Cooling plate and method for manufacturing cooling plate

Abstract

A cooling plate according to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing and a refrigerant. The housing has a space formed therein. The refrigerant is arranged in the space. The housing comprises a flat plate-shaped first base material, a flat plate-shaped second base material, and a frame member. The second base material is disposed so as to face the first base material. The frame member connects the first base material and the second base material. The frame member has an annular shape when viewed in plan. The frame member includes, in a direction from one of the first base material and the second base material toward the other of the base materials, a thick-walled part and a thin-walled part that have different widths for separating the inside and the outside of the space. The frame member has a width that decreases from the thick part toward the thin part. The thin part is located at a connection part between members located on both sides of the thin part.

Description

Cooling Plate and Method for Manufacturing Cooling Plate

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a cooling plate and a method for manufacturing a cooling plate. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-208299 filed in Japan on November 29, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] There is a cooling plate including a first base material and a second base material having a flat plate shape arranged opposite to each other, and an annular frame member in a plan view located between the first base material and the second base material and forming a space into which a refrigerant is introduced between the first base material and the second base material (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] When manufacturing such a cooling plate, for example, the second base material is arranged opposite to the first base material provided with a frame member having a uniform width, and the second base material is brought into contact with the upper surface of the frame member and joined, thereby forming a space into which a refrigerant is introduced between the first base material and the second base material.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-005181

[0005] However, in the step of bringing the second base material into contact with the upper surface of the frame member having a uniform width and joining them, when the second base material is pressed toward the first base material, the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the second base material may bend toward the first base material side.

[0006] In this case, a step of cutting and flattening the upper surface of the second base material becomes necessary, which not only complicates the manufacturing process but also wastes the material of the second base material removed by cutting and increases the material cost.

[0007] One aspect of the embodiment is made in view of the above, and an object is to provide a cooling plate and a method for manufacturing a cooling plate that can simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the material cost.

[0008] A cooling plate according to one embodiment comprises a housing and a refrigerant. The housing has a space formed inside. The refrigerant is disposed in the space. The housing comprises a flat plate-shaped first base material, a flat plate-shaped second base material, and a frame member. The second base material is disposed opposite to the first base material. The frame member connects the first base material and the second base material. The frame member is annular in plan view. The frame member includes a thick portion and a thin portion with different widths that separate the inside and outside of the space in the direction from one base material to the other of the first and second base materials. The width of the frame member decreases from the thick portion to the thin portion. The thin portion is located at the connection portion of members located on both sides of the thin portion.

[0009] A cooling plate according to one embodiment of the invention can simplify the manufacturing process and reduce material costs.

[0010] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of a cooling plate according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view showing a cross-section obtained by cutting the cooling plate along the line A-A shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of a cooling plate according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of a cooling plate according to an embodiment. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of a cooling plate according to a first modified example of the embodiment. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of a cooling plate according to a second modified example of the embodiment. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of a cooling plate according to a third modified example of the embodiment. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of a cooling plate according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of a cooling plate according to a fifth modified example of the embodiment. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of a cooling plate according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of a cooling plate according to a seventh modified example of the embodiment. Figure 12 is a plan view showing a cross-section obtained by cutting the cooling plate along the line B-B shown in Figure 11.

[0011] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, embodiments for carrying out the cooling plate and the method for manufacturing the cooling plate according to this disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). However, this disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined as appropriate. In the following embodiments, components that perform the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0012] Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, expressions such as "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" may be used, but these expressions do not require strict adherence to "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" conditions. In other words, each of the above expressions allows for deviations, for example, in manufacturing accuracy or installation accuracy.

[0013] Furthermore, in the drawings referenced below, for the sake of clarity, mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axis directions are sometimes defined, and a Cartesian coordinate system is shown with the positive Z axis pointing vertically upward.

[0014] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are explanatory diagrams showing a side cross-section of the cooling plate 2 according to the embodiment. Figure 1 is a plan view showing a cross-section obtained by cutting the cooling plate 2 along the line A-A shown in Figure 1. The cooling plate 2 according to the embodiment is attached to a heat source to be cooled. The heat source is, for example, a heat-generating device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The cooling plate 2 is a device that cools the heat source by absorbing heat from it.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling plate 2 comprises a housing 20 and a refrigerant 21. The housing 20 has a space formed inside. The refrigerant 21 is located in the space inside the housing 20. A refrigerant circulation device (not shown) is connected to the housing 20. The refrigerant circulation device comprises a pump and a heat exchanger.

