Tanks and Cooling Units

Abstract

To prevent gas from flowing out of a tank chamber where a liquid flows.SOLUTION: A tank (100) has a housing (110), a tank chamber inflow hole (120), a tank chamber outflow hole (130), and a protruding flow path (140). The housing (110) has a tank chamber (114). From the tank chamber inflow hole (120), a liquid flows into the tank chamber (114). The liquid in the tank chamber (114) flows out from the tank chamber outflow hole (130). The protruding flow path (140) is connected to the tank chamber outflow hole (130) and protrudes from the tank chamber outflow hole (130) into the tank chamber (114).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank and a cooling unit. [Background technology]

[0002] A liquid delivery device that delivers liquid using a pump is used in various devices. In one example, a liquid delivery device is used in a cooling device that circulates a coolant to cool a heat-generating component. In order to prevent the pump from running idly, a tank that prevents coolant containing gas from flowing into the pump has been considered (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerant storage tank in which a stopper plate facing the outlet inside the tank body is arranged near the outlet. In the refrigerant storage tank of Patent Document 1, the stopper plate can prevent the refrigerant from flowing directly from the inlet to the outlet, so that gas in the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-45942 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even in the refrigerant storage tank of Patent Document 1, gas in the tank body may enter the outlet and flow into the pump. For example, if the orientation or posture of the refrigerant storage tank changes and the outlet of the tank body is positioned vertically upward, the refrigerant in the tank body will collect vertically below the tank body, and the gas in the tank body will collect near the outlet of the tank body located vertically above. In this case, the gas near the outlet may flow out from the outlet.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a tank and a cooling unit that can suppress the outflow of gas from a tank chamber through which liquid flows. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An exemplary tank of the present invention comprises a housing having a tank chamber, a tank chamber inlet hole through which liquid flows into the tank chamber, a tank chamber outlet hole through which the liquid flows out of the tank chamber, and an extension flow path connected to the tank chamber outlet hole and extending from the tank chamber outlet hole into the tank chamber.

[0008] An exemplary cooling unit of the present invention has the tank described above and a cover member arranged on the tank chamber outlet hole side of the tank, wherein at least the tank and the cover member form a second flow path, and liquid flowing out from the tank chamber outlet hole of the tank flows within the second flow path along a direction different from the direction in which the protruding flow path extends. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the escape of gas from a tank chamber through which liquid flows. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a tank according to a first exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a tank according to a first exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank of the first exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a tank according to a second exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank of the second exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a tank according to a third exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank of the third exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a tank according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank of the fourth exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a tank according to a fifth exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the tank of the sixth exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a cooling unit according to a seventh exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a cooling unit according to the seventh exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cooling unit according to the seventh exemplary embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cooling unit according to the seventh exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference symbols and the description will not be repeated. In this specification, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis which are mutually orthogonal. Typically, one of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis is parallel to the vertical direction, and the remaining two are parallel to the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the direction on one side of the X-axis is defined as the +X direction, and the direction on the other side is defined as the -X direction. Furthermore, the direction on one side of the Y-axis is defined as the +Y direction, and the direction on the other side is defined as the -Y direction. Furthermore, the direction on one side of the Z-axis is defined as the +Z direction, and the direction on the other side is defined as the -Z direction. However, the directions of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are not intended to limit the direction of the cooling unit according to the present invention when in use.

[0012] First, a tank 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the tank 100.

[0013] The tank 100 can store a liquid. The liquid stored in the tank 100 may be water. Alternatively, the liquid may be a mixed liquid. For example, the mixed liquid may be a mixed liquid of water and propylene glycol.

[0014] Liquid flows into the tank 100. Also, the liquid in the tank 100 flows out of the tank 100. The tank 100 is used for circulating liquid. The tank 100 can temporarily store the liquid that passes through the tank 100 and circulates therethrough.

[0015] 1, the tank 100 has a housing 110, a tank chamber inlet hole 120, and a tank chamber outlet hole 130. The housing 110 has a tank chamber 114 which is a hollow portion. The tank chamber 114 constitutes the internal space of the housing 110. The tank chamber 114 stores the liquid that has flowed into the tank 100.

[0016] Here, the outer shape of the housing 110 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 110 extends in the X direction, and the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 is the X direction. The housing 110 has an outer circumferential surface 111 and an inner circumferential surface 112.

[0017] The outer peripheral surface 111 of the housing 110 has a first outer main surface 111a, a second outer main surface 111b, a first outer side surface 111c, a second outer side surface 111d, a third outer side surface 111e, and a fourth outer side surface 111f. The first outer side surface 111c and the second outer side surface 111d are connected to the first outer main surface 111a and the second outer main surface 111b, respectively. The third outer side surface 111e and the fourth outer side surface 111f are connected to the first outer main surface 111a, the second outer main surface 111b, the first outer side surface 111c, and the second outer side surface 111d, respectively. The first outer main surface 111a is located on the +Z direction side, and the second outer main surface 111b is located on the -Z direction side. The first outer side surface 111c is located on the -X direction side, and the second outer side surface 111d is located on the +X direction side. The third outer side surface 111e is located on the +Y direction side, and the fourth outer side surface 111f is located on the -Y direction side. Here, the first outer main surface 111a, the second outer main surface 111b, the first outer side surface 111c, the second outer side surface 111d, the third outer side surface 111e, and the fourth outer side surface 111f are all flat surfaces.

