JPH11354959A - Cooling structure for electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the flowing direction of an exhaust warm air to be changed by providing a fan for flowing a warm air of heat radiation from a heating unit to a given exhaust hole according to the installation form of an electronic apparatus. SOLUTION: On the lower face of a heating unit 4 are mounted a cooling fan 3 fixed to the frame of an electronic apparatus 1 and a cooling fan unit 2 having a rotation support point part 7 having a cooling fan to rotatably mount on the frame of the electronic apparatus 1, allowing the cooling fan's installation position to be varied. The heating unit 4 is cooled such that the cooling fan 3 and cooling fan unit 2 are driven to flow a cooling air in the heating unit 4 to exhaust the heat generated in the heating unit 4 to outside the electronic apparatus 1. Cooling air is sucked from a suction hole 5 formed at one face of the electronic apparatus and fed to the heating unit 4, and warm air heat-radiated from each heating unit 4 is exhausted out from an exhaust hole 6 formed at other face of the electronic apparatus 1 facing the lower face of the heating unit 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling structure of an electronic device in which a heat generating unit is housed in a housing, and to a cooling structure of an electronic device in which a flow path of cooling air can be changed depending on an installation mode of the electronic device. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices such as computers have a heat generating unit housed inside a housing. The cooling of the heat generating unit is configured such that cooling air is circulated through the heat generating unit by using a cooling fan to exhaust heat generated by the heat generating unit to the outside of the electronic device. Also, electronic devices such as computers often take various installation forms depending on the system configuration and the installation location.

[0005] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an installation form of electronic equipment. FIG. 7A shows a case where an electronic device 51 such as a computer is installed vertically on the floor on the side of a desk 80 on which a keyboard 85 and a display 86 are installed. FIG. 13B shows a keyboard 85 and a display 86.
A rack 70 is installed on the side of a desk 80 where
The figure shows a case in which an electronic device 51 such as a computer is placed horizontally on a rack 70 together with a disk device 87 and an optional device 88.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an installation form of another electronic device. FIG. 7A shows a case where an electronic device 51 such as a computer is placed horizontally on a desk 80 on which a keyboard 85 and a display 86 are placed. FIG. 13B shows a keyboard 85 and a display 86.
The figure shows a case where an electronic device 51 such as a computer is installed vertically on a desk 80 where the device is installed.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the prior art. In the figure, an electronic device 51 such as a computer is composed of a power supply unit 64 as a heating unit, a printed circuit board unit 65, an input / output unit 66 such as an FDD and a CD-ROM drive unit, and is installed vertically on the floor. Often do. In many cases, the printed circuit board unit 65 and the input / output unit 66 are connected to the backboard panel so that maintenance work can be performed from the front of the electronic device 51.

The cooling of the heating unit is performed by the electronic equipment 5
1, an intake port 55 is provided on the upper front side, an exhaust port 56 is provided on the bottom side of the electronic device 51, and a cooling fan 52 is installed below the power supply unit 64 and the printed circuit board unit 65, and the cooling fan 52 is driven. This secures the flow path of the cooling air. That is, the cooling air is taken in from the intake port 55, and the power supply unit 64, the input / output unit 66
In addition, cooling air is supplied to the printed circuit board unit 65, and warm air radiated from each heat generating unit is discharged from the exhaust port 56. The cooling fan 52 is fixed to a housing of the electronic device 51.

When the electronic device 51 shown in FIG. 7 is mounted horizontally on a rack 70 as shown in FIG. 5B, air is exhausted to the side of the electronic device 51. Since the exhaust of the rack is obstructed by the side surface of the rack, the flow path of the cooling air discharged to the outside of the rack 70 cannot be secured, so that the rack cannot be mounted in many cases. Next, a case where the electronic device is mounted on a rack will be described.

