Prism Cooling Unit for Compact Power Conversion Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power conversion devices require a large surface area for cooling, leading to complex refrigerant channel routing and increased footprint, which complicates installation and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion device with a prism-shaped cooling unit that has refrigerant inlet and outlet portions, allowing electronic devices to be disposed on multiple surfaces, simplifying the cooling channel routing and reducing the necessary footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If electronic devices are disposed on multiple surfaces of a prism-shaped cooling unit, then the footprint is reduced and cooling efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar cooling arrangement to a three-dimensional prism-shaped cooling unit with electronic devices disposed on multiple surfaces (top, bottom, and side surfaces). This dimensional change allows heat-generating devices to be distributed across three-dimensional space rather than confined to a single plane, thereby reducing the required footprint while providing extensive cooling surface area through the refrigerant channels formed on the cooling unit.
2Reliability
If refrigerant channels are provided on both surfaces of electronic devices, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the routing becomes very complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling functions for multiple electronic devices into a single integrated prism-shaped cooling unit. Instead of providing separate refrigerant channels for each device or on both surfaces of each device, the invention consolidates the cooling architecture by forming refrigerant channels on the cooling unit that can cool multiple devices simultaneously, thereby simplifying the overall routing while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The prism-shaped cooling unit serves multiple functions: it provides cooling surfaces on its top, bottom, and side surfaces; it contains integrated refrigerant channels that cool multiple electronic devices; and it acts as a structural housing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for each device, simplifying the overall routing architecture while maintaining effective cooling.
3Device complexity
If a flat cooling structure is used with devices lined up on one surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the required surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a prism-shaped cooling unit that utilizes three-dimensional space by disposing electronic devices on multiple surfaces (top, bottom, and side surfaces) rather than lining them up on a single flat surface. This dimensional transition allows the system to maintain low device complexity while significantly reducing the required footprint, as devices are distributed across vertical and horizontal surfaces rather than occupying extensive planar space.
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 solution enables a more compact power conversion device with simplified cooling channel routing, reducing the footprint and enhancing cooling efficiency while maintaining effective heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic devices being cooled by boiling of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
The power conversion device of the invention includes: a cooling unit that is a prism, the interior of which is hollow, and that has a refrigerant inlet portion and a refrigerant outlet portion the cooling unit having in the interior thereof a refrigerant channel through which a refrigerant flows from the refrigerant inlet portion towards the refrigerant outlet portion; electronic devices that are respectively disposed on three or more surfaces on the outside of side surfaces of the cooling unit, excluding a refrigerant inlet surface, in which the refrigerant inlet portion is disposed, and a refrigerant outlet surface, in which the refrigerant outlet portion is disposed, the electronic devices being cooled by boiling of the refrigerant; and a hollow outer case 4 that covers the electronic devices.