Heat dissipation device and heat dissipation method

Abstract

Ensuring heat dissipation when the fan malfunctions. [Solution] The heat dissipation device is provided on an electronic device 1 which is composed of multiple wall portions 11 arranged in different directions, and includes a fan 21 provided in or inside the wall portion to dissipate heat to the outside of the wall portion, multiple vents arranged in the wall portion, a cover portion 13 that opens and closes each vent, a cover drive portion 24, 24' that drives the opening and closing operation of the cover portion 13, an operation detection portion 22 that detects the operation of the fan 21, and a control portion 26 that controls the cover drive portion 24, 24' to drive to open a predetermined vent 12 based on the detection of a malfunction of the fan 21 by the operation detection portion 22.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste heat device and a waste heat method.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the electronic device of Patent Document 1, the housing has an upper wall provided with a first ventilation part and a right side wall provided with a second ventilation part, and it is described that it can be installed in both a horizontal posture with the upper wall facing upward and a vertical posture with the right side wall facing upward. Further, in the electronic device of Patent Document 1, it is described that the fan can blow air in both a first blowing direction from the second ventilation part side toward the first ventilation part side in the horizontal posture and a second blowing direction from the first ventilation part side toward the second ventilation part side in the vertical posture.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A fan is used as a waste heat device for waste heat in an electronic device. When the fan causes a malfunction, the waste heat function stops, which may cause a malfunction or function limitation of the electronic device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a waste heat device and a waste heat method that can ensure the waste heat function when the fan causes a malfunction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a heat dissipation device according to one aspect of the present invention is provided on an electronic device that is surrounded by a plurality of walls arranged in different directions, and includes a fan provided in or inside the walls to dissipate heat to the outside of the walls, a plurality of vents arranged in the walls, a lid that opens and closes each of the vents, a lid drive unit that drives the opening and closing operation of the lids, an operation detection unit that detects the operation of the fan, and a control unit that controls the lid drive unit to open a predetermined vent based on the detection of a malfunction of the fan by the operation detection unit.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, a heat dissipation method according to one aspect of the present invention relates to a heat dissipation device that includes a fan for dissipating heat from inside a plurality of walls arranged in different directions to the outside of the walls, a plurality of vents arranged in the walls, a lid for opening and closing each of the vents, a lid drive unit for driving the opening and closing operation of the lids, and an operation detection unit for detecting the operation of the fan, wherein if the fan malfunctions, a predetermined vent is opened. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention ensures heat dissipation when a fan malfunctions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device to which the heat dissipation device according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of electronic equipment to which the heat dissipation device according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing another arrangement of the electronic device to which the heat dissipation device according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing another arrangement of the electronic device to which the heat dissipation device according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram of the heat dissipation device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a front view of an electronic device to which the heat dissipation device according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart of the heat dissipation method according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a front view of another example of a heat dissipation device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of BB shown in Figure 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments described below include those that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that fall within the so-called equivalent range. Moreover, the components disclosed in the embodiments described below can be combined as appropriate.

[0011] [Electronic equipment] Figure 1 shows an electronic device to which the heat dissipation device according to this embodiment is applied.

[0012] Electronic device 1 may be, for example, a car navigation system or a car audio system. This electronic device 1 includes a housing 10 and a display unit (not shown).

[0013] Here, we define the directions of the enclosure 10. Specifically, the enclosure 10 is constructed as a rectangular parallelepiped (rectangular hexahedron), and the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are defined based on a pair of faces facing opposite directions. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are mutually orthogonal in three dimensions.

[0014] The housing 10 is exemplified by one configured as 1 DIN in the DIN standard. The housing 10 has six wall portions 11 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped (rectangular hexahedron). The wall portions 11 include a first wall portion 11A and a second wall portion 11B facing the first direction X, a third wall portion 11C and a fourth wall portion 11D facing the second direction Y, and a fifth wall portion 11E and a sixth wall portion 11F facing the third direction Z.

