cooler

Abstract

To provide a cooler that can suppress the deterioration of heat transfer characteristics. [Solution] The cooler comprises a case member having an inlet through which refrigerant flows in and an outlet through which refrigerant flows out. The case member comprises a first member including a first surface that receives heat from the object to be cooled and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a second member having a third surface facing the second surface, and a plurality of columnar projections projecting from the third surface toward the second surface. The plurality of projections are divided into a plurality of rows of projections arranged side by side at intervals along the direction of refrigerant flow. The distance between the first row of projections closest to the inlet and the second row of projections closest to the inlet is greater than the distance between the third row of projections closest to the outlet and the fourth row of projections closest to the outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooler.

Background Art

[0002] Semiconductor devices such as power conversion devices that convert DC power into AC power are known. A cooler for dissipating the heat of a heating element is mounted on the semiconductor device.

[0003] The cooler described in Patent Document 1 includes a heat dissipation substrate joined to an insulating substrate on which a semiconductor element is mounted, a plurality of fins provided on the side opposite to the insulating substrate of the heat dissipation substrate, and a box-shaped cooling case that houses the plurality of fins. The cooling case is provided with an inlet and an outlet for a refrigerant, and the refrigerant flows into the cooling case. The plurality of fins are arranged at a predetermined pitch with a gap therebetween. Since the heat dissipation area can be increased by such a plurality of fins, heat exchange is efficiently performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Since the refrigerant flows while receiving heat from the object to be cooled, its temperature becomes higher closer to the outlet than the inlet. For this reason, in a configuration in which the protrusions installed to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant are arranged evenly over the entire area, the flow rate of the refrigerant is uniform, but the temperature is higher on the downstream side, and the cooling performance on the heat dissipation base becomes non-uniform. Therefore, the temperature of the object to be cooled on the downstream side tends to be higher.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a cooler according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a case member having an inlet through which a refrigerant flows in and an outlet through which the refrigerant flows out, wherein the case member comprises a first member including a first surface that receives heat from an object to be cooled and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a second member having a third surface facing the second surface, and a plurality of columnar protrusions projecting from the third surface toward the second surface, wherein the plurality of protrusions are divided into a plurality of rows of protrusions arranged side by side at intervals along the direction of flow of the refrigerant, the distance between the first row of protrusions closest to the inlet and the second row of protrusions closest to the inlet after the first row of protrusions is greater than the distance between the third row of protrusions closest to the outlet and the fourth row of protrusions closest to the outlet after the third row of protrusions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the cooler according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the second component of the cooler shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the top view, front view, side view, and cross-sectional view of the second member. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the multiple protrusions. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a plan view of the multiple protrusions shown. [Figure 6] This figure shows the thermal resistance in this embodiment and comparative example. [Figure 7] This figure shows a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of wall portions of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple protrusions and multiple wall sections shown. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the flow of the refrigerant in the comparative example. [Figure 10] This figure shows the flow of the refrigerant in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows the refrigerant flow rate in the comparative example. [Figure 12] This figure shows the flow velocity of the refrigerant in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a view showing the protrusion and the wall portion of FIG. 7. [Figure 14] It is a view showing a plurality of wall portions and a plurality of protrusions of the first modification. [Figure 15] It is a plan view showing the wall portion of the second modification. [Figure 16] It is a plan view showing the wall portion of the third modification. [Figure 17] It is a plan view showing the wall portion of the fourth modification. [Figure 18] It is a plan view showing the wall portion of the fifth modification. [Figure 19] It is a cross-sectional view of the wall portion of the sixth modification. [Figure 20] It is a cross-sectional view of the wall portion of the seventh modification. [Figure 21] It is a cross-sectional view of the wall portion of the eighth modification.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the dimensions and scales of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones, and there are also some parts shown schematically for easy understanding. Further, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is a description to specifically limit the present invention in the following description. Also, in this specification, "equal" means including a difference due to manufacturing error or the like in addition to being substantially equal.

[0009] 1. Embodiment 1-1. Outline of the cooler 100 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cooler 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the second member 1 included in the cooler 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top view, a front view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view of the second member 1 of FIG. 2. (a) of FIG. 3 is a top view, (b) of FIG. 3 is a front view, (c) of FIG. 3 is a left side view, (d) of FIG. 3 is a right side view, and (e) of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view.

