Cooling structure

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of cooling structure (10), the cooling structure (10) has: air supply fan (60), gas is inhaled from air inlet (90), and air supply fan (60) is blown to gas;Flow path (100), which connects air inlet (90) with air supply fan (60);Foreign matter invasion suppression component (50), which suppresses foreign matter from air inlet (90) to invade flow path (100);Vibration suppression component (80), which is arranged between foreign matter invasion suppression component (50) and air supply fan (60), is arranged to be able to suppress the vibration of rod-shaped foreign matter caused by the rotation of the blade of air supply fan (60). Foreign matter invasion suppression component (50) has a plurality of opening parts (51) for sucking gas into flow path (100). Vibration suppression component (80) is formed with a plurality of opening parts (81) in the state of being arranged in flow path (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cooling structure for cooling an electrical storage device mounted in a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles equipped with an energy storage device and a cooling structure for cooling the energy storage device are known in the past. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-172939 discloses a battery pack having a battery stack as an energy storage device, a cooling fan as a cooling structure, and an air inlet. The air inlet is located on a side near the cooling fan. A louver is provided on the front surface of the air inlet to prevent foreign objects from entering. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the battery pack disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-172939, if a rod-shaped foreign object, with a length extending from the air inlet to the cooling fan, intrudes into the battery pack through the louvers, the rod-shaped foreign object will vibrate due to the rotation of the cooling fan. As a result, abnormal noise may occur, or the rod-shaped foreign object may fly out to the outside.

[0004] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a cooling structure that can reduce the noise caused by the rod-shaped foreign object and suppress the rod-shaped foreign object from flying outward when it intrudes into the cooling structure, having a length from the air inlet to the blower.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a cooling structure for cooling an energy storage device includes: an air inlet for introducing air into the energy storage device; a blower having blades that draws in gas from the air inlet by the rotation of the blades and blows gas into the energy storage device; a flow path connecting the air inlet and the blower; a foreign object intrusion suppression member disposed at the air inlet and suppressing foreign objects from intruding from the air inlet into the flow path; and a vibration suppression member disposed in the flow path between the foreign object intrusion suppression member and the blower, configured to suppress vibration of rod-shaped foreign objects caused by the rotation of the blades. The foreign object intrusion suppression member has a plurality of first openings for drawing gas into the flow path. The vibration suppression member is configured to have a plurality of second openings when disposed in the flow path.

[0006] With this structure, the vibration suppression component can suppress the vibration of rod-shaped foreign objects generated by the rotation of the blower blades. Therefore, according to the cooling structure, the magnitude of abnormal noise caused by the vibration of the rod-shaped foreign objects can be reduced, and the ejection of the rod-shaped foreign objects can be prevented.

[0007] Preferably, the rod-shaped foreign object moves because its leading edge contacts the blades. The blower has a rotating shaft that rotates the blades. A vibration damping component limits the range of movement of the rod-shaped foreign object in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft. With this structure, the vibration of the rod-shaped foreign object can be suppressed by the vibration damping component.

[0008] Preferably, the opening of each second opening is larger than the opening of the first opening. With this structure, the vibration of the rod-shaped foreign object can be suppressed through the second opening. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the air intake efficiency from decreasing due to the vibration suppression component.

[0009] The vibration damping component preferably comprises multiple intersecting ledges or a single ledge. This structure simplifies the construction of the vibration damping component.

[0010] The above and other objects, features, solutions, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, which is understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the cooling structure.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the specific structure of the vibration suppression component.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the specific structure of the wing.

[0015] Figure 5 This shows the state in which a portion of a rod-shaped foreign object has intruded into the interior of the cooling structure when the blower is not driven.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the vibration state of a rod-shaped foreign object when the blower is driven.

[0017] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the vibration suppression effect of the vibration suppression component.

[0018] Figure 8 This diagram shows the state where other types of vibration suppression components are installed in the flow path.

[0019] Figure 9 This diagram shows a state where a vibration suppression component of another form is installed in the flow path.

