JP2014228353A - Water cooling unit protective component and electronic equipment unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple water cooling unit protective component hardly spreading water leakage to other places, and to provide an electronic equipment unit.SOLUTION: A water protective sheet 2 whose upper surface is held flatly with a water retention sheet 22 cover 21 formed by using a water-absorbing polymer is arranged on a space under a unit chassis 1 in a position where leaked water from a coupler 11 mounted on the unit chassis 1 drops, to thereby receive the leakage water.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device unit that is water-cooled, and a water-cooling unit protection component for countermeasures against water leakage.

  In recent years, equipment that uses an electronic device unit that houses an electronic circuit with a large output or power consumption in a small housing chassis such as a digital broadcast transmitter and water-cools the electronic circuit that generates heat has been introduced. In these facilities, the cooling water pipe and the water-cooled electronic device are connected by a coupler (water plug), but a water leakage tray is provided at the bottom of the electronic device in preparation for water leakage (for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in order to detect water leakage, since the water leakage detection unit is provided in the water leakage tray, it cannot be detected unless water reaches the tray or does not become a significant amount of water until it accumulates. In addition, there is a problem that the rack for housing the chassis becomes a large-scale device. More recently, the number of electronic units operating in parallel has increased, and the need for water leakage protection to prevent one water leak from affecting other devices is increasing. .

JP 2006-66669 A

  The conventional water-cooled electronic device unit has a problem that water leakage cannot be detected promptly and a large-scale device including a water leakage countermeasure mechanism is required.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a water cooling unit protection component and an electronic device unit that are simple and are unlikely to cause water leakage.

  In order to achieve the above object, the water-cooling unit protection component of this embodiment is a water-cooling protection component that protects an electronic device unit that is mounted on a rack and cooled by cooling water piped from the outside, from water leakage. A thin sheet-shaped waterproof cover that holds a water-retaining sheet having a water-absorbing polymer covered with an adhesive sheet as a water-absorbing material on a top surface and holds it on a flat surface is disposed under the bottom of the electronic device unit, and leaks from the electronic device unit It is characterized by absorbing and receiving cooling water.

  In addition, the electronic device unit of the present embodiment is a water retention sheet having a water absorbing polymer covered with a water permeable sheet as a water absorbing material in an electronic device unit that is mounted on a rack and cooled by cooling water piped from the outside. A thin waterproof cover is placed under the bottom of the electronic device unit and placed on the top surface to hold the water, receives cooling water leaking from the electronic device unit, and leaks from the electronic device unit of the water retaining sheet. A water-cooling unit protection component having two electrodes in the vicinity of a position for receiving the cooling water to be dropped, and a resistance value between the two electrodes are measured, and when the resistance value measured in the previous period is lower than a predetermined reference value, the electron It is characterized by comprising water leakage alarm means for determining that water leakage from the equipment unit has been detected and outputting a water leakage alarm.

It is a mounting | wearing figure of the installation with which the some electronic device unit concerning this embodiment was mounted | worn. It is an assembly drawing which shows the attachment to the electronic device unit of the water cooling unit protection component concerning this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the water protection sheet concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the water detection electrode of a water protection sheet. It is a functional block diagram explaining the water leak detection operation | movement of the electronic device unit concerning this embodiment.

Hereinafter, a water protection sheet, which is a water cooling unit protection component of an embodiment, and an electronic device unit will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a mounting diagram of equipment in which a plurality of electronic device units according to this embodiment are mounted.
In FIG. 1, a water protection sheet 2 (hereinafter referred to as a water protection sheet 2) that is a water cooling unit protection component of the present embodiment is applied to a unit chassis 1 of a water cooling electronic device unit housed in a rack 3. . Here, an example is shown in which a plurality of unit chassis 1 (# 1) to unit chassis 1 (# 7) are accommodated, but one unit may be used, and the number of units is not limited. The unit chassis 1 is provided with a coupler 11 connected to a cooling water pipe 12 on the back surface.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram showing the arrangement of the water protection sheet 2 in the electronic device unit.
In FIG. 2, the unit chassis 1 is accommodated in the upper and lower portions in a rack 3 (not shown). The unit chassis 1 (# 1) is held by, for example, a guide frame 3g, and there is a space of several millimeters or more between the unit chassis 1 (# 2) accommodated below, and a thin plate-like water in the space. A protective sheet 2 is inserted.

  A coupler seat 11r is attached to the unit chassis 1 and is connected to a coupler plug 11c for coupling to the pipe 12 to constitute the coupler 11 in FIG. The water protection sheet 2 is inserted so as to extend to the lower part of the coupling portion of the coupler 11 that receives water droplets leaking from the coupling portion.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the water protection sheet 2.
In FIG. 3, the water protection sheet 2 includes a water retention sheet 22 that absorbs and retains water leakage, and a cover 21 made of a material (for example, made of plastic) having rigidity that does not transmit moisture that retains the water retention sheet 22. The term “rigidity” as used herein is generally a strength higher than the self-holding property of a thin plate such as cardboard.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the water retention sheet 22 has an expanded shape surrounded by a one-dot broken line in the cover 21 or a partial shape indicated by a dotted line. The width and shape of the water retaining sheet 22 are set in consideration of the size of the unit chassis 1 and the amount of water absorption.

