Coolers and cooling devices

Abstract

To save a space for a cooling unit or a cooling device when a fastening member for fastening the cooling unit is attached to another component such as a pressure member for pressing the cooling unit and a support member for supporting the cooling unit.SOLUTION: In a cooling device 1, a first cooling unit 10 has a cooling unit main body 11 that has a recessed case 13 having a bottom part 131 and a side wall extending from an outer periphery of the bottom part 131 to accommodate a radiator, and a flat plate-like cover 14 that covers an opening of the case 13. The first cooling unit 10 cools down a heating element 100 arranged outside the cooling unit main body 11 by making a coolant circulate inside the cooling unit main body 11. The case 13 has such a recessed part 136 that the side wall extending in the circulation direction of the coolant is recessed inward the case 13. A fastening member for fastening the first cooling unit 10 to the other component can be attached to a position surrounded by the recessed part 136.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooler and a cooling device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a two-sided heat dissipation type cooling device provided with coolers on both sides of a heating element and a pressing member for pressing the coolers against the heating element. In this cooling device, a fastening member for fastening the cooler to another component such as a pressing member for pressing the cooler or a supporting member for supporting the cooler is attached outside the coolant flow path in the cooler.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When attaching a fastening member for fastening the cooler to other components such as a pressing member for pressing the cooler or a supporting member for supporting the cooler, it is an object to reduce the space occupied by the cooler or the cooling device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention completed for such an object includes a cooler body having a concave case that has a bottom and side walls extending from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom and houses a radiator, and a flat cover that covers the opening of the case, and cools a heating element disposed outside the cooler body by circulating a coolant inside the cooler body. The case has a recess in which the side wall extending along the flow direction of the coolant is recessed inside the case. And a parallel portion provided on the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover and The side wall, at least in the recess, is directed outward from the case as it goes from the parallel portion to the bottom, is a cooler to which a fastening member for fastening the cooler to other components can be attached at a position surrounded by the recess. Here, The outer periphery of the bottom portion of the recess and the end of the parallel portion may be in the same position in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction. Furthermore, the cover may have a through hole formed in a portion corresponding to the recess, which penetrates the cover in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction, and the fastening member may be a bolt whose shaft passes through the through hole and whose head is positioned in the recess. Furthermore, the axial size of the head of the bolt may be smaller than the axial size of the case. Furthermore, from another perspective, the present invention provides a cooler body comprising a concave case having a bottom and side walls extending from the outer circumference of the bottom for housing a heat sink, and a flat plate-shaped cover covering the opening of the case, wherein a heat-generating element disposed outside the cooler body is cooled by circulating a coolant inside the cooler body, the case having a recess where the side wall extending along the direction of coolant flow is recessed inward, and a parallel portion provided at the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover, the side wall having a portion that extends outward from the parallel portion towards the bottom, the outer circumference of the bottom on the upstream side in the flow direction protrudes further outward than the outer circumference of the bottom on the downstream side in the flow direction, and a fastening member for fastening the cooler to other parts can be attached in a position surrounded by the recess. Here, The heating elements are arranged in a row of three in the flow direction, and the outer circumference of the bottom of the upstream heating element is located further outward than the outer circumference of the bottom of the middle heating element, and the outer circumference of the bottom of the middle heating element is located further outward than the outer circumference of the bottom of the downstream heating element. Furthermore, the case and the cover may be joined by laser welding. Furthermore, from another perspective, the present invention comprises a cooler body, each having a concave case for housing a heat sink, having a bottom and side walls extending from the outer circumference of the bottom, and a flat plate-shaped cover covering the opening of the case, a plurality of coolers through which a coolant flows inside the cooler body, and a fastening member that fastens the coolers to a support member that supports the plurality of coolers and the heat sink, and the case of each cooler has a recess in which the side wall extending along the direction of flow of the coolant is recessed inward. And a parallel portion provided on the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover It has, The side wall, at least in the recess, is directed outward from the case as it goes from the parallel portion to the bottom, The fastening member is a cooling device that is attached to each of the coolers in a position surrounded by the recess. Furthermore, from another perspective, the present invention comprises a cooling device comprising a cooling body having a concave case for housing a heat sink, each having a bottom and a side wall extending from the outer circumference of the bottom, and a flat plate-shaped cover covering the opening of the case, a plurality of cooling units through which a cooling liquid flows inside the cooling body, and a fastening member for fastening the cooling units to a support member that supports the plurality of cooling units and the heat sink, wherein the case of each cooling unit has a recess in which the side wall extending along the direction of flow of the cooling liquid is recessed inward, and a parallel portion provided at the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover, the side wall has a portion that extends outward from the parallel portion towards the bottom, the outer circumference of the bottom on the upstream side in the flow direction extends outward more than the outer circumference of the bottom on the downstream side in the flow direction, and the fastening member is attached in a position surrounded by the recess in each cooling unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, when attaching a fastening member to other parts such as a pressurizing member that pressurizes the cooler or a support member that supports the cooler, it is possible to save space in the cooler or cooling device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the appearance of a cooling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an example of a diagram showing the components of a cooling device according to the first embodiment disassembled. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a plan view of a cooling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a cross-section of section IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a cross-section of section VV in Figure 3. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are enlarged views of section VI in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a plan view of a cooling device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Figures (a) to (c) show an example of a cross-section of the cooling device 1 according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. <First Embodiment> Figure 1 shows an example of the external appearance of the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is an example of a diagram showing the components of the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment in an exploded view. Figure 3 shows an example of a plan view of the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that Figure 3 omits the description of the support member 60 and bolt 90, which will be described later. Figure 4 shows an example of a cross-section of section IV-IV in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows an example of a cross-section of section VV in Figure 3. The cooling device 1 according to this embodiment includes a first cooler 10 which is a cooler capable of circulating a coolant inside, and a second cooler 20. Further, the cooling device 1 includes a connecting member 80 disposed between the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20. Further, the cooling device 1 includes a plurality (four in this example) of spacers 40 disposed between the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20. Further, the cooling device 1 includes a support member 60 that supports the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20. Further, the cooling device 1 includes a plurality of bolts 90 which are an example of fastening members for fixing the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20 to the support member 60. Further, the cooling device 1 includes a heating element 100 disposed between the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20. Note that the cooling device 1 may have a pressing member on the first cooler 10 for pressing the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20 toward the support member 60 side.

