JP6176134B2 - Cooler - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooler that cools a heating element using a refrigerant.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a steam engine having a heating unit that heats a fluid in a fluid container in which the fluid is sealed, and a cooling unit that cools vapor that is heated and vaporized by the heating unit. The steam engine disclosed in Patent Document 1 displaces a liquid by the expansion pressure of steam and outputs mechanical energy, and cools and liquefies the steam in a cooling unit to self-excited vibration in the fluid in the fluid container. Displace.

Japanese Patent No. 4411829

  Although the steam engine of patent document 1 outputs mechanical energy as mentioned above, it can be utilized for purposes other than obtaining mechanical energy. For example, since the inventors promote heat transfer from the heating unit to the cooling unit by the self-excited vibration displacement of the fluid in the fluid container, if the heating unit is configured with a heating element to be cooled, It was considered that the fluid in the fluid container can be used as the refrigerant fluid for cooling the heating element. That is, it was thought that the steam engine of patent document 1 can be utilized as a cooler for cooling the heating element.

  However, in a cooler having a configuration like the steam engine of Patent Document 1, if the amount of heat released from the heating unit to the outside of the heating unit increases due to, for example, a decrease in the outside air temperature around the heating unit, the heating unit Even if the refrigerant fluid is vaporized by the heat of the heating element, it easily recondenses. If it does so, the amplitude in the self-excited vibration of the fluid in a fluid container will become small, As a result, the heat transfer from a heating part to a cooling part will decrease, and the cooling capacity of a cooler will fall.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooler that cools a heating element with self-excited vibration displacement of a refrigerant fluid and can prevent a decrease in cooling capacity.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the cooler according to claim 1 has a heating element housing wall (141) forming a heating element housing space (14a) in which the heating element (12) is housed. A heating unit (14) for heating and vaporizing the refrigerant fluid contained in the heating element housing space by heat from the heating element;
A cooling section (16a) communicating with the heating element housing space, and a cooling section (16) for cooling and liquefying the refrigerant fluid vaporized by the heating section and flowing into the cooling section space;
An absorption part (28a) that forms an absorption part space (28a) communicating with the cooling part space, and absorbs a volume change due to heating and cooling of the refrigerant fluid;
A heat radiation suppressing portion (19) for suppressing heat in the heat generating body housing space from being radiated through the heat generating body housing wall,
The heating element housing space, the cooling part space, and the absorption part space as a whole constitute one space (32) in which the refrigerant fluid is enclosed,
The heating unit and the cooling unit cause the refrigerant fluid to self-excited and vibrate in the one space by repeating the vaporization and liquefaction of the refrigerant fluid ,
The heat dissipation suppression unit has an external heater (20) for heating the heating element housing wall,
Furthermore, the heat dissipation suppressing unit heats the heating element housing wall so that the temperature of the heating element housing wall approaches the temperature of the heating element .

  According to the above-described invention, the heat dissipation suppressing unit suppresses heat in the heating element accommodation space from being radiated through the heating element accommodation wall, so that recondensation of the refrigerant fluid vaporized in the heating element accommodation space is prevented. It is suppressed. Therefore, the heat transfer from the heating element to the cooling part due to the amplitude in the self-excited vibration of the refrigerant fluid is difficult to decrease, and it is possible to prevent the cooling capacity of the cooler from being lowered.

  In addition, each code | symbol in the parenthesis described in this column and the claim respond | corresponds to each code | symbol described in embodiment mentioned later.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a cooler 10 according to a first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view of the cooler 10. It is a time chart when the gas-liquid interface 26 of a refrigerant | coolant self-excited vibration in the cooler 10 of FIG. In the cooler 10 of FIG. 1, it is the image figure which showed the relationship between the temperature of the heat generating body accommodation wall 141, and the amplitude of the drive auxiliary device. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the cooler 10 of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the cooler 10 of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the cooler 10 of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the cooler 10 of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the cooler 10 of 6th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the cooler 10 of the present embodiment, and is shown in cross-section. The cooler 10 cools the heating element 12 using the refrigerant sealed in the cooler 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooler 10 includes a heating unit 14, a cooling unit 16, a driving assist device 18, a heat radiation suppressing unit 19, and the like. The refrigerant in the cooler 10 is a fluid that is liquid at room temperature and boils when heated by the heating element 12. In addition, arrow DR1 of FIG. 1 represents the up-down direction DR1 in the state in which the cooler 10 was installed, ie, the vertical direction DR1.

  The heating element 12 is a member that is cooled by the cooler 10, and specifically, is a semiconductor element or the like that needs to be cooled. An example is an inverter semiconductor element module. The electrical terminals 12a and 12b of the heating element 12 protrude from the heating unit 14, and the heating element 12 generates heat when the electrical terminals 12a and 12b are energized. In the present embodiment, two heating elements 12 are provided.

  A heating element accommodating space 14a in which the heating element 12 is accommodated is formed in the heating part 14, and the heating part 14 has the heating element 12 in the heating element accommodating space 14a. And the heating part 14 heats the refrigerant | coolant which is in the heat generating body accommodation space 14a with the heat from the heat generating body 12, ie, a refrigerant | coolant fluid, and makes it boil off.

  Specifically, the heating unit 14 includes a box-shaped heating element accommodation wall 141 that forms a heating element accommodation space 14a as a heating part space. And in the heat generating body accommodation wall 141, the heat generating body 12 is accommodated so that the surroundings of the heat generating body 12 may be filled with a gaseous or liquid refrigerant. For example, in the present embodiment, the entire heating element housing space 14a is filled with a gas or liquid refrigerant, and when the refrigerant is all liquid, the whole or a part of the two heating elements 12 is soaked in the liquid refrigerant. It has become. One end on the cooling unit 16 side of the heating element accommodation space 14a communicates with a cooling part space 16a of the cooling unit 16 described later, but the other end of the heating element accommodation space 14a is closed.