  The water-retaining sheet 22 is a multilayer water-absorbing sheet sandwiched between a thin water-permeable material in the upper layer, a water-absorbing material in the inner layer, and a water-permeable or non-water-permeable thin sheet in the lower layer, and a water-absorbing polymer is used as the water absorbing material. ing. This water retaining sheet 22 is the same kind as a paper squeeze or a water absorbent sheet used as a water absorbent sanitary article, and has a water absorption capacity greater than the capillary action of paper and fibers by utilizing osmotic pressure. Since the water retaining sheet 22 is soft and difficult to insert between the spaces of the unit chassis 1, the water retaining sheet 22 can be inserted into the space by being held by the thin plate-like cover 21.

  The cover 21 is similar to, for example, a so-called clear file that sandwiches a document. The cover 21 is sandwiched between two upper and lower water-impervious materials so that the water retaining sheet can be inserted into and removed from the space between the unit chassis. It is intended to be exchangeable. Further, the cover 21 may be in a bag shape and may have a structure having an opening 24 on the upper surface side through which the internal water retention sheet 22 is exposed. The bag-shaped cover 21 has an effect of preventing the water that cannot be retained by the water absorption layer from overflowing when the amount of water leakage increases.

  The cover 21 includes an opening 24 that serves as a water receiving port. The opening 24 is positioned immediately below the coupling portion of the coupler 11, and the water retaining sheet 22 absorbs water droplets. The opening 24 has a rectangular shape here, but the shape may be circular, elliptical, or any other shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, one end of the upper surface is cut into a “U” shape or the like so that water droplets reach the water retaining sheet 22, or water is retained on the single-sided cover 21 as illustrated in FIG. A combination structure in which the sheet 22 is attached may be used. In this case, since the lower surface cover is a non-water-permeable material, a three-layer structure in which an inner layer of a water-absorbing material is placed thereon and a water-permeable layer is placed on the upper surface may be employed.

  The water protection sheet 2 comprising the combination of the cover 21 and the water retention sheet 22 is placed on the guide frame 3g of the rack 3 that holds the water-cooled electronic device unit (unit chassis 1 (# 1)), or the unit It is set to a shape and dimension placed on the top plate of the unit chassis 1 (# 2) mounted under the chassis 1 (# 1), and receives the water leaking from the coupler 11.

  By combining such a water protection sheet 2 with the unit chassis 1, it is possible to easily receive water leakage.

  Actually, water leakage from the water-cooled electronic device is unlikely to suddenly flow out of water, and most of the water leakage occurs as slight leakage due to slight loosening of the coupler 11 or the like. Therefore, if a few leaks are detected early, it is possible to prevent water leakage from spreading to other devices.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the water retention sheet 22 near the opening 24.
FIG. 4A shows printing or application of water detection ink 22a whose color changes when it comes into contact with water near the opening 24 of the water retaining sheet 22 (or the whole) as water leakage detection means, for example, changes from colorless to red. FIG. This means is the same as that used for a battery for confirming the submergence of a mobile phone, for example, and the water detection ink 23a reacts with water and once changes color, the color continues even after drying.

  This visual water leak detection means has an advantage that water leakage can be detected by color development when an operator visually checks the apparatus regularly every day and the cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 4B to FIG. 4D are diagrams for explaining the structure of the water retention sheet 22 with a water detection function for detecting the characteristic change of the electrical water retention sheet 22 due to water leakage.

  FIG. 4 (b) shows that when the opening 24 is attached with an electrode 23a made of a metal moving body such as eyelet or aluminum foil, and the electrode 23b, and the water retaining sheet 22 between the electrodes is wetted with water such as baking soda, it is ionized. In this method, the conductive agent 23c to be applied is applied, and the electrical conductivity (resistance value) in the meantime is measured.

  When there is no water leakage, the resistance value between the electrodes is close to the insulation state and the resistance value is high. However, when the electrode gets wet, the resistance value decreases, so that the water leakage can be detected.

  FIG. 4C shows an example in which the surface electrode is formed in a comb shape. In this case, when the water droplet falls between the electrodes, the water soaked reaches the water-absorbing polymer sandwiched inside the water retention sheet 22. And it detects that a water absorption polymer ionizes and produces electroconductivity and a resistance value changes. Since this method measures changes in the properties of the water-absorbing polymer itself, it is not necessary to use a conductive agent, and resistance changes can be measured stably.

  Conventionally, there is an urine cover provided with a urine detector, but an independent dedicated water sensor is provided. On the other hand, since this embodiment measures the resistance change of the water absorption polymer of water retention sheet itself, a water sensor is unnecessary. In addition, since the electrode can be made of an aluminum sheet or the like, even if such a structure is provided in the disposable water retaining sheet 22, the influence of the cost increase is extremely small.

