Water outlet and cooling system

Abstract

In a water outlet (1) according to the present invention, cooling water flowing into a body section (10) is guided to a heater (HT) side via a second connection pipe (4) from a second opening (40) provided in a second ceiling section (15) that is lower than the vertical upper end of an inflow port (2) when in an on-vehicle state. As a result, bubbles included in the cooling water float toward a first ceiling section (14) side higher than the second ceiling section (15) and collect in the vicinity of the first ceiling section (14). In this way, the bubbles included in the cooling water are separated to the first ceiling section (14) side, and it is thereby possible to suppress a problem in which the bubbles included in the cooling water are guided from the second opening (40) to the heater (HT) side via the second connection pipe (4).

Description

Water outlet and cooling system

[0001] The present invention relates to a water outlet and a cooling system used in an internal combustion engine.

[0002] In a conventional water outlet, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1 below, a first connection pipe connected to a radiator, a second connection pipe connected to a heater, and a third connection pipe connected to an oil cooler are respectively connected to a main body portion into which cooling water flowing through the inside of an internal combustion engine flows, and the cooling water led from a cylinder head and an oil cooler into the main body portion is branched to the radiator and the heater.

[0003] In the conventional water outlet of the internal combustion engine, in the main body portion, the second opening to which the second connection pipe is connected is arranged vertically below the first opening to which the first connection pipe is connected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a problem that bubbles contained in the cooling water are led to the heater side through the second connection pipe from the second opening, resulting in the generation of abnormal noise.

[0004] However, due to layout restrictions around the internal combustion engine, for example, due to layout restrictions on component placement in the engine room of a vehicle equipped with the internal combustion engine, the position (space) of the conventional second connection pipe may be occupied by other components, and it may not be possible to arrange the second connection pipe below the first connection pipe as in the conventional case. Therefore, when the second connection pipe is arranged below the first connection pipe as in the conventional case, the above-mentioned other components need to be moved to another place, resulting in a decrease in layout performance, and there is still room for improvement.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-037919

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a water outlet for branching coolant flowing through the water jacket of an internal combustion engine to a radiator and a heater, comprising: a main body portion into which the coolant is collected; an inlet connected to the internal combustion engine, through which the coolant flowing through the water jacket flows toward the main body portion; a first connecting pipe connected to a first opening of the main body portion, which branches the coolant from the main body portion to the radiator side via the first opening; and a second connecting pipe connected to a second opening of the main body portion, which branches the coolant from the main body portion to the heater side via the second opening, wherein the main body portion, when mounted in a vehicle, has a first ceiling portion located at the vertical upper end; and a second ceiling portion projecting vertically downward in a stepped manner from the first ceiling portion and formed horizontally at a position lower than the vertical upper end of the inlet portion, and the second opening is provided in the second ceiling portion.

[0007] In this configuration, the cooling water that flows into the main body is guided to the heater side via a second connecting pipe through a second opening located in the second ceiling section, which is lower than the vertical upper end of the main body's inlet when the unit is installed in a vehicle. As a result, air bubbles contained in the cooling water rise to the first ceiling section, which is higher than the second ceiling section, and accumulate in the first ceiling section. By separating the air bubbles contained in the cooling water to the first ceiling section in this way, the problem of air bubbles being guided to the heater side via the second connecting pipe from the second opening can be suppressed.

[0008] This is a circuit diagram of the cooling water in a cooling system to which the present invention is applied. This is a perspective view of a water outlet to which the present invention is applied. This is a view taken from the direction of V1 in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 3. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 4. This is a view taken from the direction of V2 in Figure 2.

[0009] Embodiments of the water outlet and cooling system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, an example will be described in which the water outlet and cooling system according to the present invention is applied to an internal combustion engine for an automobile, similar to the conventional example described above.

[0010] (Configuration of the cooling system for the internal combustion engine) Figure 1 shows a circuit diagram of the cooling water in the cooling system for the internal combustion engine according to this embodiment.

[0011] In the cooling system for an internal combustion engine according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the engine body EG of the internal combustion engine is connected to a radiator RD, a heater HT, and an oil cooler OC via a first pipe L1, a second pipe L2, and a third pipe L3, which are connected to a water outlet 1 located on the side of the engine body EG (cylinder head not shown). Cooling water pressurized by a water pump WP is then guided to the engine body EG and the oil cooler OC, respectively. Cooling water that has passed through the inside of the engine body EG flows into the water outlet 1 via an inlet 2 (described later), and cooling water that has passed through the inside of the oil cooler OC flows into the water outlet 1 via the third pipe L3. The cooling water collected in the water outlet 1 is then distributed to the radiator RD and heater HT via the first pipe L1 and the second pipe L2, respectively.

