Storage container and wind collector

Abstract

To provide a storage container in which equipment is stored with stable heat dissipation efficiency regardless of wind direction. [Solution] The storage container comprises a housing for protecting the stored equipment, a heat sink thermally connected to the equipment and having fins on the surface of a hollow portion extending from the top to the bottom of the housing, and an air collecting part for introducing outside air into an opening at the bottom end of the hollow portion of the heat sink, the air collecting part being positioned below the heat sink and having a curved surface extending from further below to further above, and side surfaces vertically dividing the curved surface into multiple regions, the upper end of the curved surface facing toward the center of the opening of the hollow portion in the heat sink and the lower end facing outward from the heat sink.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage container and an air-collecting part, and more particularly to a storage container in which electric or electronic devices that are heat sources are stored, and an air-collecting part. [Background technology]

[0002] When an electric device or electronic equipment (hereinafter simply referred to as equipment) is installed outdoors, the equipment is stored in a sealed storage container to protect the equipment from wind and rain, dust, salt, corrosive substances, sunlight, etc. The equipment is a heat source having a battery and a processor.

[0003] A related technology is a heat dissipation method in which heat generated from the equipment inside the storage container is transferred to the outer surface of the housing, and heat is exchanged between the outer surface of the housing and the outside air by using natural wind (here meaning wind that occurs naturally in the outside air). In this heat dissipation method, the outer surface of the housing on the windward side has high heat dissipation efficiency, while the outer surface of the housing on the leeward side has low heat dissipation efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 03-023992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned related techniques have a problem in that the heat dissipation efficiency of the storage container varies depending on the wind direction, and therefore, depending on the arrangement of the devices in the storage container, the devices may not be sufficiently cooled.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a storage container in which equipment is stored with stable heat dissipation efficiency regardless of wind direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A storage container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing for protecting a stored device, a heat sink thermally connected to the device and having fins on the surface of a hollow portion extending from the upper end to the lower end of the housing, and an air collecting component for introducing outside air into an opening at the lower end of the hollow portion of the heat sink, the air collecting component being positioned below the heat sink and having a curved surface extending from below to above, and side surfaces vertically dividing the curved surface into a plurality of regions, the upper end of the curved surface facing toward the center of the opening of the hollow portion in the heat sink and the lower end facing outward from the heat sink.

[0008] A wind collecting component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a wind collecting component for introducing outside air into a storage container, and is arranged below a hollow heat sink that penetrates the storage container, and has a curved surface extending from below to above, and side surfaces that vertically divide the curved surface into multiple regions, and the upper end of the curved surface faces toward the center of the opening of the heat sink and the lower end faces outward from the heat sink. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a storage container in which equipment is stored with stable heat dissipation efficiency regardless of wind direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of a storage container according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another external view of the storage container according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an example of ambient air flow through an enclosure according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a wind collecting part according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] (An example of a storage container) An example of a storage container 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are external views of the storage container 10 according to the first embodiment, seen from different directions.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage container 10 includes a wind collecting part 100, a heat sink 200, and a housing 300. The housing 300 protects the device stored in the storage container 10. The heat sink 200 is thermally connected to the device, and fins are provided on the surface of the hollow part extending from the upper end to the lower end of the housing. The wind collecting part 100 introduces outside air into an opening at the lower end of the hollow part of the heat sink 200. The wind collecting part 100 is disposed below the heat sink 200, and has a curved surface extending from lower to upper, and a side surface that vertically divides the curved surface into a plurality of regions. The curved surface of the wind collecting part 100 has an upper end that faces the center of the opening of the hollow part in the heat sink 200, and a lower end that faces the outside direction of the heat sink 200.

[0015] In one example, the housing 300 has a cylindrical shape, and the hollow heat sink 200 penetrates the center of the housing 300. Both ends of the heat sink 200 are open. The heat sink 200 is configured such that air flows in through the opening at one end of the heat sink 200 and is exhausted from the opening at the other end of the heat sink 200.

