Flow channel structure

Abstract

The objective is to provide a flow path structure that suppresses an increase in the number of parts. [Solution] A flow path structure comprising a first member, a second member which together defines first and second flow paths adjacent to each other through which cooling water for cooling the engine flows, a single surface seal member, and a single shaft seal member, wherein the first member includes a first defining portion which partially defines the first flow path and a second defining portion which partially defines the second flow path, the second member includes a third defining portion which partially defines the first flow path and a fourth defining portion which partially defines the second flow path, the surface seal member is positioned between the first defining portion and the third defining portion, the second and fourth defining portions are fitted together, and the shaft seal member is positioned between the second defining portion and the fourth defining portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow path structure.

Background Art

[0002] There is a flow path structure provided with a surface seal member and a shaft seal member for one flow path (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For two flow paths, two surface seal members and two shaft seal members are required. Thus, the number of parts increases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a flow path structure in which an increase in the number of parts is suppressed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The above object can be achieved by a flow path structure including a first member, a second member that defines first and second flow paths through which cooling water for cooling an engine flows and are adjacent to each other together with the first member, a single surface seal member, and a single shaft seal member. The first member includes a first defining portion that partially defines the first flow path and a second defining portion that partially defines the second flow path. The second member includes a third defining portion that partially defines the first flow path and a fourth defining portion that partially defines the second flow path. The surface seal member is disposed between the first defining portion and the third defining portion. The second and fourth defining portions are fitted to each other. The shaft seal member is disposed between the second defining portion and the fourth defining portion.

[0007] The device comprises first and second fastening members that fasten the first member and the second member together, wherein the first and second fastening members are located at a distance from each other, and the second and fourth defining portions may be located at a distance from each of the first and second fastening members.

[0008] The system includes a water temperature sensor, and the first member includes first and second pipes communicating with the first and second flow paths, respectively, and a third pipe defining a third flow path connecting the first and second flow paths, wherein the water temperature sensor is attached to the third pipe and may detect the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the third flow path.

[0009] The first passage allows coolant to flow from the heater core to the engine, the second passage allows coolant to flow from the engine to the heater core, the third passage allows coolant to flow from the second passage to the first passage, and the second member may be the cylinder head of the engine. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a flow path structure can be provided in which an increase in the number of parts is suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the engine's configuration. [Figure 2] This is an external view showing the area around the cover component. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of engine 1. Engine 1 includes a cylinder block 2, a cylinder head 3, an oil pan 4, and a crankshaft 5. The cylinder head 3 is located on top of the cylinder block 2. The oil pan 4 is located below the cylinder block 2. The crankshaft 5 is rotatably supported by the cylinder block 2 and the oil pan 4. Engine 1 is mounted in a vehicle, for example, as a power source for driving.

[0013] A cover member 6 is attached to the side of the cylinder head 3. As will be explained in more detail later, the cover member 6 guides the coolant from the heater core 9 into the flow path within the engine 1 and guides the coolant from the engine 1 to the heater core 9. In the heater core 9, heat exchange occurs between the coolant and the air in the passenger compartment. As a result, the air in the passenger compartment is warmed.

[0014] A shut-off valve 10 is positioned in the path through which coolant flows from the cover member 6 to the heater core 9. When the shut-off valve 10 is open, the flow of coolant from the cover member 6 to the heater core 9 is permitted. When the shut-off valve 10 is closed, the flow of coolant from the cover member 6 to the heater core 9 is restricted. The opening and closing of the shut-off valve 10 is controlled by a control device that controls the operation of the engine 1. The coolant is circulated through the engine 1 and the heater core 9 by a mechanical water pump, for example, driven by the rotation of the crankshaft 5.

[0015] Figure 2 is an external view showing the area around the cover member 6. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the flow path structure defined by the cover member 6 and the cylinder head 3. In this embodiment, the flow path structure is defined by the cover member 6 and the cylinder head 3. The cover member 6 is an example of a first member. The cylinder head 3 is an example of a second member. The cover member 6 includes a base portion 61, a first defined portion 62, a first pipe 63, a second defined portion 64, a second pipe 65, a third pipe 66, and a mounting pipe 67. The cylinder head 3 includes a third defined portion 32 and a fourth defined portion 34.

[0016] The base portion 61 is plate-shaped with a predetermined thickness. The first defined portion 62 is formed to protrude upward from the base portion 61 in Figure 3. The second defined portion 64 protrudes upward from the base portion 61 in Figure 3 and extends downward from the base portion 61 in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first defined portion 62 and the second defined portion 64 are integrally adjacent. An inner surface 621 is formed inside the first defined portion 62. The inner surface 621 opens to the lower surface of the base portion 61. An inner surface 641 is formed inside the second defined portion 64.

[0017] The first pipe 63 is provided to connect to the first demarcation section 62. The opening edge 631 at the base end of the first pipe 63 is formed on the inner surface 621. In this way, the first pipe 63 communicates with the first demarcation section 62. The second pipe 65 is provided to connect to the second demarcation section 64. The opening edge 651 at the base end of the second pipe 65 is formed on the inner surface 641. In this way, the second pipe 65 communicates with the second demarcation section 64. The tip of the first pipe 63 is connected to the heater core 9 via a hose or pipe. The tip of the second pipe 65 is connected to the heater core 9 via a hose or pipe.

[0018] An inner surface 321 is formed inside the third defined portion 32. The inner surface 321 is connected to the inner surface 621. Therefore, the first flow path R1 is defined by the inner surface 321 of the third defined portion 32 and the inner surface 621 of the first defined portion 62. An inner surface 341 is formed inside the fourth defined portion 34. The inner surface 341 is not continuous with the inner surface 321. The inner surface 341 is connected to the inner surface 641. Therefore, the second flow path R2 is defined by the inner surface 341 of the fourth defined portion 34 and the inner surface 641 of the second defined portion 64. Each of the inner surfaces 321 and 341 extends into the cylinder head 3, either in the front or depth direction of the paper in Figure 3. Cooling water from the heater core 9 flows through the cylinder head 3 via the first pipe 63 and the first flow path R1. Furthermore, the cooling water from the cylinder head 3 flows from the second passage R2 through the second pipe 65 to the heater core 9.

[0019] The third pipe 66 is formed between the first defining portion 62 and the second defining portion 64. An inner surface 661 is formed inside the third pipe 66. The inner surface 661 is continuous with the inner surface 621 and the inner surface 641. In this way, the third pipe 66 communicates with the first defining portion 62 and the second defining portion 64. The third pipe 66 defines a third flow path R3 that communicates the first flow path R1 and the second flow path R2. Therefore, a part of the cooling water flows from the second flow path R2 to the first flow path R1 through the third flow path R3.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting pipe 67 is connected to the third pipe 66. A water temperature sensor S is attached to the mounting pipe 67. That is, the water temperature sensor S is attached to the third pipe 66 via the mounting pipe 67. As shown in FIG. 3, the tip Se of the water temperature sensor S is exposed from the inner surface 661. Therefore, the water temperature sensor S detects the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the third flow path R3, in other words, the temperature of the cooling water discharged from the cylinder head 3 of the engine 1. Thus, the water temperature sensor S is attached to the cover member 6, and the functions are integrated. The detected value of the water temperature sensor S is output to a control device that controls the driving of the engine 1.

[0021] When the water stop valve 10 shown in FIG. 1 is closed, the flow of the cooling water from the cover member 6 to the heater core 9 is restricted as described above. However, the flow from the second flow path R2 to the first flow path R1 through the third flow path R3 is allowed. Therefore, even when the water stop valve 10 is closed, the cooling water circulates in the engine 1. Also, even when the water stop valve 10 is closed, the cooling water flows through the third flow path R3, so the temperature of the cooling water is detected by the water temperature sensor S.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the first defining portion 62 has a disk surface 622. The disk surface 622 is formed around the opening end of the inner surface 621, is flat, and is substantially disk-shaped. The third defining portion 32 has a disk surface 322. The disk surface 622 is formed around the opening end of the inner surface 321, is flat, and is substantially disk-shaped. The disk surface 622 and the disk surface 322 are in surface contact. A single surface seal member FS is disposed between the disk surface 622 and the disk surface 322. The surface seal member FS is made of annular rubber. The surface seal member FS is a single member. That is, a plurality of surface seal members are not disposed between the disk surface 622 and the disk surface 322. Specifically, the surface seal member FS is disposed in a recess 623 formed in the disk surface 622 and extending circularly. Thereby, leakage of cooling water from the first flow path R1 to the outside is suppressed.

[0023] The cylindrical portion of the second defining portion 64 below the base portion 61 is fitted into the fourth defining portion 34. The second defining portion 64 has an outer peripheral surface 642. The outer peripheral surface 642 is substantially cylindrical. The fourth defining portion 34 has an inner peripheral surface 342. The inner peripheral surface 342 is substantially cylindrical. The inner peripheral surface 342 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 642. A single shaft seal member SS is disposed between the inner peripheral surface 342 and the outer peripheral surface 642. The shaft seal member SS is made of annular rubber. Specifically, the shaft seal member SS is disposed in a recess 643 formed in the outer peripheral surface 642 and extending circularly. The shaft seal member SS is a single member. That is, a plurality of shaft seal members are not disposed between the inner peripheral surface 342 and the outer peripheral surface 642. Thereby, leakage of cooling water from the second flow path R2 to the outside is suppressed.

[0024] As described above, a single surface seal member FS is provided for the first flow path R1, and a single shaft seal member SS is provided for the second flow path R2. In other words, in this embodiment, only two seal members are provided. For example, compared to a case where a surface seal member FS and a shaft seal member SS are provided for the first flow path R1 and similarly for the second flow path R2, the number of parts is reduced in this embodiment. Furthermore, because the number of parts is reduced in this way, the cover member 6 can also be made smaller.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the cover member 6 is fastened to the cylinder head 3 by fastening members B1 and B2. Each of the fastening members B1 and B2 is a bolt that passes through the base portion 61 and is screwed into a hole formed in the cylinder head 3. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the cover member 6 is fastened to the cylinder head 3 by the second defining portion 64 fitting into the fourth defining portion 34. As shown in Figure 2, the fastening members B1 and B2 are located at a distance from each other. The second defining portion 64 and the fourth defining portion 34 are also located at a distance from the fastening members B1 and B2. In this way, the cover member 6 is fastened to the cylinder head 3 at three locations that are at a distance from each other. Compared to, for example, fastening the cover member 6 to the cylinder head 3 using three bolts, the number of parts is reduced. Furthermore, because the number of parts is reduced in this way, the cover member 6 can be made smaller.

[0026] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 1 Engine 3. Cylinder head (second component) 32 Third stroke division 34. Fourth stroke (fixed part) 6. Cover member (first member) 62 First stroke section 63 First Pipe 64. Second stroke (fixed part) 65 Second pipe 66 Third Pipe R1 First channel R2 Second channel R3 Third channel FS surface sealing member SS shaft seal member B1, B2 fastening members S Water temperature sensor

Claims

1. First member and A second member, together with the first member, defines the first and second flow paths, which are adjacent to each other and through which the cooling water for the engine flows. A single surface sealing member, A single shaft seal member is provided, The first member includes a first delimiting portion that partially defines the first flow path, and a second delimiting portion that partially defines the second flow path. The second member includes a third delimiting portion that partially defines the first flow path, and a fourth delimiting portion that partially defines the second flow path. The surface sealing member is positioned between the first defined portion and the third defined portion. The second and fourth defined parts are fitted together, The shaft sealing member is a flow path structure positioned between the second and fourth defined portions.

2. The device comprises first and second fastening members that fasten the first member and the second member together, The first and second fastening members are located at positions separate from each other. The flow path structure according to claim 1, wherein the second and fourth demarcation portions are located at positions away from the first and second fastening members, respectively.

3. Equipped with a water temperature sensor, The first member includes first and second pipes communicating with the first and second flow paths, respectively, and a third pipe defining a third flow path connecting the first and second flow paths. The flow path structure according to claim 2, wherein the water temperature sensor is attached to the third pipe and detects the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the third flow path.

4. The first flow path allows coolant to flow from the heater core to the engine. The second flow path allows cooling water to flow from the engine to the heater core. The third flow path allows cooling water to flow from the second flow path to the first flow path. The flow path structure according to claim 3, wherein the second member is the cylinder head of the engine.

Images