Electronic component cooling device

Abstract

This cooling device (14) for at least one electronic component board (12) comprises: - a frame (22), including at least one slide slot (32) for receiving an edge (20) of the board (12), and - a locking device (23) for holding the board (12) in position within the frame (22). The locking device (23) includes a retaining element for housing in the slide slot (32), the retaining element being flexible, the retaining element having a holding configuration in which the retaining element is flexed so as to press the edge (20) of the board (12) against the pressure face (36), and a release configuration in which the retaining element is straightened and allows movement of the board (12) within the slide slot (32). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Electronic component cooling device

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device for at least one electronic component board, comprising:

[0002] - a frame, comprising at least one slide slot intended to receive an edge of the plate, the slide slot being delimited by a locking face and a pressure face opposite the locking face, and

[0003] - a locking device intended to hold the plate in position in the frame.

[0004] In the field of electronics, it is essential to ensure the cooling of electronic components in order to optimize the operation and extend the lifespan of said components.

[0005] Such electronic components are used for example in the field of transport and the proper cooling of these components is generally critical to ensure the proper functioning of a vehicle.

[0006] In the field of rail transport, cooling devices are known, for example, comprising a housing containing electronic component boards. Such electronic component boards generate heat that must be dissipated from the housing.

[0007] It is known to use cooling devices to maintain electronic component boards in a vehicle and to ensure good heat transfer between such electronic components and the outside of the housing. Such cooling devices are described, for example, in US patent 2017 / 257966 A1.

[0008] Such cooling devices do not, however, give complete satisfaction, as these devices are complex to install and expensive to manufacture.

[0009] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to provide a cooling device that is easy to install and inexpensive.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a cooling device for at least one electronic component board, comprising:

[0011] - a frame, comprising at least one slide slot intended to receive an edge of the plate, the slide slot being delimited by a locking face and a pressure face opposite the locking face, and

[0012] - a locking device intended to hold the plate in position within the frame,

[0013] in which the locking device includes a retaining element intended to be housed in the slide slot, the retaining element being flexible and preferably having an elongated general shape and being flexible, the retaining element featuring a holding configuration, in which the holding element is flexed so as to press the edge of the plate against the pressure face when the edge of the plate is inserted into the slide slot, and a release configuration in which the holding element is straightened and allows movement of the plate in the slide slot.

[0014] A cooling device comprising a retaining element that can be brought into its retaining configuration by simple flexion is particularly advantageous because of the ease with which the retaining element can be moved from its release configuration to its retaining configuration, and vice versa. Such a cooling device is also particularly inexpensive to produce, notably due to the small number of components it comprises.

[0015] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the cooling device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically feasible combination: - the locking device includes a locking element connected to the retaining element, and movable between an unlocking position and a locking position, such that the locking element drives the retaining element towards its retaining configuration when it moves from its unlocking position to its locking position, and drives the retaining element towards its release configuration when it moves from its locking position to its unlocking position; - the retaining element comprises a U-shaped profile with a longitudinal axis, delimiting a volume of profile; and the locking element comprises: a locking bar extending into the volume of profile, a locking member, disposed at a first end of the locking bar, and a clamping member, disposed at a second end of the locking bar, the clamping member being movable longitudinally relative to the locking bar, to move the locking element between its unlocking and locking positions, the U-shaped profile being clamped longitudinally between the clamping member and the locking member when the locking element is in its locking position, the longitudinal clamping of the U-shaped profile causing the bending of said U-shaped profile; - the first and second ends of the locking bar are threaded, the locking member, respectively the clamping member, being screwed onto the first, respectively the second, ends of the locking bar; - the locking element includes at least one spacer disposed between the locking member and the U-profile and / or at least one spacer disposed between the clamping member and the U-profile; - the retaining element comprises a flat bar with a longitudinal axis, and the locking element comprises at least two fixing members, each fixing member being configured to be screwed into the frame to move the locking element between its unlocking and locking positions, the flat bar being clamped longitudinally between the two fixing members when the locking element is in its locking position, the longitudinal clamping of the flat bar causing the said flat bar to bend; - the frame comprises a plurality of pairs of slide slots, each pair of slide slots being formed by two slide slots whose locking faces and pressure faces extend along the same respective plane, the cooling device comprising a locking device disposed in each slide slot, the same electronic component plate extending in the slide slots of the same pair of slide slots; - the cooling device includes at least one heat pipe, the electronic component board includes at least one electronic component and a heat conductive plate, the at least one electronic component being thermally connected to the heat conductive plate by at least one heat pipe; - the cooling device includes at least one cover configured to be fixed to the frame, the at least one cover and the frame together defining a sealed internal volume when the cover or each cover is fixed to the frame; and - the cooling device includes at least one heat sink, at least one heat sink extending outside the internal volume and being fixed to the frame and / or the cover.

