Conductor component with cooling structure

Abstract

To provide a conductor member with a cooling structure capable of improving the cooling efficiency of a conductor member.SOLUTION: A conductor member 1 with a cooling structure includes a conductor member 11, a refrigerant case 12 formed of insulating resin and provided with a pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets for allowing a refrigerant to flow in and out, and a heat transfer member 13 having a first portion 131 connected to the conductor member 11 and a second portion 132 connected to the refrigerant case 12 in a state of contacting the refrigerant inside the refrigerant case 12, thereby connecting the conductor member 11 and the refrigerant case 12 to each other and receiving heat generated in the conductor member 11 at the first portion 131 and transferring it from the second portion 132 to the refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant case 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a conductor member with a cooling structure that connects a component terminal of an electrical and electronic component to an electrical connection target while cooling itself.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cooling structure is known in which heat of a conductor member that connects a component terminal of an electrical and electronic component to an electrical connection target is transferred to the bottom wall of the device housing for heat dissipation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The cooling structure of this Patent Document 1 is a structure in which heat of a metal conductor member is transferred to the bottom wall through an insulating member to prevent leakage of electricity while dissipating heat of the conductor member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in the conductor member with a cooling structure adopting the cooling structure of Patent Document 1 described above, there are many intervening substances between the conductor member and the bottom wall as a cooling plate, and the cooling efficiency tends to be low.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a conductor member with a cooling structure that can improve the cooling efficiency for the conductor member by paying attention to the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the conductor member with a cooling structure comprises: a conductor member formed in the shape of a strip of conductive metal, with one end connected to a component terminal of a predetermined electrical electronic component and the other end connected to an electrically connected object of the electrical electronic component to conduct electricity; a refrigerant case formed of insulating resin to house a refrigerant, with a pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets provided for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the case; and a heat transfer member, the first part of which is connected to the conductor member by screw fastening, and the second part which enters the interior of the refrigerant case and is connected to the refrigerant case in contact with the refrigerant, thereby connecting the conductor member and the refrigerant case to each other, and receiving the heat generated in the conductor member with the first part and transferring it from the second part to the refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant case. The conductor member is connected to the component terminal by screw fastening at one end, and the heat transfer member is connected to the component terminal together with the one end of the conductor member by screw fastening at the component terminal. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The above-described conductive member with a cooling structure can improve the cooling efficiency of the conductive member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a conductive member with a cooling structure according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conductive member with a cooling structure. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of a conductor member with a cooling structure along the line V11-V11 in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a conductor member with a cooling structure along the V12-V12 line in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes one embodiment of a conductor member with a cooling structure.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a conductor member with a cooling structure according to one embodiment, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the conductor member with a cooling structure shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the conductor member with a cooling structure along the line V11-V11 in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the conductor member with a cooling structure along the line V12-V12 in Figure 1.

[0011] The conductor member 1 with a cooling structure in this embodiment is a member for connecting each of the component terminals E11 of a relay, which is an electrical electronic component E1, to the electrical connection target of the electrical electronic component E1. The electrical electronic component E1 is provided with a pair of component terminals E11, and the conductor member 1 with a cooling structure comprises a pair of conductor members 11, a refrigerant case 12, and a pair of heat transfer members 13.

[0012] The conductor member 11 is a busbar formed from a conductive metal such as copper in the shape of a rectangular strip, with one end connected to the component terminal E11 of the electrical electronic component E1 and the other end connected to the electrically connected object of the electrical electronic component E1 to conduct electricity. In this embodiment, a pair of conductor members 11 are provided so as to be connected one-to-one to the component terminal E11 provided on the electrical electronic component E1, and each extends in the arrangement direction D11 of the component terminal E11. Both ends of each conductor member 11 are provided with screw through-holes 111 through which fastening screws E12 pass so as to be connected to the component terminal E11 and the electrically connected object by screw fastening.

[0013] The refrigerant case 12 is a flat rectangular box-shaped case made of insulating resin that houses the refrigerant, and is provided with a pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets 121 for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the case. In this embodiment, water, which is a conductive fluid, is used as the refrigerant. The refrigerant case 12 is arranged such that one side of its flat rectangular box-shaped exterior faces the connection between a pair of conductive members 11 and a pair of component terminals E11 of the electrical electronic component E1. A pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets 121 are provided near the other side opposite to this connection side, so that the refrigerant flows along the arrangement direction D11 of the component terminals E11. These pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets 121 are attached one to one on the other side of a pair of opposing side walls that intersect with the arrangement direction D11 of the component terminals E11 in the refrigerant case 12 arranged as described above, with one being the refrigerant inlet and the other being the refrigerant outlet.

