Cooling devices for electronic devices

Abstract

To provide a cooling device for an electronic apparatus that can obtain good heat radiation performance even when there is an obstacle on the leeward side of a heat sink.SOLUTION: A fan duct (cooling device) comprises: an intake port from which air is introduced by a fan; a heat sink that allows the air introduced from the intake port to pass through between a plurality of fins to radiate heat generated from an electronic apparatus; a branch wall that is installed on the downstream side of the flow of air and orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the fins, and branches the flow of air passing through between the fins to two directions, one branch angle forming an angle of 45° or less with respect to an exhaust direction; a plurality of ribs that are plate-like members installed toward the fins on a side where the branch angle exceeds 45° and in parallel to the fins and have apices on the leading end side, are connected with the branch wall at the root side, and branch the flow of air passing through between the fins to two directions on the leading end side; and an exhaust port that exhausts the air branched by the ribs and branch wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a cooling device for an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices such as PCs (Personal Computers) include components that become hot, such as CPUs (Central Processing Units). Such components are generally equipped with heat sinks for heat dissipation. Air is drawn into the heat sink by a fan installed upstream, and is exhausted downstream of the heat sink, thereby dissipating heat (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Recently, due to the demand for miniaturization of electronic devices, components such as CPU input / output devices and connectors are sometimes placed downstream of the heat sink inside the housing of electronic devices. Such components impede the smooth flow of air that passes through the heat sink, resulting in a decrease in heat dissipation performance, which is undesirable. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cooling device for electronic devices that can obtain good heat dissipation performance even when there is an obstacle downwind of the heat sink. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an embodiment, a cooling device for electronic devices includes an air intake port, a heat sink, a branch wall, multiple ribs, and an exhaust port. The air intake port is equipped with a fan and introduces air. The heat sink dissipates heat generated by the electronic device by passing the air introduced through the air intake port between multiple fins. The branch wall is installed across the multiple fins of the heat sink on the downstream side of the air flow, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fins, and branches the air flow passing between the fins into two directions, one of which forms an angle of 45° or less with respect to the exhaust direction of the air passing between the fins. The multiple ribs are plate-shaped members with an apex at their tip end, installed parallel to the fins and facing the fins on the side where the branch wall's branch angle exceeds 45°, and are connected at their base ends to the branch wall, branching the air flow passing between the fins into two directions at the tip end. The exhaust port exhausts the air branched by the rib and the branch wall. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a fan duct according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic structure of an electronic device to which a fan duct is attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a ventilation hole provided in an electronic device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the shape of the fan duct. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing an example of the shape of the fan duct. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional side view illustrating the positional relationship between the fan duct and components near the exhaust port. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a first diagram showing an example of the shape of the rib. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a second diagram showing an example of the shape of the rib. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An embodiment in which the cooling device of the present disclosure is applied to a fan duct 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] (Schematic structure of the fan duct) The schematic structure of a fan duct 1, which is an example of a cooling device of the present disclosure, will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a fan duct of an embodiment. For ease of explanation, a three-dimensional coordinate system XYZ is set in Figure 1. In the three-dimensional coordinate system XYZ, the width direction (left-right direction) of the fan duct 1 is the X-axis direction, the depth direction (front-back direction) is the Y-axis direction, and the height direction (up-down direction) is the Z-axis direction.

[0009] 1, fan duct 1 has a generally box-like shape and is a cover member that covers heat sink 2 and intake fan 3 that blows air to heat sink 2. Fan duct 1 passes air drawn in from intake port 11 by intake fan 3 between fins 22 of heat sink 2 installed inside the ventilation pipe (duct), and then discharges the air from exhaust port 12; it is a member that combines the functions of both an intake duct and an exhaust duct.

[0010] The suction fan 3 draws in air from outside the fan duct 1, introduces the drawn-in air into the fan duct 1, and blows it in the negative direction of the Y axis. The suction fan 3 is an example of a fan in this disclosure. An air intake 11 is provided on the upstream side of the fan duct 1 in the air blowing direction of the suction fan 3, and an exhaust vent 12 is provided on the downstream side.

[0011] Hereinafter, the term "upstream side" simply refers to the upstream side (or upwind) in the air blowing direction of the suction fan 3. Similarly, the term "downstream side" simply refers to the downstream side (or downwind) in the air blowing direction of the suction fan 3.

