Cooling module

Abstract

The invention provides a cooling module capable of effectively utilizing space. The cooling module is provided with: a pump for pressure-feeding a fluid F; and a manifold 1 provided with a pump attachment surface on the outer wall 1 g thereof, and having a fluid flow path L therein through which the fluid F pressure-fed by the pump flows. A discharge port 132 of the pump is provided inside the manifold 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling module. Background Art

[0002] A technology for avoiding the complication of cooling pipes through which cooling water for cooling motors, batteries, etc. provided in vehicles such as electric vehicles flows has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a thermal management module flow path structure in which a cooling water flow path is provided on an integrated water channel plate formed by combining a lower substrate and an upper substrate. Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Chinese Utility Model No. 216545710 Summary of the invention

[0004] In the thermal management module flow path structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the discharge port of the pump protrudes outward from the integrated water channel plate, the limited space of the vehicle in which the thermal management module flow path structure is arranged cannot be effectively utilized.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling module capable of effectively utilizing space.

[0006] In view of the above situation, the characteristic structure of the cooling module is that it has a pump for pressurizing fluid, and a manifold with a mounting surface for the pump on the outer wall and a fluid flow path through which the fluid pressurized by the pump flows, and a discharge port of the pump is provided inside the manifold.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned characteristic structure, the discharge port of the pump is formed inside the manifold. That is, the discharge port of the pump does not protrude outside the manifold, so the space can be effectively used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view showing the structure of a cooling module involved in an embodiment. Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the cooling module is shown. Figure 3 A diagram showing a pump and its surrounding structures according to an embodiment. Figure 4 For along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the cooling module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist.

[0010] [Cooling module] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , the cooling module 100 is described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooling module 100. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The cooling module 100 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling module 100 shown in FIG. The cooling module 100 is mounted on an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an "electric vehicle") that runs on electricity. It should be noted that the electric vehicle is, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), etc.

[0011] The cooling module 100 constitutes a part of a cooling system (not shown) that cools a vehicle drive device (e.g., inverter / motor) and a battery mounted on an electric vehicle for driving the vehicle. The cooling system includes a radiator, a chiller, Figure 1 The pump 2, valve 3 and other auxiliary equipment shown in the figure, and the fluid flow path L (see Figure 2 ). The auxiliary equipment is connected to the cooling target device (inverter / motor, battery, etc.) through a fluid flow path L. It should be noted that the fluid F is a cooling fluid such as a long-life coolant (LLC). However, the fluid F is not limited to a cooling fluid such as a long-life coolant (LLC), and may also be an insulating oil such as a paraffin-based refrigerant, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), or the like.

[0012] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the cooling module 100 includes a manifold 1, a pump 2 and a valve 3. In this embodiment, two pumps 2 and two valves 3 are provided, and the manifold 1, the two pumps 2 and the two valves 3 are integrated. It should be noted that the pump 2 is an electric water pump, and except for the different installation position on the manifold 1, the other structures are roughly the same. In addition, as Figure 2 As shown, the valve 3 is a rotary valve having an actuator 31 that generates power by being supplied with electric power, and a valve body 32 that rotates by receiving power from the actuator 31 .

[0013] [Manifold] The manifold 1 is box-shaped, such as Figure 2 to Figure 4As shown in FIG. 1 , the manifold 1 includes a fluid flow path L therein. The manifold 1 includes a first housing 1A and a second housing 1B made of resin. The manifold 1 is formed by joining the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B together by welding or the like. The fluid flow path L is formed by a groove, a hole, etc. formed in at least one of the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B.

[0014] [Pump] The pump 2 pressurizes the fluid F so that the fluid F flows in the fluid flow path L. It should be noted that the upstream side of the pump 2 in the fluid flow path L is hereinafter referred to as the "first flow path L1" (see Figure 3 ), the downstream side of the pump 2 is referred to as the "second flow path L2" (refer to Figure 4 ).

[0015] like Figure 3 As shown, the pump 2 includes a motor 21 that generates power when supplied with electric power, and an impeller 22 that rotates with the power from the motor 21 .

