Cooling module valve and cooling module

Abstract

A cooling module valve for switching a plurality of flow channels including flow-in and flow-out channels for a fluid distributed through a cooling module comprises: a valve chamber into which the fluid flowing through the flow-in channel flows and from which the fluid flowing through the flow-out channel flows out; a valve body that is housed in the valve chamber and that switches the flow channels; at least one flow-in spare chamber disposed between the valve chamber and the flow-in channel so as to be adjacent to the valve chamber and / or at least one flow-out spare chamber disposed between the valve chamber and the flow-out channel so as to be adjacent to the valve chamber.

Description

Cooling module valve and cooling module

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve for a cooling module and a cooling module.

[0002] In recent years, automobiles equipped with motors as a driving source (e.g., hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)) have become widespread. These automobiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as "electric vehicles") are equipped with batteries to drive the motors. Electric vehicles have many devices that require cooling, such as motors (including internal combustion engines), batteries, air conditioners, and ECUs. To cool these devices, a cooling circuit is configured to circulate coolant. However, these devices may have different optimum operating temperatures. In such cases, it is necessary to configure independent cooling circuits for each coolant temperature in order to change the temperature of the circulating coolant for each device with a different operating temperature. This results in complex piping and circuit configurations for the cooling circuits. Valves that switch flow paths must also be able to accommodate such complex circuit configurations.

[0003] The cooling module disclosed in Patent Document 1 (a flow path switching device in Patent Document 1) includes a valve (a heat medium three-way valve in Patent Document 1) in which an inflow path (a heat medium inlet in Patent Document 1) through which cooling water (a heat medium in Patent Document 1) flows and an outflow path (a heat medium outlet in Patent Document 1) through which cooling water flows out are formed at different height positions.

[0004] International Publication No. 2022 / 019058

[0005] In the valve of the cooling module disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cooling water that flows in moves up and down inside the valve and then flows out. The inlet and outlet channels are formed in a direction that intersects with the valve housing. In the valve disclosed in Patent Document 1, the inlet and outlet channels must be positioned to match the height of the valve, so the placement of the inlet and outlet channels is restricted by the valve, which can result in complex routing of the inlet and outlet channels.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a valve for a cooling module and a cooling module that allow the inflow and outflow channels to be arranged without being restricted by the height of the valve, and that allows a high degree of freedom in routing the inflow and outflow channels.

[0007] One embodiment of the cooling module valve of the present invention is a cooling module valve that switches between multiple flow paths including inlet and outlet paths for fluid circulating within a cooling module, and includes a valve chamber into which the fluid flowing through the inlet path flows in and from which the fluid flowing through the outlet path flows out, a valve body housed in the valve chamber and that switches between the multiple flow paths, and at least one of at least one inlet pre-chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the inlet path, and at least one outlet pre-chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the outlet path.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the valve includes at least one of a pre-inflow chamber disposed between the valve chest and the inlet channel and a pre-outlet chamber disposed between the valve chest and the outlet channel. This allows fluid to flow into the valve chest via the pre-inflow chamber and out of the valve chest via the pre-outlet chamber. Therefore, by appropriately designing the size (height) of the pre-inflow chamber and the pre-outlet chamber, the placement of the inlet and outlet channels is not restricted by the height of the cooling module valve. This provides a cooling module valve with a high degree of freedom in routing the inlet and outlet channels.

[0009] One embodiment of a cooling module according to the present invention includes a manifold formed by joining a plurality of resin housings, a cooling module valve housed in the manifold and switching between a plurality of flow paths, and a water pump that pumps fluid flowing through the flow paths, wherein the cooling module valve has a valve element, a valve chamber that houses the valve element, and a spare chamber that is disposed adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the flow paths, and the resin housing has at least a vortex chamber formed therein among the plurality of flow paths, the valve chamber, the spare chamber, and the water pump, and the resin housing is composed only of the flow paths, the valve chamber, the spare chamber, the vortex chamber, and partition walls that separate them.

[0010] According to this embodiment, the manifold can be made smaller.

[0011] One embodiment of a cooling module according to the present invention comprises a manifold formed by joining a plurality of resin housings, and a cooling module valve housed in the manifold and switching between a plurality of flow paths, the cooling module valve having a valve chamber and a spare chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the flow paths, the resin housing having a plurality of the flow paths, the valve chamber, and the spare chamber, the valve chamber including a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber, and the resin housing having a valve communication passage connecting the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber.

[0012] According to this embodiment, fluid can be communicated between the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber.

[0013] One embodiment of the cooling module according to the present invention comprises a manifold formed by joining a plurality of resin housings at their joining surfaces, and a cooling module valve housed in the manifold and switching between a plurality of flow paths, wherein the cooling module valve has a valve body that rotates around a rotation axis and a valve chamber that houses the valve body, and the resin housing has a plurality of the flow paths and the valve chamber formed therein, and at least some of the plurality of flow paths have portions that protrude outward from the resin housing, and the plurality of flow paths that have portions that protrude outward from the resin housing include a first flow path group that is a collection of some of the flow paths, and a second flow path group that is a collection of a plurality of the flow paths not included in the first flow path group and is offset in a direction along the rotation axis relative to the first flow path group.

[0014] According to this embodiment, since a plurality of flow paths are arranged at different height positions, the cooling module can be made compact.

[0015] 17 is a circuit diagram of a cooling system having a cooling module according to a first embodiment; 18 is a perspective view of a cooling module; 19 is an exploded perspective view of a cooling module; 20 is a perspective view of a first housing viewed from the joining surface side; 21 is an exploded perspective view of a cooling module; 22 is a perspective view of a first valve body of a first rotary valve; 23 is a perspective view of a second valve body of a second rotary valve; 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows VIII-VIII in FIG. 3; 25 is a perspective view of a lower housing viewed from the joining surface side; 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows X-X in FIG. 2; 27 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a cooling system; 28 is a perspective view of a valve body of a rotary valve in a cooling module according to a second embodiment; 29 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a cooling module; 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of cooling water when the valve body is in the first position; 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of cooling water when the valve body is in the second position; 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of cooling water when the valve body is in the third position; 29 is a perspective view of a cooling module according to a third embodiment; 29 is an exploded perspective view of a cooling module; 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows XIX-XIX in FIG. 17; 21 is an exploded perspective view of a manifold; FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a cooling module according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in FIG. 21; and FIG.

[0016]

[0023] One embodiment of a cooling module valve according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Therefore, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0017] 1, a cooling system A including a cooling module valve according to a first embodiment includes a first water pump 1A, a radiator 1B, an inverter / motor 1C, a DC-DC converter 1D, a charger 1E, a reserve tank 1F, a second water pump 2A, a heater core 2B, an electric heater 2D, a water-cooled condenser 2C, a third water pump 3A, a battery 3B, a chiller 3C, an electric heater 3D, a first rotary valve 4 (an example of a cooling module valve), a second rotary valve 5 (an example of a cooling module valve), and a plurality of flow paths for circulating coolant (an example of a fluid) through these components. Of these, the first water pump 1A, the second water pump 2A, the third water pump 3A, the first rotary valve 4, and the second rotary valve 5 are attached to a cooling module 10. On the other hand, the radiator 1B, inverter / motor 1C, DC-DC converter 1D, charger 1E, reserve tank 1F, heater core 2B, electric heater 2D, water-cooled condenser 2C, battery 3B, chiller 3C, and electric heater 3D are positioned at a distance from the cooling module 10, and are configured so that cooling water circulates between them and the cooling module 10 via multiple flow paths.

[0018] The cooling system A is used in automobiles equipped with a motor as a driving source, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) (hereinafter collectively referred to as "electric vehicles"), and circulates cooling water to cool the inverter / motor 1C, battery 3B, etc.

[0019] The radiator 1B cools the high-temperature coolant. The inverter / motor 1C is a driving source that operates using power supplied from the battery 3B. The DC-DC converter 1D and charger 1E charge the battery 3B. The heater core 2B heats the air using high-temperature coolant to heat the interior of the vehicle. The electric heaters 2D and 3D heat the coolant when its temperature is low. The water-cooled condenser 2C and chiller 3C cool the coolant when its temperature is high. The battery 3B supplies power to the inverter / motor 1C.

[0020] The first water pump 1A pumps coolant to be supplied to the inverter / motor 1C, DC-DC converter 1D, and charger 1E. The second water pump 2A pumps coolant to be supplied to the heater core 2B, electric heater 2D, and water-cooled condenser 2C. The third water pump 3A pumps coolant to be supplied to the battery 3B, chiller 3C, and electric heater 3D. The first water pump 1A, second water pump 2A, and third water pump 3A pump coolant to control the flow of coolant circulating through multiple flow paths.

[0021] Hereinafter, a circulation flow path configured to return from radiator 1B through first water pump 1A, inverter / motor 1C, DC-DC converter 1D, charger 1E, and reserve tank 1F to radiator 1B will be referred to as first circulation path 1 (see FIG. 11 ), and a flow path of first circulation path 1 formed within cooling module 10 will be referred to as first flow path 11. Similarly, a circulation flow path configured to return from heater core 2B through second water pump 2A, water-cooled condenser 2C, and electric heater 2D to heater core 2B will be referred to as second circulation path 2 (see FIG. 11 ), and a flow path of second circulation path 2 formed within cooling module 10 will be referred to as second flow path 21. Similarly, a circulation flow path configured to return from battery 3B through third water pump 3A, chiller 3C, and electric heater 3D to battery 3B will be referred to as third circulation path 3 (see FIG. 11 ), and a flow path of third circulation path 3 formed within cooling module 10 will be referred to as third flow path 31. Furthermore, a communication flow path 51 (an example of a flow path and an outlet path) that connects the first flow path 11, the second flow path 21, and the third flow path 31 is formed within the cooling module 10. The flow path configuration within the cooling module 10 will be described later.

