Manifold and method for manufacturing manifold

Abstract

This manifold includes a first joined body formed on a resin first member, and a second joined body formed on a resin second member. Joining surfaces of the first joined body and the second joined body are integrated by heat welding, and a flow passage space is formed between the integrated first member and the second member. At a position adjacent to the welded face of the first joined body and the second joined body, a projecting part extending from at least one of the first joined body and the second joined body toward the other is integrally formed.

Description

Manifold and method for manufacturing the manifold

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to manifolds and methods of manufacturing manifolds.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a retainer that holds a case and an instrument panel to which the retainer is attached are joined together by infrared welding. The infrared welding is performed in such a manner that the welding end surface (120c) of the rib (120b) of the retainer (referred to as 120 in the document, and the same reference numeral hereinafter) and the welding end surface (131d) of the rib (131c) of the panel base material (131) are parallel to each other and face each other, and the facing direction coincides with the direction of pressure applied by the relative movement of the retainer (120) and the panel base material (131) when they are assembled.

[0003] JP 2018-167820 A

[0004] When thermoplastic resins are heat-sealed, a pair of opposing joining surfaces is heated and melted, then brought into contact with each other and bonded together by applying pressure. This process results in a temperature distribution in which the temperature at the outer edges of the pair of opposing joining surfaces is lower than that at the center.

[0005] Because of this temperature distribution, when a pair of heated joining surfaces are pressed together, the amount of resin at the outer edges that melts and becomes one tends to be less than that at the center, and the lack of molten resin can lead to insufficient strength at the outer edges. If there is an area of ​​insufficient strength at the joint, the stress acting on the insufficient area increases, which can lead to fracture.

[0006] In other words, while a sufficient amount of molten resin reaches a state of mixing at the center of the welded surface, the amount of molten resin at the outer edge of the welded surface is less than at the center, resulting in insufficient mixing and insufficient strength. As such, in a manifold where two components are joined by heat welding, there is concern that the heat-welded area may break.

[0007] For these reasons, there is a demand for a manifold in which two members are firmly joined by heat welding, and a method for manufacturing a manifold in which two members are firmly joined by heat welding.

[0008] A characteristic configuration of the manifold according to the present disclosure is a manifold having a first bonding body formed on a first member made of resin and a second bonding body formed on a second member made of resin, the bonding surfaces of the first bonding body and the second bonding body being integrated by thermal welding, a flow path space being formed between the integrated first member and the second member, and a convex portion extending from at least one of the first bonding body and the second bonding body toward the other is integrally formed at a position adjacent to the welding surfaces of the first bonding body and the second bonding body.

[0009] According to this configuration, when the first and second joining bodies are thermally welded, the convex portions suppress the flow of molten resin from the center of the welding surfaces in the direction where the convex portions are formed, thereby increasing the amount of resin used for welding even at positions away from the center of the welding surfaces. Furthermore, because the convex portions suppress the flow of molten resin in this manner, it is also possible to increase the amount of molten resin flowing from the center of the welding surfaces in the direction where the convex portions are not formed, thereby also realizing an increase in the amount of resin used for welding. Thus, a manifold was constructed in which two members were firmly joined by thermal welding.

[0010] Furthermore, the manifold manufacturing method according to the present disclosure is the above-described manifold manufacturing method, and further includes: a heating step of heating the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface to a melting temperature by irradiating them with infrared rays while blocking the infrared rays acting on the convex portions; and a welding step of welding the first bonding body and the second bonding body together by pressing the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface together after the heating step.

[0011] According to this configuration, in the heating step, the first and second joining surfaces are heated to a melting temperature by infrared rays while the protrusions are not melted by infrared rays. Then, in the welding step, the first and second joining surfaces are pressure-welded together. This pressure welding causes the molten resin to mix between the first and second joining surfaces, resulting in a welded state. Furthermore, when the first and second joining bodies are thermally welded together during this pressure welding, the protrusions suppress the flow of molten resin from the center of the welding surfaces toward the protrusions, thereby increasing the amount of resin used for welding even at positions away from the center of the welding surfaces. Furthermore, because the flow of molten resin is suppressed by the protrusions, the amount of molten resin that flows from the center of the welding surfaces toward the non-protrusions can also be increased, thereby increasing the amount of resin used for welding. Thus, a method for manufacturing a manifold that firmly joins two members by thermal welding has been constructed.

