.
- the second cover 62 has a size larger than the third opening 52 .
- the second cover 62 is mounted to the housing 6 to close the third opening 52 .
- the second cover 62 is made of a material of good thermal conductivity such as metal, and is one example of a second heat radiation member.
- the second cover 62 is exposed to the outside of the housing 6 .
- a third sealing member 72 is mounted to the rear side of the second cover 62 .
- the third sealing member 72 has a ring-like shape to be equivalent in configuration to the opening edge of the third opening 52 .
- the width of the ring-like third sealing member 72 is larger than that of the rib 55 .
- the screw holes 75 as through holes are formed in a region of the second cover 62 closer to the peripheral edge thereof than a region of the second cover 62 contacting the second sealing member 71 .
- the screw holes 75 correspond in position to the screw holes 56 a of the bosses 56 located around the third opening 52 .
- a heat transfer member 81 is mounted on the central part of the rear side of the second cover 62 .
- the heat transfer member 81 may be a lamination of heat transfer sheets, for example.
- the heat transfer member 81 is brought into contact with the memory module 34 . That is, the second cover 62 is thermally connected to the memory module 34 through the heat transfer member 81 .
- the second cover 62 is brought into contact with the claw parts 76 a and 76 b of the first cover 61 .
- the first cover 61 cannot be removed till the second cover 62 is removed.
- This structural feature prevents the user from easily opening the first cover 61 . Accordingly, the possibility that the CPU 33 is erroneously exposed to the outside is lessened.
- the third cover 63 has a size larger than the fourth opening 53 .
- the third cover 63 is mounted on the housing 6 to close the fourth opening 53 .
- the third cover 63 is made of a material of good thermal conductivity such as metal, and is one form of a second heat radiation member.
- a fourth sealing member 73 is mounted on the rear side of the third cover 63 .
- the fourth sealing member 73 has a ring-like shape to be equivalent in configuration to the opening edge of the fourth opening 53 .
- the width of the ring-like fourth sealing member 73 is larger than that of the rib 55 .
- the screw holes 75 as through holes are formed in a region of the third cover 63 closer to the peripheral edge thereof than a region of the third cover 63 contacting the third sealing member 72 .
- the screw holes 75 correspond in position to the screw holes 56 a of the bosses 56 located around the fourth opening 53 .
- a heat transfer member 82 is mounted to the central part of the rear side of the third cover 63 .
- One example of the heat transfer member 82 is a lamination of heat transfer sheets. As shown in FIG. 16 , when the third cover 63 is mounted to the housing 6 , the heat transfer member 82 is brought into contact with the HDD 32 . That is, the third cover 63 is thermally connected to the HDD 32 through the heat transfer member 82 .
- screws 84 are respectively inserted into the screw holes 75 formed in the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 .
- the screws 84 having inserted into the screw holes 75 are screwed into the screw hole 56 a of the lower wall 6 c of the housing, respectively.
- the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 are fixed to the housing 6 .
- the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 having been fixed to the housing 6 are exposed to the outside of the housing 6 .
- a size of the cover 7 is about half of the lower wall 6 c of the housing.
- the cover 7 is mounted on the cover mounting portion 11 , and entirely covers the first opening 18 communicating with the second chamber 13 , and the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 mounted on the cover mounting portion 11 .
- the cover 7 covers also the first heat radiation member 25 and the cooling fan 24 .
- the cover 7 includes a center portion 7 a shaped like a flat plate, and a bent portion 7 b bent from the peripheral edge of the center portion 7 a toward the housing 6 . Since the cover 7 has the bent portion 7 b along the peripheral edge of the center portion 7 a, a gap S is formed between the center portion 7 a of the cover 7 and the housing 6 when the cover 7 is mounted on the housing 6 .
- the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 are exposed to the gap S between the cover 7 and the housing 6 .
- the gap S between the cover 7 and the housing 6 communicates with the first opening 18 and the second chamber 13 of the housing 6 .
- the gap S functions as an air passage which allows the space around the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 to communicate with the intake port 24 a of the cooling fan 24 , which is housed in the second chamber 13 .
- a distance between the housing 6 and the cover 7 , which define the gap S, is, for example, 2.0 to 2.5 mm.
- the cover 7 has a rear side 7 c which faces the housing 6 .
- a plurality of gap holding members 85 are provided on the rear side 7 c of the cover 7 .
- each of the gap holding members 85 has substantially the same thickness as the size of the gap S formed between the cover 7 and the housing 6 .
- the gap holding members 85 are interposed between the cover 7 and the housing 6 to thereby maintain the gap S.
- the gap holding members 85 may be formed with synthetic rubber, for example.
- the cover 7 includes a first region 7 d arranged in opposition to the first opening 18 and a second region 7 e located out of the first region 7 d. That is, the first region 7 d is arranged opposed to the cooling fan 24 .
- a plurality of intake holes 88 are formed in the second region 7 e.
- the intake holes 88 are formed in substantially the entire area of the second region 7 e.
- the intake holes 88 are arrayed in a lattice, for example.
- the gap S between the cover 7 and the housing 6 communicates with the outside of the portable computer 1 through the intake holes 88 . With this structure, the outside air flows between the cover 7 and the housing 6 through the intake holes 88 .
- the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 are exposed to the open air.
- the cover 7 is mounted on the housing 6 by means of the screws 84 . As shown in FIG. 17 , the screws 84 for fixing the cover 7 are also used for fixing the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 . Accordingly, the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 are fixed by the screws 84 for fixing the cover 7 .
- a plurality of first legs 91 are formed at positions on the lower wall 6 c of the housing 6 which is located out of the cover mounting portion 11 .
- the first legs 91 protrude from the lower wall 6 c of the housing to the outside of the portable computer 1 compared with the cover 7 .
- the cover 7 is provided with a second leg 92 .
- the second leg 92 protrudes from the lower side of the cover 7 to the outside of the portable computer 1 .
- the IC chip 33 b of the CPU 33 When the portable computer 1 is operated, the IC chip 33 b of the CPU 33 generates heat. Part of the heat generated by the CPU 33 is transferred to the first terminal 36 a of the heat pipe 36 through the heat receiving plate 37 and the heat transfer member 38 .
- the heat pipe 36 transfers heat at the first terminal 36 a to the second terminal 36 b by use of vaporization heat.
- the heat having reached the second terminal 36 b of the heat pipe 36 propagates to the first heat radiation member 25 .
- the cooling fan 24 blows air against the first heat radiation member 25 .
- the air blown from the cooling fan 24 takes the heat from the first heat radiation member 25 and exhausts it to the outside of the housing 6 through the exhaust holes 22 .
- the first heat radiation member 25 is forcibly cooled to promote heat radiation from the CPU 33 .
