Cooling unit
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NIDEC CORP(JP)
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
Smart Images
Figure 0007886181000001 
Figure 0007886181000002 
Figure 0007886181000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling unit.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cooling device. Inside the housing of the cooling device, an electrolytic capacitor, a power semiconductor module, and a printed circuit board as heat sources are provided. When the heat sources operate, the ambient temperature rises. The cooling device cools the air inside the housing. Inside the cooling device, air is circulated by a micro fan. The heat of the air is collected by the air cooling fins of the cooling device and then transferred to a cooling body by a heat pipe. The cooling body has an inlet and an outlet. One cooling pipe is connected to each of the inlet and the outlet. Inside the cooling body, low-temperature refrigerant flows in from the inlet through the cooling pipe. The heat transferred from the heat pipe moves to the refrigerant inside the cooling body. Then, the high-temperature refrigerant flows out of the cooling device from the outlet. As a result, the heat inside the electronic device is carried out of the electrical device.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In Patent Document 1, two cooling pipes are connected to each of a plurality of cooling bodies. Therefore, depending on the routing of a large number of cooling pipes, the cooling device becomes large. Note that Patent Document 1 does not describe the specific routing of each cooling pipe.
[0005] Also, in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the optimal arrangement of built-in components for efficiently circulating air by a micro fan.
[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a cooling unit that efficiently circulates air while suppressing its size. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] An exemplary cooling unit of this disclosure is connectable to a cold plate that is thermally in contact with a heat source. The cooling unit comprises a first manifold, a second manifold, a radiator, and a blower. The first manifold has a first pipe and a plurality of outlets. The first manifold discharges refrigerant that has flowed through the first pipe from the plurality of outlets toward the cold plate. The second manifold has a plurality of inlets and a second pipe. In the second manifold, refrigerant that has flowed from the cold plate to the plurality of inlets flows through the second pipe. The radiator has a plurality of spaced-apart flow paths. In the radiator, refrigerant that has flowed through the second pipe flows through the plurality of flow paths. The blower generates an airflow that flows between the plurality of flow paths in a first direction perpendicular to the plurality of flow paths. Each of the first pipe and the second pipe faces a portion of the radiator in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to this exemplary disclosure, it is possible to provide a cooling unit that efficiently circulates air while suppressing its size. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a refrigerant circuit in a cooling unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cooling unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the cooling unit shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a perspective view of the internal configuration of the cooling unit shown in Figure 3, viewed from a different viewing angle than in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cooling unit along line VV shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3 shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling unit along the line VI-VI shown in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be repeated in the description.
[0011] Figure 1 shows a refrigerant circuit in a cooling unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the cooling unit 100 comprises a pump unit 1, two first manifolds 2, two second manifolds 3, a radiator 4, and an air blower unit 5.
[0012] For ease of understanding, this specification refers to mutually orthogonal first directions D1, second direction D2, and third direction D3 as appropriate. The first direction D1 is the direction perpendicular to the multiple flow paths 431 in the radiator 4 (see within frame W1). The second direction D2 is the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. In detail, the second direction D2 is the direction in which each flow path 431 extends.
[0013] Furthermore, one side of the first direction D1 is described as the first direction side D11, and the other side of the first direction D1 is described as the first direction other side D12. The first direction side D11 is the direction in which air flows between the multiple flow paths 431 in the radiator 4. One side of the second direction D2 is described as the second direction side D21, and the other side of the second direction D2 is described as the second direction other side D22. The second direction side D21 is the direction in which refrigerant flows in the multiple flow paths 431. One side of the third direction D3 is described as the third direction side D31, and the other side of the third direction D3 is described as the third direction other side D32. However, these directions are defined merely for the sake of explanation and do not limit the orientation of the exemplary cold plate in use in this disclosure, except when it is necessary to define the horizontal and vertical directions in particular. Also, in this specification, "orthogonal directions" includes substantially orthogonal directions.