[0010] The following description will be made using the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis that intersect each other as appropriate. One direction along the X-axis is referred to as the X1 direction, and the direction opposite to the X1 direction is referred to as the X2 direction. The directions opposite to each other along the Y-axis are referred to as the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction. The directions opposite to each other along the Z-axis are referred to as the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction. Looking in the direction along the Z-axis is referred to as "plan view". The Z1 direction is the upper side, and the Z2 direction is the lower side.

[0011] The cooler 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used, for example, for cooling in power electronics products such as inverters or rectifiers mounted on railway vehicles, automobiles, or household electrical appliances. The power electronics product has, for example, a power semiconductor element such as a diode or an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor). The power semiconductor element is an example of the object to be cooled, the cooled object 9, in the cooler 100. The cooled object 9 is a heat-generating body. Also, the cooled object 9 is not limited to the power semiconductor element, and may be other electrical or electronic components that generate heat by driving or energization or the like as long as cooling is required.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cooler 100 has a case member 10 and a plurality of protrusions 3.

[0013] 1-1a. Case member 10 The case member 10 is a case having an internal space. The internal space is a flow path space through which the refrigerant RE flows. The case member 10 is provided with an inlet 101H through which the refrigerant RE flows into the interior and an outlet 102H through which the refrigerant RE flows out to the exterior. The refrigerant RE flows into the flow path space from the inlet 101H and is discharged from the outlet 102H. Therefore, the refrigerant RE flows from the inlet 101H toward the outlet 102H.

[0014] The refrigerant RE is a medium that is liquid at room temperature and includes, for example, water such as pure water, or a mixture of water and alcohol. The alcohol is, for example, ethanol or methanol. The type of refrigerant RE may be other than those mentioned above. It is also preferable that a surfactant is added to the refrigerant RE. The surfactant may be a nonionic surfactant, or an ionic surfactant such as anionic or cationic surfactant. Specific examples of surfactants include fluorine-based surfactants, silicone-based surfactants, and hydrocarbon-based surfactants. When the refrigerant is water, it is preferable to use a hydrocarbon-based surfactant that has excellent solubility.

[0015] The case member 10 is made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity, specifically, a metal or alloy such as copper or aluminum. The case member 10 has a first member 2 and a second member 1. The second member 1 is a box having an opening in the Z1 direction. The first member 2 is a lid that closes the opening. The first member 2 and the second member 1 may be made of the same material or of different materials.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3(e), the second member 1 is a flat plate-shaped member. The first member 2 has a first surface 201 and a second surface 202. As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of cooling objects 9 are provided on the first surface 201. The first surface 201 receives heat from the cooling objects 9. The first surface 201 and each cooling object 9 may be in direct contact, or other members may be interposed between the first surface 201 and each cooling object 9. The second surface 202 is the surface opposite to the first surface 201.

[0017] The second member 1 has a bottom portion 11, a side wall portion 15, and a base portion 13. The bottom portion 11, the side wall portion 15, and the base portion 13 are formed as a single unit, but they may also be formed individually and then bonded together. The bottom portion 11 is the bottom part of the second member 1 and is flat.

[0018] The side wall portion 15 extends from the bottom portion 11 in the Z1 direction. The side wall portion 15 has a first side wall 151, a second side wall 152, a third side wall 153, and a fourth side wall 154. The first side wall 151 and the second side wall 152 face each other, and the third side wall 153 and the fourth side wall 154 face each other. An inlet 101H is formed in the first side wall 151. An outlet 102H is formed in the second side wall 152. The inlet 101H is a hole that penetrates the first side wall 151, and the outlet 102H is a hole that penetrates the second side wall 152.

[0019] The base portion 13 is provided in the Z1 direction of the bottom portion 11. The thickness of the base portion 13 along the Z axis is greater than the thickness of the bottom portion 11. In the illustrated example, the cross-sectional shape of the base portion 13 is trapezoidal. The presence of the base portion 13 improves the cooling performance of the cooler 100 compared to when it is not provided. The upper surface of the base portion 13 is the third surface 103. The third surface 103 faces the second surface 202.

