Cooler Nozzle Deformation for Sealing and Cooling Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolers for power modules in hybrid automobiles face reduced cooling performance due to dimensional tolerances causing coolant leaks and reduced jet velocity, leading to inefficient heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A cooler design with a nozzle featuring a low-rigidity deformation portion that displaces the ejection port closer to the heat transfer member, ensuring efficient coolant delivery and minimizing leaks by deforming under pressure, thereby enhancing cooling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the height of the nozzle member is increased to ensure hermetic sealing between the nozzle member and case body, then sealing reliability is improved, but a gap occurs between the nozzles and fins which reduces cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle member is designed with a deformable portion that allows dynamic adjustment of the nozzle position. When coolant flows through the nozzle, the reaction force causes the deformable portion to bend, automatically adjusting the nozzle tip position to maintain optimal spacing with the fins while ensuring hermetic sealing at the base. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between sealing reliability and cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the rigidity parameter of the nozzle member by introducing a deformable portion with different material properties or structural characteristics. This allows the nozzle to exhibit flexible behavior under operational conditions (coolant flow) while maintaining structural integrity for sealing purposes, thereby resolving the contradiction between rigid sealing requirements and flexible positioning needs.
2Productivity
If the height of the nozzle member is decreased to reduce gap between nozzles and fins, then cooling performance is improved, but hermetic sealing between nozzle member and case body cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle member incorporates a deformable portion that enables dynamic position adjustment. During operation, coolant flow generates reaction force that bends the deformable portion, automatically optimizing the nozzle tip position to minimize gap with fins while the base portion maintains hermetic sealing. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between reduced nozzle height for cooling and sufficient height for sealing.
3Ease of manufacture
If dimensional tolerances are accommodated in nozzle member height, then manufacturing ease is improved, but coolant leaks occur and jet velocity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion of the nozzle member acts as a self-adjusting mechanism that compensates for dimensional tolerances in manufacturing. During coolant flow, the reaction force causes the deformable portion to bend, automatically adjusting the nozzle tip position to ensure proper spacing with fins and maintain optimal jet velocity, thereby compensating for manufacturing variations without requiring tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle member performs self-adjustment through its deformable portion that automatically responds to coolant flow conditions. The structure self-regulates the nozzle tip position based on operational conditions, eliminating the need for precision manufacturing while ensuring reliable coolant delivery and appropriate jet velocity.
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 cooler effectively suppresses the reduction in cooling performance by ensuring efficient coolant ejection and heat transfer, maintaining high performance despite dimensional tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure receiving portion is configured to receive force in an ejection direction of the coolant
Implementation Method 2
the deformation portion is configured to displace the ejection port in the ejection direction of the coolant in response to the force in the ejection direction of the coolant, the force being received by the pressure receiving portion
Implementation Method 3
flows the coolant into fins, thereby cooling a heating element brought into contact with the fins
Implementation Method 4
the coolant in the inflow passages 913 is ejected from the coolant supply holes 912 to regions between the fins 902, whereby a cooling target attached onto the base plate 903 is cooled
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler includes: a fin having a coolant inflow port; and a nozzle configured to eject the supplied coolant toward the coolant inflow port. The nozzle includes a flow passage wall, a tip end, a pressure receiving portion and a deformation portion. The tip end provides a coolant supply hole that ejects the coolant flowing through the flow passage. The pressure receiving portion is configured to be provided between the flow passage wall and the coolant supply hole, and to receive force in an ejection direction of the coolant. The deformation portion is configured to be provided either of between the flow passage wall and the pressure receiving portion and in the pressure receiving portion, and to displace the coolant supply hole in the ejection direction of the coolant in response to the force in the ejection direction of the coolant, the force being received by the pressure receiving portion.