[0014] The pump unit 1 has three pump units 11. Each pump unit 11 has, for example, two centrifugal pumps. However, each pump unit 11 is not limited to centrifugal pumps and may have other types. Each pump unit 11 has an inlet 11A, a discharge port 11B, and an impeller (not shown). Each pump unit 11 draws in the refrigerant flowing out of the radiator 4 through the inlet 11A by the rotation of its own impeller and discharges the drawn-in refrigerant through the discharge port 11B. The refrigerant is a coolant. Examples of coolants include antifreeze or pure water. Typical examples of antifreeze are aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.
[0015] Each first manifold 2 has a first pipe 21, an inlet 22, a plurality of outlet pipes 23, a plurality of outlets 24, and a flow path 25. The first pipe 21 is a tubular member extending in the second direction D2. An inlet 22 is formed at one end of the first pipe 21 on one side D21 in the second direction. The other end of the first pipe 21 on the other side D22 in the second direction is closed. The inlet 22 is connected to each discharge port 11B via a flow path 91. The flow path 91 allows refrigerant to flow from each discharge port 11B to the inlet 22. Each outlet pipe 23 protrudes from the circumferential surface of the first pipe 21 and extends along the first direction D1. The plurality of outlet pipes 23 are arranged at intervals in the second direction D2. One outlet 24 is formed at the end of each outlet pipe 23. The plurality of flow paths 25 connect the inlet 22 and the plurality of outlets 24 so that refrigerant can flow. Each of the first manifolds 2 is made of a rigid material. The rigid material is either metal or resin.
[0016] The refrigerant discharged from the pump unit 1 flows into the first piping 21 through the flow path 91 and into each inlet 22. The refrigerant flows through the flow paths 25 in the first piping 21 and each outlet pipe 23, and flows out from multiple outlets 24. The multiple outlets 24 are connected to multiple cold plates 61 by multiple flow paths 92. The multiple flow paths 92 allow the refrigerant to flow from the multiple outlets 24 to the multiple cold plates 61. In other words, each first manifold 2 discharges refrigerant from the multiple outlets 24 towards the multiple cold plates 61.
[0017] Each cold plate 61 is in thermal contact with at least one heat source 62. Therefore, the cooling unit 100 is connectable to the cold plates 61 that are in thermal contact with each heat source 62. Each heat source 62 is a component of a computer device. The operation of the computer device generates heat in each heat source 62. Each heat source 62 is, for example, an electrolytic capacitor, a power semiconductor module, or a printed circuit board. More specifically, the cold plate 61 is in contact with the outer surface of the heat source 62, either directly or via a thermal conductive material. The thermal conductive material is silicon or thermal conductive grease.
[0018] Each cold plate 61 has an inlet 61A, an outlet 61B, and a flow path 61C. In FIG. 1, for convenience, the reference numerals "61A", "61B", and "61C" are attached only to one cold plate 61. Refrigerant flows into each inlet 61A from a flow path 92 connected to itself. The refrigerant circulates in the flow path 61C from the inlet 61A to the outlet 61B. Therefore, the heat generated by the heat source 62 is transferred to the refrigerant flowing through the flow path 61C. Then, the refrigerant flows out from the outlet 61B.
[0019] Each second manifold 3 has a second pipe 31, an outlet 32, a plurality of inlet pipes 33, a plurality of inlets 34, and a flow path 35. The second pipe 31 is a cylindrical member extending in the second direction D2. The end of the second pipe 31 on one side D21 of the second direction is closed. An outlet 32 is formed at the end of the second pipe 31 on the other side D22 of the second direction. The plurality of inlet pipes 33 protrude from the circumferential surface of the second pipe 31 and extend along the first direction D1. The plurality of inlet pipes 33 are arranged at intervals in the second direction D2. An inlet 34 is formed at the tip of each inlet pipe 33. The plurality of inlets 34 are connected to the outlets 61B of the plurality of cold plates 61 via a plurality of flow paths 93. The plurality of flow paths 93 enable the refrigerant to flow from the plurality of outlets 61B to the plurality of inlets 34. The plurality of flow paths 35 connect the plurality of inlets 34 and the outlet 32 so that the refrigerant can flow through. Each of the second manifolds 3 may be made of the same hard material as the first manifold 2.
