Cooling module

Abstract

The present application provides a small cooling module capable of adjusting the pressure of the suction ports of multiple pumps. The cooling module (1) is provided with ports (28B) containing discharge ports (28C) communicating with the suction ports of the pumps on the inner wall portion (28A) of the valve core housing portion (28) of the housing (23), the seal body (30) has multiple through holes (31) opposite each of the multiple ports (28B), the multiple through holes (31) contain multiple opposite through holes (32) opposite each of the multiple discharge ports (28C), a communication path (60) is provided to communicate the multiple opposite through holes (32) with each other, and a part of the communication path (60) is composed of the outer peripheral surface (30A) of the seal body (30) and the inner wall portion (28A) of the valve core housing portion (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to cooling modules. Background Technology

[0002] For example, electric vehicles that use electric power, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), are equipped with a motor that serves as the driving force and a battery that drives the motor. If such a motor and battery generate heat, it is difficult to maintain the desired function. Therefore, technologies for cooling the motor and battery have been studied (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a thermal management system for automobiles. This automotive thermal management system comprises a refrigerant circulation system, a motor liquid cooling circulation system, an air conditioning liquid cooling circulation system, and a battery liquid cooling circulation system. The motor liquid cooling circulation system is equipped with a multi-functional valve including a water pump; the air conditioning liquid cooling circulation system is equipped with an integrated valve pump including a water pump; and the battery liquid cooling circulation system is equipped with a combined water tank pump including a water pump.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-545035

[0005] As described in Patent Document 1, in the case of an automotive thermal management system with multiple pumps installed in the cooling circuit, it is desirable to perform pressure regulation to stabilize the pump flow rate. One method for performing this pressure regulation is to install a storage tank at the suction inlet of each of the multiple pumps. However, installing a storage tank at the suction inlet of each of the multiple pumps incurs the cost of the storage tank, and also requires space. Furthermore, the coolant capacity increases, making thermal management more complex.

[0006] To address this, one consideration is to share multiple storage tanks, but this would require a connection path that links the suction inlets of each of the multiple pumps to the storage tanks. However, the automotive thermal management system described in Patent Document 1 does not envision such a space-saving connection path. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, a small cooling module capable of adjusting the pressure at the inlet of multiple pumps is required.

[0008] The cooling module of the present invention is characterized by the following features: a valve core that rotates according to input to an input shaft; a manifold having a valve core housing portion for housing the valve core and a housing having a fluid flow path for fluid flow; a sealing body disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the valve core and the inner wall portion of the valve core housing portion, for sliding of the valve core during rotation of the valve core; a plurality of pumps for pumping the fluid flowing in the fluid flow path; and a smaller number of storage tanks than the number of pumps for absorbing the thermal expansion of the fluid in the fluid flow path. The inner wall portion of the valve core housing portion is provided with a plurality of ports including a plurality of discharge ports communicating with the respective inlets of the plurality of pumps. The sealing body has a plurality of through holes opposite each of the plurality of ports, the plurality of through holes including a plurality of opposing through holes opposite each of the plurality of discharge ports, and a connecting passage for communicating the plurality of opposing through holes with each other, a portion of which is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the sealing body and the inner wall portion of the valve core housing portion.

[0009] With this structural feature, a portion of the connecting passage that links multiple opposing through holes is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the sealing body and the inner wall of the valve core receiving portion. Therefore, in this portion, for example, it is not necessary to use other components to create the path for the connecting passage, or to process the housing to create such a path. Thus, even when a connecting passage is formed, a compact cooling module can be achieved. Furthermore, the number of components does not increase, thereby suppressing increases in manufacturing costs such as management and assembly costs. Moreover, by connecting the opposing through holes through the connecting passage to the respective suction ports of multiple pumps, the pressure adjustment of these suction ports can be easily performed. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is an exploded 3D view of the cooling module.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve core and the sealing body.

[0012] Figure 3 It is an exploded 3D view of the valve core and the sealing body.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve core and the sealing body.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the flow state of a fluid.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the flow state of a fluid.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the valve core being housed in the valve core receiving section, viewed from below.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a magnified view of the opposing through holes.

[0018] Figure 9 It is a three-dimensional view of the sealed body.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the connecting paths in other implementation methods.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the connecting paths in other implementation methods.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the connecting paths in other implementation methods.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0023] 1…Cooling module; 10…Valve core; 12…Input shaft; 16…Outer peripheral surface; 20…Manifold; 23…Housing; 28…Valve core receiving part; 28A…Inner wall part; 28B…Port; 28C…Discharge port; 30…Seal body; 30A…Outer peripheral surface; 31…Through hole; 32…Opposite through hole; 33…Cutting groove; 36…Rib; 38…Groove; 40…Pump; 50…Storage tank; 60…Connecting passage; L…Fluid flow path. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The cooling module of the present invention is configured to adjust the pressure at the suction inlets of multiple pumps. Hereinafter, the cooling module 1 of this embodiment will be described. However, the cooling module 1 is not limited to the following embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit.

[0025] Cooling module 1 is installed in an electric vehicle that uses electric power. This cooling module 1 controls the flow of fluid between the battery, inverter, motor, and other cooling components installed in the electric vehicle, and heat dissipation units such as radiators and coolers. Here, the fluid refers to cooling water such as long-life coolant (LLC), insulating oil such as paraffin-based oil, or refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs).

[0026] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of cooling module 1. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve core 10 and the sealing body 30. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the valve core 10 and the sealing body 30. (See attached image.) Figure 1 As shown, the cooling module 1 includes a valve core 10, a manifold 20, a seal 30, a pump 40, and a storage tank 50. Furthermore, in Figure 1 In this configuration, the storage tank 50 is built into the manifold 20, but it can also be externally mounted relative to the manifold 20 (or it can be set up separately).

[0027] exist Figure 1 In this diagram, the upper side along the Z direction (which is vertical) is designated Z1, and the lower side along the Z direction is designated Z2. The side along the X direction (orthogonal to the Z direction) is designated X1, and the other side along the X direction is designated X2. The side along the Y direction (orthogonal to both the X and Z directions) is designated Y1, and the other side along the Y direction is designated Y2. Hereinafter, these may also be referred to as "X1 side," "X2 side," "Y1 side," "Y2 side," "Z1 side," and "Z2 side," respectively.

[0028] The valve core 10 has a valve body 11 and an input shaft 12, and rotates according to the input input to the input shaft 12. The valve body 11 is cylindrical and has multiple flow path openings 13 extending through its interior. The multiple flow path openings 13 form flow paths internally in a manner that allows fluid to flow between each other in a predetermined manner. The input shaft 12 is driven by a driving force (rotational force) input from the valve drive unit 19. As a result, the valve body 11 rotates according to the rotational force input to the input shaft 12.

[0029] The flow path opening 13 is formed in such a way that it connects with a plurality of ports 28B formed in the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28, which will be described later, whenever the valve body portion 11 rotates. This divides the circumferential area.

[0030] In this embodiment, the flow path openings 13 are arranged in two segments along the direction of the axis O (Z direction), namely the Z1 side and the Z2 side. In this case, the flow of fluid can be independently controlled in each of the flow path openings 13 on the Z1 side and the Z2 side.

[0031] Therefore, the valve core 10 can control the flow of fluid in the manifold 20 according to its rotation posture.

[0032] The manifold 20 has a housing 23 comprising a first housing 21 on the Z1 side and a second housing 22 on the Z2 side. The housing 23 is formed by integrally bonding the first housing 21 and the second housing 22, which are made of resin, for example, through heat fusion.

[0033] The first housing 21 has an upper wall 14 and a side wall 15, and is provided with a flow passage chamber LS (see reference). Figure 2 The flow path chamber LS constitutes a fluid flow path L for fluid circulation. Therefore, a fluid flow path L for fluid circulation is formed inside the housing 23. The flow path chamber LS is connected to any one of the cylindrical port 26, valve core 10, and pump 40, which will be described later.

[0034] The first housing 21 is approximately rectangular when viewed in the Z direction, and is provided with a plurality of cylindrical ports 26 that protrude outward when viewed in the Z direction. Furthermore, the pump 40 is connected to the flange portion 27 on the X1 side and the flange portion 27 on the X2 side of the first housing 21, respectively.

