JP2007266020A - Method and device for air-cooling electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air-cooling method and an air-cooling device of electronic equipment for preventing air-cooling efficiency from decreasing due to the limitation of an air flow rate by the clogging of an air filter provided at an inlet, and preventing abnormal temperature rise inside a casing or reducing the cleaning work frequency of the air filter. <P>SOLUTION: The air filter 15 arranged near the inlet 14 is vibrated, the Brownian movement is accelerated in dust 16 adhering to the air filter 15, the dust 16 is adhered mutually, and the clogging of the air filter 15 is prevented or delayed, thus delaying the cleaning frequency of the air filter 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, and more particularly, to an air cooling method and apparatus for an electronic apparatus including a cooling fan that air-cools heat generated from an electrical component or the like housed in a casing.

  In many electronic devices, electric devices, electronic applied devices, etc. (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as electronic devices), semiconductor devices such as microprocessors and microcomputers are used for controlling the devices and other purposes. A large number of active components and passive components such as resistors (hereinafter collectively referred to as electric components in the present specification) are used. These electrical components typically generate heat during operation. In addition, an electric circuit configured by these electric components and realizing a predetermined function is generally used by being housed inside a housing that substantially surrounds the electric circuit, not exposed to the outside. It is.

  In order to effectively dissipate the heat generated inside the housing and suppress the internal temperature rise, a fan (ventilation fan) is generally used, and external cold air is sucked from the air intake and passed through the heat generating electrical components. Generally, it is discharged outside the housing.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a general forced air-cooled electronic device. The electronic device (device) 30 includes an electrical component 32 housed in a substantially rectangular casing 31. In FIG. 3, a fan 33 is provided on the upper portion of the casing 31. An air inlet 34 is formed on the bottom surface of the housing 31, and an air filter 35 is disposed in the air inlet 34.

  When the electronic device 30 is operated, the electric component 32 is energized to generate heat. At the same time, the fan 33 rotates to discharge the warmed air inside the casing 31 to the outside of the casing 31. As a result, a negative pressure is generated inside the housing 31, and cold air outside the housing 31 flows from the air inlet 34 through the air filter 35 and the electrical component 32 toward the fan 33. That is, an air flow as shown by an arrow in FIG. 3 is generated, the heat of the electrical component 32 is taken by the external cold air, and the heat is discharged to the outside of the housing 31 by the fan 33.

  However, since air sucked from the air inlet 34 includes dust, dust, and the like, the dust 36 and the like adhere to the filter 35 and cause clogging. As described above, when the filter 35 is clogged with dust, a large resistance is generated in the air flow from the air inlet 34, and the air flow is reduced. Cause an increase in temperature. In some cases, there is a risk that the electrical component 32 will exceed the allowable operating temperature, reducing its operational reliability or inducing heat generation and other troubles. In order to avoid such a situation, it is necessary to periodically clean the dust 36 adhering to the filter 35 or replace the filter 35 itself.

  By the way, a filter regeneration and activation device that regenerates a filter by attaching a vibration mechanism to the outer frame of a used particle removal filter, causing the vibration to drop into a dust storage box and regenerating the filter is disclosed (for example, (See Patent Document 1). In addition, a dust-proof mechanism is provided in the air conditioner filter, which vibrates the filter and automatically removes dust adhering to the surface of the filter, extending the period of filter replacement, etc., and saving labor. An automatic cleaning device for an air conditioner filter is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-239327 A (page 3, FIG. 1, FIG. 2) JP-A-8-49912 (page 3, FIG. 1)

  However, in a general electronic device as shown in FIG. 3, since dust or the like adheres to the filter and becomes clogged in a relatively short time, the air flow is restricted and the heat radiation efficiency is lowered, so the maintenance service is troublesome. In addition, when the filter is regenerated by the filter regenerating apparatus disclosed in the above-described prior art, maintenance service is required, or an apparatus for collecting dust or the like separated by vibration is necessary, which complicates the apparatus. There is a problem of becoming.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an air-cooling method and apparatus for an electronic device that can save the trouble of frequently performing maintenance services with a simple configuration. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic apparatus air cooling method and apparatus according to the present invention employs the following characteristic configuration.

