COOLER AND FLOW PATH UNIT

Abstract

A cooler includes: a bent flow path that is in thermal contact with a heating body, bends a flow direction of a refrigerant; and a dividing fin that divides the bent flow path into two or more divided paths in a curvature radial direction. A width of each of the divided paths in the curvature radial direction of the bent flow path is constant along the dividing fin. Inner curvature radii of the divided paths are substantially equal to each other, and outer curvature radii of the divided paths are substantially equal to each other. A thickness of the dividing fin in a center portion of the bent flow path in the curvature radial direction is thicker than a thickness of the dividing fin in an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the bent flow path in the curvature radial direction.

Claims

1. A cooler comprising: a bent flow path that is in thermal contact with a heating body, bends a flow direction of a refrigerant flowing in from an upstream, and causes the refrigerant to flow out to a downstream; and a dividing fin that divides the bent flow path into two or more divided paths in a curvature radial direction, wherein the refrigerant flows through each of the divided paths of the bent flow path, and heat generated by the heating body is radiated, wherein a width of each of the divided paths in the curvature radial direction of the bent flow path is constant along the dividing fin, wherein inner curvature radii of the divided paths are substantially equal to each other, and outer curvature radii of the divided paths are substantially equal to each other, and wherein a thickness of the dividing fin in a center portion of the bent flow path in the curvature radial direction is thicker than a thickness of the dividing fin in an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the bent flow path in the curvature radial direction.

2. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of each of the divided paths perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant is constant along the dividing fin.

3. The cooler according to claim 3, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the dividing fin parallel to the curvature radial direction of the bent flow path and the flow direction of the refrigerant is a crescent shape in which an inside of the bent flow path wanes.

4. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein widths of the divided paths perpendicular to the dividing fin are substantially equal to each other, or the cross-sectional areas of the divided paths perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant are substantially equal to each other.

5. The cooler according to claim 1, further comprising: an upstream-side straight flow path that is connected to an upstream side of the bent flow path and causes the refrigerant to straightly flow; and a downstream-side straight flow path that is connected to a downstream side of the bent flow path and causes the refrigerant to straightly flow, wherein the dividing fin is provided in parallel to the flow direction of the refrigerant and over the upstream-side straight flow path, the bent flow path, and the downstream-side straight flow path.

6. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the bent flow path perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant is rectangular, and wherein the dividing fin is provided to have a columnar shape in the bent flow path and transmits heat generated by the heating body to the refrigerant.

7. A flow path unit comprising: a bent flow path that bends a flow direction of a fluid flowing in from an upstream and causes the fluid to flow out to a downstream; and a dividing fin that divides the bent flow path into two or more divided paths in a curvature radial direction, wherein the fluid flows through each of the divided paths of the bent flow path, wherein a width of each of the divided paths in the curvature radial direction of the bent flow path is constant along the dividing fin, wherein inner curvature radii of the divided paths are substantially equal to each other, and outer curvature radii of the divided paths are substantially equal to each other, and wherein a thickness of the dividing fin in a center portion of the bent flow path in the curvature radial direction is thicker than a thickness of the dividing fin in an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the bent flow path in the curvature radial direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIGS. 1A to 1C are views illustrating a cooler according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of use of the cooler of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of use of the cooler of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

[0029] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a bent flow path of the cooler of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

[0030] FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views that are respectively taken along a VA-VA cross-section and a VB-VB cross-section of FIG. 4.

[0031] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of a simulation of the cooler of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a bent flow path of a cooler of the related art.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a bent flow path of a cooler of the related art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. [0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same portions or corresponding portions in each drawing.

[0036] FIGS. 1A to 1C are views illustrating a cooler 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIGS. 1A to 1C, FIG. 1A illustrates the cooler 10 viewed from above, FIG. 1B illustrates a view of the cooler 10 viewed from arrow Y1 of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C illustrates a view of the cooler 10 viewed from arrow Y2 of FIG. 1A.

[0037] The cooler 10 includes a pipe 11 that is formed of, for example, a metal having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum. The pipe 11 is provided with flow paths through which a refrigerant that is a fluid flows. As the refrigerant, for example, cooling water is used. The cooler 10 is an example of a “flow path unit” of one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0038] The pipe 11 includes narrow flow paths 1 and 5 having narrow cross-sectional areas perpendicular to a flow direction F of the refrigerant, and wide flow paths 2, 3, and 4 having wide cross-sectional areas perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant.

