Refrigerant manifold and cooling module comprising same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerant manifold comprising: a first housing having a refrigerant channel concavely formed in one surface thereof, and a component mounting part formed on the other surface thereof; and a middle plate stacked on the one surface of the first housing, wherein the first housing has formed, in a position corresponding to the component mounting part, a first through-hole through which a coupling member for coupling a component passes, and a support part with which the coupling member makes contact, and the middle plate has a separation part formed so that the coupling member does not make direct contact with the middle plate when the coupling member is coupled.

Description

Refrigerant manifold and cooling module including same

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant manifold applied to a cooling module in a vehicle cooling system, and relates to a refrigerant manifold capable of improving the durability of a portion where a fastening member is fastened for combination with a component such as a heat exchanger, and a cooling module including the same.

[0002]

[0003] Recently, as interest in energy efficiency and environmental pollution issues has grown by the day, there is a growing demand for the development of eco-friendly vehicles that can practically replace internal combustion engine vehicles. These eco-friendly vehicles are usually categorized as electric vehicles that are powered by fuel cells or electricity, or hybrid vehicles that are powered by engines and batteries.

[0004] Among these eco-friendly vehicles, electric or hybrid vehicles do not use a separate heater, unlike the air conditioning systems of regular vehicles, and the air conditioning system applied to eco-friendly vehicles is usually called a heat pump system.

[0005] Meanwhile, in the case of electric vehicles, the chemical reaction energy of oxygen and hydrogen is converted into electrical energy to generate driving force, and in this process, heat energy is generated by the chemical reaction within the fuel cell, so effectively removing the generated heat is essential to ensuring the performance of the fuel cell.

[0006] And in hybrid vehicles, in addition to engines that run on regular fuel, the driving force is generated by driving a motor using electricity supplied from the fuel cell or electric battery mentioned above. Therefore, the heat generated from the fuel cell, battery, and motor must be effectively removed to secure the performance of the motor.

[0007] Accordingly, conventional hybrid and electric vehicles consist of a cooling system, a heat pump system, and a battery cooling system. Therefore, refrigerant manifolds are used to reduce the size and weight of the cooling module and simplify the layout of the piping connecting multiple heat exchangers and valves.

[0008] The refrigerant manifold may be formed by stacking a first housing, a middle plate, and a second housing and joining them by brazing, or by stacking only the first housing and the middle plate and joining them.

[0009] And generally, a through hole is formed in the refrigerant manifold and a female threaded fastening hole is formed in the heat exchanger, and the refrigerant manifold and the heat exchanger are connected using bolts as fastening members.

[0010] However, in cases where the fastening member directly contacts and pressurizes the relatively thin middle plate in the refrigerant manifold, if the fastening member is repeatedly assembled and disassembled for leak inspection, etc., there is a high possibility that the middle plate will become deformed and a leak will occur.

[0011] Therefore, a method is needed to improve the durability of the part where the fastener is assembled in contact with the refrigerant manifold.

[0012] [Prior Art Literature]

[0013] [Patent Document]

[0014] KR 10-2022-0162479 A (2022.12.08.) "Integrated Cooling Module"

[0015]

[0016] The present invention has been devised to solve the problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant manifold and a cooling module including the same, which can improve the durability of a portion where a fastening member is fastened for connection with a component such as a heat exchanger in a refrigerant manifold.

[0017]

[0018] In order to achieve the above-described object, the refrigerant manifold of the present invention comprises: a first housing having a refrigerant channel formed therein and at least one component mounting portion for mounting a component; and a middle plate laminated on one surface of the first housing to cover and block an opening surface of the refrigerant channel; wherein the first housing has a first through-hole through which a fastening member for fastening the component passes at a position corresponding to the component mounting portion, and a support portion with which the fastening member comes into contact, and the middle plate may have a separation portion formed therein so that the fastening member does not directly contact the middle plate when the fastening member is fastened.

[0019] In addition, the support portion may be formed as a protrusion on one side of the first housing at a position corresponding to the component mounting portion, and the first through hole may be formed by penetrating the protrusion.

[0020] Additionally, the thickness of the protrusion can be formed to be greater than the thickness of the middle plate.

[0021] Additionally, the portion of the middle plate adjacent to the protrusion can be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the protrusion.

