Cooling system, module, and device

A cooling system including a cooling unit that cools a heat-generating component; a supply connection tube that is connected to the cooling unit and that supplies a cooling medium to the cooling unit; and a discharge connection tube that is connected to the cooling unit and that discharges the cooling medium from the cooling unit, wherein the supply connection tube and the discharge connection tube have different lengths.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/027740 filed Jul. 24, 2018, claiming priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-203473 filed Oct. 20, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cooling system, a module, and a device.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses a rack for enclosure liquid-cooled electronic units. The rack comprises fluid connectors for supplying and discharging coolant with respect to the electronic units. The electronic units comprise unit-side fluid connectors that are connected to the fluid connectors in the rack. The unit-side fluid connectors are configured so that supply-side connectors and discharge-side connectors are inserted and withdrawn together with respect to the fluid connectors in the rack.

CITATION LIST

Related Literature

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No 2013-38448

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a configuration in which the supply-side connectors and the discharge-side connectors are separately inserted and withdrawn. Therefore, it does not disclose, in a configuration in which the supply-side connectors and the discharge-side connectors can be separately inserted and withdrawn, a configuration for preventing erroneous connections of the supply-side connectors and the discharge-side connectors.

Therefore, the present invention provides a cooling system, a module, and a device that prevent erroneous connections of supply connection tubes and discharge connection tubes in a structure in which the supply connection tubes and the discharge connection tubes can be independently inserted and withdrawn.

Means for Solving the Problem

The cooling system according to the present invention includes a cooling unit that cools a heat-generating component; a supply connection tube that is connected to the cooling unit and that supplies a cooling medium to the cooling unit; and a discharge connection tube that is connected to the cooling unit and that discharges the cooling medium from the cooling unit, wherein the supply connection tube and the discharge connection tube have different lengths.

The module according to the present invention includes a substrate on which a heat-generating component is provided; a cooling unit that cools the heat-generating component; a supply connection tube that is connected to the cooling unit and that supplies a cooling medium to the cooling unit; and a discharge connection tube that is connected to the cooling unit and that discharges the cooling medium from the cooling unit, wherein the supply connection tube and the discharge connection tube have different lengths.

The device according to the present invention includes the module as described above; a supply tube to which the supply connection tube is connected; and a discharge tube to which the discharge connection tube is connected; wherein the supply tube and the discharge tube are provided at positions such that a distance between the cooling unit and the supply tube and a distance between the cooling unit and the discharge tube are different.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The cooling system, module, and device of the present invention prevent erroneous connections of supply connection tubes and discharge connection tubes in a structure in which the supply connection tubes and the discharge connection tubes can be independently inserted and withdrawn.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Multiple embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. However, regarding the present embodiments, the portions that are identical to the aforementioned conventional example will be referred to by using the same names, and their explanations will be omitted.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating the minimum structure of a cooling system according to a first embodiment.

As illustrated in this drawing, it is sufficient for the cooling system5to comprise at least a cooling unit1, a supply connection tube2and a discharge connection tube3.

The cooling unit1cools a heat-generating component4.

The supply connection tube2is connected to the cooling unit1. The supply connection tube2supplies a cooling medium to the cooling unit1.

The discharge connection tube3is connected to the cooling unit1. The discharge connection tube3discharges the cooling medium from the cooling unit1.

The supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3have mutually different lengths.

In this cooling system5, the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3have different lengths, so it is possible to easily and reliably distinguish between the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3visually. Thus, it is possible to suppress situations in which the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3are misrecognized and confused with each other. Therefore, in a structure in which the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3can be independently inserted and withdrawn, it is possible to prevent erroneous connections of the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating the minimum structure of a module according to a second embodiment.

As illustrated in this drawing, it is sufficient for the module6to comprise at least a substrate7, a cooling unit1, a supply connection tube2and a discharge connection tube3.

A heat-generating component4is mounted on the substrate7. The cooling unit1cools the heat-generating component4.

The supply connection tube2is connected to the cooling unit1. The supply connection tube2supplies a cooling medium to the cooling unit1.

The discharge connection tube3is connected to the cooling unit1. The discharge connection tube3discharges the cooling medium from the cooling unit1.

The supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3have mutually different lengths.

In this module6, the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3have different lengths, so the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3can be easily and reliably distinguished visually. Thus, it is possible to suppress situations in which the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3are misrecognized and confused with each other. Therefore, in a structure in which the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3can be independently inserted and withdrawn, it is possible to prevent erroneous connections of the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3.

Regarding the above-described first and second embodiments,FIG. 1andFIG. 2illustrate the supply connection tube2as being longer than the discharge connection tube3, but there is no such limitation. The discharge connection tube3may be made longer than the supply connection tube2.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating the minimum structure of a device according to a third embodiment.

As illustrated in this drawing, it is sufficient for the device10to comprise at least a module6, a supply tube8and a discharge tube9.

The module6is similar to that indicated in the above-described second embodiment. In other words, the module6comprises at least a substrate7, a cooling unit1, a supply connection tube2and a discharge connection tube3.

A heat-generating component4is mounted on the substrate7. The cooling unit1cools the heat-generating component4.

The supply connection tube2is connected to the cooling unit1. The supply connection tube2supplies a cooling medium to the cooling unit1. The discharge connection tube3is connected to the cooling unit1. The discharge connection tube3discharges the cooling medium from the cooling unit1. The supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3have mutually different lengths.

The supply connection tube2is connected to the supply tube8. The discharge connection tube3is connected to the discharge tube9. The supply tube8and the discharge tube9are provided at different positions, so that a distance L1between the cooling unit1and the supply tube8, and a distance L2between the cooling unit1and the discharge tube9are different.

In this device10, in addition to the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3having different lengths, the distance L1between the cooling unit1and the supply tube8is also different from the distance L2between the cooling unit1and the discharge tube9. Thus, in addition to being able to easily and reliably distinguish between the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3visually, it is possible to easily and reliable distinguish between the supply tube8and the discharge tube9, to which one of the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3is to be connected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress situations in which the supply tube8and the discharge tube9, to which one of the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3is to be connected, are misrecognized and confused with each other. As a result thereof, in a structure in which the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3can be independently inserted and withdrawn, it is possible to prevent erroneous connections of the supply connection tube2and the discharge connection tube3.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 4is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a server device according to a fourth embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the server device (device)100in the fourth embodiment comprises a rack110and servers20housed inside the rack110. The server device100houses a plurality of servers20arranged in the vertical direction inside the rack110.

Each server20has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped enclosure21. The enclosures21are supported so as to be able to move in the front-rear direction Df inside the rack110by means of slide rails (not illustrated).

Inside the rack110, a supply tube101and a discharge tube102are provided to the rear, in the front-rear direction Df, with respect to the enclosures21of the servers20. The supply tube101and the discharge tube102both extend in the vertical direction Dv. The supply tube101supplies, for example, cooling water, as a cooling medium, to the server device100. The discharge tube102discharges the cooling water from the server device100.

A water supply tube103is connected to the supply tube101, the water supply tube103supplying cooling water from the facility in which the server device100is installed. The water supply tube103rises upward from a floor surface F and a tip portion103athereof is connected to a middle portion, in the vertical direction Dv, of the supply tube101. On the water supply tube103, a flow rate sensor105is provided between the floor surface F and the tip portion103a. The flow rate sensor105monitors the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the server device100.

Thus, by connecting the tip portion103aof the water supply tube103to the middle portion, in the vertical direction Dv, of the supply tube101, the flow rate sensor105can be provided between the floor surface F and the tip portion103aof the water supply tube103. Therefore, there is no need to form a hole or the like in the floor surface F in order to install the flow rate sensor105, and the flow rate sensor105can be easily provided while making effective use of the space inside the rack110.

FIG. 5is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a server according to the fourth embodiment.FIG. 6is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a module provided inside the server according to the fourth embodiment.FIG. 7is a horizontal section view illustrating the structure of the server device according to the fourth embodiment.FIG. 8is a side section view illustrating the structure of the server device according to the fourth embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the server20comprises a plurality of electronic components, such as modules30, inside the enclosure21.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, a module30comprises a substrate32, a cooling unit33, a supply connection tube36and a discharge connection tube37.

The substrate32is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The substrate32is arranged so that, in a state in which the module30is housed within the enclosure21, a long edge S11is aligned with the front-rear direction Df and a short edge S12is aligned with the vertical direction Dv. The substrate32is connected, so as to be able to be inserted and withdrawn, to a base substrate (not illustrated) that is arranged along the bottom surface of the enclosure21.

The substrate32has a heat-generating component34such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The heat-generating component34is mounted on one surface32fof the substrate32.

A cooling unit33is provided on the substrate32. The cooling unit33is provided so as to be stacked on the heat-generating component34. The cooling unit33cools the heat-generating component34. The cooling unit33has a prescribed thickness in the direction orthogonal to the one surface32fof the substrate32. The cooling unit33has a recess33son the side facing the heat-generating component34. The recess33sfaces at least a portion of the surface of the heat-generating component34.

As illustrated inFIG. 5toFIG. 8, each supply connection tube36has one end36aconnected to a cooling unit33. The supply connection tube36extends to the outside of the substrate32. The supply connection tube36extends from the substrate32, through the rear surface21blocated at the rear, in the front-rear direction Df, of the enclosure21, and rearward from the enclosure21. The supply connection tube36has a connection elbow36con the other end36bthat extends rearward from the enclosure21. The connection elbow36cis detachably connected to a connection joint101cformed on the supply tube101.

Cooling water is fed to the supply connection tube36through the water supply tube103and the supply tube101. The supply connection tube36supplies cooling water that has been fed from the supply tube101to the recess33sin the cooling unit33.

The discharge connection tube37has one end37aconnected to the cooling unit33. The discharge connection tube37extends to the outside of the substrate32. The discharge connection tube37extends from the substrate32, through the rear surface21blocated at the rear, in the front-rear direction Df, of the enclosure21, and rearward from the enclosure21. The discharge connection tube37has a connection elbow37con the other end37bthat extends rearward from the enclosure21. The connection elbow37cis detachably connected to a connection joint102cprovided on the discharge tube102.

The discharge connection tube37discharges cooling water from the recess33sin the cooling unit33. The cooling water that is discharged through the discharge connection tube37is discharged to the outside through the discharge tube102.

The discharge connection tube37is connected to the discharge tube (not illustrated) that discharges cooling water to the outside.

A cooling system31of the module30is formed by the cooling unit33, the supply connection tube36and the discharge connection tube37mentioned above.

In this cooling system31, the supply connection tube36and the discharge connection tube37have mutually different lengths. In the present embodiment, the supply connection tube36is longer, by a predetermined standard length, than the discharge connection tube37is.

As illustrated inFIG. 5andFIG. 7, a plurality of modules30as mentioned above are housed inside the enclosure21of each server20. Inside the enclosure21, the plurality of modules30are arranged so as to be spaced in the width direction Dw, which is orthogonal to the front-rear direction Df and the vertical direction Dv.

Thus, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37of a plurality of modules30extend rearward from the rear surface21bof the enclosure21of each server20. The respective supply connection tubes36that extend from the plurality of modules30are connected to the supply tube101, which is located to the rear inside the rack110. Additionally, the discharge connection tubes37are connected to the discharge tube102, which is located to the rear inside the rack110.

In each server20, the lengths of the supply connection tubes36are the same for the plurality of modules30. Additionally, the lengths of the discharge connection tubes37are the same for the plurality of modules30.

The supply tube101and the discharge tube102are provided at a central portion, in the width direction Dw, of the enclosure21. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are arranged so as to be side-by-side in the front-rear direction Df. In the present embodiment, the supply tube101is provided to the rear, in the front-rear direction Df, relative to the discharge tube102. Thus, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are respectively provided at positions such that the distance L11between the cooling units33and the supply tube101, and the distance L12between the cooling units33and the discharge tube102are different. In other words, the distance L11between the cooling units33and the supply tube101is greater than the distance L12between the cooling units33and the discharge tube102.

Thus, the supply connection tubes36, which are longer than the discharge connection tubes37, are connected to the supply tube101, which is at a greater distance L11from (farther from) the cooling units33. Additionally, the discharge connection tubes37, which are shorter than the supply connection tubes36, are connected to the discharge tube102, which is at a smaller distance L12from (closer to) the cooling units33.

In this case, it is preferable for the discharge connection tubes37, which are shorter than the supply connection tubes36, to be set to have a length not reaching the supply tube101, which is at the greater distance L11from the cooling units33. For example, the lengths of the discharge connection tubes37are lengths such that the discharge tube102can be reached but the supply tube101cannot be reached.

In each server20, the plurality of supply connection tubes36connected to the plurality of cooling units33on the plurality of modules30have connection positions, on the supply tube101, that are different from each other. The supply connection tubes36connected respectively to the plurality of cooling units33have connection positions, on the supply tube101, that are different from each other. Additionally, in each server20, the plurality of discharge connection tubes37connected to the plurality of cooling units33on the plurality of modules30have connection positions, on the discharge tube102, that are different from each other. The discharge connection tubes37connected respectively to the plurality of cooling units33have connection positions, on the discharge tube102, that are different from each other.

Specifically, the plurality of supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37on the servers20respectively have connection positions, on the supply tube101and the discharge tube102, that are provided at a plurality of different locations at positions that are different from each other in the circumferential direction. For example, the connection positions, in the circumferential direction, of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37on the supply tube101and the discharge tube102, respectively, are provided at a plurality of locations that are different from each other. In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 7, the plurality of supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37, when viewing their respective connection positions on the supply tube101and the discharge tube102in the vertical direction Dv, are provided at two locations at positions that are different from each other in the circumferential direction. In other words, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102have connection joints101c,102cthat protrude diagonally towards one side Dw1in the width direction Dw relative to the front-rear direction Df, and connection joints101c,102cthat protrude diagonally towards the other side Dw2in the width direction Dw relative to the front-rear direction Df. The number of locations of the connection positions at different positions in the circumferential direction is not limited to being two locations. The number of locations may be any number as long as there are a plurality.

Among the plurality of supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37in each server20, the connection tube groups36L,37L comprising the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37that extend rearward from the one side Dw1in the width direction Dw are respectively connected to the connection joints101c,102cthat protrude diagonally towards the one side Dw1in the width direction Dw. The connection tube groups36R,37R comprising the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37that extend rearward from the other side Dw2in the width direction Dw are respectively connected to the connection joints101c,102cthat protrude diagonally towards the other side Dw2in the width direction Dw.

Thus, the connection tube groups36L,37L extending rearward from the one side Dw1in the width direction Dw and the connection tube groups36R,37R extending rearward from the other side Dw2in the width direction Dw, when viewed from the vertical direction Dv, are divided in two in the circumferential direction. In other words, the plurality of supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37are divided into the connection tube groups36L,37L and the connection tube groups36R,37R having different connection positions in the circumferential direction.

In this way, in accordance with the positions of the respective modules30in the width direction Dw, the other ends36b,37bof the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37on the sides towards the supply tube101and the discharge tube102can be directed towards the sides on which the modules30, to which the one ends of the36a,37aof those supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37are to be connected, are positioned. Thus, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be routed so as not to apply so much force that the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are excessively bent. In other words, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be arranged without excessively bending the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the plurality of supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37in each server20have connection positions, respectively, on the supply tube101and the discharge tube102, that are different from each other in the vertical direction Dv. On the supply tube101and the discharge tube102, the connection joints101c,102cto which the plurality of supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37of each server20are respectively connected are provided so as to be spaced in the vertical direction Dv.

In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 7, when viewed from the vertical direction Dv, the distances from the cooling units33to the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are different from each other between the plurality of modules30at different positions in the width direction Dw inside the server20.

Therefore, the connection joints101c,102care arranged so that the height differences in the vertical direction Dv relative to the one ends36a,37aof the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are small for the connection joints101c,102cconnected to the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37extending from the modules30in which the distances from the cooling units33to the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are large. The connection joints101c,102care arranged so that the height differences in the vertical direction Dv relative to the one ends36a,37aof the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are large for the connection joints101c,102cconnected to the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37extending from the modules30in which the distances from the cooling units33to the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are small.

In the case of the present embodiment, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are provided in the central portion in the width direction Dw. For this reason, the distances to the modules30positioned on the outer sides in the width direction Dw are longer and the distances to the modules30positioned on the inner sides in the width direction Dw are shorter.

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 8, the height differences in the vertical direction Dv with respect to the one ends36a,37aof the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are made smaller for the connection joints101c,102cto which the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37of the modules30positioned on the outer sides in the width direction Dw are connected. For example, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37of the modules30that are positioned further on the outer sides are connected to connection joints101c,102cat the same heights as the one ends36a,37a.

The height differences in the vertical direction Dv with respect to the one ends36a,37aof the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are made larger for the connection joints101c,102cto which the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37of the modules30positioned towards the center in the width direction Dw are connected. For example, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37of the modules30that are positioned further on the inner sides are connected to connection joints101c,102cat higher or lower heights.

Thus, among the supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes extending from the plurality of modules30in each server20, the distances from the one ends36a,37aon the sides towards the modules30to the other ends36b,37bon the sides towards the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are made as uniform as possible. In other words, the lengths of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can easily be made uniform between the plurality of modules30having different positions in the width direction Dw.

In this cooling system31, modules30and server device100, the lengths of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are different. Thus, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be easily and reliably distinguished visually. Therefore, it is possible to suppress situations in which the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are misrecognized and the supply tube101and the discharge tube102, to which they are to be connected, are confused with each other. As a result thereof, in a structure in which the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be independently inserted and withdrawn, erroneous connections of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be prevented.

In this server device100, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are respectively arranged so that the distance L11between the cooling units33and the supply tube101and the distance L12between the cooling units33and the discharge tube102are different. Thus, it is possible to easily and reliably distinguish visually between supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37, as well as to easily and reliably distinguish visually between the supply tube101and the discharge tube102to which the supply connection tubes36or the discharge connection tubes37are to be connected. Thus, it is possible to suppress situations in which the supply tube101and the discharge tube102, to which the supply connection tubes36or the discharge connection tubes37are to be connected, are misrecognized and confused with each other. Therefore, in a structure in which the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be independently inserted and withdrawn, erroneous connections of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be prevented.

In this server device100, the supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37extending respectively from the plurality of modules30provided in the enclosure21are respectively connected to the supply tube101and the discharge tube102. Thus, cooling water that is supplied from the supply tube101can be supplied so as to be distributed, through the supply connection tubes36, to the cooling unit33in each module30. Additionally, the cooling water discharged from each cooling unit33can be collected, through the discharge connection tubes37, in the discharge tube102and discharged.

In this server device, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are provided in a central portion in the width direction Dw of the enclosure21. Thus, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37extending from the modules30that are arranged so that a plurality are arrayed in the width direction Dw can be collected and connected to the supply tube101and the discharge tube102positioned at the central portion in the width direction Dw. Thus, there is less need to make the lengths of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37different between the plurality of modules30in comparison to the case in which the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are arranged towards either end in the width direction Dw inside the rack110. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to make the lengths of the supply connection tubes36and the lengths of the discharge connection tubes37the same between the plurality of modules30in each server20. As a result thereof, it is possible to standardize the components of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37respectively, thereby suppressing component costs.

In this server device100, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are arranged so as to be side-by-side in the front-rear direction Df. Thus, the distance L11between the cooling units33and the supply tube101, and the distance L12between the cooling units33and the discharge tube102can be made more reliably different. Therefore, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102, to which the supply connection tubes36or the discharge connection tubes37are to be connected, can be easily and reliably distinguished. Thus, it is possible to suppress situations in which the supply tube101and the discharge tube102, to which the supply connection tubes36or the discharge connection tubes37are to be connected, are misrecognized and confused with each other. As a result thereof, in a structure in which the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be independently inserted and withdrawn, erroneous connections of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be prevented.

In this server device100, the connection positions of the plurality of supply connection tubes36on the supply tube101are different from each other between the plurality of modules30. Additionally, the connection positions of the plurality of discharge connection tubes37on the supply tube102are different from each other between the plurality of modules30. The connection positions, respectively, of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37on the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are made easier to distinguish.

In this server device100, the connection positions, respectively, of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37on the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are different from each other in the vertical direction Dv between the plurality of modules30. Thus, on the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37extending from the plurality of modules in each server20, the distance from the one ends36a,37atowards the modules30to the other ends36b,37btowards the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are made as uniform as possible. Therefore, the lengths of the supply connection tubes36and the lengths of the discharge connection tubes37can be made respectively the same between the plurality of modules30in each server20. As a result thereof, it becomes possible to standardize the components of the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37respectively, thereby suppressing component costs.

In this server device100, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are arranged so that the respective connection positions thereof on the supply tube101and the discharge tube102are at two locations at positions that are different from each other in the circumferential direction.

Thus, in accordance with the positions of the modules30in the width direction Dw, the other ends36b,37bof the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37on the sides towards the supply tube101and the discharge tube102can be directed towards the sides on which the modules30, to which the one ends of the36a,37aof those supply connection tubes36and discharge connection tubes37are to be connected, are positioned. Thus, the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37can be routed so as not to apply so much force that the supply connection tubes36and the discharge connection tubes37are excessively bent.

Additionally, the connection tube groups36L,37L on one side Dw1in the width direction Dw are divided from the connection tube groups36R,37R on the other side Dw2. Thus, a worker's hand can easily reach between the connection tube groups36L,37L and the connection tube groups36R,37R. Thus, on the rear surface21bof the enclosure21, it becomes possible to easily perform attachment and detachment work, other maintenance work or the like, on wiring and the like positioned in the central portion in the width direction Dw.

Additionally, in the above-described embodiments, the modules30were provided inside the servers20, but the number installed and the purposes for which they are used are not limited in any way. Additionally, it is possible to house various electronic components other than modules30inside the server20.

Additionally, in the above-described embodiments, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102were provided at the central portion in the width direction Dw, but they may be installed at other positions. Furthermore, the supply tube101and the discharge tube102were provided side-by-side in the front-rear direction Df, but there is no limitation thereto, and other arrangements are possible.

Furthermore, the flow rate sensor105is not limited to being on the water supply tube103and may be provided on the supply tube101or the discharge tube102. However, a plurality of connection joints101c,102care provided on each of the supply tube101and the discharge tube102. For this reason, there are cases in which the installation position of the flow rate sensor105is limited. Additionally, on the side with the discharge tube102, there are cases in which, for example, bubbles are intermixed with the cooling water due to the attachment or detachment of a module30or the like, so it is preferable to provide the flow rate sensor105on the water supply tube103or the supply tube101, which are on the upstream side.

Aside therefrom, it is possible to select whether or not to adopt features described in the above-mentioned embodiments, or to appropriately replace some of the features with other features, as long as the invention does not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The cooling system, module, and device of the present invention make it possible to prevent erroneous connections of supply connection tubes and discharge connection tubes in a structure in which the supply connection tubes and the discharge connection tubes can be independently inserted and withdrawn.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST