Cooling device and method for manufacturing the cooling device

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reliably and easily joining thin plate members even when areas of the members to be joined are large.SOLUTION: A cooling device 1 includes: a first member 10 which is thin-plate shaped and has a first through-hole formed therein; a second member in a thin-plate shape; and a channel forming member which is arranged between the first member 10 and the second member, has a notch 31 therein and constitutes, together with the first member 10 and the second member, a channel of coolant poured into a gap from the first through-hole. In the first member 10, a second through-hole which discharges coolant from a gap is formed, the notch 31 of the channel forming member is formed such that an advancing direction of coolant is changed from the first through-hole to the second trough-hole. Around a first region R1 containing a region having the notch 31 formed, the first member 10 and the second member, and the channel forming member are joined by means of laser welding. The channel forming member and at least either of the first member 10 and the second member are adhered to a space between adjacent notches 31 within the first region R1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device and a method for manufacturing a cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a cooling member for a battery module that includes a lower plate, a support body that includes a plurality of coolant flow paths, and an upper plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special table number 2021-512452 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some cases, thin plate-like members constituting a cooling device (an upper plate and a lower plate in Patent Document 1) are joined together by brazing. However, if the surfaces to be joined by brazing are large, there is a risk of unjoined portions occurring. It is also possible to laser weld thin plate-like members together to prevent unjoined portions. However, as the length of the portion irradiated with laser light increases, productivity may decrease. Furthermore, when irradiating a laser beam in a curved shape, the greater the curvature, the more thermal distortion occurs, making laser welding more difficult. Similarly, as the distance between the portions irradiated with laser light becomes shorter, the thermal distortion of the portion irradiated earlier makes it more difficult to laser weld the portion irradiated later. An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device or the like that can be joined easily and with high accuracy even when the areas of the thin plate-like members to be joined are large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention, which was completed with this object in mind, is a cooling device comprising: a thin-plate-shaped first member having a first through hole formed therein; a thin-plate-shaped second member arranged opposite the first member so as to form a gap between it and the first member; and a flow path forming member arranged between the first member and the second member and having a notch formed therein that, together with the first member and the second member, constitutes a flow path for coolant sucked from the first through hole into the gap; wherein a second through hole for discharging the coolant from the gap is formed in the first member or the second member; the notch in the flow path forming member is formed so that the direction of travel of the coolant changes from the first through hole to the second through hole; the first member and the second member and the flow path forming member are joined by laser welding around a predetermined area including the area where the notch is formed; and at least one of the first member and the second member and the flow path forming member are bonded or adhesively attached between adjacent notches within the predetermined area. Here, the notch in the flow path forming member may be configured to make repeated U-turns, and at least one of the first member and the second member may be bonded or adhered to the flow path forming member by an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive applied between the sides of the U-shape in the flow path forming member. Furthermore, the notches in the flow path forming member may be branched to form a plurality of parallel flow paths between the first through hole and the second through hole, and at least one of the first member and the second member may be bonded or adhered to the flow path forming member by an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive applied between the plurality of parallel flow paths. At least a portion between adjacent notches may be joined by plastic deformation of the first member, the second member, and the flow path forming member. From another perspective, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a cooling device, comprising: a step of manufacturing a thin-plate-shaped first member having a first through hole formed therein; a step of manufacturing a thin-plate-shaped second member that is arranged opposite the first member so as to form a gap between it and the first member; a step of manufacturing a flow path forming member that is arranged between the first member and the second member and that, together with the first member and the second member, has cutouts that form a flow path through which coolant sucked into the gap from the first through hole flows while changing direction; a step of bonding or adhering at least one of the first member and the second member to the flow path forming member between adjacent cutouts; and a step of laser welding the first member and the second member to the flow path forming member around a predetermined area including the area where the cutouts are formed. Here, the bonding or adhering process may involve applying adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive between the sides of the U-shape in the notch that repeats U-turns in the flow path forming member, and then contacting the first member and / or the second member. Furthermore, the process of manufacturing the first member or the process of manufacturing the second member may include a process of forming a second through hole for discharging the cooling liquid from the gap, and the bonding or adhering process may involve contacting at least one of the first member and the second member in a state where adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied between the plurality of parallel flow paths in the notch that forms the plurality of parallel flow paths between the first through hole and the second through hole of the flow path forming member. The joining step may also include continuously irradiating the periphery of the predetermined region with laser light. The method may further include a step of joining the first member, the second member, and the flow path forming member by plastically deforming them in at least a portion between the adjacent notches. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, even if the areas of the thin plate-like members to be joined are large, they can be joined with high accuracy and ease. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a cooling device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the cooling device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cooling device viewed from above. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flow path forming member as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a view of a second member and a flow path forming member as viewed from above. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for performing laser welding. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a cooling device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting a cooling device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a view of a flow path forming member according to a second embodiment as seen from above. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flow path forming member as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a modified example of a joint portion formed by laser welding. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a cooling device 3 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting a cooling device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is an example of a view of a cooling device according to a third embodiment as seen from above. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flow path forming member as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is an example of a view of a cooling device according to a fourth embodiment as seen from above. [Figure 18]17(a) is a diagram showing an example of a step of forming a plastically deformed portion, and FIG. 17(b) is a diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along line XVIIIb-XVIIIb in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along line III-III of FIG.

