US20110155363A1

US20110155363A1 - Memory module assembly and heat sink thereof

Info

Publication number: US20110155363A1
Application number: US13/041,010
Authority: US
Inventors: Ming-Yang Hsieh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-11
Filing date: 2011-03-04
Publication date: 2011-06-30
Also published as: US7929307B2; US7679913B2; US20100071884A1; US20080278916A1

Abstract

A memory module assembly includes a plurality of memory modules and a heat sink assembly. Each of the memory modules includes at least one heat source. The heat sink assembly includes a heat dissipating plate and a plurality of heat transfer mediums. Each of the heat transfer mediums includes a base attached to the heat dissipating plate, and at least one resilient sheet extending from an end of the base. The base and the resilient sheet define an included angle which is non-right angle so that the resilient sheet can snugly cling to the respective heat source.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/626,907, filed on Nov. 29, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,679,913, filed on Jun. 23, 2007, and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120; the entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a memory module assembly and a heat sink assembly configured to be fitted to the memory module assembly, and in particular to a heat sink assembly for radiating heat generated from a fully buffered dual in-line memory module (FBDIMM), a printed circuit board (PCB) of the FBDIMM on which the advanced memory buffer (AMB) package is mounted.
2. Related Prior Art
A memory module may be classified into a single in-line memory module (SIMM) and a dual in-line memory module (DIMM). The SIMM includes a row of memory chips mounted on only one side of the PCB, and the DIMM has two rows of the memory chips mounted on both sides of the PCB respectively.
In order to improve transmission efficiency, a fully buffered DIMM (FBDIMM) has been provided. FBDIMM has a hub, such as an advanced memory buffer (AMB) logic chip that is mounted on the center of the memory module. The AMB chip receives packet signals including a memory command and/or data from an external host (e.g., a memory controller), and provides the received data to respective memory chips. In addition, the AMB chip packetizes data outputted from the memory chips, and provides the packets to the memory controller. In the FBDIMM, signals from external sources are transmitted to the respective memory chips via the AMB chip. Accordingly, all signal lines on which the signals are transmitted are coupled to the AMB chip. Consequently, a large load is concentrated on the AMB chip and high heat may be generated in the AMB chip. High heat reduces the life span of the AMB chip and lowers the operational reliability of peripheral circuits of the AMB chip. Hence, it is advantageous to quickly dissipate away the heat from the AMB chip.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, Taiwan Patent No. 1273688 discloses a memory module integrated mechanism 100 mounted on a motherboard 200, which comprises a plurality of FBDIMMs 110 and a heat sink 120. Each of the FBDIMMs 110 includes a PCB 111, a row of memory chips 112 mounted on the PCB 111, an AMB chip 113 attached to one of the memory chips 112, and a heat sink plate 114. The heat sink plate 114 is attached to the AMB chip 113 and is parallel to the PCB 111 for radiating heat generated from the AMB chip 113. Furthermore, the heat sink 120 is disposed above the FBDIMMs 110 and contacts with each one of the heat sink plates 114 of the FBDIMMs 110. The heat sink 120 comprises a heat dissipating plate 121 and a plurality of clipping members 122 extending from the heat dissipating plate 121. The heat dissipating plate 121 is perpendicular with each one of the PCBs 111 of the FBDIMMs 110. Each of the clipping members 122 extends toward the respective heat sink plate 114 and includes two parallel clipping sheets 122 a as depicted in FIG. 12. A top portion of each of the heat sink plates 114 is sandwiched in between the two respective clipping sheets 122 a. However, there is not disclosed how the clipping members 122 and the heat dissipating plate 121 are connected in the specification. Generally, the connection may be fulfilled by welding or the like, but requiring much time and work. In addition, the two parallel clipping sheets 122 a can only contact the top portion of the heat sink plate 114, which means only little area of the heat sink plate 114 is used for heat transferring to the heat dissipating plate 121. Hence, the heat dissipating efficiency is limited.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The primary object of this invention is therefore to provide an improved heat sink assembly of a memory modules assembly, which is easy to be assembled and provides increased heat dissipating efficiency.
According to the present invention, a memory module assembly and a heat sink assembly applying for the memory module assembly are disclosed. The memory module assembly comprises a plurality of memory modules and the heat sink assembly. Each of the memory modules includes at least one heat source, such as an AMB chip. The heat sink assembly comprises a heat dissipating plate and a plurality of heat transfer mediums. Each of the heat transfer mediums includes a base attached with the heat dissipating plate, and at least one resilient sheet extending from an end of the base. The base and the resilient sheet define an included angle which is non-right angle so that the resilient sheet can snugly cling to the respective heat source by resilience.
Preferably, the heat dissipating plate defines at least one slit therein. The resilient sheet is inserted into the slit to cling to the heat source. The heat transfer medium further includes a fastening portion disposed on the resilient sheet so that the base can be firmly attached to the heat dissipating plate.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become clear as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a memory module assembly of the preferred embodiment being mounted on a motherboard according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a load punching on a base of a heat transfer medium so as to bend a heat dissipating plate;