[0016] The motor 21 includes a stator 211 that generates magnetic flux when supplied with electric power, a rotor 212 that rotates around a rotation axis AX due to the magnetic flux generated by the stator 211, and a motor cover 213 that accommodates the stator 211 and the rotor 212. It should be noted that, hereinafter, the direction along the rotation axis AX is referred to as the "X direction". In addition, the direction from the motor 21 toward the impeller 22 in the X direction is referred to as the "X1 direction", and the opposite direction is referred to as the "X2 direction".

[0017] The motor 21 (stator 211, rotor 212 and motor cover 213) is mounted on a mounting surface 1e (see FIG. 1 ) of an outer wall 1g in the X1 direction of the manifold 1 by means of fastening members such as bolts. Figure 3 ). It should be noted that the mounting surface 1e is a plane perpendicular to the X direction and is a part of the outer wall 1g of the manifold 1. That is, in the pump 2, only the motor 21 is provided outside the manifold 1.

[0018] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the manifold 1 also has a part of the function of the pump 2. It should be noted that, as described above, in this embodiment, although two pumps 2 are installed on the manifold 1, the structure of the portion of the manifold 1 where the two pumps 2 are installed is roughly the same. Therefore, the structure of one side (the end portion in the X2 direction) of the manifold 1 will be described below.

[0019] like Figure 4As shown, the manifold 1 includes a suction port 11 (suction port of the pump 2) as a connection port to the first flow path L1, a vortex chamber 12 communicated with the suction port 11, and a discharge portion 13 communicated with the vortex chamber 12. The suction port 11, the vortex chamber 12, and the discharge portion 13 are arranged (formed) closer to the X1 direction (inside the manifold 1) than the mounting surface 1e.

[0020] When viewed from the X direction, the suction port 11 is circular, and the axis of the suction port 11 is parallel to the X direction. Figure 3 As shown, the suction port 11 and the portion of the first housing 1A that accommodates the valve 3 (valve body 32) (hereinafter referred to as the "valve housing 1C") are opposite in the X direction. As a result, the pressure loss of the fluid F can be reduced. In addition, the structure of the fluid flow path L (first flow path L1) between the valve 3 and the suction port 11 can be prevented from becoming complicated.

[0021] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed along the X direction, the vortex chamber 12 is a circle centered on the suction port 11, and the diameter increases as it moves toward the X2 direction. Figure 3 As shown, the impeller 22 is rotatably arranged in the vortex chamber 12. In the present embodiment, when viewed along the X1 direction, the impeller 22 rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the fluid F is sucked into the vortex chamber 12 from the first flow path L1 via the suction port 11. The fluid F flowing into the vortex chamber 12 swirls with the rotation of the impeller 22 (swirls counterclockwise when viewed along the X1 direction) and then flows to the discharge portion 13.

[0022] like Figure 4 As shown, the discharge portion 13 is provided on the downstream side of the flow direction of the fluid F in the vortex chamber 12 (the rotation direction of the impeller 2). The discharge portion 13 includes a discharge channel 131 through which the fluid F flowing in from the vortex chamber 12 flows, and a discharge port 132 (discharge port of the pump 2) provided at the end of the discharge channel 131. The axis of the discharge port 132 is orthogonal to the axis of the suction port 11. Hereinafter, the direction along the axis of the discharge port 132 is referred to as the "Z direction", and the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Z direction is referred to as the "Y direction".

[0023] The discharge channel 131 extends along the Z direction, and the diameter increases as it goes toward the discharge port 132 (at least the length in the Y direction increases as it goes toward the Z1 direction). That is, the discharge channel 131 is formed into a structure in which the flow path cross-sectional area (the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel 131 when cut along a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the mainstream of the fluid F) increases as it goes toward the discharge port 132. In detail, the first outer edge 131a constituting the discharge channel 131 extends along the Z direction, and the second outer edge 131b of the discharge portion 13 extends along the tangent direction of the outer periphery of the circular vortex chamber 12. It should be noted that the first outer edge 131a is the outer edge of the discharge channel 131 on the side close to the vortex chamber 12 when viewed along the X direction, and the second outer edge 131b is the outer edge of the discharge channel 131 on the side away from the vortex chamber 12 when viewed along the X direction.

