Patent Application
20230292458
The present invention relates to a temperature adjusting structure for an electronic equipment, or the like.
In the related art, an electronic equipment provided inside a vehicle, such as a transmission and reception unit disclosed in Patent Literature 1, has been proposed.
Patent Literature 1: JP2019-47192A
However, a temperature of an electronic equipment provided inside a vehicle may become too high or too low, for which temperature adjustment may be required.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature adjusting structure for an electronic equipment provided inside a vehicle, or the like.
A temperature adjusting structure for an electronic equipment provided inside a vehicle according to the present invention includes a first region. The first region is connected, through an air supply port, to at least one of a different region from the first region that is to have cooler air or warmer air than the first region, and a duct of an air conditioner of the vehicle. Air which is to flow into the air supply port is to flow into a region where the electronic equipment is present in the first region.
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a temperature adjusting structure for an electronic equipment provided inside a vehicle, or the like.
Hereinafter, a first embodiment and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are not limited to the following embodiments. In principle, contents described in one embodiment are similarly applied to other embodiments. The embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.
As illustrated in
In order to explain directions, a left-right direction of the vehicle 1 in which the first region 50 is provided is referred to as an x direction, a front-rear direction perpendicular to the x direction is referred to as a y direction, and a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the x direction and the y direction is referred to as a z direction. In
In addition, in a perspective view in
In addition, in
The electronic equipment 10 is an antenna device or the like, According to the first embodiment, the electronic equipment 10 is described as an antenna device, but may be another device. As illustrated in
The antenna case 11 constitutes a side surface and an upper surface of the electronic equipment 10. The antenna case 11 is made of synthetic resin having radio wave transparency. The antenna case 11 covers members constituting the electronic equipment 10, such as the substrate 13, from above in the z direction. It is desirable that the antenna case 11 be made of a resin having high thermal conductivity.
An air supply opening 11a is provided in a front surface of the antenna case 11. The front surface of the antenna case 11 is one of side surfaces constituting the antenna case 11 that faces a front-stage region 51 when the electronic equipment 10 is accommodated in the central region 55 of the first region 50 to be described later. An air discharge opening 11b is provided on a back surface of the antenna case 11. The back surface of the antenna case 11 is one of the side surfaces constituting the antenna case 11 that faces a rear-stage region 53 when the electronic equipment 10 is accommodated in the central region 55.
The antenna elements 15, the mounted components 17, and the like are attached to the substrate 13. The substrate 13 is held by the ground plate 19.
The antenna element 15 transmits and receives electrical signals. For example, the antenna element 15 may be a planar antenna for receiving satellite broadcasting, a planar antenna for receiving position information (time information) from a satellite such as a GPS, an antenna including a capacitance loaded element and a coil for receiving AM/FM broadcasting, an antenna for V2X (vehicle-to-vehicle and road-to-vehicle communication), an antenna for a communication terminal, or the like. The antenna element 15 is held by the substrate 13. However, the antenna element 15 may be held by the ground plate 19 or may be held by the antenna case 11. A part of the antenna element 15 may be in contact with an inner wall of the antenna case 11. It is desirable that the antenna element 15 be made of a metal having a high thermal conductivity, such as a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy.
According to the first embodiment, an example in which the antenna element 15 is provided in the inner side of the antenna case 11 will be described. However, a part or all of the antenna element 15 may be provided in the outer side of the antenna case 11.
The mounted component 17 includes a semiconductor, and is a circuit that performs signal processing on an electrical signal transmitted and received by the antenna element 15. such as an amplifier circuit and a tuning circuit. The mounted component 17 is attached to a front surface (upper surface) or a back surface (lower surface) of the substrate 13.
The ground plate 19 is, for example, a metal plate functioning as an antenna base. The substrate 13 and the mounted component 17 are connected to the ground plate 19 through the thermal interface material 23. The ground plate 19 is disposed at a lower portion of the substrate 13 so as to be separated from the substrate 13.
