heat exchanger

The heat exchanger design with rib portions on the second plate member enhances rigidity and prevents flow path connection, addressing the efficiency loss due to bent portions, ensuring effective thermal performance for electric vehicle batteries.

JP2026083802APending Publication Date: 2026-05-20FUTABA IND CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
FUTABA IND CO LTD
Filing Date
2024-11-08
Publication Date
2026-05-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The formation of bent portions and protruding portions in heat exchangers for electric vehicle batteries reduces the heat exchange surface area, leading to decreased efficiency.

Method used

A heat exchanger design with a first and second plate member, featuring welded portions and rib portions that protrude from the second plate member, enhancing rigidity and preventing flow path communication while maintaining heat exchange efficiency.

Benefits of technology

The design suppresses distortion from laser welding and maintains heat exchange efficiency by improving rigidity and preventing flow path connection, thus optimizing thermal performance.

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Abstract

In a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a battery, the reduction in heat exchange efficiency is suppressed while also suppressing distortion caused by laser welding. [Solution] The heat exchanger comprises a first plate member, a second plate member, and a plurality of welds. The second plate member has at least one rib portion. The plurality of welds are portions where the first plate member and the second plate member are joined by welding. Each of the plurality of welds extends along a first direction and is formed in a line along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The rib portion protrudes away from the first plate member from the surface on which at least one of the plurality of welds is formed and extends in the second direction.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange with a battery mounted on an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for suppressing distortion caused by laser welding by forming a bent portion and a protruding portion by bending a material to improve rigidity in a heat exchanger formed by laser welding.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1 above, there is a problem that the area of the heat exchange surface for heat exchange with the battery decreases due to the formation of bent portions and protruding portions, resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to suppress distortion caused by laser welding while suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of heat exchange in a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange with a battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange with a battery mounted on an electric vehicle. The heat exchanger includes a first plate member, a second plate member, and a plurality of welded portions. The second plate member includes at least one rib portion.

[0007] The first plate member is a plate-shaped member configured to face the battery. The second plate member is a plate-shaped member positioned to face the side of the first plate member opposite to the battery, and forms a flow path between it and the first plate member through which a heat exchange medium passes.

[0008] Multiple welds are multiple portions where the first plate member and the second plate member are joined by welding. Each of the multiple welds extends along a first direction and is formed by arranging them along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The rib portion protrudes away from the first plate member from the surface where at least one of the multiple welds is formed and extends in the second direction.

[0009] With this configuration, the rib portion protrudes from the second plate material in a direction away from the first plate material, thus contributing to improved rigidity of the heat exchanger without affecting heat exchange in the first plate material. Therefore, it is possible to suppress distortion caused by laser welding while suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0010] In one aspect of this disclosure, the first plate member and the second plate member may form a plurality of channels extending along a first direction. The welded portion may be formed to partition the plurality of channels. The rib portion may be set such that its length in the second direction is shorter than the distance between adjacent channels. With this configuration, multiple flow paths can be prevented from connecting through the rib section. Therefore, the decrease in heat exchange efficiency caused by the connection of flow paths can be suppressed.

[0011] In one aspect of this disclosure, the second plate member may comprise a plurality of contact portions, a plurality of separation portions, and a plurality of connection portions. The contact portions are portions having surfaces that contact the first plate member and extending along a first direction. The separation portions are portions having surfaces parallel to the contact portions and further away from the first plate member than the contact portions, and extending along the first direction. The connection portions continuously connect the contact portions and the separation portions along the first direction. The spaces enclosed by the first plate member, the separation portions, and the connection portions may each be configured to function as flow paths. A plurality of welds may be formed at the contact portions.

[0012] With this configuration, since the second plate member has a contact portion, a separation portion, and a connection portion, multiple flow paths can be effectively formed between it and the first plate member. Furthermore, since the welded portion is provided at the contact portion, the rigidity of the heat exchanger can be improved.

