Heating chamber assembly, flow heater, thermal management system and electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a heating cavity assembly, a fluid heater, a heat management system and an electric vehicle, the heating cavity assembly comprises a cavity body, a heating plate, a water inlet pipe, a water outlet pipe and a heating element, the cavity body, the heating plate, the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe are fixedly connected in a sealed mode to form a closed fluid space with a water inlet and a water outlet; the heating element is arranged on the side, away from the fluid space, of the heating plate. The water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe are located on the two sides of the cavity, the water inlet pipe extends to the fluid space through the water inlet, the water outlet pipe extends to the fluid space through the water outlet, and flow distribution of medium fluid is conducted through the flow guide cavity and the expansion cavity. By means of the structure, the technical problems that an existing electric heater is not compact enough in structure, and flow distribution of an internal flow channel is uneven are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electric heaters, and more specifically, to a heating chamber assembly, a flow heater, a thermal management system and an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] As a key component in thermal management systems, electric heaters are widely used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems and other fields.

[0003] In order to improve the heat exchange efficiency and power density per unit area of ​​the heater, a brazed fin heater is proposed in the prior art, such as Chinese patent applications CN118408286A and CN116487767A. Since this structure uses a stamped sheet as the heater shell, it is impossible to form a complex multi-cavity structure, so the inlet and outlet pipes can only be arranged vertically (upward or downward), such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. This structure makes the electric heater structure not compact enough, limiting its application in complex installation environments. In addition, since the structure uses staggered fins, its internal flow channels are not completely isolated, so good flow guidance and uniform distribution of the medium fluid in each flow channel are required to avoid dry burning caused by low local flow. Traditional flow guidance and flow distribution structures (such as inlet / outlet main channels) are usually located on both sides of the heat exchange component. The heat exchange capacity of this flow channel is limited, and the heating element cannot be arranged at a relative position on the other side of the heating plate, which actually reduces the effective utilization rate of the heating plate area.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve the problem that the electric heater has an incompact structure and an uneven flow distribution in the internal flow channel has become a technical problem that needs to be solved in the art. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a heating chamber assembly, a flow heater, a thermal management system and an electric vehicle to solve the technical problems of the existing electric heater having an insufficiently compact structure and uneven flow distribution in the internal flow channel.

[0006] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a heating chamber assembly is provided, which includes: a cavity, a heating plate, a water inlet pipe, a water outlet pipe, and a heating element, wherein the cavity, the heating plate, the water inlet pipe, and the water outlet pipe are sealed and fixed to form a closed fluid space with a water inlet and a water outlet; the heating element is arranged on a side of the heating plate away from the fluid space; the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe are located on both sides of the cavity, the water inlet pipe extends to the fluid space through the water inlet, and the water outlet pipe extends to the fluid space through the water outlet.

[0007] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a flow heater is provided, comprising the heating chamber assembly as described above.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a thermal management system is provided, comprising the flow heater as described above.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, an electric vehicle is provided, comprising the thermal management system as described above.

[0010] The above structure solves the technical problems of the existing electric heater having an incompact structure and uneven flow distribution in the internal flow channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings constituting part of the present application are used to provide a further understanding of the present application. The exemplary embodiments and descriptions of the present application are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0012] Figure 1 is a stereogram of a brazed fin heater according to the prior art;

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of another brazed fin heater according to the prior art;

