JP2009024777A - Refrigerant pipe and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerant pipe and a vehicle for cooling wiring while restraining an increase in manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: A cooling water pipe 10 has a hose 21 including an outer peripheral surface 21a for forming a cooling water passage 26 for flowing cooling water supplied to a heating element, and a reinforcing member arranged on the outer peripheral surface 21a and reinforcing the hose 21. The reinforcing member is the wiring 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a refrigerant pipe and a vehicle, and more particularly to a refrigerant pipe installed together with a wiring through which a high-voltage current flows and a vehicle including the refrigerant pipe.

  Regarding conventional refrigerant piping, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-106362 discloses an electric vehicle that is easy to handle while being capable of forced cooling using a refrigerant, and that prevents damage to a refrigerant pipeline. A cooling cable for charging is disclosed (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a charging cable is inserted into a receiving portion formed outside a vehicle body of an electric vehicle. The charging cable includes an inner core wire bundled with litz wires, an outer core wire formed by spirally winding the litz wire on the outer periphery of the inner core wire, and an interlayer insulating layer interposed between the inner core wire and the outer core wire. including. A refrigerant pipe for circulating the refrigerant is arranged in a spiral shape in parallel with the litz wire constituting the outer core wire.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-133058 discloses a power feeding cable that suppresses heat generation during charging and improves cost and handling (Patent Document 2). The power supply cable disclosed in Patent Document 2 is connected to a power receiving side coupler mounted on an electric vehicle. The power feeding cable is composed of a forward water channel, a coaxial cable having a plurality of conductors, and a return water channel. The plurality of conductors are fixed in a state of being arranged concentrically with the forward water channel as a center.

JP-A-10-252955 discloses a refrigerant hose intended to improve the flexibility of the hose while maintaining the durability of the hose (Patent Document 3). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-5345 aims to make the adhesion between the reinforcing layer and at least the outer rubber layer of the inner rubber layer and the outer rubber layer equivalent to that of a high-pressure hose using sulfur vulcanized rubber. A heat-resistant and high-pressure hose is disclosed (Patent Document 4). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-250301 discloses a gas hose intended to improve cut resistance such as damage and breakage without sacrificing bendability (Patent Document 5).
JP-A-10-106362 JP 2000-133058 A JP-A-10-252955 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-5345 JP 2006-250301 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the charging cable that generates heat when the electric vehicle is charged is cooled by circulating the refrigerant through the refrigerant pipe. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to provide a dedicated refrigerant pipe for cooling the charging cable. For this reason, there exists a possibility that manufacturing cost may increase.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a refrigerant pipe and a vehicle for cooling wiring while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

  A refrigerant pipe according to the present invention forms a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant to be supplied to a heating element is circulated, and includes a pipe member including an outer surface and a reinforcing member provided on the outer surface and reinforcing the pipe member. The reinforcing member is a wiring.

  According to the refrigerant pipe configured as described above, the pipe member for supplying the refrigerant to the heating element is provided with the wiring as a reinforcing member for reinforcing the pipe member. That is, the tube member and the wiring use each other for reinforcement and cooling. Thereby, it is possible to cool the wiring while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

  Preferably, a high-voltage current flows through the wiring. According to the refrigerant pipe configured as described above, the wiring that generates heat to a high temperature when a high-voltage current flows can be cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage.

  Preferably, the wiring is made of a metal wire. According to the refrigerant pipe configured as described above, the strength of the pipe member can be improved more effectively.

  Preferably, the refrigerant pipe further includes a resin layer provided so as to cover the wiring on the outer periphery of the pipe member and formed from a resin. According to the refrigerant pipe configured as described above, the resin layer can function as an insulating member that insulates the wiring and a heat radiating member that promotes heat radiation from the wiring to the periphery of the refrigerant pipe.

  Preferably, the wiring is spirally wound on the outer surface along the direction in which the tube member extends. According to the refrigerant pipe configured as described above, the wiring can be provided on the outer surface without crossing each other. Thereby, the insulation between wiring is securable.