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic exploded perspective representation of a cooling device comprising a locking device according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional representation along a cutting plane median of the cooling device of the [Fig.l] when mounted;

[0019] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation of a locking device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0020] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation of a retaining element of the locking device of [Fig.4] shown in a retaining configuration; and

[0021] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective representation of a locking device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0022] With reference to [Fig.1], a vehicle (not shown) includes an electronic system 10.

[0023] The vehicle is, for example, a railway vehicle such as a high-speed train, a regional train, a tram or a metro. Alternatively, the vehicle is a road vehicle such as a bus.

[0024] The electronic system 10 includes an electronic component board 12, also called an electronic board, and a cooling device 14.

[0025] The electronic component plate 12 includes at least one electronic component 16 and at least one heat-conducting plate 18. The electronic component plate 12 includes at least one edge 20, extending peripherally from the electronic component plate 12. The edge 20 is substantially flat and the thickness of the edge 20 is, for example, between 1 mm and 10 mm.

[0026] The electronic component 16 is, for example, an electronic circuit board such as a microprocessor. The electronic component 16 is capable of generating heat. The electronic component 16 is, for example, mounted on the heat-conducting plate 18 and secured to the heat-conducting plate 18.

[0027] The heat-conducting platform 18 is, for example, a platform formed from a heat-conducting material, such as aluminum. The heat-conducting platform 18 is configured to conduct the heat generated by the electronic component 16. A portion of the heat-conducting platform 18 preferably forms the edge 20 of the electronic component plate 12.

[0028] The cooling device 14 includes a frame 22 and a locking device 23. The cooling device 14 preferably includes at least one cover 24, preferably at least one heat sink 26 and preferably at least one heat pipe 28.

[0029] Preferably, the electronic system 10 comprises a main electronic board, referred to as the "motherboard" (not shown), assembled to the base of the cooling device 14 and adapted to be covered by the lid 24. The motherboard is adapted to be connected to several electronic component boards 12 forming secondary electronic boards, referred to as "daughterboards." The motherboard allows daughterboards to communicate with each other, and has output connectors for communicating with the outside world.

[0030] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the frame 22 comprises a plurality of walls 30. In the example of [Fig.1], the frame 22 comprises four walls forming a parallelepiped defining two openings on two opposite faces of said parallelepiped.

[0031] The frame 22 includes at least one slide slot 32.

[0032] The slide slot 32 is intended to receive one or the edge 20 of the plate electronic components 12.

[0033] The slide slot extends for example into one of the walls 30 of the frame 22, and opens onto an interior of the frame 22.

[0034] The slide slot 32 is delimited by a bottom 33. The distance between the bottom 33 of the slide slot 32 and an inner face 34 of the frame defines a depth p of the slide slot.

[0035] The depth p of the slide slot 32 is for example between 5mm and 50 mm.

[0036] The slide slot 32 is delimited by a locking face 35 and a pressure face 36 opposite the locking face 35. The pressure face 36 is preferably parallel to the locking face 35. The pressure faces 36 and the locking face 35 preferably connect the inner face 34 of the frame to the bottom 33 of the slide slot 32. The pressure face 36 and the locking face 35 define between them a height h of the slide slot 32.

