DUCT BODY AND VEHICLE

The present disclosure provides a duct body for supplying cooling air toward a heating element, wherein the duct body has an upstream duct and a downstream duct, the duct body has an overlapping region in which the upstream duct and the downstream duct overlap, and in the overlapping region, the upstream duct is disposed outside the downstream duct via an air layer, the downstream duct has a convex portion on a surface on the upstream duct side, the upstream duct has a concave portion on a surface on the downstream duct side, and the overlapping region has a fitting structure in which at least a part of the convex portion fits with the concave portion, and has a heat insulating structure having the air layer on an upstream side of the fitting structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a duct body and a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

A duct body that supplies cooling air toward a heating element such as a battery is known. Patent Literature 1 discloses a duct structure having a duct body and a heat insulating member. In particular, Patent Literature 1 discloses the formation of an air layer by covering a concave portion of a duct with a heat insulating member. In addition, Patent Literature 2 discloses a duct structure including a power supply pack, a blower, and a duct. In addition, Patent Literature 3 discloses a battery-cooling structure having a battery, an intake duct, and a partition panel.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literatures

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

As described above, in Patent Literature 1, it is disclosed that an air layer is formed by covering a concave portion of a duct body with a heat insulating member. When the heat insulating member is used, the air layer can be easily formed. On the other hand, by using the heat insulating member, the number of components increases.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a duct body having a good heat insulating property and suppressing an increase in the number of components.

Solution to Problem

A duct body for supplying cooling air toward a heating element, wherein the duct body has an upstream duct and a downstream duct, the duct body has an overlapping region in which the upstream duct and the downstream duct overlap, and in the overlapping region, the upstream duct is disposed outside the downstream duct via an air layer, the downstream duct has a convex portion on a surface on the upstream duct side, the upstream duct has a concave portion on a surface on the downstream duct side, and the overlapping region has a fitting structure in which at least a part of the convex portion fits with the concave portion, and has a heat insulating structure having the air layer on an upstream side of the fitting structure.

The duct body according to [1], wherein at least one of the upstream duct and the downstream duct has a projection portion configured to form the air layer.

The duct body according to [1] or [2], wherein the upstream duct has an enlarged opening portion at a downstream end, and an inner diameter of the enlarged opening portion is larger than an inner diameter of the upstream duct in the heat insulating structure.

The duct body according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the upstream duct has an enlarged opening portion at a downstream end, an inner diameter of the enlarged opening portion is larger than an inner diameter of the upstream duct in the heat insulating structure, the upstream duct and the downstream duct are resin ducts, and the heating element is a battery.

A vehicle comprising the duct body according to [4], wherein the vehicle mounts the heating element behind a seat, and the vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

The duct body according to the present disclosure has a good heat insulating property and can suppress an increase in the number of components.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The figures shown below are examples, and the size of each part and the shape of each part may be exaggerated for ease of understanding.

FIG.1Ais a schematic perspective view illustrating an upstream duct and a downstream duct,FIG.1Bis a schematic perspective view illustrating a duct body,FIG.1Cis a cross-sectional view of A-A line of1B. As shown inFIG.1AandFIG.1B, the duct body100has an upstream duct10and a downstream duct20. As shown in1C, the duct body100has an overlapping region R in which the upstream duct10and the downstream duct20overlap.

In the overlapping region R, an upstream duct10is arranged outside the downstream duct20via the air layer30. Further, in the overlapping region R, the downstream duct20has a convex portion22on the surface of the upstream duct10side, and the upstream duct10has a concave portion12on the surface of the downstream duct20side. The overlapping region R has a fitting structure S1in which at least a part of the convex portion22is fitted into the concave portion12. Further, the overlapping region R has a heat insulating structure S2having an air layer upstream of the fitting structure S1.

The duct body in the present disclosure has a fitting structure and a heat insulating structure. Therefore, the duct body according to the present disclosure has a good heat insulating property and can suppress an increase in the number of components. As described above, in Patent Literature 1, it is disclosed that an air layer is formed by covering a concave portion of a duct body with a heat insulating member. By using the heat insulating member, an air layer can be easily formed. On the other hand, when the heat insulating member is used, the number of components increases.

In contrast, in the present disclosure, an upstream duct and a downstream duct are used to form an air layer. Therefore, a good heat insulating property can be obtained without using a heat insulating member (that is, a member having only a heat insulating function). Further, since it is not necessary to use a heat insulating member, an increase in the number of components is suppressed. In addition, since the number of components is small, the environmental load at the time of recycling is small.