[0020] The refrigerant flowing out from the plurality of outlets 61B flows into the second pipe 31 from the plurality of inlets 34 through the plurality of flow paths 93. The refrigerant circulates in the flow path 35 in each second pipe 31. Therefore, in the plurality of second manifolds 3, the refrigerant flowing into the plurality of inlets 34 from the plurality of cold plates 61 circulates in the second pipe 31. Then, the refrigerant flows out from each outlet 32.
[0021] The radiator 4 has a first tank 41, a second tank 42, and a radiator core 43.
[0022] The first tank 41 and the second tank 42 are arranged at a distance from each other in the second direction D2. Each of the first tank 41 and the second tank 42 is approximately rectangular in shape. The first tank 41 has an inlet 41A. The inlet 41A is connected to the outlets 32 of each second manifold 3 via a plurality of flow paths 94. The plurality of flow paths 94 allow refrigerant to flow from the plurality of outlets 32 to the inlet 41A. The second tank 42 has an outlet 42A. The outlet 42A is connected to each suction port 11A of the pump unit 1 via a flow path 95. The flow path 95 allows refrigerant to flow from the outlet 42A to each suction port 11A.
[0023] The radiator core 43 is located between the first tank 41 and the second tank 42. The radiator core 43 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction D1, as shown within the frame W1 in Figure 1. The radiator core 43 has a plurality of flow channels 431 and a plurality of fins 432. Each of the plurality of flow channels 431 extends along the second direction D2 from the first tank 41 to the second tank 42. Each of the plurality of flow channels 431 is connected to the first tank 41 and the second tank 42, respectively, so that the refrigerant can flow through them. The plurality of flow channels 431 are also spaced apart in the third direction D3 (see in particular within the frame W1). Each of the plurality of fins 432 is formed in a corrugated shape from a thin metal plate or the like. Each of the plurality of fins 432 is in thermal contact with the plurality of flow channels 431. The corrugated fins 432 and each of the flow channels 431 form an air passage 433 extending in the first direction D1. Note that in Figure 1, only a single air passage is labeled with the reference numeral "433". Multiple air passages 433 allow air to flow between multiple flow paths 431 toward one side D11 in the first direction.
[0024] The refrigerant discharged from each outlet 32 flows into the first tank 41 through the inlet 41A and is temporarily stored in the first tank 41. Next, the refrigerant discharges from the first tank 41 into multiple flow paths 431. After circulating through the multiple flow paths 431, the refrigerant flows into the second tank 42. Next, the refrigerant discharges from the outlet 42A of the second tank 42 into the flow path 95. Furthermore, after circulating through the flow path 95, the refrigerant is drawn in through the suction port 11A of the pump unit 1.
[0025] The blower unit 5 has five fan units 51. Each fan unit 51 has two axial fans, etc. Each axial fan has an impeller. The blower unit 5 generates an airflow that flows along the air passage 433 between multiple flow paths 431 by the rotation of each impeller. In Figure 1, the airflow is schematically shown by arrows A1 to A3. This airflow cools the refrigerant flowing in the multiple flow paths 431 of the radiator 4.
[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cooling unit 100 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the cooling unit 100 shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the internal configuration of the cooling unit 100 shown in Figure 3, viewed from a different viewing direction than in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cooling unit 100 along the line VV shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3 shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the cooling unit 100 along the line VI-VI shown in Figure 5.
[0027] As shown in Figures 2 to 7, the cooling unit 100 further comprises a housing 7 and a plurality of partition walls 8.
