JP6350459B2 - Refrigerant passage connecting member - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a connecting member of a refrigerant passage connected to a first refrigerant passage extending from a cooler and connected to a connecting pipe communicating with a second refrigerant passage.

  Conventionally, as an inverter mounted on a vehicle, a first housing that houses a laminated cooling unit integrated with a plurality of power cards each containing a switching element (semiconductor element), a refrigerant passage (second refrigerant passage), and An apparatus including an opening (second opening) communicating with the refrigerant passage and including a second casing fixed to the bottom surface of the first casing is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A first connecting pipe (bush) is inserted through the through hole formed in the first casing of the inverter, and the first connecting pipe is shaft-sealed to a rigid tube (first refrigerant passage) extending from the stacked cooler. It is connected via a member. A face seal member is disposed between the flange of the first connecting pipe and the first casing, and the flange of the first connecting pipe is fixed to the first casing with a bolt. In addition, an opening (first opening) is defined in the first housing by an end portion of the first connecting pipe opposite to the tube of the through hole (refrigerant circulation hole). Further, one end of a U-shaped second connecting pipe fixed to the second casing by a bolt is connected to the opening (first opening) of the first casing defined by the bush via a shaft seal member. Then, the other end of the second connecting pipe is connected to the opening (second opening) of the second housing via a face seal member. And a cooling medium is supplied to the refrigerant | coolant inlet_port | entrance of a laminated cooler from the refrigerant | coolant pump arrange | positioned outside the 1st housing | casing. The cooling medium flowing through the stacked cooler takes heat from the power card and raises the temperature, and flows into the refrigerant passage of the second housing through the tube and the first and second connecting pipes. The cooling medium flowing through the refrigerant passage of the second casing takes up heat from the first casing and rises in temperature, and flows into a radiator disposed outside the second casing.

JP 2014-102017 A

  In the conventional inverter, the outer diameter of the first connecting pipe is determined to be smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole of the first housing by a distance Sa that is about the same as the dimensional error, and the first connecting pipe is connected to the through hole. The distance Sa can be moved in the direction in the opening plane. However, if the tube on the cooler side is inclined with respect to the through hole of the first housing, it is difficult to absorb the inclination of the tube by a distance Sa that is about the same as the dimensional error. For this reason, in such a case, it is necessary to correct the inclination of the tube by applying a load while inserting the tube into the first connecting pipe, and the crushing margin of the shaft seal member such as an O-ring varies in the circumferential direction. I'll follow you. Furthermore, if the shaft seal member has a variation in the circumferential direction of the crushing margin, the pushing load on the tube of the first connecting pipe must be increased. There is a risk of deformation in the pushing direction. In addition, in order to accurately position the first connecting pipe as described above with respect to the first housing, a positioning pin is provided in the first connecting pipe and a hole that engages with the positioning pin is provided in the first housing. Is also possible. However, when such a configuration is adopted, the first connecting pipe is enlarged, the thickness of the housing is increased, the axial length of the tube is increased, and the positioning pin is fitted into the hole. When the first connecting pipe is rotated, the shaft seal member may be twisted.

  Therefore, the invention of the present disclosure makes uniform the crushing margin of the shaft seal member interposed between the first refrigerant passage extending from the cooler and makes it possible to easily position the refrigerant passage with respect to the case. The main purpose is to provide a connecting member.

  The connecting member of the refrigerant passage according to the present disclosure includes a flange portion fixed to a case that houses a cooler, a cylindrical portion that extends from the flange portion, and a refrigerant flow that passes through the flange portion and the cylindrical portion. In the connecting member of the refrigerant passage having a hole and connected to the first refrigerant passage extending from the cooler and connected to the connecting pipe communicating with the second refrigerant passage, the cylindrical portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface. A root portion formed so that at least a part thereof is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of a through hole formed in the case, and is thinner than the root portion, and is inserted into the through hole of the case via a shaft seal member. A tip portion connected to the first refrigerant passage and an intermediate portion having an inclined surface connecting the root portion and the tip portion are included.

