U.S. patent application number 09/746654 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for clip for heat sink.
Invention is credited to Lai, Cheng Tien, Wang, Chao.
Application Number | 20020080585 09/746654 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25001762 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020080585 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lai, Cheng Tien ; et
al. |
June 27, 2002 |
Clip for heat sink
Abstract
A clip (10) for securing a heat sink (20) to an electronic
device (30) includes a body (12) and a pair of fasteners (16)
attached to opposite ends of the body. The body has a pressing
portion (122), a pair of first connection portions (126) extending
away from opposite ends of the pressing portion, and a fixing
portion (134) depending from the pressing portion. The fixing
portion includes a pair of stopping tabs (138). The pressing
portion and the fixing portion each form a projection (142). The
stopping tabs are received in cutouts (28) of the heat sink, to
prevent the clip from moving parallel to grooves (26) defined in
the heat sink. The projections are received in the grooves, to
prevent the clip from moving perpendicular to the grooves. Thus a
pair of clips and the heat sink are securely combined to form a
single assembly (50).
Inventors: |
Lai, Cheng Tien; (Taipei,
TW) ; Wang, Chao; (Shenzhen, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANDREW C. CHENG
FOXCONN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
458 E. LAMBERT ROAD
FULLERTON
CA
92835
US
|
Family ID: |
25001762 |
Appl. No.: |
09/746654 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/709 ;
257/E23.086 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2924/0002 20130101;
H01L 23/4093 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101; Y10T 24/44026
20150115; H01L 2924/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/709 |
International
Class: |
H05K 007/20 |
Claims
1. A clip adapted to secure a heat sink to an electronic device
mounted between a pair of retention modules, comprising: a body
(12) comprising a pressing portion adapted to press the heat sink
onto the electronic device, and a fixing portion (134) depending
from one side edge of the pressing portion and adapted to attach
the clip to the heat sink; and a pair of fasteners attached to
opposite ends of the body and adapted to engage with the
corresponding retention module.
2. The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing portion of
the body comprises at least one stopping tab (138) adapted to
prevent the clip from moving in a first direction relative to the
heat sink, and further comprises at least one projection (142)
adapted to prevent the clip from moving in a second direction
relative to the heat sink, said second direction being
perpendicular to said first direction.
3. The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressing portion of
the body forms at least one projection adapted to prevent the clip
from moving in any second direction relative to the heat sink.
4. The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body further
comprises a pair of first connection portions (126) extending away
from opposite ends of the pressing portion, and each fastener
comprises a second connection portion (164) engaging with the
corresponding first connection portion to thereby attach the
fastener to the body.
5. The clip as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second connection
portion (164) of each fastener defines a first opening therein for
extension of the corresponding first connection portion of the body
therethrough, and each first connection portion defines a pair of
notches (130) therein for receiving the corresponding second
connection portion therein.
6. The clip as claimed in claim 5, wherein each first connection
portion of each fastener further defines a split (128) therein for
facilitating extension of the first connection portion through the
first opening of the corresponding clip.
7. The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body forms a flange
(132) and a pair of ribs (144) to reinforce the clip.
8. An electronic device assembly comprising: a printed circuit
board (40); an electronic device (30) mounted on the printed
circuit board; at least one retention module (42) mounted beside
the electronic device; a heat sink (20) placed on the electronic
device, the heat sink having at least one groove (26) and at least
one cutout (28) on at least one side thereof; and at least one clip
comprising a body and a pair of fasteners attached to the body, the
body having a pressing portion for pressing the heat sink onto the
electronic device, at least one stopping tab for being received in
the at least one cutout to prevent the clip from moving in a first
direction relative to the heat sink, and at least one projection
for being received in the at least one groove to prevent the clip
from moving in a second direction relative to the heat sink, said
second direction being perpendicular to said first direction, and
wherein the fasteners engage with the at least one retention module
to securely attach the heat sink to the electronic device.
9. The electronic device assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the body of each clip has a pair of first connection portions, and
each fastener has a second connection portion for engaging with the
corresponding first connection portion.