[0024] The fluid F flowing into the discharge portion 13 from the vortex chamber 12 flows through the discharge passage 131 and is discharged from the discharge port 132. Hereinafter, the direction along the direction in which the fluid F (main stream of the fluid F) is discharged from the discharge port 132 in the Z direction is referred to as the "Z1 direction", and the opposite direction is referred to as the "Z2 direction".

[0025] [Flow path connection room] The manifold 1 further includes a flow path connection chamber 14 into which the fluid F discharged from the discharge port 132 flows.

[0026] The flow path connection chamber 14 communicates with the discharge passage 131 (discharge port 132 ) and also communicates with the second flow path L2 . That is, the flow path connection chamber 14 is provided between the discharge port 132 and the second flow path L2 (fluid flow path L).

[0027] In the present embodiment, the flow path connection chamber 14 is in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and when viewed along the X direction, is in a substantially rectangular shape with the Y direction as the longitudinal direction.

[0028] The flow path connection chamber 14 includes an inlet 141 communicating with the discharge channel 131 (discharge port 132) and an outlet 142 communicating with the fluid flow path L (second flow path L2). The fluid F flowing into the flow path connection chamber 14 through the discharge port 132 and the inlet 141 flows into the second flow path L2 through the outlet 142.

[0029] The inlet 141 and the outlet 142 are separated in the Y direction (in the present embodiment, they are respectively provided at the farthest positions in the Y direction of the flow path connection chamber 14). It should be noted that the direction from the inlet 141 toward the outlet 142 in the Y direction is referred to as the "Y1 direction", and the opposite direction is referred to as the "Y2 direction".

[0030] The axis of the inlet 141 is parallel to the Z direction, and the axis of the outlet 142 and the second flow path L2 is parallel to the X direction. That is, the axis of the outlet 142 is perpendicular to the axis of the inlet 141 (discharge port 132) and parallel to the axis of the inlet 11.

[0031] The flow path connection chamber 14 is provided as a buffer (spare space) for allowing the fluid F discharged from the pump 2 to flow smoothly to the second flow path L2, and has a sufficient volume so as not to affect the pressure loss of the fluid F. In the present embodiment, the flow path connection chamber 14 is formed into a structure in which the space (flow path cross-sectional area) through which the fluid F can flow is larger than that of the second flow path L2.

[0032] In addition, in the present embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path connection chamber 14 (hereinafter referred to as "the first flow path cross-sectional area S1") is formed to be larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the suction port 11 (hereinafter referred to as "the second flow path cross-sectional area S2"). The first flow path cross-sectional area S1 is the area of ​​the cross section when the flow path connection chamber 14 is cut along the Z direction, and the second flow path cross-sectional area S2 is the area of ​​the suction port 11 when viewed along the X direction.

[0033] As described above, according to the above structure, the discharge portion 13 (discharge port 132) is provided inside the manifold 1. That is, the discharge portion 13 does not protrude to the outside of the manifold 1. In other words, the projected area of ​​the cooling module 100 along the Z direction is reduced. Therefore, the cooling module 100 can be miniaturized. As a result, the design freedom of the surrounding space of the cooling module 100 can be increased, and the space of the vehicle in which the cooling module 100 is configured can be effectively utilized (improving space efficiency).

[0034] For example, in a structure where the discharge interface of the pump protrudes to the outside of the manifold 1, it is necessary to fasten the hose through which the fluid flows to the discharge interface protruding to the outside. However, according to the present embodiment, the discharge portion 13 (discharge port 132) is provided inside the manifold 1, and the discharge port 132 is connected to the second flow path L2 through the flow path connection chamber 14. Therefore, it is not necessary to fasten the hose to the discharge portion 13. As a result, the efficiency (mounting operability) of mounting the cooling module 100 on the vehicle is improved.

[0035] [Overview of the above embodiment] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the following structure is reviewed.

[0036] (1) The cooling module 100 includes a pump 2 for pressurizing a fluid F, and a manifold 1 having an outer wall 1g provided with a mounting surface 1e for the pump 2 and including a fluid flow path L inside thereof through which the fluid F pressurized by the pump 2 flows. The manifold 1 is provided with a discharge port 132 of the pump 2 inside.

