JP2004095599A - Stacked cooler - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stacked cooler protected from heat exchange performance degradation even when there is a temperature distribution in a heat generating object. <P>SOLUTION: In this stacked cooler, edge-side apertures 111 and intermediate apertures 112 are provided, outer plates 120, 130 are stacked up on both outer sides of a stack of intermediate plates 110a, 110b, the edge-side apertures 111 and the intermediate apertures 112 intercommunicate with each other, and the intercommunication results in the formation of a plurality of connection channels 102 connecting edge-side channels 101 extending along both edge sides enabling a cooling liquid 102 to circulate for the cooling of a heat-producing body 10 attached to the surface of the outer plates 130. Apertures 113 opening in the longitudinal direction are formed on the intermediate plates 110a, 110b between the edge-side apertures 111, and enable a plurality of connecting channels 102 to intercommunicate with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laminated cooler in which a plurality of plates are stacked to form a cooling passage inside, and a cooling liquid is circulated through the cooling passage to cool a heating element such as a semiconductor element.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, an inverter device that requires a large current for a vehicle or the like requires a large amount of heat generated by a semiconductor element, and thus requires forced cooling using cooling water or the like. Therefore, the present inventor has devised a stacked cooler in which two types of intermediate plates are alternately stacked, and two outer plates are overlapped on both outer layers to form a cooling channel inside.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 7, the intermediate plates 110a and 110b are provided with comb-shaped openings 111 at both end sides (left and right sides in FIG. 7), corresponding to the positions of the comb teeth and between the two comb teeth. A plurality of elliptical openings 112 are provided in a line. 7A and 7B, the set positions of the comb-shaped opening 111 and the oval-shaped opening 112 are shifted in the left-right direction, and the two types of intermediate plates 110a and 110b are alternately stacked. Then, a plurality of cooling passages extending in the left-right direction in FIG. 7 are formed by communication between the comb-shaped openings 111 and the oval-shaped openings 112. Thus, a stacked cooler can be easily formed, and the semiconductor element fixed to the outer plate can be forcibly cooled by the cooling water flowing through the cooling passage.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the outer plate is divided into a heated portion and a non-heated portion depending on the operation state of the semiconductor element and has a temperature distribution as a whole, the cooling water flowing through the non-heated portion flows out without heat exchange and is discharged. The heat exchange property of the rubber deteriorates.
[0005]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a laminated cooler that can prevent a decrease in heat exchange performance even when a temperature distribution of a heating element occurs.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following technical means to achieve the above object.
[0007]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the end side opening (111) extends along the both end sides, and extends in the cross direction of the end side opening (111) between the end side openings (111). And a plurality of intermediate plates (110a, 110b) having a plurality of intermediate openings (112) arranged in the longitudinal direction, and outer plates (120, 120) superposed on both outer layers of the intermediate plates (110a, 110b). 130), the end-side openings (111) of the adjacent intermediate plates (110a, 110b) communicate with each other to form end-side flow paths (101) extending along both end sides. The intermediate openings (112) of the intermediate plates (110a, 110b) communicate with each other to form a plurality of connection flow paths (102) connected to the end flow paths (101). 101 In the laminated cooler that cools the heating element (10) attached to the surface of the outer plate (120, 130) by flowing a coolant through the connection flow path (102), the intermediate plate (110a, 110b) has an end. A longitudinal opening (113) extending in the longitudinal direction of the end opening (111) is formed between the opening portions (111), and the plurality of connection flow paths (102) are formed by the longitudinal opening (113). Are communicated with each other.
[0008]
Thereby, the coolant flowing through each connection flow path (102) can be mixed with each other by the longitudinal opening (113), so that the coolant temperature is made uniform even if the temperature distribution of the heating element (10) is present. And a decrease in heat exchange performance can be prevented.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that a plurality of longitudinal openings (113) are provided in each of the intermediate plates (110a, 110b).
[0010]
Thereby, it is possible to promote uniformity of the coolant temperature.
[0011]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal opening (113) is formed so as to penetrate a group of intermediate openings (112) arranged in a direction in which the longitudinal opening (113) extends. I have.
[0012]
Thereby, communication between the connection flow paths (102) can be easily and reliably performed.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the longitudinal opening (113) is formed on the downstream end side of the group of intermediate openings (112) in the coolant flow direction.
[0014]
Accordingly, the coolant from the upstream side collides at the longitudinal opening (113), whereby the coolant in each connection flow path (102) is easily mixed, and uniform temperature can be promoted.
[0015]
In the invention according to claim 5, the heating element (10) is mounted in a partial area with respect to the entire surface area of the outer plate (120, 130), and in the non-mounting area of the heating element (10), Further, on the downstream side of the coolant from the longitudinal opening (113), the setting of the intermediate opening (112) is abolished.
[0016]
As a result, the coolant flowing through the non-mounting area of the heating element (10) and not being heat-exchanged flows from the longitudinal opening 113 to the mounting area side and can contribute to heat exchange, so that the heat exchange performance deteriorates. Can be prevented.
[0017]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, at a predetermined position of the end-side opening (111), a partition (111a) for dividing the end-side opening (111) is formed, and a plurality of intermediate plates (111) are stacked. 110a and 110b) are formed with flow paths that turn the connection flow path (102) group corresponding to the partition (111a), and the longitudinal opening (113) is also used as the end side opening (111). It is characterized by being done.
[0018]
Thus, the coolant of each connection channel (102) group is mixed and flows through all the channels (101, 102) in the end-side channel (101), so that it is the same as the invention according to claim 1. In addition, the coolant temperature can be made uniform, and a decrease in heat exchange performance can be prevented.
[0019]
Note that the reference numerals in parentheses of the above means indicate the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiment described later.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
1st Embodiment of the laminated cooler of this invention is described based on FIGS. The laminated cooler 100 is a cooler that cools the heating element 10 such as a semiconductor element with cooling water (cooling liquid) flowing inside.
[0021]
The stacked cooler 100 has outer plates 120 and 130 stacked on both outer layers of a plurality of stacked intermediate plates 110a and 110b, and an inlet pipe 140 and an outlet pipe 150 for cooling water are provided on the outer plate 120 side. is there. Each of the above members is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy having excellent thermal conductivity, and these members are integrally brazed.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the intermediate plate 110a is a flat plate member having a rectangular shape, and extends along both end portions (left and right sides in the drawing) and has an end-side opening portion 111 having a comb-like shape. The comb teeth are provided so as to face each other.
[0023]
A plurality of intermediate openings 112 are provided between both end side openings 111. The intermediate opening 112 is an elliptical opening that extends intermittently in a direction (the left-right direction in the drawing) crossing the end-side opening 111. The term “intermittent” as used herein means that a part has a thick part in the middle and is divided into a plurality of parts. Further, a plurality of intermediate openings 112 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the end opening 111 so as to correspond to the positions of the comb teeth of the end opening 111.
[0024]
A longitudinal opening 113 extending in the longitudinal direction of the end side opening 111 is provided between both end side openings 111. Here, the longitudinal openings 113 are arranged at substantially intermediate positions of the both end side openings 111, and penetrate substantially at the center of a group of intermediate openings 112 arranged in the direction in which the longitudinal openings 113 extend. I have to.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 2C, the intermediate plate 110b has an end-side opening 111, an intermediate opening 112, and a longitudinal opening 113 similarly to the above-described intermediate plate 110a. , 112, and 113 are shifted in the left-right direction with respect to that of the intermediate plate 110a. When the two intermediate plates 110a and 110b are overlapped, the openings 111, 112, and 113 communicate with each other. ing.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the outer plate 120 has a cooling water inlet hole 121 and a cooling water outlet hole 122 provided diagonally on a flat plate member having the same outer shape as the intermediate plates 110a and 110b. . The cooling water inlet hole 121 and the cooling water outlet hole 122 communicate with the end-side opening 111 when the outer plate 120 is overlaid on the intermediate plates 110a and 110b.
[0027]
The outer plate 130 is a flat plate member having the same outer shape as the intermediate plates 110a and 110b, as shown in FIG.