[0018] The inner peripheral surface 112 of the housing 110 has a first inner principal surface 112a, a second inner principal surface 112b, a first inner side surface 112c, a second inner side surface 112d, a third inner side surface 112e, and a fourth inner side surface 112f. The first inner side surface 112c and the second inner side surface 112d are connected to the first inner main surface 112a and the second inner main surface 112b, respectively. The third inner side surface 112e and the fourth inner side surface 112f are connected to the first inner main surface 112a, the second inner main surface 112b, the first inner side surface 112c, and the second inner side surface 112d, respectively. The first inner main surface 112a is located on the +Z direction side, and the second inner main surface 112b is located on the -Z direction side. The first inner side surface 112c is located on the -X direction side, and the second inner side surface 112d is located on the +X direction side. The third inner side surface 112e is located on the +Y direction side, and the fourth inner side surface 112f is located on the -Y direction side. Here, the first inner main surface 112a, the second inner main surface 112b, the first inner side surface 112c, the second inner side surface 112d, the third inner side surface 112e, and the fourth inner side surface 112f are all flat surfaces.

[0019] Here, the tank chamber inlet hole 120 is located on the +Z direction side with respect to the tank chamber 114. The tank chamber inlet hole 120 is a through hole that connects the first outer main surface 111a and the first inner main surface 112a. Moreover, the tank chamber outlet hole 130 is located on the -Z direction side with respect to the tank chamber 114. The tank chamber outlet hole 130 is a through hole that connects the second inner main surface 112b and the second outer main surface 111b.

[0020] Liquid flows into the tank chamber 114 through the tank chamber inlet hole 120. Liquid within the tank chamber 114 also flows out through the tank chamber outlet hole .

[0021] Here, the tank chamber 114 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The tank chamber 114 extends in the X direction, and the longitudinal direction of the tank chamber 114 is the X direction. The tank chamber 114 is surrounded by a first inner main surface 112a, a second inner main surface 112b, a first inner side surface 112c, a second inner side surface 112d, a third inner side surface 112e, and a fourth inner side surface 112f.

[0022] An inlet attachment port 122 connected to the tank chamber inlet hole 120 is disposed on the outside of the housing 110. The inlet attachment port 122 is located on the +Z direction side with respect to the first outer main surface 111a of the housing 110. The inlet attachment port 122 has a cylindrical shape. The inlet attachment port 122 is disposed surrounding the tank chamber inlet hole 120. Here, the inner diameter (length in the XY plane) of the inlet attachment port 122 is larger than the hole diameter (length in the XY plane) of the tank chamber inlet hole 120. However, the inner diameter of the inlet attachment port 122 may be approximately equal to the hole diameter of the tank chamber inlet hole 120. A pipe (not shown) through which a liquid flows is attached to the inlet attachment port 122.

[0023] Further, an outflow attachment port 132 connected to the tank chamber outflow hole 130 is disposed on the outside of the housing 110. The outflow attachment port 132 is located on the -Z direction side with respect to the second outer main surface 111b of the housing 110. The outflow attachment port 132 has a cylindrical shape. The outflow attachment port 132 is disposed surrounding the tank chamber outflow hole 130. The tank chamber outflow hole 130 is located at the center of the second inner main surface 112b. The inner diameter (length in the XY plane) of the outflow attachment port 132 is larger than the hole diameter (length in the XY plane) of the tank chamber outflow hole 130. However, the inner diameter of the outflow attachment port 132 may be approximately equal to the hole diameter of the tank chamber outflow hole 130. A pipe (not shown) through which a liquid flows is attached to the outflow attachment port 132.

[0024] Typically, the hole diameter (length in the XY plane) of the tank chamber outflow hole 130 is approximately equal to the hole diameter (length in the XY plane) of the tank chamber inflow hole 120. In addition, the inner diameter (length in the XY plane) of the outflow attachment port 132 is approximately equal to the inner diameter (length in the XY plane) of the inflow attachment port 122.

[0025] Here, the tank 100 has a symmetrical structure with respect to the XZ plane located in the center portion along the Y direction, except for the tank chamber inlet 120 and the inlet attachment port 122. However, the tank 100 does not have to have a symmetrical structure.