[0037] The height h of the slide slot 32 is preferably between 5 mm and 30 mm. The height h is greater than the thickness of the edge 20.

[0038] In the example of [Fig. 1], the frame 22 comprises a plurality of pairs of slide slots 32. Each pair of slide slots 32 is formed by two slide slots 32 whose pressure faces 36 and locking faces 35 extend along the same respective plane. The two slide slots 32 of a pair of slide slots 32 extend, for example, into two opposite walls 30 of the frame 22.

[0039] As illustrated in [Fig.1], a single electronic component plate 12 preferably extends into both slide slots 32 of the same pair of slide slots 32.

[0040] The locking device 23 is intended to hold the electronic component plate 12 in position in the frame 22.

[0041] The locking device 23 includes a retaining element 38 and preferably includes a locking element 40.

[0042] The retaining element 38 is intended to be housed in the slide slot 32. The retaining element 38 has a generally elongated shape. The element of retaining element 38 is for example extended along a longitudinal axis X-X' parallel to a longitudinal direction defined by the slide slot 32, so that the retaining element 38 extends longitudinally in the slide slot 32.

[0043] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the cooling device preferably comprises a plurality of locking devices 23, one locking device 23 being disposed in each slide slot 32 of the frame. In particular, one locking device 23 is disposed in each slide slot 32 of a pair of slide slots 32, the locking devices being intended to hold in position two opposite edges 20 of the electronic component board 12.

[0044] The retaining element 38 is flexible. The bending angular stiffness of the retaining element 38, for deformation in a direction perpendicular to the pressure faces 36 and locking faces 35 when the retaining element 38 is in a slide slot 32, is preferably between 0.1 Nmrad and 50 Nmrad

[0045] The retaining element 38 has a retaining configuration, in which the retaining element 38 is flexed so as to press the edge 20 of the electronic component plate 12 against the pressure face 36 when the plate 12 is inserted into the slide slot 32. A variant of the retaining element 38 in its flexed configuration is illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0046] When in its holding configuration, the holding element 38 is supported, on one side, against the locking face 35, and on the other side against the edge 20 of the plate 12, so that it presses the edge 20 of the plate 12 against the pressure face 36. In other words, the edge 20 of the plate 12 is sandwiched between the pressure face 36 and the holding element 38.

[0047] The retaining element 38 has a release configuration, in which the retaining element 38 is straightened and allows movement of the plate 12 in the slide slot 32 when the plate 12 is inserted into the slide slot 32. By straightened, it is understood that the retaining element 38 is substantially straight in the longitudinal direction.

[0048] The edge 20 of the plate 12 is positioned between the retaining element 38 and the pressure face 36 and is movable relative to the frame 22. The plate 12 is, for example, substantially movable in translation along the longitudinal axis X-X' relative to the retaining element 38 and relative to the frame 22, allowing for quick removal of the plate 12. A clearance between the pressure face 36, the retaining element 38, and the plate 12 allows, for example, the displacement of the edge of the plate 12 relative to the pressure face 36 and the retaining element 38. In other words, the sum of the height of the retaining element 38 plus the thickness of the edge 20 of the plate 12 is less than the height h of the slot, to allow free movement of the plate 12 in the slide.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the retaining element 38 is a U-shaped profile 42. Such a retaining element 38 is further shown holding the electronic component board 12 from the top of [Fig. 2]. The U-shaped profile 42 extends along the longitudinal axis X-X'. The U-shaped profile 42 comprises a profile base 44, the profile base 44 corresponding to a face of the profile forming the base of the U of the U-shaped profile 42, as well as profile tabs 46, extending from the base to form the U-shaped profile. The U-shaped profile 42 delimits a profile volume 47 extending between the tabs 46 of the profile.

[0050] The retaining element 38 is preferably an extruded part made of a conductive material such as aluminium or copper, or even of spring steel.

