Electric vehicle, electric heater and electric heating cavity assembly thereof

Abstract

A heating cavity assembly for an electric vehicle and its electric heater is provided. [Solution] The heating cavity assembly 10 comprises an electric heating unit 20 located within the heating cavity 11 for converting electrical energy into thermal energy, and a flow path structure located within the heat exchange cavity for allowing the passing heat transfer medium to receive thermal energy from the electric heating unit, the flow path structure comprising a plurality of medium flow paths 31, each of which extends parallel to one another along its respective extension trajectory line, and the extension trajectories are in a translational relationship with each other.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electric heating, and more particularly to an electric heater for an electric vehicle and an electric heating cavity assembly thereof, and an electric vehicle equipped with the electric heater. [Background technology]

[0002] In electric vehicles (e.g., hybrid vehicles or battery-powered electric vehicles), an electric heater is generally installed to control the temperature inside the vehicle. Specifically, the electric heater is electrically connected to the driving battery of the electric vehicle, and the heating element of the electric heater converts electrical energy into thermal energy, which is then transferred to the vehicle interior environment by the vehicle interior heat dissipation system via a heat transfer medium, thereby realizing temperature control of the vehicle interior environment.

[0003] A heat transfer medium is generally required to transfer the thermal energy generated by an electric heater to a vehicle heat dissipation system or air conditioning system. After the heating element of the electric heater generates heat, the heat is transferred to a lower-temperature heat transfer medium, which converts it into a higher-temperature heat transfer medium and then transports it to the vehicle heat dissipation system or air conditioning system to raise the temperature of the vehicle's interior environment. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, a heating cavity assembly 10 of a conventional electric heater mainly includes a base member made of a good thermal conductor material, a heating cavity 11 located on one side of the base member, which houses an electric heating unit 20 and converts electrical energy into thermal energy, and a heat exchange cavity 12 located on the other side of the base member, which transfers the thermal energy from the heating cavity to a heat transfer medium that repeatedly flows through the heat exchange area.

[0004] To improve the heat exchange efficiency, it is necessary to design a flow path structure in the heat exchange cavity to control the flow path of the heat transfer medium, so that the heat transfer medium flows along a predetermined flow path to fully receive the heat from the heating cavity 11. Therefore, for an electric heater, the structural design of the flow path structure in the heat exchange cavity 12 directly affects the heat exchange efficiency of the heat transfer medium.

[0005] In view of this, how to design a rational flow path structure for heat exchange is a technical problem that needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present application, there is provided a heating cavity assembly for an electric heater, the heating cavity assembly comprising: an electric heating unit located within the heating cavity for converting electric energy into thermal energy; and a flow path structure located within the heat exchange cavity for allowing a heat transfer medium passing through the flow path structure to receive the thermal energy from the electric heating unit. The flow path structure comprises a plurality of medium flow paths, each of which extends parallel to one another along a respective extended locus line, and the extended locus lines are in a translational relationship with each other. The extended locus line of each medium flow path has at least one interruption, and the interruption point of each medium flow path forms a mixed flow region, and the number of medium flow paths upstream and downstream of the mixed flow region may be the same or different. A turbulent flow structure is provided within the mixed flow region. The turbulent flow structure comprises a plurality of pin fins extending in the height direction of the electric heater and distributed at intervals from one another. The bottom surface of the mixed flow region is located on the same plane as the bottom surfaces of the medium flow paths. The flow path structure of the electric heater comprises an inlet cavity for receiving the heat transfer medium to be heated, and an outlet cavity for collecting and discharging the heated heat transfer medium, which is connected to the inlet cavity by a plurality of medium flow paths arranged in parallel, with a first opening of each medium flow path connected to the inlet cavity and a second opening of each medium flow path connected to the outlet cavity.

[0007] Preferably, the extended locus line includes at least one "box" shape.

[0008] Preferably, the media flow path comprises a first extension portion extending linearly from a first opening of the media flow path along a first linear direction, a second extension portion extending linearly from an end of the first extension portion along a second linear direction perpendicular to the first linear direction, a bent extension portion extending linearly from an end of the second extension portion along the first linear direction, a third extension portion extending from an end of the bent extension portion along the second linear direction, and a fourth extension portion extending from an end of the third extension portion along the first linear direction to a second opening of the media flow path.

[0009] Preferably, one of the first linear direction and the second linear direction is a width direction of the electric heater, and the other is a length direction.