[0028] The housing 7 is, for example, a metal exterior. The external shape of the housing 7 is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 7 has outer walls 73 to 76. The outer walls 73 to 76 define the internal space 71. In this embodiment, the outer walls 73 and 74 are located at a distance from each other in a third direction D3. The outer walls 75 and 76 are located at a distance from each other in a second direction D2.
[0029] The housing 7 has an opening 72 at the end of the first direction other than the other side D12 (see Figure 4 in particular). The opening 72 is connected to the internal space 71. The internal space 71 contains a plurality of partition walls 8, a pump section 1, two first manifolds 2, two second manifolds 3, a radiator 4, and a blower section 5 (see Figures 3 to 7 in particular).
[0030] The multiple partitions 8 include a first partition 81, multiple second partitions 82, and multiple third partitions 83 (see Figures 3 and 4 in particular).
[0031] The first partition wall 81 is located in the interior space 71 on the other side D12 in the first direction. The first partition wall 81 is located between the outer walls 73 and 74 in the third direction D3. The first partition wall 81 is a thin plate in the third direction D3 and extends in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.
[0032] Multiple second partition walls 82 are located between the first partition wall 81 and the outer wall 73 (see Figure 3 in particular). Multiple second partition walls 82 are thin plate-like in the second direction D2 and extend in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. Multiple second partition walls 82 are spaced apart in the second direction D2.
[0033] The multiple third bulkheads 83 are similar to the multiple second bulkheads 82, except that they are located between the first bulkhead 81 and the outer wall 74 (see Figure 4 in particular).
[0034] The first partition wall 81, the multiple second partition walls 82, and the multiple third partition walls 83 divide the internal space 71 into multiple mounting spaces 77. A combination of a cold plate 61 and a heat source 62 (see Figure 1) is installed in each of the multiple mounting spaces 77. When the cold plate 61 and heat source 62 are installed in each mounting space 77, a gap is formed between the cold plate 61 and heat source 62 and the second partition wall 82 or the third partition wall 83. Through this gap, air flowing in from the opening 72 escapes towards the radiator 4.
[0035] The pump section 1 is located on the outer wall 74 at both ends of the first direction side D11 and the second direction side D21. The three pump units 11 included in the pump section 1 are aligned in the second direction D2.
[0036] Each first manifold 2 is located in the first direction D1 between the pump section 1 and the radiator 4 and the first bulkhead 81 (see Figures 3 and 4 in particular). The two first manifolds 2 are located at a distance from each other in the third direction D3 (see Figure 5 in particular). Each first manifold 2 extends along the second direction D2 between the outer walls 75 and 76.
[0037] It is preferable that each first manifold 2 has the same specifications as the others. Furthermore, it is preferable that at least the first pipes 21 of each first manifold 2 overlap in the third direction D3 (see Figures 3 and 6 in particular). This prevents the housing 7 from becoming larger in each of the first direction D1 and second direction D2.
[0038] Furthermore, the inlets 22 of each first manifold 2 are located closer to the outer wall 75 of the outer wall 75, 76 (see Figure 7 in particular). Specifically, the positions of each inlet 22 in the second direction D2 are aligned with each other. This reduces the length of the flow path 91 connecting the pump unit 1 and each first manifold 2. In Figure 7, the flow path 91 is shown by a dashed line.
[0039] Each outlet pipe 23 extends from the first piping 21 in the first direction toward one mounting space 77 and toward the other side D12.
[0040] Each second manifold 3 is located between the pump section 1 and the first bulkhead 81 in the first direction D1 (see Figure 7 in particular). Each second manifold 3 is located spaced apart in the third direction D3 (see Figure 6 in particular). More specifically, one second manifold 3 is located spaced apart from each of the two first manifolds 2 between them (see Figure 6 in particular). The other second manifold 3 is located between the other first manifold 2 and the outer wall 73 of the housing 7 (see Figure 5 in particular). Each second manifold 3 extends along the second direction D2 between the outer walls 75, 76.