[0015] At least one of the wall portions 11 of the housing 10 is provided with a connection connector (not shown), and the display unit can be electrically connected via the connection connector. And, the housing 10 houses electronic components inside in order to perform various displays on the display unit.

[0016] When there are restrictions on the arrangement based on the structure of a vehicle or the like that is the mounting target, the housing 10 of this electronic device 1 is mainly arranged in the forms shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. Specifically, in the form shown in FIG. 2, the first wall portion 11A and the second wall portion 11B in the first direction X are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the third wall portion 11C and the fourth wall portion 11D in the second direction Y are oriented in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the fifth wall portion 11E and the sixth wall portion 11F in the third direction Z are oriented in the up-down direction of the vehicle. Also, in the form shown in FIG. 3, the first wall portion 11A and the second wall portion 11B in the first direction X are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the third wall portion 11C and the fourth wall portion 11D in the second direction Y are oriented in the up-down direction of the vehicle, and the fifth wall portion 11E and the sixth wall portion 11F in the third direction Z are oriented in the left-right direction of the vehicle. Also, in the form shown in FIG. 4, the first wall portion 11A and the second wall portion 11B in the first direction X are oriented in the up-down direction of the vehicle, the third wall portion 11C and the fourth wall portion 11D in the second direction Y are oriented in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the fifth wall portion 11E and the sixth wall portion 11F in the third direction Z are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0017] [Exhaust heat device] In the various arrangements described above, the housing 10 needs to discharge the heat released from the internal electronic components to the outside. In the exhaust heat device of the embodiment, by including the fan 21 shown in FIG. 1, forced exhaust heat is performed. In the electronic device 1 of the embodiment, the fan 21 is shown as an example of being arranged on the second wall portion 11B inside the housing 10. That is, the electronic device 1 of the embodiment performs exhaust heat to the outside of the housing 10 through the second wall portion 11B by the fan 21. Note that the fan 21 is not limited to the second wall portion 11B and may be arranged on other wall portions 11. Also, the fan 21 may be arranged outside the wall portion 11.

[0018] Here, the fan 21 is arranged in general electronic devices as well. However, in general electronic devices, if a malfunction occurs in the fan 21, the exhaust heat function stops, which may cause a malfunction or function limitation of the electronic device.

[0019] In this regard, the exhaust heat device of the embodiment ensures the exhaust heat function when the fan 21 causes a malfunction. Moreover, the exhaust heat device of the embodiment ensures an exhaust heat function according to the arrangement of the housing 10 when the fan 21 causes a malfunction in the various arrangements of the housing 10 described above.

[0020] As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, the exhaust heat device of the embodiment includes the above-described fan 21, an operation detection unit (fan drive unit) 22, a ventilation port 12, a lid portion 13, a lid drive unit 24, an arrangement detection unit 25, and a control unit 26.

[0021] The operation detection unit 22 detects the operation of the fan. The operation detection unit 22 is configured, for example, by a motor as a fan drive unit that drives the fan 21. Since the operation detection unit 22 rotates the fan 21 by the operation of the motor, it can detect a malfunction of the fan 21 from the fact that the motor does not operate.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the ventilation opening 12 penetrates the wall portion 11 of the housing 10 from the inside to the outside. The ventilation opening 12 includes a pair of first ventilation openings 12a arranged along two opposing rectangular sides of one wall portion 11, and a pair of second ventilation openings 12b arranged along two other opposing rectangular sides. In the configuration of the housing 10 shown in Figures 2 to 4, one of the first ventilation openings 12a or one of the second ventilation openings 12b is positioned along the upper side of the vertically positioned wall portion 11. The heat emitted from the electronic components of the housing 10 is directed upwards inside, and is therefore discharged through the ventilation openings 12a and 12b positioned along the upper side of the vertically positioned wall portion 11. In the case of the enclosure 10 when the fan 21 is not operating, the heat flow is significant upward, and the heat dissipation from the vents 12a and 12b, which are located along the upper edge of the vertically positioned wall 11, is particularly effective. Although the vents 12a and 12b are shown as a single elongated hole along the edge of the wall 11, they may be configured as multiple holes along the edge of the wall 11.

[0023] The vent 12 does not need to be kept open at all times, as heat is dissipated when the fan 21 is operating. In fact, keeping the vent 12 open would reduce the shielding of the electronic equipment and the rigidity of the housing 10. Therefore, the heat dissipation device of this embodiment includes a cover portion 13 that can cover the vent 12, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Note that Figures 6 and 7 show the wall portion 11A in Figure 2.

[0024] The cover portion 13 opens and closes the ventilation opening 12. The cover portion 13 includes a first cover portion 13a corresponding to the first ventilation opening 12a and a second cover portion 13b corresponding to the second ventilation opening 12b. The first cover portion 13a is arranged in pairs along two opposing rectangular sides of one wall portion 11. The second cover portion 13b is arranged in pairs along two other opposing rectangular sides. The cover portions 13a and 13b are formed in a plate shape along the surface of the wall portion 11 and cover the ventilation openings 12a and 12b. In this embodiment, the cover portions 13a and 13b are formed in a rectangular plate shape.

[0025] The heat dissipation device of the embodiment relates to the lid portion 13 and has a guide portion 14 as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The guide portion 14 guides the movement of the lid portion 13. The guide portion 14 includes a first guide portion 14a corresponding to the first lid portion 13a and a second guide portion 14b corresponding to the second lid portion 13b. The first guide portion 14a guides the movement of the lid portion 13a by covering both ends which are part of the lid portion 13a with a ventilation opening 12a and supporting the lid portion 13a so that it can move along the surface of the wall portion 11. The second guide portion 14b guides the movement of the lid portion 13b by covering both ends which are part of the lid portion 13b with a ventilation opening 12b and supporting the lid portion 13b so that it can move along the surface of the wall portion 11. The guides 14a and 14b guide the lids 13a and 13b to move to positions where they move away from the edge of the wall 11 and away from the position of the vents 12a and 12b, opening the vents 12a and 12b, and to positions where they move closer to the edge of the wall 11 and cover the vents 12a and 12b, closing the vents 12a and 12b.

[0026] The lid drive unit 24 drives the movement (opening and closing operation) of each lid 13 in order to open and close each vent 12. In this embodiment, the lid drive unit 24 is configured as a solenoid. The solenoid as the lid drive unit 24 moves the iron core 24a forward and backward by electromagnetic force. The lid drive unit 24 moves the lid 13 so as to close the vent 12 by advancing the iron core 24a. Conversely, the lid drive unit 24 moves the lid 13 so as to open the vent 12 by retracting the iron core 24a.

[0027] The arrangement detection unit 25 detects the arrangement of the wall portion 11. The arrangement detection unit 25 can be configured, for example, with a gyro sensor. The gyro sensor, which is the arrangement detection unit 25, detects the arrangement of the housing 10 and the arrangement of the wall portion 11 by detecting angular velocity.

[0028] The control unit 26 is an arithmetic processing unit composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 26 loads a program stored in a storage unit (not shown) into memory and executes the instructions contained in the program. The control unit 26 includes internal memory (not shown), which is used for temporary data storage, etc.

[0029] The control unit 26 controls the fan drive unit, which is the motion detection unit 22. Specifically, the control unit 26 outputs a drive signal to the fan drive unit, which is the motion detection unit 22, causing the fan 21 to rotate. The control unit 26 then receives the operation signal from the fan drive unit, which is the motion detection unit 22, and determines whether the fan drive unit is operating normally, that is, whether the fan 21 is rotating normally.

[0030] The control unit 26 controls the solenoid, which is the lid drive unit 24. Specifically, the control unit 26 outputs a drive signal to the solenoid, which is the lid drive unit 24, to move the lid 13 and open and close the vent 12.

[0031] The control unit 26 receives a detection signal from the placement detection unit 25. That is, based on the detection signal from the placement detection unit 25, the control unit 26 determines which wall section 11 is positioned vertically and which side (ventilation opening 12) of the vertically positioned wall section 11 is positioned on the upper side.

[0032] The lid 13, lid drive unit 24, and placement detection unit 25 described above may be placed either on the outside or inside of the wall 11 (housing 10). The control unit 26 constitutes an electronic component and is mainly placed inside the wall 11 (housing 10).

[0033] Figure 8 is a flowchart of the heat dissipation method, which is the operation of the heat dissipation device according to the embodiment.

[0034] The electronic device 1 is arranged in the form of a housing 10, for example, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. The heat dissipation device operates by having the control unit 26 control the fan drive unit, which is the motion detection unit 22, based on the power supply to the electronic device 1, and rotate the fan 21. Therefore, the heat dissipation device dissipates heat using the fan 21 regardless of the arrangement of the housing 10. The heat dissipation device also operates by having the control unit 26 control the solenoid, which is the lid drive unit 24, based on the power supply to the electronic device 1, and move the lid 13 so as to close all the vents 12. The power supply to the electronic device 1 is performed when the vehicle's accessory power (ACC) is turned on, if the electronic device 1 is installed in a vehicle.

[0035] As described above, in the configuration where the fan 21 is rotating and all the vents 12 are closed, as shown in Figure 8, in step S1, the control unit 26 determines that the fan 21 is malfunctioning. If the control unit 26 determines that the fan 21 is malfunctioning in step S1 (step S1: Yes), it proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if the control unit 26 does not determine that the fan 21 is malfunctioning in step S1 (step S1: No), that is, if the fan 21 is operating normally, the determination in step S1 is repeated.

[0036] In step S2, the control unit 26 detects the arrangement of the wall portions 11. That is, the control unit 26 determines which wall portions 11 are arranged vertically and which side (ventilation opening 12) of the vertically arranged wall portions 11 is located on the upper side. This step S2 may be performed before step S1, when power is supplied to the electronic device 1.

[0037] In step S3, the control unit 26 opens a predetermined vent 12. Here, the predetermined vent 12 is the upper vent 12 of the vertically positioned wall portion 11, which was determined in step S2. In order to open the predetermined vent 12, the control unit 26 controls the solenoid, which is the lid drive unit 24, to move the lid portion 13 that is blocking the vent 12.

[0038] In this way, when the fan 21 malfunctions, the heat dissipation device opens the ventilation opening 12 on the upper side of the wall portion 11, which is positioned vertically in the housing 10, thereby ensuring heat dissipation.

[0039] In this configuration, if all of the ventilation openings 12 are kept open at all times, the heat dissipation function can be ensured even if the fan 21 malfunctions. However, keeping all of the ventilation openings 12 open at all times would reduce the shielding ability of the electronic device 1 and the rigidity of the housing 10. Therefore, in the heat dissipation device of this embodiment, only certain ventilation openings 12 are kept open, and the other ventilation openings 12 are covered by the cover portion 13.

[0040] Incidentally, the power supply to the electronic device 1 is cut off when the vehicle's accessory power (ACC) is turned off, if the electronic device 1 is installed in the vehicle. In the heat dissipation device, when the vehicle's accessory power (ACC) is turned off, the control unit 26 controls the fan drive unit, which is the operation detection unit 22, to stop the fan 21. In the embodiment, when the vehicle's accessory power is turned off, the control unit 26 may control the solenoid, which is the cover drive unit 24, to move the cover 13 to open all the vents 12. In this way, the heat dissipation device can ensure heat dissipation even when the fan 21 is stopped due to the power supply to the electronic device 1 being cut off by opening all the vents 12 when the vehicle's accessory power is turned off. When the vehicle's accessory power is turned off, the electronic device 1 does not operate, so there is no effect on the shielding performance, and since the vehicle does not move, there is no effect on the rigidity of the housing 10, so there is no problem in opening all the vents 12.

[0041] In the heat dissipation device of this embodiment, the solenoid, which is the lid drive unit 24, has a permanent magnet 24b and can be configured as a self-holding latching solenoid that holds the moved position of the lid 13 that opens the vent 12 and the moved position of the lid 13 that closes the vent 12. By using a latching solenoid as the lid drive unit 24, after moving the iron core 24a by electromagnetic force, the moved position of the lid 13, which is the position of the iron core 24a, can be held without continuously applying electromagnetic force. In other words, after the heat dissipation device moves the lid 13 to close all the vents 12 by supplying power to the electronic device 1 (when the vehicle's accessory power is turned on), the closure of the vents 12 can be maintained without continuously applying electromagnetic force. Furthermore, when the power supply to the electronic device 1 is stopped (the vehicle's accessory power is turned off), the heat dissipation device moves the lid 13 to open all the vents 12, and then maintains the vents 12 open without continuously applying electromagnetic force. Moreover, since the heat dissipation device of this embodiment uses a latching solenoid as the lid drive unit 24, the movement of the lid 13 can be locked. For example, when the electronic device 1 is installed on a moving object such as a vehicle, the generation of rattle noise caused by the lid 13 hitting the wall 11 or the like due to the movement and vibration of the vehicle can be suppressed.

[0042] Furthermore, in the heat dissipation device of this embodiment, the lid portion 13 may be provided with a weight portion 15. The weight portion 15 can be configured as the lid portion 13 itself, for example. The weight portion 15 moves downward according to the guide portion 14 by the weight of the lid portion 13, which is positioned above the vertically arranged wall portion 11. As a result, the lid portion 13 can move in a way that opens the vent 12 located on the upper side of the two opposing rectangular sides of the vertically arranged wall portion 11, and moves in a way that closes the vent 12 located on the lower side. The weight portion 15 may also be fixed separately to the lid portion 13. Furthermore, when the weight portion 15 is provided in this manner, the latching solenoid, which is the lid drive unit 24, has a permanent magnet 24b to hold only the moved position of the lid portion 13 that closes the vent 12. By applying electromagnetic force, the lid portion 13 is driven to the closed side (the side that is attracted to the permanent magnet 24b), while at the same time, by applying electromagnetic force, the lid portion 13 is configured to move freely to the open side against the attractive force of the permanent magnet 24b. In other words, when the heat dissipation device detects a malfunction of the fan 21, it controls the solenoid (latching solenoid), which is the lid drive unit 24, to open all the vents 12 from their closed positions. As a result, only the lid portion 13 of the vent 12 located on the upper side of the vertically arranged wall portion 11 moves downward due to the weight of the weight portion 15, opening the vent 12, while the other lid portions 13 remain closed due to the weight of the weight portion 15 and the attractive force of the permanent magnet 24b and do not move. Therefore, this heat dissipation device can omit the placement detection unit 25 in Figure 5 and the control in step S2 in Figure 8.

[0043] [Other examples of heat dissipation devices] Figures 9 to 11 show other examples of heat dissipation devices.

[0044] The heat dissipation device shown in Figures 9 and 10 includes a fan 21, an operation detection unit (fan drive unit) 22, a vent 12, a cover 13, a cover drive unit 24', a placement detection unit 25, and a control unit 26, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 5. Note that Figure 9 shows the wall 11A in Figure 2.

[0045] The ventilation opening 12 and the cover portion 13 are the same as those shown in Figures 6 and 7 and described above, so their explanation is omitted. The cover portion 13 is guided to move by the guide portion 14'.

