Servo driver

Abstract

To fix a blower fan securely without using fastening components such as screws.SOLUTION: A disclosed servo driver 10 includes: a case 20 having a first cover 21; a heat sink 40 housed in the case 20 and having a base part 41 and a plurality of fins extending from the base part 41; a heating component 51 attached to the base part 41; and a blower fan 60 which is housed in the case 20, has a non-movable part 62, and sends air to the plurality of fins. The first cover 21 has a spring part 25 which is provided facing the non-movable part 62 and presses the non-movable part 62 to press the blower fan 60 to the heat sink 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a servo driver.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a servo driver for controlling an electric motor is known. A servo driver generally includes a heat-generating component and a component for dissipating its heat. Such components include a heat sink to which the heat-generating component is attached and a blower fan for sending air toward the heat sink. The blower fan is often fixed to the heat sink using fastening components such as screws. However, when using screws, problems such as the cost of the screws themselves and the loosening of the screws may occur.

[0003] On the other hand, the servo driver of Patent Document 1 includes a heat sink to which a heat-generating component is attached and a blower fan for sending air toward the heat sink, and the heat sink has a housing recess for accommodating a part of the housing of the blower fan. This servo driver further includes an upper cover having a fan holding portion for holding the upper surface of the housing of the blower fan. Thereby, in the servo driver of Patent Document 1, the blower fan can be fixed without using fastening components such as screws.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] <00**********20>

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] <0********** However, in the servo driver described in Patent Document 1, the blower fan may rattle during operation. This is because the blower fan housing is generally made of resin, resulting in relatively large dimensional tolerances, and there are limits to improving the dimensional accuracy of the recess for housing the heatsink, which can create a gap between the two. In this situation, one of the objectives of this disclosure is to securely fix the blower fan without using fastening parts such as screws. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a servo driver. The servo driver comprises a case having a first cover; a heat sink housed in the case and having a base portion and a plurality of fins extending from the base portion; a heat-generating component attached to the base portion; and a blower fan housed in the case and having a non-movable portion that blows air toward the plurality of fins, wherein the first cover is provided opposite the non-movable portion and has a spring portion that presses the blower fan against the heat sink by pressing the non-movable portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, a blower fan can be securely fixed without using fastening parts such as screws. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a servo driver according to one embodiment, viewed from above. [Figure 2] This is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a servo driver according to one embodiment, viewed from below. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view showing the main components of a servo driver. [Figure 4] This is a conceptual side view illustrating the process of attaching the first cover. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the servo driver relating to this disclosure are described below with examples. However, this disclosure is not limited to the examples described below. In the following description, specific numerical values ​​and materials may be given as examples, but other numerical values ​​and materials may be applied as long as the effects of this disclosure are achieved.

[0010] The servo driver according to this disclosure is a device for controlling a target device (e.g., an electric motor). The servo driver according to this disclosure comprises a case, a heat sink, a heat-generating component, and a blower fan.

[0011] The case has a first cover. The first cover may be detachable from the rest of the case. The first cover may be removed, for example, during maintenance of the servo driver. The case may be made of, for example, metal. The case may be formed as a whole in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0012] The heatsink is housed in a case. The heatsink has a base and a plurality of fins extending from the base. The plurality of fins may extend parallel to each other. The plurality of fins may be formed to extend along the vertical direction when the servo driver is in use. The heatsink may be made of, for example, metal.

[0013] The heat-generating component is attached to the base of the heatsink. The heat-generating component may be housed in a case together with the heatsink. The heat-generating component may be, for example, an IPM (Intelligent Power Module). The heat-generating component may be mounted on a power board that includes a power supply circuit that includes itself.

[0014] The blower fan is housed in a case. The blower fan blows air toward multiple fins. The blower fan may be, for example, a propeller fan. The blower fan has non-moving parts. Here, non-moving parts are parts that do not actively move (for example, do not rotate) when the blower fan is operating. Examples of non-moving parts include the casing of the blower fan or a cover that covers at least a part of the propeller.

[0015] The first cover described above has a spring. The spring is provided opposite the non-movable part of the blower fan and presses the blower fan against the heatsink by pressing against the non-movable part. The spring may also press the blower fan against the heatsink by pressing against the non-movable part along the direction in which the base and fins of the heatsink extend (or along the axial direction of the blower fan). With such a spring, the blower fan is pressed against the heatsink by its elastic force, so the blower fan can be securely fixed without using fasteners such as screws.

[0016] The first cover may have multiple spring sections. In this configuration, the blower fan can be more securely fixed by the multiple spring sections. However, the first cover may have only one spring section.

[0017] The multiple spring sections may include a pair of spring sections positioned on either side of the central axis of the blower fan. The pair of spring sections may, for example, be positioned diagonally opposite each other on the blower fan. Such a pair of spring sections allows the blower fan to be more stably fixed in place.

[0018] The spring portion may have an inclined surface that rides onto the non-movable part when the first cover is attached. In this configuration, when the first cover is attached, the force from the non-movable part acts on the inclined surface, causing the spring portion to elastically deform. Furthermore, because the spring portion moves smoothly along the inclined surface, interference between the spring portion and the non-movable part is less likely to hinder the attachment of the first cover. Therefore, the first cover can be easily attached while the spring portion provides a fixing function for the blower fan.

