WO2025028660A1 - Cooling member - Google Patents

Abstract

This cooling member is provided with: a flow path member that has a pair of plate materials disposed at an interval, and that forms a flow path through which a fluid flows between one of the plate materials and the other plate material; and a pool that is disposed on the upstream side of the flow path across the entire width of the flow path member between the flow path and an inflow port for the fluid, and in which the fluid is stored, the pool satisfying h < W and h < H, where h is the internal height of the flow path, H is the internal height of the pool, and W is the width dimension of the pool in the flow direction of the fluid.

Description

Cooling Material

This disclosure relates to a cooling member.

For example, the inverter device described in JP 11-346480 A discloses a cooling member that cools the heat sink by flowing cooling water through a cooling water channel formed between the heat sink and a cooling water channel forming member.

In the inverter device of JP 11-346480 A, for example, cooling water flows in through a water inlet provided on one side of the cooling water channel formed between the recess of the cooling water channel forming member and the heat sink. The inverter device of JP 11-346480 A is configured to allow the cooling water to circulate by discharging the cooling water after cooling the heat sink from a water inlet provided on the other side of the cooling water channel.

However, in the recess of the cooling water passage forming member, the width in the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line connecting one water passage opening and the other water passage opening, i.e., the width of the cooling water passage, may be wide. When the width of the cooling water passage is wide, the flow rate per unit time of the cooling water flowing in the recess from one water passage opening to the other water passage opening is high on the above-mentioned imaginary line connecting one water passage opening and the other water passage opening in the shortest distance (i.e., the center of the width direction of the cooling water passage forming member). As a result, the flow rate per unit time decreases as you move away from the imaginary line in the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line.

As a result, the cooling water, which is a fluid, does not flow evenly within the cooling water channel, which is a flow path, across the width of the cooling water channel forming member.

　The present disclosure takes the above facts into consideration and aims to make the flow of fluid within the flow path of the cooling member uniform across the width.

The cooling member according to the first aspect includes a flow path member having a pair of plate members spaced apart from each other, forming a flow path through which a fluid flows between one of the plate members and the other of the plate members, and a pool that is arranged across the entire width of the flow path member on the upstream side of the flow path member between the flow path and the inlet of the fluid, and that stores the fluid, where h<W and h<H are satisfied when the internal height of the flow path is h, the internal height of the pool is H, and the width dimension of the pool in the direction of the flow of the fluid is W.

When a fluid is made to flow from an inlet into a pool located between the flow path and the fluid inlet on the upstream side of the flow path member, the fluid is stored in the pool located across the entire width of the flow path member and then flows into the flow path of the flow path member. Here, by forming the pool so that h<W and h<H are satisfied, the fluid stored in the pool is diverted (in other words, dispersed) with high uniformity across the width of the flow path (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the flow path) and flows into the flow path.

This makes it easier to ensure uniform cooling performance across the entire width of the cooling component.

The cooling member according to the second aspect is the cooling member according to the first aspect, further comprising a pool disposed downstream of the flow path between the flow path and the fluid outlet, separate from the pool.

In the cooling member according to the second aspect, a pool is also provided between the flow path and the fluid outlet on the downstream side of the flow path member. Therefore, compared to a case where a pool is not provided between the flow path and the fluid outlet on the downstream side of the flow path member, it is easier to make the resistance that the fluid flowing out of the flow path encounters on the downstream side uniform across the width. As a result, the fluid flowing in the flow path flows with improved uniformity across the entire width of the flow path.

The cooling member according to the third aspect is the cooling member according to the first or second aspect, in which the plate material includes at least a metal plate.

By configuring the plate material to include a metal plate, heat is transferred more easily than when the plate material does not include a metal plate. As a result, the plate material that includes a metal plate can easily cool the object to be cooled.

The cooling member according to the fourth aspect is the cooling member according to the first or second aspect, and includes a heat sink made of a metal material to cover an opening formed in at least one of the plates, and the heat sink is exposed to the flow path.

In the cooling member according to the fourth aspect, a heat sink made of a metal material is provided to cover an opening formed in a plate material. Because the heat sink is exposed to the flow path, the fluid in the flow path can efficiently cool a cooling target that is in contact with the outer surface of the heat sink.

