U.S. patent application number 11/799582 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for sub-rack with housing for receiving plug-in modules.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schroff GmbH. Invention is credited to Ralf Herrmann, Michael Joist, Heinz Kempf, Adam Pawlowski, Liane Rheinschmitt.
Application Number | 20070256957 11/799582 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37026749 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070256957 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herrmann; Ralf ; et
al. |
November 8, 2007 |
Sub-rack with housing for receiving plug-in modules
Abstract
A sub-rack (1) for plugging and unplugging electronic plug-in
modules (3) includes a housing (2) which has a front cover plate
(5). Each plug-in module includes a cooling device including a heat
sink (19). A liquid distributor (12) is mounted on the cover plate
and in flow connection with each of the heat sinks via a feed line
(10) and a return line (11), and the liquid distributor is arranged
on the outside of and in the front region (4) of the sub-rack.
Inventors: |
Herrmann; Ralf;
(Engelsbrand, DE) ; Joist; Michael; (Gaggenau,
DE) ; Kempf; Heinz; (Calw, DE) ; Pawlowski;
Adam; (Waldbronn-Reichenbach, DE) ; Rheinschmitt;
Liane; (Ettlingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IP Section;Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
3000 Thanksgiving Tower, 1601 Elm Street, Suite 3000
Dallas
TX
75201
US
|
Assignee: |
Schroff GmbH
Straubenhart
DE
|
Family ID: |
37026749 |
Appl. No.: |
11/799582 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/710 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 25/12 20130101;
H05K 7/20645 20130101; A45B 9/02 20130101; H05K 7/20636
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/710 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 6, 2006 |
DE |
20 2006 007275.6 |
Claims
1. A sub-rack for plugging and unplugging electronic plug-in
modules including: a housing which has a front cover plate; a
cooling device for each plug-in module comprising a heat sink which
is arranged on the plug-in module; and a liquid distributor which
is in flow connection with the heat sink via a feed line and a
return line wherein the liquid distributor is arranged on the
outside in the front region of the sub-rack.
2. The sub-rack according to claim 1, characterized in that: a
receptacle for receiving the liquid distributor is provided in the
front region.
3. The sub-rack according to claim 2, characterized in that: the
receptacle is provided on the front cover plate.
4. The sub-rack according to claim 1, characterized in that: the
liquid distributor is fixed on the front cover plate which is
detachably secured to the housing.
5. The sub-rack according to claim 1, characterized in that: the
plug-in module has a front plate with at least two through-holes
for the return line and the feed line.
6. The sub-rack according to claim 1, characterized in that: a
coupling for connecting to the liquid distributor is provided on
the free end of at least one of the return line and the feed
line.
7. The sub-rack according to claim 6 characterized in that: the
coupling has one of an arc shape or angled construction, preferably
forming an angle between 60.degree. and 125.degree..
8. The sub-rack according to claim 6, characterized in that: the
liquid distributor has a distributor housing with a cover side on
which at least two line connections are provided for connecting to
couplings, respectively.
9. The sub-rack according claim 1, characterized in that: plural
liquid distributors are retrofitted in the front region of the
sub-rack.
10. The sub-rack according to claim 1, characterized in that: the
housing has opposed angular profiles in the front region, and the
liquid distributor is supported by the angular profiles.
11. The sub-rack according to claim 1, characterized in that: a
device for air cooling is provided, so that combined air and liquid
cooling is performed on at least one of the plug-in modules.
12. A sub-rack for plugging and unplugging plural electronic
plug-in modules including: a housing; a cooling device for each of
the plug-in modules which is arranged on the plug-in modules; and a
liquid distributor which is in fluid flow connection with each
cooling device via a feed line and a return line, respectively,
wherein the liquid distributor is arranged on the outside in the
front region of the sub-rack and wherein the liquid distributor has
a distributor housing on which at least two line connections are
provided for connecting to couplings for the feed lines and the
return lines, respectively.
13. The sub-rack according to claim 12, characterized in that: the
liquid distributor is fixed on a front cover plate which is
detachably secured to the housing.
14. The sub-rack according to claim 12, characterized in that: the
couplings have one of an arc shape or angled construction,
preferably forming an angle between 60.degree. and 125.degree..
15. The sub-rack according to claim 12, characterized in that: a
device for air cooling is provided, so that combined air and liquid
cooling is performed on the plug-in modules.
16. A sub-rack for plugging and unplugging electronic plug-in
modules including: a housing; a cooling device for each of selected
ones of the plug-in modules comprising a heat sink which is
arranged on the plug-in modules; and a liquid distributor which is
in fluid flow connection with the respective heat sinks via feed
lines and return lines wherein the liquid distributor is arranged
in the front region of the sub-rack and the liquid distributor is
secured on a front cover plate which is secured to the housing
above the plug-in modules.
