POWER MODULE COOLING DEVICE

Abstract

A power module cooling device includes a manifold cover and a fin plate in the manifold cover. Cooling fluid is ejected perpendicular to heating surfaces through cooling fins of the fin plate arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the manifold cover, thereby creating a vertical turbulent flow of the cooling fluid, thereby ensuring cooling efficiency and improving flow characteristics of the cooling fluid, and minimizing flow rate losses due to the vertical turbulent flow. Respective cooling channel sections of the manifold cover corresponding to respective power modules have different cooling capacities, so that respective power modules are cooled in a balanced manner. Accordingly, cooling imbalance is eliminated, and the power modules are thereby stabilized and maintain performance.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE Field of the present disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power module cooling device configured to cool a power module using a cooling fluid. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Power modules are used in electric vehicles and the like to control high voltages and large currents. As a result, a significant amount of heat is generated, requiring adequate cooling to ensure performance and durability. For this purpose, a cooling fluid is used to cool power modules, or waste heat from power modules is used, for example, to heat mobility vehicles.

[0003] Typically, a cooling device is attached to a side surface of a power module, and a cooling fluid is circulated through the power module to cool the power module. However, conventional cooling devices have the problem that the cooling efficiency is not high because simple tube structures or fin structures are usually used.

[0004] If multiple power modules are used, the cooling efficiency of power modules cooled later will be worse than that of power modules cooled first. Such an imbalance in the cooling of power modules degrades their performance.

[0005] Accordingly, the cooling efficiency of an electric vehicle or the like is closely related to the overall energy efficiency of the mobility vehicle and has a great impact on the durability, power maintenance, and the like of the power module. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of power module cooling through a new cooling structure.

[0006] The information included in this background of the present disclosure is intended only to enhance the understanding of the general background of the present disclosure and should not be construed as an acknowledgment or any form of indication that this information constitutes prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. SHORT SUMMARY

[0007] Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing a power module cooling device in which a cooling fluid is ejected perpendicular to heating surfaces through cooling fins of a fin plate configured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a manifold cover, so that a vertical turbulent flow of the cooling fluid is generated, which ensures the cooling efficiency, and the flow characteristics of the cooling fluid are improved, and flow rate losses due to the vertical turbulent flow are minimized.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a power module cooling device may include: a manifold cover including an interior space in which a cooling fluid circulates, wherein a plurality of power modules are arranged in the interior space, a plurality of cooling channel portions configured to correspond to corresponding power modules, and each cooling channel portion includes a first channel open in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows in and a second channel open in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows out;and a fin plate arranged in the distributor cover to abut the plurality of power modules and comprising cooling fins facing the plurality of cooling channel sections, such that the cooling fluid flowing into the first channels flows between the cooling fins and then flows out through the second channels, wherein respective cooling channel sections of the distributor cover comprise a reduced number of the first channels or the second channels along a circulation direction of the cooling fluid.;

[0009] The plurality of power modules may be arranged in series in the interior of the distributor cover such that the plurality of cooling channel sections are arranged in series in a direction in which respective power modules are aligned.

[0010] The respective cooling channel sections may comprise a smaller number of first channels formed therein than second channels therein.

[0011] The power modules may include a first power module, a second power module, and a third power module, the plurality of cooling channel sections may include a first cooling channel section, a second cooling channel section, and a third cooling channel section, and the third cooling channel section may include a fewer number of first channels or second channels formed therein than first channels or second channels of the first cooling channel section and the second cooling channel section.

[0012] The plurality of cooling channel portions may include a plurality of first barrier portions extending to define the first channels and the second channels, second barrier portions connected to the first barrier portions on both sides at end portions of first channels in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows out, and third barrier portions connected to the first barrier portions on both sides at end portions of the second channels in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows in.

[0013] The plurality of cooling channel sections may include second barrier sections and third barrier sections arranged alternately to connect a plurality of first barrier sections so that first channels and second channels are provided alternately.

[0014] The extension direction of the first barrier sections and the extension direction of the cooling fins can intersect perpendicularly.

[0015] The manifold cover may comprise a first manifold cover and a second manifold cover having an inlet and an outlet formed therein, and the fin plate may comprise a first fin plate and a second fin plate arranged to abut first and second side surfaces of the power modules, the first fin plate having a first circulation hole formed therein and the second fin plate having a second circulation hole formed therein, such that a cooling fluid circulates between respective manifold covers and cools the first and second surfaces of the power modules.

[0016] Each of the first manifold cover and the second manifold cover may include an inlet or an outlet formed on one side thereof, and the first circulation hole of the first fin plate and the second circulation hole of the second fin plate may be formed on the other side thereof.

[0017] A power module cooling device comprising the above-described structure is advantageous in that a cooling fluid is ejected perpendicular to heating surfaces through cooling fins of a fin plate configured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a manifold cover, so that a vertical turbulent flow of the cooling fluid is generated, which ensures the cooling efficiency, and flow characteristics of the cooling fluid are improved and flow rate losses due to the vertical turbulent flow are minimized.

[0018] The cooling channel sections of the distribution cover, corresponding to the respective power modules, have different cooling capacities, ensuring balanced cooling of the respective power modules. This eliminates cooling imbalances, stabilizes the power modules, and maintains their performance.

[0019] The methods and apparatus of the present disclosure have additional features and advantages that will be apparent or more fully set forth in the accompanying drawings incorporated herein and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an assembled view of a power module cooling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 shows a cooling channel section of a distributor cover of the Fig. 1 shown power module cooling device; Fig. 3 shows a jet impact effect of a power module cooling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cooling channel portion of a manifold cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of a cooling channel portion of a manifold cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 6 shows another exemplary embodiment of a cooling channel portion of a manifold cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and present a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present disclosure. The predetermined design features of the present disclosure as encompassed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and environment of use.

[0021] In the figures, reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure in the different figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present disclosure(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the present disclosure(s) will be described in connection with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the present disclosure(s) to these exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. On the contrary, the present disclosure(s) are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0023] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments included in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are designated by the same and similar reference numerals, so that duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0024] The terms "module" and "unit" used for the elements in the description below are provided only for convenience in writing the description or are used interchangeably and do not have different meanings or roles in and of themselves.

[0025] In describing the exemplary embodiments included in the present specification, the detailed description of the relevant known technology may be omitted if it is determined that it unnecessarily obscures the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are provided only to facilitate understanding of the exemplary embodiments included in the present specification, and the technical spirit encompassed herein is not limited to the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that any modifications, equivalents, or replacements thereof are included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] Terms including an atomic number such as "first," "second," or the like can be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to these terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one element from another.

[0027] When an element is described as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it should be understood that another element may be provided therebetween, as well as that the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element. In contrast, when an element is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, it should be understood that no other element is present therebetween.

[0028] A singular expression may include a plural expression unless they are clearly distinct in a context.

[0029] As used herein, the terms "comprise," "include," or "have" are intended to specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof and should be construed not to preclude the possible presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0030] Hereinafter, a power module cooling apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] A power module cooling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises, as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a manifold cover 20 and a fin plate 30. The manifold cover 20 includes an internal space in which a cooling fluid circulates, and a plurality of power modules 10 are arranged in the internal space. The manifold cover 20 includes a plurality of cooling channel sections 21 that mate with the respective power modules 10. Each cooling channel section 21 includes a first channel C1 open in a direction in which a cooling fluid flows in and a second channel C2 open in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows out. The fin plate 30 is included in the manifold cover 20 to abut the plurality of power modules 10. The fin plate 30 has cooling fins 31 which are formed to face the cooling channel sections 21, so that a cooling fluid which has flowed into the first channels C1 flows between the cooling fins 31 and then flows out through the second channels C2.

