Refrigerant circulation device

Abstract

An exemplary refrigerant circulation device according to the present disclosure comprises a housing, a radiator, a pump, and an airflow generation unit. The housing has an opening. The radiator is positioned so as to be spaced apart from the opening. The pump is connected to a refrigerant flow-path of the radiator, and pumps the refrigerant. The airflow generation unit generates an airflow that passes through the opening and contacts the flow-path. The pump is located between the opening and the radiator. The distance between the opening and the pump is shorter than the distance between the pump and the radiator.

Description

Refrigerant circulation device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant circulation device.

[0002] In a cooling chassis according to the related art, a housing accommodates a pump, a first radiator, a second radiator, a tank, and a fan. When the pump is operated, a refrigerant flows through both radiators. When the refrigerant fan is operated, an airflow passes through both radiators. This airflow cools the refrigerant flowing through both radiators (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 10,512,193

[0004] A refrigerant circulation device is required to have high cooling performance.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerant circulation device with high cooling performance.

[0006] An exemplary refrigerant circulation device of the present disclosure includes a housing, a radiator, a pump, and an airflow generating unit. The housing has an opening. The radiator is located away from the opening. The pump is connected to a refrigerant flow path of the radiator and pressurizes the refrigerant. The airflow generating unit generates an airflow that passes through the opening and is tangent to the flow path. The pump is located between the opening and the radiator. The distance between the opening and the pump is shorter than the distance between the pump and the radiator.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerant circulation device with high cooling performance can be provided.

[0008] 6 is an enlarged view showing the pump 3 (removed state) and the flow paths 72 and 73 shown in FIG. 6; a perspective view showing the lever 35 and the fixing portion 36 of the pump 3; a perspective view showing the opening 11 in the wall 16 shown in FIG. 2; a perspective view showing the fans 41E to 41H included in the airflow generating unit 4 shown in FIG. 2; a perspective view of the CDU 110; a longitudinal cross section of the CDU 110 shown in FIG. 13 taken along the line XIV-XIV as viewed from the first direction X1;

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] [Definition of Terms] The term "connect" means "connected in a manner that allows fluid flow therethrough."

[0011] The term "intersection" includes a case where lines, surfaces, or a line and a surface intersect at a right angle, and a case where lines and surfaces intersect at a non-right angle within a small difference range. The small difference includes tolerance, error, and the like.

[0012] The term "along" means "following parallel or non-parallel to a reference."

[0013] [Cooling System 1000] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling system 1000 includes a refrigerant circulation unit (hereinafter also referred to as CDU) 100, a distribution manifold 200, a plurality of cold plates 300, a plurality of heat sources 400, and a collection manifold 500.

[0014] Within the cooling system 1000, a refrigerant circulates among the CDU 100, the distribution manifold 200, each cold plate 300, and the collection manifold 500. The refrigerant is a cooling liquid. Examples of the cooling liquid include antifreeze and pure water. Typical examples of antifreeze are an ethylene glycol solution or a propylene glycol solution.

[0015] Specifically, high-temperature refrigerant flows into the CDU 100 from the collection manifold 500. The CDU 100 pressurizes and cools the refrigerant. The pressurization of the refrigerant in the CDU 100 causes the refrigerant to circulate within the cooling system 1000. Furthermore, low-temperature refrigerant flows into each cold plate 300 via the distribution manifold 200 and circulates within each cold plate 300. Each cold plate 300 is in thermal contact with at least one heat source 400. Each heat source 400 is a heat-generating device. In this embodiment, each heat source 400 is a component of a computer device, and more specifically, is, for example, one of an electrolytic capacitor, a power semiconductor module, and a printed circuit board.

[0016] Each cold plate 300 has an inlet 310, an outlet 320, and flow paths 330. Refrigerant flows into each inlet 310 from the distribution manifold 200. In each cold plate 300, the refrigerant flows through flow paths 330 from the inlet 310 to the outlet 320. Therefore, heat generated in the heat source 400 is transferred to the refrigerant flowing through each flow path 330. The high-temperature refrigerant flows out from each outlet 320 to the collection manifold 500.

[0017] First Embodiment (Refrigerant Circulation Device 100) Hereinafter, the configuration of the CDU 100 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs.

[0018] 2 and subsequent figures may show a third direction Z, a first direction X, and a second direction Y that intersect with each other.

[0019] The third direction Z is defined based on the state in which the CDU 100 is installed and ready for use (hereinafter also referred to as the "usage state"). The third direction Z is, for example, the up-down direction of the CDU 100. The first direction X is, for example, the left-right direction toward the wall 13 (see FIG. 2, etc.) of the CDU 100 in the usage state. The second direction Y is, for example, the front-rear direction of the CDU 100 in the usage state.

[0020] The one side and the other side of the third direction Z are also referred to as the one side third direction Z1 and the other side third direction Z2. In the embodiment, the one side third direction Z1 and the other side third direction Z2 are the upward and downward directions of the CDU 100 in use.