[0016] The refrigerant circulation device circulates the refrigerant 21 between the housing 20 and the device itself. The refrigerant circulation device cools the refrigerant 21, which has absorbed heat from the heat source, using a heat exchanger, and then pumps the cooled refrigerant 21 to the cooling plate 2. By repeating this process, the heat source is cooled.

[0017] The housing 20 comprises a first base material 22, a second base material 23, and a frame member 24. In one example, the first base material 22, the second base material 23, and the frame member 24 are made of a metal such as copper. However, the first base material 22, the second base material 23, and the frame member 24 may be made of a metal other than copper. Furthermore, the first base material 22, the second base material 23, and the frame member 24 may be made of a material other than metal, such as resin.

[0018] The first base material 22 is a flat plate-shaped member. In one example, the first base material 22 is rectangular in plan view. The second base material 23 is a flat plate-shaped member. In one example, the second base material 23 is rectangular in plan view, identical to the planar shape of the first base material 22.

[0019] The second base material 23 is positioned opposite the first base material 22. The first base material 22 and the second base material 23 are positioned opposite each other so that their main surfaces, which form a space inside the cooling plate 2, face each other.

[0020] The frame member 24 connects the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. As shown in Figure 2, the frame member 24 is annular in plan view. In one example, the frame member 24 has a rectangular frame shape in plan view. The housing 20 has an internal space formed by the opposing main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23 and the inner surface of the frame member 24.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the frame member 24 includes a thick portion 28 and a thin portion 29 with different widths separating the inside and outside of the space in the direction from one base material 22 to the other of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. The width of the frame member 24 decreases from the thick portion 28 to the thin portion 29. In one example, the thin portion 29 is located at the connection point of the members located on both sides of the thin portion 29.

[0022] In the example shown in Figure 1, the frame member 24 includes a first frame portion 25 and a second frame portion 26. The first frame portion 25 extends from the main surface of the first base material 22 toward the main surface of the second base material 23. The second frame portion 26 extends from the main surface of the second base material 23 toward the main surface of the first base material 22.

[0023] The connection between the first frame portion 25 and the first base material 22 in the frame member 24 is a thick portion 28. The connection between the second frame portion 26 and the second base material 23 in the frame member 24 is a thick portion 28. The connection between the first frame portion 25 and the second frame portion 26 in the frame member 24 is a thin portion 29.

[0024] The manufacturing process of the cooling plate 2 will now be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing the manufacturing process of the cooling plate 2 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, when manufacturing the cooling plate 2, an annular first frame portion 25 (see Figure 2) is provided on one main surface of the flat first base material 22 in a plan view. The first base material 22 and the first frame portion 25 may be formed by integral molding.

[0025] Furthermore, an annular second frame portion 26 is provided on one main surface of the flat second base material 23 in a plan view. The second base material 23 and the second frame portion 26 may be formed by integral molding. The first base material 22 and the second base material 23 are then positioned opposite each other such that the tip of the first frame portion 25 and the tip of the second frame portion 26 face each other.

[0026] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4, the tip of the first frame portion 25 and the second frame portion 26 are brought into contact, and then the second base material 23 is pressed toward the first base material 22 while heating, thereby diffusion bonding and connecting the tip of the first frame portion 25 and the tip of the second frame portion 26. As a result, a space is formed inside the housing 20 by the opposing main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23 and the inner surface of the frame member 24. After that, the cooling plate 2 shown in Figure 1 is completed by introducing the refrigerant 21 into the space formed inside the housing 20.

[0027] When the cooling plate 2 is manufactured in this way, before joining, the tip surfaces of the first frame portion 25 and the second frame portion 26 are smaller than the area of ​​the connection surface between the first frame portion 25 and the first base material 22, and the area of ​​the connection surface between the second frame portion 26 and the second base material 23.

[0028] Therefore, in the process of pressing the second base material 23 toward the first base material 22, the tip surfaces of the first frame portion 25 and the second frame portion 26 are subjected to greater surface pressure than the connection surface between the first frame portion 25 and the first base material 22, and the connection surface between the second frame portion 26 and the second base material 23, due to their smaller surface area.

[0029] Therefore, the first frame portion 25 and the second frame portion 26 can be diffusely bonded even with a weaker pressing force, compared to the case where, for example, the width separating the inside and outside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located in the first frame portion 25 and the second frame portion 26 is uniform in the direction from the first base material 22 to the second base material 23.