FIG. 4 shows a view of FIG. 3 after punching;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a first example of the heat transfer medium being fit into memory modules;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second example of the heat transfer medium being fit into the memory modules;

FIG. 9 illustrate s a third example of the heat transfer medium being fit into the memory modules;

FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth example of the heat transfer medium being fit into the memory modules; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views of a prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, description will be given of a memory module assembly including a heat sink assembly 4 according to the preferred embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 1 shows that the memory module assembly comprises a plurality of memory modules 3 mounted on a motherboard 2, and the heat sink assembly 4.
Each of the memory modules 3, such as an FBDIMM, comprises a PCB 31, a plurality of memory chips 33, two hub chips 34 (eg. an AMB chip), and two heat sink plates 32. The memory chips 33 are mounted on both sides of the PCB 31. Each side of the PCB 31 includes one hub chip 34 mounted on one of the memory chips 33. The hub chips 34 are configured to connect memory chips 33 via a respective memory chip interface. As mentioned above, a large load is concentrated on each of the hub chips 34, namely the AMB chips, and high heat may be generated in the hub chips 34, namely heat sources. The heat sink plates 32 are attached to the hub chips 34 respectively for radiating heat generated from the hub chips 34.
It should be noted that the heat source of this embodiment is the AMB chips while in other instance, a heat source may be just a memory chip when a traditional SIMM or DIMM is used, where there is no hub chip thereon. In that kind of case, the heat sink plate can be directly attached to the memory chip.
In this preferred embodiment, the heat sink assembly 4 comprises a heat dissipating plate 40, a plurality of heat transfer mediums 41, and two fans 43.
The heat dissipating plate 40 is of a one-piece construction and defines a plurality of slits 401 therein corresponding to the heat transfer mediums 41, and two through holes 402 corresponding to the two fans 43. Each of the heat transfer mediums 41 includes a base 410, two resilient connecting sheets 411 and four fastening portions 412. The two resilient sheets 411 extend from opposite ends of the base 410 and are made of a heat-conductive material, such as copper. Referring to FIG. 2, the two resilient sheets 411 are inserted into a pair of the slits 401, and thereby a bottom of the base 410 can be right attached to a top of the heat dissipating plate 40. Referring back to FIG. 1, two of the four fastening portions 412 extend outward from an upper portion of the respective resilient sheet 411, namely outwardly biased, for holding to a bottom of the heat dissipating plate 40. Because of being outwardly biased in the beginning, the fastening portions 412 can be compressed to be aligned with the resilient sheets 411, and can return to open outwardly again once released. Thus while the resilient sheets 411 are being inserted into the slits 401, the four fastening portions 412 are compressed as a result of the small slits 401. For this, a load 5 can be used to punch the base 410 of the heat transfer mediums 41, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the heat dissipating plate 40 can be bent upward a bit and the slits 401 be enlarged to a degree that the fastening portions 412 can bounce out from the slits 401 to abut against the bottom of the heat dissipating plate 40. After the load 5 is lifted up, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat dissipating plate 40 is released and the fastening portions 412 keep upholding the heat dissipating plate 40. In such a manner, the base 410 can be firmly attached to the heat dissipating plate 40.
As shown in FIG. 5, before the heat sink assembly 4 is attached to the memory modules 3, the two resilient sheets 411 of each of the heat transfer mediums 41 are inwardly biased in the beginning. When the heat sink assembly 4 and the memory modules 3 are engaged, as shown in FIG. 6, the two resilient sheets 411 are placed around one of the memory modules 3 and snugly attached to the two opposite heat sink plates 32 of the memory module 3 respectively. In such a manner, these heat transfer mediums 41 can be perfectly fit in between the memory modules 3.
In another example, the two resilient sheets 411 of each of the heat transfer mediums 41 may be outwardly biased in the beginning, as shown in FIG. 7, so that the two resilient sheets 411 can be placed in between adjacent two of the memory modules 3 and elastically compressed by the corresponding opposing heat sink plates 32 of the adjacent two memory modules 3, as shown in FIG. 8. That is to say, these heat transfer mediums 41 can be perfectly fit in between the memory modules 3.
In yet another example, as shown in FIG. 9, each of the heat transfer mediums 41 may has only one resilient sheet 411 with one fastening portion 412 thereon. The resilient sheet 411 and the base 410, as indicated by phantom lines, define an obtuse angle, larger than 90 degrees, so that the resilient sheet 411 can be placed in a corresponding position so as to snugly cling to the right heat sink plate 32 of the respective memory module 3.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10, the resilient sheet 411 and the base 410 define an acute angle, smaller than 90 degrees, so that the resilient sheet 411 can be placed in another corresponding position so as to snugly cling to the left heat sink plate 32 of the respective memory module 3.
Accordingly, as long as the resilient sheet 411 and the base 410 define an included angle which is non-right angle, the resilient sheet 411 can snugly cling to the right or left heat sink plate 32 of the respective memory module 3. In such a manner, these heat transfer mediums 41 can be perfectly fit in between the memory modules 3.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the fans 43 are mounted on the heat dissipating plate 40 facing the through holes 402. In this manner, airflows generated by the fans 43 can be guided toward the memory modules 3 via the through holes 402 to enhance cooling of the memory modules 3.
Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail within the principle of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A heat sink assembly comprising:

