U.S. patent application number 11/431847 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for combined board level emi shielding and thermal management.
Invention is credited to Gerald Robert English.
Application Number | 20070209833 11/431847 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38433132 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070209833 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
English; Gerald Robert |
September 13, 2007 |
COMBINED BOARD LEVEL EMI SHIELDING AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT
Abstract
According to various aspects of the present disclosure,
exemplary embodiments are provided of EMI shielding apparatus
capable of providing board level EMI shielding for one or more
electronic components while also providing dissipation of heat
generated by the one or more electronic components. In one
particular embodiment, an apparatus generally includes a board
level shield having at least one resiliently compressible EMI
gasket disposed along at least a portion of the board level shield.
At least one thermally-conductive compliant material is disposed
relative to an inner surface of the board level shield and to the
one or more electrical components. The at least one
thermally-conductive material can form a thermally-conducting heat
path from the one or more electrical components to the board level
shield.
Inventors: |
English; Gerald Robert;
(Glen Ellyn, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY, & PIERCE, P.L.C
7700 BONHOMME, STE 400
ST. LOUIS
MO
63105
US
|
Family ID: |
38433132 |
Appl. No.: |
11/431847 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60780796 |
Mar 9, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/377 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2924/12041
20130101; H01L 2924/14 20130101; H05K 9/003 20130101; H01L
2924/01074 20130101; H01L 2924/12044 20130101; H01L 2924/01019
20130101; H01L 2924/01082 20130101; H05K 7/20445 20130101; H01L
2924/01006 20130101; H01L 2924/12041 20130101; H01L 2924/01047
20130101; H01L 23/04 20130101; H01L 24/32 20130101; H01L 2224/73253
20130101; H01L 2924/01033 20130101; H01L 23/552 20130101; H01L
2924/14 20130101; H01L 2924/01029 20130101; H01L 2924/01013
20130101; H01L 2924/01005 20130101; H05K 9/0026 20130101; H01L
2924/01042 20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101; H01L 2924/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/377 |
International
Class: |
H05K 9/00 20060101
H05K009/00 |
Claims
1.-14. (canceled)
15. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one
thermally-conductive compliant material comprises at least one or
more of a thermally-conductive pad, a thermally-conductive grease,
and a thermally-conductive putty.
16. (canceled)
17. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one resiliently
compressible EMI gasket comprises electrically-conductive
elastomer.
18.-33. (canceled)
34. An apparatus for providing board level EMI shielding and
dissipating heat from one or more electrical components of a board,
the apparatus comprising: a single-piece board level shield
comprising a metal material and two or more portions of differing
recessed depths; and at least one resiliently compressible EMI
gasket disposed on the shield, the EMI gasket defining walls that
are formed entirely by the EMI gasket and are of varying depth
corresponding to the differing recessed depths, which walls extend
below the single-piece board level shield and that define the
periphery of a plurality of individual EMI shielding compartments
cooperatively defined by the walls and the single-piece board level
shield, wherein the plurality of individual EMI shielding
compartments include a top surface defined by the single-piece
board level shield, and sidewalls that define the periphery of each
EMI shielding compartment formed to have corresponding differing
recessed depths, whereby the EMI gasket and the single-piece board
level shield cooperatively provide EMI shielding for each EMI
shielding compartment to thereby inhibit the ingress and egress of
EMI into and out of each EMI shielding compartment.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising at least one
thermally-conductive compliant material disposed relative to an
inner surface of the single-piece board level shield and to the one
or more electrical components for forming a thermally-conducting
heat path from the one or more electrical components to the
single-piece board level shield.
36. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/780,796 filed Mar. 9, 2006, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates (but not
exclusively) to apparatus and methods capable of providing board
level EMI shielding for board-mounted electrical components, and
dissipation of heat generated by the electrical components.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Electronic equipment include electrical components and
circuits mounted on a substrate that can be sensitive to
electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference
(RFI). Such EMI/RFI interference may originate from internal
sources within the electronic equipment or from external EMI/RFI
interference sources. Interference can cause degradation or
complete loss of important signals, rendering the electronic
equipment inefficient or inoperable. Accordingly, the radio
frequency (RF) circuits (sometimes referred to as RF modules or
transceiver circuits) usually require EMI/RFI shielding in order to
function properly. The shielding reduces interference not only from
external sources, but also from various functional blocks within
the module.
[0005] As you used herein, the term "EMI" should be considered to
generally include and refer to both EMI and radio frequency
interference (RFI) emissions, and the term "electromagnetic" should
be considered to generally include and refer to both
electromagnetic and radio frequency from external sources and
internal sources. Accordingly, the term shielding (as used herein)
generally includes and refers to both EMI shielding and RFI
shielding, for example, to prevent (or at least reduce) ingress and
egress of EMI and RFI relative to a housing or other enclosure in
which electronic equipment is disposed.
