JP2020177948A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

To relax the temperature gradient inside a case such that insufficient cooling of a plurality of heat generating portions can be suppressed in an electronic device.SOLUTION: An electronic device 1 includes a case 2 having an internal space 11 and an opening 12 provided at both ends in one direction of the internal space 11 and connecting the internal space 11 to the outside, a plurality of heat generating portions 3 arranged in one direction inside the case 2, a cooling fan 4 that flows air in one direction in the internal space 11, and a control unit 5 that switches the air flow direction by the cooling fan 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to electronic devices.

Some electronic device devices including a plurality of heat generating parts that generate heat when energized use a fan to forcibly air-cool the plurality of heat generating parts so that the heat generating parts do not exceed a predetermined temperature. In Patent Document 1, a plurality of heat generating portions (semiconductor parts) are arranged in a predetermined flow path (tunnel) in the longitudinal direction of the flow path, and a fan (motor fan unit) is used to open one opening (upstream) of the flow path. A configuration is disclosed in which air flows toward the other opening (downstream).

JP-A-2007-102803

However, as in Patent Document 1, when air flows from one opening of the flow path to the other opening, the air flowing through the flow path is warmed by the heat generating portion, so that the temperature on the downstream side of the flow path rises. , The temperature will be higher than the temperature on the upstream side of the flow path. That is, if the air continues to flow in the same direction, the temperature gradient in the direction in which the air flows becomes large. In this case, cooling of the heat generating portion located on the other opening side may be insufficient, which is not preferable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of relaxing a temperature gradient in a flow path and suppressing insufficient cooling of a plurality of heat generating portions. To do.

One aspect of the present invention includes a case having an internal space and openings provided at both ends in one direction in the internal space and connecting the internal space to the outside, and a plurality of cases arranged in the one direction inside the case. It is an electronic device device including a heat generating unit, a cooling fan for flowing air in the one direction in the internal space, and a control unit for switching the air flow direction by the cooling fan.

According to the present invention, it is possible to relax the temperature gradient inside the case and prevent insufficient cooling of the plurality of heat generating portions.

It is a figure which shows the electronic device apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the air is flowing to one side of one direction in the internal space of a case by the operation of the first cooling fan in the electronic equipment apparatus of FIGS. It is a figure which shows the state which the air is flowing to the other side of one direction in the internal space of a case by the operation of the 2nd cooling fan in the electronic equipment apparatus of FIGS. It is a figure which shows the electronic equipment apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the electronic device apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a case 2, a plurality of heat generating units 3, a cooling fan 4, and a control unit 5.

The case 2 has an internal space 11 and an opening 12 (12A, 12B). The openings 12 are provided at both ends of the internal space 11 in one direction (X-axis direction in FIGS. 1 and 2), and connect the internal space 11 to the outside of the case 2.
The number of openings 12 provided at both ends of the internal space 11 may be arbitrary, but is one in the present embodiment. Further, the pair of openings 12A and 12B provided at both ends of the internal space 11 may be displaced from each other in the orthogonal direction (Y-axis direction or Z-axis direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) orthogonal to one direction, for example. There is no deviation in the embodiment. That is, a pair of openings 12A and 12B are arranged in one direction.

The case 2 of the present embodiment includes a tubular member 13 formed in a tubular shape. The internal space 11 of the case 2 and the pair of openings 12A and 12B are formed by the tubular member 13. The internal space 11 of the case 2 is a space surrounded by the inner surface 13a of the tubular member 13. The pair of openings 12A and 12B of the case 2 are provided at both ends of the tubular member 13 in the axial direction (X-axis direction). The tubular member 13 may be meandering or curved, for example, but is formed linearly in the present embodiment.

The cross-sectional shape of the tubular member 13 orthogonal to the axial direction of the tubular member 13 may be, for example, circular, but in the present embodiment, it is rectangular. The cross section of the tubular member 13 formed in a rectangular shape is orthogonal to the side extending in the first orthogonal direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 2) orthogonal to the axial direction of the tubular member 13 in the axial direction and the first orthogonal direction. It has a side extending in the second orthogonal direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 2).

Case 2 of the present embodiment further includes heat radiation fins 14. The heat radiating fin 14 is provided in the internal space 11 of the tubular member 13. The heat radiation fin 14 is formed in a plate shape extending in the axial direction and the second orthogonal direction of the tubular member 13. Both ends of the heat radiation fin 14 in the second orthogonal direction are connected to the inner surface 13a of the tubular member 13. The number of heat radiating fins 14 may be one, for example, but in the present embodiment, there are a plurality of radiating fins 14. The plurality of heat radiation fins 14 are arranged at intervals in the first orthogonal direction.
The tubular member 13 and the heat radiating fin 14 may be made of a metal having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum.

The case 2 of the present embodiment further includes a cover member 15 that covers the outer surface 13b of the tubular member 13. The cover member 15 includes a tubular portion 16 and a pair of flange portions 17 provided at both ends of the tubular portion 16 in the axial direction (X-axis direction).

The tubular portion 16 accommodates the tubular member 13 so that its inner surface 16a faces the outer surface 13b of the tubular member 13. The cross-sectional shape of the tubular portion 16 orthogonal to the axial direction of the tubular portion 16 may be, for example, circular, but in the present embodiment, it is rectangular. The cross section of the tubular portion 16 formed in a rectangular shape has a side extending in the first orthogonal direction (Y-axis direction) and a side extending in the second orthogonal direction (Z-axis direction), similarly to the cross section of the tubular member 13. , Have.

Each flange portion 17 is formed in an annular shape extending radially inward from the axial end portion of the tubular portion 16. The inner peripheral edge of the flange portion 17 is connected to the axial end of the tubular member 13. As a result, a tubular space 18 (hereinafter referred to as an accommodation space 18) isolated from the internal space 11 and the outside is formed between the outer surface 13b of the tubular member 13 and the inner surface 16a of the tubular portion 16. Has been done.

The heat generating unit 3 is, for example, an electronic component that generates heat when energized. This type of electronic component constitutes, for example, a power supply unit.
The plurality of heat generating portions 3 are arranged in one direction (X-axis direction) inside the case 2. The heat generating portion 3 may be arranged in the internal space 11 of the tubular member 13, for example, but in the present embodiment, it is arranged outside the tubular member 13 (internal space 11). Specifically, the heat generating portion 3 is arranged on the outer surface 13b of the tubular member 13. That is, the heat generating portion 3 is arranged in the accommodation space 18 between the tubular member 13 and the cover member 15 (cylindrical portion 16). Further, the heat generating portion 3 is arranged at a portion (a portion arranged in the second orthogonal direction) to which the heat radiation fins 14 are connected in the tubular member 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling fan 4 allows air to flow in one direction in the internal space 11 of the case 2.
In the present embodiment, two cooling fans 4 are arranged at intervals in one direction. The first cooling fan 41 allows air to flow only on one side in one direction (the X-axis positive direction in FIG. 1). The arrow D1 in FIG. 1 indicates the air flow direction by the first cooling fan 41. The second cooling fan 42 allows air to flow only on the other side in one direction (the negative direction on the X-axis in FIG. 1). The arrow D2 in FIG. 1 indicates the air flow direction by the second cooling fan 42. The number of the first and second cooling fans 41 and 42 may be plural, for example, but is one in the present embodiment.

The two cooling fans 4 may be arranged in the internal space 11 of the case 2, for example. In this embodiment, the two cooling fans 4 are arranged in the pair of openings 12A and 12B of the case 2, respectively. Specifically, the first cooling fan 41 is arranged in the first opening 12A of the case 2 located on the other side in one direction. Further, the second cooling fan 42 is arranged in the second opening 12B of the case 2 located on one side in one direction.
As a result, the two cooling fans 4 are arranged at positions where air is sucked into the internal space 11 from the outside of the case 2 through the opening 12.

The control unit 5 switches the air flow direction by the cooling fan 4.
In the present embodiment, the control unit 5 switches the air flow direction by stopping the operation of one of the two cooling fans 4 and starting the operation of the other. The control unit 5 is in a state where air is flowing in one direction (positive direction of the X-axis) in the internal space 11 of the case 2 by the first cooling fan 41 (see, for example, FIG. 3). The operation of the 41 is stopped, and the operation of the second cooling fan 42 is started. As a result, the air flow direction in the internal space 11 is switched from one side in one direction to the other side (negative direction on the X-axis) (see, for example, FIG. 4). Similarly, the control unit 5 stops the operation of the second cooling fan 42 and starts the operation of the first cooling fan 41 so that the air flow direction in the internal space 11 becomes the other side in one direction. Can be switched to one side.

