DE19804813B4 - Device for cooling a portable computer - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for cooling a computer with a PC slot, the apparatus comprising:
a housing (22) formed as a hollow channel with a first section (24), a second section (28) and at least one ventilation opening (30) in the second section (28), the housing having an air channel (36) between the first section (24 ) and the vent (30), and the housing (22) is insertable with the second portion (28) in a PC card slot (20) of a portable computer;
a fan (38) disposed in the first portion (24) of the housing (22) for injecting air into the air duct (36) and through the vent (30); and
an electrical connection (32) for powering the fan (38) with electrical energy, the electrical connection being located at the second portion (28);
wherein the insertable in the PC card insertion slot (20) length of the second portion (28) is set so that when inserted second portion of the first portion (24) with the fan (38) ...

Description

The The invention relates to a device for cooling portable computers PC Karteneinsteckplätzen.

To The early 90s drove the rapid growth of mobile computing the development of smaller, lighter and more portable tools for Information processing. An interesting innovation was the Development of PC card technology. The performance and usability of the PC cards quickly made them standard equipment many portable computers. The fast development and worldwide Application of PC card technology was largely due to the standardization efforts of the international association for Personal Computer Memory Card (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association = PCMCIA) instead of.

Of the PC card standard of PCMCIA brings now the advantages of this kind PC cards for one Variety of industries and vertical applications, including at smart cards, set top boxes, Automobiles and others. The compact size and robustness of PC card technology makes them the ideal technology for a wide variety of applications.

Of the current PC card standard sees physical specifications for three types from PC cards in front, with additional Provisions for extended maps. All three card types have the same length and Width and use the same 68-pin connector. Of the only difference between the dimensions of the card types is the fat. The thickness is 3.3 mm, 5.0 mm and 10.5 mm for the card type 1, type 2 and type 3, respectively, because they differ only in their thickness, can be a thinner card used in a thicker slot but a thicker one Card can be in a thinner Slot not used.

Everyone Card type has features that meet the needs of different applications customized are. Type 1 PC cards are typically used for storage devices used, such. RAM cards, flash memory cards, OTP cards (once programmable Cards) and SRAM cards. PC Card Type 2 are typically used for I / O devices such. Eg data / fax modems, LAN devices and mass storage devices. Type 3 PC cards are for facilities used, whose components are thicker, such as. B. rotating mass storage devices.

Extended Enable maps The addition of components for a proper operation outside the Systems must remain, such as B. antennas for wireless applications.

The Version number refers to the version of the PC card standard, on which a special card or system is based. Basically, the Version 1.0 has only memory and versions 2.x supported memory and I / O applications.

PCMCIA standard, version 1.0 / JEIDA 4.0 - June 1990

The first version of the standard defined the 68-pin interface and the PC card form factors of type 1 and type 2. The original Version of the PCMCIA standard specified only the electrical and physical requirement for Memory cards. It defines the metaformat or map information structure (Card Information Structure = CIS), for compatibility and for plug-and-play (Plug-and-play) for PC cards critical is. The first version of the PC Card standard had no concept for input / output cards (I / O cards) available.

PCMCIA standard, version 2.0, 2.01 and 2.1 - 1991 - 1994

The second version of the standard defined an I / O interface for the same 68-pin interface, as for PCMCIA memory cards used in the first version of the standard has been. The version 2.0 added also different clarifications to the first version, a support for memory cards with two voltages and sections with card environment conditions and bypass test procedures. Version 2.01 added the PC Cards ATA specification, the card type Type 3 as well as the Auto-Index mass storage specification (Auto-indexing Mass Storage (AIMS) specification), which are moving towards digital Pictures is cut. She also closed the original version the map service specification one. Version 2.1 improved the card and socket service specification and improved the map information structure.

PC Card Standard - February 1995

The latest version of PC Card Standard added information for improvement the compatibility and the support for characteristics, like a 3.3 volt operation, DMA support and 32-bit cardbus control added.

The fast adaptation rate of the PC card slots has driven a steady stream of card and host implementations. During this time, PC cards were new with Technologies were introduced and the standard added significant new capabilities. At the same time, the card-host and software vendors gained considerable experience, and opportunities to improve compatibility were recognized.

The The goal of PCMCIA was to make the use of technology as simple as possible possible to make, but the standard can only guidelines in some areas Provide so that it There are manufacturers who do not meet the standard exactly or the have interpreted him differently. Therefore, the development allows the for a flexibility and customization was planned, the greatest possible compatibility. A way on the Being prepared for the diversity of the real world is intensive Tests of drafts with all the essential components of software functions and modules to perform up to entire platforms.