17. The sub-rack according to claim 16, characterized in that: the
liquid distributor has a distributor housing with a cover side on
which at least two line connections are provided for connecting to
couplings, respectively, the couplings being provided on the return
lines and the feed lines, respectively.
18. The sub-rack according to claim 17 characterized in that: the
couplings have one of an arc shape or angled construction,
preferably forming an angle between 60.degree. and 125.degree..
19. The sub-rack according to claim 16, characterized in that: a
device for air cooling is provided, so that combined air and liquid
cooling is performed on the plug-in modules.
20. A sub-rack for plugging and unplugging electronic plugin
modules including: a housing which has a front cover plate; a
cooling device for each plug-in module comprising a heat sink which
is arranged on the plugin module; a liquid distributor which is in
flow connection with the heat sink via a feed line and a return
line wherein the liquid distributor is arranged on the outside in
the front region of the subrack; and the sub-rack is arranged in a
cabinet which has opposed angular profiles in the front region, the
liquid distributor being supported by the angular profiles.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to a sub-rack for plugging
and unplugging electronic plug-in modules with a housing, which has
a front cover plate and a cooling device for the plug-in
modules.
[0002] The power consumption of electronic plug-in modules today
continues to increase. In connection with the power consumption,
waste heat or the thermal output also increases. For a few modules,
special cooling devices must be provided, with which the plug-in
module is cooled by means of liquid cooling.
[0003] From German patent publication DE 102 10 480 A1, a housing
with electronic modules is known, in which a rigidly installed
cooling plate carrying a liquid flow is allocated to each module.
This arrangement, however, has a difficult construction of the
cooling transfer points to the insertable and removable plug-in
modules with their electronic components to be contacted.
[0004] German patent publication DE 43 27 444 A1 describes a
cooling device for a switchgear cabinet with electrical devices,
which are liquid cooled. The liquid cooled components are each
connected via a feed line and a return line to a common
distributor, which is preferably constructed as a block.
Disadvantages include a relatively complicated overall construction
and likewise heat transfer that is difficult to implement.
[0005] German patent publication DE 20 2004 010 204 U1 describes a
sub-rack with a housing and with modular electronic components,
which are insertable and removable. The sub-rack has at least one
liquid distributor in the housing. The liquid distributors are
arranged in the housing above or below the push-in area of the
plug-in modules. The housing is designed for pure liquid cooling.
In this embodiment, liquid cooling must be provided in the housing
of the sub-rack in advance. Subsequent installation in an air
cooled sub-rack is not possible or is possible only with much
difficulty.
[0006] For many sub-racks, however, individual plug-in modules are
set up after the fact or replaced by updated, more powerful plug-in
modules, so that liquid cooling is to be provided later for
individual or all plug-in modules.
[0007] Therefore, the problem of the present invention is to create
a sub-rack with a housing for receiving electronic plug-in modules,
which can be easily equipped with liquid cooling at a later time.
This should be possible, in particular for housings with sub-racks
installed in an electronics cabinet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a sub-rack for plugging and
unplugging electronic plug-in modules including a housing with a
front cover plate and a cooling device for the plug-in modules. The
cooling device comprises a heat sink arranged on the plug-in module
and a liquid distributor that is in flow connection with the heat
sink via a feed line and a return line. The liquid distributor is
arranged on the outside in the front region of the sub-rack.
[0009] According to the invention, simple retrofitting of such a
distributor on the sub-rack is allowed by this construction. If
individual plug-in modules are replaced and if there is a need for
liquid cooling for these replaced modules, a liquid distributor can
be easily arranged on the outside of the sub-rack. For an
arrangement in the front region, there is also the advantage that
the liquid distributor is easily accessible. First, the feed line
and the return line to the heat sink can be easily coupled and
fixed to the liquid distributor on the plug-in module. In this way,
sub-racks installed in switchgear cabinets can be easily expanded.
The sub-rack need not be removed from the switchgear cabinet to
subsequently install a cooling device for the plug-in modules.
[0010] Preferably, the liquid distributor is arranged for this
purpose detachably in the front region. The ability to detach the
distributor allows not only simple assembly but also disassembly,
if the distributor is no longer necessary, or retrofitting, if, for
example, a different liquid distributor is necessary due to changed
requirements.
[0011] The sub-rack according to the invention has the advantage
that the liquid distributor is freely accessible from the front
side of the sub-rack, because it is located in the front region.
Maintaining and checking the liquid distributor, especially visual
checking, is especially easy to perform also during the operation
of the modules.
[0012] Preferably, the sub-rack according to the invention has a
receptacle for receiving the liquid distributor in its front
region. This receptacle can be constructed, for example, in the
form of a flange, into which the liquid distributor is pressed or
clipped. The receptacle can also consist of one or more bores, so
that the liquid distributor can be screwed in the front region of
the sub-rack.
