Cooling module

Abstract

A cooling module including a first heat exchanger cooling a first heat exchange medium, a second heat exchanger cooling a second heat exchange medium, a third heat exchanger cooling a third heat exchange medium, and a fan and shroud assembly arranged in parallel in an air flow direction, wherein a flow of the first heat exchange medium inside first tubes forming the first heat exchanger is perpendicular to a flow of the second heat exchange medium inside second tubes forming the second heat exchanger and parallel with a flow of the third heat exchange medium inside third tubes forming the third heat exchanger. The cooling module capable of sufficiently securing the first heat exchange medium condensing performance, the third heat exchange medium cooling performance, and the second heat exchange medium cooling performance and being miniaturized.

Claims

1. A cooling module comprising: a first heat exchanger cooling a first heat exchange medium; a second heat exchanger cooling a second heat exchange medium, the second heat exchanger including an interval keeping structure, wherein the interval keeping structure is a gasket; a third heat exchanger cooling a third heat exchange medium, wherein the interval keeping structure maintains a spaced distance from the first heat exchanger and a spaced distance from the third heat exchanger; and a fan and shroud assembly arranged in parallel in an air flow direction, wherein a flow of the first heat exchange medium inside first tubes forming the first heat exchanger is perpendicular to a flow of the second heat exchange medium inside second tubes forming the second heat exchanger and parallel with a flow of the third heat exchange medium inside third tubes forming the third heat exchanger.

2. The cooling module of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger includes a first header tank and a second header tank arranged in parallel, the first header tank of the first heat exchanger and the second header tank of the first heat exchanger spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a width direction of a vehicle, the first tubes having a first end fixed to the first header tank of the first heat exchanger and a second end fixed to the second header tank of the first heat exchanger, and the first heat exchanger further includes first fins interposed between the first tubes, and wherein the second heat exchanger includes a first header tank and a second header tank arranged in parallel, the first header tank of the second heat exchanger and the second header tank of the second heat exchanger spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a height direction of the vehicle, the second tubes having a first end fixed to the first header tank of the second heat exchanger and a second end fixed to the second header tank of the second heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger further includes second fins interposed between the second tubes, and wherein the third heat exchanger includes a first header tank and a second header tank arranged in parallel, the first header tank of the third heat exchanger and the second header tank of the third heat exchanger spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the width direction of the vehicle, the third tubes having a first end fixed to the first header tank of the third heat exchanger and a second end fixed to the second header tank of the third heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger further includes third fins interposed between the third tubes.

3. The cooling module of claim 2, wherein in the height direction of the vehicle, a height H100 of a formation area of the first tubes and the first fins in the first heat exchanger, a height H200 of a formation area of the second tubes and the second fins in the second heat exchanger, and a height H300 of a formation area of the third tubes and the third fins in the third heat exchanger are equal.

4. A cooling module comprising: a first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger; a third heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger arranged parallel to each other and arranged in series with respect to an air flow direction, wherein the second heat exchanger includes storage tanks at an upper end and a lower end and each of the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger includes storage tanks at lateral side ends thereof; a first gasket disposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and a second gasket disposed between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger.

5. The cooling module of claim 4, wherein the storage tanks of the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger are disposed between the storage tanks of the second heat exchanger.

6. The cooling module of claim 4, wherein a flow of a first heat exchange medium inside first tubes of the first heat exchanger is perpendicular to a flow of a second heat exchange medium inside second tubes of the second heat exchanger and the flow of the first heat exchange medium is parallel with a flow of a third heat exchange medium inside third tubes of the third heat exchanger.

7. The cooling module of claim 1, wherein at least two gaskets are provided spaced apart in a height direction of a vehicle.