[0013] In one aspect of this disclosure, the rib portion may extend from the connection portion along a second direction, and the tip of the rib portion may be located in front of another connection portion opposite to the connection portion. With this configuration, since the tip of the rib portion is located in front of the other opposing connection portion without being connected to it, the multiple flow paths can be configured so that they do not communicate with each other.

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the rib portion may extend from the connection portion along a second direction and have a tapered shape, with its length in the first direction decreasing as it moves away from the connection portion. With this configuration, the shape of the rib portion in the cross-section perpendicular to the second direction is triangular, which improves the yield during processing compared to cases where the shape in this cross-section is square or the like.

[0015] In one aspect of this disclosure, at least one rib portion may include a first rib portion and a second rib portion. Multiple connecting portions may include a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first rib portion may extend along a second direction from the first connecting portion toward the second connecting portion. The second rib portion may extend along a second direction toward the first connecting portion at a different position from the first rib portion in the first direction.

[0016] In this configuration, rib sections extend from multiple connection points toward opposing connection points, facing each other. Therefore, compared to a configuration where rib sections extend from only one connection point, the strength against bending forces can be further improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing a heat exchanger. [Figure 2] It is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 3. However, it includes the first plate member. [Figure 3] It is a schematic perspective view showing the second plate member. [Figure 4] FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the rib portion, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the first modification. [Figure 5] It is a schematic sectional view showing the mechanism of generation of the bending moment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the second modification, FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the third modification, and FIG. 6C is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the fourth modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the fifth modification, FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the sixth modification, and FIG. 7C is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the seventh modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the eighth modification, FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the ninth modification, and FIG. 8C is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the tenth modification. <00000 yet another]]FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the eleventh modification, FIG. 9B is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the twelfth modification, and FIG. 9C is a perspective view showing the rib portion of the thirteenth modification.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] ]Heat exchanger 100 shown in FIG. 1 cools or heats the battery 200 (see, for example, FIG. 2) mounted on an electric vehicle by performing heat exchange with the battery. An electric vehicle is an automobile that runs using all or part of the electric energy stored in the battery 200 as the power of the vehicle. Electric vehicles include electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and the like. The heat exchanger 100 is configured such that a heat exchange medium such as cooling water flows inside.

[0019] ​The heat exchanger 100 comprises a first plate member 10, a second plate member 20, one welded joint 31, and four welded joints 32. The second plate member 20 has two rib sections 26 and 27 (see, for example, Figure 2). The heat exchanger 100 may also have an inlet 121 through which the heat exchange medium flows into the heat exchanger 100, and an outlet 122 through which the heat exchange medium is discharged from the heat exchanger 100. Note that in Figure 1, the rib sections 26 and 27 are not shown.

[0020] In this embodiment, the inlet 121 and outlet 122 are provided on the first plate member 10. Specifically, the inlet 121 is located at the first end in the first direction L, which is the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger 100, and approximately in the center of the second direction S, which is the short direction of the heat exchanger 100. The outlet 122 is located at the second end in the first direction L of the heat exchanger 100, and approximately in the center of the second direction S. The second end is the end opposite to the first end in the first direction L. Furthermore, the positions of the inlet 121 and outlet 122 in the heat exchanger 100 can take various positions depending on the shape of the flow path 34 through which the heat exchange medium flows. The battery 200 is positioned between the inlet 121 and the outlet 122.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the heat exchanger 100 is positioned to face the contact surface of the battery 200 (for example, the bottom surface in Figure 2). A thermal conductive material (not shown) may be placed between the heat exchanger 100 and the battery 200.

[0022] The heat exchanger 100 may have a first direction L corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the electric vehicle and a second direction S corresponding to the left-to-right direction of the electric vehicle, or the first direction L corresponding to the left-to-right direction of the electric vehicle and the second direction S corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the electric vehicle.

