Surface contact heat exchanger

Abstract

To inhibit temperature change of a heat medium as much as possible and make heat exchange at each part uniform in a surface contact type heat exchanger which conducts heat exchange with a heat exchange object such as a battery.SOLUTION: A surface contact type heat exchanger includes one or more second heat exchange parts 6 which are connected between an inflow port and an outflow port of a first heat medium 3 and in which a second heat medium 5 flows, conducts heat exchange with the first heat medium 3, and circulates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0003] ,

[0004]

[0001] The present invention is a surface contact type heat exchanger having a flat heat transfer surface on its outer surface, and relates to a heat exchanger that exchanges heat by bringing the heat transfer surface into contact with a heat exchange object such as a battery. In particular, it relates to suppressing the temperature difference in each part of the heat transfer surface.

Background Art

[0002] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a circuit of a first heat medium 3 such as cooling water and a second heat medium 5 such as a refrigerant of an air conditioner 16, and an explanatory diagram of the temperature change accompanying the flow of the first heat medium 3. Here, a heat exchange object 2 is placed on the surface of the flat heat transfer surface 1 of the first heat exchanger 18. In addition, a second heat exchanger 19 is arranged separately from the first heat exchanger 18, and a flow path for the first heat medium 3 is formed between the second heat exchanger 19 and the first heat exchanger 18. Further, a flow path for the second heat medium 5 is formed between the second heat exchanger 19 and the radiator 20.

[0003] Then, the heat exchange object 2 arranged on the heat transfer surface 1 is cooled by the first heat medium 3 flowing through the first heat exchanger 18. The first heat medium 3 exchanges heat with the second heat medium 5 in the second heat exchanger 19 and is returned to the first heat exchanger 18. In the first heat exchanger 18, the temperature of the first heat medium 3 rises by Δt while flowing from the inlet side to the outlet side.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional surface contact type heat exchanger, the temperature rises in each part until the first heat medium 3 absorbs heat from the heat exchange object 2 and releases heat to the second heat exchanger 19, resulting in non-uniform cooling of the heat exchange object 2. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress the temperature change of the heat medium as much as possible and make the heat exchange in each part uniform.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention as described in claim 1 comprises a first heat exchange unit 4 having a heat transfer surface 1 formed on its outer surface, a heat exchange object 2 in contact with the heat transfer surface 1, a first heat transfer medium 3 flowing and circulating inside, and heat exchange between the heat exchange object 2 and the heat exchange unit, This is a surface-contact type heat exchanger comprising one or more second heat exchange sections 6 connected between the inlet and outlet of a first heat transfer medium 3, through which a second heat transfer medium 5 flows and circulates, exchanging heat with the first heat transfer medium 3.

[0006] The present invention as described in claim 2 is a surface contact type heat exchanger as described in claim 1, This is a surface-contact type heat exchanger in which multiple second heat exchange units 6 are arranged in a row.

[0007] The present invention as described in claim 3 is a surface contact type heat exchanger as described in claim 1, This is a surface-contact type heat exchanger in which multiple second heat exchange sections 6 are integrally formed.