[0020] Figure 10 This diagram shows the state in which another type of vibration suppression component is installed in the flow path. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of those components will not be repeated. Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, when numbers, quantities, etc., are mentioned, the scope of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to those numbers, quantities, etc., unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the cooling structure of the embodiment. (Refer to...) Figure 1 A vehicle having the cooling structure described herein, and a general structure of the cooling structure are explained.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the cooling structure 10 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle equipped with an energy storage device 2. Specifically, the cooling structure 10 of this embodiment is mounted on a hybrid vehicle capable of driving using the driving force of at least one of a motor and an engine, or an electric vehicle capable of driving using the driving force of a motor obtained from electrical energy, etc.

[0024] The energy storage device 2 supplies power to the motor. On the other hand, power generated by the motor through regenerative braking or similar means is charged into the energy storage device 2. The energy storage device 2 is, for example, located below the rear seat 70. However, the location of the energy storage device 2 is not limited to below the rear seat 70; it can also be located on the rear side of the rear seat 70, and the energy storage device 2 can be suitably positioned.

[0025] The energy storage device 2 has an elongated shape extending along the width of the vehicle. The energy storage device 2 includes a housing 3 and an energy storage module 4. The energy storage module 4 is housed within the housing 3. The energy storage module 4 is constructed by connecting multiple energy storage units 5 in series. Furthermore, the number of energy storage units 5 is not particularly limited.

[0026] The energy storage unit 5 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The energy storage unit 5 may have a square shape. The secondary battery can be either a battery using a liquid electrolyte or a battery using a solid electrolyte. Furthermore, the energy storage unit 5 is not limited to a secondary battery and may also be configured as a capacitor capable of storing electricity.

[0027] The cooling structure 10 cools the energy storage device 2. The cooling structure 10 is configured to draw in air from the vehicle interior from the lower side of the rear seat 70 and the side of the rear seat 70 on the outer side of the vehicle. The cooling structure 10 includes an air inlet 90, a foreign object intrusion suppression component 50, channels 31 and 32, and a blower 60.

[0028] Foreign object intrusion suppression component 50 is provided at air inlet 90. Foreign object intrusion suppression component 50 prevents foreign objects from intruding from air inlet 90 into channel 31. Foreign object intrusion suppression component 50 is typically an air intake louver or air intake grille.

[0029] Channels 31 and 32 guide air from the vehicle interior to the energy storage module 4. Channels 31 and 32 are connected to the blower 60. Channel 31 guides air drawn from the vehicle interior through the air intake 90 to the blower 60. Channel 32 guides air blown out of the blower 60 to the energy storage device (specifically, the energy storage module 4).

[0030] By driving the blower 60, air from the vehicle interior is delivered into the housing 3. Specifically, the blower 60 has blades that, by rotating, draw in air from the vehicle interior through the air inlet 90 and blow air into the energy storage device 2.

[0031] Cooling structures 10 are respectively located on both ends of the vehicle in the left-right direction. A blower 60 is positioned below the rear seat 70 and in front of the energy storage module 4. An equipment housing 40 is disposed between the two blowers 60, housing electronic equipment for controlling the energy storage module.

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II. (See also...) Figure 2 As shown, the cooling structure 10 includes a channel 31, an air inlet 90, a foreign object intrusion suppression component 50, a vibration suppression component 80, a blower 60, and a flow path 100.

[0033] Air inlet 90 is provided for supplying air to the energy storage device 2. Flow path 100 connects air inlet 90 to blower 60. Air inlet 90 is positioned to face the vehicle interior. In this example, air inlet 90 is located on the vehicle door scuff 20.

[0034] The blower 60 includes a motor 61 and a vane 63. The motor 61 includes a shaft 611. The vane 63 has multiple blades 631. The vane 63 is connected to the shaft 611 and rotates along with the motor 61. Thus, the shaft 611 rotates, causing the blades 631 to rotate, via the rotation of the motor 61. In this example, a sirocco fan is used as the blower 60. The type of blower 60 is not limited to this; for example, it could be another type of fan, such as a turbine fan. Furthermore, in this example, the blower 60 and the channel 31 are mounted on the vehicle body 99.

[0035] The foreign object intrusion suppression component 50 is provided with multiple openings 51. The multiple openings 51 are arranged in a matrix (see reference). Figure 1 Driven by the blower 60, air from the vehicle compartment is drawn in through multiple openings 51. The foreign object intrusion suppression component 50 prevents foreign objects from entering the flow path 100 from the air inlet 90.