(1) In an air-cooling method for an electronic device that cools an increase in temperature inside the housing of an electronic device that contains an electrical component that generates heat inside the housing with an air flow by a fan attached to the housing,
An air cooling method for an electronic device in which an air filter provided at an intake port for sucking cold air from the outside into the housing is vibrated to promote Brownian motion of dust on the air filter so that the dust adheres to each other.

  (2) The air cooling method of the electronic device according to (1), wherein the vibration of the air filter is performed for a predetermined time every time when the operation time of the electronic device is set in advance.

  (3) The air cooling method of the electronic device according to (1) or (2), wherein the vibration of the air filter is performed in consideration of an internal temperature of the casing.

  (4) The electronic apparatus air cooling method according to (1), wherein the vibration device continuously vibrates the air filter.

(5) In an air-cooling device for an electronic device that cools an increase in temperature inside the housing of an electronic device that houses an electrical component or the like that generates heat inside the housing with an air flow from a fan attached to the housing,
An air-cooling device for an electronic device comprising a vibration device that vibrates an air filter disposed in the vicinity of an air inlet of the housing to promote Brownian movement of dust on the air filter.

  (6) The air-cooling device for an electronic device according to (5), further including a timer for intermittently vibrating the vibration device.

  (7) The air-cooling device for an electronic device according to (6), wherein the timer obtains an operation time of the electronic device and vibrates the vibration device for a predetermined time each time the operation time is determined in advance.

  According to the air-cooling method and apparatus for electronic equipment of the present invention, the following remarkable effects in practical use can be obtained. In other words, the air filter is vibrated by a vibration device to promote the Brownian motion of dust on the air filter and bring the dust into close contact with each other, so that filter clogging is delayed and the frequency of filter cleaning is greatly reduced to save labor. Is possible. In addition, the vibration device can extend its operating life by intermittently operating as compared with the case of continuous operation. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the size of the electronic device by arranging the vibration device on the side of the air filter.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a preferred embodiment of an electronic apparatus air cooling method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of an air cooling apparatus for electronic equipment according to the present invention. The air-cooling device 10 of the electronic device includes a housing 11, an electrical component 12 that generates heat, a fan 13, an air inlet 14, an air filter 15, a vibration device 17, and a timer 18.

  The main function of each part which comprises the air-cooling apparatus 10 of an electronic device shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated. The housing 11 shields or isolates the electrical component 12 and the like of the electronic device from the outside. The electrical component 12 is an active component such as a semiconductor device and a passive component such as a resistor, and constitutes an electrical circuit in which an electronic device performs a predetermined function. The fan 13 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 11, for example, and generates an air flow that suppresses an increase in the internal temperature of the housing 11. The intake port 14 is an air intake port for taking cold air from the outside of the housing 11 into the inside of the housing 11. The air filter 15 removes dust 16 contained in the cold air taken from the outside of the housing 11 through the air inlet 14. The vibration device 17 vibrates the air filter 15. The timer 18 controls the vibration time of the vibration device 17.

  Next, the overall operation of the air cooling device 10 for electronic equipment will be described. The timer 18 activates the vibration device 17 each time the operation state of the electronic device, that is, the electrical component 12 and the fan 13 elapses for a predetermined time. The air filter 15 is vibrated at a high frequency by the vibration of the vibration device 17.

  In other words, the timer 18 activates the vibration device 17 to vibrate the air filter 15 every time the operating state of the electronic device elapses for a certain time. This vibration promotes Brownian motion of the dust 16 on the air filter 15. In other words, the vibration of the air filter 15 amplifies the amount of Brownian motion of the dust itself (vibration motion of the dust itself due to thermal energy or the like), and induces close contact between the dusts 16 by the Coulomb force of each dust itself. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the dust non-attachment area of the air filter 15 is increased, clogging of the air filter 15 is suppressed, and the usage time is extended.