- Part of the heat generated by the memory module 34 and the HDD 32 is transferred to the second or third cover 62 or 63 through the heat transfer members 81 or 82 attached to the second or third cover 62 or 63 .
- the cooling fan 24 when driven to operate, draws air from the second chamber 13 of the housing 6 , and blows the drawn air to the first heat radiation member 25 .
- the air blown out of the cooling fan 24 is exhausted to the outside of the housing 6 through the exhaust holes 22 of the sidewall 6 b.
- the cooling fan 24 draws air from the gap S between the cover 7 and the housing 6 through the first opening 18 .
- cool outside air flows from the outside of the portable computer 1 into the gap S between the cover 7 and the housing 6 , through the intake holes 88 .
- the outside air having flowed into the gap S between the cover 7 and the housing 6 through the intake holes 88 flows toward the first opening 18 in the gap S.
- the second cover 62 and the third cover 63 are exposed to the air flowing through the gap S between the cover 7 and the housing 6 , and part of the heat of those covers 62 and 63 is absorbed into the flowing air.
- the cooling operation of the memory module 34 and the HDD 32 is promoted.
- the air absorbing the heat from the second cover 62 and the third cover 63 flows into the second chamber 13 via the first opening 18 .
- the air having flowed into the second chamber 13 is discharged, by the cooling fan 24 , to the outside of the portable computer 1 by way of the exhaust holes 22 .
- the first and second heat generating parts are both cooled by the cooling fan, so that the cooling efficiency of the heat generating parts is enhanced.
- the CPU 33 of which the heating amount is relatively large is efficiently heat radiated, by the heat pipe 36 , the first heat radiation member 25 , and the cooling fan 24 .
- the memory module 34 and the HDD 32 which are smaller in heating amount than the CPU 33 but their heat radiation is required, are heat radiated since the second cover 62 and the third cover 63 serve as heat sinks.
- the cooling fan 24 which is provided mainly for cooling the CPU 33 , cooling of the memory module 34 and the HDD 32 is promoted.
- a plurality of heat generating parts having different heating amounts are associated with a plurality of heat radiation paths, which are provided depending on the heating amounts of the heat generating parts.
- the heat radiation of those heat radiation paths is promoted by using one cooling fan 24 . This feature contributes to size and cost reduction of the portable computer 1 .
- the intake holes 88 formed in the cover 7 provide easy supply of the outside air to between the cover 7 and the housing 6 .
- provision of those suction holes contributes to enhancement of the cooling efficiency of the memory module 34 and the HDD 32 .
- formation of the intake holes 88 at an area in the second region 7 e located out of the area just under the cooling fan 24 brings about the following advantage. Even when a liquid enters the gap S between the cover 7 and the housing 6 through the intake holes 88 , there is less possibility that the liquid will adhere to the cooling fan 24 . This feature contributes to enhancement of reliability of the portable computer 1 .
- Temperature of the second cover 62 and the third cover 63 will be high as a possibility. If the cover 7 is mounted so as to cover the second cover 62 and the third cover 63 , the possibility of the user touching the second cover 62 and the third cover 63 is lessened.
- a gap is formed between the cover 7 and a installation surface F such as a desk top even when the lower wall 6 c is placed on the installation surface F. Outside air is drawn through the gap formed between surface F and the cover 7 .
- formation of the gap contributes to enhancement of the cooling efficiency of the portable computer 1 .
- Provision of the second leg 92 to the cover 7 makes formation of the gap between the cover 7 and the installation surface F more reliable.
- the gap holding members 85 interposed between he housing 6 and the cover 7 , the gap S between the housing 6 and the cover 7 is reliably held. This contributes to enhancement of the cooling efficiency of the portable computer 1 .
- the second sealing members 71 , 72 and 73 which surround the second to fourth openings 51 , 52 and 53 , and are interposed between the covers 61 , 62 and 63 and the housing 6 , makes the vicinity of the second to fourth openings 51 , 52 and 53 liquid-tight. As a consequence, the drip-proof of the portable computer 1 is improved.
- the sealing members 71 , 72 and 73 are compressed so as to wrap the rib 55 , the vicinal portions of the second to fourth openings 51 , 52 and 53 are made more liquid-tight. This feature contributes to improvement of the drip-proof performance of the portable computer 1 .
- a drip-proof structure comprising: a housing including an opening; a cover which covers the opening; a screw which fixes the cover to the housing; and a sealing member interposed between the housing and the cover, while surrounding the opening.
- the cover includes a through hole into which the screw is inserted, and which is located in a region of the cover closer to the peripheral edge of the cover than a region of the cover contacting the sealing member.
- the housing includes a screw hole reaching the mid-point of a wall of the housing when viewed in the thickness direction thereof, the screw hole corresponding in position to the through hole of the cover, and the screw hole receiving the screw.
- the covers 61 to 63 are fixed to the housing 6 by means of screws. Therefore, the work of attaching and detaching the covers 61 to 63 is improved.
- the screw holes 75 are formed in the covers 61 to 63 for the purpose of securing the covers 61 to 63 with screws.
- the screw holes 75 are located in a region of the covers 61 to 63 closer to the peripheral edges thereof than a region thereof contacting the sealing members 71 to 73 .
- a portable computer 101 as an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 20 and 21 .
- Like reference numerals are used for designating like or equivalent portions in the portable computer 1 of the first embodiment, and explanations thereof are omitted.
- the portable computer 101 includes a CPU 33 installed in a housing 6 .
- the CPU 33 is one example of a first heat generating part.
- a heat transfer member 102 is mounted on the rear side of a first cover 61 .
- the heat transfer member 102 is in contact with a fixing member 39 .
- the first cover 61 is made of a material of good thermal conductivity such as metal, and functions as one form of a second heat radiating member.
- the heat transfer member 102 may be a lamination of heat transfer sheets, for example.
- the first cover 61 is thermally connected to the CPU 33 through the heat transfer member 102 .
- Another heat transfer member 103 is interposed between a memory module 34 and a circuit board 31 .
- An example of the other heat transfer member is a lamination of heat transfer sheets.
- the memory module 34 is thermally connected to the circuit board 31 through the heat transfer member 103 .
- the first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 are provided with heat radiation fins 104 , respectively.
- the heat radiation fins 104 may be pin-like members provided on the first cover 61 , or plate-like members provided on the second and third covers 62 and 63 .
- the heat radiation fins 104 are configured so as to be directed along the air flow direction between the housing 6 and the cover 7 .
- the cooling fan 24 cools both the first and second heat generating parts, whereby the cooling efficiency of the heat generating parts is improved.
- a plurality of heat generating parts having different heating amounts are associated with a plurality of heat radiation paths, which are provided depending on the heating amounts of the heat generating parts. The heat radiation of those heat radiation paths is promoted by using one cooling fan 24 .