The control unit 5 switches the air flow direction by the cooling fan 4 according to the state of the electronic device 1. In the present embodiment, the control unit 5 has a temperature of a region on the first opening 12A (one opening) side and a temperature in the region on the second opening 12B (the other opening) side of the inside of the case 2. The air flow direction by the cooling fan 4 is switched according to the difference.
For example, in a state where air is flowing to one side in one direction in the internal space 11 of the case 2 (see, for example, FIG. 3), the temperature in the region on the second opening 12B side (the region on the downstream side in the air flow direction) is When the temperature becomes higher than the temperature in the region on the first opening 12A side (the region on the upstream side in the air flow direction) and the temperature difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the control unit 5 determines that the air is inside the case 2. The operation of the cooling fan 4 is switched so that the air flows in the other side (opposite direction) in one direction in the space 11.

The electronic device 1 of the present embodiment includes a temperature sensor 6 that detects the temperature inside the case 2. The temperature sensor 6 is arranged in the area on the first opening 12A side and the area on the second opening 12B side in the case 2. Each temperature sensor 6 may be arranged in the internal space 11 of the case 2 through which air flows, for example. In the present embodiment, each temperature sensor 6 is arranged in the accommodation space 18 of the case 2 together with the heat generating portion 3. Each temperature sensor 6 detects the temperature of the heat generating portions 3 located at both ends in one direction among the plurality of heat generating portions 3 arranged in one direction. When the temperature sensor 6 detects the temperature of the heat generating portion 3, the temperature variation detected by the temperature sensor 6 is compared with the case where the temperature sensor 6 detects the temperature of the air flowing in the internal space 11 of the case 2. Can be kept small.
The control unit 5 controls the air flow direction by the cooling fan 4 based on the difference in temperature detected by the two temperature sensors 6 described above.

In the electronic device 1 configured as described above, air is flowed in one direction in the internal space 11 of the case 2 by the operation of the cooling fan 4. In the present embodiment, only one of the first and second cooling fans 41 and 42 operates and the other stops, so that air flows to one side or the other side in one direction in the internal space 11 of the case 2.
By allowing air to flow in the internal space 11 of the case 2, it is possible to cool the plurality of heat generating portions 3. Specifically, the heat of the heat generating portion 3 is transmitted to the tubular member 13 and the heat radiating fin 14, and further transferred to the air flowing from the tubular member 13 and the radiating fin 14 to the internal space 11 of the tubular member 13, so that the heat generating portion 3 can be cooled. That is, the tubular member 13 and the heat radiating fin 14 function as a heat sink for releasing the heat of the heat generating portion 3.

Further, in the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature gradient inside the case 2 can be relaxed by the control unit 5 switching the air flow direction by the cooling fan 4.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the air is flowing from the first opening 12A to the second opening 12B in the internal space 11 of the case 2 by the first cooling fan 41, the time With the passage of time, the temperature in the region on the side of the second opening 12B becomes higher than the temperature in the region on the side of the first opening 12A.

When this temperature difference becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 5 stops the operation of the first cooling fan 41 and starts the operation of the second cooling fan 42. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, air flows from the second opening 12B toward the first opening 12A in the internal space 11 of the case 2. Then, low-temperature air that has just flowed in from the outside flows in the region of the internal space 11 on the side of the second opening 12B. Therefore, the temperature in the region on the side of the second opening 12B is lowered. Therefore, the temperature difference between the temperature on the first opening 12A side and the temperature on the second opening 12B side can be reduced. That is, the temperature gradient inside the case 2 can be relaxed.

The control unit 5 operates the second cooling fan 42 while the air is flowing from the second opening 12B to the first opening 12A in the internal space 11 of the case 2 by the second cooling fan 42. The temperature gradient inside the case 2 can be similarly relaxed by stopping the operation and starting the operation of the first cooling fan 41.
From the above, it is possible to prevent insufficient cooling of the plurality of heat generating portions 3 arranged inside the case 2.

