RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM

Abstract

A cooler and a cooling system for efficiently cooling heat generated by a heat-generating body can be provided. A cooler (1) is used to cool a heat-generating body (2). The cooler (1) comprises: a housing (20) having an outer surface on which the heat-generating body (2) is provided, the housing (20) having an inner space in which a coolant flows; and fins (11) protruding from an inner surface of the housing (20) and forming a coolant flow path in the inner space.The fins (11) comprise: a plurality of columnar portions (12) arranged in a staggered pattern; a plurality of plate-shaped portions (13), each of which is orthogonal to a height direction H of the housing and connects the corresponding columnar portions (12) that are adjacent to each other in a flow direction F in which the coolant flows; and a plurality of oblique connecting portions (14), each of which connects the corresponding columnar portions (12) that are adjacent to each other in an oblique direction that obliquely intersects the flow direction F. A cooling system (30) comprises the radiator (1), a heat exchanger (40), a pump (50), and a piping (60) that connects these components.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radiator and a cooling system. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Vehicles such as electric cars require power conversion devices such as switching power supplies, inverters, or converters to power their motors. Each of these power conversion devices contains semiconductor elements such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) or insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). Such a power conversion device handles high currents and generates heat, resulting in a high temperature. Therefore, a liquid chiller is typically used to cool the power conversion device.

[0003] This type of cooler (hereinafter referred to as a "conventional cooler") is in the form of a box in which a cooling liquid flows. A power conversion device is mounted on the outer surface of a plate (hereinafter referred to as a "heat dissipation plate") that forms the box as a form of the cooler. Consequently, heat from the power conversion device is transferred to the cooling liquid flowing in the cooler via the heat dissipation plate, thereby cooling the power conversion device. In addition, as in Patent Document 1, the inner surface (i.e., the surface with which the cooling liquid comes into contact) of the heat dissipation plate is provided with pin fins at intervals to improve the cooling efficiency of the heat dissipation plate. SOURCE REFERENCES PATENT DOCUMENT

[0004] Patent document 1: WO2012 / 157247 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] Such pin fins are widely used in conventional coolers. Because the pin fins are spaced at intervals, a distribution of flow velocities occurs between the fins, preventing the surface areas of the pin fins from being effectively utilized and reducing the heat transfer coefficient. In addition, the pin fins cause an increase in the flow velocity distribution due to the influence of shedding, and this increase leads to a further reduction in the heat transfer coefficient. Therefore, the conventional cooler has the problem of poor cooling performance.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooler and a cooling system for efficiently cooling heat generated from a heat generating body. MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

[0007] A cooler according to the present disclosure is a cooler for cooling a heat generating body, the cooler comprising: a casing having an outer surface on which the heat generating body is provided, the casing having an inner space in which a coolant flows; and fins protruding from an inner surface of the casing and forming a coolant flow path in the inner space.The fins include: a plurality of columnar portions arranged in a staggered pattern; a plurality of plate-shaped portions, each of which is orthogonal to a height direction of the housing and connects the corresponding columnar portions adjacent to each other in a flow direction in which the coolant flows; and a plurality of oblique connecting portions, each of which connects the corresponding columnar portions adjacent to each other in an oblique direction obliquely intersecting the flow direction.

[0008] A cooling system according to the present disclosure is a cooling circuit through which a coolant flows, the cooling system comprising: the radiator according to the present disclosure; a heat exchanger that cools the coolant; a pump that delivers the coolant to the radiator; and a piping that connects the radiator, the heat exchanger, and the pump. EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present disclosure makes it possible to efficiently cool the heat generated by a heat generating body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [ Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler according to Embodiment 1. [ Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the cooler according to Embodiment 1. [ Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along AA in Fig. 1 shows. [ Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a main surface of a heat dissipation plate according to Embodiment 1, viewed in a direction orthogonal to the main surface. [ Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along BB in Fig. 4 shows. [ Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along CC in Fig. 4 shows. [ Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the fins according to Embodiment 1. [ Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a plan view of a heat dissipation plate to be compared with the heat dissipation plate in Embodiment 1. [ Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooler according to Embodiment 2. [ Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a configuration diagram of a cooling system according to Embodiment 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and this designation applies throughout the entire text of the specification. The components described throughout the text of the specification are merely examples, and no limitation is imposed on the components described. Embodiment 1

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the cooler according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along AA in Fig. 1. In the drawings, a height direction H indicated by an H-axis is a direction orthogonal to a plane extending along a main surface S1 of a heat dissipation plate 10 described later, a flow direction F indicated by an F-axis is a direction in which a coolant flows within a casing 20 of a radiator 1, and a width direction W indicated by a W-axis is a direction orthogonal to the height direction H and the flow direction F.

[0012] The cooler 1 cools a heat-generating body 2. The heat-generating body 2 is, for example, a power conversion device. The cooler 1 can be divided into four sections: the heat dissipation plate 10, the housing 20, a coolant inlet section 22, and a coolant outlet section 24.

[0013] The casing 20 is a box-shaped member including the heat dissipation plate 10 having an outer surface on which the heat generating body 2 is provided. The casing 20 has an internal space 21 in which a coolant flows, which flows in from the coolant inlet portion 22. The casing 20 is formed of an aluminum material or the like. Although the heat dissipation plate 10 is illustrated as a separate member from the casing 20, the heat dissipation plate 10 is a member constituting the casing 20.

[0014] The coolant inlet portion 22 is a tube-shaped member formed of an aluminum material or the like. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the tube forming the coolant inlet portion 22 has one end connected to an inlet 23 opened in one of the surfaces forming the box forming the housing 20. Additionally, coolant flows in from the other end of the coolant inlet portion 22, causing the coolant to flow into the housing 20.

[0015] Similar to the coolant inlet portion 22, the coolant outlet portion 24 is also a tube-shaped member formed from an aluminum material or the like. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, one end of the tube, which forms the coolant outlet portion 24, is connected to an outlet 25 that opens into a surface that is one of the surfaces forming the box, which forms the casing 20, and is opposite to the surface to which the coolant inlet portion 22 is connected. The coolant that has flowed through the interior of the casing 20 flows out of the casing 20 via the outlet 25 and the coolant outlet portion 24. Inside the casing 20, the coolant flows from the inlet 23 to the outlet 25.

[0016] The heat dissipation plate 10 is a rectangular flat plate formed of a copper material, an aluminum material, or the like. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the heat-generating body 2 is attached to the upper surface of the heat dissipation plate 10, which is one of the outer surfaces of the casing 20. The lower surface of the heat dissipation plate 10, which is opposite to the upper surface, is referred to as the "main surface S1." The main surface S1 forms one of the inner surfaces of the casing 20, and the coolant comes into contact with the main surface S1.

[0017] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the main surface S1 of the heat dissipation plate 10 according to Embodiment 1, viewed in a direction orthogonal to the main surface S1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along BB in Fig. 4 shows. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along CC in Fig. 4 shows.

[0018] Fins 11 are provided on the heat dissipation plate 10. The fins 11 protrude from the main surface S1 of the heat dissipation plate and form a coolant flow path in the interior space 21 of the housing 20. The fins 11 have a plurality of columnar portions 12, a plurality of plate-shaped portions 13, and a plurality of inclined connecting portions 14.

[0019] As in Fig. 4, the columnar portions 12 are arranged on the main surface S1 in a staggered pattern in the height direction H. The plurality of columnar portions 12 are arranged at regular intervals in the flow direction F in which the coolant flows to form a row. The row is referred to as a "fin row." A plurality of the fin rows are arranged in the width direction W. The fin rows are arranged so that they are shifted by a unit phase in the width direction W. The fin rows are arranged so that each of the fin rows is shifted in the flow direction F from an adjacent fin row in the width direction W. Consequently, the columnar portions 12 are arranged on the heat dissipation plate 10 in a staggered pattern.

[0020] The shape of each of the columnar sections 12 is, for example, a hexagonal shape. In the Fig. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the columnar portion 12 has a surface parallel to the plate-shaped portions 13, which will be described later. Furthermore, the shape of the columnar portion 12 is preferably such that a longitudinal width (a) (a width in the flow direction F) of the columnar portion 12 and a transverse width (b) (a width in the width direction W) of the columnar portion 12 satisfy a / b>1. That is, the columnar portion 12 preferably has a shape such that the longitudinal width (a) is larger than the transverse width (b).

[0021] The columnar portion 12 is a rigid member formed of aluminum and extending in the height direction H orthogonal to the plane extending along the main surface S1. The height direction H also indicates the heights of the housing 20 and the ribs. As shown in Fig. 5, in the cross section orthogonal to the flow direction F, a length (hereinafter referred to as "height") in the height direction H of the columnar portion 12 is equal to a distance between the bottom surface of the housing 20 and the main surface S1 of the heat dissipation plate 10. That is, the height of the columnar portion 12 corresponds to a height of the coolant flow path.

