Computer housing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11256306-B2
Application number	US-202016746829-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 18, 2020
Priority date	Jun 7, 2013
Publication date	Feb 22, 2022
Grant date	Feb 22, 2022

Abstract

A desktop computing system having at least a central core surrounded by housing having a shape that defines a volume in which the central core resides is described. The housing includes a first opening and a second opening axially displaced from the first opening. The first opening having a size and shape in accordance with an amount of airflow used as a heat transfer medium for cooling internal components, the second opening defined by a lip that engages a portion of the airflow in such a way that at least some of the heat transferred to the air flow from the internal components is passed to the housing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A desktop electronic device, comprising:
an enclosure having a tubular shape extending along a longitudinal axis, the enclosure having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the enclosure defining a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the second opening allowing passage of an acoustic output;
the enclosure defining an exterior surface that is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and an internal volume;
a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB comprising an active surface having an electronic component mounted thereon; and
an air-moving component disposed in the internal volume to move air towards the second opening and produce the acoustic output, the air-moving component positioned parallel to the PCB and directly adjacent to the electronic component mounted on the active surface.

2. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic output is controlled by at least one of the electronic components.

3. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a component disposed at the second opening to direct the acoustic output.

4. The desktop electronic device of claim 3 , wherein a shape of the component modulates acoustic characteristics of the air moving through the second opening to produce the acoustic output.

5. The desktop electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the modulation of the acoustic characteristics is discernable exterior to the enclosure.

6. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a base portion removably coupled to the enclosure and occluding the first opening.

7. The desktop electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the base portion supports the enclosure on a horizontal surface such that the longitudinal axis has a vertical orientation.

8. The desktop electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the base portion is centered about the longitudinal axis.

9. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first opening is located at a first wall of the enclosure and the second opening is located at a second wall of the enclosure, the second wall opposite the first wall.

10. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic components comprise a memory device and a processor unit.

11. The desktop electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the memory device is configured to store media data.

12. The desktop electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the media data comprises audio tracks.

13. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic components comprise a wireless transceiver to couple the desktop electronic device to an accessory device.

14. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic components comprise an audio sensor.

15. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic components comprise a power supply circuit that is accessible through the first opening and is capable of receiving power from an external power supply.

16. A desktop electronic device, comprising:
an enclosure defining a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the enclosure having a tubular shape extending along a longitudinal axis, the enclosure having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
an air-moving component disposed in an internal volume defined by the enclosure, the air-moving component configured to move air in a direction towards the second opening and produce an acoustic output;
a computing engine in communication with the air-moving component, the computing engine disposed in the internal volume offset from the longitudinal axis and closer to the first opening than the second opening, the computing engine comprising;
a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising an active surface oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the direction, the air-moving component aligned directly opposite and parallel to the PCB;
a memory device disposed on the active surface and directly adjacent the air-moving component, the memory device configured to store media data;
a wireless transceiver disposed on the active surface and configured to wirelessly transfer the media data between the memory device and the accessory device through a data link; and

a heat sink in thermal communication with the computing engine, the heat sink disposed within the internal volume of the enclosure and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

17. The desktop enclosure of claim 16 , wherein the acoustic output is at least partially determined by the computing engine.

18. The desktop enclosure of claim 16 , wherein a geometry of the second opening modulates a characteristic of the acoustic output in a controlled manner.

19. The desktop enclosure of claim 16 , wherein the enclosure is removably coupled to a base portion that occludes the first opening and supports the enclosure when the base portion is disposed on a surface.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Whang Eugene A
• Stringer Christopher J
• Degner Brett W
• Narajowski David H
• Kessler Patrick
• Prather Eric R
• Kalinowski Caitlin Elizabeth
• Stagnaro Adam T
• Mcbroom Daniel L
• Casebolt Matthew P
• Mcbroom Michael D

Classifications

• H10W40/641

  Snap-on arrangements, e.g. clips · CPC title

• G08B5/36

  using visible light sources · CPC title

• G06F1/181 Primary

  Enclosures (for portable computers G06F1/1613) · CPC title

• G02B6/0008

  the light being emitted at the end of the fibre · CPC title

• H05K7/20163

  the components being isolated from air flow, e.g. hollow heat sinks, wind tunnels or funnels · CPC title