[0021] The first direction X and the second direction X are also referred to as the first direction X1 and the first direction X2. In the embodiment, the first direction X1 and the first direction X2 are the left and right directions when facing the wall 13 of the CDU 100 in use.

[0022] The first and second directions Y are also referred to as the first second direction Y1 and the second second direction Y2. The first second direction Y1 is the direction in which the opening 11 (see FIG. 4) of the CDU 100 is opened when in use. The second second direction Y2 is the opposite direction to the first second direction Y1.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the CDU 100 includes a housing 1, a radiator 2, a pump 3, and an airflow generating unit 4.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, the housing 1 has an opening 11. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the radiator 2 is located away from the opening 11. The pump 3 is connected to a refrigerant flow path 21 of the radiator 2 and pumps the refrigerant. The airflow generating unit 4 generates an airflow (see arrows F11 and F12 in Fig. 3) that passes through the opening 11 and contacts the flow path 21. The pump 3 is located between the opening 11 and the radiator 2.

[0025] Here, the distance D11 (see FIG. 3 ) between the opening 11 and the pump 3 is shorter than the distance D12 (see FIG. 3 ) between the pump 3 and the radiator 2. According to the above configuration, the pump 3 is positioned relatively far from the radiator 2, i.e., the distance D12. This allows air to easily pass between the pump 3 and the radiator 2. As a result, a large amount of airflow passes through the radiator 2, improving the cooling performance of the refrigerant in the radiator 2. Note that the distance D11 may be zero. Also, FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the distance D11 is zero. Note that the pump 3 may protrude further in the second direction Y1 than the opening 11. In this case, the distance between the end of the pump 3 in the second direction Y1 and the opening 11 is the distance D11.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , the airflow generating unit 4 includes multiple fans 41A, 41B aligned in the first direction X along the opening 11. The pump 3 is positioned between the multiple fans 41A, 41B in the first direction X. Therefore, the pump 3 is unlikely to cause ventilation resistance. Specifically, depending on the type of fans 41A, 41B, the pump 3 may cause ventilation resistance if the pump 3 is laid out in a position where it overlaps with the fans 41A, 41B in the second direction Y. However, in this embodiment, because the pump 3 is positioned between the multiple fans 41A, 41B in the first direction X, the pump 3 is unlikely to cause ventilation resistance.

[0027] 5 , the pump 3 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 1 in the second direction Y that intersects with the opening 11. This makes it easier to insert and remove the pump 3. Furthermore, because the pump 3 is inserted and removed in the second direction Y, the pump 3 is less likely to create ventilation resistance during insertion and removal.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , the airflow generating unit 4 includes fans 41A and 41E. The fan 41A is an example of a "first fan" in the present disclosure. The fan 41E is an example of a "second fan" in the present disclosure. The fans 41A and 41E are positioned so as to overlap each other in the second direction Y. The fan 41A is positioned on one side Y1 of the second direction relative to the radiator 2. The fan 41E is positioned on the other side Y2 of the second direction relative to the radiator 2. Therefore, air easily flows between the fans 41A and 41E within the housing 1. Specifically, the fan 41E overlaps with the fan 41A in the second direction Y, and therefore does not overlap with the pump 3 in the second direction Y. Therefore, the pump 3, which is positioned between the fans 41A and 41B, is less likely to create airflow resistance between the fans 41A and 41E.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6 , the airflow generating unit 4 includes a fan 41C in addition to the fan 41A. The multiple fans 41A, 41C are aligned along the opening 11 in a third direction Z that intersects with the first direction X. The CDU 1 further includes a tank 5. The tank 5 stores a refrigerant and is located between the multiple fans 41A, 41C in the third direction Z. Therefore, the tank 5 is unlikely to cause airflow resistance within the housing 1. Note that the phrase "the tank 5 is located between the fans 41A, 41C in the third direction Z" refers to the concept of allowing the tank 5 to partially overlap with each of the fans 41A, 41C in the third direction Z, and also includes a configuration in which the tank 5 does not overlap with the air outlets 413 (see FIG. 4 ) of the fans 41A, 41C in the third direction Z.

[0030] 3, the pump 3 and the tank 5 are positioned so as to overlap each other in the third direction Z. Because the pump 3 and the tank 5 are laid out at high density, the dimension of the housing 1 in the second direction Y is reduced.

[0031] 4 and 6, the CDU 100 further includes a display 6 at a position overlapping the tank 5 in the second direction Y intersecting the opening 11. Therefore, the display 6 is unlikely to create a resistance to ventilation.

[0032] 6, the CDU 100 includes a plurality of pumps 3. For example, the CDU 100 includes a plurality of pumps 3A and 3B. The plurality of pumps 3A and 3B are arranged at intervals in the third direction Z along the opening 11. Because the pumps 3A and 3B are laid out compactly, the dimension of the housing 1 in the second direction Y is reduced.

[0033] Next, the detailed configuration of the CDU 100 will be described.

[0034] 2, the housing 1 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer in the second direction Y than in the first direction X and the third direction Z. The housing 1 separates an internal space S11 from an external space. The housing 1 has walls 12 to 17.

