JP3757097B2 - Heat dissipating structure for housing for electronic equipment installed outdoors - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a case for an outdoor-installed electronic device for accommodating an exothermic electronic device such as a communication device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The casing of the electronic device installed outdoors has a double structure composed of an inner casing and an outer casing in order to protect the electronic apparatus from natural environments such as solar radiation, rain, snow, and dust, and animals and plants.
This type of double structure housing requires a heat dissipation structure for radiating the heat generated from the electronic device built in the inner casing to the outside.
[0003]
As described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-330768, the heat dissipation structure of the prior art is agitated and circulated by a fan provided in a space (intermediate chamber) between the outer casing and the inner casing, The heat generated from the electronic device in the inner housing is dissipated by transferring it to the outside air. Control of ventilation between the intermediate chamber and the outside air is performed by opening and closing a valve provided in the outer casing.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The first problem of the conventional double housing heat dissipation structure is that the casing becomes large, and the selection range of applications and installation locations is limited.
The case becomes large because a fan is provided in the space between the outer case and the inner case, and a space for installing the fan is required in the case. Further, since convection is generated by the fan, it is necessary to secure an air inflow space to the fan and an air exhaust space from the fan in order not to deteriorate the performance of the fan, which also causes the casing to become large. .
[0005]
The second problem is that it cannot cope with a complicated housing shape and the range of applicable devices is narrowed.
The reason is that the air flow by the fan is used for exhausting the space between the outer casing and the inner casing. If the housing shape becomes complicated and the space between the outer housing and the inner housing is complicated, the air flow by the fan will not reach or the location where the air flow is stagnant is likely to occur, and the heat dissipation effect Causes it to become smaller.
[0006]
The third problem is that it may happen that outside air cannot be introduced into the intermediate chamber between the outer housing and the inner housing, and exhaust from the intermediate chamber to the outside air cannot be performed. If the introduction of the outside air into the intermediate chamber and the exhaust from the intermediate chamber to the outside air cannot be performed, the heat dissipation efficiency from the electronic device in the inner casing will decrease, the temperature of the electronic device will increase, and the electronic device will be adversely affected. .
The introduction of the outside air into the intermediate chamber and the exhaust from the intermediate chamber to the outside air in this way may stop because the valve is used to control the ventilation between the intermediate chamber and the outside air. That is, if the valve cannot be opened and closed, the ventilation stops. In addition, if foreign substances that cannot be discharged by the wind of the fan are mixed in and accumulated in the intermediate chamber between the outer casing and the inner casing, the air flow in the intermediate chamber is obstructed.
[0007]
The fourth problem is that the noise is loud. When the noise increases, there is an inconvenience that the range of use of the electronic device and the selection location of the installation place are narrowed.
The reason for the loud noise is that a fan is used and the rotating blades are used to generate air convection. The rotating blades generate wind noise and cause noise.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a small and compact casing for an electronic device installed outdoors.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a case for an outdoor-installed electronic device capable of realizing a complicated case shape.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a case for an electronic device installed outdoors, in which ventilation between the inside of the case and the outside air does not stagnate.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a housing for an outdoor electronic device with low noise.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A housing for an electronic device installed outdoors according to the present invention includes a substrate on which a heat-generating electronic device is mounted, an inner housing that is installed on the substrate and surrounds the device, an outer housing that surrounds the inner housing, An endless belt that is disposed between the inner case and the outer case to surround the inner case and stirs air in an intermediate air chamber between the inner case and the outer case, and rotates the belt And a rotation driving means for causing the rotation.
[0010]
In the case of the electronic device for outdoor installation according to the present invention, the air agitation circulation necessary for heat dissipation of the electronic device is generated by rotating a belt surrounding the inner case. When the belt rotates, the air on both sides of the belt is dragged by the belt due to the viscosity of the air, and the air in the intermediate air chamber between the inner casing and the outer casing is agitated. Since the air in the intermediate air chamber is agitated in this way, the heat generated in the electronic device and transmitted to the inner casing is first transmitted to the belt, and further transmitted from the belt to the outer casing through the air. Promoted.
Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a convection fan in the casing in the casing for electronic equipment installed outdoors according to the present invention. Further, since the belt can be arranged to travel along a desired arbitrary path surrounding the inner casing, it is possible to cope with a complicated casing shape.
[0011]
In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing is provided with an opening that allows natural ventilation between the outside air and the intermediate air chamber.
In this way, outside air is introduced into the belt outer region through the opening due to convection of air generated through the region located outside the belt in the intermediate air chamber, and warm air in this region is also introduced. Is discharged to the outside through the opening to promote heat dissipation.
[0012]
In a preferred embodiment, the belt is provided with a plurality of inward fins extending inwardly therefrom.
These inward fins agitate the air in the area located inside the belt in the intermediate air chamber, so that the temperature gradient of the air in the inner area of the belt is made uniform, and heat transfer and heat dissipation of the equipment are promoted. Is done.
[0013]
The belt may further be provided with a plurality of outward fins extending outward.
Since these outward fins stir the air in the region located outside the belt in the intermediate air chamber, the convection of the air in the belt outer region is promoted, and the heat radiation is promoted.
[0014]
Preferably, the outward fins of the belt are constructed and arranged to close the opening of the outer housing when the belt is stopped.
If comprised in this way, since the opening of an outer housing | casing will be closed by outward fins at the time of a belt stop, it will prevent that a small animal, dust, and other foreign materials enter into a housing.
[0015]
In a preferred embodiment, the rotation speed and stop position of the belt are controlled according to the surrounding environment and the situation in the housing. For this reason, detection means for detecting the temperature and flow velocity of the outside air, the temperature and flow velocity of the air in the intermediate air chamber, the temperature and flow velocity of the air in the inner housing, or the power supplied to the electronic device is provided, and these parameters are set. Control means for controlling the rotational speed and stop position of the belt is provided based on this. In this way, efficient belt rotation can be performed, and power consumption can be saved.
The above-described features and effects of the present invention as well as other features and effects will be further clarified as the following examples are described.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of an outdoor electronic device casing of the present invention will be described.
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the electronic device housing 10 includes a substrate 14 on which the electronic device 12 is mounted, and is configured in a double housing structure of an inner housing 16 and an outer housing 18. An electronic device 12 that generates heat is stored in the inner casing 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer shape of the electronic device casing 10 is a cylindrical shape, but may be another shape.
[0017]
An endless belt 22 is disposed in an intermediate air chamber 20 formed between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16 so as to surround the inner casing 16. The belt 22 is formed of a flexible material and has appropriate waist strength.
The lower end of the belt 22 is engaged with a lubricating annular guide groove 24 formed in the substrate 14, and is guided by the guide groove 24 to travel along an annular path surrounding the inner housing 16. ing.
For example, four elastic rollers 26 rotatably mounted on a pivot 25 attached to the substrate 14 and, for example, four rollers 28 mounted on the lower surface of the top plate of the outer casing 18 are inscribed on the belt 22. One of the rollers 26 is rotated by a motor 30 to drive the belt 22. There may be at least one motor 30 for driving the roller 26 inscribed in the belt 22. Further, the roller 26 may be disposed outside the belt 22 depending on the shape of the housing 10.
[0018]
The outer casing 18 is provided with an opening 32 that allows natural ventilation between the outside and the intermediate air chamber 20. These openings 32 are provided, for example, at four locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and are spaced apart in the vertical direction.
[0019]
The belt 22 includes, for example, four inward fins 34 for air agitation extending radially inward toward the inner casing 16 and, for example, four sheets extending radially outward toward the outer casing 18. The air stirring outward fin 36 is attached.
The outward fin 36 also has a width equal to the width of the opening 32 of the outer casing 18 and functions to close the opening 32 when the belt 22 is stopped at a position where the outward fin 36 aligns with the opening 32. I have.
[0020]
In the inner casing 16 and the outer casing 18, the temperature and flow velocity of the outside air, the temperature and flow velocity of the air in the intermediate air chamber 20, the temperature and flow velocity of the air in the inner casing 16, and the power supplied to the electronic device 12 A plurality of sensors 38 are provided at appropriate locations.
Data detected by these sensors 38 is sent to the control device 40. Based on these data, the control device 40 calculates the rotational speed of the belt 22 for generating a heat radiation effect necessary for the electronic device, calculates the stop position of the belt 22, and controls the motor 30.
[0021]
Next, in order to explain the operation and usage of the electronic device casing 10 according to this embodiment, the casing 10 is turned on, and the electronic device 12, the motor 30, the control device 40, and the detection means 38 are powered. Are supplied, they begin to work.
The electronic device 12 generates heat as it operates, and starts to increase the ambient temperature in the inner casing 16 and the temperature of the inner casing 16 itself. Along with this, natural convection occurs in the air in the inner casing 16.
When the temperature of the inner casing 16 itself rises, the temperature of the intermediate air chamber 20 between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16 also starts to rise, and natural convection begins to occur in the intermediate air chamber 20 as well.
[0022]
The sensor 38 includes the temperature and flow rate of the outside air outside the housing 10, the temperature and flow rate of the atmosphere in the intermediate air chamber 20 between the outer housing 18 and the inner housing 16, the temperature of the air in the inner housing 16, and The flow rate, the power supplied to the electronic device 12 and the rotation state of the belt 22 are detected, and the detection data is transmitted to the control device 40 as needed.
[0023]
Based on the information transmitted from the sensor 38 as needed, the control device 40 air around the electronic device 12 in the inner casing 16 and an intermediate air chamber between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16. The rotational speed of the belt 22 required to generate the agitation circulation necessary for the heat radiation of the electronic device 12 is calculated at any time in the air in the air 20 and a control signal is transmitted to the motor 30.
[0024]
When the motor 30 is rotated by the control signal from the control device 40 and the belt 22 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 42 in FIG. 3, the fins 34 and 36 attached to the inner side and the outer side of the belt 22 are rotated together with the belt 22 and The air in the intermediate air chamber 20 between the housing 18 and the inner housing 16 is stirred while being circulated in the direction of the arrow 42.
Cold and heavy outside air is introduced into the region 20 </ b> A (see FIG. 3) of the intermediate air chamber 20 located outside the belt 22 through the lower opening 32 as indicated by an arrow 44. Further, the air in the region 20A that has been warmed and becomes lighter than the outside air is discharged to the outside through the upper opening 32 as indicated by an arrow 46.
The outward fin 36 also rotates in the belt rotation direction 42 to remove foreign matters mixed in the space 20 between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16 and small animals that have entered the opening of the casing 01 from the opening 32. Scrap out.
The inward fins 34 attached to the belt 22 agitate the air in the region 20 </ b> B located on the inner side of the belt 22 in the intermediate air chamber 20 and promote the heat dissipation of the inner casing 16.
[0025]
In this embodiment, air convection necessary for heat dissipation of the electronic device is generated by rotating the belt 22, so that a special forced air cooling device such as a fan is added to the housing, or the intake and exhaust of the fan. There is no need to secure the necessary convection space. For this reason, the housing can be made small, and since there is no fan noise, it can be applied to a portable small device.
In addition, by doubling the case and arranging a rotating belt between the double cases, air convection necessary for stirring the air in the case for air cooling is generated, so the case shape becomes complicated. Even when the space between the outer casing and the inner casing is complicated, the outer circumference of the inner casing can be surrounded by a belt by arranging the belt rotation mechanism at an appropriate position, so that the air flow can reach. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a location where there is no or stagnation, and a heat dissipation effect can be ensured. For this reason, it can respond to a complicated housing shape and can expand the application range to the apparatus.
[0026]
Further, in this embodiment, the elastic roller 26 connected to the motor 30 is inscribed in the belt 22 (or may be circumscribed), so that the belt 22 is driven and the lower end of the belt is guided in the lubricating groove 24. As a result, smooth rotation of the belt is realized. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the influence of the start and stop impacts of the belt, vibration during rotation, and the like on the electronic device casing, and it can be applied to a precise device.
[0027]
When power supply to the electronic device 12 is stopped and heat generation of the electronic device 12 is finished, the control device 40 causes the motor 30 to stop the belt 22 at a position where the outward fin 36 closes the opening 32 of the outer casing 18. Output a control signal. Thus, in the state where the opening 32 is closed by the fins 36, the influence of the outside air outside the housing 10 does not reach the electronic device 12 inside the inner housing 16, and the opening 32 of the outer housing 18 is externally opened. Thus, foreign matter is prevented from entering and accumulating in the intermediate air chamber 20 between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16 and the entry of small animals.
[0028]
Thus, since the opening 32 of the outer casing 18 is closed by the fins 36, it is not necessary to provide a valve for opening and closing the opening 32 and its opening / closing mechanism. For this reason, the valve cannot be opened / closed due to a failure of the opening / closing mechanism, and there is a possibility that the introduction of the outside air into the intermediate air chamber 20 between the outer casing and the inner casing and the exhaust from the intermediate air chamber 20 to the outside air cannot be performed. Absent. Further, during operation, the fins 36 rotate together with the belt 22 in the space between the outer housing and the inner housing, and foreign matters mixed in the space between the outer housing and the inner housing, small animals that have entered, etc. Therefore, the flow of air in the intermediate air chamber 20 is not hindered by the accumulation of foreign matters or the entry of small animals. Furthermore, since the rotation of the belt 22 is controlled based on the information detected by the sensor 38, power consumption can be saved.
[0029]
FIG. 4 shows an electronic device casing according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
In the second embodiment, only the difference will be described. In this second embodiment, the fin 36 is lightened and enlarged in order to receive wind flowing from the opening 32 into the intermediate air chamber 20 between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16. The guide groove 24 for guiding the lower end portion of the belt 22 is enhanced in lubricity to such an extent that the belt 22 can be rotated by the wind force received by the fins 36, and the substrate 14 is subjected to control by the control device 40. A pad 48 for directly controlling the rotation and stop position of the belt 22 by being pressed against the inner wall of the belt 22 is provided.
[0030]
To explain the operation of the second embodiment, when the wind blowing outside the electronic device casing 10 flows into the air chamber 20 between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16 through the opening 32, The fins 36 provided outside the belt 22 receive the wind, and the received wind force is transmitted to the belt 22. The wind force received by the belt 22 is transmitted to the lower end portion of the belt, and the belt starts to rotate by sliding out with the lower end portion fitted in the groove 24. The rotation and stop positions of the belt 22 are controlled by the pad 40 being pressed against the belt 22 by the control device 40.
[0031]
In the second embodiment, since the wind force of the wind flowing in from the opening 32 is used as a power source for the rotation of the belt 22, a special driving device for rotating the belt is not necessary. For this reason, since the power consumption for the driving device can be reduced, the heat generation of the electronic device itself is small, and in the case of a device that can obtain a sufficient heat dissipation effect by rotation of the belt by wind power, the power consumption is low. A simple power saving device can be realized.
[0032]
FIG. 5 shows an electronic device casing according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the components common to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. A duplicate description is omitted, and only the differences are described.
When the heat generation amount of the electronic device 12 increases, in order to perform required heat dissipation, more heat exchange is performed between the intermediate air chamber 20 between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16 and the outer casing 18. It is necessary to do. For this purpose, it is necessary to increase the number of rotations of the belt 22 and maintain high rotation, but there is a problem that the load on the motor 30 increases.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, fins 50 and 52 are provided on the inner wall of the outer casing 18 and the outer wall of the inner casing 16, respectively, as shown in FIG.
[0033]
As described above, in the third embodiment, the fins 50 and 52 are also installed on the inner wall of the outer casing 18 and the outer wall of the inner casing 16, so that the fins 34 and 36 are caused by the rotation of the belt 22. The air flow in the intermediate air chamber 20 collides with the inner wall of the outer casing 18 and the fins 50 and 52 installed on the outer wall of the inner casing 16. Thereby, the stirring and circulation of the air in the intermediate air chamber 20 is promoted, and the heat exchange efficiency between the intermediate air chamber 20 and the outer casing 18 is improved, so that the rotation speed of the belt 22 can be suppressed, and the motor Can reduce the load on. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, this embodiment also has the effect that the load on the motor can be reduced, the life of the apparatus can be extended, and the power consumption can be reduced.
[0034]
FIG. 6 shows an electronic device casing according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, components common to the components of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, overlapping description is omitted, and only differences are described.
When the heat generation amount of the electronic device 12 increases, in order to perform required heat dissipation, more heat exchange is performed between the intermediate air chamber 20 between the outer casing 18 and the inner casing 16 and the outer casing 18. It is necessary to do. For this purpose, it is necessary to increase the number of fins 34 and 36 for the purpose of increasing the surface area. However, if the number increases too much, the intermediate air chamber 20 is divided into small spaces for each fin, and the heat transfer capability is reduced. There is a problem that the exchange efficiency decreases.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, in this fourth embodiment, instead of the fins 34 and 36 of the first embodiment, the inner wall of the outer casing 18 and the outer wall of the inner casing 16 are parallel to the rotation direction of the belt. Fins 54 and 56 are provided, and similar fins 58 and 60 are provided on the outer side and the inner side of the belt 22, and the fins 54 and 58 and the fins 60 and 56 are alternately fitted between them. It arrange | positions so that a fixed clearance gap may be formed.
[0035]
In this embodiment, instead of the fins 34 and 36, fins 54, 56, 58, and 60 are provided on the inner wall of the outer casing 18, the outer wall of the inner casing 16, and the inner and outer sides of the belt 22, and they are arranged alternately. Therefore, the intermediate air chamber 20 can maintain continuity on each of the inner side and the outer side of the belt 22, the heat exchange area between the inner casing 16 and the outer casing 18 is increased, the heat exchanging distance is shortened, and the belt 22. Since a certain amount of heat exchange can be performed even when the operation is stopped, higher heat exchange performance can be realized. Therefore, the fourth embodiment has an effect that higher heat exchange can be realized in addition to the effect of the first embodiment.
[0036]
FIG. 7 shows an electronic device casing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The components having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the differences will be described. In this embodiment, the inner casing 16 and the outer casing are matched to the triangular outer shape of the electronic device 12. The cross-sectional shape of the body 18 and the traveling path of the belt 22 are triangular.
When electronic devices having various shapes are mounted on the housing, if there is no degree of freedom in the shapes of the inner housing 16 and the outer housing 18, a useless space is formed inside the housing 10 and it is difficult to reduce the size of the housing. However, in the fifth embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the inner casing 16 and the outer casing 18 and the path of the belt 22 are triangular according to the triangular outer shape of the electronic device 12, so that wasted space. The size of the housing can be reduced.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
The first effect of the present invention is that since it is not necessary to provide a fan in the housing, the housing can be miniaturized and the selection range of applications and installation locations can be expanded.
The reason is that air convection necessary for agitation of air in the case for air cooling is generated by doubling the case and rotating a belt installed between the double cases.
[0038]
The second effect of the present invention is that it can cope with an electronic device having a complicated shape, and the applicable range of the housing is widened.
The reason is that the casing is doubled and the belt installed between the two casings is rotated to generate air convection, which complicates the casing shape, and the outer casing and inner casing. Even if the space between the bodies is complicated, the outer periphery of the inner housing can be surrounded by the belt by guiding the belt along an appropriate path, and the air flow does not reach or stagnates. This is because it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a spot and to secure a heat dissipation effect.
[0039]
The third effect of the present invention is that the introduction of outside air into the casing can be stabilized, the ambient temperature rise of the electronic device can be kept appropriately, and the life of the apparatus can be extended and the reliability can be improved. It is.
The reason is that the fins attached to the outside of the belt rotate together with the belt, so foreign matter that has entered through the opening into the space between the outer casing and the inner casing is scraped out by the fins. This is because the provided ventilation opening is not blocked.
[0040]
The fourth effect of the present invention is that noise can be reduced and the selection range of the installation location can be expanded.
The reason is that the convection of air necessary for air agitation and circulation in the housing for air cooling is generated by rotating the belt installed between the double housings, so when the rotating blades of the fan rotate This is because the wind noise that causes the generated noise does not occur.
[0041]
In the embodiment in which the temperature and flow rate of the outside air and other conditions are detected by a sensor and the rotational speed of the belt is controlled based on the obtained information, an appropriate heat dissipation effect can be economically maintained, and the apparatus can be saved. There is an effect that it is possible to increase the range of applicability of the apparatus by increasing the power consumption, extending the driving time with a battery or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device casing according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a central sectional view of the housing shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device casing according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing an electronic device casing according to a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a central sectional view of an electronic device casing according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing an electronic device casing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Electronic device housing 12: Electronic device 14: Housing substrate 16: Inner housing 18: Outer housing 20: Intermediate air chamber 22: Endless belt 28/30: Rotation driving means 32: Opening 34 of outer housing, 36: Fin 38: Sensor 40: Control device 50, 52: Fin

Claims (6)

  A substrate on which a heat-generating electronic device is mounted; an inner case that is installed on the substrate and surrounds the device; an outer case that surrounds the inner case; and an inner case that surrounds the inner case And an endless belt that is disposed between the inner casing and the outer casing and stirs air in an intermediate air chamber between the inner casing and the outer casing, and a rotation driving unit that rotates the belt. Enclosure for outdoor electronic equipment.   2. The outdoor-installed electronic device casing according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing is provided with an opening that allows natural ventilation between the outside air and the intermediate air chamber. The case for outdoor electronic equipment according to claim 2 , wherein the belt is provided with a plurality of inward fins extending inward from the belt and a plurality of outward fins extending outward.   The case for outdoor electronic equipment according to claim 3, wherein the outward fin is configured and arranged to close the opening of the outer case when the belt is stopped.   The outdoor electronic device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the outer casing is provided with a plurality of fins extending inward, and the inner casing is provided with a plurality of fins extending outward. Enclosure.   Means for controlling the rotational speed and stop position of the belt based on the temperature and flow velocity of the outside air, the temperature and flow velocity of the air in the intermediate air chamber, the temperature and flow velocity of the air in the inner housing, or the power supplied to the electronic device A housing for electronic equipment installed outdoors according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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