Power Converter Cooling Base Flow Control for Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cooling performance of power modules in power conversion devices is compromised due to the flow of cooling water around cooling fins, leading to reduced heat dissipation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion device design featuring a flow passage casing with a power module having a bottomed cylindrical portion and a flange portion, where a group of radiator fins are mounted on the outer surface with a gap, and a flow passage control member is used to introduce the cooling medium into the radiator fins, optimizing the cooling medium flow path to enhance heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling water flows around cooling fins to cool the power module, then the power module can be cooled, but cooling performance is lowered due to water bypassing the fins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful bypass flow path from the cooling system by introducing a flow passage control member that blocks the gap between the flange portion and radiator fins, forcing cooling water to flow only through the intended fin passages where heat dissipation occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The flow passage control member acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the cooling water flow and the radiator fins, directing the water flow to properly interact with the fins for effective heat transfer while preventing wasteful bypass flow
2Ease of manufacture
If a gap is formed between the flange portion and radiator fins for assembly, then assembly is facilitated, but cooling performance deteriorates due to water leakage through the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage control member is selectively positioned only in the gap region between the flange portion and radiator fins, providing local flow control exactly where needed to prevent bypass leakage while maintaining the overall gap structure for assembly purposes
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 design enhances the cooling performance of the power module by ensuring efficient heat transfer, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the power conversion process.
Implementation Method 1
a flow passage through which a cooling medium flows is formed
Implementation Method 2
ensuring efficient heat transfer
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A power conversion device includes: a cooling base 5 in which a flow passage 51 through which a cooling medium flows is formed and an opening portion 50 which is communicated with the flow passage 51 is formed; a power module 1; and a flow passage control portion 16b. The power module 1 has a bottomed cylindrical portion 13a in which a power semiconductor element is housed and which is inserted into the flow passage 51 through the opening portion 50, a flange portion 13b which is formed on an opening of the cylindrical portion 13a and is fixed to the cooling base 5 so as to close the opening portion 50, and a group of radiator fins 144 which are mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 13a with a gap of a predetermined distance formed between the flange portion 13b and the group of radiator fins 144. The flow passage control portion 16b is arranged in a gap formed between the flange portion 13b and the group of radiator fins 144, and introduces the cooling medium into the group of radiator fins 144 while preventing the cooling medium from flowing into gaps 51c.