[0012] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a manifold; 2 is a bottom view of an upper housing showing the lower opening; 3 is a plan view of a lower housing showing the upper opening; 4 is a cross-sectional view of a manifold; 5 is a cross-sectional view of an upper housing and a lower housing separated from each other; 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heating step of an upper joining surface and a lower joining surface; 7 is a cross-sectional view of a welding step of an upper joining surface and a lower joining surface; 8 is a cross-sectional view of a heating step of another embodiment (a); 9 is a cross-sectional view of a welding step of another embodiment (a); 10 is a cross-sectional view of a heating step of another embodiment (b); 11 is a cross-sectional view of a welding step of another embodiment (b).

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a manifold according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a manifold for controlling the flow of cooling water in a vehicle is shown as an example of a manifold. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Basic Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a manifold M is configured that includes a plurality of cylindrical ports 1, a pair of valves 2, and a pair of pumps 3, and that defines a plurality of flow path spaces LS (see FIGS. 2 to 4) through which a fluid flows.

[0015] The manifold M controls coolant (hereinafter also referred to as "fluid") as a cooling medium that flows between objects to be cooled (not shown), such as a battery, inverter, and traction motor, mounted on an electric vehicle, and a heat dissipation unit (not shown), such as a radiator or chiller. Note that the coolant used may be a long-life coolant (LLC) containing ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or the like.

[0016] In this manifold M, a pair of valves 2 and a pair of pumps 3 are independently controlled based on signals from sensors such as a battery temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature of the battery and a fluid temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature of the fluid. Through this control, a cooling target is selected and cooling water is supplied, and the flow rate of cooling water to the target is set.

[0017] Examples of electric vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

[0018] [Manifold] The manifold M is provided on the electric vehicle in the position shown in Fig. 1. In the following description, the vertical positional relationship will be described based on this position. Furthermore, the left and right ends in the position shown in Fig. 1 may be described as both ends.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the manifold M has a lower opening 10S of an upper housing 10 (an example of a first member) made of a thermoplastic resin and an upper opening 20S of a lower housing 20 (an example of a second member) made of the same thermoplastic resin material as the upper housing 10, which are integrated by thermal welding to form multiple flow path spaces LS inside.

[0020] The upper housing 10 (first member) and the lower housing 20 (second member) are molded products made of glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin. The fibers used for reinforcement are not limited to glass fiber, and high-strength fibers such as carbon fiber may also be used. Thermal welding will be described later.

[0021] The pump 3 of the manifold M is a unit that combines a pump motor and an impeller driven by the pump motor, and is inserted into holes at both ends of the upper housing 10 and is connected and fixed to the upper housing 10 by flanges 4.

[0022] The pair of valves 2 are configured by accommodating a rotary type valve body 6 in a cylindrical wall portion 12 on the top surface of an upper housing 10 and by including a valve driver 7 that controls the rotational attitude of the valve body 6 .

[0023] The pair of valves 2 controls the supply and discharge of cooling water between the plurality of flow path spaces LS and the plurality of cylindrical ports 1 by rotating the valve bodies 6 about the vertical valve axis X.

[0024] [Upper Housing] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper housing 10 is rectangular in plan view, and has a vertical wall portion 11 formed in an area surrounding the outer periphery. A plurality of cylindrical ports 1 protrude outward in a horizontal position so as to penetrate this vertical wall portion 11.

[0025] 1 and 2, the upper housing 10 has a cylindrical wall portion 12 formed around the valve axis X, and a bottom plate 13 formed integrally with the lower end of the cylindrical wall portion 12. The bottom plate 13 has an annular portion 14 on the bottom surface side that is coaxial with the valve axis X.

[0026] The upper housing 10 has a plurality of partition walls 15 that connect the vertical wall 11 and the cylindrical wall 12 to form a plurality of flow path spaces LS between the vertical wall 11 and the cylindrical wall 12. The valve body 6 is inserted from above and abuts against the bottom plate 13 to determine the lower end position of the cylindrical wall 12.

[0027] 2 and 5 , in the lower opening 10S of the upper housing 10, an upper joint surface 10T (an example of a first joint surface) is formed at the lower ends of the vertical wall portion 11, the tubular wall portion 12, the annular portion 14, and the partition wall portion 15. This upper joint surface 10T (first joint surface) is disposed on a single plane. In the following description, the vertical wall portion 11, the tubular wall portion 12, the annular portion 14, and the partition wall portion 15 may be collectively referred to as a wall body W (an example of a first joint body) (see FIG. 6 ).

