Cooling device for cooling an electrical component and cooling adapter for a cooling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling adapter (1), at least substantially cylindrical in shape, for a cooling device (13) for cooling an electrical component (21) by means of a gaseous or liquid cooling medium, with a first inlet connection (2) for supplying the cooling medium from a cooling circuit or into the cooling circuit, with a first outlet connection (3) for discharging the cooling medium into the cooling circuit or out of the cooling circuit, with at least one second inlet connection (4) for supplying the cooling medium into a heat sink cooling channel (16) of a heat sink (14) or from the heat sink cooling channel (16), with at least one second outlet connection (5) for discharging the cooling medium from the heat sink cooling channel (16) or into the heat sink cooling channel (16), with a first cooling channel (6) extending axially in the cooling adapter (1) and fluidically connecting the first inlet connection (2) and the at least one second inlet connection (4),and with a second cooling channel (7) extending coaxially around the first cooling channel (6) and fluidically connecting the first outlet connection (3) and the at least one second outlet connection (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling adapter for a cooling device for cooling an electrical component using a gaseous or liquid cooling medium. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cooling device having at least one such cooling adapter. State of the art

[0002] Cooling devices of the type mentioned above are known from the prior art. They typically comprise at least one heat sink with at least one cooling channel through which the cooling medium can flow. Solutions are also known for flexibly arranging a plurality of heat sinks on a cooling device. For example, a cooling device with a plurality of heat sinks through which flow can occur is known from patent specification US 8 004 841 B2. A control cabinet system is known from published patent application DE 10 2020 120 918 A1, each comprising at least one base module and one or more functional modules that can be coupled thereto, wherein a fluidic connection can be established between a circulation channel arranged in the base module and an interior of the respective functional module as a closed circulation circuit in which an air flow can circulate.From published patent application DE 10 2010 029 085 A1, another cooling device is known, comprising a plurality of heat sinks, each having at least one fluid channel, and a collector connected to at least two of the heat sinks such that respective end sections of the fluid channels open into an opening in the collector. From published patent application DE 10 2017 214 490 A1, a stackable electronic module is known, each with an electronic component arranged between two cooling surfaces. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The cooling adapter according to the invention with the features of claim 1 is characterized in that it is at least substantially cylindrical in shape, and comprises a first inlet connection for supplying the cooling medium from a cooling circuit or into the cooling circuit, a first outlet connection for discharging the cooling medium into the cooling circuit or out of the cooling circuit, at least one second inlet connection for supplying the cooling medium into a heat sink cooling channel of a heat sink or from the heat sink cooling channel, at least one second outlet connection for discharging the cooling medium from the heat sink cooling channel or into the heat sink cooling channel, a first cooling channel extending axially in the cooling adapter and fluidically connecting the first inlet connection and the at least one second inlet connection, and a first cooling channel extending coaxially around the first cooling channel,the first drain connection and the second cooling channel fluidically connecting at least one second drain connection. Such a cooling adapter provides a particularly advantageous possibility for connecting the heat sink to the cooling device. The invention is based on the finding that such a cooling adapter provides an advantageous alternative to the solutions mentioned above, in particular for flexibly arranging a plurality of heat sinks on a cooling device. In particular, the heat sink is geometrically adapted, on the one hand, to the corresponding cooling device and, on the other hand, to the heat sink, so that different cooling devices can advantageously be adapted to different heat sinks. The cooling adapter therefore represents an elegant and simple solution for making the heat sink and the cooling device compatible with one another. It is preferably providedthat the cooling adapter is designed to adapt a plurality of heat sinks to the cooling device and, for this purpose, in particular, has a plurality of second inlet and outlet connections. In particular, the first inlet connection has an at least substantially circular cross-section, and / or the first outlet connection has an at least substantially annular cross-section. The coaxial arrangement of the cooling channels provided according to the invention represents a particularly space-saving and flexible solution.

