Cooler Flow Path Retention Structure for Uniform Refrigerant Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power conversion devices face challenges in improving cooling capability without increasing size or risking abnormalities due to high refrigerant flow rates or velocities.
Innovation Solution
A cooler design with a flow path featuring retention portions that locally change the cross-sectional area to promote refrigerant retention, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and preventing abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the flow rate of the refrigerant is increased by enlarging the flow path cross-sectional area, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the pump capacity must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path cross-sectional area is varied locally along the flow direction rather than being uniformly enlarged. The retention portions create localized expansions that increase refrigerant retention time and improve heat exchange efficiency without requiring a uniform increase in flow path area throughout the entire system, thus avoiding the need to increase pump capacity.
2Temperature
If the flow velocity of the refrigerant is increased, then the cooling capacity is improved, but abnormalities such as damage may occur inside the flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The flow velocity is controlled locally through strategically placed retention portions rather than maintaining high velocity throughout the entire flow path. These localized expansions allow the refrigerant to slow down and exchange heat more effectively at critical locations, improving cooling capacity without subjecting the entire flow path to high-velocity damage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
Retention portions are positioned upstream at locations where refrigerant temperature and pressure conditions are most favorable for heat exchange. This preliminary action allows the refrigerant to undergo effective cooling before reaching sections where high velocity would cause damage, pre-conditioning the flow to reduce subsequent velocity requirements.
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
Enhances cooling capacity while maintaining device size and preventing refrigerant-related abnormalities, achieving uniform heat transfer and efficient cooling of components.
Implementation Method 1
The retention portion changes a flow path cross-sectional area so as to promote retention of the refrigerant locally in the flow path
Implementation Method 2
The contact surface is in contact with a cooling target object
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler of an embodiment includes a contact surface, a flow path formation portion, a supply portion, a discharge portion, and at least one retention portion. The contact surface is in contact with a cooling target object. A flow path through which a refrigerant flows is formed in the flow path formation portion. The supply portion supplies the refrigerant to the flow path. The discharge portion discharges the refrigerant from the flow path. The retention portion changes a flow path cross-sectional area so as to promote retention of the refrigerant locally in the flow path.