Source: http://www.google.fr/patents/US6977813
Timestamp: 2017-11-21 08:19:25
Document Index: 68365074

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'arts 31', 'arts 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'arts 31', 'arts 31', 'arts 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'arts 31', 'arts 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'arts 31', 'arts 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'arts 31', 'arts 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31']

Brevet US6977813 - Disk array system - Google Brevets
In a disk array system, cooling means with a great versatility capable of efficiently performing a cooling and a heat radiation of the objects to be cooled on the circuit board in a small space and a structure capable of stably supplying the power from a DC—DC converter to the electronic components...http://www.google.fr/patents/US6977813?utm_source=gb-gplus-shareBrevet US6977813 - Disk array system
Numéro de publication US6977813 B2
Numéro de demande US 10/876,537
Autre référence de publication US20050243509
Numéro de publication 10876537, 876537, US 6977813 B2, US 6977813B2, US-B2-6977813, US6977813 B2, US6977813B2
Inventeurs Tomokatsu Fuseya, Yuji Takei
Citations de brevets (17), Référencé par (6), Classifications (22), Événements juridiques (4)
US 6977813 B2
The housing 10 a is provided with openings (not shown) of the predetermined shape for the ventilation of the air to perform the cooling of each portion in the housing 10 a by the airflow by the operation of the fan 7. The structure shown in FIG. 1 is an example for the openings. According to the structure in this example (hereinafter referred to as first housing structure), the openings are formed in the upper surface, the bottom surface and the back surface of the housing 10 a.
The logic box 2 a is a unit, into which a circuit board 100 constituting a controller of the disk array system 1 (disk system controller) is installed and stored. When installing and storing the circuit board 100 into the logic box 2 a, the circuit board 100 is installed and stored in the form of a circuit board 40 fitted with a heat sink which is obtained by attaching the heat sinks (30 a, 30 b, and the like) described later to the circuit board 100 having the objects to be cooled. Depending on a throughput and a redundant structure, a plurality of circuit boards 100 are installed.
The main airflow in the disk array system 1 in the first housing structure will be described as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 1A, the air flows in through the opening in the bottom surface of the housing 10 a and is discharged through the opening in the upper surface of the housing 10 a via the inside of the logic box 2 a, the fan 7 b, the inside of the power supply section 5, and the fan 7 a. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the air flows in through the opening in the back surface of the housing 10 a and is discharged through the opening in the upper surface of the housing 10 a via the inside of each HDD box 3 and the fan 7 a.
Further, FIG. 2 shows another example (referred to as the second housing structure) related to the opening and the airflow. With regard to this example, FIG. 2A is a perspective view seen from the front of the disk array system 1, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view seen from the back of the disk array system 1. These drawings show the internal structure of the system through the housing. In this example, the openings are formed in the upper surface, the front surface and the back surface of the housing 10 b of the disk array system 1. The structure of each portion in the housing 10 b is almost identical to that of the first housing structure, and the airflow for cooling and radiating the circuit board 100 is different. The second housing structure includes particularly a logic box 2 b as the logic box 2. Although only a part thereof can be seen in the drawing, the fan 7 d is installed on the backside opening in the upper portion of the logic box 2 b.
The main airflow in the disk array system 1 in the second housing structure will be described as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the air flows in through the opening in the front surface of the housing 10 b and is discharged through the opening in the upper surface of the housing 10 b via the inside of the logic box 2 b, the fan 7 d, the inside of the power supply section 5, and the fan 7 a. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the air flows in through the back surface of the housing 10 b and is discharged through the opening in the upper surface of the housing 10 b via the inside of each HDD box 3 and the fan 7 c.
Note that, though only one example with regard to the layout of each portion in the disk array system 1 is shown in this embodiment, other structures to arrange each portion is also available depending on the design for the airflow.
The switch board 12 is a circuit board 100, which has a function as a switch to mutually connect the cache memory, the CHA, and the disk adaptor (DKA) and perform the data transfer process among them. The switch board 12 particularly mounts two switch LSIs 120 a and 120 b serving as the switches on the board as the electronic components to perform the high-speed data transfer process. The switch LSIs 120 a and 120 b perform the high-speed data transfer process through the wirings between other LSIs. Note that only the wirings between the CHA board 11 and the switch board 12 are denoted by reference numerals. For example, the switch LSI 120 a performs the high-speed data transfer process between the CHA LSIs 110 a and 110 b through the wirings 111 a and 111 c.
The cache board 13 is a circuit board 100 which is located between the CHA and the DKA, is connected to the switch through the wirings, and has a function as a cache memory. The cache memory is provided to perform the read/write process of data for the disk device 150 in asynchronous with the disk device 150. The cache board 13 mounts two Cache LSIs 130 a and 130 b on the board as the electronic components to perform the high-speed data transfer process with the switches. Further, as a memory device constituting the cache memory, memories (DIMM) 131 a and 131 b are connected to the cache LSIs 130 a and 130 b, and the data read/write process is performed by the cache LSIs 130 a and 130 b.
The DKA board 14 is a circuit board 100, which controls the data transfer between the cache memory and the disk device 150 and has a function as a DKA to perform the control of the data read/write for the disk device 150. The DKA board 14 is connected to the switches through the wirings and is connected to the disk device 150 through the connecting line. The DKA board 14 mounts two DKA LSIs 140 a and 140 b on the board as the electronic components to perform the high-speed data transfer process with the switches.
The heat sink fixtures 73 are provided in the outer periphery of the circuit board 100 a. The heat sink fixture 73 may be formed as a part of the circuit board 100 a or may be connected to the circuit board 100 a as a separate part afterward. In this case, particularly, the heat sink fixtures 73 are provided at the four corners of the outer periphery of the circuit board 10 a.
The heat sink (radiator plate) 30 a is a part for cooling the LSI 51 a and the wiring area 52 a as the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 a. The heat sink 30 a has a base part 31 a and radiator fins 32 a and is made of such materials as aluminum and copper with high thermal conductivity (low heat resistance). The base part 31 a is a portion with an almost flat plate shape and one flat surface (lower flat surface in the drawing) is used as a connection flat surface with the circuit board 100 a. The screw holes 74 are provided in the base part 31 a particularly at the four corners of the outer periphery of the base part 31 a. The radiator fin 32 a is a portion formed as an integrated part of the base part 31 a. The radiator fin 32 a is composed of a plurality of almost cylindrical fins arranged vertically from one flat surface of the base part 31 a in a matrix manner. The shape of the radiator fin shown here is merely one example and other shapes are also available. The radiation is enhanced by the air-cooling by the air flown through the area of the radiator fin 32 a.
The positions of the heat sink fixtures 73 on the circuit board 100 a and the screw holes 74 in the heat sink 30 a are located in the outer peripheral portion thereof in which the wiring area and the like of the wiring board 100 a are not provided, particularly, at the four corners thereof so as not to hinder the mounting of the parts and the wirings on the circuit board 100 a.
When fixing the circuit board 100 a and the heat sink 30 a, the lower flat surface of the heat sink 30 a and the upper flat surface (the surface having the objects to be cooled) of the circuit board 10 a are opposed to each other, and the block 60 a located on the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 a is interposed between the circuit board 100 a and the heat sink 30 a. In this state, the circuit board 100 a and the heat sink 30 a are fixed by the heat sink fixture 73, the screw holes 74 and the screws 75 and the like.
The thermal conduction sheet 71 makes the objects to be cooled and the block 60 a stick together and plays a roll of a buffer material in the attachment and detachment of the heat sink 30 a to and from the circuit board 100 a. The thermal conduction sheet 71 is made of a heat conductive material to promote the movement of the heat similar to the block 60 a. The shape of the thermal conduction sheet 71 is matched with the shape of the upper surface of the object to be cooled and the lower surface of the block 60 a.
The double-faced tape 72 connects the block 60 a and the base part 31 a of the heat sink 30 a. Similar to the block 60 a, the double-faced tape 72 is made of a low heat resistance material so as not to prevent the movement of heat. The shape of the double-faced tape 72 is matched with the shape of the upper flat surface of the block 60 a.
<Mounting of the Board into the Logic Box (1)>
Further, if there is the circuit board 100 which does not have the objects to be cooled, it is possible to directly store it into the logic box 2 a without mounting the heat sink 30 a.
Also, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the circuit board 100 into the logic box 2 b corresponding to the second housing structure. The arrows in the drawing represent the airflow. One example of the mounting of the circuit board 100 a into the logic box 2 b is shown in FIG. 9.
The logic box 2 b has openings for the ventilation of the air in the front surface and in the mounting portion of the fans 7 d in the backside on the upper surface, and the air flows in through the lower surface and the air inside the logic box 2 b is discharged by the operation of the fans 7 d installed in the backside on the upper surface. Similar to the first housing structure, the circuit board 100 a in the form of the board 40 fitted with the heat sink is connected and stored in the logic box 2 b. FIG. 9 shows the state after the board 40 a fitted with the heat sink is stored in the logic box 2 b.
In the first embodiment, under the above-described structure, the whole circuit board 100 a is covered and connected by a large-size heat sink 30 a having the flat surface with almost the same size as the board 100 a, and a plurality of objects to be cooled, that is, the LSI 51 a and the wiring area 52 a are collectively cooled. The heat generated by the power supply to the LSI 51 a and the operation of the LSI 51 a is sequentially transmitted from the LSI 51 a and the wiring area 52 to the heat sink 30 a through the thermal conduction sheet 71, the block 60 a and the double-faced tape 72, and further, the heat is transmitted from the base part 31 a of the heat sink 30 a to the radiator fins 32 a and released. In this manner, a plurality of objects to be cooled are cooled.