[0022] Additionally, a concave portion may be formed in the protrusion of the first housing, and a separation portion may be placed in the concave portion of the protrusion.

[0023] Additionally, the middle plate may be formed in a form in which a portion corresponding to the first through hole of the first housing or an area adjacent to the first through hole is cut and removed.

[0024] Additionally, the separating portion may cover an opening surface of a portion of the refrigerant channel of the first housing to form a refrigerant inlet / outlet path from a component fastened to the component mounting portion.

[0025] In addition, the separating portion is provided in pairs, and the pair of separating portions are separated from each other and spaced apart, and the separating portions can be arranged on both sides based on the first through hole of the first housing.

[0026] Additionally, the middle plate may be a clad material having a clad layer formed on at least one side of the base material.

[0027] Additionally, a second housing may be further formed with a refrigerant channel formed therein and laminated on one surface of the middle plate.

[0028] In addition, a plurality of component mounting portions are formed in the first housing, and a coupling portion is formed protrudingly on the opposite side facing the middle plate in the second housing at a position corresponding to any one of the plurality of component mounting portions, a second through hole is formed through the coupling portion of the second housing, an intermediate through hole is formed through the middle plate, and a first through hole is formed through the component mounting portion of the first housing, and the second through hole, the intermediate through hole, and the first through hole can be arranged at positions corresponding to each other.

[0029] In addition, the separation portion of the middle plate may be formed so that the fastening member penetrates through it, but the separation portion may be formed so that the fastening member does not directly contact the middle plate.

[0030] Additionally, there may be a region where a middle plate is sandwiched between the first housing and the second housing, and a region where the first housing and the middle plate are combined.

[0031] Additionally, the first housing or the second housing may be formed by forging, and the middle plate may be press-formed.

[0032] And the cooling module of the present invention may include: the refrigerant manifold; a heat exchanger coupled to the component mounting portion of the first housing and connected to the refrigerant channel; and a fastening member coupled to the heat exchanger through the first through-hole of the first housing, thereby coupling the first housing and the heat exchanger.

[0033] In addition, the cooling module of the present invention may include: the refrigerant manifold; a heat exchanger coupled to the component mounting portion of the first housing and connected to the refrigerant channel; and a fastening member coupled to the heat exchanger through the second through-hole, the middle through-hole, and the first through-hole formed through the coupling portion of the second housing, the middle plate, and the component mounting portion of the first housing, thereby coupling the second housing, the middle plate, the first housing, and the heat exchanger.

[0034]

[0035] The refrigerant manifold of the present invention has the advantage of improved durability and preventing refrigerant leakage in a portion that comes into contact with a fastening member and is pressurized for joining with a component such as a heat exchanger.

[0036]

[0037] Figures 1 to 4 are exploded perspective views and assembled perspective views showing a refrigerant manifold according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are a partial perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' showing a state in which a first heat exchanger is coupled to a refrigerant manifold according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig. 7 is a front view showing a middle plate of a refrigerant manifold according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are a partial perspective view and a BB' cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second heat exchanger is coupled to a refrigerant manifold according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Fig. 10 is a front view showing a hatched portion corresponding to a second housing in a refrigerant manifold according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 11 is a front view showing a hatched portion corresponding to a middle plate in a refrigerant manifold according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043]

[0044] Hereinafter, the refrigerant manifold of the present invention having the configuration described above and the cooling module including the same will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] FIGS. 1 to 4 are exploded perspective views and assembled perspective views showing a refrigerant manifold according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial perspective views and AA' cross-sectional views showing a state in which a first heat exchanger is coupled to a refrigerant manifold according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a front view showing a middle plate of a refrigerant manifold according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] As illustrated, a refrigerant manifold according to one embodiment of the present invention may largely include a first housing (100) and a middle plate (200), and may further include a second housing (300).

