Heater cooling mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a heating element cooling mechanism capable of suppressing damage to a cooling portion caused by vibration of a heating element. The heating element cooling mechanism (1) comprises a heating element (2), a supporting portion (3) supporting the heating element (2), and a cooling portion (4) performing heat exchange with the heating element (2). The heating element (2) is supported by the supporting portion (3) in direct contact, and the cooling portion (4) is supported by the supporting portion (3) by applying force. A heat transfer material (43) is arranged between the heating element (2) and the cooling portion (4), and the heating element (2) and the cooling portion (4) are not in direct contact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a heating element cooling mechanism. Background Art

[0002] There is known a heat generating body cooling mechanism including a heat generating body and a cooling unit that performs heat exchange with the heat generating body. For example, Patent Document 1 describes cooling a battery module as a heat generating body using a water jacket as a cooling unit.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-106283 Summary of the invention

[0005] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, in such a heat generating element cooling mechanism, if the vibration of the heat generating element is directly transmitted to the cooling unit, the cooling unit may be damaged.

[0007] The present invention provides a heat generating body cooling mechanism capable of suppressing damage to a cooling portion caused by vibration of a heat generating body.

[0008] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0009] The heat generating body cooling mechanism of the present invention comprises:

[0010] Heating body;

[0011] a supporting portion for supporting the heating element; and

[0012] a cooling unit, which is used to perform heat exchange with the heating element,

[0013] wherein the heating element is supported by the supporting portion in a direct contact manner,

[0014] The cooling part is supported by the supporting part by applying force,

[0015] A heat transfer material is arranged between the heat generating element and the cooling unit, and the heat generating element and the cooling unit are not in direct contact.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress damage to the cooling unit due to vibration of the heating element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a heat generating body cooling mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1A three-dimensional view of the support portion and the cooling portion of the heat generating element cooling mechanism shown.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Section view along AA.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Section view along BB.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a plan view showing another arrangement example of the cooling unit.

[0023] Description of reference numerals:

[0024] 1. Heating element cooling mechanism

[0025] 2 Heating element

[0026] 2A First heating element

[0027] 2B Second heating element

[0028] 3 Supporting part

[0029] 31 Shelf

[0030] 33 Shelf

[0031] 351 Bolt

[0032] 355 Rubber Seat

[0033] 356 First extension

[0034] 4 Cooling section

[0035] 41 Cooling section main body

[0036] 43 Heat transfer materials

[0037] 44 Second extension. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Below, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 4 One embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the drawings are viewed in the direction of the reference numerals.

[0039]

Heat-generating element cooling mechanism

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a heat-generating body cooling mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a heat-generating body 2; a support portion 3 for supporting the heat-generating body 2; a cooling portion 4 for performing heat exchange with the heat-generating body 2; and a liquid medium circulation passage 6 for circulating the liquid medium between the cooling portion 4 and the radiator 5. The heat-generating body cooling mechanism 1 can be mounted on vehicles such as engine cars, hybrid cars, fuel cell cars, electric cars, and transportation equipment such as ships and aircraft.

[0041]

Heat generating element

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat generating element 2 of this embodiment includes a first heat generating element 2A, a second heat generating element 2B and a third heat generating element 2C, each of which has a rectangular box shape of different sizes. The first heat generating element 2A, the second heat generating element 2B and the third heat generating element 2C are, for example, a battery, a battery control device for controlling the battery, and an automatic driving device for realizing automatic driving of a vehicle.

[0043]

Support

[0044] The support part 3 includes: a plurality of shelf parts 31 to 33, which are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction; and a frame part 34, which supports these shelf parts 31 to 33. The support part 3 of this embodiment includes three layers of shelf parts 31 to 33, and the first heating element 2A is arranged on the upper surface of the shelf part 31 of the upper layer, the second heating element 2B is arranged on the upper surface of the shelf part 33 of the lower layer, and the third heating element 2C is arranged on the shelf part 32 of the middle layer.

[0045] The shelf parts 31 and 33 are formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the cooling part 4. In this way, the heat of the heat generating element 2 can be actively transferred to the cooling part 4, and efficient heat exchange can be performed between the heat generating element 2 and the cooling part 4.