[0032] The manifold cover 20 is configured to circulate a cooling fluid therein and may include an inlet 25 through which a cooling fluid flows in and an outlet 26 through which the cooling fluid flows out after passing the power modules 10.

[0033] A plurality of cooling channel sections 21 are formed inside the manifold cover 20 to mate with the power modules 10, so that when a cooling fluid circulates through the cooling channel sections 21, the cooling channel sections 21 facilitate heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the power modules 10, thereby cooling the power modules 10. Each cooling channel section 21 includes a first channel C1 and a second channel C2 configured to alternate the direction in which the cooling fluid circulates.

[0034] The fin plate 30 is included in the distributor cover 20 and has cooling fins 31 which are designed to face the cooling channel sections 21.

[0035] The cooling channel sections 21 may include a plurality of first barrier sections 22 extending to define first channels C1 and second channels C2, second barrier sections 23 connected to the first barrier sections 22 on both sides at end portions of the first channels C1 in directions in which a cooling fluid flows out, and third barrier sections 24 connected to the first barrier sections 22 on both sides at end portions of the second channels C2 in directions in which a cooling fluid flows in.

[0036] The cooling channel sections 21 include a plurality of first barrier sections 22, second barrier sections 23, and third barrier sections, such that a cooling fluid is discharged from the first channels C1 to the second channels C2 after passing through the cooling fins 31. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling channel sections 21 are configured such that the second barrier sections 23 are connected to the first barrier sections 22 in perpendicular directions, but is not limited thereto.

[0037] The cooling channel sections 21 include second barrier sections 23 and third barrier sections 24 arranged alternately to connect a plurality of first barrier sections 22, so that first channels C1 and second channels C2 are arranged alternately. Accordingly, a cooling fluid is distributed in the first channels C1 and the second channels C2, facilitating the formation of a jet impingement cooling structure.

[0038] The first barrier sections 22 are configured to extend in the direction in which a cooling fluid circulates and are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, thereby forming a plurality of channels. When a second barrier section 23 is connected to a first barrier section 22 at an end portion adjacent to an exit in the direction in which the cooling fluid circulates, the corresponding channel forms a first channel C1. When a third barrier section 24 is connected to a first barrier section 22 at an end portion adjacent to an entrance in the direction in which the cooling fluid circulates, the corresponding channel forms a second channel C2. Further, the second barrier sections 23 and the third barrier sections 24 may be arranged alternately so that the first channels C1 and the second channels C2 are arranged alternately.

[0039] Accordingly, the cooling channel sections 21 have first channels C1 and second channels C2 formed by a plurality of first barrier sections 22, second barrier sections 23 and third barrier sections, and cooling fins 31 of the fin plate 30 are in contact therewith and together form first channels C1 and second channels C2, so that a cooling fluid can be circulated through the first channels C1 and the second channels C2 through the cooling fins 31.

[0040] Furthermore, the direction in which the first barrier portions 22 extend and the direction in which the cooling fins 31 extend may intersect perpendicularly, as shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0041] The first barrier portions 22 extend in the longitudinal direction of the manifold cover 20, so that the first channels C1 and the second channels C2 extend in the longitudinal direction of the manifold cover 20. The cooling fins 31 of the fin plate 30 extend perpendicular to the direction in which the first barrier portions 22 extend, so that a cooling fluid circulates from the first channels C1 to the second channels C2 through the cooling fins 31. This induces the occurrence of turbulence (a velocity component in the perpendicular direction) as the cooling fluid circulates from the first channels C1 to the second channels C2, thereby forming a jet impingement cooling structure.

[0042] Accordingly, the cooling fluid circulating in the interior of the distributor cover 20 is distributed among a plurality of first channels C1. The first channels C1 are open only in the direction in which the cooling fluid flows in, with the outlets blocked, so that the cooling fluid flows between the cooling fins 31 of the fin plate 30 and then circulates to the second channels C2. The second channels C2 are open only in the direction in which the cooling fluid flows out, with the inlets blocked, so that the cooling fluid circulating in the second channels C2 can be discharged from the distributor cover 20.

[0043] Accordingly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a jet impingement cooling structure is formed by a fluid flow, thereby improving the cooling performance with respect to power modules 10. Jet impingement cooling refers to a cooling scheme in which cooling air is directly jetted onto a high-temperature wall surface, thereby dissipating heat and achieving a locally high heat transfer efficiency. To actively realize the effect of such jet cooling, it is necessary to utilize turbulent flow instead of laminar flow. Laminar flow refers to flow with a velocity component perpendicular to the flow direction, that is, flow with a 3D swirling motion in the up / down / left / right direction (not in the flow direction), so the flow is irregular and dispersive.A turbulent flow created around an object increases the cooling surface and the mixing of the cooling fluid, thereby improving the cooling effect.

[0044] Jet impingement cooling is now described in detail. Fig. 3 shows a microchannel of a power module cooling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As in Fig. 3, a cooling fluid flows in from the inlet and forms an inlet plenum (collection of narrow flows). The manifold cover 20 is guided on the basis of the cooling channel section 21 so that the cooling fluid flowing into the first channels C1 or the second channels C2 flows to the plurality of cooling fins 31. That is, the coolant flowing into the first channels C1 is blocked at the exits, flows to the cooling fins 31, and then flows into the second channels C2, forming a turbulent flow. In addition, the inlets of the second channels C2 are closed, so that the cooling fluid flows to the exits, passes through the cooling fins 31, and is then discharged. The cooling fluid in the second channels C2 thus has increased irregularity and dispersity, resulting in a higher degree of jet impingement cooling.Accordingly, the present disclosure can ensure the cooling performance of power modules 10 by the jet impingement cooling effect caused by the cooling channel portions 21 of the manifold cover 20 and the cooling fins 31 of the fin plate 30.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of power modules 10 are configured in the interior of the distribution cover 20. However, when a plurality of power modules 10 are configured, the cooling efficiency of power modules 10 that are cooled later is deteriorated compared to that of power modules 10 that are cooled first.

[0046] Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the respective cooling channel sections 21 of the manifold cover 20 are configured such that the number of first channels C1 or second channels C2 is reduced along the direction in which the cooling fluid circulates. This ensures that cooling channel sections 21 through which the cooling fluid circulates first have a lower pressure loss of the cooling fluid and a lower cooling performance than subsequent cooling channel sections 21 due to the larger number of first channels C1 or second channels C2, and cooling channel sections 21 through which the cooling fluid circulates later have an increased pressure loss of the cooling fluid and an improved cooling performance due to the smaller number of first channels C1 or second channels C2.

[0047] Even if a plurality of power modules 10 are provided inside the distributor cover 20, the cooling channel sections 21 corresponding to the respective power modules 10 have a different number of first channels C1 or second channels C2, so that by differentiating the cooling capacity, the temperature distribution of the respective power modules 10 is balanced.

[0048] The present disclosure described above will now be described in more detail. A plurality of power modules 10 are arranged in series within the interior of the manifold 20, and the cooling channel portions 21 can therefore be arranged in series in the direction in which the respective power modules 10 are aligned.

[0049] Accordingly, the fluid circulating in the interior of the manifold cover 20 flows through the respective cooling channel sections 21 and cools the respective power modules 10. Furthermore, the path along which the cooling fluid flowing through each cooling channel section 21 circulates to the next cooling channel section 21 is simplified, thereby reducing the circulation loss of the cooling fluid. That is, compared to a scheme in which a plurality of power modules 10 are arranged in parallel so that a cooling fluid circulates through the respective cooling channel sections 21 arranged in parallel, the power modules 10 can be cooled at a larger mass flow rate by the cooling channel sections 21 arranged in series.

[0050] Fig. 1 discloses an exemplary embodiment in which the respective cooling channel sections 21 may comprise the same number of first channels C1 as second channels C2.

[0051] As in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the respective cooling channel sections 21 may comprise a smaller number of first channels C1 than second channels C2.

[0052] Each cooling channel section 21 includes a first channel C1 whose inlet is open and a second channel C2 whose outlet is open. The number of first channels C1 is fewer than that of second channels C2, so that the pressure at the inlet of the first channels C1 is higher than the pressure at the outlet of the second channels C2, which facilitates the circulation of the cooling fluid. That is, a plurality of cooling fins 31 facilitates the flow of a fluid that has flowed into the first channels C1 when it circulates to the outlet of the second channels C2 where the pressure is lower. Accordingly, the efficiency of jet impingement cooling is improved when the fluid circulates from the first channels C1 to the second channels C2 through the cooling fins 31.

[0053] Meanwhile, the power modules 10 comprise a first power module 11, a second power module 12 and a third power module 13. The cooling channel sections 21 comprise a first cooling channel section 21a, a second cooling channel section 21b and a third cooling channel section 21c.

[0054] The first power module 11 may be configured in a U-phase, the second power module 12 may be configured in a V-phase, and the third power module 13 may be configured in a W-phase, thereby providing a three-phase alternating current to the outside through each power module 10.

[0055] Accordingly, the cooling channel sections 21 of the distributor cover 20 may include a first cooling channel section 21a for cooling the first power module 11, a second cooling channel section 21b for cooling the second power module 12, and a third cooling channel section 21c for cooling the third power module 13. Furthermore, the first power module 11, the second power module 12, and the third power module 13 may be arranged in series one after another along the direction in which a cooling fluid circulates in the interior of the distributor cover 20, so that the first cooling channel section 21a, the second cooling channel section 21b, and the third cooling channel section 21c are also arranged in series while being spaced apart from each other according to the arrangement of the respective power modules 10.

[0056] However, the cooling fluid is circulated while sequentially cooling the first power module 11, the second power module 12, and the third power module 13, and the cooling fluid circulates to the third power module 13 after reaching a high temperature by heat exchange with each previous power module 10, which deteriorates the cooling efficiency of the third power module 13.

[0057] Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the third cooling channel portion 21c may include a smaller number of first channels C1 or second channels C2 than the first channels C1 or second channels C2 of the first cooling channel portion 21a and the second cooling channel portion 21b.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as in Fig. 4, the first cooling channel portion 21a may have three first channels C1 and four second channels C2 formed therein, the second cooling channel portion 21b may have two first channels C1 and three second channels C2 formed therein, and the third cooling channel portion 21c may have one first channel C1 and two second channels C2 formed therein.

[0059] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as in Fig. 5, the first cooling channel portion 21a may have three first channels C1 and four second channels C2 formed therein, the second cooling channel portion 21b may have three first channels C1 and four second channels C2 formed therein, and the third cooling channel portion 21c may have one first channel C1 and two second channels C2 formed therein.

[0060] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as in Fig. 6, the first cooling channel portion 21a may have three first channels C1 and four second channels C2 formed therein, the second cooling channel portion 21b may have three first channels C1 and four second channels C2 formed therein, and the third cooling channel portion 21c may have two first channels C1 and three second channels C2 formed therein.

[0061] Accordingly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling channel section 21, which is reached last by a cooling fluid in the direction in which the cooling fluid circulates, includes a smaller number of first channels C1 or second channels C2 than the other preceding cooling channel sections 21, so that the first cooling channel section 21a and the second cooling channel section 21b have a lower pressure loss of the cooling fluid and have deteriorated cooling performance, and the third cooling channel section 21c has an increased pressure loss of the cooling fluid and has improved cooling performance. Accordingly, the cooling flow of the cooling fluid can be concentrated in the third cooling channel section 21c.

[0062] This ensures the cooling performance of the third cooling channel section 21c and achieves a balance of the temperature distribution with other cooling channel sections 21.

[0063] As in Fig.1, the manifold cover 20 comprises a first manifold cover 20a and a second manifold cover 20b comprising an inlet 25 and an outlet 26, and the fin plate 30 comprises a first fin plate 30a comprising a first circulation hole 32 and a second fin plate 30b comprising a second circulation hole 33, which are arranged to abut both side surfaces of the power modules 10, respectively, so that a cooling fluid circulates between respective manifold covers 20 and cools both surfaces of the power modules 10.

[0064] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first manifold cover 20a includes an inlet 25, and the second manifold cover 20b includes an outlet 26. Accordingly, a cooling fluid flowing in through the inlet 25 of the first manifold cover 20a circulates through the cooling channel portion 21 of the first manifold cover 20a and the cooling fin 31 of the first fin plate 30a to the first channels C1 and the second channels C2 within the first manifold cover 20a, thereby realizing jet impingement cooling. After passing through the first circulation hole 32 and the second circulation hole 33, the cooling fluid circulates through the cooling channel portion 21 of the second manifold cover 20b and the cooling fin 31 of the second fin plate 30b to the first channels C1 and the second channels C2 within the second manifold cover 20b, thereby realizing jet impingement cooling.As a result, both side surfaces of the power modules 10 can be cooled.

[0065] Each of the first manifold cover 20a and the second manifold cover 20b may include an inlet 25 or an outlet 26 formed on one side thereof, and the first circulation hole 32 of the first fin plate 30a and the second circulation hole 33 of the second fin plate 30b may be formed on the other side thereof.

[0066] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first manifold cover 20a may include an inlet and the second manifold cover 20b may include an outlet 26. The inlet 25 and the outlet 26 may be arranged on a straight line, so that a single manifold cover 20 is manufactured that implements the first manifold cover 20a and the second manifold cover 20b.

[0067] Each manifold cover 20a includes an inlet 25 and an outlet 26 positioned on one side, and each fin plate 30 includes a circulation hole positioned on the other side, thereby forming a circulation flow of a cooling fluid through the inlet 25, the first manifold cover 20a and the first fin plate 30a, the first circulation hole 32, the second circulation hole, the second manifold cover 20b and the second fin plate 30b, and the outlet 26.Furthermore, jet impingement cooling is realized by fluid flow in the first channels C1 and the second channels C2 formed by the first manifold cover 20a and the first fin plate 30a, which exchange heat with one side surface of the power modules 10, and jet impingement cooling is realized by fluid flow in the first channels C1 and the second channels C2 formed by the second manifold cover 20b and the second fin plate, which exchange heat with the other side surface of the power modules 10. In this way, both surfaces of the power modules 10 can be cooled.

[0068] The power module cooling device comprising the above-described structure is configured such that a cooling fluid is ejected perpendicular to heating surfaces through cooling fins 31 of fin plates configured perpendicular to the manifold cover 20, thereby generating a vertical turbulent flow. Accordingly, cooling efficiency is ensured, and the flow characteristics of the cooling fluid are improved, thereby minimizing flow rate losses due to the vertical turbulent flow.

[0069] The respective cooling channels 21 of the distribution cover 20, corresponding to the respective power modules 10, have different cooling capacities, so that the respective power modules 10 are cooled in a balanced manner. Accordingly, the cooling imbalance is eliminated, and the power modules 10 are thereby stabilized and their performance is maintained.

[0070] For ease of explanation and precise definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "top," "bottom," "upward," "downward," "front," "rear," "back," "inside," "outside," "inside," "outside," "internal," "external," "forward," and "backward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of those features illustrated in the figures. It is further understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connection.

[0071] The term "and / or" may include a combination of a plurality of related listed items or one of a plurality of related listed items. For example, "A and / or B" includes all three cases such as "A," "B," and "A and B."

[0072] In this specification, unless otherwise stated, a singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0073] In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "at least one of A or B" or to "at least one of combinations of at least one of A and B." Furthermore, "one or more of A and B" may refer to "one or more of A or B" or "one or more combinations of one or more of A and B."