[0047] The first housing (100) is one of the components that is combined with the middle plate (200) to form a refrigerant path through which the refrigerant flows. A plurality of refrigerant channels (110) through which the refrigerant flows may be concavely formed on one surface of the first housing (100), and a plurality of component mounting portions (120) on which components are mounted may be formed on the other surface of the first housing (100). The components are target components that are combined with the first housing (100), and the components may be heat exchangers. Here, the heat exchanger may be various types of heat exchangers, and for example, the heat exchanger may be a water-cooled condenser and a chiller. In addition, the components may be various parts including valves (multi-way valves, expansion valves, etc.). The component mounting portion (120) is formed in a shape that protrudes from the curved shape of the other surface of the first housing (100), and the surface on which the component is coupled to the component mounting portion (120) may be formed as a flat surface. In addition, an inlet for introducing refrigerant and an outlet for discharging refrigerant may be formed in the component mounting portion (120). In addition, a first through-hole (140) penetrating both surfaces of the component mounting portion (120) of the first housing (100) may be formed, and a plurality of first through-holes (140) may be formed. A valve receiving portion (150) for receiving a valve may be formed in the first housing (100), and the interior of the valve receiving portion (150) and the refrigerant channel (110) may be connected. In addition, a valve may be inserted and coupled into the interior of the valve receiving portion (150). In addition, the valve coupled to the valve receiving portion (150) may be, for example, an expansion valve, and a multi-way valve may be integrally coupled to the expansion valve. In addition, a refrigerant port (160) may be formed in the first housing (100), and the refrigerant port (160) may be connected to a refrigerant channel (110).

[0048] The middle plate (200) is formed to have a relatively thin thickness (approximately 3 mm thick), and is one of the components that is combined with the first housing (100) to form a refrigerant path through which refrigerant flows. The middle plate (200) is laminated on one surface of the first housing (100), and the middle plate (200) can cover and block the refrigerant channel (110) of the first housing (100). In addition, the middle plate (200) can be formed of a clad material in which a clad layer is formed on one or both surfaces of a base material, and the middle plate (200) can be joined to the first housing (100) by brazing. In addition, the middle plate (200) may be formed in a form in which a portion corresponding to the first through hole (140) of the first housing (100) and an area adjacent to the first through hole (140) are cut and removed. For example, a pair of separating portions (210) may be formed in the middle plate (200), and the pair of separating portions (210) may be separated from each other and spaced apart, and the separating portions (210) may be arranged on both sides based on the first through hole (140) of the first housing (100).

[0049] Thus, in a state where a component such as a heat exchanger is assembled in the component mounting portion (120) formed on the other surface of the first housing (100), the heat exchanger can be coupled to the first housing (100) through the first through hole (140) using a fastening member (600) such as a bolt on one surface of the first housing (100). At this time, the middle plate (200) can have a separating portion (210) formed so that the fastening member (600) does not directly contact the middle plate (200) when fastening the fastening member (600). That is, since the head of the bolt, which is the fastening member (600), does not pressurize the middle plate (200) but presses the first housing (100), the middle plate (200) does not deform, thereby preventing refrigerant leakage.

[0050] In addition, a support portion may be formed on one surface of the first housing (100) at a position corresponding to the component mounting portion (120), and the support portion may be formed as a protrusion (130) on one surface of the first housing (100) at a position corresponding to the component mounting portion (120), and a first through hole (140) may be formed by penetrating the component mounting portion (120) and the protrusion (130). For example, the protrusion (130) may be formed in a form protruding from one surface of the first housing (100), and the thickness of the protrusion (130) may be formed to be greater than or equal to the thickness of the middle plate (200). Thus, the use of a tool such as a spanner or a socket wrench for fastening a fastening member such as a bolt may be facilitated by the protrusion (130), and the rigidity of the portion where the fastening member is coupled may be improved.

[0051] In addition, the separating portion (210) of the middle plate (200) is positioned adjacent to the protrusion (130) of the first housing (100), and the separating portion (210) may be formed to correspond to the shape of the protrusion (130). As an example, as illustrated, a concave portion may be formed in the protrusion (130), and the separating portion (210) may be positioned in the concave portion of the protrusion (130). Thus, when assembling the first housing (100) and the middle plate (200), the assembly position is determined, so that the assembly can be performed at an accurate position.

[0052] Additionally, the separation section (210) can cover the opening surface of some refrigerant channels (110) of the first housing (100) to form a refrigerant inlet / outlet path from a component fastened to the component mounting section (120) of the first housing (100).