- the portable computer 101 of the embodiment provides further improvement of the cooling efficiency.
- the first cover 61 is thermally connected to the CPU 33 .
- the first cover 61 exposed to between the cover 7 and the housing 6 functions as a heat sink, thereby to promote the cooling of the CPU 33 .
- the heat transfer member 103 is interposed between the memory module 34 and the circuit board 31 , the memory module 34 is thermally connected to the circuit board 31 . Part of the heat generated by the memory module 34 propagates to the circuit board 31 , and it is exhausted to outside through the atmosphere in the housing 6 and the outer walls of the housing 6 . More specifically, if the heat transfer members 102 and 103 are respectively provided between the first cover 61 and the CPU 33 and between the memory module 34 and the circuit board 31 , more increased number of heat radiation passes are formed, leading to enhancement of the cooling efficiency of the portable computer 1 .
- first to third covers 61 , 62 and 63 are provided with the heat radiation fins 104 , the cooling efficiency of those covers is further enhanced.
- the heat transfer members 38 , 81 , 82 , 102 and 103 may be formed with silicone grease or any material having good thermal conductivity, in place of the heat transfer sheet. It is not essential that the first chamber 12 and the second chamber 13 are liquid-tightly separated from each other. The second to fourth sealing members 71 , 72 and 73 are also not essential from the standpoint of the cooling efficiency enhancement. Further, it is not essential that the intake holes 88 are formed in the cover 7 . The intake holes may take any shape if they are capable of drawing air, which is to be fed to between the cover 7 and the housing 6 . Locations of the intake holes are not limited to the described ones if such a condition is satisfied. It is clear that the invention may be applied to various types of electronic devices, in addition to the portable computer 1 .
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Abstract
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing including an opening, a partition wall which partitions an interior part of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber which is opened to the outside through the opening, first and second heat generating parts mounted in the first chamber, a first heat radiation member located in the second chamber, a heat transfer member which transfers heat generated by the first heat generating part, a cooling fan which draws outside air and exhausts the air against the first heat radiation member, a second heat radiation member which is exposed to the outside of the housing and is thermally connected to the second heat generating part, and a cover covering the opening and the second heat radiation member. The cover forms a gap between the cover and the housing. The gap communicates with the second chamber.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-152286, filed May 31, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field
- One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic device, for example, including heat generating parts mounted thereon.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- An electronic device such as, for example, a portable computer contains heat generating parts mounted within a housing thereof. Recently, heat generating parts, for example, a CPU, exhibit a tendency wherein the amount of heat generated is increasing. The same is also true for circuit parts such as memory chips and north bridge circuits. Under these circumstances, there is a strong demand of further enhancement of cooling efficiency in electronic devices.
- A display device provided with heat radiation parts is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2005-189453. In the display device, a heat radiation member is provided on the rear side of a case thereof, while being exposed to outside. The heat radiation member is thermally connected to a liquid crystal display unit within the case.
- An electronic device provided with a waterproof and cooling structure is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-119844. The electronic device includes a metal housing having a heating component mounted therein, and a cover entirely covering the metal housing. The cover has an intake port and an exhaust port. An air passage whereby the intake port communicates with the exhaust port is formed between the cover and the metal housing. A fan is provided at the exhaust port of the housing.
- The heat radiating member of the display device functions as a heat sink exposed to the outside of the housing to thereby cool the liquid crystal display unit. In other words, the heat radiating member exhausts the heat generated by the liquid crystal display unit to the outside of the housing by natural heat radiation. This leaves room for improvement from the standpoint of cooling efficiency.
- In the cooling structure of the electronic device, the heat from the heating component is radiated through the metal housing. Even when a plurality of heating components having different heating amounts are installed in the housing of the electronic device, the heat from all the heating components is radiated through the metal housing. This leaves room for improvement from the standpoint of cooling efficiency.
- A general architecture that implements the various feature of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing a portable computer according to a first embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer taken along line F2-F2 inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment; -
FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view showing an interior part of the portable computer of the first embodiment; -
FIG. 5 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment; -
FIG. 6 is an exemplary plan view showing the interior part of the portable computer of the first embodiment; -
FIG. 7 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a CPU taken along line F7-F7 inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing a partition wall taken along line F8-F8 inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 9 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing a sealing member shown inFIG. 8 when it is exploded; -
FIG. 10 is an exemplary perspective view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment when covers are mounted; -
FIG. 11 is an exemplary plan view showing a first cover according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 12 is an exemplary plan view showing a second cover according to first embodiment; -
FIG. 13 is an exemplary plan view showing a third cover according to first embodiment; -
FIG. 14 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment with the covers mounted thereon; -
FIG. 15 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer taken along line F15-F15 inFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 16 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing the portable computer taken along line F16-F16 inFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 17 is an exemplary perspective view showing the portable computer of the first embodiment when the covers are mounted; -
FIG. 18 is an exemplary plan view showing the cover according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 19 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing air flows in the portable computer of the first embodiment; -
FIG. 20 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing a portable computer according to a second embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 21 is an exemplary perspective view showing the portable computer according to the second embodiment. - Various embodiments according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, an electronic device includes: a housing including an opening and an exhaust hole; a partition wall which partitions an interior part of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber which communicates with the exhaust hole and is opened to the outside of the housing through the opening; first and second heat generating parts mounted in the first chamber; a first heat radiation member located in the second chamber; a heat transfer member which transfers heat generated by the first heat generating part to the first heat radiation member; a cooling fan which is located in the second chamber and draws outside air through the opening and exhausts the outside air against the first heat radiation member; a second heat radiation member which is exposed to the outside of the housing and is thermally connected to the second heat generating part; and a cover mounted on the housing, the cover covering the opening and the second heat radiation member. The cover forms a gap between the cover and the housing. The gap communicates with the second chamber through the opening and allows outside air to flow therethrough.
- Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments, the invention is applied to a portable computer.