10. The clip as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second connection
portion (164) of each fastener defines a first opening for
extension of the corresponding first connection portion of the body
therethrough, and each first connection portion defines a pair of
notches (130) for receiving the corresponding second connection
portion therein.
11. The electronic device assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein
each fastener of each clip defines a second opening therein for
engaging with a corresponding catch formed on the corresponding
retention module.
12. The electronic device assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the body of each clip forms a flange (132) and a pair of ribs (144)
to reinforce the clip.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a clip for a heat sink, and
particularly to a clip which is pre-attached on a heat sink before
the heat sink is attached to an electronic device.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Computer electronic devices such as central processing units
(CPUs) frequently generate large amounts of heat, which can
destabilize operation and cause damage. A heat sink placed in
thermal contact with an electronic device mounted on a socket
transfers heat from the electronic device through conduction.
Oftentimes, a heat sink is secured to an electronic device by a
clip.
[0005] A conventional clip comprises a spring portion and two
downwardly extending legs. Each leg defines an opening detachably
engaging with a corresponding catch formed on a side of a socket,
to secure a heat sink on an electronic device mounted on the
socket. This kind of clip remains separated from the heat sink
before the heat sink is attached on the electronic device. Various
conventional clips are commercially available, and every consumer
needs to take care that they use a clip which correctly matches
their heat sink. Nevertheless, consumers still sometimes mistakenly
purchase a wrong clip for a heat sink or use a wrong clip to secure
a heat sink to an electronic device. Furthermore, an additional job
is needed to prepare a clip for attaching a heat sink to an
electronic device, which is time-consuming.
[0006] Examples of conventional clips are disclosed in Taiwan
Patent Applications Nos. 85211135, 85214941 and 86213035, and U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,602,719 and 5,600,540.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a clip which is pre-attached on a heat sink before the heat
sink is attached to an electronic device.
[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a clip for securing a
heat sink to an electronic device in accordance with the present
invention comprises a body and a pair of fasteners attached to
opposite ends of the body. The body has a central pressing portion,
a pair of first connection portions extending away from opposite
ends of the pressing portion, and a fixing portion depending from
one side edge of the pressing portion. The fixing portion includes
a pair of stopping tabs. The pressing portion and the fixing
portion each form a projection. The stopping tabs are received in
cutouts of the heat sink, to prevent the clip from moving in a
first direction parallel to grooves defined in the heat sink. The
projections are received in the grooves of the heat sink, to
prevent the clip from moving in a second direction perpendicular to
the grooves. Thus a pair of clips and the heat sink are securely
combined to form a single assembly.
[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will be drawn from the following detailed embodiment of
the present invention with attached drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a pair of clips of the present
invention, for attaching a heat sink to an electronic device
mounted on a printed circuit board;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the pair of clips
of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the pair of clips and the
heat sink of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of FIG. 3,
taken along the line IV-IV; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is an assembled view of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a heat sink 20, an electronic
device 30 mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 40, a pair of
retention modules 42 respectively mounted on opposite sides of the
electronic device 30, and a pair of clips 10 in accordance with the
present invention.
[0016] The heat sink 20 comprises a base 22, and a plurality of
fins 24 extending upwardly from the base 22. A pair of protrusions
23 extends horizontally from respective opposite sides of the base
22. Each protrusion 23 defines a pair of symmetric grooves 26 in
opposite upper and lower surfaces thereof respectively. A pair of
spaced cutouts 28 is defined in each protrusion 23, perpendicular
to the grooves 26.
[0017] Each retention module 42 is secured on the PCB 40 by
conventional means. A pair of external catches 48 is respectively
formed on opposite ends of each retention module 10.
[0018] Referring also to FIG. 2, each clip 10 in accordance with
the present invention comprises a body 12 and a pair fasteners 16
releasably attached to opposite ends of the body 12 respectively.
