Water jacket and method for manufacturing a water jacket
By setting up a vortex generator and a main flow channel in the coolant flow channel and using a 3D printer to manufacture a water jacket, the problem of reduced turbulence effect in the coolant flow channel was solved, achieving efficient cooling and improved durability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
The existing water jacket reduces the turbulence effect in the coolant flow channel, resulting in insufficient cooling efficiency and failing to effectively improve the cooling efficiency of the heat-generating part.
Multiple main channel pipes are set in the coolant flow channel, equipped with vortex generating parts to generate vortices, and the vortex generating parts are formed by a layered molding manufacturing method, and the water jacket is integrally formed using a 3D printer.
It improves the heat transfer and flowability of the coolant, enhances the cooling efficiency of the heat-generating parts, reduces flow resistance, and improves the durability of the water jacket.
Smart Images
Figure CN116890120B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a water jacket and a method for manufacturing the water jacket. Background Technology
[0002] Previously, a water jacket was known, which was installed on the circumferential surface of the stator housing of an electric motor (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this water jacket, a turbulence generating component was provided at the coolant inlet leading to the coolant jacket. The turbulence generating component caused turbulence in the coolant flowing toward the coolant jacket, so that the coolant flowed into the coolant jacket approximately evenly, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.
[0003] [Previous Technical Documents]
[0004] (Patent Documents)
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-119019 Summary of the Invention
[0006] [The problem the invention aims to solve]
[0007] In the aforementioned conventional water jackets, the wide coolant jacket extends circumferentially around the stator housing, which serves as the heat-generating component. Therefore, even when turbulence-generating components are used to create turbulence in the coolant flowing into the jacket, the turbulence effect diminishes as the coolant flows through the circumferentially curved channels of the coolant jacket along the stator housing. Thus, from the viewpoint of efficiently cooling the entire coolant jacket, there is room for improvement.
[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a water jacket and a method for manufacturing the water jacket, wherein the water jacket can further improve the cooling efficiency of the heating element.
[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]
[0010] (1) The water jacket of the present invention (e.g., water jacket 1 described later) has a coolant flow channel (e.g., coolant flow channel 3 described later) inside a housing (e.g., housing 2 described later) disposed on the outer surface of the heating element (e.g., stator core 101 described later). The coolant flow channel has: a plurality of main channel pipes (e.g., main channel pipes 31 described later) disposed near the outer surface of the heating element, extending linearly and arranged along the outer surface of the heating element; an inflow-side manifold (e.g., inflow-side manifold 32 described later) connecting the upstream ends (e.g., upstream ends 31a described later) of the plurality of main channel pipes respectively, so that coolant flows into the plurality of main channel pipes; and an outflow-side manifold (e.g., outflow-side manifold 33 described later) connecting the downstream ends (e.g., downstream ends 31b described later) of the plurality of main channel pipes. The coolant is not connected to the aforementioned plurality of main channel pipes; and each of the aforementioned plurality of main channel pipes has a vortex generating section (e.g., vortex generating section 4 described later) inside near the aforementioned upstream end. The vortex generating section causes the flow of coolant to be deflected circumferentially towards the main channel pipe to generate vortices. The aforementioned vortex generating section has a plurality of protrusions (e.g., deflection plate 41 described later) arranged circumferentially (e.g., in the D4 direction described later) along the inner wall surface (e.g., the inner wall surface 31c described later) of the aforementioned main channel pipe and protruding toward the center of the radial direction (e.g., in the D5 direction described later) of the aforementioned main channel pipe. The front ends of the aforementioned plurality of protrusions (e.g., front end 41a described later) are spaced apart from each other. On the front end side of the aforementioned plurality of protrusions, there is a through flow channel (e.g., through flow channel 41e) that allows the aforementioned coolant to flow along the radial center of the aforementioned main channel pipe.
[0011] (2) In the water jacket described in (1) above, optionally, the aforementioned plurality of protruding portions are respectively formed to be narrowed forward from the aforementioned inner wall surface of the aforementioned main channel section toward the aforementioned front end.
[0012] (3) In the water jacket described in (1) or (2) above, optionally, the aforementioned vortex generating part has a gap flow channel part (e.g., gap flow channel part 41f described later) between the aforementioned protrusions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the aforementioned main channel pipe part. The gap flow channel part connects the upstream side and the downstream side of the aforementioned vortex generating part along the extension direction of the aforementioned main channel pipe part and is connected to the aforementioned through flow channel part.
