JP7605677B2 - Reserve tank - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of a reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which a coolant is circulated.

Some vehicles, such as automobiles, are equipped with cooling circuits that circulate coolant to cool heat-generating components, such as engines and electric units. Some of these cooling circuits are provided with reserve tanks to store the coolant circulating within the circuit, and when the amount of heat generated by the heat-generating components is large, the flow rate of the coolant circulating through the cooling circuit is increased to ensure the required cooling performance.

In cooling circuits like the one described above, an increase in the amount of air in the coolant leads to a decrease in cooling performance, so some circuits prevent this decrease in cooling performance by releasing air bubbles (air) in the coolant into the air layer inside the reserve tank to separate the gas and liquid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The reserve tank described in Patent Document 1 shows a configuration in which the inside of the reserve tank is divided into multiple chambers (liquid storage chambers) by partition plates with communication holes, and the coolant flowing inside the reserve tank is slowed down by passing through the communication holes, promoting gas-liquid separation.

JP 2017-101573 A

However, in a reserve tank provided with a partition plate with communication holes as described above, differences in static pressure occur between the storage chambers depending on the flow rate of the flowing coolant, which creates differences in the liquid level in each storage chamber. This makes it easier for air from the air layer to become entrained in the coolant in the storage chamber with a lower liquid level, which can reduce cooling performance.

Therefore, the present invention aims to suppress the entrainment of air into the coolant and prevent a decrease in cooling performance in the cooling circuit.

The reserve tank according to the present invention is a reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit in which a coolant is circulated, and includes a case in which an inlet hole and an outlet hole are formed and the internal space is formed as a storage space for storing the coolant, a partition plate in which a communication hole is formed and the storage space is divided into a plurality of storage chambers, an inlet port connected to the case for inflowing the coolant into the storage space through the inlet hole, and an outlet port connected to the case for outflowing the coolant from the storage space through the outlet hole, the portion of the case to which the outlet port is connected is provided as an outlet port connection portion, the storage chamber in the plurality of storage chambers that is connected to the outlet port through the outlet hole is formed as a coolant outflow chamber, the storage chamber adjacent to the coolant outflow chamber through the partition plate is formed as an adjacent storage chamber, a flow rate control body is provided to control the flow rate of the coolant in the coolant outflow chamber to be greater than the flow rate of the coolant in the adjacent storage chamber, and the flow rate control body is disposed between the outlet port connection portion and the tip of the outlet port.

According to the present invention, the flow rate of the cooling liquid flowing through the storage space is slowed down by the partition plate, and the static pressure of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid outflow chamber is made smaller than the static pressure of the cooling liquid in the adjacent storage chamber by the flow rate control body, and the difference in static pressure between the storage chambers in the storage space is reduced, thereby reducing the fluctuation in the liquid level height of the cooling liquid in each storage chamber, thereby suppressing the entrainment of air into the cooling liquid and preventing a decrease in the cooling performance in the cooling circuit.

2 to 6 show an embodiment of the reserve tank of the present invention, and this figure shows a schematic configuration of a cooling circuit in which the reserve tank is provided. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the reserve tank. FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the reserve tank. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of coolant in the reserve tank. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a flow rate control body is formed integrally with a case. FIG.

Below, the form for implementing the reserve tank of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.

<Outline of cooling circuit configuration>
First, a schematic configuration of a cooling circuit 100 in which a reserve tank 1 is provided will be described (see FIG. 1).

The cooling circuit 100 is mounted on a vehicle 200, such as a hybrid vehicle, and includes a reserve tank 1 that stores the coolant 50, a water pump 101 that circulates the coolant 50, and a radiator 103 that cools the coolant 50 by exchanging heat with an electric unit 102, which is a heat-generating component.

For example, an electric pump is used as the water pump 101, and the coolant 50 is pumped by driving the water pump 101. The electric unit 102 is equipped with a motor (not shown) that serves as the drive source for the vehicle, and a control unit (not shown) that controls the motor. The radiator 103 has a fan 103a, and when the fan 103a is driven, the coolant 50 passing through the radiator is cooled by cooling air.