[0012] The heat sink 2 is attached to a heat-generating electronic component, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The heat generated by the CPU is conducted through the heat sink 2. The heat transmitted through the heat sink 2 is then dissipated into the surrounding air. This prevents malfunctions and other problems caused by overheating of the CPU.

[0013] The heat sink 2 is composed of a base 21 and multiple fins 22. The fins 22 are erected on the base 21. The multiple fins 22 are adjacent to each other at a predetermined interval. The base 21 is in contact with the CPU, and heat from the CPU is conducted therethrough. The fins 22 dissipate the heat conducted from the base 21 into the air.

[0014] The heat sink 2 is fixed onto frames 41, 42, and 43, which are layered at predetermined intervals, with a helical spring 44 and a screw 45. A motherboard 101 (see FIG. 2) is sandwiched between the frames 41 and 42.

[0015] The suction fan 3 blows air by continuously sending it in one direction using blades that are driven to rotate by, for example, an electric motor. In this embodiment, the intake port 11, the suction fan 3, the heat sink 2, and the exhaust port 12 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the airflow direction of the suction fan 3.

[0016] To fully utilize the effects of the fan duct 1 described above, it is desirable that there are no parts (obstacles) that obstruct exhaust air on the downwind side of the exhaust port 12. However, depending on the size of the electronic device 100 (see FIG. 2) equipped with the fan duct 1 and the arrangement of its built-in components, an obstacle may be placed downstream of the exhaust port 12.

[0017] In order to exhaust air while avoiding such obstacles on the downwind side, the fan duct 1 is equipped with a branch wall 13 and multiple ribs 14 as shown in Figure 1. The branch wall 13 branches the flow of air that has passed between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 into two directions. The ribs 14 are installed on the wall surface of the branch wall 13 in parallel to the fins 22 of the heat sink 2, and branch the flow of air that has passed between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 into two directions. The branch wall 13 and the ribs 14 will be described in detail later (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0018] (General structure of electronic device) An electronic device to which a fan duct is attached will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic structure of an electronic device to which a fan duct is attached. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a ventilation hole provided in the electronic device.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 includes a housing 110, a motherboard 101, a CPU 102, a memory 103, an SSD (Solid State Drive) 104, a riser card 105, and an I / O board 106.

[0020] The motherboard 101 is an example of a board on which electronic components (CPU 102 in this embodiment) are mounted, the heat of which is dissipated by the heat sink 2. The memory 103 and SSD 104 also generate heat in accordance with their operation. This heat is also dissipated by the air flow inside the housing 110, which is created by the airflow of the intake fan 3.

[0021] The I / O board 106 is connected to the motherboard 101 via a slot provided in the riser card 105. By connecting the I / O board 106 to the slot provided in the riser card 105, the I / O board 106 is arranged parallel to the motherboard 101, which makes it possible to reduce the height dimension of the housing 110.

[0022] However, with the above-described arrangement, if the I / O board 106 is located downstream of the exhaust port 12, the I / O board 106 becomes an obstacle that blocks exhaust. This embodiment is configured so that the exhaust from the fan duct 1 avoids the I / O board 106.

[0023] 3, fan duct 1 is housed inside housing 110 of electronic device 100. Housing 110 is provided with ventilation holes 161, 162, and 163 that take in air to be introduced into fan duct 1, and ventilation holes 164, 165, 166, and 167 that exhaust air that has passed through fan duct 1.

[0024] Ventilation holes 161, 162, and 163 are provided in front cover 111 that forms the front surface of housing 110. Ventilation holes 164 and 165 are provided in rear cover 112 that forms the back surface of housing 110. Ventilation holes 166 and 167 are provided in I / O panel 113 that forms part of the back surface of housing 110. Note that I / O panel 113 includes connection terminals for various peripheral devices connected to electronic device 100.

[0025] In the electronic device 100 of this embodiment, the I / O board 106 is disposed behind the CPU 102. Therefore, the exhaust port 12 of the fan duct 1 is separated into an upper exhaust port 121 that opens upward and a lower exhaust port 122 that opens downward so that the exhaust air avoids the I / O board 106 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the exhaust port 12 is separated into the upper exhaust port 121 and the lower exhaust port 122 by a branch wall 13 and a rib 14 shown in FIG. 1. The rib 14 stands from the branch wall 13 toward the heat sink 2. Furthermore, a plurality of ribs 14 are provided at regular intervals along the X axis (lined up in the left-right direction). This will be described in more detail later (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0026] (Structure of branching walls and ribs) The structures of the branch wall 13 and the ribs 14 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of the shape of the fan duct. Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing an example of the shape of the fan duct.

