JP7633059B2 - 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, when the flow rate of the coolant circulating through the cooling circuit increases, it becomes difficult to sufficiently slow down the coolant passing through the communication holes, and the coolant collides with the partition plate, generating turbulence, which causes the surface of the coolant to oscillate, drawing air from the air layer into the coolant and increasing the amount of air in the coolant.

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 coolant circulates, and is equipped with a case whose internal space is formed as a storage space for storing coolant, a partition plate having communication holes formed therein and dividing the storage space into a number of storage chambers, an inlet port for introducing coolant into the storage space, and an outlet port for discharging coolant from the storage space, and a resistor is positioned in at least one of the storage chambers to provide resistance to turbulence near the surface of the coolant.

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 fluctuation of the surface of the cooling liquid is suppressed by the resistor, so that the entrainment of air into the cooling liquid is suppressed, and a decrease in the cooling performance of the cooling circuit can be prevented.

2 to 5 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. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of coolant in the reserve tank. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the number of resistors arranged is reduced from the first liquid storage chamber to the fourth liquid storage chamber. 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 by heat exchange 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 required cooling performance is ensured by increasing the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 circulating in the cooling circuit 100 using the cooling liquid 50 stored in the reserve tank 1. At this time, the amount of the cooling liquid 50 stored in the reserve tank 1 temporarily decreases, so the liquid level of the cooling liquid 50 is lowered.

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 and 3).

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 a number of partition plates 6 arranged inside the case 5. The number of partition plates 6 arranged is arbitrary. The case 5 has an internal space formed as a storage space 5a, and cooling liquid 50 can be replenished into the storage space 5a through a supply hole (not shown) provided on the top surface 7 of the case 5. The case 5 has an inlet hole 8a formed at the lower end of the front surface 8, and an outlet hole 9a formed at the rear end of the bottom surface 9.

The partition plates 6 are arranged at a distance in the front-rear direction. The storage space 5a is divided into a plurality of storage chambers by the partition plates 6, and each storage chamber is formed as a first storage chamber 10, a second storage chamber 11, a third storage chamber 12, and a fourth storage chamber 13 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 10 and the second liquid storage chamber 11 are in communication, the second liquid storage chamber 11 and the third liquid storage chamber 12 are in communication, and the third liquid storage chamber 12 and the fourth liquid storage chamber 13 are in communication.

The inlet port 3 has an axial direction in the front-rear direction, its rear end is connected to the front part 8 of the case 5, and its internal space is connected to the first liquid storage chamber 10 via the inlet hole 8a. A fourth connecting tube 104d is connected to the inlet port 3.

The outlet port 4 has an axial direction that is vertical, its upper end is connected to the bottom surface 9 of the case 5, and the internal space is connected to the fourth liquid storage chamber 13 via the outlet hole 9a. A first connecting tube 104a is connected to the outlet port 4.

Resistors 14, 14, ... are arranged in the first liquid storage chamber 10, the second liquid storage chamber 11, the third liquid storage chamber 12, and the fourth liquid storage chamber 13, respectively. The resistors 14 are formed in a string shape, for example, from an elastic material such as rubber, and the front ends 14a are attached side by side to the front surface 8 or the partition plate 6, spaced apart from each other on the left and right (see Figure 3).

The resistor 14 is positioned above the communication hole 6a. Also, when the liquid level of the coolant 50 when the amount of the coolant 50 stored in the storage space 5a in the reserve tank 1 is the minimum liquid level L, the resistor 14 is positioned below the minimum liquid level L (see FIG. 2).

The first liquid storage chamber 10 has more resistors 14 arranged therein than the other liquid storage chambers.

<Flow of coolant in the reserve tank>
Next, the flow of the coolant 50 in the reserve tank 1 will be described (see FIG. 4).

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 50 is not circulated through the cooling circuit 100, and the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a is not flowing.