[0026] Next, a tank 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 2B. Figure 2A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the tank 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment, and Figure 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the tank 100 further includes a housing 110, a tank chamber inlet hole 120, a tank chamber outlet hole 130, and a protruding flow path 140. In the tank 100 of the exemplary first embodiment, the protruding flow path 140 is cylindrical. The protruding flow path 140 has a through hole extending in the Z direction. The outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 are each cylindrical. However, the protruding flow path 140 may be tubular, and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 may each be rectangular parallelepiped. The combination of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 may be arbitrary. Note that FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show a cross section along the center of the cylindrical protruding flow path 140. The housing 110 has a tank chamber 114. Liquid flows into the tank chamber 114 from the tank chamber inlet hole 120. The liquid in the tank chamber 114 flows out through the tank chamber outlet hole 130.

[0028] The protruding flow passage 140 is connected to the tank chamber outflow hole 130. The protruding flow passage 140 protrudes from the tank chamber outflow hole 130 into the tank chamber 114. In detail, the protruding flow passage 140 protrudes in the +Z direction from the second inner main surface 112b toward the inside of the tank chamber 114.

[0029] The protruding flow passage 140 has a first end 140a and a second end 140b. The first end 140a is located on the tank chamber outlet hole 130 side. The second end 140b is located on the opposite side to the tank chamber outlet hole 130.

[0030] The protruding flow path 140 has a flow path inlet 140P, a flow path outlet 140Q, and a first flow path 140R. The flow path inlet 140P is located on the +Z direction side of the second end 140b of the protruding flow path 140. The liquid at the flow path inlet 140P passes through the first flow path 140R and flows to the flow path outlet 140Q. The flow path outlet 140Q is located on the -Z direction side of the first end 140a of the protruding flow path 140. The tank chamber outflow hole 130 is located in the flow path outlet 140Q. Here, an outflow attachment port 132 is disposed in the flow path outlet 140Q. The first flow path 140R connects the flow path inlet 140P and the flow path outlet 140Q.

[0031] The outflow attachment port 132 has a cylindrical shape. The outflow attachment port 132 faces the protruding flow passage 140 through the tank chamber outflow hole 130. Typically, the inner diameter (length in the XY plane) of the protruding flow passage 140 is approximately equal to the inner diameter (length in the XY plane) of the outflow attachment port 132. However, the inner diameter of the protruding flow passage 140 may be different from the inner diameter of the outflow attachment port 132.

[0032] The tank chamber outlet hole 130 is a through hole connecting the second inner main surface 112b and the second outer main surface 111b. The tank chamber outlet hole 130 is surrounded by the protruding flow path 140 protruding from the second inner main surface 112b in the +Z direction. For this reason, even if the orientation or posture of the tank 100 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B changes so that the second outer main surface 111b of the tank 100 faces vertically upward in a state in which gas is accumulated together with liquid in the tank chamber 114, the gas in the tank chamber 114 cannot reach the flow path inlet 140P and is unlikely to directly enter the protruding flow path 140. Therefore, according to the tank 100 of this embodiment, the protruding flow path 140 can suppress the gas from entering the tank chamber outlet hole 130 regardless of the posture of the tank 100.

[0033] The housing 110 has a first part 110S and a second part 110T. The second part 110T and the first part 110S form a tank chamber 114. The first part 110S has a tank chamber inlet 120 and an inlet attachment port 122. The first part 110S has a first outer main surface 111a, a first outer side surface 111c, a second outer side surface 111d, a third outer side surface 111e, a fourth outer side surface 111f, a first inner main surface 112a, a first inner side surface 112c, a second inner side surface 112d, a third inner side surface 112e, and a fourth inner side surface 112f.

[0034] The second part 110T has a tank chamber outflow hole 130, an outflow attachment port 132, and a protruding flow passage 140. The second part 110T has a second outer main surface 111b and a second inner main surface 112b. By configuring the tank 100 using the first part 110S and the second part 110T, the tank 100 can be configured with a smaller number of parts, and costs can be reduced.

[0035] If the height Ha (length along the Z direction) of the protruding flow path 140 is too short relative to the height Hr (length along the Z direction) of the tank chamber 114, even if the amount of liquid in the tank chamber 114 is relatively large, when the orientation or posture of the tank 100 changes so that the second outer main surface 111b faces vertically upward, the gas in the tank chamber 114 may enter the tank chamber outflow hole 130. If the height Ha of the protruding flow path 140 is too long relative to the height Hr in the tank chamber 114, even if the amount of liquid in the tank chamber 114 is relatively large, when the orientation or posture of the tank 100 changes so that the first outer main surface 111a faces vertically upward, the gas in the tank chamber 114 may enter the tank chamber outflow hole 130. For this reason, for example, the height Ha of the protruding flow path 140 may be 30% or more and 70% or less of the height Hr in the tank chamber 114. Furthermore, if the height Ha of the protruding flow passage 140 is approximately 50% of the height Hr inside the tank chamber 114, air is unlikely to enter regardless of the orientation in the vertical direction.