[0028] In the upper joining surface 10T, the vertical wall portion 11, the tubular wall portion 12, the annular portion 14, and the partition wall portion 15 are each formed to have the same width T. The direction along this width T is sometimes referred to as the width direction.

[0029] [Lower Housing] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the lower housing 20 is rectangular in plan view, and includes a vertical rib 21 surrounding the outer periphery and a bottom wall 26 that are integrally formed.

[0030] The lower housing 20 has a cylindrical rib 22, an annular rib 24, and multiple partition ribs 25 that protrude upward from the bottom wall 26 at positions facing the cylindrical wall portion 12, annular portion 14, and multiple partition portions 15 of the upper housing 10, respectively.

[0031] 5 and 6 , in the upper opening 20S of the lower housing 20, a lower joint surface 20T (an example of a second joint surface) is formed at the upper ends of the vertical wall rib 21, the tubular rib 22, the annular rib 24, and the partition wall rib 25. This lower joint surface 20T (the second joint surface) is disposed on a single plane. In the following description, the vertical wall rib 21, the tubular rib 22, the annular rib 24, and the partition wall rib 25 may be collectively referred to as a rib R (an example of a second joint body).

[0032] Furthermore, the lower joint surface 20T is formed such that the vertical wall rib 21, the tubular rib 22, the annular rib 24, and the partition wall rib 25 each have the same width T. The direction along this width T is sometimes referred to as the width direction. In particular, the width T of the lower joint surface 20T and the width T of the upper joint surface 10T are set to the same width value.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the boundary portion where the upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T are thermally welded together may be referred to as a welded surface MT (see FIG. 7).

[0034] [Welding Method] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this manifold M, the upper joint surface 10T exposed at the lower opening 10S of the upper housing 10 is heated, the lower joint surface 20T exposed at the upper opening 20S of the lower housing 20 is heated, and these are then overlapped and pressurized to thermally weld the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 20 together into a single unit.

[0035] In this thermal welding, the width T of the upper joining surface 10T and the width T of the lower joining surface 20T are completely overlapped as shown in Fig. 6. In other words, the center of the width of the upper joining surface 10T and the center of the width of the lower joining surface 20T are aligned.

[0036] To ensure reliable welding, an unmelted protrusion 30 is provided near the welding surface MT. This protrusion 30 is formed in a position that rises from the welding surface MT at a position that is continuous with at least one of the lower joining surface 20T and the upper joining surface 10T before welding is performed.

[0037] The protrusion 30 is integrally formed with the rib R at a position continuous with the lower joint surface 20T of the rib R, and has a vertical surface 30a that protrudes upward from the lower joint surface 20T. Furthermore, a wall side surface Wa is formed on the side surface of the wall body W (first joint body) corresponding to the protrusion 30, in a position that follows the vertical surface 30a of the protrusion 30.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, protrusions 30 are formed partially (in the areas indicated by the two-dot chain lines) along the vertical wall rib 21, the cylindrical rib 22, the annular rib 24, and the partition wall rib 25.

[0039] 6, in the heating step, a mask 34 serving as a jig is placed in a position that blocks infrared rays from an infrared heater 35 so as to prevent the protrusions 30 from melting. The mask 34 may be made of a ceramic material or the like that has excellent heat resistance.

[0040] In the heating step, with the mask 34 in place, the upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T are heated by irradiating them with infrared rays from the infrared heater 35. After it is confirmed that the upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T have exceeded the melting temperature of the resin through this heating, the infrared heater 35 and the mask 34 are separated, and in the welding step, the upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T are pressed together with an appropriate pressure.

[0041] When the temperature distribution of the upper and lower joining surfaces 10T and 20T irradiated with infrared light is observed, the temperature is highest at the center in the width direction and lowest at the outer edges in the width direction. For this reason, when the upper and lower joining surfaces 10T and 20T are pressed together, a sufficient amount of molten resin mixes at the center in the width direction of each joining surface, resulting in good welding.

[0042] In contrast, the amount of molten resin (hereinafter sometimes referred to as molten resin) at the outer widthwise end positions of the upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T is less than at the central widthwise position, so there is less mixing of the resin compared to the central widthwise position, which can result in insufficient strength after welding.

[0043] In order to solve this problem, the above-mentioned protrusion 30 is formed at a position of the rib R that is continuous with the lower joining surface 20T.

[0044] In the welding step, the heated upper and lower joining surfaces 10T and 20T are pressed together as shown in Fig. 7. In this welding step, when the heated upper and lower joining surfaces 10T and 20T are pressed together, a force is applied by the pressure to cause the molten resin to flow from the center in the width direction to the outside in the width direction.

[0045] Since the manifold M is provided with the convex portions 30, the molten resin that flows from the center of the width direction of the welding surface MT in a direction approaching the convex portions 30 decreases in flow velocity upon contact with the vertical surfaces 30a of the convex portions 30 and accumulates near the convex portions 30. Due to this accumulation, a sufficient amount of molten resin for joining mixes in the region closer to the convex portions 30 than the center of the width direction of the welding surface MT, thereby achieving strong welding.

[0046] Furthermore, although some of the molten resin that comes into contact with the vertical surface 30a flows through the gap between it and the wall side surface Wa, the resin flowing through this gap is subjected to a large resistance, so that the retention state is not impaired, and when the resin reaches the upper end of the gap, a flash portion 31 is formed at the upper end of the gap.

[0047] Furthermore, the molten resin that comes into contact with the vertical surface 30a of the protrusion 30 accumulates, increasing the amount of molten resin that flows from the center of the welding surface MT to the area where the protrusion 30 is not located. As a result, the amount of molten resin increases in the area of ​​the welding surface MT where the protrusion 30 is not located, and a sufficient amount of molten resin mixes together to achieve strong welding.

[0048] In addition, part of the molten resin that flows in a direction away from the protrusion 30 along the surface on which the welding surface MT is formed flows out to the outside, forming a flash portion 31 outside the welding surface MT.

[0049] [Effects of the embodiment] In this way, simply by forming the protrusions 30 at positions adjacent to the welding surfaces MT where the two members, the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 20, are joined by thermal welding, a sufficient amount of molten resin is supplied to the welding surfaces, thereby achieving strong thermal welding of the two members. As a result, it is possible to manufacture a highly durable manifold M with strong thermal welding.

[0050] Furthermore, since the convex portion 30 is not melted when the upper joint surface 10T and the lower joint surface 20T are pressed together in the welding step, it is possible to use the convex portion 30 as a guide, for example, by bringing the vertical surface 30a of the convex portion 30 into contact with the wall side surface Wa of the upper housing 10 (wall body W), thereby achieving high-precision alignment.

[0051] Other Embodiments The present disclosure may be configured as follows in addition to the above-described embodiments (common numbers and symbols are used to denote components having the same functions as those in the embodiments).

[0052] (a) As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the upper bonding surface 10T (first bonding surface) of the wall body W (first bonding body) is formed into a shape in which the center in the width direction is protruding in a semicircular shape, and the lower bonding surface 20T (second bonding surface) of the rib R (second bonding body) is formed into a concave shape in which the center in the width direction is recessed in a semicircular shape. In this configuration, the radius of the upper bonding surface 10T and the radius of the lower bonding surface 20T are set to be equal. Also, in this configuration, the width T of the upper bonding surface 10T and the width T of the lower bonding surface 20T are set to be equal.

[0053] Convex portions 30 are formed on both widthwise ends of the lower joining surface 20T (second joining surface) so as to rise upward and follow the outer surface of the wall body W. Each of the pair of convex portions 30 is formed at a position continuous with the lower joining surface 20T. In this alternative embodiment (a), the pair of convex portions 30 are formed so as to rise relative to the welding surface in the center of the lower joining surface 20T.

[0054] In this alternative embodiment (a), in the heating step shown in Fig. 8, a pair of masks 34 as jigs are arranged in positions that block infrared rays from an infrared heater 35 so as to prevent the convex portion 30 from melting. After it is confirmed that the upper and lower joining surfaces 10T and 20T have exceeded their melting temperatures in this heating step, the upper and lower joining surfaces 10T and 20T are pressed together with an appropriate pressure in the welding step as shown in Fig. 9.

[0055] In the welding step, since the protrusion 30 is provided, when the heated upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T are pressed together, the pressure acts to cause the molten resin to flow from the center in the width direction to the outside in the width direction.

[0056] The molten resin flowing in this manner flows from the center of the width of the welding surface MT in a direction approaching the convex portion 30, and as it comes into contact with the convex portion 30, the flow rate decreases and it becomes stagnant near the convex portion 30, and a sufficient amount of molten resin mixes in the area closer to the convex portion 30 than the center of the width of the welding surface MT, thereby achieving a strong weld.

[0057] Furthermore, part of the molten resin that comes into contact with the protrusion 30 flows through the gap between the protrusion 30 and the wall side surface Wa, and flows out from the upper end of this gap, forming a flash portion 31 outside the welding surface MT.

