Patent Abstract:
An information processing blade computer includes a board having a blade structure such that the board is stored in a main body of an information processing apparatus; a part contained in a circuit which is mounted on the board to execute an process, wherein heat is generated during an operation of the part; and a holding mechanism provided to detachably hold a heat exchange section on the part for heat exchange with the part.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an information processing blade and an information processing apparatus using the same, and in particular, relates to an information processing blade in which temperature control of parts is easy. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In an information processing apparatus, a water-cooling system is known as a method of cooling a semiconductor chip such as a CPU for information processing. The water-cooling system is achieved by fixing a water-cooling head inside the information processing apparatus with such a fixture as a screw, for the semiconductor chip fixed in advance in the information processing apparatus. 
   On the other hand, in the information processing apparatus, a computer of a blade structure is known in which components necessary for a computer are mounted on a single printed circuit board. The computer blade has an information processing function, and is provided with chips such as a microprocessor (CPU) and a memory and a hard disk unit. The blade computer is mainly inserted into one of slots for blades provided for a main body of the information processing apparatus. At this time, the main body of the information processing apparatus carries out power supply to the blade, operation control of the blade computer, and so on. A blade personal computer and a blade server are known as the information processing apparatus using blade computers. 
   The blade computers are inserted in and pulled out from the slots for blade computers according to need. Therefore, a water-cooling head of a cooling unit provided to the main body of the information processing apparatus cannot be fixed on a chip when the chip on the blade computer should be water-cooled. Thus, only air-cooling by a fan fixed on the blade computer is possible. The blade computer is restricted in its height and size. That is to say, cooling capacity is limited. Therefore, in case of the air-cooling by the fan, there is a possibility that kinds of chips provided for a blade computer are limited, and it is possibly difficult to configure a server having a larger number of blade computers. 
   In conjunction with the above description, Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication (JP-P2004-326343A) discloses a liquid-cooling device. The liquid-cooling device has a heating unit, a heat receiving unit, a heat radiation section, a circulation section, and an airflow generating section. The heating unit is housed in a main body. The heat receiving unit receives heat generated in the heating unit. The heat radiation section radiates the heat transferred from the heat receiving unit based on circulation of a heat transfer medium. The circulation section circulates the heat transfer medium by connecting the heat receiving unit and the heat radiation section. The airflow generating section generates an airflow that passes through a plurality of cooled sections including the heat radiation section. 
   Also, Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication (JP-A-Heisei 8-139481) discloses a cooling device for electronic devices. The cooling device for electronic devices is provided with a planar heat pipe, a cooling plate, and a tapered member. The planar heat pipe is mounted to a plurality of printed circuit boards arranged approximately in parallel and adjacently to cover each printed circuit board. The cooling plate is provided close to a heat radiation section of each heat pipe. The tapered member is provided movably between the cooling plates and is formed to have a less diameter gradually toward a moving direction. The tapered member is used to press and closely attach the radiation section of the heat pipe to the cooling plate, by moving the tapered member into the moving direction. 
   Also, Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication (JP-A-Heisei 11-121959) discloses a cooling device. This cooling device for cooling electronic parts has a housing unit, a heat conduction plate, a heat conduction mat, and a mat holding member. The housing unit houses an electronic part to be detachable from a front side. The heat conduction plate is fixed to a back board substrate or sidewall of the housing unit. At the same time, the heat conduction plate in which a heat pipe is buried is provided apart from the electronic part and opposes to the electronic part. The heat conduction mat is arranged on the surface of the heat conduction plate on the side of the electronic part being arranged. The mat holding member increases the thickness of the heat conduction mat to the direction of the electronic part being arranged, by pressing an end of the heat conduction mat. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing blade computer and an information processing apparatus which can carry out temperature control of parts in a blade computer without being affected by replacement of the blade computer. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing blade computer and an information processing apparatus which can use a water cooling method for cooling of a semiconductor chip in a blade computer without any influence of replacement of blade computers, in an information processing apparatus with a blade structure. 
   In an aspect of the present invention, an information processing blade computer includes a board having a blade structure such that the board is stored in a main body of an information processing apparatus; a part contained in a circuit which is mounted on the board to execute an process, wherein heat is generated during an operation of the part; and a holding mechanism provided to detachably hold a heat exchange section on the part for heat exchange with the part. 
   Here, the part may be a semiconductor chip for the process. 
   Also, the holding mechanism may include a holding section operated to separate the heat exchange section from the part and contact the heat exchange section with the part; and a hold control section configured to control the holding section. 
   In this case, the holding section may include a pushing section configured to push the heat exchange section on the part, and the hold control section controls the pushing section to push the forcing section on the part. 
   Also, the information processing blade computer may further include a control unit which permits supply of power to the circuit when the heat exchange section is held on the part. 
   Also, the information processing blade computer may further include a control unit permits supply of power to the circuit when the heat exchange section is held on the part. 
   Also, in another aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus includes an information processing blade computer; a main body configured to store the information processing blade computer; a heat exchange section through which a heat medium flows; a first pipe supported by the main body, and connected to the heat exchange section to supply the heat medium to the heat exchange section; and a second pipe supported by the main body, and connected to the heat exchange section to receive the heat medium from the heat exchange section. The information processing blade computer includes a board having a blade structure; a part contained in a circuit which is mounted on the board to execute an process, wherein heat is generated during an operation of the part; and a holding mechanism provided to detachably hold the heat exchange section on the part for heat exchange with the part. The first and second pipes are supported by the main body such that the heat exchange section comes to the part. 
   Also, the information processing apparatus may further include a radiating section connected with the first and second pipes and configured to irradiate heat of the heat medium and to supply to the heat exchange section the heat medium from which the heat is irradiated. 
   Also, the part is a semiconductor chip for the process. 
   Also, the holding mechanism includes a holding section operated to separate the heat exchange section from the part and contact the heat exchange section with the part; and a hold control section configured to control the holding section. 
   In this case, the holding section comprises a pushing section configured to push the heat exchange section on the part, and the hold control section controls the pushing section to push the forcing section on the part. 
   Also, the information processing apparatus may further include a guide section configured to guide the heat exchange section onto the part. 
   Also, the information processing apparatus may further include a control unit which permits supply of power to the circuit when the heat exchange section is held on the part. 
   Also, in another aspect of the present invention, a method of cooling a part of a circuit in an information processing blade computer, is achieved by supporting a heat exchange section by first and second pipes, wherein heat medium flows through the heat exchange section, the heat medium is supplied to the heat exchange section through the first pipe, and the heat medium is supplied from the heat exchange section through the second pipe; by storing the information processing blade computer in a main body; by guiding the heat exchange section on the part while the information processing blade computer is stored in the main body; and by holding the heat exchange section on the part for heat exchange with the part. 
   Also, the method may be achieved by further radiating heat of the heat medium; and supplying to the heat exchange section the heat medium from which the heat is irradiated. 
   Also, the method may be achieved by further permitting supply of power to the circuit when the heat exchange section is held on the part. 
   Also, the method may be achieved by further stopping the supply of power to the circuit when the heat exchange section is separated from the part. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a structure of an embodiment of an information processing blade computer and an information processing apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the structure of the embodiment of the information processing blade computer and the information processing apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial side view showing details of a water-cooling head fixing mechanism in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a structure of an information processing blade computer in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  of the perspective view showing the structure of the embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view showing the structure of the embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 7A to 7D  are side views showing a method to insert the information processing blade computer into an information processing apparatus main body of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing an operation of the water-cooling head fixing mechanism. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Hereinafter, an information processing blade computer of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a structure of an information processing blade computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the structure of the information processing blade computer according to the embodiment of the present invention. An information processing blade computer  12  is provided with a blade  1  and a main body  11 . 
   The information processing blade  1  has a blade structure in which components necessary for a computer are mounted on a printed circuit board  1   b . The information processing blade  1  is provided with an information processing function, and has a front panel  1   a , a CPU  2 , a water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4 , a guide  5 , and a connector  6  in addition to the printed circuit board  1   b . The printed circuit board  1   b  is provided with a circuit (not shown) to realize the information processing function of the information processing blade  1 . The circuit has components necessary for a computer that includes the CPU  2  and the connector  6 . The printed circuit board  1   b  is also provided with the front panel  1   a , the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4 , and the guide  5 . The front panel  1   a  is connected approximately vertically to one side of the printed circuit board  1   b . The front panel  1   a  is the front when the information processing blade  1  is inserted into a slot for the blade computer  12  in the information processing apparatus main body  11 . The front panel  1   a  has an indicator lamp, a button, and a switch (they are not shown) relevant to the information processing function of the information processing blade  1 . The CPU  2  is a semiconductor chip for information processing in the information processing blade  1 . 
   The CPU  2  is a semiconductor chip for information processing in the information processing blade  1 . The CPU  2  is included in the circuit provided on the printed circuit board  1   b . The CPU  2  generates heat through performing the information processing function. Therefore, the CPU  2  is cooled by a water-cooling head  3  to be mentioned later. The water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  can hold the water-cooling head  3  on the CPU  2  that is cooled by the water-cooling head  3 . When holding the water-cooling head  3  on the CPU  2 , the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  supplies power to the information processing blade  1  or the CPU  2 . When the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  does not hold the water-cooling head  3  on the CPU  2 , the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  stops the supply of power. The water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  is provided with an operation switch  41 , a control section  42 , a fixing terminal driving section  44 , and fixing terminals  45 . 
   The fixing terminals  45  push the CPU  2  against the printed circuit board  1   b  at all times. At the same time, the fixing terminals  45  take either a first state or a second state. The fixing terminals  45  push the water-cooling head  3  to be closely fixed to the CPU  2  in the first state, and the fixing terminals  45  are detached from the water-cooling head  3  such that the water-cooling head  3  is movable in the second state. The fixing terminal driving section  44  drives the fixing terminals  45  to take either the first state or the second state. The control section  42  controls the fixing terminal driving section  44  such that the fixing terminals  45  takes either the first state or the second state, based on an operation of the operation switch  41 . At the same time, the control section  42  supplies power to the information processing blade  1  or the CPU  2  in the first state. In the second state, the control section  42  stops the supply of power to the information processing blade  1  or the CPU  2 . Thus, the operation switch  41  outputs either the first state or the second state, as a selected state of the fixing terminals  45 , based on an operation by a user. Four fixing terminals  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c , and  45   d  are provided, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The guide  5  is fixed on the connector  6 , and extends from the connector  6  to the vicinity of the CPU  2 . The guide  5  guides the water-cooling head  3  such that the head  3  slides and reaches the CPU  2 . It is possible to easily move the water-cooling head  3  onto the CPU  2  without being interfered by other members or components on the printed circuit board  1   b , by sliding the water-cooling head  3  through a region between the guide  5 . The guide  5  may be better understood when described as an upper guide  5   b  and a lower guide  5   a , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , lateral guides are not shown in the region between the upper guide  5   b  and the lower guide  5   a . However, the lateral guides may be provided. In that case, the water-cooling head  3  can be guided onto the CPU  2  more accurately. The connector  6  is used for connection between the circuit on the printed circuit board  1   b  and an external circuit. The connector  6  is connected with a connector  7  that is mentioned later. 
   The main body  11  has at least one slot (not shown) for housing the information processing blade  1 . The main body  11  is provided with the water-cooling head  3 , a water passage  10  ( 10   a  and  10   b ), a back panel  8 , and a water-cooling system  9 . Water as a heat medium flows through the water-cooling head  3 . The water-cooling head  3 , when closely fixed to the CPU  2  by the fixing terminals  45 , takes out heat from the CPU  2  by using the flowing water to decrease the temperature of the CPU  2 . The water-cooling head  3  has the same structure as a cooling head in which heat exchange is easy in a well-known cooling system. 
   The water passage  10  includes water passages  10   a  and  10   b . The water passage  10   a  is held by the information processing apparatus main body  11  (not shown), and one end of the water passage  10   a  is connected to the water-cooling head  3  and the other end thereof is connected to the water-cooling system  9 . The water passage  10   a  receives cooled water from the water-cooling system  9 , and supplies the received water to the water-cooling head  3 . The water passage  10   b  is held by the information processing apparatus main body  11  (not shown), and one end of the water passage  10   b  is connected to the water-cooling head  3  and the other end thereof is connected to the water-cooling system  9 . The water passage  10   b  receives warmed water from the water-cooling head  3 , and sends the received water to the water-cooling system  9 . The water passage  10  has given stiffness since the water passage  10  is provided with a function to support the water-cooling head  3 . On the other hand, the water passage  10  also has flexibility for some degree of deformation such that the water-cooling head  3  can be closely attached to an upper surface of the CPU  2  by being pushed by the fixing terminals  45  even when a lower surface of the water-cooling head  3  is not parallel to the upper surface of the CPU  2 . The water passage  10  is formed from a copper pipe and a resin pipe. The water-cooling system  9  receives water warmed from the water-cooling head  3  through the water passage  10   b , cools the received water, and sends the cooled water back to the water-cooling head  3  through the water passage  10   a . The water-cooling system  9  is a well-known cooling system having a pump for circulating cooling water, a radiator for cooling the cooling water, a tank for storing the cooling water, and so on. The water-cooling system  9 , the water passage  10  connected thereto, and the water-cooling head  3 , are independent, and are completely separated off from the information processing blade computer  1 . Consequently, it is possible to fix the water-cooling head  3  after the information processing blade  1  is mounted to the information processing blade computer  12 , and detach the water-cooling head  3  from the CPU  2  before the information processing blade  1  is taken out from the information processing blade computer  12 . Therefore, there is no need to provide a cooling device to the information processing blade  1 . 
   The back panel  8  is provided with a circuit having a function to perform power supply to the information processing blade  1  of the information processing blade computer  12  through the connector  7 , a function to control an operation of the information processing blade  1 , and so on. 
     FIG. 3  is a partial side view showing details of the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . The fixing terminals  45  push the CPU  2  against the printed circuit board  1   b , and push or release the water-cooling head  3 . The fixing terminals  45  have upper holding members  46 , supporting members  47 , and lower holding members  48  and  49 . 
   The supporting members  47  are connected to the fixing terminal driving section  44  with connection sections  40  through the printed circuit board  1   b . The supporting members  47  are provided to multiple positions around the periphery of the CPU  2  to be cooled, approximately vertically to the printed circuit board  1   b . Here, supporting members  47  are provided in correspondence to the four fixing terminals  45 , represented as fixing terminals  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c , and  45   d  in  FIG. 2 . The supporting members  47  hold the lower holding members  49  fixedly, and the lower holding member  48  and the upper holding member  46  movably. The lower holding members  48  extend from the supporting members  47  approximately vertically toward the upper surface of the CPU  2 , and further extend in parallel to the upper surface of the CPU  2 . The lower holding members  48  have elasticity, and float the water-cooling head  3  such that the water-cooling head  3  does not rub the CPU  2  when the information processing blade  1  is taken out. At this time, the lower holding members  48  may be connected to a driving mechanism (not shown) of the fixing terminal driving section  44 . In that case, the lower holding members  48  take either a first state or a second state by the driving mechanism. The lower holding member  48  moves downward to be closely attached to the CPU  2  in the first state, and the lower holding member  48 , when the information processing blade  1  is taken out, moves upward to float the water-cooling head  3  in the second state. The lower holding members  48  is made of metal used for spring. Here, lower holding members  48  are provided in correspondence to the four supporting members  47  which correspond to the four fixing terminals  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c , and  45   d  shown in  FIG. 2 . Movements of the four lower holding members  48  are linked. 
   The lower holding members  49  extend toward the direction of the guide  5  from the supporting member  47 . When the water-cooling head  3  moves from the guide  5  toward the upper surface of the CPU  2 , or when the water-cooling head  3  moves from the upper surface of the CPU  2  toward the guide  5 , the lower holding member  49  supports the lower surface of the water-cooling head  3  between the guide  5  and the CPU  2 . The lower holding member  49  is made of metal used for a spring. Here, the lower holding members  48  are provided in correspondence to the supporting members  47  on the side of the guide  5 . The upper holding members  46  pass through the supporting members  47  and extend upward from the upper portion of the supporting members  47 . The upper holding members  46  then extend toward the upper surface of the CPU  2  and extend in parallel to the upper surface of the CPU  2 . The upper holding members  46  are connected to the driving mechanism (not shown) of the fixing terminal driving section  44  with the connection section  40 . By the driving mechanism, the upper holding members  46  take either a first state or a second state. The upper holding members  46  move downward to push and closely fix the water-cooling head  3  in the first state, and the upper holding members  46  move upward and separate from the water-cooling head  3  to be movable in the second state. The upper holding members  46  are made of metal used for the spring. Here, upper holding members  46  are provided in correspondence to the supporting members  47  on the side of the guide  5 . Movements of the four upper holding members  46  are linked. 
   The fixing terminal driving section  44  is combined to a back side of the printed circuit board  1   b , and is also combined to the fixing terminals  45  (e.g.  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c , and  45   d  as shown in  FIG. 2 ) with the connection sections  40  through the printed circuit board  1   b . The fixing terminal driving section  44  has a driving mechanism (not shown). Based on the control of the control section  42 , the driving mechanism drives the upper holding members  46  and the lower holding members  48  of the fixing terminals  45  ( 45   a  to  45   d ) to link the movements of the upper holding members  46  and the lower holding members  48 , such that the upper holding member  46  and the lower holding members  48  take either the first state or the second state. The driving mechanism is exemplified by a mechanical mechanism that makes the upper holding members  46  and the lower holding members  48  move in correspondence to each other, to raise and lower the upper holding members  46  and the lower holding members  48  based on a control signal from the control section  42  (mentioned later), for example. 
   The control section  42  is combined onto the printed circuit board  1   b , and is also combined to the fixing terminal driving section  44  with a connection section  40   e  through the printed circuit board  1   b  by a combining member  43 . An electric interconnection between the control section  42  and the fixing terminal driving section  44  is provided in the combining member  43 . Based on an operation of the operation switch  41 , the control section  42  controls the driving mechanism of the fixing terminal driving section  44  through the interconnection by using a control signal, such that the fixing terminals  45  take either the first state or the second state. The control section  42  has a key mechanism and a slide mechanism, for example, selects the first state and the second state when being turned to a LOCK side and a FREE side, respectively. 
   The operation switch  41  takes either an A state where the first state is selected, or a B state where the second state is selected, based on a user&#39;s operation. In the A state, an operation to fix the fixing terminal  45  is selected. In the B state, an operation to detach the fixing terminal  45  is selected. 
     FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the information processing blade  1  in  FIG. 1 . The control section  42  outputs a signal  63  to the fixing terminal driving section  44 , and the signal  63  indicates either the A state or the B state based on the state of the operation switch  41 . When the signal  63  indicates the A state, the fixing terminal driving section  44  lowers the fixing terminals  45 . When the signal  63  indicates the B state, the fixing terminal driving section  44  raises the fixing terminals  45 . Also, the control section  42  outputs a signal  61  to a power supply switch  71 , and the signal  61  indicates either the A state or the B state based on the state of the operation switch  41 . When the signal  61  indicates the A state, the power supply switch  71  is ON, power  62  is supplied from a power supply to the water-cooling system  9 , and the water-cooling system  9  starts to operate. When the signal  61  indicates the B state, the power supply switch  71  is OFF, the power  62  from the power supply is suspended, and the operation of the water-cooling system  9  is stopped. 
   Additionally, when an OS operates and a circuit  52  operates, power is supplied to the circuit  52  including the CPU  2  on the printed circuit board  1   b . In this case, an operation signal  65  is outputted from the circuit  52  to an operation LED  53 , and the operation LED lights up. Supply of power to the circuit  52  is suspended when the OS is shut down and an information processing operation of the information processing blade  1  is ended. In that case, the operation signal  65  is stopped and the operation LED is turned off. 
   The fixing terminal driving section  44  raises the fixing terminals  45 , when receiving the signal  63  for the operation to raise the fixing terminals  45 . As a result, the water-cooling head  3  is movable. The fixing terminal driving section  44  lowers the fixing terminals  45 , when receiving the signal  63  for the operation to lower the fixing terminal  45 . As a result, the water-cooling head  3  is fixed onto the CPU  2 . 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the structure of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  shows the information processing blade computer  12  provided with a plurality of information apparatus  13 . Each reference numeral is the same as that in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   The information processing apparatus main body  11  has a plurality of slots (not shown) for housing the information processing blade computers  1 . Each of the plurality of slots houses the information processing blade computer  1 . The water-cooling head  3  is connected to one end of the water passage  10 , and extends onto the CPU  2  of the information processing blade  1 . The water-cooling system  9  is connected to the other end of the water passage  10 , and is arranged in the information processing apparatus main body  11 . The water-cooling system  9  is provided to each of the plurality of slots (however, only the rightmost water-cooling system is shown in  FIG. 5  where the guide  5  is not shown). By providing the water-cooling system  9  in correspondence to the individual information processing blade  1 , it becomes easy to perform management of every information processing blade  1  in the information processing apparatus  13 . 
     FIG. 6  is a side view showing the structure of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  shows the information processing apparatus  13  provided with a plurality of information processing blade computers  12  mentioned above. Each reference numeral is the same as that in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the water-cooling system  9  may be shared by the plurality of information processing blade computers  12  housed in the plurality of slots. In this case, the water-cooling system  9  is structured to control an amount of water flowing through the water passage  10 , for each water passage. Since only the single water-cooling system  9  is required, an occupied area can be reduced compared with the case where the water-cooling system  9  is provided individually. 
   Next, a method of inserting the information processing blade  1  into the information processing apparatus main body  11  of the present invention.  FIGS. 7A to 7D  are side views showing the method of inserting the information processing blade  1  into the information processing apparatus main body  11  of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7A , in the slot of the information processing apparatus main body  11 , the water passage  10  with a front edge connected with the water-cooling head  3  extends from the back plate  8  toward the back plate  8 . The position of the water-cooling head  3  is set such that the water-cooling head  3  comes between guides  5   a  and  5   b  when the information processing blade  1  is inserted into the slot. 
   Next, referring to  FIG. 7B , the information processing blade  1  is inserted into the slot. At this time, the water-cooling head  3  is guided between the guides  5   a  and  5   b . As the water-cooling head  3  is inserted between the guides  5   a  and  5   b , the water passage  10  is deformed along the guides  5   a  and  5   b . Additionally, with respect to the direction vertical to the attached drawing (paper surface), the water passages  10   a  and  10   b  are not substantially deformed, causing little misalignment. 
   Next, referring to  FIG. 7C , the insertion of the information processing blade  1  into the slot is completed by connecting the connectors  6  and  7 , and moving the water-cooling head  3  onto the CPU  2 . At this time, the fixing terminals  45  do not push the water-cooling head  3 . The fixing terminals  45   a  and  45   b  also have the effect of preventing the water-cooling head  3  from being excessively moved. When the fixing terminals  45   a  and  45   b  prevent the excessive movement of the water-cooling head  3 , deformation of the water passages  10   a  and  10   b  functions as a buffer against displacement. 
   Next, referring to  FIG. 7D , the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  closely fixes the water-cooling head  3  on the CPU  2  by the fixing terminals  45  ( 45   a  to  45   d ) based on the operation of the operation switch  41 . As a result, the water-cooling head  3  is ready to cool the CPU  2 . The water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  stops the suspension of power supply to the circuit  52  on the printed circuit board  1   b , and instructs the water-cooling system  9  to circulate water. Then, the power is supplied to the circuit  52 , and the water circulation between the water-cooling system  9  and the water-cooling head  3  is started. 
   The information processing blade  1  can be inserted into the information processing apparatus main body  11  in the above way. A method of taking out the information processing blade  1  from the information processing apparatus main body  11  is opposite to the above description, and description of the method is not given. 
   Next, an operation of the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 8 .  FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing the operation of the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4 . 
   (1) Step S 01   
   The operation switch  41  is operated by the user, and the operation switch  41  takes either the A state or the B state. 
   (2) Step S 02   
   The control section  42  determines the state of the operation switch  41  to be either the A state (operation to fix the water-cooling head  3  (operation to take the first state)) or the B state (operation to detach the water-cooling head  3  (operation to take the second state)). 
   (3) Step S 03   
   In case of the operation to fix the water-cooling head  3  (the A state), the control section  42  outputs the signal  63  indicating the A state to the fixing terminal driving section  44 . The fixing terminal driving section  44  drives the driving mechanism (not shown), to lower the fixing terminals  45 . Consequently, the water-cooling head  3  is closely fixed on the upper surface of the CPU  2 . 
   (4) Step S 04   
   The control section  42  outputs the signal  61  indicating the A state to the power supply switch  71 . Then, the power supply switch  71  is ON, and the power  62  is supplied to the water-cooling system  9 . Consequently, the water circulation between the water-cooling system  9  and the water-cooling head  3  is started. As a result, it is possible to supply the power to the circuit  52  including the CPU  2  on the printed circuit board  1   b.    
   (5) Step S 05   
   In case of the operation to detach the water-cooling head  3  (the B state), the control section  42  outputs the signal  61  indicating the B state to the power supply switch  71 . Then, the power supply switch  71  is OFF, and the supply of the power  62  to the water-cooling system  9  is suspended. Consequently, the water circulation between the water-cooling system  9  and the water-cooling head  3  is suspended. However, before this, the supply of power to the circuit  52  including the CPU  2  on the printed circuit board  1   b  is already suspended. 
   (6) Step S 06   
   The control section  42  outputs the signal  63  indicating the B state to the fixing terminal driving section  44 . The control section  42  drives the driving mechanism (not shown), to raise the fixing terminals  45 . Consequently, the water-cooling head  3  is off from (detached from) the upper surface of the CPU  2 . 
   In the above way, the operation of the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  is performed, and the water-cooling head  3  is fixed or detached. 
   Additionally, the operations of the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  in  FIG. 7D  in mounting the water-cooling head  3 , are same as the operations of S 01  to S 04  in  FIG. 8 . The operation of the water-cooling head fixing mechanism  4  in  FIG. 7D  when the water-cooling head  3  is taken out, is the operation of S 01 , S 02 , S 05 , and S 06  in  FIG. 8 . 
   In the above description, the cooling of the CPU  2  is performed. However, the present invention is also applicable to the cooling of other chips and heat-generating members in the information processing blade computer  12 . Additionally, only the cooling is performed in the above description. However, it is also possible to set the temperature of chips and members to a desired temperature, by providing the water-cooling system  9  with a temperature adjusting function, to set the temperature of water or other heat mediums to a given temperature. That is, the temperature of desired chips and members can be set to a desired temperature without substantially affecting other members of the information processing blade computer  1 , because of the use of a heat medium. 
   According to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus containing information processing blade computers  12  of a blade structure, cooling is carried out by a water-cooling head having a structure independent of the blade computer, as a mechanism to cool a semiconductor chip that the temperature increases to a high temperature like a CPU. The water-cooling head can be fixed after mounting the blade computer, and detached from the semiconductor chip before taking out the blade computer. Thus, it is possible to insert and remove the information processing blade computer. It is also possible to use a cooling method of water cooling, thereby improving cooling performance. In addition, since there is no need to use a fan for air cooling and a heat sink, the size of the blade computer can be reduced and noise caused by the cooling can be reduced.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7