[0020] 1-1b. Multiple protrusions 3 As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the multiple protrusions 3 are spaced apart from each other and arranged in the internal space of the case member 10. Each protrusion 3 is a columnar projection connected to the third surface 103 and projecting toward the second surface 202. Each protrusion 3 does not contact the second member 1, but may do so. In the illustrated example, each protrusion 3 is cylindrical.

[0021] The presence of multiple protrusions 3 increases the flow velocity of the refrigerant RE that contacts the second surface 202 of the first member 2. This improves the cooling performance of the cooler 100.

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple protrusions 3 shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a plan view of the multiple protrusions 3 shown in Figure 2.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, each projection 3 has a projection height T3 in the Z1 direction and a width W3 in the direction along the Y axis, which is the direction in which the refrigerant RE flows through each projection 3. Each projection 3 also has a top surface 31 and a side surface 32. The top surface 31 is the part of the projection 3 closest to the second surface 202. In this embodiment, the top surface 31 is a surface parallel to the third surface 103 and perpendicular to the Z axis. The top surface 31 is circular in plan view. The side surface 32 is cylindrical. The side surface 32 connects the top surface 31 and the third surface 103. In this embodiment, the side surface 32 is parallel to the Z axis.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the multiple protrusions 3 are arranged in a staggered pattern in a plan view. The multiple protrusions 3 are divided into multiple rows of protrusions L, which are spaced apart from each other along the Y2 direction, which is the direction in which the refrigerant RE flows. In the illustrated example, there are seven rows of protrusions L. Each row of protrusions L is a collection of several protrusions 3 arranged linearly along the Y axis. In this embodiment, the multiple rows of protrusions L are arranged at equal intervals.

[0025] Of the multiple rows of protrusions L, the row of protrusions L closest to the inlet 101H is designated as the first row of protrusions L1. The row of protrusions L next closest to the inlet 101H after the first row of protrusions L1 is designated as the second row of protrusions L2. The row of protrusions L next closest to the inlet 101H after the second row of protrusions L2 is designated as the fifth row of protrusions L5. The row of protrusions L next closest to the inlet 101H after the fifth row of protrusions L5 is designated as the sixth row of protrusions L6. The row of protrusions L next closest to the inlet 101H after the sixth row of protrusions L6 is designated as the seventh row of protrusions L7. Of the multiple rows of protrusions L, the row of protrusions L closest to the outlet 102H is designated as the third row of protrusions L3. The row of protrusions L next closest to the outlet 102H after the third row of protrusions L3 is designated as the fourth row of protrusions L4.

[0026] The spacing between two adjacent rows of projections L is not constant. Specifically, the spacing D1 between the first row of projections L1 and the second row of projections L2 is greater than the spacing D3 between the third row of projections L3 and the fourth row of projections L4.

[0027] The temperature of the refrigerant RE tends to be higher closer to the outlet 102H than to the inlet 101H. By making the spacing of the rows of protrusions L smaller closer to the outlet 102H than to the inlet 101H, the flow velocity of the refrigerant RE near the outlet 102H can be increased. This reduces the non-uniformity of the cooling performance on the first surface 201 of the second member 1.

[0028] Furthermore, the spacing between two adjacent rows of protrusions L decreases gradually from the inlet 101H towards the outlet 102H. Specifically, the spacing D1, the spacing D2 between the second row of protrusions L2 and the fifth row of protrusions L5, the spacing D5 between the fifth row of protrusions L5 and the sixth row of protrusions L6, the spacing D6 between the sixth row of protrusions L6 and the seventh row of protrusions L7, the spacing D4 between the seventh row of protrusions L7 and the fourth row of protrusions L4, and the spacing D3 decrease in this order from spacing D1. In other words, the spacings D1, D2, D5, D6, D4, and D3 satisfy the relationship D1>D2>D5>D6>D4>D3.

