cooler

Abstract

To provide a cooler with good cooling efficiency. [Solution] A cooler comprising: a control unit arranged in a first direction for controlling the power supplied to a motor; a first holding unit for holding the control unit; a second holding unit for forming a flow path for a heat transfer medium between itself and the first holding unit; a supply unit formed on the upstream side in the first direction for supplying the heat transfer medium to the flow path; and a discharge unit formed on the downstream side in the first direction for discharging the heat transfer medium from the flow path, wherein the second holding unit has a planar portion formed in a flat shape facing the flow path and a groove portion formed so as to be further away from the first holding unit than the planar portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooler.

Background Art

[0002] In automobiles and the like, a cooling method may be adopted in which a control device of a motor is cooled with cooling water (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the heat generation amount of the control device of the motor is large, and the enlargement of the cooling device is not desirable, a more efficient cooling method is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In view of the above problems, as one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooler including a control unit arranged in a first direction for controlling the power supplied to a motor, a first holding unit for holding the control unit, a second holding unit for forming a flow path of a heat medium between the first holding unit, a supply unit formed on the upstream side in the first direction for supplying the heat medium to the flow path, and a discharge unit formed on the downstream side in the first direction for discharging the heat medium from the flow path, wherein the second holding unit has a flat portion formed in a flat shape facing the flow path and a groove portion formed so as to be farther from the first holding unit than the flat portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] With the above configuration, a cooler with good cooling efficiency can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a heat exchange system. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a cooler according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the cooler according to the first embodiment. Note that the grooves are not shown. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooler along the line IV-IV. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the convex part. [Figure 6] (a) a bottom view, (b) a perspective view, and (c) a cross-sectional view along the VIC line of a heat sink according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a top view of the protrusion in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a top view of the protrusion in the first embodiment, and the outer shape of the module is shown superimposed with a dashed line to clarify the positional relationship. [Figure 9] This is a top view of the convex portion in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a top view of the protrusion in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] (a) is a bottom view of the heat sink and (b) is a top view of the protrusion in the fourth embodiment. To clarify the positional relationship, both figures are shown aligned in direction D. [Figure 12] This figure shows the results of the simulation. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of the convex portion used in analysis case 5. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of a modified heat sink. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <First Embodiment> A heat exchange system 1 as one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the heat exchange system 1 comprises a cooler 2 equipped with a control device 22, a motor 3 that functions as a power source for an automobile or the like, a radiator 5, a water pump 6, and a cooling water passage 8.

[0009] The cooling water passage 8 is a passage through which the cooling water flows. The cooling water passage 8 connects the radiator 5 and the water pump 6, the water pump 6 and the cooler 2, and the cooler 2 and the radiator 5 with pipes, and circulates the cooling water in the direction of the arrows in Figure 1.

[0010] The coolant discharged from the radiator 5 is supplied to the cooler 2 by the water pump 6. The coolant cools the control device 22 in the cooler 2 and becomes hot. The hot coolant is supplied from the cooler 2 to the radiator 5. The coolant is cooled by the radiator 5.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2 to 8, the cooler 2 is a device that integrates a control device 22 for controlling the power supplied to the motor 3, a water channel case 23, and a water channel cover 24.

[0012] A flow path 2A is formed between the control device 22, the waterway case 23, and the waterway cover 24 (Figures 3 and 4). The flow path 2A is a waterway through which cooling water supplied from the radiator 5 flows, located below the control device 22, and extends in direction D. The cooling water generally flows along direction D in the flow path 2A, as shown by the arrows in Figures 3 to 5.

