JP2022015797A - Liquid cooling device and rotary electric machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a liquid cooling device which can inhibit deterioration of water tightness of a connection part regardless of thermal expansion coefficients of a coolant circulation part and a pipe joint and an environmental temperature of the connection part.SOLUTION: A liquid cooling device 1 includes: a body part 2 having a coolant passage; a coolant circulation part 3 which is fixed at one end to the body part and includes a through hole 31 communicating with the passage; a pipe joint 4 which has a flange part 41 and a press-fitting part 42 protruding from the flange part and in which the flange part contacts with the other end part of the coolant circulation part and the press-fitting part is press-fitted in the through hole; a cover 5 which covers an outer periphery of the flange part and an outer periphery of the coolant circulation part; and a flexible seal member 6 filling a space between the flange part and the coolant circulation part and the cover.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present application relates to a liquid cooling device and a rotary electric machine.

Some rotary electric machines installed in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc. are integrated with an electronic control unit. Since such a rotary electric machine carries a large current, it may be provided with a liquid cooling device for cooling the electronic control unit. This liquid cooling device has a cooling liquid distribution unit that serves as a distribution port for circulating the cooling liquid with an external device. A pipe joint is press-fitted into the coolant flow portion to form a connection portion. When the material of the coolant flow part and the material of the pipe joint are different, thermal stress is generated in the connection part due to the difference in the thermal expansion rate with the temperature change. Therefore, there is a problem that the watertightness of the connection portion is lowered.

As a liquid cooling device for dealing with such a problem, a main body having a flow path for the coolant, a coolant flow part having a communication hole communicating with the flow path of the main body, a flange part and a press-fitting part are provided. However, there is one provided with a pipe joint in which the flange portion is in contact with the opening of the coolant flow portion and the press-fit portion is press-fitted into the communication hole. In this liquid cooling device, the opening of the coolant flow section is chamfered to form a space between the coolant flow section and the flange, and the space is filled with an anaerobic adhesive. It is filled with a resin containing bubbles. In the liquid cooling device configured in this way, even if thermal stress is generated at the connection portion due to the difference in the thermal expansion rate due to the temperature change, the thermal stress is relaxed by the shrinkage of the bubbles contained in the resin. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in watertightness of the connection portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 6589680

In the conventional liquid cooling device, when the thermal expansion rate of the pipe joint is larger than the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow portion, the thermal expansion of the pipe joint due to the temperature rise can be alleviated by the shrinkage of bubbles. However, in the conventional liquid cooling device, when the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow section is larger than the thermal expansion rate of the pipe joint, the thermal expansion of the coolant flow section is larger than the thermal expansion of the pipe joint as the temperature rises. growing. Therefore, the gap between the press-fitted pipe joint and the communication hole of the coolant flow portion is widened, and the flange portion of the pipe joint is extruded in the direction opposite to the press-fitting direction, so that the watertightness of the connection portion is reduced. .. Even if the thermal expansion rate of the pipe joint is larger than the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow part, if the environmental temperature of the connection part becomes lower than the temperature at the time of assembly, the heat shrinkage of the pipe joint cools. It becomes larger than the heat shrinkage of the liquid flow part. Therefore, the gap between the press-fitted pipe joint and the communication hole of the coolant flow portion is widened, and the watertightness of the connection portion is lowered.
As described above, in the conventional liquid cooling device, the magnitude relationship between the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow section and the thermal expansion rate of the pipe joint, and the magnitude relationship between the environmental temperature of the connection portion and the temperature when assembled are used. Has a problem that the watertightness of the connection portion may decrease.

The present application has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a liquid capable of suppressing a decrease in watertightness of the connection portion regardless of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow portion and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connection portion. The purpose is to provide a cooling device.

In the liquid cooling device of the present application, a main body portion having a cooling liquid flow path, a cooling liquid flow section having one end fixed to the main body section and having a through hole communicating with the flow path, a flange portion and the flange thereof. A pipe joint that has a press-fitting portion that protrudes from the portion, the flange portion contacts the other end of the coolant flow portion, and the press-fitting portion is press-fitted into the through hole, and the outer periphery of the flange portion and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion. It is provided with a cover for covering the flange portion and a flexible sealing member filled between the flange portion and the coolant flow portion and the cover.

The liquid cooling device of the present application includes a cover that covers the outer periphery of the flange portion and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion, and a flexible sealing member that is filled between the flange portion and the coolant flow portion and the cover. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the watertightness of the connection portion regardless of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow portion and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connection portion.

