Heat Exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger capable of improving the fluidity of a heat exchange medium in an inlet and outlet forming portion is provided. The present invention is directed to a heat exchanger, which comprises: a heat transfer portion (2) which is configured as a heat exchange passage (20) for a heat exchange medium (L) to flow through a hollow portion inside; and an inlet and outlet forming portion (1a, 1b) whose interior is connected to the heat exchange passage (20) and the inlet and outlet forming portion is formed with an inlet and outlet (15) for the heat exchange medium (L) to flow in and out. At least a portion of the outer surface portion of the heat transfer portion (2) is configured by a covering sheet (6), which is a laminated material obtained by providing a resin covering layer on at least one side of a metal heat transfer layer, and the outer dimension thickness (T1) of the inlet and outlet forming portion (1a, 1b) is formed to be thicker than the outer dimension thickness (T2) of the heat transfer portion (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger having an outer surface provided with a laminate material in which a metal heat transfer layer and a resin cover layer are laminated. Background Art

[0002] In hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), etc., a battery device for supplying power for driving an electric motor is mounted. As such a battery device, a battery device in the form of a battery pack is generally used, in which a plurality of small single cells composed of various secondary batteries such as lithium secondary batteries are connected in series or in parallel. In recent years, in order to extend the cruising range of electric vehicles, multiple battery packs have been combined in series or in parallel, which has promoted the further increase in the capacity of battery devices.

[0003] On the other hand, the performance and life of lithium secondary batteries, which are mostly used as battery devices, vary greatly depending on the operating temperature, so for long-term and efficient use, it is preferably managed to an appropriate temperature. However, when used in the form of multiple battery packs as described above, since the multiple battery packs are closely arranged, it is difficult to effectively release the heat generated from each battery pack and each single cell, and the temperature rise of each battery pack may lead to reduced performance and life.

[0004] Therefore, a technology has been developed to cool a plurality of battery packs using a thin heat exchanger as shown in the following Patent Document 1. This heat exchanger is formed by facing two metal disc-shaped plates to form a heat exchanger (flat tube), and the flat tubes are arranged between the plurality of battery packs, so that the heat generated by each single cell of the battery pack is released to the outside through the refrigerant (cooling water) flowing in the flat tubes.

[0005] Under such technical background, heat exchangers for cooling multiple battery packs as automotive battery devices are required to be as thin, small, light, and low-cost as possible, like other automotive parts. As part of this, heat exchangers using highly flexible laminated materials are being studied.

[0006] The heat exchanger using a laminated material has an outer body made of a laminated material in which a resin covering layer is laminated on both sides of a metal heat transfer layer. In addition, the coolant introduced from the inlet (inlet and outlet) of the outer body circulates inside the outer body and flows out from the outlet (inlet and outlet) of the outer body. The coolant circulating in the outer body exchanges heat with the battery such as the battery pack that contacts the outer surface of the outer body, thereby cooling the battery pack.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-199149 Summary of the invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] However, in a heat exchanger using a laminate material such as the above, since the rigidity of the outer casing is low, it is necessary to provide a reinforcing member in the inlet and outlet forming portion, for example. However, in this case, there is a tendency for the flow path of the inlet and outlet forming portion to be restricted and the flow characteristics of the coolant to be reduced. In particular, when a thin outer casing is used, the flow characteristics of the coolant may be significantly reduced, resulting in a problem that it is difficult to obtain sufficient heat exchange performance.

[0012] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are made in view of the above and / or other problems in the related art. The preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantly improve the existing methods and / or devices.

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger using a laminate material that can achieve a reduction in thickness and improve the flow characteristics of a heat exchange medium in an inlet and outlet forming portion to obtain sufficient heat exchange performance.

[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following preferred embodiments.

[0015] Means for solving problems

[0016] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following means.

[0017] [1] A heat exchanger comprising: a heat transfer portion, the heat transfer portion being configured as a heat exchange flow path through which a heat exchange medium flows in a hollow portion inside; and an inlet and outlet forming portion, the interior of the inlet and outlet forming portion being connected to the heat exchange flow path and having an inlet and outlet formed therein for allowing the heat exchange medium to flow in and out, the heat exchanger being configured to perform heat exchange between the heat exchange medium flowing in the heat exchange flow path and a heat exchange target member arranged on an outer surface of the heat transfer portion, characterized in that:

[0018] At least a part of the outer surface of the heat transfer part is formed by a cover sheet, which is a laminated material in which a resin cover layer is provided on at least one side of a metal heat transfer layer.

[0019] The inlet / outlet forming portion is formed to have an outer dimension thickness thicker than an outer dimension thickness of the heat transfer portion.

[0020] In addition, in the present invention, the inlet / outlet forming portion and the heat transfer portion are arranged along the flow direction of the heat exchange flow path. In addition, in the present invention, the inlet / outlet forming portion is arranged at the end edge of the heat transfer portion.

[0021] [2] The heat exchanger according to the aforementioned item 1, wherein the inlet and outlet forming portion is provided with a reinforcing member having a function as a spacer for maintaining the thickness thereof.

[0022] [3] The heat exchanger according to item 1 or 2 above, wherein a partition member for maintaining the height of the heat exchange flow path is provided in the hollow portion of the heat transfer portion.

[0023] [4] The heat exchanger according to any one of the above Items 1 to 3, wherein the outer dimension thickness of the heat transfer portion is set to be 5 mm or less.

[0024] [5] The heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 4, wherein the heat exchange flow path extends from one end edge portion to the other end edge portion of the heat transfer portion and is arranged in parallel in plurality,

[0025] The inlet and outlet forming portion includes an upstream header member disposed along the upstream end portions of the plurality of heat exchange flow paths and a downstream header member disposed along the downstream end portions.

[0026] The heat exchanger is configured such that the heat exchange medium flowing into the upstream header member through the inlet and outlet is divided and flows into each heat exchange flow path, and the heat exchange medium flowing out of each heat exchange flow path merges in the downstream header member and flows out from the downstream inlet and outlet.

[0027] [6] The heat exchanger according to any one of the above 1 to 5, wherein one side in the thickness direction is the front side and the other side is the back side,

[0028] The front side of the inlet / outlet forming portion is arranged to protrude toward the front side relative to the front side of the heat transfer portion, and the back side of the inlet / outlet forming portion is arranged to protrude toward the back side relative to the back side of the heat transfer portion.

[0029] [7] The heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of the inlet and outlet forming portions are provided.

[0030] Each of the inlets and outlets of the plurality of inlet and outlet forming portions opens toward one side in the thickness direction.

[0031] [8] The heat exchanger according to any one of the above items 1 to 7, wherein the heat transfer portion is disposed on both sides of the inlet and outlet forming portion.

[0032] [9] The heat exchanger according to any one of the above items 1 to 8, wherein the height of the heat exchange flow path is set to 3 mm or less.

[0033]

[10] The heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 9, wherein a partition member for maintaining the height of the heat exchange flow path is provided in the hollow portion of the heat transfer portion,

[0034] The inlet and outlet forming portion is provided with a reinforcing member having a function as a spacer for maintaining the thickness thereof.

[0035] The spacing member and the reinforcing member are integrally formed.

[0036]

[11] The heat exchanger according to any one of the above items 1 to 10, wherein the cover sheet is arranged so as to cover the entire area of ​​the heat transfer portion.

[0037]

[12] The heat exchanger according to any one of the above items 1 to 11, wherein the cover sheet is arranged so as to cover the entire outer peripheral surface.

[0038]

[13] The heat exchanger according to any one of the above items 1 to 12, wherein at least a portion of the cover sheet is formed of a molded product.

[0039] Effects of the Invention

[0040] According to the heat exchanger of the invention [1], since the inlet and outlet forming part is formed thicker than the heat transfer part, the flow path in the inlet and outlet forming part can be fully ensured, the flow characteristics and heat exchange performance can be improved, and the heat transfer part where the heat exchange target component such as the battery is installed can be thinned, and the whole can be made small and compact. In addition, since the inlet and outlet forming part is not equipped with the heat exchange target component, there is room for space, and even if the thickness is increased, it will not interfere with other components and will not have adverse effects.

[0041] According to the heat exchanger of the invention [2], since a reinforcing member is provided in the inlet and outlet forming portion, the thickness of the inlet and outlet forming portion can be sufficiently ensured even under compressive stress, etc., the flow characteristics of the heat exchange medium flowing therein can be improved, and the heat exchange performance can be sufficiently ensured.

[0042] According to the heat exchanger of the invention [3], since the partition member is arranged in the heat transfer part, the flow path cross section of the heat exchange flow path of the heat transfer part can be sufficiently ensured. From this point of view, the flow characteristics of the heat exchange medium can be improved, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.

[0043] According to the heat exchanger of the invention [4], it is possible to more reliably achieve thinning and more reliably improve heat exchange performance.

[0044] The heat exchanger according to the invention [5] is a parallel flow type, so that the heat exchange medium can flow evenly in a plurality of heat exchange flow paths arranged in parallel, and heat exchange can be performed uniformly on the entire heat exchange target component without deviation, thereby further improving the heat exchange performance.

[0045] According to the heat exchanger of the invention [6], it is possible to further achieve a reduction in thickness and improve the flow characteristics of the heat exchange medium at the inlet and outlet forming portion, thereby ensuring sufficient heat exchange performance.

[0046] According to the heat exchanger of invention [7], since the plurality of inlets and outlets open in the same direction, all the pipes connected to the inlets and outlets can be connected from one direction (surface side), which can reduce the space required for pipe processing and further achieve miniaturization and compactness.

[0047] According to the heat exchanger of the invention [8], the number of heat transfer parts can be increased relative to the inlet and outlet forming parts, the number of inlet and outlet forming parts can be limited, and heat exchange can be performed on more heat exchange target components, thereby performing heat exchange more efficiently.

[0048] According to the heat exchanger of the invention [9], it is possible to further reliably achieve thinning and further reliably improve the heat exchange performance.

[0049] According to the heat exchanger of the invention

[10] , since necessary components are integrated, the number of parts can be reduced, the structure can be simplified, and the assembly workability can be improved.

[0050] According to the heat exchanger of the inventions

[11] and

[12] , the cover sheet can be effectively used to cover the heat exchanger, thereby reliably preventing problems such as leakage.

[0051] According to the heat exchanger of the invention

[13] , even if the heat exchanger has a complicated shape, the number of components can be reduced, and defects such as leakage can be reliably prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cooling unit using a heat exchange panel as a heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the inlet and outlet forming portion and its surroundings in the battery cooling unit according to the first embodiment.

[0054] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover sheet is removed in the heat exchange panel according to the first embodiment.

[0055] Figure 4 It is a plan view for explaining the flow path of the heat exchange panel according to the first embodiment.

[0056] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cooling unit using a heat exchange panel P as a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing a heat exchange panel according to the second embodiment with a cover sheet removed.

[0058] Figure 7 It is a plan view for explaining the flow path of the heat exchange panel according to the second embodiment.

[0059] Figure 8 It is a plan view for explaining a flow path of a heat exchange panel as a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Fig. 9 It is a cross-sectional view showing a heat exchange panel as a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Fig.10 It is a perspective view showing a heat exchange panel according to a fourth embodiment.

[0062] Fig.11 This is a cross-sectional view for explaining a first usage example of a heat exchange panel as a heat exchanger of the present invention.

[0063] Fig.12 It is a cross-sectional view for explaining a second usage example of the heat exchange panel as the heat exchanger of the present invention.

[0064] Fig.13 This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the inlet and outlet forming portion and its surroundings of a heat exchanger according to a first modified example of the present invention.

[0065] Fig.14 It is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cooling unit using a heat exchange panel as a heat exchanger according to a second modified example of the present invention.

[0066] Fig.15 It is a perspective view showing a heat exchange panel according to a second modified example.

[0067] Fig.16 This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the inlet and outlet forming portion and its surroundings of a thin heat exchanger serving as a first reference example.