The above-mentioned components in the cooling circuit 100 are connected by piping 104 so that the coolant 50 can circulate. The piping 104 has a first connecting pipe 104a that connects the reserve tank 1 and the water pump 101, a second connecting pipe 104b that connects the water pump 101 and the electric unit 102, a third connecting pipe 104c that connects the electric unit 102 and the radiator 103, and a fourth connecting pipe 104d that connects the radiator 103 and the reserve tank 1.

In the cooling circuit 100, the water pump 101 is driven, and the coolant 50 stored in the reserve tank 1 is supplied to the electric unit 102 via the water pump 101. The coolant 50 supplied to the electric unit 102 is sent to the radiator 103 after cooling the electric unit 102, and is cooled by heat exchange in the radiator 103 before being supplied to the reserve tank 1 again.

In the cooling circuit 100, the required cooling performance is controlled according to the driving state of the electric unit 102. For example, when the electric unit 102 exerts high output, a state is set in which high cooling performance is exerted. In this way, when high cooling performance is exerted, the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 circulating in the cooling circuit 100 is increased by utilizing the cooling liquid 50 stored in the reserve tank 1, thereby ensuring the required cooling performance.

In the above cooling circuit 100, an example has been shown in which the water pump 101 is provided between the reserve tank 1 and the electric unit 102, but the water pump 101 may be provided at any position in the cooling circuit 100.

<Reserve tank configuration>
Next, the configuration of the reserve tank 1 will be described (see Figs. 2 to 4).

In the following explanation, the front, rear, left and right directions are indicated with the side of the reserve tank where the inlet port is located as the front. However, the front, rear, left and right directions shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the implementation of this invention is not limited to these directions.

The reserve tank 1 has a main body 2, an inlet port 3, and an outlet port 4 (see Figure 2).

The main body 2 is composed of a box-shaped case 5 and partition plates 6, 6, 6 arranged inside the case 5. The number of partition plates 6 arranged is arbitrary, and may be one, two, or four or more. The internal space of the case 5 is formed as a storage space 5a. A supply hole 9 that can be opened and closed by a cover 8 is formed at the rear end of the top surface 7 of the case 5, and coolant 50 can be supplied to the storage space 5a from the supply hole 9.

The lower end of the front surface 10 of the case 5 is provided as an inflow port connection part 11, and an inflow hole 11a is formed in the inflow port connection part 11. The rear end of the bottom surface 12 of the case 5 is provided as an outflow port connection part 13, and an outflow hole 13a is formed in the outflow port connection part 13.

The partition plates 6, 6, 6 are arranged at a distance in the front-rear direction. The storage space 5a is divided into a number of storage chambers by the partition plates 6, 6, 6, and each storage chamber is formed as a first storage chamber 14, a second storage chamber 15, a third storage chamber 16, and a fourth storage chamber 17 in order from the front.

A number of communication holes 6a are formed in the lower end of the partition plate 6, spaced apart vertically and horizontally. Through the communication holes 6a, the first liquid storage chamber 14 and the second liquid storage chamber 15 are in communication, the second liquid storage chamber 15 and the third liquid storage chamber 16 are in communication, and the third liquid storage chamber 16 and the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 are in communication.

The inlet port 3 has an axial direction that runs in the front-rear direction, its rear end is connected to the inlet port connection part 11 of the case 5, and the internal space is connected to the first liquid storage chamber 14 via the inlet hole 11a. A fourth connecting tube 104d is connected to the inlet port 3.

The outlet port 4 has an axial direction that is vertical, and its upper end is connected to the outlet port connection part 13 of the case 5, and the internal space is connected to the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 via the outlet hole 13a. A first connecting tube 104a is connected to the outlet port 4.

The inlet port 3 and the outlet port 4 have the same diameter, and approximately the same amount of cooling liquid 50 can flow through the inlet port 3 and the outlet port 4.

As described above, the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 is formed as a cooling liquid outflow chamber that is connected to the outflow port 4 and through which the cooling liquid 50 flows out of the storage space 5a. In addition, the third liquid storage chamber 16 is formed as an adjacent liquid storage chamber adjacent to the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 via the partition plate 6.

A flow rate control body 18 is disposed in the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 (see Figures 2 and 3). The flow rate control body 18 is composed of an annular frame portion 19 whose outer diameter is larger than the outflow hole 13a, and a lattice portion 20 arranged in a lattice pattern inside the frame portion 19 (see Figures 3 and 4). In the flow rate control body 18, a mesh-like flow hole 21, 21, ... is formed by the frame portion 19 and the lattice portion 20.

The flow rate control body 18 is detachably attached to the outflow port connection part 13 in a state where it covers the outflow hole 13a in the fourth liquid storage chamber 17. The flow rate control body 18 is formed, for example, from a metal material.

The flow rate control body 18 may be disposed between the outlet port connection portion 13 and the tip of the outlet port 4, and may be disposed inside the outlet port 4 with an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet port 4, for example.

<Flow of coolant in the reserve tank>
Next, the flow of the coolant 50 in the reserve tank 1 will be described (see FIG. 5).

A predetermined amount of coolant 50 is stored in the storage space 5a of the reserve tank 1, and an air layer 60 is formed in the upper part of the storage space 5a. When the water pump 101 is not in operation, the coolant does not circulate through the cooling circuit 100, and the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a does not flow. At this time, the liquid level of the coolant 50 in each storage chamber is at the same position.

When the water pump 101 is driven, the coolant 50 is circulated through the cooling circuit 100 and flows into the first storage chamber 14 from the inlet port 3. The coolant 50 that flows into the first storage chamber 14 passes through the communication hole 6a and flows into the fourth storage chamber 17 via the second storage chamber 15 and the third storage chamber 16. The coolant 50 that flows into the fourth storage chamber 17 flows out from the outlet port 4.

The cooling liquid 50 flowing in the storage space 5a is decelerated due to pressure loss each time it passes through the communication hole 6a. Therefore, the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the second storage chamber 15 is slower than the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the first storage chamber 14, and the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the third storage chamber 16 is slower than the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the second storage chamber 15.

The cooling liquid 50, whose speed gradually decreases as it flows from the first liquid storage chamber 14 toward the third liquid storage chamber 16, flows into the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 and flows out of the outlet port 4 via the outlet hole 13a.

At this time, since the flow rate control body 18 is attached to the outlet port connection portion 13 in the fourth storage chamber 17, the cooling liquid 50 flowing through the fourth storage chamber 17 is controlled by the flow rate control body 18 so that the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 flowing through the flow holes 21, 21, ... is increased compared to a state in which the flow rate control body 18 is not provided. By increasing the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 flowing through the flow holes 21, 21, ..., the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 is made greater than the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the third storage chamber 16.

By making the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 faster than the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the third storage chamber 16, the static pressure in the fourth storage chamber 17 becomes smaller than the static pressure in the third storage chamber 16. This reduces the difference in static pressure between the first storage chamber 14 into which the cooling liquid 50 flows in the storage space 5a and the static pressure of the fourth storage chamber 17 from which the cooling liquid 50 flows out, thereby reducing the difference in static pressure between the storage chambers in the storage space 5a.

As described above, in the reserve tank 1, the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a is gradually slowed as it flows from the first storage chamber 14 to the third storage chamber 16, making it difficult for turbulence to occur in the cooling liquid 50 in each storage chamber. Therefore, air bubbles in the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a are easily released into the air layer 60, promoting gas-liquid separation.

A flow rate control body 18 is provided between the outlet port connection portion 13 and the tip of the outlet port 4, which controls the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 to be greater than the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the third liquid storage chamber 16. This makes the static pressure in the fourth liquid storage chamber 17 smaller than the static pressure in the third liquid storage chamber 16, reducing the difference in static pressure between the liquid storage chambers in the storage space 5a.

As a result, the difference in the liquid level of the cooling liquid 50 in each storage chamber is reduced, suppressing the entrainment of air from the air layer 60 into the cooling liquid 50 and preventing a decrease in the cooling performance of the cooling circuit 100.

Furthermore, the flow rate control body 18 is attached to the outlet port connection portion 13. Therefore, by disposing the flow rate control body 18 in the fourth liquid storage chamber 17, it can be assembled inside the case 5, for example, through the supply hole 9, so that the assembly of the flow rate control body 18 in the reserve tank 1 can be easily performed.