[0009] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling device 1 is a two-sided heat dissipation type cooling device in which coolers (the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20) are provided on both sides of the heating element 100. Further, from another perspective, the cooling device 1 is a stacked type cooling device in which the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20 are stacked. Hereinafter, the direction in which the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20 are stacked may be referred to as the "vertical direction". Examples of the materials of the first cooler 10, the second cooler 20, the connecting member 80, and the support member 60 may be aluminum materials such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. The heating element 100 can be exemplified as a card type power module.

[0010] (The first cooler 10) The first cooler 10 is a member having a generally long shape, more specifically, a generally long rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a cooler body 11 in which a space S1 capable of circulating a coolant is formed inside. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the cooler body 11 may be simply referred to as the "longitudinal direction", and the short side direction of the cooler body 11 may be simply referred to as the "short side direction". The first cooler 10 also includes a heat sink 12, which is an example of a radiator housed in the cooler main body 11. Here, although details will be described later, in the first cooler 10 of the present embodiment, the coolant flows through the space S1 of the cooler main body 11 from one end in the longitudinal direction to the other end (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 3). In other words, the longitudinal direction of the cooler main body 11 corresponds to the flow direction of the coolant.

[0011] The cooler main body 11 includes a bottomed concave case 13 and a flat cover 14 that covers the opening of the case 13. The case 13 has a long bottom portion 131, side walls 132 that extend from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom portion 131 in a direction intersecting the bottom portion 131, and parallel portions 133 that extend outward along a direction parallel to the bottom portion 131 from the tip ends of the side walls 132. The side walls 132 have two long portions 134 that extend along the longitudinal direction and face each other with the space S1 therebetween, and connecting portions 135 that connect both ends in the longitudinal direction of each of the long portions 134.

[0012] In addition, the case 13 has recesses 136 in which the respective long portions 134 of the side walls 132 are recessed inside the case 13. Incidentally, when viewed along the vertical direction of the cooling device 1, the long portions 134 of the side walls 132 are curved surfaces that are recessed inside the case 13 in the recesses 136. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the case 13 has a total of four recesses 136, two in each of the long portions 134 of the side walls 132. Specifically, the case 13 has recesses 136 at positions that approximately trisect each of the long portions 134 of the side walls 132 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the recesses 136 formed in one long portion 134 and the recesses 136 formed in the other long portion 134 face each other in the short direction with the space S1 therebetween. And each of the long portions 134 of the side walls 132 is divided into three regions (first region 134a, second region 134b, third region 134c) from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction by the recesses 136.

[0013] In this embodiment, the first region 134a, the second region 134b, and the third region 134c in the elongated portion 134 of the side wall 132 are planes aligned perpendicular to the parallel portion 133, more specifically, along the longitudinal and vertical directions. In this example, the first region 134a, the second region 134b, and the third region 134c are of equal shape to each other.

[0014] Here, the outer periphery of the bottom 131, which is the boundary between the bottom 131 and the side wall 132, has a shape that follows the upper end of the side wall 132. As a result, in the recess 136, the outer periphery of the bottom 131 is recessed inward into the case 13, following the shape of the side wall 132. Similarly, the parallel portion 133 has a shape that follows the lower end of the side wall 132. As a result, in the recess 136, the parallel portion 133 is recessed inward into the case 13, following the shape of the side wall 132.

[0015] Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are enlarged views of section VI in Figure 5. Figure 6(a) shows an example of the shape of the side wall 132 in the recess 136, and Figure 6(b) shows another example of the shape of the side wall 132 in the recess 136. As shown in Figures 5 and 6(a)-(b), in the recess 136, the side wall 132 (long portion 134) is directed outward from the case 13 as it moves from the parallel portion 133 to the bottom portion 131.

[0016] In this case, case 13, the distance between the side walls 132 in the short direction in the area where the recess 136 is formed is narrower than in the area where the recess 136 is not formed. As a result, in the cooler body 11, the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the space S1 in the area where the recess 136 is formed is narrower than in the area where the recess 136 is not formed. In this case, pressure loss occurs in the coolant passing through the area of ​​space S1 where the recess 136 is formed, which may reduce the cooling efficiency of the first cooler 10. In contrast, in this embodiment, in the portion where the recess 136 is formed, the side wall 132 is directed outward from the case 13 as it moves from the parallel portion 133 to the bottom portion 131. This increases the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of space S1 compared to the case where the side wall 132 extends perpendicularly from the parallel portion 133 to the bottom portion 131. As a result, the pressure loss of the coolant passing through the portion of space S1 where the recess 136 is formed can be reduced.

[0017] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), in the recess 136 of case 13, the outer periphery of the bottom portion 131 and the outer end of the parallel portion 133 are at the same position in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction (longitudinal direction). As a result, the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of space S1 is larger compared to, for example, the case where the outer periphery of the bottom portion 131 is located inside the end of the parallel portion 133. This makes it possible to further reduce the pressure loss of the coolant passing through the portion of space S1 where the recess 136 is formed.

[0018] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the side wall 132 in the recess 136 may be straight, as shown in Figure 6(a), or it may be a curved shape that bulges outward, as shown in Figure 6(b). When the cross-sectional shape of the side wall 132 in the recess 136 is a curved shape that bulges outward from the case 13, the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the space S1 is larger compared to when it is straight. This makes it possible to further reduce the pressure loss of the coolant passing through the part of the space S1 where the recess 136 is formed.