[0006] By way of example, electronic circuits or components of a
printed circuit board (PCB) are often enclosed with shields to
localize EMI/RFI within its source, and to insulate other devices
proximal to the EMI/RFI source. Such shields may be soldered or
otherwise affixed to the PCB, thus increasing the overall size of
the PCB. However, many electronic components generate significant
amounts of heat. Excessive heat build up can lead to reduced
product life and reliability. Thus, various constructions have been
proposed for removing heat generated by electronic components.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to various aspects of the present disclosure,
exemplary embodiments are provided of assemblies capable of
providing board level EMI shielding for one or more electrical
components of a board, while also providing dissipation of heat
generated by the one or more electrical components. Other aspects
relate to components of board level EMI shielding and thermal
management assemblies. Further aspects relate to methods of using
combined board level EMI shielding and thermal management
assemblies. Additional aspects relate to methods of making combined
board level EMI shielding and thermal management assemblies, and
methods of making components thereof.
[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus generally includes
a board level shield having at least one resiliently compressible
EMI gasket disposed along at least a portion of the board level
shield. At least one thermally-conductive compliant material is
disposed for forming a thermally-conducting heat path from the one
or more electrical components to the board level shield.
[0009] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus generally
includes a single-piece board level shielding can having a
plurality of interior EMI shielding compartments. At least one
thermally-conductive compliant material is disposed for forming a
thermally-conducting heat path from the one or more electrical
components to the single-piece board level shielding can.
[0010] Other exemplary embodiments include methods for providing
board level EMI shielding and dissipating heat from one or more
electrical components of a board. In one such embodiment, a method
generally includes positioning a board level shielding can relative
to the one or more electrical components such that the one or more
electrical components are disposed within at least one interior EMI
shielding compartment cooperatively defined by the board level
shielding can and at least one resiliently compressible EMI gasket
disposed along at least a portion of the board level shielding can.
This positioning can also include contacting at least one
thermally-conductive complaint material with the one or more
electrical components and an inner surface of the board level
shielding can such that a thermally-conducting heat path is formed
between the one or more electrical components and the board level
shielding can.
[0011] Further aspects and features of the present disclosure will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
In addition, any one or more aspects of the present disclosure may
be implemented individually or in any combination with any one or
more of the other aspects of the present disclosure. It should be
understood that the detailed description and specific examples,
while indicating exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure,
are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended
to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of
an EMI shielding apparatus;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the EMI shielding apparatus shown
in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the EMI shielding apparatus
shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the EMI shielding
apparatus shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the EMI shielding apparatus
aligned for positioning over a board-mounted electrical component
according to exemplary embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the EMI shielding
apparatus shown in FIG. 4 with portions broken away and
illustrating the EMI shielding apparatus disposed over the
board-mounted electrical component.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a second exemplary embodiment of an
EMI shielding apparatus; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third exemplary embodiment of an
EMI shielding apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or
uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings,
corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding
parts and features.
[0021] According to various aspects of the present disclosure,
there are provided various exemplary embodiments of assemblies
capable of providing board level EMI shielding for one or more
electrical components of a board, while also providing dissipation
of heat generated by the one or more electrical components. Other
aspects relate to components of board level EMI shielding and
thermal management assemblies. Further aspects relate to methods of
using combined board level EMI shielding and thermal management
assemblies. Additional aspects relate to methods of making combined
board level EMI shielding and thermal management assemblies, and
methods of making components thereof.
[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus generally includes
a board level shield having at least one resiliently compressible
EMI gasket disposed along at least a portion of the board level
shield. At least one thermally-conductive compliant material (e.g.,
thermally-conductive pads, greases, putties, form-in-place
materials, silk screened materials, combinations thereof, etc.)
disposed for forming a thermally-conducting heat path from the one
or more electrical components to the board level shield.
[0023] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus generally
includes a single-piece board level shielding can having a
plurality of interior EMI shielding compartments. At least one
thermally-conductive compliant material (e.g., thermally-conductive
pads, greases, putties, form-in-place materials, silk screened
materials, combinations thereof, etc.) is disposed for forming a
thermally-conducting heat path from the one or more electrical
components to the single-piece board level shielding can. This
thermally-conducting heat path can allow the single-piece board
level shielding to operate as a heat sink and/or a heat spreader
for the one or more electrical components.
[0024] Other exemplary embodiments include methods for providing
board level EMI shielding and dissipating heat from one or more
electrical components of a board. In one such embodiment, a method
generally includes positioning a board level shielding can relative
to the one or more electrical components such that the one or more
electrical components are disposed within at least one interior EMI
shielding compartment cooperatively defined by the board level
shielding can and at least one resiliently compressible EMI gasket
disposed along at least a portion of the board level shielding can.
This positioning can also include contacting at least one
thermally-conductive compliant material (e.g., thermally-conductive
pads, greases, putties, form-in-place materials, silk screened
materials, combinations thereof, etc.) with the one or more
electrical components and an inner surface of the board level
shielding can such that a thermally-conducting heat path is formed
between the one or more electrical components and the board level
shielding can.
[0025] Various embodiments include at least one thermal interface
material (TIM) (e.g., thermally-conductive compliant material,
thermally-conductive pads, greases, putties, form-in-place
materials, silk screened materials, combinations thereof, etc.).