  The cooling unit 16 forms a cooling unit space 16a communicating with the heating element housing space 14a, and cools and liquefies the gaseous refrigerant vaporized by the heating unit 14 and flowing into the cooling unit space 16a. Specifically, the cooling unit 16 includes a cooling unit wall 161 and a cooling device 162. The cooling unit 16 is arranged side by side in the horizontal direction with respect to the heating unit 14.

  The cooling part wall 161 has a tubular shape, and a cooling part space 16a is formed inside thereof. The cooling device 162 includes a large number of cooling fins 162 a provided around the cooling unit wall 161. The cooling device 162 cools the refrigerant in the cooling space 16a by exchanging heat with the outside air. That is, when the cooling unit 16 cools the refrigerant, the cooling unit 16 radiates heat from the refrigerant to the outside of the cooling unit 16, that is, to the external space 16 b around the cooling unit 16.

  The cooling wall 161 is made of, for example, a thin metal, preferably a thin aluminum alloy so that high heat dissipation performance can be obtained. Moreover, the cooling unit wall 161, the cooling device 162, and the heating element housing wall 141 are integrated to form one refrigerant container made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy and containing a refrigerant.

  The cooling section space 16a is a space formed in a tubular shape, and is constituted by a pipe line having a very small pipe cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. Therefore, when the refrigerant gas-liquid interface 26 exists in the cooling unit space 16a, the gas-liquid interface 26 faces the longitudinal direction of the cooling unit space 16a by the surface tension of the refrigerant regardless of the gravity direction. Maintained. That is, in the longitudinal direction of the cooling unit space 16a, the gas refrigerant exists on the heating unit 14 side with the gas-liquid interface 26 as a boundary, and the liquid refrigerant exists on the opposite side.

  For example, the gas-liquid interface 26 moves away from the heating element housing space 14a in the cooling unit space 16a, that is, the left of FIG. Move in the direction. Then, the cooling unit 16 also cools the liquid refrigerant, but also cools and condenses the gas refrigerant vaporized by the heating unit.

  The drive assisting device 18 includes an extendable portion 28 that expands and contracts in a uniaxial direction or a substantially uniaxial direction, and a weight 30. The expansion / contraction part 28 absorbs the volume change of the refrigerant | coolant which arises in the heat generating body accommodation space 14a and the cooling part space 16a by the heating and cooling of a refrigerant | coolant. That is, the expansion / contraction part 28 functions as an absorption part that absorbs the volume change of the refrigerant. And the expansion-contraction part 28 forms the expansion-contraction part space 28a as an absorption part space connected with the cooling part space 16a inside the expansion-contraction part 28. As shown in FIG.

  The expansion / contraction part 28 is comprised by the bellows etc., for example, and expands-contracts to the up-down direction DR1 in this embodiment. Since the drive assist device 18 is a part that performs a mechanical operation, it may be called a drive unit in the cooler 10. When the expansion / contraction part 28 expands / contracts vertically, the expansion / contraction part space 28a also expands / contracts vertically. The expansion / contraction space 28a is filled with a liquid refrigerant.

  Moreover, the lower end of the expansion-contraction part 28 is being fixed with respect to the cooling part wall 161, and the lower end of the expansion-contraction part space 28a is connected to the cooling part space 16a. On the other hand, a weight 30 is fixed to the upper end of the stretchable portion 28, and the upper end of the stretchable portion space 28a is closed. Therefore, the expansion / contraction portion space 28a, the above-described heating element accommodating space 14a, and the cooling portion space 16a constitute an airtight refrigerant enclosure space 32 as one space in which refrigerant is enclosed. When the refrigerant in the cooling unit space 16a flows into the expansion / contraction part space 28a, the expansion / contraction part space 28a extends and the upper end of the expansion / contraction part 28 and the weight 30 rise. On the contrary, when the expansion / contraction part space 28a contracts and the upper end of the expansion / contraction part 28 and the weight 30 descend, the refrigerant in the expansion / contraction part space 28a flows out into the cooling part space 16a. That is, the refrigerant functions as a working fluid that causes the expansion / contraction part 28 to expand and contract.

  The weight 30 is provided in order to increase the inertia when the expansion / contraction part 28 expands / contracts vertically. The weight 30 should just be a high-density member, for example, is comprised with iron.

  The heat dissipation suppressing unit 19 has a high temperature inside the heating element accommodation space 14a due to the heat generated by the heating element 12, so that the heat in the heating element accommodation space 14a is outside the heating element accommodation space 14a via the heating element accommodation wall 141, that is, Heat dissipation to the outside of the heating unit 14 is suppressed. Specifically, the heat dissipation suppression unit 19 includes an external heater 20, a wall temperature sensor 21, a heating element temperature sensor 22, and a controller 24.

  The external heater 20 is a heat generating device such as an electric heater. The external heater 20 covers the outside of the heating element housing wall 141. Specifically, the entire outside of the heating element housing wall 141 is covered. Then, the external heater 20 heats the heating element accommodation wall 141 from the outside of the heating element accommodation wall 141. For example, the external heater 20 adjusts the amount of heat generation according to a control signal from a controller 24 as a control unit that controls the external heater 20, and the controller 24 switches on / off of the heat generation operation of the external heater 20. More specifically, the entire outside of the heating element accommodation wall 141 is connected to the cooling part wall 161 in the heating element accommodation wall 141 because the cooling part wall 161 is connected to the heating element accommodation wall 141. It is the whole outside except the part which is.