[0019] The cover 14 is a flat plate-shaped member having an upper surface 141 facing the space S1 and a lower surface 142 on the opposite side of the upper surface 141. The cover 14 has protruding portions 143 at both ends in the longitudinal direction that project in the short direction, with the upper surface 141 exposed to the outside of the cooler body 11. The cover 14 has cylindrical through holes 144 formed in each protruding portion 143, through which the shaft portion 92 of the bolt 90 (described later) passes, penetrating the cover 14 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the portion of the cover 14 that is sandwiched between the protruding portion 143 is a long rectangular shape in the longitudinal direction and, unlike the case 13, does not have an inwardly recessed portion. As a result, the portion of the upper surface 141 of the cover 14 that is surrounded by the recess 136 of the case 13 is exposed to the outside of the cooler body 11 (hereinafter referred to as the exposed portion 141a). The cover 14 has cylindrical through holes 145 formed in each exposed portion 141a, through which the shaft portion 92 of the bolt 90 passes, penetrating the cover 14 in the vertical direction. In this example, through-holes 144 and 145 have the same shape. It can be exemplified that through-holes 144 and 145 are circular in shape.

[0020] Furthermore, the cover 14 has a first communication hole 146 at one end in the longitudinal direction that connects the space S1 to the outside of the cooler body 11, and a second communication hole 147 at the other end in the longitudinal direction that connects the space S1 to the outside of the cooler body 11. The first communication hole 146 and the second communication hole 147 can be exemplified as being circular in shape.

[0021] The case 13 and cover 14 of the cooler body 11 are joined by laser welding, with the parallel portion 133 of the case 13 and the upper surface 141 of the cover 14 in contact, and the exposed portion 141a of the cover 14 and the through hole 144 formed in the exposed portion 141a being surrounded by the recess 136 of the case 13. Laser welding is performed by irradiating one of the members of the case 13 or the cover 14 with laser light from the outside. The area irradiated with laser light is the overlapping portion of the parallel portion 133 of the case 13 and the cover 14, and the laser light is irradiated around the entire circumference of the parallel portion 133 of the case 13. The case 13 and cover 14 may be joined by brazing, for example, instead of laser welding.

[0022] Furthermore, the cooler body 11 has a first communication hole 146 formed in the cover 14 that functions as an inlet for the coolant to flow into the space S1, and a second communication hole 147 formed in the cover 14 that functions as an outlet for the coolant to flow out of the space S1.

[0023] The heatsink 12 is composed of a first heatsink 121, a second heatsink 122, and a third heatsink 123 arranged in the longitudinal direction. The first heatsink 121 is located in the space S1, in the area sandwiched between the first region 134a of the case 13. The second heatsink 122 is located in the space S1, in the area sandwiched between the second region 134b of the case 13. The third heatsink 123 is located in the space S1, in the area sandwiched between the third region 134c of the case 13.

[0024] In the first cooler 10 of this embodiment, the lengths of the first heatsink 121 and the third heatsink 123 along their longitudinal directions are longer than those of the second heatsink 122. Alternatively, the lengths of the first heatsink 121, the second heatsink 122, and the third heatsink 123 along their longitudinal directions may be equal. The first heatsink 121, the second heatsink 122, and the third heatsink 123 have essentially the same configuration, except for their length along the longitudinal direction. Hereafter, when the first heatsink 121, the second heatsink 122, and the third heatsink 123 are not distinguished from each other, they will simply be referred to as heatsink 12.

[0025] Each heat sink 12 has a flat plate-shaped portion 12a and a plurality of fins 12b (11 in this example) that protrude from the flat plate-shaped portion 12a in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the flat plate-shaped portion 12a and extend in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, each heat sink 12 is attached to the cover 14 by joining its flat portion 12a to the upper surface 141 of the cover 14. Examples of methods for joining the flat portion 12a of the heat sink 12 to the upper surface 141 of the cover 14 include laser welding and brazing.

[0026] The first cooler 10 is positioned such that the case 13 is on the upper side and the cover 14 is on the lower side (support member 60 side).

[0027] (Second cooler 20) The second cooler 20 is a long, rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member, and comprises a cooler body 21 in which a space S2 is formed that allows coolant to flow through. Furthermore, the second cooler 20 is equipped with a heat sink 22 housed in the cooler body 21. In the second cooler 20 of this embodiment, similar to the first cooler 10, the coolant flows through the space S2 of the cooler body 21 from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the cooler body 21 corresponds to the direction of coolant flow.

[0028] The cooler body 21 comprises a bottomed, concave case 23 and a flat plate-shaped cover 24 that covers the opening of the case 23. Case 23 is a component corresponding to Case 13 of the first cooler 10. Case 23 has basically the same shape as Case 13 of the first cooler 10, and has a bottom 231, side walls 232, and parallel section 233, which correspond to the bottom 131, side walls 132, and parallel section 133 of Case 13, respectively. Here, unlike Case 13 of the first cooler 10, Case 23 has a first communication hole 237 formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the bottom 231, which connects the space S2 to the outside of the cooler body 21, and a second communication hole 238 formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the bottom 231, which connects the space S2 to the outside of the cooler body 21. The first communication hole 237 and the second communication hole 238 can be exemplified as being circular in shape. Furthermore, the side wall 232 of case 23 has an elongated portion 234 and a connecting portion 235, which correspond to the elongated portion 134 and connecting portion 135 of the side wall 132 of case 13, respectively.

[0029] Furthermore, case 23 has a plurality of recesses 236 that correspond to the plurality of recesses 136 in case 13 of the first cooler 10. Each recess 236 is located in a position that overlaps with the respective recess 136 in case 13 of the first cooler 10 when the cooling device 1 is viewed from above.

