Heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a technology which enables improvement of flexibility of arrangement of a heat exchanger.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger includes a first member and a second member. The first member is a member which forms a heat exchange passage. The first member includes a first hole part leading to the heat exchange passage. The second member is a member which forms a connection passage. The second member includes a second hole part leading to the connection passage. The first member and the second member are arranged so that the heat exchange passage and the connection passage overlap with each other and the first hole part and the second hole part communicate with each other. The second member is configured so that a length in a portion which is largest in a first direction in which the first hole part and the second hole part communicate with each other is smaller than a length of a portion which is largest in a direction orthogonal to the first direction on a cross section taken along a direction orthogonal to the connection passage.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 battery system equipped with multiple cooling plates under a vehicle drive battery. The multiple cooling plates are connected to each other by connectors in the shape of a cylindrical tube bent into a U-shape, and fluid can move between the multiple cooling plates via the connectors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2020-510534 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when installing the battery system of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to ensure sufficient installation space in the direction in which the battery and the multiple cooling plates are stacked. That is, the battery system of Patent Document 1 connects the multiple cooling plates using connectors in the shape of a U-bent cylindrical tube, so the height of the connectors increases in the direction in which the battery and the multiple cooling plates are stacked. Therefore, the battery system of Patent Document 1 has a problem of reduced freedom of installation. This problem can occur not only in battery systems that cool batteries, but also in heat exchangers that exchange heat with objects.

[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 a first member and a second member. The first member is a member that exchanges heat with an object and forms a heat exchange flow path, which is a flow path for a heat exchange medium. The first member includes a first hole portion that communicates with the heat exchange flow path. The second member is a member that is connected to the first member and forms a connection flow path, which is a flow path that connects to the heat exchange flow path. The second member includes a second hole portion that communicates with the connection flow path. The first member and the second member are arranged so that the heat exchange flow path and the connection flow path overlap and so that the first hole portion and the second hole portion communicate with each other. The second member is configured so that, in a cross section perpendicular to the connection flow path, the length of a portion that is longest in a first direction, which is a direction in which the first hole portion and the second hole portion communicate with each other, is shorter than the length of a portion that is longest in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0007] With this configuration, the second member is thin in the direction overlapping with the first member, and therefore the second member is not bulky in the first direction, thereby improving the degree of freedom in arranging the heat exchanger. One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a hole forming portion including a first thick portion and a second thick portion. The first thick portion may be disposed in the heat exchange flow path so as to surround the first hole portion. The second thick portion may be disposed in the connecting flow path so as to surround the second hole portion. The sum of the thickness of the first thick portion, the thickness of the second thick portion, the plate thickness of the first member at the portion where the first thick portion is disposed, and the plate thickness of the second member at the portion where the second thick portion is disposed may be greater than the sum of the plate thickness of the first member adjacent to the portion where the first thick portion is disposed and the plate thickness of the second member adjacent to the portion where the second thick portion is disposed.

[0008] With this configuration, even if crevice corrosion occurs at the point where the first member and the second member abut, the first thick portion and the second thick portion can prevent the heat exchange flow path and the connecting flow path from communicating with the outside.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hole forming portion may be welded at least at a first position, a second position, and a third position. At the first position, the first thick portion, the first member, the second member, and the second thick portion may be welded. At the second position, the first thick portion and the first member may be welded. At the third position, the second member and the second thick portion may be welded. The second position and the third position may be positions farther from the first hole portion and the second hole portion than the first position.

[0010] According to this configuration, the first thick portion and the second thick portion can be assembled in the process of assembling the first member and the second member, so that the first thick portion and the second thick portion can be assembled efficiently.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first member may be configured such that a region from the edge of the first hole to the second position increases in distance from the second member as the distance from the first hole increases, and / or the second member may be configured such that a region from the edge of the second hole to the third position increases in distance from the first member as the distance from the second hole increases. According to this configuration, a larger gap is formed between the first member and the second member at the second position than at the first position. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the first member and the second member are in contact with each other even at the second position, the area in which crevice corrosion is likely to occur can be reduced. Furthermore, a larger gap is formed between the first member and the second member at the third position than at the first position. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the first member and the second member are in contact with each other even at the third position, the area in which crevice corrosion is likely to occur can be reduced.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger may be mounted on an electric vehicle and disposed vertically overlapping a battery disposed under the floor of the electric vehicle, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the space under the floor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 4A is a plan view of a portion of the heat exchanger, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB of FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVC-IVC of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5] FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of the first inlet hole portion and the second inlet hole portion, and FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining crevice corrosion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a heat exchanger not provided with a connecting mechanism, and FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of a first inlet hole portion and a second inlet hole portion in a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of a first inlet hole portion and a second inlet hole portion in a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of a first inlet hole portion and a second inlet hole portion in a second modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of a first inlet hole portion and a second inlet hole portion in a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiment] [1-1. Overall structure] The heat exchanger 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a device for exchanging heat with a battery 2 mounted on an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle here refers to a vehicle that runs using electrical energy stored in the battery 2 as all or part of its power. Examples of electric vehicles include electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. Hereinafter, an electric vehicle will be simply referred to as a vehicle.

[0015] The heat exchanger 1 has a generally rectangular shape in plan view, particularly a shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The heat exchanger 1 having such a shape is installed, for example, under the floor of the vehicle. More specifically, the heat exchanger 1 is arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction with the battery 2 arranged under the floor.

[0016] The battery 2 is mounted on the vehicle, for example, under the floor of the vehicle, on the upper surface of the heat exchanger 1. A thermally conductive material 3 is provided between the heat exchanger 1 and the battery 2. Heat exchange between the heat exchanger 1 and the battery 2 is efficiently carried out through the thermally conductive material 3.

[0017] The heat exchanger 1 is configured so that a heat exchange medium flows therethrough. The heat exchanger 1 is configured to cool or heat the battery 2 by heat exchange between the heat exchange medium and the battery 2. The heat exchange medium is, for example, cooling water. However, the heat exchange medium may also be gas, oil, or the like.

[0018] The heat exchanger 1 includes a main body 4 and a connection portion 5. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 1 includes four main body portions 4. The four main body portions 4 include a connecting mechanism 40 configured to connect adjacent main body portions 4. The connecting mechanism 40 is a mechanism for fixing the main body portions 4 to each other. The main body portions 4 and the connection portion 5 are made of metal. The main body portions 4 and the connection portion 5 are manufactured by processing a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum.

[0019] The main body 4 is a component that exchanges heat with the battery 2 and forms a heat exchange flow path, which is a flow path of the heat exchange medium. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchange flow path includes three flow paths: two outflow flow paths 4a and one return flow path 4b. Note that in FIG. 2, the flow of the heat exchange medium is simplified and represented by arrows to explain the flow direction of the heat exchange flow paths and the connecting flow paths. The three flow paths are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The outflow flow paths 4a are flow paths that flow from front to rear and are provided on the left and right sides of the main body 4. The return flow path 4b is flow paths that flow from rear to front and is provided at a position sandwiched between the two outflow flow paths 4a. In other words, the heat exchange medium flowing through the outflow flow path 4a is designed to make a U-turn at the rear end of the outflow flow path 4a and flow into the return flow path 4b.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4B, the main body 4 includes a first plate-shaped member 41 and a second plate-shaped member . The first plate-shaped member 41 and the second plate-shaped member 42 are a pair of plate-shaped members that are textured to form heat exchange channels inside the main body 4. The first plate-shaped member 41 and the second plate-shaped member 42 have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and have an outer shape that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0021] The main body 4 includes a first inlet hole 71 and a first outlet hole 73. The first inlet hole 71 and the first outlet hole 73 are holes that communicate with the heat exchange flow passages. More specifically, the first inlet hole 71 and the first outlet hole 73 are formed in the second plate-shaped member 42. The first inlet hole 71 and the first outlet hole 73 are formed side by side in the front-rear direction. The first inlet hole 71 communicates with the two outflow flow passages 4a, and the first outlet hole 73 communicates with the return flow passage 4b.

[0022] The connecting portion 5 shown in FIG. 3 is a member that connects to the main body 4 and forms a connecting flow path that is a flow path that connects to the heat exchange flow path. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting flow path includes two flow paths, an inflow flow path 5a and an outflow flow path 5b. The inflow flow path 5a is a flow path for distributing the heat exchange medium that has flowed in from an inflow pipe 77 (described later) to the heat exchange flow paths. The outflow flow path 5b is a flow path for merging the heat exchange medium that has been discharged from the heat exchange flow paths and flowing it to an outflow pipe 78 (described later). The inflow flow path 5a and the outflow flow path 5b are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 3, the connection portion 5 includes a third plate-shaped member 51 and a fourth plate-shaped member 52. The third plate-shaped member 51 and the fourth plate-shaped member 52 are a pair of plate-shaped members for forming a connection flow path inside the connection portion 5. The third plate-shaped member 51 and the fourth plate-shaped member 52 have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and have an outer shape that is elongated in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0024] 4A to 4C, the connection portion 5 includes a second inlet hole 72, a second outlet hole 74, an inlet port 75, and an outlet port 76. The second inlet hole 72 and the second outlet hole 74 are holes that communicate with the connecting flow paths. More specifically, the second inlet hole 72 and the second outlet hole 74 are formed in the third plate-shaped member 51. The second inlet hole 72 and the second outlet hole 74 are formed side by side in the front-rear direction. The second inlet hole 72 communicates with the inlet flow path 5a, and the second outlet hole 74 communicates with the outlet flow path 5b.

[0025] The inlet port 75 and the outlet port 76 are holes formed in the fourth plate-shaped member 52. The inlet port 75 and the outlet port 76 are formed side by side in the front-to-rear direction at approximately the center of the fourth plate-shaped member 52. The inlet port 75 communicates with the inlet flow path 5a, and the outlet port 76 communicates with the outlet flow path 5b. The inlet port 75 is connected to an inlet pipe 77, and the outlet port 76 is connected to an outlet pipe 78. The heat exchange medium is supplied through the inlet pipe 77 by a pump (not shown).

[0026] 2, the main body 4 and the connecting portion 5 are arranged so that the heat exchange flow paths and the connecting flow paths overlap, the first inlet hole 71 and the second inlet hole 72 are in communication, and the first outlet hole 73 and the second outlet hole 74 are in communication. More specifically, the main body 4 and the connecting portion 5 are arranged so that the heat exchange flow paths and the connecting flow paths overlap in the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 5 is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body 4. In other words, the heat exchange medium flowing in from the inlet pipe 77 splits into left and right flows in the inlet flow path 5a and flows through the first inlet hole 71 and the second inlet hole 72 into the outflow flow path 4a. The heat exchange medium flowing out from the return flow path 4b passes through the first outlet hole 73 and the second outlet hole 74, merges from left and right in the outlet flow path 5b, and flows into the outlet pipe 78.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4B , the connection part 5 is configured such that, in a cross section perpendicular to the connecting flow path, the length H at the portion that is greatest in a first direction, which is the direction in which the first inlet hole 71 and the second inlet hole 72 communicate, is smaller than the length W at the portion that is greatest in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. In other words, the connection part 5 is configured such that, when an imaginary rectangle including the outer edge of the cross section is drawn in a cross section perpendicular to the connecting flow path, the vertical length is smaller than the horizontal length. In other words, the connection part 5 is a member having a flat shape configured such that the height of the connecting flow path is smaller than the width of the connecting flow path. In this embodiment, the height of the flow path is configured to be smaller than the width of both the combined flow path of the inflow flow path 5a and the outflow flow path 5b and of either the inflow flow path 5a or the outflow flow path 5b.

[0028] The main body 4 is also configured so that when an imaginary rectangle including the outer edge of the cross section perpendicular to the heat exchange flow path is drawn, the vertical length is smaller than the horizontal length. In other words, the main body 4 is also a member having a flat shape configured so that the height of the heat exchange flow path is smaller than the width of the heat exchange flow path.

[0029] [1-2. Configuration of the connection point between the main body and the connector] The main body 4 and the connecting portion 5 are welded together. Specifically, the periphery of the first inlet hole 71 of the main body 4 is welded to the periphery of the second inlet hole 72 of the connecting portion 5, and the periphery of the first outlet hole 73 of the main body 4 is welded to the periphery of the second outlet hole 74 of the connecting portion 5.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5A, the heat exchanger 1 includes a first thick portion 61 and a second thick portion 62. The first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are members that prevent the heat exchange flow path and the connection flow path from communicating with the outside when crevice corrosion occurs at the location where the main body portion 4 and the connection portion 5 abut. The first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are members configured separately from the main body portion 4 and the connection portion 5. Note that in Figs. 5A, 5B, 6B, 7, and 9, the central axes A of the first inlet hole portion 71 and the second inlet hole portion 72 are indicated by dotted lines.

[0031] The first thick portion 61 is disposed in the heat exchange flow path so as to surround the first inlet hole portion 71. The first thick portion 61 is also disposed in the heat exchange flow path so as to surround the first outlet hole portion 73. The second thick portion 62 is disposed in the connecting flow path so as to surround the second inlet hole portion 72. The second thick portion 62 is also disposed in the connecting flow path so as to surround the second outlet hole portion 74.

[0032] The first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are made of metal. The first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are manufactured by processing a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum. The second thick portion 62 has an annular shape in a plan view and a rectangular shape in a side view. The size of the hole in the second thick portion 62 is approximately the same as the size of the first inlet hole portion 71. The first thick portion 61 has an annular shape in a plan view and a trapezoidal shape in a side view. In other words, the first thick portion 61 is configured to be slightly tapered. The size of the hole in the first thick portion 61 is approximately the same as the size of the second inlet hole portion 72.

[0033] The periphery of the first inlet hole portion 71 and the second inlet hole portion 72 will be described in detail below, but the periphery of the first outlet hole portion 73 and the second outlet hole portion 74 also has a similar configuration. The first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are arranged to sandwich the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51. The region where the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are arranged is referred to as a hole forming portion 63.

[0034] The sum of the thickness of the first thick portion 61, the thickness of the second thick portion 62, the plate thickness of the second plate-shaped member 42 at the hole forming portion 63, and the plate thickness of the third plate-shaped member 51 at the hole forming portion 63 is greater than the sum of the plate thickness of the second plate-shaped member 42 adjacent to the hole forming portion 63 and the plate thickness of the third plate-shaped member 51 adjacent to the hole forming portion 63. In other words, the areas around the first inlet hole portion 71 and the second inlet hole portion 72 are configured to be thicker than other parts.

[0035] The hole forming portion 63 is welded at least at a first position 81, a second position 82, and a third position 83. More specifically, the first position 81, the second position 82, and the third position 83 are positions spaced apart from the edges of the first inlet hole portion 71 and the second inlet hole portion 72, and are positions that are approximately equally spaced from the first inlet hole portion 71 and the second inlet hole portion 72. In other words, the first position 81, the second position 82, and the third position 83 correspond to the circumference of a circle whose central axis A is the same as that of the first inlet hole portion 71 and the second inlet hole portion 72.

[0036] At the first position 81, the first thick portion 61, the second plate-shaped member 42, the third plate-shaped member 51, and the second thick portion 62 are welded. At the second position 82, the first thick portion 61 and the second plate-shaped member 42 are welded. At the third position 83, the third plate-shaped member 51 and the second thick portion 62 are welded. The second position 82 and the third position 83 are positions farther from the first inlet hole portion 71 and the second inlet hole portion 72 than the first position 81.

[0037] The second plate-shaped member 42 is configured so that the region from the edge of the first inlet hole 71 to the second position 82 increases in distance from the third plate-shaped member 51 as it moves away from the first inlet hole 71. More specifically, the second plate-shaped member 42 is configured to be substantially flat from the edge of the first inlet hole 71 to a position a predetermined distance away, and is configured to slope downward from that position. In other words, the first inlet hole 71 is provided in a portion of the second plate-shaped member 42 that is recessed toward the third plate-shaped member 51. The second position 82 is provided on the sloped surface.

[0038] In other words, the second plate-shaped member 42 abuts against the third plate-shaped member 51 up to a position that is a predetermined distance from the edge of the first inlet hole portion 71, but the second plate-shaped member 42 does not abut against the third plate-shaped member 51 at the second position 82. Note that abutting does not only mean a state in which the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 are in complete contact with each other, but also includes a state in which there is a slight clearance due to slight irregularities on the surface of the member depending on the material of the member.

[0039] The second plate-shaped member 42 may be recessed toward the third plate-shaped member 51 in a stepped manner with multiple steps as shown in Fig. 5A, or may be recessed toward the third plate-shaped member 51 with a single step as shown in Fig. 6B. The position of the edge of the first thick portion 61 opposite to the first inlet hole portion 71 substantially coincides with the position of the edge of the inclined surface opposite to the first inlet hole portion 71.

[0040] [1-3. Procedure for welding the main body and the connection part] First, the third plate-shaped member 51 and the second thick portion 62 are welded together at the third position 83. Next, the second plate-shaped member 42 and the first thick portion 61 are welded together at the second position 82. Note that either of the above two procedures may be performed first.

[0041] Next, the first plate-shaped member 41 and the second plate-shaped member 42 are welded together so as to surround the outer periphery. Next, the third plate-shaped member 51 to which the second thick portion 62 has been welded in the above procedure is placed on top of the second plate-shaped member 42, and the second thick portion 62, the third plate-shaped member 51, the second plate-shaped member 42, and the first thick portion 61 are welded at the first position 81. Next, the third plate-shaped member 51 and the fourth plate-shaped member 52 are welded together so as to surround the outer periphery.

[0042] [1-4.Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained.

[0043] (1a) In a cross section perpendicular to the connecting flow path, the connecting portion 5 is configured such that the length of the largest portion in a first direction, which is the direction in which the first inlet hole 71 and the second inlet hole 72 communicate, is smaller than the length of the largest portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. With this configuration, the connecting portion 5 is thin in the direction overlapping with the main body 4, and therefore, the connecting portion 5 is prevented from becoming bulky in the first direction. This improves the degree of freedom in arranging the heat exchanger 1.

[0044] (1b) The sum of the thicknesses of the first thick portion 61, the second thick portion 62, the plate thickness of the second plate-shaped member 42 at the hole formation portion 63, and the plate thickness of the third plate-shaped member 51 at the hole formation portion 63 is greater than the sum of the plate thickness of the second plate-shaped member 42 adjacent to the hole formation portion 63 and the plate thickness of the third plate-shaped member 51 adjacent to the hole formation portion 63. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 5B , even if crevice corrosion occurs around the first inlet hole portion 71 and the second inlet hole portion 72 where the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 abut, causing the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 to chip, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 can prevent the heat exchange flow path and the connecting flow path from communicating with the outside.

[0045] The first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 may be made of a metal having better corrosion resistance than the main body portion 4 and the connecting portion 5. For example, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 may be made of a material having a higher content of a material having better corrosion resistance than the main body portion 4 and the connecting portion 5. Specifically, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 may be made of stainless steel having a higher content of chromium, molybdenum, or the like than the main body portion 4 and the connecting portion 5. Generally, materials having better corrosion resistance are more expensive, so by using different materials only for the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62, it is possible to take measures against crevice corrosion while keeping costs down.

[0046] (1c) At the first position 81, the first thick portion 61, the second plate-shaped member 42, the third plate-shaped member 51, and the second thick portion 62 are welded. At the second position 82, the first thick portion 61 and the second plate-shaped member 42 are welded. At the third position 83, the third plate-shaped member 51 and the second thick portion 62 are welded. With this configuration, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 can also be assembled in the process of assembling the main body portion 4 and the connection portion 5. Therefore, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 can be assembled efficiently.

[0047] Furthermore, even if a welding torch cannot be inserted between the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 and areas where gap corrosion is likely to occur cannot be welded from the outside, the heat exchanger 1 of the above embodiment allows welding to be performed without considering the size of the welding torch.

[0048] (1d) The second plate-shaped member 42 is configured such that the region from the edge of the first inlet hole 71 to the second position 82 increases in distance from the third plate-shaped member 51 as the distance from the first inlet hole 71 increases. With this configuration, there is a larger gap between the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 at the second position 82 and the third position 83 than at the first position 81. Specifically, a gap large enough to prevent liquids such as rain from being retained between the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 can be formed. More specifically, because the second plate-shaped member 42 is inclined to form the gap, liquids are prevented from being retained on the upper surface of the second plate-shaped member 42 due to surface tension or the like. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 are in contact with each other at the second position 82 and the third position 83, a structure in which liquids such as rain are less likely to be retained and crevice corrosion is less likely to occur can be achieved. Furthermore, the first plate-shaped member 41 and the second plate-shaped member 42 are covered by the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62, including the region from the edge of the first inlet hole portion 71 to the second position 82. In other words, the plate thicknesses of the first plate-shaped member 41 and the second plate-shaped member 42 are substantially thicker than their original plate thicknesses. Therefore, even if crevice corrosion occurs, it takes time for the heat exchange flow path and the connecting flow path to communicate with the outside, thereby improving the lifespan of the heat exchanger 1. (1e) The heat exchanger 1 is disposed so as to overlap in the vertical direction with the battery 2 disposed under the floor. With this configuration, the space under the floor can be effectively utilized.

[0049] [1-5. Correspondence] The main body 4 corresponds to the first member, and the connection portion 5 corresponds to the second member. The first inlet hole 71 or the first outlet hole 73 corresponds to the first hole, and the second inlet hole 72 and / or the second outlet hole 74 correspond to the second hole.

[0050] 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.

[0051] (2a) In the above embodiment, the main body 4 includes the connecting mechanism 40. However, as shown in Fig. 6A, the main body 4 does not have to include the connecting mechanism 40. Even if the main body 4 does not include the connecting mechanism 40, the orientation of the main body 4 is fixed by welding the main body 4 and the connecting portion 5 together.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which two flow paths, the inflow flow path 5a and the outflow flow path 5b, are arranged side by side in the connecting portion 5 has been exemplified. However, the inflow flow path 5a and the outflow flow path 5b may be formed by separate members. That is, the member forming the inflow flow path 5a may be connected to the front end of the main body portion 4, and the member forming the outflow flow path 5b may be connected to the rear end of the main body portion 4. In this case, the heat exchange flow path may include only the outflow flow path 4a and not the return flow path 4b.

[0053] (2b) In the above embodiment, the position of the edge of the first thick portion 61 opposite the first inlet hole is approximately aligned with the position of the edge of the inclined surface opposite the first inlet hole. However, the size of the first thick portion 61 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the first modified example in FIG. 7 , the position of the edge of the first thick portion 61 opposite the first inlet hole 71 may extend to a position farther from the first inlet hole 71 than the edge of the inclined surface opposite the first inlet hole 71. In other words, the first thick portion 61 may be configured to include a flange 85 on the edge opposite the first inlet hole 71. Furthermore, the second position 82 does not have to be located on the inclined surface. For example, the second position 82 may be located on the flange 85.

[0054] (2c) In the above embodiment, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are separate from the main body portion 4 and the connecting portion 5. However, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 may be integral with the main body portion 4 and the connecting portion 5. For example, as shown in a second modified example in FIG. 8 , the second plate-shaped member 42 may be folded downward at the position where the first inlet hole 71 is formed, and then welded at a second position so that the folded portion and the second plate-shaped member 42 abut against each other. Alternatively, the third plate-shaped member 51 may be folded upward at the position where the second inlet hole 72 is formed, and then welded at a third position so that the folded portion and the third plate-shaped member 51 abut against each other.

[0055] (2d) In the above embodiment, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are welded at the first position 81, the second position 82, and the third position 83. However, the positions at which the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 are welded are not limited to this. For example, as shown in a third modified example in FIG. 9 , the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 do not have to be welded at the second position 82 and / or the third position 83. Instead, the first thick portion 61 and the second thick portion 62 may be brazed at the second position 82 and / or the third position 83.

[0056] (2e) In the above embodiment, an example was given of a shape in which the region of the second plate-shaped member 42 from the edge of the first inlet hole 71 to the second position 82 is configured so that the distance from the third plate-shaped member 51 increases as the region moves away from the first inlet hole 71. However, the shapes of the peripheries of the first inlet hole 71 and the second inlet hole 72 are not limited to this. For example, the region of the third plate-shaped member 51 from the edge of the second inlet hole 72 to the third position 83 may be configured so that the distance from the second plate-shaped member 42 increases as the region moves away from the second inlet hole 72.

[0057] Specifically, in the hole forming portion 63, the second plate-shaped member 42 may be substantially flat and the third plate-shaped member 51 may be recessed downward, or the second plate-shaped member 42 may be recessed upward and the third plate-shaped member 51 may be recessed downward. Even if the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 are both recessed upward, as long as the depth of the recess in the second plate-shaped member 42 is shallower than the depth of the recess in the third plate-shaped member 51, it is possible to form a portion in which the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 abut and a portion in which they do not abut in the hole forming portion 63. Similarly, even if the second plate-shaped member 42 and the third plate-shaped member 51 are both recessed downward, it is sufficient that the depth of the recess in the second plate-shaped member 42 is shallower than the depth of the recess in the third plate-shaped member 51.

[0058] 5A, the second plate-shaped member 42 includes, in order from the portion furthest from the first inlet hole portion 71, a first portion 51a parallel to the third plate-shaped member 51, a second portion 51b having a flat surface approaching the third plate-shaped member 51, a third portion 51c parallel to the third plate-shaped member 51, a fourth portion 51d having a flat surface approaching the third plate-shaped member 51, and a fifth portion 51e parallel to the third plate-shaped member 51. The fifth portion 51e is a surface that comes into contact with the third plate-shaped member 51, and the first inlet hole portion 71 is formed in this portion.

[0059] The first position 81 is set at the fifth portion 51e, and the second position 82 is set at the fourth portion 51d. The third plate-shaped member 51 and the second plate-shaped member 42 may be interchanged. (2f) 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.

[0060] [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] 1. A heat exchanger comprising: A first member and a second member are provided. the first member is a member that exchanges heat with an object and forms a heat exchange flow path that is a flow path of a heat exchange medium, the first member has a first hole portion communicating with the heat exchange flow path, the second member is a member that is connected to the first member and forms a connection flow path that is a flow path that connects to the heat exchange flow path, the second member has a second hole portion communicating with the connection flow path, the first member and the second member are arranged so that the heat exchange flow path and the connection flow path overlap with each other and so that the first hole portion and the second hole portion communicate with each other; A heat exchanger in which the second member is configured so that, in a cross section perpendicular to the connecting flow path, the length of the longest part in a first direction, in which the first hole portion and the second hole portion are connected, is shorter than the length of the longest part in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0061] [Item 2] Item 1, the heat exchanger according to item 1, Further comprising a hole forming portion having a first thick portion and a second thick portion; the first thick portion is disposed in the heat exchange flow path so as to surround the first hole portion, the second thick portion is disposed in the connecting flow path so as to surround the second hole portion, a heat exchanger in which the sum of the thickness of the first thick portion, the thickness of the second thick portion, the plate thickness of the first member at the portion where the first thick portion is arranged, and the plate thickness of the second member at the portion where the second thick portion is arranged is greater than the sum of the plate thickness of the first member adjacent to the portion where the first thick portion is arranged and the plate thickness of the second member adjacent to the portion where the second thick portion is arranged.

[0062] [Item 3] Item 2: The heat exchanger according to item 2, the hole forming portion is welded at least at a first position, a second position, and a third position; At the first position, the first thick portion, the first member, the second member, and the second thick portion are welded together; At the second position, the first thick portion and the first member are welded together, At the third position, the second member and the second thick portion are welded together, The heat exchanger, wherein the second position and the third position are positions farther from the first hole portion and the second hole portion than the first position.

[0063] [Item 4] Item 3. The heat exchanger according to item 3, A heat exchanger wherein the first member is configured such that the distance from the second member increases as the region from the edge of the first hole portion to the second position increases as the region moves away from the first hole portion, and / or the second member is configured such that the distance from the first member increases as the region from the edge of the second hole portion to the third position increases as the region moves away from the second hole portion.

[0064] [Item 5] The heat exchanger according to any one of items 1 to 4, The heat exchanger is mounted on an electric vehicle and is disposed so as to overlap in the vertical direction with a battery disposed under a floor of the electric vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1...heat exchanger, 2...battery, 3...thermal conductive material, 4...main body, 4a...outflow path, 4b...return path, 5...connection portion, 5a...inflow path, 5b...outflow path, 40...connecting mechanism, 41...first plate-shaped member, 42...second plate-shaped member, 51...third plate-shaped member, 51a...first portion, 51b...second portion, 51c...third portion, 51d...fourth portion, 51e...fifth portion, 52...fourth plate-shaped member, 61...first thick portion, 62...second thick portion, 63...hole forming portion, 71...first inlet hole portion, 72...second inlet hole portion, 73...first outlet hole portion, 74...second outlet hole portion, 75...inlet port, 76...outlet port, 77...inlet pipe, 78...outlet pipe, 81...first position, 82...second position, 83...third position, 85...flange, A...central axis.

Claims

1. 1. A heat exchanger comprising: A first member and a second member are provided, the first member is a member that exchanges heat with an object and forms a heat exchange flow path that is a flow path of a heat exchange medium, the first member includes a first hole portion communicating with the heat exchange passage, the second member is a member that is connected to the first member and forms a connection flow path that is a flow path that connects to the heat exchange flow path, the second member includes a second hole portion communicating with the connecting flow path, the first member and the second member are arranged so that the heat exchange flow path and the connection flow path overlap with each other and so that the first hole portion and the second hole portion communicate with each other; A heat exchanger in which the second member is configured so that, in a cross section perpendicular to the connecting flow path, the length of the longest part in a first direction, in which the first hole portion and the second hole portion are connected, is shorter than the length of the longest part in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

2. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, a hole forming portion including a first thick portion and a second thick portion; the first thick portion is disposed in the heat exchange flow path so as to surround the first hole portion, the second thick portion is disposed in the connecting flow path so as to surround the second hole portion, a heat exchanger in which the sum of the thickness of the first thick portion, the thickness of the second thick portion, the plate thickness of the first member at the portion where the first thick portion is arranged, and the plate thickness of the second member at the portion where the second thick portion is arranged is greater than the sum of the plate thickness of the first member adjacent to the portion where the first thick portion is arranged and the plate thickness of the second member adjacent to the portion where the second thick portion is arranged.

3. 3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, the hole forming portion is welded at least at a first position, a second position, and a third position; At the first position, the first thick portion, the first member, the second member, and the second thick portion are welded together; At the second position, the first thick portion and the first member are welded together, At the third position, the second member and the second thick portion are welded together, The second position and the third position are positions farther from the first hole portion and the second hole portion than the first position.

4. 4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, a heat exchanger in which the first member is configured such that the distance from the second member increases as the region from the edge of the first hole portion to the second position increases as the region moves away from the first hole portion, and / or the second member is configured such that the distance from the first member increases as the region from the edge of the second hole portion to the third position increases as the region moves away from the second hole portion.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, The heat exchanger is mounted on an electric vehicle and is disposed so as to overlap in the vertical direction with a battery disposed under a floor of the electric vehicle.

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