JP7201317B2 - hybrid car cooling system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a cooling device for a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor as drive sources for running.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a hybrid vehicle (HV) equipped with an engine and a motor generator as a drive source for running is known.

For example, in a split system (series/parallel system) hybrid vehicle, the engine and motor generator are connected to a planetary gear mechanism, and the power from the engine can be divided and distributed to the motor generator and drive wheels. and the power from the motor generator can be combined and transmitted to the driving wheels. In addition, the engine can be stopped and EV travel can be performed using only the power from the motor generator.

Some of such hybrid vehicles have a motor generator housed in a case together with a planetary gear mechanism and a differential gear, which constitute a transaxle that transmits power to drive wheels. The transaxle is arranged side by side with the engine, for example, in an engine room (engine compartment) provided in the front part of the vehicle.

An engine cooling system for cooling the engine is arranged in the engine room. The engine cooling system circulates cooling water between the engine and the radiator by the operation of the water pump. As the cooling water flows through the engine, heat is exchanged between the cooling water and the engine, the engine is cooled, and the cooling water is heated. As the cooling water that has flowed through the engine flows through the radiator, heat is exchanged between the cooling water and the radiator to cool the cooling water.

JP-A-10-238345

In such a hybrid vehicle, it is conceivable to provide a hybrid cooling system for cooling the transaxle and the like in addition to the engine cooling system. By providing the hybrid cooling system, it is possible to cool the transaxle and the like separately from the engine.

However, since the size of the engine room is limited in light cars and small cars, considerable ingenuity is required to provide the hybrid cooling system in the engine room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling system for a hybrid vehicle that can provide a second cooling system that is independent of the first cooling system that cools the engine even in a light vehicle or a compact vehicle.

In order to achieve the above object, a cooling device for a hybrid vehicle according to the present invention is a cooling device for a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor as driving sources for running, the cooling device comprising a first cooling system for cooling the engine; a second cooling system that cools a power transmission mechanism that transmits power of the motor, the first cooling system includes a first radiator, and the second cooling system supplies coolant that flows through the second radiator and the second radiator. A reserve tank is provided, and the second radiator and the reserve tank are integrated.

According to this configuration, the first cooling system that cools the engine and the second cooling system that cools the power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor are provided. Therefore, the engine and power transmission mechanism can be cooled separately.

A second radiator and a reserve tank included in the second cooling system are integrated. As a result, the length of the pipe connecting the second radiator and the reserve tank can be shortened compared to a configuration in which the second radiator and the reserve tank are arranged apart from each other. Also, brackets and the like for individually supporting the second radiator and the reserve tank can be omitted, and the configuration of the second cooling system can be simplified. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the second cooling system. , a second cooling system may be provided that is independent of the first cooling system.

In addition, since the second radiator and the reserve tank can be assembled to the vehicle in an assembled state (sub-ASSY), the man-hours required for the vehicle assembly line can be reduced. can suppress the occurrence of delays in

According to the present invention, a second cooling system that is independent of the first cooling system that cools the engine can be provided even in a light car or a small car.

1 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a vehicle cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the left rear of the cooling device. It is the perspective view seen from the left front of a cooling device. FIG. 2 is a left rear perspective view of the HV cooling system shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the HV cooling system as seen from the left front; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an HV cooling system according to another embodiment, viewed from the rear left; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the HV cooling system shown in FIG. 6 as seen from the left front;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Below, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Cooling device for hybrid vehicle>
1, 2 and 3 are diagrams schematically showing the configuration of a cooling device 17 for a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle 1 is, for example, a split type (series/parallel type) hybrid vehicle, and is equipped with an engine (E/G) 11 and a motor generator (MG) 12 as drive sources for running.

Engine 11 is, for example, a gasoline engine or a diesel engine.

The motor generator 12 is composed of a DC brushless motor and has a function as a motor and a function as a generator. Motor generator 12 is housed in a case together with a planetary gear mechanism and a differential gear, for example, and constitutes transaxle (T/A) 13 that transmits power to drive wheels. The transaxle 13 is provided with an oil cooler for cooling (or warming) oil used in the transaxle 13 . The vehicle 1 is also provided with a PCU (Power Control Unit) 14 that incorporates an inverter and a microcomputer (microcontroller unit) for driving the motor generator 12 .

In vehicle 1, for example, engine 11 and motor generator 12 are connected to a planetary gear mechanism, and power from engine 11 can be divided and distributed to motor generator 12 and driving wheels. Further, the power from the engine 11 and the power from the motor generator 12 can be combined and transmitted to the driving wheels. In addition, the EV running can be performed by stopping the engine 11 and using only the power from the motor generator 12 .