[0008] The invention described in claim 4 relates to a surface contact type heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The heat exchange target object 2 is a battery, The second heat exchange section 6 is a surface-contact type heat exchanger in which the first heat transfer medium 3 and the refrigerant for air conditioning, which is the second heat transfer medium 5, exchange heat. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The invention described in claim 1 comprises a first heat exchange section 4 that exchanges heat between a heat exchange target object 2 on a heat transfer surface 1 and a first heat transfer medium 3, and one or more second heat exchange sections 6 connected between the inlet and outlet of the first heat transfer medium 3, through which a second heat transfer medium 5 flows and which circulates by exchanging heat with the first heat transfer medium 3. In this way, by arranging the second heat exchange section 6 between the inlet and outlet of the first heat transfer medium 3 and allowing heat exchange between the two mediums, the temperature difference within the surface when the first heat transfer medium 3 flows across the heat transfer surface 1 of the surface contact type heat exchanger is reduced, and the non-uniformity of heat exchange of the object being heat exchanged is suppressed.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that a plurality of second heat exchange units 6 are arranged in a row. As described above, since multiple second heat exchange units 6 are arranged side by side, it is possible to ensure that the heat transfer surface 1 in the surface contact type heat exchanger is not divided by the second heat exchange units 6.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that a plurality of second heat exchange sections 6 are integrally formed. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is such that the object to be heat exchanged 2 is a battery, and in the second heat exchange unit 6, the first heat transfer medium 3 and the refrigerant for air conditioning, which is the second heat transfer medium 5, are heat exchanged. This helps to suppress uneven cooling or heating of the battery. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] An exploded perspective view of a surface-contact type heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view (A) and a cross-sectional view (B) of the same figure (A) taken along the arrow BB, showing the assembled state of a surface-contact type heat exchanger. [Figure 3] A block diagram (A) showing the flow paths of the first heat transfer medium 3 and the second heat transfer medium 5 in the same embodiment, and a diagram (B) illustrating the temperature change of the heat transfer medium due to the flow of the first heat transfer medium 3. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the flow paths of the first heat transfer medium 3 and the second heat transfer medium 5 in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A block diagram showing the flow paths of the first heat transfer medium 3 and the second heat transfer medium 5 in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A block diagram showing the flow paths of the first heat transfer medium 3 and the second heat transfer medium 5 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] An exploded perspective view of the surface-contact type heat exchanger of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 8]Block diagram (A) showing the flow paths of the first heat medium 3 and the second heat medium 5 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and explanatory diagram (B) of the temperature change of the heat medium accompanying the flow of the first heat medium 3. [Figure 9] Block diagram (A) showing the flow paths of the first heat medium 3 and the second heat medium 5 in a conventional surface contact type heat exchanger, and explanatory diagram (B) of the temperature change accompanying the flow of the first heat medium 3.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Next, based on the drawings, an example of cooling the heat exchange object 2 will be described for the embodiments of the present invention.

Example

[0015] Figs. 1 to 3 show the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view thereof, Fig. 2 is an assembled view and a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow B - B, and Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow path of the heat exchanger and an explanatory diagram of the temperature change accompanying the flow of the first heat medium 3.

[0016] This surface contact type heat exchanger can cool a heat exchange object 2 such as a battery cell assembly as shown in Fig. 2. In this example, along the flow of the first heat medium 3 such as engine cooling water, the upstream second heat exchange part 6a, the upstream first heat exchange part 4a, the downstream second heat exchange part 6b, and the downstream first heat exchange part 4b are arranged.

[0017] This heat exchanger has a dish-shaped lower plate 10 and an upper plate 11 joined to the flange part 10a thereof, and their respective planes are formed in a rectangular shape. The lower plate 10 has a flange part 10a formed in a frame shape on the outer periphery, and a plurality of partition parts 10b are integrally projected in a staggered pattern inside the flange part 10a. A flow part 10c for cooling water is formed between the tip of the partition part 10b and the outer peripheral flange part 10a. The surface of the flange part 10a and the surface of the partition part 10b are on the same plane. In Figure 1, the heat transfer surfaces 1a and 1b of the upper plate 11 are formed to align with the positions between the leftmost partition 10b and the intermediate partition 10b of the lower plate 10, and between the intermediate partition 10b and the rightmost flange 10a. In addition, numerous dimples 13 are provided protruding from the inner surface between the leftmost partition 10b and the intermediate partition 10b of the lower plate 10, and between the intermediate partition 10b and the rightmost flange 10a, which stir the first heat transfer medium 3. Furthermore, a heat transfer improving means 8, which is press-formed in a planar V-shape, is formed between the flange portion 10a at the left end of the lower plate 10 and the partition portion 10b opposite it. Similarly, a heat transfer improving means 8 is also formed between the pair of intermediate partition portions 10b. This heat transfer improvement means 8 is also arranged in pairs at one end and in the middle of the upper plate 11 in the longitudinal direction, and an upstream second heat exchange section 6a and a downstream second heat exchange section 6b are formed at their respective positions. These second heat exchange sections 6a and 6b are formed by the lower plate 10, the upper plate 11, and a plate 9 stacked on the upper plate 11.

[0018] As a means 8 for improving heat transfer in the second heat exchange sections 6a and 6b, the V-shaped pattern on one of the upper and lower opposing plates is formed in the opposite direction to the other. In each of the second heat exchange sections 6a and 6b, the refrigerant from the air conditioning heat exchanger is introduced as the second heat transfer medium 5 between the upper plate 11 and the plate 9 stacked on top of it. Then, in the upstream second heat exchange section 6a and the downstream second heat exchange section 6b, heat exchange takes place between the first heat transfer medium 3 flowing between the lower plate 10 and the upper plate 11 and the second heat transfer medium 5.

