Heating device and electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a technique that can restrain variation of the width of a heat medium flow path.SOLUTION: A heating device may include a heater, an upper surface side member facing an upper surface of the heater, a lower surface side member facing a lower surface of the heater, an upper surface side flow path provided between the upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member, a lower surface side flow path provided between the lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member, a first spacer disposed between the upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member to ensure a gap between the upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member, a second spacer disposed between the lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member to ensure a gap between the lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member, and an elastic member for pressing the upper surface side member or the lower surface side member to the heater side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a heating device and an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a ceramic heater unit comprising a plate-shaped ceramic heater, two metal members that tightly sandwich the ceramic heater on both sides, and a waterproof sealing means that ensures that the liquid to be heated comes into contact only with the two metal members and does not come into contact with the ceramic heater. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-189228 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the ceramic heater unit of Patent Document 1, for example, when the ceramic heater generates heat, the ceramic heater may warp or expand. If the ceramic heater warps or expands, this may affect the width of the flow path of the heated liquid (heat medium).

[0005] The present specification provides a technique capable of suppressing the variation in width of a flow path of a heat medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect of the present technology, a heating device may include a heater, an upper surface side member facing an upper surface of the heater, a lower surface side member facing a lower surface of the heater, an upper surface side flow path provided between the upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member, a lower surface side flow path provided between the lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member, a first spacer arranged between the upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member to ensure a gap between the upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member, a second spacer arranged between the lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member to ensure a gap between the lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member, and an elastic member that presses the upper surface side member or the lower surface side member toward the heater.

[0007] According to this configuration, by pressing the upper or lower member toward the heater with the elastic member, even if the heater warps or expands when it generates heat, it is possible to correct the warping or expansion, thereby making it possible to suppress fluctuations in the width of the flow path of the heat medium due to the influence of the warping or expansion of the heater.

[0008] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the heater may be configured in a spiral shape. The first spacer may extend in a radial direction of the spiral heater between an upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member. The second spacer may extend in a radial direction of the spiral heater between a lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member.

[0009] According to this configuration, the heat medium can be made to flow smoothly in the radial direction of the spiral heater, and fluctuations in the flow rate of the heat medium can be suppressed.

[0010] In a third aspect, in the first aspect, the heater may be configured in a linear shape. The first spacer may extend linearly in the short side direction of the heater between an upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member. The second spacer may extend linearly in the short side direction of the heater between a lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member.

[0011] According to this configuration, the heat medium can be made to flow smoothly in the short direction of the linear heater, and fluctuations in the flow rate of the heat medium can be suppressed.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, the present invention may be an electric vehicle including the heating device according to any one of the first to third aspects. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of temperature management of the heat medium used in the electric vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heating device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heating device according to the embodiment (cross-sectional view taken along II-II in FIG. 1 ). [Diagram 3] An enlarged view of part III of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a heating device according to a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a heating device according to another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] (Example) A heating device 2 of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the heating device 2 includes a heater 10, a pressing member 80, an elastic member 100, and a housing 4. The heater 10, the pressing member 80, and the elastic member 100 are housed inside the housing 4. The heating device 2 also includes an inlet pipe 6 (a first inlet pipe 6a and a second inlet pipe 6b) for introducing a fluid into the housing 4, and an outlet pipe 7 for discharging the fluid to the outside of the housing 4. The fluid introduced into the housing 4 is, for example, water or a coolant liquid. The fluid introduced into the housing 4 functions as a heat medium for the heating device 2.

[0015] (Configuration of heater 10) The heater 10 is an electric heater that generates heat when electricity is applied. The heater 10 is, for example, a sheath heater or a ceramic heater. The heater 10 includes, for example, a heating element 90, a tubular housing 94 that houses the heating element 90, and a powdered insulating material 96 that fills the gap between the heating element 90 and the housing 94. The heating element 90 is, for example, formed of a spiral nichrome wire.

[0016] The heater 10 is configured in a spiral shape when viewed from above. The spiral heater 10 has an inner end 12 and an outer end 13 in the spiral direction. The inner end 12 and the outer end 13 are connected to electric terminals 122, 132 (see FIG. 2) for supplying power, respectively. Electric power is supplied to the heater 10 through the electric terminals 122, 132. Each of the multiple turns of the spiral heater 10 makes one revolution in the spiral direction of the heater 10. For example, the innermost circumferential portion 14 and the outermost circumferential portion 15 of the heater 10 each make one revolution in the spiral direction of the heater 10.

[0017] (Configuration of the pressing member 80) The pressing member 80 is disposed inside the housing 4 so as to cover the upper surface 10a of the heater 10. The pressing member 80 is configured in a substantially disk shape so as to cover the upper surface 10a of the spiral heater 10. The pressing member 80 extends in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10. The pressing member 80 is disposed between the heater 10 and the housing 4 so as to be movable up and down. The pressing member 80 faces the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and extends laterally along the upper surface 10a of the heater 10.

[0018] An upper surface side flow path 22 is provided between the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and the lower surface 80b of the pressing member 80. The upper surface side flow path 22 extends laterally along the upper surface 10a of the heater 10. The upper surface side flow path 22 extends in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10. The upper surface side flow path 22 is a flow path that causes a fluid to flow laterally along the upper surface 10a of the heater 10. The upper surface side flow path 22 is a flow path that causes a fluid to flow in the radial direction of the heater 10.

[0019] The vertical width W22 of the top surface side flow path 22 is, for example, narrower than three times (=3×W10) the vertical width W10 of the heater 10. The vertical width W22 of the top surface side flow path 22 may be, for example, narrower than twice (=2×W10) the vertical width W10 of the heater 10. The vertical width W22 of the top surface side flow path 22 may be, for example, narrower than the vertical width W10 of the heater 10.

[0020] A plurality of first spacers 50 are provided on the lower surface 80b (surface on the heater 10 side) of the pressing member 80. The plurality of first spacers 50 are arranged between the lower surface 80b of the pressing member 80 and the upper surface 10a of the heater 10. The plurality of first spacers 50 are fixed to the lower surface 80b of the pressing member 80. The plurality of first spacers 50 extend radially in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10. The plurality of first spacers 50 are arranged side by side at intervals in the circumferential direction of the spiral heater 10. Each of the first spacers 50 ensures a gap between the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and the lower surface 80b of the pressing member 80. As a result, each of the first spacers 50 ensures the width of the upper surface side flow path 22 in the vertical direction. The pressing member 80 presses the heater 10 downward via the plurality of first spacers 50.

[0021] (Configuration of Chassis 4) The housing 4 includes a first housing section 40 that houses the heater 10, the pressing member 80, the elastic member 100, etc. The housing 4 also includes a second housing section 41 that houses the wiring board 140, the electrical terminals 122, 132, etc.

[0022] The housing 4 includes an upper member 42 facing the pressing member 80, a lower member 44 facing the heater 10, and a cover member 46 facing the lower member 44. A first housing section 40 is formed in a portion surrounded by the upper member 42 and the lower member 44. A second housing section 41 is formed in a portion surrounded by the lower surface member 48 and the cover member 46.

[0023] An outer flow passage 26 is provided between the upper member 42 of the housing 4 and the pressing member 80. The outer flow passage 26 extends laterally along the pressing member 80. The outer flow passage 26 extends in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10. The outer flow passage 26 is a flow passage that causes the fluid to flow laterally along the pressing member 80. The outer flow passage 26 is a flow passage that causes the fluid to flow in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10.

[0024] An elastic member 100 is disposed in the outer flow passage 26 between the upper member 42 and the pressing member 80. As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 100 is configured of an annular corrugated plate-like member. The elastic member 100 is configured of, for example, metal. The elastic member 100 is disposed so as to surround the introduction pipe 6. The elastic member 100 extends in the circumferential direction of the heater 10. The elastic member 100 functions as a leaf spring that presses the pressing member 80. An upper end of the elastic member 100 contacts the upper member 42 of the housing 4, and a lower end of the elastic member 100 contacts the pressing member 80. The elastic member 100 presses the pressing member 80 toward the heater 10 by the reaction force of the upper member 42 of the housing 4. As a result, the pressing member 80 presses the heater 10 downward.

[0025] The configuration of the elastic member 100 is not particularly limited. For example, the elastic member 100 may be made of a coil spring. Also, the elastic member 100 may be made of rubber. Also, the number of elastic members 100 is not particularly limited. A plurality of elastic members 100 (for example, coil springs) may be arranged side by side at intervals in the circumferential direction of the heater 10.