  The wall temperature sensor 21 detects the temperature of the heating element accommodation wall 141, for example, the temperature of the inner wall surface of the heating element accommodation wall 141, and outputs a detection signal indicating the temperature of the heating element accommodation wall 141 to the controller 24.

  The heating element temperature sensor 22 is provided for each heating element 12. The heating element temperature sensor 22 detects the temperature of each heating element 12 and outputs a detection signal indicating the detected temperature to the controller 24. Specifically, the heating element temperature sensor 22 is provided on the surface of the heating element 12, and detects the surface temperature of the heating element 12 as the temperature of the heating element 12.

  The controller 24 is an electronic control device composed of a well-known microcomputer comprising a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. and its peripheral circuits, and executes various control processes according to a computer program stored in advance in the ROM.

  Specifically, the controller 24 generates heat from the external heater 20 based on the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 detected by the wall temperature sensor 21 and the temperature of the heating element 12 detected by the heating element temperature sensor 22. Adjust the amount. Specifically, the controller 24 causes the external heater 20 to heat the heating element accommodation wall 141 so that the temperature of the heating element accommodation wall 141 approaches the temperature of the heating element 12. Since a plurality of heating elements 12 are provided, for example, the average value of the temperatures of the individual heating elements 12 is used for temperature control of the external heater 20.

  In the cooler 10 configured as described above, when the liquid refrigerant in the heating element housing space 14a is heated and boiled by the heating element 12, the gas portion of the refrigerant increases, and the volume of the whole refrigerant increases with the expansion and contraction part 28. The top of the ascends. When the gas part of the refrigerant increases to some extent, for example, when the gas-liquid interface 26 enters the cooling part space 16a as shown in FIG. 1, the cooling part 16 cools and condenses the gas part of the refrigerant.

  When the gas portion is reduced by condensing the gas portion of the refrigerant, the entire volume of the refrigerant is reduced at the same time, and the upper end of the expansion / contraction portion 28 is lowered. Then, part or all of the heating element 12 is immersed in the liquid refrigerant. When the heating element 12 is immersed in the liquid refrigerant, the liquid refrigerant in the heating element housing space 14a again boils and evaporates as described above.

  Thus, in the cooler 10, the heating unit 14 and the cooling unit 16 cause the gas-liquid interface 26 of the refrigerant to self-oscillate in the refrigerant enclosure space 32 by causing the refrigerant to repeat evaporation and condensation. In short, the self-excited vibration of the refrigerant is performed in the refrigerant enclosure space 32. And the expansion-contraction part 28 absorbs the volume change of the whole refrigerant | coolant accompanying the self-excited vibration of the refrigerant | coolant. Furthermore, since the expansion / contraction part 28 has a predetermined spring constant, a reaction force corresponding to the expansion / contraction amount is generated toward the balance point in the expansion / contraction direction of the expansion / contraction part 28 to assist self-excited vibration of the refrigerant. Fulfill.

  While the refrigerant repeats evaporation and condensation along with the self-excited vibration of the gas-liquid interface 26, that is, the self-excited vibration of the refrigerant, while obtaining a high heat transfer coefficient in the heat transfer path from the heating element 12 to the outside air through the refrigerant, The heat of the heating element 12 can be released from the cooling unit 16 to the outside air via the refrigerant, the cooling unit wall 161, and the cooling device 162.

  In addition, the liquid refrigerant in a part away from the gas-liquid interface 26 in the cooling part space 16a and the expansion / contraction part space 28a is in a subcooled state. Therefore, the liquid coolant in the subcooled state lowers the upper end of the expansion / contraction part 28 and flows around the heating element 12, so that a high cooling performance for cooling the heating element 12 can be obtained.

  FIG. 2 is a time chart when the gas-liquid interface 26 of the refrigerant is self-excited. In FIG. 2, the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141, that is, the heating part wall temperature, the amount of condensation heat radiated to the heating element housing wall 141 as the heating part wall 141 as the refrigerant condenses, the pressure in the refrigerant enclosure space 32, that is, the refrigerant The displacement of the drive assisting device 18 that is the drive unit, that is, the displacement of the weight 30 is shown in order from the top. Further, in FIG. 2, in order to explain the effect of the heat dissipation suppressing unit 19 including the external heater 20, the case where there is heating by the external heater 20 is shown by a solid time chart, and the case where there is no heating by the external heater 20 Is shown by a broken line time chart. Further, the temperature of the heating element 12 is indicated by a one-dot chain line in the time chart of the heating portion wall temperature.

  When the heating element housing wall 141 is heated by the external heater 20 as in the present embodiment, there is no heating by the external heater 20 as shown in the time chart of the heating unit wall temperature in the first stage of FIG. Rather, the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 is brought closer to the temperature of the heating element 12. Then, since the temperature difference between the temperature of the heating element 12 and the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 becomes small, the amount of condensed heat radiated to the heating element housing wall 141 is reduced as shown in the second stage condensation heat amount time chart. Decrease.

  If the amount of heat of condensation decreases, the amount of refrigerant condensed again without flowing into the cooling unit space 16a in the heating element housing space 14a decreases. As shown in the time chart of refrigerant pressure in the third stage, the refrigerant enclosure space The maximum value of the refrigerant pressure that fluctuates within 32 becomes higher, and at the same time, the period during which the refrigerant is held at a high pressure becomes longer. On the other hand, the minimum value of the fluctuating refrigerant pressure is slightly increased when heated by the external heater 20 as compared with the case where there is no heating, but the increase is small.