[0030] Cover 24 is a component that corresponds to the cover 14 of the first cooler 10. Cover 24 is the same component as the cover 14 of the first cooler 10. Cover 24 has an upper surface 241, a lower surface 142, a protruding portion 243, a through hole 144, a through hole 145, a first communication hole 146, and a second communication hole 147, which correspond to the upper surface 141, lower surface 142, protruding portion 243, through hole 244, through hole 245, first communication hole 246, and second communication hole 247 of the cover 24 of the first cooler 10. Furthermore, the upper surface 241 of the cover 24, similar to the cover 14 of the first cooler 10, has a portion surrounded by the recess 236 of the case 23 that is exposed to the outside of the cooler body 21 (hereinafter referred to as the exposed portion 241a).

[0031] The case 23 and cover 24 of the cooler body 21 are joined by laser welding in the same way as the cooler body 11 of the first cooler 10, with the parallel portion 233 of the case 23 and the upper surface 241 of the cover 24 in contact, and the exposed portion 241a of the cover 24 and the through hole 244 formed in the exposed portion 241a surrounded by the recess 236 of the case 23. Laser welding is performed by irradiating one of the members of the case 23 or the cover 24 with laser light from the outside. The area irradiated with laser light is the overlapping portion of the parallel portion 233 of the case 23 and the cover 24, and the laser light is irradiated around the entire circumference of the parallel portion 233 of the case 23. The case 23 and cover 24 may be joined by brazing, for example, instead of laser welding.

[0032] The heatsink 22 is a component corresponding to the heatsink 12 of the first cooler 10. The heatsink 22 has a first heatsink (not shown) made of the same material as the first heatsink 121 of the first cooler 10, a second heatsink (not shown) made of the same material as the second heatsink 122 of the first cooler 10, and a third heatsink (not shown) made of the same material as the third heatsink 123 of the first cooler 10. Hereafter, when the first heatsink, second heatsink, and third heatsink are not distinguished from each other, they will simply be referred to as heatsink 22. Each heat sink 22 has a plate-shaped flat portion 22a and a plurality of fins 22b that protrude from the flat portion 22a in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the flat portion 22a and extend in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] Each heat sink 22 is attached to the cover 24 by joining its flat portion 22a to the upper surface 241 of the cover 24. Examples of methods for joining the flat portion 22a of the heat sink 22 to the upper surface 241 of the cover 24 include laser welding and brazing.

[0034] The second cooler 20 is positioned such that the case 23 is on the upper side and the cover 24 is on the lower side (support member 60 side).

[0035] (Spacer 40) The spacer 40 is a cylindrical member whose vertical direction is axial. A cylindrical through hole 41 extending vertically is formed in the center of the spacer 40. The vertical size of the spacer 40 is the sum of the vertical size of the case 23 of the second cooler 20 and the vertical size of the heat-generating element 100.

[0036] (Support member 60) The support member 60 has a first space 61 recessed from the top surface at one end in the longitudinal direction, and a second space 62 recessed from the top surface at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The top-side opening 61a in the first space 61 has the same shape as the first communication hole 246 formed in the cover 24 of the second cooler 20. The top-side opening 62a in the second space 62 has the same shape as the second communication hole 247 formed in the cover 24 of the second cooler 20. A groove (not shown) for fitting an O-ring 65 is formed around the opening 61a in the support member 60. A groove (not shown) for fitting an O-ring 66 is formed around the opening 62a in the support member 60. The support member 60 also has female threads 61c formed on both sides adjacent to the opening 61a in the short direction. The support member 60 also has female threads 62c formed on both sides adjacent to the opening 62a in the short direction.

[0037] The support member 60 has a communication hole formed therein that connects the first space 61 to the outside in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (the shorter direction in Figures 1 and 2), and the first joint 63 is fitted into this communication hole. The support member 60 also has a communication hole formed therein that connects the second space 62 to the outside in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (the shorter direction), and the second joint 64 is fitted into this communication hole.

[0038] The support member 60 has a projection 67 that protrudes upward in the region between the openings 61a and 62a on its upper surface. The size of the projection 67 along its short side is the same as the size of the cover 24 of the second cooler 20 along its short side. Multiple (four in this example) female threads 67a are formed on the projection 67. Each female thread 67a is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 245 formed in the cover 24 of the second cooler 20.

[0039] (Connecting member 80) The connecting member 80 is an elliptical member in which the longitudinal direction of the cooler body 11 is the short axis direction, and the short axis direction of the cooler body 11 is the long axis direction. A through hole 81 is formed in the center of the connecting member 80. The shape of the through hole 81 is the same as the first communication hole 146 and second communication hole 147 formed in the cover 14 of the first cooler 10, and the first communication hole 237 and second communication hole 238 formed in the case 23 of the second cooler 20. In addition, grooves 82 into which O-rings (not shown) are fitted are formed around the through hole 81 on both sides of the connecting member 80. Furthermore, the connecting member 80 has cylindrical projections 83 on each side in the long axis direction, protruding from one side (the lower side). A cylindrical through hole 84 is formed in the center of the projection 83. The vertical dimension of the central part of the connecting member 80 is the same as the vertical dimension of the heating element 100, which is the thickness of the heating element 100. Also, the vertical dimension of the protruding part 83 of the connecting member 80 is the same as the vertical dimension of the case 23, which is the thickness of the case 23.

[0040] (Bolt 90) The bolt 90 has a cylindrical head 91 and a cylindrical shaft portion 92 extending from the head 91. Furthermore, the bolt 90 has its shaft portion 92 passing through the through hole 144 in the cover 14 of the first cooler 10, the through hole 84 in the connecting member 80, and the through hole 244 in the cover 24 of the second cooler 20, so that the axial direction of the bolt 90 coincides with the vertical direction of the cooling device 1.

[0041] Furthermore, the bolt 90 has its shaft portion 92 passed through the through hole 145 in the cover 14 of the first cooler 10, the through hole 41 in the spacer 40, and the through hole 245 in the cover 24 of the second cooler 20, so that the axial direction of the bolt 90 coincides with the vertical direction of the cooling device 1. In addition, the bolt 90 is mounted in a position surrounded by the recess 136 in the case 13 of the first cooler 10 and the recess 236 in the case 23 of the second cooler 20.