[0036] When the height (length along the Z direction) of the protruding flow passage 140 is 50% of the height (length along the Z direction) inside the tank chamber 114, the second end 140b of the protruding flow passage 140 is located at the center between the surface of the first part 110S on the tank chamber 114 side (i.e., the first inner main surface 112a) and the surface of the second part 110T on the tank chamber 114 side (i.e., the second inner main surface 112b). By positioning the second end 140b at the center of the height of the tank chamber 114, the volume that can store gas vertically above the flow passage inlet 140P becomes large, and the intrusion of gas into the tank chamber outflow hole 130 can be suppressed. In addition, since the length of the protruding flow passage 140 is relatively long compared to the tank chamber 114, the intrusion of gas into the protruding flow passage 140 can be suppressed.

[0037] 1 to 2B, the housing 110 has the tank chamber 114 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, but this embodiment is not limited thereto. The housing 110 is preferably configured to further suppress the outflow of gas from the tank 100. Since the liquid flows from the flow path inlet 140P to the protruding flow path 140, the housing 110 can suppress the outflow of gas from the tank 100 by regulating the flow around the flow path inlet 140P.

[0038] Next, the tank 100 of the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the tank 100 of the second exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank 100 of the second exemplary embodiment. The tank 100 of the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B has a similar configuration to the tank 100 of the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, except that the housing 110 has a protruding wall 112w protruding toward the protruding flow channel 140, and duplicated description will be omitted to avoid redundancy. Note that here too, the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow channel 140 are each cylindrical. However, the protruding flow channel 140 may be cylindrical, and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow channel 140 may each be rectangular parallelepiped. The combination of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow channel 140 may be arbitrary.

[0039] 3A and 3B, in the tank 100, the housing 110 has a protruding wall 112w that protrudes toward the protruding flow path 140. The protruding wall 112w partially protrudes in the -Z direction from the first inner main surface 112a. The protruding wall 112w faces the protruding flow path 140 on the +Z direction side. The protruding wall 112w regulates the flow of liquid flowing into the flow path inlet 140P from the +Z direction side. Therefore, the protruding wall 112w in the housing 110 can suppress the intrusion of gas into the protruding flow path 140.

[0040] The length (Lw) of the protruding wall 112w in the X direction is approximately equal to the length (La) of the protruding flow passage 140 in the X direction. In addition, the length (Ww) of the protruding wall 112w in the Y direction is approximately equal to the outer diameter (Wa) of the protruding flow passage 140 in the Y direction.

[0041] It is preferable that the length (Hw) of the protruding wall 112w along the Z direction and the length (Ha) of the protruding flow path 140 along the Z direction are designed so that the flow path inlet 140P is located at the center of the height Hr of the tank chamber 114. For example, the length (Hw) of the protruding wall 112w along the Z direction may be approximately equal to the length (Ha) of the protruding flow path 140 along the Z direction.

[0042] The protruding flow channel 140 has a flow channel inlet 140P through which the liquid flows in, a flow channel outlet 140Q through which the liquid flows out, and a first flow channel 140R connecting the flow channel inlet 140P and the flow channel outlet 140Q. Here, the flow channel inlet 140P is defined by the second end 140b of the protruding flow channel 140 and the surface of the protruding wall 112w facing the protruding flow channel 140. The flow channel inlet 140P is closed in the straight direction (Z direction) of the protruding flow channel 140, while opening in a direction (X direction or Y direction) different from the direction in which the first flow channel 140R extends (Z direction). Therefore, the liquid is prevented from flowing into the protruding flow channel 140 along the direction in which the protruding flow channel 140 extends, and as a result, it is possible to prevent vortexes and waves from occurring at the flow channel inlet 140P to generate bubbles, and to prevent gas accumulated in the tank from entering the protruding flow channel.

[0043] 1 to 3B, the protruding wall 112w extends from the first inner main surface 112a toward the protruding flow channel 140, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The protruding wall 112w may extend toward the protruding flow channel 140 so as to partially suppress the inflow of liquid into the flow channel inlet 140P.

[0044] Next, the tank 100 of the exemplary third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the tank 100 of the exemplary third embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank 100 of the exemplary third embodiment. The tank 100 of the exemplary third embodiment shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B has a similar configuration to the tank 100 of the exemplary second embodiment shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, except that a part of the protruding wall 112w partially protrudes, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted in order to avoid redundancy. Note that, here too, the outer peripheral surface of the protruding flow channel 140 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow channel 140 has a cylindrical shape. However, the combination of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow channel 140 may be arbitrary.

[0045] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, in the tank 100 of the third exemplary embodiment, the housing 110 has a protruding wall 112w. The protruding wall 112w has a main body portion 112wa and a protrusion portion 112wb. The main body portion 112wa partially protrudes in the -Z direction from the first inner main surface 112a. The main body portion 112wa faces the +Z direction side of the protruding flow channel 140. The main body portion 112wa regulates the flow of liquid flowing into the flow channel inlet 140P from the +Z direction side.

