ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND HEAT RECEIVING DEVICE

An electronic equipment includes: a heat generating component; and          a heat receiving device, wherein the heat receiving device includes: a case including a contacting surface which contacts the heat generating component; a flow passage, formed within the case, configured to flow a coolant flows, and an inflow port and an outflow port of the flow passage formed in an outer surface of the case, and a distance from a spot having higher heat generation density than the other portions on a surface of the heat generating component which contacts the contacting surface to the inflow port is shorter than a distance from the spot to the outflow port.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The heat generating component has a temperature distribution. Therefore, the coolant receives heat from a spot where the heat generation density is not relatively high before the coolant reaches another spot where the heat generation density is high. Accordingly, when the coolant reaches the spot where the heat generation density is high, the temperature of the coolant may already have been increased. In this case, the spot where the heat generation density is high may not be efficiently cooled.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of an electronic equipment. An electronic equipment1may be, for example, a supercomputer, a server, a network apparatus, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or a tablet computer. Moreover, the electronic equipment1may be, for example, a monitor, a monitor equipped with a computer, a television, or an audio system. The electronic equipment1may include a cooling device C for cooling the heat generating component or a case9for accommodating the cooling device C.

The cooling device C includes a heat receiving device2, a pump3, a heat exchanger4, a heat generating component6, and a printed circuit board PR. The coolant circulates within the cooling device C. The heat receiving device2is arranged to contact with the heat generating component6, and receives heat from the heat generating component6to transfer the heat to the coolant. The pump3circulates the coolant so that the coolant flows through the heat receiving device2and the heat exchanger4in this order. The heat exchanger4dissipates heat of the coolant to outside. The heat exchanger4may be any one of an air cooing type or a liquid cooing type heat exchanger. When the heat exchanger4is the air cooing type heat exchanger, a fan may be provided for cooling the heat exchanger4. The respective devices are coupled with each other by a metal piping or a flexible hose. The propylene glycol based antifreeze fluid may be used as the coolant.

The heat generating component6may be an electronic component such as, for example, a LSI (Large-Scale Integration) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The heat generating component6may be a device in which a plurality of electronic components are equipped in a single package, or may be a single body semiconductor chip. The heat generating component6may also be an electronic component which generates heat with supplying of electrical power. The heat generating component6may be mounted on the printed circuit board PR.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of a heat receiving device. The heat receiving device2includes a case20, an inflow pipe2I and an outflow pipe2O that are joined to the case20. The case20may be made of aluminium or copper, and includes a top surface21, a bottom surface22, side surfaces23,24,25and26. The top surface21and the bottom surface22are facing with each other, the side surface23and the side surface24are facing with each other, and the side surface25and the side surface26are facing with each other. The top surface21and the bottom surface22have the largest area. The bottom surface22is in contact with the top surface of the heat generating component6. The bottom surface22may be an example of a contacting surface. The heat receiving device2may be a six-sided figure (e.g., a hexahedron) and also be, for example, a four-sided figure (e.g., a tetrahedron), a five-sided figure (e.g., a pentahedron), a seven-sided figure (e.g., a heptahedron) and a eight-sided figure (e.g., an octahedron).

A high-heat generation spot H having relatively higher heat generation density than other spots is indicated on the top surface of the heat generating component6. The Hp which is the center of the high-heat generation spot H may be a spot having the highest heat generation density on the top surface of the heat generating component6. InFIG. 2, the center Hp of the high-heat generation spot H approximately coincides with the center of the bottom surface22, but is not limited thereto. InFIG. 2, the high-heat generation spot H is substantially circular, but is not limited to the circular shape. A shape, position or size of the high-heat generation spot may be different according to the type of the heat generating component. Plural high-heat generation spots may exist on the top surface of the heat generating component. For example, when the heat generating component6is a device in which a plurality of electronic components are equipped in a single package, a plurality of high-heat generation spots may be generated on the top surface of the heat generating component.

The inflow pipe2I is joined to substantially the center of the top surface21. The outflow pipe2O is joined to the side surface26near to the bottom surface22. The locations of the inflow pipe2I and the outflow pipe2O are set considering the intervention with, for example, hoses coupled to the pipes and other equipments arranged in the vicinity of the heat receiving device2. The locations described herein may also be similarly adapted for the configurations in theFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B. The flow passage R through which the coolant flows is formed within the case20. The flow passage R is communicated with the inflow pipe2I and the outflow pipe2O. The inflow pipe21and the outflow pipe2O are coupled with the hoses, respectively, and as a result, the coolant is flown in or flown out through other apparatuses. The coolant flows in the inflow pipe2I, the flow passage R, and the outflow pipe2O in this order.

The flow passage R includes an upstream part27and a downstream part28communicated with the upstream part27and positioned more at a downstream side than the upstream part27. The upstream part27is shorter than the downstream part28. The inflow port27icommunicated with the upstream part27is formed on the top surface21. The outflow port28ocommunicated with the downstream part28is formed on the side surface26. The inflow pipe2I and the outflow pipe2O are coupled to the inflow port27iand the outflow port28o, respectively. The upstream part27extends substantially perpendicular to the top surface21and the bottom surface22from the top surface21toward the bottom surface22. The downstream part28extends substantially in a straight line toward the side surface26along the bottom surface22. The downstream part28is formed nearer to the bottom surface22than the top surface21.

The upstream part27is spaced apart from the bottom surface22and the downstream part28is formed in the vicinity of the bottom surface22. A distance spanning from the inflow port27ito the center Hp of the high-heat generation spot H having the highest heat generation density is shorter than a distance spanning from the outflow port28oto the center Hp of the high-heat generation spot H. For example, the inflow port27iis formed in the vicinity of the center Hp of the high-heat generation spot H. Therefore, the coolant introduced from the case20may be guided to the center Hp by travelling a short distance and for a short time. A heat amount received from the heat generating component6until the coolant reaches the center Hp may be reduced as compared to a case where the coolant is introduced into the case20and travels a long distance to reach the center Hp. Therefore, the coolant is guided to the high-heat generation spot H before a temperature of the coolant increases to make it possible to cool the spot H preferentially than the other spots. A cooling efficiency of a spot having the higher heat generation density may be improved.

The downstream part28passes through the high-heat generation spot H, and is arranged in the vicinity of the bottom surface22and is longer than the upstream part27. Accordingly, the coolant passing through the downstream part28may receive a large amount of heat from the heat generating component6. Therefore, the heat generating component6may be efficiently cooled.

The outflow port28omay be formed in any surface of the top surface21and the side surfaces23-26and the outflow pipe2O may also be coupled in any surface of the top surface21and the side surfaces23-26.

FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Billustrates an example of heat receiving device. InFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, the same or similar reference numerals are given to substantially the same or similar reference elements as those illustrated inFIG. 2and description thereof may be omitted or reduced.FIG. 3Aillustrates the heat receiving device2awhen viewed from the top surface21. The downstream part28aof the flow passage Ra formed within the case20ais formed in a spiral shape around a normal line perpendicular to the bottom surface22. The downstream part28ais formed in a convexed shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface22. The high-heat generation spot H may be circular. The downstream part28ais formed in the spiral shape to pass through the high-heat generation spot H of the heat generating component described above and thus, the high-heat generation spot H of the heat generating component may be preferentially and efficiently cooled.

In the heat receiving device2billustrated inFIG. 3B, the downstream part28bof the flow passage Rb formed within the case20bis formed in a spiral shape similar to the downstream part28a, but is formed with a plurality of straight line portions. For example, the downstream part28bis formed in such a manner that the straight line portions are perpendicular to each other to continuously form a spiral shape in its entirety. The high-heat generation spot Hb may be an elliptical shape. A distance spanning from the inflow port27ito the center Hp having the highest heat generation density of the high-heat generation spot Hb is shorter than a distance spanning from the outflow port28oto center Hbp. The downstream part28bis formed in the spiral shape to pass through the high-heat generation spot H of the heat generating component and thus, the high-heat generation spot H of the heat generating component may be preferentially and efficiently cooled.

FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Billustrate an example of a heat receiving device. InFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B, the same or similar reference numerals are given to substantially the same or similar reference elements as those illustrated inFIG. 2and description thereof may be omitted or reduced. Two flow passages Rc that do not converge with each other are formed within the case20cin the heat receiving device2cillustrated inFIG. 4A. Two high-heat generation spots He are formed on the heat generating component and, the centers Hcp of the high-heat generation spot He having the highest heat generation density are offset from the center of the bottom surface22. Two flow passages Rc are arranged such that the centers Hcp of the two high-heat generation spots He on the heat generating component are corresponded to the inflow ports27i. For example, the distance spanning from the center Hcp of the high-heat generation spot He to the inflow port27iof one flow passage Rc is shorter than the distance spanning from the center Hcp to the outflow port28oof the other flow passage. Each of two downstream parts28cpasses through two high-heat generation spots Hc, respectively. Therefore, two high-heat generation spots He of the heat generating component may be preferentially and efficiently cooled. The distance spanning from the center of the bottom surface22to the inflow port27iof one flow passage Rc is also shorter than the distance spanning from the center of the bottom surface22to the outflow port270of one flow passage Rc.