[0046] The guide section 14' includes a first guide section 14a corresponding to the first lid section 13a and a second guide section 14b corresponding to the second lid section 13b. The first guide section 14a guides the movement of the lid section 13a by opening the ventilation opening 12a and covering the lid section 13a, thereby supporting the lid section 13a so that it can move along the surface of the wall section 11. The second guide section 14b guides the movement of the lid section 13b by opening the ventilation opening 12b and covering the lid section 13b, thereby supporting the lid section 13b so that it can move along the surface of the wall section 11. The guides 14a and 14b guide the lids 13a and 13b to move to positions where they move away from the edge of the wall 11 and away from the position of the vents 12a and 12b, opening the vents 12a and 12b, and to positions where they move closer to the edge of the wall 11 and cover the vents 12a and 12b, closing the vents 12a and 12b.

[0047] The lid drive unit 24' drives the movement (opening and closing operation) of each lid 13 in order to open and close each ventilation opening 12. The lid drive unit 24' is configured as an electromagnet. The electromagnet as the lid drive unit 24' generates a magnetic force when power is supplied. The power supply is controlled by the control unit 26. In the heat dissipation device of this embodiment, the lid drive unit 24' is fixed to the guide unit 14'.

[0048] In the heat dissipation device of this embodiment, the lid 13 has an adsorption part 17. The adsorption part 17 is made of a magnet so as to be attracted to an electromagnet, which is a lid drive unit 24' supplied with power. The adsorption part 17 is fixed to the lid 13 as shown in Figure 10. In this embodiment, the adsorption part 17 is formed in the shape of a rod that is inserted into and supported by an elongated hole 14c formed in the guide part 14'. The elongated hole 14c is formed to be elongated along the direction of movement of the lid 13, corresponding to the range of movement of the lid 13. Therefore, the adsorption part 17 moves along the elongated hole 14c together with the lid 13. The adsorption part 17 may also be configured as a weight that moves the lid 13 downward. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation device is able to maintain the moved position of the lid 13 by the attraction of the electromagnet, which acts as the lid drive unit 24', causing the magnet, which acts as the adsorption unit 17, to be attracted to the iron core used in the electromagnet. For example, when the electronic device 1 is installed on a moving object such as a vehicle, the generation of rattle noise caused by the lid 13 hitting the wall 11 or the like due to the movement and vibration of the vehicle can be suppressed.

[0049] The heat dissipation device shown in Figure 11 includes different forms of suction parts 17'. The suction part 17' consists of a magnet so as to be attracted to an electromagnet, which is a lid drive unit 24' supplied with power. The suction part 17' is configured separately from the lid 13 and is positioned to move along the direction of movement of the lid 13 relative to the wall 11. The suction part 17' is formed in a spherical shape and is supported by being inserted through an elongated hole 14c formed in the guide part 14'. Alternatively, the suction part 17' is provided so as to be inserted through a through hole 13c formed in the lid 13 and in contact with the surface of the wall 11. The through hole 13c is formed in a circular shape through which the spherical suction part 17' passes. Therefore, the suction part 17' moves along the elongated hole 14c while rolling in contact with the surface of the wall 11, accompanied by the lid 13. The suction part 17' may also be configured as a weight to move the lid 13 downward. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation device is able to maintain the moved position of the lid 13 by the attraction of the electromagnet 24', which attracts the magnet 17', which is the adsorption part, to the iron core used in the electromagnet. For example, when the electronic device 1 is installed on a moving object such as a vehicle, the generation of rattle noise caused by the lid 13 hitting the wall 11 or the like due to the movement and vibration of the vehicle can be suppressed.

[0050] The lid portion 13, guide portion 14', suction portions 17, 17', and lid drive portion 24' described above may be arranged either on the outside or inside of the wall portion 11 (housing 10). The control unit 26 constitutes an electronic component and is mainly arranged inside the wall portion 11 (housing 10).

