water jacket

Abstract

A water jacket capable of appropriately controlling the flow of a cooling medium to effectively cool a heat generating component. A water jacket for cooling an inverter module is provided with a base (1) having a plate shape. The base is provided with a cooling medium supply path (11) having a cooling medium inflow portion (11a) through which a cooling medium flows, a cooling medium discharge path (12) having a cooling medium outflow portion (12a) through which the cooling medium flows, and a chamber (13) that communicates with the cooling medium supply path and the cooling medium discharge path. In the chamber, a plurality of columnar fins (133) are provided that are arranged upright from a first face (131) on a side on which the inverter module is arranged, and cross the flow direction (B) of the cooling medium, and a plurality of wing-shaped fins (134) are arranged on a second face (132) opposite the first face, and are inclined or curved from the second face toward the first face in the flow direction of the cooling medium as they go from upstream to downstream.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a water jacket. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, research and development efforts have been made to improve energy efficiency in order to ensure that more people have access to modern energy that is suitable for their circumstances, reliable, and sustainable.

[0003] For example, research and development related to electrification has been carried out in transportation equipment such as vehicles, aircraft, and manned / unmanned aerial vehicles. When electrifying transportation equipment, in addition to energy storage devices such as batteries and capacitors, and rotating electric machines such as motors and generators, an inverter is needed to convert the DC power stored in the energy storage devices into AC power and supply it to the rotating electric machine. Since the inverter is a heat-generating component, it is generally cooled by a water jacket.

[0004] For example, in the semiconductor device described in Patent Document 1, a cylindrical or plate-shaped heat sink is provided in the cavity of the water jacket.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5975110 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, although heat exchange based on a cooling medium and a heat sink is performed in the semiconductor device described in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement because the flow of the cooling medium from a position away from the heat source to a position closer to the heat source is not taken into account.

[0010] The present invention provides a water jacket that can effectively cool heat-generating components by appropriately controlling the flow of the cooling medium.

[0011] Solution for solving the problem

[0012] This invention relates to a water jacket for cooling a heating element, comprising:

[0013] A base with a plate shape, wherein,

[0014] The base station has the following features:

[0015] A cooling medium supply path having a cooling medium inlet section for the cooling medium to flow into;

[0016] A cooling medium discharge path having a cooling medium outlet for the cooling medium to flow out; and

[0017] The chamber is connected to the cooling medium supply path and the cooling medium discharge path.

[0018] The chamber contains:

[0019] Multiple columnar heat sinks are erected from a first surface on the side where the heat-generating component is located, and intersect the flow direction of the cooling medium; and

[0020] Multiple wing-shaped heat sinks are arranged on a second side opposite to the first side, and are inclined or bent from the second side toward the first side as the cooling medium flows from upstream to downstream.

[0021] Invention Effects

[0022] According to the present invention, the flow of the cooling medium can be appropriately controlled to effectively cool the heat-generating components. Furthermore, this contributes to energy efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the power control unit (PCU) connected to the motor (MOT).

[0024] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional diagram representing the base 1 of the water jacket WJ.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of base 1 illustrating the flow of the cooling medium inside base 1.

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 AA sectional view.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the columnar heat sink 133 and the wing-shaped heat sink 134 inside the chamber 13.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the rectifying effect of the cooling medium based on the wing-shaped heat sink 134.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] IM Inverter Module (Heat-generating Component)

[0031] WJ Water Jacket

[0032] 1 abutment

[0033] 11 Cooling medium supply path

[0034] 11a Cooling medium inlet section

[0035] 12 Cooling medium discharge path

[0036] 12a Cooling medium outlet

[0037] 13 chambers

[0038] 131 First Page

[0039] 132 Second page

[0040] 133 Columnar heat sink

[0041] 133a Conical part

[0042] 133b Cylindrical section

[0043] 134 Wing-shaped heat sink. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 6 An embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the drawings are viewed along the direction of the reference numerals. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity and convenience, front and back, left and right, and up and down are defined. In the drawings, front is represented as Fr, back as Rr, left side as L, right side as R, top as U, and bottom as D.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the water jacket WJ is, for example, installed in the power control unit (PCU) of a conveying device. Figure 1 As shown, the power control unit (PCU) includes an energy storage unit 10 and an inverter (INV) that converts the power from the energy storage unit 10 to drive the motor (MOT). The energy storage unit 10 is, for example, a double-layer capacitor, a lithium-ion battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0046] Inverter

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the inverter INV has multiple switching elements H1 to H3 and L1 to L3, which drive the motor MOT by controlling the switching of the multiple switching elements H1 to H3 and L1 to L3. Specifically, the inverter INV converts the DC power output from the energy storage unit 10 into AC power and outputs the converted AC power to the motor MOT. Additionally, the inverter INV converts the AC power output from the motor MOT into DC power and outputs the converted DC power to the energy storage unit 10. Switching elements include, for example, insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors, and power bipolar transistors.