[0046]

Cooling Department

[0047] The cooling unit 4 is a plate-shaped liquid cooling device made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, for example, by extrusion molding. A plurality of water jackets 42 for passing a liquid medium are formed in parallel inside a plate-shaped cooling unit body 41 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ). The cooling unit 4 of this embodiment includes: a first cooling unit 4A, which is arranged on the upper shelf 31 and cools the first heating element 2A by heat exchange; and a second cooling unit 4B, which is arranged on the lower shelf 33 and cools the second heating element 2B by heat exchange. In addition, in this embodiment, the third heating element 2C arranged on the middle shelf 32 is assumed to be a device that does not require cooling, and the cooling unit 4 is not arranged on the middle shelf 32, but the cooling unit 4 can also be arranged on the middle shelf 32.

[0048] The heat generated by the first heating element 2A disposed on the upper shelf 31 is smaller than the heat generated by the second heating element 2B disposed on the lower shelf 33. According to such a configuration structure, even if the heat of the second heating element 2B disposed on the lower shelf 33 rises and acts on the first heating element 2A, since the heat generated by the first heating element 2A is smaller, the adverse effect on the first heating element 2A can be suppressed.

[0049]

Liquid medium circulation path

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid medium circulation passage 6 includes: a first cooling pipe 61, which supplies the liquid medium discharged from the radiator 5 to one end of the first cooling part 4A; a second cooling pipe 62, which supplies the liquid medium discharged from the other end of the first cooling part 4A to the other end side of the second cooling part 4B; and a third cooling pipe 63, which returns the liquid medium discharged from one end side of the second cooling part 4B to the radiator 5.

[0051] [Connection structure between heating element and support part]

[0052] The heat generating elements 2A, 2B, and 2C are placed on the shelf portions 31 to 33 of the support portion 3 in direct contact with each other, and are fixed to the shelf portions 31 to 33 via predetermined fixing members (not shown).

[0053] [Connection structure between heating element and cooling unit]

[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first cooling unit 4A and the second cooling unit 4B are arranged in cooling unit arrangement holes 31a, 33a formed in the shelf parts 31, 33 in the vertical direction, and are connected and supported on the shelf parts 31, 33 in a state where a force is applied in the vertical direction. In addition, the connection structure of the first cooling unit 4A and the second cooling unit 4B and the shelf parts 31, 33 will be described later.

[0055] A heat transfer material 43 is arranged on the upper surface of the first cooling part 4A and the second cooling part 4B. The heat transfer material 43 is, for example, a material with high thermal conductivity. As a result, the upper surfaces of the first cooling part 4A and the second cooling part 4B, which are forced upward, abut against the lower surfaces of the first heating element 2A and the second heating element 2B via the heat transfer material 43. According to such a connection structure between the heating element 2 and the cooling part 4, the heat transfer material 43 is arranged between the heating element 2 and the cooling part 4, and the heating element 2 and the cooling part 4 are not in direct contact. Therefore, the vibration of the heating element 2 will not be directly transmitted to the cooling part 4, and damage to the cooling part 4 can be suppressed. Furthermore, by making the heat transfer material 43 have a buffering function (elasticity), damage to the cooling part 4 caused by the vibration of the heating element 2 can be further suppressed.

[0056] In addition, it is preferred that the first heating element 2A and the second heating element 2B are supported by the shelf parts 31 and 33, and the load of the first heating element 2A and the second heating element 2B does not act on the first cooling part 4A and the second cooling part 4B in a stationary state. When the first heating element 2A and the second heating element 2B are separated from the first cooling part 4A and the second cooling part 4B so that the load of the first heating element 2A and the second heating element 2B does not act, the cooling efficiency of the first cooling part 4A and the second cooling part 4B is reduced, but by sandwiching the heat transfer material 43 and making the heat transfer material 43 contact with the first cooling part 4A and the second cooling part 4B, and making the heat transfer material 43 contact with the first heating element 2A and the second heating element 2B, heat transfer between the first heating element 2A and the second heating element 2B and the first cooling part 4A and the second cooling part 4B can be performed.

[0057] [Connection structure between support part and cooling part]

[0058] In the following description, for convenience, Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction are defined for explanation, but these directions have nothing to do with the direction of the transport equipment etc. equipped with the heat-generating body cooling mechanism 1. In the figure, the front is represented as Fr, the rear is represented as Rr, the right side is represented as R, the left side is represented as L, the top is represented as U, and the bottom is represented as D.

