Cooling device and electronic apparatus

Abstract

A cooling device (1) comprises a base (11), a plurality of fins (12), at least one frame (13), and at least one air guide member (16). The fins (12) extend in both a first extension direction along a main surface (11a) of the base (11) and a second extension direction away from the main surface (11a). The frame (13) comprises: a first plate-shaped member (14) that extends in a periphery-like manner about the first extension direction so as to surround the plurality of fins (12); and a second plate-shaped member (15) that extends from the first plate-shaped member (14) and toward each fin (12) and is fitted to an end of each fin (12), the end thereof being the end far from the base (11). The air guide member (16) is attached to the first plate-shaped member (14), extends in a direction from the frame (13) and toward the fins (12), and guides air to gaps between the fins (12) that are adjacent.

Description

Cooling and Electronic Equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling device and an electronic device.

[0002] Some electronic devices have a cooling device thermally connected to heat-generating electronic components to prevent damage to the electronic components due to heat generated when current is applied. One example of such electronic devices is an electronic device mounted on a railway vehicle, specifically a power conversion device, which cools the electronic components by dissipating heat generated in the electronic components via the cooling device into the wind generated by the vehicle's movement. As an example of this type of electronic device, a power conversion device mounted under the floor of a railway vehicle is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] JP 2011-166969 A

[0004] The power conversion device disclosed in Patent Document 1 cools semiconductor elements by dissipating heat generated by the semiconductor elements into the surrounding air from a heat dissipation unit having multiple heat pipes and multiple fins attached to the multiple heat pipes. As the power output of power conversion devices increases, the amount of heat generated by the semiconductor elements increases, and therefore, there is a demand for further improvement in the cooling performance of the heat dissipation unit. This is not limited to power conversion devices mounted on vehicles, but also applies to electronic devices having a cooling device for cooling heat-generating elements.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a cooling device with high cooling performance and an electronic device equipped with the cooling device.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the cooling device of the present disclosure includes a heat-conductive base, a plurality of fins, at least one frame, and at least one air guide member. The base is thermally connected to a heat generating element. The fins are attached to a main surface of the base at intervals from one another and extend in both a first extension direction along the main surface and a second extension direction away from the main surface. The fins dissipate heat transferred from the heat generating element via the base to surrounding air. The frame includes a first plate-shaped member extending around the plurality of fins in the first extension direction, and a second plate-shaped member extending from the first plate-shaped member toward each of the fins and fitting to ends of each fin far from the base. The air guide member is attached to the first plate-shaped member of the frame and extends in a direction from the frame toward the fins, guiding air into gaps between adjacent fins.

[0007] The cooling device according to the present disclosure includes a frame that fits over each fin, and a wind guide member that is attached to the frame and guides air into the gaps between the fins, resulting in a cooling device with high cooling performance.

[0008] A perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment. A cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to an embodiment taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. A view in which fins are omitted from the cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to an embodiment. A cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to an embodiment taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. A cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to an embodiment taken along line V-V in FIG. 2. A cross-sectional view of a first modified example of the electronic device according to an embodiment. A cross-sectional view of the first modified example of the electronic device according to an embodiment taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. A cross-sectional view of a second modified example of the electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, a cooling device and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] An example of an electronic device is an on-board device mounted on a railway vehicle. The cooling device 1 and electronic device 101 according to the embodiment will be described using an on-board device equipped with a cooling device that cools electronic components by utilizing wind generated by the railway vehicle traveling in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the railway vehicle.

[0011] 1 and 2, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, electronic device 101 includes electronic component 32, which is a heat-generating body, housing 31 that houses electronic component 32 and has opening 31a formed therein, and cooling device 1 that cools electronic component 32. Cooling device 1 includes heat-conductive base 11, a plurality of fins 12 attached to base 11, at least one frame (for example, two frames 13) that extends and surrounds the plurality of fins 12, and at least one air guide member (for example, six air guide members 16) attached to frame 13.

[0012] 1 and 2 , the arrangement direction of the multiple fins 12 is the Z-axis direction, and the direction in which the openings 31 a formed in the housing 31 penetrate the housing 31 is the Y-axis direction. The direction perpendicular to both the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is the X-axis direction. As an example, when the railway vehicle is positioned horizontally, the electronic device 101 is attached to the railway vehicle with the Z-axis indicating the vertical direction, the Y-axis indicating the width direction of the railway vehicle, and the X-axis indicating the direction of travel of the railway vehicle.

[0013] The housing 31 is attached under the floor of the railway vehicle with an opening 31a that passes through the housing 31 in the horizontal direction facing outward in the width direction of the railway vehicle.