[0022] [Cooling Module Configuration] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 , the cooling module 10 includes the first water pump 1A, the second water pump 2A, the third water pump 3A, the first rotary valve 4, the second rotary valve 5, and a manifold 100 having flow paths for circulating coolant through these components of the cooling system A. The manifold 100 is formed by joining and integrating multiple housings, thereby forming multiple flow paths for circulating coolant across at least two housings (in this embodiment, a first housing 110 and a second housing 120, described below). As shown in FIG. 1 , the cooling module 10 does not have an internal reserve tank. The lack of a reserve tank in the cooling module 10 allows for a compact configuration and increases the flexibility in the placement of the cooling module 10.

[0023] Manifold 100 is formed by joining and integrating a first housing 110 (an example of a resin housing) and a second housing 120 (an example of a resin housing), both of which are made of resin, using a method such as vibration welding. Manifold 100 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a joining surface 105 between first housing 110 and second housing 120 is flat. In the following description, the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of joining surface 105 is defined as the X direction, the direction parallel to the lateral direction of joining surface 105 as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to joining surface 105 as the Z direction. In other words, joining surface 105 is parallel to the XY plane. Furthermore, within the X direction, the direction from first water pump 1A toward third water pump 3A is defined as the X1 direction, and the opposite direction as the X2 direction. Within the Y direction, the direction from the second outlet port 115 toward the first inlet port 111 is defined as the Y1 direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the Y2 direction (the second outlet port 115 and the first inlet port 111 will be described later). Within the Z direction, the direction from the second housing 120 toward the first housing 110 is defined as the Z1 direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the Z2 direction. The Z2 direction is the direction of gravity. In other words, the first housing 110 is disposed vertically above the second housing 120.

[0024] 2 and 3 , the first housing 110 is formed with a first inlet port 111, a second inlet port 112, a third inlet port 113, a first outlet port 114, a second outlet port 115, and a fifth outlet port 116. The second housing 120 is formed with a third outlet port 121, a fourth outlet port 122, and a sixth outlet port 123. The first inlet port 111, the second inlet port 112, the third inlet port 113, the first outlet port 114, the second outlet port 115, the third outlet port 121, the fourth outlet port 122, the fifth outlet port 116, and the sixth outlet port 123 are all cylindrical. The first inlet port 111, the second inlet port 112, and the third inlet port 113 are arranged side by side with their respective axes aligned in the Z direction and on the same plane, and each port has an opening facing the Z1 direction. The first outlet port 114 and the third outlet port 121 are arranged side by side with their respective axes aligned in the X direction and on the same plane, and both ports have openings facing the X2 direction. The second outlet port 115 and the fifth outlet port 116 are arranged side by side with their respective axes aligned in the Y direction and on the same plane, and both ports have openings facing the Y2 direction. The fourth outlet port 122 and the sixth outlet port 123 are also arranged side by side with their respective axes aligned in the Y direction and on the same plane, and both ports have openings facing the Y2 direction.

[0025] The first inlet port 111, the first outlet port 114, and the second outlet port 115 are included in the first circulation path 1, and all of them communicate with the first flow path 11. The second inlet port 112 and the fourth outlet port 122 are included in the second circulation path 2, and all of them communicate with the second flow path 21. The third inlet port 113, the fifth outlet port 116, and the sixth outlet port 123 are included in the third circulation path 3, and all of them communicate with the third flow path 31.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the manifold 100, the first rotary valve 4 and the second rotary valve 5 are mounted between the first inlet port 111, the second inlet port 112, the third inlet port 113, the second outlet port 115, and the fifth outlet port 116 in the first housing 110 when the first housing 110 is viewed in the Z2 direction. In the first rotary valve 4 and the second rotary valve 5, the components exposed at the top of the first housing 110 are a first actuator 4B that rotates a first valve element 4A (an example of a valve element) of the first rotary valve 4 and a second actuator 5B that rotates a second valve element 5A (an example of a valve element) of the second rotary valve 5. Both the first valve element 4A and the second valve element 5A are located within the second housing 120 (see FIG. 8 ). This allows the flow of cooling water circulating through multiple flow paths to be controlled by switching between flow paths formed within the second housing 120. The first rotary valve 4 and the second rotary valve 5 are both solenoid valves whose flow paths are switched by an actuator, and the flow of cooling water circulating through multiple flow paths is controlled by rotating the first valve body 4A and the second valve body 5A around an axis along the Z direction to switch the flow paths. The first valve body 4A is a three-way valve, and the second valve body 5A is a four-way valve. Details will be described later.

[0027] 2 and 3 , in the manifold 100, the first water pump 1A, the second water pump 2A, and the third water pump 3A are attached to the second housing 120 in this order along the X1 direction. The first water pump 1A, the second water pump 2A, and the third water pump 3A are arranged so that their respective rotational axes are aligned along the Y direction. The second housing 120 is formed with a first downward sub-channel 11a that communicates with the first inlet port 111 and extends in the Z direction, a second downward sub-channel 21a that communicates with the second inlet port 112 and extends in the Z direction, and a third downward sub-channel 31a that communicates with the third inlet port 113 and extends in the Z direction. The first downward sub-channel 11a, the second downward sub-channel 21a, and the third downward sub-channel 31a are formed across the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. The first water pump 1A pumps coolant that flows in through the first downward sub-channel 11a from the first inlet port 111. The second water pump 2A pumps coolant that flows in through the second downward sub-channel 21a from the second inlet port 112. The third water pump 3A pumps coolant that flows in through the third downward sub-channel 31a from the third inlet port 113. The first downward sub-channel 11a is part of the first channel 11, the second downward sub-channel 21a is part of the second channel 21, and the third downward sub-channel 31a is part of the third channel 31.

[0028] 5, the first water pump 1A, the second water pump 2A, and the third water pump 3A are attached to a mounting portion 125 formed at the end of the second housing 120 in the Z2 direction (the lower end in the vertical direction). The mounting portion 125 is thicker than other portions of the second housing 120. This ensures that the second housing 120, which is made of resin, is strong enough to mount and hold the heavy first water pump 1A, the second water pump 2A, and the third water pump 3A.

[0029] Mounting portion 125 is formed with a first vortex chamber 1Aa in which coolant flowing into first water pump 1A from first downward sub-passage 11a swirls after being discharged by the rotation of the impeller (not shown), a second vortex chamber 2Aa in which coolant flowing into second water pump 2A from second downward sub-passage 21a swirls after being discharged by the rotation of the impeller, and a third vortex chamber 3Aa in which coolant flowing into third water pump 3A from third downward sub-passage 31a swirls after being discharged by the rotation of the impeller. Because mounting portion 125 thus has first vortex chamber 1Aa, second vortex chamber 2Aa, and third vortex chamber 3Aa, shrouds for restricting the inflow and outflow directions of coolant are not required for first water pump 1A, second water pump 2A, and third water pump 3A, which enables reduction in size, weight, and cost of cooling module 10.

[0030] As described above, in the cooling module 10, the manifold 100 has multiple flow paths formed across the first housing 110 and the second housing 120, making it possible to reduce the number of pipes. Furthermore, because the manifold 100 is configured by joining the first housing 110 and the second housing 120, even if the flow path shape and flow path configuration within the manifold 100 become complex by considering the position and direction of the ports to which the pipes are connected, it is possible to simplify the shapes of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. This makes it possible to consolidate the pipes connected to the ports and avoid redundant routing, thereby shortening and simplifying the length of the pipes connected to the ports.

[0031] [Configuration of Rotary Valve] The first rotary valve 4 includes a first valve body 4A, a first valve chamber 4C (an example of a valve chamber), and a first auxiliary chamber 4D (an example of an inlet auxiliary chamber and an auxiliary chamber). The second rotary valve 5 includes a second valve body 5A, a second valve chamber 5C (an example of a valve chamber), a second auxiliary chamber 5D (an example of an inlet auxiliary chamber and an auxiliary chamber), a third auxiliary chamber 5E (an example of an outflow auxiliary chamber and an auxiliary chamber), and a fourth auxiliary chamber 5F (an example of an outflow auxiliary chamber and an auxiliary chamber).

[0032] In the first rotary valve 4, the first valve element 4A is entirely housed in a first valve chamber 4C. As shown in FIG. 6 , the first valve element 4A has a first shaft 42 that is rotated by a first actuator 4B and a first valve body 43 that rotates integrally with the first shaft 42. The first valve body 43 has a cylindrical shape with upper, lower, and side walls, and a side wall 43d formed with a first through hole 43a, a second through hole 43b, and a third through hole 43c. The first through hole 43a, the second through hole 43b, and the third through hole 43c are adjacently arranged, spaced 90 degrees apart in the circumferential direction, and are connected to each other inside the first valve body 43. The first through hole 43a, the second through hole 43b, and the third through hole 43c are all substantially rectangular and have the same opening area. The opening areas of the first through hole 43a, the second through hole 43b, and the third through hole 43c are larger than the opening areas of the first communication hole 131 (an example of an inlet), the second communication hole 132, and the third communication hole 133 described below (see Figure 8).