[0039] Among the narrow flow paths 1 and 5, one narrow flow path 1 configures a flow inlet of the refrigerant and the other narrow flow path 5 configures a flow outlet of the refrigerant. A cross-sectional shape of the narrow flow paths 1 and 5 perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant is circular (FIG. 1B).

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the wide flow paths 2, 3, and 4 are provided between the narrow flow path 1 and the narrow flow path 5. Specifically, an upstream end of the wide flow path 2 is connected to a downstream end of the narrow flow path 1. In addition, an upstream end of the wide flow path 3 is connected to a downstream end of the wide flow path 2, and an upstream end of the wide flow path 4 is connected to a downstream end of the wide flow path 3. Furthermore, an upstream end of the narrow flow path 5 is connected to a downstream end of the wide flow path 4. Center lines L of the adjacent flow paths 1 to 5 coincide.

[0041] Among the wide flow paths 2, 3, and 4, the flow path 3 is a bent flow path that bends the flow direction F of the refrigerant to substantially 90°. The flow paths 2 and 4 are straight flow paths through which the refrigerant straightly flows. That is, the upstream-side straight flow path 2 and the downstream-side straight flow path 4 are connected to the upstream side and the downstream side of the bent flow path 3.

[0042] FIGS. 2 and 3 are views illustrating examples of use of the cooler 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cooler 10 is disposed within a housing 40 of an electronic device including a heating body 50. The housing 40 is formed in a box shape.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 2, the cooler 10 is disposed within the housing 40 so that the flow paths 2 to 4 are disposed in a center portion of the housing 40. In the example of FIG. 3, the cooler 10 is disposed within the housing 40 so that the flow paths 2 to 4 are disposed along a corner portion 41 of the housing 40. In order to cause the refrigerant to flow in and out with respect to the cooler 10, an upstream portion of the narrow flow path 1 and a downstream portion of the narrow flow path 5 protrude from the housing 40.

[0044] The heating body 50 is mounted on a position facing the bent flow path 3 on the housing 40. Therefore, the heating body 50 is in thermal contact with an outside portion of the pipe 11 configuring the bent flow path 3. The heating body 50 is configured of an electronic component that generates heat, for example, due to flow of a current.

[0045] The refrigerant flows from a supply source (not illustrated) into the narrow flow path 1 of the cooler 10 and the refrigerant flows from the narrow flow path 5 to a supply destination through the flow paths 2 to 4. As described above, the refrigerant flows through the flow paths 1 to 5 and thereby heat generated by the heating body 50 is radiated and the heating body 50 is cooled.

[0046] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the bent flow path 3 of the cooler 10. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates a state of an inside of the bent flow path 3 viewed from above. FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views that are respectively taken along a VA-VA cross-section and a VB-VB cross-section of FIG. 4. The VA-VA cross-section and the VB-VB cross-section are perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 4, dividing fins 6, which divides the bent flow path 3 into two or more in curvature radial directions Ria to Rih and Roa to Roh, are provided in the bent flow path 3. Specifically, a plurality (seven) of dividing fins 6 are provided at predetermined intervals in the curvature radial directions Ria to Rib and Roa to Roh.

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a cross-sectional shape of the bent flow path 3 perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant is rectangular. Each dividing fin 6 is provided in a columnar shape in the bent flow path 3 so as to connect to a top surface and a bottom surface of the bent flow path 3.

[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C, each dividing fin 6 is provided parallel to the flow direction F of the refrigerant over the downstream portion of the upstream-side straight flow path 2, the bent flow path 3, and the upstream portion of the downstream-side straight flow path 4. Therefore, each of divided paths 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, and 3h that is divided by the dividing fin 6 is formed over the downstream portion of the upstream-side straight flow path 2, the bent flow path 3, and the upstream portion of the downstream-side straight flow path 4.