[0023] <First plate member 10> The first plate member 10 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member and is configured to face the contact surface of the battery 200. The first plate member 10 is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum. Alternatively, the first plate member 10 may be made of a metal with high corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel. The first plate member 10 is parallel to the neutral axis N extending along the second direction S in a cross section (hereinafter simply referred to as the cross section) perpendicular to the first direction L of the heat exchanger 100, and extends in a substantially planar manner along the first direction L and the second direction S. Here, the neutral axis N is the line that intersects the cross section with the neutral plane, which is a plane in the composite material formed by welding the first plate member 10 and the second plate member 20, where neither compressive strain nor tensile strain occurs in the object. At the neutral axis N, even if a bending moment acts on the object, the tensile force and compressive force are balanced, and no stress is generated in the cross section.

[0024] <Second plate member 20> The second plate member 20 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that is positioned to face the side of the first plate member 10 opposite to the battery 200 (for example, the bottom surface in Figure 2), and forms a flow path 34 through which a heat exchange medium passes between it and the first plate member 10. In this embodiment, five flow paths 34 are formed as shown in Figure 2.

[0025] For example, if the contact surface of the battery 200 mounted on the electric vehicle extends in a substantially horizontal direction, the second plate member 20 is positioned below or above the first plate member 10. Also, for example, if the contact surface of the battery 200 mounted on the electric vehicle extends in a substantially vertical direction, the second plate member 20 is positioned to the left, right, front, or rear of the first plate member 10. The second plate member 20 is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, similar to the first plate member 10. The second plate member 20 may also be made of a metal with high corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the second plate member 20 comprises a plurality of contact portions 21, a plurality of separation portions 22, and a plurality of connecting portions 23. The contact portions 21 are portions having a surface that contacts the first plate member 10, extending along a first direction L and parallel to the neutral axis N. The separation portions 22 are portions having a surface parallel to the contact portions 21 and further away from the first plate member 10 than the contact portions 21, extending along the first direction L and parallel to the neutral axis N. The connecting portions 23 continuously connect the contact portions 21 and the separation portions 22 along the first direction L. The connecting portions 23 have a plane that intersects with the contact portions 21 and the separation portions 22. Each space enclosed by the first plate member 10, the separation portions 22, and the connecting portions 23 is configured to function as a flow path 34.

[0027] <Welded joints 31, 32> The welded portions 31 and 32 are areas where the first plate member 10 and the second plate member 20 are joined by welding, and are areas that extend linearly along the first direction L. Multiple welded portions 31 and 32 are each formed on one of the contact portions 21. Each of the multiple welded portions 31 and 32 extends linearly along the first direction L and is formed in a line along the second direction S which is perpendicular to the first direction L. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the welded portion 31 is formed along the outer circumference of the first plate member 10 and the second plate member 20, and has portions formed not only along the first direction L but also along the second direction S.

[0028] On the other hand, the welded portion 32 is formed in the portion of the contact portion 21 that is located between the multiple flow channels 34. In other words, the welded portion 32 is formed to partition the multiple flow channels 34. As shown in Figure 2, the welded joints 31 and 32 are formed by heat input from the second plate member 20 side. This is to ensure that the weld line (i.e., weld bead) caused by the melting of the material is formed only on the second plate member 20 side and is less likely to form on the battery 200 side of the first plate member 10. With this configuration, the heat exchanger 100 can be made less prone to unevenness on the battery 200 side of the first plate member 10, so that heat exchange can be performed smoothly without gaps forming between it and the battery 200.

[0029] <Rib section 26, 27> As shown in Figures 2 to 4A, the rib portions 26 and 27 protrude away from the first plate member 10 from the surface where at least one of the multiple welded portions 31 and 32 is formed (i.e., the contact portion 21) and extend along the second direction S. Note that in Figure 4A, the vertical direction is inverted. The rib portions 26 and 27 are arranged at equal intervals along the first direction L, with five rib portions for every four contact portions 21, as shown in Figure 3, for example. The rib portions 26 and 27 are formed in a triangular pyramidal shape with the connecting portion 23 as the base.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4A, the rib portions 26 and 27 extend from the connection portion 23 along the second direction S, and are set so that the tips of the rib portions 26 and 27 are positioned in front of the other connection portion 23 that is opposite to the connection portion 23. In other words, the length of the rib portions 26 and 27 in the second direction S is set to be shorter than the distance between adjacent flow channels 34. Here, the distance between adjacent flow channels 34 is the distance in the second direction S from one connection portion 23 to the opposite connection portion 23 separated by the welded portion 32. Specifically, for example, it is the distance from the connection portion 23 to which the rib portion 26 is connected to the connection portion 23 to which the opposing rib portion 27 is connected.

[0031] The rib portions 26 and 27 extend from the connection portion 23 along the second direction S, and have a tapered shape in which the length in the first direction L becomes shorter (i.e., the width becomes smaller) as they move away from the connection portion 23. The tips of the rib portions 26 and 27 are set so as not to reach the opposing connection portion 23, and beyond the area where the weld portion 32 is formed in the second direction S. This configuration makes it possible to achieve both the rigidity of the rib portions 26 and 27 and the sealing performance in each flow path 34.

[0032] Here, the rib portion 26 is referred to as the first rib portion 26, and the rib portion 27 as the second rib portion 27. Also, as shown in Figure 4A, the connection portion 23 on which the rib portion 26 is formed is referred to as the first connection portion 23A, and the connection portion 23 on which the rib portion 27 is formed is referred to as the second connection portion 23B. The first rib portion 26 and the second rib portion 27 are arranged adjacent to each other along the same contact portion 21 in the first direction L and the second direction S. The first rib portion 26 extends along the second direction S from the first connection portion 23A toward the second connection portion 23B to connect the first connection portion 23A and the contact portion 21. The second rib portion 27 extends along the second direction S from the second connection portion 23B toward the first connection portion 23A at a different position in the first direction L than the first rib portion 26 to connect the second connection portion 23B and the contact portion 21. Note that "extends" includes having a predetermined length in that direction.

[0033] The first connecting portion 23A faces the second connecting portion 23B across the contact portion 21 where the rib portions 26 and 27 are arranged, and the first rib portion 26 and the second rib portion 27 are arranged facing each other. The distance between the two rib portions 26 and 27 is set to be shorter than, for example, their length along the second direction S. Also, the maximum width of the first rib portion 26 and the second rib portion 27 (i.e., the maximum length along the first direction L) is set to be longer than, for example, the distance between the two rib portions 26 and 27.

[0034] In this embodiment, in the contact portion 21, no welded portion 32 is formed in the area where the rib portions 26 and 27 are formed. That is, the welded portion 32 is formed along the first direction L, is interrupted at the area where the rib portions 26 and 27 are formed, and is formed to resume from a position beyond the rib portions 26 and 27.

[0035] [1-2. Effects] The embodiments described in detail above produce the following effects. (1a) One aspect of the present disclosure is a heat exchanger 100 configured to exchange heat with a battery 200 mounted on an electric vehicle. The heat exchanger 100 comprises a first plate member 10, a second plate member 20, and a plurality of welded portions 31, 32. The second plate member 20 comprises at least one rib portion 26, 27.

[0036] The first plate member 10 is a plate-shaped member configured to face the battery 200. The second plate member 20 is a plate-shaped member positioned to face the side of the first plate member 10 opposite to the battery 200, and forms a flow path 34 through which a heat exchange medium passes between it and the first plate member 10.

[0037] The multiple welded sections 31 and 32 are multiple parts where the first plate member 10 and the second plate member 20 are joined by welding. Each of the multiple welded sections 31 and 32 extends linearly along the first direction L and is formed by arranging them along the second direction S which is perpendicular to the first direction L.

[0038] The rib portions 26 and 27 protrude away from the first plate member 10 from the surface on which at least one of the multiple welded portions 31 and 32 is formed, and extend in the second direction S. Here, since a welded portion 32 is formed in the contact portion 21, a bending force may be generated in the heat exchanger 100 due to thermal shrinkage after welding. For example, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction L as shown in Figure 5, a force F1 due to thermal shrinkage in the first plate member 10 and a force F2 due to thermal shrinkage in the second plate member 20 are generated. In this case, since the volume of the welded portion 32 is larger on the second plate member 20 side than on the first plate member 10 side, the force F2 is greater than the force F1. Therefore, a bending moment M (i.e., a bending force) that is convex upward is generated in the welded portion 32. The rib portions 26 and 27 are structures that can withstand such bending forces along the second direction S.