[0033] In the second rotary valve 5, the second valve element 5A is entirely housed in the second valve chamber 5C. As shown in FIG. 7 , the second valve element 5A has a second shaft 52 that is rotated by a second actuator 5B and a second valve body 53 that rotates integrally with the second shaft 52. The second valve body 53 has a cylindrical shape, and a fourth through hole 53a and a fifth through hole 53b are formed in a side wall 53c. The fourth through hole 53a and the fifth through hole 53b are connected to each other inside the second valve body 53. The fourth through hole 53a and the fifth through hole 53b are spaced 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. Both the fourth through hole 53a and the fifth through hole 53b have a rectangular shape, with the fourth through hole 53a having a larger opening area than the fifth through hole 53b. The opening area of ​​the fifth communication hole 53b is approximately the same as the opening area of ​​a fifth communication hole 135 (an example of an outlet), a sixth communication hole 136, and a seventh communication hole 137 (an example of an outlet), which will be described later. The fourth communication hole 53a has an area such that when the second valve body 53 is rotated around the second shaft 52, the fifth communication hole 53b faces any of the fifth communication hole 135, the sixth communication hole 136, and the seventh communication hole 137, which will be described later (see FIG. 8 ). 8 and 9 , the fourth communication hole 134, the fifth communication hole 135, the sixth communication hole 136, and the seventh communication hole 137 are arranged so that the axial center P of the fourth communication hole 134, the axial center Q of the fifth communication hole 135, the axial center R of the sixth communication hole 136, and the axial center S of the seventh communication hole 137 are all on the same plane. By arranging the communication holes in this way, the heights of the inlet and the outlet can be aligned, which allows the height of the second rotary valve 5 to be lowered and the cooling module 10 to be made more compact.

[0034] [Coolant Flow in Cooling Module] Next, the flow of coolant in the cooling module 10 will be described using Figures 3 and 8 to 10. First, the flow of coolant in the first circulation path 1 (see Figure 11) will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the coolant cooled by the radiator 1B enters the second housing 120 of the cooling module 10 through the first inlet port 111, flows through the first downward sub-channel 11a in the Z2 direction, and flows into the first water pump 1A. The coolant pumped by the first water pump 1A flows through the first upward sub-channel 11b formed along the Z direction in the Z1 direction and branches off from the first upward sub-channel 11b into a first lateral sub-channel 11c (an example of a channel) at the joint surface 105 between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. As described above, the first outlet port 114 is formed in the first housing 110, and therefore the coolant that flows in the Z1 direction through the upward first sub-flow path 11b from the second housing 120 to the first housing 110 then changes its flow direction to the X2 direction and flows out from the first outlet port 114. The coolant that flows out of the cooling module 10 from the first outlet port 114 cools the DC-DC converter 1D and the charger 1E, and returns to the radiator 1B via the reserve tank 1F (see FIG. 1).

[0035] The first lateral sub-channel 11c is formed across the first housing 110 and the second housing 120, extending along the Y direction. That is, the first lateral sub-channel 11c is formed along the joining surface 105 between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. The upper half of the first lateral sub-channel 11c is formed in the first housing 110, and the lower half is formed in the second housing 120. The first lateral sub-channel 11c is formed by joining the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. The coolant flows through the first lateral sub-channel 11c in the Y2 direction and flows out of the cooling module 10 from a second outlet port 115 provided at the downstream end of the first lateral sub-channel 11c. The coolant flowing out from the second outlet port 115 cools the inverter / motor 1C and returns to the radiator 1B via the reserve tank 1F (see FIG. 1 ). The first upward sub-channel 11 b and the first horizontal sub-channel 11 c form part of the first channel 11 .

[0036] Next, the flow of coolant in the second circulation passage 2 (see FIG. 11 ) will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 , coolant cooled by the heater core 2B enters the second housing 120 of the cooling module 10 through the second inlet port 112, flows through the second downward sub-passage 21a in the Z2 direction, and then flows into the second water pump 2A. Coolant pumped by the second water pump 2A flows through the second upward sub-passage 21b (an example of a flow passage and an inlet passage) formed along the Z direction in the Z1 direction. A first auxiliary chamber 4D, which is a space connected to the second upward sub-passage 21b, is formed at the downstream end of the second upward sub-passage 21b. The first auxiliary chamber 4D is positioned adjacent to the first valve chamber 4C of the first rotary valve 4 in the Y1 direction. The first auxiliary chamber 4D has a first communication hole 131 that opens along the Y direction and is connected to the first valve chamber 4C via the first communication hole 131. By providing the first auxiliary chamber 4D, the flow direction of the coolant flowing in the Z1 direction through the upward second sub-channel 21b can be changed to the Y2 direction, and the coolant can flow from the first communication hole 131 into the first valve chamber 4C. That is, the upward second sub-channel 21b is arranged so as not to overlap with the first communication hole 131 in a side view (viewed parallel to the XY plane). The first valve chamber 4C and the first auxiliary chamber 4D are formed across the second housing 120 and the first housing 110. This increases the degree of freedom in the shape (size, height) of the first auxiliary chamber 4D and the degree of freedom in routing the upward second sub-channel 21b.

[0037] The first valve chamber 4C accommodates the first valve element 4A so as to be rotatable about a first axis 42 extending along the Z direction. Coolant flowing through the upward second sub-channel 21b flows entirely into the first valve chamber 4C via the first auxiliary chamber 4D and the first communication hole 131. The first valve chamber 4C communicates with the lateral second sub-channel 21c (an example of a channel) via a second communication hole 132 opening along the Y direction and with the fourth channel 41 via a third communication hole 133 opening along the X direction. The lateral second sub-channel 21c extends along the Y direction, and the fourth channel 41 extends along the X direction. Both are formed within the second housing 120 (see FIG. 3 ). The downward second sub-channel 21a, the upward second sub-channel 21b, the lateral second sub-channel 21c, the first valve chamber 4C, and the first auxiliary chamber 4D constitute part of the second channel 21, but the fourth channel 41 is not part of the second channel 21 and does not constitute the second circulation channel 2.

[0038] In the state shown in FIG. 8 , the third communication hole 43c of the first valve body 4A faces the first communication hole 131, the first communication hole 43a faces the second communication hole 132, and the third communication hole 133 faces the side wall 43d and is closed. As a result, the cooling water that flows into the first valve chamber 4C flows into the second lateral sub-channel 21c (the state of the second circulation channel 2 in FIG. 11 ). Although not shown, when the first valve body 43 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise around the first axis 42 as viewed in the Z2 direction, the second communication hole 43b faces the first communication hole 131, the third communication hole 43c faces the third communication hole 133, and the second communication hole 132 faces the side wall 43d and is closed. As a result, the cooling water that flows into the first valve chamber 4C flows into the fourth channel 41. In this way, the first rotary valve 4 switches the outflow path of the cooling water that flows through the upward second sub-channel 21b formed in the cooling module 10 and enters the first valve chamber 4C via the first auxiliary chamber 4D to the lateral second sub-channel 21c and the fourth channel 41.

[0039] The cooling water that flows from the first valve chamber 4C into the second lateral sub-channel 21c via the second communication hole 132 flows in the Y2 direction and exits the cooling module 10 through the fourth outlet port 122. The cooling water that flows out from the fourth outlet port 122 passes through the water-cooled condenser 2C and the electric heater 2D and returns to the heater core 2B (see FIG. 1). The cooling water that flows from the first valve chamber 4C into the fourth channel 41 via the third communication hole 133 flows in the X2 direction and exits the cooling module 10 through the third outlet port 121. The cooling water that flows out from the second outlet port 115 flows into the radiator 1B via the reserve tank 1F (see FIG. 1). The first rotary valve 4 rotates the first valve body 4A around an axis along the Z direction using the first actuator 4B, thereby switching the cooling water that has flowed through the upward second sub-channel 21b and into the first valve chamber 4C to flow through the horizontal second sub-channel 21c and the fourth channel 41.