[0029] As the distance from the inlet 101H to the outlet 102H decreases, the distance between two adjacent rows of protrusions L gradually decreases, allowing the flow velocity of the refrigerant RE to gradually increase from the inlet 101H to the outlet 102H. This effectively reduces the non-uniformity of the cooling performance on the first surface 201 of the second member 1.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the thermal resistance in this embodiment and comparative example. The vertical axis in Figure 6 shows the thermal resistance of the cooled object 9, and the horizontal axis shows the position of the cooled object 9. Specifically, for example, six cooled objects 9 are provided on the first surface 201. Of the six cooled objects 9, the one provided closest to the inlet 101H is designated as "1," and they are designated as "2," "3," "4," "5," and "6" in order from "1" toward the outlet 102H. In the comparative example, these six cooled objects 9 are arranged in a straight line at approximately equal intervals from the inlet 101H toward the outlet 102H.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the cooler 100 of this embodiment has a reduced thermal resistance on the outlet 102H side compared to the comparative example. As can also be seen from Figure 6, the cooler 100 of this embodiment makes the spacing of the rows of protrusions L smaller closer to the outlet 102H than to the inlet 101H, thereby gradually increasing the flow velocity of the refrigerant RE towards the outlet 102H. This reduces the non-uniformity of the cooling performance on the first surface 201 of the first member 2.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the center of each projection 3 in a plan view belonging to a certain row of projections L and the center of each projection 3 in a plan view belonging to a row of projections L adjacent to that row of projections L do not overlap when viewed in the Y2 direction, which is the direction in which the refrigerant RE flows.

[0033] In this way, the arrangement of multiple protrusions 3 makes it easier for the refrigerant RE to flow throughout the entire internal space. Therefore, the non-uniformity of the cooling performance on the first surface 201 can be reduced more effectively.

[0034] 2. Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. For elements whose operation and function are the same as those in the first embodiment in the embodiments described below, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be reused, and detailed descriptions of each will be omitted as appropriate.

[0035] Figure 7 shows a plurality of protrusions 3 and a plurality of wall portions 4 of the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the cooler 100 of the second embodiment has a plurality of wall portions 4.

[0036] Multiple wall sections 4 are arranged in the internal space of the case member 10. Each wall section 4 is a columnar projection connected to the third surface 103 and projecting toward the second surface 202. Multiple wall sections 4 are provided corresponding to multiple projections 3. In this implementation configuration, multiple wall sections 4 correspond one-to-one with multiple projections 3. Each wall section 4 is wall-shaped. Each wall section 4 is provided spaced apart from the multiple projections 3.

[0037] As described above, the multiple wall sections 4 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the multiple protrusions 3. Each wall section 4 is positioned on the outlet 102H side with respect to the corresponding protrusion 3. In this embodiment, each wall section 4 is arc-shaped in plan view. In addition, in this embodiment, several wall sections 4 corresponding to several protrusions 3 belonging to each row of protrusions L are connected to one another.

[0038] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple protrusions 3 and multiple wall portions 4 shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8, the projection height T3 of each protrusion 3 in the Z1 direction is higher than the projection height T4 of each wall portion 4 in the Z1 direction.

[0039] Furthermore, each wall portion 4 has a top surface 41 and a side surface 42. The top surface 41 is the portion of the wall portion 4 closest to the second surface 202. In this embodiment, the top surface 41 is a surface parallel to the third surface 103 and perpendicular to the Z-axis. The top surface 41 is circular in plan view. The side surface 42 is cylindrical. The side surface 42 connects the top surface 41 and the third surface 103. In this embodiment, the side surface 42 is parallel to the Z-axis.

[0040] As described above, the protruding height T3 of each projection 3 is higher than the protruding height T4 of each wall portion 4 in the Z1 direction. Furthermore, as described above, the wall portion 4 is spaced apart from the corresponding projection 3 and is located on the opposite side from the inlet 101H of the corresponding projection 3. Having such wall portions 4 suppresses the slowing of the refrigerant RE flow on the outlet 102H side of the projection 3. As a result, the cooling performance of the cooler 100 can be improved.

[0041] Furthermore, the protruding height T4 of the wall portion 4 is lower than the protruding height T3 of the projection 3. If the protruding height T4 is greater than or equal to the protruding height T3, there is a risk of a decrease in the flow rate and velocity of the refrigerant RE on the outlet 102H side of the wall portion 4. In contrast, because the protruding height T4 is lower than the protruding height T3, the problem of such a decrease in flow rate and velocity is less likely to occur.

[0042] Figure 9 shows the flow of refrigerant RE in a comparative example. Figure 10 shows the flow of refrigerant RE in the second embodiment. In the comparative example shown in Figure 9, the wall portion 4 is not provided. In contrast, in the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, the wall portion 4 is provided. In Figures 9 and 10, the streamlines of the refrigerant RE are drawn.