  A vehicle according to the present invention includes any one of the refrigerant pipes described above. According to the vehicle configured as described above, the wiring is cooled by using the pipe member for supplying the refrigerant to the heating element mounted on the vehicle.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerant pipe and a vehicle for cooling wiring while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cooling water pipe in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling water pipe along the line II-II in FIG. 1 and 2, cooling water pipe 10 in the present embodiment includes a hose 21 and a wiring 31 through which a current flows.

  The hose 21 forms a cooling water passage 26 through which cooling water (for example, ethylene glycol-based coolant) flows. The hose 21 has a cylindrical shape, and a cooling water passage 26 is formed therein. The hose 21 has a cylindrical shape. The hose 21 is formed from a flexible material. The hose 21 is made of rubber, for example, EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber). The hose 21 includes an outer peripheral surface 21a.

  The wiring 31 is formed from a conductive metal wire. The wiring 31 is made of, for example, copper or aluminum. The wiring 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 21a. The wiring 31 is provided so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 21a. The wiring 31 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 21a. The wiring 31 is wound around the outer peripheral surface 21a. The wiring 31 is provided so as to tighten the hose 21 with a predetermined pressing force. The wiring 31 is provided so as not to intersect on the outer peripheral surface 21a. The wiring 31 is spirally wound along the direction in which the hose 21 extends. The wiring 31 is routed so as to extend in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface 21a while shifting in the direction in which the hose 21 extends. The wiring 31 is wound at a constant pitch along the direction in which the hose 21 extends. When the wiring 31 is spirally wound, it is possible to suppress an excessive stress from being applied to the wiring 31 when the hose 21 is bent.

  The cooling water pipe 10 includes a resin layer 28. The resin layer 28 is provided so as to cover the wiring 31 on the outer periphery of the hose 21. The resin layer 28 is provided so as to separate the adjacent wirings 31 on the outer peripheral surface 21a. The resin layer 28 is formed from an insulating resin. The resin layer 28 is formed of a flexible resin. The resin layer 28 is made of a resin having excellent thermal conductivity. The resin layer 28 is made of, for example, silicone rubber. The wiring 31 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 21 a by the resin layer 28.

  In addition, the wiring 31 and the outer peripheral surface 21a do not necessarily need to contact, and the resin layer 28 may be partly interposed between the wiring 31 and the outer peripheral surface 21a. A configuration may be employed in which a plurality of wirings are wound in multiple positions at positions shifted between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side with the resin layer 28 interposed.

  The wiring 31 is provided as a reinforcing member that reinforces the hose 21. By winding the wiring 31 around the outer peripheral surface 21a, the pressure resistance and durability of the hose 21 can be improved. In the present embodiment, since the wiring 31 made of a metal wire is wound directly around the outer peripheral surface 21a instead of being in an insulating coating, the strength of the hose 21 can be improved more effectively. The wiring 31 generates heat when energized. In the present embodiment, the wiring 31 that generates heat when energized is cooled by heat exchange between the wiring 31 and the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage 26. Thereby, the heat loss in the wiring 31 can be reduced.

  The resin layer 28 has a function of improving the insulation between adjacent wirings 31 as well as a function of protecting the wirings 31. Further, by surrounding the wiring 31 with the resin layer 28, heat dissipation from the wiring 31 to the periphery of the cooling water pipe 10 can be improved as compared with the case where the wiring 31 is exposed to the air. Thereby, even if it is a case where the heat_generation | fever of the wiring 31 is large, the wiring 31 can be cooled effectively by cooling water and the heat dissipation to air | atmosphere. Even at the timing when the flow of the cooling water stops in the cooling water pipe 10, it is possible to prevent the cooling of the wiring 31 from being significantly delayed.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the cooling water pipe in FIG. In the drawing, a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the position along the line III-III in FIG. 1 is shown. Referring to FIG. 3, in this modification, a groove 21 c is formed in the hose 21. The groove 21c is recessed from the outer peripheral surface 21a. The groove 21c extends along the line on which the wiring 31 is routed. The wiring 31 is disposed in the groove 21c. The wiring 31 is provided so that a part thereof is embedded in the groove 21c. The wiring 31 and the wall surface of the groove 21c are in surface contact.

  With such a configuration, since the contact area between the wiring 31 and the hose 21 is increased, heat radiation from the wiring 31 to the cooling water in the cooling water passage 26 can be promoted.

  The cooling water pipe 10 is a pipe provided for cooling a heating element different from the wiring 31, in this embodiment, a heating element mounted on the hybrid vehicle. Hereinafter, a specific usage example of the cooling water pipe 10 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram showing an HV (Hybrid Vehicle) system. The HV system shown in the figure is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that is driven by a motor and an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine.

  Referring to FIG. 4, HV system 200 includes PCU (Power Control Unit) 160, motor generator 110, battery 80, control device 140, power supply lines PL 1 to PL 4, and output lines 220, 240 and 260. including. PCU 160 includes an inverter 130, a boost converter 120, and capacitors C1 and C2.

  The motor generator 110 is actually composed of MG1 that mainly functions as a generator for power generation and MG2 that mainly functions as a motor for driving. However, in order to simplify the following description, Is shown as one motor generator.

  Boost converter 120 is connected to battery 80 via power supply lines PL1 and PL3. Inverter 130 is connected to boost converter 120 through power supply lines PL2 and PL4. Inverter 130 is connected to motor generator 110 via output lines 220, 240, and 260. The battery 80 is a direct current power source, and is formed of a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery. Battery 80 is charged by the DC power supplied to boost converter 120 or received from boost converter 120.

  Motor generator 110 is, for example, a three-phase AC synchronous motor generator, and generates a driving force by AC power received from inverter 130. Motor generator 110 is also used as a generator, generates AC power by power generation action (regenerative power generation) during deceleration, and supplies the generated AC power to inverter 130.

  Boost converter 120 includes an upper arm and a lower arm formed of a semiconductor module, and a reactor L. The upper arm and the lower arm are connected in series between the power supply lines PL2 and PL4. The upper arm connected to the power supply line PL2 includes a power transistor (IGBT: Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) Q1 and a diode D1 connected in antiparallel to the power transistor Q1. The lower arm connected to the power supply line PL4 includes a power transistor Q2 and a diode D2 connected in antiparallel to the power transistor Q2. Reactor L is connected between power supply line PL1 and a connection point between the upper arm and the lower arm.

  Boost converter 120 boosts a DC voltage received from battery 80 (for example, a voltage of 200 V or more) using reactor L, and supplies the boosted voltage to power supply line PL2. Boost converter 120 steps down the DC voltage received from inverter 130 and charges battery 80. Note that boost converter 120 is not necessarily provided.

  Inverter 130 includes a U-phase arm 152, a V-phase arm 154, and a W-phase arm 156. U-phase arm 152, V-phase arm 154 and W-phase arm 156 are connected in parallel between power supply lines PL2 and PL4. Each of the U-phase arm 152, the V-phase arm 154, and the W-phase arm 156 is composed of an upper arm and a lower arm made of semiconductor modules. The upper arm and lower arm of each phase arm are connected in series between power supply lines PL2 and PL4.

The upper arm of the U-phase arm 152 includes a power transistor (IGBT) Q3 and a diode D3 connected in antiparallel to the power transistor Q3. The lower arm of U-phase arm 152 includes power transistor Q4 and diode D4 connected in antiparallel to power transistor Q4. The upper arm of V-phase arm 154 includes power transistor Q5 and diode D5 connected in antiparallel to power transistor Q5. The lower arm of V-phase arm 154 includes power transistor Q6 and diode D6 connected in antiparallel to power transistor Q6. The upper arm of W-phase arm 156 includes power transistor Q7 and a diode D7 connected in antiparallel to power transistor Q7. The lower arm of W-phase arm 156 includes power transistor Q8 and diode D8 connected in antiparallel to power transistor Q8. The connection point of the power transistor of each phase arm is connected to the anti-neutral point side of the coil of the corresponding phase of motor generator 110 via corresponding output lines 220, 240, 260.

