Reserve tank

Abstract

To prevent lowering of cooling performance of a cooling circuit.SOLUTION: A reserve tank comprises a partitioning plate for partitioning a case which is formed as a storage space for making an internal space store a cooling liquid, and a storage space in which communication holes are formed into a plurality of liquid storage chambers; a flow-in port for making the cooling liquid flow into the storage space; and a flow-out port for making the cooling liquid flow out of the storage space. A resistor being resistance with respect to a turbulent flow in the vicinity of a liquid face of the cooling liquid is positioned in at least one storage chamber. By this constitution, since a flow speed of the cooling liquid flowing in the storage space is decelerated, and the liquid face oscillation of the cooling liquid is suppressed by the resistor, the bite-in of air to the cooling liquid is suppressed, and deterioration of cooling performance of a cooling circuit can be prevented.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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 with a communicating hole formed therein as described above, when the flow rate of the coolant circulating through the cooling circuit increases, it becomes difficult to sufficiently slow down the coolant passing through the communicating hole, and the coolant may collide with the partition plate, generating turbulence and causing the surface of the coolant to fluctuate, which may entrain air from the air layer into the coolant and increase the amount of air in the coolant.

[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 of the present invention is a reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which coolant is circulated, and comprises a case whose internal space is formed as a storage space for storing coolant, a partition plate having communicating holes formed therein and dividing the storage space into a plurality of storage chambers, an inlet port for flowing coolant into the storage space, and an outlet port for flowing coolant out of the storage space, and a resistor is positioned in at least one of the storage chambers to provide resistance to turbulence near the surface of the coolant. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the flow rate of the cooling liquid flowing through the storage space is slowed down by the partition plate, and the liquid surface fluctuation of the cooling liquid is suppressed by the resistor, 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. 5 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. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of coolant in the reserve tank. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the number of resistors arranged is decreased from the first liquid storage chamber to the fourth liquid storage chamber. 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, an electric unit 102 which is a heat-generating component, and a radiator 103 for cooling the coolant by heat exchange.

[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 required cooling performance is ensured by increasing the flow rate of the coolant 50 circulating in the cooling circuit 100 using the coolant 50 stored in the reserve tank 1. At this time, the amount of the coolant 50 stored in the reserve tank 1 temporarily decreases, and the liquid level of the coolant 50 is lowered.

[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 and 3).

[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 a plurality of partition plates 6 arranged inside the case 5. The number of partition plates 6 arranged is arbitrary. The internal space of the case 5 is formed as a storage space 5a, and the coolant 50 can be supplied to the storage space 5a through a supply hole (not shown) provided on the top surface 7 of the case 5. The case 5 has an inlet hole 8a formed at the lower end of the front surface 8 and an outlet hole 9a formed at the rear end of the bottom surface 9.

[0023] The partition plates 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, and the storage chambers are formed as a first storage chamber 10, a second storage chamber 11, a third storage chamber 12, and a fourth storage chamber 13 in that order from the front.

[0024] 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 10 and the second liquid storage chamber 11 are in communication with each other, the second liquid storage chamber 11 and the third liquid storage chamber 12 are in communication with each other, and the third liquid storage chamber 12 and the fourth liquid storage chamber 13 are in communication with each other.

[0025] The inflow port 3 has an axial direction in the front-rear direction, a rear end portion thereof is connected to the front portion 8 of the case 5, and an internal space thereof is communicated with the first liquid storage chamber 10 via the inflow hole 8a. A fourth connecting pipe 104d is connected to the inflow port 3.

[0026] Outlet port 4 has an axial direction in the vertical direction, an upper end portion is connected to bottom surface portion 9 of case 5, and an internal space is communicated with fourth liquid storage chamber 13 via outlet hole 9a. First connecting pipe 104a is connected to outlet port 4.

[0027] Resistors 14, 14, ... are disposed in the first liquid storage chamber 10, the second liquid storage chamber 11, the third liquid storage chamber 12, and the fourth liquid storage chamber 13. The resistors 14 are formed in a string shape from an elastic material such as rubber, and their front ends 14a are attached to the front surface 8 or the partition plate 6 in a line spaced apart relationship to the left and right (see FIG. 3).

[0028] The resistor 14 is located above the communication hole 6a. In addition, when the liquid level of the coolant 50 in the state where the amount of the coolant 50 stored in the storage space 5a in the reserve tank 1 is the minimum liquid level L, the resistor 14 is located below the minimum liquid level L (see FIG. 2).

[0029] A larger number of resistors 14 are disposed in the first liquid storage chamber 10 than in the other liquid storage chambers.

[0030] <Flow of coolant in the reserve tank> Next, the flow of the coolant 50 in the reserve tank 1 will be described (see FIG. 4).

[0031] 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 50 is not circulated through the cooling circuit 100, and the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a is not allowed to flow.

[0032] When the water pump 101 is driven, the coolant 50 is circulated through the cooling circuit 100, and flows into the first storage chamber 10 from the inlet port 3. The coolant 50 that flows into the first storage chamber 10 passes through the communication hole 6a and flows into the fourth storage chamber 13 via the second storage chamber 11 and the third storage chamber 12. The coolant 50 that flows into the fourth storage chamber 13 flows out from the outlet port 4 and flows toward the water pump 101.

[0033] The flow velocity of the cooling liquid 50 flowing in the storage space 5a is fastest in the first storage chamber 10 where it flows in from the inlet port 3, and is decelerated due to pressure loss each time it passes through the communication hole 6a, and the speed is gradually reduced as it flows from the first storage chamber 10 to the fourth storage chamber 13. Since the flow velocity of the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a is gradually decelerated from the inlet port 3 to the outlet port 4, turbulence of the cooling liquid 50 is less likely to occur in the first storage chamber 10 to the fourth storage chamber 13 in that order. Therefore, air bubbles in the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a are easily released into the air layer 60, and gas-liquid separation can be promoted.

[0034] As described above, when the cooling circuit 100 exhibits high cooling performance, the flow rate of the coolant 50 circulating through the cooling circuit 100 is increased. At this time, the coolant 50 passing through the communication hole 6a collides with the partition plate 6 or the rear surface portion 15 of the case 5 without being sufficiently decelerated, which tends to cause turbulence such as a vortex. Even when high cooling performance is not exhibited, turbulence may occur in the storage space 5a depending on the flow state of the coolant 50.

[0035] In the reserve tank 1, the resistor 14 is attached to the front portion 8 of the case 5 or to the partition plate 6. This allows the resistor 14 to provide resistance to turbulent flow, suppressing fluctuation of the liquid surface of the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a.

[0036] Therefore, the liquid level of the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a is kept stable, which suppresses air from being drawn into the coolant 50 from the air layer 60, and prevents a decrease in the cooling performance of the cooling circuit 100.

[0037] Moreover, resistor 14 is made of an elastic material, and front end 14a is attached to front portion 8 of case 5 or partition plate 6. This allows the elastic force of resistor 14 to act in a direction that counteracts the generated turbulent flow, and makes it possible to efficiently suppress the fluctuation of the liquid surface of coolant 50 in storage space 5a. @ Furthermore, the resistor 14 is formed in a string shape rather than a plate shape. This makes it difficult for the resistor 14 to hinder the movement of air bubbles in the cooling liquid 50, so that air bubbles rising in the cooling liquid 50 toward the air layer 60 are easily released into the air layer 60 by passing around the resistor 14. Therefore, even in a state where the resistor 14 is provided, the air in the cooling liquid 50 is not hindered from being released into the air layer 60, and accelerated gas-liquid separation can be performed in the storage space 5a.

[0038] Furthermore, as described above, in the reserve tank 1, the resistor 14 is positioned below the minimum liquid level L.

[0039] As a result, the resistor 14 is positioned in the cooling liquid 50 regardless of the amount of cooling liquid 50 stored in the storage space 5a, so that the effect of suppressing the liquid surface fluctuation of the cooling liquid 50 by the resistor 14 can be efficiently obtained.

[0040] Since the resistor 14 has the greatest effect of suppressing fluctuations in the liquid level when it is located at the liquid level of the coolant 50, it is desirable to position the resistor 14 at the liquid level of the coolant 50 regardless of the amount of the coolant 50 stored in the storage space 5a. In particular, by positioning the resistor 14 at the minimum liquid level L, the resistor 14 is more likely to be positioned near the liquid level of the coolant 50 even when the liquid level of the coolant in the storage space 5a becomes equal to or higher than the minimum liquid level L.

[0041] Moreover, it is desirable to place resistor 14 below the liquid level of coolant 50, above communication hole 6a, and away from communication hole 6a. For example, by placing resistor 14 at the liquid level of coolant 50, the effect of reducing pressure loss caused by resistor 14 in coolant 50 flowing from inlet port 3 to outlet port 4 is increased, so that coolant 50 can be circulated in cooling circuit 100 without excessively increasing the output of water pump 101.

[0042] Furthermore, in the reserve tank 1, resistors 14 are arranged in the first liquid storage chamber 10, the second liquid storage chamber 11, the third liquid storage chamber 12, and the fourth liquid storage chamber 13, with the largest number of resistors 14 arranged in the first liquid storage chamber 10.

[0043] As a result, in the storage space 5a, the greatest number of resistors 14 are positioned in the first storage chamber 10, where the flowing speed of the cooling liquid 50 is the fastest and the liquid surface fluctuation of the cooling liquid 50 is most likely to occur, thereby efficiently suppressing the entrainment of air into the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a.

[0044] As described above, in the storage space 5a, the flow rate of the coolant 50 slows down from the first storage chamber 10 to the fourth storage chamber 13. Therefore, the number of resistors 14 arranged in each storage chamber may be decreased from the first storage chamber 10 to the fourth storage chamber 13 (see FIG. 5). This makes it possible to arrange the number of resistors 14 in accordance with the flow rate of the coolant 50 in each storage chamber, and prevents a decrease in the cooling performance of the cooling circuit 100 while minimizing the number of parts.

[0045] Further, although an example has been shown above in which resistors 14 are arranged in each of a plurality of liquid storage chambers, resistors 14 do not have to be arranged in a plurality of liquid storage chambers, and it is sufficient that resistor 14 is arranged in at least first liquid storage chamber 10.

[0046] As a result, the resistor is positioned in the first storage chamber 10 in the storage space 5a, where the speed of the flowing cooling liquid 50 is the fastest and the liquid surface fluctuation of the cooling liquid 50 is most likely to occur, thereby preventing an increase in the number of parts and suppressing the entrainment of air into the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 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 10 First reservoir 11 Second reservoir 12 Third Reservoir 13 Fourth Reservoir 14 Resistor 14a Front end 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 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 for injecting a cooling liquid into the storage space; an outlet port for allowing the cooling liquid to flow out of the storage space; A resistor is disposed in at least one of the liquid storage chambers to provide resistance to turbulent flow near the liquid surface of the cooling liquid, The resistor is made of an elastic material and formed into a string shape, One end of the resistor is attached to the case or the partition plate. Reserve tank.

2. The resistor is positioned below the liquid level when the amount of cooling liquid stored in the storage space is at a minimum. The reserve tank according to claim 1.

3. The liquid storage chamber to which the inlet port is communicated is formed as a first liquid storage chamber, The resistor is located in at least the first liquid storage chamber. The reserve tank according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The resistor is disposed in each of the plurality of liquid storage chambers, The number of the resistors disposed in the first liquid storage chamber is the largest among the number of the resistors disposed in the plurality of liquid storage chambers. The reserve tank according to claim 3.

5. A reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which a coolant is circulated, a case having 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 for injecting a cooling liquid into the storage space; an outlet port for allowing the cooling liquid to flow out of the storage space; A resistor is disposed in at least one of the liquid storage chambers to provide resistance to turbulent flow near the liquid surface of the cooling liquid, The liquid storage chamber to which the inlet port is communicated is formed as a first liquid storage chamber, The resistor is located in at least the first reservoir; The resistor is disposed in each of the plurality of liquid storage chambers, The number of the resistors disposed in the first liquid storage chamber is the largest among the number of the resistors disposed in the plurality of liquid storage chambers. Reserve tank.

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