COOLING DEVICE

A cooling device that cools a semiconductor component mounted on a surface of a substrate, and includes a base mounted to a back surface of the substrate and a bottom plate disposed separately from the base. An introduction port that guides a refrigerant from a direction opposite to the back surface is formed at a position corresponding to the semiconductor component in the bottom plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application Number 2021-109147 filed on Jun. 30, 2021. The entire contents of the above-identified application are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a cooling device.

RELATED ART

As a device for cooling a semiconductor component (chip), for example, a device described in JP 2006-203138 A is known. In the device described in JP 2006-203138 A below, a cooling channel through which coolant flows is formed between a plurality of semiconductor modules. The coolant is guided from one end of the cooling channel in a lateral direction so as to cool the semiconductor modules.

SUMMARY

When a plurality of semiconductor components are mounted as described above, heats generated by respective semiconductor components are accumulated, and thus the temperature of a central part increases due to the thermal interference between these semiconductor components. Therefore, in the configuration in which the coolant sequentially flows from the one end of the cooling channel in the lateral direction as in JP 2006-203138 A, there is a concern that a cooling effect in the central part may be insufficient.

The disclosure has been made to solve the problem described above, and an object of the disclosure is to provide a cooling device that produces a higher cooling effect.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the cooling device according to the disclosure is a cooling device that cools a semiconductor component mounted on a surface of a substrate, and includes a base mounted to a back surface of the substrate and a bottom plate disposed separately from the base. An introduction port that guides a refrigerant from a direction opposite to the back surface is formed at a position corresponding to the semiconductor component in the bottom plate.

According to the disclosure, a cooling device that produces a higher cooling effect can he provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Configuration of Substrate and Cooling Device

A cooling device100according to a first embodiment of the disclosure will be described below with reference toFIG.1. The cooling device100is a device for cooling, by a liquid refrigerant, a semiconductor component2mounted on a substrate1. As illustrated inFIG.1, the substrate1includes copper patterns1aand1c,a substrate main body1b,and bonding materials2aand1d.

The substrate main body1bis formed of, for example, a glass epoxy resin, a Bakelite resin, or the like in a plate shape. The copper patterns1aand1care evaporated on a surface and a back surface of the substrate main body1b,respectively. A desired printed wiring is formed in the copper patterns1aand1cby etching. The bonding material2ais provided so as to fix the semiconductor component2to the copper pattern1a.

A plurality of (for example, three) semiconductor components2are disposed on the substrate1. The semiconductor component2is, for example, a power transistor or a power FET, and generates heat along with the operation thereof. The semiconductor components2are disposed on the substrate1at intervals from each other. Further, the semiconductor components2are electrically connected to the copper pattern1adescribed above.

Next, a configuration of the cooling device100will be described. As illustrated inFIG.1, the cooling device100includes a base10and a bottom plate12. The base10and the bottom plate12are integrally formed of a metal material having a good thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper. It is also possible to form the cooling device100by additive manufacturing (AM method).

The base10is fixed on the back surface of the substrate1described above (that is, a surface facing the opposite side of the surface on which the semiconductor components2are mounted) by the bonding material1d.The base10has a plate shape having an area larger than the substrate1. An introduction port13for guiding the refrigerant front the outside is formed in the central part of the bottom plate12in a first direction d1(that is, the central part of a region where the plurality of semiconductor components2are disposed). The refrigerant is introduced through the introduction port13in a direction from the bottom plate12toward the base10. Note that, in addition to low-temperature water, a long-life coolant (LLC), ethylene glycol, or the like is preferably used as the refrigerant. The refrigerant having flowed from the introduction port13flows along the base10in two separate directions.

Operational Effects

Next, an operation of the cooling device100will be described. When the semiconductor component2is operated, the semiconductor component2generates heat due to internal resistance and the like. When the plurality of semiconductor components2are disposed in an integrated manner as described above, the temperature becomes high particularly in the central part of an integrated region due to the occurrence of thermal interference. Increase in such heat generation may result in thermal runaway or destruction of the semiconductor components2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a configuration is employed in which the semiconductor components2are cooled by the cooling device100.

First, the refrigerant introduced from the introduction port13into a channel F changes its orientation by colliding with a back surface10bof the base10, and flows toward the end sides of the first direction d1(the arrows inFIG.1). During this process, the semiconductor components2are cooled by heat absorption by the refrigerant.

