Cooling fan and electronic equipment

Abstract

A cooling fan (10) is disclosed that includes an outer guide (23) and an inner guide (22). The outer guide (23) has a portion located between the upper end (21a) and the lower end (21b) of the fins (21) in the axial direction and between two adjacent fins (21), and guides air toward the outside in the radial direction of the impeller (20). The inner guide (22) is positioned between the upper end (21a) and the lower end (21b) of the fins (21) in the axial direction, is positioned closer to the center in the radial direction than the outer guide (23), and is configured to guide air toward the radial outer side of the impeller (20). Therefore, the flow rate and the flow velocity of the air conveyed to the upper side and the lower side of the circuit board (80) can be made appropriate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling fan and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Electronic devices such as video game consoles, personal computers, and server computers are equipped with cooling fans for cooling the CPU (central processing unit), GPU (graphics processing unit), and other heat-generating components mounted on circuit boards. The electronic device disclosed in PCT Patent Publication No. WO2021 / 193882 is configured so that the cooling fan is positioned along the edge of the circuit board. When viewed in the axial direction (upper and lower directions), the circuit board is positioned between the two ends (upper and lower ends) of the cooling fan. When the circuit board is positioned as described above, a single cooling fan is sufficient to deliver air to both the upper and lower sides of the circuit board. Summary of the Invention

[0003] As in the case of the structure disclosed in PCT patent publication WO2021 / 193882, when the cooling performance required by the components installed on the upper side of the circuit board is different from the cooling performance required by the components installed on the lower side, it is expected that the flow rate and flow velocity of the air delivered to the upper and lower sides of the circuit board can be appropriately adjusted according to the components.

[0004] A cooling fan according to the present disclosure includes an impeller having a plurality of fins. The plurality of fins are arranged along a direction of rotation. Each fin has a first end and a second end in the axial direction. The second end is opposite the first end. The cooling fan includes an outer guide member and an inner guide member. The outer guide member has a portion positioned axially between the first end and the second end and between two adjacent fins, and guides air toward the radially outer side of the impeller. Furthermore, the inner guide member is positioned axially between the first end and the second end, is positioned closer to the center in the radial direction than the outer guide member, and is configured to guide air toward the radially outer side of the impeller.

[0005] The electronic device provided in the present disclosure includes the cooling fan and a circuit board. The circuit board is positioned between a first end and a second end in an axial direction.

[0006] The cooling fan is configured so that the outer and inner guides allow for greater freedom in adjusting the airflow. This makes it easy to adjust the flow rate and velocity of air directed toward one side of the circuit board (e.g., the top) and toward the opposite side (e.g., the bottom). This improves the cooling fan's cooling performance for heat-generating components located above and below the circuit board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first example of a cooling fan proposed according to the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the cooling fan is shown.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of the cooling fan is depicted in FIG.

[0010] Figure 4A It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb.

[0011] Figure 4B It shows Figure 4A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the outer guide, the inner guide, and the circuit board.

[0012] Figure 5A is a diagram showing another example of the positional relationship among the outer guide, the inner guide, and the circuit board.

[0013] Figure 5B 1 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the positional relationship among the outer guide, the inner guide, and the circuit board.

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a second example of a cooling fan proposed according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A bottom view of the cooling fan is depicted in FIG.

[0016] Figure 8A It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken along line VIIa-VIIa.

[0017] Figure 8B It shows Figure 8A Figure 2 shows the positional relationship between the outer guide, inner guide and circuit board.

[0018] Figure 9 A diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device equipped with a cooling fan.

[0019] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A front view of the electronic device depicted in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The cooling fan and the electronic device according to the present disclosure will now be described. As an example, the present disclosure describes a cooling fan 10 (see Figure 1 ), cooling fan 110 (see Figure 6 ) and electronic devices 90 (see Figure 9 ).

[0021] In the following description, for example, Figure 1 The directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the upward direction and the downward direction, respectively. Figure 9 The directions indicated by X1 and X2 will be referred to as rightward and leftward directions, respectively, and the directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 will be referred to as forward and backward directions, respectively. These directions are defined to explain the relative positional relationships between the elements (components, members, and sections) of electronic device 90. Therefore, the directions indicated in the drawings do not limit the posture of cooling fans 10 and 110 and electronic device 90 during use.

[0022] [Overview of Cooling Fan]

[0023] First, the cooling fan 10 is described as a first example. Figure 1 As shown, the cooling fan 10 includes an impeller 20. The impeller 20 is rotatable about an axis C1 extending in the vertical direction. The impeller 20 has a plurality of fins 21 arranged in the direction in which the impeller 20 rotates.