[0050] Also in the straight flow paths 2 and 4, each dividing fin 6 is provided in a columnar shape so as to connect to the top surfaces and the bottom surfaces of the flow paths 2 and 4 (FIG. 1B). Similar to the bent flow path 3, a cross-sectional shape of the straight flow paths 2 and 4 perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant is rectangular (FIG. 1B). A cross-sectional shape of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant is also rectangular (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0051] The refrigerant flows through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h and thereby heat generated by the heating body 50 being in thermal contact with the bent flow path 3 is radiated. In this case, each dividing fin 6 also functions as a radiating fin. That is, each dividing fin 6 is made of metal such as aluminum, heat generated by the heating body 50 is transmitted to the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h, and the heat is radiated.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the bent flow path 3, a cross-sectional shape of each dividing fin 6 parallel to the curvature radial directions Ria to Rih and Roa to Roh and the flow direction F of the refrigerant is a crescent shape in which an inside of the bent flow path 3 wanes. That is, a thickness of the dividing fins 6 parallel to the curvature radial directions Ria to Rih and Ron to Roh is thickened as going to the center portion from the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the bent flow path 3. The thickness of the dividing fin 6 in the upstream portion of the bent flow path 3 from the downstream portion of the upstream-side straight flow path 2 and in the upstream portion of the downstream-side straight flow path 4 from the downstream portion of the bent flow path 3 is thinner than that in the center portion of the bent flow path 3, and is constant.

[0053] As described above, the dividing fins 6 are formed and thereby widths Wa to Wh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h in the curvature radial direction of the bent flow path 3 is constant along the dividing fins 6. In addition, the inner curvature radii Ria to Rih of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are substantially equal to each other (Ria≅Rib≅Ric≅Rid≅Rie≅Rif≅Rig≅Rih). In addition, the outer curvature radii Roa to Roh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are substantially equal to each other (Roa≅Rob≅Roc≅Rod≅Roe≅Rof≅Rog≅Roh).

[0054] Specifically, in the example of FIG. 4, the inner curvature radii Rib to Rig of the divided paths 3b to 3g other than the divided path 3a that is in the innermost side and the divided path 3h that is in the outermost side of the bent flow path 3 are equal to each other (Rib=Ric=Rid=Rie=Rif=Rig). The inner curvature radius Ria of the divided path 3a, the inner curvature radius Rib of the divided path 3h, and the inner curvature radii

[0055] Rib to Rig of the divided paths 3b to 3g are not equal to each other, but are substantially equal to each other (Ria≅Rib≅Rib≅to Rig). In addition, the outer curvature radius Roa to Rog of the divided paths 3a to 3g other than the divided path 3h that is in the outermost side of the bent flow path 3 are equal to each other (Roa=Rob=Roc=Rod=Roe=Rof=Rog). The outer curvature radius Roh of the divided path 3h and the outer curvature radii Roa to Rog of the divided paths 3a to 3g are not equal to each other, but are substantially equal to each other (Roh≅Roa to Rog).

[0056] In each of the divided paths 3a to 3h, the inner curvature radii Ria to Rih are smaller than the outer curvature radii Roa to Roh (Ria<Ron, Rib<Rob, Ric<Roc, Rid<Rod, Rie<Roe, Rif<Rof, Rig<Rog, and Rih<Roh). Among adjacent two divided paths, the inner curvature radius of the divided path on the outside is smaller than the outer curvature radius of the divided path on the inside (Rib<Roa, Ric<Rob, Rid<Roc, Rie<Rod, Rif<Roe, Rig<Rof, and Rih<Rog). Therefore, a cross-sectional shape of each dividing fin 6 parallel to the curvature radial directions Ria to Rih and Roa to Roh, and the flow direction F of the refrigerant is a crescent shape in which the inside of the bent flow path 3 wanes.

[0057] Heights Ha to Hh (FIGS. 5A and 5B) of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h perpendicular to the widths Wa to Wh are constant along the dividing fins 6. Therefore, cross-sectional areas Sa to Sh (FIGS. 5A and 5B) of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant are also constant along the dividing fins 6.

[0058] In addition, the widths Wa to Wh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are substantially equal to each other (Wa≅Wb≅Wc≅Wd≅We≅Wf≅Wg≅Wh). The heights Ha to Hh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are also substantially equal to each other (Ha≅Hb≅Hc≅Hd≅He≅Hf≅Hg≅Hh). Therefore, the cross-sectional areas Sa to Sh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are also substantially equal to each other (Sa≅Sb≅Sc≅Sd≅Se≅Sf≅Sg≅Sh).

[0059] Specifically, in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5A, and 5B, the heights Ha to Hh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are equal to each other (Ha=Hb=Hc=Hd=He=Hf=Hg=Hh). Therefore, the widths Wa and Wh, and the cross-sectional areas Sa and Sh of the divided paths 3a and 3h that are in the innermost side and the outermost side of the bent flow path 3 are equal to each other (Wa=Wh and Sa=Sh), and the widths Wb to Wg, and the cross-sectional areas Sb to Sg of the other divided paths 3b to 3g are equal to each other (Wb=Wc=Wd=We=Wf=Wg, and Sb=Sc=Sd=Se=Sf=Sg). The widths Wb to Wg and the cross-sectional areas Sb to Sg of the divided paths 3b to 3g with respect to the widths Wa and Wh, and the cross-sectional areas Sa and Sh of the divided paths 3a and 3h are not equal to each other, but are substantially equal to each other (Wa=Wh≅Wb to Wg, and Sa=Sh≅Sb to Sg).

[0060] As described above, the fact that the widths Wa to Wh, the curvature radii Ria to Rih and Roa to Roh, the heights Ha to Hh, and the cross-sectional areas Sa to Sh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are constant or substantially equal to each other includes not only a plurality of numerical values to be objects are equal (=) to each other but also a difference between a plurality of numerical values is substantially equal (≅) to or less than a predetermined value. This also applies to the fact that flow speeds of the refrigerant described below are constant or substantially equal to each other.

[0061] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of a simulation of the cooler 10. Specifically, as indicated by arrows F in FIG. 1A, in a case where the refrigerant (cooling water) flows in from the narrow flow path 1 of the cooler 10 and the refrigerant flows out from the narrow flow path 5 through the wide flow paths 2 to 4, a flow speed distribution of the cross-sectional area VA-VA of FIG. 4 is illustrated in FIG. 6A and a flow speed distribution of the refrigerant of the refrigerant of the cross-sectional area VB-VB of FIG. 4 is illustrated in FIG. 6B.

[0062] As described above, the cross-sectional area of the narrow flow path 1 that is the flow inlet of the refrigerant is narrower than the cross-sectional area of the wide flow paths 2 and 3, and the center lines of the flow paths 1, 2, and 3 coincide (FIG. 1A). Therefore, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 613, the flow speed of the refrigerant in the divided paths 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f that are the center is greater than that in the divided paths 3a, 3b, 3g, and 3h that are the both end sides of the bent flow path 3.

[0063] While, the widths Wa to Wh and the cross-sectional areas Sa to Sh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are constant along the dividing fins 6. Therefore, the flow speed (FIG. 6A) of the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h of the VA-VA cross-section of FIG. 4 and the flow speed (FIG. 6B) of the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h of the VB-VB cross-section of FIG. 4 are substantially equal to each other. That is, the flow speed of the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h, in the bent flow path 3 is substantially constantly held along the dividing fins 6.

[0064] According to the embodiment described above, in the bent flow path 3 and the straight flow paths 2 and 4 of the cooler 10, the widths Wa to Wh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h divided by the dividing fins 6 are constant along the dividing fins 6. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an decrease in the flow speed of the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h. As a result, the refrigerant smoothly flows through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h, heat generated by the heating body 50 being in thermal contact with the bent flow path 3 can be efficiently radiated by the refrigerant, and the cooling performance is improved.

[0065] In addition, the inner curvature radii Ria to Rih of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are substantially equal to each other, the outer curvature radii Roa to Roh are also substantially equal to each other, and the thickness of the curvature radii Ria to Rih and Ron to Roh of the dividing fins 6 in the center portion is thicker than that in the upstream portion or the downstream portion thereof. Therefore, the outer curvature radius Rox (FIG. 4) of the bent flow path 3 can be as small as the outer curvature radius Roa of the divided path 3a that is in the innermost side (Rox≅Ron). Therefore, an entire width Wx (FIG. 5B) of the bent flow path 3 perpendicular to the dividing fins 6 is wider than a sum value of the widths Wa to Wh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h and thicknesses of both side walls 3k (FIG. 4) of the bent flow path 3. An effective cooling region Za (FIG. 4) capable of being cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the bent flow path 3 can be wider than an effective cooling region Zb of the bent flow path 73 of the related art illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0066] As a result, for example, a thermal contact area between the bent flow path 3 and the heating body 50 is increased, heat generated by the heating body 50 can be efficiently radiated by the refrigerant, and the cooling performance is improved.

[0067] In addition, the outer curvature radius Rox of the bent flow path 3 can be suppressed as small as the outer curvature radius Roa of the divided path 3a that is in the innermost side. Therefore, it is possible to easily dispose the bent flow path 3 along a narrow portion such as the corner portion 41 (FIG. 3) of the housing 40. Therefore, heat generated by the heating body 50 mounted on the narrow portion is efficiently radiated by the refrigerant flowing through the bent flow path 3 and it is possible to improve the cooling performance. In addition, a dead space of the housing 40 which cannot be cooled by the bent flow path 3 is reduced and the effective cooling region Za of the bent flow path 3 is widened. Therefore, it is possible to easily dispose the heating body 50 or other components on the housing 40. That is, it is possible to increase a degree of freedom in disposition of the heating body 50 or other components on the housing 40.

[0068] In addition, in the embodiments described above, the cross-sectional areas Sa to Sh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant are constant along the dividing fins 6. Therefore, a decrease in the flow speed of the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h can be further suppressed in the corner portion.

[0069] In addition, in the embodiments described above, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the dividing fins 6 parallel to the curvature radial directions Ria to Rih and Roa to Roh of the bent flow path 3, and the flow direction F of the refrigerant is the crescent shape. Therefore, it is possible to reliably realize that the inner curvature radii Ria to Rih of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are substantially equal to each other, and the outer curvature radii Roa to Rob are substantially equal to each other while the widths Wa to Wh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are constant along the dividing fins 6. In addition, since the dividing fins 6 are formed of metal having high thermal conductivity, the portion of the crescent shape in cross-sectional of the dividing fins 6 efficiently transmits heat from the heating body to the refrigerant and can cool the heating body.

[0070] In addition, in the embodiments described above, since the widths Wa to Wh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are substantially equal to each other, the cross-sectional areas Sa to Sh of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h are also substantially equal to each other. Therefore, a difference in a flow rate and the flow speed of the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h can be suppressed small. In addition, it is possible to avoid the shape of the dividing fin 6 becoming complicated.

[0071] In addition, in the embodiments described above, the dividing fins 6 are provided parallel to the flow direction F of the refrigerant and over the upstream-side straight flow path 2, the bent flow path 3, and the downstream-side straight flow path 4. Therefore, the divided paths 3a to 3h are formed over the flow paths 2 to 4, and the widths Wa to Wh, the cross-sectional areas Sa to Sh of the divided paths 3a to 3h, and the flow speed of the refrigerant can be constant over the flow paths 2 to 4.

[0072] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the cross-sectional shape of the bent flow path 3 is rectangular and the dividing fins 6 are provided in the columnar shape in the bent flow path 3. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of each of the divided paths 3a to 3h perpendicular to the flow direction F of the refrigerant is also rectangular and it is possible to easily form the dividing fins 6. In addition, a difference in the flow rate and the flow speed of the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h can be suppressed small. Furthermore, since the dividing fins 6 function as radiating fins, heat generated by the heating body 50 is easily transmitted to the refrigerant flowing through each of the divided paths 3a to 3h through the dividing fins 6 and it is possible to further improve the cooling performance.

[0073] One or more embodiments of the invention can adopt various embodiments other than the above embodiments. For example, in the embodiments described above, as illustrated in FIG. 4, or the like, an example, in which the dividing fins 6 are provided in the bent flow path 3 that is bent to substantially 90°, is illustrated, but one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited only to the example. In addition, one or two or more dividing fins is provided in a bent flow path that is bent to an angle (acute angle or obtuse angle) other than 90° and the bent flow path may be divided into two or more.

[0074] In addition, in the embodiments described above, an example, in which the dividing fins 6 are provided over the upstream-side straight flow path 2, the bent flow path 3, and the downstream-side straight flow path 4, is illustrated, but one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited only to the example. In addition, the dividing fins are provided only in the bent flow path, or the dividing fins may be provided in the bent flow path and the straight flow path continuous to one of the upstream side and the downstream side thereof.

[0075] In addition, in the embodiments described above, an example, in which the dividing fins 6 are provided in the columnar shape in the bent flow path 3 or the like, is illustrated, but one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited only to the example. In addition, for example, boss-shaped dividing fins may be provided so as to connect to only the bottom surface of the bent flow path.

[0076] In addition, in the embodiments described above, an example, in which the cross-sectional shape of the bent flow path 3 is rectangular, is illustrated, but one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited only to the example. In addition, for example, the cross-sectional shape of the bent flow path may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or another shape.

[0077] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, an example, in which one or more embodiments of the invention are applied to the cooler 10 that is disposed within the housing 40 of the electronic device and cools the heating body 50 mounted on the housing 40, is illustrated, but for example, one or more embodiments of the invention can also be applied to a cooler that is mounted on a frame or a chassis and cools the heating body mounted on a substrate or the like. Furthermore, one or more embodiments of the invention can be applied to a flow path unit including a bent flow path which is used for applications other than cooling.

[0078] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. According, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.