[0009] The cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a thin plate-like first member 10 and a thin plate-like second member 20 arranged to face the first member 10. The cooling device 1 also includes a flow path forming member 30 that is arranged in a gap S between the first member 10 and the second member 20 and that, together with the first member 10 and the second member 20, forms a flow path for the coolant drawn into the gap S. The cooling device 1 also includes an intake joint 40 that is held by being sandwiched between the first member 10 and the second member 20 and that draws the coolant into the gap S between the first member 10 and the second member 20, and a discharge joint 50 that discharges the coolant from the gap S.

[0010] The cooling device 1 has a flat, rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. Hereinafter, the direction in which the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are stacked may be referred to as the "vertical direction." In addition, in the rectangular parallelepiped cooling device 1, the longitudinal direction of a rectangle perpendicular to the vertical direction may be referred to as the "first direction," and the lateral direction of the rectangle may be referred to as the "second direction." In addition, in the flow path from the intake joint 40 to the exhaust joint 50, the intake joint 40 side may be referred to as the "upstream side," and the exhaust joint 50 side may be referred to as the "downstream side."

[0011] 1, in the cooling device 1, an object to be cooled by the cooling device 1 is placed above the first member 10. The object to be cooled can be, for example, a battery pack 100 made up of a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped cells 101.

[0012] (First member 10) The first member 10 has a first protrusion 11 that protrudes cylindrically upward from the plate surface at the center in the second direction at an end portion on one side in the first direction (the left side in Figure 3 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "first side")). A cylindrical first through hole 111 is formed in the center of the first protrusion 11. The first member 10 also has a second protrusion 12 that protrudes cylindrically upward from the plate surface at the center in the second direction at an end portion on the other side in the first direction (the right side in Figure 3 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "second side")). A cylindrical second through hole 121 is formed in the center of the second protrusion 12.

[0013] (Second member 20) The second member 20 has a first protruding portion 21 that protrudes downward in a cylindrical shape from the plate surface at the center in the second direction at the end portion on the first side in the first direction. The second member 20 also has a second protruding portion 22 that protrudes downward in a cylindrical shape from the plate surface at the center in the second direction at the end portion on the second side in the first direction. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are members of the same shape except for the first through-hole 111 and the second through-hole 121, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. Therefore, the first protrusion 11 and the first protrusion 21, and the second protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 face each other.

[0014] (flow path forming member 30) The flow path forming member 30 is a thin plate-like member, and is formed with notches 31 that penetrate through to form flow paths for the coolant. The cutout 31 has a U-shaped path 33, which is a U-shaped cutout, below each of the three rows of battery packs 100, and has a portion that extends parallel to the second direction from one end in the second direction (upper side in Figure 4 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "third side")) to the other end in the second direction (lower side in Figure 4 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "fourth side")), a portion that turns back 180 degrees at the end on the fourth side in the second direction, and a portion that extends parallel to the second direction from the end on the fourth side to the end on the third side.

[0015] Further, notch 31 has an arc-shaped first connecting path 34a that connects the downstream end of U-shaped path 33a formed at the end on the first side in the first direction to the upstream end of U-shaped path 33b formed in the center in the first direction. Further, notch 31 has an arc-shaped second connecting path 34b that connects the downstream end of U-shaped path 33b formed in the center in the first direction to the upstream end of U-shaped path 33c formed at the end on the second side in the first direction.

[0016] Further, the notch 31 is provided with an introduction path 35 that connects the portion at the end on the first side in the first direction where the first protrusion 11 and the first protrusion 21 face each other to the upstream end of the U-shaped path 33a formed at the end on the first side in the first direction. The introduction path 35 extends in a direction inclined toward the first direction and the second direction from the portion at the end on the first side in the first direction where the first protrusion 11 and the first protrusion 21 face each other.

