Cooling device with a plurality of fin pitches

Abstract

It is an object to provide a cooling device with an increased leeward cooling capacity without increasing the number of heat radiation fins to be installed and the amount of cooling air.The cooling device comprises a heat-receiving block thermally connected to a heat-generating element and heat radiation fin groups having a plurality of fins thermally connected to the heat-receiving block. A flow of cooling air is set in the direction parallel to the heat-receiving block. The plurality of heat radiation fin groups are arranged in tandem along the flow direction of the cooling air. Of the plurality of the heat radiation fin groups, the fin pitch of the heat radiation fin group arranged on the windward side of the cooling air is larger than the fin pitch of the heat radiation fin group arranged on the leeward side of the cooling air.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling a heat-generating element by forced-air cooling, and more particularly to a cooling device that performs forced-air cooling to cool such electronic components as power conversion devices mounted on transportation means including railroad vehicles, aircrafts and ships.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Conventional cooling devices include electronic component cooling devices in housings (hereinafter referred to as the conventional example) shown in FIG. 14. This conventional example comprises a flat plate-shaped heat-receiving block 42; a plurality of heat pipes 43 with a U-shape in side view erected on a surface of the heat-receiving block 42; and a heat radiation fin group 44. The heat radiation fin group 44 has a plurality of fins 44a mounted on the heat pipes 43 in the direction parallel to the heat-receiving block 42, and all the fin pitches between the respective fins 44a are equal (Patent Document 1).[0003]In ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a cooling device for a heat-generating element that has improved cooling capacity across both the windward and leeward sides of the heat-generating element. This is achieved by reducing the pressure loss of the cooling air due to the windward heat radiation fin group and preventing the amount and velocity of the cooling air from being reduced on the leeward side. The number of fins in the windward heat radiation fin group is reduced, which results in a lower temperature of the cooling air on the windward side and a higher cooling capacity on the leeward side. The fin pitch of the windward heat radiation fin group is large, which allows for a smaller cooling device and decreases manufacturing costs. The cooling capacity on the leeward side is increased and the cooling capacity of all groups in the cooling device is balanced by adjusting the length of the fins in the windward and leeward heat radiation fin groups. The cooling capacity is improved while the size and weight of the cooling device are reduced, which saves space and reduces power consumption.

Problems solved by technology

However, there is a problem that an increased number of fins 44a results in an increase in the dimensions as well as the weight of the cooling device.

There is a further problem that manufacturing costs are increased.

However, its large size presents the following problems: it is difficult to secure a space for installation; and power consumption for driving the fan is large.

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