[0028]
These plates 110a, 110b, 120, and 130 are stacked as shown in FIG. 1, and an inlet pipe 140 and an outlet pipe 150 are fitted into the cooling water inlet hole 121 and the cooling water outlet hole 122 of the outer plate 120, respectively. The laminated cooler 100 is formed by brazing.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 3, the end-side flow paths 101 are formed by the end-side openings 111 communicating with each other inside the laminated cooler 110 thus formed, and the intermediate-side openings 112 are formed. Are connected to each other to form a plurality of connection flow paths 102 that are connected in a wavy manner, and both end side flow paths 101 are connected by the connection flow path 102. Further, as a characteristic part of the present invention, a communication path 103 that connects the plurality of connection flow paths 102 to each other is formed by the longitudinal opening 113.
[0030]
The heating element 10 is attached to a surface of the outer plate 130 on the side opposite to the intermediate plate. Here, the number of the heating elements 10 is two, and the entire surface area of the outer plate 130 is formed with a mounting area 131 where the heating elements 10 are mounted and a non-mounting area 132 where the heating elements 10 are not mounted. (FIG. 2D).
[0031]
Next, operations and effects of the laminated cooler 100 based on the above configuration will be described. The cooling water flowing from the inlet pipe 140 flows through one end-side flow path 101, branches into a plurality of connection flow paths 102, flows into the other end-side flow path 101, and joins the outlet pipe 150. Spill out of. At this time, the heating element 10 is cooled by the cooling water.
[0032]
By the way, when the non-mounting area 132 where the heating element 10 is not mounted is formed on the outer plate 130 according to the setting specification of the heating element 10 as in the present embodiment, the cooling water flowing through this area is in contact with the heating element 10. Since the gas flows out without performing heat exchange, the stacked cooler 100 does not sufficiently exhibit heat exchange performance.
[0033]
In the present invention, since the longitudinal openings 113, that is, the communication passages 103 are provided so that the plurality of connection passages 102 communicate with each other, the cooling water flowing through each connection passage 102 is passed through the communication passages 103. The cooling water can be mixed with each other, and even if there is a temperature distribution in the mounting area 131 and the non-mounting area 132 of the heating element 10, the cooling water temperature can be made uniform, and a decrease in heat exchange performance can be prevented.
[0034]
In addition, since the longitudinal openings 113 are provided so as to penetrate through a group of intermediate openings 112 arranged in the direction in which the longitudinal openings 113 extend, the communication between the connection flow paths 102 can be easily and reliably performed. It can be carried out.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 4, if the longitudinal openings 113 are formed at the downstream end in the cooling water flow direction with respect to the group of intermediate openings 112, the cooling water from the upstream flows through the longitudinal openings 113. The collision makes it easy for the cooling water of each connection flow path 102 to be mixed, thereby promoting uniform temperature.
[0036]
(2nd Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, in the non-mounting area 132 of the heating element 10, the setting of the intermediate opening 112 is abolished downstream of the cooling water from the longitudinal opening 113.
[0037]
Thereby, the cooling water that has flowed through the non-mounting region 132 of the heating element 10 and has not been subjected to heat exchange flows from the communication passage 103 (the longitudinal opening 113) to the mounting region 131 side, and can contribute to heat exchange. A decrease in heat exchange performance can be prevented.
[0038]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the partitioning portion 111a is provided in the end portion side opening portion 111, and the U-turn flow of the cooling water is formed in the laminated cooler 100, whereby the longitudinal direction opening portion 113 described in the first embodiment is provided. Is also used for the end side opening 111.
[0039]
At a predetermined position of the end-side opening 111 of the intermediate plates 110a and 110b, specifically, at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction on one side (the right side in FIG. 6), a partitioning part that partitions the end-side opening 111 111a is provided.
[0040]
The cooling water outlet hole 122 of the outer plate 120 is disposed so as to correspond to the one end side opening 111.
[0041]
In the laminated cooler 100 formed by the plates 110a, 110b, 120, and 130, as shown in FIG. 6C, the cooling water is supplied to a group of intermediate openings 112 above the partition 111a (the connection flow). (A group of roads 102) and a U-turn at the other end side opening 111 (the end side flow path 101) on the other side (the left side in the figure), and a group of intermediate openings 112 below the partition 111a ( Through the connection flow channels 102) and flows out.
[0042]
As a result, while the coolant of the intermediate opening 112 group (connection channel group 102) above the partitioning portion 111a is mixed in the other end side opening 111 (end side channel 101), the cooling liquid in the lower side is mixed. Since it flows into the group of intermediate openings 112 (the group of connection channels 102) and flows through all the channels 101 and 102, the temperature of the cooling water can be made uniform, and a decrease in heat exchange performance can be prevented.
[0043]
In addition, the partition part 111a is not limited to one place as described above, and a plurality of partition parts 111a may be provided in both end side opening parts 111 so as to have a staggered positional relationship, and a plurality of U-turn flows may be formed.
[0044]
(Other embodiments)
In the first and second embodiments, the longitudinal opening 113 is provided at one position between both end side openings 111. However, a plurality of longitudinal openings 113 may be provided. Can be further promoted.
[0045]
Although the intermediate plate has been described as being composed of two plates 110a and 110b, the intermediate plate may be additionally provided in accordance with the heat generation amount of the heating element 10 to increase the flow rate of the cooling water.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a laminated cooler of the present invention.
FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (d) are plan views showing an outer plate, and FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c) show an intermediate plate, which constitute the stacked cooler according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a flow path inside a laminated cooler.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an intermediate plate according to a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an intermediate plate according to a second embodiment.
FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (d) are plan views showing an outer plate, and FIGS. 6 (b) and (c) showing an intermediate plate, which constitute the stacked cooler according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an intermediate plate in a prototype.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Heat generating body 100 Stacked cooler 101 End side flow path 102 Connection flow path 110a, 110b Intermediate plate 111 End side opening 111a Partition part 112 Intermediate opening 113 Longitudinal opening 120, 130 Outer plate

Claims (6)

A plurality of end-side openings (111) extending along the both end sides extend in a direction crossing the end-side openings (111) between the end-side openings (111), and are arranged in a plurality in a longitudinal direction. An intermediate plate (110a, 110b) having a plurality of intermediate openings (112),
An outer plate (120, 130) overlaid on both outer layers of said intermediate plate (110a, 110b),
The end side openings (111) of the adjacent intermediate plates (110a, 110b) communicate with each other to form end side flow paths (101) extending along both end sides, respectively.
The intermediate openings (112) of the adjacent intermediate plates (110a, 110b) communicate with each other to form a plurality of connection channels (102) connected to the end-side channel (101),
In a laminated cooler for cooling a heating element (10) attached to a surface of the outer plate (120, 130) by flowing a coolant through the end-side flow path (101) and the connection flow path (102),
The intermediate plate (110a, 110b) is formed with a longitudinal opening (113) extending in the longitudinal direction of the end opening (111) between the end openings (111),
The stacked cooling device characterized in that the plurality of connection flow paths (102) are communicated with each other by the longitudinal openings (113). The stack cooler according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the longitudinal openings (113) are provided in each of the intermediate plates (110a, 110b). The said longitudinal direction opening (113) was formed penetrating the group of the said intermediate opening (112) which is located in a line with the extending direction of this longitudinal direction opening (113). 3. The laminated cooler according to any one of 2. The stack cooler according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal opening (113) is formed on the downstream side of the group of intermediate openings (112) in the flow direction of the coolant. The heating element (10) is mounted in a partial area with respect to the entire surface area of the outer plate (120, 130);
The setting of the intermediate opening (112) is abolished in a non-mounting area of the heating element (10) and downstream of the cooling liquid from the longitudinal opening (113). The laminated cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 4. At a predetermined position of the end side opening (111), a partition (111a) is formed to partition the end side opening (111).
In the plurality of stacked intermediate plates (110a, 110b), a flow path for turning the connection flow path (102) group corresponding to the partition portion (111a) is formed,
The laminated cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal opening (113) is also used as the end-side opening (111).

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