Radiator assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat sink assembly. A heat sink assembly comprising a heat sink (2) comprising a body portion (22) and a plurality of cooling fins (24) protruding from the body portion (22) in a first direction; and a cooling fan (4) for providing a cooling air flow for cooling the heat sink (2), in which the cooling fan (4) is an axial fan comprising a fan body (42) and an impeller (44), in which a distance between the cooling fan (4) and the heat sink (2) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is a small distance. The heat sink assembly comprises an air deflector (6) adapted to deflect at least a portion of the cooling airflow of the cooling fan (4) in a lateral direction towards the axis of rotation of the impeller (44), where the lateral direction is parallel to a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator assembly, which includes a radiator and a cooling fan for providing a cooling air flow for cooling the radiator. Background Art

[0002] Known radiator assemblies include a radiator and a cooling fan, such that the cooling fan is an axial-flow fan, and the distance between the cooling fan and the radiator is small.

[0003] One of the disadvantages associated with the above radiator assembly is that due to the small distance between the cooling fan and the radiator, the air flow distribution at the radiator is uneven. The center of the impeller of the cooling fan actually does not generate any cooling air flow at all, and since the cooling air flow does not have enough space to settle, the section of the radiator adjacent to the axis of rotation of the impeller receives a weaker air flow than the section of the radiator remote from the axis of rotation.

[0004] Document US2005041391A1 discloses an electronic component having a device for air cooling. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a radiator assembly in order to mitigate the above disadvantages. The object of the present invention is achieved by the radiator assembly described below.

[0006] The present invention is based on the idea of providing a radiator assembly having an air deflector adapted to deflect at least a part of the cooling air flow of the cooling fan in a lateral direction towards the axis of rotation of the impeller of the cooling fan.

[0007] One advantage of the radiator assembly of the present invention is that the section of the radiator adjacent to the axis of rotation of the impeller receives a stronger air flow compared to a radiator without an air deflector. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The present invention will be described in more detail below by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which

[0009] Figure 1 a radiator assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0010] Figures 2 to 4 the radiator assembly is shown from directions perpendicular to each other Figure 1 of;

[0011] Figures 5 to 7 the radiator assembly is shown from directions perpendicular to each other Figure 1 of the air deflector of;

[0012] Figure 8shows a heat sink assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0013] Figure 9 The heat sink assembly is shown from a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the impeller of the cooling fan of the heat sink assembly Figure 8 of the heat sink assembly. Detailed Description

[0014] Figure 1 A heat sink assembly is shown, which includes a heat sink 2, a cooling fan 4 for providing a cooling air flow for cooling the heat sink 2, a flow channel 8 between the cooling fan 4 and the heat sink 2, an air deflector 6 in the flow channel 8, six capacitors 9, and a heat source 10.

[0015] The heat sink 2 includes a main body portion 22 and a plurality of cooling fins 24 protruding from the main body portion 22 in a first direction. The main body portion 22 has a first surface on which the heat source 10 is mounted and a second surface facing the opposite direction, wherein the plurality of cooling fins 24 protrude from the second surface. In Figure 1 the heat source 10 is located on top of the main body portion 22 of the heat sink 2, and the cooling fins 24 extend downward from the main body portion 22.

[0016] The cooling fan 4 is an axial flow fan, which includes a fan body 42 and an impeller 44 adapted to rotate relative to the fan body 42. The fan body 42 is connected to the heat sink 2 in a non - movable manner. The distance between the cooling fan 4 and the heat sink 2 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is a small distance. The second direction is parallel to the axis of rotation of the impeller 44. Most of the cooling air flow is adapted to pass between the plurality of cooling fins 24. In an alternative embodiment, at least a part of the cooling air flow is adapted to pass between the plurality of cooling fins.

[0017] The motor of the cooling fan 4 is located in the middle of the cooling fan 4. The diameter of the motor is greater than 50% of the diameter of the impeller 44, so that the central part of the impeller 44 actually does not generate a cooling air flow at all. Regardless of the size of the motor, the cooling air flow generated by the central part of the impeller is always very weak or non - existent.