[0046] The protrusion 112wb partially protrudes from the surface of the main body 112wa facing the protruding flow passage 140 toward the protruding flow passage 140. The protrusion 112wb partially protrudes in the -Z direction from the end of the +Y direction side of the surface of the main body 112wa facing the protruding flow passage 140. The protrusion 112wb also partially protrudes in the -Z direction from the end of the -Y direction side of the surface of the main body 112wa facing the protruding flow passage 140. Note that, although FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show the protrusion 112wb extending from the end of the +Y direction side of the surface of the main body 112wa facing the protruding flow passage 140 toward the flow passage inlet 140P of the protruding flow passage 140, the protrusion 112wb also extends from the end of the -Y direction side of the surface of the main body 112wa facing the protruding flow passage 140 toward the flow passage inlet 140P of the protruding flow passage 140. The protrusion 112wb connects the main body 112wa and the protruding flow passage 140. The protrusion 112wb can prevent gas from entering the protruding flow passage 140.

[0047] The length (Lw2) of the protrusion 112wb in the X direction is approximately equal to the length (Lw1) of the main body 112wa in the X direction. Moreover, the length (Ww2) of the protrusion 112wb in the Y direction is shorter than the length (Ww1) of the main body 112wa in the Y direction.

[0048] For example, it is preferable that the length (Hw2) of the protrusion 112wb along the Z direction is shorter than the length (Hw1) along the main body 112wa. However, the length (Hw2) of the protrusion 112wb along the Z direction may be substantially equal to the length (Hw1) along the main body 112wa.

[0049] Here, the flow channel inlet 140P is defined by the second end portion 140b, the surface of the protruding wall 112w facing the protruding flow channel 140, and the protrusion portion 112wb. The flow channel inlet 140P is closed in the short direction (Y direction) of the tank chamber 114 and the straight direction (Z direction) of the protruding flow channel 140. On the other hand, the flow channel inlet 140P is open in the long direction (X direction) of the tank chamber 114. Therefore, the protrusion portion 112wb can prevent the liquid from stagnation in the tank chamber 114.

[0050] In the tank 100 shown in Figures 2A to 4B, the flow path inlet 140P is located on the +Z direction side of the protrusion flow path 140, but the flow path inlet 140P may be located at a position other than the +Z direction side of the protrusion flow path 140.

[0051] Next, the tank 100 of the fourth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the tank 100 of the fourth exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank 100 of the fourth exemplary embodiment. The tank 100 of the fourth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B has a similar configuration to the tank 100 of the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, except that the protruding flow path 140 has a through hole 140s and the protruding wall 112w covers the second end 140b of the protruding flow path 140, and therefore, in order to avoid redundancy, duplicated description will be omitted. The outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 are each rectangular parallelepiped shaped. However, the protruding flow path 140 may be cylindrical, and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 may each be cylindrical. The combination of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 may be arbitrary.

[0052] 5A and 5B, the protruding flow path 140 has a through hole 140s that connects the inside of the protruding flow path 140 to the outside of the protruding flow path 140. The through hole 140s penetrates the side of the protruding flow path 140. Here, the through hole 140s is located on the second end 140b side of the protruding flow path 140 that extends in the Z direction.

[0053] The height Ha1 of the through-hole 140s (the length along the Z direction from the second inner principal surface 112b to the through-hole 140s) may be 30% or more and 70% or less of the height Hr in the tank chamber 114. If the height Ha1 of the through-hole 140s is about 50% of the height Hr in the tank chamber 114, air is unlikely to enter regardless of the posture in the vertical direction.

[0054] The protruding flow path 140 has a cylindrical shape, and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 each have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The through holes 140s are located on the +X direction surface, the -X direction surface, the +Y direction surface, and the -Y direction surface of the protruding flow path 140, respectively.

[0055] Moreover, here, the protruding flow passage 140 contacts the protruding wall 112w. In particular, the opening of the second end 140b of the protruding flow passage 140 is covered by the protruding wall 112w. For this reason, the liquid flows into the inside of the protruding flow passage 140 from the side of the protruding flow passage 140 through the through hole 140s, and thus the intrusion of gas into the tank chamber outflow hole 130 can be suppressed.

[0056] As described above, the opening of the second end 140b of the protruding flow channel 140 is covered by the protruding wall 112w. Therefore, the flow channel inlet 140P into which the liquid flowing through the protruding flow channel 140 flows is defined around the through-hole 140s.

[0057] Further, the protruding flow channel 140 has a flow channel inlet 140P through which the liquid flows in, a flow channel outlet 140Q through which the liquid flows out, and a first flow channel 140R connecting the flow channel inlet 140P and the flow channel outlet 140Q. The flow channel inlet 140P faces a direction different from the direction in which the first flow channel 140R extends (Z direction). By preventing the liquid from flowing in along the direction in which the protruding flow channel 140 extends, it is possible to prevent the generation of vortexes and waves at the flow channel inlet 140P and the generation of bubbles in the liquid.