In Patent Literature 1, the concave portion of the duct body is covered with a heat insulating member to form an air layer. Therefore, the air layer is locally formed. In contrast, the air layer in the present disclosure is uniformly formed. Specifically, an air layer is formed so as to cover the entire outer edge of the downstream duct in the flow direction of the cooling air. Therefore, a good heat insulating property can be obtained.

For example, in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having FR (Front engine Rear drive) system, a propeller shaft is arranged in the center of the vehicle. Therefore, battery (driving battery) is often mounted in a cargo compartment located on the rear side of the vehicle. Also, cooled airs in the passenger cabin may be utilized to cool battery. In this case, the length of the duct body connecting the intake port arranged in the passenger cabin and battery mounted in the luggage compartment located in the rear side of the vehicle is increased. Therefore, a plurality of ducts may be connected to form a duct body.

As shown inFIGS.2A,2B, and2C, it is assumed that the sponge portion90is provided at the downstream end portion of the upstream duct10, and the upstream duct10and the downstream duct20are connected via the sponge portion90. The temperature of the cooling air flowing through the inside of the duct body is increased by the heat received from the outside of the duct body. Therefore, as the length of the duct body increases (as the surface area of the duct body increases), the temperature of the cooling air flowing through the inside of the duct body also increases.

In order to suppress the influence of heat received from the outside of the duct body, it is effective to provide the above-described air layer (heat insulating layer). However, as described above, when the heat insulating member is used, the number of components increases, and as a result, the cost increases. In contrast, in the present disclosure, since the air layer is formed by using the upstream duct and the downstream duct, an increase in the number of components is suppressed.

Further, since the sponge portion is soft, there is a problem that it is difficult for an operator to confirm whether or not the upstream duct and the downstream duct are accurately connected. In contrast, the duct body in the present disclosure has a fitting structure. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is easy for an operator to confirm whether or not the upstream duct and the downstream duct are accurately connected.

The upstream duct in the present disclosure is disposed upstream of the downstream duct in the flow direction of the cooling air. In the present disclosure, the flow direction of the cooling air is defined as the +X direction. Further, in the present disclosure, “upstream side” means −X direction side, and “downstream side” means the +X direction side.

The upstream duct in the present disclosure is a hollow member. As shown in theFIG.1A, the upstream duct10has an opening portion11. InFIG.1A, opening portion11extends along the X-axis. The shape of the outer edge of the upstream duct in the X-axis direction is not particularly limited. Examples of the outer edge shape of the upstream duct include a quadrangular shape, a circular shape, and an oval shape.

The inner diameter of the upstream duct may increase continuously in the flow direction of the cooling air. In addition, the inner diameter of the upstream duct may continuously decrease in the flow direction of the cooling air. The upstream duct is, for example, a resin duct. That is, the upstream duct may be a resin molded product. Examples of the method for forming the upstream duct include blow molding and injection molding.

The downstream duct in the present disclosure is disposed downstream of the upstream duct in the flow direction of the cooling air. The downstream duct is a hollow member. As shown in theFIG.1A, the downstream duct20has an opening portion21. InFIG.1A, opening portion21extends along the X-axis. The outer edge shape of the downstream duct in the X-axis direction is not particularly limited. Examples of the outer edge shape of the downstream duct include a quadrangular shape, a circular shape, and an oval shape. The outer edge shape of the downstream duct may be a similar shape of the outer edge shape of the upstream duct.

The inner diameter of the downstream duct may increase continuously in the flow direction of the cooling air. In addition, the inner diameter of the downstream duct may continuously decrease in the flow direction of the cooling air. The downstream duct is, for example, a resin duct. That is, the downstream duct may be a resin molded article. Examples of the method for forming the downstream duct include blow molding and injection molding.

3. Duct Body

The duct body in the present disclosure has an overlapping region in which the upstream duct and the downstream duct overlap. As shown inFIG.1C, the duct body100has an overlapping region R in which the upstream duct10and the downstream duct20overlap. As shown inFIGS.1A and1B, an overlapping region R is formed by inserting the upstream end of the downstream duct20into opening portion11located at the downstream end of the upstream duct10. As shown inFIG.1C, the overlapping region R is preferably a linear region along the X-axis. On the other hand, the overlapping region R may be a curved region.