It is a perspective view of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an exploded view of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is an exploded view of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 7. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the liquid cooling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 8. It is sectional drawing of the rotary electric machine which concerns on Embodiment 9. FIG. It is a top view of the rotary electric machine which concerns on Embodiment 9. It is sectional drawing of the rotary electric machine which concerns on Embodiment 10. FIG. It is a top view of the rotary electric machine which concerns on Embodiment 10.

Hereinafter, the liquid cooling device and the rotary electric machine according to the embodiment for carrying out the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid cooling device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a connection portion of the liquid cooling device according to the present embodiment. The liquid cooling device 1 of the present embodiment is composed of a main body portion 2, a coolant flowing portion 3, a pipe joint 4, a cover 5, and a sealing member 6. The coolant flow unit 3, the pipe joint 4, the cover 5, and the seal member 6 form a connection portion 10. The main body 2 has a cooling liquid flow path inside. The coolant flow unit 3 has a through hole 31 in which one end thereof is fixed to the main body portion 2 and communicates with the flow path of the main body portion 2. The pipe joint 4 has a circular pipe shape and has a flange portion 41 extending in a direction orthogonal to the pipe axis direction and a press-fitting portion 42 protruding from the flange portion in the pipe axis direction. The cover 5 covers and is fixed to the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion 3. The seal member 6 is filled between the flange portion 41, the coolant flow portion 3, and the cover 5.

The main body 2 and the coolant flower 3 are made of, for example, aluminum die-cast. The pipe joint 4 is made of, for example, a carbon steel pipe. The cover 5 is made of, for example, carbon steel or a plastic material. The sealing member 6 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or a silicone-based material.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connection portion 10 of the liquid cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment. The flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 is in contact with the opening of the coolant flow portion 3. A through hole 31 is formed in the coolant flow portion 3 to which the press-fitting portion 42 of the pipe joint 4 is fixed. The press-fitting portion 42 of the pipe joint 4 is press-fitted into the through hole 31 of the coolant flowing portion 3 by tightening. Therefore, the outer diameter of the press-fitting portion 42 is designed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 31. Further, a tapered external connecting portion 43 is formed at the end portion of the pipe joint 4 opposite to the press-fitting portion 42. A hose or the like for circulating the cooling liquid with an external device is connected to the external connection portion 43. In the present embodiment, the pipe joint 4 is shown as having a bent portion, but the shape is not limited to this, and the shape of the pipe joint 4 can be any shape. The cover 5 is provided with a hole through which the pipe joint 4 penetrates, and is arranged at a position that covers the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion 3. The seal member 6 is filled between the flange portion 41, the coolant flow portion 3, and the cover 5. At this time, the seal member 6 is filled so as to be in close contact with the flange portion 41, the coolant flow portion 3, and the cover 5. The coolant is circulated from the external connection portion 43 through the inside of the pipe joint 4 and the through hole 31 of the coolant flow portion 3 between the flow path of the main body portion 2 and the external device. The liquid cooling device 1 may include two connecting portions 10. When the liquid cooling device 1 includes two connecting portions 10, one is an inflow portion of the coolant and the other is an outflow portion of the coolant.

The assembly of the connection portion 10 is performed as follows. First, a load is applied to the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 to press-fit the press-fit portion 42 of the pipe joint 4 into the through hole 31 of the coolant flow portion 3. Next, the pipe joint 4 is passed through the hole of the cover 5 to fix the cover 5 at a position covering the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion 3. Finally, a silicone-based fluid adhesive to be the sealing member 6 is sealed between the cover 5 and the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion 3 to be solidified. In this way, the pipe joint 4 is fixed to the coolant flow section 3 to complete the connection section 10. As the fluid adhesive, for example, a heat-curable adhesive can be used. A ring-shaped silicone rubber can be used as the sealing member instead of the fluid adhesive.

In the liquid cooling device configured as described above, the watertightness when the environmental temperature of the connection portion 10 becomes higher than the temperature at the time of assembly will be described. When the thermal expansion rate of the pipe joint 4 is larger than the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow section 3, the thermal expansion of the pipe joint 4 is larger than the thermal expansion of the coolant flow section 3, so that the press-fitting section 42 and the through hole 31 Is deformed in the direction of improving watertightness. On the other hand, when the thermal expansion rate of the pipe joint 4 is smaller than the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow section 3, the thermal expansion of the pipe joint 4 is smaller than the thermal expansion of the coolant flow section 3, so that it penetrates the press-fitting section 42. The hole 31 is deformed in a direction in which the watertightness is lowered. However, since the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 is covered with the flexible sealing member 6, it is possible to prevent the coolant from leaking. Further, the flange portion 41 is extruded in the direction opposite to the press-fitting direction due to the thermal expansion of the coolant flow portion 3, but the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 is covered with the flexible sealing member 6 and the cover 5. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flange portion 41 from shifting.