[0042] As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(b), the bolt 90 has a vertical (axial) dimension H2 of the head 91 smaller than the vertical dimension H1 of the case 13 in the first cooler 10. This prevents the bolt 90 head 91 from protruding upward from the bottom 131 of the case 13 in the first cooler 10, thereby saving space in the first cooler 10 and the cooling device 1. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(b), the diameter D2 of the head 91 of the bolt 90 is smaller than the width D1 in the short direction of the exposed portion 141a, which is the part of the cover 14 surrounded by the recess 136 of the case 13. As a result, the head 91 of the bolt 90 does not protrude in the short direction from the cover 14 of the first cooler 10 in the cooling device 1, thereby saving space in the cooling device 1.

[0043] In the cooling device 1 configured as described above, the second cooler 20 is placed on the support member 60, and the first cooler 10 is placed on the second cooler 20. Three heat-generating elements 100 are placed between the second cooler 20 and the first cooler 10. Two connecting members 80 are placed between the second cooler 20 and the first cooler 10. The lower surfaces of the protruding portions 83 of the connecting members 80 are in contact with the support member 60. Four spacers 40 are placed between the second cooler 20 and the first cooler 10. The upper surfaces of the spacers 40 are in contact with the lower surface 142 of the cover 14 of the first cooler 10, and the lower surfaces are in contact with the upper surface 241 of the cover 24 of the second cooler 20. Then, at each of the longitudinal ends, the male threads formed on the shaft portion 92 of the bolt 90, which passes through the through hole 144 of the cover 14, the through hole 84 of the connecting member 80, and the through hole 244 of the cover 24, are tightened from above the first cooler 10 to the female threads 61c and 62c formed on the support member 60. Furthermore, the male threads formed on the shaft portion 92 of the bolt 90, which passes through the through hole 145 of the cover 14, the through hole 41 of the spacer 40, and the through hole 245 of the cover 24, are tightened from above the first cooler 10 to the female thread 67a formed on the support member 60. As a result, the first cooler 10, the second cooler 20, and the heating element 100 are supported by the support member 60.

[0044] (Method of manufacturing the cooling device 1) The cooling device 1 configured as described above can be manufactured, for example, as follows. First, the case 23 of the second cooler 20 and the connecting member 80 are joined by laser welding. When laser welding, the connecting member 80 is placed on one end of the case 23 in the longitudinal direction and overlapped so that the first communication hole 237 and the through hole 81 coincide. Then, laser light is irradiated from the laser head of a laser device (not shown) toward the overlapped area. Similarly, the connecting member 80 is placed on the other end of the case 23 in the longitudinal direction and overlapped so that the second communication hole 238 and the through hole 81 coincide. Then, laser light is irradiated from the laser head of a laser device (not shown) toward the overlapped area.

[0045] Next, the case 23 and cover 24 of the second cooler 20 are superimposed so that the parallel portion 233 of the case 23 rests on the upper surface 241 of the cover 24. Then, laser light is continuously shone from the lower surface 242 of the cover 24 along its perimeter. In this way, the case 23 and cover 24 of the second cooler 20 are joined by laser welding. Similarly, the case 13 and cover 14 of the first cooler 10 are superimposed so that the parallel portion 133 of the case 13 rests on the upper surface 141 of the cover 14. Then, laser light is continuously shone from the lower surface 142 of the cover 14 along its perimeter. In this way, the case 13 and cover 14 of the first cooler 10 are joined by laser welding. The method for joining the case 13 and cover 14 of the first cooler 10, and the method for joining the case 23 and cover 24 of the second cooler 20, is not limited to laser welding. For example, other methods such as brazing may be used, but laser welding is preferred. By using laser welding, the case 13 or case 23 and the cover 14 or cover 24 can be joined more easily and with greater accuracy compared to other methods.

[0046] Subsequently, the second cooler 20, to which the connecting member 80 is joined, is placed on the support member 60. Then, the first cooler 10 is placed on top of the second cooler 20. At this time, three heating elements 100 are placed between the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20. More specifically, the three heating elements are arranged longitudinally between the bottom 231 of the case 23 of the second cooler 20 and the lower surface 142 of the cover 14 of the first cooler 10. In addition, four spacers 40 are placed between the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20. More specifically, the four spacers 40 are placed between the through holes 245 formed in the cover 24 of the second cooler 20 and the through holes 145 formed in the cover 14 of the first cooler 10.

[0047] Subsequently, at one end in the longitudinal direction, a bolt 90 is passed through the through hole 144 of the cover 14, the through hole 84 of the connecting member 80, and the through hole 244 of the cover 24 from the upper side of the first cooler 10, and the male thread formed on the shaft portion 92 is tightened into the female thread 61c of the support member 60. At the other end in the longitudinal direction, a bolt 90 is passed through the through hole 144 of the cover 14, the through hole 84 of the connecting member 80, and the through hole 244 of the cover 24 from the upper side of the first cooler 10, and the male thread formed on the shaft portion 92 is tightened into the female thread 62c of the support member 60. Furthermore, at a position surrounded by the recess 136 of the first cooler 10 and the recess of the second cooler 20, a bolt 90 is passed through the through hole 145 of the cover 14, the through hole 41 of the spacer 40, and the through hole 245 of the cover 24 from above the first cooler 10, and the male thread formed on the shaft portion 92 is tightened into the female thread 67a of the support member 60.

[0048] In the cooling device 1 configured as described above, the coolant that flows into the first space 61 from the first joint 63 of the support member 60 flows into the space S2 between the case 23 and the cover 24 of the second cooler 20 through the opening 61a and the first communication hole 246 formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the cover 24 of the second cooler 20. Then, a portion of the coolant that has flowed into space S2 travels longitudinally within space S2 and flows out of the second cooler 20 through the second communication hole 247 formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the cover 24.

