Abstract:
A cooling assembly is provided which has a heat-transferring member, a heat sink assembly, and a plurality of heat-transferring columns. The heat-transferring member has first and second sides and the first side of the heat-transferring member is configured for attachment to a heat-generating body. The heat sink assembly includes first and second heat sinks provided in a stacked configuration. The first heat sink is between the second side and the second heat sink. Each of the first and second heat sinks has first and second support portions. Each of the first and second support portions has fins extending therefrom. The second heat sink is provided at an offset angle relative to the first heat sink. Each heat-transferring column extends from the second side of the heat-transferring member. Each heat-transferring column is configured to engage the heat sink assembly and to support the heat sink assembly relative to the heat-transferring member.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The Present Disclosure is a continuation of prior-filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/864,409, entitled “Stackable Rotated Heat Sink,” filed on 17 Apr. 2013 which, in turn, claims priority to prior-filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-094163, entitled “Cooling Device,” filed on 17 Apr. 2012 with the Japanese Patent Office. The content of the aforementioned patent applications are incorporated in their entireties herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The Present Disclosure relates, generally, to a cooling device including a heat sink. 
         [0003]    A cooling device has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-134115, which is used to radiate the heat of a heat-generating body in an electronic device. In this cooling device, a plurality of overlapping heat sinks (comb-shaped fins in the &#39;115 application) are arranged, and these are connected by a column-shaped base pin which transfers the heat. 
         [0004]    In the &#39;115 application, a plurality of fins extend radially from a single base pin in each heat sink. Because it is difficult to increase the number of base pins using this structure, it is difficult to improve the heat transfer efficiency from the heat-generating body to the heat sinks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    A purpose of the Present Disclosure is to provide a cooling device able to improve the efficiency with which heat is transferred from a heat-generating body to a heat sink. 
         [0006]    In the cooling device of the Present Disclosure, a heat-transferring member is mounted on one side of a panel-shaped heat-generating body. A heat sink is arranged farther away from the heat-generating body than the heat-transferring member in the thickness direction of the heat-generating body. The heat sink includes a plurality of fins extending in the direction of the heat-generating body and separated from each other by a space, and a support portion extending in the direction of the fins, and connecting to and supporting the fins. A plurality of heat-transferring columns is connected to the heat-transferring member and separated from each other by a space, with the heat-transferring columns each extending in the thickness direction of the heat-generating body and connecting to the support portion. In this way, the efficiency with which heat is transferred from a heat-generating body to a heat sink can be improved. 
         [0007]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, the cooling may further comprise a plurality of heat sinks arranged in the thickness direction of the heat-generating body with each functioning as a heat sink. In this way, the cooling performance of the cooling device can be improved. 
         [0008]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, each of the plurality of heat sinks may have the same shape. In this way, the manufacturing productivity of the cooling device can be improved. 
         [0009]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, each of the plurality of heat sinks may be offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the adjacent heat sinks and centered on the centerline of the heat-generating body in the thickness direction. In this way, the air receiving heat from the heat-generating body in each portion of the heat sinks may be discharged more readily. 
         [0010]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, the support portion for each of the plurality of heat sinks may include a first extended portion extending in the direction of the heat-generating body and a second extended portion extending in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of the first extended portion. Also, each of the plurality of heat sinks may include, as the plurality of fins, a plurality of fins projecting from the first extended portion, and a plurality of fins projecting from the second extended portion. In this way, the cooling performance of the cooling device can be improved. 
         [0011]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, the support portion for each of the plurality of heat sinks may include, as the second extended portion, at least two extended portions arranged symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the first extended portion. In this way, the cooling performance of the cooling device can be improved. 
         [0012]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, the plurality of heat-transferring columns may include at least three heat-transferring columns, the support portion may include at least three connecting portions connected to at least three heat-transferring columns, and at least three connecting portions may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the centerline of the heat-generating body in the thickness direction. In a structure in which a plurality of heat sinks are offset in the circumferential direction, each of the heat-transferring columns can be connected to all of the heat sinks. 
         [0013]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, each of the plurality of heat sinks may include a first half body having a support portion and a plurality of fins, and a second half body having a support portion and a plurality of fins. Here, the first half body and the second half body may be arranged symmetrically with respect to a straight line running along the heat-generating body. This allows the size of each heat sink to be increased. As a result, the cooling performance of the cooling device can be improved. 
         [0014]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, an air passage may be formed between the first half body and the second half body, and the air passage may extend radially from the centerline running through the heat-generating body in the thickness direction and be connected to the outer side of the plurality of heat sinks. In this way, the air can be sent through an air passage between the first half body and the second half body, which further improves cooling performance. 
         [0015]    In one aspect of the Present Disclosure, the plurality of fins in the first half body may extend in the direction of the second half body, the plurality of fins in the second half body may extend in the direction of the first half body, and the air passage may be formed between the plurality of fins of the first half body and the plurality of fins of the second half body. In this way, the air can be sent to the fins through the air passage between the first half body and the second half body, which further improves cooling performance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]    The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the Present Disclosure, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cooling device of the Present Disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cooling device of  FIG. 1 , where a section of the heat sink half body has been removed for ease in viewability; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the lighting device containing the cooling device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the heat sink constituting the cooling device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the cooling device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a heat sink of the Present Disclosure, in which a plurality of heat sinks are arranged in the thickness direction of the circuit board; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the heat sinks shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    While the Present Disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the Figures, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the Present Disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the Present Disclosure, and is not intended to limit the Present Disclosure to that as illustrated. 
         [0025]    As such, references to a feature or aspect are intended to describe a feature or aspect of an example of the Present Disclosure, not to imply that every embodiment thereof must have the described feature or aspect. Furthermore, it should be noted that the description illustrates a number of features. While certain features have been combined together to illustrate potential system designs, those features may also be used in other combinations not expressly disclosed. Thus, the depicted combinations are not intended to be limiting, unless otherwise noted. 
         [0026]    In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, representations of directions such as up, down, left, right, front and rear, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Disclosure, are not absolute, but relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, these representations are to be changed accordingly. 
         [0027]    Referring to the Figures, and, specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the cooling device  1  has a heat-transferring member  20  in the bottom portion. In this example, the heat-transferring member  20  has a plurality of heat-dissipating plates  21 . In this example, four heat-dissipating plates  21  are arranged on the same plane, and together constitute a rectangular heat-transferring member  20 . The heat-dissipating plates of the heat-transferring member  20  do not have to be divided into four heat-dissipating plates  21 . The heat-transferring member  20  may have any number of heat-dissipating plates corresponding to the size of the four heat-dissipating plates  21 . The heat-dissipating plates  21  can be metal plates made of a thermally conductive metal. Coolant passages may also be formed so that coolant may circulate inside these containers. 
         [0028]    The heat-transferring member  20  may be mounted on one side of a panel-shaped heat-generating body such as an integrated circuit, a printed circuit board on which integrated circuits have been mounted, an IC chip, or an active/passive element. In the example explained here and shown in  FIG. 3 , the heat-generating body is a circuit board  90 , and the heat-transferring member  20  is mounted on one side of the circuit board  90 . A plurality of electronic components are mounted on the other side of the circuit board  90 . The cooling device  1  in this example is a device used in a lighting device  100 . Here, a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)  91  are mounted on the circuit board  90 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the LEDs  91  are arranged in a grid-like pattern and are positioned in the central portion of the heat-transferring member  20 . The heat from the LEDs  91  is dissipated by the heat-dissipating plates  21  in the entire heat-transferring member  20 . In the lighting device  100  shown in  FIG. 3 , the light from the LEDs  91  is directed downward. The electronic components are not limited to LEDs. For example, the electronic components can be light-emitting bodies such as incandescent lamps. Here, other components such as integrated circuits may be mounted on the circuit board  90 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cooling device  1  has a heat sink  10 . The heat sink  10  is arranged so as to be farther away from the circuit board  90  than the heat-transferring member  20  in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90  (direction Z 1 -Z 2  in the Figure). In other words, the heat sink  10  is arranged on the other side of the interposed heat-transferring member  20  from the circuit board  90 . In this example, the cooling device  1  has a plurality of heat sinks  10 . These heat sinks  10  are arranged away from the heat-transferring member  20  in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90 . As a result, air can flow towards the heat sinks  10  through the space between the heat sinks  10  and the heat-transferring member  20 . As mentioned above, the cooling device  1  used in the lighting device  100  has the heat-transferring member  20  on the bottom end. As a result, the warm air inside the heat sinks  10  is directed upwards. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cooling device  1  in this example has four heat sinks  10 . The four heat sinks  10  are arranged in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90  (that is, in the thickness direction of the heat-dissipating plates  21 , or direction Z 1 -Z 2 ). The two adjacent heat sinks  10  make contact with each other so that there is no space between the four heat sinks  10 . Space may also be formed between the four heat sinks  10 . Moreover, the number of heat sinks  10  is not limited to four. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , each heat sink  10  has a support portion  12  and a plurality of fins  13 . The fins  13  in this example are wall-like and are erected on a plane parallel to the circuit board  90 . Each fin  13  extends in the direction of the circuit board  90 . In this example, each fin  13  extends linearly in a direction parallel to the circuit board  90 . 
         [0032]    A space is formed between each of the plurality of fins  13 , and the support portion  12  extends in the arrangement direction of the fins  13  and is connected to them. In this way, the plurality of fins  13  are supported by the support portion  12 . Like the fins  13 , the support portion  12  is wall-like and is erected on a plane parallel to the circuit board  90 . In other words, the support portion  12  is wall-like and has vertical lines that are parallel to the circuit board  90 . Each of the fins  13  projects from the side face of the support portion  12 , and is formed orthogonally with respect to the support portion  12 . 
         [0033]    As explained below and as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the support portion  12  in this example has a portion extending in direction X 1 -X 2 , which is orthogonal with respect to the thickness direction of the circuit board  90  (direction Z 1 -Z 2 ), and a portion extending in direction Y 1 -Y 2 , which is orthogonal to direction Z 1 -Z 2  and direction X 1 -X 2 . For example, the support portion  12  of the uppermost heat sink  10  has a first extended portion  12   a  extending in direction X 1 -X 2 , and second extended portions  12   b ,  12   c  extending in direction Y 1 -Y 2 . A plurality of fins  13  is formed in each of the extended portions  12   a - 12   c . Therefore, each heat sink  10  includes fins  13  extending in direction X 1 -X 2  and fins  13  extending in direction Y 1 -Y 2 . The fins  13  are formed so that the entire heat sink  10  has a circular shape. The shape of the heat sinks  10  is not limited to a circular shape. They may also be rectangular. The four heat sinks  10  have the same shape. As explained below, two adjacent heat sinks  10  are arranged at a 90° angle with respect to each other in the circumferential direction with reference to the centerline C 1 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cooling device  1  has heat-transferring columns for transferring heat. The cooling device  1  has a plurality of heat-transferring columns, and these are arranged apart from each other. The heat-transferring columns in the example explained here are heat pipes  31 . The heat-transferring columns do not have to be heat pipes. The heat-transferring columns can be any column-shaped member made of a thermally conductive material such as copper or aluminum. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , each heat pipe  31  is connected to the heat-transferring member  20 . In this example, the heat-transferring member  20  has a plurality of sockets  22  each of which is attached to a heat-dissipating plate  21 . The heat pipes  31  are connected thermally to the heat-dissipating plates  21  via these sockets  22 . More specifically, each socket  22  is a hole formed at a position corresponding to a heat pipe  31 . The end portion of each heat pipe  31  is inserted into a hole. The end portion of the heat pipe  31  is mounted in the socket  22  using solder or an adhesive, or is forcibly inserted. The sockets  22  are attached to heat-dissipating plates  21  using, for example, screws. The sockets  22  may also be attached to heat-dissipating plates  21  using solder or an adhesive. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sockets  22  in this example are frame-shaped with a hole  22   a  formed on the inside. Also, each socket  22  has protruding portions  22   b  positioned away from each other, and a hole is formed in each protruding portion  22   b  for the insertion of a heat pipe  31 . In other words, there is a recessed portion between two protruding portions  22   b  for the mounting of two heat pipes  31 . In this way, air can flow to the heat sinks  10  via the recess between the two protruding portions  22   b . In this example, the sockets  22  are rectangular, and sized in accordance with the heat-dissipating plates  21 . Protruding portions  22   b  are formed on the four sides of the sockets  22 . The sockets  22  may also be integrally molded with the heat-dissipating plates  21 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , each heat pipe  31  extends in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90  and is connected to the support portion  12  for four heat sinks  10 . In other words, each heat pipe  31  is connected to the support portion  12  for four heat sinks  10 . In this way, heat from the LEDs  91  is transmitted to the support portion  12  via the heat-dissipating plates  21 , the sockets  22 , and the heat pipes  31 . In other words, the heat from the LEDs  91  is distributed to four heat sinks  10 . The heat is then transferred to the fins  13  via the support portion  12 . 
         [0038]    In this example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a connecting hole H is formed in the support portion  12  through each heat sink  10  in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90 , and a heat pipe  31  is passed through each connecting hole H. In  FIG. 4 , numbers 1-4 are appended to H denoting connecting holes. Here H 1  through H 4  are used to indicate specific connecting holes. In other situations, the connecting holes are denoted simply by the letter H. The heat pipes  31  are fixed to the support portion  12  using solder, an adhesive, or forcible insertion. The heat pipes  31  are tube-shaped members that are closed at both ends to seal a coolant inside. In this example, the heat pipes  31  are linear. These are easier to manufacture and cost less than bent heat pipes. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , each heat sink  10  includes two separate heat sink half bodies  11 . These heat sink half bodies  11  are referred to below as heat sink half bodies. Each heat sink half body  11  has the support bodies  12  and fins  13  described above. Two heat sink half bodies  11  constituting a single heat sink  10  are arranged on the same plane. In other words, the two heat sink half bodies  11  are positioned at the same distance from the heat-transferring member  20 . An air passage S is formed between the two heat sink half bodies  11  which extends in the direction of the plane on which the half portions are arranged (in the direction of the circuit board  90 ) and is linked to the outside of the heat sinks  10 . In other words, a space is formed between the two heat sink half bodies  11 , and this space functions as the air passage S. In this way, air F can be sent into heat sink  10  via the air passage S. 
         [0040]    In this example, the heat sinks  10  are divided into two heat sink half bodies  11 . In other words, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the two heat sink half bodies  11  are not linked. As a result, both ends of the two air passages S are open to the outside of the heat sink  10 . In this way, air can be efficiently sent to the various portions of the heat sink  10 . Also, the air passages S travel along the centerline C 1  of the heat sink  10  extending in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90 . As a result, air can be sent to the portions of the heat sink  10  near the centerline C 1 . 
         [0041]    In this example, the eight heat sink half bodies  11  constituting the four heat sinks  10  have the same shape. This improves the manufacturing productivity of the heat sinks  10 . Because the two heat sink half bodies  11  constituting a single heat sink  10  are divided, the heat sink  10  is easy to manufacture even when the heat sink is large. The two heat sink half bodies  11  constituting a single heat sink  10  are arranged symmetrically along the centerline C 1  and a line orthogonal to the centerline C 1 . Each heat sink half body  11  is an integrally molded member. The heat sink half bodies  11  can be extrusion molded or cast in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90 . 
