Air-cooled device

Abstract

The air-cooling device has a radiator, a duct, and a fan. The radiator has a radiator core and a frame connected to the outer peripheral portion of the radiator core. The duct is disposed in front of the radiator. The duct has an opening portion disposed in front of the radiator core and an air guiding portion extending from the frame to the end portion of the opening portion. The fan causes air to flow from the opening portion toward the radiator core. The frame is configured to straddle both sides of a straight line extending rearward from the end portion of the opening portion. A gap is provided between the connecting portion of the frame and the air guiding portion and the straight line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an air-cooling device. Background Art

[0002] The air-cooling device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-040562 has a radiator and a duct (i.e., an air guide) disposed in front of the radiator. During vehicle travel, air flows into the radiator core from the opening of the duct, and the radiator core is cooled. By providing the duct, air can be efficiently introduced into the radiator core. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The air-cooling device mounted on a vehicle has a fan. When the vehicle is stopped or traveling at a low speed, the fan causes air to flow toward the radiator core. When the fan causes air to flow toward the radiator core, the flow velocity of the air flowing into the radiator core is lower than when the vehicle is traveling at a high speed. Therefore, sometimes the hot air that has passed through the radiator core flows backward into the duct through the gap between the radiator and the duct. If such a backflow occurs, the temperature of the air flowing into the radiator core becomes higher, and the cooling efficiency decreases.

[0004] In the present disclosure, a technique for suppressing the backflow of air when the fan operates in an air-cooling device having a radiator and a duct is proposed.

[0005] An air-cooling device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle. The air-cooling device has a radiator, a duct, and a fan. The radiator has a radiator core and a frame connected to the outer peripheral portion of the radiator core. The duct is disposed in front of the radiator. The duct has an opening disposed in front of the radiator core and an air guide portion extending from the frame to the end of the opening. The fan causes air to flow from the opening toward the radiator core. The frame is configured to straddle both sides of a straight line extending rearward from the end of the opening. A gap is provided between the connection portion of the frame and the air guide portion and the straight line.

[0006] In the air-cooling device of the above aspect, the frame is configured to straddle both sides of a straight line extending rearward from the end of the opening. Therefore, when the fan operates, the air that has passed near the end of the opening is difficult to flow toward the radiator core. Therefore, the air that has passed near the end of the opening flows toward the space between the connection portion and the straight line and flows in a swirling manner near the connection portion. Therefore, the air that has passed through the radiator core is difficult to flow into the gap existing in the connection portion. Therefore, the backflow of the air that has passed through the radiator core into the duct through the gap existing in the connection portion is suppressed. Therefore, according to this air-cooling device, the radiator core can be efficiently cooled. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of embodiments of the present invention will be schematically described, where the same reference numerals represent the same elements, and wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the air-cooling device of Embodiment 1.

[0009] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of

[0010] Figure 3 an enlarged cross-sectional view of the outer peripheral portion of the air-cooling device of Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the outer peripheral portion of the air-cooling device of Embodiment 2. Detailed Embodiments

[0012] In the air-cooling device of an example of the present disclosure, ribs extending along the connecting portion may be provided on the front surface of the frame.

[0013] According to this structure, it is difficult for air to flow into the gap of the connecting portion, and the reverse flow of air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0014] In the air-cooling device of an example disclosed in this specification, ribs extending along the connecting portion may also be provided on the inner surface of the air guiding portion.

[0015] According to this structure, it is difficult for air to flow into the gap of the connecting portion, and the reverse flow of air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0016]

Embodiment 1

[0017] Figure 1 The air-cooling device 10 of Embodiment 1 shown is provided in the front engine compartment of a vehicle. The air-cooling device 10 is arranged behind the front grille. The air-cooling device 10 has a radiator 20 and a pipe 30.

[0018] Coolant flows inside the radiator 20. The radiator 20 cools the coolant through the heat exchange between the coolant and air. As Figure 2As shown, the radiator 20 has a radiator core 22 and a radiator tank 24. The radiator core 22 is made of metal (such as aluminum, etc.). The radiator core 22 is composed of a plurality of tubes through which the coolant flows and a plurality of cooling fins connected to the tubes. The space between the plurality of tubes forms a flow path for air to flow. Air passes through the radiator core 22, so that the coolant in the radiator core 22 is cooled. The radiator tank 24 is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the radiator core 22. More specifically, the radiator tank 24 is connected to the side surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the radiator core 22. The radiator tank 24 is a resin member. However, the radiator tank 24 can also be made of metal such as aluminum. The radiator tank 24 functions as a frame for supporting the radiator core 22. In addition, in other embodiments, the radiator tank 24 may have a refrigerant flow path inside. In this case, the radiator tank 24 also functions as a branch flow path for allowing the coolant to flow through each tube of the radiator core 22.