[0035] Each of the walls 12 and 17 extends in the first direction X and the second direction Y, and is a thin plate-like member extending in the third direction Z. The walls 12 and 17 are spaced apart from each other in the third direction Z. The wall 12 is positioned further in the third direction Z2 than the wall 17. In use, the wall 12 faces the installation surface of the CDU 100.

[0036] The wall 13 extends in the first direction X and the third direction Z between the sides of the walls 12 and 17 on the one side in the second direction Y1. The wall 16 extends in the first direction X and the third direction Z between the sides of the walls 12 and 17 on the other side in the second direction Y2. Each of the walls 13 and 16 is a thin plate in the second direction Y. The wall 13 is located closer to the one side in the second direction Y1 than the wall 16.

[0037] Wall 14 extends in the second direction Y and the third direction Z between the sides of walls 12 and 17 on the other side in the first direction X2. Wall 15 extends in the second direction Y and the third direction Z between the sides of walls 12 and 17 on the one side in the first direction X1. Each of walls 14 and 15 is a thin plate in the first direction X. Wall 14 is located further in the other side in the first direction X2 than wall 15.

[0038] 4, four openings 11A to 11D are formed in the wall 13 as the openings 11. That is, the wall 13 has the openings 11A to 11D. The openings 11A to 11D may have the same shape as one another when viewed from the second direction Y (hereinafter also referred to as the front view). Note that the openings 11A to 11D may have different shapes as viewed from the front.

[0039] Specifically, the opening 11A is located near a corner of the wall 13 on the X1 side in the first direction and on the Z1 side in the third direction.

[0040] The opening 11B is located near a corner in the other first direction X2 and the one third direction Z1 in the wall 13. The opening 11B is spaced apart from the opening 11A in the other first direction X2.

[0041] The opening 11C is located near a corner in the one first direction X1 and the other third direction Z2 in the wall 13. The opening 11C is spaced apart from the opening 11A in the other third direction Z2 and from the opening 11B in the other third direction Z2 and the one first direction X1.

[0042] The opening 11D is located near a corner of the wall 13 in the other first direction X2 and the other third direction Z2. The opening 11D is spaced apart from the opening 11B in the other third direction Z2. The opening 11D is spaced apart from the opening 11A in the other third direction Z2 and the other first direction X2. The opening 11D is spaced apart from the opening 11C in the other first direction X2.

[0043] 4, holes 18 are formed in the wall 13, penetrating the wall 13 from the opening 11 toward the other side of the second direction Y2. More specifically, holes 18A to 18D are formed in the wall 13, penetrating the wall 13 from each of the openings 11A to 11D toward the other side of the second direction Y2.

[0044] [Radiator 2] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the radiator 2 is installed in the internal space S11. The external shape of the radiator 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Specifically, the radiator 2 occupies the space between positions P01 and P02 in the second direction Y. Position P01 is a position in the internal space S11 that is separated from the wall 13 in the other second direction Y2. Position P02 is a position in the internal space S11 that is separated from the wall 16 in the one second direction Y1. Position P02 is further away in the other second direction Y2 than position P01. The radiator 2 occupies the space between the walls 14 and 15 in the first direction X (see Figure 3). The radiator 2 occupies the space between the walls 12 and 17 in the third direction Z (see Figure 6).

[0045] The radiator 2 has a large number of flow paths 21 (see FIG. 6 ) therein. In addition to the large number of flow paths 21, the radiator 2 further has an inlet 22, an outlet 23, and a ventilation passage 24, as shown in FIG. 3 . The inlet 22 and the outlet 23 are located immediately inside the wall 12 in the third direction Z (i.e., on the Z1 side of the third direction) and near position P01 in the second direction Y. The inlet 22 is located immediately inside the wall 14 in the first direction X (i.e., on the X1 side of the first direction). The outlet 23 is located immediately inside the wall 15 in the first direction X (i.e., on the X2 side of the first direction).

[0046] 6 , a large number of flow paths 21 are arranged at intervals in the first direction X. Each flow path 21 meanders between an inlet 22 and an outlet 23. In detail, in the flow paths 21, the refrigerant flows from the end of the radiator 2 on the other side of the second direction Y2 to the end of the radiator 2 on the one side of the second direction Y1 while making a plurality of round trips between both ends of the radiator 2 in the third direction Z (see arrow A11).

[0047] The ventilation passage 24 is a space between adjacent flow paths 21 in the first direction X. The ventilation passage 24 penetrates the radiator 2 from the end of the flow path 21 on the one side Y1 of the second direction to the end on the other side Y2 of the second direction.

[0048] The refrigerant travels back and forth multiple times within the flow path 21, so that the refrigerant comes into thermal contact with the air flowing through the ventilation passage 24 for a long period of time. This improves the cooling performance of the refrigerant in the CDU 100.

[0049] 7 and 8, the CDU 100 further includes flow paths 71 to 73. The flow paths 71 to 73 are made up of a plurality of tubing members. The tubing members include pipes, couplings, and valves.

