Retaining device for heat sink

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a retaining device, and more particularly to a retaining device for securing a heat sink to an electronic package such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] With the rapid development of electronics technology, electronic devices such as CPUs are able to process signals at unprecedented high speeds. As a result, CPUs can generate copious amounts of heat. The heat must be efficiently removed from the CPU; otherwise, abnormal operation or damage may result.

[0006] Conventionally, a heat sink is attached on a CPU by various types of clips. A popular conventional clip comprises a pressing portion for pressing the heat sink, and a pair of resilient portions extending from opposite ends of the pressing portion. A pair of arms depends from opposite ends of the resilient portions, for engaging with corresponding protrusions mounted at a periphery of the CPU. The heat sink is thus attached on the CPU. However, when the assembly is subjected to vibration or shock during normal use, the heat sink is liable to be horizontally displaced relative to the CPU. This disturbs thermal contact between the heat sink and the CPU. Therefore, the efficiency of heat removal is diminished.

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a retaining device for a heat sink which firmly attaches the heat sink to an electronic package such as a CPU and prevents the heat sink from moving horizontally relative to the electronic package.

[0008] In order to achieve the object set out above, a retaining device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is for attaching a heat sink to a CPU mounted on a circuit board. The retaining device comprises a pair of clips, a backplate, and four pins. Each clip comprises a central pressing portion, two resilient portions extending from opposite ends of the pressing portion, two shoulders extending horizontally from free ends of the resilient portions, and two arms depending from free ends of the shoulders. Each shoulder defines a circular first cutout, and a circular second cutout smaller than and in communication with the first cutout. The backplate defines four holes in four corners thereof. Each pin forms a blocking head at a top end thereof, and a blocking stop at a bottom end thereof. The pins are sequentially extended through the backplate, the circuit board and the heat sink. The heads are initially received through the first cutouts, and then engaged on the shoulders at the second cutouts. The heads press downwardly on the clips, and the stops press upwardly on the backplate. Thus, the clips and the backplate firmly sandwich the heat sink, the CPU and the circuit board therebetween. Good thermal contact between the heat sink and the CPU is thereby attained, for high heat removal efficiency.

[0009] 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:

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a retaining device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the retaining device of FIG. 1, together with a heat sink, and a CPU mounted on a circuit board; and

[0012] FIG. 3 is an assembled view of FIG. 2.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a retaining device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of clips 1, four pins 5 and a backplate 6. The clips 1 engage with the pins 5 and the backplate 6 to attach a heat sink 2 on a CPU 3 that is mounted on a circuit board 4.

[0014] The circuit board 4 defines four bores 42 around a periphery of the CPU 3. The heat sink 2 comprises a chassis 21, and a plurality of parallel fins 23 extending upwardly from the chassis 21. A pair of flanges 24 is integrally formed at opposite sides of the chassis 21 respectively. A pair of spaced slots 20 is defined in each flange 24. The chassis 21 defines four apertures 26 in four corners thereof respectively, corresponding to the bores 42 of the circuit board 40. A pair of spaced channels 22 is transversely defined through upper portions of the fins 23, in general alignment with corresponding slots 20 of the flanges 24.

[0015] Each clip 1 has a central pressing portion 10. A pair of resilient portions 12 extends outwardly and at a slight upward incline from opposite ends of the pressing portion 10 respectively. A pair of shoulders 13 extends horizontally outwardly from free ends of the resilient portions 12 respectively. Each shoulder 13 defines a circular first cutout 14a, and a circular second cutout 14bin communication with the first cutout 14a. The second cutout 14bis smaller than the first cutout 14a. A pair of arms 17 depends at slight inward inclines from free ends of the shoulders 13 respectively. An opening 16 is defined in a top portion of each arm 17, for insertion of a tool thereinto. Each arm 17 comprises an outwardly bent guide portion 18 at a distal end thereof.

[0016] Each pin 5 is a stepped shaft, and sequentially comprises from top to bottom: a first step 52, a second step 54 and a third step 56. Said steps 52, 54, 56 sequentially increase in diameter slightly. The first step 52 forms a blocking head 50 at a top end thereof. The third step 56 forms a hexagonal blocking stop 58 at a bottom end thereof.

[0017] The backplate 6 defines four stepped holes 62 in four corners thereof respectively, corresponding to the bores 42 of the circuit board 40. The holes 62 are for partly receiving the third steps 56 of the pins 5 therein, and for retaining the stops 58 of the pins 5 therein.

[0018] In assembly, the pins 5 are sequentially inserted upwardly through the holes 62 of the backplate 6, the bores 42 of the circuit board 4 and the apertures 26 of the heat sink 2. The third steps 56 of the pins 5 are held in the bores 42, and also support a bottom surface of the chassis 21 of the heat sink 2. The stops 58 of the third steps 56 are retained in the holes 62.

[0019] The clips 1 are placed in the channels 22 of the heat sink 2, with the pressing portions 10 of the clips 1 resting on the fins 23 of the heat sink 2. Tools are inserted into the openings 16 of the arms 17 of the clips 1. The arms 17 are deflected outwardly, and the resilient portions 12 of the shoulders 13 of the clips 1 are depressed. The heads 50 of the pins 5 are received through the first cutouts 14aof the shoulders 13, and the guide portions 18 of the arms 17 pass down through the slots 20 of the heat sink 2. The clips 1 are then pushed horizontally, to cause the first steps 52 of the pins 5 to be engagingly received in the second cutouts 14bof the shoulders 13 at the heads 50. Then, the resilient portions 12 of the clips 1 are released. The heads 50 of the pins 5 thereby firmly press downwardly on the shoulders 13 of the clips 1.

[0020] The pins 5 of the present invention are inserted through both the bores 42 of the circuit board 4 and the apertures 26 of the heat sink 2. Therefore, the heat sink 2 is securely located relative to the circuit board 4. Accordingly, the heat sink 2 is securely located relative to the CPU 3 that is mounted on the circuit board 4.

[0021] The pins 5 of the present invention each have the stop 58 at the bottom end thereof retained in a corresponding hole 62 of the backplate 6, and the head 50 at the top end thereof engaged with a corresponding shoulder 13 of the clip 1 at the second cutout 14b. The heads 50 press downwardly on the clips 1, and the stops 58 press upwardly on the backplate 6. Thus, the clips 1 and the backplate 6 firmly sandwich the heat sink 2, the CPU 3 and the circuit board 4 therebetween. Good thermal contact between the heat sink 2 and the CPU 3 is thereby attained, for high heat removal efficiency.

[0022] 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.