Here, the configuration of a split system (series/parallel system) hybrid system has been described as an example, but the system of the hybrid system is not limited to the split system, and may be, for example, a series system or a parallel system. may be In the series system, the power of the engine is converted into electric power by the generator, the electric power generated by the generator is used to drive the drive motor, and the power of the drive motor is transmitted to the drive wheels. In the parallel system, a power split device consisting of a planetary gear mechanism is provided, and the power of the engine and the power of the motor (motor generator) are transmitted to the driving wheels.

In the vehicle 1, an engine cooling system 15 that cools the engine 11 and an HV cooling system 16 that cools the transaxle 13 and the PCU 14 are separately provided. 1 cooling device 17 is configured.

<Engine cooling system>
The engine cooling system 15 has a first radiator 21 and a first radiator fan 22 .

The first radiator 21 has a rectangular plate-like outer shape, and extends vertically and horizontally (vertically and horizontally) at a position near the left of the front end of the engine room (engine compartment) at the front of the vehicle 1 . are placed.

The first radiator fan 22 is an electric fan, and is arranged so as to face the first radiator 21 from the rear side with the rotation shaft 24 of the fan motor 23 extending forward and backward.

In the engine cooling system 15 , cooling water (liquid containing water) is circulated between the engine 11 and the first radiator 21 by operating a first water pump (not shown). Specifically, when the water pump is driven, cooling water flows into the water jacket of the engine 11 and the cooling water flowing through the water jacket flows out of the engine 11 . As the cooling water flows through the water jacket, heat is exchanged between the cooling water and the engine 11 to cool or heat the engine 11 and raise or lower the temperature of the cooling water.

Cooling water flowing out of the engine 11 flows into the first radiator 21 and flows through the first radiator 21 . When the first radiator fan 22 is driven, the cooling water flowing through the first radiator 21 is cooled by air blown from the first radiator fan 22 . When the vehicle 1 is running, the cooling water flowing through the first radiator 21 is cooled by running wind even if the first radiator fan 22 is not operating. The cooling water cooled by the first radiator 21 flows out from the first radiator 21 toward the engine 11 .

<HV cooling system>
The HV cooling system 16 includes a second radiator 31 , a second radiator fan 32 , a second water pump 33 and a closed reserve tank 34 .

The second radiator 31 has a rectangular plate-like outer shape, and is arranged horizontally on the right side of the first radiator 21 at the front end of the engine room in the front part of the vehicle 1, and extends vertically and horizontally (vertically and horizontally). are arranged so as to extend to The second radiator 31 is narrower than the first radiator 21, and is elongated so that the horizontal dimension is smaller than the vertical dimension.

The second radiator fan 32 is an electric fan, and is arranged to face the second radiator 31 from the rear side, with the rotating shaft 36 of the fan motor 35 extending forward and backward.

The second water pump 33 is arranged behind the second radiator 31 .

The reserve tank 34 is arranged above the second radiator 31 .

In the HV cooling system 16 , the cooling water is circulated between the transaxle 13 and the PCU 14 and the second radiator 31 by operating the second water pump 33 . Specifically, when the second water pump 33 is driven, cooling water is sucked out from the reserve tank 34 and flows through the rubber hose 37 . The cooling water is sucked into the second water pump 33 through the rubber hose 37 , flows from the second water pump 33 through the rubber hose 38 into the second radiator 31 , and flows through the second radiator 31 . When the second radiator fan 32 is driven, the cooling water flowing through the second radiator 31 is cooled by air blown from the second radiator fan 32 . When the vehicle 1 is running, the cooling water flowing through the second radiator 31 is cooled by running wind even if the second radiator fan 32 is not operating.

The cooling water cooled by the second radiator 31 flows out from the second radiator 31 toward the oil cooler of the transaxle 13 and the PCU 14 . Then, when the cooling water passes through the oil cooler of the transaxle 13 and the PCU 14 , heat is exchanged with the oil cooler and the PCU 14 . This heat exchange cools the oil cooler and the PCU 14 and raises the temperature of the cooling water. Cooling water that has passed through the oil cooler and PCU 14 flows into reserve tank 34 .

The temperature of the cooling water circulating through the HV cooling system 16 is lower than the temperature of the cooling water circulating through the engine cooling system 15 . That is, since the PCU 14 is more vulnerable to heat than the engine 11 and the transaxle 13, the engine cooling system 15 is designed so that the temperature of the cooling water after passing through the engine 11 reaches a predetermined first temperature (for example, about 105° C.). , and the HV cooling system 16 is designed so that the temperature of the cooling water after passing through the PCU 14 is a second temperature (for example, 65° C.) lower than the first temperature.

In some conventional gasoline engine vehicles, the electric compressor 41 of the air conditioner is arranged on the right side of the radiator. In the vehicle 1, while basically following the layout, the electric compressor 41 is arranged behind the engine 11, and the second radiator 31 is arranged in the space created thereby.

