Cooling structure and cooler

Abstract

This cooling structure includes: a heat exchange unit which has a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and which exchanges heat with an object to be cooled that is in contact with an outer surface; a pair of tube bodies which are joined to the heat exchange unit to protrude in mutually opposite directions from the heat exchange unit, form a communication passage communicating with the refrigerant passage, and have flat outer peripheral surfaces; cap members which are movable in an axial direction of the tube bodies and include tubular portions into which end portions of the tube bodies in a protruding direction are inserted, closing portions that close the end portions of the tubular portions, and seal portions that are provided on inner peripheral surfaces of the tubular portions to come into contact with outer peripheral surfaces of the tube bodies and seal a gap between the tube bodies and the tubular portions; an outlet / inlet portion which is provided in one of a pair of the cap members to allow the refrigerant to enter and exit the communication passage; and a receiving portion which is disposed in a moving direction of the cap members to come into contact with the cap members and receive a refrigerant pressure.

Description

Cooling structure and cooler

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling structure and a cooler.

[0002] In Japanese Patent No. 6923664, a tubular body having a barbed shape is joined to a cooling plate.

[0003] By the way, in Japanese Patent No. 6923664, for connection to another pipe, the tubular body joined to the cooling plate is formed in a barbed shape.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for simplifying the processing of components joined to a heat exchange portion.

[0005] A cooling structure according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows, a heat exchange portion that exchanges heat with a cooling object in contact with an outer surface, and a pair of tubular bodies that are joined to the heat exchange portion and project from the heat exchange portion in opposite directions to each other, form a communication passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and have a flat outer peripheral surface, a cylindrical portion into which an end portion in the protruding direction of the tubular body is inserted, a closing portion that closes an end portion of the cylindrical portion, and a sealing portion provided on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and contacting an outer peripheral surface of the tubular body to seal between the tubular body and the cylindrical portion, a cap member movable in an axial direction of the tubular body, an inlet / outlet portion provided in one of the pair of cap members to allow the refrigerant to enter and exit the communication passage, and a receiving portion arranged in a moving direction of the cap member and contacting the cap member to receive a refrigerant pressure.

[0006] A cooler in another aspect of the present disclosure includes a heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and performing heat exchange with an object to be cooled in contact with its outer surface; a pair of tubular bodies joined to the heat exchange section and projecting from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a connecting passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface; a cylindrical portion into which the ends of the tubular bodies in the projection direction are inserted; a closing portion that closes the ends of the cylindrical portion; a sealing portion provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion and in contact with the outer surface of the tubular body to seal the space between the tubular body and the cylindrical portion; a cap member movable in the axial direction of the tubular body; and an inlet / outlet portion provided on one of the pair of cap members for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the connecting passage, wherein the cap member is in contact with a receiving portion arranged in the direction of movement of the cap member to receive refrigerant pressure.

[0007] As described above, this disclosure makes it possible to simplify the processing of components joined to the heat exchange section.

[0008] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery case to which a cooling structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by arrow 2X in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of a cooling plate constituting the cooling structure. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a tubular body constituting the cooling structure. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a flexible tube constituting the cooling structure. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cap member having an inlet / outlet portion constituting the cooling structure. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cap member constituting the cooling structure. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the battery case showing the state before refrigerant is flowed through the cooler constituting the cooling structure. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the battery case showing the state after refrigerant is flowed through the cooler constituting the cooling structure. Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a battery case showing a modified cooling structure (an enlarged view corresponding to Figure 2). Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a battery case showing a modified cooling structure (an enlarged view corresponding to Figure 2).

[0009] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are considered to be the same or similar components. In the embodiments described below, descriptions and reference numerals that are repeated may be omitted. Furthermore, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to reality. Also, the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element do not necessarily correspond between multiple drawings.

[0010] <Cooling Structure 20> Figures 1 to 9 show a cooling structure 20 and a cooler 22 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] The cooling structure 20 according to this embodiment is a structure for cooling an object to be cooled. In this embodiment, the object to be cooled is a battery B mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The object to be cooled is not particularly limited as long as it is an object that requires cooling (such as a heat-generating element).