[0040] Next, the flow of coolant in the third circulation passage 3 (see FIG. 11 ) will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 , the coolant that has cooled the battery 3B enters the second housing 120 of the cooling module 10 through the third inlet port 113, flows through the downward third sub-passage 31a in the Z2 direction, and then flows into the third water pump 3A. The coolant pumped by the third water pump 3A flows in the Z1 direction through the upward third sub-passage 31b (an example of a flow passage and an inlet passage) formed along the Z direction. A second auxiliary chamber 5D, which is a space connected to the upward third sub-passage 31b, is formed at the downstream end of the upward third sub-passage 31b. The second auxiliary chamber 5D is positioned adjacent to the second valve chamber 5C (an example of a valve chamber) of the second rotary valve 5 in the Y1 direction. The second auxiliary chamber 5D has a fourth communication hole 134 that opens along the Y direction and is connected to the second valve chamber 5C via the fourth communication hole 134. By providing the second auxiliary chamber 5D, the flow direction of the coolant flowing in the Z1 direction through the upward third sub-channel 31b can be changed to the Y2 direction, and the coolant can flow from the fourth communication hole 134 into the second valve chamber 5C. In other words, the upward third sub-channel 31b is arranged so as not to overlap with the fourth communication hole 134 in a side view. The second valve chamber 5C and the second auxiliary chamber 5D are formed across the second housing 120 and the first housing 110. This increases the degree of freedom in the shape (size, height) of the second auxiliary chamber 5D and the degree of freedom in routing the upward third sub-channel 31b.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8 , the second valve chamber 5C accommodates the second valve element 5A so as to be rotatable about a second axis 52 extending along the Z direction. All of the coolant flowing through the upward third sub-channel 31b flows into the second valve chamber 5C via the second auxiliary chamber 5D and the fourth communication hole 134. The second valve chamber 5C has a sixth communication hole 136 extending along the Y direction and communicates with the lateral third sub-channel 31d via the sixth communication hole 136. The second valve chamber 5C also has a fifth communication hole 135 (an example of an outlet) and a seventh communication hole 137 (an example of an outlet) adjacent to each other on either circumferential side of the sixth communication hole 136. The second valve chamber 5C communicates with the third auxiliary chamber 5E and the fourth auxiliary chamber 5F via the fifth communication hole 135 and the seventh communication hole 137, respectively. The third auxiliary chamber 5E and the fourth auxiliary chamber 5F are formed across the second housing 120 and the first housing 110. This increases the degree of freedom in the shapes (size, height) of the third auxiliary chamber 5E and the fourth auxiliary chamber 5F, and increases the degree of freedom in routing the L-shaped third sub-channel 31c and the communication channel 51.

[0042] 8 , the fourth communication hole 53a of the second valve body 5A faces the fourth communication hole 134, the fifth communication hole 53b faces the fifth communication hole 135, and the sixth communication hole 136 and the seventh communication hole 137 face the side wall 53c and are closed. As a result, the cooling water that flows into the second valve chamber 5C flows into the third auxiliary chamber 5E. That is, the cooling water that flows into the second valve chamber 5C flows through an L-shaped third sub-channel 31c (an example of a flow channel and an outlet channel) described below. Although not shown, when the second valve body 53 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise around the second shaft 52 as viewed in the Z2 direction, the fourth communication hole 53a remains facing the fourth communication hole 134, and the fifth communication hole 53b faces the sixth communication hole 136. Then, when the second valve body 53 is rotated clockwise about the second axis 52 by an additional approximately 45 degrees, the fourth communication hole 53a remains opposite the fourth communication hole 134, and the fifth communication hole 53b comes to face the seventh communication hole 137. In this way, the second rotary valve 5 switches the outflow path for the cooling water that has flowed through the upward third sub-channel 31b formed in the cooling module 10, and passed through the second auxiliary chamber 5D and into the second valve chamber 5C, to the third auxiliary chamber 5E (the L-shaped third sub-channel 31c), the lateral third sub-channel 31d, and the fourth auxiliary chamber 5F (the communication channel 51).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 10 , the third auxiliary chamber 5E is connected to the fifth outlet port 116 via an L-shaped third sub-channel 31c extending along the Z direction. The provision of the third auxiliary chamber 5E allows the flow direction of the cooling water flowing from the second valve chamber 5C through the fifth communication hole 135 into the third auxiliary chamber 5E perpendicular to the Z direction to the Z1 direction, where it flows through the L-shaped third sub-channel 31c and is discharged to the outside of the cooling module 10 through the fifth outlet port 116. That is, the L-shaped third sub-channel 31c is positioned so as not to overlap with the fifth communication hole 135 in a side view. The cooling water flowing out of the fifth outlet port 116 returns to the battery 3B via the electric heater 3D (see FIG. 1 ). The cooling water flowing from the second valve chamber 5C into the lateral third sub-channel 31d through the sixth communication hole 136 flows in the Y2 direction and is discharged to the outside of the cooling module 10 through the sixth outlet port 123. The coolant flowing out from the sixth outlet port 123 returns to the battery 3B via the chiller 3C (see FIG. 1 ). The third downward sub-channel 31a, the third upward sub-channel 31b, the L-shaped third sub-channel 31c, the third lateral sub-channel 31d, the second valve chamber 5C, the second auxiliary chamber 5D, and the third auxiliary chamber 5E constitute a part of the third flow channel 31.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9 , the fourth auxiliary chamber 5F is connected to a communication flow path 51 that extends from the fourth auxiliary chamber 5F in the Z direction and then bends and extends in the X direction. That is, the communication flow path 51 is positioned so as not to overlap with the seventh communication hole 137 in a side view. A first portion 51a of the communication flow path 51 extending in the Z direction is formed in the second housing 120, and a second portion 51b extending in the X direction is formed across the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. That is, the second portion 51b of the communication flow path 51 is formed along the joint surface 105 between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120, and the upper half of the second portion 51b is formed in the first housing 110, and the lower half is formed in the second housing 120. The communication flow path 51 is not part of the third flow path 31 and does not constitute the third circulation path 3.

[0045] As described above, the communication flow path 51 connects the first flow path 11, the second flow path 21, and the third flow path 31 within the cooling module 10. By providing the communication flow path 51 in this way, it is possible to aggregate the three circulation paths through which the cooling water circulates, thereby reducing the number of pipes connected to the ports and shortening and simplifying the pipe lengths.

[0046] The second portion 51b of the communication flow path 51 communicates with the first lateral sub-flow path 11c at the end opposite the fourth pre-chamber 5F. The second portion 51b also intersects with the second lateral sub-flow path 21c when viewed along the Z direction. The second portion 51b is recessed in the Z2 direction, thereby communicating with the second lateral sub-flow path 21c at the intersection.

[0047] The second rotary valve 5 rotates the second valve body 5A around an axis along the Z direction using the second actuator 5B, and thereby the cooling water that has flowed into the second valve chamber 5C from the upward third sub-channel 31b can be switched to one of three flow paths: (1) through the fifth communication hole 135, the third auxiliary chamber 5E, and the L-shaped third sub-channel 31c, and then out through the fifth outlet port 116; (2) through the seventh communication hole 137, the fourth auxiliary chamber 5F, and the communicating channel 51, and then out through the second outlet port 115; or (3) through the seventh communication hole 137, the fourth auxiliary chamber 5F, the communicating channel 51, and the lateral second sub-channel 21c, and then out through the second outlet port 115 and the fourth outlet port 122, and also through the sixth communication hole 136, the lateral third sub-channel 31d, and then out through the sixth outlet port 123.

[0048] In a side view, the L-shaped third sub-channel 31c is arranged so as not to overlap with the fifth communication hole 135, and the communication channel 51 is arranged so as not to overlap with the seventh communication hole 137. By making the outflow channel and the outflow outlet at different heights in this way, the degree of freedom in routing the outflow channel can be increased.

[0049] Second Embodiment Next, a rotary valve 6 (an example of a valve for a cooling module) according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The rotary valve 6 of this embodiment is used in a cooling module 20. The cooling module 20 has a different flow path configuration from the cooling module 10 according to the above embodiment.

[0050] As shown in Figures 13 to 16, the rotary valve 6 includes a valve element 6A, a valve chamber 6C, a first pre-chamber 6D (an example of an inlet pre-chamber and a pre-chamber), a second pre-chamber 6E (an example of an inlet pre-chamber and a pre-chamber), a third pre-chamber 6F (an example of an outlet pre-chamber and a pre-chamber), and a fourth pre-chamber 6G (an example of an outlet pre-chamber and a pre-chamber). In the rotary valve 6, the valve element 6A is entirely housed in the valve chamber 6C. As shown in Figure 12, the valve element 6A has a shaft 62 that rotates about a rotation axis T by an actuator 6B, and a valve body 63 that rotates integrally with the shaft 62. The valve body 63 is formed of two disks 63a and 63b arranged spaced apart from each other above and below, a connecting plate 63c arranged to include the rotation axis T of the shaft 62 and connect the two disks 63a and 63b, a semicircular partition plate 63d arranged perpendicular to the connecting plate 63c at the center of the connecting plate 63c, and two support pillars connecting the two disks 63a and 63b. A first valve space 63e (an example of a valve space) is formed by the two disks 63a and 63b and the connecting plate 63c, a second valve space 63f (an example of a valve space) is formed by the disk 63a, the connecting plate 63c, and the partition plate 63d, and a third valve space 63g (an example of a valve space) is formed by the disk 63b, the connecting plate 63c, and the partition plate 63d. That is, the connecting plate 63c divides the valve chamber 6C into a plurality of spaces (two in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction (a first valve space 63e and a space integrating the second valve space 63f and the third valve space 63g). At least one of these spaces is further divided into a plurality of spaces (two in this embodiment) (the second valve space 63f and the third valve space 63g) in the direction along the rotation axis T by the partition plate 63d. When the valve disc 6A is housed in the valve chamber 6C, the first valve space 63e, the second valve space 63f, and the third valve space 63g are divided by the disks 63a and 63b, the connecting plate 63c, and the partition plate 63d, and do not communicate with one another.

[0051] The manifold of the cooling module 20 is formed by joining and integrating a first housing 70 (an example of a resin housing) and a second housing 80 (an example of a resin housing), both of which are made of resin, by a method such as vibration welding. A valve chamber 6C is disposed in the second housing 80, and a first auxiliary chamber 6D, a second auxiliary chamber 6E, a third auxiliary chamber 6F, a fourth auxiliary chamber 6G, and a fifth auxiliary chamber 6H are disposed adjacent to and around the valve chamber 6C. The first auxiliary chamber 6D, the second auxiliary chamber 6E, the third auxiliary chamber 6F, the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G, and the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H are formed across the second housing 80 and the first housing 70. This increases the degree of freedom in the shape (size, height) of each auxiliary chamber, and also increases the degree of freedom in routing the inlet and outlet paths, which will be described later.

[0052] In the following description, the direction parallel to the cross-section shown in FIG. 13 and perpendicular to the axis 62 is defined as the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the cross-section as the Y direction, and the direction parallel to the axis 62 as the Z direction. Furthermore, within the X direction, the direction from the valve body 6A toward the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H is defined as the X1 direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the X2 direction. Within the Y direction, the direction from the valve body 6A toward the third inlet channel 82 (described later) is defined as the Y2 direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the Y1 direction. Within the Z direction, the direction from the second housing 80 toward the first housing 70 is defined as the Z1 direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the Z2 direction. The Z2 direction is the direction of gravity. That is, the first housing 70 is disposed vertically above the second housing 80.

[0053] 13 to 16 , the first auxiliary chamber 6D is connected to a first inlet passage 71 (an example of a flow path and an inlet passage) formed in the first housing 70 and through which the coolant flows. The second auxiliary chamber 6E is formed in the second housing 80 and is connected to the second inlet passage 81 (an example of a flow path and an inlet passage) through which the coolant flows in via a seventh communication hole 64g (an example of an inlet). The third auxiliary chamber 6F is formed across the first and second housings 70 and 80 and is connected to a first outlet passage 72 (an example of a flow path and an outflow passage) through which the coolant flows out via an eighth communication hole 64h (an example of an outlet). The fourth auxiliary chamber 6G is formed in the first housing 70 and is connected to a second outlet passage 73 (an example of a flow path and an outflow passage) through which the coolant flows out. The fifth auxiliary chamber H is formed in the second housing 80 and is connected to a third outlet passage 74 (an example of a flow passage and an outlet passage) through which the cooling water flows out via a ninth communication hole 64i (an example of an outlet). The valve body 6A is also formed in the second housing 80 and is connected to a third inlet passage 82 (an example of a flow passage) through which the cooling water flows in. No auxiliary chamber is formed between the third inlet passage 82 and the valve body 6A.

[0054] The valve element 6A and the first auxiliary chamber 6D communicate with each other via a first communication hole 64a (an example of an inlet) formed in the valve chamber 6C. The valve element 6A and the second auxiliary chamber 6E communicate with each other via a second communication hole 64b (an example of an inlet) formed in the valve chamber 6C. The valve element 6A and the third auxiliary chamber 6F communicate with each other via a third communication hole 64c (an example of an outlet) formed in the valve chamber 6C. The valve element 6A and the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G communicate with each other via a fourth communication hole 64d (an example of an outlet) formed in the valve chamber 6C. The valve element 6A and the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H communicate with each other via a fifth communication hole 64e (an example of an outlet) formed in the valve chamber 6C. The valve element 6A and the third inlet channel 82 communicate with each other via a sixth communication hole 64f formed in the valve chamber 6C. In this case, the first communication hole 64a, the second communication hole 64b, and the fourth communication hole 64d are disposed in the valve body 6A in the Z2 direction relative to the partition plate 63d and in a position overlapping with the third valve space 63g in a side view (viewed parallel to the XY plane), and the respective axes (not shown) of the first communication hole 64a, the second communication hole 64b, and the fourth communication hole 64d are on the same plane. In addition, the third communication hole 64c, the fifth communication hole 64e, and the sixth communication hole 64f are disposed in the valve body 6A in the Z1 direction relative to the partition plate 63d and in a position overlapping with the second valve space 63f in a side view, and the respective axes (not shown) of the third communication hole 64c, the fifth communication hole 64e, and the sixth communication hole 64f are on the same plane. This allows the height positions of the inlet and outlet to be aligned at two different heights, so that compared to a rotary valve in which multiple inlet and outlet ports are arranged at different height positions, the height of the rotary valve 6 can be lowered, thereby enabling the miniaturization of the cooling module 20. For example, the first communication hole 64a and the third communication hole 64c are located at different height positions and communicate with each other via the first valve space 63e of the valve element 6A arranged in the valve chamber 6C.

[0055] [Flow of Cooling Water in Cooling Module] Next, the flow of cooling water in the cooling module 20 will be described using Figures 14 to 16. In the cooling module 20 of this embodiment, the rotary valve 6 switches the flow path in three ways. Depending on the position of each valve element 6A, these are referred to as the first position, second position, and third position. Note that Figures 14 to 16 (a) are cross-sectional views taken along the a-a arrow in Figure 13, and Figures 14 to 16 (b) are cross-sectional views taken along the b-b arrow in Figure 13.

[0056] 14 , the first valve space 63e of the valve body 6A faces the first auxiliary chamber 6D and the third auxiliary chamber 6F, the second valve space 63f of the valve body 6A faces the third inlet passage 82 and the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H, and the third valve space 63g of the valve body 6A faces the second auxiliary chamber 6E and the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G. At this time, the cooling water that flows into the first auxiliary chamber 6D from the first inlet passage 71 flows into the third auxiliary chamber 6F via the first communication hole 64a, the first valve space 63e, and the third communication hole 64c, and then flows out into the first outlet passage 72 (see also FIG. 13 ). The cooling water that flows into the third inlet passage 82 flows into the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H via the sixth communication hole 64f, the second valve space 63f, and the fifth communication hole 64e, and then flows out into the third outlet passage 74 (see also FIG. 13 ). The cooling water that flows into the second auxiliary chamber 6E from the second inlet passage 81 flows into the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G via the second communication hole 64b, the third valve space 63g, and the fourth communication hole 64d, and then flows out into the second outlet passage 73 (see also Figure 13).

[0057] 15 , the first valve space 63e of the valve body 6A faces the second auxiliary chamber 6E and the third auxiliary chamber 6F, the second valve space 63f of the valve body 6A faces the third inlet passage 82 and the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H, and the third valve space 63g of the valve body 6A faces the first auxiliary chamber 6D and the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G. At this time, the cooling water that flows from the second inlet passage 81 into the second auxiliary chamber 6E flows through the second communication hole 64b, the first valve space 63e, and the third communication hole 64c into the third auxiliary chamber 6F and then flows out into the first outflow passage 72 (see also FIG. 13 ). The cooling water that flows into the third inlet passage 82 flows through the sixth communication hole 64f, the second valve space 63f, and the fifth communication hole 64e into the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H and then flows out into the third outflow passage 74 (see also FIG. 13 ). The cooling water that flows into the first auxiliary chamber 6D from the first inlet passage 71 flows into the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G via the first communication hole 64a, the third valve space 63g, and the fourth communication hole 64d, and then flows out into the second outlet passage 73 (see also Figure 13).

[0058] 16 , the first valve space 63e of the valve body 6A faces the second auxiliary chamber 6E and the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H, the second valve space 63f of the valve body 6A faces the third inlet passage 82 and the third auxiliary chamber 6F, and the third valve space 63g of the valve body 6A faces the first auxiliary chamber 6D and the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G. At this time, the cooling water that flows from the second inlet passage 81 into the second auxiliary chamber 6E flows through the second communication hole 64b, the first valve space 63e, and the fifth communication hole 64e into the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H and then flows out into the third outlet passage 74 (see also FIG. 13 ). The cooling water that flows into the third inlet passage 82 flows through the sixth communication hole 64f, the second valve space 63f, and the third communication hole 64c into the third auxiliary chamber 6F and then flows out into the first outlet passage 72 (see also FIG. 13 ). The cooling water that flows into the first auxiliary chamber 6D from the first inlet passage 71 flows into the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G via the first communication hole 64a, the third valve space 63g, and the fourth communication hole 64d, and then flows out into the second outlet passage 73 (see also Figure 13).

[0059] As described above, the provision of the first auxiliary chamber 6D allows the cooling water to flow into the valve chamber 6C by changing the flow direction by 90 degrees, even if the first inlet passage 71 is disposed above the rotary valve 6 (in the Z1 direction) and extends along the Z direction. The provision of the third auxiliary chamber 6F allows the cooling water to flow into the first outlet passage 72 by changing the height in the Z direction of the cooling water flowing out from the valve chamber 6C, even if the first outlet passage 72 is disposed above the rotary valve 6 and extends along the X direction. The provision of the fourth auxiliary chamber 6G allows the cooling water to flow into the second outlet passage 73 by changing the height and direction in the Z direction of the cooling water flowing out from the valve chamber 6C, even if the second outlet passage 73 is disposed above the rotary valve 6 and extends along the Z direction. Furthermore, because the fifth auxiliary chamber 6H is provided, even if the third outflow passage 74 is disposed above and spaced apart from the rotary valve 6 and extends along the X direction, the height in the Z direction of the cooling water flowing out from the valve chamber 6C can be changed to allow the cooling water to flow through the third outflow passage 74. Therefore, the arrangement of the inflow passage and the outflow passage is not restricted by the height (length along the Z direction) of the rotary valve 6. Also, because the heights of the inflow passage and the inlet and / or the heights of the outflow passage and the outlet can be made different, the degree of freedom in routing the inflow passage and the outflow passage can be increased.

[0060] Third Embodiment Next, a cooling module 300 using a first rotary valve 340 (an example of a cooling module valve) and a second rotary valve 350 (an example of a cooling module valve) according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 20. The cooling module 300 of this embodiment has a different flow path configuration from the cooling modules 10 and 20 according to the above embodiments.

[0061] 17, the cooling module 300 according to this embodiment includes a first rotary valve 340, a second rotary valve 350, a first water pump 360 (an example of a water pump), a second water pump 370 (an example of a water pump), and a manifold 302 having a plurality of flow paths 312 (an example of inlet and outlet paths) (see FIG. 19) for circulating cooling water through these pumps. The manifold 302 is formed by joining a plurality of housings together, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, it is formed by joining a first housing 310 and a second housing 330 together.

[0062] 19 conceptually includes both inflow paths that allow the cooling water to flow into the first rotary valve 340 or the second rotary valve 350, and outflow paths that allow the cooling water to flow out from the first rotary valve 340 or the second rotary valve 350. The multiple flow paths 312 also conceptually include all flow paths through which the cooling water flows inside the manifold 302, such as flow paths formed only in the first housing 310, flow paths formed only in the second housing 330, and flow paths formed spanning from the first housing 310 to the second housing 330.

[0063] In this embodiment, the flow paths 312 having portions protruding outward from the outer wall 310a of the first housing 310 are arranged in a plurality (five in this embodiment) on the side closer to the second housing 330 in the direction along the rotation axis AX of the first rotary valve 340, and in a plurality (four in this embodiment) on the side farther from the second housing 330. Specifically, in FIG. 19 , the five flow paths 312 whose protruding portions are depicted in their entirety are the flow paths 312 closer to the second housing 330. On the other hand, the four flow paths 312 whose protruding portions are depicted in cross section are the flow paths 312 farther from the second housing 330. The central axes of the nine flow paths 312 along the protruding direction are all perpendicular to the rotation axis AX (see FIG. 18 ). Of the nine flow paths 312, the five flow paths 312 arranged closer to the second housing 330 intersect an imaginary plane P1 that passes through the central axis CX of the protruding portion of any one of the flow paths 312 and is perpendicular to the rotation axis AX (see FIG. 17 ). A group of five flow paths 312 in this positional relationship is referred to as a first flow path group 312a. The remaining four flow paths 312 intersect with an imaginary plane P2 that passes through the central axis DX of the protruding portion of any one of the flow paths 312 and is perpendicular to the rotation axis AX (see FIG. 17 ). A group of four flow paths 312 in this positional relationship is referred to as a second flow path group 312b. In other words, the second flow path group 312b is offset from the first flow path group 312a in the direction along the rotation axis AX.

[0064] 19 , at least one flow path 312 in each of the first flow path group 312a and the second flow path group 312b communicates with a first valve chamber 316 (an example of a valve chamber) via a first communication hole 316a (an example of an inlet or an outlet) and a second communication hole 316b (an example of an inlet or an outlet). The axis of the first communication hole 316a (not shown) and the axis of the second communication hole 316b (not shown) are at different height positions in the direction along the rotation axis AX.

[0065] In the manifold 302 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 , the first rotary valve 340, the second rotary valve 350, the first water pump 360, and the second water pump 370 are all attached to the first housing 310. The first rotary valve 340 and the first water pump 360 are disposed adjacent to each other, and the second rotary valve 350 and the second water pump 370 are disposed adjacent to each other. The rotational axis AX of the first rotary valve 340 and the rotational axis AX of the second rotary valve 350 are parallel to each other, and the rotational axis BX of the first water pump 360 and the rotational axis BX of the second water pump 370 are parallel to each other. The rotational axes AX of the first rotary valve 340 and the second rotary valve 350 and the rotational axes BX of the first water pump 360 and the second water pump 370 are perpendicular to each other. Only some of the flow paths 312 are formed in the second housing 330 (see FIG. 20 ).

[0066] The first rotary valve 340 has a first actuator 341, a first valve body 342 (an example of a valve body), a first valve chamber 316, and a plurality of auxiliary chambers 314 (an example of an inlet auxiliary chamber or an outlet auxiliary chamber) formed around the first valve chamber 316. The second rotary valve 350 has a second actuator 351, a second valve body 352 (an example of a valve body), a second valve chamber 318 (an example of a valve chamber), and a plurality of auxiliary chambers 314 formed around the second valve chamber 318. Of these, the first valve chamber 316, the second valve chamber 318, and the auxiliary chamber 314 are formed in the first housing 310. The first valve chamber 316 and the second valve chamber 318 accommodate the entire first valve body 342 and the entire second valve body 352, respectively. The first valve chamber 316 and the second valve chamber 318 are formed in the first housing 310 and are disposed in a central region 310b located between a pair of opposing outer walls 310a and between the first water pump 360 and the second water pump 370.

[0067] The first actuator 341 and the second actuator 351 are exposed on the surface of the first housing 310. Similar to the valve body 6A of the rotary valve 6 of the second embodiment, the first valve body 342 is partitioned circumferentially into multiple (two in this embodiment) spaces by a connecting plate 342a, and at least one of the spaces (one in this embodiment) is further partitioned along the rotation axis AX into multiple (two in this embodiment) spaces by a partition plate 342b. The space partitioned by the connecting plate 342a but not having the partition plate 342b therein is referred to as a first valve space 342c, and the spaces partitioned by the connecting plate 342a and the partition plate 342b are referred to as a second valve space 342d and a third valve space 342e (see FIG. 18 ). Similar to the first valve body 342, the second valve body 352 is also partitioned into three valve spaces. The first communication hole 316a and the second communication hole 316b are connected to each other when they face the first valve space 342c of the first valve body 342, but when there is a partition plate 342b between them, they face either the second valve space 342d or the third valve space 342e, respectively, and are not connected to each other.

[0068] A plurality of auxiliary chambers 314 are formed between the flow passage 312 and the first valve chamber 316 and between the flow passage 312 and the second valve chamber 318, and the flow passage 312 and the first valve chamber 316 and the flow passage 312 and the second valve chamber 318 are communicated with each other via the auxiliary chambers 314. The auxiliary chambers 314 conceptually include both inlet auxiliary chambers connected to the inlet passages and outlet auxiliary chambers connected to the outlet passages. In this embodiment, an auxiliary chamber 314 is provided in all of the flow passages 312 that communicate with the first valve chamber 316 and all of the flow passages 312 that communicate with the second valve chamber 318. The plurality of flow passages 312 and the plurality of auxiliary chambers 314 are arranged radially to surround the first valve chamber 316 and the second valve chamber 318, respectively.

[0069] 20 , first housing 310 is formed with a first partition wall 324 (an example of a partition wall) that separates adjacent two of flow path 312, first valve chamber 316, second valve chamber 318, auxiliary chamber 314, first vortex chamber 320, and second vortex chamber 322. First housing 310 is composed of only flow path 312, first valve chamber 316, second valve chamber 318, auxiliary chamber 314, first vortex chamber 320, second vortex chamber 322, and first partition wall 324.

[0070] The second housing 330 is formed with a second partition wall 332 (an example of a partition wall) that partitions two adjacent ones of the spare chambers 314 and some of the multiple flow paths 312 formed in the second housing 330. The manifold 302 is formed by joining the first partition wall 324 of the first housing 310 and the second partition wall 332 of the second housing 330.

[0071] Fourth Embodiment Next, a cooling module 400 using a first rotary valve 440 (an example of a cooling module valve) and a second rotary valve 450 (an example of a cooling module valve) according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 21 and 22. The cooling module 400 of this embodiment has a different flow path configuration from the cooling modules 10, 20, and 300 according to the above embodiments.

[0072] The cooling module 400 according to this embodiment includes a first rotary valve 440, a second rotary valve 450, a first water pump 460 (an example of a water pump), a second water pump 470 (an example of a water pump), and a manifold 402 having a plurality of flow paths 412 formed therein for circulating cooling water therethrough. The manifold 402 is formed by joining a plurality of housings together, and in this embodiment, is formed by joining a first housing 410 and a second housing 430 together. The plurality of flow paths 412 conceptually include both inflow paths for introducing cooling water into the first rotary valve 440 or the second rotary valve 450 and outflow paths for discharging cooling water from the first rotary valve 440 or the second rotary valve 450. Furthermore, the multiple flow paths 412 are a concept that includes all flow paths through which cooling water flows inside the manifold 402, such as flow paths formed only in the first housing 410, flow paths formed only in the second housing 430, and flow paths formed spanning from the first housing 410 to the second housing 430.

[0073] In the manifold 402 of this embodiment, the first rotary valve 440 and the second rotary valve 450 are attached to the first housing 410, and the first water pump 460 and the second water pump 470 are attached to the second housing 430. The rotational axis AX of the first rotary valve 440, the rotational axis AX of the second rotary valve 450, the rotational axis BX of the first water pump 360, and the rotational axis BX of the second water pump 370 are all parallel to each other.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 22 , the first rotary valve 440 has a first actuator 441, a first valve body 442 (an example of a valve body), a first valve chamber 416 (an example of a valve chamber), and a spare chamber 414 formed around the first valve chamber 416. The second rotary valve 450 has a second actuator 451, a second valve body 452 (an example of a valve body), a second valve chamber 418 (an example of a valve chamber), and a spare chamber 414 formed around the second valve chamber 418. Of these, the first valve chamber 416, the second valve chamber 418, and the spare chamber 414 are formed in the first housing 410. The first valve chamber 416 and the second valve chamber 418 accommodate the entire first valve body 442 and the entire second valve body 452, respectively. The first actuator 441 and the second actuator 451 are exposed on the surface of the first housing 410.