[0017] Further, cutout 31 includes outlet path 36 that connects from a downstream end of U-shaped path 33c formed at the end on the second side in the first direction to a portion at the end on the second side in the first direction where second protrusion 12 and second protrusion 22 face each other. Outlet path 36 has arc-shaped portion 36a that turns back 180 degrees from the downstream end of U-shaped path 33c formed at the end on the second side in the first direction, and parallel portion 36b that extends parallel to the second direction from the end on the third side to the end on the fourth side, and has inclined portion 36c that connects the fourth end of parallel portion 36b to a portion at the end on the second side in the first direction where second protrusion 12 and second protrusion 22 face each other.

[0018] (Intake joint 40) The intake joint 40 has a first cylindrical portion 41 and a second cylindrical portion 42 provided below the first cylindrical portion 41. The first cylindrical portion 41 and the second cylindrical portion 42 are cylindrical and have the same inner diameter. The outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 42 is larger than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 41. A recess 411 recessed from the outer circumferential surface is formed around the entire periphery of the first cylindrical portion 41. An O-ring 45 is fitted in the recess 411. A communication hole 421 that penetrates in a direction intersecting the vertical direction so as to communicate the inside and the outside is formed in the center in the vertical direction of the second cylindrical portion 42. For example, the communication hole 421 is formed over half the area in the circumferential direction.

[0019] 3, the intake joint 40 is arranged such that the second cylindrical portion 42 is housed in the space formed by the first protruding portion 11 of the first member 10, the first protruding portion 21 of the second member 20, and the notch 31 of the flow path forming member 30, and the first cylindrical portion 41 protrudes outward from the first through-hole 111 of the first member 10. In other words, the intake joint 40 is held by the first member 10 and the second member 20 so that the second cylindrical portion 42 does not move in the vertical direction. For example, the communication hole 421 formed in the second cylindrical portion 42 may be arranged so as to face the direction in which the notch 31 faces.

[0020] (Discharge joint 50) The discharge joint 50 has the same shape as the intake joint 40, so detailed explanation will be omitted, but the discharge joint 50 has a first cylindrical portion 51 and a second cylindrical portion 52, which correspond to the first cylindrical portion 41 and the second cylindrical portion 42, respectively. A recess 511 recessed from the outer circumferential surface is formed around the entire periphery of the first cylindrical portion 51. An O-ring 45 is fitted in the recess 511. The second cylindrical portion 52 has a communication hole 521 formed therein, which corresponds to the communication hole 421 .

[0021] Similar to the suction joint 40, the discharge joint 50 is held by the first member 10 and the second member 20. That is, as shown in Fig. 3 , the discharge joint 50 is arranged such that the second cylindrical portion 52 is housed in the space formed by the second protruding portion 12 of the first member 10, the second protruding portion 22 of the second member 20, and the notch 31 of the flow path forming member 30, and the first cylindrical portion 51 protrudes outward from the second through-hole 121 of the first member 10.

[0022] Furthermore, the first member 10 and the second member 20 do not have to have the same shape as long as the second cylindrical portion 42 of the intake joint 40 and the second cylindrical portion 52 of the exhaust joint 50 can be accommodated in the space formed by the first protrusion 11 and the second protrusion 12 of the first member 10, the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 of the second member 20, and the notch 31 of the flow path forming member 30, and coolant can flow through the notch 31.

[0023] Furthermore, in the cooling device 1, the suction joint 40 and the discharge joint 50 protrude upward from the first member 10, so that the coolant is drawn in from above the cooling device 1 and discharged above the cooling device 1, but this is not particularly limited to this configuration. For example, a through hole may be formed in the second member 20, so that the suction joint 40 and the discharge joint 50 protrude downward from the second member 20, so that the coolant is drawn in from below the cooling device 1 and discharged below the cooling device 1. Furthermore, the direction in which the coolant is drawn in and the direction in which the coolant is discharged may be reversed. For example, the suction joint 40 may protrude upward from the first member 10 and the discharge joint 50 may protrude downward from the second member 20, so that the coolant is drawn in from above the cooling device 1 and discharged below the cooling device 1.

[0024] FIG. 4 is an example of a view of the cooling device 1 as seen from above. The first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 configured as described above are joined by laser welding. The portions to be laser welded are the outer peripheries of the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30, and the thick line L1 is the portion to be irradiated with the laser light L. In addition, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are joined by laser welding around a first region R1, which is a region where a notch 31 is formed in the flow path forming member 30 (the region shaded in FIG. 4). The thick line L2 around the first region R1 is the portion to be irradiated with the laser light L.