[0024] like Figure 4A As shown, the cooling fan 10 has a motor 60 at its center. The motor 60 includes a stator 62 and a rotor 61. The rotor 61 surrounds the stator 62. Furthermore, the cooling fan 10 includes a motor housing 30 that houses the motor 60. The motor housing 30 includes a cylindrical section 30a and a bottom section 30b. The bottom section 30b is positioned at the lower end of the cylindrical section 30a. The rotor 61 of the motor 60 is fixed to the cylindrical section 30a. The impeller 20 is fixed to the motor housing 30 and rotates when driven by the motor 60. The impeller 20 and the motor housing 30 can be integrally molded from a resin.

[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, the fins 21 have a plate-like shape formed in the axial direction and extend radially outward from the impeller 20. When the impeller 20 rotates, air is drawn into the impeller 20 from both the upper and lower sides and delivered radially outward from the impeller 20. The fins 21 may, for example, extend obliquely in two directions, namely, in the radial direction and the rotational direction of the impeller 20. Furthermore, the fins 21 may be curved along a portion of a clothoid curve. The curved shape of the fins 21 can improve the efficiency of air introduction and delivery in the cooling fan 10. The end of each fin 21 (the end closer to the center in the radial direction) can be fixed to the cylindrical section 30a of the motor housing 30. Alternatively, the end of each fin 21 (the end closer to the center in the radial direction) can be connected to the outer edge 22b of the annular inner guide member 22, described later.

[0026] like Figure 2As shown, the cooling fan 10 includes a base plate 40. The base plate 40 has an outer peripheral base portion 41 and a central base portion 42. The outer peripheral base portion 41 is annular. The central base portion 42 is formed inside the outer peripheral base portion 41 and intersects the axis C1 of the cooling fan 10. The outer peripheral base portion 41 has a plurality of mounting sections 41a that protrude radially outward. When the impeller 20 rotates, air is introduced into the impeller 20 through the opening between the central base portion 42 and the outer peripheral base portion 41.

[0027] The base plate 40 is arranged, for example, on one side (the upper side in the illustrated example) in the axial direction of the impeller 20. Figure 4A As shown, the cooling fan 10 includes a support section 50 for supporting the motor 60. The support section 50 has a motor support section 52 positioned inside the motor housing 30 to support the stator 62. The support section 50 has a fixing section 51. The fixing section 51 is provided on the upper end of the support section 50 and fixed to the central base 42. The fixing section 51 and the motor support section 52 can be coupled to each other, for example, via a through-hole formed in the central base 42. The fixing section 51 and the motor support section 52 can be integrally molded from resin.

[0028] like Figure 4A , the central base 42 of the base plate 40 is positioned above the peripheral base 41. This makes it possible to raise the position of the motor 60 and the position of the motor housing 30, which houses the motor 60. This increases the amount of air introduced into the impeller 20 from below the cooling fan 10.

[0029] In a case where the cooling fan 10 is installed in the electronic device 90 , the cooling fan 10 may be provided with a posture in which the base plate 40 is positioned above the impeller 20 , or conversely, positioned below the impeller 20 .

[0030] The electronic device 90 includes a circuit board 80 (see Figure 10 ).like Figure 4A As shown, cooling fan 10 installed in electronic equipment 90 is positioned along the edge of circuit board 80. Circuit board 80 is positioned between upper end 21a and lower end 21b of fin 21 in the axial direction of cooling fan 10 (in the illustrated example, the vertical direction (Z1-Z2)). When impeller 20 rotates, part of the airflow flows along upper surface 80a of circuit board 80, while another part of the airflow flows along lower surface 80b of circuit board 80. This allows a single cooling fan 10 to cool both components (cooling targets) located above and below circuit board 80.

[0031] In the example of electronic device 90, components that generate more heat than components on the upper side of circuit board 80 are mounted on lower surface 80b of circuit board 80. Therefore, as described in detail later, impeller 20 and circuit board 80 are arranged and configured so that more air is supplied to lower surface 80b of circuit board 80 than to upper surface 80a. Components that generate a large amount of heat, such as integrated circuits such as a CPU, GPU, and memory, or SoCs (systems on a chip) that incorporate the functionality of such integrated circuits, may be mounted on lower surface 80b of circuit board 80.

[0032] [Inner guide and outer guide]

[0033] like Figure 4A As shown, the impeller 20 includes an outer guide 23. The outer guide 23 is positioned between the upper end 21a and the lower end 21b of the fin 21 in the axial direction (Z1-Z2) of the cooling fan 10. In other words, the outer guide 23 is positioned downward away from the upper end 21a and upward away from the lower end 21b. The outer guide 23 can be, for example, positioned in the axial direction from the horizontal plane H4 (see Figure 4B , a plane perpendicular to the axial direction), the horizontal plane H4 passes midway between the upper end 21 a and the lower end 21 b of the fin 21.

[0034] The outer guide 23 has a portion positioned between two adjacent fins 21. Figure 3 As shown, the outer guide 23 has, for example, an annular shape surrounding the entire periphery of the motor housing 30 and connects all the fins 21. (The outer guide 23 is Figure 3 ) Therefore, a portion of the outer guide 23 is formed between any two adjacent fins 21.