[0030] As a result, in the process of pressing the second base material 23 toward the first base material 22, the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the second base material 23 is less likely to curve toward the first base material 22, thus eliminating the need for the process of cutting and flattening the upper surface of the second base material 23. Therefore, the cooling plate 2 according to this embodiment simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces material costs because no material from the second base material 23 that would otherwise be removed by cutting is generated.

[0031] Furthermore, the cooling plate 2 can be manufactured using materials of the same shape as the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. Therefore, the manufacturing process can be simplified compared to when it is necessary to manufacture the first base material 22 and the second base material 23 of different shapes.

[0032] Here, we have described the case in which frame members are provided on both the first base material 22 and the second base material 23, but the frame members may be provided on either the first base material 22 or the second base material 23. In this case, the cooling plate is manufactured by the following method.

[0033] First, a frame member is provided on either the flat-shaped first base material 22 or the flat-shaped second base material 23. This frame member is annular in plan view and becomes thinner from the base end, which is the connection point with the other base material, towards the tip.

[0034] Subsequently, the main surface of one base material on which the frame member is provided is placed opposite the main surface of the other base material, and the tip of the frame member is connected to the other member to form a space between the first base material 22 and the second base material 23 into which the refrigerant 21 is introduced. Then, the refrigerant 21 is introduced into the space formed between the first base material 22 and the second base material 23 to manufacture the cooling plate.

[0035] Next, a cooling plate 3 according to the first modified embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the cooling plate 3 according to the first modified embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the side cross-sectional shape of the frame member 31 in the housing 30 of the cooling plate 3 is different from that of the frame member 24 shown in Figure 1. The other configurations of the cooling plate 3 are the same as those of the cooling plate 2 shown in Figure 1.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the frame member 31 includes a first frame portion 32 and a second frame portion 33. The first frame portion 32 extends from the first base material 22 toward the second base material 23. The second frame portion 33 extends from the second base material 23 toward the first base material 22.

[0037] The thick portion 28 of the frame member 31 is located at the connection point between the first base material 22 and the first frame portion 32, and at the connection point between the second base material 23 and the second frame portion 33. The thin portion 29 of the frame member 31 is located at the connection point 34 between the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33.

[0038] Furthermore, the surfaces of the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 that face the outside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located are parallel to the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. The shape of the surfaces of the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 that face the inside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located is the same as that of the first frame portion 25 and the second frame portion 26 shown in Figure 1.

[0039] The cooling plate 3 has a flat outer surface, which improves its appearance. Moreover, the cooling plate 3 can secure a space inside the housing 30 with a volume similar to the space where the refrigerant 21 is located in the cooling plate 2 shown in Figure 1.

[0040] Next, the cooling plate 4 according to the second modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the cooling plate 4 according to the second modification of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the side cross-sectional shape of the frame member 41 in the housing 40 of the cooling plate 4 is different from that of the frame member 24 shown in FIG. 1. Other configurations of the cooling plate 4 are the same as those of the cooling plate 2 shown in FIG. 1.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the frame member 41 includes a first frame portion 42 and a second frame portion 43. The first frame portion 42 extends from the first base material 22 toward the second base material 23. The second frame portion 43 extends from the second base material 23 toward the first base material 22.

[0042] The thick portion 28 of the frame member 41 is located at the connection portion between the first base material 22 and the first frame portion 42 and the connection portion between the second base material 23 and the second frame portion 43. The thin portion 29 of the frame member 41 is located at the connection portion 44 between the first frame portion 42 and the second frame portion 43.

[0043] And, the surfaces of the first frame portion 42 and the second frame portion 43 facing the inside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located are parallel to the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. Note that the shapes of the surfaces of the first frame portion 42 and the second frame portion 43 facing the outside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located are the same as those of the first frame portion 25 and the second frame portion 26 shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] When, for example, a plurality of heat absorption fins extending from one of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23 toward the other base material are provided in the space where the refrigerant 21 is located in the cooling plate 4, the heat absorption fins can be provided up to the closest position from the inner surface of the frame member 41.

[0045] Next, the cooling plate 5 according to the third modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the cooling plate 5 according to the third modification of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the side cross-sectional shape of the frame member 51 in the housing 50 of the cooling plate 5 is different from that of the frame member 24 shown in FIG. 1. Other configurations of the cooling plate 5 are the same as those of the cooling plate 2 shown in FIG. 1.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, the frame member 51 includes a first frame portion 52 and a second frame portion 53. The first frame portion 52 extends from the first base material 22 toward the second base material 23. The second frame portion 53 extends from the second base material 23 toward the first base material 22.