Three flow passages Rd that do not converge with each other are formed within the case20din the heat receiving device2dillustrated inFIG. 4B. The high-heat generation spot Hd is formed to be widened as if it is stretched in one direction with respect to the surface of the heat generating component. The center Hdp of the high-heat generation spot Hd having the highest heat generation density is offset from the center of the bottom surface22. As described above, the inflow ports27iof the plurality of the flow passages Rd are also arranged in one direction in parallel to be corresponded with the high-heat generation spot Hd extended in a direction. The plurality of the downstream parts28dpass through the high-heat generation spot Hd. Therefore, the high-heat generation spot Hd may be preferentially and efficiently cooled. The distance spanning from the center Hdp to the inflow port27iof the flow passage Rd arranged on the center is also shorter than the distance spanning from the center Hdp to the outflow port270of one flow passage Rd arranged on the center.

FIG. 5AandFIG. 5Billustrates an exemplary heat receiving device. InFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, the same or similar reference numerals are given to substantially the same or similar reference elements as those illustrated inFIG. 2and description thereof may be omitted or reduced. In the heat receiving device2eillustrated inFIG. 5A, the inflow pipe27Ie is coupled to the side surface25of the case20eand the inflow port27ieis also formed on the side surface25. The inflow port27ieis formed at a position spaced apart from the bottom surface22while the outflow port28ois formed at a position located in the vicinity of the bottom surface22. The upstream part27eof the flow passage Re extends obliquely downward to the bottom surface22side towards the center of the bottom surface22or the center Hp of the high-heat generation spot H. The downstream part28epasses through the center Hp of the high-heat generation spot H.

As described above, the upstream part27eis formed at a position spaced apart from the bottom surface22and the downstream part28eextends along the bottom surface22. Therefore, the coolant flowing within the upstream part27ebecomes difficult to receive heat from the heat generating component, and the coolant which is cold may be guided toward the high-heat generation spot H.

In the heat receiving device2fillustrated inFIG. 5B, most portions of the downstream part28fof the flow passage Rf of the case20fextend along the bottom surface22, but extends obliquely upward to be spaced apart from the bottom surface22at a portion right ahead of the outflow port28of. For example, the outflow port28ofis formed at a position spaced apart from the bottom surface22in order to reduce the intervention caused by the hoses coupled to the outflow pipe2O or the outflow pipe2O, with respect to, for example, other equipments arranged in the vicinity of the heat receiving device2f. Therefore, the outflow pipe2O or the outflow port28ofmay not be formed in the vicinity of the bottom surface22.

FIG. 6AandFIG. 6Billustrate an example of a heat receiving device. InFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B, the same or similar reference numerals are given to substantially the same or similar reference elements as those illustrated inFIG. 2and description thereof may be omitted or reduced. In the heat receiving device2gillustrated inFIG. 6A, the downstream part28gof the flow passage Rg of the case20ghas a serpentine shape along the bottom surface22and passes through the high-heat generation spot Hg. Therefore, the high-heat generation spot Hg may be efficiently cooled while a length of the downstream part28gis ensured around the high-heat generation spot H. As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the upstream part27eextends obliquely downward toward the bottom surface22while maintaining a gap from the bottom surface22and thus, the high-heat generation spot H may be preferentially cooled. The downstream part28gmay pass through the center Hgp of the high-heat generation spot Hg or the vicinity of the center Hgp.

In the heat receiving device2hillustrated inFIG. 6B, the two flow passages Rh are formed in the case20h, and two downstream parts28hare arranged at positions to pass through the two high-heat generation spots Hh of the heat generating component, respectively. Therefore, two high-heat generation spots Hh may be efficiently cooled. The upstream part27eextends obliquely downward toward the bottom surface22while maintaining a gap from the bottom surface22and thus, the high-heat generation spot Hh may be preferentially cooled.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the downstream part may have a serpentine shape along the bottom surface22also in the heat receiving device in which the inflow port27iis formed on the top surface21. As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the downstream part may also have a spiral shape illustrated inFIG. 3AorFIG. 3Bin the heat receiving device in which the inflow port27ieis formed on the side surface. In this case, the upstream part may extend to the vicinity of the center of the bottom surface22in a direction parallel with the bottom surface22while maintaining a certain gap from the bottom surface22and extend to the bottom surface22side in the vicinity of the center, such that the downstream part may have a spiral shape.

For example, a single heat generating component may be cooled down by the plurality of the heat receiving devices. In this case, at least one of the plurality of the heat receiving devices may be the heat receiving device described above.