Manifold

Abstract

To provide a manifold capable of suppressing heat exchange between a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant passage and a cooling liquid flowing through a cooling liquid passage.SOLUTION: The manifold 1 includes a first manifold portion 10 having a refrigerant flow path 10A through which a refrigerant flows, a second manifold portion 20 having a coolant flow path 20A through which a coolant flows, and a connecting portion 30 connecting the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20 to each other. The first manifold portion 10, the second manifold portion 20, and the coupling portion 30 are an integrally molded article, and a cross-sectional area of a surface orthogonal to the first direction X in which the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20 face each other in the coupling portion 30 is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a surface orthogonal to the first direction X in each of the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a manifold having a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows and a coolant flow path through which a coolant flows. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, heating and cooling systems are used to adjust the temperature of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. Some heating and cooling systems use a manifold that has a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant used to adjust the temperature of the heating and cooling system flows and a coolant flow path through which a coolant flows. Technology related to such a manifold is described, for example, in Patent Document 1, the source of which is shown below.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a manifold. This manifold has a refrigerant flow path and a coolant flow path formed in a flow path housing. The refrigerant flow path circulates refrigerant through a compressor, a water-cooled condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a chiller. The coolant flow path circulates coolant through the water-cooled condenser, the chiller, and a radiator (heat exchanger). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2024 / 024443 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The manifold described in Patent Document 1 has a water-cooled condenser and a chiller externally attached to the flow path housing. The flow path housing is configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path and the coolant flowing through the coolant flow path. Therefore, the inlet through which the refrigerant flows and the outlet through which the coolant flows are located close to each other, and the inlet through which the coolant flows and the outlet through which the refrigerant flows are also located close to each other. However, there are cases where it is desirable to suppress heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path and the coolant flowing through the coolant flow path, and the manifold described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a manifold that can suppress heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path and the coolant flowing through the coolant flow path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A characteristic configuration of a manifold according to the present invention is provided with a first manifold section having refrigerant flow paths through which a refrigerant flows, a second manifold section having coolant flow paths through which a coolant flows, and a connecting section that connects the first manifold section and the second manifold section to each other, wherein the first manifold section, the second manifold section, and the connecting section are integrally molded into a single unit, and the cross-sectional area of ​​a surface of the connecting section that is perpendicular to a first direction and where the first manifold section and the second manifold section face each other is configured to be smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the surfaces of the first manifold section and the second manifold section that are perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] This characteristic configuration can suppress heat transfer from one of the first manifold portion and the second manifold portion to the other, thereby suppressing heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path of the first manifold portion and the coolant flowing through the coolant flow path of the second manifold portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows a manifold with various valves attached. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows a manifold with various valves attached. [Figure 5] 1 is a circuit diagram of a vehicle air conditioning system in which a manifold is used. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when the battery is cooled during air-conditioning operation. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant during heating operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a slit is provided in a manifold. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The manifold according to the present invention is configured to suppress heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path and the coolant flowing through the coolant flow path. The manifold 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. However, the manifold 1 is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0011] The manifold 1 is used in a vehicle air conditioning system A, the details of which will be described later. The vehicle air conditioning system A is mounted on a vehicle and includes a refrigerant module B, a coolant module C, and an HVAC unit D (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit). The refrigerant module B includes a refrigerant flow path 10A through which a refrigerant flows. C The cooling device 20 includes a coolant flow path 20A through which the coolant flows.

[0012] A refrigerant such as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) flows through the refrigerant flow path 10A, while a coolant flow path 20A carries a coolant such as antifreeze or long-life coolant primarily composed of ethylene glycol, or a paraffin-based insulating oil.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a manifold 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the manifold 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the manifold 1 is configured to include a first manifold section 10, a second manifold section 20, and a connecting section 30.

[0014] In this embodiment, for ease of understanding, the direction in which the first manifold section 10 and the second manifold section 20 face each other is referred to as the first direction X, and in a plan view of the manifold 1 such as the lower side in FIG. 1, the direction perpendicular to the first direction X is referred to as the second direction Y, and the direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as the third direction Z.

[0015] The first manifold portion 10 has a refrigerant flow path 10A. As described above, the refrigerant used in the vehicle air conditioning system A flows through the refrigerant flow path 10A.

[0016] The second manifold portion 20 has a coolant flow path 20A. As described above, the coolant used in the vehicle air conditioning system A flows through the coolant flow path 20A.

[0017] The connecting portion 30 connects the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20 to each other. When the first manifold portion 10 is positioned on one side of the first direction X and the second manifold portion 20 is positioned on the other side of the first direction X as shown in Fig. 1, the connecting portion 30 connects the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20 along the first direction X.

[0018] In this embodiment, the first manifold section 10, the second manifold section 20, and the connecting section 30 are configured as an integrally molded product. For this reason, the manifold 1 can be configured by casting, for example, by pouring molten metal (an alloy of aluminum, zinc, magnesium, or the like) into a mold.

[0019] Furthermore, the manifold 1 is configured such that the cross-sectional area of ​​a surface orthogonal to the first direction X at the connecting portion 30 is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the surfaces orthogonal to the first direction X at each of the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20. In this embodiment, the surface orthogonal to the first direction X is a surface parallel to the second direction Y, i.e., a surface along the YZ plane. Therefore, the manifold 1 is configured such that the cross-sectional area of ​​a surface parallel to the second direction Y at the connecting portion 30 is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the surfaces parallel to the second direction Y at each of the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20. In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the surface along the YZ plane at the connecting portion 30 is smaller than both the cross-sectional area of ​​the surface along the YZ plane at the first manifold portion 10 and the cross-sectional area of ​​the surface along the YZ plane at the second manifold portion 20.

[0020] In this embodiment, the first manifold section 10 and the second manifold section 20 are connected to each other by a first connecting portion 31 and a second connecting portion 32 included in the connecting portion 30. The first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are each provided to extend along the first direction X across the first manifold section 10 and the second manifold section 20. The first manifold section 10 is provided at one end side in the first direction X, and the second manifold section 20 is provided at the other end side in the first direction X. Therefore, the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are provided facing each other along the second direction Y.

[0021] The first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are provided with a gap between them. That is, the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20 are provided spaced apart from each other along the second direction Y. Specifically, the first connecting portion 31 is provided at one end in the second direction Y, and the second connecting portion 32 is provided at the other end in the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the gap corresponds to an opening portion 40 surrounded by the first connecting portion 31, the second connecting portion 32, the first manifold portion 10, and the second manifold portion 20. In this embodiment, the opening portion 40 is configured to have a quadrangular shape when viewed in the third direction Z.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are each configured such that the thickness of the central portion 33 along the first direction X in the third direction Z is thinner than the thickness of the base end portion 34 at one end side and the other end side in the first direction X in the third direction Z.

[0023] As described above, the first manifold portion 10 has the refrigerant flow path 10A, and the second manifold portion 20 has the coolant flow path 20A. However, in this embodiment, the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are not provided with the refrigerant flow path 10A or the coolant flow path 20A, and the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are configured in a state where they are filled with the metal that constitutes the manifold 1.

[0024] The first manifold portion 10 is provided with an inlet port 11 through which the refrigerant flows in and an outlet port 12 through which the refrigerant flows out. The inlet port 11 and the outlet port 12 each form a refrigerant flow path 10A.

[0025] The second manifold portion 20 is provided with an inlet port 21 through which the coolant flows in and an outlet port 22 through which the coolant flows out. The inlet port 21 and the outlet port 22 each form a coolant flow path 20A.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first manifold section 10 is provided with two inlet ports 11 and two outlet ports 12, and the second manifold section 20 is provided with two inlet ports 21 and two outlet ports 22. For ease of understanding, the inlet ports 11 in the first manifold section 10 will be referred to as inlet port 11A and inlet port 11B, and the outlet ports 12 in the first manifold section 10 will be referred to as outlet port 12A and outlet port 12B below. The inlet ports 21 in the second manifold section 20 will be referred to as inlet port 21A and inlet port 21B, and the outlet ports 22 in the second manifold section 20 will be referred to as outlet port 22A and outlet port 22B below.

[0027] The two inlet ports 11 and the two outlet ports 12 in the first manifold section 10 are each arranged side by side in a row along the second direction Y on a surface of the first manifold section 10 on one side in the third direction Z, and the two inlet ports 21 and the two outlet ports 22 in the second manifold section 20 are each arranged side by side in a row along the second direction Y on a surface of the second manifold section 20 on one side in the third direction Z. In this embodiment, the outlet port 12A, the inlet port 11A, the outlet port 12B, and the inlet port 11B are arranged side by side in this order on a surface of the first manifold section 10 on one side in the third direction Z, and the outlet port 22A, the inlet port 21A, the outlet port 22B, and the inlet port 21B are arranged side by side in this order on a surface of the second manifold section 20 on one side in the third direction Z.

[0028] The outlet port 12A, the inlet port 11A, the outlet port 12B, and the inlet port 11B in the first manifold portion 10 and the outlet port 22A, the inlet port 21A, the outlet port 22B, and the inlet port 21B in the second manifold portion 20 are arranged to face each other across the opening portion 40 when viewed in the third direction Z. Therefore, the above-mentioned gap is provided between the inlet port 11 and the outlet port 12 in the first manifold portion 10 and the inlet port 21 and the outlet port 22 in the second manifold portion 20.

[0029] In this embodiment, the outlet port 12A is connected to the refrigerant inlet port of the water-cooled condenser 62, and the inlet port 11A is connected to the refrigerant outlet port of the water-cooled condenser 62. Furthermore, the outlet port 12B is connected to the refrigerant inlet port of the chiller 67, and the inlet port 11B is connected to the refrigerant outlet port of the chiller 67. The outlet port 22A is connected to the coolant inlet port of the water-cooled condenser 62, and the inlet port 21A is connected to the coolant outlet port of the water-cooled condenser 62. Furthermore, the outlet port 22B is connected to the coolant inlet port of the chiller 67, and the inlet port 21B is connected to the coolant outlet port of the chiller 67.

[0030] Outlet port 22A communicates with coolant supply port 23A provided in the YZ plane of second manifold portion 20, and inlet port 21A communicates with coolant discharge port 24A provided in the YZ plane of second manifold portion 20. In addition, outlet port 22B communicates with coolant supply port 23B provided in the YZ plane of second manifold portion 20, and inlet port 21B communicates with coolant discharge port 24B provided in the YZ plane of second manifold portion 20.

[0031] Furthermore, a hole 51 for mounting the cooling expansion valve 64, a hole 52 for mounting the battery expansion valve 66, and a hole 53 for mounting the second on-off valve 72 are provided on a surface of the first manifold 10 on one side in the first direction X, the surface being parallel to the YZ plane. Furthermore, a hole 54 for mounting the heating expansion valve 68 and a hole 55 for mounting the first on-off valve 71 are provided on a surface of the first manifold 10 on one side in the second direction Y, the surface being parallel to the XY plane.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a plan view of the manifold 1 with the above-mentioned devices (water-cooled condenser 62, receiver 63, cooling expansion valve 64, battery expansion valve 66, chiller 67, heating expansion valve 68, first on-off valve 71, second on-off valve 72) attached, and Figure 4 shows an oblique view of the manifold 1 with the devices attached.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a cooling expansion valve 64 is attached to hole 51. A battery expansion valve 66 is attached to hole 52. A second on-off valve 72 is attached to hole 53. A heating expansion valve 68 is attached to hole 54. A first on-off valve 71 is attached to hole 55.

[0034] A water-cooled condenser 62 is attached to the outlet port 12A, the inlet port 11A, the outlet port 22A, and the inlet port 21A. A chiller 67 is attached to the outlet port 12B, the inlet port 11B, the outlet port 22B, and the inlet port 21B.

[0035] Furthermore, a pump unit PU that circulates the coolant through the coolant flow path 20A is attached to the coolant supply port 23A, the coolant discharge port 24A, the coolant supply port 23B, and the coolant discharge port 24B. The pump unit PU includes a pump P1 that circulates the coolant introduced into the water-cooled condenser 62, and a pump P2 that circulates the coolant introduced into the chiller 67.

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a circuit diagram of a vehicle air conditioning system A to which the manifold 1 is applied. The vehicle air conditioning system A is mounted on a vehicle, and in Fig. 5, is configured with a refrigerant module B, a coolant module C, and an HVAC unit D (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit).

[0037] The refrigerant module B includes a compressor 61, a water-cooled condenser 62, a receiver 63, a cooling expansion valve 64, an evaporator 65, a battery expansion valve 66, a chiller 67, and a heating expansion valve 68. The refrigerant flow path 10A is configured to allow refrigerant to flow through these functional units. The refrigerant flow path 10A is further provided with a first on-off valve 71, a second on-off valve 72, and a third on-off valve 73. The vehicle air conditioning system A is capable of air-conditioning the passenger compartment using the refrigerant module B, as will be described in more detail below.

[0038] First, a case where the HVAC unit D cools the passenger compartment will be described. The compressor 61 compresses the refrigerant, causing the refrigerant to become a high-temperature compressed gas. The compressor 61 sends this high-temperature compressed gas to the first refrigerant path B1. At this time, the first on-off valve 71 is opened and the heating expansion valve 68 is closed. Therefore, the refrigerant sent from the compressor 61 to the first refrigerant path B1 is sent to the water-cooled condenser 62 via the second refrigerant path B2.

[0039] The water-cooled condenser 62 condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61. The water-cooled condenser 62 is configured so that a cooling liquid flows through it, which exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The water-cooled condenser 62 is configured so that a flow path through which the refrigerant flows and a flow path through which the cooling liquid flows are separate from each other. The refrigerant is condensed and liquefied as heat is absorbed by the cooling liquid. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the third refrigerant path B3. The water-cooled condenser 62 may also be an air-cooled condenser provided near the radiator.

[0040] The refrigerant sent from the water-cooled condenser 62 to the third refrigerant path B3 is introduced into the receiver 63. The receiver 63 is provided on the surface of the manifold 1 opposite to the surface on which the water-cooled condenser 62 is provided. The receiver 63 is provided on the outlet side of the water-cooled condenser 62, and therefore corresponds to a so-called high-pressure receiver. The receiver 63 absorbs fluctuations in the amount of refrigerant in the evaporator 65 due to load fluctuations. The receiver 63 may be integrated with the water-cooled condenser 62.

[0041] When cooling the passenger compartment, the cooling expansion valve 64 is opened to a predetermined opening, and the battery expansion valve 66 and the second on-off valve 72 are closed. Therefore, the refrigerant from the receiver 63 is sent to the cooling expansion valve 64 via a fourth refrigerant passage B4. In the cooling expansion valve 64, the refrigerant (liquefied refrigerant) is expanded and converted into a low-temperature, low-pressure mist. The mist-like refrigerant is sent to the evaporator 65 via a fifth refrigerant passage B5.

[0042] The evaporator 65 evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the cooling expansion valve 64 and sends it to the sixth refrigerant passage B6. As described above, the refrigerant expanded by the cooling expansion valve 64 and converted into a low-temperature, low-pressure atomized refrigerant flows through the evaporator 65, and this refrigerant is sent to the evaporator 65. In the evaporator 65, the atomized refrigerant absorbs heat from, for example, outside air and evaporates. At this time, the third on-off valve 73 is closed, and the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 65 flows through the sixth refrigerant passage B6 to the compressor 61. The refrigerant sent from the evaporator 65 to the sixth refrigerant passage B6 may be configured to undergo gas-liquid separation in an accumulator before being introduced into the compressor 61.

[0043] The HVAC unit D includes a blower 81, a switch 82, and a cabin condenser 83, in addition to the evaporator 65. The blower 81 draws in outside air and sends the drawn outside air to the evaporator 65.

[0044] In the evaporator 65, heat is exchanged between the outside air sent from the blower 81 and the refrigerant supplied via the fifth refrigerant passage B5, and the air after the heat exchange is introduced into the vehicle compartment. Specifically, the outside air is cooled in the evaporator 65, and cool air is introduced into the vehicle compartment. This makes it possible to cool the vehicle compartment.

[0045] 3 and 4, the first refrigerant path B1 is provided in communication with the first inlet 101 of the manifold 1. The second refrigerant path B2, the third refrigerant path B3, and the fourth refrigerant path B4 are provided inside the manifold 1. The fifth refrigerant path B5 is provided in communication with the first outlet 201 of the manifold 1. The sixth refrigerant path B6 is provided in communication with the second outlet 202 of the manifold 1.

[0046] In this case, the switch 82 is controlled so that the air from the evaporator 65 is not introduced into the cabin condenser 83.

[0047] Furthermore, when cooling the battery mounted on the vehicle during cooling of the passenger compartment, the battery expansion valve 66 is opened from the cooling operation state shown in Fig. 5. As a result, as shown in Fig. 6, the refrigerant from the receiver 63 is sent not only to the cooling expansion valve 64 but also to the battery expansion valve 66. At this time, the opening degree of the battery expansion valve 66 is set according to the strength of cooling the battery.

[0048] In the battery expansion valve 66, the refrigerant (liquefied refrigerant) is expanded and turned into a low-temperature, low-pressure mist. The mist-like refrigerant is sent to the chiller 67 via the seventh refrigerant passage B7.

[0049] The chiller 67 evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the battery expansion valve 66 and sends it to the eighth refrigerant path B8. As described above, the chiller 67 is circulated with the refrigerant that has been expanded in the battery expansion valve 66 and turned into a low-temperature, low-pressure atomized refrigerant.

[0050] The chiller 67 is configured so that a cooling liquid that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flows through it. The chiller 67 is configured so that a flow path through which the refrigerant flows and a flow path through which the cooling liquid flows are separate from each other. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the cooling liquid and evaporates (vaporizes). The evaporated refrigerant is sent to the eighth refrigerant path B8, merges with the refrigerant in the sixth refrigerant path B6, and is sent to the compressor 61.

[0051] The HVAC unit D can also heat the passenger compartment. In this case, the first on-off valve 71 is closed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 61 is introduced into the cabin condenser 83. At this time, the switch 82 of the HVAC unit D is controlled so that air from the blower 81 is introduced into the cabin condenser 83.

[0052] In the cabin condenser 83, heat is exchanged with the air from the blower 81, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61 is condensed. This warms the air from the blower 81, making it possible to send warm air to the passenger compartment. The cabin condenser 83 sends the refrigerant condensed through heat exchange with the air to a ninth refrigerant passage B9.

[0053] The refrigerant sent from the cabin condenser 83 to the ninth refrigerant passage B9 is introduced into the heating expansion valve 68. The heating expansion valve 68 is opened at a predetermined opening. In the heating expansion valve 68, the refrigerant (liquefied refrigerant) is expanded and converted into a low-temperature, low-pressure mist. The mist-like refrigerant is sent to the water-cooled condenser 62 via the second refrigerant passage B2.

[0054] The water-cooled condenser 62 evaporates the refrigerant atomized by the heating expansion valve 68. As described above, the water-cooled condenser 62 is configured to allow the coolant to circulate, exchanging heat with the refrigerant. In the water-cooled condenser 62, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the coolant and evaporates. The evaporated refrigerant is sent to the third refrigerant path B3.

[0055] The refrigerant sent from the water-cooled condenser 62 to the third refrigerant passage B3 is introduced into the receiver 63. When the vehicle compartment is heated, the second on-off valve 72 is opened, and the cooling expansion valve 64 and the battery expansion valve 66 are closed. Therefore, the refrigerant from the receiver 63 is sent to the eighth refrigerant passage B8 via the fourth refrigerant passage B4. The refrigerant sent to the eighth refrigerant passage B8 is returned to the compressor 61.

[0056] The ninth refrigerant passage B9 is provided so as to communicate with the second inlet 102 in the manifold 1 (see FIGS. 3 and 8).

[0057] When heating the passenger compartment, the third on-off valve 73 can be opened to return the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant path B1 to the eighth refrigerant path B8, thereby circulating the refrigerant.

[0058] Such a manifold 1 can be provided with a support and fixed integrally to a vehicle, which allows for a smaller size and easier installation on a vehicle compared to when the first manifold portion 10 having the refrigerant flow path 10A and the second manifold portion 20 having the coolant flow path 20A are provided separately.

[0059] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the manifold 1 will be described.

[0060] The manifold 1 may have a slit 91 provided at least either between the inlet port in the first manifold portion 10, through which the refrigerant flows in, and the outlet port from which the refrigerant flows out, or between the inlet port in the second manifold portion 20, through which the cooling liquid flows in, and the outlet port from which the cooling liquid flows out. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the slit 91 is provided between the inlet port in the first manifold portion 10, through which the refrigerant flows in, and the outlet port from which the refrigerant flows out. The inlet port in the first manifold portion 10, through which the refrigerant flows in, corresponds to the first inlet 101, which is communicated with the first refrigerant path B1. The outlet port in the first manifold portion 10, through which the refrigerant flows out, corresponds to the first outlet 201, which is communicated with the fifth refrigerant path B5. Therefore, the manifold 1 has the slit 91 provided between the first inlet 101 and the first outlet 201. This makes it possible to suppress heat exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the manifold 1 from the first inlet 101 and the refrigerant discharged from the first outlet 201. Of course, the slit 91 may be enlarged so as to be located between the second inlet 102 and the first outlet 201.

[0061] Although not shown, a slit 91 may be provided between the inflow port 11A and the outflow port 12A, or between the inflow port 11B and the outflow port 12B. Also, a slit 91 may be provided between the inflow port 21A and the outflow port 22A, or between the inflow port 21B and the outflow port 22B, or between the inflow port 21A and the outflow port 22B. Also, a slit 91 may be provided between the inflow port 11A and the outflow port 12B.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the first manifold section 10 and the second manifold section 20 have been described as being connected to each other by the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 included in the connecting section 30. However, the first manifold section 10 and the second manifold section 20 may be connected to each other by a single connecting portion that the connecting section 30 has, or may be connected to each other by three or more connecting portions that the connecting section 30 has.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are described as being provided with a gap between them. However, the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 may be connected without a gap between them. In this case, the thickness of the connecting portion 30 between the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 may be thinner than the thickness of other portions. Furthermore, the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are shown as being provided at both ends in the second direction Y. However, the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 do not have to be provided at both ends in the second direction Y. The first connecting portion 31 may be provided at one end in the second direction Y, and the second connecting portion 32 may be provided at the other end in the second direction Y.

[0064] In the above embodiment, it has been described that gaps are provided between the inlet port 11 into which the refrigerant flows in and the outlet port 12 from which the refrigerant flows out in the first manifold portion 10, and the inlet port 21 into which the coolant flows in and the outlet port 22 from which the coolant flows out in the second manifold portion 20. However, it is not necessary to provide gaps between the inlet port 11 into which the refrigerant flows in and the outlet port 12 from which the refrigerant flows out in the first manifold portion 10, and the inlet port 21 into which the coolant flows in and the outlet port 22 from which the coolant flows out in the second manifold portion 20.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the first manifold section 10 and the second manifold section 20 are described as being an integrally molded product connected by the connecting section 30. However, the first manifold section 10 and the second manifold section 20 can also be separated from each other and configured as separate bodies.

[0066] [Summary of the above embodiment] The above-described manifold 1 will now be outlined.

[0067] (1) Manifold 1 comprises a first manifold section 10 having refrigerant flow paths 10A through which a refrigerant flows, a second manifold section 20 having coolant flow paths 20A through which a coolant flows, and a connecting section 30 that connects first manifold section 10 and second manifold section 20 to each other, wherein first manifold section 10, second manifold section 20, and connecting section 30 are integrally molded into a single unit, and the cross-sectional area of ​​a plane of connecting section 30 that is perpendicular to first direction X and where first manifold section 10 and second manifold section 20 face each other is configured to be smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the respective planes of first manifold section 10 and second manifold section 20 that are perpendicular to first direction X.

[0068] This configuration can suppress heat transfer from one of the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20 to the other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10A of the first manifold portion 10 and the coolant flowing through the coolant flow path 20A of the second manifold portion 20.

[0069] (2) In the manifold 1 described in (1), the first manifold section 10 and the second manifold section 20 are connected to each other by a first connecting portion 31 and a second connecting portion 32 included in the connecting portion 30, and it is preferable that the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are arranged with a gap between them.

[0070] According to this configuration, the gap provided between the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 can further suppress heat transfer from one of the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20 to the other. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the heat insulating performance between the first manifold portion 10 and the second manifold portion 20.

[0071] (3) In the manifold 1 described in (1) or (2), when viewed along a third direction Z that is perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y in which the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 face each other, it is preferable that a gap be provided between the inlet port 11 through which the refrigerant flows in and the outlet port 12 through which the refrigerant flows out in the first manifold portion 10, and the inlet port 21 through which the coolant flows in and the outlet port 22 through which the coolant flows out in the second manifold portion 20.

[0072] According to this configuration, heat transfer between the inlet port 11 and the outlet port 12 provided in the first manifold portion 10 and the inlet port 21 and the outlet port 22 provided in the second manifold portion 20 can be suppressed.

[0073] (4) In the manifold 1 described in (3), it is preferable that a slit 91 is provided at least either between the inlet port and the outlet port from which the refrigerant flows out, or between the inlet port in the second manifold portion 20 through which the coolant flows in and the outlet port from which the coolant flows out.

[0074] According to this configuration, when the slits 91 are provided in the first manifold portion 10, it is possible to suppress heat transfer between the refrigerant introduced into the first manifold portion 10 from the inlet port 11 and the refrigerant discharged from the outlet port 12. Furthermore, when the slits 91 are provided in the second manifold portion 20, it is possible to suppress heat transfer between the cooling water introduced into the second manifold portion 20 from the inlet port 21 and the cooling water discharged from the outlet port 22. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The technology according to the present disclosure can be used in a manifold that includes a coolant flow path through which a coolant flows and a coolant flow path through which a coolant flows. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1: manifold, 10: first manifold portion, 10A: refrigerant flow path, 11: inlet port, 12: outlet port, 20: second manifold portion, 20A: coolant flow path, 21: inlet port, 22: outlet port, 30: connecting portion, 31: first connecting portion, 32: second connecting portion, 62: Water-cooled condenser (heat exchanger), 67: Chiller (heat exchanger), X: 1st direction, Y: 2nd direction, Z: 3rd direction

Claims

1. a first manifold portion having a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows; a second manifold portion having a coolant flow path through which the coolant flows; a connecting portion that connects the first manifold portion and the second manifold portion to each other, the first manifold portion, the second manifold portion, and the connecting portion are integrally molded into an integrally molded product, A manifold configured such that the cross-sectional area of ​​a surface perpendicular to a first direction where the first manifold portion and the second manifold portion face each other at the connecting portion is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the surfaces perpendicular to the first direction of each of the first manifold portion and the second manifold portion.

2. the first manifold portion and the second manifold portion are connected to each other by a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion included in the connecting portion, The manifold according to claim 1 , wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are provided with a gap therebetween.

3. When viewed along a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion face each other, 3. The manifold according to claim 2, wherein the gap is provided between an inlet port through which the refrigerant flows in and an outlet port through which the refrigerant flows out in the first manifold portion, and an inlet port through which the cooling liquid flows in and an outlet port through which the cooling liquid flows out in the second manifold portion.

4. 3. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein a slit is provided in at least one of a space between an inlet port in the first manifold portion through which the refrigerant flows and an outlet port through which the refrigerant flows, and a space between an inlet port in the second manifold portion through which the cooling liquid flows and an outlet port through which the cooling liquid flows.

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