Further, even if the thermal expansion rate of the pipe joint 4 is larger than the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow section 3, if the environmental temperature of the connection section 10 becomes lower than the temperature at the time of assembly, the press-fitting section 42 and the through hole are formed. The 31 is deformed in a direction in which the watertightness is lowered. However, since the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 is covered with the flexible sealing member 6, it is possible to prevent the coolant from leaking.

The seal member 6 is arranged to ensure watertightness between the pipe joint 4 and the coolant flow unit 3. By using a silicone-based adhesive for the seal member 6 as described above, the seal member 6 also has a function as a fixing member for the cover 5. Therefore, the productivity of the liquid cooling device is improved by using a silicone-based adhesive for the sealing member 6.

As described above, the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment can suppress a decrease in watertightness of the connection portion regardless of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow portion and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connection portion.

In the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the Young's modulus of the seal member 6 is smaller than the Young's modulus of the coolant flow section 3, the Young's modulus of the pipe joint 4, and the Young's modulus of the cover 5. Even if thermal stress is generated due to the difference in the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow section 3, the pipe joint 4, and the cover 5, the seal member 6 having the smallest Young's modulus is flexibly deformed, so that the thermal stress can be relaxed. For example, when the coolant flow unit 3 is made of aluminum die cast, the pipe joint 4 is made of carbon steel pipe, the cover 5 is made of plastic material, and the sealing member 6 is made of silicone-based adhesive. The Young's modulus of the pipe joint 4> the Young's modulus of the coolant flow section 3> the Young's modulus of the cover 5> the Young's modulus of the seal member 6. The coolant flow unit 3, the pipe joint 4, and the cover 5 may all be made of the same aluminum, for example. In this case, the Young's modulus of the coolant flow portion 3, the pipe joint 4, and the cover 5 are all equal, but since the Young's modulus of the seal member 6 is the smallest, the watertightness of the connecting portion 10 is not affected. Further, the pipe joint 4 may be made of resin. In this case, the magnitude relationship between the Young's modulus of the pipe joint 4 and the Young's modulus of other members may be exchanged, but since the Young's modulus of the seal member 6 is the smallest, the watertightness of the connecting portion 10 is not affected.

Further, even if an external force in the direction opposite to the press-fitting direction or an external force in the direction of rotation is applied to the pipe joint 4, the seal member 6 covers the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4. And since the cover 5 is attached, the fixing force of the connection portion is improved.

In the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, since the pipe joint 4 is press-fitted into the coolant flow section 3 by tightening, the connection section 10 can be easily assembled. Further, since the flange portion 41 is formed in the pipe joint 4, the pipe joint 4 can be easily press-fitted and the productivity is improved.

Further, when an adhesive is used as the seal member 6, the cover 5 can be fixed by the seal member 6, so that a complicated process such as screwing or welding for fixing the cover 5 is not required. When a ring-shaped silicone rubber is used as the sealing member 6 instead of the fluid adhesive, the cover 5 cannot be fixed by the sealing member 6. In that case, the cover 5 can be fixed by the coolant flow unit 3. For example, a protrusion is provided on the outer wall of the coolant flow unit 3 in a direction orthogonal to the press-fitting direction, and the cover 5 is provided on the coolant flow unit 3 by engaging the protrusion with a notch or a hole provided in the cover 5. Can be fixed.

Although an example of tightening fitting is shown as a method of press-fitting the pipe joint 4 into the coolant flow section 3, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, shrink fitting may be used.

When the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment is applied to a device mounted on an automobile, the liquid cooling device may become hot and vibration may be applied to the liquid cooling device. At this time, the pipe joint may resonate. When the pipe joint resonates, stress is repeatedly applied to the press-fitted portion, and the watertightness of the press-fitted portion decreases. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to increase the size of the press-fitting portion or to join the coolant flow portion and the pipe joint by welding. However, such measures result in an increase in the size of the liquid cooling device and an increase in the manufacturing process. In the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, since the coolant flow portion and the pipe joint are covered with a flexible seal member, the seal member can dampen the vibration even if the pipe joint resonates. As a result, the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment can attenuate the stress applied to the press-fitting portion due to resonance, so that it is possible to prevent the watertightness of the press-fitting portion from being lowered.

When the liquid cooling device is applied to a device mounted on an automobile, the environmental temperature thereof is in the range of −40 ° C. to 120 ° C. Therefore, it is assumed that the environmental temperature of the connection portion of the liquid cooling device may be lower than the temperature at the time of assembly. As described above, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, the decrease in watertightness of the connecting portion is suppressed regardless of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flowing portion and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connecting portion. Therefore, even if the environmental temperature of the connection portion of the liquid cooling device becomes lower than the temperature at the time of assembly, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of the liquid cooling device according to the second embodiment. In the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, the coolant flow unit and the cover are integrated. As shown in FIG. 4, the seal member 6 is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4, and the extension portion 32 of the coolant flow portion 3 covers the outer periphery of the seal member 6. Have been placed. The stretched portion 32 of the coolant flow section 3 plays the role of a cover. From the viewpoint of weight reduction and productivity, the coolant flow unit 3 is made of, for example, aluminum die-cast. From the viewpoint of workability, the pipe joint 4 is made of carbon steel pipe, and the sealing member 6 is made of rubber or silicone-based material.

The manufacturing and assembling of the connecting portion 10 is performed as follows. First, a through hole 31 for tightening and fitting is formed with the press-fitting portion 42 of the pipe joint 4 in the coolant flow portion 3. Further, a hole larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 is formed in the opening of the coolant flow portion 3 by counterbore processing. The outer peripheral portion of the counterbore hole serves as the extension portion 32 of the coolant flow portion 3. Next, a load is applied to the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 to press-fit the press-fit portion 42 of the pipe joint 4 into the through hole 31 of the coolant flow portion 3. At this time, the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 is embedded in the counterbore hole. Finally, a silicone-based fluid adhesive to be the sealing member 6 is sealed between the stretched portion 32 of the coolant flow section 3 and the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 to solidify. In this way, the pipe joint 4 is fixed to the coolant flow section 3 to complete the connection section 10. An O-ring made of a rubber-based material can also be used as a sealing member instead of the fluid adhesive.

The liquid cooling device configured in this way suppresses a decrease in watertightness of the connection portion regardless of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow portion and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connection portion, as in the first embodiment. Can be done.

Further, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, since the coolant flow unit and the cover are integrated, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing processes can be reduced. Further, for example, the shape of the counterbore hole is hexagonal, the outer shape of the flange portion 41 is hexagonal, and the flange portion 41 is fitted into the counterbore hole to regulate the rotation of the flange portion 41.

Embodiment 3.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of the liquid cooling device according to the third embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the liquid cooling device described in the first embodiment, the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment includes an adhesive layer between the outer wall of the press-fitting portion of the pipe joint and the inner wall of the through hole. As shown in FIG. 5, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, the flange of the pipe joint 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the press-fitting portion 42 of the pipe joint 4 on the opening side of the through hole 31 of the coolant flow unit 3. A through-hole enlarged portion 33 having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the portion 41 is formed. An adhesive for adhering the coolant flow unit 3 and the pipe joint 4 is sealed in the through hole expansion portion 33 to form an adhesive layer 34.

The liquid cooling device configured in this way suppresses a decrease in watertightness of the connection portion regardless of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow portion and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connection portion, as in the first embodiment. Can be done.

Further, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, since the adhesive layer 34 is provided between the outer wall of the press-fitting portion 42 and the inner wall of the through hole 31, the fixing force of the pipe joint 4 is improved and the connecting portion is formed. The watertightness of the water is also improved. Further, since the adhesive layer 34 is also adhered between the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 and the coolant flow portion 3, the adhesive area between the adhesive layer 34 and the pipe joint 4 is widened, and the fixing force of the pipe joint 4 is increased. Is further improved. Further, since the adhesive used for the adhesive layer 34 is enclosed in a closed space, an anaerobic adhesive can be used, and the heating step required for the heat-curable adhesive is not required, so that the production is easy. Will be.

In the present embodiment, a through-hole expansion portion 33 is formed in the opening of the through-hole 31 of the coolant flow portion 3, and an adhesive is sealed in the through-hole expansion portion 33 to provide an adhesive layer 34. However, it is not limited to this. A through hole expansion portion 33 may be formed at a position in the middle of the through hole 31, and an adhesive may be sealed in the through hole expansion portion 33 to form an adhesive layer.

Embodiment 4.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a connection portion of the liquid cooling device according to the fourth embodiment. The liquid cooling device of the present embodiment is the liquid cooling device described in the first embodiment, in which the cover 5 is composed of a combination of two members. As shown in FIG. 6, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, the cover is composed of two divided covers 5a and 5b. The split covers 5a and 5b are obtained by splitting the cover of the first embodiment into two along the press-fitting direction. In addition, in FIG. 6, the seal member is omitted.

The assembly of the connection portion 10 is performed as follows. First, a load is applied to the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 to press-fit the press-fit portion 42 of the pipe joint 4 into the through hole 31 of the coolant flow portion 3. Next, a silicone-based fluid adhesive serving as a sealing member is applied to the inner walls of the split covers 5a and 5b. Next, the flange portion 41 of the coolant flow portion 3 and the pipe joint 4 is sandwiched between the split covers 5a and 5b from the direction orthogonal to the press-fitting direction. Finally, the adhesive is solidified. In this way, the pipe joint 4 is fixed to the coolant flow section 3 to complete the connection section 10.

The liquid cooling device configured in this way suppresses a decrease in watertightness of the connection portion regardless of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow portion and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connection portion, as in the first embodiment. Can be done.

Further, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, since the cover is composed of a combination of two members, it is not necessary to penetrate the pipe joint into the hole of the cover. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the relationship with the shape of the pipe joint, and the degree of freedom in the shape of the cover is increased. In the present embodiment, the cover is composed of two divided covers, but may be composed of three or more divided covers. The shape of the split cover, the number of split covers, and the like can be arbitrarily determined depending on the restrictions caused by the positional relationship with other members in the manufacturing process. Further, instead of the fluid adhesive, a ring-shaped silicone rubber, an O-ring made of a rubber-based material, or the like can be used as the sealing member.

Embodiment 5.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of the liquid cooling device according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, in the liquid cooling device described in the third embodiment, the tip of the press-fitting portion 42 is chamfered to provide a stress relaxation portion 44 in the pipe joint 4. It is a thing. Other than that, the configuration is the same as that of the liquid cooling device of the third embodiment.

In the pipe joint 4, a load is applied to the flange portion 41, and the press-fitting portion 42 is press-fitted into the through hole 31 of the coolant flowing portion 3. At this time, when the strength of the material of the coolant flow portion 3 is lower than the strength of the material of the pipe joint 4, stress is concentrated between the tip of the press-fitting portion 42 and the inner wall of the through hole 31, and the inner wall of the through hole 31 is formed. May be damaged. In the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, since the stress relaxation portion 44 is provided at the tip of the press-fitting portion 42, it is possible to relax the stress concentration when the press-fitting portion 42 is press-fitted into the through hole 31. .. As a result, damage to the inner wall of the through hole 31 in the press-fitting process can be prevented.

Embodiment 6.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of the liquid cooling device according to the sixth embodiment. The cross-sectional view of the connecting portion shown in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the GG line in the direction orthogonal to the press-fitting direction in FIG. 7 of the fifth embodiment. The liquid cooling device of the present embodiment defines the shapes of the coolant flow section 3 and the cover 5 in the liquid cooling device of the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment is a cylinder having the shape of the cooling liquid flow section 3 as the central axis in the pipe axial direction of the pipe joint 4 in the liquid cooling device described in the fifth embodiment. In addition to the shape, the shape of the cover 5 is a cylindrical shape with the same central axis. Other than that, the configuration is the same as that of the liquid cooling device of the fifth embodiment. That is, in the connection portion of the present embodiment, the shape of the outer wall of the coolant flow portion 3 is circular and the shape of the inner wall of the cover 5 is circular in the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pipe joint 4 is press-fitted. It is circular.

In the liquid cooling device configured as described above, the coolant flow unit 3 can be manufactured by forming a cylindrical outer shape by forging an aluminum die cast and processing a through hole 31 in the outer shape. Further, after the pipe joint 4 is press-fitted into the through hole 31 of the coolant flow portion 3, the cover 5 is attached. At this time, since the coolant flow unit 3, the pipe joint 4, and the cover 5 are all cylindrical, they can be assembled with the same mounting shaft. Therefore, positioning in assembly becomes easy, and productivity can be improved.

