JPH09298378A - System for cooling electronic modules - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for cooling multiple electronic modules which can easily be mounted on a housing. SOLUTION: Multiple electronic modules 10 are integrated by coupling parts 15 to constitute a coupled unit UN. This makes it possible to mount the multiple electronic modules 10 simultaneously on a housing 11. The efficiency of the mounting operation is improved in result. A refrigerant circulating system can also be constructed with a refrigerant circulation conduit in the coupling parts 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling system for cooling electronic modules such as a transmission module, a reception module, and a transmission / reception module, and more particularly through a cooling medium passage formed in a housing and a male and female wiring connector. The electronic module mounted in the housing is provided with a refrigerant circulation path for passing a refrigerant,
The present invention relates to an electronic module cooling system that cools each electronic module by a refrigerant introduced from a refrigerant passage into a refrigerant circulation passage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A cooling system for an electronic module, in which a plurality of electronic modules are incorporated in a single support having a refrigerant passage and a refrigerant is introduced from the refrigerant passage for each electronic module, is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-146800. Disclosed in. In this conventional cooling system, each electronic module is provided with a refrigerant introduction coupler and a refrigerant discharge coupler that communicate with the refrigerant circulation path. Was combined with.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional cooling system, since a coupler for introducing a refrigerant and a coupler for discharging a refrigerant are provided for each electronic module, it is necessary to mount each electronic module on a support individually. was there. As a result, the work of mounting each electronic module on the support has been troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic module cooling system in which a plurality of electronic modules can be easily mounted in a housing.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of electronic devices mounted in the housing through a refrigerant passage formed in the housing for passing the refrigerant and a male and female wiring connector. In a cooling system of an electronic module, which includes a refrigerant circulation path that allows a refrigerant to pass through the module, and cools each electronic module by the refrigerant introduced from the refrigerant path to the refrigerant circulation path, a connecting member in which the refrigerant circulation path is formed. A cooling system for an electronic module is provided, which is characterized by constituting a connected body unit in which the plurality of electronic modules are integrated.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in addition to the features of the first aspect, the housing is provided with at least one pair of first refrigerant couplers communicating with the refrigerant passage, and the connecting member is provided with the refrigerant circulation. A second refrigerant coupler is provided which is in communication with the first refrigerant coupler and is connected to the first refrigerant coupler, and the first and second refrigerant couplers are positioned by connecting the male and female wiring connectors.

Further, in the third invention, in addition to the features of the first invention, the housing is provided with at least one pair of first refrigerant couplers communicating with the refrigerant passage, and the connecting member is provided with the refrigerant circulation. A second refrigerant coupler is provided which communicates with the passage and is coupled to the first refrigerant coupler, and the male and female wiring connectors are positioned by coupling the first and second refrigerant couplers.

Furthermore, the fourth invention is the second or third invention.
In addition to the features of the invention, at least one of the male and female wiring connectors is provided with position error absorbing means for absorbing a positional deviation between the male and female wiring connectors when the first and second refrigerant couplers are coupled. Is characterized by.

Furthermore, in the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the features of any of the second to fourth aspects of the invention, a guide means for guiding the mounting of the connecting body unit is provided in the housing, and by this guide means, It is characterized in that it assists the coupling of the male and female wiring connectors and the coupling of the first and second refrigerant couplers.

[0010]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a cooling system for an electronic module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A plurality (two in this case) of electronic modules 10
The connected body unit UN including is mounted on the housing 11. The connector wall 11a of the housing 11 is provided with two male or female wiring connectors 12 and cooling pipes 13 extending from both sides of the wiring connectors 12 and serving as a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant passes. Cooling pipe 13
A coolant system path (not shown) to which a pump (not shown), a heat exchanger (not shown), and a coolant tank (not shown) are connected is connected to the. A first refrigerant coupler 14 is provided at the tip of each cooling pipe 13.

The connected unit UN is constructed by integrating two electronic modules 10 by using a connecting fitting 15 as a connecting member. The electronic module 10 is provided with one male or female wiring connector 16 that can be coupled simultaneously with the wiring connector 12 on the housing 11 side. Two
The two electronic modules 10 include a wiring connector 12 on the housing 11 side and a wiring connector 16 on the electronic module 10 side.
Will be arranged between the two cooling pipes 13. The electronic module 10 may be, for example, a transmission module, a reception module, or a transmission / reception module.

The connecting fitting 15 is composed of two electronic modules 1
Both are connected so that 0 is sandwiched. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection fitting 15 penetrates the electronic module 10.
It is fixed to each other by a pair of long bolts 30. Inside the connecting fitting 15, a coolant circulation passage 32 is formed which cooperates with a plurality of coolant circulation passages 31 formed in the electronic module 10 to pass a coolant to the two electronic modules 10. A second refrigerant coupler 18 is provided in each refrigerant circulation path 32. When these second refrigerant couplers 18 are coupled to the first refrigerant coupler 14 on the housing 11 side, one first refrigerant coupler 14, one second refrigerant coupler 18, one Of the refrigerant circulation path 32, the refrigerant circulation path 31, the other refrigerant circulation path 32, the other second refrigerant coupler 18, and the other first refrigerant coupler 14 to the cooling pipe 13 are formed. By the action of the pump, the refrigerant circulates through this refrigerant passage. The positioning of the first and second refrigerant couplers 14 and 18 is automatically performed by coupling the wiring connectors 12 and 16.

When the connected unit UN is mounted in the housing 11, the wiring connectors 12, 16 are positioned in advance to move the connected unit UN to the housing 1.
If it is pushed into 1, the connection between the wiring connectors 12 and 16 and the connection between the first and second refrigerant couplers 14 and 18 are achieved at the same time. On the contrary, by coupling the first and second refrigerant couplers 14 and 18 to each other, the wiring connector 12,
Positioning of 16 may be achieved. In addition, by coupling the first and second refrigerant couplers 14 and 18, a support structure is formed by the cooperation of the cooling pipe 13 and the coupling fitting 15, and this support structure allows the wiring connectors 12 and 16 to connect the electronic components to the housing 11. It is possible to reinforce the support of the module 10, that is, the connection unit UN.

As shown in FIG. 3, if an elastic material is applied to the cooling pipe 13, the displacement of the coupling positions of the first and second refrigerant couplers 14 and 18 along the axial direction of the cooling pipe 13 is absorbed. can do. That is, the cooling pipe 1 is attached to the support fitting 20 as a support means fixed to the housing.
The first refrigerant coupler 14 is supported so as to be slidable in the axial direction of 3, and the cooling pipe 13 is elastically deformed when the first refrigerant coupler 14 moves. Also, male and female wiring connectors 1
At least one of the two and 16 may be provided with a position error absorbing means that absorbs a positional deviation between the male and female wiring connectors 12 and 16 when the first and second refrigerant couplers 14 and 18 are coupled. For example, if one of the male and female wiring connectors 12 and 16 is attached so as to be movable in the direction along the surface of the connector wall 11a of the housing 11 by using a floating structure, when coupling the first and second refrigerant couplers 14 and 18, The position error of the wiring connectors 12 and 16 with respect to the direction along the surface of the connector wall 11a can be absorbed. In this case, either the wiring connector on the housing 11 side or the connection unit UN side may have a floating structure.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 1
If the connecting member 15 is connected to 1 with the screw 33, the support of the connecting unit UN to the housing 11 can be strengthened.