[0058] In addition, in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the through-hole 140s is located on the surface on the +X direction side, the surface on the -X direction side, the surface on the +Y direction side, and the surface on the -Y direction side of the protruding flow path 140, respectively, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The through-hole 140s may be located on any surface of the protruding flow path 140. However, it is preferable that the through-hole 140s is located along the longitudinal direction of the tank chamber 114. For example, when the tank chamber 114 extends along the X direction, it is preferable that the through-hole 140s is located on the surface on the +X direction side and the surface on the -X direction side of the protruding flow path 140. This makes it possible to suppress the intrusion of gas into the protruding flow path 140 and suppress the outflow of gas from the tank chamber outflow hole 130 regardless of the orientation or posture of the tank 100.

[0059] 5A and 5B, the protruding wall 112w of the housing 110 contacts the second end 140b of the protruding flow passage 140 to cover the second end 140b of the protruding flow passage 140, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The protruding wall 112w may not contact the second end 140b of the protruding flow passage 140, and the protruding flow passage 140 may be open at the second end 140b of the protruding flow passage 140.

[0060] The tank 100 of the illustrative first to fifth embodiments is preferably used in a cooling unit for cooling a heat source. When the tank 100 is used in a cooling unit, the liquid in the tank 100 functions as a so-called refrigerant.

[0061] The tank 100 of the first to fifth embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 5B may be used in combination with another member. In this case, it is preferable that the liquid flowing out from the tank chamber outlet hole 130 of the tank 100 flows in a direction different from the direction of flow in the protruding flow path 140.

[0062] Next, a cooling unit 200 according to a fifth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6A. Fig. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the cooling unit 200 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment.

[0063] The cooling unit 200 is suitable for use in cooling heat-generating components. The cooling unit 200 may cool an electronic device having a heat-generating element therein. The cooling unit 200 may cool a circuit of the electronic device. Alternatively, the cooling unit 200 may cool a light source or the like of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may be any of a server, a workstation, a projector, a notebook personal computer, and a two-dimensional display device.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 6A, the cooling unit 200 has a tank 100 and a cover member 210. The cover member 210 is disposed on the tank chamber outlet hole 130 side of the tank 100. The flow path outlet 140Q has the tank chamber outlet hole 130. The cover member 210 covers the second outer main surface 111b of the tank 100. The tank 100 may be any of the tanks 100 described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 5B.

[0065] In this case, the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 are each cylindrical. However, the protruding flow path 140 may be tubular, and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 may each be rectangular parallelepiped. The combination of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protruding flow path 140 may be arbitrary.

[0066] The cover member 210 is disposed facing the tank chamber outflow hole 130 of the tank 100. The cover member 210 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the second outer main surface 111b of the housing 110. The cooling unit 200 has a predetermined gap between the second outer main surface 111b of the housing 110 and the cover member 210. The liquid flowing out from the tank chamber outflow hole 130 of the tank 100 flows along the gap between the second outer main surface 111b of the housing 110 and the cover member 210. Therefore, the space between the second outer main surface 111b of the housing 110 and the cover member 210 becomes a flow path. In this specification, the flow path located between the second outer main surface 111b of the housing 110 and the cover member 210 may be referred to as the "second flow path 210R".

[0067] While the first flow path 140R of the protruding flow path 140 extends in the Z direction, the second flow path 210R expands in a direction different from the Z direction. Here, the second flow path 210R extends in the X direction.

[0068] The cover member 210 has an outflow hole 230. The outflow hole 230 is located on the -Z direction side with respect to the second flow path 210R.

[0069] Further, an attachment port 232 connected to the outflow hole 230 is disposed on the outside of the cover member 210. The attachment port 232 is located on the -Z direction side with respect to the cover member 210. The attachment port 232 has a cylindrical shape. The attachment port 232 is disposed surrounding the outflow hole 230. The inner diameter (length in the XY plane) of the attachment port 232 is larger than the hole diameter (length in the XY plane) of the outflow hole 230. A pipe (not shown) through which a liquid flows is attached to the attachment port 232.

[0070] Outlet hole 230 is disposed at a position different from tank chamber outlet hole 130. Specifically, in the XY plane, the position of outlet hole 230 is different from the position of tank chamber outlet hole 130. Therefore, even if gas flows out from tank chamber outlet hole 130, it is possible to prevent the gas flowing out from tank chamber outlet hole 130 from moving in a straight line to outlet hole 230. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a large amount of gas from continuously flowing out from cooling unit 200.

[0071] A second flow path 210R is formed by at least the tank 100 and the cover member 210. The liquid flowing out from the tank chamber outlet hole 130 of the tank 100 flows in the second flow path along a direction different from the direction in which the protruding flow path 140 extends. By causing the liquid flowing out from the tank chamber outlet hole 130 of the tank 100 to flow in a direction different from the direction in which the protruding flow path 140 extends, it is possible to suppress linear movement of gas in a short period of time in response to a change in the attitude of the cooling unit 200.

[0072] The cover member 210 may be a cold plate, which is preferably used to cool a heat source.

[0073] Next, the cooling unit 200 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6B. Fig. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling unit 200 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment.

[0074] 6B, the cooling unit 200 has the tank 100 and a cold plate 210A as a cover member 210. The cold plate 210A is disposed on the tank chamber outlet hole 130 side of the tank 100. The cold plate 210A is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the tank 100. Typically, the cold plate 210A is made of a metal such as copper or aluminum.

[0075] The cold plate 210A has fins 212. The fins 212 are arranged on the surface of the cold plate 210A on the +Z direction side. The fins 212 are configured by arranging multiple plate-shaped protrusions extending in the X direction in parallel. The fins 212 are arranged facing the tank chamber outflow hole 130 of the tank 100.

[0076] As described above, the cover member 210 includes the cold plate 210A. The heat source is in contact with the surface of the cold plate 210A on the -Z direction side. This allows the heat source to be efficiently cooled by using the liquid flowing out of the tank 100.

[0077] The second flow path 210R is a heat exchange chamber 214 formed by the tank 100 and a cold plate 210A. More specifically, the heat exchange chamber 214 is formed by the second part 110T and the cold plate 210A. The cold plate 210A has fins 212 that face the tank chamber outflow holes 130 in the heat exchange chamber 214. Therefore, the heat source can be efficiently cooled by the liquid.

[0078] 6A and 6B, the cooling unit 200 of the sixth exemplary embodiment includes the tank 100 and the cover member 210, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. The cooling unit 200 may include the tank 100 together with a pump for circulating the liquid in the tank 100.

[0079] Next, a cooling unit 200 according to a seventh exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the cooling unit 200 according to the seventh exemplary embodiment.

[0080] 7, the cooling unit 200 includes a tank 100, a cold plate 210A, and a pump 220. The cold plate 210A is located on the -Z direction side of the tank 100. The pump 220 is located on the -X direction side of the tank 100. The pump 220 is exposed to the outer surface of the cooling unit 200.

[0081] Liquid enters the cooling unit 200 through the tank chamber inlet hole 120. Liquid within the cooling unit 200 also exits through the outlet hole 230.

[0082] Here, the tank chamber inlet hole 120 is located on the +Z direction side of the housing 110. Also, the outlet hole 230 is located on the +Z direction side of the housing 110. In particular, the tank chamber inlet hole 120 and the outlet hole 230 are located on the first outer main surface 111a.

[0083] An attachment opening 232 connected to the outflow hole 230 is disposed on the outside of the housing 110. The attachment opening 232 is located on the +Z direction side of the housing 110. The attachment opening 232 has a cylindrical shape. The attachment opening 232 is disposed surrounding the outflow hole 230.

[0084] Here, liquid flowing in from tank chamber inlet hole 120 flows into tank chamber 114. Liquid flowing out from tank chamber 114 flows through pump 220 and out from outlet hole 230.

[0085] Next, a cooling unit 200 according to a seventh exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the cooling unit 200 according to the seventh exemplary embodiment.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 8, the cooling unit 200 has a pump 220, a first part 110S, a second part 110T, and a cold plate 210A. The tank 100 is composed of the first part 110S and the second part 110T. The pump 220 has a fixed part 222 (Fig. 9) and a rotating part 224 (Figs. 9 and 10) that rotates relative to the fixed part 222. The pump 220 has a motor. The fixed part houses a stator of the motor. The rotating part is composed of a rotor and an impeller of the motor integrally.

[0087] The first component 110S has a tank chamber inlet hole 120, an inlet attachment port 122, an outflow hole 230, an attachment port 232, and a pump chamber 110r. The pump chamber 110r is recessed in the first outer main surface 111a. The pump chamber 110r is recessed to a size corresponding to the length (length along the X direction), width (length along the Y direction), and height (length along the Z direction) of the pump 220, and the pump 220 is disposed in the pump chamber 110r. More specifically, an impeller portion is disposed in the pump chamber 110r, and a stator portion isolated from the pump chamber 110r is disposed in the +Z direction with respect to the pump chamber 110r. The pump chamber 110r is provided with a flow path connected to the outflow hole 230 and a flow path connected to the protruding flow path 150.

[0088] The second component 110T has a protruding flow passage 140. The second component 110T also has a protruding flow passage 150. When the first component 110S and the second component 110T are combined, the protruding flow passage 140 is disposed in the tank chamber 114, and the protruding flow passage 150 connects the second flow passage 210R formed between the cold plate 210A and the second component 110T to the pump chamber 110r.

[0089] The cooling unit 200 further comprises a pump 220 connected to the second flow path 210R. The pump 220 allows for circulation of the liquid passing through the tank 100.