[0014] In this embodiment, the electrical and electronic component E1 has a rectangular block-like appearance, and a pair of component terminals E11 are provided on one of its six faces. On this face, a single interterminal rib E13 is erected between the pair of component terminals E11, extending in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction D11 of the component terminals E11. The refrigerant case 12 has a slit portion 12a formed on one side of the connection portion between the pair of conductor members 11 and the pair of component terminals E11 to receive this interterminal rib E13. The slit portion 12a is formed by cutting in a direction D12 intersecting the arrangement direction D11, extending slightly beyond the center of the refrigerant case 12. The refrigerant case 12 is positioned so that the interterminal rib E13 of the electrical and electronic component E1 is fitted into this slit portion 12a. The refrigerant case 12 has a C-shape when viewed from the thickness direction D13, with a slit portion 12a between a pair of arms in the C-shape, and the tips of the pair of arms each serving as an inlet 12b into which the heat transfer member 13 (described later) enters. A pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets 121 are provided at the base of the pair of arms, and the heat from the heat transfer member 13 that enters through the inlet 12b is absorbed by the refrigerant flowing in through one of the inlets and outlets 121, and the heat is discharged as the refrigerant flows out through the other inlet and outlet 121. In this embodiment, the C-shaped, flattened rectangular box-shaped refrigerant case 12 comprises a case body 122 and a case lid 123, each formed in a C-shape, and the pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets 121 are attached to the side wall of the case body 122. The case body 122 and the case lid 123 are joined by adhesive bonding or welding by heating and melting the joint.

[0015] The heat transfer member 13 is a member in which a first portion 131 is connected to the conductor member 11, and a second portion 132 is connected to the refrigerant case 12 while entering the interior of the refrigerant case 12 and in contact with the refrigerant. In this embodiment, the heat transfer member 13 is a member formed in the shape of a rectangular strip of a conductive metal such as copper, with one end being the first portion 131 and the other end being the second portion 132. Here, the connection between the first portion 131 of the heat transfer member 13 and the conductor member 11 is made by fastening a screw to a component terminal E11 on one end of the conductor member 11. For this fastening, the first portion 131 of the heat transfer member 13 is provided with a screw through hole 133 through which the screw E12 passes. A pair of such heat transfer members 13 are provided so that each first portion 131 is connected one-to-one to a pair of conductor members 11. Each heat transfer member 13 is connected to the conductor member 11 by having its first portion 131 connected to the conductor member 11 and its second portion 132 connected to the refrigerant case 12. Furthermore, the second portion 132, which has entered the interior of the refrigerant case 12, comes into contact with the refrigerant, so that the heat generated in the conductor member 11 when electricity is applied is received by the first portion 131 and transferred from the second portion 132 to the refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant case 12.

[0016] As described above, the refrigerant case 12 has a pair of member entry points 12b on the side where the conductor member 11 and the component terminal E11 are connected. The second portion 132 of the pair of heat transfer members 13, which are connected to the component terminal E11 together with the conductor member 11, enters the pair of member entry points 12b one-to-one. Furthermore, in the refrigerant case 12, each member entry point 12b in the state where the second portion 132 has entered is sealed by a rubber sealing member 124.

[0017] Here, each heat transfer member 13 is fastened and connected in a state where a first portion 131 is overlapped on one surface of the front and back surfaces of the conductor member 11, specifically, the surface opposite to the component terminal E11. And each heat transfer member 13 extends from one side edge of the conductor member 11 in a direction intersecting with the one side edge, that is, in a direction D12 intersecting with the arrangement direction D11 of the component terminals E11. Further, the pair of heat transfer members 13 extend from the side edges on the same side of each other between the pair of conductor members 11 in the above-mentioned intersecting direction D12. And in the refrigerant case 12, a pair of member inlets 12b arranged in the arrangement direction D11 are provided with the slit portion 12a interposed therebetween so that the second portions 132 of the pair of heat transfer members 13 enter in a state arranged in the above-mentioned arrangement direction D11. Also, regarding the intersecting direction D12, a pair of refrigerant inlets / outlets 121 are provided one-to-one on the side closer to the opposite side of the member inlets 12b in the pair of opposing side walls of the refrigerant case 12. Refrigerant flows along the arrangement direction D11 in the portion closer to the opposite side inside the refrigerant case 12, and absorbs heat from the second portions 132 of the pair of heat transfer members 13 during the flow.