The advantages of the structure in the above-described first embodiment are as follows. That is, since a plurality of objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 a are cooled by the single heat sink 30 a, the difference in heat quantity generated from electronic components such as the LSI 51 a as the object to be cooled can be absorbed by the heat sink 30 a and a temperature difference among respective electronic components are averaged and reduced. In addition, with regard to the wiring area 52 a to be the transmission path of the high-speed data transfer on the circuit board 100 a, the temperature difference thereof can be reduced by the heat sink 30 a.
Further, since a plurality of objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 a are cooled by the heat sink 30 a and the temperature difference can be reduced, the reflection noises generated by the impedance mismatch in the transmission paths particularly in the high-speed data transfer process, that is, in the LSI 51 a as a main part of the process and the wiring area 52 a can be reduced and the degradation of the signal can be prevented. Therefore, the high-speed data transfer process can be stably performed.
In the second embodiment, the board 40 b fitted with the heat sink is composed such that one heat sink 30 a is interposed between two circuit boards 100 which makes a pair, and in this state, the two circuit boards 100 are connected via heat conductive blocks 60A and 60B and then the whole is fixed. In this way, a plurality of objects to be cooled distributed on the two circuit boards 100 are cooled by one heat sink 30 b.
In the second embodiment, a heat sink 30 b which has a shape different from the heat sink 30 a in the first embodiment is used. The heat sink 30 b is composed of plate-shaped flat surface portions to be base parts 31A and 31B provided on both sides of radiator fins 32 b. These two flat surface portions are in parallel to each other. The circuit board 100 can be connected to the flat surfaces of these base parts 31A and 31B.
The heat sink 30 b is a part for collectively cooling the LSIs 51A and 51B and the wiring areas 52A and 52B which are the objects to be cooled on the circuit boards 100A and 100B. The heat sink 30 b has a base part 31A, a base part 31B, and radiator fins 32 b and is made of materials with high thermal conductivity (low heat resistance) such as aluminum and copper. The base parts 31A and 31B are portions with almost flat plate shape. The base parts 31A and 31B are provided with screw holes 74 particularly at the four corners of the outer periphery thereof. The radiator fins 32 b are composed of a plurality of almost cylindrical fins arranged vertically between the base parts 31A and 31B in a matrix manner. The shape of the radiator fin 32 b shown here is merely an example, and various shapes and types of the radiator fin 32 b are also available. The radiation is enhanced by the air-cooling by the air flown through the area of the radiator fin 32 b.
One circuit board 100A is connected to one surface of the heat sink 30 b, that is, the outer flat surface of the base part 31A via the block 60A, and the other circuit board 100B is connected to the other surface of the heat sink 30 b, that is, the outer flat surface of the base part 31B via the block 60B.
The height of the objects to be cooled on the circuit boards 101A and 100B is not uniform. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the blocks 60A and 60B are interposed and connected between the objects to be cooled and the base parts 31A and 31B of the heat sink 30 b. In this way, the space is filled with the solid blocks 60A and 60B and the difference in height of the objects to be cooled is compensated, and in this manner, the heat is moved from the objects to be cooled to the heat sink 30 b.
The blocks 60A and 60B are made of materials with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum and copper. The height of the blocks 60A and 60B is designed to match with the length between the upper flat surface of the object to be cooled to be the connection flat surface and the outer flat surface of the base parts 31A and 31B of the heat sink 30 b. The shape of the blocks 60A and 60B in the direction of the board flat surface is almost the same as the upper flat surface of the object to be cooled. Similar to the first embodiment, a number of blocks 60A and 60B equivalent to the number of objects to be cooled are used in the connection.
Also, FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the circuit board 100 into the logic box 2 b corresponding to the second housing structure. The arrows in the drawing represent the airflow. One example of the mounting of the circuit board 100 into the logic box 2 b is shown in FIG. 13. Similar to the case of the first housing structure, the circuit boards 100A and 100B in the form of the board 40 b fitted with the heat sink are connected and stored in the logic box 2 b. FIG. 13 shows a state after the board 40 b fitted with the heat sink is stored in the logic box 2 b.
<Pair Selection of Circuit Board>
The advantages of the structure in the above-described second embodiment are as follows. That is, since a plurality of objects to be cooled on the paired circuit boards 100A and 100B are cooled by the single heat sink 30 b, the difference in heat quantity generated from electronic components such as the LSIs 51A and 51B as the objects to be cooled can be absorbed by the heat sink 30 b and a temperature difference among respective electronic components are averaged and reduced. In addition, with regard to the wiring areas 52A and 52B to be the transmission paths of the high-speed data transfer on the circuit boards 101A and 100B, the temperature difference therebetween can be reduced by the heat sink 30 b.
Further, since the temperature difference between a plurality of objects to be cooled can be reduced, the reflection noises generated by the impedance mismatch in the transmission paths particularly in the high-speed data transfer process, that is, in the LSIs 51A and 51B as main parts of the process and the wiring areas 52A and 52B can be reduced and the degradation of the signal can be prevented. Therefore, the high-speed data transfer process can be stably performed between the circuit boards 100A and 100B. For example, the stable high-speed data transfer process can be performed between a switch LS1 120 a on one circuit board 100 and a cache LSI 130 a on the other circuit board 100.
The heat sink 30 c has the base part 31 c, the radiator fins 32 c, and a DC-Dc converter connection means (not shown). The heat sink 30 c has almost the same structure as the heat sink 30 a. However, it is different in that the base part 31 c can be connected to the DC—DC converter 80 a through the DC—DC converter connection means. The heat sink 30 c is a part for collectively cooling the LSI 51 c and the wiring area 52 c as the objects to be cooled, and at the same time, it is a part for connecting the DC—DC converter 80 a. The DC—DC converter 80 a is connected to the lower flat surface of the base part 31 c of the heat sink 30 c, that is, to the surface on which the radiator fins 32 c are not formed, and at the same time, the circuit board 100 c is connected thereto via the block 60 c. The screw holes 74 are provided in the outer periphery of the heat sink 30 c.
Similar to the first embodiment, the block 60 c is made of materials with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum and copper and is used for the connection to the heat sink 30 c according to the height of the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 c. The layout of the block 60 c is determined depending on the layout and shape of the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 c.
The DC—DC converter 80 a is a unit to convert (decrease the voltage) the DC voltage supplied from the power supply section 5 and perform an adequate supply of the DC voltage to the LSI 51 c. The DC—DC converter 80 a has a lead wire 81 below it, and when this lead wire 81 is inserted into a through hole 82 of the circuit board 100 c, it is connected to the wiring in the power supply plane. By taking into consideration the layout of the DC—DC converter 80 a in the board 40 c fitted with the heat sink, the positions of the power supply line and the through hole 82 are designed. The supply voltage from the power supply section 5 is inputted to the DC—DC converter 80 a through a power supply common bus, the back plane 21, the power supply plane of the circuit board 100 c, the through hole 82, and the lead wire 81. The voltage is converted in the DC—DC converter 80 a, and inputted and supplied to the LSI 51 c from the DC—DC converter 80 a through the lead wire 81, the through hole 82, the power supply plane of the circuit board 100 c, and the input terminal of the LSI 51 c.
In the connection and fixation of the DC—DC converter 80 a to the heat sinks 30 c, the screws and the like as the DC—DC converter connection means are used, and the upper surface of the DC—DC converter 80 a contacts to the lower flat surface of the base part 31 c. In this connection and fixation, the thermal conduction sheet 71 c is interposed between the lower flat surface of the base part 31 c and the upper surface of the DC—DC converter 80 a. Similar to the case of the first embodiment, the thermal conduction sheet 71 c plays a roll of a buffer. The DC—DC converter connection means is designed to screw one or more parts of the DC—DC converter 80 a to the base part 31 c of the heat sink 30 c.
Also, the position of the DC—DC converter 80 a is above the flat surface of the circuit board 100 c, on the lower flat surface of the base part 31 c of the heat sink 30 and in the vicinity of the LSI 51 c as a power supply target, more specifically, the position capable of reducing a length of the power supply path. In this case, particularly, it is arranged above the area in the vicinity of one side of the LSI 51 c, to which the wiring area 52 c as the object to be cooled is not connected, on the circuit board 100 c. This is a position corresponding to the position of the through hole 82 on the circuit board and is in an area other than that connected to the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 c via the block 60 c in the flat surface of the base part 31 c. When seen as a whole, the DC—DC converter 80 a is arranged obliquely above the LSI 51 c as a power supply target. Note that, though the DC—DC converter 80 a is arranged in the vicinity of one side of the LSI 51 c, it is also possible to arrange the DC—DC converter 80 a at a more separated position if the length of the power supply path is sufficiently short and the power supply can be stably performed.
The procedure of assembling the board 40 c fitted with the heat sink will be described. Similar to the first embodiment, the worker connects the circuit board 100 c having the objects to be cooled to the heat sink 30 c via one or more blocks 60 c. Then, the worker connects and fixes the circuit board 100 c, the heat sink 30 c, one or more blocks 60 c, the DC—DC converter 80 a, and other parts by the screws and the like. First, the worker connects and fixes the DC—DC converter 80 a on the lower flat surface of the base part 31 c of the heat sink 30 c so as to be located at the position of the through hole 82 of the circuit board 100 c by the screws and the like, and at the same time, the worker connects the block 60 c so as to match with the layout of the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 c.
Similar to the first embodiment, the worker makes the lower flat surface of the base part 31 c of the heat sink 30 c opposed to the upper flat surface (the side having the objects to be cooled) of the circuit board 100 c and interposes the block 60 c therebetween on the objects to be cooled, and then, fixes the whole by the heat sink fixture 73, the screw holes 74, the screws 75 and the like. In this way, the space is filled with the solid block 60 c and the difference in height of the objects to be cooled is compensated, and in this manner, the heat is moved from the objects to be cooled to the heat sink 30 c. Further, by inserting and connecting the lead wire 81 of the DC-Dc converter 80 a into the through hole 82 of the circuit board 100 c at this time, the DC—DC converter 80 a and the circuit board 100 c are connected through the wiring in the power supply plane.
As the advantages of the structure of the third embodiment described above, since the DC—DC converter 80 a is arranged away from the surface of the circuit board 100 c, the influence given to the signal in the wiring directly below the DC—DC converter 80 a by the electromagnetic noises generated from the DC—DC converter 80 a is reduced, thereby reducing the degradation of the transfer signal. Consequently, a stable data transfer can be performed on the circuit board 100 c. At the same time, since the distance from the DC—DC converter 80 a to the LSI 51 c is short, the response when the voltage fluctuation of the LSI 51 c is detected and corrected is speeded up, and stable voltage supply to the LSI 51 c can be achieved. Further, since the DC—DC converter 80 a is cooled by the heat sink 30 c, it is possible to contribute to stabilization of the DC—DC converter 80 a.
As a modification example of the third embodiment, based on the structure of the second embodiment, the structure in which the DC—DC converter 80 a is additionally provided to the structure of the second embodiment is also available. That is, the DC—DC converter 80 a is connected to one outer flat surface of the heat sink 30 b, and the power is supplied from the DC—DC converter 80 a to the electronic components such as the LSI and the like on the circuit board 100. Further, another DC—DC converter 80 a may be connected to another outer flat surface of the heat sink 30 b, and the power can be supplied from the DC—DC converter 80 a to the LSI and the like on the other circuit board 100.
The DC—DC converter input connector 84 is provided on an optional position on the circuit board 100 d and the heat sink 30 d. This is a power supply input connector to connect the circuit board 100 d side and the heat sink 30 d side for an input voltage/ground supply to the DC—DC converter 80 b from the power supply section 5 and the back plane 21. The connector 84 is composed of the side connected to the wiring of the circuit board 100 d and the side connected to the base part 31 d of the heat sink 30 d. Further, the wiring from the power supply section 5 and the back plane 21 is connected to the connector 84 in the circuit board 100 d through the back plane connector 22. Each connector 84 of the circuit board 100 d side and the heat sink 30 d side is connected, and an input voltage/ground supply is performed from the power supply section 5 and the back plane 21 to the DC—DC converter 80 b through this connector and the power supply/ground wiring 85 on the base part 31 d.
The power supply line from the DC—DC converter 80 b to the LSI 51 d is inputted to the LSI 51 d as a power supply target through the DC—DC converter output connector 83 from the DC—DC converter 80 b. The connector 83 is a power supply output connector to the LSI 51 d from the DC—DC converter 80 b and is composed of the side connected to the output terminal below the DC—DC converter 80 b and the side connected to the input terminal of the LSI. The connectors 83 and 84 are fixed to the heat sink 30 d by such means as the screws and the like.
The heat sink 30 d has the base part 31 d, the radiator fins 32 d and a DC—DC converter connection means (not shown). Though it has almost the same structure as the heat sink 30 a, it is different from the heat sink 30 a in that the DC—DC converter 80 b can be connected to the base part 31 d through the DC—DC converter connection means. The heat sink 30 d is a part for collectively cooling the LSI 51 d and the wiring area 52 d as the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 d, and at the same time, it is a part for connecting the DC—DC converter 80 b. The DC—DC converter 80 b is connected to the upper flat surface of the base part 31 d of the heat sink 30 d, that is, to the surface in which the radiator fins 32 d are provided, and the circuit board 100 d is installed on the lower flat surface of the base part 31 d via the block 60 d. The screw holes 74 are provided in the outer periphery of the heat sink 30 d.
Within a part of an area for the radiator fin 32 d in the heat sink 30 d, there is a flat surface area in which individual fins are not provided so that the DC—DC converter 80 b can be mounted. Further, an opening is provided in the base part 31 d of the heat sink 30 d at the position corresponding to the position in which the DC—DC converter 80 b is arranged, and the DC—DC converter output connector 83 is inserted and connected into the opening. Also, an opening is provided in the base part 31 d of the heat sink 30 d at a position corresponding to the position of the connector 84 in the circuit board 10 d, and the DC—DC converter input connector 84 is inserted and connected through this opening.
In the connection and fixation of the DC—DC converter 80 b to the heat sinks 30 d, the screws and the like as the DC—DC converter connection means are used, and the lower surface of the DC—DC converter 80 b contacts to the upper flat surface of the base part 31 d and the DC—DC converter output connector 83 is inserted into the opening in the base part 31 d. In this connection and fixation, the thermal conduction sheet 71 (not shown) may be interposed between the upper flat surface of the base part 31 d and the lower surface of the DC—DC converter 80 b. The DC—DC converter connection means is designed to screw one or more parts of the DC—DC converter 80 b to the base part 31 d of the heat sink 30 d.
Also, the position of the DC—DC converter 80 b is above the flat surface of the circuit board 100 d, on the upper flat surface of the base part 31 d of the heat sink 30 d and above the LSI 51 d as a power supply target, more specifically, the position capable of reducing a length of the power supply path. In this case, particularly, the DC—DC converter 80 b is arranged just above the LSI 51 d so that they are overlapped in the direction vertical to the board. Note that, though the DC—DC converter 80 b is arranged at the position almost just above the LSI 51 d, it is also possible to arrange the DC—DC converter 80 b at a more separated position if the length of the power supply path is sufficiently short and the power supply can be stably performed. That is, the DC—DC converter 80 b and the LSI 51 d may be arranged at the positions so that they are partially overlapped when seen from above the board flat surface.
First, the worker connects and fixes the DC—DC converter 80 b on the upper flat surface of the base part 31 d of the heat sink 30 d by the screws and the like so that it can be located at the corresponding position of the LSI 51 d as a power supply target on the circuit board 100 d. Also, the connector 83 is connected to the output terminal at the lower portion of the converter 80 b. Further, the worker connects the block 60 d to the lower flat surface of the base part 31 d so as to match with the layout of the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 10 d.
Similar to the first embodiment, the worker makes the lower flat surface of the base part 31 d of the heat sink 30 d opposed to the upper flat surface (the side having the objects to be cooled) of the circuit board 100 d and interposes the block 60 d therebetween on the objects to be cooled, and then, fixes the whole by the heat sink fixture 73, the screw holes 74, the screws 75 and the like. At this time, the two connectors 83 are mutually connected. Further, with regard to the LSI 51 d as a power supply target, the connector 83 is connected to the LSI 51 d through the opening of the block 60 d above and the like, and thus, the DC—DC converter 80 b and the LSI 51 d are connected through the power supply line. Also, one end of the power supply/ground wiring 85 is connected through the input terminal of the DC—DC converter 80 b, and the other end is connected to the connector 84 of the base part 31 d. By the mutual connection of the two connectors 84, the DC—DC converter 80 c and the circuit board 100 d are connected through the power supply line. In this way, the space is filled with the solid block 60 d and the difference in height of the objects to be cooled is compensated, and in this manner, the heat is moved from the objects to be cooled to the heat sink 30 d.
Under the above-described structure, the whole circuit board 100 d is connected by one heat sink 30 d having the flat surface with almost the same size as the board, and a plurality of objects to be cooled, that is, the LSI 51 d and the wiring area 52 d are collectively cooled. Also, power is supplied to the LSI 51 d from the DC—DC converter 80 b connected to the upper surface of the heat sink 30 d through the wiring.
In addition, it becomes unnecessary to mount the DC—DC converter on the circuit board 10 d, and the mounting efficiency of the circuit board 100 d can be improved. Further, for this reason, the power supply layer in the circuit board 100 d can be reduced, and the board can be made thin. In addition, since the DC—DC converter 80 b is cooled by the heat sink 30 d, it is possible to contribute to the stabilization of the DC—DC converter 80 b.
As a modification example of the fourth embodiment, based on the structure of the second embodiment, the structure in which the DC—DC converter is additionally provided to the structure of the second embodiment is also available. That is, one DC—DC converter is connected on an inner flat surface of one base part of the heat sink having the two base parts, and the power is supplied from the DC—DC converter to the LSI on the circuit board 100. Further, another DC—DC converter is connected on an inner flat surface of the other base part of the heat sink, and the power is supplied from the DC—DC converter to the LSI on the other circuit board 100 connected to this base part.
The heat sink 30 e has two base parts 31C and 31D, the radiator fins 32 d and a DC—DC converter connection means (not shown). Though it has almost the same structure as the heat sink 30 b, it is different from the heat sink 30 b in that the DC—DC converter 80 c can be connected to the base parts 31C and 31D through the DC—DC converter connection means. The heat sink 30 e is a part for collectively cooling the LSIs 51C and 51D and the wiring areas 52C and 52D as the objects to be cooled on the circuit boards 100C and 100D, and at the same time, it is a part for connecting the DC—DC converter 80 c. The DC—DC converter 80 c is connected to the inner flat surface of the base part 31C of the heat sink 30 e, that is, to the surface in which the radiator fins 32 d are provided, and the circuit board 100C is installed on the outer flat surface of the base part 31C via the block 60D. The screw holes 74 are provided in the outer periphery of the base parts 31C and 31D of the heat sink 30 e.
Also, within the area of the radiator fin 32 e in the heat sink 30 e, there is a flat surface area in which individual fins are not provided in advance so that the DC—DC converter 80 c can be mounted on the inner flat surface. Here, a structure is shown as an example, in which the individual fins are not provided in the mounting position of the DC—DC converter 80 c and in the area on the front side of the DC—DC converter 80 c within the area for the radiator fin 32 e of the heat sink 30 e. Further, an opening is provided in the base parts 31C and 31D of the heat sink 30 e at the position corresponding to the position at which the DC—DC converter 80 cis arranged, and the DC—DC converter output connectors 87A and 87B are inserted and connected into the opening. Also, an opening is provided in the base part 31C of the heat sink 30 e at the position corresponding to the position of the connector 84 in the circuit board 100C, and the DC—DC converter input connector 84 is inserted and connected through this opening.
In the connection and fixation of the DC—DC converter 80 c to the heat sinks 30 e, the screws and the like as the DC—DC converter connection means are used, and the lower surface of the DC—DC converter 80 c contacts to the inner flat surface of the base part 31C and the DC—DC converter output connector 87A is inserted into the opening in the base part 31C. In this connection and fixation, the thermal conduction sheet 71 (not shown) may be interposed between the upper flat surface of the base part 31C and the lower surface of the DC—DC converter 80 c. The DC—DC converter connection means is designed to screw one or more parts of the DC—DC converter 80 c to the base part 31C of the heat sink 30 e.
Also, the position of the DC—DC converter 80C is above the flat surface of the circuit board 100C, on the inner flat surface of the base part 31C of the heat sink 30 e and between the LSIs 51C and 51D as the power supply targets, more specifically, the position capable of reducing a length of the power supply path. In this case, particularly, the DC—DC converter 80 c is arranged just above the LSIs 51C and 51D so that they are overlapped in the direction vertical to the board. Note that, though the DC—DC converter 80 c is arranged at the position almost just above the LSIs 51C and 51D, it is also possible to arrange the DC—DC converter 80 c at a more separated position if the length of the power supply path is sufficiently short and the power supply can be stably performed. That is, the DC—DC converter 80 c and the LSIs 51C and 51D may be arranged at the positions so that they are partially overlapped when seen from above the board flat surface.
Similar to the second embodiment, the worker makes the outer flat surface of the base part 31C of the heat sink 30 e opposed to the upper flat surface (the side having the objects to be cooled) of the circuit board 100C and interposes the block 60C therebetween on the objects to be cooled, and then, fixes the whole by the heat sink fixture 73, the screw holes 74, the screws 75 and the like. At this time, the two connectors 87A are mutually connected. Also, the two connectors 84 are mutually connected. With regard to the LSI 51C as a power supply target, the connector 87A is connected to the LSI 51C through the opening of the block 60C above the LSI 51C, and thus, the DC—DC converter 80 c and the LSI 51C are connected through the power supply line. Also, one end of the power supply/ground wiring 85 is connected to the DC—DC converter 80 c through the input terminal, and the other end is connected to the connector 84 of the base part 31C. By the mutual connection of the two connectors 84, the DC—DC converter 80 c and the circuit board 100C are connected through the power supply line. In this way, the space is filled with the solid block 60C and the difference in height of the objects to be cooled is compensated, and in this manner, the heat is moved from the objects to be cooled to the heat sink 30 c.
Next, the worker connects the block 60D to the outer flat surface of the base part 31D of the heat sink 30 e so as to match with the layout of the objects to be cooled on the other circuit board 100D. Then, the worker makes the outer flat surface of the base part 31D of the heat sink 30 e opposed to the upper flat surface (the side having the objects to be cooled) of the circuit board 100D and interposes the block 60D therebetween on the objects to be cooled, and then, fixes the whole by the heat sink fixture 73, the screw holes 74, the screws 75 and the like. At this time, the LSI 51C, the DC—DC converter 80 c and the LSI 51D are connected so that they are arranged at almost identical positions in the direction vertical to the flat surface of the boards. Also, the two connecters 87B are mutually connected. With regard to the LSI 51D as a power supply target, the connector 87B is connected to the LSI 51D through the opening of the block 60D above the LSI 51D, and thus, the DC—DC converter 80 c and the LSI 51D are connected through the power supply line. In this way, the space is filled with the solid block 60D and the difference in height of the objects to be cooled is compensated, and in this manner, the heat is moved from the objects to be cooled to the heat sink 30 c.
Under the above-described structure, the whole of the two circuit boards 100C and 100D is connected by one heat sink 30 e having the flat surface with almost the same size as the boards, and a plurality of objects to be cooled, that is, the LSI 51C and 51D and the wiring areas 52C and 52D are collectively cooled. Also, power is supplied to the LSIs 51C and 51D from the DC—DC converter 80 c connected and arranged in the area for the radiator fin 32 e inside the heat sink 30 e through the wiring at almost equal voltage.
In addition, it becomes unnecessary to mount the DC—DC converter on the circuit boards 100C and 100D, and the mounting efficiency of the circuit boards 100C and 100D can be improved. Further, for this reason, the power supply layer in the circuit boards 100C and 100D can be reduced and the board can be made thin. In addition, since the DC—DC converter 80 c is cooled by the heat sink 30 e, it is possible to contribute to the stabilization of the DC—DC converter 80 c.
The invention made by the inventors of this invention has been concretely described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, and it is clear to those skilled in the art that the invention can be modified variously without departing from the scope of the invention.
Also, for example, with regard to the connection between the objects to be cooled on the circuit board 100 and the heat sink, the structure having the space between the objects to be cooled and the heat sink without the block is also available. More specifically, in the case of some of the objects to be cooled, for example, the wiring area 52, the block is connected on the wiring area 52 via the double-faced tape 72 and the like, and this block is not connected to the connection flat surface of the heat sink but connected to the LSI 51 adjacent to the wiring area 52 or the block on the LSI 51. Also in this case, since the block on the wiring area 52 is connected to the heat sink via the LSI 51 and the block on the LSI 51, a heat transfer is performed. Although the wiring area 52 does not generate heat by itself, the temperature difference occurs due to the amount of process and positional relationship of the adjacent LSI 51 and a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion are created in the area. The block on the wiring area 52 contacts the adjacent LSI 51 or the block on the LSI 51, and by which the heat transfer is performed. Therefore, it plays a roll of reducing the temperature difference. The deviation of the temperature in the area is averaged and reduced through the block connected on the wiring area 52 a.
Further, for example, the structure is also available in which the electronic components and the wiring area used in the high-speed process are taken as the objects to be cooled, and also, the electronic components used in an intermediate or a low speed process are also taken as the cooling objects which are lightly cooled in comparison to the electronic components used in the high-speed processing. When a thermal conductive block is connected to the wiring area and the electronic component and its wiring area used in the intermediate and low speed process, it is unnecessary for this block to have the thermal conductivity as high as the block arranged for the electronic components used in the high-speed processing. Hence, it is possible to use the block made of a material with the thermal conductivity lower than aluminum and copper for these parts used in the intermediate and low speed processing.
US5930115 3 avr. 1998 27 juil. 1999 Compaq Computer Corp. Apparatus, method and system for thermal management of a semiconductor device
US6082443 13 févr. 1998 4 juil. 2000 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Cooling device with heat pipe
US6269866 6 avr. 2000 7 août 2001 The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Cooling device with heat pipe
US6424526 15 juin 2001 23 juil. 2002 Cereva Networks. Inc. High-density disk-array packaging apparatus and method
US6459571 * 15 juin 2000 1 oct. 2002 Bull Hn Information Systems Inc. Packaging system for mass memory units
US6882536 25 avr. 2002 19 avr. 2005 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Wrap-around cooling arrangement for printed circuit board
US20030053293 * 14 sept. 2001 20 mars 2003 Beitelmal Abdlmonem H. Method and apparatus for individually cooling components of electronic systems
US20030214781 * 14 mai 2002 20 nov. 2003 Dell Products L.P. Computer system cooling using temperature monitoring
US20040008484 * 7 oct. 2002 15 janv. 2004 Storage Technology Corporation Forced air system for cooling a high density array of disk drives
US20040066621 * 2 juil. 2003 8 avr. 2004 Robert Fairchild Thermal cooling system for densely packed storage devices
US20040240177 3 févr. 2004 2 déc. 2004 Katsuyoshi Suzuki Electronic equipment
US20040264131 * 20 nov. 2003 30 déc. 2004 Hitachi, Ltd. Cooling structure for electronic devices
US20050117310 10 févr. 2004 2 juin 2005 Kenichi Miyamoto Disk array device
US20050120264 30 déc. 2004 2 juin 2005 Azuma Kano Disk array system and method for controlling disk array system
JPH11101584A Titre non disponible
US7280354 * 29 sept. 2006 9 oct. 2007 Hitachi, Ltd. Disk array device
WO2014007672A1 * 9 oct. 2012 9 janv. 2014 Chichkovskiy Alexander Alexandrovich Server farm with an immersive cooling system
WO2014007673A1 * 9 oct. 2012 9 janv. 2014 Chichkovskiy Alexander Alexandrovich Server farm with an immersive cooling system
Classification aux États-Unis 361/679.47, 454/126, G9B/33.039, 361/695, 165/104.33, G9B/33.038, 165/80.3
Classification internationale H05K7/14, G11B33/14, H05K7/20, G06F1/20, G06F3/06
Classification coopérative H05K7/20736, G11B33/1426, G11B33/142, H05K7/142, G06F1/20
Classification européenne G11B33/14B2B, G06F1/20, G11B33/14B4, H05K7/14D3, H05K7/20S10C
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FUSEYA, TOMOKATSU;TAKEI, YUJI;REEL/FRAME:016012/0283