[0051] As an alternative to the retaining element 38 of [Fig. 3], the retaining element 38 has a more complex shape allowing unidirectional buckling. For example, the retaining element may be a square tube with openings at the top. According to this alternative, the retaining element 38 directly retains a retaining bar 48 of the locking element 23.

[0052] When in its retaining configuration 44, the U-shaped profile forming the retaining element 38 is flexed perpendicularly to the profile base 44, in the same direction as the profile tabs 46, as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0053] With reference to [Fig.2], the edge 20 of the electronic component plate 12 is clamped between the profile base 44 and the pressure face 36 when the U-profile forming the retaining element 38 is in its retaining configuration, the tabs 46 of the U-profile being in contact with the locking face 35.

[0054] The locking element 40 is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position.

[0055] When in its locked position, the locking element 40 holds the retaining element 38 in its retaining configuration.

[0056] When in its unlocked position, the locking element 40 leaves the retaining element 38 in its release configuration.

[0057] The locking element 40 is connected to the retaining element 38 such that the locking element 40 drives the retaining element 38 towards its retaining configuration when it moves from its unlocked position to its locking position and such that the locking element 40 drives the retaining element 38 towards its release configuration when it moves from its locking position to its unlocked position.

[0058] In the variant of [Fig.3], the locking element 40 comprises a locking bar 48, a locking member 50 and a clamping member 52. The locking element comprises, for example, at least one spacer 54.

[0059] The locking bar 48 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X'. The locking bar 48 extends, for example, within the volume of the profile 47.

[0060] The locking bar 48 comprises a first end 56 and a second end 58. The first end 56 and the second end 58 of the locking bar 48 are, for example, threaded.

[0061] Advantageously, the retaining element 38 includes a punched / stamped hole designed to retain the locking bar 48 of the locking device 23 within the retaining element 38 when the latter is being handled or is in the locked position. This prevents the locking bar 48 from moving away from the retaining element 38 and from, for example, protruding from the profile volume 47.

[0062] The locking member 50 is disposed at the first end 56 of the locking bar 48. The locking member 50 is configured to be stationary relative to the locking bar 48 when a force is applied along the longitudinal axis X-X' on the locking member 50.

[0063] The locking member 50 is for example screwed onto the first end 56 of the locking bar 48.

[0064] The clamping member 52 is disposed at the second end 58 of the locking bar 48. The clamping member 52 is movable longitudinally relative to the locking bar 48, to move the locking element 40 between its unlocking and locking positions. The position of the locking element 40 is determined in particular by the gap between the clamping member 52 and the locking member 50. The unlocking position corresponds to a position of the clamping member 52 relative to the locking member 50 in which the gap between the locking member 50 and the clamping member 52 is greater than said gap, when the locking element 40 is in a locked position.

[0065] The clamping member 52 is for example screwed onto the second end 58 of the locking bar 48. The locking element 40 is for example movable between its locking and unlocking positions respectively by screwing, unscrewing, the clamping member 52 onto the locking bar 48.

[0066] The gap between the clamping member 52 and the locking member 50 when the locking element 40 is in its unlocked position is, for example, greater than the longitudinal length of the U-profile 42 when the U-profile forming the retaining element 38 is in its released configuration. The U-profile is then free between the clamping member 52 and the locking member 50, the U-profile 42 being in a straightened position in which it is substantially straight along the longitudinal axis X-X'.

[0067] The gap between the clamping member 52 and the locking member 50 when the locking element 40 is in its locked position is, for example, less than the longitudinal length of the U-profile 42 when the U-profile forming the retaining element 38 is in its retaining configuration. When the locking element 48 is in its locked position, the U-profile 42 is clamped longitudinally between the clamping member 52 and the locking member 50, the longitudinal clamping of the U-profile 42 causing the U-profile to bend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X-X'.

[0068] The spacer 54 is for example disposed between the locking member 50 and the U-profile 42. Alternatively, or in addition, the spacer 54 is disposed between the clamping member 52 and the U-profile 42.