[0036] A vibration suppression component 80 is disposed in a flow path 100 connecting an air inlet 90 and a blower 60. The vibration suppression component 80 is positioned in the flow path 100 between the foreign object intrusion suppression component 50 and the blower 60. The vibration suppression component 80 has multiple openings 81. The vibration suppression component 80 is configured to suppress the vibration of foreign objects. The vibration suppression component 80 is positioned opposite the blower 60. The vibration suppression component 80 is configured such that the multiple openings 81 face the blower 60.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the specific structure of the vibration suppression component 80. (See diagram for example.) Figure 3 As shown, the vibration suppression component 80 includes a frame 82, a grid-like portion 83, and a plurality of openings 81. The grid-like portion 83 defines the plurality of openings 81 provided in the frame 82. The plurality of openings 81 are arranged in a matrix. The vibration suppression component 80 is configured such that the plurality of openings 81 are arranged in a matrix within the frame 82. The size of each opening 81 is larger than the opening of the opening 51 of the foreign object intrusion suppression component 50.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the specific structure of wing 63. (For example...) Figure 4 As shown, the wing 63 has a plurality of blades 631. The plurality of blades 631 are arranged at certain intervals along the rotation direction of the wing 63.

[0039] Figure 5 This illustrates the state where a portion of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 has intruded into the interior of the cooling structure 10 when the blower 60 is not driven. Figure 5 As shown, sometimes a rod-shaped foreign object 200, with a length extending from the air inlet 90 to the blower 60, may enter the flow path 100 through one of the plurality of openings 51. The rod-shaped foreign object 200 may enter the blower 60 through one of the plurality of openings 81.

[0040] exist Figure 5 In the example, the rod-shaped foreign object 200 is supported by the wall portion of the foreign object intrusion suppression member 50 that defines the lower side of the aforementioned opening 51, the wall portion of the vibration suppression member 80 that defines the lower side of the aforementioned opening 81, and the blade 631.

[0041] As a rod-shaped foreign object 200, an object having a skewer-like shape can be cited. For example, a metal or non-metal skewer used in grilling can be cited as a rod-shaped foreign object 200. As an example, the diameter and length of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 are 2.3 mm and 300 mm, respectively.

[0042] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the vibration state of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 when the blower 60 is driven. (See diagram below.) Figure 6 As shown, the end 220 (hereinafter also referred to as "front end 220") of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 that is in contact with the blade 631 is subjected to force due to the rotation of the blade 631. The force generated by the blower 60 acts on the front end 220. The front end 220 becomes the point of application. Therefore, the front end 220 moves due to contact with the blade 631.

[0043] As described above, the opening size of opening 81 is larger than the opening size of opening 51. Furthermore, when the blower 60 is stopped, the rod-shaped foreign object 200 is supported by openings 81 and 51. Therefore, when the blower 60 is activated, the rod-shaped foreign object 200 vibrates using the portion located in opening 51 (the supported portion 210 described later) as a fulcrum.

[0044] In this case, the trajectory of the front end 220 becomes the shape obtained by rotating about a predetermined axis of rotation. Figure 6 The illustration shows a case where the trajectory of the front end 220 is circular. For example, in one embodiment, the rod-shaped foreign object 200 is located at the opening 51, and vibrates in such a way that the supported portion 210 supported by the foreign object intrusion suppression member 50 becomes the apex of a cone, and the trajectory of the rod-shaped portion from the supported portion 210 to the front end 220 becomes a cone.

[0045] The vibration suppression component 80 suppresses vibrations of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 caused by the rotation of the blade 631. The vibration suppression component 80 restricts the movement range of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 in a direction intersecting the axial direction C of the rotation axis 611 of the motor 61. The vibration suppression component 80 restricts the movement range of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 by means of the opening 81.

[0046] When the rod-shaped foreign object 200 passes through the opening 81 and its front end 220 comes into contact with the blade 631, the movement range of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 is restricted at the opening 81. At the opening 81, at least the movement range of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle longitudinal direction is restricted by the wall portion of the opening 81 defined by the vibration suppression member 80.