[0039] With this configuration, the rib portions 26 and 27 protrude away from the first plate material in the second plate material, thus contributing to improved rigidity of the heat exchanger 100 without affecting heat exchange in the first plate member 10. Therefore, distortion caused by laser welding can be suppressed while preventing a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

[0040] (1b) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first plate member 10 and the second plate member 20 form a plurality of flow channels 34 extending along a first direction L. Welds 31 and 32 are formed to separate the plurality of flow channels 34. The rib portions 26 and 27 are set such that the length in the second direction S is shorter than the distance between adjacent flow channels 34 (i.e., the length from end to end in the second direction S).

[0041] With this configuration, the rib sections 26 and 27 prevent multiple flow paths 34 from communicating with each other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the decrease in heat exchange efficiency caused by the communication of flow paths 34.

[0042] (1c) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the second plate member 20 comprises a plurality of contact portions 21, a plurality of separation portions 22, and a plurality of connecting portions 23. The contact portions 21 are portions having a surface that contacts the first plate member 10 and extending along a first direction L. The separation portions 22 are portions having a surface parallel to the contact portions 21 and further away from the first plate member 10 than the contact portions 21, and extending along the first direction L. The connecting portions 23 continuously connect the contact portions 21 and the separation portions 22 along the first direction L. Each space enclosed by the first plate member 10, the separation portions 22, and the connecting portions 23 is configured to function as a flow path 34. A plurality of welded portions 31, 32 are formed in the contact portions 21.

[0043] With this configuration, since the second plate member 20 has a contact portion 21, a separation portion 22, and a connecting portion 23, multiple flow channels 34 can be formed effectively between it and the first plate member 10. In addition, since the welded portions 31 and 32 are provided on the contact portion 21, the rigidity of the heat exchanger 100 can be improved.

[0044] (1d) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the rib portions 26 and 27 extend from the connection portion 23 along a second direction S, and the tips of the rib portions 26 and 27 are located in front of the other connection portion 23 that is opposite to the connection portion 23. With this configuration, the tips of the rib portions 26 and 27 are located in front of the other opposing connection portion 23 without being connected to it, so that the multiple flow paths 34 do not communicate with each other.

[0045] (1e) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the rib portions 26, 27 extend from the connecting portion 23 along a second direction S and have a tapered shape in which the length in the first direction L decreases (i.e., the width decreases) as they move away from the connecting portion 23.

[0046] With this configuration, since the shape of the rib portions 26 and 27 in the cross-section perpendicular to the second direction S is triangular, the yield and rigidity during processing can be improved compared to cases where the shape in this cross-section is square or the like.

[0047] (1f) In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one rib portion 26, 27 comprises a first rib portion 26 and a second rib portion 27. A plurality of connecting portions 23 comprises a first connecting portion 23 and a second connecting portion 23. The first rib portion 26 extends along a second direction S from the first connecting portion 23 toward the second connecting portion 23. The second rib portion 27 extends along a second direction S from the second connecting portion 23 toward the first connecting portion 23 at a different position from the first rib portion 26 in a first direction L.

[0048] In this configuration, rib portions 26 and 27 extend from multiple connection portions 23 toward opposing connection portions 23, facing each other. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which rib portions 26 and 27 extend from only one connection portion 23, the strength against bending forces can be further improved. The ribs provided on the second plate material may be arranged symmetrically apart in the second direction S with respect to the flow direction.

[0049] [2. Other Embodiments] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0050] (2a) In the above embodiment, there are pairs of rib portions 26, 27, but the embodiment is not limited to this. There may be more or fewer than two rib portions 26, 27. For example, as shown in region A of the first modified example shown in Figure 4B, there may be pairs of three rib portions 26, 27, each having one rib portion 26 and two rib portions 27 arranged to sandwich it.

[0051] (2b) The configuration of the rib sections 26 and 27 may differ depending on the location. For example, the distance between the two rib sections 26 and 27 can be arbitrarily set depending on the location. Specifically, as shown in area B of Figure 4B, the distance between the two rib sections 26 and 27 may be wider than in other locations and may be about the same as the length of the rib sections 26 and 27 along the second direction S. Note that in Figure 4B and Figures 6A and below, the vertical direction is inverted.

[0052] (2c) In the above embodiment, the rib portions 26 and 27 are formed in a triangular pyramidal shape, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as in the second modified example heat exchanger 102 shown in Figure 6A, the two rib portions 26 and 27 may be replaced with rib portions 262 and 272 that have a rounded shape at the tip of a rectangular parallelepiped. Alternatively, as in the third modified example heat exchanger 103 shown in Figure 6B, trapezoidal rib portions 263 and 273 may be provided. Alternatively, as in the fourth modified example heat exchanger 104 shown in Figure 6C, rib portions 264 and 274 that are triangular in plan view may be provided.

[0053] (2d) In the above embodiment, the rib portions 26 and 27 are configured so as not to communicate with the flow path 34, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as in the fifth modified example heat exchanger 105 shown in Figure 7A, a rib portion 28A configured to connect opposing connection portions 23 may be provided. In this configuration, the flow path 34 is communicated. Also, as in the sixth modified example heat exchanger 106 shown in Figure 7B, two rib portions 28B may be provided, formed symmetrically along the second direction S with the welded portion 32 in between.

[0054] (2e) In the above embodiment, the welded portion 32 was formed to be interrupted by the rib portions 26 and 27, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as in the seventh modified example heat exchanger 107 shown in Figure 7C, the welded portion 32 may be formed continuously, avoiding the rib portions 26 and 27, so as not to be interrupted near the rib portions 26 and 27.

[0055] (2f) In the above embodiment, the rib portions 26 and 27 were formed to extend from the connecting portion 23 along the second direction S, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, they may be formed at a position away from the connecting portion 23, as shown in Figures 8A to 9C, with rib portions 28C to 28H.

[0056] For example, the heat exchanger 108 of the eighth modified example shown in Figure 8A is equipped with a hemispherical rib section 28C. Also, for example, the heat exchanger 109 of the ninth modified example shown in Figure 8B is equipped with a frustoconical rib section 28D. Furthermore, for example, the heat exchanger 110 of the tenth modified example shown in Figure 8C is equipped with a frustoconical rib section 28E.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, the heat exchanger 111 of the 11th modified example shown in Figure 9A and the heat exchanger 112 of the 12th modified example shown in Figure 9B are equipped with square pyramidal rib sections 28F and 28G. In the 11th modified example, the rib section 28F is arranged so that its base is aligned with the first direction L and the second direction S. On the other hand, in the 12th modified example, the rib section 28G is arranged so that the diagonals of its base are aligned with the first direction L and the second direction S. Furthermore, for example, the heat exchanger 113 of the 13th modified example shown in Figure 9C may be equipped with a hip roof-type rib section 28H. A hip roof type is a shape formed by combining two opposing triangles and two trapezoids to create a cone shape.

[0058] (2g) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0059] (2h) In addition to the heat exchangers 100 to 113 described above, this disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as systems, vehicles, and heat exchange methods that use the heat exchangers 100 to 113 as components.

[0060] [Technical Concept Disclosed in This Specified Specification] [Item 1] A heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with a battery mounted on an electric vehicle, A first plate member, which is a plate-shaped member, is configured to face the battery, A second plate member, which is a plate-shaped member, is positioned facing the side of the first plate member opposite to the battery, and forms a flow path between it and the first plate member through which a heat exchange medium passes. A plurality of welded portions, each of which is formed by welding the first plate member and the second plate member together, and which extends along a first direction and is arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, Equipped with, The second plate member has at least one rib portion that protrudes from the surface on which at least one of the plurality of welded portions is formed, in a direction away from the first plate member, and extends in the second direction, A heat exchanger equipped with [the following features]. [Item 2] The heat exchanger described in item 1, The first plate member and the second plate member form a plurality of the flow channels extending along the first direction. The welded portion is formed to partition the plurality of flow paths, The rib portion is set such that its length in the second direction is shorter than the distance between adjacent flow channels. heat exchanger. [Item 3] A heat exchanger as described in item 1 or item 2, The second plate member is A portion having a surface that contacts the first plate member, and comprising a plurality of contact portions extending along the first direction, A plurality of separation portions extending along the first direction, having a surface parallel to the contact portion and further away from the first plate member than the contact portion, The system comprises a plurality of connecting portions that continuously connect the contact portion and the separation portion along the first direction, Each of the spaces enclosed by the first plate member, the separation portion, and the connection portion is configured to function as a flow path. The plurality of welded parts are formed in the contact portion. heat exchanger. [Item 4] A heat exchanger as described in item 3, The rib portion extends from the connection portion along the second direction, and the tip of the rib portion is positioned in front of another connection portion that is opposite to the connection portion. heat exchanger. [Item 5] A heat exchanger as described in item 3 or item 4, The rib portion extends from the connection portion along the second direction and has a tapered shape, with its length in the first direction decreasing as it moves away from the connection portion. heat exchanger. [Item 6] A heat exchanger described in any one of items 3 through 5, The at least one rib portion comprises a first rib portion and a second rib portion, The plurality of connection parts include a first connection part and a second connection part. The first rib portion extends along the second direction from the first connection portion toward the second connection portion, The second rib portion extends along the second direction toward the first connection portion at a position different from the first rib portion in the first direction. heat exchanger. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 10...First plate member, 20...Second plate member, 21...Contact part, 22...Separation part, 23...Connection part, 23A...First connection part, 23B...Second connection part, 26...First rib part, 27...Second rib part, 28A~28H,262~264,272~274...Rib part, 31,32...Welded part, 34...Flow path, 100~113...Heat exchanger, 121...Inlet, 122...Outlet, 200...Battery.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with a battery mounted on an electric vehicle, A first plate member, which is a plate-shaped member, is configured to face the battery, A second plate member, which is a plate-shaped member, is positioned facing the side of the first plate member opposite to the battery, and forms a flow path between it and the first plate member through which a heat exchange medium passes. A plurality of welded portions, each of which is formed by welding the first plate member and the second plate member together, and which extends along a first direction and is arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, Equipped with, The second plate member has at least one rib portion that protrudes from the surface on which at least one of the plurality of welded portions is formed, in a direction away from the first plate member, and extends in the second direction. A heat exchanger equipped with [the following features].

2. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, The first plate member and the second plate member form a plurality of the flow channels extending along the first direction. The welded portion is formed to partition the plurality of flow paths, The rib portion is set such that its length in the second direction is shorter than the distance between adjacent flow channels. heat exchanger.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 2, The second plate member is, A portion having a surface that contacts the first plate member, and comprising a plurality of contact portions extending along the first direction, A plurality of separation portions extending along the first direction, having a surface parallel to the contact portion and further away from the first plate member than the contact portion, The device comprises a plurality of connecting parts that continuously connect the contact part and the separation part along the first direction, Each of the spaces enclosed by the first plate member, the separation portion, and the connection portion is configured to function as a flow path. The plurality of welded parts are formed in the contact portion. heat exchanger.

4. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, The rib portion extends from the connection portion along the second direction, and the tip of the rib portion is positioned in front of another connection portion that is opposite to the connection portion. heat exchanger.

5. A heat exchanger according to claim 3 or claim 4, The rib portion extends from the connection portion along the second direction and has a tapered shape, with its length in the first direction decreasing as it moves away from the connection portion. heat exchanger.

6. A heat exchanger according to claim 3 or claim 4, The at least one rib portion comprises a first rib portion and a second rib portion, The plurality of connection parts include a first connection part and a second connection part. The first rib portion extends along the second direction from the first connection portion toward the second connection portion, The second rib portion extends along the second direction toward the first connection portion at a position different from the first rib portion in the first direction. heat exchanger.