JP2021124193A - Branch connection pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a branch connection pipe that reduces pressure loss in the whole piping through which heat exchanging fluid flows and causes the heat exchanging fluid to smoothly flow into a branch flow from a main flow.SOLUTION: A branch connection pipe in the present invention connects between a first passage through which heat exchanging fluid flows, a second passage branching from the first passage and a third passage. The third passage has a diameter that is smaller than that of the second passage. An opening from which fluid flows into the third passage from the first passage is provided in a branch point where the second passage branches from the first passage. The opening is open toward a flowing direction of the fluid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a branch connection pipe.

Conventionally, a cooling system that circulates a fluid for heat exchange to cool a vehicle engine or the like is known. In such a cooling system, a branch connection pipe for connecting the main stream side pipe and the tributary side pipe is used at a place where the heat exchange fluid is branched from the main stream to the tributary.

Further, in such a branch connection pipe, it is common to adjust the amount of fluid flowing to the tributary side by an orifice provided on the main stream side.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-223290

However, in the prior art, if the diameter of the orifice is reduced in order to increase the amount of fluid flowing to the tributary side, the pressure loss of the entire cooling system becomes large, and a water pump having a high head is required to circulate the fluid. was there.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the branch connection pipe of the present invention has a first passage through which a fluid for heat exchange flows, a second passage branching from the first passage, and a third. Connect with the passage of. The diameter of the third passage is smaller than the diameter of the second passage. At the branch point where the first passage branches to the second passage, an opening through which the fluid flows from the first passage to the third passage is provided, and the opening opens in the flow direction of the fluid. ..

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the entire pipe through which the heat exchange fluid flows, and to allow the heat exchange fluid to smoothly flow from the main stream to the tributary stream.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the heat exchange system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the branch connection pipe according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view taken along the arrow A of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a branch connection pipe according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a branch connection pipe according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an orifice according to a modified example. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a branch connection pipe according to a comparative example.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the heat exchange system S according to the first embodiment. The heat exchange system S is, for example, a water cooling system mounted on a vehicle and cooling the engine 4 and the oil cooler 7 with cooling water cooled by the radiator 6. Further, in the heat exchange system S of the present embodiment, the cooling water whose temperature has risen due to the heat of the engine 4 is used for heating the heater 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, as an example, the heat exchange system S includes an engine 4, a water pump 8, a radiator 6, an oil cooler 7, a heater 5, a main stream pipe 1, tributary pipes 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, and a branch connection. The tubes 3a and 3b are provided. Hereinafter, when the tributaries 21a and 21b are collectively referred to, the inflow tributary pipe 21 is referred to, and when the tributaries 22a and 22b are collectively referred to, the discharge tributary pipe 22 is referred to. Further, when the inflow tributary pipe 21 and the discharge tributary pipe 22 are not particularly distinguished, they are referred to as tributary pipes 21 and 22. Further, when the branch connection pipes 3a and 3b are generically referred to, they are referred to as the branch connection pipe 3. When the main stream pipe 1, the tributary pipes 21 and 22, and the branch connection pipe 3 are collectively referred to as a pipe. Note that FIG. 1 shows an outline of the piping, and does not show the shapes of the main stream pipe 1, the tributary pipes 21 and 22, and the branch connecting pipe 3.

Cooling water circulates in the main stream pipe 1, the tributary pipes 21 and 22, and the branch connection pipe 3. The cooling water is, for example, a liquid such as LLC (Long Life Coolant), but is not limited thereto. The cooling water is an example of a fluid for heat exchange in the present embodiment, and is also referred to as a heat medium or a refrigerant.

The engine 4 is an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and is cooled by cooling water. The engine 4 is connected to the main stream pipe 1. There is a passage through which the cooling water passes in the engine 4, and the engine 4 is cooled by taking heat of the engine 4 when the cooling water passes through the passage.

