Heat exchange apparatus for cooling oil

An apparatus includes a case including a heat exchange unit; an inflow port through which a fluid flows into the heat exchange unit; and a discharge port through which the fluid is discharged from the heat exchange unit. In the case, the inflow port and the discharge port are opened in a facing surface facing a component to which the apparatus is assembled, the inflow port is disposed to face a fluid outlet of the component, and a partition wall that separates an inflow port side and a discharge port side is provided on the facing surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus having a heat exchange function.

BACKGROUND ART

This type of oil cooler is, for example, a heat exchange apparatus used for cooling oil (fluid) used for operation and lubrication of an automatic transmission.

When being used for cooling the oil of the automatic transmission, the oil cooler is attached to an outer periphery of a transmission case.

An outlet and an inlet of the oil are opened in the outer periphery of the transmission case, and an inflow port and a discharge port of the oil are opened in a portion of the oil cooler facing the transmission case.

When oil discharged from the outlet on a transmission case side flows to a discharge port side instead of flowing into the inflow port on an oil cooler side, the oil flowing to the discharge port side flows into the inlet on the transmission case side. Thus, uncooled oil is returned to the transmission case side.

In JP5161709B, the following configuration is adopted in order to prevent the oil discharged from the outlet on the transmission case side from flowing into the inlet on the transmission case side without passing through the oil cooler.

A plate component having a groove connecting the outlet on the transmission case side and the inflow port on the oil cooler side on a one-to-one basis is disposed between the oil cooler and the transmission case.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

However, when an oil cooler is installed, the plate component is separately required.

Therefore, it is required to cause a larger amount of oil (fluid) to flow into the oil cooler (a heat exchange apparatus) with a simpler configuration.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus, including:a case including a heat exchange unit;an inflow port through which a fluid flows into the heat exchange unit; anda discharge port through which the fluid is discharged from the heat exchange unit, whereinin the case, the inflow port and the discharge port are opened in a facing surface facing a component to which the apparatus is assembled,the inflow port is disposed to face a fluid outlet of the component, anda partition wall that separates an inflow port side and a discharge port side is provided on the facing surface, is provided.

According to the above-mentioned aspect, a larger amount of fluid can flow to a heat exchange unit side.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described by taking an oil cooler5that is attached to a transmission case1of an automatic transmission as an example.

FIG.1Ais a main portion enlarged view illustrating disposition of the oil cooler5in the transmission case1.FIG.1Bis a view illustrating a state in which the oil cooler5is removed from the transmission case1. InFIG.1B, for easy understanding of positions of the oil holes14and15, oil holes14and15are illustrated with intersected hatchings.

As illustrated inFIGS.1A and1B, in an automatic transmission for a vehicle, an accommodation portion10for a control valve CV is provided in a lower portion of the transmission case1that accommodates a transmission mechanism unit (not illustrated).

A lower portion of the accommodation portion10is opened, and the opening in the lower portion of the accommodation portion10is closed by an oil pan11. Oil OL (fluid) used for operation, lubrication, cooling, and the like of the transmission mechanism unit and the like is stored in the oil pan11.

The oil OL stored in the oil pan11is sucked through an oil strainer (not illustrated) attached to the control valve CV, and is supplied to a hydraulic control circuit (not illustrated) in the control valve CV.

The control valve CV regulates pressure of the oil OL and supplies the oil OL to the transmission mechanism unit or the like as hydraulic pressure for operation, while supplying a part of the sucked oil OL to the transmission mechanism unit or the like to lubricate and cool a rotating body, a friction engaging element, and the like.

The oil OL used for operation, lubrication, cooling, and the like of the transmission mechanism unit is returned to the oil pan11along an inner periphery of the transmission case1and the like due to its own weight, and is then supplied again to the control valve CV and used for operation, lubrication, cooling, and the like of the transmission mechanism unit and the like.

The oil OL used for cooling takes heat from the rotating body or the like of the transmission mechanism unit and rises in temperature. Therefore, the oil cooler5for cooling the oil OL is attached to the transmission case1of the automatic transmission.

The oil cooler5is provided using an accommodation portion13of an oil filter4(seeFIG.2B). In the accommodation portion13, the oil hole14serving as an outlet of the oil and an oil hole15serving as an inlet of the oil are opened.

In the automatic transmission, high-temperature oil discharged from the oil hole14is cooled by the oil cooler5and then is returned to a hydraulic control circuit side via the oil hole15and an oil passage in the transmission case1.

The accommodation portion13has a peripheral wall portion131that is opened toward an outer side of the transmission case1. The peripheral wall portion131is provided close to a box portion12that accommodates a control device (ATCU) of the automatic transmission and an oil pump.

The box portion12is formed so as to bulge from the outer periphery of the transmission case1toward a front side of the drawing sheet. The peripheral wall portion131is provided by utilizing a space on a lateral side of the box portion12, and the peripheral wall portion131is also formed to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet.

FIG.2Ais an enlarged view of a region of the transmission case1in which the oil cooler5is attached.FIG.2Bis a cross-sectional view of the accommodation portion13of the oil filter4taken along a line IIb-IIb in FIG.2A.

InFIG.2A, for easy understanding of a position of a surface related to an attachment of the oil cooler5, a surface to which a base plate52of the oil cooler5is joined is illustrated with hatchings.

As illustrated inFIG.2A, boss portions16,17,18, and19respectively having bolt holes16a,17a,18a, and19aare provided on an outer side of the peripheral wall portion131.

When viewed from an opening direction of the peripheral wall portion131, the boss portions16,17,18, and19are provided at intervals in a peripheral direction around a center line C1of the peripheral wall portion131formed into a circular shape.

The boss portions16,17,18, and19of the peripheral wall portion131are formed so as to protrude from the outer periphery of the transmission case1toward the front side of the drawing sheet.

When the outer side of the peripheral wall portion131is separated into four regions with reference to straight lines C3and C4that are orthogonal to the center line C1and are orthogonal to each other, the boss portions16,17,18, and19are disposed in the respective regions.

As illustrated inFIG.2A, a rib134having a substantially circular cross section is provided on an inner side of the peripheral wall portion131. The rib134bulges from an inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion131toward the center line C1.

As illustrated inFIG.2B, the rib134is formed over the entire length in a height direction of the peripheral wall portion131from an end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131.

The oil hole14is opened at a center of the rib134. The oil hole14is provided along a longitudinal direction of the rib134. The oil hole14communicates with the hydraulic control circuit (not illustrated) via the oil passage in the transmission case1. The oil OL, which rises in temperature after cooling the rotating body of the transmission mechanism unit, is supplied to the oil hole14.

An end surface134bof the rib134is on the same plane as the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131.

The end surface134bof the rib134and the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131form a joint surface with the base plate52(seeFIG.3B) of the oil cooler5.

Inside the peripheral wall portion131, a cylindrical wall portion132to which the oil filter4is externally fitted is provided on a side opposite to the rib134as viewed from the center line C1.

A support wall portion133having an inner diameter larger than that of the cylindrical wall portion132is provided on an outer side of the cylindrical wall portion132so as to be concentric with the cylindrical wall portion132.

The oil hole15is opened at a center of the cylindrical wall portion132. The oil hole15communicates with an oil passage (not illustrated) on the hydraulic control circuit side, and the oil OL that passes through the oil filter4is returned to the hydraulic control circuit (not illustrated) side through the oil hole15.

A center line C2of the cylindrical wall portion132is provided at a position offset from the center line C1of the peripheral wall portion131toward the peripheral wall portion131side (an outer diameter side of the center line C1). The oil filter4fitted into the support wall portion133is disposed close to the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion131.

FIG.3Ais a perspective view of the oil cooler5as viewed from a transmission case1side.FIG.3Bis a plan view of the base plate52of the oil cooler5as viewed from the transmission case1side.FIG.3Cis a cross-sectional view of the base plate52taken along a line IIIc-IIIc inFIG.3B. InFIG.3C, for easy understanding of a difference in height on a facing surface52a, heights h531and h541of an inner annular wall portion531and a partition wall portion541protruding from the facing surface52aare illustrated exaggeratedly.

FIG.4Ais a cross-sectional view of the base plate52taken along a line IVa-IVa inFIG.3B.FIG.4Bis a cross-sectional view of the base plate52taken along a line IVb-IVb inFIG.3B.

InFIGS.4A and4B, for easy understanding of a difference in height on the facing surface52a, and heights h531, h532, and h541of the inner annular wall portion531, an outer annular wall portion532, and the partition wall portion541, which protrude from the facing surface52a, are illustrated exaggeratedly.

