Apparatus and system, to secure a heat sink
View Patent ↗An apparatus and system are disclosed for securing a heat sink against a central processing unit. The present invention teaches a heat sink securement device having a vertical retention arm that substantially encompasses a heat sink in a vertical direction, a horizontal retention arm that substantially encompasses a heat sink in a horizontal direction, and a tension arm coupled to the vertical and horizontal retention arms and pivotally coupled to the frame, the tension arm simultaneously adjusts a tension on the vertical retention arm and the horizontal retention arm in response to moving the tension arm. In certain embodiments, the retention arms are coupled to the tension arm via coupling member that is offset from pivot point of the tension arm. In other embodiments, the coupling member may include a different coupling member for the vertical and horizontal retention arms, both coupling members offset from the pivot point.
1. An apparatus for securing a heat sink against an integrated circuit, the apparatus comprising:
a frame;
a vertical retention arm configured to restrain a heat sink in a vertical direction;
a horizontal retention arm configured to restrain the heat sink in a horizontal direction; and
a tension arm pivotally affixed directly to the frame at a pivot point, the tension arm comprising a coupling member coupled to the vertical and horizontal retention arms, the coupling member pivotally offset from the pivot point providing a point of maximum tension and a locking effect for positions beyond the point of maximum tension and thereby configured to simultaneously adjust a tension on the vertical retention arm and the horizontal retention arm in response to rotating the tension arm about the pivot point.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a pair of lateral brackets disposed on opposite sides of the frame, the lateral brackets configured to restrain the heat sink in a lateral direction, wherein the lateral direction is perpendicular to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises multiple stand off legs.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupling member follows a semi-circular path in response to adjusting the tension arm.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the coupling member is configured to not pivot past a lowest point in the semi-circular path and thereby maintain tension on the vertical arm.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupling member of the tension arm comprises a first coupling loop in the tension arm configured to couple with the vertical retention arm and the vertical retention arm comprises a second coupling member configured to couple with the horizontal retention arm such that the tension arm is coupled to the horizontal arm via the vertical retention arm.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vertical retention arm is pivotally coupled to the tension arm.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupling member is a loop in the tension arm.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a horizontal brake coupled to the frame and configured to oppose horizontal motion of the heat sink.
10. A system for securing a heat sink against an integrated circuit, the system comprising:
an integrated circuit;
a frame;
a heat sink; and
a heat sink securement device comprising:
a vertical retention arm configured to restrain the heat sink in a vertical direction;
a horizontal retention arm configured to restrain the heat sink in a horizontal direction; and
a tension arm pivotally affixed directly to the frame at a pivot point, the tension arm comprising a coupling member coupled to the vertical and horizontal retention arms, the coupling member pivotally offset from the pivot point providing a point of maximum tension and a locking effect for positions beyond the point of maximum tension and thereby configured to simultaneously adjust a tension on the vertical retention arm and the horizontal retention arm in response to rotating the tension arm about the pivot point.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the integrated circuit and the frame are disposed on a printed circuit board.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the printed circuit board is physically supported by a computer chassis.
13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the integrated circuit is connected to a power supply.