[0022] In addition, as in Fig. 4, the plate-shaped sections 13 are provided on the inner surface of the housing 20. Each of the plate-shaped sections 13 is orthogonal to the height direction H of the housing and mutually connects the corresponding columnar sections 12 that are adjacent to each other in the flow direction F in which the coolant flows. The plate-shaped section 13 is a rectangular flat plate formed of an aluminum material. This flat plate is parallel to the height direction H and parallel to the flow direction F.

[0023] Each of the plate-shaped portions 13 is provided such that one end in the flow direction F of the plate-shaped portion 13 is in contact with the corresponding columnar portion 12 on the inlet 23 side in the flow direction F; and the other end in the flow direction F of the plate-shaped portion 13 is in contact with the corresponding columnar portion 12 on the outlet 25 side in the flow direction F. That is, each of the plate-shaped portions 13 connects these corresponding columnar portions 12, which are adjacent to each other in the flow direction F, to each other.

[0024] As in Fig. 5, the heights of the plate-shaped portions 13 are equal to the heights of the columnar portions 12. A length (hereinafter referred to as "width") (d) in the width direction W of each of the plate-shaped portions 13 is smaller than a length (hereinafter referred to as "width") (c) in the width direction W of each of the columnar portions 12. That is, the width (c) of the columnar portion 12 and the width (d) of the plate-shaped portion 13 are in such a relationship that c / d>1 is satisfied.

[0025] In addition, as in Fig. 4, the inclined connecting portions 14 are provided on the inner surface of the casing 20. Each of the inclined connecting portions 14 connects the corresponding columnar portions 12, which are adjacent to each other in a direction obliquely intersecting the flow direction F of the coolant, to each other. The inclined connecting portion 14 is inclined relative to the flow direction F and the width direction W. The inclined connecting portion 14 connects corner portions of the columnar portions 12, which have polygonal shapes, to each other. When the columnar portions 12 have hexagonal shapes, the corner portion of each of the columnar portions 12 refers to a corner portion belonging to the six corner portions of the columnar portion and formed by a connection between a side surface parallel to the plate-shaped portions 13 and a side surface not parallel to the plate-shaped portions 13.The corner section includes not only the corresponding corner, but also sections of the side surfaces adjacent to the corner. The side surfaces refer to surfaces with which the coolant comes into contact. As shown in . Fig. 6, the heights of the inclined connecting portions 14 are less than the heights of the columnar portions 12 and the heights of the plate-shaped portions 13. The inclined connecting portions 14 are provided to extend from the heat dissipation plate 10 to the bottom of the case 20.

[0026] Fig. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the ribs according to Embodiment 1. The oblique connecting portions 14 are described with reference to Fig. 7 in more detail. It is assumed that the coolant is supplied from the lower side on the drawing sheet of Fig. 7 flows to the top of the drawing sheet.

[0027] As in Fig. 7, a plurality of columnar portions 12 constituting an arbitrarily selected fin row among the fin rows sequentially arranged in the width direction W are defined as columnar portions 12a and 12aa in this order in the flow direction F. In addition, a plurality of columnar portions 12 constituting a fin row adjacent in the width direction W to the fin row including the columnar portions 12a and 12aa are defined as columnar portions 12b and 12bb in this order in the flow direction F. Furthermore, a plurality of columnar portions 12 constituting a fin row adjacent in the width direction W to the fin row including the columnar portions 12b and 12bb are defined as columnar portions 12c and 12cc in this order in the flow direction F.

[0028] The columnar portion 12b and the adjacent columnar portion 12aa in an oblique direction obliquely intersecting the flow direction F are connected by an oblique connecting portion 14aab. The columnar portion 12b and the adjacent columnar portion 12cc in an oblique direction, which obliquely intersects the flow direction F, are connected by an oblique connecting portion 14bcc. That is, the columnar portion 12b is connected to the columnar portion 12aa on the downstream side and on an oblique front side by the oblique connecting portion 14aab, and is connected to the columnar portion 12cc on the downstream side and on an oblique front side by the oblique connecting portion 14aab.

[0029] In addition, the columnar portion 12b is connected to the columnar portion 12a by an oblique connecting portion 14ab, which is located on the upstream side relative to the columnar portion 12b and which is located behind the columnar portion 12b in a direction inclined from the flow direction F. The columnar portion 12b is connected to the columnar portion 12c by an oblique connecting portion 14bc, which is located on the upstream side relative to the columnar portion 12b and which is located behind the columnar portion 12b in a direction inclined from the flow direction F. That is, the columnar portions 12 connected by each of the oblique connecting portions 14 are closest to each other in the adjacent rib rows in the width direction W.

[0030] A distance of each of the inclined connecting portions 14 (a distance between the corresponding columnar portions 12 closest to each other in the rib rows adjacent to each other in the width direction W) is longer than a distance between each of the columnar portions 12 and a plate-shaped portion 13 adjacent to the columnar portion 12 in the width direction W. That is, a length of each of the inclined connecting portions 14 is longer than a distance between each of the corresponding columnar portions 12 and a plate-shaped portion 13 closest to the columnar portion 12 among the plate-shaped portions 13.

[0031] Next, the flow of a coolant in the radiator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. A coolant is supplied from the coolant inlet portion 22 and flows from the inlet 23 into the interior space 21 of the casing. The inflowing coolant flows to the outlet 25 through the coolant flow path formed by the columnar portions 12, the plate-shaped portions 13, the inclined connecting portions 14, the main surface S1 of the heat dissipation plate 10, and the inner surfaces of the casing 20. In the coolant flow path, the coolant comes into contact with the fins 11 and the main surface S1 of the heat dissipation plate 10 to cool the heat generating body 2. After reaching the outlet 25, the coolant flows from the coolant outlet portion 24 to the outside of the casing 20.

[0032] The radiator 1 is provided, for example, for a coolant circulation channel of a cooling system 30 described later. In this case, the other end of the coolant inlet portion 22 is connected to a pipe 60, and a coolant that has flowed through the pipe 60 flows into the housing 20. The other end of the coolant outlet portion 24 is connected to the pipe 60. Consequently, the coolant that has flowed through the housing 20 flows from the coolant outlet portion 24 into a pipe 70.

[0033] Here, the cooling to be performed when a plurality of pin-shaped fins are arranged on a heat dissipation plate is described as a comparative example. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a heat dissipation plate 100 to be compared with the heat dissipation plate in Embodiment 1.

[0034] Under the heat dissipation plate 100, a coolant that has collided with a pin fin 12d passes through a gap M between the pin fin 12d and a pin fin 12e located on the upstream side relative to the pin fin 12d; and a gap N between the pin fin 12d and a pin fin 12f adjacent to the pin fin 12d in the width direction W orthogonal to the flow direction F. Then, the coolant collides with a pin fin 12g located on the downstream side relative to the pin fin 12d. Since the gap N is wider than the gap M at this time, the flow velocity of the coolant at the gap N is reduced. As a result, the cooling performance near the gap N deteriorates.In addition, the coolant does not flow easily near corner portions of the pin fins (especially on the back sides (upstream sides) relative to the corner portions) due to the influence of peeling, which deteriorates the cooling performance near the corner portions.

[0035] Meanwhile, the cooler 1 according to the present embodiment 1 is a cooler for cooling a heat generating body 2, the cooler 1 comprising: a casing 20 having an outer surface on which the heat generating body 2 is provided, the casing 20 having an inner space 21 in which a coolant flows; and fins 11 protruding from an inner surface (main surface S1) of the casing and forming a coolant flow path in the inner space 21.The fins 11 include a plurality of columnar portions 12 arranged in a staggered pattern; a plurality of plate-shaped portions 13, each of which is orthogonal to a height direction H of the casing and connects the corresponding columnar portions 12 adjacent to each other in a flow direction F in which the coolant flows; and a plurality of oblique connecting portions 14, each of which connects the corresponding columnar portions 12 adjacent to each other in an oblique direction obliquely intersecting the flow direction F. Since the radiator 1 according to the present embodiment 1 has this configuration, the radiator 1 can efficiently cool the heat generated by the heat generating body 2.

[0036] Specifically, each of the plate-shaped portions 13 is located at the center in the width direction W of the corresponding gap N. Consequently, a width of the flow path at the gap N is smaller than that obtained when no plate-shaped portion 13 is present. As a result, a decrease in the flow rate of the coolant at the gap N is suppressed, and deterioration in cooling efficiency is suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in the heat transfer coefficient due to a distribution of flow velocities can be suppressed, whereby the radiator 1 can efficiently cool the heat generated by the heat generating body 2.

[0037] Furthermore, since the inclined connecting portions 14 are provided, the formation of a turbulent flow of the coolant is facilitated, thereby performing cooling more efficiently. Each of the inclined connecting portions 14 connects columnar portions 12 adjacent in an inclined direction relative to the flow direction F of the coolant among the plurality of columnar portions 12 arranged in a staggered pattern. That is, since the inclined connecting portion 14 is provided near the corner portions of the columnar portions 12 that are easily peeled off, the coolant is agitated by collision with the inclined connecting portion 14, thereby facilitating the formation of a turbulent flow of the coolant.The formation of turbulent flow suppresses stagnation (dead water zone formation) of the coolant due to shedding, thereby reducing the flow velocity distribution between the fins. Furthermore, the formation of turbulent flow suppresses the formation of dead water zones near the corner portions of the columnar sections 12, effectively utilizing the surface areas of the columnar sections 12. With the above features, a reduction in the heat transfer coefficient can be suppressed, and the heat generating body 2 can be efficiently cooled. Furthermore, since the coolant impinges on the oblique connecting portion 14 at an angle, pressure loss can also be reduced.

[0038] Furthermore, since the main surface S1 of the heat dissipation plate 10 (the inner surface of the casing 20) is provided with the plate-shaped portions 13 and the inclined connecting portions 14, the contact area with the coolant is larger than that of a heat dissipation plate provided with neither the plate-shaped portions 13 nor the inclined connecting portions 14. Therefore, the radiator 1 including the heat dissipation plate 10 has a higher cooling capacity for the heat generating body 2 than a conventional radiator including the heat dissipation plate 100 that does not have the plate-shaped portions 13 nor the inclined connecting portions 14. Furthermore, since the columnar portions 12, the plate-shaped portions 13, and the inclined connecting portions 14 are connected to each other, earthquake resistance is improved, and a vibration damping effect can also be expected.

[0039] Furthermore, the length of each of the inclined connecting portions 14 is longer than the distance between each of the corresponding columnar portions 12 and a plate-shaped portion 13 closest to the columnar portion 12 among the plate-shaped portions 13. Instead of connecting a columnar portion 12 and an adjacent plate-shaped portion 13 in the width direction W, each of the inclined connecting portions 14 connects columnar portions 12 closest to each other in the fin rows adjacent to each other in the width direction W, thereby increasing the contact area with the coolant and improving the cooling performance.

[0040] Furthermore, the columnar sections 12 are arranged on the main surface S1 of the heat dissipation plate 10 in a staggered pattern, as seen in the height direction H. Consequently, the coolant flowing inside the radiator 1 impacts the columnar sections 12 in a direction parallel to the flow direction F, and the development of a thermal boundary layer around each of the columnar sections 12 is suppressed due to a leading edge effect. This allows the radiator 1 to efficiently cool the heat generated by the heat generating body 2.

[0041] Furthermore, the columnar portions 12 have hexagonal shapes. Here, a case is assumed where the columnar portions 12 have columnar shapes. In this case, the flow of the coolant is less likely to become turbulent near the surfaces of the columnar portions 12. On the other hand, when the columnar portions 12 have a hexagonal shape, as in the present Embodiment 1, turbulent flow (formation of turbulent flow) of the coolant can be facilitated. In addition, the longitudinal width (a) of each of the columnar portions 12 and the transverse width (b) of the columnar portion 12 satisfy a / b>1, whereby the contact area between the coolant and the columnar portion 12 can be increased and the cooling performance can be improved.

[0042] The heights of the columnar sections 12 and the heights of the plate-shaped sections 13 correspond to the height of the coolant flow path. Thus, the surface areas of the fins 11 in contact with the coolant are increased, allowing the heat-generating body 2 to be cooled more efficiently.

[0043] The heights of the inclined connecting portions 14 are set to be lower than the heights of the columnar portions 12 and the heights of the plate-shaped portions 13. With this configuration, the contact area between the heat dissipation plate 10 and the coolant can be increased, and the formation of turbulent flow of the coolant can be facilitated. Therefore, the heat generating body 2 can be cooled more efficiently.

[0044] Furthermore, the width (d) of each of the plate-shaped portions 13 is smaller than the width (c) of each of the columnar portions 12. That is, the relationship expressed as c / d>1 is established. With this configuration, the contact area between the coolant and each of the columnar portions 12 and the plate-shaped portions 13 can be increased, and the leading edge effect of the columnar portion 12 can be enhanced, thereby cooling the heat generating body 2 more efficiently.

[0045] In addition to this feature, for the heat dissipation plate 10 of the radiator 1, aluminum is used as the material for the columnar portion 12 and copper is used as the material for the plate-shaped portion 13. For example, if the thickness of the flat plate as the shape of the plate-shaped portion 13 is smaller than the width of the hexagon as the shape of the columnar portion 12, the cooling performance of the plate-shaped portion 13 may be worse than that of the columnar portion 12. However, deterioration of the cooling performance of the plate-shaped portion 13 can be suppressed by using copper having a higher thermal conductivity than aluminum as the material of the plate-shaped portion 13.When the material of the columnar portions 12 and the material of the plate-shaped portions 13 are different from each other, examples of the manufacturing methods for the columnar portions 12 and the plate-shaped portions 13 include: a method that includes forming the columnar portions 12 on the heat dissipation plate 10 and then press-fitting the plate-shaped portions 13; and a method that includes adhering the plate-shaped portions 13 to the columnar portions 12 by soldering or the like.

[0046] Although the heights of the columnar portions 12 and the plate-shaped portions 13 are set to correspond to the height of the coolant flow path, these heights may be set shorter than the height of the coolant flow path depending on the amount of deformation of the heat dissipation plate 10, as long as these heights are higher than the heights of the inclined connecting portions 14.

[0047] A power conversion device as an example of the heat generating body 2 is a converter, an inverter, or a controller for controlling a motor 80, which will be described later, and includes semiconductor elements such as MOSFETs or IGBTs, a reactor, a capacitor, and the like. The semiconductor elements and the like included in the power conversion device are mounted on an insulating substrate within the power conversion device. During operation of the motor 80, current flows through the power conversion device to control the motor 80, causing the temperatures of the semiconductor elements and the like included in the power conversion device to become high. Embodiment 2

[0048] A cooler 1A according to Embodiment 2 is described with reference to Fig. 9. The radiator 1A according to Embodiment 2 differs from the radiator 1 according to Embodiment 1 in the shapes of the inclined connecting portions 14. Description of the same configurations as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted, and the same or corresponding portions as in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0049] Fig. 9 is a plan view of the main surface S1 of a heat dissipation plate 10A of the cooler 1A according to Embodiment 2, viewed in a direction orthogonal to this surface.

[0050] Under the heat dissipation plate 10A of the radiator 1A according to Embodiment 2, a plurality of recessed protrusion portions G are formed in side surfaces (i.e., surfaces with which the coolant comes into contact) of each of the inclined connecting portions 14. Each of the recessed protrusion portions G has a V-shaped cross section and is a groove extending in the height direction H. Consequently, the contact area with the coolant under the heat dissipation plate 10A is larger than that under the heat dissipation plate 10. Consequently, the radiator 1A not only has the advantageous effects in Embodiment 1 but can also efficiently further cool the heat generated by the heat generating body 2. The other configurations in the radiator 1A are the same as those in the radiator 1. Embodiment 3

[0051] A cooling system 30 according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The cooling system 30 according to Embodiment 3 is a cooling system 30 including the cooler described in Embodiment 1 or 2. The description of the same configurations as in Embodiment 1 is omitted, and the same or corresponding portions as in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0052] Fig. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the cooling system 30 according to Embodiment 3. The cooling system 30 includes: the radiator 1 or 1A described in Embodiment 1 or 2; a heat exchanger 40; a pump 50; and a piping 60 connecting these components.

[0053] The cooling system 30 is a cooling circuit for cooling the heat generating body 2 using a coolant. In the present embodiment 3, the heat generating body 2 is the power conversion device.

[0054] A coolant flowing through the cooling system 30 circulates in the cooling circuit in the order of the heat exchanger 40, the pump 50, and the radiator 1 provided with the heat generating body 2. The radiator 1 (1A), the heat exchanger 40, and the pump are connected by the piping 60. Thus, in the cooling circuit, the coolant cooled by the heat exchanger 40 is supplied to the radiator 1 (1A) by the pump 50. By flowing the coolant into the radiator 1 and exchanging heat, the heat generating body 2 is cooled. The coolant that has absorbed heat flows back into the heat exchanger 40 and is cooled by the heat exchanger 40.

[0055] The coolant flowing through the cooling circuit is an antifreeze (LLC), which is obtained by mixing an additive that acts as a rust inhibitor, preservative or defoamer with an aqueous ethylene glycol solution.

[0056] As described above, the cooling system 30 according to the present embodiment is a cooling circuit through which a coolant flows, and the cooling system 30 includes: the radiator 1 (1A) described in Embodiment 1 or 2; a heat exchanger 40 that cools the coolant; a pump 50 that supplies the coolant to the radiator 1 (1A); and a piping 60 that connects the radiator 1 (1A), the heat exchanger 40, and the pump 50. Consequently, the heat generating body 2 can be efficiently cooled.

[0057] The above embodiments can be combined, modified, or simplified as needed within the scope of the technical ideas described in the embodiments. Although the coolant in the above embodiments is antifreeze, the antifreeze may be replaced with, for example, refrigerated gas. Also, not only the V-shaped grooves but also semicircular recesses or the like may be provided as the recessed protrusion portions G formed in the side surfaces of each of the inclined connecting portions 14. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1.1A cooler 2 heat generating bodies (current transformer device) 10, 10A heat dissipation plate 11 rib 12, 12a, 12aa, 12b, 12bb, 12c, 12cc columnar section 13 plate-shaped section 14, 14aab, 14bcc, 14ab, 14bc inclined connecting section 20 housings 21 Interior 22 Coolant inlet section 23 Entrance 24 Coolant outlet section 25 Outlet 30 Cooling system 40 heat exchangers 50 pump 60 pipeline 100 heat dissipation plate F Flow direction G deepen projection section H Altitude direction S1 main area W latitude direction 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] WO 2012 / 157247

[0004]

Claims

[1] A cooler for cooling a heat generating body, the cooler comprising: a housing having an outer surface on which the heat generating body is provided, the housing having an inner space in which a coolant flows; and Ribs projecting from an inner surface of the housing and form a coolant flow path in the interior, wherein the fins a plurality of columnar sections arranged in a staggered pattern, a plurality of plate-shaped sections, each of which is orthogonal to a height direction of the housing and connects the respective columnar sections which are adjacent to each other in a flow direction in which the coolant flows, and a plurality of oblique connecting portions each connecting the corresponding columnar portions adjacent to each other in an oblique direction obliquely intersecting the flow direction. [2] Cooler according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of columnar sections are arranged at intervals in the flow direction to form a row of ribs, and a plurality of rows of ribs are arranged at intervals in a width direction orthogonal to the height direction and the flow direction and are arranged so that that each of the rows of ribs is offset in the flow direction relative to a row of ribs adjacent to it in the width direction. [3] A radiator according to claim 2, wherein the columnar portions connected to each other by each of the inclined connecting portions are closest to each other among the columnar portions constituting the fin rows adjacent to each other in the width direction. [4] A cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heights of the columnar portions and the heights of the plate-shaped portions are equal to a height of the coolant flow path. [5] A cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heights of the inclined connecting portions are lower than the heights of the columnar portions and the heights of the plate-shaped portions. [6] A cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the columnar portions have polygonal shapes and each of the inclined connecting portions connects corner portions of the corresponding columnar portions to each other. [7] A cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a length of each of the inclined connecting portions is longer than a distance between each of the corresponding columnar portions and a plate-shaped portion closest to the columnar portion among the plate-shaped portions. [8] A cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shape of each of the columnar portions is such that a longitudinal width (a) in the flow direction of the columnar portion and a transverse width (b) in a width direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the columnar portion are in a relationship such that a / b>1 is satisfied. [9] A cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the flow direction, a width (c) of each of the columnar portions and a width (d) of each of the plate-shaped portions are in such a relationship that c / d>1 is satisfied. [10] A cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each of the inclined connecting portions has a recessed protrusion portion in a side surface thereof. [11] Cooling system means a cooling circuit through which the coolant flows, the cooling system comprising: the cooler according to one of claims 1 to 10; a heat exchanger that cools the coolant; a pump that transports the coolant to the radiator; and a pipe that connects the cooler, the heat exchanger and the pump.

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