The oil cooler5includes: a main body case51(a case) to which a supply pipe511and a discharge pipe512of a coolant are connected; and the base plate52provided on a facing surface of the main body case51facing the transmission case.

An inside of the main body case51is a heat exchange unit in which a flow passage of the coolant and a flow passage of the oil are disposed so as to enable heat exchange.

The base plate52is a plate-shaped member formed to have a size that covers an opening131a(seeFIG.2A) of the peripheral wall portion131on the transmission case1side. The base plate52is formed of a metal material having higher hardness than a constituent material (aluminum alloy or the like) of the transmission case1.

Bolt holes56,57,58, and59are opened in an outer peripheral portion of the base plate52.

Ring-shaped seating surfaces561,571,581, and591surrounding the bolt holes56,57,58, and59are provided on the facing surface52aof the base plate52facing the transmission case1.

In the present embodiment, when the oil cooler5is assembled to the accommodation portion13of the oil filter4, the seating surfaces561,571,581, and591come into surface contact with the corresponding boss portions16,17,18, and19, respectively.

Accordingly, engaging pressures of bolts B that are screwed into the bolt holes16a,17a,18a, and19aof the boss portions16,17,18, and19through the bolt holes56,57,58, and59substantially uniformly acts on the boss portions16,17,18, and19.

Further, a ring groove53that accommodates a seal ring SL is provided in the facing surface52aof the base plate52.

The ring groove53is provided in a region facing the peripheral wall portion131when the oil cooler5is assembled to the accommodation portion13of the oil filter4and fixed by the bolts B.

The ring groove53is formed to have an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter D13a(seeFIG.2A) of the peripheral wall portion131and an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter D13b(seeFIG.2A) of the peripheral wall portion131.

Accordingly, when the oil cooler5is assembled to the accommodation portion13of the oil filter4, the seal ring SL accommodated in the ring groove53is brought into pressure contact with the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131over the entire periphery.

Therefore, the oil OL inside the peripheral wall portion131does not leak from the joint surface between the base plate52on the oil cooler5side and the peripheral wall portion131on the transmission case1side.

Further, on the facing surface52a, the inner annular wall portion531surrounding the inner circumference of the ring groove53over the entire circumference and the outer annular wall portion532surrounding the outer circumference of the ring groove53over the entire circumference are formed so as to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet inFIG.3B.

As illustrated inFIG.4A, the height h531of the inner annular wall portion531from the facing surface52ais the same as the height h532of the outer annular wall portion532from the facing surface52a.

Further, a width W531of the inner annular wall portion531in a radial direction of the center line C1is the same as a width W532of the outer annular wall portion532in the radial direction of the center line C1.

As illustrated inFIG.3B, the inner annular wall portion531and the outer annular wall portion532are formed to have the width W531and the width W532that are the same, respectively, over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the center line C1.

A width W52from an inner periphery of the inner annular wall portion531to an outer periphery of the outer annular wall portion532is substantially the same as a width W131of the peripheral wall portion131in the radial direction.

In the facing surface52a, an inflow port54of the oil OL and a discharge port55of the oil OL are opened at positions inscribed in the inner annular wall portion531.

The inflow port54is an inflow port of the oil OL flowing to the heat exchange unit in the main body case51of the oil cooler5. The discharge port55is a discharge port of the oil OL cooled by the heat exchange unit in the main body case51.

The inflow port54and the discharge port55are disposed close to each other on one side (a lower side inFIG.3B) of a diameter line L53passing through a center of the ring groove53.

The discharge port55has a circular shape inscribed in the inner annular wall portion531. The inflow port54is formed into a circular shape having a size matching the oil hole14on the transmission case1side. The inflow port54is formed to have an opening diameter slightly smaller than that of the discharge port55.

The partition wall portion541surrounding the inflow port54is formed on the facing surface52a. As viewed from the center line C1, an outer diameter side of the partition wall portion541is formed to have a range overlapping the inner annular wall portion531.

The height h541of the partition wall portion541from the facing surface52ais higher than the height h531of the inner annular wall portion531from the facing surface52a(seeFIG.3C).