[0018] Also, in the present embodiment, insulation treatment is performed at the following locations so that the conductor member 11 having conductivity and the refrigerant are electrically insulated from each other. That is, insulation treatment is performed on at least one of the connection locations between the conductor member 11 formed of each conductive metal and the heat transfer member 13, and the contact locations between the heat transfer member 13 and the refrigerant. In the present embodiment, as such insulation treatment, an insulating paint 134 is applied to the contact surface of the heat transfer member 13 with the conductor member 11.

[0019] According to the conductor member 1 with the cooling structure of the embodiment described above, the heat generated in the conductor member 11 is transmitted to the refrigerant inside the refrigerant case 12 only through the heat transfer member 13. Therefore, according to the conductor member 1 with the above-mentioned cooling structure, the cooling efficiency with respect to the conductor member 11 can be improved as compared with a structure in which heat is transmitted to a cooling plate through a plurality of inclusions or the like.

[0020] Here, in the present embodiment, one end side of the conductor member 11 is connected to the component terminal E11 by screw fastening, and the heat transfer member 13 has the first portion 131 fastened together with one end side of the conductor member 11 to the component terminal E11 by screw fastening. In the conductor member 11, the location most likely to generate heat when electricity is supplied to the electrical and electronic component E1 is the connection point with the component terminal E11. According to the above configuration, since the first portion 131 of the heat transfer member 13 is fastened together with one end side of the conductor member 11 to the component terminal E11 of the electrical and electronic component E1, the heat during energization can be more effectively transferred to the refrigerant, further improving the cooling efficiency.

[0021] Also, in the present embodiment, in the refrigerant case 12, the member inlet 12b in the state where the second portion 132 of the heat transfer member 13 has entered is sealed by the sealing member 124. According to this configuration, since the second portion 132 of the heat transfer member 13 enters in the state where the member inlet 12b in the refrigerant case 12 is sealed, a liquid cooling type cooling structure with high cooling efficiency using a liquid such as water as the refrigerant can be adopted.

[0022] Also, in the present embodiment, the first portion 131 of the rectangular strip-shaped heat transfer member 13 is overlapped on one surface of the conductor member, and extends from one side edge in the intersecting direction D12 so that the second portion 132 of the heat transfer member 13 enters the inside of the refrigerant case 12. According to this configuration, the extension length of the heat transfer member 13 from the conductor member can be suppressed and brought into contact with the refrigerant inside the refrigerant case 12, so that the cooling efficiency can be further improved.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the refrigerant is water, which is a conductive fluid, and the heat transfer member 13 is made of a conductive metal. Insulation treatment is applied to at least one of the following locations: the connection point between the conductor member 11 and the heat transfer member 13, and the contact point between the heat transfer member 13 and the refrigerant, so that the conductor member 11 and the refrigerant are electrically insulated from each other. Specifically, insulation treatment is applied to the connection point between the heat transfer member 13 and the conductor member 11 by applying insulating paint 134. With this configuration, cooling efficiency is further improved by forming the heat transfer member 13 with a conductive metal that has high thermal conductivity, while effectively preventing situations such as the conductor member 11 short-circuiting to an unintended location via the refrigerant. And, based on this short-circuit prevention, water, which is a common conductive refrigerant, can be used.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pair of heat transfer members 13 are provided such that each first portion 131 is connected one-to-one to a pair of conductive members 11, and the second portion 132 of each of the pair of heat transfer members 13 enters the inside of the refrigerant case 12 and is in contact with the refrigerant. With this configuration, the heat generated when current is applied to a pair of conductive members 11 connected to a pair of component terminals E11, such as + / -, which are commonly found in electrical and electronic components E1, can be efficiently cooled by the refrigerant in a single refrigerant case 12.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second portion 132 of each of the pair of heat transfer members 13 enters the refrigerant case 12 with them aligned in the arrangement direction D11, and a pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets 121 are provided so that the refrigerant flows along the arrangement direction D11. With this configuration, by configuring the flow path of the refrigerant along the pair of conductor members 11 that each extends along the arrangement direction D11 of the component terminals E11, the arrangement of the conductor members 11 and the refrigerant case 12 can be optimized, thereby enabling miniaturization of the conductor member 1 with a cooling structure.