[0027] 5, the branch wall 13 has a substantially V-shaped cross section in side view, with the bent portion protruding toward the heat sink 2. The branch wall 13 divides the flow of air that has passed between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 into two.

[0028] The branch wall 13 is installed across the multiple fins 22 of the heat sink 2 on the downstream side of the air flow, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fins 22. The branch wall 13 has an upper wall portion 131 and a lower wall portion 132. The upper wall portion 131 and the lower wall portion 132 are connected at a side along the X-axis on the upstream side in the airflow direction of the suction fan 3. The upper wall portion 131 and the lower wall portion 132 are inclined with respect to the airflow direction of the suction fan 3 so that the distance between them increases toward the downstream side in the airflow direction of the suction fan 3. The upper wall portion 131 guides the airflow that has passed between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 obliquely upward. The lower wall portion 132 guides the airflow that has passed between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 obliquely downward. In this way, the branch wall 13 guides the exhaust air so as to avoid a part of the range downstream of itself (the range where the I / O board 106 is installed (see FIG. 6)), and branches the exhaust air.

[0029] The branch wall 13 divides the exhaust port 12 into an upper exhaust port 121 and a lower exhaust port 122. The upper exhaust port 121 discharges the exhaust air flowing along the upper wall portion 131 to the outside of the housing 110 through ventilation holes 164 (see FIG. 3). The lower exhaust port 122 discharges the exhaust air flowing along the lower wall portion 132 to the outside of the housing 110 through ventilation holes 165, 166, and 167 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 5, the branch wall 13 has a substantially V-shaped cross section in a side view, and the bent portion protrudes toward the heat sink 2. The branch wall 13 divides the flow of air that has passed between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 into two.

[0030] The deflection angle θa formed by the upper wall portion 131 of the branch wall 13 and the exhaust direction (negative direction of the Y axis) of the air that has passed through the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 is set to 45° or less. The deflection angle θb formed by the lower wall portion 132 of the branch wall 13 and the exhaust direction (negative direction of the Y axis) of the air that has passed through the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 is set to exceed 45°.

[0031] A lower wall portion 132 of the branch wall 13 is provided with a plurality of ribs 14 that are parallel to the fins 22 and face the fins 22 of the heat sink 2. The ribs 14 are, for example, plate-shaped members molded from a resin material and having pointed peaks 141 at their leading ends. The bases of the ribs 14 are connected to the lower wall portion 132 at upper rear ends Pa and lower rear ends Pb of the ribs. In FIG. 4, the ribs 14 are inserted between the fins 22, but the ribs 14 do not have to be inserted between the fins 22. When the ribs 14 are inserted between the fins 22, the regions inserted between the fins 22 may or may not contact the fins 22.

[0032] 5, the upper wall portion 131 and the lower wall portion 132 may be formed upside down. In this case, the deflection angle θa of the upper wall portion 131 exceeds 45°, and the deflection angle θb of the lower wall portion 132 is 45° or less. The rib 14 is installed on the upper wall portion 131.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the base side of the rib 14 smoothly connects to the branch wall 13. The rib 14 branches the air flow passing between the fins 22 at a peak 141 on the tip side into a flow that flows along an upper edge 142 and a flow that flows along a lower edge 143, as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 extending from the peak 141 to the base of the rib 14 are both formed as straight lines. That is, the region of the rib 14 in the plate thickness direction (the region along the X-axis) is formed as a flat surface. The upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 of the rib 14 may be formed as curved lines (see FIG. 8). That is, the region of the rib 14 in the plate thickness direction (the region along the X-axis) may be formed as a curved surface. Alternatively, one of the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 may be formed as a straight line, and the other may be formed as a curved line. Furthermore, the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 may be formed partly as straight lines and partly as curved lines. That is, the region of the rib 14 in the thickness direction (the region along the X-axis) may be formed as a combination of flat and curved surfaces.

[0034] The deflection angle θc formed by the upper edge 142 of the rib 14 and the exhaust direction (negative direction of the Y axis) of the air that has passed between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 is set to be 30° or less. Also, the deflection angle θd formed by the lower edge 143 of the rib 14 and the exhaust direction (negative direction of the Y axis) of the air that has passed between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 is set to be 30° or less.