The cooling water heated by the heat of the engine 4 returns in the main stream pipe 1, is cooled by the radiator 6, and then flows into the engine 4 again by being pressurized to the water pump 8. Further, a part of the cooling water circulating in the main stream pipe 1 flows into the heater 5 and the oil cooler 7 by the inflow tributary pipe 21, and the cooling water rejoins the main stream pipe 1 by the discharge tributary pipe 22. do.

The main stream pipe 1 is a pipe that allows the cooling water that has cooled the engine 4 to flow back into the engine 4 via the heater 5, the radiator 6, the oil cooler 7, and the water pump 8. Further, the tributary pipes 21 and 22 are pipes having a diameter smaller than that of the main stream pipe 1 and are used to distribute a part of the cooling water flowing through the main stream pipe 1 to the heater 5 or the oil cooler 7. One end of the tributary pipes 21 and 22c is connected to the main stream pipe 1 via the branch connection pipe 3, and the other end is connected to the heater 5 or the oil cooler 7. The main stream pipe 1 and the tributary pipes 21 and 22 are, for example, water hoses made of synthetic rubber or the like.

The branch connection pipe 3 connects the main stream pipe 1 and the tributary pipes 21 and 22. The material of the branch connection pipe 3 is, for example, resin, but it may be metal. The details of the branch connection pipe 3 will be described later.

The heater 5 is, for example, an air conditioner for warming the air inside the vehicle, and releases the air warmed by heat exchange with the cooling water heated by the engine 4 into the vehicle. The heater 5 is connected to the tributaries 21a and 22a. The cooling water that has flowed from the main stream pipe 1 into the inflow tributary pipe 21a via the branch connecting pipe 3a flows into the heater 5. Further, the cooling water discharged from the heater 5 to the discharge tributary pipe 22a joins the main stream pipe 1 via the branch connection pipe 3a.

The oil cooler 7 is a device that cools oil such as lubricating oil for a vehicle or hydraulic oil for hydraulic equipment by heat exchange with cooling water. The oil cooler 7 is connected to the tributaries 21b and 22b. The cooling water that has flowed from the main stream pipe 1 into the inflow tributary pipe 21b via the branch connecting pipe 3b flows into the oil cooler 7. Further, the cooling water discharged from the oil cooler 7 to the discharge tributary pipe 22b joins the main stream pipe 1 via the branch connection pipe 3b.

Although the oil cooler 7 is located between the radiator 6 and the water pump 8 in FIG. 1, it may be provided between the heater 5 and the radiator 6 or between the engine 4 and the heater 5. In general, lubricating oil for vehicles, hydraulic oil for hydraulic equipment, and the like have a higher heat than the engine 4, so even cooling water heated by the engine 4 can be used for cooling these oils.

Hereinafter, when the heat exchangers connected to the tributary pipes 21 and 22, such as the oil cooler 7 and the heater 5, are generically referred to as heat exchange target devices. The heat exchange system S includes at least one heat exchange target device. The heat exchange target device is not limited to these, and may be, for example, an intercooler or the like.

The radiator 6 is a device that cools the cooling water by dissipating heat from the cooling water that has become hot due to the heat of the engine 4. The radiator 6 is connected to the main stream pipe 1. For example, the radiator 6 promotes heat exchange between the cooling water passing through the radiator 6 and the air by blowing air by the rotation of a cooling fan (not shown), and cools the cooling water. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration in which the radiator 6 is connected to the main stream pipe 1, a configuration in which the radiator 6 is connected to the tributary pipes 21 and 22 may be adopted.

The water pump 8 is connected to the main stream pipe 1 to circulate the cooling water in the pipe. For example, the water pump 8 sends the cooling water discharged from the radiator 6 to the engine 4 side by the rotation of an impeller (not shown).

Next, the branch connection pipe 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the branch connection pipe 3 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the branch connection pipe 3 connects the first passage 31, the second passage 32 branching from the first passage 31, and the third passage 33. The branch connection pipe 3 further connects the second passage 32 and the fourth passage 34.