[0013] In the cooler 2, directions are defined as shown in each figure and are used for the description of the configuration, components, etc. of the cooler 2. Specifically, with respect to the control device 22, the direction in which the waterway cover 24 is located is defined as downward, and the opposite direction is defined as upward. The direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is defined as the horizontal direction. Also, terms such as the upstream side and the downstream side are defined based on the flow direction of the cooling water flowing through the flow path 2A. Note that these directions are defined solely for the convenience of explanation and do not indicate the directions in the actual state in which the cooler 2 is used. Therefore, when the cooler 2 is mounted on a machine such as an automobile, the cooler 2 can take an arbitrary posture and direction.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the control device 22 includes a control unit 221 having modules 221A, 221B, and 221C, and a heat dissipation plate 224. The modules 221A, 221B, 221C and the heat dissipation plate 224 are all plate-shaped and substantially rectangular members that extend substantially parallel to the waterway case 23 or the waterway cover 24.

[0015] The modules 221A, 221B, 221C include power semiconductors and are devices that control the power supplied to the motor 3. In the present embodiment, the modules 221A, 221B, 221C convert a direct current into a three-phase alternating current. The module 221A supplies the current of the U phase, the module 221B supplies the current of the V phase, and the module 221C supplies the current of the W phase to the motor 3. These are arranged in the order of the modules 221A, 221B, 221C as they go from the upstream to the downstream in the direction D.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, etc., the heat dissipation plate 224 includes a plate portion 224B and a plurality of fins 224A. The plate portion 224B is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that extends horizontally with the direction D as the long side. The upper surface of the plate portion 224B supports the modules 221A, 221B, 221C. The lower surface of the plate portion 224B faces the upper surface of the waterway cover 24 and is fixed so that the plurality of fins 224A protrude downward.

[0017] Each fin 224A, as shown in Figure 6, is a corrugated member formed to extend in direction D or the direction of the longer side of the plate portion 224B when viewed from below, and to have an amplitude in the direction of the shorter side of the plate portion 224B. The fins 224A contribute to increasing the area in contact between the heat sink 224 and the cooling water, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the heat sink 224. The number of fins 224A is set appropriately depending on the conditions, but in this embodiment, 12 fins 224A are provided.

[0018] The fins 224A are formed by bending a plate-shaped member into a corrugated shape. Therefore, in a cross-sectional view, the fins 224A form a hollow section H between them and the plate portion 224B (Figure 6(c)). Cooling water flows not only between multiple fins 224A, but also partially flows through the hollow section H.

[0019] The water channel case 23 is a plate-shaped member that extends laterally and holds the control device 22. The control device 22 is fixed to the water channel case 23 by methods such as screwing or brazing.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the water channel case 23 has an opening 23A that penetrates vertically. Both openings 23A are formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The lower surface of the control device 22 faces the upper surface of the water channel cover 24 through the opening 23A. Furthermore, the water channel case 23 has a supply port 23B for supplying cooling water to the flow path 2A (Figure 4). The supply port 23B is located on the upstream side in direction D with respect to the flow path 2A.

[0021] The channel cover 24 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member positioned below the channel case 23 and connected to the channel case 23 by brazing or multiple screws. In other words, the channel cover 24 holds the control device 22 via the channel case 23.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the waterway cover 24 has openings 24A, 24B, and a protrusion 24E.

[0023] Both openings 24A and 24B are formed in the water channel cover 24. Cooling water passages 8 are connected to openings 24A and 24B, respectively, forming cooling water passages. Cooling water supplied from the radiator 5 flows into opening 24A. Cooling water flows out of opening 24B into the cooling water passage 8.

[0024] The opening 24A and the supply unit 23B are connected, and the cooling water supplied from the opening 24A flows into the supply unit 23B (Figure 4).

[0025] The protrusion 24E is a projection that extends upward. When viewed from above, the protrusion 24E is formed in a rectangular shape with a long side that is approximately parallel to direction D. The upper surface of the protrusion 24E forms a cooling water flow path 2A between it and the heat sink 224 (Figures 2 to 4, etc.).

[0026] The coolant supplied from the radiator 5 flows in the following order: opening 24A, supply port 23B, flow path 2A, and opening 24B. In flow path 2A, the coolant generally flows along direction D, cooling the control device 22. The coolant that flows out from opening 24B is supplied back to the radiator 5 through the coolant flow path 8.

[0027] [Shape of the protruding part] As shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8, the upper surface of the protrusion 24E has a flat portion 241 formed in a smooth, planar shape, a groove portion 242, and an island portion 243. In Figure 8, the outlines of modules 221A, 221B, and 221C are superimposed using a dashed line.

[0028] The groove 242 is a portion formed to be recessed downward from the flat portion 241. The groove 242 has a first groove 242A, an intersecting groove 242B, and a confluence portion 242C.

[0029] The first groove 242A is formed in the central part of the protrusion 24E, below the module 221B, as shown in Figure 8. The first groove 242A is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to extend in direction D when viewed from above. The downstream end of the first groove 242A is approximately coincident with the downstream end of the module 221B.

[0030] An intersecting groove 242B is located upstream of the first groove 242A in direction D and below the module 221A. The intersecting groove 242B is formed in two places and extends in a direction that intersects direction D at an angle when viewed from above. When viewed from above, the upstream end of the intersecting groove 242B is located at the end of the convex portion 24E in the short-side direction. Similarly, when viewed from above, the intersecting groove 242B extends at an angle so as it moves downstream in direction D, it moves toward the center of the convex portion 24E in the short-side direction.

[0031] The confluence section 242C is located between the first groove section 242A and the intersecting groove section 242B. The confluence section 242C connects to the intersecting groove section 242B on the upstream side in direction D and to the first groove section 242A on the downstream side. The confluence section 242C is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above and has the function of collecting cooling water from the two intersecting groove sections 242B and flowing the cooling water to the first groove section 242A.

[0032] The island section 243 is formed approximately in the center of the confluence section 242C, and the height of its upper end is equal to that of the flat section 241. The island section 243 is isolated from the flat section 241 by the confluence section 242C.

[0033] [Cooling water flow] The flow of cooling water in channel 2A is mainly composed of an upper layer flow that exchanges heat with the fins 224A and a lower layer flow that flows through the grooves 242, as shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5, the upper layer flow is indicated by solid white arrows, and the lower layer flow is indicated by dotted white arrows.

[0034] The upper laminar flow travels along direction D below modules 221A and 221B, exchanging heat with fin 224A. Therefore, the temperature of the upper laminar flow gradually increases as it moves downstream.

[0035] Meanwhile, the lower latitude flow maintains its temperature as it flows through the two intersecting grooves 242B, merges at the confluence 242C, and flows through the first groove 242A along direction D. After passing through the first groove 242A, the lower latitude flow merges with the upper latitude flow on the flat section 241, cooling the temperature of the upper latitude flow.

[0036] The cooling water, where the lower and upper latitude flows have merged, exchanges heat with the fins 224A below module 221C.

[0037] The generation of a lower-level flow through the groove 242 prevents a situation where only module 221A, located on the upstream side, is cooled unilaterally. In other words, modules 221A, 221B, and 221C are cooled almost uniformly.

[0038] <Second Embodiment> Regarding the structure of the protrusion, various forms other than the first embodiment are conceivable. The protrusion 24EA according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 9 and other figures. The protrusion 24EA, like the protrusion 24E, is a member that forms part of the waterway cover 24 and forms a flow path 2A between it and the control device 22.

[0039] Furthermore, for components having the same shape or structure as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment will be used in the following description, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0040] The upper surface of the protrusion 24EA is formed with a smooth, planar flat portion 241, a groove portion 1242, and an island portion 243. The shape and structure of the flat portion 241 and the island portion 243 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0041] The groove 1242 is a portion formed to be recessed downward from the flat portion 241. In addition to the first groove 242A, the intersecting groove 242B, and the confluence portion 242C, the groove 2422 also has an intersecting groove 242D. The shape and structure of the first groove 242A, the intersecting groove 242B, and the confluence portion 242C are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0042] The intersecting groove 242D is formed downstream of the first groove 242A. The intersecting groove 242D is perpendicular to direction D and extends along the entire length of the short side of the protrusion 24EA on the upper surface of the protrusion 24EA. The central portion of the intersecting groove 242D is connected to the downstream end of the first groove 242A.

[0043] [Cooling water flow] The provision of intersecting grooves 242D allows the lower layer flow of cooling water to be dispersed in a direction perpendicular to direction D and flow in the direction of the shorter side of the protrusion 24EA, enabling uniform mixing with the upper layer flow on the flat surface 241. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the cooling water.

[0044] <Third Embodiment> The protrusion 24EB according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 10 and other figures. Similar to the protrusion 24E, the protrusion 24EB is a member that forms part of the waterway cover 24 and forms a flow path 2A between it and the control device 22.

[0045] Furthermore, for components having the same shape or structure as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment will be used in the following description, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0046] The upper surface of the protrusion 24EB is formed with a smooth, planar flat portion 241, a groove portion 2242, and an island portion 243. The shape and structure of the flat portion 241 and the island portion 243 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0047] The groove portion 2242 is a portion formed to be recessed downward from the flat portion 241. In addition to the first groove portion 242A, the intersecting groove portion 242B, and the confluence portion 242C, the groove portion 2422 also has an intersecting groove portion 242E. The shape and structure of the first groove portion 242A, the intersecting groove portion 242B, and the confluence portion 242C are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0048] The intersecting groove 242E is formed downstream of the first groove 242A, below module 221C, and separate from the first groove 242A. The intersecting groove 242E is formed in a roughly U-shape or horseshoe shape and widens toward the short-side end of the convex portion 24EB. Near the downstream end of the convex portion 24EB, the intersecting groove 242E forms two grooves parallel to direction D at the short-side end of the convex portion 24EB.

[0049] [Cooling water flow] The provision of intersecting grooves 242E allows the lower layer flow of cooling water to be dispersed in a direction perpendicular to direction D and flow in the direction of the shorter side of the protrusion 24EB, enabling uniform mixing with the upper layer flow on the flat surface 241. Furthermore, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the grooves 2242 is increased, the pressure loss of the cooling water can be reduced.

[0050] <Fourth Embodiment> Regarding the fin structure, various structures can be adopted, not limited to fin 224A. The heat sink 3224 according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 11. The heat sink 3224 is equipped with fin 3224A. In the fourth embodiment, the structure of each component other than the heat sink 3224 is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore its description is omitted. For components with the same shape or structure as in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used in the following description, and their description is omitted.

[0051] As shown in Figure 11, the heat sink 3224 comprises a plate portion 224B and a plurality of fins 3224A fixed to the plate portion 224B. The plurality of fins 3224A are fixed to the lower surface of the plate portion 224B so as to face the upper surface of the water channel cover 24 and protrude downward.

[0052] Each fin 3224A is a corrugated member formed to extend in direction D or the direction of the longer side of the plate portion 224B when viewed from below, and to have an amplitude in the direction of the shorter side of the plate portion 224B. The fins 3224A contribute to increasing the area in contact between the heat sink 3224 and the cooling water, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the heat sink 3224. The number of fins 3224A is set appropriately according to the shape considerations, but in this embodiment, 12 fins 3224A are provided.

[0053] The fin 3224A is divided into a first part 3224AA located below modules 221A and 221B, and a second part 3224AB located below module 221C. As shown in Figure 11, the first part 3224AA and the second part 3224AB are separated in direction D, and a gap G is formed between these two members.

[0054] Spacing G is positioned to straddle the boundary between modules 221B and 221C when viewed from above.

[0055] [Cooling water flow] The cooling water flowing out of the hollow section H of part 1 3224AA mixes with the cooling water that has passed through areas other than the hollow section H as it flows through the gap G. The water that has flowed through the hollow section H of part 1 3224AA comes into direct contact with the plate section 224B and is therefore at a higher temperature than the cooling water that has flowed through areas other than the hollow section H. The cooling water flowing out of the hollow section H is cooled by mixing with the cooling water that has passed through areas other than the hollow section H as it flows through the gap G.

[0056] Therefore, the temperature distribution of the cooling water is made uniform and kept at a low temperature in the gap G, and the cooling water can efficiently exchange heat as it flows through the second section 3224AB.