[0037] According to this structure, the discharge port 132 of the pump 2 is provided inside the manifold 1. That is, the discharge port 132 of the pump 2 does not protrude outside the manifold 1, so the manifold 1 can be miniaturized. In addition, at the same time, the appearance of the manifold 1 can be prevented from becoming complicated. As a result, the space for arranging the manifold 1 can be effectively utilized.

[0038] (2) In the cooling module 100 of (1), the manifold 1 preferably includes a flow path connection chamber 14 between the discharge port 132 and the fluid flow path L.

[0039] According to this configuration, the fluid F discharged from the pump 2 can be smoothly circulated.

[0040] (3) In the cooling module 100 of (2), the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path connection chamber 14 cut along the axis of the discharge port 132 is preferably larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the suction port 11 for sucking the fluid F into the pump 2 .

[0041] According to this structure, the pressure loss of the fluid F can be reduced.

[0042] (4) In the cooling module 100 of (3), it is preferable that a suction port 11 is further provided inside the manifold 1 .

[0043] According to this structure, since the suction port 11 does not protrude outside the manifold 1, the manifold 1 can be made smaller. At the same time, the appearance of the manifold 1 can be prevented from becoming complicated. As a result, the space for arranging the manifold 1 can be effectively used.

[0044] [Other embodiments] Next, other embodiments of the cooling module will be described.

[0045] (1) In the cooling module 100, the number of pumps 2 integrated with the manifold 1 is not particularly limited. In addition, the number of valves 3 integrated with the manifold 1 is not particularly limited. The structure of the manifold 1 can be appropriately changed according to the number of pumps 2 and valves 3 integrated.

[0046] (2) In the above embodiment, the case where the impeller 22 rotates counterclockwise when viewed in the X1 direction is described, but the impeller 22 may rotate in the opposite direction (clockwise when viewed in the X1 direction). In this case, the discharging portion 13 and the flow path connecting chamber 14 may be provided at different positions according to the rotation direction of the impeller 22.

[0047] (3) In the above embodiment, the flow path connecting chamber 14 is provided between the discharge port 132 and the second flow path L2 , but the flow path connecting chamber 14 may be omitted.

[0048] (4) In the above embodiment, the first flow path cross-sectional area S1 is larger than the second flow path cross-sectional area S2, but the first flow path cross-sectional area S1 may be equal to the second flow path cross-sectional area S2. In addition, the first flow path cross-sectional area S1 may be smaller than the second flow path cross-sectional area S2.

[0049] (5) In the above embodiment, although the discharge channel 131 is formed so that the flow path cross-sectional area increases toward the discharge port 132, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel 131 may be kept constant.

[0050] (6) It should be noted that, as long as no contradiction occurs, the structure disclosed in each of the above embodiments can be used in combination with the structure disclosed in other embodiments. With regard to other structures, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all aspects. Therefore, various changes can be appropriately made within the scope of not departing from the gist of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0051] The technology involved in the present invention can be applied to a cooling module. Explanation of symbols

[0052] 1: manifold, 1e: mounting surface, 1g: outer wall, 2: pump, 11: suction port, 14: flow path connection chamber, 100: cooling module, 132: discharge port, F: fluid, L: fluid flow path, S1: first flow path cross-sectional area (cross-sectional area obtained by cutting the flow path connection chamber), S2: second flow path cross-sectional area (flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the suction port).

Claims

1. A cooling module, comprising: a pump that pumps a fluid; and A manifold, wherein the manifold has a mounting surface for the pump on its outer wall and includes a fluid flow path inside through which the fluid pumped by the pump flows, The discharge port of the pump is disposed inside the manifold.

2. The cooling module according to claim 1, wherein: The manifold has a flow path connection chamber between the discharge port and the fluid flow path.

3. The cooling module according to claim 2, wherein: A cross-sectional area obtained when the flow path connection chamber is cut along the axis of the discharge port is larger than a flow path cross-sectional area of ​​a suction port for sucking the fluid into the pump.

4. The cooling module according to claim 3, wherein: The suction port is further provided inside the manifold.

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