[0048] More specifically, the inverter INV has first to third arms A1 to A3 connected in parallel with the energy storage unit 10. The first arm A1 includes: an upper arm AH1, which has a switching element H1 and a freewheeling diode D connected in parallel; and a lower arm AL1, which has a switching element L1 and a freewheeling diode D connected in parallel and is connected in series with the upper arm AH1 via a midpoint P1. The second arm A2 includes: an upper arm AH2, which has a switching element H2 and a freewheeling diode D connected in parallel; and a lower arm AL2, which has a switching element L2 and a freewheeling diode D connected in parallel and is connected in series with the upper arm AH2 via a midpoint P2. The third arm A3 includes: an upper arm AH3, which has a switching element H3 and a freewheeling diode D connected in parallel; and a lower arm AL3, which has a switching element L3 and a freewheeling diode D connected in parallel and is connected in series with the upper arm AH3 via a midpoint P3. The midpoints P1 to P3 of each of the first to third arms A1 to A3 are connected to the three-phase coils of the motor MOT.

[0049] Inverter Module

[0050] The inverter INV includes, for example, three inverter modules IM (see reference) for the U phase constituting the first arm A1, the V phase constituting the second arm A2, and the W phase constituting the third arm A3. Figure 5 Each inverter module IM is a heat-generating component with a rectangular, thin plate shape. In this embodiment, the three inverter modules IM are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-to-back direction.

[0051] Water jacket

[0052] The water jacket WJ is configured to abut against the inverter module IM to cool the inverter module IM.

[0053] (abutment)

[0054] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the water jacket WJ has a base 1, which is a plate shape with a flat cooling surface 1a, and an inverter module IM is disposed on the cooling surface 1a. The base 1 includes: a cooling medium supply passage 11 having a cooling medium inlet 11a for cooling medium to flow into; a cooling medium outlet passage 12 having a cooling medium outlet 12a for cooling medium to flow out; and a plurality of chambers 13 communicating with the cooling medium supply passage 11 and the cooling medium outlet passage 12. The plurality of chambers 13 cool the inverter module IM by exchanging heat between the inverter module IM disposed along the cooling surface 1a and the cooling medium.

[0055] like Figure 3As shown, the cooling medium supply path 11 is formed along the long side direction (front-to-back direction) of the base 1 and at one end (left side) along the short side direction of the base 1, while the cooling medium discharge path 12 is formed along the long side direction of the base 1 and at the other end (right side) along the short side direction of the base 1. Furthermore, a plurality of chambers 13 are arranged side-by-side at predetermined intervals between the cooling medium supply path 11 and the cooling medium discharge path 12, along the short side direction (left-to-right direction) and along the long side direction of the base 1, and are connected to both the cooling medium supply path 11 and the cooling medium discharge path 12. The plurality of chambers 13 are positioned corresponding to the three inverter modules IM. Based on this base 1, since the cooling medium flowing into the cooling medium inlet section 11a flows through the cooling medium supply path 11 along the long side direction of the base 1 and then into the plurality of chambers 13 along the short side direction of the base 1, temperature gradients and temperature deviations that are easily generated along the long side direction of the base 1 (inverter modules IM) can be appropriately suppressed.

[0056] (cavity)

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, chamber 13 is a space formed between a first surface 131 and a second surface 132 that are opposite to each other. The first surface 131 and the second surface 132 are parallel to the cooling surface 1a, and the surface of the first surface 131 and the second surface 132 that is disposed on the side closer to the cooling surface 1a is the first surface 131. One end of chamber 13 is connected to the cooling medium supply passage 11 via an inflow-side connection 132a formed on the side of the second surface 132, and the other end of chamber 13 is connected to the cooling medium discharge passage 12 via an outflow-side connection 132b formed on the side of the second surface 132.