[0043] In the comparative example in Figure 9, the refrigerant RE has difficulty flowing in the region Sx on the outlet 102H side of the projection 3. In contrast, in the second embodiment in Figure 10, the refrigerant RE flows efficiently in the region S on the outlet 102H side of the projection 3, just as it does on the inlet 101H side. This is because, upon contact with the inlet 101H side of the wall 4, the direction of flow of the refrigerant RE changes in the region S between the projection 3 and the wall 4. As a result, the flow rate of refrigerant RE passing through region S in the second embodiment is increased compared to the region Sx on the outlet 102H side of the projection 3.

[0044] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the presence of the wall portion 4 makes it possible to suppress the decrease in flow rate in the region S on the outlet 102H side of the projection 3.

[0045] Figure 11 shows the flow velocity of refrigerant RE in the comparative example. Figure 12 shows the flow velocity of refrigerant RE in the second embodiment. In the comparative example in Figure 11, the brightness in region Sx on the outlet 102H side of projection 3 is lower than the brightness in region Sy on the inlet 101H side of projection 3. This indicates that the flow velocity of refrigerant RE in region Sx is slower than the flow velocity of refrigerant RE in region Sy.

[0046] In the second embodiment shown in Figure 12, the brightness in region S on the outlet 102H side of projection 3 is approximately the same as the brightness in region S0 on the inlet 101H side of projection 3. This indicates that the flow velocity of the refrigerant RE in region S is not inferior to that of the refrigerant RE in region S0, and is approximately the same.

[0047] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the presence of the wall portion 4 makes it possible to suppress the decrease in flow velocity in the region S on the outlet 102H side of the projection 3.

[0048] Furthermore, the protruding height T4 of the wall portion 4 is lower than the protruding height T3 of the projection 3. If the protruding height T4 is greater than or equal to the protruding height T3, there is a risk of a decrease in the flow rate and velocity of the refrigerant RE on the outlet 102H side of the wall portion 4. In contrast, because the protruding height T4 is lower than the protruding height T3, the problem of such a decrease in flow rate and velocity is less likely to occur.

[0049] Figure 13 shows the projection 3 and wall portion 4 in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 13, consider the case where a virtual line A1 is placed along the X1 direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the refrigerant RE flows, passing through the center O1 of the projection 3 in a plan view. In this case, in this embodiment, the wall portion 4 is provided on the outlet 102H side of the virtual line A1 of the corresponding projection 3.

[0050] The provision of the wall portion 4 in this manner makes it particularly effective to suppress the decrease in the flow velocity and flow rate of the refrigerant RE on the outlet 102H side. Note that the wall portion 4 may include a portion located on the inlet 101H side of the imaginary line A1. However, if the wall portion 4 includes such a portion, the flow rate and flow velocity of the refrigerant RE in region S may decrease compared to when it does not include such a portion.

[0051] Furthermore, as described above, several wall portions 4 corresponding to several protrusions 3 belonging to the same row of protrusions L are connected to one another. That is, each of the multiple protrusions 3 has two or more protrusions 3 spaced apart from each other in the X1 direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the refrigerant RE flows, and two or more wall portions 4 corresponding to these two or more protrusions 3 are provided, and these two or more wall portions 4 are connected to one another.

[0052] By connecting several wall portions 4 in the same row of protrusions L to each other, the decrease in the flow velocity and flow rate of the refrigerant RE in region S can be suppressed compared to when they are not connected.

[0053] Furthermore, as mentioned above, each projection 3 is circular in plan view. And each wall portion 4 is arc-shaped corresponding to the projection 3 in plan view. Because the wall portions 4 are arc-shaped corresponding to the projection 3, the flow rate and velocity of the refrigerant RE in region S can be increased without bias, compared to, for example, a straight line.

[0054] Furthermore, each wall portion 4 is provided concentrically with respect to the projection 3. Therefore, the distance between the wall portion 4 and the projection 3 is equal throughout the entire area of ​​the wall portion 4. A line segment A2 passing through the center O1 of the projection 3 and along the direction of refrigerant flow passes through the center O2 of the wall portion 4. Centers O1 and O2 are the geometric centers in a plan view, respectively.