The first passage 31 and the second passage 32 are connected to the main stream pipe 1, respectively. For example, the end portion 311 to the convex portion 312 of the first passage 31 and the end portion 321 to the convex portion 322 of the second passage 32 are fixed in a state of being inserted into the main stream pipe 1, respectively. Cooling water flows into the first passage 31 from the main stream pipe 1. Further, cooling water flows into the second passage 32 from the first passage 31.

The third passage 33 connects to the inflow tributary pipe 21. For example, the end portion 331 to the convex portion 332 of the third passage 33 are fixed in a state of being inserted into the inflow tributary pipe 21. Cooling water flows into the third passage 33 from the first passage 31.

The fourth passage 34 is a passage through which the cooling water flowing into the third passage 33 flows after passing through the heat exchange target device, and is connected to the discharge tributary pipe 22. For example, the end portion 341 to the convex portion 342 of the fourth passage 34 are fixed in a state of being inserted into the discharge tributary pipe 22. The cooling water that has passed through the fourth passage 34 then flows into the second passage 32.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the arrow A of FIG. Further, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the diameter L3 of the third passage 33 and the diameter L4 of the fourth passage 34 are smaller than the diameter L1 of the first passage 31 and the diameter L2 of the second passage 32. The diameter L1 and the diameter L2 may be equal to or different from each other. The diameter L3 and the diameter L4 may be equal to or different from each other.

The first passage 31 and the second passage 32 are connected at an angle. In the present embodiment, the angle θ1 formed by the first passage 31 and the second passage 32, that is, the angle θ1 formed by the center line C1 of the first passage 31 and the center line C2 of the second passage 32 is It is an obtuse angle.

Further, inside the second passage 32, an orifice 35 having an inner diameter smaller than that of the surroundings is provided. The orifice 35 is, for example, a plate having a hole 351 which is a through hole concentric with the second passage 32, and is an example of an inner diameter changing portion. The diameter L5 of the hole 351 of the orifice 35 is smaller than the diameter L2 of the second passage 32 and larger than the diameter L3 of the third passage 33.

Further, at the branch point where the first passage 31, the second passage 32 and the third passage 33 branch, an opening 333 through which cooling water flows into the first passage 31 to the third passage 33 is provided. .. The starting position of the opening 333 is provided on the upstream side of the orifice 35. The opening 333 opens in the flow direction of the cooling water. Therefore, a part of the cooling water flowing from the main stream pipe 1 into the first passage 31 goes straight toward the third passage 33 and flows into the opening 333, and from the end portion 331 of the third passage 33. It flows into the inflow tributary pipe 21. In FIG. 4, the lower end of the third passage 33 is located below the lower end of the first passage 31, but the lower end of the first passage 31 and the lower end of the third passage 33 are linearly connected. You may.

Further, the third passage 33 is arranged in the coaxial direction with the first passage 31. In the present embodiment, the center line C1 of the first passage 31 and the center line C3 of the third passage 33 are substantially parallel to each other. The first passage 31 and the third passage 33 do not have to be completely parallel.

Of the cooling water that has flowed into the first passage 31, the one that has not flowed into the third passage 33 bends along the angle θ1 formed by the first passage 31 and the second passage 32, and is an orifice. After passing through 35, it flows into the main stream pipe 1 from the end 331 of the second passage 32.

Further, the confluence portion 343 between the fourth passage 34 and the second passage 32 is provided downstream of the orifice 35. The cooling water discharged from the heat exchange target device flows into the second passage 32 through the discharge tributary pipe 22 and the fourth passage 34, and flows into the main stream pipe 1 from the end portion 321 of the second passage 32. do.

As described above, in the branch connection pipe 3 of the present embodiment, the opening 333 of the third passage 33 opens in the flow direction of the cooling water. With this configuration, the pressure loss when the cooling water passing through the first passage 31 flows into the third passage 33 is reduced, and the cooling water can smoothly flow into the third passage 33, so that the orifice The resistance of 35 can be reduced. Therefore, according to the branch connection pipe 3 of the present embodiment, the pressure loss of the entire pipe through which the heat exchange fluid flows can be reduced, and the heat exchange fluid can smoothly flow from the main stream to the tributary stream.

Here, a comparative example will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a branch connection pipe according to a comparative example. In FIG. 8A, one three-pronged branch connecting pipe is provided at each of the inflow portion of the cooling water from the main stream pipe to the tributary pipe and the confluence portion of the cooling water from the tributary pipe to the main stream pipe. .. The amount of cooling water distributed to the tributary pipe by providing an orifice in the branch connection pipe provided at the inflow part of the cooling water to the tributary pipe, or by reducing the diameter of the main stream pipe between the two branch connection pipes. Is adjustable. In this configuration, since two branch connection pipes are used, it may be difficult to reduce the installation location of the pipes in the entire heat exchange system and reduce the manufacturing cost. In addition, since the path through which the cooling water flows from the main stream pipe side to the tributary pipe side is bent, the pressure loss when the cooling water flows into the tributary pipe increases, so the orifice diameter should be reduced accordingly. For example, the pressure loss on the main stream pipe side between the two branch connecting pipes is increased so that the cooling water flows into the tributary pipe side. Therefore, the pressure loss of the entire pipe may increase.

Further, in FIG. 8 (b), by using a four-pronged branch connecting pipe having an orifice, it is possible to reduce the size of the pipe of the entire heat exchange system as compared with FIG. 8 (a). However, also in FIG. 8 (b), as in FIG. 8 (a), the path through which the cooling water flows from the main stream pipe side to the tributary pipe side is bent. For this reason, there have been problems in the past that the pressure loss when the cooling water flows into the tributary pipe and the pressure loss of the entire pipe become large. If the pressure loss of the entire pipe becomes large, a water pump having a high head may be required to recirculate the cooling water.

On the other hand, in the branch connection pipe 3 of the present embodiment, the pressure loss when the cooling water passing through the first passage 31 flows into the third passage 33 is reduced, so that the resistance due to the orifice 35 is increased. Cooling water can be smoothly flowed into the third passage 33 without increasing the size. Therefore, the pressure loss of the entire pipe can be reduced.

Further, in the branch connecting pipe 3 of the present embodiment, the angle θ1 formed by the first passage 31 and the second passage 32 is an obtuse angle. Therefore, the path of the cooling water from the first passage 31 to the second passage 32 is bent to generate resistance, and the cooling water can flow into the third passage 33 more smoothly.

Further, in the branch connection pipe 3 of the present embodiment, the confluence portion 343 between the first passage 31 and the fourth passage 34 is provided downstream of the orifice 35. Therefore, according to the branch connection pipe 3 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the backflow of the cooling water via the heat exchange target device to the upstream side and efficiently recirculate the cooling water.

(Second Embodiment)
In this second embodiment, the branch connecting pipe has a separator in the first passage 31 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the branch connection pipe 1003 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along the flow direction of the cooling water of the branch connection pipe 1003. Further, FIG. 5 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 5 (a).

The branch connection pipe 1003 connects the main stream pipe 1 and the tributary pipes 21 and 22 in the heat exchange system S, as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5A, the branch connection pipe 1003 has a separator 36 in the first passage 31. The separator 36 divides the cooling water flowing into the third passage 33 among the cooling water passing through the first passage 31. Further, since the separator 36 is located in the first passage 31, it is located upstream of the orifice 35 provided in the second passage 32. The separator 36 connects to the third passage 33 and extends from the third passage 33 toward the first passage 31. As shown in FIG. 5A, the end portion 334 of the separator 36 faces the first passage 31.

Further, since the opening 333 of the third passage 33 is provided at the end portion 334a of the separator 36 facing the first passage 31, it is located further upstream of the orifice 35 than in the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the branch connection pipe 1003 of the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the direction of the flow of the main stream (first passage 31 and second passage 32) by the radius portion 313 changes. The cooling water can be previously flowed into the tributary (third passage 33), and the cooling water can flow more smoothly from the first passage 31 to the third passage 33.