[0013] (4) The method of manufacturing the water jacket of the present invention is to integrally form the water jacket described in any one of (1) to (3) above by using metal materials to perform layering and shaping.
[0014] (The effect of the invention)
[0015] According to (1) above, by utilizing multiple protrusions of the vortex-generating portion protruding from the inner wall of the main channel pipe toward the center, vortices can be generated within the main channel pipe. This improves the heat transfer properties of the coolant flow channel, thereby further enhancing the cooling efficiency of the heat-generating portion. Furthermore, by spacing the front ends of the multiple protrusions apart, a through-flow channel is formed at the radial center of the main channel pipe, allowing coolant to flow. This ensures smooth flow of coolant within the main channel pipe, thus reducing the concentration of stress, such as external forces acting on the casing itself, at the protrusions. Therefore, a high-quality water jacket with high durability can be provided.
[0016] According to (2) above, since the protrusion is formed to narrow forward toward the center of the main flow channel, the flow resistance of the coolant when passing through the vortex generation section can be reduced. Therefore, the coolant can flow more smoothly within the main flow channel.
[0017] According to (3) above, by having a gap flow channel that communicates with the through flow channel between adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction of the main flow channel section, the flow resistance of the coolant when passing through the vortex generation section can be reduced. Therefore, the coolant can flow more smoothly in the main flow channel section.
[0018] Based on (4) above, a water jacket that can further improve the cooling efficiency of the heat-generating part can be easily manufactured using a three-dimensional (3D) printer. The vortex generated by the vortex generator within the main channel section also improves the removal of metal material remaining in the coolant flow channel after molding. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view of an electric motor having a water jacket according to this embodiment.
[0020] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing only the cooling water flow channels inside the water jacket in this embodiment.
[0021] Figure 3 It is Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram showing a partial break in the vortex-generating section within the main channel pipe at part A.
[0022] Figure 4 This is a top view of the vortex-generating part inside the main channel pipe section, viewed from the upstream side. Detailed Implementation
[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 An electric motor 100 having the water jacket 1 of this embodiment is illustrated. Figure 1The arrow in the diagram indicates that the D1 direction is the axial direction of the motor 100, and the D2 direction represents the radial direction of the motor 100.
[0024] The electric motor 100 has a generally cylindrical stator core 101 extending axially and a rotor 102 rotatably supported in a shaft hole 101a of the stator core 101. The stator core 101 is formed of an iron-based metal material and has coils 103 housed in a plurality of slots 101b.
[0025] When the motor 100 is driven, the heat of the coil 103 is transferred to the stator core 101, causing the stator core 101 to heat up. In this embodiment, the stator core 101 is the heat-generating part and is the object of cooling by the water jacket 1. The water jacket 1 cools the coil 103 via the stator core 101.
[0026] The water jacket 1 is disposed radially outside the stator core 101 in the motor 100. The water jacket 1 has: a housing 2 disposed on the outer periphery of the stator core 101; and a tubular coolant channel 3 disposed inside the housing 2 for the flow of coolant used to cool the stator core 101.
[0027] The housing 2 is formed of a metallic material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper, and has a shape that surrounds the entire circumference of the stator core 101. The housing 2 is thermally connected to the outer peripheral surface 101c of the stator core 101. In this embodiment, the housing 2 is directly in contact with the outer peripheral surface 101c of the stator core 101. However, the housing 2 can also be connected to the outer peripheral surface 101c of the stator core 101 via a heat-conducting material, such as a heat-conducting medium containing metal microparticles.
[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, a coolant flow channel 3 for coolant circulation is formed inside the housing 2. The coolant flow channel 3 has multiple main flow channel sections 31, at least one inflow-side manifold section 32, and at least one outflow-side manifold section 33.
[0029] The main flow channel section 31 is disposed near the outer peripheral surface 101c of the stator core 101. In this embodiment, the plurality of main flow channel sections 31 extend linearly along the axial direction of the stator core 101. However, the plurality of main flow channel sections 31 may also be configured to extend circumferentially along the stator core 101. Inside the housing 2, a plurality of main flow channel sections 31 are arranged in parallel at fixed intervals along the D3 direction of the outer periphery of the stator core 101, surrounding the stator core 101. In this embodiment, the main flow channel sections 31 are configured to allow coolant to flow from... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The upper part faces downward and flows along the axial direction of the stator core 101.
[0030] The inflow-side manifold 32 is configured as an annular section along the outer periphery of the stator core 101. The inflow-side manifold 32 connects independently to the upstream ends 31a of all the main flow channels 31, each communicating with the interior of the main flow channel 31. For example... Figure 2 As shown, at least one inlet pipe 321 is connected to the inlet-side manifold 32 to allow coolant to flow into the coolant channel 3. The inlet-side manifold 32 allows the coolant flowing from the inlet pipe 321 to flow into all the main channel pipes 31 respectively.
[0031] Like the inflow-side manifold 32, the outflow-side manifold 33 is arranged in a ring shape along the outer periphery of the stator core 101. The outflow-side manifold 33 independently connects to the downstream ends 31b of all the main flow channels 31 in a manner that allows them to communicate separately with the interior of each main flow channel 31. Figure 2 As shown, at least one outflow pipe 331 is connected to the outflow-side manifold 33 to allow coolant to flow out of the coolant flow channel 3. The outflow-side manifold 33 allows coolant flowing in from all the main flow channels 31 to flow out through the outflow pipe 331 to the outside.
[0032] Inside each of the main flow channels 31, a vortex generating section 4 is provided to generate vortices in the coolant flowing in the main flow channels 31. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the eddy current generating unit 4 is disposed inside the upstream end 31a of the main flow channel section 31. By providing the eddy current generating unit 4 in each main flow channel section 31, eddies can be easily generated within each main flow channel section 31. Therefore, the heat transfer performance of the coolant flow channel 3 is improved. As a result, the temperature gradient within the main flow channel section 31 is significantly reduced, and the cooling efficiency of the stator core 101, which is a heat-generating component, is further improved.
[0033] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the vortex generating unit 4 of this embodiment has a circumferential direction that directs the flow of coolant toward the main flow channel 31. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Multiple blade-shaped deflecting plates 41 are deflected in the D4 direction to generate vortices. These deflecting plates 41 are positioned radially from the inner wall surface 31c of the main channel pipe section 31 toward the main channel pipe section 31. Figure 4 The protrusion is arranged in a way that protrudes from the center in the D5 direction. The vortex generating part 4 of this embodiment has four deflection plates 41, but the number of deflection plates 41 is not limited to four.
[0034] The deflector plates 41 are disposed on the inner wall surface 31c of the main channel pipe section 31 along the circumference of the main channel pipe section 31. Specifically, four deflector plates 41 are disposed at approximately 90° intervals along the circumference of the inner wall surface 31c and are integrally disposed on the inner wall surface 31c. The four deflector plates 41 protrude from the inner wall surface 31c toward the radial center of the main channel pipe section 31.
[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the deflector plate 41 is formed in a shape that narrows forward from the inner wall surface 31c of the base end 41b toward the front end 41a. More specifically, the deflector plate 41 is formed in a triangular or fan-shaped shape, with the base end 41b connected to the inner wall surface 31c being wider than the front end 41a located on the radially central side of the main channel pipe portion 31. The two side edges 41c, 41d of the deflector plate 41 gradually approach each other from the base end 41b toward the front end 41a and are integrated at the front end 41a. Because the base end 41b side of the deflector plate 41 connected to the inner wall surface 31c of the main channel pipe portion 31 is wider, the deflector plate 41 is stably and securely mounted to the main channel pipe portion 31.
[0036] The surfaces of the four deflector plates 41, from the base end 41b to the front end 41a, are respectively bent or inclined in the same circumferential direction of the main channel pipe section 31. Specifically, relative to one of the circumferential directions disposed in the main channel pipe section 31... Figure 4 The side edge 41c of the deflector plate 41 on the D41 direction side is disposed on the other side of the main channel pipe section 31 in the circumferential direction. Figure 4 The side edge 41d of the deflector plate 41 on the D42 direction side is disposed slightly downstream of the main channel pipe section 31. Thus, as Figure 3 As indicated by the arrows, the four deflector plates 41 deflect the flow of coolant inside the main flow channel section 31 in the same circumferential direction of the main flow channel section 31.
[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the front ends 41a of the four deflector plates 41 are spaced apart and do not contact each other. Therefore, the vortex generating section 4 has a through flow channel 41e on the front ends 41a side of the four deflector plates 41, which allows the coolant to flow radially along the center of the main flow channel section 31. The through flow channel 41e is inside the main flow channel section 31, and the upstream side and downstream side of the vortex generating section 4 are connected in a straight line.