  When the connecting member is attached to the case, the distal end portion of the tubular portion is inserted into the through hole of the case and connected to the first refrigerant passage via the shaft seal member. At this time, since the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion is thinner than the root portion, a sufficient distance is ensured between the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion (and the intermediate portion) and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. Accordingly, when the connecting member and the first refrigerant passage are connected, the connecting member and the first refrigerant passage are allowed to move in the radial direction of the through hole of the case, and thus are crushed by the connecting member and the first refrigerant passage. It is possible to align both by the reaction force of the shaft seal member, and to make the crushing margin of the shaft seal member substantially uniform in the entire circumferential direction. And since the pushing load with respect to the 1st refrigerant path of a connecting member can be made small by making uniform the crushing margin of a shaft seal member in the whole circumferential direction, the cooler pushes in a connecting member with the said pushing load. It is possible to suppress deformation in the direction. Further, when the connecting member is pushed into the cooler side and at least a part of the base portion of the cylindrical portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the case, the entire connecting member is positioned with respect to the case. . Thereby, while providing a positioning pin etc. separately in a connection member, a connection member can be easily positioned with respect to a case, without providing the hole part engaged with the said positioning pin in a case. As a result, the crushing margin of the shaft seal member interposed between the connecting member and the first refrigerant passage extending from the cooler can be made uniform, and the connecting member can be easily positioned with respect to the case. Become.

  Moreover, the axial length of the said front-end | tip part may be longer than the axial length of the said base part. Thereby, when the overlapping length of the front-end | tip part and 1st refrigerant path in the axial direction of a cylindrical part is fully ensured, and positioning a connection member with respect to a case by a root part, a connection member and a 1st refrigerant | coolant Deviation in the positional relationship with the passage (bending of the connecting member with respect to the first refrigerant passage) can be satisfactorily suppressed.

  Furthermore, the flange part and the cylindrical part may be made of resin. As a result, the durability of the connecting member exposed to the outside of the case with respect to moisture and the like can be improved, and the connecting member can be reduced in weight.

  A face seal member may be disposed between the flange portion and the case, and the flange portion may include a plurality of fastening portions fastened to the case. Accordingly, the flange portion is pressed against the case so as not to be inclined, and the sealing performance of the surface seal member between the flange portion and the case is ensured, and the gap between the flange portion of the connecting member and the case is interposed. It becomes possible to regulate the flow of the fluid satisfactorily.

  Furthermore, the cooler may cool electronic components included in an inverter that drives an electric motor, and the second refrigerant passage may be formed in the case. As a result, the inverter can be cooled by both the cooler and the cooling medium flowing through the second refrigerant passage.

It is a schematic structure figure showing an electric power control device containing a connection member of a refrigerant passage of this indication. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the electric power control apparatus shown in FIG. It is the front view and side view of the connection member of this indication. It is the front view and side view of a connection pipe connected with the connection member of this indication. It is sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment procedure with respect to the case of the connection member of this indication. It is sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment procedure with respect to the case of the connection member of this indication. It is a principal part enlarged view of the electric power control apparatus shown in FIG.

  Next, embodiments for carrying out the invention of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a power control device (hereinafter referred to as “PCU”) 1 including a refrigerant passage connecting member according to the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the PCU 1. The PCU 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for driving a synchronous generator motor (AC motor) mounted on a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle (not shown). For example, an engine is installed in a compartment provided at the front of the vehicle. And / or arranged with an electric motor. The PCU 1 includes a voltage conversion module (boost converter) that boosts power from a battery (not shown) such as a lithium ion secondary battery or a nickel hydride secondary battery, a capacitor module, an inverter that drives an electric motor, and these voltage conversion modules. And a case 2 that houses a capacitor module, an inverter, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case 2 includes a first case 21 located on the upper side when the PCU 1 is mounted and a second case 22 positioned on the lower side when the PCU 1 is mounted. In the present embodiment, the first and second cases 21 and 22 are formed by casting a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The first case 21 houses the stacked cooler 3 for cooling a plurality of semiconductor modules M as electronic components included in the inverter and the voltage conversion module, in addition to the voltage conversion module, the capacitor module, the inverter, and the like. The second case 22 is fixed to a lower portion of the first case 21, and a refrigerant passage 23 extending in a U shape along the joining surface of the first and second cases 21 and 22 is formed therein. In FIG. 1, for ease of explanation, the refrigerant passage 23 is shown as extending in a U shape along the vertical direction in the drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stacked cooler 3 includes a plurality of coolers 30 that are formed hollow and flat with a metal such as copper or aluminum alloy having high thermal conductivity. The plurality of coolers 30 are arranged (laminated) so as to be alternately arranged with a plurality of semiconductor modules M constituting the inverter and the voltage conversion module. That is, with respect to one semiconductor module M, two coolers 30 are disposed so as to contact the front surface or the back surface of the semiconductor module M. Further, through holes are formed at both end portions in the width direction of each cooler 30. A through hole on one side in the width direction of each cooler 30 is connected to a through hole on one side in the width direction of adjacent coolers 30 via a communication pipe 30p, and on the other side in the width direction of each cooler 30. The through hole is connected to the through hole on the other side of the adjacent cooler 30 via the communication pipe 30p.

