Vehicle cooling system

Abstract

To suppress an increase in diameter of a cable as much as possible.SOLUTION: Two refrigerant flow passages 31, 32 extending along electric wires 21, 22 are provided in a cable 11. The electric wires 21, 22 are cooled by circulating refrigerant to the refrigerant flow passages 31, 32 in the cable 11 by a U-turn connection flow passage 33 in a female connector 12 mounted at a terminal section of the cable 11, and heat generation of the electric wire 21, 22 is suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling system for vehicles such as electric vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] With the increase in output of electric vehicles and the like, a conductive path that can withstand high voltage and high current has been required. As the voltage and current increase, the increase in the heat generation amount of the conductive path becomes a problem. For example, it becomes necessary to increase the diameter of cables such as charging cables and motor cables. However, increasing the diameter of the cable causes problems such as an increase in weight and an increase in mounting space, so the demand for suppressing the increase in diameter is intensifying.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for cooling a terminal by flowing a refrigerant through a fluid passage formed inside the terminal. However, since the cable is not cooled, it is difficult to prevent the cable from increasing in diameter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above-described technology, the cable in the vehicle is not cooled, and it is difficult to suppress the increase in the diameter of the cable. Therefore, there is a risk of problems such as an increase in the weight of the cable and an increase in the mounting space.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle cooling system capable of suppressing as much as possible the increase in the diameter of a cable accompanying the increase in output of an electric vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle cooling system according to the present invention is characterized by the following.

[0008] A cable having two refrigerant flow paths that cool the electric wire by the electric wire and the refrigerant that extends along the electric wire and flows through the inside, A connector attached to the terminal portion of the cable and fitted and connected to a mating connector mounted on the vehicle, The connector is provided with a connection flow path that allows the refrigerant flowing through one of the two refrigerant flow paths to flow into the other by communicating the two refrigerant flow paths of the cable with each other. and , A cable-side refrigerant passage formed by the two refrigerant flow paths in the cable and the connection flow path in the connector is disposed inside the vehicle. Vehicle cooling system.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress as much as possible the increase in the diameter of the cable accompanying the increase in the output of the electric vehicle.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Fig. 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the terminal portion of the cable in the same embodiment, the connector attached to the terminal portion, and the mating connector to which the connector is fitted and connected. [Fig. 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a specific example of the connector. [Fig. 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 5]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the respective drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a vehicle cooling system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the left region A demarcated by a dotted line shows the configuration inside the vehicle of an electric vehicle, and the right region B shows the configuration of a charging facility outside the vehicle (the configuration on the infrastructure side).

[0013] As a charging facility outside the vehicle (region B), a charging connector 50 connected to a power supply device (not shown) is provided. The charging connector 50 is attached to the tip of a charging cable (not shown in detail). In addition to a pair of charging terminals, positive and negative (not shown), the charging connector 50 is provided with a refrigerant inflow passage 50A and a refrigerant outflow passage 50B.

[0014] The refrigerant inflow passage 50A of the charging connector 50 is connected to the refrigerant discharge port of a refrigerant circulation pump 60 on the infrastructure side, for example, via a refrigerant pipe provided together with or separately from the charging cable. Similarly, the refrigerant outflow passage 50B of the charging connector 50 is connected to the refrigerant suction port of the refrigerant circulation pump 60 on the infrastructure side via a refrigerant pipe provided together with or separately from the charging cable. Note that a cooling circuit (not shown) is attached to the refrigerant circulation pump 60 so that the discharged refrigerant can be cooled.

[0015] Inside the vehicle (area A), a rechargeable battery 1 that supplies power to each facility inside the vehicle is mounted. A junction block (J / B) 2 is connected to the battery 1, and a male connector 3 is provided on the junction block 2. The male connector 3 is an example of a mating connector. And a charging cable device 10 is arranged as a device that connects the male connector 3 in this vehicle interior (area A) and the charging connector 50 outside the vehicle (area B). This charging cable device 10 is arranged inside the vehicle (area A).

[0016] This charging cable device 10 includes a cable 11, a female connector 12 attached to one end side of the cable 11, and a charging inlet 18 attached to the other end side of the cable 11.

[0017] Figure 2 shows the relationship between the terminal part on one end side of the cable 11, the female connector 12 attached to the terminal part, and the male connector 3 on the mating side to which the female connector 12 is fitted and connected.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, inside the outer casing 11A of the cable 11, two electric wires 21, 22 and two refrigerant flow paths 31, 32 that extend along the electric wires 21, 22 and cool the electric wires 21, 22 by the refrigerant flowing inside are provided. The two electric wires 21, 22 are kept insulated from each other, but are efficiently cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 31, 32.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the female connector 12 attached to the terminal part of the cable 11 is fitted and connected to the male connector 3 on the vehicle side. A U-turn connection flow path 33 is provided inside this female connector 12. The U-turn connection flow path 33 is an example of a connection flow path. When the female connector 12 is attached to the terminal part of the cable 11, the U-turn connection flow path 33 connects the two refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 in the cable 11 to each other. By connecting the two refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 in the cable 11 to each other in this way, the refrigerant flowing through one of the two refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 can be made to flow into the other. Therefore, this female connector 12 can be called a refrigerant circulation-compatible high-pressure female connector.

[0020] As described above, a female connector 12 that is fitted and connected to the male connector 3 mounted on the vehicle is attached to one terminal part of the cable 11. On the other hand, a charging inlet 18 to which the charging connector 50 outside the vehicle is connected is attached to the other terminal part of the cable 11. The charging connector 50 is arranged at the tip of the charging cable.

[0021] The charging inlet 18 is provided with charging terminals (not shown) for electrically connecting the electric wires 21 and 22 in the cable 11 and the electric wire (charging terminal of the charging connector 50) of a charging cable (not shown) outside the vehicle (region B). The charging inlet 18 is also provided with refrigerant passage connection ports 18A and 18B for flow path-connecting the two refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 in the cable 11 and the two refrigerant passages (refrigerant inflow passage 50A and refrigerant outflow passage 50B) in the charging connector 50 outside the vehicle (region B), respectively.

[0022] Therefore, by connecting the charging connector 50 outside the vehicle (region B) to the charging inlet 18 inside the vehicle (region A), the refrigerant discharged by the refrigerant circulation pump 60 on the infrastructure side can be circulated through the cable 11 of the charging cable device 10. The arrow R in Fig. 1 indicates the direction in which the refrigerant flows.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, the arrangement relationship between the electric wires 21 and 22 and the refrigerant flow passages 31 and 32 in the cable 11 will be described. The two refrigerant flow passages 31 and 32 in the cable 11 are arranged between a pair of electric wires 21 and 22 in the cable 11. Further, the female connector 12 is provided with a pair of electric wire arranging portions 12A and 12B in which a pair of electric wires 21 and 22 in the cable 11 are arranged, and the U-turn connection flow passage 33 in the female connector 12 is arranged between the pair of electric wire arranging portions 12A and 12B.

[0024] Connection terminals 21A and 22A are attached to the terminal portions of the electric wires 21 and 22 in the cable 11, which are connected to the mating terminals 3A and 3B of the male connector 3. Through holes 16 are provided in the electric wire arranging portions 12A and 12B in the female connector 12 to enable fitting connection between the mating terminals 3A and 3B and the connection terminals 21A and 22A therein. Further, a first connection portion 33A connected to an end portion 31A of one of the refrigerant flow passages 31 in the cable 11 is provided at one end of the U-turn connection flow passage 33 in the female connector 12. Furthermore, a second connection portion 33B connected to an end portion 32A of the other refrigerant flow passage 32 in the cable 11 is provided at the other end of the U-turn connection flow passage 33 in the female connector 12.

[0025] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the female connector 12. The connector housing 13 of this female connector 12 is divided into two half bodies 13A and 13B that are joined together by mating mating surfaces 14A and 14B with each other. One and the other of the half bodies 13A and 13B are respectively provided with one and the other of a pair of electric wire arranging portions 12A and 12B. Further, the U-turn connection flow passage 33 is arranged between the mating surfaces 14A and 14B of the half bodies 13A and 13B.

[0026] U-shaped recesses 15A and 15B are provided in at least one of the mating surfaces 14A and 14B of the two half bodies 13A and 13B, and the U-turn connection flow passage 33 is formed by assembling a U-shaped pipe 17 into the recesses 15A and 15B.

[0027] According to the vehicle cooling system of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the female connector 12 provided on one end side of the charging cable device 10 is connected to the male connector 3, and the charging connector 50 outside the vehicle (region B) is connected to the charging inlet 18 provided on the other end side of the charging cable device 10. With this configuration, as indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 1, the refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant circulation pump 60 on the infrastructure side can be circulated through the cable 11 of the charging cable device 10.

