Heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a technology that improves the flexibility of heat exchanger placement.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger includes an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a plurality of heat exchange elements. The inlet pipe includes a flow path through which a heat exchange medium flows. The plurality of heat exchange elements is configured to be able to exchange heat with a plurality of objects and has a heat exchange flow path through which the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe flows. The outlet pipe has a flow path through which the heat exchange medium flowing out of the plurality of heat exchange elements joins and flows. Each of the plurality of objects is arranged so as to be sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange elements of the plurality of heat exchange elements. In a plan view, the inlet pipe is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the plurality of heat exchange elements, and / or the outlet pipe is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the plurality of heat exchange elements.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes a cooler including a plurality of cooling pipes having flow paths for circulating a refrigerant, a refrigerant inlet pipe for introducing the refrigerant into the plurality of cooling pipes, and a refrigerant outlet pipe for discharging the refrigerant from the plurality of cooling pipes. The plurality of cooling pipes are arranged in parallel, and both ends of the plurality of cooling pipes are connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe and the refrigerant outlet pipe, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-50211 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When placing a cooler, the installation space must be secured taking into consideration the size of the cooler and safety in the event of deformation due to the application of external force to the cooler. Therefore, a cooler with a higher degree of freedom in placement is preferable because it has fewer installation space restrictions. This applies not only to coolers but also to heat exchangers that exchange heat with an object.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a technique for improving the degree of freedom in arranging a heat exchanger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a plurality of heat exchange elements. The inlet pipe has a flow path through which a heat exchange medium flows. The plurality of heat exchange elements are configured to be able to exchange heat with a plurality of objects, and have a heat exchange flow path through which the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe flows. The outlet pipe has a flow path through which the heat exchange medium flowing out of the plurality of heat exchange elements joins and flows. Each of the plurality of objects is arranged so as to be sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange elements of the plurality of heat exchange elements. In a plan view, the inlet pipe is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the plurality of heat exchange elements, and / or the outlet pipe is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the plurality of heat exchange elements.

[0007] With this configuration, in a plan view, it is possible to increase or decrease the number of heat exchange members arranged around the inlet pipe and / or the outlet pipe according to the installation space. This allows the heat exchanger to be formed to fit the installation space. In other words, the degree of freedom in arranging the heat exchanger can be improved.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include an inlet connection portion and a branch portion. The inlet connection portion may be connected to the branch portion and the plurality of heat exchange elements. The branch portion may be connected to the inlet pipe and the inlet connection portion. The inlet connection portion may have a plurality of inlet flow paths that distribute the heat exchange medium that has flowed in from the inlet pipe via the branch portion to the respective heat exchange flow paths. The branch portion may have flow paths that branch the heat exchange medium that has flowed in from the inlet pipe into the plurality of inlet flow paths.

[0009] With this configuration, the branch section can connect the inlet pipe and the inlet connector at any position on the inlet connector, thereby reducing restrictions on the placement of the inlet pipe and the inlet connector, thereby improving the flexibility of the placement of the heat exchanger. One aspect of the present disclosure may further include an outflow connection portion and a confluence portion. The outflow connection portion may be connected to the confluence portion and the plurality of heat exchange elements. The confluence portion may be connected to the outflow pipe and the outflow connection portion. The outflow connection portion may have a plurality of outflow flow paths that allow the heat exchange medium flowing out of each heat exchange flow path to flow to the outflow pipe via the confluence portion. The confluence portion may have a flow path that allows the heat exchange medium flowing in from the plurality of outflow flow paths to flow together and to flow to the outflow pipe.

[0010] With this configuration, the confluence section can connect the outflow pipe and the outflow connection section at any position on the outflow connection section, thereby reducing restrictions on the placement of the outflow pipe and the outflow connection section, thereby improving the flexibility of the placement of the heat exchanger.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of heat exchange elements may include an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is where the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe flows into the heat exchange flow path. The outlet is where the heat exchange medium flows out of the heat exchange flow path. The outlet may be located vertically above the inlet.

[0012] With this configuration, the inlet and outlet are located in positions that take natural convection into consideration, so that the heat exchange medium flows smoothly into and out of the heat exchange element.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of objects may be a cell constituting a battery. The heat exchanger may be disposed under a floor of the electric vehicle. With such a configuration, it is possible to effectively utilize the space under the floor of the electric vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a heat exchanger. [Figure 3] FIG. 3A is a side view of the heat exchange element, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of the heat exchange element. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger according to a modified example. [Figure 5] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram when one battery cell is sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange members, and FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram when three battery cells are sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange members. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger according to a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe in a heat exchanger according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiment] The heat exchanger 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a device mounted on an electric vehicle for exchanging heat with a battery having a plurality of battery cells 10. An electric vehicle is a vehicle that runs using all or part of the electrical energy stored in the plurality of battery cells 10 as the vehicle's power source. Examples of electric vehicles include electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. The heat exchanger 1 is placed under the floor of the electric vehicle. Hereinafter, the front-to-rear direction of an electric vehicle may also be referred to as the front-to-rear direction, the width direction of an electric vehicle as the left-to-right direction, and the up-to-down direction of an electric vehicle as the up-to-down direction.

[0016] The heat exchanger 1 includes an inlet pipe 2, an outlet pipe 3, a plurality of heat exchange elements 4, an inlet connection portion 5, a branch portion 6, an outlet connection portion 7, and a confluence portion 8. The inlet pipe 2 is a tubular member that extends in the front-to-rear direction. The inlet pipe 2 has a flow path through which a heat exchange medium flows. The heat exchange medium is a fluid that cools or heats the battery by exchanging heat with the battery. The heat exchange medium is, for example, coolant. The heat exchange medium is supplied by a pump (not shown).

[0017] The outflow pipe 3 is also a tubular member that extends in the front-rear direction. The outflow pipe 3 has a flow path through which the heat exchange media flowing out from the plurality of heat exchange members 4 join together and flow. The heat exchange elements 4 are configured to exchange heat with the battery cells 10. Each heat exchange element 4 has a heat exchange flow path through which the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe 2 flows. The heat exchange elements 4 are made of metal and have a thin, elongated outer shape as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The heat exchange elements 4 are manufactured by processing a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum. The heat exchange elements 4 do not have to be made of metal. For example, the heat exchange elements 4 may be manufactured by processing a resin or composite material. Hereinafter, one side of the heat exchange element 4 will be referred to as the front side, and the other side as the back side. The heat exchange elements 4 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction as shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the heat exchange elements 4 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction so that the front and back sides of adjacent heat exchange elements 4 face each other. The heat exchange elements 4 may have an internal elastic member so that their thickness changes in response to the expansion and contraction of the battery cells 10. More specifically, an elastic member may be disposed between the front and back surfaces of the heat exchange member 4 so that when the battery cell 10 expands, the front and back surfaces of the heat exchange member 4 move relatively closer to each other, and when the battery cell 10 contracts, the front and back surfaces of the heat exchange member 4 move relatively farther apart. The elastic member may be, for example, a spring. Note that the multiple heat exchange members 4 do not necessarily have to be equipped with an elastic member.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3A, the heat exchange elements 4 each include an inlet 41 and an outlet 42. The inlet 41 is a hole through which the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe 2 flows into the heat exchange flow path. The outlet 42 is a hole through which the heat exchange medium flows out of the heat exchange flow path. The inlet 41 and the outlet 42 are provided on the front and back surfaces of the heat exchange element 4, respectively, at positions where the central axes of the holes are aligned. The inlet 41 is provided at one end of the heat exchange element 4, and the outlet 42 is provided at the other end of the heat exchange element 4. The outlet 42 is provided vertically above the inlet 41. As shown in FIG. 3B, a first connecting pipe 43 and a second connecting pipe 44 are provided at the inlet 41 and the outlet 42. The first connecting pipe 43 and the second connecting pipe 44 are cylindrical. The first connecting pipe 43 extends from the inlet 41 and the outlet 42 on one side of the heat exchange element 4 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the heat exchange element 4. The second connecting pipe 44 extends from the inlet 41 and the outlet 42 on the other side of the heat exchange element 4 in the opposite direction to the first connecting pipe 43. In this embodiment, at the inlet 41 of the heat exchange element 4, the first connecting pipe 43 extends from the front surface, and the second connecting pipe 44 extends from the back surface. At the outlet 42 of the heat exchange element 4, the second connecting pipe 44 extends from the front surface, and the first connecting pipe 43 extends from the back surface. However, the heat exchange elements 4 arranged at the rightmost and leftmost ends have the inlet 41 and the outlet 42 provided on only one of the front surface and the back surface of the heat exchange element 4.

[0019] 1 and 2, the inlet connection portion 5 is a tubular member connected to the branch portion 6 and the plurality of heat exchange elements 4. The inlet connection portion 5 has a plurality of inlet flow paths that distribute the heat exchange medium flowing from the inlet pipe 2 through the branch portion 6 to the respective heat exchange flow paths. In this embodiment, the inlet connection portion 5 has two inlet flow paths: one flow path that flows to the right and one flow path that flows to the left, as indicated by arrows A and B. The inlet connection portion 5 is formed by a first connecting pipe 43 and a second connecting pipe 44 provided at the inlet 41 of the heat exchange element 4. The inlet connection portion 5 extends in the left-right direction by connecting the first connecting pipe 43 and the second connecting pipe 44 of adjacent heat exchange elements 4. In other words, the first connecting pipe 43 and the second connecting pipe 44 are arranged coaxially and aligned in a line in the axial direction. The inlet connection portion 5 is connected to the front end of the heat exchange element 4.

[0020] The branching section 6 is a tubular member connected to the inlet pipe 2 and the inlet connection section 5. The branching section 6 has a flow path that branches the heat exchange medium flowing in from the inlet pipe 2 into multiple inlet flow paths. In this embodiment, the branching section 6 is configured as a pipe that is approximately T-shaped in plan view with openings at three ends so that the flow path is T-shaped. The branching section 6 is also configured as a pipe that is approximately L-shaped in side view, bending downward from the front to form a flow path through which the heat exchange medium flows from the front to the bottom. In other words, the branching section 6 has a flow path that flows the heat exchange medium flowing in from the inlet pipe 2 downward, and then flows it into a flow path that flows to the right and a flow path that flows to the left. The part of the branching section 6 that connects to the inlet connection section 5 is connected to the first connecting pipe 43 and the second connecting pipe 44 of the heat exchange element 4. More specifically, the point at which the branching section 6 connects to the flow path flowing to the right is connected to the first connecting pipe 43 of the heat exchanger 4, and the point at which the branching section 6 connects to the flow path flowing to the left is connected to the second connecting pipe 44 of the heat exchanger 4.

[0021] The outlet connection portion 7 is a tubular member connected to the junction 8 and the plurality of heat exchange elements 4. The outlet connection portion 7 has a plurality of outlet flow paths that allow the heat exchange medium flowing from each heat exchange flow path to flow into the outlet pipe 3 via the junction 8. In this embodiment, the outlet connection portion 7 has two outlet flow paths: one flow path that flows to the right and one flow path that flows to the left, as indicated by arrows C and D. The outlet connection portion 7 is formed by a first connecting pipe 43 and a second connecting pipe 44 provided at the outlet 42 of the heat exchange element 4. More specifically, the outlet connection portion 7 extending in the left-right direction is formed by connecting the first connecting pipe 43 and the second connecting pipe 44 of adjacent heat exchange elements 4. In other words, the outlet connection portion 7 is connected to the rear end of the heat exchange element 4. The inlet connection portion 5 and the outlet connection portion 7 extend approximately parallel to each other, and the outlet connection portion 7 is formed above the inlet connection portion 5.

[0022] The confluence section 8 is a tubular member connected to the outlet pipe 3 and the outlet connecting section 7. The confluence section 8 has a flow path that joins the heat exchange medium flowing from multiple outlet flow paths and flows it to the outlet pipe 3. In this embodiment, the confluence section 8 is configured as a pipe that is approximately T-shaped in plan view with openings at three ends so that the flow path is T-shaped. The confluence section 8 is also configured as a pipe that is approximately L-shaped in side view, bending from bottom to top, so that the heat exchange medium flows from bottom to top. In other words, the confluence section 8 has a flow path that joins a flow path flowing in from the right and a flow path flowing in from the left, and then flows upward to the outlet pipe 3. The part of the confluence section 8 that connects to the outlet connecting section 7 is connected to the first connecting pipe 43 and the second connecting pipe 44 of the heat exchange element 4. More specifically, the point at which the confluence 8 connects with the flow path flowing in from the right is connected to the first connecting pipe 43 of the heat exchange element 4, and the point at which the confluence 8 connects with the flow path flowing in from the left is connected to the second connecting pipe 44 of the heat exchange element 4.

[0023] Each of the multiple battery cells 10 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange members 4 out of the multiple heat exchange members 4. The battery cells 10 in this embodiment have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The battery cells 10 are arranged so that their side faces face the side faces of the heat exchange members 4. In other words, the heat exchange members 4 and the battery cells 10 are arranged alternately so as to be stacked. In addition, in a plan view, the battery cells 10 are arranged so as to be surrounded by adjacent heat exchange members 4, the inflow connection 5, and the outflow connection 7.

[0024] One or more battery cells 10 are arranged between adjacent heat exchange members 4. In this embodiment, two battery cells 10 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction between adjacent heat exchange members 4. The shape of the battery cell 10 does not have to be a rectangular parallelepiped. For example, the battery cell 10 may have a cylindrical shape. The multiple battery cells 10 and the multiple heat exchange members 4 are housed in a case 9 of the battery pack.

[0025] In a plan view, the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3 are arranged to the left of the rightmost battery cell 10 among the plurality of battery cells 10, and to the right of the leftmost battery cell 10 among the plurality of battery cells 10. In this embodiment, the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3 extend in the front-to-rear direction at approximately the center in the left-to-right direction. The outlet pipe 3 is arranged to pass above the inlet pipe 2. In front of the case 9, the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3 overlap one another vertically.

[0026] In addition, in a plan view, the outflow pipe 3 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between multiple heat exchange members 4. In other words, in a plan view, the outflow pipe 3 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between multiple battery cells 10. In this embodiment, the multiple battery cells 10 and the multiple heat exchange members 4 are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the outflow pipe 3.

[0027] [1-2.Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The outflow pipe 3 and the multiple heat exchange elements 4 both extend in the front-rear direction, and in a plan view, the outflow pipe 3 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the multiple heat exchange elements 4. Here, assuming a configuration in which the inflow pipe 2 and the outflow pipe 3 extend in the front-rear direction and the multiple heat exchange elements 4 extend in the left-right direction, and the inflow pipe 2 and the outflow pipe 3 are connected to the ends of the multiple heat exchange elements 4, changing the left-right size requires changing the length of the heat exchange elements 4 themselves. However, with the heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to increase or decrease the number of heat exchange elements 4 and battery cells 10 in the left-right direction across the outflow pipe 3 to fit the installation space. Therefore, the heat exchanger 1 can be formed to fit the installation space without changing the length of the heat exchange elements 4 themselves. In other words, the degree of freedom in arranging the heat exchanger 1 can be improved.

[0028] Furthermore, in a plan view, the outflow pipe 3 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the multiple battery cells 10. With this configuration, if the electric vehicle is hit from the side, the multiple battery cells 10 act as a buffer, reducing the possibility of damage to the outflow pipe 3. This reduces the possibility of the heat exchange medium leaking from the outflow pipe 3, causing the circulation of the heat exchange medium to stop, or the heat exchange medium leaking into the battery pack.

[0029] Furthermore, in a plan view, the inlet pipe 2 is not sandwiched between the multiple battery cells 10, but is arranged closer to the center of the electric vehicle than the battery pack arranged furthest outward in the vehicle width direction. With this configuration, if the electric vehicle is hit from the side, the multiple battery cells 10 act as a buffer, reducing the possibility of the inlet pipe 2 being damaged. This reduces the possibility of the heat exchange medium leaking from the inlet pipe 2, causing the circulation of the heat exchange medium to stop, or the heat exchange medium to leak into the battery pack. In other words, the heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment reduces the possibility of the circulation of the heat exchange medium being stopped when the electric vehicle is hit from the side, compared to a configuration in which both the inlet pipe 2 and the outflow pipe 3 are arranged on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] (1b) The branch section 6 has a flow path that branches the heat exchange medium flowing in from the inlet pipe 2 into multiple inlet flow paths. In other words, the branch section 6 can guide the heat exchange medium in different directions. If the branch section 6 could only guide the heat exchange medium to one inlet flow path, the branch section 6 would have to connect to the inlet pipe 2 at the end of the inlet connection section 5. However, according to the heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the branch section 6 can connect the inlet pipe 2 and the inlet connection section 5 at any position on the inlet connection section 5. Furthermore, even if the height at which the inlet pipe 2 is arranged and the height at which the inlet connection section 5 is arranged are different, the branch section 6 can allow the heat exchange medium to flow downward from the front, so the branch section 6 can connect the inlet pipe 2 and the inlet connection section 5. Therefore, restrictions on the location of the inlet pipe 2 and the inlet connection section 5 are reduced, thereby improving the flexibility of the arrangement of the heat exchanger 1.

[0031] (1c) The confluence section 8 has a flow path that confluences the heat exchange medium flowing in from multiple outlet flow paths and flows it to the outlet pipe 3. If the confluence section 8 only received the heat exchange medium from one outlet flow path, the confluence section 8 would have to be connected to the outlet pipe 3 at the end of the outlet connection section 7. However, according to the heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the confluence section 8 can connect the outlet pipe 3 and the outlet connection section 7 at any position on the outlet connection section 7. Furthermore, even if the height at which the outlet pipe 3 is disposed is different from the height at which the outlet connection section 7 is disposed, the confluence section 8 allows the heat exchange medium to flow from below to the front, so the confluence section 8 can connect the outlet pipe 3 and the outlet connection section 7. Therefore, restrictions on the location of the outlet pipe 3 and the outlet connection section 7 are reduced, thereby improving the flexibility in the arrangement of the heat exchanger 1.

[0032] (1d) The outlet 42 is located vertically above the inlet 41. Here, the heat exchange medium that flows in from the inlet 41 flows from front to rear and is gradually heated by exchanging heat with the battery cells 10. In other words, the heat exchange medium flowing rearward is warmer than the heat exchange medium flowing forward. The heated heat exchange medium expands and becomes less dense. In other words, the heat exchange medium flowing rearward becomes relatively lighter and rises, resulting in so-called natural convection. Therefore, according to the heat exchange element 4 of this embodiment, the inlet 41 and the outlet 42 are located in positions that take natural convection into consideration, so that the heat exchange medium flows smoothly into and out of the heat exchange element 4.

[0033] Furthermore, the outlet connection 7 is located above the inlet connection 5, and the outlet pipe 3 is located above the inlet pipe 2. In other words, the components are arranged so that the heated heat exchange medium passes above. Therefore, even if the pump that circulates the heat exchange medium stops functioning, the heat exchange medium can be easily circulated by natural convection generated within the heat exchanger 1.

[0034] (1e) The heat exchanger 1 is disposed under the floor of the electric vehicle. With this configuration, the space under the floor of the electric vehicle can be effectively utilized. (1f) The inflow connection part 5 and the outflow connection part 7 are formed by connecting the first connection pipe 43 and the second connection pipe 44. With this configuration, the lengths of the inflow connection part 5 and the outflow connection part 7 can be adjusted to suit the installation space. This improves the degree of freedom in arranging the heat exchanger 1.

[0035] 2. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take on various forms.

[0036] (2a) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the plurality of battery cells 10 and the plurality of heat exchange members 4 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the outflow pipe 3. However, the arrangement of the plurality of battery cells 10 and the plurality of heat exchange members 4 is not limited to this. For example, as in the heat exchanger 100 shown in FIG. 4 , the number of battery cells 10 and heat exchange members 4 arranged to the left of the outflow pipe 3 may be different from the number of battery cells 10 and heat exchange members 4 arranged to the right of the outflow pipe 3. Furthermore, there may be two or more regions sandwiched between the inflow connection portion 5 and the outflow connection portion 7 in a plan view. For example, the regions sandwiched between the inflow connection portion 5 and the outflow connection portion 7 may be arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, for example, the number of battery cells 10 and heat exchange members 4 arranged in each region may be different.

[0037] (2b) In the above embodiment, the inlet pipe 2 extends only to the front of the case 9 of the battery pack. However, the inlet pipe 2 may extend to the interior of the case 9 in a plan view. That is, the inlet pipe 2 may also be arranged so as to be sandwiched between multiple heat exchange members 4 in a plan view. Conversely, in the above embodiment, the outlet pipe 3 is arranged so as to pass through the center of the case 9 from the interior to the front in a plan view. However, the outlet pipe 3 may be connected to the junction 8 outside the case 9. Furthermore, the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3 do not have to be arranged so as to extend in the front-rear direction through the center of the case 9 in the left-right direction. The inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3 may be arranged closer to the left or right of the center of the case 9 in the left-right direction.

[0038] (2c) In the above embodiment, a configuration was illustrated in which two battery cells 10 were arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction between adjacent heat exchange members 4. However, the number of battery cells 10 sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange members 4 is not limited to this. For example, the number of battery cells 10 sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange members 4 may be one as shown in FIG. 5A, or three or more as shown in FIG. 5B. Furthermore, the vertical height of the heat exchange member 4 may be the same as, slightly smaller than, or slightly larger than the vertical height of the battery cells 10.

[0039] (2d) In the above embodiment, the heat exchanger 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle and exchanges heat with a plurality of battery cells 10. However, the type of object with which the heat exchanger 1 exchanges heat is not limited to this. For example, the heat exchanger 1 may exchange heat with an electronic component or a conductor. More specifically, the heat exchanger 1 may exchange heat with a current sensor, a fuse, a bus bar, or the like. For example, the heat exchanger 1 may exchange heat with an object other than the battery cells 10 that is arranged inside the case 9 of the battery pack. Furthermore, the heat exchanger 1 may be mounted on a vehicle other than an electric vehicle.

[0040] (2e) In the above embodiment, the branching unit 6 branches the heat exchange medium into two flow paths, one flowing to the right and one flowing to the left. However, the number and direction of the flow paths into which the branching unit 6 branches the heat exchange medium are not limited to this. For example, the branching unit 6 may branch the heat exchange medium flowing from the inlet pipe 2 upward into a flow path that flows backward, in addition to a flow path that flows downward after the heat exchange medium flowing from the inlet pipe 2 flows rightward and a flow path that flows leftward. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the branching unit 6 may branch the heat exchange medium to another heat exchanger 20 for heat exchange with an object other than the battery cell 10. Furthermore, the flow rate of the heat exchange medium branched by the branching unit 6 into each flow path may be designed to differ depending on the flow path. For example, if the flow path flowing to the right is longer than the flow path flowing to the left, the branching unit 6 may be designed so that the flow rate of the heat exchange medium flowing to the right is greater than the flow rate of the heat exchange medium flowing to the left.

[0041] (2f) In the above embodiment, the confluence section 8 is configured to merge two flow paths, one flow path flowing in from the right and one flow path flowing in from the left. However, the number and direction of the flow paths into which the heat exchange medium is merged by the confluence section 8 are not limited to this. For example, the confluence section 8 may merge a flow path flowing in a direction after branching from the branch section 6 in (2e) in addition to the flow path flowing in from the right and the flow path flowing in from the left. Furthermore, the confluence section 8 may be designed to merge flow paths with different flow rates.

[0042] (2g) In the above embodiment, the outflow pipe 3 is disposed above the inflow pipe 2. However, as shown in Fig. 7, the outflow pipe 3 may be partially disposed below the inflow pipe 2. Furthermore, the inflow pipe 2 and the outflow pipe 3 do not have to be disposed so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0043] (2h) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, 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.

[0044] [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] 1. A heat exchanger comprising: an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a plurality of heat exchange elements; the inlet pipe has a flow path through which a heat exchange medium flows; the plurality of heat exchange elements are configured to be able to exchange heat with a plurality of objects, and each have a heat exchange flow path through which the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe flows; the outflow pipe has a flow path through which the heat exchange medium flowing out from the plurality of heat exchange elements joins and flows, each of the plurality of objects is disposed so as to be sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange members among the plurality of heat exchange members; A heat exchanger wherein, in a plan view, the inlet pipe is arranged to be sandwiched between the plurality of heat exchange elements, and / or, in a plan view, the outlet pipe is arranged to be sandwiched between the plurality of heat exchange elements.

[0045] [Item 2] Item 1, the heat exchanger according to item 1, Further comprising an inlet connection portion and a branch portion, the inlet connection portion connects to the branch portion and the plurality of heat exchange elements; the branch portion connects to the inlet pipe and the inlet connection portion; the inlet connection portion has a plurality of inlet flow paths that distribute the heat exchange medium that has flowed in from the inlet pipe via the branch portion to each of the heat exchange flow paths, The branching section has a flow path for branching the heat exchange medium flowing in from the inlet pipe into the plurality of inlet flow paths.

[0046] [Item 3] The heat exchanger according to item 1 or 2, Further comprising an outflow connection portion and a confluence portion, the outflow connection portion is connected to the confluence portion and the plurality of heat exchange elements; the confluence portion is connected to the outflow pipe and the outflow connection portion; the outlet connection portion has a plurality of outlet flow paths that allow the heat exchange medium flowing out of each of the heat exchange flow paths to flow into the outlet pipe via the junction portion, The confluence portion has a flow path for confluence of the heat exchange medium flowing in from the plurality of outlet flow paths and for flowing the heat exchange medium into the outlet pipe.

[0047] [Item 4] The heat exchanger according to any one of items 1 to 3, The plurality of heat exchange elements each include an inlet through which the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe flows into the heat exchange flow path, and an outlet through which the heat exchange medium flows out of the heat exchange flow path, The heat exchanger, wherein the outlet is provided vertically above the inlet.

[0048] [Item 5] The heat exchanger according to any one of items 1 to 4, each of the plurality of objects is a cell constituting a battery; The heat exchanger is disposed under a floor of the electric vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1, 20, 100...heat exchanger, 2...inlet pipe, 3...outlet pipe, 4...heat exchange element, 5...inlet connection portion, 6...branch portion, 7...outlet connection portion, 8...junction portion, 9...case, 10...battery cell, 41...inlet, 42...outlet, 43...first connecting pipe, 44...second connecting pipe.

Claims

1. 1. A heat exchanger comprising: an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a plurality of heat exchange elements; the inlet pipe has a flow path through which a heat exchange medium flows; the plurality of heat exchange elements are configured to be able to exchange heat with a plurality of objects, and each have a heat exchange flow path through which the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe flows; the outflow pipe has a flow path through which the heat exchange medium flowing out from the plurality of heat exchange elements joins and flows, each of the plurality of objects is disposed so as to be sandwiched between adjacent heat exchange members among the plurality of heat exchange members; A heat exchanger wherein, in a plan view, the inlet pipe is arranged to be sandwiched between the plurality of heat exchange elements, and / or, in a plan view, the outlet pipe is arranged to be sandwiched between the plurality of heat exchange elements.

2. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, Further comprising an inlet connection portion and a branch portion, the inlet connection portion connects to the branch portion and the plurality of heat exchange elements; the branch portion connects to the inlet pipe and the inlet connection portion; the inlet connection portion has a plurality of inlet flow paths that distribute the heat exchange medium that has flowed in from the inlet pipe via the branch portion to each of the heat exchange flow paths, The branching section has a flow path for branching the heat exchange medium flowing in from the inlet pipe into the plurality of inlet flow paths.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, Further comprising an outflow connection portion and a confluence portion, the outflow connection portion is connected to the confluence portion and the plurality of heat exchange elements; the confluence portion is connected to the outflow pipe and the outflow connection portion; the outlet connection portion has a plurality of outlet flow paths that allow the heat exchange medium flowing out of each of the heat exchange flow paths to flow into the outlet pipe via the junction portion, The confluence portion has a flow path for confluence of the heat exchange medium flowing in from the plurality of outlet flow paths and for flowing the heat exchange medium into the outlet pipe.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, The plurality of heat exchange elements each include an inlet through which the heat exchange medium distributed from the inlet pipe flows into the heat exchange flow path, and an outlet through which the heat exchange medium flows out of the heat exchange flow path, The heat exchanger, wherein the outlet is provided vertically above the inlet.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, each of the plurality of objects is a cell constituting a battery; The heat exchanger is disposed under a floor of the electric vehicle.

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