  Furthermore, a refrigerant inflow pipe (not shown) and a refrigerant outflow pipe 31 as a tubular first refrigerant passage disposed in the first case 21 are connected to the cooler 30 located on the leftmost side in FIG. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant inflow pipe and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 are formed of the same material as the cooler 30. The laminated cooler 3, the refrigerant inflow pipe, and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 are attached in the first case 21 so as to be slightly movable as a whole in the vertical direction when the PCU 1 is mounted on the vehicle. A discharge port of the refrigerant pump 32 is connected to the refrigerant inflow pipe connected to the stacked cooler 3 (cooler 30) via a pipe (not shown). Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 is connected to a first connection pipe (bush as a connection member) 4 attached to the first case 21 and the first connection pipe 4. It is connected to one end of a refrigerant passage (second refrigerant passage) 23 formed in the second case 22 via a second connection pipe (connection member) 5. One end of the refrigerant passage 23 communicates with a second opening 22o (see FIG. 2) formed in the side wall portion of the second case 22, and the other end of the refrigerant passage 23 is connected to the radiator 33 via a pipe (not shown). It communicates with the refrigerant inlet. The refrigerant outlet of the radiator 33 is connected to the reservoir tank 34 via a pipe (not shown).

  The refrigerant pump 32 sucks a cooling medium such as an LLC (long life coolant) mixed with an ethylene glycol antifreeze from the reservoir tank 34 and pumps it to the refrigerant inflow pipe. The cooling medium supplied to the cooler 30 closest to it via the refrigerant inflow pipe sequentially flows into the adjacent coolers 30, and the cooling medium flowing through each cooler 30 hits the cooler 30. The temperature is increased by removing heat from the semiconductor module M or the like in contact therewith. The cooling medium flowing out from each cooler 30 flows into the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 and flows into the refrigerant passage 23 of the second case 22 via the first and second connecting pipes 4 and 5. The cooling medium flowing through the refrigerant passage 23 takes the heat on the first case 21 side and rises in temperature, and then flows into the radiator 33, and the cooling medium cooled by the radiator 33 is returned to the reservoir tank 34. Accordingly, the cooling medium is circulated and supplied into the plurality of coolers 30 to cool the plurality of semiconductor modules M and the like by the respective coolers 30, and the cooling medium flowing through the refrigerant passage 23 of the second case 22 is used to For example, a reactor of the voltage conversion module, a capacitor module, or the like housed in the first case 21 can be cooled via the bottom of the case 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first connecting pipe 4 includes a flange portion 40 that is fixed to the first case 21 that houses the stacked cooler 3, and a cylindrical tube that extends from the flange portion 40. A portion 41 and a coolant circulation hole 42 penetrating the flange portion 40 and the tubular portion 41. In the present embodiment, the first connecting pipe 4 is made of resin, and the flange portion 40 and the cylindrical portion 41 are integrally formed of resin. However, the 1st connection pipe 4 may be formed, for example with a metal, and may be formed with the same material as the case 2. FIG.

  On the end surface (inner surface) of the flange portion 40 on the tubular portion 41 side, an annular seal ring groove 40g in which an O-ring 45 as a surface seal member is disposed is formed so as to surround the tubular portion 41. In this specification, the “face seal member” is a seal member that is disposed between the end faces of two members each having a fluid flow passage (hole) and seals a gap between the two members. Say. Further, two fastening portions 40c (see FIG. 3) are formed in the flange portion 40 so as to face each other in the radial direction of the seal ring groove 40g via the seal ring groove 40g. Each fastening portion 40 c has a bolt hole, and is fastened to the first case 21 via a bolt (not shown) that is inserted into the bolt hole and screwed into a screw hole formed in the first case 21. . Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a tapered portion 40t having an inclined surface 40s inclined so as to be separated from the tubular portion 41 of the flange portion 40 as it goes downward in the drawing is formed in the lower portion of the flange portion 40 in the drawing. Has been.

  The tubular portion 41 of the first connecting pipe 4 is inserted into a root portion 41r (see FIG. 3) on the flange portion 40 side and a through hole (circular hole) 21h formed in the first case 21, and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 is inserted. And a middle part 41m having an inclined surface 41s (see FIGS. 2 and 3) connecting the base part 41r and the tip part 41t. The root portion 41r of the cylindrical portion 41 is partially enlarged in diameter along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 41, and a pair of enlarged diameter portions 41e (see FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, for example, the radius of curvature is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 21h so that the outer peripheral surface of each enlarged diameter portion 41e can contact the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 21h of the first case 21. It is formed in the cylindrical surface shape which has. Moreover, the outer peripheral surface of the part which connects the two enlarged diameter parts 41e of the base part 41r is formed in the elliptical columnar surface shape which has a short diameter smaller than the curvature radius of the enlarged diameter part 41e, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tip portion 41 t of the tubular portion 41 is formed to be narrower than the root portion 41 r, that is, the inner diameter of the through hole 21 h of the first case 21. Accordingly, the intermediate portion 41m is also thinner than the root portion 41r except for the boundary with the root portion 41r. Further, an annular seal ring groove 41g in which an O-ring 46 as a shaft seal member is disposed is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tip portion 41t. In the present specification, the “shaft seal member” means a pipe member and the pipe member disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member and the inner peripheral surface of a member (other pipe member or member having a hole) surrounding the pipe member. A seal member that seals a gap with a member that surrounds the tube material. Furthermore, the axial length Lt of the tip portion 41t is determined to be longer than the axial length Lr of the root portion 41r (and the axial length of the intermediate portion 41m) (see FIG. 3). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner diameter of the refrigerant flow hole 42 on the tip end 41 t side is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the refrigerant outflow pipe 31. The end portion is expanded so that the inner diameter is larger than the inner diameter on the tip end portion 41t side.

  The second connecting pipe 5 includes a main body 50 and a cover member 59 joined to the main body 50. The main body 50 and the cover member 59 are both made of resin (in the present embodiment, the same resin as the resin constituting the first connecting pipe 4). However, the 2nd connecting pipe 5 may be formed, for example with a metal, and may be formed with the same material as the case 2. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the main body 50 includes a short cylindrical first end 51, a short cylindrical second end 52 extending substantially parallel to the first end 51, And an opening 50 o communicating with the first and second ends 51, 52. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 59 is welded to the end surface of the wall portion defining the opening 50 o of the main body 50 so as to close the opening 50 o, and the first and first cover members 59 are covered by the main body 50 and the cover member 59. A communication portion 53 that connects the two end portions 51 and 52 is formed. Thereby, it becomes possible to comprise the U-shaped 2nd connection pipe 5 easily with resin.

  The outer diameter of the first end portion 51 is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the end portion of the refrigerant flow hole 42 on the flange portion 40 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion of the first end portion 51 is reduced in diameter, and an O-ring 47 as a shaft seal member is attached to the distal end portion of the reduced first end portion 51. Is done. Further, an annular seal ring groove (seal support portion) 52g in which an O-ring 48 as a face seal member is disposed is formed on the end surface of the second end portion 52 so as to surround the opening of the second end portion 52. ing. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a moisture receiving groove 52 r extending in the circumferential direction of the second end 52 is formed in the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the second end 52 in FIG. 4.

  The main body 50 of the second connecting pipe 5 has one first fastening portion 54 and two second fastening portions 55. As shown in FIG. 4, the first fastening portion 54 is formed so as to be separated from the second end portion 52 in the up-down direction in FIG. 4 rather than the first end portion 51, and the second end portion is based on the first end portion 51. Located on the opposite side of the end 52. The first fastening portion 54 has a bolt hole 54 h, and is inserted into the first case 21 through a bolt (not shown) that is inserted into the bolt hole 54 h and screwed into a screw hole formed in the first case 21. It is concluded. The two second fastening portions 55 are formed in the main body 50 so as to oppose each other in the radial direction around the second end portion 52 via the second end portion 52. Each of the second fastening portions 55 has a bolt hole 55h, and is inserted through the bolt hole 55h and screwed into a screw hole formed in the second case 22, via the bolt (not shown). To be concluded.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first and second fastening portions 54 and 55 include a fastening point of the first fastening portion 54, that is, the center of the bolt hole 54 h, and a fastening point of the two second fastening portions 55, that is, the bolt holes. When the distance from the straight line connecting the centers of 55 h is “Lc” and the distance between the first end 51, that is, the center of the O-ring 47, and the second end 52, that is, the center of the O-ring 48 is “Ls”. , Lc> Ls. Moreover, in the 2nd connection pipe 5 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, between the 1st end part 51 and the 1st fastening part 54 of the main body 50, ie, the wall of the main body 50 which defines the opening part 50o. A portion located outside the portion is formed thin and narrow.

  Next, the assembly procedure for the case 2 of the first and second connecting pipes 4 and 5 will be described.