[0004] According to a preferred development of the invention, the first cooling channel is designed as an inner cooling channel for supplying the cooling medium cooled in the cooling circuit to the heat sink cooling channel, and the second cooling channel is designed as an outer cooling channel for discharging the cooling medium heated in the heat sink cooling channel into the cooling circuit. With such a design of the cooling channels, the advantages of the cooling adapter according to the invention are particularly pronounced. Alternatively, the functions are reversed, i.e. the first cooling channel is designed to discharge the cooling medium heated in the heat sink cooling channel into the cooling circuit, and the second cooling channel is designed to supply the cooling medium cooled in the cooling circuit to the heat sink cooling channel.

[0005] Particularly preferably, the first inlet connection and the first outlet connection are formed in an end face of the cooling adapter, extending axially from the cooling adapter. Such a configuration of the inlet connection and outlet connection results in the advantage that the cooling adapter has a particularly simple geometric design. If, for example, the cooling adapter is installed upright, i.e., with its axial extension at least substantially parallel to a vertical line, the connections are located on its underside or top side, respectively.

[0006] According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the second inlet connection and the second outlet connection are formed in a jacket wall of the cooling adapter, extending radially from the cooling adapter. Such a design of the inlet connection and outlet connection ensures a particularly advantageously flexible flow guidance, in which the heat sink can be mounted on the cooling adapter, extending radially from the cooling adapter. If, for example, the cooling adapter is installed upright, i.e. with its axial extension at least substantially parallel to a vertical, the connections are located accordingly on its side, so that the heat sink can be aligned or oriented, in particular, along a horizontal line.

[0007] Particularly preferably, the cooling adapter has a plurality of second inlet connections fluidly connected to the first cooling channel and a plurality of second outlet connections fluidly connected to the second cooling channel. This results in the advantage that a plurality of heat sinks and / or heat sinks with a plurality of heat sink cooling channels can be arranged on the cooling adapter.

[0008] According to a preferred development of the invention, the second inlet connections and / or the second outlet connections form a predetermined angle, in particular a right angle, with respect to the radial extent of the cooling adapter and / or are arranged so as to be evenly distributed. In particular, at least two of the inlet connections and / or outlet connections are arranged accordingly. This advantageously ensures that the cooling adapter offers space for a plurality of heat sinks that can be arranged or are arranged on the cooling adapter, in particular evenly distributed over its circumference.

[0009] Particularly preferably, it is provided that the or each of the second inlet connections and the or one of the second outlet connections are arranged one above the other in a common plane with respect to the axial extent of the cooling adapter. In this respect, the plane intersects, in particular, the longitudinal center axis of the cooling adapter. This results in the advantage that the cooling adapter can also be arranged or is arranged on the cooling adapter lying in the plane. If, for example, the cooling adapter is arranged upright, as described above, then in particular the plate-shaped heat sink arranged thereon would also be arranged upright.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling adapter, with the first inlet connection and the first outlet connection, forms a plug connection for a connection socket with corresponding connections. This provides a particularly advantageous option for connecting the cooling adapter to the corresponding connection socket of the cooling device.

[0011] Particularly preferably, at least one sealing means, in particular an O-ring, is arranged on the plug-in connection. The sealing means has the advantage that the cooling channels are reliably separated and sealed from one another and from the environment in terms of flow and media. Mixing of cold and warm cooling medium within the cooling adapter is thus reliably prevented. For example, the sealing means is arranged at least in regions within a circumferential groove in a casing wall of the cooling adapter. In particular, several, for example three, spaced-apart sealing means are arranged on the plug-in connection.

[0012] The cooling device according to the invention for cooling an electrical component using a gaseous or liquid cooling medium, with the features of claim 10, has at least one heat sink with at least one heat sink cooling channel. It is characterized by at least one cooling adapter according to the invention connected to the heat sink. This results in the aforementioned advantages. The heat sink is connected to the cooling adapter, in particular, in a materially bonded and / or form-fitting manner, for example, welded or soldered.

[0013] According to a preferred development of the invention, the heat sink is at least substantially cuboid-shaped, with the heat sink cooling channel running along a longitudinal extent of the heat sink from a first end face to a second end face facing away from the first end face, bending by 180° at the second end face, and running back to the first end face, so that the heat sink cooling channel as a whole has an at least substantially U-shaped profile. The heat sink is therefore plate-shaped and, thanks to the corresponding design of the heat sink cooling channel, advantageously has a maximum heat transfer surface. This advantageously maximizes its ability to dissipate the waste heat from the component.

