Error-proofing design for power electronics

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooler for cooling a power electronic component, comprising a housing part having a flow channel for a cooling fluid; the invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising a flow channel, and a turbulator having a periodic alternating structure, the turbulator being arranged in the flow channel, the flow channel extending in a flow direction, and the inflow direction into the turbulator and the outflow direction out of the turbulator being oriented parallel to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooler for cooling power electronic components and an electronic assembly having cooled power electronic components. Background Technology

[0002] Turbulent flow devices are typically incorporated into coolers. Thermal performance is primarily determined by heat transfer between the cooling fluid and the turbulent flow device surface, as well as the efficiency of the turbulent flow device. Suitable turbulent flow devices typically exhibit high heat transfer coefficients and low pressure losses. Particularly high heat transfer coefficients can be achieved by generating turbulence through alternating changes in the direction of the coolant via the turbulent flow device. It is important to note that the coolant flow acquires a lateral component upon exiting the turbulent flow device, which depends on the geometry of the turbulent flow device's end. If the coolant exits the turbulent flow device at an angle, this can affect the cooler's flow-related characteristics, such as cooling performance, particularly the pressure loss in the outlet region due to vortex formation. Therefore, the installation position of the turbulent flow device within the cooling channel can influence the cooler's function. A cooler design is desirable that prevents potential misassembly and therefore inverted installation of the turbulent flow device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The cooler according to the invention, having the features of claim 1, and the electronic assembly according to the invention, having the features of claim 10, have the advantage of preventing misassembly of the turbulent generator in the flow channel of the housing component, thereby enabling efficient heat dissipation. This is achieved according to the invention by a cooler for cooling power electronic components, the cooler comprising a housing component having a flow channel for cooling fluid and a turbulent generator having a periodically alternating structure. The turbulent generator is arranged in the flow channel extending along the flow direction. The inflow direction into the turbulent generator and the outflow direction from the turbulent generator are parallel to each other. With the parallel inflow and outflow directions, the turbulent generator can also be rotated 180° into the flow channel of the housing component without significantly affecting flow guidance. This also reduces the amount of installation work required to manufacture the cooler. The inflow direction is defined by the angle formed by the turbulent generator structure at the first end of the turbulent generator responsible for inflow with the flow direction. The outflow direction is defined by the angle formed by the turbulent generator structure at the second end of the turbulent generator responsible for outflow with the flow direction.

[0004] The flow direction preferably extends along the average flow direction through the flow channel, especially through the portion of the flow channel where turbulence generators are arranged. The cooling fluid is preferably a coolant.

[0005] The dependent claims illustrate preferred improvements of the invention.

[0006] Preferably, the turbulence generator has a top surface and a bottom surface parallel to the flow direction, wherein the bottom surface is oriented towards the housing component. The top surface has a first width perpendicular to the flow direction, and the bottom surface has a second width perpendicular to the flow direction, wherein the first width is greater than the second width to prevent the turbulence generator from being arranged with its top surface facing the housing component. This allows for a simple and low-cost prevention of the turbulence generator from rotating 180° around the flow direction when inserted into the flow channel.

[0007] More preferably, the flow channel has a third width perpendicular to the flow direction, which is smaller than the first width of the turbulent and larger than the second width. This ensures that the turbulent can only be inserted into the flow channel with its bottom surface facing the housing component.

[0008] The turbulence generator preferably has a serpentine cross-section perpendicular to the flow direction, consisting of alternating U-shaped profiles. The alternating U-shaped profiles can achieve high heat transfer by increasing the specific surface area under low pressure loss, thereby improving the efficiency of the cooler.

[0009] The turbulence generator preferably extends along the flow direction in accordance with a trigonometric function or along tangentially connected circular arc segments. This allows for effective flow guidance within the turbulence generator, enabling reliable heat removal.

[0010] More preferably, the turbulence generator has ribs arranged in a staggered manner in the flow direction, these ribs being alternately inclined relative to the flow direction, particularly at an acute angle to it. Even at low flow velocities, these ribs can reliably generate turbulence in the flow channel, which effectively dissipates heat through its vortices. These ribs are preferably staggered from each other by half a spacing. Here, spacing refers to the distance between two ribs perpendicular to the flow direction. Ribs in a row perpendicular to the flow direction are preferably arranged parallel to each other.

[0011] The housing components are preferably deep-drawn, particularly made of aluminum sheet. Deep-drawn components can be manufactured simply and at low cost, and aluminum sheet offers low thermal resistance and high heat transfer. Alternatively, the housing components can also be made of or coated with sheet metal with better thermal properties, such as copper.

[0012] Turbulence generators are preferably sheet metal components, particularly made of aluminum sheet. Therefore, turbulence generators can be manufactured simply and at low cost. The thinner sheet metal walls increase the specific surface area of ​​the turbulence generator, thereby improving heat transfer. Instead of aluminum sheet, turbulence generators can also be made of materials with better thermal properties (such as copper) or coated with other materials.

