Cooling structure and cooler

Abstract

To simplify the machining process of components that are joined to the heat exchange section. [Solution] The cooling structure comprises a heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and performing heat exchange with an object to be cooled that is in contact with its outer surface; a pair of pipes joined to the heat exchange section and projecting from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a connecting passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface; a cylindrical section into which the ends of the pipes in the projecting direction are inserted; a closing section that closes the ends of the cylindrical section; a sealing section provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical section and in contact with the outer surface of the pipes to seal the space between the pipes and the cylindrical section; a cap member movable in the axial direction of the pipes; an inlet / outlet section provided on one of the pair of cap members for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the connecting passage; and a receiving section arranged in the direction of movement of the cap member and in contact with the cap member to receive refrigerant pressure. Prepare.

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling structure and a cooler.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a tubular body having a barb shape is joined to a cooling plate.

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 Patent Document 1, the tubular body joined to the cooling plate has a barb shape for connection to another pipe.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for simplifying the processing of components joined to a heat exchange section.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The cooling structure according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is The device comprises: a heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and performing heat exchange with an object to be cooled in contact with its outer surface; a pair of pipes joined to the heat exchange section and projecting from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a connecting passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface; a cylindrical section into which the ends of the pipes in the projecting direction are inserted; a closing section that closes the ends of the cylindrical section; a sealing section provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical section and in contact with the outer surface of the pipes to seal the space between the pipes and the cylindrical section; a cap member movable in the axial direction of the pipes; an inlet / outlet section provided on one of the pair of cap members for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the connecting passage; and a receiving section arranged in the direction of movement of the cap member and in contact with the cap member to receive refrigerant pressure.

[0007] In the cooling structure of the first embodiment, the refrigerant enters and exits the communication passage through the inlet and outlet. The refrigerant then flows from the communication passage into the refrigerant passage and exchanges heat with the object to be cooled, which is in contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange section. Through this heat exchange, the object to be cooled is cooled.

[0008] Furthermore, in the above cooling structure, when the refrigerant flows into the communication passage and the refrigerant passage, the pressure in these passages, i.e., the pressure due to the refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as "refrigerant pressure" as appropriate), increases. As the refrigerant pressure increases, the cap member moves axially along the pipe and comes into contact with the receiving part. The receiving part receives the cap member and receives the refrigerant pressure. In this way, in the cooling structure, even if the cap member moves axially along the pipe, the refrigerant pressure can be received by the receiving part, so the outer surface of the pipe inserted into the cap member can be made flat. And by making the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes flat, the processing of the pair of pipes becomes simpler compared to, for example, a configuration in which the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes are barbed. In this way, the processing of the components can be simplified in the cooling structure.

[0009] A cooling structure according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in which the cooling structure according to the first aspect comprises a plurality of cooling plates arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the tube and having the refrigerant passage inside, and connecting pipes connecting adjacent cooling plates, wherein the tube is joined to the cooling plates located at both ends of the plurality of cooling plates in the axial direction of the tube, and the axial direction of the tube and the axial direction of the connecting pipes are in the same direction.

[0010] In the cooling structure of the second embodiment, since the heat exchange section is composed of multiple cooling plates, heat can be exchanged with multiple objects to be cooled using each cooling plate. Furthermore, by making the axial direction of the pipe and the axial direction of the connecting pipes that connect adjacent cooling plates the same, the length of the connecting pipes can be shortened compared to, for example, the case where they are in different directions, and it becomes possible to efficiently flow the refrigerant to adjacent cooling plates.

[0011] A third aspect of the cooling structure of the present disclosure is the cooling structure of the second aspect, wherein the inlet / outlet portion extends from the closure portion in the axial direction of the pipe and penetrates the receiving portion.

[0012] In the cooling structure of the third embodiment, the refrigerant inlet and outlet penetrate the receiving portion. Therefore, the movement of the inlet and outlet in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the pipe is restricted by the receiving portion. In other words, since the movement of the cap member on which the inlet and outlet are provided is restricted in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the pipe, the connection between the cap member and the pipe can be maintained even if there is an external input such as vibration.

