Headerless Liquid Cooling System with Vertical Inlet for Reduced Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid-cooled type cooling devices for power conversion apparatuses in vehicles have a volume increase due to the inclusion of headers for even liquid distribution, leading to increased pressure loss, which is undesirable for downsizing and weight reduction while maintaining cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system design without a header, featuring a liquid refrigerant flow path with an inlet and outlet disposed vertically, divided into regions with varying fin-mounting volume ratios to optimize flow distribution and pressure loss, ensuring even refrigerant distribution and reduced pressure loss without headers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headers are provided in the flow path to distribute cooling liquid evenly, then flow distribution is improved, but volume and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the header component from the cooling system. By removing the header and directly introducing the cooling liquid inlet into the flow path, the system achieves even flow distribution without the volume and pressure loss penalties associated with traditional header-based designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement by disposing the cooling liquid inlet and outlet in the vertical direction rather than using horizontal header extensions. This vertical arrangement allows direct integration into the flow path without requiring additional horizontal space, thereby reducing overall flow path volume while maintaining even distribution through strategic positioning.
2Reliability
If headers are provided in the flow path to distribute cooling liquid evenly, then flow distribution is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the header component from the cooling system. By removing the header and directly introducing the cooling liquid inlet into the flow path, the system achieves even flow distribution without the volume and pressure loss penalties associated with traditional header-based designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary flow distribution through the strategic positioning of the cooling liquid inlet and outlet in the vertical direction and the asymmetric configuration of the flow path. This preliminary arrangement ensures even distribution is achieved from the start of flow, eliminating the need for headers and reducing pressure loss throughout the system.
3Reliability
If the flow path is extended to improve cooling coverage, then cooling performance is improved, but volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement by disposing the cooling liquid inlet and outlet in the vertical direction rather than using horizontal header extensions. This vertical arrangement allows direct integration into the flow path without requiring additional horizontal space, thereby reducing overall flow path volume while maintaining even distribution through strategic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality optimization by creating regions with different fin-mounting volume ratios within the flow path. This allows the flow path to be compact in regions where less cooling is needed while providing extended cooling coverage in regions with higher heat generation, achieving effective cooling without uniform volume expansion.
4Reliability
If the flow path is extended to improve cooling coverage, then cooling performance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement by disposing the cooling liquid inlet and outlet in the vertical direction rather than using horizontal header extensions. This vertical arrangement allows direct integration into the flow path without requiring additional horizontal space, thereby reducing overall flow path volume while maintaining even distribution through strategic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the cooling liquid inlet and outlet directly into the flow path structure, eliminating the need for separate header components. This integration reduces the total number of parts and the overall volume of the cooling system, thereby reducing weight while maintaining effective cooling coverage through optimized flow path design.
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 allows for a small and lightweight cooling system that maintains cooling performance while minimizing pressure loss by optimizing refrigerant flow and distribution, achieving even flow distribution and reduced pressure loss across different regions.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid refrigerant flow path, which is formed on an opposite side of the placement plate, and is configured to allow a liquid refrigerant for cooling a plurality of components to flow therethrough
Implementation Method 2
allows the liquid refrigerant to flow into the liquid refrigerant flow passage... allows the liquid refrigerant to flow out from the liquid refrigerant flow passage
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes: a placement plate on which a plurality of components are disposed; and a liquid refrigerant flow path, which is formed on an opposite side of the placement plate with respect to the plurality of components, and is configured to allow a liquid refrigerant for cooling the plurality of components to flow therethrough. The path includes: a first heat-radiating portion disposed at a liquid refrigerant inlet portion around which fins are disposed such that distances from a flow-path inlet portion to the fins are gradually farther away from a flow-path side wall toward a center of the path; a second heat-radiating portion which includes fins having a curved shape; a third heat-radiating portion having no fins; a fourth heat-radiating portion having higher fin-mounting density than the first and the second heat-radiating portions, an inlet and an outlet through which the liquid refrigerant flows in and out.