Heating device and electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing short-circuiting between a terminal at a high potential side and a terminal at a low potential side while cancelling a magnetic field which is generated by a current.SOLUTION: A heating device 2 heats a heated fluid using a heater 10 which generates heat by causing a current to flow. The heater may also include a first end 31 connected to a terminal at a high potential side, a second end 32 connected to a terminal at a low potential side, and an extension extending from the first end to the second end. The first end and the second end may also be disposed at positions separated from each other. The extension may also include an inversion 35 where an extension direction is inverted between the first end and the second end, a first extension 331 closer to the first end than the inversion, and a second extension 332 closer to the second end than the inversion. The first extension and the second extension may also be disposed adjacently to each other in such a manner that a direction of a current flowing in the first extension and a direction of a current flowing in the second extension become reverse directions.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 heating device. The heating device of Patent document 1 has a heating conductor layer formed on a substrate. The heating conductor layer includes a heating conductor track extending on the substrate. The heating conductor track is configured such that a number of track portions are formed which extend adjacent to one another. Inversions are also provided at the points where the heating conductor track is redirected. A number of connections for connecting the heating conductor track to a power supply are arranged adjacent to one another in an edge region of the heating device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6451870 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the heating device of Patent Document 1, multiple connection parts for connecting the heating conductor track to the power supply are adjacent to each other, so there is a risk of a short circuit between the connection part connected to the high potential side of the power supply and the connection part connected to the low potential side of the power supply.

[0005] The present specification provides a technique capable of suppressing a short circuit between a terminal on a high potential side and a terminal on a low potential side while canceling out a magnetic field generated by a current. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect of the present technology, a heating device heats a fluid to be heated by a heater that generates heat when a current flows through it. The heater may include a first end connected to a terminal on a high potential side, a second end connected to a terminal on a low potential side, and an extension portion extending from the first end to the second end. The first end and the second end may be disposed at positions spaced apart from each other. The extension portion may include an inversion portion whose extension direction is inverted between the first end and the second end, a first extension portion closer to the first end than the inversion portion, and a second extension portion closer to the second end than the inversion portion. The first extension portion and the second extension portion may be disposed adjacent to each other such that a direction of a current flowing through the first extension portion and a direction of a current flowing through the second extension portion are opposite to each other.

[0007] According to this configuration, a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the first extension portion and a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the second extension portion can cancel each other out. Also, since the high potential side terminal to which the first end is connected and the low potential side terminal to which the second end is connected are separated from each other, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the high potential side terminal and the low potential side terminal.

[0008] In a second aspect, in the first aspect described above, the first end and the second end may be positioned at positions spaced apart by 90° or more in the circumferential direction of the heater, centered on the inverted portion.

[0009] According to this configuration, the high potential side terminal and the low potential side terminal can be separated by a large distance, making it possible to prevent a short circuit between them.

[0010] In a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the first end and the second end may be arranged at positions facing each other in a radial direction of the heater with the inverted portion interposed therebetween.

[0011] According to this configuration, the length of the first extension part on the first end side of the inversion part and the length of the second extension part on the second end side of the inversion part can be made equal, so that the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the first extension part and the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the second extension part can be made equal. This allows the magnetic fields to be cancelled out in a well-balanced manner. In addition, the high-potential side terminal and the low-potential side terminal can be largely separated from each other, preventing the two from being short-circuited.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the heating device may further include an outlet portion that outlets the heated fluid heated by the heater. The first end and the second end may be disposed at positions opposite to the outlet portion.

[0013] The heater tends to be hotter near the first and second ends than in other parts. Meanwhile, near the outlet part, the heated fluid flows so as to gather toward the outlet part. With the above configuration, the heated fluid can be heated by the parts near the first and second ends of the heater in the parts where the heated fluid gathers, so that the heated fluid can be heated efficiently.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first extension portion and the second extension portion may each be configured in a spiral shape. The heating device may further include a flow path that flows a heated fluid in a radial direction of the spiral first extension portion and the spiral second extension portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, the fluid to be heated can be caused to flow in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction (swirl direction) of the first extending portion and the second extending portion, so that the fluid to be heated can be heated efficiently.

[0016] In a sixth aspect, an electric vehicle may include the heating device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of temperature management of the heated fluid used in the electric vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heating device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] An enlarged view of part III of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] (Example) A heating device 2 of the 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 to be heated into the housing 4, and an outlet pipe 7 for discharging the fluid to be heated to the outside of the housing 4. The fluid to be heated introduced into the housing 4 is, for example, water or a coolant liquid. The fluid to be heated introduced into the housing 4 functions as a heat medium for the heating device 2. The heating device 2 is a device that heats the fluid to be heated by the heater 10.

[0019] (Configuration of heater 10) The heater 10 is an electric heater that generates heat when a current flows through it. The heater 10 is configured by winding a tubular member into a spiral shape. 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 (see FIG. 3). The heating element 90 is, for example, configured by a spiral nichrome wire. The heater 10 generates heat when a current flows through the heating element 90.

[0020] 2, the heater 10 includes a first end 31, a second end 32, and an extension 33 between the first end 31 and the second end 32. The first end 31 of the heater 10 is located at one end in the longitudinal direction of the heater 10. The first end 31 is electrically connected to a first terminal 102 on the high potential side. The first terminal 102 is electrically connected to the high potential side of a power source (not shown).

[0021] The second end 32 of the heater 10 is located at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the heater 10. The second end 32 is electrically connected to a second terminal 104 on the low potential side. The second terminal 104 is electrically connected to the low potential side of a power source (not shown).

[0022] The first end 31 and the second end 32 are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other. For example, the first end 31 and the second end 32 are disposed at positions spaced apart by 90° or more in the circumferential direction of the heater 10 with the inverted portion 35 described later as the center. For example, the first end 31 and the second end 32 are disposed at positions facing each other in the radial direction of the heater 10 with the inverted portion 35 interposed therebetween.

[0023] In the heating device 2, power is supplied to the heater 10 from a power source (not shown) via a first terminal 102 and a second terminal 104. The heater 10 generates heat by the power supplied from the power source. The heating device 2 heats the fluid to be heated by the heat generated by the heater 10.

[0024] The extension portion 33 of the heater 10 extends from the first end portion 31 to the second end portion 32. The extension portion 33 has an inverted portion 35 where the extending direction is inverted between the first end portion 31 and the second end portion 32. The extension portion 33 also has a first extension portion 331 on the first end portion 31 side of the inverted portion 35, and a second extension portion 332 on the second end portion 32 side of the inverted portion 35.

[0025] The first extension portion 331 extends from the first end portion 31 to the inverted portion 35. The first extension portion 331 is configured, for example, in a spiral shape that spirals clockwise from the first end portion 31 to the inverted portion 35 when viewed from above. The first extension portion 331 extends in the spiral direction.

[0026] The second extension portion 332 extends from the second end portion 32 to the inverted portion 35. The second extension portion 332 is configured, for example, in a spiral shape that spirals clockwise from the second end portion 32 to the inverted portion 35 when viewed from above. The second extension portion 332 extends in the spiral direction.

[0027] The first extension portion 331 and the second extension portion 332 are arranged adjacent to each other such that the direction of current flowing through the first extension portion 331 is opposite to the direction of current flowing through the second extension portion 332. The first extension portion 331 and the second extension portion 332 are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween. The first extension portion 331 and the second extension portion 332 are arranged alternately along the radial direction of the heater 10.

[0028] The inverted portion 35 between the first extending portion 331 and the second extending portion 332 is a portion that inverts the extending direction of the extending portion 33. The inverted portion 35 is located at the center of the spiral extending portion 33 in the radial direction. The inverted portion 35 includes a first inverted portion 351 and a second inverted portion 352. At the first inverted portion 351, the extending direction of the extending portion 33 is inverted, for example, clockwise, from the first extending portion 331 to the second inverted portion 352. At the second inverted portion 352, the extending direction of the extending portion 33 is inverted, for example, clockwise, from the second extending portion 332 to the first inverted portion 351.

[0029] (Configuration of the pressing member 80) As shown in FIG. 1, 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. The pressing member 80 extends in the radial direction of the heater 10 (the left-right direction in FIG. 1). The pressing member 80 is disposed between the heater 10 and the housing 4 so as to be able to move 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.

[0030] 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 heater 10. The upper surface side flow path 22 is a flow path that flows the heated fluid laterally along the upper surface 10a of the heater 10. The upper surface side flow path 22 is a flow path that flows the heated fluid in the radial direction of the heater 10 (i.e., the radial direction of the spiral extension portion 33 (first extension portion 331 and second extension portion 332) of the heater 10).

[0031] 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 heater 10. The plurality of first spacers 50 are arranged side by side at intervals along the circumferential direction of the 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.

[0032] (Configuration of Chassis 4) The housing 4 includes a first housing portion 40 that houses the heater 10, the pressing member 80, the elastic member 100, etc. The housing 4 also includes a second housing portion 41 that houses the wiring board 140.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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 heater 10. The outer flow passage 26 is a flow passage that causes the heated fluid to flow laterally along the pressing member 80. The outer flow passage 26 is a flow passage that causes the heated fluid to flow in the radial direction of the heater 10.

[0035] An elastic member 100 is disposed in the outer flow passage 26 between the upper member 42 and the pressing member 80. The elastic member 100 functions as a 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 towards the heater 10 due to the reaction force of the upper member 42 of the housing 4. As a result, the pressing member 80 presses the heater 10 downward.

[0036] The lower member 44 of the housing 4 includes a lower surface member 48 that faces the lower surface 10b of the heater 10. The lower surface member 48 is disposed so as to cover the lower surface 10b of the heater 10. The lower surface member 48 is configured in a substantially disk shape. The lower surface member 48 extends in the radial direction of the heater 10. The lower surface member 48 extends in the horizontal direction along the lower surface 10b of the heater 10.

[0037] 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 radially of the heater 10. The bottom-side flow path 24 is a flow path that flows the heated fluid laterally along the bottom surface 10b of the heater 10. The bottom-side flow path 24 is a flow path that flows the heated fluid in the radial direction of the heater 10 (i.e., the radial direction of the spiral extension portion 33 (first extension portion 331 and second extension portion 332) of the heater 10).

[0038] 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 heater 10. The plurality of second spacers 52 are disposed in a line at intervals along the circumferential direction of the 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.

[0039] 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 (see FIG. 3). The connection flow path 28 is provided around the outermost periphery of the heater 10 and surrounds the outermost periphery of the heater 10. The connection flow path 28 extends in the circumferential direction of the heater 10 along the outermost periphery of the heater 10. The connection flow path 28 is provided at a position facing the first end 31 and the second end 32 of the heater 10. The connection flow path 28 also 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 guides the heated 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.

[0040] (Configuration of the inlet pipe 6 (first inlet pipe 6a and second inlet pipe 6b) and the outlet pipe 7) 1, the first introduction pipe 6a of the heating device 2 is connected to the upper member 42 of the housing 4. A 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 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 has an introduction flow path 60 for introducing the heated fluid into the housing 4.

[0041] 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 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 passage 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.

[0042] The second introduction pipe 6b has an introduction port 62 for introducing the heated 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 inverted portion 35 of the heater 10. The introduction port 62 opens toward the inverted portion 35 of the heater 10. The introduction port 62 introduces the heated fluid toward the inverted portion 35 of the heater 10.

[0043] The exhaust pipe 7 is connected to the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The upstream end of the exhaust pipe 7 is fixed to the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The exhaust pipe 7 extends upward from the upper member 42 of the housing 4. The exhaust pipe 7 may be manufactured integrally with the housing 4. The exhaust pipe 7 has an exhaust flow path 70 that exhausts the heated fluid to the outside of the housing 4. The exhaust flow path 70 communicates with the outer flow path 26 inside the housing 4. The exhaust flow path 70 exhausts the heated fluid from the outer flow path 26 to the outside of the housing 4.

[0044] (Operation of heating device 2) In the heating device 2 described above, the fluid to be heated is introduced into the housing 4 through an introduction pipe 6 connected to the housing 4. The fluid to be heated is introduced toward the inverted portion 35 of the heater 10. The fluid to be heated introduced into the housing 4 flows into the upper surface side flow passage 22 and the lower surface side flow passage 24. This heated fluid flows radially outward in the radial direction of the heater 10 along the upper surface 10a and lower surface 10b of the heater 10. The heated 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.

[0045] The heated fluid heated by the heater 10 is discharged to the outer flow path 26 through the connecting flow path 28. The heated fluid discharged to the outer flow path 26 is discharged to the outside of the housing 4 through the discharge pipe 7 connected to the housing 4.

[0046] (effect) The heating device 2 of the embodiment has been described above. As described above, the heating device 2 includes the heater 10 that generates heat by the flow of current to heat the heated fluid. The heater 10 includes a first end 31 connected to a first terminal 102 on the high potential side, a second end 32 connected to a second terminal 104 on the low potential side, and an extension portion 33 extending from the first end 31 to the second end 32. The first end 31 and the second end 32 are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other. The extension portion 33 includes an inverted portion 35 whose extension direction is inverted between the first end 31 and the second end 32, a first extension portion 331 on the first end 31 side relative to the inverted portion 35, and a second extension portion 332 on the second end 32 side relative to the inverted portion 35. The first extension portion 331 and the second extension portion 332 are disposed adjacent to each other such that the direction of the current flowing through the first extension portion 331 and the direction of the current flowing through the second extension portion 332 are opposite to each other.

[0047] According to this configuration, a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the first extension portion 331 and a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the second extension portion 332 can cancel each other out. In addition, the first terminal 102 on the high potential side to which the first end portion 31 is connected and the second terminal 104 on the low potential side to which the second end portion 32 is connected are spaced apart from each other, so that a short circuit between the first terminal 102 on the high potential side and the second terminal 104 on the low potential side can be suppressed.

[0048] The first end 31 and the second end 32 of the heater 10 are disposed, for example, at positions spaced apart by 90° or more in the circumferential direction of the heater 10 around the inverted portion 35. With this configuration, the first terminal 102 on the high potential side and the second terminal 104 on the low potential side can be largely separated from each other, making it possible to prevent a short circuit between them.

[0049] The first end 31 and the second end 32 of the heater 10 are disposed at positions facing each other in the radial direction of the heater 10 via the inverted portion 35, for example. With this configuration, the length of the first extension portion 331 on the first end 31 side of the inverted portion 35 can be made equal to the length of the second extension portion 332 on the second end 32 side of the inverted portion 35, so that the magnetic field due to the first extension portion 331 and the magnetic field due to the second extension portion 332 can be made equal. This allows the magnetic fields to be cancelled out in a well-balanced manner. In addition, the first terminal 102 on the high potential side and the second terminal 104 on the low potential side can be largely separated from each other, so that short-circuiting between them can be suppressed.

[0050] The heating device 2 also includes a connection flow path 28 (an example of an outlet portion) that outlets the heated fluid heated by the heater 10 to the outer flow path 26. A first end 31 and a second end 32 of the heater 10 are disposed at positions facing the connection flow path 28.

[0051] In the heater 10, which generates heat when a current flows through it, the vicinity of the first end 31 connected to the first terminal 102 and the vicinity of the second end 32 connected to the second terminal 104 tend to be hotter than other portions. Meanwhile, in the vicinity of the connecting flow path 28, the heated fluid flows so as to gather toward the connecting flow path 28. According to the above configuration, in the portion where the heated fluid gathers, the heated fluid can be heated by the portions of the heater 10 near the first end 31 and the second end 32, so that the heated fluid can be heated efficiently.

[0052] Moreover, the first extension portion 331 and the second extension portion 332 of the heater 10 are each configured in a spiral shape. The heating device 2 has flow paths (upper surface side flow path 22 and lower surface side flow path 24) that flow the heated fluid in the radial direction of the spiral first extension portion 331 and second extension portion 332. With this configuration, the heated fluid can be flowed in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction (spiral direction) of the first extension portion 331 and the second extension portion 332, so that the heated fluid can be efficiently heated.

[0053] 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 heated fluid (heat medium) used in the automobile.

[0054] 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]

[0055] 2: heating device, 4: housing, 6: inlet pipe, 7: outlet pipe, 10: heater, 22: upper surface side flow path, 24: lower surface side flow path, 26: outer flow path, 28: connection flow path, 31: first end, 32: second end, 33: extension portion, 35: inverted portion, 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, 102: first terminal, 104: second terminal, 331: first extension portion, 332: second extension portion, 351: first inverted portion, 352: second inverted portion

Claims

1. A heating device that heats a fluid to be heated by a heater that generates heat when an electric current flows therethrough, The heater is A first end connected to a high potential terminal; A second end connected to a terminal on a low potential side; an extension portion extending from the first end to the second end, The first end and the second end are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other, The extension portion includes an inverted portion whose extension direction is inverted between the first end and the second end, a first extension portion closer to the first end than the inverted portion, and a second extension portion closer to the second end than the inverted portion, A heating device, wherein the first extension portion and the second extension portion are arranged adjacent to each other such that a direction of current flowing through the first extension portion and a direction of current flowing through the second extension portion are opposite to each other.

2. The heating device according to claim 1 , The heating device, wherein the first end and the second end are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other by 90° or more in a circumferential direction of the heater about the inverted portion.

3. The heating device according to claim 1 or 2, The first end and the second end are disposed at positions facing each other in a radial direction of the heater with the inverted portion interposed therebetween.

4. The heating device according to claim 1 , The heating device further includes an outlet portion for outletting the heated fluid heated by the heater, The heating device, wherein the first end and the second end are disposed at positions opposite to the outlet portion.

5. The heating device according to claim 1 , The first extension portion and the second extension portion are each configured in a spiral shape, The heating device further includes a flow path through which a fluid to be heated flows in a radial direction of the first and second spiral extension portions.

6. An electric vehicle comprising the heating device according to claim 1.

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