[0013] Especially preferred is providing a receptacle for receiving
the liquid distributor on the front cover plate of the sub-rack. In
this way, the liquid distributor sits in the front region above or
below the plug-in modules. Inserting and removing plug-in modules
into and out of the sub-rack is not obstructed by the liquid
distributor. This arrangement also has the advantage that the feed
and return line to the heat sink, which is arranged on the plug-in
module, can be relatively short, because the liquid distributor is
arranged in the immediate vicinity of the modules.
[0014] Alternatively, a liquid distributor can also be arranged at
the edge regions of the sub-rack, that is, on the side of the push
in area of the plug-in modules. A dummy plate can also be provided,
which is arranged next to or between two plug-in modules in the
front region of the sub-rack and flush with the front plates of the
plug-in modules. However, this embodiment is important only when
the sub-rack is not completely equipped with plug-in modules.
[0015] Advantageously, a sub-rack according to the invention is
constructed so that several liquid distributors can be arranged in
the front region of the sub-rack. Thus, several liquid distributor
can be retrofitted on one sub-rack. If several plug-in modules are
to be cooled by liquid cooling, the sub-rack can also be expanded
successively, in which, according to the requirements and number of
plug-in modules to be cooled, several or additional liquid
distributors are installed. The individual liquid distributors are
correspondingly small, so that a space saving construction is
possible. The individual liquid distributors can be coupled to each
other, so that, in terms of flow, a large liquid distributor with
many connections for several heat sinks is produced. Also when
additional plug-in modules are retrofitted with liquid cooling, the
existing liquid distributors can be kept. Additional liquid
distributors are then installed. This can also be realized with a
"hot plug method" if the given plug-in modules are exchanged only
for plug-in modules with liquid cooling, while the unaffected
plug-in modules continue to operate.
[0016] In one preferred embodiment, a sub-rack according to the
invention is arranged in a cabinet, especially in an electronics
cabinet or switchgear cabinet with a nineteen inch format. The
switchgear cabinet has angular profiles in the front region, so
that the liquid distributor is fixed to the angular profiles of the
cabinet. In this way, the liquid distributor can be arranged and
mounted directly on the angular profiles or on a special front
cover plate, which is fixed, for example, to the two side angular
profiles of the switchgear cabinet. In this way, more space is
available for retrofitting liquid distributors, so that large
liquid distributors with several feed and return lines can also be
used for simultaneously supplying several plug-in modules.
[0017] It is further advantageous to provide combined air and
liquid cooling. In addition to the (standard) device for air
cooling, a cooling device for liquid cooling is also provided. This
allows the cooling of "hot spots," that is, especially hot zones.
Plug-in modules can be cooled separately or selectively according
to the individual requirements of cooling. For expanding an air
cooled sub-rack by liquid cooling, the liquid cooled plug-in module
is also still cooled by air cooling, so that the cooling efficiency
is increased.
[0018] Additional details, features, and advantages of the
invention result from the following description of preferred
embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sub-rack with a housing
and two inserted plug-in modules in accordance with the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a sub-rack with a
liquid distributor for connecting six liquid cooled plug-in
modules;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sub-rack with a
liquid distributor, and which is completely equipped with liquid
cooled plug-in modules;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plug-in module with two
heat sinks;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a detail front elevation of the top corner area of
the sub-rack shown in FIG. 1; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a detail side elevation of the top corner area
shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] In the description which follows like parts are marked
throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference
numerals, respectively. The drawing figures may not be to scale and
certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic or generalized
form in the interest or clarity and conciseness.
[0026] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 each show a sub-rack 1 with a housing 2,
into which plug-in modules 3 are pushed. In the front region 4 of
the sub-rack 1, a front cover plate 5 is provided above a push in
area 6, which area is for inserting and removing the plug-in
modules 3. Underneath the push in area 6 there is an air inlet
plate 7, which has a screen-like construction, so that several
small air inlet openings are provided for air-cooling the sub-rack
1.
[0027] In FIG. 1, the two plug-in modules 3 each have two
through-holes 9 on their front plates 8. Cooling fluid feed lines
10 and return lines 11 of a cooling device for liquid cooling are
guided through the through-holes 9, see FIG. 4 also.
[0028] The front cover plate 5 arranged above the push in area 6
for the plug-in modules 3 has a liquid distributor 12, which is a
component of the cooling device. The liquid distributor 12 is fixed
on the front cover plate 5 of the sub-rack 1. The front cover plate
5, however, is connected detachably to the housing 2 of the
sub-rack 1 at opposed angular profiles of the housing, so that the
front cover plate 5 can be exchanged together with the liquid
distributor 12. Fixing the liquid distributor 12 on a separate
front cover plate 5, which is fixed detachably to the sub-rack 1,
is especially preferred because liquid cooling for a sub-rack can
be retrofitted through simple replacement of the front cover plate
5.
