Heat sink clip

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to heat sink clips, and more particularly to a heat sink clip which easily and securely mounts a heat sink in a mounting frame.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] A computer central processing unit (CPU) is the core administrator of electrical signals in most contemporary personal computers. Continued development of CPUs has enabled them to perform more and more functions. Heat generated by CPUs has increased commensurately. Such heat can adversely affect the operational stability of computers. Measures must be taken to efficiently remove the heat from the CPU. Typically, a heat sink having great heat conductivity is mounted on the CPU to remove heat therefrom. A clip is frequently used to firmly attach the heat sink to the CPU, thus achieving greater efficiency of heat dissipation.

[0006] A conventional clip for fastening a heat sink to a CPU is formed from a single plate, and has a generally M-shaped profile. The clip defines opposite slots matching with ears of a socket, and thereby attaches the heat sink to an upper surface of the CPU. However, modem heat sinks are frequently very large. A single clip received in a middle of the heat sink may not be strong enough to securely fasten the heat sink on the surface of the CPU. The heat sink is liable to be displaced relative to the upper surface of the CPU when the assembly is subjected to vibration or shock during use. To overcome these problems, a pair of clips respectively mounted on opposite sides of the heat sink has been devised. Good examples are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,370,024 B1 and 6,362,963 B1. These clips are independent components, which makes mounting of them on a heat sink unduly inconvenient. In addition, transportation of the separate components is bulkier and more expensive.

[0007] Still another kind of clip has been devised to overcome the above-described disadvantages. As shown in China Patent No. 01215320.6, the clip is made from two independent parts to form a whole. Unfortunately, this clip is inconvenient to use when mounting a heat sink to a CPU. This is because the clip has no handles, openings or other devices to facilitate manual operation or operation with a tool. Similarly, the clip is inconvenient to use when dismounting the heat sink from the CPU.

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a heat sink clip which easily mounts and dismounts a heat sink to and from an electronic package such as a CPU.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat sink clip which securely mounts a heat sink in a mounting frame.

[0010] In order to achieve the objects set out above, a heat sink clip includes two side plates and two pressing portions. The pressing portions connect between opposing ends of the side plates. Each pressing portion is generally arcuate, which enables it to resiliently press a heat sink. Each side plate is sloped slightly inwardly from top to bottom. This enables the side plates to resiliently clamp a mounting frame. A pair of first handles is upwardly formed from top edges of the side plates respectively. A pair of second handles extends outwardly in respective opposite directions from opposite side edges of each side plate. A pair of legs depends from opposite ends respectively of a bottom edge of each side plate. A pair of spaced hooks is inwardly formed from a free end of each leg. A pair of openings is defined in the opposite ends of each side plate, for insertion of a screwdriver thereinto.

[0011] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a heat sink clip in accordance with the present invention, together with a heat sink, and a mounting frame fixed on a printed circuit board (PCB) around an electronic package;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the clip of FIG. 1; and

[0014] FIG. 3 is an assembled view of FIG. 1.

[0015] Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a heat sink clip 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is for mounting a heat sink 20 on a mounting frame 30. The heat sink 20 includes a chassis 202, and plurality of parallel heat sink fins 204 extending upwardly from the chassis 202. Top portions of opposite ends of each fin 204 are cut away to respectively form a pair of indented portions. The indented portions of the heat sink fins 204 thus cooperatively form a pair of recessed portions 206 at respective opposite sides of the heat sink 20. The mounting frame 30 is fixed on a printed circuit board (PCB, not labeled) around an electronic package (not labeled). Two spaced protrusions 302 extend upwardly from each of opposite sides of the mounting frame 30. A hole 304 is defined in each protrusion 302.

[0017] Referring also to FIG. 2, the heat sink clip 10 comprises two opposite side plates 104, and two opposite pressing portions 102 connecting between the side plates 104. Each pressing portion 102 is generally arcuate, which enables it to resiliently press the heat sink 20. Each side plate 104 is sloped slightly inwardly from top to bottom. This enables the side plates 104 to resiliently clamp the mounting frame 30. A pair of first handles 114 is upwardly formed from top edges of the side plates 104 respectively. A pair of second handles 124 extends outwardly in respective opposite directions from opposite ends of each side plate 104. A pair of legs 134 depends from opposite ends respectively of a bottom edge of each side plate 104. A pair of spaced hooks 136 is inwardly formed from a free end of each leg 134, for insertion into a corresponding hole 304 of the mounting frame 30. A pair of openings 144 is defined in the opposite ends of each side plate 104, for insertion of a screwdriver (not shown) thereinto.

[0018] Referring also to FIG. 3, in assembly, the heat sink 20 is placed in the mounting frame 30. The recessed portions 206 of the heat sink 20 are in general alignment with the corresponding protrusions 302 of the mounting frame 30. The first handles 114 of the clip 10 are grasped, and the clip 10 is placed on the heat sink 20. The pressing portions 102 of the clip 10 rest on the recessed portions 206 of the heat sink 20. The legs 134 of the clip 10 are aligned with the holes 304 of the mounting frame 30. The first handles 114 are squeezed toward each other so that the hooks 136 resiliently engage in the holes 304. Simultaneously, the pressing portions 102 resiliently press the recessed portions 206 downward. Thus the chassis 202 of the heat sink 20 firmly presses against the electronic package, with the heat sink 20 being securely mounted in the mounting frame 30 by the clip 10.

[0019] In manual disassembly, the first handles 114 are squeezed toward each other, and simultaneously two of the second handles 124 at one side plate 104 are gripped. The first handle 114 of said one side plate 104 is pushed downward, and simultaneously the second handles 124 are pulled outward. This enables the hooks 136 of said one side plate 104 to escape from the corresponding holes 304. The clip 10 is then easily removed from the mounting frame 30 and the heat sink 20.

[0020] In disassembly using a screwdriver, the screwdriver is inserted into one of the openings 144 of one side plate 104 of the clip 10. The screwdriver is then rotated toward an opposite side of the clip 10 until the corresponding hooks 136 escape from the corresponding hole 304. This procedure is repeated for the other opening 144 of said one side plate 104. The clip 10 is then easily removed from the mounting frame 30 and the heat sink 20.

[0021] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.