[0026] It should be noted that the embodiments described above merely represent typical forms of conductor members with cooling structures. Conductor members with cooling structures are not limited to these and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0027] For example, in the embodiment described above, a conductor member 1 with a cooling structure is provided as an example of a conductor member with a cooling structure, which connects each of the pair of component terminals E11 of a relay, which is an electrical electronic component E1, to an electrical connection target. However, the conductor member with a cooling structure is not limited to this, and the electrical electronic component to be connected may be an electrical component other than a relay, or any other electronic component.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a liquid-cooled conductor member 1 with a cooling structure is provided as an example of a conductor member with a cooling structure, in which water, a conductive liquid, is flowed as a refrigerant. However, the conductor member with a cooling structure is not limited to this, and the refrigerant may be a non-conductive liquid or an air-cooling gas. When a non-conductive liquid or an air-cooling gas is used as the refrigerant, insulation treatment of the conductor member or heat transfer member becomes unnecessary.

[0029] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a conductor member 1 with a cooling structure is exemplified, in which a pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets 121 are provided on a pair of opposing side walls of the refrigerant case 12 in a one-to-one ratio. However, the conductor member with a cooling structure is not limited to this, and the pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets may be attached at any position in the refrigerant case.

[0030] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a refrigerant case 12 is exemplified as an example of a refrigerant case, comprising a case body 122 and a case lid 123, which are joined to each other by adhesive or welding. However, the refrigerant case is not limited to this, and any specific component configuration can be adopted as long as it is a case made of insulating resin that houses a refrigerant.

[0031] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a heat transfer member 13 is provided as an example of a heat transfer member, which is fastened together with the conductor member 11 to the component terminal E11 by screw fastening. However, the heat transfer member is not limited to this, and may be connected to a portion of the conductor member that is far from the connection point to the component terminal. However, as mentioned above, the cooling efficiency can be further improved by fastening the heat transfer member 13 and the conductor member 11 together.

[0032] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a refrigerant case 12 is exemplified in which the member inlet 12b, into which the second portion 132 of the heat transfer member 13 enters, is sealed by a rubber sealing member 124. However, the refrigerant case is not limited to this, and the member inlet may not be sealed, and a gas may be used as the refrigerant and allowed to flow out from the member inlet. However, as mentioned above, sealing the member inlet 12b of the refrigerant case 12 allows for the adoption of a liquid-cooled cooling structure with high cooling efficiency. It should be noted that this sealing member is not limited to rubber, and any specific material is acceptable as long as it can seal the member inlet.

[0033] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, as an example of a heat transfer member, a heat transfer member 13 is provided in which a first portion 131 is superimposed on the conductor member 11 and extends in the intersecting direction D12 from one side edge, and a second portion 132 enters the interior of the refrigerant case 12. However, the heat transfer member is not limited to this, and any arrangement can be adopted for its relative position to the conductor member and refrigerant case. However, as mentioned above, by using a configuration in which the heat transfer member 13 enters the refrigerant case 12 in an intersecting arrangement with respect to the conductor member 11, the extension length of the heat transfer member 13 from the conductor member 11 can be reduced, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency.