[0025] The first region R1 is an area surrounded by the region in which the notch 31 is formed, a third side line T3 which is a tangent to the first connecting path 34a and the second connecting path 34b and is parallel to the first direction connecting the end of the inlet path 35 on the third side in the second direction and the end of the outlet path 36 on the third side in the second direction, and a fourth side line T4 which is parallel to the first direction and extends a tangent connecting the ends of the fourth sides of the three U-shaped paths 33 to the end of the inclined portion 36c of the outlet path 36 on the fourth side in the second direction.

[0026] The first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30 are bonded with an adhesive between adjacent notches 31 in the first region R1. It is also possible to bond only one of the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30 and the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30, rather than bonding both of them. For example, it is also possible to bond the second member 20 arranged at the bottom to the flow path forming member 30, and not bond the first member 10 above which the battery pack 100 is arranged to the flow path forming member 30. Also, instead of using an adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive may be used.

[0027] (Manufacturing method of cooling device 1) Next, a method for manufacturing the cooling device 1 will be described. First, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow passage forming member 30 are manufactured by, for example, press working, and the intake joint 40 and the exhaust joint 50 are manufactured by, for example, die casting and cutting working.

[0028] After the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are manufactured, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are joined together. First, the flow path forming member 30 is placed on the second member 20, and the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30 are brought into contact with each other. When placing the flow path forming member 30, adhesive is applied between adjacent notches 31 in the first region R1 including the region where the notches 31 are formed.

[0029] FIG. 5 is an example of a view of the flow path forming member 30 as seen from below. The notch 31 formed in the flow path forming member 30 has three U-shaped paths 33, a first connecting path 34a, a second connecting path 34b, an arc-shaped portion 36a, and a parallel portion 36b. The notch 31 has a folded portion that alternates between a portion extending parallel to the second direction from the end on the third side to the end on the fourth side in the second direction and a portion extending parallel to the second direction from the end on the fourth side to the end on the third side in the second direction. In other words, the notch 31 makes repeated U-turns. In this embodiment, adhesive is applied between adjacent notches 31 in the first region R1 of the underside of the flow path forming member 30 (the surface facing the second member 20). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, adhesive is applied between the sides of the U-shape of the U-turning notch 31.

[0030] Then, the flow path forming member 30 coated with adhesive is placed on the second member 20 with the adhesive surface facing downwards so that it faces the second member 20. Then, the process waits until the adhesive hardens. Once the adhesive hardens, the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30 are bonded together.

[0031] FIG. 6 is an example of a view of the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30 as viewed from above. Next, the second cylindrical portion 42 of the intake joint 40 is placed on the first protruding portion 21 (see FIG. 2) of the second member 20, and the second cylindrical portion 52 of the exhaust joint 50 is placed on the second protruding portion 22 (see FIG. 2) of the second member 20. Also, adhesive is applied between adjacent notches 31 in the first region R1 of the upper surface of the flow path forming member 30 (the surface facing the first member 10). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, adhesive is applied between the sides of the U-shape of the U-turning notch 31.

[0032] After applying adhesive to the upper surface of the flow path forming member 30, the first member 10 is placed on the flow path forming member 30. At this time, the first cylindrical portion 41 of the intake joint 40 is passed through the first through hole 111 of the first member 10, and the first cylindrical portion 51 of the exhaust joint 50 is passed through the second through hole 121 of the first member 10. Then, wait until the adhesive hardens. Once the adhesive hardens, the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30 are bonded together.

[0033] Thereafter, laser welding is performed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a method for performing laser welding. Laser light L is irradiated toward the first member 10 at the overlapping portion of the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20, and the laser head 151 is moved along the shape of the outer periphery of the first member 10 to continuously irradiate the laser light L, thereby joining the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20. The thick line L1 in Fig. 4 indicates the portion where laser welding was performed.

[0034] Furthermore, laser light L is irradiated toward the first member 10 around the first region R1 of the flow path forming member 30, and the laser head 151 is moved along the periphery of the first region R1 to continuously irradiate the laser light L, thereby joining the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20. The thick line L2 in Fig. 4 indicates the portion where laser welding has been performed.

[0035] When joining the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20, the laser light L may be irradiated onto the second member 20. Furthermore, instead of joining the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20 simultaneously, the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30 may be joined by irradiating the laser light L onto the first member 10, and the second member 20 may be joined by irradiating the laser light L onto the second member 20.

[0036] Furthermore, laser light L is irradiated from laser head 151 of laser device 150 toward first member 10 at the overlapping portion of second cylindrical portion 42 of suction joint 40 and first member 10, and by moving laser head 151 around first through hole 111, laser light L is continuously irradiated around first through hole 111. As a result, first member 10 and suction joint 40 are joined by laser welding.