[0051] The heat dissipation devices shown in Figures 9 to 11 perform the operations described above as shown in the flowchart in Figure 8 and implement the heat dissipation method described above; therefore, their explanation is omitted.

[0052] The heat dissipation device of the above-described embodiment is characterized by being provided on an electronic device 1 which is composed of a plurality of wall portions 11 arranged in different directions, and includes a fan 21 provided on or inside the wall portions 11 to dissipate heat to the outside of the wall portions 11, a plurality of vents 12 arranged on the wall portions 11, a cover portion 13 that opens and closes each vent 12, a cover drive portion 24, 24' that drives the opening and closing operation of the cover portion 13, an operation detection portion 22 that detects the operation of the fan 21, and a control portion 26 that controls the cover drive portion 24, 24' to drive to open a predetermined vent 12 based on the detection of a malfunction of the fan 21 by the operation detection portion 22.

[0053] With this heat dissipation device, if the fan 21 malfunctions, the heat dissipation function can be ensured by opening a predetermined vent 12.

[0054] Furthermore, the heat dissipation device of the embodiment further includes an arrangement detection unit 25 for detecting the arrangement of the wall portion 11, and the control unit 26 drives the lid drive units 24, 24' to open the vent 12 located on the upper side of the vertically arranged wall portion 11, based on the detection of a malfunction of the fan 21 by the operation detection unit 22 and the detection of the arrangement of the wall portion 11 by the arrangement detection unit 25.

[0055] If the fan 21 is not operating, the heat rises and moves to the upper side of the vertically positioned wall section 11. Therefore, this heat dissipation device can efficiently dissipate heat by detecting the position of the wall section 11 and opening the vent 12 located on the upper side of the vertically positioned wall section 11. Furthermore, this heat dissipation device can ensure the shielding and rigidity of the electronic equipment 1 in the area where the closed vents 12 are located by closing off the other vents 12 in the wall section 11, except for the upper vent 12.

[0056] Furthermore, in the heat dissipation device of this embodiment, the lid drive unit 24 consists of a solenoid that moves the lid 13 to a position where the vent 12 is opened and closed.

[0057] This heat dissipation device allows for smooth movement of the lid 13 that opens and closes the vent 12. In particular, by using a latching solenoid for the lid drive unit 24, the position of the lid 13 that opens and closes the vent 12 can be maintained without continuously applying electromagnetic force. Therefore, when the electronic device 1 is installed on a moving object such as a vehicle, this heat dissipation device can move the lid 13 and maintain its position when the accessory power is turned on and off. Moreover, because this heat dissipation device can maintain the position of the lid 13 by using a latching solenoid for the lid drive unit 24, for example, when the electronic device 1 is installed on a moving object such as a vehicle, the generation of rattle noise caused by the lid 13 hitting the wall 11 or the like due to the movement and vibration of the vehicle can be suppressed.

[0058] Furthermore, the heat dissipation device of the embodiment further includes guide portions 14, 14' that allow sliding movement along the wall portion 11 of the lid portion 13, and a weight portion 15 that is placed on the lid portion 13.

[0059] With this heat dissipation device, by placing a weight 15 on the lid 13, the weight of the weight 15 can move the lid 13. Therefore, this heat dissipation device can open the upper ventilation opening 12 of the vertically positioned wall 11 without using the aforementioned placement detection unit 25.

[0060] Specifically, with this heat dissipation device, for example, if the electronic device 1 is arranged as shown in Figure 2, the upper vent 12a can be opened in the vertically arranged wall sections 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D, while the lower vent 12a and other vents 12b can be kept closed. Furthermore, with this heat dissipation device, if the electronic device 1 is arranged as shown in Figure 2, the vents 12a and 12b in the other wall sections 11E and 11F can be kept closed. Therefore, the heat dissipation device can open only the upper vent 12a in the vertically arranged wall sections 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D, and discharge the heat rising inside the electronic device 1 through that vent 12a.