[0069] The spacer 54 is, for example, configured to allow rotation of the clamping member 52 and / or the locking member 50 while distributing the longitudinal clamping force exerted by the clamping member 52 and the locking member 50 to the ends of the U-profile 42. The spacer 54 is, for example, smooth and allows, for example, to contain screwing friction between the clamping member 52 and the U-profile 42.

[0070] The heat pipe 28 is arranged on the electronic component board 12. The heat pipe is, for example, part of the electronic component board 12. The heat pipe 28 electrically connects at least one or the electronic component 16 to the heat-conducting section 18.

[0071] The cover 24 is configured to be fixed to the frame 22. In the example of [Fig.1], the cooling device 14 comprises two covers fixed to the frame 22.

[0072] At least one cover 24 and the frame together define a sealed internal volume 60 when the cover or each cover 24 is fixed to the frame 22. Each cover 24 extends, for example, opposite an opening in the frame 22 to close the frame 22 and together define the sealed internal volume 60.

[0073] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], at least one heat sink 26 extends outside the internal volume. At least one heat sink 26 is fixed to the frame 22 and / or the cover 24.

[0074] At least one heat sink 26 is configured to dissipate the heat transmitted by the frame 22 to an exterior of the frame.

[0075] At least one heat sink 26 is, for example, a finned heat sink as shown in [Fig. 1]. Alternatively or in addition, at least one heat sink 26 is a liquid heat sink (not shown).

[0076] A brief description of the installation and operation of a cooling device as described above will now be presented.

[0077] A cooling device 14 as above is provided, the locking devices arranged in a pair of slide slots 32 being provided with their retaining elements 38 in a release configuration and their locking elements 40 in an unlocked position, the cover(s) 24 being disposed(s) away from the frame 22.

[0078] An electronic component plate 12 is then inserted into each of the slide slots 32 of the slide slot pair 32. The edges 20 of the electronic component plate 12 are slid between the retaining element 38 and the pressure face 36 in each of the slide slots 32 of the slide slot pair 32.

[0079] The locking element 40 is then moved from its unlocked position to its locked position to bring the retaining element from its release configuration to its retaining configuration.

[0080] The retaining element 38 in its retaining configuration is flexed so as to press the edges 20 of the electronic component plate 12 against the pressure face 36.

[0081] The cover or each cover 24 is then fixed to the frame 22 so as to define the sealed internal volume 60.

[0082] Advantageously, the mounting / dismounting and holding of the component plate 12 is carried out by accessing the covers 24.

[0083] In operation, the heat generated by each electronic component 16 is conducted into the plate 12. The plate 12 is pressed against the pressure face 36 so that the heat is conducted from the plate 12 to the frame 22. The heat is then preferably transferred by conduction from the frame to at least one heat sink to dissipate the heat outside the frame.

[0084] The embodiment shown below, and with reference to [Fig. 5], differs from the embodiment shown previously only in the following elements. Analogous elements bear the same reference numerals.

[0085] This embodiment proposes integrating the retaining element 38 into the frame 22 to reduce the number of parts and make the device more compact. It also allows locking at either end of the retaining element 38.

[0086] The retaining element 38 comprises a flat bar 62 with longitudinal axis X-X' instead of a U-shaped profile 42. Such a retaining element 38 is further illustrated now at the level of the electronic component plate 12 at the bottom of [Fig.2]

[0087] The locking element 40 comprises at least two fastening members 64 in place of a locking bar 48, a locking member 50 and a clamping member 42.

[0088] Each fastening member 64 is configured to be screwed into the frame 22 to move the locking element 40 between its unlocking and locking positions.

[0089] The flat bar 62 is clamped longitudinally between the two fixing members 64 when the locking element 40 is in its locking position, the longitudinal clamping of the flat bar 62 causing the bending of said flat bar 62.

[0090] The flat bar 62 is a part made of material, for example sheet metal advantageously in a conductive material such as spring steel.

[0091] The flat bar 62 comprises, for example, a main section and two end sections, the main section being connected at its ends to the two end sections by two folds. The main sections extend, for example, substantially perpendicularly to the main section.