FIG. 8 shows a diagram of the prior art. 7, the electronic device 51 shown in FIG. 7 is mounted horizontally on a rack 70. Cooling of the heat generating unit in the electronic device 51 is the same as described above. However, since it is necessary to discharge warm air discharged from the exhaust port 56 to the outside of the rack 70, a cooling fan 72 is newly provided on the rear side of the rack 70. The cooling air flow path is provided. That is, when the electronic device 51 is mounted horizontally on a rack, the flow path of the cooling air is drawn from the front side of the electronic device and exhausted to the side surface of the electronic device.
Exhaust to the rear side.

In this configuration, when the electronic device is mounted on a rack, the width of the electronic device 51 in the width direction is set when the electronic device 51 is placed horizontally so that a flow path for cooling air discharged to the outside of the rack can be secured. Or the size of the rack 70 in the width direction needs to be increased.

[0010]

As described above, the prior art has the following problems.

1) In a cooling structure of an electronic device, a flow path of cooling air for cooling a heat generating unit is fixed.

2) In a configuration in which a flow path of cooling air suitable for vertically installing an electronic device on a floor or a desktop is secured, it is difficult to mount the electronic device horizontally on a rack or a desktop. Becomes

[0013]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following measures.

A cooling fan for cooling heat generated by the heat generating unit and a cooling fan for flowing warm air radiated from the heat generating unit to a predetermined exhaust port in accordance with an installation mode of the electronic equipment are provided.

By taking the above measures, the direction of the warm air discharged from the heat generating unit is changed according to the installation mode of the electronic equipment.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention adopts the following embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling structure for electronic equipment according to the present invention is a cooling structure for electronic equipment in which a plurality of cooling fans are used to discharge heat generated by a heating unit to the outside.
A cooling fan unit 2 that can change the installation position of the cooling fan based on the installation form of the electronic device, and a shielding plate 10 that closes an exhaust port formed in the electronic device when necessary, as shown in FIG. The cooling fan unit 2 includes:
It is preferable to provide a rotation fulcrum 7 and to be rotatably mounted on the housing of the electronic device.

With the above embodiment, the direction of the warm air discharged from the cooling fan that discharges the heat generated by the heat generating unit to the outside is changed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the cooling fan unit 2 changes the installation position of the cooling fan,
A shielding plate (8) for closing the original installation position of the cooling fan unit is provided.

By taking the above-described embodiment, by closing the opening formed at the original installation position of the cooling fan unit for changing the installation position, warm air discharged from another cooling fan 3 can be opened. Prevent backflow to the part.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the cooling fan unit 2 is formed of an elastic member which closes a gap between the cooling fan unit and the housing of the electronic device when the cooling fan unit is installed at a variable position. The shielding part 9 is provided.

By adopting the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the warm air discharged from the cooling fan unit whose installation position has been changed from flowing back into the electronic device.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the cooling structure of the electronic equipment according to the present invention has a cooling air flow path when the electronic equipment 1 is installed vertically on a floor or a desktop. Air is taken in from an intake port 5 formed in the upper part and exhausted from an exhaust port 6 formed in the bottom side of the electronic device 1. When the electronic device 1 is mounted horizontally on a rack or a desktop, the flow path of the cooling air is the intake air. Air is taken in from the port 5 and exhausted from an exhaust port 6a formed on the rear side of the electronic device 1 and the rack 20. When the electronic device 1 is mounted horizontally on a rack or a desktop, the exhaust port 6 formed on the bottom surface side of the electronic device 1 is closed by a shielding plate 10 (see FIG. 2).

By adopting the above-described embodiment, the cooling fan unit can be used in accordance with a mode in which the electronic device is installed vertically on a floor or a desktop and a mode in which the electronic device is mounted horizontally on a rack or a desktop. By changing the installation position of the electronic device, a flow path for cooling air of the electronic device is secured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the cooling structure of the electronic device according to the present invention, when the electronic device 1 is placed horizontally on the desktop, the flow path of the cooling air is provided on one side of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 is sucked in from the formed intake port 5 and exhausted from the exhaust port 6 formed on the other side of the electronic device 1.
When the air conditioner is installed vertically on the desktop, the flow path of the cooling air is sucked from the air inlet 5 and exhausted from the air outlet 6a formed on the rear side of the electronic device 1. When the electronic device 1 is installed vertically on the desktop, the electronic device 1
The exhaust port 6 formed on the other side of the shield plate 10
See).

