Cooling device

Abstract

To provide a cooling device capable of improving a cooling capability while facilitating selection of a centrifugal fan.SOLUTION: A cooling device 1 comprises: an upper tabular member 2 and a lower tabular member 3 which are disposed while being spaced by a fixed interval; a heat dissipation fin 4 extending from the upper tabular member 2 to the lower tabular member 3 and forming a flow passage 11 in which air flows between the upper tabular member 2 and the lower tabular member 3; and a centrifugal fin 5 including an inflow port 16 as an opening and an outflow port 17 which is opened in a direction across an opening direction of the inflow port 16. The centrifugal fan 5 is disposed at a position separated from the upper tabular member 2 by a predetermined interval in such a manner that the outflow port 17 is opened toward the flow passage 11, and a protrusion 20 which protrudes toward the centrifugal fan 5 is provided in the upper tabular member 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional cooling device, for example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known. The cooling device described in Patent Document 1 includes a circuit assembly and a cover that covers the circuit assembly. The circuit assembly includes a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the circuit section, and a centrifugal fan that is a cooling fan that blows air to the heat sink. The heat sink has a plate-shaped bottom surface and plate-shaped heat dissipation fins that protrude from the bottom surface. The centrifugal fan is fixed to the bottom surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-11235 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A heat sink of a cooling device using a general centrifugal fan forms an air flow path between a pair of flat plate-like members by means of a heat dissipation fin extending from one of the pair of flat plate-like members toward the other flat plate-like member, and cooling is performed by air discharged from the centrifugal fan flowing through the flow path. On the other hand, it is desired to make the cooling device smaller. In a cooling device using a centrifugal fan, there is a method of realizing the miniaturization of the cooling device by using a centrifugal fan with a short axial length.

[0005] However, when a centrifugal fan with a short axial length is used, a large gap may be formed between the centrifugal fan and the flat plate member when the centrifugal fan is fixed to the heat sink. In this case, if some of the air enters the gap between the centrifugal fan and the flat plate member, the air circulates inside the heat sink, and the amount of air flowing through the flow path decreases. This reduces the cooling capacity of the cooling device. In order to solve such problems and realize a smaller cooling device, it is possible to select a centrifugal fan with a size that matches the size of the heat sink, but it is very difficult to select a centrifugal fan with an appropriate size for each heat sink.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that can improve the cooling capacity while facilitating the selection of a centrifugal fan. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first flat plate-like member and a second flat plate-like member arranged at a fixed interval, a heat dissipation fin extending from the first flat plate-like member towards the second flat plate-like member and forming a flow path through which air flows between the first flat plate-like member and the second flat plate-like member, and a centrifugal fan having an inlet as an opening and an outlet opening in a direction intersecting the opening direction of the inlet, the centrifugal fan being arranged at a position a fixed interval away from at least one of the first flat plate-like member and the second flat plate-like member so that the outlet opens towards the flow path, and at least the first flat plate-like member or the second flat plate-like member that is farther away from the centrifugal fan is provided with a protrusion protruding towards the centrifugal fan.

[0008] In such a cooling device, air is taken into the centrifugal fan from the inlet and discharged from the outlet. The air discharged from the outlet of the centrifugal fan flows through a flow path formed by the heat dissipation fins, thereby cooling the cooling device. Here, at least one of the first and second flat plate members that is farther from the centrifugal fan is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the centrifugal fan. Therefore, the gap between the centrifugal fan and at least one of the first and second flat plate members that is farther from the centrifugal fan is narrowed by the amount of the protrusion, so that the air discharged from the outlet of the centrifugal fan is less likely to enter the gap between the centrifugal fan and at least one of the first and second flat plate members that is farther from the centrifugal fan. For this reason, the circulation of air in the cooling device is suppressed, and the amount and flow speed of air flowing through the flow path are increased. Therefore, even if the axial length of the centrifugal fan is short, the cooling device is efficiently cooled. This makes it easier to select a centrifugal fan and improves the cooling capacity of the cooling device.

[0009] The protrusion may be provided on the first flat plate member. In this configuration, air flowing out from the outlet of the centrifugal fan is less likely to enter the gap between the centrifugal fan and the first flat plate member.

