Integrated circuit heat sink support and retention mechanism
US6529378B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/44026
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved heat sink retention assembly, such that the heat sink is physically supported by a base rather than by an integrated circuit. Traditional heat sinks have an alignment feature that physically aligns and supports the heat sink by contact of the feature with an integrated circuit, and that transfers force applied to the heat sink to the integrated circuit. This transferred force may be seen as shear stress at the pins of integrated circuits such as pin-grid arrays, and may damage the integrity of the integrated circuit or its connection to an external circuit. The present invention provides alignment and support features remote from contact with the integrated circuit, and therefore provides support for the heat sink in a manner that does not place substantial stress on the integrated circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.