[0050] 7, the flow path 71 is drawn from the outside of the CDU 100 into the internal space S11 and connects to the radiator 2. Specifically, the flow path 71 passes through a position P11 on the wall 13 from the external space of the housing 1 (see FIG. 5).

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, position P11 is near the edge of wall 13 on the other side of the first direction X2 in the first direction X, and near the center between the edge of wall 13 on the one side of the third direction Z1 and the edge of wall 13 on the other side of the third direction Z2 in the third direction Z.

[0052] 7 , the flow path 71 extends linearly in the other second direction Y2 from position P11 to position P12. Position P12 is an intermediate position between the wall 13 and the radiator 2. Position P12 is approximately the same position as position P11 in both the first direction X and the third direction Z.

[0053] The flow path 71 bends toward the other side of the third direction Z2 at position P12 and extends linearly from position P12 to position P13. Position P13 is slightly toward the one side of the third direction Z1 from the wall 12 (see FIG. 2 ) and is further toward the other side of the third direction Z2 from the opening 11D.

[0054] The flow path 71 bends at a substantially right angle at a position P13 , extends linearly in the other second direction Y2 , and is connected to the inlet 22 of the radiator 2 .

[0055] 8, the flow path 72 connects the radiator 2 and the pumps 3A and 3B. In detail, the flow path 72 has a common flow path 721, individual flow paths 722A and 722B, and couplings 723A and 723B.

[0056] The common flow path 721 is connected to the outlet 23 of the radiator 2. The common flow path 721 extends from the outlet 23 in the first second direction Y1 and branches into two individual flow paths 722A and 722B at a position P21.

[0057] The individual flow path 722A extends linearly in the first direction Z1 along the wall 15 (see FIG. 3) within the internal space S11 to a position P22. The position P22 is slightly closer to the second direction Z2 than the wall 17 (see FIG. 2) and closer to the first direction Z1 than the opening 11A. The individual flow path 722A curves at the position P22 and extends linearly toward the second direction X2. The individual flow path 722A bends slightly toward the second direction Z2 midway to reach a position P23. The position P23 is near the midpoint between both sides of the wall 13 (see FIG. 2) in the first direction X and slightly closer to the second direction Z2 than the wall 17 (see FIG. 2). The end of the individual flow path 722A on the second direction X2 side is connected to a coupling 723A at the position P23. The coupling 723A is a socket having a sleeve that opens toward the first direction Y1.

[0058] The individual flow path 722B extends linearly in the other first direction X2 along the wall 12 (see FIG. 2) within the internal space S11, bending slightly toward the one side of the third direction Z1 along the way, and reaches position P24. Position P24 is near the middle of both sides in the first direction X and is slightly toward the one side of the third direction Z1 from the wall 12. Position P24 is located from position P23 toward the other side of the third direction Z2. The end of the individual flow path 722B on the other side of the first direction X2 is connected to a coupling 723B at position P24. The coupling 723B is a socket and has a sleeve that opens toward the one side of the second direction Y1.

[0059] The couplings 723A and 723B are located at different positions in the third direction Z, and are located at the same positions in each of the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0060] 7, the flow path 73 is connected to the pumps 3A and 3B, and is led from the internal space S11 to the outside of the housing 1. In detail, the flow path 73 has couplings 731A and 731B, individual flow paths 732A and 732B, and a common flow path 733.

[0061] The couplings 731A and 731B are located at different positions from the couplings 723A and 723B in the third direction Z, but are located at approximately the same positions as each other in each of the first direction X and the second direction Y. The couplings 731A and 731B are sockets and have sleeves that are open toward one side of the second direction Y1.

[0062] The individual flow paths 732A, 732B are connected to the ends of the couplings 731A, 731B on the other side in the second direction Y2. The individual flow paths 732A, 732B extend linearly from the ends of the couplings 731A, 731B on the other side in the second direction Y2 in the other side in the first direction X2 to positions P31, P32. The positions P31, P32 are approximately the same as the position P12 in the first direction X, and are between the position P12 and the radiator 2 in the second direction Y.

[0063] The individual flow paths 732B, 732A are connected to the common flow path 733 at positions P32, P31. The common flow path 733 extends linearly in one side of the third direction Z1 from position P32 toward position P31 and bends toward one side of the second direction Y1 slightly toward the one side of the third direction Z1 from position P31. The common flow path 733 extends linearly in one side of the second direction Y1 within the internal space S11 and exits to the outside through the wall 13 at position P33. Position P33 is near a corner of the wall 13 on the other side of the first direction X2 and the one side of the third direction Z1.

[0064] 6 to 8, when mounted in the housing 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "mounted state"), each of the pumps 3A, 3B is capable of pumping the refrigerant that has flowed in from the flow path 72 to the flow path 73. In detail, as shown in Fig. 9, each of the pumps 3A, 3B has a housing 31, an inlet port 32, a discharge port 33, a pump rotor (not shown), and a pump motor (not shown).

[0065] Each suction port 32 can be connected to a coupling 723A, 723B of the flow path 72. If the couplings 723A, 723B are sockets, each suction port 32 is a plug that is inserted into the socket. A filter 34 is attached to each suction port 32. Each filter 34 prevents foreign matter from flowing into the pumps 3A, 3B.

[0066] In the attached state, each of the discharge ports 33 can be attached to the couplings 731A, 731B of the flow path 73. When the couplings 731A, 731B are sockets, each of the discharge ports 33 is a plug that is inserted into the sockets.

[0067] When the pump rotors of the pumps 3A and 3B are installed, rotation of the pump rotors applies pressure to the refrigerant inside the pumps 3A and 3B. As a result, the refrigerant in the flow path 72 is sucked through the suction ports 32 of the pumps 3A and 3B. The sucked refrigerant is discharged into the flow path 73 from the discharge ports 33 of the pumps 3A and 3B.

[0068] The type of pumps 3A and 3B is not particularly limited. For example, a centrifugal pump, a propeller pump, a viscous pump, or a rotary pump can be used as the pumps 3A and 3B. In the case of a centrifugal pump, a propeller pump, a viscous pump, or a gear pump, the pump rotor is an impeller. In the case of a screw pump, the pump rotor is a screw.

[0069] Furthermore, the pumps 3A and 3B may be insertable into and removable from the housing 1, or may be installed in the housing 1.

[0070] Specifically, when the pumps 3A and 3B are insertable and removable, as shown in FIG. 5 , openings 19A and 19B are formed in the wall 13 of the housing 1. That is, the wall 13 has openings 19A and 19B. Opening 19A is located between openings 11A and 11B. Opening 19B is located between openings 11C and 11D. Openings 19A and 19B may have different shapes from each other when viewed from the front. Specifically, opening 19A has a shape that is inverted relative to opening 19B in each of the first direction X and the third direction Z. Note that openings 19A and 19B may have different shapes from each other when viewed from the front.

[0071] Each pump 3A, 3B is movable in the second direction Y in the internal space S11 (see FIG. 3 , etc.) through one of the openings 19A, 19B. Specifically, when inserting each pump 3A, 3B into the housing 1, an external force applied by a person moves each pump 3A, 3B in the internal space S11 in the other second direction Y2 through one of the openings 19A, 19B. During this process, the discharge port (i.e., plug) 33 of each pump 3A, 3B is inserted into and abuts against one of the couplings 731A, 731B. As a result, each pump 3A, 3B is in an attached state.

[0072] When removing each of the attached pumps 3A, 3B from the housing 1, the pumps 3A, 3B are moved in the second direction Y1 in the internal space S11 through either of the openings 19A, 19B by a human external force. During this process, the discharge port (i.e., plug) 33 of each of the pumps 3A, 3B disengages from either of the couplings 731A, 731B. When further external force is applied to the pumps 3A, 3B in the second direction Y1, each of the pumps 3A, 3B is removed from the housing 1.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 10, each of the pumps 3A and 3B further includes a lever 35 and a fixing portion 36 to facilitate removal from at least the housing 1.

[0074] In each pump 3A, 3B, the lever 35 is supported by a wall 311 facing the one side of the second direction Y1 in the mounted state of the housing 31 so as to be rotatable between positions P41 and P42 around an axis C01 along the first direction X. Position P41 is a position where a tip 351 of the lever 35 is close to the wall 311. At position P41, a pin 363 of the fixing portion 36 can be inserted into a hole 352 near the tip 351. At position P42, the tip 351 is farther away from the wall 311 in the one side of the second direction Y1 and the one side of the third direction Z1 than at position P41.

[0075] The fixing portion 36 is attached to the wall 311 via an attachment member 361. Specifically, the attachment member 361 is located near position P41 on the wall 311. The fixing portion 36 is a so-called spring-loaded pin and includes a knob 362, a pin 363, and a spring (not shown). The pin 363 is biased by the spring and extends and retracts from the attachment member 361 due to an external force applied by a person. When the knob 362 is pulled by a person, the pin 363 retracts from the attachment member 361 against the biasing force of the spring. The pin 363 is inserted into a hole in the tip 351 located at position P41, preventing the levers 35 of the pumps 3A and 3B from separating from the wall 311 when in the attached position. The tip 351 has a guide shape so that the hole 352 can easily reach the position of the pin 363.

[0076] [Airflow Generation Unit 4] As shown in Fig. 5, the airflow generation unit 4 includes fans 41A to 41D. As shown in Fig. 4, the fans 41A to 41D are inserted into the holes 18A to 18D from the openings 11A to 11D in the other second direction Y2. For convenience of illustration, only fans 41B and 41C of the fans 41A to 41D are shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 5, the fans 41A to 41D are attached to the wall 13 with screws or the like while inserted into the holes 18A to 18D.

[0077] 4, each of the fans 41A to 41D has an intake port 412, an outlet port 413, and an impeller 414 in a housing 411. When each of the fans 41A to 41D is attached to the wall 13, the impeller 414 rotates, causing air outside the housing 1 to be drawn into the housing 411 through the intake port 412. The air from the intake port 412 is blown out from the outlet port 413 toward the internal space S11.

