FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
COOLING APPARATUS AND IN-VEHICLE DEVICE;
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION
ORGANISED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE
ADDRESS IS 7-3, MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 1008310,
JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED
2
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooler and an in-vehicle device including
5 the cooler.
Background Art
[0002] In-vehicle devices may include coolers thermally connected to electronic
components to prevent heat damage on the electronic components during energization.
A cooler dissipates heat transferred from an electronic component to air around the cooler.
10 Thus, the electronic component is cooled. An example cooler cools an electronic
component by dissipating heat transferred from the electronic component to cooling air
drawn by a blower into a duct in an in-vehicle device. An example in-vehicle device
including such a cooler is described in Patent Literature 1. An underfloor device
described in Patent Literature 1 includes a duct for feeding cooling air, a blower for
15 blowing cooling air to the duct, and a cooler including a heat dissipater located in the
duct.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication
20 No. 2012-183982
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004] The underfloor device described in Patent Literature 1 includes the duct for
feeding cooling air drawn from outside into an enclosed compartment with limited
25 outside air inflow. This underfloor device also includes the cooler including the heat
dissipater located in the duct for dissipating heat transferred from an electronic
component accommodated in the enclosed compartment to cooling air. Thus, the
3
underfloor device is to include the duct in which the heat dissipater as a part of the cooler
is to be located. The underfloor device has a complicated structure. This issue is not
limited to the underfloor device and may occur to any device including a cooler.
[0005] In response to the above circumstances, an objective of the present
5 disclosure is to provide a cooler that can simplify the structure of an in-vehicle device,
and an in-vehicle device with a simpler structure.
Solution to Problem
[0006] To achieve the above objective, a cooler according to an aspect of the
present disclosure includes a heat-receiving block, a plurality of heat-dissipating
10 members, and a channel definer. The heat-receiving block has a first main surface to
which a heating element is attachable. The plurality of heat-dissipating members are
fixed to a second main surface of the heat-receiving block opposite to the first main
surface with spaces therebetween. The plurality of heat-dissipating members dissipate
heat transferred from the heating element through the heat-receiving block to air flowing
15 through the spaces. The channel definer covers the plurality of heat-dissipating
members and is fixed to the second main surface of the heat-receiving block. The
channel definer defines a flow channel for the air flowing through the spaces between the
plurality of heat-dissipating members. The channel definer includes a plurality of vents
for the air to flow into the flow channel and for the air drawn in the flow channel to flow
20 out.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] The cooler according to the above aspect of the present disclosure includes
the flow channel extending through the spaces between the heat-dissipating members.
An in-vehicle device including the cooler thus includes no duct. The in-vehicle device
25 thus has a simpler structure.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle device according to
4
Embodiment 1;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle device according to Embodiment
1 taken along line II-II as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cooler according to Embodiment 1;
5 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cooler according to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cooler according to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle device according to Embodiment
2;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle device according to Embodiment
10 2 taken along line VII-VII as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle device according to a first
modification of the embodiment; and
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle device according to a second
modification of the embodiment.
15 Description of Embodiments
[0009] A cooler and an in-vehicle device according to embodiments of the present
disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the figures, the
same reference signs denote the same or equivalent components.
[0010] Embodiment 1
20 In Embodiment 1, an in-vehicle device 1 is described using an example in-vehicle
device mountable on a railway vehicle. The in-vehicle device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and
in FIG. 2 being a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II as viewed in the direction
indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1 includes a housing 20 mountable on a railway vehicle,
electronic components 21 accommodated in the housing 20, and a cooler 10 entirely
25 accommodated in the housing 20 to cool the electronic components 21. In FIGS. 1 and
2, Z-axis indicates a vertical direction. Y-axis indicates a traveling direction of the
railway vehicle. X-axis indicates a width direction of the railway vehicle. X-, Y-, and
5
Z-axes are orthogonal to one another.
[0011] The in-vehicle device 1 is, for example, a power conversion device that
converts power supplied from an overhead line to three-phase alternating current (AC)
power to be supplied to electric motors for generating a driving force for a railway
5 vehicle, and supplies the three-phase AC power to a main electric motor. The in-vehicle
device 1 as a power conversion device includes, for example, switching elements as the
electronic components 21 that are heating elements. The in-vehicle device 1 includes
the cooler 10 for preventing heat failure of the electronic components 21 during
energization. The cooler 10 has an internal flow channel, and thus the in-vehicle device
10 1 includes no duct. The in-vehicle device 1 has a simpler structure than an in-vehicle
device including a duct.
[0012] The components of the in-vehicle device 1 are described in detail.
The housing 20 is mounted under the floor of a railway vehicle with attachments,
which are not illustrated. The housing 20 has two surfaces facing in Z-direction. One
15 surface of the housing 20 has a first opening 20a, and the other surface has a first opening
20b. In detail, the housing 20 has the first opening 20a in the vertically lower surface,
and the first opening 20b in the vertically upper surface.
The housing 20 accommodates the electronic components 21.
[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cooler 10 includes a heat-receiving block
20 11 with a first main surface 11a to which heating elements including the electronic
components 21 are attached, multiple heat-dissipating members 12 fixed to a second
main surface 11b of the heat-receiving block 11 with spaces therebetween, and a channel
definer 13 defining a flow channel 14 for air flowing through the spaces between the
multiple heat-dissipating members 12. FIG. 3 is a view of the cooler 10 accommodated
25 in the housing 20 as viewed from below in the vertical direction. FIG. 4 is a view of the
cooler 10 accommodated in the housing 20 as viewed from above in the vertical
direction.
6
[0014] The heat-receiving block 11 has the first main surface 11a and the second
main surface 11b opposite to the first main surface 11a. The heat-receiving block 11 is
preferably a flat plate member. In Embodiment 1, the first main surface 11a faces the
second main surface 11b in Y-direction. The heat-receiving block 11 is formed from a
5 highly thermally conductive material, for example, metal such as copper or aluminum.
[0015] The multiple heat-dissipating members 12 are fixed to the second main
surface 11b of the heat-receiving block 11 with spaces therebetween. Each
heat-dissipating member 12 dissipates heat transferred from the electronic components 21
through the heat-receiving block 11 to air flowing through the spaces. In Embodiment 1,
10 the heat-dissipating members 12 are fins. In detail, the heat-dissipating members 12 are
fins with main surfaces parallel to the YZ plane, and are fixed to the second main surface
11b at intervals in X-direction.
[0016] The heat-dissipating members 12 are formed from a highly thermally
conductive material, for example, metal such as copper or aluminum. The
15 heat-dissipating members 12 are fixed to the second main surface 11b of the
heat-receiving block 11 with any method such as fitting, brazing, welding, attaching with
adhesives, or fastening with fasteners. More specifically, the heat-dissipating members
12 may be fixed to the heat-receiving block 11 firmly for the heat-dissipating members
12 and the heat-receiving block 11 to maintain a constant positional relationship under
20 vibration from a traveling railway vehicle.
[0017] The channel definer 13 covers the multiple heat-dissipating members 12 and
is fixed to the second main surface 11b of the heat-receiving block 11 to define the flow
channel 14 for air flowing through spaces between the multiple heat-dissipating members
12. In detail, the channel definer 13 defines the flow channel 14 extending in
25 Z-direction. The channel definer 13 includes multiple vents, or more specifically, a vent
13a for air to flow into the flow channel 14 and a vent 13b for air in the flow channel 14
to flow out. In Embodiment 1, the vents 13a and 13b face each other in Z-direction.
7
The vent 13a is located vertically downward from the vent 13b.
[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cooler 10 with the above structure is attached to
the housing 20 with the vent 13a in the channel definer 13 facing the first opening 20a in
the housing 20 and the vent 13b in the channel definer 13 facing the first opening 20b in
5 the housing 20. The first opening 20a is preferably smaller than the vent 13a. The
edge of the first opening 20a is preferably located inward from the edge of the vent 13a
on the XY plane. A second opening 20b is preferably smaller than the vent 13b. The
edge of the first opening 20b is preferably located inward from the edge of the vent 13b
on the XY plane. With the cooler 10 attached to the housing 20 as described above, the
10 first opening 20a is connected to the vent 13a, and the first opening 20b is connected to
the vent 13b. The channel definer 13 thus defines the flow channel 14 connecting to the
outside of the housing 20 through the first openings 20a and 20b. The vertically
extending flow channel 14 generates, without a blower, a vertically upward airflow from
the first opening 20a through the flow channel 14 toward the first opening 20b. Thus,
15 the electronic components 21 may be cooled by natural air-cooling.
[0019] The structure of the channel definer 13 is described in detail below.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the channel definer 13 in Embodiment 1 includes a
pair of side wall members 15 and a lid member 16.
As illustrated in FIG. 5 being an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the pair of
20 the side wall members 15 are each a plate and are fixed to the heat-receiving block 11 in a
direction in which main surfaces 15a of the side wall members 15 face each other with
the multiple heat-dissipating members 12 in between. In detail, the side wall members
15 are each fixed to the heat-receiving block 11 with a side surface 15b being one of two
longitudinal side surfaces of the corresponding side wall member 15 in contact with the
25 second main surface 11b. The side wall members 15 may be fixed to the heat-receiving
block 11 firmly for the side wall members 15 and the heat-receiving block 11 to maintain
a constant positional relationship under vibration from a traveling railway vehicle.
8
[0020] The side wall members 15 are strong enough not to deform under vibration
from a traveling railway vehicle. Each side wall member 15 is formed from, for
example, an aluminum plate having a thickness of at least 10 millimeters.
[0021] The lid member 16 is a plate and is fixed to the pair of side wall members 15
5 in a direction in which the lid member 16 faces the second main surface 11b of the
heat-receiving block 11 with the multiple heat-dissipating members 12 in between. In
detail, the lid member 16 is fixed to the side wall members 15 with a main surface 16a in
contact with side surfaces 15c each being the other one of two longitudinal side surfaces
of the corresponding side wall member 15. In other words, the lid member 16 is fixed
10 to the pair of side wall members 15 with the multiple heat-dissipating members 12 and
the pair of side wall members 15 between the lid member 16 and the second main surface
11b. Each side wall member 15 has the side surface 15c opposite to the side surface 15b.
The lid member 16 may be fixed to the side wall members 15 firmly for the lid member
16 and the side wall members 15 to maintain a constant positional relationship under
15 vibration from a traveling railway vehicle.
[0022] The lid member 16 is strong enough not to deform under vibration from a
traveling railway vehicle. The lid member 16 is formed from, for example, an
aluminum plate having a thickness of at least 10 millimeters.
[0023] The vent 13a is a space surrounded by ends 151 of the side wall members 15,
20 an end 161 of the lid member 16, and an end 111 of the heat-receiving block 11. Each
end 151 is a portion of the side wall member 15 including one end in Z-direction. The
end 151 has an end face 15d intersecting with Z-direction. The end 161 is a portion of
the lid member 16 including one end in Z-direction. The end 161 has an end face 16b
intersecting with Z-direction. The end 111 is a portion of the heat-receiving block 11
25 including one end in Z-direction. The end 111 has an end face 11c intersecting with
Z-direction.
[0024] The vent 13b is a space surrounded by ends 152 of the side wall members
9
15, an end 162 of the lid member 16, and an end 112 of the heat-receiving block 11.
Each end 152 is a portion of the side wall member 15 including the other end in
Z-direction. The end 152 has an end face 15e intersecting with Z-direction. The end
162 is a portion of the lid member 16 including the other end in Z-direction. The end
5 162 has an end face 16c intersecting with Z-direction. The end 112 is a portion of the
heat-receiving block 11 including the other end in Z-direction. The end 112 has an end
face 11d intersecting with Z-direction.
[0025] As described above, the heat-receiving block 11, the pair of side wall
members 15, and the lid member 16 define the flow channel 14 extending from the vent
10 13a through spaces between the heat-dissipating members 12 to the vent 13b. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the cooler 10 is attached to the housing 20 with the vent 13a facing
the first opening 20a in the housing 20 and the vent 13b facing the first opening 20b in
the housing 20. This allows air outside the housing 20 to flow into the first opening 20a
of the housing 20, travel through the flow channel 14, and flow out of the housing 20
15 through the first opening 20b. The heat generated by the electronic components 21 is
dissipated to the air flowing through the flow channel 14 through the heat-receiving block
11 and the heat-dissipating members 12. This cools the electronic components 21. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the flow channel 14 is separated from an internal space of the
housing 20 accommodating the electronic components 21 by the heat-receiving block 11,
20 the pair of side wall members 15, and the lid member 16. Thus, flowing of air into the
housing 20 accommodating the electronic components 21 from the flow channel 14 is
reduced.
[0026] As described above, air outside the housing 20 flows through the flow
channel 14. The in-vehicle device 1 is expected to have sealability sufficient for
25 reducing flowing of air from outside the housing 20 into the internal space of the housing
20 accommodating the electronic components 21.
[0027] Portions of the cooler 10 that are in contact with the housing 20 are thus
10
preferably smooth and flat surfaces. In detail, the end faces 15d and 15e of each side
wall member 15 illustrated in FIG. 5 are preferably smooth flat surfaces that allow
surface contact with the housing 20. The end faces 11c and 11d of the heat-receiving
block 11 are preferably smooth flat surfaces. The end faces 16b and 16c of the lid
5 member 16 are preferably smooth flat surfaces that allow surface contact with the
housing 20.
[0028] The end faces 15d of the side wall members 15 and the end face 11c of the
heat-receiving block 11 defining the vent 13a are preferably connected smoothly to each
other. Being smoothly connected refers to the slope of a tangent plane being continuous.
10 In Embodiment 1, the end faces 15d are flush with the end face 11c. The end faces 15d
of the side wall members 15 and the end face 16b of the lid member 16 defining the vent
13a are preferably connected smoothly to each other. In Embodiment 1, the end faces
15d are flush with the end face 16b. In other words, the end faces 15d, 11c, and 16b are
flush with one another.
