Cooling module

Abstract

To provide a cooling module capable of suppressing circulation of foreign matter in a fluid passage.SOLUTION: A cooling module includes a manifold 1 to which a valve 3 for controlling circulation of fluid F is attached and in which a fluid passage through which the fluid F is circulated is formed. The manifold 1 has a foreign matter reservoir 11 having a flow passage cross-sectional area larger than that of the fluid passage and accumulating foreign matter M circulated in the fluid passage. The foreign matter reservoir 11 is connected to at least one of an inlet 3a into which the fluid F to the valve 3 flows and an outlet 3b from which the fluid F from the valve 3 flows out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Various techniques have been disclosed for performing thermal management of thermally managed objects such as motors and batteries mounted on vehicles such as electric vehicles. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a thermally managed water-side integrated assembly that reduces space occupation, costs, and the like, and reduces the risk of water leakage in pipelines. The thermally managed water-side integrated assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a flow path plate in which multiple fluid flow paths are formed, and multiple thermal management components such as pumps attached to the flow path plate and connected to the fluid flow paths. In addition, the flow path plate is formed with multiple pipeline external connection interfaces, which are connected to a temperature control loop of a thermally managed object such as a battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] China Utility Model No. 218367467 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the thermal management water-side integrated assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, foreign matter contained in components connected to the external pipe connection interface may flow through the fluid flow path together with the fluid, causing malfunction of the thermal management components.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a cooling module that suppresses the flow of foreign matter in a fluid flow path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of the above, a characteristic configuration of the cooling module includes a manifold equipped with a valve for controlling the flow of fluid and having a fluid flow path through which the fluid flows, the manifold having a flow path cross-sectional area larger than that of the fluid flow path and having a foreign matter storage portion for storing foreign matter flowing through the fluid flow path, the foreign matter storage portion being connected to at least one of an inlet through which the fluid flows into the valve and an outlet through which the fluid flows out of the valve.

[0007] According to this characteristic configuration, since the manifold has a foreign matter reservoir that accumulates foreign matter flowing through the fluid flow path, it is possible to suppress the flow of foreign matter in the fluid flow path. Also, since the foreign matter reservoir is connected to at least one of the inlet and the outlet of the valve, it is possible to suppress the inflow of foreign matter into the valve. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a cooling circuit of the cooling system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a cooling module according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the valve and its vicinity shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a valve and its surrounding structure in a different position from that shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a 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 embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0010] [Cooling module] First, a cooling system A including a cooling module 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows a part of a cooling circuit diagram of the cooling system A.

[0011] The cooling module 100 is mounted on an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an "electric vehicle") that runs on electricity. Examples of electric vehicles include a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), and a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

[0012] The cooling system A cools (controls the temperature of) a cooling target device (temperature-controlled device) (not shown) mounted on an electric vehicle. The cooling target device includes an inverter / motor as a driving source for traveling that operates when supplied with electric power, a battery that stores electric power, etc. The electric power stored in the battery is supplied to the inverter / motor.

[0013] 1, the cooling system A includes a fluid flow path L through which a fluid F flows for cooling a device to be cooled. The fluid F is a cooling fluid such as long-life coolant (LLC). However, the fluid F is not limited to cooling fluids such as long-life coolant (LLC), and may be a refrigerant such as insulating oil such as paraffin, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), or hydrofluoroolefin (HFO).

[0014] The cooling system A further includes a manifold 1, a pump 2, a valve 3, a heater core 4, an electric heater 5, and a water-cooled condenser 6. The manifold 1, the pump 2, the valve 3, the heater core 4, the electric heater 5, and the water-cooled condenser 6 are connected to a device to be cooled via a fluid flow path L.

[0015] The pump 2 pumps the fluid F. The valve 3 controls the flow of the fluid F. The heater core 4 heats the air with the fluid F, thereby increasing the temperature in the vehicle cabin. The electric heater 5 heats the fluid F when the temperature of the fluid F is lower than a preset temperature. The water-cooled condenser 6 cools the fluid F when the temperature of the fluid F is higher than a preset temperature. The device to be cooled is cooled by the fluid F flowing through the fluid flow path L. Hereinafter, the direction in which the fluid F flows through the fluid flow path L is referred to as the "flow direction D."

[0016] Next, a cooling module 100 constituting a part of the cooling system A will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the cooling module 100. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing one of the two valves 3 integrated with the cooling module 100 (the three-way valve on the right side when looking at Fig. 2) and the configuration in the vicinity thereof.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling module 100 is configured by integrating a manifold 1, a pump 2, and a valve 3. In this embodiment, the cooling system A includes two pumps 2, which are attached to the longitudinal ends of the manifold 1, respectively. The two pumps 2 are substantially identical in configuration, except that they are attached to the manifold 1 at different positions. In this embodiment, the cooling module 100 includes two valves 3, which are attached (rotatably housed) to a valve housing 11s formed in the central portion of the manifold 1. Each of the two valves 3 is a multi-way valve such as a three-way valve or a four-way valve, and a valve corresponding to the fluid flow path L through which the fluid F flows is used. In the following, one of the two valves 3 (the three-way valve on the right side when viewed in FIG. 2) will be described as an example.

[0018] [Manifold] The manifold 1 has a first housing 1A and a second housing 1B. The manifold 1 is formed by joining the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B. The first housing 1A and the second housing 1B are made of resin and are joined by, for example, welding.

[0019] The manifold 1 has a box shape (approximately a rectangular parallelepiped shape) and includes a fluid flow path L. The fluid flow path L is formed inside the manifold 1 by grooves, holes, etc. formed in at least one of the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B. In the manifold 1 of this embodiment, auxiliary devices such as a pump 2 and a valve 3 are fixed to the first housing 1A, and the second housing 1B includes only the fluid flow path L to which no auxiliary devices are connected and a storage space 11U described later.

[0020] 〔pump〕 3, the pump 2 is an electric water pump. The pump 2 has an electric motor 21 and an impeller 22. The electric motor 21 drives and rotates the impeller 22 when power is supplied thereto.

[0021] The pump 2 also includes a suction port 2a that draws in the fluid F and a discharge port (not shown) from which the fluid F is discharged. The fluid F is drawn into the pump 2 via the suction port 2a, and is discharged to the outside of the pump 2 (fluid flow path L) via the discharge port by the rotational force (centrifugal force) of the impeller 22.

[0022] 〔valve〕 As shown in FIG. 2, the valve 3 is a rotary valve. The valve 3 has a drive source 30, a rotating shaft 31, and a valve body 32. The drive source 30 is an actuator or the like, and generates power when power is supplied. The rotating shaft 31 receives power from the drive source 30 and rotates about the axis AX. The valve body 32 rotates about the rotating shaft 31. Hereinafter, the direction along the axis AX of the rotating shaft 31 is referred to as the "Z direction", and the side of the Z direction where the valve body 32 is arranged with respect to the drive source 30 is referred to as the "first axis side Z1", and the opposite side is referred to as the "second axis side Z2". In this embodiment, the cooling module 100 is used with the first axis side Z1 as the "vertical lower side" and the second axis side Z2 as the "vertical upper side".

[0023] 3 and 4, the valve 3 controls the flow of the fluid F by rotating the valve body 32 together with the rotating shaft 31. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the valve 3 and its surrounding structure in a different position from that shown in FIG. 3. In the following, the position of the valve 3 shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as the "first position", and the position of the valve 3 shown in FIG. 4 is referred to as the "second position".

[0024] The valve 3 includes an inlet 3a through which the fluid F flows in, and an outlet 3b through which the fluid F flows out. The inlet 3a includes a first inlet 31a through which the fluid F flows into the valve 3 in the first position shown in Fig. 3, and a second inlet 32a through which the fluid F flows into the valve 3 in the second position shown in Fig. 4. In both the first and second positions of the valve 3, the fluid F flows out of the valve 3 via the outlet 3b.

[0025] The valve 3 further includes a seal member S. The seal member S is disposed on the outer side in the radial direction DR of the valve body 32. The seal member S prevents the fluid F from leaking out from the inlet 3a and the outlet 3b.

[0026] [Foreign matter storage section] Next, the configuration of the manifold 1 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI shown in Fig. 4.

[0027] As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the manifold 1 has a foreign matter reservoir 11 that accumulates foreign matter M such as casting sand, dust, and dirt. The foreign matter M is contained inside the auxiliary devices, for example. In particular, casting sand is generated during the process of manufacturing the auxiliary devices, and may remain inside the auxiliary devices. When the auxiliary devices containing the foreign matter M are connected to a fluid flow path L and a fluid F flows through the auxiliary devices, the foreign matter M flows through the fluid flow path L. The auxiliary devices include the manifold 1, pump 2, valve 3, heater core 4, electric heater 5, and water-cooled condenser 6 described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the foreign matter storage section 11 is formed between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B by joining the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B. The foreign matter storage section 11 is configured as a space formed across the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B. In other words, the foreign matter storage section 11 is a space extending along the Z direction (vertical direction). The foreign matter storage section 11 is a space having a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid flow path L (see Figs. 4 and 6). Note that the flow path cross-sectional area is an area cut along a direction perpendicular to the flow direction (flow direction D) of the main stream of the fluid F.