[0014] Figure 3 is a structural diagram of a heating chamber assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the structure near the water inlet pipe of the heating chamber assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a structure near a second temperature sensor seat according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the flow direction of the fluid medium in the heating chamber assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 7 is a vector diagram of fluid flow velocity in a confined space in a heating chamber assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 8 It is a stereoscopic diagram of another heating chamber assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0021] 11. Cavity; 12. Heating plate; 13. Water inlet pipe; 14. Water outlet pipe; 16. Heating element; 111. Expansion chamber; 112. Guide chamber; 113. Water inlet; 114. Water outlet; 116. Flow channel chamber; 132. Semi-open incision; 115. First temperature sensor seat; 117. Second temperature sensor seat; 15. Heat exchange component; 112A. Inner wall of expansion chamber; 131. Positioning ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0023] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0024] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​of the parts and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application. At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship. The technology, method and equipment known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant field may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, the technology, method and equipment should be considered as a part of the authorization specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be interpreted as being merely exemplary, rather than as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, so that once a certain item is defined in an accompanying drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0025] The present application embodiment provides a heating chamber assembly, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, it includes a cavity 11, a heating plate 12, a water inlet pipe 13, a water outlet pipe 14 and a heating element 16. Among them, the cavity 11, the heating plate 12, the water inlet pipe 13, and the water outlet pipe 14 are sealed and fixed to form a closed fluid space with a water inlet 113 and a water outlet 114. The heating element 16 is arranged on the side of the heating plate 12 away from the fluid space. The shape of the water inlet 113 and the water outlet 114 is a waist-shaped hole, and it matches the shape of the end of the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14. This structure can not only provide support for the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14, but also has the function of preventing them from rotating during the welding process.

[0026] The cavity 11 has a symmetrical structure, and the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14 are arranged approximately horizontally and are respectively located on opposite sides of the cavity 11. The arrangement positions of the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14 can be symmetrically arranged along any symmetry axis of the cavity 11. In some embodiments, the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14 can have the same size and shape and have interchangeability.

[0027] An expansion chamber 111 and a guide chamber 112 located on both sides of the expansion chamber 111 are provided on both sides of the chamber 11 corresponding to the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14. The expansion chamber 111 and the guide chamber 112 are formed by an integral stretching molding process and together constitute a T-shaped joint structure. The T-shaped joint structure is symmetrically arranged relative to the axis of the chamber 11 perpendicular to the horizontal projection of the water inlet and outlet pipes. This symmetrical arrangement makes the two opposite sides of the chamber 11 present a mirror symmetrical relationship. An inlet 113 is provided on the expansion chamber 111 corresponding to the water inlet pipe 13 to accommodate the water inlet pipe 13; an outlet 114 is provided on the expansion chamber 111 corresponding to the water outlet pipe 14 to accommodate the water outlet pipe 14. A flow channel chamber 116 is formed between the two guide chambers 112. In the embodiment of the present application, due to the provision of the expansion chamber, the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14 can be arranged horizontally.

[0028] Each flow guide cavity 112 includes a parallel section and a contraction section. The parallel section of the flow guide cavity 112 extends from the expansion cavity 111 to both sides of the cavity in a direction perpendicular to the water inlet and outlet, and has a constant cross-sectional area. The parallel section and contraction section on the side of the water inlet pipe 13 help to evenly guide the fluid medium to the inner area of ​​the flow channel cavity 116, especially the area away from the axis of the water inlet pipe 13, to ensure uniform flow distribution. Similarly, the parallel section and contraction section on the side of the water outlet pipe 14 help to guide the fluid medium to the water outlet pipe 14.

[0029] At the end of the parallel section is a contraction section, the cross section of which gradually decreases along the flow direction of the fluid medium. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow-guiding cavity 112 gradually decreases as the distance away from the central axis of the water inlet 113 or the water outlet 114 increases, and its inclined top wall guides the fluid to flow further to both sides, and partially compensates for the length difference between the distal flow channel and the middle flow channel, thereby achieving uniform distribution of the flow.

[0030] A positioning ring 131 is provided on the water inlet pipe 13, and the water inlet pipe 13 is welded and fixed to the water inlet 113 of the expansion chamber 111 of the cavity 11 through the positioning ring 131. Since the inner wall of the water inlet 113 has a certain draft angle, an angle of 2-5° is formed between the axis of the water inlet pipe 13 and the horizontal plane. In order to achieve the horizontal setting of the water inlet pipe 13, more solder can be added to the upper part of the positioning ring 131 to adjust the installation angle of the water inlet pipe 13 to achieve the horizontal setting of the water inlet pipe 13. The size and shape of the water outlet pipe 14 are exactly the same as those of the water inlet pipe 13, and it is symmetrically arranged at the water outlet 114. Its structure and connection method are the same as those of the water inlet pipe 13, which will not be repeated here.

[0031] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the water inlet pipe 13 is provided with a semi-open cutout 132 for adjusting the distribution of the fluid flow. Since the lower wall of the water inlet pipe 13 is longer than the upper wall, the fluid is forced to flow toward the inner wall 112A of the expansion chamber and to be diverted to both sides through its blocking effect, while reducing the flow of the fluid directly entering the flow channel chamber 116. The cutout trajectory of the semi-open cutout 132 can be any trajectory between a straight cutout and a right-angle cutout to achieve the best fluid guiding effect. For example, Figure 4 The blue track shown in the figure is a suitable cutout shape, which can accurately control the distribution and flow path of the fluid without causing excessive flow resistance. In addition, the structure of the semi-open cutout 132 also has a certain degree of adjustability, and the shape and size of the cutout can be adjusted according to actual needs to meet the fluid flow requirements in different working environments, thereby further optimizing the performance of the heating chamber assembly.

[0032] The heating chamber assembly also includes a heat exchange component 15, which is disposed in a closed space formed by the cavity 11 and the heating plate 12, and is fixedly connected to the heating plate 12 at least by brazing, so as to ensure that the heat generated by the heating element 16 can be efficiently transferred to the medium fluid flowing through the closed space via the heating plate 12 and the heat exchange component 15. The heat exchange component 15 is preferably a staggered fin structure, and its opening direction is arranged toward the water inlet 113 and the water outlet 114. Through the above arrangement, compared with the arrangement in which the opening direction of the heat exchange component 15 is perpendicular to the water inlet 113 and the water outlet 114, the arrangement form of the present application makes the flow resistance of the heater smaller.

[0033] A first temperature sensor seat 115 is provided on the upper part of each expansion cavity 111, which is used to monitor the temperature of the corresponding water inlet 113 or water outlet 114. The first temperature sensor seat can be set as a pit sunken into the expansion cavity, and the pit can be filled with a heat-conducting material such as thermal grease and thermally connected to the temperature sensor. A second temperature sensor seat 117 is provided on the flow channel cavity 116, which is used to indirectly collect the temperature information of the heating element 16 and feed it back to the control system of the heater to achieve precise control. Figure 5 As shown, a heat transfer path is formed from the heating element 16, the heating plate 12, the heat exchange component 15 to the second temperature sensor seat 117, through which the temperature sensor disposed in the second temperature sensor seat 117 can monitor the temperature change of the heating element 16 in real time. In order to accurately detect the temperature of the heating element 16, the heat exchange component 15 and the cavity 11 can also be fixedly connected at the second sensor seat 117.

[0034] In summary, in the embodiment of the present application, the water inlet pipe 13, the water outlet pipe 14, and the guide cavity 112 are flow regulating parts. The incision starting point, incision ending point, and incision trajectory of the semi-open incision 132 of the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14, the length of the parallel section and the contraction section of the guide cavity 112, and the height of the guide cavity and the height of the end of the contraction section of the guide cavity are flow regulating parameters.

[0035] In the embodiment of the present application, the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14 are arranged on the middle symmetric plane of the cavity 11. In the case of this structure, the flow rate can be adjusted by changing the above adjustment parameters. In other embodiments, when the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14 are arranged in a state deviated from the symmetric plane, the uniform distribution of the flow rate in the flow channel cavity can also be achieved by adjusting the above flow adjustment parameters.

[0036] The flow direction of the fluid medium in the heating chamber assembly will be described below.

[0037] After the fluid medium enters the expansion chamber 111 on the water inlet side from the water inlet pipe 13 through the water inlet 113, part of the fluid medium will be subjected to the following Figure 4 The fluid medium is guided by the inner wall 112A of the expansion chamber as shown, flows into the parallel sections of the guide chamber 112 on both sides of the expansion chamber 111, and then enters the flow channel chamber 116. At the same time, another part of the fluid medium directly enters the flow channel chamber 116.

[0038] When the fluid medium enters the flow guiding cavity 112 and flows in the parallel section, part of the fluid medium enters the flow channel cavity 116, and the rest continues to flow along the parallel section toward the contraction section of the flow guiding cavity 112. As the fluid medium flows toward the contraction section, the cross section of the flow guiding cavity gradually decreases, thereby further guiding the fluid medium to be evenly distributed in the flow channel cavity 116 inside the cavity.

[0039] Thus, the interior of the heating chamber assembly is as follows Figure 6 As shown, three groups of flow channels are formed: the first flow channel 61 shown, the second flow channel 62 shown, and the third flow channel 63 shown. Figure 6 It can be clearly seen that the lengths of the first flow channel 61 and the third flow channel 63 are significantly greater than the second flow channel 62. To compensate for this difference, this embodiment provides a certain compensation by setting the flow guide cavity as a parallel section and a contraction section. However, this compensation effect may be insufficient. Therefore, this embodiment provides the following Figure 4 The inner wall 112A of the expansion chamber and the lower wall of the inlet / outlet pipe are used as barrier walls to further adjust the distribution of the fluid medium. It should be understood that Figure 6 The flow direction identifiers of the first flow channel 61, the second flow channel 62 and the third flow channel 63 schematically indicated by arrows only represent the flow direction characteristics of the medium in the corresponding flow channel, and are not used to represent the spatial position relationship or specific geometric structure of the flow channel. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that the illustrated area where each flow direction identifier is located should be understood as the corresponding flow channel.

[0040] In the flow channel cavity 116, the heat generated by the heating element 16 is conducted to the fin structure of the heat exchange component 15 through the heating plate 12, and heat exchange is achieved with the medium fluid. The flow channel cavity 116 is the main flow area of ​​the fluid medium. Through the above-mentioned flow guide structure of the flow guide cavity 112, the fluid medium can be evenly distributed in the flow channel cavity 116, avoiding dry burning caused by low local flow.

[0041] The fluid medium after heat exchange finally flows to the guide cavity on the water outlet 114 side, and under the guidance of the guide cavity on the water outlet 114 side, flows into the expansion cavity on the water outlet 114 side, and finally flows out of the cavity 11 through the water outlet 114 through the water outlet pipe 14.

[0042] Through the coordinated action of the water inlet pipe 13, the expansion chamber 111, the flow guide chamber 112, the flow channel chamber 116, the water outlet pipe 14, and the heat exchange component 15, the fluid medium is evenly distributed in the entire heating chamber assembly and efficient heat exchange is achieved. The semi-open cutouts 132 of the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14, as well as the parallel section and contraction section structure of the flow guide chamber 112, can accurately control the flow path of the fluid medium, thereby optimizing the temperature uniformity of the heating element and improving the reliability and durability of the heater.

[0043] According to CFD simulation calculations in this embodiment, the flow rate in the flow channel of the heat exchange component is relatively uniform. Figure 7 Taking 7 points evenly spaced on the velocity vector diagram shown, it can be seen that the velocity error range of each point is within ±3%. The specific data is shown in Table 1 below:

[0044]

[0045] Table 1

[0046] The heating chamber assembly provided by the present application realizes uniform distribution of the fluid medium in the flow channel chamber, based on the premise that the water inlet and outlet are arranged on both sides of the chamber, without providing a separate flow guide, so that the heat generated by the heating element can be evenly carried away by the fluid medium, so that the temperature field of the heating element is more balanced, and the thermal stress generated by the temperature difference is smaller, thereby extending the life of the heating element.

[0047] Figure 8 It is a stereoscopic diagram of another heating chamber assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. The main difference from the above heating chamber assembly is the position of the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14 and the shape of the guide chamber 112. In the embodiment of the present application, the water inlet pipe 13 and the water outlet pipe 14 are not arranged at the position of the central axis of the cavity, but are located at a position deviated from the central axis of the cavity, but are still arranged horizontally and symmetrically on both sides of the cavity. In addition, the guide chamber 111 only includes one parallel section and one contraction section. The rest is similar to the heating chamber assembly of the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0048] The present application also provides a flow heater, including the above-mentioned heating chamber assembly, wherein the chamber is a metal plate stamping structure, and the water inlet and outlet are arranged approximately horizontally and located on both sides of the chamber. The uniform flow of the heat medium fluid in the flow channel chamber is achieved through the combined action of the water inlet / outlet pipe and the expansion chamber and the guide chamber arranged on the chamber.

[0049] The present application also provides a thermal management system, which includes the above-mentioned flow heater.

[0050] The present application also provides an electric vehicle, which includes the above-mentioned thermal management system, wherein the electric vehicle is a hybrid vehicle or a pure electric vehicle.

[0051] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0052] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0053] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A heating chamber assembly, comprising: The cavity (11), the heating plate (12), the water inlet pipe (13), the water outlet pipe (14), and the heating element (16) are characterized in that: The cavity (11), the heating plate (12), the water inlet pipe (13) and the water outlet pipe (14) are sealed and fixedly connected to form a closed fluid space having a water inlet (113) and a water outlet (114); The heating element (16) is arranged on a side of the heating plate (12) facing away from the fluid space; The water inlet pipe (13) and the water outlet pipe (14) are located on both sides of the cavity (11); the water inlet pipe (13) extends to the fluid space through the water inlet (113); and the water outlet pipe (14) extends to the fluid space through the water outlet (114).

2. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water inlet pipe (13) and the water outlet pipe (14) are respectively fixed to the cavity (11) by welding via positioning rings (131), and form a preset angle with the inner wall of the cavity (11) to adapt to the draft angle inside the cavity (11).

3. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cavity (11) comprises: two opposite expansion cavities (111), two opposite guide cavities (112), and a flow channel cavity (116) located between the two guide cavities (112), wherein each expansion cavity of the two expansion cavities (111) and the corresponding guide cavity (112) are integrally stretched and formed to form a T-shaped joint structure.

4. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water inlet pipe (13) and / or the water outlet pipe (14) are provided with a semi-open cutout (132), and the trajectory of the semi-open cutout (132) is an arbitrary trajectory between the straight cutout (A) and the right-angle cutout (B), and is used to adjust the ratio of the fluid flow rate of the upper part of the expansion chamber (111) near the water inlet pipe (13) and / or the water outlet pipe (14) and the flow channel chamber (116).

5. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: A first temperature sensor seat (115) is respectively provided on the upper part of the two expansion chambers (111) for accommodating a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the fluid medium at the water inlet (113) and the water outlet (114); and a second temperature sensor seat (117) is provided on the flow channel chamber (116) for accommodating a temperature sensor to indirectly detect the temperature of the heating element (16).

6. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The flow guiding cavity (112) comprises a parallel section and a contraction section, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the parallel section along the flow direction of the fluid medium is substantially the same, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the contraction section along the flow direction of the fluid medium is gradually reduced, so as to further guide and distribute the fluid flow.

7. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The heating chamber assembly further comprises a heat exchange component (15), wherein the heat exchange component (15) is arranged in the fluid space formed by the chamber (11) and the heating plate (12), and is at least brazed to the heating plate (12).

8. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The heating element (16), the heating plate (12), the heat exchange component (15) to the second temperature sensor seat (117) form a heat transfer path.

9. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The heat exchange component (15) is a staggered fin structure, and the directions of its through openings are respectively parallel to the horizontal projections of the central axes of the water inlet (113) and the water outlet (114).

10. The heating chamber assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The distribution of the fluid medium in the flow channel cavity (116) is achieved by adjusting at least one of the following: the shape of the semi-open cutout (132) of the water inlet pipe (13) and / or the water outlet pipe (14), the length of the parallel section of the flow guide cavity (112), the length of the contraction section, and the height of the flow guide cavity.

11. A flow heater, characterized in that A heating chamber assembly comprising any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A thermal management system, characterized in that: The thermal management system comprises the flow heater of claim 11 .

13. An electric vehicle, characterized in that: The electric vehicle comprises the thermal management system according to claim 12, wherein the electric vehicle is a hybrid vehicle or a pure electric vehicle.

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