[0035] A valve core receiving portion 28 is formed in the housing 23. For example... Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the valve core receiving portion 28 is cylindrical and formed in the housing 23 around the axis O, housing the valve core 10. Multiple ports 28B communicating from the inner wall portion 28A to the flow path chamber LS are provided in the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28. The valve core receiving portion 28 opens from the upper wall 14 of the housing 23 towards the Z1 side, and this opening is closed by the valve actuation portion 19 fixed to the upper wall 14.

[0036] The flow path cross-section of the multiple ports 28B is rectangular, and they are arranged in multiple regions (eight regions in this embodiment) that are equally divided into the circumferential region (the circumferential direction when viewed along the axis O) of the valve core receiving portion 28. In addition, the ports 28B are arranged in two segments along the Z direction along the axis O.

[0037] Port 28B does not need to be formed in all of the multiple regions (eight regions) along the circumference, but can be formed in a portion of, for example, eight regions that are equally divided into eight parts along the circumference. Similarly, the multiple regions along the circumference are not limited to eight regions, but can be any number of regions.

[0038] Port 28B includes three discharge ports 28C that communicate with the respective suction ports of the three pumps 40. The discharge ports 28C communicate with connection ports 41, which are respectively connected to the three pumps 40, within the housing 23.

[0039] Pump 40 pressurizes the fluid flowing in the fluid path L. This embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, there are three pumps 40.

[0040] The storage tank 50 is open to the atmosphere, absorbing the thermal expansion of the fluid in the fluid flow path L. The storage tank 50 is connected to the cylindrical port 26 provided in the manifold 20. The cooling module 1 has fewer storage tanks 50 than the number of pumps 40. In this embodiment, the cooling module 1 has three pumps 40. Therefore, the cooling module 1 has one storage tank 50. The cylindrical port 26 connected to the storage tank 50 is connected to the connection port 41. The storage tank 50 may also be configured to open the fluid flow path L (flow path chamber LS) provided in the manifold 20 to the atmosphere.

[0041] The sealing body 30 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface 16 of the valve core 10 and the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28. The sealing body 30 allows the valve core 10 to slide when it rotates, thereby allowing the valve core 10 to rotate smoothly and suppressing fluid leakage.

[0042] like Figure 3As shown, the sealing body 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the axis O as the center, and has a plurality of through holes 31 in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of through holes 31 is arranged in a state opposite to each of the plurality of ports 28B. As described above, the sealing body 30 allows the valve core 10 to slide when the valve core 10 rotates, but the sealing body 30 will not rotate from a predetermined position regardless of the rotation of the valve core 10. In this embodiment, the plurality of through holes 31 that are opposite to the plurality of discharge ports 28C are referred to as opposing through holes 32.

[0043] In this embodiment, in the sealing body 30, a plurality of through holes 31 are arranged in two segments along the axis O (along the Z direction). Additionally, a cutting groove 33 is provided in the sealing body 30 along the axis O (along the Z direction). The cutting groove 33 is configured to communicate with the fluid flow path L formed in the housing 23, functioning as an opposing through hole 32. The cutting groove 33 has a pair of ends 34 in the circumferential direction, and a pair of protrusions 35 protruding radially outward from the pair of ends 34. The pair of protrusions 35 are configured to insert into the recess 29 formed in the valve core receiving portion 28 and protrude into the fluid flow path L.

[0044] The internal dimensions of each through hole 31 in the sealing body 30 are based on the external dimensions of the port 28B. Specifically, the internal dimensions of the through holes 31 and the external dimensions of the port 28B are configured to be approximately equal to each other. Furthermore, in the sealing body 30, ribs 36 protruding towards the valve core 10 are provided around the periphery of the plurality of through holes 31. Thus, each of the plurality of through holes 31 is surrounded by ribs 36. Preferably, the protruding ends of the ribs 36 are tapered. Alternatively, the ribs 36 may be configured with branched protruding ends, or they may be configured to surround the periphery of the through holes 31 in two or even three layers. Regardless of the configuration, the ribs 36 are provided with their protruding ends abutting against the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28.

[0045] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the valve core 10 and the sealing body 30 is shown. Figure 4 As shown, the sealing body 30 is configured to abut against the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28, communicating with the port 28B via the through hole 31. That is, the sealing body 30 is disposed between the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28 and the outer peripheral surface 16 of the valve core 10. The sealing body 30 is compressed because it is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 16 of the valve body portion 11 and the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28. Through this compression, the outer surface of the sealing body 30 is in close contact with the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28, and the inner surface of the sealing body 30 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 16 of the valve core 10.

[0046] As a result, the rib 36 of the sealing body 30 comes into contact with the outer edge of the port 28B in the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28 and undergoes elastic deformation. The reaction force accompanying this elastic deformation acts radially on the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28. The sealing body 30 presses against the outer peripheral surface 16 of the valve core 10 by the reaction force accompanying the elastic deformation of the rib 36.

[0047] The housing 23 has a concave sealing receiving portion A on the surface opposite to the protrusion 35, which is capable of receiving at least a portion of the protrusion 35 of the sealing body 30. By receiving the protrusion 35 of the sealing body 30 in the sealing receiving portion A of the housing 23, the relative movement of the sealing body 30 with respect to the housing 23 can be suppressed, and the flow path formed by the cutting groove 33 can be ensured to be wider.

[0048] Next, refer to Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The control of the fluid based on cooling module 1 will be explained. For example... Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the valve core 10 has four internal flow paths 17. Two of the four internal flow paths 17, 17A and 17B, are located on the upper side (Z1 side) of the valve core 10 along the axis O, while the remaining two internal flow paths 17C and 17D are located on the lower side (Z2 side) of the valve core 10 along the axis O. Therefore, the internal flow paths 17 become two connected flow paths among the plurality of flow path openings 13 provided on the outer peripheral surface 16 of the valve core 10. In this embodiment, the internal flow paths 17 are formed by bending midway.

[0049] In this embodiment, eight ports 28B are provided on the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28 on the Z1 side and eight ports 28B are provided on the Z2 side. Two ports 28B adjacent to each other along the Z direction from the eight ports 28B on the Z1 side and the eight ports 28B on the Z2 side are connected to each other within the housing 23 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0050] For ease of understanding, the following discussion treats two adjacent ports 28B along the Z-direction as a single port pair, naming the eight port pairs as port pair 28B1, port pair 28B2, port pair 28B3, port pair 28B4, port pair 28B5, port pair 28B6, port pair 28B7, and port pair 28B8. Port pair 28B1 is connected to the opening of the cutting groove 33. Therefore, port pair 28B1 can also be composed of a single port 28B. Port pairs 28B2, 28B3, 28B4, 28B5, 28B6, 28B7, and 28B8 are formed sequentially clockwise from port pair 28B1.

[0051] exist Figure 5 In the shown state, the internal flow path 17A of the valve core 10 located on the Z1 side is connected to port pairs 28B4 and 28B6, and the internal flow path 17B is connected to port pairs 28B1 and 28B3 via the cutting groove 33. On the other hand, the internal flow path 17C of the valve core 10 located on the Z2 side is connected to port pairs 28B5 and 28B7, and the internal flow path 17D is connected to port pairs 28B2 and 28B8.

[0052] Figure 6 The state shown is from Figure 5 The state shown represents the valve core 10 rotated 45 degrees clockwise. In this state, the internal flow path 17A on the Z1 side of the valve core 10 is connected to port pairs 28B5 and 28B7, and the internal flow path 17B is connected to port pairs 28B2 and 28B4. On the other hand, the internal flow path 17C on the Z2 side of the valve core 10 is connected to port pairs 28B6 and 28B8, and the internal flow path 17D is connected to port pairs 28B1 and 28B3 via the cutting groove 33.

[0053] Figure 7 - Figure 9 The connecting path 60 in this embodiment is shown. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the state in which the valve core 10 is housed in the valve core housing section 28, viewed from the Z2 side. Figure 8 This is a magnified view of the opposing through hole 32. Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional view of the sealing body 30.

[0054] In this embodiment, a connecting passage 60 is provided that communicates with opposing through holes 32, which are connected to the discharge ports 28C of each pump 40. In this embodiment, three pumps 40 are provided in the cooling module 1. Therefore, three discharge ports 28C are provided in the manifold 20, and thus three opposing through holes 32 are provided. Therefore, the connecting passage 60 connects the three opposing through holes 32 to each other. A portion of the connecting passage 60 is formed by the outer peripheral surface 30A of the sealing body 30 and the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting passage 60 is formed by the axial end face of the valve core 10 on the Z2 side and the bottom surface of the valve core receiving portion 28 (an example of the inner wall portion 28A). In addition, the connecting passage 60 connects the suction ports of the three pumps 40 to each other, but the discharge ports of the three pumps 40 are not connected to each other.

[0055] In this embodiment, as described above, one of the three opposing through holes 32 utilizes a cutting groove 33. In this embodiment, the suction port of one of the three pumps 40 is connected to port pair 28B1. The suction port of the remaining pump 40 is connected, for example, to port pair 28B3. In this case, the opposing through holes 32 correspond to port pairs 28B1 and 28B3, and the connecting path 60 connects port pairs 28B1 and 28B3. Furthermore, although not shown, the suction port of another pump 40, different from the two pumps 40 described above, is connected to one of the port pairs, and this connected port pair functions as an opposing through hole 32.

[0056] As described above, a rib 36 is formed in the sealing body 30 that protrudes toward the radially outward side (inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28) (see reference). Figure 9 Ribs 36 are configured to surround the plurality of through holes 31, and are arranged circumferentially from one of a pair of ends 34 of the cutting groove 33 toward the other (arranged axially on one side of the pair of ends 34). These circumferentially arranged ribs 36 are thus described as circumferential ribs 37 for ease of understanding. Figure 9 As shown, circumferential ribs 37 are provided on the Z1 and Z2 sides of the sealing body 30. Therefore, a circumferential gap is provided between the outer circumferential surface 30A of the circumferential rib 37 (which is closer to the Z1 side than the Z1 side) and the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28 in the sealing body 30, and a circumferential gap is provided between the outer circumferential surface 30A of the circumferential rib 37 (which is closer to the Z2 side than the Z2 side) and the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28 in the sealing body 30. This gap can be used as a connecting passage 60. In this embodiment, one of the two opposing through holes 32 is a through hole 31 on the Z2 side of the sealing body 30, so the gap on the Z2 side of the aforementioned gaps on the Z1 and Z2 sides is mainly used as a connecting passage 60. Furthermore, the gaps on the Z1 and Z2 sides are connected to the gap between a pair of ends 34 through a portion provided along the axial direction of the circumferential rib 37. Therefore, the gap on the Z1 side can also be used as a connecting passage 60.

[0057] Here, the cutting groove 33 is housed in the sealing receiving portion A, but the pair of ends 34 of the cutting groove 33 do not abut against the sealing receiving portion A. Therefore, there is no sealing fluid between the pair of ends 34 and the inner wall portion 28A in the sealing receiving portion A. Therefore, fluid can flow from the pair of ends 34 circumferentially to the outside of the cutting groove 33. Thus, fluid can flow through the gap on the Z2 side, which is used as the connecting passage 60.

[0058] On the other hand, the remaining two of the three opposing through holes 32 utilize through holes 31 on the Z2 side of the sealing body 30. A groove 38 is formed on the rib 36 surrounding the opposing through holes 32, connecting the opposing through holes 32 and the outer side of the opposing through holes 32 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a groove 39 is formed on the circumferential rib 37 on the Z2 side, connecting the Z1 and Z2 sides of the circumferential rib 37, and the groove 39 is connected to the groove 38 by a pair of wall portions. Thus, the opposing through holes 32 can communicate with the connecting passage 60 on the Z2 side. Therefore, in this embodiment, the grooves 38 and 39 are included in the connecting passage 60.

[0059] As described above, each of the three pumps 40 has a storage tank 50 at its suction port. Therefore, the three opposing through holes 32 communicate with the storage tank 50. Thus, the pressure at each suction port of the three pumps 40 is connected via a connecting passage 60, allowing for pressure adjustment of the suction ports of the three pumps 40. Furthermore, the connecting passage 60 connecting the suction ports of the three pumps 40 is constructed using the gap between the valve core receiving portion 28 and the sealing body 30, thus eliminating the need to form a groove for the connecting passage inside the housing 23 or to provide such a groove externally. Therefore, the cooling module 1 can be constructed in a compact form.

[0060] Furthermore, the sealing body 30 is housed in the valve core housing 28, and the bottom surface of the sealing body 30 is placed on the second housing 22. Therefore, fluid also flows along the Z2 side of the axis O in the valve core 10. Thus, in this embodiment, the bottom surface of the valve core housing 28 is also used as a communication path 60 (see reference). Figure 7 ).

[0061] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0062] Next, other implementations of the cooling module 1 will be described.

[0063] In the above embodiment, it is described that the sealing body 30 has ribs 36 protruding toward the valve core 10 side around the plurality of through holes 31, and grooves 38 are formed in the ribs 36 to connect the opposing through holes 32 and the outer side of the opposing through holes 32 in the circumferential direction, and the communication passage 60 includes the grooves 38. However, the communication passage 60 may also be formed by a groove provided in the housing 23. In this case, the grooves 38 may not be provided in the ribs 36.

[0064] In the above embodiment, it is described that the sealing body 30 is provided with a cutting groove 33 along the axial direction, and the cutting groove 33 is one of a plurality of opposing through holes 32. However, the opposing through holes 32 may not be the cutting groove 33. In this case, such as Figure 10As shown, ribs 36 provided around each of the opposing through holes 32 can be formed to create grooves 38 that connect the opposing through holes 32 to their circumferential outer sides. Thus, each opposing through hole 32 can be interconnected via the grooves 38 through a connecting passage 60. Therefore, pressure adjustment at the respective suction inlets of the multiple pumps 40 is possible.

[0065] Alternatively, for example, in the case of multiple opposing through holes 32, a portion of the multiple opposing through holes 32 can be designated as through holes 31 on the Z1 side, and the remainder of the multiple opposing through holes 32 can be designated as through holes 31 on the Z2 side. Figure 11 In this example, one of the three opposing through holes 32 is located on the Z1 side, and the remaining one of the three opposing through holes 32 is located on the Z2 side. In this case, grooves 38 are provided on the ribs 36 surrounding each opposing through hole 32, so that two opposing through holes 32 can also be connected to each other through the connecting passage 60.

[0066] Furthermore, for example, in the case of multiple opposing through holes 32, a portion of the multiple opposing through holes 32 can be designated as through holes 31 on the Z1 side, and the remainder of the multiple opposing through holes 32 can be designated as through holes 31 on the Z2 side. The opposing through holes 32 on the Z1 side and the opposing through holes 32 on the Z2 side can be positioned at the same circumferential position (i.e., the opposing through holes 32 on the Z1 side and the opposing through holes 32 on the Z2 side can be arranged along the Z direction). Figure 12 In this example, one of the three opposing through holes 32 is located on the Z1 side, and the remaining one is located on the Z2 side. In this case, a groove 38 is provided on the Z2 side portion of the ribs 36 surrounding the opposing through hole 32 on the Z1 side, and a groove 38 is provided on the Z1 side portion of the ribs 36 surrounding the opposing through hole 32 on the Z2 side. This allows for a shorter connecting path 60 that connects the opposing through holes 32 on the Z1 side and the opposing through holes 32 on the Z2 side.

[0067] In the above embodiment, it is stated that the number of storage tanks 50 is one. However, the number of storage tanks 50 can be multiple as long as it is less than the number of pumps 40.

[0068] [Summary of the above embodiments]

[0069] The following is a summary of the cooling module 1 described above.

[0070] (1) The cooling module 1 includes: a valve core 10, which rotates according to the input of the input shaft 12; a manifold 20, having a valve core receiving portion 28 for receiving the valve core 10 and a housing 23 having a fluid flow path L for fluid flow; a sealing body 30, disposed between the outer peripheral surface 16 of the valve core 10 and the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28, for sliding the valve core 10 when it rotates; a plurality of pumps 40 for pumping the fluid flowing in the fluid flow path L; and a number of storage tanks 50 fewer than the number of pumps 40 for absorbing the thermal expansion of the fluid in the fluid flow path L. The valve core receiving portion 28 has a plurality of ports 28B on its inner wall 28A, each of which is a plurality of discharge ports 28C that communicate with the respective suction ports of the plurality of pumps 40. The sealing body 30 has a plurality of through holes 31 that are opposite to each of the plurality of ports 28B. Each of the plurality of through holes 31 includes a plurality of opposite through holes 32 that are opposite to each of the plurality of discharge ports 28C. A connecting passage 60 is provided to connect the plurality of opposite through holes 32 to each other. A portion of the connecting passage 60 is formed by the outer peripheral surface 30A of the sealing body 30 and the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28.

