Assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a novel structure of a utilization mode of a fiber body. The module has a circuit module, a cooler through which a cooling liquid flows, and a fiber body, the circuit module is cooled by the cooler, and the fiber body has a portion disposed at a cooling liquid introduction port of the cooler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling member in which a housing is filled with metal fibers and cooling is performed by utilizing the high or low thermal conductivity of the metal fibers.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-009433

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] After careful research, the inventors found that when the coolant flows through the fiber, turbulence is generated, and this turbulence effect promotes cooling. In addition, it was found that by allowing the coolant to flow through the fiber surface, turbulence is generated due to the turbulence on the fiber surface, and this turbulence effect also promotes cooling. Based on these insights, it means that the cooling performance can be improved regardless of the material of the fiber body, and the fiber body can be used in a completely different way from the technical concept described in Patent Document 1. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a new structure for utilizing a fiber body based on the above concept.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a module includes a circuit module, a cooler through which a coolant flows, and a fiber body, wherein the circuit module is cooled by the cooler, and the fiber body includes a portion disposed at a coolant inlet of the cooler.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, by providing a fiber body at the coolant inlet, turbulence is caused in the cooler, and the cooling efficiency of the circuit components via the coolant can be improved. Therefore, a new structure of the utilization method of the fiber body can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of components of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 II view in the figure.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Section III-III in .

[0015] Figure 4It is a perspective view of a component according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 V-view in .

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 VI-VI section diagram in the figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, a water-cooling circuit module 1 as a module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the water-cooling circuit assembly 1 is described.

[0020] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the water-cooling circuit assembly 1 . Figure 2 yes Figure 1 II view in the figure. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Section III-III in .

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the water-cooled circuit component 1 includes a power module 10 as a circuit component, a cooler 20 and a fiber body 30 .

[0022] The power module 10 has a plurality of switching elements (not shown) such as IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) constituting an inverter circuit for controlling a rotating electric machine (not shown) serving as a driving source for the vehicle. The power module 10 is in contact with the cooler 20 and is cooled by the cooler 20. The term "contact" refers to a concept that includes not only direct contact but also indirect contact (thermal contact) via, for example, a metal plate with high thermal conductivity.

[0023] The cooler 20 cools the power module 10 that generates heat during operation. The cooler 20 is a component through which cooling water, which is a coolant for cooling the power module 10, flows. The coolant is not limited to cooling water, and may be other liquids such as cooling oil. The cooler 20 includes a main body 21, an inlet 22 as a coolant inlet, an outlet 23 as a coolant outlet, and a plurality of partitions 24.

[0024] The main body 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 21 has a top surface 21a and four side surfaces 21b, 21c, 21d, and 21e (see Figure 3 ). A cooling water passage 25 serving as a cooling liquid passage is defined in the main body portion 21 .

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the power module 10 is arranged on the top surface 21 a. Figure 3 As shown, the side surface 21b and the side surface 21c are disposed opposite to each other. The side surface 21d and the side surface 21e are disposed opposite to each other and are disposed in a manner of connecting the side surface 21b and the side surface 21c.

[0026] The introduction port 22 opens at the side surface 21 b of the main body 21 . Cooling water that flows into the cooling water passage 25 and cools the power module 10 is introduced from the introduction port 22 .

[0027] The outlet 23 opens at the side surface 21 c of the main body 21 . The cooling water flowing out of the cooling water passage 25 after cooling the power module 10 in the cooling water passage 25 is guided out from the outlet 23 .

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of (here, three) partitions 24 are provided to divide the cooling water passage 25 into a plurality of (here, four) parallel passages 25a. Each parallel passage 25a is formed to have a substantially rectangular flow passage cross section. The partition 24 is provided between a pair of side surfaces 21d and 21e of the main body 21. The partitions 24 are arranged at equal intervals between the pair of side surfaces 21d and 21e.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the fiber body 30 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape. The fiber body 30 is arranged along the flow of cooling water, that is, parallel to the liquid flow direction. The fiber body 30 is arranged in a range from the inlet 22 on the cooling water passage 25 to a predetermined length. That is, the fiber body 30 has a portion arranged at the inlet 22 of the cooler 20. The fiber body 30 is respectively attached to the inner surfaces of the side surfaces 21d and 21e of the main body 21 and the two surfaces of the partition 24. As a result, the fiber body 30 is arranged on both sides of all the parallel passages 25a.

[0030] The fiber body 30 is, for example, copper fiber, but may also be other metal fibers, carbon fibers, or resin fibers, etc. Since the cooling water flows along the surface, the fiber body 30 generates turbulence in the cooling water due to the disorder of the surface caused by the fiber quality.

[0031] Thus, by providing the fiber body 30 at the inlet 22, turbulence can be caused in the cooler 20, and the cooling efficiency of the power module 10 via the cooling water can be improved. Therefore, a new structure of the utilization method of the fiber body 30 can be provided. In addition, with the improvement of cooling efficiency, the cooler with the same cooling performance can be miniaturized.

[0032] In addition, since the cooling water flows along the surface side of the fiber body 30, turbulence can be generated by the fiber body 30, and the pressure loss of the cooling water can be reduced. Therefore, the energy required for circulating the cooling water can be suppressed to a small level.