[0037] Similarly, laser light L is irradiated toward the first member 10 at the overlapping portion of the second cylindrical portion 52 of the discharge joint 50 and the first member 10, and the laser head 151 is moved around the second through hole 121, thereby continuously irradiating the laser light L around the second through hole 121. As a result, the first member 10 and the discharge joint 50 are joined by laser welding.

[0038] As described above, the manufacturing method of the cooling device 1 includes the steps of manufacturing the thin plate-shaped first member 10 having the first through holes 111 formed therein, and manufacturing the thin plate-shaped second member 20 arranged to face the first member 10 so as to form a gap S between the first member 10 and the second member 20. The manufacturing method of the cooling device 1 also includes the steps of manufacturing the flow path forming member 30 arranged between the first member 10 and the second member 20 and having the notches 31 formed therein, the notches 31 constituting, together with the first member 10 and the second member 20, a flow path through which the coolant sucked into the gap S from the first through holes 111 flows while changing direction. The manufacturing method of the cooling device 1 also includes the steps of bonding or adhering at least one of the first member 10 and the second member 20 to the flow path forming member 30 between adjacent notches 31, and laser welding the first member 10 and the second member 20 to the flow path forming member 30 around a first region R1 as an example of a predetermined region including the region in which the notches 31 are formed.

[0039] According to the above-described manufacturing method, the first member 10 and the second member 20 are joined to the flow path forming member 30 by laser welding. This allows for highly accurate joining even when the thin plate-like members to be joined, i.e., the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30, have large areas. Furthermore, the first member 10 and the second member 20 are joined to the flow path forming member 30 by laser welding around the first region R1, which includes the region where the notches 31 are formed. This prevents the coolant from leaking out of the notches 31 through which the coolant flows. Furthermore, since the flow path forming member 30 is bonded or adhered to at least one of the first member 10 and the second member 20 between adjacent notches 31, the length of the region irradiated with laser light can be shortened and the distance between the regions irradiated with laser light can be prevented from becoming shorter, compared to joining adjacent notches 31 by laser welding. As a result, according to the above-described manufacturing method, the thin plate-like members to be joined can be easily and accurately joined even when the regions are large.

[0040] The cooling device 1 manufactured by the above manufacturing method is configured as follows: That is, the cooling device 1 includes a thin plate-shaped first member 10 having a first through hole 111 formed therein, a thin plate-shaped second member 20 arranged to face the first member 10 so as to form a gap S between the first member 10 and the second member 20, and a flow path forming member 30 arranged between the first member 10 and the second member 20 and having a notch 31 formed therein that, together with the first member 10 and the second member 20, forms a flow path for the coolant drawn into the gap S from the first through hole 111. A second through hole 121 that discharges the coolant from the gap S is formed in the first member 10, and the notch 31 of the flow path forming member 30 is formed so that the flow direction of the coolant changes from the first through hole 111 to the second through hole 121. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are joined to the flow path forming member 30 by laser welding around the first region R1 including the region where the cutouts 31 are formed, and at least one of the first member 10 and the second member 20 is bonded or adhered to the flow path forming member 30 between adjacent cutouts 31 in the first region R1. According to the cooling device 1 configured as above, even if the areas of the thin plate-like first member 10, second member 20, and flow path forming member 30 to be joined are large, thermal distortion is unlikely to occur when laser welding is performed, and therefore the joining is both highly reliable and easy.

[0041] (Function of cooling device 1) In the cooling device 1 configured as described above, the coolant that flows into the inside of the cooling device 1 from the intake joint 40 passes through the flow path formed by the first member 10, the second member 20, and the notch 31 of the flow path forming member 30, reaches the discharge joint 50, and flows out to the outside of the cooling device 1. In this way, while the coolant flows inside the cooling device 1, it cools, for example, the battery pack 100 that is placed above the first member 10.

[0042] Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the cooling device 2 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the cooling device 2 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an example of a view of the flow path forming member 230 according to the second embodiment as seen from above. The cooling device 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the intake joint 40 and the exhaust joint 50 are provided at different locations, and the shape of the flow path formed inside the cooling device 2 is different. The cooling device 2 also differs from the cooling device 1 in that the shape of the cooling device 2 when viewed from the top to bottom is square.

[0043] The following describes the differences from the first embodiment. The same components in the second embodiment and the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The left-right direction in FIG. 10 may be referred to as the "first direction," and the up-down direction in FIG. 10 may be referred to as the "second direction." The cooling device 2 is configured such that the intake joint 40 and the exhaust joint 50 are provided at an end portion on the first side in the first direction and an end portion on the third side in the second direction.