15 [0029] Similarly, the end faces 15e of the side wall members 15 and the end face
11d of the heat-receiving block 11 defining the vent 13b are preferably connected
smoothly to each other. In Embodiment 1, the end faces 15e are flush with the end face
11d. The end faces 15e of the side wall members 15 and the end face 16c of the lid
member 16 defining the vent 13b are preferably connected smoothly to each other. In
20 Embodiment 1, the end faces 15e are flush with the end face 16c. In other words, the
end faces 15e, 11d, and 16c are flush with one another.
[0030] To improve the sealability of the in-vehicle device 1, the cooler 10
preferably includes a channel sealing member that seals the channel definer 13 fixed to
the heat-receiving block 11, with the vents 13a and 13b being uncovered. The flow
25 channel 14 is thus sealed with the channel sealing member, with the vents 13a and 13b
being uncovered. In other words, flowing of air into or out of air the flow channel 14
without flowing through the vents 13a and 13b is reduced. Thus, flowing of air
11
traveling through the flow channel 14 into the internal space of the housing 20
accommodating the electronic components 21 is reduced. Thus, the in-vehicle device 1
may have improved sealability.
[0031] In detail, the cooler 10 preferably includes a first channel sealing member
5 filling a space between each of the side surfaces 15b of the side wall members 15 and the
second main surface 11b of the heat-receiving block 11 to have sealability. The first
channel sealing member is, for example, a waterproof and dustproof resin. For example,
contact portions in which the side surfaces 15b of the side wall members 15 are to be in
contact with the second main surface 11b of the heat-receiving block 11 may be treated to
10 be waterproof and dustproof with a resin applied before the side wall members 15 are
fixed to the heat-receiving block 11 with fasteners. As described above, with the
contact portions in which the side surfaces 15b of the side wall members 15 are to be in
contact with the second main surface 11b of the heat-receiving block 11 treated to be
waterproof and dustproof for being sealable, the in-vehicle device 1 may have improved
15 sealability.
[0032] Preferably, the cooler 10 also includes a second channel sealing member
filling a space between each of the side surfaces 15c of the side wall members 15 and the
main surface 16a of the lid member 16 to have sealability. The second channel sealing
member is, for example, a waterproof and dustproof resin. For example, portions in
20 which the side surfaces 15c of the side wall members 15 are to be in contact with the
main surface 16a of the lid member 16 may be treated to be waterproof and dustproof
with a resin applied before the side wall members 15 and the lid member 16 are fastened
with fasteners. As described above, with the portions in which the side surfaces 15c of
the side wall members 15 are to be in contact with the main surface 16a of the lid
25 member 16 treated to be waterproof and dustproof for being sealable, the in-vehicle
device 1 may have improved sealability.
[0033] As described above, with the cooler 10 according to Embodiment 1
12
including the flow channel 14 for feeding air in the cooler 10, the in-vehicle device 1 is to
include no duct for feeding cooling air. The in-vehicle device 1 thus has a simpler
structure than an in-vehicle device including a duct.
[0034] In a structure including a duct, the entire duct is to be treated to be
5 waterproof and dustproof. A device to be installed on, in particular, a railway vehicle is
larger and thus includes an elongated duct. In this structure, many portions are to be
treated to be waterproof and dustproof, complicating the manufacturing process. In
contrast, the in-vehicle device 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes no duct, and thus
has fewer portions to be treated to be waterproof and dustproof. The manufacturing
10 process is thus simpler.
[0035] Embodiment 2
Although the in-vehicle device 1 described in Embodiment 1 performs natural
air-cooling of the electronic components 21 by allowing outside air to flow through the
flow channel 14 and dissipating heat generated by the electronic components 21 to the air
15 through the heat-receiving block 11 and the heat-dissipating members 12, an in-vehicle
device may perform forced air-cooling. An in-vehicle device 2 for forced air-cooling is
described in Embodiment 2.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the in-vehicle device 2 includes, in addition to the
components of the in-vehicle device 1 according to Embodiment 1, a partition member
20 22 that divides the internal space of the housing 20 into a first space 23 and a second
space 24, and a blower 25 in the second space 24. The electronic components 21 and an
overall portion of the cooler 10 are accommodated in the first space 23.
[0037] The partition member 22 is located in the housing 20 with a main surface
orthogonal to Y-direction, and divides the interior of the housing 20 into the first space 23
25 and the second space 24. The partition member 22 has a second opening 22a facing the
vent 13a in the channel definer 13 included in the cooler 10 accommodated in the first
space 23. The second opening 22a is preferably smaller than the vent 13a. The edge
13
of the second opening 22a is preferably located inward from the edge of the vent 13a on
the XZ plane.
[0038] The housing 20 has two surfaces facing in Y-direction. One surface of the
housing 20 has an intake-exhaust port 20c, and the other surface has a first opening 20d.
5 In detail, the intake-exhaust port 20c is located in a surface of the housing 20 that faces
the second space 24 and is orthogonal to Y-axis. The intake-exhaust port 20c allows air
outside the housing 20 to flow into the second space 24 or allows air in the second space
24 to flow out of the housing 20. A first opening 20d is located in a surface of the
housing 20 that faces the first space 23 and is orthogonal to Y-axis. The first opening
10 20d faces the vent 13b in the channel definer 13 included in the cooler 10 accommodated
in the first space 23. The first opening 20d is preferably smaller than the vent 13b.
The edge of the first opening 20d is preferably located inward from the edge of the vent
13b on the XZ plane.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 7 being a cross-sectional view taken along line
15 VII-VII as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6, the cooler 10
included in the in-vehicle device 2 includes the same components as the cooler 10 in the
in-vehicle device 1, except that the heat-receiving block 11 has a larger area than the lid
member 16. In detail, the heat-receiving block 11 is wider than the lid member 16 in
X-direction.
20 [0040] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cooler 10 is fixed to the housing 20 and the
partition member 22, with the vent 13a in the channel definer 13 facing the second
opening 22a in the partition member 22 and with the vent 13b in the channel definer 13
facing the first opening 20d in the housing 20. Thus, the second opening 22a is
connected to the vent 13a, and the first opening 20d is connected to the vent 13b. The
25 channel definer 13 thus defines the flow channel 14 connecting to the outside of the
housing 20 through the second opening 22a, the second space 24, and the intake-exhaust
port 20c. The flow channel 14 connects to the outside of the housing 20 through the
14
first opening 20d.
[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cooler 10 is fixed to the housing 20 with
three surfaces connected to the first main surface 11a and the second main surface 11b of
the heat-receiving block 11 in contact with the housing 20 and with another side surface
5 in contact with the partition member 22. In detail, the cooler 10 is fixed to the housing
20 with the end face 11c in contact with the partition member 22 and the remaining three
surfaces including the end face 11d in contact with the housing 20, of the four surfaces
connected to the first main surface 11a and the second main surface 11b. In this case,
the end face 16b of the lid member 16 is in contact with the partition member 22, and the
10 end face 16c of the lid member 16 is in contact with the housing 20.
[0042] With the cooler 10 fixed to the housing 20 as described above, flowing of air
outside the housing 20 into a space between the cooler 10 and the housing 20 in the first
space 23 is reduced. The air outside the housing 20 flows into the second space 24
through the intake-exhaust port 20c.
15 [0043] With the blower 25 illustrated in FIG. 6, air outside the housing 20 that
flows through the intake-exhaust port 20c in the housing 20 into the second space 24 is
blown to the flow channel 14 in the cooler 10. In detail, the blower 25 has an outlet
connected to the second opening 22a. The blower 25 draws air outside the housing 20
flowing into the second space 24, and then blows the air out through the second opening
20 22a to the flow channel 14 in the cooler 10.
[0044] The air outside the housing 20 that flows through the intake-exhaust port
20c in the housing 20 into the second space 24 is drawn by the blower 25 and is blown
out through the outlet in the blower 25 to the flow channel 14. The air blown out from
the blower 25 into the flow channel 14 travels through the flow channel 14 and is
25 released through the first opening 20d in the housing 20 to outside the housing 20. The
heat generated by the electronic components 21 is dissipated to the air flowing through
the flow channel 14 through the heat-receiving block 11 and the heat-dissipating
15
members 12. This cools the electronic components 21. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7,
the flow channel 14 is separated from the first space 23 in the housing 20 accommodating
the electronic components 21 by the heat-receiving block 11, the pair of side wall
members 15, and the lid member 16. Thus, flowing of air outside the housing 20 into a
5 space between the cooler 10 and the housing 20 in the first space 23 is reduced. Thus,
flowing of dust, water, or other substances into a space between the cooler 10 and the
housing 20 in the first space 23 is reduced.
[0045] As described above, the cooler 10 according to Embodiment 2 includes the
flow channel 14 for feeding air in the cooler 10. Thus, cooling by forced air-cooling
10 may be performed in the in-vehicle device 2 without a duct for feeding cooling air. The
in-vehicle device 2 is thus simpler than an in-vehicle device with a duct.
[0046] In a structure including a duct, the entire duct is to be treated to be
waterproof and dustproof. A device to be installed on, in particular, a railway vehicle is
larger and thus includes an elongated duct. In this structure, many portions are to be
15 treated to be waterproof and dustproof, complicating the manufacturing process. In
contrast, the in-vehicle device 2 according to Embodiment 2 includes no duct, and thus
includes fewer portions to be treated to be waterproof and dustproof. The
manufacturing process is thus simpler.
[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments
20 described above. The above embodiments may be combined. For example, as in the
in-vehicle device 2, the internal space of the housing 20 in the in-vehicle device 1 may be
divided into a first space 23 and a second space 24 by a partition member 22 having a
main surface orthogonal to Y-direction. In this case, the partition member 22 may not
have a second opening 22a. First openings 20a and 20b may be located in two surfaces
25 of the housing 20 facing the first space 23 and facing each other in Z-direction.
[0048] The partition member 22 may be located in any manner other than the above
examples. For example, in the housing 20 in the in-vehicle device 2, the partition
16
member 22 may be located in the housing 20 with the main surface orthogonal to
Z-direction. In this case, the second space 24 may be located, for example, vertically
below, and the first space 23 may be located vertically above.
[0049] In the above embodiments, being fixed includes being integrally provided.
5 For example, the heat-dissipating members 12 may be integrally provided with the
heat-receiving block 11. When the heat-dissipating members 12 are integrally provided
with the heat-receiving block 11, heat generated by the electronic components 21 is
transferred more efficiently to air flowing through the flow channel 14 through the
heat-receiving block 11 and the heat-dissipating members 12.
10 [0050] The pair of side wall members 15 may be integrally provided with the lid
member 16. The pair of side wall members 15 that are integrally provided with the lid
member 16 more reliably prevents dust, water, or other substances from flowing from the
flow channel 14 into the internal space of the housing 20. The in-vehicle devices 1 and
2 may thus have improved sealability.
15 [0051] The heat-dissipating members 12 may have any shape other than in the
examples described in the above embodiments. The heat-dissipating members 12 may
have any shape that can transfer heat to air flowing through the flow channel 14. For
example, the heat-dissipating members 12 may be protrusions extending away from the
second main surface 11b. In this case, each heat-dissipating member 12 preferably has a
20 tip thinner than a portion fixed to the second main surface 11b.
[0052] The heat-dissipating members 12 may be heat pipes. In this case, each
heat-dissipating member 12 preferably includes a header pipe that is embedded in the
heat-receiving block 11 and extending along the airflow in the flow channel 14, and a
branch pipe connected to the header pipe and extending away from the heat-receiving
25 block 11. A fan may be fixed to the branch pipe.
[0053] The vents 13a and 13b are not limited to two vents. For example, the
channel definer 13 may define a flow channel 14 with branches, and may include one
17
vent 13a for air to flow into the flow channel 14 and multiple vents 13b for air in the flow
channel 14 to flow out.
[0054] The side wall members 15 and the lid member 16 may have any shape that
can define the flow channel 14. The lid member 16 may be fixed to the main surfaces
5 15a of the side wall members 15.
[0055] To improve the sealability of the in-vehicle devices 1 and 2 further, portions
in which the cooler 10 is to be in contact with the housing 20 are preferably treated to be
waterproof and dustproof for being sealable. Similarly, portions in which the cooler 10
is to be in contact with the partition member 22 are preferably treated to be waterproof
10 and dustproof for being sealable.
[0056] To improve the sealability of the in-vehicle devices 1 and 2, a filler member
may fill a space between the cooler 10 and the housing 20. An in-vehicle device 3
illustrated in FIG. 8 further includes, in addition to the components of the in-vehicle
device 1, a first housing sealing member 17a in contact with the cooler 10 and a periphery
15 of the first opening 20a. In detail, the first housing sealing member 17a is in contact
with the end face 11c of the heat-receiving block 11, the end faces 15d of the side wall
members 15, and the end face 16b of the lid member 16 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the
housing 20 around the first opening 20a. When the first housing sealing member 17a
between the cooler 10 and the housing 20 is pressed and deformed, a space between the
20 cooler 10 and the housing 20 is filled with the first housing sealing member 17a.
[0057] The in-vehicle device 3 illustrated in FIG. 8 further includes a first housing
sealing member 17b in contact with the cooler 10 and a periphery of the first opening 20b.
In detail, the first housing sealing member 17b is in contact with the end face 11d of the
heat-receiving block 11, the end faces 15e of the side wall members 15, and the end face
25 16c of the lid member 16 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the housing 20 around the first
opening 20b. When the first housing sealing member 17b between the cooler 10 and the
housing 20 is pressed and deformed, a space between the cooler 10 and the housing 20 is
18
filled with the first housing sealing member 17b.
[0058] The first housing sealing members 17a and 17b may be, for example,
gaskets. With the first housing sealing members 17a and 17b, flowing of air outside the
housing 20 into the internal space of the housing 20 from the flow channel 14 is reduced.
5 [0059] To improve the sealability of the in-vehicle device 2, a filler member may
fill a space between the cooler 10 and the partition member 22. An in-vehicle device 4
illustrated in FIG. 9 further includes, in addition to the components of the in-vehicle
device 2, a first housing sealing member 17c in contact with the cooler 10 and a periphery
of the first opening 20d. In detail, the first housing sealing member 17c is in contact
10 with the end face 11d of the heat-receiving block 11, the end faces 15e of the side wall
members 15, and the end face 16c of the lid member 16 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the
housing 20 around the first opening 20d. When the first housing sealing member 17c
between the cooler 10 and the housing 20 is pressed and deformed, a space between the
cooler 10 and the housing 20 is filled with the first housing sealing member 17c.