When the water pump 101 is driven, the coolant 50 is circulated through the cooling circuit 100 and flows into the first storage chamber 10 from the inlet port 3. The coolant 50 that flows into the first storage chamber 10 passes through the communication hole 6a and flows into the fourth storage chamber 13 via the second storage chamber 11 and the third storage chamber 12. The coolant 50 that flows into the fourth storage chamber 13 flows out from the outlet port 4 and flows toward the water pump 101.

The flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 flowing in the storage space 5a is fastest in the first storage chamber 10 where it flows in from the inlet port 3, and is slowed down due to pressure loss each time it passes through the communication hole 6a, and its speed is gradually reduced as it flows from the first storage chamber 10 to the fourth storage chamber 13. Since the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a gradually slows down as it flows from the inlet port 3 to the outlet port 4, turbulence of the cooling liquid 50 is less likely to occur in the first storage chamber 10 to the fourth storage chamber 13 in that order. Therefore, air bubbles in the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a are more likely to be released into the air layer 60, promoting gas-liquid separation.

As described above, when the cooling circuit 100 is in a state where high cooling performance is exhibited, the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 circulating through the cooling circuit 100 is increased. At this time, the cooling liquid 50 passing through the communication hole 6a is likely to cause turbulence, such as a vortex, when it collides with the partition plate 6 or the rear surface 15 of the case 5 without being sufficiently decelerated. Even when high cooling performance is not exhibited, turbulence may occur in the storage space 5a depending on the flow state of the cooling liquid 50.

In the reserve tank 1, the resistor 14 is attached to the front portion 8 of the case 5 or to the partition plate 6. This allows the resistor 14 to provide resistance to turbulent flow, suppressing the fluctuation of the liquid surface of the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a.

As a result, the liquid level of the cooling liquid 50 is kept stable in the storage space 5a, which suppresses the entrainment of air from the air layer 60 into the cooling liquid 50 and prevents a decrease in the cooling performance of the cooling circuit 100.

Moreover, the resistor 14 is made of an elastic material, and its front end 14a is attached to the front surface 8 of the case 5 or to the partition plate 6. This allows the elastic force of the resistor 14 to act in a direction that counteracts the generated turbulent flow, and effectively suppresses the fluctuation of the liquid surface of the coolant 50 in the storage space 5a.
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Furthermore, the resistor 14 is formed in a string shape rather than a plate shape. This makes it difficult for the resistor 14 to hinder the movement of air bubbles in the cooling liquid 50, so that air bubbles rising in the cooling liquid 50 toward the air layer 60 are easily released into the air layer 60 by passing around the resistor 14. Therefore, even in a state where the resistor 14 is provided, the air in the cooling liquid 50 is not hindered from being released into the air layer 60, and accelerated gas-liquid separation can be performed in the storage space 5a.

Furthermore, as described above, in the reserve tank 1, the resistor 14 is positioned below the minimum liquid level L.

As a result, the resistor 14 is positioned within the cooling liquid 50 regardless of the amount of cooling liquid 50 stored in the storage space 5a, so that the resistor 14 can efficiently suppress the fluctuation of the liquid surface of the cooling liquid 50.

The resistor 14 is most effective in suppressing fluctuations in the liquid level when it is positioned at the liquid level of the cooling liquid 50, so it is desirable to position it at the liquid level of the cooling liquid 50 regardless of the amount of cooling liquid 50 stored in the storage space 5a. In particular, by positioning the resistor 14 at the minimum liquid level L, even if the liquid level of the cooling liquid in the storage space 5a becomes equal to or higher than the minimum liquid level L, the resistor 14 is more likely to be positioned near the liquid level of the cooling liquid 50.

It is also desirable to place the resistor 14 below the liquid level of the coolant 50, above the communication hole 6a, and away from the communication hole 6a. For example, by positioning the resistor 14 at the liquid level of the coolant 50, the effect of reducing pressure loss caused by the resistor 14 in the coolant 50 flowing from the inlet port 3 to the outlet port 4 is increased, so that the coolant 50 can be circulated in the cooling circuit 100 without excessively increasing the output of the water pump 101.