[0013] The housing component preferably has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, with a turbulence generator arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. This allows for effective flow guidance within the cooler. The flow direction preferably extends linearly from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electronic component comprising power electronic elements and a cooler as described above. Therefore, this cooler is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, while reliably dissipating heat from the power electronic elements to ensure the reliable operation of the electronic component. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the electronic components. Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic assembly with a cooler according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 This is a top view of a cooler with a turbulence generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of a turbulence generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a top view of a cooler with a turbulence generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 This is an enlarged view of a turbulence generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] All identical parts, elements, and / or units are preferably labeled with the same reference numerals in all drawings. See below for reference. Figures 1 to 6 The cooler 1 and electronic components 100 are described in detail.

[0017] Figure 1 An electronic assembly 100 is shown having three power electronic components 2 arranged parallel to each other, which are arranged on a cooler 1 via an intermediate layer 3. On the side opposite to the power electronic components 2, the cooler has a fluid inlet 11 and a fluid outlet 13, such that cooling fluid can flow from the cooling fluid inlet 12 through the cooler 1 to the cooling fluid outlet 13 to remove heat from the power electronic components 2.

[0018] The intermediate layer 3 may be, for example, a ceramic substrate on which the power electronic components 2 are applied. Alternatively, the intermediate layer may also be part of a cooler, for example, in the form of a thin metal layer, which enables high heat transfer from the power electronic components 2 to the cooler.

[0019] Figure 2 Showing Figure 1 The cross-section of the electronic component 100 shown is perpendicular to the flow direction R1.

[0020] This cross-section shows the housing component 10 of the cooler, which is implemented as a deep-drawn component and constructed to form flow channels. Beside the flow channels 11, the housing component 10 has a flange area to which the intermediate layer 3 is fastened.

[0021] A turbulence generator 20 is arranged in the flow channel 11. The turbulence generator has a periodic alternating structure to improve the heat transfer from the power electronic components 2 to the cooling fluid in the flow channel 11.

[0022] The turbulence generator 20 is a sheet metal component, specifically made of aluminum sheet, with a serpentine cross-section consisting of alternating U-shaped profiles 23. This increases the specific surface area of ​​the turbulence generator, which in turn improves heat transfer from the power electronic components 2 to the cooling fluid.

[0023] The turbulence generator 20 has a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 22. The top surface 21 is arranged adjacent to the intermediate layer 3, and the bottom surface 22 is arranged adjacent to the housing component 10. The turbulence generator has a first width b1 on the top surface 21 perpendicular to the flow direction R1, which is wider than a second width b2 on the bottom surface 22. Furthermore, the flow channel 11 has a third width b3 perpendicular to the flow direction R1, which is smaller than the first width b1 and larger than the second width b2. This prevents the turbulence generator 20 from being installed with its top surface facing the housing component 10, because the first width b1 on the top surface 21 is greater than the third width b3 of the flow channel 11.

[0024] The turbulence generator 20 is preferably connected to the housing component 10 and / or the intermediate layer 3 by brazing.

[0025] Figure 3 A top view of the cooler 1 is shown, in which a turbulence generator 20 is arranged in the flow channel 11 of the housing component 10. The turbulence generator 20 is preferably arranged in the region of the flow channel 11 adjacent to the power electronic component 2.

[0026] The fluid inlet 12 is located in the inlet region of the flow channel 11 where there is no turbulence generator 20. Similarly, the fluid outlet 13 is located in the outlet region of the flow channel 11 where there is no turbulence generator 20.

[0027] Parallel to the top surface 21, the turbulence generator 20 has a rectangular cross-section. The alternating U-shaped profiles 23 of the turbulence generator 20 extend along the flow direction R1 according to a trigonometric function.

[0028] At the first end 25 of the turbulent 20 adjacent to the fluid inlet 12 along the flow direction R1, the turbulent 20 has an inflow direction R2, along which the cooling fluid flows into the turbulent 20. The inflow direction R2 is defined by the angle formed between the turbulent structure at the first end 25 of the turbulent 20 and the flow direction R1.

[0029] At the second end 26 of the turbulence diffuser 20 along the flow direction R1, the cooling fluid exits the turbulence diffuser 20 along the outflow direction R3. This outflow direction R3 is defined by the angle formed between the turbulence diffuser structure at the second end 26 of the turbulence diffuser 20 and the flow direction R1. The inflow direction R2 and the outflow direction R3 are parallel to each other. Therefore, even if the turbulence diffuser 20 is rotated 180° and installed in the flow channel 11 of the housing component 10, the flow of the cooling fluid in the cooler 1 will not be affected compared to its previous position.

[0030] Figure 4 An enlarged perspective view of the turbulence generator 20 is shown. In the cross-section of the turbulence generator 20 perpendicular to the flow direction R1, alternating U-shaped profiles 23 can be seen. The end of one U-shaped profile 23 is connected to the end of another U-shaped profile 23 rotated 180°. This creates the serpentine cross-section of the turbulence generator 20.