[0078] The types of the fans 41A to 41D are not particularly limited. This also applies to the fans 41E to 41H. For example, the fans 41A to 41D may be axial fans, centrifugal fans, or sirocco fans.

[0079] In the second direction Y, the pumps 3A, 3B are not located between the air outlets 413 of the fans 41A to 41D and the ventilation passage 24 between the radiator 2. Furthermore, most of the flow paths 71 to 72 are arranged along the walls 12, 14, 15, and 17 in the internal space S11 (see FIG. 3, etc.). Furthermore, the radiator 2 is located a distance D12 away from the pumps 3A, 3B in the other second direction Y2. Therefore, there are relatively few objects that create ventilation resistance between the fans 41A to 41D and the radiator 2. This improves the refrigerant cooling performance of the radiator 2.

[0080] As shown in Figure 11, four openings 11E to 11H are formed in the wall 16 as the openings 11. That is, the wall 16 has openings 11E to 11H. The openings 11E to 11H are located on the other side of the second direction Y2 when viewed from the openings 11A to 11D (see Figure 4). The openings 11E to 11H may have the same shape as one another when viewed from the front, or may have different shapes as viewed from the front.

[0081] The wall 16 is formed with holes 18E to 18H that penetrate the wall 16 from the openings 11E to 11H toward the one side of the second direction Y1.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 12, the airflow generation unit 4 further includes fans 41E to 41H. As shown in Fig. 12, the fans 41E to 41H are inserted into the holes 18E to 18H from the openings 11E to 11H in one direction Y1 in the second direction, and are attached to the wall 16 with screws or the like. For convenience of illustration, only the fans 41E and 41H are shown in Fig. 12. Like the fans 41A to 41D, the fans 41E to 41H have an intake port 412, an outlet port 413, and an impeller 414 in a housing 411.

[0083] The fans 41A to 41D are positioned to overlap the fans 41E to 41H in the second direction Y. The fans 41A to 41D are positioned on one side Y1 of the second direction relative to the radiator 2. The fans 41E to 41H are positioned on the other side Y2 of the second direction relative to the radiator 2. Therefore, air can easily flow between the fans 41A to 41D and the fans 41E to 41H inside the housing 1.

[0084] The fans 41A to 41H may be removable from the housing 1 in the same manner as the pumps 3A and 3B.

[0085] [Tank 5] As shown in FIG. 4, the tank 5 is installed on the wall 13 in the other second direction Y2 relative to a specific region 131 in a front view. The specific region 131 is the region between the openings 11A and 11D and the region between the openings 11B and 11C. The tank 5 overlaps with the pumps 3A and 3B in the third direction Z and is located between the pumps 3A and 3B. As shown in FIG. 7, the end of the tank 5 in the other second direction Y2 is farther away in the one second direction Y1 than the radiator 2. Therefore, the tank 5 is less likely to create airflow resistance between the fans 41A to 41D and the radiator 2. This improves the refrigerant cooling performance of the radiator 2.

[0086] The tank 5 stores the refrigerant. The tank 5 is connected to the atmosphere outside the housing 1 via a pipe 51 (see FIGS. 3 and 8, etc.). The tank 5 is further connected to a flow path 71 via a pipe 52 (see FIGS. 3 and 7, etc.). The pipes 51 and 52 allow the refrigerant in the tank 5 to be supplied to the flow path 71.

[0087] 4, the display 6 is located in a specific area 131. That is, the display 6 is located closer to the wall 13 than the tank 5 in the one side of the second direction Y1. The display 6 displays various screens for controlling the CDU 100. Note that the display screen of the display 6 may be provided with a touch screen.

[0088] [Operation of CDU 100] Next, the operation of CDU 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 12. In CDU 100, when power is supplied to pumps 3A and 3B and fans 41A to 41H, the fans 41A to 41H begin to rotate, and an airflow passing through ventilation passage 24 of radiator 2 is generated within internal space S11, as indicated by arrows F11 and F12 (see Figure 6). Furthermore, high-temperature refrigerant flows into inlet 22 of radiator 2 through flow path 71. As the refrigerant flows through flow path 21 toward outlet 23, it exchanges heat with the airflow passing through ventilation passage 24. As a result, the temperature of the refrigerant drops. The low-temperature refrigerant flows out of housing 1 through flow path 72, pumps 3A and 3B, and flow path 73.

[0089] Second Embodiment (Refrigerant Circulation Device 110) Hereinafter, the configuration of a CDU 110 according to a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs.

[0090] Compared to CDU 100 (see Figure 2, etc.), CDU 110 differs in that instead of housing 1, pumps 3A, 3B, and airflow generating unit 4, CDU 110 is equipped with housing 1a, pumps 3a, 3b, and airflow generating unit 4a.