The cooling member according to the fifth aspect is a cooling member according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, which includes a plurality of partition plates extending in the flow direction of the fluid and spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction, and the flow path is divided into a plurality of small flow paths by the plurality of partition plates.

By arranging multiple partitions inside the flow path at intervals that extend in the direction of the fluid flow and perpendicular to the direction of the flow, and dividing the flow path into multiple small flow paths, the fluid in the flow path can flow from the upstream side to the downstream side with reduced turbulence.

The cooling member according to the sixth aspect is any one of the cooling members according to the first to fifth aspects, in which the flow path member includes a rectangular frame that is disposed between one of the plates and the other of the plates and forms the flow path, and a columnar portion that is integrally connected to an end of the rectangular frame and includes the pool inside, one of the plates is joined to one side of the rectangular frame and one side of the columnar portion that is connected to one side of the rectangular frame, and the other plate is joined to the other side of the rectangular frame, the internal height of the flow path formed between the frame piece that forms the pool side of the rectangular frame and one of the plates is formed lower than the internal height of the flow path inside the frame of the rectangular frame, and a protrusion that is joined to one of the plates is formed on the frame piece.

In the cooling member according to the sixth aspect, one plate material is joined to a protrusion formed on the frame piece on the pool side of the rectangular frame, so the joining strength between the rectangular frame and one plate material can be increased compared to when no protrusion is provided. In addition, the other plate material can be joined to the entire other surface of the rectangular frame, including the frame piece on the pool side.

As described above, the cooling member disclosed herein can make the flow of fluid within the flow passage of the cooling member uniform across the width.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cooling member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the cooling member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a cooling water passage. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inlet portion and a cooling water passage as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inlet portion and a cooling water passage as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a cooling member according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a cooling member according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling member according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the upper frame from below. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an inlet portion of a cooling member used in a simulation.

The first and second embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. When an embodiment is described in this disclosure with reference to drawings, the configuration of the embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the sizes of the components in each figure are conceptual, and the relative relationships between the sizes of the components are not limited to this.

In the following drawings, like parts are given like reference symbols. However, the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between thickness and planar dimensions, and the ratio of thickness of each device and each component differ from the actual ones. Therefore, specific thicknesses and dimensions should be determined by taking into consideration the following explanation. Furthermore, there are parts in which the dimensional relationships and ratios differ between the drawings. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified in the specification, the number of each component element of the present disclosure is not limited to one, and there may be more than one.

[First embodiment]
A cooling member 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire cooling member 10 of the first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling member 10 of the first embodiment. In the drawings, the directions of arrows L and R are referred to as frame longitudinal directions, and the directions of arrows F and B perpendicular to the directions of arrows L and R are referred to as frame width directions.

The cooling member 10 of the first embodiment is broadly composed of a frame 12, an upper cover 14, a lower cover 16, and a corrugated sheet 18. The frame 12, the upper cover 14, and the lower cover 16 are an example of a flow path member of the present disclosure. The lower cover 16 is an example of one of a pair of plate materials of the present disclosure. The upper cover 14 is an example of the other of the pair of plate materials of the present disclosure. The lower cover 16 and the upper cover 14 are arranged with a gap between them.

(Frame and corrugated sheet configuration)
As shown in Fig. 2, the frame 12 is generally rectangular. The frame 12 is provided with a rectangular column-shaped inlet portion 20 on the longitudinal direction, that is, the arrow R direction side in Fig. 2, and a rectangular column-shaped outlet portion 22 on the longitudinal direction, that is, the arrow L direction side. The inlet portion 20 is an example of a column-shaped portion of the present disclosure. The inlet portion 20 is integrally connected to an end portion of the rectangular frame 24 on the arrow R direction side. The outlet portion 22 is integrally connected to an end portion of the rectangular frame 24 on the arrow L direction side. The inlet portion 20 and the outlet portion 22 are integrally connected by the rectangular frame 24. The frame 12 is formed of a synthetic resin, as an example.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, three corrugated sheets 18, all of which are identical in configuration, are arranged inside the rectangular frame 24. In the first embodiment, as an example, an upper cover 14 is welded to the upper surface of the rectangular frame 24, and a lower cover 16 is welded to the lower surface of the rectangular frame 24, thereby blocking the opening of the rectangular frame 24 with the corrugated sheets 18 arranged inside the frame.

