Branched Flow-Path Heat Exchanger for High-Heat Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat sinks, such as those described in JP-T-2020-522144, are insufficient for cooling structures with high heat generation due to limited efficiency in heat transfer despite increased contact area with the cooling liquid.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a housing with specific flow ports and flow paths, including main and branch flow paths, optimized to enhance heat transfer efficiency by controlling the cross-sectional areas and flow directions of refrigerant paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the contact area with the cooling liquid is increased by using bridging flow paths, then the efficiency of heat transfer to the cooling liquid is enhanced, but the heat sink is still not sufficient for high heat generation sources
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple independent channels (first and second flow paths) that run parallel to each other, with each channel having its own inlet and outlet. This segmentation allows the cooling liquid to flow through multiple separate routes simultaneously, increasing the total heat transfer surface area and improving cooling capacity for high heat generation sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by forming flow paths that extend in the thickness direction of the heat sink (not just within a single plane). The flow paths are configured to extend from one surface of the heat sink through to the opposite surface, utilizing the third dimension (thickness) to increase heat transfer area without increasing the footprint area
2Productivity
If bridging flow paths with locally increasing and decreasing cross-section are used, then heat exchange between cooling liquid and heat sink is enhanced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flow paths are designed with non-uniform cross-sectional areas along their length, with specific regions having larger cross-sections and other regions having smaller cross-sections. This local variation in geometry optimizes the flow characteristics and heat transfer efficiency at different locations along the flow path without requiring complex three-dimensional structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a modular approach where multiple flow paths are created as copies of a basic flow path design. Each flow path follows the same general pattern of cross-sectional variations, allowing the complex heat exchange function to be achieved through repetition of a standardized unit structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The optimized design significantly improves heat transfer efficiency, effectively cooling high heat-generating elements in devices like projectors and electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange occurs between the cooling liquid and the heat sink
Implementation Method 2
a flow path through which a cooling liquid flows
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a housing having an accommodation chamber surrounded by first to fourth side surfaces; a first flow port disposed in the first side surface in a range from a half of a length to the third side surface from a center of the first side surface to the third side surface; a second flow port disposed in the first side surface in a range from a half of a length to the fourth side surface from a center of the first side surface to the fourth side surface; a third flow port disposed on the second side surface; the first to third main flow paths extending in the accommodation chamber; a plurality of first branch flow paths provided at a plurality of locations in the first main flow path; and a plurality of second branch flow paths provided at a plurality of locations in the second main flow path, and a plurality of third branch flow paths and fourth branch flow paths provided in the third main flow path, wherein a dimension ratio of a length of the accommodation chamber along the first side surface to a length of the accommodation chamber along the third side surface is 0.6 or more and 10.0 or less.