By adopting the above-described embodiment, the installation position of the cooling fan unit can be changed in accordance with the configuration in which the electronic device is installed horizontally on the desktop and the configuration in which the electronic device is installed vertically on the desktop. by doing,
Secure a flow path for cooling air for electronic devices.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A representative embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description may be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an electronic device 1 such as a computer has a heat generating unit 4 housed in a housing.
A cooling fan 3 fixed to the housing of the electronic device 51 and a rotation fulcrum 7 provided with a cooling fan are provided below the heat generating unit 4 so that the cooling fan 3 is rotatably mounted on the housing of the electronic device 1 so that the installation position of the cooling fan is adjusted. And a cooling fan unit 2 which is variable.

To cool the heat generating unit 4, the cooling fan 3 and the cooling fan unit 2 are driven to circulate cooling air through the heat generating unit 4 to exhaust heat generated by the heat generating unit 4 to the outside of the electronic device 1. It is configured as follows.

FIG. 2A shows a state in which cooling air is sucked in from an air inlet 5 formed on one surface of the electronic device and supplied to the heat generating unit 4, and the other of the electronic device 1 corresponding to the lower surface of the heat generating unit 4. Warm air radiated from each heat generating unit 4 is exhausted from an exhaust port 6 formed on the surface. At this time, the cooling fan unit 2 is installed on the lower surface of the heat generating unit 4 in the same direction as the cooling fan 3 so as to secure the flow path of the cooling air on the exhaust port 6 side.

FIG. 2B shows a state in which cooling air is sucked in from the intake port 5 and is supplied to the heat generating unit 4 so as to be formed on the other surface of the electronic device 1 opposite to the surface on which the intake port 5 is formed. Warm air radiated from each heat generating unit 4 is exhausted from the exhaust port 6. At this time, the cooling fan unit 2 is installed perpendicular to the cooling fan 3 so as to secure a flow path of the cooling air on the exhaust port 6 side.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the cooling fan unit 2 that allows the installation position of the cooling fan to be variable is installed in a timely manner based on the installation form of the electronic device 1. As a result, the direction of the warm air discharged from the cooling fan that discharges the heat generated by the heat generating unit 4 to the outside is changed.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the cooling fan unit 2 is rotatably mounted on the housing of the electronic device 1 by a rotation fulcrum 7 and the cooling fan unit 2 is provided with the rotation operation of the cooling fan unit 2. A shielding plate 8 that always maintains a predetermined angle with the fan is formed. The shielding plate 8 has an area slightly larger than the projected sectional area of the cooling fan unit 2 with the rotation fulcrum 7 as a base point,
The cooling fan unit 2 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the cooling fan.

In the cooling fan unit 2, a shielding portion 9 made of an elastic member is fixed to the outer periphery of the cooling fan frame provided in the cooling fan unit 2 with an adhesive or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1A, when the cooling fan unit 2 is installed on the lower surface of the heat generating unit 4 in the same direction as the cooling fan 3, as shown in FIG. The cooling fan unit 8 is installed so as to be parallel to the flow path of the cooling air so that the cooling fan unit 2 can discharge warm air radiated from the heat generating unit 4. On the other hand, the shield 9 closes a gap between the cooling fan 3 and the housing of the electronic device 1.

In FIG. 1B, as shown in FIG. 1B, the cooling fan unit 2 is
When installed vertically with respect to the shield plate 8
Is the original installation position of the cooling fan unit 2 (FIG. 2A)
State). On the other hand, the shielding unit 9
The gap between the installed cooling fan unit 2 and the housing of the electronic device 1 is closed. Note that an exhaust port 6 formed on the bottom surface side of the electronic device 1 is closed by a shielding plate 10.

