Vehicle cooling system

Abstract

To reduce vibration of a duct of a cooling device for a vehicle and thereby to stabilize flow rate of air after reducing chatter sound.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a cooling device for a vehicle which cools electric equipment of the vehicle. The cooling device includes a blower which functions as a supply source of air sent so as to cool the electric equipment, a first duct which passes through air from the blower and an installation part which places the blower and the first duct. The first duct includes an upstream end part which is connected to the blower, a downstream end part which situates to side opposed to a flow direction to the upstream end part at plan view and an intermediate part which situates between upstream and downstream end parts at a flow direction at plan view. The downstream end part includes a striking wall which is disposed by spacing distance against the intermediate part so as to bend flow of the air from the intermediate part in the horizontal direction. The first duct includes a junction part which situates to side opposed to the intermediate part with respect to the striking wall at the flow direction at plan view and moreover which joins to the installation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle cooling device configured to be able to cool electrical equipment mounted in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A battery pack may be mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle for the purpose of electrically driving the vehicle, etc. Typically, the battery pack has a vehicle cooling device capable of cooling electric devices such as a battery module, a control device, and an inverter therein, and the vehicle cooling device has a duct configured to pass air for cooling the electric devices.

[0003] One example of such a vehicle cooling device is a vehicle heat-generating element cooling device having a blower fan that blows inside or outside air into the vehicle cabin, a first duct that blows the air blown from the blower fan into the vehicle cabin, a second duct that branches off from the first duct and blows the air blown from the blower fan into a storage section that stores a heat-generating element, and an air flow path switching means that is provided at the branch point of the first and second ducts and switches the air flow path of the air blown from the blower fan (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-331024 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned example of the vehicle cooling device, when the air flow branches, the air flow direction is changed by the air hitting the components of the branching part of the duct. At this time, vibrations are likely to occur at the branching part of the duct. Such vibrations may cause rattling noises. Furthermore, the vibrations of the duct may cause variations in the flow rate of the air flowing through the duct.

[0006] In view of this situation, it is desirable to reduce the vibration of the duct of the vehicle cooling device, thereby reducing rattle noise and stabilizing the air flow rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the problem, a vehicle cooling device according to one embodiment is a vehicle cooling device configured to be able to cool an electric device mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle cooling device including: a blower serving as a supply source of air sent to cool the electric device; a first duct having an internal space formed to allow the air from the blower to pass through and arranged along a horizontal direction; and a second duct having an internal space formed to allow the air sent from the first duct to pass through. The vehicle cooling device includes a mounting portion on which the blower and the first and second ducts are mounted, the first duct having an upstream end connected to the blower, and a mounting portion on which the first duct is mounted with respect to the upstream end in a plan view. the second duct has a downstream end portion located on the opposite side in the flow direction of air flowing through the first duct, and an intermediate portion located between the upstream and downstream ends in the flow direction of the air in a plan view, the second duct has a cross-connection portion connected to the downstream end of the first duct, the cross-connection portion has an abutment wall that receives air flowing from the downstream end of the first duct into the cross-connection portion and is disposed at a distance from the downstream end so as to bend the flow of the air in a horizontal direction, and the cross-connection portion has a joint portion that is located on the opposite side of the abutment wall from the intermediate portion in the flow direction of air flowing from the intermediate portion to the downstream end in a plan view, and is joined to the placement portion. The bottom wall of the downstream end of the first duct abuts against the placement portion in the vertical direction. is. A vehicle cooling device according to another aspect is a vehicle cooling device configured to be able to cool an electric device mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle cooling device including: a blower serving as a supply source of air sent to cool the electric device; a first duct having an internal space formed to allow the air from the blower to pass through and arranged along a horizontal direction; and a second duct having an internal space formed to allow the air sent from the first duct to pass through. The vehicle cooling device includes a mounting portion on which the blower and the first and second ducts are mounted, the first duct having an upstream end connected to the blower, a downstream end located on the opposite side of the flow direction of air flowing through the first duct from the upstream end in a plan view, and a downstream end located on the opposite side of the flow direction of air flowing through the first duct from the upstream end in a plan view. the second duct has a cross-connection portion connected to the downstream end of the first duct, the cross-connection portion having an abutment wall disposed at a distance from the downstream end so as to receive air flowing from the downstream end of the first duct into the cross-connection portion and bend the flow of this air in the horizontal direction, the cross-connection portion being located on the opposite side to the abutment wall from the intermediate portion in a plan view in the flow direction of the air flowing from the intermediate portion to the downstream end, and having a joint portion joined to the placement portion, the joint portion of the first duct being formed integrally with the downstream end of the first duct, and protruding from a bottom wall of the downstream end of the first duct. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the vehicle cooling device according to one aspect, the vibration of the duct can be reduced, thereby reducing rattling noise and stabilizing the air flow rate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view that shows a schematic bottom view of a vehicle body including a battery pack having a cooling device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view that shows a vehicle body mounting mechanism and its surroundings that are used to mount the battery pack according to one embodiment to a left side frame of the vehicle body. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view that shows a schematic view of the bottom of a vehicle body according to one embodiment with a floor panel seen through. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view that shows a schematic view of a battery pack according to one embodiment with its upper case removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion W in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ZZ in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view that illustrates a joint portion of a first duct and its surroundings in a cooling device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A vehicle cooling device according to one embodiment will be described. The vehicle cooling device according to this embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as "cooling device" as necessary) is installed in a vehicle. The vehicle in which the cooling device according to this embodiment is installed is an electric vehicle. The cooling device according to this embodiment is configured to cool electrical equipment mounted in the vehicle. The electrical equipment is capable of generating heat. However, the vehicle may also be an electrically powered vehicle other than an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an engine vehicle, etc.