[0014] The electronic component 32 is a heat generating element, and is housed inside the housing 31. The electronic component 32 is, for example, a switching element that generates heat by performing a switching operation.

[0015] The base 11 is attached to the housing 31 in a position that covers the opening 31a. A plurality of fins 12 are attached to the main surface 11a of the base 11 at intervals from one another. A plurality of electronic components 32 are attached to the main surface 11b of the base 11 opposite the main surface 11a. In this way, the base 11 is thermally connected to the electronic components 32, which are heat-generating elements. The base 11 is formed of a heat-conductive material, for example, a metal such as aluminum or iron.

[0016] The fins 12 are arranged in the Z-axis direction at intervals on the main surface 11a of the base 11 and are attached to the base 11. The fins 12 are attached to the base 11 by any method, such as bonding with an adhesive, welding, brazing, or fastening with a fastening member, and are thermally connected to the base 11.

[0017] The fins 12 are formed of a heat-conductive material, such as a metal such as aluminum or iron. As an example, the fins 12 are formed of a flat metal material. Each fin 12 extends in both a first extension direction along the main surface 11a of the base 11 and a second extension direction away from the main surface 11a. The first extension direction extends parallel to the X-axis, and the second extension direction extends parallel to the Y-axis. The fins 12 dissipate heat transferred from the electronic components 32, which are heat-generating elements, via the base 11 to the surrounding air, specifically, the wind generated when the railway vehicle is moving. In other words, at least a portion of the heat generated by the electronic components 32 is transferred to the surrounding air via the base 11 and the fins 12. As a result, the electronic components 32 are cooled.

[0018] As an example, the width in the first extension direction of at least one fin 12 located at an end in the arrangement direction of the multiple fins 12 is narrower than the width in the first extension direction of a fin located in a central portion in the arrangement direction of the multiple fins 12. Specifically, the widths in the X-axis direction of two fins 12 located at the ends in the positive Z-axis direction and two fins 12 located at the ends in the negative Z-axis direction among the multiple fins 12 are narrower than the width in the X-axis direction of a fin 12 located in a central portion in the Z-axis direction among the multiple fins 12.

[0019] The frame 13 has a first plate-shaped member 14 that extends around the first extension direction to surround the multiple fins 12, and second plate-shaped members 15 that extend from the first plate-shaped member 14 toward each of the fins 12. The first plate-shaped member 14 extends around the X-axis direction and is provided in a position that surrounds the ends of the fins 12 in the X-axis direction. In particular, of the two frames 13, the first plate-shaped member 14 of one frame 13 located on the positive side of the X-axis is provided in a position that surrounds the ends of each of the fins 12 on the positive side of the X-axis. The first plate-shaped member 14 of the other frame 13 is provided in a position that surrounds the ends of each of the fins 12 on the negative side of the X-axis.

[0020] Each first plate-shaped member 14 is attached to the base 11 by a fastening member (not shown). Each first plate-shaped member 14 preferably has strength and rigidity sufficient to allow the cooling device 1 to be removed from the electronic device 101 using the first plate-shaped member 14 as a handle. For example, the first plate-shaped member 14 is formed of a metal member such as iron or aluminum. As an example, the first plate-shaped member 14 is formed by bending a plate-shaped metal member and attached to the base 11 in a position where the main surface of the first plate-shaped member 14 surrounds the multiple fins 12 around the first extension direction. Each first plate-shaped member 14 has an attachment portion to which the second plate-shaped member 15 is attached, for example, a plate-shaped portion having a surface facing the other first plate-shaped member 14.

[0021] The second plate-like member 15 extends from the first plate-like member 14 toward the fins 12 and fits into the ends of the fins 12 farthest from the base 11, i.e., the ends of the fins 12 on the negative side of the Y-axis. As shown in FIG. 3 , in which the illustration of the fins 12 is omitted from FIG. 2 , the second plate-like member 15 has notches 15a into which the fins 12 can fit. More specifically, the notches 15a extending in the second extension direction of the fins 12 are formed on the surface of the second plate-like member 15 facing the base 11, i.e., the surface facing the positive direction of the Y-axis. The notches 15a preferably have a width that can be considered to match the thickness of the fins 12 and are formed at intervals equal to the spacing between the fins 12. This allows the second plate-like member 15 to hold the fins 12, preventing damage to the fins 12 due to large vibrations of the fins 12 while the railway vehicle is running.

[0022] A heat sink having fins with one end attached to a base and the other end free must have fins thick enough to prevent damage due to vibrations while the railway vehicle is running. As described above, by using the second plate-like member 15 to hold the fins 12, it is possible to make the thickness of the fins 12 thinner than a heat sink having fins with one end attached to a base and the other end free.

[0023] As described above, when the second plate-shaped member 15, which is made of a metal material, is fitted to the fins 12, the second plate-shaped member 15 receives heat from the fins 12 and dissipates the heat to the surrounding air. In other words, at least a portion of the heat generated in the electronic components 32 is transferred to the surrounding air via the base 11, the fins 12, and the second plate-shaped member 15. As a result, the electronic components 32 are cooled. The surface of the notch 15a facing the positive direction of the Y axis preferably abuts against the fin 12. When the end of the fin 12 on the negative side of the Y axis abuts against the second plate-shaped member 15 on the surfaces facing the positive direction of the Z axis, the negative direction of the Z axis, and the negative direction of the Y axis, the heat is efficiently transferred from the fin 12 to the second plate-shaped member 15.

[0024] The second plate-shaped members 15 only need to be attached to the first plate-shaped members 14 with enough strength that their relative positional relationship with the first plate-shaped members 14 does not change even when subjected to vibrations while the railway vehicle is running. Specifically, the second plate-shaped members 15 are attached to the first plate-shaped members 14 by any method, such as bonding with an adhesive, fitting, welding, brazing, or fastening with a fastening member. As an example, the second plate-shaped members 15 are attached to the plate-shaped portions of each first plate-shaped member 14 that have surfaces facing the other first plate-shaped members 14 by fastening with a fastening member.

[0025] 2, it is preferable that the vertical lower end 14a of the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 and the lower surface 31b of the housing 31 are flush with each other. This makes it possible to remove the cooling device 1 from the electronic device 101 by using the first plate-like member 14 as a handle while supporting the cooling device 1 with the lower end 14a of the first plate-like member 14.

[0026] The air guide members 16 are attached to the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 and extend in a direction from the frame 13 toward the fins 12 and in a direction from the end of the fins 12 toward the center in the first extension direction. As an example, as shown in Fig. 4, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 2, three air guide members 16 are attached to each frame 13. In detail, an air guide member 16 is attached to a surface 14b of the first plate-like member 14 facing the base 11 across the fins 12, and to two surfaces 14c and 14d facing the main surfaces of two fins 12 located at both ends in the arrangement direction of the fins 12.

[0027] As an example, the air guide member 16 is formed of a plate-like member bent at an acute angle. At this time, the air guide member 16 is attached to the first plate-like member 14 with a portion extending in a direction from the frame 13 toward the fins 12 and in a direction from the end of the fin 12 toward the center in the first extension direction, and another portion abutting against the first plate-like member 14. For example, the air guide member 16 is attached to the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 by any method, such as bonding with an adhesive, fitting, welding, brazing, or fastening with a fastening member.

[0028] 4, a portion of the air guide member 16 attached to the surface 14b of the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 located on the positive side of the X-axis extends in the positive direction of the Y-axis and the negative direction of the X-axis. The air guide member 16 guides the running air generated when the railway vehicle moves in the positive direction of the X-axis into the gaps between adjacent fins 12 as shown in the air guide direction D1 indicated by the solid arrow.

[0029] 4, a portion of the air guide member 16 attached to the surface 14b of the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 located on the negative X-axis side of the two frames 13 extends in both the positive Y-axis and positive X-axis directions. The air guide member 16 guides the running air generated when the railway vehicle moves in the negative X-axis direction into the gaps between the fins 12 as shown in air guide direction D2 indicated by the solid arrow.

[0030] 5, a portion of the air guide member 16 attached to the surface 14c of the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 located on the positive side of the X-axis extends in the negative Z-axis direction and the negative X-axis direction. The air guide member 16 guides the running air generated when the railway vehicle moves in the positive X-axis direction into the gaps between the fins 12 as shown in the air guide direction D3 indicated by the solid arrow.

[0031] 5 , a portion of the air guide member 16 attached to the surface 14c of the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 located on the negative X-axis side of the two frames 13 extends in the negative Z-axis direction and the positive X-axis direction. The air guide member 16 guides the running air generated when the railway vehicle moves in the negative X-axis direction into the gaps between the fins 12, as shown in air guide direction D4 indicated by the solid arrow.

[0032] 5, the air guide member 16 attached to the surface 14d of the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 located on the positive side of the X-axis extends in the positive direction of the Z-axis and the negative direction of the X-axis. The air guide member 16 guides the running air generated when the railway vehicle moves in the positive direction of the X-axis into the gaps between the fins 12 as shown in the air guide direction D5 indicated by the solid arrow.

[0033] 5, the air guide member 16 attached to the surface 14d of the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 located on the negative X-axis side of the two frames 13 extends in the positive Z-axis direction and the positive X-axis direction. The air guide member 16 guides the running air generated when the railway vehicle moves in the negative X-axis direction into the gaps between the fins 12 as shown in the air guide direction D6 indicated by the solid arrow.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one of the air guide members 16 is attached to the first plate member 14 at a position farther from the center of the fin 12 in the first extension direction than the second plate member 15 of the frame 13.

[0035] The air guide member 16 attached to the surface 14b preferably has sufficient strength and rigidity to enable the cooling device 1 to be removed from the electronic device 101 by using the first plate-shaped member 14 and the air guide member 16 as handles. For example, the air guide member 16 is formed of a metal member such as iron or aluminum. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, by forming the air guide member 16 from a plate-shaped member bent at an acute angle, it becomes possible to place one's hand on the air guide member 16 and use the first plate-shaped member 14 and the air guide member 16 as handles, facilitating the maintenance work of removing the cooling device 1 from the electronic device 101.

[0036] As described above, the cooling device 1 included in the electronic device 101 according to the embodiment includes a frame 13 that fits over the fins 12, allowing the frame 13 to hold the fins 12. This prevents the fins 12 from being damaged by vibrations caused by the running of the railcar. As a result, the thickness of the fins 12 can be made thinner than that of a heat sink that includes fins that are attached at one end to a base and not held at the other end. By including a larger number of thinner fins 12, the surface area of ​​the heat dissipation portion of the cooling device 1 is increased, improving cooling performance.

[0037] Furthermore, the cooling device 1 includes the air guide member 16 attached to the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13, which allows the airflow generated during running to be efficiently guided between the fins 12. This improves the cooling performance of the cooling device 1.

[0038] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The cooling device may have any configuration as long as it can dissipate heat transferred from the electronic component 32 into the surrounding air. An electronic device 101 equipped with a cooling device 2 having a configuration different from the embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6.

[0039] The frame 13 included in the cooling device 2 is attached to the housing 31. Specifically, the first plate-like member 14 of the frame 13 is attached to the housing 31 around the opening 31 a of the housing 31. The base 11 is attached to the housing 31 from inside the housing 31, closing the opening 31 a.

[0040] The cooling device 2 includes an air guide member 16 attached to the surface 14b of the first plate-shaped member 14, and air guide members 17 attached to the surfaces 14c and 14d of the first plate-shaped member 14. The air guide member 17 extends toward the gap between two adjacent fins 12 that have different widths in the first extension direction. As a result, the ends of the air guide member 17 attached to the surfaces 14c and 14d are located closer to the fins 12 than the ends of the air guide member 16 attached to the surfaces 14c and 14d, making it possible to more efficiently guide air between the fins 12.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows an electronic device 101 equipped with a cooling device 3 having a configuration different from that of the embodiment. The cooling device 3 further includes an air guide member 18 attached to the first plate-shaped member 14 at a position closer to the center of the fins 12 in the first extension direction than the second plate-shaped member 15 of the frame 13. The air guide member 18 is attached to the first plate-shaped member 14 with a portion extending from the frame 13 toward the fins 12 and from the center toward the end of the fins 12 in the first extension direction, and another portion abutting the first plate-shaped member 14. The electronic device 101 shown in FIG. 8 is attached to a railway vehicle with the Y axis indicating the vertical direction, the X axis indicating the direction of travel of the railway vehicle, and the Z axis indicating the width direction of the railway vehicle when the railway vehicle is positioned horizontally. By providing the air guide member 18, air located vertically below the cooling device 3 is guided between the fins 12 by the air guide member 18 when the railway vehicle is stopped, thereby improving the cooling performance of the electronic components 32 through natural cooling.

[0042] The electronic device 101 is not limited to being installed under the floor of the railcar, but may also be installed on the roof of the railcar. As an example, the electronic device 101 shown in FIG. 1 may be installed on the roof of the railcar with the cooling device 1 positioned vertically upward. In particular, the electronic device 101 may be installed on the roof of the railcar with the Y axis indicating the vertical direction, the X axis indicating the direction of travel of the railcar, the Z axis indicating the width direction of the railcar, and the opening 31 a positioned vertically upward.

[0043] The electronic device 101 is not limited to being attached to a railway vehicle, but can be attached to any moving body that generates wind when it is moving, such as a trolley bus or a streetcar.

[0044] The number, arrangement, shape, etc. of the fins 12 provided in the cooling device 1-3 are arbitrary as long as the electronic components 32 can be cooled by transferring heat to the air passing between the fins 12. In particular, the shape of the fins 12 is not limited to the above example, and may be, for example, a plate-like member with a non-uniform thickness, a member with a curved surface, etc. The sizes of the fins 12 may be the same or different. Depending on the size of the fins 12, a portion of the air guide members 16, 18 may extend to a position adjacent to the fins 12.

[0045] The structure of the air guide member 16-18 is not limited to the above example, and any structure may be used as long as it can guide air into the gaps between the fins 12. As one example, the air guide member 16-18 may be a columnar member formed by casting. As another example, the air guide member 16-18 may be a plate-shaped member formed from FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) and having a curved surface extending from the first plate-shaped member 14 toward the fins 12.

[0046] The number of air guide members 16-18 is arbitrary. As an example, the cooling device 1 may include only the air guide members 16 attached to the surfaces 14c and 14d. As another example, a plurality of air guide members 16 may be attached to the surface 14b at intervals in the Z-axis direction.

[0047] The electronic component 32 is not limited to a switching element, but may be any electronic component that generates heat and is housed inside the housing 31, such as a thyristor or a diode.

[0048] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] 1, 2, 3 Cooling device, 11 Base, 11a, 11b Main surface, 12 Fin, 13 Frame, 14 First plate-shaped member, 14a Lower end, 14b, 14c, 14d Surface, 15 Second plate-shaped member, 15a Notch, 16, 17, 18 Air guide member, 31 Housing, 31a Opening, 31b Lower surface, 32 Electronic component, 101 Electronic device, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 Air guide direction.

Claims

1. A heat-conductive base is attached to the housing at a position that closes an opening formed in the housing and is thermally connected to a heating element housed in the housing, A plurality of fins are attached to the main surface of the base at intervals from each other, extending in both a first extending direction along the main surface and a second extending direction away from the main surface, and dissipating heat transferred from the heating element via the base to the surrounding air. A frame comprising: a first plate-shaped member extending around the plurality of fins in the first extending direction, with its lower vertical end coplanar with the lower surface of the housing; and a second plate-shaped member extending from the first plate-shaped member toward each of the fins, and fitting to the end of each of the fins furthest from the base; At least one air guide member is attached to the first plate-shaped member of the frame, extends in a direction toward the fins from the frame, and guides air into the gaps between adjacent fins, Equipped with, At least one of the air guide members extends in a direction toward the fin from the frame and toward the center of the fin in the first extending direction. Cooling device.

2. The first plate-like member has two frames, each positioned to surround the first extending end of the fin. The cooling device according to claim 1.

3. At least one of the air guide members is attached to the first plate-shaped member of the frame at a position further from the central part of the fin in the first extending direction than the second plate-shaped member of the frame, and extends in a direction toward the fin from the frame and toward the central part from the end of the fin in the first extending direction. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first plate-shaped member comprises a plurality of air guide members attached to the surface facing the base with the plurality of fins in between, and to two surfaces facing the main surfaces of the two fins located at both ends in the arrangement direction of the plurality of fins. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. At least one of the air guide members is attached to the first plate-shaped member of the frame at a position closer to the center of the fin in the first extending direction than the second plate-shaped member of the frame, and extends in the direction from the frame toward the fin, and in the direction from the center of the fin toward the end in the first extending direction. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The width in the first extending direction of at least one fin located at the end in the arrangement direction of the plurality of fins is narrower than the width in the first extending direction of the fin located in the central part in the arrangement direction of the plurality of fins. At least one of the air guide members extends toward the gap between two adjacent fins having different widths in the first extending direction. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. At least one of the air guide members is formed from a plate-shaped member bent at an acute angle and is attached to the surface of the first plate-shaped member facing the base, sandwiching the plurality of fins. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The first plate-shaped member is attached to the base. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, The cooling device comprises an electronic component which is a heating element, attached to the main surface of the base opposite to the main surface to which the plurality of fins are attached, The system comprises a housing that accommodates the aforementioned electronic components and has an opening formed therein, The base of the cooling device is attached to the housing in a position that closes the opening. The opening penetrates the housing horizontally, The lower vertical end of the first plate-shaped member of the frame and the lower surface of the housing are on the same plane. electronic equipment.

10. A cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, The cooling device comprises an electronic component which is a heating element, attached to the main surface of the base opposite to the main surface to which the plurality of fins are attached, The system comprises a housing that accommodates the aforementioned electronic components and has an opening formed therein, The base of the cooling device is attached to the housing in a position that closes the opening. The first plate-shaped member of the frame of the cooling device is attached to the housing. electronic equipment.