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it should be understood that a term such as "comprising" or "having" is intended to imply that the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification are present, and does not exclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof are added or present.

[0075] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and, of course, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application in order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] Power module cooling device, comprising: a distributor cover comprising: an interior space in which a cooling fluid circulates, wherein a plurality of power modules are arranged in the interior space; and a plurality of cooling channel sections configured to correspond to respective power modules, wherein each of the plurality of cooling channel sections comprises a first channel open in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows in and a second channel open in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows out; and a fin plate arranged in the manifold cover to abut the plurality of power modules and comprising cooling fins facing the plurality of cooling channel sections, so that the cooling fluid flowing into the first channels flows between the cooling fins and then flows out through the second channels, wherein respective cooling channel sections of the distributor cover comprise an equal or reduced number of the first channels or the second channels along a circulation direction of the cooling fluid. [2] The power module cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of power modules are arranged in series in the interior of the manifold cover so that the plurality of cooling channel portions are arranged in series in a direction in which respective power modules are aligned. [3] The power module cooling device according to claim 1, wherein respective cooling channel sections comprise a smaller number of the first channels formed therein than the second channels therein. [4] The power module cooling device according to claim 1, wherein respective cooling channel portions include an equal number of the first channels formed therein as a number of the second channels therein. [5] The power module cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a last cooling channel section among the plurality of cooling channel sections has a smaller number of first channels or second channels formed therein than first channels or second channels of remaining channel sections among the plurality of cooling channel sections. [6] The power module cooling device according to claim 5, wherein a number of the first channels in the last cooling channel portion among the plurality of cooling channel portions is less than a number of the second channels formed in the last cooling channel. [7] The power module cooling device according to claim 5, wherein a number of the first channels formed in the last cooling channel portion among the plurality of cooling channel portions is less than a number of the first channels or a number of the second channels formed in the remaining cooling channels. [8] The power module cooling device according to claim 5, wherein a number of the second channels formed in the last cooling channel section among the plurality of cooling channel sections is less than or equal to a number of the first channels formed in the remaining cooling channels. [9] The power module cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of power modules comprise a first power module, a second power module, and a third power module, wherein the plurality of cooling channel sections comprise a first cooling channel section, a second cooling channel section and a third cooling channel section, and wherein the third cooling channel section comprises a smaller number of first channels or second channels formed therein than first channels or second channels of the first cooling channel section and the second cooling channel section. [10] The power module cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cooling channel portions include a plurality of first barrier portions extending to define the first channels and the second channels, a plurality of second barrier portions connected to the plurality of first barrier portions on first and second sides at end portions of the first channels in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows out, and a plurality of third barrier portions connected to the plurality of first barrier portions on first and second sides at end portions of the second channels in a direction in which the cooling fluid flows in. [11] The power module cooling device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of second barrier portions and the plurality of third barrier portions are alternately arranged to connect the plurality of first barrier portions so that the first channels and the second channels are alternately arranged. [12] The power module cooling device according to claim 10, wherein an extending direction of the plurality of first barrier portions and an extending direction of the cooling fins intersect perpendicularly. [13] The power module cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the manifold cover comprises a first manifold cover and a second manifold cover having an inlet and an outlet therein, and wherein the fin plate comprises a first fin plate and a second fin plate arranged to abut first and second side surfaces of the plurality of power modules, respectively, the first fin plate having a first circulation hole formed therein and the second fin plate having a second circulation hole formed therein, such that the cooling fluid circulates between respective first and second manifold covers and cools the first and second surfaces of the plurality of power modules. [14] The power module cooling device according to claim 13, wherein each of the first manifold cover and the second manifold cover includes the inlet or the outlet on a first side thereof, and the first circulation hole of the first fin plate and the second circulation hole of the second fin plate are formed on a second side thereof.

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