[0011] In Figs. 1 to 9 used in the description of this specification, directions based on the vehicle are indicated as follows. In Figs. 1 to 7 and 9, the front and rear of the vehicle are indicated by single-sided arrows F and B, respectively. In Figs. 1 to 5, 8 and 9, the left and right when facing the front of the vehicle are indicated by single-sided arrows L and R, respectively. The vehicle width direction is indicated by single-sided arrows L and R. Furthermore, in Fig. 2 and 6 to 9, the top and bottom of the vehicle are indicated by single-sided arrows U and D, respectively.

[0012] In addition, the left and right directions refer to the left and right directions when facing the front of the vehicle. The horizontal direction refers to the direction along the front-rear and width directions of the vehicle. The upper and lower directions of the vehicle are sometimes simply called the upper and lower directions, respectively.

[0013] "Outline of vehicle cooling system" An outline of the vehicle cooling device 11 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. That is, the vehicle cooling device 11 according to this embodiment is generally configured as follows. With particular reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the vehicle cooling device 11 is configured to be capable of cooling all of the multiple electric devices 12a, 12b. The vehicle is equipped with an electric device group 12 consisting of the multiple electric devices 12a, 12b. However, the cooling device can also be configured to be capable of cooling at least one of the multiple electric devices.

[0014] As shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the vehicle cooling device 11 has a blower 20 which is a supply source of air sent to cool a plurality of electrical devices 12a, 12b. As shown in Figs. 4 to 8, the cooling device 11 has a first duct 30 having an internal space formed to allow air from the blower 20 to pass through. The first duct 30 is disposed along the horizontal direction. As shown in Figs. 4 to 9, the vehicle cooling device 11 has a mounting portion 60 on which the blower 20 and the first duct 30 are mounted.

[0015] 5 to 8 in particular, the first duct 30 has an upstream end 31 connected to the blower 20. The first duct 30 has a downstream end 32 located on the opposite side of the upstream end 31 in the flow direction of air flowing through the first duct 30 in a plan view. The first duct 30 has an intermediate portion 33 located between the upstream end 31 and the downstream end 32 in the air flow direction in a plan view.

[0016] As shown in particular in Fig. 6, the downstream end 32 has an abutment wall 32a disposed at a distance from the intermediate portion 33 so as to receive air flowing from the intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30 to the downstream end 32 and to bend the flow of this air in the horizontal direction. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and 9, the first duct 30 has a joint portion 34 joined to the mounting portion 60. This joint portion 34 is located on the opposite side of the abutment wall 32a to the intermediate portion 33 in the flow direction of air flowing from the intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30 to the downstream end 32 in a plan view.

[0017] Furthermore, the vehicle cooling device 11 according to this embodiment can be generally configured as follows. As shown in Fig. 6 in particular, the bottom wall 32b of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 abuts against the mounting portion 60 in the up-down direction. However, the bottom wall of the downstream end of the first duct can also be spaced apart from the mounting portion in the up-down direction.

[0018] 4 to 6 and 9, the joint 34 of the first duct 30 is formed so as to protrude from the bottom wall 32b of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30. The joint 34 is integral with the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30.

[0019] The cooling device 11 includes a second duct 40. The second duct 40 includes a second duct body 41 having an internal space formed to allow air sent from the first duct 30 to pass through. The second duct body 41 has an upstream end 41a connected to the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 so as to allow the air bent at the downstream end 32 to flow into the second duct body 41. The upstream end 41a of the second duct body 41 is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the placement portion 60 in the vertical direction. The cross section of the internal space of the second duct body 41 is smaller than the cross section of the internal space of the first duct 30.

[0020] As shown in particular in Fig. 6, the intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30 has an intermediate downstream section 35 located downstream in the flow direction. This intermediate downstream section 35 is connected to the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30. Both the top wall 35a and the bottom wall 35b of the intermediate downstream section 35 are inclined with respect to an imaginary plane P (shown by an imaginary line in Fig. 6) that intersects the end wall 32a approximately perpendicularly. However, only one of the top wall and the bottom wall of the intermediate downstream section may be inclined with respect to the imaginary plane that intersects the end wall approximately perpendicularly. Furthermore, both the top wall and the bottom wall of the intermediate downstream section may be approximately parallel to the imaginary plane.

[0021] The downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 also has an upper inclined wall 32c adjacent to the upper end of the end wall 32a. The upper inclined wall 32c is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane P so as to approach the middle part 33 of the first duct 30 as it goes from the bottom to the top.

[0022] The inclination angle α of the upper inclined wall 32c with respect to the imaginary plane P is greater than the inclination angles β, γ of both the top wall 35a and the bottom wall 35b of the intermediate downstream section 35 with respect to the imaginary plane P. However, the inclination angle of the upper inclined wall with respect to the imaginary plane may be greater than the inclination angle of only one of the top wall and the bottom wall of the intermediate downstream section with respect to the imaginary plane. The inclination angle of the upper inclined wall with respect to the imaginary plane may also be smaller than the inclination angles of both the top wall and the bottom wall of the intermediate downstream section with respect to the imaginary plane.

[0023] "Vehicle Details" 1 to 4, the vehicle can be configured in detail as follows. Referring to Fig. 1 to 4, the vehicle is equipped with a battery pack 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the battery pack 10 has a plurality of battery modules 12a, 12b configured as a plurality of electric devices 12a, 12b, respectively. In other words, the battery pack 10 has a battery module group 12 configured as an electric device group 12.

[0024] 1 to 4, a vehicle body 1 has a floor panel 2 that constitutes a floor (not shown) of the vehicle interior. A battery pack 10 is disposed below the floor panel 2. The vehicle body 1 also has two side members 3 disposed at an interval from each other in the width direction. Each side member 3 is formed in an elongated shape. Each side member 3 is disposed along the front-rear direction. The battery pack 10 is located between the two side members 3 in a plan view. The two side members 3 are located below the floor panel 2. An upper surface of each side member 3 is joined to a lower surface of the floor panel 2.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle body 1 has a cross member 4 extending in the width direction so as to connect two side members 3. The cross member 4 is located above the battery pack 10. The cross member 4 also extends across the battery pack 10 in a plan view. In Fig. 3, the vehicle body 1 has two cross members 4. However, the vehicle body may have one or three or more cross members.

[0026] Battery Pack Details 1 to 9, the battery pack 10 can be configured in detail as follows. With reference to Figs. 4 to 9, the battery pack 10 has the cooling device 11 in addition to the battery module group 12. The battery pack 10 includes a support base 13 having the mounting portion 60. The support base 13 also includes legs 61 that support the mounting portion 60. The mounting portion 60 is formed with a through hole 60a that penetrates in the vertical direction.

[0027] The battery pack 10 includes an internal device 14 placed on the placement portion 60. The internal device 14 is located near the first duct 30 of the cooling device 11. This internal device 14 may be a battery control device 14 capable of controlling charging, discharging, etc. of the multiple battery modules 12a, 12b. However, the electric device is not limited to the battery control device. For example, the electric device may be an inverter, etc.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the internal device 14 is spaced apart from the blower 20 on the placement portion 60 in a specific horizontal direction. In particular, the internal device 14 can be spaced apart from the blower 20 in the width direction. In this case, the specific direction is the width direction. The internal device 14 and the blower 20 are aligned in this specific direction. However, the specific direction can also be a horizontal direction other than the width direction. For example, the specific direction can be the front-rear direction.

[0029] 4 to 9, the battery pack 10 includes a battery case 15 that houses a cooling device 11, a battery module group 12, a support stand 13, and an internal device 14. The battery case 15 has an upper case 15a that forms an upper portion thereof. The battery case 15 also has a lower case 15b that forms a lower portion thereof.

[0030] The battery case 15 may be made of metal. In this case, the upper and lower cases 15a, 15b of the battery case 15 may be press-molded products made of metal plate material. However, the battery case may also be made of resin. In this case, at least one of the upper and lower cases of the battery case may be a resin molded product.

[0031] 1 to 3, the battery pack 10 is configured to be attached to two side members 3. The battery pack 10 has a plurality of attachment mechanisms 16 configured to attach the battery pack 10 to each of the side members 3. In other words, the battery pack 10 has a plurality of attachment mechanisms 16 configured to attach the battery case 15 to the vehicle body 1. However, the battery pack may also have one attachment mechanism configured to attach the battery pack to each of the side members.

[0032] Battery Module Details 4 to 8, the battery module group 12 can be configured in detail as follows. Referring to Fig. 4 to 8, each battery module 12a, 12b of the battery module group 12 is configured to be capable of charging and discharging electric power used for driving the vehicle. The multiple battery modules 12a, 12b are arranged at intervals from each other in the horizontal direction.

[0033] This battery module group (electrical device group) 12 has a plurality of first battery modules (first electrical devices) 12a arranged below the mounting portion 60 of the support stand 13. However, the battery module group may have only one first battery module.

[0034] 4, the battery module group (electrical device group) 12 also has at least one of the plurality of second battery modules (second electrical device) 12b arranged offset in the horizontal direction with respect to the mounting portion 60 of the support base 13. The plurality of second battery modules 12b can be arranged offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the specific direction among the horizontal directions with respect to the mounting portion 60 of the support base 13.

[0035] In particular, the second battery modules 12b can be arranged offset in the front-rear direction with respect to the mounting portion 60 of the support base 13. Furthermore, the second battery modules 12b can be arranged offset forward with respect to the mounting portion 60 of the support base 13. However, the battery module group can also have only one second battery module. The one or more second battery modules can also be arranged offset in the width direction with respect to the mounting portion of the support base.

[0036] Battery Cooling Device Details 4 to 8, cooling device 11 can be specifically configured as follows. As shown in Fig. 6 in particular, blower 20 of cooling device 11 is fixed to mounting portion 60 with its bottom surface 20a directly abutting against mounting portion 60. However, the blower can be fixed to a platform on the mounting portion with its bottom surface abutting against this platform.

[0037] 4 to 8, the blower 20 of the cooling device 11 has a blower body 21. The blower 20 also has a blower-side connector 22 connected to the upstream end 31 of the first duct 30. The blower body 21 has a drive source 23 for the blower 20. The drive source 23 for the blower 20 may be a fan 23 configured to be rotatable so as to send air from the blower body 21 toward the blower-side connector 22.

[0038] 5, the center of rotation of the driving source 23 can be made to substantially coincide with the horizontal center 21a of the blower body 21. The rotation of the driving source 23 can generate a swirling air flow around the center of rotation in the blower body 21. Such swirling air is discharged from the blower-side connection part 22 of the blower 20.

[0039] The rotation direction of the drive source 23 is clockwise in a plan view, in which case the swirling air flow is clockwise in a plan view. However, the rotation direction of the drive source can also be counterclockwise in a plan view, in which case the swirling air flow is counterclockwise in a plan view, and the position of the specific direction of the electrical device relative to the blower is opposite to that in the clockwise direction.

[0040] The blower-side connection part 22 of the blower 20 extends in a direction corresponding to the direction of the swirling air flow generated in the blower body 21. An extension axis 20b extending in the extension direction of the blower-side connection part 22 is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ clockwise with respect to a reference axis 20c that passes through the center 21a of the blower body 21 and extends in a specific direction. This inclination angle θ can be an acute angle. However, the inclination angle is not limited to this.

[0041] The blower side connection part 22 is disposed closer to the internal unit 14 than the center 21a of the blower body 21. Furthermore, the blower side connection part 22 can be disposed in the space between the blower 20 and the internal unit 14. The blower side connection part 22 extends at an incline from the blower body 21 toward the upstream end part 31 of the first duct 30 so as to approach the internal unit 14.

[0042] The entire upstream end 31 of the first duct 30 is disposed so as to overlap with the blower 20 and the internal device 14 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the specific direction in a plan view. Furthermore, the entire upstream end 31 of the first duct 30 can be disposed so as to overlap with the blower 20 and the internal device 14 in the vehicle front-rear direction in a plan view.

[0043] The upstream end 31 of the first duct 30 extends in substantially the same direction as the blower side connection part 22 of the blower 20. The upstream end 31 of the first duct 30 extends while inclining so as to approach the internal device 14 from the blower side connection part 22 toward the middle part 33 of the first duct 30. The length in the extension direction of the upstream end 31 of the first duct 30 is longer than the length in the extension direction of the blower side connection part 22. As shown in FIG. 6 in particular, the top wall 31a and the bottom wall 31b of the upstream end 31 of the first duct 30 can be approximately parallel to the imaginary plane P.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 5 in particular, the intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30 is disposed along a direction substantially perpendicular to the specific direction. The intermediate portion 33 can be disposed along the vehicle front-rear direction. The intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30 passes through a space between the blower 20 and the internal device 14. In the specific direction, the distance between the intermediate portion 33 and the internal device 14 can be equal to or less than the distance between the intermediate portion 33 and the blower body 21.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 6 in particular, the intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30 has an intermediate upstream section 36 located on the upstream side in the flow direction. A top wall 36a and a bottom wall 36b of the intermediate upstream section 36 can be substantially parallel to an imaginary plane P. A through hole 36c penetrating in the up-down direction is formed in the bottom wall 36b of the intermediate upstream section 36. This through hole 36c is formed to correspond to the through hole 60a of the mounting portion 60. The top wall 35a and the bottom wall 35b of the intermediate downstream section 35 of the intermediate portion 33 can be substantially parallel to each other.

[0046] The end wall 32a of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 rises up in the vertical direction. The bottom wall 32b of the downstream end 32 is formed along the mounting portion 60. The bottom wall 32b of the downstream end 32 is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the bottom surface 20a of the blower 20 in the vertical direction. However, the bottom wall of the downstream end may also be disposed below the bottom surface of the blower. The bottom wall of the downstream end may also be disposed above the bottom surface of the blower.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 5 in particular, the end wall 32a extends in the specific direction in a plan view. In particular, the end wall 32a can extend in the width direction in a plan view. The upper inclined wall 32c of the downstream end 32 extends in the specific direction in a plan view. In particular, the upper inclined wall 32c can extend in the width direction in a plan view.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and 9, the joint 34 protrudes in substantially the same direction as the middle portion 33 of the first duct 30 in a plan view. The joint 34 is formed along the mounting portion 60. The joint 34 of the first duct 30 is joined to the mounting portion 60 by fastening using fastening means such as bolts and nuts. However, the joining between the joint portion of the first duct and the mounting portion is not limited to fastening. For example, the joining between the joint portion of the first duct and the mounting portion can also be by welding or the like.

[0049] 4 and 5, the second duct 40 has two second duct bodies 41. An upstream end 41a of one of the two second duct bodies 41 is connected to one end in a specific direction of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30. An upstream end 41a of the other of the two second duct bodies 41 is connected to the other end in a specific direction of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30.

[0050] However, the second duct may have one or more than two second duct bodies. When the second duct has one second duct body, the upstream end of this second duct body can be connected to one end of the downstream end of the first duct in a specific direction, and the other end of the downstream end of the first duct in a specific direction can be blocked. When the second duct has three or more second duct bodies, the upstream end of one or more second duct bodies can be connected to one end of the downstream end of the first duct in a specific direction, and the upstream end of two or more second duct bodies can be connected to the other end of the downstream end of the first duct in a specific direction.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 6, each second duct body 41 extends in a specific direction. Each second duct body 41 has an upper inclined wall 41b that is inclined substantially similarly to the upper inclined wall 32c of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30. The upper inclined wall 41b of each second duct body 41 extends in a specific direction substantially similarly to the upper inclined wall 32c of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30. The bottom wall 41c of each second duct body 41 is disposed so as to correspond in the up-down direction to the upper end of the abutting wall 32a of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30.