[0058] (b) As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper joining surface 10T (first joining surface) of the wall body W (first joining body) is formed flat, and the lower joining surface 20T (second joining surface) of the rib R (second joining body) is formed flat at the bottom of the concave structure.

[0059] As a result, convex portions 30 are formed on both widthwise ends of the lower joint surface 20T (second joint surface) so as to protrude upward and follow the wall side surface Wa of the wall body W. The vertical surfaces 30a of the pair of convex portions 30 are formed at positions that are continuous with the lower joint surface 20T.

[0060] In this alternative embodiment (b), in the heating step shown in Fig. 10 , a pair of masks 34 as jigs are arranged in positions that block infrared rays from the infrared heater 35 so as to prevent the convex portion 30 from melting. After it is confirmed that the upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T have exceeded their melting temperatures in this heating step, the upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T are pressed against each other with an appropriate pressure in the welding step shown in Fig. 11 .

[0061] In the welding step, since the welding surface MT has convex portions 30 on both ends in the width direction, when the heated upper joining surface 10T and the lower joining surface 20T are pressed together, the pressure acts to cause the molten resin to flow from the center in the width direction outward in the width direction.

[0062] Of the molten resin flowing in this manner, that which flows from the center of the width of the welding surface MT in a direction approaching the convex portion 30 slows down when it comes into contact with the convex portion 30 and becomes stagnant near the convex portion 30, and a sufficient amount of molten resin mixes in the area closer to the convex portion 30 than the center of the width of the welding surface MT, thereby achieving a strong weld.

[0063] Furthermore, some of the molten resin that comes into contact with the protrusion 30 flows through the gap between the vertical surface 30a of the protrusion 30 and the wall side surface Wa, and flows out from the upper end of this gap, forming a flash portion 31 outside the welding surface MT.

[0064] (c) In the configurations of the above-described embodiment, alternative embodiment (a), and alternative embodiment (b), the positional relationship between the rib R and the wall body W can also be reversed upside down.

[0065] (d) The wall W (first joining body) and the rib R (second joining body) each have a protrusion 30. In a specific example of this configuration, the wall W (first joining body) has a protrusion 30 on one side in the width direction, and the rib R (second joining body) has a protrusion 30 on the other side in the width direction. Even with this configuration, the flow of molten resin is restricted by the protrusion 30 on the wall W (first joining body) and the protrusion 30 on the rib R (second joining body), respectively, thereby ensuring strong joining.

[0066] (e) The protrusions 30 do not need to be formed along the entire area where the vertical wall ribs 21, tubular ribs 22, annular ribs 24, and partition wall ribs 25 that constitute the lower housing 20 are formed, and may be formed at set intervals in some areas. Similarly, the protrusions 30 may be formed at set intervals in some areas along the vertical wall portions 11, tubular wall portions 12, annular portions 14, and partition wall portions 15 that constitute the upper housing 10.

[0067] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of not departing from the purpose of the present disclosure.

[0068] The above-described embodiment contemplates the following configuration: (1) A manifold M includes a first joint body (wall W) formed on a first member (upper housing 10) made of resin and a second joint body (rib R) formed on a second member (lower housing 20) made of resin, the joint surfaces of the first joint body (wall W) and the second joint body (rib R) being integrated by thermal welding, and a flow path space LS being formed between the integrated first member (upper housing 10) and second member (lower housing 20), and a protrusion 30 extending from at least one of the first joint body (wall W) and the second joint body (rib R) toward the other is integrally formed in a position adjacent to the welding surface MT of the first joint body (wall W) and the second joint body (rib R).

[0069] According to this, when the first joining body (wall W) and the second joining body (rib R) are thermally welded together, unmolten protrusions 30 are provided adjacent to the welding surfaces MT of the first joining body (wall W) and the second joining body (rib R), extending from at least one of them toward the other. With this configuration, when the first joining body (wall W) and the second joining body (rib R) are thermally welded together, the protrusions 30 suppress the flow of molten resin from the center to the outer edge of the welding surface MT, thereby suppressing the disadvantage of the amount of resin used for welding decreasing at the outer edge of the welding surface MT. As a result, a strong connection is achieved across the entire welding surface MT.

[0070] (2) In the manifold M of (1), it is preferable that the protrusion 30 is positioned outside the welding surface MT.

[0071] As a result, when the first joint (wall W) and the second joint (rib R) are thermally welded together, the convex portion 30 at the outer end of the flow of molten resin suppresses the flow of molten resin from the center to the outer edge of the welding surface MT, enabling strong welding.

