Cooling structure and electrical equipment

Abstract

To obtain a cooling structure including a configuration that can prevent the occurrence of vibration in a lid member that forms a channel.SOLUTION: A cooling structure 50 comprises: a main body part 10 that radiates heat received from a heat generation source through a heat radiation surface 12 and a plurality of heat radiation fins 13; a lid member 20 that has an air introduction port 21H and fastening parts 22a to 22d fastened to the main body part 10; and a fan mechanism 30. The lid member 20 is arranged to cover the plurality of heat radiation fins 13 from a leading end 13b, and the lid member 20 thereby forms a channel 18. The fan mechanism 30 has a fan main body 31 that generates an air current, and a pedestal part 32 that holds the fan main body 31 and attaches the fan main body 31 to the lid member 20. The pedestal part 32 receives an urging force against the pedestal part 32 from the main body part 10, or is fastened to the main body part 10 with a fastener 29.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a cooling structure and an electrical device. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-145079 (Patent Document 1), in electrical equipment, various elements (heat sources) are housed in a case. A cooling structure is provided in the case for the purpose of dissipating heat. The cooling structure includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins and a fan mechanism for promoting heat dissipation by the plurality of heat dissipation fins. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-145079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The cooling structure further includes a lid member. The lid member is arranged to cover the multiple heat dissipation fins, thereby forming a tunnel-shaped flow path between them. When the fan mechanism is driven, a refrigerant such as air passes through the flow path, promoting heat dissipation by the heat dissipation fins. The fan mechanism may be fixed to the lid member forming the flow path, rather than to the main body side where the multiple main body fins are provided. In such a case, the rotation of the fan makes it easier for the lid member to vibrate, and noise and the like due to the vibration of the lid member is more likely to occur.

[0005] The present specification aims to disclose a cooling structure having a configuration capable of suppressing the occurrence of vibrations in a cover member forming a flow path, and an electrical device having such a cooling structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cooling structure according to the present disclosure comprises a main body having a heat dissipation surface and a plurality of heat dissipation fins protruding from the heat dissipation surface and extending in a height direction from a base end on the heat dissipation surface side to a tip, and dissipating heat received from a heat source through the heat dissipation surface and the plurality of heat dissipation fins, an air inlet, and a fastening portion fastened to the main body, and a fan mechanism fixed to the cover member, wherein the cover member is positioned so as to cover the plurality of heat dissipation fins from the tip side, thereby forming a flow path together with the heat dissipation surface and the plurality of heat dissipation fins, and the fan mechanism has a fan body that, when rotated, generates an airflow in which the air inlet side is upstream and the flow path side is downstream, and a base portion that holds the fan body and attaches the fan body to the cover member, and the base portion is subjected to a biasing force from the main body portion against the base portion, or is fastened to the main body portion by a fastener.

[0007] In the above cooling structure, the heat dissipation surface may include a flat area on which the multiple heat dissipation fins are not provided, the multiple heat dissipation fins may be arranged to surround part or all of the periphery of the flat area, and the fan body may be arranged to face the flat area.

[0008] In the cooling structure, the main body may further have a boss portion protruding from the heat dissipation surface, and the base may be fastened to the boss portion by the fastener.

[0009] In the cooling structure, the fastener may fasten the cover member and the base portion together to the boss portion.

[0010] In the cooling structure, the boss portion may be formed integrally with at least one of the plurality of heat dissipation fins.

[0011] In the cooling structure, the fan body may be disposed between the cover member and the heat dissipation surface in the height direction.

[0012] In the above cooling structure, the fastening portion is provided at a position away from the base portion toward the outside, and the cover member may be formed with a reinforcing rib extending from a position on the base portion side toward a position on the fastening portion side.

[0013] An electric device according to the present disclosure includes a case and a heat source accommodated within the case, and the case is provided with the above-described cooling structure according to the present disclosure. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the configuration disclosed in this specification, it is possible to obtain a cooling structure having a configuration capable of suppressing the occurrence of vibrations in a cover member forming a flow path, and an electrical device having such a cooling structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an electric device 100 equipped with a cooling structure 50 in a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a plan view showing a main body 10 provided in a cooling structure 50 in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a cooling structure 50 in an exploded state according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, showing the cross-sectional structure of a cooling structure 50 in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a cross-sectional structure of a cooling structure 50Z in a comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling structure 50A in a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a main body 10A provided in a cooling structure in a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling structure 50B in a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may not be repeated.

[0017] [Embodiment 1] (Electrical equipment 100) 1 is a perspective view showing an electric device 100 equipped with a cooling structure 50. The electric device 100 includes a case 40 and a heat source 42 housed in the case 40. The heat source 42 is made up of various elements, and generates heat when operated. The case 40 is provided with a cooling structure 50 for the purpose of dissipating heat.

