JPH09138044A - Sealed box and humidity control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct the temperature control of a heat generating body delicately by a method wherein a part of a wall constituting a sealed casing is constituted of a humidity absorbing and releasing material. SOLUTION: When the relative humidity of ambient air is higher than that of cooling air 9a, 9b in box 1, the humidity absorbing and releasing material 12 absorbs moisture quickly from the ambient air, whose relative temperature is high, through the outer surface thereof while the moisture is penetrated immediately into the inner part of the moisture absorbing and releasing material. On the other hand, the moisture absorbing and releasing material 12 releases the moisture into cooling air 9a, 9b in the box 1, whose relative humidity is low, through the inner surfaces thereof. Accordingly, moisture, deprived of ambient air through the moisture absorbing and releasing material 12, humidifies the cooling air 9a, 9b in the box 1. In the humidifying means 12, moisture is obtained from ambient air whereby annexed facilities, such as water supplying pipelines, a water supplementing tank, a humidifier and the like are unnecessary and the means can be constituted of only the moisture absorbing and releasing material 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hermetically-sealed housing for accommodating heat-generating components (electronic components, etc.) or equipment (electronic equipment, etc.) and cooling means for cooling the heating element by air cooling and its humidity control. In particular, the present invention relates to a closed casing having a function of performing optimum humidification to the closed casing and a humidity control method thereof. The closed casing to which the present invention can be applied includes a base shelter (windowless room) such as a mobile phone or a communication device, a storage casing for electronic equipment such as a computer, a magnetic disk device or a server machine, a control panel for a machine tool, a power source. There is a housing for the board or measuring instruments.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In electronic devices such as electronic computers and communication devices, temperature and humidity control of cooling air for cooling heat-generating components (semiconductor components) such as CPUs and LSIs is important for ensuring reliability. As a cooling device using a refrigeration cycle such as an electronic device having the above-mentioned heat-generating component, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is a cooling device for electronic equipment as described in JP-A-6-119083, a cooling device for electronic equipment as described in JP-A-4-320399, and the like.

[0003]

The prior art described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-119083 is a method in which a refrigeration cycle is provided in a heat-insulated housing to control the temperature of electronic components, and the condensation of the electronic components is caused. In order to prevent this, a heater for warming the internal temperature is provided. Further, the conventional technique described in JP-A-4-320399 is provided with a heat exchanger for dehumidification in addition to a temperature control means in a heat-insulated housing, and in order to prevent dew condensation of electronic parts, the above dehumidification is performed. The heat exchanger for use dehumidifies the air in the housing. Both of these two conventional techniques can control the temperature of the electronic components in the housing and prevent dew condensation of the electronic components by dehumidifying, but in order to provide a more reliable housing structure of the electronic device, It is desirable that both the temperature control (cooling / heating) and the humidity control (dehumidification / humidification) of the electronic components be finely performed. In a general device, as seen in the above-mentioned conventional technique, only temperature control (cooling) and dehumidification are mainly performed, and no humidifying means is provided. However, in an actual electronic device or the like, a large number of switching components are mounted, and static electricity is generated when the humidity is low, which causes a great obstacle. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a humidifying means in the housing. Especially, in a low humidity environment such as winter, the humidifying means is important.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hermetically sealed enclosure which is provided with a humidifying means in the hermetically sealed enclosure so that the humidity control can be finely controlled in addition to the temperature control of the heating element, and a humidity control method therefor.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a heat-generating body is housed in a hermetically sealed casing of the above-mentioned electronic computer, communication device or the like, that is, the casing and is air-cooled. The sealed enclosure with the cooling means for cooling by
At least a part of the wall constituting the closed casing is made of a moisture absorbing / releasing material that absorbs or releases moisture depending on humidity, and is absorbed from the air on the high humidity side by the moisture absorbing / releasing material. It is characterized in that the humidity of the cooling air in the housing is controlled by discharging the above-mentioned moisture to the air on the low humidity side. Furthermore, in a low-humidity environment such as winter, the wall made of the moisture absorbing / releasing material has a high temperature / low humidity air side in the cooling air flow direction upstream of the cooling means, and also in the summer. Alternatively, in a high humidity environment such as the rainy season, the cooling air flow direction control means is provided so as to come to a place located downstream of the cooling means on the low temperature / high humidity air side in the cooling air flow direction. It is characterized by that.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the hermetically sealed housing according to the present invention, as a humidifying means, an absorbent / moisture releasing material that absorbs or releases water depending on humidity is used for a part of the housing wall. The action is obtained. First, when the relative humidity of the air is higher in the surrounding air than in the cooling air in the housing, the absorbent / moisture releasing material quickly absorbs moisture from the ambient air having a high relative humidity through its outer surface. The water immediately penetrates into the material. On the other hand, the absorbent / moisture-releasing material quickly releases moisture through the inner surface thereof to the cooling air in the housing having a low relative humidity. Therefore, the moisture taken from the ambient air moves to the cooling air in the housing through the absorbent / humidifying material, and the cooling air in the housing is humidified. Since the humidifying means of the present invention obtains water content from the ambient air, it has a great feature that it does not need any auxiliary equipment such as a water supply pipe, a makeup water tank, a humidifier, etc., and can be constituted only by the absorbing / releasing material. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a maintenance-free state after the housing is installed, and in particular, it is possible to provide an effective humidifying means for a base shelter of a mobile phone installed in a mountain area or the like.

Further, by adding dehumidifying means using an evaporator of a refrigeration cycle to the humidifying means of the present invention,
It is possible to control the humidity of the cooling air in the housing. Further, by optimizing the absorbent / moisture releasing material and the evaporator, it becomes possible to control the relative humidity of the cooling air in the housing within an arbitrary range, which may cause a failure in a computer, a communication device, or the like. It is possible to prevent both dew condensation at high humidity and static electricity at low humidity of the electronic parts that cause the above.

On the other hand, when the relative humidity of the air is lower in the surrounding air than in the cooling air in the housing, the absorptive / humidifying material acts as a dehumidifying means. First, the moisture absorbing / releasing material quickly absorbs moisture from the cooling air in the housing having a high relative humidity via the inner surface thereof, and the moisture immediately penetrates into the moisture absorbing / releasing material. On the other hand, the absorbent / moisture releasing material rapidly releases moisture through the outer surface thereof to the ambient air having a low relative humidity. Therefore, the moisture taken from the cooling air in the housing moves to the ambient air through the absorbent / moisture releasing material, and the cooling air in the housing is dehumidified.
The humidifying means and dehumidifying means using the absorbent / moisture releasing material have a wall made of the absorbent / moisture releasing material provided in one place of the closed casing wall to control the flow direction of the cooling air. The means for changing the flow direction of the cooling air can be performed.

As an example of the absorbent / moisture releasing material, there is one in which a cloth material such as a non-woven fabric is used as a base material and the cloth material is impregnated with a special absorbent such as a polymer material. The water absorption amount of the moisture absorbing / releasing material can be freely set by controlling the amount of the moisture absorbent impregnated in the moisture absorbing / releasing material. It can also be controlled by the surface area of the absorbent / moisture releasing material. Further, as another example of the absorbent / moisture releasing material, it is also possible to use a material such as nylon, polyester or the like coated with a shape memory polymer on at least one surface thereof, or a so-called moisture permeable material manufactured in a laminated shape. it can.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an example of the hermetically sealed housing of the present invention. Here, as an example of the closed casing 1, a casing of an electronic device such as an electronic computer will be taken up. The hermetically sealed casing 1 according to the present invention is a casing of a hermetically sealed device having at least one component or device that generates heat inside.
In addition to the housing of the above-mentioned electronic computer, housings of server machines, magnetic disks and optical disk devices, telephone exchanges, communication devices, measuring instruments, automated teller machines, control devices, printing machines, etc. and relays of mobile phones (mobile phones). Base shelters, etc. shall be included. In addition, if the room is a closed room that has at least one part or device that generates heat and is almost free of people coming and going, the above closed room can also be handled as the closed casing 1 of the present invention. The closed room includes a computer room and a communication room.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of printed circuit boards 2 on which a large number of heat-generating electronic components (CPU, LSI, etc.) 3 are mounted are juxtaposed in the front part of a housing 1. The number of stacked layers of the printed circuit board 2 and the number of stacked layers are determined depending on the performance of the electronic device and the like, and may be one as shown in the drawing or two or more in mounting. Further, the electronic component 3 mounted on the printed circuit board 2 may be provided with a heat dissipation fin for improving heat dissipation performance. Reference numeral 4 denotes a blower, which is a blower as an example, and is placed below the printed circuit board 2. A fan, a compressor, or the like may be used as a blowing unit other than the blower 4. Reference numeral 5 denotes a cooler for supplying cooling air, which is provided at the center of the rear part of the housing 1. The cooler 5 may be an evaporator of a refrigeration cycle or a cooler in which cold water introduced from a separately provided chiller unit or the like flows.

Further, reference numeral 6 is a partition plate for partitioning the inside of the housing 1 into front and rear, reference numeral 7 is a frame of the housing 1, and reference numeral 8 is a lining material attached to the inside of the frame 7. The wall of the housing 1 is configured. Here, the lining material 8 may be made of a material having only one of the performances of a heat insulating material and a soundproofing material, but it is better to be made of a material having both the performances of urethane foam. It is better to use glass wool or the like. Note that vacuum heat insulation may be used in an electronic device that requires further heat insulation. Further, since the frame 7 is made of steel plate or the like, an effect as a sound insulating material can be expected. The frame 7 and the lining material 8 form a wall of the housing 1, and in the figure, the entire surface of the housing 1 is covered with a wall and completely sealed, so that the cooling air is almost equal to the ambient air. Completely blocked and separated. Therefore, when the electronic device is operating, the wall of the casing 1 (the frame 7 and the liner 8)
Although the cooling air in the housing and the ambient air hardly mix through the enclosure, when the electronic device is stopped for a long time, the cooling air in the housing and the ambient air slowly enter from the slight gap between the walls. Seems to mix with. Here, when heat insulation and soundproofing of the housing 1 are not required so much, the wall structure of the housing 1 may include only the frame 7 and no lining material 8.
Further, the wall of the housing 1 may be mixed with a place where only the frame 7 is present and a place where the lining material 8 is attached to the frame 7. Further, it is desirable that the partition plate 6 provided in the center of the housing 1 is also made of a heat insulating material. Refrigerant piping and electric wiring 11
Is a separate type refrigeration cycle that connects the cooler 5 (evaporator of the refrigeration cycle) and the outdoor unit (condenser, compressor, etc. of the refrigeration cycle, not shown) in the housing 1 to each other. Therefore, the housing 1 is of a fixed installation type.

The blowing direction of the cooling air by the blower 4 will be described below. The solid arrow 9a indicates the cooling air flow direction in a low humidity environment such as winter, and the dashed arrow 9b indicates the cooling air flow direction in a high humidity environment such as summer or the rainy season, depending on the season (humidity environment). It is configured to switch the blowing direction. The means for controlling the flow direction of the cooling air is a means for switching the rotation direction of the blower means (normal rotation /
The method of reversing) or the means for switching the air blowing direction provided in the air blowing means may be used. In this example, the former is used. First, in a low humidity environment such as in winter, the cooling air 9a in the housing 1 is discharged from the blower 4 to the lower rear, goes from the lower part of the housing 1 to the rear, and is cooled by the cooler 5 to cool the housing 1. It goes from the upper part to the front part, is warmed while passing between the printed circuit boards 2, and is sucked into the blower 4 again. Then, the cooling air 9a continuously circulates in the cooling flow path to forcibly cool the electronic component 3 by air. Next, in a high humidity environment such as the summer or rainy season, the cooling air 9b in the housing 1 is discharged upward from the blower 4 and is warmed while passing between the printed circuit boards 2. To the rear part, is cooled by the cooler 5, rotates from the lower part of the housing 1 to the front part, and is sucked into the blower 4 again.

The absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 has a function of absorbing and releasing moisture depending on humidity, and constitutes a part of the wall of the casing 1 on the lower rear side of the cooler 5. A rear frame 8a having a shutter 13 is provided outside the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 so that only moisture can flow between the inside and outside of the housing via the shutter 13 and the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. It has become. This example shows an example in which the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 is provided only at one location of the wall forming the closed casing 1. As will be described later, a solid arrow 14a indicates the moving direction of water in a low humidity environment such as winter, and a broken arrow 14b indicates a moving direction of water in a high humidity environment such as summer or the rainy season. Although not shown, the cooling air 9
In order to control the temperature and humidity of a and 9b, the housing 1 is provided with a temperature detector and a humidity detector. For example, both are provided at positions where the temperature and humidity of the cooling air 9a, 9b immediately before the inflow side of the printed circuit board 2 are measured. The temperature detector may be an inexpensive one such as a thermocouple or a thermistor, and the humidity detector may be a capacitance type humidity sensor, and at least one humidity detector is required, but each is required to increase reliability. You may provide more than one.

Next, the operation principle of the present invention will be described in consideration of the difference in the air blowing direction during the winter season and the summer season or the rainy season. First, the operating principle of the present invention in a low humidity environment such as winter will be described. In this case, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 acts as a humidifying means, and is effective in preventing static electricity of the electronic component 3 and the like during winter drying. In the winter, both indoor and outdoor are in low humidity and dry state, and the relative humidity is often 20 to 30% or less. Now, as an example, if the stopped electronic device casing 1 is placed in a temperature-controlled room and the temperature and relative humidity of the indoor air are 22 ° C. and 30%, the casing 1 The temperature and humidity of the inner cooling air 9a are considered to be about the same. If the electronic device is operated for a long time at this absolute humidity, the relative humidity of the cooling air 9a becomes low when the temperature rises, and there is a risk that static electricity will be generated and a failure will occur.
However, in the case of the present invention, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 1 described above is used.
2, the moisture of the ambient air is replenished in the housing 1,
The relative humidity of the inside air can be raised to a level where static electricity can be prevented. First, 22 degrees Celsius inside and outside the housing 1,
When the electronic device is operated at a temperature and humidity of 30%, the cooling air 9a (2
2 ° C., 30%) increases the temperature by cooling the electronic component 3 on the printed circuit board 2, and the relative humidity decreases accordingly. For example, if the temperature of the cooling air 9a after the temperature rise is 32 ° C. (temperature rise 10 ° C.), the relative humidity is about 16
%become. The relative humidity is estimated and calculated with the absolute humidity kept constant. After passing through the blower 4, the cooling air 9a having the temperature of 32 ° C. and the humidity of 16% faces the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 provided on the lower rear side of the housing 1. Here
The ambient air in contact with the outer surface of the moisture absorbing / desorbing material 12 has a temperature of 22 ° C. and a relative humidity of 30%, and the cooling air 9a in contact with the inner surface of the moisture absorbing / desorbing material 12 has a temperature of 32.
Since the temperature and humidity are 16%, a relative humidity difference of 14% (= 30% -16%) occurs between the inside and outside of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12, and the movement of moisture through the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 occurs. Occur. That is, since the relative humidity of the air is higher in the surrounding air than in the cooling air 9a in the housing 1, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 12 removes moisture from the ambient air having a high relative humidity through the outer surface thereof. It is quickly absorbed, and its moisture immediately penetrates into the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. On the other hand, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 quickly releases the absorbed water through the inner surface thereof to the cooling air 9a in the housing 1 having a low relative humidity. For this reason,
The moisture taken from the ambient air moves to the cooling air 9a in the housing 1 through the moisture releasing material 12, and the cooling air 9a is humidified. When the humidified cooling air 9a is cooled by the cooler 5 and the cooling air 9b is controlled to a desired set temperature, for example, 22 ° C., the relative humidity at that time is 30% of the initial value.
Is higher than. By continuously repeating the circulation of the cooling air 9a, the cooling air 9a in the casing 1 is
Since the relative humidity of is gradually increased,
Although the amount of humidification through 2 gradually decreases,
By the humidifying means using the moisture releasing material 12, the relative humidity of the cooling air 9a immediately before the inflow side of the printed circuit board 2 can be made higher than the relative humidity of the ambient air, which is very effective in preventing static electricity. In the above description, the temperature rise of the cooling air 9a due to the cooling of the printed circuit board 2 is set to 10 ° C. However, when the temperature rise is larger, the relative humidity difference between the inside and outside of the moisture absorbing / desorbing material 12 becomes larger than the above 14%, and A lot of water can be moved. For example, if the temperature rise is 20 ° C., the relative humidity difference is 21%.

In the above-mentioned example, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 in which the driving force of water movement is mainly the relative humidity difference has been described, but the absorbing / humidifying material in which the driving force of the above action is mainly the steam partial pressure difference is described. May be used. Naturally, in this case, water moves due to the difference in the partial pressure of water vapor inside and outside the closed casing 1. Therefore, to humidify the inside of the closed casing 1, the partial pressure of water vapor in the cooling air inside the closed casing is sealed. It must be lower than the water vapor partial pressure of the air outside the enclosure. As the absorbent / moisture releasing material whose driving force is mainly determined by the water vapor partial pressure difference, a so-called moisture permeable material that is thinly coated with shape memory polymer on one side of an article such as nylon or is produced on a laminate is considered. .

When the relative humidity of the cooling air 9a becomes higher than a desired set value, the temperature level of the refrigerant in the cooler 5 and the air volume of the cooling air 9a may be adjusted so that the cooler 5 dehumidifies. it can. That is, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 1
By using the humidifying means using 2 and the dehumidifying means using the cooler 5 and the humidity detector, the relative humidity of the cooling air 9a in the housing 1 can be freely controlled,
The relative humidity of the cooling air 9a immediately before the inflow side of the printed circuit board 2 can be controlled to a desired humidity.

This is to increase the amount of water contained in the cooling air 9a (absorption /
The absorbing / releasing amount of the moisture releasing material 12) can be freely set to some extent. As an example, when the base material is a cloth material such as a non-woven fabric and the cloth material is a material impregnated with a special moisture absorbent composed of a polymer material or the like, The amount of water absorption of the material can be controlled by the amount of the hygroscopic agent impregnated in the material. That is, when the amount of the hygroscopic agent impregnated into the cloth material is increased, the amount of water absorbed by the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 is increased. In addition, the movement amount of water can be controlled by changing the surface area of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. This makes it possible to control the amount of absorption / release per unit time. Further, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 has reversibility in its absorbent / moisture releasing property, and can be repeatedly used many times.
Also in this case, as another example of the above-mentioned moisture absorbing / releasing material, a so-called moisture-permeable material in which at least one side of a fabric such as nylon, polyester, etc. is coated with a shape memory polymer or which is manufactured in a laminated shape is used. be able to. In these moisture-permeable materials, the difference in partial pressure of water vapor is the driving force for water movement.

Next, the operating principle of the present invention in a high humidity environment during the summer or rainy season will be described. In this case,
The moisture releasing material 12 acts as a dehumidifying means and is effective in preventing dew condensation on the electronic component 3 and the like when the humidity is high. In summer and rainy season, both indoors and outdoors are in high humidity, and relative humidity φ
Is often 60 to 70% or more. As an example, if the electronic device casing 1 that is stopped is placed in a temperature-controlled room and the temperature of the indoor air is 26 ° C. and the relative humidity is 60%, the inside of the casing 1 will be described. Cooling air 9
The temperature and humidity of b are considered to be about the same. First, when the electronic device is operated both inside and outside the housing 1 at a temperature and humidity of 26 ° C. and 60%, the cooling air 9b cools the electronic component 3 on the printed circuit board 2 and the temperature rises. Relative humidity decreases. The cooling air 9b after the temperature rise is
It goes around the rear part of the housing 1 and reaches the cooler 5. During this period, the absolute humidity x is considered to be kept constant. If the cooling air 9b is cooled by the cooler 5 and the cooling air 9b is controlled to a desired set temperature, for example, 22 ° C., the relative humidity at that time becomes about 77%. The relative humidity is a value estimated and calculated with the absolute humidity x kept constant. Then, the cooling air 9b having the temperature of 22 ° C. and the relative humidity of 77% faces the moisture absorbing / releasing material 12 provided on the lower rear side of the housing 1. Here, the temperature of the ambient air in contact with the outer surface of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 is 26 ° C., the relative humidity is 60%, and the temperature of the cooling air 9b in contact with the inner surface of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 is 22
Since the temperature and relative humidity are 77%, the above absorbent / moisture releasing material 1
A relative humidity difference of 17% occurs between the inside and the outside of 2, and the movement of water occurs through the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. That is, since the relative humidity of the air is lower in the surrounding air than in the cooling air 9b in the housing 1, the moisture absorptive and desorptive material 12 absorbs moisture from the cooling air 9b having a high relative humidity through its inner surface. Is quickly absorbed, and the moisture immediately penetrates into the inside of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. On the other hand, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 quickly releases the absorbed moisture through the outer surface thereof to the ambient air having a low relative humidity. Therefore, the moisture taken from the cooling air 9b in the housing 1 moves to the ambient air via the moisture absorbent 12, and the cooling air 9b is dehumidified. The dehumidified cooling air 9b passes through the blower 4 and then the printed circuit board 2
However, the relative humidity at that time is lower than the initial 60%. Then, by repeating the circulation of the cooling air 9b continuously, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 1 of the present invention is obtained.
The dehumidifying means using 2 makes it possible to make the relative humidity of the cooling air 9b immediately before the inflow side of the printed circuit board 2 lower than the relative humidity of the ambient air. When sufficient dehumidification cannot be achieved by the dehumidifying means alone, the temperature level of the refrigerant in the cooler 5 and the air volume of the cooling air 9b may be adjusted to assist the dehumidification by the cooler 5.

