Cooling device

Abstract

To provide a cooling device capable of increasing quantity of air passing through a radiator.SOLUTION: A cooling device 20 includes: a radiator 21; a fan 22 for sending air toward the radiator 21; and a shroud 23 provided between the radiator 21 and the fan 22 and guiding the air sent by the fan 22 to the radiator 21. A rotating axis L of the fan 22 is located below a center C of the radiator 21 in the vertical direction. The shroud 23 includes: a first wall part 231 extending vertically and opposing to the radiator 21; a second wall part 232 extending from a lower end of the first wall part 231 toward the fan 22; and a third wall part 233 extending from an upper end of the first wall part 231 toward the radiator 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling device including a radiator, a fan, and a shroud. The fan blows air toward the radiator. The shroud is provided between the radiator and the fan. The shroud guides the air blown by the fan toward the radiator. In such a cooling device, it is preferable that the rotational axis of the fan coincides with the center of the radiator. However, if there are restrictions on the layout of the cooling device, the cooling device may be arranged with the rotational axis of the fan misaligned with the center of the radiator. For example, in Patent Document 1, the rotational axis of the fan is located below the center of the radiator in the vertical direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-14155 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the fan's rotation axis is misaligned with the center of the radiator, the amount of air passing through the radiator tends to decrease. This reduces the radiator's heat dissipation ability, which in turn reduces cooling efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A cooling device for solving the above problems comprises a radiator, a fan that blows air toward the radiator, and a shroud that is provided between the radiator and the fan and that guides the air blown by the fan to the radiator, wherein the axis of rotation of the fan is located below the center of the radiator in the vertical direction, and the shroud has a first wall portion that extends in the vertical direction and faces the radiator, a second wall portion that extends from a lower end of the first wall portion toward the fan, and a third wall portion that extends from an upper end of the first wall portion toward the radiator.

[0006] In the above configuration, the distance from the radiator to the first wall is likely to be shorter than when the shroud does not have the second wall, making it less likely that vortexes will occur in the space surrounded by the radiator, the first wall, and the third wall, thereby increasing the amount of air passing through the radiator.

[0007] In the cooling device, the distance from the radiator to the first wall portion may be shorter than the distance from the fan to the first wall portion. In the above configuration, vortexes are less likely to occur in the space surrounded by the radiator, the first wall portion, and the third wall portion compared to when the distance from the radiator to the first wall portion is greater than or equal to the distance from the fan to the first wall portion.

[0008] In the cooling device, the second wall portion may be inclined so as to move away from the rotation axis of the fan as it approaches the radiator. In the above configuration, the air blown by the fan is guided by the second wall, which makes it easier for it to flow between the radiator and the first wall. Since vortexes are less likely to occur in the space surrounded by the radiator, the first wall, and the third wall, the air that flows between the radiator and the first wall passes through the radiator. This makes it possible to further increase the amount of air passing through the radiator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the amount of air passing through the radiator can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a forklift according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cooling device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling device in a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the cooling device will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The cooling device of this embodiment is mounted on an engine-driven forklift. In the following description, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" refer to the state in which the operator operating the forklift is facing forward (in the forward direction) of the vehicle.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the forklift 10 includes a vehicle body 11. A driver's seat 12 is provided on the upper surface of the vehicle body 11. The vehicle body 11 includes a counterweight 13. The counterweight 13 is located rearward of the driver's seat 12. The counterweight 13 is provided with a discharge passage 13a. The discharge passage 13a extends in the front-rear direction. The discharge passage 13a opens at the rear surface of the vehicle body 11.

[0013] The vehicle body 11 accommodates an engine 14 and a cooling device 20 that cools the engine 14. The space in the vehicle body 11 that accommodates the engine 14 and the cooling device 20 is connected to the exhaust passage 13a. The engine 14 is located below the driver's seat 12. The engine 14 has a water jacket (not shown). A cooling fluid for cooling the engine 14 flows through the water jacket. The cooling fluid is, for example, cooling water. The cooling device 20 is located rearward of the engine 14.