In the configuration of FIG. 2, by closing the opening formed in the original installation position of the cooling fan unit whose installation position is changed, warm air discharged from another cooling fan 3 flows back to the opening. Will be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the warm air discharged from the cooling fan unit whose installation position has been changed from flowing back into the electronic device 1.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an electronic device 1 such as a computer includes a power supply unit 14, which is a heating unit, a printed circuit board unit 15, an input / output unit 16 such as an FDD or a CD-ROM drive unit, and the like. It is configured to be placed on a table or mounted horizontally on a rack. The printed circuit board unit 15 and the input / output unit 16 are connected to the backboard panel so that maintenance work can be performed from the front of the electronic device 1.

Further, an intake port 5 is provided on the upper front side of the electronic device 1.
The cooling fan 3 fixed to the housing of the electronic device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 above the power supply unit 14 and the printed circuit board unit 15 is provided below the power supply unit 14 and the printed circuit board unit 15. And a rotation fulcrum 7 having a cooling fan
Cooling fan unit 2 that is rotatably mounted on the housing of the electronic device 1 and is capable of changing the installation position of the cooling fan.
Are provided.

FIG. 3A shows a case where the electronic device 1 is installed vertically on the floor. The cooling fan unit 2 is installed below the power supply unit 14 and the printed circuit board unit 15 in the same direction as the cooling fan 3. In the cooling of the heat generating unit, the cooling fan 3 and the cooling fan unit 2 are driven to secure a flow path of the cooling air. That is, the cooling air is sucked in from the above-mentioned intake port 5, the cooling air is supplied to the power supply unit 14, the input / output unit 16, and the printed circuit board unit 15. The radiated warm air is exhausted from the exhaust port 6.

FIG. 2B shows a case where the electronic device 1 is mounted horizontally on the rack 20. The cooling fan unit 2 is installed by rotating the cooling fan unit 90 by 90 degrees clockwise with respect to the rotation fulcrum 7 with respect to FIG.
In the cooling of the heat generating unit, the cooling fan 3 and the cooling fan unit 2 are driven to secure a flow path of the cooling air. That is, the cooling air is taken in from the above-mentioned air inlet 5, and the cooling air is supplied to the power supply unit 14, the input / output unit 16 and the printed circuit board unit 15, and the cooling fan 3 radiates heat from each heat generating unit. The warm air exhausted from the cooling fan 3 is exhausted by the cooling fan unit 2 from an exhaust port 6 a formed on the rear side of the electronic device 1 and the rack 20.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the installation position of the cooling fan unit is changed according to the configuration in which the electronic device is installed vertically on the floor and the configuration in which the electronic device is mounted horizontally on the rack. Thus, a flow path for cooling air of the electronic device is secured.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 has an intake port 5 on one side and an exhaust port 6 on the other side.
A cooling fan 3 fixed to the housing of the electronic device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 on the side surfaces of the power supply unit 14 and the printed circuit board unit 15 facing the exhaust port 6;
A cooling fan unit 2 including a cooling fan, provided with a rotation fulcrum 7, and rotatably mounted on the housing of the electronic device 1 and enabling the installation position of the cooling fan to be variable.

FIG. 5A shows a case where the electronic device 1 is placed horizontally on a desktop. The cooling fan unit 2 is installed on the side of the power supply unit 14 and the printed circuit board unit 15 in the same direction as the cooling fan 3. In the cooling of the heat generating unit, the cooling fan 3 and the cooling fan unit 2 are driven to secure a flow path of the cooling air. That is, the cooling air is taken in from the above-mentioned intake port 5, and the power supply unit 14, the input / output unit 1
Cooling air is supplied to the cooling fan 6 and the printed circuit board unit 15, and warm air radiated from each heat generating unit by the cooling fan 3 and the cooling fan unit 2 is exhausted from the exhaust port 6.

FIG. 5B shows a case where the electronic device 1 is installed vertically on a desktop. The cooling fan unit 2 is installed by being rotated clockwise by 90 degrees from the rotation fulcrum 7 with respect to FIG. In the cooling of the heat generating unit, the cooling fan 3 and the cooling fan unit 2 are driven to secure a flow path of the cooling air. That is, the cooling air is taken in from the above-mentioned air inlet 5, and the cooling air is supplied to the power supply unit 14, the input / output unit 16 and the printed circuit board unit 15, and the cooling fan 3 radiates heat from each heat generating unit. The warm air discharged from the cooling fan 3
Thus, the air is exhausted from an exhaust port 6a formed on the rear side of the electronic device 1.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the installation position of the cooling fan unit is changed according to the configuration in which the electronic device is installed horizontally on the desktop and the configuration in which the electronic device is installed vertically on the desktop. This will ensure a flow path for cooling air of the electronic device.

In the description of the above embodiment, the number of cooling fans installed below the heat generating unit 4 is assumed to be four.
Two of the two cooling fans are the cooling fan 3 fixed to the housing of the electronic device 1, and the other two cooling fans are rotatably mounted on the housing of the electronic device 1 so that the installation position of the cooling fan can be changed. Although provided in the cooling fan unit 2 which can be changed, for example, the above-described cooling is performed depending on the heat generation amount of the heat generating unit 4, the number of the heat generating units 4, or mounting conditions of the electronic device such as securing a flow path of the cooling air. Since the number of the fans 3 can be four and the number of the cooling fans provided in the cooling fan unit 2 can be two, the number of the cooling fans is appropriately set.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

By providing a cooling fan unit that can change the installation position of the cooling fan based on the installation mode of the electronic device, the direction of the warm air discharged from the heat generating unit is changed according to the installation mode of the electronic device. Therefore, the electronic device can be provided in various installation forms.

Further, when the installation position of the cooling fan is changed, by providing a shielding plate for closing the original installation position of the cooling fan unit, the opening formed at the original installation position can be closed. This prevents the warm air discharged from the cooling fan from flowing back to the opening.

Further, when the installation position of the cooling fan unit is changed, the cooling fan unit is provided with a shielding portion formed of an elastic member for closing a gap between the electronic device and the housing at the installation position of the cooling fan unit. This prevents the warm air from flowing back into the electronic device.

Further, the installation position of the cooling fan unit can be changed according to the configuration in which the electronic device is installed vertically on the floor or desktop and the configuration in which the electronic device is mounted horizontally on the rack or desktop. In addition, it is possible to secure a flow path for cooling air of the electronic device.

Further, the cooling fan unit can be cooled by changing the installation position of the cooling fan unit in accordance with a mode in which the electronic device is installed horizontally on the desktop and a mode in which the electronic device is installed vertically on the desktop. An air flow path can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an installation mode of an electronic device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an installation mode of an electronic device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the prior art.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the prior art.

[Description of Signs] 1: Electronic equipment 2: Cooling fan unit 3: Cooling fan 5: Intake port 6, 6a: Exhaust port 7: Rotating fulcrum 8: Shielding plate 9: Shielding portion 10: Shielding plate 20: Rack

Claims (6)

[Claims] An electronic device cooling structure for discharging heat generated by a heat generating unit to the outside by using a plurality of cooling fans, wherein a cooling fan installation position can be changed based on an installation mode of the electronic device. And a shielding plate for closing an exhaust port formed in the electronic device when necessary. 2. The cooling structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling fan unit is rotatably mounted on a housing of the electronic device. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling fan unit includes a shielding plate that blocks an original installation position of the cooling fan when the installation position of the cooling fan is changed. Equipment cooling structure. 4. The cooling fan unit includes a shielding portion formed of an elastic member that closes a gap between the cooling fan and the housing of the electronic device at the installation position of the cooling fan when changing the installation position of the cooling fan. The cooling structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein 5. When the electronic device is installed vertically on a floor or a desktop, a flow path of cooling air is taken in from the front side of the electronic device and exhausted to the bottom side of the electronic device, and the electronic device is racked or desktop mounted. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling air flow path when the electronic device is mounted horizontally is suctioned from the front side of the electronic device and exhausted to the rear side of the electronic device. Cooling structure. 6. A cooling air flow path in a case where an electronic device is placed horizontally on a desktop, air is taken in from one side of the electronic device and exhausted to the other side of the electronic device, and the electronic device is placed on the desktop. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling air flow path when installed vertically is taken in from the upper side of the electronic device and exhausted to the rear side of the electronic device. Cooling structure.