Refrigerant Jacket Recess Layout for Power Device Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigeration apparatuses require an insulation sheet between the refrigerant jacket and power device lead sections, increasing costs and complicating assembly, while still needing to ensure insulation properties.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration apparatus design featuring a refrigerant jacket with a contact portion and recessed portions that maintain insulation distances from lead sections without the need for an insulation sheet, utilizing a contact portion that contacts the power device and recessed portions positioned further away from the lead sections to secure insulation distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an insulation sheet is provided between the refrigerant jacket and the power device lead sections, then insulating properties are secured, but manufacturing cost increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating propertiesVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the insulation sheet from the assembly by integrating the insulation function directly into the refrigerant jacket structure through recessed portions. This extraction of the separate insulation component eliminates the need for additional assembly steps while maintaining the required insulating properties between the refrigerant jacket and lead sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the insulation function with the refrigerant jacket structure by forming recessed portions that create insulating spaces. This merging of the insulation function into the existing jacket structure eliminates the need for a separate insulation sheet, thereby reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing cost while preserving electrical insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If an insulation sheet is provided between the refrigerant jacket and the power device lead sections, then insulating properties are secured, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating propertiesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the separate insulation sheet component and replaces it with structurally integrated recessed portions in the refrigerant jacket. This eliminates the need to purchase and install separate insulation materials, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the necessary insulating properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerant jacket is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides refrigerant flow for cooling, maintains structural support, and creates insulating spaces through its recessed portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulation components, reducing overall manufacturing cost while ensuring insulating properties are maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If the refrigerant jacket contacts the power device for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but insulation distance to lead sections may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidinsulation distance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating recessed portions at specific locations where lead sections are present. These localized recesses provide insulating clearance exactly where needed, while allowing the refrigerant jacket to maintain full contact with the power device body for optimal cooling efficiency in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerant jacket structure is segmented into different zones: contact portions that directly touch the power device for cooling, and recessed portions that create insulating spaces near lead sections. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of high cooling efficiency through contact areas and adequate insulation distance through recessed areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively cools the power device by refrigerant flow while ensuring insulation between the refrigerant jacket and lead sections, omitting the need for an insulation sheet and simplifying manufacturing and assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerant jacket which has a facing surface that is in contact with the power device and faces the printed wiring board, the refrigerant jacket cooling the power device by refrigerant flowing in a cooling portion, which is a portion of the refrigerant pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a contact portion which contacts the device main body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2840603B1Refrigeration device
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2840603B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2840603B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2840603B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A facing surface (52) of a refrigerant jacket (40) includes: a contact portion (520) which contacts a device main body (200), a first recessed portion (521) which faces a first lead section (201) and secures an insulation distance to the first lead section (201) due to being positioned further away from a power device (20) than the contact portion (520), and a second recessed portion (522) which faces the second lead section (202) and secures an insulation distance to the second lead section (202) due to being positioned further away from the power device (20) than the contact portion (520).