[0047] The thick portion 28 of the frame member 51 is located at the connection portion between the first base material 22 and the first frame portion 52 and the connection portion between the second base material 23 and the second frame portion 53. The thin portion 29 of the frame member 51 is located at the connection portion 54 between the first frame portion 52 and the second frame portion 53.

[0048] And one of the first frame portion 52 and the second frame portion 53 has a surface facing the outside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located parallel to the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the surface of the first frame portion 52 facing the outside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located is parallel to the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. Note that the shape of the surface of the first frame portion 52 facing the inside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located is the same as that of the first frame portion 25 shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] Also, for the other of the first frame portion 52 and the second frame portion 53, the surface facing the inside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located is parallel to the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the shape of the surface of the second frame portion 53 facing the outside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located is the same as that of the second frame portion 26 shown in FIG. 1.

[0050] For example, when the cooling plate 5 is provided with a plurality of heat absorption fins extending from the second base material 23 to the position of the connection portion 54 in the space where the refrigerant 21 is located, the heat absorption fins can be provided from the inner surface of the second frame portion 53 to the nearest position.

[0051] Furthermore, in this case, the cooling plate 5 can make the capacity of the region in the space where the refrigerant 21 is located and where heat absorption fins are not provided and which does not contribute to heat absorption below the connection portion 54 smaller than the capacity of the region above the connection portion 55. Thereby, since the amount of the refrigerant 21 introduced into the region that does not contribute to heat absorption in the cooling plate 5 is reduced, the heat absorption efficiency can be improved.

[0052] Next, a cooling plate 6 according to a fourth modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the cooling plate 6 according to the fourth modification of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the side cross-sectional shape of the frame member 61 in the housing 60 of the cooling plate 6 is different from that of the frame member 24 shown in Figure 1. The other components of the cooling plate 6 are the same as those of the cooling plate 2 shown in Figure 1.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, the frame member 61 includes a frame portion that extends from one of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 toward the other base material. In the example shown in Figure 8, the frame member 61 includes a frame portion 62 that extends from the first base material 22 toward the second base material 23.

[0054] The thick portion 28 of the frame member 61 is located at the connection point between one of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 and the frame member 61. The thin portion 29 of the frame member 61 is located at the connection point 63 between the other base material of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 and the frame member 61. In the example shown in Figure 8, the thick portion 28 is located at the connection point between the first base material 22 and the frame member 62. The thin portion 29 is located at the connection point 63 between the frame member 62 and the second base material 23.

[0055] The cooling plate 6 only requires a frame member to be provided on one of the base materials, the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. In the example shown in Figure 8, the frame member 61 is provided on the first base material 22, so the second base material 23 can be a simple flat plate. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the second base material 23.

[0056] Next, a cooling plate 7 according to a fifth modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the cooling plate 7 according to the fifth modification of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the side cross-sectional shape of the frame member 71 in the housing 70 of the cooling plate 7 is different from that of the frame member 61 shown in Figure 8. The other components of the cooling plate 7 are the same as those of the cooling plate 6 shown in Figure 8.

[0057] As shown in Figure 9, the frame member 71 includes a frame portion extending from one of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 toward the other base material. In the example shown in Figure 9, the frame member 71 includes a frame portion 72 extending from the first base material 22 toward the second base material 23.

[0058] The thick portion 28 of the frame member 71 is located at the connection point between one of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 and the frame member 71. The thin portion 29 of the frame member 71 is located at the connection point 73 between the other base material of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 and the frame member 71. In the example shown in Figure 9, the thick portion 28 is located at the connection point between the first base material 22 and the frame member 72. The thin portion 29 is located at the connection point 73 between the frame member 72 and the second base material 23.

[0059] The frame portion 72 has a surface facing the outside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located that is parallel to the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. The shape of the surface of the frame portion 72 facing the inside of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located is the same as that of the frame portion 62 shown in Figure 8.

[0060] As a result, the cooling plate 7 has a flat outer surface, improving its aesthetic appearance. Moreover, the cooling plate 7 can secure a space inside the housing 70 with a volume similar to the volume of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located in the cooling plate 6 shown in Figure 8.