[0028] That is, since the female connector 12 attached to the terminal portion on one end side of the cable 11 has the U-turn connection flow path 33, the refrigerant that has passed through one refrigerant flow path 31 in the cable 11 is caused to flow into the other refrigerant flow path 32 in the cable 11 through the U-turn connection flow path 33 in the female connector 12. Therefore, the refrigerant can be circulated in the cable 11. As a result, the electric wires 21 and 22 can be cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32, and the increase in the diameter of the electric wires 21 and 22, and thus the cable 11, can be prevented. As a result, an increase in the weight of the cable 11 can be prevented, and it becomes possible to reduce the mounting space of the cable 11. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to suppress the increase in the diameter of the cable 11 corresponding to rapid charging after the charging inlet 18.

[0029] Also, in this embodiment, since the refrigerant circulates between the pair of electric wires 21 and 22, the two electric wires 21 and 22 can be efficiently cooled.

[0030] Also, in this embodiment, the electric wires 21 and 22 on the cable 11 side are directly connected to the mating terminals 3A and 3B of the male connector 3 through the through holes 16 provided in the wire arrangement portions 12A and 12B of the female connector 12, so that unnecessary contact conduction points can be reduced.

[0031] Also, in this embodiment, by combining the two half bodies 13A and 13B, the female connector 12 having the U-turn connection flow path 33 is configured, so that the assembly is easy.

[0032] In addition, in this embodiment, by assembling a U-shaped pipe 17 into the U-shaped recesses 15A and 15B, a U-turn connection flow path 33 is formed inside the connector housing 13 of the female connector 12. With this configuration, compared to the case where the U-turn connection flow path 33 is directly formed in the connector housing 13, the injection molding of the connector housing 13 becomes easier. Also, since liquid-tight treatment for the connector housing 13 is not required, the manufacture of the female connector 12 having the U-turn connection flow path 33 becomes easier.

[0033] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle cooling system of this embodiment is a cooling system established within a vehicle, and is for cooling a motor cable 111 (hereinafter referred to as cable 111) on a power supply path that supplies power from the battery 1 to a high-pressure motor 150 for vehicle drive.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, in the vehicle cooling system of this embodiment, a power supply cable device 110 having a female connector 12 with a U-turn connection flow path 33 is used, and the female connector 12 is attached to both the one end side and the other end side of the cable 111.

[0035] Similar to the first embodiment, the cable 111 of the power supply cable device 110 has a pair of electric wires 21 and 22, and two refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 that extend along the electric wires 21 and 22 and cool the electric wires 21 and 22 by the refrigerant flowing through the inside. However, one of the two refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 (132) in the cable 111 is blocked from communicating in the middle of the length direction, and a refrigerant inlet 132A and a refrigerant outlet 132B are provided at the communication cutoff ends on both sides of the communication cutoff location. Note that these electric wires 21 and 22 and the refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 (132) are arranged inside an exterior body (not shown) of the cable 111, similar to the first embodiment.

[0036] The power supply cable device 110 has a female connector 12 at one end connected to a male connector 3 at the battery 1 side and a female connector 12 at the other end connected to a male connector 103 at the high-voltage motor 150 side, thereby electrically connecting the power supply circuit at the battery 1 side to the high-voltage motor 150. The male connector 103 is an example of a mating connector. The power supply cable device 110 also has female connectors 12 having U-turn connection flow paths 33 attached to both ends of a cable 111. This configuration makes it possible to configure a cable-side refrigerant passage SB in which the refrigerant introduced from the refrigerant inlet 132A is circulated through the refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 in the cable 111 and discharged from the refrigerant outlet 132B.

[0037] Meanwhile, a cooling system for cooling an object to be cooled mounted on the vehicle is installed in advance inside the vehicle. A specific example of the object to be cooled is the battery 1, which is a heat-generating component. As a part of the refrigerant circulation passage SA of the cooling system, the cable side refrigerant passage SB of the power feed cable device 110 described above is connected in series. That is, the refrigerant inlet 132A of the cable side refrigerant passage SB is connected to the discharge side of the refrigerant circulation passage SA of the cooling system, and the refrigerant outlet 132B of the cable side refrigerant passage SB is connected to the suction side of the refrigerant circulation passage SA of the cooling system. The refrigerant circulation passage SA incorporates a refrigerant circulation pump 160 and a cooling circuit (not shown).

[0038] In this way, the cable side refrigerant passage SB is incorporated in series with the refrigerant circulation passage SA arranged in the object to be cooled, such as the in-vehicle battery 1. With this configuration, the object to be cooled, such as the battery 1, and the electric wires 21, 22 of the cable 111 can be cooled together in a single in-vehicle cooling system by the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant passage in the direction of the arrow R in FIG.

[0039] In particular, in this embodiment, since the female connector 12 having the U-turn connection flow path 33 is attached to both ends of the cable 111, it is possible to standardize the types of the female connectors 12 provided at the terminal portions of the cable 111. Further, since there is no need to provide internal passages more than necessary for allowing the refrigerant to flow through the male connectors 3, 103, etc. on the other side, it is possible to contribute to cost reduction.

[0040] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle cooling system of this embodiment is also a cooling system established inside the vehicle, similar to the second embodiment, and is for cooling the motor cable 211 (hereinafter referred to as the cable 211) on the power supply path for supplying power from the battery 1 to the high-pressure motor 150 for driving the vehicle.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, in the vehicle cooling system of this embodiment, a power supply cable device 210 in which the female connector 12 having the U-turn connection flow path 33 is attached only to one end side of the cable 211 is used. A second female connector 212 that is fitted and connected to the second male connector 203 mounted on the vehicle is attached to the other end side of the cable 211. The second female connector 212 is an example of a second connector, and the second male connector 203 is an example of a second mating connector. The second female connector 212 is not provided with a U-turn connection flow path, but is provided with two linear internal passages 212A and 212B.

[0042] The cable 211 of the power supply cable device 210 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and includes a pair of electric wires 21 and 22, and two refrigerant flow passages 31 and 32 that extend along the electric wires 21 and 22 and cool the electric wires 21 and 22 by the refrigerant flowing inside. A second female connector 212 having a U-turn connection flow path 33 is attached only to one end side of the cable 211 connected to the high-pressure motor 150. The two refrigerant flow passages 31 and 32 on the other end side of the cable 211 connected to the battery 1 side are respectively connected to the two internal passages 212A and 212B of the second female connector 212.

[0043] One end female connector 12 of the power supply cable device 210 is connected to the male connector 103 on the high-pressure motor 150 side, and the second female connector 212 on the other end side is connected to the second mating male connector 203 provided on the junction block 202 on the battery 1 side. In this way, the power supply cable device 210 electrically connects the power supply circuit on the battery 1 side and the high-pressure motor 150. Further, the power supply cable device 210 has a female connector 12 having a U-turn connection flow path 33 attached to one end of the cable 211. With this configuration, a cable-side refrigerant passage SB can be configured in which the refrigerant introduced from one internal passage 212A of the second female connector 212 is circulated through the refrigerant flow passages 31 and 32 in the cable 211 and led out from the other internal passage 212B. That is, one internal passage 212A of the second female connector 212 is the refrigerant inlet of the cable-side refrigerant passage SB, and the other internal passage 212B is the refrigerant outlet of the cable-side refrigerant passage SB.

[0044] On one hand, similar to the second embodiment, a cooling system for cooling cooling targets such as the battery 1 mounted on the vehicle in advance is equipped in the vehicle. As a part of the refrigerant circulation passage SA of the cooling system, the cable-side refrigerant passage SB of the power supply cable device 110 described above is connected in series. That is, the refrigerant inlet of the cable-side refrigerant passage SB (one internal passage 212A of the second female connector 212) is connected to the discharge side of the refrigerant circulation passage SA of the cooling system through one internal passage 203A of the second mating male connector 203 on the battery 1 side and one internal passage 202A of the junction block 202. Further, the refrigerant outlet of the cable-side refrigerant passage SB (the other internal passage 212B of the second female connector 212) is connected to the suction side of the refrigerant circulation passage SA of the cooling system through the other internal passage 203B of the second mating male connector 203 and the other internal passage 202B of the junction block 202. Note that, similar to the second embodiment, a refrigerant circulation pump 160 and a cooling circuit (not shown) are incorporated in the refrigerant circulation passage SA.

[0045] Thus, in the third embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, the cable-side refrigerant passage SB is incorporated in series into the refrigerant circulation passage SA provided for cooling targets such as the in-vehicle battery 1. With this configuration, the cooling targets (such as the battery 1) and the electric wires 21 and 22 of the cable 211 can be cooled together in one in-vehicle cooling system by the refrigerant circulating in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 5 in the refrigerant path.

[0046] In particular, in this embodiment, the refrigerant is circulated through the cable 211 through the internal passages 203A, 203B, 202A, and 202B of the second female connector 212 attached to the other end side of the cable 211 and the second mating male connector 203 and the junction block 202 to which the second female connector 212 is fitted and connected. Therefore, the simplification of the refrigerant circulation passage can be achieved.

[0047] Here, the features of the vehicle cooling system according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed as follows [1] to [9] respectively.

[0048] [1] A cable (11, 111, 211) having electric wires (21, 22) and two refrigerant flow passages (31, 32) that extend along the electric wires and cool the electric wires by refrigerant flowing through the interior. A connector (female connector 12) attached to the terminal portion of the cable and fitted and connected to a mating connector (male connector 3) mounted on a vehicle. The connector is provided with a connection flow path (U-turn connection flow path 33) that allows refrigerant flowing through one of the two refrigerant flow passages of the cable to flow into the other by communicating the two refrigerant flow passages of the cable with each other. A vehicle cooling system.

[0049] According to the configuration of [1] above, since the connector attached to the terminal portion of the cable has a connection flow path, the refrigerant that has come through one refrigerant flow passage in the cable can flow into the other refrigerant flow passage in the cable through the connection flow path in the connector. That is, by U-turning the refrigerant with the connector, the refrigerant can be circulated in the cable, and the electric wire can be cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow passage. Therefore, the refrigerant can be circulated on the vehicle side by a refrigerant circulation pump provided outside or inside the vehicle, and the electric wires routed inside the vehicle can be cooled, thereby preventing the electric wires from increasing in diameter. As a result, an increase in the weight of the cable can be prevented, and it becomes possible to reduce the mounting space of the cable.

[0050] [2] The connector (female connector 12) that is fitted and connected to a mating connector (male connector 3) mounted on the vehicle is attached to one terminal portion of the cable (11), and a charging inlet (18) to which an external vehicle charging cable is connected is attached to the other terminal portion. The charging inlet is provided with a charging terminal that electrically connects the electric wire of the cable and the electric wire of the external vehicle charging cable, and refrigerant passage connection ports (18A, 18B) that connect the two refrigerant flow passages of the cable and the two external vehicle refrigerant passages (refrigerant inlet passage 50A, refrigerant outlet passage 50B), respectively. The vehicle cooling system described in [1] above.

[0051] According to the configuration of [2] above, it is possible to suppress the increase in the diameter of the cable corresponding to rapid charging from the charging inlet.

[0052] [3] The two refrigerant flow paths (31, 32) in the cable (11) are arranged between the pair of electric wires (21, 22) in the cable. The connector (female connector 12) is provided with a pair of wire arrangement portions (12A, 12B) in which the pair of electric wires are arranged. The connection flow path (U-turn connection flow path 33) in the connector is arranged between the pair of wire arrangement portions. The vehicle cooling system described in [1] or [2] above.

[0053] According to the configuration of [3] above, since the refrigerant circulates between the pair of electric wires, the electric wires can be cooled efficiently.

[0054] [4] The housing (connector housing 13) of the connector (female connector 12) is divided into two half bodies (13A, 13B) that are joined together by mating surfaces (14A, 14B). One and the other of the pair of wire arrangement portions are respectively provided on one and the other of the two half bodies, and the connection flow path (33) is arranged between the mating surfaces. The vehicle cooling system according to any one of [1] to [3] above.

[0055] According to the configuration of [4] above, by joining the two half bodies, a connector housing having a connection flow path can be configured, so that assembly is easy.

[0056] [5] At least one of the mating surfaces (14A, 14B) of the two half bodies (13A, 13B) is provided with a U-shaped recess (15A, 15B), and a U-shaped pipe (17) forming the connection flow path (33) is assembled to the recess. The vehicle cooling system described in [4] above.

[0057] According to the configuration of [5] above, by assembling a U-shaped pipe into the U-shaped recess, a U-turn connection flow path can be created inside the housing of the connector. Therefore, compared with the case where a U-turn connection flow path is directly formed in the connector housing, the injection molding of the connector housing becomes easier. Also, since liquid-tight treatment for the connector housing is not required, the manufacture of the connector having a U-turn connection flow path becomes easier.