[0041] It is preferable that each second manifold 3 has the same specifications as the others. Furthermore, it is preferable that at least the second pipes 31 of each second manifold 3 overlap each other in the third direction D3 (see Figures 3, 6, and 7 in particular). It is also preferable that each second manifold 3 overlaps with each first manifold 2 in the third direction D3 (see Figures 6 and 7 in particular). This prevents the housing 7 from becoming larger in each of the first direction D1 and second direction D2.
[0042] In detail, the outlet 32 in each second manifold 3 is located closer to the outer wall 76 than to the outer wall 75, 76. The positions of each outlet 32 in the second direction D2 are aligned with each other (see Figure 7 in particular). This reduces the length of the flow path 94 connecting each second manifold 3 and the radiator 4.
[0043] Each inlet pipe 33 extends from the second pipe 31 in the first direction toward one mounting space 77 and toward the other side D12.
[0044] The radiator 4 is located at a distance D11 in the first direction from each of the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3 (see Figure 7 in particular). That is, each of the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3 is located upstream of the radiator 4 in the airflow. The upstream side of the airflow is the other side D12 in the first direction. The radiator 4 is also located at a distance D12 in the other direction from the end of the first side D11 in the housing 7. The radiator 4 is located between the outer walls 73 and 74 (see Figure 5 in particular). In the first direction D1, a portion of the radiator 4 faces each of the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 31 (see Figure 5 in particular). Therefore, the first pipe 21, the second pipe 31 and the radiator 4 are densely arranged in the internal space 71. As a result, the size of the cooling unit 100 is suppressed. In addition, as the impeller of the blower 5 rotates, air flows into the internal space 71 from the opening 72. Air flows into the space between the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 31 via the mounting space 77 in the internal space 71. After the air has flowed through the space between the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 31, it is introduced into the spaces between the multiple flow paths 431 (i.e., the ventilation passages 433). Since each ventilation passage 433 is close to the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 31 on one side D11 in the first direction (i.e., the side of the blower 5), the air is efficiently guided from the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3 into the ventilation passages 433.
[0045] Each first pipe 21 and each second pipe 31 are spaced apart in the third direction D3 (see Figure 5 in particular). The width in the third direction D3 of the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 31 is less than one-quarter of the width of the radiator core 43 in the third direction D3. As a result, space for air to pass through is secured between the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 31, and air is efficiently introduced into the ventilation passage 433 formed between the flow paths 431.
[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 7 is provided with two sets of combinations of a first manifold 2 and a second manifold 3. Therefore, the cooling unit 100 can cool a relatively large number of heat sources 62. Also, the first pipe 21 in each first manifold 2 and the second pipe 31 in each second manifold 3 are spaced apart in the third direction D3 and face a part of the radiator 4 on the other side D12 in the first direction (see Figures 3 and 4 in particular). Therefore, while it is possible to install many heat sources 62 in the housing 7, the reduction in the amount of air passing through the ventilation passage 433 is suppressed.
[0047] The air blower 5 is located at the end of one side D11 in the first direction between the outer walls 73 and 74. More specifically, the air blower 5 is located at a distance of one side D11 in the first direction from the radiator 4. More specifically, in the air blower 5, the four fan units 51 are located on the other side D22 in the second direction from the pump unit 1 and facing the radiator core 43 on one side D11 in the first direction. The remaining fan unit 51 is located on one side D21 in the second direction from the four fan units 51 and on one side D31 in the third direction from the pump unit 1. That is, in the second direction D2, it is preferable that the maximum dimension L1 of the air blower 5 is larger than the maximum dimension L2 of the radiator 4 (see Figure 3 in particular). As a result, the amount of air passing through the housing 7 is increased.
[0048] Furthermore, a first rectifier plate 84 is provided between the end of the second direction other side D22 of the blower unit 5 and the radiator core 43. A second rectifier plate 85 is provided between the end of the second direction one side D21 of the blower unit 5 and the radiator core 43. As the impellers of the five fan units 51 rotate, the air that has passed through the air passage 433 of the radiator 4 passes between the first rectifier plate 84 and the second rectifier plate 85 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 7.