According to the configuration described above, the refrigerant can be supplied from the introduction port13directly to the central part of the region in which the semiconductor components2are integrated. This makes it possible to cool the semiconductor components2more efficiently. On the other hand, for example, when the refrigerant flows in one direction from one end to the other end of the channel F, the temperature of the refrigerant increases toward downstream side, and thus there is a possibility that a desired cooling effect cannot be obtained. However, according to the configuration described above, since the introduction port13is provided directly below the semiconductor components2, the above possibility can be reduced, and the low-temperature refrigerant can be always supplied to the semiconductor components2on a continuous basis.

The first embodiment of the disclosure has been described above. Note that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-described configurations without departing from the gist of the disclosure.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the disclosure will he described with reference toFIG.2. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. As illustrated inFIG.2, in the present embodiment, a plurality of fins11are provided on the back surface10bof the base10. Each of the fins11protrudes in a direction away from the base10. More specifically, the fins11extend in the first direction d1that is a direction along the back surface10bof the base10and are arranged at intervals in a second direction d2that intersects the first direction d1. Accordingly, the channel F through which the refrigerant flows is formed between the fins11.

The fin11includes an outer fin11aand an intermediate tin11b.The outer fin11ais located on an outermost side in the second direction d2. That is, the outer fin11aforms an outer shape of the cooling device100. The outer fin11ahas a plate thickness larger than other fins11. The outer fin11aextends over the entire region of the base10in the first direction d1.

According to the configuration described above, since the heat dissipation area is increased by the fins11, the semiconductor components2can be more efficiently cooled.

In addition, in the cooling device100described above, among a plurality of the fins11, the fin11(the outer fin11a) located on the outermost side in the second direction d2has a plate thickness larger than other fins11.

Here, in the cooling device100, while the high-pressure refrigerant flows in the channel F, the low-pressure refrigerant after being used for cooling flows outside the outer fins11a.Thus, a pressure differential occurs between the inside and the outside of the outer fin11a.According to the configuration described above, since the plate thickness of the outer fin11ais relatively large, the outer fin11acan sufficiently withstand the pressure differential that the outer fin11areceives. Accordingly, a possibility of deformation of the outer fin11acan he reduced.

The second embodiment of the disclosure has been described above. Note that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-described configurations without departing from the gist of the disclosure. For example, a pin11′ can be used instead of the fin11described above as illustrated inFIG.3. A plurality of the pins11′ protrude from the bottom plate12toward the base10and are disposed at intervals from each other in the first direction d1and the second direction d2. With such a configuration, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.4. The same components as those in each of the above-described embodiments will be denoted by the same reference signs, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. As illustrated inFIG.4, in the present embodiment, the fin11includes the outer fin11a,the intermediate fin11b,a small fin11c,and a large fin11d.The outer fin11ais located on an outermost side in the second direction d2. That is, the outer fin11aforms an outer shape of the cooling device100. The outer fin11ahas a plate thickness larger than other tins11. The outer fin11aextends over the entire region of the base10in the first direction d1.

The large fin11dis disposed at intervals from the outer fin11ain the second direction d2. The large fin11dhas a length equivalent to the outer fin11ain the first direction d1. A pair of intermediate fins11band one small fin11care arranged between the outer fin11aand the large fin11d.The intermediate fin11bhas a dimension smaller than the large fin11din the first direction d1, and the small fin11chas a dimension smaller than the intermediate fin11bin the first direction d1. The intermediate fin11b,the small fin11c,and the large fin11dare fixed to the base10such that the center positions of these fins are identical to each other in the first direction d1. Thus, the width (the dimension in the second direction d2) of the channel F described above gradually increases toward the end sides in the first direction d1. Further, the closer to the center position in the first direction d1, the greater the number of the fins11is (the more densely the fins11are disposed). A plurality of groups of the fins11satisfying the relationship described above is arranged at intervals in the second direction d2.

With the introduction port13as a reference, the interval between the fins11described above is gradually widened toward the end sides in the first direction d1away from the introduction port13.

In the cooling device100described above, since the plurality of fins11extend in the first direction d1along the base10and are arranged at intervals in the second direction d2, the channel F extending in the first direction d1is formed between the fins11. Further, the width of the channel F is gradually widened with increasing distance from the introduction port13in the first direction d1.

According to the configuration described above, the interval of the channel F between the fins11is relatively narrow in the vicinity of the introduction port13. That is, the fins11are relatively close to each other. Thus, a contact area between the fins11and the refrigerant is ensured in the vicinity of the introduction port13where the semiconductor components2are located. As a result, the cooling effect by the refrigerant can be increased in the vicinity of the introduction port13where the semiconductor components2are located.

Further, in the cooling device100described above, the interval between the fins11is gradually widened with increasing distance from the introduction port13.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to change the width of the channel F only by changing the interval between the fins11. This makes it possible to configure the device more easily and inexpensively.

The third embodiment of the disclosure has been described above. Note that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-described configurations without departing from the gist of the disclosure. For example, the pin11′ can be used instead of the fin11described above. As illustrated inFIG.5, the width of the channel F is gradually widened with increasing distance from the introduction port13in the first direction d1.

According to the configuration described above, the interval of the channel F between the pins11′ is relatively narrow in the vicinity of the introduction port13. That is, the pins11′ are relatively close to each other. Thus, a contact area between the pins11′ and the refrigerant is ensured. As a result, the cooling effect by the refrigerant can be increased in the vicinity of the introduction port13where the semiconductor components2are located.

Further, as illustrated inFIG.6, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the plate thickness of a fin11eis gradually decreased from the introduction port13toward the end sides in the first direction d1. With such a configuration, the width of the channel F can be changed, and the same effects as those described above can he obtained.

Also, as illustrated inFIG.7, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the dimension of the pin11′ in the second direction d2is gradually increased and the number of the pins11′ per unit area is gradually decreased with increasing distance from the introduction port13.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to change the width of the channel F only by changing the dimension of the pin11′ and the number (density) of the pins11′ per unit area. This makes it possible to configure the device more easily and inexpensively.

In addition, a configuration illustrated inFIG.8can be also employed. In the example illustrated inFIG.8, the dimension of the pin11′ in the second direction d2is gradually decreased with increasing distance from the introduction port13. Accordingly, the interval between the pins11′ gradually widened with increasing distance from the introduction port13.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to change the width of the channel F only by changing the dimension of the pin11′ and the interval between the pins11′. This makes it possible to configure the device more easily and inexpensively.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.9. The same components as those in each of the above-described embodiments will be denoted by the same reference signs, and a detailed description thereof will he omitted. As illustrated inFIG.9, in the present embodiment, an inclined part11sis formed at both ends of the fin11. The inclined part11sis inclined so as to be gradually separated from the back surface10bof the base10toward the end sides in the first direction d1.

According to the configuration described above, since the inclined part11sis formed, it is possible to make constant the length of the channel of the refrigerant guided from the introduction port13over the entire region in a height direction of the fin11, as indicated by the arrows inFIG.9. More specifically, the length of the channel of a refrigerant component (arrow f1) flowing on a side close to the back surface10bfrom the introduction port13and the length of the channel of a refrigerant component (arrow f2) flowing on a side away from the back surface10bfrom the introduction port13can be made equal to each other. Accordingly, the flow rate of the refrigerant is made uniform over the entire region of the fins11, and the cooling effect by the fins11can be further increased.

The fourth embodiment of the disclosure has been described above. Note that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-described configurations without departing front the gist of the disclosure.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.10. The same components as those in each of the above-described embodiments will be denoted by the same reference signs, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. As illustrated inFIG.10, in the present embodiment, a recessed part10rthat is recessed toward a side of a surface10ais formed in a central part of the back surface10bof the base10(that is, a central part of a region where the plurality of semiconductor components2are disposed). In other words, the plate thickness of the base10in the region where the recessed part10ris formed is smaller than that in other regions. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the recessed part10ris triangular, for an example. The recessed part10rmay have a rectangular cross section or an arc cross-section.

According to the configuration described above, since the recessed part is formed in a region facing the introduction port13where the semiconductor component2is located, the thermal resistance of the base10in the region can be made smaller than that in other regions. This facilitates the heat absorption effect of the refrigerant for the semiconductor component2, and thus the semiconductor component2can be cooled more efficiently.

The fifth embodiment of the disclosure has been described above. Note that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-described configurations without departing from the gist of the disclosure. For example, in the fifth embodiment described above, an example in which the recessed part10ris formed below the central part of the plurality of semiconductor components2has been described. However, it is also possible to form one recessed part10rdirectly below the central part of each of the semiconductor components2.

In addition, as a matter common to each of the embodiments, the fins11or the pins11′ may be formed integrally with the bottom plate12or may be provided as separate members.

Notes

The cooling device100according to each of the embodiments is understood as follows, for example.

(1) A cooling device100according to a first aspect is a cooling device100configured to cool a semiconductor component2mounted on a surface of a substrate1. The cooling device100includes a base10mounted on a back surface of the substrate1and a bottom plate12disposed separately from the base10. An introduction port13configured to guide a refrigerant from a direction opposite to the back surface is formed at a position corresponding to the semiconductor component2in the bottom plate12.