In the above-described embodiment, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 1 in which the driving force of water movement is mainly the relative humidity difference.
Although 2 has been described, it is also possible to use an absorbing / releasing material in which the driving force of the above-mentioned action is mainly a steam partial pressure difference. Naturally, in this case, water moves due to the difference in water vapor partial pressure between the inside and outside of the closed casing 1. Therefore, in order to dehumidify the inside of the closed casing 1, the water vapor partial pressure of the cooling air inside the closed casing is closed. It must be higher than the water vapor partial pressure of the air outside the enclosure. As the absorbent / moisture releasing material whose driving force is mainly determined by the partial pressure difference of water vapor, a so-called moisture permeable material that is made by thinly coating one side of a fabric such as nylon with shape memory polymer or manufactured in a laminated form is considered. .

In FIG. 1, the type of heat exchanger used in the cooler 5 is a fin-tube type heat exchanger for air conditioning in which tubes are penetrated through a large number of thin aluminum fins, a compact used in a radiator of an automobile, etc. A mold heat exchanger or the like may be used. In the heat exchanger, in order to improve drainage performance of the drain generated by dehumidification from the fin surface, the fin surface may be subjected to either hydrophilic surface treatment or water repellent surface treatment. The method for treating the generated drain will be described later.

Next, the installation posture of the cooler 5 will be described. 2 and 3 are partial side sectional views showing only the rear center of the closed casing 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG.
Then, although the cooler 5 is installed in a tilted manner, it may be installed horizontally as shown in FIG. 2 or vertically as shown in FIG. 3, and its posture is not particularly limited. The installation posture may be selected depending on the relationship between the installation space of the housing 1 and the size of the cooler 5, and the like. Note that FIG. 3 shows an example of a drain processing method. A drain pan 16 is provided on the lower cooler mounting plate 15, and the drain dehumidified by the cooler 5 is collected in the drain pan 16. Further, the drain pan 1
A flexible drain hose 17 is connected to the lower part of 6, and the drain is the flexible drain hose 1 described above.
It is guided to the outside of the housing 1 by 7. Instead of discarding the drain to the outside of the housing 1, a part of the high temperature / high pressure side pipe of the refrigeration cycle may be used to heat the drain to evaporate it.

The closed casing of FIG. 1 described above has been described by taking as an example a casing of an electronic device (electronic computer or the like) that accommodates heat-generating components. Next, a windowless room structure for accommodating heat-generating devices. Take the shelter of the example as an example. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the shelter 18 of the present invention. In this,
As an example of the shelter 18, a base shelter such as a mobile phone or a communication device will be taken up. Examples of devices that generate heat include a switching device, a wireless device, a rectifier, and a battery, in addition to a communication device. The base shelter 18 is of a larger size and heavier than the housing 1 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 and therefore is a fixed installation type. It is a closed housing. In FIG. 4, the base shelter 18 is sealed by a frame 7 forming a wall, a lining material 8 and the like, as in the case 1 of FIG. 1, and inside the heat generating device (communication device, battery, etc.). ) 19 is placed. For simplicity,
Although an example in which only one heat generating device 19 is provided in the base shelter 18 is shown, the number of the heat generating devices 19 may be plural. Also, the installation position of the heat generating device 19 is
It is not necessary to limit to FIG. The cooling means is an air conditioner (air conditioner) 20, which is an example of a device that uses a refrigeration cycle, and an indoor unit 20a and an outdoor unit 20b are integrated. Here, the air conditioner 20 may be a separate type in which the indoor unit 20a and the outdoor unit 20b are separated. Further, the type of the air conditioner 20 may be a floor-standing type, a ceiling hanging type, or the like, other than the wall-embedded type as shown in the drawing. The moisture absorbing / releasing material 12 is installed, for example, below the air conditioner 20 so as to form a part of the wall of the base shelter 18. Here, the means for controlling the flow direction of the cooling air 9 is the louver 21, which is a switching means provided at the indoor unit side cooling air outlet of the air conditioner 20. Here, the direction switching means for cooling air is a plurality of small louvers 21, and each louver 21 works together to control the wind direction of the cooling air.

In a low-humidity environment such as winter, the cooling air 9a blown out above the base shelter 18 by the louver 21 with its end portion facing upward flows clockwise in the figure to cool the heat-generating device 19 and then to a high temperature. -Becomes low-humidity and faces the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 On the other hand, in a high humidity environment such as the summer or the rainy season, the low-temperature and high-humidity cooling air 9b blown out below the base shelter 18 by the louver 21 immediately faces the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. Then, the cooling air 9
In the figure, b flows counterclockwise, cools the heat generating device 19, and is sucked into the air conditioner 20 from above the base shelter 18. FIG. 4 shows the orientation of the louver 21 in a low humidity environment such as winter. Here, the installation position of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 does not have to be limited to the lower side of the air conditioner 20 as shown in FIG. 4, and it may be another place of the base shelter 18. It is necessary to consider how to flow the cooling air 9a and 9b depending on the location. That is, when operating in a low humidity environment such as in winter, the high-temperature, low-humidity cooling air 9 faces the absorbent / moisture-releasing material 12, and conversely, in a high-humidity environment such as summer or the rainy season. In operation, it is necessary to configure so that the low-temperature, high-humidity cooling air 9 faces the absorbent / moisture-releasing material 12.
Since the operating principle of the moisture absorptive and desorptive material 12 of the present invention under the low humidity environment such as the winter season and the high humidity environment such as the summer season or the rainy season is the same as that described in FIG. To do.

This is the base shelter 18 for mobile phones, etc.
Is installed and fixed outdoors, it is necessary to take measures against adverse environments such as wind and rain. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are partial cross-sectional views of the base shelter 18 of FIG. 4 in which only the absorbent / moisture-releasing material 12 is taken out. is there. FIG.
Rainwater intrusion prevention means in which small shutters 22 are closely arranged prevents rainwater from intruding by the large number of shutters 22. Further, FIG. 6 shows a rainwater intrusion prevention plate 23 having a size that covers the entire absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. The rainwater intrusion prevention means 22 and 23 can prevent intrusion of rainwater and the like from the base shelter 18 from above and sideways. Both the small shutter 22 and the rainwater intrusion prevention plate 23 can be formed by using a part of the frame 7 of the base shelter 18. In addition,
The armor door 22 and the rainwater intrusion prevention plate 23 can also provide a soundproof effect against noise leaking from the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. In FIG. 6, if a sound absorbing material is attached to the inner surface of the rainwater intrusion prevention plate 23, a further soundproof effect can be obtained. Of course, the means for preventing rainwater intrusion is not limited to the above-mentioned shape, and may be any structure that has high reliability over a long period of time. The rainwater intrusion prevention means of the present invention can be used not only for the base shelter 18 which is a large closed casing, but also for the casing 1 of the electronic device shown in FIG.

In the above, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
An example in which the housing 1 and the base shelter 18 are installed and fixed has been described. Next, an embodiment of the present invention in a movable closed housing will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In order to make the electronic device housing 1 of FIG. 1 a movable housing, it is necessary to use a stand-alone housing, and an indoor unit (cooler 5) and an outdoor unit (compressor) of the refrigeration cycle are required. A condenser, etc.) must be installed in the housing 1. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing an example of the stand-alone type casing 1. The cooler 5 corresponding to the indoor unit of the refrigeration cycle is installed at the same position as in FIG. 1, and the cooling unit 2 corresponding to the outdoor unit.
4 is installed on the upper part of the housing 1. The cooling unit 24 is composed of a compressor 25, a condenser 26, a fan 27, an expansion mechanism 28, and the like.
As described above, the heat taken in the casing 1 is radiated to the ambient air of the casing 1. Although not shown, the cooling unit 24 and the cooler 5 in the housing 1 are connected by a refrigerant pipe, electric wiring, and the like. Reference numeral 10 indicates casters and stoppers used when the housing 1 is moved and fixed. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing another example of the stand-alone type housing 1 having a refrigeration cycle. 7 is different from FIG. 7 in that the cooler 5 is mounted in the cooling unit 24 so that the housing 1 and the cooling unit 24 can be easily separated at the arrow A portion. . The cooling air 9a, 9b is communicated between the housing 1 and the cooling unit 24 by the flow ports 30 and 31. Here, the operating principle of the moisture absorptive and desorptive material 12 of the present invention under the low humidity environment such as the winter season and the high humidity environment such as the summer season or the rainy season is the same as that described in FIG. , Omitted.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention using a heat pipe as the cooling means will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
In the side sectional view of the stand-alone type casing 1, a heat pipe / cooling unit 33 having a large number of heat pipes 32 mounted thereon is installed on the upper portion of the casing 1. The heat absorption part of the heat pipe 32 is the lower part, and the heat dissipation part is the upper part, and heat dissipation fins are provided respectively. The cooling air 9 a, 9 b cooled by the heat absorbing portion of the heat pipe 32 is supplied to the circulation port 30.
And 31, the housing 1 and the heat pipe / cooling unit 33 are communicated with each other. In the case 1 as well, the operating principle of the moisture absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 of the present invention under the low humidity environment such as the winter season and the high humidity environment such as the summer season or the rainy season is the same as that described in FIG. Therefore, it is omitted. Note that, in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the place where the cooling unit 24 or the heat pipe / cooling unit 33 is installed is not limited to the upper portion of the housing 1, but is a side surface portion of the housing 1 or the like. May be.

Next, a method for controlling the temperature of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 of the present invention to adjust the moisture absorption and moisture releasing performance of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 will be described. FIG. 10 is a refrigerant piping system diagram showing an example of temperature control of the absorbent / moisture-releasing material 12 using a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle is an example of the refrigeration cycle used for temperature control in the closed casing shown in FIG. Use the department. A thin pipe 34 is laid inside the moisture absorbing / desorbing material 12, and a method of controlling the temperature of the moisture absorbing / desorbing material 12 by flowing a refrigerant at another temperature level in the thin pipe 34, The refrigerant flowing through the narrow pipe 34 is guided by the introduction pipe 36 from the main refrigerant pipe 35 of the refrigeration cycle. Here, a radiation fin may be added to the surface of the thin pipe 34 to improve the heat radiation efficiency from the thin pipe 34 to the moisture absorbing / desorbing material 12. The refrigerant switching valves 37a and 37b may be three-way valves or the like. In FIG. 10, part (or all) of the refrigerant at the outlet a of the cooler 5 is guided to the switching valve 37 a by the introduction pipe 36, and the refrigerant is thinly laid inside the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. Piping 3
4 through the switching valve 37b to the main refrigerant pipe 35 by the introduction pipe 36 and returned. For this reason,
Since the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 is cooled, the absorbent / moisture releasing performance is generally improved. On the other hand, the switching valve 37a,
By switching 37b in the opposite direction, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 1
2 inside the thin pipe 34, the condenser 26
Part (or all) of the refrigerant at the outlet b of the above is introduced, and the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 is warmed. Therefore, generally, the performance of absorbing and releasing moisture is deteriorated. Here, the refrigerant introduced into the thin pipe 34 is not limited to the refrigerant at the outlet a of the cooler 5 and the refrigerant at the outlet b of the condenser 26, and can be any refrigerant on the high temperature side and the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle. It may be led from anywhere in the main refrigerant pipe 35. When the method for adjusting the moisture absorption and moisture release performance of the moisture absorbing / desorbing material 12 is used in combination with the humidity control method for the closed casing of FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 8 described above, the closed casing is further improved. It enables finely controlled humidity control. Further, although not shown, a part of each of the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant is introduced from the main refrigerant pipe 35 of the refrigeration cycle to be mixed, and a refrigerant having an arbitrary temperature level is introduced into the inside of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12. It is also possible to flow it into the thin pipe 34 laid, and the temperature of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 can be variously changed to adjust the absorbent / moisture releasing performance. When it is necessary to accurately control the temperature of the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 or the thin pipe 3 is used.
4, a temperature detector may be provided, a flow control valve may be provided in the middle of a pipe (for example, the introduction pipe 36), and the flow control valve may be controlled according to the output of the temperature detector.

Finally, another example of the cooling air flow direction control means that can be used for the closed casing 1 or 18 shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, 8 and 9 will be described. 11 and 12 are examples in which switching means is used as the flow direction control means of the cooling air, and only the blower 4 portion of FIG. 1 is shown. In FIG. 11, the switching means is a blowing means (blower 4)
In the example provided adjacent to the outside of the, the switching means is a direction switching plate 38 that can move in an arc shape around the hinge 39.
a and 38b. The direction switching plate 38a in the figure is a fixed position for obtaining the cooling air flow 9a in a low-humidity environment such as winter, and the cooling air 9a is blown out from the blowout port 41 of the blower 4 in the right lateral direction. On the other hand, the position of the direction switching plate 38b indicated by the broken line is a fixed position for obtaining the flow 9b of the cooling air in a high humidity environment such as the summer or the rainy season, and the cooling air flows upward from the same outlet 41 of the blower 4. 9a is blown out. In this way, the direction switching plates 38a and 38b can be moved according to the environment such as the winter season and the summer season or the rainy season to control the flow directions of the cooling air 9 to be opposite to each other. Further, FIG. 12 shows an example in which the switching means is provided inside the blower means (blower 4). The switching means is a casing type guide plate 40a, 40b which constitutes a part of the casing of the blower 4, and is hinged. It can move in an arc around 39. Further, the blower 4 has two outlets (41a, 4a).
1b) is provided. The illustrated casing-type guide plate 40a
Is a fixed position for obtaining the cooling air flow 9a in a low-humidity environment such as winter, and the cooling air 9a is blown out in the right lateral direction from the one outlet 41a of the blower 4. On the other hand, the position of the casing type guide plate 40b shown by the broken line is a fixed position for obtaining the flow 9b of the cooling air in a high humidity environment such as the summer or the rainy season, and is located upward from another outlet 41b of the blower 4. The cooling air 9a is blown out.

As means for controlling the flow direction of the cooling air, FIG.
21 and the direction switching plate 38 shown in FIG.
a, 38b and the casing type guide plate 4 shown in FIG.
Which of 0a and 40b should be selected may be determined according to the specifications of the device. Further, the shape and installation place of the switching means need not be limited to the examples shown above, and the material of the switching means may be plastic or the like in addition to metal and nonmetal.

The absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 forming a part of the wall of the closed casing described in each of the embodiments of the present invention need not be provided on only one surface of the closed casing. You may straddle the above aspects. Further, the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12
Is not limited to being provided only at one location on the wall of the closed casing, and may be distributed at two or more locations. further,
As the cooling means for the housing 1 and the base shelter 18,
In addition to the refrigeration cycle including the air conditioner (air conditioner) 20 and the heat pipe 32, an electronic cooling method using the Peltier effect may be used. Further, in the refrigeration cycle and the like, a method of controlling the compressor 25 by an inverter and a method of controlling the air volume of the blowing means such as the blower 4 may be used to control the temperature and humidity more finely and to control the cooling performance. . Further, the cooling air flow direction control means of the housing 1 and the base shelter 18 described in each example of the present invention is the forward / reverse switching means of the rotation direction of the blowing means and the blowing direction switching means utilizing the louver 21 and the like. Either may be used, or both may be used together. If the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 of the present invention is used only as a humidifying means in a low humidity environment such as in winter, the cooling air flow direction control means is not necessary, and the cooling air 9 flow direction is not required. Can be one way. Conversely, the same applies when the absorbent / moisture releasing material 12 of the present invention is used only as a dehumidifying means in a high humidity environment such as the summer or the rainy season.

[0032]

According to the method of controlling the humidity in the closed casing of the present invention,
Since it is also equipped with a humidifying means, it is possible to finely control both the temperature and humidity of the cooling air that cools the heating element inside the sealed housing, and to prevent dew condensation at the time of high humidity of electronic parts that may cause damage to electronic devices etc. In addition, static electricity at low humidity can be prevented. Further, since the humidifying means of the present invention is an absorbent / moisture releasing material that forms a part of the housing wall, it does not require auxiliary equipment such as a water supply pipe, a makeup water tank, a humidifier, etc. There is also a major feature that it can suppress the increase in weight and weight.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electronic device housing.

FIG. 2 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a horizontally installed cooler.

FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view of a vertically installed cooler.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a base shelter.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a means for preventing rainwater from entering the armored door.

FIG. 6 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a plate-like rainwater intrusion preventing means.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a stand-alone type electronic device housing.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of an electronic device housing in which a cooling unit can be separated.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of an electronic device housing using a heat pipe.

FIG. 10 is a refrigerant piping system diagram for controlling the temperature of the absorbent / moisture releasing material.

FIG. 11 is a side partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device housing using a cooling air flow direction switching plate.

FIG. 12 is a side partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device housing using a casing-type guide plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Case 2 Printed Circuit Board 3 Electronic Component 4 Blower 5 Cooler 6 Partition Plate 7 Frame 8 Lining Material 9a, 9b Cooling Air 10 Casters 11 Refrigerant Piping 12 Absorption / Moisture Material 13 Sliding Doors, 14a, 14b Moisture Movement Direction 15 Cooling Device mounting plate 16 Drain pan 17 Drain hose 18 Shelter 19 Heating device 20 Air conditioner 21 Louver 22 Armored rainwater intrusion prevention device 23 Plate rainwater intrusion prevention device 24 Cooling unit 25 Compressor 26 Condenser outdoor unit 27 Fan 28 Expansion mechanism 29 Air flow direction 30, 31 Circulation port 32 Heat pipe 33 Heat pipe / cooling unit 34 Thin pipe 35 Main refrigerant pipe 36 Introduction pipe 37a, 37b Switching valve 38a, 38b Direction switching plate 39 Hinge 40a, 40b Casing type guide plate 1 outlet

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshihiro Komatsu 502 Kintatemachi, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Hiritsu Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A wall for forming a hermetically-sealed housing for accommodating a heat-generating component or device (hereinafter referred to as a heating element) and having a cooling means for cooling the heating element by air cooling and a blowing means. By using a moisture absorbing / releasing material that absorbs or releases moisture depending on humidity, the moisture absorbing / releasing material releases moisture absorbed from the high humidity side air to the low humidity side air. A humidity control method in a closed casing, wherein the humidity of cooling air in the closed casing is controlled. 2. At least a part of a wall that houses a heat-generating component or device (hereinafter referred to as a heat-generating body) and that forms a hermetically sealed housing having a cooling means and a blowing means for cooling the heat-generating body by air cooling. By using a moisture absorbing / releasing material that absorbs or releases moisture depending on humidity, the moisture absorbing / releasing material releases moisture absorbed from the high humidity side air to the low humidity side air. The cooling air flow direction control means is provided in the closed housing in which the humidity of the cooling air in the housing is controlled, and the cooling air flow direction control means controls the flow direction of the cooling air by the wall portion made of the absorbing / releasing material. , In a humidity environment lower than the desired humidity, on the upstream side of the cooling means, which is the high temperature / low humidity air side in the cooling air flow direction, while in the humidity environment higher than the desired humidity, the cooling air flow direction Below the cooling means on the low temperature and high humidity air side A method for controlling humidity in a closed casing, which is characterized in that it is controlled so that it is located on the flow side. 3. A hermetically sealed housing that houses a part or device that generates heat (hereinafter referred to as a heating element), and is provided with a cooling means and a blowing means for cooling the heating element by air cooling constitutes the hermetically sealed housing. At least a part of the wall is made of a moisture absorbing / releasing material that releases the moisture absorbed from the high humidity side air to the low humidity side air, and the humidity of the cooling air in the closed casing is the moisture absorbing / releasing temperature. A closed housing characterized by being controlled by a material. 4. At least a part of a wall forming the hermetically sealed housing, which accommodates a heat-generating component or device (hereinafter referred to as a heat-generating body), and is provided with a cooling unit and an air-blowing unit for cooling the heat-generating unit by air cooling. Is composed of a moisture absorbing / releasing material that absorbs or releases moisture depending on the humidity, and the moisture absorbed from the high humidity side air is released to the low humidity side air by the above moisture absorbing / releasing material. Thus, in the closed casing in which the humidity of the cooling air in the casing is controlled, the flow direction of the cooling air is further changed by the wall portion made of the moisture absorbing / releasing material.
In a humidity environment lower than the desired humidity, on the upstream side of the cooling means, which is the high temperature / low humidity air side in the direction of cooling air flow,
On the other hand, in a humidity environment higher than the desired humidity, the cooling air flow direction control means for controlling the cooling air to be positioned downstream of the cooling means, which is the low temperature / high humidity air side of the cooling air flow direction, is included. A sealed enclosure. 5. The closed casing according to claim 3, wherein the cooling air flow direction control means is a forward / reverse switching means for rotating the blower means. 6. The cooling air flow direction control means is a blowing direction switching means provided inside or outside the cooling means or at least one of the blowing means. 4. The closed casing according to 4. 7. The closed casing according to claim 3, which is a base shelter for a mobile phone or a communication device. 8. The closed casing according to claim 3, which is a casing for an electronic computer, a magnetic disk device, or a server machine. 9. A closed casing installed outdoors, the rainwater intrusion prevention for preventing excessive infiltration of rainwater or the like into the inside of the closed casing on the outside of the wall portion made of the absorbent / moisture releasing material. The hermetically sealed housing according to any one of claims 3 to 8, further comprising means. 10. The closed casing according to claim 3, wherein the closed casing is movable. 11. The cooling means according to claim 3, wherein the cooling means is a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion mechanism, and the like. The sealed enclosure described. 12. At least a part of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is introduced into the inside of the absorbent / moisture releasing material by piping.
Characterized by controlling the temperature of the absorbent and moisture releasing material,
The sealed housing according to any one of claims 3 to 11. 13. The sealed casing according to claim 3, wherein the cooling means is a heat pipe.