Heat medium heating device

Abstract

To provide a heat medium heating device capable of improve assembling work-ability to a vehicle or the like while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs.SOLUTION: A heat medium heating device 1 comprises a heater 2 that generates heat by electric conduction, a heater housing chamber 31 for housing the heater 2, and a housing 3 in which an inflow passage 35 that allows the heat medium to flow into the heat housing chamber 31 and an outflow passage 36 that allows the heat medium to flow from the heat housing chamber 31. The heat medium which is flowing in the heat housing chamber 31 is heated by the heat 2. The heat medium heating device 1 comprises a first piping member 4A capable of guiding the heat medium from the outside into the inflow passage 35 and a second piping member 4B capable of guiding the heat medium from the outflow passage 36 into the outside. Each of the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B is detachably connected to the housing 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat medium heating device that heats a heat medium. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of a heat medium heating device is known, as described in Patent Document 1. The heat medium heating device described in Patent Document 1 is installed in a vehicle as a device for heating a heat medium that serves as a heat source for heating the vehicle's interior, and includes a heater that generates heat when electricity is applied, an aluminum die-cast casing (housing) having an area (heater accommodation chamber) for accommodating the heater, and the like. In this heat medium heating device, two cylindrical pipes are molded integrally with the casing. One pipe forms a heat medium inlet passage through which the heat medium flows from the outside into the area of ​​the casing, and the other pipe forms a heat medium outlet passage through which the heat medium flows from the area of ​​the casing to the outside. The ends of each pipe protrude from one side of the casing, and an external hose (e.g., a hose on the vehicle side) is usually attached to this end. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-220706 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the heat transfer medium heating device described in Patent Document 1, the cylindrical pipe to which the external hose can be attached is molded integrally with the casing in a state where it protrudes from one side of the casing. This increases the cost of the mold for the casing and reduces handleability during processing, etc., which increases the manufacturing cost. Furthermore, there is a risk that the device may not be easily assembled in a narrow space in a vehicle, etc.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a heat medium heating device that can improve the ease of installation in a vehicle or the like while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat medium heating device including: a heater that generates heat when energized; a heater chamber that accommodates the heater; and a housing having an inlet flow path for introducing a heat medium into the heater chamber and an outlet flow path for discharging the heat medium from the heater chamber, wherein the heat medium flowing through the heater chamber is heated by the heater. The heat medium heating device includes a first piping member that can introduce the heat medium from the outside into the inlet flow path and a second piping member that can discharge the heat medium from the outlet flow path to the outside, and the first piping member and the second piping member are each configured to be detachable from the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heat medium heating device that can improve the ease of installation in a vehicle or the like while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an in-vehicle heating device to which a heat medium heating device according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heater control circuit that controls power supply to a heater of the heat medium heating device; FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of an example of the heat medium heating device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the heat medium heating device. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line B-B. [Figure 7] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 4. [Figure 8]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a first piping member and a second piping member of the heat medium heating device. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a view showing the first piping member. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a view showing the second piping member. [Figure 11] 10 shows an example of an assembly posture when the first piping member and the second piping member are interchanged and attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 conceptually shows an in-vehicle heating device 10 to which a heat medium heating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. The in-vehicle heating device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that a heat medium is circulated through a heat medium circulation path 11 by a pump P. In other words, the heat medium heating device 1 is mounted on a vehicle. Water (including water mixed with antifreeze, etc.) is usually used as the heat medium. Therefore, the heat medium heating device 1 is also called a water heating device.

[0011] The heat medium heating device 1 is provided at a first position of the heat medium circulation path 11. The heat medium heating device 1 has a heater 2 that generates heat when energized, and is configured to heat the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation path 11. Specifically, the heat medium heating device 1 is configured to heat the heat medium that flows in from an inlet portion (a first piping member 4A described later) using the heater 2, and to cause the heated heat medium to flow out from an outlet portion (a second piping member 4B described later). In this embodiment, the heater 2 is configured of a pair of heaters (a first heater 2A and a second heater 2B) electrically connected in parallel. The heat medium heating device 1 will be described in detail later.