[0014] It is particularly preferred that the heat sink is at least substantially cuboid-shaped, and that at least one component to be cooled is arranged on at least one longitudinal side of the heat sink, in particular on longitudinal sides facing away from one another.

[0015] This has the advantage that both long sides of the heat sink are used as heat transfer surfaces, thus maximizing the cooling capacity of the heat sink.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling device comprises a housing part with at least one connection socket connected to a plug connection of the cooling adapter, wherein the connection socket is connectable or connected to the cooling circuit. This advantageously allows the cooling adapter to be connected to the cooling device in a simple and secure manner.

[0017] Further preferred features and combinations of features emerge from the above description and from the claims. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B an advantageous cooling adapter, and Fig. 2 a cooling device with the cooling adapter.

[0018] Fig. 1A shows an advantageous cooling adapter 1 in an overall view, and Fig. 1B shows the cooling adapter 1 in a sectional view cut approximately in the plane of the paper, in which the interior of the cooling adapter 1 can be seen. The cooling adapter 1 is designed to be inserted into a Fig. 2 cooling device to be described later for cooling an electrical component by means of a gaseous or liquid cooling medium.

[0019] It goes without saying that the functions of all connections described below depend on the flow direction, i.e., which of the connections is used for supplying the cooling circuit and heat sink, and which is used for discharging the cooling circuit and heat sink. The limitations mentioned are merely exemplary in order to Fig. 2, and are not intended to be limiting. The cooling adapter and cooling device function in the same way in reverse flow directions.

[0020] In any case, the cooling adapter 1 is at least substantially cylindrical in shape in the present case. It has a first inlet connection 2 for supplying the cooling medium from a cooling circuit and a first outlet connection 3 for discharging the cooling medium into the cooling circuit.

[0021] Furthermore, the cooling adapter 1 has at least one second, in this case a plurality of second inlet connections 4 for supplying the cooling medium into at least one heat sink cooling channel of a heat sink, and at least one second, in this case a plurality of second outlet connections 5 for discharging the cooling medium from the heat sink cooling channel.

[0022] In addition, the cooling adapter 1 has a first cooling channel 6 extending axially within the cooling adapter 1 and fluidically connecting the first inlet connection 2 and the second inlet connections 4. Finally, the cooling adapter 1 has a second cooling channel 7 extending coaxially around the first cooling channel 6 and fluidically connecting the first outlet connection 3 and the second outlet connections 5.

[0023] The first inlet connection 2 and the first outlet connection 3 are formed in an end face 9 of the cooling adapter 1, extending axially from the cooling adapter 1, wherein the first inlet connection 2 is formed at a distance from the end face 9, parallel to the end face 9, or the first cooling channel 6 ends with the first inlet connection 2 at a distance from the end face 9.

[0024] The first inlet connection 2 and the adjoining first cooling channel 6 have an at least partially identical, at least substantially circular cross-section, and the first outlet connection 3 and the adjoining second cooling channel 7 have an at least partially identical, at least substantially annular cross-section.

[0025] The first cooling channel 6 is designed as an inner cooling channel for supplying the coolant cooled in the cooling circuit to the heat sink cooling channel, and the second cooling channel 7 is designed as an outer cooling channel for discharging the coolant heated in the heat sink cooling channel into the cooling circuit. The cooling channels 6, 7 are separated from each other in terms of flow and media by a common, tubular channel wall 8. Each of the cooling channels 6, 7 has a constant cross-section, at least in some areas.

[0026] The second inlet connections 4 and the second outlet connections 5 are formed in a jacket wall 10 of the cooling adapter 1 extending parallel to the channel wall 8, radially extending from the cooling adapter 1.

[0027] In this case, two of the second inlet connections 4 and two of the second outlet connections 5 form a predetermined angle, in this case a right angle, with respect to the radial extent of the cooling adapter 1. Furthermore, all second inlet connections 4 and second outlet connections 5 are arranged evenly distributed over the circumference of the cooling adapter. For example, a total of four such second inlet connections 4 and second outlet connections 5 are provided, so that an angle of 90° is provided between them.

[0028] One of the second inlet connections 4 and one of the second outlet connections 5 form a pair of connections for a heat sink and are arranged one above the other in a plane which is common with respect to the axial extension of the cooling adapter 1.

[0029] The cooling adapter 1, with the first inlet connection 2 and the first outlet connection 3, forms a plug-in connection 11 for a connection socket with corresponding connections. In the area of the plug-in connection 11, the cooling adapter has a plurality of spaced-apart, superimposed circumferential grooves 12 in both the casing wall 10 and the channel wall 8—here, two in the channel wall 8 and three in the casing wall 10, in each of which a sealing means, in particular an O-ring, can be arranged or is arranged at least in some areas.

[0030] In the Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the cooling adapter 1 in an assembled state within a cooling device 13. The cooling device 13 has a plurality of heat sinks 14. One of the heat sinks 14 is also shown in section, so that the plurality of heat sink cooling channels 16 arranged therein, each separated from one another by a heat sink channel wall 15, can be seen.

[0031] For reasons of clarity, only one of the channel walls 15 and one of the heat sink cooling channels 16 is provided with a reference symbol. As described above, the heat sink cooling channels 16 are each fluidically and media-wise connected to one of the second inlet connections 4 or the second outlet connections 5.

[0032] The heat sink 14 is at least substantially cuboid-shaped or plate-shaped, wherein the heat sink cooling channels 16 each extend parallel to one another, run along a longitudinal extent of the heat sink 14 from a first end face 17 to a second end face 18 facing away from the first end face 17, have a bend of 180° at the second end face 18, and run back again to the first end face 17, so that the heat sink cooling channels 16 as a whole each have an at least substantially U-shaped course.

[0033] For this purpose, the heat sink cooling channels 16 preferably converge in an end region of the heat sink into an at least partially open region, i.e. they are no longer or at least no longer completely separated from one another by channel walls, as is the case in the present case in the Fig.2 is provided, in particular outside the plane of the drawing, or connections are provided in the end region, in particular through openings in the corresponding channel walls, in such a way that exactly one of the heat sink cooling channels 16 connected to one of the second inlet connections 4 is connected to one of the heat sink cooling channels 16 connected to one of the second outlet connections 5, wherein in particular starting from two adjacent, i.e. inner, heat sink cooling channels 16 which are connected to one another in such a way, the heat sink cooling channels 16 which are each adjacent to one of the heat sink cooling channels 16 are connected to one another from the inside to the outside.

[0034] The heat sink 14 further comprises a first longitudinal side 19 connecting the two end faces 17, 18, and a second longitudinal side 20 facing away from the first longitudinal side 19. A plurality of electrical components 21 to be cooled are arranged on each of the longitudinal sides 19, 20. Here, too, for reasons of clarity, only one of the components 21 is provided with a reference numeral.

[0035] In the present case, an electrical insulation layer 22 is further arranged between the heat sink 14 and the component, the components 21 lying opposite one another are connected to one another by a clamp-like spring element 23 which surrounds them and are thereby pressed against the longitudinal sides 19, 20 of the heat sink 14, so that they are fixed accordingly.

[0036] Each of the components 21 is connected to a printed circuit board 25 by corresponding elongated contact elements 24. Here, too, for reasons of clarity, only one of the spring elements 23 and contact elements 24 is provided with a reference numeral.

[0037] The printed circuit board 25 is connected to a housing part 26 of the cooling device 13. The housing part 26 has the connection socket 27 already described above, into which the cooling adapter 1 is plugged by means of the plug connection 11. This creates a fluid and media connection to a cooling circuit (not shown in detail), to which the connection socket 27 is connected.

[0038] For this purpose, the connection socket, analogous to the plug connection, has an inner cooling channel 28 connected to the first cooling channel 6 and an outer cooling channel 29 extending coaxially around it and connected to the second cooling channel 7. It can be seen that the cooling channels 6, 7 are sealed from one another by the sealing means 30, as described above. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 8 004 841 B2

[0002] DE 10 2020 120 918 A1

[0002] DE 10 2010 029 085 A1

[0002] DE 10 2017 214 490 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Cooling adapter (1), at least substantially cylindrical, for a cooling device (13) for cooling an electrical component (21) by means of a gaseous or liquid cooling medium, - with a first inlet connection (2) for supplying the cooling medium from a cooling circuit or into the cooling circuit, - with a first drain connection (3) for discharging the cooling medium into or out of the cooling circuit, - with at least one second inlet connection (4) for supplying the cooling medium into a heat sink cooling channel (16) of a heat sink (14) or from the heat sink cooling channel (16), - with at least one second drain connection (5) for discharging the cooling medium from the heat sink cooling channel (16) or into the heat sink cooling channel (16), - with a first cooling channel (6) extending axially in the cooling adapter (1) and fluidically connecting the first inlet connection (2) and the at least one second inlet connection (4), and - with a second cooling channel (7) extending coaxially around the first cooling channel (6) and fluidically connecting the first outlet connection (3) and the at least one second outlet connection (5). [2] Cooling adapter according to claim 1, characterized by that the first cooling channel (6) is designed as an inner cooling channel for supplying the cooling medium cooled in the cooling circuit into the heat sink cooling channel (16), and the second cooling channel (7) is designed as an outer cooling channel for discharging the cooling medium heated in the heat sink cooling channel (16) into the cooling circuit. [3] Cooling adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first inlet connection (2) and the first outlet connection (3) are formed in an end face (9) of the cooling adapter (1), axially extending from the cooling adapter (1). [4] Cooling adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second inlet connection (4) and the second outlet connection (5) are formed in a jacket wall (10) of the cooling adapter (1), extending radially from the cooling adapter (1). [5] Cooling adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cooling adapter (1) has a plurality of second inlet connections (4) fluidically connected to the first cooling channel (6) and a plurality of second outlet connections (5) fluidly connected to the second cooling channel (7). [6] Cooling adapter according to claims 4 and 5, characterized bythat the second inlet connections (4) and / or the second outlet connections (5) enclose a predetermined angle, in particular a right angle, to one another with respect to the radial extent of the cooling adapter (1) and / or are arranged in a uniformly distributed manner. [7] Cooling adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the or one of the second inlet connections (4) and the or one of the second outlet connections (5) are arranged one above the other in a plane which is common with respect to the axial extent of the cooling adapter (1). [8] Cooling adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cooling adapter (1) with the first inlet connection (2) and the first outlet connection (3) forms a plug connection (11) for a connection socket (27) with corresponding connections. [9] Cooling adapter according to claim 7, characterized bythat at least one sealing means (30), in particular an O-ring, is arranged on the plug connection (11). [10] Cooling device (13) for cooling an electrical component (21) by means of a gaseous or liquid cooling medium, with at least one heat sink (14) having at least one heat sink cooling channel (16), characterized by at least one cooling adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims connected to the heat sink (14). [11] Cooling device according to claim 10, characterized byin that the heat sink (14) is at least substantially cuboid-shaped, wherein the heat sink cooling channel (16) runs along a longitudinal extent of the heat sink (14) from a first end face (17) to a second end face (18) facing away from the first end face, has a bend of 180° at the second end face (18), and runs back again to the first end face (17), so that the heat sink cooling channel (16) as a whole has an at least substantially U-shaped course. [12] Cooling device according to one of claims 10 and 11, characterized by that the heat sink is at least substantially cuboid-shaped, and that at least one component (21) to be cooled is arranged on at least one longitudinal side (19, 20) of the heat sink (14), in particular on longitudinal sides (19, 20) facing away from one another. [13] Cooling device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized bythat the cooling device (13) has a housing part (26) with at least one connection socket (27) connected to a plug connection (11) of the cooling adapter (1), wherein the connection socket (27) can be connected or is connected to the cooling circuit.

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