[0035] If the deflection angles θc and θd are too small, the tops 141 of the ribs 14 will be too sharp, which is undesirable as it will result in improper filling of the raw material when molding the mold for the ribs 14. Furthermore, if the deflection angles θc and θd are too small, the length of the rib 14 will be longer than necessary in order to ensure a sufficient gap between the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 at the base, and the rib 14 will not fit into the exhaust port 12. Therefore, it is desirable to set the deflection angles θc and θd as close to 30° as possible without exceeding 30°.

[0036] The ribs 14 are formed by pouring a resin material into a mold, for example, and if the thickness of the ribs 14 is 3 mm or less, sink marks are unlikely to occur during molding, eliminating the need for mold recesses. Also, because there are no walls above or below the ribs 14, they can be molded using a normal cavity core.

[0037] (Positional relationship between the fan duct exhaust port and mounted components) The positional relationship between the fan duct 1 of this embodiment and the components mounted near the exhaust port will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional side view illustrating the positional relationship between the fan duct and the components near the exhaust port.

[0038] 6, I / O board 106 mounted near the exhaust port is installed in a position where it is not exposed to the exhaust air from upper exhaust port 121 or lower exhaust port 122. Therefore, fan duct 1 allows components to be placed downstream of fan duct 1 without interfering with the cooling performance of CPU 102 in electronic device 100 (see FIG. 2).

[0039] In this configuration, when the electronic device 100 is powered on, the CPU 102, memory 103, SSD 104, etc. generate heat and their temperatures rise. When the intake fan 3 operates to blow air, air flows inside the fan duct 1, cooling the CPU 102 on which the heat sink 2 is installed. At this time, the air exhausted from the upper exhaust port 121 and the lower exhaust port 122 that is not discharged to the outside of the housing 110 (see FIG. 2) moves inside the housing 110, for example, toward the intake port 11. Therefore, an air flow is also generated outside the fan duct 1, and this air flow also cools the memory 103, SSD 104, etc. on which the heat sink 2 is not installed.

[0040] (Rib edge shape) Specific shapes of the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 of the rib 14 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a first diagram showing an example of the shape of the rib. Figure 8 is a second diagram showing an example of the shape of the rib.

[0041] 7, the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 of the rib 14a are both linear. The upper edge 142 is connected to the upper wall 131 at the rib upper rear end Pa. The lower edge 143 is connected to the lower wall 132 at the rib lower rear end Pb.

[0042] At this time, the tangent line of the upper edge 142 at the rib upper rear end Pa coincides with the tangent line of the upper wall 131 at the rib upper rear end Pa. That is, the upper edge 142 and the upper wall 131 are smoothly connected at the rib upper rear end Pa. Also, the tangent line of the lower edge 143 at the rib lower rear end Pb coincides with the tangent line of the lower wall 132 at the rib lower rear end Pb. That is, the lower edge 143 and the lower wall 132 are smoothly connected at the rib lower rear end Pb.

[0043] 8, both the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 are curved. The curves may be quadratic curves such as circular arcs, or may be higher-order curves. The upper edge 142 connects with the upper wall 131 at the upper rear end Pa of the rib. The lower edge 143 connects with the lower wall 132 at the lower rear end Pb of the rib.

[0044] At this time, the tangent line of the upper edge 142 at the rib upper rear end Pa coincides with the tangent line of the upper wall 131 at the rib upper rear end Pa. That is, the upper edge 142 and the upper wall 131 are smoothly connected at the rib upper rear end Pa. Also, the tangent line of the lower edge 143 at the rib lower rear end Pb coincides with the tangent line of the lower wall 132 at the rib lower rear end Pb. That is, the lower edge 143 and the lower wall 132 are smoothly connected at the rib lower rear end Pb.

[0045] The specific shapes of the curves constituting the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 of the rib 14b are not limited, but the deflection angle θc of the upper edge 142 of the rib 14b gradually increases from the peak 141 to the rib upper rear end Pa, and is formed so as to be 30° or less from the peak 141 to the rib upper rear end Pa. The deflection angle θd of the lower edge 143 of the rib 14b gradually increases from the peak 141 to the rib lower rear end Pb, and is formed so as to be 30° or less from the peak 141 to the rib lower rear end Pb. The upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 of the rib 14b may be formed by a combination of curves and straight lines.