Embodiment 7.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of the liquid cooling device according to the seventh embodiment. The cross-sectional view of the connecting portion shown in FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the GG line in the direction orthogonal to the press-fitting direction in FIG. 7 of the fifth embodiment. The liquid cooling device of the present embodiment defines the shapes of the coolant flow section 3 and the cover 5 in the liquid cooling device of the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, in the liquid cooling device described in the fifth embodiment, the outer wall side of the coolant flow unit 3 has a quadrangular shape, and the inner wall side of the cover 5 is formed. And the outer wall side has a quadrangular shape. Other than that, the configuration is the same as that of the liquid cooling device of the fifth embodiment. That is, in the connection portion of the present embodiment, the shape of the outer wall of the coolant flow portion 3 is quadrangular and the shape of the inner wall of the cover 5 is a quadrangle in the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pipe joint 4 is press-fitted. It is a quadrangle.

In the liquid cooling device, the rotational torque acting in the direction of rotation about the pipe axial direction of the pipe joint 4 due to the stress when connecting the hose to the external connection portion of the pipe joint 4 or the stress due to vibration is generated. It may occur. When the pipe joint 4 rotates due to this rotational torque, the watertightness of the connection portion may decrease.

In the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, the outer wall side of the coolant flow unit 3 has a quadrangular shape, and the inner wall side of the cover 5 has a quadrangular shape, so that the fixing force in the rotational direction of the pipe joint 4 is applied. Can be improved. That is, by engaging the outer wall of the coolant flow unit 3 with the inner wall of the cover 5, it is possible to prevent the cover 5 from shifting in the rotational direction with respect to the pipe axis, and it is adhered to the flexible sealing member 6. It is possible to prevent the rotation of the existing pipe joint 4. As a result, even if a rotational torque is generated in the pipe joint 4, it is possible to prevent the pipe joint 4 from rotating, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in watertightness of the connection portion. The shape of the outer wall side of the coolant flow unit 3 and the shape of the inner wall side of the cover 5 are not limited to a quadrangle, but may be a polygonal shape of a triangle or more.

Embodiment 8.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of the liquid cooling device according to the eighth embodiment. The liquid cooling device of the present embodiment is the liquid cooling device of the first embodiment, in which an injection hole for injecting a seal member is formed in the cover. As shown in FIG. 10, in the liquid cooling device of the present embodiment, an injection hole 51 penetrating the cover 5 is formed on the side surface of the cover 5. Other than that, the configuration is the same as that of the liquid cooling device of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the connection portion 10 is assembled as follows. First, a load is applied to the flange portion 41 of the pipe joint 4 to press-fit the press-fit portion 42 of the pipe joint 4 into the through hole 31 of the coolant flow portion 3. Next, the pipe joint 4 is passed through the hole of the cover 5 to fix the cover 5 at a position covering the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion 3. Next, a heat-curable fluid adhesive is injected from the injection hole 51 formed on the side surface of the cover 5 to fill the space between the outer periphery of the flange portion 41 and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion 3. Finally, the connecting portion 10 is heated to cure the adhesive to form the sealing member 6. In this way, the pipe joint 4 is fixed to the coolant flow section 3 to complete the connection section 10. When injecting the adhesive from the injection hole 51, it is necessary to hold the cover 5 with a jig (not shown) or the like.

In the liquid cooling device configured in this way, it is easy to control the injection amount of the adhesive to be the sealing member 6, so that the manufacturing variation can be reduced. Further, when the adhesive is injected, the cover 5 can be positioned by using a jig, so that the productivity is improved.

Although a heat-curing type adhesive was used as the sealing member, the curing type of the adhesive may be another type such as a room temperature curing type or an anaerobic curing type. Further, there may be a plurality of injection holes 51.

Embodiment 9.
The ninth embodiment relates to a rotary electric machine provided with the liquid cooling device described in the first to eighth embodiments. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a rotary electric machine according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 12 is a top view of the rotary electric machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the left half of the cross section along the rotation axis of the rotary electric machine, and FIG. 12 is a top view thereof. The rotary electric machine 100 includes a rotary electric machine main body 70, a power supply unit 60, and a liquid cooling device 1. The rotary electric machine 100 of the present embodiment is mounted on an automobile and operates as an electric motor (starter) for starting an internal combustion engine (not shown) and also as a generator driven by the internal combustion engine to generate electric power. can do.

The rotary electric machine main body 70 has a housing 71 composed of a front bracket 71a and a rear bracket 71b. The front bracket 71a is formed in a bowl shape using a metal material, and serves as a bracket on the load side on the rotation shaft of the rotary electric machine main body 70. The rear bracket 71b is formed in a bowl shape using a metal material, and serves as a bracket on the counterload side. Further, the rotary electric machine main body 70 includes a rotor 73 fixed to the rotary shaft 72, a field winding 74 provided on the rotor 73, and a stator 75. The stator 75 has a stator core 75a and a stator winding 75b mounted on the stator core 75a. The rotary shaft 72 is rotatably supported by the housing 71 via a front bearing 76a provided on the front bracket 71a and a rear bearing 76b provided on the rear bracket 71b. The rotor 73 is fixed to the rotating shaft 72 and is rotatably arranged in the housing 71. The stator core 75a is sandwiched from both sides in the rotation axis direction by one end of the front bracket 71a in the rotation axis direction and the other end of the rear bracket 71b in the rotation axis direction and fixed to the housing 71. The inner peripheral surface of the stator 75 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 73 face each other in the radial direction via the air gap 77. A pulley 78 is attached to the front end of the rotating shaft 72 protruding from the front bracket 71a. The rotary shaft 72 is connected to the crank shaft (not shown) of the internal combustion engine via the pulley 78 and the belt (not shown) wound around the pulley 78.

The power supply unit 60 is arranged adjacent to the counterload side in the rotation axis direction of the rotary electric machine main body 70, is integrated with the rotary electric machine main body 70, and supplies electric power to the rotary electric machine main body 70. The power supply unit 60 includes a power control unit 61 including a power conversion circuit and a control circuit, a brush 62 that supplies power to the rotor 73, and a seal member 63 that covers the power control unit 61. The rotary electric machine main body 70 is controlled by the power control unit 61. As the sealing member 63, a potting material or the like used for sealing a semiconductor element can be used.

The liquid cooling device 1 is, for example, the liquid cooling device described in the fifth embodiment. The main body 2 of the liquid cooling device 1 is arranged in contact with the power control unit 61 of the power supply unit 60. Further, the liquid cooling device 1 is provided with an adhesive layer 34 between the pipe joint 4 and the coolant flowing portion 3. The liquid cooling device 1 can cool the power control unit 61 by heat conduction of the main body 2 by circulating the cooling liquid in the flow path 21 formed inside the main body 2. Although the example in which the liquid cooling device described in the fifth embodiment is used as the liquid cooling device 1 in the present embodiment, any of the liquid cooling devices described in the first to eighth embodiments may be used.

The rotary electric machine 100 configured in this way can be used, for example, as an in-vehicle mechanical / electrical integrated rotary electric machine. In the rotary electric machine 100, the liquid cooling device 1 is used for cooling the power control unit 61 of the power supply unit 60. In the conventional in-vehicle mechanical / electrical integrated rotary electric machine, an air-cooled structure has been adopted as a cooling structure for the power control unit. However, in recent years, there has been a demand for improved cooling performance due to the demand for higher output and smaller size of the rotary electric machine integrated with mechanical and electrical equipment, and the demand for adoption of a liquid cooling structure is increasing. An in-vehicle mechanical / electrical integrated rotary electric machine is required to have a structure and reliability that can withstand a drastic temperature change from a low temperature in a cold region to a high temperature in an engine room. The range of the temperature change is −40 ° C. to 120 ° C. Therefore, when a liquid cooling structure is adopted, it is required to secure the strength and watertightness of the connection portion for flowing the cooling liquid between the liquid cooling device and the external device in the temperature range.

In the rotary electric machine of the present embodiment, since the liquid cooling structure is adopted as the cooling structure of the power control unit, the cooling performance of the power control unit can be improved. Further, since the liquid cooling device described in the first to eighth embodiments is provided as the liquid cooling device, the watertightness of the connecting portion is irrespective of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow section and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connecting section. Can be suppressed.

Embodiment 10.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary electric machine according to the tenth embodiment. Further, FIG. 14 is a top view of the rotary electric machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the left half of the cross section along the rotation axis of the rotary electric machine, and FIG. 14 is a top view thereof. The rotary electric machine of the present embodiment is the rotary electric machine of the ninth embodiment, in which the seal member of the connection portion of the liquid cooling device and the seal member of the power supply unit are integrated.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the rotary electric machine 100 of the present embodiment, the cover 5 of the connection portion of the liquid cooling device 1 is extended to a position surrounding the power control unit 61 of the power supply unit 60. Then, a silicone-based fluid adhesive is injected so as to cover the flange portion 41 of the liquid cooling device 1, the coolant flowing portion 3 and the cover 5, and the upper surface of the power control portion 61 of the power supply unit 60. Will be done. Then, the fluid adhesive is solidified to complete the seal member 6 and the seal member 63. In this way, the seal member 6 of the connection portion of the liquid cooling device 1 and the seal member 63 of the power supply unit 60 are integrally formed. As the cover 5, for example, carbon steel or a plastic material can be used. As the sealing members 6 and 63, a flexible material among potting materials can be used in addition to the silicone-based adhesive.

In the rotary electric machine 100 configured as described above, since the seal member 6 of the connection portion of the liquid cooling device 1 and the seal member 63 of the power supply unit 60 can be integrally formed, the rotary electric machine of the ninth embodiment can be integrally formed. Productivity is improved compared to. Further, since the seal member is arranged so as to integrally cover the liquid cooling device 1 and the power supply unit 60, it is possible to prevent the parts from falling off or being damaged due to vibration.

In the rotary electric machine of the present embodiment, since the liquid cooling structure is adopted as the cooling structure of the power control unit, the cooling performance of the power control unit can be improved. Further, since the liquid cooling device described in the first to eighth embodiments is provided as the liquid cooling device, the watertightness of the connecting portion is irrespective of the thermal expansion rate of the coolant flow section and the pipe joint and the environmental temperature of the connecting section. Can be suppressed.

Although the present application describes various exemplary embodiments, the various features, embodiments, and functions described in one or more embodiments are limited to the application of the particular embodiment. Rather, it can be applied to embodiments alone or in various combinations.
Therefore, innumerable variations not exemplified are envisioned within the scope of the techniques disclosed in the present application. For example, it is assumed that at least one component is modified, added or omitted, and further, at least one component is extracted and combined with the components of other embodiments.

1 Liquid cooling device, 2 Main body, 3 Coolant flow section, 4 Pipe fitting, 5 cover, 5a, 5b split cover, 6, 63 Seal member, 10 connection section, 21 flow path, 31 through hole, 32 extension section, 33 Through hole expansion part, 34 Adhesive layer, 41 Flange part, 42 Press-fitting part, 43 External connection part, 44 Stress relaxation part, 51 Injection hole, 60 Power supply unit, 61 Power control part, 62 Brush, 70 Rotorary electric machine body part , 71 housing, 71a front bracket, 71b rear bracket, 72 rotating shaft, 73 rotor, 74 field winding, 75 stator, 75a stator core, 75b stator winding, 76a front bearing, 76b rear bearing , 77 air gap, 78 pulley, 100 rotary electric machine.

Claims (11)

The main body having a flow path for the coolant and
A coolant flow section having one end fixed to the main body and having a through hole communicating with the flow path, and a coolant flow section.
A pipe fitting having a flange portion and a press-fitting portion protruding from the flange portion, the flange portion in contact with the other end of the coolant flow portion, and the press-fitting portion being press-fitted into the through hole.
A cover that covers the outer periphery of the flange portion and the outer periphery of the coolant flow portion,
A liquid cooling device including a flexible sealing member filled between the flange portion, the coolant flow portion, and the cover. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the Young's modulus of the seal member is smaller than the Young's modulus of the coolant flow portion, the Young's modulus of the pipe joint, and the Young's modulus of the cover. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the through hole into which the press-fit portion is press-fitted, an adhesive layer is provided between the outer wall of the press-fit portion and the inner wall of the through hole. The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coolant flow unit and the cover are integrally configured. The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover is composed of a member divided into at least two parts. The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tip of the press-fitting portion is chamfered. From claim 1, the outer wall of the coolant flowing portion has a circular shape and the inner wall of the cover has a circular shape in a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pipe joint is press-fitted. The liquid cooling device according to any one of 6. The claim is characterized in that the shape of the outer wall of the coolant flowing portion is polygonal and the shape of the inner wall of the cover is polygonal in a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pipe joint is press-fitted. The liquid cooling device according to any one of 1 to 6. The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cover has an injection hole penetrating the cover. The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A power control unit arranged in contact with the main body of the liquid cooling device,
A rotary electric machine including a rotary electric machine main body controlled by the power control unit. The tenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the power control unit is covered with a seal member, and the seal member of the liquid cooling device and the seal member covering the power control unit are integrally formed. Rotating electric machine.

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