[0018] The flow channel 8 is defined by flow channel walls. In Figure 1 one of the flow channel walls is omitted, and only part of the other flow channel wall is shown to show the components inside the flow channel 8. The cross - section of the flow channel 8 has a rectangular shape.

[0019] The air deflector 6 is adapted to deflect a portion of the cooling air flow of the cooling fan 4 in a lateral direction towards the axis of rotation of the impeller 44, where the lateral direction is parallel to a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. In the second direction, the air deflector 6 has a first end adjacent to the cooling fan 4 and a second end adjacent to the radiator 2.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the air deflector is adapted to deflect only a portion of the cooling air flow of the cooling fan in one lateral direction towards the axis of rotation of the impeller.

[0021] The air deflector 6 divides the flow channel 8 into a first part 81 and a second part 82. In the first direction, the distance between the first part 81 of the flow channel 8 and the main body part 22 of the radiator 2 is less than the distance between the second part 82 of the flow channel 8 and the main body part 22 of the radiator 2. It can be said that in Figure 1 this case, the first part 81 is the upper part of the flow channel 8 and the second part 82 is the lower part of the flow channel 8.

[0022] The cross-sectional area of the first part 81 of the flow channel 8 at the first end adjacent to the cooling fan 4 is larger than the cross-sectional area at the second end adjacent to the radiator 2. At the first end of the flow channel 8, the cross-sectional area of the first part 81 is half of the total cross-sectional area of the flow channel 8. At the second end of the flow channel 8, the cross-sectional area of the first part 81 is one-third of the total cross-sectional area of the flow channel 8.

[0023] The total cross-sectional area of the flow channel 8 is the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first part 81 and the second part 82. The total cross-sectional area of the flow channel 8 is substantially the same throughout the entire length of the flow channel 8.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the ratio between the cross-sectional area of the first part of the flow channel at the second end and the cross-sectional area of the first part of the flow channel at the first end is in the range of 40% to 80%.

[0025] The main body part 22 of the radiator 2 has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The main body part 22 defines a main body part plane, and the axis of rotation of the impeller 44 is parallel to the main body part plane.

[0026] The main body part 22 of the radiator 2 is spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the impeller 44 in the first direction. The air deflector 6 is adapted to deflect a portion of the cooling air flow of the cooling fan 4 in the first direction towards the main body part 22 of the radiator 2. This deflection towards the main body part 22 of the radiator 2 is achieved by the fact that, on average, the second end of the air deflector 6 is closer to the main body part plane than the first end of the air deflector 6.

[0027] The capacitor 9 is located between the cooling fan 4 and the radiator 2 in the second direction. Each capacitor in the capacitor 9 has a cylindrical body portion 92, the central axis of which is perpendicular to the plane of the body portion. In the figure, the terminals of the capacitor 9 and the counterparts of the terminals are omitted.

[0028] The air deflector 6 is provided with six capacitor holes 619 such that the cylindrical body portion 92 of each capacitor in the capacitor 9 extends through the air deflector 6 via a corresponding capacitor hole 619. In an alternative embodiment, the radiator assembly does not include any capacitors extending through the air deflector.

[0029] Figure 2 The radiator assembly is shown from a direction parallel to the second direction. Figure 1 In Figure 2 , the first direction is the vertical direction and the third direction is the horizontal direction.

[0030] In Figure 2 , the air deflector 6 is only partially shown such that only the cross-sections of the first end and the second end of the air deflector 6 are shown. In addition, in order to fully show the cross-sections, they are placed in front of all other components of the assembly.

[0031] The air deflector 6 has a first lateral section 61 and a second lateral section 62, which are located on different sides of the rotation axis of the impeller 44 in the third direction. In Figure 2 , the first lateral section 61 is on the left and the second lateral section 62 is on the right. In the first end of the air deflector 6 adjacent to the cooling fan 4, the first lateral section 61 is closer to the plane of the body portion than the second lateral section 62. In the first end of the air deflector 6, in the first direction, the ratio between the distance of the lateral edge of the second lateral section 62 from the body portion 22 of the radiator 2 and the distance of the lateral edge of the first lateral section 61 from the body portion 22 of the radiator 2 is approximately 700%. In an alternative embodiment, the ratio is greater than or equal to 200%.

[0032] In the first direction, the distance between the first end 611 and the second end 612 of the first lateral section 61 of the air deflector 6 is less than the distance between the first end 621 and the second end 622 of the second lateral section 62 of the air deflector 6, where the first end and the second end are spaced apart in the second direction.

[0033] The dimension of the air deflector 6 in the first direction is approximately 80% of the diameter of the impeller 44. In an alternative embodiment, the dimension of the air deflector in the first direction is greater than or equal to 40% of the diameter of the impeller.

[0034] Figure 2It is shown that the cross-section of the air deflector 6 at the first end has a straight shape, while the cross-section of the air deflector 6 at the second end has a slotted shape, such that in the first direction, the lateral edge is closer to the main body portion 22 of the radiator 2 than the middle portion of the cross-section.

[0035] When viewed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the impeller 44, the impeller 44 is adapted to rotate towards the first lateral section 61 between the main body portion 22 of the radiator 2 and the air deflector 6. In Figure 2 it, the impeller 44 is adapted to rotate counterclockwise.

[0036] The fact that the air deflector 6 is adapted to deflect a part of the cooling air flow of the cooling fan 4 in the lateral direction towards the axis of rotation of the impeller 44 is achieved by a plurality of features of the air deflector 6. The above-mentioned slotted form of the air deflector 6 at the second end provides the deflected part.

[0037] In addition, the deflected part is provided by twisting the air flow in the first part 81 of the flow channel 8 about an axis parallel to the second direction. Since in the first direction, the distance between the first end 611 and the second end 612 of the first lateral section 61 of the air deflector 6 is smaller than the distance between the first end 621 and the second end 622 of the second lateral section 62 of the air deflector 6, the twisting of the air flow in the first part 81 is achieved. Referring to Figure 2 in the direction of the cooling air flow, the second lateral section 62 of the air deflector 6 rises much more than the first lateral section 61 of the air deflector 6, thereby twisting the air flow counterclockwise and deflecting the air flow from the right side of the first part 81 towards the middle section of the first part 81. In fact, in the first direction, the second end 612 of the first lateral section 61 is slightly farther from the main body portion 22 than the first end 611 of the first lateral section 61.

[0038] The distance of the axis of rotation of the impeller 44 from the main body portion 22 of the radiator 2 in the first direction is approximately the same as the radius of the impeller 44. In an alternative embodiment, the distance of the axis of rotation of the impeller from the main body portion of the radiator in the first direction is greater than or equal to the radius of the impeller. In another alternative embodiment, the distance of the axis of rotation of the impeller from the main body portion of the radiator in the first direction is less than or equal to 120% of the radius of the impeller.

[0039] Figure 3 The radiator assembly is shown from a direction parallel to the third direction. In Figure 1 it, the first direction is the vertical direction, and the second direction is the horizontal direction. Figure 3

[0040] Figure 4 Figure 1 The radiator assembly is shown from a direction parallel to the first direction. In Figure 1 it.Figure 4 In this case, the third direction is the vertical direction, and the second direction is the horizontal direction.

[0041] This small distance is the distance between the cooling fan 4 and the radiator 2 in the second direction, and it is 20 cm. In an alternative embodiment, the small distance is in the range of 1 cm to 50 cm.

[0042] The ratio between the small distance and the diameter of the impeller 44 is approximately 160%. In an alternative embodiment, the ratio between the small distance and the diameter of the impeller is in the range of 20% to 250%.

[0043] The ratio between the longitudinal dimension of the air deflector 6 and the small distance is approximately 98%, where the longitudinal dimension is parallel to the second direction. In an alternative embodiment, the ratio between the longitudinal dimension of the air deflector and the small distance is in the range of 80% to 100%.