[0019] As Figure 1 shown, the duct 30 is arranged in front of the radiator 20. The duct 30 has a flange 32, a side wall 34 extending forward from the flange 32, and a cover 36 covering the front surface of the radiator 20. As Figure 2 shown, the duct 30 is fixed to the radiator 20 in a state where the rear surface of the flange 32 is in contact with the front surface of the radiator tank 24. The duct 30 is fixed to the radiator 20 by snap fit. Therefore, there is a small gap at the boundary portion 60 between the flange 32 and the radiator tank 24. As Figure 1 , 2 shown, an opening 38 is provided in the cover 36. The opening 38 is arranged in front of the radiator core 22.

[0020] As Figure 2 shown, the air cooling device 10 has a shroud 40 and a fan 50 behind the radiator 20. The shroud 40 covers the rear surface of the radiator core 22. A discharge port is provided in the center of the shroud 40, and a fan 50 is provided inside the discharge port. As Figure 2 shown by the arrow 100, when the fan 50 operates, air flows into the opening 38 of the duct 30 via the front grille. The air flowing into the opening 38 passes through the radiator core 22 and is discharged rearward from the fan 50. When the air passes through the radiator core 22, the coolant in the radiator core 22 is cooled. The air cooling device 10 operates the fan 50 as needed during vehicle stop or during low-speed vehicle driving. In addition, during high-speed vehicle driving, as Figure 2 shown by the arrow 100, air also flows and the radiator core 22 is also cooled. The air cooling device 10 operates the fan 50 as needed even during high-speed vehicle driving.

[0021] As Figure 3As shown, at a position adjacent to the opening 38, an air guiding portion 39 is formed by the flange 32, the side wall 34, and the cover 36 of the pipe 30. The air guiding portion 39 extends from the front surface of the radiator box 24 to the end 38a of the opening 38. Figure 3 The straight line L1 shows a straight line hypothetically drawn rearward from the end 38a toward the rear of the vehicle. The straight line L1 is a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As Figure 3 shown, the front surface of the radiator box 24 extends across both sides of the straight line L1. That is, the front surface of the radiator box 24 extends from a position outside the straight line L1 in the vehicle width direction to a position inside the straight line L1 in the vehicle width direction (toward the center side of the vehicle). The boundary portion 60 between the radiator box 24 and the pipe 30 (more specifically, the boundary portion between the front surface of the radiator box 24 and the rear surface of the flange 32) is disposed at a position outside the straight line L1 in the vehicle width direction. The boundary portion 60 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the straight line L1. Therefore, a space is provided between the straight line L1 and the side wall 34. On the front surface of the radiator box 24, a rib 24a protruding forward is provided. The rib 24a is disposed between the boundary portion 60 and the straight line L1. The rib 24a is disposed adjacent to the boundary portion 60 and extends along the boundary portion 60.