[0057] <Comparison> Simulations were conducted to verify the effects of each embodiment. These are described below.

[0058] In the simulation, as shown in Figure 12, modules 221A, 221B, 221C, heat sink 224, and water channel cover 24 were modeled, and the temperature changes of modules 221A, 221B, and 221C when cooling water was flowed through the flow path 2A were analyzed.

[0059] In the simulation, models of two types of fins 224A and 3224A, and models of three types of protrusions 24E, 24EA, and 24EB were prepared, and combinations of these were designated as analysis cases 1-4. The combinations of fins and protrusions in analysis cases 1-4 correspond to each embodiment 1-4. For comparison, analysis case 5 was also prepared, which uses a combination of a protrusion 24EC (i.e., consisting only of a flat portion 241, as shown in Figure 13) that does not have a groove portion 242 and has a smooth upper surface, and a fin 224A.

[0060] In the simulation, a constant amount of cooling water was flowed through channel 2A, and a constant amount of heat was generated from modules 221A, 221B, and 221C. Both the flow rate and heat quantity were set to conditions that would be expected during the actual operation of the cooler 2. Furthermore, the flow rate and heat quantity conditions were kept consistent across analysis cases 1-5.

[0061] The simulation results are shown in Figure 12. In all of the analysis cases 1-4, the maximum temperature difference between modules 221A, 221B, and 221C was smaller than in analysis case 5. Furthermore, when comparing the temperature of module 221C, it was lower in all of the analysis cases 1-4 than in case 5.

[0062] Furthermore, the pressure loss of the cooling water generated when flowing through channel 2A was approximately the same as, or less than, that in analysis case 5.

[0063] As described above, in all four embodiments, the pressure loss of the cooling water did not increase significantly, and the modules 221A, 221B, and 221C could be cooled efficiently.

[0064] <Variation> The heat sink 224 can have heat dissipation sections of various shapes, not limited to fin shapes. One example shown is the heat sink 4224, which has multiple pins 4224A, as shown in Figure 14.

[0065] The pins 4224A are formed in a roughly cylindrical shape and are fixed so as to protrude downward from the plate portion 224B. When each pin 4224A comes into contact with the cooling water, heat from modules 221A, 221B, and 221C is transferred to the cooling water.

[0066] The configuration of the groove 242 is not necessarily limited to that described in the above embodiment. For example, the groove 242 may consist only of the first groove 242A. Alternatively, the first groove 242A may be configured to extend straight along direction D over the entire length of the flow path 2A, that is, passing beneath all of modules 221A, 221B, and 221C. Even in this case, the mixing of the cooling water flowing through the groove 242 and the cooling water flowing through the flat section 241 progresses gradually downstream, preventing the cooling water from heating up suddenly in the middle of the flow path 2A. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently cool not only modules 221A and 221B, but also the downstream module 221C.

[0067] The positions of the upstream and downstream ends of the first groove 242A are not limited to the above embodiment. Their positions can be set as appropriate depending on various conditions such as heat generation and cooling water flow rate. Therefore, the downstream end of the first groove 242A does not necessarily have to be located midway between module 221B and module 221C. For example, the downstream end of the first groove 242A may be formed between module 221A and module 221B, or the downstream end of the first groove 242A may be formed in the center of module 221B in direction D.

[0068] The same applies to the positions of the upstream and downstream ends of the intersecting grooves 242B, 242D, and 242E, and these positions can be set as appropriate depending on the conditions.

[0069] The location where the fin 3224A is separated, i.e., the position of the gap G, does not necessarily have to be midway between module 221B and module 221C. The position of the gap G can be set as appropriate depending on various conditions such as heat generation and cooling water flow rate. For example, the downstream end of the first groove 242A may be formed between module 221A and module 221B, or the downstream end of the first groove 242A may be formed in the center of module 221B in direction D.

[0070] In this embodiment, the control unit 221 functioned as an inverter. However, the control unit 221 may also have functions other than inverter, such as switching or conversion.

[0071] <Effects> (Aspect 1) In each of the above embodiments, the cooler 2 includes a control unit 221 arranged in a direction D (corresponding to a first direction) for controlling the power supplied to the motor, heat sinks 224, 3224, 4224 (corresponding to a first holding part) that hold the control unit 221, protrusions 24E, 24EA, 24EB (corresponding to a second holding part) that form a flow path 2A for cooling water (corresponding to a heat transfer medium) between the heat sinks 224, 3224, 4224, a supply port 23B (corresponding to a supply part) formed on the upstream side of direction D for supplying cooling water to the flow path 2A, and an opening 24B (corresponding to a discharge part) formed on the downstream side of direction D for discharging cooling water from the flow path 2A. The protrusions 24E, 24EA, 24EB have a flat part 241 formed in a planar shape facing the flow path 2A, and grooves 242, 1242, 2242 formed further away from the heat sinks 224 than the flat part 241.

[0072] In the above configuration, the cooling water flowing through grooves 242, 1242, and 2242 is prevented from becoming hot, and the cooling water is prevented from suddenly becoming hot midway through the flow path 2A. As a result, not only modules 221A and 221B, but also the downstream module 221C can be cooled efficiently. Therefore, the temperature difference between modules 221A, 221B, and 221C can be reduced.

[0073] Lowering the temperature of the downstream module 221C and reducing the temperature difference between modules 221A, 221B, and 221C leads to improved overall performance and longer lifespan of the control unit 221. For comparison, if only modules 221A and 221B are kept at a low temperature, the performance and lifespan of module 221C will deteriorate and shorten, making it impossible to improve the overall performance and lifespan of the control unit 221. The above configuration solves these problems and improves the quality of the control device 22.

[0074] (Aspect 2) In aspect 1, the grooves 242, 1242, and 2242 have portions that extend in direction D.

[0075] In the above configuration, the mixing of the cooling water flowing through the grooves 242, 1242, and 2242 with the cooling water flowing through the flat section 241 progresses gradually downstream in direction D, thus preventing the cooling water from heating up suddenly in the middle of the flow path 2A.

[0076] (Aspect 3) In aspect 1 or 2, the grooves 242, 1242, and 2242 have portions that extend in a direction intersecting direction D. In the above configuration, the mixing of the cooling water flowing through the grooves 242, 1242, and 2242 with the cooling water flowing through the flat section 241 progresses gradually downstream in direction D, thus preventing the cooling water from heating up suddenly in the middle of the flow path 2A. In addition, since the upper and lower layers of cooling water are mixed at the downstream ends of the grooves 242, 1242, and 2242, it is possible to lower the temperature of the upper layer of cooling water.

[0077] (Aspect 4) In any of aspects 1 to 3, the grooves 242, 1242, and 2242 each have a first groove 242A extending in direction D and a cross groove 242B (corresponding to the second groove) extending in a direction intersecting direction D and formed upstream of the first groove 242A with respect to direction D.

[0078] In the above configuration, the intersecting grooves 242B prevent the cooling water temperature from rising while allowing the cooling water to flow downstream. Since the mixing of the cooling water flowing through grooves 242, 1242, and 2242 with the cooling water flowing through the flat section 241 progresses gradually downstream in direction D, the cooling water is prevented from heating up suddenly in the middle of the flow path 2A. In addition, since the upper and lower layers of cooling water are mixed at the downstream ends of grooves 242, 1242, and 2242, it is possible to lower the temperature of the upper layer of cooling water.

[0079] (Aspect 5) In any of aspects 1 to 4, the grooves 1242, 2242 have a first groove 242A extending in direction D, and intersecting grooves 242D, 242E (corresponding to the second groove) extending in a direction intersecting direction D and formed downstream of the first groove 242A in direction D.

[0080] In the above configuration, the mixing of the cooling water flowing through the grooves 1242 and 2242 and the cooling water flowing through the flat section 241 progresses gradually downstream in direction D, thus preventing the cooling water from heating up suddenly in the middle of the flow path 2A. In addition, since the upper and lower layers of cooling water are mixed at the downstream ends of the grooves 1242 and 2242, it is possible to lower the temperature of the upper layer of cooling water. Furthermore, by providing the intersecting grooves 242D and 242E, the increase in cooling water pressure loss can be reduced.

[0081] (Aspect 6) In any of aspects 1 to 5, the groove 242 forms the downstream end in the intermediate portion of the control unit 221 in direction D.

[0082] In the above configuration, the upper and lower cooling waters are mixed at the downstream end of the groove 242, making it possible to lower the temperature of the upper cooling water. The cooled cooling water can efficiently cool the module 221C located downstream in the control unit 221.

[0083] (Aspect 7) In any of aspects 1 to 6, the first groove 242A and the intersecting grooves 242B and 242D are connected to each other.

[0084] In the above configuration, cooling water can flow between the first groove 242A and the intersecting grooves 242B and 242D without increasing pressure loss.

[0085] (Aspect 8) In any of aspects 1 to 7, the first groove 242A and the intersecting groove 242E are isolated from each other.

[0086] In the above configuration, the upper and lower layers of cooling water can be efficiently mixed between the first groove 242A and the intersecting groove 242E.

[0087] (Aspect 9) In any of aspects 1 to 8, the heat sinks 224, 3224, and 4224 each have a plate portion 224B that holds the control unit 221 and is formed in a flat plate shape, and fins 224A, 3224A, or pins 4224A that protrude from the plate portion 224B toward the flow path 2A.

[0088] In the above configuration, the combination of fins 224A, 3224A, or pins 4224A and protrusions 24E, 24EA, and 24EB allows for efficient cooling of the control unit 221 with cooling water.

[0089] (Aspect 10) In any of aspects 1 to 9, the fins 224A and 3224A are formed in a wave shape when viewed from below.

[0090] In the above configuration, the control unit 221 is efficiently cooled by the fins 224A and 3224A.

[0091] (Aspect 11) In any of aspects 1 to 10, the fin 3224A is separated in direction D.

[0092] In the above configuration, the cooling water is mixed at the separated points to equalize the temperature, thus efficiently cooling the control unit 221. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] Heat exchange system 1, cooler 2, motor 3, radiator 5, water pump 6, cooling water passage 8

Claims

1. A control unit, positioned in the first direction, controls the power supplied to the motor, A first holding unit for holding the control unit, A second holding portion that forms a flow path for a heat transfer medium between itself and the first holding portion, A supply unit formed on the upstream side in the first direction for supplying the heat transfer medium to the flow path, A discharge section formed on the downstream side in the first direction, through which the heat transfer medium is discharged from the flow path, Equipped with, The second retaining part is, A flat portion formed in a planar shape facing the aforementioned flow path, It has a groove formed so as to be further away from the first holding portion than the flat portion, cooler.

2. The groove portion has a portion extending in the first direction. The cooler according to claim 1.

3. The groove portion has a portion that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The cooler according to claim 1.

4. The groove portion comprises a first groove portion extending in the first direction, It has a second groove that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and is formed on the upstream side of the first groove with respect to the first direction, The cooler according to claim 1.

5. The groove portion comprises a first groove portion extending in the first direction, It has a second groove that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and is formed downstream of the first groove in the first direction, The cooler according to claim 1.

6. The groove portion forms the downstream end in the intermediate portion of the control unit in the first direction. The cooler according to claim 1.

7. The first groove and the second groove are connected to each other. The cooler according to claim 4 or 5.

8. The first groove and the second groove are isolated from each other. The cooler according to claim 4 or 5.

9. The first retaining part is, A plate portion that holds the control unit and is formed in the shape of a flat plate, The plate portion has a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction toward the flow path, The cooler according to claim 1.

10. The aforementioned protrusion is formed in a wave shape when viewed in the direction of the protrusion. The cooler according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned protrusions are separated in the first direction. The cooler according to claim 9 or 10.

Images