Reserve tank

Abstract

To allow injection of the correct fluid while preventing the accidental injection of non-correct fluids. [Solution] A reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which an insulating coolant circulates, comprising a filler port into which the coolant is poured, a tank body for storing the coolant, and a mesh member provided in the flow path between the filler port and the tank body, formed to allow the coolant to pass through, wherein the mesh member has water-repellent properties that repel conductive liquids but not coolant, and is configured to repel conductive liquids when they are poured into the filler port, preventing them from passing through to the tank body, and the conductive liquid is a liquid with a higher surface tension than the coolant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reserve tank.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a water-wetness detection cloth in which two core-sheath type conductive yarns are woven into a non-conductive cloth. In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the core-sheath type conductive yarn includes a conductive core portion and a non-conductive sheath portion, and water-wetness is detected by the conduction between the two core-sheath type conductive yarns.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a cooling system that cools a battery with a coolant, the coolant stored in a reserve tank is circulated through a cooling circuit by a pump to supply the coolant to the battery. In this case, the liquid injected into the reserve tank is only the normal liquid coolant, and it is desirable to prevent non-normal liquid from being accidentally injected into the cooling system. Therefore, when the non-normal liquid is water, it is conceivable to set the configuration described in Patent Document 1 in a flow path through which the normal liquid flows and detect water-wetness.

[0005] However, since the water-wetness detection cloth described in Patent Document 1 has a large water flow resistance, it hinders the flow of the normal liquid when detecting water-wetness. The configuration described in Patent Document 1 is not suitable for setting in a flow path that needs to allow the normal liquid to pass through without hindering the flow of the normal liquid.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a reserve tank that can be injected with the correct liquid but can prevent the accidental injection of non-correct liquids. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which an insulating coolant circulates, comprising: a filler port into which the coolant is poured; a tank body for storing the coolant; and a mesh member provided in a flow path between the filler port and the tank body, formed to allow the coolant to pass through, wherein the mesh member has water-repellent properties that repel conductive liquids without repelling the coolant, and is configured to repel conductive liquids when they are poured into the filler port, preventing them from passing through to the tank body, and the conductive liquid is a liquid with a higher surface tension than the coolant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In this invention, while it is possible to inject the correct liquid, it is possible to suppress the accidental injection of non-correct liquids. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a cooling system including a reserve tank in an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the reserve tank. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the structure of the liquid injection section. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing how an unconventional liquid is poured into the injection port. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the irregular liquid being poured through the injection port. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates how a mesh-like structure prevents the passage of irregular liquids. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the reserve tank in the first modified example. [Figure 8]This is a diagram illustrating the shape and arrangement of the sensor terminals. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing the reserve tank in the second modified example. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing the reserve tank in the third modified example. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing the view as indicated by arrow A in Figure 10. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing the view from arrow B in Figure 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The reserve tank in the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cooling system including a reserve tank in an embodiment. Cooling system 1 cools the battery mounted on the vehicle using a refrigerant. The vehicle equipped with cooling system 1 is a hybrid vehicle. In cooling system 1, in order to safely and efficiently cool the high-voltage battery mounted on the vehicle, a refrigerant is circulated through a cooler 2 that is in contact with the battery module inside the battery pack case, and the high-voltage battery is directly cooled by the refrigerant.

[0012] The refrigerant in cooling system 1 is an insulating liquid with low viscosity. For example, the refrigerant is insulating oil. Cooling system 1 is an oil-cooled system that uses insulating oil as a refrigerant. In other words, insulating oil is the standard liquid for cooling system 1. Because insulating oil has low viscosity, it has low surface tension and high fluidity.

[0013] The cooling system 1 includes a cooling circuit 10 through which insulating oil circulates. The cooling circuit 10 includes an oil pump 11, an oil cooler (O / C) 12, a cooler 2, and a reserve tank (R / T) 3.

[0014] The oil pump 11 sucks in the insulating oil from the suction port and discharges it from the discharge port. The suction port and the discharge port of the oil pump 11 are each connected to a cooling pipe. When the oil pump 11 discharges the insulating oil from the discharge port, the insulating oil is pumped into the cooling flow path of the cooling circuit 10. The insulating oil discharged by the oil pump 11 is supplied to the oil cooler 12.

[0015] The oil cooler 12 is a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the insulating oil and the cooling water. The oil cooler 12 is composed of an aluminum housing and is fastened to the vehicle body. The refrigerant of the cooling system 1 is supplied to the oil cooler 12, and the cooling water used in the water-cooling module 100 is also supplied. The water-cooling module 100 is a cooling device that cools the engine. The cooling water is engine cooling water (LLC). In the cooling system 1, heat exchange is performed between the cooling water supplied to the oil cooler 12 and the insulating oil circulating in the cooling circuit 10, so that the heat of the insulating oil is transferred to the cooling water and the insulating oil is cooled. The insulating oil cooled by the oil cooler 12 is supplied from the oil cooler 12 to the cooler 2.

[0016] The cooler 2 is a cooler that cools the high-voltage battery with insulating oil. The high-voltage battery is a secondary battery that stores electric power for driving the vehicle. For example, the high-voltage battery is composed of a lithium-ion battery. The battery pack to which the cooling system 1 is applicable is a battery pack provided with a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, or a battery pack provided with a battery module configured as a bipolar battery.

[0017] The cooler 2 is disposed inside the case of the battery pack and is in contact with the high-voltage battery. The cooling system 1 has a structure in which the refrigerant flows inside the case of the battery pack. The cooler 2 is made of aluminum. The high-voltage battery is cooled by the insulating oil flowing through the cooler 2 inside the case of the battery pack. The insulating oil that has cooled the high-voltage battery is supplied from the cooler 2 to the reserve tank 3.

[0018] The reserve tank 3 is a tank that stores insulating oil that circulates in the cooling circuit 10. The insulating oil stored in the reserve tank 3 is drawn into the oil pump 11. In this way, the insulating oil circulates in the cooling circuit 10 in the following order: oil pump 11, oil cooler 12, condenser 2, reserve tank 3, and then back to the oil pump 11.

[0019] In cooling system 1, if the battery pack on which the cooler 2 is located is a bipolar energy storage device, a voltage is applied to the insulating oil flowing inside the cooler 2. Specifically, in a bipolar energy storage device in which multiple battery modules are stacked, the cooler 2 is interposed between adjacent battery modules in the stacking direction. In other words, the battery modules and the cooler 2 are stacked alternately. Since the cooler 2 is made of aluminum and also acts as a conductive material, a high voltage is applied to the refrigerant flowing inside the cooler 2. Therefore, in cooling system 1, if a conductive liquid (hereinafter referred to as an unconventional liquid) is mistakenly injected into the cooling channel of the cooling circuit 10, there is a risk of leakage current caused by the unconventional liquid. To this end, the reserve tank 3 is configured to prevent the unconventional liquid from being mistakenly injected into cooling system 1.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the reserve tank 3 comprises a liquid injection section 21, a tank body 22 for storing insulating oil 4, a mesh member 30, and a sensor terminal 40.

[0021] The liquid injection unit 21 is located at the top of the tank body 22. As shown in Figure 3, the liquid injection unit 21 has a liquid injection port 21a into which insulating oil 4 is poured, a cylindrical flow path 21b with the liquid injection port 21a as its opening, and a cap that closes the liquid injection port 21a. Normally, the liquid injection port 21a is closed by the cap. When insulating oil 4 is injected into the reserve tank 3, the cap is removed and the liquid injection port 21a is opened. The insulating oil 4 poured from the liquid injection port 21a flows through the flow path 21b and is injected into the tank body 22. The flow path 21b is formed between the liquid injection port 21a and the tank body 22 and is the flow path for the insulating oil 4. During liquid injection, such as during manufacturing or service, the insulating oil 4 poured from the liquid injection port 21a flows through the flow path 21b and is stored in the tank body 22. Note that in Figure 3, the internal structure of the liquid injection unit 21 is shown in a transparent state.

[0022] The mesh member 30 is a component for suppressing the accidental injection of non-standard liquids. The mesh member 30 is provided in the flow path 21b and is a conductive mesh configured to allow the insulating oil 4 to pass through. The mesh member 30 has water-repellent properties that allow it to repel non-standard liquids without repelling the insulating oil 4. The insulating oil 4 is a liquid with a surface tension significantly lower than that of the non-standard liquids that are expected to be accidentally injected. Therefore, the mesh member 30 is treated with a water-repellent coating to the extent that it allows the insulating oil 4 to pass through but not the non-standard liquids. In other words, the mesh member 30 is a mesh that does not repel the insulating oil 4 but repels non-standard liquids with higher surface tension. The mesh member 30 is formed with a mesh size that allows the insulating oil 4 to pass through, but does not allow the non-standard liquids to pass through. Since the insulating oil 4 has low viscosity, it has the fluidity to pass through the mesh member 30, and the flow is not obstructed by the mesh member 30. The insulating oil 4 can pass through the water-repellent mesh member 30.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, when an unconventional liquid 5 is poured into the injection port 21a of the injection section 21, the mesh member 30 is configured to repel the unconventional liquid 5 and prevent it from passing through to the tank body 22. The unconventional liquid 5 is a conductive liquid with a higher surface tension than the insulating oil 4. For example, the unconventional liquid 5 is water or LLC. With the reserve tank 3, the mesh member 30 provided near the injection port 21a can prevent the intrusion of the unconventional liquid 5 without obstructing the flow of the insulating oil 4. Note that in Figures 5 and 6, the internal structure of the injection section 21 is shown in a transparent state.

[0024] The sensor terminal 40 is a detection unit for detecting the unauthorized liquid 5 that has been mistakenly injected into the liquid injection section 21. The sensor terminal 40 is located inside the flow path 21b above the mesh member 30. The sensor terminal 40 is connected to a continuity detection sensor via a wire. The continuity detection sensor detects when the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 become conductive due to the unauthorized liquid 5. Since the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 are spaced apart from each other, there is no conductivity between them when the unauthorized liquid 5 is not present on the mesh member 30. Under normal circumstances, the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 are disconnected. A sufficient distance is maintained between the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 to prevent false detections due to condensation, etc.

[0025] The sensor terminals 40 and the mesh member 30 are spaced apart. The mesh member 30 is arranged to spread horizontally, and the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 are positioned at the same vertical location. As shown in Figure 6, when the irregular liquid 5 accumulates on the mesh member 30, the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 become immersed in the irregular liquid 5 and conduction occurs. Even if the insulating oil 4 wets the sensor terminals 40, conduction is not detected.

[0026] In the reserve tank 3, if a liquid containing insulating oil 4 mixed with non-standard liquid 5 is poured into the inlet 21a, or if only non-standard liquid 5 is poured into the inlet 21a, the non-standard liquid 5 can be prevented from being stored in the tank body 22. When a liquid containing insulating oil 4 mixed with non-standard liquid 5 is poured into the inlet 21a, the mesh member 30 allows the insulating oil 4 to pass through but prevents the non-standard liquid 5 from passing through, thus separating the insulating oil 4 and the non-standard liquid 5 by the mesh member 30. While the mesh member 30 prevents the non-standard liquid 5 from being injected into the cooling system 1, if an erroneous injection into the inlet 21a occurs, the sensor terminal 40 can detect the erroneous injection.

[0027] As described above, according to the embodiment, if the non-standard liquid 5 is accidentally injected into the injection section 21, the non-standard liquid 5 can be retained on the mesh member 30, thereby preventing its intrusion. Furthermore, since the non-standard liquid 5 retained by the mesh member 30 causes the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 to conduct electricity, the accidental injection of the non-standard liquid 5 can be detected.

[0028] Furthermore, the high-voltage battery cooled by the cooler 2 is not limited to a lithium-ion battery. In addition, the structure is not limited to one in which the housing of the cooler 2 and the high-voltage battery are in direct contact; a structure in which a thermal conductive material is interposed between the housing of the cooler 2 and the high-voltage battery is also possible.

[0029] Furthermore, the shape of the liquid injection section 21 and the shape of the tank body 22 are not particularly limited. In addition, the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 are not limited to the same position in the vertical direction, but may be arranged at different positions in the vertical direction.

[0030] Furthermore, the mesh member 30 is not limited to a conductive mesh, but may be a non-conductive mesh. Moreover, there may be more than one mesh member 30.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, the reserve tank 3 of the first modified example comprises a mesh member 30 and a mesh member 50 made of a non-conductive mesh. The mesh member 50 is provided in the flow path 21b and is positioned above the mesh member 30. The mesh member 50 is a mesh for detecting the non-standard liquid 5. Sensor terminals 40 are woven into the mesh member 50. When the mesh member 50 is wetted with the non-standard liquid 5, electrical conductivity is established between the pair of sensor terminals 40, 40, and the erroneous injection of the non-standard liquid 5 is detected. According to Modified Example 1, the sensor terminals 40 can be reliably made electrical conductivity by wetting the mesh member 50 with the non-standard liquid 5, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting erroneous injection. Note that in Figure 7, the internal structure of the liquid injection section 21 is shown in a transparent state.

[0032] In the first modified example, the shape of the sensor terminals 40 woven into the mesh member 50 is not particularly limited. As shown in Figure 8, it is possible to weave a pair of sensor terminals 40, 40 over a predetermined range within the mesh member 50 so that the sensor terminals 40 form a spiral shape. This makes it possible to detect wetting over a wide area of ​​the mesh member 50, more reliably conduction of the sensor terminals 40, and improve the accuracy of detecting erroneous injection.

[0033] As shown in Figure 9, the reserve tank 3 of the second modified example has a structure in which meshes with different water-repellent properties are arranged in multiple stages, and a detection unit is provided in each stage. The reserve tank 3 comprises an upper first mesh member 31, a middle second mesh member 32, a lower third mesh member 33, a first sensor terminal 41, a second sensor terminal 42, and a third sensor terminal 43. Note that in Figure 9, the internal structure of the liquid injection section 21 is shown in a transparent state.

[0034] The first to third mesh members 31, 32, and 33 are all non-conductive meshes, and are treated with varying degrees of water-repellent coating so that they can hold liquids with lower surface tension, with the lower members being more effective. The first mesh member 31 has water-repellent properties that repel liquids with high surface tension. The second mesh member 32 has water-repellent properties that repel liquids with moderate surface tension. The third mesh member 33 has water-repellent properties that repel liquids with low surface tension.

[0035] The first sensor terminal 41 is connected to the first mesh member 31 and detects the non-standard liquid 5 whose passage is blocked by the first mesh member 31. The first sensor terminal 41 and the first mesh member 31 are in contact. The second sensor terminal 42 is connected to the second mesh member 32 and detects the non-standard liquid 5 whose passage is blocked by the second mesh member 32. The second sensor terminal 42 and the second mesh member 32 are in contact. The third sensor terminal 43 is connected to the third mesh member 33 and detects the non-standard liquid 5 whose passage is blocked by the third mesh member 33. The third sensor terminal 43 and the third mesh member 33 are in contact. According to the third modified example, sensor terminals are provided on each of the multi-stage mesh members, and the type of non-standard liquid 5 that has been mistakenly injected can be estimated based on which sensor terminal detects the non-standard liquid 5.

[0036] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the reserve tank 3 of the third modified example has a liquid collection section 34 provided on the mesh member 30. The liquid collection section 34 is shaped to collect the irregular liquid 5 whose passage is blocked by the mesh member 30. The mesh member 30 is shaped to be recessed downward from a ring-shaped support section 35. The support section 35 is fitted into the flow path 21b. The liquid collection section 34 is formed at the lower part of the mesh member 30. The sensor terminal 40 is located on the liquid collection section 34. The irregular liquid 5 whose passage is blocked by the mesh member 30 is collected in the liquid collection section 34 due to the shape of the mesh member 30 and guided to the sensor terminal 40. According to the third modified example, even a small amount of erroneous injection can be reliably made to conduct to the sensor terminal 40, improving the accuracy of detecting erroneous injection. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Cooling system 2 cooler 3. Reserve Tank 4. Insulating oil 5 Irregular liquid 10 Cooling circuit 11 Oil pump 12 Oil cooler 21 Injection section 22 Tank body 30 Mesh member 40 Sensor terminals

Claims

1. A reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which an insulating coolant circulates, The inlet into which the coolant is poured, A tank body for storing the aforementioned coolant, A mesh-like member is provided in the flow path between the liquid injection port and the tank body, and is formed to allow the coolant to pass through it, Equipped with, The mesh member has water-repellent properties that repel conductive liquids but not the coolant, and is configured to repel conductive liquids when they are poured into the filling port, preventing them from passing through to the tank body. The conductive liquid is a liquid with a higher surface tension than the coolant. A reserve tank characterized by the following features.

2. A conductivity sensor is provided between the liquid injection port and the mesh member, which detects the conductive liquid whose passage is blocked by the mesh member. The conductivity sensor has a pair of detection units spaced apart from each other, and detects when electrical conductivity is established between the pair of detection units by the conductive liquid. The reserve tank according to feature 1.

3. The mesh-like member is a conductive member, The pair of detection units are arranged spaced apart from the mesh member. The reserve tank according to feature 2.

4. The mesh member is a non-conductive member, The pair of detection units are positioned in contact with the mesh member. The reserve tank according to feature 2.

5. The mesh member has a liquid collection section formed in a shape that collects the conductive liquid that is prevented from passing to the tank body, The pair of detection units are located in the liquid collection unit. The reserve tank according to claim 3 or 4.

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