In other words, the bottom cover 16 is joined to the bottom surface of the rectangular frame 24 in FIG. 3 and to the bottom surface of the inlet section 20 that is connected to the bottom surface of the rectangular frame 24. The bottom surface of the rectangular frame 24 in FIG. 3 is an example of one side of the rectangular frame of the present disclosure. The bottom surface of the inlet section 20 in FIG. 3 is an example of the bottom surface of the inlet section of the present disclosure. The top cover 14 is joined to the top surface of the rectangular frame 24 in FIG. 3. The top surface of the rectangular frame 24 in FIG. 3 is an example of the other side of the rectangular frame of the present disclosure.

The top cover 14 and the bottom cover 16 of the first embodiment are, as an example, laminated sheets in which a thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet and an aluminum sheet are superimposed. Here, the aluminum sheet in the laminated sheet may be a metal plate. The top cover 14 and the bottom cover 16 may be sheets other than laminated sheets, i.e., plate materials, or may be metal sheets with excellent thermal conductivity, i.e., plates. The top cover 14 and the bottom cover 16 may also be bonded to the rectangular frame 24. By configuring the top cover 14 and the bottom cover 16 to include a metal plate, heat is more easily transferred compared to when the metal plate is not included. As a result, the top cover 14 and the bottom cover 16 material, which is configured to include a metal plate, makes it easier to cool the cooling target. The top cover 14 and the bottom cover 16 do not need to include a metal plate as long as they are made of a material with good thermal conductivity.

In the first embodiment, the space surrounded by the rectangular frame 24, the top lid 14, and the bottom lid 16 is called the cooling water flow path 26, which is an example of a flow path of the present disclosure. The frame 12, the top lid 14, and the bottom lid 16 form the cooling water flow path 26 through which a fluid flows between the bottom lid 16 and the top lid 14.

The corrugated plate 18 is formed in an uneven shape in the width direction of the frame 12 (i.e., the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction), and the shape viewed from the longitudinal direction is a rectangular wave shape. The corrugated plate 18 in the first embodiment is, as an example, a laminate sheet in which a synthetic resin sheet and an aluminum sheet are overlapped, but may be made of other materials. The corrugated plate 18 is an example of a partition plate of the present disclosure. By providing the corrugated plate 18 inside the cooling water flow path 26, the cooling water flow path 26 is divided into a plurality of small flow paths 26A. By arranging a plurality of corrugated plates 18 inside the cooling water flow path 26 at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction, and dividing the cooling water flow path 26 into a plurality of small flow paths, the cooling water in the cooling water flow path 26 can flow from the upstream side to the downstream side with reduced turbulence. The flow direction of the cooling water extends along the direction of arrow L and the direction of arrow R in FIG. 1.

(Configuration of inlet section)
2, the inlet section 20 has a columnar shape with a rectangular cross section. The length of the inlet section 20 (in other words, the dimension in the frame width direction) is the same as the dimension of the rectangular frame 24 in the frame width direction.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, inside the inlet section 20, an inlet side pool 28 with a rectangular cross section that is long in the vertical direction is provided along the longitudinal direction of the inlet section 20. The inlet side pool 28 is included inside the inlet section 20.

The inlet pool 28 not only allows cooling water, which is an example of a fluid, to pass through, but also serves as a space in which the cooling water can be stored. The inlet pool 28 can also be thought of as a divider or buffer that improves uniformity.

As shown in FIG. 4, a cooling water inlet pipe 30 that communicates with the inlet side pool 28 is connected to the upper side of the longitudinal center of the side of the inlet section 20 in the direction of the arrow R. The cooling water inlet pipe 30 is an example of an inlet pipe in the present disclosure. The cooling water inlet pipe 30 communicates with the cooling water flow path 26. The cooling water inlet pipe 30 has an end opening 30A into which the cooling water flows. The end opening 30A is an example of an inlet in the present disclosure. The end opening 30A of the cooling water inlet pipe 30 on the direction of the arrow L faces the inner wall 20A of the inlet section 20 on the direction of the arrow L. The inlet side pool 28 is disposed between the cooling water flow path 26 and the end opening 30A on the upstream side of the cooling water flow path 26 across the entire width of the flow path member formed by the frame 12, the upper cover 14, and the lower cover 16.

In this embodiment, a cylindrical cooling water inlet pipe 30 is attached to a rectangular inlet section 20, but in this disclosure, the shape of the member corresponding to the inlet pipe into which the fluid flows is not limited to this. In this disclosure, for example, an inlet member having a rectangular shape and holes, grooves, etc. formed therein through which the fluid flows may be used in a state where it is attached integrally to the rectangular inlet section. Also, at the position where the rectangular inlet member opens into the inlet section, an inlet port that communicates with the fluid flow path and through which the fluid flows into the pool may be formed. In this disclosure, the shape of the inlet member attached to the inlet section is arbitrary.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the inlet pool 28 in the direction of arrow L is connected to the cooling water flow path 26 via the inlet narrow flow path 32. The internal height dimension h1 of this inlet narrow flow path 32 is smaller than the internal height dimension h0 of the cooling water flow path 26. In other words, the inlet narrow flow path 32 has a narrower vertical dimension than the cooling water flow path 26 (in other words, it is thinner). Thus, in the first embodiment, the internal height of the inlet narrow flow path 32 is formed lower than the internal height of the cooling water flow path 26 inside the frame piece 24A of the rectangular frame 24.

As shown in FIG. 5, it is desirable that the width dimension W1 of the inlet narrow channel 32 along the frame width direction, the width dimension W0 of the cooling water channel 26, and the length dimension L0 of the inlet pool 28 are the same. In the present disclosure, it is not excluded that a slight difference is formed between the width dimension of the inlet narrow channel along the frame width direction, the width dimension of the cooling water channel, and the length dimension of the inlet pool, as in the case where a minute step is formed. In this embodiment, the width dimension W1 of the inlet narrow channel 32 along the frame width direction, the width dimension W0 of the cooling water channel 26, and the length dimension L0 of the inlet pool 28 are adjusted to be the same in order to increase uniformity. In addition, the diameter of the end opening 30A of the cooling water inlet pipe 30 is smaller than the length dimension L0 of the inlet pool 28.

4, the inner height dimension H of the inlet side pool 28 is larger than the width dimension W of the inlet side pool 28, and the inner height dimension h1 of the inlet side narrow flow passage 32 is set smaller than the inner height dimension H of the inlet side pool 28 and the width dimension W of the inlet side pool 28. In other words, when the inner height dimension of the cooling water flow passage 26 is h, the inner height dimension of the inlet side pool 28 is H, and the width dimension of the inlet side pool 28 in the flow direction of the cooling water is W,

h<W and h<H

This satisfies the above. In this way, the inlet pool 28 having a large volume is formed.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, inlet-side narrow flow passage 32, multiple oval projections 34 protruding downward from inlet section 20 and frame piece 24A (i.e., one example of a frame piece of this disclosure) that is part of rectangular frame 24 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of inlet section 20. Lower cover 16 is welded (i.e., fixed) to the top of projection 34 (i.e., the underside of projection 34 in Figure 4). Note that projection 34 may be provided as needed and is not required.

With the above configuration, when cooling water is introduced into the cooling water inlet pipe 30, the cooling water flows into the cooling water flow path 26 via the inlet side pool 28 and the inlet side narrow flow path 32.

(Configuration of Outlet Portion)
7, the outlet portion 22 has the same configuration (i.e., the same shape and dimensions) as the inlet portion 20. In other words, the cooling member 10 of the first embodiment has a bilaterally symmetrical shape.