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling structure 20 is applied to the battery case 100 that houses the battery B. The battery B in this embodiment is composed of a plurality of cylindrical battery cells S. The battery case 100 in this embodiment is located, for example, under the floor of the vehicle. However, the battery case 100 is not limited to being under the floor. For example, it may be located under the seat or under the cargo area.

[0013] The cooling structure 20 comprises a cooler 22 and receiving parts 24 and 26.

[0014] The cooler 22 comprises a heat exchange section 30, a pair of pipes 50, 52, a pair of cap members 60, 70, and an inlet / outlet section 80.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heat exchange section 30 is a part of the cooler 22 that has a refrigerant passage 32 through which the refrigerant R flows and performs heat exchange with the battery B which is in contact with the outer surface. This heat exchange section 30 comprises a plurality of cooling plates 34 and connecting pipes 40.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling plate 34 is a plate-shaped member having a refrigerant passage 32 inside. This cooling plate 34 is a long member and oscillates in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the cooling plate 34 is formed in a corrugated shape when viewed from the width direction. The longitudinal direction of the cooling plate 34 is indicated by the arrow LD in the figure. The width direction of the cooling plate 34 is indicated by the arrow WD in Figure 3.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling plate 34 has a pair of tubes 50 and 52 provided at one end 34A in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 3). Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the pair of tubes 50 and 52 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the cooling plate 34.

[0018] In Figure 3, the pipe 50 on the right is the pipe into which the refrigerant R flows, and the pipe 50 on the left is the pipe from which the refrigerant R flows out. Note that the pair of pipes 50 and 52 shown in Figures 1 and 2 represent the pipes into which the refrigerant R flows.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, a partition 33 is provided in the center of the cooling plate 34 in the width direction. The refrigerant R that flows in from the refrigerant inlet pipe 50 flows through the cooling plate 34 from one end 34A to the other end 34B in the longitudinal direction, crosses the partition 33, flows from the other end 34B in the longitudinal direction to the one end 34A, and flows out from the refrigerant outlet pipe 50.

[0020] The cooling plate 34 of this embodiment includes a long aluminum base portion 35 with a refrigerant passage 32 formed inside. The base portion 35 is formed by extruding aluminum, and an aluminum end cap 36, to which two tubular bodies 50 are joined, is attached to one end in the longitudinal direction. An aluminum end cap 38 is also attached to the other end of the base portion 35 in the longitudinal direction. This end cap 38 closes the other end of the base portion 35 in the longitudinal direction. The refrigerant passage 32 may be formed as a single passage or as a plurality of smaller passages. In the cooling plate 34 of this embodiment, a plurality of smaller passages are formed on both sides in the width direction, with a partition 33 in between, and these smaller passages constitute the refrigerant passage 32.

[0021] Multiple cooling plates 34 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the pipe 50. Here, the axial direction of the pipe 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "pipe axis direction") is the direction indicated by arrow AD in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the width direction of the vehicle on which the battery case 100 is mounted coincides with the pipe axis direction. Also, in this embodiment, the width direction of the cooling plates 34 coincides with the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0022] In this embodiment, the two cooling plates 34 are arranged with a gap between them in the direction of the pipe axis.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, the connecting pipe 40 is a pipe that connects adjacent cooling plates 34. The connecting pipe 40 comprises a first pipe 42, a second pipe 44, and a flexible pipe 46.

[0024] The first pipe 42 is joined to one of the adjacent cooling plates 34 (the left cooling plate 34 in Figure 2 (the side where the refrigerant R is introduced)). Specifically, the first pipe 42 is joined to the base portion 35 of one of the cooling plates 34. In this embodiment, "joining" means welding, but the disclosure is not limited to this configuration and may also be bonded. The end of the first pipe 42 is inserted into the flexible pipe 46.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the outer surface of the first pipe 42 is flat. In this embodiment, as an example, the first pipe 42 is a pipe with a constant outer diameter.

[0026] The second pipe 44 is joined to the other cooling plate 34 (the right-hand cooling plate 34 in Figure 2) of the two adjacent cooling plates 34. Specifically, the second pipe 44 is joined to the end cap 36 of the other cooling plate 34. The end of the second pipe 44 is inserted into the flexible pipe 46.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the outer surface of the second pipe 44 is flat. In this embodiment, as an example, the second pipe 44 is a pipe with a constant outer diameter.

[0028] In this embodiment, as an example, the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 are pipes of the same material, shape, and dimensions.

[0029] Furthermore, the flexible pipe 46 is a flexible pipe. As shown in Figure 2, this flexible pipe 46 connects the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44. In this embodiment, the flexible pipe 46 is, as an example, a resin bellows pipe as shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 2, this flexible pipe 46 has circumferentially continuous concave portions 46A on the inner circumference of both ends in the axial direction of the pipe. An annular sealing member 48 is housed in each concave portion 46A.

[0030] The inner circumference of the sealing member 48 is in contact with the outer circumference of the end of the first pipe 42 inserted into the flexible pipe 46, thereby sealing the space between the flexible pipe 46 and the first pipe 42.

[0031] The inner circumference of the sealing member 48 is in contact with the outer circumference of the end of the second pipe 44 inserted into the flexible pipe 46, thereby sealing the space between the flexible pipe 46 and the second pipe 44.

[0032] The sealing member 48 may be, for example, an O-ring.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the pair of pipes 50 and 52 are pipes that are joined to the heat exchange section 30 and protrude from the heat exchange section 30 in opposite directions. These pipes 50 and 52 constitute communication passages 51 and 53 whose internal spaces communicate with the refrigerant passage 32. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes 50 and 52 are flat. In this embodiment, as an example, the pair of pipes 50 and 52 are pipes with a constant outer diameter.

[0034] Furthermore, the pair of pipes 50 and 52 are joined to the cooling plates 34 located at both ends in the axial direction of the pipes, among the plurality of cooling plates 34. Specifically, in this embodiment, pipe 50 is joined to the end cap 36 of one of the adjacent cooling plates 34. Also, pipe 52 is joined to the base portion 35 of the other adjacent cooling plate 34. That is, one cooling plate 34 comprises pipe 50 and a first pipe 42, and the other cooling plate 34 comprises pipe 52 and a second pipe 44.

[0035] The pair of pipes 50 and 52 are identical in material, shape, and dimensions.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, the pair of pipes 50 and 52, the first pipe 42, and the second pipe 44 are the same in material, shape, and dimensions.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the axial directions of the pipe bodies 50 and 52 and the axial direction of the connecting pipe 40 are in the same direction. Specifically, the axial directions of the pipe bodies 50 and 52 are in the same direction as the axial directions of the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44, and the flexible pipe 46 that constitute the connecting pipe 40. In addition, the pipe bodies 50 and 52 and the connecting pipe 40 overlap in the axial direction. Specifically, the pipe bodies 50 and 52 and the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44, and the flexible pipe 46 that constitute the connecting pipe 40 overlap in the axial direction.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the cap member 60 has a cylindrical portion 62, a closing portion 64, and a sealing portion 66.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, the cylindrical portion 62 is the cylindrical part of the cap member 60. The end of the pipe body 50 in the protruding direction is inserted into the cylindrical portion 62.

[0040] The closure portion 64 closes the end of the cylindrical portion 62.

[0041] The sealing portion 66 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 62. The sealing portion 66 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe body 50 and seals the space between the pipe body 50 and the cylindrical portion 62. Specifically, an annular groove 63, which is continuous in the circumferential direction, is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the sealing portion 66, and a sealing member is housed in this annular groove 63 to constitute the sealing portion 66.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cap member 60 is movable in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the cap member 70 has a cylindrical portion 72, a closing portion 74, and a sealing portion 76.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7, the cylindrical portion 72 is the cylindrical part of the cap member 70. The end of the pipe body 52 in the protruding direction is inserted into the cylindrical portion 72.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the blocking portion 74 closes the end portion of the cylindrical portion 72.

[0046] The sealing portion 76 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 72. Also, the sealing portion 76 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body 52 to seal between the pipe body 52 and the cylindrical portion 72. Specifically, an annular groove 73 continuous in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sealing portion 76, and a sealing member is accommodated in this annular groove 73 to constitute the sealing portion 76.

[0047] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cap member 70 is movable in the axial direction of the pipe body 52.

[0048] The entrance / exit portion 80 is provided on the cap member 60. The entrance / exit portion 80 extends in the pipe axis direction from the blocking portion 64. The entrance / exit portion 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inside of the entrance / exit portion 80 is connected to the communication passage 51. Therefore, the refrigerant R passing through the entrance / exit portion 80 enters and exits the communication passage 51.

[0049] Also, the entrance / exit portion 80 penetrates through a receiving portion 24 described later. In other words, the entrance / exit portion 80 passes through a through hole 104 provided in the receiving portion 24.

[0050] Also, in the pipe axis direction, the pipe bodies 50, 52, the connecting pipe 40, and the entrance / exit portion 80 overlap. Specifically, in the pipe axis direction, the pipe bodies 50, 52, the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44, and the flexible pipe 46 constituting the connecting pipe 40, and the entrance / exit portion 80 overlap. It is preferable that the axes of the pipe bodies 50, 52, the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44, and the flexible pipe 46 constituting the connecting pipe 40, and the entrance / exit portion 80 are coaxial.

[0051] The receiving portion 24 is positioned in the direction of movement of the cap member 60. This receiving portion 24 is the part that contacts the cap member 60 and receives the refrigerant pressure. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 24 is, for example, the peripheral part of a through hole 104 provided in one of the side walls 102 and 103 of the battery case 100 that face each other in the direction of the pipe axis. Also, the receiving portion 26 is, for example, the peripheral part of the side wall 103 of the battery case 100 corresponding to the through hole 104. Note that this embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and a dedicated receiving portion may be formed in the battery case 100.

[0052] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the refrigerant R flows into the communication passage 51 through the inlet / outlet 80. The refrigerant R then flows from the communication passage 51 into each refrigerant passage 32 and performs heat exchange with the battery cell S, which is the object to be cooled and is in contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange section 30. Through this heat exchange, the battery cell S is cooled.

[0053] Furthermore, in the cooling structure 20, when the refrigerant R flows into the connecting passages 51, 53 and each refrigerant passage 32 from the state shown in Figure 8, the pressure in each passage, i.e., the pressure due to the refrigerant R (hereinafter referred to as "refrigerant pressure"), increases as shown in Figure 9. In Figures 2 and 9, the refrigerant pressure is indicated by the dashed arrow. As the refrigerant pressure increases, the cap members 60 and 70 move in the axial direction of the pipe and come into contact with the opposing receiving parts 24 and 26. The receiving parts 24 and 26 receive the cap members 60 and 70 and receive the refrigerant pressure. In this way, in the cooling structure 20, even if the cap members 60 and 70 move in the axial direction of the pipe, the refrigerant pressure can be received by the receiving parts 24 and 26, so that the outer surfaces of the pipes 50 and 52 inserted into the cap members 60 and 70 can be made flat. Furthermore, by making the outer surfaces of the pair of tubes 50 and 52 flat, the processing of the pair of tubes 50 and 52 becomes simpler compared to a configuration in which the outer surfaces of the pair of tubes 50 and 52 are barbed. In this way, the cooling structure 20 makes the processing of its components (the pair of tubes 50 and 52) simpler.

[0054] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, since the heat exchange section 30 is composed of multiple cooling plates 34, heat can be exchanged with multiple battery cells S using each cooling plate 34. Furthermore, by making the axial direction of the pipes and the axial direction of the connecting pipes 40 that connect adjacent cooling plates 34 the same, the length of the connecting pipes 40 can be shortened compared to, for example, the case where they are in different directions, and it becomes possible to efficiently flow the refrigerant R to the adjacent cooling plates 34.

[0055] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, the inlet / outlet portion 80 of the refrigerant R passes through the receiving portion 24. Therefore, the movement of the inlet / outlet portion 80 in a direction intersecting the pipe axis direction is restricted by the receiving portion 24. In other words, since the movement of the cap member 60 on which the inlet / outlet portion 80 is provided is restricted in a direction intersecting the pipe axis direction, the connection between the cap member 60 and the pipe body 50 can be maintained even if there is an external input such as vibration.

[0056] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, the pair of pipes 50, 52 and the connecting pipe 40 overlap in the axial direction of the pipes. As a result, the connecting passages 51, 53 within the pair of pipes 50, 52 and the internal passages of the cylindrical portions 62, 72 of the cap members 60, 70 are connected in the axial direction of the pipes. Therefore, when the refrigerant R flows from the inlet / outlet 80 into the connecting passages 51, 53 and the internal passages of the cylindrical portions 62, 72, the pressure in the connecting passages 51, 53 and the internal passages of the cylindrical portions 62, 72 increases, causing the cap members 60, 70 to move quickly and receive the refrigerant pressure from the receiving portions 24, 26. In other words, the position of the pair of pipes 50, 52 and the connecting pipe 40 is determined by the receiving portions 24, 26 of the cap members 60, 70, thus improving the ease of assembly of the cooling plate 34.

[0057] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, the pair of pipes 50 and 52, the connecting pipe 40, and the inlet / outlet section 80 overlap in the axial direction of the pipe, making it easy for the refrigerant R to flow from the inlet / outlet section 80 into the connecting passages 51 and 53.

[0058] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, even if the positions of adjacent cooling plates 34 are misaligned, the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 are reliably connected by the flexible pipe 46.

[0059] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, since the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 use parts with the same material, shape, and dimensions, costs can be reduced.

[0060] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, since the pair of pipes 50, 52 and the first pipe 42 use parts of the same material, shape, and dimensions, costs can be reduced.

[0061] In the cooling structure 20 of this embodiment, the flexible tube 46 is made of a resin bellows tube, which allows for weight reduction and cost reduction.

[0062] In the embodiments described above, the heat exchange unit 30 is provided with two cooling plates 34, but the disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the heat exchange unit 30 may be configured to be provided with one cooling plate 34, as in the cooling structure 110 shown in Figure 10. Alternatively, the heat exchange unit 30 may be configured to be provided with three or more cooling plates 34, as in the cooling structure 120 shown in Figure 11.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the cooling plate 34 is wavy because the battery cell S is cylindrical, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, if the battery cell S is rectangular or rectangular, the cooling plate may be a straight shape in the longitudinal direction. In other words, it is preferable to set the shape of the cooling plate 34 to match the shape of the battery cell S.

[0064] In the embodiment described above, the connecting pipe 40 has a flexible pipe 46, but the disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Instead of the flexible pipe 46, a sliding pipe that can slide along the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 may be used.

[0065] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to examples, these embodiments are merely examples and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the disclosure. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of rights of this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0066] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above.

[0067] (Note 1) A cooling structure comprising: a heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and performing heat exchange with an object to be cooled in contact with its outer surface; a pair of pipes joined to the heat exchange section and projecting from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a connecting passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface; a cap member having a cylindrical portion into which the ends of the pipes in the projection direction are inserted, a closing portion that closes the ends of the cylindrical portion, and a sealing portion provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion that contacts the outer surface of the pipes and seals the space between the pipes and the cylindrical portion, and being movable in the axial direction of the pipes; an inlet / outlet portion provided on one of the pair of cap members for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the connecting passage; and a receiving portion arranged in the direction of movement of the cap member and in contact with the cap member to receive refrigerant pressure.

[0068] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 1, the refrigerant enters and exits the communication passage through the inlet and outlet. The refrigerant then flows from the communication passage into the refrigerant passage and exchanges heat with the object to be cooled, which is in contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange section. This heat exchange cools the object to be cooled.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above cooling structure, when the refrigerant flows into the communication passage and the refrigerant passage, the pressure in these passages, i.e., the pressure due to the refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as "refrigerant pressure" as appropriate), increases. As the refrigerant pressure increases, the cap member moves axially along the pipe and comes into contact with the receiving part. The receiving part receives the cap member and receives the refrigerant pressure. In this way, in the cooling structure, even if the cap member moves axially along the pipe, the refrigerant pressure can be received by the receiving part, so the outer surface of the pipe inserted into the cap member can be made flat. And by making the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes flat, the processing of the pair of pipes becomes simpler compared to, for example, a configuration in which the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes are barbed. In this way, the processing of the components can be simplified in the cooling structure.

[0070] (Note 2) The cooling structure according to Note 1, wherein the heat exchange section comprises a plurality of cooling plates arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the pipe and having the refrigerant passage inside, and connecting pipes connecting adjacent cooling plates, wherein the pipe is joined to the cooling plates located at both ends of the plurality of cooling plates in the axial direction of the pipe, and the axial direction of the pipe and the axial direction of the connecting pipes are in the same direction.

[0071] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 2, since the heat exchange section is composed of multiple cooling plates, heat exchange can be performed with multiple objects to be cooled using each cooling plate. Furthermore, by making the axial direction of the pipe and the axial direction of the connecting pipes that connect adjacent cooling plates the same, the length of the connecting pipes can be shortened compared to, for example, the case where they are in different directions, making it possible to efficiently flow the refrigerant to adjacent cooling plates.

[0072] (Note 3) The cooling structure according to Note 2, wherein the inlet / outlet portion extends from the closure portion in the axial direction of the pipe body and penetrates the receiving portion.

[0073] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 3, the refrigerant inlet and outlet penetrate the receiving portion. Therefore, the receiving portion restricts the movement of the inlet and outlet in a direction intersecting the pipe axis direction. In other words, since the movement of the cap member on which the inlet and outlet are provided is restricted in a direction intersecting the pipe axis direction, the connection between the cap member and the pipe can be maintained even if there is an external input such as vibration.

[0074] (Note 4) The cooling structure according to Note 2 or Note 3, wherein the pipe and the connecting pipe overlap in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0075] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 4, the pipe and the connecting pipe overlap in the axial direction of the pipe, so the connecting passage inside the pipe and the internal passage of the cylindrical part of the cap member are connected in the axial direction of the pipe. Therefore, when refrigerant flows from the inlet / outlet into the connecting passage and the internal passage of the cylindrical part, the pressure in the connecting passage and the internal passage of the cylindrical part increases, causing each cap member to move quickly so that the refrigerant pressure is received by the receiving part. In other words, since each cap member is received by the receiving part, the position of the pair of pipes and connecting pipes is determined, improving the ease of assembly of the cooling plate.

[0076] (Note 5) The cooling structure described in Note 3, wherein the pipe, the connecting pipe, and the inlet / outlet portion overlap in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0077] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 5, the pipe body, connecting pipe, and inlet / outlet section overlap in the axial direction of the pipe body, making it easy for the refrigerant to flow from the inlet / outlet section into the connecting passage.

[0078] (Note 6) The cooling structure according to any one of Notes 2 to 5, wherein the connecting pipe comprises a first pipe joined to one of two adjacent cooling plates, a second pipe joined to the other cooling plate, and a flexible pipe having flexibility that connects the first pipe and the second pipe.

[0079] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 6, even if the positions of adjacent cooling plates are misaligned, the first and second pipes are reliably connected by a flexible pipe.

[0080] (Note 7) The cooling structure described in Note 6, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are of the same material, shape and dimensions.

[0081] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 7, costs can be reduced because the first and second pipes use parts with the same material, shape, and dimensions.

[0082] (Note 8) The cooling structure described in Note 7, wherein the pair of pipes and the first pipe are of the same material, shape and dimensions.

[0083] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 8, costs can be reduced because the pair of pipes and the first piping use parts of the same material, shape, and dimensions.

[0084] (Note 9) The cooling structure described in any one of Notes 6 to 8, wherein the flexible tube is a bellows tube made of resin.

[0085] In the cooling structure described in Appendix 9, the flexible tube is made of resin bellows, which allows for weight reduction and cost reduction.

[0086] (Note 10) A cooler comprising: a heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and performing heat exchange with an object to be cooled in contact with its outer surface; a pair of pipes joined to the heat exchange section and projecting from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a connecting passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface; a cap member having a cylindrical portion into which the ends of the pipes in the projecting direction are inserted, a closing portion that closes the ends of the cylindrical portion, and a sealing portion provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion that contacts the outer surface of the pipes and seals the space between the pipes and the cylindrical portion, and being movable in the axial direction of the pipes; and an inlet / outlet portion provided on one of the pair of cap members for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the connecting passage, wherein the cap member is in contact with a receiving portion arranged in the direction of movement of the cap member to receive refrigerant pressure.