[0014] <Cooling device configuration> The cooling device 20 includes a radiator 21, a fan 22, and a shroud 23. The radiator 21 cools the engine 14. The fan 22 blows air toward the radiator 21. The shroud 23 guides the air blown by the fan 22 to the radiator 21.

[0015] The radiator 21 is provided in front of the counterweight 13, more specifically, in front of the discharge passage 13a. The radiator 21 has a portion aligned with the engine 14 in the longitudinal direction and a portion located above the engine 14. Inside the radiator 21, there is provided a heat exchange passage (not shown) through which a cooling fluid flows.

[0016] The heat exchange passage of the radiator 21 is connected to the water jacket of the engine 14 by a first pipe and a second pipe (not shown). The first pipe is a pipe for flowing the cooling fluid from the radiator 21 toward the engine 14. The second pipe is a pipe for flowing the cooling fluid from the engine 14 toward the radiator 21.

[0017] The fan 22 is located forward of the radiator 21. The fan 22 rotates to blow air toward the radiator 21. In this embodiment, the fan 22 is rotationally driven by the engine 14. More specifically, the fan 22 is connected to a rotary shaft 15 that protrudes from the engine 14. When the engine 14 rotates the rotary shaft 15, the fan 22 rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 15. Therefore, the rotation axis L of the fan 22 coincides with the axis of the rotary shaft 15.

[0018] Due to constraints on the mounting layout of the engine 14 and the cooling device 20 inside the vehicle body 11, the rotation axis L of the fan 22 is offset from the center C of the radiator 21 in the vertical direction. The rotation axis L of the fan 22 is located below the center C of the radiator 21 in the vertical direction. The upper end of the fan 22 is located below the upper end of the radiator 21. The lower end of the fan 22 is located below the lower end of the radiator 21.

[0019] 2 and 3, the shroud 23 is provided between the radiator 21 and the fan 22 in the front-rear direction. The shroud 23 has a first wall portion 231, a second wall portion 232, a third wall portion 233, a fourth wall portion 234, and a pair of fifth wall portions 235.

[0020] The first wall portion 231 has a flat plate shape. The first wall portion 231 extends in the vertical direction. The first wall portion 231 faces the radiator 21. The second wall portion 232 extends from the lower end of the first wall portion 231 toward the fan 22. The second wall portion 232 is arch-shaped. The second wall portion 232 is located on the outer periphery of the rotation trajectory of the fan 22. The second wall portion 232 of this embodiment is inclined so as to move away from the rotation axis L of the fan 22 as it approaches the radiator 21.

[0021] The third wall portion 233 extends from the upper end of the first wall portion 231 toward the radiator 21. The tip of the third wall portion 233 is located above the upper end of the radiator 21. The third wall portion 233 of this embodiment is inclined so as to move away from the rotation axis L of the fan 22 as it approaches the radiator 21.

[0022] The extension amount of the third wall portion 233 from the first wall portion 231 is less than the extension amount of the second wall portion 232 from the first wall portion 231. Therefore, the distance D1 from the radiator 21 to the first wall portion 231 is shorter than the distance D2 from the fan 22 to the first wall portion 231. In this embodiment, the ratio of the distance D1 to the distance D2 is set to 1:2.

[0023] The fourth wall portion 234 is located below the second wall portion 232. The fourth wall portion 234 connects both lower ends of the second wall portion 232 in the left-right direction. The fourth wall portion 234 has a flat plate shape. The fourth wall portion 234 is inclined so as to approach the rotation axis L of the fan 22 as it approaches the radiator 21.

[0024] The pair of fifth wall portions 235 extend from both ends of the first wall portion 231 in the left-right direction toward the radiator 21. The upper ends of the pair of fifth wall portions 235 are connected to both ends of the third wall portion 233 in the left-right direction.

[0025] <Engine cooling> The engine 14 is cooled as follows. The cooling fluid flows from the heat exchange passage of the radiator 21 through the first pipe into the water jacket of the engine 14. Heat from the engine 14 is dissipated to the cooling fluid flowing through the water jacket. This cools the engine 14. The cooling fluid, which has absorbed heat from the engine 14 and become hot, flows through the second pipe into the heat exchange passage of the radiator 21. The heat of the cooling fluid flowing through the heat exchange passage is dissipated to the outside air. This cools the cooling fluid. At this time, the fan 22 blows air toward the radiator 21. The air blown by the fan 22 is guided to the radiator 21 by the shroud 23 and then passes through the radiator 21. This improves the heat dissipation performance of the radiator 21, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the cooling fluid. The air that has passed through the radiator 21 is discharged to the rear of the forklift 10 through the discharge passage 13a. Then, the cooling fluid, whose temperature has been reduced by passing through the heat exchange passage of the radiator 21, passes through the first pipe and returns to the water jacket of the engine 14. In this way, the cooling fluid circulates through the first pipe, the water jacket of the engine 14, the second pipe, and the heat exchange passage of the radiator 21, thereby cooling the engine 14.

[0026] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will be described using a comparative example. 4 shows a cooling device 20 of a comparative example. Note that the cooling device 20 is the same as the cooling device 20 of the embodiment except for the configuration of the shroud 24. The shroud 24 of the comparative example has a first portion 241 that extends in the vertical direction and faces the radiator 21, and a second portion 242 that extends from the upper end of the first portion 241 toward the radiator 21. In other words, the shroud 24 of the comparative example does not have a portion that corresponds to the second wall portion 232 of the shroud 23 of the embodiment. In this case, because the distance D3 from the radiator 21 to the first portion 241 is long, a vortex is generated in the space surrounded by the radiator 21, the first portion 241, and the second portion 242, and the amount of air passing through the radiator 21 is reduced.

[0027] In contrast, the shroud 23 of the embodiment has a first wall portion 231, a second wall portion 232, and a third wall portion 233. The first wall portion 231 extends in the vertical direction and faces the radiator 21. The second wall portion 232 extends from a lower end of the first wall portion 231 toward the fan 22. The third wall portion 233 extends from an upper end of the first wall portion 231 toward the radiator 21. In the embodiment, since the shroud 23 has the second wall portion 232, the distance D1 from the radiator 21 to the first wall portion 231 is likely to be shorter than the distance D3 from the radiator 21 to the first portion 241 in the comparative example. As a result, vortexes are less likely to be generated in the space surrounded by the radiator 21, the first wall portion 231, and the third wall portion 233, and the amount of air passing through the radiator 21 increases.

[0028] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The shroud 23 has a first wall portion 231, a second wall portion 232, and a third wall portion 233. The first wall portion 231 extends in the vertical direction and faces the radiator 21. The second wall portion 232 extends from the lower end of the first wall portion 231 toward the fan 22. The third wall portion 233 extends from the upper end of the first wall portion 231 toward the radiator 21. Because the shroud 23 has the second wall portion 232, the distance D1 from the radiator 21 to the first wall portion 231 is likely to be shorter than in a case where the shroud 23 does not have the second wall portion 232. This makes it difficult for vortexes to occur in the space surrounded by the radiator 21, the first wall portion 231, and the third wall portion 233. This increases the amount of air passing through the radiator 21. As a result, the heat dissipation performance of the radiator 21 is improved, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the engine 14. Additionally, noise caused by vortex flow can be reduced.

[0029] (2) In the present embodiment, the distance D1 from the radiator 21 to the first wall portion 231 is shorter than the distance D2 from the fan 22 to the first wall portion 231. In this case, compared to when the distance D1 from the radiator 21 to the first wall portion 231 is equal to or greater than the distance D2 from the fan 22 to the first wall portion 231, vortexes are less likely to occur in the space surrounded by the radiator 21, the first wall portion 231, and the third wall portion 233.

