Reserve tank

Abstract

To prevent deterioration of cooling performance of a cooling circuit.SOLUTION: A reserve tank comprises: a case which is formed as a storage space in which a flow-in hole and a flow-out hole are formed, and an internal space stores a cooling liquid; a partitioning plate having communication holes, and partitioning the storage space into a plurality of liquid storage chambers; a flow-in port connected to the case, and making the cooling liquid flow into the storage space via the flow-in hole; and a flow-out port connected to the case, and making the cooling liquid flow out of the storage space via the flow-out hole. A port connected with the flow-out port in the case is arranged as a flow-out port connection part, the liquid storage chamber communicating with the flow-out port via the flow-out hole out of the plurality of liquid storage chambers is formed as a cooling liquid flow-out chamber, the liquid storage chamber adjoining the cooling liquid flow-out chamber via the partitioning plate is formed as an adjacent liquid storage chamber, a flow speed control body for controlling a flow speed of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid flow-out chamber so as to be higher than a flow speed of the cooling liquid in the adjacent liquid storage chamber is arranged, and a flow speed control body is arranged between the flow-out port connection part and a tip part of the flow-out port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which a coolant is circulated. [Background technology]

[0002] Some vehicles, such as automobiles, are equipped with a cooling circuit that circulates coolant to cool heat-generating components, such as engines, electric units, etc. Some of these cooling circuits are provided with a reserve tank for storing the coolant circulating within the circuit, and when the amount of heat generated by the heat-generating components is large, the flow rate of the coolant circulating through the cooling circuit is increased to ensure the required cooling performance.

[0003] In cooling circuits such as those described above, an increase in the amount of air in the coolant leads to a decrease in cooling performance, so some circuits prevent a decrease in cooling performance by performing gas-liquid separation by releasing air bubbles (air) in the coolant into the air layer inside the reserve tank (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In the reserve tank described in Patent Document 1, the interior of the reserve tank is divided into multiple chambers (liquid storage chambers) by partition plates with communicating holes formed therein, and the cooling liquid flowing inside the reserve tank is slowed down by passing it through the communicating holes, promoting gas-liquid separation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-101573 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in a reserve tank provided with a partition plate having communicating holes as described above, differences in static pressure occur between the storage chambers depending on the flow rate of the flowing cooling liquid, resulting in differences in the liquid level in each storage chamber. This makes it easier for air from the air layer to become entrained in the cooling liquid in the storage chamber where the liquid level is low, which may result in a decrease in cooling performance.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to suppress the entrainment of air into the coolant and prevent a decrease in the cooling performance of the cooling circuit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The reserve tank according to the present invention is a reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit in which a coolant is circulated, and includes a case in which an inlet hole and an outlet hole are formed and an internal space is formed as a storage space for storing the coolant, a partition plate in which a communication hole is formed and the storage space is divided into a plurality of storage chambers, an inlet port connected to the case for inflowing the coolant into the storage space via the inlet hole, and an outlet port connected to the case for outflowing the coolant from the storage space via the outlet hole, a portion of the case to which the outlet port is connected is provided as an outlet port connection portion, a storage chamber among the plurality of storage chambers that is connected to the outlet port via the outlet hole is formed as a coolant outflow chamber, a storage chamber adjacent to the coolant outflow chamber via the partition plate is formed as an adjacent storage chamber, a flow rate control body is provided that controls the flow rate of the coolant in the coolant outflow chamber so as to be greater than the flow rate of the coolant in the adjacent storage chamber, and the flow rate control body is disposed between the outlet port connection portion and the tip of the outlet port. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the partition plate slows down the flow rate of the cooling liquid flowing through the storage space, and the flow rate control body makes the static pressure of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid outflow chamber smaller than the static pressure of the cooling liquid in an adjacent storage chamber, thereby reducing the difference in static pressure between the storage chambers in the storage space, thereby reducing fluctuations in the liquid level height of the cooling liquid in each storage chamber, thereby suppressing the entrainment of air into the cooling liquid and preventing a decrease in cooling performance in the cooling circuit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 show an embodiment of the reserve tank of the present invention, and this figure shows a schematic configuration of a cooling circuit in which the reserve tank is provided. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the reserve tank. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the reserve tank. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of coolant in the reserve tank. [Figure 6] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a flow rate control body is formed integrally with a case. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a reserve tank according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] <Outline of cooling circuit configuration> First, a schematic configuration of a cooling circuit 100 in which a reserve tank 1 is provided will be described (see FIG. 1).

[0013] The cooling circuit 100 is mounted on a vehicle 200, such as a hybrid vehicle, and has a reserve tank 1 for storing coolant 50, a water pump 101 for circulating the coolant 50, and a radiator 103 for cooling the coolant 50 by heat exchange with an electric unit 102, which is a heat-generating component.

[0014] For example, an electric pump is used as the water pump 101, and the coolant 50 is pumped by driving the water pump 101. The electric unit 102 is equipped with a motor (not shown) that serves as a drive source for the vehicle, a control unit (not shown) that controls the motor, and the like. The radiator 103 has a fan 103a, and by driving the fan 103a, the coolant 50 passing through the radiator is cooled by cooling air.

[0015] The above-mentioned components in the cooling circuit 100 are connected to each other via piping 104 so that the coolant 50 can circulate therethrough. The piping 104 has a first connecting pipe 104a connecting the reserve tank 1 and the water pump 101, a second connecting pipe 104b connecting the water pump 101 and the electric unit 102, a third connecting pipe 104c connecting the electric unit 102 and the radiator 103, and a fourth connecting pipe 104d connecting the radiator 103 and the reserve tank 1.

[0016] In the cooling circuit 100, the water pump 101 is driven, and the coolant 50 stored in the reserve tank 1 is supplied to the electric unit 102 via the water pump 101. The coolant 50 supplied to the electric unit 102 cools the electric unit 102, and then is sent to the radiator 103, where it is cooled by heat exchange and then supplied to the reserve tank 1 again.

[0017] In the cooling circuit 100, the required cooling performance is controlled according to the driving state of the electric unit 102, and for example, when the electric unit 102 exerts a high output, a state is set in which high cooling performance is exerted. In this way, when high cooling performance is exerted, the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 circulating in the cooling circuit 100 is increased by utilizing the cooling liquid 50 stored in the reserve tank 1, thereby ensuring the required cooling performance.

[0018] In the above cooling circuit 100, an example has been shown in which the water pump 101 is provided between the reserve tank 1 and the electric unit 102, but the water pump 101 may be provided at any position in the cooling circuit 100.

[0019] <Reserve tank configuration> Next, the configuration of the reserve tank 1 will be described (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0020] In the following description, the front, rear, left and right directions are indicated with the side of the reserve tank where the inlet port is located as the front. However, the front, rear, left and right directions shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited to these directions in its implementation.

[0021] The reserve tank 1 has a main body 2, an inlet port 3, and an outlet port 4 (see FIG. 2).

[0022] The main body 2 is composed of a box-shaped case 5 and partition plates 6, 6, 6 arranged inside the case 5. The number of partition plates 6 arranged is arbitrary, and may be one, two, or four or more. The internal space of the case 5 is formed as a storage space 5a. A supply hole 9 that can be opened and closed by a cover 8 is formed at the rear end of the top surface 7 of the case 5, and coolant 50 can be supplied to the storage space 5a through the supply hole 9.

[0023] The lower end of the front surface 10 of the case 5 is provided as an inflow port connection portion 11, and an inflow hole 11a is formed in the inflow port connection portion 11. The rear end of the bottom surface 12 of the case 5 is provided as an outflow port connection portion 13, and an outflow hole 13a is formed in the outflow port connection portion 13.

[0024] The partition plates 6, 6, 6 are disposed at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction. The storage space 5a is divided into a plurality of storage chambers by the partition plates 6, 6, 6, and the storage chambers are formed as a first storage chamber 14, a second storage chamber 15, a third storage chamber 16, and a fourth storage chamber 17 in that order from the front.

[0025] A plurality of communication holes 6a are formed vertically and horizontally spaced apart in a portion of the partition plate 6 near the lower end. Through the communication holes 6a, the first liquid storage chamber 14 and the second liquid storage chamber 15 are in communication with each other, the second liquid storage chamber 15 and the third liquid storage chamber 16 are in communication with each other, and the third liquid storage chamber 16 and the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 are in communication with each other.

[0026] The inflow port 3 has an axial direction in the front-rear direction, a rear end portion thereof is connected to the inflow port connection portion 11 of the case 5, and an internal space thereof is communicated with the first liquid storage chamber 14 via the inflow hole 11a. A fourth connecting pipe 104d is connected to the inflow port 3.

[0027] The outlet port 4 has an axial direction that is vertical, and its upper end is connected to the outlet port connection part 13 of the case 5, and the internal space is communicated with the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 via the outlet hole 13a. A first connecting pipe 104a is connected to the outlet port 4.

[0028] The inflow port 3 and the outflow port 4 have the same diameter, and approximately the same amount of cooling liquid 50 can flow through the inflow port 3 and the outflow port 4.

[0029] As described above, the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 is formed as a coolant outflow chamber that is connected to the outflow port 4 and through which the coolant 50 flows out from the storage space 5a. The third liquid storage chamber 16 is formed as an adjacent liquid storage chamber adjacent to the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 via the partition plate 6.

[0030] A flow rate control body 18 is disposed in the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The flow rate control body 18 is composed of an annular frame portion 19 whose outer diameter is larger than the outflow hole 13a and a lattice portion 20 provided in a lattice pattern inside the frame portion 19 (see Figs. 3 and 4). In the flow rate control body 18, a mesh-like flow hole 21, 21, ... is formed by the frame portion 19 and the lattice portion 20.

[0031] The flow rate control body 18 is detachably attached to the outflow port connection part 13 in a state where it covers the outflow hole 13a in the fourth liquid storage chamber 17. The flow rate control body 18 is formed of, for example, a metal material.

[0032] In addition, the flow rate control body 18 may be arranged between the outlet port connection part 13 and the tip of the outlet port 4, and may be arranged inside the outlet port 4, for example, with its outer diameter being equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet port 4.

[0033] <Flow of coolant in the reserve tank> Next, the flow of the coolant 50 in the reserve tank 1 will be described (see FIG. 5).

[0034] A predetermined amount of coolant 50 is stored in the storage space 5a of the reserve tank 1, and an air layer 60 is formed in the upper part of the storage space 5a. When the water pump 101 is not driven, the coolant does not circulate through the cooling circuit 100, and the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a does not flow. At this time, the liquid level of the coolant 50 in each storage chamber is at the same position.

[0035] When the water pump 101 is driven, the coolant 50 is circulated through the cooling circuit 100, and flows into the first liquid storage chamber 14 from the inlet port 3. The coolant 50 that flows into the first liquid storage chamber 14 passes through the communication hole 6a and flows into the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 via the second liquid storage chamber 15 and the third liquid storage chamber 16. The coolant 50 that flows into the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 flows out from the outlet port 4.

[0036] The cooling liquid 50 flowing in the storage space 5a is decelerated due to pressure loss every time it passes through the communication hole 6a. Therefore, the flow velocity of the cooling liquid 50 in the second storage chamber 15 is slower than the flow velocity of the cooling liquid 50 in the first storage chamber 14, and the flow velocity of the cooling liquid 50 in the third storage chamber 16 is slower than the flow velocity of the cooling liquid 50 in the second storage chamber 15.

[0037] The cooling liquid 50, whose flow speed gradually slows down as it flows from the first liquid storage chamber 14 toward the third liquid storage chamber 16, flows into the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 and flows out of the outlet port 4 via the outflow hole 13a.

[0038] At this time, since the flow rate control body 18 is attached to the outflow port connection portion 13 of the fourth storage chamber 17, the cooling liquid 50 flowing in the fourth storage chamber 17 is controlled by the flow rate control body 18 so that the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 flowing through the flow holes 21, 21, ... is increased compared to a state in which the flow rate control body 18 is not provided. By increasing the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 flowing through the flow holes 21, 21, ..., the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 is made greater than the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the third storage chamber 16.

[0039] By making the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 faster than the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the third storage chamber 16, the static pressure in the fourth storage chamber 17 becomes smaller than the static pressure in the third storage chamber 16. This reduces the difference in static pressure between the first storage chamber 14 into which the cooling liquid 50 flows in the storage space 5a and the static pressure of the fourth storage chamber 17 from which the cooling liquid 50 flows out, thereby reducing the difference in static pressure between the storage chambers in the storage space 5a.

[0040] As described above, in the reserve tank 1, the flow rate of the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a is gradually slowed as the coolant flows from the first storage chamber 14 to the third storage chamber 16, which makes it difficult for turbulent flow of the coolant 50 to occur in each storage chamber. Therefore, air bubbles in the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a are easily released into the air layer 60, which promotes gas-liquid separation.

[0041] In addition, a flow rate control body 18 is provided between the outflow port connection portion 13 and the tip of the outflow port 4, for controlling the flow rate of the coolant 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 to be faster than the flow rate of the coolant 50 in the third storage chamber 16. This makes the static pressure in the fourth storage chamber 17 smaller than the static pressure in the third storage chamber 16, thereby reducing the difference in static pressure between the storage chambers in the storage space 5a.

[0042] Therefore, the difference in liquid level of the cooling liquid 50 in each storage chamber is reduced, thereby suppressing the entrainment of air from the air layer 60 into the cooling liquid 50, and preventing a decrease in the cooling performance in the cooling circuit 100.