[0087] In the cooler described in Appendix 10, the refrigerant enters and exits the communication passage through the inlet and outlet. The refrigerant then flows from the communication passage into the refrigerant passage and exchanges heat with the object to be cooled, which is in contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange section. This heat exchange cools the object to be cooled.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above-described cooler, when the refrigerant flows into the communication passage and the refrigerant passage, the pressure in these passages, i.e., the pressure due to the refrigerant, increases. As the refrigerant pressure increases, the cap member moves axially along the pipe and comes into contact with a receiving portion positioned in the direction of movement of the cap member, and the refrigerant pressure is received by the receiving portion. In this way, the cooler allows the outer surface of the pipe inserted into the cap member to be made flat by having the refrigerant pressure received by the receiving portion. By making the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes flat, the processing of the pair of pipes becomes simpler compared to, for example, a configuration in which the outer surfaces of the pair of pipes are barbed. In this way, the processing of the components can be simplified in the cooler.

[0089] Furthermore, the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-017694, filed on February 5, 2025, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0090] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually noted to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A cooling structure comprising: a heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and performing heat exchange with an object to be cooled in contact with its outer surface; a pair of pipes joined to the heat exchange section and projecting from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a connecting passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface; a cap member having a cylindrical portion into which the ends of the pipes in the projecting direction are inserted, a closing portion that closes the ends of the cylindrical portion, and a sealing portion provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion that contacts the outer surface of the pipes and seals the space between the pipes and the cylindrical portion, and being movable in the axial direction of the pipes; an inlet / outlet portion provided on one of the pair of cap members for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the connecting passage; and a receiving portion arranged in the direction of movement of the cap member and in contact with the cap member to receive refrigerant pressure.

2. The cooling structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange section comprises a plurality of cooling plates arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the pipe and having the refrigerant passage inside, and connecting pipes connecting adjacent cooling plates, wherein the pipe is joined to the cooling plates located at both ends of the plurality of cooling plates in the axial direction of the pipe, and the axial direction of the pipe and the axial direction of the connecting pipes are in the same direction.

3. The cooling structure according to claim 2, wherein the inlet / outlet portion extends from the closure portion in the axial direction of the pipe body and penetrates the receiving portion.

4. The cooling structure according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the pipe and the connecting pipe overlap in the axial direction of the pipe.

5. The cooling structure according to claim 3, wherein the pipe, the connecting pipe, and the inlet / outlet portion overlap in the axial direction of the pipe.

6. The cooling structure according to claim 2, wherein the connecting pipe comprises a first pipe joined to one of two adjacent cooling plates, a second pipe joined to the other cooling plate, and a flexible pipe having flexibility that connects the first pipe and the second pipe.

7. The cooling structure according to claim 6, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are made of the same material, shape, and dimensions.

8. The cooling structure according to claim 7, wherein the pair of pipes and the first pipe are of the same material, shape and dimensions.

9. The cooling structure according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the flexible tube is a bellows tube made of resin.

10. A cooler comprising: a heat exchange section having a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows and performing heat exchange with an object to be cooled in contact with its outer surface; a pair of pipes joined to the heat exchange section and projecting from the heat exchange section in opposite directions, forming a connecting passage that communicates with the refrigerant passage, and having a flat outer surface; a cap member having a cylindrical portion into which the ends of the pipes in the projecting direction are inserted, a closing portion that closes the ends of the cylindrical portion, and a sealing portion provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion that contacts the outer surface of the pipes and seals the space between the pipes and the cylindrical portion, and being movable in the axial direction of the pipes; and an inlet / outlet portion provided on one of the pair of cap members for allowing the refrigerant to enter and exit the connecting passage, wherein the cap member is in contact with a receiving portion arranged in the direction of movement of the cap member to receive refrigerant pressure.

Images