[0029] As described above, the foreign matter reservoir 11 is a space having a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid flow path L. In this embodiment, the foreign matter M has a larger specific gravity than the fluid F. Therefore, when the foreign matter M flows into the foreign matter reservoir 11 together with the fluid F flowing through the fluid flow path L, the foreign matter M is guided (sinks) to the first axial side Z1 (vertically downward) due to the difference in specific gravity (its own weight).

[0030] The foreign matter M guided to the first axial side Z1 (vertically downward) in the foreign matter reservoir 11 remains in the foreign matter reservoir 11. This makes it possible to suppress the flow of the foreign matter M in the fluid flow path L.

[0031] The foreign matter reservoir 11 includes a flow section 11R through which a main flow of the fluid F flows, and a stagnation section 11T through which the fluid F stagnates. Note that in the stagnation section 11T, a branch flow different from the main flow of the fluid F (a fluid F having a flow velocity slower than that of the flow section 11R) may flow.

[0032] The flow section 11R is a space between the lower ends of the inlet 3a of the valve 3, the inlet 3a (see also FIG. 6 ), the outlet 3b of the valve 3, and the suction port 2a of the pump 2 and the second axial side Z2 (vertically above) of those lower ends in the radial direction DR (direction perpendicular to the Z direction). The flow section 11R includes a portion facing any of the inlet 3a of the valve 3, the outlet 3b of the valve 3, and the suction port 2a of the pump 2.

[0033] The stagnation section 11T is a space disposed on the first axial center side Z1 (vertically lower side) of the flow section 11R. That is, in this embodiment, the stagnation section 11T is a space disposed on the first axial center side Z1 (vertically lower side) of each of the inlet 3a of the valve 3 (see also FIG. 6), the outlet 3b of the valve 3, and the suction port 2a of the pump 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the stagnation portion 11T includes a storage space 11U. The storage space 11U is disposed on the first axial side Z1 (vertically lower side) than the valve 3. More specifically, the storage space 11U is a space on the first axial side Z1 (vertically lower side) than a reference line SL along the lower end 3d of the valve 3. In this embodiment, the storage space 11U is formed in the second housing 1B.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the foreign matter reservoir 11 has a first reservoir 111, a second reservoir 112, and a third reservoir 113. The first reservoir 111, the second reservoir 112, and the third reservoir 113 are disposed around the valve 3. In detail, the first reservoir 111 is disposed adjacent to the first inlet 31a of the valve 3, the second reservoir 112 is disposed adjacent to the outlet 3b of the valve 3, and the third reservoir 113 is disposed adjacent to the second inlet 32a of the valve 3. The second reservoir 112 is also disposed adjacent to the suction port 2a of the pump 2. That is, the second reservoir 112 is disposed between the valve 3 and the pump 2.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, the first reservoir 111 is disposed upstream of the first inlet 31a of the valve 3 in the first position in the flow direction D, and is connected (directly connected) to the first inlet 31a. The flow section 11R of the first reservoir 111 described with reference to Fig. 5 communicates with (opposes in the radial direction DR) the first inlet 31a of the valve 3 in the first position. Therefore, the fluid F flows through the flow section 11R of the first reservoir 111 and flows into the valve 3 via the first inlet 31a. The foreign matter M that flows into the first reservoir 111 together with the fluid F is guided to the reservoir space 11U of the first reservoir 111, and remains in the reservoir space 11U.

[0037] The second reservoir 112 is disposed downstream in the flow direction D of the outlet 3b of the valve 3 in the first position (see FIG. 3) and the second position (see FIG. 4), and is connected (directly connected) to the outlet 3b. The flow section 11R of the second reservoir 112 described with reference to FIG. 5 communicates with (opposes in the radial direction DR) the outlet 3b of the valve 3 in the first position and the second position.

[0038] The second reservoir 112 is disposed upstream of the suction port 2a of the pump 2 in the flow direction D, and is connected (directly connected) to the suction port 2a. That is, the flow section 11R of the second reservoir 112 also communicates with the suction port 2a (opposing in the radial direction DR). Therefore, the fluid F flows from the valve 3 into the second reservoir 112 through the outlet 3b, flows through the flow section 11R of the second reservoir 112, and is sucked into the pump 2 through the suction port 2a. The foreign matter M that flows into the second reservoir 112 together with the fluid F is guided to the reservoir space 11U of the second reservoir 112, and remains in the reservoir space 11U.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, the third reservoir 113 is disposed upstream of the second inlet 32a of the valve 3 in the second position in the flow direction D, and is connected (directly connected) to the second inlet 32a. The flow section 11R of the third reservoir 113 described with reference to Fig. 6 communicates with (opposes in the radial direction DR) the second inlet 32a of the valve 3 in the second position. Therefore, the fluid F flows through the flow section 11R of the third reservoir 113 and flows into the valve 3 via the second inlet 32a. The foreign matter M that flows into the third reservoir 113 together with the fluid F is guided to the reservoir space 11U of the third reservoir 113 and remains in the reservoir space 11U.

[0040] As described above, the first reservoir 111 and the third reservoir 113 are disposed upstream of the valve 3 in the flow direction D. Therefore, the foreign matter M can be guided (collected) into the reservoir space 11U before flowing into the valve 3. This makes it possible to suppress the flow of the foreign matter M into the valve 3. In addition, the second reservoir 112 is disposed downstream of the valve 3 in the flow direction D. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the flow of the foreign matter M guided into the reservoir space 11U of the second reservoir 112 into the valve 3 along with the backflow of the fluid F or against the flow of the fluid F. By suppressing the flow of the foreign matter M into the valve 3, it is possible to suppress malfunction of the valve 3 caused by, for example, the presence of the foreign matter M between the seal member S and the valve body 32. In addition, damage to the valve body 32, the seal member S, etc. is also suppressed, and the shortening of the life of the valve 3 can also be suppressed.

[0041] In addition, the second reservoir 112 is disposed upstream of the pump 2 in the flow direction D. Therefore, the foreign matter M can be guided (collected) into the reservoir space 11U before flowing into the pump 2. This makes it possible to suppress the flow of the foreign matter M into the pump 2. As a result, for example, malfunction of the pump 2 caused by the foreign matter M being interposed between the electric motor 21 and the impeller 22 can be suppressed. Furthermore, damage to the electric motor 21, the impeller 22, etc. can be suppressed, and the shortening of the life of the pump 2 can also be suppressed.

[0042] 5 and 6, the storage space 11U is disposed on the first axial side Z1 (vertically lower) than the valve 3. This more reliably prevents the foreign matter M guided to the storage space 11U from flowing out of the foreign matter storage section 11 and flowing into the valve 3. In this embodiment, the storage space 11U is disposed on the first axial side Z1 (vertically lower) than the lower end 2d of the pump 2. This also prevents the foreign matter M guided to the storage space 11U from flowing out of the foreign matter storage section 11 and flowing into the pump 2.

[0043] [Summary of the above embodiment] In the above embodiment, the following configurations are envisaged.

[0044] (1) The cooling module 100 includes a manifold 1 having a fluid flow path L through which the fluid F flows, and is fitted with a valve 3 that controls the flow of the fluid F. The manifold 1 has a foreign matter storage section 11 that has a larger cross-sectional area than the fluid flow path L and stores foreign matter M flowing through the fluid flow path L, and the foreign matter storage section 11 is connected to at least one of an inlet 3a through which the fluid F flows into the valve 3 and an outlet 3b through which the fluid F flows out of the valve 3.

[0045] According to this configuration, the manifold 1 has the foreign matter reservoir 11 that accumulates the foreign matter M flowing through the fluid flow path L, thereby making it possible to suppress the flow of the foreign matter M in the fluid flow path L. In addition, since the foreign matter reservoir 11 is connected to at least one of the inlet 3a of the valve 3 and the outlet 3b of the valve 3, the inflow of the foreign matter M into the valve 3 is suppressed.

[0046] In the cooling module 100 of (2)(1), it is preferable that the foreign matter reservoir 11 is connected to an inlet 2a through which the fluid F is sucked into the pump 2 that pumps the fluid F.

[0047] According to this configuration, the foreign matter storage portion 11 is connected to the suction port 2a of the pump 2. In other words, the foreign matter storage portion 11 is disposed upstream of the pump 2 in the flow direction D of the fluid F. Therefore, the inflow of the foreign matter M into the pump 2 is suppressed.

