Cooler Joining Members Biting Base and Housing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolers for in-vehicle power conversion devices face a challenge in balancing mechanical strength and cooling performance due to the requirement for space to accommodate fastening screws and sealing members, which reduces refrigerant flow paths and complicates secure sealing.
Innovation Solution
The cooler design includes joining members that bite into the base and housing in an unpenetrated state, positioned inside the refrigerant flow path, allowing for enhanced mechanical strength without compromising cooling performance by eliminating the need for additional sealing space and preventing refrigerant leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fastening members and sealing members are disposed in the central portion of the overlap region between base and housing, then mechanical strength is improved, but refrigerant flow path space is reduced and sealing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fastening function and sealing function into separate components: fastening members (screws) for mechanical strength and sealing members (O-rings) for refrigerant containment. This segmentation allows each to be optimized independently without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar sealing to three-dimensional sealing by having O-rings fit into grooves that extend into the depth of the base and housing. This dimensional change allows sealing members to effectively seal the refrigerant flow path without occupying valuable surface space.
2Reliability
If double O-rings are provided with liquid discharge holes, then sealing reliability is improved, but refrigerant flow path space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid discharge function from the sealing members themselves and implements it separately through drainage holes in the base and housing. This allows O-rings to focus solely on sealing without needing discharge holes, preserving refrigerant flow path space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces drainage holes as intermediary structures that handle liquid discharge without requiring the sealing members to have discharge holes. These holes are positioned in non-critical areas that do not interfere with the refrigerant flow path.
3Strength
If joining members bite into base and housing in unpenetrated state, then mechanical strength is improved and sealing space is preserved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different joining characteristics to different locations: fastening members (screws) provide strong mechanical anchoring in the outer peripheral portion where high strength is needed, while joining members provide localized biting fixation in the inner peripheral portion where space is constrained. Each location receives the appropriate joining method for its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite joining methods combining threaded fastening (screws) with deformation joining (biting members). This composite approach leverages the strengths of both methods: the adjustable strength of threaded fastening and the space-efficient deformation fixation, achieving both mechanical strength and space preservation.
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
This configuration improves mechanical strength and maintains high cooling performance, even under vibrations or impacts, while ensuring no refrigerant leakage and reducing assembly complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
joining members which are disposed in a joining surface portion of the housing, which is inside the outer peripheral portion of the refrigerant flow path and makes contact, with the base, and which bite into the base and housing in an unpenetrated state
Implementation Method 2
between which and the base a refrigerant flow path is formed
Implementation Method 3
sealing members which seal the outer peripheral portion of the refrigerant flow path
Implementation Method 4
semiconductor elements are mounted on the upper surface of a heatsink with cooling fins
Implementation Method 5
heatsink with cooling fins
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler includes a base on the upper surface of which semiconductor elements are mounted; a housing which is superimposed on the rear surface side of the base and between which and the base a refrigerant flow path is formed; screws which are disposed in the outer peripheral portion of an overlap region between the base and the housing and which fasten and fix the base to the housing; O-rings which seal the outer peripheral portion of the refrigerant flow path; and joining members which are disposed in a joining surface portion of the housing, which is inside the outer peripheral portion of the refrigerant flow path and makes contact with the base, and which bite into the base and housing in an unpenetrated state. The joining strength between the housing and the base is reinforced by the joining members whose joint interfaces are not exposed to the outside.