  Therefore, when the heating element accommodation wall 141 is heated by the external heater 20, as shown in the time chart of the displacement of the drive assist device 18 at the fourth stage, compared to the case where there is no heating by the external heater 20, The amplitude in the displacement of the drive assist device 18, that is, the amplitude in the self-excited vibration of the refrigerant increases. As a result, the amount of refrigerant that reciprocates between the heating element housing space 14a of the heating unit 14 and the cooling unit space 16a of the cooling unit 16, that is, the amount of working fluid supplied to the cooler 10, increases. The cooling capacity to cool the is increased. That is, the amplitude of the drive assist device 18 is an index value indicating the cooling capacity of the cooler 10, and as the amplitude of the drive assist device 18 increases, the cooling capacity of the cooler 10 increases.

  As described above, the higher the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141, the more easily the recondensation of the refrigerant in the heating element housing space 14a is prevented. Therefore, the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 is compared with the temperature of the heating element 12. Unless the temperature is much higher, the cooling capacity of the cooler 10 tends to basically increase. The relationship between the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 and the amplitude of the drive assist device 18 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the amplitude of the drive assist device 18 can be increased as the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 is increased, but the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 is indicated by TMPx in FIG. When the temperature exceeds the temperature of the heating element 12, the increase rate of the amplitude of the drive assisting device 18 with respect to the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 becomes smaller than when the temperature is equal to or lower than the temperature of the heating element 12. The relationship shown in FIG. 3 is obtained experimentally.

  From the relationship shown in FIG. 3, in order to efficiently increase the cooling capacity of the cooler 10, the heat generation amount of the external heater 20 is controlled so that the temperature of the heat generator housing wall 141 matches the temperature of the heat generator 12. Is considered good. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the external heater 20 is controlled so that the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 approaches the temperature of the heating element 12.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the heat dissipation suppressing unit 19 suppresses the heat in the heating element accommodation space 14a from being radiated through the heating element accommodation wall 141. Recondensation of the vaporized refrigerant is suppressed. Therefore, the heat transfer from the heating unit 14 to the cooling unit 16 due to the amplitude in the self-excited vibration of the refrigerant is difficult to decrease, and the cooling capacity of the cooler 10 can be prevented from being lowered. Thus, the heating part 14 which is a part which contributes to cooling of the heat generating body 12 is deliberately heated from the surroundings, thereby cooling the heat generating body 12. The cooler 10 of this embodiment is unique in this respect.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the heat dissipation suppressing unit 19 includes the external heater 20 that heats the heating element accommodation wall 141 from the outside of the heating element accommodation wall 141, thereby suppressing the influence of the outside air temperature and the like. Thus, it is possible to easily control the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the heat dissipation suppressing unit 19 heats the heating element housing wall 141 so as to bring the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 close to the temperature of the heating element 12, so that the cooling capacity of the cooler 10 is increased. Thus, the external heater 20 can generate heat appropriately.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the heat dissipation suppression unit 19 adjusts the amount of heat generated by the external heater 20 based on the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 and the temperature of the heating element 12. It is possible to bring the temperature close to the temperature of the heating element 12 with high accuracy.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the heat generation from the heat generating body 12 is stopped, the heat generating body 12 is immersed in the liquid refrigerant, so that the heat from the heat generating body 12 is easily transmitted to the refrigerant at the start of heat generation. There is an advantage that it is easy to start self-excited vibration.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Further, the same or equivalent parts as those of the above-described embodiment will be described by omitting or simplifying them. The same applies to third and later embodiments described later.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the cooler 10 of the present embodiment, and is shown in a cross-sectional view similarly to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the heat radiation suppression part 19 is different compared to the first embodiment. Specifically, the heat dissipation suppression unit 19 of the present embodiment does not include the external heater 20 (see FIG. 1), the wall temperature sensor 21, the heating element temperature sensor 22, and the controller 24. A plurality of auxiliary heating elements 42 are provided. Then, the heat dissipation suppressing unit 19 heats the heating element housing wall 141 with heat from the sub-heating element 42.

  The sub-heating element 42 provided in the heat dissipation suppressing unit 19 is a semiconductor element module similar to the heating element 12 in the heating element housing space 14a, but the amount of heat generated by the sub-heating element 42, for example, the amount of heat generation per unit time is It is smaller than the heating element 12 as the main heating element. For example, the auxiliary heating element 42 is an electrical component that constitutes a common device together with the heating element 12.

  The sub-heating element 42 is fixed to the outside of the heating element housing wall 141 so that the heat of the sub-heating element 42 is easily transmitted to the heating element housing wall 141. For example, the sub-heating element 42 is fixed to the heating element housing wall 141 with an adhesive that easily transfers heat between the sub-heating element 42 and the heating element housing wall 141. By arrange | positioning in this way, the sub-heating element 42 heats the heating element accommodation wall 141 from the outer side of the heating element accommodation wall 141.

  If the time chart when the gas-liquid interface 26 of the refrigerant is self-excited in the present embodiment is shown, the same diagram as FIG. 2 of the first embodiment is obtained. However, in FIG. 2, the solid line time chart shows the case where there is heating by the sub-heating element 42, and the broken line time chart shows the case where there is no heating by the sub-heating element 42.

  Also in this embodiment, the heating element housing wall 141 is heated as in the first embodiment described above, and recondensation of the refrigerant vaporized in the heating element housing space 14a is suppressed. It is possible to prevent the decrease.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the heat radiation suppressing unit 19 heats the heat generating body accommodation wall 141 by the heat of the sub heat generating body 42, so that the heat of the sub heat generating body 42 is radiated to the heat generating body accommodation wall 141. Therefore, in addition to cooling the heating element 12, the auxiliary heating element 42 can also be cooled.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the cooler 10 of the present embodiment, and is shown in a cross-sectional view similarly to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the heat radiation suppression part 19 is different compared to the first embodiment. Specifically, the heat dissipation suppression unit 19 of the present embodiment does not include the external heater 20 (see FIG. 1), the wall temperature sensor 21, the heating element temperature sensor 22, and the controller 24. A member having a heat insulating property, that is, a heat insulating material 46 is provided.

  The heat insulating material 46 constituting the heat radiation suppressing unit 19 covers the entire outside of the heating element housing wall 141. More specifically, the entire outside of the heating element accommodation wall 141 is connected to the cooling part wall 161 in the heating element accommodation wall 141 because the cooling part wall 161 is connected to the heating element accommodation wall 141. It is the whole outside except the site. The heat insulating material 46 is made of, for example, a material having a lower thermal conductivity than metal, a fluororesin, glass wool, or a foamed material such as expanded polystyrene.

  If the time chart when the gas-liquid interface 26 of the refrigerant is self-excited in the present embodiment is shown, the same diagram as FIG. 2 of the first embodiment is obtained. However, in FIG. 2, a solid time chart indicates a case where the heat insulating material 46 is provided, and a broken line time chart indicates a case where the heat insulating material 46 is not provided.

  Also in the present embodiment, the heat in the heating element accommodation space 14a is suppressed from being radiated through the heating element accommodation wall 141 as in the first embodiment, thereby vaporizing in the heating element accommodation space 14a. Since the recondensation of the cooled refrigerant is suppressed, it is possible to prevent the cooling capacity of the cooler 10 from being lowered.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the heat dissipation suppressing portion 19 is configured by the heat insulating material 46 that covers the entire outside of the heating element housing wall 141, so that the external heater 20 of the first embodiment, for example, generates heat. However, there is an advantage that such an energy source is not required.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the cooler 10 of the present embodiment, and is shown in a cross-sectional view similarly to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the heat radiation suppression unit 19 is different from that in the first embodiment. More specifically, the heat dissipation suppression unit 19 of the first embodiment is composed of an external heater 20 (see FIG. 1), a wall temperature sensor 21, a heating element temperature sensor 22, and a controller 24. The heat radiation suppressing unit 19 according to the embodiment is composed of an outer space heating device 50 shown in FIG.

  The outer space heating device 50 heats the outer space 14 b surrounding the outer side of the heating element housing wall 141. That is, the ambient temperature around the heating element housing wall 141 is increased. Therefore, the outer space heating device 50 includes a blown air flow path 501 and a blower 502. In other words, the outer space 14 b of the heating element housing wall 141 is a space around the heating unit 14 surrounding the heating unit 14.

  The blown air flow path 501 is a flow path formed in a cylindrical duct through which air as a heat medium flows, and is formed to be a U-shaped flow path. Specifically, the blown air flow path 501 is formed so that air flows from the external space 16 b around the cooling unit 16 to the outer space 14 b of the heating element housing wall 141.

  The blower 502 is, for example, an axial flow type electric blower. The blower 502 is disposed in the air flow upstream of the external space 16 b around the cooling unit 16 in the blown air flow path 501 and blows air toward the cooling unit 16. Accordingly, in the blown air flow path 501, the blower 502, the cooling unit 16, and the heating unit 14 are arranged in this order from the upstream side of the air flow.

  Therefore, the blown air flow path 501 guides the air heated by the heat radiated from the cooling unit 16 to the outer space 14 b of the heating element housing wall 141. The outer space heating device 50 heats the outer space 14b with the air flowing through the blown air flow path 501.

  If the time chart when the gas-liquid interface 26 of the refrigerant is self-excited in the present embodiment is shown, the same diagram as FIG. 2 of the first embodiment is obtained. However, the solid line time chart in FIG. 2 shows the case where the ambient temperature around the heating element housing wall 141 is raised by the outer space heating device 50 with respect to the temperature of the place where the cooler 10 is installed, and the broken line time The chart shows a case where there is no outer space heating device 50 and the ambient temperature around the heating element housing wall 141 is the temperature of the installation location.

  According to the present embodiment, the outer space heating device 50 heats the outer space 14b of the heating element housing wall 141, so that the outer space heating device 50 is not provided and the heating element housing wall 141 is simply exposed. Thus, the ambient temperature around the heating element housing wall 141 is increased. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the heat in the heating element accommodation space 14a is suppressed from being radiated through the heating element accommodation wall 141 as in the first embodiment, and thereby, in the heating element accommodation space 14a. Since the recondensation of the refrigerant vaporized in step S3 is suppressed, it is possible to prevent the cooling capacity of the cooler 10 from being lowered. In addition, waste heat from the cooling unit 16 can be used to suppress heat dissipation from the heating element housing wall 141 to the outer space 14b.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the cooler 10 of the present embodiment, and is shown in a cross-sectional view similarly to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the heat radiation suppression part 19 is different compared to the first embodiment. Specifically, the heat dissipation suppression unit 19 of the first embodiment includes an external heater 20 (see FIG. 1), a wall temperature sensor 21, a heating element temperature sensor 22, and a controller 24. The heat radiation suppressing part 19 is composed of an interposition part 54 shown in FIG.

  The interposition part 54 constituting the heat dissipation suppressing part 19 is interposed between the outer space 14b surrounding the outer side of the heating element accommodation wall 141 and the heating element accommodation wall 141, and the external heating according to the first embodiment. Similar to the container 20 (see FIG. 1), the entire outside of the heating element housing wall 141 is covered. And the interposition part 54 has the heat transfer suppression structure which suppresses the heat transfer between the said outer side space 14b and the heat generating body accommodation wall 141. As shown in FIG.