[0013] A cooling structure according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure is a cooling structure according to a second or third aspect, wherein the pipe and the connecting pipe overlap in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0014] In the cooling structure of the fourth embodiment, the pipe and the connecting pipe overlap in the axial direction of the pipe, so the connecting passage inside the pipe and the internal passage of the cylindrical part of the cap member are connected in the axial direction of the pipe. Therefore, when refrigerant flows from the inlet / outlet into the connecting passage and the internal passage of the cylindrical part, the pressure in the connecting passage and the internal passage of the cylindrical part increases, causing each cap member to move quickly so that the refrigerant pressure is received by the receiving part. In other words, since each cap member is received by the receiving part, the position of the pair of pipes and connecting pipes is determined, improving the ease of assembly of the cooling plate.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a cooling structure in which, in the third aspect of the cooling structure, the pipe, the connecting pipe, and the inlet / outlet portion overlap in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0016] In the cooling structure of the fifth embodiment, the pipe body, connecting pipe, and inlet / outlet section overlap in the axial direction of the pipe body, making it easier for the refrigerant to flow from the inlet / outlet section into the connecting passage.

[0017] A cooling structure according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in a cooling structure according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the connecting pipe comprises a first pipe joined to one of two adjacent cooling plates, a second pipe joined to the other cooling plate, and a flexible pipe having flexibility that connects the first pipe and the second pipe.

[0018] In the cooling structure of the sixth embodiment, even if the positions of adjacent cooling plates are misaligned, the first pipe and the second pipe are reliably connected by a flexible pipe.

[0019] The cooling structure of the seventh aspect of this disclosure is the cooling structure of the sixth aspect, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are the same in material, shape and dimensions.

[0020] In the cooling structure of the seventh embodiment, the cost can be reduced because the first and second pipes use parts of the same material, shape, and dimensions.

[0021] In the cooling structure according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the cooling structure according to the seventh aspect, the pair of the pipe bodies and the first pipe have the same material, shape, and dimensions.

[0022] In the cooling structure according to the eighth aspect, since parts having the same material, shape, and dimensions are used as the pair of pipe bodies and the first pipe, the cost can be reduced.

[0023] In the cooling structure according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the cooling structure according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the flexible pipe is a bellows pipe made of resin.

[0024] In the cooling structure according to the ninth aspect, since the flexible pipe is a bellows pipe made of resin, weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0025] The cooler according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure has a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows, a heat exchange part that performs heat exchange with a cooling object in contact with the outer surface, a pair of pipe bodies that are joined to the heat exchange part and project from the heat exchange part in opposite directions to each other and constitute a communication passage communicating with the refrigerant passage, and the outer peripheral surface is flat, a cylindrical part into which an end part in the projecting direction of the pipe body is inserted, a closing part that closes an end part of the cylindrical part, and a sealing part that is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part and contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body to seal between the pipe body and the cylindrical part. The cooler further has a cap member that is movable in the axial direction of the pipe body, and an inlet / outlet part that is provided on one of the pair of cap members and allows the refrigerant to enter and exit the communication passage. The cap member receives a refrigerant pressure in contact with a receiving part arranged in the moving direction of the cap member.

[0026] In the cooler according to the tenth aspect, the refrigerant enters and exits the communication passage through the inlet / outlet part. Then, the refrigerant flows from the communication passage to the refrigerant passage and performs heat exchange with a cooling object in contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange part. By this heat exchange, the cooling object is cooled.

[0027] Furthermore, in the above-described cooler, when the refrigerant flows into the communication passage and the refrigerant passage, the pressure in these passages, i.e., the pressure due to the refrigerant, increases. As the refrigerant pressure increases, the cap member moves axially along the pipe and comes into contact with a receiving portion positioned in the direction of movement of the cap member, and the refrigerant pressure is received by the receiving portion. In this way, the cooler allows the outer surface of the pipe inserted into the cap member to be made flat by having the refrigerant pressure received by the receiving portion. By making the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes flat, the processing of the pair of pipes becomes simpler compared to, for example, a configuration in which the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes are barbed. In this way, the processing of the components can be simplified in the cooler. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] As described above, this disclosure makes it possible to simplify the processing of components joined to the heat exchange section. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery case to which a cooling structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a magnified view of the area indicated by arrow 2X in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the cooling plate that constitutes the cooling structure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tubular structure that makes up the cooling system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the flexible tubes that make up the cooling structure. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cap member having an inlet / outlet portion that constitutes a cooling structure. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cap member that constitutes the cooling structure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the battery case showing the state before refrigerant is circulated through the cooler that constitutes the cooling structure. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the battery case showing the state after refrigerant has been circulated through the cooler that constitutes the cooling structure. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a battery case showing a modified cooling structure (an enlarged view corresponding to Figure 2). [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a battery case showing a modified cooling structure (an enlarged view corresponding to Figure 2). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are considered to be the same or similar components. In the embodiments described below, descriptions and reference numerals that are repeated may be omitted. Furthermore, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to reality. Also, the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element do not necessarily correspond between multiple drawings.

[0031] <Cooling structure 20> Figures 1 to 9 show a cooling structure 20 and a cooler 22 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] The cooling structure 20 according to this embodiment is a structure for cooling an object to be cooled. In this embodiment, the object to be cooled is a battery B mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The object to be cooled is not particularly limited as long as it is an object that requires cooling (such as a heat-generating element).

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling structure 20 is applied to the battery case 100 that houses the battery B. The battery B in this embodiment is composed of a plurality of cylindrical battery cells S. The battery case 100 in this embodiment is located, for example, under the floor of the vehicle. However, the battery case 100 is not limited to being under the floor. For example, it may be located under the seat or under the cargo area.

[0034] The cooling structure 20 comprises a cooler 22 and receiving parts 24 and 26.

[0035] The cooler 22 comprises a heat exchange section 30, a pair of pipes 50, 52, a pair of cap members 60, 70, and an inlet / outlet section 80.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heat exchange section 30 is a part of the cooler 22 that has a refrigerant passage 32 through which the refrigerant R flows and performs heat exchange with the battery B which is in contact with the outer surface. This heat exchange section 30 comprises a plurality of cooling plates 34 and connecting pipes 40.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling plate 34 is a plate-shaped member having a refrigerant passage 32 inside. This cooling plate 34 is a long member and is oscillating in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the cooling plate 34 is formed in a corrugated shape when viewed from the width direction. The longitudinal direction of the cooling plate 34 is indicated by the arrow LD in the figure. The width direction of the cooling plate 34 is indicated by the arrow WD in Figure 3.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling plate 34 has a pair of tubes 50 and 52 at one end 34A in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 3). Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the pair of tubes 50 and 52 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the cooling plate 34.

[0039] In Figure 3, the pipe 50 on the right is the pipe into which the refrigerant R flows, and the pipe 50 on the left is the pipe from which the refrigerant R flows out. Note that the pair of pipes 50 and 52 shown in Figures 1 and 2 represent the pipes into which the refrigerant R flows.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, a partition 35 is provided in the center of the cooling plate 34 in the width direction. The refrigerant R that flows in from the refrigerant inlet pipe 50 flows through the cooling plate 34 from one end 34A to the other end 34B in the longitudinal direction, passes over the partition 35, flows from the other end 34B to the one end 34A in the longitudinal direction, and flows out from the refrigerant outlet pipe 50.

[0041] The cooling plate 34 of this embodiment includes a long aluminum base portion 35 with a refrigerant passage 32 formed inside. The base portion 35 is formed by extruding aluminum, and an aluminum end cap 36, to which two sets of tubular bodies 50 are joined, is attached to one end in the longitudinal direction. An aluminum end cap 38 is also attached to the other end of the base portion 35 in the longitudinal direction. This end cap 38 closes the other end of the base portion 35 in the longitudinal direction. The refrigerant passage 32 may be formed as a single passage or as a plurality of smaller passages. In the cooling plate 34 of this embodiment, a plurality of smaller passages are formed on both sides in the width direction, with the partition 35 in between, and these smaller passages constitute the refrigerant passage 32.