[0019] Then, the first heat transfer medium 3, cooled in the upstream second heat exchange section 6a, is guided to the upstream first heat exchange section 4a, where it cools the heat exchange target object 2 that is in surface contact with it. Next, it is guided to the downstream second heat exchange section 6b, where it is cooled and circulates after absorbing the heat generated by the heat exchange target object 2 in the downstream first heat exchange section 4b. Figure 3(A) shows the flow path and operation, and (B) shows the temperature change of the refrigerant associated with the movement of the first heat transfer medium 3. The first heat transfer medium 3 rises in temperature by about half of Δt at the downstream end of the upstream first heat exchange section 4a, is cooled back to its original temperature in the downstream second heat exchange section 6b, and then rises in temperature again by about half at the downstream end of the downstream first heat exchange section 4b. Note that Δt represents the temperature rise of the conventional heat exchanger in Figure 9. [Examples]

[0020] Next, Figure 4 shows the flow path of a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this example and the first embodiment in Figure 3 lies in the arrangement of the heat transfer surfaces 1a, 1b and the first heat exchange sections 4a, 4b and the second heat exchange sections 6a, 6b. The operation of both embodiments is substantially the same. That is, in Figure 4, the heat transfer surfaces 1a, 1b are arranged in parallel, and the second heat exchange sections 6a, 6b are arranged in parallel on one side of each. [Examples]

[0021] Next, Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow path of a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the surface-contact type heat exchanger has heat transfer surfaces 1a and 1b, an upstream first heat exchange section 4a, and a downstream first heat exchange section 4b arranged vertically in the figure, with the heat exchange target object 2 placed on each of them. Furthermore, a second heat exchange section 6 is positioned adjacent to the heat transfer surfaces 1a and 1b. Then, the first heat transfer medium 3, such as engine coolant, flows through the heat transfer surfaces 1a and 1b in multiple passes. Next, in the second heat exchange section 6, the second heat transfer medium 5, such as a refrigerant, flows in one pass, while the first heat transfer medium 3 flows in multiple passes. The first heat transfer medium 3 exchanges heat with the second heat transfer medium 5 in the second heat exchange section 6, passes through the upstream first heat exchange section 4a of the heat transfer surface 1a, and is then guided to the downstream first heat exchange section 4b of the heat transfer surface 1b. It is then cooled again by the second heat transfer medium 5 in the second heat exchange section 6 and returned to the pump 17 via the upstream first heat exchange section 4a of the heat transfer surface 1a.

[0022] Specifically, in the diagram of the second heat exchange section 6, the low-temperature refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the second heat transfer medium 5 at one end passes through the upstream first heat exchange section 4a and the downstream first heat exchange section 4b, is cooled again by the second heat transfer medium 5 in the second heat exchange section 6, and is returned to the pump 17. The first heat transfer medium 3 then flows through the upstream first heat exchange section 4a and the downstream first heat exchange section 4b of the heat transfer surfaces 1a and 1b in a double pass. As a result, the heat exchange target objects 2 placed on each heat transfer surface 1a and 1b absorb heat. In other words, the first heat transfer medium 3 flows in a double pass, absorbs heat from each of the pair of heat exchange target objects 2, undergoes two heat exchanges in the second heat exchange section 6, and is returned to the pump 17. [Examples]

[0023] Next, Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow path of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this example and the embodiment in Figure 5 lies in the flow path of the first heat transfer medium 3. The first heat transfer medium 3, having passed through pump 17, splits into two streams directly below it, passing through heat transfer surfaces 1a and 1b in double passes, and is returned to pump 17. That is, first, one of the first heat transfer medium 3 that has passed through pump 17 flows outside of heat transfer surfaces 1a and 1b in Figure 6 and is returned to pump 17. The other first heat transfer medium 3 flows through the circuit inside the heat transfer surfaces 1a and 1b in Figure 6 and is returned to the pump 17. Both first heat transfer mediums 3 exchange heat with the second heat transfer medium 5 in the second heat exchange section 6, and the cooled first heat transfer medium 3 is guided to the upstream first heat exchange section 4a and the downstream first heat exchange section 4b. [Examples]