[0038] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, when the vortex generating section 4 is viewed along the axial direction of the main channel pipe section 31, gap flow channels 41f are formed between adjacent deflector plates 41, 41 in the circumferential direction of the main channel pipe section 31. The gap flow channels 41f are located inside the main channel pipe section 31, causing the upstream and downstream sides of the vortex generating section 4 to extend along the extension direction of the main channel pipe section 31. Figure 2 and Figure 3In the D1 direction, Figure 4 The flow channels 41f are connected in a straight line (perpendicular to the paper surface). Each gap flow channel 41f is connected to the through flow channel 41e.
[0039] The coolant flowing from the inflow-side manifold 32 of the coolant flow channel 3 into the main flow channel 31 collides with the four deflector plates 41 of the vortex generating section 4. The coolant, after colliding with the deflector plates 41, is guided by the surface of the deflector plates 41, flowing in the same circumferential direction towards the main flow channel 31 (in this embodiment, ...). Figure 4 The vortex (in the D42 direction) swirls and passes through the vortex generating section 4. Since the vortex generating section 4 is located near the upstream end 31a of the main flow channel section 31, the coolant flowing into the main flow channel section 31 flows along the entire length of the main flow channel section 31 while maintaining the vortex state towards the outflow side manifold section 33.
[0040] Such a water jacket 1 can be manufactured by using the same metal material (powdered metal, metal wire, etc.) and employing a layer-by-layer molding method to create the shell 2 and the coolant flow channel 3 with a vortex generating part 4 inside the main flow channel section 31. According to this manufacturing method, the shell 2 and the coolant flow channel 3 with the vortex generating part 4 inside the main flow channel section 31 can be easily integrally formed using a 3D printer. As the metal material, aluminum-based, copper-based, or other metal materials with good thermal conductivity can be used.
[0041] Additive manufacturing using a 3D printer, for example when using powdered metal as the metal material, involves repeatedly performing the following steps to create a three-dimensional layered model of the water jacket 1 along the length direction (D1) of the main channel section 31: melting and solidifying the part to be modeled by irradiating the powdered metal spread on the substrate with a laser or electron beam as a heat source; and moving the substrate to spread new powdered metal.
[0042] The water jacket 1 of this embodiment, as described above, has the following functions and effects. Specifically, this embodiment is a water jacket 1 that has a coolant flow channel 3 inside the housing 2 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the stator core 101, which serves as a heat-generating unit. The coolant flow channel 3 has: a plurality of main flow channels 31 disposed near the outer peripheral surface of the stator core 101, extending linearly and arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the stator core 101; an inflow-side manifold 32 that connects the upstream ends 31a of the plurality of main flow channels 31 to allow coolant to flow in; and an outflow-side manifold 33 that connects the downstream ends 31b of the plurality of main flow channels 31 to allow coolant to flow out. Each of the plurality of main flow channels 31 has a vortex generating section 4 inside near its upstream end 31a, which generates vortices by deflecting the flow of coolant circumferentially towards the main flow channel 31. The vortex generating section 4 has a deflector plate 41 consisting of a plurality of protrusions arranged circumferentially along the inner wall surface 31c of the main flow channel section 31 and protruding toward the radial center of the main flow channel section 31. The front ends 41a of the plurality of deflector plates 41 are spaced apart from each other, and a through flow channel section 41e is provided on the front ends 41a side of the plurality of deflector plates 41, which allows coolant to flow along the radial center of the main flow channel section 31.
[0043] Accordingly, the coolant passing through the eddy current generating section 4 becomes a eddy current, and thus flows alternately in the main flow channel section 31, circulating between the side near the stator core 101 and the side away from the stator core 101. Therefore, the coolant can efficiently exchange heat with the stator core 101, which is the heat-generating component, along the entire length of the main flow channel section 31. Because the temperature gradient between the side near the stator core 101 and the side away from the stator core 101 is significantly reduced within the main flow channel section 31, the heat transfer capacity of the coolant flow channel 3 is improved, thereby further enhancing the cooling efficiency of the stator core 101, which is the heat-generating component.
[0044] Furthermore, since the vortex generating section 4 has a through-flow channel section 41e on the front end 41a side of the four deflector plates 41, the center of the vortex of the coolant passing through the vortex generating section 4 can flow smoothly from the upstream side to the downstream side in the through-flow channel section 41e. Because the flow resistance of the coolant passing through the vortex generating section 4 is reduced, stress is less likely to concentrate on the deflector plates 41 even when an external force is applied to the housing 2 itself, thus improving the durability of the deflector plates 41. Therefore, a water jacket 1 with high durability and high quality can be provided.