[0010] The centrifugal fan may be attached to the second plate-shaped member. In this configuration, the centrifugal fan can be easily attached and disposed between the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member.

[0011] The protrusion may be provided on the second flat plate member. In this configuration, air flowing out from the outlet of the centrifugal fan is less likely to enter the gap between the centrifugal fan and the second flat plate member.

[0012] The centrifugal fan may be attached to the protrusion. In this configuration, the centrifugal fan can be easily attached and disposed between the first and second flat plate members. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the cooling capacity while facilitating the selection of a centrifugal fan. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cooling device as a comparative example. [Figure 4] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. In Figs. 1 and 2, a cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment is used to cool electronic devices such as an AC inverter mounted on a vehicle.

[0017] The cooling device 1 includes a heat sink 6, heat dissipation fins 4, and a centrifugal fan 5. The cooling device 1 is a device that cools an electronic component 7 that is an object to be cooled.

[0018] The heat sink 6 of this embodiment has an upper flat plate-shaped member 2 (first flat plate-shaped member), a lower flat plate-shaped member 3 (second flat plate-shaped member), and four side walls 9 connected to the upper flat plate-shaped member 2 and the lower flat plate-shaped member 3.

[0019] The upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3 are disposed opposite each other with a certain distance therebetween. The upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3 are, for example, rectangular in plan view. The side walls 9 are connected to the outer periphery of the upper flat plate member 2 and the outer periphery of the lower flat plate member 3. One of the four side walls 9 is provided with a side wall hole 9a as a through hole. It can be said that the side wall 9 determines the distance between the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3.

[0020] A plurality of electronic components 7 are fixed to the outer main surface 2a of the upper flat plate member 2 via a heat transfer material 8. The electronic components 7 are semiconductor elements or the like that tend to generate heat. Heat generated by the electronic components 7 is transferred to the upper flat plate member 2 through the heat transfer material 8. The outer main surface 2a of the upper flat plate member 2 is the main surface of the upper flat plate member 2 on the opposite side to the lower flat plate member 3. The inner main surface 2b of the upper flat plate member 2 is the main surface of the upper flat plate member 2 facing the lower flat plate member 3, and is a surface that defines the interior of the heat sink 6. The upper flat plate member 2 is formed of a metal material such as aluminum.

[0021] The inner main surface 3a of the lower flat plate member 3 is the main surface of the lower flat plate member 3 facing the upper flat plate member 2, and is the surface that defines the inside of the heat sink 6. The outer main surface 3b of the lower flat plate member 3 is the main surface of the lower flat plate member 3 opposite the upper flat plate member 2. The lower flat plate member 3 is formed of a metal material such as iron. A communication port 10, which is a through hole, is provided near the center of the lower flat plate member 3.

[0022] A plurality of heat dissipating fins 4 are provided extending from the upper flat plate member 2 toward the lower flat plate member 3. These heat dissipating fins 4 form a flow path 11 through which air flows between the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3 (in other words, inside the heat sink 6). A small gap S1 exists between the tip of the heat dissipating fin 4 (in other words, the end of the heat dissipating fin 4 on the inner main surface 3a side of the lower flat plate member 3) and the inner main surface 3a of the lower flat plate member 3. The tip of the heat dissipating fin 4 and the inner main surface 3a of the lower flat plate member 3 may be in contact with each other.

[0023] The heat dissipating fins 4 extend from near a protrusion 20 (described later) in the upper flat member 2 toward the side wall hole 9a, and the flow path 11 communicates with the side wall hole 9a. As a result, air inside the heat sink 6 flows through the flow path 11 and is discharged to the outside of the heat sink 6 through the side wall hole 9a. The heat dissipating fins 4 of this embodiment have a curved portion so that the area where the electronic component 7 is placed can be efficiently cooled. Note that FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the flow path 11.

[0024] The centrifugal fan 5 has a motor 13, an impeller 14 connected to an output shaft 13a of the motor 13, and a housing section 12 that houses the motor 13 and the impeller 14. The impeller 14 is composed of a plurality of blades 15. The axial direction of the output shaft 13a of the motor 13 (in other words, the axial direction of the centrifugal fan 5) corresponds to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the upper plate-shaped member 2 and the lower plate-shaped member 3.

[0025] The storage section 12 is composed of a pair of flat plate-like members 18, 19 arranged facing each other with a certain distance therebetween, and a partition wall (not shown) connecting these flat plate-like members 18, 19. The storage section 12 is formed with an inlet 16 as an opening penetrating the flat plate-like member 18, and an outlet 17 penetrating the partition wall. That is, it can be said that the outlet 17 opens in a direction intersecting with the opening direction of the inlet 16. The inlet 16 may also be provided in the flat plate-like member 19.

[0026] The centrifugal fan 5 is fixed to the inner main surface 3a of the lower flat plate member 3 at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the upper flat plate member 2 and such that the outlet port 17 opens toward the flow path 11. The centrifugal fan 5 of this embodiment is also fixed to the inner main surface 3a of the lower flat plate member 3 such that the communication port 10 and the inlet port 16 are in communication with each other. Therefore, the centrifugal fan 5 of this embodiment is disposed between the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3.

[0027] In the centrifugal fan 5, the impeller 14 rotates as the motor 13 rotates, and air is taken into the accommodation section 12 (in other words, the inside of the centrifugal fan 5) from the communication port 10 and the inlet 16. The air taken into the accommodation section 12 is pushed out by the impeller 14 and discharged from the outlet 17. Since the outlet 17 opens toward the flow path 11, the air discharged from the outlet 17 flows into the flow path 11.

[0028] The axial length L1 of the centrifugal fan 5 is shorter than the shortest distance L2 between the inner main surface 2b of the fin forming portion R of the upper plate-shaped member 2 where the heat dissipating fins 4 are provided and the inner main surface 3a of the lower plate-shaped member 3.

[0029] The upper flat plate member 2 is provided with a protrusion 20 that protrudes toward the centrifugal fan 5. In other words, the protrusion 20 is provided on the upper flat plate member 2, which is farther from the centrifugal fan 5 than the upper flat plate member 2 or the lower flat plate member 3. The protrusion 20 in this embodiment is provided on a portion of the inner main surface 2b of the upper flat plate member 2 that faces the centrifugal fan 5.

[0030] The protrusion 20 in this embodiment has a cylindrical shape. That is, the protrusion 20 has a circular shape in a plan view. The diameter of the protrusion 20 may be, for example, equal to the diameter of the centrifugal fan 5, or may be larger or smaller than the diameter of the centrifugal fan 5. That is, the size, shape, etc. of the protrusion 20 are not particularly limited as long as the protrusion 20 can suppress the air from circulating around the protrusion 20 compared to a case where the protrusion 20 is not provided.

[0031] A small gap S2 is provided between the tip of the protrusion 20 (in other words, the end of the protrusion 20 opposite the inner main surface 2b side of the upper flat plate member 2 (the base end side of the protrusion 20)) and the centrifugal fan 5. The tip of the protrusion 20 and the centrifugal fan 5 may be in contact with each other.

[0032] Furthermore, the protrusion portion 20 may be formed from the same metal material as the upper flat plate member 2, or may be formed from a different metal material, or may be formed from a heat-resistant resin or the like.

[0033] In the cooling device 1 as described above, when the impeller 14 rotates by driving the motor 13 of the centrifugal fan 5, air outside the cooling device 1 is taken into the inside of the centrifugal fan 5 through the communication port 10 and the inlet 16. The air taken into the inside of the centrifugal fan 5 is pushed out by the impeller 14 and discharged from the outlet 17. The air discharged from the outlet 17 flows into the flow path 11, flows through the flow path 11, and is discharged to the outside of the heat sink 6 through the side wall hole 9a of the side wall 9. As a result, the heat sink 6 is cooled, and the electronic component 7 is cooled.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cooling device as a comparative example. In Fig. 3, the cooling device 100 of this comparative example differs from the first embodiment in that it does not have a protrusion 20. The other configurations of the cooling device 100 are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0035] In the cooling device 100 of this comparative example, a large gap S0 exists between the centrifugal fan 5 and the inner main surface 2b of the upper flat plate member 2. Therefore, a part of the air flowing out from the outlet 17 of the centrifugal fan 5 flows into the gap S0. When such air flow occurs, the air warmed by the electronic components 7, which are heat generating bodies, is not discharged from the inside of the heat sink 6, but circulates inside the heat sink 6. Furthermore, when air flow occurs, the amount of air flowing through the flow path 11 decreases and the air flow speed decreases. As a result, the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 decreases.