The flow rate control body 18 is detachably attached to the outlet port connection portion 13. Therefore, since the flow rate control body 18 is replaceable with respect to the case 5, for example, when the reserve tank 1 is installed in a different vehicle model, the flow rate control body 18 can be changed according to the flow state of the coolant 50 circulating through the cooling circuit 100 and the required cooling performance without changing the design of the case 5.

Furthermore, the flow rate control body 18 is formed in a shape having a flow hole 21 through which the cooling liquid 50 flows. As a result, the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 is controlled by the flow rate control body 18 formed in a shape having the flow hole 21, so that the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 can be controlled with a simple configuration.

As a method of controlling the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17, for example, a configuration in which the diameter of the outlet port 4 is reduced can be considered. However, by controlling the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 using the flow rate control body 18, it is not necessary to change the diameter of the pipe 104 for each part in the cooling circuit 100 or to provide a connecting member for changing the diameter of the pipe 104, so that it is possible to control the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the fourth storage chamber 17 without changing the design of the entire cooling circuit 100.

The above shows an example in which the flow rate control body 18 is composed of a frame portion 19 and a lattice portion 20, but the flow rate control body 18 may have any shape as long as it has flow holes 21 with a diameter smaller than the outflow hole 13a, and may be, for example, annular with one flow hole 21 formed in the center. Furthermore, the number of flow holes 21 formed is also arbitrary, and multiple flow holes 21, 21, ... may be formed spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Note that the flow rate control body 18 may be formed of a resin material, cloth, etc. instead of a metal material.

In addition, although the above shows a configuration in which the flow rate control body 18 is attached to the outflow port connection portion 13, the flow rate control body 18 may be formed integrally with the case 5 or the outflow port 4. For example, when the flow rate control body 18 is formed integrally with the case 5, a part of the outflow hole 13a functions as the flow hole 21 (see FIG. 6). By forming the flow rate control body 18 integrally with the case 5 or the outflow port 4, it is not necessary to form the flow rate control body 18 as a separate member from the case 5 or the outflow port 4, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the positional displacement of the flow rate control body 18 can be prevented.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Cooling circuit 101 Water pump 102 Electric unit 103 Radiator 104 Pipe 1 Reserve tank 2 Main body 3 Inflow port 4 Outflow port 5 Case 5a Storage space 6 Partition plate 6a Communication hole 11 Inflow port connection portion 11a Inflow hole 13 Outflow port connection portion 13a Outflow hole 14 First liquid storage chamber 15 Second liquid storage chamber 16 Third liquid storage chamber 17 Fourth liquid storage chamber 18 Flow rate control body 50 Cooling liquid 60 Air layer

Claims (5)

A reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which a cooling liquid circulates,
a case having an inlet hole and an outlet hole and an internal space formed as a storage space for storing a coolant;
A partition plate having communication holes formed therein and dividing the storage space into a plurality of liquid storage chambers;
an inlet port connected to the case for allowing the coolant to flow into the storage space through the inlet hole;
an outlet port connected to the case for allowing the cooling liquid to flow out of the storage space through the outlet hole;
A portion of the case to which the outflow port is connected is provided as an outflow port connection portion,
Among the plurality of liquid storage chambers, a liquid storage chamber that is in communication with the outlet port via the outlet hole is formed as a coolant outflow chamber,
A liquid storage chamber adjacent to the cooling liquid outflow chamber via the partition plate is formed as an adjacent liquid storage chamber,
a flow rate control unit that controls the flow rate of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid outflow chamber so that the flow rate of the cooling liquid in the adjacent liquid storage chamber is greater than the flow rate of the cooling liquid in the adjacent liquid storage chamber;
a reserve tank, the flow rate control body being disposed between the outlet port connection portion and a tip portion of the outlet port; The reserve tank according to claim 1 , wherein the flow rate control body is formed in a shape having a flow hole through which the coolant flows. 3. The reserve tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow rate control body is attached to the outlet port connection portion. The reserve tank according to claim 3, wherein the flow rate control body is detachable from the outlet port connection portion. 4. The reserve tank according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the flow rate control body is formed integrally with the case or the outflow port.

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