  When the first connecting pipe 4 configured as described above is attached to the first case 21 of the case 2, the enlarged diameter portion 41 e of the base portion 41 r of the first connecting pipe 4 is, for example, the vertical direction when the PCU 1 is mounted on the vehicle. The tip 41t of the cylindrical portion 41 of the first connecting pipe 4 is inserted into the through hole 21h of the first case 21 in a state extending in a substantially orthogonal direction, and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 of the stacked cooler 3 is passed through the first It is inserted into the tip 41t of the connecting tube 4 and the O-ring 46. At this time, since the tip part 41t and the intermediate part 41m of the cylindrical part 41 are thinner than the root part 41r, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral surface of the tip part 41t, the inclined surface 41s of the intermediate part 41m and the through hole 21h. A sufficient distance from the inner peripheral surface is ensured. Therefore, when connecting the first connecting pipe 4 and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31, even if the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 is slightly inclined in the vertical direction when the PCU 1 is mounted, the first connecting pipe 4 and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 Since the movement in the radial direction of the through hole 21h is allowed, both are aligned by the reaction force of the O-ring 46 that is crushed by the first connecting pipe 4 (tip portion 41t) and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31, and the O-ring The crushing allowance of 46 can be made substantially uniform in the entire circumferential direction. And since the pushing load with respect to the refrigerant | coolant outflow pipe | tube 31 of the 1st connection pipe | tube 4 can be made small by making the crushing margin of the O-ring 46 substantially uniform in the whole circumferential direction, the lamination | stacking cooler 3 is reduced by the said pushing load. It is possible to suppress the plurality of coolers 30 from being deformed in the pushing direction of the first connecting pipe 4.

  As the first connecting pipe 4 is pushed into the laminated cooler 3 while correcting the inclination of the refrigerant outflow pipe 31, as shown in FIG. 6, the diameter-expanded portion 41e of the root portion 41r of the tubular portion 41 is obtained. Is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 21h, the entire first connecting pipe 4 is positioned with respect to the first case 21. Thereby, while providing the positioning pin etc. in the 1st connection pipe 4 separately, without providing the hole which engages with the said positioning pin in the 1st case 21, the 1st connection pipe 4 is easily with respect to the 1st case 21. Can be positioned. Further, by making the axial length Lt of the tip portion 41t longer than the axial length Lr of the root portion 41r, a sufficient overlap length between the tip portion 41t and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 in the axial direction of the tubular portion 41 is ensured. When the first connecting pipe 4 is positioned with respect to the first case 21 by the enlarged diameter portion 41e of the root portion 41r, the positional relationship between the first connecting pipe 4 and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 (refrigerant outflow pipe 31). It is possible to satisfactorily suppress the bending of the first connecting pipe 4 with respect to. Furthermore, even if the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 is inclined, the inclined surface 41s of the intermediate portion 41m between the tip portion 41t and the root portion 41r hits the edge of the through hole 21h, so that the diameter-expanded portion 41e of the root portion 41r. Can be smoothly brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 21h. In addition, in the first connecting pipe 4, since the portion other than the enlarged diameter portion 41e of the base portion 41r is reduced in diameter than the through hole 21h of the first case 21, the enlarged diameter portion 41e is fitted into the through hole 21h. It is possible to absorb the inclination of the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 in the vertical direction by allowing a slight movement of the root portion 41r, that is, the through hole 21h of the first connecting pipe 4 when the refrigerant is inserted. As a result, the crushing allowance of the O-ring 46 (shaft seal member) interposed between the first connecting pipe 4 and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 extending from the stacked cooler 3 is made uniform, and the first connecting pipe 4 Can be easily positioned with respect to the first case 21.

  After the first connecting pipe 4 is positioned with respect to the first case 21 by the root portion 41r, the first connecting pipe 4 is slightly rotated as necessary to adjust the positions of the two fastening portions 40c of the flange portion 40. Then, the bolts are inserted into the bolt holes of the fastening portions 40 c and the bolts are screwed into the screw holes of the first case 21 to fix (fasten) the first connecting pipe 4 to the first case 21. As a result, the second case 22 has a second end portion (mainly a diameter-enlarged portion) on the first case 21, which is opposite to the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 of the refrigerant flow hole 42 of the first connection pipe 4. The first opening 21o is defined from the opening 22o at an interval in the vertical direction (one direction) when the PCU 1 is mounted on the vehicle. Moreover, in the 1st connection pipe 4, since the two fastening parts 40c are provided in the flange part 40 so that it may oppose via the seal ring groove 40g, the said flange part 40 does not incline with respect to the 1st case 21. Can be pressed against. Therefore, the O-ring 45 (face seal member) between the flange portion 40 and the first case 21 has a good sealing property, and the fluid through the gap between the first connecting pipe 4 and the first case 21, that is, It becomes possible to regulate the distribution of moisture from the outside and a cooling medium from the inside.

  After the first connecting pipe 4 is attached to the first case 21, the first end 51 of the second connecting pipe 5 is connected to the first opening 21 o of the first case 21 (the end of the refrigerant flow hole 42 of the first connecting pipe 4. And the end surface of the second end portion 52 is brought into contact with the surface of the second case 22 around the second opening 22o. Further, the bolts are inserted into the bolt holes 54h of one first fastening portion 54 of the second connecting pipe 5 and the bolt holes 55h of two second fastening portions 55, and each bolt is connected to the first and second cases 21. , 22 and the second connecting pipe 5 is fixed (fastened) to the case 2. Thus, the first end 51 is connected to the first opening 21o communicating with the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 via the O-ring 47 as a shaft seal member, that is, the first connecting pipe 4, and the second end 52 is a surface. It is connected to the second opening 22o communicating with the refrigerant passage 23 through an O-ring 48 as a seal member.

  In the present embodiment, an O-ring 47 as a shaft seal member is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion (the reduced diameter portion) of the first end portion 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the first opening 21o. A gap between the first and second connecting pipes 4 and 5 is sealed by the O-ring 47. Therefore, even if the number of the first fastening portions 54 on the first end portion 51 side is one (even if a plurality of first fastening portions 54 are not provided), the sealing performance of the O-ring 47 can be ensured satisfactorily. Further, since the second connecting pipe 5 is provided with two second fastening portions 55 so as to face each other through the seal ring groove 52g, the second end portion 52 is not inclined with respect to the second case 22. Can be pressed against. Accordingly, it is possible to satisfactorily ensure the sealing performance of the O-ring 48 (surface seal member) between the end surface of the second end portion 52 and the second case 22.

  Now, in the PCU 1 configured as described above, since the linear expansion coefficient (thermal expansion coefficient) differs between the metal case 2 and the resin-made second connecting pipe 5, the case 2 corresponding to the ambient temperature of the PCU 1 is used. The expansion / contraction amount of the (first and second cases 21 and 22) and the expansion / contraction amount of the second connecting pipe 5 according to the ambient temperature are different. For this reason, in the PCU 1, the first and second fastening portions 54 and 55 that follow the first or second cases 21 and 22, respectively, have a portion between the first fastening portion 54 and the two second fastening portions 55. Deformation will be limited. Based on this, in the second connecting pipe 5, the second fastening portion 55 is formed around the second end portion 52, whereas, as shown in FIG. It is formed so as to be spaced apart from the two second ends of the part 51 in one direction, that is, in the vertical direction when the PCU 1 is mounted.

  Thereby, the range where the deformation | transformation of the 2nd connecting pipe 5 according to the space | interval Lc along the said up-down direction of the fastening point of the 1st fastening part 54 and the fastening point of the 2nd fastening part 55, ie, ambient temperature, is accept | permitted. It becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress an increase in stress at the welded portion between the main body 50 and the cover member 59 by restricting the deformation of the second connecting pipe 5. As a result, the durability of the second connecting pipe 5 having the first and second fastening portions 54 and 55 fastened to the case 2 can be further improved. Furthermore, in the 2nd connection pipe 5, the A part located between the 1st end part 51 of the main body 50 and the 1st fastening part 54 is formed thinly and narrowly. Thereby, the deformation | transformation of the 2nd connecting pipe 5 according to ambient temperature can be favorably absorbed by A part as a thin and thin deformation | transformation absorption part. As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in stress at the welded portion between the main body 50 and the cover member 59 very well, and to further improve the durability of the second connecting pipe 5.

  Further, when the vehicle equipped with the PCU 1 travels, the compartment in which the PCU 1 is disposed is scraped from the wheels by water containing sand, mud, etc., or water melted by salt that has been sown to melt the snow and ice on the road surface. It may be raised and get in. Then, moisture that has entered the periphery of the PCU 1 travels along the surfaces of the first connecting pipe 4 and the first and second cases 21 and 22 to reach the periphery of the O-ring 48 (face seal member) on the second opening 22o side. If it stays, the second case 22 is corroded around the O-ring 48, and the thinness of the second case 22 may damage the sealing performance of the O-ring 48. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, the first connecting pipe 4 of the PCU 1 is located above the second end 52, that is, the O-ring 48, and away from the surface of the second case 22 as it goes downward. A tapered portion 40t having an inclined surface 40s is provided.

  Thereby, even if the water | moisture content of the circumference | surroundings of the 1st connecting pipe 4 flows down along the surface of the flange part 40, the water | moisture content which flowed down is the surface (X part in FIG. 7) by presence of the taper part 40t. ) And drops downward from the edge of the flange 40. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the water flowing down the surface of the flange portion 40 from flowing toward the second opening 22o and the O-ring 48 along the surface of the second case 22. This prevents moisture containing sand, mud, salt, etc. from flowing into the periphery of the O-ring 48 on the second opening 22 o side, and the second case 22 is damaged by moisture around the O-ring 48. Can be suppressed satisfactorily. As a result, the durability of the second case 22 in the vicinity of the second opening 22o that is disposed below the first connecting pipe 4 and to which the second connecting pipe 5 is connected is improved. It becomes possible to ensure a good sealing property of the O-ring 48 (face seal member) disposed between the two connecting pipes 5.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a moisture receiving groove 52 r extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the second end portion 52. Thereby, the water flowing down from the upper side, that is, the first connecting pipe 4 side is collected in the moisture receiving groove 52r of the second end 52, and is allowed to flow downward along the outer peripheral surface of the second end 52. it can. As a result, it becomes possible to more effectively suppress the water containing sand, mud, salt and the like from flowing into the vicinity of the O-ring 48 on the second opening 22o side.

  As described above, the first connecting pipe 4 that is the connecting member of the refrigerant passage of the PCU 1 is connected to the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 (first refrigerant passage) extending from the stacked cooler 3 and the refrigerant passage 23 (second refrigerant passage 2). The second connecting pipe 5 communicating with the refrigerant passage) is connected. The first connecting pipe 4 includes a flange portion 40 that is fixed to the first case 21 that houses the laminated cooler 3, a cylindrical portion 41 that extends from the flange portion 40, and the flange portion 40 and the cylindrical portion 41. And a coolant circulation hole 42 penetrating through the same. The cylindrical portion 41 includes a root portion 41r formed so that at least a part of the outer peripheral surface, that is, the enlarged diameter portion 41e is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 21h formed in the first case 21, and a root portion 41r. The tip 41t, which is inserted into the through hole 21h of the first case 21 and connected to the refrigerant outlet pipe 31 via the O-ring 46 serving as a shaft seal member, is connected to the base 41r and the tip 41t. An intermediate portion 41m having an inclined surface 41s.

  Thereby, when connecting the 1st connection pipe 4 and the refrigerant | coolant outflow pipe 31, the movement in the radial direction of the through-hole 21h of the 1st connection pipe 4 and the refrigerant | coolant outflow pipe 31 is accept | permitted, Therefore The 1st connection pipe 4 And the reaction force of the O-ring 46 that is crushed by the refrigerant outflow pipe 31, both can be aligned, and the crushing margin of the O-ring 46 can be made substantially uniform in the entire circumferential direction. Moreover, since the pushing load with respect to the refrigerant | coolant outflow pipe | tube 31 of the 1st connection pipe | tube 4 can be made small by making the crushing margin of the O-ring 46 substantially uniform in the whole circumferential direction, the lamination | stacking cooler 3 can be reduced with the said pushing load. Can be prevented from being deformed in the pushing direction of the first connecting pipe 4. Further, when the enlarged diameter portion 41e of the root portion 41r of the tubular portion 41 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 21h, the entire first connecting pipe 4 is positioned with respect to the first case. Thereby, while providing the positioning pin etc. in the 1st connection pipe 4 separately, without providing the hole which engages with the said positioning pin in the 1st case 21, the 1st connection pipe 4 is easily with respect to the 1st case 21. Can be positioned. As a result, the crushing allowance of the O-ring 46 interposed between the first connecting pipe 4 and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 extending from the stacked cooler 3 is made uniform, and the first connecting pipe 4 is connected to the first case 21. It becomes possible to position with respect to easily. In addition, in the said embodiment, although the root part 41r of the cylindrical part 41 has a pair of enlarged diameter part 41e which opposes via the refrigerant | coolant circulation hole 42, it is not restricted to this. That is, the root portion 41r may be formed such that the entire outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 21h.

  In the above embodiment, the axial length Lt of the tip portion 41t is determined to be longer than the axial length Lr of the root portion 41r. Thereby, the overlap length of the front-end | tip part 41t and the refrigerant | coolant outflow pipe | tube 31 in the axial direction of the cylindrical part 41 is ensured enough, and the 1st connection pipe 4 is connected to the 1st case 21 by the enlarged diameter part 41e of the root part 41r. When positioning with respect to the refrigerant, the positional relationship between the first connecting pipe 4 and the refrigerant outflow pipe 31 (the bending of the first connecting pipe 4 with respect to the refrigerant outflow pipe 31) can be satisfactorily suppressed.

  Furthermore, if the flange part 40 and the cylindrical part 41, ie, the 1st connection pipe 4, are formed with resin like the above-mentioned embodiment, the moisture etc. of the 1st connection pipe 4 exposed outside the 1st case 21 (case 2) etc. As a result, the first connecting pipe 4 can be reduced in weight. Moreover, in the said embodiment, O-ring 45 as a surface seal member is arrange | positioned between the flange part 40 of the 1st connection pipe 4, and the 1st case 21, and the 1st case 21 is each set to the flange part 40, respectively. Two fastening portions 40c fastened to are provided. As a result, the flange portion 40 is pressed against the first case 21 so as not to incline, thereby ensuring a good sealing property of the O-ring 45 between the flange portion 40 and the first case 21, and the first connecting pipe 4. It is possible to satisfactorily regulate the fluid flow through the gap between the flange portion 40 and the first case 21. However, only one fastening portion 40c may be provided on the flange portion 40, or three or more fastening portions 40c may be provided around the seal ring groove 40g.

  In the above embodiment, the stacked cooler 3 cools the semiconductor module M as an electronic component included in the inverter that drives the electric motor, and the refrigerant passage 23 is formed in the second case 22. As a result, the inverter can be cooled by both the stacked cooler 3 and the cooling medium flowing through the refrigerant passage 23. However, the 1st connection pipe 4 should just be connected to the refrigerant path and the 2nd connection pipe 5 connected to other refrigerant paths, and the applicable object is restricted to the above-mentioned PCU1. It is not something that can be done. That is, the 1st connection pipe 4 may be used, for example to connect two refrigerant passages for cooling an in-vehicle battery. Furthermore, the shaft seal member and the face seal member used together with the first and second connecting pipes 4 and 5 are not limited to the O-ring as described above, and may be a seal member such as a D ring.

  And the invention of this indication is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment at all, and it cannot be overemphasized that various changes can be made within the range of the extension of this indication. Furthermore, the mode for carrying out the invention described above is merely a specific embodiment of the invention described in the column for solving the problem, and is described in the column for means for solving the problem. It is not intended to limit the elements of the invention.

  The invention of the present disclosure can be used in the field of manufacturing the connecting member of the refrigerant passage.

  1 PCU, 2 case, 3 stacked cooler, 4 first connecting pipe, 5 second connecting pipe, 21 first case, 21h through hole, 21o first opening, 22 second case, 22o second opening, 23 refrigerant passage , 30 Cooler, 30p Communication pipe, 31 Refrigerant outflow pipe, 32 Refrigerant pump, 33 Radiator, 34 Reservoir tank, 40 Flange part, 40c Fastening part, 40g Seal ring groove, 40s Inclined surface, 40t Taper part, 41 Cylindrical part 41e Expanded diameter part, 41g Seal ring groove, 41m Intermediate part, 41r Root part, 41s Inclined surface, 41t Tip part, 42 Refrigerant flow hole, 45, 46, 47, 48 O-ring, 50 body, 50o opening part, 51 First end, 52 Second end, 52g Seal ring groove, 52r Moisture receiving groove, 53 communication portion, 54 First fastening portion, 54h Vol Hole, 55 the second engagement portion, 55h bolt hole, 59 cover member, M semiconductor module.

Claims (5)

A flange portion fixed to a case housing the cooler; a cylindrical portion extending from the flange portion; and a refrigerant circulation hole penetrating the flange portion and the cylindrical portion; from the cooler In the connecting member of the refrigerant passage connected to the extending first refrigerant passage and connected to the connecting pipe communicating with the second refrigerant passage,
The cylindrical part is
A root portion formed so that at least a part of the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole formed in the case;
A tip part that is narrower than the root part and is inserted into the through hole of the case and connected to the first refrigerant passage via a shaft seal member;
A refrigerant passage coupling member including an intermediate portion having an inclined surface connecting the root portion and the tip portion.   The refrigerant path connecting member according to claim 1, wherein an axial length of the tip portion is longer than an axial length of the root portion.   The refrigerant passage coupling member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange portion and the tubular portion are made of resin. In the connection member of the refrigerant passage according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A face seal member is disposed between the flange portion and the case, and the flange portion is a refrigerant passage connecting member having a plurality of fastening portions fastened to the case. In the connection member of the refrigerant passage according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The said cooler cools the electronic component contained in the inverter which drives an electric motor, and the said 2nd refrigerant path is a connection member of the refrigerant path currently formed in the said case.

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