| CPC H05K 7/20172 (2013.01) [H05K 7/20209 (2013.01); H05K 7/20409 (2013.01)] | 9 Claims |
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1. An apparatus for cooling electronic circuitry, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a housing having a plurality of surfaces configured to enclose the electronic circuitry and being mountable inside a back box,
(1) at least one of the plurality of surfaces having a plurality of vent holes formed therein, the plurality of vent holes facing an exhaust opening in the back box when the housing is mounted inside the back box, and
(2) another of the plurality of surfaces having a fan hole formed therein that faces an intake opening in the back box when the housing is mounted inside the back box;
(b) a cooling fan mounted onto the another of the plurality of surfaces and disposed over the fan hole, the cooling fan being configured to draw cooling air through the intake opening in the back box and through the fan hole into the housing and over the electronic circuitry, the cooling air then exiting the housing through the plurality of vent holes of the housing and thereafter exiting the back box through the exhaust opening, the cooling air thereby removing heat generated by the electronic circuitry; and
(c) a front surface disposed opposite to a rear surface of the housing and facing away from the back box when the housing is mounted inside the back box;
(d) wherein
(1) the front surface is in thermal contact with the housing and provides a further path for radiating at least some of the heat generated by the electronic circuitry, and
(2) the front surface includes
(A) a mounting plate, and
(B) a touch plate disposed atop the mounting plate, and
(3) the mounting plate and the touch plate providing the further path for radiating at least some of the heat generated by the electronic circuitry.
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