15 [0060] The in-vehicle device 4 illustrated in FIG. 9 further includes a second
housing sealing member 18 in contact with the cooler 10 and a periphery of the second
opening 22a. In detail, the second housing sealing member 18 is in contact with the end
face 11c of the heat-receiving block 11, the end faces 15d of the side wall members 15,
and the end face 16b of the lid member 16 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the partition member
20 22 around the second opening 22a. When the second housing sealing member 18
between the cooler 10 and the partition member 22 is pressed and deformed, a space
between the cooler 10 and the partition member 22 is filled with the second housing
sealing member 18.
[0061] The first housing sealing member 17c and the second housing sealing
25 member 18 are, for example, gaskets. With the first housing sealing member 17c and
the second housing sealing member 18, flowing of air outside the housing 20 into the first
space 23 from the flow channel 14 is reduced.
19
[0062] The side wall members 15 illustrated in FIG. 5 are fixed to the
heat-receiving block 11 in any manner other than fastening with fasteners described in
Embodiment 1. For example, the side wall members 15 may be fixed to the
heat-receiving block 11 by brazing. In this case, a brazing material reduces flowing of
5 air into the internal space of the housing 20 accommodating the electronic components 21
from the flow channel 14. This eliminates waterproof and dustproof treatment in areas
in which the side surfaces 15b of the side wall members 15 are to be in contact with the
second main surface 11b of the heat-receiving block 11.
[0063] Similarly, the lid member 16 is fixed to the side wall members 15 in any
10 manner other than fastening with fasteners described in Embodiment 1. For example,
the lid member 16 may be fixed to the side wall members 15 by brazing. In this case, a
brazing material reduces flowing of air into the housing 20 accommodating the electronic
components 21 from the flow channel 14. This eliminates waterproof and dustproof
treatment in portions in which the main surface 16a of the lid member 16 is to be in
15 contact with the side surfaces 15c of the side wall members 15.
[0064] The first openings 20a, 20b, and 20d and the intake-exhaust port 20c may be
at any positions other than in the above examples. These openings may be at any
positions that allow air to flow into the flow channel 14 in the cooler 10 and then to flow
out. For example, the intake-exhaust port 20c may be located in a surface that faces the
20 second space 24 in the housing 20 included in the in-vehicle device 2 illustrated in FIG. 6
and is orthogonal to X-direction. When the blower is a centrifugal blower, air outside
the housing 20 flows through the intake-exhaust port 20c into the second space 24 in the
axial direction of the blower, or in other words, in X-direction. The air drawn by the
blower is then discharged to the flow channel 14.
25 [0065] The blower 25 accommodated in the housing 20 may face in any direction
in accordance with the direction in which the blower 25 draws and blows air. The
blower 25 may be located outside the housing 20. For example, the blower 25 may be
20
adjacent to the first opening 20d outside the housing 20 to blow air outside the housing 20
to the flow channel 14 through the first opening 20d. In this case, the air flowing
through the first opening 20d into the flow channel 14 flows through the second opening
22a into the second space 24, and flows out of the housing 20 through the intake-exhaust
5 port 20c.
[0066] The in-vehicle devices 1 to 4 are not limited to power conversion devices
that convert power supplied from an overhead line to three-phase AC power appropriate
for powering main electric motors, and may be any devices that include heating elements
and are mountable on a vehicle. The in-vehicle devices 1 to 4 may be mounted on any
10 movable body other than a railway vehicle, such as an automobile, an aircraft, or a ship.
[0067] The housing 20 may be mounted on a roof of a railway vehicle.
The housing 20 may be mounted on a railway vehicle in any direction other than
the direction in the above examples. For example, the in-vehicle device 1 may be
mounted on a railway vehicle with the main surfaces of the heat-dissipating members 12
15 being orthogonal to Y-direction.
[0068] The foregoing describes some example embodiments for explanatory
purposes. Although the foregoing discussion has presented specific embodiments,
persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail
without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
20 specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive
sense. This detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the
scope of the invention is defined only by the included claims, along with the full range of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Reference Signs List
25 [0069]
1, 2, 3, 4 In-vehicle device
10 Cooler
21
11 Heat-receiving block
11a First main surface
11b Second main surface
11c, 11d, 15d, 15e, 16b, 16c End face
5 12 Heat-dissipating member
13 Channel definer
13a, 13b Vent
14 Flow channel
15 Side wall member
10 15a, 16a Main surface
15b, 15c Side surface
16 Lid member
17a, 17b, 17c First housing sealing member
18 Second housing sealing member
15 20 Housing
20a, 20b, 20d First opening
20c Intake-exhaust port
21 Electronic component
22 Partition member
20 22a Second opening
23 First space
24 Second space
25 Blower
111, 112, 151, 152, 161, 162 End
25
22
We Claim:
[Claim 1] A cooler, comprising:
5 a heat-receiving block with a first main surface to which a heating element is
attachable;
a plurality of heat-dissipating members fixed to a second main surface of the
heat-receiving block opposite to the first main surface with spaces therebetween, the
plurality of heat-dissipating members being configured to dissipate heat transferred from
10 the heating element through the heat-receiving block to air flowing through the spaces;
and
a channel definer covering the plurality of heat-dissipating members and fixed to
the second main surface of the heat-receiving block, the channel definer defining a flow
channel for the air flowing through the spaces between the plurality of heat-dissipating
15 members, wherein
the channel definer includes a plurality of vents for the air to flow into the flow
channel and for the air drawn in the flow channel to flow out.