[0044] The first member 210, which corresponds to the first member 10, has a first protrusion 11 and a first through hole 111 formed at the location where the intake joint 40 is provided, and a second protrusion 12 and a second through hole 121 formed at the location where the exhaust joint 50 is provided.

[0045] The second member 220, which corresponds to the second member 20, has a first protrusion 21 formed at the location where the intake joint 40 is provided, and a second protrusion 22 formed at the location where the exhaust joint 50 is provided.

[0046] A flow path forming member 230 corresponding to the flow path forming member 30 differs from the flow path forming member 30 in the shape of a notch 231 corresponding to the notch 31. The cutout 231 has a U-shaped path 241, which is a U-shaped cutout, below each of the three rows of battery packs 100, and has a portion that runs parallel to the first direction from the end on the first side to the end on the second side in the first direction, a portion that turns back 180 degrees at the end on the second side in the first direction, and a portion that runs parallel to the first direction from the end on the second side to the end on the first side.

[0047] Further, notch 231 includes a first connecting path 251 that connects the downstream end of U-shaped path 241a formed at the end on the third side in the second direction to the upstream end of U-shaped path 241b formed in the center in the second direction. Further, notch 231 includes a second connecting path 252 that connects the downstream end of U-shaped path 241 formed in the center in the second direction to the upstream end of U-shaped path 241c formed at the end on the fourth side in the second direction.

[0048] In addition, the cutout 231 has an introduction passage 253 that connects the portion where the first protrusion 11 and the first protrusion 21 face each other at the end on the first side in the first direction to the upstream end of the U-shaped passage 241a formed at the end on the third side in the second direction. Further, notch 231 includes a lead-out path 254 that connects a downstream end of U-shaped path 241c formed at the end on the fourth side in the second direction to a position at the end on the first side in the first direction where second protrusion 12 and second protrusion 22 face each other. Lead-out path 254 includes a parallel portion 254a that extends parallel to the second direction from the position at the end on the first side in the first direction where second protrusion 12 and second protrusion 22 face each other toward the end on the fourth side in the second direction, and a third connection path 254b that connects the end on the fourth side in the second direction of parallel portion 254a to the downstream end of U-shaped path 241c formed at the end on the fourth side in the second direction. The notch 231 is formed to have a constant width D.

[0049] The cooling device 2 configured as above is manufactured by the same method as the manufacturing method of the cooling device 1 described above. The first member 210, the second member 220, and the flow path forming member 230 are joined by laser welding. The portions to be laser welded are the outer peripheries of the first member 210, the second member 220, and the flow path forming member 230, and the thick line L1 is the portion to be irradiated with the laser light L. In addition, the first member 210, the second member 220, and the flow path forming member 230 are joined by laser welding around a second region R2 (the region shaded in FIG. 10) that includes a region where the notch 231 is formed in the flow path forming member 230. The thick line L22 around the second region R2 is the portion to be irradiated with the laser light L.

[0050] The second region R2 includes a region where the notches 231 are formed and a region where the distance between adjacent notches 231 is less than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be, for example, twice the width D of the notches 231. For example, the distance B1 between the first connection path 251 and the parallel portion 254a of the lead-out path 254, which is an example of the distance between adjacent notches 231, is less than twice the width D of the notches 231, and is therefore included in the second region R2. Similarly, the area between the second connection path 252 and the lead-out path 254 is also included in the second region R2.

[0051] On the other hand, a distance B2 between U-shaped path 241a formed at the end on the third side in the second direction and U-shaped path 241b formed at the center in the second direction, which is an example of a distance between adjacent cutouts 231, is not included in second region R2 because it is more than twice the width D of cutout 231. Similarly, a distance B3 between U-shaped path 241b formed at the center in the second direction and U-shaped path 241c formed at the end on the fourth side in the second direction is not included in second region R2 because it is more than twice the width D of cutout 231.

[0052] FIG. 11 is an example of a view of the flow path forming member 230 as seen from below. The areas where the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 230, and the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 230 are bonded with adhesive are between adjacent notches 231 in the second region R2 including the area where the notches 231 are formed. For example, adhesive is applied to areas including between the first connection path 251 and the second connection path 252 and the parallel portion 254a of the outlet path 254, and between the sides of the U-shape of the U-shaped path 241, which are shown by hatched areas in FIG.

[0053] (Action of cooling device 2) In the cooling device 2 configured as described above, the coolant that flows into the inside of the cooling device 2 from the intake joint 40 passes through the flow path formed by the first member 210, the second member 220, and the notch 231 of the flow path forming member 230, reaches the discharge joint 50, and flows out to the outside of the cooling device 2. In this way, while the coolant flows through the inside of the cooling device 2, it cools, for example, the battery pack 100 that is placed above the first member 210.

[0054] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a modified example of a joint portion formed by laser welding. If the distance between the joint portion (thick line L1) of the outer periphery and the joint portion (thick line L22) around the second region R2 is short, either one may be omitted. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, joints may not be performed at the end on the first side in the first direction and at both ends in the second direction. Furthermore, joints may not be performed around the portion of the U-shaped path 241 that turns back 180 degrees at the end on the second side in the first direction, and the joints around the portion of the U-shaped path 241 that is parallel to the first direction may be extended to the joint portion at the end on the second side in the first direction of the outer periphery.

[0055] <Third embodiment> FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the cooling device 3 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the cooling device 3 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is an example of a view of the cooling device 3 according to the third embodiment as seen from above. The cooling device 3 according to the third embodiment differs from the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment in the shape of the flow path formed inside the cooling device 3, and the shape of the notch 331 corresponding to the notch 31 in the flow path forming member 330 corresponding to the flow path forming member 30 is different. The cooling device 3 also differs from the cooling device 1 in that the shape when viewed in the vertical direction is square. Below, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts in the third embodiment and the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The left-right direction in FIG. 15 may be referred to as the "first direction," and the up-down direction in FIG. 15 may be referred to as the "second direction."

[0056] The notch 331 has parallel paths 340 that are portions parallel to the first direction below each of the three rows of battery packs 100. The notch 331 also has an inlet path 351 that connects from a portion where the first protrusion 11 and the first protrusion 21 face each other at the end on the first side in the first direction to the upstream ends of the three parallel paths 340. The notch 331 also has an outlet path 352 that connects from the downstream ends of the three parallel paths 340 to a portion where the second protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 face each other at the end on the second side in the first direction.

[0057] The cooling device 3 configured as above is manufactured by the same method as the manufacturing method of the cooling device 1 described above. The first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 330 are joined by laser welding. The portions to be laser welded are the outer peripheries of the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 330, and the thick line L1 is the portion to be irradiated with the laser light L. In addition, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 330 are joined by laser welding around a third region R3 (the region shaded in FIG. 15 ) that includes an area where the notch 331 is formed in the flow path forming member 330. The thick line L32 around the third region R3 is the portion to be irradiated with the laser light L. The third region R3 includes a region where the notches 331 are formed, and a region between adjacent notches 331, that is, a region between parallel path 341 formed at the end on the third side in the second direction and parallel path 342 formed at the center in the second direction, and a region between parallel path 342 formed at the center in the second direction and parallel path 343 formed at the end on the fourth side in the second direction. However, laser welding performed on the outer peripheries (thick line L1) of the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 330 may be omitted.

[0058] FIG. 16 is an example of a view of the flow path forming member 330 seen from below. The areas where the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 330, and the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 330 are bonded with adhesive are between adjacent notches 331 in a third region R3 that includes the area where the notches 331 are formed. For example, adhesive is applied between parallel path 341 formed at the end on the third side in the second direction and parallel path 342 formed at the center in the second direction, and between parallel path 342 formed at the center in the second direction and parallel path 343 formed at the end on the fourth side in the second direction, as shown by diagonal lines in FIG.

[0059] (Action of cooling device 3) In the cooling device 3 configured as described above, the coolant that flows into the inside of the cooling device 3 from the intake joint 40 branches into three parallel flow paths, namely, parallel path 341, parallel path 342, and parallel path 343, and then reaches the discharge joint 50 and flows out of the cooling device 3. In this way, while the coolant flows inside the cooling device 3, it cools, for example, the battery pack 100 that is placed above the first member 10.

[0060] <Fourth embodiment> FIG. 17 is an example of a view of the cooling device 4 according to the fourth embodiment as seen from above. The cooling device 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are joined by plastic deformation. The following describes the differences from the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts in the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0061] In the cooling device 4, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are joined together by plastically deforming the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 in a portion between adjacent notches 31 in the first region R1. That is, this is the portion between adjacent notches 31 in the first region R1, in other words, a portion of the shaded area shown in FIGS.

[0062] More specifically, the cooling device 4 has three plastic deformation portions 70 between the sides of the U-shape in the U-turning notch 31, between the sides of the U-shape in the U-shaped path 33, between the U-shaped path 33a and the U-shaped path 33b, between the U-shaped path 33b and the U-shaped path 33c, and between the U-shaped path 33c and the parallel portion 36b.

[0063] 18(a) is a diagram showing an example of a process for forming the plastically deformed portion 70. FIG. 18(b) is a diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along line XVIIIb-XVIIIb in FIG. After the cooling device 1 is manufactured by the above-described manufacturing method, as shown in FIG. 18(a), the cooling device 1 is placed on a fixed mold 81 in which a substantially cylindrical recess is formed, and a movable mold 82 in which a substantially cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped protrusion is formed is moved downward in FIG. 18(a). The first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are pressed by the fixed mold 81 and the movable mold 82, so that the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are plastically deformed to conform to the shapes of the recess of the fixed mold 81 and the protrusion of the movable mold 82. As a result, a plastically deformed portion 70 having the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 18(b) is formed.

[0064] According to the cooling device 4 configured as described above, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 have plastically deformed portions 70 formed by plastically deforming them, so that the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 can be joined with high accuracy.

[0065] In the cooling device 4 described above, the portions bonded with adhesive are plastically deformed, but this is not a limitation. The portions to be plastically deformed may not be bonded with adhesive. For example, it is advisable not to apply adhesive to the portion where the plastically deformed portion 70 is to be formed and its surroundings. Furthermore, joining the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 by plastic deformation may be applied to the cooling device 2 according to the second embodiment and the cooling device 3 according to the third embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1,2,3,4...cooling device, 10,210...first member, 20,220...second member, 30,230,330...flow path forming member, 31,231,331...notch, 40...intake joint, 50...discharge joint, 70...plastic deformation portion, 100...battery assembly, 150...laser device, 151...laser head, R1...first region, R2...second region, R3...third region, S...gap

Claims

1. a first member having a thin plate shape and a first through hole formed therein; a thin plate-like second member disposed opposite the first member so as to form a gap between the first member and the second member; a flow path forming member disposed between the first member and the second member, the flow path forming member having a notch formed therein, the notch forming a flow path for the coolant sucked into the gap from the first through hole together with the first member and the second member; Equipped with a second through hole for discharging the cooling liquid from the gap is formed in the first member or the second member; the notch of the flow path forming member is formed so that a flow direction of the cooling liquid changes from the first through hole to the second through hole, The first member and the second member are joined to the flow path forming member by laser welding around a predetermined area including an area where the notches are formed, and at least one of the first member and the second member is bonded or adhered to the flow path forming member between adjacent notches in the predetermined area. Cooling device.

2. the notch of the flow path forming member is formed in a repeated U-turn configuration, and at least one of the first member and the second member is bonded or adhered to the flow path forming member by an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied between the sides of the U-shape of the flow path forming member; The cooling device of claim 1 .

3. the notch of the flow path forming member branches off to form a plurality of parallel flow paths between the first through hole and the second through hole, and at least one of the first member and the second member is bonded or adhered to the flow path forming member by an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied between the plurality of parallel flow paths; The cooling device of claim 1 .

4. At least a portion between adjacent notches is joined by plastic deformation of the first member, the second member, and the flow path forming member. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a step of manufacturing a first member having a thin plate shape and a first through hole formed therein; a step of manufacturing a thin plate-like second member that is disposed so as to face the first member and form a gap between the first member and the second member; a step of manufacturing a flow path forming member having a notch formed therein, the notch being disposed between the first member and the second member and constituting a flow path along which the coolant sucked into the gap from the first through hole flows while changing direction, together with the first member and the second member; a step of adhering or adhering at least one of the first member and the second member to the flow path forming member between adjacent notches; a step of joining the first member and the second member to the flow passage forming member by laser welding around a predetermined region including a region where the notch is formed; A method for manufacturing a cooling device comprising:

6. In the bonding or adhering step, an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied between the sides of the U-shape of the notch where the U-turn of the flow path forming member is repeated, and the flow path forming member is brought into contact with at least one of the first member and the second member. A method for manufacturing the cooling device according to claim 5.

7. the step of manufacturing the first member or the step of manufacturing the second member includes a step of forming a second through hole through which the cooling liquid is discharged from the gap, The bonding or adhering step includes contacting at least one of the first member and the second member in a state where an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied between the plurality of parallel flow paths in the cutout, the plurality of parallel flow paths being formed between the first through hole and the second through hole of the flow path forming member. A method for manufacturing the cooling device according to claim 5.

8. The joining step includes continuously irradiating the periphery of the predetermined region with laser light. A method for manufacturing the cooling device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The method further includes a step of joining the first member, the second member, and the flow path forming member by plastically deforming them in at least a portion between adjacent notches. A method for manufacturing the cooling device according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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