[0058] [6] Connection terminals (21A, 22A) that are connected to the mating terminals (3A, 3B) of the mating connector (male connector 3) are attached to the terminal portions of the electric wires (21, 22) inside the cable (11). Through holes (16) are provided in the electric wire arrangement portions (12A, 12B) inside the connector to enable fitting connection between the mating terminal and the connection terminal therein. A first connection portion (33A) that is connected to one of the refrigerant flow paths (31) inside the cable (11) is provided at one end of the connection flow path (U-turn connection flow path 33) inside the connector, and a second connection portion (33B) that is connected to the other refrigerant flow path (32) inside the cable is provided at the other end of the connection flow path inside the connector. The vehicle cooling system according to any one of [1] to [5] above.

[0059] According to the configuration of [6] above, by passing through the through holes provided in the electric wire arrangement portion of the connector, the electric wire on the cable side is directly connected to the terminal of the mating connector, so that unnecessary contact conduction points can be reduced.

[0060] [7] The cable-side refrigerant passage constituted by the two refrigerant flow paths (31, 32) inside the cable (11) and the connection flow path (U-turn connection flow path 33) inside the connector (female connector 12) is arranged inside the vehicle and incorporated as a part of the refrigerant circulation passage for cooling the cooling object (battery 1) mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle cooling system described in [1] above.

[0061] According to the configuration of [7] above, since the cable-side refrigerant passage is incorporated into the refrigerant circulation passage arranged in the object to be cooled such as an in-vehicle battery, the object to be cooled and the electric wire of the cable can be cooled together.

[0062] [8] The connector (female connector 12) having the connection passage is attached to both the one end side and the other end side of the cable, One of the two refrigerant flow passages in the cable (111) is blocked from communicating in the middle of the length direction, and a refrigerant inlet (132A) and a refrigerant outlet (132B) are provided at the communication-blocked ends on both sides of the communication-blocked portion, The refrigerant flow passage in the cable is connected in series to the refrigerant circulation passage (SA) in the vehicle by the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet. The vehicle cooling system according to [7] above.

[0063] According to the configuration of [8] above, since the connectors having U-turn connection passages are attached to both ends of the cable, it is possible to standardize the types of connectors provided at the terminal portions of the cable. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide an internal passage more than necessary for circulating the refrigerant through the mating connector or the like, it is possible to contribute to cost reduction.

[0064] [9] The connector having the connection passage is attached only to one end side of the cable (211), and a second connector (second female connector 212) that is fitted and connected to a second mating connector (second male mating connector 203) mounted on the vehicle is attached to the other end side of the cable, The ends of the two refrigerant flow passages on the other end side of the cable are connected to the refrigerant circulation passage (SA) in the vehicle through the internal passages of the second connector and the second mating connector attached to the other end side of the cable. The vehicle cooling system according to [7] above.

[0065] According to the configuration of [9] above, refrigerant is circulated through the cable via the internal passage of the second mating connector attached to the other end of the cable and the second mating connector to which the second connector is fitted and connected, so that the refrigerant circulation passage can be simplified.

Description of Signs

[0066] 1 Battery (Object to be cooled) 3 Male Connector (Mating Connector) 3A, 3B Mating Terminals 11, 111, 211 Cables 12 Female Connector 12A, 12B Wire Arrangement Parts 13 Connector Housing 13A, 13B Half Bodies 14A, 14B Joining Surfaces 15A, 15B U-shaped Recesses 16 Through Hole 17 U-shaped Pipe 18 Charging Inlet 18A, 18B Refrigerant Passage Connection Ports 21, 22 Wires 21A, 22A Connection Terminals 31, 32 Refrigerant Flow Passages 33 U-turn Connection Flow Path 33A First Connection Part 33B Second Connection Part 60, 160 Refrigerant Circulation Pumps 132A Refrigerant Inlet 132B Refrigerant Outlet 203 Second Mating Male Connector 202A, 202B 203A, 203B Internal Passages 212 Second Female Connector 212A, 212B Internal Passages SB Cable-side Refrigerant Passage SA Refrigerant Circulation Passage

Claims

1. A cable having an electric wire and two refrigerant flow paths that extend along the electric wire and cool the electric wire by refrigerant flowing inside, A connector attached to a terminal portion of the cable and fitted and connected to a mating connector mounted on a vehicle, and comprising: The connector is provided with a connection flow path that allows the refrigerant flowing in one of the two refrigerant flow paths to flow into the other by communicating the two refrigerant flow paths of the cable with each other, A cable-side refrigerant passage constituted by the two refrigerant flow paths in the cable and the connection flow path in the connector is disposed inside the vehicle, A vehicle cooling system.

2. The connector that is fitted and connected to a mating connector mounted on a vehicle is attached to one terminal portion of the cable, and a charging inlet to which a charging cable outside the vehicle is connected is attached to the other terminal portion, The charging inlet is provided with a charging terminal for electrically connecting the electric wire of the cable and the electric wire of the charging cable outside the vehicle, and a refrigerant passage connection port for fluidly connecting the two refrigerant flow paths of the cable and the two refrigerant passages outside the vehicle, The vehicle cooling system according to claim 1.

3. The two refrigerant flow paths in the cable are disposed between a pair of the electric wires in the cable, The connector is provided with a pair of wire arrangement portions in which the pair of electric wires are disposed, The connection flow path in the connector is disposed between the pair of wire arrangement portions, The vehicle cooling system according to claim 1.

4. A cable having an electric wire and two refrigerant flow paths that extend along the electric wire and cool the electric wire by refrigerant flowing inside, A connector attached to a terminal portion of the cable and fitted and connected to a mating connector mounted on a vehicle, and comprising: The connector is provided with a connection flow path that allows the refrigerant flowing in one of the two refrigerant flow paths to flow into the other by communicating the two refrigerant flow paths of the cable with each other, The two refrigerant flow paths in the cable are disposed between a pair of the electric wires in the cable, The connector is provided with a pair of wire arrangement portions in which the pair of electric wires are disposed, The connection flow path in the connector is disposed between the pair of wire arrangement portions, The housing of the connector is divided into two half bodies that are joined together by mating surfaces, and one and the other of the pair of wire arrangement portions are provided on one and the other of the two half bodies, respectively, and the connection flow path is arranged between the mating surfaces. Vehicle cooling system.

5. At least one of the mating surfaces of the two half bodies is provided with a U-shaped recess, and a U-shaped pipe forming the connection flow path is assembled in the recess. The vehicle cooling system according to claim 4.

6. A cable having two refrigerant flow paths that cool the wire by the wire and a refrigerant that extends along the wire and flows inside, A connector attached to the terminal portion of the cable and fitted and connected to a mating connector mounted on the vehicle, The connector is provided with a connection flow path that allows the refrigerant flowing through one of the two refrigerant flow paths to flow into the other by communicating the two refrigerant flow paths of the cable with each other. A connection terminal connected to the mating terminal of the mating connector is attached to the terminal portion of the wire in the cable. A through hole is provided in the wire arrangement portion in the connector to enable fitting and connection between the mating terminal and the connection terminal inside. A first connection portion connected to one of the refrigerant flow paths in the cable is provided at one end of the connection flow path in the connector, and a second connection portion connected to the other refrigerant flow path in the cable is provided at the other end of the connection flow path in the connector. Vehicle cooling system.

7. A cable having two refrigerant flow paths that cool the wire by the wire and a refrigerant that extends along the wire and flows inside, A connector attached to the terminal portion of the cable and fitted and connected to a mating connector mounted on the vehicle, The connector is provided with a connection flow path that allows the refrigerant flowing through one of the two refrigerant flow paths to flow into the other by communicating the two refrigerant flow paths of the cable with each other. The cable-side refrigerant passage constituted by the two refrigerant flow paths in the cable and the connection flow path in the connector is arranged inside the vehicle and incorporated as a part of the refrigerant circulation passage that cools the object to be cooled mounted on the vehicle. Vehicle cooling system.

8. The connector having the connection flow path is attached to both the one end side and the other end side of the cable, One of the two refrigerant flow paths in the cable is blocked from communicating in the middle of the length direction, and a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet are provided at the communication blocking ends on both sides of the communication blocking location, The refrigerant flow path in the cable is connected in series to the refrigerant circulation path in the vehicle by the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, The vehicle cooling system according to claim 7.

9. The connector having the connection flow path is attached only to one end side of the cable, and a second connector that is fitted and connected to a second mating connector mounted on the vehicle is attached to the other end side of the cable, The ends of the two refrigerant flow paths on the other end side of the cable are connected to the refrigerant circulation path in the vehicle through the internal passages of the second connector and the second mating connector attached to the other end side of the cable, The vehicle cooling system according to claim 7.

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