Further, the housing 11 is provided with a guide means for guiding the mounting of the coupling unit UN, and by this guide means, the male and female wiring connectors 12, 16 are coupled and the first and second refrigerant couplers 14, 18 are provided. May be supported. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, guide grooves 21 corresponding to both end shapes of the connecting body unit UN may be provided in the housing 11 to guide the connecting body unit UN, and as shown in FIG. A slidable guide rail 22 may be provided at 11. In FIG. 6, the cooling pipe 1
Support member 23 fixed to the housing 11 along the line 3
The guide rail 22 is supported so as to be slidable in the mounting direction of the connected body unit UN. On the other hand, on the coupling unit UN side, a ridge 24 slidable on the guide rail 22 is formed on the coupling fitting 15, and sliding between the ridge 24 and the guide rail 22 and the guide rail 22 and the support member 23. The mounting of the connection unit UN is guided through the sliding movement between them.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows the overall configuration of an electronic module cooling system according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the refrigerant passage in the housing 11 and
Two or more pairs (in this case, two pairs) of the first and second refrigerant couplers 14, between the refrigerant circulation path in the connected unit UN.
18 are provided. As shown in FIG. 7, each cooling pipe 1
3a and 13b are made of an elastic material, and the first and second
The displacement of the coupling position of the refrigerant couplers 14 and 18 is absorbed. At the tip of the short cooling pipe 13a, the first refrigerant coupler 14 is slidably supported by the first support fitting 20a. The long cooling pipe 13b penetrates the first support fitting 20a, and at the tip thereof, the first refrigerant coupler 14 is slidably supported by the second support fitting 20b. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of a cooling system for an electronic module according to a third embodiment.
In the third embodiment, the cooling pipe 13 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 11, and the second refrigerant coupler 18 of the coupling fitting 15 is arranged outside the housing 11 when the coupling unit UN is mounted on the housing 11. . As shown in FIG. 9, since the connecting fitting 15 passes through the slit 25 provided in the housing 11, the slit 25 guides the mounting of the connecting unit UN. In addition,
The same components as those in the first and second embodiments described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 10 shows a connecting unit UN used in a cooling system according to a fourth embodiment. In this connected unit UN, a plurality of electronic modules 10 may be provided on both surfaces of the cooling plate 15a of the connecting fitting 15. The same components as those in the first to third embodiments described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0021]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of electronic modules can be mounted on the housing at the same time by forming the connected unit using the connecting member. As a result, the efficiency of the mounting work can be improved. In addition, the refrigerant circulation path of this connecting member can be used to form the refrigerant path.

Further, according to the second invention, the first and second refrigerant couplers and the male and female wiring connectors can be simultaneously coupled by a single mounting operation common to a plurality of electronic modules. Work can be made more efficient.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to facilitate the coupling of the first and second refrigerant couplers when mounting the coupling unit.

Furthermore, according to the fifth invention, it is possible to facilitate the coupling of the first and second refrigerant couplers at the time of mounting the coupling unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a cooling system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of a cooling system showing a modified example of the cooling pipe.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific example of the guide means in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another specific example of the guide means similar to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view showing still another specific example of the guiding means.

FIG. 7 is a sectional plan view showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a connector unit applied to a cooling system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 electronic module, 11 housing, 12 one wiring connector, 13, 13a, 13b cooling piping as a refrigerant passage, 14 first refrigerant coupler, 15 connecting metal fitting as a connecting member, 16 other wiring connector, 1
8 Second Refrigerant Coupler, 21 Guide Groove as Guide Means, 22 Guide Rail as Guide Means, 31, 32
Refrigerant circuit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A cooling medium passage formed in a housing for passing a cooling medium, and a cooling medium circulation passage for allowing a cooling medium to pass through a plurality of electronic modules mounted in the housing through male and female wiring connectors. In a cooling system of an electronic module that cools each electronic module by a refrigerant introduced into a passage, a connecting unit in which the plurality of electronic modules are integrated is configured by using a connecting member in which the refrigerant circulation passage is formed. A cooling system for an electronic module, characterized in that 2. The housing is provided with at least one pair of first refrigerant couplers that communicate with the refrigerant passage, and the connecting member communicates with the refrigerant circulation passage and has a first passage.
A second refrigerant coupler coupled to the refrigerant coupler is provided, and the male and female wiring connectors are coupled to form the first and second refrigerant couplers.
The cooling system for an electronic module according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant couplers are positioned with respect to each other. 3. The housing is provided with at least one pair of first refrigerant couplers that communicate with the refrigerant passage, and the connecting member communicates with the refrigerant circulation passage and the first refrigerant coupler.
The electronic module according to claim 1, further comprising a second refrigerant coupler coupled to the refrigerant coupler, wherein the male and female wiring connectors are positioned by coupling the first and second refrigerant couplers. Cooling system. 4. At least one of the male and female wiring connectors is provided with position error absorbing means for absorbing a positional deviation between the male and female wiring connectors when the first and second refrigerant couplers are coupled. Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.
Alternatively, the cooling system for the electronic module according to Item 3. 5. The housing is provided with guide means for guiding the mounting of the connector unit, and the guide means assists the connection of the male and female wiring connectors and the connection of the first and second refrigerant couplers. The cooling system for an electronic module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: