Vehicle fluid heating device

Abstract

The present invention provides a fluid heating device for vehicles that can efficiently transfer heat generated by a heating element to a fluid. [Solution] The vehicle fluid heating device 1 to 1c comprises tanks 10 and 100 having internal flow paths for guiding fluid, heating units 22 and 122 that heat the fluid by heating the tanks 10 and 100, a heat transfer member 23 sandwiched between the tanks 10 and 100 and the heating units 22 and 122, and a base material 21 with a lower thermal conductivity than the tanks 10 and 100. The base material 21 is laminated on the other side of the heating units 22 and 122 opposite to the side facing the heat transfer member 23, and the heating units 22 and 122 and the base material 21 form a curved convex surface that approaches the tanks 10 and 100.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fluid heating device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle heating device that heats a liquid such as water or a liquid coolant. The vehicle heating device includes a heating plate having a stainless steel substrate and a heat radiating element disposed on the surface of the substrate, and an aluminum heat radiating member disposed between the flow path and the heating plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the vehicle heating device of Patent Document 1, the heat generated by the heating element of the heating plate is transmitted to the flow path through the stainless steel substrate and the aluminum heat radiating member. However, in a configuration that includes a stainless steel substrate with a lower thermal conductivity than aluminum, there is a problem that the heat generated by the heating element cannot be efficiently transferred to the fluid.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle fluid heating device that can efficiently transfer the heat generated by the heating unit to the fluid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A fluid heating device for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a tank having a flow path for guiding a fluid, a heating unit that heats the fluid by heating the tank, a heat transfer member sandwiched between the tank and the heating unit, and a substrate with a lower thermal conductivity than the tank, wherein the substrate is laminated on the other side of the heating unit opposite to the side facing the heat transfer member, and the heating unit and the substrate form a curved convex surface that approaches the tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The fluid heating device for vehicles described herein can efficiently transfer heat generated by the heating element to the fluid. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the tank and case of a fluid heating device for a vehicle in an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the tank, heat transfer member, heating section, and base material of a fluid heating device for vehicles in an embodiment. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the tank, heat transfer member, heating section, and base material of a vehicle fluid heating device along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the tank, heat transfer member, heating section, and base material of a vehicle fluid heating device along line BB in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the heating section and the base material before and after molding. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the tank, heating element, terminals, and wiring of a vehicle fluid heating device along line CC in Figure 1. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a perspective view showing a fluid heating device for a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the tank, heat transfer member, heating section, and base material of a vehicle fluid heating device along the DD line in Figure 6A. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view showing the case where the other end of the heating section is trapezoidal. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view showing a case where a notch is formed in the tank. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions of components, and connection configurations shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, any components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0011] Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Also, the same reference numeral is used for the same component in each figure.

[0012] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, in Figure 1, the direction in which the tank is inserted into the first opening is defined as the positive X-axis direction, the direction of the circuit board relative to the cover is defined as the positive Y-axis direction, and the direction of the second housing relative to the first housing, which is perpendicular to the positive X-axis and positive Y-axis directions, is defined as the positive Z-axis direction. The directions in Figure 1 may also be applied in Figures 2 and later.

[0013] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, expressions such as "X-axis direction" and "trapezoidal shape" are used. For example, "X-axis direction" means not only that it is a perfect X-axis direction and "trapezoidal shape" means that it is a perfect trapezoid, but also that it is substantially an X-axis direction and substantially trapezoidal, that is, including an error of, for example, a few percent. Also, "X-axis direction" and "trapezoidal shape" mean that they are X-axis direction and trapezoidal to the extent that the effects of this disclosure can be achieved. The same applies to other expressions using "direction" and "shape".