[0010] Preferably, the extended locus line has an axisymmetric or centrosymmetric shape.

[0011] Preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet cavity gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet cavity gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

[0012] Preferably, the height of the inlet cavity in the height direction of the electric heater gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the width of the inlet cavity in the width direction of the electric heater gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the height of the outlet cavity in the height direction of the electric heater gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the width of the outlet cavity in the width direction of the electric heater gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

[0013] Preferably, in the second linear direction, the media channels are arranged in parallel at the first opening of the inlet cavity, and / or in the second linear direction, the media channels are arranged in parallel at the second opening of the outlet cavity.

[0014] Preferably, the heating cavity assembly has first openings arranged on the same plane in the first linear direction; an extension degree of each first opening into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium; an extension degree of each first opening into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium; an extension degree of each first opening into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium; an extension degree of each first opening into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction gradually decreases and then gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium. , each second opening is arranged on the same plane in the first linear direction; the degree to which each second opening extends into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium; the degree to which each second opening extends into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium; the degree to which each second opening extends into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium; and the degree to which each second opening extends into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction gradually decreases and then gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present application, there is further provided an electric heater for an electric vehicle, the electric heater comprising: a heating cavity assembly, which is the heating cavity assembly described above; and a first housing and a second housing, respectively, installed on either side of the heating cavity assembly.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present application, there is further provided an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including the electric heater described above, the electric vehicle being a battery electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the technical solution of the present application, in an electric heater, a flow path structure is installed with multiple medium flow paths that extend in parallel and whose extension trajectories are in a translational relationship with each other, so that the heat transfer medium is evenly diverted into the multiple medium flow paths, and the heat transfer medium can receive heat evenly, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency within the electric heater.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present application are described in detail in the following specific embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] The drawings that form a part of this application are intended to provide a further understanding of the present application, and the schematic embodiments and descriptions thereof are intended to serve as a guide for interpreting the present application. [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a heating cavity assembly of an electric heater. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the electric heater. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a first type of medium flow path according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a second type of medium flow path according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the first type of medium flow channel and the second type of medium flow channel shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are adjacent to each other, complementary to each other, and arranged in pairs. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the first type of medium flow channel and the second type of medium flow channel shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are adjacent to each other, complementary to each other, and arranged in pairs. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a flow channel structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a flow channel structure according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of part A in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the other side of the heating cavity assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the principle of a flow channel structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the principle of a flow channel structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of the flow channel structure according to the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of the flow channel structure according to the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged schematic view of part A in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the other side of the heating cavity assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail by way of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0021] In electric vehicles, an electric heater is generally installed to exchange heat with the vehicle's air conditioning system, thereby realizing temperature control of the vehicle's interior environment. The electric heater may be a PTC electric heater, but is preferably an electric heater using a sheet resistance as the electric heating unit.

[0022] An electric heater generally comprises a heating cavity assembly 10 having a heat exchange cavity 12 therein for accommodating and heating a fluid medium, a first housing attached to a first side of the heating cavity assembly 10 and forming an electric cavity 21 between the first housing and the heating cavity assembly 10 and for attaching a control circuit board thereto, and a second housing attached to a second side of the heating cavity assembly 10 and forming a heating cavity 11 between the first housing and the heating cavity assembly 10 and for accommodating an electric heating unit 20. Generally, the heating cavity assembly 10 further comprises a cover plate 15 for sealing the heat exchange cavity 12, thereby isolating the heat exchange cavity from the electric cavity 13.

[0023] As can be seen from the above basic structure, the interior of the electric heater may be divided into a heating cavity 11 in which the electric heating unit generates heat, a heat exchange cavity 12 adjacent to the heating cavity 11 and in which a heat transfer medium circulates, and an electric cavity 13 isolated from the heat exchange cavity 12. This is a basic structure formed by installing the first and second housings on either side of the heating cavity assembly, respectively.

[0024] In the heating cavity assembly of the electric heater, the electric heating unit 20 is located in the heating cavity to convert electric energy into thermal energy, and the flow path structure 30 is located in the heat exchange cavity 12 to allow the heat transfer medium passing through the flow path structure 30 to receive thermal energy from the electric heating unit 20. As described above, in order to achieve a good heat exchange effect, it is necessary to propose an optimized design for the flow path structure 30. Different design proposals for the flow path structure will be explained in detail below with reference to the heating cavity assembly.

[0025] I. Embodiment 1 of the Heating Cavity Assembly As shown in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3 and 4, the flow path structure 30 has at least one media flow path 31, which has a first extension portion 311 extending linearly from a first opening 321 of the media flow path 31, a second extension portion 312 extending linearly from a second opening 322 of the media flow path 31 and arranged parallel to the first extension portion 311, and at least one folded extension portion 313 extending linearly parallel between the first extension portion 311 and the second extension portion 312 and connecting the first extension portion 311 and the second extension portion 312, and the extension length of the folded extension portion 313 is basically equal to the extension length of one of the first extension portion 311 or the second extension portion 312, but is shorter than the extension length of the other of the first extension portion 311 or the second extension portion 312.

[0026] The first extension portion 311 extends linearly from the first opening 321, then extends in the opposite direction by the folded extension portion 313, then extends in the opposite direction to the second extension portion 312, and further reaches the second opening 322. There may be multiple folded extension portions 313, thereby forming multiple reverse folds, but it is preferable to have one folded extension portion 313 as shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0027] In the technical solution of the present application, the extension length of the folded extension portion 313 is essentially equal to the extension length of either the first extension portion 311 or the second extension portion 312, but is shorter than the extension length of the other of the first extension portion 311 or the second extension portion 312. Therefore, depending on different situations, the media channel 31 may be divided into a first type of media channel and a second type of media channel. In the first type of media channel, as shown in FIG. 2A , the extension length of the first extension portion 311 is longer than the extension length of the second extension portion 312, and the extension length of the folded extension portion 313 is shorter than the extension length of the first extension portion 311 but essentially equal to the extension length of the second extension portion 312. In the second type of media flow path, as shown in FIG. 2B, the extension length of the second extension portion 312 is longer than the extension length of the first extension portion 311, and the extension length of the folded extension portion 313 is shorter than the extension length of the second extension portion 312 but is basically equal to the extension length of the first extension portion 311.

[0028] Therefore, a notable design feature of this embodiment of the present application is that the length of the folded extension portion is not essentially equal to the longer of the first and second extension portions, but is clearly shorter than the longer of the two. For example, in the exemplary solution shown in Fig. 2A, the length of the folded extension portion 313 is approximately half the length of the first extension portion 311, and may be 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 or 2 / 5 to 3 / 5, and this ratio range also applies to the second type of media flow path shown in Fig. 2B.

[0029] The reason for this design is that the heat transfer medium flowing through each medium flow path gradually heats up along the flow direction, and the folded extensions counterbalance the temperature imbalance of the relatively cooler heat transfer medium in the upstream region of the fluid cavity by allowing the relatively hotter heat transfer medium in the downstream region to flow backward. Furthermore, the length of the folded extensions is significantly shorter than the longer of the first and second extensions, preventing a large temperature difference between the relatively hotter heat transfer medium in the downstream region and the relatively cooler heat transfer medium in the upstream region. Furthermore, by making the length of the folded extensions significantly shorter than the longer of the first and second extensions, a flow path partition (shown in FIG. 4) extending along the length and width of the heat exchange cavity 12 can be formed in the center, which facilitates the connection between the heating cavity 12 and the cover plate 15 (as will be described below).

[0030] The medium flow channel 31 may be one, but it is preferable to design it with multiple channels, as shown in FIGS.

[0031] In a more preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 2C and 2D, 3 and 4, the first and second media channels are arranged in pairs, adjacent to each other and complementary to each other (particularly as shown in Figures 2C and 2D). In each pair of first and second media channels, the two first openings 321 are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel, and the two second openings 322 are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel. By arranging the first and second media channels in parallel and complementary to each other, they can complement or compensate for the gaps caused by the insufficient extension length of the folded extension portion 313 (relative to the longer extension length of the first or second extension portion). The relative positional relationship (e.g., distance) between one first media channel and the other complementary media channel also affects the degree of gap compensation (shown in Figures 2C and 2D). Preferably, both are directly adjacent to each other, as shown in FIG. 2D, thereby making full use of the layout space and improving the overall passing capacity of the channel structure.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the linear extension direction of each extension portion is the width direction of the electric heater (heating cavity assembly thereof), but the present application is not limited to this, and the linear direction may be the length direction or width direction of the electric heater.

[0033] 4 , in the heating cavity assembly, the flow path structure 30 includes an inlet cavity 41 for receiving the heat transfer medium to be heated, and an outlet cavity 42 for collecting and discharging the heated heat transfer medium, which is connected to the inlet cavity 41 by a plurality of parallel medium flow paths 31, with the first opening 321 of each medium flow path 31 connected to the inlet cavity 41 and the second opening 322 of each medium flow path 31 connected to the outlet cavity 42. Therefore, in operation, the low-temperature heat transfer medium from the electric vehicle air conditioning system first flows into the inlet cavity 41, then into the first openings 321 of the respective medium flow paths 31 in the inlet cavity 41, and then flows through the first extension portion 311, the folded extension portion 313, and the second extension portion 312 before joining the outlet cavity 42 and passing through the outlet cavity 42 to send the high-temperature heat transfer medium to the electric vehicle air conditioning system.

[0034] In order to guide the heat transfer medium to flow in the inlet cavity 41 and / or the outlet cavity 42, preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet cavity 41 gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet cavity 42 gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, thereby more uniformly distributing the heat transfer medium entering each medium flow path, thereby avoiding the problem of partial overheating of the fluid cavity, and / or thoroughly mixing the heat transfer medium flowing out of each medium flow path, thereby improving the temperature balance of the heat transfer medium.

[0035] The cross-sectional area of ​​the inflow cavity 41 gradually decreasing along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium may be realized in various ways. For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 8, the height h1 of the inflow cavity 41 in the height direction of the electric heater gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the width w1 of the inflow cavity 41 in the width direction of the electric heater gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

[0036] Similarly, the height of the outflow cavity 42 in the height direction of the electric heater gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the width of the outflow cavity 42 in the width direction of the electric heater gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

[0037] 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, the flow path structure 30 has flow path intervals 43, and the inflow cavities 41, outflow cavities 42, and medium flow paths 31 are defined between the flow path intervals 43 and between the flow path intervals 43 and the inner wall 14 of the heating cavity. The flow path structure 30 has a guide structure installed in the flow path intervals 43 and / or the inner wall 14 of the heating cavity to guide the flow of the heat transfer medium. The installation of the guide structure helps the heat transfer medium to flow from the inflow cavity 41 into the first opening 321 of each medium flow path 31 and helps the heat transfer medium to flow from the second opening 322 of each medium flow path 31 into the outflow cavity 42.

[0038] The guide structure can have various structural forms, such as an arc-shaped outer surface, guide vanes, guide grooves, etc. Preferably, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the guide structure is: a first guide structure is provided at a first end 431 between the first openings 321 of any of the first and second medium flow paths arranged in pairs in the flow path interval 43; a second guide structure is provided at a second end 432 between the second openings 322 of any of the first and second medium flow paths arranged in pairs at the flow path interval 43; a third guide structure is provided at a third end 433 between the first openings 321 of the first type medium flow channel and the second type medium flow channel adjacent to each other, the flow channel intervals 43 being arranged in pairs; The flow path spacing 43 includes at least one of the features of installing a fourth guide structure at a fourth end 434 between the second openings 322 of the adjacent first type media flow path and second type media flow path arranged in pairs.

[0039] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner wall 14 of the heating cavity may be provided with an inclined extending portion to guide the heat transfer medium into and out of the medium flow passage 31 .

[0040] As described above, the heating cavity assembly also includes a cover plate 15 for sealing the flow path structure, so that the flow path spacing 43 extends along the thickness direction of the electric heater between the bottom surface of the heat exchange cavity and the cover plate 15, thereby defining and forming each medium flow path, inlet cavity, and outlet cavity together with the inner wall of the heat exchange cavity.

[0041] To facilitate installation of the cover plate 15, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one mounting position 44, i.e., a circular area marked 44 in FIG. 4 (other circular areas not marked), is provided in the passage gap 43 at a position that does not interfere with the medium passage 31. These mounting positions 44 may be selected and designed according to specific operating conditions. Therefore, when installing the cover plate 15 in the heating cavity assembly, in addition to forming a fixed sealing connection at the edge, a fixed connection may also be formed at the center of the cover plate 15, which can achieve a more solid and reliable fixing relationship and can withstand the high-pressure heat transfer medium in the heat exchange cavity.

[0042] Having described in detail one embodiment of the heating cavity assembly according to the present invention above, other embodiments will now be described.

[0043] 2. Embodiment 2 of the Heating Cavity Assembly As shown in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, the flow path structure 30 according to this embodiment comprises a plurality of media flow paths 31, each of which extends parallel to one another along its own extension trajectory line (not shown), with the extension trajectory lines being in a translational relationship with one another. The so-called "extension trajectory line" means that each flow path can be abstracted into a single trajectory line, and for example, in the principle diagrams shown in Figures 9 and 10, the central extension line of the flow path can be regarded as the extension trajectory line. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, The different extended loci may form different shapes, for example, as shown, the extended loci may include at least one square shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may also form axially symmetric or centrosymmetric shapes, such as rings.

[0044] In this embodiment 2, the medium channels 31 extend parallel to each other and are in a translational relationship, so that whether they are the inlets or outlets of the medium channels 31, they are all arranged adjacent to each other in parallel, thereby greatly improving the heat transfer medium passage capacity of the electric heater. In addition, the adjacent parallel arrangement mode can also contribute to the arrangement of the guide structure for guiding the heat transfer medium in the heat exchange cavity, which on the one hand simplifies the structural design of the guide structure in the heat exchange cavity, thereby reducing the difficulty of processing and manufacturing, and on the other hand, can limit the distribution area or extension length of the guide structure in the heat exchange cavity to a narrower or shorter range, thereby contributing to meeting the design requirement of lightweight electric heaters.

[0045] As shown in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, in an embodiment of a trajectory line extending in a square shape, the media flow path 31 includes a first extension portion 311 extending linearly from a first opening 321 of the media flow path 31 along a first linear direction Y, a second extension portion 312 extending linearly from an end of the first extension portion 311 along a second linear direction X perpendicular to the first linear direction Y, a bent extension portion 310 extending linearly from an end of the second extension portion 312 along the first linear direction Y, a third extension portion 315 extending from an end of the bent extension portion 310 along the second linear direction X, and a fourth extension portion 316 extending from an end of the third extension portion 315 along the first linear direction Y to a second opening 322 of the media flow path 31. As shown in FIG. 11, the first linear direction Y is the width direction of the electric heater, but the present application is not limited to this, and the first linear direction Y may be the length direction, and the second linear direction X may be the width direction.

[0046] As shown in Figure 12, similar to Figure 4, in the heating cavity assembly, the flow path structure 30 comprises an inlet cavity 41 for receiving the heat transfer medium to be heated, and an outlet cavity 42 for collecting and discharging the heated heat transfer medium, which is connected to the inlet cavity 41 by multiple medium flow paths 31 installed in parallel, and the first opening 321 of each medium flow path 31 is connected to the inlet cavity 41, and the second opening 322 of each medium flow path 31 is connected to the outlet cavity 42. Therefore, in operation, the low-temperature heat transfer medium from the electric vehicle air conditioning system first flows into the inlet cavity 41, and then flows into the first opening 321 of each medium flow path 31 in the inlet cavity 41, and then flows through the first extension portion 311, the folded extension portion 313, and the second extension portion 312 in order before joining the outlet cavity 42, and then passes through the outlet cavity 42 to send the high-temperature heat transfer medium to the electric vehicle air conditioning system.

[0047] In order to guide the heat transfer medium to flow in the inlet cavity 41 and / or the outlet cavity 42, preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet cavity 41 gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet cavity 42 gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, thereby more uniformly distributing the heat transfer medium entering each medium flow path, thereby avoiding the problem of partial overheating of the fluid cavity, and / or simultaneously thoroughly mixing the heat transfer medium flowing out of each medium flow path, thereby improving the temperature balance of the heat transfer medium.

[0048] The fact that the cross-sectional area of ​​the inflow cavity 41 gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium may be achieved in various ways. For example, as shown in Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16, the height h1 of the inflow cavity 41 in the height direction of the electric heater gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the width w1 of the inflow cavity 41 in the width direction of the electric heater gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

[0049] Similarly, the height of the outflow cavity 42 in the height direction of the electric heater gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, and / or the width of the outflow cavity 42 in the width direction of the electric heater gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

[0050] 11, 12 and 13, in the second linear direction X, the medium channels 31 are arranged in parallel with the first openings 321 of the inlet cavities 41, and / or in the second linear direction X, the medium channels 31 are arranged in parallel with the second openings 322 of the outlet cavities 42. The parallel adjacent arrangement of the first openings 321 and / or the second openings 322 is a design feature of the second embodiment.

[0051] Preferably, the first opening 321 and / or the second opening 322 are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel, and the extent of each opening can be designed in different ways according to different operating conditions. For example, each first opening 321 is arranged on the same plane in the first linear direction Y, or the degree to which each first opening 321 extends into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction Y gradually increases (i.e., becomes closer, as shown in Figure 12) along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, or the degree to which each first opening 321 extends into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction Y gradually decreases (i.e., becomes farther) along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, or the degree to which each first opening 321 extends into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction Y gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium (as shown in Figures 11 and 13), or the degree to which each first opening 321 extends into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction Y gradually decreases and then gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

[0052] Similarly, with regard to the second openings, each second opening 322 is arranged on the same plane in the first linear direction Y, or the degree of extension of each second opening 322 into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction Y gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, or the degree of extension of each second opening 322 into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction Y gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium, or the degree of extension of each second opening 322 into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction Y gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium and then gradually decreases, or the degree of extension of each second opening 322 into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction Y gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium and then gradually increases.

[0053] In this preferred embodiment, in addition to the first opening 321 and the second opening 322 being adjacent to each other and arranged in parallel, the flow path partition walls can be designed to have different lengths, so that the first opening 321 and the second opening 322 are arranged on the same plane, or various other variations as described above are also possible. Therefore, the medium flow paths can be designed to have the same or different lengths, while adjusting the flow time of the heat transfer medium in each medium flow path and optimizing the heat transfer operating conditions during the flow process of the heat transfer medium in each medium flow path. Furthermore, the flow path partition walls forming the openings in the inlet cavity 41 and / or outlet cavity 42 can be designed to have different lengths to achieve turbulent flow. Specifically, before the heat transfer medium enters each first opening 321 from the inlet cavity 41, the turbulent flow effect can make the heat transfer medium entering each first opening 321 from the inlet cavity 41 have a more uniform temperature, and similarly, after the heat transfer medium enters the outlet cavity 42 from each second opening 322, the turbulent flow effect can make the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the outlet cavity 42 have a higher uniformity.

[0054] As shown in Figures 10 and 12, preferably, the trajectory of at least one media channel 31 is interrupted, but may also be continuous or partially continuous and partially interrupted. All of these variations are within the scope of protection of the present application. In the case of multiple media channels 31, the trajectory of each media channel 31 has at least one interruption, and the interruption of each media channel 31 forms a mixed flow region 34. As shown in Figure 12, there are two mixed flow regions, and the number of media channels upstream and downstream of the mixed flow region 34 may be the same or different, for example, different in the embodiment shown in Figure 12.

[0055] By providing the mixed flow region 34, the media flowing through each medium flow path 31 first meet in the mixed flow region 34 to mix and exchange heat with each other, thereby maintaining the temperatures of the media in the mixed flow region 34 essentially the same. Then, the media flow from the mixed flow region 34 to each downstream medium flow path 31. In this manner, the temperature of the media is made more uniform during the flow process. Preferably, the mixed flow region 34 is provided with a turbulence structure 35, for example, various appropriate mixed flow paths for mixing different media. As shown in FIG. 12, the turbulence structure 35 may include a plurality of pin fins extending in the height direction of the electric heater and distributed at intervals.

[0056] The above has described in detail embodiment 2 of the heating cavity assembly of the present application. Although the description has been divided into two embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that these two embodiments and their modifications may share some technical features, for example, the guide structure described in embodiment 1 may be used in embodiment 2, and the turbulent flow and mixed flow features described in embodiment 2 may be used in embodiment 1. Therefore, as long as it does not affect the overall layout of the flow path, the technical features in the above text and drawings of the specification may be used interchangeably, and will not be described here one by one. These modifications all belong to the technical content disclosed in the present application and are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0057] 3. Electric vehicles The above technical solution of the present application can be applied to various operating situations, such as various transportation means, especially electric vehicles, which are equipped with the above electric heater, and the electric vehicle is a battery electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0058] Although the above describes in detail the preferred embodiments of the present application, the present application is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments, and various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of the present application within the technical concept of the present application, and all of these simple modifications fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0059] Furthermore, as described above, the specific technical features described in the specific embodiments above can be combined in any suitable manner unless they are contradictory, and in order to avoid unnecessary duplication, this application will not re-describe various possible combinations.

[0060] Furthermore, various different embodiments of the present application can be arbitrarily combined with each other, and unless they violate the gist of the present application, they should be considered to be the same as the contents disclosed in the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A heating cavity assembly for an electric heater, the heating cavity assembly comprising: an electric heating unit (20) located in the heating cavity (11) for converting electric energy into thermal energy; a flow path structure (30) located within the heat exchange cavity (12) for allowing a heat transfer medium passing therethrough to receive thermal energy from the electric heating unit (20), The flow path structure (30) includes a plurality of media flow paths (31), each of which extends parallel to one another along a respective extension locus line, and the respective extension locus lines are in a translational relationship with each other; The extension path of each media flow path (31) has at least one interrupted point, and the interrupted point of each media flow path (31) forms a mixed flow region (34), and the number of media flow paths upstream and downstream of the mixed flow region (34) is the same or different; A turbulence structure (35) is provided within the mixed flow region (34); The turbulence structure (35) comprises a plurality of pin fins extending in the height direction of the electric heater and distributed at intervals from one another; The bottom surface of the mixed flow region (34) is located on the same plane as the bottom surface of the media flow path (31); The flow path structure (30) of the electric heater is an inlet cavity (41) for receiving a heat transfer medium to be heated; an outlet cavity (42) for collecting and discharging the heated heat transfer medium, the outlet cavity (42) being in communication with the inlet cavity (41) by a plurality of the medium flow paths (31) arranged in parallel; A heating cavity assembly for an electric heater, characterized in that a first opening (321) of each of the medium flow paths (31) is connected to the inlet cavity (41), and a second opening (322) of each of the medium flow paths (31) is connected to the outlet cavity (42).

2. The heating cavity assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extending locus line includes at least one "box" shape.

3. The medium flow path (31) a first extension portion (311) extending linearly from a first opening (321) of the medium flow path (31) along a first linear direction (Y); a second extension portion (312) extending linearly from an end of the first extension portion (311) along a second linear direction (X) perpendicular to the first linear direction (Y); a bent extension portion (310) extending linearly from an end of the second extension portion (312) along the first linear direction (Y); a third extension portion (315) extending from an end of the bent extension portion (310) along the second linear direction (X); 3. The heating cavity assembly of claim 2, further comprising a fourth extension portion (316) extending from an end of the third extension portion (315) along the first linear direction (Y) to a second opening (322) of the medium flow path (31).

4. 4. The heating cavity assembly of claim 3, wherein one of the first linear direction (Y) and the second linear direction (X) is a width direction of the electric heater, and the other is a length direction.

5. The heating cavity assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extending locus line has an axisymmetric shape or a centrosymmetric shape.

6. the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet cavity (41) gradually decreases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; and / or 2. The heating cavity assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the outflow cavity (42) gradually increases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium.

7. the height (h1) of the inlet cavity (41) in the height direction of the electric heater gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium; and / or the width (w1) of the inlet cavity (41) in the width direction of the electric heater gradually decreases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium; and / or the height of the outflow cavity (42) in the height direction of the electric heater gradually increases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; and / or 7. The heating cavity assembly of claim 6, wherein the width of the outflow cavity (42) in the width direction of the electric heater gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

8. In a second linear direction (X), the media channels (31) are arranged parallel to each other at the first opening (321) of the inlet cavity (41); and / or 2. The heating cavity assembly of claim 1, wherein in the second linear direction (X), the medium flow paths (31) are arranged in parallel at the second opening (322) of the outflow cavity (42).

9. The heating cavity assembly includes: each of the first openings (321) is arranged on the same plane in the first linear direction (Y); each first opening (321) has a degree of extension into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in said first linear direction (Y) that gradually increases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; each first opening (321) has a degree of extension into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in said first linear direction (Y) that gradually decreases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; each first opening (321) has a degree of extension into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction (Y) that gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; each first opening (321) has a degree of extension into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction (Y) that gradually decreases and then gradually increases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; each second opening (322) is arranged on the same plane in the first linear direction (Y); each second opening (322) has a degree of extension into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction (Y) that gradually increases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; each second opening (322) has a degree of extension into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction (Y) that gradually decreases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; each second opening (322) has a degree of extension into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction (Y) that gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium; 9. The heating cavity assembly of claim 8, wherein each second opening (322) has at least one of the following characteristics: the degree of extension into the inner wall of the heating cavity assembly in the first linear direction (Y) gradually decreases and then gradually increases along the flow direction of the heat transfer medium.

10. An electric heater for an electric vehicle, the electric heater comprising: a heating cavity assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and a first housing and a second housing, respectively installed on both sides of the heating cavity assembly.

11. An electric vehicle comprising the electric heater according to claim 10, wherein the electric vehicle is a battery electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

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