[0061] Next, a cooling plate 8 according to a sixth modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the cooling plate 8 according to the sixth modification of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the side cross-sectional shape of the frame member 81 in the housing 80 of the cooling plate 8 is different from that of the frame member 61 shown in Figure 8. The other configurations of the cooling plate 8 are the same as those of the cooling plate 6 shown in Figure 8.

[0062] As shown in Figure 9, the frame member 81 includes a frame portion that extends from one of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 toward the other base material. In the example shown in Figure 10, the frame member 81 includes a frame portion 82 that extends from the first base material 22 toward the second base material 23.

[0063] The thick portion 28 of the frame member 81 is located at the connection point between one of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 and the frame member 81. The thin portion 29 of the frame member 61 is located at the connection point 73 between the other base material of the first base material 22 or the second base material 23 and the frame member 81. In the example shown in Figure 9, the thick portion 28 is located at the connection point between the first base material 22 and the frame member 82. The thin portion 29 is located at the connection point 83 between the frame member 82 and the second base material 23.

[0064] The frame portion 82 has a surface facing the interior of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located that is parallel to the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. The shape of the surface of the frame portion 82 facing the exterior of the space where the refrigerant 21 is located is the same as that of the frame portion 62 shown in Figure 8.

[0065] For example, if the cooling plate 8 is provided with a plurality of heat-absorbing fins extending from one of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23 toward the other base material in the space where the refrigerant 21 is located, the heat-absorbing fins can be provided up to the immediate vicinity from the inner surface of the frame member 81.

[0066] Next, a cooling plate 9 according to a seventh modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the cooling plate 9 according to the seventh modification of the embodiment. Figure 12 is a plan view showing a cross-section obtained by cutting the cooling plate 9 along the line B-B shown in Figure 11.

[0067] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the housing 90 comprises a plurality (in this case, two) of frame members 24 and 94. The frame members 24 and 94 are located on concentric frame lines in a plan view. In the example shown in Figures 11 and 12, the frame member 24 is provided in a position that surrounds the frame member 94 in a plan view.

[0068] As shown in Figure 11, the frame member 94 includes a thick portion 28 and a thin portion 29 with different widths separating the inside and outside of the space in the direction from one base material 22 to the other of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23. The width of the frame member 94 decreases from the thick portion 28 to the thin portion 29. In one example, the thin portion 29 is located at the connection point of the members located on both sides of the thin portion 29.

[0069] In the example shown in Figure 11, the frame member 94 includes a first frame portion 91 and a second frame portion 92. The first frame portion 91 extends from the main surface of the first base material 22 toward the main surface of the second base material 23. The second frame portion 92 extends from the main surface of the second base material 23 toward the main surface of the first base material 22.

[0070] The connection between the first frame portion 91 and the first base material 22 in the frame member 94 is a thick portion 28. The connection between the second frame portion 92 and the second base material 23 in the frame member 94 is a thick portion 28. The connection between the first frame portion 91 and the second frame portion 92 in the frame member 94 is a thin portion 29.

[0071] In other words, the cross-sectional shapes of the frame members 24 and 94 are the same as the cross-sectional shape of the frame member 24 shown in Figure 1. In the cooling plate 9, the refrigerant 21 is introduced into the space formed by the opposing main surfaces of the first base material 22 and the second base material 23 and the inner surface of the frame member 94.

[0072] As a result, even if the refrigerant 21 leaks outside the frame member 94, the frame member 24 can prevent the leaked refrigerant 21 from leaking outside the cooling plate 9.