  More specifically, the interposition part 54 has a wall 541 that covers the outside of the heating element housing wall 141, and the wall 541 is hermetically sealed around the heating element housing wall 141 with the interposed space 54 a having heat insulation properties. Is formed. The intervening space 54a is maintained in a vacuum. That is, the interposition part 54 functions as a vacuum container, and has a structure in which the space between the outer space 14b of the heating element accommodation wall 141 and the heating element accommodation wall 141 is held in a vacuum as the heat transfer suppression structure. . In addition, the vacuum of said intervention space 54a means not only an absolute vacuum but the state in which the pressure in the intervention space 54a is lower than atmospheric pressure.

  If the time chart when the gas-liquid interface 26 of the refrigerant is self-excited in the present embodiment is shown, the same diagram as FIG. 2 of the first embodiment is obtained. However, in FIG. 2, the solid line time chart shows the case where the interposition part 54 is provided, and the broken line time chart shows the case where the interposition part 54 is not provided.

  Also in the present embodiment, the heat in the heating element accommodation space 14a is suppressed from being radiated through the heating element accommodation wall 141 as in the first embodiment, thereby vaporizing in the heating element accommodation space 14a. Since the recondensation of the cooled refrigerant is suppressed, it is possible to prevent the cooling capacity of the cooler 10 from being lowered.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the heat dissipation suppression unit 19 is configured by the interposition unit 54 having the above-described heat transfer suppression structure, and thus, for example, the external heater 20 of the first embodiment has energy for generating heat. Where a source is required, there is the advantage that no such energy source is required.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the cooler 10 of the present embodiment, and is shown in a cross-sectional view as in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the heat radiation suppression part 19 is different compared to the first embodiment. Specifically, the mounting position of the external heater 20 included in the heat dissipation suppressing unit 19 of the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment.

  Since the heating element 12 is a semiconductor element or the like that needs to be cooled as described above, the entire surface of the heating element 12 does not generate heat uniformly at the same temperature, but the temperature varies depending on the portion of the heating element 12. That is, the heating element 12 has a part that becomes high temperature and a part that does not become so high. In the present embodiment, as indicated by point hatching in FIG. 8, the heating element 12 has a most heat generating portion 12 c that generates the most heat among the heating elements 12 in a part thereof. Thus, it is the same in any of the above embodiments that the heating element 12 has a temperature distribution. In FIG. 8, the center part of the heat generating body 12 is the most heat generating part 12c.

  In the present embodiment, the external heater 20 heats a part of the outside of the heating element housing wall 141 rather than heating the entire outside of the heating element housing wall 141. Specifically, the external heater 20 is disposed closer to the cooling part 16 than the most heat-generating part 12c, and covers an outer part closer to the cooling part 16. The external heater 20 shown in FIG. 8 is provided so as to surround the outside of the heating element housing wall 141 in an annular shape. The arrangement close to the cooling part 16 does not mean that the external heater 20 is provided only on the cooling part 16 side than the most heat-generating part 12c, but outside the center position of the most heat-generating part 12c. That is, the center position of the heater 20 is shifted to the cooling unit 16 side.

  The reason why the external heater 20 is arranged in this manner is that the refrigerant flowing through the heating element accommodation space 14a and the cooling part space 16a is an oscillating flow, and therefore, the cooling unit 16 is provided in the inner surface of the heating element accommodation wall 141. This is because the close region is in contact with the refrigerant for a long time. That is, if there is no external heater 20, the temperature in the region near the cooling unit 16 is most likely to decrease. Therefore, it is effective to heat a portion corresponding to a region close to the cooling portion 16, that is, a portion closer to the cooling portion 16 than the most heat generating portion 12c.

  If the time chart when the gas-liquid interface 26 of the refrigerant is self-excited in the present embodiment is shown, the same diagram as FIG. 2 of the first embodiment is obtained.

  Also in this embodiment, the heating element housing wall 141 is heated as in the first embodiment described above, and recondensation of the refrigerant vaporized in the heating element housing space 14a is suppressed. It is possible to prevent the decrease.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the external heater 20 is disposed closer to the cooling unit 16 than the most heat-generating part 12c, so that it is possible to efficiently heat a part effective for suppressing recondensation of the refrigerant. It is.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In the first embodiment described above, the controller 24 adjusts the amount of heat generated by the external heater 20 based on the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 and the temperature of the heating element 12. The amount of heat generated by the external heater 20 may be adjusted based only on the above. Alternatively, the heating value of the external heater 20 may be held at a constant value without detecting any of those temperatures.

  (2) In the first embodiment described above, the controller 24 causes the external heater 20 to heat the heating element accommodation wall 141 so that the temperature of the heating element accommodation wall 141 approaches the temperature of the heating element 12. Not limited to such temperature control, for example, the heating element housing wall 141 may be heated by the external heater 20 so that the temperature of the heating element housing wall 141 is equal to or higher than the temperature of the heating element 12. Even if it does in this way, as FIG. 3 shows, it is possible to fully enlarge the cooling capacity of the cooler 10.

  (3) In the second embodiment described above, a plurality of sub-heating elements 42 are provided, but one sub-heating element 42 may be provided.

  (4) In the second embodiment described above, the auxiliary heating element 42 is a semiconductor element module similar to the heating element 12 in the heating element accommodating space 14a, but may be a component that is not a semiconductor element module, and In other words, it doesn't have to be an electrical component.

  (5) In the third embodiment described above, the heat insulating material 46 covers the entire outside of the heating element housing wall 141, but if the recondensation of the gaseous refrigerant in the heating element housing space 14a can be sufficiently suppressed, Even if it covers only a part of the outside of the heating element housing wall 141, it does not matter.

  (6) In the above-described fourth embodiment, the heat medium flowing through the blown air flow path 501 is air, but it may be liquid or gas such as water or refrigerant as long as heat exchange is possible.

  (7) In the fifth embodiment described above, the interposition part 54 has a structure in which the space between the outer space 14b of the heat generator housing wall 141 and the heat generator housing wall 141 is held in a vacuum as the above heat transfer suppression structure. However, the heat transfer suppressing structure is not limited to such a structure maintained in a vacuum. For example, the intervening space 54a may be filled with a gas such as air, and the convection of the gas may be suppressed in the intervening space 54a.

  That is, the interposition part 54 may have a structure in which the interstitial space 54a in which gas convection is suppressed is provided between the outer space 14b and the heating element housing wall 141 as a heat transfer suppression structure. . In short, the interposition part 54 may function as a convection suppressing container in which the convection of the gas inside thereof is suppressed. For example, as a structure in which the convection of the gas in the intervening space 54a is suppressed, the intervening space 54a is held in an airtight manner, and the intervening space 54a is finely partitioned into a number of independent rooms by partition plates or the like. A structure is conceivable.

  (8) In each of the above-described embodiments, the heating element housing wall 141 is made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. However, the heating element housing wall 141 can be airtightly joined to the cooling unit wall 161 to ensure the airtightness of the refrigerant sealing space 32. For example, it may be made of the same material as the resin or the heat insulating material 46 described above.

  (9) In the first and sixth embodiments described above, the external heater 20 heats the heating element accommodation wall 141 from the outside of the heating element accommodation wall 141, but the inner wall surface of the heating element accommodation wall 141 is heated. Therefore, for example, the external heater 20 is embedded in the heating element accommodation wall 141, and the heating element accommodation wall 141 may be heated from the inside of the wall thickness.

  (10) In each of the above-described embodiments, the heating element housing space 14a and the cooling unit space 16a are provided such that the longitudinal direction thereof is the horizontal direction. For example, the refrigerant sealing space 32 is described in Patent Document 1. It may be U-shaped like a fluid container.

  (11) In each of the embodiments described above, the cooler 10 is installed so that the longitudinal direction of the cooling unit space 16a faces the horizontal direction, but the direction of the gas-liquid interface 26 in the cooling unit space 16a is the refrigerant. Since it is maintained by surface tension, there is no limitation on the installation direction of the cooler 10.

  (12) In each of the embodiments described above, when the heat generation from the heating element 12 stops, the entire heating element 12 is immersed in the liquid refrigerant, but a part of the heating element 12 may be immersed in the liquid refrigerant.

  (13) In each of the embodiments described above, the cooling unit 16 cools the refrigerant in the cooling unit space 16a by exchanging heat with the outside air. However, the cooling unit 16 is provided with a pipe through which cooling water flows around the cooling unit 16, The cooling water may be cooled by exchanging heat with the cooling water.

  (14) In each of the embodiments described above, the drive assist device 18 includes the weight 30, but the weight 30 may be omitted. Alternatively, the weight 30 may be replaced with another component or device that applies an inertial force so as to promote vibration of the refrigerant.

  (15) In each of the above-described embodiments, the expansion / contraction part 28 is configured by a bellows or the like and expands and contracts vertically, but may be configured by, for example, a diaphragm or the like, or may not expand and contract as long as the vibration of the refrigerant can be absorbed. There is no problem.

  (16) In each of the embodiments described above, the heating element 12 is a semiconductor element or the like that needs to be cooled, but need not be an electrical component.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, In the range described in the claim, it can change suitably. Further, the above embodiments are not irrelevant to each other, and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. In each of the above-described embodiments, it is needless to say that elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential unless explicitly stated as essential and clearly considered essential in principle. Yes. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, it is clearly limited to a specific number when clearly indicated as essential and in principle. The number is not limited to the specific number except for the case. In each of the above embodiments, when referring to the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements, etc., unless otherwise specified, or in principle limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. The material, shape, positional relationship, etc. are not limited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Cooler 12 Heating element 14 Heating part 14a Heating element accommodation space 16 Cooling part 16a Cooling part space 19 Heat radiation | emission suppression part 28 Expansion / contraction part (absorption part)
28a Expansion / contraction space (absorption space)
32 Refrigerant enclosure space (one space)

Claims (10)

It has a heating element accommodation wall (141) that forms a heating element accommodation space (14a) in which the heating element (12) is accommodated, and enters the heating element accommodation space by heat from the heating element. A heating section (14) for heating and vaporizing the refrigerant fluid;
A cooling part space (16a) communicating with the heating element housing space is formed, and a cooling part (16) for cooling and liquefying the refrigerant fluid that has been vaporized by the heating part and has flowed into the cooling part space. When,
An absorption part (28a) that communicates with the cooling part space and absorbs a volume change due to heating and cooling of the refrigerant fluid; and
A heat radiation suppressing portion (19) for suppressing heat in the heat generating body housing space from being radiated through the heat generating body housing wall,
The heating element accommodation space, the cooling part space, and the absorption part space as a whole constitute one space (32) in which the refrigerant fluid is enclosed,
The heating unit and the cooling unit cause the refrigerant fluid to self-oscillate in the one space by causing the refrigerant fluid to repeat vaporization and liquefaction ,
The heat dissipation suppression unit includes an external heater (20) for heating the heating element housing wall,
Furthermore, the heat dissipation suppressing unit heats the heating element accommodation wall so that the temperature of the heating element accommodation wall approaches the temperature of the heating element . It has a heating element accommodation wall (141) that forms a heating element accommodation space (14a) in which the heating element (12) is accommodated, and enters the heating element accommodation space by heat from the heating element. A heating section (14) for heating and vaporizing the refrigerant fluid;
A cooling part space (16a) communicating with the heating element housing space is formed, and a cooling part (16) for cooling and liquefying the refrigerant fluid that has been vaporized by the heating part and has flowed into the cooling part space. When,
An absorption part (28a) that communicates with the cooling part space and absorbs a volume change due to heating and cooling of the refrigerant fluid; and
A heat radiation suppressing portion (19) for suppressing heat in the heat generating body housing space from being radiated through the heat generating body housing wall,
The heating element accommodation space, the cooling part space, and the absorption part space as a whole constitute one space (32) in which the refrigerant fluid is enclosed,
The heating unit and the cooling unit cause the refrigerant fluid to self-oscillate in the one space by causing the refrigerant fluid to repeat vaporization and liquefaction ,
The heat dissipation suppression unit includes an external heater (20) for heating the heating element housing wall,
Furthermore, the heat dissipation suppression unit heats the heating element accommodation wall so that the temperature of the heating element accommodation wall becomes equal to or higher than the temperature of the heating element . The cooling part is provided side by side with the heating part,
3. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein the external heater is disposed closer to the cooling unit than a portion (12 c) that generates the most heat in the heating element. It has a heating element accommodation wall (141) that forms a heating element accommodation space (14a) in which the heating element (12) is accommodated, and enters the heating element accommodation space by heat from the heating element. A heating section (14) for heating and vaporizing the refrigerant fluid;
A cooling part space (16a) communicating with the heating element housing space is formed, and a cooling part (16) for cooling and liquefying the refrigerant fluid that has been vaporized by the heating part and has flowed into the cooling part space. When,
An absorption part (28a) that communicates with the cooling part space and absorbs a volume change due to heating and cooling of the refrigerant fluid; and
A heat radiation suppressing portion (19) for suppressing heat in the heat generating body housing space from being radiated through the heat generating body housing wall,
The heating element accommodation space, the cooling part space, and the absorption part space as a whole constitute one space (32) in which the refrigerant fluid is enclosed,
The heating unit and the cooling unit cause the refrigerant fluid to self-oscillate in the one space by causing the refrigerant fluid to repeat vaporization and liquefaction ,
The heat dissipation suppression unit includes an external heater (20) for heating the heating element housing wall,
The cooling part is provided side by side with the heating part,
The external heater is disposed closer to the cooling part than a portion (12c) that generates the most heat in the heating element. The heat radiation reduction unit, according to the calorific value of the external heater to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjusted based on the temperature of the temperature or the heating element containing wall of the heating element Cooler. It has a heating element accommodation wall (141) that forms a heating element accommodation space (14a) in which the heating element (12) is accommodated, and enters the heating element accommodation space by heat from the heating element. A heating section (14) for heating and vaporizing the refrigerant fluid;
A cooling part space (16a) communicating with the heating element housing space is formed, and a cooling part (16) for cooling and liquefying the refrigerant fluid that has been vaporized by the heating part and has flowed into the cooling part space. When,
An absorption part (28a) that communicates with the cooling part space and absorbs a volume change due to heating and cooling of the refrigerant fluid; and
A heat radiation suppressing portion (19) for suppressing heat in the heat generating body housing space from being radiated through the heat generating body housing wall,
The heating element accommodation space, the cooling part space, and the absorption part space as a whole constitute one space (32) in which the refrigerant fluid is enclosed,
The heating unit and the cooling unit cause the refrigerant fluid to self-oscillate in the one space by causing the refrigerant fluid to repeat vaporization and liquefaction ,
The said heat dissipation suppression part is comprised from the outer side space heating apparatus (50) which heats the outer side space (14b) surrounding the outer side of the said heat generating body accommodation wall, The cooler characterized by the above-mentioned. The cooling unit radiates heat from the refrigerant fluid to the outside of the cooling unit when cooling the refrigerant fluid,
The outer space heating device has a flow path (501) for guiding a heat medium heated by heat radiated from the cooling unit to the outer space, and the outer space is heated by the heat medium. The cooler according to claim 6 . It has a heating element accommodation wall (141) that forms a heating element accommodation space (14a) in which the heating element (12) is accommodated, and enters the heating element accommodation space by heat from the heating element. A heating section (14) for heating and vaporizing the refrigerant fluid;
A cooling part space (16a) communicating with the heating element housing space is formed, and a cooling part (16) for cooling and liquefying the refrigerant fluid that has been vaporized by the heating part and has flowed into the cooling part space. When,
An absorption part (28a) that communicates with the cooling part space and absorbs a volume change due to heating and cooling of the refrigerant fluid; and
A heat radiation suppressing portion (19) for suppressing heat in the heat generating body housing space from being radiated through the heat generating body housing wall,
The heating element accommodation space, the cooling part space, and the absorption part space as a whole constitute one space (32) in which the refrigerant fluid is enclosed,
The heating unit and the cooling unit cause the refrigerant fluid to self-oscillate in the one space by causing the refrigerant fluid to repeat vaporization and liquefaction ,
The heat dissipation suppression part is configured by an interposition part (54) interposed between the outer space (14b) surrounding the outer side of the heating element accommodation wall and the heating element accommodation wall,
The cooler, wherein the interposition part has a heat transfer suppression structure that suppresses heat transfer between the outer space and the heating element housing wall . The interposed portion is cooler according to claim 8, characterized in that it has a between the outer space and the heating element containing wall is held in a vacuum structure as the heat transfer suppressing structure. The said interposition part has the structure where the space where the convection of gas was suppressed was provided between the said outer side space and the said heat generating body accommodation wall as the said heat transfer suppression structure, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Item 9. The cooler according to item 8 .

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