[0022] As described above, the fan 50 can be operated to allow air to flow through the radiator core 22. At this time, as Figure 2 、 3 shown by the arrow 102, if the air that has passed through the radiator core 22 and the fan 50 flows backward into the pipe 30 through the gap existing in the boundary portion 60, the cooling efficiency of the radiator core 22 is reduced. That is, the air that has passed through the radiator core 22 is high-temperature air heated by the radiator core 22. If such high-temperature air flows into the pipe 30 through the gap of the boundary portion 60, the high-temperature air flows into the radiator core 22, and the cooling efficiency of the radiator core 22 is reduced. In contrast, as will be described below, in the air-cooling device 10 of the first embodiment, the backward flow of the air that has passed through the radiator core 22 is suppressed. As Figure 3 shown, in the air-cooling device 10 of the first embodiment, when the straight line L1 extending rearward from the end 38a of the opening 38 is drawn, the front surface of the radiator box 24 extends across both sides of the straight line L1. That is, the radiator box 24 that does not allow air to pass is disposed behind the end 38a. Therefore, the air flowing into the pipe 30 near the end 38a easily flows into the space between the straight line L1 and the side wall 34. As Figure 3As shown by arrow 104, the air flowing into the space between the straight line L1 and the side wall 34 flows in a swirling manner near the boundary portion 60. In particular, since the ribs 24a are provided along the boundary portion 60, the air is guided by the ribs 24a and easily flows in a swirling manner. Thus, by generating a vortex in the space near the boundary portion 60 within the duct 30, it is difficult for the air to flow from the gap of the boundary portion 60 into the duct 30. In addition, since the ribs 24a are provided along the boundary portion 60, the fluid resistance of the gap of the boundary portion 60 becomes high, and it is difficult for the air to flow at the boundary portion 60. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the air from flowing into the duct 30 through the gap of the boundary portion 60. Thus, according to the air-cooling device 10 of the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the air that has passed through the radiator core 22 from flowing back into the duct 30 through the gap of the boundary portion 60. Therefore, according to the air-cooling device 10 of the first embodiment, when the fan 50 is operated, the radiator core 22 can be efficiently cooled.

[0023]

Second Embodiment

[0024] Figure 4 In the air-cooling device of the second embodiment shown, compared with the air-cooling device 10 of the first embodiment, the positions of the ribs are different. Other structures of the air-cooling device of the second embodiment are the same as those of the air-cooling device 10 of the first embodiment. As Figure 4 shown, in the air-cooling device of the second embodiment, no ribs are provided on the front surface of the radiator case 24, and ribs 34a are provided on the inner surface of the side wall 34 of the duct 30. The ribs 34a project inward from the inner surface of the side wall 34. The ribs 34a project (extend) obliquely rearward from the inner surface of the side wall 34. The ribs 34a are arranged near the boundary portion 60 and extend along the boundary portion 60.

[0025] In the structure of the second embodiment, the air also easily flows into the space between the straight line L1 and the side wall 34, and a vortex is generated near the boundary portion 60 as shown by arrow 104. In particular, since the ribs 34a are provided along the boundary portion 60, the air is guided by the ribs 34a and easily flows in a swirling manner. By generating such a vortex in the space near the boundary portion 60 within the duct 30, it is difficult for the air to flow from the gap existing in the boundary portion 60 into the duct 30. In addition, in the structure of the second embodiment, since the ribs 34a are provided on the inner surface of the side wall 34, the fluid resistance of the gap of the boundary portion 60 becomes high, and it is difficult for the air to flow in the gap of the boundary portion 60. Therefore, according to the air-cooling device of the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress the air that has passed through the radiator core 22 from flowing back into the duct 30 through the gap of the boundary portion 60. Therefore, according to the air-cooling device of the second embodiment, when the fan 50 is operated, the radiator core 22 can be efficiently cooled.

[0026] In addition, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the radiator frame is constituted by the radiator case connected to the outer peripheral portion of the radiator core, but the radiator frame may also be constituted by other members.

[0027] As described above, the embodiments have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The technology of the present disclosure includes technologies that have been variously modified and changed from the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in the present disclosure exhibit technical utility either individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations of the specific examples. In addition, the technology of the present disclosure achieves multiple purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of these purposes itself has technical utility.

Claims

1. An air-cooling device is mounted on a vehicle, characterized in that, Comprising: A radiator having a radiator core and a frame connected to a side surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the radiator core; A duct disposed in front of the radiator and having an opening portion disposed in front of the radiator core and an air guiding portion extending from the frame to an end portion of the opening portion; And A fan that causes air to flow from the opening portion to the radiator core, The frame is configured to straddle both sides of a straight line extending rearward from the end portion of the opening portion, and the straight line is a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, A connecting portion between the frame and the air guiding portion is disposed at a position outside the straight line in the vehicle width direction, and a gap is provided between the connecting portion and the straight line, A space is provided between a side wall of the air guiding portion and the straight line on the front side of the radiator core.

2. The air-cooling device according to claim 1, wherein A rib extending along the connecting portion is provided on the front surface of the frame, and the rib protrudes forward.

3. The air-cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A rib extending along the connecting portion is provided on the inner surface of the air guiding portion.

4. The air-cooling device according to claim 3, wherein, The rib extends obliquely rearward from the inner surface of the air guiding portion.

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