<Assembly structure of HV cooling system>
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the HV cooling system 16 as seen from the rear left. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the HV cooling system 16 as seen from the front left.

The HV cooling system 16 is integrated (sub-ASSY) as an assembly by using the frame 51 . The frame 51 connects a flat cylindrical (annular frame) fan mounting portion 52, an annular fan fixing portion 53 having a smaller diameter than the fan mounting portion 52, and the fan mounting portion 52 and the fan fixing portion 53. a plurality of connecting portions 54, a first extension portion 55 and a second extension portion 56 extending upward from the fan placement portion 52, a third extension portion 57 extending downward from the fan placement portion 52, and It integrally has a fourth extending portion 58 .

The second radiator fan 32 is arranged inside the fan arrangement portion 52 . The second radiator fan 32 is supported by the frame 51 by fixing the fan motor 35 to the fan fixing portion 53 .

The frame 51 is arranged behind the second radiator 31 . The first extending portion 55 and the second extending portion 56 of the frame 51 each extend upward from positions spaced from each other in the circumferential direction on the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the fan placement portion 52 . The tip of the first extending portion 55 is fixed to a fourth mounting portion 74 (described later) of the reserve tank 34 with a bolt 61 . The tip of the second extending portion 56 is fixed to a fifth mounting portion 75 (described later) of the reserve tank 34 with a bolt 62 . The third extending portion 57 and the fourth extending portion 58 each extend downward from positions spaced from each other in the circumferential direction on the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the fan placement portion 52 . The third extending portion 57 is fixed to the rear surface of the second radiator 31 with bolts 63 . The fourth extending portion 58 is fixed to the rear surface of the second radiator 31 with bolts 64 .

A second water pump 33 is arranged on the rear side of the frame 51 and on the lower right side of the fan arrangement portion 52 . A first attachment portion 65 and a second attachment portion 66 are formed integrally with the second water pump 33 . The second water pump 33 is supported by the frame 51 by fixing the first mounting portion 65 and the second mounting portion 66 to the frame 51 with bolts 67 and 68, respectively.

The reserve tank 34 is arranged above the frame 51 . A first attachment portion 71 , a second attachment portion 72 , a third attachment portion 73 , a fourth attachment portion 74 and a fifth attachment portion 75 are formed integrally with the reserve tank 34 . The first mounting portion 71 extends downward from the front lower end portion of the reserve tank 34 . The second mounting portion 72 and the third mounting portion 73 extend leftward and rightward from the reserve tank 34, respectively. The fourth mounting portion 74 and the fifth mounting portion 75 extend downward from positions spaced from each other in the left-right direction on the bottom surface of the reserve tank 34 .

The first attachment portion 71 is arranged on the front side of the second radiator 31 and fixed to the front surface of the second radiator 31 with bolts 81 . The second mounting portion 72 and the third mounting portion 73 are arranged on the rear surface side of the second radiator 31 and fixed to the rear surface of the second radiator 31 with bolts 82 and 83, respectively. The fourth mounting portion 74 and the fifth mounting portion 75 are arranged on the rear surface side of the second radiator 31 . The fourth attachment portion 74 serves as an attachment seat surface for the first extension portion 55 of the frame 51 , and the first extension portion 55 is fixed by the bolt 61 as described above. The fifth attachment portion 75 serves as an attachment seat surface for the second extension portion 56 of the frame 51 , and the second extension portion 56 is fixed by the bolt 62 as described above.

<Effect>
As described above, the engine cooling system 15 that cools the engine 11 and the HV cooling system 16 that cools the transaxle 13 that transmits the power of the motor generator 12 and the PCU 14 are provided. Therefore, engine 11, transaxle 13 and PCU 14 can be cooled separately.

The first radiator 21 included in the engine cooling system 15 and the second radiator 31 included in the HV cooling system 16 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction) in the engine room. Therefore, even in a vehicle such as a light car or a compact car, the size of the engine room of which is restricted, the HV cooling system 16 can be provided independently of the engine cooling system 15 without increasing the longitudinal dimension of the engine room. can.

Moreover, unlike the configuration in which the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 31 are arranged to overlap each other in the front-rear direction, both the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 31 can be cooled by outside air, and the cooling efficiency can be improved. can.

For the engine cooling system 15, an engine cooling system mounted on a conventional gasoline engine vehicle can be diverted. Therefore, man-hours for developing the vehicle 1 can be significantly reduced.

A second radiator 31, a second radiator fan 32, a second water pump 33, and a reserve tank 34 included in the HV cooling system 16 are integrated. As a result, the rubber hose 37 connecting the second water pump 33 and the reserve tank 34 and the rubber hose 38 connecting the second radiator 31 and the second water pump 33 can be shortened. In addition, brackets for individually supporting the second radiator 31, the second radiator fan 32, the second water pump 33, and the reserve tank 34 can be omitted, and the configuration of the HV cooling system 16 can be simplified. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the HV cooling system 16, and even in a vehicle such as a light car or a small car, which has a limited size of the engine room, without increasing the longitudinal dimension of the engine room. , an HV cooling system 16 independent of the engine cooling system 15 may be provided.