[0042] Multiple cooling plates 34 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the pipe 50. Here, the axial direction of the pipe 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "pipe axis direction") is the direction indicated by arrows AD in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the width direction of the vehicle on which the battery case 100 is mounted coincides with the pipe axis direction. Also, in this embodiment, the width direction of the cooling plates 34 coincides with the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0043] In this embodiment, the two cooling plates 34 are arranged with a gap between them in the direction of the pipe axis.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, the connecting pipe 40 is a pipe that connects adjacent cooling plates 34. The connecting pipe 40 comprises a first pipe 42, a second pipe 44, and a flexible pipe 46.

[0045] The first pipe 42 is joined to one of the adjacent cooling plates 34 (the left cooling plate 34 in Figure 2 (the side where the refrigerant R is introduced)). Specifically, the first pipe 42 is joined to the base portion 35 of one of the cooling plates 34. In this embodiment, "joining" means welding, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration and may also be bonded. The end of the first pipe 42 is inserted into the flexible pipe 46.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the outer surface of the first pipe 42 is flat. In this embodiment, as an example, the first pipe 42 is a pipe with a constant outer diameter.

[0047] The second pipe 44 is joined to the other cooling plate 34 (the right-hand cooling plate 34 in Figure 2) of the two adjacent cooling plates 34. Specifically, the second pipe 44 is joined to the end cap 36 of the other cooling plate 34. The end of the second pipe 44 is inserted into the flexible pipe 46.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the outer surface of the second pipe 44 is flat. In this embodiment, as an example, the second pipe 44 is a pipe with a constant outer diameter.

[0049] In this embodiment, as an example, the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 are pipes of the same material, shape, and dimensions.

[0050] Furthermore, the flexible pipe 46 is a flexible pipe. As shown in Figure 2, this flexible pipe 46 connects the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44. In this embodiment, the flexible pipe 46 is, as an example, a resin bellows pipe as shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 2, this flexible pipe 46 has circumferentially continuous concave portions 46A on the inner circumference of both ends in the axial direction of the pipe. An annular sealing member 48 is housed in each concave portion 46A.

[0051] The inner circumference of the sealing member 48 is in contact with the outer circumference of the end of the first pipe 42 inserted into the flexible pipe 46, thereby sealing the space between the flexible pipe 46 and the first pipe 42.

[0052] The inner circumference of the sealing member 48 is in contact with the outer circumference of the end of the second pipe 44 inserted into the flexible pipe 46, thereby sealing the space between the flexible pipe 46 and the second pipe 44.

[0053] The sealing member 48 may be, for example, an O-ring.

[0054] As shown in Figure 2, the pair of pipes 50 and 52 are pipes that are joined to the heat exchange section 30 and protrude from the heat exchange section 30 in opposite directions. These pipes 50 and 52 constitute communication passages 51 and 53 whose internal spaces communicate with the refrigerant passage 32. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes 50 and 52 are flat. In this embodiment, as an example, the pair of pipes 50 and 52 are pipes with a constant outer diameter.

[0055] Furthermore, the pair of pipes 50 and 52 are joined to the cooling plates 34 located at both ends in the axial direction of the pipes, among the multiple cooling plates 34. Specifically, in this embodiment, pipe 50 is joined to the end cap 36 of one of the adjacent cooling plates 34. Pipe 52 is joined to the base portion 35 of the other adjacent cooling plate 34. That is, one cooling plate 34 comprises pipe 50 and the first pipe 42, and the other cooling plate 34 comprises pipe 52 and the second pipe 44.

[0056] The pair of pipes 50 and 52 are identical in material, shape, and dimensions.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, the pair of pipes 50 and 52, the first pipe 42, and the second pipe 44 are the same in material, shape, and dimensions.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, the axial directions of the pipe bodies 50 and 52 and the axial direction of the connecting pipe 40 are in the same direction. Specifically, the axial directions of the pipe bodies 50 and 52 are in the same direction as the axial directions of the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44, and the flexible pipe 46 that constitute the connecting pipe 40. In addition, the pipe bodies 50 and 52 and the connecting pipe 40 overlap in the axial direction. Specifically, the pipe bodies 50 and 52 and the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44, and the flexible pipe 46 that constitute the connecting pipe 40 overlap in the axial direction.

[0059] As shown in Figure 2, the cap member 60 has a cylindrical portion 62, a closing portion 64, and a sealing portion 66.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the cylindrical portion 62 is the cylindrical part of the cap member 60. The end of the pipe body 50 in the protruding direction is inserted into the cylindrical portion 62.

[0061] The closure portion 64 closes the end of the cylindrical portion 62.

[0062] The sealing portion 66 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 62. The sealing portion 66 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe body 50, sealing the space between the pipe body 50 and the cylindrical portion 62. Specifically, an annular groove 63, which is continuous in the circumferential direction, is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the sealing portion 66, and a sealing member is housed in this annular groove 63 to constitute the sealing portion 66.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cap member 60 is movable in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, the cap member 70 has a cylindrical portion 72, a closing portion 74, and a sealing portion 76.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the cylindrical portion 72 is the cylindrical part of the cap member 70. The end of the pipe body 52 in the protruding direction is inserted into the cylindrical portion 72.

[0066] As shown in Figure 2, the closing portion 74 closes the end of the cylindrical portion 72.

[0067] The sealing portion 76 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 72. The sealing portion 76 is also in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe body 52, sealing the space between the pipe body 52 and the cylindrical portion 72. Specifically, an annular groove 73, which is continuous in the circumferential direction, is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the sealing portion 76, and a sealing member is housed in this annular groove 73 to constitute the sealing portion 76.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cap member 70 is movable in the axial direction of the pipe body 52.

[0069] The inlet / outlet section 80 is provided on the cap member 60. The inlet / outlet section 80 extends from the closing section 64 in the direction of the pipe axis. The inlet / outlet section 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inside of the inlet / outlet section 80 is connected to the communication passage 51. Therefore, the refrigerant R that passes through the inlet / outlet section 80 enters and exits the communication passage 51.

[0070] Furthermore, the entrance / exit section 80 passes through the receiving section 24, which will be described later. In other words, the entrance / exit section 80 passes through the through hole 104 provided in the receiving section 24.

[0071] Furthermore, in the axial direction of the pipe, the pipe bodies 50, 52, the connecting pipe 40, and the inlet / outlet section 80 overlap. Specifically, in the axial direction of the pipe, the pipe bodies 50, 52, the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44, and the flexible pipe 46 that constitute the connecting pipe 40, and the inlet / outlet section 80 overlap. It is preferable that the axes of the pipe bodies 50, 52, the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44, and the flexible pipe 46 that constitute the connecting pipe 40, and the inlet / outlet section 80 are coaxial.

[0072] The receiving portion 24 is positioned in the direction of movement of the cap member 60. This receiving portion 24 is the part that contacts the cap member 60 and receives the refrigerant pressure. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 24 is, for example, the peripheral part of a through hole 104 provided in one of the side walls 102 and 103 of the battery case 100 that face each other in the direction of the pipe axis. Also, the receiving portion 26 is, for example, the peripheral part of the side wall 103 of the battery case 100 corresponding to the through hole 104. Note that this embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and a dedicated receiving portion may be formed in the battery case 100.

[0073] Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described. In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the refrigerant R flows into the communication passage 51 through the inlet / outlet section 80. The refrigerant R then flows from the communication passage 51 into each refrigerant passage 32, and performs heat exchange with the battery cell S, which is the object to be cooled and is in contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange section 30. This heat exchange cools the battery cell S.

[0074] Furthermore, in the cooling structure 20, when the refrigerant R flows into the connecting passages 51, 53 and each refrigerant passage 32 from the state shown in Figure 8, the pressure in each passage, i.e., the pressure due to the refrigerant R (hereinafter referred to as "refrigerant pressure"), increases as shown in Figure 9. In Figures 2 and 9, the refrigerant pressure is indicated by the dashed arrow. As the refrigerant pressure increases, the cap members 60 and 70 move in the axial direction of the pipe and come into contact with the opposing receiving parts 24 and 26. The receiving parts 24 and 26 receive the cap members 60 and 70 and receive the refrigerant pressure. In this way, in the cooling structure 20, even if the cap members 60 and 70 move in the axial direction of the pipe, the refrigerant pressure can be received by the receiving parts 24 and 26, so that the outer surfaces of the pipes 50 and 52 inserted into the cap members 60 and 70 can be made flat. Furthermore, by making the outer surfaces of the pair of tubes 50 and 52 flat, the processing of the pair of tubes 50 and 52 becomes simpler compared to, for example, a configuration in which the outer surfaces of the pair of tubes 50 and 52 are barbed. In this way, the cooling structure 20 makes the processing of its components (the pair of tubes 50 and 52) simpler.

[0075] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, since the heat exchange section 30 is composed of multiple cooling plates 34, heat can be exchanged with multiple battery cells S using each cooling plate 34. Furthermore, by making the axial direction of the pipes and the axial direction of the connecting pipes 40 that connect adjacent cooling plates 34 the same, the length of the connecting pipes 40 can be shortened compared to, for example, the case where they are in different directions, and it becomes possible to efficiently flow the refrigerant R to the adjacent cooling plates 34.

[0076] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, the inlet / outlet portion 80 for the refrigerant R penetrates the receiving portion 24. Therefore, the receiving portion 24 restricts the movement of the inlet / outlet portion 80 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the pipe. In other words, since the movement of the cap member 60 on which the inlet / outlet portion 80 is provided is restricted in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the pipe, the connection between the cap member 60 and the pipe 50 can be maintained even if there is an external input such as vibration.

[0077] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, since the pair of pipes 50, 52 and the connecting pipe 40 overlap in the axial direction of the pipes, the connecting passages 51, 53 within the pair of pipes 50, 52 and the internal passages of the cylindrical parts 62, 72 of the cap members 60, 70 are connected in the axial direction of the pipes. Therefore, when the refrigerant R flows from the inlet / outlet 80 into the connecting passages 51, 53 and the internal passages of the cylindrical parts 62, 72, the pressure in the connecting passages 51, 53 and the internal passages of the cylindrical parts 62, 72 increases, causing the cap members 60, 70 to move quickly and the refrigerant pressure to be received by the receiving parts 24, 26. In other words, since the positions of the pair of pipes 50, 52 and the connecting pipe 40 are determined by the receiving parts 24, 26 of the cap members 60, 70, the ease of assembly of the cooling plate 34 is improved.

[0078] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, the pair of pipes 50 and 52, the connecting pipe 40, and the inlet / outlet section 80 overlap in the axial direction of the pipe, making it easy for the refrigerant R to flow from the inlet / outlet section 80 into the connecting passage 32.

[0079] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, even if the positions of adjacent cooling plates 34 are misaligned, the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 are reliably connected by the flexible pipe 46.

[0080] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, since the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 use parts with the same material, shape, and dimensions, costs can be reduced.

[0081] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, since the pair of pipes 50, 52 and the first pipe 42 use parts of the same material, shape, and dimensions, costs can be reduced.

[0082] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, the flexible tube 46 is made of a resin bellows tube, which makes it possible to reduce weight and cost.