[0016] In one example, the heat sink 200 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as metal. The material with high thermal conductivity is, for example, a material with a thermal conductivity of 80 [W / mK] or more. Heat dissipation fins 210 are formed on the inner surface of the heat sink 200. The storage container 10 may be equipped with a blower fan. In this case, the direction of air blown by the blower fan is preferably the same as the direction in which the heat sink 200 extends (the up-down direction in FIG. 1).

[0017] The heat source device (not shown) is in direct contact with the outer surface of the heat sink 200, or is in contact with the outer surface of the heat sink 200 via a thermally conductive sheet or grease, or is thermally connected to the outer surface of the heat sink 200 via a block or heat pipe made of a highly thermally conductive material (not shown).

[0018] 2, the wind collecting part 100 is attached to one end of the housing 300. The wind collecting part 100 is configured to introduce air into the storage container 10 and direct the introduced air toward the opening of the heat sink 200.

[0019] (An example of air flow) Fig. 3 shows an example of the flow of air passing through the storage container 10 according to the embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 3, air is introduced into the storage container 10 by the wind collecting part 100. Then, the air introduced into the storage container 10 has its direction changed by the wind collecting part 100 to the direction in which the heat sink 200 extends (upward in Fig. 1).

[0020] In this way, air is collected by the wind collecting component 100 at the center of the housing 300 regardless of the wind direction, and is introduced into the inside of the heat sink 200 through the opening of the heat sink 200. This air flows in a certain direction (from bottom to top in FIG. 1) inside the heat sink 200, which penetrates the center of the housing 300. Then, after passing through the heat sink 200, the air is discharged from the storage container 10.

[0021] The air passing through the heat sink 200 exchanges heat evenly with the inner surface of the heat sink 200. Therefore, no matter where on the outer surface of the heat sink 200 a device is placed, the storage container 10 can obtain a stable heat dissipation efficiency.

[0022] Furthermore, regardless of the wind direction, the air inside the heat sink 200, which is the heat dissipation section, is pushed upward by the air flowing in from below through the air collecting part 100, thereby constantly generating air flow, so that the heat dissipation performance of the storage container 10 can be more highly and stably exhibited compared to cooling by natural convection alone.

[0023] An example of the structure of the wind collecting part 100 included in the storage container 10 according to the first embodiment will be described in the second embodiment described later.

[0024] (Examples) Even if the wind is weak near the ground surface due to wind shear (i.e., a sudden change in wind direction), there may be cases where the wind is relatively fast at a location higher than the ground surface. Therefore, by installing the storage container 10 (FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment at a high location, such as the top of a tower or various pillars, it is possible to make the strong wind efficiently contribute to heat dissipation.

[0025] Furthermore, the storage container 10 according to the first embodiment can stably obtain the effect of heat exchange between the air and the heat sink 200 regardless of the wind direction, thereby realizing a reduction in the cost related to heat dissipation. In one example, a partial reduction in power consumption due to a reduction in the number of rotations or frequency of a cooling fan is achieved, or a complete fanless system is achieved.

[0026] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the device includes a housing 300 for protecting the stored equipment, a heat sink 200 that is thermally connected to the equipment and has fins on the surface of a hollow portion extending from the upper end to the lower end of the housing, and an air collection part 100 that introduces outside air into an opening at the lower end of the hollow portion of the heat sink 200, the air collection part 100 being arranged below the heat sink 200 and having a curved surface 110 extending from below to above, and side surfaces 120 that vertically divide the curved surface 110 into multiple regions, and the upper end of the curved surface 110 faces the center of the opening of the hollow portion in the heat sink 200 and the lower end faces outward from the heat sink 200.

[0027] In this way, the wind collecting part 100 directs the air introduced into the storage container 10 toward the opening of the hollow heat sink 200. The air passing through the heat sink 200 exchanges heat evenly with the inner surface of the heat sink 200. Therefore, no matter where the device is placed in the storage container 10 or where the device is in thermal contact with the heat sink 200, the storage container 10 can obtain a stable heat dissipation efficiency.

[0028] [Embodiment 2] A second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the second embodiment, an example of a wind collecting part 100 that can be applied to the storage container 10 (Fig. 1) described in the first embodiment will be described.

[0029] (An example of the structure of the wind collecting part 100) Fig. 4 shows an example of the wind collecting part 100 according to the second embodiment. The wind collecting part 100 is used to introduce air into the storage container 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the wind collecting part 100 is disposed below the hollow heat sink 200 penetrating the storage container 10, and has a curved surface 110 extending from below toward above, and side surfaces 120 that vertically divide the curved surface 110 into a plurality of regions. The upper end of the curved surface 110 of the wind collecting part 100 faces the center of the opening of the heat sink 200, and the lower end faces the outside of the heat sink 200.

[0030] The curved surface 110 is configured to change the moving direction of air when it flows into the wind collecting part 100 so that the moving direction of the air is directed upward along the curved surface 110. The side surface 120 is configured to restrict the movement of the air moving along the curved surface 110 in the left-right direction, thereby changing the moving direction of the air so that the moving direction of the air is directed upward along the curved surface 110. With such a configuration, the air that has flowed into the wind collecting part 100 is guided and flows into the hollow part of the heat sink 200 from the lower side.

[0031] As described with reference to Fig. 3 in the first embodiment, no matter from what direction air is blown onto the wind collecting part 100, the side surface 120 causes the air to be collected in the center of the wind collecting part 100. The curved surface 110 changes the flow direction of the air from the horizontal direction to the vertical upward direction.

[0032] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the air collecting part 100 is for introducing outside air into the storage container 10, and is arranged below a hollow heat sink 200 that penetrates the storage container 10, and has a curved surface 110 that extends from below to above, and side surfaces 120 that vertically divide the curved surface 110 into multiple areas, and the upper end of the curved surface 110 faces the center of the opening of the heat sink 200, and the lower end faces the outside of the heat sink 200.

[0033] The air collecting component 100 applied to the storage container 10 directs the air introduced into the storage container 10 toward the opening of the hollow heat sink 200. The air passing through the heat sink 200 exchanges heat evenly with the inner surface of the heat sink 200. Therefore, no matter where the device is placed in the storage container 10 or where the device is in thermal contact with the heat sink 200, the storage container 10 can obtain a stable heat dissipation efficiency.

[0034] Other embodiments If the surface that exchanges heat between the inside and the outside air is other than the outer surface of the housing 300 (meaning the surface that is visible from the outside, not the surface that comes into contact with the outside air), the options for the material, shape, etc. of the parts that make up the outer surface of the housing 300 will increase. This can be expected to be effective in terms of functionality (for example, selecting a material with high thermal insulation properties to suppress the rise in internal temperature due to solar radiation), design (for example, molding a shape that makes extensive use of curved surfaces), and ease of maintenance (the outer cover does not come into contact with the internal heat source, so it is easy to remove and reattach).

[0035] (Additional Note) A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0036] (Appendix 1) A housing for protecting the stored equipment; a heat sink that is thermally connected to the device and has fins on a surface of a hollow portion extending from an upper end to a lower end of the housing; a wind collecting part that introduces outside air into an opening at a lower end of the hollow portion of the heat sink, The air collecting component is disposed below the heat sink and has a curved surface extending from a lower side to an upper side, and a side surface that vertically divides the curved surface into a plurality of regions, The curved surface has an upper end oriented toward the center of the opening of the hollow portion of the heat sink and a lower end oriented toward the outside of the heat sink. Storage container.

[0037] (Appendix 2) A heat dissipation fin is formed on the inner surface of the hollow portion of the heat sink. 2. A storage container according to claim 1.

[0038] (Appendix 3) The heat sink is made of a material with a thermal conductivity of 80 [W / mK] or more. 2. A storage container according to claim 1.

[0039] (Appendix 4) The heat sink penetrates between the bottom surface and the top surface of the housing. 2. A storage container according to claim 1.

[0040] (Appendix 5) The housing has a cylindrical shape, and the heat sink passes through the center of the housing. 2. A storage container according to claim 1.

[0041] (Appendix 6) The heat sink further includes a blower fan that blows air in a direction in which the heat sink extends. 2. A storage container according to claim 1.

[0042] (Appendix 7) The curved surface of the wind collecting part has a cone shape, and includes a plurality of side surfaces arranged radially from a center of the cone shape on the curved surface of the wind collecting part, and the plurality of side surfaces divide the curved surface into the plurality of regions. 2. A storage container according to claim 1.

[0043] (Appendix 8) The curved surface changes the air flow direction from horizontal to vertical upward. 2. A storage container according to claim 1.

[0044] (Appendix 9) The side surfaces impede the horizontal flow of air. 2. A storage container according to claim 1.

[0045] (Appendix 10) A wind collecting part for introducing outside air into a storage container, The heat sink is disposed below the hollow heat sink that penetrates the container, and has a curved surface extending from a lower side to an upper side, and a side surface that divides the curved surface into a plurality of regions in a vertical direction, The curved surface has an upper end oriented toward the center of the opening of the heat sink and a lower end oriented toward the outside of the heat sink. Wind collecting parts.

[0046] (Appendix 11) The curved surface of the wind collecting part has a cone shape, and includes a plurality of side surfaces arranged radially from a center of the cone shape on the curved surface of the wind collecting part, and the plurality of side surfaces divide the curved surface into the plurality of regions. The wind collecting part according to claim 10,

[0047] (Appendix 12) The curved surface changes the air flow direction from horizontal to vertical upward. The wind collecting part according to claim 11,

[0048] (Appendix 13) The side surfaces impede the horizontal flow of air. The wind collecting part according to claim 10,

[0049] The present disclosure has been described above with reference to several embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Each embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments. In addition, various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configurations and details of the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] This disclosure can be used for all types of equipment installed outdoors. In particular, it is effective for use in electrical and electronic equipment installed at high altitudes (e.g., radio towers) where stronger winds are available than near the ground. This disclosure can also be used for smart poles (pole-shaped equipment such as street lights installed outdoors that have been equipped with functions such as digital signage, edge computing, and mobile communication base stations) that are being developed in urban areas. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 Storage Container 100 Wind collector 110 Curved surface 120 Side 200 Heatsink 210 Heat dissipation fin 300 Case

Claims

1. A housing for protecting the stored equipment; a heat sink that is thermally connected to the device and has fins on a surface of a hollow portion extending from an upper end to a lower end of the housing; a wind collecting part that introduces outside air into an opening at a lower end of the hollow portion of the heat sink, The air collecting component is disposed below the heat sink and has a curved surface extending from a lower side to an upper side, and a side surface that vertically divides the curved surface into a plurality of regions, an upper end of the curved surface is oriented toward a center of the opening of the hollow portion of the heat sink, and a lower end of the curved surface is oriented toward an outside of the heat sink; The side surfaces vertically divide the curved surface into a plurality of regions to prevent air from flowing horizontally. Storage container.

2. A heat dissipation fin is formed on the inner surface of the hollow portion of the heat sink.

2. The container according to claim 1.

3. The heat sink is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of 80 [W / mK] or more.

2. The container according to claim 1.

4. The heat sink penetrates between the bottom surface and the top surface of the housing.

2. The container according to claim 1.

5. The housing has a cylindrical shape, and the heat sink passes through the center of the housing.

2. The container according to claim 1.

6. The heat sink further includes a blower fan that blows air in a direction in which the heat sink extends.

2. The container according to claim 1.

7. The curved surface of the wind collecting part has a cone shape, and includes a plurality of side surfaces arranged radially from a center of the cone shape on the curved surface of the wind collecting part, and the plurality of side surfaces divide the curved surface into the plurality of regions.

2. The container according to claim 1.

8. The curved surface changes the air flow direction from horizontal to vertical upward.

2. The container according to claim 1.

9. A wind collecting part for introducing outside air into a storage container, The heat sink is disposed below the hollow heat sink that penetrates the container, and has a curved surface extending from a lower side to an upper side, and a side surface that divides the curved surface into a plurality of regions in a vertical direction, The curved surface has an upper end oriented toward the center of the opening of the heat sink and a lower end oriented toward the outside of the heat sink, The side surfaces vertically divide the curved surface into a plurality of regions to prevent air from flowing horizontally. Wind collecting parts.

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