Cooling apparatus for on-vehicle electronic device

Abstract

A cooling apparatus for cooling an electronic device 100 mounted on a vehicle in combination with an automotive climate control system 10 having a refrigeration cycle for compressing and expanding a first heating medium is disclosed. The cooling apparatus includes a second heating medium in liquid form, a tubular path 60 for circulating the second heating medium flowing therein, a heat absorber 30 for transmitting the heat from the electronic device 100 to the second heating medium, a heat dissipator 40 for transmitting the heat from the second heating medium to the evaporator 15 , and a pump 50 for circulating the second heating medium. The heat dissipator 40 is coupled to the tank unit 15 c of the evaporator 15.

1 . A cooling apparatus for cooling an object to be cooled mounted on a vehicle in combination with an automotive climate control system having a refrigeration cycle for compressing and expanding a first heating medium,
 wherein the climate control system includes an evaporator having a plurality of juxtaposed tubes with a first heating medium flowing therein and a tank unit connected with the ends of the plurality of the tubes for distributing and collecting the first heating medium in the plurality of the tubes, the evaporator exchanges heat between air blown by the blower of the climate control system and the first heating medium;   the cooling apparatus comprising a second heating medium in liquid form, a tubular path for circulating the second heating medium flowing therein, a heat absorber for transmitting the heat from the object to the second heating medium, a heat dissipator for transmitting the heat from the second heating medium to the evaporator, and a pump for circulating the second heating medium, the heat dissipator being coupled to the tank unit of the evaporator.   
   
   
       2 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the second heating medium in liquid form is brine having a solidification point of lower than 0° C.   
   
   
       3 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the heat dissipator is a unit independent of the evaporator and mounted on and coupled to the tank unit of the evaporator.   
   
   
       4 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of heat dissipators,
 wherein the evaporator includes a plurality of tank units connected to the each end of the tubes, and the plurality of the heat dissipators are coupled to the plurality of the tank units.   
   
   
       5 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the second heating medium and a control unit for activating the blower of the climate control system when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature. 
   
   
       6 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the climate control system includes an air blowing unit case for accommodating the evaporator and the blower and having a heat discharge outlet adapted to be opened or closed, and the control unit controls the heat discharge outlet to open upon activation of the blower.   
   
   
       7 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the control unit controls the pump to reduce the flow rate of the second heating medium in liquid form when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor drops to or below a predetermined temperature.   
   
   
       8 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a flow rate control valve,
 wherein the control unit controls the flow rate control valve in place of the pump.   
   
   
       9 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat absorber,
 wherein the tubular path for circulating the second heating medium in liquid form includes a tubular bypass for circumventing the heat absorber and a switching valve arranged at a diverging point of the tubular bypass, and   wherein the control unit activates the switching valve in such a manner that the second heating medium in liquid form circumvents the heat absorber and flows through the tubular bypass when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor drops to or below a predetermined temperature, and the second heating medium flows through the heat absorber when the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor rises to or above another predetermined temperature.   
   
   
       10 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the second heating medium and a control unit for activating the blower of the climate control system when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature,
 wherein the climate control system includes an air blowing unit case for accommodating the evaporator and the blower and having a heat discharge outlet adapted to open/close,   wherein the air blowing unit case includes an external air inlet, an internal air inlet and an internal/external air switching door for opening/closing the external air inlet and the internal air inlet,   wherein in the case where the temperature detected by the temperature sensor while the vehicle is moving at a predetermined speed or higher reaches a predetermined temperature, the control unit controls the operation of the internal/external air switching door to introduce air from the external air inlet while at the same time opening the heat discharge outlet.   
   
   
       11 . The cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the object to be cooled is an electronic device mounted on vehicle.