  FIG. 4D shows a structure in which the electrodes 23a and 23b are inserted into the lead wires (needle), and are embedded in (inserted into) the water-absorbing polymer inside the water retaining sheet 22 to detect water in the same manner as in FIG. It is a method and a structure that make it possible.

  As an example of these changes in resistance value when water is detected, the resistance value changes by about one to two digits so that it becomes several hundreds kΩ or more when dry and several kΩ or less when wet. For example, the detection of water leakage may be determined based on a case where the leakage is 1 kΩ or less.

  In the above description, the electrode is provided in the opening 24. However, even when the water retaining sheet 22 is exposed on the entire upper surface as shown in FIG. 3D, the water leakage near the outer periphery of the water retaining sheet 22 can be received. It suffices if electrodes are arranged on the substrate.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating the water leak detection operation of the electronic device unit according to the present embodiment.
Here, the electronic device unit configured by including the unit chassis 1 includes a self-diagnosis control monitoring unit 14 and a conductivity measuring unit 15, and monitors the operation state of the own device. The self-diagnosis control monitoring unit 14 is connected to the conductivity measuring unit 15 and measures the resistance between the electrodes 23 of the water protection sheet 2 as shown in FIGS. It is determined that water leakage has been detected when the value drops, and an alarm is output.

  The electronic device unit 10 provided with this water leakage detection means can detect water leakage without the operator visually inspecting the device. Further, since a slight amount of water leakage can be detected, an alarm is issued before the amount of water leakage becomes large, so that it is possible to prevent water leakage from reaching other electronic device units. Moreover, although the electronic device unit itself provided with the unit chassis 1 measures the resistance value of the water retention unit 22 here, a measurement device (not shown) having a similar water leak detection function independent from the outside is water retention. The resistance value of the unit 22 may be measured to generate an alarm.

  According to the water-cooling unit protection component of at least one embodiment described above, a water protection sheet sandwiching a water-absorbing polymer having a large water absorption amount can be arranged in the unit chassis of a water-cooled electronic device to easily prevent water leakage damage. Further, by providing the water protection sheet with a water detection function, it is possible to prevent water leakage damage to other electronic device units.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, the water protection sheet 2 has a structure in which only a rigid plastic plate (sheet) is used on the lower surface, and the water retaining sheet 22 on the upper surface is attached and integrated to receive water leakage by the upper water retaining sheet 22. But it ’s okay. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Unit chassis 10 Electronic device unit 11 Coupler 11c Coupler plug 11r Coupler seat 12 Piping 14 Self-diagnosis control monitoring part 15 Conductivity measurement part 2 Water protection sheet 22 Water retention sheet 22a Water detection ink 23, 23a, 23b Electrode 23c Conductive agent 24 Opening part 3 racks

Claims (8)

A water cooling protection component that protects an electronic device unit mounted on a rack and cooled by cooling water piped from the outside from water leakage,
A thin waterproof cover is placed under the bottom of the electronic device unit to place a water retaining sheet having a water absorbent polymer covered with a water permeable sheet as a water absorbing material on the upper surface and held flat, and leaks from the electronic device unit. A water-cooling unit protection part that absorbs and receives the cooling water that drops.   The waterproof cover is accommodated in a bag shape by an upper cover provided so as to cover the water retaining sheet from above, and the upper cover is provided with an opening capable of receiving the cooling water leaking from above. The water-cooling unit protection component according to claim 1.   The waterproof cover is composed of two upper and lower thin plates, holds the water retaining sheet so as to be replaceable, and has an opening that can receive the cooling water on an upper surface of the waterproof cover. The water cooling unit protection part according to claim 1, wherein the protection part is a water cooling unit protection part.   The water cooling unit protection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein water detection ink whose color changes irreversibly when touched with water is printed on an upper surface of the water retention sheet. parts.   4. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein an electrode is provided at a position on the upper surface of the water retention sheet where the leakage-appropriate cooling water can be received, and an electrical resistance between the electrodes can be measured. Water-cooling unit protection parts described in 1.   The water cooling unit protection component according to claim 5, wherein a conductive agent is provided between the electrodes, which generates conductivity when moisture is absorbed and has a lower electrical resistance than that at the time of drying.   The water-cooling unit protection component according to claim 6, wherein the conductive agent is the water-absorbing polymer itself of the water-holding sheet, and the electric resistance of the water-absorbing polymer can be measured between the electrodes. In an electronic device unit that is mounted on a rack and cooled by cooling water connected by piping from outside,
A thin waterproof cover is placed under the bottom of the electronic device unit to place a water retaining sheet having a water absorbent polymer covered with a water permeable sheet as a water absorbing material on the upper surface and held flat, and leaks from the electronic device unit. A water cooling unit protection component comprising two electrodes in the vicinity of a position for receiving cooling water to be dropped and receiving cooling water leaking from the electronic device unit of the water retention sheet;
Water leakage alarm means for measuring a resistance value between the two electrodes and determining that water leakage from the electronic device unit has been detected when the resistance value measured in the previous period is lower than a predetermined reference value and outputting a water leakage alarm And an electronic device unit.

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