Further, the connecting portion between the first passage 31 and the second passage 32 of the present embodiment is provided with a rounded portion 313 whose inner surface is rounded and curved. The pressure loss can be reduced by allowing the cooling water to flow into the second passage 32 along the radius portion 313.

(Third Embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments described above, the angle θ1 formed by the first passage 31 and the second passage 32 is an obtuse angle, but the angle formed by the first passage 31 and the second passage 32. The angle of is not limited to this.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the branch connection pipe 2003 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the flow direction of the cooling water of the branch connection pipe 2003. Further, FIG. 6 (b) is a view taken along the arrow D of FIG. 6 (a). As shown in FIG. 6A, in the present embodiment, the angle θ2 formed by the first passage 31 and the second passage 32 is a right angle. Not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6A, the angle θ2 formed by the first passage 31 and the second passage 32 is changed according to the space in the vehicle on which the branch connecting pipe 2003 is mounted. You may.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the radius portion 313 is provided at the connection portion from the first passage 31 to the second passage 32, the angle of changing the course of the cooling water is relaxed and the pressure loss is reduced. NS.

(Modification example)
In the first to third embodiments described above, the orifice 35 is provided as a plate having holes 351 concentric with the second passage 32, but the shape of the orifice is not limited to this. For example, the hole provided in the orifice may have a circular shape eccentric from the second passage 32.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the orifice 35a according to the modified example. As shown in FIG. 7, the center line C4 of the hole 351a provided in the orifice 35a is deviated from the center line C2 of the second passage 32 toward the third passage 33. Since the cooling water flows along the branch between the second passage 32 and the third passage 33, according to the branch connection pipe 3 of this modification, the pressure at which the cooling water flows into the second passage 32. The loss can be reduced. Further, the holes provided in the orifices 35 and 35a are not limited to a circular shape, and may be, for example, a rectangular shape.

As described above, according to the first to third embodiments, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the entire pipe through which the heat exchange fluid flows, and to allow the heat exchange fluid to smoothly flow from the main stream to the tributary. can.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... Main stream pipe, 21, 22, 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b ... Tributary pipe, 3, 3a, 3b, 1003, 2003 ... Branch connection pipe, 4 ... Engine, 5 ... Heater, 6 ... Radiator, 7 ... Oil cooler , 8 ... Water pump, 31 ... 1st passage, 32 ... 2nd passage, 33 ... 3rd passage, 34 ... 4th passage, 35, 35a ... Orifice, 313 ... Earl part, 333 ... Opening, 36 ... Separator, 343 ... Confluence, S ... Heat exchange system.

Claims (6)

A branch connection pipe connecting a first passage through which a fluid for heat exchange flows, a second passage branching from the first passage, and a third passage.
The diameter of the third passage is smaller than the diameter of the second passage.
At the branch point where the second passage branches from the first passage, an opening through which the fluid flows from the first passage to the third passage is provided.
The opening opens in the flow direction of the fluid.
Branch connection pipe. The angle formed by the first passage and the second passage is an obtuse angle or a right angle.
The branch connection pipe according to claim 1. Inside the second passage, an inner diameter changing portion having an inner diameter smaller than that of the surroundings is provided.
The branch connection pipe according to claim 1 or 2. The opening is located upstream of the inner diameter change portion.
The branch connection pipe according to claim 3. In the first passage, a separator for dividing the fluid flowing into the third passage among the fluids passing through the first passage is provided.
One end of the separator faces the first passage and the other end connects to the third passage.
The opening is provided at the end of the separator facing the first passage.
The branch connection pipe according to claim 4. The branch connecting pipe further connects the fourth passage into which the fluid flowing into the third passage flows.
The merging portion where the second passage and the fourth passage meet is provided downstream of the inner diameter changing portion.
The branch connection pipe according to claim 4 or 5.

Images