[0019] The heatsink may have multiple bosses that protrude toward the blower fan. The blower fan may have multiple insertion holes into which each of the bosses is inserted. In this configuration, the engagement between the multiple bosses and the multiple insertion holes can suppress rattle in the rotational direction of the blower fan.

[0020] The plurality of boss portions may include a pair of boss portions arranged with the central axis of the blower fan interposed therebetween. The pair of boss portions may be arranged, for example, on the diagonal line of the blower fan. According to such a pair of boss portions and the corresponding insertion holes, the rattling in the rotation direction of the blower fan can be further suppressed.

[0021] As described above, according to the present disclosure, by pressing the blower fan against the heat sink with the spring portion, the blower fan can be firmly fixed without using fastening components such as screws. Further, according to the present disclosure, by firmly fixing the blower fan, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to its rattling.

[0022] Hereinafter, an example of the servo driver according to the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The components of the example of the servo driver described below can apply the components described above. The components of the example of the servo driver described below can be changed based on the above description. Further, the matters described below may be applied to the above embodiments. Among the components of the example of the servo driver described below, the components that are not essential for the servo driver according to the present disclosure may be omitted. Note that the drawings shown below are schematic and do not accurately reflect the actual shape and number of members.

[0023] The servo driver 10 of the present embodiment is a device for controlling a motor (not shown) as a target device, but the type of the target device is not limited to a motor. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the servo driver 10 includes a case 20, a heat sink 40, a power board 50, a blower fan 60, and a control board 70. The case 20 houses the heat sink 40, the power board 50, the blower fan 60, and the control board 70.

[0024] The case 20 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The case 20 has a first cover 21, a second cover 26, and a side plate 31. The first cover 21, the second cover 26, and the side plate 31 are each made of metal. The first cover 21 and the second cover 26 form four surfaces that cover the internal space of the case 20 in a cylindrical shape, and the side plate 31 forms one of the remaining two surfaces.

[0025] The first cover 21 has a front portion 22 that constitutes the front surface of the case 20 (the front surface in Figures 1 and 2), a first upper portion 23 that constitutes a part of the upper surface of the case 20, and a first lower portion 24 that constitutes a part of the lower surface of the case 20. The first upper portion 23 has an air outlet 23a that communicates with the space in the internal space of the case 20 where the fins 42 of the heat sink 40 (described later) are arranged (hereinafter also referred to as the first space S1), and a first outlet 23b that communicates with the space in the internal space of the case 20 where the control board 70 is arranged (hereinafter also referred to as the second space S2). The first lower portion 24 has an intake port 24a that communicates with the space in the internal space of the case 20 where the blower fan 60 is arranged (hereinafter also referred to as the third space S3), and a first inlet 24b that communicates with the second space S2. The first lower portion 24 is provided with a spring portion 25. The spring section 25 will be explained in more detail later.

[0026] The first cover 21 is removable for maintenance of the servo driver 10. With the first cover 21 removed, the first space S1, the second space S2, and the third space S3 become accessible from the outside.

[0027] The second cover 26 has a rear portion 27 that constitutes the rear surface of the case 20 (the rear surface in Figures 1 and 2), a second upper portion 28 that constitutes the remaining upper surface of the case 20, and a second lower portion 29 that constitutes the remaining lower surface of the case 20. The second upper portion 28 has a second outlet 28a that communicates with the space in the internal space of the case 20 where the heat-generating component 51 (described later) is located (hereinafter also referred to as the fourth space S4). The second lower portion 29 has a second inlet 29a that communicates with the fourth space S4.

[0028] The side panel 31 forms one side of the case 20. Connectors (not shown) and the like are attached to the side panel 31. The other side of the case 20 is formed by a part of the heatsink 40.

[0029] The heatsink 40 is housed in the case 20. The heatsink 40 has a base portion 41 and a plurality of fins 42 extending from the base portion 41. The plurality of fins 42 extend parallel to each other. In the illustrated example, the plurality of fins 42 extend along the vertical direction. The heatsink 40 has a frame 43 having an opening 43a and positioned between a first space S1 and a third space S3. The first space S1 and the third space S3 communicate with each other through this opening 43a. The frame 43 is integrally provided with a pair of boss portions 43b positioned on either side of the central axis of the blower fan 60. The pair of boss portions 43b protrude toward the blower fan 60 (downward in this example). The heatsink 40 is made of metal. Note that in Figure 2, only one of the pair of boss portions 43b is shown. The other boss portion 43b is positioned corresponding to the insertion hole 62a (described later) of the blower fan 60 shown in the same figure.

[0030] The power board 50 is a board on which a power supply circuit including a heat-generating component 51 is mounted. The power board 50 separates the second space S2 and the fourth space S4. In other words, the power board 50 is located between the second space S2 and the fourth space S4. The heat-generating component 51 is attached to the base portion 41 of the heat sink 40. In this embodiment, the heat-generating component 51 is composed of an IPM (Integrated Heat Module).