a heat dissipating plate being of a one-piece construction and defining a first slit from top to bottom; and

a first heat transfer medium including a base secured on the top of the heat dissipating plate and a first connecting sheet extending from an end of the base and through the first slit of the heat dissipating plate to be in contact with a side of a first heat source.

2. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second heat transfer medium which includes a base secured on the top of the heat dissipating plate and a first connecting sheet extending from an end of the base, wherein the heat dissipating plate further has another first slit where the first connecting sheet of the second heat transfer medium is passed to be in contact with a side of a second heat source.

3. The heat sink assembly of claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating plate further defines a second slit from the top to the bottom; and the first heat transfer medium further has a second connecting sheet extending from the opposite end of the base and through the second slit of the heat dissipating plate to be in contact with the opposite side of the first heat source.

4. The heat sink assembly of claim 3 further comprising a second heat transfer medium which includes a base secured on the top of the heat dissipating plate, a first connecting sheet, and a second connecting sheet; the first and second connecting sheets extending from opposite ends of the base respectively; and the heat dissipating plate further including another first slit and another second slit where the first and second connecting sheets of the second heat transfer medium are respectively passed to be in contact with opposite sides of a second heat source.

5. The heat sink assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second connecting sheets are both resilient and each is inclined with respect to the base.

6. The heat sink assembly of claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating plate further defines a second slit from the top to the bottom; and the first heat transfer medium further has a second connecting sheet extending from the opposite end of the base and through the second slit of the heat dissipating plate to be in contact with a side of a second heat source.

7. The heat sink assembly of claim 6 further comprising a second heat transfer medium which includes a base secured on the top of the heat dissipating plate, a first connecting sheet, and a second connecting sheet; the first and second connecting sheets extending from opposite ends of the base respectively; and the heat dissipating plate further including another first slit where the first connecting sheet of the second heat transfer medium is passed to be in contact with the opposite side of the second heat source, and another second slit where the second connecting sheet of the second heat transfer medium is passed to be in contact with a side of a third heat source.

8. The heat sink assembly of claim 6 wherein the first and second connecting sheets are both resilient and each is inclined with respect to the base.

9. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 wherein the first heat transfer medium further includes a fastening portion extending from a side of the first connecting sheet, and the fastening portion upwardly abuts against the bottom of the heat dissipating plate to affix the base onto the top of the heat dissipating plate.

10. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fan, wherein the heat dissipating plate further has a through hole where the fan is mounted.

11. A heat sink assembly comprising:

a heat dissipating plate; and

a first heat transfer medium secured on a side of the heat dissipating plate and including two resilient, heat-conductive sheets which are outwardly biased such that the sheets are elastically compressed by two adjacent heat sources when placed in between the two adjacent heat sources.

12. The heat sink assembly of claim 11 further comprising a second heat transfer medium which is secured on the heat dissipating plate and includes two resilient, heat-conductive sheets outwardly biased such that the sheets are elastically compressed by another two adjacent heat sources when placed in between the another two adjacent heat sources.

13. The heat sink assembly of claim 11 further comprising at least one fan, wherein the heat dissipating plate further has at least one through hole where the fan is mounted.

14. A heat sink assembly comprising:

a heat dissipating plate; and

a first heat transfer medium secured on a side of the heat dissipating plate, and including two resilient, heat-conductive sheets which are inwardly biased to snugly cling to opposite sides of a first heat source.

15. The heat sink assembly of claim 14 further comprising a second heat transfer medium which is secured on the heat dissipating plate and includes two resilient sheets inwardly biased in order to snugly cling to opposite sides of a second heat source.

16. The heat sink assembly of claim 14 further comprising at least one fan, wherein the heat dissipating plate further has at least one through hole where the fan is mounted.