U.S. patent application number 13/069017 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-22 for television apparatus and electronic device.
Invention is credited to Mitsuhiro MURAKAMI, Kazuhiro NAKAMURA, Toshikatsu NAKAMURA, Masataka TOKORO, Kohei WADA.
Application Number | 20110310313 13/069017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45328342 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110310313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAMURA; Kazuhiro ; et
al. |
December 22, 2011 |
Television Apparatus and Electronic Device
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes: a
substrate, a heat transport mechanism, and a pressing member. The
heat transport mechanism includes a heat receiving portion, a heat
releasing portion, and a heat transferring portion. The heat
receiving portion receives heat from an exothermic component of the
substrate. The heat releasing portion releases heat. The heat
transferring portion houses a medium for carrying heat from the
heat receiving portion to the heat releasing portion. The pressing
member includes a plurality of portions-to-be-fixed, a pressing
portion, a plurality of arm portions, and an engaging portion. The
plurality of portions-to-be-fixed are fixed to the substrate. The
pressing portion presses the heat receiving portion or presses a
heat releasing block thermally-linked to the heat receiving portion
against the exothermic body. The plurality of arm portions are
disposed in between the portions-to-be-fixed and the pressing
portion. The engaging portion engages with the substrate.
Inventors: |
NAKAMURA; Kazuhiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; MURAKAMI; Mitsuhiro; (Tokyo, JP) ;
TOKORO; Masataka; (Tokyo, JP) ; WADA; Kohei;
(Tokyo, JP) ; NAKAMURA; Toshikatsu; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Family ID: |
45328342 |
Appl. No.: |
13/069017 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/836 ;
348/E5.128 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/2099 20130101;
H05K 7/2039 20130101; H04N 5/64 20130101; G06F 1/203 20130101; G06F
1/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/836 ;
348/E05.128 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/64 20060101
H04N005/64 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 18, 2010 |
JP |
2010-139842 |
Claims
1. A television apparatus comprising: a substrate housed in a
housing and having an exothermic component mounted thereon; a heat
transport mechanism at least partially housed inside the housing,
and comprising a heat receiving portion configured to receive heat
from the exothermic component, a heat releasing portion configured
to release heat, and a heat transferring portion configured to
house a medium for carrying heat from the heat receiving portion to
the heat releasing portion; and a pressing member comprising a
plurality of portions-to-be-fixed fixed to the substrate, a
pressing portion configured to press the heat receiving portion or
press a heat releasing block thermally-linked to the heat receiving
portion against the exothermic body, a plurality of arm portions
disposed in between the portions-to-be-fixed and the pressing
portion, and an engaging portion configured to engage with the
substrate.
2. The television apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging
portion comprises a first engaging portion configured to engage the
pressing portion against the substrate with respect to a direction
along a surface of the substrate.
3. The television apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first engaging
portion is configured to restrict the pressing member from rotating
along the surface of the substrate.
4. The television apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging
portion comprises a second engaging portion configured to restrict
the pressing member from moving away from a face of the substrate
on which the exothermic component is mounted.
5. The television apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of the engaging portion, each having a different engaging
direction.
6. The television apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging
portion is configured to engage at a rim portion of the
substrate.
7. The television apparatus of claim 6, wherein the engaging
portion is configured to engage at a corner of the substrate.
8. The television apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging
portion is disposed in at least one of the
portions-to-be-fixed.
9. A television apparatus comprising: a substrate housed in a
housing and having a component mounted or installed thereon; a
pressing member fixed on the substrate and configured to press the
component against the substrate; and an engaging portion formed in
the pressing member and configured to engage with an edge of the
substrate.
10. An electronic device comprising: a substrate housed in a
housing and having an exothermic component mounted thereon; a heat
transport mechanism at least partially housed inside the housing,
and comprising a heat receiving portion configured to receive heat
from the exothermic component, a heat releasing portion configured
to release heat, and a heat transferring portion configured to
house a medium for carrying heat from the heat receiving portion to
the heat releasing portion; and a pressing member comprising a
plurality of portions-to-be-fixed fixed to the substrate, a
pressing portion configured to press the heat receiving portion or
press a heat releasing block thermally-linked to the heat receiving
portion against the exothermic body, a plurality of arm portions
disposed in between the portions-to-be-fixed and the pressing
portion, and an engaging portion configured to engage the pressing
member with the substrate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-139842, filed
Jun. 18, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to a
television apparatus and an electronic device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Typically, electronic devices are known in which a pressing
member is fixed on a substrate and presses a heat receiving portion
of a heat pipe or presses a heat releasing block thermally-linked
to the heat receiving portion against an exothermic body.
[0004] With regard to such electronic devices, there is a demand
for preventing the pressed state of components achieved by making
use of the pressing member from undergoing variation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] A general architecture that implements the various features
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.
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exemplary front view of a first orientation of
a television apparatus which is an electronic device according to a
first embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exemplary front view of a second orientation of
the television apparatus in the first embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 3 is an exemplary front perspective view of a portion
of a substrate disposed in the television apparatus in the first
embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an exemplary rear perspective view of a portion of
a substrate disposed in the television apparatus in the first
embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of an open state of
a personal computer which is an electronic device according to a
second embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an exemplary perspective view of a second main
body of FIG. 5 without a display panel, in the second
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 7 is an exemplary front view of the second main body of
the personal computer without the display panel, in the second
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 8 is an exemplary rear perspective view illustrating
the open state of the personal computer in the second
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 9 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a first
usage pattern of the personal computer in the second
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 10 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a
second usage pattern of the personal computer in the second
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 11 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a
third usage pattern of the personal computer in the second
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 12A is an exemplary plan view of a third orientation of
the personal computer in the second embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 12B is an exemplary plan view of a fourth orientation
of the personal computer in the second embodiment; and
[0019] FIG. 13 is an exemplary rear perspective view of a substrate
assembly comprised in the second main body of the personal computer
in the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In general, according to one embodiment, a television
apparatus comprises a substrate, a heat transport mechanism, and a
pressing member. The substrate is housed in a housing, and has an
exothermic component mounted thereon. The heat transport mechanism
is at least partially housed inside the housing. The heat transport
mechanism comprises a heat receiving portion, a heat releasing
portion, and a heat transferring portion. The heat receiving
portion is configured to receive heat from the exothermic
component. The heat releasing portion is configured to release
heat. The heat transferring portion is configured to house a medium
for carrying heat from the heat receiving portion to the heat
releasing portion. The pressing member comprises a plurality of
portions-to-be-fixed, a pressing portion, a plurality of arm
portions, and an engaging portion. The plurality of
portions-to-be-fixed are fixed to the substrate. The pressing
portion is configured to press the heat receiving portion or press
a heat releasing block thermally-linked to the heat receiving
portion against the exothermic body. The plurality of arm portions
are disposed in between the portions-to-be-fixed and the pressing
portion. The engaging portion is configured to engage with the
substrate.
[0021] According to another embodiment, a television apparatus
comprises a substrate, a pressing member, and an engaging portion.
The substrate is housed in a housing, and has a component mounted
or installed thereon. The pressing member is fixed on the
substrate, and configured to press the component against the
substrate. The engaging portion is formed in the pressing member,
and configured to engage with an edge of the substrate.
[0022] According to still another embodiment, an electronic device
comprises: a substrate, a heat transport mechanism, and a pressing
member. The substrate is housed in a housing, and has an exothermic
component mounted thereon. The heat transport mechanism is at least
partially housed inside the housing. The heat transport mechanism
comprises a heat receiving portion, a heat releasing portion, and a
heat transferring portion. The heat receiving portion is configured
to receive heat from the exothermic component. The heat releasing
portion is configured to release heat. The heat transferring
portion is configured to house a medium for carrying heat from the
heat receiving portion to the heat releasing portion. The pressing
member comprises a plurality of portions-to-be-fixed, a pressing
portion, a plurality of arm portions, and an engaging portion. The
plurality of portions-to-be-fixed are fixed to the substrate. The
pressing portion is configured to press the heat receiving portion
or press a heat releasing block thermally-linked to the heat
receiving portion against the exothermic body. The plurality of arm
portions are disposed in between the portions-to-be-fixed and the
pressing portion. The engaging portion is configured to engage the
pressing member with the substrate.
[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to a first
embodiment, a television apparatus 1 that is an electronic device
comprises a stand 2 and a main body 3 supported by the stand 2.
Meanwhile, in FIGS. 1 and 2, "UP" represents the upper side in the
operating state.
[0024] The stand 2 has a base 2a and a leg 2b that extends from the
base 2a to the rear side of the central portion of the main body 3.
To the fore-end (not illustrated) of the leg 2b, the tail end (rear
end) (not illustrated) of a housing 3a of the main body 3 is
rotatably supported via a hinge mechanism (not illustrated) made
of, for example, ball joints or universal joints. The television
apparatus 1 has what is called a pivot function, with which the
television apparatus 1 can be used in a landscape-style first
orientation P1 (FIG. 1) in which a side 4b of a display screen 4a
is positioned on the upper side and can be used in a portrait-style
second orientation P2 (FIG. 2) in which another side 4c of the
display screen 4a is positioned on the upper side. On a front face
3b of the housing 3a is disposed a display element 13 for the
purpose of displaying a symbol or a character representing the
orientation (for example, the upper side) that is set at the time
of use. That enables the user to recognize whether the first
orientation P1 or the second orientation P2 is set.
[0025] The housing 3a of the main body 3 houses a display panel 4
(such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)) that is a display device
(display) having the display screen 4a exposed anteriorly from an
opening 3c formed on the front face 3b, and houses a substrate 5a
having electronic components such as a central processing unit
(CPU) mounted thereon. The display panel 4 and the subsrate 5a are
fixed to the housing 3a with screws or the like (not illustrated).
The substrate 5a and the electronic components (not illustrated)
such as the CPU 6 mounted on the substrate 5a constitute a
substrate assembly 5. Meanwhile, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic
components other than the CPU 6 are not illustrated.
[0026] The display panel 4 is formed in the shape of a thin and
flat rectangular parallelepiped along the front-back direction
(perpendicular direction to the plane of paper of FIG. 1). The
display panel 4 receives picture signals from a picture signal
processing circuit (not illustrated), which is one of the control
circuits (not illustrated) configured with the electronic
components mounted on the substrate 5a. Then, the display panel 4
displays stationary pictures or motion pictures on the display
screen 4a that is positioned in the front. Apart from the picture
signal processing circuit, the control circuits (not illustrated)
in the television apparatus 1 comprises a tuner module, a
high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) signal processing
module, an audio-video (AV) input terminal, a remote control signal
receiving module, a control module, a selector, an on-screen
display interface, a memory module (such as a read only memory
(ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a hard disk drive (HDD)),
and an audio signal processing circuit. The substrate 5a (substrate
assembly 5) is housed behind (on the rear side of) the display
panel 4 inside the housing 3a. Meanwhile, the television apparatus
1 has built-in amplifiers or speakers (not illustrated) for the
purpose of audio output.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the CPU 6 that is an
exothermic electronic component is mounted on the substrate 5a. On
die (not illustrated) of the CPU 6 is mounted a heat releasing
block 6a, and on the heat releasing block 6a is mounted a heat
receiving portion 7a of a heat pipe 7 that functions as a heat
transport mechanism. The heat receiving portion 7a is pressed
against the heat releasing block 6a with a pressing member 8, which
is fixed to the substrate 5a using screws 9 as fastening members.
In such a configuration, the heat generated by the exothermic CPU 6
is transported to the heat receiving portion 7a via the heat
releasing block 6a.
[0028] The heat pipe 7 functioning as the heat transport mechanism
is a pipe having, for example, an elongated flattened cross-section
and is made of a metallic component (such as copper alloy) having
relatively high heat conductivity. One end of that pipe constitutes
the heat receiving portion 7a, while the other end thereof
constitutes a heat releasing portion 7b. The portion in between the
heat receiving portion 7a and the heat releasing portion 7b is a
heat transferring portion 7c. On the outside of the heat releasing
portion 7b are attached fins (not illustrated) that are made of
thin sheets of a metallic component (such as copper alloy) having
relatively high heat conductivity. Moreover, inside the housing 3a,
at a position adjacent to the heat releasing portion 7b is
installed a fan 10 that has a thin flat appearance in the thickness
direction of the substrate 5a and that comprises a rotor (not
illustrated) rotating around a rotary shaft positioned along a
perpendicular direction to the front and rear faces of the
substrate 5a. The rotor of the fan 10 is rotated using an electric
motor so that, for example, the air that is taken in from the
housing 3a through air inlets (not illustrated) formed on both
sides of the axial direction of the rotary shaft (i.e., formed on
the front side and on the rear side) is discharged through an
exhaust outlet (not illustrated) formed opposite to the heat
releasing portion 7b. That is, the flow of air discharged by the
fan 10 reaches the heat releasing portion 7b and the fins, as a
result of which the heat releasing portion 7b and the fins are
subjected to cooling. Meanwhile, the fan 10 is fit in an L-shaped
notch 5b formed at a corner of the substrate 5a.
[0029] Within the heat pipe 7 is enclosed a heat transport medium
such as the alternative for chlorofluorocarbon having relatively
high volatility. Inside the heat pipe 7, the heat transport medium
at the heat receiving portion 7a first evaporates into gas due to
the heat generated by the CPU 6, then reaches the heat releasing
portion 7b in the gaseous state via the heat transferring portion
7c, and then condenses to liquid by getting cooled at the heat
releasing portion 7b. The heat transport medium in the liquid state
returns from the heat releasing portion 7b to the heat receiving
portion 7a via the heat transferring portion 7c, and evaporates
into gas at the heat receiving portion 7a. Thus, the heat transport
medium absorbs latent heat at the heat receiving portion 7a and
releases that latent heat at the heat releasing portion 7b. As a
result, the heat gets transported from the heat receiving portion
7a to the heat releasing portion 7b. That is, the heat generated by
the exothermic CPU 6 is transported to the heat releasing portion
7b via the heat receiving portion 7a and the heat transferring
portion 7c (through the heat transport medium flowing therein) and
is then transferred from the heat releasing portion 7b into the
flow of air, which is then discharged to the outside of the housing
3a through an exhaust outlet 3d formed therein.
[0030] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the present
embodiment, in the first orientation P1 (FIG. 1) as well as in the
second orientation P2 (FIG. 2), the heat receiving portion 7a is
positioned on the lower side of the heat releasing portion 7b. In
the heat pipe 7 functioning as the heat transport mechanism, in
case the heat receiving portion 7a is positioned on the upper side
of the heat releasing portion 7b thereby forming what is called a
top heat condition, the heat transport medium in the liquid state
does not easily return to the heat receiving portion 7a from the
heat releasing portion 7b. That causes a decline in the heat
transport efficiency, that is, in the heat releasing efficiency.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the heat receiving portion 7a is
positioned on the lower side of the heat releasing portion 7b in
both of the first orientation P1 (FIG. 1) and the second
orientation P2 (FIG. 2) that are defined to be the correct
orientations. Hence, it becomes possible to prevent the heat
transport efficiency, that is, the heat releasing efficiency from
declining.
[0031] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the heat releasing
portion 7b is disposed at a corner 3e that lies at the upper end of
the housing 3a in the first orientation P1 (FIG. 1) and in the
second orientation P2 (FIG.). Since the heat is prone to rise
inside the housing 3a due to the air current; disposing the heat
releasing portion 7b at the corner 3e, which lies at the upper end
of the housing 3a in both of the first orientation P1 and in the
second orientation P2, makes it possible to prevent heat
accumulation from occurring inside the housing 3a.
[0032] The pressing member 8 has a pressing portion 8a and a
plurality of first arm portions 8b. The pressing portion 8a is
formed into a substantially rectangular plate and is mounted above
the heat releasing block 6a, which is mounted on the CPU 6, and
installed above the heat receiving portion 7a of the heat pipe 7,
which is mounted on the CPU 6. The first arm portions 8b are formed
in a strip-like manner and extend outward in three different
directions (in FIG. 1, in the upper-right direction, the lower-left
direction, and the lower-right direction). Besides, each first arm
portion 8b also extends upward while extending outward from the
pressing portion 8a. At the fore-end of each first arm portion 8b
is disposed a bracket 8c, which is a portion-to-be-fixed that is
fixed to the substrate 5a. In order to fix the pressing member 8 to
the substrate 5a, the screws 9 that are fastening members are
passed through the through holes formed on the brackets 8c and
screwed into the stand (not illustrated) that represents a
portion-to-be-fixed. Each bracket 8c is either fixed to a stand
(not illustrated) protruding from the substrate 5a or flexes
downward to form a droop portion (a vertical wall portion, not
illustrated) facing the surface of the substrate 5a. Consequently,
the fore-end side (outer side) of each first arm portion 8b lies
higher than the base end side (inner side) thereof, which helps in
increasing the pressing force exerted by the first arm portions 8b
against the pressing portion 8a and, by extension, helps in
increasing the pressing force exerted by the pressing member 8
against the pressing target of the heat releasing block 6a or the
heat pipe 7.
[0033] Besides, in the present embodiment, the pressing member 8
also has a second arm portion 8d, which is formed in a strip-like
manner and which extends outward (in FIG. 1, in the upper-left
direction). In the present embodiment, the second arm portion 8d
extends almost parallel to a front face 5c that is the front side
face of the substrate 5a. As illustrated in FIG. 3, at the fore-end
of the second arm portion 8d is formed a contact portion 8e that
makes contact with that portion on the front face 5c of the
substrate 5a which is positioned on the upper side in the first
orientation P1. The contact portion 8e has two engaging claws 8f
and 8g (see FIGS. 3 and 4), which correspond to engaging portions
in the present embodiment. Meanwhile, the front face 5c of the
substrate 5a serves as the mounting face for the CPU 6 that is an
exothermic component and also serves as the face on that side of
the substrate 5a on which the pressing member 8 is mounted.
[0034] The engaging claw 8f has a first wall portion 8f1 that, in
the first orientation P1 of the main body 3, protrudes from the top
edge of the contact portion 8e along an edge (lateral side) 5d that
becomes the upper side of the substrate 5a in the first orientation
P1, and has a second wall portion 8f2 that protrudes from the tip
of the first wall portion 8f1 along a rear face (surface) 5e of the
substrate 5a. Thus, the contact portion 8e, the first wall portion
8f1, and the second wall portion 8f2 present a hook-like
appearance, and, in the first orientation P1 of the main body 3,
hook from above into the edge 5d that is the upper side of the
substrate 5a. Consequently, the first wall portion 8f1 restricts
the pressing member 8 from moving downward with respect to the
substrate 5a in the first orientation P1 of the main body 3; while
the second wall portion 8f2 restricts the pressing member 8 from
moving along the normal direction of the front face 5c of the
substrate 5a. In the present embodiment, the first wall portion 8f1
corresponds to a first engaging portion and the second wall portion
8f2 corresponds to a second engaging portion.
[0035] The engaging claw 8g is configured as a wall portion that,
in the second orientation P2 of the main body 3, protrudes from the
top edge of the contact portion 8e along an edge (lateral side) 5f
that is the upper side of the substrate 5a. Thus, in the second
orientation P2 of the main body 3, the engaging claw 8g restricts
the pressing member 8 from moving downward with respect to the
substrate 5a. In the present embodiment, the engaging claw 8g also
corresponds to a first engaging portion.
[0036] In this way, in the present embodiment, the pressing member
8 has the first wall portion 8f1, the second wall portion 8f2, and
the engaging claw 8g that represent the plurality of engaging
portions having different engaging directions. For that reason,
when the pressing member 8 is used in an electronic device such as
the television apparatus 1 in which the main body 3 can have
different orientations, it becomes possible to prevent misalignment
of the pressing member 8 from a predetermined position or prevent
deformation of the pressing member 8 that can occur due to the
external force, the gravitation force, or the inertia force acting
thereon. More particularly, in the present embodiment, the first
wall portion 8f1 restricts the pressing member 8 from moving
downward in the first orientation P1; while the engaging claw 8g
restricts the pressing member 8 from moving downward in the second
orientation P2. Moreover, the second wall portion 8f2 restricts the
pressing member 8 from moving away from the front face 5c of the
substrate 5a.
[0037] As described above, in the present embodiment, the pressing
member 8 presses the heat receiving portion 7a of the heat pipe 7
against the heat releasing block 6a or the CPU 6. Usually, the heat
releasing portion 7a constitutes one end of the heat pipe 7 and
fins (not illustrated) are soldered at the heat releasing portion
7b on the other end of the heat pipe 7. Thus, the pressing portion
8a of the pressing member 8 supports the heat pipe 7 in a
cantilever manner at one end (at the heat releasing portion 7a) in
the longitudinal direction, and the gravitational force or the
inertia force acting on the heat pipe 7 acts as the external force
on the pressing portion 8a. In the present embodiment, the external
force from the heat pipe 7 acts as a rotational moment (torque) on
the pressing portion 8a. In the direction along the front face 5c
of the substrate 5a (i.e., in the in-plane direction), the
gravitation force acting on the fins and the heat pipe 7 in the
first orientation P1 (FIG. 1) of the main body 3 causes a
rotational moment (M1) in the counterclockwise direction with
reference to FIG. 1. With respect to the counterclockwise
rotational moment, the first wall portion 8f1 functions as the
first engaging portion and restricts the movement of the pressing
member 8 caused due to that rotational moment. In the second
orientation P2 (FIG. 2) of the main body 3, the gravitation force
acting on the fins and the heat pipe 7 causes a rotational moment
(M2) in the clockwise direction with reference to FIG. 1. With
respect to the clockwise rotational moment, the engaging claw 8g
functions as the first engaging portion and restricts the movement
of the pressing member 8 caused due to that rotational moment.
Meanwhile, in the direction crossing the front face 5c of the
substrate 5a (i.e., in the out-of-plane direction), the gravitation
force acting on the fins and the heat pipe 7 in the first
orientation P1 (FIG. 1) and the second orientation P2 (FIG. 2) of
the main body 3 causes a rotational moment in the direction in
which the upper part of the pressing member 8 tilts forward and
away from the front face 5c of the substrate 5a. With respect to
that rotational moment, the second wall portion 8f2 functions as
the second engaging portion and restricts the movement of the
pressing member 8 caused due to that rotational moment. Because of
the second wall portion 8f2, the contact area between the heat
receiving portion 7a and the heat releasing block 6a (CPU 6) can be
prevented from decreasing and, by extension, the heat transport
efficiency (i.e., the heat releasing efficiency) can be prevented
from declining. In this way, the engaging claws 8f and 8g restrict
the pressing member 8 from rotating.
[0038] Moreover, in the present embodiment, each of the first wall
portion 8f1, the second wall portion 8f2, and the engaging claw 8g
engages at the rim portions of the substrate 5a. That eliminates
the need to from through holes in the substrate 5a. Hence, a
simpler structure can be configured for the purpose of engagement
with the substrate 5a.
[0039] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4; the first wall portion 8f1, the second wall portion
8f2, and the engaging claw 8g engage at a corner 5g of the
substrate 5a. For that reason, it becomes easier to collectively
dispose the first wall portion 8f1, the second wall portion 8f2,
and the engaging claw 8g, each of which engages in a different
direction. Hence, the pressing member 8 having a plurality of
engaging portions can be configured in a more compact manner.
[0040] Particularly, in the present embodiment, the first wall
portion 8f1 and the engaging claw 8g engage at edges 5d and 5f,
respectively, which are the two rim portions linked to the corner
5g. Hence, the portion including the first wall portion 8f1 and the
engaging claw 8g can be configured in a more compact manner.
[0041] Moreover, in the present embodiment, a through hole 8h is
formed in the contact portion 8e, which serves as the base on which
the first wall portion 8f1, the second wall portion 8f2, and the
engaging claw 8g are disposed. Through the through hole 8h is
passed a screw (not illustrated) that is used to fit the pressing
member 8 on the substrate 5a or used to fix the substrate 5a to the
housing 3a of the main body 3. Thus, the contact portion 8e
corresponds to a portion-to-be-fixed that is fixed to the substrate
5a. In such a configuration, the engaging portions, namely, the
first wall portion 8f1, the second wall portion 8f2, and the
engaging claw 8g can be configured in a more compact manner as
compared to the case when those engaging portions are disposed at
some other position on the pressing member 8. Moreover, since the
rim portions or the corner 5g of the substrate 5a do not usually
have any circuits designed thereon, it is easier to use those
portions for fixing the pressing member 8 to the substrate 5a.
Hence, as described in the present embodiment, by positioning the
contact portion 8e on the rim portions or on the corner 5g of the
substrate 5a and by using the contact portion 8e as the
portion-to-be-fixed for the purpose of fixing the pressing member 8
to the substrate 5a, it becomes possible to achieve engagement of
the pressing member 8 with the substrate 5a as well as to prevent
the implementation efficiency of circuits from declining with a
relatively simple configuration.
[0042] According to a second embodiment, a notebook-sized personal
computer 20 functioning as an electronic device comprises a
rectangular and flat first main body 21 and a rectangular and flat
second main body 22 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The first main body
21 and the second main body 22 are connected in a relatively
rotatable manner via a joint 23.
[0043] In the first main body 21, a display panel 25 such as an
LCD, which is a display device having a touch panel 24 on the front
face (i.e., on a display screen 25a), and a push button mechanism
26 are arranged in an exposed manner on a front face 21b that is
the external face of a housing 21a. Similarly, in the second main
body 22, a display panel 28 such as an LCD, which is a display
device having a touch panel 27 on the front face (i.e., on a
display screen 28a), and a push button mechanism 29 are arranged in
an exposed manner on a front face 22b that is the external face of
a housing 22a.
[0044] In the open state illustrated in FIG. 5, the display panel
25 and cover bodies 26a of the push button mechanism 26 as well as
the display panel 28 and a cover body 29a of the push button
mechanism 29 lie in an exposed condition. In such a state, the user
is able to perform operations. In contrast, in a folded state (not
illustrated), the front faces 21b and 22b face each other from up
close in such a way that the display panel 25 and the cover bodies
26a of the push button mechanism 26 are hidden by the housing 21a;
while the display panel 28 and the cover body 29a of the push
button mechanism 29 are hidden by the housing 22a. In the present
embodiment, the touch panels 24 and 27, the push button mechanisms
26 and 29, and a microphone (not illustrated) function as input
operation modules; while the display panels 25 and 28 and speakers
(not illustrated) function as output operation modules. Meanwhile,
in a personal computer having a keyboard, or click buttons, or a
pointing device (not illustrated); the keyboard or the click
buttons also function as input operation modules.
[0045] The joint 23 connects the first main body 21 with the second
main body 22, and is configured separately from the first main body
21 and the second main body 22. The joint 23 connects an end
portion 21c at the base end of the first main body 21 with an end
portion 22c at the base end of the second main body 22. At the
central part in the longitudinal direction of an end edge 21d of
the end portion 21c and at the central part in the longitudinal
direction of an end edge 22d of the end portion 22c, respectively;
rectangular notches 21e and 22e are formed except over the
respective ends. Each of the rectangular notches 21e and 22e has a
long opening along the longitudinal direction and has only a
shallow depth. Half of the joint 23 is inserted in the notch 21e
and the remaining half thereof is inserted in the notch 22e. A
length L of the joint 23 is set to be slightly shorter than the
width of the notches 21e and 22e. Moreover, a width W of the joint
23 is set to be substantially equal to the thickness when the first
main body 21 and the second main body 22 are closed together in the
folded state.
[0046] The first main body 21 and the joint 23 are connected in a
relatively rotatable manner around a rotation axis Ax1 via a first
hinge mechanism 30A. Similarly, the second main body 22 and the
joint 23 are connected in a relatively rotatable manner around a
rotation axis Ax2 via a second hinge mechanism 30B. The rotary
shafts Ax1 and Ax2 lie parallel to each other. In the present
embodiment, the first hinge mechanism 30A and the second hinge
mechanism 30B are coupled together so that the relative rotation
angle around the rotation axis Ax1 of the first main body 21 with
respect to the joint 23 is identical to the relative rotation angle
around the rotation axis Ax2 of the second main body 22 with
respect to the joint 23. However, the two relative rotation
directions with respect to the joint 23 are opposite to each other.
Thus, when the user operates the joint 23 for the purpose of
opening either one of the first main body 21 and the second main
body 22, the personal computer 20 falls into the open state.
Similarly, when the joint 23 is operated for the purpose of closing
either one of the first main body 21 and the second main body 22,
the personal computer 20 falls into the folded state. Moreover,
when the user opens the first main body 21 and the second main body
22, the personal computer 20 falls into the open state. Similarly,
when the first main body 21 and the second main body 22 are closed,
the personal computer 20 falls into the folded state.
[0047] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7,
a substrate 31a (a substrate assembly 31) with at least some of the
control circuits including electronic components 37 mounted thereon
is disposed, for example, inside the housing 22a of the second main
body 22. In the housing 22a, the display panel 28 and the substrate
31a are fixed with screws or the like (not illustrated). Meanwhile,
as illustrated in FIG. 8, in the first main body 21, a battery 32
is disposed as a power supply behind (on the rear side of) the
display panel 25. On the rear side of the first main body 21, a
depressed portion 21f is formed that is rectangular in appearance
when viewed from the back. The depressed portion 21f gets covered
by the battery 32 when the battery 32 is detachably attached to the
housing 21a of the first main body 21. Thus, in the present
embodiment, the substrate 31a (the substrate assembly 31) with the
main electronic components such as a CPU 38 mounted thereon is
disposed in the second main body 22, while the battery 32 is
disposed in the first main body 21. In case the substrate assembly
31 and the battery 32 are disposed together in either one of the
first main body 21 and the second main body 22, then following
inconveniences are more likely to occur. For example, the thickness
of the main bodies increases or, if there is a restriction on the
thickness, then it becomes necessary to reduce the size and
eventually the capacity of the battery 32. In contrast, in the
present embodiment, the substrate assembly 31 and the battery 32
are separately disposed in the second main body 22 and the first
main body 21, respectively. That makes it possible to avoid the
abovementioned inconveniences. In this regard, however, in a first
usage pattern U1 illustrated in FIG. 9; the first main body 21 is
larger in mass than the second main body 22 so that the personal
computer 20 can be stably placed on a desk or the like. In the
present embodiment, the first main body 21 corresponds to a
different main body that is connected to the second main body 22,
which houses the substrate assembly 31, in a relatively rotatable
manner via the hinge mechanisms 30A and 30B. Moreover, the display
screen 25a of the display panel 25 in the first main body 21
corresponds to a different display screen.
[0048] Apart from the first usage pattern illustrated in FIG. 9,
the personal computer 20 according to the present embodiment can be
used in a second usage pattern U2 illustrated in FIG. 10 as well as
in a third usage pattern U3 illustrated in FIG. 11. As illustrated
in FIG. 10, the second usage pattern U2 is such that the first main
body 21 and the second main body 22 are unfolded relatively widely,
and a margin portion 21g on both sides in the width direction of
the first main body 21 is held with hands H. In this second usage
pattern U2, the user holding the first main body 21 with the hands
H can operate the push button mechanism 26 with thumbs T. As
illustrated in FIG. 11, the third usage pattern U3 is such that the
first main body 21 and the second main body 22 are unfolded
relatively widely, and a margin portion 21h on one side in the
width direction of the first main body 21 and a margin portion 22f
on one side in the width direction of the second main body 22 are
held with the hands H. Herein, as far as the view of the user is
concerned, the second usage pattern U2 is identical to the first
usage pattern U1. However, as opposed to placing the personal
computer 20 on a desk in the first usage pattern U1, the second
usage pattern U2 is such that the personal computer 20 is held with
the hands H while standing or sitting. Regarding the third usage
pattern U3, the orientation of the display screens 25a and 28a of
the display panels 25 and 28, respectively, is different by about
90.degree. as compared to the orientation in the first usage
pattern U1 and the second usage pattern U2.
[0049] Thus, the personal computer 20 according to the present
embodiment can be used in the first orientation P1 (i.e., in the
first usage pattern U1 and the second usage pattern U2, see FIGS. 9
and 10) in which a side 28b of the display screen 28a of the
display panel 28 is positioned on the upper side and can be used in
the second orientation P2 (i.e., in the third usage pattern U3, see
FIG. 11) in which another side 28b of the display screen 28a of the
display panel 28 as well as a side 25b of the display screen 25a of
the display panel 25 are positioned on the upper side. The side 28b
of the display screen 28a is distantly positioned from a boundary
Bd between the first main body 21 and the second main body 22;
while another side 28c of the display screen 28a and the side 25b
of the display screen 25a are positioned to face each other across
the boundary Bd. In the present embodiment, the first orientation
P1 for the two display screen 28a also represents a third
orientation P3 for the display screens 28a and 25a; while the
second orientation P2 for the display screen 28a also represents a
fourth orientation P4 for the two display screens 28a and 25a.
[0050] Herein, each of the display panels 25 and 28 is formed in
the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped, and receives
display signals from control circuits (not illustrated) configured
with the electronic components mounted on the substrate 31a.
Moreover, each of the display panels 25 and 28 displays stationary
pictures or motion pictures. In the present embodiment, the light
that represents the pictures displayed on the display screens 25a
and 28a of the display panels 25 and 28, respectively, is output
anteriorly via the display panels 25 and 28, respectively, which
are colorless and transparent in nature. The control circuits in
the personal computer 20 include a control module, a memory module
(such as a ROM, a RAM, or an HDD), an interface circuit, and
various controllers. Meanwhile, the personal computer 20 also has
built-in speakers (not illustrated) for the purpose of audio
output.
[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the CPU 38 that is an
exothermic electronic component is mounted on the substrate 31a. On
the die (not illustrated) of the CPU 38 is mounted a heat releasing
block 38a, and on the heat releasing block 38a is mounted a heat
receiving portion 41a of a heat pipe 41 that functions as a heat
transport mechanism. The heat receiving portion 41a is pressed
against the heat releasing block 38a with a pressing member 42,
which is fixed to the substrate 31a using a screw 43 that is a
fastening member. In such a configuration, the heat generated by
the exothermic CPU 38 is transported to the heat receiving portion
41a via the heat releasing block 38a.
[0052] The heat pipe 41 functioning as the heat transport mechanism
is a pipe having, for example, an elongated flattened cross-section
and is made of a metallic component (such as copper alloy) having
relatively high heat conductivity. One end of that pipe constitutes
the heat receiving portion 41a, while the other end thereof
constitutes a heat releasing portion 41b. The portion in between
the heat receiving portion 41a and the heat releasing portion 41b
is a heat transferring portion 41c. On the outside of the heat
releasing portion 41b are attached a plurality of fins 41d that are
made of thin sheets of a metallic component (such as copper alloy)
having relatively high heat conductivity. Moreover, inside the
housing 22a, at a position adjacent to the heat releasing portion
41b is installed a fan 40 that has a thin flat appearance in the
thickness direction of the substrate 31a and that comprises a rotor
(not illustrated) rotating around a rotary shaft positioned along
the perpendicular direction to the front and rear sides of the
substrate 31a. The rotor of the fan 40 is rotated using an electric
motor so that, for example, the air that is taken in from the
housing 22a through air inlets (not illustrated) formed on both
sides of the axial direction of the rotary shaft (i.e., formed on
the front side and on the rear side) is discharged through an
exhaust outlet (not illustrated) formed opposite to the heat
releasing portion 41b. That is, the flow of air discharged by the
fan 40 reaches the heat releasing portion 41b and the fins 41d, as
a result of which the heat releasing portion 41b and the fins 41d
are subjected to cooling. Meanwhile, the fan 40 is fit in an
L-shaped notch 31b formed at a corner of the substrate 31a. Herein,
the heat pipe 41 functions in an identical manner to the heat pipe
7 according to the first embodiment.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment too,
the heat receiving portion 41a is positioned on the lower side of
the heat releasing portion 41b in both of the first orientation P1
(FIG. 12A) and the second orientation P2 (FIG. 12B) in an identical
manner to the first embodiment. In the heat pipe 41 functioning as
the heat transport mechanism, in case the heat receiving portion
41a is positioned on the upper side of the heat releasing portion
41b thereby forming what is called a top heat condition, then the
heat transport medium in the liquid state does not easily return to
the heat receiving portion 41a from the heat releasing portion 41b.
That causes a decline in the heat transport efficiency, that is, in
the heat releasing efficiency. With regard to such a problem, in
the present embodiment, the heat receiving portion 41a is
positioned on the lower side of the heat releasing portion 41b in
both of the first orientation P1 and the second orientation P2 that
are defined to be the correct orientations. Hence, it becomes
possible to prevent the heat transport efficiency, that is, the
heat releasing efficiency from declining, which may happen if the
heat receiving portion 41a is positioned on the upper side of the
heat releasing portion 41b. Meanwhile, in order to notify the user
about the first orientation P1 and the second orientation P2, the
control module refers to the detection result of an orientation
sensor (not illustrated) disposed inside the housing 22a of the
second main body 22 and accordingly displays pictures corresponding
to the first orientation P1 and pictures corresponding to the
second orientation P2 on the display screens 25a and 28a. Moreover,
at least on one of the first main body 21 and the second main body
22, an orientation notifying element such as a rough portion or a
display element can be disposed for the purpose of notifying the
user about the first orientation P1 and the second orientation
P2.
[0054] Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 12; in the
present embodiment too, the heat releasing portion 41b is disposed
at a corner 22g that lies at the upper end of the housing 22a in
both of the first orientation P1 and the second orientation P2.
Since the heat is prone to rise inside the housing 22a due to the
air current, disposing the heat releasing portion 41b at the corner
22g that lies at the upper end of the housing 3a in both of the
first orientation P1 and the second orientation P2 makes it
possible to prevent heat accumulation from occurring inside the
housing 22a.
[0055] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8; in the
present embodiment, an exhaust outlet 22h is formed on a side wall
22i at the corner 22g of the housing 22a. Thus, the flow of air,
which is generated by the fan 40 and which gets heated by passing
through the heat releasing portion 41b formed at the corner 22g, is
discharged more smoothly from the exhaust outlet 22h that is formed
at the corner 22g of the housing 22a and that faces the heat
releasing portion 41b from up close. As a result, heat accumulation
is prevented from occurring inside the housing 22a.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, when
viewed from the front of the display screen 28a (i.e., when viewed
along the line of sight of FIG. 12), the exothermic CPU 38 is
disposed in a rectangular area Ar1 that lies on the upper side of
the center Ct of the second main body 22 in the second orientation
P2. Hence, the ascending air current generated inside the housing
22a due to the heat of the exothermic CPU 38 or the flow of air
drawn in the fan 40 travels a relatively long distance inside the
housing 22a. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent occurrence
of a situation in which the electronic components disposed over a
wide area inside the housing 22a are easily affected due to the
heat. Moreover, if it is assumed that the exothermic CPU 38 lies at
the center Ct, then there is a possibility that the heated air
accumulates in the area on the opposite side of the exhaust outlet
22h with respect to the center Ct inside the housing 22a (i.e., on
the opposite side of the corner 22g). With regard to that problem,
in the present embodiment, in both of the first orientation P1 and
the second orientation P2, the exothermic CPU 38 is disposed in the
area on the side of the exhaust outlet 22h with respect to the
center Ct (i.e., on the side of the corner 22g). Consequently, the
heated air can be easily discharged to the outside of the housing
22a. Moreover, in the present embodiment, at the time of holding
the second main body 22 with the hands H, usually the user holds
with the hands H the opposite side of the rectangular area An
positioned on the lower side of the center Ct in each orientation
(see FIGS. 10 and 11). That is, the user happens to hold with the
hands H an area that is distantly positioned from the CPU 38 or the
heat pipe 41. Therefore, the user is spared from holding with the
hands H that area of the housing 22a which becomes warm due to the
heat from the CPU 38 or the heat pipe 41. Thus, while holding the
personal computer 20 with the hands H, the user is spared from
experiencing any sense of discomfort that may occur due to the
warming of the housing 22a.
[0057] Moreover, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS.
7 and 8, air inlets 22j are formed close to the boundary Bd between
the first main body 21 and the housing 22a of the second main body
22. Thus, in the present embodiment, since the air inlets 22j are
distantly positioned from the exhaust outlet 22h, a wider area
inside the housing 22a is subjected to cooling by airflow Stf that
is let inside the housing 22a from the air inlets 22j and that
flows toward the exhaust outlet 22h.
[0058] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the air inlets 22j
are formed on the outer side of the substrate 31a, that is, on the
outside of an end edge 31e of the substrate 31a in the direction
along the surface of the substrate 31a. As a result, the flow of
air let in from the air inlets 22j gets easily distributed on the
front side as well as on the rear side of the substrate 31a, so
that the electronic components installed on the front side as well
as on the rear side are subjected to cooling without difficulty.
Meanwhile, it is also possible to form the air inlets 22j opposite
to the end edge 31e of the substrate 31a. In FIG. 7, only the
airflow Stf that flows on the front side of the substrate 31a is
illustrated.
[0059] In the present embodiment too, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7,
and 13; the pressing member 42 identical to the pressing member 8
in the first embodiment is fixed to the substrate 31a. The pressing
member 42 comprises a pressing portion 42a, a plurality of arm
portions 42b (three arm portions in the present embodiment), and a
second-type arm portion 42d. The pressing portion 42a is formed
into a substantially rectangular plate and is mounted above the
heat releasing block 38a, which is mounted on the CPU 38, and
mounted above the heat receiving portion 41a of the heat pipe 41,
which is also mounted on the CPU 38. Meanwhile, each constituent
element of the pressing member 42 according to the present
embodiment (i.e., the pressing portion 42a, the arm portions 42b, a
bracket 42c, the second-type arm portion 42d, a contact portion
42e, engaging claws 42f and 42g (see FIGS. 7 and 13), and a through
hole 42h (see FIG. 7)) functions in an identical manner to the
corresponding constituent element of the pressing member 8
according to the first embodiment (i.e., the pressing portion 8a,
the arm portions 8b, the bracket 8c, the second-type arm portion
8d, the contact portion 8e, the engaging claws 8f and 8g, and the
through hole 8h).
[0060] However, in the present embodiment, in an identical manner
to the arm portions 42b, the second-type arm portion 42d also
exerts a pressing force against the pressing portion 42a. That is,
the second-type arm portion 42d extends upward while extending
outward from the pressing portion 42a. At the end of the
second-type arm portion 42d is formed a droop portion (a vertical
wall portion, not illustrated) that droops toward the front face
31c of the substrate 31a. The lower end of the droop portion is the
contact portion 42e (see FIG. 7). Meanwhile, in the present
embodiment, on the pressing portion 42a is formed a through hole
42i through which a pin 38b protruding from the heat releasing
block 38a is inserted. The engagement of the pin 38b with the
through hole 42i makes it possible to prevent misalignment of the
heat releasing block 38a with respect to the pressing member
42.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the engaging claws 42f and 42g
functioning as the engaging portions get engaged in a corner 31h of
the substrate 31a. The engaging claw 42f gets engaged with an edge
31f that becomes the upper side of the substrate 5a in the first
orientation P1. The engaging claw 42g has a first wall portion 42g1
that gets engaged with an edge 31g that becomes the upper side of
the substrate 31a in the second orientation P2, and has a second
wall portion 42g2 that that gets engaged with a rear face (surface)
31d of the substrate 31a. Meanwhile, the corner 31h of the
substrate 31a is formed by the mutually orthogonal edges 31f and
31g. In this way, the pressing member 42 according to the present
embodiment has the functions identical to the pressing member 8
according to the first embodiment. That enables achieving the same
effect as achieved in the first embodiment.
[0062] Although the invention is described with reference to the
abovementioned embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the
appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to he construed
as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that
may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the
basic teaching herein set forth. For example, the abovementioned
embodiments are explained with reference to a television apparatus
or with reference to a notebook-sized personal computer having two
display screens. However, alternatively, the invention is also
applicable to other electronic devices having at least a single
display screen. For example, the invention is also applicable to
computers (notebook-sized computers or desktop computers), personal
digital assistants (PDAs), smartbooks, or cellular phones having a
single display screen.
[0063] Moreover, regarding the electronic device, the housing, the
exothermic component, the heat transport mechanism, the heat
receiving portion, the heat releasing portion, the heat
transferring portion, the portion-to-be-fixed, the heat releasing
block, the pressing portion, the arm portion, and the engaging
portion; the specifications (method, structure, shape, material,
size, number, direction, type, arrangement, etc.) can be suitably
modified.
[0064] Thus, according to an aspect of the invention, it is
possible to provide a television apparatus and an electronic device
in which the pressed state of components achieved by making use of
the pressing member can be prevented from undergoing variation.
* * * * *