[0034] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of a conductor member with a cooling structure, a conductor member 1 with a cooling structure is provided in which a heat transfer member 13 made of a conductive metal is used, and insulation treatment is applied so that the conductor member 11 and the water used as a coolant are electrically insulated from each other. However, the conductor member with a cooling structure is not limited to this, and insulating materials may be used for the heat transfer member and coolant, eliminating the need for insulation treatment of the conductor member. However, as mentioned above, it is possible to use water, a common conductive coolant, while further improving the cooling efficiency by using a heat transfer member made of a conductive metal with high thermal conductivity, and applying appropriate insulation treatment. Note that the location where insulation treatment is applied is not limited to the contact point between the heat transfer member 13 and the conductor member 11, as in the above-described embodiment. Any location can be used where insulation treatment is applied, as long as it is at least one of the connection point between the conductor member and the heat transfer member, and the contact point between the heat transfer member and the coolant.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of a conductor member with a cooling structure, a conductor member 1 with a cooling structure is provided in which a pair of heat transfer members 13 are provided such that each first portion 131 is connected to a pair of conductor members 11 in a one-to-one relationship. However, the conductor member with a cooling structure is not limited to this, and may consist of only one heat transfer member connected to one conductor member. Alternatively, the conductor member with a cooling structure may consist of multiple heat transfer members provided such that each heat transfer member is connected to three or more conductor members in a one-to-one relationship. However, as described above, the configuration in which a pair of heat transfer members 13 are provided to a pair of conductor members 11 can be efficiently cooled to a pair of conductor members 11 connected to a pair of component terminals E11, which are often found in electrical and electronic components E1.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of a conductor member with a cooling structure, a conductor member 1 with a cooling structure is provided in which the second portions 132 of a pair of heat transfer members 13 are arranged in the arrangement direction D11 inside the refrigerant case 12, and the refrigerant flows along this arrangement direction D11. However, the conductor member with a cooling structure is not limited to this, and the arrangement of the second portions of the heat transfer members inside the refrigerant case and the direction in which the refrigerant flows can be arbitrarily set. However, as mentioned above, by setting the arrangement of the second portions 132 of the heat transfer members 13 and the direction in which the refrigerant flows to the arrangement direction D11 of the component terminals E11 to which the pair of conductor members 11 extend, the conductor member 1 with a cooling structure can be miniaturized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Conductor member with cooling structure 11 Conductor Member 12 Refrigerant Cases 12a Slit section 12b Component entrance 13 Heat transfer components 111,133 Screw through holes 121 Refrigerant inlet / outlet 122 Case body 123 Case lid 124 Sealing member 131 Part 1 132 Part 2 134 Insulating paint D11 Array direction D12 Intersecting direction D13 Thickness direction E1 Electrical and Electronic Components E11 component terminal E12 Screw E13 Inter-terminal rib

Claims

1. A conductive member formed in the shape of a strip of conductive metal, with one end connected to a component terminal of a predetermined electrical or electronic component and the other end connected to an electrical connection target of the said electrical or electronic component, and which conducts current. A refrigerant case formed of insulating resin for housing a refrigerant, the case having a pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit, A heat transfer member is provided, in which the first part is connected to the conductor member by screw fastening, and the second part is connected to the refrigerant case in a state where it enters the interior of the refrigerant case and is in contact with the refrigerant, thereby connecting the conductor member and the refrigerant case to each other, and receiving the heat generated in the conductor member at the first part and transmitting it from the second part to the refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant case, Equipped with, The conductor member is connected at one end to the component terminal by fastening with a component screw, The heat transfer member is a conductor member with a cooling structure, characterized in that the first portion is fastened together with the one end of the conductor member to the component terminal by screw fastening, which is the screw fastening for the component.

2. The conductor member with a cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant case has a member entry port into which the second portion of the heat transfer member enters, and the member entry port in the state in which the second portion enters is sealed by a predetermined sealing member.

3. The conductor member with a cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat transfer member is formed in the shape of a strip, the first portion is superimposed on one of the front or back surfaces of the conductor member, and the second portion extends from one side edge of the conductor member in a direction intersecting the said side edge and enters the interior of the refrigerant case.

4. The refrigerant is a conductive fluid, The heat transfer member is made of a conductive metal, The conductor member with a cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the connection points between the conductor member and the heat transfer member, and the contact points between the heat transfer member and the refrigerant, is insulated so that the conductor member and the refrigerant are electrically insulated from each other.

5. The aforementioned electrical and electronic component is provided with a pair of component terminals. The conductor members are provided in pairs, each connected one-to-one to a pair of component terminals, and each extends in the direction of the arrangement of the component terminals. The heat transfer member is provided in a pair such that the first portion of each of the pair of conductor members is connected to the other in a one-to-one manner. The conductive member with a cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion of each of the pair of heat transfer members enters the inside of the refrigerant case and comes into contact with the refrigerant.

6. The pair of heat transfer members extend from the same side edge between the pair of conductor members so as to intersect with the arrangement direction. The conductive member with a cooling structure according to claim 5, wherein the second portions of each of the pair of heat transfer members enter the refrigerant case in an aligned manner in the direction of arrangement, and the pair of refrigerant inlets and outlets are provided arranged so that the refrigerant flows along the direction of arrangement.

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