[0036] In order to solve the above problems while miniaturizing the cooling device, it is possible to select a centrifugal fan 5 whose size matches the size of the heat sink 6, but it is very difficult to select a centrifugal fan 5 with an appropriate size for each heat sink 6.

[0037] To address such a problem, in this embodiment, the upper flat member 2 is provided with a protrusion 20 protruding toward the centrifugal fan 5. Therefore, the gap between the centrifugal fan 5 and the upper flat member 2 is narrowed by the protrusion 20, so that the air flowing out from the outlet 17 of the centrifugal fan 5 is less likely to enter the gap between the centrifugal fan 5 and the upper flat member 2. This suppresses air circulation in the cooling device 1, and increases the amount and speed of air flowing through the flow path 11. Therefore, even if the axial length L1 of the centrifugal fan 5 is short, for example, the heat sink 6 is efficiently cooled. This makes it easy to select the centrifugal fan 5, and improves the cooling capacity of the cooling device 1.

[0038] In this embodiment, the protrusions 20 are provided on the upper flat plate member 2. In this case, the air flowing out from the outlet 17 of the centrifugal fan 5 is less likely to enter the gap between the centrifugal fan 5 and the upper flat plate member 2.

[0039] In this embodiment, the centrifugal fan 5 is attached to the lower plate-shaped member 3. In this case, the centrifugal fan 5 can be easily attached and disposed between the upper plate-shaped member 2 and the lower plate-shaped member 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, the lower flat member 3 is provided with a communication port 10 that communicates with the inlet 16 of the centrifugal fan 5. In this case, air flows into the centrifugal fan 5 through the communication port 10 and the inlet 16, so that the air around the cooling device 1 is smoothly introduced into the centrifugal fan 5.

[0041] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a cooling device 1A of the present embodiment includes a heat sink 6A and the centrifugal fan 5 described above.

[0042] The heat sink 6A has an upper flat plate-shaped member 2A (first flat plate-shaped member), a lower flat plate-shaped member 3A (second flat plate-shaped member), a side wall 9 (see Figure 2) connected to the upper flat plate-shaped member 2A and the lower flat plate-shaped member 3A, and the above-mentioned heat dissipation fins 4.

[0043] The configuration of the upper flat plate member 2A is the same as that of the upper flat plate member 2 in the first embodiment. The upper flat plate member 2A does not have the protrusion 20 in the first embodiment. The outer main surface 2Aa of the upper flat plate member 2A is the main surface of the upper flat plate member 2A on the opposite side to the lower flat plate member 3A. The inner main surface 2Ab of the upper flat plate member 2A is the main surface of the upper flat plate member 2A on the lower flat plate member 3A side, and is a surface that partitions the inside of the heat sink 6A.

[0044] The lower flat plate member 3A differs from the lower flat plate member 3 in the above-described first embodiment in that it has a through hole 35 instead of the communication port 10. The inner main surface 3Aa of the lower flat plate member 3A is the main surface of the lower flat plate member 3A facing the upper flat plate member 2A, and is the surface that defines the inside of the heat sink 6A. The outer main surface 3Ab of the lower flat plate member 3A is the main surface of the lower flat plate member 3A on the opposite side to the upper flat plate member 2A. The lower flat plate member 3A is provided with a protrusion 30 that protrudes toward the centrifugal fan 5.

[0045] The protrusion 30 is made up of a cylindrical tube portion 33 extending from the outer periphery of the through hole 35 defining the through hole 35 of the lower plate-like member 3A toward the upper plate-like member 2A, and a circular bottom portion 32 provided at the end of the tube portion 33 on the upper plate-like member 2A side, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The bottom portion 32 is provided with a communication port 10A which is a through hole.

[0046] In this embodiment, the lower flat plate member 3A and the protrusion 30 are integrally formed, for example, by press working, etc. The protrusion 30 is provided on the lower flat plate member 3A, which is farther away from the centrifugal fan 5, out of the upper flat plate member 2A and the lower flat plate member 3A.