The bodies 12 are similar in structure to each other, and the
fasteners 16 are similar in structure to one another. Each body 12
is a mirror image of the other body 12. Each fastener 16 attached
to an end of a body 12 is a mirror image of the other fastener 16
attached to the other end of the same body 12. Each fastener 16
attached to an end of a body 12 is identical to a diagonally
opposite fastener 16 attached to an end of the other body 12.
[0019] Each body 12 comprises a central horizontal pressing portion
122, a pair of spring portions 124 respectively extending in
opposite directions from the pressing portion 122, and a pair of
first connection portions 126 respectively extending from opposite
distal ends of the spring portions 124. A flange 132 extends
upwardly from one side edge of the pressing portion 122 and the
spring portions 124, for reinforcing the body 12. A fixing portion
134 depends from the other side edge of the pressing portion 122,
opposite to the flange 132. The fixing portion 134 comprises a
horizontal tab 136, opposite to the pressing portion 122. A pair of
vertical stopping tabs 138 extends upwardly from opposite sides of
the horizontal tab 136 respectively. The pressing portion 122 and
the horizontal tab 136 each define a slot 140 therein. An inwardly
inclined projection 142 is formed on each of the pressing portion
122 and the horizontal tab 136, at an edge thereof adjacent the
corresponding slot 140. Each spring portion 124 forms a rib 144
thereon, for reinforcing the clip 10. Each first connection portion
126 and an adjacent portion of the corresponding spring portion 124
defines a longitudinal split 128 therein, for facilitating
extension of the first connection portion 126 into the fastener 16.
A pair of barbs 129 is formed at a free end of each first
connection portion 126, on opposite sides of the split 128
respectively. Each first connection portion 126 defines a pair of
rectangular notches 130 in opposite sides thereof respectively,
adjacent the barbs 129.
[0020] Each fastener 16 is generally L-shaped, and comprises a
handle 162, a leg 168, and a second connection portion 164 between
the handle 162 and the leg 168. A first opening 166 is defined in
the second connection portion 164, for receiving the corresponding
first connection portion 126 of the body 12. A second opening 170
is defined in the leg 168 below the first opening 166, for
receiving the corresponding catch 48 of the retention module
42.
[0021] Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, in pre-assembly, each
fastener 16 is attached to the corresponding first connection
portion 126 of the body 12. The barbs 129 of each first connection
portion 126 of the body 12 are extended through the first opening
166 of the corresponding fastener 16, and the second connection
portion 164 of the fastener 16 is received in the notches 130 of
the first connection portion 126. The clips 10 are then attached to
the corresponding protrusions 23 on opposite sides of the heat sink
20. The stopping tabs 138 of each clip 10 are inserted in the
corresponding cutouts 28 of the protrusion 23, thereby preventing
the clip 10 from moving in a first direction defined as being
parallel to the grooves 26 of the heat sink 20. The projections 142
of each clip 10 are received in the corresponding grooves 26 of the
heat sink 20, thereby preventing the clip 10 from moving in a
second direction defined as being perpendicular to the grooves 26.
The clips 10 and the heat sink 20 are thus securely combined to
form a single assembly 50.
[0022] Referring also to FIG. 5, in assembly, the assembly 50 of
the heat sink 20 and the clips 10 is placed on the electronic
device 30 between the pair of retention modules 42. Using the
handles 162, two diagonally opposite fasteners 12 are pressed
downwardly to allow the second openings 170 thereof to engagingly
receive the corresponding catches 48 of the retention modules 42.
The other two diagonally opposite fasteners 12 are then pressed
downwardly to allow the second openings 170 thereof to engagingly
receive the remaining corresponding catches 48 of the retention
modules 42. The assembly 50 of the heat sink 20 and the clips 10 is
thus easily secured on the electronic device 30.
[0023] When the assembly 50 comprising the heat sink 20 with
pre-attached clip 10 is commercially distributed, consumers will
never mistakenly purchase or use a wrong clip for their desired
heat sink.
[0024] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other
forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the present
example and embodiment is to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be
limited to the details given herein.
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