-
FIGS. 1 to 19 show aportable computer 1, which is an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1 , theportable computer 1 has amain body 2 and adisplay unit 3. - As shown
FIGS. 2 and 3 , themain body 2 includes a box-like housing 6, and acover 7 attached to the lower surface of thehousing 6. Thehousing 6 has anupper wall 6 a, asidewall 6 b and alower wall 6 c. By way of example, theupper wall 6 a, thesidewall 6 b and thelower wall 6 c form an outer wall of thehousing 6. Akeyboard 5 is supported on theupper wall 6 a. - The
display unit 3 includes adisplay housing 8 and a liquidcrystal display panel 9 housed in thedisplay housing 8. The Liquidcrystal display panel 9 is provided with adisplay screen 9 a. Thedisplay screen 9 a is exposed to the outside through anopening 8 a which is formed in the front side of thedisplay housing 8. - The
display unit 3 is supported on the rear end of thehousing 6 by means of a hinge device (not shown). - The
display unit 3 may be hinged between a closed position and an open position. When thedisplay unit 3 is hinged toward the closed position and reaches the closed position, it covers the upper side of theupper wall 6 a at the closed position. When thedisplay unit 3 is hinged upward from the closed position, theupper wall 6 a is exposed to outside. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , acover mounting portion 11 to which thecover 7 is mounted is formed on thelower wall 6 c of thehousing 6. A configuration of thecover mounting portion 11 is substantially the same as the external configuration of thecover 7. Thecover mounting portion 11 is depressed toward the inner side of thehousing 6 by a thickness of thecover 7 from thelower wall 6 c located out of thecover mounting portion 11. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 5 , thehousing 6 is provided with apartition wall 14, which partitions an interior space thereof into afirst chamber 12 and asecond chamber 13. Thepartition wall 14 has atop wall 15 and asidewall 16. As shown inFIG. 2 , thetop wall 15 is positioned between theupper wall 6 a and thelower wall 6 c of thehousing 6, and extends parallel to theupper wall 6 a. One end of thetop wall 15 is continuous to thesidewall 6 b of the housing. The other end of thetop wall 15 extends to the inside of thehousing 6. Thesidewall 16 extends from the other end of thetop wall 15 toward thelower wall 6 c of thehousing 6, and is continuous to thelower wall 6 c located in thecover mounting portion 11. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thesidewall 16 has afirst wall 16 a, asecond wall 16 b and athird wall 16 c. Thefirst wall 16 a faces thesidewall 6 b of the housing, while being oblique to the latter. The second andthird walls first wall 16 a toward thesidewall 6 b of the housing, and are continuous to thesidewall 6 b. Thepartition wall 14 is integral with thehousing 6, for example. - With this structure, the
first chamber 12 and thesecond chamber 13 of thehousing 6 are liquid-tightly isolated from each other. Thefirst chamber 12 is a closed space isolated from the outside of thehousing 6. Thefirst chamber 12 occupies the most part of the interior space of thehousing 6. Thesecond chamber 13 occupies a part of the right lower end of the interior part of the housing. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 4 , thehousing 6 has afirst opening 18 communicating with thesecond chamber 13. Thefirst opening 18 is formed by substantially entirely cutting out an areal portion of thelower wall 6 c of the housing corresponding to thesecond chamber 13. Thesecond chamber 13 is opened to the outside of thehousing 6 through thefirst opening 18. It is not essential to form thefirst opening 18 over the entire area corresponding to thesecond chamber 13. It suffices that thefirst opening 18 is formed in at least a part of the area corresponding to thesecond chamber 13, and thesecond chamber 13 communicates with the outside of thehousing 6. - In other words, it can be said that the
portable computer 1 is provided with acase 19 having theouter walls lower wall 6 c of thecase 19 includes ahollow part 20 being hollow toward the inside of thecase 19. That is, a part of thehousing 6 including thefirst chamber 12 forms thecase 19. Thesecond chamber 13 one side of which is opened through thefirst opening 18 forms thehollow part 20. - As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5 , thehousing 6 further includes exhaust holes 22. The exhaust holes 22 are opened in a part of thesidewall 6 b of the housing which defines thesecond chamber 13. The exhaust holes 22 communicate with thesecond chamber 13. Thus, thehollow part 20 communicates with the outside of theportable computer 1 through the exhaust holes 22. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 , 4 and 6, thesecond chamber 13 is provided with a coolingfan 24 and a firstheat radiation member 25. In other words, the coolingfan 24 and the firstheat radiation member 25 are housed in thehollow part 20 of thecase 19. The coolingfan 24 has anintake port 24 a and anexhaust port 24 b. Theintake port 24 a is formed in the lower surface of the coolingfan 24, while facing thefirst opening 18 of thehousing 6. Theexhaust port 24 b faces the firstheat radiation member 25. - The cooling
fan 24 draws air (referred to as outside air) from the outside of thehousing 6 into thesecond chamber 13 of thehousing 6 through thefirst opening 18, and feeds the drawn air into the coolingfan 24 through theintake port 24 a. The coolingfan 24 blows the drawn air against the firstheat radiation member 25 through theexhaust port 24 b. - The first
heat radiation member 25 extends along the exhaust holes 22 of thesidewall 6b. One example of the firstheat radiation member 25 is a heat radiation fin. The firstheat radiation member 25 contains a plurality of plate-shapedfin elements 25 a. The plate surfaces of thosefin elements 25 a are arrayed in the air blowing direction of the coolingfan 24. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , acircuit board 31 and a hard disc drive (HDD) 32 are located in thefirst chamber 12 of thehousing 6. ACPU 33 and amemory module 34 are mounted on thecircuit board 31. TheCPU 33, thememory module 34 and theHDD 32 are arrayed, for example, horizontally. - The
CPU 33 is one example of a first heat generating part. As shown inFIG. 7 , theCPU 33 includes abase substrate 33 a and anIC chip 33 b. Thebase substrate 33 a is mounted on thecircuit board 31. TheIC chip 33 b is mounted on the central part of thebase substrate 33 a. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , theportable computer 1 includes aheat pipe 36. Theheat pipe 36 is one example of a heat transfer member. Theheat pipe 36 has a pipe-like container both ends of which are closed. One form of the container is constructed such that a wick is formed on the inner wall of the container, and a coolant fluid is sealed into the container. When one end of theheat pipe 36 is exposed to high temperature, part of the coolant fluid evaporates to move to the other end. The coolant fluid, which has moved to the other end and is now in a vaporized state, radiates heat and condenses at the other end. The coolant fluid having condensed returns to the end having been exposed to high temperature by capillary action. - The
