JP2015229144A - Gas-liquid separator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to efficiently separate bubbles from a coolant even if a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet are provided in side surfaces of a separation tank.SOLUTION: A gas-liquid separator 100 assembled into a cooling circuit cooling an engine with a coolant comprises a gas-liquid separation unit 100A that is a chamber for separating bubbles entering the coolant from the coolant. The gas-liquid separation unit 100A includes an inlet provided in a side surface of the gas-liquid separation unit 100A, for causing the coolant to flow into the gas-liquid separation unit 100A; a passage 50 for separating the bubbles from the coolant flowing into the gas-liquid separation unit 100A; and an outlet 16 provided in a side surface of the gas-liquid separation unit 100A, for discharging most of the coolant flowing into the gas-liquid separation unit 100A to outside of the gas-liquid separation unit 100A after passing through the passage 50. The passage 50 includes a first passage 51 changing a flow of the inflow coolant; and a second passage 52 generating a swirl flow in the coolant introduced from the first passage 51.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator incorporated in a cooling circuit for cooling an engine body.

  A cooling circuit that cools the engine body removes heat from the engine by circulating the coolant between the engine and the surrounding high-temperature parts. Furthermore, the cooling fluid which stored the heat is passed through the radiator to dissipate heat, and the dissipated coolant is returned to the cooling circuit.

  For example, when a turbocharger (hereinafter also referred to as T / C) is provided in the cooling circuit, and the T / C is cooled by the cooling circuit, especially around the exhaust port of the turbine housing and the cylinder head. Surface boiling occurs locally in the high temperature part. Since it is necessary to take out bubbles due to boiling from the cooling circuit, it is common to provide a gas-liquid separation mechanism that separates the gas in the coolant from the liquid and an air escape mechanism at the highest position of the engine and the cooling circuit. Is.

  In general, the air escape mechanism has a pressure cap structure, and when the pressure in the cooling circuit increases, a hole provided in the cap is opened, and the gas escapes to the sub tank. On the contrary, when the pressure in the cooling circuit becomes low, the cooling liquid flows from the sub tank into the cooling circuit, and the pressure inside the radiator is kept constant.

  In addition, the gas-liquid separation mechanism introduces and stores the cooling liquid that has cooled the vehicle-mounted parts, performs gas-liquid separation, and then discharges the cooling liquid with the reduced bubble content again toward the vehicle-mounted parts. It takes place in the separation tank.

  As a mechanism for separating bubbles in the liquid, the liquid flowing into the inflow pipe is inclined downward along the inner wall of the lower chamber by a discharge portion that makes a predetermined angle in the horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the horizontal axis of the inflow pipe. To cause a vortex of the liquid in the lower chamber to release the gas in the liquid as bubbles. In addition, the lower end of the vertical pipe part of the outflow pipe is arranged further below the position where the bubbles are carried downward by the vortex, and the liquid movement in the connection direction in the lower chamber does not prevent the bubbles from entering the upper chamber. A structure has been proposed in which a partition wall is arranged in the main body at a level, and bubbles rising in the upper chamber are discharged to the atmosphere by a gas removal device in the upper chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this structure, gas-liquid separation is performed by a swirling flow, and the gas is discharged upward and the liquid is discharged from a discharge port provided on the bottom surface.

JP 59-139903 A

  However, even if an attempt is made to provide the separation tank with a gas-liquid separation mechanism using a swirling flow as described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to provide a discharge port on the bottom surface of the separation tank due to space limitations in the engine room. is there. Therefore, if an introduction port and a discharge port are provided on the side surface of the separation tank, most of the cooling liquid containing bubbles introduced from the introduction port contains a large amount of bubbles before the bubbles are sufficiently separated by the swirling flow. The coolant will be released.

  In addition, when the discharge part is provided on the side surface of the separation tank, if the gas-liquid separation part has a sufficient vertical volume and the discharge part is provided below the side surface, it is possible to discharge the coolant without bubbles. Although it is conceivable, for example, in the case of a vehicle having an engine room with a low bonnet, the vertical volume of the gas-liquid separation unit cannot be sufficiently taken.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and the object of the present invention is to efficiently separate bubbles from the cooling liquid even if the inlet and outlet of the cooling liquid are provided on the side surface of the separation tank. An object of the present invention is to provide a gas-liquid separator that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present application has invented a gas-liquid separation apparatus that can efficiently perform gas-liquid separation while saving space.

  Specifically, the first invention is directed to a gas-liquid separation device incorporated in a cooling circuit that cools an engine with a cooling liquid, and is a gas-liquid that is a room for separating bubbles mixed in the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid. The gas-liquid separation unit is provided on a side surface of the gas-liquid separation unit, and is provided on an inlet port through which the cooling liquid flows, a path for separating bubbles from the flowing cooling liquid, and a side surface of the gas-liquid separation unit. And an outlet that flows out of the gas-liquid separator after most of the inflowing coolant has passed through the path, the path having a first path for changing the flow of the inflowing coolant, It is comprised from the 2nd path | route which produces a swirling flow in the cooling fluid guide | induced from 1 path | route.