During the Last year, three main factors have come together, which are the PC Card Compatibility has significantly improved. In the version of the standard of March 1995 The software specification for PC cards has been improved in many ways. Improvements to the map information structure and the guidelines for Their use improved the way in which the main computer recognize the features and requirements of a map when it is inserted. Part of the March version 1995 was adding a policy document and a set of recommended guidelines for developers of special types of PC cards, such as As modems, wireless Devices, ATA cards and card bus cards.

Additionally has an increasing cooperation between the card, main computer and software developers within the industry to an improved compatibility guided. As far as that goes, PCMCIA and the Plug and Play Association have regularly sponsored PlugFest compatibility meetings, the leading ones Bring together manufacturers from all parts of the industry. Additional developments are expected.

at all the interest that surrounds the benefits of PC cards the problems faced by portable computer manufacturers and users little addressed. Due to the fact that many electronic devices in compressed a small case become, is the heat development a major problem. The processor class of the Intel Pentium is e.g. known for having large quantities of heat generated. Disk drives and other components also produce considerable Quantities of heat. In a small case, like a laptop computer, these can be and other facilities overheat the portable computer and eventually to the Fail. The overheating can also be the mean lifetime until the failure of electronic Shorten components.

From the DE 94 14 783 U1 a device for cooling is known, which can be plugged into a computer slot (for example, in an ISR interface), wherein at a first end a fan and at a second end, the ventilation slots are arranged. The electrical connection, as provided in the ISA interface, is located midway between the first and second ends. The device after the DE 9414783 U1 is suitable for removing hot air from a conventional computer. For portable computers those are in the DE 94 14 783 U1 but disclosed less suitable measures.

The from the DE 296 04 784 U1 known fan tray for a PC case has an air duct on the front fan are arranged and in which a hard disk to be cooled is stored.

The US 4,643,245 provides an additional footboard for a PC, on which an open-bottom PC case is placed. Cooling air is blown out of a fan housing of the foot part, which is arranged next to the PC base, into an open-topped channel, on which the PC housing is placed.

It It is an object of the invention to provide a suitable cooling for portable computers.

These The object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1 solved.

The The invention provides a device for cooling a portable computer which is insertable into a computer's PC slot, such as e.g. a PCMCIA-type slot.

advantageous Embodiments are the subject of dependent claims. A portable computer with The device according to claim 1 is the subject of a sibling Claim.

One embodiment The invention is illustrated in the figures and will be described below described in more detail. Show it:

1 a perspective view of the invention;

2 a perspective view of the cooling device of 1 ;

3 an exploded view of the cooling device of 2 and

4 a cross-sectional view of the cooling device of 2 ,

1 shows a cooling device, generally with the reference numeral 10 referred to in accordance with the invention on a portable computer 12 connected is. The portable computer 12 closes a base unit 14 , a screen 18 and a keyboard 16 one. The base unit 14 closes a PC card slot 20 one. The screen 18 is with the base unit 14 collapsible and is folded so that it is the keyboard 16 covers and allows the portability of the computer.

The PC card slot 20 is designed according to the PCMCIA PC card standards. According to one aspect of the invention, the PC card slot is designed for PCMCIA type 3 PC cards. According to another aspect of the invention, the slot is designed for a Type 2 or Type 1 PC card.

The computer 12 closes vents 21 one. The cooling device 10 blows relatively cool air into the PC card slot 20 to the computer 12 to cool by convection. The cooling device 10 pushes hot air out of the vents 21 in the direction of the arrows 34 out.

In an alternative embodiment, the computer 12 an air-permeable base unit, which it through the cooling device 10 blown air allows from the computer 12 withdraw. Consequently, the cooling device 10 be retrofitted to virtually any portable computer with a PC slot. The cooling device 10 can be used as well as any setup with a PC slot.

As the PCMCIA standards continue to evolve, it will be understood that the invention is applicable to any variation of a variety of newly developed PC card slots 20 can be customized to the portable computer 12 to cool. In addition, the invention may be used in a variety of other applications, including use in a computer, e.g. For example, attachments, automobiles and any other application where PC Cards can be used.

2 shows an embodiment of the cooling device 10 according to the invention. The device 10 closes a hollow card 22 one. The map 22 has a first end 24 with an air intake 26 on. The map 22 has a second end 28 with at least one air opening 30 on.

The second end closes an electrical connector 32 one. The connector 32 is a standard PCMCIA PC card connector with a 68-pin contact which holds the card 22 with the portable computer 10 ( 1 ) connects. The connector 32 holds the card vents 30 within the PC slot. The vents 30 direct the air into the portable computer 12 into it to the computer 12 to cool when the card 22 with the PC slot 20 ( 1 ) is connected and the fan is operated.

3 shows the cooling device 10 , The map 22 closes an air duct 36 one that is between the first end 24 and the second end 28 extends.

The map 22 closes a fan 38 one. The fan 38 is with the first end 24 connected to the air through the air duct 36 to blow. If z. B. the fan 38 Air through the air intake 26 the fan forces the air through the air duct 36 and from the second end 28 through the air openings 30 out.

The fan 38 closes a supply line 40 one, the fan 38 connects to the electrical connector. The electrical connector 32 is at the second end 28 the card firmly mounted. The fan 38 is at the first end 24 the map 22 firmly mounted. When the electrical connector 32 with the PC slot 20 of the computer 12 ( 1 ) and the computer 12 is operated, so provides the connector 32 Power to the fan 38 ,

The fan 38 is redeemable with the first end 24 the map 22 connected. The redetachable connection allows the fan to be replaced, repaired or cleaned if necessary.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cooling device includes a fan holder 42 one with the fan 38 and thus with the map 22 connected is. The fan holder 42 closes a grid 46 and an air filter 44 one. The grid 46 and the air filter 44 protect the fan 38 , The fan 38 filters the air to block the accumulation of dust inside the computer 12 to minimize. The grid 46 can be engaged and disengaged to remove the air filter 44 to facilitate cleaning.

The air duct 36 closes a top 60 and a bottom 62 one, with the top a few of slats and the vents 30 has and the fins the air from the fan 38 through the ventilation openings. Furthermore, the borders bottom 62 the vents 30 from.

4 shows an air flow through the cooling device 10 , The fan 38 is operated continuously and turns to air in the inlet 26 to pull the first end. The fan forces the air through the air duct to the second end 28 , Air leaves the second end 28 through the vents 30 , Every ventilation opening 30 closes a vent louvre 50 one. The slats 50 are with the vents 22 inside the air duct 30 connected. The air opening louvers 50 are with respect to the air flow direction 52 angled inside the duct to move the air outside the vents 30 to judge.

Although the fan 38 the air through the vents 30 As shown, it is understood that the fan can be reversed to also vent air into the vents 30 pull in and out of the first end 24 out.

Claims (7)

Apparatus for cooling a computer having a PC slot, the apparatus comprising: a housing formed as a hollow channel ( 22 ) with a first section ( 24 ), a second section ( 28 ) and at least one ventilation opening ( 30 ) in the second section ( 28 ), wherein the housing an air duct ( 36 ) between the first section ( 24 ) and the ventilation opening ( 30 ) and the housing ( 22 ) with the second section ( 28 ) into a PC card slot ( 20 ) of a portable computer is insertable; one in the first section ( 24 ) of the housing ( 22 ) arranged fans ( 38 ) for blowing air into the air duct ( 36 ) and through the ventilation opening ( 30 ); and an electrical connection ( 32 ) for the supply of the fan ( 38 ) with electrical energy, wherein the electrical connection at the second section ( 28 ) is arranged; taking in the PC card slot ( 20 ) insertable length of the second section ( 28 ) is set so that when the second section is inserted, the first section ( 24 ) with the fan ( 38 ) remains outside the portable computer. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a grid ( 46 ) and an air filter ( 44 ), wherein the grid and the air filter on the first section ( 24 ) of the housing ( 22 ) in front of the fan ( 38 ), wherein the air filter is removable again to facilitate the cleaning of the air filter. Device according to Claim 1, in which the second section ( 28 ) of the housing ( 22 ) Lamellae ( 50 ) and the ventilation openings ( 30 ), wherein the lamellae on the air duct ( 36 ) are attached to guide the air through the ventilation openings. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first section ( 24 ) an inlet ( 26 ), the ventilation opening ( 30 ) of the second section ( 28 ) is an outlet and the fan ( 38 ) Blowing air from the inlet through the outlet. Device according to Claim 1, in which the fan ( 38 ) resolvable on the first section ( 24 ) of the housing ( 22 ) is engaged. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second section ( 28 ) is insertable into a PCMCIA type PC slot, in particular the second section has dimensions conforming to PCMCIA dimension specifications of type 3. A portable computer comprising: a base unit ( 14 ) with a keyboard and a PC slot ( 20 ); a screen foldable with the base unit ( 14 ) connected is; A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.