[0059] The support portion 3 includes a plurality of cooling portion connection mechanisms 35 as a structure for connecting the cooling portion 4. Each cooling portion connection mechanism 35 is configured to include a bolt 351, a collar 352, a washer 353, a nut 354, a rubber seat 355, and a first extension portion 356. In addition, the cooling portion 4 includes a plurality of second extension portions 44 extending in the left-right direction from both sides of the cooling portion body 41 as a structure for connecting to the support portion 3. The plurality of second extension portions 44 are connected to the support portion 3 via the cooling portion connection mechanisms 35, respectively.

[0060] The bolt 351 passes through the countersunk holes 31b and 33b formed on the shelves 31 and 33 from above. The bolt 351 is restricted from falling off downward by the engagement of the head 351a with the peripheral portion of the countersunk holes 31b and 33b, and the shaft portion 351b extends downward from the shelves 31 and 33. By utilizing the countersunk holes 31b and 33b, the head 351a of the bolt 351 is positioned below the upper surface of the shelves 31 and 33, so that the loads of the first heating element 2A and the second heating element 2B are uniformly applied to the shelves 31 and 33. A collar 352 and a washer 353 are installed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 351b of the bolt 351, and a nut 354 is used to prevent it from falling off.

[0061] The rubber seat 355 is an annular buffer component, which is mounted on the outer periphery of the collar 352 and is restricted from falling downward by the washer 353 and the nut 354. The rubber seat 355 has an annular groove 355a on the outer periphery, and the annular portion 356a of the first extension portion 356 is fitted into the groove 355a.

[0062] The first extension portion 356 includes: an annular portion 356a, which is embedded in the groove portion 355a of the rubber seat 355; a first extension base 356b, which extends from the annular portion 356a in the left-right direction toward the second extension portion 44 of the cooling portion 4; a first downward extension portion 356c, which extends in the up-down direction in the direction away from the cooling portion body 41 of the cooling portion 4, that is, downward; and a first bent portion 356d, which connects the first extension base 356b and the first downward extension portion 356c.

[0063] The second extension portion 44 includes: a second extension base 44a, which extends from the cooling portion main body 41 toward the first extension portion 356; a second downward extension portion 44b, which extends in the vertical direction toward the direction away from the cooling portion main body 41 of the cooling portion 4, i.e., downward; and a second bent portion 44c, which connects the second extension base 44a and the second downward extension portion 44b.

[0064] The first downward extension portion 356 c of the first extension portion 356 and the second downward extension portion 44 b of the second extension portion 44 are connected via a rivet R.

[0065] According to such a structure, the cooling unit 4 is supported by the supporting unit 3 by applying force in the up-down direction via the rubber seat 355 functioning as a buffer member. Thus, even if the heat generating element 2 vibrates and the load of the heat generating element acts on the cooling unit 4, since the cooling unit 4 is supported by the supporting unit 3 by applying force in the up-down direction, the load of the heat generating element 2 caused by the vibration can be released.

[0066] In addition, the support part 3 supports the cooling part 4 via the rubber seat 355 functioning as a buffer member, so it is possible to prevent damage caused between the cooling part 4 and the support part 3 due to vibration of the cooling part 4. In addition, since the rubber seat 355 is provided on the cooling part connection mechanism 35 on the support part 3 side, it is not necessary to perform special processing on the cooling part 4 side.

[0067] In addition, the first extension portion 356 is attached to the bolt 351 via the rubber seat 355. Since the shelf portions 31 and 33 supporting the heat generating element 2 and the bolt 351 to which the first extension portion 356 is attached are made separate components, assembly is facilitated.

[0068] In addition, by connecting the lower extensions 356c and 44b extending in the direction of the force applied by the cooling unit 4, that is, in the up-down direction, to each other, the bending of the connection portion can be suppressed. Moreover, on the curved portions 356d and 44c of the first extension portion 356 and the second extension portion 44, the load is not input in the direction of restoring the curved portions 356d and 44c bent from a straight shape to a straight shape, but in the direction of further bending the curved portions 356d and 44c. That is, the load of the heating element 2 can be input to the curved portions 356d and 44c in the direction with stronger anti-deformation ability. Therefore, the durability of the first extension portion 356 and the second extension portion 44 is improved.