[0029] FIG. 2 likewise shows a sub-rack 1 according to the
invention, whose push in area 6 is filled completely with plug-in
modules 3. Five of the plug-in modules 3 are provided with liquid
cooling.
[0030] The liquid distributor 12 arranged above the push in area 6
preferably has a distributor housing 13 with a cover side 14, which
is aligned parallel to the front cover plate 5. At least two line
connections 15 for connecting a coupling 22 are provided on the
cover side 14, FIG. 5.
[0031] The liquid distributor 12 has several line connections 15,
which are arranged in two rows one above the other. Line
connections 15a of the top row are provided for connecting
respective feed lines 10. Lower line connections 15b, FIGS. 2 and
6, are provided for connecting to respective return lines 11. Thus,
two line connections 15 are used for connecting the cooling device
of each plug-in module 3.
[0032] A main feed line 17a and a main return line 17b, which are
connected to a not shown heat exchanger, are arranged on one side
wall 16 of the distributor housing 13 of the liquid distributor 12.
Usually, the heat exchanger is arranged in the same switchgear
cabinet as the sub-rack.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a sub-rack 1 with a liquid distributor, which
extends over the entire width of the sub-rack 1 and which provides
possible connections for each insertable plug-in module 3. For
example, such a liquid distributor 12 includes possible connections
for a total of fourteen plug-in modules 3 in the use of nineteen
inch sub-racks.
[0034] The sub-racks 1 shown explicitly in FIGS. 2 and 3 each have
a liquid distributor 12, which extends over the entire width of the
sub-rack 1. In an alternate construction of the liquid distributor
12, it may have only connections for a few plug-in modules 3,
especially for three plug-in modules 3, as shown in FIG. 5, for
example. The liquid distributor 12 then extends only over the width
of three modules. It is constructed as a small block. Such a liquid
distributor 12, shown in FIG. 5, shows the arrangement at the upper
left corner of a sub-rack 1. The liquid distributor 12 has line
connections 15 for a total of three modules. In addition to the
liquid distributor 12, in the front cover plate 5 there is a
receptacle 18, on which another liquid distributor 12 can be
attached, if additional plug-in modules 3 are to be later provided
with liquid cooling. In the receptacle 18, which has a square
construction, a cooperating clip, not shown, of a liquid
distributor 12 may be disposed. In this way, the liquid distributor
12 is easy to install.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows in detail a plug-in module 3 with cooling
bodies or heat sinks 19 and two through-holes 9 on a front plate 8
for feeding through the feed line 10 and the return line 11. This
plug-in module 3 is likewise suitable for holding in a sub-rack 1.
The spacing between the feed line 10 and return line 11 in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is greater than for the embodiments of
the plug-in modules shown in the other drawing figures, but
otherwise the embodiments are all constructed in the same way.
Moreover, in the embodiments shown the feed line 10 may be disposed
above or below the return line 11 in the various drawing figures.
The arrangement of the feed and return lines in this respect may
not be important.
[0036] As is to be taken from FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, a flexible line
section 20 and 21, on each of which a coupling 22 is arranged, is
provided at the free end of the feed line 10 and the return line
11, respectively. Preferably, the couplings 22 have an arc shaped
or angled construction. The angle here is advantageously between
60.degree. and 125.degree.. Especially preferred is an angle of
90.degree., like that of the couplings 22 shown in the drawing
figures. Such couplings 22 are especially well suited for
connecting to a liquid distributor 12, whose line connections 15a
and 15b are arranged on the cover side 14. Bending and resulting
damage to the line sections 20, 21 is reliably prevented.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, in particular, the liquid distributor 12
projects only slightly past the front region 4 of the sub-rack 1,
so that the sub-rack 1 with coupling 22 attached to the cooling
device is deeper than an air cooled sub-rack. The couplings 22
extend only slightly past a cable collection plate 23, which is
arranged above the liquid distributor 12 and which can be provided
in sub-racks such as the sub-rack 1.
[0038] The sub-rack 1 according to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 includes a
combined air and liquid cooling system, because the plug-in modules
3 arranged in the sub-rack 1 can be cooled first via air cooling,
and second via liquid cooling. The cold air for air cooling flows
through the air inlet plate 7 in the sub-rack 1. In addition, there
is the possibility, by setting up or retrofitting the sub-rack 1
with liquid distributors 12, to install some or all of the plug-in
modules 3 with liquid cooling, in order also to cool individual
plug-in modules 3.
[0039] The construction and operation of the sub-rack housing for
receiving plug-in modules according to the present invention is
believed to be within the purview of one skilled in the art based
on the foregoing description. Conventional engineering materials
and practices may be used to construct the sub-rack with housing
for receiving plug-in modules as shown and described.
[0040] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that
various substitutions and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
* * * * *