[0014] (Embodiment) First, the configuration of the vehicle fluid heating device 1 will be described while referring to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the tank 10 and the case 40 of the vehicle fluid heating device 1 in the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the tank 10, the heat transfer member 23, the heating part 22, and the base material 21 of the vehicle fluid heating device 1 in the embodiment. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the tank 10, the heat transfer member 23, the heating part 22, the base material 21, etc. of the vehicle fluid heating device 1 along the line A-A of FIG. 1. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the tank 10, the heat transfer member 23, the heating part 22, the base material 21, etc. of the vehicle fluid heating device 1 along the line B-B of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a view showing before and after molding of the heating part 22 and the base material 21. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the tank 10, the heating element 22A, the terminal 17, and the wiring 18 of the vehicle fluid heating device 1 along the line C-C of FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, in order to suppress complication of the drawing, the heat transfer member 23, the base material 21, etc. are omitted. FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the vehicle fluid heating device 1 in the embodiment. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the tank 10, the heat transfer member 23, the heating part 22, the base material 21, etc. of the vehicle fluid heating device 1 along the line D-D of FIG. 6A. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the case where the other end side of the heating part 22 and the tank 10 is trapezoidal. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the case where a notch 10k is formed in the tank 10. In FIG. 8, in order to make the notch 10k of the tank 100 distinguishable, a two-dot chain line is used to show a line that is symmetric with respect to the center line on the other end side of the tank 100. In FIG. 8, in order to suppress complication of the drawing, illustrations other than the tank 100, the heating part 22, the base material 21, the terminal 17, and the wiring 18 are omitted.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle fluid heating device 1 is applied to vehicle air conditioners, vehicle batteries, etc. mounted on vehicles such as EVs (Electric Vehicles), HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), and PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). When the vehicle fluid heating device 1 is applied to, for example, a vehicle air conditioner, it heats the fluid when the vehicle air conditioner performs a heating operation. Thereby, the vehicle air conditioner can send warm air into the vehicle cabin.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle fluid heating device 1 includes a case 40, a tank 10, a heat transfer member 23, a heating part 22, a base material 21, and a circuit board 30.

[0018] The case 40 houses the tank 10, the heating part 22, and the circuit board 30. The case 40 is long in the X-axis direction and has an L shape when viewed along the X-axis direction. The case 40 is made of, for example, a metal material.

[0019] Specifically, the case 40 has a first housing 110 that is long in the X-axis direction and houses the tank 10 that is long in the X-axis direction, and a second housing 120 that is long along the longitudinal direction of the first housing 110 and extends in the Z-axis direction intersecting the first housing 110 in a state of being connected to the first housing 110.

[0020] The first housing 110 is a housing that is flat in the Z-axis direction and long in the X-axis direction so as to house the tank 10. That is, the first housing 110 is a container arranged parallel to the XY plane.

[0021] The first housing 110 has a first opening 112 formed at one end in the longitudinal direction. The first opening 112 is open to allow the tank 10 to be inserted. The first opening 112 is located on the negative X-axis side of the first housing 110. Therefore, the tank 10 can be inserted into the first opening 112 of the first housing 110 along the positive X-axis direction.

[0022] The second housing 120 is elongated along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the tank 10. A connector 31 for electrically connecting to the circuit board 30 is attached to the second housing 120.

[0023] The tank 10, inserted through the first opening 112, has a lid 13 positioned to close the first opening 112. The lid 13 is fastened to the first opening 112 by fastenings. The lid 13 is a plate-shaped member positioned at the end of the tank 10 on the negative X-axis side. The lid 13 is held at one end of the tank 10 (the negative X-axis side) in a position parallel to the YZ plane.

[0024] The lid 13 has a supply port 11 and a discharge port 12. In other words, the supply port 11 and the discharge port 12 are located on one end of the tank 10. The supply port 11 and the discharge port 12 are located close together, side by side. A hose for fluid to flow into the supply port 11 is connected to the discharge port 12, and a hose for fluid to flow out is connected to the discharge port 12.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the tank 10 is flat and elongated. Specifically, the tank 10 is flat in the Z-axis direction and elongated in the X-axis direction. In other words, the tank 10 is a flat, plate-shaped container parallel to the XY plane. The tank 10 is made of a metal material such as aluminum.

[0026] Tank 10 has internal fluid passages for guiding fluid. Specifically, Tank 10 has a supply port 11 through which fluid is supplied to Tank 10 from the outside, and a discharge port 12 through which the fluid that has passed through the passages in Tank 10 is discharged to the outside. The supply port 11 and the discharge port 12 are arranged on the lid 13 of Tank 10 so as to be aligned along the Y-axis. Each of the supply port 11 and the discharge port 12 is a connection port through which a hose (not shown) can be connected. By connecting hoses to each of the supply port 11 and the discharge port 12, fluid can pass through the passages in Tank 10. The fluid is, for example, a liquid such as coolant.

[0027] The lid 13 is positioned at the end of the tank 10 on the negative X-axis side and is integrated with the tank 10. Integration means that the lid 13 and the tank 10 cannot be separated without destroying the lid 13 and the tank 10.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3A, a heat transfer member 23, a heating section 22, and a base material 21 are arranged on one side of the tank 10 in the positive Z-axis direction and on the other side of the tank 10 in the negative Z-axis direction, respectively.

[0029] Specifically, the heat transfer element 23, heating element 22, and base material 21 are stacked in this order within the tank 10.

[0030] The heat transfer member 23 is sandwiched between the tank 10 and the heating unit 22, and is configured to transfer the heat generated by the heating unit 22 to the tank 10. The thermal conductivity of the heat transfer member 23 may be higher than that of the base material 21.

[0031] The heat transfer member 23 is, for example, a thermal conductive material made of silicon. In this case, the heat transfer member 23 is in the form of a paste applied to one side of the tank 10 on the Z-axis positive side and the other side of the tank 10 on the Z-axis negative side. The heat transfer member 23 is a layered member laminated on the tank 10, and is laminated on both sides (one side and the other side) of the tank 10 to form a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the tank 10.

[0032] The heating section 22 is a layered member and is laminated on the surface of the heat transfer member 23. The heating section 22 has a shape that conforms to the outer shape of the tank 10. The heating section 22 is sandwiched between the base material 21 and the heat transfer member 23. By generating heat, the heating section 22 can heat the tank 10 via the heat transfer member 23. As a result, the fluid supplied from the supply port 11 of the tank 10 is heated by the heating section 22 as it passes through the tank 10, and the heated fluid can be discharged from the discharge port 12.

[0033] The heating section 22 includes a heating element 22A and an insulating layer 22B that sandwiches the heating element 22A.

[0034] The heating element 22A is, for example, patterned heater wiring (not shown) and generates heat from the power supplied from the circuit board 30. The insulating layer 22B is laminated on both the heat transfer member 23 side and the base material 21 side of the heating element 22A, sandwiching the heating element 22A. The insulating layer 22B is, for example, a glass paste containing glass. Therefore, the heating element 22A and the tank 10, and the heating element 22A and the base material 21 can be configured so that they are not electrically connected.

[0035] The base material 21 is a laminated layered member, laminated on the opposite side of the heating section 22 from the side facing the heat transfer member 23. The base material 21 has a shape that conforms to the outer shape of the tank 10. The base material 21 is made of a heat-resistant material such as stainless steel. The thermal conductivity of the base material 21 is lower than that of the tank 10. As a result, when the heating section 22 generates heat, heat is more easily transferred to the tank 10 side than to the base material 21 side.

[0036] The surface 21f of the base material 21 opposite to the heating section 22 may be mirror-finished. In this case, compared to a base material whose surface is not mirror-finished, the amount of radiation from the surface 21f of the base material 21 is reduced, thus suppressing an increase in heat dissipation from the base material 21 to the side opposite the heating section 22. When the surface 21f is mirror-finished, the glossiness of the surface 21f is 50 GU or higher.

[0037] The heating element 22 and the base material 21 are integrally constructed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, first, an insulating layer 22B is formed by applying glass paste to the base material 21 and baking it. Then, a heating element 22A is formed by laminating patterned heater wiring onto the surface of the formed insulating layer 22B and baking it. Finally, another insulating layer 22B is formed by applying glass paste to cover the heater wiring and baking it, thereby obtaining a component in which the heating element 22 and the base material 21 are integrated. Here, the base material 21 has a greater thermal expansion and contraction rate than the insulating layer 22B, and the base material 21 has a greater thermal expansion and contraction rate than the heating element 22. Therefore, when the heating element 22 is baked onto the base material 21 and molded, the base material 21 shrinks more than the heating element 22, causing the central portion of the heating element 22 and the base material 21 to curve. Since the heating section 22 and the base material 21 are laminated on the heat transfer member 23, the central portion of the heating section 22 and the base material 21 curves closer to the tank 10, while the outer edges other than the central portion curve upward away from the tank 10.

[0038] In other words, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the heating section 22 and the base material 21 are curved in the central portion so as to form a convex surface toward the tank 10. Therefore, the thickness of the central portion of the heat transfer member 23 is thinner than the thickness of the outer edge portion of the heat transfer member 23. Note that in Figures 3A and 3B, the curvature of the heating section 22 and the base material 21 is depicted as being greater than it actually is in order to make it easier to understand.

[0039] These laminates, each having a base material 21, a heating element 22, and a heat transfer element 23, are laminated on both sides of the tank 10 and fixed to the tank 10 by fixing members 15.

[0040] Specifically, the tank 10 has a base 10a to which the fixing member 15 is connected. The base 10a is located in the center of one side of the tank 10 (for example, the side in the positive Z-axis direction) and the other side of the tank 10 (for example, the side in the negative Z-axis direction). The heating section 22 has a through hole 22a that corresponds to the base 10a and allows the base 10a to pass through. Since the heat transfer member 23 is applied to one side and the other side of the tank 10 so as to avoid the base 10a, the heat transfer member 23 has a hole 23a that corresponds to the through hole 22a of the heating section 22. The base material 21 has a hole portion 21a that corresponds to the through hole 22a of the heating section 22. The hole portion 21a of the base material 21 is placed on the base 10a.

[0041] Holes 21a, through holes 22a, and 23a correspond to fastening holes 10a1 formed in the base 10a for connecting the fixing members 15. The fixing members 15 are screws, bolts, etc., and are connected to the base 10a by fastening them to the fastening holes 10a1 of the base 10a. At this time, the fixing member 15 has a threaded portion 15a that is fastened to the fastening holes 10a1 of the base 10a, and a flange-shaped head 15b that protrudes radially from the threaded portion 15a. By fastening the fixing members 15 to each of the fastening holes 10a1 in the multiple bases 10a provided on both sides of the tank 10, the head 15b can be used to fix the laminate in a state where it is pressed against the tank 10. As a result, the central portion of the laminate is pressed closer to the tank 10 by the fixing members 15 connected to the tank 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the tank 10 has a plurality of bases 10b to which fixing members 16 arranged along the outer edge of the stacked body are connected.

[0043] The fixing member 16 is a screw, bolt, etc., and is connected to the base 10b by fastening it to the fastening hole 10b1 of the base 10b. At this time, the fixing member 16 has a threaded portion 16a that is fastened to the fastening hole 10b1 of the base 10b, and a flange-shaped head 16b that protrudes radially from the threaded portion 16a. By fastening the fixing member 16 to each of the fastening holes 10b1 of the multiple bases 10b, the head 16b can be used to fix the laminate in a state where it is pressed against the tank 10. As a result, the outer peripheral edge portion of the laminate is pressed closer to the tank 10 by the fixing member 16 connected to the tank 10. Note that the fixing member 16 may also be a bracket.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the heating element 22A of the heating section 22 is electrically connected to terminal 17. Terminal 17 is located at the edge of the heating section 22 and is positioned at a predetermined distance away from the tank 10 so as not to come into contact with it. Terminal 17 is electrically connected to the circuit board 30 via wiring 18.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, a heating unit 22 is installed in the tank 10. When the tank 10 is housed in the first housing 110, an insulating layer is formed between the heating unit 22 and the inner wall surface of the first housing 110. The insulating layer is, for example, an air layer or insulating material placed between the heating unit 22 and the inner wall surface of the first housing 110. The heating unit 22 and the first housing 110 are spaced apart so as not to come into contact.

[0046] The circuit board 30 is a long, plate-like structure in the X-axis direction and is held in the case 40 in a position parallel to the XZ plane. The circuit board 30 housed in the case 40 is arranged across the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. The circuit board 30 can drive and control the heating unit 22. By driving and controlling the heating unit 22, the circuit board 30 can adjust the temperature of the fluid in the tank 10, the heating period, and so on.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, in the vehicle fluid heating device 1a, the surface of the tank 10 may have a heating region K1 where the heating unit 22 is located and a non-heating region H1 where the heating unit 22 is not located. In this case, the non-heating region H1 may be located on the other end side (the positive X-axis side) of the tank 10.

[0048] In this case, the non-heated region H1 may have layers of base material 21, or a base 10a may be placed there. The base material 21 may be fixed to the tank 10 by connecting the base 10a and the fixing member 15 located in the non-heated region H1.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, in the vehicle fluid heating device 1b, the outer shape of the heating section 122 located on the other end side of the tank 10, indicated by the dashed line, may be a trapezoidal shape as shown by the thick line. In this case, the outer shape of the other end side of the tank 10 may also be a trapezoidal shape as shown by the dashed line, similar to the outer shape of the heating section 122.

[0050] The heating element 22A of the heating section 122 is composed of multiple elongated strip-shaped bodies along the X-axis. In this case, for example, when the outer shape of the heating section is semicircular, as shown by the dashed line, a large gap is formed between the outer shape of the heating section and the heating element. As a result, the area on which the heating element is placed becomes small, and the heating section becomes large in area.

[0051] However, as in this embodiment, if the outer shape of the heating section 122 is trapezoidal, the gap between the outer shape of the heating section 122 and the heating element 22A can be minimized. Therefore, the area on which the heating element 22A is placed can be made as large as possible, while suppressing the need to increase the area of ​​the heating section 122. For this reason, when the outer shape of the heating section 122 is trapezoidal, the density per unit area occupied by the heating element 22A in the heating section 122 can be increased compared to the case where the outer shape of the heating section is semicircular, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 7.

[0052] A terminal 17 may be located on the other end of the tank 10. The terminal 17 is a connector for electrically connecting the heating unit 122 and the circuit board 30.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, in the vehicle fluid heating device 1c, a notch 10k may be formed on the other end of the tank 100. Because the tank 100 has a notch 10k, the other end of the tank 100 may have an asymmetric shape with respect to the center line of the tank 100 extending along the longitudinal direction. In Figure 8, a shape symmetric to the center line of the tank 100 is shown by a dashed line. The center line is a line parallel to the X-axis direction. A terminal 17 may be placed in the notch 10k.

[0054] <Effects and Effects> Next, the effects and advantages of the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c in this embodiment will be described.

[0055] As described above, the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c of Technology 1 according to this embodiment include tanks 10 and 100 having internal flow paths for guiding fluid, heating units 22 and 122 that heat the fluid by heating the tanks 10 and 100, a heat transfer member 23 sandwiched between the tanks 10 and 100 and the heating units 22 and 122, and a base material 21 with a lower thermal conductivity than the tanks 10 and 100. The base material 21 is laminated on the other side of the heating units 22 and 122 opposite to the side facing the heat transfer member 23, and the heating units 22 and 122 and the base material 21 form a curved convex surface that approaches the tanks 10 and 100.

[0056] According to this, since the heating sections 22 and 122 are curved to approach the tanks 10 and 100, the thickness of the heat transfer member 23 corresponding to the curved portion of the heating sections 22 and 122 is reduced, resulting in a structure in which the heating sections 22 and 122 are positioned closer to the tanks 10 and 100. Since the base material 21 has a lower thermal conductivity than the tanks 10 and 100, when the heating sections 22 and 122 generate heat, that heat is transferred to the tanks 10 and 100 via the heat transfer member 23.

[0057] Therefore, in this vehicle fluid heating device 1 to 1c, the heat generated by the heating units 22 and 122 can be efficiently transferred to the fluid.

[0058] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c of Technology 2 according to this embodiment are the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c described in Technology 1. In this case, the heat transfer member 23 is a layered member laminated on the tanks 10 and 100, and the heating sections 22 and 122 are layered members laminated on the heat transfer member 23. In the heating sections 22 and 122, the central portion is curved to form a convex surface toward the tank 10, and the thickness of the central portion of the heat transfer member 23 is thinner than the thickness of the outer peripheral edge portion of the heat transfer member 23.

[0059] According to this, the thickness of the central part of the heat transfer member 23 can be reduced, allowing the central parts of the heating sections 22 and 122 to be brought closer to the tanks 10 and 100. By reducing the thickness of the central part of the heat transfer member 23, the increase in the thermal resistance on the tank 10 and 100 side is suppressed, the amount of heat dissipated to the tanks 10 and 100 increases, and the temperature rise of the heating sections 22 and 122 can be suppressed. As a result, the heating sections 22 and 122 will not overheat. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the heating sections 22 and 122 from overheating beyond the heat resistance temperature of the heating sections 22 and 122 and the heat transfer member 23.

[0060] Furthermore, during the assembly of the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c, when the heating sections 22 and 122, which have convex surfaces, are pressed against the heat transfer members 23 stacked on the tanks 10 and 100, the air between the heat transfer members 23 and the heating sections 22 and 122 can be pushed out from the central part of the heating sections 22 and 122. As a result, it becomes difficult for an air layer to form between the heat transfer members 23 and the heating sections 22 and 122. Consequently, the heat generated by the heating sections 22 and 122 is more easily transferred to the tanks 10 and 100, allowing heat to be transferred to the fluid in the tanks 10 and 100 more efficiently.

[0061] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c of Technology 3 according to this embodiment are the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c described in Technology 1 or 2. In this case, the base material 21 is a layered member laminated on the heating sections 22 and 122, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the laminate having the base material 21, heating sections 22 and 122 and the heat transfer member 23 is pressed down by fixing members 15 and 16 connected to the tanks 10 and 100 so as to be closer to the tanks 10 and 100.

[0062] This prevents the base material 21 and heating units 22 and 122 from floating away from the tanks 10 and 100. As a result, the heat generated by the heating units 22 and 122 is more easily transferred to the tanks 10 and 100, allowing for more efficient heat transfer to the fluid in the tanks 10 and 100.

[0063] Furthermore, since the fixing member 16 fixes the outer edge portion of the laminate to the tanks 10 and 100, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of fixing points required to fix the central portion of the laminate to the tanks 10 and 100. Therefore, by suppressing the increase in the number of fixing points in the central portion, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the heating sections 22 and 122.

[0064] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c of Technology 4 according to this embodiment are the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c described in any one of Technology 1 to 3. In this case, the base material 21 has a greater thermal expansion and contraction rate than the heating sections 22 and 122.

[0065] According to this, when the base material 21 and the heating parts 22 and 122 are integrally molded by high-temperature treatment, the base material 21, which has a large thermal expansion and contraction rate, shrinks more than the heating parts 22 and 122 when cooled, thus making it possible to obtain heating parts 22 and 122 with a convex surface formed in the central part.

[0066] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c of Technology 5 according to this embodiment are the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c described in any one of Technology 1 to 4. In this case, the heating sections 22 and 122 have a heating element 22A and an insulating layer 22B sandwiching the heating element 22A, and the base material 21 has a greater thermal expansion and contraction rate than the insulating layer 22B.

[0067] According to this, when the base material 21 and the heating parts 22 and 122 are integrally molded by high-temperature treatment, the base material 21, which has a large thermal expansion and contraction rate when cooled, shrinks more than the insulating layer 22B of the heating parts 22 and 122, thus making it possible to obtain heating parts 22 and 122 with a convex surface formed in the central part.

[0068] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c of Technology 6 according to this embodiment are the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c described in any one of Technology 1 to 5. In this case, the tanks 10 and 100 have a base 10a to which a fixing member 15 is connected. The base 10a is formed in the central part of the tanks 10 and 100, and the central part of the laminate having a base material 21, heating parts 22 and 122, and heat transfer member 23 is pressed down by the fixing member 15 connected to the base 10a so as to be closer to the tanks 10 and 100.

[0069] According to this, when the heat transfer member 23 is applied to the tanks 10 and 100, even if the heat transfer member 23 is applied to the surface of the base 10a, when the laminate is fixed to the tanks 10 and 100 by the fixing member 15, the heat transfer member 23 positioned between the base 10a and the base material 21 can be pushed outwards. Therefore, when the fixing member 15 is connected to the base 10a, it is possible to suppress the loosening of the connection between the fixing member 15 and the base 10a due to the heat transfer member 23.

[0070] Furthermore, because the heat transfer element is thinner in the central part, there is a possibility that the heating element and the tank may come into contact, potentially damaging the insulating layer of the heating element.

[0071] However, according to this embodiment, since the base 10a is positioned in the central part of the tanks 10 and 100, the insulating layer 22B is prevented from getting too close to the tanks 10 and 100, and damage to the insulating layer 22B can be prevented.

[0072] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c of Technology 7 according to this embodiment are the vehicle fluid heating devices 1 to 1c described in any one of Technology 1 to 6. In this case, the surface 21f of the base material 21 opposite to the heating section 22, 122 side is mirror-finished.

[0073] According to this, the emissivity of the surface of the substrate 21 is reduced, and the amount of radiation can be reduced.

[0074] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating device 1a of Technology 8 according to this embodiment is the vehicle fluid heating device 1a described in any one of Technologies 1 to 7. In this case, the tanks 10 and 100 are elongated in shape, and each tank has a supply port 11 into which fluid is supplied from the outside, and a discharge port 12 for discharging the fluid that has passed through the flow path of the tanks 10 and 100 to the outside. The supply port 11 and the discharge port 12 are located on one end of the tanks 10 and 100, and the tanks 10 and 100 have a heated region K1 in which heating units 22 and 122 are stacked, and a non-heated region H1 in which heating units 22 and 122 are not stacked, and the non-heated region H1 is located on the other end of the tanks 10 and 100.

[0075] For example, some of the fluid flowing in from the supply port does not reach the other end of the tank but flows out to the discharge port at one end of the tank. As a result, fluid tends to accumulate at the other end of the tank, causing the temperature of the heated section to rise, and the temperature of the fluid to rise as well.

[0076] However, according to this embodiment, since the non-heated region H1 is located on the other end of the tanks 10 and 100, the temperature in the heated sections 22 and 122 can be made uniform, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the fluid on the other end of the tanks 10 and 100 and making the temperature of the fluid in the tanks 10 and 100 uniform.

[0077] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating device 1a of Technology 9 according to this embodiment is the vehicle fluid heating device 1a described in Technology 8. In this case, in the non-heating region H1, a laminate having a base material 21, heating sections 22, 122 and heat transfer members 23 is fixed to the tanks 10, 100 by a fixing member 15.

[0078] According to this, in the non-heated region H1, the fixing member 15 can fix the laminate to the tanks 10 and 100, thus suppressing the enlargement of the heating sections 22 and 122 by the amount of the fixing points by the fixing member 15.

[0079] In particular, the base 10a can be placed in the non-heated region H1, in which case the size of the heating sections 22 and 122 can be suppressed by the amount of the base 10a.

[0080] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating device 1b of Technology 10 according to this embodiment is the vehicle fluid heating device 1b described in any one of Technology 1 to 9. In this case, the outer shape of the heating section 122 located on the other end side of the tank 10 is trapezoidal, and the outer shape of the other end side of the tank 10 is also trapezoidal.