[0030] (3) In this embodiment, the second wall portion 232 is inclined so as to move away from the rotation axis L of the fan 22 as it approaches the radiator 21. As a result, the air blown by the fan 22 is guided by the second wall portion 232, and is thereby more likely to flow between the radiator 21 and the first wall portion 231. Since vortexes are less likely to occur in the space surrounded by the radiator 21, the first wall portion 231, and the third wall portion 233, the air that has flowed between the radiator 21 and the first wall portion 231 passes through the radiator 21. Therefore, the amount of air passing through the radiator 21 can be further increased.

[0031] (4) By shortening the distance D1 from the radiator 21 to the first wall portion 231, other components can be arranged in the space above the second wall portion 232. (5) For example, when the fan 22 is driven to rotate by an electric motor, the positions of the engine 14 and the fan 22 can be set independently, making it easy to align the rotation axis L of the fan 22 with the center C of the radiator 21. In contrast, the fan 22 of the present embodiment is driven to rotate by the engine 14. In this case, the position of the fan 22 is determined by the position of the engine 14, making it easy for the rotation axis L of the fan 22 to deviate from the center C of the radiator 21. Therefore, it is particularly effective to increase the amount of air passing through the radiator 21 by using the shroud 23 of the present embodiment.

[0032] (6) The cooling device 20 of this embodiment is mounted on a forklift 10. In this case, compared to when the cooling device 20 is mounted on a passenger vehicle, there are more restrictions on the mounting layout of the cooling device 20, and therefore the rotation axis L of the fan 22 is more likely to be misaligned with the center C of the radiator 21. Therefore, it is particularly effective to increase the amount of air passing through the radiator 21 by using the shroud 23 of this embodiment.

[0033] [Example of change] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0034] The fan 22 does not have to be driven to rotate by the engine 14. The fan 22 may be driven to rotate by an electric motor. The ratio D1:D2 between the distance D1 from the radiator 21 to the first wall portion 231 of the shroud 23 and the distance D2 from the fan 22 to the first wall portion 231 of the shroud 23 is not limited to 1:2.

[0035] Distance D1 is set, for example, according to the rotation speed of fan 22. Note that, although a shorter distance D1 can suppress the generation of vortexes, if distance D1 is too short, the air blown by fan 22 is less likely to flow between radiator 21 and first wall portion 231, which may reduce the amount of air passing through radiator 21. Therefore, distance D1 is preferably set to a distance that prevents vortexes from occurring in the space surrounded by radiator 21, first wall portion 231, and third wall portion 233, and ensures the amount of air passing through radiator 21.

[0036] The second wall portion 232 may not be inclined and may extend horizontally. The third wall portion 233 may not be inclined and may extend horizontally. The fourth wall portion 234 may be omitted.

[0037] The fourth wall portion 234 may have an inclined portion that inclines toward the rotation axis L of the fan 22 as it approaches the radiator 21, and a horizontal portion that is located closer to the radiator 21 than the inclined portion and extends horizontally.

[0038] The object to be cooled by the cooling device 20 is not limited to the engine 14. For example, if the forklift 10 is a fuel cell-powered forklift, the object to be cooled by the cooling device 20 may be a fuel cell.

[0039] The cooling device 20 may be applied to vehicles or devices other than the forklift 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 20...cooling device, 21...radiator, 22...fan, 23...shroud, 231...first wall portion, 232...second wall portion, 233...third wall portion, C...center, D1...distance, D2...distance, L...rotation axis.

Claims

1. A radiator and a fan that blows air toward the radiator; a shroud provided between the radiator and the fan and configured to guide air blown by the fan to the radiator; Equipped with a rotation axis of the fan is located below a center of the radiator in a vertical direction, The shroud includes: a first wall portion extending in the vertical direction and facing the radiator; a second wall portion extending from a lower end of the first wall portion toward the fan; a third wall portion extending from an upper end of the first wall portion toward the radiator; A cooling device comprising:

2. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein a distance from the radiator to the first wall portion is shorter than a distance from the fan to the first wall portion.

3. 3. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the second wall portion is inclined so as to move away from the rotation axis of the fan as it approaches the radiator.

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