[0049] Furthermore, a portion of the coolant that flows into space S2 flows out of the second cooler 20 through the first communication hole 237 formed at one end of the case 23 of the second cooler 20, and flows into space S1 between the case 13 and cover 14 of the first cooler 10 through the through hole 81 of the connecting member 80 and the first communication hole 146 formed at one end of the cover 14 of the first cooler 10 in the longitudinal direction. Then, a portion of the coolant that flows into space S1 travels longitudinally within space S1 and flows out of the first cooler 10 through the second communication hole 147 formed at the other end of the cover 14 in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] The coolant that has flowed out of the first cooler 10 flows out of the second cooler 20 through the through hole 81 of the connecting member 80, and the second communication hole 238 formed at the other longitudinal end of the case 23 of the second cooler 20, and the second communication hole 247 formed at the other longitudinal end of the cover 24. The coolant that flows out of the second cooler 20 enters the second space 62 through the opening 62a formed in the support member 60 and flows out from the second joint 64.

[0051] In this way, the cooling liquid cools the heat-generating element 100, which is placed between the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20, as it flows through the space S1 of the first cooler 10 and the space S2 of the second cooler 20.

[0052] In the cooling device 1 described above, three heat-generating elements 100 are arranged between the first cooler 10 and the second cooler 20, but the number is not limited to three. For example, there may be one, or two or more. Depending on the number of heat-generating elements 100 arranged between the coolers, the longitudinal length of the case (e.g., case 13) and cover (e.g., cover 14) that constitute the cooler (e.g., first cooler 10), the number of recesses (e.g., recesses 136) formed in the case (e.g., case 13), the number of heat sinks (e.g., heat sinks 12), etc., may be changed. Furthermore, although the cooling device 1 has only one heat-generating element 100 arranged in the vertical direction, it is not limited to one stage. There may be two or more stages. If there are two or more stages, it is advisable to increase the number of second coolers 20 relative to the cooling device 1. For example, in the case of two stages, two second coolers 20, each joined with a connecting member 80, may be stacked between the first cooler 10 and the support member 60.

[0053] Furthermore, in the cooling device 1 described above, the second cooler 20 and the connecting member 80 are joined by laser welding, but they do not necessarily have to be joined. For example, if the second cooler 20 and the connecting member 80 are not joined by laser welding, the space between the second cooler 20 and the connecting member 80 can be sealed with an O-ring.

[0054] As described above, the cooling device (for example, cooling device 1) comprises a cooler body (for example, cooler body 11, cooler body 12) each having a recessed case (for example, case 13, case 23) that houses a heat sink (for example, heat sink 12, heat sink 22) and a flat plate-shaped cover (for example, cover 14, cover 24) that covers the opening of the case, and a plurality of coolers (for example, first cooler) that circulate coolant inside the cooler body The cooler comprises a cooler 10, a second cooler 20, and a heat-generating element (e.g., heat-generating element 100) positioned between adjacent coolers. The cooler is then brought into close contact with the heat-generating element, and a support member (e.g., support member 60) supports the multiple coolers and the heat-generating element. The case of each cooler has a recess in which the side wall extending along the flow direction of the coolant is recessed inward. The fastening member is mounted in a position surrounded by the recess in each cooler. This allows for space savings in the cooling system compared to, for example, a case where the side walls of each cooler do not have recesses and the fastening members are attached to the outside of the side walls.

[0055] Furthermore, the cooler (for example, the first cooler 10, the second cooler 20) comprises a cooler body (for example, cooler body 11, cooler body 12) having a concave case (for example, case 13, case 23) that houses a heat sink (for example, heat sink 12, heat sink 22) and a flat plate-shaped cover (for example, cover 14, cover 24) that covers the opening of the case, and a cooler that cools a heat-generating element (for example, heat-generating element 100) placed outside the cooler body by circulating a coolant inside the cooler body, wherein the case has recesses (for example, recesses 136, recesses 236) where the side walls extending along the direction of the coolant flow are recessed inward, and fastening members (for example, bolts 90) for fastening the cooler to other parts can be attached in a position surrounded by the recesses. This allows for space savings in the cooler compared to, for example, a case where the side wall does not have a recess and the fastening member is attached to the outside of the side wall.

[0056] Here, the cases (for example, case 13, case 23) have parallel portions (for example, elongated portions 134, elongated portions 234) provided on the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover, and the side walls, at least in the recess, are directed outward from the case as they go from the parallel portions to the bottom. This reduces the pressure loss of the coolant flowing through the recess compared to a case where the side walls do not curve outward from the parallel section to the bottom of the case.

[0057] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the bottom portion of the recess and the end of the parallel portion are in the same position in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction. This reduces the pressure loss of the coolant flowing through the recess compared to when the position of the outer circumference of the bottom of the recess, perpendicular to the flow direction, is located inward compared to the end of the parallel section.

[0058] Furthermore, the cover has through holes (e.g., through holes 145, through holes 245) formed in the parts corresponding to the recesses, which penetrate the cover in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction, and the fastening member is a bolt (e.g., bolt 90) whose shaft portion (e.g., shaft portion 92) passes through the through hole and whose head portion (e.g., head portion 91) is positioned in the recess. Furthermore, the axial size of the head of the bolt is smaller than the axial size of the case. This allows for space savings in the cooler compared to, for example, a case where the axial size of the bolt head is larger than the axial size of the case.

