JP2017079305A - Radiator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flat radiator having a corrugated sheet fin in an internal flow path capable of ensuring cooling performance in a case center area as viewed from a coolant flow direction.SOLUTION: Disclosed radiator includes: a pair of flat outer plates 21 and 22 including a flow path 27 through which a liquid coolant flows therein; and a corrugated sheet fin disposed in the flow path 27. The corrugated sheet fin is disposed in the flow path 27 with ridges of corrugated sheet extending along a flow direction of the liquid coolant. The pair of outer plates 21 and 22 are configured so that the width of the flow path in a shorter direction in a cross section gets smaller in a step at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the cross section as viewed in a lateral cross section perpendicular to the flow direction. The end of the corrugated sheet fin reaches to the flow path space which gets smaller in a step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooler.

  A stacked cooling unit is known in which a plurality of flat coolers and a plurality of flat electronic components are alternately stacked one by one (for example, Patent Document 1). Each cooler of the laminated unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a flat cooler case having a flow path through which a liquid refrigerant flows, and corrugated fins disposed in the flow path. . The corrugated fin is disposed in the flow path such that the ridge line of the corrugated plate extends along the flow direction of the liquid refrigerant.

JP 2008-166423 A

  In the above-described cooler, the width of the corrugated fin is designed to be shorter than the inner width in the longitudinal direction of the cooler case so that the corrugated fin does not interfere with both ends of the cooler case. Here, both ends of the cooler case mean both ends in the longitudinal direction (cross-sectional longitudinal direction) when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the flow direction of the refrigerant. Moreover, the width | variety of a corrugated sheet fin means the length of the corrugated sheet fin along the cross-sectional longitudinal direction when it sees in a cross section. In addition, the inner width of the cooler case means the flow path width in the longitudinal direction of the cross section when viewed in the cross section.

  In the cooler having the above structure, when the corrugated fins are displaced in the longitudinal direction of the cross section, a flow path having a large cross sectional area is formed at the end of the cooler case. Therefore, the refrigerant flows preferentially to the end portion having a large cross-sectional area. In general, in a flat cooler, it is desired that the cooling performance of the central portion is higher than the end portion of the cooler case. However, the desired cooling performance may not be obtained due to the positional deviation of the corrugated fins. .

  The present specification provides a technology that does not deteriorate the cooling performance of the central portion of the case when viewed from the flow direction of the refrigerant in a flat cooler having corrugated fins in the internal flow path.

  The cooler disclosed in the present specification includes a flat cooler case having a flow path through which a liquid refrigerant flows, and corrugated plate fins disposed in the flow path. The corrugated fin is disposed in the flow path such that the ridge line of the corrugated plate extends along the flow direction of the liquid refrigerant. When the cooler case is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the flow direction, the flow path width in the cross-sectional short direction at both ends in the cross-sectional longitudinal direction is narrowed in a step shape. The end of the corrugated fin reaches the channel space narrowed in a step shape.

  In the above cooler, when the end of the corrugated fin reaches the flow path space narrowed in a step shape, the cross-sectional area of the flow path between the end of the cooler case and the corrugated fin is expressed as the corrugated fin. It can be made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path between the plate and the corrugated fin. Further, since the ends of the corrugated fins reach the narrow spaces at both ends of the cooler case, it is difficult for the corrugated fins to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the cross section. By these actions, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from preferentially flowing to the end of the cooler case, and the cooling performance of the central portion of the cooler case does not deteriorate.

It is a perspective view of the lamination | stacking unit containing the cooler of an Example. It is a disassembled perspective view of a cooler. It is sectional drawing which crosses the corrugated sheet fin of the cooler before an assembly | attachment. It is sectional drawing which crosses the corrugated sheet fin of the cooler in the middle of an assembly | attachment. It is sectional drawing which crosses the corrugated sheet fin of the cooler after an assembly | attachment. It is sectional drawing of a cooler when a corrugated sheet fin shifts.