[0012] A heat exchanger 12 is provided at a second position of the heat medium circulation path 11. The heat exchanger 12 is disposed in a ventilation duct 13 that blows out air for air conditioning into the vehicle cabin, and generates air for heating the vehicle cabin by heat exchange between the heat medium heated by the heat medium heating device 1 and the air. A bypass passage 14 that bypasses the heat exchanger 12 is provided in the ventilation duct 13, and the flow of air in the ventilation duct 13 is controlled by an air mix damper 15.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heater control circuit 20 that controls the supply of electricity to the heater 2 (first heater 2A, second heater 2B). In this embodiment, the heater control circuit 20 is configured to apply a voltage from a high-voltage power supply to the heater 2. Referring to FIG. 2, in the heater control circuit 20, a first IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) 21 serving as a switching element is provided on the output side (voltage side) of the high-voltage power supply relative to the heater 2, and a second IGBT 22 is provided on the ground side of the high-voltage power supply relative to the heater 2. The first and second IGBTs 21 and 22 can turn on / off the supply of electricity in response to a signal input to their gates. Two output terminals of an IGBT driver 23 are connected to the gates of the first and second IGBTs 21 and 22, respectively.

[0014] The IGBT driver 23 has two input terminals and two output terminals, and is capable of individually driving the first and second IGBTs 21 and 22 to turn on and off by output signals corresponding to the input signals. The two input terminals of the IGBT driver 23 are connected to two output terminals of a microcomputer (CPU) 24, respectively.

[0015] The microcomputer 24 generates a command signal for the IGBT driver 23 mainly based on the heating request. Specifically, the microcomputer 24 sets the proportion of the ON time of the heater 2 based on the heating request, generates a PWM signal corresponding to the set ON time, and outputs it to the IGBT driver 23. That is, the microcomputer 24 controls the proportion of the ON time of the first and second IGBT transistors 21, 22 via the IGBT driver 23, thereby controlling the temperature of the heater 2 and further the temperature of the heat medium heated by the heater 2.

[0016] 2, the heater control circuit 20 is provided with a first temperature detection unit that detects the temperatures of the first and second IGBTs 21, 22, a second temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the heater 2 (including the temperature of the heat medium heated by the heater 2), a voltage detection unit that detects the voltage applied to the heater 2, and a current detection unit that detects the current flowing through the first and second IGBTs 21, 22 and the heater 2, for the purpose of overheat protection, etc. The detection results of these detection units are input to, for example, a microcomputer 24, and can be used to determine a control signal to the IGBT driver 23.

[0017] For example, the microcomputer 24 outputs a control signal to the IGBT driver 23 to forcibly turn off the first and second IGBTs 21 and 22 when the temperatures of the first and second IGBTs 21 and 22 exceed a predetermined value, when the temperature of the heater 2 exceeds a predetermined value, when the voltage applied to the heater 2 exceeds a predetermined value, or when the current flowing through the first IGBT 21, the second IGBT 22, and the heater 2 exceeds a predetermined value. As a result, the first and second IGBTs 21 and 22 are forcibly turned off, and power to the heater 2 is stopped. As a result, the first and second IGBTs 21 and 22 and the heater 2 can be protected from overheating.

[0018] Next, the heat medium heating device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 7. Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of the heat medium heating device 1, Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the heat medium heating device 1, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 3, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 4.

[0019] In addition to the heater 2, the heat medium heating device 1 has a housing 3, a first piping member 4A, and a second piping member 4B.

[0020] The housing 3 is configured by a plurality of housing members (here, a first housing member 3A, a second housing member 3B, and a third housing member 3C) fastened together with bolts (not shown) or the like. The housing 3 has therein a heater accommodating chamber 31 that accommodates the heaters 2 (first heater 2A, second heater 2B) and a board accommodating chamber 32 that accommodates the control board 5 on which the heater control circuit 20 is mounted.