[0035] like Figure 4A As shown, the impeller 20 includes an inner guide member 22. The inner guide member 22 is positioned between the upper end 21a and the lower end 21b of the fin 21 in the axial direction (Z1-Z2). In other words, the inner guide member 22 is positioned downwardly away from the upper end 21a and upwardly away from the lower end 21b. Furthermore, the inner guide member 22 is positioned closer to the center (axis C1) in the radial direction than the outer guide member 23.

[0036] In addition, the inner guide 22 may have a portion positioned between two adjacent fins 21. Figure 3As shown, the inner guide 22 has, for example, an annular shape surrounding the entire circumference of the motor housing 30 and connects all of the fins 21. Therefore, a portion of the inner guide 22 may be formed between any two adjacent fins 21. The inner edge 22c of the inner guide 22 (the end close to the axis C1) may be connected to the outer peripheral surface of the motor housing 30. It should be noted that the end of the fin 21 located close to the axis C1 does not necessarily need to be connected to the outer peripheral surface of the motor housing 30. In such a case, the inner edge 22c of the inner guide 22 may be connected to the outer peripheral surface of the motor housing 30, and the end of the fin 21 located close to the axis C1 may be connected only to the inner guide 22.

[0037] like Figure 4B As depicted in FIG, the fin 21 has an inner region 21e whose axial width gradually increases radially outward. The inner guide 22 is positioned between the upper and lower edges of the inner region 21e. For example, the inner guide 22 can be arranged so as to intersect a horizontal plane H4 (a plane perpendicular to the axial direction) passing midway between the upper end 21a and the lower end 21b of the fin 21.

[0038] like Figure 4B As depicted, when the impeller 20 is viewed in cross section along the axial direction, the inner guide 22 and the outer guide 23 may be plate-shaped. That is, the widths W2 and W3 of the inner guide 22 and the outer guide 23 may be greater than the thicknesses T2 and T3 thereof.

[0039] The inner guide 22 and the outer guide 23 guide the air flowing into the impeller 20 from above and below to the outside in the radial direction. For example, the air flow F1 is formed (see Figure 4A ), airflow F2 (see Figure 4A ) and airflow F3 (see Figure 4A The air flow F1 is guided by the upper surface 23a of the outer guide 23 (see Figure 4B ) and transported toward the outside in the radial direction. An airflow F2 is formed between the outer guide 23 and the inner guide 22. The airflow F3 is formed by the lower surface of the outer guide 23 and the lower surface 22a of the inner guide 22 (see Figure 4B ) and transported toward the outside in the radial direction.

[0040] The impeller 20 has the two guides 22 and 23 as described above, and thus allows a higher degree of freedom in adjusting the airflow. As a result, it is easy to make the airflow formed along the upper surface 80a of the circuit board 80 and the airflow formed along the lower surface 80b appropriate. In the depicted example, for example, Figure 4AIn this manner, not only can a sufficient flow rate and flow velocity of air be delivered to the lower side of the circuit board 80, but also a desired flow rate and flow velocity of air be delivered to the upper side of the circuit board 80. This improves the cooling performance of the cooling fan 10 for the heat-generating components arranged above and below the circuit board 80. This effectively cools the heat-generating components while reducing the noise generated when the cooling fan 10 is driven.

[0041] like Figure 4B As shown, the outer edge 22b of the inner guide member 22 is positioned inward of the inner edge 23b of the outer guide member 23 (located closer to the axis C1). Therefore, when viewing the cooling fan 10 in the axial direction, the inner guide member 22 and the outer guide member 23 do not overlap. This allows for smooth airflow between the inner guide member 22 and the outer guide member 23. Furthermore, this facilitates the molding of the impeller 20 from resin.

[0042] [Positional Relationship between the Outer Guide and the Inner Guide in the Axial Direction]

[0043] The height of the inner guide member 22 and the height of the outer guide member 23, that is, their positions in the axial direction will now be described. Figure 4B As shown, the outer edge 22b of the inner guide 22 and the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 are positioned away from each other in the axial direction (up and down direction). This makes it possible to increase the width of the airflow path between the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 and the outer edge 22b of the inner guide 22. Figure 4B In the example shown, the inner edge 23 b of the outer guide 23 is positioned higher than the outer edge 22 b of the inner guide 22 .

[0044] Furthermore, if Figure 4B As shown, the position (axial position) of the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 is different from the position (axial position) of the inner edge 22c of the inner guide 22. This increases the freedom in the width of the airflow path formed between the two guides 22 and 23. For example, the width of the airflow path formed between the two guides 22 and 23 can be increased or decreased. Figure 4B In the example shown, the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 is positioned higher than the inner edge 22c of the inner guide 22. This results in an increase in the width of the airflow path formed between the two guides 22 and 23.