In a region of the partition wall portion541overlapping the inner annular wall portion531, two side edges541aand541ain the peripheral direction around the center line C1are formed in a linear shape along straight lines La and La. The two side edges541aand541across the inner annular wall portion531from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side.

The straight lines La and La are straight lines located symmetrically with respect to a diameter line L54passing through a center C54of the inflow port54with the diameter line L54interposed therebetween.

In the present embodiment, the inner annular wall portion531and the outer annular wall portion532of the facing surface52aof the base plate52, and the partition wall portion541are formed by press molding.

The inner annular wall portion531, the outer annular wall portion532, and the partition wall portion541are in contact with the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131forming the accommodation portion13for the oil filter4and the end surface134bof the rib134inscribed in the peripheral wall portion131.

In this state, when the base plate52of the oil cooler5is fixed to the transmission case1by the bolts B, the inner annular wall portion531, the outer annular wall portion532, and the partition wall portion541are brought into pressure contact with the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131and the end surface134bof the rib134at a pressure corresponding to engaging forces of the bolts B.

As described above, the peripheral wall portion131and the rib134on the transmission case1side are formed of an aluminum alloy, and the inner annular wall portion531, the outer annular wall portion532, and the partition wall portion541are formed of a metal material having higher hardness than the aluminum alloy.

Therefore, a contact interface between the base plate52of the oil cooler5and filter4and the peripheral wall portion131and the rib134is metal-sealed.

Therefore, the oil OL flowing from the oil hole14in the rib134on the transmission case1side into the inflow port54on the oil cooler5side is less likely to leak from a contact interface between the end surface134bof the rib134and the partition wall portion541.

Further, after being cooled by the oil cooler5, the oil OL discharged from the discharge port55to a space inside the peripheral wall portion131is less likely to leak from a contact interface between the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131and the inner annular wall portion531and the outer annular wall portion532.

Hereinafter, the assembling of the oil cooler5to the peripheral wall portion131of the transmission case1will be described.

When assembling the oil cooler5to the transmission case1, the oil cooler5is superposed on the peripheral wall portion131of the transmission case1such that the bolt holes56,57,58, and59(seeFIG.1B) of the base plate52are superposed on the bolt holes16a,17a,18a, and19a(seeFIG.2A) of the boss portions16,17,18, and19.

Thus, the inflow port54on the oil cooler5side is disposed at a position overlapping with the oil hole14(seeFIG.4B) on the transmission case1side, and the discharge port55on the oil cooler5side is disposed at a position overlapping with the opening131aof the peripheral wall portion131(see an imaginary line inFIG.4A).

In this state, the partition wall portion541surrounding the inflow port54is in contact with the end surface134bof the rib134, and the seal ring SL is in contact with the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131over the entire periphery (seeFIG.4B).

In this state, the bolts B that are screwed into the bolt holes16a,17a,18a, and19a(seeFIG.2A) of the boss portions16,17,18, and19through the bolt holes56,57,58, and59are fastened (seeFIG.3B).

Thus, as illustrated inFIG.4B, the partition wall portion541surrounding the inflow port54is brought into pressure contact with the end surface134bof the rib134surrounding the oil hole14at a pressure corresponding to the engaging pressures of the bolts.

When the bolts are further fastened, as illustrated inFIG.4A, the inner annular wall portion531on the inner diameter side of the ring groove53and the outer annular wall portion532on the outer diameter side of the ring groove53are brought into pressure contact with an inner diameter side and an outer diameter side of the region of the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131where the seal ring SL is brought into pressure contact.

Thus, as illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B, a metal touch region Rx1formed due to the partition wall portion541, a metal touch region Rx2formed due to the inner annular wall portion531, and a metal touch region Rx3formed due to the outer annular wall portion532are formed at the contact interface (a joint interface) between the base plate52and the peripheral wall portion131.

As a result, the oil hole14and the inflow port54communicate with each other, the contact interface between the rib134and the partition wall portion541of the base plate52is metal-sealed, and the oil OL is less likely to leak from the contact interface.

Therefore, the high-temperature oil OL flowing through the oil hole14can be prevented from not flowing into the inflow port54and leaking from the contact interface between the rib134and the base plate52to a space130inside the peripheral wall portion131. Accordingly, the oil OL can be suitably prevented from returning to the hydraulic control circuit side from the oil hole15without passing through the oil cooler5.

There is no need to separately dispose a plate component having a groove that connects the oil hole14(the outlet) on the transmission case1side and the inflow port54on the oil cooler5side on a one-to-one basis between the base plate52on the oil cooler5side and the peripheral wall portion131on the transmission case1side.

Further, the space130inside the peripheral wall portion131is sealed by the seal ring SL that is brought into pressure contact with the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131, and by the metal touch regions Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3. Therefore, the oil OL is less likely to leak from the contact interface between the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131and the base plate52as compared with a case where only the seal ring SL is brought into pressure contact with the end surface131bof the peripheral wall portion131.

FIGS.6A to8Dare views illustrating base plates52A to52L according to modifications of the oil cooler5.

In the above-described embodiment, the base plate52is described as an example in which the inner annular wall portion531along the inner periphery of the ring groove53, the outer annular wall portion532along the outer periphery of the ring groove53, and the partition wall portion541surrounding the inflow port54are formed to protrude from the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1.

In the base plate52, the partition wall portion541surrounding the inflow port54is brought into pressure contact with the end surface134bof the rib134on the transmission case1side, thereby preventing leakage of the oil OL from the contact interface between the base plate52and the rib134, and ensuring an amount of the oil OL flowing into the inflow port54.

The base plate52is not limited to this form. For example, the base plates52A to52H illustrated inFIGS.6A to6DandFIGS.7A to7Dmay be used.

The base plate52A illustrated inFIG.6Ais provided with a ring-shaped partition wall portion541A, surrounding the inflow port54, on the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1. The partition wall portion541A is inscribed in the inner periphery of the ring groove53.

When the base plate52A is assembled to the transmission case1, the partition wall portion541A is brought into pressure contact with a peripheral edge of the oil hole14on the transmission case1side over the entire periphery to form a metal touch region.

In the case of the base plate52A, leakage of the oil OL from the contact interface between the partition wall portion541A on the facing surface52aside and the peripheral edge of the oil hole14on the transmission case1side can also be suitably suppressed, so that an inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54can be ensured.

The base plate52B illustrated inFIG.6Bis provided with, on the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1, an arc-shaped partition wall portion541B surrounding a peripheral region of the inflow port54so as to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet. One end and the other end of the partition wall portion541B reach the inner periphery of the ring groove53.

Therefore, when the base plate52B is assembled to the transmission case1, an annular wall surrounding the inflow port54is formed by the seal ring SL accommodated in the ring groove53and the partition wall portion541B.

In the base plate52B, when the oil OL leaks from the contact interface between the facing surface52aand the peripheral edge of the oil hole14on the transmission case1side, the annular wall prevents the leaked oil OL from moving.

When a flow of the oil OL leaked from the contact interface is prevented, a total amount of the oil leaking from the contact interface is also suppressed, so that the inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54can be ensured.

The base plate52C illustrated inFIG.6Cis provided with, on the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1, a ring-shaped partition wall portion551C surrounding the discharge port55so as to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet, and the partition wall portion551C is inserted into the inner side of the peripheral wall portion131on the transmission case1side.

In the case of the base plate52C, the oil OL leaked to the inner side of the peripheral wall portion131from the contact interface between the facing surface52aand the peripheral edge of the oil hole14on the transmission case1side hardly reaches the discharge port55.

Therefore, a flow of the oil OL discharged from the discharge port55after passing through the heat exchange unit from the inflow port54is not blocked by the oil OL leaked to the inner side of the peripheral wall portion131. When distribution of the oil OL from the discharge port55is blocked, a capacity of the heat exchange unit is limited, and thus there is a possibility that a problem may occur in inflow of the oil OL into the inflow port54.

In the base plate52C, the flow of the oil OL discharged from the discharge port55is not blocked and no problem occurs in the inflow of the oil OL into the inflow port54, so that the inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54can be ensured.

The base plate52D illustrated inFIG.6Dis provided with an arc-shaped partition wall portion551D surrounding a peripheral region of the discharge port55so as to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet.

One end and the other end of the partition wall portion551D reach the inner periphery of the ring groove53.

Therefore, when the base plate52D is assembled to the transmission case1, an annular wall surrounding the discharge port55is formed by the seal ring SL accommodated in the ring groove53and the partition wall portion551D.