[0081] According to this, the heating element 22A can be positioned according to the external shape of the heating unit 122 and the tank 10, so that the heating element 22A can be positioned with as little gap as possible. As a result, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the heating unit 122 and the tank 10.

[0082] Furthermore, the vehicle fluid heating device 1c of Technology 11 according to this embodiment is the vehicle fluid heating device 1c described in any one of Technologies 1 to 10. In this case, terminals 17 electrically connected to heating units 22 and 122 are arranged on the other end of the tank 100, a notch 10k is formed on the other end of the tank 100, the other end of the tank 100 has an asymmetric shape with respect to the center line of the tank 100 extending from one end of the tank 100 toward the other end of the tank 100, and terminals 17 are arranged in the notch 10k.

[0083] For example, generally, terminals are positioned at a predetermined distance from the tank to prevent contact between the terminals and the tank, which tends to make the heating section larger.

[0084] However, according to this embodiment, since the terminal 17 can be placed in the notch 10k of the tank 100, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the heating units 22 and 122.

[0085] (Other variations) The fluid heating device for vehicles relating to this disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments described above, but this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art can conceive of may also be included in the scope of this disclosure, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0086] Furthermore, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0087] This disclosure can be used for vehicle fluid heating devices such as air conditioning systems installed in vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Fluid heating device for vehicles 10, 100 tanks 10a, 10b Base 10k notch 11 supply ports 12 Outlet 15, 16 Fixing members 17 terminals 21 Base material 21f surface 22, 122 Heating section 22A heating element 22B Insulating layer 23 Heat transfer components K1 heating area H1 non-heating area

Claims

1. A tank having a fluid channel inside, A heating unit that heats the fluid by heating the tank, A heat transfer member sandwiched between the tank and the heating section, The tank comprises a substrate with a lower thermal conductivity than the aforementioned tank, The substrate is laminated on the other side of the heating section opposite to the side facing the heat transfer member. The heating section and the substrate have curved convex surfaces that are positioned to approach the tank. Fluid heating device for vehicles.

2. The heat transfer member is a layered member stacked on the tank, The heating section is a layered member laminated on the heat transfer member, In the heating section, the central portion is curved to form a convex surface. The thickness of the central portion of the heat transfer member is thinner than the thickness of the outer edge portion of the heat transfer member. The vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1.

3. The substrate is a layered member laminated in the heating section, The outer edge portion of the laminate having the base material, the heating section, and the heat transfer member is pressed down by a fixing member connected to the tank so as to be closer to the tank. A vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The substrate has a greater thermal expansion and contraction rate than the heating section. A vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The heating section comprises a heating element and an insulating layer sandwiching the heating element. The substrate has a greater thermal expansion and contraction rate than the insulating layer. A vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The tank has a base to which a fixing member is connected, The base is formed in the central part of the tank, The central portion of the laminate having the base material, the heating section, and the heat transfer member is pressed down by the fixing member connected to the base so as to be closer to the tank. A vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The surface of the substrate opposite to the heating element is mirror-finished. A vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The aforementioned tank is elongated in shape, The tank has a supply port for supplying the fluid into the tank from the outside, and a discharge port for discharging the fluid that has passed through the flow path of the tank to the outside. The supply port and the discharge port are located on one end of the tank. The tank has a heating region in which the heating units are stacked and a non-heating region in which the heating units are not stacked. The unheated region is located on the other end side of the tank. A vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. In the non-heated region, the laminate having the base material, the heating section, and the heat transfer member is fixed to the tank by a fixing member. The vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 8.

10. The outer shape of the heating section located on the other end side of the tank is trapezoidal. The outer shape of the other end of the aforementioned tank is also trapezoidal. A vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 2.

11. A terminal electrically connected to the heating unit is located at the other end of the tank. A notched portion is formed on the other end of the aforementioned tank, The other end of the tank has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center line of the tank that extends from one end of the tank toward the other end of the tank. The terminal is located in the notched portion. A vehicle fluid heating device according to claim 1 or 2.

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