[0018] (Cooling structure 50) 2 is a plan view showing the main body 10 provided in the cooling structure 50. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cooling structure 50 in an exploded state. FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1 to 4 (mainly FIG. 3), the cooling structure 50 includes a main body 10, a cover member 20, and a fan mechanism 30. As shown in FIGS.

[0019] (Main body 10) The main body 10 includes a flat base 11 and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 13 standing on the base 11. The surface of the base 11 (the surface of the base 11 located on the end side of the base 11 in the thickness direction) forms a heat dissipation surface 12 (FIG. 4). The plurality of heat dissipation fins 13 protrude from the heat dissipation surface 12 and extend in a height direction H (FIG. 3) from a base end 13a (FIG. 3) on the heat dissipation surface 12 side to a tip end 13b. The height direction H in the present disclosure can also be said to be the thickness direction of the base 11.

[0020] A relatively large portion that extends in a substantially U-shape in plan view along three sides of the base portion 11 is also provided on the base portion 11. The U-shaped inner peripheral surface formed in this portion also forms a flow path 18, which will be described later, and therefore this portion can also function as a heat dissipation fin 13.

[0021] The heat dissipation surface 12 includes a flat region 12a where the heat dissipation fins 13 are not provided, and the heat dissipation fins 13 are arranged to surround a part or the whole of the flat region 12a (see FIG. 2). Note that the "flat region 12a where the heat dissipation fins 13 are not provided" does not include the lower surface of the flow path partitioned by the elongated heat dissipation fins 13. In a plan view, the flat region 12a has a larger surface area than the lower surface of the flow path partitioned by the heat dissipation fins 13 (the surface formed by the heat dissipation surface 12), and also has a larger surface area than a fan body 31 of a fan mechanism 30 described later.

[0022] Four screw holes 17a to 17d are provided in the upper surface 14 of the main body 10. The upper surface 14 is the surface of the U-shaped portion (heat dissipation fin 13) standing along the outer periphery of the base portion 11, opposite the base portion 11. The upper surface 14 is the surface that constitutes the tip 13b among the surfaces extending in a direction intersecting the direction from the base end 13a to the tip 13b of the heat dissipation fin 13. It is not essential that the screw holes 17a to 17d are provided in the portion of the main body 10 that functions as a heat dissipation fin. The screw holes 17a to 17d can be provided in any position of the main body 10, and the screw holes 17a to 17d may be provided in a portion that does not function as a heat dissipation fin.

[0023] The main body 10 further has a boss portion 15 protruding from the heat dissipation surface 12 in the height direction H. Like the heat dissipation fins 13, the boss portion 15 protrudes from the heat dissipation surface 12 and extends in the height direction H from a base end 15s (FIG. 4) on the heat dissipation surface 12 side toward a tip end 15t. The boss portion 15 is to which a pedestal portion 32, which will be described later, is fastened. An upper end surface 15a of the boss portion 15 (more specifically, a surface constituting the tip end 15t among surfaces extending in a direction intersecting a direction from the base end 15s toward the tip end 15t in the boss portion 15) is provided at a position one step lower than the position of the top surface 14 in the height direction H. A screw hole 15b is provided in the upper end surface 15a.

[0024] Heat generated by heat source 42 (FIG. 1) inside case 40 is transferred to base portion 11. Main body portion 10 receives heat from heat source 42 via base portion 11 and dissipates the heat through heat dissipation surface 12 and multiple heat dissipation fins 13. Main body portion 10 and case 40 may be produced as separate bodies, and main body portion 10 may be attached to case 40. Main body portion 10 may be formed integrally with case 40 in advance as one of the components of case 40.

[0025] (Cover member 20) The cover member 20 has a flat plate shape and has fastening portions 22a to 22d that are fastened to the main body portion 10. The cover member 20 is disposed so as to cover the plurality of heat dissipation fins 13 from the tip 13b side. Thus, the cover member 20, together with the heat dissipation surface 12 and the plurality of heat dissipation fins 13, forms a plurality of flow paths 18 (FIG. 1).

[0026] The fastening parts 22a to 22d are provided on the outer periphery of the lid member 20. In this embodiment, the fastening parts 22a to 22d are provided at the four corners of the lid member 20. Through holes 23a to 23d are formed at the four corners of the lid member 20, respectively. The lid member 20 is placed on the main body 10 so that the through holes 23a to 23d communicate with the screw holes 17a to 17d of the main body 10, respectively. Note that the number four (four corners) here is an example, and may be any plural number such as three or five. The outer shape of the lid member 20 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be any shape such as a polygon, an ellipse, or a circle.