[0049] In the air blower section 5, four fan units 51 face the radiator core 43 in a first direction D1 (see Figures 3 and 4 in particular). Therefore, the air blower section 5 faces at least a portion of the radiator 4 in a first direction D1. Furthermore, no components of the cooling unit 100 are positioned between the radiator core 43 and the four fan units 51. That is, the airflow resistance between the radiator 4 and the air blower section 5 can be made relatively small. Therefore, air is efficiently guided from the radiator core 43 to the air blower section 5.
[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3 are located upstream of the radiator 4 in the airflow. The blower unit 5 is located downstream of the radiator 4 in the airflow. The upstream and downstream sides of the airflow are the other side D12 and the one side D11 in the first direction. That is, neither the first manifold 2 nor the second manifold 3 are positioned between the radiator 4 and the blower unit 5. Therefore, the first manifold 2, the second manifold 3, the radiator 4, and the blower unit 5 can be efficiently laid out.
[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the distance G1 in the first direction D1 between the radiator core 43 and the air blower 5 is wider than the distance G2 in the first direction D1 between the first pipes 21 and the second pipes 31 and the radiator core 43. Therefore, the air flowing out from the radiator core 43 can be cooled between the first rectifier plate 84 and the second rectifier plate 85 before being discharged from the air blower 5 to the outside of the housing 7. Thus, the discharge of high-temperature air to the outside of the cooling unit 100 can be suppressed.
[0052] Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. Furthermore, the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, some components from all the components shown in one embodiment may be added to the components of another embodiment, or some components from all the components shown in one embodiment may be removed from the embodiment.
[0053] Furthermore, the drawings schematically show each component in order to facilitate understanding of this disclosure, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown may differ from the actual dimensions due to the convenience of drawing creation. Also, the configuration of each component shown in the above embodiments is merely an example and is not particularly limiting, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of this disclosure.
[0054] In this embodiment, the cooling unit 100 had two sets of combinations of the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3. However, it is not limited to this, and the cooling unit 100 only needs to have at least one set of the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3. When there is one set of the first manifold 2 and the second manifold 3, it is preferable that the width of the third direction D3 in the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 31 is less than half the width of the radiator core 43 in the third direction D3.
[0055] In this embodiment, the air blower 5 was located on one side D11 in the first direction relative to the radiator 4, i.e., downstream. However, it is not limited to this, and the air blower 5 may also be located on the other side D12 in the first direction relative to the radiator 4.
[0056] In this embodiment, the maximum dimension L1 of the air blower 5 was larger than the maximum dimension L2 of the radiator 4 in the second direction D2. However, this is not limited to this, and the maximum dimension L1 in the second direction D2 may be less than or equal to the maximum dimension L2.
[0057] In this embodiment, the distance G1 between the radiator core 43 and the air blower 5 in the first direction D1 is greater than the distance G2 between each of the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 31 and the radiator core 43. However, it is not limited to this, and the distance G1 may be less than or equal to the distance G2.
[0058] In this embodiment, the heat source 62 was a component of a computer device. However, the heat source 62 can be anything other than a component of a computer device, as long as it is a device that generates heat.
[0059] In the embodiment, the air blowing section 5 had a fan unit 51. However, the air blowing section 5 may be composed of a blower instead of a fan unit 51.
[0060] Furthermore, this technology can also employ the following configuration.
[0061] (1) A cooling unit that can be connected to a cold plate that is in thermal contact with a heat source, A first manifold having a first pipe and a plurality of outlets, which causes the refrigerant that has flowed through the first pipe to flow out from the plurality of outlets toward the cold plate, The second manifold has multiple inlets and a second pipe, and the refrigerant that flows from the cold plate to the multiple inlets flows through the second pipe. It has multiple flow paths arranged at intervals, and the refrigerant that has flowed through the second pipe flows through the multiple flow paths of the radiator, A blower unit that generates an airflow flowing between the plurality of flow paths in a first direction perpendicular to the plurality of flow paths. Equipped with, Each of the first and second pipes is a cooling unit facing a part of the radiator in the first direction.