[Claim 2] The cooler according to claim 1, further comprising:
20 a channel sealing member to seal the channel definer fixed to the heat-receiving
block with the plurality of vents being uncovered.
[Claim 3] The cooler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the channel definer includes
25 a pair of side wall members each being a plate and being fixed to the
heat-receiving block in a direction in which main surfaces of the pair of side wall
members face each other with the plurality of heat-dissipating members in between, and
23
a lid member being a plate and being fixed to the pair of side wall members
in a direction in which the lid member faces the second main surface of the heat-receiving
block with the plurality of heat-dissipating members in between,
the channel definer includes the plurality of vents including a vent being a space
5 surrounded by first ends of the pair of side wall members, the lid member, and the
heat-receiving block, and a vent being a space surrounded by second ends of the pair of
side wall members, the lid member, and the heat-receiving block, and
the flow channel defined by the channel definer extends along the pair of side wall
members facing each other.
10
[Claim 4] The cooler according to claim 3, further comprising:
a first channel sealing member filling a space between the heat-receiving block and
each of the pair of side wall members to have sealability; and
a second channel sealing member filling a space between the lid member and each
15 of the pair of side wall members to have sealability.
[Claim 5] The cooler according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
the pair of side wall members and the heat-receiving block defining a same vent of
the plurality of vents have ends with end faces smoothly connected to each other.
20
[Claim 6] The cooler according to claim 5, wherein
the pair of side wall members and the heat-receiving block defining the same vent
have the ends with flush end faces.
25 [Claim 7] The cooler according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein
the pair of side wall members are integrally provided with the heat-receiving block.
24
[Claim 8] The cooler according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein
the pair of side wall members and the lid member defining a same vent of the
plurality of vents have ends with end faces smoothly connected to each other.
5 [Claim 9] The cooler according to claim 8, wherein
the pair of side wall members and the lid member defining the same vent have the
ends with flush end faces.
[Claim 10] The cooler according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein
10 the plurality of heat-dissipating members are fins each with a main surface
intersecting with a direction in which the pair of side wall members face each other.
[Claim 11] The cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
the plurality of heat-dissipating members are integrally provided with the
15 heat-receiving block.
[Claim 12] An in-vehicle device to be mounted on a vehicle, the in-vehicle
device comprising:
the cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 11;
20 an electronic component being the heating element attached to the first main
surface of the heat-receiving block included in the cooler; and
a housing to accommodate the electronic component and an overall portion of the
cooler, wherein
the flow channel defined by the channel definer connects to outside the housing.
25
[Claim 13] The in-vehicle device according to claim 12, wherein
the housing has at least one first opening connected to at least one of the plurality
25
of vents in the channel definer, and
the flow channel defined by the channel definer connects to outside the housing
through the at least one first opening.
5 [Claim 14] The in-vehicle device according to claim 13, further comprising:
a first housing sealing member to be in contact with an edge of at least one of the
plurality of vents in the channel definer included in the cooler and an edge of the at least
one first opening in the housing.
10 [Claim 15] The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further
comprising:
a partition member dividing an internal space of the housing into (i) a first space to
accommodate the electronic component and the overall portion of the cooler and (ii) a
second space, wherein
15 flowing of air outside the housing into a space between the cooler and the housing
in the first space is reduced.
[Claim 16] The in-vehicle device according to claim 15, wherein
the partition member has a second opening connected to at least one of the
20 plurality of vents in the channel definer,
the flow channel defined by the channel definer is connected to the second space
through the second opening, and
the housing has a surface facing the second space with an intake-exhaust port
through which air outside the housing flows into the second space or air in the second
25 space flows out of the housing.
[Claim 17] The in-vehicle device according to claim 16, further comprising:
26
a second housing sealing member to be in contact with an edge of at least one of
the plurality of vents in the channel definer and an edge of the second opening in the
partition member.
5 [Claim 18] The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 12 to 17, further
comprising:
an air blower to blow air outside the housing into the flow channel defined by the
channel definer.