According to the configuration described above, the refrigerant can be supplied from the introduction port13directly to the semiconductor component2. This makes it possible to cool the semiconductor component2more efficiently.

(2) A cooling device100according to a second aspect includes a plurality of fins11provided between the base10and the bottom plate12.

According to the configuration described above, since the heat dissipation area is increased by the fins11, the semiconductor component2can be more efficiently cooled.

(3) In a cooling device100according to a third aspect, since the plurality of fins11extend in a first direction d1along the base10and are arranged at intervals in a second direction d2that intersects the first direction d1, a channel F extending in the first direction d1is formed between the fins11. A width of the channel F is gradually widened with increasing distance from the introduction port13in the first direction d1.

According to the configuration described above, the interval of the channel F between the fins11is relatively narrow in the vicinity of the introduction port13. That is, the fins11are relatively close to each other. Thus, a contact area between the fins11and the refrigerant is ensured. As a result, the cooling effect by the refrigerant can be increased in the vicinity of the introduction port13where the semiconductor component2is located.

(4) In a cooling device100according to a fourth aspect, an interval between the fins11is gradually widened with increasing distance front the introduction port13.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to change the width of the channel F only by changing the interval between the fins11. This makes it possible to configure the device more easily and inexpensively.

(5) In a cooling device100according to a fifth aspect, a plate thickness of eat of the fins11in the second direction d2is gradually decreased with increasing distance front the introduction port13.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to change the width of the channel F only by changing the plate thickness of the fin11. This makes it possible to configure the device more easily and inexpensively.

(6) In a cooling device100according to a sixth aspect, the fin11located on an outermost side in the second direction d2has a plate thickness larger than rest of the plurality of fins11.

According to the configuration described above, the fin11located on the outermost side can sufficiently withstand a pressure differential that the fin11receives. Accordingly, a possibility of deformation of the fin11can be reduced.

(7) In a cooling device100according to a seventh aspect, both ends of at least some of the plurality of fins11in the first direction d1are inclined and thus extend toward the end sides in the first direction d1with increasing distance from the back surface.

According to the configuration described above, since both ends of the fins are inclined, it is possible to make constant the length of the channel of the refrigerant guided from the introduction port13over the entire region in a height direction of the fin11. Accordingly, the flow rate of the refrigerant is made uniform over the entire region of the fins11, and the cooling effect by the fins11can be further increased.

(8) A cooling device100according to an eighth aspect includes a plurality of pins11′ provided between the base10and the bottom plate12.

According to the configuration described above, since the heat dissipation area is increased by the pins11′, the semiconductor component2can be more efficiently cooled.

(9) In a cooling device100according to a ninth aspect, since the plurality of pins11′ are arranged in the first direction d1along the base10and are arranged at intervals in the second direction d2that intersects the first direction d1, a channel F extending in the first direction d1is formed between the pins11′. A width of the channel F is gradually widened with increasing distance from the introduction port13in the first direction.

According to the configuration described above, the interval of the channel F between the pins11′ is relatively narrow in the vicinity of the introduction port13. That is, the pins11′ are relatively close to each other. Thus, a contact area between the pins11′ and the refrigerant is ensured. As a result, the cooling effect by the refrigerant can be increased in the vicinity of the introduction port13where the semiconductor component2is located.

(10) In a cooling device100according to a tenth aspect, an interval between the pins11′ is gradually widened with increasing distance from the introduction port13.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to change the width of the channel F only by changing the interval between the pins11′. This makes it possible to configure the device more easily and inexpensively.

(11) In a cooling device100according to an eleventh aspect, a dimension of each of the pins11′ in the second direction d2is gradually decreased with increasing distance from the introduction port13.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to change the width of the channel F only by changing the dimension of the pin11′. This makes it possible to configure the device more easily and inexpensively.

(12) In a cooling device100according to a twelfth aspect, a dimension of each of the pins11′ in the second direction d2is gradually increased and a number of the pins11′ per unit area is gradually decreased with increasing distance from the introduction port13.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to change the width of the channel F only by changing the dimension of the pin11′ and the number (density) of the pins11′ per unit area. This makes it possible to configure the device more easily and inexpensively.

(13) In a cooling device100according to a thirteenth aspect, a recessed part10rthat is recessed toward a direction away from the introduction port13is formed in a region facing the introduction port13in the base10.

According to the configuration described above, since the recessed part10ris formed in the region facing the introduction port13where the semiconductor component2is located, the thermal resistance of the base10in the region can be reduced. This makes it possible to cool the semiconductor component2more efficiently.