[0052] 4 and 5, the distance between the middle portion 33 of the first duct 30 and the internal device 14 in the specific direction is smaller than the distance between the second duct body 41 of the second duct 40 and the internal device 14 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the specific direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper end of the first duct 30 and the upper end of the second duct body 41 are located higher than the upper end of the internal device 14.

[0053] The cooling device 11 has two distribution ducts 50 configured to be able to send air passing through two second duct bodies 41, respectively, to the multiple second battery modules 12b. The two distribution ducts 50 are connected to the two second duct bodies 41, respectively. In such a cooling device 11, the air sent from the blower 20 to the first duct 30 is distributed into a portion sent to the first battery module 12a through the through hole 36c in the bottom wall 36b of the intermediate upstream region 36 of the first duct 30 and the through hole 60a in the mounting base 60, and a portion sent to the second battery module 12b through the second duct 40.

[0054] Each of the first duct 30, the second duct body 41 of the second duct 40, and the distribution duct 50 is made of resin. In this case, each of the first duct 30, the second duct body 41 of the second duct 40, and the distribution duct 50 can be a resin molded product. However, at least one of the first duct, the second duct body of the second duct, and the distribution duct can also be made of metal. In this case, at least one of the first duct, the second duct body of the second duct, and the distribution duct can be a press molded product made of a metal plate material.

[0055] As described above, the vehicle cooling device 11 according to this embodiment is a vehicle cooling device 11 configured to be able to cool the electric devices 12a, 12b mounted on a vehicle, and includes the blower 20 which is a supply source of air sent to cool the electric devices 12a, 12b, the first duct 30 which has an internal space formed to allow the air from the blower 20 to pass through and is arranged along a horizontal direction, and a mounting portion 60 on which the blower 20 and the first duct 30 are mounted, and the first duct 30 has an upstream end portion 31 connected to the blower 20, and a pressure difference between the upstream end portion 31 and the air flowing through the first duct 30 relative to the upstream end portion 31 in a plan view. The first duct 30 has a downstream end 32 located on the opposite side of the flow direction of the air, and an intermediate portion 33 located between the upstream and downstream ends 31, 32 in the air flow direction in a planar view, the downstream end 32 has an abutment wall 32a that receives air flowing into the downstream end 32 from the intermediate portion 33 and is arranged at a distance from the intermediate portion 33 so as to bend the air flow in the horizontal direction, and the first duct 30 has a joint 34 that is located on the opposite side of the abutment wall 32a from the intermediate portion 33 in the flow direction of air flowing from the intermediate portion 33 to the downstream end 32 in a planar view, and is joined to the placement portion 60.

[0056] In such a cooling device 11, the air from the blower 20 hits the abutment wall 32a of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 in such a way as to bend the flow of the air in the horizontal direction, and therefore vibrations may easily occur in the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 and its surrounding area. In response to this, the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 is joined to the mounting part 60 by a joint 34 located on the opposite side of the abutment wall 32a to the middle part 33 of the first duct 30, and this mounting part 60 is also joined to the blower 20.

[0057] Therefore, the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 is firmly and stably fixed to the large and highly rigid mounting portion 60 on which the blower 20 can be mounted, and therefore the rigidity of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 can be increased. This makes it possible to reduce vibrations of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 and its surrounding portion. In other words, it is possible to reduce vibrations of the ducts 30, 40 of the cooling device 11. As a result, it is possible to reduce rattling noise and stabilize the air flow rate.

[0058] In the cooling device 11 according to this embodiment, the bottom wall 32b of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 abuts against the mounting portion in the up-down direction. According to such a cooling device 11, the bottom wall 32b of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 is firmly and stably pressed against the mounting portion 60, which is large and highly rigid so that the blower 20 can be mounted thereon, and therefore vibration of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 and its surrounding portion can be reduced.

[0059] In the cooling device 11 of this embodiment, the joint 34 of the first duct 30 is formed integrally with the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 and protrudes from the bottom wall 32b of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30.

[0060] According to such a cooling device 11, the joint 34 that is integral with the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 can have increased rigidity, and the joint 34 that protrudes from the bottom wall 32b of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 can be stably supported by the mounting portion 60. Therefore, vibration of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 and its surrounding area can be reduced.