[0045] In this embodiment, the multiple deflector plates 41 are each formed to narrow forward from the inner wall surface 31c of the main flow channel 31 toward the front end 41a. Accordingly, the flow resistance of the coolant when passing through the vortex generating section 4 is further reduced. Therefore, the coolant can flow more smoothly within the main flow channel 31.
[0046] In this embodiment, the vortex generating section 4 has a gap flow channel section 41f between adjacent deflector plates 41, 41 in the circumferential direction of the main flow channel section 31. The gap flow channel section 41f connects the upstream and downstream sides of the vortex generating section 4 along the extending direction of the main flow channel section 31 and is also connected to the through flow channel section 41e. Accordingly, the flow resistance of the coolant when passing through the vortex generating section 4 is further reduced. Therefore, the coolant can flow more smoothly within the main flow channel section 31.
[0047] The water jacket 1 in this embodiment is manufactured by integrally forming a layered shape using metal materials. Accordingly, a 3D printer can be used to easily manufacture the water jacket 1, which can further improve the cooling efficiency of the stator core 101. The vortex generated by the vortex generating section 4 within the main flow channel 31 also improves the removability of metal materials remaining in the coolant flow channel 3 after forming.
[0048] In the above embodiment, only one set of water jacket 1 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the stator core 101, which serves as the heating element. However, for example, if the stator core 101 is more slender in the axial direction, the water jacket 1 may be provided in two or more sets overlapping along the axial direction of the stator core 101.
[0049] The water jacket 1 shown in the above embodiment is provided on the motor 100 whose heating element is the stator core 101, but the heating element is not limited to the motor 100. The water jacket 1 can be provided on various heating elements that require cooling with coolant.
[0050] Figure Labels
[0051] 1 water jacket
[0052] 2 shells
[0053] 3 Coolant flow channels
[0054] 31 Mainstream Road Pipeline Department
[0055] 31a upstream end
[0056] 31b downstream end
[0057] 31c inner wall surface
[0058] 32 Inflow side manifold section
[0059] 33 Outflow side collecting pipe section
[0060] 4. Eddy Generating Section
[0061] 41. Offset plate (protrusion)
[0062] 41a front end
[0063] 41e Through-flow section
[0064] 41f gap flow channel section
[0065] 101 Stator Core (Heating Section)
Claims
1. A water jacket, wherein a coolant flow channel is provided inside a housing disposed on the outer surface of a heating element. The aforementioned coolant flow channel has: Multiple main channel sections are disposed near the outer surface of the aforementioned heating element, extending in a straight line and arranged along the outer surface of the aforementioned heating element; The inflow-side manifold connects the upstream ends of the aforementioned plurality of main flow channels to allow coolant to flow into the aforementioned plurality of main flow channels; and, The outflow-side manifold connects to the downstream ends of the aforementioned multiple main flow channels, allowing coolant to flow out from these main flow channels; and... Each of the aforementioned main flow channels has a vortex generating section inside near its upstream end. The vortex generating section causes the flow of coolant to be deflected circumferentially towards the main flow channel, thereby generating vortices. The aforementioned vortex generating section has a plurality of protrusions arranged circumferentially along the inner wall surface of the aforementioned main channel pipe and protruding toward the radial center of the aforementioned main channel pipe, and the front ends of the aforementioned plurality of protrusions are spaced apart from each other and do not contact each other. On the front end side of the aforementioned plurality of protrusions, there is a through flow channel section that allows the aforementioned coolant to flow along the radial center of the aforementioned main channel pipe. The aforementioned through-flow channel is located inside the aforementioned main flow channel, allowing the upstream and downstream sides of the aforementioned vortex generating section to be connected in a straight line.
2. The water jacket according to claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned protruding parts are respectively formed in a shape that narrows forward from the aforementioned inner wall surface of the aforementioned main channel section toward the aforementioned front end.
3. The water jacket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The aforementioned vortex generating section has a gap flow channel between the aforementioned protrusions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the aforementioned main channel pipe section. The gap flow channel connects the upstream side and the downstream side of the aforementioned vortex generating section along the extension direction of the aforementioned main channel pipe section, and is also connected to the aforementioned through flow channel section.
4. A method for manufacturing a water jacket, wherein the water jacket of claim 1 or 2 is integrally formed by using metal materials to perform layering and shaping.
5. A method for manufacturing a water jacket, wherein the water jacket of claim 3 is integrally formed by using metal materials to perform layering and shaping.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Cooling structure of motor
JP2002119019A
Water jacket and water jacket manufacturing method
CN116073565A