  Thus, even if the inflow port and the outflow port are provided on the side surface of the gas-liquid separation unit, the path for separating the bubbles from the inflowing cooling liquid, the first path for changing the flow of the inflowing cooling liquid, It is comprised from the 2nd path | route which produces a swirl flow in the cooling fluid guide | induced from 1 path | route. For this reason, since the height of a gas-liquid separation apparatus can be suppressed, even if it is a vehicle in which the height of an engine room is not enough, mounting of a gas-liquid separation apparatus is attained. Therefore, space can be saved and gas-liquid separation can be performed efficiently.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the second path is formed in an arc shape in plan view.

  Thus, by forming the second path in an arc shape in plan view, the flow path length of the coolant can be reliably increased.

  According to a third aspect, in the first aspect, the gas-liquid separation unit is provided with a plurality of inflow ports, and the gas-liquid separation unit inhibits the outflow of the inflowing coolant to the outflow port. The coolant having a path and flowing in from at least one of the plurality of inlets is changed in flow by the third path and guided to the second path.

  According to this, even if it is an inflow port in which a cooling fluid is not led directly to the 2nd course among a plurality of inflow mouths, a cooling fluid can be surely led to the 2nd course. Therefore, since a plurality of inflow ports can be provided, the degree of freedom in the layout of the cooling circuit is increased.

  In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, a majority of the coolant flowing in from one of the plurality of inlets passes through the first path and then flows into the second path. After passing through the second path, most of the coolant that flows into the third path and flows from the other inlet, passes through the third path, and a part of the coolant that flows from the other inlet, Inflow from the third path into the second path and / or the first path.

  In a fifth aspect based on the third aspect, the third path is provided on the inner wall of the gas-liquid separator.

  According to this, the flow path length in the gas-liquid separator in the coolant from at least one of the plurality of inlets can be extended.

  In a sixth aspect based on the third aspect, the third route is a part of the second route.

  Even in such a case, the flow path length in the gas-liquid separator in the coolant from at least one of the plurality of inlets can be extended.

  In a seventh aspect based on the first aspect, the inflow port and the outflow port share the function.

  According to this, the freedom degree of the layout of a cooling circuit becomes high.

  In an eighth aspect based on the first aspect, the cooling circuit includes a heater, and the gas-liquid separator is connected in series with the heater.

  According to this, since piping can be reduced compared with the case where a gas-liquid separation part is provided in parallel with a heater circuit, space saving can be achieved.

  According to a ninth invention, in the first invention described above, the air bubble separated from the coolant is discharged into the atmosphere, and further includes a sub-tank that stores the coolant, and the gas-liquid separator is provided integrally with the sub-tank. It is what.

  Thus, since the gas-liquid separation part and the sub tank are provided integrally, space saving can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently perform gas-liquid separation while saving space.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the main body of the gas-liquid separator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a modification of the main body of the gas-liquid separation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the operation of the engine in the cooling circuit including the gas-liquid separator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an operation after operation of the engine in the cooling circuit including the gas-liquid separator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, its application, or its application.

(One embodiment)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 1 shows a gas-liquid separator incorporated in an engine cooling circuit according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas-liquid separator 100 according to the present embodiment includes a gas-liquid separator 100A and a sub tank (reservation tank) 100B formed integrally with the gas-liquid separator 100A. . In addition, the gas-liquid separator 100 includes a main body 100a and a lid 100b that is airtightly fitted at the peripheral edge of the upper end of the main body 100a. The main body 100a and the lid 100b are made of a material having heat resistance to the higher one of the temperature of the components arranged around the gas-liquid separator 100 and the temperature of the coolant, for example, a resin material. Can be configured.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an inflow port 12 into which a coolant from a heater described later flows is disposed on a side surface corresponding to the gas-liquid separation unit 100 </ b> A in the lid body 100 b. Further, a pressure cap 30 is disposed on the upper surface of the lid 100b corresponding to the gas / liquid separator 100A. A cap 40 is disposed on the upper surface of the lid 100b corresponding to the sub tank 100B. A second circulation port 32 is provided on the side surface of the pressure cap 30, and a third circulation port 42 and a fourth circulation port 44 are provided on the upper surface of the cap 40. The second flow port 32 of the pressure cap 30 and the third flow port 42 of the cap 40 are airtightly connected by a pipe 46 made of, for example, a resin material or a synthetic rubber material.

  As is well known, when the pressure in the cooling circuit increases, the pressurization cap 30 opens the pressurization regulating valve, and the gas flows from the second flow port 32 through the pipe 46 and the third flow port 42 to the sub tank 100B. Exit. Specifically, the third circulation port 42 is connected to a pipe (not shown) that reaches the vicinity of the bottom surface of the sub tank 100B. The inflowing air moves from the pipe to the liquid level, and is released from the liquid level to the atmosphere through the fourth flow port 44 on the upper surface of the cap 40. When the pressure in the cooling circuit is still higher than the predetermined value, the cooling liquid flows into the sub tank 100B. On the contrary, when the pressure in the cooling circuit becomes low, the coolant flows from the pipe inside the sub tank 100B through the third flow port 42, the pipe 46, the second flow port 32, and the pressure cap 30. Returning to the gas-liquid separator 100A, which is a cooling circuit, the pressure inside the radiator, which will be described later, is maintained at a predetermined value.

  FIG. 2 shows a planar configuration of the main body 100a. As shown in FIG. 2, the gas / liquid separator 100 </ b> A is configured as one room of the gas / liquid separator 100, for example. On the side surface of the main body 100a corresponding to the gas-liquid separator 100A, the coolant outlet 16 and the outflow of coolant to the supercharger (T / C) described later, and the coolant from the T / C A first circulation port 14 for inflow is provided.

  In the gas-liquid separator 100A constituting the gas-liquid separator 100 according to the present embodiment, a first path 51 that changes the flow of the coolant flowing in from the inlet 12 and the cooling guided from the first path 51 are provided. A path 50 including a second path 52 that generates a swirling flow in the liquid is disposed. Here, as an example, the first path 51 is configured such that the traveling direction of the coolant that has flowed in is directed to the inner wall on the right side. The second path 52 is formed in a substantially arc shape in plan view, and is configured to generate a counterclockwise swirling flow in the coolant guided from the first path 51. As a result, the cooling liquid flowing in from the side surface of the gas-liquid separation unit 100A is extended in the time spent in the gas-liquid separation unit 100A, so that the bubbles contained in the cooling liquid can be efficiently separated.

  In the present embodiment, an inhibition wall 53 that forms a third path that inhibits the flow of the coolant is disposed in front of the outlet 16. The obstruction wall 53 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the flow direction to the outlet 16 and blocks the flow of the coolant, thereby allowing the interior of the gas-liquid separation unit 100A in the coolant that has passed through the first path 51 and the second path 52 to be blocked. You can extend your stay in Japan further. In addition, when the coolant from the T / C flows in from the first circulation port 14, a part of the coolant that has flowed in becomes at least one of the second path 52 and the first path 51 by the inhibition wall 53. Inflow. As described above, even if the ratio of the coolant flowing through the first path 51 and the second path 52 decreases, the flow of the coolant is inhibited by the inhibition wall 53 provided in front of the outlet 16. This makes it possible to extend the staying time of the coolant in the gas-liquid separator 100A.

(One variation)
FIG. 3 shows a modification of the inhibition wall provided inside the gas-liquid separator 100A. As shown in FIG. 3, the inhibition wall 52 a according to this modification is provided outside the second path 52 so as to block the outlet 16. Even in this case, the inhibition wall 52a provided in front of the outlet 16 can extend the staying time of the coolant in the gas-liquid separator 100A.

  In the present embodiment, the gas-liquid separator 100A and the sub-tank 100B are integrally provided as a configuration of the gas-liquid separator 100. However, the gas-liquid separator 100A and the sub-tank 100B are not necessarily integrated. Absent. However, space saving can be achieved if the gas-liquid separator 100A and the sub-tank 100B are integrally provided.

(Cooling circuit operation during engine operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the cooling circuit during operation of the engine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the operation of the engine according to the present embodiment and its cooling circuit during operation. As shown in FIG. 4, when the engine 110 is operated, a water jacket (not shown) and an oil cooler (O / C) 112 disposed in the engine 110 are moved by the operation of the water pump (W / P) 111. Cooling water circulates. When the thermostat (T / S) 111 is opened, the cooling water circulates through the radiator 114 by the water pump 111. Further, if the thermostat 111 is in an open state, the heater 115, the gas-liquid separator 100A, the electric water pump (EWP) 116, and the water pump 111 are circulated as other paths. At this time, as described above, a circuit is formed from the gas-liquid separator 100A to return to the water pump 111 from the first circulation port 14 through the supercharger (T / C) 117. Further, as described above, in the gas-liquid separator 100A, the pressure in the cooling circuit is maintained through the pressure cap 30 and the sub tank 100B.