[0061] Furthermore, with this heat dissipation device, for example, if the electronic equipment 1 is arranged as shown in Figure 3, the upper vent 12b can be opened in the vertically arranged wall sections 11A, 11B, 11E, and 11F, while the lower vent 12b and other vents 12a can be kept closed. Also, with this heat dissipation device, if the electronic equipment 1 is arranged as shown in Figure 3, the vents 12a and 12b in the other wall sections 11C and 11D can be kept closed. Therefore, the heat dissipation device can open only the upper vent 12b in the vertically arranged wall sections 11A, 11B, 11E, and 11F, and discharge the heat rising inside the electronic equipment 1 through that vent 12b.

[0062] Furthermore, with this heat dissipation device, for example, if the electronic equipment 1 is arranged as shown in Figure 4, the upper vents 12a and 12b can be opened in the vertically arranged wall sections 11C, 11D, 11E, and 11F, while the lower vents 12a and 12b and other vents 12a and 12b can be kept closed. Also, with this heat dissipation device, if the electronic equipment 1 is arranged as shown in Figure 4, the vents 12a and 12b in the other wall sections 11A and 11B can be kept closed. Therefore, the heat dissipation device can open only the upper vents 12a and 12b in the vertically arranged wall sections 11C, 11D, 11E, and 11F, and discharge the heat rising inside the electronic equipment 1 through these vents 12a and 12b.

[0063] The heat dissipation method of the above-described embodiment is characterized by a heat dissipation device that includes a fan 21 that dissipates heat from the inside surrounded by a plurality of wall portions 11 arranged in different directions to the outside of the wall portions 11, a plurality of vents 12 arranged in the wall portions 11, a lid portion 13 that opens and closes each vent 12, a lid drive unit 24, 24' that drives the opening and closing operation of the lid portion 13, and an operation detection unit 22 that detects the operation of the fan 21, and if the fan 21 malfunctions, a predetermined lid portion 13 is opened.

[0064] With this heat dissipation device, if the fan 21 malfunctions, the heat dissipation function can be ensured by opening a predetermined vent 12. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1 Electronic equipment 11 Wall 12 Ventilation holes 13 Lid 14,14' Information section 15 Weight 21 Fans 22. Motion detection unit (fan drive unit) 24,24' Lid drive unit 25 Placement detection unit 26 Control Unit

Claims

1. Provided in an electronic device that is surrounded by multiple walls arranged in different directions, A fan provided in the wall or inside the wall to dissipate heat to the outside of the wall, Multiple ventilation openings are arranged in the aforementioned wall, Each of the aforementioned vents has a cover that opens and closes, A lid drive unit that drives the opening and closing operation of the lid, The operation detection unit detects the operation of the aforementioned fan, Based on the detection of a malfunction in the fan by the motion detection unit, a control unit controls the operation of the lid drive unit to open a predetermined vent, A heat dissipation device, including a heat dissipation device.

2. The system further includes an arrangement detection unit for detecting the arrangement of the wall portion, The control unit, Based on the detection of a malfunction in the fan by the operation detection unit and the detection of the arrangement of the wall by the arrangement detection unit, the lid drive unit is controlled to drive so as to open the ventilation opening located on the upper side of the vertically arranged wall. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1.

3. The heat dissipation device according to claim 1, wherein the lid drive unit comprises a solenoid that moves the lid to a position for opening and closing the ventilation opening.

4. A guide portion that allows the lid portion to slide along the wall portion, The weight portion is placed on the lid portion, The heat dissipation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. The present invention relates to a heat dissipation device comprising: a fan that dissipates heat from inside an area surrounded by multiple walls arranged in different directions to the outside of the walls; multiple vents arranged in the walls; a lid that opens and closes each of the vents; a lid drive unit that drives the opening and closing operation of the lids; and an operation detection unit that detects the operation of the fan. If the aforementioned fan malfunctions, the designated ventilation opening is opened. Heat dissipation method.

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