Heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger in which front and back surfaces of a heat exchange unit are recessed to be easily deformed, and an increase in flow path resistance of a heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange unit is suppressed by a recessed part.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger has a flat shape, and includes: a plurality of heat exchange units that has a flat shape, is disposed so as to sandwich a driving battery of a vehicle, and forms a flow path of a heat exchange fluid; and a connection part that supplies and discharges the heat exchange fluid to and from the flow path of the plurality of heat exchange units. The heat exchange unit includes a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member disposed such that plate surfaces thereof face each other across the flow path. A first groove part and a second groove part, which are recessed toward the flow path side, are provided at opposing positions of the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member, respectively, so that each center in width directions of the grooves do not overlap in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the plurality of heat exchange units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a heat exchanger is known that has a plurality of flat tubes that form a flow path through which a cooling fluid flows, and is configured to cool electronic components such as semiconductor modules that serve as heat generators by sandwiching the electronic components between the flat tubes.

[0003] In this heat exchanger, the flat tubes have constrictions on the front and back sides that face the flow path of the cooling medium. Therefore, when electronic components come into contact with the front or back sides of the flat tubes, the flat tubes deform at the constrictions, making it easier for them to come into contact with the electronic components, thereby improving the cooling effect of the electronic components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228877 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1, a pair of recesses is provided at opposing positions on the front and back surfaces of the flat tube, which is the heat exchange unit, to form a constriction, and the flow path area of the cooling fluid is suddenly reduced at the constriction.

[0006] When the flow area is suddenly reduced, the flow resistance increases, making it difficult for the cooling fluid to flow within the heat exchange unit in the heat exchanger, and this can lead to a decrease in the cooling effect. This problem can occur not only in heat exchangers for cooling objects, but also in heat exchangers for heating objects.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to prevent a decrease in heat exchange efficiency in a heat exchanger in which the front and back surfaces of the heat exchange unit are recessed to make it easier to deform, by preventing the recesses from increasing the flow resistance of the heat exchange fluid within the heat exchange unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A heat exchanger according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with a vehicle drive battery, and includes a plurality of heat exchange units and a connection portion. The heat exchange units are flat and arranged side by side so as to sandwich the drive battery, forming a flow path for a heat exchange fluid. The connection portion connects the plurality of heat exchange units and supplies and discharges the heat exchange fluid to and from the flow path.

[0009] The heat exchange unit includes a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member arranged so that their plate surfaces face each other across the flow path. The first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are provided at opposing positions where they face each other with first and second grooves recessed at least toward the flow path, respectively, so that the widthwise centers of the grooves do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the heat exchange units.

[0010] In the heat exchanger of the present disclosure, first and second grooves recessed toward the flow path are provided at opposing positions on the first and second plate-shaped members that make up the heat exchange unit, so that when the heat exchange unit is brought into contact with the driving battery, it deforms and is more likely to come into contact with the driving battery.

[0011] Furthermore, since the first groove portion and the second groove portion are positioned so that the widthwise centers of the grooves do not overlap, it is possible to prevent the flow path area within the heat exchange unit from being suddenly reduced due to the recesses of the two groove portions, compared to the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1.

[0012] Therefore, the heat exchanger of the present disclosure can ensure the contact area with the driving battery while suppressing an increase in flow path resistance within the heat exchange unit, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency with the driving battery and ultimately increasing the cooling or heating effect of the driving battery.

[0013] Here, the heat exchange unit may include a pair of plate-shaped members having the same shape but with the plate surfaces facing in opposite directions as the first and second plate-shaped members, which allows the heat exchange unit to be constructed using a single type of plate-shaped member, thereby reducing the material costs and manufacturing costs of the heat exchange unit.

[0014] Alternatively, multiple driving batteries that are the subject of heat exchange may be arranged side by side at predetermined intervals along the flow path of the heat exchange unit, in which case the first and second grooves of the heat exchange unit may be provided at positions corresponding to the gaps between adjacent driving batteries.

[0015] In this way, even if the contact surface of the heat exchange unit between adjacent driving batteries shifts due to misalignment of the driving battery installation position, the first and second grooves can absorb this misalignment, allowing the heat exchange unit to contact each driving battery. This makes it possible for the heat exchange unit to efficiently cool or heat multiple driving batteries. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating the overall configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the heat exchanger according to the embodiment is constrained together with the driving battery. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 2 taken along line AA. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of the restraining member shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the heat exchange unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a groove portion in an area C indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a constriction in a flat tube described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a groove portion in a heat exchange unit according to a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a groove portion in a heat exchange unit according to a second modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a groove portion in a heat exchange unit according to a third modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a groove portion in a heat exchange unit according to a fourth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment] [composition] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 2 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle to exchange heat with a plurality of driving batteries 4 that supply power to the motor and other devices that serve as the vehicle's power source, and is equipped with a plurality of heat exchange units 10.

[0018] The multiple driving batteries 4 are rechargeable secondary batteries connected in series or in parallel to one another, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction along the surface that contacts the heat exchange unit 10, and in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0019] In contrast, the heat exchange unit 10 has a length corresponding to the overall length of the multiple driving batteries 4 arranged in the X-axis direction, and is positioned between and outside the multiple driving batteries 4 arranged in the Y-axis direction so as to be in contact with each driving battery 4.

[0020] For this reason, the contact surface of the heat exchange unit 10 with the driving battery 4 has a width in the Z-axis direction, which is orthogonal to the X-axis and Y-axis, that is approximately the same as the width of the driving battery 4 in the Z-axis direction, and is an elongated shape that is long in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the thickness of the heat exchange unit 10 in the Y-axis direction is shorter than the width in the Z-axis direction, and corresponds to the spacing of the driving batteries 4 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the heat exchange unit 10 has a flat shape.

[0021] As described above, the multiple heat exchange units 10 that make up the heat exchanger 2 are arranged between and on the outside of the multiple driving batteries 4 arranged in the Y-axis direction, thereby forming a stack with the driving batteries 4. Then, as shown in Figure 2, this stack is restrained by restraining members 40 for each battery pack 8 made up of driving batteries 4 arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0022] The restraining member 40 applies a pressing force in the stacking direction to each battery pack 8 to hold the driving batteries 4 between the heat exchange units 10, and is equipped with a pair of end plates 42, 44 and four restraining bands 46 that connect the end plates 42, 44.

[0023] The pair of end plates 42, 44 are arranged on the outside of the heat exchange units 10 located at both ends of the battery pack 8 in the stacking direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction). Each end plate 42, 44 is a plate-shaped member with a plate surface approximately the same size as the opposing surface of the driving battery 4 that is arranged opposite it across the heat exchange unit 10, and is made of metal plate whose plate surface will not deform when restrained. The end plates 42, 44 may also be made of synthetic resin.

[0024] The restraint bands 46 are provided at two locations in the X-axis direction of the battery pack 8, with a predetermined gap between them. As shown in Fig. 3, the restraint bands 46 are arranged on both sides of the heat exchange unit 10 in the short-side direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction). Therefore, the restraint bands 46 are arranged at four locations around the battery pack 8.

[0025] The restraint band 46 has an elongated shape that is long in the stacking direction of the battery pack 8, and both ends are bent toward the end plates 42, 44. The bent portions 46A, 46B are fixed to the outer surfaces of the end plates 42, 44 on the side opposite the battery pack 8.

[0026] As a result, the battery pack 8 is sandwiched between the end plates 42, 44 on both sides in the stacking direction, and a predetermined pressing force is applied to the heat exchange unit 10 that constitutes the battery pack 8, making surface contact with the driving battery 4 and enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0027] It should be noted that the restraint member 40 does not necessarily have to be configured as described above. For example, a rod of a predetermined length may be provided between the end plates 42 and 44, and the rod may be fixed to the end plates 42, 44 with bolts or the like.

[0028] 4, the restraint member 40 may be configured by arranging a pair of elastic members 48A, 48B, instead of the end plates 42, 44, on the outside of the heat exchange units 10 at both ends in the stacking direction of the battery pack 8. The elastic members 48A, 48B may be configured from an elastic material such as rubber, or may be configured from a spring such as a leaf spring or a coil spring.

[0029] In this case, when a plurality of battery packs 8, each having a common heat exchange unit 10 stacked thereon, are housed in a battery pack case 49, the restraining member 40 can apply a restraining load to each battery pack 8 by housing the battery packs 8 in the case 49 while compressing the elastic members 48A, 48B. Note that the same effect can be obtained simply by arranging the elastic member on the outside of the heat exchange unit 10 at one end of the battery packs 8 in the stacking direction.

[0030] Next, the heat exchange unit 10 comprises a first plate-shaped member 12 and a second plate-shaped member 14 arranged with their plate surfaces facing each other, as shown in Figure 5. The first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 are composed of plate-shaped members of the same shape, with their inner surfaces 18 recessed so that their outer surfaces 16 in contact with the driving battery 4 bulge outward.

[0031] The heat exchange unit 10 is constructed as a hollow member having a flow path 20 (see Figure 6) for the heat exchange fluid F inside, by placing the inner surfaces 18 of the plate-shaped members of the same shape opposite each other and joining their peripheries.

[0032] 6, reference numeral 21 denotes a peripheral joint between the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14. The first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 constituting the heat exchange unit 10 are formed by press-forming metal plates such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel.

[0033] Next, both ends of the plurality of heat exchange units 10 in the longitudinal direction are connected to each other by a pair of connecting parts 30. The pair of connecting parts 30 are made of tubular members made of metal or synthetic resin.

[0034] Of the pair of connecting parts 30, one connecting part 30 is used to supply the heat exchange fluid F from one end side of the flow path 20 of each heat exchange unit 10. The other connecting part 30 is used to discharge the heat exchange fluid F from the other end side of the heat exchange unit 10. Therefore, the heat exchange fluid F flows in the same direction within the flow paths 20 of the multiple heat exchange units 10, and this flow promotes heat exchange with the driving battery 4.

[0035] The heat exchange fluid F is a substance that cools or heats the driving battery 4 so that the temperature of the driving battery 4 falls within a predetermined temperature range, and is composed of a liquid or gas. Therefore, by flowing a liquid or gas that serves as a refrigerant through the flow path 20 of the heat exchange unit 10 via the pair of connectors 30, the heat exchanger 2 can function as a cooler. Furthermore, by flowing a liquid or gas that serves as a heating agent through the flow path 20 of the heat exchange unit 10 via the pair of connectors 30, the heat exchanger 2 can function as a heater.

[0036] Next, the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 constituting the heat exchange unit 10 are provided with a first groove portion 22 and a second groove portion 24, respectively, recessed toward the flow path 20 at positions corresponding to the gaps 6 between adjacent driving batteries 4 in the X-axis direction.

[0037] 6, the first groove portions 22 and the second groove portions 24 are provided in the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 so that the widthwise centers 22A, 24A of the grooves do not overlap in the X-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the Y-axis, which is the arrangement direction of the heat exchange units 10. In other words, if the width of the first groove portions 22 and the second groove portions 24 is one period, the first groove portions 22 and the second groove portions 24 are arranged at positions that are shifted in phase by half the period.

[0038] [effect] As described above, in the heat exchanger 2 of this embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 that sandwich the flow path 20 in the heat exchange unit 10 are respectively provided with a first groove portion 22 and a second groove portion 24 that are recessed toward the flow path 20 side.

[0039] For this reason, when a pressing force is applied to each battery pack 8 arranged in the X-axis direction via the restraining member 40, the heat exchange unit 10 is more likely to deform at the first groove 22 and the second groove 24. This allows the heat exchange unit 10 to be firmly abutted against the driving battery 4.

[0040] In other words, when the heat exchange unit 10 is brought into contact with multiple driving batteries 4, even if there is a misalignment such as a step on the contact surface of each driving battery 4, the heat exchange unit 10 can be brought into firm contact with each driving battery 4, allowing efficient heat exchange with each driving battery 4.

[0041] In the heat exchange unit 10, the flow path area, which is the cross-sectional area of the flow path 20, is narrowest in the region from the widthwise center 22A of the first groove portion 22 to the widthwise center 24A of the second groove portion 24, but can be made wider than that described in Patent Document 1. In addition, the flow path area in that region can be made constant.

[0042] 7, the flat tube 50 described in Patent Document 1 has a constriction 56 formed by recessing opposing surfaces 52, 54 across the flow path 60 from the outside into the flow path 60 at the same position 50A, so that the flow path area is rapidly reduced at the constricted portion. When the flow path area is reduced, flow path resistance increases, and in some cases, vortices are formed in the heat exchange fluid F downstream of the constriction 56, making it difficult for the heat exchange fluid F to flow inside the flat tube 50 and reducing the heat exchange efficiency.

[0043] In contrast, according to the heat exchange unit 10 of this embodiment, the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24 are arranged at positions offset from each other in the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid F, thereby increasing the flow path area and suppressing changes in the flow path area.

[0044] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the flow path resistance generated in the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24 is reduced, allowing the heat exchange fluid F to flow smoothly as shown in FIG. 6, and enabling efficient heat exchange with the driving battery 4.

[0045] [Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0046] [First Modification] In the above embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 constituting the heat exchange unit 10 are provided with one each of a first groove portion 22 and a second groove portion 24 recessed toward the flow path 20 at positions corresponding to the gaps 6 between adjacent driving batteries 4 in the X-axis direction.

[0047] 8, in the heat exchange unit 10, the first grooves 22 and the second grooves 24 may be arranged two by two, alternately, at positions corresponding to the gaps 6 between adjacent driving batteries 4 along the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid F. Also, there may be three or more first grooves 22 and two or more second grooves 24.

[0048] In this way, the multiple first grooves 22 and second grooves 24 make it easier for the heat exchange unit 10 to deform, allowing the heat exchange unit 10 to abut against the driving battery 4 more reliably and exchange heat with the driving battery 4. In this case as well, it is advisable to position the first grooves 22 and second grooves 24 so that their widthwise centers 22A, 24A do not overlap.

[0049] [Second Modification] In the above embodiment and first variant example, the cross-sectional shapes of the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24 provided in the heat exchange unit 10 are symmetrical in shape, gradually approaching the plate surfaces of the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 from the widthwise centers 22A, 24A of the grooves.

[0050] However, in the heat exchange unit 10, the cross-sectional shapes of the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24 may be streamlined so that the deepest portions of the grooves are located upstream of the widthwise centers 22A, 24A of the grooves in the flow path 20, as shown in Fig. 9. In this way, the flow path resistance generated when the heat exchange fluid F flows through the flow path 20 can be further reduced.

[0051] [Third Modification] In the above embodiment and the first and second variants, the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24 in the heat exchange unit 10 are described as being provided by recessing the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 toward the flow path 20.

[0052] 10, third grooves 23 and fourth grooves 25 may be provided on the downstream side of the flow path 20 of the first grooves 22 and the downstream side of the flow path 20 of the second grooves 24, by recessing the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 outward in the opposite direction to the flow path 20. In other words, the cross-sectional shapes of the grooves 22-23 and 24-25 provided in the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14, respectively, may be sinusoidal as shown in FIG.

[0053] In this way, the flow path 20 between grooves 22-23 and 24-25 changes sinusoidally from the upstream side to the downstream side, but the flow path area does not change, so the flow path resistance is reduced and heat exchange with the driving battery 4 can be carried out more efficiently.

[0054] [Fourth Modification] In the above embodiment and the first to third modified examples, the cross-sectional shapes of the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24 are line-symmetric curved shapes or streamlined shapes that gradually approach the plate surfaces of the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 from the widthwise centers 22A, 24A of the grooves.

[0055] 11, the cross-sectional shape of the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24 may be rectangular. In this case, the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24 should be provided in the plate-like members 12, 14 so as not to overlap in the X-axis direction in which the heat exchange fluid F flows. In this way, the flow path area is simultaneously reduced by the first groove portion 22 and the second groove portion 24, which can prevent large flow path resistance from occurring.

[0056] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 constituting the heat exchange unit 10 are described as being made of metal plates such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel, but they may also be made, for example, by injection molding synthetic resin.

[0057] Furthermore, it has been described that the multiple heat exchange units 10 are connected at both longitudinal ends by a common connection part 30, and that within the flow path 60 of each heat exchange unit 10, the heat exchange fluid F flows in the same direction from one connection part 30 to the other connection part 30.

[0058] However, the multiple heat exchange units 10 may be configured, for example, such that both longitudinal ends of the multiple heat exchange units 10 are alternately connected at the connection portions 30, so that the heat exchange fluid F flows in opposite directions within the flow paths 60 of adjacent heat exchange units 10.

[0059] Furthermore, multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Furthermore, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0060] In addition to the heat exchanger described above, the present disclosure can be realized in various forms, such as a system including the heat exchanger as a component. [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] A heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a vehicle drive battery, a plurality of flat heat exchange units arranged to sandwich the driving battery and forming a flow path for a heat exchange fluid; a connection portion that connects the plurality of heat exchange units and supplies and discharges a heat exchange fluid to and from the flow path; Equipped with the heat exchange unit includes a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member arranged such that their plate surfaces face each other across the flow path, A heat exchanger in which a first groove portion and a second groove portion recessed at least toward the flow path side are provided at opposing positions on the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member so that the widthwise centers of the grooves do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the multiple heat exchange units.

[0061] [Item 2] 2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange unit comprises a pair of plate-shaped members as the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member, the plate-shaped members having the same shape but with the orientation of the plate surfaces reversed.

[0062] [Item 3] a plurality of the driving batteries are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals along the flow path of the heat exchange unit, Item 3. The heat exchanger according to item 1 or 2, wherein the first groove and the second groove of the heat exchange unit are provided at positions corresponding to gaps between adjacent driving batteries. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 2...heat exchanger, 4...driving battery, 10...heat exchange unit, 12, 14...plate-shaped members, 20...flow path, 22...first groove portion, 24...second groove portion, 30...connection portion.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a vehicle drive battery, a plurality of flat heat exchange units arranged to sandwich the driving battery and forming a flow path for a heat exchange fluid; a connection portion that connects the plurality of heat exchange units and supplies and discharges a heat exchange fluid to and from the flow path; Equipped with the heat exchange unit includes a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member arranged such that plate surfaces thereof face each other across the flow path, A heat exchanger in which a first groove portion and a second groove portion recessed at least toward the flow path side are provided at opposing positions on the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member so that the widthwise centers of the grooves do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the multiple heat exchange units.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange unit comprises a pair of plate-shaped members, each of which has the same shape but has the plate surface oriented in an inverted direction, as the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member.

3. a plurality of the driving batteries are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals along the flow path of the heat exchange unit, 3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second groove of the heat exchange unit are provided at positions corresponding to gaps between adjacent driving batteries.

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