[0044] The air deflector 6 is adapted to obstruct the air flow between the first part 81 and the second part 82 of the flow channel 8, such that on the plane defined by the second direction and the third direction, the total surface area of the projection of the flow path between the first part 81 and the second part 82 of the flow channel 8 is approximately 1% of the surface area of the projection of the flow channel 8. The total surface area of the projection of the flow path includes the gap between the capacitor 9 and the edge of the capacitor hole 619. In an alternative embodiment, the total surface area of the projection of the flow path between the first part and the second part of the flow channel is less than or equal to 15% of the surface area of the projection of the flow channel.

[0045] Here, the heat source is an electrical device that needs to be cooled. In an embodiment, the heat source includes at least one semiconductor device. In Figure 1 the illustrated radiator assembly, the heat source 10 is described as a single component having a rectangular shape and is located in the middle of the first surface of the main body portion 22. In an alternative embodiment, the heat source includes multiple components having different shapes and is asymmetrically placed on the first surface of the main body portion.

[0046] Figures 5 to 7 The air deflector 6 is shown from directions perpendicular to each other. Figure 5 The air deflector 6 is shown from a direction parallel to the second direction. In Figure 5 this case, the first direction is the vertical direction, and the third direction is the horizontal direction. Figure 6 The air deflector 6 is shown from a direction parallel to the third direction. In Figure 6 this case, the first direction is the vertical direction, and the second direction is the horizontal direction. Figure 7 The air deflector 6 is shown from a direction parallel to the first direction. In Figure 7 this case, the third direction is the vertical direction, and the second direction is the horizontal direction.

[0047] Figure 8 shows a heat sink assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 8 the heat sink assembly, there is no capacitor, and the air deflector 6' is different, but otherwise, Figure 8 the heat sink assembly is the same as the Figure 1 heat sink assembly shown.

[0048] Figure 9 The heat sink assembly is shown from a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the impeller 44' of the cooling fan 4' of the heat sink assembly. In Figure 8 the heat sink assembly, according to the same principle as depicted in Figure 9 the heat sink assembly is depicted. Figure 2 depicted in Figure 1 the heat sink assembly.

[0049] The air deflector 6' divides the flow channel 8' into a first part 81' and a second part 82'. The cross-sectional area of the first part 81' of the flow channel 8' is larger at the first end adjacent to the cooling fan 4' than at the second end adjacent to the heat sink 2'. At the first end of the flow channel 8', the cross-sectional area of the first part 81' is half of the total cross-sectional area of the flow channel 8'. At the second end of the flow channel 8', the cross-sectional area of the first part 81' is one-third of the total cross-sectional area of the flow channel 8'.

[0050] At the first end of the air deflector 6' adjacent to the cooling fan 4', the first lateral section 61' is closer to the plane of the main body part than the second lateral section 62'.

[0051] The cross-section of the air deflector 6' has a straight shape in any plane perpendicular to the second direction. At the second end of the air deflector 6', the straight cross-section of the air deflector 6' is parallel to the plane of the main body part. At the first end of the air deflector 6', the straight cross-section of the air deflector 6' forms an angle of 25° with respect to the plane of the main body part. In the first direction, the second end 612' of the first lateral section 61' is slightly farther from the main body part 22' than the first end 611' of the first lateral section 61'.

[0052] Referring to Figure 9 , in the direction of the cooling air flow, the second lateral section 62' of the air deflector 6' substantially rises, while the first lateral section 61' of the air deflector 6' slightly descends, thus twisting the air flow counterclockwise and deflecting the air flow from the right side of the first part 81' towards the middle section of the first part 81'.