[0043] Furthermore, the flow rate control body 18 is attached to the outflow port connection portion 13. Therefore, by disposing the flow rate control body 18 in the fourth liquid storage chamber 17, it can be assembled into the case 5, for example, through the supply hole 9, and therefore assembly of the flow rate control body 18 in the reserve tank 1 can be easily performed.

[0044] Moreover, the flow rate control body 18 is detachably attached to the outflow port connection portion 13. Therefore, since the flow rate control body 18 is replaceable with respect to the case 5, for example, when the reserve tank 1 is mounted on a different vehicle model, the flow rate control body 18 can be changed according to the flow state of the coolant 50 circulating through the cooling circuit 100, the required cooling performance, and the like, without changing the design of the case 5.

[0045] Furthermore, the flow rate control body 18 is formed in a shape having flow holes 21 through which the coolant 50 flows. As a result, the flow rate of the coolant 50 is controlled by the flow rate control body 18 formed in a shape having the flow holes 21, so that the flow rate of the coolant 50 can be controlled with a simple configuration.

[0046] As a method for controlling the flow rate of the coolant 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17, for example, a configuration in which the diameter of the outlet port 4 is reduced can be considered. However, by controlling the flow rate of the coolant 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 using the flow rate control body 18, it is not necessary to change the diameter of the pipe 104 for each portion in the cooling circuit 100 or to provide a connecting member or the like for changing the diameter of the pipe 104. Therefore, it is possible to control the flow rate of the coolant 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 without changing the design of the entire cooling circuit 100.

[0047] Although the above describes an example in which the flow rate control body 18 is constituted by the frame portion 19 and the lattice portion 20, the flow rate control body 18 may have any shape as long as it has flow holes 21 with a diameter smaller than that of the outflow holes 13a, and may be, for example, an annular shape with one flow hole 21 formed in the center. Furthermore, the number of flow holes 21 formed is also arbitrary, and a plurality of flow holes 21, 21, ... may be formed spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The flow rate control body 18 may be formed of a resin material, a cloth, etc., instead of a metal material.

[0048] Although the above describes a configuration in which the flow rate control body 18 is attached to the outflow port connection portion 13, the flow rate control body 18 may be formed integrally with the case 5 or the outflow port 4. For example, when the flow rate control body 18 is formed integrally with the case 5, a part of the outflow hole 13a functions as the flow hole 21 (see FIG. 6). By forming the flow rate control body 18 integrally with the case 5 or the outflow port 4, it is not necessary to form the flow rate control body 18 as a separate member from the case 5 or the outflow port 4, so that it is possible to reduce the number of parts and prevent the flow rate control body 18 from shifting in position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 100 cooling circuit 101 Water Pump 102 Electric unit 103 Radiator 104 Piping 1 Reserve Tank 2 Main unit 3 Inlet Port 4 Outlet Port 5 Cases 5a Storage space 6 Partition 6a Communication hole 11 Inlet port connection 11a Inflow hole 13 Outlet port connection 13a Outflow hole 14 First reservoir 15 Second reservoir 16 Third Reservoir 17 Fourth Reservoir 18 Flow rate control body 50 Coolant 60 Air Layer

Claims

1. A reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which a cooling liquid circulates, a case having an inlet hole and an outlet hole and an internal space formed as a storage space for storing a coolant; A partition plate having communication holes formed therein and dividing the storage space into a plurality of liquid storage chambers; an inlet port connected to the case for allowing the coolant to flow into the storage space through the inlet hole; an outlet port connected to the case for allowing the cooling liquid to flow out of the storage space through the outlet hole; A portion of the case to which the outflow port is connected is provided as an outflow port connection portion, Among the plurality of liquid storage chambers, a liquid storage chamber that is in communication with the outlet port via the outlet hole is formed as a coolant outflow chamber, A liquid storage chamber adjacent to the cooling liquid outflow chamber via the partition plate is formed as an adjacent liquid storage chamber, a flow rate control unit that controls the flow rate of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid outflow chamber so that the flow rate of the cooling liquid in the adjacent liquid storage chamber is greater than the flow rate of the cooling liquid in the adjacent liquid storage chamber; The flow rate control body is disposed between the outlet port connection portion and the tip portion of the outlet port. Reserve tank.

2. The flow rate control body is formed in a shape having a flow hole through which the cooling liquid flows. The reserve tank according to claim 1.

3. The flow rate control body is attached to the outlet port connection. The reserve tank according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The flow rate control body is detachable from the outlet port connection part. The reserve tank according to claim 3.

5. The flow rate control body is integrally formed with the case or the outlet port. The reserve tank according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3.

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