Cooling Device With Rib Deflections For Power Module Hot Spot Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for power modules in inverters suffer from inefficient cooling capacity distribution, leading to uneven heat dissipation, particularly at high heat generation areas (hot spots). Additionally, these devices often require complex production methods.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with cooling channels featuring local deflections that induce turbulent flow, improving cooling capacity distribution and allowing for simpler production methods. The device includes a base and cover with metallic surfaces for thermal connection, and ribs with oblique parts forming local deflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If uniform cooling channels are used, then the cooling capacity is evenly distributed, but hot spots cannot be effectively cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces local deflections in the cooling channel walls that create turbulent flow specifically at hot spot locations. This local modification of the cooling channel geometry concentrates cooling capacity where needed most, rather than distributing it uniformly throughout the entire channel system.
2Ease of manufacture
If complex production methods like forging and extrusion are used, then the cooling device can be manufactured, but the production process becomes complex and requires finishing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling channel formation with the base structure itself, where the cooling channels are integrated directly into the base rather than being separate components. This merging of functions allows the cooling device to be produced in a single casting process without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing or finishing operations.
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 cooling device achieves pinpoint accurate cooling, especially at high heat generation areas, by creating turbulent flow through local deflections, thereby enhancing overall cooling efficiency and simplifying production.
Implementation Method 1
the ribs have, at predefined positions, local deflections from the usual course of the cooling channel in question, with the result that turbulent flow of the cooling medium occurs locally at the respective deflection
Implementation Method 2
the base and/or the cover are/is designed as a metallic surface for thermal connection to the power module
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for cooling a power module has cooling channels between a base and a cover of the cooling device. A cooling medium can flow in the cooling channels. The base and/or the cover is in the form of a metal surface for thermal connection to the power module. Side walls of the cooling channels are formed by ribs. At predefined positions, the ribs have local deflections from the usual course of the cooling channel in question so that a turbulent flow of the cooling medium occurs locally at each deflection.