[0083] In the embodiments described above, the heat exchange unit 30 is provided with two cooling plates 34, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the heat exchange unit 30 may be configured to have one cooling plate 34, as in the cooling structure 110 shown in Figure 10. Alternatively, the heat exchange unit 30 may be configured to have three or more cooling plates 34, as in the cooling structure 120 shown in Figure 11.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the cooling plate 34 is wavy because the battery cell S is cylindrical, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, if the battery cell S is rectangular or rectangular, the cooling plate may be a straight shape in the longitudinal direction. In other words, it is preferable to set the shape of the cooling plate 34 to match the shape of the battery cell S.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, the connecting pipe 40 has a flexible pipe 46, but the disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Instead of the flexible pipe 46, a sliding pipe that can slide along the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 may be used.

[0086] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to examples, these embodiments are merely examples and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the disclosure. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of rights of this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 20 Cooling structure 22 Cooler 24 Receiving part 26 Receiving part 30 Heat exchange section 32 Refrigerant passage 34 Cooling Plate 35 Base section 36 End caps 38 End caps 40 Connecting pipe 42 First piping 44 Second piping 46 Flexible tube 46A Concave part 48. Sealing member 50 tubing 51 Communication path 52 Body 53 Communication path 60 Cap component 62 Cylindrical part 63 Ring groove 64 Occlusion 66 Seal part 70 Cap component 72 Cylindrical part 73 Annular groove 74 Occlusion 76 Seal part 80 Entrance / exit section 100 Battery Case 102 Side wall 103 Side wall 110 Cooling structure 120 Cooling structure B Battery S Battery Cell R refrigerant

Claims

1. A heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and which performs heat exchange with an object to be cooled that is in contact with the outer surface, A pair of pipes, joined to the heat exchange section and protruding from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a communication passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface, A cap member having a cylindrical portion into which the end of the tube in the protruding direction is inserted, a closing portion that closes the end of the cylindrical portion, and a sealing portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the tube and seals the space between the tube and the cylindrical portion, and which is movable in the axial direction of the tube, One of the pair of cap members is provided with an inlet / outlet portion that allows the refrigerant to enter and exit the communication passage, A receiving portion is positioned in the direction of movement of the cap member and is in contact with the cap member to receive refrigerant pressure, A cooling structure equipped with this feature.

2. The heat exchange section is Multiple cooling plates are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the tube and have the refrigerant passage inside, A connecting pipe that connects adjacent cooling plates, Equipped with, Of the multiple cooling plates, the tube is joined to the cooling plates located at both ends in the axial direction of the tube. The axial direction of the aforementioned pipe and the axial direction of the aforementioned connecting pipe are in the same direction. The cooling structure according to claim 1.

3. The cooling structure according to claim 2, wherein the inlet / outlet portion extends from the closure portion in the axial direction of the pipe body and penetrates the receiving portion.

4. The cooling structure according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the pipe and the connecting pipe overlap in the axial direction of the pipe.

5. The cooling structure according to claim 3, wherein the pipe, the connecting pipe, and the inlet / outlet portion overlap in the axial direction of the pipe.

6. The cooling structure according to claim 2, wherein the connecting pipe comprises a first pipe joined to one of two adjacent cooling plates, a second pipe joined to the other cooling plate, and a flexible pipe having flexibility that connects the first pipe and the second pipe.

7. The cooling structure according to claim 6, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are of the same material, shape, and dimensions.

8. The cooling structure according to claim 7, wherein the pair of pipes and the first pipe are of the same material, shape and dimensions.

9. The cooling structure according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the flexible tube is a bellows tube made of resin.

10. A heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and which performs heat exchange with an object to be cooled that is in contact with the outer surface, A pair of pipes, joined to the heat exchange section and protruding from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a communication passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface, A cap member having a cylindrical portion into which the end of the tube in the protruding direction is inserted, a closing portion that closes the end of the cylindrical portion, and a sealing portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the tube and seals the space between the tube and the cylindrical portion, and which is movable in the axial direction of the tube, One of the pair of cap members is provided with an inlet / outlet portion that allows the refrigerant to enter and exit the communication passage, Equipped with, The cap member is in contact with a receiving portion positioned in the direction of movement of the cap member, and is used to receive refrigerant pressure in a cooler.

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