[0047] The diameter of the bottom 32 may be, for example, equal to the diameter of the centrifugal fan 5, or may be larger or smaller than the diameter of the centrifugal fan 5. In other words, the size, shape, etc. of the protrusion 30 are not particularly limited as long as the protrusion 30 can suppress the intrusion of air compared to a case in which the protrusion 30 is not provided.

[0048] The centrifugal fan 5 is fixed to the inner main surface 32a of the bottom 32 at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the lower flat plate member 3A and such that the outlet 17 opens toward the flow path 11. The centrifugal fan 5 of this embodiment is fixed to the inner main surface 32a of the bottom 32 such that the communication port 10A and the inlet 16 are in communication with each other. Therefore, the centrifugal fan 5 of this embodiment is disposed between the upper flat plate member 2A and the lower flat plate member 3A.

[0049] The axial length L1 of the centrifugal fan 5 is shorter than the shortest distance L2 between the inner main surface 2Ab of the fin forming portion R where the heat dissipating fins 4 are provided in the upper flat plate member 2A and the inner main surface 3Aa of the lower flat plate member 3A.

[0050] A small gap S2 is provided between the centrifugal fan 5 and the inner main surface 2Ab of the upper flat plate member 2A. The centrifugal fan 5 and the inner main surface 2Ab of the upper flat plate member 2A may be in contact with each other.

[0051] In this embodiment, the lower flat plate member 3A is provided with a protrusion 30 protruding toward the centrifugal fan 5. Therefore, the gap between the centrifugal fan 5 and the upper flat plate member 2A is narrowed by the amount of the protrusion 30, so that the air flowing out from the outlet 17 of the centrifugal fan 5 is less likely to enter the gap between the centrifugal fan 5 and the upper flat plate member 2A. This makes it easy to select the centrifugal fan 5, as in the first embodiment, and improves the cooling capacity of the cooling device 1A.

[0052] In this embodiment, the protrusions 30 are provided on the lower flat plate member 3. In this case, the air flowing out from the outlet 17 of the centrifugal fan 5 is less likely to enter the gap between the centrifugal fan 5 and the upper flat plate member 2A.

[0053] In this embodiment, the centrifugal fan 5 is attached to the protrusion 30. In this case, the centrifugal fan 5 can be easily attached and disposed between the upper flat plate member 2A and the lower flat plate member 3A.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the protrusion 20 of the upper plate-like member 2 is separate from the upper plate-like member 2, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this form, and the upper plate-like member 2 and the protrusion 20 may be integrally formed.

[0055] In addition, in the above second embodiment, the protrusion portion 30 of the lower flat plate-shaped member 3A is formed integrally with the lower flat plate-shaped member 3A, but this is not particularly limited to this form, and the lower flat plate-shaped member 3A and the protrusion portion 30 may be separate bodies.

[0056] Moreover, in the above-described first embodiment, the protrusions 20 are provided only on the upper flat plate member 2, but the protrusions 20 may be provided on at least the upper flat plate member 2, which is farther from the centrifugal fan 5, out of the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3, and may be provided on both the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3. When the protrusions 20 are provided on both the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3, the centrifugal fan 5 is provided at a position spaced a predetermined distance from both the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3. The same applies to the above-described second embodiment.

[0057] Moreover, while the protrusion 20 in the first embodiment is cylindrical, the shape of the protrusion 20 is not particularly limited to this and can be modified in various ways as long as it protrudes toward the centrifugal fan 5 and can suppress air from entering the gap between the centrifugal fan 5 and the upper flat plate member 2. Moreover, while the protrusion 30 in the second embodiment is cylindrical with a bottom, the shape of the protrusion 30 is not particularly limited to this and can be modified in various ways as long as it protrudes toward the centrifugal fan 5 and can suppress air from entering the gap between the centrifugal fan 5 and the upper flat plate member 2.

[0058] For example, the shape of the protrusion in the first embodiment may be cylindrical or cylindrical with a bottom. Even in this case, the gap between the tip of the protrusion 20 and the centrifugal fan 5 becomes narrow, so that air is less likely to enter the gap between the upper flat plate member 2 and the centrifugal fan 5. Note that the protrusion protruding toward the centrifugal fan 5 means that at least a portion of the protrusion on the tip side of the base end of the upper flat plate member 2 protrudes closer to the centrifugal fan 5, and the protrusion may be formed so that the distance between the base end side and the centrifugal fan 5 is shorter than the tip end of the protrusion.