In the case of the base plate52D, the oil OL leaked to the inner side of the peripheral wall portion131from the contact interface between the facing surface52aand the peripheral edge of the oil hole14on the transmission case1side hardly reaches the discharge port55.

Therefore, the flow of the oil OL discharged from the discharge port55after passing through the heat exchange unit from the inflow port54is not significantly blocked by the oil OL leaked to the inner side of the peripheral wall portion131, so that the inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54can be ensured for the reason described above.

In the base plate52E illustrated inFIG.7A, a linear partition wall portion521E is provided on the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1so as to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet. The partition wall portion521E is provided across a straight line Lx that connects centers of the inflow port54and the discharge port55. The partition wall portion521E extends along a straight line L passing through a center line C1of the base plate52E, and extends from the ring groove53to a vicinity of the center line C1of the base plate52E.

In the base plate52F illustrated inFIG.7B, a linear partition wall portion521F is provided on the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1so as to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet. The partition wall portion521F is provided across the straight line Lx that connects the centers of the inflow port54and the discharge port55. The partition wall portion521F extends along the straight line L passing through the center line C1of the base plate52F, and one end and the other end of the partition wall portion521F in a longitudinal direction reach the ring groove53, respectively.

The partition wall portions521E and521F may have a wavy shape or an arc shape instead of a linear shape.

In the base plate52G illustrated inFIG.7C, a semicircular surrounding wall is formed by an inner annular wall portion531G along the inner periphery of the ring groove53and a linear partition wall portion521G passing through the center line C1, so as to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet, and the inflow port54is opened inside the surrounding wall.

In the base plate52H illustrated inFIG.7D, a semicircular surrounding wall is formed by an inner annular wall portion531H along the inner periphery of the ring groove53and a linear partition wall portion521H passing through the center line C1, so as to bulge toward the front side of the drawing sheet, and the discharge port55is opened inside the surrounding wall.

In these base plates52E to52H, the oil OL leaked to the inner side of the peripheral wall portion131from the contact interface between the facing surface52aand the peripheral edge of the oil hole14on the transmission case1side also hardly reaches the discharge port55.

Therefore, the flow of the oil OL discharged from the discharge port55after passing through the heat exchange unit from the inflow port54is not significantly blocked by the oil OL leaked to the inner side of the peripheral wall portion131, so that the inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54can be ensured for the reason described above.

Here, the above-described partition wall portion541A protrudes from the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1. Therefore, when only the partition wall portion541A is provided on the facing surface52a, there is a possibility that the oil cooler5is inclined with the partition wall541A as a fulcrum.

In the base plate52I illustrated inFIG.8A, an arc-shaped wall portion531I along the inner periphery of the ring groove53is provided on a side opposite to the partition wall portion541A as viewed from the center line C1.

In the base plate52J illustrated inFIG.8B, an arc-shaped wall portion532J along the outer periphery of the ring groove53is provided on the side opposite to the partition wall portion541A as viewed from the center line C1.

In the base plate52K illustrated inFIG.8C, an arc-shaped wall portion531K is provided at a position, offset to the inner diameter side from the ring groove53, on the side opposite to the partition wall portion541A as viewed from the center line C1.

In the base plate52L illustrated inFIG.8D, an arc-shaped wall portion532L is provided at a position, offset to the outer diameter side from the ring groove53, on the side opposite to the partition wall portion541A as viewed from the center line C1.

In these base plates521to52L, by providing the arc-shaped wall portions531I,531K,532J, and532L separately from the partition wall portion541A, the oil cooler5can be suitably prevented from being inclined.

The arc-shaped wall portions531I,531K,532J, and532L may be used in any combination.

As described above, the oil cooler5according to the present embodiment has the following configurations.(1) The oil cooler5(an apparatus) includes:the main body case51(a case) including the heat exchange unit;the inflow port54through which the oil OL (a fluid) flows into the heat exchange unit; andthe discharge port55through which the oil OL is discharged from the heat exchange unit.

In the main body case51, the inflow port54and the discharge port55are opened in the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1to which the oil cooler5is assembled.

The inflow port54is disposed to face the oil hole14which is a fluid outlet on the transmission case1side.

On the facing surface52a, the partition wall portion541(a partition wall) that separates an inflow port54side and a discharge port55side is provided so as to protrude toward the transmission case1side.

With this configuration, the partition wall portion541blocks a flow of the oil OL not flowing into the inflow port54but flowing toward the discharge port55on the facing surface52a. As a result, a larger amount of the oil OL can flow into the inflow port54and can be supplied to the heat exchange unit side, so that the oil OL can be appropriately cooled. Since the partition wall portion541can be easily formed by press molding, a larger amount of the oil OL can flow to the heat exchange unit side with an inexpensive configuration.

The apparatus is not limited to the oil cooler5. The apparatus also includes: a power transmission device that transmits output rotation of a driving source (an engine or a motor); and a known automatic transmission in the related art that includes a heat exchange unit for cooling the oil OL.

The power transmission device may or may not include a transmission mechanism that shifts rotation to be transmitted.

The partition wall that separates the inflow port54side and the discharge port55side may be as follows.(a) The partition wall portion521E that is provided across the straight line Lx that connects the centers of the inflow port54and the discharge port55, and extends from the ring groove53to the vicinity of the center line C1of the base plate52E along the straight line L passing through the center line C1of the base plate52E (seeFIG.7A).(b) The partition wall portion521F that is provided across the straight line Lx that connects the centers of the inflow port54and the discharge port and extends along the straight line L passing through the center line C1of the base plate52E. One end and the other end of the partition wall portion521F in the longitudinal direction reach the ring groove, respectively (seeFIG.7B).

With this configuration, the flow of the oil OL flowing toward the discharge port55instead of flowing into the inflow port54is prevented by the partition wall portion521E and the partition wall portion521F, so that a larger amount of the oil OL can flow into the inflow port54and can be supplied to the heat exchange unit side.(2) The partition wall is one of the following partition walls.(a) The partition wall portion541B that is provided around the inflow port54(seeFIG.6B).(b) The partition wall portion551D that is provided around the discharge port55(seeFIG.6D).(c) The semicircular surrounding wall that is formed by the inner annular wall portion531G extending along the inner periphery of the ring groove53, and the linear partition wall portion521G passing through the center line C1, and the inflow port54being opened inside the semicircular surrounding wall (seeFIG.7C).(d) The semicircular surrounding wall that is formed by the inner annular wall portion531H extending along the inner periphery of the ring groove53and the linear partition wall portion521H passing through the center line C1, and the discharge port55being opened inside the semicircular surrounding wall (seeFIG.7D).

With this configuration, a larger amount of the oil OL can flow into the inflow port54and can be supplied to heat exchange unit side. Accordingly, the oil OL can be appropriately cooled. In addition, a larger amount of the oil OL can flow to the heat exchange unit side with an inexpensive configuration.(3) The partition walls is the partition wall portion541or the partition wall portion541A provided so as to surround the inflow port54(seeFIGS.3B and6A).

When the partition wall is provided only in the vicinity of the discharge port55, movement of the oil OL from the inflow port54side to the discharge port55side can be suppressed, but the inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54cannot be prevented from decreasing.

By providing the partition wall portion541so as to surround the inflow port54, the inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54can be ensured.(4) The partition wall portion541and the partition wall portion541A are each formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the inflow port54, and when the oil cooler5is assembled to the transmission case1, the partition wall portion541or the partition wall portion541A is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral edge of the oil hole14, which is a fluid outlet, over the entire periphery to form a metal touch region.

With this configuration, the leakage of the oil OL from the contact interface between the partition wall portion541or the partition wall portion541A on the facing surface52aside and the peripheral edge of the oil hole14on the transmission case1side can be suitably suppressed, so that the inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54can be ensured.

In addition, the leakage of the oil OL from the contact interface can be suitably suppressed with an inexpensive configuration.(5) The support wall (the inner annular wall portion531and the outer annular wall portion532) for preventing the inclination of the oil cooler with the partition wall portion541as a fulcrum are further provided on the facing surface52aof the base plate52of the oil cooler5facing the transmission case1.

The inner annular wall portion531and the outer annular wall portion532protrude from the facing surface52atoward the transmission case1.

When only the partition wall portion541surrounding the inflow port54protrudes from the facing surface52a, the oil cooler5may be inclined with the partition wall portion541as a fulcrum.

By providing the support wall (the inner annular wall portion531, the outer annular wall portion532) separately from the partition wall portion541, the oil cooler5can be suitably prevented from being inclined.

The support wall does not necessarily have to be annular, and may be any of the following support walls.(a) The arc-shaped wall portion531I that is provided along the inner periphery of the ring groove53, on the side opposite to the partition wall portion541A as viewed from the center line C1(seeFIG.8A).(b) The arc-shaped wall portion532J that is provided along the outer periphery of the ring groove53, on the side opposite to the partition wall portion541A as viewed from the center line C1(seeFIG.8B).(c) The arc-shaped wall portion531K that is provided at the position offset to the inner diameter side from the ring groove53, on the side opposite to the partition wall portion541A as viewed from the center line C1(seeFIG.8C).(d) The arc-shaped wall portion532L that is provided at the position offset to the outer diameter side from the ring groove53, on the side opposite to the partition wall portion541A as viewed from the center line C1(seeFIG.8D).(e) Any combination of the arc-shaped wall portions of (a) to (d).

A shape of the support wall does not need to be an arc shape, and may be a linear shape or a wavy shape.(6) The ring groove53that accommodates the seal ring SL is provided in the facing surface52aof the main body case51of the oil cooler5facing the transmission case1.

The support wall is at least one of the inner annular wall portion531along the inner periphery of the ring groove53and the outer annular wall portion532along the outer periphery of the ring groove53.

The partition wall portion541is provided on an inner side of the ring groove53.

The oil cooler5may be inclined with the partition wall portion541as a fulcrum. When the oil cooler5is inclined, sealing performance of the seal ring SL may be affected. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the inclination of the oil cooler5can be prevented by the support wall, so that leakage of the oil OL to the outer side of the seal ring SL due to the inclination of the oil cooler5can be suitably prevented.

In particular, the inflow port54is opened at a position close to the ring groove, and the partition wall portion541is not provided at a position close to a center of the ring groove (a position close to the center line C1). The oil cooler5is easily inclined due to the partition wall portion541protruding from the facing surface52athough, the inclination of the oil cooler5can be more suitably prevented by providing the inner annular wall portion531and/or the outer annular wall portion532.(7) The height h541of the partition wall portion541from the facing surface52ais higher than the heights h531and h532of the support walls (the inner annular wall portion531, the outer annular wall portion532) from the facing surface52a.

With this configuration, the metal touch region Rx1formed due to the partition wall portion541is reliably formed at the contact interface between the base plate52and the peripheral wall portion131. Accordingly, the oil hole14and the inflow port54are appropriately communicated with each other while preventing leakage of the oil OL from the contact interface between the rib134and the partition wall portion541of the base plate52, and a larger amount of the oil OL can flow into the inflow port54.

This invention can also be specified as an assembly structure of the oil cooler5with respect to the automatic transmission (a component to which the apparatus is assembled).

In the transmission case1of the automatic transmission, the oil hole14serving as the fluid outlet and the oil hole15serving as the fluid inlet are opened inside the peripheral wall portion131, which is a region in which the oil cooler (the heat exchange apparatus) is assembled.

The oil cooler5includes:the main body case51including the heat exchange unit; andthe base plate52having the inflow port54through which the oil OL (the fluid) flows into the heat exchange unit and the discharge port through which the oil OL is discharged from the heat exchange unit.

In the base plate52, the inflow port54and the discharge port55are opened in the facing surface52afacing the transmission case1.

The inflow port54is disposed to face the oil hole14which is a fluid outlet on the transmission case1side.

The partition wall portion541surrounding the inflow port54is formed on the facing surface52aso as to bulge toward the transmission case1side, and separates the facing surface52ainto the inflow port54side and the discharge port55side.

When the oil cooler5is assembled to the peripheral wall portion131, the partition wall portion541is brought into pressure contact with a peripheral edge portion of the oil hole14to form a metal touch region.

With this configuration, the leakage of the oil OL from the contact interface between the partition wall portion541on the facing surface52aside and the peripheral edge portion of the oil hole14on the transmission case1side can be suitably suppressed, so that the inflow amount of the oil OL discharged from the oil hole14into the inflow port54can be ensured.

Although the embodiments of the invention have been described above, the invention is not limited only to the forms shown in these embodiments. The invention can be modified as needed within the scope of the technical concept of the invention.

The present application claims a priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-45880 filed with the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 16, 2020, all the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.