heat pipe 36 has a first terminal 36 a and asecond terminal 36 b. The first terminal 36 a of theheat pipe 36 is thermally connected to theCPU 33. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 7 , theIC chip 33 b of theCPU 33 is connected to aheat receiving plate 37. Theheat receiving plate 37 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum alloy or copper alloy. Theheat receiving plate 37 is rectangular in shape, and its size is larger than the external dimension of theIC chip 33 b. - A
heat transfer member 38 is interlayered between theheat pipe 36 and theheat receiving plate 37. Theheat transfer member 38 is a lamination of a plurality of heat transfer sheets made of, for example, a silicone material. Theheat transfer member 38 is not limited to the heat transfer sheets, but may be silicone grease, for example. - The
heat pipe 36 is fixed to thecircuit board 31 by means of a fixingmember 39. The fixingmember 39 includes acover part 39 a andlegs 39 b. Thecover part 39 a is brought into contact with theheat pipe 36. Thelegs 39 b extend from both ends of thecover part 39 a toward thecircuit board 31, and are screwed into thecircuit board 31. The fixingmember 39 presses theheat pipe 36 against theCPU 33. - As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 8 , theheat pipe 36 passes through thepartition wall 14. A pair ofcables fan 24 toward thecircuit board 31, likewise pass through thepartition wall 14. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , thefirst wall 16 a of thepartition wall 14 has arectangular cutout part 16 d. Thecutout part 16 d is formed at an areal region of thepartition wall 14 through which theheat pipe 36 and thecables heat pipe 36 and thecables cutout part 16 d is cut out to be larger than the cross-sectional areas of theheat pipe 36 and thecables - A first sealing
member 42 is fit to thecutout part 16 d. Thefirst sealing member 42 serves as a part of thepartition wall 14. Thefirst sealing member 42 is formed with rubber, for example. Thefirst sealing member 42 includes a pair of first andsecond members - The
first member 42 a has hollows which are deep enough to receive, for example, the lower half parts of theheat pipe 36 and thecables second member 42 b has hollows which are deep enough to receive the upper half parts of theheat pipe 36 and thecables heat pipe 36 and thecables second members heat pipe 36 and thecables cutout part 16 d of thepartition wall 14 and the first sealingmember 42 are also liquid-tight. Thus, the first sealingmember 42 liquid-tightly isolates thefirst chamber 12 from thesecond chamber 13 of the housing. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , thesecond terminal 36 b of theheat pipe 36 extends into thesecond chamber 13 of thehousing 6, and is attached to the firstheat radiation member 25. That is, thesecond terminal 36 b of theheat pipe 36 is thermally connected to the firstheat radiation member 25. Theheat pipe 36 transfers the heat generated by theCPU 33 to the firstheat radiation member 25. Thecables fan 24 extend into thefirst chamber 12 and are electrically connected to thecircuit board 31. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , amemory slot 44 is mounted to thecircuit board 31. Thememory module 34 is inserted into and removed from thememory slot 44. Thememory module 34 is one example of the second heat generating part. Thememory module 34 includes achild board 45 and a plurality ofmemory chips 46, for example, mounted on thechild board 45. By inserting thechild board 45 into thememory slot 44, thememory chips 46 are electrically connected to thecircuit board 31. - The first and the second heat generating parts are not limited to the CPU and the memory module, but may be a north bridge, a graphics board, a PCI module or any other heat generating part.
- As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 6 , thecover mounting portion 11 includes second tofourth openings fourth openings first chamber 12 of thehousing 6. As shown inFIG. 6 , thesecond opening 51 is provided facing theCPU 33. Thethird opening 52 is provided facing thememory module 34. Thememory module 34 is inserted into and removed from thememory slot 44 through thethird opening 52. Thefourth opening 53 is provided facing theHDD 32. TheHDD 32 is attached to and detached from the inside of thehousing 6 through thefourth opening 53. - As shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16 , arib 55 is raised toward the outside of thehousing 6 from the opening edges of the second tofourth openings FIG. 6 , therib 55 surrounds entirely the second tofourth openings - As shown in
FIG. 4 , a plurality ofbosses 56 are raised from thecover mounting portion 11 toward the outside of thehousing 6. Thebosses 56 are integral with thelower wall 6 c. Thebosses 56 are protruded toward the outside of thehousing 6 to be much higher than therib 55. For example, twobosses 56 are located between thesecond opening 51 and thesecond chamber 13. Fourbosses 56 are located around the third andfourth openings - A
screw hole 56 a is formed in eachboss 56. A female screw is formed in the surface of thescrew hole 56 a. As shown inFIGS. 15 and 16 , thescrew hole 56 a reaches the mid-point of thelower wall 6 c when viewed in the thickness direction thereof. In other words, thescrew hole 56 a does not pass through thelower wall 6 c. - A pair of
recess parts second opening 51 and thethird opening 52. Thoserecess parts second opening 51. Therecess parts lower wall 6 c of thehousing 6 toward the inner part of thehousing 6. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , theportable computer 1 includes first tothird covers third covers housing 6. Thefirst cover 61 has a size larger than thesecond opening 51. Thefirst cover 61 is mounted on thehousing 6 to close thesecond opening 51. As shown inFIG. 15 , thefirst cover 61 includes aflat portion 65 which covers thesecond opening 51 and theboss 56, and abent portion 66 which is bent from the peripheral edge of theflat part 65 toward thehousing 6. - As shown in
FIGS. 11 and 15 , asecond sealing member 71 is attached to the rear side of thefirst cover 61. Thesecond sealing member 71 has a ring-like shape to be equivalent in configuration to the opening edge of thesecond opening 51. The width of the ring-like second sealingmember 71 is larger than that of therib 55. - When the
first cover 61 is attached to thehousing 6, the second sealingmember 71 surrounds thesecond opening 51 and is interposed between thehousing 6 and thefirst cover 61. To be more specific, the second sealingmember 71 comes in contact with the protruded surface, the inner surface and the peripheral surface of therib 55, and is pressed in three directions so as to wrap the top end part of therib 55. As shown inFIG. 14 , the second sealingmember 71 is interposed between thehousing 6 and thefirst cover 61, so that the vicinal portion of thesecond opening 51 is liquid-tight. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , screw holes 75 are formed in a region of thefirst cover 61 closer to the peripheral edge thereof than a region of thefirst cover 61 contacting the second sealingmember 71. The screw holes 75 are through holes. The screw holes 75 correspond in position to thebosses 56 located around thesecond opening 51. - The
first cover 61 further includes a pair ofclaw parts claw parts first cover 61, and also outward from thehousing 6. Theclaw parts recess parts first cover 61 is attached to thehousing 6, theclaw parts recess parts - As shown in