[0027] Fasteners 27a-27d inserted through through holes 23a-23d, respectively, are screwed into screw holes 17a-17d of main body 10, respectively, whereby lid member 20 is fastened to main body 10 by fasteners 27a-27d (FIG. 1). In this embodiment, peripheral portions of through holes 23a-23d in lid member 20 are fastened to main body 10 by fasteners 27a-27d, and peripheral portions of through holes 23a-23d in lid member 20 correspond to fastening portions 22a-22d.

[0028] An air inlet 21H is formed penetrating approximately at the center of the lid member 20. Through holes 24a, 24b, and 25 are formed around the air inlet 21H in the lid member 20. As will be described in detail later, fasteners 28a, 28b, and 29 are inserted into the through holes 24a, 24b, and 25, respectively, and a base portion 32 of a fan mechanism 30 is fastened to the lid member 20 by using the fasteners 28a, 28b, and 29.

[0029] Reinforcing ribs 26a, 26b are formed on the lid member 20. The reinforcing ribs 26a, 26b extend from a position on the base portion 32 side (in other words, from the side of the lid member 20 where the base portion 32 is attached) toward a position on the fastening portions 22c, 22d side. The reinforcing ribs 26a, 26b are formed by performing press working on the lid member 20, for example, and increase the rigidity of the lid member 20.

[0030] (Fan mechanism 30) The fan mechanism 30 has a fan body 31 and a base portion 32, and is fastened to the cover member 20. When the cover member 20 is fastened to the main body portion 10, the fan body 31 is disposed so as to face the flat area 12a of the heat dissipation surface 12 (see arrow AR in FIG. 3). In the height direction H (FIG. 4), the fan body 31 is disposed between the cover member 20 and the heat dissipation surface 12. The fan body 31 (particularly the blade portion 31b described below) is surrounded by a plurality of heat dissipation fins 13.

[0031] Fan body 31 includes drive unit 31a and blade unit 31b, and generates an airflow in which air inlet 21H (FIG. 1) side is the upstream side and flow path 18 (FIG. 1) side is the downstream side by rotating blade unit 31b. Fan body 31 may be composed of a centrifugal fan or the like (for example, a sirocco fan or a turbo fan) capable of sucking air through air inlet 21H along the direction of the rotation axis of blade unit 31b and efficiently discharging air toward the outside in the rotation radius direction (the side where multiple heat dissipation fins 13 are arranged).

[0032] The base 32 is formed from a thin plate-like member, and holds the fan body 31 while attaching the fan body 31 to the cover member 20. The base 32 includes an annular outer peripheral portion 33a, a central portion 33b provided inside the outer peripheral portion 33a, and three connecting portions 33c. The three connecting portions 33c extend radially from the central portion 33b along the radial direction, and connect the central portion 33b to the outer peripheral portion 33a. Note that the number "three" here is merely an example, and may be any number such as two or four. The drive portion 31a of the fan body 31 is fastened to the central portion 33b.

[0033] Screw holes 34a, 34b and a through hole 35 are formed in the outer periphery 33a of the base 32. The fasteners 28a, 28b are inserted into the through holes 24a, 24b of the cover member 20, respectively, and screwed into the screw holes 34a, 34b of the base 32, respectively. The fastener 29 is inserted into the through hole 25 of the cover member 20 and the through hole 35 of the base 32, and screwed into the screw hole 15b of the main body 10 (boss 15). The base 32 is fastened to the cover member 20 by the fasteners 28a, 28b. The base 32 is further fastened to the boss 15 of the main body 10 by the fastener 29. The fastener 29 fastens the cover member 20 and the base 32 together to the boss 15. The base portion 32 is sandwiched between the cover member 20 and the upper end surface 15 a of the boss portion 15 .

[0034] (Action and Effects) In this embodiment, the fan mechanism 30 is fastened to the cover member 20 that forms the flow path 18 (FIG. 1). In contrast, there are also cases where the fan mechanism 30 is fastened to the main body 10, for example. In such cases, since the fan body 31 is stably held by the main body 10, even if the fan body 31 is driven to rotate, the effect is hardly transmitted to the cover member 20, and noise and the like caused by the vibration of the cover member 20 is hardly generated. On the other hand, when the fan mechanism 30 is fastened to the cover member 20, the rotation of the blades 31b makes the cover member 20 more likely to vibrate, and noise and the like caused by the vibration of the cover member 20 is more likely to be generated.