[0072] (3) In the manifold M of (1), it is preferable that the protrusion 30 is formed so as to be continuous with the welding surface MT.

[0073] As a result, when the first joining body (wall W) and the second joining body (rib R) are thermally welded together, the convex portion 30 at a position connected to the welding surface MT suppresses the flow of molten resin on the welding surface MT, thereby achieving a strong welding.

[0074] (4) In the manifold M of (1), the convex portion 30 is preferably arranged at the widthwise end of the welding surface MT of one of the first joint body (wall W) and the second joint body (rib R), and has a vertical surface 30a rising from the welding surface MT at a portion connected to the welding surface MT, and the other of the first joint body (wall W) and the second joint body (rib R) preferably has a wall side surface Wa facing the vertical surface 30a.

[0075] According to this, when molten resin flows toward the protrusion 30 on the welding surface MT formed between the first joining body (wall W) and the second joining body (rib R) during welding of the welding surface MT, the resin comes into contact with the vertical surface 30a of the protrusion 30 and remains between the first joining body (wall W) and the second joining body (rib R), ensuring reliable joining. Furthermore, even if a gap is formed between the vertical surface 30a and the opposing wall side surface Wa, a large resistance acts on the resin flowing into this gap, suppressing the outflow of the resin and preventing a decrease in the amount of molten resin remaining.

[0076] (5) In the manifold M of (1) to (4), it is preferable that a flash portion 31 is formed where molten resin flows out from the end of the welding surface MT in the width direction where the convex portion 30 is not located.

[0077] According to this, the molten resin on the welding surface MT flows out from the end, and the flow of the molten resin is regulated by the convex portion 30, and since a burr portion 31 is formed on the opposite side of the position where this convex portion 30 is located, it can be confirmed that the molten resin has flowed up to the end of the welding surface MT in the width direction.

[0078] (6) In the method for manufacturing the manifold M of any one of (1) to (5), it is preferable to include a heating step of heating the first joint surface (upper joint surface 10T) of the first member (upper housing 10) and the second joint surface (lower joint surface 20T) of the second member (lower housing 20) to a melting temperature by irradiating infrared rays while blocking the infrared rays acting on the convex portion 30, and a welding step of welding the first member (upper housing 10) and the second member (lower housing 20) together by pressing the first joint surface (upper joint surface 10T) and the second joint surface (lower joint surface 20T) together after the heating step.

[0079] According to this, in the heating step, the first joining surface (upper joining surface 10T) and the second joining surface (lower joining surface 20T) are heated to the melting temperature without melting the convex portion 30, and in the welding step, the first joining surface (upper joining surface 10T) of the first member (upper housing 10) and the second joining surface (lower joining surface 20T) of the second member (lower housing 20) are pressed together, thereby enabling a reliable joining in a state where the convex portion 30 retains the molten resin.

[0080] The present disclosure may be utilized in manifolds and methods of manufacturing manifolds.

[0081] 10: Upper housing (first member), 10T: Upper joint surface (first joint surface), 20: Lower housing (second member), 20T: Lower welding surface (second joint surface), 30: Convex portion, 30a: Vertical surface, 31: Flash portion, LS: Flow path space, M: Manifold, MT: Welding surface, R: Rib (second joint body), W: Wall body (first joint body), Wa: Wall side surface

Claims

1. A manifold having a first joint formed on a first resin member and a second joint formed on a second resin member, wherein the joint surfaces of the first joint and the second joint are integrally formed by heat welding, and a flow path space is formed between the integrated first member and the second member, the manifold being characterized in that at a position adjacent to the welding surfaces of the first joint and the second joint, a convex portion extending from at least one of the first joint and the second joint toward the other is integrally formed.

2. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is located outside the welding surface.

3. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is formed continuously with the welding surface.

4. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is disposed at an end in the width direction of the welding surface of one of the first joint and the second joint, and has a vertical surface rising from the welding surface at a portion continuous with the welding surface, and the other of the first joint and the second joint has a wall side surface facing the vertical surface.

5. The manifold according to claim 4, wherein a burr portion is formed where the molten resin flows out to the outside from an end of the welding surface in the width direction where the convex portion is not disposed.

6. A method for manufacturing a manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the method including a heating step of heating the first joint surface of the first member and the second joint surface of the second member to a melting temperature by irradiating infrared rays in a state where the infrared rays acting on the convex portion are blocked, and a welding step of welding the first member and the second member by pressing the first joint surface and the second joint surface after the heating step.

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