[0062] (2) The first pipe and the second pipe are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The cooling unit according to (1), wherein the width of each of the first and second pipes in the second direction is less than half the width of the radiator in the second direction.
[0063] (3) The first pipe and the second pipe are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, In the second direction, the first pipe and the second pipe are arranged at an interval apart, the cooling unit according to (1) or (2).
[0064] (4) Two of the first manifolds, The two aforementioned second manifolds and Equipped with, The refrigerant that has flowed through the second piping of each of the second manifolds flows through the plurality of passages of the radiator. Each of the first pipes of each of the first manifolds and each of the second pipes of each of the second manifolds are a cooling unit according to any one of (1) to (3) that faces a part of the radiator in the first direction.
[0065] (5) The cooling unit according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the air blower is at least a part of the radiator and faces the first direction.
[0066] (6) The first manifold and the second manifold are located upstream of the radiator in the airflow, The cooling unit according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the blowing section is located downstream of the radiator in the airflow.
[0067] (7) The cooling unit according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein in the first direction, the distance between the radiator and the air blower is greater than the distance between the first piping and the radiator.
[0068] (8) The first pipe and the second pipe are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The cooling unit according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the maximum dimension of the air blower is greater than the maximum dimension of the radiator. [Industrial applicability]
[0069] The cooling unit according to this disclosure is suitable for cooling electronic equipment. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0070] 100 Cooling Units 1. Pump section 2 First Manifold 21 First Piping 22 Inlet 24 Outlet 3. Second Manifold 31 Second piping 32 Outlet 34 Inlet 4. Radiator 41 First Tank 42 Second Tank 43 Radiator core 431 Channel 432 Fins 433 Ventilation duct 5. Air blower 61 Cold Plate 62 Heat source
Claims
1. A cooling unit that can be connected to a cold plate that is in thermal contact with a heat source, It has a first pipe and a plurality of outlets, and two first manifolds that discharge the refrigerant that has flowed through the first pipe from the plurality of outlets toward the cold plate, It has multiple inlets and a second piping, and the refrigerant that flows from the cold plate into the multiple inlets flows through the second piping in two second manifolds, It has multiple flow paths arranged at intervals, and the refrigerant that has flowed through the second pipe flows through the multiple flow paths of the radiator, A blower unit that generates an airflow flowing between the plurality of flow paths in a first direction perpendicular to the plurality of flow paths. Equipped with, Each of the first and second pipes is facing a part of the radiator in the first direction. The refrigerant that has flowed through the second piping of each of the second manifolds flows through the plurality of passages of the radiator. Each of the first pipes in each of the first manifolds and each of the second pipes in each of the second manifolds are a cooling unit facing a part of the radiator in the first direction.
2. The first pipe and the second pipe are arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction to which the plurality of flow paths extending perpendicular to the first direction extend. The cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein the width of each of the first pipe and the second pipe in the third direction is less than half the width of the radiator in the third direction.
3. The first pipe and the second pipe are arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction to which the plurality of flow paths extending perpendicular to the first direction extend. In the third direction, the first pipe and the second pipe are arranged at an interval apart, the cooling unit according to claim 1.
4. The cooling unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air blower is facing at least a portion of the radiator in the first direction.
5. The first manifold and the second manifold are located upstream of the radiator in the airflow. The cooling unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air blower is located downstream of the radiator in the airflow.
6. The cooling unit according to claim 5, wherein, in the first direction, the distance between the radiator and the air blower is greater than the distance between the first pipe and the radiator.
7. The first pipe and the second pipe are arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction to which the plurality of flow paths extending perpendicular to the first direction extend. The cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein in the second direction, the maximum dimension of the air blower is greater than the maximum dimension of the radiator.