[0068] Fig.17 This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the inlet and outlet forming portion and its surroundings of a thick type heat exchanger as a second reference example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] <First Embodiment>

[0070] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cooling unit using a heat exchange panel P as a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the inlet and outlet forming portion and its surroundings in the battery cooling unit. Figure 3 1 is a perspective view showing a heat exchange panel P with a cover sheet removed. Figure 4 1 is a top view for explaining the flow of the cooling liquid L in the heat exchange panel P. In addition, in the following description, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention, Figure 1 The vertical direction is defined as the "thickness direction" of the heat exchange panel P, the left-right direction is defined as the "longitudinal direction" of the heat exchange panel P, and the right-left direction is defined as the "vertical direction" of the heat exchange panel P. Figure 1 The direction perpendicular to the paper plane ( Figure 4 The vertical direction) is described as the "horizontal direction" of the heat exchange panel P. In addition, one side in the thickness direction ( Figure 1 The upper side of the Figure 1 Of course, in the heat exchanger (heat exchange panel) of the present invention, the setting state (orientation) during actual use is not limited to Figure 1 state, and can also be configured to any state (orientation).

[0071] like Figure 1 to Figure 4 As shown, the heat exchange panel P of the first embodiment is used to cool a battery such as a single cell (battery unit) or a battery pack (battery pack) for supplying power to a motor driving an electric vehicle, etc. The heat exchange panel (cooler) P includes a pair of inlet and outlet forming portions 1a, 1b provided at the upstream and downstream sides at both end edges in the longitudinal direction, and a heat transfer portion 2 disposed between the pair of inlet and outlet forming portions 1a, 1b.

[0072] The pair of inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b are provided with header members 10a and 10b, respectively. The pair of header members 10a and 10b on the upstream and downstream sides are arranged along the lateral direction at both end edges in the longitudinal direction and are arranged parallel to each other.

[0073] The header members 10a and 10b are formed in a substantially square tube shape or an elongated substantially box shape, and have openings 11 formed on the outer peripheral wall on the heat transfer section 2 side (inner side). The header members 10a and 10b are open to the inside through the openings 11, but both ends in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction) are closed.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, Figure 1 The left side header member 10a is described as the upstream side (inflow side) header member, and the right side header member 10b is described as the downstream side (outflow side) header member. However, in the present invention, Figure 1The header member 10a on the left side is configured as the downstream side, and the header member 10b on the right side is configured as the upstream side.

[0075] Ports and outlets 15 are formed at ends of the wall portions on the surface sides of the header members 10a and 10b in the lateral direction (the longitudinal direction).

[0076] One ends of the connection pipes 3 are fixed to the inlets and outlets 15 of the header members 10a and 10b, respectively, and the connection pipes 3 are arranged so as to protrude toward the surface side of the header members 10a and 10b.

[0077] like Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of spacer members 4, 5 along the longitudinal direction are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the transverse direction so as to be bridged between both ends of a pair of header members 10a, 10b. Both ends of each spacer member 4, 5 are fixed to the pair of header members 10a, 10b.

[0078] In the present embodiment, among the plurality of spacer members 4 and 5 , the spacer members arranged at both sides in the lateral direction are referred to as side frame spacer members 4 , and the spacer members arranged inside the side frame spacer members 4 are referred to as intermediate spacer members 5 .

[0079] Both ends of the intermediate partition member 5 are arranged at the opening edges of the header members 10a and 10b so that the coolant L can flow in the lateral direction (longitudinal direction) of the header members 10 without blocking the interior of the header members 10a and 10b by the intermediate partition member 5 .

[0080] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, heat exchange passages 20 as hollow portions are formed between the plurality of partition members 4 and 5. The heat exchange passages 20 extend in the longitudinal direction and are arranged at equal intervals in the transverse direction. Both ends of each heat exchange passage 20 are connected to the interior of the header members 10a and 10b via the openings 11.

[0081] Thus, the inlets and outlets 15 of the header members 10a and 10b are communicated and connected to both ends of the heat exchange channels 20 through the interiors of the header members 10a and 10b.

[0082] Here, in the present embodiment, the thickness dimension of the side frame spacer member 4 and the thickness dimension of the intermediate spacer member 5 are formed to be the same thickness. Furthermore, the thickness dimension of the header member 10 is formed to be thicker than the thickness dimension of the spacer members 4 and 5, and as described later, the thickness dimension (outer dimension) T1 of the header members 10a and 10b including the cover sheet 6 is formed to be thicker than the thickness dimension (outer dimension) T2 of the spacer members 4 and 5 including the cover sheet 6.

[0083] In this embodiment, the header members 10a, 10b and the spacer members 4, 5 are integrally formed to form a frame member. The header members 10a, 10b and the spacer members 4, 5 are formed of, for example, hard synthetic resin molded products, and the joints between the members 4, 5, 10a, 10b are fixed by heat welding or the like.

[0084] In addition, in the present embodiment, the entire regions of the frame members 4 , 5 , 10 a , and 10 b are covered with the cover sheet 6 .

[0085] The cover sheet 6 is composed of a laminated material, which is composed of a heat transfer layer made of a metal foil such as aluminum foil and a cover layer made of a thermoplastic resin laminated and integrated with both sides of the heat transfer layer. The laminated material used in the present invention can be a structure of at least two layers or more, as long as the resin cover layer is formed on at least one side of the heat transfer layer. It can be a three-layer structure as in the present embodiment, or a structure of four or more layers.

[0086] In this embodiment, two covering sheets 6 are used to cover the skeleton members 4, 5, and 10 in a manner of sandwiching them from the front and back (top and bottom), so that the outer peripheral edge portions of the two covering sheets 6 on the front and back overlap, and the overlapping areas are joined by heat welding or the like. In addition, the covering sheets 6 are joined to corresponding areas of the skeleton members 4, 5, and 10 by heat welding or the like, for example, the covering sheets 6 are joined to the front and back surfaces of the collecting tube members 10a, 10b and the spacer members 4, 5, and the entire outer periphery of the skeleton members 4, 5, 10a, and 10b is covered by the covering sheet 6.

[0087] Furthermore, a tube insertion hole 65 is formed at a position of the cover sheet 6 corresponding to the connection tube 3 , and the connection tube 3 is led out of the cover sheet 6 through the tube insertion hole 65 , and its lead-out end (distal end opening) is arranged outside.

[0088] In the heat exchange panel P thus formed, the portion where the header members 10a and 10b are arranged includes the cover sheet 6 and constitutes the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b, and the portion where the partition members 4 and 5, that is, the portion where the heat exchange flow path 20 is arranged includes the cover sheet 6 and constitutes the heat transfer portion 2. In this structure, the cover sheet 6 provided in the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b constitutes the outer surface portion of the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b, and the cover sheet 6 provided in the heat transfer portion 2 constitutes the outer surface portion of the heat transfer portion 2.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the cover sheet 6 covers the entire region of the frame members 4, 5, 10a, 10b to constitute the exterior body of the heat exchange panel P. In the present embodiment, the exterior body is constituted as the outer surface portion.

[0090] In addition, the header members 10a, 10b also function as reinforcing members having the function of spacers for maintaining the interval in the thickness direction of the cover sheet 6 arranged corresponding to the header members 10a, 10b. In addition, the spacer members 4, 5 have the function of spacers for maintaining the interval in the thickness direction of the cover sheet 6 arranged corresponding to the heat exchange flow path P.

[0091] In the heat exchange panel P, the front and rear surfaces of the inlet and outlet forming portions 1 a and 1 b are formed to protrude toward the front and rear surfaces relative to the front and rear surfaces of the heat transfer portion 2 .

[0092] Here, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, as described above, the thickness dimension (outer dimension thickness) T1 of the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a, 1b is formed thicker than the thickness dimension (outer dimension thickness) T2 of the heat transfer portion 2. In addition, in the present embodiment, as described later, the thickness dimension T2 of the heat transfer portion 2 is preferably set to 5 mm or less, and the height dimension T3 of the heat exchange flow path 20 of the heat transfer portion 2 is preferably set to 3 mm or less.

[0093] In the heat exchange panel P of the above structure, as Figure 1 As shown, the battery B as a heat exchange target member (cooling target member) is arranged in contact with the front and rear outer surfaces of the heat transfer portion 2 of the heat exchange panel P to form a battery cooling unit (heat exchange unit).

[0094] And, if Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in the battery cooling unit, the inflow and outflow pipes are connected to the connecting pipe 3, and the cooling liquid L such as cooling water and antifreeze liquid as the heat exchange medium (refrigerant) flows into the upstream header member 10a from the inlet and outlet 15 through the connecting pipe 3 on one side (upstream side), and the cooling liquid L flows into each heat exchange flow path 20 from the upstream end thereof through the opening 11 while being divided in the header member 10a. The cooling liquid L flowing into each heat exchange flow path 20 flows into the downstream header member 10b from the downstream end through the opening 11 through each heat exchange flow path 20, and after merging there, it flows out from the connecting pipe 3 through the outlet 15 of the downstream header member 10b. In this way, the cooling liquid L circulates in each heat exchange flow path 20, and heat is exchanged between the circulating cooling liquid L and the battery B through the cover sheet 6, thereby cooling the battery B.

[0095] Here, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, since the battery B is cooled by the heat transfer section 2, the battery B is arranged corresponding to the heat transfer section 2, and the battery B is not arranged in the inlet and outlet forming sections 1a, 1b (manifold members 10a, 10b). Therefore, the area corresponding to the inlet and outlet forming sections 1a, 1b is a dead space in the heat exchanger, and there is a margin in space. In the present embodiment, by forming the thickness of the inlet and outlet forming sections 1a, 1b with a margin in space to be thicker, and forming the thickness of the heat transfer section 2 to be thinner, it is possible to ensure good heat exchange performance and achieve thinness.

[0096] Specifically, in the heat exchange panel P using a laminated material as the cover sheet 6 as in the present embodiment, since the cover sheet 6 has high flexibility and low rigidity, it is preferable to provide a reinforcing member (spacer) such as a header member 10, especially in the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b, in order to ensure the thickness of the portion. Fig.16 As shown in the figure, under the premise that the inlet and outlet forming part 101 and the heat transfer part 102 are heat exchange panels of the same thickness, if the inlet and outlet forming part 101 is provided with a manifold member 110 to achieve thinning, the thickness of the manifold member 110 will be reduced and the width of its internal flow path (U-shaped groove) will be narrowed. Therefore, the flow characteristics of the coolant L passing through the narrow internal flow path are reduced, and the flow characteristics of the coolant L in the entire area are reduced, and the heat exchange performance (cooling performance) is reduced. In addition, in order to ensure the flow characteristics of the internal flow path of the manifold member 110, if the thickness of the manifold member 110 is increased, as shown in the figure, Fig.17 As shown, the thickness of the heat transfer portion 102 also becomes thick, and the thickness of the heat exchanger cannot be formed thin.

[0097] In contrast, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, the thickness of the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a, 1b (collecting pipe components 10a, 10b) which have room for space is thickened to make the width of the internal flow path wider, and the thickness of the heat transfer part 2 is thinned, so that the flow characteristics of the coolant L in the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a, 1b can be improved to improve the heat exchange performance, and the overall thickness of the battery cooling unit can be made thinner.

[0098] In addition, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, since the header members 10a and 10b serving as reinforcing members (spacers) are arranged in the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b, the thickness of the inlet and outlet forming portion 1 can be sufficiently ensured even against compressive stress, etc., and the flow characteristics of the coolant L flowing therein can be improved, and the heat exchange performance can be sufficiently ensured. In addition, deformation caused by the internal pressure of the coolant L can also be prevented.

[0099] Moreover, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, since the spacer members 4 and 5 are arranged in the heat transfer section 2, the flow path cross-section of the heat exchange flow path 20 of the heat transfer section 2 can be fully ensured even for compressive stress, etc. From this point of view, the flow characteristics of the coolant L can be improved, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.

[0100] In addition, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, when the thickness dimension T2 of the heat transfer portion 2 is set to 5 mm or less, a better effect can be obtained by thickening the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b. That is, when the thickness T2 of the heat transfer portion 2 is set to 5 mm or less, assuming that Fig.16 If the inlet and outlet forming portion 101 and the heat transfer portion 102 have the same thickness as shown, the thickness of the inlet and outlet forming portion 101 becomes extremely thin, and the desired flow path cross section cannot be ensured, the flow characteristics of the coolant L are significantly reduced, and the heat exchange performance is greatly reduced. Therefore, when the thickness dimension T2 of the heat transfer portion 2 is set to 5 mm or less, as in this embodiment, by making the thickness of the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b thick, the effect of improving the flow characteristics can be significantly exerted.

[0101] In particular, in the present embodiment, when the height dimension T3 of the heat exchange flow path 20 of the heat transfer part 2 is set to 3 mm or less, the flow characteristics and heat exchange performance can be more effectively improved for the same reasons as described above.

[0102] In addition, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, a plurality of heat exchange channels 20 are arranged in parallel to form a parallel flow pattern in which the coolant L is branched from the header member 10a and flows into each heat exchange channel 20, so that the coolant L flows evenly in each heat exchange channel 20, and the battery B can be cooled uniformly in the entire area of ​​the heat transfer portion 2. Therefore, the entire battery B, which is a member to be heat exchanged, can be cooled uniformly without any deviation, and the cooling performance can be further improved.

[0103] In addition, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, the connecting pipes 3 at the inlets and outlets 15 of the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a and 1b arranged on the upstream and downstream sides are all arranged toward the surface side, so that all the pipes connected to the connecting pipes 3 can be connected from one direction (surface side), which can reduce the space used for pipe processing and form a battery cooling unit more compactly.

[0104] In addition, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, the header members 10a, 10b and the spacer members 4, 5 are integrally formed to form a frame member, and the cover sheet 6 is covered on the frame member, so that the shape is stable and deformation of the shape can be effectively prevented even by external pressure, and it can be reliably assembled into a stable state in a limited installation space of an electric vehicle, etc. In addition, the spacer member 4 can also prevent deformation caused by the internal pressure of the coolant L.

[0105] Furthermore, in the heat exchange panel P of the present embodiment, since the cover sheet 6 is formed into a bag shape so as to cover the entire area, it is possible to reliably prevent a problem such as leakage of the coolant L to the outside.

[0106] In addition, in the heat exchange panel P of the first embodiment, the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a and 1b are formed so that their front and back sides protrude relative to the front and back sides of the heat transfer part 2, but the invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, only one of the front and back sides of the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a and 1b may be protruded. Fig.13 As shown, the surface side of the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a and 1b may be formed to protrude toward the surface side relative to the surface of the heat transfer part 2, and the back side of the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a and 1b and the back side of the heat transfer part 2 may be arranged in the same plane. In short, the outer dimension thickness T1 of the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a and 1b may be formed thicker than the outer dimension thickness T2 of the heat transfer part 2.

[0107] In the heat exchange panel P of the first embodiment, the cover sheet 6 is arranged to surround the entire area of ​​the frame members 10a, 10b, 4, and 5, and the cover sheet 6 is provided in the entire area of ​​the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a, 1b and the heat transfer portion 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, at least a part of the outer surface of the heat transfer portion 2 can be composed of the cover sheet 6. For example, Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, two cover sheets 6 may be respectively attached to the front and back sides of the spacer members 4 and 5 between the upstream and downstream header members 10a and 10b, so that the cover sheet 6 is substantially arranged only on the heat transfer section 2, and not arranged on the inlet and outlet forming sections 1a and 1b. In the heat exchange panel P of this structure, the outer surface of the heat transfer section 2 is formed by the cover sheet 6, and the outer surface of the inlet and outlet forming sections 1a and 1b is formed by the outer surface of the headers 10a and 10b. In addition, in the heat exchange panel P of this structure, the outer dimension thickness of the inlet and outlet forming sections 1a and 1b is equivalent to the outer dimension thickness of the header members 10a and 10b.

[0108] In the heat exchange panel P of this modification, the coolant L is circulated to cool the battery B and the like, similarly to the heat exchange panel P of the first embodiment.

[0109] <Second Embodiment>

[0110] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cooling unit using a heat exchange panel P as a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 1 is a perspective view showing a heat exchange panel P according to the second embodiment with a cover sheet removed. Figure 7 It is a plan view for explaining the flow of the cooling liquid L in the heat exchange panel P according to the second embodiment.

[0111] As shown in these drawings, the heat exchange panel P according to the second embodiment includes a heat transfer portion 2 and an inlet / outlet forming portion 1 provided at one end edge portion of the heat transfer portion 2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0112] A header member 10 extending continuously in the lateral direction is disposed in the inlet / outlet forming portion 1. The header member 10 is formed in a square tube shape, and an opening 11 opened toward the heat transfer portion 2 is formed in the outer peripheral wall.

[0113] The header member 10 is divided into two parts by a partition wall 55 at the center of the longitudinal direction (lateral direction) thereof, and a half part ( Figure 7 The lower half of the upstream side header member 10a is constituted, and the other side half ( Figure 7 The upper half of the middle partition member 5 is formed as the downstream header 10b. In the present embodiment, as described later, the partition wall 55 is formed by a part (extension) of the middle partition member 5.

[0114] Here, in the present embodiment, the portion of the heat exchange panel P corresponding to the upstream header member 10a constitutes the upstream porthole forming portion 1a, and the portion corresponding to the downstream header member 10b constitutes the downstream porthole forming portion 1b.

[0115] In addition, the upstream and downstream header members 10a and 10b have respective inlets and outlets 15 formed on their surface walls. One end of a connecting pipe 3 is fixed to each header member 10a and 10b, and each connecting pipe 3 is disposed so as to protrude toward the surface of the header members 10a and 10b.

[0116] One ends of side frame spacer members 4 extending in the longitudinal direction are fixed to both ends of the header member 10 , respectively. The side frame spacer members 4 are arranged along both side edges of the heat transfer section 2 .

[0117] Furthermore, both end portions of an end frame spacer 40 are fixed to the top ends of the side frame spacer 4 on both sides. The end frame spacer 40 is arranged along the end edge of the heat transfer section 2 on the opposite side from the header member 10 .

[0118] In addition, one end of a plurality of (three) intermediate partition members 5 along the longitudinal direction is fixed to the middle portion of the header member 10 , and the top end portion (non-fixed side end portion) of each intermediate partition member 5 is arranged at a distance from the end frame partition member 40 .

[0119] Among the plurality of intermediate partition members 5, the intermediate partition member 5 disposed corresponding to the center position in the longitudinal direction of the manifold member 10 has an end portion on the manifold member 10 side extended, and a partition wall 55 as the extended portion is fixed to the inside of the manifold member 10 via the opening 11. Thus, as described above, the inside of the manifold member 10 is partitioned at the center position in the longitudinal direction by the partition wall 55, and is divided into the upstream manifold member 10a and the downstream manifold member 10b.

[0120] Also, among the plurality of intermediate partition members 5 , the intermediate partition members 5 arranged at positions other than the central position are fixed to the opening 11 of the header member 10 similarly to the first embodiment, so that the interior is not blocked by these partition members 5 .

[0121] Here, in the second embodiment, the header member 10 and the partition members 4 , 40 , and 5 form a skeleton member.

[0122] In addition, in the present embodiment, a heat exchange passage 20 as a hollow portion is formed between the side frame partition member 4 and the intermediate partition member 5. The heat exchange passage 20 corresponding to the upstream header member 10a of the heat exchange passage 20 is configured as a forward heat exchange passage 20a, and the heat exchange passage 20 corresponding to the downstream header member 10b is configured as a return heat exchange passage 20b.

[0123] Furthermore, a hollow portion extending continuously in the lateral direction is formed between the non-fixed side end portion of the intermediate partition member 5 and the end frame partition member 40 , and the hollow portion serves as a turning heat exchange flow path 21 .

[0124] In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the heat exchange panel P is formed by covering the entire area of ​​the frame members 4, 5, 10, 40 from both sides with two cover sheets 6 and fixing them by thermal welding or the like.

[0125] In the heat exchange panel P of the second embodiment, as described above, the pipe insertion holes 65 are formed at positions corresponding to the connection pipes 3 in the cover sheet 6 , and the connection pipes 3 are led out of the cover sheet 6 through the pipe insertion holes 65 .

[0126] In the heat exchange panel P of the second embodiment, other structures are substantially the same as those of the heat exchange panel P of the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts, and duplicate description is omitted.

[0127] In the heat exchange panel P of the second embodiment, the battery B as a heat exchange target member (cooling target member) is arranged in contact with the front and rear outer surfaces of the heat transfer portion 2 of the heat exchange panel P to form a battery cooling unit (heat exchange unit).

[0128] In the battery cooling unit, when the coolant L flows into the upstream header member 10a through the connecting pipe 3 and the inlet and outlet 15, the coolant L is divided in the upstream header member 10a and flows into the turning heat exchange flow path 21 through each outgoing heat exchange flow path 20a. Moreover, the coolant L makes a U-turn through the turning heat exchange flow path 21, thereby flowing into the return heat exchange flow path 20b. Then, the coolant L flows into the downstream header member 10b through the return heat exchange flow path 20b and merges there, and then flows out through the inlet and outlet 15 and the connecting pipe 3. In this way, the coolant L circulates in each heat exchange flow path 20a, 20b, and 21, and on the other hand, heat exchange is performed between the circulating coolant L and the battery B through the cover sheet 6, thereby cooling the battery B.

[0129] The heat exchange panel P of the second embodiment can also provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0130] Moreover, according to the heat exchange panel P of the second embodiment, since the upstream and downstream collecting pipe components 10a and 10b are arranged in series at one end edge in the longitudinal direction, the piping connected to the connecting pipe 3 can be concentrated at one end edge of the heat exchange panel P, so that the heat exchange panel P can be made more compact, and thus the battery cooling unit can be made more compact.

[0131] In the heat exchange panel P of the second embodiment, the header member 10 only needs to be arranged at one end edge in the longitudinal direction, and the other end edge can be used as the heat exchange flow path 21, so that the heat transfer area of ​​the heat transfer part 2 can be expanded, and heat exchange can be performed more efficiently.

[0132] <Third Embodiment>

[0133] Figure 8 This is a plan view for explaining the flow of the cooling liquid L in the heat exchange panel P as a heat exchanger according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] As shown in the figure, the heat exchange panel P of the third embodiment includes inlet and outlet forming parts 1a and 1b arranged in series on the upstream and downstream sides, and two heat transfer parts 2 provided on both sides of the inlet and outlet forming parts 1a and 1b.

[0135] The inlet and outlet forming portions 1a and 1b are provided with a manifold member 10. The interior of the manifold member 10 is divided by a partition wall 55 at the middle position in the longitudinal direction. Figure 8 The lower half of the upstream side header member 10a is constituted, and the other side half ( Figure 8 The upper half of the downstream side header member 10b is constituted.

[0136] The outer peripheral walls of the header members 10a and 10b are provided with openings 11 open to the heat transfer units 2 on both sides. The header members 10a and 10b are provided with inlets and outlets 15 open to one side (surface side, etc.) in the thickness direction.

[0137] In addition, it is arranged on one side ( Figure 8 The heat transfer part 2 on the right side of the Figure 5 to Figure 7 The heat exchange panel P of the second embodiment shown is similarly provided with the side frame spacer 4, the end frame spacer 40 and the intermediate spacer 5 to form one side frame portion.

[0138] Furthermore, it is arranged on the other side of the header members 10a, 10b ( Figure 8 The heat transfer section 2 on the left side of the heat transfer section 2 has a substantially identical structure to the heat transfer section 2 on one side and is symmetrical in shape. That is, the heat transfer section 2 on the other side is also provided with a side frame spacing member 4, an end frame spacing member 40 and an intermediate spacing member 5 as described above, forming the skeleton portion on the other side.

[0139] The frame member composed of the header members 10a, 10b, one side frame portion and the other side frame portion is covered entirely with two cover sheets 6 on the front and back and fixed by thermal welding, thereby forming a heat exchange panel P of the third embodiment.

[0140] In the heat exchange panel P of the third embodiment, other structures are substantially the same as those of the heat exchange panel P of the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts, and duplicate description is omitted.

[0141] In the heat exchange panel P of the third embodiment, a total of four batteries B and the like as heat exchange target members are arranged in contact with the front and back outer surfaces of the two heat transfer parts 2 on both sides (see Figure 1 and Figure 5 etc.) to form a battery cooling unit.

[0142] In the battery cooling unit, when the coolant L flows into the upstream header member 10a through the inlet and outlet 15, the coolant L is divided in the upstream header member 10a and flows into the outgoing heat exchange flow paths 20a of the heat transfer units 2 on both sides. The coolant L thus flowing in flows into the corresponding turning heat exchange flow paths 21 through the outgoing heat exchange flow paths 20a, makes a U-turn here, and thus flows into the return heat exchange flow paths 20b of the heat transfer units 2 on both sides. Then, the coolant L flows into the downstream header member 20b from both sides through the return heat exchange flow paths 20b, merges here, and flows out from the inlet and outlet 15. In this way, the coolant L circulates in the heat exchange flow paths 20a, 20b, and 21, and on the other hand, the battery B is cooled by heat exchange between the circulating coolant L and the battery B.

[0143] The heat exchange panel P of the third embodiment can also obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0144] Furthermore, in the heat exchange panel P of the third embodiment, the coolant L can be supplied to the two heat transfer parts 2 on both sides by one header member 10, and the inlet and outlet forming portions as the header member can be reduced, thereby achieving further compactness.

[0145] <Fourth Implementation Method>

[0146] Fig. 9 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat exchange panel P of a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 It is a perspective view showing a heat exchange panel P according to a fourth embodiment.

[0147] As shown in both drawings, in the heat exchange panel P according to the fourth embodiment, an exterior body is constituted by a molded body 7 disposed on the front surface side and a cover sheet 70 disposed on the back surface side of the molded body 7 .

[0148] The formed body 7 is formed by thermoforming a laminate material serving as a covering sheet, and is formed into a generally inverted tray shape that integrally includes a heat transfer portion protrusion 71 whose middle portion except the outer peripheral edge portion protrudes toward the surface side, an inlet and outlet forming portion protrusion 72 whose two longitudinal end portions of the heat transfer portion protrusion 71 further protrude toward the surface side, and a flange portion 75 arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion on the back side of the protrusions 71 and 72.

[0149] In addition, the inlet and outlet 15 is formed by the protruding portion 72 of the inlet and outlet forming portion of the molded body 7, and the resin connection pipe 3 is mounted on the inlet and outlet 15. The connection pipe 3 includes, for example, a pipe body 31, a flange 32 provided on the outer periphery of the base end of the pipe body 31, and a pressing ring 33 that can be externally fitted to the pipe body 31 from the tip side of the pipe body 31. The pipe body 31 is inserted into the inlet and outlet 15 from the back side (inner surface side) of the molded body 7, and the pressing ring 33 is externally fitted to the pipe body 31 from the surface side (outer surface side) of the molded body 7. In this state, the inner peripheral edge of the inlet and outlet 15 in the molded body 7 is joined to the pipe body 31, the flange 32, and the pressing ring 33 by heat welding or the like, thereby fixing the connection pipe 3 to the molded body 7.

[0150] In addition, a cover sheet 70 is disposed on the back side of the molded body 7, and the flange portion 75 of the molded body 7 is joined to the outer peripheral edge portion of the cover sheet 70 by heat welding or the like, thereby forming an outer body (shell), and forming a heat exchange panel P of the fourth embodiment. In addition, the portions of the heat exchange panel P corresponding to the inlet and outlet forming portion protrusions 72 on both sides form the inlet and outlet forming portions 1, respectively, and the portions corresponding to the heat transfer portion protrusions 71 form the heat transfer portion 2. In addition, the hollow portion in the heat transfer portion 2 constitutes a heat exchange flow path 20.

[0151] Furthermore, inner fins and the like are disposed inside the heat transfer section 2 as necessary.

[0152] In the heat exchange panel P of the fourth embodiment, the battery B as the heat exchange target member is arranged in contact with the front surface and / or back surface of the heat transfer portion 2 to form a battery cooling unit (heat exchange unit).

[0153] In the battery cooling unit, when the coolant L flows into the inlet and outlet forming portion 1 on one side (upstream side) through the connecting pipe 3, the coolant L flows into the heat transfer portion 2. Then, the coolant L flows through the heat transfer portion 2 (heat exchange flow path 20) and flows into the inlet and outlet forming portion 1 on the other side (downstream side), and flows out through the connecting pipe 3. In this way, the coolant L circulates in the heat exchange flow path 20, and on the other hand, heat exchange is performed between the circulating coolant L and the battery B, thereby cooling the battery B.

[0154] The heat exchange panel P of the fourth embodiment can also obtain the same effects as described above. In addition, the heat exchange panel P of the fourth embodiment does not need to install header members, partition members, etc., and accordingly, the number of components can be reduced, the structure can be simplified, and the assembly workability can be improved.

[0155] Of course, in the heat exchange panel P of the fourth embodiment, header members (reinforcement members) and partition members may be disposed.

[0156] <Usage example>

[0157] The heat exchange panels P as the heat exchanger of the present invention may be used individually or in combination of a plurality.

[0158] For example, Fig.11 As shown, the heat exchange panels P and the heat exchange target members such as the batteries B are alternately arranged in parallel, and the corresponding inlet and outlet forming portions 1a in the adjacent heat exchange panels P are connected to each other via the connecting pipes 3. Fig.11 In FIG. 1 , only the periphery of the inlet / outlet forming portion 1 a on the upstream side is shown, but on the downstream side, the corresponding inlet / outlet forming portions on the downstream side are communicated and connected to each other via a connecting pipe or the like.

[0159] In the battery cooling unit, for example, when the coolant L flows into the battery cooling unit through the connecting pipe 3, Fig.11 When the upstream inlet and outlet forming part 1a of the upper heat exchange panel P is formed, the coolant L is split and a part of the coolant L is guided to the downstream inlet and outlet forming part 1b through the heat transfer part 2 of the upper heat exchange panel P, while the remaining coolant L flows into the upstream inlet and outlet forming part 1a of the lower heat exchange panel P through the connecting pipe 3, and is guided to the downstream inlet and outlet forming part 1b through the heat transfer part 2. Moreover, the coolant L guided to the downstream inlet and outlet forming part 1b of the upper heat exchange panel P is guided to the downstream inlet and outlet forming part 1b of the lower heat exchange panel P through the connecting pipe, etc., and after merging with the above-mentioned remaining coolant L after passing through the heat transfer part 2 of the lower heat exchange panel P, it flows out through the connecting pipe, etc. In this way, the coolant L circulating in the heat transfer part 2 of each heat exchange panel P exchanges heat with the battery B.

[0160] In the battery cooling unit of this use example, the case where two heat exchange panels P are used is described as an example, but it is of course possible to use three or more heat exchange panels P arranged in parallel in the same manner as described above.

[0161] In addition, in the above Fig.11 In the example of use, the case where the inlet and outlet forming portions 1a in adjacent heat exchange panels P are connected to each other using the connecting pipe 3 is described as an example, but adjacent heat exchange panels P can also be directly connected without using a connecting pipe or the like.

[0162] For example, Fig.12 As shown, as the heat exchange panel P, the inlet and outlet forming portion 1 (1a) is formed thick, and when the inlet and outlet forming portions 1 of adjacent heat exchange panels P are overlapped, a gap of a size capable of accommodating a heat exchange target member such as a battery B is formed between the heat transfer portions 2 of adjacent heat exchange panels P. Thus, the battery cooling unit can be manufactured by directly overlapping the inlet and outlet forming portions 1 of adjacent heat exchange panels P without using a connecting pipe or the like.

[0163] In this battery cooling unit, it is not necessary to use a connecting pipe, and accordingly, the number of components can be reduced, and the structure can be simplified and the assembly workability can be improved.

[0164] This application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2019-161264 filed on September 4, 2019, and the disclosure of which directly constitutes a part of this application.

[0165] The terms and expressions used herein are used for the purpose of explanation and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Any equivalents of the features shown and described herein are not to be excluded, and it should be recognized that various modifications are allowed within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0166] The present invention can be embodied in many different ways, but this disclosure should be viewed as providing embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to the preferred embodiments described and / or illustrated herein. Based on this understanding, many illustrated embodiments are described herein.

[0167] Several illustrated embodiments of the present invention are described herein, but the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, and also includes all embodiments having equivalent elements, corrections, deletions, combinations (for example, combinations of features across various embodiments), improvements and / or changes that can be recognized by the so-called skilled person based on this disclosure. The limitations of the claims should be interpreted broadly based on the terms used in the claims and should not be limited to the embodiments described in this specification or the implementation of this application, and such embodiments should be interpreted as non-exclusive.

[0168] Industrial Applicability

[0169] The heat exchanger of the present invention can be suitably used as a cooling device for cooling a heat generating body such as a battery device for driving a motor used in, for example, a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like.

[0170] Description of Reference Numerals

[0171] 1, 1a, 1b: Entrance and exit forming part

[0172] 10, 10a, 10b: Manifold components

[0173] 15: Entrance and Exit

[0174] 2: Heat transfer part

[0175] 20, 20a, 20b: Exchange flow path

[0176] 3: Connecting pipe

[0177] 4, 40, 5: Spacer components

[0178] 6: Cover sheet

[0179] 65: Pipe insertion hole

[0180] 7: Molded body

[0181] B: Battery (heat exchange target component)

[0182] L: Coolant (heat exchange medium)

[0183] P: Heat exchange panel (heat exchanger)

[0184] T1: Thickness of the inlet and outlet forming part (outer dimension)

[0185] T2: Heat transfer section thickness (outer dimensions)

[0186] T3: Flow path height

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a heat transfer portion, the heat transfer portion being configured as a heat exchange flow path through which a heat exchange medium flows in a hollow portion inside; and an inlet and outlet forming portion, the interior of the inlet and outlet forming portion being connected to the heat exchange flow path and the inlet and outlet forming portion being formed with an inlet and outlet for the heat exchange medium to flow in and out, the heat exchanger being configured to perform heat exchange between the heat exchange medium flowing in the heat exchange flow path and a heat exchange target member arranged on an outer surface of the heat transfer portion, characterized in that: One side of the thickness direction of the heat transfer portion and the inlet / outlet forming portion is the surface side, and the other side is the back side. The surface side and the back side of the heat transfer portion and the inlet / outlet forming portion are covered by a covering sheet. The covering sheet is a laminated material in which a resin covering layer is provided on at least one side of a heat transfer layer made of a metal foil. The outer surface of the heat transfer portion and the inlet / outlet forming portion is constituted by the covering sheet. The outer dimension thickness of the inlet and outlet forming portion is formed to be thicker than the outer dimension thickness of the heat transfer portion. The inlet / outlet forming portion is provided with a reinforcing member having a function as a spacer for maintaining a gap in the thickness direction of the cover sheet arranged corresponding thereto, and the reinforcing member is covered by the cover sheet. The outer dimension thickness of the heat transfer portion is set to be less than 5 mm.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that A partition member for maintaining the height of the heat exchange flow path is provided in the hollow portion of the heat transfer portion.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The heat exchange flow path extends from one end edge portion of the heat transfer portion to the other end edge portion, and a plurality of heat exchange flow paths are arranged in parallel. The inlet and outlet forming portion includes an upstream header member disposed along the upstream end portions of the plurality of heat exchange flow paths and a downstream header member disposed along the downstream end portions. The heat exchanger is configured such that the heat exchange medium flowing into the upstream header member through the inlet and outlet is divided and flows into each heat exchange flow path, and the heat exchange medium flowing out of each heat exchange flow path merges in the downstream header member and flows out from the downstream inlet and outlet.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The front side of the inlet / outlet forming portion is arranged to protrude toward the front side relative to the front side of the heat transfer portion, and the back side of the inlet / outlet forming portion is arranged to protrude toward the back side relative to the back side of the heat transfer portion.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A plurality of the inlet and outlet forming parts are provided, Each of the inlets and outlets of the plurality of inlet and outlet forming portions opens toward one side in the thickness direction.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The heat transfer parts are respectively arranged on both sides of the inlet and outlet forming portion.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The height of the heat exchange flow path is set to be 3 mm or less.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The spacing member and the reinforcing member are integrally formed.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cover sheet is arranged so as to cover the entire area of ​​the heat transfer portion.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cover sheet is arranged so as to cover the entire outer peripheral surface.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least a part of the cover sheet is formed of a molded product.

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