[0031] The blower fan 60 is housed in the case 20. The blower fan 60 is positioned in the third space S3 and blows air into the first space S1 (i.e., towards the multiple fins 42) through the opening 43a. Specifically, when the blower fan 60 is operating, air is drawn in from the outside space into the third space S3 through the intake port 24a, the drawn-in air flows into the first space S1 through the opening 43a, and then discharged back into the outside space through the outlet port 23a. The air blown by the blower fan 60 removes heat from the heatsink 40 in the first space S1. This forces the heat-generating components 51 attached to the heatsink 40 to be air-cooled.

[0032] The blower fan 60 in this embodiment is composed of a propeller fan. The blower fan 60 has a propeller 61 as a movable part and a casing 62 as a non-movable part. An insertion hole 62a is formed in the part of the casing 62 corresponding to the boss part 43b into which the boss part 43b is inserted. By inserting the boss part 43b into the insertion hole 62a, the blower fan 60 can be prevented from rattling around its central axis.

[0033] The control board 70 is a functional component for controlling the target device. The control board 70 is placed in the second space S2. In the second space S2, the convection of air generated by the heat generated by the control board 70 creates an airflow from the first inlet 24b to the first outlet 23b. This convective air cools the control board 70.

[0034] As described above, the first cover 21 of the case 20 has a spring portion 25. The spring portion 25 is provided opposite the casing 62 of the blower fan 60 and presses the casing 62, thereby pressing the blower fan 60 against the heat sink 40. This allows the blower fan 60 to be securely fixed without using fastening parts such as screws.

[0035] In this embodiment, there are multiple spring portions 25 (two in this example), and these multiple spring portions 25 include a pair of spring portions 25 arranged on either side of the central axis of the blower fan 60.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, each spring portion 25 has an inclined surface 25a that rides onto the casing 62 when the first cover 21 is installed. The inclined surface 25a may be inclined so as it moves away from the blower fan 60 in the direction of installation of the first cover 21 (from right to left in Figure 4). Note that only one of the pair of spring portions 25 is shown in Figure 4.

[0037] [Note] The above description of embodiments discloses the following technologies. (Technology 1) A case having a first cover, A heat sink housed in the aforementioned case, having a base portion and a plurality of fins extending from the base portion, A heat-generating component attached to the base portion, A blower fan housed in the aforementioned case, having a non-movable part and supplying air to the plurality of fins, Equipped with, The first cover is provided opposite the non-movable part and has a spring portion that presses the cooling fan against the heat sink by pressing the non-movable part, thereby providing a servo driver. (Technology 2) The servo driver according to Technical Reference 1, wherein the first cover has a plurality of the spring portions. (Technology 3) The servo driver according to Technical Reference 2, wherein the plurality of spring portions include a pair of spring portions arranged on either side of the central axis of the blower fan. (Technology 4) The servo driver according to any one of the technologies 1 to 3, wherein the spring portion has an inclined surface that rides onto the non-movable portion when the first cover is attached. (Technology 5) The heat sink has a plurality of bosses that protrude toward the blower fan, The blower fan has a plurality of insertion holes into which the boss portion is each inserted, according to any one of the technologies 1 to 4. (Technology 6) The servo driver according to Technical Reference 5, wherein the plurality of boss portions include a pair of boss portions arranged on either side of the central axis of the blower fan. [Industrial applicability]

[0038] This disclosure can be used in servo drivers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 10: Servo driver 20: Case 21: Cover 1 22: Front part 23:First top part 23a: Air outlet 23b: 1st outlet 24: 1st bottom part 24a: Inlet 24b: 1st inlet 25: Spring section 25a: Inclined surface 26: Second cover 27: Back part 28:Second top part 28a: 2nd outlet 29:Second bottom part 29a: 2nd inlet 31: Side panel 40: Heatsink 41: Base section 42: Finn 43:Frame body 43a:Aperture 43b: Boss section 50: Power board 51: Heat-generating components 60: Blower fan 61: Propeller (movable part) 62: Casing (non-movable part) 62a: Insertion hole 70: Control board S1: 1st space S2:Second space S3: 3rd space S4: 4th space

Claims

1. A case having a first cover, A heat sink housed in the aforementioned case, having a base portion and a plurality of fins extending from the base portion, A heat-generating component attached to the base portion, A blower fan housed in the aforementioned case, having a non-movable part and supplying air to the plurality of fins, Equipped with, The first cover is provided opposite the non-movable part and has a spring portion that presses the cooling fan against the heat sink by pressing the non-movable part, thereby providing a servo driver.

2. The servo driver according to claim 1, wherein the first cover has a plurality of spring portions.

3. The servo driver according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of spring portions include a pair of spring portions arranged on either side of the central axis of the blower fan.

4. The servo driver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spring portion has an inclined surface that rides onto the non-movable portion when the first cover is attached.

5. The heat sink has a plurality of bosses that protrude toward the blower fan, The blower fan has a plurality of insertion holes into which the boss portion is each inserted, according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The servo driver according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of boss portions include a pair of boss portions arranged on either side of the central axis of the blower fan.

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