[0033] The fiber body 30 is arranged so as to overlap only a portion of the power module 10 when viewed from a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling water flowing in the cooler 20 . That is, the power module 10 has a portion offset from the fiber body 30 .

[0034] If the turbulent flow effect is taken into consideration, turbulence is generated on the downstream side of the fiber body 30 offset from the fiber body 30. Therefore, by configuring the power module 10 to have a portion offset from the fiber body 30, the power module 10 can overlap with the turbulent flow generating area, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

[0035] That is, since the turbulent flow generated in the cooling water propagates downstream, the cooling efficiency in the range reaching the downstream can be improved simply by providing the fiber body 30 at the introduction port 22 .

[0036] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown in the figure, for the turbulence generated by the fiber body 30 in the cooling water, when the length of the power module 10 is relatively long, the fiber body 30 may be further provided in the middle of the cooling water passage 25. In this way, by intermittently providing a plurality of fiber bodies 30 along the flow of the cooling water in the cooling water passage 25, it is possible to generate turbulence in the cooling water over the entire region in the length direction of the power module 10.

[0037] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 6 , a water cooling circuit assembly 1 as a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention is described. In the modified example shown below, the description is centered on the differences from the above embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to components having the same functions and the description is omitted.

[0038] Figure 4 1 is a perspective view of the water-cooling circuit assembly 1 . Figure 5 yes Figure 4 V-view in . Figure 6 yes Figure 4 VI-VI section diagram in the figure.

[0039] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the water-cooled circuit component 1 includes a power module 10 as a circuit component, a cooler 20 and a fiber body 30 .

[0040] The fiber body 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The fiber body 30 is provided at the inlet 22 of the parallel passage 25a in the cooling water passage 25. The fiber body 30 is provided along a direction intersecting with the flow direction of the cooling water. Thus, the cooling water flows through the fiber body 30 and is introduced into the cooler 20.

[0041] When cooling water flows through the fiber body 30, the fiber body 30 generates turbulence in the cooling water due to its fiber quality. Since the fiber body 30 is arranged to cross the flow direction of the cooling water substantially perpendicularly, it is preferable to use a fiber body with a coarser mesh than when arranged along the flow direction in the above embodiment.

[0042] Thus, similarly to the above-described embodiment, by providing the fiber body 30 at the inlet 22 , turbulence can be caused in the cooler 20 , thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the power module 10 by the cooling water. Therefore, a new structure of the use of the fiber body 30 can be provided.

[0043] Furthermore, according to this modification, since the fiber body 30 only needs to be attached to the introduction port 22 of each parallel passage 25 a , the fiber body 30 can be easily attached to the cooler 20 .

[0044] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown in the figure, regarding the turbulence of the cooling water caused by the fiber body 30, when the length of the power module 10 is relatively long, the fiber body 30 may be further provided in the middle of the cooling water passage 25. In this way, by intermittently providing a plurality of fiber bodies 30 along the flow of the cooling water in the cooling water passage 25, it is possible to cause the cooling water to have turbulence over the entire region in the length direction of the power module 10.

[0045] Hereinafter, the structure and effects of the above-mentioned present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0046] (1) The water-cooled circuit assembly 1 includes a power module 10 , a cooler 20 through which cooling water flows, and a fiber body 30 . The power module 10 is cooled by the cooler 20 , and the fiber body 30 has a portion disposed at an inlet 22 of the cooler 20 .

[0047] According to this structure, by providing the fiber body 30 at the inlet 22, turbulence can be caused in the cooler 20, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the power module 10 by the cooling water. Therefore, a new structure of the use of the fiber body 30 can be provided.

[0048] (2) In addition, when viewed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling water flowing in the cooler 20 , the power module 10 has a portion offset from the fiber body 30 .

[0049] According to this structure, if the turbulent effect is taken into account, turbulence is generated on the downstream side of the fiber body 30 which is offset from the fiber body 30. Therefore, by configuring the power module 10 to have a portion offset from the fiber body 30, the power module 10 can overlap with the turbulent flow generating area, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

[0050] (3) In addition, the cooling water flows along the surface side of the fiber body 30 .

[0051] According to this structure, turbulent flow can be generated by the fiber body 30, and the pressure loss of the cooling water can be reduced.

[0052] (4) In addition, the cooling water flows through the fiber body 30 and is introduced into the cooler 20 .

[0053] According to this structure, the fiber body 30 can be easily attached to the cooler 20 .

[0054] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment merely shows an application example of the present invention and does not mean that the technical scope of the present invention is limited to the specific configuration of the above embodiment.

[0055] Explanation of symbols

[0056] 1: Water cooling circuit assembly (assembly)

[0057] 10: Power module (circuit component)

[0058] 20: Cooler

[0059] 22: Inlet (coolant inlet)

[0060] 30: Fiber body

Claims

1. A component comprising: a circuit component, a cooler through which a coolant flows, and a fiber body, wherein: The circuit components are cooled by the cooler, The fiber body has a portion disposed at a cooling liquid introduction port of the cooler.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The circuit component has a portion offset from the fiber body when viewed in a direction intersecting a flow direction of the cooling liquid in the cooler.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cooling liquid flows along the surface side of the fiber body.

4. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein: A cooling liquid flows through the fiber body and is introduced into the cooler.

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