[0053] For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the concept of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. The present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above examples, but can vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A heat sink assembly, comprising: A heat sink (2), the heat sink including a main body portion (22) and a plurality of cooling fins (24) protruding from the main body portion (22) in a first direction; A cooling fan (4), the cooling fan being configured to provide a cooling air flow for cooling the heat sink (2), wherein the cooling fan (4) is an axial flow fan including a fan main body (42) and an impeller (44) adapted to rotate relative to the fan main body (42), wherein a distance between the cooling fan (4) and the heat sink (2) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is a small distance, and at least a portion of the cooling air flow is adapted to pass between the plurality of cooling fins (24); Wherein the heat sink assembly includes an air deflector (6), the air deflector being adapted to deflect at least a portion of the cooling air flow of the cooling fan (4) in a lateral direction toward a rotation axis of the impeller (44), wherein the lateral direction is parallel to a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, wherein the main body portion (22) of the heat sink (2) is spaced apart from the rotation axis of the impeller (44) in the first direction, and the air deflector (6) is adapted to deflect at least a portion of the cooling air flow of the cooling fan (4) in the first direction toward the main body portion (22) of the heat sink (2); Characterized in that the heat sink assembly includes a flow channel (8) between the cooling fan (4) and the heat sink (2), wherein the flow channel (8) is defined by a flow channel wall, and wherein the air deflector (6) divides the flow channel (8) into a first portion (81) and a second portion (82), and wherein, in the first direction, a distance between the first portion (81) and the main body portion (22) of the heat sink (2) is less than a distance between the second portion (82) and the main body portion (82) of the heat sink (2).

2. The heat sink assembly according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion (22) of the heat sink (2) defines a main body portion plane, and the rotation axis of the impeller (44) is parallel to the main body portion plane.

3. The heat sink assembly according to claim 2, wherein a distance between the rotation axis of the impeller (44) and the main body portion (22) of the heat sink (2) in the first direction is greater than or equal to a radius of the impeller (44).

4. The heat sink assembly according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the rotation axis of the impeller (44) and the main body portion (22) of the heat sink (2) in the first direction is less than or equal to 120% of the radius of the impeller (44).

5. The heat sink assembly according to claim 1, wherein the small distance is in a range of 1 cm to 40 cm.

6. The radiator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the small distance and the diameter of the impeller (44) is in the range of 20% to 250%.

7. The radiator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the longitudinal dimension of the air deflector (6) to the small distance is in the range of 80% to 100%, and the longitudinal dimension is parallel to the second direction.

8. The radiator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the air deflector (6) in the first direction is greater than or equal to 50% of the diameter of the impeller (44).

9. The radiator assembly according to claim 2, wherein the air deflector (6) has a first lateral section (61) and a second lateral section (62), and the first lateral section and the second lateral section are located on different sides of the rotation axis of the impeller (44) in the third direction. In the first end of the air deflector (6) adjacent to the cooling fan (4), the first lateral section (61) is closer to the plane of the main body portion than the second lateral section (62). When observed in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller (44), the impeller (44) is adapted to rotate towards the first lateral section (61) between the main body portion (22) of the radiator (2) and the air deflector (6).

10. The radiator assembly according to claim 9, wherein in the first direction, the distance between the first end (611) and the second end (612) of the first lateral section (61) of the air deflector (6) is less than the distance between the first end (621) and the second end (622) of the second lateral section (62) of the air deflector (6), and the first end and the second end are spaced apart in the second direction.

11. The radiator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first part (81) of the flow channel (8) in the first end adjacent to the cooling fan (4) is larger than the cross-sectional area in the second end adjacent to the radiator (2).

12. The radiator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the air deflector (6) is adapted to obstruct the air flow between the first part (81) and the second part (82) of the flow channel (8), such that on the plane defined by the second direction and the third direction, the total surface area of the projection of the flow path between the first part (81) and the second part (82) of the flow channel (8) is less than or equal to 15% of the surface area of the projection of the flow channel (8).

13. The radiator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion (22) of the radiator (2) defines a main body portion plane, and the rotation axis of the impeller (44) is parallel to the main body portion plane, wherein the radiator assembly includes a plurality of capacitors (9) located between the cooling fan (4) and the radiator (2) in the second direction, wherein each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors (9) has a cylindrical main body portion (92), and the central axis of the cylindrical main body portion is perpendicular to the main body portion plane, wherein the air deflector (6) is provided with a plurality of capacitor holes such that the cylindrical main body portion (92) of each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors (9) extends through the air deflector (6) via a corresponding capacitor hole (619).

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