[0073] Furthermore, this technology can take the following configuration: (1) A cooling plate comprising a housing in which a space is formed inside, and a refrigerant disposed in the space, wherein the housing comprises a flat plate-shaped first base material, a flat plate-shaped second base material disposed opposite to the first base material, and a frame member connecting the first base material and the second base material, wherein the frame member is annular in plan view, and includes a thick portion and a thin portion with different widths separating the inside and outside of the space in the direction from one base material to the other of the first base material and the second base material, the width decreasing from the thick portion to the thin portion, and the thin portion is a cooling plate located at the connection portion of members located on both sides of the thin portion. (2) The cooling plate according to (1), wherein the frame member includes a first frame portion extending from the first base material toward the second base material and a second frame portion extending from the second base material toward the first base material, the thick portion being located at the connection portion between the first base material and the first frame portion and the connection portion between the second base material and the second frame portion, and the thin portion being located at the connection portion between the first frame portion and the second frame portion. (3) The cooling plate according to (2), wherein the surfaces of the first frame portion and the second frame portion facing the outside of the space are parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first base material and the second base material. (4) The cooling plate according to (2), wherein the surfaces of the first frame portion and the second frame portion facing the inside of the space are parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first base material and the second base material. (5) The cooling plate according to (2), wherein one of the first frame portion and the second frame portion has a surface facing the outside of the space that is parallel to the normal direction of the main surface of the first base material and the second base material, and the other of the first frame portion and the second frame portion has a surface facing the inside of the space that is parallel to the normal direction of the main surface of the first base material and the second base material. (6) The cooling plate according to (1), wherein the frame member includes a frame portion extending from one base material of the first base material or the second base material toward the other base material, the thick portion is located at the connection between the one base material of the first base material or the second base material and the frame portion, and the thin portion is located at the connection between the other base material of the first base material or the second base material and the frame portion.(7) The cooling plate according to (6), wherein the frame portion has a surface facing the outside of the space that is parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first and second base materials. (8) The cooling plate according to (6), wherein the frame portion has a surface facing the inside of the space that is parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first and second base materials. (9) The cooling plate according to any one of (1) to (8), comprising a plurality of frame members, wherein the plurality of frame members are located on concentric frame lines in a plan view. (10) A method for manufacturing a cooling plate, comprising the steps of: providing a frame member on at least one of a flat plate-shaped first base material and a flat plate-shaped second base material, which is annular in plan view and becomes thinner from the base end to the tip end that serves as a connection portion with the first base material; facing the main surface of the first base material on which the frame member is provided with the main surface of the other base material, and connecting the tip end of the frame member to the other base material to form a space between the first base material and the second base material into which a refrigerant is introduced; and introducing a refrigerant into the space.

[0074] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0075] 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Cooling plate 21 Refrigerant 22 First base material 23 Second base material 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 Housing 24, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 94 Frame member 28 Thick section 29 Thin section

Claims

1. A cooling plate comprising a housing having a space formed inside, and a refrigerant disposed in the space, wherein the housing comprises a flat plate-shaped first base material, a flat plate-shaped second base material disposed opposite to the first base material, and a frame member connecting the first base material and the second base material, wherein the frame member is annular in plan view, and includes a thick portion and a thin portion with different widths separating the inside and outside of the space in the direction from one base material to the other of the first base material and the second base material, the width decreasing from the thick portion to the thin portion, and the thin portion is a cooling plate located at the connection portion of members located on both sides of the thin portion.

2. The cooling plate according to claim 1, wherein the frame member includes a first frame portion extending from the first base material toward the second base material and a second frame portion extending from the second base material toward the first base material, the thick portion is located at the connection portion between the first base material and the first frame portion and the connection portion between the second base material and the second frame portion, and the thin portion is located at the connection portion between the first frame portion and the second frame portion.

3. The cooling plate according to claim 2, wherein the surfaces of the first frame portion and the second frame portion facing the outside of the space are parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first base material and the second base material.

4. The cooling plate according to claim 2, wherein the surfaces of the first frame portion and the second frame portion facing the interior of the space are parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first base material and the second base material.

5. The cooling plate according to claim 2, wherein one of the first frame portion and the second frame portion has a surface facing the outside of the space that is parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first base material and the second base material, and the other of the first frame portion and the second frame portion has a surface facing the inside of the space that is parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first base material and the second base material.

6. The cooling plate according to claim 1, wherein the frame member includes a frame portion extending from one of the first or second base materials toward the other base material, the thick portion is located at the connection between the one of the first or second base materials and the frame portion, and the thin portion is located at the connection between the other base material of the first or second base material and the frame portion.

7. The cooling plate according to claim 6, wherein the frame portion has a surface facing the outside of the space that is parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first base material and the second base material.

8. The cooling plate according to claim 6, wherein the frame portion has a surface facing the interior of the space that is parallel to the normal direction of the main surfaces of the first base material and the second base material.

9. The cooling plate according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of frame members, wherein the plurality of frame members are located on concentric frame lines in a plan view.

10. A method for manufacturing a cooling plate, comprising the steps of: providing a frame member on at least one of a flat plate-shaped first base material and a flat plate-shaped second base material, which is annular in plan view and becomes thinner from the base end that serves as a connection portion with the first base material to the tip; facing the main surface of the first base material on which the frame member is provided with the main surface of the other base material, and connecting the tip of the frame member to the other base material to form a space between the first base material and the second base material into which a refrigerant is introduced; and introducing a refrigerant into the space.

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