As shown inFIG.1C, the downstream duct20has a convex portion22on the upstream duct10. Similarly, the upstream duct10has a concave portion12on the surface on the downstream duct20side. The overlapping region R has a fitting structure S1in which at least a part of the convex portion22is fitted into the concave portion12. Further, the overlapping region R has a heat insulating structure S2upstream of the fitting structure S1. The heat insulating structure S2has an air layer30between the upstream duct10and the downstream duct20.

As shown inFIG.1C, the upstream duct10has a concave portion12on the side of the downstream duct20. The upstream duct10inFIG.1Chas a protruding portion protruding in the +Z direction. The surface of the protruding portion on the downstream duct20side corresponds to the concave portion12. Further, the upstream duct10inFIG.1Chas a protruding portion protruding in the −Z direction. The surface of the protruding portion on the downstream duct20side corresponds to the concave portion12. In this way, the upstream duct10may have a plurality of concave portions12.

As shown in theFIGS.1A and1B, the upstream duct10may have two concave portions12arranged to face each other in one axial direction. In theFIGS.1A and1B, two concave portions12are arranged opposite each other in the Z-axis direction. Further, as shown inFIGS.1A and1B, the upstream duct10may have a surface on which the concave portion12is not disposed. In theFIGS.1A and1B, the upstream duct10has no concave portion in the two faces facing each other in the Y-axis direction.

As shown inFIGS.1A,1B, and1C, the downstream duct20has a convex portion22on the side of upstream duct10. The downstream duct20has a convex portion22so as to correspond to the position of the concave portion12of the upstream duct10.

As shown in theFIG.1C, the overlapping region R has a fitting structure S1, an insulating structure S2and an insulating structure S3. In the fitting structure S1, at least a portion of the convex portion22is fitted into the concave portion12. That is, the relative movement of the upstream duct10and the downstream duct20in the X-axis direction is limited by the fitting of the convex portion22and the concave portion12. Further, the heat insulating structure S2includes the air layer30and is disposed upstream of the fitting structure S1. On the other hand, the heat insulating structure S3has an air layer30and is disposed downstream of the fitting structure S1.

Let LR be the length of the overlapping region R, let LS1be the length of the fitting structure S1, let LS2be the length of the heat insulating structure S2, and let LS3be the length of the heat insulating structure S3. Each of these lengths corresponds to a length in the X-axis direction. LR is, for example, 10 cm or more, may be 30 cm or more, may be 50 cm or more, or may be 100 cm or more. Meanwhile, the upper limit of LR is not particularly limited. LS1is, for example, equal to or greater than 1 cm and equal to or less than 10 cm.

LS2is, for example, 10 cm or more, may be 30 cm or more, may be 50 cm or more, or may be 100 cm or more. Meanwhile, the upper limit of LS2is not particularly limited. The ratio (LS2/LR) of LS2to LR is, for example, 30% or more, may be 50% or more, or may be 70% or more. On the other hand, LR2/LR is 90% or less, for example.

LS3is, for example, equal to or greater than 1 cm, may be equal to or greater than 5 cm, or may be equal to or greater than 10 cm. On the other hand, LS3is, for example, 30 cm or less. If LS3is too short, the fitting structure S1may be less stable. On the other hand, if LS3is too long, the upstream duct and the downstream duct may be damaged when forming the fitting structure S1.

The thickness (length in the Z-axis direction) of the air layer30is not particularly limited, but is, for example, equal to or greater than 1 mm and equal to or less than 10 mm. If the air layer30is too thin, sufficient insulation may be obtained. On the other hand, if the air layer30is too thick, the flow rate of the cooling air for cooling the heating element may decrease.

In the heat insulating structure, at least one of the upstream duct and the downstream duct preferably has a projection portion configured to form an air layer. The downstream duct20shown inFIG.3has a projection portion40on the surface on the upstream duct10side. When the projection portion40of the downstream duct20comes into contact with the upstream duct10, the air layer30is formed between the downstream duct20and the upstream duct10. Further, although not shown, the upstream duct may have a projection portion on the surface on the downstream duct side.

As shown inFIG.4, in the downstream duct20, the projection portion40A may be disposed on a surface where the convex portion22is disposed. InFIG.4, the projection portion40A has a dot-like shape. Further, although not particularly illustrated, in the downstream duct, the projecting portion may not be disposed on the surface where the convex portion is disposed. Further, as shown inFIG.4, in the downstream duct20, the projection portion40B may be disposed on a surface where the convex portion22is not disposed.

Projection portions may be arranged on all surfaces constituting the outer edge shape of the downstream duct in the X-axis direction. For example, inFIG.4, the outer edge shape of the downstream duct20in the X-axis direction is a quadrangle. projection portions40may be arranged on all surfaces constituting the quadrangle.

The shape of the projection portion in a plan view is not particularly limited. Examples of the shape of the projection portion include a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon. The projection portion may extend parallel to the X-axis direction. In this case, workability is improved when the downstream duct is inserted into the upstream duct. On the other hand, in a cross section perpendicular to the X-axis direction, the projection portion may be disposed on the entire circumference of the outer edge of the downstream duct. On the other hand, in a cross section perpendicular to the X-axis direction, the projection portion may not be disposed on the entire circumference of the outer edge of the downstream duct.

The upstream duct may have an enlarged opening portion at its downstream end. The upstream duct10shown inFIG.3has an enlarged opening portion50at the downstream side (+X direction side) end. The inner diameter of the enlarged opening portion50is greater than the inner diameter of the upstream duct10in the heat insulating structure S2.

The enlarged opening portion50serves as a guide when the downstream duct20is inserted into the upstream duct10. Therefore, the workability of inserting the downstream duct20into the upstream duct10is improved. The inner diameter of the enlarged opening portion50is taken as I1, and the mean inner diameter of the upstream ducting10in the heat insulating structure S2is taken as I2. The ratio (I1/I2) of I1to I2is, for example, 1.05 or more, and may be 1.10 or more. I1/I2is, for example, 1.50 or less.

The duct body in the present disclosure is a duct body for supplying cooling air toward the heating element. The type of the heating element is not particularly limited. Examples of the heating element include battery. Examples of battery include nickel-hydrogen battery and lithium-ion battery.

The use of the duct body is not particularly limited. The duct body is preferably mounted on the moving body. Examples of the moving body include a vehicle, a railroad, a ship, and an aircraft. Examples of the vehicle include a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is preferably a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). It is also preferred that the motor vehicle has FR (Front engine Rear drive) system.

The present disclosure provides a vehicle equipped with the above-described duct body.

A vehicle according to the present disclosure is equipped with the above-described duct body. Therefore, the vehicle according to the present disclosure can satisfactorily supply the cooling air toward the heating element. The duct body, the heating element, and the vehicles are the same as those described in the “A. duct body”.

FIG.5Ais a schematic side view illustrating a portion of a vehicle in the present disclosure,FIG.5Bis a schematic rear view illustrating a portion of the vehicle in the present disclosure, andFIG.5Cis a schematic top view illustrating a portion of the vehicle in the present disclosure. In theFIG.5B, battery is omitted.

As shown in theFIGS.5A,5B, and5C, the vehicles500mount battery400, which is a heating element, on the rear side of the seat200. Battery400supplies electric power to a motor (driving motor) mounted on the vehicles. Specifically, the DC current discharged from battery400is converted into an AC current by an inverter, and the AC current is supplied to the motor. On the other hand, when energy regeneration is performed, an alternating current generated by a motor is converted into a direct current by an inverter, and the direct current is charged into battery400.

The seat200shown in theFIGS.5A,5B, and5Chas a headrest portion201, a backrest portion202, and a seat portion203. In theFIGS.5A,5B and5C, the seat200is a rear seat and battery400is mounted on the bottom of the luggage compartment.

The vehicle500includes the duct body100described above. The duct body100includes an air inlet101. The air inlet101is located in the vehicle interior on the passenger compartment side. The air inlet101shown in5A is located at the foot of the seat200. The duct body100connects the air inlet101and battery400. The cooling air sucked from the air inlet101is supplied to battery400via the duct body100.

As shown in5A, a blower300may be disposed between the air inlet101and battery400. In this instance, the vehicles500have a duct body100aand a duct body100b. The duct body100aconnects the air inlet101and the blower300, and the duct body100bconnects the blower300and battery400. Preferably, at least one of the duct body100aand the duct body100bis the duct body100having the fitting structure and the heat insulating structure.

As shown inFIG.5B, the duct body100preferably has a widthwise extending region of the vehicle. In such a region, it is easy to install a linear overlapping region R. Further, as shown inFIG.5A, the vehicles500may include an exhaust-duct600downstream of battery400.

REFERENCE SINGS LIST