[0024] Next, Figure 7 is an exploded view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the second heat exchange section 6 is configured such that an upstream second heat exchange section 6a is located on one side of the heat transfer surface 1, and a downstream second heat exchange section 6b is located on the other side, with each of the second heat exchange sections 6a and 6b being a stacked type heat exchange section. In this stacked type heat exchange section, the first heat transfer medium 3 and the second heat transfer medium 5 flow alternately through every other plate formed in a dish shape. The heat transfer surface 1 has a rectangular lower plate 10 that is wider than the plate of the second heat exchange section 6, and an upper plate 11 that is attached to the flange portion 10a on its outer circumference. A partition portion 10b is arranged integrally with the inside of the flange portion 10a of the lower plate 10. The first heat transfer medium 3 flows into the cooling water channels of the second heat exchange section 6 from the cooling water inlet and outlet 14 of the lower plate 10 and the upper plate 11. Furthermore, refrigerant from an air conditioning heat exchanger (not shown) is introduced into the second heat transfer medium 5 through a refrigerant inlet / outlet 15 located at the upper end of the second heat exchange section 6, and then flows out through the refrigerant inlet / outlet 15. Heat exchange then takes place between this second heat transfer medium and the first heat transfer medium 3, which acts as cooling water. In Figure 7, a heat exchange target object 2, such as a battery cell assembly (not shown), is placed on the upper surface of the heat transfer surface 1, and the first heat transfer medium 3 absorbs the heat generated by it. [Examples]

[0025] Figure 8(A) is a block diagram showing the flow paths of the first heat transfer medium 3 and the second heat transfer medium 5 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8(B) is an explanatory diagram of the temperature change of the heat transfer medium associated with the flow of the first heat transfer medium 3. The difference between this example and the first embodiment is that two more second heat exchange units 6 have been added. As shown in Figure 8(B), by adding the second heat exchange units 6, the temperature rise Δt of the conventional heat exchanger can be reduced to about one-quarter of that. [Industrial applicability]

[0026] The present invention can be used as a heat exchanger, such as a cooler for the drive battery of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1 Heat transfer surface 1a Heat transfer surface 1b Heat transfer surface 2. Objects subject to heat exchange 3 First heat medium 4 1st heat exchange section 4a Upstream first heat exchange section 4b Downstream side first heat exchange section 5 Second heat medium 6 Second heat exchange section 6a Upstream second heat exchange section 6b Downstream second heat exchange section 7 Installation surface 8 Heat transfer improvement means 9 plates

[0028] 10 Lower plate 10a Flange section 10b Partition 10c Distribution Department 11 Top plate 12 pipes 13 dimples 14 Cooling water inlet / outlet 15 Refrigerant inlet / outlet 16 Air conditioner 17 Pumps 18 1st heat exchanger 19 Second heat exchanger 20 Heatsink

Claims

1. A heat transfer surface (1) is formed on the outer surface, and a heat exchange object (2) is in contact with the heat transfer surface (1). A first heat transfer medium (3) flows and circulates inside, and heat is exchanged between the heat exchange object (2) and a plurality of first heat exchange sections (4). The system comprises one or more second heat exchange sections (6) connected between the inlet and outlet of the first heat transfer medium (3), positioned between the upstream first heat exchange section (4a) and the downstream first heat exchange section (4b) along the flow of the first heat transfer medium (3), through which the second heat transfer medium (5) flows, exchanging heat with the first heat transfer medium (3) and circulating. A surface-contact type heat exchanger in which the first heat transfer medium (3) exchanges heat only with the object to be heat exchanged (2) in the upstream first heat exchange medium (4a), is then guided to the second heat exchange medium (6) to exchange heat only with the second heat transfer medium (5), and then exchanges heat only with the object to be heat exchanged (2) in the downstream first heat exchange medium (4b).

2. In the surface contact type heat exchanger according to claim 1, A surface-contact type heat exchanger in which multiple second heat exchange sections (6) are arranged in a row.

3. In the surface contact type heat exchanger according to claim 1, A surface-contact type heat exchanger in which multiple second heat exchange sections (6) are integrally formed.

4. In a surface contact type heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The heat exchange target (2) is a battery, The second heat exchange section (6) is a surface-contact type heat exchanger in which the first heat transfer medium (3) and the air conditioning refrigerant, which is the second heat transfer medium (5), exchange heat.

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