[0012] (Water Outlet Configuration) Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the water outlet 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows a view taken from the direction of V1 in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a view taken from the direction of V2 in Figure 2.

[0013] Inside the engine body EG (see Figure 1) of the internal combustion engine, there is a water jacket (not shown) which serves as a well-known cooling water passage. Cooling water is supplied to this water jacket from an inlet (not shown) located at the inlet of the water jacket via a water pump WP (see Figure 1). The cooling water that has cooled the engine body EG (see Figure 1) by flowing through the water jacket (not shown) is then discharged from the engine body EG (see Figure 1) via a water outlet 1 located at the outlet of the water jacket (not shown).

[0014] The water outlet 1 branches the path of the coolant taken from the engine body EG (see Figure 1) and distributes it to various auxiliary equipment not shown. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 to 6, the water outlet 1 is integrally formed by molding a resin material and integrally includes a roughly cylindrical main body 10 into which the coolant collects, an inlet 2 for allowing the coolant flowing out of the engine body EG (see Figure 1) to flow into the main body 10, a first connecting pipe 3 connected to the radiator RD (see Figure 1) and guiding the coolant from the main body 10 to the radiator RD (see Figure 1), a second connecting pipe 4 connected to the heater HT (see Figure 1) and guiding the coolant from the main body 10 to the heater HT (see Figure 1), and a third connecting pipe 5 connected to the oil cooler OC (see Figure 1) and introducing coolant from the oil cooler OC (see Figure 1) to the main body 10. This water outlet 1 is fixed to the cylinder head of the engine body EG (see Figure 1) via a flange portion 12 provided on the exterior 10.

[0015] The main body portion 10 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, with one end in the depth direction (depth direction) extending away from the engine body EG (see Figure 1) opening to the outside through an inlet 2, and the other end facing the inlet 2 closed by an end wall 11. The main body portion 10 integrally has a flange portion 12 that expands in a flange shape on the outer peripheral edge of the inlet 2, and is attached to the cylinder head of the engine body EG (see Figure 1) via screws (not shown) that are inserted through a plurality (three in this embodiment) of screw through holes 13 provided in the flange portion 12. The flange portion 12 has a seal groove 16 that is continuously provided along the outer peripheral edge of the inlet 2, into which an annular sealing member (not shown) is fitted to create a liquid-tight seal between the inlet 2 and the cylinder head of the engine body EG (see Figure 1).

[0016] Furthermore, the main body 10, in a vehicle-mounted state as shown in Figure 3, for example, has a first ceiling portion 14 that is generally horizontal and extends in the depth direction along the vertical upper end of the inlet 2, and a second ceiling portion 15 that protrudes vertically downward in a stepped manner from the first ceiling portion 14 and is formed horizontally at a predetermined position lower than the vertical upper end 21 of the inlet 2. In this embodiment, the height H2 of the second ceiling portion 15 is set to a position lower than the vertical upper end of the first opening 30, which will be described later, in the vertical direction, and is approximately half the height H1 of the first ceiling portion 14. Also, the second ceiling portion 15 does not necessarily have to be horizontal; it is acceptable as long as it is shaped in a way that allows bubbles contained in the cooling water to be guided toward the first ceiling portion 14, for example, by sloping vertically diagonally upward toward the first ceiling portion 14.

[0017] The first connecting pipe 3 has a larger diameter than the second connecting pipe 4 and the third connecting pipe 5, and one end in the longitudinal direction faces into the main body 10 through a first opening 30 provided in the main body 10. The first opening 30 is located near the end wall 11 in the depth direction and opens horizontally perpendicular to the depth direction. The first connecting pipe 3 is connected to the radiator RD (see Figure 1) via a first pipe L1 (see Figure 1) connected to the other end in the longitudinal direction. As a result, coolant that has flowed through the inside of the engine body EG (see Figure 1) is supplied to the radiator RD (see Figure 1) via the first connecting pipe 3.

[0018] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, for example, the first connecting pipe 3 has one longitudinal end connected to the first opening 30 that extends linearly toward the vicinity of the end wall 11. The extension direction of the first connecting pipe 3 can be arbitrarily changed according to the coolant path, the layout of the radiator RD (see Figure 1), etc. In addition, a fourth connecting pipe may be connected to the first connecting pipe 3, for example, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, which is connected to a throttle chamber (not shown) and guides coolant from the main body 10 through the first connecting pipe 3 to the throttle chamber (not shown).