[0053] The second housing (300) is a component that is combined with the middle plate (200) to form a refrigerant path through which refrigerant flows. A concave refrigerant channel (310) is formed on the other surface of the second housing (300), and the second housing (300) can be laminated on one surface of the middle plate (200) and joined by brazing. That is, the second housing (300) can be arranged on one side of the middle plate (200) and the first housing (100) can be arranged on the other side. In addition, a communication hole (220) that penetrates both surfaces can be formed in the middle plate (200). Thus, the second housing (300) can be used to form a more diverse refrigerant path. In addition, the second housing (300) is formed to correspond to a portion of the middle plate (200), so that a portion of one surface of the middle plate (200) can be exposed to the outside. In addition, a refrigerant port (360) connected to a refrigerant channel (310) can be formed in the second housing (300).

[0054] In addition, a plurality of component mounting portions (120) may be formed in the first housing (100), and for example, two component mounting portions (120) may be formed. A first heat exchanger (400) may be coupled to one component mounting portion (120), and a second heat exchanger (500) may be coupled to another component mounting portion (120). Here, looking at the portion where the first heat exchanger (400) is coupled to the first housing (100), the fastening member (600) is fastened to the first heat exchanger (400) by penetrating the middle plate (200) and the first housing (100) without the second housing (300).

[0055] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are a partial perspective view and a BB' cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second heat exchanger is coupled to a refrigerant manifold according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] As shown, when looking at the part where the second heat exchanger (500) is coupled to the first housing (100), a coupling portion (320) may be formed protrudingly on the opposite side of the second housing (300) facing the middle plate (200), and a second through hole (340) may be formed in the coupling portion (320). In addition, a middle plate (200) may be present at a position corresponding to the coupling portion (320) of the second housing (300), and an intermediate through hole (240) may be formed in the middle plate (200). Thus, the fastening member (600) can be fastened to the second heat exchanger (500) by penetrating the second through hole (340), the middle through hole (240), and the first through hole (140) formed in the joint portion (320) of the second housing (300), the middle plate (200), and the component mounting portion (120) of the first housing (100). For example, a slot may be formed to connect the middle through holes (240) of the middle plate (200), and both sides based on the slot may become separation portions (210).

[0057] Accordingly, in the part where the second housing (300) exists, by forming a joint portion (320) in the second housing (300), deformation of the middle plate (200) can be prevented even when pressurized by the fastening member (600). That is, although the fastening force of the fastening member (600) is directly applied to the component mounting portion (120) of the first housing (100) and the joint portion (320) of the second housing (300), and the middle plate (200) is pressed as a whole, deformation of the middle plate can be prevented because the fastening force does not locally pressurize the middle plate (200).

[0058] In addition, the separating portion (210) of the middle plate (200) may be formed so that the fastening member (600) passes through it, and the separating portion (210) may be formed so that the fastening member (600) does not directly contact the middle plate (200).

[0059] In addition, the refrigerant manifold of the present invention may have a region where the middle plate (200) is sandwiched between the first housing (100) and the second housing (300), and a region where the first housing (100) and the middle plate (200) are combined. The region where the middle plate (200) is sandwiched between the first housing (100) and the second housing (300) may be a region corresponding to the shape of the second housing (300), as shown in the hatched portion of FIG. 10. And the region where the first housing (100) and the middle plate (200) are combined may be a region corresponding to the shape of the middle plate (200), as shown in the hatched portion of FIG. 11.

[0060] In addition, the first housing (100) or the second housing (300) can be manufactured by forging and formed to have relatively high mechanical strength, and the middle plate (200) can be manufactured quickly and easily by press forming.

[0061] And the cooling module of the present invention may be configured to include a refrigerant manifold including a first housing (100) and a middle plate (200); a heat exchanger connected to a refrigerant channel of the refrigerant manifold; and a fastening member (600) that connects the refrigerant manifold and the heat exchanger. The refrigerant manifold may be configured only with the first housing (100) and the middle plate (200), and one or more heat exchangers may be provided. The fastening member (600) may be, for example, a bolt.

[0062] In addition, the cooling module of the present invention may be configured to include a refrigerant manifold including a first housing (100), a middle plate (200), and a second housing (300); a heat exchanger connected to a refrigerant channel of the refrigerant manifold; and a fastening member (600) that connects the refrigerant manifold and the heat exchanger. The refrigerant manifold may be configured to include the first housing (100), the middle plate (200), and the second housing (300), and one or more heat exchangers may be provided. Similarly, the fastening member (600) may be a bolt.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the scope of application is diverse. It goes without saying that anyone with ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims.