[0090] Next, a cooling unit 200 according to an exemplary seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling unit 200 according to the exemplary seventh embodiment. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling unit 200 according to the exemplary seventh embodiment.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 9, the pump 220 is disposed in the pump chamber 110r of the first component 110S. More specifically, an impeller portion is disposed in the pump chamber 110r, and a stator portion isolated from the pump chamber 110r is disposed in the +Z direction. The liquid that flows into the tank chamber 114 from the tank chamber inlet 120 of the tank 100 flows through the protruding flow path 140, the tank chamber outlet hole 130, the heat exchange chamber 214, and the pump chamber 110r in this order, and flows out from the outlet hole 230. The liquid that flows into the tank chamber 114 from the tank chamber inlet hole 120 and then flows out of the tank chamber 114 does not flow directly into the pump chamber 110r, so that the intrusion of gas into the pump chamber 110r can be suppressed.

[0092] 10, in the cooling unit 200, the tank chamber outflow hole 130 is preferably disposed at a position facing the center of the fin 212. This allows liquid to circulate throughout the cold plate 210A.

[0093] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, a certain component among all the components shown in one embodiment may be added to a component of another embodiment, or some components among all the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0094] In addition, the drawings are mainly schematic illustrations of each component to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. In addition, the configurations of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0095] The present invention is suitably used for tanks and cooling units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 100 Tank 110 Housing 114 Tank Room 120 Tank room inlet 130 Tank room outlet 140 Protruding Channel 200 Cooling Unit 210 Cover member 210A Cold Plate 220 Pump

Claims

1. a housing having a tank chamber extending in a longitudinal direction; a tank chamber inlet through which liquid flows into the tank chamber; a tank chamber outflow hole through which the liquid flows out of the tank chamber; a protruding flow path that is connected to the tank chamber outflow hole and protrudes from the tank chamber outflow hole into the tank chamber in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; having The length of the protruding flow path along the protruding direction is A tank, wherein the length of the protruding flow path is 30% or more and 70% or less of the length of the tank chamber.

2. a housing having a tank chamber; a tank chamber inlet through which liquid flows into the tank chamber; a tank chamber outflow hole through which the liquid flows out of the tank chamber; a protruding flow passage that is connected to the tank chamber outflow hole and protrudes from the tank chamber outflow hole into the tank chamber; having The protruding flow path is A flow path inlet into which the liquid flows; a flow channel outlet through which the liquid flows out; a first flow passage connecting the flow passage inlet and the flow passage outlet; having The flow path inlet is open in a direction different from a direction in which the first flow path extends, The housing has a protruding wall that protrudes toward the protruding flow passage in a direction in which the protruding flow passage protrudes.

3. a housing having a tank chamber; a tank chamber inlet through which liquid flows into the tank chamber; a tank chamber outflow hole through which the liquid flows out of the tank chamber; a protruding flow passage that is connected to the tank chamber outflow hole and protrudes from the tank chamber outflow hole into the tank chamber; having The protruding flow path is A flow path inlet into which the liquid flows; a flow channel outlet through which the liquid flows out; a first flow passage connecting the flow passage inlet and the flow passage outlet; having The flow path inlet is open in a direction different from a direction in which the first flow path extends, The housing has a protruding wall protruding toward the protruding flow path, The tank, wherein the protruding wall has a main body portion and a protrusion portion that protrudes partially from a surface of the main body portion facing the protruding flow path toward the protruding flow path.

4. The protruding flow path is A first end portion located on the tank chamber outlet port side; a second end portion located on the opposite side to the tank chamber outlet hole; having the second end portion, a surface of the protruding wall on the protruding flow path side, and the protrusion portion define the flow path inlet; 4. The tank according to claim 3, wherein the flow passage inlet is open in the longitudinal direction of the tank chamber.

5. The housing includes: A first part; a second part that constitutes the tank chamber together with the first part; having The tank according to claim 4 , wherein the second part comprises the protruding channel.

6. 6. The tank according to claim 5, wherein the flow passage inlet is centrally located between a tank chamber side surface of the first part and a tank chamber side surface of the second part.

7. The tank according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion flow passage has a through hole connecting an inside of the protrusion flow passage and an outside of the protrusion flow passage.

8. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a cover member disposed on the tank chamber outlet port side of the tank; having A second flow path is formed by at least the tank and the cover member, A cooling unit, wherein the liquid flowing out from the tank chamber outflow hole of the tank flows through the second flow path in a direction different from a direction in which the protruding flow path extends.

9. The cooling unit of claim 8 , further comprising a pump connected to the second flow path.

10. The cooling unit of claim 8 , wherein the cover member comprises a cold plate.

11. the second flow path is a heat exchange chamber defined by the tank and the cold plate, The cooling unit of claim 10 , wherein the cold plate has fins facing the tank chamber outlet holes.

12. The cooling unit of claim 11 , further comprising a pump connected to the second flow path.

13. The cooling unit according to claim 12 , wherein the liquid that has flowed into the tank chamber from the tank chamber inlet of the tank flows through the protruding flow passage, the tank chamber outlet hole, the heat exchange chamber, and the pump in this order.

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