[0061] The cooling device 11 of this embodiment is equipped with a second duct 40 including a second duct body 41 having an internal space formed to allow air sent from the first duct 30 to pass through, and the second duct body 41 has an upstream end 41a connected to the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 so as to cause the air bent at the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 to flow into the second duct body 41, and the upstream end 41a of the second duct body 41 is arranged so as to be spaced apart from the placement portion 60 in the vertical direction.

[0062] In such a cooling device 11, the vibration of the upstream end 41a of the second duct body 41 is likely to be greater than the vibration of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30, the rigidity of which is increased as described above. In contrast, since the upstream end 41a of the second duct body 41 is spaced apart from the mounting portion 60 in the vertical direction, rattle noise generated between the upstream end 41a of the second duct body 41 and the mounting portion 60 can be reduced.

[0063] In the cooling device 11 according to the present embodiment, the cross section of the internal space of the second duct body 41 is smaller than the cross section of the internal space of the first duct 30. According to such a cooling device 11, since the second duct body 41 is farther from the blower 20 than the first duct 30, the air flow rate of the second duct body 41 is likely to be lower than the air flow rate of the first duct 30, and as a result, the air flow rate of the second duct body 41 is likely to be lower than the air flow rate of the first duct 30. On the other hand, since the cross section of the internal space of the second duct body 41 is smaller than the cross section of the internal space of the first duct 30, the variation in the air flow rate between the first and second ducts 30, 40 can be reduced. Therefore, the air flow rate can be stabilized.

[0064] In the cooling device 11 according to this embodiment, the intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30 is located downstream in the flow direction and has an intermediate downstream section 35 connected to the downstream end section 32, and at least one of a top wall 35a and a bottom wall 35b of the intermediate downstream section 35 is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane P that intersects the end wall 32a approximately perpendicularly. Moreover, in the cooling device 11 according to this embodiment, both the top wall 35a and the bottom wall 35b of the intermediate downstream section 35 are inclined with respect to the imaginary plane P at substantially the same angle.

[0065] According to such a cooling device 11, when air from the blower 20 is sent to the downstream end 32 through the intermediate downstream section 35 of the intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30, the air hits the end wall 32a in an inclined direction inclined from a vertical direction that is approximately perpendicular to the end wall 32a. Thus, vibrations generated at the end wall 32a receiving air in the inclined direction can be reduced more than vibrations generated at the end wall 32a receiving air in the vertical direction.

[0066] In the cooling device 11 of this embodiment, the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 has an upper inclined wall 32c adjacent to and above the end wall 32a, and the upper inclined wall 32c is inclined so as to approach the intermediate portion 33 as it moves from below to above with respect to an imaginary plane P that intersects the end wall 32a approximately perpendicularly.

[0067] According to this cooling device 11, after the air hits the upper inclined wall 32c in an inclined direction inclined from a vertical direction that is substantially perpendicular to the end wall 32a, the air hits the end wall 32a in a state in which the force of the air is weakened, or the air is not sent to the end wall 32a and its flow is bent in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the force applied from the air can be dispersed to the upper inclined wall 32c and the end wall 32a, and as a result, the vibration of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 and its surrounding parts can be reduced.

[0068] In the cooling device 11 of this embodiment, the intermediate portion 33 of the first duct 30 is located downstream in the flow direction and has an intermediate downstream section 35 connected to the downstream end portion 32, and at least one of the top wall 35a and bottom wall 35b of the intermediate downstream section 35 is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane P so as to approach the intermediate portion 33 from below toward above, and the inclination angle α of the upper inclined wall 32c with respect to the imaginary plane P is greater than the inclination angles β, γ of at least one of the top wall 35a and bottom wall 35b of the intermediate downstream section 35 with respect to the imaginary plane P.

[0069] According to this cooling device 11, the air that has passed through the intermediate downstream area 35 of the first duct 30 hits the upper inclined wall 32c with its momentum softened, so that it is possible to reduce vibrations that occur in the upper inclined wall 32c that receives the air. Also, since the air flow is changed stepwise by the intermediate downstream area 35 and the upper inclined wall 32c, it is possible to efficiently reduce the force applied from the air to the upper inclined wall 32c and the end wall 32a, and as a result, it is possible to reduce vibrations of the downstream end 32 of the first duct 30 and its surrounding area.

[0070] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the present invention can be modified and changed based on the technical concept thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 11...cooling device, 12a...electrical device, first electric device, first battery module, 12b...electrical device, second electric device, second battery module 20…Blower 30...first duct, 31...upstream end, 32...downstream end, 32a...end wall, 32b...bottom wall, 32c...upper inclined wall, 33...middle section, 34...junction, 35...middle downstream section, 35a...top wall, 35b...bottom wall 40: second duct; 41: second duct body; 41a: upstream end 60...Placement section P…Virtual plane α,β,γ…Inclination angle

Claims

1. A vehicle cooling device configured to be able to cool an electric device mounted on a vehicle, a blower providing a source of air to be blown to cool the electrical equipment; a first duct having an internal space formed to allow air from the blower to pass therethrough, the first duct being disposed along a horizontal direction; a second duct having an internal space formed to allow air sent from the first duct to pass therethrough; a mounting portion on which the blower and the first and second ducts are mounted; Equipped with the first duct has an upstream end connected to the blower, a downstream end located on the opposite side of the upstream end in a flow direction of air flowing through the first duct, and an intermediate portion located between the upstream and downstream ends in the flow direction of the air, the second duct has a cross-connection connected to a downstream end of the first duct; the cross-connection has an abutment wall spaced from the downstream end of the first duct to receive air flowing into the cross-connection from the downstream end of the first duct and to bend the air flow in a horizontal direction; the cross-connection portion is located on the opposite side of the intermediate portion with respect to the abutment wall in a flow direction of air flowing from the intermediate portion to the downstream end portion in a plan view, and has a joint portion joined to the placement portion, a bottom wall of the downstream end of the first duct abuts against the placement portion in the up-down direction.

2. A vehicle cooling device configured to be able to cool an electric device mounted on a vehicle, a blower providing a source of air to be blown to cool the electrical equipment; a first duct having an internal space formed to allow air from the blower to pass therethrough, the first duct being disposed along a horizontal direction; a second duct having an internal space formed to allow air sent from the first duct to pass therethrough; a mounting portion on which the blower and the first and second ducts are mounted; Equipped with the first duct has an upstream end connected to the blower, a downstream end located on the opposite side of the upstream end in a flow direction of air flowing through the first duct, and an intermediate portion located between the upstream and downstream ends in the flow direction of the air, the second duct has a cross-connection connected to a downstream end of the first duct; the cross-connection has an abutment wall spaced from the downstream end of the first duct to receive air flowing into the cross-connection from the downstream end of the first duct and to bend the air flow in a horizontal direction; the cross-connection portion is located on the opposite side of the intermediate portion with respect to the abutment wall in a flow direction of air flowing from the intermediate portion to the downstream end portion in a plan view, and has a joint portion joined to the placement portion, A vehicle cooling device, wherein the joint portion of the first duct is integral with a downstream end portion of the first duct and is formed so as to protrude from a bottom wall of the downstream end portion of the first duct.

3. 2. The vehicle cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the joint portion of the first duct is integral with the downstream end portion of the first duct and is formed so as to protrude from a bottom wall of the downstream end portion of the first duct.

4. the second duct has an upstream end connected to the downstream end of the first duct so as to cause the air bent at the downstream end of the first duct to flow into the second duct, The vehicle cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an upstream end of the second duct is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the placement portion in the up-down direction.

5. 5. The vehicle cooling device according to claim 4, wherein a cross section of the inner space of the second duct is smaller than a cross section of the inner space of the first duct.

6. the intermediate portion of the first duct is located downstream in the flow direction thereof and has an intermediate downstream section connected to the downstream end portion; The vehicle cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of a top wall and a bottom wall of the intermediate downstream section is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicularly intersecting the end wall.

7. 7. The vehicle cooling system of claim 6, wherein both the top and bottom walls of the intermediate downstream section are inclined at the same angle relative to the imaginary plane.

8. the downstream end of the first duct has an upper inclined wall adjacent and above the abutment wall; The vehicle cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper inclined wall is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane that perpendicularly intersects with the end wall so as to approach the middle portion from below toward above.

9. the intermediate portion of the first duct is located downstream in the flow direction thereof and has an intermediate downstream section connected to the downstream end portion; At least one of a top wall and a bottom wall of the intermediate downstream section is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane so as to approach the intermediate section from below toward above, 9. The vehicle cooling device according to claim 8, wherein an inclination angle of the upper inclined wall relative to the imaginary plane is greater than an inclination angle of at least one of a top wall and a bottom wall of the intermediate downstream section relative to the imaginary plane.

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