[0035] 5 shows a cross-sectional structure of a cooling structure 50Z in a comparative example. The cooling structure 50Z does not adopt the structure of the first embodiment (cooling structure 50) in which the base portion 32 of the fan body 31 is fastened to the main body portion 10 (boss portion 15) by the fastener 29. Therefore, the fan mechanism 30 is held in a cantilevered state (floating with respect to the main body portion 10) in such a manner that the positions of the fastening portions 22a to 22d (see FIG. 3) form the fixed end and the position of the base portion 32 forms the free end, creating a situation in which vibration is likely to occur.

[0036] As described above, in the cooling structure 50 of the first embodiment, the base portion 32 of the fan body 31 is fastened to the main body portion 10 (boss portion 15) by fasteners 29. The positions of fastening portions 22a-22d (see FIG. 3) form fixed ends, and the portion of the base portion 32 connected to the boss portion 15 also forms a fixed end. Since the fan mechanism 30 is held in a form close to being supported at both ends, even when the blade portion 31b is driven to rotate, the cover member 20 is less likely to vibrate, and thus the generation of noise and the like caused by the vibration of the cover member 20 is effectively suppressed.

[0037] In particular, in the cooling structure 50 of the first embodiment, the fastening portions 22a-22d are provided at positions away from the base portion 32 toward the outside. If no measures are taken, a situation will be created in which vibrations are more likely to occur. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the portion of the base portion 32 that is connected to the boss portion 15 also forms a fixed end, and the generation of noise and the like due to the vibration of the cover member 20 is effectively suppressed.

[0038] As described above, in the cooling structure 50, the reinforcing ribs 26a, 26b are formed on the lid member 20. The reinforcing ribs 26a, 26b extend from a position on the pedestal portion 32 side (from a position on the lid member 20 where the pedestal portion 32 is attached) toward a position on the fastening portions 22c, 22d side. The presence of the reinforcing ribs 26a, 26b increases the rigidity of the lid member 20, making the lid member 20 less likely to vibrate, and thus effectively suppressing the generation of noise and the like caused by the vibration of the lid member 20.

[0039] As described above, in the cooling structure 50, the fan body 31 is disposed on the flat surface of the heat dissipation surface 12. The flat area 12a is disposed so as to face the flat area 12a. Although it is not essential to form the flat area 12a on the base portion 11 (heat dissipation surface 12), by adopting this configuration, the air from the fan body 31 can move radially upon hitting the flat area 12a and efficiently flow into the flow path 18.

[0040] As described above, in the cooling structure 50, the fan body 31 is disposed between the cover member 20 and the heat dissipation surface 12 in the height direction. This configuration is not essential, but by adopting this configuration, it becomes possible to arrange the fan body 31 (blade portion 31b) so that a plurality of heat dissipation fins 13 surrounds it, and it becomes possible to make the cooling structure 50 thinner and more compact.

[0041] As described above, in the cooling structure 50, the boss portion 15 is provided on the main body portion 10, and the base portion 32 of the fan body 31 is fastened to the boss portion 15 by the fastener 29. Although it is not essential to provide the boss portion 15 on the main body portion 10, the presence of the boss portion 15 makes it possible to easily and simply realize a configuration in which the base portion 32 is fastened to the main body portion 10 side, that is, a configuration in which the base portion 32 is sandwiched between the cover member 20 and the upper end surface 15a of the boss portion 15 to form a fixed end. In order to fasten the base portion 32 to the main body portion 10 side, a configuration in which a bracket or the like is suspended from the base portion 32 and the bracket is connected to an arbitrary location of the base portion 11 or the heat dissipation surface 12 may be adopted. Even with this configuration, the part of the base portion 32 connected to the boss portion 15 forms the fixed end, and the generation of noise and the like caused by the vibration of the cover member 20 is effectively suppressed.

[0042] As described above, in the cooling structure 50, the fastener 29 fastens the cover member 20 and the base portion 32 together to the boss portion 15. With one fastener 29, it is possible to realize both a configuration in which the cover member 20 is fastened to the boss portion 15 and a configuration in which the base portion 32 is fastened to the boss portion 15.

[0043] [Embodiment 2] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling structure 50A in the second embodiment. In the cooling structure 50A, the position of the boss portion 15 is different from that in the first embodiment (cooling structure 50). As shown in Fig. 6, the boss portion 15 may be provided at a position closer to the center of the base portion 11. In this embodiment, the fastener 28a functions as the fastener.

[0044] Parts of the lid member 20 that are farther from the fastening portions 22a-22d (see FIG. 3) may have a larger vibration amplitude. By providing the boss portion 15 closer to the center of the base portion 11 (lid member 20), the portion of the pedestal portion 32 that is connected to the boss portion 15 forms a fixed end, and the generation of noise and the like due to vibration of the lid member 20 is effectively suppressed. It is also effective to employ both the boss portion 15 shown in FIG. 4 and the boss portion 15 shown in FIG. 6.