[0071] According to this structure, a portion of the connecting passage 60, which connects the multiple opposing through holes 32 to each other, is formed by the outer peripheral surface 30A of the sealing body 30 and the inner wall portion 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28. Therefore, in this portion, for example, it is not necessary to provide the path for forming the connecting passage 60 through other components, or to process the housing 23 to provide the path. Therefore, even when the connecting passage 60 is formed, a small cooling module 1 can be realized. In addition, the number of components does not increase, thus suppressing the increase in manufacturing costs such as management costs and assembly costs. Furthermore, since the respective suction ports of the multiple pumps 40 are connected through the opposing through holes 32 connected by the connecting passage 60, the pressure of these suction ports can be easily adjusted.

[0072] (2) In the cooling module 1 described in (1), the sealing body 30 preferably has ribs 36 protruding toward the valve core 10 side along the periphery of a plurality of through holes 31, and grooves 38 are formed in the ribs 36 to connect the opposing through holes 32 and the outer side of the opposing through holes 32 along the circumferential direction, and the connecting passage 60 includes the grooves 38.

[0073] According to this structure, the opposing through-hole 32, which is the inner peripheral side of the rib 36, and the outer side of the opposing through-hole 32, which is the outer peripheral side of the rib 36, can be connected via the groove 38. Therefore, the communication path 60 formed by the outer peripheral surface 30A of the sealing body 30 and the inner wall 28A of the valve core receiving portion 28 and the opposing through-hole 32 can be easily connected.

[0074] (3) In the cooling module 1 described in (1) or (2), the sealing body 30 is preferably provided with a cutting groove 33 along the axial direction, the cutting groove 33 being one of a plurality of opposing through holes 32.

[0075] According to this structure, even when the cutting groove 33 of the sealing body 30 is used as the opposing through hole 32, the suction port of the pump 40 communicating with the cutting groove 33 and the suction port of the pump 40 communicating with the opposing through hole 32 using the through hole 31 of the sealing body 30 can be connected via the connecting passage 60. Therefore, pressure adjustment of the suction port of the pump 40 communicating with the cutting groove 33 is possible.

[0076] (4) In the cooling module 1 described in (1) to (3), the number of storage tanks 50 is preferably one.

[0077] According to this structure, the pressure adjustment of the suction inlets of multiple pumps 40 is performed using a single storage tank 50. Therefore, compared to the case where the pressure adjustment of the suction inlets of multiple pumps 40 is performed using multiple storage tanks 50, the cooling module 1 can be miniaturized. In addition, compared to the case where multiple storage tanks 50 are used, the cooling module 1 can be implemented at a lower cost.

[0078] Industrial availability

[0079] The technology disclosed herein can be used in cooling modules.

Claims

1. A cooling module, comprising: The valve core rotates according to the input to the input shaft; A manifold having a valve core receiving portion for housing the valve core and a housing having a fluid flow path for fluid flow. A sealing body is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the valve core and the inner wall of the valve core receiving portion, allowing the valve core to slide when the valve core rotates; Multiple pumps pressurize the fluid flowing in the fluid path; as well as A smaller number of storage tanks than the number of pumps absorb the thermal expansion of the fluid in the fluid flow path. The inner wall of the valve core receiving portion is provided with multiple ports, each including a plurality of discharge ports communicating with the respective suction ports of the plurality of pumps. The sealing body has a plurality of through holes opposite each of the plurality of ports. The plurality of through holes includes a plurality of opposing through holes opposite to each of the plurality of discharge ports. A connecting passage is provided to connect the plurality of opposing through holes to each other, a portion of which is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the sealing body and the inner wall portion of the valve core receiving portion.

2. The cooling module according to claim 1, wherein, The sealing body has ribs that project toward the valve core side around the periphery of the plurality of through holes. The rib has a groove that connects the opposing through hole and the outer side of the opposing through hole in the circumferential direction. The connecting path includes the slot.

3. The cooling module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The sealing body is provided with a cutting groove along the axial direction. The cutting groove is one of the plurality of opposing through holes.

4. The cooling module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The number of storage tanks is one.

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