[0059] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 7 shows an example of a plan view of the cooling device 1 according to the second embodiment. Note that the support member 60 and bolt 90 described above are omitted in Figure 7. Figures 8(a) to 8(c) show examples of cross-sections of the cooling device 1 according to the second embodiment. Figure 8(a) shows an example of a cross-section of section VIIIA-VIIIA in Figure 7, Figure 8(b) shows an example of a cross-section of section VIIIB-VIIIB in Figure 7, and Figure 8(c) shows an example of a cross-section of section VIIIC-VIIIC in Figure 7. In Figures 8(a) to 8(c), the cross-sections of sections VIIIA-VIIIA, VIIIB-VIIIB, and VIIIC-VIIIC in Figure 7 show one end in the short direction and a portion of the upper part in the vertical direction, respectively. In the second embodiment of the cooling device 1, the shapes of the case 13 of the first cooler 10 and the case 23 of the second cooler 20 differ from those of the first embodiment. Here, the shape of the case 13 of the first cooler 10 will be used as an example for explanation, but the case 23 of the second cooler 20 also has a similar shape in the part corresponding to case 13. In Figures 7 and 8(a) to (c), the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the first embodiment, and detailed explanations are omitted here.

[0060] In the case 13 of the first embodiment described above, the first region 134a, the second region 134b, and the third region 134c of the elongated portion 134 of the side wall 132 all extend in a direction perpendicular to the parallel portion 133. In contrast, in case 13 of the second embodiment, the first region 134a and the second region 134b of the elongated portion 134 of the side wall 132 are directed outward from the case 13 as you move from the parallel portion 133 to the bottom portion 131. In addition, this example is an example of a portion of the side wall 132 where the first region 134a and the second region 134b are directed outward from the case 13 as you move from the parallel portion 133 to the bottom portion 131. Furthermore, in case 13 to which the second embodiment is applied, the third region 134c of the elongated portion 134 of the side wall 132 extends in a direction perpendicular to the parallel portion 133.

[0061] In the case 13 of the second embodiment, the first region 134a, the second region 134b, and the third region 134c of the side wall 132 have the shapes described above, so that the outer periphery of the bottom 131 on the upstream side in the flow direction extends further outwards from the case 13 than the outer periphery of the bottom 131 on the downstream side in the flow direction. More specifically, the boundary between the bottom portion 131 and the first region 134a, in other words, the outer periphery of the bottom portion 131 in the area where the upstream heating element 100 in the flow direction is located, extends further outward from the case 13 than the boundary between the bottom portion 131 and the second region 134b, in other words, the outer periphery of the bottom portion 131 in the area where the middle heating element 100 in the flow direction is located. Also, the boundary between the bottom portion 131 and the second region 134b, in other words, the outer periphery of the bottom portion 131 in the area where the middle heating element 100 in the flow direction is located, extends further outward than the boundary between the bottom portion 131 and the third region 134c, in other words, the outer periphery of the bottom portion 131 in the area where the downstream heating element 100 in the flow direction is located.

[0062] Furthermore, in the first cooler 10 of the second embodiment, the side wall 132 of the case 13 has the shape described above, so that the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction between the elongated portion 134 of the case 13 and the heat sink 12 on the upstream side of the flow direction in the space S1 is larger than the cross-sectional area between the elongated portion 134 of the case 13 and the heat sink 12 on the downstream side of the flow direction. More specifically, within space S1, the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction between the first region 134a and the first heat sink 121 is larger than the cross-sectional area between the second region 134b and the second heat sink 122. Also, within space S1, the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction between the second region 134b and the second heat sink 122 is larger than the cross-sectional area between the third region 134c and the third heat sink 123.

[0063] In the first cooler 10 of the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the coolant flowing out from the second cooler 20 flows into the space S1 between the case 13 and the cover 14 through the first communication hole 146 formed at one longitudinal end of the cover 14. Then, a portion of the coolant that has flowed into the space S1 travels longitudinally through the space S1 and flows out of the first cooler 10 through the second communication hole 238 formed at the other longitudinal end of the cover 14.

[0064] In addition, in the first cooler 10, a portion of the coolant flowing into space S1 proceeds through space S1 in the following order: the portion sandwiched between the first region 134a of case 13, the portion sandwiched between the second region 134b, and the portion sandwiched between the third region 134c. In this case, the portion of space S1 sandwiched between the second region 134b is supplied with coolant that has cooled the heat-generating element 100 in the portion sandwiched between the first region 134a. Similarly, the portion of space S1 sandwiched between the third region 134c is supplied with coolant that has cooled the heat-generating element 100 in the portions sandwiched between the first region 134a and the second region 134b. As a result, in the first cooler 10, the temperature of the coolant circulating in space S1 tends to be higher towards the downstream side in the flow direction. More specifically, the temperature of the coolant in the part of space S1 sandwiched between the second region 134b tends to be higher than in the part sandwiched between the first region 134a. Similarly, the temperature of the coolant in the part of space S1 sandwiched between the third region 134c tends to be higher than in the part sandwiched between the second region 134b.

[0065] Here, as in the first cooler 10 of the first embodiment, when the first region 134a, the second region 134b, and the third region 134c of the case 13 have the same shape as each other, the cooling performance for cooling the heat-generating element 100 tends to decrease further downstream in the flow direction of the space S1 where the temperature of the coolant is higher. More specifically, the cooling performance of the heat-generating element 100 in the part of space S1 sandwiched between the second region 134b tends to be lower than that of the part sandwiched between the first region 134a. Similarly, the cooling performance of the heat-generating element 100 in the part of space S1 sandwiched between the third region 134c tends to be lower than that of the part sandwiched between the second region 134b. In this case, a temperature difference may occur between the heating element 100 located upstream in the flow direction and the heating element 100 located downstream in the cooling device 1.

[0066] In contrast, in the first cooler 10 of the second embodiment, the side wall 132 of the case 13 has the above-described configuration, so that the amount of coolant flowing between the long portion 134 of the case 13 and the heat sink 12 in the space S1 increases towards the upstream side in the flow direction. As a result, the amount of coolant flowing between the fins 12b of the heat sink 12 in the space S1 decreases towards the upstream side in the flow direction. Thus, in the first cooler 10 of the second embodiment, the cooling performance of the heat-generating element 100 on the upstream side in the flow direction can be reduced compared to the first embodiment, and the difference in cooling performance between the upstream and downstream sides in the flow direction can be reduced. More specifically, in the first cooler 10 of the second embodiment, the first region 134a, the second region 134b, and the third region 134c in the side wall 132 of the case 13 have the above-described relationship, so that the amount of coolant flowing between the fins 12b of the first heatsink 121 is less than the amount of coolant flowing between the fins 12b of the second heatsink 122. Similarly, the amount of coolant flowing between the fins 12b of the second heatsink 122 is less than the amount of coolant flowing between the fins 12b of the third heatsink 123. As a result, in the first cooler 10 of the second embodiment, the difference in cooling performance of the heat-generating element 100 between the portion of space S1 sandwiched between the first region 134a, the portion sandwiched between the second region 134b, and the portion sandwiched between the third region 134c can be reduced.

[0067] As described above, in the coolers (e.g., first cooler 10, second cooler 20), the cases (e.g., cases 13, 23) have parallel portions (e.g., elongated portions 134, 234) provided on the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover (e.g., cover 14, cover 24), and the side walls (e.g., side walls 132, side walls 232) have portions (e.g., first region 134a, second region 134b) that extend outward from the parallel portions towards the bottom (e.g., bottom 131, bottom 231), and the outer circumference of the bottom on the upstream side in the flow direction extends outward more than the outer circumference of the bottom on the downstream side in the flow direction. Here, the heating elements (for example, heating element 100) are arranged in a row of three in the flow direction, and the outer circumference of the bottom of the upstream heating element (for example, the first region 134a) extends outward more than the outer circumference of the bottom of the middle heating element (for example, the second region 134b), and the outer circumference of the bottom of the middle heating element extends outward more than the outer circumference of the bottom of the downstream heating element (for example, the third region 134c). This makes it possible to reduce the difference in cooling performance between the upstream and downstream sides in the flow direction of the cooler. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1...Cooling device, 10...First cooler, 11, 21...Cooler body, 12, 22...Heat sink, 13, 23...Case, 14, 24...Cover, 20...Second cooler, 40...Spacer, 60...Support member, 80...Connecting member, 100...Heating element, 131...Bottom, 132...Side wall, 133...Parallel section, 134...Long section, 135...Connection section, 136...Recess

Claims

1. A cooler comprising a cooler body having a recessed case that houses a heat sink and has a bottom and side walls extending from the outer circumference of the bottom, and a flat plate-shaped cover that covers the opening of the case, wherein a heat-generating element placed outside the cooler body is cooled by circulating a coolant inside the cooler body, The case has a recess in which the side wall extending along the direction of flow of the coolant is recessed inward, and a parallel portion provided at the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover. The side wall, at least in the recess, is directed outward from the case as it goes from the parallel portion to the bottom, A cooler on which a fastening member for fastening the cooler to other parts can be attached in a position surrounded by the recess.

2. The outer periphery of the bottom portion of the recess and the end of the parallel portion are in the same position in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction. The cooler according to claim 1.

3. The cover has through holes formed in the portion corresponding to the recess, which penetrate the cover in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction. The fastening member is a bolt whose shaft is passed through the through hole and whose head is positioned in the recess. The cooler according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The axial size of the head of the bolt is smaller than the axial size of the case. The cooler according to claim 3.

5. A cooler comprising a cooler body having a recessed case that houses a heat sink and has a bottom and side walls extending from the outer circumference of the bottom, and a flat plate-shaped cover that covers the opening of the case, wherein a heat-generating element placed outside the cooler body is cooled by circulating a coolant inside the cooler body, The case has a recess in which the side wall extending along the direction of flow of the coolant is recessed inward, and a parallel portion provided at the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover. The side wall has a portion that extends outward from the parallel portion towards the bottom, and the outer circumference of the bottom on the upstream side in the flow direction extends outward more than the outer circumference of the bottom on the downstream side in the flow direction. A cooler on which a fastening member for fastening the cooler to other parts can be attached in a position surrounded by the recess.

6. The heating element is arranged in a row of three in the direction of flow. The outer circumference of the bottom of the upstream heating element is located further outward than the outer circumference of the bottom of the middle heating element is located, and the outer circumference of the bottom of the middle heating element is located further outward than the outer circumference of the bottom of the downstream heating element is located. The cooler according to claim 5.

7. The cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the case and the cover are joined by laser welding.

8. Each cooler body comprises a concave case having a bottom and side walls extending from the outer circumference of the bottom, which house a heat sink, and a flat plate-shaped cover that covers the opening of the case, and a plurality of coolers through which a coolant flows inside the cooler body, The cooler is positioned in close contact with a heating element placed between adjacent coolers, and the cooler is equipped with a support member that fastens multiple coolers to a support member that supports multiple coolers and heating elements. Each of the coolers has a case in which the side wall extending along the flow direction of the coolant is recessed inward, and a parallel portion provided at the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover. The side wall, at least in the recess, is directed outward from the case as it goes from the parallel portion to the bottom, The fastening member is attached to each of the coolers in a position surrounded by the recess. Cooling device.

9. Each cooler body comprises a concave case having a bottom and side walls extending from the outer circumference of the bottom, which house a heat sink, and a flat plate-shaped cover that covers the opening of the case, and a plurality of coolers through which a coolant flows inside the cooler body, The cooler is positioned in close contact with a heating element placed between adjacent coolers, and the cooler is equipped with a support member that fastens multiple coolers to a support member that supports multiple coolers and heating elements. Each of the coolers has a case in which the side wall extending along the flow direction of the coolant is recessed inward, and a parallel portion provided at the edge of the opening and extending in a direction parallel to the cover. The side wall has a portion that extends outward from the parallel portion towards the bottom, and the outer circumference of the bottom on the upstream side in the flow direction extends outward more than the outer circumference of the bottom on the downstream side in the flow direction. The fastening member is attached to each of the coolers in a position surrounded by the recess. Cooling device.

Images