[0021] The heater accommodating chamber 31 is formed by fastening a first housing member 3A and a second housing member 3B together, and the substrate accommodating chamber 32 is formed by further fastening a third housing member 3C to the fastened assembly of the first housing member 3A and the second housing member 3B. The heater accommodating chamber 31 includes a first accommodating portion 31A, a second accommodating portion 31B, and a communication portion 31C that connects the first accommodating portion 31A and the second accommodating portion 31B. The first accommodating portion 31A and the second accommodating portion 31B are arranged in parallel, and the communication portion 31C connects the first accommodating portion 31A and the second accommodating portion 31B. The first heater 2A is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 31A, and the second heater 2B is accommodated in the second accommodating portion 31B.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first heater 2A and the second heater 2B have a substantially cylindrical outer shape. The first housing portion 31A and the second housing portion 31B are formed as substantially cylindrical spaces with larger diameters than the first heater 2A and the second heater 2B. Therefore, a first annular space is formed between the inner surface of the first housing portion 31A and the outer surface of the first heater 2A, and a second annular space is formed between the inner surface of the second housing portion 31B and the outer surface of the second heater 2B. These first and second annular spaces are connected via a communication portion 31C.

[0023] The board accommodating chamber 32 is provided adjacent to the heater accommodating chamber 31 with a wall portion 33 in between. Specifically, within the housing 3, the board accommodating chamber 32 is partitioned from the heater accommodating chamber 31 by the wall portion 33, with the heater accommodating chamber 31 disposed on one side (lower side) of the wall portion 33 and the board accommodating chamber 32 disposed on the other side (upper side) of the wall portion 33. A plurality of (four in this example) board mounting portions 34 for mounting the control board 5 are provided within the board accommodating chamber 32.

[0024] The housing 3 also has an inflow passage (inlet) 35 through which the heat medium flows into the heater housing chamber 31, and an outflow passage (outlet) 36 through which the heat medium flows out of the heater housing chamber 31. The inflow passage 35 is formed to allow the heat medium to flow into one longitudinal side of the heater housing chamber 31 (first housing portion 31A), and the outflow passage 36 is formed to allow the heat medium to flow out from the other longitudinal side of the heater housing chamber 31 (first housing portion 31A). In this embodiment, the inflow passage 35 and the outflow passage 36 are provided on the same side (one side) of the housing 3. However, this is not limited thereto, and the inflow passage 35 and the outflow passage 36 may be formed on different side surfaces of the housing 3.

[0025] Specifically, the inlet flow passage 35 and the outlet flow passage 36 are circular holes that penetrate a side wall 37 that constitutes the same side of the housing 3. A pipe mounting seat 38 is provided on the outer surface of the portion of the first housing member 3A that constitutes the side wall 37 of the second housing member 3B. The inlet flow passage 35 penetrates the pipe mounting seat 38 of the first housing member 3A, and the outlet flow passage 36 penetrates the pipe mounting seat 38 of the second housing member 3B. The inlet flow passage 35 and the outlet flow passage 36 each consist of a small diameter portion that opens toward the heater chamber and a large diameter portion that opens to the outside and is larger than the small diameter portion. The large diameter portion of the inlet flow passage 35 constitutes the opening end of the inlet flow passage 35 that faces the side of the housing 3, and the large diameter portion of the outlet flow passage 36 constitutes the opening end of the outlet flow passage 36 that faces the side of the housing 3.

[0026] One end of the first piping member 4A (an insertion pipe portion 41a described later) is connected to the inflow passage 35, and one end of the second piping member 4B (an insertion pipe portion 41a described later) is connected to the outflow passage 36. An external hose H constituting a part of the heat medium circulation path 11 is attached to the other end of the first piping member 4A (a hose attachment pipe portion 41c described later) and the other end of the second piping member 4B (a hose attachment pipe portion 41c described later), respectively. The first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B will be described in detail later.

[0027] In the heat medium heating device 1, the heater accommodating chamber 31, the inflow passage 35, and the outflow passage 36 form a heat medium flow path within the housing 3. This heat medium flow path, the passage 40 in the first piping member 4A, and the passage 40 in the second piping member 4B form part of the heat medium circulation path 11. That is, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation path 11 flows into the heater accommodating chamber 31 via the inflow-side external hose H, the passage 40 in the first piping member 4A, and the inflow passage 35, flows through the heater accommodating chamber 31, flows out of the heater accommodating chamber 31 via the outflow passage 36 and the passage 40 in the second piping member 4B, and returns via the outflow-side external hose H. The heat medium is heated by the heater 2 (first heater 2A and second heater 2B) while flowing through the heater accommodating chamber 31, and more specifically, while flowing mainly through the first annular space and the second annular space. That is, in the heat medium heating device 1, the heater 2 heats the heat medium flowing through the heater accommodating chamber 31.