[0046] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the fan duct 1 (cooling device) of this embodiment is equipped with an intake fan 3 (fan), an intake port 11 that introduces air, a heat sink 2 that dissipates heat generated by the electronic device 100 by passing the air introduced from the intake port 11 between multiple fins 22, a branch wall 13 that is installed across the multiple fins 22 of the heat sink 2 on the downstream side of the air flow, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fins 22, and branches the air flow that has passed between the fins 22 in two directions, one of the branch angles forming an angle of 45° or less with the exhaust direction of the air that has passed between the fins 22, a plurality of ribs 14 that are plate-like members that have an apex 141 on their tip side and are installed parallel to the fins 22, facing the fins 22 on the side where the branch angle of the branch wall 13 exceeds 45°, and that are connected to the branch wall 13 on their base side, and that branch the air flow that has passed between the fins 22 in two directions at the tip side, and an exhaust port 12 that exhausts the air branched by the ribs 14 and the branch wall 13. Therefore, good cooling performance can be obtained even if there is an obstacle downwind of the heat sink 2. Furthermore, by inserting the ribs 14 between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2, the size of the heat sink 2 can be made as large as possible within a limited space, thereby achieving both miniaturization of the electronic device 100 and improved cooling performance.

[0047] Furthermore, in the fan duct 1 (cooling device) of this embodiment, the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 connecting the top 141 of the rib 14 to the base side of the rib 14 are both formed so as to form an angle of 30° or less with the direction of the air flow passing between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 from the top 141 to the base side. Therefore, the air flowing between the fins 22 of the heat sink 2 can be branched at the top 141 of the rib 14 and flow downstream without being disturbed.

[0048] Furthermore, in the fan duct 1 (cooling device) of this embodiment, when the ribs 14 are viewed from the side, the tangents to the ribs 14 and the tangents to the branch walls 13 at the connection points (the rib upper rear ends Pa and Pb) between the bases of the ribs 14 and the branch walls 13 coincide. Therefore, the air branched at the tops 141 of the ribs 14 can flow smoothly from the upper edge portions 142 to the upper wall portion 131. Furthermore, the air branched at the tops 141 of the ribs 14 can flow smoothly from the lower edge portions 143 to the lower wall portion 132. This allows for smooth exhaust.

[0049] Furthermore, in the fan duct 1 (cooling device) of this embodiment, the distance between the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 of the rib 14 becomes wider as it approaches the base of the rib 14, and the upper edge 142 and the lower edge 143 are both formed as straight lines, curves, or a combination thereof when the rib 14 is viewed from the side. Therefore, the air branched at the top 141 of the rib 14 can flow smoothly downstream.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Fan duct (cooling device) 2 heat sinks 3. Suction fan (fan) 11 Air intake 12 Exhaust port 13 Branching Wall 14 Ribs 22 Finn 100 Electronic equipment 106 I / O board 110 Case 121 Upper exhaust port 122 Lower exhaust port 131 Upper wall section 132 Lower wall part 141 Top 142 Upper edge 143 Lower edge 161,162,163,164,165,166 ventilation hole Pa Rib upper rear end Pb Lower rear end of rib θa, θb, θc, θd angle of deviation [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0052] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-283171

Claims

1. an intake port having a fan for introducing air; a heat sink that dissipates heat generated from an electronic device by passing air introduced through the air intake port between a plurality of fins; a branch wall that is installed across the plurality of fins of the heat sink on the downstream side of the air flow and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fins, and that branches the air flow that has passed between the fins into two directions, one of which forms an angle of 45° or less with respect to the exhaust direction of the air that has passed between the fins; a plurality of ribs, which are plate-like members having a top at a tip end side and are installed parallel to the fins toward the side of the branch wall where the branch angle exceeds 45°, and which are connected at a base side to the branch wall and cause the air flow passing between the fins to branch into two directions at the tip end side; an exhaust port for exhausting the air branched by the rib and the branch wall. Cooling devices for electronic devices.

2. Both the upper edge and the lower edge of the rib are formed so as to form an angle of 30° or less with the direction of the air flow passing between the fins of the heat sink from the top to the base side. The cooling device for electronic devices according to claim 1 .

3. When the rib is viewed from a side, a tangent to the rib and a tangent to the branch wall coincide with each other at a connection point between a root side of the rib and the branch wall. The cooling device for electronic devices according to claim 2 .

4. a distance between an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the rib is wider toward a base of the rib, and the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion are both formed by a straight line, a curved line, or a combination thereof when the rib is viewed from the side; The cooling device for electronic devices according to claim 3 .

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