[0059] In addition, in the above-described first embodiment, the centrifugal fan 5 is disposed near the center of the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3, but the location of the centrifugal fan 5 is not particularly limited thereto, and may be, for example, near the outer periphery of the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3. The same applies to the above-described second embodiment.

[0060] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the centrifugal fan 5 is entirely disposed between the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3, but this is not particularly limited, and a portion of the centrifugal fan 5 may protrude from the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3. In other words, a portion of the centrifugal fan 5 does not have to be disposed between the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3. The same applies to the above-described second embodiment.

[0061] In addition, in the above-described first embodiment, the centrifugal fan 5 is fixed to the lower flat plate member 3, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The centrifugal fan 5 may be disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from at least one of the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3, and with the outlet 17 opening toward the flow path 11. For example, the centrifugal fan 5 may be fixed to a component other than the heat sink 6.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the centrifugal fan 5 is fixed to the inner main surface 32a of the bottom 32, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The centrifugal fan 5 may be disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from at least one of the upper flat plate member 2A and the lower flat plate member 3A, and with the outlet 17 opening toward the flow path 11. For example, the centrifugal fan 5 may be fixed to a component other than the heat sink 6A.

[0063] In addition, in the above-described first embodiment, the electronic components 7 are placed on the upper flat plate member 2, but this is not particularly limited, and the electronic components 7 may be placed on the lower flat plate member 3, or the electronic components 7 may be placed on both the upper flat plate member 2 and the lower flat plate member 3. The same is true for the above-described second embodiment.

[0064] In addition, in the above-described first embodiment, the heat sink 6 has a side wall 9, but this is not particularly limited, and the heat sink 6 does not have to have a side wall 9. For example, a configuration in which the upper plate-shaped member 2 and the lower plate-shaped member 3 are joined to the heat dissipation fins 4, or a configuration in which the upper plate-shaped member 2 and the lower plate-shaped member 3 are fixed to a component other than the heat sink 6 can be considered. The same applies to the above-described second embodiment.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the axial length of the centrifugal fan 5 is shorter than the shortest distance L2 between the inner main surface 2b of the fin portion R in the upper flat plate member 2 where the heat dissipating fins 4 are provided and the inner main surface 3a of the lower flat plate member 3, but is not limited to this. The same is true for the second embodiment.

[0066] Furthermore, although the cooling devices 1, 1A in the above-described embodiments are applied to electronic devices for vehicles, the present invention is also applicable to electronic devices other than those for vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1,1A...cooling device, 2,2A...upper flat plate member (first flat plate member), 3,3A...lower flat plate member (second flat plate member), 4...heat dissipation fin, 5...centrifugal fan, 10,10A...communication port, 11...flow path, 16...inlet, 17...outlet, 20...protrusion, 30...protrusion.

Claims

1. A first flat plate member and a second flat plate member arranged at a fixed interval; a heat dissipation fin extending from the first flat plate member toward the second flat plate member and forming a flow path through which air flows between the first flat plate member and the second flat plate member; a centrifugal fan having an inlet as an opening and an outlet opening in a direction intersecting an opening direction of the inlet, the centrifugal fan is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from at least one of the first flat plate member and the second flat plate member, and the outlet is disposed so as to open toward the flow path, a protrusion protruding toward the centrifugal fan is provided on at least one of the first flat plate member and the second flat plate member that is farther from the centrifugal fan, The centrifugal fan includes a flat plate member, a motor disposed on the flat plate member, and an impeller connected to an output shaft of the motor, The inlet is formed in the flat plate-like member, The protrusion portion is provided on at least a portion of the first flat member or the second flat member that faces the centrifugal fan and is at least one portion that is farther away from the centrifugal fan, thereby suppressing air from flowing around between the centrifugal fan and the portion that is at least one portion that is farther away from the centrifugal fan.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is provided on the first flat plate member.

3. 3. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the centrifugal fan is attached to the second plate-like member.

4. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is provided on the second flat plate member.

5. The cooling device according to claim 4 , wherein the centrifugal fan is attached to the protrusion.

Images