8. The cooling module of claim 4, wherein at least two gaskets are provided spaced apart in a height direction of a vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a cooling system for a vehicle;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view illustrating a cooling module in accordance with the related art;

(4) FIGS. 3 to 5 are a perspective view, a schematic side elevational view, and a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the cooling module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the cooling module illustrated in FIG. 3;

(6) FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams illustrating a flow of a first heat exchange medium, a second heat exchange medium, and a third heat exchange medium inside the cooling module illustrated in FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 8 is a further schematic side elevational view of the cooling module in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which an interval keeping means (using a viscous liquid) of the cooling module in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention is formed;

(9) FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another interval keeping means of the cooling module in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; and

(10) FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating still another interval keeping means of the cooling module in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

(11) The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, are not necessary or critical.

(12) Hereinafter, a cooling module 1000 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention having the above-mentioned characteristics will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(13) The cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a first heat exchanger 100, a second heat exchange 200, a third heat exchanger 300, and a fan and shroud assembly 600, in which a flow of first heat exchange medium inside first tubes 140 forming the first heat exchanger 100 is vertically formed with respect to a flow of a second heat exchange medium inside second tubes 240 forming the second heat exchanger 200 and is parallel with a flow of third heat exchange medium inside third tubes 340 forming the third heat exchanger 300.

(14) The first heat exchanger 100 is a part which is disposed in front of a vehicle engine room to first pass air and is configured to include a 1-1-th header tank 110, a 1-2-th header tank 120, a first inlet pipe 131, a first outlet pipe 132, first tubes 140, and a first fin 150.

(15) In more detail, the first heat exchanger 100 is configured so that the 1-1-th header tank 110 and the 1-2-th header tank 120 are arranged in parallel, spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The 1-1-th header tank 110 and the 1-2-th header tank 120 are provided with the first inlet pipe 131 into which the first heat exchange medium is introduced and the first outlet pipe 132 from which the first heat exchange medium is discharged. The first tubes 140 have both ends fixed to the 1-1-th header tank 110 and the 1-2-th header tank 120 to have the first heat exchange medium flow therein. The first fin 150 is interposed between the first tubes 140 to increase heat exchange efficiency between air and the first heat exchange medium inside the first tubes 140.

(16) In FIGS. 3 and 4, the first heat exchanger 100 illustrate an example in which a gas-liquid separator 160 separating liquefied and gaseous first heat exchange medium from each other during a transfer of the first heat exchange medium to an expansion valve to supply only the liquefied first heat exchange medium is formed in the 1-2-th header tank 120.

(17) The second heat exchanger 200 is configured to include a 2-1-th header tank 210, a 2-2-th header tank 220, a second inlet pipe 231, a second outlet pipe 232, second tubes 240, and a second fin 250.

(18) In more detail, the second heat exchanger 200 is configured so that the 2-1-th header tank 210 and the 2-2-th header tank 220 are arranged in parallel, spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The 2-1-th header tank 210 and the 2-2-th header tank 220 are provided with the second inlet pipe 231 into which the second heat exchange medium is introduced and the second outlet pipe 232 from which the second heat exchange medium is discharged. The second tubes 240 have both ends fixed to the 2-1-th header tank 210 and the 2-2-th header tank 220 to have the second heat exchange medium flow therein and the second fin 250 is interposed between the second tubes 240 to increase heat exchange efficiency between air and the second heat exchange medium inside the second tubes 240.

(19) The third heat exchanger 300 is configured to include a 3-1-th header tank 310, a 3-2-th header tank 320, a third inlet pipe 331, a third outlet pipe 332, third tubes 340, and a third fin 350.

(20) In more detail, the third heat exchanger 300 is configured so that the 3-1-th header tank 310 and the 3-2-th header tank 320 are arranged in parallel, spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The 3-1-th header tank 310 and the 3-2-th header tank 320 are provided with the third inlet pipe 331 into which the third heat exchange medium is introduced and the third outlet pipe 332 from which the third heat exchange medium is discharged. The third tubes 340 have both ends fixed to the 3-1-th header tank 310 and the 3-2-th header tank 320 to have the third heat exchange medium flow therein and the third fin 350 is interposed between the third tubes 340 to increase heat exchange efficiency between air and the third heat exchange medium inside the third tubes 340.