Further, since it is possible to suppress an increase in the temperature of the inside of the case 2 on the downstream side in the air flow direction, even if the heat capacity of the heat radiation fins 14 arranged in the tubular member 13 and its internal space 11 is suppressed to be small, a plurality of cases It is possible to efficiently cool the heat generating unit 3 or effectively prevent the temperature of the plurality of heat generating units 3 from becoming higher than a predetermined temperature. As a result, the cylinder member 13 and the heat radiation fins 14 can be miniaturized. Further, by reducing the size of the tubular member 13 and the heat radiating fin 14, the weight of the tubular member 13 and the radiating fin 14 can be reduced. As a result, the electronic device 1 can be made smaller and lighter.

Further, by suppressing the temperature on the downstream side in the air flow direction inside the case 2 from becoming high, even if the air flow (air volume) generated by the cooling fan 4 is reduced, the plurality of heat generating portions 3 can be generated. It can be cooled efficiently, or it can be effectively suppressed that the temperature of the plurality of heat generating portions 3 exceeds a predetermined temperature. As a result, noise due to the operation of the cooling fan 4 can also be reduced.

Further, according to the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, the first cooling fan 41 allows air to flow only on one side in one direction, and the second cooling fan 42 allows air to flow only on the other side in one direction. The first and second cooling fans 41 and 42, which allow air to flow only to one side or the other side in one direction, are compared with a reversible fan that can switch the air flow direction between one side and the other side in one direction. Therefore, the amount of air (air volume) flowing in the internal space 11 of the case 2 can be increased with the same power consumption. Therefore, the heat generating portion 3 can be efficiently cooled. Further, the first and second cooling fans 41 and 42 can obtain a predetermined air volume with smaller power consumption as compared with the reversible fan.

Further, according to the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, the first and second cooling fans 41 and 42 (two cooling fans 4) are the internal space 11 of the case 2 through the opening 12 from the outside of the case 2, respectively. It is arranged in a position to suck in air. Therefore, the life of the cooling fan 4 can be extended as compared with the case where the cooling fan 4 is arranged at a position where air is discharged from the internal space 11 to the outside.

Specifically, when the cooling fan 4 is arranged at a position where air is discharged from the internal space 11 of the case 2 to the outside, the operating cooling fan 4 is discharged from the internal space 11 to the outside. Since it is warmed by the air, the life of the cooling fan 4 may be shortened. On the other hand, when the cooling fan 4 is arranged at a position where air is sucked into the internal space 11 from the outside of the case 2, the cooling fan 4 has an air having a temperature relatively lower than the air discharged from the case 2. Passes through. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the cooling fan 4 in operation from being warmed by air. Therefore, the life of the cooling fan 4 can be extended.

Further, according to the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 5 determines the temperature in the region on the first opening 12A (one opening) side and the second opening 12B (the other opening) side inside the case 2. The flow direction of air by the cooling fan 4 is switched according to the temperature difference from the temperature in the region of. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress a large temperature difference between the first opening 12A side and the second opening 12B side. That is, the temperature gradient inside the case 2 can be reliably relaxed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic device 1C of the present embodiment includes a case 2, a plurality of heat generating units 3, a cooling fan 4C, a control unit 5, and a temperature sensor 6 as in the first embodiment. The configuration and functions of the case 2, the plurality of heat generating units 3, the control unit 5, and the temperature sensor 6 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
The number of cooling fans 4C in this embodiment is two as in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the two cooling fans 4C allow air to flow only in opposite directions. Further, as in the first embodiment, the first cooling fan 41C is arranged in the first opening 12A of the case 2, and the second cooling fan 42C is arranged in the second opening 12B of the case 2.

However, in the present embodiment, the two cooling fans 4C are arranged at positions where air is discharged from the internal space 11 of the case 2 to the outside through the opening 12. That is, the first cooling fan 41C arranged in the first opening 12A allows air to flow only in the negative direction of the X axis (the direction indicated by the arrow D3 in FIG. 5). Further, the second cooling fan 42C arranged in the second opening 12B allows air to flow only in the positive direction of the X axis (the direction indicated by the arrow D4 in FIG. 5).

In the electronic device 1C of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, only one of the first and second cooling fans 41C and 42C operates and the other stops, so that air is inside the case 2. It flows to one side or the other side in one direction in the space 11.

According to the electronic device 1C of the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained.
Further, according to the electronic device 1C of the second embodiment, the first and second cooling fans 41C and 42C (two cooling fans 4C) of the case 2 pass through the opening 12 from the internal space 11 of the case 2, respectively. It is arranged at a position where air is discharged to the outside. Therefore, the amount of air (air volume) flowing into the internal space 11 of the case 2 with the same power consumption as compared with the case where the cooling fan 4C is arranged at a position where air is sucked into the internal space 11 from the outside of the case 2. Can be made larger. Therefore, the heat generating portion 3 can be efficiently cooled. Further, as compared with the case where the cooling fan 4C is arranged at a position where the air is sucked into the internal space 11, it is possible to obtain a predetermined air volume with a small power consumption.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic device 1D of the present embodiment includes a case 2, a plurality of heat generating units 3, a cooling fan 4D, a control unit 5, and a temperature sensor 6 as in the first embodiment. The configuration and functions of the case 2, the plurality of heat generating units 3, the control unit 5, and the temperature sensor 6 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

However, in the cooling fan 4D of the present embodiment, the air flow direction in the internal space 11 of the case 2 is one side (direction indicated by arrow D5 in FIG. 6) and the other side (arrow D6 in FIG. 6). It is a reversible fan that can be switched to (direction shown). The cooling fan 4D may be arranged in the internal space 11 of the case 2 as illustrated in FIG. 6, or may be arranged in the opening 12 of the case 2, for example. In order to suppress the heating of the cooling fan 4D by the heat generating unit 3, it is more preferable that the cooling fan 4D is arranged at a position away from the heat generating unit 3. Further, only one cooling fan 4D may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 6, or a plurality of cooling fans 4D may be arranged, for example.
The control unit 5 controls the operation of the cooling fan 4D so that the air flow direction of the cooling fan 4D can be switched.

According to the electronic device 1D of the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained.
Further, according to the electronic device 1D of the third embodiment, since the cooling fan 4D is a reversible fan, it is compared with the case where the first and second cooling fans as in the first and second embodiments are used. As a result, air can flow smoothly in the internal space 11 of the case 2. For example, when the first and second cooling fans of the first and second embodiments are used, the stopped cooling fan may become a resistance to the air flow in the internal space 11. On the other hand, when the cooling fan is a reversible fan, since there is no cooling fan that is stopped, air can flow smoothly in the internal space 11.

Although the details of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the electronic device of the present invention, the control unit may switch the air flow direction by the cooling fan, for example, at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 30 minutes). Further, when the electronic device is included in the charging device for charging the storage battery of the vehicle, the control unit may switch the air flow direction, for example, between the charging operations. Even in this case, the temperature gradient inside the case can be relaxed as in the case of the above embodiment.

1,1C, 1D Electronic equipment 2 Case 3 Heat generating part 4, 4C, 4D Cooling fan 41, 41C First cooling fan 42, 42C Second cooling fan 5 Control unit 6 Temperature sensor 11 Internal space 12 Opening 12A No. One opening (one opening)
12B Second opening (the other opening)
13 Cylinder member 14 Heat dissipation fin 15 Cover member

Claims (6)

An internal space and a case provided at both ends in one direction of the internal space and having openings connecting the internal space to the outside.
With the plurality of heat generating parts arranged in the one direction inside the case,
A cooling fan for flowing air in the one direction in the internal space,
An electronic device including a control unit that switches the air flow direction by the cooling fan. Two cooling fans are arranged in one direction at intervals from each other.
The first cooling fan allows air to flow only on one side in the one direction.
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second cooling fan allows air to flow only on the other side in one direction. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the two cooling fans are arranged at positions where air is sucked into the internal space from the outside through the opening. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein each of the two cooling fans is arranged at a position where air is discharged from the internal space to the outside through the opening. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling fan is a reversible fan capable of switching the air flow direction between one side and the other side in the one direction. Claims 1 to claim 1 to claim that the control unit switches the air flow direction according to the temperature difference between the temperature in the region on one opening side and the temperature in the region on the other opening side of the inside of the case. The electronic device according to any one of 5.

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