         [0042]    The four heat sinks  10  are offset in the circumferential direction with respect to adjacent heat sinks  10  and are centered on the centerline C 1 . In this example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , two adjacent heat sinks  10  are arranged at 90° angles to each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the centerline C 1 . As a result, the air flowing upward from the heat-transferring member  20  is easily distributed to each portion of the fins  13 , and the cooling performance can be improved. In this example, an air passage S is formed between the two heat sink half bodies  11  constituting a single heat sink  10 . Because the two adjacent heat sinks  10  are offset in the circumferential direction, the air passages S do not overlap in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90 . As a result, the air flowing into an air passage S is also supplied to the fins  13  of the adjacent heat sink  10 , and the fins  13  can be cooled more efficiently. The offset angle of the heat sinks  10  is not limited to 90°. For example, the offset angle can be 45° or 120° as described below. The angle can be altered based on the structure of the heat sink half bodies  11 . 
         [0043]    As mentioned above, a plurality of connecting holes H are formed in the heat sinks  10  for insertion of heat pipes  31 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the positions of the connection holes H are laid out so as to be rotationally symmetrical to the centerline C 1 . In other words, the connecting holes H are positioned along a circle centered on the centerline C 1  at the offset angle of the two adjacent heat sinks  10  (90° in this example). In this way, the four heat sinks  10  can have the same shape, and each heat pipe  31  can be connected to the four heat sinks  10 . In this example and as shown in  FIG. 4 , the four connecting holes H 1  are arranged on circle Cr 1  at 90° intervals. Another four connecting holes H 2  are arranged on circle Cr 1  at 90° intervals. Connecting holes H 3  and H 4  are arranged on circle Cr 2  which has a larger diameter than circle Cr 1  which includes connecting holes H 1  and H 2 . Four connecting holes H 3  are arranged at 90° intervals, and four connecting holes H 4  are arranged at 90° intervals. The support portion  12  is formed so as to pass through the positions of connecting holes H 1 -H 4  (the positions of the heat pipes  31 ). The heat sink half bodies  11  can be arranged at the desired angle, which is a multiple of 90°, in accordance with the layout of the connecting holes H 1 -H 4 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the support portion  12  includes a first extended portion  12   a . As mentioned above, in this example, two adjacent heat sinks  10  are arranged at a 90° angle with respect to each other in the circumferential direction from the centerline C 1 . As a result, the first extended portion  12   a  in one heat sink  10  of the two heat sinks  10  extends in the X 1 -X 2  direction, and the first extended portion  12   a  of the other heat sink  10  extends in the Y 1 -Y 2  direction (see  FIG. 2 ). The first extended portion  12   a  is a slender wall-shaped member erected on a plane parallel to the circuit board  90 , and a line orthogonal to the extended portion is parallel to the circuit board  90 . 
         [0045]    As explained above, a single heat sink  10  has two heat sink half bodies  11 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first extended portions  12   a  face each other with the centerline C 1  interposed between them. A plurality of fins  13  arranged in the extension direction of the first extended portion  12   a  are formed on both side surfaces of the first extended portion  12   a . The plurality of fins  13  extend from the first extended portion  12   a  towards the heat sink half body  11  on the opposite side (the fins denoted by  13 - 1  in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). The air passage S described above is formed between the fins  13 - 1  on one heat sink half body  11  and the fins  13 - 1  on the other heat sink half body  11 . In this structure, the fins  13 - 1  can be cooled efficiently by air flowing through the air passage S. 
         [0046]    Also, the support portion  12  has extended portions intersecting the first extended portion  12   a , and fins  13  are formed on these two extended portions. In this example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the support portion  12  has a second extended portion  12   b  intersecting the first extended portion  12   a , and a third extended portion  12   c  intersecting the first extended portion  12   a . In this example, the second extended portion  12   b  and the third extended portion  12   c  are orthogonal to the first extended portion  12   a.    
         [0047]    As mentioned above, two adjacent heat sinks  10  are arranged at a 90° angle with respect to each other. Therefore, the second extended portion  12   b  and the third extended portion  12   c  on one heat sink  10  of the two adjacent heat sinks  10  extend in direction X 1 -X 2 , and the second extended portion  12   b  and the third extended portion  12   c  on the other heat sink  10  extend in direction Y 1 -Y 2  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the second extended portion  12   b  extends in the opposite direction from the first extended portion  12   a . In other words, the second extended portion  12   b  includes a portion extending towards the air passage S, and a portion extending in the opposite direction. Similarly, the third extended portion  12   c  extends in the opposite direction from the first extended portion  12   a . In other words, the third extended portion  12   c  includes a portion extending towards the air passage S, and a portion extending in the opposite direction. 
         [0049]    The support portion  12  in this example has two second extended portions  12   b  and two third extended portions  12   c . The two second extended portions  12   b  are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the first extended portion  12   a . Similarly, the two third extended portions  12   c  are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the first extended portion  12   a . The two third extended portions  12   c  are formed at the two ends of the first extended portion  12   a.    
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the second extended portions  12   b  and the third extended portions  12   c , like the first extended portion  12   a , are slender wall-like members which are erected on a plane parallel to the circuit board  90 . A plurality of fins  13  extend from the side surface of a second extended portion  12   b  and are arranged in the direction of extension. The fins  13  on the second extended portion  12   b  extend opposite the fins  13  on the first extended portion  12   a . In a third extended portion  12   c , a plurality of fins  13  extend from the side surface of the third extended portion  12   c  and are arranged in the direction of extension. The fins  13  on the third extended portion  12   c  extend opposite the fins  13  on the second extended portion  12   b.    
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second extended portions  12   b  on the two heat sink half bodies  11  are not linked to each other. Instead, an air passage S is formed between them. The third extended portions  12   c  on the two heat sink half bodies  11  are also not connected to each other. Here, too, an air passage S is formed between them. In this way, air can smoothly pass between the fins  13 - 1  formed on the first extended portion  12   a  and the fins  13  formed on the second extended portion  12   b.    
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , two connecting holes H are formed some distance from each other in the first extended portion  12   a . Two connecting holes H are also formed in the second extended portion  12   b , and these are arranged opposite those in the first extended portion  12   a  with the first extended portion  12   a  interposed in between. In addition, connecting holes H are formed in the third extended portion  12   c . In this way, connecting holes H are distributed throughout the support portion  12 . In this way, the cooling function of the heat sink  10  does not depend as much on the heat pipes  31 . 
         [0053]    As mentioned above, the heat-transferring member  20  includes four heat-dissipating plates  21 . In this example, the four heat-dissipating plates  21  are arranged in two rows and two columns (see  FIG. 5 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of heat pipes  31  (eight in this example) connected to two adjacent heat-dissipating plates  21  are fixed to a single heat sink half body  11 . In other words, eight heat pipes  31  pass through eight connecting holes H in each heat sink half body  11 . In this way, two adjacent heat-dissipating plates  21  can be connected via a heat sink half body  11 . Also, as mentioned above, two adjacent heat sinks  10  are arranged at a 90° angle with respect to each other in the circumferential direction with reference to the centerline C 1 . As a result, four heat-dissipating plates  21  are connected via a heat sink  10 . 
         [0054]    The cooling device  1  can be assembled in the following manner. First, the end portions of heat pipes  31  are fixed to four heat-transferring members  20 . In other words, the end portions of the heat pipes  31  are inserted into holes formed in the sockets  22  of the heat-transferring members  20 . The ends of the heat pipes  31  are fixed to the sockets  22  using soldering, an adhesive, or forced insertion. Four heat-transferring members  20  are arranged in two rows and two columns. Afterwards, the plurality of heat pipes  31  are inserted into the plurality of connecting holes H in the first heat sink  10 . The heat sink  10  is then soldered or bonded to the heat pipes  31 . Next, the second heat sink  10  is rotated 90° with respect to the first heat sink  10 , and inserted into the plurality of heat pipes  31 . The second heat sink  10  is then fixed to the heat pipes  31 . The third heat sink  10  and the fourth heat sink  10  are inserted into the heat pipes  31  in the same manner. 
         [0055]    As explained above, the cooling device  1  has a heat-transferring member  20  mounted on one side of a circuit board  90 , a panel-shaped heat-generating body, and has a heat sink  10  arranged closer to the heat-transferring member  20  than the circuit board  90  in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90 . The heat sink  10  has a plurality of fins  13  extending in the direction of the circuit board  90  with space formed between them. Also, the heat sink  10  includes a support portion  12  which extends in the arrangement direction of the fins  13 , and which connects to and supports the plurality of fins  13 . The cooling device  1  has a plurality of heat pipes  31  arranged at some distance from each other and connected to a heat-transferring member  20 . Each heat pipe  13  extends in the thickness direction of the circuit board  90  and is connected to the support portion  12 . In this way, heat can be transferred efficiently to the heat sink  10 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 6-7  illustrate a modified example of heat sinks. The three heat sinks  110  shown in  FIG. 6  are arranged opposite the circuit board with the heat-transferring member  20  interposed between them. These are arranged in the thickness direction of the circuit board (direction Z in  FIG. 6 ). As shown in  FIG. 7 , each heat sink  110  has a plurality of fins  113  extending in the direction of the circuit board with space formed between them. Also, each heat sink  110  has a support portion  112  extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of fins  113  and connected to them. Each heat sink  10  is composed of two half bodies (referred to as heat sink half portions A below), and each of the heat sink half portions A includes a support portion  112  and a plurality of fins  113 . Two support portions  112  extend from their shared end portion and an acute angle (specifically, a 60° angle) is formed between them. The heat sink half portions A include a plurality of fins  113  extending towards the inside of the two support portions  112 , and a plurality of fins  113  extending towards the outside of the two support portions  112 . The fins  113  give the heat sink  110  a circular-shape overall. The two heat sink half portions A are connected by the shared end portion of the support portions  112 . 
         [0057]    A plurality of connecting holes H are formed in the two support portions  112  (three in this example). As in the cooling device  1 , a heat-transferring column (for example, a heat pipe) is passed through each connecting hole H. In this way, the support portions  112  of the three heat sinks  110  are connected by a plurality of heat-transferring columns. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , an air passage S is formed between two heat sink half portions A which extends in the thickness direction of the circuit board and is linked to the outside of the heat sink  110 . In this way, air can be sent to both heat sink half portions A via the air passage S. In this example, an air passage S is formed between fins  113  extending inward from one support portion  112  and fins  113  extending inward from another support portion  112 . In this way, air can be sent to the fins  113 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , three heat sinks  110  are arranged so that two adjacent heat sinks  110  are offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the centerline C 2 . In this example, the two adjacent heat sinks  110  are offset 120° in the circumferential direction with respect to the centerline C 2 . As a result, the air passages S of two adjacent heat sinks  110  do not overlap in the thickness direction of the circuit board. 
         [0060]    As mentioned above, a plurality of connecting holes H are formed in the support portion  112  for the insertion of heat pipes. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the positions of the connecting holes H are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the centerline C 2 . In other words, the connecting holes H are arranged on a circle centered on centerline C 2  at the offset angle of two adjacent heat sinks  110  (120° in this example). Here, the three heat sinks  110  have the same shape, and each heat pipe is connected to the three heat sinks  110 . In this example, connecting holes H are formed in the shared end of two support portions  112 . Connecting holes H are also formed at the same positions on the opposite side of the support portions  112 . In this way, three connecting holes H are positioned at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. This concludes the explanation of the heat sinks  110 . 
         [0061]    In the cooling device  1 , the heat sink half bodies  11  of the heat sinks  10  all have the same shape. However, the heat sink half bodes  11  do not have to have the same shape. For example, the two heat sink half bodies constituting a single heat sink  10  can have different shapes. 
         [0062]    While a preferred embodiment of the Present Disclosure is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing Description and the appended Claims.