Inside the outflow section 22, an outflow side pool 36 similar to the inflow side pool 28 is provided separately from the inflow side pool 28. A cooling water outflow pipe 38 communicating with the outflow side pool 36 is connected to the side surface of the outflow section 22 in the direction of arrow L. The cooling water outflow pipe 38 is an example of an outflow pipe in the present disclosure. The cooling water outflow pipe 38 communicates with the cooling water flow path 26 and has an end opening 38A from which the cooling water flows out. The end opening 38A is an example of an outlet in the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, a cylindrical cooling water outflow pipe 38 is attached to the prismatic outflow section 22, but in this disclosure, the shape of the member corresponding to the outflow pipe from which the fluid flows is not limited to this. In this disclosure, for example, an outflow member having a prismatic shape and having holes, grooves, etc. formed therein through which the fluid flows may be used in a state where it is attached integrally to the prismatic outflow section. Also, at the position where the prismatic outflow member opens to the outflow section, an outlet that communicates with the fluid flow path and through which the fluid flows out of the pool may be formed. In this disclosure, the shape of the outflow member attached to the outflow section is arbitrary.

The outflow side pool 36 is disposed downstream of the cooling water flow path 26 between the cooling water flow path 26 and the end opening 38A of the cooling water outflow pipe 38. This allows the cooling water that has passed through the cooling water flow path 26 to flow into the outflow side pool 36 and be discharged to the outside via the cooling water outflow pipe 38. The length dimension of the outflow side pool 36 is the same as the length dimension L0 of the inflow side pool 28. The diameter of the end opening 38A of the cooling water outflow pipe 38 is smaller than the length dimension L0 of the outflow side pool 36.

The outlet side pool 36 has a lower end in the direction of arrow R that is connected to the cooling water flow path 26 via an outlet side narrow flow path 40. In addition, the outlet side narrow flow path 40 has multiple protrusions 42 arranged therein, similar to the protrusions 34 of the inlet portion 20.

(Action, Effect)
Next, the operation and effects of the cooling member 10 of the first embodiment will be described.
The cooling member 10 of the first embodiment is used, for example, by bringing the lower cover 16 into close contact with an object to be cooled (not shown).

When cooling water is introduced into the cooling water inlet pipe 30, the cooling water flows into the cooling water flow path 26 via the inlet pool 28 and the inlet narrow flow path 32. Note that the cooling water is not limited to water, and liquids such as ethylene glycol (i.e., antifreeze) and long-life coolant (LLC) can also be used.

Here, the inlet pool 28 is a space with a large volume that not only allows cooling water to pass through but can store the cooling water. Therefore, when cooling water is caused to flow into the inlet pool 28 from the cooling water inlet pipe 30, the cooling water discharged from the end opening 30A of the cooling water inlet pipe 30 flows toward both sides in the longitudinal direction of the inlet pool 28, i.e., toward both sides in the frame width direction. The cooling water flowing toward both sides in the frame width direction then flows into the inlet narrow flow passage 32 with increased uniformity across the frame width direction. The cooling water that has flowed into the inlet narrow flow passage 32 then flows into the cooling water flow passage 26.

In other words, the cooling water that flows from the cooling water inlet pipe 30 into the inlet pool 28, which is arranged across the entire width of the flow path member, can be diverted (in other words, dispersed) in the inlet pool 28 in a state in which uniformity is enhanced along the longitudinal direction of the inlet pool 28. The diverted cooling water in a state in which uniformity is enhanced can then be allowed to flow into the cooling water flow path 26 via the inlet narrow flow path 32. Note that in this disclosure, "storage" includes not only a state in which the cooling water is stationary in the pool due to the cooling water having zero velocity, but also a state in which the cooling water flows through the pool at a velocity.

This makes it possible to equalize the flow rate of cooling water per unit time at the center side of the cooling water flow path 26 in the frame width direction and at both end sides in the frame width direction that sandwich the center side. In other words, the flow of cooling water in the cooling water flow path 26 can be made uniform across the width direction. This makes it possible to suppress differences in cooling performance depending on the location.

