Electronic case thermal channel

Abstract

An electronics case includes a back panel and a plurality of side walls that project from the back panel. The back panel and the side walls define a cavity that is configured to removably receive an electronic device. The back panel includes an interior face in the cavity, and the interior face defines a network of recessed cooling channels therein. The network of recessed cooling channels includes an ingress and an egress that open to an exterior of the electronics case for permitting air flow through the network of cooling channels in order to regulate temperature of the electronic device.

Description

ELECTRONIC CASE THERMAL CHANNELBACKGROUND

[0001] Handheld portable electronic devices include ever increasing amounts of electronic componentry in order to extend functionality, yet such devices have remained relatively compact and light in weight. As a result, such devices utilize a dense arrangement of componentry, which produces heat that can interfere with operation, reduce durability, and ultimately cause failure. To make matters worse, electronic devices are often used with cases. While cases protect against impact and wear, cases can entrap heat and thus aggravate overheating.SUMMARY

[0002] An electronics case according to an example of the present disclosure includes a back panel and a plurality of side walls that project from the back panel. The back panel and the side walls define a cavity that is configured to removably receive an electronic device. The back panel includes an interior face in the cavity, and the interior face defines a network of recessed cooling channels therein. The network of recessed cooling channels includes an ingress and an egress that open to an exterior of the electronics case for permitting air flow through the network of cooling channels in order to regulate temperature of the electronic device.

[0003] The present disclosure may include any one or more of the individual features disclosed above and / or below alone or in any combination thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. In this disclosure, like reference numerals designate like elements where appropriate and reference numerals with the addition of one-hundred or multiples thereof designate modified elements that are understood to incorporate the same features and benefits of the corresponding elements. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

[0005] Figure 1 illustrates a back view of an electronics case.

[0006] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of an electronics case with an electronic device.

[0007] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of an electronics case without an electronic device.

[0008] Figure 4 illustrates a back view of an electronics case.

[0009] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of an electronics device without an electronic device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The figures illustrate an example electronics case 20. As shown, the case 20 is adapted for use as a cellular phone case. It is to be appreciated, however, that the case 20 could alternatively be adapted as a tablet case, a laptop case, or a case for virtually any other portable electronic device.

[0011] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the case 20 includes a back panel 22 and side walls 24a-d (top side wall 24a, bottom side wall 24b, and lateral side walls 24c / 24d) that project from the edges of the panel 22 to define a cavity 26. The cavity 26 is configured to removably receive an electronic device 27 (shown in Figures 1 and 2), e.g., a cellular telephone in the illustrated example. For instance, the geometry of the cavity 26 closely matches the geometry of the device 27 in term of length, width, depth and edge profile such that the device 27 snugly fits into the cavity 26. Terms used herein such as “back,” “front” or the like are relative to the direction in which the device 27 faces and is used. For example, the user screen of the device 27 faces frontwards, away from the back panel 22.

[0012] There is an open window 28 defined in the panel 22 that corresponds to the location of one or more cameras on the electronic device 27. One or more of the sides 24a-d may also have slots or openings 30 that correspond to the locations of buttons, ports, or other functional features of the electronic device 27.

[0013] Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 5, the panel 22 includes an interior face 22a in the cavity 26 and an exterior face 22b opposite the interior face 22a. The interior face 22a defines a network of recessed cooling channels 32 that serve to facilitate cooling of the electronic device 27, i.e., by permitting air through-flow to carry away heat. In this regard, the network of channels 32 includes a main or stem channel 32a and a plurality of branch channels 32b that split off of the stem channel 32a and are generally smaller in cross-sectional area (represented at SAI) than the stem channel 32a (represented at SA2). The branch channels 32b intersect the stem channel 32a but are non-intersecting with each other.

[0014] In general, channels 32a / 32b are rectangular in cross-section, but may be varied to be rounded, such as partially circular. The depth of the channels 32a / 32b is onlylimited by the thickness of the panel 22 but typically will be relatively shallow, such as 2 millimeters or less, for example.

[0015] In the illustrated example, the stem channel 32a runs up the center of the back panel 22 from the bottom side wall 24b to the window 28. The stem channel 32a opens at an ingress / egress 33 located at the window 28 and at another ingress / egress 33 to an opening 30 in the bottom side wall 24b. Each of the branch channels 32b splits off laterally from the stem channel 32a and extends to one of the lateral side walls 24c / 24d. For instance, some of the branch channels 32b split off to one side and extend toward the side wall 24c and other of the branch channels 32b split off to the other side of the stem channel 32a and extend toward the side wall 24d.

[0016] The branch channels 32b split off from the stem channel 32a at oblique angles A (Figure 3) to the lengthwise direction of the stem channel 32a. For instance, the branch channels 32b are angled upwards such that the end of each branch channel 32b at one of the side walls 24c or 24d is located farther upwards toward the top wall 24a than the base of the branch channel 32b at the stem channel 32a, which may facilitate directional flow F from the bottom wall 24b upwards toward the top wall 24a and into the branch channels 32b.

[0017] Some of the branch channels 32b are closed-ended and terminate at the lateral side walls 24c / 24d. Other of the branch channels 32b, however, lead to an ingress / egress 35 through one or more openings 30 in the lateral side walls 24c / 24d, thus providing for either ingress or egress of cooling air to or from the network of channels 32. At least one of the branch channels 32b also leads to an ingress / egress 35 at the window 28, again providing for either ingress or egress of cooling air to or from the network of channels 32.

[0018] All of the channels 32a / 32b are open to the cavity 26. Thus, when the electronic device 27 is istalled into the cavity 26 of the case 20, the channels 32a / 32b run along the electronic device 27. Cooling air, such as ambient air around the electronic device can flow into and out of the network of channels 32 via the ingresses / egresses 33 and 35 to facilitate cooling the electronic device 27. For instance, as the stem channel 32a opens at opening 30 in the bottom side wall 24b, air can flow can enter into the network of channels 32. Once in the network of channels 32, the airflow flows along the surface of the electronic device 27 to absorb heat. The airflow eventually exhausts through one of the branch channels 32b that opens to an opening 30 or the window 28, to thereby carry heat away from the electronic device 27.

[0019] The case 20 is made of a polymeric material, such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and the network of channels 32 may be molded into the back panel 22. Optionally, the polymeric material includes an additive to enhance thermal conductivity of thecase 20, such as graphene, for thermal transfer away from the device 27. The additive has a greater thermal conductivity than the polymer of the material, thus increasing the bulk thermal conductivity of the material and further facilitating heat removal from the electronic device.

[0020] Although a combination of features is shown in the illustrated examples, not all of them need to be combined to realize the benefits of various embodiments of this disclosure. In other words, a system designed according to an embodiment of this disclosure will not necessarily include all of the features shown in any one of the Figures or all of the portions schematically shown in the Figures. Moreover, selected features of one example embodiment may be combined with selected features of other example embodiments.

[0021] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from this disclosure. The scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An electronics case comprising: a back panel and a plurality of side walls that project from the back panel, the back panel and the side walls defining a cavity that is configured to removably receive an electronic device, the back panel including an interior face in the cavity, the interior face defining a network of recessed cooling channels therein, and the network of recessed cooling channels including an ingress and an egress that open to an exterior of the electronics case for permitting air flow through the network of cooling channels in order to regulate temperature of the electronic device.

2. The electronics case as recited in claim 1 , wherein the network of channels includes a stem channel and a plurality of branch channels that split off of the stem channel.

3. The electronics case as recited in claim 2, wherein the each of the branch channels has a cross-sectional area and the stem channel has a cross-sectional area, and the cross-sectional areas of the branch channels are each smaller than the cross-sectional area of the stem channel.

4. The electronics case as recited in claim 2, wherein the branch channels split off from the stem channel at oblique angles.

5. The electronics case as recited in claim 2, wherein the branch channels are nonintersecting with each other.

6. The electronics case as recited in claim 2, wherein the back panel includes an open window, and the stem channel opens at the window.

7. The electronics case as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the branch channels opens at the window.

8. The electronics case as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the side walls including an opening, and at least one of the branch channels opens to the opening in the side wall.

9. The electronics case as recited in claim 1, wherein the case wall is made of a polymeric material.

10. The electronics case as recited in claim 9, wherein the polymeric material that includes a thermal conductivity enhancing additive.

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