[0058] (Columnar heat sink and wing-shaped heat sink)

[0059] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, multiple columnar heat sinks 133 and multiple wing-shaped heat sinks 134 are disposed in chamber 13. The multiple columnar heat sinks 133 are erected from the first surface 131, aligned with the flow direction B of the cooling medium (refer to...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 The columns are approximately orthogonal. For example, a total of N×M columnar heat sinks 133 are arranged in the chamber 13 such that N are arranged at predetermined intervals in the flow direction B of the cooling medium and M are arranged in a width direction approximately orthogonal to the flow direction B of the cooling medium and the height direction of the columnar heat sinks 133. With this configuration, during the flow of the cooling medium from upstream to downstream of the chamber 13 through the columnar heat sinks 133, the columnar heat sinks 133 are cooled by the cooling medium, thereby cooling the inverter module IM via the first surface 131 and the cooling surface 1a. Furthermore, the columnar heat sinks 133 are not necessarily limited to the flow direction B of the cooling medium (see reference). Figure 4 In the case of orthogonality, as long as it is perpendicular to the flow direction B of the cooling medium (refer to...) Figure 4 Simply cross them.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the plurality of columnar heat sinks 133 are preferably erected from the first surface 131 and integrally connected to the top end of the second surface 132. In this way, since the columnar heat sinks 133 are supported at both ends of the first surface 131 and the second surface 132 of the chamber 13, the support strength of the columnar heat sinks 133 can be improved.

[0061] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the cross-sectional area of ​​the columnar heat sink 133 on the first side 131 is preferably larger than the cross-sectional area on the second side 132. In this way, by increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the columnar heat sink 133 on the side closer to the inverter module IM, heat exchange is more actively carried out on the first side 131 compared to the second side 132, thus enabling more appropriate cooling of the inverter module IM.

[0062] Specifically, the columnar heat sink 133 of this embodiment includes: a conical portion 133a located on the first surface 131 side with a cross-sectional area decreasing towards the second surface 132 side; and a cylindrical portion 133b extending from the tip of the conical portion 133a towards the second surface 132 side with the same cross-sectional area. Therefore, at the root of the conical portion 133a of the columnar heat sink 133 near the inverter module IM, heat exchange with the cooling medium can be actively carried out. Furthermore, by reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the columnar heat sink 133 at the tip of the cylindrical portion 133b and the conical portion 133a, the flow of the cooling medium can be prevented from being obstructed by the columnar heat sink 133.

[0063] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, multiple wing-shaped heat sinks 134 are arranged on the second surface 132 side, and are inclined or bent from the second surface 132 toward the first surface 131 in the flow direction B of the cooling medium, moving from upstream to downstream. According to such wing-shaped heat sinks 134, as... Figure 6 As shown, because more cooling medium can be directed towards the first surface 131 of the inverter module IM, the inverter module IM can be cooled more appropriately. Furthermore, although... Figure 6 The inlet 132a is configured in a manner consistent with the flow direction B of the cooling medium flowing in the chamber 13. Figure 4 Although the structures described are different, the function of the wing-shaped heat sink 134 is the same.

[0064] like Figure 5As shown, the wing-shaped heat sink 134 is preferably formed across a plurality of columnar heat sinks 133 arranged side-by-side in a width direction orthogonal to the flow direction B of the cooling medium and the height direction of the columnar heat sink 133. In this way, the wing-shaped heat sink 134 and the plurality of columnar heat sinks 133 can be integrally formed, and the rigidity of the wing-shaped heat sink 134 can be improved. In addition, compared with the case where the wing-shaped heat sink 134 is integrally formed with the second surface 132, the contact area of ​​the cooling medium with respect to the wing-shaped heat sink 134 can be increased, and more cooling medium can be guided to the side closer to the first surface 131 of the inverter module IM.

[0065] The base 1 is preferably integrally shaped using metal stacking molding of powder metal, i.e., 3D printing stacking molding. Metal stacking molding refers to a previously known forming technology that uses an electron beam or fiber laser to melt metal powder and then solidify it in layers to create metal parts. It is a method capable of forming metal parts with complex three-dimensional shapes and of shaping fine and dense 3D shapes. In this way, it is possible to achieve complex heat sink shapes within the chamber 13 that are currently impossible to achieve in casting.

[0066] Various embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is obvious that those skilled in the art will conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical solutions described, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations should also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the constituent elements of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0067] At least the following items are described in this specification. Furthermore, although the corresponding components and the like are shown in parentheses in the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0068] (1) A water jacket (water jacket WJ) for cooling a heat-generating component (inverter module IM), wherein,

[0069] The water jacket has a plate-shaped base (base 1).

[0070] The base station has the following features:

[0071] The cooling medium supply path (cooling medium supply path 11) has a cooling medium inlet section (cooling medium inlet section 11a) for the cooling medium to flow into.

[0072] A cooling medium discharge path (cooling medium discharge path 12) having a cooling medium outlet (cooling medium outlet 12a) for the cooling medium to flow out; and

[0073] The chamber (chamber 13) is connected to the cooling medium supply path and the cooling medium discharge path.

[0074] The chamber contains:

[0075] Multiple columnar heat sinks (columnar heat sinks 133) are erected from a first surface (first surface 131) on the side where the heat-generating component is disposed, and intersect the flow direction of the cooling medium; and

[0076] Multiple wing-shaped heat sinks (wing-shaped heat sinks 134) are disposed on a second surface (second surface 132) opposite to the first surface, and are inclined or bent from the second surface toward the first surface in the flow direction of the cooling medium from upstream to downstream.

[0077] According to (1), during the flow of the cooling medium from upstream to downstream through the multiple columnar heat sinks in the chamber, the columnar heat sinks are cooled, thereby cooling the heat-generating component. Furthermore, since multiple wing-shaped heat sinks are provided in the chamber on the second side away from the heat-generating component, and these wing-shaped heat sinks are inclined or bent from the second side towards the first side in the flow direction of the cooling medium from upstream to downstream, more cooling medium can be guided towards the side closer to the heat-generating component, thus enabling more appropriate cooling of the heat-generating component.

[0078] (2) According to the water jacket described in (1), wherein,

[0079] The wing-shaped heat sink is formed across a plurality of columnar heat sinks arranged side by side in a width direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0080] According to (2), the wing-shaped heat sink can be integrally formed with multiple columnar heat sinks, and the rigidity of the wing-shaped heat sink can be improved.

[0081] (3) The water jacket according to (1) or (2), wherein,

[0082] The cross-sectional area of ​​the first side of the columnar heat sink is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second side.

[0083] According to (3), by increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the columnar heat sink on the side closer to the heat-generating component, the heat-generating component can be cooled more appropriately.

[0084] (4) The water jacket according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein,

[0085] The columnar heat sink has the following features:

[0086] A conical portion (conical portion 133a) located on the first surface side and whose cross-sectional area decreases towards the second surface side; and

[0087] A cylindrical portion (cylindrical portion 133b) extends from the top of the conical portion toward the second surface with the same cross-sectional area.

[0088] According to (4), by making the columnar heat sink near the heat-generating component into a conical shape, heat exchange with the cooling medium can be actively carried out at the root of the conical portion. In addition, it is possible to suppress the flow of the cooling medium at the top of the cylindrical portion and the top of the conical portion of the columnar heat sink.

[0089] (5) The water jacket according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein,

[0090] The base is integrally shaped by layering powder metal through 3D printing.

[0091] According to (5), since the base is integrally shaped by 3D printing of powder metal, it is possible to achieve complex heat sink shapes in the cavity that have not been possible in casting until now.

Claims

1. A water jacket for cooling a heating element, wherein, The water jacket has a base with a plate shape. The base station has the following features: A cooling medium supply path having a cooling medium inlet section for the cooling medium to flow into; A cooling medium discharge path having a cooling medium outlet for the cooling medium to flow out; and The chamber is connected to the cooling medium supply path and the cooling medium discharge path. The chamber contains: Multiple columnar heat sinks are erected from a first surface on the side where the heat-generating component is located, and intersect the flow direction of the cooling medium; and Multiple wing-shaped heat sinks are arranged on a second side opposite to the first side, and are inclined or bent from the second side toward the first side in the flow direction of the cooling medium from upstream to downstream. The columnar heat sink is erected from the first surface and its top end is integrally connected to the second surface. The columnar heat sink has the following features: A conical portion, which is located on the first face side and whose cross-sectional area decreases towards the second face side; as well as A cylindrical portion that extends from the apex of the conical portion toward the second surface with the same cross-sectional area. The wing-shaped heat sink spans the cylindrical portion of a plurality of columnar heat sinks arranged side-by-side in a width direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling medium and extends in a direction orthogonal to the plurality of columnar heat sinks, and is formed to be non-contact with the second surface.

2. The water jacket according to claim 1, wherein, The cross-sectional area of ​​the first side of the columnar heat sink is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second side.

3. The water jacket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The base is integrally shaped by layering powder metal through 3D printing.

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