[0064] [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 100: first housing, 110: refrigerant channel, 120: component mounting part,

[0066] 130: protrusion, 140: first through hole, 150: valve receiving portion,

[0067] 160: refrigerant port, 200: middle plate, 210: separator,

[0068] 220: flue hole, 240: middle through hole, 300: second housing,

[0069] 310: refrigerant channel, 320: joint, 340: second through hole,

[0070] 360: refrigerant port, 400: first heat exchanger, 500: second heat exchanger,

[0071] 600: Fastening member

Claims

1. A first housing having a refrigerant channel formed therein and at least one component mounting portion formed to mount a component; and A middle plate is laminated on one side of the first housing and covers and blocks the opening of the refrigerant channel; The above first housing has a first through hole through which a fastening member for fastening the component passes at a position corresponding to the component mounting portion, and a support portion formed with which the fastening member comes into contact. A refrigerant manifold, characterized in that the above middle plate has a separation portion formed so that the fastening member does not directly contact the middle plate when the fastening member is fastened.

2. In paragraph 1, The above support part, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that a protrusion is formed on one side of the first housing at a position corresponding to the component mounting portion, and the first through-hole is formed by penetrating the protrusion.

3. In paragraph 2, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that the thickness of the protrusion is formed to be greater than the thickness of the middle plate.

4. In paragraph 2, A refrigerant manifold, characterized in that the portion of the middle plate adjacent to the protrusion is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the protrusion.

5. In paragraph 4, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that a concave portion is formed in the protrusion of the first housing and a separator is placed in the concave portion of the protrusion.

6. In paragraph 1, The above middle plate, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that it is formed in a form in which a portion corresponding to the first through-hole of the first housing or an area adjacent to the first through-hole is cut and removed.

7. In paragraph 1, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that the above separation member covers the opening surface of some refrigerant channels of the first housing to form a refrigerant inlet / outlet path from a component fastened to the component mounting member.

8. In paragraph 1, The above separator is provided in pairs, A pair of separators are separated and spaced from each other, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that a separator is arranged on both sides based on the first through-hole of the first housing.

9. In paragraph 1, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that the above middle plate is a clad material having a clad layer formed on at least one of both surfaces of the parent material.

10. In paragraph 1, A refrigerant manifold further comprising a second housing having refrigerant channels formed therein and laminated on one surface of the middle plate.

11. In paragraph 10, A plurality of component mounting portions are formed in the above first housing, At a position corresponding to one of the above-mentioned plurality of component mounting portions, a joining portion is formed protrudingly on the opposite side of the second housing facing the middle plate, A second through hole is formed through the joint portion of the second housing, an intermediate through hole is formed through the middle plate, and a first through hole is formed through the component mounting portion of the first housing. A refrigerant manifold, characterized in that the second through-hole, the middle through-hole, and the first through-hole are arranged at positions corresponding to each other.

12. In paragraph 11, A refrigerant manifold, characterized in that the separating portion of the middle plate is formed so that a fastening member penetrates therethrough, but the separating portion is formed so that the fastening member does not directly contact the middle plate.

13. In paragraph 10, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that there is a region in which a middle plate is sandwiched between the first housing and the second housing, and a region in which the first housing and the middle plate are combined.

14. In paragraph 10, The above first housing or second housing is formed by forging, A refrigerant manifold characterized in that the above middle plate is press-formed.

15. A refrigerant manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 9; A heat exchanger coupled to the component mounting portion of the first housing and connected to the refrigerant channel; and A cooling module including a fastening member that is fastened to a heat exchanger through the first through-hole of the first housing and combines the first housing and the heat exchanger.

16. A refrigerant manifold according to any one of clauses 10 to 13; A heat exchanger coupled to the component mounting portion of the first housing and connected to the refrigerant channel; and A cooling module including a fastening member that is fastened to the heat exchanger through the second through-hole, the middle through-hole and the first through-hole formed by penetrating the joint portion of the second housing, the middle plate and the component mounting portion of the first housing, thereby connecting the second housing, the middle plate, the first housing and the heat exchanger.

Images