[0028] Next, the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B. FIG. 9 shows the first piping member 4A, where (a) is a view (front view) seen from the D1 direction shown in FIG. 8, (b) is a view (top view) seen from the D2 direction shown in FIG. 8, and (c) is a view (side view) seen from the D3 direction shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 shows the second piping member 4B, where (a) is a view (front view) seen from the D1 direction shown in FIG. 8, (b) is a view (top view) seen from the D2 direction shown in FIG. 8, and (c) is a view (side view) seen from the D3 direction shown in FIG. 8. Note that FIG. 8 shows an example of an assembly posture of the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B when they are attached to the housing 3.

[0029] The first piping member 4A is a piping member that can introduce the heat medium from the outside into the inflow passage 35, and the second piping member 4B is a piping member that can discharge the heat medium from the outflow passage 36 to the outside. Each of the piping members 4A, 4B forms a passage 40 that guides the heat medium. As described above, the passage 40 of each of the piping members 4A, 4B constitutes a part of the heat medium circulation path 11.

[0030] The first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B are each configured to be detachable from the housing 3. In other words, each of the piping members 4A and 4B is formed separately from the housing 3, and can be attached (mounted) to and detached from the housing 3.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B each have a flow path forming pipe 41 that forms a flow path 40 for guiding the heat medium, and a protrusion 42 that is attached to the housing 3.

[0032] In this embodiment, the flow path forming pipe 41 of the first piping member 4A and the flow path forming pipe 41 of the second piping member 4B are both bent so as to change the direction of the flow path 40. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the flow path forming pipe 41 (flow path 40) is bent in an L-shape.

[0033] In this embodiment, a pressure loss reducing portion 43, which is an inclined surface, is formed in the outer bent portion of the inner surface of the bent flow path forming pipe 41. The heat transfer medium flowing through the flow path 40 flows smoothly along the inclined pressure loss reducing portion 43 in the bent portion. Therefore, pressure loss that may occur in the bent portion of the bent pipe is reduced.

[0034] In this embodiment, the flow path forming pipe 41 has an insertion pipe portion 41a, an extension pipe portion 41b, and a hose attachment pipe portion 41c. The flow path 40 continuously passes through the insertion pipe portion 41a, the extension pipe portion 41b, and the hose attachment pipe portion 41c, and the flow path forming pipe 41 and the flow path 40 are bent at the extension pipe portion 41b. Specifically, the insertion pipe portion 41a is formed in a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the large-diameter portion serving as the open end of the inlet flow path 35 or the outlet flow path 36. The space within the insertion pipe portion 41a constitutes a part of the flow path 40. A seal groove 41d is formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion pipe portion 41a. A ring-shaped seal member (not shown), such as an O-ring, is fitted into the seal groove 41d to seal the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the insertion pipe portion 41a and the hole wall of the inlet flow path 35 or the outlet flow path 36.

[0035] The extension pipe portion 41b extends coaxially with the central axis X1 of the insertion pipe portion 41a, continuously with the insertion pipe portion 41a, and forms a bent portion of the flow path forming pipe 41. That is, the flow path forming pipe 41 is bent at the extension pipe portion 41b. The extension pipe portion 41b is formed in a cylindrical shape with one open end and a bottom. The space inside the cylinder of the extension pipe portion 41b is continuous with the flow path 40 inside the insertion pipe portion 41a. In this embodiment, the extension pipe portion 41b is formed integrally with the insertion pipe portion 41a. A pressure loss reduction portion 43, which is an inclined surface, is formed on the bottom surface inside the extension pipe portion 41b. The inclined surface of the pressure loss reduction portion 43 is formed at an inclination angle corresponding to the shape of the drill tip (for example, the angle between the central axis X1 and the inclined surface is approximately 50 degrees to 70 degrees, preferably approximately 60 degrees) by drilling a cylindrical body when fabricating an integrated assembly of the insertion pipe portion 41a and the extension pipe portion 41b.

[0036] The hose attachment pipe portion 41c is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the extension pipe portion 41b so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface, extends in a direction intersecting the insertion pipe portion 41a (central axis X1), and is a portion to which the external hose H is attached. The hose attachment pipe portion 41c is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the space inside the hose attachment pipe portion 41c forms a part of the flow path 40. In this embodiment, the flow path forming pipe 41 (flow path 40) is bent in an L-shape, that is, at a bending angle of 90 degrees, as described above. Therefore, the central axis X2 of the hose attachment pipe portion 41c extends in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X1 of the insertion pipe portion 41a (and the extension pipe portion 41b). The hose attachment pipe portion 41c is joined to the extension pipe portion 41b by welding or the like in a state where it is inserted into a through-hole that radially penetrates the cylindrical wall of the bottomed cylindrical extension pipe portion 41b.

[0037] The protruding portion 42 protrudes from the outer surface of the flow path forming pipe 41. The protruding portion 42 is joined to the extension pipe portion 41b by, for example, welding. The hose attachment pipe portion 41c protrudes from a position on the outer peripheral surface of the extension pipe portion 41b that is shifted by a predetermined angle θ in the circumferential direction from a position on the outer peripheral surface corresponding to the protruding portion 42 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The protruding portion 42 has a predetermined thickness in the direction extending of the central axis X1. A bolt insertion hole 42a is formed in the protruding portion 42, penetrating the protruding portion 42 in the thickness direction.

[0038] Here, the procedure for attaching and detaching the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B to and from the housing 3 will be described.

[0039] The worker inserts the insertion pipe portion 41a of each piping member 4A, 4B into the open end (the large-diameter portion) of the inlet flow passage 35 or the outlet flow passage 36, and determines the position of each piping member 4A, 4B relative to the housing 3. At this time, the direction in which the hose attachment pipe portion 41c is oriented is not determined, and each piping member 4A, 4B is freely rotatable about the central axis X1 of the insertion pipe portion 41a. In this state, the worker rotates each piping member 4A, 4B to align and abut the protrusion 42 against the corresponding piping attachment seat 38. Then, the worker inserts a fixing bolt 6 into the bolt insertion hole 42a of the protrusion 42 and screws the bolt 6 into a threaded hole formed in the end face of the corresponding piping attachment seat 38. Thus, each piping member 4A, 4B is attached (mounted) to the housing 3 and connected to the corresponding inlet flow passage 35 or the outlet flow passage 36. In this state, the direction in which the hose attachment pipe portions 41c of each piping member 4A, 4B are directed (in other words, the attachment / assembly / connection direction of the external hose H) is determined to be a predetermined direction. Meanwhile, with each bolt 6 loosened, the worker can remove each piping member 4A, 4B from the housing 3 by pulling out each piping member 4A, 4B. Through this attachment / detachment procedure, each piping member 4A, 4B can be attached to and detached from the housing 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B are configured to be interchangeable and detachable from the housing 3. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an assembly posture when the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B are interchangeable and attached.

[0041] In other words, referring to Figures 8 and 11, the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B are compatible with each other and can be used in a first assembly position (see Figure 8) in which the first piping member 4A is connected to the inlet flow path 35 and the second piping member 4B is connected to the outlet flow path 36 and assembled, and can also be used in a second assembly position (see Figure 11) in which the first piping member 4A is connected to the outlet flow path 36 and the second piping member 4B is connected to the inlet flow path 35 and assembled.

[0042] In this embodiment, the bending direction based on the protrusion 42 of the flow path forming pipe 41 of the first piping member 4A differs from the bending direction based on the protrusion 42 of the flow path forming pipe 41 of the second piping member 4B. Specifically, the predetermined angle θ (see FIG. 9(a)), which is the circumferential angle of the outer circumferential surface of the extension pipe portion 41b based on the protrusion 42 of the hose attachment pipe portion 41c of the first piping member 4A, differs from the predetermined angle θ (see FIG. 10(a)), which is the circumferential angle of the outer circumferential surface of the extension pipe portion 41b based on the protrusion 42 of the hose attachment pipe portion 41c of the second piping member 4B. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the predetermined angle θ of the hose attachment pipe portion 41c based on the protrusion 42 of the first piping member 4A is 90 degrees, and the predetermined angle θ of the hose attachment pipe portion 41c based on the protrusion 42 of the second piping member 4B is 180 degrees.

[0043] In this embodiment, the pipe mounting seat portion 38 into which the inflow passage 35 opens and the pipe mounting seat portion 38 into which the outflow passage 36 opens are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the heater 2 and are arranged side by side on one side of the housing 3 with the portions where the threaded holes are formed being brought closer to each other. In other words, in a plan view looking toward the one side of the housing 3, the two threaded holes are located between the opening of the inflow passage 35 and the opening of the outflow passage 36. In this embodiment, the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B are formed to have the same dimensions and shape except that the predetermined angle θ of the hose mounting tube portion 41c is different from each other.

[0044] 8, the hose mounting pipe portion 41c of the first piping member 4A is oriented in one direction (upward in the figure) in the vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heater 2, and the hose mounting pipe portion 41c of the second piping member 4B is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater 2 and on the opposite side to the first piping member 4A (right side in the figure; see FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8). On the other hand, in the second assembly position shown in Fig. 11, the hose mounting pipe portion 41c of the first piping member 4A is oriented in the other direction (downward in the figure) in the vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heater 2, and the hose mounting pipe portion 41c of the second piping member 4B is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater 2 and on the opposite side to the first piping member 4A (left side in the figure).

[0045] Therefore, the orientation direction of the hose mounting pipe portion 41c of the first piping member 4A in the first assembly position (see Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8) is different from the orientation direction of the hose mounting pipe portion 41c of the second piping member 4B in the second assembly position (see Figure 11), and the orientation direction of the hose mounting pipe portion 41c of the second piping member 4B in the first assembly position (see Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8) is different from the orientation direction of the hose mounting pipe portion 41c of the first piping member 4A in the second assembly position (see Figure 11). Therefore, the attachment direction (assembly direction / connection direction) of the hose attachment tube portion 41c of the piping members (4A, 4B) connected to the inflow flow path 35 can be changed between the first assembly position and the second assembly position, and the attachment direction (assembly direction / connection direction) of the hose attachment tube portion 41c of the piping members (4A, 4B) connected to the outflow flow path 36 can be changed between the first assembly position and the second assembly position. In this embodiment, on the inflow flow path 35 side, the external hose H is attached from above in the first assembly position and the external hose H is attached from the left side in the second assembly position, and on the outflow flow path 36 side, the external hose H is attached from the right side in the first assembly position and the external hose H is attached from below in the second assembly position.

[0046] According to the heat medium heating device 1 of this embodiment, the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B are each configured to be detachable from the housing 3. This allows for flexible assembly in a narrow space, such as in a vehicle, by simply attaching and detaching the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B as needed. Furthermore, because the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B, to which the external hose H is attached, are formed separately from the housing 3, mold costs can be reduced and handling during processing can be improved compared to conventional cases where the members are integrally molded with the housing, thereby minimizing increases in manufacturing costs. In this way, a heat medium heating device 1 can be provided that can be easily assembled into a vehicle or the like while minimizing increases in manufacturing costs.

[0047] In this embodiment, the flow path forming pipe 41 of the first piping member 4A and the flow path forming pipe 41 of the second piping member 4B are bent, which further improves the ease of assembly in a narrow space in a vehicle, etc. Note that if the flow path forming pipe 41 of one of the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B is bent, the ease of assembly can be improved. Furthermore, the bending angle of the bent flow path forming pipe 41 is not limited to 90 degrees, but may be any bending angle that corresponds to the mounting direction (assembly direction / connection direction) of the external hose H that may be required by the vehicle side.

[0048] In this embodiment, a pressure loss reducing portion 43, which is an inclined surface, is formed in the outer bent portion of the inner surface of the bent flow path forming pipe 41. The pressure loss reducing portion 43 is integrated with the flow path forming pipe 41 to form a strong structure, which can reduce deterioration of the pressure loss reducing portion 43, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably reduce pressure loss.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B are configured to be interchangeable and detachable from the housing 3, thereby enabling compatibility between the piping for the inlet flow path 35 and the outlet flow path 36, thereby improving the efficiency of piping work and further improving assembly ease.

[0050] In this embodiment, the bending direction of the flow path forming pipe 41 of the first piping member 4A relative to the protruding portion 42 is different from the bending direction of the flow path forming pipe 41 of the second piping member 4B relative to the protruding portion 42. As a result, even if the mounting direction (assembly direction / connection direction) of the external hose H required by the vehicle side is changed from the originally planned direction, the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B, which are compatible with each other, can be used interchangeably to mount (assemble) the external hose H to the flow path forming pipe 41 (hose mounting pipe portion 41c) from a direction that corresponds to the changed mounting direction of the external hose H. In this way, with only two pipes (the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B), it is possible to provide variations in the mounting direction (assembly direction) of the external hose H. Furthermore, the vehicle layout can be flexibly accommodated, and the use of the heat medium heating device 1 of this embodiment also improves the degree of freedom in the vehicle layout. Furthermore, the attachment direction of the external hose H can be varied without complicating the structure of the housing 3, and various hose attachment directions can be accommodated while reducing the mold cost for the housing 3. From these perspectives, the heat medium heating device 1 has extremely excellent assembly properties.

[0051] Furthermore, in addition to the two pipes (first piping member 4A and second piping member 4B), if an optional part is provided with a piping member whose bending angle of the flow path forming pipe 41 or whose bending direction of the flow path forming pipe 41 relative to the protruding portion 42 (i.e., the predetermined angle θ) is different from those of the first piping member 4A and the second piping member 4B, the ease of assembly can be further improved. In this case, even if the vehicle layout or hose attachment direction changes, the same housing 3 and mold for molding the housing can be used, and versatility is also increased.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the heater 2 is composed of a pair of heaters (first heater 2A and second heater 2B), and the first heater 2A and second heater 2B have a substantially cylindrical outer shape. However, this is not limited to this. The heater 2 may be any heater that generates heat when energized to heat the heat medium, and the number and shape of the heaters are optional.

[0053] The above describes the embodiments and some modified examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and it goes without saying that further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...heat medium heating device, 2...heater, 3...housing, 31...heater accommodating chamber, 35...inlet flow passage, 36...outlet flow passage, 4A...first piping member, 4B...second piping member, 40...flow passage, 41...flow passage forming pipe, 42...projection portion, 43...pressure loss reducing portion

Claims

1. A heat medium heating device comprising: a heater that generates heat when current is applied; a heater chamber that accommodates the heater; and a housing having an inlet flow path for introducing a heat medium into the heater chamber and an outlet flow path for discharging the heat medium from the heater chamber, wherein the heat medium flowing through the heater chamber is heated by the heater, a first piping member capable of introducing a heat medium from the outside into the inlet flow path; a second piping member capable of discharging the heat medium from the outlet flow path to the outside; Including, the first piping member and the second piping member are each configured to be detachable from the housing, the first piping member and the second piping member each have a flow path forming pipe that forms a flow path for guiding a heat medium, the flow path forming pipe of at least one of the first piping member and the second piping member is bent, The heat medium heating device, wherein the first piping member and the second piping member are configured to be interchangeable with each other and detachable from the housing.

2. A heat medium heating device comprising: a heater that generates heat when current is applied; a heater chamber that accommodates the heater; and a housing having therein an inlet flow path for introducing a heat medium into the heater chamber and an outlet flow path for discharging the heat medium from the heater chamber, wherein the heat medium flowing through the heater chamber is heated by the heater, a first piping member capable of introducing a heat medium from the outside into the inlet flow path; a second piping member capable of discharging the heat medium from the outlet flow path to the outside; Including, the first piping member and the second piping member are each configured to be detachable from the housing, the first piping member and the second piping member each have a flow path forming pipe that forms a flow path for guiding a heat medium, the flow path forming pipe of at least one of the first piping member and the second piping member is bent, a pressure loss reducing portion, which is an inclined surface, is formed on an outer bent portion of an inner surface of the flow path forming pipe of at least one of the first piping member and the second piping member; The heat medium heating device, wherein the first piping member and the second piping member are configured to be interchangeable with each other and detachable from the housing.

3. the flow path forming pipe of the first piping member and the flow path forming pipe of the second piping member are each bent, the first piping member and the second piping member each have a protruding portion that protrudes from an outer surface of the flow path forming pipe and is attached to the housing, 3. The heat medium heating device according to claim 1, wherein a bending direction of the flow path forming pipe based on the protruding portion of the first piping member is different from a bending direction of the flow path forming pipe based on the protruding portion of the second piping member.

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