U.S. patent application number 16/595497 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for cooling device.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIDEC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is NIDEC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Takahiro IMANISHI, Akihiko MAKITA, Nobuya NAKAE, Takehito TAMAOKA, Toshihiko TOKESHI.
Application Number | 20200116430 16/595497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70161568 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200116430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAE; Nobuya ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
COOLING DEVICE
Abstract
Provided is a cooling device which includes a plurality of
cooling units and a blocking member and in which at least a portion
of the blocking member is disposed between the cooling units.
Inventors: |
NAKAE; Nobuya; (Kyoto,
JP) ; TOKESHI; Toshihiko; (Kyoto, JP) ;
IMANISHI; Takahiro; (Kyoto, JP) ; MAKITA;
Akihiko; (Kyoto, JP) ; TAMAOKA; Takehito;
(Kyoto, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIDEC CORPORATION |
Kyoto |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIDEC CORPORATION
Kyoto
JP
|
Family ID: |
70161568 |
Appl. No.: |
16/595497 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 1/0246 20130101;
F28F 2215/02 20130101; F28F 2255/02 20130101; F28D 1/0408 20130101;
F28F 3/12 20130101; F28F 2270/00 20130101; F28D 2021/0029 20130101;
F28F 1/325 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28D 1/02 20060101
F28D001/02; F28F 3/12 20060101 F28F003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 13, 2018 |
JP |
2018-193912 |
Claims
1. A cooling device, comprising: a plurality of cooling units; and
a blocking member, wherein at least a portion of the blocking
member is arranged between the cooling units.
2. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling
units each include: a cold plate, extending in a horizontal
direction; and a radiator disposed on an upper side of the cold
plate in a first direction perpendicular to the horizontal
direction, wherein the radiator includes a plurality of fins
extending in the first direction and disposed in parallel in a
second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the
blocking member is disposed between the cooling units horizontally
in a third direction that is perpendicular to the second
direction.
3. The cooling device according to claim 2, further comprising a
cover member, wherein the cover member is disposed on an upper side
of the radiator in the first direction.
4. The cooling device according to claim 3, wherein the cover
member is disposed to straddle a plurality of the radiators.
5. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking
member has elasticity.
6. The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising a
pump.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Japanese
Patent Application No. 2018-193912, filed on Oct. 13, 2018. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this
specification.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cooling device.
Description of Related Art
[0003] A conventional cooling device includes a plurality of
radiators and a cooling fan which supplies cooling air to these
radiators (for example, Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent
Application Laid Open No. 2010-156467).
[0004] However, in the cooling device disclosed in Patent Document
1, since gaps are formed between a plurality of radiators, some of
the cooling air of a cooling fan may flow between the plurality of
radiators. Therefore, there is a possibility that the cooling air
may not be blown to the radiators efficiently.
SUMMARY
[0005] The disclosure tries to address the cooling efficiency of a
radiator by causing cooling air to be efficiently blown to the
radiator.
[0006] According to one embodiment, the disclosure provides a
cooling device, including a plurality of cooling units and a
blocking member, in which at least a portion of the blocking member
is arranged between the plurality of cooling units.
[0007] According to the above exemplary cooling device, the cooling
efficiency of the radiator is improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cooling device according to an
exemplary first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cooling device according to
the exemplary first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cooling unit according to
the exemplary first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a cooling device according to an
exemplary second embodiment of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present
disclosure, a vertical direction is defined such that a direction
in which a radiator 21 is disposed with respect to a cold plate 20
is referred to as an "upper side," and a direction opposite to that
in which the radiator 21 is disposed is referred to as a "lower
side." In the present disclosure, a direction in which the radiator
21 is disposed with respect to the cold plate 20 is referred to as
a "first direction." A direction which is perpendicular to the
"first direction" and in which a fin 22 extends in a longitudinal
direction is referred to as a "second direction." A direction
perpendicular to the "second direction" in a horizontal direction
is referred to as a "third direction," based on which shapes and
positional relationships between respective parts will be
described. Also, a direction in which cooling air flows from an
upstream side to a downstream side is indicated by an arrow in the
figure. However, this is a definition of the vertical direction and
horizontal direction merely for convenience of description and does
not limit an orientation of a cooling device 1 according to the
present disclosure at the time of manufacturing and use.
[0013] Also, in the present disclosure, a "parallel direction"
includes a substantially parallel direction. Further, in the
present disclosure, a "perpendicular direction" includes a
substantially perpendicular direction.
[0014] <First Embodiment>
[0015] A cooling device according to an exemplary first embodiment
of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view
of a cooling device according to the exemplary first embodiment of
the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a front view of the cooling
device according to the exemplary first embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cooling unit
according to the exemplary first embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0016] The cooling device 1 includes a plurality of cooling units
11, a blocking member 12, and a cover member 15.
[0017] At least a portion of the blocking member 12 is disposed
between adjacent cooling units 11. When a plurality of cooling
units 11 are disposed, since cooling air flows into a space between
the cooling units 11, a cooling efficiency of the radiator 21
decreases. When the blocking member 12 is disposed between adjacent
cooling units 11, cooling air flowing between the adjacent cooling
units 11 is hindered, the cooling air is caused to flow toward the
radiator 21 side, and thereby the cooling efficiency of the
radiator 21 is improved.
[0018] Each of the cooling units 11 includes the cold plate 20 and
the radiator 21. The radiator 21 is disposed on an upper side of
the cold plate 20. An upper surface of the cold plate 20 and a
lower surface of the radiator 21 are in contact with each
other.
[0019] <Cold Plate>
[0020] The cold plate 20 is made of a metal having high thermal
conductivity such as copper or aluminum and has a rectangular plate
shape that extends in the horizontal direction when viewed from
above. Further, the cold plate 20 of the present embodiment has a
quadrangular shape when viewed from above but is not limited
thereto, and may have, for example, a polygonal shape having a
plurality of corners or a circular shape when viewed from above. A
heat generating component 30 is disposed on a lower surface of the
cold plate 20.
[0021] The cold plate 20 includes a first refrigerant flow path
(not illustrated) through which a refrigerant flows. The first
refrigerant flow path is a space in the cold plate 20. A plurality
of blades (not illustrated) disposed side by side parallel to each
other are provided inside the first refrigerant flow path. Also, an
inlet (not illustrated) and an outlet (not illustrated) are
provided in the first refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant that
has flowed into the first refrigerant flow path via the inlet is
discharged from the first refrigerant flow path via the outlet.
[0022] The refrigerant in the present embodiment is a liquid, and
for example, an antifreeze such as an ethylene glycol aqueous
solution or a propylene glycol aqueous solution, pure water, or the
like is used.
[0023] <Radiator>
[0024] The radiator 21 is disposed on the upper side of the cold
plate 20 in the first direction perpendicular to the horizontal
direction. The radiator 21 includes a plurality of fins 22 for
cooling and a pipe 23. The fins 22 are formed in a flat plate,
stand upward from the upper surface of the cold plate 20, and
extend in the second direction perpendicular to the first
direction. The plurality of fins 22 extend parallel to each other
on the upper surface of the cold plate 20 and are disposed at equal
intervals. The fins 22 provided on the radiator 21 are disposed
parallel to each other. Further, in a plurality of cooling devices
1, the respective fins 22 extend in the same second direction.
[0025] A lower end of each of the fins 22 is in contact with the
upper surface of the cold plate 20. Thereby, thermal conductivity
from the cold plate 20 to the fin 22 is improved. Further, the fin
22 and the cold plate 20 may be separate members or the same
member. In the present embodiment, the fin 22 is a separate member
from the cold plate 20. For example, the lower end of the fin is
joined to the upper surface of the cold plate 20 by welding.
[0026] When the fin 22 is the same member as the cold plate 20, the
fin 22 is formed, for example, by a process of cutting the cold
plate 20. Further, when the fin 22 and the cold plate 20 are
separate members, the fin 22 may be a metal having high thermal
conductivity such as copper or aluminum as in the cold plate 20
described above. When the fin 22 is formed of a metal having high
thermal conductivity as in the cold plate 20, heat from the cold
plate 20 can be efficiently transmitted to the fin 22.
[0027] The pipe 23 has a hollow inside and forms a second
refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant passes. One end
portion of the second refrigerant flow path communicates with the
first refrigerant flow path. As will be described below, the second
refrigerant flow path may communicate with the first refrigerant
flow path via, for example, a tank or a pump.
[0028] The pipe 23 extends linearly in the third direction. The
pipe 23 is inserted into through holes provided in the plurality of
fins 22 and fixed to the plurality of fins 22 by welding. At this
time, a direction in which the pipe 23 extends and a direction in
which the fins 22 extend are perpendicular to each other. That is,
the plurality of fins 22 extend in the second direction, and the
pipe 23 extends in the third direction in the present
embodiment.
[0029] In the present embodiment, the cooling units 11 have the
same configuration and the same size. The cooling units 11 are
disposed parallel to the third direction. The cooling units 11 have
end portions in the second direction which are coplanar with each
other. Among the plurality of cooling units 11, adjacent cooling
units 11 are disposed in the third direction with a gap
therebetween. Also, the cooling units 11 may have sizes different
from each other.
[0030] <Tank>
[0031] Each of the cooling units 11 further includes a first tank
41 and a second tank 42. One end of the pipe 23 is connected to the
first tank 41, and the other end of the pipe 23 is connected to the
second tank 42. The first tank 41 and the second tank 42 are
disposed to face each other in the direction in which the pipe 23
extends. The refrigerant smoothly flows linearly from the first
tank 41 to the second tank 42 through the pipe 23.
[0032] The first tank 41 and the second tank 42 are disposed
parallel to a direction in which the fins 22 are arranged, and
thereby more of the plurality of fins 22 can be disposed between
the first tank 41 and the second tank 42 at predetermined
intervals. Thereby, a surface area of the entire fins 22 can be
enlarged so that a cooling performance of the radiator 21 can be
improved. Also, the pipe 23 can be easily connected to the first
tank 41 and the second tank 42.
[0033] The pipe 23 penetrates side surfaces of the first tank 41
and the second tank 42 to be directly connected to the first tank
41 and the second tank 42. Thereby, the number of parts of the
cooling device 1 can be reduced.
[0034] The first tank 41 and the second tank 42 are cuboids. A hole
(not illustrated) connected to a pump 24 to be described below is
provided in the second tank.
[0035] When the first tank 41 and the second tank 42 are provided,
an amount of the refrigerant circulated in the cooling unit 11 can
be increased. Accordingly, a cooling efficiency of the cooling unit
11 is improved.
[0036] <Pump>
[0037] The cooling unit 11 further includes the pump 24. In the
present embodiment, the pump 24 is a centrifugal-type pump and
includes a pump flow path (not illustrated) that is a flow path of
the refrigerant inside a rectangular parallelepiped housing. An
impeller (not illustrated) is disposed in the pump flow path. The
housing includes a suction port (not illustrated) and a discharge
port (not illustrated).
[0038] The suction port of the pump 24, the radiator 21, and the
second flow path are connected directly or indirectly. The
discharge port communicates with the suction port. In the present
embodiment, the suction port of the pump 24 and the radiator 21 are
connected via the second tank 42.
[0039] The impeller of the pump 24 is supported to be rotatable
around a central axis extending in the first direction and is
connected to a rotating shaft of a motor (not illustrated). The
impeller rotates due to driving of the motor, and the refrigerant
that has flowed in from the suction port is discharged from the
discharge port. The pump 24 suctions the refrigerant in the
direction in which the pipe 23 extends through the suction
port.
[0040] In the present embodiment, the pump 24 is disposed adjacent
to the radiator 21.
[0041] In the cold plate 20, a notch part 20a in which a side
surface is cut out is formed. At least a portion of the pump 24 is
disposed in the notch part 20a and is disposed to face the radiator
21 in the second direction. Specifically, the pump is disposed on a
side surface of the radiator 21. Thereby, the entire cooling unit
11 can be further reduced in size. Also, the pump 24 can be
increased in size and have a high output in the limited space of
the cooling device 1 while an increase in size of the entire
cooling unit 11 is suppressed.
[0042] (Operation of Cooling Unit)
[0043] The pump 24 is driven by bringing the heat generating
component 30 to be cooled such as, for example, a central
processing unit (CPU) into contact with the lower surface of the
cold plate 20. Thereby, the refrigerant circulates in the order of
the first refrigerant flow path, the first tank 41, the second
refrigerant flow path, and the second tank 42. Heat generated by
the heat generating component 30 is transmitted to the cold plate
20. The heat transmitted to the cold plate 20 is transmitted to the
fins 22 via the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant
flow path and the second refrigerant flow path. Thereby, heat
dissipation is performed via the fins 22 and a temperature rise in
the heat generating component 30 can be inhibited.
[0044] <First Embodiment>
[0045] A slit 13 is formed between adjacent cooling units 11 of the
plurality of cooling units 11. The slit 13 is a gap between
adjacent cooling units 11. In the present embodiment, the slit 13
indicates a gap between adjacent cooling units 11 in the third
direction. Thereby, when the cooling units 11 are arranged, since
interference between the cooling units 11 can be inhibited, the
cooling device 1 can be prevented from being damaged. On the other
hand, when a gap is provided between adjacent cooling units 11,
there is a likelihood that cooling air will flow into the gap and
the cooling performance of the radiator 21 will be reduced.
[0046] <Blocking Member>
[0047] At least a portion of the blocking member 12 is disposed in
the slit 13. When the blocking member 12 is disposed in the slit
13, cooling air does not easily flow through the slit 13.
Therefore, the cooling air generated by a cooling fan 14 to be
described below is supplied to the radiator 21, and heat
dissipation from the heat generating component 30 can be
efficiently performed using the radiator 21.
[0048] The blocking member 12 may be in contact with end surfaces
on the third direction side of adjacent cooling units 11. When a
gap between the blocking member 12 and the end surfaces in the
third direction of the cooling units 11 is eliminated, the cooling
air flowing into the slit 13 is further inhibited. Therefore, heat
dissipation from the heat generating component 30 can be
efficiently performed using the radiator 21 of the cooling unit
11.
[0049] The blocking member 12 need only be provided at an end
portion in the second direction of the slit 13. Specifically, when
the blocking member 12 is disposed at an entrance through which
cooling air enters the slit 13, the cooling air flowing into the
slit 13 can be inhibited. Compared to a case in which the blocking
member 12 is disposed in the entire region in the slit 13, an
amount of the blocking member 12 used can be reduced.
[0050] In the present embodiment, the blocking member 12 is
inserted into the slit 13 from the upper side in the first
direction. Further, the blocking member 12 may also be inserted
into the slit 13 from the second direction.
[0051] The blocking member 12 may have elasticity such as, for
example, that of a sponge or a rubber. Insertion property when the
blocking member 12 is inserted into the slit 13 can then be
improved. Specifically, since the blocking member 12 is deformed
along a shape of the slit 13, the blocking member 12 can be easily
arranged even when a portion of the slit 13 has a complicated
shape. Also, the blocking member 12 may have a plate shape using
such as, for example, a plastic which does not have elasticity.
[0052] At least a portion of the cover member 15 is disposed on an
upper side of the radiator 21 in the first direction. Specifically,
the cover member 15 is disposed on an upper surface of the fins 22
on the upper side in the first direction. When cooling air flows
into a space on the upper side of the radiator 21 in the first
direction, the cooling efficiency of the radiator 21 decreases.
When the cover member 15 is disposed in the space on the upper side
of the radiator 21 in the first direction, the cooling air flowing
into the space is hindered. Therefore, heat dissipation from the
heat generating component 30 can be efficiently performed using the
radiator 21 of the cooling unit 11.
[0053] The cover member 15 is disposed to straddle a plurality of
radiators 21. Specifically, the cover member 15 is disposed to be
continuous over upper surfaces of adjacent radiators 21. In this
case, the upper surface in the first direction of the blocking
member 12 faces a surface on a lower side in the first direction of
the cover member 15. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced
compared to a case in which the cover member 15 is disposed on an
upper side of each radiator 21. Also, the number of work man-hours
for attaching the cover member 15 can be reduced.
[0054] The upper surface in the first direction of the blocking
member 12 and the surface on the lower side in the first direction
of the cover member 15 may be in contact with each other. In this
case, the slit 13 can be more reliably closed. Also, a portion of
the cover member 15 may be disposed in the slit 13.
[0055] <Fan>
[0056] The fan 14 is provided to face the cooling unit 11 in the
second direction. The fan 14 of the present embodiment is an axial
flow type fan. When cooling air blows in a direction in which the
fins 22 extend in a longitudinal direction (second direction), heat
dissipation from the fins 22 is promoted, and the cooling
performance of the radiator 21 is improved. Also, a plurality of
fans 14 may be disposed to face the cooling units 11 in the second
direction.
[0057] <Second Embodiment>
[0058] Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a
plan view illustrating a cooling device 1 of the second embodiment.
For convenience of description, portions the same as those in the
above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference
signs.
[0059] At least one of a plurality of cooling units 11 is disposed
downstream in cooling air in a second direction with respect to the
other cooling units 11. Specifically, the other cooling units 11B
are disposed downstream in the cooling air with respect to one
cooling unit 11A. Specifically, when viewed from the second
direction, all the cooling units 11A and 11B do not overlap in the
second direction. More specifically, the radiators 21A and 21B of
the cooling units 11A and 11B do not overlap in the second
direction. Cooling air flowing from the second direction flows into
the radiator 21B of the cooling unit 11B on the downstream side
without being hindered by the radiators 21A of the cooling units
11A on the upstream side. Therefore, even when a plurality of
radiators 21A and 21B are disposed in the second direction, cooling
air can efficiently flow into all the cooling units 11A and
11B.
[0060] Fins 22A and 22B of the radiators 21A and 21B of the
respective cooling units 11A and 11B extend in the second
direction. In other words, directions in which the fins 22A and 22B
of the cooling units 11A and 11B extend are the same.
[0061] A blocking member 12A may be provided between the cooling
units 11A and the cooling unit 11B. Cooling air passing between
adjacent cooling units 11A flows into spaces between the cooling
units 11A and the cooling unit 11B, and thereby a cooling
efficiency of the radiator 21B of the cooling unit 11B decreases.
When the blocking member 12A is provided in the spaces between the
cooling units 11A and the cooling unit 11B, the cooling air flowing
into the spaces is hindered so that the cooling air is caused to
flow into the radiator 21B, and thereby the cooling efficiency of
the radiator 21B improves.
[0062] (Other)
[0063] The embodiments described above are merely examples of the
present disclosure. Configurations of the embodiments may be
changed as appropriate without departing from the technical spirit
of the present disclosure. Also, the embodiments may be implemented
in combination within a possible range.
[0064] In the above-described embodiment, a centrifugal-type pump
24 is used, but a diaphragm-type pump, a cascade-type pump, or the
like may also be used. Also, although the axial flow type fan was
used for the fan 14, for example, a centrifugal-type fan or the
like may also be used.
[0065] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed
embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the
disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
disclosure covers modifications and variations provided that they
fall within the scope of the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *