Computer housing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12045099-B2
Application number	US-202318492251-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2023
Priority date	Jun 7, 2013
Publication date	Jul 23, 2024
Grant date	Jul 23, 2024

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 along parallel to the longitudinal axis, the enclosure defining a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening;
the enclosure defining an exterior surface that is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and an internal volume;
a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising an active surface having an electronic component mounted thereon;
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 the active surface; and
a heat sink contacting the PCB and including a major dimension extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

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 the component comprises a modulator.

5. 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.

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

7. The desktop electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the air-moving component comprises a fan.

8. 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 along the longitudinal axis, the enclosure defining a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening;
the enclosure defining an exterior surface that is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and an internal volume;
a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising an active surface having a processor mounted thereon;
an air mover disposed in the internal volume to produce an acoustic output and move the acoustic output towards the second opening, the air mover positioned-parallel to the PCB and adjacent the processor mounted on the active surface; and
a heat sink in thermal communication with the processor, the heat sink spanning more than halfway across a width of the PCB.

9. The desktop electronic device of claim 8 , further comprising a base portion removably coupled to the enclosure and occluding the first opening.

10. The desktop electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the base portion supports the enclosure on a horizontal surface such that the longitudinal axis has a vertical orientation.

11. The desktop electronic device of claim 8 , 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.

12. The desktop electronic device of claim 8 , further comprising a memory component mounted on the active surface.

13. The desktop electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the memory device is configured to store media data including audio tracks.

14. The desktop electronic device of claim 8 , further comprising a wireless transceiver to couple the desktop electronic device to an accessory device.

15. The desktop electronic device of claim 8 , further comprising an audio sensor coupled to the active surface.

16. The desktop electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the PCB comprises a power supply circuit that is accessible through the first opening and is capable of receiving power from an external power supply.

17. 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 along the longitudinal axis;
a means for moving air to produce an acoustic output, the air configured to move in a direction towards the second opening to produce the acoustic output;
a means for computing in communication with the means for moving air, the means for computing disposed in the internal volume offset from the longitudinal axis and closer to the first opening than the second opening, the means for computing comprising;
a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising an active surface oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the direction;
a means for storing memory on the active surface directly adjacent the means for moving air;
a means for wirelessly transferring data on the active surface; and
a heat sink in thermal communication with the computing engine, the heat sink disposed within the internal volume of the enclosure and having a major dimension extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

18. The desktop enclosure of claim 17 , wherein the acoustic output is at least partially determined by the means for computing.

19. The desktop enclosure of claim 17 , wherein a geometry of the second opening modulates a characteristic of the acoustic output in a controlled manner.

20. The desktop enclosure of claim 17 , 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

• H04R1/02

  Casings; Cabinets {; Supports therefor;} Mountings therein (H04R1/28 takes precedence {; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075}) · CPC title

• H05K7/20136

  Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans (H05K7/202 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H05K7/20009

  using a gaseous coolant in electronic enclosures (in cabinets of standardized dimensions H05K7/20536; in server cabinets H05K7/20709; in vehicle electronic casings H05K7/20845; in power control electronics H05K7/2089; in displays H05K7/20954) · CPC title

• H05K7/2039

  characterised by the heat transfer by conduction from the heat generating element to a dissipating body (arrangements for increasing/decreasing heat-transfer, e.g. fins details, F28F13/00) · CPC title