In other words, the uniformity of the flow rate of the cooling water flowing in the direction of arrow L within the cooling water flow path 26 can be increased along the frame width direction of the cooling water flow path 26. This allows for uniform cooling across the frame width direction of the bottom cover 16, and as a result, the cooling object that is in contact with the bottom cover 16 can be cooled with reduced unevenness. This makes it easier to make the cooling performance of the cooling member 10 uniform across the entire width. As a result, the flow of the cooling water within the cooling water flow path 26 can be made uniform across the width direction. The top cover 14 may also be used by being in close contact with the cooling object (not shown) to be cooled.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the cooling water that has flowed through the cooling water flow passage 26 is discharged from the cooling water outflow pipe 38 via the outflow pool 36, which has a large volume similar to that of the inflow pool 28. Because the outflow pool 36 has a large volume, there is little resistance when the cooling water flows from the cooling water flow passage 26 into the outflow pool 36, and the uniformity of the flow rate of the cooling water flowing into the outflow pool 36 across the entire width of the cooling water flow passage 26 can be improved. In other words, the resistance that the cooling water flowing out of the cooling water flow passage 26 encounters downstream is easily uniform across the width.

In the cooling member 10 of the first embodiment, the inlet pool 28 and the cooling water flow path 26 are connected via the inlet narrow flow path 32, and the cooling water flow path 26 and the outlet pool 36 are connected via the outlet narrow flow path 40. However, in the present disclosure, the inlet pool 28 and the cooling water flow path 26 may be directly connected, and the cooling water flow path 26 and the outlet pool 36 may be directly connected.

The cooling member of the present disclosure makes it easy to make the flow rate of cooling water per unit time uniform at the center side in the frame width direction of the cooling water flow path 26 and both end sides in the frame width direction that sandwich the center side, even if the inlet narrow flow path 32 and the outlet narrow flow path 40 are not provided. In other words, the variation in the flow rate of cooling water per unit time flowing through each small flow path 26A is suppressed, making it possible to make the flow rate of cooling water flowing through each small flow path 26A uniform.

In addition, in the cooling member 10 of the first embodiment, the bottom cover 16 is joined to the protrusion 34 formed on the pool-side frame piece 24A of the rectangular frame 24, so the joining strength between the rectangular frame 24 and the bottom cover 16 can be increased compared to when the protrusion 34 is not provided.

Second Embodiment
Next, a cooling member 50 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 12. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cooling member 50 of the second embodiment is broadly composed of a lower frame 52, an upper frame 54, and a heat sink 56. The lower frame 52 and the upper frame 54 are an example of a pair of plate materials of the present disclosure. The heat sink 56 is exposed to the cooling water flow path 60. Therefore, the cooling water in the cooling water flow path 60 can efficiently cool the cooling target that is in contact with the outer surface of the heat sink 56.

(Lower frame)
9, the lower frame 52 is formed in the shape of a thick plate having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a shallow recess 58 having a rectangular shape in a plan view formed on the upper surface. The lower frame 52 can be formed of a synthetic resin, for example.

(Upper frame)
The upper frame 54, like the lower frame 52, is formed in the shape of a thick plate that is rectangular in a plan view, and is overlapped and joined to the upper part of the lower frame 52. Note that, like the lower frame 52, the upper frame 54 can be formed of a synthetic resin, for example.

As shown in FIG. 10, the upper frame 54 is fixed to the top surface of the lower frame 52, thereby closing the opening of the recess 58. As a result, a cooling water flow path 60 is formed between the lower frame 52 and the upper frame 54.

As shown in FIG. 9, the upper frame 54 has an inlet 62 on the side indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 9, which is the longitudinal direction of the frame, and an outlet 64 on the side indicated by the arrow L, which is the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 10, inside the cooling member 50, an inlet side pool 66 is provided on the side indicated by the arrow R. The inlet side pool 66 is formed by a recess 68 extending in the frame width direction and having a rectangular cross section that is long in the vertical direction. The inlet side pool 66 is formed by a recess 68 formed in the inlet portion 62 and extending in the frame width direction, and a part of the recess 58 on the side indicated by the arrow R.

As in the first embodiment, the inlet pool 66 not only allows the cooling water to pass through, but also serves as a space in which the cooling water can be stored, and can be thought of as a diversion section or buffer that improves uniformity.

A cooling water inlet pipe 70 that communicates with the inlet pool 66 is connected to the longitudinal center of the side of the inlet section 62 in the direction of arrow R.

As shown in FIG. 10, the lower end of the inlet pool 66 in the direction of the arrow L is connected to the cooling water flow path 60.

The internal height dimension H of the inlet side pool 66 is larger than the width dimension W of the inlet side pool 66, and the internal height dimension H of the inlet side pool 66 is set smaller than the internal height dimension h0 of the cooling water flow path 60. Also, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the length dimension L0 of the inlet side pool 66 along the frame width direction is the same as the width dimension W0 of the cooling water flow path 60 along the frame width direction. This results in an inlet side pool 66 with a large volume.

A rectangular opening 72 is formed in the center of the upper frame 54. A heat sink 56 made of a metal material is fitted into this opening 72. The heat sink of the present disclosure only needs to be made of at least a metal material. The heat sink 56 closes the opening 72 formed in the upper frame 54, thereby fixing the upper frame 54 and the heat sink 56 in a watertight manner. A number of protrusions 56A are formed on the underside of the heat sink 56, protruding toward the cooling water flow path 60. The protrusions can be referred to as fins.

As shown in Figures 8 to 12, the outlet section 64 has the same configuration as the inlet section 62, and the cooling member 50 has a symmetrical shape, so a description of the outlet section 64 is omitted. A cooling water outlet pipe 74 is connected to the side of the outlet section 64.

(Action, Effect)
Next, the operation and effects of the cooling member 50 of the second embodiment will be described.
The cooling member 50 of the second embodiment is used, for example, by bringing the outer surface of the heat sink 56 into close contact with an object to be cooled (not shown).

When cooling water is introduced into the cooling water inlet pipe 70, the cooling water flows into the cooling water flow path 60 via the inlet pool 66.

Here, the inlet pool 66 is a space with a large volume that can store cooling water as well as pass it through. Therefore, when cooling water is introduced into the inlet pool 66 from the cooling water inlet pipe 70, the cooling water discharged from the end of the cooling water inlet pipe 70 flows toward both sides in the longitudinal direction of the inlet pool 66, and then flows into the cooling water flow path 60 with enhanced uniformity across the frame width direction.

In other words, the cooling water that flows from the cooling water inlet pipe 70 into the inlet pool 66 can be diverted in the inlet pool 66 in a state of enhanced uniformity along the longitudinal direction of the inlet pool 66. In addition, the cooling water that has been diverted in a state of enhanced uniformity can be caused to flow into the cooling water flow path 60.

This makes it easier to make the flow rate of cooling water per unit time uniform at the center side of the cooling water flow path 60 in the frame width direction and at both end sides in the frame width direction that sandwich the center side. Also, the heat sink 56 can be cooled with high uniformity across the frame width direction. Therefore, the cooling object in contact with the heat sink 56 can be cooled with reduced unevenness.

[Test example]
In order to confirm the effects of the present disclosure, a simulation was performed on the flow rate of cooling water flowing through the cooling water passages in the cooling members of Examples 1 and 2 as examples of the present disclosure and the cooling members of Comparative Examples 1 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 13, the cooling member 100 used in the simulation has a configuration that is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above, but the inlet pool 28 and the cooling water flow path 26 are directly connected, and the outlet pool 36 and the cooling water flow path 26 are directly connected. In other words, the cooling member 100 has a bilaterally symmetrical shape.

Table 1 below shows the length, internal height, and width of the inlet side pool of the cooling members of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1, 2 to 4, as well as the internal height and width of the cooling water flow path, the state of the cooling water flowing inside the cooling water flow path when cooling water is supplied to the cooling water inlet pipe, and the pressure loss of the cooling member.

The simulation results show that the cooling member according to the embodiment of the present disclosure reduces unevenness in the flow rate in the cooling water channel compared to the comparative example, and also reduces pressure loss.

Compared to Example 1, Example 2 has a smaller pressure loss in the cooling member. This is thought to be because, compared to Example 1, Example 2 has a larger inlet pool width and a larger pool cross-sectional area, making it easier for the fluid to flow through the pool.

The results of the simulation show that the ratio W/H is preferably 6/8.5 or more. There is no particular upper limit to the ratio W/H, but as the ratio W/H increases, the height of the inlet section increases.

In addition, from the viewpoint of pressure loss, the ratio W/h0 is preferably 2 or more, and more preferably 3 or more. There is no particular upper limit to the ratio W/h0, but as the ratio W/h0 increases, the width of the inlet section increases.

[Other embodiments]
While one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that the present disclosure can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The cooling member 10 of the first embodiment and the cooling member 50 of the second embodiment may be used in a plurality of units connected in series or in parallel. In this case, the action and effect of each cooling member can be obtained in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment.

The cooling member 10 of the first embodiment and the cooling member 50 of the second embodiment have a symmetrical shape in the direction of flow of the cooling water, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, in which the cooling member 50 has a symmetrical shape. In addition, an inlet side pool 28 is provided on the inlet side of the cooling water, and an outlet side pool 36 is provided on the outlet side of the cooling water. However, in the present disclosure, it is sufficient that at least the inlet side pool 28 is provided on the inlet side of the cooling water, and the outlet side pool 36 may be provided as necessary, and the outlet side pool 36 does not have to be provided on the outlet side of the cooling water. In addition, providing the outlet side pool 36 on the outlet side of the cooling water can make the flow of the cooling water in the flow path more uniform than when the outlet side pool 36 is not provided. When there is no outlet side pool, the uniformity of the cooling water flow may be slightly inferior compared to when there is an outlet side pool, but this does not cause any problems in practical use.

In addition, in the cooling member 10 of the first embodiment, an inlet side pool 28 is provided on the inlet side of the cooling water, and an outlet side pool 36 is provided on the outlet side of the cooling water, thereby realizing a bilaterally symmetrical shape in the flow direction of the cooling water. This eliminates the limitation on directionality during use, making the cooling member 10 easy to use. In addition, the cooling member 50 of the second embodiment also has a bilaterally symmetrical shape, so there is no limitation on directionality during use, and as a result, the cooling member 50 is easy to use.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-127408, filed on August 3, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

10 Cooling member 12 Frame (flow path member)
14 Upper cover (other plate material, flow path member)
16 Lower cover (one plate, flow path member)
18 Corrugated sheet (partition board)
20 Inflow part (column part)
24 Rectangular frame 24A Frame piece 26 Cooling water flow path (flow path)
26A Small flow path 28 Inlet side pool (pool)
30A End opening (inflow port)
34 Protrusion 38A End opening (outlet)
50 Cooling member 52 Lower frame (plate material)
54 Upper frame (plate material)
56 Heat sink 60 Cooling water flow path (flow path)
66 Inlet side pool 72 Opening

Claims (6)

a flow path member having a pair of plate members arranged with a gap therebetween, forming a flow path through which a fluid flows between one of the plate members and the other of the plate members; and a pool arranged across the entire width of the flow path member on the upstream side of the flow path between the flow path and an inlet for the fluid, for storing the fluid, wherein h<W and h<H are satisfied, where h is an internal height of the flow path, H is an internal height of the pool, and W is a width dimension of the pool in the flow direction of the fluid.
Cooling material. The apparatus further includes a pool disposed downstream of the flow path between the flow path and an outlet for the fluid, in addition to the pool.
The cooling member according to claim 1 . The plate material is configured to include at least a metal plate.
The cooling member according to claim 1 or 2. a heat sink made of a metal material to close an opening formed in at least one of the plates;
The heat sink is exposed to the flow path.
The cooling member according to claim 1 . A plurality of partition plates extending in a flow direction of the fluid and arranged at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction,
The flow path is divided into a plurality of small flow paths by the plurality of partition plates.
The cooling member according to claim 1 . The flow path member includes a rectangular frame that is disposed between one of the plate materials and the other of the plate materials and forms the flow path, and a columnar portion that is integrally connected to an end of the rectangular frame and includes the pool therein,
One of the plate materials is joined to one surface of the rectangular frame and one surface of the columnar portion connected to the one surface of the rectangular frame, and the other plate material is joined to the other surface of the rectangular frame,
The inner height of the flow path formed between a frame piece constituting a pool side of the rectangular frame and one of the plate materials is formed lower than the inner height of the flow path inside the frame of the rectangular frame,
A protrusion is formed on the frame piece to be joined to one of the plate materials.
The cooling member according to claim 1 .