FIGS. 12 and 15 , thesecond cover 62 has a size larger than thethird opening 52. Thesecond cover 62 is mounted to thehousing 6 to close thethird opening 52. Thesecond cover 62 is made of a material of good thermal conductivity such as metal, and is one example of a second heat radiation member. Thesecond cover 62 is exposed to the outside of thehousing 6. - A third sealing
member 72 is mounted to the rear side of thesecond cover 62. Thethird sealing member 72 has a ring-like shape to be equivalent in configuration to the opening edge of thethird opening 52. The width of the ring-like third sealingmember 72 is larger than that of therib 55. When thesecond cover 62 is mounted on thehousing 6, the third sealingmember 72 surrounds thethird opening 52 and is interposed between thehousing 6 and thesecond cover 62. With the interposing of the third sealingmember 72 between thehousing 6 and thesecond cover 62, the vicinal portion of thethird opening 52 is liquid-tight. Thethird sealing member 72 is pressed in three directions so as to wrap the top end part of therib 55. - The screw holes 75 as through holes are formed in a region of the
second cover 62 closer to the peripheral edge thereof than a region of thesecond cover 62 contacting the second sealingmember 71. The screw holes 75 correspond in position to the screw holes 56 a of thebosses 56 located around thethird opening 52. - As shown in
FIG. 15 , aheat transfer member 81 is mounted on the central part of the rear side of thesecond cover 62. Theheat transfer member 81 may be a lamination of heat transfer sheets, for example. As shown inFIG. 15 , when thesecond cover 62 is mounted on thehousing 6, theheat transfer member 81 is brought into contact with thememory module 34. That is, thesecond cover 62 is thermally connected to thememory module 34 through theheat transfer member 81. - Further, as shown in
FIG. 15 , thesecond cover 62 is brought into contact with theclaw parts first cover 61. As a result, thefirst cover 61 cannot be removed till thesecond cover 62 is removed. This structural feature prevents the user from easily opening thefirst cover 61. Accordingly, the possibility that theCPU 33 is erroneously exposed to the outside is lessened. - As shown in
FIGS. 13 and 16 , thethird cover 63 has a size larger than thefourth opening 53. Thethird cover 63 is mounted on thehousing 6 to close thefourth opening 53. Thethird cover 63 is made of a material of good thermal conductivity such as metal, and is one form of a second heat radiation member. - A fourth sealing
member 73 is mounted on the rear side of thethird cover 63. Thefourth sealing member 73 has a ring-like shape to be equivalent in configuration to the opening edge of thefourth opening 53. The width of the ring-like fourth sealingmember 73 is larger than that of therib 55. When thethird cover 63 is mounted on thehousing 6, the fourth sealingmember 73 surrounds thefourth opening 53 and is interposed between thehousing 6 and thethird cover 63. With the interposing of the fourth sealingmember 73 between thehousing 6 and thethird cover 63, the vicinal portion of thefourth opening 53 is liquid-tight. Thefourth sealing member 73 is pressed in three directions so as to wrap the top end part of therib 55. For example, sponge rubber may be used for the second tofourth sealing members - The screw holes 75 as through holes are formed in a region of the
third cover 63 closer to the peripheral edge thereof than a region of thethird cover 63 contacting the third sealingmember 72. The screw holes 75 correspond in position to the screw holes 56 a of thebosses 56 located around thefourth opening 53. - A
heat transfer member 82 is mounted to the central part of the rear side of thethird cover 63. One example of theheat transfer member 82 is a lamination of heat transfer sheets. As shown inFIG. 16 , when thethird cover 63 is mounted to thehousing 6, theheat transfer member 82 is brought into contact with theHDD 32. That is, thethird cover 63 is thermally connected to theHDD 32 through theheat transfer member 82. - As shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16 , screws 84 are respectively inserted into the screw holes 75 formed in the first tothird covers screws 84 having inserted into the screw holes 75 are screwed into thescrew hole 56 a of thelower wall 6 c of the housing, respectively. As a result, the first tothird covers housing 6. The first tothird covers housing 6 are exposed to the outside of thehousing 6. - As shown in
FIG. 17 , a size of thecover 7 is about half of thelower wall 6 c of the housing. Thecover 7 is mounted on thecover mounting portion 11, and entirely covers thefirst opening 18 communicating with thesecond chamber 13, and the first tothird covers cover mounting portion 11. Thecover 7 covers also the firstheat radiation member 25 and the coolingfan 24. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thecover 7 includes acenter portion 7 a shaped like a flat plate, and abent portion 7 b bent from the peripheral edge of thecenter portion 7 a toward thehousing 6. Since thecover 7 has thebent portion 7 b along the peripheral edge of thecenter portion 7 a, a gap S is formed between thecenter portion 7 a of thecover 7 and thehousing 6 when thecover 7 is mounted on thehousing 6. The first tothird covers cover 7 and thehousing 6. - The gap S between the
cover 7 and thehousing 6 communicates with thefirst opening 18 and thesecond chamber 13 of thehousing 6. The gap S functions as an air passage which allows the space around the first tothird covers intake port 24 a of the coolingfan 24, which is housed in thesecond chamber 13. A distance between thehousing 6 and thecover 7, which define the gap S, is, for example, 2.0 to 2.5 mm. - The
cover 7 has arear side 7 c which faces thehousing 6. As shown inFIG. 18 , a plurality ofgap holding members 85 are provided on therear side 7 c of thecover 7. As shown inFIG. 2 , each of thegap holding members 85 has substantially the same thickness as the size of the gap S formed between thecover 7 and thehousing 6. Thegap holding members 85 are interposed between thecover 7 and thehousing 6 to thereby maintain the gap S. Thegap holding members 85 may be formed with synthetic rubber, for example. - The
cover 7 includes afirst region 7 d arranged in opposition to thefirst opening 18 and asecond region 7 e located out of thefirst region 7 d. That is, thefirst region 7 d is arranged opposed to the coolingfan 24. For example, a plurality of intake holes 88 are formed in thesecond region 7 e. The intake holes 88 are formed in substantially the entire area of thesecond region 7 e. The intake holes 88 are arrayed in a lattice, for example. The gap S between thecover 7 and thehousing 6 communicates with the outside of theportable computer 1 through the intake holes 88. With this structure, the outside air flows between thecover 7 and thehousing 6 through the intake holes 88. The first tothird covers - The
cover 7 is mounted on thehousing 6 by means of thescrews 84. As shown inFIG. 17 , thescrews 84 for fixing thecover 7 are also used for fixing the first tothird covers third covers screws 84 for fixing thecover 7. - A plurality of
first legs 91 are formed at positions on thelower wall 6 c of thehousing 6 which is located out of thecover mounting portion 11. Thefirst legs 91 protrude from thelower wall 6 c of the housing to the outside of theportable computer 1 compared with thecover 7. Similarly, thecover 7 is provided with asecond leg 92. Thesecond leg 92 protrudes from the lower side of thecover 7 to the outside of theportable computer 1. - Now, operation of the