The thermal interface material is adapted to contact one or more
electrical components when the EMI shielding apparatus is
installed. This contact can facilitate transferring and/or
thermally conducting of heat from the one or more electrical
components to the board level shield, whereby the board level
shield can essentially function as a heat sink and/or a heat
spreader for the one or more electrical components. In various
embodiments, the thermal interface material may comprise one or
more thermally-conductive elastomer ribs, which form or define at
least one or more interior EMI shielding compartments. The thermal
interface material may also be in the form of one or more greases,
putties, or pads of material that are dispensed, affixed, or
attached to the board level shield at certain locations that
topographically provide for contacting and conducting heat away
from at least one electrical component or integrated circuit to the
board level shield. In some preferred embodiments, a thermal
interface material is compressed against one or the electrical
components, to thereby allow for improved heat transfer from the
electrical component(s) to a cover as compared to those designs in
which air defines the heat path between the electrical component
and the underside of the cover. In such embodiments, various
thermal interface materials can be used, which are preferably
materials having higher thermal conductivities than air alone.
[0026] Some embodiments include a cover or board level shield
having at least one electrically-conductive member disposed on the
inner surface of the cover. When the EMI shielding apparatus is
installed, the electrically-conductive member may contact one or
more electrical components to establish electrical conductivity
(e.g., a ground) from the one or more electrical components to the
cover or board level shield of the EMI shielding apparatus.
[0027] Some embodiments may include at least one
electrically-insulating member disposed on the inner side of a
cover or board level shield. This electrically-insulating member
can insulate electrical components from electrical conduction to
the cover or board level shield.
[0028] Accordingly, various exemplary embodiments provide EMI
shielding assemblies capable of at least one or more of absorbing
EMI energy radiation emitted from enclosed electrical components,
shielding the enclosed electrical components from EMI emitted by
devices external to the EMI shielding apparatus, providing thermal
conduction and/or thermal insulation between one or more electrical
components and the EMI shielding apparatus, and/or providing an
electrical path (e.g., a ground) between one or more electrical
components and the EMI shielding apparatus.
[0029] In one particular embodiment, there is provided an apparatus
that includes a single piece, multi-compartment thermally-enhanced
board level shield. In this example, the board level shield may
comprise stamped or drawn metal or metal alloys, or the board level
shield may comprise thermally-conductive plastic. The board level
shield may include one or more molded electrically-conductive
elastomer ribs that form at least one or more EMI shielding
compartments. The electrically-conductive elastomer ribs can be
configured for electrically grounding the apparatus to a board,
such as a printed circuit board, etc. At least one of the
compartments can include thermal interface material configured
(e.g., shaped, sized, material, etc.) to provide a
thermally-conductive heat path between the shield can or cover and
the electrical element/component(s) enclosed therein. Other
embodiments, however, may not include any such
electrically-conductive elastomer ribs. Still further embodiments
may include electrically-conductive elastomer ribs dispensed using
form-in-place dispensing equipment or using a hand-held dispenser
or caulk gun.
[0030] Embodiments of the EMI shielding apparatus can be mounted to
a board (e.g., printed circuit board, etc.) and/or another mounting
structure. This mounting can provide a heat spreading effect and a
heat path to another element of the electronic system.
[0031] Additionally, other materials (e.g., thermally-conductive
pad-like materials with adhesive backings, thermally-conductive
materials, electrically-conducting materials, insulating materials,
fabric-over-foam gaskets, thermal insulators, combinations thereof,
etc.) can be disposed on an inner surface of an EMI shielding
apparatus. In some exemplary embodiments, an adhesively attached
pad-like material can provide an electrical path between an
electrical component and the EMI shielding apparatus. Additionally,
or alternatively, an adhesively attached pad-like material can
provide thermal insulation, electrical insulation, and/or help
absorb unwanted EMI radiation from encased electronic devices.
[0032] In some embodiments, pad-like materials with adhesive
backing can be used where the adhesive backing can help form a more
secure attachment of the pad-like materials to the EMI shielding
apparatus. Alternatively, other embodiments can include materials
(e.g., thermally-conductive, electrically-conductive, and/or
insulating material pads, etc.) dispensed via form-in-place
dispensing equipment, hand-held dispenser or caulk gun, silk
screening, etc. Some embodiments of an EMI shielding apparatus can
include combining electrical and thermal functionality with an
environmental sealing member, which can be used, for example,
around an electronic display for an electronic device (e.g., cell
phone display, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) display, gaming
device display, etc.) for providing a dust and/or liquid seal.
[0033] The various EMI shielding apparatus described and/or shown
herein can be used in a wide variety of devices and electronic
equipment. By way of example only, one or more of the EMI shield
assemblies described and/or shown herein may be used in conjunction
with cellular telephones and other wireless/RF devices. In such
examples, an EMI shielding apparatus can be shipped or delivered
with one or more thermal interface materials installed on the board
level shield. During assembly of the cellular phone (or other
wireless/RF device, as the case may be), the entire EMI shielding
apparatus can be screwed into screw bosses of the electronic device
housing. The screws can thus provide the mechanical or clamping
force on the thermal interface material for low thermal impedance.