  In the figure, a case where the upper arm and the lower arm of the U-phase arm 152 to the W-phase arm 156 are each composed of one semiconductor module composed of a power transistor and a diode is shown. The semiconductor module may be configured.

  Inverter 130 converts a DC voltage received from power supply line PL <b> 2 into an AC voltage based on a control signal from control device 140, and outputs the AC voltage to motor generator 110. Inverter 130 rectifies the AC voltage generated by motor generator 110 into a DC voltage and supplies it to power supply line PL2.

  Capacitor C1 is connected between power supply lines PL1 and PL3, and smoothes the voltage level of power supply line PL1. Capacitor C2 is connected between power supply lines PL2 and PL4, and smoothes the voltage level of power supply line PL2.

  Control device 140 calculates each phase coil voltage of motor generator 110 based on the torque command value of motor generator 110, each phase current value, and the input voltage of inverter 130. Based on the calculation result, control device 140 generates a PWM signal for turning on / off power transistors Q <b> 3 to Q <b> 8 and outputs the PWM signal to inverter 130. Each phase current value of motor generator 110 is detected by a current sensor incorporated in a semiconductor module constituting each arm of inverter 130. This current sensor is disposed in the semiconductor module so as to improve the S / N ratio. Control device 140 calculates the duty ratio of power transistors Q1 and Q2 for optimizing the input voltage of inverter 130 based on the torque command value and the motor speed described above. Based on the result, control device 140 generates a PWM signal for turning on / off power transistors Q1, Q2 and outputs the PWM signal to boost converter 120.

  Further, control device 140 controls the switching operation of power transistors Q <b> 1 to Q <b> 8 in boost converter 120 and inverter 130 to convert AC voltage generated by motor generator 110 into DC voltage and charge battery 80.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of use of the cooling water pipe in FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor generator (MG1) 110m, a motor generator (MG2) 110n, and a water supply hose 51 and a drain hose 52 for circulating cooling water to PCU 160. The cooling water is circulated on a pipe line including a radiator and a water pump (not shown). The cooling water is introduced into the motor generator (MG1) 110m, the motor generator (MG2) 110n and the PCU 160 through the water supply hose 51 and discharged from these through the drainage hose 52. A wiring 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the water supply hose 51.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing another example of use of the cooling water pipe in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 6, in this usage example, the hybrid vehicle has water supply hoses 51p, 51q, 51r and drainage for circulating cooling water to motor generator (MG1) 110m, motor generator (MG2) 110n and PCU 160, respectively. Hose 52p, 52q, 52r is included. Wiring 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of water supply hoses 51p, 51q, 51r.

  5 and 6, the wiring 31 may be the power supply lines PL1 and PL3 in FIG. 4 or the output lines 220, 240, and 260. The wiring 31 may be provided on the drainage hose 52, or may be provided on both the water supply hose 51 and the drainage hose 52.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing still another usage example of the cooling water pipe in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 7, output lines 220, 240, and 260 for the U phase, V phase, and W phase are wound around hose 21. The output lines 220, 240, and 260 are spirally wound with a certain pitch shift in the direction in which the wiring 31 extends. With such a configuration, the output lines 220, 240, and 260 can be wound around the hose 21 without contacting each other.

  A cooling water pipe 10 as a refrigerant pipe in the first embodiment of the present invention is a refrigerant passage through which cooling water as a refrigerant to be supplied to a motor generator (MG1) 110m, a motor generator (MG2) 110n as a heating element and a PCU 160 is circulated. A cooling water passage 26 is formed, and a hose 21 as a pipe member including an outer peripheral surface 21a as an outer surface, and a reinforcing member provided on the outer peripheral surface 21a and reinforcing the hose 21 are provided. The reinforcing member is a wiring 31.

  According to cooling water pipe 10 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above, cooling water pipe 10 provided for cooling motor generator (MG1) 110m, motor generator (MG2) 110n and PCU 160 is provided. The wiring 31 is cooled using. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated pipe for cooling the wiring 31, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Moreover, since the wiring 31 also serves as a reinforcing member for the hose 21, the number of parts can be reduced.

  The present invention can also be applied to a fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) or an electric vehicle (EV) using a fuel cell and a secondary battery as power sources. In the hybrid vehicle in the present embodiment, the internal combustion engine is driven at the fuel efficiency optimum operating point, whereas in the fuel cell hybrid vehicle, the fuel cell is driven at the power generation efficiency optimum operating point. The use of the secondary battery is basically the same for both hybrid vehicles.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a usage example of the cooling air pipe according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The structure of the cooling water pipe in FIG. 1 is similarly applied to the cooling air pipe in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, description is not repeated about the overlapping structure.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the hybrid vehicle includes a battery 80 and a rear cooler 73 as an air conditioner. The battery 80 and the rear cooler 73 are installed behind the rear seat 72. The rear cooler 73 blows the temperature-adjusted cool air toward the occupant of the rear seat 72. An intake hose 82 and an exhaust hose 83 are connected to the battery 80. Part of the cool air blown into the vehicle compartment from the rear cooler 73 flows through the intake hose 82 and is introduced into the battery 80 as cooling air. The cooling air cools the battery 80 that has generated heat. The cooling air whose temperature has risen due to the cooling of the battery 80 flows through the exhaust hose 83 and is discharged into the luggage room 71.

  In the present embodiment, power supply lines PL 1 and PL 3 extending from battery 80 toward PCU 160 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of intake hose 82. Power supply lines PL1 and PL3 are cooled by cooling air flowing through intake hose 82. At the same time, the power supply lines PL1 and PL3 function as reinforcing members that reinforce the intake hose 82.

  According to the cooling air pipe of the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the same effect as that described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, the refrigerant | coolant which distribute | circulates to the refrigerant path in this invention is not limited to water or air, For example, oil may be sufficient. A new refrigerant pipe may be configured by appropriately combining the structures of the cooling water pipe and the cooling air pipe described in the first and second embodiments.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a perspective view which shows the cooling water piping in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the cooling water piping along the II-II line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the cooling water piping in FIG. It is an electric circuit diagram showing an HV system. It is a figure which represents typically the usage example of the cooling water piping in FIG. It is a figure which represents typically another example of use of the cooling water piping in FIG. It is a figure which represents typically still another example of use of the cooling water piping in FIG. It is a figure which represents typically the usage example of the cooling wind piping in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10 cooling water piping, 21 hose, 21a outer peripheral surface, 26 cooling water passage, 28 resin layer, 31 wiring, 51, 51p, 51q, 51r water supply hose, 52, 52p, 52q, 52r drain hose, 82 intake hose, 83 exhaust Hose, 110, 110m, 110n Motor generator, 160 PCU.

Claims (6)

Forming a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant to be supplied to the heating element is circulated, and a tube member including an outer surface;
A reinforcing member provided on the outer surface and reinforcing the pipe member;
The reinforcing member is a refrigerant pipe which is a wiring.   The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1, wherein a high-voltage current flows through the wiring.   The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1, wherein the wiring is made of a metal wire.   The refrigerant pipe according to claim 3, further comprising a resin layer provided so as to cover the wiring on an outer periphery of the pipe member and formed from a resin.   The refrigerant pipe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wiring is spirally wound around the outer surface along a direction in which the pipe member extends.   A vehicle comprising the refrigerant pipe according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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