portable computer 1 will be described. - When the
portable computer 1 is operated, theIC chip 33 b of theCPU 33 generates heat. Part of the heat generated by theCPU 33 is transferred to the first terminal 36 a of theheat pipe 36 through theheat receiving plate 37 and theheat transfer member 38. Theheat pipe 36 transfers heat at the first terminal 36 a to thesecond terminal 36 b by use of vaporization heat. The heat having reached thesecond terminal 36 b of theheat pipe 36 propagates to the firstheat radiation member 25. The coolingfan 24 blows air against the firstheat radiation member 25. The air blown from the coolingfan 24 takes the heat from the firstheat radiation member 25 and exhausts it to the outside of thehousing 6 through the exhaust holes 22. Thus, the firstheat radiation member 25 is forcibly cooled to promote heat radiation from theCPU 33. - Part of the heat generated by the
memory module 34 and theHDD 32 is transferred to the second orthird cover heat transfer members third cover fan 24, when driven to operate, draws air from thesecond chamber 13 of thehousing 6, and blows the drawn air to the firstheat radiation member 25. The air blown out of the coolingfan 24 is exhausted to the outside of thehousing 6 through the exhaust holes 22 of thesidewall 6 b. - As shown in
FIG. 19 , when the coolingfan 24 continues its operation, the coolingfan 24 draws air from the gap S between thecover 7 and thehousing 6 through thefirst opening 18. With the operation of the coolingfan 24, cool outside air flows from the outside of theportable computer 1 into the gap S between thecover 7 and thehousing 6, through the intake holes 88. The outside air having flowed into the gap S between thecover 7 and thehousing 6 through the intake holes 88 flows toward thefirst opening 18 in the gap S. At this time, thesecond cover 62 and thethird cover 63 are exposed to the air flowing through the gap S between thecover 7 and thehousing 6, and part of the heat of thosecovers memory module 34 and theHDD 32 is promoted. - The air absorbing the heat from the
second cover 62 and thethird cover 63 flows into thesecond chamber 13 via thefirst opening 18. The air having flowed into thesecond chamber 13 is discharged, by the coolingfan 24, to the outside of theportable computer 1 by way of the exhaust holes 22. - With such a construction of the
portable computer 1, the first and second heat generating parts are both cooled by the cooling fan, so that the cooling efficiency of the heat generating parts is enhanced. TheCPU 33 of which the heating amount is relatively large is efficiently heat radiated, by theheat pipe 36, the firstheat radiation member 25, and the coolingfan 24. Thememory module 34 and theHDD 32, which are smaller in heating amount than theCPU 33 but their heat radiation is required, are heat radiated since thesecond cover 62 and thethird cover 63 serve as heat sinks. By supplying cool outside air to the space around thesecond cover 62 and thethird cover 63 by the coolingfan 24, which is provided mainly for cooling theCPU 33, cooling of thememory module 34 and theHDD 32 is promoted. - In other words, in the embodiment, a plurality of heat generating parts having different heating amounts are associated with a plurality of heat radiation paths, which are provided depending on the heating amounts of the heat generating parts. The heat radiation of those heat radiation paths is promoted by using one
cooling fan 24. This feature contributes to size and cost reduction of theportable computer 1. - The intake holes 88 formed in the
cover 7 provide easy supply of the outside air to between thecover 7 and thehousing 6. In this sense, provision of those suction holes contributes to enhancement of the cooling efficiency of thememory module 34 and theHDD 32. Particularly, formation of the intake holes 88 at an area in thesecond region 7 e located out of the area just under the coolingfan 24, brings about the following advantage. Even when a liquid enters the gap S between thecover 7 and thehousing 6 through the intake holes 88, there is less possibility that the liquid will adhere to the coolingfan 24. This feature contributes to enhancement of reliability of theportable computer 1. - Temperature of the
second cover 62 and thethird cover 63 will be high as a possibility. If thecover 7 is mounted so as to cover thesecond cover 62 and thethird cover 63, the possibility of the user touching thesecond cover 62 and thethird cover 63 is lessened. - If the function of the second heat radiation member is given to the
second cover 62 and thethird cover 63, which cover theopenings memory module 34 and theHDD 32. - With provision of the
first legs 91 on thelower wall 6 c, a gap is formed between thecover 7 and a installation surface F such as a desk top even when thelower wall 6 c is placed on the installation surface F. Outside air is drawn through the gap formed between surface F and thecover 7. In this respect, formation of the gap contributes to enhancement of the cooling efficiency of theportable computer 1. Provision of thesecond leg 92 to thecover 7 makes formation of the gap between thecover 7 and the installation surface F more reliable. - With provision of the
gap holding members 85 interposed between he housing 6 and thecover 7, the gap S between thehousing 6 and thecover 7 is reliably held. This contributes to enhancement of the cooling efficiency of theportable computer 1. - With provision of the first sealing
member 42 surrounding theheat pipe 36 on thepartition wall 14, liquid-tight sealing is secured between thefirst chamber 12 and thesecond chamber 13. With this, the drip-proof of theportable computer 1 is improved. - Use of the
second sealing members fourth openings covers housing 6, makes the vicinity of the second tofourth openings portable computer 1 is improved. When the sealingmembers rib 55, the vicinal portions of the second tofourth openings portable computer 1. - Where the sealing member is placed around the opening of the case, it would be possible to compress the sealing member by fitting the cover covering the opening to the case. In the case of this approach, the work of attaching and detaching the cover will be complicated. In this connection, it is noted that according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a drip-proof structure with improved assembling properties.
- According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a drip-proof structure comprising: a housing including an opening; a cover which covers the opening; a screw which fixes the cover to the housing; and a sealing member interposed between the housing and the cover, while surrounding the opening.
- The cover includes a through hole into which the screw is inserted, and which is located in a region of the cover closer to the peripheral edge of the cover than a region of the cover contacting the sealing member. The housing includes a screw hole reaching the mid-point of a wall of the housing when viewed in the thickness direction thereof, the screw hole corresponding in position to the through hole of the cover, and the screw hole receiving the screw. This drip-proof structure provides improved assembling properties. A portable computer is one example of the drip-proof structure.
- More specifically, the
covers 61 to 63 are fixed to thehousing 6 by means of screws. Therefore, the work of attaching and detaching thecovers 61 to 63 is improved. The screw holes 75 are formed in thecovers 61 to 63 for the purpose of securing thecovers 61 to 63 with screws. The screw holes 75 are located in a region of thecovers 61 to 63 closer to the peripheral edges thereof than a region thereof contacting the sealingmembers 71 to 73. With this structural feature, for the possibility of a liquid, which has entered between thecovers 61 to 63 and thehousing 6 through the screw holes 75, entering theopenings 51 to 53 is lessened. If thescrew hole 56a does not pass through theouter wall 6c, there is no danger of liquid entering the inside of thehousing 6 through thescrew hole 56 a. Consequently, the resultantportable computer 1 is improved in drip-proof performance and assembling properties. - A
portable computer 101 as an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 20 and 21 . Like reference numerals are used for designating like or equivalent portions in theportable computer 1 of the first embodiment, and explanations thereof are omitted. - As shown in
FIG. 20 , theportable computer 101 includes aCPU 33 installed in ahousing 6. TheCPU 33 is one example of a first heat generating part. Aheat transfer member 102 is mounted on the rear side of afirst cover 61. Theheat transfer member 102 is in contact with a fixingmember 39. Thefirst cover 61 is made of a material of good thermal conductivity such as metal, and functions as one form of a second heat radiating member. Theheat transfer member 102 may be a lamination of heat transfer sheets, for example. Thefirst cover 61 is thermally connected to theCPU 33 through theheat transfer member 102. - Another
heat transfer member 103 is interposed between amemory module 34 and acircuit board 31. An example of the other heat transfer member is a lamination of heat transfer sheets. Thememory module 34 is thermally connected to thecircuit board 31 through theheat transfer member 103. - As shown in
FIG. 21 , the first tothird covers heat radiation fins 104, respectively. Theheat radiation fins 104 may be pin-like members provided on thefirst cover 61, or plate-like members provided on the second andthird covers heat radiation fins 104 are configured so as to be directed along the air flow direction between thehousing 6 and thecover 7. - In the
portable computer 101 thus constructed, the coolingfan 24 cools both the first and second heat generating parts, whereby the cooling efficiency of the heat generating parts is improved. As in theportable computer 1 of the first embodiment, a plurality of heat generating parts having different heating amounts are associated with a plurality of heat radiation paths, which are provided depending on the heating amounts of the heat generating parts. The heat radiation of those heat radiation paths is promoted by using onecooling fan 24. - The
portable computer 101 of the embodiment provides further improvement of the cooling efficiency. For example, when theheat transfer member 102 is interposed between thefirst cover 61 and theCPU 33, thefirst cover 61 is thermally connected to theCPU 33. Thefirst cover 61 exposed to between thecover 7 and thehousing 6 functions as a heat sink, thereby to promote the cooling of theCPU 33. - For example, where the
heat transfer member 103 is interposed between thememory module 34 and thecircuit board 31, thememory module 34 is thermally connected to thecircuit board 31. Part of the heat generated by thememory module 34 propagates to thecircuit board 31, and it is exhausted to outside through the atmosphere in thehousing 6 and the outer walls of thehousing 6. More specifically, if theheat transfer members first cover 61 and theCPU 33 and between thememory module 34 and thecircuit board 31, more increased number of heat radiation passes are formed, leading to enhancement of the cooling efficiency of theportable computer 1. - Additionally, when the first to
third covers heat radiation fins 104, the cooling efficiency of those covers is further enhanced. - While the
portable computers heat transfer members first chamber 12 and thesecond chamber 13 are liquid-tightly separated from each other. The second tofourth sealing members cover 7. The intake holes may take any shape if they are capable of drawing air, which is to be fed to between thecover 7 and thehousing 6. Locations of the intake holes are not limited to the described ones if such a condition is satisfied. It is clear that the invention may be applied to various types of electronic devices, in addition to theportable computer 1. - While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Claims (15)
1. An electronic device comprising:
a housing including an opening and an exhaust hole;
a partition wall which partitions an interior part of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber communicating with the exhaust hole and being opened to the outside of the housing through the opening;
a first heat generating part mounted in the first chamber of the housing;
a second heat generating part mounted in the first chamber of the housing;
a first heat radiation member located in the second chamber of the housing;
a heat transfer member provided to pass through the partition wall, the heat transfer member transferring heat generated by the first heat generating part to the first heat radiation member;
a cooling fan located in the second chamber, the cooling fan drawing outside air through the opening of the housing and exhausting the drawn outside air against the first heat radiation member;
a second heat radiation member which is exposed to the outside of the housing and is thermally connected to the second heat generating part; and
a cover mounted on the housing to cover the opening of the housing and the second heat radiation member, the cover forming a gap between the cover and the housing, the gap communicating with the second chamber through the opening, and allowing the outside air to flow therethrough.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an intake hole which allows the gap between the cover and the housing to communicate with the outside of the electronic device.
3. The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein the intake hole of the cover is formed in a region of the cover, which is different from a region of the cover corresponding in position to the opening of the housing.
4. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing includes another opening which communicates with the first chamber, and the second heat radiation member is removably mounted on the housing and closes the other opening of the housing.
5. The electronic device according to claim 4 , further comprising a sealing member which surrounds the other opening of the housing and is interposed between the housing and the second heat radiation member.
6. The electronic device according to claim 5 , wherein a rib is provided at the edge of the other opening of the housing, the rib being raised toward the outside of the housing, and the sealing member is compressed between the housing and the second heat radiation member so as to wrap the top end of the rib.
7. The electronic device according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a screw which fixes the second heat radiation member to the housing, wherein
the second heat radiation member includes a through hole into which the screw is inserted in a region closer to the edge of the second radiation member than a region contacting the sealing member, and
the housing includes a wall, and a screw hole reaching the mid-point of the wall as viewed in thickness direction thereof, corresponding in position to the through hole of the second heat radiation member and receiving the screw.
8. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member provided in an areal region of the partition wall through which the heat transfer member passes, the sealing member liquid-tightly isolating the first chamber of the housing from the second chamber thereof.
9. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is provided with a leg which protrudes toward the outside of the electronic device compared with the cover, and the cover is mounted on the lower surface of the housing.
10. The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the cover is provided with another leg which protrudes toward the outside of the electronic device.
11. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a holding member interposed between the housing and the cover, the holding member holding a gap formed between the housing and the cover.
12. An electronic device comprising:
a case;
a first heat generating part mounted in the case;
a second heat generating part mounted in the case;
a first heat radiation member located outside the case;
a heat transfer member which transfers heat generated by the first heat generating part to the first heat radiation member;
a cooling fan located outside the case, and including an intake port and an exhaust port, the exhaust port corresponding in position to the first heat radiation member;
a second heat radiation member which is exposed to the outside of the case and is thermally connected to the second heat radiation part; and
a cover mounted on the case, the cover covering the first heat radiation member, the cooling fan and the second heat radiation member, and forming an air passage which allows a space of the vicinal portion of the second heat radiation member to communicate with the intake port of the cooling fan, between the cover and the housing.
13. The electronic device according to claim 12 , wherein the case has a wall, and the wall includes a hollow part which is hollow toward the inside of the case and which receives the first heat radiation member and the cooling fan.
14. The electronic device according to claim 13 , wherein the wall of the case includes an exhaust hole which allows the hollow part to communicate with the outside of the electronic device, and the cover includes an intake hole which allows the air passage to communicate with the outside of the electronic device.
15. The electronic device according to claim 14 , wherein the intake hole of the cover is formed in a region which is different from a region of the cover corresponding in position to the cooling fan.
Priority Applications (1)
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Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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JP2006152286A JP4167700B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2006-05-31 | Electronics |
JP2006-152286 | 2006-05-31 |
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ID=38856869
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US12/338,370 Expired - Fee Related US7649736B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2008-12-18 | Electronic device |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2007324339A (en) | 2007-12-13 |
US20090103265A1 (en) | 2009-04-23 |
US7649736B2 (en) | 2010-01-19 |
JP4167700B2 (en) | 2008-10-15 |
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Owner name: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HONGO, TAKESHI;REEL/FRAME:019313/0972 Effective date: 20070413 |
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