(21) In this case, in the cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the flow of the first heat exchange medium inside the first tubes 140 forming the first heat exchanger 100 is vertically formed with respect to the flow of the second heat exchange medium inside the second tubes 240 forming the second heat exchanger 200 and is parallel with the flow of the third heat exchange medium inside the third tubes 340 forming the third heat exchanger 300.

(22) In this case, the first heat exchanger 100 may be a condenser, the second heat exchanger 200 may be an electronic component radiator, and the third heat exchanger 300 may be an engine radiator. When the first heat exchanger 100 is a condenser, the first heat exchanger 100 circulates a refrigerant as the first heat exchange medium, heat-exchanges a high-pressure gaseous first heat exchange medium delivered from a compressor with external air and condenses the high-pressure gaseous first heat exchange medium into a high temperature and high pressure liquid during a process of a cooling cycle, and delivers the high temperature and high pressure liquid to an expander.

(23) Further, when the second heat exchanger 200 is an electronic component radiator, the second heat exchanger 200 has cooling water for cooling electronic components as the second heat exchange medium flow therein and emits heat to the outside while making the second heat exchange medium absorbing heat generated from the electronic components flow so as to prevent electrical components/electronic components from rising to or above a predetermined temperature. In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the electronic components are collectively referred to as a driving motor and accessory electrical components such as for a fuel cell vehicle and a hybrid vehicle and an example thereof may include a motor, an inverter, a battery stack, and the like. That is, the second heat exchanger 200 performs heat exchange by making the second heat exchange medium for preventing the electronic components from overheating flow therein.

(24) Further, when the third heat exchanger 300 is an engine radiator, the third heat exchanger 300 has cooling water for cooling an engine as the third heat exchange medium flow therein and emits heat to the outside while making the third heat exchange medium absorbing heat generated from the engine flow so as to prevent the engine from rising to or above a predetermined temperature. That is, the third heat exchanger 300 performs heat exchange by making the third heat exchange medium for preventing the engine from overheating flow therein.

(25) FIGS. 3 to 7 illustrate an example of the cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, in which FIGS. 3 to 5 are a perspective view, a schematic side elevational view, and a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the cooling module 1000 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the cooling module 1000 illustrated in FIG. 3, and FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams illustrating the flow of the first heat exchange medium, the second heat exchange medium, and the third heat exchange medium inside the cooling module 1000 illustrated in FIG. 3. (In more detail, FIG. 7A illustrates an example of the flow of the first heat exchange medium inside the first heat exchanger 100, FIG. 7B illustrates an example of the flow of the second heat exchange medium inside the second heat exchanger 200, and FIG. 7C illustrates an example of the flow of the third heat exchange medium inside the third heat exchanger 300.

(26) Describing in more detail the form illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7, the 1-1-th header tank 110 and the 1-2-th header tank 120 in the first heat exchanger 100 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a width direction of a vehicle, the first tube 140 is extendedly formed in the width direction of the vehicle, the 2-1-th header tank 210 and the 2-2-th header tank 220 in the second heat exchanger 200 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a height direction of the vehicle, and the second tube 240 is extendedly formed in the height direction of the vehicle.

(27) Further, the 3-1-th header tank 310 and the 3-2-th header tank 320 in the third heat exchanger 300 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the width of the vehicle and the third tube 340 is extendedly formed in the width direction of the vehicle.

(28) In other words, when the first tube 140 in the first heat exchanger 100 is formed in the width direction of the vehicle, the second tube 240 in the second heat exchanger 200 is formed in the height direction of the vehicle, and the third tube 340 in the third heat exchanger 300 is formed in the width direction of the vehicle.

(29) In this case, a height H100 of the formation area of the first tubes 140 and the first fins 150 in the first heat exchanger 100, a height H200 of the formation area of the second tubes 240 and the second fins 250 in the second heat exchanger 200, and a height H300 of the formation area of the third tubes 340 and the third fins 350 in the third heat exchanger 300 are formed to be equal. (Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, H100=H200=H300).

(30) To this end, the second heat exchanger 200 is configured so that the 2-1-th header tank 210 is protrudedly formed on a higher portion than the height H100 (the height H300 of the formation area of the third tubes 340 and the third fins 350 in the third heat exchanger 300) of the formation area of the first tubes 140 and the first fins 150 in the first heat exchanger 100 in the height direction of the vehicle and the 2-2-th header tank 220 is protrudedly formed on a lower portion than the height H100 (the height H300 of the formation area of the third tubes 340 and the third fins 350 in the third heat exchanger 300) of the formation area of the first tubes 140 and the first fins 150 in the first heat exchanger 100 in the height direction of the vehicle.

(31) That is, the overall height of the second heat exchanger 200 is equal to a sum of the height H200 of the second tubes 240 and the second fins 250, a height H210 of the 2-1-th header tank 210, and a height H220 of the 2-2-th header tank 220.

(32) By this configuration, the cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may prevent the interval between the second heat exchanger 200 and the first heat exchanger 100 and the interval between the second heat exchanger 200 and the third heat exchanger 300 from increasing in the length direction of the vehicle due to the size of the 2-1-th header tank 210 and the 2-1-th header tank 210 in the second heat exchanger 200, such that the overall size thereof may be miniaturized.

(33) As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the interval between the second heat exchanger 200 and the first heat exchanger 100 means a distance d1 between the second heat exchanger 200 and the first heat exchanger 100 of a portion in which the first tubes 140, the first fins 150, the second tubes 240, and the second fins 250 are formed and the interval between the second heat exchanger 200 and the third heat exchanger 300 also means a distance d2 between the second heat exchanger 200 and the third heat exchanger 300 of a portion in which the second tubes 240, the second fins 250, the third tubes 340, and the third fins 350 are formed.

(34) Further, the cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may be further provided with an interval keeping means or structure to prevent contact the first heat exchanger 100, the second heat exchanger 200, and the third heat exchanger 300 from contacting one another while making the interval among the first heat exchanger 100, the second heat exchanger 200, and the third exchanger 300 very small. FIG. 8 is another schematic side elevational view of the cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, in which the cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may use the interval keeping means to prevent the occurrence of noise caused by a collision of the first heat exchanger 100, the second heat exchanger 200, and the third heat exchanger 300 due to vibration or prevent the first heat exchanger 100, the second heat exchanger 200, and the third heat exchanger 300 from being damaged.

(35) The interval keeping means may have various shapes in both sides (length direction of a vehicle) of the second heat exchanger 200 and be manufactured by various methods.

(36) FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the interval keeping means, in which the interval keeping means illustrated in FIG. 9 is illustrated as, for example, a viscous liquid or fluid 400a which is applied to the second tube 240 in the second heat exchanger 200 at a predetermined thickness by a viscous liquid applicator 500.

(37) In the form illustrated in FIG. 9, the interval keeping means is the viscous liquid 400a, in which the viscous liquid 400a is formed on a surface opposite to the first heat exchanger 100 of the plurality of second tubes 240 forming the second heat exchanger 200 and a surface opposite to the third heat exchanger 300 and is extendedly formed along the length direction of the second tube 240.

(38) In this case, the viscous liquid 400a may be preferably applied to at least two second tubes 240 selected from the plurality of second tubes 240.

(39) FIG. 10 illustrates another example of the interval keeping means, in which the interval keeping means illustrated in FIG. 10 may be a gasket 400b which two are provided in the height direction of the vehicle.

(40) The gasket 400b is formed to completely enclose the second heat exchanger 200 to be able to keep the interval between the first heat exchanger 100 and the second heat exchanger 200 and the interval between the second heat exchanger 200 and the third heat exchanger 300 using a material thickness of the gasket 400b.

(41) FIG. 11 illustrates another example of the interval keeping means and illustrates an example in which an interval keeping means 400c illustrated in FIG. 11 is a frame 400c having a predetermined thickness which is fixed to the second heat exchanger 200 by a fixing means or structure 460.

(42) In this case, the frame 400c has a size corresponding to the formation area of the second tubes 240 and the second fins 250 in the second heat exchanger 200 and may be configured to include a first frame 410, a second frame 420, a third frame 430, and a fourth frame 440.

(43) The first frame 410 and the second frame 420 have the same shape and include a first support part 401 and a second support part 402 which are extendedly formed in the width direction of the vehicle and spaced apart from each other by a distance at which the fixing means 460 is inserted in the height direction of the vehicle and a fastening part 403 which connects the first support part 401 and the second support part 402 in the height direction of the vehicle and is fastened with the fixing means 460.

(44) In this case, the first frame 410 forms an upper area in the height direction of the vehicle and is adjacently disposed to the 2-1-th header tank 210 and the second frame 420 forms a lower area in the height direction of the vehicle and is adjacently disposed to the 2-2-th header tank 220.

(45) The fixing means 460 is a means of fixing the frame 400c and the second tubes 240 or the second fins 250 in the second heat exchanger 200 and may be very variously formed, including a ring shape.

(46) Further, FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the frame 400c includes the first frame 410 to the fourth frame 440 and a fifth frame 450 having the same shape as the first frame 410 and the second frame 420 is further disposed between the first frame 410 and the second frame 420.

(47) The fifth frame 450 may more certainly keep the interval between the first heat exchanger 100 and the second heat exchanger 200 and the interval between the second heat exchanger 200 and the third heat exchanger 300 and may be further provided with the fixing means 460 to more increase the fixing force between the second heat exchanger 200 and the frame 400c.

(48) As illustrated in FIG. 11, the frame 400c is provided at both sides of the second heat exchanger 200, respectively, in an air flow direction and the single fixing means 460 may simultaneously fix the second heat exchanger 200 and the interval keeping means at both sides thereof.

(49) Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawings, the cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may be a form in which the form illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7 rotates 90°. In more detail, in the cooling module 1000 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the first tubes 140 in the first heat exchanger 100 may be formed in the height direction of the vehicle, the second tubes 240 in the second heat exchanger 200 may be formed in the width direction of the vehicle, and the third tubes 340 in the third heat exchanger 300 may be formed in the height direction of the vehicle.

(50) Therefore, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the cooling module 1000 may sufficiently secure the first heat exchange medium condensing performance, the third heat exchange medium cooling performance, and the second heat exchange medium cooling performance and may be miniaturized.

(51) Further, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the cooling module 1000 may prevent the components in the first heat exchanger 100, the second heat exchanger 200, and the third heat exchanger 300 from contacting each other using the interval keeping means while reducing the interval between the first heat exchanger 100 and the second heat exchanger 200 and the interval between the second heat exchanger 200 and the third exchanger 300 to prevent vibration and noise from occurring and increase durability.

(52) As described above, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the cooling module may sufficiently secure the first heat exchange medium condensing performance, the third heat exchange medium cooling performance, and the second heat exchange medium cooling performance and may be miniaturized.

(53) In particular, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the cooling module may form in parallel the internal flow directions of the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger in which the third heat exchange medium flows and vertically form the internal flow directions of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger in which the second heat exchange medium flows to reduce the interval between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and the interval between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger.

(54) Further, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the cooling module may prevent the components of the first heat exchanger, the second exchanger, and the third exchanger from contacting each other by the interval keeping means while reducing the interval between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and the interval between the second heat exchanger and the third exchanger to prevent the vibration and noise from occurring and increase the durability.

(55) The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment and an application range is various and it is apparent that various modifications can be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention described in the appended claims.