  The cooler according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the laminated unit 2 including the cooler 20 of the embodiment. The stacked unit 2 is a unit in which a plurality of coolers 20 are stacked and the semiconductor module 10 is sandwiched between adjacent coolers 20. In FIG. 1, in order to help understanding, one semiconductor module 10 and insulating plates 6 on both sides thereof are drawn out from the stacked unit 2. The semiconductor module 10 accommodates semiconductor chips 11a and 11b called power transistors. On both surfaces of the semiconductor module 10, the heat radiating plates 7 that are electrically connected to the semiconductor chips 11 a and 11 b are exposed. The outer plate of the cooler 20 is made of aluminum. Insulating plate 6 is sandwiched between cooler 20 and semiconductor module 10 to insulate heat sink 7 from cooler 20. The stacked unit 2 is used for a device using a large number of power transistors, for example, an inverter.

  The stacked unit 2 is accommodated in a housing 9 drawn with imaginary lines. A leaf spring 8 is sandwiched between one end of the stacking unit 2 in the stacking direction and the inner wall of the housing 9. The stacked unit 2 is pressed in the stacking direction by the leaf spring 8. By the pressurization in the stacking direction, the cooler 20 and the semiconductor module 10 are brought into close contact with each other, and the heat transfer efficiency from the semiconductor module 10 to the cooler 20 is increased. In addition, the Z direction of the coordinate system in the drawing corresponds to the stacking direction of the plurality of coolers 20.

  Adjacent coolers 20 are connected by connecting pipes 5a and 5b. A supply pipe 4 a and a discharge pipe 4 b are connected to the cooler 20 at one end in the stacking direction of the stacking unit 2. The supply pipe 4a is provided so as to overlap the connection pipe 5a when viewed from the stacking direction. The discharge pipe 4b is provided so as to overlap with the connection pipe 5b when viewed from the stacking direction. Each cooler 20 is provided with a flow path extending in the X direction in the drawing, and the flow path communicates with the connecting pipes 5a and 5b. The refrigerant supplied from the supply pipe 4a is distributed to each cooler 20 through the connection pipe 5a. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the adjacent semiconductor module 10 while passing through the flow path of each cooler 20. The refrigerant that has absorbed the heat is discharged from the laminated unit 2 through the connection pipe 5b and the discharge pipe 4b. A refrigerant circulation path (not shown), a radiator, and a pump are connected to the supply pipe 4a and the discharge pipe 4b, and the discharged refrigerant is cooled by the radiator and supplied to the stacking unit 2 again. The refrigerant is a liquid, typically water or LLC (Long Life Coolant).

  FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the cooler 20. The cooler 20 includes outer plates 21 and 22, an intermediate plate 24, and two corrugated plates 23. When the outer plates 21 and 22 are bonded together with the two corrugated plates 23 and the intermediate plate 24 interposed therebetween, the cooler 20 is completed. Reference numeral 23 is used to indicate one of the two corrugated sheets without distinction, and reference numerals 23a and 23b are used to distinguish the two corrugated sheets. Each of the outer plates 21 and 22 is provided with the connecting pipes 5a and 5b described above. Further, each of the outer plates 21 and 22 will be described in detail later, but when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the flow direction (X direction in the figure), the short cross section at both ends in the cross sectional longitudinal direction (Y direction). Step 25 is provided to narrow the flow path width in the direction (Z direction) in a step shape. In FIG. 2, steps 25c and 25d provided on the outer plate 22 are shown. Steps 25a and 25b provided on the outer plate 21 are not visible in FIG.

  The middle plate 24 is provided to divide the space surrounded by the outer plates 21 and 22 into two flow paths. The middle plate 24 is provided with holes at positions corresponding to the connecting pipes 5a and 5b.

  An arrow 26a indicates the refrigerant supply direction, and an arrow 26b indicates the refrigerant discharge direction. The refrigerant supplied from the connection pipe 5a passes through the flow path surrounded by the outer plate 21 and the intermediate plate 24 and the flow path surrounded by the outer plate 22 and the intermediate plate 24, and is discharged through the connection pipe 5b. The positive direction of the X axis in the figure indicates the flow direction of the refrigerant in the cooler 20.

  On the corrugated plate 23, corrugated fin groups 32 are formed. Each corrugated fin extends in the flow direction of the refrigerant. In other words, each corrugated fin is disposed in the flow path 27 (described later) so that the ridge line of the corrugated plate extends along the flow direction of the liquid refrigerant. The corrugated fin group 32 is made from a single metal flat plate by pressing. In other words, the corrugated fin group 32 is formed of a single plate (a single metal plate).

  The internal structure of the cooler 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view across the corrugated plate fin group 32 of the cooler 20 before assembly. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view crossing the corrugated sheet fin group 32 of the cooler 20 during assembly. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view across the corrugated plate fin group 32 of the cooler 20 after assembly.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a state before the cooler 20 is assembled. Steps 25 a to 25 d are not in contact with the corrugated fin group 32. From here, the outer plates 21 and 22 are further compressed in the direction of the middle plate 24, respectively. The intermediate stage is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the outer plates 21 and 22 are respectively compressed toward the middle plate 24, so that the steps 25 a to 25 d come into contact with the one ends 35 a to 35 d of the corrugated fins. Steps 25 a to 25 d that are in contact with the one ends 35 a to 35 d of the corrugated fins are further compressed toward the middle plate 24. As a result, the ends of the corrugated fins are crushed, and the portions of the corrugated fins that are in contact with the steps 25a to 25d of the ends 35a to 35d are deformed so as to follow the shapes of the steps 25a to 25d. In addition, the broken line shown by FIG. 4 has shown the state before being crushed by step 25a-25d of a corrugated sheet fin. And step 25a-25d is further compressed toward the direction of the intermediate | middle board 24, and the assembly | attachment of the cooler 20 is finished. The cross section which crosses the corrugated sheet fin group 32 of the cooler 20 after the assembly is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross section (transverse section) that crosses the refrigerant flow direction (X direction in the figure). As well shown in FIG. 5, the liquid refrigerant flows through the flow path 27 surrounded by the outer plates 21 and 22, and the cross section is flat. In this embodiment, the space surrounded by the outer plates 21 and 22 is divided into two flow paths 27 by the middle plate 24. Here, the inner surface of the flow path means a surface of a plate (wall) constituting the flow path. Therefore, both surfaces 24a and 24b of the intermediate plate 24 are also flow path inner surfaces.

  One corrugated plate 23 a is in contact with the inner surface 21 a of the outer plate 21 and one surface 24 a of the intermediate plate 24. The other corrugated plate 23 b is in contact with the inner surface 22 a of the outer plate 22 and the other surface 24 b of the intermediate plate 24. An inner surface 21a of the outer plate 21 and 22a of the outer plate 22 correspond to the inner surface (the inner surface of the flow channel) of the flow channel 27. As described above, both surfaces 24a and 24b of the intermediate plate 24 also correspond to the inner surface of the flow path. In the corrugated plate 23, the space from one channel inner surface to the other channel inner surface is regarded as one fin (corrugated plate fin). The corrugated fin groups 32 are arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y direction in the drawing) of the flow path 27 having a flat transverse section. Further, the corrugated fin group 32 extends in the refrigerant flow direction (X direction in the figure). The corrugated fin group 32 is in contact with each of the inner surfaces of the flow channels facing in the short direction in the cross section of the flow channel. Assuming that the short direction (Z direction in the figure) of the cross section is referred to as the vertical direction, the corrugated fin group 32 is in contact with the inner surface of the flow path whose upper and lower ends are opposed in the short direction. Can be expressed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the semiconductor module 10 is attached to both sides of the flat surface of the cooler 20. The heat of the semiconductor module 10 is transmitted to the outer plates 21 and 22. Because the corrugated fin group 32 is in contact with the inner surface of the flow path, the heat of the semiconductor module 10 is well transmitted to the refrigerant through the outer plates 21, 22, the intermediate plate 24, and the corrugated fin group 32. The corrugated fin groups 32 are distributed substantially uniformly throughout the flow path 27 in the cross section. Therefore, heat is uniformly transmitted to the refrigerant flowing in the flow path. This contributes to the cooling efficiency of the cooler 20.

  Hereinafter, effects of providing steps 25a to 25d in the cooler 20 will be described. Generally, in order to improve the cooling performance of the cooler, fins are provided inside the cooler. And the width | variety of a corrugated sheet fin is the inner width of the longitudinal direction of the outer plates 21 and 22 so that a corrugated fin may not interfere with the both ends (Y direction in a figure) of the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the outer plates 21 and 22. Designed to be shorter. Therefore, when the corrugated fins are assembled to the outer plates 21 and 22, there is a possibility that the corrugated fins are displaced. When the position of the corrugated fins is shifted, the corrugated fins are shifted to one end in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the outer plates 21 and 22. Then, a channel having a large cross-sectional area is formed at the other end where the corrugated fins are not offset. The refrigerant flows preferentially to the end portion having a large cross-sectional area. In general, in a flat cooler, it is desired that the cooling performance of the central portion is higher than the end portion of the cooler case. However, the desired cooling performance may not be obtained due to the positional deviation of the corrugated fins. .

  In the cooler 20, steps 25a to 25d are provided as described above. Since the steps 25a to 25d are provided, when the corrugated plate fins are assembled to the outer plates 21 and 22, the corrugated plate fins are offset toward one end in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the outer plates 21 and 22. Can be prevented. That is, in the cooler 20, the corrugated fins at both ends of the corrugated fin group 32 are designed to come into contact with the steps 25 a to 25 d at the time of assembly. It is possible to prevent a flow path having a large cross-sectional area from being formed due to the positional deviation. In other words, in the cooler 20 of the embodiment, the outer plates 21 and 22 and the ends of the corrugated plates 23a and 23b are intentionally interfered with each other. Thereby, it can prevent that a refrigerant | coolant flows preferentially to the edge part of the outer plates 21 and 22, and the cooling performance of the center part of the outer plates 21 and 22 does not fall.

  The cooler 120 when the corrugated plate is displaced will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5 and is a cross-sectional view across the corrugated fins of the cooler 120 after assembly. In the cooler 120, a description of portions common to the cooler 20 will be omitted as appropriate. In the cooler 120, unlike the cooler 20, the corrugated fin at one end (right side in FIG. 6) of the corrugated fin group 132 is not crushed by the step 125 (steps 125b and 125d in FIG. 6). That is, one end (the right side in FIG. 6) of the corrugated fin group 132 does not reach the space 137b of the flow path 127 narrowed by the step 125 (in FIG. 6, steps 125b and 125d). Further, the corrugated fin at the other end (left side in FIG. 6) of the corrugated fin group 132 is crushed by step 125 (steps 125a and 125c in FIG. 6). In this case, the space 137 b is larger than the corrugated fin on the other end (left side in FIG. 6) of the corrugated fin group 132 and the space 137 a of the flow path 127 surrounded by the outer plates 121 and 122. That is, a channel having a larger cross-sectional area than the space 137a is formed in the space 137b.

  However, the space 137b is provided with steps 125b and 125d, and thus has a smaller cross-sectional area than when the step 125 is not provided. Therefore, even when the one end of the corrugated fin group 132 does not reach the space 137b of the flow path 127 narrowed by the step 125 like the cooler 120, the space 137b itself has a relatively small cross-sectional area. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from preferentially flowing into the space 137b. That is, in the cooler 120, the same effect as the cooler 20 can be obtained.

  The outer plates 21 and 22 of the present embodiment correspond to the “cooler case” in the claims. The corrugated sheet fin of this embodiment corresponds to the “corrugated sheet fin” in the claims. Further, in the claims, “the end of the corrugated fin reaches the flow path space narrowed in a step shape” means that at least one corrugated fin in the flow path space narrowed in a step shape. Note that it means that the end of the line needs to be reached.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

2: Laminate unit 4a: Supply pipe 4b: Discharge pipe 5a, 5b: Connection pipe 6: Insulating plate 7: Heat sink 8: Leaf spring 9: Housing 10: Semiconductor module 11a, 11b: Semiconductor chip 20, 120: Cooler 21 22, 121, 122: outer plate 23: corrugated plate 24: middle plate 25, 125: step 27, 127: flow path 32, 132: corrugated fin group 137: space

Claims (1)

A flat cooler case with a flow path through which liquid refrigerant flows;
Corrugated fins disposed in the flow path;
With
The corrugated fin is disposed in the flow path such that a ridge line of the corrugated plate extends along a flow direction of the liquid refrigerant,
When the cooler case is viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the flow direction, the flow path width in the cross-sectional short direction at both ends of the cross-sectional longitudinal direction is narrowed in a step shape,
The cooler in which the end of the corrugated plate fin reaches the flow path space narrowed in a step shape.

Images