Furthermore, in the reserve tank 1, resistors 14 are arranged in the first liquid storage chamber 10, the second liquid storage chamber 11, the third liquid storage chamber 12, and the fourth liquid storage chamber 13, with the largest number of resistors 14 arranged in the first liquid storage chamber 10.

As a result, the greatest number of resistors 14 are positioned in the first storage chamber 10 in the storage space 5a, where the speed of the flowing cooling liquid 50 is the fastest and where the liquid surface of the cooling liquid 50 is most likely to fluctuate, so that air entrainment into the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a can be effectively suppressed.

As described above, in the storage space 5a, the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50 slows down from the first storage chamber 10 to the fourth storage chamber 13. Therefore, the number of resistors 14 arranged in each storage chamber may be decreased from the first storage chamber 10 to the fourth storage chamber 13 (see FIG. 5). This makes it possible to arrange the number of resistors 14 in each storage chamber according to the flow rate of the cooling liquid 50, and prevents a decrease in the cooling performance of the cooling circuit 100 while minimizing the number of parts.

In addition, while the above example shows a resistor 14 being arranged in each of the multiple liquid storage chambers, the resistor 14 does not have to be arranged in multiple liquid storage chambers, and it is sufficient that the resistor 14 is arranged in at least the first liquid storage chamber 10.

As a result, the resistor is positioned in the first storage chamber 10 in the storage space 5a, where the speed of the flowing cooling liquid 50 is the fastest and where the liquid surface of the cooling liquid 50 is most likely to fluctuate, making it possible to prevent air from being drawn into the cooling liquid 50 in the storage space 5a while minimizing an increase in the number of parts.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Cooling circuit 101 Water pump 102 Electric unit 103 Radiator 104 Pipe 1 Reserve tank 2 Main body 3 Inlet port 4 Outlet port 5 Case 5a Storage space 6 Partition plate 6a Communication hole 10 First liquid storage chamber 11 Second liquid storage chamber 12 Third liquid storage chamber 13 Fourth liquid storage chamber 14 Resistor 14a Front end portion 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 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 for injecting a cooling liquid into the storage space;
an outlet port for allowing the cooling liquid to flow out of the storage space;
A resistor is disposed in at least one of the liquid storage chambers to provide resistance to turbulent flow near the liquid surface of the cooling liquid ,
The resistor is made of an elastic material and formed into a string shape,
One end of the resistor is attached to the case or the partition plate.
Reserve tank. The resistor is positioned below the liquid level when the amount of cooling liquid stored in the storage space is at a minimum.
The reserve tank according to claim 1 . The liquid storage chamber to which the inlet port is communicated is formed as a first liquid storage chamber,
The resistor is located in at least the first liquid storage chamber.
The reserve tank according to claim 1 or 2 . The resistor is disposed in each of the plurality of liquid storage chambers,
The number of the resistors disposed in the first liquid storage chamber is the largest among the number of the resistors disposed in the plurality of liquid storage chambers.
The reserve tank according to claim 3 . A reserve tank provided in a cooling circuit through which a cooling liquid circulates,
a case having 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 for injecting a cooling liquid into the storage space;
an outlet port for allowing the cooling liquid to flow out of the storage space;
A resistor is disposed in at least one of the liquid storage chambers to provide resistance to turbulent flow near the liquid surface of the cooling liquid,
The liquid storage chamber to which the inlet port is communicated is formed as a first liquid storage chamber,
The resistor is located in at least the first reservoir;
The resistor is disposed in each of the plurality of liquid storage chambers,
The number of the resistors disposed in the first liquid storage chamber is the largest among the number of the resistors disposed in the plurality of liquid storage chambers.
Reserve tank.

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