The screws can also be electrically conductive. In such
embodiments, the overall height of the EMI shielding apparatus can
depend, for example, on the deflection needs for the
electrically-conductive elastomer (or other suitable resilient
compressible gasket material, etc.). Some embodiments include an
EMI shielding apparatus that can be "dropped-in" and used with
existing wireless/RF communication devices.
[0034] FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an
EMI shielding apparatus 100 embodying one or more aspects of the
present disclosure. As shown, the apparatus 100 includes a cover or
shielding can 102. The cover 102 includes a first cover portion 104
and at least a second cover portion 112, which is adjacent to the
first cover portion 104.
[0035] The cover 102 may be integrally or monolithically formed
from a single piece of material through a drawing or stamping
process. The cover 102 may be formed to have differing recessed
heights or depths. In the first embodiment, for example, the first
cover portion 104 is drawn such that it is deeper than the second
cover portion 112. This difference in depth is illustrated in the
elevation view of the first embodiment 100 shown in FIG. 3.
[0036] The second cover portion 112 includes at least one opening
114 therein. The opening 114 can be provided to interface with
various electronic device display screens and display technologies.
By way of example, electronic devices can include cell phones,
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Geographic Positioning Service
(GPS) receivers, game controllers, iPod-like portable music
devices, finger print readers, etc. Exemplary display technologies
can include Liquid Crystal Display (LCDs), Organic Light Emitting
Diode (OLED), touch-screen and plasma display technologies.
Alternatively, the cover or board level shield 102 can have any
number of different configurations, such as without any opening 114
and/or with different shapes, sizes, depths, openings in different
shapes and/or sizes, etc.
[0037] The EMI shielding apparatus 100 may include resiliently
compressible material disposed along at least a portion of the
cover 102. This resiliently compressible material is
electrically-conductive and/or thermally-conductive. In this
example embodiment, electrically-conductive elastomer material
forms ribs or walls 120. The ribs or walls 120 may be dispensed
onto (e.g., via form-in-place dispensing equipment, hand-held
dispenser or caulk gun, etc.), molded onto (e.g., overmolded, etc.)
or attached (e.g., adhesively attached, etc.) to the various cover
portions 104 and 112. By way of example only, elastomer ribs 120
may be dispensed onto the cover 102, or may be over-molded onto the
cover 102 through an insert-molding process.
[0038] The electrically-conductive elastomer ribs or walls 120 can
be formed from various materials. In some preferred embodiments,
the ribs or walls 120 are formed from elastomeric materials filled
with electrically-conductive particles. Examples of preferred
elastomeric materials include silicone, fluorosilicone,
fluorocarbon, and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer [EPDM].
Thermoplastic elastomer can also be used as the elastomeric
material. Examples of preferred electrically-conductive particles
include silver coated glass particles, which can be used to make an
elastomeric material electrically-conductive. In other embodiments,
silver particles, silver coated copper particles, silver coated
aluminum particles, silver plated nickel particles, nickel coated
graphite particles, and graphite particles can also be used to make
the elastomeric material electrically-conductive.
[0039] In alternative embodiments, the elastomer ribs 120 can be
thermally conductive (e.g., have a great thermal conductivity than
air alone, etc.) for creating a thermally-conducting heat path from
the board level shield 102 to the printed circuit board. In such
embodiments, the elastomer ribs 120 can be configured for
contacting the board or one or more board-mounted electrical
components when the apparatus 100 is installed. With this contact,
the elastomer rib members 120 can facilitate transferring and/or
thermally conducting of heat from the one or more electrical
components to the board level shield 102.
[0040] The elastomer ribs 120 and board level shield 102 may
cooperatively form or define at least one EMI shielding compartment
or enclosure 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 100
has an elastomer rib that encloses at least a substantial portion
of the first cover portion 104 and the second cover portion 112, to
thereby define the compartment 122.
[0041] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the EMI shielding
apparatus 100 further includes a thermally-conductive material
formed as a pad 130. The pad 130 may also be
electrically-conductive.
[0042] The pad 130 is preferably configured to contact one or more
electrical components when the apparatus 100 is installed. With
this contact, the thermally-conductive pad 130 can facilitate
transferring and/or thermally conducting heat from the one or more
electrical components to the cover or board level shield 102. The
pad 130 can form a thermally-conductive heat path between the one
or more electrical components and the cover 102. With this
thermally-conductive heat path, some embodiments have the board
level shield or cover 102 operating as a heat sink and/or a heat
spreader for the one or more electrical components.
[0043] In some embodiments, the thermally-conductive pad 130 may
further comprise an adhesive backing (e.g., a thermally-conductive
and/or electrically-conductive adhesive, etc.). The adhesive
backing can be used to attach the pad 130 to the cover 102, which
can help provide a more secure attachment of the pad 130 to the
cover 102.
[0044] In this first embodiment, the one or more cover portions of
the apparatus 100 are preferably made of a thermally-conductive and
electrically-conductive material, such as steel or a
thermally-conductive plastic, for example. Alternatively, other
suitable materials can also be used for the cover 102 and the
portions 104 and 112 thereof. Further examples of suitable
materials are listed in the table below.
