Apple Inc., maker of the iPhone and the iPad, received a patent on a method of cooling an electronic device by using hinge assemblies that can conduct heat.
Patent 7,746,631, which was issued June 29, covers the use of a variety of cooling components within a hinge assembly. According to the patent, these could include fans, heat sinks, heat spreaders, heat pipes, vents or openings in the housing of the electronic device.
Apple envisions this technology be useable for a wide range of electronic devices including music players, mobile telephones, cameras, domestic appliances, television sets, medical equipment and stereo equipment.