[0092] Each end section includes, for example, a region for receiving a fastener 64, the flat bar 62 being thus configured to receive the fasteners 64. The fastener 64 is, for example, a screw intended to be screwed into the frame 22 and to pass through the flat bar 62. The fastener 64 is configured to bring the two ends of the flat bar 62 closer together so as to flex the flat bar 62.

[0093] The flat bar 62 is preferably made by simple sheet metal processes such as bending and stamping.

[0094] The flat bar 62 is substantially longer than the depth of the frame 22, in order to make the ends of the flat bar mobile relative to each other and to move the retaining element 38 between its retaining and release configurations.

Claims

1. Demands Cooling device (14) for at least one electronic component board (12), comprising: - a frame (22), comprising at least one slide slot (32) for receiving an edge (20) of the plate (12), the slide slot (32) being delimited by a locking face (35) and a pressure face (36) opposite the locking face (35), - a locking device (23) for holding the plate (12) in position in the frame (22), characterized in that the locking device (23) comprises a retaining element (38) for being housed in the slide slot (32), the retaining element (38) being flexible and preferably having an elongated general shape, the retaining element (38) having a retaining configuration in which the retaining element (38) is flexed so as to press the edge (20) of the plate (12) against the pressure face (36) when the edge of the plate (12) is received in the slide slot (32),and a release configuration in which the retaining element (38) is straightened and allows movement of the plate (12) in the slide slot (32), in that the locking device (23) comprises a locking element (40) connected to the retaining element (38), and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, such that the locking element (40) drives the retaining element (38) towards its retaining configuration when it moves from its unlocked position to its locked position, and drives the retaining element (38) towards its release configuration when it moves from its locked position to its unlocked position, and in that the support element comprises: - a U-shaped profile (42) with longitudinal axis (X-X'), delimiting a volume of profile (47); and in which the locking element (40) comprises: - a locking bar (48) extending into the profile volume (47), - a locking member (50), disposed at a first end (56) of the locking bar (48), and - a clamping member (52), disposed at a second end (58) of the locking bar (48), the clamping member (52) being movable longitudinally relative to the locking bar (48), to move the locking element (40) between its unlocked and locked positions, the U-profile (42) being clamped longitudinally between the clamping member (52) and the locking member (50) when the locking element (40) is in its locked position, the longitudinal clamping of the U-profile (42) causing the TT profile to bend

2. U. Cooling device (14) according to claim 1, wherein the first (56) and second (58) ends of the locking bar (48) are threaded, the locking member (50), respectively the clamping member (52), being screwed onto the first (56), respectively the second (58), ends of the locking bar (48).

3. Cooling device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking element (40) comprises at least one spacer (54) disposed between the locking member (50) and the U-profile (42) and / or at least one spacer (54) disposed between the clamping member (52) and the U-profile (42).

4. Cooling device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (22) comprises a plurality of pairs of slide slots (32), each pair of slide slots (32) being formed by two slide slots (32) whose locking faces (35) and pressure faces (36) extend in the same respective plane, the cooling device (14) comprising a locking device (23) disposed in each slide slot (32), the same electronic component plate (12) extending in the slide slots (32) of the same pair of slide slots (32).

5. Cooling device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling device (14) comprises at least one heat pipe (28), the electronic component board (12) comprising at least one electronic component (16) and a heat-conducting tray (18), the at least one electronic component (16) being thermally connected to the heat-conducting plate (18) by at least one heat pipe (28).

6. Cooling device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling device (14) comprises at least one cover (24) configured to be fixed to the frame (22), the at least one cover (24) and the frame (22) together defining an internal volume (60) that is sealed when the cover or each cover (24) is fixed to the frame (22).

7. Cooling device (14) according to claim 6, wherein the cooling device (14) comprises at least one heat sink (26), the at least one heat sink (26) extending out of the inner volume (60) and being fixed to the frame (22) and / or the cover (24).

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