[0048] (3) In the cooling module 100 of (1) or (2), it is preferable that the manifold 1 has a first housing 1A and a second housing 1B joined to the first housing 1A, and the foreign matter storage portion 11 is formed between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B.

[0049] According to this configuration, the foreign matter storage portion 11 is formed between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B, which are separate components. Therefore, the foreign matter storage portion 11 can be easily provided.

[0050] In the cooling module 100 of (4)(3), it is preferable that the foreign matter storage portion 11 includes a storage space 11U that is vertically below the valve 3.

[0051] According to this configuration, since the foreign matter storage portion 11 has the storage space 11U vertically below the valve 3, the foreign matter M can be prevented from flowing into the valve 3 more reliably.

[0052] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments of the cooling module will be described.

[0053] (a) The configurations disclosed in each of the above embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0054] (b) The foreign matter reservoir 11 may be disposed at a location other than the periphery of the valve 3 so that the foreign matter M flowing through the fluid flow path L can be efficiently collected.

[0055] (c) In the above embodiment, the foreign matter reservoir 11 includes the first reservoir 111, the second reservoir 112, and the third reservoir 113, the first reservoir 111 and the third reservoir 113 are connected to the inlet 3a of the valve 3, and the second reservoir 112 is connected to the outlet 3b of the valve 3. However, the foreign matter reservoir 11 may be configured to be connected to at least one of the inlet 3a and the outlet 3b of the valve 3. In other words, the foreign matter reservoir 11 may include, for example, only at least one of the first reservoir 111 and the third reservoir 113 connected to the inlet 3a, or only the second reservoir 112 connected to the outlet 3b.

[0056] (d) In the above embodiment, the second reservoir 112 is connected to the suction port 2a of the pump 2, but the second reservoir 112 does not have to be connected to the suction port 2a of the pump 2. In addition, the second reservoir 112 may be connected to the discharge port of the pump 2.

[0057] (e) In the above embodiment, the first reservoir 111 and the third reservoir 113 are directly connected to the inlet 3a of the valve 3, and the second reservoir 112 is directly connected to the outlet 3b of the valve 3 and the suction port 2a of the pump 2. Note that "direct connection" refers to a configuration in which they are connected without a gap. Specifically, it refers to a configuration in which the first reservoir 111 and the first inlet 31a of the valve 3 are connected without a gap between them. The same applies to between the third reservoir 113 and the second inlet 32a of the valve 3, between the second reservoir 112 and the outlet 3b, and between the second reservoir 112 and the suction port 2a of the pump 2. However, for example, a fluid flow path L may be interposed between at least one of the first reservoir 111 and the third reservoir 113 and the inlet 3a of the valve 3. Similarly, for example, a fluid flow path L may be interposed between the second reservoir 112 and at least one of the outlet 3b of the valve 3 and the inlet 2a of the pump 2.

[0058] (f) The foreign matter storage portion 11 may omit the storage space 11U.

[0059] (g) The cooling system A may include devices other than the manifold 1, pump 2, valve 3, heater core 4, electric heater 5, and water-cooled condenser 6 (e.g., a radiator, chiller, DC-DC converter, charger, etc.), which may be connected to the fluid flow path L. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a cooling module. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: manifold, 1A: first housing, 1B: second housing, 2: pump, 2a: suction port, 3: valve, 3a: inlet, 3b: outlet, 11: foreign object reservoir, 11U: reservoir space, 100: cooling module, F: fluid, L: fluid flow path, M: foreign object

Claims

1. a manifold having a valve for controlling the flow of a fluid attached thereto and a fluid flow path through which the fluid flows; the manifold has a foreign matter reservoir portion having a larger flow passage cross-sectional area than the fluid flow passage and configured to reservoir foreign matter flowing through the fluid flow passage, The foreign matter reservoir is a cooling module connected to at least one of an inlet through which the fluid flows into the valve and an outlet through which the fluid flows out of the valve.

2. The cooling module according to claim 1 , wherein the foreign matter reservoir is connected to an inlet through which the fluid is sucked into a pump that pumps the fluid.

3. The manifold includes a first housing and a second housing joined to the first housing, The cooling module according to claim 1 , wherein the foreign matter storage portion is formed between the first housing and the second housing.

4. The cooling module according to claim 3 , wherein the foreign object storage portion includes a storage space vertically below the valve.

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