[0031] The edge region of the turbulence generator 20 extends along the flow direction R1 according to a trigonometric function. Here, the first width b1 is measured between the maximum values ​​of the edge region of the top surface 21 of the turbulence generator 20. The U-shaped profile 23 is also extruded along the flow direction R1 according to this trigonometric function. Instead of the trigonometric function, the turbulence generator 20 may also extend along tangentially connected arc segments.

[0032] Figure 5 A top view of a cooler with a turbulence generator 20 arranged therein, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, is shown. The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment lies in the form of the turbulence generator 20.

[0033] The turbulence generator 20 has fins 24 arranged in a staggered manner (in) Figure 6 (As shown in the image). Here, the fins 24 are arranged parallel to each other in the inflow and outflow regions, such that the inflow direction R2 of the turbulence generator 20 is parallel to the outflow direction R3 of the turbulence generator 20. Therefore, the turbulence generator 20 is rotationally symmetric and can be rotated 180° in the flow channel 11 of the housing component 10 without affecting the flow of the cooling fluid in the cooler 1.

[0034] Figure 6 An enlarged view of a turbulence generator 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cross-section of the turbulence generator 20 perpendicular to the flow direction R1 is similar to the cross-section of the turbulence generator 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cross-section is formed by a plurality of U-shaped profiles 23 arranged alternately to produce a serpentine structure. Furthermore, the turbulence generator 20 is still a sheet metal component, particularly made of aluminum sheet.

[0035] The U-shaped profile 23 extends linearly and obliquely relative to the flow direction R1, thereby forming ribs 24. Ribs 24 extend at an acute angle α relative to the flow direction R1. After reaching a defined spacing, ribs 24 end, and new ribs 24 begin, which are offset relative to the first rib 24. These ribs 24 are preferably offset from each other by half the width of the U-shaped profile 23.

[0036] Multiple rows of adjacent ribs 24 are formed along the flow direction R1, wherein these rows 24 are oriented perpendicular to the flow direction R1. The ribs 24 in a row are arranged parallel to each other. The ribs 24 in two adjacent rows are oriented opposite to each other. The absolute value of the angle α between the ribs 24 and the flow direction R1 remains constant. The sign of the angle α alternates between adjacent rows of ribs 24.

[0037] The edge region of the turbulence generator 20 has a straight edge, wherein the turbulence generator 20 has a larger width b1 at the top surface 21 than the second width b2 at its bottom surface 22.

[0038] Therefore, the embodiment of the turbulence generator 20 according to the present invention can realize a Poka Yoke Design, which can prevent the turbulence generator 20 from being incorrectly arranged in the flow channel 11 of the housing component 10, thereby enabling reliable cooling of the power electronic components 2.

Claims

1. A cooler for cooling power electronic components (2), comprising: - Housing component (10), the housing component having a flow channel (11) for cooling fluid, and - Turbulence generator (20), which has a periodic alternating structure, -The turbulence generator (20) is arranged in the flow channel (11). - wherein the flow channel (11) extends along the flow direction (R1), and -The inflow direction (R2) into the turbulent device (20) and the outflow direction (R3) from the turbulent device (20) are parallel to each other.

2. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein, The turbulence generator (20) has a top surface (21) and a bottom surface (22) parallel to the flow direction (R1), wherein the bottom surface (22) is oriented toward the housing component (10), wherein the top surface (21) has a first width (b1) perpendicular to the flow direction (R1), wherein the bottom surface (22) has a second width (b2) perpendicular to the flow direction (R1), and wherein the first width (b1) is greater than the second width (b2) to prevent the turbulence generator (20) from being arranged with its top surface (21) facing the housing component (10).

3. The cooler according to claim 2, wherein, The flow channel (11) has a third width (b3) perpendicular to the flow direction (R1), which is smaller than the first width (b1) of the turbulent flow device (20) and larger than the second width (b2).

4. The cooler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The turbulence generator (20) has a serpentine cross section consisting of alternating U-shaped profiles (23) perpendicular to the flow direction (R1).

5. The cooler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The turbulence generator (20) extends along the flow direction (R1) according to a trigonometric function or along a tangentially connected arc segment.

6. The cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The turbulence generator (20) has ribs (24) arranged in a staggered manner in the flow direction (R1), the ribs being alternately tilted relative to the flow direction (R1), particularly at an acute angle (α) to the flow direction (R1).

7. The cooler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The housing component (10) is a deep-drawn component, particularly made of aluminum sheet.

8. The cooler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The turbulence generator (20) is a sheet metal component, specifically made of aluminum sheet.

9. The cooler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The housing component (10) has a fluid inlet (12) and a fluid outlet (13), wherein the turbulence generator (20) is arranged between the fluid inlet (12) and the fluid outlet (13).

10. An electronic assembly comprising a power electronic element (2) and a cooler (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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