[0045] In various embodiments, the first and second cover portions
104 and 112 are integrally formed with each other, such as by a
monolithic or single-piece steel material through a die-stamping or
drawing process. Alternatively, the first and second cover portions
104 and 112 can be made with other materials (e.g.,
thermally-conductive plastic, etc.) and/or with other manufacturing
methods (e.g., injection molding, etc.).
[0046] The apparatus 100 also comprises a third cover portion 134
adjacent to the second cover portion 112. The third cover portion
134 may also include an elastomer rib 120.
[0047] With further reference to FIG. 2, the rib 120 is shown
forming compartments or enclosures 122, 124, 126, and 128.
Accordingly, the cover 102 and the cover portions 104, 112, 134 are
configured to form an EMI shielding apparatus 100 having a
plurality of interior EMI shielding compartments 122, 124, 126, and
128. Accordingly, this particular embodiment of the EMI shielding
apparatus 100 is provided with a single-piece board level shielding
can or cover 102, multiple EMI shielding compartments 122, 124,
126, and 128, and thermally enhancing elements (e.g., pad 130,
etc.) that provide for a heat conduction path between the apparatus
100 and one or more electrical components. This, in turn, can
create a heat spreading effect for a board level circuit or other
similar electronic devices.
[0048] The apparatus 100 may further comprise at least one
insulating member 140, which in the first embodiment is disposed on
the inner side of the second cover portion 112. The insulating
member 140 can provide for insulating electrical components to
prevent electrical conduction to the installed apparatus 100.
Additionally, or alternatively, the insulating member 140 can
provide for insulating electrical components from heat being
conducted by the apparatus 100. Alternatively, one or more
insulating members may be disposed at other locations and/or in
other configurations (e.g., different shapes, sizes, etc.).
[0049] The insulating member 140 can be formed from various
materials. By way of example only, silicone is one example of a
preferred material that can be used for the insulating member 140
in some embodiments. Alternative examples of insulating materials
include polyimide films, polyester films, and fiberglass.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 100 further includes one
or more mounting holes 150 positioned generally about the perimeter
of the shielding can or cover 102. The apparatus 100 may also
include mounting tabs 154 extending from the perimeter of the cover
102, in which at least one of the mounting holes 150 may be
positioned. Accordingly, screws can be received within the holes
150 for screwing the apparatus 100 into screw bosses of a housing
of a wide range of electronic devices, such as cellular phones or
other wireless/RF communication devices (e.g., laptop computers,
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), Geographic Positioning Service
(GPS) receivers, etc.). When the apparatus 100 is installed, the
screws can provide sufficient mechanical or clamping force for
providing the apparatus 100 with low thermal impedance. For
example, the clamping force can be sufficiently strong for biasing
the board level shield generally towards the board such that the
thermally-conductive pad compressively contacts the one or more
electronic components. The screws can also be electrically
conductive in some embodiments. Alternatively, other embodiments
can use other means beside mechanical fasteners for installing an
EMI shielding apparatus.
[0051] Some embodiments of the apparatus 100 can also include an
electrically-conductive member that may be disposed on an interior
surface of the shielding can or cover 102. In such embodiments, the
electrically-conductive member can be configured to contact one or
more electrical components when the apparatus 100 is installed such
that electrical conductivity is established from one or more
electrical components to the cover 102. The electrically-conductive
member can be formed from various materials, such as relatively
flexible graphite (with or without an adhesive backing) in some
preferred embodiments. Alternative examples of materials that can
be used for making electrical contact to establish electrical
conductivity from the component to the cover (but which would not
significantly or appreciably contribute to heat removal) include
elastomeric materials filled with electrically-conductive
particles. Exemplary elastomeric materials include silicone,
fluorosilicone, fluorocarbon, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
[EPDM], and thermoplastic elastomers. Exemplary
electrically-conductive particles include silver coated glass
particles, silver particles, silver coated copper particles, silver
coated aluminum particles, silver plated nickel particles, nickel
coated graphite particles, and graphite particles.
[0052] Some embodiments of the apparatus 100 can also include an
EMI absorbing material disposed on an interior surface of any one
or more of the cover portions of the shielding can or cover 100. In
such embodiments, the EMI absorbing material can be configured for
improving the absorption of unwanted EMI radiation from electronic
devices that are enclosed by the EMI shielding apparatus 100 after
it is installed. Various materials can be used for EMI absorbing,
such as elastomeric materials filled with high magnetic
permeability particles in some preferred embodiments. By way of
example only, polychloroprene [neoprene] is an example of one
preferred material that can be used for the elastomeric material.
Silicone, nitrile, fluorosilicone, and hypalon can also be used for
the elastomeric material. Regarding the high magnetic permeability
particles, one preferred example is carbonyl iron. Alternative
example materials include iron silicide, ferrites, and carbon.
Electrically-conductive carbon in polyurethane foam can also be
used as an EMI absorbing material in some embodiments.
[0053] In various embodiments, the EMI shielding apparatus 100
includes at least one environmental sealing member disposed about a
perimeter of at least one opening of the cover or shielding can.
The environmental sealing member can substantially seal the
opening's perimeter to thereby inhibit the ingress of dust and
liquid. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the apparatus 100
has elastomer ribs or wall portions 120 that generally surround at
least a portion of the perimeter of the cover 102. The apparatus
100 may also include elastomer ribs or wall portions generally
surrounding the perimeter of the opening 114 in the shield cover
102. The elastomer ribs or wall portion can provide environmental
sealing for the apparatus 100 to inhibit the ingress of dust,
liquid, and other foreign objects and debris. In addition, the
elastomer ribs or wall portions providing environmental sealing can
also be configured for providing electrical and/or thermal
functionality for the apparatus 100.
[0054] Various materials can be used for accomplishing the
environmental sealing, such as silicone, fluorosilicone, and
thermoplastic elastomers. Alternative materials can also be
used.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 4, the EMI shielding apparatus 100 is
shown aligned for positioning over a board-mounted electrical
component 136 with a thermal interface material 138 positioned
between the electrical component 136 and the cover 102 according to
some exemplary embodiments. Electrical component 136 can be any
surface-mounted electrical component such as a resistor, a
capacitor, a semiconductor device, an inductor, a transistor, an
integrated circuit, a millimeter microwave integrated circuit
(MMIC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a programmable gate
array, logic circuits, an antenna element, etc. Embodiments
disclosed and/or shown herein, however, are not limited to only
surface-mounted electrical components.
[0056] The board level shielding can or cover 102 includes the
resiliently compressible EMI gasket material 120, which in the
illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5 comprises electrically-conductive
elastomer ribs or walls. As shown in FIG. 5, the
electrically-conductive elastomer ribs 120 are in contact with the
PCB 142 (e.g., PCB ground plane, PCB ground conductor, etc.). The
thermal interface material 138 can be pre-mounted on an inner
surface of the cover 102, in some embodiments, to facilitate
electronic device assembly. Screws positioned through holes 150 of
mounting tabs 154 can be screwed to screw bosses to provide a
clamping or mechanical force for compressing the thermal interface
material 138 against the electrical component 136. This, in turn,
can help provide the EMI shielding apparatus 10 with relatively low
thermal impedance. The thermal interface material 138 can
conductively transfer or remove heat from the electrical component
136 to the cover 102. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the
thermal interface material 138 (and compression thereof against the
electrical component 136) allow for improved heat transfer from the
electrical component 136 to the cover 102, as compared to those
designs in which air defines the heat path between the electrical
component and the underside of the cover.
[0057] The thermal interface material 138 can be adhesively mounted
to cover 102, as part of the device assembly. Accordingly, the
thermal interface material 138 can thus provide a thermally
conducting interface between component 136 and the inner surface of
the cover 102. In some embodiments, a thermally-conductive
elastomer rib 120 can contact a portion of an electrical component
136 to provide added thermal conductivity to the cover 102. The
overall minimum height of the apparatus 100 can depend, for
example, on the deflection needs for the electrically-conductive
elastomer for the assembled device.
[0058] Other alternative constructions or embodiments may be made
similar to the first embodiment, where those alternate
constructions or embodiments comprise any number of different
configurations of thermally-conductive interface materials. For
example, FIG. 6 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of an EMI
shielding apparatus 200 embodying one or more aspects of the
present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the EMI shielding apparatus
200 includes a first cover portion 204 and a second cover portion
212 adjacent to the first cover portion 204.
[0059] The apparatus 200 further includes elastomer ribs 220
disposed along at least a portion of the board level shield or
cover 202. The elastomer ribs 220 and board level shielding can or
cover 202 cooperatively form or define at least one EMI shielding
compartment or enclosure 222.
[0060] The ribs 220 can be configured to contact one or more
electrical components (such as a trace or pad on a printed circuit
board, for example) when the apparatus 200 is installed.
Accordingly, the rib 220 can help facilitate transferring and
thermally conducting heat to the apparatus 200 from the one or more
electrical components enclosed by the apparatus 200. The board
level shield 202 and the ribs 220 can provide EMI shielding for one
or more electrical components within the compartment 222, for
example, by absorbing EMI from those electrical components.
[0061] With continued reference to FIG. 6, the EMI shielding
apparatus 200 further includes a thermally-conductive material
formed as a pad 230. The pad 230 may also be
electrically-conductive.
[0062] The pad 230 is preferably configured to contact one or more
electrical components when the apparatus 200 is installed. With
this contact, the thermally-conductive pad 230 can facilitate
transferring and/or thermally conducting heat from the one or more
electrical components to the cover or board level shield 202. The
pad 230 can form a thermally-conductive heat path between the one
or more electrical components and the cover 202. With this
thermally-conductive heat path, some embodiments have the board
level shield or cover 202 operating as a heat sink for the one or
more electrical components.
[0063] In some embodiments, the thermally-conductive pad 230 may
further comprise an adhesive backing (e.g., a thermally-conductive
and/or electrically-conductive adhesive, etc.). The adhesive
backing can be used to attach the pad 230 to the cover 202, which
can help provide a more secure attachment of the pad 230 to the
cover 202.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus 200 further includes one
or more mounting holes 250 positioned generally about the perimeter
of the cover 202. The apparatus 200 may also include mounting tabs
254 extending from the perimeter of the cover 202, in which at
least one of the mounting holes 250 may be positioned. Accordingly,
screws can be received within the holes 250 for screwing the
apparatus 200 into screw bosses of a housing of a wide range of
electronic devices, such as cellular phones or other wireless/RF
communication devices. When the apparatus 200 is installed, the
screws can provide sufficient mechanical or clamping force for
providing the apparatus 200 with low thermal impedance. For
example, the clamping force can be sufficiently strong for biasing
the board level shield generally towards the board such that the
thermally-conductive pad compressively contacts the one or more
electronic components. The screws can also be electrically
conductive in some embodiments. Alternatively, other embodiments
can use other means beside mechanical fasteners for installing an
EMI shielding apparatus.
[0065] The apparatus 200 also includes the opening 214, which can
be provided to interface with various electronic device display
screens and display technologies. Alternatively, the cover or board
level shield 202 can have any number of different configurations,
such as without any opening 114 and/or with different shapes,
sizes, depths, openings in different shapes and/or sizes, etc.
[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of an EMI
shielding apparatus 300 embodying one or more aspects of the
present disclosure. As shown, the apparatus 300 includes a board
level shielding can or cover 302 having at least a first cover
portion 304 and at least one opening 314 therein. Such EMI shield
can be used to enclose one or more electrical components of a
cellular phone, by way of example.
[0067] The cover 302 may be formed through a drawing process, a
stamping process, or any other suitable manufacturing processes.
The cover 302 can be made of a thermally-conductive and
electrically-conductive material, such as steel or a
thermally-conductive plastic, for example. The cover 302 can be
made from a monolithic or single-piece steel material through a
die-stamping or drawing process. Alternatively, the cover 302 can
be made with other materials (e.g., thermally-conductive plastic,
etc.) and/or with other manufacturing methods (e.g., injection
molding, etc.). Further examples of suitable materials are listed
in the table below.
[0068] The cover 302 may have differing heights or depths. In the
illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, the first cover portion 304 is
drawn to form a deeper cover area in the generally center region
than the perimeter regions. Alternatively, the cover 302 can have
any number of different configurations, such as with different
shapes, sizes, depths, openings in different shapes and/or sizes,
etc.
[0069] With continued reference to FIG. 7, the apparatus 300
further includes a thermal interface material disposed therein. The
thermal interface material can be formed as a thermally-conductive
pad 330. The pad 330 can be configured to contact one or more
electrical components (when the apparatus 300 is installed) to
thermally conduct heat from one or more electrical components to
the board level shielding can or cover 302. The
thermally-conductive member 330 may be dispensed onto the shield
cover 302 (e.g., using form-in-place dispensing equipment,
hand-held dispenser or caulk gun, silk screening, etc.), or may be
overmolded onto the cover 302 (e.g., through an insert-molding
process, etc.).
[0070] In some embodiments, the thermally-conductive pad 330 may
further comprise an adhesive backing (e.g., a thermally-conductive
adhesive and/or electrically-conductive adhesive, etc.). The
adhesive backing can be used to attach the pad 330 to the cover
302, which can help provide a more secure attachment of the pad 330
to the cover 302.
[0071] The apparatus 300 may further comprise at least one
electrically-insulating member 340. In this particular embodiment,
the electrically-insulating member 340 is disposed on an inner
surface of the first cover portion 304. The electrically-insulating
member 340 can be configured for insulating one or more electrical
components to prevent electrical conduction to the cover 302 after
installation. The apparatus 300 may alternatively include a
thermally-insulating member disposed on an inner surface of the
cover 302. The thermally-insulating member can provide for
insulating electrical components from heat being conducted by the
apparatus 300 or heat conducted by other electrical components.
Alternatively, thermally-insulating members and/or
electrically-insulating members may be disposed on any suitable
position within the cover 302. Accordingly, this particular
embodiment of the apparatus 300 generally includes a single-piece
cover 302 having at least one EMI shielding compartment 322 and one
or more thermally-enhancing features that provide for a heat
conduction path between the apparatus 300 and one or more
electrical components, and that can create a heat spreading effect
for a board level circuit, for example.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus 300 further includes one
or more mounting holes 350 positioned generally about the perimeter
of the cover 302. The apparatus 300 may also include mounting tabs
354 extending from the perimeter of the cover 302, in which at
least one of the mounting holes 350 may be positioned. Accordingly,
screws can be received within the holes 350 for screwing the
apparatus 300 into screw bosses of a housing of a wide range of
electronic devices, such as cellular phones or other wireless/RF
communication devices. When the apparatus 300 is installed, the
screws can provide sufficient mechanical or clamping force for
providing the apparatus 300 with low thermal impedance. For
example, the clamping force can be sufficiently strong for biasing
the cover generally towards the board such that the
thermally-conductive pad compressively contacts the one or more
electronic components. The screws can also be electrically
conductive in some embodiments. Alternatively, other embodiments
can use other means beside mechanical fasteners for installing an
EMI shielding apparatus.
[0073] Some embodiments of the apparatus 300 can also include an
electrically-conductive member that may be disposed on an interior
surface of the shielding can or cover 302. In such embodiments, the
electrically-conductive member can be configured to contact one or
more electrical components when the apparatus 300 is installed such
that electrical conductivity is established from one or more
electrical components to the cover 302.
[0074] Some embodiments of the apparatus 300 can also include an
EMI absorbing material disposed on an interior surface of any one
or more of the cover portions of the shielding can or cover 300. In
such embodiments, the EMI absorbing material can be configured for
improving the absorption of unwanted EMI radiation from electronic
devices that are enclosed by the EMI shielding apparatus 300 after
it is installed.
[0075] In various embodiments, the EMI shielding apparatus 300
includes one or more environmental sealing members disposed about a
perimeter of at least one opening of the cover or shielding can.
The environmental sealing member can substantially seal the
opening's perimeter to thereby inhibit the ingress of dust and
liquid.
[0076] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, the apparatus 300
has elastomer ribs or wall portions 360 generally surrounding the
perimeter of opening 314. The elastomer ribs or wall portions 360
can be configured to provide environmental sealing to inhibit the
ingress of dust, liquid, and other foreign objects and debris. In
addition, the elastomer ribs or wall portions 360 can also be
configured for providing electrical and/or thermal functionality
for the apparatus 300.
[0077] The table below lists various exemplary metal alloys and
their thermal conductivities, which may be used for a shielding can
or cover in any one or more embodiments described and/or shown
herein. This table is provided for purposes of illustration only
and not for purposes of limitation. TABLE-US-00001 Alloy Thermal
Conductivity [W/m K] SS 304 16 NS C75200 33 NS C77000 29 C11000 388
C17200 [CuBe] 105 C19400 260 C19900 HPTC [CuTi] 54
[0078] The table below lists various exemplary thermal interface
materials that may be used as a thermal interface material for a
shielding can or cover in any one or more embodiments described
and/or shown herein. These example thermal interface materials are
commercially available from Laird Technologies, Inc. of Saint
Louis, Mo., and, accordingly, have been identified by reference to
trademarks of Laird Technologies, Inc. This table is provided for
purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation.
TABLE-US-00002 Pressure of Thermal Thermal Thermal Impedance
Construction Conductivity Impedance Measurement Name Composition
Type [W/mK] [.degree. C.-cm.sup.2/W] [kPa] T-pli .TM. 210 Boron
nitride Gap 6 1.03 138 filled, silicone Filler elastomer,
fiberglass reinforced T-flex .TM. 520 Reinforced Gap 2.8 2.56 69
silicone Filler elastomer T-pcm .TM. 583 Non- Phase 3.8 0.12 69
reinforced Change film T-flex .TM. 320 Ceramic filled Gap 1.2 5.42
69 silicone Filler elastomer T-grease .TM. Silicone- Thermal 1.2
0.135 345 based grease Grease or non- silicone based grease
[0079] In addition to the examples listed in the table above, other
thermal interface materials can also be used, which are preferably
better than air alone at conducting and transferring heat.
Exemplary thermal interface materials include compliant or
conformable silicone pads, silk screened materials, polyurethane
foams or gels, thermal putties, thermal greases,
thermally-conductive additives, etc. In some embodiments, one or
more conformable thermal interface pads are used having sufficient
compressibility and flexibility for allowing a pad to relatively
closely conform to the size and outer shape of an electrical
component when placed in contact with the electrical component when
the shielding apparatus is installed (e.g. screwed to the printed
circuit board, etc.) to a printed circuit board over the electrical
component. By engaging the electrical component in this relatively
close fitting and encapsulating manner, a conformable thermal
interface pad can conduct heat away from the electrical component
to the metal shield can or cover in dissipating thermal energy.
[0080] Advantageously, various embodiments can thus allow cost
savings to customers and/or manufactures. Rather than having
separate components to respectively provide shielding and thermal
management, a customer/manufacturer can instead purchase an EMI
shielding apparatus that can provide both board level EMI shielding
and thermal management. In addition, various embodiments can
provide for shielding and thermal management of relatively small
electronic components and circuit board layouts, such as the
electronic components and circuit board layouts associated with
cellular telephones and other wireless/RF devices. As electronic
components and layouts are decreasing in size (and increasing in
component density), various embodiments are able to help meet the
needs of increasing heat dissipation from such small electronic
components and layouts.
[0081] Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference
only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms
such as "upper", "lower", "above", "below", "front", "back",
"rear", "bottom", and "side" can refer to directions in the
drawings to which reference is made and/or can describe the
orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but
arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to
the text and the associated drawings describing the component under
discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically
mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
Similarly, the terms "first", "second" and other such numerical
terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order
unless clearly indicated by the context.
[0082] When introducing elements or features of the present
disclosure and the exemplary embodiments, the articles "a", "an",
"the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of
such elements or features. The terms "comprising", "including" and
"having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be
additional elements or features other than those specifically
noted. It is further to be understood that the methods "steps",
"processes", and "operations" thereof described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order or performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0083] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the
disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *