Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-01
2003-05-13
Thompson, Gregory (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S715000, C361S823000, C361S825000, C361S600000, C361S679090
Reexamination Certificate
active
06563710
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an electronic device which comprises a heat generating element in a housing, such as a power source device, a timer, or a temperature adjuster, also to a panel device in which plural such electronic devices (a concept including all such as an electric apparatus and an electronic apparatus) are usually accommodated in a same panel with the object of control, monitor, or the like, and also to a support rail which is used for supporting such an electronic device in such a panel in a juxtaposed state, such as a DIN rail.
BACKGROUND ART
As an electronic device which comprises a heat generating element in a housing, for example, known is a power source device such as a switching power source. The power source device incorporates a heat generating element such as a switching transistor or a rectifying diode in a housing. In such a power source device of the conventional art, a housing is configured by a material which is inferior in heat radiating property than a metal, such as a resin. The device incorporates a heat generating element and a heat radiating member which radiates heat generated by the heat generating element, in the housing. The heat radiated from the heat radiating member is discharged to the outside through a large number of heat radiating slit holes which are formed in a side portion of the housing.
In a power source device of another conventional art example, a housing may be configured by a material which is superior in heat radiating property, such as a metal. A heat radiating member is placed in the housing, and heat from the heat radiating member is conducted also to the housing, thereby improving the heat radiation efficiency.
(Technical Problems that the Invention is to Solve)
In the former power source device, however, the periphery of the heat radiating member is covered by the housing made of a resin which is a material having inferior heat radiating properties, and hence there is a problem in that, even when many heat radiating slit holes are formed in the housing, heat of the heat radiating member is hardly dissipated to the outside of the housing, thereby impairing the heat radiating properties of the device.
By contrast, in the latter power source device, the side portion of the housing is configured by a metal which is a material having superior heat radiating properties. Therefore, the device is superior in heat radiating property than the former device. Since the housing material is a metal, however, an insulation distance from the housing must be set to be relatively large so as to prevent an electronic component in the housing from being in contact with the housing. Therefore, the latter power source device has a problem in that, even in the case of a power source of a small capacity, the size of the housing is large and hence the device cannot be made compact and is heavy, with the result that it is very difficult to handle the device.
It is a common object of the invention to provide an electronic device in which, even when a housing is configured by a material such as a resin which is inferior in heat radiating property than a metal, heat generated by a heat generating element in the housing can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the housing, and which therefore has excellent heat radiating properties.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
(Solving Method and Effects Superior than Conventional Art)
In order to attain the object, a first feature of the invention is an electronic device comprising: a housing; a first metal member having portions which face to an inside and an outside of the housing, respectively, and attached directly or indirectly to the housing; and a heat generating element which is attached to the portion of the first metal member, the portion facing the inside of the housing.
According to the first feature, even when the housing is configured by a resin which is inferior in heat radiating property, for example, heat generated by the heat generating element attached to the portion of the first metal member facing the inside of the housing is easily radiated to the outside of the housing through the portion of the first metal member facing the outside of the housing. Therefore, the electronic device has excellent heat radiating properties.
A second feature of the invention is an electronic device comprising: a housing; a first metal member facing an outside of the housing; a second metal member which is formed integrally with the first metal member, or coupled to the first metal member directly or via another metal member, and which is located in the housing; and a heat generating element which is attached to the second metal member.
According to the second feature, even when the housing is configured by a resin which is inferior in heat radiating property, for example, heat generated by the heat generating element attached to the second metal member is conducted from the second metal member to the first metal member. Since the first metal member faces to the outside of the housing, the generated heat is easily radiated to the outside of the housing. Therefore, the electronic device has excellent heat radiating properties.
A third feature of the invention is an electronic device in which the electronic device of the second feature is configured so that the second metal member is elongated into the housing, and the heat generating element is attached to an elongated portion.
According to the third feature, when the elongated portion is arbitrarily elongated, the attaching position of the heat generating element can be freely set, so that an electronic component in the housing can be placed in a very easy manner or the degree of freedom in design is improved. On the other hand, since the elongated portion is coupled to the first metal member facing the outside of the housing, heat generated by the heat generating element can be easily radiated to the outside. Therefore, the electronic device has excellent heat radiating properties.
A fourth feature of the invention is an electronic device in which the electronic device of any one of the first to third features is configured so that a rear portion of the housing is opened, and the rear opening of the housing is covered with the first metal member.
According to the fourth feature, a metal member having a large area can be used as the first metal member, and hence heat generated by the heat generating element can be easily conducted to the outside. Therefore, an electronic device of further excellent heat radiating properties can be obtained.
A fifth feature is an electronic device in which the electronic device of any one of the first to fourth features is configured so that a support member attaching portion is disposed in a portion of the first metal member facing the outside of the housing.
According to the fifth feature, since the support member attaching portion is disposed in a portion of the first metal member facing the outside of the housing, the device can be used for attaching a support member.
A sixth feature is an electronic device in which the electronic device of the fifth feature is configured so that the support member attaching portion can be grounded through a support member attached to the support member attaching portion.
According to the sixth feature, when the device is attached to the support member, the member can perform a shielding function against electrical noises generated from an internal electronic component.
A seventh feature is an electronic device having: a housing in which a rear portion is opened, and which has a terminal block attaching hole in a front side; and device configuring members which can be incorporated into the housing through the housing rear opening, the device configuring members including at least: a circuit board on which the terminal block is mounted; a heat generating element; and a metal member, the circuit board being accommodated in the housing so that, under the incorporated state, the terminal block positionally corresponds to the terminal block attaching hole in the front si
Okuda Ryoichi
Waniishi Tetsuya
Foley & Lardner
Omron Corporation
Thompson Gregory
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