[0091] The housing 1a has an opening 11a. The radiator 2 is located away from the opening 11a. The pumps 3a and 3b are connected to a refrigerant flow path 21 of the radiator 2 and pump the refrigerant. The airflow generating unit 4a generates an airflow (see arrows F11a to F13a) that passes through the opening 11a and contacts the flow path 21. The pumps 3a and 3b are located between the opening 11a and the radiator 2. A distance D11a between the opening 11a and the pumps 3a and 3b is shorter than a distance D12a between the pumps 3a and 3b and the radiator 2. The second embodiment also achieves the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0092] The CDU 110 further includes a tank 5 a and a display 6 a instead of the tank 5 and the display 6 .

[0093] The pumps 3a, 3b and the tank 5a are positioned so as to overlap each other in the third direction Z.

[0094] The CDU 110 further includes a straightening member 8 having an inclined surface 81. The inclined surface 81 is inclined with respect to a second direction Y intersecting the opening 11 from a position P51, which is closer to the opening 11 than the pumps 3a and 3b, toward the pumps 3a and 3b. This allows air to flow smoothly from the opening 11 to the radiator 2. The inclined surface 81, the straightening member 8, and the position P51 are examples of the "first inclined surface," "first straightening member," and "first position" of the present disclosure.

[0095] The CDU 110 further includes a straightening member 9 having an inclined surface 91. The inclined surface 91 is inclined with respect to a second direction Y intersecting the opening 11 from a position P52, which is closer to the radiator 2 than the pumps 3a and 3b, toward the pumps 3a and 3b. This allows air to flow smoothly from the opening 11 to the radiator 2. The inclined surface 91, the straightening member 9, and the position P52 are examples of the "second inclined surface," "second straightening member," and "second position" of the present disclosure.

[0096] The tank 5a is positioned further in the third direction Z than the pumps 3a and 3b, and stores the refrigerant. The display 6a is provided at a position overlapping the tank 5a in the second direction Y that intersects with the opening 11.

[0097] Next, the detailed configuration of the CDU 110 will be described.

[0098] [Housing 1a] The housing 1a has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer in the second direction Y than in the first direction X and the third direction Z. The housing 1a separates the internal space S11 from the external space. The housing 1a has walls 12a, 14a to 17a. The walls 12a, 14a to 17a are similar to the walls 12, 14 to 17 (see FIG. 2), and therefore will not be described here. The housing 1a does not have a wall at its end on the one side in the second direction Y1. In other words, an opening 11a is formed over the entire end of the housing 1a on the one side in the second direction Y1. The opening 11a may be covered with so-called punched metal or mesh.

[0099] [Flow paths 71a to 73a] The CDU 110 further includes flow paths 71a to 73a made up of multiple pipes. Flow path 71a is drawn from the outside of the CDU 110 into the housing 1a and connected to the inlet 22 of the radiator 2. Flow path 72a connects the outlet 23 of the radiator 2 with the pumps 3a and 3b. Flow path 73a is connected to the pumps 3A and 3B and is drawn from the inside of the housing 1a to the outside.

[0100] [Pumps 3a, 3b] Each of the pumps 3a, 3b is installed in the housing 1 and is capable of pumping the refrigerant that has flowed in from the flow path 72a to the flow path 73a.

[0101] [Airflow Generation Unit 4] The airflow generation unit 4 includes a plurality of fans 41. Each fan 41 is attached to the wall 16a with screws or the like through an opening formed in the wall 16a. Like fans 41A to 41H, each fan 41 has an intake port, an outlet port, and an impeller in the housing. As each impeller rotates, air inside the housing 1a is drawn into the intake port. The air from the intake port is blown out of the housing 1a through the outlet port. As a result, as shown by arrows F11a to F13a, air passes through the opening 11a and the housing 1a and is blown out of each fan 41.

[0102] [Tank 5a] The tank 5a overlaps with the pumps 3a and 3b in the third direction Z and is positioned further in the third direction Z1 than the pumps 3a and 3b. The end of the tank 5a in the second direction Y2 is farther in the second direction Y1 than the radiator 2. The layout of the tank 5a improves the cooling performance of the refrigerant in the radiator 2.

[0103] The tank 5a stores the refrigerant. Similar to the tank 5 (see FIG. 4), the tank 5a is also in communication with the atmosphere and is capable of supplying the refrigerant to the flow paths 71a to 73a.

[0104] [Display 6a] The display 6a is located closer to the opening 11a than the tank 5a in the one side of the second direction Y1. The display 6a displays various screens for controlling the CDU 110.

[0105] [Straightening members 8, 9] Position P51 is a position farther away in one direction Y1 of the second direction than each of the pumps 3a, 3b. One straightening member 8 is provided for each of the pumps 3a, 3b, and has two inclined surfaces 81. The two inclined surfaces 81 become farther apart in the third direction Z as they move from position P51 toward each of the pumps 3a, 3b.

[0106] Position P52 is a position farther in the other side of the second direction Y2 than the pumps 3a and 3b. One flow straightening member 9 is provided for each of the pumps 3a and 3b, and has two inclined surfaces 91. The two inclined surfaces 91 become increasingly farther apart in the third direction Z as they move from position P52 toward the pumps 3a and 3b.