[0019] The second connecting pipe 4 has a smaller diameter than the first connecting pipe 3, and one end in the longitudinal direction faces into the main body 10 through a second opening 40 provided in the main body 10. The second opening 40 has a smaller circular shape than the first opening 30 and opens vertically upward in the second ceiling portion 15 near the inlet 2, which is on the opposite side of the end wall 11 in the depth direction. The second connecting pipe 4 is directed diagonally upward in the vertical direction and is connected to the heater HT (see Figure 1) via a second pipe L2 (see Figure 1) connected to its other end in the longitudinal direction. As a result, cooling water that has flowed through the inside of the engine body EG (see Figure 1) is supplied to the heater HT (see Figure 1) via the second connecting pipe 4.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, for example, the second connecting pipe 4 has one longitudinal end connected to the second opening 40 that extends linearly toward the vicinity of the inlet 2. The extension direction of the second connecting pipe 4 can be arbitrarily changed depending on the cooling water path, the layout of the heater HT (see Figure 1), etc.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, for example, the space S projected along the central axis Z of the second connecting pipe 4 facing the second opening 40 is configured to overlap entirely with the inlet 2 and pass inside the inlet 2. This makes it possible to remove the core (not shown) from which the first connecting pipe 3 is molded when the water outlet 1 is resin-molded, via the inlet 2.

[0022] The third connecting pipe 5 has a smaller diameter than the first connecting pipe 3 and the second connecting pipe 4, and one end in the longitudinal direction faces into the main body 10 through a third opening 50 provided in the main body 10. The third opening 50 has a smaller circular shape than the first opening 30 and the second opening 40, and opens vertically downward in the depth direction, near the end wall 11 and adjacent to the first opening 30. The third connecting pipe 5 is directed diagonally downward in the vertical direction and is connected to the oil cooler OC (see Figure 1) via a third pipe L3 (see Figure 1) connected to the other end in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the cooling water that has passed through the inside of the oil cooler OC (see Figure 1) is guided into the main body 10 via the third connecting pipe 5, where it merges with the cooling water that has flowed in from the engine body EG (see Figure 1) side, and is supplied to the radiator RD (see Figure 1) via the first connecting pipe 3 through the adjacent first opening 30 (see arrow F in Figure 5).

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, for example, the third connecting pipe 5 has one longitudinal end connected to the third opening 50 that extends linearly toward the vicinity of the end wall 11. The extension direction of the third connecting pipe 5 can be arbitrarily changed according to the cooling water path, the layout of the oil cooler OC (see Figure 1), etc. Also, the third connecting pipe 5 may be directly connected to the first connecting pipe 3 without directly opening into the main body 10, that is, without passing through the main body 10.

[0024] Thus, in the water outlet 1, when the projection surface of the inlet 2 of the main body 10 is divided into a first region A1, which is the region facing the first ceiling portion 14 in the vertical direction, and a second region A2, which is the region facing the second ceiling portion 15 in the vertical direction, the first opening 30 and the third opening 50 are located in the first region A1, and the second opening 40 is located in the second region A2.

[0025] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the water outlet 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that the cooling water flowing into the main body 10 is guided to the heater HT side via the second connecting pipe 4 from the second opening 40, which is located in the second ceiling portion 15, lower than the vertical upper end of the inlet 2 of the main body 10 when installed in a vehicle. As a result, air bubbles contained in the cooling water float to the first ceiling portion 14, which is higher than the second ceiling portion 15, and accumulate near the first ceiling portion 14. By separating the air bubbles contained in the cooling water to the first ceiling portion 14 in this way, the problem of air bubbles being guided to the heater HT side via the second connecting pipe 4 from the second opening 40 can be suppressed.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the second ceiling portion 15 is set at a lower position than the first opening 30, it is possible to guide air bubbles contained in the cooling water toward the first opening 30. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress the problem of air bubbles being guided from the second opening 40 to the heater HT side via the second connecting pipe 4.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second ceiling portion 15 is formed horizontally, and the water outlet 1 is formed by molding a resin material. This makes it possible to improve the productivity of the water outlet 1.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the space S projected along the central axis Z direction of the second connecting pipe 4, which extends linearly toward the inlet 2, is configured to pass inside the inlet 2 of the main body 10. Therefore, when resin molding the water outlet 1, the core (not shown) that forms the internal passage of the second connecting pipe 4 can be removed from the inlet 2. This simplifies and facilitates the resin molding of the water outlet 1, thereby improving the productivity of the water outlet 1.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third opening 50 is provided in the depth direction of the main body 10 near the end wall 11 of the main body 10 facing the inlet 2. This makes it possible to secure a relatively large distance from the second opening 40 which is provided close to the inlet 2. This makes it possible to suppress heater HT failures caused by the cooling water flowing in from the oil cooler OC side via the third connecting pipe 5, i.e., relatively low-temperature cooling water that does not flow inside the engine body EG, being guided to the heater HT side.

[0030] Furthermore, since the third opening 50 is directly open to the main body 10, it does not obstruct the flow of cooling water in the first connecting pipe 3, compared to the case where the third opening 50 is opened in the middle of the first connecting pipe 3, and ensures a smooth flow of cooling water in the water outlet 1.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third opening 50 is provided adjacent to the first opening 30 in the depth direction of the main body 10, near the end wall 11 opposite to the inlet 2. This makes it possible to guide the relatively low-temperature coolant flowing in from the third connecting pipe 5 to the radiator RD side via the first connecting pipe 3. This makes it possible to suppress heater HT failure caused by the relatively low-temperature coolant flowing in from the oil cooler OC side via the third connecting pipe 5 being guided to the heater HT side.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the first opening 30 and the third opening 50 are located in the first region A1 when viewed from the front of the inlet 2, the relatively low-temperature cooling water flowing in from the oil cooler OC side via the third connecting pipe 5 is more easily guided from the first opening 30 to the first connecting pipe 3. This makes it possible to suppress heater HT failure caused by the relatively low-temperature cooling water flowing in from the oil cooler OC side via the third connecting pipe 5 being guided to the heater HT side.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the configuration illustrated in the above embodiments, and the relative positional relationship of the inlet 2, the first connecting pipe 3, the second connecting pipe 4, and the third connecting pipe 5 in the main body 10, as well as the specific shapes of the main body 10, the first connecting pipe 3, the second connecting pipe 4, and the third connecting pipe 5, can be freely changed according to the specifications of the internal combustion engine to which the water outlet 1 is applied.

Claims

1. A water outlet for branching coolant that has flowed through the water jacket of an internal combustion engine to a radiator and a heater, comprising: a main body portion into which the coolant is collected; an inlet connected to the internal combustion engine, through which the coolant that has flowed through the water jacket flows toward the main body portion; a first connecting pipe connected to a first opening formed in the main body portion, which branches the coolant from the main body portion to the radiator side via the first opening; and a second connecting pipe connected to a second opening formed in the main body portion, which branches the coolant from the main body portion to the heater side via the second opening, wherein the main body portion, when mounted in a vehicle, has a first ceiling portion located at the vertical upper end, and a second ceiling portion that protrudes vertically downward in a stepped manner from the first ceiling portion and is formed horizontally at a position lower than the vertical upper end of the inlet portion, and the second opening is provided in the second ceiling portion.

2. A water outlet according to claim 1, wherein the second ceiling portion is set at a position lower than the vertical upper end of the first opening.

3. A water outlet according to claim 2, wherein the main body, the first connecting pipe, and the second connecting pipe are integrally formed by molding a resin material.

4. A water outlet according to claim 3, wherein the second connecting pipe has one end connected to the second opening that extends linearly toward the inlet, and the space projected along the direction of the central axis of the second connecting pipe facing the second opening passes inside the inlet.

5. A water outlet according to claim 4, further comprising a third connecting pipe connected to a third opening formed in the main body, through which the cooling water flows from the oil cooler side to the main body, wherein the third opening is provided near the end wall of the main body opposite to the inlet.

6. A water outlet according to claim 5, wherein the first opening is located near the end wall, and the third opening is located adjacent to the first opening.

7. A water outlet according to claim 6, wherein, in a front view of the inlet, when the projected surface of the inlet is divided into a first region, which is the region facing the first ceiling in the vertical direction, and a second region, which is the region facing the second ceiling in the vertical direction, the first opening and the third opening are located in the first region, and the second opening is located in the second region.

8. A cooling system for a vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine, a radiator, a heater, and a water outlet as described in claim 1, further comprising a first pipe connecting the first connecting pipe to the radiator, and a second pipe connecting the second connecting pipe to the heater.

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