In addition, since the second radiator 31, the second radiator fan 32, the second water pump 33, and the reserve tank 34 can be assembled to the vehicle 1 in an assembled state, the number of man-hours required for assembling the vehicle 1 can be reduced. It is possible to reduce delays in work on the assembly line.

Moreover, in the configuration of the HV cooling system 16, mount grommets 91, 92, 93, and 94 are provided at two upper and lower portions of the assembly. By inserting the mount grommets 91 to 94 into radiator supports (not shown) provided on the vehicle 1 , the assembly of the HV cooling system 16 can be assembled on the vehicle 1 .

<Other embodiments>
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an HV cooling system 16 according to another embodiment, viewed from the rear left. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the HV cooling system 16 shown in FIG. 6 as seen from the front left. 6 and 7, the parts corresponding to the parts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are given the same reference numerals as those parts. Also, the description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals will be omitted below.

The second water pump 33 is arranged on the rear side of the frame 51 and on the lower right side of the fan arrangement portion 52 and is fixed to the frame 51 by the mounting member 101 .

The reserve tank 34 is arranged above the frame 51 . A first attachment portion 111 , a second attachment portion 112 , a third attachment portion 113 and a fourth attachment portion 114 are formed integrally with the reserve tank 34 . The first attachment portion 111 and the second attachment portion 112 extend leftward and rightward from the reserve tank 34, respectively. The third attachment portion 113 extends rightward from the right side surface of the reserve tank 34 . The fourth mounting portion 114 extends downward from the bottom surface of the reserve tank 34 .

The first mounting portion 111 and the second mounting portion 112 are arranged on the upper surface side of the second radiator 31 and fixed to the upper surface of the second radiator 31 by bolts 115 and 116, respectively. The third mounting portion 113 and the fourth mounting portion 114 are arranged on the rear side of the frame 51 and fixed to the frame 51 by bolts 117 and 118, respectively.

This configuration can also provide the same effects as the configuration of the above-described embodiment, that is, the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .

<Modification>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can also be implemented in other forms.

For example, in the description of the configuration shown in FIG. 4 , the fourth mounting portion 74 and the fifth mounting portion 75 of the reserve tank 34 correspond to the mounting seating surfaces of the first extending portion 55 and the second extending portion 56 of the frame 51, respectively. Therefore, the first extension portion 55 and the second extension portion 56 are fixed to the fourth attachment portion 74 and the fifth attachment portion 75, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an insertion hole through which the bolt 61 can be inserted is formed in the fourth attachment portion 74 of the reserve tank 34 , and the fourth attachment portion 74 is provided between the first extension portion 55 of the frame 51 and the second radiator 31 . The first extending portion 55 and the fourth mounting portion 74 may be fastened together to the second radiator 31 with the bolts 61 while the mounting portion 74 is sandwiched. Similarly, an insertion hole through which the bolt 62 can be inserted is formed in the fifth mounting portion 75 of the reserve tank 34 , and the fifth mounting portion 75 is formed between the second extending portion 56 of the frame 51 and the second radiator 31 . The second extending portion 56 and the fifth mounting portion 75 may be fastened together to the second radiator 31 with the bolts 62 while being sandwiched.

Further, the number of motor generators mounted on transaxle 13 may be one, or may be two or more. Further, the drive source included in the transaxle 13 is not limited to the motor generator, and may be a simple motor.

In addition, various design changes can be made to the above configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1: Vehicle (hybrid vehicle)
11: Engine 12: Motor generator (motor)
13: Transaxle (power transmission mechanism)
15: Engine cooling system (first cooling system)
16: HV cooling system (second cooling system)
21: First radiator 31: Second radiator

Claims (1)

A cooling device for a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor as drive sources for running,
a first cooling system that cools the engine;
a second cooling system that is provided separately from the first cooling system and that cools a power transmission mechanism that transmits power of the motor;
The first cooling system includes a first radiator and a first water pump that circulates a coolant between the engine and the first radiator ,
The second cooling system includes a second radiator, a reserve tank that stores coolant flowing through the second radiator , a radiator fan, and a second water pump that circulates the coolant from the reserve tank toward the second radiator. and
The first radiator and the second radiator are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in an engine room in which the engine and the motor are accommodated,
The reserve tank is arranged above the second radiator ,
The radiator fan is arranged facing the second radiator from the rear side in a direction in which the rotating shaft of the fan motor extends forward and backward,
The second water pump is arranged behind the second radiator,
The cooling device , wherein the second radiator, the reserve tank, the radiator fan and the second water pump are integrated as an assembly .

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