[0075] The auxiliary chambers 414 are formed between the flow path 412 and the first valve chamber 416, and between the flow path 412 and the second valve chamber 418, and the flow path 412 and the first valve chamber 416 and the flow path 412 and the second valve chamber 418 are communicated via the auxiliary chambers 414. The auxiliary chambers 414 are a concept that includes both an inflow auxiliary chamber connected to the inflow path and an outflow auxiliary chamber connected to the outflow path. In this embodiment, the auxiliary chambers 414 are arranged all over the space between the first valve chamber 416 and the flow path 412, and all over the space between the second valve chamber 418 and the flow path 412.

[0076] A first valve chamber 416 of the first rotary valve 440 and a second valve chamber 418 of the second rotary valve 450, both formed in the first housing 410, are in communication with each other via a valve communication passage 424 (an example of a flow passage). A spare chamber 414 is disposed between the valve communication passage 424 and the first valve chamber 416 and second valve chamber 418.

[0077] [Other Embodiments] In each of the above-described embodiments, each auxiliary chamber is formed across the first housing and the second housing, but it may be configured so that it is formed only in the first housing, or so that it is formed only in the second housing.

[0078] In the fourth embodiment described above, the first valve chamber 416 of the first rotary valve 440 and the second valve chamber 318 of the second rotary valve 450 communicate with each other via the auxiliary chamber 414 and the valve communication passage 424. However, the valve communication passage 424 may not be provided, and the communication may be achieved only via the auxiliary chamber 414. Alternatively, the communication may be achieved only via the valve communication passage 424, and the auxiliary chamber 414 may not be provided.

[0079] The following configurations are conceivable from the above-described embodiment.

[0080] (1) One embodiment of a cooling module valve is a cooling module valve that switches between multiple flow paths, including inlet and outlet paths, for a fluid circulating within a cooling module, and includes a valve chamber into which the fluid flows through the inlet path and from which the fluid flows through the outlet path, a valve body housed in the valve chamber and that switches between the multiple flow paths, and at least one of at least one inlet pre-chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the inlet path, and at least one outlet pre-chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the outlet path.

[0081] According to this embodiment, the valve includes at least one of a pre-inflow chamber disposed between the valve chest and the inlet channel and a pre-outlet chamber disposed between the valve chest and the outlet channel. This allows fluid to flow into the valve chest via the pre-inflow chamber and out of the valve chest via the pre-outlet chamber. Therefore, by appropriately designing the size (height) of the pre-inflow chamber and the pre-outlet chamber, the placement of the inlet and outlet channels is not restricted by the height of the cooling module valve. This provides a cooling module valve with a high degree of freedom in routing the inlet and outlet channels.

[0082] (2) In another embodiment of the cooling module, in at least one of the plurality of pre-inlet chambers and the pre-outlet chambers, the outlet from the valve chamber to the pre-outlet chamber and the outlet from the pre-outlet chamber to the outlet passage, or the inlet from the inlet passage to the pre-inlet chamber and the inlet from the pre-inlet chamber to the valve chamber, are at different heights in the direction of the rotation axis of the valve body.

[0083] According to this embodiment, the arrangement of the inflow and outflow channels can be freely set by changing the height of the preliminary chamber.

[0084] (3) In another embodiment of the cooling module valve, the valve chamber has an inlet communicating with the inlet pre-chamber and an outlet communicating with the outlet pre-chamber, and the axis of the inlet and the axis of the outlet are arranged on the same plane.

[0085] According to this embodiment, the height of the inlet and the outlet can be made the same, so the height of the cooling module valve can be reduced, and the cooling module can be made smaller.

[0086] (4) In another embodiment of the cooling module valve, at least one of the inflow channel and the outflow channel is arranged so as not to overlap the inflow port and the outflow port in a side view.

[0087] According to this embodiment, at least one of the inflow and outflow channels is positioned so as not to overlap with the inlet and outlet in a side view, so that the heights of the inflow channel and the inlet and / or the heights of the outflow channel and the outlet can be made different, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in routing the inflow and outflow channels.

[0088] (5) In another embodiment of the cooling module valve, at least one of the pre-inlet chamber and the pre-outlet chamber is formed across a plurality of resin housings.

[0089] According to this embodiment, the degree of freedom in the shape (size, height) of the pre-inflow chamber and / or the pre-outflow chamber is increased, and the degree of freedom in routing the inflow path and the outflow path can be increased.

[0090] (6) In another embodiment of the cooling module valve, at least one of the outlet channels communicates with other of the flow channels within the cooling module, and the outlet channel is formed across multiple resin housings.

[0091] According to this embodiment, by forming the communication flow passage across a plurality of resin housings, it is possible to communicate with other flow passages even if they are formed in a single resin housing.

[0092] (7) In another embodiment of the cooling module valve, the valve body is entirely housed in the valve chamber.

[0093] According to this embodiment, the valve element does not protrude from the valve chamber, so the cooling module valve can be made smaller.

[0094] (8) In another embodiment of the cooling module valve, the valve body rotates around a rotation axis and is divided into multiple valve spaces in the circumferential direction by connecting plates, and at least one of the valve spaces is further divided into multiple spaces in the rotation axis direction by partition plates.

[0095] According to this embodiment, two valves that would normally be required can be combined into one. Furthermore, the inclusion of a partition plate allows multiple independent flow paths to be formed in the direction of the rotation axis. Furthermore, the valve space without a partition plate allows ports at different heights to communicate within the valve body, allowing the valve to be made more compact.

[0096] (9) In another embodiment of the cooling module valve, the valve chamber has an inlet and an outlet that are located at different height positions relative to the rotation axis in the direction along the axis.

[0097] According to this embodiment, the valve chest has an inlet and an outlet that are located at different heights relative to the axis of rotation in the direction along the axis, allowing the valve to be made compact.

[0098] (10) In another embodiment of the cooling module valve, the inlet pre-chamber and the outlet pre-chamber are arranged between the valve chest and all of the inlet passages, and between the valve chest and all of the outlet passages.

[0099] According to this embodiment, the heights of the inlet port formed in the inlet passage and the valve chamber and / or the heights of the outlet port formed in the outlet passage and the valve chamber can be made different, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in routing the inlet and outlet passages.

[0100] (11) One embodiment of a cooling module includes a manifold formed by joining multiple resin housings, a cooling module valve housed in the manifold and switching between multiple flow paths, and a water pump that pressurizes the fluid flowing through the flow paths, wherein the cooling module valve has a valve body, a valve chamber that houses the valve body, and a spare chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the flow paths, and the resin housing has at least a vortex chamber formed therein among the multiple flow paths, the valve chamber, the spare chamber, and the water pump, and the resin housing is composed only of the flow paths, the valve chamber, the spare chamber, the vortex chamber, and partition walls that separate them.

[0101] According to this embodiment, the manifold can be made smaller while achieving the above-mentioned effect (1).

[0102] (12) One embodiment of a cooling module includes a manifold formed by joining a plurality of resin housings, and a cooling module valve housed in the manifold and switching between a plurality of flow paths, wherein the cooling module valve has a valve chamber and a spare chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the flow paths, the resin housing has a plurality of the flow paths, the valve chamber, and the spare chamber formed therein, the valve chamber including a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber, and the resin housing has a valve communication passage connecting the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber.

[0103] According to this embodiment, while achieving the above-mentioned advantageous effect (1), it is possible to communicate fluid between the first valve chest and the second valve chest via the valve communication passage.

[0104] (13) One embodiment of the cooling module includes a manifold formed by joining multiple resin housings at their joining surfaces, and a cooling module valve housed in the manifold and switching between multiple flow paths, wherein the cooling module valve has a valve body that rotates around a rotation axis and a valve chamber that houses the valve body, and the resin housing has multiple flow paths and the valve chamber formed therein, and at least some of the multiple flow paths have portions that protrude outward from the resin housing, and the multiple flow paths that have portions that protrude outward from the resin housing include a first flow path group that is a collection of some of the flow paths, and a second flow path group that is a collection of multiple flow paths not included in the first flow path group and is offset in a direction along the rotation axis from the first flow path group.

[0105] According to this embodiment, since a plurality of flow paths are arranged at different height positions, the cooling module can be made compact.

[0106] (14) In one embodiment of the cooling module, the valve body of the cooling module valve rotates around the rotation axis and is divided into multiple valve spaces in the circumferential direction by a connecting plate, and at least one of the valve spaces is further divided into multiple spaces in the rotation axis direction by a partition plate.

[0107] According to this embodiment, two valves that would normally be required can be combined into one. Furthermore, the inclusion of a partition plate allows multiple independent flow paths to be formed in the direction of the rotation axis. Furthermore, the valve space without a partition plate allows ports at different heights to communicate within the valve body, making the valve more compact and allowing for a smaller cooling module.

[0108] (15) In another embodiment of the cooling module, the valve chest has an inlet and an outlet that are located at different height positions above the rotation axis in the direction along the axis.

[0109] According to this embodiment, the valve chest has an inlet and an outlet that are located at different heights relative to the axis of rotation in the direction along the axis, so that the valve can be made compact and the cooling module can be made smaller.

[0110] (16) In one embodiment of the cooling module, the valve chamber is disposed in a central region between a pair of opposing outer walls within the resin housing.

[0111] In this embodiment, the valve chest is located near the center of the resin housing, which makes it easy to arrange the flow path or the spare chamber adjacent to the periphery of the valve chest, eliminating dead space within the resin housing and enabling a smaller size.Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the valve chest is located at the end of the resin housing, the flow path can be made relatively shorter.

[0112] (17) In one embodiment of the cooling module, the flow path, the inlet pre-chamber, and the pre-chamber are arranged radially to surround the valve chamber.

[0113] According to this embodiment, the flow path and the spare chamber are arranged so as to surround the valve chest, so that dead space is eliminated within the resin housing, enabling the size to be reduced.

[0114] The present invention can be used in a valve for a cooling module and a cooling module.

[0115] 4: first rotary valve (valve for cooling module), 4A: first valve body (valve body), 4C: first valve chamber (valve chamber), 4D: first auxiliary chamber (inflow auxiliary chamber), 5: second rotary valve (valve for cooling module), 5A: second valve body (valve body), 5C: second valve chamber (valve chamber), 5D: second auxiliary chamber (inflow auxiliary chamber, auxiliary chamber), 5E: third auxiliary chamber (outflow auxiliary chamber, auxiliary chamber), 5F: fourth auxiliary chamber (outflow auxiliary chamber, auxiliary chamber), 6: rotary valve (valve for cooling module), 6A: valve body, 6C: valve chamber, 6D: first auxiliary chamber (inflow auxiliary chamber, auxiliary chamber), 6E: second auxiliary chamber (inflow auxiliary chamber, auxiliary chamber), 6F: third pre-chamber (outlet pre-chamber, pre-chamber), 6G: fourth pre-chamber (outlet pre-chamber, pre-chamber), 10: cooling module, 11c: first lateral sub-channel (channel), 20: cooling module, 21b: second upward sub-channel (inflow channel, channel), 21c: second lateral sub-channel (channel), 31b: third upward sub-channel (inflow channel, channel), 31c: third L-shaped sub-channel (outflow channel, channel), 51: communicating channel (outflow channel, channel), 63c: connecting plate, 63d: partition plate, 63e: first valve space (valve space), 63f: second valve space (valve space), 63g: third valve space (valve space), 64a: first communicating channel hole (inlet), 64b: second communication hole (inlet), 64c: third communication hole (outlet), 64d: fourth communication hole (outlet), 70: first housing (plastic housing), 71: first inlet passage (inlet passage, flow path), 72: first outlet passage (outlet passage, flow path), 73: second outlet passage (outlet passage, flow path), 80: second housing (plastic housing), 81: second inlet passage (inlet passage, flow path), 82: third inlet passage (inlet passage, flow path), 110: first housing (plastic housing), 120: second housing (plastic housing), 131: first communication hole (inlet), 134: fourth communication hole (inlet), 135: fifth communication hole (outlet), 137: seventh communication hole (outlet), 300: cooling module, 302: manifold, 310: first housing (resin housing), 310a: outer wall, 312: flow path (inflow path, outflow path), 312a: first flow path group, 312b: second flow path group, 314: preliminary chamber (inflow preliminary chamber, outflow preliminary chamber), 316: first valve chamber (valve chamber), 316a: first communication hole (inflow port or outflow port), 316b: second communication hole (inflow port or outflow port), 318: second valve chamber (valve chamber), 320: first vortex chamber (vortex chamber), 322: second vortex chamber (vortex chamber), 324: first partition wall (partition wall),330: second housing (resin housing), 332: second partition wall (partition wall), 340: first rotary valve (cooling module valve), 342: first valve body (valve body), 342a: connecting plate, 342b: partition plate, 342c: first valve space (valve space), 342d: second valve space (valve space), 342e: third valve space (valve space), 350: second rotary valve (cooling module valve), 352: second valve body (valve body), 360: first water pump (water pump), 370: second water pump (water pump), 400: cooling module, 402 : manifold, 410: first housing (plastic housing), 412: flow path (inflow path, outflow path), 414: preliminary chamber (inflow preliminary chamber, outflow preliminary chamber), 416: first valve chamber (valve chamber), 418: second valve chamber (valve chamber), 424: valve communication passage (flow path), 430: second housing (plastic housing), 440: first rotary valve (cooling module valve), 450: second rotary valve (cooling module valve), 460: first water pump (water pump), 470: second water pump (water pump), AX: rotational axis center, T: rotational axis center,

Claims

1. A valve for a cooling module that switches between a plurality of flow paths including an inflow path and an outflow path for a fluid circulating in a cooling module, a valve chamber into which the fluid flows through the inflow passage and into which the fluid flows through the outflow passage; a valve body accommodated in the valve chamber and configured to switch between the plurality of flow paths; A valve for a cooling module comprising at least one of at least one inflow pre-chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chest between the valve chest and the inflow passage, and at least one outflow pre-chamber arranged adjacent to the valve chest between the valve chest and the outflow passage.

2. 2. A valve for a cooling module as described in claim 1, wherein in at least one of the plurality of inlet pre-chambers and outlet pre-chambers, the outlet from the valve chamber to the outflow pre-chamber and the outlet from the outflow pre-chamber to the outflow path, or the inlet from the inflow path to the inflow pre-chamber and the inlet from the inflow pre-chamber to the valve chamber, are at different heights in the direction of the rotational axis of the valve body.

3. The valve chamber has an inlet communicating with the inflow pre-chamber and an outlet communicating with the outflow pre-chamber, 2. The cooling module valve according to claim 1, wherein an axis of said inlet and an axis of said outlet are disposed on the same plane.

4. The cooling module valve according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the inflow passage and the outflow passage is disposed so as not to overlap the inflow port and the outflow port in a side view.

5. 2. The cooling module valve according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the pre-inflow chamber and the pre-outflow chamber is formed across a plurality of resin housings.

6. 4. The cooling module valve according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said outlet passages is in communication with other of said flow passages within the cooling module, and said outlet passage is formed across a plurality of resin housings.

7. 2. The cooling module valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve body is entirely housed in the valve chamber.

8. 8. A valve for a cooling module as described in claim 7, wherein the valve body rotates around a rotation axis and is divided into a plurality of valve spaces in the circumferential direction by a connecting plate, and at least one of the valve spaces is further divided into a plurality of spaces in the direction of the rotation axis by a partition plate.

9. 9. The cooling module valve according to claim 8, wherein the valve chamber has an inlet and an outlet that are positioned at different heights along the rotation axis.

10. 10. A valve for a cooling module as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inlet pre-chamber and the outlet pre-chamber are arranged between the valve chest and all of the inlet passages, and between the valve chest and all of the outlet passages.

11. a manifold formed by joining a plurality of resin housings; a cooling module valve housed in the manifold and switching between a plurality of flow paths; a water pump that pumps the fluid flowing through the flow path, The cooling module valve includes a valve body, a valve chamber that houses the valve body, and a spare chamber that is disposed adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the flow path, The resin housing is formed with the plurality of flow paths, the valve chamber, the reserve chamber, and at least a vortex chamber of the water pump, The resin housing is a cooling module that is constituted only by the flow path, the valve chamber, the auxiliary chamber, the vortex chamber, and partition walls that separate these.

12. a manifold formed by joining a plurality of resin housings; a cooling module valve that is accommodated in the manifold and switches between a plurality of flow paths; the cooling module valve has a valve chamber and a spare chamber disposed adjacent to the valve chamber between the valve chamber and the flow path, The resin housing has a plurality of flow paths, a valve chamber, and a spare chamber formed therein, The valve chamber includes a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber, The resin housing is a cooling module having a valve communication passage that connects the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber.

13. a manifold formed by joining a plurality of resin housings at their joining surfaces; a cooling module valve that is accommodated in the manifold and switches between a plurality of flow paths; The cooling module valve includes a valve body that rotates about a rotation axis and a valve chamber that accommodates the valve body, The resin housing has a plurality of flow paths and a plurality of valve chambers formed therein, At least some of the flow paths have portions protruding outward from the resin housing, The cooling module includes a first flow path group which is a collection of some of the flow paths, the first flow path group being a collection of a portion of the flow paths that have portions protruding outward from the resin housing, and a second flow path group which is a collection of a portion of the flow paths that are not included in the first flow path group and is offset in a direction along the rotation axis from the first flow path group.

14. The cooling module described in claim 13, wherein the valve body of the cooling module valve rotates around the rotation axis and is divided into a plurality of valve spaces in the circumferential direction by a connecting plate, and at least one of the valve spaces is further divided into a plurality of spaces in the rotation axis direction by a partition plate.

15. The cooling module according to claim 14 , wherein the valve chamber has an inlet and an outlet that are located at different height positions along the rotation axis.

16. The cooling module according to claim 11 , wherein the valve chamber is disposed in a central region between a pair of opposing outer walls within the resin housing.

17. The cooling module according to claim 16 , wherein the flow passages, the pre-inlet chamber, and the pre-outlet chamber are radially arranged to surround the valve chamber.