The heat absorbing and releasing member 21 is configured by a heat sink including a fin for heat releasing or the like, and is attached to a region where heat is generated in the substrate 13 and a region where heat is generated in the mounted component 17 and the like. The heat absorbing and releasing member 21 is used to radiate heat of the members constituting the electronic equipment 10, particularly, heat of the region where heat is generated in the substrate 13 and the region where heat is generated in the mounted component 17 and the like. In order not to affect transmission and reception performance of the antenna, it is desirable that the heat absorbing and releasing member 21 be provided on the lower surface rather than on the upper surface of the substrate 13. A dimension and a shape of each heat absorbing and releasing member 21 are determined such that a surface area of a portion of a corresponding heat absorbing and releasing member 21 to be exposed to an outside air is larger than an area of a portion of the substrate 13 or the mounted component 17 to which the heat absorbing and releasing member 21 is directly or indirectly attached. The heat absorbing and releasing member 21 is not limited to a member having an uneven shape such as a fin, and may be a plate-like member. The heat absorbing and releasing member 21 is not limited to metal, and may be made of a resin or the like.
The thermal interface material (TIM) 23 includes a silicon sheet, a thermal grease thermally conductive sheet, a phase change material (PCM), a gel (thermal conductive gap filler), a high thermal conductive adhesive, a thermal tape (thermal conductive double-sided tape), and the like. The thermal interface material 23 is provided between the substrate 13 and the ground plate 19, between the mounted component 17 and the ground plate 19, or the like. The thermal interface material 23 accumulates heat of contacting members (the substrate 13, the mounted component 17, and the like) and transfers the heat to other members such as the ground plate 19. The thermal interface material 23 is used for heat exchange between the ground plate 19 and heat generating portions of the substrate 13 and the mounted component 17. The thermal interface material 23 may also be provided between the substrate 13 and the heat absorbing and releasing member 21 and between the mounted component 17 and the heat absorbing and releasing member 21.
A shielding plate 24 for suppressing noise generated by the mounted component 17 from affecting other components such as the antenna element 15 may be provided in a periphery of the mounted component 17 (see
The heat insulating material 25 is provided on the upper surface of the antenna case 11. The heat insulating material 25 is provided to make it difficult for heat from the outside, such as sunlight, to be transferred to an inside of the electronic equipment 10.
The heat storage material 26 is made of a phase change heat storage material such as paraffin, and is used to reduce a temperature increase of the inside of the electronic equipment 10. The heat storage material 26 is disposed on the substrate 13 or the like in a state of being placed in a sealed container such as a capsule.
The bracket 27 is formed of a metal member and is disposed on the central region 55 of the first region 50. The electronic equipment 10 is attached to the bracket 27 such that a lower surface of the ground plate 19 is in contact with an upper surface of the bracket 27. According to the first embodiment, an example in which the bracket 27 is attached to a lower surface of the first region 50 is illustrated, but the bracket 27 may be suspended from another surface (for example, an upper surface).
As illustrated in
The electronic equipment 10 and a region (central region 55) of the first region 50 in which the electronic equipment 10 is accommodated are provided in a region between a roof 1a and a roof lining 1b of the vehicle 1. However, the electronic equipment 10 and the central region 55 are not limited to a mode of being provided between the roof 1a and the roof lining 1b. For example, the electronic equipment 10 and the central region 55 may be provided in another region different from the second region 70 of the vehicle 1.
The first region 50 includes the front-stage region 51, the rear-stage region 53, the central region 55. and a fan 57. The central region 55 is provided between the front-stage region 51 and the rear-stage region 53. The front-stage region 51, the central region 55. and the rear-stage region 53 are arranged in the x direction.
The front-stage region 51 is formed of a tubular member. One end portion of the front-stage region 51 is opened as an air supply port 51a. The front-stage region 51 is connected to the second region 70 to be described later through the air supply port 51a. The front-stage region 51 is connected, through the other end portion of the front-stage region 51, to a first end region 55a including one end portion of the central region 55, that is, a region in contact with the other end portion of the front-stage region 51.
The rear-stage region 53 is formed of a tubular member. One end portion of the rear-stage region 53 is connected to a second end region 55b including the other end portion of the central region 55, that is, a region in contact with the one end portion of the rear-stage region 53. The other end portion of the rear-stage region 53 is opened as an air discharge port 53a. The rear-stage region 53 is connected, through the air discharge port 53a, to a region different from a space including the driver seat, a passenger seat, and rear seats, such as a trunk room (hereinafter, referred to as a “space including the driver seat”).
The central region 55 is a region where the electronic equipment 10 is accommodated. A yz cross section of the central region 55 is larger than yz cross sections of the front-stage region 51 and the rear-stage region 53. A hole (not illustrated) through which a cable or a connector for electrical connection between the electronic equipment 10 and other devices inside the vehicle 1 passes is provided on a bottom surface, a side surface, or the like of the central region 55.
The fan 57 takes in air in the second region 70 from the air supply port 51a and discharges air in the first region 50 from the air discharge port 53a. The fan 57 is provided in at least one of the front-stage region 51, the central region 55, and the rear-stage region 53. For example, one fan 57 is provided in the front-stage region 51 for air supply, and one fan 57 is provided in the rear-stage region 53 for air discharge. However, one fan 57 may be provided for both air supply and air discharge in the front-stage region 51 or the rear-stage region 53. According to the first embodiment, an example is illustrated in which one fan 57 is provided in the front-stage region 51 (see
The fan 57 is turned on for a first time T1 (for example, T1 = 5 minutes) after an accessory switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on. However, an on-off control of the fan 57 is not limited thereto. For example, the on-off control of the fan 57 may be performed based on at least one of a temperature state and a humidity state of the electronic equipment 10. Specifically, at least one of temperature information and humidity information of the electronic equipment 10 is detected, and the fan 57 is turned on when at least one of a condition that a temperature T of the electronic equipment 10 exceeds a temperature threshold Tth (for example. Tth = 60° C.) and a condition that a humidity H of the electronic equipment 10 exceeds a humidity threshold Hth (for example, Hth = 50%) is satisfied. The on-off control of the fan 57 is performed by an electronic control unit (ECU, not illustrated) or the like of the vehicle 1.
In order to facilitate a flow of air from the front-stage region 51 to the rear-stage region 53 through the central region 55, dimensions of respective portions are determined such that cross-sectional areas of yz cross sections (flow path cross sections) of the respective portions of the first region 50 satisfy the following relationships (see
The intake opening 11a and the air discharge opening 11b illustrated in
The second region 70 is a region different from the first region 50 of the vehicle 1, and is, for example, a region below the roof lining 1b of the vehicle 1, that is, a space including the driver seat. That is, according to the first embodiment, the second region 70 corresponds to a region that is different from the first region 50 and has cooler air than the first region 50. In this case, the air supply port 51a is provided near the roof lining 1b above a side portion of the space including the driver seat (see
Next, a cooling procedure of the electronic equipment 10 will be described. In advance, the electronic equipment 10 is installed in the first region 50. and the first region 50 is installed in the vehicle 1, When the accessory switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on, for example, when an engine of the vehicle 1 is turned on, the fan 57 operates for the first time T1. The electronic equipment 10 may be turned on while the accessory switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on, or a part or all of the electronic equipment 10 may be turned on regardless of whether the accessory switch is turned on.
When the fan 57 operates, the air in the second region 70 flows into the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 through the air supply port 51a. The air flowing into the front-stage region 51 flows into the central region 55. The air flowing into the central region 55 flows into the inside of the electronic equipment 10 through the air supply opening 11a. The air flowing into the inside of the electronic equipment 10 exchanges heat with the members in the inside of the electronic equipment 10 such as the substrate 13, cools the members, and is discharged from the air discharge opening 11b. The air after the heat exchange discharged from the air discharge opening 11b passes through the rear-stage region 53. The air is discharged, through the air discharge port 53a, to a third region 80 to be described later, or a region different from the space including the driver seat inside the vehicle 1, such as a trunk room.
The air is taken from the second region 70 or the like into the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 through the air supply port 51a, and the taken in air is used for temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment 10. Accordingly, the temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment 10 is facilitated than in a mode in which the temperature adjustment is not performed using air from an outside different from the region where the electronic equipment 10 is disposed. In addition, by continuously feeding air to the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present, the air continues to flow to the electronic equipment 10. Therefore, it is easy to maintain a dried state of the members of the electronic equipment 10.
The “temperature adjustment” in the present embodiment means adjusting the temperature such that the temperature does not affect the performance of the electronic equipment 10. For example, when it is experimentally understood that the performance of the electronic equipment 10 is affected when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature or equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature in a certain environment, the “temperature adjustment” in the present embodiment means that the temperature is adjusted such that the temperature does not become equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature or equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature.
By using the fan 57. it is possible to cause air to flow into the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present or to discharge the air after the heat exchange from the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present, regardless of a pressure state of the first region 50.
Immediately before the accessory switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on, there is a possibility that the temperature of the electronic equipment 10 is high, such as the vehicle 1 is not running. Therefore, if the fan 57 is operated when the accessory switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on, the temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment 10 can be more effectively performed than in a mode in which the fan 57 is operated in another time zone.
By providing air holes (the air supply opening 11a and the air discharge opening 11b) in the housing of the electronic equipment 10, the air from the front-stage region 51 can be taken into the inside of the electronic equipment 10. Therefore, the temperature adjustment of the members in the inside of the electronic equipment 10 is facilitated than in a mode in which the temperature is adjusted by applying the air from the front-stage region 51 to an outside of the electronic equipment 10.
The second region 70 is located at a position lower than the first region 50, and may be in a temperature state different from that of the first region 50. For example, in a hot weather of which the temperature is high, there is a high possibility that a space including a cab (second region 70) is in a lower temperature state than that directly below the roof 1a (first region 50). Therefore, the temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment 10 can be performed by the air flowing in from the second region 70.
According to the first embodiment, an example has been described in which air is caused to flow from the space including the driver seat (second region 70) inside the vehicle 1 to the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51. However, the second region 70 is not limited to the space including the driver seat, and may be a space different from the first region 50 and the space including the driver seat in the vehicle 1, such as a trunk room.
In addition, an example has been described in which a region that is different from the first region 50 and has cooler air than the first region 50 is a region (second region 70) inside the vehicle 1, such as the space including the driver seat, and the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 is connected to the second region 70. However, the region that is different from the first region 50 and has the cooler air than the first region 50 may be a region outside the vehicle 1, That is, the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 may be connected, through the air supply port 51a, to the third region 80 located outside the vehicle 1 and at a position lower than the first region 50 (see
According to the second embodiment, when the fan 57 operates, the air in the third region 80 flows into the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 through the air supply port 51a. The air flowing into the front-stage region 51 flows into the central region 55. The air flowing into the central region 55 flows into the inside of the electronic equipment 10 through the air supply opening 11a. The air flowing into the inside of the electronic equipment 10 exchanges heat with the members in the inside of the electronic equipment 10 such as the substrate 13, cools the members, and is discharged from the air discharge opening 11b. The air after the heat exchange discharged from the air discharge opening 11b passes through the rear-stage region 53. The air is discharged, through the air discharge port 53a, to the third region 80. or the region different from the space including the driver seat inside the vehicle 1, such as a trunk room.
The third region 80 is located at a position lower than the first region 50. and may be in a temperature state different from that of the first region 50. For example, in a hot weather of which the temperature is high, there is a high possibility that the underfloor of the vehicle (third region 80) is in a lower temperature state than that directly below the roof 1a (first region 50). Therefore, the temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment 10 can be performed by the air flowing in from the third region 80.
According to the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the air taken in from the outside through the front-stage region 51 passes through the inside of the electronic equipment 10 and cools the electronic equipment 10. However, the air taken in from the outside through the front-stage region 51 may pass through the outside of the electronic equipment 10 and cool the electronic equipment 10 (see
The antenna case 11 of the electronic equipment 10 according to the third embodiment does not include the air supply opening 11a and the air discharge opening 11b. In addition, on the upper surface of the antenna case 11 of the electronic equipment 10 according to the third embodiment, a heat releasing fin 29 is provided instead of the heat insulating material 25.
In order to facilitate a flow of air from the front-stage region 51 to the rear-stage region 53 through the central region 55, the dimensions of the respective portions are determined such that the cross-sectional areas of the yz cross sections (flow path cross sections) of the respective portions of the first region 50 satisfy the following relationships (see
The heat releasing fin 29 has grooves extending in parallel to an air flow direction (x direction) such that flow of the air taken in from the outside through the front-stage region 51 can be facilitated (see
The heat releasing fin 29 may be provided not only on the upper surface but also on the side surface When the heat insulating material 25 is provided on the upper surface as in the first embodiment, the heat releasing fin 29 may be provided only on the side surface.
According to the third embodiment, a protrusion portion 19a protruding upward in the z direction is provided in a region of the ground plate 19 facing the mounted component 17 in the z direction (see
According to the third embodiment, when the fan 57 operates, the air in the second region 70 or the third region 80 flows into the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 through the air supply port 51a. The air flowing into the front-stage region 51 flows into the central region 55. The air flowing into the central region 55 flows into a space between the central region 55 and the electronic equipment 10. Specifically, the air flows into a space between an inner wall of an upper surface of the central region 55 and the upper surface of the electronic equipment 10, and into a space between an inner wall of a side surface of the central region 55 and the side surface of the electronic equipment 10. The air flowing into the space between the central region 55 and the electronic equipment 10 exchanges heat with the heat releasing fin 29 and cools the heat releasing fin 29. The air after the heat exchange passes through the rear-stage region 53. The air is discharged, through the air discharge port 53a, to the third region 80, or the region different from the space including the driver seat inside the vehicle 1, such as a trunk room.
The electronic equipment 10 can be cooled by flowing the air taken in from the outside through the front-stage region 51 to a periphery (the upper surface and the side surface) of the electronic equipment 10. According to the third embodiment, the air supply opening 11a and the air discharge opening 11b are not provided in the antenna case 11. Therefore, the temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment 10 can be performed by using the air taken in from the outside while suppressing impurities such as dust from entering the inside of the electronic equipment 10. A member (mounted component 17) that generates heat in the inside of the electronic equipment 10 is connected to the protrusion portion 19a. Therefore, the heat of the heat generating member is transferred to the ground plate 19 including the thermal interface material 23 and the protrusion portion 19a. Therefore, the ground plate 19 can function as a heat releasing plate.
According to the third embodiment, an example has been described in which the air taken in from the outside through the front-stage region 51 passes through above the electronic equipment 10 or the like and cools the electronic equipment 10. However, the air taken in from the outside through the front-stage region 51 may pass through the lower portion of the electronic equipment 10 and cool the electronic equipment 10 (see
According to the fourth embodiment, notches 11c are provided in lower portions of a surface of the antenna case 11 facing the first end region 55a and a surface of the antenna case 11 facing the second end region 55b such that air can pass through below the electronic equipment to (see
The ground plate 19 is configured to be close to the substrate 13 such that air can pass through a lower portion of the ground plate 19 (see
According to the fourth embodiment, when the fan 57 operates, the air in the second region 70 or the third region 80 flows into the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 through the air supply port 51a. The air flowing into the front-stage region 51 flows into the central region 55. The air flowing into the central region 55 flows into a space between the bracket 27 and the notch 11c on a side facing the first end region 55a of the electronic equipment 10. The air flowing into the space between the notch 11c of the electronic equipment 10 and the bracket 27 exchanges heat with the ground plate 19 and the heat absorbing and releasing member 21 attached to the lower surface of the protrusion portion 19a of the ground plate 19, cools the heat absorbing and releasing member 21 and the like, and is discharged from the notch 11c on the side facing the second end region 55b of the electronic equipment 10. The air after the heat exchange discharged from the notch 11c on the side facing the second end region 55b of the electronic equipment 10 passes through the rear-stage region 53. The air is discharged, through the air discharge port 53a. to the third region 80, or the region different from the space including the driver seat inside the vehicle 1, such as a trunk room.
The electronic equipment 10 can be cooled by flowing the air taken in from the outside through the front-stage region 51 to the periphery (lower surface) of the electronic equipment 10. According to the fourth embodiment, the air supply opening 11a and the air discharge opening 11b are not provided in the antenna case 11. Therefore, the temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment 10 can be performed by using the air taken in from the outside while suppressing impurities such as dust from entering the inside of the electronic equipment 10. The member (mounted component 17) that generates heat in the inside of the electronic equipment 10 is connected to the protrusion portion 19a. Therefore, the heat of the heat generating member is transferred to the heat absorbing and releasing member 21 through the thermal interface material 23 and the ground plate 19 including the protrusion portion 19a. The heat absorbing and releasing member 21 is located on a flow path of the air under the ground plate 19. Therefore, the temperature adjustment of the members in the inside of the electronic equipment 10 can be performed by applying air from a different region to the ground plate 19 and the heat absorbing and releasing member 21.
According to the third embodiment and the like, an example has been described in which the front-stage region 51 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the central region 55 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the flow path cross section (yz cross section) rapidly expands at a boundary (first end region 55a) on an upstream side between the front-stage region 51 and the central region 55. In addition, according to the first embodiment and the like, an example has been described in which the central region 55 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the rear-stage region 53 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the flow path cross section (yz cross section) rapidly narrows at a boundary (second end region 55b) between a downstream side of the central region 55 and the rear-stage region 53. However, a region including the first end region 55a may be provided with an inclined shape portion (first inclined shape portion 56a) in which the cross-sectional area gradually increases from a side where the front-stage region 51 is present (see
By providing the inclined shape portions in the region including the first end region 55a and the region including the second end region 55b. it is possible to achieve a state where stagnation is less likely to occur in a flow path from the front-stage region 51 to the rear-stage region 53 through the central region 55.
According to the third embodiment and the like, an example has been described in which an outer shape of the housing (antenna case 11) of the electronic equipment 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, the outer shape of the housing of the electronic equipment 10 is not limited to the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the outer shape of the housing of the electronic equipment 10 may have an inclined shape in which a dimension in the z direction gradually increases from the end portion on a side facing the first end region 55a and a dimension in the z direction gradually decreases toward the end portion on a side facing the second end region 55b. Specifically, as the outer shape of the housing of the electronic equipment 10 having the inclined shape, a housing having an upper portion of a frustum shape (see
By providing the inclined shape in the outer shape of the housing of the electronic equipment 10, it is possible to achieve a state where stagnation is less likely to occur in a flow path from the front-stage region 51 to the rear-stage region 53 through the central region 55.
According to the first embodiment and the like, an example has been described in which the front-stage region 51, the central region 55, and the rear-stage region 53 are arranged in the left-right direction (x direction). In addition, according to the first embodiment and the like, an example has been described in which the first region 50 configured separately from these members is provided in a specific region (a region between the roof 1a and the roof lining 1b) of the vehicle 1. However, the front-stage region 51, the central region 55. and the rear-stage region 53 may be arranged in another direction (see
According to the first embodiment, an example has been described in which air from the region (second region 70) different from the first region 50 inside the vehicle 1 flows into the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51. According to the second embodiment, an example has been described in which air from the region (third region 80) lower than the first region 50 outside the vehicle 1 flows into the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51. In addition, according to the first embodiment and the like, an example has been described in which the first region 50 includes the front-stage region 51, the rear-stage region 53, and the central region 55. However, air from a duct 1c through which cold air of an air conditioner 1d of the vehicle 1 flows may be caused to flow into the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51 (see
According to the ninth embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the front-stage region 51 is connected to the duct 1c extending from the air conditioner 1d provided in a rear portion of the vehicle 1 to the space including the driver seat below the roof lining 1b through the rear pillar and the space between the roof 1a and the roof lining 1b. However, the front-stage region 51 may be connected to the duct 1c extending from the air conditioner 1d provided in a front portion (for example, an engine room) of the vehicle 1 to the space including the driver seat below the roof lining 1b through a front pillar and the space between the roof 1a and the roof lining 1b.
According to the ninth embodiment, the front-stage region 51 is connected to the duct 1c through the air supply port 51a. It is desirable that a valve 51b for controlling a flow of air from the duct 1c be provided in the front-stage region 51. When the air from the duct 1c is caused to flow to the front-stage region 51, the valve 51b is opened. When the air from the duct 1c is caused not to flow to the front-stage region 51, the valve 51b is closed. Opening and closing control of the valve 51b is performed by the electronic control unit (ECU, not illustrated) or the like of the vehicle 1,
The electronic equipment 10 is disposed at a position facing the other end portion of the front-stage region 51 (a portion of the front-stage region 51 from which the air is discharged), that is, at a position to which the cold air from the air conditioner 1d or the like passed through the front stage region 51 is blown. The electronic equipment 10 is attached to the vehicle 1 such as the roof lining 1b without through the first region 50.
When the accessory switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on, for example, when the engine of the vehicle 1 is turned on, the valve 51b is opened such that the air from the air conditioner 1d or the like passes through the front-stage region 51 for the first time T1. Since the valve 51b is opened, the air from the air conditioner 1d or the like flows into the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 through the air supply port 51a. The air flowing into the front-stage region 51 is blown to the electronic equipment 10 from the other end portion of the front-stage region 51.
The air from the air conditioner 1d is caused to flow into the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50, and the temperature of the electronic equipment 10 can be adjusted at an early stage. Since a flow of the air from the air conditioner 1d or the like is utilized, it is possible to cause the air to flow into the front-stage region 51 of the first region 50 without providing the fan 57.
A configuration in which the rear-stage region 53 and the central region 55 are omitted and the air is blown from the front-stage region 51 to the electronic equipment 10 may be applied to the first embodiment (air intake from the second region 70) and the second embodiment (air intake from the third region 80).
According to the second embodiment, an example has been described in which the electronic equipment 10 includes the heat releasing fin 29 provided with grooves along the flow of air. However, a direction of the grooves of the heat releasing fin 29 is not limited to the above. For example, the heat releasing fin 29 has grooves extending in a direction (the y direction and the z direction) perpendicular to a direction (x direction) in which the air flows (see
According to the first embodiment and the like, an example has been described in which cold air flowing into the air supply port 51a flows toward the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51, thereby cooling the electronic equipment 10. By cooling the electronic equipment 10, it is possible to suppress the members such as a semiconductor inside the electronic equipment 10 from having a high temperature, and to reduce a possibility that the performance of the electronic equipment 10 is deteriorated.
However, warm air flowing into the air supply port 51a may flow into the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51, thereby warming the electronic equipment 10.
When the mode of warming the electronic equipment 10 is applied to the first embodiment, the second region 70 corresponds to a region that is different from the first region 50 and has warmer air than the first region 50. From the second region 70, the warmer air flows into the region of the first region 50 where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51. When the mode of warming the electronic equipment 10 is applied to the second embodiment, the third region 80 corresponds to the region that is different from the first region 50 and has warmer air than the first region 50. From the third region 80, the warmer air flows into the region of the first region 50 where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51. In addition, when the mode of warming the electronic equipment 10 is applied to the ninth embodiment, the air conditioner 1d causes the warmer air to flow through the duct 1c. Some or all of the warmer air flowing through the duct 1c flows into the region of the first region 50 where the electronic equipment 10 is present through the front-stage region 51. When the warmer air is caused to flow into the region where the electronic equipment 10 is present, the heat absorbing and releasing member 21 is used to absorb heat, that is, to transmit heat of the warmer air to the members of the electronic equipment 10.
By warming the electronic equipment 10, it is possible to suppress dew condensation or the like that occurs in the inside of the electronic equipment 10 due to a temperature difference from the outside in a cold environment, and to reduce the possibility that the performance of the electronic equipment 10 is deteriorated.
In addition, the present embodiment describes that the air is caused to flow into the electronic equipment 10 through the front-stage region 51, but the front-stage region 51 may be omitted, and the air in the second region 70 or the like may be caused to directly flow into the intake opening 11a of the electronic equipment 10. Accordingly, effective air required for the temperature adjustment is allowed to flow into the inside of the electronic equipment 10.
Some embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments have been presented as example, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention and the gist of the invention, and are included in a scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalent thereto.
According to the present specification, the following aspects are provided.
A temperature adjusting structure for an electronic equipment provided inside a vehicle includes a first region. The first region is connected, through an air supply port, to at least one of a different region from the first region that is to have cooler air or warmer air than the first region 50. and a duct of an air conditioner of the vehicle. Air which is to flow into the air supply port is to flow into a region where the electronic equipment is present in the first region.
According to Aspect 1, air is taken from a second region or the like into the first region, and the taken air is used for temperature adjustment of an electronic equipment 10. Accordingly, the temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment is facilitated than in a mode in which the temperature adjustment is not performed using air from the outside. In addition, by continuously feeding air to the region where the electronic equipment is present, the air continues to flow to the electronic equipment. Therefore, it is easy to maintain a dried state of members of the electronic equipment.
The first region has a front-stage region including the air supply port. The air which is to flow into the air supply port is to flow into the region where the electronic equipment is present through the front-stage region.
Preferably, a fan is provided separately from the electronic equipment, the fan configured to perform at least one of causing air to flow into the region where the electronic equipment is present and causing air to be discharged from the region where the electronic equipment is present.
According to Aspect 3, by using the fan, it is possible to cause the air to flow into the region where the electronic equipment is present, regardless of a pressure state of the first region.
More preferably, the fan is configured to be operated when an accessory switch of the vehicle is turned on.
According to Aspect 4, immediately before the accessory switch of the vehicle is turned on, there is a possibility that a temperature of the electronic equipment is high or low, such as the vehicle is not running. Therefore, if the fan is operated when the accessory switch of the vehicle is turned on, the temperature of the electronic equipment can be adjusted more effectively than in a mode in which the fan is operated in another time zone.
Preferably, a housing of the electronic equipment has an air supply opening and an air discharge opening. Air which is to flow into the region where the electronic equipment is present is to flow into an inside of the housing through the air supply opening, and to be discharged to an outside of the housing through the air discharge opening.
According to Aspect 5, by providing air holes (the air supply opening and the air discharge opening) in the housing of the electronic equipment, the air can be taken into the inside of the electronic equipment. Therefore, the temperature adjustment of the members in the inside of the electronic equipment is facilitated than in a mode in which the temperature is adjusted by applying the air to the outside of the electronic equipment.
More preferably, the electronic equipment is provided with a shielding plate that covers a mounted component attached to a substrate, and a heat absorbing and releasing member. The shielding plate and the heat absorbing and releasing member are configured integrally.
According to Aspect 6, configurations of the heat absorbing and releasing member and the shielding plate can be simplified, and heat transfer efficiency can be increased.
Preferably, the first region includes a central region that accommodates the electronic equipment. A first end region on an upstream side of the central region has a shape in which a cross-sectional area gradually increases from the upstream side.
According to Aspect 7, by providing an inclined shape portion in a region including the first end region, it is possible to achieve a state where stagnation is less likely to occur in a flow path.
Preferably, the first region is connected to the different region through the air supply port. The different region is a space including the driver seat, or an underfloor of the vehicle.
According to Aspect 8, the different region is located at a position lower than the first region, and may be in a temperature state different from that of the first region. Therefore, the temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment can be performed by the air flowing from the second region.
Preferably, the front-stage region is connected to the duct through the air supply port. The electronic equipment is provided at a position facing a portion of the front-stage region from which the air is to be discharged. A valve configured to control a flow of the air from the duct to the front-stage region is provided.
According to Aspect 9, it is possible to cause cold air or warm air from the air conditioner to flow into the first region, and to adjust the temperature of the electronic equipment at an early stage.
Preferably, air from the air supply port is to pass through a lower portion of the electronic equipment. A heat absorbing and releasing member is provided in a region of the lower portion of the electronic equipment through which the air from the air supply port is to pass.
According to Aspect 10, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the electronic equipment by causing air taken in from the outside to flow to a periphery (lower surface) of the electronic equipment. The temperature adjustment of the electronic equipment can be performed by using the air taken in from the outside while suppressing impurities such as dust from entering the inside of the electronic equipment. By cooling or warming the heat absorbing and releasing member, the temperature adjustment of the members in the inside of the electronic equipment can be performed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-113447 | Jun 2020 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2021/021326 | 6/4/2021 | WO |