[0047] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the vibration suppression effect of the vibration suppression component 80. (See figure below.) Figure 7As shown, the solid line represents the vibration state of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 when the vibration suppression member 80 is provided in the cooling structure 10. The dashed line represents the vibration state of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 when the vibration suppression member 80 is removed from the cooling structure 10 (when the vibration suppression member 80 is not provided in the cooling structure).

[0048] By providing a vibration suppression member 80 in the cooling structure 10, a portion of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 contacts the wall portion of the vibration suppression member 80 that defines the opening 81. Therefore, in the cooling structure 10, the movement (vibration) of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 is suppressed compared to the case without the vibration suppression member 80 (the case shown by the dotted line). The vibration suppression member 80 can reduce the value of the apex angle θ of the conical surface. Thus, the vibration of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be suppressed by the vibration suppression member 80, thereby reducing the magnitude of abnormal noise compared to a structure without the vibration suppression member 80.

[0049] Due to the centrifugal force component acting on the rod-shaped foreign object 200 due to the rotation of the blade 631, the rod-shaped foreign object 200 may fly out into the vehicle compartment. Especially when the length of the portion of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 that flies out into the vehicle compartment is longer than the length of the portion that penetrates into the cooling structure 10, the centrifugal force component of that flying-out portion becomes larger. By using the vibration suppression member 80, the diameter of the circle that forms the trajectory of the rear end 230 of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be reduced. For example, as shown, the diameter of the circle can be changed from D2 to D1 (< D2). Therefore, the centrifugal force component can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rod-shaped foreign object 200 from flying into the vehicle compartment due to the rotation of the blade 631.

[0050] Furthermore, by reducing the size of the opening 51 of the foreign object intrusion suppression member 50, the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be prevented from passing through the opening 51. On the other hand, the air intake per unit time achieved by the blower 60 will decrease, and therefore, the cooling effect will decrease. Thus, as described above, by providing the vibration suppression member 80, the decrease in cooling effect can be suppressed without reducing the size of the opening 51.

[0051] As described above, the cooling structure 10 for cooling the energy storage device 2 includes: an air inlet 90 for intake of air into the energy storage device 2; a blower 60 having blades 631 that draws in air from the air inlet 90 and blows air into the energy storage device 2 by rotating the blades 631; a flow path 100 connecting the air inlet 90 and the blower 60; a foreign object intrusion suppression member 50 disposed at the air inlet 90 and suppressing foreign objects from intruding from the air inlet 90 into the flow path 100; and a vibration suppression member 80 disposed in the flow path 100 between the foreign object intrusion suppression member 50 and the blower 60, configured to suppress vibrations of rod-shaped foreign objects caused by the rotation of the blades 631. The foreign object intrusion suppression member 50 has multiple openings 51 for drawing air into the flow path 100. The vibration suppression member 80 is configured to have multiple openings 81 when disposed in the flow path 100. Based on this structure, the magnitude of abnormal noise caused by the vibration of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be reduced, and the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be prevented from flying into the vehicle interior.

[0052] As described above, the vibration suppression component 80 suppresses the vibration of the rod-shaped foreign object 200, which has a length from the air inlet 90 to the blower 60, from which it enters the flow path 100 via one of the plurality of openings 51, based on the rotation of the blade 631.

[0053] As described above, the rod-shaped foreign object 200 moves due to contact between its front end 220 and the blade 631. The blower 60 has a rotating shaft 611 that rotates the blade 631. The vibration damping member 80 restricts the range of movement of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 in a direction intersecting the axial direction C of the rotating shaft 611. With this structure, vibration of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be suppressed.

[0054] As described above, the opening of each opening 81 is larger than the opening of opening 51. With this structure, vibration of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be suppressed through the openings 81. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in air intake efficiency due to the vibration suppression component 80.

[0055] The preferred foreign object intrusion suppression component 50 and the blower 60 prevent more than half of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 of the aforementioned length from intruding into the flow path 100. As a result, the centrifugal force component of the portion of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 that flies out into the vehicle compartment becomes smaller than the centrifugal force component of the portion that intrudes into the cooling structure 10. Consequently, the flying out of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be prevented.

[0056] <Variation Example>

[0057] (1) The shape of the vibration damping component 80 is not limited to... Figure 3 The shape shown. Figure 8This diagram shows the state in which the vibration suppression component 80A, which is a first modified example of the vibration suppression component 80, is installed in the flow path 100. Figure 9 This diagram shows the state in which the vibration suppression component 80B, which is a second variation of the vibration suppression component 80, is installed in the flow path 100. Figure 10 This diagram shows the state in which the vibration suppression component 80C, which is a third variation of the vibration suppression component 80, is installed in the flow path 100.

[0058] like Figure 8 As shown, the vibration suppression component 80A has a structure formed by combining multiple ribs in a lattice pattern. In the vibration suppression component 80A, the ends of each rib are fixed to the inner wall surface 31a of the channel 31. With the vibration suppression component 80A disposed on the inner wall surface 31a, the opening 81 is formed in a matrix shape.

[0059] like Figure 9 As shown, the vibration suppression component 80B has a structure formed by combining two ribs in a cross shape. The four ends of each rib of the vibration suppression component 80B are fixed to the inner wall surface 31a of the channel 31. In this case, also with the vibration suppression component 80B disposed on the inner wall surface 31a, the opening 81 is formed in a matrix shape.

[0060] like Figure 10 As shown, the vibration suppression component 80C is a rib. In the vibration suppression component 80C, both ends of the rib are fixed to the inner wall surface 31a of the channel 31. In this case, also with the vibration suppression component 80C provided on the inner wall surface 31a, the opening 81 is formed in a matrix shape.

[0061] The same effect as vibration suppression component 80 can be achieved by using vibration suppression components 80A, 80B, and 80C. In addition, the structure of vibration suppression components 80A, 80B, and 80C can be simplified compared to vibration suppression component 80.

[0062] (2) In the above description, the structure in which the channel 31 is connected to the blower 60 and the blower 60 is connected to the channel 32 is described as an example. It is not limited to this, and the cooling structure 10 may also be configured such that the blower 60 is built into a channel from the air inlet 90 to the energy storage device 2.

[0063] (3) In the above description, the case where the opening of the opening 81 is larger than the opening of the opening 51 was used as an example. However, it is not limited to this, and the opening of the opening 81 may also be smaller than the opening of the opening 51. In addition, the openings of the opening 81 and the openings of the opening 51 may also be the same size. Even with such a structure, the magnitude of the abnormal noise caused by the vibration of the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be reduced, and the rod-shaped foreign object 200 can be prevented from flying into the vehicle interior.

[0064] Furthermore, when the opening of opening 81 is smaller than the opening of opening 51, when the blower 60 is activated, the rod-shaped foreign object 200 will not be located in the portion of opening 51. Figure 7 Instead of using the supported portion 210 as the fulcrum, the portion located at the opening 81 is used as the fulcrum for vibration.

[0065] (4) In the above description, the structure for cooling an energy storage device mounted in a vehicle was described as an example, but it can also be used for cooling energy storage devices located outside the vehicle. In such cases, a gas other than air can be used to cool the energy storage device.

[0066] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but it should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A cooling structure for cooling an energy storage device, said cooling structure comprising: An air inlet for supplying air to the energy storage device; A blower having blades draws in gas from the air inlet by the rotation of the blades and blows the gas into the energy storage device; A flow path that connects the air inlet to the blower; A foreign object intrusion suppression component is disposed at the air inlet and suppresses foreign objects from entering the flow path from the air inlet; and A vibration suppression component is disposed in the flow path between the foreign object intrusion suppression component and the blower, and is configured to suppress the vibration of rod-shaped foreign objects caused by the rotation of the blades. The foreign object intrusion suppression component has a plurality of first openings for drawing the gas into the flow path, the plurality of first openings being arranged in a matrix. The vibration suppression component is configured to have a plurality of second openings when disposed in the flow path, and the plurality of second openings are arranged in a matrix.

2. The cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rod-shaped foreign object moves because its front end comes into contact with the blade. The blower has a rotating shaft that rotates the blades. The vibration damping component restricts the range of motion of the rod-shaped foreign object in a direction that intersects the axial direction of the rotation axis.

3. The cooling structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The opening of each of the second openings is larger than the opening of the first opening.

4. The cooling structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vibration suppression component includes multiple intersecting ribs or a single rib.

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