[0026] The lower member 44 of the housing 4 includes a lower member 48 that faces the lower surface 10b of the heater 10. The lower member 48 is disposed so as to cover the lower surface 10b of the heater 10. The lower member 48 is configured in a substantially disk shape so as to cover the lower surface 10b of the spiral heater 10. The lower member 48 extends in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10. The lower member 48 extends in the horizontal direction along the lower surface 10b of the heater 10.

[0027] A bottom side flow path 24 is provided between the bottom surface 10b of the heater 10 and the top surface 48a of the bottom side member 48. The bottom side flow path 24 extends laterally along the bottom surface 10b of the heater 10. The bottom side flow path 24 extends in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10. The bottom side flow path 24 is a flow path that causes a fluid to flow laterally along the bottom surface 10b of the heater 10. The bottom side flow path 24 is a flow path that causes a fluid to flow in the radial direction of the heater 10.

[0028] The vertical width W24 of the lower side flow path 24 is, for example, narrower than three times (=3×W10) the vertical width W10 of the heater 10. The vertical width W24 of the lower side flow path 24 may be, for example, narrower than twice (=2×W10) the vertical width W10 of the heater 10. The vertical width W24 of the lower side flow path 24 may be, for example, narrower than the vertical width W10 of the heater 10.

[0029] A plurality of second spacers 52 are provided on the upper surface 48a (surface on the heater 10 side) of the lower surface side member 48. The plurality of second spacers 52 are disposed between the upper surface 48a of the lower surface side member 48 and the lower surface 10b of the heater 10. The plurality of second spacers 52 are fixed to the upper surface 48a of the lower surface side member 48. The plurality of second spacers 52 extend radially in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10. The plurality of second spacers 52 are disposed side by side at intervals in the circumferential direction of the spiral heater 10. Each second spacer 52 ensures a gap between the lower surface 10b of the heater 10 and the upper surface 48a of the lower surface side member 48. As a result, each second spacer 52 ensures the width of the lower surface side flow path 24 in the vertical direction.

[0030] A connection flow path 28 is provided between the outer end of the lower surface side member 48 and the outer end of the pressing member 80. The connection flow path 28 is provided around the outermost peripheral portion 15 of the heater 10 and surrounds the outermost peripheral portion 15 of the heater 10. The connection flow path 28 is provided outside the outermost peripheral portion 15 of the heater 10 in the radial direction of the heater 10. The connection flow path 28 is provided between the outermost peripheral portion 15 of the heater 10 and the outer flow path 26. The connection flow path 28 extends in the circumferential direction of the outermost peripheral portion 15 along the outermost peripheral portion 15 of the heater 10. The connection flow path 28 communicates with the upper surface side flow path 22 and the lower surface side flow path 24. The connection flow path 28 is a flow path that flows the fluid after flowing through the upper surface side flow path 22 and the lower surface side flow path 24 to the outer flow path 26.

[0031] The vertical width W28 of the connection flow path 28 is, for example, narrower than the vertical width W10 of the heater 10 and narrower than the vertical width W50 of the outer flow path 26. In addition, the vertical width W28 of the connection flow path 28 may be narrower than the vertical width W22 of the top surface side flow path 22 and narrower than the vertical width W24 of the bottom surface side flow path 24.

[0032] (Configuration of the inlet pipe 6 (first inlet pipe 6a and second inlet pipe 6b) and the outlet pipe 7) As shown in Fig. 1, the first introduction pipe 6a of the heating device 2 is connected to the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The downstream end of the first introduction pipe 6a is fixed to the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The first introduction pipe 6a extends vertically upward from the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The first introduction pipe 6a may be manufactured integrally with the housing 4. The first introduction pipe 6a includes an introduction flow path 60 for introducing a fluid into the housing 4.

[0033] The second introduction pipe 6b is connected to the pressing member 80. The downstream end of the second introduction pipe 6b is fixed to the pressing member 80. The second introduction pipe 6b extends vertically upward from the pressing member 80. The second introduction pipe 6b may be manufactured integrally with the pressing member 80. The upstream end of the second introduction pipe 6b is inserted into the introduction flow path 60 of the first introduction pipe 6a. A seal member 68 (e.g., an O-ring) is disposed between the second introduction pipe 6b and the first introduction pipe 6a. The second introduction pipe 6b is movable up and down along the first introduction pipe 6a. The second introduction pipe 6b moves up and down as the pressing member 80 moves up and down.

[0034] The second introduction pipe 6b has an introduction port 62 for introducing a fluid into the housing 4. The introduction port 62 is provided at a position above the upper surface 10a of the heater 10. The introduction port 62 opens above the upper surface 10a of the heater 10. The introduction port 62 is provided at a position facing the center 16 of the heater 10. The center 16 of the heater 10 is a part inside the innermost periphery 14 of the spiral heater 10. The introduction port 62 opens toward the center 16 of the heater 10. The introduction port 62 expands in diameter toward the center 16 of the heater 10. The diameter of the introduction port 62 expands toward the lower side. The inner peripheral surface of the introduction port 62 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the introduction flow path 60. In a modified example, the introduction port 62 does not need to be expanded in diameter.

[0035] The discharge pipe 7 is connected to the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The upstream end of the discharge pipe 7 is fixed to the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The discharge pipe 7 extends vertically upward from the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The discharge pipe 7 may be made integral with the housing 4. The discharge pipe 7 has a discharge flow path 70 that discharges the fluid to the outside of the housing 4. The discharge flow path 70 communicates with the outer flow path 26 inside the housing 4. The discharge flow path 70 discharges the fluid from the outer flow path 26 to the outside of the housing 4.

[0036] (Operation of heating device 2) In the heating device 2, a fluid is introduced into the housing 4 through an introduction pipe 6 connected to the housing 4. The fluid is introduced toward a center 16 of the heater 10. The fluid introduced into the center 16 of the heater 10 flows from the center 16 of the heater 10 into an upper surface side flow passage 22 and a lower surface side flow passage 24. This fluid flows radially outward in the radial direction of the heater 10 along the upper surface 10a and the lower surface 10b of the heater 10. The fluid flowing through the upper surface side flow passage 22 and the lower surface side flow passage 24 is heated by the heater 10 as it flows in the radial direction of the heater 10.

[0037] The fluid heated by the heater 10 is discharged to the outer flow passage 26 through the connecting flow passage 28. The fluid discharged to the outer flow passage 26 is discharged to the outside of the housing 4 through the discharge pipe 7 connected to the housing 4.

[0038] (effect) The heating device 2 of the embodiment has been described above. As described above, the heating device 2 includes the pressing member 80 (one example of the upper surface side member) facing the upper surface 10a of the heater 10, the lower surface side member 48 facing the lower surface 10b of the heater 10, the upper surface side flow path 22 provided between the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and the pressing member 80, and the lower surface side flow path 24 provided between the lower surface 10b of the heater 10 and the lower surface side member 48. The heating device 2 also includes a first spacer 50 disposed between the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and the pressing member 80 to ensure a gap between the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and the pressing member 80, a second spacer 52 disposed between the lower surface 10b of the heater 10 and the lower surface side member 48 to ensure a gap between the lower surface 10b of the heater 10 and the lower surface side member 48, and an elastic member 100 that presses the pressing member 80 toward the heater 10.

[0039] According to this configuration, by pressing the pressing member 80 toward the heater 10 with the elastic member 100, even if the heater 10 warps or expands when the heater 10 generates heat, it is possible to correct the warping or expansion. This makes it possible to suppress fluctuations in the widths of the upper surface side flow paths 22 and the lower surface side flow paths 24 caused by the warping or expansion of the heater 10.

[0040] In the heating device 2, the heater 10 is configured in a spiral shape. The first spacer 50 extends in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10 between the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and the pressing member 80. The second spacer 52 extends in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10 between the lower surface 10b of the heater 10 and the lower surface side member 48. With this configuration, the fluid can be smoothly caused to flow in the radial direction of the spiral heater 10, and fluctuations in the flow rate of the fluid can be suppressed. In addition, the heat of the heater 10 can be efficiently transferred to the fluid, and the heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

[0041] Although the embodiment has been described above, the aspect of the heating device 2 is not limited to the above embodiment. In the following description, detailed description of the same configuration as in the above description may be omitted.

[0042] (Modification) (1) In the above embodiment, the heater 10 is configured in a spiral shape, but is not limited to this configuration. In a modified example, the heater 10 may be configured in a serpentine shape when viewed from above, as shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the pressing member 80 that presses the heater 10 may be configured in, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above (not shown).

[0043] The first spacers 50 may extend in parallel in the front-rear direction of the serpentine heater 10. The first spacers 50 may be arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction (width direction) of the serpentine heater 10.

[0044] The heating device 2 may further include a plurality of introduction pipes 6. In this configuration, the fluid introduced into the housing 4 through the plurality of introduction pipes 6 flows in the front-to-rear direction of the serpentine heater 10.

[0045] (2) In another modification, as shown in Fig. 6, the heater 10 may be configured to be linear when viewed from above. The heating device 2 may include a plurality of linear heaters 10. The plurality of linear heaters 10 may be arranged side by side with intervals therebetween and extend in parallel. In this case, the pressing member 80 may be configured to be, for example, substantially rectangular when viewed from above (not shown).

[0046] The first spacers 50 may be arranged side by side at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the linear heater 10. The first spacers 50 may extend in parallel in the lateral direction of the linear heater 10.

[0047] The heating device 2 may also include a plurality of introduction pipes 6. In this configuration, the fluid introduced into the housing 4 through the plurality of introduction pipes 6 flows in the short side direction of the linear heater 10. With this configuration, the fluid can be made to flow smoothly in the short side direction of the linear heater 10, and fluctuations in the flow rate of the fluid can be suppressed.

[0048] (3) In the above embodiment, the pressing member 80 is disposed between the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and the upper member 42 of the housing 4, and the pressing member 80 faces the upper surface 10a of the heater 10, but this configuration is not limited to this. In a modified example, the pressing member 80 may be disposed between the lower surface 10b of the heater 10 and the lower member 44 of the housing 4, and the pressing member 80 faces the lower surface 10b of the heater 10. In this configuration, the pressing member 80 is an example of the "lower surface side member." Also, the upper member 42 is an example of the "upper surface side member."

[0049] In this case, an elastic member 100 may be disposed between the pressing member 80 and the lower member 44 of the housing 4. The elastic member 100 may press the pressing member 80 toward the heater 10 by a reaction force of the lower member 44 of the housing 4. As a result, the pressing member 80 presses the lower surface 10b of the heater 10 upward.

[0050] In addition, in this configuration, a plurality of first spacers 50 are arranged between the upper surface 10a of the heater 10 and the upper member 42 of the housing 4, and a plurality of second spacers 52 may be arranged between the lower surface 10b of the heater 10 and the pressing member 80.

[0051] (4) The heating device 2 may be mounted on an automobile (for example, an electric automobile, a hybrid automobile, a gasoline automobile, etc.). For example, the heating device 2 may be used to heat a heat medium of a heating device of the automobile. This configuration can improve the accuracy of temperature management of the fluid (heat medium) used in the automobile.

[0052] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 2: heating device, 4: housing, 6: inlet pipe, 7: outlet pipe, 10: heater, 10a: upper surface, 10b: lower surface, 22: upper surface side flow path, 24: lower surface side flow path, 26: outer flow path, 28: connection flow path, 42: upper side member, 44: lower side member, 46: cover member, 48: lower surface side member, 50: first spacer, 52: second spacer, 80: pressing member, 100: elastic member

Claims

1. A heater and an upper surface side member facing an upper surface of the heater; a lower surface side member facing a lower surface of the heater; an upper surface side flow path provided between an upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member; a lower surface side flow path provided between a lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member; a first spacer disposed between the upper surface of the heater and the upper surface member to ensure a gap between the upper surface of the heater and the upper surface member; a second spacer disposed between the lower surface of the heater and the lower surface member to ensure a gap between the lower surface of the heater and the lower surface member; an elastic member that presses the upper surface side member or the lower surface side member toward the heater.

2. The heating device according to claim 1 , The heater is configured in a spiral shape, the first spacer extends in a radial direction of the spiral heater between an upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member, A heating device, wherein the second spacer extends in a radial direction of the spiral heater between a lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member.

3. The heating device according to claim 1 , The heater is configured linearly, the first spacer extends linearly in a short-side direction of the heater between an upper surface of the heater and the upper surface side member, A heating device, wherein the second spacer extends linearly in a short direction of the heater between a lower surface of the heater and the lower surface side member.

4. An electric vehicle comprising the heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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