[0045] (Modification) 7 is a perspective view showing a main body 10A provided in a cooling structure in a modification of the second embodiment. The boss 15 may be formed integrally with at least one of the plurality of heat dissipation fins 13. It is advisable to optimize the shape, size, and arrangement of each of the plurality of heat dissipation fins 13, the fan body 31, and the boss 15 so that the air flows more efficiently and the heat exchange efficiency is increased. It may be effective to adopt the configuration of this modification from the viewpoint of miniaturization and thinning.

[0046] [Embodiment 3] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling structure 50B according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the base portion 32 of the fan body 31 is fastened to the main body portion 10 by a fastener 29 (fastener 28a). The fastening portion may be realized by bolt fastening, fastening with an adhesive or welding, or by a crimping structure. In other words, the fastening portion is the part of the cover member that is fastened to the main body portion. However, a configuration using such a fastener 29 or the like is not essential as the fastening portion, and for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the base portion 32 of the fan body 31 may be incorporated in the cooling structure in a form in which the base portion 32 receives a biasing force from the main body portion 10.

[0047] The height of the boss portion 15 is made higher than that of the second embodiment (FIG. 6), for example. With this configuration, even if fasteners 28a (FIG. 6) are not used, the base portion 32 is sandwiched between the cover member 20 and the upper end surface 15a of the boss portion 15, and the fan mechanism 30 is held in a form of being supported at both ends. Therefore, even when the blade portion 31b is driven to rotate, the cover member 20 is less likely to vibrate, and thus the generation of noise and the like caused by the vibration of the cover member 20 is effectively suppressed. Since fasteners 28a are not used, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0048] Although the embodiment has been described above, the above disclosure is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10, 10A main body, 11 base, 12 heat dissipation surface, 12a flat area, 13 heat dissipation fin, 13a, 15s base end, 13b, 15t tip, 14 top surface, 15 boss, 15a top end surface, 15b, 17a, 17d, 34a, 34b screw holes, 18 flow path, 20 Lid member, 21H air inlet, 22a, 22c, 22d fastening portion, 23a, 23d, 24a, 24b, 25, 35 through hole, 26a, 26b reinforcing rib, 27a, 27d, 28a, 28b, 29 fastener, 30 fan mechanism, 31 fan body, 31a drive portion, 31b blade portion, 32 base portion, 33a outer periphery portion, 33b center portion, 33c connection portion, 40 Case, 42 heat source, 50, 50A, 50B, 50Z cooling structure, 100 electrical equipment, AR arrow, H height direction.

Claims

1. a main body having a heat dissipation surface and a plurality of heat dissipation fins protruding from the heat dissipation surface and extending in a height direction from a base end on the heat dissipation surface side to a tip end, and dissipating heat received from a heat source through the heat dissipation surface and the plurality of heat dissipation fins; A cover member having an air inlet and a fastening portion fastened to the main body; a fan mechanism fixed to the cover member, the cover member is disposed so as to cover the plurality of heat dissipation fins from the tip side, thereby forming a flow path together with the heat dissipation surface and the plurality of heat dissipation fins, The fan mechanism includes: a fan body that is rotationally driven to generate an airflow in which the air inlet side is an upstream side and the flow path side is a downstream side; a base portion for holding the fan body and attaching the fan body to the lid member, The base portion is fastened to the main body portion by a fastener, The fastening portion is provided at a position spaced outward from the base portion, The base portion is fastened to the cover member by a fastener separate from the fastener at a position away from the main body portion and the fastener. cooling structure.

2. the heat dissipation surface includes a flat area on which the heat dissipation fins are not provided, The plurality of heat dissipation fins are arranged to surround a part or the whole of the periphery of the flat area, The fan body is disposed so as to face the flat area. The cooling structure of claim 1 .

3. The main body further includes a boss portion protruding from the heat dissipation surface, The base portion is fastened to the boss portion by the fastener. The cooling structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The fastener fastens the cover member and the base portion together to the boss portion. The cooling structure according to claim 3 .

5. The boss portion is integrally formed with at least one of the plurality of heat dissipation fins. The cooling structure according to claim 3 or 4.

6. In the height direction, the fan body is disposed between the cover member and the heat dissipation surface. The cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The cover member is formed with a reinforcing rib extending from a position on the base portion side to a position on the fastening portion side. The cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Case and a heat source accommodated in the case, The case is provided with the cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Electrical equipment.

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