  As described above, in general, the gas-liquid separation unit 100A arranged in parallel with the circuit including the heater 115 is arranged in series with the circuit including the heater 115 in this embodiment, thereby reducing the number of pipes. it can. Thereby, space saving can further be realized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, while ensuring the flow rate of the coolant necessary to ensure the predetermined heating performance for the heater 115 and the gas-liquid separator 100A connected in series, in the vertical direction. The gas-liquid separation can be realized by the swirl flow generated inside the small gas-liquid separator 100A having a relatively small size.

(Cooling circuit operation after engine operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the cooling circuit after the operation of the engine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows the operation of the engine according to the present embodiment and its cooling circuit after operation. After the engine 110 is operated, that is, when the ignition is turned off, the water pump 111 stops. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to cool the supercharger 117 after the operation, the electric water pump (EWP) 116 is operated until a predetermined time or a predetermined temperature is reached. In this case, if the thermostat 113 is in the open state, the coolant circulates from the electric water pump 116 through the radiator 114, the thermostat 113, the heater 115, and the gas-liquid separator 100A. Further, the coolant flows into the gas-liquid separator 100A from the first flow port 14 described above through the supercharger 117 and returns to the electric water pump 116 from the outlet 16. Thereby, even if bubbles are generated in the coolant due to boiling or the like in the supercharger 117, the bubbles can be released to the atmosphere through the gas-liquid separator 100A, the pressure cap 30, and the sub tank 100B.

-Effect-
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the gas-liquid separation unit 100A, the path 50 for separating the bubbles from the inflowing coolant has the first path 51 for changing the flow of the inflowing coolant, and the first The second path 52 generates a swirling flow in the coolant guided from the first path 51. For this reason, even if the coolant inlet 12, the outlet 16 and the first circulation port 14 are provided on the side surface of the gas-liquid separator 100 </ b> A, the height of the gas-liquid separator 100 can be suppressed. As a result, the gas-liquid separation unit 100A can be mounted even in a vehicle in which the height of the engine room is not sufficient. Therefore, gas-liquid separation can be performed efficiently while saving space.

  The gas-liquid separation device according to the present invention can be applied to applications for performing gas-liquid separation while saving space.

100 Gas-Liquid Separator 100a Main Body 100b Lid Part 100A Gas-Liquid Separator 100B Subtank 12 Inlet 14 First Flow Port 16 Outlet 30 Pressure Cap 32 Second Flow Port 40 Cap 42 Third Flow Port 44 Fourth Flow Mouth 46 Pipe 50 Path 51 First path 52 Second path 52a Inhibition wall (third path)
53 Inhibition wall (3rd pathway)
110 Engine 111 Water pump 112 Oil cooler 113 Thermostat 114 Radiator 115 Heater 116 Electric water pump (EWP)
117 Supercharger (T / C)

Claims (9)

In the gas-liquid separator incorporated in the cooling circuit that cools the engine with coolant,
A gas-liquid separation unit that is a room for separating bubbles mixed in the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid,
The gas-liquid separator is
An inlet provided on a side surface of the gas-liquid separator and into which a cooling liquid flows;
A path for separating bubbles from the flowing coolant,
Provided on a side surface of the gas-liquid separator, and having an outlet that flows out of the gas-liquid separator after most of the inflowing coolant passes through the path.
The route is
A first path for changing the flow of the coolant flowing in;
A gas-liquid separator comprising: a second path that generates a swirling flow in the coolant guided from the first path. In the gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1,
The gas-liquid separation device, wherein the second path is formed in an arc shape in a plan view. In the gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1 or 2,
The gas-liquid separation unit is provided with a plurality of the inlets,
The gas-liquid separator has a third path that inhibits outflow of the coolant flowing into the outlet.
The gas-liquid separation device is characterized in that the coolant flowing in from at least one of the plurality of inflow ports is guided to the second path after the flow is changed by the third path. In the gas-liquid separation device according to claim 3,
Most of the coolant flowing in from one of the plurality of inlets passes through the first path, then flows into the second path, and further passes through the second path. Into the third path,
Most of the coolant flowing in from the other inlet passes through the third path, and a part of the coolant flowing in from the other inlet flows from the third path to the second path and / or the second path. A gas-liquid separator that flows into one path. In the gas-liquid separation device according to claim 3 or 4,
The gas-liquid separation device, wherein the third path is provided on an inner wall of the gas-liquid separation unit. In the gas-liquid separation device according to claim 3,
The gas-liquid separation device, wherein the third path is a part of the second path. In the gas-liquid separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The gas-liquid separator is characterized in that the functions of the inflow port and the outflow port are shared. In the gas-liquid separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The cooling circuit includes a heater;
The gas-liquid separator is characterized in that the gas-liquid separator is connected in series with the heater. In the gas-liquid separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Releasing the bubbles separated from the cooling liquid into the atmosphere, and further comprising a sub-tank containing the cooling liquid;
The gas-liquid separator is characterized in that the gas-liquid separator is provided integrally with the sub-tank.

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