JPH1139063A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to cool an electronic equipment main body and an extension electronic equipment with one cooling fan at a low cost, with a small configuration and at low noise by cooling the function extension equipment with the cooling fan of an electronic equipment main body in a state where the function extension equipment is attached to the electronic equipment main body. SOLUTION: A docking mechanism is provided for a notebook-type personal computer 1 and a docking station 2 and they are connected and separated with a simple operation. The cooling fan 15 is provided near the trailing end of the notebook-type personal compute 1. Projection parts 5a and 5c are provided inside an exhaust duct 5 and a through hole 5b from the inner part of the docking station is made for the projection part 5a. When the cooling fan 15 is driven, the inner air of the notebook-type personal computer 1 is exhausted and it passes through the inner part of the exhaust duct 5. At that time, the projection parts 5a and 5c narrow exhaust air and negative pressure is generated. The inner air of the docking station 2 is sucked from the hole 5b to radiate the heat in the decking station 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electronic equipment,
In particular, the main body of a notebook computer and the like,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device that cools the inside of an electronic device, such as a mechanically connectable expansion docking station, with a cooling fan.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the operation system of personal computers has generally become plug-and-play compatible (hot-swapping), so that it is easy to use a notebook computer with the minimum functions required when going out and a docking station for expanding functions. It can be removed.

[0003] However, there has been a problem that the internal temperature of an electronic device rises due to the sophistication and speed of a notebook personal computer, the diversification of the docking station expansion function, and the sophistication of the function. In order to do this, it is necessary to take measures to dissipate heat from the notebook computer and docking station.

Conventionally, each of these notebook personal computers and docking stations for expanding functions has been provided with a cooling fan.

[0005]

However, in the above conventional example, since two cooling fans are required, the cost and size of the electronic device cannot be reduced, and the noise is high.

Accordingly, an electronic device of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic device that cools an electronic device main body and an extended positron device with one cooling fan. Is to do.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention comprises an electronic apparatus main body having a cooling fan on a side surface of the apparatus, and a function expansion / removal function detachable from the electronic apparatus main body. In the electronic device having a device, in a state where the function expansion device is attached to the electronic device body,
The functional expansion device is cooled by a cooling fan of the electronic device body.

According to this configuration, the cooling fan provided in the electronic device main body can cool not only the electronic device main body but also the function expansion electronic device.

Further, the electronic device according to the present invention includes an attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting attachment / detachment of the electronic device main body and the function expansion device, and detects internal temperatures in the electronic device main body and the function expansion device, respectively. And a control unit that controls the rotation of the cooling fan according to the states of the electronic device main body and the function expansion device detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit and the temperature detection unit. .

[0010] According to this configuration, it is possible to perform optimal temperature management based on the attachment / detachment state of the electronic device main body and the function expansion device and the respective temperature rises.

Further, the electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that an exhaust pipe for guiding exhaust air from the cooling fan and a through hole for passing exhaust air from inside the function expansion device are provided in the exhaust pipe.

According to this configuration, at the time of docking, the air pressure in the exhaust pipe is reduced by the exhaust of the cooling fan of the electronic device main body, and the air inside the function expansion device is exhausted from the through hole. It is possible to cool both the device body and the function expansion device.

Further, the electronic device according to the present invention is characterized in that a throttle portion having a reduced exhaust pipe cross-sectional area is provided in the exhaust pipe, and the through hole is provided in the throttle portion.

According to this structure, the flow rate of the exhaust gas from the electronic device main body increases at the throttle portion where the cross-sectional area of the exhaust pipe becomes smaller, and the air pressure lowers. Therefore, by providing a through hole in the throttle portion, the function expansion device is provided. Increases internal exhaust efficiency.

Further, since the through hole provided in the throttle portion has a level difference from the other surface in the exhaust pipe, it is difficult for foreign substances to enter.

Further, the electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the direction of exhaust of the cooling fan is changed to blow air to the inside or outside of the function expansion device.

According to this configuration, it is possible to directly blow air to a high-temperature heat-generating part or a place where heat easily accumulates, and to cool it.

[0018] Further, the invention is characterized in that the direction of exhaust of the cooling fan is changed, and air is blown to an exhaust path formed by connecting the electronic device main body and the function expansion device.

According to this configuration, it is possible to cool the electronic device main body and the function expansion device in which heat easily accumulates, and it is possible to prevent the effects of the mutual heat generation.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic device to which the present invention is applied. The electronic device is, for example, a notebook personal computer and a docking station for expanding functions.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a notebook computer, 2
Is a function expansion docking station, and shows a state in which the notebook computer 1 and the docking station 2 are connected.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a display unit as display means of the notebook personal computer 1, 4 denotes a keyboard as input means of the notebook personal computer, and 5 denotes a main exhaust pipe. A cooling fan is provided inside the back side of the notebook computer 1 hidden by the exhaust pipe 5.

The notebook computer 1 is provided with a docking mechanism at a portion (not shown) so that it can be electrically and mechanically connected to and separated from the docking station 2, and can be connected and separated by a simple operation. I have.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the notebook computer 1 and the docking station 2.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a notebook computer 1
Is an interface unit on the docking station side, and is electrically connected to each other.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an 8-bit CPU.
3. Control the cooling fan 15 and the thermistor 14.
Reference numeral 22 denotes an 8-bit CPU, which controls the battery 23 and the thermistor 24.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire system including the docking station 2 when the notebook personal computer 1 and the docking station 2 are connected. In the present embodiment, the 8-bit CPUs 12 and 22 operate under the control of the CPU 16.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work area of the CPU 16 and stores a program for realizing the present invention described later.

The extended functions of the docking station 2 include a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a second hard disk drive, a second battery, a high volume stereo speaker, an I / F connector for a port replicator, various expansion boards, a printer, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the cooling fan 15, and a method of radiating heat will be described with reference to FIG.

A main board 6 for performing power supply and various controls is fixed at a portion (not shown) inside the notebook personal computer 1, and a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as CPU) serving as a heat source is mounted on the main board 6. 16, chipset 8,
A thermistor 41 and the like, which are internal temperature detecting means of the notebook personal computer, are mounted. A heat radiation plate 9 made of aluminum is fixed to an upper surface of the CPU 16 at a portion (not shown).
Silicon-based heat conductive rubber 10 is sandwiched between U7 and heat sink 9 so as to be in close contact with both surfaces. A cooling fan 15 is provided near the rear end of the notebook personal computer 1, and is electrically connected to the main board 6 at a portion (not shown).

A main board 7 for supplying power and performing various controls is also fixed inside the docking station 2 at a portion (not shown).
2) and a thermistor 24 as a means for detecting the internal temperature of the docking station 2. Protrusions 5a and 5c are provided inside the exhaust pipe 5, and a through-hole 5b from the inside of the docking station is formed in the protrusion 5a.

In FIG. 1, a main board 6 and a main board 7 are a docking unit (not shown) for mechanically connecting the notebook computer 1 and the docking station 2.
Are electrically connected to each other by a docking connector (not shown) formed integrally therewith. At this time, a detection circuit (not shown) for detecting that the docking connector is connected.
Is mounted on the main board 6, and the notebook computer 1 is connected to the docking station 2 by detecting means such as a microswitch (not shown) that detects mechanical connection by the docking unit. Detect.

The heat generated by the CPU 16 is mainly transmitted to the heat radiating plate 9 through the heat conductive rubber 10 and is radiated inside the notebook personal computer 1. In addition, the chip set 8 and the heating element 20
The generated heat is radiated from the surface of each chip and raises the internal temperature of each device. When the cooling fan 15 is driven, the air inside the notebook computer 1 is exhausted in the direction of the arrow and passes through the exhaust pipe 5. At this time, the exhaust is throttled by the projections 5a and 5c and the wind speed increases, so that a negative pressure is generated and the air inside the docking station is drawn in from the hole 5b. As described above, the notebook PC 1 can be operated only with the cooling fan 15.
And the docking station 2 can radiate heat.

Next, the control of the cooling fan 15 in the electronic device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the components mounted on the main board 6 operate, the internal temperature starts to rise accordingly. The internal temperature T1 of the notebook computer 1 is read by the thermistor 14 mounted on the main board 6 (step S1).

Next, whether the docking station 2 is connected or not is determined by the above-described docking detection means (step S2).

First, the case where the docking station 2 is not connected will be described. If the docking station 2 is not connected, it is determined whether or not the internal temperature T1 of the notebook computer 1 read in step S1 exceeds a first set temperature (for example, 70 ° C.) (step S3).

When the internal temperature T1 is equal to or lower than 70 ° C., it is determined whether the internal temperature T1 is lower than a second set temperature (for example, 65 ° C.) (step S5), but the cooling fan 15 is not driven. In either case, go to END and STA
Return to RT. If the cooling fan 15 is not driven, the internal temperature T1 continues to rise. If the internal temperature T1 exceeds 70 ° C. in step S3, the cooling fan 15 is driven (step S4), and the process returns from END to START.

By driving the cooling fan 15, the internal temperature T1 of the notebook computer 1 decreases. If it is determined in step S3 that the internal temperature T1 is 70 ° C. or less, then the internal temperature T1 is reduced to 65 ° C. It is determined whether it is less than (Step S5). Here, when the internal temperature T1 is 6
When the temperature is 5 ° C. or more, the cooling fan 15 is continuously driven, and the process returns from END to START. The internal temperature T1 further decreases by continuing to drive the cooling fan 15, and if it is determined in step S5 that the internal temperature T1 is less than 65 ° C., the driving of the cooling fan 15 is stopped (step S5).
6) Return from END to START.

Next, the case where the docking station 2 is connected will be described. If it is determined in step S2 that the docking station 2 is connected, the internal temperature T2 of the docking station 2 is read by the thermistor 24 mounted on the main board 7 (step S7), and the internal temperature T1 or the internal temperature T2 is read. Is higher than a first set temperature (for example, both are 70 ° C.). If both of the internal temperatures are determined to be 70 ° C. or lower, it is determined whether the internal temperature T1 and the internal temperature T2 are lower than a second set temperature (for example, both are 65 ° C.) (step S10). If the motor 15 is not driven, the operation proceeds to END in any case and returns to START. If the cooling fan 15 is not driven, the internal temperature T1
And T2 continue to rise, and in step 8, the internal temperature T1
Alternatively, if either of the internal temperatures T2 exceeds 70 ° C., the cooling fan 15 is driven (step S9), and E
Return from ND to START.

By driving the cooling fan 15, the internal temperature T 1 of the notebook computer 1 and the internal temperature T 2 of the docking station 2 decrease and step S
In FIG. 8, when both the internal temperature T1 and the internal temperature T2 are 7
If it is determined that the temperature is 0 ° C. or less, it is next determined whether or not the internal temperature T1 and the internal temperature T2 are lower than 65 ° C. (Step S)
5). Here, when either the internal temperature T1 or the internal temperature T2 is equal to or higher than 65 ° C., the cooling fan 15 is continuously driven, and the process returns from END to START. By continuing to drive the cooling fan 15, the internal temperature T1 and the internal temperature T2 further decrease, and in step S5, the internal temperature T1
When it is determined that both the temperature and the internal temperature T2 are less than 65 ° C., the driving of the cooling fan 15 is stopped (step S
6) Return from END to START.

As described above, by repeating a series of controls,
Cooling fan 15 attached to notebook computer 1
Thus, not only the notebook personal computer 1 but also the docking station 2 can be prevented from rising in temperature during docking, and a small, low-cost, low-noise electronic device can be supplied.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the cooling fan 15 of the notebook personal computer 1 and the docking station 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the docking station 2 is driven by a negative pressure generated in the exhaust pipe 5.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, after the exhaust of the notebook personal computer 1 enters through the intake port 41a, the exhaust direction is changed by the exhaust pipe 41 and the inside of the docking station 2 is exhausted. It passes and is exhausted from the exhaust port 41b. At this time, ribs 41c are provided to prevent the exhaust of the notebook computer 1 from flowing into the docking station 2.
The flow path is regulated by 41d.

Thus, the heating element 22 can be directly cooled by air.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the notebook personal computer 1 and the docking station 2 in the vicinity of the cooling fan 15 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The exhaust direction of the notebook computer 1 is changed in exhaust direction by an exhaust pipe 51, passes through an exhaust path formed between the notebook computer 1 and the docking station 2, and is exhausted to the front of the device.

As a result, heat can be radiated between the notebook personal computer 1 and the docking station 2 where heat easily accumulates, and the effects of heat generated by each other can be prevented. Further, if the hole 2a is provided in the upper part of the docking station 2 in the exhaust passage, the inside of the docking station 2 can be radiated with the same effect as in the first embodiment. Further, although not shown in FIG. 5, if a convex portion is provided around the hole 2a, the exhaust efficiency is improved, which is the same as the effect of the first embodiment.

Incidentally, also in the second and third embodiments,
The control method of the cooling fan 15 is the same as the control method of the first embodiment based on the flowchart of FIG.

In the first embodiment, all of the exhaust air of the notebook computer 1 is led to the exhaust pipe 5.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a part thereof does not have to pass through the exhaust pipe 5.

Similarly, in the second and third embodiments, a part of the exhaust of the notebook personal computer 1
Although the exhaust gas is exhausted directly to the outside air without entering the inside of the exhaust pipe 1, all the exhaust gas may be guided to the exhaust pipes 41 and 51.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The cooling fan of the electronic device main body can also cool the function expansion device together with the electronic device main body, thereby providing an electronic device that can be reduced in cost and size, and can also reduce noise. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic apparatus employing the present invention, viewed obliquely from behind.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a notebook computer 1 and a docking station 2.

FIG. 3 is a cooling fan 15 for an electronic device employing the present invention.
It is a cross-sectional view of a periphery.

FIG. 4 shows a cooling fan 15 for the notebook computer 1 and the docking station 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a cross-sectional view of a periphery.

FIG. 5 shows a cooling fan 15 for the notebook computer 1 and the docking station 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
It is a cross-sectional view of a periphery.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a cooling fan 15 in an electronic device employing the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laptop computer 2 Docking station for function expansion 3 Display unit 4 Keyboard 5 Exhaust pipe 6 Main board 7 Main board 8 Chip set 9 Heat sink 10 Thermal conductive rubber 12 8-bit CPU 14 Thermistor 15 Cooling fan 16 CPU 17 RAM 22 8-bit CPU 24 Thermistor 41 Exhaust pipe 51 Exhaust pipe

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device comprising: an electronic device main body having a cooling fan on a side surface of the device; and a function expansion device detachable from the electronic device main body, wherein the function expansion device is attached to the electronic device main body. The electronic device, wherein the function expansion device is cooled by a cooling fan of the electronic device body in a state where the electronic device is extended. 2. An attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting attachment / detachment of the electronic device main body and the function expansion device; a temperature detection device for detecting internal temperatures in the electronic device main body and the function expansion device, respectively; 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling rotation of the cooling fan according to the states of the electronic apparatus main body and the function expansion apparatus detected by the attachment / detachment detection means and the temperature detection means. . 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an exhaust pipe for guiding exhaust air from the cooling fan; and a through hole in the exhaust pipe for passing exhaust air from inside the function expansion device. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein a throttle portion having a reduced exhaust pipe cross-sectional area is provided in the exhaust pipe, and the through hole is provided in the throttle portion. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of exhaust of the cooling fan is changed to blow air to the inside or outside of the function expansion device. 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of exhaust of the cooling fan is changed, and air is blown to an exhaust path formed by connecting the electronic device body and the function expansion device. .