  In this manner, the dusts 16 are brought into close contact with each other, and the gap between the dusts 16 is increased, thereby delaying the abnormal temperature rise of the electrical component 12 induced by the air flow rate drop due to the clogging of the air filter 15. And the cleaning interval of the air filter 15 for the purpose of dust removal is extended, and the maintenance work of the air filter 15 by the maintenance department of the air cooling apparatus 10 of an electronic device is reduced.

  Moreover, even if the operation life of the vibration device 17 is less than the lifetime operation period of the air-cooling device 10 of the electronic device, the operation of the vibration device 17 is not continuous operation but intermittent operation using the timer 18. The operation of the air-cooling device 10 of the electronic device can be performed without the replacement work 17. Note that the vibration device 17 may measure the internal temperature of the housing 11 instead of the timer 18 and operate each time the internal temperature exceeds a predetermined value. Further, the driving time of the vibration device 17 set by the timer 18 may be controlled according to the internal temperature of the housing 11 described above.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment of an air cooling device for electronic equipment according to the present invention. The casing air cooling device 20 includes a casing 21, an electrical component 22, a fan 23, an air inlet 24, an air filter 25, and a long-life vibration device 27.

  The air-cooling device 20 for electronic equipment according to the second embodiment differs from the air-cooling device 10 for electronic equipment according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that it does not include a timer. That is, in the air-cooling device 20 for an electronic device having the fan 23, the long-life vibration device 27 is mounted on the air filter 25 provided in the intake port 24. And it is comprised so that the air filter 25 may be vibrated by operating the long-life vibration device 27 always (continuously) in the operating state of the fan 23.

  By promoting the Brownian motion of the dust 26 on the air filter 25 as described above, the dust 26 is brought into close contact with each other to increase the gap between the dusts 26, thereby inducing an air flow rate drop due to clogging of the air filter 25. The abnormal temperature rise of the electrical component 22 is delayed. Thereby, the cleaning interval of the air filter 25 for the purpose of removing the dust 26 is extended, and the man-hours for cleaning the air filter 25 in the maintenance department of the air cooling device 20 of the electronic device are reduced.

  In addition, the adoption of the long-life vibration device 27 having a long life that is longer than or close to the lifetime operation period of the air-cooling device 20 of the electronic device enables the operation of the air-cooling device 20 of the electronic device without replacing the vibration device. In other words, the number of replacement operations can be significantly reduced, and the cost of the air-cooling device 20 for electronic equipment can be reduced by not mounting a timer.

  The configuration and operation of the preferred embodiment of the electronic device air cooling method and apparatus according to the present invention have been described in detail. However, such an example is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and changes can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of 1st Example of the air cooling device of the electronic device by this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of 2nd Example of the air cooling device of the electronic device by this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the air-cooling apparatus of a general electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 20 Air-cooling apparatus 11 of electronic equipment 11, 21 Case 12, 22 Electrical component 13, 23 Fan 14, 24 Inlet port 15, 25 Air filter 17, 27 Vibration device 18 Timer

Claims (7)

In an air cooling method for an electronic device that cools an increase in temperature inside the housing of an electronic device that houses an electrical component that generates heat inside the housing with an air flow by a fan attached to the housing,
An electronic device that vibrates an air filter provided at an air inlet that sucks cold air from the outside into the housing, promotes Brownian motion of dust on the air filter, and makes the dust adhere to each other Air cooling method for equipment.   2. The electronic device air cooling method according to claim 1, wherein the vibration of the air filter is performed for a predetermined time every elapse of a preset operating time of the electronic device.   The method for air-cooling an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration of the air filter is performed in consideration of an internal temperature of the housing.   The method of cooling an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device continuously vibrates the air filter. In the air-cooling device for an electronic device that cools the temperature rise inside the housing of the electronic device that contains an electrical component or the like that generates heat inside the housing with an air flow by a fan attached to the housing,
An air-cooling device for an electronic device, comprising: a vibration device that vibrates an air filter disposed in the vicinity of an air inlet of the housing to promote Brownian movement of dust on the air filter.   The electronic device air-cooling device according to claim 5, further comprising a timer that intermittently vibrates the vibration device.   The air-cooling device for an electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the timer obtains an operation time of the electronic device, and vibrates the vibration device for a predetermined time every time the operation time elapses. .

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