[0055] By being positioned concentrically with respect to the projection 3, the flow rate and velocity of the refrigerant RE in region S can be increased without any particular bias.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a wall portion 4 is provided corresponding to all of the multiple protrusions 3. That is, the multiple wall portions 4 are provided in a one-to-one ratio for the multiple protrusions 3. Therefore, a decrease in the flow velocity and flow rate of the refrigerant RE can be suppressed on the outlet 102H side of all the protrusions 3. Thus, the cooling performance of the cooler 100 can be improved particularly effectively.

[0057] 2. Variations The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications described below are possible. Furthermore, each modification can be combined as appropriate, as long as it does not contradict the original.

[0058] 2-1. First variation Figure 14 is a plan view showing multiple wall portions 4 and multiple protrusions 3 of the first modified example. As shown in Figure 14, it is not necessary to provide wall portions 4 corresponding to all of the multiple protrusions 3. In the example in Figure 14, wall portions 4 are not provided for some of the protrusions 3 belonging to the first row of protrusions L1, the third row of protrusions L3, and the third row of protrusions L closest to the inlet 101H. Wall portions 4 are provided for the other rows of protrusions L.

[0059] As shown in this modified example, the multiple wall portions 4 do not necessarily have to be provided in a one-to-one ratio with respect to the multiple protrusions 3. In other words, the multiple wall portions 4 are arranged to correspond to one or more of the multiple protrusions 3.

[0060] Furthermore, the third surface 103 only needs to have at least one wall portion 4. Therefore, the wall portion 4 only needs to be provided corresponding to one or more of the multiple protrusions 3. However, providing multiple wall portions 4 can improve the cooling performance of the cooler 100.

[0061] 2-2. Second variation Figure 15 is a plan view showing the wall portion 4 of the second modified example. As shown in Figure 15, in the second modified example, several wall portions 4 corresponding to several protrusions 3 belonging to the same row of protrusions L are not connected to each other and are spaced apart. That is, the multiple protrusions 3 have two or more protrusions 3 that are spaced apart from each other in the X1 direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the refrigerant RE flows, and two or more wall portions 4 corresponding to these two or more protrusions 3 are provided, and these two or more wall portions 4A are spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, all of the multiple wall portions 4 are spaced apart from each other.

[0062] By having several wall portions 4 in the same row of protrusions L spaced apart from each other, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the flow velocity and flow rate of the refrigerant RE in region S, compared to when they are not connected, while mitigating the increase in pressure loss due to the provision of wall portions 4 and thereby suppressing the decrease in the overall flow rate.

[0063] 2-3. Third Variation Figure 16 is a plan view showing the wall portion 4 of the third modified example. In the third modified example shown in Figure 16, each wall portion 4 is not provided concentrically with respect to the projection 3. Therefore, the distance between the wall portion 4 and the projection 3 is not equal throughout the entire area of ​​the wall portion 4. The line segment A2 passing through the center O1 of the projection 3 and along the direction of refrigerant flow does not pass through the center O2 of the wall portion 4.

[0064] Thus, the wall portion 4 may be positioned offset from the projection 3. For example, the wall portion 4 may be positioned offset from the projection 3 depending on its distance from the aforementioned side wall portion 15. The wall portion 4 may be positioned offset from the projection 3 depending on the bias in the flow rate and velocity of the refrigerant RE.

[0065] 2-4. Fourth Variation Figure 17 shows the wall portion 4A of the fourth modified example. The wall portion 4A of the fourth modified example shown in Figure 17 includes a straight portion, rather than an arc shape, in plan view. Specifically, the wall portion 4A includes a first wall portion 451 and a second wall portion 452. In each of the first wall portion 451 and the second wall portion 452, the portion through which line segment A2 passes, which is part of the wall portion 4A extending linearly from the center O2 in directions intersecting the X and Y axes, is closest to the outlet 102H. Also, several wall portions 4A corresponding to several protrusions 3 belonging to the same row of protrusions L are connected to each other, but may be spaced apart.

[0066] This wall section 4A can also suppress the decrease in flow rate and flow velocity in region S.

[0067] 2-5. Fifth Variation Figure 18 shows a wall portion 4A of the fifth modified example. The wall portion 4B of the fifth modified example shown in Figure 18 includes a linear portion in plan view, rather than an arc shape. Specifically, the wall portion 4B includes a third wall portion 453, a fourth wall portion 454, and a fifth wall portion 455. The third wall portion 453 extends linearly in the X1 direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the refrigerant RE flows through the line segment A2. The fourth wall portion 454 extends linearly from one end of the third wall portion 453 in directions intersecting the X and Y axes. The fifth wall portion 455 extends linearly from the other end of the third wall portion 453 in directions intersecting the X and Y axes. In addition, several wall portions 4B corresponding to several projections 3 belonging to the same row of projections L may be spaced apart from each other but connected.

[0068] This wall section 4B can also suppress the decrease in flow rate and flow velocity in region S.

[0069] 2-6. Sixth Variation Figure 19 shows wall portion 4A of the sixth modified example. In the sixth modified example shown in Figure 19, the side surface 42C of wall portion 4C is not parallel to the Z-axis. Wall portion 4C is trapezoidal in cross-sectional view. The width of wall portion 4C narrows as it moves away from the third surface 103.

[0070] 2-7. Seventh Variation Figure 20 shows the wall 4D of the seventh modified example. The seventh modified example shown in Figure 20 has a vertex 43D and a side surface 42D. The side surface 42D is not parallel to the Z-axis. The wall 4D is triangular in cross-sectional view. The width of the wall 4D narrows as it moves away from the third surface 103. At vertex 43D, its width is zero.

[0071] 2-8. Variation 8 Figure 21 shows the wall portion 4E of the eighth modified example. In the eighth modified example shown in Figure 21, there is a vertex 43E and an outer surface 44E. The outer surface 44E is hemispherical. The wall portion 4E is semicircular in cross-sectional view.

[0072] 2-10. Other variations The shape of the wall portion 4 is not limited to the shapes of the first embodiment, the sixth, seventh, and eighth modifications. For example, the inclination angle of the side surface 42 with respect to the Z axis may differ between the inlet 101H side and the outlet 102H side of the wall portion 4. Also, the top surface 41 does not have to be parallel to the third surface 103. Furthermore, not all of the multiple wall portions 4 have the same shape or the same projection height.

[0073] Furthermore, the shape of the projection 3 is not limited to that of the first embodiment. For example, the projection 3 may have a shape like the wall portion 4 of the sixth, seventh, and eighth modified examples. Also, for example, the inclination angle of the side surface 32 of the projection 3 with respect to the Z axis may differ between the inlet 101H side and the outlet 102H side. Also, the top surface 31 does not have to be parallel to the third surface 103. In addition, not all of the multiple projections 3 have to be the same shape or have the same projection height.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the configuration of each part of the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that performs a similar function to the embodiments described above, and any configuration can also be added.

[0075] 3. Addendum From the above embodiments or modifications, for example, the following embodiments can be understood.

[0076] A cooler according to a first embodiment, which is a preferred example of the present disclosure, comprises a case member having an inlet through which a refrigerant flows in and an outlet through which the refrigerant flows out, wherein the case member comprises a first member having a first surface that receives heat from an object to be cooled and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a second member having a third surface facing the second surface, and a plurality of columnar projections projecting from the third surface toward the second surface, wherein the plurality of projections are divided into a plurality of rows of projections arranged side by side at intervals along the direction of flow of the refrigerant, the distance between the first row of projections closest to the inlet and the second row of projections closest to the inlet after the first row of projections is greater than the distance between the third row of projections closest to the outlet and the fourth row of projections closest to the outlet after the third row of projections.

[0077] According to this first embodiment, the flow velocity of the refrigerant near the outlet can be increased. Therefore, the non-uniformity of the cooling performance on the first surface of the second member can be reduced.

[0078] In the second embodiment, which is a preferred example of the first embodiment, the spacing between the plurality of rows of protrusions gradually increases from the inlet to the outlet.

[0079] According to the second embodiment, the flow velocity of the refrigerant can be gradually increased from the inlet to the outlet. Therefore, the non-uniformity of the cooling performance on the first surface of the second member can be reduced particularly effectively.

[0080] In the third embodiment, which is a preferred example of the second embodiment, the centers of each of the multiple protrusions belonging to the first row of protrusions in a plan view and the centers of each of the multiple protrusions belonging to the second row of protrusions in a plan view do not overlap when viewed in the direction of the flow of the refrigerant, and the centers of each of the multiple protrusions belonging to the third row of protrusions in a plan view and the centers of each of the multiple protrusions belonging to the fourth row of protrusions in a plan view do not overlap when viewed in the direction of the flow of the refrigerant.

[0081] According to the third embodiment, the refrigerant can be made to flow more easily throughout the entire internal space. Therefore, the non-uniformity of the cooling performance on the first surface can be reduced more effectively.

[0082] In a fourth embodiment, which is a preferred example of the first to third embodiments, the device further comprises at least one wall portion arranged in correspondence with one or more of the plurality of protrusions and projecting from the third surface toward the second surface, wherein the projection height of the at least one wall portion is lower than the projection height of each of the one or more protrusions, and the at least one wall portion is spaced apart from the one or more protrusions and is arranged on the opposite side of the inlet of the one or more protrusions.

[0083] The presence of a wall prevents the refrigerant flow from slowing down on the outlet side of the protrusion. As a result, the cooling performance of the cooler can be improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1…Second part, 2…First part, 3…Protrusion, 4…Wall, 4A…Wall, 4B…Wall, 4C…Wall, 4D…Wall, 4E…Wall, 9…Cooled body, 10…Case part, 11…Bottom, 13…Base, 15…Side wall, 31…Top surface, 32…Side surface, 41…Top surface, 42…Side surface, 42C…Side surface, 42D…Side surface, 43D…Vertex, 43E…Vertex, 44E…Outer surface, 100…Cooler, 101H…Inlet, 102H…Outlet, 103…Third surface, 151…First side wall, 152…Second side wall, 153…Third side wall, 154…Fourth side wall, 20 1…First side, 202…Second side, 451…First wall section, 452…Second wall section, 453…Third wall section, 454…Fourth wall section, 455…Fifth wall section, A1…Imaginary line, A2…Line division, D1…Interval, D2…Interval, D3…Interval, D4…Interval, L…Protrusion column, L1…First protrusion column, L2…Second protrusion column, L3…Third protrusion column, L4…Fourth protrusion column, L5…Fifth protrusion column, O1…Center, O2…Center, RE…Refrigerator, S…Field, S0…Field, Sx…Field, Sy…Field, T1…Protrusion height, T2…Protrusion height, W3…Width, W40…Width, W41…Width.

Claims

1. The device comprises a case member having an inlet for refrigerant to flow into the interior and an outlet for the refrigerant to flow out to the outside. The case member is A first member including a first surface that receives heat from the object to be cooled, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, A second member having a third surface opposite to the second surface, It comprises a plurality of columnar projections extending from the third surface toward the second surface, The aforementioned plurality of protrusions are divided into a plurality of rows of protrusions arranged side by side at intervals along the direction of flow of the refrigerant, Of the plurality of rows of protrusions, the distance between the first row of protrusions closest to the inlet and the second row of protrusions closest to the inlet after the first row of protrusions is greater than the distance between the third row of protrusions closest to the outlet and the fourth row of protrusions closest to the outlet after the third row of protrusions. A cooler characterized by the following features.

2. The spacing between the aforementioned rows of protrusions gradually decreases from the inlet to the outlet. The cooler according to claim 1.

3. The centers of the multiple protrusions belonging to the first row of protrusions in a plan view and the centers of the multiple protrusions belonging to the second row of protrusions in a plan view do not overlap when viewed in the direction of the flow of the refrigerant. The centers of the multiple protrusions belonging to the third row of protrusions in a plan view and the centers of the multiple protrusions belonging to the fourth row of protrusions in a plan view do not overlap when viewed in the direction of the flow of the refrigerant. The cooler according to claim 2.

4. The system further comprises at least one wall portion, which is arranged in correspondence with one or more of the aforementioned multiple protrusions and protrudes from the third surface toward the second surface, The protruding height of the at least one wall portion is lower than the protruding height of each of the one or more protrusions. The at least one wall portion is spaced apart from the one or more protrusions and is positioned on the side of the one or more protrusions opposite to the inlet. The cooler according to claim 1.

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