[0069] [Other configuration examples of cooling unit]

[0070] like Figure 5 As shown, the cooling units 4 can be arranged side by side. At this time, it is preferred that the plurality of second extensions 44 are arranged so that when one cooling unit 4 is rotated 180° relative to another cooling unit 4 in the same plane, the second extension 44 of one cooling unit 4 does not interfere with the second extension 44 of another cooling unit 4. According to such an arrangement structure of the second extension 44, even if the cooling units 4 of the same structure are arranged side by side, the interference between the second extensions 44 of the cooling units 4 can be prevented, so that the two cooling units 4 can be arranged close to each other.

[0071] Above, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is certainly not limited to these examples. Those skilled in the art can obviously think of various variations or modifications within the scope of the technical solution, which certainly also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, within the scope of not departing from the gist of the invention, the various constituent elements in the above-mentioned embodiments can also be arbitrarily combined.

[0072] In this specification, at least the following matters are described. In addition, although the corresponding components and the like in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown in brackets, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0073] (1) A heat generating body cooling mechanism (heat generating body cooling mechanism 1), comprising:

[0074] Heating element (heating element 2);

[0075] A support portion (support portion 3) for supporting the heating element; and

[0076] A cooling unit (cooling unit 4) for exchanging heat with the heating element,

[0077] wherein the heating element is supported by the supporting portion in a direct contact manner,

[0078] The cooling part is supported by the supporting part by applying force,

[0079] A heat transfer material (heat transfer material 43 ) is disposed between the heat generating element and the cooling unit, and the heat generating element and the cooling unit are not in direct contact.

[0080] According to (1), the heating element and the cooling part are not in direct contact, but are connected via a heat transfer material, so that the vibration of the heating element is not directly transmitted to the cooling part, which can suppress damage to the cooling part. In addition, by making the heat transfer material have a buffering function, damage to the cooling part caused by the vibration of the heating element can be further suppressed.

[0081] (2) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to (1), wherein:

[0082] The support portion supports the cooling portion via a buffer member (rubber seat 355 ).

[0083] According to (2), since the support portion supports the cooling portion via the buffer member, it is possible to prevent damage caused between the cooling portion and the support portion due to vibration of the cooling portion.

[0084] (3) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to (1) or (2), wherein:

[0085] The support portion includes a first extension portion (first extension portion 356) extending in a direction parallel to a direction in which a force is applied to the cooling portion.

[0086] The cooling portion includes a second extending portion (second extending portion 44) extending in a direction parallel to the force application direction.

[0087] The first extending portion and the second extending portion are connected.

[0088] According to (3), by connecting the extending portions extending in the biasing direction, it is possible to suppress the deflection of the connecting portion.

[0089] (4) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to (3), wherein:

[0090] The first extension portion and the second extension portion respectively include:

[0091] Extension bases (first extension base 356b, second extension base 44a) extending in directions approaching each other;

[0092] An extended end portion (a first lower extended portion 356c, a second lower extended portion 44b) extending in the force application direction in a direction away from the cooling portion; and

[0093] A curved portion (first curved portion 356d, second curved portion 44c) connecting the extension base portion and the extension end portion,

[0094] The extended end portions are connected to each other.

[0095] According to (4), the load generated by the vibration of the cooling part is input to the curved part of the first extension part and the second extension part, not in the direction of restoring the curved part from a straight line shape to a straight line shape, but in the direction of further bending the curved part. That is, the load of the heating element can be input to the curved part in the direction with stronger anti-deformation ability, thereby improving the durability of the first extension part and the second extension part.

[0096] (5) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to (3) or (4), wherein:

[0097] The support portion comprises:

[0098] a shelf portion (shelf portions 31, 33) for supporting the heating element; and

[0099] the first extension portion extending from the shelf portion,

[0100] The support portion supports the cooling portion via a buffer member,

[0101] The buffer member is arranged between the shelf portion and the first extension portion.

[0102] According to (5), by arranging the buffer member on the support portion side instead of the cooling portion side, it is not necessary to perform special processing on the cooling portion.

[0103] (6) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to (5), wherein:

[0104] The shelf portion is provided with a rod-shaped member (bolt 351) extending in the force application direction.

[0105] The first extension portion is attached to the rod-shaped member via the buffer member.

[0106] According to (6), the shelf portion that supports the heating element and the rod-shaped member to which the first extension portion is attached can be made into separate parts, so that assembly is easy.

[0107] (7) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein:

[0108] The support portion has lower thermal conductivity than the cooling portion.

[0109] According to (7), heat can be actively transferred from the heat generating element to the cooling unit.

[0110] (8) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein:

[0111] The cooling unit is a liquid cooling device that cools the heat generating element via a liquid medium.

[0112] According to (8), since the cooling unit is a liquid cooling device that performs cooling using a liquid medium, direct contact between the heat generating element and the cooling unit can be avoided, thereby suppressing damage to the cooling unit due to leakage of the cooling medium or the like.

[0113] (9) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein:

[0114] The support portion has at least two shelves (shelves 31, 33) in the vertical direction.

[0115] The heating element includes a first heating element (first heating element 2A) supported by an upper shelf (shelf 31) of the two-layer shelf parts and a second heating element (second heating element 2B) supported by a lower shelf (shelf 33) of the two-layer shelf parts.

[0116] The heat generated by the first heating element is smaller than the heat generated by the second heating element.

[0117] According to (9), even if the heat of the second heating element arranged on the shelf portion of the lower layer rises and acts on the first heating element, since the heat generated by the first heating element is small, it is possible to suppress adverse effects on the first heating element.

[0118] (10) The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to any one of (3) to (6), wherein:

[0119] The cooling unit comprises:

[0120] a cooling unit body (cooling unit body 41); and

[0121] A plurality of second extension parts extending leftward and rightward from the cooling part body,

[0122] The plurality of second extension portions are arranged so that when two cooling portions are arranged side by side and one cooling portion is rotated 180 degrees relative to the other cooling portion in the same plane, the second extension portion of one cooling portion does not interfere with the second extension portion of the other cooling portion.

[0123] According to (10), even if the cooling units having the same structure are arranged on the left and right, interference between the second extending portions of the cooling units can be prevented, so the two cooling units can be arranged close to each other.

Claims

1. A heating element cooling mechanism, comprising: Heating body; a supporting portion for supporting the heating element; and a cooling unit, which is used to perform heat exchange with the heating element, in, The heating element is supported by the supporting portion in direct contact. The cooling part is supported by the supporting part by applying force, The support portion includes a first extending portion extending in a direction parallel to a direction in which a force is applied to the cooling portion. The cooling portion includes a second extending portion extending in a direction parallel to the force application direction. The first extension portion is connected to the second extension portion, A heat transfer material is arranged between the heat generating element and the cooling unit, and the heat generating element and the cooling unit are not in direct contact.

2. The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The support portion supports the cooling portion via a buffer member.

3. The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The first extension portion and the second extension portion respectively include: extended bases, which extend in directions approaching each other; An extended end portion extending in a direction away from the cooling portion in the force application direction; as well as a curved portion connecting the extension base portion and the extension end portion, The extended end portions are connected to each other.

4. The heat-generating body cooling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The support portion comprises: a shelf portion for supporting the heating element; and the first extension portion extending from the shelf portion, The support portion supports the cooling portion via a buffer member, The buffer member is arranged between the shelf portion and the first extension portion.

5. The heat-generating body cooling mechanism according to claim 4, wherein: A rod-shaped member extending along the force application direction is provided on the shelf portion. The first extension portion is attached to the rod-shaped member via the buffer member.

6. The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The support portion has lower thermal conductivity than the cooling portion.

7. The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The cooling unit is a liquid cooling device that cools the heat generating element via a liquid medium.

8. The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The support portion has at least two layers of shelf portions in the vertical direction. The heating element includes a first heating element supported by the upper shelf of the two-layer shelf and a second heating element supported by the lower shelf of the two-layer shelf. The heat generated by the first heating element is smaller than the heat generated by the second heating element.

9. The heat generating body cooling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The cooling unit comprises: a cooling unit body; and A plurality of second extension parts extending leftward and rightward from the cooling part body, The plurality of second extension portions are arranged so that when two cooling portions are arranged side by side and one cooling portion is rotated 180 degrees relative to the other cooling portion in the same plane, the second extension portion of one cooling portion does not interfere with the second extension portion of the other cooling portion.

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