[0045] In addition, if Figure 4B As shown, the outer edge 22b and the inner edge 22c of the inner guide member 22 can be shifted to one side in the axial direction relative to the outer edge 23c and the inner edge 23b of the outer guide member 23. That is, the inner guide member 22 can be completely positioned on the horizontal plane H1 (see Figure 4B ) on one side in the axial direction (on Figure 4B ), and the outer guide 23 may be positioned entirely on the side opposite to the inner guide 22 relative to the horizontal plane H1 (in the example of Figure 4B In this example, the inner guide 22 and the outer guide 23 are positioned upward. This further increases the width of the airflow path between the inner guide 22 and the outer guide 23, thereby increasing the amount of air that passes between the two guides 22 and 23 and is transported to the lower side of the circuit board 80.

[0046] [Tilt of guide]

[0047] like Figure 4B As shown, the inner guide 22 can be tilted in such a manner that the height (position in the axial direction) of its outer edge 22b is different from the height of its inner edge 22c. Thus, the inner guide 22 can adjust the direction of the airflow from the impeller 20. Figure 4B In the example shown, the inner guide member 22 is inclined so that the outer edge 22b is lower than the inner edge 22c. This allows air to be fed to the lower side of the circuit board 80.

[0048] The outer guide 23 may also be inclined so that the height (position in the axial direction) of its outer edge 23c is different from the height of the inner edge 23b. In this way, the direction of the airflow from the impeller 20 can be adjusted by the outer guide 23. Figure 4B In the example shown, the outer guide 23 is inclined in such a manner that the outer edge 23 c is lower in height than the inner edge 23 b.

[0049] As mentioned above, in Figure 4B In the example depicted in FIG, both guide members 22 and 23 are inclined in the same direction. Since the guide members 22 and 23 are shaped as described above, airflow between the two guide members 22 and 23 can be smoothed. In the depicted example, the outer edges 22b and 23c of the inner guide member 22 and the outer guide member 23 are lower in height than the inner edges 22c and 23b. This allows for smooth airflow between the two guide members 22 and 23 toward the underside of the circuit board 80.

[0050] [Bending of guide]

[0051] Further, when the impeller 20 is viewed in cross section in the axial direction, at least one of the guides 22 and 23 may be curved.

[0052] As shown in the figure, for example, Figure 4BIn the embodiment, the outer guide member 23 may be bent so as to bulge downward. That is, the outer guide member 23 may be bent along a virtual arc formed around a center located above the outer guide member 23. This bending makes it possible to increase the amount of air that travels from the upper side of the impeller 20 and flows between the two guide members 22 and 23. It should be noted that, unlike Figure 4B Differently, the outer guide 23 does not necessarily need to have the above-mentioned curvature.

[0053] In addition, if Figure 4B As shown, the inner guide 22 may be bent so as to bulge upward. That is, the inner guide 22 may be bent along a virtual arc formed around a center located below the inner guide 22. This curvature makes it possible to increase the amount of air that travels from the upper side of the impeller 20 and flows between the two guides 22 and 23. It should be noted that, unlike Figure 4B Differently, the inner guide 22 does not necessarily need to have the above-mentioned curvature.

[0054] [Positional Relationship Between Circuit Board and Guide]

[0055] like Figure 4B As shown, the circuit board 80 can be positioned, for example, above a horizontal plane H4 that passes midway between the upper end 21a and the lower end 21b of the fin 21. The inner guide member 22 can be positioned below the circuit board 80. More specifically, both the inner edge 22c and the outer edge 22b of the inner guide member 22 can be positioned below the circuit board 80. As a result, air flowing into the impeller 20 from below and hitting the inner guide member 22, and air flowing into the impeller 20 from above and hitting the inner guide member 22 (air passing between the two guide members 22 and 23) are directed toward the underside of the circuit board 80.

[0056] As described above, the outer guide 23 is positioned above the inner guide 22. The outer guide 23 can increase the airflow along the upper surface 80a of the circuit board 80. For example, air introduced into the impeller 20 from above hits the upper surface 23a of the outer guide 23. Then, part of the air is guided to the upper side of the upper surface 80a of the circuit board 80. Figure 4B As shown, the outer guide 23 may be positioned slightly below the circuit board 80. More specifically, the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 may be positioned at substantially the same height as the circuit board 80, and the outer edge 23c of the outer guide 23 may be positioned below the circuit board 80. Figure 4B , a horizontal plane H5 (a plane perpendicular to the axial direction) passing through the circuit board 80 passes through the inner edge 23 b of the outer guide member 23 .

[0057] The present inventors' research has revealed that the flow rate of air delivered from impeller 20 varies with height (position in the axial direction), becoming higher at the height of guide members 22 and 23. As described above, inner guide member 22 is positioned below circuit board 80 and thus contributes to improving the flow rate and flow rate of air along lower surface 80 b of circuit board 80.

[0058] like Figure 4B As shown, the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 is positioned at substantially the same height as the circuit board 80, while the outer guide 23 is positioned higher than the inner guide 22. Positioning the outer guide 23 in this manner helps to increase the flow rate and flow rate of the airflow along the upper surface 80a of the circuit board 80.

[0059] In addition, if Figure 4B As shown, the outer edge 23c of the outer guide 23 is positioned slightly below the circuit board 80. The outer guide 23 and the inner guide 22 positioned in the above manner cooperate to additionally help improve the flow rate of the airflow along the lower surface 80b of the circuit board 80.

[0060] like Figure 4B As shown, the outer edge 22b of the inner guide member 22 and the outer edge 23c of the outer guide member 23 are both positioned below the horizontal plane H5 including the circuit board 80. Thus, air passing between the inner guide member 22 and the outer guide member 23 can be supplied to the lower side of the circuit board 80. Furthermore, as shown in FIG4 , the inner edge 23b of the outer guide member 23 can be located at substantially the same position as the plane including the circuit board 80.

[0061] like Figure 4B As shown, the outer edge 23c of the outer guide member 23 is positioned radially inward from the outer end 21c of the fin 21. When the outer guide member 23 is positioned in the above manner, an airflow path from the upper side of the outer guide member 23 toward the lower side of the circuit board 80 can be provided between the circuit board 80 and the outer edge 23c of the outer guide member 23.

[0062] It should be noted that the positional relationship between the guides 22 and 23 and the circuit board 80 is not limited to, for example Figure 4B . The outer guide 23 may be partially positioned above the circuit board 80, for example. For example, the outer edge 23c of the outer guide 23 may be positioned below the circuit board 80, while the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 may be positioned above the circuit board 80. As another example, the outer guide 23 may be completely positioned above the circuit board 80. That is, both the inner edge 23b and the outer edge 23c of the outer guide 23 may be positioned above the circuit board 80.

[0063] [Alternative guide position]

[0064] The positional relationship between the two guides 22 and 23 is not limited to, for example Figure 4B The example depicted in .

[0065] For example, although the inner edge 22c of the inner guide 22 is positioned higher than the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23, as shown in FIG. Figure 5A As shown, the outer edge 22 b of the inner guide 22 may be positioned lower than the inner edge 23 b of the outer guide 23 .

[0066] Furthermore, the guides 22 and 23 do not necessarily have to be inclined. Figure 5A In the example of FIG, the outer guide 23 is formed in parallel with a horizontal plane H2 which is perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0067] As another example, the height (position in the axial direction) of the inner edge 22c of the inner guide 22 and the height of the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 may be as follows: Figure 5B That is, the horizontal plane H3 perpendicular to the axial direction may pass through both the inner edge 22c of the inner guide member 22 and the inner edge 23b of the outer guide member 23. In this case, the outer edge 23c of the outer guide member 23 may be positioned higher than the outer edge 22b of the inner guide member 22.

[0068] [Radial positional relationship between components]

[0069] like Figure 4B As shown, the fin 21 has an inner region portion 21e and an outer region portion 21f. The inner region portion 21e is a portion where the width of the fin 21 in the axial direction gradually increases as it moves radially outward. The outer region portion 21f is a portion where the width of the fin 21 in the axial direction is substantially constant in the radial direction. Figure 4A ) is positioned above the outer region portion 21f. The inner region portion 21e is positioned inside the outer peripheral base portion 41 of the base plate 40. The inner edge 41b of the outer peripheral base portion 41 (see Figure 4A ) may substantially correspond to the position of the boundary between the outer region portion 21f and the inner region portion 21e.

[0070] The outer guide 23 may be partially positioned inside the inner edge 41b of the outer peripheral base 41 of the base plate 40. Specifically, as Figure 3 and Figure 4A As depicted, the inner edge 23b of the outer guide 23 (see Figure 3 ) can be positioned at the inner edge 41b of the peripheral base 41 (see Figure 3When the outer guide member 23 is positioned in the above-described manner, air conveyed from the upper side of the cooling fan 10 , passing through the opening in the base plate 40 , and introduced into the impeller 20 can be more effectively guided radially outward by the outer guide member 23 .

[0071] like Figure 4A As depicted in FIG, the base plate 40, the outer guide member 23, and the inner guide member 22 are arranged in this order in the axial direction. Specifically, the outer guide member 23 is positioned below the base plate 40, and the inner guide member 22 is positioned below the outer guide member 23. When the guide members 22 and 23 and the base plate 40 are positioned in this manner, air that has passed inside the inner edge 41b of the outer peripheral base 41 of the base plate 40 can be captured by the outer guide member 23 and guided radially outward. In addition, air that has passed inside the inner edge 41b of the outer peripheral base 41 can be captured by the inner guide member 22 and guided radially outward.

[0072] At the same time, the outer edge 23c of the outer guide 23 (see Figure 3 ) is positioned radially outward from the inner edge 41b of the outer peripheral base 41. Therefore, when the cooling fan 10 is viewed in the axial direction, the outer portion of the outer guide 23 overlaps with the outer peripheral base 41 of the base plate 40, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The present inventors' research has revealed that the outer guide member 23 positioned in the above-described manner can reduce the noise generated when the cooling fan 10 is driven.

[0073] like Figure 4B As depicted, a portion of the outer guide member 23 (the portion closer to the axis C1) is connected to the inner region 21e of the fin 21, and the remaining portion of the outer guide member 23 (the portion farther from the axis C1) is connected to the outer region 21f. Positioning the outer guide member 23 in this manner allows the air introduced into the impeller 20 from the upper side of the cooling fan 10 to be more efficiently guided radially outward. The inner guide member 22 is formed in the inner region 21e.

[0074] like Figure 1 As shown, the impeller 20 includes a reinforcement ring 24. The reinforcement ring 24 connects the ends of the fins 21. Thus, the impeller 20 is reinforced. For example, it is possible to prevent the fins 21 from bending when the impeller 20 rotates. In the depicted example, for example, Figure 1 , the reinforcement ring 24 is fixed to the lower end 21b of the fin 21. However, the reinforcement ring 24 may alternatively be fixed to the end 21c of the fin 21 in the radial direction.

[0075] like Figure 3As shown, the outer guide member 23 is positioned inside the reinforcement ring 24. More specifically, the outer edge 23c of the outer guide member 23 is positioned inward from the inner edge 24a of the reinforcement ring 24. Therefore, when the cooling fan 10 is viewed in the axial direction, the outer guide member 23 and the reinforcement ring 24 do not overlap. This facilitates molding the impeller 20 from resin.

[0076] [Second Example of Cooling Fan]

[0077] Now refer to Figures 6 to 8B A cooling fan 110, a second example of a cooling fan according to the present disclosure, is described. The following description of the cooling fan 110 focuses on the differences between the cooling fan 110 and the previously described cooling fan 10. Matters not described with respect to the cooling fan 110 may be considered similar to those described with respect to the cooling fan 10.

[0078] The cooling fan 110 includes an impeller 120 having a plurality of fins 121 arranged along a rotation direction. Figure 8B As shown, each fin 121 has an inner region portion 121a and an outer region portion 121b. As in the case of the cooling fan 10, the inner region portion 121a is a portion where the width of the fin 121 in the axial direction gradually increases as it moves radially outward. The outer region portion 121b is a portion where the width of the fin 121 in the axial direction is substantially constant in the radial direction. The outer peripheral base portion 41 of the base plate 40 (see Figure 8A ) is positioned above the outer region portion 21 f. The inner region portion 21 e is positioned inward from the outer peripheral base portion 41 of the base plate 40.

[0079] like Figure 8B As shown, recesses 121c and 121d are formed on the edges of inner region 121a. Recess 121c is formed at the upper edge of inner region 121a. Recess 121d is formed at the lower edge of inner region 121a. Recesses 121c and 121d can reduce air resistance encountered by fins 121 during the rotation of impeller 120. This can reduce noise generated by the rotation of impeller 120.

[0080] like Figure 8A and 8B As shown, the impeller 120 has an inner guide member 22 and an outer guide member 23, as in the case of the previously described impeller 20. The inner guide member 22 is connected to the inner region portion 121a. The inner region portion 121a has a portion positioned above the inner guide member 22 and a portion positioned below the inner guide member 22. A portion of the outer guide member 23 is positioned on the inner region portion 121a, and the remaining portion is positioned on the outer region portion 121b.

[0081] [Electronic equipment]

[0082] The following will now describe electronic device 90 equipped with cooling fan 10 or cooling fan 110. Electronic device 90 is, for example, an entertainment device functioning as a video game console or audiovisual device. Electronic device 90 outputs video image data generated when executing a game program, video / audio data acquired via a network, and video / audio data acquired from a recording medium such as an optical disc to a display device such as a television. The electronic device may be a personal computer or a server computer.

[0083] like Figure 9 As shown, the electronic device 90 includes a device body 91. The device body 91 has a housing 91a. The housing 91a accommodates the above-mentioned cooling fan 10. The cooling fan 10 is arranged in such a manner that the axis C1 passing through the rotation center of the cooling fan 10 is oriented in the up-down direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the electronic device 90. The housing 91a also accommodates a circuit board on which various electronic components such as a CPU and a GPU are mounted. The housing 91a has a heat sink (e.g., a heat sink or a heat pipe). The heat sink is connected to electronic components such as a CPU. The cooling fan 10 introduces external air into the housing 91a, forming an airflow passing through the heat sink.

[0084] The electronic device 90 has an upper outer panel 92 covering the upper surface of the housing 91a. In addition, the electronic device 90 has a lower outer panel 93 covering the lower surface of the housing 91a. Figure 9 As shown, the exterior members of the electronic device 90 (ie, the upper outer panel 92 , the lower outer panel 93 , and the housing 91 a ) have air inlets Sa, Sb, Sc, and Sd for introducing external air into the interior of the electronic device 90 .

[0085] like Figure 10 As shown, when cooling fan 10 is driven, air is drawn in through upper air inlets Sa and Sb. This drawn-in air flows between the upper surface of housing 91a and upper outer panel 92, and is directed into cooling fan 10 from above. Furthermore, when cooling fan 10 is driven, air is drawn in through lower air inlets Sc and Sd. This drawn-in air flows between the lower surface of housing 91a and lower outer panel 93, and is directed into cooling fan 10 from below.

[0086] like Figure 10 As shown, the cooling fan 10 in the housing 91a is disposed on the edge of the circuit board 80. The air introduced into the cooling fan 10 is conveyed radially outward by the rotation of the impeller 20, forming airflow above and below the circuit board 80.

[0087] summary

[0088] (1) The cooling fan proposed in accordance with the present disclosure includes an impeller having a plurality of fins. The plurality of fins are arranged along a rotational direction. Each of the fins has a first end and a second end in the axial direction. The second end is opposite to the first end. The cooling fan further includes an outer guide and an inner guide. The outer guide has a portion positioned between the first end and the second end in the axial direction and between two adjacent fins, and guides air toward the radially outer side of the impeller. The inner guide is positioned between the first end and the second end in the axial direction, is positioned closer to the center in the radial direction than the outer guide, and is configured to guide air toward the radially outer side of the impeller. The cooling fan has two guides, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in adjusting the airflow. As a result, the flow rate and flow velocity of the air delivered toward one side (e.g., the upper side) of the circuit board and delivered to the opposite side (e.g., the lower side) can be easily adjusted. Thus, the cooling performance of the cooling fan for the heat-generating components arranged on the upper and lower sides of the circuit board can be improved. Therefore, the heat-generating components can be effectively cooled while reducing the noise generated when the cooling fan is driven.

[0089] (2) The cooling fan according to (1) may be configured such that the outer edge and the inner edge of the inner guide are positioned differently in the axial direction. This configuration makes it easier to adjust the direction of the airflow.

[0090] (3) The cooling fan according to (1) or (2) may be configured so that the outer edge and the inner edge of the outer guide are positioned differently in the axial direction. This configuration makes it easier to adjust the direction of the airflow.

[0091] (4) The cooling fan described in any one of (1) to (3) may be configured so that the outer edge of the inner guide is positioned closer to one side in the axial direction (for example, at Figure 4B In the example shown, the outer edge of the outer guide is positioned closer to one side in the axial direction than the inner edge of the outer guide (for example, at Figure 4B (In the example shown, it is placed at a lower position.) Adopting such a configuration makes it possible to smooth the airflow passing between the two guide members.

[0092] (5) The cooling fan configured as described in any one of (1) to (4) may include a base plate positioned in the axial direction relative to the impeller. The base plate may have an outer peripheral base portion having an annular shape. The outer guide member may have a portion positioned closer to the center in the radial direction than the inner edge of the outer peripheral base portion. When such a configuration is adopted, air inside the outer peripheral base portion can be effectively guided by the outer guide member.

[0093] (6) When any one of the structures (1) to (5) is employed, the outer guide member may have a portion positioned radially outward relative to the inner edge of the outer peripheral base portion of the base plate. Employing such a structure makes it possible to smooth the airflow and, therefore, reduce the noise generated when the cooling fan is driven.

[0094] (7) In the case of adopting the structure described in any one of (1) to (6), the base plate, the outer guide member, and the inner guide member may be arranged in this order in the axial direction. Such a structure allows the outer guide member to guide air introduced from the inner portion of the outer peripheral base of the base plate, and allows the inner guide member to guide air passing through the inner portion of the outer guide member.

[0095] (8) The cooling fan according to any one of (1) to (7) may be configured so that the inner edge of the outer guide member is positioned closer to the outside in the axial direction than the outer edge of the inner guide member. Adopting such a configuration makes it possible to smooth the airflow between the inner guide member and the outer guide member and to easily mold the impeller from resin.

[0096] (9) In the case of adopting the structure described in any one of (1) to (8), the cooling fan may further include a reinforcement ring that connects the radial outer ends of the fins. This structure can increase the strength of the impeller.

[0097] (10) The cooling fan according to (9) may be configured so that the outer edge of the outer guide is positioned closer to the center in the radial direction than the inner edge of the reinforcement ring. This configuration makes it possible to avoid complicating the impeller molding process.

[0098] (11) The cooling fan according to any one of (1) to (10) may be configured so that the outer edge of the inner guide member and the inner edge of the outer guide member are positioned away from each other in the axial direction. This configuration allows a sufficient airflow path to be provided between the inner edge of the outer guide member and the outer edge of the inner guide member.

[0099] (12) The cooling fan according to any one of (1) to (11) may be configured so that the inner edge of the outer guide member and the inner edge of the inner guide member are positioned at different positions in the axial direction. This configuration allows for greater freedom in the width of the airflow path formed between the two guide members.

[0100] (13) The cooling fan according to any one of (1) to (12) may be configured so that the outer edge and the inner edge of the inner guide member are respectively positioned closer to one side in the axial direction than the outer edge and the inner edge of the outer guide member. This configuration further expands the airflow path between the outer guide member and the inner guide member.

[0101] (14) The electronic device proposed according to the present disclosure includes the cooling fan described in any one of (1) to (13) and a circuit board located between the first end and the second end.

[0102] (15) The electronic device according to (14) may be configured so that the outer edge of the inner guide member and the outer edge of the outer guide member are positioned closer to one side in the axial direction than a plane including the circuit board. This configuration allows air passing between the inner guide member and the outer guide member to be supplied to one side of the circuit board.

[0103] [other]

[0104] The cooling fan proposed according to the present disclosure is not limited to the cooling fan 10 described above, and various modifications may be made. In addition, the electronic device proposed according to the present disclosure is not limited to the electronic device 90 described above, and various modifications may be made.

[0105] For example, the impeller 20 may include more than two annular guides arranged in the radial direction.

[0106] Furthermore, the cooling fan 10 is configured such that both the outer guide member 23 and the inner guide member 22 are annular, connecting all of the fins 21. However, the inner guide member 22 and the outer guide member 23 may alternatively be provided only for a portion of the impeller 20's rotational direction. In other words, the impeller 20 may have two adjacent fins 21 without the inner guide member 22 and the outer guide member 23 provided between them. In the case where the inner guide member 22 and the outer guide member 23 are provided only for a portion of the impeller 20's rotational direction as described above, the outer guide member 23 is positioned radially relative to the inner guide member 22. In other words, the position (angular position) of the outer guide member 23 in the impeller 20's rotational direction may coincide with the position of the inner guide member 22 in the impeller 20's rotational direction.

Claims

1. A cooling fan, comprising: an impeller comprising a plurality of fins arranged in a rotation direction, each of the fins having a first end and a second end in an axial direction, the second end being opposite to the first end; an outer guide having a portion positioned between the first end and the second end and between two adjacent fins in the axial direction and guiding air toward a radially outer side of the impeller; and An inner guide member is positioned between the first end and the second end in the axial direction, is positioned closer to the center in the radial direction than the outer guide member, and is configured to guide the air toward the radially outer side of the impeller.

2. The cooling fan according to claim 1, wherein The outer edge and the inner edge of the outer guide are different in position in the axial direction.

3. The cooling fan according to claim 1, wherein The outer edge and the inner edge of the inner guide are different in position in the axial direction.

4. The cooling fan according to claim 1, wherein The outer edge of the inner guide is positioned closer to one side in the axial direction than the inner edge of the inner guide, and An outer edge of the outer guide is positioned closer to the one side in the axial direction than an inner edge of the outer guide.

5. The cooling fan according to claim 1, further comprising: a base plate positioned relative to the impeller in the axial direction, wherein The substrate has an outer peripheral base portion in an annular shape, and The outer guide has a portion located closer to the center in the radial direction than the inner edge of the outer peripheral base.

6. The cooling fan according to claim 1, further comprising: a base plate positioned relative to the impeller in the axial direction, wherein The substrate has an outer peripheral base portion in an annular shape, and The outer guide has a portion located closer to the outside in the radial direction than the inner edge of the outer peripheral base.

7. The cooling fan according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The base plate, the outer guide, and the inner guide are arranged in the mentioned order along the axial direction.

8. The cooling fan according to claim 1, wherein An inner edge of the outer guide is positioned closer to the outside in the axial direction than an outer edge of the inner guide.

9. The cooling fan according to claim 1, further comprising: A reinforcement ring is coupled to radially outer ends of the fins.

10. The cooling fan according to claim 9, wherein The outer edge of the outer guide is positioned closer to the center in the radial direction than the inner edge of the reinforcement ring.

11. The cooling fan according to claim 1, wherein The outer edge of the inner guide and the inner edge of the outer guide are located away from each other in the axial direction.

12. The cooling fan according to claim 1, wherein The inner edge of the inner guide and the inner edge of the outer guide are placed at different positions in the axial direction.

13. The cooling fan according to claim 1, wherein The outer edge and the inner edge of the inner guide are located closer to one side in the axial direction than the outer edge and the inner edge of the outer guide, respectively.

14. An electronic device comprising: cooling fan; and a circuit board positioned in an axial direction between the first end and the second end, wherein The cooling fan comprises: an impeller including a plurality of fins arranged in a rotational direction, each of the fins having a first end and a second end in the axial direction, the second end being opposite to the first end, an outer guide having a portion positioned between the first end and the second end in the axial direction and between two adjacent fins, and guiding air toward the radially outer side of the impeller, and An inner guide member is positioned between the first end and the second end in the axial direction, is positioned closer to the center in the radial direction than the outer guide member, and is configured to guide the air toward the radially outer side of the impeller.

15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein An outer edge of the inner guide and an outer edge of the outer guide are positioned closer to one side in the axial direction than a plane including the circuit board.

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