[0107] The flow regulating members 8 and 9 allow air to flow smoothly inside the housing 1a.

[0108] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, some of the components shown in one embodiment may be added to the components of another embodiment, or some of the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0109] Furthermore, the drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual configuration due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the configuration of each component shown in the above embodiment is an example and is not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present disclosure.

[0110] [Additional Notes] The present disclosure includes the following additional notes: The additional notes do not limit the refrigerant circulation device according to the present disclosure.

[0111] (1) A refrigerant circulation device comprising: a housing having an opening; a radiator located away from the opening; a pump connected to a refrigerant flow path of the radiator and pressurizing the refrigerant; and an airflow generating unit that generates an airflow that passes through the opening and contacts the flow path, wherein the pump is located between the opening and the radiator, and the distance between the opening and the pump is shorter than the distance between the pump and the radiator.

[0112] (2) The refrigerant circulation device according to (1), wherein the airflow generating unit includes a plurality of fans arranged in a first direction along the opening, and the pump is positioned between the plurality of fans in the first direction.

[0113] (3) The refrigerant circulation device according to (1) or (2), wherein the pump is insertable into and removable from the housing in a second direction intersecting the opening.

[0114] (4) A refrigerant circulation device described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the airflow generating unit includes a first fan and a second fan, the first fan and the second fan are positioned overlapping each other in a second direction intersecting the opening, the first fan is positioned on one side of the second direction relative to the radiator, and the second fan is positioned on the other side of the second direction relative to the radiator.

[0115] (5) The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the plurality of fans are further arranged in a third direction that is along the opening and intersects the first direction, and further includes a tank positioned between the plurality of fans in the third direction and that stores the refrigerant.

[0116] (6) The refrigerant circulation device according to (5), wherein the pump and the tank are positioned so as to overlap each other in the third direction.

[0117] (7) The refrigerant circulation device according to (5) or (6), further comprising a display at a position overlapping the tank in a second direction intersecting the opening.

[0118] (8) The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising a plurality of the pumps, the plurality of pumps being arranged at intervals in a third direction along the opening.

[0119] (9) A refrigerant circulation device described in any one of (1) to (8), further comprising a first straightening member having a first inclined surface that is inclined from a first position closer to the opening than the pump toward the pump with respect to a second direction that intersects the opening.

[0120] (10) A refrigerant circulation device described in any one of (1) to (9), further comprising a second straightening member having a second inclined surface that is inclined from a second position closer to the radiator than the pump toward the pump with respect to a second direction that intersects the opening.

[0121] (11) A refrigerant circulation device described in any one of (8) to (10), further comprising: a tank positioned in the third direction relative to the plurality of pumps and storing the refrigerant; and a display positioned overlapping the tank in the second direction intersecting the opening.

[0122] The refrigerant circulation device according to the present disclosure has industrial applicability.

[0123] REFRIGERATION METHOD 100, 110 Refrigerant circulating device 1, 1a Housing 11, 11a Opening 2 Radiator 3A, 3B, 3a, 3b Pump 4, 4a Airflow generating section 41 Fan 5, 5a Tank 6, 6a Display 8, 9 Flow straightening member 81, 91 Inclined surface

Claims

1. A refrigerant circulation device comprising: a housing having an opening; a radiator located away from the opening; a pump connected to a refrigerant flow path of the radiator and pressurizing the refrigerant; and an airflow generating unit that generates an airflow that passes through the opening and contacts the flow path, wherein the pump is located between the opening and the radiator, and the distance between the opening and the pump is shorter than the distance between the pump and the radiator.

2. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generating section includes a plurality of fans aligned in a first direction along the opening, and the pump is positioned between the plurality of fans in the first direction.

3. A refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pump is insertable into and removable from the housing in a second direction intersecting the opening.

4. A refrigerant circulation device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the airflow generating section includes a first fan and a second fan, the first fan and the second fan being positioned overlapping each other in a second direction intersecting the opening, the first fan being positioned on one side of the second direction relative to the radiator, and the second fan being positioned on the other side of the second direction relative to the radiator.

5. A refrigerant circulation device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of fans are aligned along the opening and in a third direction that intersects with the first direction, and further comprising a tank positioned between the plurality of fans in the third direction and that stores the refrigerant.

6. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 5, wherein the pump and the tank are positioned so as to overlap each other in the third direction.

7. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 5, further comprising a display at a position overlapping with the tank in a second direction intersecting with the opening.

8. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the pumps, the plurality of pumps being arranged at intervals in a third direction along the opening.

9. The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 8, further comprising a first straightening member having a first inclined surface that is inclined from a first position closer to the opening than the pump toward the pump with respect to a second direction intersecting the opening.

10. A refrigerant circulation device as described in claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising a second straightening member having a second inclined surface that is inclined from a second position closer to the radiator than the pump toward the pump with respect to a second direction intersecting the opening.

11. A refrigerant circulation device as described in claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising: a tank for storing the refrigerant, positioned in the third direction relative to the plurality of pumps; and a display positioned overlapping with the tank in the second direction intersecting the opening.

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